What A HomeMaker Should Get Paid

I thought this was interesting, to say the least.

What A HomeMaker Is Worth

But I don't mind getting paid in smiles.

Baby's First Year

Scrap booking your baby's first year is a task full of good intentions, but one often unfulfilled.  I know we mean to write down all those cute milestones as they happen, but there you find yourself, staring at a blank page, wondering when your little bambino first smiled.

Relax. Though some won't admit it, all of us have given our best guess.

One simple way of making your baby's first year scrap book a memorable one is collecting news headlines. We have all seen the links to 'what was the number one song the year you were born,' and the like. Instead, we can collect the important information for our little ones.

Some ideas to get the ball rolling include Oscar winners, SuperBowl and World Series Champions, major world events such as presidential elections, environmental disasters, and gas prices. And yes, the number one song.

One small piece of advice: Though it is possible to go back after your child celebrates their first birthday, and collect such headlines, it is SO MUCH EASIER to collect them throughout the year. I usually read online, so I copy and paste, then send an email to myself. Easy, and worth it.

And one day, my children will read all about those news worthy moments in the year they entered this world. And they'll probably ask me then, what this ancient thing is that we called a newspaper.

The Naked Truth

source: Being Liberal/Facebook 

A Resolution You Can Keep

January is a time for resolutions; making them, and much too often, breaking them. I am no stranger to this. I have resolved to drink more water, pray more, eat healthier, call old friends...you name it. Each year, come February, I seem to have disappointed, though not surprised, myself.

Except for one resolution, which I have kept since I was 18 years old.

A Year In A Glance.

The tradition was started by my mother, who would sit down and read to me her yearly write up each January. We would reminisce about the past year; special birthdays, camping trips, or sadly, people we lost. And once we read one, we found ourselves looking back through previous years. Sometimes to laugh, sometimes to cry. But always to remember.

The idea is simple, really. When Christmas has come and gone, and you have taken down all the sparkly decorations, take a half hour out of your day to write about your past year. It helps to have your calendar in front of you, and then you can chronologically document your year. You do not have to write a book. A few words per month or special occasion is fine.

Trust me, it is worth it.

It is an emotional exercise as well. It is funny how you don't remember, or therefore, document, that day in January that your car wouldn't start. Instead, you collect memories of your grandparents 60th wedding anniversary, a new niece being born, or when your little one took his first steps. No matter how hard this past year was, you will look back at it and smile.

Once you have done this for a few years, you will marvel at how easy it is, but most importantly, how much you cherish that little file in the back of your closet.

One day I will read to my sons about the year I met their father, in real time, when he was just this cute boy I liked. Or I will read of the years they were born, and how nervous and new I was at being their mother.

And as they laugh about the 'old days,' I will smile, knowing this was all worth my while.

Hey Little Ant

Life, from the point of view of an ant, which you are about to step on.

It is an idea like this that can help you make your child understand such complicated issues as empathy.

I have made it a personal goal to focus on morals with my two children. By using random acts of kindness, taking the time to explain and demonstrate empathy, and just taking the time, I hope to make a difference. Not in the world, per se (I am not that ambitious, or naive), but a difference in the people I add to this world. Our little ones are watching us, and I am attempting to take the time to be the example they need.

There are those teachable moments, when parenting, where you just cannot find the words. Luckily, there are others who can find them for us.

The following are some fabulous children's books that can do just that: find those words you are looking for when attempting to drive home a moral lesson. Let's face it; as parents, we need all the help we can get.

Tails are not for Pulling, by Elizabeth Verdick

This same author also has other similar behavior books that are worth a second look:

  

   Hands Are Not For Hitting, Teeth Are Not For Biting, Words Are Not For Hurting...you get the idea!

Another excellent book for the young ones comes from the author Jennifer P. Goldfinger, My Dog Lyle. The little girl that owns Lyle sees him for all the the things that make him special, instead of ordinary. A reminder that our 'quirks' are our own special traits instead.

And one of my favorites, Hey Little Ant, by Phillip Hoose. This is a parable about mercy and empathy, and asks the reader to look at life from an ant's point of view. It is a 'stop and think' story for parents and children alike.

One more book worth a second look, Kindness is Cooler, Mrs Ruler, by Margery Cuyler. This story centers around a teacher who disciplines students by having them preform acts of kindness. Its a great story and a wonderful place to get ideas for good deeds!

I hope to add to this list as I find read worthy books, and welcome any suggestions other may have.
Happy reading!

Sarah Burke

Canada suffered a great loss today, with the death of freestyle skier, Sarah Burke.

At the age of 29, Sarah was a legend of her sport. Please read all about her successful career and remarkable life. She leaves to mourn her husband, Rory Bushfield. If you have the means, medical bills are grand and her family could use all the help they can get.

To donate, and read more about Sarah, follow the link below.

www.giveforward.com/sarahburke

My condolences to Sarah's family.

And now, to go and hug my kids a little tighter.

German Humor

For all my German friends, a nice chuckle for the day!

English translation:

If you are happy, inform your face!

The Peace Project

Photo By: The Single Wife

                                                               www.peaceproject.com

To Carpe Diem, Or Not?

As I lay my son down to bed on his second birthday, I hugged him a little tighter as the thought crossed my mind:

Today he is two. Tomorrow he'll be twenty.

There are days like these that I really do cherish the moments. The smile of my babe is something I cannot put into words. My kids fill my heart, plain and simple.

So why do I feel so guilty when I look forward to nap time? Or bed time? Or any time that I can have a minute to myself?

I do not like to admit this fact, and find that most moms don't either. That is why I found the following article so refreshing, Don't Carpe Diem. 

Its honest and refreshing, and worth a minute of your time. (When you get  that minute for yourself.)

Enjoy.

Random Acts of Kindness

There are so many stories people can tell about being rude. Some one who cut in line, stole a parking spot, or belittled you in some way.

This is not one of those stories.

I generally find that although the seasonal music contradicts it, people do not spread excessive cheer during Christmas time. The reason for the season seems to lean towards a great deal, instead of a great miracle. That is why I was so caught off guard this past Christmas, just a few shopping days left, in the parking lot of Canadian Tire.

My toddler was carrying a balloon. A beautiful bright green Christmas balloon, given to him in the store.  It was a smile maker, indeed.

And it was a windy day.

As I watched the balloon rip from my son's tight grip, and saw the look of sadness and disbelief on his face, I prepared myself for the inevitable tears. I was ready.

What I was not ready for was the overweight man that came bounding towards us. And then past us, and straight after that little green balloon.

My son and I watched in amazement as he chased after the stubborn balloon. First one isle over, then two. He would be so close, and attempt to step on the string, just as a gust of wind would come and take it further away. After five minutes of feeble attempts, I was sure he would give up.

You can imagine my surprise, then, and my son's absolute delight, when the man walked up to us a few minutes later, huffing and puffing, green balloon in hand.

'I couldn't let the little boy lose his balloon,' he said, 'Merry Christmas.'

The balloon has long since deflated, but the lesson that man taught me remains. Random acts of kindness are our way of bringing light into the world. They allow us to teach morals to our children in a world that, often, seems not to have any.

And if you live your life with light, everyone will know which way you went by the light left behind.

I thank you, Balloon Man, from the bottom of my heart.

Friday the 13th

Well, I don't consider myself a superstitious person by any means. Usually.

What I do know is that my little ones were, ahem, off, today. Just a little bit bonkers. Could it be the unluck of Friday the 13th?

Anyone else out there having a very trying day with their youngsters?

Teaching Morals in a World That Doesn't Seem to Have Any

Every time my toddler mimics me; my words, my expressions, even my body language, it reinforces the fact that I am shaping the life of this little individual. He is watching me.

All. The. Time.

Sometimes this scares me, to be honest. Half the time I question if I really know what I am doing at all.

But there are times, too, when this idea fills me with hope. I am shaping this little individual. I have the opportunity to add a kind, smart, compassionate and honorable man to this world.

My grandfather would open the car door for my grandmother. He would hold out her jacket and slide it gently on her arms.  It was magical and marvelous,  and normal.

I couldn’t tell you when, exactly, such acts went by the wayside. I just know they did. Evidence to that is clear. It is the door that closes abruptly in my face, when I have an infant in my arms and a toddler holding my hand. It is the push of a crowd, the bump on my shoulder of a stranger who does not look up from his phone to see who he hit. It is our ant-social world that prides itself on being so socially connected.

How do we raise our children with morals and values, in a world that does not seem to have any?

I want to do more than simply complain about this reality. I want to change it. As parents, we have the chance to be the change. 

It will not happen over night. 

Instead, it will happen one parent, one child at a time. One nicety at a time. One more moment of sitting down with your child to explain the reason behind an act of kindness, or, for that matter, the lack there of. 

I will take this challenge, and welcome your thoughts, triumphant or unsuccessful, as you do as well. 

Ahh, January Diets.

www.diet.co

Today's Inspiration

A stunning representation of how I feel towards my loved ones!

Never Alone - Lady Antebellum

Amazing lyrics!


May the angels protect you 
Trouble neglect you 
And heaven accept you when its time to go home 
May you always have plenty 
The glass never empty 
Know in your belly 
You're never alone 

May your tears come from laughing 
You find friends worth having 
With every year passing 
They mean more than gold 
May you win but stay humble, 
Smile more than grumble 
And know when you stumble 
You're never alone 


Never alone 
Never alone 
I'll be in every beat of your heart 
When you face the unknown 
Wherever you fly 
This isn't goodbye 
My love will follow you stay with you 
Baby you're never alone 

well
I have to be honest 
  

As much as I want it
I'm not gonna promise that the cold winds won't blow 
So when hard times have found you 
And your fears surround you 
Wrap my love around you 
You're never alone 

May the angels protect you 
Trouble neglect you 
And heaven accept you when its time to go home 
And when hard times have found you 
And your fears surround you 
Wrap my love around you 
You're never alone

My love will follow you stay with you 
Baby you're never alone 

Altered View

Ironically, I want to write a few words about Wordless Wednesday.

Each Wednesday, I will post a photograph. It may be my own, or from a site I will link to. I enjoy photography a great deal, but, by no means do I consider myself good at it. Such is the beauty of any art form, I suppose, as it is in the eye of the beholder. Babies and children are my world, and I find inspiration in their faces, so you may see a reoccurring theme, but I will try to spice it up from time to time.

I welcome your comments. I hope to make you think, make you laugh, maybe make you question, or at least make you look.

Alas, I will now stop putting words down on Wordless Wednesday.

Please enjoy.

photo by: The Single Wife

Resolve to Make It Easier

When you have your first baby, bath time is a fun, bonding experience with your little angel. Usually.

You are able to go in stages, slowly changing your routine as your baby develops. You start out in the baby bath, and then it is a monumental day when your bambino has his first bath in the big tub. Get out the camera! Once in the big tub, the bath ease contraption works well, and you keep the water levels low.

Then he starts to motor. And motor boat. Bath time is a place to coral him, and your tub becomes a mini swimming pool. And just like a pool, I shudder to think of the pee to water ratio.

And then comes baby #2.

When your second child is old enough for the big tub, again, out comes the camera! Your two angels in a tub together. How nice. But then you suddenly realize that they are at two very different levels of bathing; two very different levels of water.

I began bathing them both in shallow enough water to use the bath ease for my youngest son. But of course, my older child's level of fun went way down. He went from evening swim and splash to sitting in a shallow puddle. Other than separate baths, (and double the work) I really saw no way around this.

Until another mom gave me a tip, which I now share with the masses.

A laundry basket.

Plain and simple. When your youngest is able to sit on his own, put the laundry basket in the tub, fill the water up to a fun, splashable level, and place your youngest inside. The plastic of the basket helps that little bum stick and not slip around. And the water is deep enough to make the bath enjoyable and fun.

No separate baths. Only photo opportunities galore.

PLEASE NOTE - A BABY SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT ALONE IN A BATHTUB. EVER. 

The Reason My Heart Beats

The first heartbeat.

And nothing has been the same since.

I heard the quick murmur of our first born child and felt relief, fear and excitement all at once. I was alone with my doctor, and the rhythmic sound seemed to fill up the small room. I would later describe this monumental moment to my husband over the phone, in the same fashion that I told him him he was going to be a father in the first place. I used to count the calendar days that he was away from us, but then I stopped. Why dwell on those things we cannot change?

My baby had a heartbeat. That was all that mattered.

Four years later, I am the proud mother of two bouncing boys. My life is filled with Cheerios, diapers, potty time, giggles and kisses. I consider myself one of the luckiest moms in the entire world.

This is my documented journey of motherhood. My triumphs and struggles.

As I attempt to write this page, I have one child spitting out his supper in his highchair, and the other, pantless, in his booster, refusing to eat his. I suppose I should explain the pant situation. Simply, spilled milk.

It could be a lot worse.

Which about sums me up. I refuse to cry over the spilled milk in my life. Instead, I choose to write. I hope to share with you all the things that make my life hilarious, manageable, enjoyable, wonderful, and uniquely mine.

After all, these years will go by in a heartbeat.

Poop Soup

Well, I might as well just jump right in with two feet.


We have all been there. Face to face with a bath tub full of poop. It is amazing how quickly it can happen. One minute you are washing tummies and singing about crocodiles, and the next, poop soup.


Before I became a parent, the mere thought of this would have made me hurl. Now, after 3 years in, instead of inducing vomit, I simply go into hyperdrive. Mission: get the poop out before child plays and/or ingests it.


And this is where the bathtub pooper scooper becomes my hero. A fellow mom of 3 young boys gave me this tip, and put a pooper scooper in a gift for us when our second son was born. And now I do not give a shower or baby present without one of these little gems tucked inside.


Simply put, the pooper scooper allows you to scoop the bits of floating poop in the tub, without touching it (yeah!) and transfer it into the toilet, where it can be re-released into the wild. Drain, rinse, and begin again. 


These pooper scoopers can be found at dollar stores across the country, or any store that specializes in fish, such as petco or petcetra.


It is tips like these that can make a bad situation, manageable.


So when it happens to you, and believe me, it will, smile because you've got a plan. Happy scooping!