Seven Quick Takes- I'm having mini strokes

1. I told my mother today that I keep forgetting things that have recently happened, like putting my debit card back into my wallet or putting sugar in my coffee. It's like I'm having mini strokes.

2. I decided Juliette had grown out of 18 month clothing so I stored all of it in a box in the basement and got her 24 month clothing out of storage and washed it. Then I realized that the 24 month clothing is way too big for her. I am having a hard time motivating myself to rectify my mistake... don't pant legs just roll up?

3. I am spending the weekend at my parent's house because my dad is on retreat and my husband is working a double tomorrow. GIRLS WEEKEND! Therefore my mom and I will be renting every chick flick our husbands refuse to watch with us, eating Italian food, drinking wine, and of course, shopping.

4. In our absence Kyle spent the afternoon assembling the wooden train table that the girl's train set will on at Christmas. There is a 90 percent chance that he will spend tomorrow setting up the tracks and acting as conductor. Sometimes I wonder how I would do with a son but then I remember that often times it wouldn't be much different than how I deal with Kyle.

5. Some days I wish I could exist exclusively off nachos, brownie batter, and coffee. If I could do that and not become the fattest person ever... or you know, die.... I would totally do it.

6. I realized why I have such a massive crush on Dr Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds. It's because he is Kyle but with guns. Kyle's specialty is knowing random facts about random things and then telling you them whether you want to hear them or not. I find him very interesting. I will say that I'm glad he knows about planes and Catholic teaching instead of the behavioral characteristics of phycopaths. But still, intelligence and nerdiness is a type of hotness that I cannot deny. So Kyle, my crush on a fictional character is a tribute to my love for you. Be proud!

7. Thanksgiving is next weekend. I have plans to visit with my crazy extended family, have a sleepover and watch the sparkly vampires with my sisters, drink with my friends that I graduated high school with, and dominate family games night. This means hopefully hilarious blog posts for my readers. And Juliette's 1st birthday is next week! That means I'll be throwing some super cute pictures at you as well! Stay tuned!

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A Day for the Mommaz

I can't even begin to explain how much it annoys me when people ask the question, "So do you just stay home with the kids or do you work." As if staying home with the kids isn't work? There is no more demanding a job out there, except for probably that of the parish priest. Motherhood is an exhausting 24 hour VOCATION. We have no days off, we are constantly on call, and we always have to be on top of our game. It is also more rewarding than I could ever put into words but kids. are. work.

So the day I value more than my own birthday or even my anniversary is Mother's Day. I'm not a mother because I want people to tell me how awesome I am but I love that there is one day a year completely devoted to honoring us for all we do all year round. Being a mother is the thing I am most proud of and it is what Kyle is most proud of me for. I love when he calls me beautiful, I love when he tells me I am a great wife or I'm a great cook, but the compliment I cherish the most is when he tells me I am a great mother. Raising our children well is the biggest way I can honor him so I love that he recognizes it.

Since being a mom I've learned to step up my game for my own mom. I've begin to see just how much of herself she sacrifices for all of us, even those who have left the nest, and so I want to show her just how much I love her and how much I appreciate all she has given me. My mom is an amazing woman and without her example, I wouldn't be half the mom I am to my own kids. Her influence has been invaluable and so I want to be the same for my daughters.

The day was simple, time with my parents, sisters, daughters, and husband, but it was perfect. When Kyle met us after work he brought my mom and I each a single red rose but then when I got home, there was a whole bouquet of tulips waiting for me. We don't have money for expensive gifts but even if we had I couldn't have wanted anything else more. It was perfect because Kyle knows how much I love receiving flowers and he, on his own accord, sought out the prettiest ones he could find to surprise me with. And he honored my mother too. What a blessing he is! He says he is sending me for a mani/pedi next week too which, once again, is a treat he knows I never give myself but always crave.

I'm not a mom for a pat on the back or a "job well done" but the week the stress of being sick, and both babies being super needy had really gotten me down. I feel like this gave me new life tonight and really restored my faith in myself. It's so amazing to take a step back and look at how much my husband and children adore me. I never imagined I could be loved so much. I live for giving myself to them but today it was nice to receive.

Do the clothes make the woman?

As a mom, I sometimes find it hard to do things that are just for me. When I do, I usually end up feeling guilty about it. After all, being a mom is about putting yourself last, right? So did I really need those shoes? Or that sweater? Should I return them? Do I really need a gym membership? Can I leave my kids to go workout for an hour?

To begin with, I have a problem with spending. I love being a stay at home mom but especially during those long winter months, nothing is more appealing than the mall and there is always an excuse to buy something new. And there is also always online stores. It's usually for the kids but I have to keep myself accountable to my husband and clear big purchases with him first while also monitoring the small ones. I HATE the word no so it can prove to be a difficult task.

But when it comes to the normal things that most twenty-five year old spend money on to keep themselves looking and feeling good I have a hard time shelling out the dough. I haven't had my hair cut since September, my nails done since November, and my brows waxed since January. I feel hairy and frumpy. But Juliette only nurses so how can I leave her? Or is that just an excuse.

My mom did everything for us and never thought of herself. My dad called us the best dressed poor kids in town but my mom's closet was always lacking. She never seemed to mind and was always beautiful anyway but I always felt bad that I had so much while she rarely ever got for herself. Now I understand. Your kids are a reflection of yourself and giving them the best is giving you the best.

Still, it always made me happy when my mom went and got her hair done because I could tell that she felt good. I loved when she got a new shirt and would show me. I loved shopping with her for her new dress for my sister's wedding. I was proud of how good she looked even if she couldn't see it.

My mom has recently lost almost 50 lbs and she looks amazing, not at all her age. I want my kids to look at me and be proud of how beautiful their mom is spiritually and physically. Just like how I feel about my mom. Kyle would be attracted to me no matter what as long as I had boobs but I know he is proud when I make an effort. When my hair is long and straight and blond and flowing and I'm dressed in the right style and color. Why does being a mom mean I have to stop being me? Why would it ever mean that I have to stop dressing attractively?

Tomorrow I am going out with my mother-in-law (AMAZING woman, I am blessed) and we are going to get me my first pair of heels. I know, right? I recently started wearing nicer makeup, straightening my hair, and I am in the process of toning my body hopefully back to where it was pre-baby. As I do all these things I feel better about myself and I find I have more energy, more joy, and am a better mother.

I know my true beauty comes from what is inside me but I never want to neglect the outside. God gave me my beauty as a gift and I don't want to just trow that gift away. I can be a mother and still have a bit of time left over for me. No mom should feel guilty about taking that time. I'm slowly learning to let go of that guilt.