Life Updates of a Larger Magnitude

Kids are f'in hard work.  I had a day last week where I was watching all 3 of them and I thought, "no way am I having a fourth.  This is HARD."  But the thing is, I would tell people to have kids - lots of them - in a heartbeat.  Have them, foster them, adopt them, whatever.  Because the thing is, at the end of my roughest day, I don't regret it for one second.  I don't think, "I'd rather be backpacking Europe or on a beach in Thailand."  Or whatever else super sexy thing there is that even all the people sans-kids are NOT doing right now.  I'd love to do those things, and I will, but at the end of a totally craptastic day I don't think, "What am I doing with my life? This sucks!"  I just think, "That totally sucked.  I need wine."  I know what I'm doing with my life.  Sometimes at the end of a really crappy workday at my former job I'd think, "Why am I here?  These people don't appreciate me and there is ...

Rant: People, please stop saying how busy you are with this beleaguered air that somehow implies the universe is conspiring against you.  You are as busy as you let yourself be.  Learn to revel in the fantastic cacophony of your life or learn to say no. Reflection: I'm not as nice to my kids as I am to other peoples' kids, even though I like my kids more. Resolution: In light of my rant about negativity and my need to be kinder in my house, I'm totally stealing this idea. (Thanks, Malinda!) http://www.handsfreemama.com/2013/05/29/how-to-fill-up-a-child/ And on another note: The phrase "rat-race" never made sense to me before.  I mean, I got the *idea*, but I didn't get it in my gut.  I think I do now, but only because I am struggling without the validation that society ascribes to a traditional job.  You work 8+ hours out of the home, and you are rewarded monetarily and with societal acceptance (sometimes applause) for that job.  I set goals for my...

It's Friday, it's summer, I just got back from the gym, and my stress level is near zero. Lillian and Eve are in daycare, Brynna is playing with a neighbor, and Matt is at work.  I have about 30 minutes of down time to collect my thoughts and this is what I'm thinking:  I'm so freaking happy. I married an amazing guy who has truly been my partner over the past bajillion years.  I love that we still enjoy each other's company and quirks.  Matt Shea and I have a rule that the last person in bed is responsible for turning out the lights.  Just as he was about to finish brushing his teeth, I raced across the room and threw myself in bed with a wicked look that said, "Hahaha!  Now you have to turn out all the lights!".  We both laughed at what a brat I am. :)  I had a quick flash of recognition that we were lucky we still know how to be playful and haven't let the day to day of life buckle us into crankypants. I could go on and on, but that's enoug...