Those Moms

First thing, I adore my children. They are the world to me. I wanted to be a mom all of my life and being a mom is the best thing that has ever happened to me. That being said, I like being away from my kids. We have had 3 snow days off school, right after a 2 week Winter break. I can't wait for them to go back to school. Summer time, I am usually on countdown by the end of June till school starting. I love spending time with my kids, but I need my space! It makes me a better mother! I get so annoyed by these moms that are like "I want to spend every second with my kid?" Really? Either they are lying and trying to make people think they are supermoms or they are crazy. I get those moms who work full time and don't get the time with their kids they want. They love days off school. That is not who I am talking about. I am talking about the moms, who are with their kids all day and still want to spend non-stop amount of time with them! Do you ever get alone time with your spouse? Do you ever get time to yourself? Do you ever have girlfriend time? How depressing! Although my kids are the most important thing in my life, my life does not revolve completely around them! I need to time to myself, with my husband, and with my friends! I don't want them to feel like they have to spend every second with me either! They get tired of me too! Why else would they be begging to play at the neighbors?

Working women

So, here is the deal. I love my kids. I have been blessed to be home with them for the past 9 years. I love that Jake's income is enough that I don't have to work. That being said, I love my job. I got a part time job at a store at the mall in September. I work 10-15 hours a week. I make minimum wage. It's not a ton of money, but I love it! I love the feeling of going to work. I love having a little extra money to spend on myself, no questions asked. I have been getting my nails done since I have been working. One of the things I can spend my paycheck on. I work with great people who make it fun. Not sure if I'll ever work full time again, but I like working like this.

Snow.

Today we got 12 inches of snow. Tonight and tomorrow, they are calling for the coldest temps in 20 years. Negatives! I hate Winter. When I was a kid, I loved snow. But, as I grew up, I realized it's just a pain. Having kids makes me appreciate it a little. I hate driving in it or being cooped up. I hate the freezing temps. It hurts my bones. However, in times like this, I think of the people who don't have warm, cozy houses to be in and hot food to eat. I used to volunteer at a local food pantry and got to see first hand, the need.  I want to get out and help these folks again! I want my kids to help cause they tend to take it all for granted. The have no clue that people don't have heat and food!

2014

Been awhile since I've blogged. Gonna do it more this year. It's Jan 2014. I love New Years. I love the feeling of starting fresh. In 2014, my New Years Resolution is to learn to love myself more. I lost a ton of weight. Like 40 pounds. But, for some reason I still hate my body. I'm training for my first full marathon and hoping that will help me love my body. I want to stop beating myself up. Gonna love the body God created!  

I'm learning about health and nutrition. What's good and bad for my body. So, gonna be blogging about that. Blogging about my marathon training too. Also trying to work on my bucket list so some of that stuff too. A bit of everything!

Not a minivan mom

I sometimes feel out of place among the "housewives". I don't cook extravagant meals, don't do crafts with my kids, and don't drive a minivan. I love being home with my kiddos, but I love to time for myself and with my husband. I refuse to give up Julie! When they where babies, if refused to give up my purse for a diaper bag, I just carried both. I drive a car that I'd drive if I didn't have kids. I don't listen to Taylor Swift, I listen to The Beatles! My kids don't listen to 107.7, they listen to KSHE! I wouldn't have it any other way!

Healthy Me

My sweet mother in law's passing last May was the wake up call I needed to get healthy. Just a few days shy of her 55th birthday she drops dead. Clogging of the arteries, most likely from years of heavy smoking. Although I'm not a smoker, it made me realize all the things I'd been doing that where unhealthy. I've always been active and in the past few years have joined a gym and taken up running! I've even run 4 half marathons! However, I wasn't eating well. After Pam died, I joined Weight Watchers. I have done the program before and I knew it worked. Since June, I've lost 40 pounds! Not only have I lost weight, I have reshaped my view on food. Now it's about feeling good and fueling my body. I have become a mostly vegetarian. I have no ethical reasons for not eating meat, but I've done lots of research on the health benefits of a plant based diet. I'm now saving meat for special occasions. For years, I've had stomach problems and cutting out all the junk as helped so much! I know want to teach others what I've learned! I want to change the way I feed my kids too. This is my next goal. No more trips to McDonalds, except maybe on their birthdays!

Been awhile

Havent blogged in awhile and trying to get back into it. Lets see, whats going on in my life. Jake is working his 13th tax season. He is at the same firm since college and is in management. Wes is in the 3rd grade and loves school. He plays ice hockey and is a little obsessed with it! He is getting into music and starting piano lessons soon. As a musician and music lover myself, this makes me very happy. Patrick is taking gymnastics and will start Kindergarten in the fall! Mom still lives here and driving me crazy. Taking care of her is very hard. I actually hate it. I am hoping to go back to work in the Fall, not sure what I'll do. Thinking something in fitness since that's what I love now. We will see.