What have you done to me Motherhood?

If you had asked me years ago what being a parent would be like, I probably would have had some calculated answer about everything to come. The truth is, I never could have imagined what it would REALLY be like. This truth holds the same for watching my friends become parents. There is something breathtaking in the way each of my different friends parents their children. There is so much I admire in each one of them.

I love the way Joy has a million sweet nicknames for each babe.
I love the way Jean lets her son be a boy in every way.
I love the way Karen waited for that special gift after trying and trying, and now dotes on her.
I love the way Sarah lets her kids have so much spirit and lets them be kids.
I love the way Abby already adores her young son, though they've only just met.

I love the way all the other mothers in my life have taught me, cared for me, and comforted me through all of the challenges with my own children.

I love their children nearly as much as my own, even the ones I haven't meant due to distance. I love the ones that don't even exist yet. I am fiercely protective of each friend and their children. I never used to be a cryer, but something about motherhood has done that to me. Besides all the challenges, there is pure joy in looking at each picture of a baby. There is something beautiful in every little face. I am getting weepy just thinking about it all. Oh motherhood, what have you done to me.

Silly JOLIET stuff

Ok, someone shared this on facebook and I couldn't help but have to share it on my blog. For those of you that grew up the ET, you may feel as these guys do. No matter what you will always call it home. Check out this rap video. J-town love!
Beware, this post is rated R.

When will it end?

I love my children. I adore them really. But seriously, if someone had told me it was possible for my daughter, who in her first two years of life was the epitome of health, to come down with every single virus known to man over a period of 2-3 months, I might have reconsidered this whole parenthood thing. Whats worse is the fact that, not only does she endure these terrible virus with a whining frenzy, but she passes each virus on to her baby brother. He has now been sick as many times in his life, as Maggie has in hers, and she is 2.5 times his age. What have I done to deserve this onslaught? Let me just tell you, a barfing two year old is a force to reckon with. They have no aim, they cry the whole time they are throwing up (but heck so do I), and my particular child, was disturbed at the huge mess she was making, refer back to the crying. Now lets talk about the fever. Apparently a fever of 103 MUST be treated, and not left to nature to take care of. This sounds simple right? You merely measure out the proper dosage of liquid tylenol or motrin, place in child's mouth, they swallow, fever treated right? If only it were that simple. Whoever invented children's tylenol must have hated kids. It tastes TERRIBLE. I know this because I wanted to find out why my daughter had to be pinned to the floor and forced to swallow it. We've tried every flavor in both the brand name and generics to see if that would make a difference. It doesn't. Motrin tastes better by far, and poses no problem for our daughter. But when you have such a high fever they want you to rotate between tylenol and motrin every 3 hours. I thought with this illness I would be smart, buy the chewables and present them as candy. That worked the first time. She took two and asked for more. I thought I had figured it out. Then the next dose came, she was excited. I gave her both chewables, she began to eat one, then gagged and told daddy she couldn't like it and wanted to spit it out. The only other option is suppositories, and I am not going there unless I absolutely HAVE to. So, needless to say, with all the illness that has invaded my house, I am exhausted, overwhelmed, and so OVER it. I've given germs a deadline. One more week in my house and they have to be out. They have to be out or I will be! Oh, did I mention that during all of this drama, I still have to nurse a 3 month old every three hours. A 3 month old who is hacking, wheezing, and breathing funny. . . I want out!

Swagbucks

Hey everyone who regularly checks out my blog. Someone recommended a site to me where you can earn free "swagbucks" by doing certain things on the internet. Check it out because I get free bucks for referrals. Its free, so it can't hurt.

http://swagbucks.com/?cmd=sb-register&rb=415192

The Shack Review

So I've finished reading this book called The Shack. Overall it was a really intriguing look at the three aspects of God. I found it to be emotional, inspiring, and at first I just could not put it down. I started reading it at 10 o'clock the other night and looked up to see that it was 12:30am. That says alot about the book, as I am still getting up with my 3 month old twice a night for feedings. The fact that I could even be awake at 12:30am speaks volumes. However, as I trudged alot through the book, it became heavy and though provoking. I found at times I would have to put the book down, and come back to re-read things. This is rare for me, but was, perhaps the best part about the book. It gets you to take a look at things and think. Lastly though, I'm not sure it is the most accurate portrayal of the Biblical God. It gives you the sense that God is the all loving best friend that you want to carry around in your pocket. While God IS all loving and all knowing, the Bible clearly says that he is a jealous and vengeful God. That aspect of God was no where to be found in this book. We have to remember as we read books like this that it is fiction. While it may be based on a supposed actual experience, there is no way to prove that it really happened. And it is FICTION. As a good read though, I would highly recommend it. But don't go into it looking for Biblical truth. While there are truths scattered throughout the book, overall it is just that, another interesting book to mull over.

All things domestic

So, those of you who know me, know that I work part time. Partly because it is best for our family financially and partly because I really enjoy the adult interaction. However, I have to admit that I have thoroughly enjoyed my time home as I only worked 2 days a week for the past 6 weeks. I really enjoy the domestic side of life. I like cooking and keeping house. I have enjoyed the extra time I have been able to spend with Maggie working on letters and just doing imaginary games and playing. I am not dreading going back to work, as the hardest part of going back was the 2 full days of being gone from my kids. I just wonder if God provided the opportunity financially for me to stay home, whether it would be the choice I would make. I adore my children, and love to spend the time with them that I am afforded, but I fear that if I did end up staying home full time that I would have a difficult time entering back into the work world once the children go to school, which I know I want to do. These are just things I have been pondering. As of right now its not even an option, but I wonder down the road what God has in store for our family and how we will know what the right decision will be at that time.

Lazy Lasagna

Hey all. Here is a great recipe, that just happens to also be a crockpot recipe. Its very simple and very good! Throw some garlic bread in the oven during the last ten minutes of cooking, toss a salad and bam you are set.

This recipe is courtesy of my Aunt Karen, where she got it I don't know.

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef, browned
32 ounce jar of your choice of spaghetti sauce
8 ounces of curly egg noodles or lasagna noodles cut up, cooked
16 ounce carton of cottage cheese or ricotta
8 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese to taste

Combine beef and spaghetti sauce. Combine noodles, cottage cheese, and mozarella. Layer one third of the beef mixture, followed by half of the noodle mixture in the slow cooker. Repeat layers, ending with beef mixture on top. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Cover and cook on low 3 to 4 hours. I cooked mine on high for 2 and it turned out perfectly. Also, make sure that you drain the noodles very well, as any extra moisture makes the noodles at the bottom of the crockpot soggy. To make it healthier you can always add some spinach into the noodle mixture as well.

If you try it out, let me know what you think! I don't have a picture of this delicious dinner, but it turned out great.