A Wonderful Reason to Not be Writing...

Rory James Shakespear

Our hefty feller was born on June 30th. You can see more fun pictures and read more about the adventure on my crafty/momma blog, Hazel and Company. 

A New Year & Massive Changes

Are you a morning person?

I am not.

In the past, Ryan has gotten up with our oldest son, gotten him breakfast and taken him to early morning Jazz band practice on his way to work.  And then I've slept in a bit, gotten the other boys up, ready for school and out to the bus stop.

But I thought it was time we made some changes. So, now we're all getting up together. Ack! I hope I can keep it up. Weston isn't doing Jazz band this semester, so we don't have to get up quite so early as before. I'm also getting up before the kids a little bit so I can get my running in....Weston wakes up while I'm running on the treadmill and comes to say hi to me.

Before I was trying to find time to run in the morning after the boys got on the bus, but then it seemed like my whole morning was about running. I had to find something to keep the girls busy. And then find time to snag a shower after. I also tried running after the kids were in bed. But then I was so so tired.

So, now I get up, run without wee ones around (this is lovely), we have breakfast together and then Ryan takes Weston to school and Emmett and Sam get some stuff done. They get their chore done, do their reading time or Emmett does some piano practicing. It's so great.

Don't get me wrong though. I'm still not a morning person. This isn't easy. And it's even harder for me to make myself go to bed earlier so I can get enough sleep. But I can already see this is better for our family. I love our time together in the morning. And it's giving me a jump-start on the day. I've been feeling overwhelmed and as if I don't have enough time to get everything done (I must be a mother.) and not that I can do everything now, but I feel happier about what I'm getting done in one day.

Another massive change I'm making has to do with writing. I needed a specific time of the day that is all mine. That I can get the words down.  In the past, I've tried to fit writing into the cracks of the day....in the morning while the girls watch Cat in the Hat or at nap time or after the kids are in bed and then I stayed up way too late. But I like how Mette Ivie Harrison sets aside a couple hours after lunch for her writing. She doesn't let anything disturb her. And when the time is up, she closes the office doors and goes back to her family.

Brilliant, right?

So, here we go. Nap time is mine. I've tried this in the past, but now I'm getting serious people. I need to write. I need to get this book written. But I don't want this Novel Beast to take over my life. I need to know when I'll write. And then when I'll stop.

I should be able to get around two hours of writing done each day this way. I only got a half an hour yesterday since Zoe woke up from her nap early and snuggled up on the couch. This was then proceeded by the surprising sound of liquid gushing.

Yes, the flu has come to visit. Fun, right?

So, there you have it. Massive Changes for the new year. Let's hope I can keep them up!

The Magic of Muffin Tin Meals

I picked up some 6-cup muffin tins at the dollar store this summer. And seriously....this whole Muffin Tin Meal idea is pretty magical....

"Lunchables" muffin tin meal plus bananas

This is a brilliant way to get little ones to sample different foods. Somehow by simply putting stuff in the little cups, it makes lunch much more exciting.

And it's good for me, too. Instead of giving them just a half of a sandwich and some apple slices, this makes me think of a variety of foods to give them.

Here's Molly's "smiling" face for the camera.....

Nice pouty lips, cute girl.

Cheesy tortilla slices, carrots, ranch for dipping, apple slices
and blueberry yogurt.

And guess what? They might not admit it...but even my big kids like lunch like this. I tell you what.  The muffin tins are magic.

Maybe she's thinking, "Nope. Blueberry and ranch
are definitely not the next big flavor combo." 

Mine....all mine.

I ran away to the library. I packed my lunchbox with cold leftover pizza, bread sticks and a bunch of sugary treats. And now I sit holed up in a study room enjoying the quiet and the hours to write. 

I am so so so grateful for my husband for being supportive of this crazy dream of mine.  How did I manage to snag him?

But sometimes I feel like I'm wasting my time. Other times I think it's completely worth it. 

Today is a good day. I know it's worth it.

I think mommas need something that is all theirs. Something that has nothing to do with their family.  

Don't get me wrong. I love my children. I love my husband. I love taking care of them. I love making them meals and treats they enjoy. I love planning surprises and doing crafts with them. I love playing the Wii with my boys even though I really stink at MarioKart (when are they going to make it so you can put bumpers...like at the bowling alley...on the levels?).  I love reading books to my kids and helping them with their homework and laughing at their stories. And I'm not encouraging mommas to do things that take them constantly away from those precious moments. But I don't think you can be your best self if you make your family your whole Entire World. 

You need to grow as a person. You need to continue learning.

I need something that is just mine. A goal that has nothing to do with that wonderful family of mine. Something that is my own dream. And maybe that sounds selfish. But I don't think it is. 

I want my children to know how much I love taking care of them, but I want them to also know I am a person with my own thoughts, wishes and plans. And I want them to see me working toward those goals. Because that's the kind of person I want them to be. 

I don't want them to be someone who thinks, Oh, I wish I could do that (whatever that may be). But it's too hard or too impossible or too crazy for me to try. 

I want them to be people who have their own thoughts, wishes and plans. Crazy plans. Big dreams!And to also be someone who goes after them. None of this sitting around, wishing for things to happen. 

Hopefully they'll eventually see their momma also accomplish something with these big goals. 

That would be Crazy Awesome, right?

Okay, enough of this, back to the writing.

How to Get Rid of Things like Oil, Acne and Zombies...

Meet Pinky.

Pinky was a Christmas gift for Zoe when she was 2. And she has been well-loved.

But you may notice, that Pinky is having some struggles.

First Zoe picked Pinky's nose a bit too vigorously.

Then Zoe decided to share her oily lip balm with Pinky.

Finally, as Zoe helped Pinky into her jammies, Pinky's arm was brutally ripped from her body.

To make matters worse, Pinky was then hidden away in a dark corner under the bed. Yes, Zoe was trying to hide her crime.

So, yesterday, Pinky's arm was reattached.

Pinky  got a new nose.

And after some on-line research about removing oil from cotton, a very informative site called How To Get Rid of Things was found.

Not only can one learn how to get rid of oil stains there  (regular 'ole dish soap does the trick), but also how to get rid of back hair and zombies. Apparently we'll need to invest in a tiger pit and wood chipper if the Zombie Apocalypse occurs. Except I wonder if there would be a run on those? Maybe those are things one needs to purchase now? Hmmm, much to ponder.

Pinky's face was then scrubbed with (pink...ha!) dish soap and she now has an oil free smile.

Pinky! You look as good as*new!

And Zoe has plans to take extra-special care of her.

Next thing we'll need to work on is some new clothes for Pinky. She used to have quite the wardrobe...skirt, shirt, dress and coat. But, sadly, most of those are lost. Poor thing has to go out in public in her jammies. So so sad.




*Well, almost. Pinky's forehead has a permanent yellowish hue from face oils left behind by her owner during night-time snuggling.

Seriously? How can I have a kid this old?....

I've almost got a teenager in the house. 

Weston turned 12 this last summer. 

People are always complaining about teenagers. And I've been thinking lately, maybe this Teenage Adventure has a lot to do with attitude. If you go into the journey expecting it to be horrible and awful and the worst years Possible, then you'll probably get just that, right?

But what if you go into it expecting it to be fun? What if you look for the good and the happy?  

This boy is fun. He makes me laugh. We talk about books and school and cute girls. He asks me about the book I'm writing. He is a huge help with his younger siblings (he'll even play with Zoe in her pretend kitchen...that's a nice older brother, right?) He is impressed by what I sew or craft and tells me. I don't think I was half as responsible as him at my age. 

Doesn't he sound awesome?  That's because he is, of course. 

My Handsome Cowboy and I recently
took Weston to the temple. It was
a great experience.

Sure he makes mistakes, but don't we all? I know I'm not perfect. Although I like to pretend I am sometimes... and that never ends well.

He was pretty excited to eat in the cafeteria.
Especially since we said he could order
whatever he wanted. Yeah. He liked that
quite a bit.

But I have a lot to learn about this being a mom to an almost teenager. He's not really a kid anymore. He's a young man. And I can see it. In how he carries himself. In the choices he makes. 

And I'm so proud of him. I'm so proud and pleased I get to be his mother.