Five things I have learned

Five things I have learned and surrendered to as a mom!

1. The "plastic collection" of glassware is totally IN this year. When I got married I had such a beautiful set of Crate and Barrel stines, mugs and glasses. Well, through love lost, I have learned that I am destined to have plastic cups for at least the next nine years. Although, the occasional Chuck-E-Cheese and Fishy cup does add the my kitchen's ambiance.

2. Wood kitchen floors are awesome at hiding spots. These spots will remain there until I mop and I wont mop everyday. Darker colored spills are better and more preferred around my house because the wood floor allows it to be a bit camouflaged. The floor will get mopped once a week unless the Exxon Valdez is spilled.

3. I could be a mortician or coroner. With the amount of poop, pee, puke and blood I have dealt with I am convinced that I could walk into an autopsy minus the Vicks under the nose.

4. Spills happen in slow motion, yet they are never saved.

5. Surrender to the "dad factor." If you leave dad in charge while you are out or at an appointment.......he will not do it right. The sooner you learn and accept this, the better life will be. He will not understand why they wont go to sleep with cartoons on, he will not understand that going to bed with clothes on is not the same as pjs, and he will not understand why fruits and veggies at dinner are needed. (Disclaimer alert......love you Major)

So come on over and have an unhealthy meal, while drinking out of a Chuck-E-Cheese cup, watching cartoons with the occasional scabby knee mixed in.

New Fall Resolutions

Wow, I didnt think it would be so hard sending Syd and Brock off to school.

I already miss them. We had such a fun summer together!
However, back to school season always feels a bit like New Years to me. It's like afresh start. So many things are changing. Kids are going back to school, the season is changing and new activities. Maybe this should be everyone's New Fall Resolution Time.

What will my resolutions be?

1. School Mornings will be less crazy. Wait....that's probably inevitable. I mean in seven years I still have to remind the boogers to put on their shoes 25 times before we even hit the door. Maybe my resolution should be to let them go to school without their shoes if they don't listen the first time. Yeah.....That will teach em. Hmmmmm......ok, scratch this one. Next.

2. The TV will be on less at our house. Hold on.....wouldn't that be like a dangerous detox for them? I mean it is crack cocaine for kids? They could have some serious withdrawal symptoms. Better do it slowly....Ok, lets try this again.

3. Major and I will synchronize our schedules better and I will be more organized. If only he would use my cute purse calendar.....I like old school paper and he likes to put everything on his phone. (I think he secretly doesn't like how it clashes with his outfit) ***Well, at least my well thought out activity center in the kitchen will help. I mean how hard is it to train the troops to actually use the files, pencil holders and post it board.......I can clean off their sticky suckers, cups, cleaners, bags, keys and newspapers everyday so it actually serves its purpose...right? Ugh...this isn't working.

I guess Ill just stick with our Mantra that we are a happily imperfect family that loves and supports one another. That's how we work well together. We have craziness everyday, but that is what makes us.....us! We don't pretend to be perfect, but I guess that's why I have such amazing kids.

Have a great week.
What's your New Fall Resolution?

Ever notice how you go on vacation to "get away and relax" and when you get home from "vacation" you are so tired from "vacation" that you feel like you need another one right away........for ONCE we didnt do that.

The following was the Earleywine vacation schedule: Wake up....beach...pool...beach...lunch...nap...beach...pool...eat....beach....sleep.

For 4 Straight Days!

We were so laid back, we relaxed our bodies and minds.

I had time to reflect on many things. I thought about how my life has changed since I started staying home with the kids. Sure there are things I miss about working, but I chose this change for my family and me and my decisions are not about just me anymore. If this decision betters my family then it betters me in turn. I realized how I have come to love my life even more. I am a better wife, mother, friend and person. The time will come soon that I will finish grad school and return to work....that makes me smile because I will be doing something I love instead of something simply because it pays the bills.

It has hit me that Ryan is really going to be gone for a YEAR of our lives...he will miss those milestones like birthdays, holidays, anniversary and my graduation. But he also is making that sacrifice.

I haven't really mourned the fact that he is leaving. I suppose its because i have stayed so busy. But all those familiar questions are coming back, like "how will I ever have enough babysitters?", "how will I feel safe?", and "how will I fix that sink if it breaks?" But we got through this two other times and we can do it again. I am armed with lessons learned and will take it day by day with the help of my wonderful family and friends.