Life Updates of a Larger Magnitude

(That was supposed to be "Part", not "Party".  My fingers got away from my brain and the resulting typo made me giggle, so I left it.) My Favorite Body Part I listen to a podcast that makes hilariously snarky comments about life with kids, and the last episode inspired this blog post.  They talked about body image, specifically in the realm of post baby bodies, and it made me start thinking about how nice it would be to focus on the good things about our bodies instead of the perceived flaws.  If you ask people what they dislike about their body they can answer you in about 0.2 nanoseconds.  And that answer will not be one word, it will be a list.  If you ask people what they LIKE about their body, they will likely first tell you what everyone else likes about their body.  Is it possible to consider some parts of ourselves awesome without feeling guilt? Anyway, as this is my blog, I obviously want to talk about me.  First, I love muscles - not ju...

My husband is out of town this week, up in Boston for work, and he is extremely happy.  I could be sad that he is happy to be away from me and his family.  Sad that he isn't pining to return here to the chaos.  But I'm not.  He's happy because he is enjoying a beautiful city, with people that he enjoys, and a peace and quiet that is very absent from this Florida locale.  And that's ok.  He'll miss us eventually. :)  Life with kids is a lot of work and sometimes you need a break to appreciate the joy of having your very own posse. Lillian and Eve are in daycare 3 days a week this summer.  Today is not one of their daycare days.  Usually I try to cram in a ton of "essential" things and end up feeling completely overwhelmed.  Today, aside from a few work items, I've instead made it a point to lunch with a friend (and our 6 kids!), and give myself a mini pedicure (along with doing Eve's toes as well.)  I'm tossing the night routine si...

Nobody is perfect, right?  Definitely not me.  This is a brief insight to keep myself honest and reflect on in the future if I need it.  For a period of time I've been contemplating changing - "fixing" - a personal attribute that would have nothing to do with function and more to do with looks.  It's not high on my priority list, more of a random thought that gains traction for a week or 2 then wanders off.  Ok, that's most of my life.  I live a life of whims.  Back to the thing.  How am I going to raise my children to "be happy with what you have" (a phrase that gets repeated really darn often around here but seems to fall on deaf ears) if I can't do the same?  How do I teach my girls that image is a footnote to character?  But I think the thing that really put this topic to rest for me was this:  I imagined having a conversation with God, and He said, "I gave you a thousand perfect things in your life, and instead you chose to foc...

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...

This past weekend we were in Vermont celebrating Ryan's PhD graduation.  It was epic, and it makes me so happy that we've been able to get most of the crew together at least once a year.  The McD's set the bar ridiculously high with the house they rented for us to crash in.  I mean, WOW.  Each of the 12 bedrooms had it's own really nice bathroom.  Team Shea stayed in a huge room with a queen bed, a bunk set, and another twin.  There was plenty of room for Lil's pack and play, and we had friends sleep over each night. :) About half the crew arrived on Thursday night and (as expected) partied it up and had lots of great conversations.  Friday was a low-key rainy day, and Friday night the rest of the gang piled in for Welcome Feast and ensuing festivities.  We divvied up cooking duties in the spirit of past party trips, but the cooks outdid themselves this time.  Breakfast is my favorite meal, so I'm partial to the amazing french toast...