Now serving knuckle sandwiches!

Well then, hey there! How are ya? I hope y'all had a Merry Christmas and a safe and joyous start to 2012! The Viking family had a glorious, relaxing, amazing time down at my in-laws. Our New Year's Eve was pretty mellow with some tv watching and not much else. We ate black-eyed peas on New Year's Day and watched the Huskers get their hineys handed to them on Monday. Then on Tuesday my Dad and I loaded up the car and him and I and my 2 boys drove over to Iowa to spend a little time with my Grandpa. He hadn't seen Stomp since he was 6 months old and, obviously, had never met Joshua. I love getting together with my Granddaddy. He has an easy laugh and a laid-back personality...which is necessary because his wife (my dad's stepmom) is...well, I can't think of a nice way to put it so I'll just say that she's a piece of work.

For instance, while I was out there, she actually criticized me for how well-behaved Nathan is. She kept saying "you sure are a good boy" and then she'd shoot me a dirty look and say, "you know, we like the kids to run wild while they're here and have fun". Uhhh okay. Well, a) he's having fun, that's what that laughter's about and 2) my child doesn't run wild in anyone's house. On several occasions I told him "no" and she told him "you can do what you want at Grandma's house". Thankfully, Stomp's no dummy and he would just say, "thanks anyway ma'am, but my mama said 'no'". It was an extremely stressful trip. I would love to do it again, to see Grandpa, but I don't know if I can handle the stress for more than a day or two. Thankfully we saw them Tues and Wed but came home yesterday. Anymore time than that and I certainly would've gone to jail for taking off my shoe and beating her with it.

So anyway, felonies aside, just a bit of housekeeping here on Ho-Hum Drive: I'm going to be doing a Musical Monday where I introduce you to a song I can't get enough of (it'll most likely be country but I may have some surprises for you) and a Silly Saturday where I feature*** either a joke or a funny picture or really anything that tickles my funny bone. Any other requests for things you'd like to hear more of, see less of, etc? Leave it in the comments!

***I like to use the word "feature" because it makes me sound all professional-like.

You better kiss me 'cuz you're gonna miss me when I'm gone

I seem to be having one of those weeks. Maybe one of those months. Scratch all that, I'm having one of those lifetimes. Y'all know how it goes, right? You're The Mama. So, most of your focus is on caring for other human beings. You know, diapers, homework, baths, stories, breakfast-lunch-and-dinner, laundry, oh-hey-mom-can-you-do-x,y,z? It's easy, when your whole existence is tied up in tending to other people's needs, to get sucked into that horrible black hole of doing nice things for everyone. I've always been the kind of girl who'll try to look out for other people. If I see someone sad, I'll come up with ways to cheer them up. If they're overwhelmed, I'll figure out a way to help out. It's a good quality to have, I think, and I'm proud of my desire to help other people out...most of the time.

But, sometimes, I get overwhelmed and I get sad and dadgumit, right now I'm always a bit of both just because I'm not getting enough sleep and I can't get over this dadgum back injury and well, I'm still doing nice things for other people. I have no idea why, except that there's some sort of flaw in my character that insists I keep doing these things even when I don't feel like it and I desperately need whiskey and a vacation a little quality me time.

Don't get me wrong, I have wonderful friends who offer to help when they can and who send text messages (or notes or little gifts) to cheer me up. And I have the most amazing husband ever. In fact, I've long said that I can be at the bottom of my own priority list (something every psychologist cautions moms against it) because I know I'm at the top of his.

But, I'm tired. And I'm getting very bitey. And I'm not taking enough time for myself, at a time I probably really should. But, I am doing lots of nice things for other people which always makes me feel happy. I'm just not left with much time to do nice things for myself.

How do you other Mamas do it? How do you balance doing nice things for other people and taking time for yourself? Are you good at saying no? (I'm sure by now you've guessed, I never say no...ever.) What's your favorite thing to do to take care of yourself? What's your favorite thing to do to cheer other people up?

Daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.

Today I'm thankful that I am "just" a housewife. High-powered executive types don't really get it and that's okay. I hear a lot of "so what do you do all day?" and "oh so you don't work?".

I knew once it set in I was going to be a mama that I was going to be a mama at home. My mom worked all.the.time. and I never wanted that for that my kids. Don't get me wrong, my Jersey Mama loves me to mieces and pieces and that's always been perfectly clear. But I missed out on a lot by having a working mama. She couldn't take the time to volunteer at school. I had to take the school bus so after-school-activities were out of the question. And besides all that, I had this image in my head of what my life as a mama could be like. Clean house, clothes on the line, cookies in the oven, home-cooked meals, playdates, walks to the library, etc.

I'm happy to say that stay-at-home-mama-hood has not disappointed. Oh sure, my house isn't as clean as I'd like, but it's tidy. I don't get to bake as often as I like, but I'm able to brighten my husband's day with his favorite peanut-butter cookies pretty often. The rest of those things have fallen quickly into place. And maybe I can't afford jet-setting vacations or a new car, but my kids will look back on their childhood and will remember that mama was around for games and stories and snuggles.

My first year as a mama was rough. We lived with my mother in law in one bedroom and I didn't have a house to call mine. I really only had "mom" stuff to tend to. No "house" stuff. As much as I love the mom stuff, the house stuff really fills out and completes my role. I have two awesome boys now and the house stuff can be overwhelming if I don't temper it with plenty of mom-time. For instance, the addition of just one little boy has increased my laundry-pile three fold. How is that even possible? He can't even walk yet!

So, with all the snide, not-entirely-friendly comments I've been hearing lately about my role as a Mom, I just want to say that I'm thankful for it and I honestly hope I never have to change my career choice! I'm thankful for two sweet sons who make it possible (and fun) to be a mom and I'm thankful for The Viking, who works super hard so we can "afford" for Mama to be at home where she belongs, raising the boys!

"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom."

Today was The Viking's first day back to work since we had the baby. He got off Friday the 1st and immediately started cracking jokes about how now that he was off work I could have the baby anytime. Then I went into labor just after midnight on the 2nd. I blame him for me going into labor.

Anyway, he's been off since then. While we were all bummed to see him go back to work, I was downright excited to see how our daily routine would go without him here. I had visions of finally getting a handle on the dishes and laundry that have piled up while I've been recovering, of trips to the library, of finally fixing my boys a supper that wasn't a sandwich. It turns out our daily routine isn't much of a routine yet. We got up and everyone ate (in total honesty, I would've forgotten to eat if Nathan hadn't reminded me) and then we (drum roll please) did nothing. We snuggled. Stomp and I inspected Joshua's toes to try and figure out why they're just do darned cute. Then we stroked his head and talked about how soft his hair is. Then we marveled at how he could sleep through all this. Then Nathan watched tv and I made a phone call or two. Then we all had a nap and some more snuggles. I didn't cook supper, I didn't do housework (except making my bed). In short I didn't fullfill any of my housewife duties...

...And that's okay. The whole reason I stay home is so my kids (and to a lesser extent, my home) can be tended for and cared for by me, Mama, The Boss Applesauce, SuperMom. Today I may not win any awards for the cleanest house or the most natural, nutritious meal (thank you Pizza Hut), but you know what I could win an award for? Mothering. The simple acts of being with my kids, talking to them, loving on them, snuggling them and teaching them about the simple joys in life.

One woman's weed is another woman's wildflower

First of all, let me say that I hope all the awesome Mamas I know had a wonderful Mother's Day. Mine was wonderful. Friday we went out to lunch and to the zoo (more on that in a minute). Saturday we actually had some quiet time as a family. The boys brought me home a present of lillies to plant in the yard, chocolates and the Country Strong soundtrack. I told Mike he hit the Mother's Day trifecta: flowers, candy and country music! Nathan and I put on our swimsuits (no, mine doesn't fit any longer, my big white pregnant belly stuck out everywhere and I didn't even care) and ran through the sprinklers. We had a nice quiet dinner and turned in early. Sunday, we drove down to Gramma Faraways and spent the day with my in laws, who I adore, and all the kiddos. It wasn't exactly relaxing but it was so much fun. I wish I could've been with my Jersey Mama and my Nany but it was a great weekend overall. I'm very lucky that the Viking believes very strongly (very very very very very strongly) that bein a Mama is the most important, hardest job on the planet. He treats me like every day is Mother's Day, but when the big day rolls around, he always does it up right. This year he told me "Thanks for being a Mom for me". I kinda stared at him dumbfounded, not real sure what he meant. He clarified by saying "thanks for being a Mama to our kids". That is one amazing Viking!

So anywho, about Friday: The Viking's middle brother was in town from Crapsville Albuquerque, with our niece and nephew. We had a wonderful time with them, for sure! On Friday, The Viking took the day off from work and we planned to do lunch and the Children's Zoo for the day. As we got the cars loaded up and ready the kids played in the yard. Nathan picked me a "flower" for my hair. He loves to pick me dandelions to pin up in my hair. And I'm sure there are some people shouting at the computer that it's really a weed, but my little boy thinks it's a flower and when he sees pretty flowers he wants to give them to his Mama. I'm pretty sure there isn't anything in this world sweeter. So anyway, he gives me the dandelion and I run back in for a pin to put it up in my hair. We get in the car and go to lunch. As Nathan and I are holding hands walking back from the bathroom, this sweet little old lady (she was 80 if she was a day) stopped me and said, "I just love your Mother's Day flower!". I couldn't help but smile and a warm, soft glow came around me as I thought to myself, "now this is a woman who's been given many a weed for Mother's Day. This is a woman who gets it". In my head I constructed this whole little life for her with a farm full of boys who after a long day of chores and playing and fishing and working in the fields would pick their Mama a dandelion and bring it in to her. She'd pin it up in her hair and grab her sweet boys by the hand and twirl them around the kitchen while she fixed them up some supper. In my head, she kept every one until they withered away.

So, I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend, whether it was filled with fancy flowers or weeds.

Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.

Today over at PW, she's doin a quote submission thingie. One of the lovely readers listed this quote:

No success can compensate for failure in the home

I love this so very much I'm going to make a pretty sign with it and hang it up. What a perfect summary of how I feel about being at home.

Anymore there ain't nothin, I swear man, that I don't do

Big changes are a-foot here on Ho Hum Drive.

First of all, The Viking has left the Scooter Mart and is once again working for the company he worked for in New Mexico. They, fairly recently, opened a Lincoln location and have expanded to need help. Mike's the "help". He's excited about gettin to go back to seating and rehab and to be able to use that valuable and hard-earned ATP certification.

Secondly, as most of you know, I'm taking some online classes to get certifiable certified to do medical transcription from home. I've completed the first book (of four) with a 94 average and anticipate being finished within 2 months or so. That being said, I've given notice at Wal-Mart that 12/21 will be my last day. I long to be at home again. Y'all know that I believe a mom/wife belongs in the home anyhow and this was a temporary, part time gig to get some money saved up. Well, The Viking and I are officially in agreement that it's not worth the sheer misery it causes me. In fact, Viking Mike doesn't even want me to hold out till Christmas(ish). He wants me to quit now. But I think this is the best way to go and it'll put me that much closer to working at home so that we should only be without my income for a short time. It says somethin about The Viking that he's so concerned about what makes me happy and fullfilled and complete and he knows that's being at home. He's a keeper y'know.

"My mom is a never-ending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune."

P.S. If you've not read "In Praise of Stay At Home Moms" by the lovely, and generally right, Dr Laura, I highly recommend it.

It's just that I love you Mama

It's no secret that this is a very snuggly, physically affectionate family. Hubby and I hold hands and smooch and say "I love you" about 653 times a day. Nathan is very much the same way and he loves to hug and sometimes just to hold my hand while we're watching tv at night. Tonight we thought we'd like to watch some Mystery Science Theater 3000. So we piled up on the couch and Nathan laid down on his daddy's lap and I put my head on Nathan's shoulder and we watched our movie. Nathan kept stroking my hair, just like I do to him when he's laying in my lap, and leaning his head forward to look at my face. I said "why do you keep lookin at me?" and he said "it's just that I love you Mama". I beamed a great big smile to him and sat up so the dogs could hop up on the couch and snuggle too.

We're going to need a bigger couch.

"Men are what their mothers made them."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

No Occupation

Yesterday was a bit crazy with all the going-ons so I didn't get a chance to post a very Happy Mother's Day to all the precious, awesome-so good-words-can't-describe Mamas in my life! Our Pastor gave a particularly passionate message, focusing mainly of course on Mary. But to start the service out, he read this little ditty that I hope all the Mamas find as ... accurate as I did :)


She rises up at break of day and through her tasks she
races.
She cooks the meals as best she may and scrubs the
children’s faces
While schoolbooks, lunches, homework too, all need
consideration...
And yet the census man insists she has— “No Occupation”
When breakfast dishes all are done
She bakes a pudding, maybe.
She cleans the rooms up, one by one,
With one eye watching the baby
The mending pile she then attacks by way of variation.
And yet the census man insists she has — “No Occupation.”
She irons for a little while, and then presses pants for Daddy.
She welcomes with a cheery smile returning lass and laddie.
A hearty dinner next she cooks (no time for relaxation),
And yet the census man insists she has—“No Occupation.”



P.S. I have lots of things that need their own post including motherhood, abortion, Mother's Day details, things that make me giggle, the Whose Line Is It Anyway project and an updated reading list! Later I hope, right now my brain is still un-fogging from all the hot wings I ate yesterday! <3

A boy's best friend is his mother.

Inspired by Chrissi

Dear Nathan,

I'm so thankful for Mother's Day and any opportunity I have to celebrate being your Mama. You are sweet and kind and loving and downright silly. Being your Mama has taught me a depth of love I never thought possible, not just for you but for your Daddy as well. I'm a better person and a better woman because I have had the opportunity to raise you. I was never sure, growing up, if I'd be much of a mom. Now I know I was put on this Earth not just to be a mom, but to be your mom. As you grow up too fast, about to graduate Kindergarten this month, I hope that someday you'll get the joy of being in a solid, silly, loving marriage and that you'll have the chance to bring a baby into the world that is the true product of that union.

I love you always and always,

Mama

"Between the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood, we find a delightful creature of a boy."

He was born with a gift of laughter.

I would say that I'm the worst.mama.ever. for not posting Nathan's "Happy Birthday" blog entry yet, but the truth is that I've been spending an awful lot of time with Nathan, and for that I shall not apologize! So anyway, here it is.

Nathan was born via c-section 6 (*gasp*) years ago in Albuquerque, NM. We had planned to have him and after trying for 6 long months (which is nothing compared to what we're used to now), we conceived him. To say we were excited would be about the world's biggest understatement. We spent 7 months throwing up (and by "we", I mean "me"....one time hubby said he thought he might have "sympathy morning sickness"...the ensuing carnage stopped him from complaining about feeling nauseous for a very very long time), and a full on 8 months thinking he was a girl. Oh yes, that's right, the ultrasound techs were wrong for the first ohhh 12 or so ultrasounds (I had gestational diabetes). We called poor Nathan "Katie" for a really long time while he was in utero. I worried that he was spending so much time hiding his wee-wee in utero that he'd be anti-modest when he got bigger. Sure enough, he has on at least one occasion dropped trou in church to go to the bathroom (*facepalm*). He was and is the most amazing blessing. Through him I have realized my true talent and calling as a Mama. I have learned things I never thought I'd know (you *can*, for instance, get legos stuck in your nose, if you're 5 years old, and you can perfectly fit a 2 year old index finger up the nose of your 25 year old mama), said things I never thought I'd say ("Nathan Michael Holtry do NOT shoot the dog on the stairs!") and laughed more than I ever thought possible. When he was born, we all kept saying how much he looked just like Michael. Now that he's growing up and his personality is forming, well I'm pleased to say I see a lot of myself in him. He has, through the natural course of spending hours a day with me every single day for the last 6 years, developed a lot of my mannerisms, many of my sayings and pretty much all my facial expressions. I have had dates for almost all the children's movies I wanted to see, learned a thing or two about dinosaurs and an awful lot about cleaning.

I treasure my son because he is the best of me and Mike. I'm thankful that he's kind, affectionate, polite, loving, giggly, snuggly, smart, funny, brave and helpful. I'm proud that he's learned to read, takes care of his dog, protects his friends and loves without a care in the world. Being the mama to a little boy takes a special breed and is an adventure in mud, mess, mischief and mayhem. It is the greatest joy I've ever known and I've been known to say I don't know if I'd ever manage to raise a proper little girl. I would be perfectly content for my lot in life to be to raise a dozen or so boys, with all that entails!

Nathan Michael, thank you for making me know myself and my calling. Thank you Lord, for giving me Nathan to "learn" on. He's forgiving of all the mistakes I make, patient with my errors and sweeter than molasses.

"If I have a monument in this world, it is my son."
--Maya Angelou