Aurora gave me this award and totally I’m honored! There are tons of amazing women I could pass this on to. Here are 3:
Jen – She’s an amazing mom and is documenting those adventures so well on her blog. I know Jen in real life and so fun to hang out with!
Are You Serious! – If you’re looking for a fun tag, she’s your girl. She’s got tons! Also, I really enjoy her comments on my blog and it’s been fun getting to know her a little more.
Julie – She embodies this award! She’s fun, real, and an amazing blogger. I’m amazed at her strength and endurance through her trails. Such a fun person and fellow party girl. 😉
Trace Adkins didn’t win Celebrity Apprentice, but he gets my vote for understanding what it takes to be a great parent! (at least in this song)
Lately I’ve been really thinking about distractions. I found that I’ve filled my life up with so many distractions that some of the more important things get put on the back burner. With Jason in the MBA program, I’ve had to pick up several of his responsibilities and I realize now how much I’ve taken that for granted.
With these new responsibilities, I’ve felt completely overwhelmed and find that I’m focusing on the wrong things. I’m completely missing out on really cherishing everyday moments with my boys.
I’ve done a lot of thinking about how I want to run my life and how on earth to get everything done. {{if that’s even possible}} One thing kept coming to me – “I can’t do everything on this list alone and I can’t do everything on this list every week.”
Over the past couple months, I’ve changed my thinking and it’s worked for me. Now, I’m not pretending to have all the answers (any actually). I just thought I’d share what I’ve been mulling over inside my head.
Here goes: I no longer see multi-tasking as doing several things at once – now I look at it as doing one thing that accomplishes many goals. 😉 I’ve also had to change some traditional thinking into “what would really work for me”.
For example, since Jason’s in school Monday nights – I’ve changed family home evening to Sunday mornings (we have church at 2:00pm). I’ve also changed family home evening to scouting stuff. Right now for Scouts we’re focusing on the Faith in God award. It’s been so wonderful for Davis to prepare a lesson on faithful historical figures, Joseph Smith, and prayer. Those family home evenings accomplished 3 goals – 1) family time 2) Scout merit badge 3)Faith in God award. {{yippee!}}
Even if the scouting badge is only the dessert part, it accomplished something that otherwise wouldn’t have gotten done. For instance, one day we had a regular lesson but we roasted smores outside on the grill to get his outdoor cooking merit badge.
I’ve also changed the boys chore chart to reflect the household responsibilities I have a hard time with. Such as clearing the table and unloading the dishwasher. This way they are really helping me out instead of just doing a chore because they need to learn responsibility.
Anyone going green will hate me for this, but I’ve also taken a Mavens tip and started using paper bowls for cereal. We go through tons of bowls and it’s been adding a lot of stress to my life when the boys are constantly asking me to wash a bowl. Problem solved.
I know this is a lot of random information, but basically what I did was sit down and think of the area’s in my life that are causing me extra stress. Little things that would make my quality of life better. Then I made a list of all the basic things I wanted to do (like Scouts and board games) with my boys that in a perfect world I would happily do.
This is what I’ve come up with and it’s been really working out well. I know that these years with the boys are tough, but I don’t want to look back and think, “Boy, did I miss out on that.”
After a miserable 4 days of Drake and I being sick, and my man out of town, I finally left the house last night. Yes, Ladies, I had not left my house (other than to pick up the kids from school) since Monday. I’ve been in my jammie’s, sick as a dog all week.
After all I’ve been through this week, I was not going to let the misery continue and miss the princess party that I was invited to. When I got the invitation I realized that I haven’t ever dressed up as a princess. I had grand plans of buying the perfect baby blue gown and blinging it out as my first Cinderella gown. My bad luck, the flu took over and I was in no condition to drive, let alone shop. So I wore a dress that I bought for a cruise a couple years ago.
I have my fake long ponytail on and every princess needs a tiara! Back story: I bought those during a real identity crisis when I turned 30 and had my 3rd boy. The realization that I wouldn’t have a daughter was too hard to bear and so I turned it into a fun shopping trip with a friend.
I asked my boys if I looked like a princess and Davis said, “Well sort of. You’re wearing black.” {{dissappointment}} I said that I was a princess dressed up to go to a black tie event.” Davis said, “Huh?” {{never mind}}
My camera is broken so this is the only picture I have to document the amazing night. Needless to say, I got home a little after 1:00am and I promptly turned back into recovering Laurie in her jammies.
This morning, I’m filled with gratitude for friends I can laugh with, talk to, and who don’t judge, or compete. I’m grateful for over-the-top evenings that make life a whole lot brighter. I’m grateful for being a girly girl who finally had the chance to dress up as a princess. It was the perfect end to a week that was almost too hard to bear.
(This picture is too funny, I had to use it again.)
Lately, I’ve been evaluating all the time and energy I expend blogging. Is it worth it? I call this my “Blog Identity Crisis”.
Every couple months I go through the same dialogue in my head and ultimately decide to keep going. I really do love blogging. Since I have a terrible memory, I’m glad that memories which would normally be lost, are caught on film and in writing here on my blog.
I love keeping up with friends near and far. I really enjoy making new blogging buddies and connecting with people through our trials and interests!
What I love most about blogging is the excitement I feel when I get inspired by someone! I’m constantly amazed by YOU strong and talented women.
To think, I almost didn’t blog at all. I would consider my writing, grammar, and story telling abilities to be my worst attributes. I’m not kidding. However, I decided to bite the bullet, put my insecurities behind me, and go for it. I’m really glad that I did.
My goal for this blog is not only to keep it real and share my life, but also to share the tips and time-savers I learn along the way. I hope you find it valuable and uplifting.
I created the Tip Junkie blog to promote Executive Homemaker as well as to promote other bloggers‘ fabulous ideas and products. That’s such a passion of mine but it’s very time consuming.
So my question to you is, why do you blog and have you had a ‘blog identity crisis’?
I hope everyone had a “Hoppy Easter”! It was a fun one for us. The boys and I did a bit of traveling over the weekend. My bother, who just came back from his mission, was speaking in Houston and I wanted to be sure to support him. So we made the 4 hour trek.
*Update – I’m not preggers. This shirt is just sheer and flowy. 😉 ha ha
First, we made a stop over at Lisa’s. Her church was having a carnival and we decided to take the boys. I’m so glad we did, they went all out! Here we are at the petting zoo. Drake loved the horse and miniature monkey. He kept going back to see them.
Lisa and I competed in the human bungee race. She beat me, but only by like 2 inches! Considering she’s a lot taller than I am, I was proud of myself. We did it several times with the same result. It was the highlight of the carnival for me.
Both boys took their turn.
After the carnival we took a 3 mile walk and then the boys played in the sprinklers in Lisa’s backyard. Afterwards, they took a quick bath.
That night we had an Easter egg hunt but we used these “Lights Out!” eggs in complete darkness. I got them at Wal-mart. They each come with one golden egg. Everyone had such a blast! I think this will be a new tradition we adopt at our house.
I was delighted to not have to cook and color eggs this year. Yeah!
Here’s Davis in the dark showing off his eggs.
Sunday we listened to Scott’s talk. He sang a musical number as well and did such an amazing job. I was glad we make the extra effort to be there.
Lisa and I were up to no good and made everyone do silly poses for our blogs. This is us with our Mom (middle).
The boys loved what the “Easter Bunny” delivered, Webkinz. I don’t do much candy since our house is crazy enough without it. 😉
We tried and tried to get a nice picture with the cousins, but it just wasn’t happening.
We had a traditional hunt Sunday afternoon then everyone played a little throw football.
I love it that 2 of my boys were old enough to play and hang out with their Uncles. I realized that it won’t be long until they’re as tall as I am and asking for money. I felt like time slowed down a little for me to cease the moment. I’m glad I have this blog to capture the moment again.
Every other Monday, I have the privilege of a play date with Emily. She’s 3 and so fun and sassy. I absolutely eat it up! She’s an excellent conversationalist, yep even better than my 9 year old. She has the best giggle’s and is such a happy little girl.
Here’s one of our conversations we had today:
Emily: “Where’s your daughter?”
Me: “I don’t have a daughter.”
Emily: “No, what’s her name?”
Me: “Who’s name?”
Emily: “Your daughters name!” {{aggravated by having to repeat herself}}
Me: “Emily, I don’t have a daughter. I have 3 boys.” {a bit annoyed she’s rubbing it in}}
Egg a house this Easter season, your friends will love it! Click here to print out your sign.
It’s a little later than usual, but we finally “Egged” some friends houses. The boys love it and it’s been such a fun tradition in our family.
However, every year we get caught by the Eakins! Several of their kids were outside on the side yard but we were super sneaky and got all the eggs hidden. Dylan got caught trying to get back to the car. Drat! We almost made it. {{giggle}}
Here’s Davis at our last house. Great job, boys!
Today we had the annual friend Easter Egg Hunt at the park. I’m so grateful for the invite because it’s such a fun time not only for the kids but for me as well. Once a year I get to reunite with friends that I haven’t seen since last year at the hunt.
Today, I made sure that I took a moment to really take in the experience. I was amazed at how much my friends’ kids have grown and how how much they look like their siblings. I think this was the first year Davis has been able to come since it’s Spring Break- he’s usually at school.
(btw: I’ve completely given up on trying to get all 3 kids to look at the camera at the same time. Can you tell? ha ha)
My mom drove down Wednesday to spend part of her Spring Break with us. She was able to help Drake and the boys search for eggs. She got Drake the shirt that says, “It’s my brother’s fault!” Too funny.
As I was getting ready to leave the park, I was trying to be funny and made a comment to 2 of my friends husbands. I said, “Was it as good for you as it was for me?” I noticed one of their faces get weird and then I realized what I might have implied. {open mouth, insert foot} Just to set the record straight, I wasn’t hitting on any one’s husbands and I didn’t mean it that way. Oops!
That’s what I get for trying to be funny.
What fun Easter traditions do you do with your family?
I took Davis to the dentist yesterday to get a crown. Apparently, all 4 of Davis’ permanent molars have developed without enamel on them. Therefore, the dentin is flaking off and obviously causing some problems. Poor guy, let’s just say he didn’t win the genetic lotto. 😉
Thank goodness our dentist is a family friend and a great guy. Because after having to hold Davis down and negotiate with him for 1 1/2 hours, I was near tears and exhausted!! Needless to say we’ve been referred to a pediatric dentist for the other 3 crowns. Sorry Brian, hope we’re still friends. {{smile}}
I don’t think Davis is too traumatized – afterwards we went and got a new Bionicle and talked about how after hard work comes rewards. Now he has a cool “DarthVader tooth” that won’t rot away and a new toy to boot.
My Mom and I had plans to go to lunch, but because of the longer dentist appointment and the babysitter couldn’t stay longer, that didn’t work out. Instead she was gracious enough to let me meet my friends for lunch and she babysat the kids. Thanks Mom! I needed to decompress after such a horrifying event. Look at that, I got rewarded too.
