Oh, This Girl!

Don't be fooled by that big smile and all-around cuteness.  She's a 3 year old.  I always heard the worst age was 2 but oh no.  Not even close.  I even wrote about it today on Facebook.  It got lots of attention from several mothers who know exactly what I'm talking about. 

I typed that during one of my daughter's meltdowns.  We were in the kitchen and she very rudely asked for a piece of candy.  I don't allow my children to have candy so early in the morning and I tried to remind her of that but she threw herself on the floor and had a fit.  I didn't want to pick her up, yell at her or even talk to her at that point.  I walked away.  I took my phone and went into my room where I took a few minutes to browse on Facebook.  I'm not sure why I did that.  I usually just take some time to pray, and I did that too, but that moment did help a lot.  She quieted down instantly.  With my son I had learned to ignore his tantrums and that always worked.  Of course, my son was a much more laid back and easier toddler to deal with.  My daughter brings on a whole new challenge.  After she calmed down I walked back into the living room and didn't say a word about how she acted.  We both moved on.  But her tantrums, her demands, her stubbornness certainly didn't end there.  I have my work cut out for me with this girl, for sure.

Being a parent is wonderful for so many reasons but there are also times when I would rather pull every strand of my hair out of my head piece by piece than to have to deal with the attitude, the whining and the tempers.  I refuse to give in to my children, especially when they are rude and forget to say please.  My daughter hates and I mean HATES hearing the word no.  Whenever I say no, even if I say it calmly, her response is always, "why are you so mean to me?"  I try to explain why I say no but she doesn't seem interested.  She just wants what she wants when she wants it. 

Yes, I have a strong-willed child but I'm not backing down.  Even though at times, like today, I feel completed defeated. 

36

I recently celebrated my 36th birthday.  Some may say that is still young and some may say that is old and aside from a few strands of gray hair and a few wrinkles (yes, already. blah) I can say I still feel pretty young.  I can't bend and stretch like I used to and I've been experiencing some pains here and there but I'm still very young.  Thankfully, I'm still quite healthy too. 

As I am approaching the age of 40 I am noticing just how fast time seems to fly the older I get.  I distinctly remember my attitude during the teen years and how life seemed to be dragging on and I couldn't see myself being a 20 year old, let alone a 30 year old.  I had no idea what my future would hold and I certainly didn't care.  Wow, knowing all I know now I wish I could go back to those days and give my teenager self a major attitude adjustment.  The twenties came and went too fast.  I was married at 23 and didn't have my first child until age 29.  It seems the thirties have been the best years of my life so far. 

My dear husband took off work, as he always does every year, and spent the day with me.  We waited until my son came home from school and then enjoyed dinner at the Olive Garden and then home to eat some cupcakes made by my husband (and a little help from our daughter).  Oh they were so delicious.  I snuck one today too.  Ugh, going to need to exercise like crazy this week. 

I can also proudly say that I am in the best shape of my life.  No kidding.  The size of my clothes are smaller than they have been in a long time and I'm building muscles I never had before.  My diet could use a little work but I found a love for exercising that I never had before.  It's so amazing.  Who I am now is someone I wish I could have been so many years ago, but I can't go back in time and I refuse to have any regrets.  I'm a happy 36 year old.  Life is good. 

Hello October

We are now in the third day of October.  I love this month.  The weather is getting cooler but still pleasantly warm.  The leaves are changing colors and falling to the ground.  In fact, this is what my front yard looks like right now.

This is all from our neighbor's tree.  My husband doesn't seem to like the fact that the leaves from their tree falls into our yard because it could kill the grass but I don't mind.  If I get the chance I want to rake the leaves into a big pile for the kids to jump in just like my sister and I used to do when we were little.  Or maybe it was that my dad ordered her to rake the leaves and I just helped myself into the pile.  Hmmm?  Doesn't matter.  All I remember is jumping into a pile of leaves is fun.  Anything to make my kids happy. 

The weather is warm but there is a little wind that is blowing around.  I finished the first coat of stain on our back deck ... finally!  Next chance I have will be to add the second coat.  It's looking good.  I'm happy with it.  Then hopefully this month we can continue on the kitchen renovations.  I just can't wait for it. 

Right now I'm just sitting on the rocking chair in the living room with my feet up, laptop on my lap and listening to the sound of ... NOTHING.  My husband is at work, my son is in school and my daughter is napping.  I enjoy this time of the day when it's quiet.  I usually spend it cleaning but I also make sure to take a little "me" time.  I need that time.  And the house is getting that amazing pumpkin spice scent all thanks to my candle that's sitting on the warmer.

 

 I love candles and have many.  This and an apple one that's perfect for fall.  

This weekend my husband needs to go to archery training, we have a birthday party to attend and will also be visiting friends in their new house.  It seems the weekends this month are already booked up with fun things to do.  Halloween will also be here before we know it.  My son decided to reuse his Thor costume from last year.  Yesterday my daughter picked out a Snow White costume to wear.  I'm looking forward to Halloween ... and candy!  What else is going on this month?  Oh yeah ... my birthday is in a few days; however, this year I'm just not feeling in the birthday spirit.  Birthdays used to be a huge deal for me but now it just seems like another day.  Is it because I'm getting older?  The older I get the faster time seems to be moving.  I don't like how quickly time is going.  It feels as if the twenties went by with a blink of an eye.  Then I turned 30 and suddenly I'm in my mid-thirties.  It won't be long before a 4 and a 0 will be on top of my birthday cake.  Yikes!  Can time please slow down?

Okay, well this was just a lot of babbling.  I will end it here.  Have a great weekend everyone!