When Children Play....

What goes through their head

What are they thinking

What are they feeling

The colors

The shapes

The textures, and smells

How do they absorb it all

How do they distinguish

The good

From the bad

The happy

From the sad

The thing is...

They don't

In their eyes, all people, all things

Are beautiful and good.

And seeing this through her eyes...

Warms up my heart and soul

Because her playing...

is one of the most wonderful gifts of life.

Winter Blues

I hate the winter.
The only great thing about it, is the holidays.
Which is beyond great.
Fabulous.
Amazing.

But that's it.
That's where it ends.
Everything else about winter? I hate.

Credit

I become such a Grinch around this time of year. {Not the Christmas aspect grinch}.
I hate leaving the house.
I hate the cold.
My clothes are blah in the winter.
The house gets cold.
I can't just run out of the house and go... I have to bundle up.
The baby has to bundle up.

Which by the way... have you ever wondered how annoying it is to put a baby in the car seat with a big puffy coat?
Very. Let me tell you... very.

And the ice? And snow?
I fear about driving in it. I am fearful of other drivers out there.
Everything about it just scares the living crap out of me.

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I have no energy.
I feel worthless some days.
Things don't get done in the speedy fashion that I'm used to.
My to-do lists grow to the point where I don't even want to look at them.
And I cringe while all this runs through my head.
Absolutely Cringe.

And I begin to dream.
Of the spring.
Of shorts and flip flops.
Tank tops.
Dresses.
Oh. For the love of dresses.

The freeness of it all.
To just run out of the house.
To enjoy the outdoors.
Breathe in the fresh air and hear kids laughter.

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The colors.
Oh the colors.
I miss the colors.

And the darkness?
Go away.
I gets dark at 530 around here.
That makes me that much more unhappy with the season.

So while I am looking forward to Christmas...
Counting down the days.
Singing carols around the house and wrapping presents...

I have to say.. As soon as December 26th hits.
I'm ready.

Ready for warm weather.

And I'll be saying this...

"Winter winter go away. Spring spring, hurry here to stay"

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p.s. before you run off, will you go check out my friend's blog! She's an awesome bloggy/twitter friend and I know you guys would adore her as much as I do! Go here!

Sometimes....

Somtimes....

We have to be reminded that things do get better.

Sometimes....

We have to remember that it's okay to not always be right,

Sometimes...

Sadness and sorrow are okay. More than okay. And they represent where we have been.

Sometimes...

We need to let go of who we want to be. And just love who we really are.

 Sometimes...

We need to make a difference. Change the world. Do something life-changing.

Sometimes...

It's okay to let go.

Sometimes...

It's okay to just write. Be an Open book. Honest. Truth. Raw.

 It's okay....

Not just sometimes... BUT always.

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Stop by THE Mrs.Monologues blog to check out my guest post feature!! She's so awesome, witty, and a really great bloggy friend. You will love her, if you already don't!

Lessons of a First Year Mom.

I wrote a short little list (7 lessons) on my friend's blog a few months back and I saved it in my blogger so that I could finish it and call it my First Year of Motherhood Lessons Learned. Because after all, this needs to make it into Elliana's baby book (or now I should say Toddler book), and something I hope to continue to add on throughout the years.

And I hope that through these experiences I can continue to offer my daughter {and future children} a life full of happiness.

{A short list written to myself}

1. Kiss them often. You can't ever kiss them too much. Kiss them when they're young. And kiss them when they're old.

2. Teach them. Remember they look up to you. They pick up on everything. Show them the world. Show them the beauty of life. Let their little brains explore.

3. Make Memories. Think of fun family activities to do. Go to the zoo. Go to the pumpkin patch. It's never too early to start traditions. As a family. Do crafts together. Bake cookies. Make finger paint. Make a snowman. And repeat it every year. You will enjoy this time. And they will enjoy it even more.

4. Take pictures. Lots of them. Thousands! Who cares if they are sitting in the same pose... those facial expressions are honestly priceless. And? Save them all. Each and every one of them. Blow them up.Fill your house with pictures and be proud!  And I guarantee you will appreciate having these in the future.


5. Plan ahead. Think about the future. Plan for the future. Buy clothes ahead of time. Review your finances a year in advance. And remember, your child should always come first. 

6. Share. Share your child. Others want to love on him or her, or them. Let them. It's okay. Your child/children won't forget that you are the most important. And listen, you are. 

7. Read them Books. Every day. They are absorbing and absorbing. And in the midst of the reading they are cuddling on you. Loving you. Savor those moments.

8. Remember, there are two. Include your husband. Get his opinion. Allow him to make decisions as well. Remember, this is a first time for him too. 

9. Set rules. And set them early. Try to be consistent. Say No. Figure out when you need to draw the line. And these rules? Set them with family members as well. Don't be afraid.

10. Stand your ground. This goes with number 9, but remember, you are effecting this child's future. You are the parent. Set your ground with those around you.

11. Loosen up. Contrary to number 10, remember that sometimes it's okay to just relax and let them be kids. Let them have some sweets. Let them watch TV just a little longer. They will be OK.

12. Never say never. Just when you think that you have this motherhood thing down, you do something, or say something, or something happens that completely contradicts what you may have said prior to having a baby. And you know what, that too is OK.

13. Watch them. Every second. Accidents happen within seconds. A blink of an eye. And those tears... oh those tears. 

14. Write it down. You will forget. Those moments you can't get back. Those memories. Those milestones. I can't stress enough how important it is to write it down! Get a notebook. Write it in the blog. Somewhere where you can return to it. And? Make something of it. Make a book. Scrapbook. You will appreciate it later.

15. First birthdays are important. And don't feel guilty going all out. Don't feel guilty not going all out. As long as you enjoy that day, relive the year, and spoil that child with love, then that is all that matters. But remember, it is important. And this day you can't get back. You did it. You made it to a year of motherhood. That is important.

16. Step away from the computer. And play with your child. Or just watch them. A child playing is one of the most beautiful things in life. They really are the most innocent individuals just discovering this little world around them. Do it. The social media can wait.

17. Whip out that video camera. Take it off the shelf. Wipe off the dust. And put it to good use. Pictures can only capture so much... a video can complete the memory.

18. You can always do better. Never settle. Yes, you are a great mom... but you can always be better. Strive to your potential. Keep working at it. It doesn't happen overnight, but the love you have for the child makes it all worth it.

19. It only gets better. Just when you think you had a great month. Just when you think you love this age. It gets better. And I am convinced that this will continue for years to come.

20. Never regret. Don't "wish" you did this. Or that. Or why did I do this or that. Trust your decisions. Learn from them. And grow. Because at the end of the day....

You are that child's mother and no one can ever take that away from you.

21. Be patient. Yes it can be hard at times. Life can get busy. There isn't enough time in the day. But always remember to be patient. With your children. With your husband. And most importantly, with yourself.

22. You can love another. You may not believe it. You may not fathom how you could possibly love another child as much as her... but you can. And you will. And trust that. Your heart will only grow... and your life? Will only get sweeter. Better. More baby giggles, snuggles, and hugs. More bliss.


23. If you take anything from all this, take this: You are a great mom. You are an amazing mom. You would do anything for your child. And your child is SO lucky to have you.

I am blank because....

I've seen these going around on numerous blogs, and of course I thought it was super cute and wanted to write a post doing something similar. So here I go!

I am weird because...





I started x-mas shopping in January.
I have x-mas presents for 2012 already.
I make tons of list, but rarely revisit them.
I would much rather stay in than go out.
I have an obsession with free stuff.
I don't like manicures/pedicures. {I'd rather do it myself}. {And I don't do a very good job}.


I am a bad friend because...



I am terrible about making plans.
And sticking to them.
I am horrible at checking my phone.
And answering messages, emails, calls, etc.
It takes me days , sometimes weeks, to check my voicemails.
I have to say no, a lot.
I often prefer to spend my weekends with the family, every time.
It's hard. Very.



I am a good friend because...



I am a good listener.
I will do anything for my friends, as soon as they ask.
I'm very giving, and don't expect anything in return.
I give good advice.
I am very supportive.


I am sad because...



Time goes by way too fast.
I feel like I should be doing more sometimes as a mother and wife.
Money doesn't grow on trees.
My friends live so far away.
Winter is coming and I hate driving in the snow/ice.
My to-do list is never ending.
I can't please everyone.
Elliana gets more bumps and bruises now that she started walking... sad face. 


I am happy because...


I love my little family of three.
God has blessed my life.
I have a career that allows me to not have to put my child in daycare.
Christmas is right around the corner.
For My baby's health.
For My health.
For My husband's health.
I get amazing kisses from my baby girl.
Hopefully 2012 will hold an addition to our family.


I am excited for...

Christmas!
Swim lessons with the baby girl.
All the milestones to come.
Welcoming another nephew in the family!
To see what 2012 has in store for us.