To TV or Not to TV, that is the Question...

I have never been a big "New Year's Resolution" kinda person before. I find that I get quite lofty when I think about what I want to change about myself or my life over the span of a year. And of course, after the lofty aspirations, comes a very quick disappointment. So you will notice my hesitation as I tell you that I have been mulling over in my mind a change for 2009.

My life is busy. With a part time job, two kids under 3, and a husband...I find I run out of time often. And what makes me really frustrated is, I run out of time for the things I know are important! I am such a huge advocate of "your life reflects what you really believe to be true and important." Right now, I am not sure that I can say my life is an accurate reflection of my priorities (or maybe it is accurate, and my priorities need some serious help!). Too often my husband and my Father seem to take a back seat to the "necessities" of life. And I spout to others that those two things are THE most important things in my life, followed by my children. So, what in my life is sucking down the time, and skewing my priorities?

After much thought, and some blunt honesty from my black and white husband...I am faced with an ugly truth. TV often runs my life! I never intended for this to happen, nor do I think of myself as someone addicted to all the latest shows. Perhaps my excuse that the amount of TV I watch is harmless, shows a little level of denial. So, I stopped to examine (as I often do!).

I often have the TV on while I am playing with the kids during the day, or while I am breast feeding, or maybe during lunch, or just when I am getting dressed to find out the weather, or maybe while the kids are fussy in the afternoon, or sometimes after they have gone to bed and I need to unwind... maybe, just maybe it really is on too much.

So, now what? Do I become a crazy Christian conservative nut who throws all TV's in the trash to shield myself from the world? Do I "flee temptation" as I am commanded to do? I don't know. I know that the TV in itself is not harmful. I know that there is some value in having a chance to relax after a hard day with something that doesn't involve much effort on my part. But, I know myself. It is too easy to turn it on, and leave it on.

So now I am faced with a decision. I know the problem, but am I willing to look for a real solution? Do I trust myself to limit that which hinders me? Honestly, I am secretly hoping to forget this post ever happened and continue to complain and play dumb that I can't get things done, and I am "doing everything I can" to fit it all in.

Lord, give me wisdom to know myself, and be brave to fight against the desires of the flesh, and search for a life abundant.

The Annual Purge-A-Thon

This time of year, Jason and I have a tradition...we purge EVERYTHING! Perhaps it is the "stuff" that so easily crowds around because of Christmas, maybe it is the last chance for the tax deduction, or perhaps it is merely the natural time to "turn over the new leaf." Whatever the reason, we decided to tackle this project before the Christmas break was over. With children playing next to us (with all the new toys), Jason and I systematically go through EVERY drawer, hanger, box, and nook-and-cranny in the house. The rules: if it hasn't been worn, seen, played with, used, or enjoyed in the last year...it goes! Now, I know what you are thinking, and yes, there are exceptions. Camping gear is an exception. This year I was more gentle on the clothing end because of the ever expanding waist line and chest size (thank you pregnancy and breast feeding!). But for the most part, we stick to the rules. I hate having STUFF just for the sake of having it. It better be useful or sentimental, or it is gone.

We just returned from our trip to the Salvation Army, where we deposited: 4 trash bags full of clothes and shoes, 2 pieces of luggage, 1 bag full of baby clothes (mostly ones given to us that weren't to our tastes), 1 bag of toys (again, usually the ones given to us), and 3 suits that were given to Jason that he finally confessed he didn't like all that much and weren't worth saving.

Ahhh, I feel clean. Refreshed. Free. My soul (and house) is uncluttered and new! Time for the new year to begin!

A Christmas Miracle!!!

Yes, ladies and gentleman, today I witnessed a REAL Christmas Miracle! After waiting and hoping that I would receive my gifts I ordered via the internet in time for Christmas, I was shocked to see them delivered...ON A SATURDAY!

So, with great glee I opened the package and immediately wrapped and packaged the 4 I needed to have shipped to other people (by Christmas, mind you!). After a frantic search on the internet, I found, to my dismay, that the cost effective USPS offices closed at noon on Sat., and I would have to wait to mail my packages until Mon. (that means paying overnight fees! YIKES!!!) Or, I would have to temporarily resign my penny-pinching ways and swallow a whole $20 for each package at Fed-Ex or UPS. But, in a last ditch hope, I looked up local USPS post offices online, and found one near me open until 3pm!!! A quick phone call confirmed that they indeed are open, and have a last pick-up at 3pm. I glanced at the clock and saw it was 2:33! Better get moving.

After a shorter drive than I expected, I came upon what looked like an abandoned post office. Very few cars... I immediately was disappointed....I hadn't made it in time. But, to my SURPRISE, they were open! And a wonderfully happy, polite, professional looking lady met me at the door. Do you need tape, packaging, quotes on shipping, or anything else while you wait? I was shocked! Not only was I being greeted on the weekend before Christmas, she was pleasant! Nice even! And she didn't seem put out that she had to work on a Sat. I was elated!

Only 3 people were in line before me, and there just happened to be 3 clerks helping us each. Another miracle! They were staffed to anticipate a holiday rush! (I know, that sounds logical, but I worked retail and this concept seems foreign to some...)

I was again greeted by another jovial employee who promptly wished me a Merry Christmas and asked, "There by Christmas Eve, right?" WOW! Did she just wish me a BOLD Merry Christmas, and not skirt the issue with a vague "happy holidays?" And on top of that, did she anticipate my needs before I even had to open my mouth?

By now I was grinning from ear to ear, and wondering if I was dreaming! And when I felt I would soon wake up, she lands me with the price....only $4.80 to mail a package the weekend before Christmas and have it there by Wed.!!!! Now my little "save money dance" was beginning to emerge! Before she had a chance to change the price, I paid her, and began to gush my thanks that they were open, friendly, efficient, and a pleasure to do business with.

Only then did she look at me a little weird and reply, "You're welcome Mam, and have a Wonderful Christmas next week."

Yes, my fellow nay-sayers...Christmas Miracles still exist! I found a Government run organization that was so pleasant, so fast, so well run, and so "not politically correct" that my heart is light. I feel like Tiny Tim.

God Bless us Everyone!!

A little Christmas Cheer!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

It is Monday once again, time to get all my Mommy mistakes off my chest for the last week. Join in and read all kinds of "Not Me's" on www.mycharmingkids.net.

1. I did not take Max to the bathroom with me while I pee'd! That would be gross, and I wouldn't be so tired of hearing him cry that just to make him be quiet, and empty my precariously enlarging bladder, I would drag him to the potty with me, and sit him right on my lap while I went. Nope, not me!!

2. I did NOT, after 5 weeks of wiping noses, get SOOO tired of dragging Kleenex to every room we were in, that I began to wipe noses with anything I had on (or the kids had on)! And I did not reach up to Max's nose, while he was on my lap, and wipe with my pajama pants, just to keep it from running into his mouth! NOPE, not me!

3. I did NOT order my biggest gift to...well, everyone! on the internet and didn't take into account shipping time to me (and then shipping time to them) and am now holding my breath and praying everything actually makes it by Christmas! Nope, not me..I am organized and punctual!

4. And lastly...I did NOT run to the grocery store for more Baby Oatmeal Cereal and more Kleenex, just to buy $40 in other items and forget the Kleenex! Nope, not me! (perhaps that is why we are now experiencing #2, above!)

Happy Monday everyone!

Pure entertainment!

The things you will do to entertain your children never cease to amaze me!

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On another note, why do I find baby bottoms so cute!?!

To get things moving...

If you are not a parent, then now is the time to stop reading this blog. You will find what I have to say disgusting and weird. BUT, if you are a parent, you will understand that there are two times in life it is ok to talk and worry about your bowels....when you have kids, and when you are old! Well, I have children. And one of my children, Max, has real issues with his. Comically, he is my laid back child, and yet he is so wound up, that he refuses to poop! I think he has pooped 4 times on his own since he was born. ( he is 8 months old) All other times we have coaxed him with one method or another. And since giving him 1-3 ounces of prune juice no longer seems to be doing the trick (he decided now that he has had real food, that stuff is no good!) we have moved on to something else. And for those of you that feel my pain, who hear your child grunt and push, and then cry when it hurts so hard to go, and then see little baby hemmroids when you wipe him, here is my current secret. It was provided to me by my second cousin in Pennsylvania. (she uses it for her kiddos). One or two tablespoons of this a day mixed with whatever fruit we give Max. Of course, it looks and smells like what we are trying to produce....but I will do anything to keep my poor baby from hurting so bad. And, I figured that some of you must have children with a similar problem...so you should try this!

FRUIT-EZE

***Ground up raisons, dates, prunes, and prune juice...YUM YUM!

Available www.fruit-eze.com.

Keeps things MOVING!

Monday again?

Time for the confessions of a "wish I were perfect" but far from it mom and wife. Catch more "Not Me!"f unny confessions at www.mycharmingkids.net .

*This weekend I did not go out with my husband for VERY rare date/Christmas shopping evening, only to get SOOO determined to finish every last bit of Christmas shopping that I convinced my ever so skinny husband to completely skip dinner in order to finish the shopping. And he did not, out of his good nature, just go along with me and then not get to eat dinner with me until we arrived home at 10pm. I did not squander such a rare opportunity to eat with two hands, at a place where I didn't cook it or clean it (or clean it off someone else), but could merely relax, enjoy the food and my husbands company, all because I became so intensely focused to get every last Christmas present. Not Me!

*I did not become sentimental and a little teary during church when we started to sing "I love you Lord" because I could hear my little Charlie's voice singing this song at bedtime every night. And I did not lean over and share this tender moment with my husband, who also seemed to be thinking the same thing. Not Me!

*I did not take my 2 year old to Mother's Day Out after 2 long weeks of a nasty cold, with only 5 days of feeling better and not having to wipe his nose every two seconds, to have him come home with ANOTHER cold. And I did not secretly curse whatever mother brought her infected child to MDO only to spread this horrible cold upon our household once again! Not Me!

*I did not spend more on Christmas presents than we budgeted for it, like I do every year. I did not do EXACTLY what I said I would not do, which was get caught up in the neat things that would "be so cool for so-and-so" and completely throw the "pre-planned, budgeted" list out the window. Not Me!

Ready to Eat?

1 bag of frozen mixed vegetables: $0.99

5 Minutes to steam veggies in microwave and add to blender: Free

30 seconds to blend with water: free

Set of 3 ice cube trays at Dollar Store: $1.00

1 package of Zip-Lock freezer Bags: $2.69

Baby Food made without preservatives, with real ingredients, that is CHEAP, and actually tastes like the food it was intended to represent: PRICELESS

(or for those of you calculating $0.07 a serving....and Gerber is $0.79 a serving)

Sleeping?

I am very protective of my time during Mother's Day Out. It is a rare time that I get to be productive, and this is one of those times. So, I had organized my 5 hours this day, and came home excited to get to work. I fed Max and put him in his crib to nap. But he wouldn't go to sleep. I kept hearing him play and talk to himself. This is rare for Max, he usually conks out the moment I put him to bed. But, in an attempt to be efficient, I just left him alone. Eventually the talking turned to whining, then to crying, then to all out screaming. Those who know me, know I am a stanch "cry it out" parent, but this was very unusual or Max, so I decided to take a look. And here is what I found...He had worked himself into a standing position (for the first time) and had no idea how to get down! How exciting! On the flip side, I remember this stage with Charlie, and it was a long week listening to him cry when he got stuck standing up. Eventually his eyelids would droop, and he would fall asleep standing up and FALL down to sleep. So it looks like it is going to be a long, sleep deprived week!

Things that make you go, hmmm...

Just a couple of things lately that have made me wonder...

1. When gas prices reached $4.00 a gallon, every talk show host, news anchor, political figure, and average Joe talked about how this raise in gas prices was going to bankrupt our country. Every family was so strapped for cash they could barely buy food or pay the mortgage. All because the big giant gas companies were out to get us all. And now that the gas prices are $1.50 a gallon, why aren't we hearing about how much money everyone has left? Shouldn't the average American be swimming in cash now? Shouldn't all this TONS of extra money we all have be reversing the dreaded recession that is about to hit?

2. If we really are about to go into a recession, and "times are hard" and everyone is unemployed and has no money to pay mortgages, etc. Why was there still an hour long wait at the restaurant we wanted to eat at last Fri. night? And why can't I find a parking space at Walmart?

3. Why is a popular car for the elderly a Cadillac? It has one of the most powerful engines on the road that is not being used!

4. Stay at home moms who pay to take your children to Mother's Day Out and show up fully dressed, hair done, with make-up on. If you were able to get all that done, before 9am, while your kids were with you(as well as getting the kids up, fed, packed and dressed), then you seem to be able to get a lot done while your kids are at home...so why do you need MDO?

"Not Me!" Monday

OK, my friend recommended I read this great blog http://www.mycharmingkids.net . You have to visit her website- it is hysterical to read! Every Monday she posts her "Not Me's," which is her way of being brutally honest about how parenting really looks. Well, I had some to add. Who knows, this may be a regular Monday post for me! It is therapeutic to bond over our moments when we say "Not me, I wouldn't do that!"

*I wouldn't be the kind of parent who went through the drive through for a fast (and non-nutritious) meal for their two year old so often that....when sitting in line at the drive through Pharmacy, trying to talk to the Pharmacist about why the medication isn't ready when they said it was, I was interrupted by shouts from the back seat, "I want chicken nuggets, and I want fwench fwies!"***Not me! I only feed my children whole grain, organic, vegetarian, hand-made meals. So there is no way my children would get the crazy idea we were at Wendy's when we were merely picking up medication from Walgreen's!

*I would never, after working a 12 hour shift all night, come home (only to take care of my children without being able to sleep) and accidentally fall asleep while sitting on the floor playing with my children. And I would never awake to the sound of my two year old playing in the toilet and having a grand old time! And this falling asleep after working all night wouldn't have happened enough times that my two year old learned when mom slowed down when reading a book, that he needed to turn around, put both hands on mom's face and say, "Wake up Mommy, wake up!" Not Me! I devote 100% of my energy and focus to my children, and would never grow weary and tired while playing with them!

*I did not spend more on Black Friday weekend on myself than I did on the ones I meant to go buy presents for, Not Me! That would be selfish, and quite frankly, not very practical!

*I did not find my two year old son rifling through his Aunt's underwear while she was staying at our house over Thanksgiving. And I definitely didn't laugh so hard I cried instead of correcting his actions! Not Me!

*And lastly, I did not forget to go get diapers for my son, so that I only have 1 left in the entire house, so that now I must send my husband out for more when he returns from Bible Study at 9:30 tonight. And I certainly wouldn't have considered using one of his brother's diapers on him, only to attempt it and find it doesn't even cover one butt cheek! Not me!

So join the revolution, what did you Not do this week?

Growing up Fast!

We have two boys who are growing up fast in the Young household!
Max is sitting up really well now, and is definitely "on-the-go." He doesn't "officially" crawl yet, but his little scoot action gets him everywhere he needs to go! It is so precious now to see that he and Charlie really interact. Their favorite game as of late is Peekaboo (Charlie is teaching Max.) Both of them think it is hilarious, and Mom loves to watch them laugh at each other. (If I can catch it, I will upload video soon.)








And last night, my little baby Charlie moved into a "big boy bed." After 7 escapes, Mom and Dad wised-up and put a door knob cover on the inside so Charlie couldn't get out of his room. When we did that, he went right to sleep. The only thing that keeps Mommy in her denial that her boys aren't really getting so big, is that Charlie looks so very small in his new bed!