Not Now Honey, I Have a Headache

Knowing You Are There

2011-10-09T19:30:00.001-05:00

You are there...
In the miracle of life
And sorrow of loss
You allow it all to happen
You protect
You refine
You prepare
You give and take away
Although the reasons are not always understood
Or fully accepted
You bless
You allow curse
You allow choices
And yet guide our paths
You give hope
When all hope is lost
You build up and strengthen
And yet allow moments of weakness and dependence
You heal
You restore
You are what holds the soul together
You allow for love
And allow for pain
You build our character
Through patience and discipline
For all this and more I love You
Because I know You are there

Fighting Regret and Doubt

2011-10-09T16:31:00.001-05:00

Regret and doubt. Two words that will only stunt growth and maturity if you hold on to them. No matter what you have lived through, these traits of life are bound to cross your path. What you do with them is what will determine which road you will be headed down.

The opposite of regret is gratitude. Gratitude strengthens whereas regret breaks down and destroys.

The opposite of doubt is confidence. Confidence brings will and determination to rise above whereas doubt brings stagnation.

When regret rears its ugly head, find gratitude in the situation and gleen from it what you have learned and embrace the lessons, which are a gift from life.

When doubt creeps up and wraps its hands around your neck, find release in the confidence of your choices. There are valid reasons for the choices you have made and the steps you have taken. Find peace in that! Fight back with knowing that God has brought you to where He has you for a reason. The purpose now is not clear, but it will be. Just wait and see. ~~~~ Adry

Complex Thinking - Complex Living

2011-01-09T00:59:00.001-06:00

The complexity of life itself, its everyday mundane to dos, and the uninvited drama that swoops in, should require simple thinking just for the sake of maintaining sanity. But why is it so difficult to think simply? I mean really, life does not have to be complex. We get out of life what we put into it. If we make it complicated, it will be complicated. If we think simply about life, then it will be simple. Decisions, situations, relationships CAN be simple. Too much thought? Too much speculation? Too many expectations? That is trouble waiting in the wings. To keep it simple, keep everything honest. Be forthcoming from the start. Ambiguity has no place in the attempt to achieving the simple life. Simplicity is the key to freedom, peace and inner joy. Stop stressing about the things in life that cannot be changed. Why stress about things out of your control? The things you CAN control, analyze if its worth the effort it will take to control the outcome and if the outcome is even within your reach. If not, then let it go, go with the flow, let it roll off your shoulder, whip your hair back and forth and move forward. Shake it off, dry up the sweat and know that the only One that has to be in control and IS in control is watching over you.
~Adriana Viola 1.9.2011

:) A little something to say...

2010-12-26T18:38:00.000-06:00

When the ambiguity of life clears its path, the light begins to shine in and the darkness retreats making room for clarity and a new beginning. Thank goodness for strength and determination and a little help from above. Combined, the pieces can begin to find their way back together and in return? Find myself once again.

Starting Over...Again!

2010-10-24T22:07:00.001-05:00

Well I have to start by apologizing for not being on here in such a long time with anything worth reading. Well ok there has been A LOT going on in the past year but it was SO much that required SO much energy that blogging about it would only have been more painful.

I will try to make it brief as I really dislike rehashing old news. Why? Because rehashing is simply reliving painful memories that does not help in the process of healing. But before I go into this I must state the following...

I know that I have posted many positive things about my husband and marriage in my previous blogs of which I will not be removing as those are memories that I will hold forever. When I blogged those stories it is because I chose to recount the blessings as I saw them coming. I chose to remember the moments that made me laugh, smile and giggle for I used them as ammunition to fight back the tears. I chose to forgive and hold onto hope for the sake of my children.

Long story short...we are legally separating. The issues at hand have been in and out of counseling for 8 years. I simply cannot do it anymore. I have been physically ill more often anyone should be, depressed, and unable to function or sleep because of the stress and fighting. Too much was sacrificed for the sake of "trying to save the marriage" but one can NOT have a one sided marriage. It takes two to make it work but it only takes one to end it. Neglect - number one killer of marriage. (no I don't have statistics - just experience)

So he has moved out now for the past two weeks after yet another anger explosion. I simply couldn't take it anymore. Unpredictability is a scary thing to have with a spouse.

All this to say - in the past two weeks, I can sleep again and I can function normally. The way it should be. I spend my days being stable for my kids and on the weekends I take my moments to let out my tears. Sadness over so many things. Too many to count.

So with this I hope to have the opportunity to come back more often with fun and tender blog posts.

Muah! xoxo

thank you for taking the time to read this.

Norah Jones - What Am I To You?

2010-06-17T21:34:00.000-05:00

Revelation from a simple cup of coffee...

2010-06-17T14:13:00.001-05:00

So there have been some hard lessons learned in the past 3 years...okay maybe more. Lessons I refused to acknowledge as lessons but rather as punishment, or just a run of bad luck from bad choices. Isn't that what some people call Karma? But I call the BIG lie. I believe that I have been in the situations I have been in because that is where I had chosen to be.

The truth is that all I've been through (good and bad) in my entire life has been a series of lessons to bring the ugly about myself to the surface. To face my demons, as some might put it. To see what I refused to see as my weaknesses or perhaps even overbearing attitudes. Is it pretty in any way, shape or form? Nope. Is it something that I can look back and say that I'm glad I went through it? The tears, the anger, the bitterness, the fighting, and numerous losses? Nope. Can I look forward and see hope? Yes. Hope of maturity, awareness, improvement, self-discovery, spiritual growth and forgiveness.

When I speak of forgiveness, I not only speak of forgiving those around me that have injured me in some way or another, but the forgiveness of myself. I have made some incredibly poor choices. Some that at the time seemed innocuous towards anyone but myself. What a lie I have shovel fed myself over the years thinking I had the right to "do me" no matter what the cost. And at what a cost, my friends. I cannot even begin to describe the magnitude of that price tag.

So I ask myself why has it taken this long for this revelation to stir? Recognition of denial. Denial has been the slow wretchedly painful death to my spirit. Denial means 'the refusal to recognize or acknowledge.' I have been guilty! This has been the downward spiral into the deepest parts of hell for me. The denial to accept the consequences of my choices has only led me into depression, self-loathing, and a pathetic loss of all identity. Yes, quite pathetic. One unbelievably scary place to be, let me tell you, but tonight I have been thrown a life-line.

You see, through a simple, casual, matter-a-fact conversation with a friend tonight I heard the truth about myself. Not because my friend said anything about me specifically, but the mirror went up and I did not like what was looking back at me. Myself. An empty shell of a human being who thought that the cards dealt were not chosen. Not so. You see, cards will be dealt throughout a lifetime. But we have been given free will. Free will to choose what we do with them. God COULD force His hand for us to follow His every plan but that is not why God created us. He created us because He wanted a relationship with us but only if we WANT one with Him. And thus, cards are dealt. And we are free to choose what we do with those cards. And what about what happens to us involuntarily? That's a whole new set of cards and we have to choose what we do with the outcome. Our choice...our choices define who we become.

Divine intervention through what was initially meant to be nothing but a casual friendly meeting, filled with coffee and laughs, has turned this lost soul to revel in the Truth once again.

Being Human...

2010-06-17T14:10:00.000-05:00

Being human means making mistakes. Being human means that you will experience hurt, disappointment & awaken to crushing realities. You'll experience a gamut of emotions - some seem to not have a name. There will be indescribable joys & moments that could leave a permanent smile.

But...the hardest part of being human?

Forgiveness. Giving it and receiving it.

God help me to forgive & to see beyond my tears.

"It's at Walmart...for free!"

2010-06-16T09:40:00.000-05:00

I know I know...I've been MIA

2010-05-04T22:18:00.000-05:00

There is SOOOO much to tell so I'll start in little bits ok? Bare with me.

So remember when I was talking about my mid life crisis? First I went and got my nose pierced then I talked about getting my tattoo???? Well...I did it! Its been awhile since I had it done, but then again I've been on some major rollercoaster-life rides...

So here is the pic. Whatcha think?

I'll post new stuff as time permits to update you all on what's been going on - separation, counseling, divorce talk, counseling, 8 day vacation, haunted house, no divorce, no separation, family stuff, children drama, weight loss, hospital stay, you name it...I've gone through it since my last post in January! Yikes!!!! Oh and yes...I'm still sane. Although I sometimes question....

Fasting...I have a great idea!

2010-01-19T15:18:00.003-06:00

I have friends who go into fasting for 3 days, a week, a month and they fast from different things. Some fast from all electronics (tv, internet (including facebook people -gasp!), coffee, chocolate, sex, food (all or certain), there are a billion ways to do a fast - in order to gain clarity of mind and spirit. Some people do it not so much for a spiritual connectedness to God, but to cleanse their bodies and just feel better. Well I have an idea for a fast...

Fast from clothing!!! Everybody go naked for a whole week so MOM can take a break from insane loads of laundry!!!

Hair Faux Pas...

2009-11-24T15:01:00.003-06:00

This is what happens when your child is having a tantrum in the middle of a haircut - yes by me...the pictures say it all..

Ok...MidLife Crisis?

2009-11-12T11:19:00.003-06:00

So I think I'm going through a midlife crisis. Grant it I don't have a porsche parked, nor have I booked that trip to Fiji by myself (ooh that's a nice idea), and I am NOT having an affair or anything totally ridiculous like that...but I did...get a nose piercing!

My friends told me "don't do it, you're almost 40 not 21!" but I decided what the heck? When can I do it now? When I'm 72? So I did it. It hurt like heck...but I survived. I think it looks pretty cute actually? What about you? Here's the best part...when I sat down in the chair infront of this guy all pierced up and tattooed everywhere and told him what my friend said you know what he said? "You DON'T look like your almost 40!" I thought to myself "darn right I don't!"

So here I have a small little diamond in my nose and I love it. Oh...and know what else is planned as my next adventure? A tattoo!!!! YES! A tattoo!!!! First weekend in December! Stay Tuned!

Oh...I do have updates on my previous posts, but right now I'm trying to find myself again...and THIS is the me I lost when I got married. Fun me, adventurous me...and I'm liking her again!

Psalm 42 - Sheesh...now I get this...

2009-10-30T11:07:00.003-05:00

Psalm 42

I never truly understood this psalm until now. Now that I as a mother and a woman have been going through this valley of despair, loneliness, and even soul searching...I finally get it.

My hope has been diverted to all the wrong things, the wrong people. Hope is in God - God's plans for me. What are God's plans for me as mom & a woman? When did the blinders go on? When did I lose sight of God's plans for my life? I have walked away alot from church and Godly people. There has been a stirring in my heart that had turned into bitterness.

Over the past 3 years, much has built up inside of me. I have quite a few hangups with many people at church and with my husband. I have been a bitter, angry woman. A woman with no hope for her future but blaming everyone and everything for the lack of luster in her life. Grant it, I HAVE had many second thoughts about the choices I've made in my life and perhaps that is what the "thirst" is in my life as in this Psalm.

Why is it so hard to count my blessings? I wish I could make someone understand me but it feels like I only understand me. Feels sometimes that God doesn't understand me so I stop talking to Him. I know that isn't a good thing. So my thirst has gone into total drought, like someone walking in the desert without water in sight. I'm parched and nothing I do satisfies my thirst. So I get this Psalm from a friend...and I actually feel peace that perhaps God does understand me and He does hear me...but is waiting to see what choices I make with the direction He has given me.

NO one is to blame for my "downcast soul" which describes so much of my life, thought patterns, and issues of my heart.

So this will be the Psalm I will be meditating on this week. In the hope that my "thirst" will be finally quenched.

Am I overwhelmed still? Yes...do I feel like I'm in a box? Yes...but do I realize that my hope has been diverted yes...I need to get back to the place I use to be in...in God's presence.

Psalm 42
1

[b] As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
My [c] soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.

8 By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God my Rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?"

10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Long time no post...

2009-10-29T10:30:00.005-05:00

I know it has been quite a while since I've posted anything probably due to the fact that the dumps I've been in hasn't really let up. I think I'm going through a midlife crisis at 38. Can it be? This cannot be happening with 3 children under the age of 6?

You know you hear about men going through it and buying ridiculous boy toys that put the whole family in debt or they run off with a younger woman or something - but me? A stay at home mom? What are my freakin' options? I can't do any of that stuff...well I am not into younger women, but you know what I mean. (lol)

So here is the conclusion I've come to...ready?

Here are my solutions to my "stayathome-itis":

Get together with friends - OFTEN - like weekly or even every other day if possible - no kids or husband
Reconnect with old friends
Go out dancing (my passion is salsa dancing - I'm Cuban - what did you expect?)
Talk about other things other than bills, kids or problems with my husband
Plan a vacation alone to visit my mom in Florida or with a friend to have some fun
Have fun again
Decided to STOP growing old on my couch
Work out daily - DAILY - that is 1-2 hours all by myself - SWEET!
Determine to lose weight - no more waiting or the excuse of "I just had a baby" since she is 18 mo old! (by the way - I'm down 2 pant sizes since last month - since my last nervous breakdown post)
Realize that my life does NOT have to revolve around my husband or my kids - that I do have to have a life outside of my four walls - this is how stay at home moms become depressed, suicidal and end up leaving their families. I say this because I know of a couple of moms to who became depressed, suicidal (1 attempted suicide) and another 2 moms I know "just left" husband, kids and all!
Reassess my life and what I want out of it - I - ME - what do I want? I swear if my husband quotes another movie to me I will have to break his jaw. "When we got married, we gave up me for us" - ok I know but when "US" constitutes all that HUBBY wants - it really does not apply now does it?

So I am determine to enjoy life again, work out and lose weight, go back to school and finish my bachelors degree (1 year left to graduate! Before I got married, 8 years ago, dear hubby kept telling me you'll get to finish school honey...yeah that didn't happen but it will now!), make my business successful and have my own storefront one day.

So yes...I'm still struggling but I have decided to do something about before I get locked up in a padded room and see my children through a plate glass window.

Thank you all for commenting and encouraging me - I pray that I have encouraged you too to seek out a life for yourself as well. Mommyhood does NOT have to be all about changing diapers, cleaning toilets and folding laundry. There is so much more! But we settle for being home and giving up on ourselves because it is what we are told or implied.

I can only hope that my husband will open up his eyes, ears and heart to the reality of my struggles. I have told him again and again but this time I no longer feel guilty for wanting more out of my life. I mean seriously? Do I really want to be 60 years old and be bored with my life? NO. I want to know I did things I wanted to do and accomplished things I dreamed of.

Growing happy healthy God loving children is important, maintaining a healthy marriage is important...but if I don't take time for myself as a mom, as a woman, daughter, friend...then what will happen to me? I'll tell you what...I'll get bitter, bored and bombarded with life that I will not age gracefully - it will show on my face, body and on my heart.

Why do men age so nicely and women not so nice? They find outlets. Work, which include breaks at work (lunch etc...), friends, outings etc...us women? We are too busy with kids and making hubby happy while gravity takes over.

So I'm off my pulpit for now. I'm still struggling to find Adriana again but I have a better idea on how to find her now than I did before.

xoxoxoxo to all of my stay at home mommy friends. I hope I gave you food for thought.

Motherhood...help me

2009-10-15T19:11:00.003-05:00

I am in a place right now that I don't even know how to put into words. I am overwhelmed. I think I'm going through some kind of depression. I want to hide. I want to sleep. I want to cry. When the kids are all crying at the same time I really want to grab my car keys and disappear. I don't know what my life is suppose to be like. Is this it? What I am feeling cannot be normal.

Sometimes I think I have it "down" then there are days like today so ridiculous. I feel cornered by my marriage and my kids and like I have no plan for diffusion. I have my business and my husband hates it and argues with me constantly about it. Even though I've been in business for 5 years. It is the ONE thing that keeps my mind and hands busy that does not require cleaning the house, running errands or disciplining the kids - which with a 5 and 3 year old it feels like it is constant. I'm exhausted. Emotionally and physically. I have visions of "flying away" somewhere and just being me. Just me. Not how can I make hubby happy or how can I entertain or teach the kids something they need to know me, but ME. The Adriana I use to know. I feel like a bad mother for feeling like this but I'm just in a really bad place right now and I am suffocating. Like a fish out of water. Gasping for air. Or in my case some sense of freedom. Sure I go to a friend's house every now and then and run out to the store when hubby gets home, but even then he doesn't like me to do that either. How can I communicate what I'm feeling to him without him saying something stupid like "well then leave and live your life."

I'm sure you've ready some of my other "funny" posts and those have been great days...but lately I am in a terrible place and I see NO light at the end.

I am imploding, my heart is in shambles and my spirit feels so broken. I'm lost and don't look forward to the next day arriving.

Then I have these damn neighbors upstairs that make noise all freakin' day long that I cannot get a moment of peace. I'm going crazy. Literally. I can't stand even myself.

I probably shouldn't even be writing any of this on a public blog; however, I look forward to reading comments on this situation. Am I alone? How do you deal with these feelings if you share them with me?

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

2009-10-06T18:20:00.003-05:00

It is one of those days that I simply do not want to be confined to my teeny condo with my 3 children - so we drive and drive and drive until I realize that traffic is going to only get suckier as the time passes so I turn the car around and head home. When we arrive home my children make it very clear that they are bored - despite the tons of toys they have - and I (Mommy) am challenged to fix the boredom or otherwise get naked and run around outside until the loony van picks me up and puts me in a padded cell.

So...I know! I can make Doctor bags and fill them up with clean EMPTY EMPTY EMPTY med bottles, boxes, med dropper etc...YES I gave them the little lecture about these are PRETEND medicines and these (I showed them) are MOMMY'S medicines. I put each of their initials on their PRETEND things so that they understand THESE are the ones they are to play with only.
(this is for those of you itching to type me a comment about how dangerous this could be - got it - but like I said desperate times call for desperate measures)

So I went to my sewing machine for 15 minutes of bliss while I sewed these little bags up.

So now ask me how long they played with these things? 1 whole hour! Can you believe it!

Yes they actually played that long with these things..."shooting" me with medicine on my butt while I cooked and cleaned up. They grabbed their stuffed animals and "cured" them of their diseases.

Ah...it was nice while it lasted. :)

King Hubby Saves Cinderella

2009-10-01T00:37:00.007-05:00

So this is my follow up post to my laundry dilemma...hubby saw my haggered face, straw hair, and probably took a good whiff of my stinky pits from a crazy busy day with kids and work and folded all of our insane laundry. He is the King that saved Cinderella lastnight. I am Cinderella. I work, work and work around the house nonstop and my poor kids don't know me some days. I feel like they watch me and wonder "is this normal?" My fear is that while I'm trying to keep up and be a good example of tidying up etc...that they will not really get to know me. But here's what saves my mind and my soul from completely losing hope...my babies (5 & 3) never forget to stop me and tell me what a good mom I am, lay their head on my shoulder and rub my back or stop me out of nowhere to give me a hug and a kiss and tell me they love me. I must be doing something right I guess.

When I do stop - which I try to several times a day - to just listen to their endless chatter, sneak around the corner to watch them play without them knowing, to hear them laugh from the other room, to watch them pull out their craft stuff to sit and keep themselves busy, to see how they can be tender with their baby sister, to just stop, kneel down and look into their eyes, marvel at their teeny toes, or sneak a peek while they sleep...I see the face of God and the Holy Spirit reassures me that even though I am not perfect, that even though I don't spend every waking moment doing things with them, that I am blessed. That despite the messes and the times I feel like all I do is discipline them all day - and let me tell you there are days! - I am reminded that I am their Mommy and that I am irreplaceable.

It is in those moments that I feel I have a purpose. It is in those moments that I am reminded how I was chosen to be THEIR mommy.

BACK TO HUBBY...
Then I think of my hubby and all of the annoying things that come along with marriage like how he balls up his socks to put them in the laundry, leaves nearly empty bags of chips or cereal in the cabinet etc...you can read about THAT in another post here - oh yes it is worth the read. I think of all the wonderful things he does with and for me and the kids. SO MANY...another post another day ladies...

So all of this to say...laundry or not...crumbs on the floor or not...I am blessed...

Now...if I could only get a grip on a REAL schedule!

Overwhelmed & Underpaid...Grace to Rise Above

2009-09-28T23:50:00.004-05:00

Yes...this is a mini picture of my head. Its late. I'm tired and delirious. I am sticking my tongue out because I'm slowly but surely being buried by laundry. You see...my dryer was out for a couple of days. Yes just a couple of days and this is what happened. My laundry mutated and quadrupled. I just about have it all done and it now needs folding and the ever dreaded putting away.
I have 3 more loads to go tomorrow. You know with all I do around here I'm surprised I'm not stick thin. Anyway...I feel so overwhelmed and underpaid and I don't mean this in a monetary sense. But in the sense of like "Gosh...is this all life is suppose to be about? Cleaning, laundry, cleaning up crumbs off the floor?"

As a Christian woman, I have heard over and over again that all that I do I do for God's glory. I get that. I do. That even though I'm constantly working that I can do it with gladness in my heart knowing that by blessing my family I am in turn blessing the Lord. But sheesh...I'm tired. I'm tired of always going going going. I'm tired of cleaning up one room to feel like "ah...its done" to move on to the next room to only go back to the first room 2 hours later and start all over again. It just feels like I can't just sit and just be.

Then I hear my friends and husband ask about my Quiet times with the Lord? What are those? I'm up late catching up and now I "should" get up early to spend time with the Lord before the kids get up? Are you kidding me? My response, which is not one I should have but do, is "honey, God sees how nuts it is and whatever I have to say or ask Him is usually while I'm taking a potty break or while I'm in the shower." I know I know TMI.

Does anyone have any guidance for me? A schedule that works for them that I can try and do myself? I'm so clueless and I am really exhausted and feel like my wheels are just turning and burning rubber...going nowhere...I feel like I'm at the point of a nervous breakdown. I haven't had REAL quiet times in 7 years. Yes you read it right. S-E-V-E-N. It's like I got married had kids and everything stopped. My life spun out of control. I use to love love love my quiet times and I can't seem to get them back. No matter how hard I try. By the time I can actually say, "ok now its my time" my neck loses the ability to hold up my head and I need to go to bed. I need God's Grace to rise above my laundry piles, mail, crumbs on the floor and needy kids. I need God's Grace to rise above because seriously I'm drowning and I KNOW that if I could just find a way to get my quiet times back I could finally be where I need to be.

God bless you all and any of you who are willing to share some success stories.

Signed...a wiped out mom

Who Needs Toys? I probably do....

2009-09-27T20:47:00.006-05:00

I've come to the realization that my children do NOT need toys. They really don't even like their toys, so why do I - we as parents - go crazy trying to find those great "must have" toys - Christmas is ridiculous and birthdays why even bother?

They prefer laundry baskets....
And...tape...

And...kitchenware...

I think I'll start buying myself fun stuff...I'm tired of playing with laundry baskets, tape and kitchenware...

Bellies & Babies Indy Expo

2009-09-22T14:57:00.000-05:00

I'm frantically getting ready for the big and fabulous Bellies & Babies Indy Expo at the Indianapolis Convention Center this Saturday, Sept 26th!

Come and see me at booth #73!

Gym Shoes On My Head...

2009-09-16T09:20:00.003-05:00

OK I'm not quite sure how to go about this post. I'm still thinking as I sit here with my coffee on my left, fabric piles just behind me and a patio door to my right with a faint HINT of sunshine. We don't get much sunshine in here. It is a death trap for any depressed person. Ain't no Vitamin D getting in here Honey. The TV is playing behind me and my children watch the back of my head bop side to side as I think about what to write.

[I'll get to the meaning of my title in a minute...don't give up yet...read on]

Oooh....I just killed a spider and 4 ants...I feel like I should be an entomologist. Dont' judge me for killing the spider. They are not allowed in my house. It's not my fault they can't read the "KEEP OUT" sign. At least I don't kill them in their home (outside) - that's fair right?

OK....Gym Shoes On My Head...here's what this is all about...are you ready?

We live in a condo - in an unfortunate position with 3 small children. But hey we have shelter right? I'm trying to focus on the positive here. We live on the first floor...and just above us there lives the Brainless family. Mr & Mrs Brainless with one child that they are "watching" for a time which doesn't seem to get tired. Ever. Oh...and they have hardwood floors upstairs. Isn't that nice? This child runs endlessly from morning to night up and down the entire freakin condo. Sometimes well into 10-10:30pm.

I've turned into my mother. When I was younger we always lived in apartments. When our upstairs neighbors got too loud, my mom would take the broom stick and let them have it. Yes. To my shame I've resorted to the same thing. We've tried going up there to talk to them and for what brainless response? "Well we have a child." Yeah? No shit Sherlock. So what our THREE trying to sleep underfoot is not as important as letting this child run until they drop? I feel like I'm going nuts - seriously.

So here's our latest drama...we are stuck in this place without peace and quiet. Winter is going to seriously suck big time.

Dreams...

2009-09-14T00:04:00.005-05:00

Here's what I've been thinking about. I use "you" as a generic term so if you are at all offended in anyway do not take it personally. I say this all in love and because I'm experiencing it myself.
Many people have a dream to become something, to do something big or major or just simple but accomplishing just to say "I did it."
****
I write to say that dreams do not cease once one becomes a spouse or a parent. Dreams do not cease when life takes ahold of you with drama, disappointments, chaos, disorganization or when the world around you seems to just stop with all the what to do's that float around in your mind. Dreams grow, evolve, dim or sometimes can even seem to temporarily go away. But dreams are always there. Whatever your dream is, never stop pursuing it because in the end time is charging towards us and the clock is not anyone's friend. Gray hairs come, vision accuracy change along with hearing...gravity seems to take over our ever-aging bodies. But when night falls and our heads lay to rest for the evening, our dreams continue to circle our thoughts with 'what if's' and 'how could I's.' When the sun rises along with the morning dew and we wake up with our first yawn, we will continue to wonder about our dreams and what we could do to get there. Then life begins as we know it. A job, laundry, crying kids, bills...and our dreams sometimes take a backseat because life itself can seem so overwhelming at times.

People become spouses because we had the dream of getting married, the wedding, the hooplah etc...people become parents because we wonder what it is like to bring another life into this world. All the while not understanding that all of these things which are beautiful and fulfilling, can sometimes put our dreams on hold. And many of us are ok with that and others might find it all too burdensome because our dreams seem to fade away with each day that passes. But does that mean forever? Does that mean that we have to stop everything we ever dreamed of doing or becoming because of our choices? No. It simply means that we wait for better timing. So we wait. We hone our gifts and bless our families and children in the meantime with our God-given talents and understand that God's plan for us in these roles are a gift. However, this does not exclude our God-given talents that we dream about.

What is your God-given talent? Is it writing? Cooking? Baking? Teaching? Ministering to others? Do you have the gift of encouragemet and affirmation? Use all the gifts you have in anyway you can in your current life. With your spouse, children, friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, peers...the list goes on and on. Implement your talents daily and watch how you grow in it and when the timing is right, pounce on your dreams like a hungry Lion in the wilderness and keep after it until you reach it and fulfill it. Your dreams will be insatiable otherwise. Like a thirty deer that can't seem to reach the low lying waters of a river. A slow agonizing life that will lead to death without satisfaction. Because let's face it, if we don't, then we will live a life of 'what if's' and 'how could I's.' That is not a life that will feel accomplished as a human being. Avoid repeating the fatal and often sad stories I've heard of "If I only would have..."

So you say, 'well, being a spouse or a parent should fulfill you. Living a life til' old age with your spouse, or watching your kids grow into adults with good character, compassion and respect should be fulfilling enough.' I say yes this is true as well...but you are still a human being with desires and dreams of your own.

So if you dream about writing a book. Do it. If you dream about opening a catering business one day. Go after it. All of your efforts and determination will be a gift to those around you as well. So what is stopping you? The fear of failure or the fear of success? Go for it!

I do not write this to say that my life is unfulfilled in anyway, I assure you it is not. But that life is life. We only have one. We will NOT have second chances to make our dreams come true. Will it be hard? Yes. Will it be worth it. It all depends. If you are married and/or have children, your dreams cannot be at their expense. So timing is everything. Maybe dreams will be better pursued when your an empty nester? Maybe the time is now by pouring your life into your life as it is now and using all of your experiences to nurture and make your dream a reality.

Never give up.
Never give up.
Never give up.

Sleepless living...can it be done?

2009-09-10T10:25:00.008-05:00

OK...so school taught me that the human body needs 8-9 hours of solid sleep in order to rejuvenate, stay healthy, live long...well if this is the case honey I will be exhausted every day, feeling like a garbage dump and live well into next week at least. I am NOT getting this many hours of sleep. I'm lucky to fit in 5 hours uninterrupted. Not in 7 years. Yes, 7 years.

See that's how long I've been married. There is a lot that changes from being single to being married. Single, there IS such a thing as sleep. Solid sleep. Of course, there was also negative 3 children. But being married and trying to sleep with another person that feels like a parachute in the bed and has to lay DIAGONALLY across the bed to top it off. A Queen bed, which leaves me laying on the edge hanging on for dear life. Hoping I don't have one of those "falling dreams" where my whole body jerks and I end up on the floor. Oh wait, and my husband then thinks it is cute to play freakin' footsies under the covers because he just feels the need to touch me SOMEwhere and he knows that anywhere else while I'm trying to catch my Z's may very well land him in the ER.

Oh...and did I mention yet that he TALKS in his sleep! Why? Why? Whyyyyy? Did I sin at some point in my life so unforgivable that I would need to be punished this way?

What does he talk about? Oh...mumbles, I swear he is partly Chinese in there somewhere, talks numbers, wakes me UP to talk to me about nonsensible things so I go along with it, end up in a back and forth with me starting like this....
me: "ssssshhhh"
him: "YOU, shush"
me: "Be quiet, honey go back to sleep"
him: "YOU shutup"
me: "Are you out of your mind? You better wake up"
him: "leave me alone" "come back here ---- mmmmddmdmmd --- stop doing that!"
me: " stop doing what?"
him: "huh? just stop doing that"
me: "what are you talking about?"
him: "sssssshhhhh"
me: "oh sure NOW sssssshhhhh [now I'm fully awake]"
him: "stop it!"
me: "your car is on fire and your laptop was stolen"
him: [he starts to wake up] "what? what did you say?"
me: "nothing honey go back to bed...I love you"

Oh yes..this is what I go through more than 3 nights a week. Some are shorter conversations which usually are short because I smack him in the arm to snap out of it, I tell him to move over with a mini shove and I flip over and try counting sheep - who am I kidding that doesn't work. You see...once I'm up. I'm up. Start the coffee pot and take a shower up.

So you get the gist...I am a light sleeper. Way too light. I can hear my neighbors, my daughter's breathing in her crib, a cough from the next room (even if muffled), the crickets outside and even though the fan is constantly running because it helps ME drown out some of the sounds around me, I can still be awaken by the slightest thing. Yes even if it's cold, I HAVE to have the fan running.

My hearing all changed after I got married and had kids. I went from sleeping through a bomb going off next to me, to waking up at the slightest sound. Some of it is motherly instinct stuff and the other just a bed hog of a husband with no tweak button to shut off the midnight talking.

So I am lathargic on most days and barely "there" on others - like today. I was up late working lastnight and with my other nightly interruptions I'm seriously lacking sleep. So if anyone has time on their hands and wants to babysit so I can catch some Z's...email me. [yawn...]

Oh...did I mention that I love my husband? Oh I love him! I'd have to, to be willing to go without sleep right?

What Do Hiking & Kids Have in Common?

2009-09-08T20:35:00.026-05:00

...nothing...nada...zilcho

It was my dear sweet (how I love) hubby's idea to go to Starved Rock on Labor Day. I fought it all the way thinking to myself...do I want to spend a holiday sweaty, hot, tired, achey and frustrated with 3 small children...oh and WITH a migraine to boot! But you know we need to do the family thing, time goes by too quickly and if I spend all of my time hoo'in and haa'in about the amount of work it takes to pack up and go somewhere I'll grow old and never even bother pluckin' my eyebrows. Wow...that's a scary thought AND image.

Anyways...we went. I wasn't thrilled and when I found out that I could not bring along my crutch - I mean - my stroller where I could carry all my mommy dependent must haves, I was in an (internal, quiet, silent, forceably grinning with an "OK, honey" on my lips) uproar.

Daddy strapped on Sophia in
one of those
wanna be baby bjourn's and we were off. He built up quite a sweat carrying her. She was soaked through too!

He is definitely a GEM.
He was such a trooper and when needed, he threw Benny up on his shoulders too!
He is my HE-MAN

Awe...Sophia's feet at one of the breath taking cliffs. :)

Then once we got past the rocky path....and....onto the trails...
I saw stairs... ....lots and lots of freakin' stairs...steep ones
...uneven steps like some forest gnomes built them.

My poor little Benny looked at me like, "You're kidding me right? Have you SEEN the size of my legs?"

As I huffed and puffed up and down these trails - lovely ones yes but this would qualify as an extreme sport when accompanied by 3 children under 5 - I realized that I wasn't the only one that came to the harsh realizataion that strollers were a NO NO at this place...there were many abandoned strollers along the way - people who pretty much gave up carrying their strollers up and down endless flights of stairs.

Here we all are sticking our tongues out after a tall flight of stairs...Oh yes...and the orphaned strollers... :)

One stroller was discreetly tucked under the stairs here to the left. We spotted it! "I SPY A STROLLER!!!"

All in all it was a 2 hour ride there and back and well worth it even after all of my belly aching.
We saw beautiful scenery and I got to avoid doing laundry :) - but really we had a good time and the kids got to learn about Indians and saw an enormous Daddy Long Leggs Spider.

Josh pretended to shoot Indians through the trees with his walking stick "Gun" - It was so gratifying to see him use his imagination and really enjoying running around - OH and he did NOT complain once of being tired...

Afterwards it was off to McDonald's to recapture the calories lost on the trails :) with some fattening foods and ice cream - Sophia had a blast eating her very own ice cream cone.

SUPER SEPTEMBER SALE!

2009-09-04T08:48:00.002-05:00

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Tuesday Toot - Switch Up, Switch Down, Round and Round I Go!

2009-08-25T18:35:00.005-05:00

So in the very exhausting attempt to save money these days, I have found that I've wasted more breath, heartbeats, brain cells and hours on the phone than I would like to admit.

I have Comcast as my provider and have had them for many many years but you know the cost fluctuates as the "promotions" expire etc...blah blah blah...and with the neverending doctor bills

(I swear the postman just laughs at me when he delivers our bills - I mean mail - he is the Devil).

I thought that maybe for cheaper services I'd give AT&T a try for phone, internet & tv. So the dialing of the 800# began and the minutes ticked right off of my life and onto my forehead. Back and forth, back and forth...these past 5 days have been the MOST wasteful of my life.

AT&T Guy:
"Well, mam, this is what we can do...wait, this is better...how about this...did I sucker you in yet?" Ok the guy didn't say THAT. But you know what I mean, they sugar coat it over and over to make it sound good, but in the end its not.

So I said yes, did the switch, started up most of the services except the Dish Network because they have to install it on the roof which needs approval from the damn condo board - I know DRAAAAAAAMA!!!! The home phone took nearly 2 hours to hook up which sounds terrible. People sound like there talking through a tunnel or I'm freakin going deaf here. Which with 3 small whiny, screechy kids (which I love), I wouldn't doubt that my hearing isn't what it used to be, so maybe it isn't AT&T's fault?

The internet is great. No complaints, but the switching of email addresses - O - M - G!!!! Do you realize how many accounts I have to individually sign into to change the notification email address, then, go to my email, wait for the verification for change email, back to the website etc....AHHHH
Good thing I do NOT know how to tie a noose!

Anyway...so I get through all the changes ( 3 hours later) and I decide ok..let me call Comcast to disconnect all of my stuff...I call them and what do they do? I'll tell ya...

"You want to disconnect, any reason why? Well, maybe I can help? Well, mam, this is what we can do...wait, this is better...how about this...did I sucker you in yet?" Ok the guy didn't say THAT.

Well THEIR deal was waaaaaay better and no headache on changing all the email addresses, right so why not?

So we redo "our package" and I hang up the phone...(1.5 hours later) when I remember....
O-M-G...I have to do all the switch over again!!!!! Back to the putes with 3 crying whiny kids circling my chair like hungry sharks as I watch smoke come from my fingertips trying to get it all done AGAIN so I can get back to living life and I can reaffirm to my kids that I really do love them and I'm not trying to avoid them!

(Sigh) So...I'm done. Now I have to get on the phone with AT&T to cancel all of their stuff.
I swear...if I hear...
"Well, mam, this is what we can do...wait, this is better...how about this..." I'm jumping out of my first floor window. Ok...no injuries will actually happen from this...but you know what I mean!

Stranger Danger Talk Not Enough...

2009-08-18T10:57:00.004-05:00

From all of the crazy news stories that have been haunting me for years, I finally got the the idea that "stranger danger" TALK is not enough, but that VISUALS could possibly stick better.

So here's what I did.

I first "talked" to them about what to do should someone try and grab them at a store, or the park or on the front lawn even. Scream "FIRE!", kick and punch in the groin area (men and women) and poke eyes out. I know gruesome but necessary. It seems that child predators are getting more aggressive so shouldn't our children be when needed to defend themselves? I explained that there are bad men AND women.

So then they asked me what a bad guy/girl looks like and I took them to:

Illinois Sex Offender Registry

And showed them pictures without telling them these were bad guys...I pulled up photos of local sex offenders (wow some only 1 mile or less away) and asked them, "so do you think these look like good guys or bad guys?" and to no surprise they said innocently, "These are good guys" Soooo I then proceeded to show more and more photos and they all were "good guys" but when I told them what they had done ("hurt children") they were shocked. I went on and on through the list showing them photos and talking to them about staying close in the store, staying close while playing etc...

Then I told them scenarios not to fall for and what to do "scream, kick, punch, run". Scenarios like "You look lost, let me help you find your mommy" "Do you want to help me find my puppy?" "Would you like some candy?" "Your mommy is sick I'll take you to her" etc...all these scenarios were great conversation pieces and really opened up their minds to the possibility that not everyone is a nice person.

I talked to them about the difference between people I "know" and "family" and the the "know" people you don't go anywhere with even though they may have seen me talk to them in the past.

I plan on coming up with a "code" word for emergencies between them and certain friends I trust so ensure that they know what is ok and what is not.

I then went on to talk to them about police officers and who is one and who is not - uniform versus plain clothes officers. They are to ONLY go with officers that look like this...

They HAVE TO HAVE one of these uniforms, a badge, a walkie talkie on the shoulder, and a belt with the gun, keys and handcuffs.

So I know that there are no guarantees in life and that all I can do is entrust God to protect them, and that I do whatever I can do to educate them as much as I can about the dangers in the world. Real dangers that usually aren't very real to 5 and 3 year olds.

My Journey Through Parenting Part 1

2009-08-17T23:21:00.003-05:00

I can't say that I am proud of my parenting skills. In fact, I'm quite ashamed of them. And through tears, I right these words...this is my form of journaling in the hopes of blessing another mom who may be going through the same issues as I am.

Please don't judge me for my mistakes, but please do send me as many encouraging comments, and prayers, as you can find in your heart to share with me as I am in a place of discouragement looking for hope as my role as mommy evolves with God's help and grace. My heart is heavy and my soul LONGS for God's saving grace so that I do not further damage my relationship with my children.

IKEA HELL...

So before going into IKEA I tell my boys that if all goes well there will be a treat awaiting them on the way out. My boys just love special things for good behaviour. Well, no later than 15 minutes into my trip there they were off doing their own thing. My 5 and 3 year boys were not listening to me, and I swear by the time I left IKEA everyone knew my childrens names. Touching, grabbing things, walking away, "I don't love you mom!," "I want the beep beep cart!" (the carts with car & steering attachments for kids), "I'm not going!," etc...etc...you can only imagine the amount of drama that ensued the whole time I was there with them. I tried sitting them down and talking with them, threatening consequences when we got home, telling daddy about their behavior, etc...nothing seemed to work - well not for long anyway before they resumed grabbing stuff and swinging things around like swords causing near misses with other shoppers. My 3 year old would stay behind, upset because I said they were not getting treat when we left because of their behavior. I finally got so tired of all the drama that I told him, "ok, you want to stay here? You WILL get lost and I don't want to hear you crying." He did get up and follow along of course. I know terrible. I shouldn't have said that. I was at my wits end and didn't know what else to do.

These days, you (I) can't spank in public or in the bathroom like my mom use to do, God forbid, or the parent police (all other parents observing) would lose their minds and say something RUDE or NEGATIVE that could very well just send me off the edge. Yes...there are people who do this. Understandably. People don't know me, my kids, or the circumstances so they react to what they see or hear in the moment.

So you wonder, "were they tired or hungry?" No, they were NOT tired, since they took a nap earlier, they were not hungry because I fed them while there, I tried being patient, I thought about leaving...but I knew that if I didn't just wrap up my shopping that I so desperately needed to do I would not get the chance. And if you would have ever visited my home you would be able to see just how badly I needed to get this done.

Anyway, all this to say that by the time we were leaving I was frazzled. My youngest was fine in the cart seat, happy go lucky just looking at everything, but the other two were like they were in a park! I was so embarrassed. I felt like, and feel like, a bad parent everytime I go to the store with them. What am I doing wrong? Where have I gone wrong? These thoughts roll through my head everytime I go out with them.

By the time I got to the register to checkout, my boys were still in their own world to the point that I couldn't even sign the credit card receipt to where the cashier came out from behind the register and told my boys, "Come on boys, let your mom finish up ok? Give her a break. Come on just be still for a moment." I must have turned 100 shades of red. On top of all the looks I was getting at the store.

By the time I loaded up the cart, with no patience left in my spirit, I had to grab my 5 year old by the arm because he was headed out to the parking lot. I held his arm tightly but not to the point where I would hurt him and he started yelling and crying "let me go! your hurting me!" oh....that's nice. I thought. While everyone watched the drama unfold. I said, "honey I am not hurting you I am holding you!"

On the way to get the car (because you can't take the stuff with you to get the car) I said to both of the boys, when we get home you are not getting anything, you are both going straight to bed! My 5 year old says out loud, "but I'm huuuuungry!!!" I said, 'no your not because you just had dinner, you aren't getting ANYthing. You are BOTH going to bed!' I said this out of frustration and what I really meant (which I explained after everything calmed down) was that they would not get any TREATs - like sugary cereal. I said, 'you can have food, not treats like sweet stuff.'

Well when we get in the car apparently someone heard the drama outside, inside, who knows, drove up beside me and yelled out of her window, "YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD REALLY WATCH HOW YOU TALK TO YOUR KIDS, I WORK FOR DCFS" I couldn't say anything except "SHUT UP!" because she drove away. Which I think is cowardly. If you're going to say something say it face to face and give the other person an opportunity to say something back or explain or something not give some stupid empty vague comment that leaves an already frazzled mother in a worse state of mind? Why didn't she offer help or advice or a gentle word of encouragement? That's something I would do.

What did she see or hear? Was she with the WHOLE time we were in the store? Did she even see how they were behaving? What am I suppose to be like? 'Oh honey, don't do that?' In a whispery, angelic voice? Are you kidding me? Oh...yeah, just let the 5 year dart out in the parking lot? Not say anything? Do anything? Are we suppose to let our kids rule outings?

All this to say that I feel like I'm failing as a mother.

Lately it seems that all my kids do is fight, argue, hit eachother etc...I'm so worn out by 11am that I wish for evening to come so they can go back to bed. Terrible huh? I know...don't tell me. I know they are kids and these are the ages where they lack the communication skills to get through to eachother and I lack the knowledge on how to help them. So I get drained quickly.

Soooooo...I started to read this book tonight in hopes of finding some hope and direction in my parenting skills - or lack thereof.

THE TEN BEST DECISIONS EVERY PARENT CAN MAKE by Bill & Pam Farrel

I've only read 13 pages tonight and I will be journaling what I've learned in PARTS so if you can follow along and keep me accountable that would be so awesome.

So far here's what I've learned...reality check!

I am not in control
Decide to be proactive (not sure what this means yet...)
Pray for wisdom ~ James 1:5 (something I've fallen far away from when it comes to parenting)
Ask God to bring positive solutions to negative and not easily understood situations
Promise to give my children back to God because I do not own them because God has lent them to me, entrusted them to me, and that my job as a parent is to pass on to them God's wisdom, God's perspective, and God's instructions, all the while holding them with an openhanded attitude (page 13)

So as I continue to read, and learn, and pray, I hope that you will stay tuned in and help me through this. I have been struggling with parenting since my firstborn 13 years ago. I have little patience probably because as this book has taught me already, I've been too busy calling them MY kids and trying to go at this alone (meaning without God) - although I've been a Christian since 2000.

SANDBOX WOES...WHAAAAAT?

2009-08-13T23:24:00.004-05:00

Ok. Call me nieve, uniformed, unschooled, setback at little bit...but I had NO clue about the dangers of public uncovered sandboxes.

Here's what I read today...and OF COURSE after we ALL played in one today. Including Sophia in her diaper! ACKKKKK!!!!

Here is the article itself...found on: http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/articles/another-category/parasites/

Sandbox Fun...

Posted on April 12, 2008 by Scott Weese

A sure sign that spring is approach is the advertising of outdoor summer items in stores. A large pile of sandboxes at one store caught my eye the other day, particularly as it followed a discussion I had with some infectious disease physicians about kids and sandboxes. Sandboxes can be a great thing for kids, however there are some infectious disease concerns. Uncovered sandboxes can become litter boxes for cats, raccoons and other outdoor animals. Some of these animals could be passing potentially dangerous bacteria and parasites in their stool. An example of this was reported a few months ago in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. This report described an outbreak of cutaneous larval migrans in 18 children and 4 staff at a day camp. This is a skin disease caused by hookworms. Cats and other animals can pass hookworm eggs in their stool. A sandbox contaminated with cat stool was implicated as the cause.

We really have no clue about how common sandbox exposure causes disease. While this skin disease is usually relatively minor, there are some other groups of parasites that can migrate through other parts of the body, including the brain, and cause devastating illness. All of these are very rare in northern climates like Canada, but measures should be taken to reduce the risk of exposure because of the potential severity of disease. Risks are much higher in warmer climates. These are a significant concern in warmer areas. It’s probably pretty uncommon but some of the diseases that can occur are very serious, so attention should be paid to these risks. The main things that can be done to reduce the risk are keeping animals out of sandboxes and handwashing after contact with sand. Check out our “Sandbox” information sheet for more details.

**So beware people! I had no clue but now I do and I'll be worried sick about my babies until I know they are ok. Time to call the Doctor!!!

TYBB/ Kathy Ireland Baby Girl Luxury Giftset Giveaway!

2009-08-12T22:09:00.003-05:00

Baby Girl anyone? Beautiful giveaway! Check it out - super easy to enter! Come on! What are you waiting for?

http://penelopesoasis.blogspot.com/2009/08/thank-you-baby-girl-giveaway.html

I know, I know...S-T-R-U-C-T-U-R-E

2009-08-12T21:28:00.007-05:00

So this was this morning - everybody was calm and happy and just enjoying time together...yes even in an empty laundry basket while watching a little SPROUT on TV.
Awe...sweet huh? Wait it gets better...keep reading...

Then as the day went on and I was busy cleaning, minding the business, tending to bills and bank accounts...I realized...'wait...it is awefully quiet -what is going on!' I spring from my chair and off to the bedroom to find the following going...oh yes..this I will use as blackmail as they get older. Just wait...

Soooo this is why we need structured activities
when cooped up at home...

Wrestling on the bed while pretending to be....spiderman. Yes I said spiderman - notice the dandy underwear (clean I hoped) on Josh's head? And a pullup diaper on Benny's head? He knows this is ammo for blackmail so he tries to hide from the camera...

So after I cracked up I noticed these socks on Josh's hands...what are they? Spidey hands! Watch out for those webs!

Not sure what Benny was trying to go for here, but the pullup looked darn cute and the socks on the hands? Well they are his version of web hands too. :)

Its ok to not have STRUCTURE all the time. It gives them a chance to be creative and find ways to entertain themselves. It is good for them! Right?! Right????

First I said "What?" Then I was like "Huh?"

2009-08-04T10:53:00.010-05:00

Who has seen the movie BOLT?

OK now which of you adults call this movie one of your favorites? Come on - come out of the closet - I'm one of them. I cannot get enough of this movie.

There are so many hysterical moments. There's the cat "Mittens" with c-a-t-titude, and the best hamster ever "Rhino" and the poor naive dog Bolt that gets a strong jolt of reality when he finally figures out that he is no real SuperDog. Just on TV of course.

This movie strikes me as such a GREAT example of what it is to be a good friend. What it means to be loyal.

Take the cat "Mittens."

She was not afraid to be honest and forthcoming with Bolt about his true identity. Even when Bolt denied it and wouldn't accept it, she would challenge him to see for himself. Even though Bolt held her "hostage" until they could find his person Penny (his owner) (watch the movie and see why she's "missing") Mittens could see past her inescapable problem and tried to help Bolt see the truth. When he did, she stayed by his side, when he was in trouble, she came to his aide.

The cat Mittens is the kind of friend that exemplifies this truth...

Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

This movie remind me to ask myself, "Have I been faithful to "wound" a friend with the truth, for their own good, despite what I may get in return?"

Then there's Rhino - oh my beloved Rhino. 'Who doesn't need a friend like you?'

In it through thick and thin - no matter what - life or death ("Let it begin! Let it begin!") - no matter what...Faithful til the end.
Even after Bolt was aware of his mortality and that he was not a superhero. Rhino believed in him and encouraged him and lifted him up when he felt discouraged. Rhino was a little on the extreme side, but a wonderful friend in that he helped Bolt get through his journey by lifting him up with words of affirmation. And no matter the trouble they got into, Rhino was sure to stick by his side and believed that everything would turn out OK.

Rhino is the kind of friend that exemplifies this truth:

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times.

Ecclesiastes 6:16 A faithful friend is the medicine of life.

So with all this I only want to give you some food for thought - watch the movie of course - and think about what kind of friend you can be to someone in need of a friend today.

Taking the lead isn't all it seems...read on.

2009-08-01T22:01:00.013-05:00

I have made so many mistakes in my adult life.

OK...let me go back a few years...many years. How about when I was 5? Is that early enough? I think that is where it all started. You see, my dad left us when I was 5. I'll never forget that day even though I wish I could. It is vivid in my mind like it was yesterday. And yes, it is still painful. Although my father has since said how sorry he was for what he did. My trust in men was never quite right after that. In fact, as I remember it, in high school and college I broke up with everyone I ever dated for the fear that they would hurt me first.

My first marriage ended in divorce. Married too young and too immature to understand the magnitude and significance of taking vows - even if it was in a courthouse and not in church.

All this to really say that my life experience of being hurt and left by a man (my father) and watching my mother struggle with 3 young daughters sort of built up a wall in me. Ya think? I grew up with my mother being my father too and through that learning how to be independent, driven and strong. Sometimes to a fault. Or so I'm realizing now at 37 (eh-hem soon to be 38).

Then when I found myself as a single mother at 27, I had to "gird my loins" -- Definition: To gird your loins during the Roman Era meant to draw-up and tie your lower garment between your legs as to increase your mobility and agility -- to get ready for the marathon ahead of me and move forward with life for my son (then 2.5 years old) and myself. I gathered all of the lessons I learned from my mother and all of her sacrifices and put them to practice. I mean really? I had to or I was going to drown in self pity and drama.

Through many tears I moved on and felt that I had to make a choice. I needed to be single, no more men to disappoint, crush, abandon or use me. There was plenty of "using" going on because unfortunately there were "men-friends" (at the time) in my life that I relied on for friendship, venting and so on...but they seemed to have one thing in mind. Need I be specific here people? When the stark reality hit of a chick with a kid in tow, these "men-friends" were on the move in the opposite direction. You know when you spend a lot of time with a "man-friend" attraction arises you know? I'm not alone here. Many of you ladies reading this can relate.

So I was done. No more of that. They were fakers, takers and selfish people who didn't have the decency to even come clean. Just get in long enough to get what they wanted and then they were out. Me? Stupid, lonely and not thinking very highly of myself at the time. So I fell for it. Trying to fill a void that my father didn't fill and my mother (even though she was a fantastic mom) couldn't fill either.

Anywho...probably too much information I know but my blog is my blog and I know that by getting all of this out is necessary for the end result of this blog post.

Then the good Lord found me and I thought that for sure I would be able to rest in Him and trust that He would take care of us. Which He did. He really did. But through that I still had this stupid wall up from my past and compounding experiences that didn't seem to let up and let me breathe. So I held on for dear life, praying, releasing, forgiving, and relying on God to "show me the way."

God is good you know? Even though it was hard to believe for me at the time of all of my emotional and spiritual chaos. When God found me I was a mess. An all over mess. When I began to really turn to Him for guidance life began to turn around which is when I met my now husband Chris. The light of my life. The rock of all that I am.
I am so blessed to have him in my life. He and I ground each other when either one of us start to get rollercoastery (is that a word?).

We did the whole old fashion courtship thing and waited until we got married for the - well you know. It wasn't like this at first though, we were both young in our faith - you know one foot in the world and one foot in the church. We made our fair share of mistakes I'll tell you, but when we got serious about God (about 3 months after we met) and the place He needed to have in our lives, we really did everything in our power - and His - to honor Him. And that we did. We didn't hold hands until we were engaged and didn't even kiss until our wedding day nearly one year later. It was amazing!

So married life took off and all the drama that came with it took off with us. We were glossy eyed and fairytale driven - well reality hit real quick.

My past experiences with men (especially that with my father) really affected my relationship with my husband. My take the bull by the horns attitude brought us nothing but heartache and financial mistakes. My growing up to be strong and independent has its pluses for sure, but man has it caused some major screw ups thus far - on my part really.

Hubby can't make a decision? I'll do it myself. He's taking too long to do this? I'll do it myself. He won't budge? I'll break the door down. Metaphorically speaking.

That whole submissive wife thing? Are you nuts? God are you kidding me?
Ephesians 5:22-23 Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church..so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Ephesians 5:33b ...and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

As I read this early on in my marriage, I was like, 'OK seriously, Lord? So I'm suppose to be like, 'sure honey, whatever you say honey' blah freakin blah!!!

Well God knows what He's talking about! I realize that, as a Christian, being under my husband's protection, then when I sneak out from under his umbrella I'm also stepping out of God's. As a Christian, my husband is here to protect me. He is my covering. So as He honors God and follows Him wholeheartedly I need to heed God's Word and follow my husband's leading.

I have been guilty of "stepping out" from under my husbands covering by butting infront of God and making MY will, desires, choices, come to fruition despite my husbands pleas, I put myself and our family at risk of falling outside of God's Will.

And boy have I done that - over and over again and I've seen my family suffer stupidity because of me.

So going through my track record tonight - I wrote this in my bible...

8/1/09
Hear the cries of this woman that stands before You, oh God. Give me the strength and faith to show humility and honor my husband. To see him as the leader of our home and the protector and provider of our home. Open my eyes, oh God, to my futile attempts to be more than You are calilng me to be. Help me rejoice in my role as a mother and wife and respect my husband at all times and follow his leading. Amen.

AAAAAAAALLLLLL OF THIS TO SAAAAAAAAAAY...that taking the lead isn't all it seems especially if you have (like I do) a God fearing, God honoring husband. Taking the lead when you are not suppose to (unless your husband has agreed to something) will only bring chaos into your home. As it has mine. Your past does NOT have to become your present. I CAN make the choice to do right by God no matter how hard it is...

So I'm handing back the reigns to my husband who knows which way we need to go. And if he doesn't know? Pray with him, pray for him and trust in God. God will never leave me nor forsake despite human error, frailty or inconsistencies.

God forgive me and may I be a blessing to others with my story.

Energizer Bunny Report Giveaway!

2009-08-01T09:53:00.001-05:00

So there is an amazing giveaway starting today! 40 days of reviews and more than one winner to be had!

http://energizerbunnysmommyreports.blogspot.com/2009/08/all-childrens-furniture-review-and.html

Hurry - getting "your name in" is easy! Don't waste another moment! Great stuff!

Super Giveaway! Pamper Yourself Giveaway!

2009-07-31T18:08:00.001-05:00

Check out this awesome giveaway! Don't get left behind!

The Great Pamper Yourself Blogoversary Giveaway!!

Ahhh to be little again?

2009-07-31T12:49:00.007-05:00

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to hide just about anywhere? Somedays I wish I could crawl into the smallest cabinet too! And not worry about the outside world or what chores have to get done.

Acting like total silly monkeys at the zoo and not worry about what other people think?

Play with just about anything and not have to worry about all the must do's of adult life?

Lay down anywhere for a nap and not care that it is on unfolded laundry.
And not care about taking a dip in a teeny pool on a small patio butt naked in cool from the tap water and not care and just enjoy it.

Finding joy in anything we do...isn't that what God wants us to do? It isn't always easy though is it? Putting into focus our daily tasks as a resounding song onto the Lord brings us peace and joy in ways that we least expect it. I never thought in a million years that having children would open my eyes to such Truth.

Thank you my Imanni, Josh, Ben, and Sophia. I love you all so much - I wouldn't be me with you.

Markerville

2009-07-31T12:29:00.002-05:00

Why markers should not be left around unattended - oh yeah and why keeping an eye on your kids ALL the time is required if you expect to be a responsible parent...good thing these were not permanent and NON toxic! Phew!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY ON THURSDAY

2009-07-30T17:52:00.002-05:00

OK I know its not Wednesday...now...so I had to post my wordless wed pic today. Sorry!

NOTICE THE SIGN OVER THEIR CUTE FEROCIOUS HEADS?

Sight Words - Free Printables

2009-07-30T12:44:00.005-05:00

Looking for a way to sharpen your Kindergarteners word recognition before school starts?

This sight is so cool! I'm heading out to the local Walmart for some cardstock to print these on.

http://www.kellyskindergarten.com/Games/GamestoMake/games_to_make.htm

Eggsactly what we needed!

2009-07-30T11:32:00.002-05:00

It is gloomy and look-a-like-a-rain day here in Chicago. So we ain't goin' out! Sooooo...here are some cool crafts I'm going to do with the kids today! I can't wait! Off to the kitchen I go!

http://video.about.com/familycrafts/3-Easy-Egg-Carton-Crafts.htm

I can't figure out how to post the actual video so you will have to go to the link - sorry!

If I Can't Tattoo Now - Then When?

2009-07-30T01:24:00.003-05:00

I just came from "THE GIRL THAT BLOGS" blog. And she had a posting of her tattoo and all that comes with that being married and all. Hilarious.
So I commented...

I'm 27 - ok 37 going on 38 in August and I want a tattoo sooo bad! I am a Christian but so what! I'm not going to be covered in Satanic doodles! Although I do already have a tattoo which was so stupid it is a "HOT STUFF" laying on a cloud - bad, ugly tattoo which I got just below my bikini line when I was 23 and semi-retarded not thinking because I just had to get something! And of course 4 kids later it is stretched out to oblivion and look like a fat overweight HOT STUFF on a marshmallow. But hey if I EVER get a tummy tuck (which I'm pushing for my 40th birthday) I'll be back good as new - but in the meantime I've been itching for a tattoo at the back of my neck and a nose piercing. Hubby is not thrilled and my 13 year old boy is like "Mom, are you serious? Are you gonna turn all gothic and stuff?" Ah...too funny. But damn. If I can't choose to do something fun like this at 37 (38 really) then hell when am I? When I'm 90? NOT!

Sleepwalking No More...

2009-07-29T22:48:00.002-05:00

I've had an amazing moment of "awakening" today. I haven't realized what a sleepwalker I've become. Not in the sense of sleepwalking while I sleep, I mean sleep walking through my life. Through motherhood. I cannot imagine how many precious moments I've missed being "too busy" with work, drama, life, worries, 1st marriage, then 2nd marriage, "what ifs", "shoulda, coulda, woulda" I think to myself how sad...How terribly sad to say that I've overlooked so many of the blessings that I truly have.

Here's how this all came about - today. Yes, today.

I was looking through my website and emails when I received an updated facebook entry. So I go to check it, which leads me to another link, which leads me to another link with a great blog on motherhood, which lead me here: Kayleigh's Story
Which then lead me here: Kayleigh's Video

This story changed my life today. When people ask me "what is your conversion story?" I will mention today. (The first being approximately 7 years ago.)

I haven't cried like I cried today in a LONG time. I "woke up" to the realization of just how selfish I had been, ungrateful, angry and stupid I have been to have overlooked the LOVE I really have in my life. Nothing - NOTHING - matters anymore. Just my children and my wonderful husband. Money, things, circumstances, ignorant/arrogant people who've torn me down in the past, do not matter anymore. How clean my house is, how perfect my drawers are organized, how much business I draw in, doesn't matter. I am so blessed and I can't believe that although I've said it before, I never truly believed it until today. God filled me with a love today that I have not felt in I don't even know how long. I dropped everything and held my children. Josh 5, Ben 3, Sophia 14 mo and Imanni 13. I kissed them and told them how much I truly loved them. I then called my husband and told him that we can no longer waste a moment complaining about anything in our lives anymore. No matter what - we have eachother and we have our children.

Kaleigh has fought for her life, she is in heaven now, her parents have stood strong for her and I can rest assured that nothing NOTHING matters more to them than having their baby girl with them. My earnest prayers go out for them with all I have in me. I will make sure to keep them in prayer regularly. They have blessed me in such a huge way and I have never even met them.
Thank you for sharing your story and waking up this sleepwalking mother.

Father's Day Hooplah!

2009-07-29T22:33:00.006-05:00

So here are some photos from our trip to RaceMakerz!

Way cool...but I have to say "not cheap" by any means. They make it seem like it would be affordable but once you go "custom" get ready to pull out the wallet Mommy & Daddy! Word to the wise...the remote control option alone is an additional $25! Add the chassis, stickers, wheels...it adds up.

Phew! We won't be doing this again for a loooooooong time! The boys loved it though...Daddy too!

Once the sticker price shock wore off...everyone was off to a sweet sweet nap time.

EXCEPT FOR THIS ONE...JOSH...THE SLEEPLESS ONE...

Of course we didn't forget to get Daddy a gift!
Two books for my avid reader...
"The Last Lecture"
"The Bourne Legacy"

Favorite Kid Photo Blog Hop

2009-07-28T22:13:00.007-05:00

Need I say more? My now 3 year old - then 1 year old - devouring Guacamole right out of the tub. Priceless!

SUPER DEALS - VIA BLOG ONLY!

2009-07-27T17:03:00.007-05:00

BOUTIQUE TRAVEL WIPES CASES!I was inspired by Waddlers & Toddlers' Blog special to post a special deal of my own from my store Mod Mami only available to my Blog peeps!

So here it goes!

50% OFF THE RETAIL PRICES ON ALL BOUTIQUE TRAVEL WIPES CASES - EXPIRATION? 30 DAYS! Exp 8/27/09

This includes all NEUTRAL, BOY THEMES, GIRL THEMES AND DESIGNER INSPIRED THEMES. (Extra discount excludes CLEARANCE items)

***Designer Inspired Coach, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Burberry!

Simply go to http://www.modmami.com ~ click on GO SHOPPING - ALL PRODUCTS - AND choose either DESIGNER INSPIRED or FOR TRENDY MOMS and view wipes cases.

Simply email me at adry@modmami.com or post a comment with the detail of your travel wipes case choice with all the trimmings desired and get these at a super bargain price! I will send you an invoice via Paypal so mention your paypal email address. :)

How much for shipping? Flat rate shipping now in effect for only $6.00 so the more you buy, the more you save!

Happy Shopping!

Ok...What is the point?

2009-07-27T09:36:00.007-05:00

Do you have a husband you love dearly but that annoys you to no end? Just little idiosyncrasies that drive you up the wall? Childhood habits that have you hiding in the closet just waiting for the day to end? Ok...that's a little extreme but you get my drift.

Here is my husband...

Isn't he handsome?

He's a hardworker even with baby strapped on just to give mommy a break...Awe...

He's tender and sweet and sacrifices much to be with his babies...

He is creative and motivated to keep the kids busy and active with hands on activities...

But then there's this...(in gest!) Moments where we just want to strangle each other. Lovingly...is that even possible?

OVER THIS STUPIDITY...I KNOW! BUT SOOO ANNOYING!!!
OK...Imagine you're hungry you make a sandwich lick your lips in anticipation thinking how great that sandwich would go with those chips in the cabinet. You know there some there because you saw the bag in there lastnight (although you didn't look inside the bag). Then you sit down to eat and remember the chips. You get up to go get them and find this...

BAG #1: You could call this empty, but "technically" it isn't...so you snarl because you know it was your husband who did this (I'll tell you why at the end) and you go to the next bag.

BAG #2: Again..."technically" not empty - but worthless nonetheless. You snarl again....and go to the next bag...

BAG #3: Yet again another "technically" not empty bag. You wonder if your husband is laughing at you at work? Or is this some sick twisted way he feels in control? I know I'm nuts...

SOOOOO WHY DOES HE DO THIS???? BECAUSE IT MAKES HIM FEEL LESS GUILTY KNOWING HE DIDN'T "TECHINICALLY" FINISH OFF THE BAG(S)!!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

OH YEAH...THERE WERE NO MORE CHIPS AFTER THIS 3RD BAG BY THE WAY! Chipless lunch it was...oh well.

So I called him at work and left him a message like this....

"WHY do you this?! You know this is a pet peave! Knock it off! I know where you sleep! If you're gonna finish off the chips just do it already and stop this annoying childhood habit of yours. Seriously "technically" you DID finish these bags of chips - so baby by leaving the few crumbs behind does NOT delete the calories you ingested!!! Oh yeah and STOP DOING THIS WITH THE CEREAL TOOO!!!! (pause...for effect you know) By the way, I love you and I'll see you later! (in a sweet voice).

Gotta love him!

It's Sunday - Antsy kids...what to do?

2009-07-26T18:27:00.004-05:00

LACING

FINGER PAINTING BUGS IN A JAR AND FILLING IN WITH COLOR MOMS POOR EXCUSE FOR DRAWING

COLOR STICKS: I found that idea somewhere online. Drawing a blank now. But they are simply clothespins with the ends colored in at the tips with a permanent marker, the name of the color written on each one, then you ask your child to pull off a particular color and drop it in the tupperware. Then have them pick them back out when done, name the color and put them back on the edge of the tupperware. Its fun, simple and super cheap to do.

WHAT ABOUT DADDY?
SLEEEEEEEEPING.

No Suggestions?

2009-07-26T15:26:00.001-05:00

Come on don't leave me here alone now. There has to be some one, any one with experience, successful ones?

http://maxedmom.blogspot.com/2009/07/bedtime-drama.html

Princess Bday Party

2009-07-26T13:48:00.007-05:00

So the party was a HIT!

memo:
I did my best not to obsess over floors. Yes lots of deep breaths and I just want Empire to take the floors out at this point, cancel my bill and get carpeting (with someone else of course) so I can have my sanity back. The party was held in the courtyard, but there was traffic in and out of the house.

So here are some pics.

Princess Birthday Girl

You know pin the tail on the donkey? Well I couldn't find one the night before SOOOO I improvised! I picked up a princess plastic tablecloth folded it and taped it to the wall, then I purchased matching princess stickers and we played PIN THE FACE ON THE PRINCESS!

Birthday Cake Face Time!

Mommy (me) kissing Birthday princess

Mega Mostaccolli Feast (almost all gone!)

Super Balloon Bonanza (I could have gotten more don't you think?)

Gift Bags & Basket made by me!

Decorations In House

Now that the party is over and I've mopped a million times to get all the grime out, I'm finally relaxing. :) Coffee and patio sitting. Ahhhh....

BIRTHDAY STRESS

2009-07-24T20:12:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow is Sophie's birthday party. I'm stressed out. I need a wig. Hair falling out fast. Tense shoulders = little patience. Thank God my sister in law took the other 2 little ones for the night. They LOVE and adore her so they were happy to go.

So tonight I cooked more mostaccolli (sp?) than any woman should ever cook. The smell I swear is permanently tattooed to the inside of my nostrils.

I shopped all day with 4 children. Yes you read it right. ALL 4 whiny, crying, clinging, fighting can't seem to find any joy in anything children. Just today. Of course the day that I had to do sooooo much! After I cried my eyes out in the Taco Bell parking lot, I felt much better and farther away from the desire to get on a plane to Tahiti. Yes by myself!!!!

Tomorrow I have to pick up 4 dozen balloons. Yay. Can't wait to see how I'm going to do that in my already overcrowded mini van. But yet tonight - now 9:05pm - I still have to go to Walmart for other supplies I was too busy to remember because I was too busy hearing my voice (which I cannot stand anymore today) say....

"come here, stop that, don't touch that, leave him alone, leave her alone, knock it off, don't touch, don't touch, don't touch, not now sweetie, tomorrow is the party honey, no not tonight tomorrow, no you can't have that, let's go pee-pee, tomorrow is the party honey, tomorrow sweetie, what did I already say? come back here, stop running with the cart, I wish your father was home, where are you going? I can't see you! don't you hear me?! HOW ABOUT NOW! (in the middle of Hobby Lobby).

So off to Walmart I go to do an all nighter decorating my already small place where I'm expecting somewhere around 25 people or so - yay more stress! Oh and did I mention at all what crappy flooring Empire sells? These laminate floors can't withstand a drop of water sitting too long. My neurosis should completely be out of control tomorrow as I obsess over people & children with the cups of fluids. AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

It's off to see the Walmart, the wonderful Walmart of Palatine!

Summer? Really? Naw...

2009-07-23T14:51:00.002-05:00

So...I'm shocked at the weather today here in Chicago. It actually feels like summer. This is the 2nd time all summer (which is not that long anyway) that I was able to use my AC. How long will this beautiful weather remain? Let me not jinx myself here. But seriously, it has not felt like summer at all this time around. Depressing! I really want to just chuck it all and move to Florida. Beaches, sand and sun oh my! But it seems like that will never happen and when it does happen, I may be too old to withstand Florida weather.

Bedtime Drama

2009-07-22T23:12:00.002-05:00

Is bedtime a chore for every parent or just for the unfortunate few? Bedtime is the time when there is peace, harmony and a smooth transition from one long day into the next. However, HOWEVER, not in my home. It is like a wrestling match here in the Viola home. We spend time with the kids, we have dinner together, they have an active day (for the most part), they have a nightly routine since they were babies. They should be dog gone tired and WANTING to go to bed. Not to mention the fact that they need their rest and for the most part even skip naps to ensure the need for sleep. So...what am I doing wrong? What are WE doing wrong? Why is bedtime so hard and are there any REAL surefire ways to get these beautiful blessings from the Almighty Himself to go to bed peacefully and willingly? Anyone? Help me out here. Comments? Suggestions? A reality check?

DI-NAH!!!!

2009-07-22T18:08:00.002-05:00

DI-NAH!!! That is the word I use for dinner. That is my sore spot every evening. What do I cook? Do I want that? Do I want to cook that? Do I WANT to cook? It is the daily battle of "I need to feed my family" and "we can't live on cereal". I thank God that I don't have to slaughter my food in order to eat, nor that I have to go hunt it because I think for sure we would truly starve to death.

So I stare at my fridge, go to the deep freeze, back to the cabinet, and back to the fridge again. Then...I look at my stove and give it a snarl. Think it cares? Probably not and sometimes I think it does - ok I AM crazy and I need to get out more.

Maybe I should enjoy the kitchen more. But don't. Am I not normal? Although I consider myself an ok cook, I don't like to cook. I do it because I have to or we'll all end up in the ER with bad hearts.

Anyway, tonight its brown rice, sweet peas and super delish pork chops ala Cuban. With spanish seasoning, onions, cilantro, spanish paprika, garlic and lemon juice. Mmmmmm...ok so I'm not crazy about cooking but I can throw down when I want to.

Let me go check on my chops!

1st Birthday Invite!

2009-07-21T14:42:00.004-05:00

So Sophia's 1st birthday was actually in May, but since everyone has had a party every weekend since I was finally able to set up a party! Woo hoo!

I went shopping for invites and boy are they expensive! And considering they will be thrown away after all is said and done, it just isn't worth it for me to dish out big cash for that. Sooooooo...after perusing the halls of party city and ready to walk out I see what to my surprise for $1 at the checkout counter? A pack of Notecards that were blank inside but with a princess theme on the outside. PERFECT! I figured...I'm creative. I can make these look fabulous! So here's what I did.

Decorated the cards inside and out. Printed up my own date/time/place sheets, cut them and placed them inside along with directions to our place (not seen here). Printed a bunch of cute photos of Sophia and had them printed in wallet size then I picked up self sticking picture corners and place the photo inside as a keepsake to the invitee. I added bows inside and out and little pink self sticking gems to showcase my little princess.

So...whatcha think? It was time consuming but so much fun. I just finished sewing her a dress. I'll post photos later. :)

Stress eating could very well be the death of me. Nutrisystem?

2009-07-21T04:57:00.003-05:00

Alright, I admit it. I am guilty of being a stress eater, snacker, a gorger (is that a word?) you get my gist. My cholesterol is ridiculous, I have the energy of an 80 year old (no not those super active wonder woman kind of 80 year olds - the other kind!), and I have 3 small children to keep up with, not to mention a business. So Avoid STRESS eating. When I feel stress building up I immediately notice a craving to snack on junk food. So, my new way to deal with stress? Read. I pick up a good book, with a glass of water and try to relax.

I have 3 small children so I have many "stress" moments, so you can imagine before I caught on that my cravings and overeating were really linked to my stress my major complaint was "wow, I can't get these post baby pounds off" - well, go figure.

So what have I heard over and over again from all the babes on TV with hot bods? The following and its time I do these things along with yeah...exercise! As if chasing my 3 little ones wasn't exercise enough. But I guess if you add all the chasing around, housecleaning, shopping, running errands (hey...I should be super thin!) and add STRESS to it along with lack of sleep...its a wash.
So being fairly intelligent I really need to add MORE exercise to outweigh the stress. Got it. I got it! No MORE infomercials! Pahleeeze!

Small portions several times a day staves off those "I'm starving" moments where one is most likely to gorge to satiate the growls.

Getting 8 hours of rest nightly.

Drink plenty of water.

So I call out to Nutrisystem! Please help me get these 30 pounds off! I've accomplished 20 on my own. Won't you help me now claim victory over these last 30?

I've filled out the giveaway contest on MomLogic.com
Here's the LINK - you could win 2 months of FREE nutrisystem meals! Woo hoo! Bring it!

New Blog! YAY!

2009-07-21T02:51:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Crissy for all of her hard work to make the blog of my dreams come true! More than I imagined and more than I expected. Crissy went above and beyond and I am so grateful for all of her hard work.

Please join me here and enjoy all of my silly ramblings of daily motherhood and the hope found each day regardless of the stressors that (let's be honest) can make any mother feel like she's losing all of her hair.

Not all of my postings will be pretty, well-tailored, or even perfectly worded. But, nonetheless, a piece of me shared with you.

About Adry Viola

2000-01-01T15:00:00.000-06:00

First of all, I am a daughter of the King. My heavenly Father has been everything to me. Without Him, I would be lost. I am a wife and a Christian Work At Home mommy of 3 boys and 1 girl. I absolutely love being creative because that is my "me" time. I love spending time with the kiddies and especially my husband who is the best husband in the world!

I look forward to sharing all the funny stories that happen in my crazy and busy life, my kids milestones and all of my new product creations, sales and drawings for free stuff. Who doesn't like free stuff? Come visit often and see what new things come up here. :)

Don't forget your cup of coffee!

My Blog Awards

2000-01-01T13:00:00.003-06:00

From Crissy.

FROM: FAITH IMAGINED