Monday, October 26, 2009

Q & A

A few answers to a few Questions. Thanks Michelle at Blessed Quiver for the questions...



1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while you are blogging?

Lots of things. Brownies, Ding Dongs... usually something chocolate.


2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?

Except for the obvious... Something superficial that I wouldn't want to live without is tv. Though I just did that for a year and a half and lived just fine. It makes me feel like things are normal to have television again.

3. Beach, Mountains, or Farm? Where would you live?

Farm. I would love to live someplace where we seem to be in a rural setting, yet still be able to get to church and Walmart in under 10 minutes. lol


4. What is your least favorite household chore?

Cleaning the kitchen. Scrubbing the Toilet.
I don't mind doing laundry, but it rarely gets hung up after.


5. Who do people say you remind them of?

No idea. One friend said I reminded her of the girl Sally on Nightmare before Christmas. I don't like the movie, so I don't know if that is a compliment or just an observation.

I think that my grandma, mother and I resemble Ingrid Bergman. She has our family nose. lol


6. Parties and socializing or staying home with the family?

I'm a homebody, but I usually enjoy parties. Having one of my own is a little stressful for me though.

7. What's your all time favorite movie?

I love old movies. I guess my favorite is a tie between- "Casablanca" "It's a Wonderful Life" and almost all Cary Grant movies!


8. Do you sleep in your makeup or remove it every night?

I rarely wear makeup, and then I forget to wash it off unless Hubby complains. He doesn't like the smell of it. I used to be very good at washing it off because it broke me out if I didn't. My new makeup doesn't seem to do that so much, so I just leave it till the next shower.

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn?

hidden talent? hmmm...don't know.
Desire to learn?... Caricature.


10. What's one strange thing you are really good at?

Swatting flies! I'm the best! We used to live a few miles from a chicken farm, and once in a while the wind would be just right to bring a horrible smell to our house. The flies would flock to our front porch and I got lots of practice.

11. What first attracted you to your spouse?

He was quite a cutie and very funny and quite goofy around other people!

12. What is something you love to smell?

Apple Pie, Babies, shampood hair, roses, chocolate... not much else.


13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people?

I can only assume I talk to much and maybe even interupt people when they are talking and I am really into the conversation.



14. When you have extra money, what's the first thing you do with it?

Get toys for the kids, things to make my home look nicer and quilting fabric.


15. Are you a silent laugher or loud laugher?

loud, though I have tried to tone it down a lot. My husband also has a loud laugh and a very funny one that people make fun of! lol

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?

Hobby Lobby, also Amazon

17. Whats one thing you would do more often if you had more time?

Quilt, draw, cartoon, read, write letters.

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?

I swing back and forth depending on our status
Even when I am a big spender though, I am careful about what I spend on and never pay too much for any one thing. I especially don't spend money on my own clothes.

19. Who is your favorite character of all time?

Polly of "An Old Fashioned Girl" by Louisa May Alcott

20. Would you want to be famous?

Yes, I dream of writing a hit comic strip and then being known across the country and having it turned into an animated movie. Being interviewed by our local paper and riding in parades! HA! How's that for fame!?

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Parenting Trends 2009


I just read this article on the
Top Trends in Parenting in 2009

It was on the Parents Magazine website. I would link to it but I think you have to join and sign in to read it.Anyway, it was written by Katie Herrick.


When I read the title of the article, I figured it would be quite a laugh to read. After all, I have never agreed with most trends in our society, especially in parenting. I think they often clash with Christian values and my general way of thinking.I was pleasantly suprised however to find that I agreed with most, and am personally advocating some and the others don't bother me a bit! Feel free to add your own!

1. Grown-Up Nurseries

With the economy like it is, it makes sense to furnish the baby room with things that fit into your home decor, not necessarily just that one room. I can dig it, I am definitely doing that with this baby, because his room will be the former computer room, and one day will return to that when he moves in with his big brother.

2. Anything Obama's kids do or wear

I could care less. This is probably my least favorite trend. Really. Who. Cares.
3. Homemade Meals with a twist Less eating out, more cooking but with some pre-made elements for busy families. Sounds good to me, cept, I opt for trying to tune out those pre-made elements... but if I were working....yeah.

4. Use-Your-Imagination Play

Parents are opting for toys that can be used in multiple ways and that foster more imagination in play. Instead of a character from a movie, get a generic cowboy toy or help them build a fort, etc. Love it! Heck, my son is sitting behind me on the floor playing with his trucks and some bags of beans... lol. Not my idea, but I am glad he can take everyday objects and make them into stuff. It is what I did growing up and I have an awesome imagination!!!

5. BPA Free Pregnancies

- Already in on the scary BPA stuff. Trying to cut out any exposure, but it is difficult. I want to know when companies are going to stop putting it in the cans and bottles? What do we have to do to convince them to stop poisoning us? They actually package pre-made baby formula in cans with BPA filled lining.By the way, don't ever eat canned tomato products! They are the worst for BPA leeching.
6. The Nature Vacation

- camping, cheap stuff. Sounds great except I like sleeping in my own bed anyway. Still.....I am always for simple.

7. Med-free Remedies for kids-

Yes! The less medicine you give kids (or yourself for that matter) the better! Kids are having more reactions and complications from cold medicines these days than from the colds. And the medicines don't shorten the time sick, they just help with symptoms. The article suggests -chicken soup... honey (for kids over the age of one of course) homemade nasal sprays, and other non medical helps.

8. The No-School Preschool and Homeschooling in general!
Woo Hoo!!!!! Awesome! The article talks about how many people are flocking to take their kid's educations into their own hands. Love it! I can't agree enough with this one. Obviously, that is our plan too and there are a million reasons why it is a great idea and why it is good for our kids. This article names a few of those. I am so glad this was in the top trends!

9. A relaxed Approach to 'Breast is Best'

Obviously, nobody is saying that you shouldn't breast feed. It is still the best way to have a healthy baby. This trend is simply a relaxing attitude toward people who have trouble accomplishing this goal. I know many women who have had trouble breast feeding and have really beat themselves up over it and gone to great and painful lengths to try to continue it. Sometimes it is ok to admit that is just won't work and move on.

10. Mom-Centered Baby Showers

Sounds ok! Nothing against this one either. Baby Showers are awesome, either way.

11. Omega-3's for Pregnant or Nursing Moms

This one is great. I already know Omega 3's are great for our health. The article says that it really connects with smart babies... but while trying to eat fish to get this, you have to find a way to avoid the mercury problem. Not sure where tunafish falls in there.

12. Facebook is the new Mommy Group

Heck Yeah! If not for Facebook this hermit would go nuts! Woo-hoo!

13. Strong, Solid Baby Names

With the economy the way it is, they say it effects baby naming trends. We are stuck in the mire of baby naming right now, I am sure the name will be a solid one, since we are having a boy and probably won't get too creative. We shall see.

14. High Design, Low Price Maternity Wear

Sounds good. Second-hand will do for me!

15. Elephants
Ok, I love and study trends in Graphics and packaging... I hadn't noticed the elephants getting hot, but if they say so, ok. Elephants are cute.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

What I am and what I'm not.

Mamma Kat over at Mamma's Losing It posted this writing prompt, so I thought I would give it a try...

Who I am, Who I am not...


I am ...

different
outgoing
loyal
caring of others
opinionated but...
careful with my mouth
a homebody
creative
a starter of many things
a finisher of not as many things
a dreamer
a wife
a mommy
a Christian
relaxed
simple
consistant
all about priorities
one who takes my thoughts captive
content
conservative
modest
comfortable
fun
an artist
a decent cook
into communication
an improvisor
a quilter
messy
quirky

I am not...

organized
busy
stressed
about success outside the home
competitive
a complainer
a worrier
into conflict
an activist
green
liberal
fashionable
accomplished
obssessed
good at math
a memorizer
normal
legalistic



misty

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Suddenly I have a LARGE family!


I say this jokingly. I have 2 children and one on the way. This, to me, does not constitute a large family.

But... believe it or not, where I live. In my circle of friends and family... this is huge!
I knew this before I got pregnant this time. That we were about to step out of the 'acceptable range of family size' according to practically everyone we know.

They all have 2 children. I will have 3. That doesn't seem like a big difference to me, but to them it is unbelievable.

Ok, there is one family in my church who were expecting their third baby when we first started coming there. They are the Youth pastor and his wife. They made very sure to explain to everyone that number 3 was not planned, she was an accident.
*sigh*

It is understood among the people we know, that if you have more than two children, you are either irresponsible, or you must have had an accident. (We did not have an accident!)

I know that we are considered irresponsible. Especially in light of the fact that we probably have one of the lowest incomes of anyone we know or are friends with. This is mainly due to the fact that we have been through several layoffs in our years since college and because we choose for me to stay at home with the kids. I seriously dreaded telling people of this pregnancy. Family too, they weren't even thrilled when we announced our second baby!

The best part is this... I don't even think we are done!! I don't really know for sure, but I know I already feel open to more. I think God is turning our hearts toward that end. We are very very careful not to put a limit on His blessing.
Out of about 13 couples in our class at church, I think there are only maybe 2 or 3 who haven't already had a surgery to stop from having more children.
That makes me sad.

An old friend and mentor who was about to have his second daughter any day called me up to say that I was "popping them out like puppies" and that the average number of children for a family to have now is One, and that we are very out of the ordinary for having so many.
Thanks.

I recently reconnected with an old friend via Facebook. (love it) I was so excited to talk to her and find out that she has 3 children and wants more! She says that in her church 6 or 7 children is normal! Maybe we should move there! And she homeschools! I only have one friend currently who homeschools and she just moved away.
Anway, for the last several months... since I reconnected with her, she has been ttc with much trouble oddly enough. Today she announced excitedly that she is pregnant with her fourth baby!!! I am so happy for her!!! I am also just happy that there are other women out there who think that children are a blessing, even more than two!

Misty

Monday, October 19, 2009

Being a Scary Mommy

Jill over at Scary Mommy is having a search for scary mommies....

I'm a scary mommy.

Why do I say that? Well, if you define a scary mommy as someone who doesn't do everything they are 'supposed' to do, then I fit the bill. It isn't that I lack some sort of knowledge of what the world expects.

We all have that little voice inside that says- "don't tell anybody about this, or you will be judged". That is all you need, a little voice says that, and you know you are a scary mom.

I was talking to a friend the other day and I didn't hesistate to talk about my kids' messed up bedtimes because I have told her this before, and she said to me- "Some people would judge you for that". Which made me realize something.
She judges me for it.

It's funny, I didn't expect it from her. I also know that she doesn't think that it is a really really bad thing, but the fact that she thinks other people do, means that in her mind, I am not living up to the expectations of a mom.

Yes, my kids bedtimes are messed up. Well, my almost 4 yr old son stays up until 11:00 most nights. There you go, judge me all you want. It will make you feel better about your own problems.

Hey, at least I know that somewhere out there is a mom who still has more than one child sleeping in the bed with she and her husband and she doesn't know what to do about it!
At least our son is sleeping in his room! (Doesn't it make you feel a little better when you hear someone else is doing worse than you? lol ...terrible isn't it?)

Now, my daughter (18 months old) goes to bed the second we put her in her bed and sleeps wonderfully until morning. So at least I do know a little about good bedtimes. But my son is a different story. He was first, he slept in our bed with us until he was 10 months old. He has always had lengthy time with us every night before bedtime. That explains only some of the trouble...
..... we also sleep late. *Gasp!!! *

Yes, we sleep late because I am pregnant and I wake up in the middle of the night and sit awake for hours, then I go back to sleep about daybreak and sleep until the kids get up, which is around 10:00

Horrible, I know!
I wish I could just say. I don't care, it is our life and it works for us!
But I do care. I hate to even admit it here. I am determined to change things to a more normal routine when I am no longer pregnant. That is my plan. Maybe even sooner.

But the scarriest part is this- This is not the only reason I am a scary mom.

The reasons go on and on-

* I don't do laundry until every one is out of clean clothes... sometimes a couple of days after that.
*Though I seem to wash dishes every day, my kitchen always looks like a disaster area.
*There are toys all over my living room floor all the time. (In my defense, I pick them up and then return within the hour, and I am now to the stage in my pregnancy that I can't bend over anymore, so I just kick them aside!)
*I don't make breakfast, I just hand out poptarts or eggos or cookies (yes cookies for breakfast) as my kids ask for them.
* there are more reasons and I am not putting them, because I too have a highly developed sense of what should and should not be done as a mom.

I was just thinking this week of the over abundance of guilt that comes with being a Mom.
Some of it is good. Guilt makes us accountable sometimes.
Some of it is bad. We heap rules and regulations on top of our own shoulders. Then there we are... the mom who has it all together (or at least appears to) and the mom who can't seem to make it come together... both of us ... walking around with the same big heap of guilt on our shoulders.

But it beats the alternative. There are some moms who just don't care. And I am definitely not one of those moms. My mom was one of those, I will admit it right now. She dumped her baby onto her parents to raise and then went on about her life with no sense of guilt at all.
Now, that is a scary mom.

I love my children. I love being a mom. I don't care how much guilt it comes with. I don't care how behind I feel. I know that when I am through being pregnant things will get better then I will begin Homeschooling and everything will get hectic again, but the point is, I wouldn't change my job for anything in the world and I will keep trying to do better and most of all, I will love my kids and play with them and encourage them and be a big mess while doing it.

Maybe that isn't so scary after all.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Writer's Workshop- How did you get your name?


This will be my first try at a Writer's Workshop prompt, but here goes...


Most of the prompts for this Writer's Workshop asked us to write all about how special our mother is to us and the story of giving birth to us and so forth. I don't have much to say about all of that. My relationship with my Mom is more of a friend type thing. She didn't raise me (her parents did) but I did spend Christmas with her every year and some time in the summers. She lives nearby but we only talk when birthdays or holidays are coming up. She is big into holidays.

She isn't a very motherly person and doesn't seem to care much for kids, so she doesn't come to see mine much and definitely doesn't babysit. As for all of the stories of my birth and stuff, she doesn't talk about her past at all, so none of that.

I do however know a couple of things about how I was named.
My first name- Misty was after a song that was popular the year that I was born. It was a blues type song called Misty Blue. I have heard it and it is actually a pretty cool song.
My middle name- Amanda was after Miss Amanda on Gunsmoke (or maybe her name was Miss Kity and her real name was Amanda, I forget)... Lovely. lol
I am not sure what I would have been named if I had been a boy. Never thought to ask.
I love what the Baby Naming Wizard book has to say about my name. It is certainly a dated name. The only people I ever meet with the name Misty are pretty much my exact age. It was quite popular there for about 5 minutes. There are two more Misty's living on my street and I always had others in my classes. I am not that fond of it, but it is my name. The Wizard basically says that the name has finally been left to just horses and strippers. lol!
This seems an appropriate post since I have been losing sleep lately over what to name our coming arrival. We have so much trouble with boy names, we have 3 months left and don't seem near making any decision. I laughed at our friends who didn't agree on a name with either of their daughters until they were at the hospital both times, but now I can't really say much, because we may be in the same boat this time!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Shopper Girl Cartoon


Here is a little doodle I did yesterday in my sketchbook. I guess I was thinking of going shopping today which I did. It was nice to get out alone and take my time. I usually have both kids with me at all times and am on a tight schedule because of naptime and such. Today I just took my time and looked around. Oh, and spent a little money too.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

A quick fix would be nice.

As I am running around cleaning the house/taking care of toddler requests such as juice and snacks etc.... I sometimes stop dead in my tracks to locate a tiny irritating thing. A hair on my arm. One of the really long hairs from my head. (I just realized a week or so ago that my hair is now about an inch from my waistline in length, though I never really intended it to get that long) My hairs are everywhere in this house but I think it is kinda funny that if I get one wrapped around or stuck to my arm it bothers me to no end, I have to find it and detach it before going on my way.

I was just thinking that I wish it were that way with other things in life. If there was something amiss in my daily routine or my parenting skills, if only I would know it immediately and be able to fix it before it caused any trouble.

I guess I thought of it that way because I am at one of those stages with my almost 4 year old where I wonder how much damage I have caused to his habits and personality already in my parenting. He has a lot of angry moments and I can only think that it is directly related to my temper. I do not really have much of a temper, but when he repeatedly disobeys I do let my frustration show. In theory I believe in disciplining with a quiet spirit and that it is better to simply apply the punishment without any sign of aggravation. This is what my husband and I strive to do. But what really happens is we are constantly reacting to his behavior with irritation.

I have always been a big fan of the Duggars. When we were without tv for a year and a half recently I missed seeing the tv specials about them on Discovery Health. We have had television back now for a month or two and I was just watching an episode where they celebrated Michelle's birthday. (she's the mom of 18 kids and one on the way in case you didn't know) Something happened which I took note of. Her sister said to her on camera that she had never seen Michelle upset and was still waiting to see it some day.

I know that the Duggar children are well-behaved and well-disciplined. I know that it hasn't been that simple to make them that way, but I bet a lot is owed to Michelle's temperment. I would like to be exactly like that. To never get my feathers ruffled and to always have a smile on my face throughout all parenting situations. I wonder if that is possible. Maybe if I got up every morning and prayed to that end. I keep wondering if it is too late already with Micah and if it is too late with Allie simply because she will be getting the bad habits from him.

Anyway, I know we all have areas we need work, I guess it is at least good that I know where I am lacking and want to work on it.
Good luck with all of your struggles too.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Funny

Micah: (pointing to the back of his neck) I have a brain right here mom, and it hurts.
Me: Did you bump your head?
Micah: No
Me: Do you have a headache?
Micah: No, I think I just need to burp.


LOL! I love conversations with 3 year olds!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Baby naming...Arrrggh!

One of my favorite topics is names. I have always loved naming and talking about favorite or unusual names. When a friend is pregnant I can't wait to hear what they are naming their baby.
This is the third time I will be involved in naming a baby and I have to say, it is so hard! It seems to get harder each time. We are very happy with the names we chose for our first and second children, but they didn't come easy!
The worst thing is that last time, we chose our daughter's name around 20 weeks and stuck with it... until two weeks prior to her birth when we completely changed our minds! So now my hubby is sort of gun shy... he seems to feel that if we choose a name now (at 26 weeks) then we will most certainly not stick with it. So the only two names we have managed to half-way agree on are sort of jinxed!
It seems like all I can do now is wait until it is closer to time and then hope he just suddenly bursts out with a great idea that I also like. Too bad, because I like thinking of the baby with a name while they are still in my tummy. Instead, this time the little guy is going to be simply known as 'little brother' until further notice.
I am praying about us finding the right name. We certainly need help! lol More news on that in the next 3 months, I hope!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

In your dreams!

I was thinking this morning of a time when I had been married only for two or three years. We still lived in an apartment and I just ached to have a house. We lived in a lovely neighborhood and I remember we would take little walks together to the park and along the way we would walk past the most adorable houses. At night when we were driving home from somewhere I would see lights shining in the window of some little home and it would just make me almost want to cry from wanting a home of our own.
I also spent half of my time worrying about whether it was time to have kids or not. We had always said that we would probably wait until we had been married for about 5 years before talking about kids, but it didn't stop me from thinking about it all the time. I was never quite at peace with waiting. This was very strange to me because we had no experience around kids and had no idea what to with them. We had no friends with children and weren't really in a hurry to give up our time alone together. Still, I was never quite sure about waiting.

Fast forward to now. I am so blessed. We have now been married 8 1/2 years and we live in a home of our own (as of 3 years ago) with our two children, a boy (almost 4) and a girl ( 17 months) and one on the way. It is such a wonderful thing to have home and a family. I love being home with my kids and I love being a mom. My hubby is a great daddy and it is more than we ever thought it would be.
Sometimes we busy modern adults get so caught up in our daily lives that we don't even stop to think about the dreams come true that we have had. I have had many dreams that have come true. I forget this sometimes, when there are things that I am stressed out about or needs that I am praying for. God has always taken care of us, this is something I testify to all the time, but even more than that, God has given me things I have dreamed of and more!

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