A Day of Rest

Actress Leelee Sobieski's Aha! Moment (and mine!)

I, like many people, am constantly on my phone. I text my girlfriends. I look at Facebook. I check email. If I’m away from the news cycle for more than a few hours, I feel out o touch. If I’m caught up on people’s lives I have their information right at my fingertips at all times.

But about three years ago my boyfriend, who’s now my husband, noticed how technology made it so that even when we were alone, we were never truly alone—our friends were always popping up in our inboxes. So we decided that from Friday night to Saturday night, we would try to unplug.

We started off small: no emails and I’d answer the phone only if my mom or brother called. When we explained what we were doing, we started receiving fewer calls. People just got it. We told them, “If you need us, come over.” Soon friends and family started dropping by. It wasn’t long before we took our weekend time-outs a step further: We shut off our phones, televisions, and Internet. We did no work. No planning, no chores. We played backgammon and read. We took walks in the park. When time-out was over each week, we went right back to our phones and television and Internet—but we felt refreshed by the break we’d taken.

When I had my daughter, Louisanna, two and a half years ago, I started recording every funny or sweet thing she said or did on my phone. But on one of our unplugged days, I realized that I had been so focused on capturing those moments that I hadn’t been feeling them. I’d missed opportunities to connect with my daughter because my face was always hidden behind my cell phone. Now when I see something beautiful or funny or sweet, sometimes I reach for my camera, but other times I simply think I need to let this moment exist. I don’t have to capture everything. I just want to experience it.

It’s so freeing to allow yourself time to just be. I’m a natural worrier, but now, for 24 hours a week, I have to take a break from that, too. I have to let go. I can’t send that email to deal with this or that work-related question—which usually helps me to realize that I probably don’t need to send it at all.

When the 24 hours are over, it’s exciting to go back to my regular life. There are so many new things to share with the people I love. And I feel like my spirit has been reset, like I’ve fallen in love with my husband and daughter all over again. It’s just one day, but it makes the whole week better.

--adapted from The Oprah Magazine - May 2012 Issue

I hope you you were as enlightened as I was after reading this. Now make like Nike and just do it! I am. Right now...

Weaning Chronicles: Day 23

Well, today's the day. This evening I plan to wean Wyatt from all of his middle of the night feedings. I’m experiencing a mixture of feelings right now from the sadness of knowing how much I will miss this type of bonding with my munchkin to being nervous that he "needs" me for that feeling of being nurtured and I that in weaning him I may be neglecting that need and the relief of having the freedom of my own body back. Lewis brought home a bottle of wine to celebrate--jeez, it's been almost 2 years since I've had a glass. I was nervous to even try it because once I did, that would be it, I definitely couldn't feed Wyatt tonight--but that was the plan, right? I’ve conceded, knowing this is something that I need to do, both for myself and for Wyatt now that he's turned a year. I have to admit, the wine is good. I've missed having a nice glass of wine with dinner but something tells me I'm going to miss breastfeeding even more.

Weaning Chronicles: Day 17

Last night we began phasing out our evening feeding, leaving only the couple of nighttime feedings left which we'll work on next week (not looking forward to that since it's Wyatt's favorite time to feed and one that helps us all sleep). I started getting pretty uncomfortable in the evening and was so happy that Wyatt woke up a little early so that I could feed him. I think it might be time to go buy some cabbage. Oy vey. Perhaps I could introduce the family to steamed cabbage at dinner one night. I wonder if they'd eat it once they found out that I cooked it in my bra though? ;)

5 Days. 10 Things. 1 Family. = 250 Items Closer to Simplicity.

I know when I see a great blog or blog posting and much like my recipes and food photography, when I come across something great I want to tell the world. I simply HAD to share this blog posting. By the GREAT weekend for doing some Spring Cleaning! Click on the 10x5 Project below and get started--leave me some comments on how everything worked for you--inquiring minds (me) want to know :)

The 10x5 Project. Make like Nike--just do it!




**Photo credits care of TheHappyFamilyMovement.com**

D is for Delicious

I have a friend who's really more like family who always talks about how she hates when people post photos of their food on Facebook. God love her, but there's nothing like gorging on a delicious dish while seated around the dinner table with the fam and you know you've made a great meal when you feel the unstoppable urge to grab your camera and share it with others. Therefore, I'm in favor of food photography and so feast your eyes on these babies!! Believe me, they taste as good as they look, enough to make you want to slap your Mama and because I love sharing good food with good people, here's my recipe :)

Slap Your Mama Good Stuffed Green Peppers

Ingredients:

6 green bell peppers, tops cut away and seeds removed
1/4 cup dried onion spice
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell peppers
1 lb. ground pork or beef or an even mixture of both
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1/4 cup dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups cooked long or medium grain white rice
2 8oz. cans of tomatoe sauce
water
grated parmesan or parmesan/romano cheese blend

Directions:

-Preheat over to 350 degrees.
-In a large pot of boiling water, parboil the peppers until just tender--3 minutes. Drain water and leave peppers in pot.
-In a large saute pan, brown meat along with minced garlic and half of the dried onions and parsley. While meat is browning prepare rice.
-Drain meat mixture and add to prepared rice along with other half of dried parsley and onions, salt, pepper, and 1 can of tomato sauce. Mix well.
-Stuff peppers with meat and rice mixture.
-Pour enough water into a baking dish to just cover the bottom, about 1/8 inch deep
-Stand peppers in dish and bake for 30 minutes or until peppers are very tender and filling is heated throughout. Meanwhile, warm the other can of tomato sauce in a sauce pan over low heat.
-When peppers are finished baking, top with heated tomato sauce and parmesan cheese.
-Enjoy!

Makes 6 servings

A Week In The Life...

Weaning Chronicles - Day 8

Well, we're a day off schedule because of vaccinations yesterday at his 1-year appointment making Wyatt so fussy that I didn't have the heart to take away another feeding. Today we've eliminated our morning feeding leaving only those at bedtime and throughout the night. What's really hilarious is that since we've begun this weaning process when Wyatt is presented with a breast he let's out this diabolical laugh and comes running!

Later in the day 8 UPDATE: (I'm a poet and didn't know it ;)
I was finally able to get Wyatt to drink from a bottle today!!! YAY!!! To smoothly transition his tastebuds to good ole moo cow's milk I blended 4 ounces of Vanilla PediaSure with 4 ounce of whole milk and tossed in 3 scoops of powder formula for the extra nutrients--baby's one year check up didn't show a weight gain from his 9 month check up due to all the ear infections he's been having which is a whole other post that is soon to come--and after 3 or 4 attempts at prodding, he gulped that bottle right on down. What a relief, this is going to make things SO much easier! :)

Coming Clean

Give me warmth, indeed. That was the title of my last post, except for that latter word, and boy, did Mother Nature deliver giving us almost 80-degree weather in February, so odd that it confused the daffodils and cherry blossoms into blooming! Now, it's March and although not quite spring yet, the warm weather is much more seasonable and so comes with that, spring cleaning. I've always questioned this urge to clean when the weather becomes nice out. You would think one should want to clean in the wintertime when they are bundled up in warm houses, out of the cold with nothing else to do. Of course when bundled up so nice and cozy with loved ones, namely the dog peacefully curled up sleeping at your feet, who can really stand to move and wake him. Not me. And so, spring cleaning it is.

I got this so-called spring cleaning urge yesterday when finishing some last touches at the house before everyone arrived for Wyatt's party. I was steam cleaning the kitchen floor, (which by the way if any of my crawling or toddling baby mama's out there don't already have one of these...run, run, run to the store to get one, it is amazing! No more nasty mops, buckets, or mop water to contend with and you don't have to worry about harmful chemicals because it steams and sterilizes with hot water alone. Most importantly, it is lightweight and so easy to use that you can use it every day). But as I was saying, I was steam cleaning the kitchen floor when I noticed that my cleaner didn't quite get into the corners of the underside of the cabinets, you know where those stray bread crumbs run to hide after you've made the kid's lunches the night before school? So, there I was, down on my knees with a wet paper towel wiping down these corners....

In the middle of writing this blog I found out that someone that I used to know passed away after an almost 6 year battle with breast cancer. I'm completely heartbroken at hearing this unfortunate news. I didn't know her terribly well, in fact, I met her through my old boss who introduced me to Silpada jewelry, and in turn, to Tara, who was very successful in the company. I got together with Tara several times hosting parties for her in my home. One of those times she brought two of her daughters, both just as sweet and lovely as she was. She hoped to recruit me as a representative working under her and while I was interested, the timing just wasn't right. Tara was an incredibly genuine person, her smile infecting anyone it came in contact with. Happy, my old boss and I used to playfully joke about how she always answered her phone, with a cheerful and emphatic "HI Christy!!!" She was pure sunshine, the kind of person we can all only hope to be in this lifetime and yet I find it so dishearteningly unfair that she had to leave this earth, her husband, and four beautiful girls behind while other people, horrible people like Michael Vick and Scott Peterson, are allowed to share the same air we breathe.

In saying all of this, I originally intended this blog to be about cleaning or coming clean, as it were, an idea that just seems so trivial now, petty even. With Tara in mind, I think I'll leave the last of those bread crumbs in the corner of my kitchen floor to congregate with their families for a little while longer. I can clean another day. I want to spend a little extra time with my family...time that is so incredibly precious. You should do the same, dear reader. Rest in peace, sweet Tara.

Weaning Chronicles - Day 4

So far, so good...today will be Wyatt's 4th day without a daytime feeding. I'm planning to begin phasing out our morning feeding on Tuesday giving him a full week without daytime feedings. I don't want to rush things as you can see from the photo of the day, he's still having a bit of a hard time. I've been keeping him sustained during the day with Pediasure and snacks, his current favorite (and mine): Vanilla Cupcake Graham Goldfish. Delicious!

Happy Birthday Wyatt!!!

Dang, this year FLEW by!!!

Weaning Chronicles: Day 1

Here we go...well, I successfully managed to cut out Wyatt's daytime feeding yesterday. I kept him preoccupied with other snacks and drinks. Hopefully we can keep this up for the next week or so and then we'll work on cutting out our morning feeding.

Give Me Warmth

Today, the first of February, it was an unseasonably 70 degrees outside. Typically, February is the coldest month of the year for all of us here in Virginia but given the warmth of the season, so far--it has been so much like spring that bees, snakes, and even daffodils have been sighted, all obviously confused by the warm weather--I'm not so sure that will hold true this year. While I do enjoy the loveliness of spring, I'm usually only prepared for it after a nice, chilly, snowy winter. Despite my disappointment in the lack of flurries I'm still holding out hope, after all it has been known to snow in April here, and I'd love a good snow day with the munchkins. In keeping with the recent warmth, I thought I'd share this fantastic excerpt from Hold Me Up A Little Longer, Lord by Marjorie Holmes. As the golden sun warmed my skin today, this prayer warmed my soul.

For All Warm Things
-A Winter Prayer-

For all warm things of this season I thank you, Lord.

For the warmth of my house as I come in cold from shopping.
For the Fragrant warmth of my kitchen as I turn on the oven and sift and measure and stire and bake. For the snug warmth of the bedrooms where (finally, after much commotion) my children sleep.

For the warmth of this cup of steaming coffee in my hand as I settle down (exhausted, and at last) before the fire that dances so warm and festive on the grate.

And for warm clothes, Lord. These slippers, this rob--all the untidy closets bursting. That car coat tossed across the chair. And the car itself, a warm car to take us places (once we get it started). And those warm places: the homes of neighbors, friends, a warm church to worship in.

And the warm people there. The warm smiles and greetings. The generosity and kindness of people everywhere.

I am full of this warmth, Lord. It comforts me, it calms me. It makes me feel a glow almost as rosy as the embers in the fireplace. I want all people to be warm and rested and at peace.

Thank you for this blessed season of warmth in the midst of so much that is chill and stormy. Let it draw all of us together against the coming cold.

Amen.

From Rags to Riches

It all began at the new church we visited on Sunday. I pulled the guest form from the bulletin, tearing along the perforated line, proceeding to fill it out. Closer to the bottom, the form inquired about our age range. As I scanned the options, my eyes fell on the bracket covering our ages, 30-45. 30-45? 30-45?! Sure, we just recently entered this age range, but Good King Winceslas, when in the world did we get to the point where we qualified for an age category shared with people in their 40's? No offense to all of you people in your 40's or beyond that even. I leaned over and tapped the hubs on the leg showing him the form where I had checked the doomed 'age' box. He looked up and said "Yeah, it's true." 30-45. Blech. What a nasty after taste.

My reason for bringing this up, aside from torturing myself, is that it got me thinking about the fact that although it's unfortunate that I'm now in my thirties, I feel like I've only just begun living. In my early twenties, I was an emotional wreck, silly, irresponsible, and probably a little too carefree. I wasn't serious about much other than college and I thought that I had all the time in the world. Now, I'm stable, practical, responsible, carefree without even the slightest hint of wrecklessness, serious when necessary, and carrying with me a healthy dose of reality in the fact that life is incredibly short and that every moment must be cherished. In all honesty, without taking into consideration my sheer disgust in qualifying for the age range of 30-45 and actually seeing it on paper, I breathe a sigh of relief in the comfort that I am where I am today and not, in fact, back in my twenties, lost and alone.


This brings me to the inspiration for this post. Last night, the hubs looked a little down. When I asked him what was wrong he said something to the effect of, "I wish I made more money and was able to do more for you guys." Us guys meaning me and the munchkins. I tried to explain to him that we don't need more money--we're happy. Yes, we are a single-income family with three kids, but we're happy. Sure, we can't be frivolous with our finances; we can't always go out to dinner or do expensive things and when I go grocery shopping it's only after mapping out the trip with meal plans and coupons in hand, but we're happy! I assured him that he could stop worrying because this happiness is all that we need.

In the transition from my twenties to my thirties, I feel as though I have gone from having the proverbial rags to sitting on top of riches. I am rich beyond belief with a phenomenal husband who makes me happier than I have ever been in my life who works hard each and every day so that I can be a stay-at-home mother to our three fantastic children. We enjoy doing things as a family, even simple things like taking a walk or just having dinner together. You've read our quotes and conversations--we laugh like crazy people when we're spending time together. We're happy. How many families, rich or poor, can truly say that?

I'll admit that we may not have a lot of extra money, but if you ask me, I'll tell you that I'm the richest woman alive.

Eat your heart out, Oprah.

True Mom Confessions

There's a regular column in Good Housekeeping magazine titled "Blogger," where the editors find a different blog post to feature each month by women who are wives and/or mothers. Personally, I love these blogs because they are raw and true, many times relating to my own life. I was cleaning out my magazine stash, going through last year's issues tearing out recipe's and reading any interesting articles that I may have missed. Here is the "Blogger" feature from May of 2011 by Kyran Pittman who released a book last year titled Planting Dandelions: Field Notes from a Semi-Domesticated Life. I think we can all relate some of these...

True Mom Confessions
I don't make my kids eat things they don't like--and other lapses of a "good enough" mom

I've always loved that quote from the Earl of Rochester: "Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories." I didn't have any theories about parenting before I actually became a parent myself; I had rigid, non-negotiable certainties. Mercifully, I'm a quick study--it took only three children to kick me off my high horse regarding the kind of mother I set out to be. That is, a perfect one. A few of the innumerable ways in which I've (happily) fallen short:

- Sometimes I nod and make noises like I'm listening to my kids when I am not. Especially before 9am.

- I gave up on giving daily baths--or getting them--after the second baby was born.

- I don't have a one-bite rule; a peanut butter sandwich is always on the menu; and I could never send a child to bed hungry.

- I like to be near my kids when they're playing or doing homework, but I don't really want to join in (unless they need me).

- I'm not a "baby" person. I couldn't wait for them to be old enough to have conversations and play board games.

- On more than one occasion, I've forgotten to pick up a child on time. My youngest still brings up "that day you forgot about me."

- I readily admit: playgoup was really for the mommies.

- I am neither organized enough nor solvent enough to pay a regular allowance, but sometimes I resort to bribery. I am full prepared to negotiate with terrorists.

- At one time or another, I've fallen back on tactics I swore I would never use on my children, including guilt, yelling, and threats to call the North Pole.

- In 12 years or parenting, I've never spanked, but I do remind them it's strictly a "one day at a time" abstinence program.

- Our toothfairy is notoriously unreliable.

- Sometimes I just vacuum up the LEGO's.

Glad that's off my chest. May I have my breakfast in bed now?

P.S. I can actually add to this list--is that terrible?? I'm also guilty of putting Ryleigh--because she's younger and doesn't know any better yet--to bed as early as 7pm just to get some extra peace and quiet. The extra sleep couldn't hurt her either. I'm also guilty of taking every opportunity available and twisting it to my advantage. This sounds like a horrid act, but hear me out. For example, recently Ryleigh had a Dr.'s appointment an hour away on a day that the kids only had half a day in school. The evening before, the hubs and I decided that we weren't going to send them to school just so the morning wouldn't be quite as hectic because they would already be home. I made my way to the second floor to tell the kids that if they cleaned their rooms REALLY good then they could stay home from school, but if not, they would have to go. They were so excited, they cleaned the rooms--in record time, mind you--and then even begged me to come look at them afterwards! Sure, we were going to let them stay home regardless, but they didn't know that. And hey, we got the cleanest rooms out of them that we'd ever seen. Everybody won :)

Around The Dinner Table

We're a family that eats together. Even if we've all had a bad day and are collectively giving each other the silent treatment, we always sit down at the table and have dinner together. These are special times for us. Times to share, to laugh, to enjoy good food, and to be together. Some of the greatest moments that occur in our home, quotes and chats included, happen while we're sitting around the table...






This week the hubs starts evening shift. Now, only two days out of the week, when Lewis is off, will we be able to have dinner around the table as a family. While I will certainly miss this nightly routine, this will make those two dinners during the week that we do get together that much more special. Here's to many more cherished memories to come...