12.30.2013

It's the Little Things

I have been absent lately from the blog. Maybe you noticed maybe not. The end of 2013 has had a lot of ups and downs for our family. In September, we welcomed home Baby B, the little honey. Definitely one of the ups.But then, I lost my dad in October. That one moment in time changed everything.

Thanksgiving and Christmas were tough this year. Normally my favorite time of the year, this year my goal was to get to that finish line of New Years. We are almost there. My constant stress headache has started to lift. The grief is still there, but God has gotten me through these 'firsts'.

I've spent a lot of time in the last few weeks thinking about life in general. Remembering my childhood. What things meant the most to me? The little things. The times Mom would polka with us in the living room. When Dad told silly jokes. Playing flashlight tag in the summertime. Cross country skiing in the woods as a family.


Our time here on earth is short. My children won't be little for long. One day they will be grown and I will be gone. I would like to think that I will make some sort of small difference in the world before I leave. However, it's even more important that I make a difference in the lives of my kids.

What am I teaching them? How will they remember me?

If I look at the big picture, I am overwhelmed. It sometimes feels like I am pushing so hard from the time I wake up to the moment that I go to bed, that I don't allow room in my day to just enjoy life.

Am I focusing on the important things, or just pushing my way through each day? What are the important things? What things just don't matter?



What am I teaching my children? 

This coming year I have decided to focus on just a few little things.I'll let you know soon what those little things are.

 There will be no major New Years resolutions here.

 I have this theory that if I focus on the small stuff, it might just make a big difference.

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12.07.2013

Just B...

Giving

Today I am tired. Really tired. It was my first full week back at work. Baby B has been having some sleep issues-stuffy head from a cold, bad dreams, not able to fall asleep at night, waking up super early.  And I still miss my dad.

This time of year can be wonderful. It can also be hard. Really hard. Christmas will be difficult with my dad gone this year. I have been struggling to maintain a good attitude as life keeps moving forward, without him. Daily tasks are tough some days. But I know that some people are having a much tougher go of it than I am.


I've always believed that the best way to get out of a funk is to help someone else. So,that's what I'm going to do. I am on a mission to make Christmas better for some people that I know and don't know. I have a couple plans already in place. I'm getting excited in fact.

What am I going to do? I'm not going to tell you. But I am going to offer you a challenge. Let's make Christmas special. Do one random kind act for someone. No strings attached. No fanfare. No publicizing for personal pats on the back.

A true Christmas gift.

We give not for praise, but for God.
 Matthew 6:1-4

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Freebie Friday

This song is always in my head during this time of year.

 ( I love the Burl Ives version of the song the best and yes, I know it's actually Saturday. ☺)


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12.04.2013

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String



One of my favorite songs from the movie The Sound of Music is "My Favorite Things" and lately, it has been especially fitting for my life. (If you know the song, you'll know why...I've added a clip and words at the bottom in case you've never seen or heard the song it.)

Life being the way it's been lately, I decided to start a list of some of my favorite things... 

~ Old movies (They people in them always dressed so classy.)

~ Books

~ Daydreaming/planning my dream garden.

~ Soup, on a cold rainy day.

~ Interesting sounding words (onomatopoeia, deoxyribonucleic acid...)

~ Baby animals (the furry variety) ☺

~ Making things.

~ Christmas music, crafts, baking...

~ Walking/hiking/skiing in the woods.

~ Chocolate


My Favorite Things
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad


[Repeat all verses]
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12.03.2013

Mind Your Own...

I'm not sure exactly when, but somewhere along the line I have adopted the phrase "Mind your own..." (as in 'mind your own business')  into my daily vernacular. While it may not be grammatically correct, it is to the point and stops many issues in their tracks in the classroom. Now that I have two kids, I have found myself using the phrase at home as well.

He's humming! She's staring at me! He's touching me! They're passing notes! She budged in line!

It's funny how even children can try to micromanage the lives of those around them. Sometimes I find myself acting the same way (but over much more 'grown up issues' I'm sure...ahem.)

Kind of like Aunt Voula in  the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" I suppose. ( I think she has the best lines in the movie.)


There are things life that I feel very strongly about, that really do matter. 

Important. Big. Things. 

Then there are others that really just don't.  Meat or no meat. Long hair or short hair. Courtship or dating. You know what, I don't really care. Whatever works for you. I soooo done debating the trivial. 

Years ago, I attended a concert by Morgan Cryar where he sang a song with a chorus that really stuck with me. It said "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."  

Let's do that, shall we?

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

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11.22.2013

When Your Life Becomes a Hallmark Movie



Yesterday, I hinted that I once had the good fortune to experience a Hallmark movie moment. Sounds exciting and romantic right?

Let me explain.

Last summer one of my closest friends and I made our annual trip to this really cool art festival. We rarely have missed a year, and this year was going to be a little extra special because we were attending 'sans kids'. The weather was wretched, cold and rainy, but, armed with our umbrellas,we decided to bundle up and risk it.

 Like I said, this art festival is AWESOME!

We were trekking down another row of booths in a hypothermic stupor, when suddenly a man in a leather jacket approached me.

"I don't normally do this sort of thing, but I saw you walking through the crowd and I just had to take the chance. You are so tall, athletic...gorgeous. Exactly the kind of woman I like. Would you do me the honor of having a cup of coffee with me?" he asked.

I stood there frozen, and in a panic. I was torn. Should I feel horrified or flattered? My friend was standing a short ways away. I tried to mentally signal her "SAVE ME!" but it apparently was too cold for telepathic brain waves to travel very far.

"I...am...not from around here," I sputtered "and will be heading back home as soon as we are done here."

"Neither am I. Maybe you could come back to my booth and we could discuss the possibility of us having coffee together. Let me introduce myself...Have your friend come over here too so I can introduce myself to her and get her approval as well."

To make a long (and very traumatizing) story short, my friend and I headed over to his booth and talked for about fifteen minutes with him. He seemed okay, although quite the pushy salesman, selling the idea of him. He kept stressing that I was 'nearly the perfect woman' (whatever that means)and at this point he had already declared that he was looking for someone to marry and have children with (among other random facts about his life). In fact, he even asked me if I would be open to having more children.

Hello, what?!

I told him I didn't think it would be fair for me to go out for coffee with him, when I had no intentions in having it go any further.We lived four hours apart and I was preparing to bring Baby B home. It ended with him saying that my life wouldn't be complete if I didn't have a man in it.

 (I'm hoping you can feel the rage I was feeling at this point..."Oh you wanna play that way Mister, then let's go then!")

 My reply, if God was in my life then my life was complete-if I marry one day that would be a bonus. I then revved up to get all theological on him (saying I need something more than God, seriously?!

Thankfully, my friend led me away before things got really ugly.

The thing about Hallmark movies is that decent ending is almost guaranteed...and they follow a script. There are happy endings in real life and romance, but when a stranger approaches you like that in real life (and starts hinting at marriage) it can really freak you out. Some of those story lines only work in a movie.

Now, I wonder what movie they're showing tonight on Hallmark?☺

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11.21.2013

Life, and Hallmark Movies

Sorry for the recent disappearance act. I head back to work next Monday, and have been trying to get myself geared up for that. It's going to be tough.

Don't get me wrong, I love my job. The only problem is, I love my children more and if I had my choice, I would be a SAHM (stay at home mom).



Alas, having not found a magic money tree, I will continue working and I truly am blessed to be working in a great school, and with wonderful coworkers.

Still, the idea of going back is stressing me out. Unfortunately, one of my favorite coping mechanisms when stressed is avoidance. Sooo, in between playing with Little Man and Baby B, I have been living in the land of Hallmark movies. I love Hallmark movies and right now they are already playing Christmas movies! I know they can be a bit cheesy...and they aren't 'realistic'. Hello! Why do you think I like 'em? Life has been hard lately. Escaping for a time, and seeing a happy story play out in two hours while I shut off my mind to my own life is just what the doctor ordered. Even if real life is not like a Hallmark movie.


 (A little side note: This past summer, I had the opportunity to 'live out' a Hallmark movie. A stranger came up to me at a craft festival and said I was 'perfect, gorgeous...just the kind of woman he was looking for.' Yep. Completely freaked me out. But I'll save that story for another day.)


Another bonus in watching that many Christmas movies is that it is helping to prepare me mentally for Christmas. Normally, Christmas is something that I start planning for very early. I've been pinning Christmas ideas for months.  I adore Christmas carols, all of the decorations, finding the perfect gifts for everyone.
Unfortunately, this year is going to be difficult, celebrating without my dad here with us. I feel sick just thinking about it.

Never the less, Saturday I am going to attempt to decorate our house for Christmas. Little Man loves decorating for Christmas, and this will be Baby B's first Christmas with our family. Plus, I know that once I go back to work I won't have the time to truly enjoy the process of decorating. We've already had a few dustings of snow, and this Christmas season is going to go quickly.


Ready or not, I think it's time to dig out those Nat King Cole Christmas CDs.

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11.15.2013

Freebie Friday!

Although I will never be another American Idol, I love music and love singing. 

I guess maybe this is why.


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11.11.2013

Just Be...

A Quitter

Ever notice how sometimes we cling to things and keep pushing in different areas of our life when we really just need to let go? I don't know about you, but I know I have done it many times (and I'm sure, will continue to do so.)  Most recently, I have decided to start a new trend in my life, a be a bit of a quitter.

Now let me clarify. One of our family motto's is (to misquote Winston Churchill) "Never, never, never give up." So, you may ask, how does being a quitter fit in with that motto? Let me explain.

I have been working on potty training with Baby B. She decided that it would be a good area of her life to assert her independence (even though she was the one who wanted to be potty trained in the first place). It has been truly, ahem, lovely. Baby B would stand across the room. Suddenly, she would look me in the eye and mess her pants. You could almost hear thinking, 'Take that Mama!' Or, she would wet her pants and then come happily tell me that they were wet.

Aaaaargh. To say I have been frustrated would be putting it lightly. One day, I left Baby B with Grandma while I went to town for some grocery shopping. When I returned, Grandma told me that Baby B happily would come and tell her whenever she had to go to the bathroom and off they would go. No power struggle whatsoever.

 It was then that I decided that I quit.

The constant frustration just wasn't worth it. (Now, if you're wondering if I was being too pushy with the potty training, I was really trying not to. I was offering rewards when she did go, giving lots of praise. I admit that every hour or so I would say, "Tell Mama if you have to go potty." but I wasn't forcing her to go. ) Baby B is a VERY smart, very independent little girl.  This was just the area that she decided to use that intelligence.


Once I quit, a funny thing happened. My little girl decided that she would go to the potty all the time, instead of in her pants. Yep. All that work for all these weeks and now when I decided I didn't care...

It made me realize that maybe there were other areas in my life that I need to just quit pushing so hard, and let go.

There are people in my life that disappeared when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Now, two years clear, they've come back because my life is now easier to handle. Part of me is tempted to let them back in to my inner circle of trust-but they have already shown that they are not ready for that level of friendship and that's okay.

I often have unrealistic expectations about how my house, myself,  my family, or my life should look.

There are projects that I have taken on for who knows what reason...maybe appearance sake? Then, when I can't complete them to my satisfaction, I beat myself up over it.

Sometimes, something's not working and you can't fix it. Then it's time to move on.


But you know what?

True friends will always be there, whether we see each other frequently or not. My house will never look like a Better Homes and Gardens photo shoot. I will never look like I walked out of a magazine (I don't have stylists to help me with that). There is no such thing as a perfect mom, something I am sooooo thankful for. My children will always be their adorable selves (no stylists needed there ☺) fighting at times like all good siblings do.  Our family will always be a titch quirky. I will really try to not take on random projects, just because I feel that I should.

Anyone else feel like quitting some things with me?

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11.08.2013

Freebie Friday!

I love coffee, puppies, kittens, my children, sunsets, (sounds like the start of a singles ad) but none of that really matters. Sometimes we forget that love is an action word. God calls on us to love one another. 

That means we make sacrifices, without expecting anything in return. We show compassion, without waiting for the other person to say, "Gee whiz thanks for being so nice to me!"or "Wow, you are such a good person!"  When wronged, we don't carry the anger with us, but make the choice to forgive.

As group DC Talk used to say back in the day, Luv is a Verb. (I love that song.)



 John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

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11.06.2013

Wanted: New Traditions

For the past year or so, I have been looking for ways to not only simplify our lives in general, but also to help our family to focus on what really matters (aka, not things with plug ins, over even 'things' in general). The accumulation of stuff is such a nice way to anesthetize ourselves to the ups and downs of life.

But, I don't want that for myself or for my kids.

 I chose to cut non-essentials out of my life while I was working on bringing my children home. Now that Little Man and Baby B are both home, I will be adding some technology back into our lives.

Did you know that we don't have internet at our home? (Shockingly, I blog, but I do not personally have internet access. Thank you family members who let me come and borrow your wireless connection.) My phone is not "smart". In fact, it's barely working these days.



We have a broken plug and play, but no video games. Our TV (which is fat, heavy, and does NOT have HD in its model name) gets one channel.  I've always been prided myself in my ability to go without technology.

However, Thanksgiving and Christmas are going to be really hard this year and part of me just wants to start buying 'stuff' to fill the void.  I think the key to surviving it will be in making sure things are kept as simple as possible, surrounding ourselves with family, and starting some new traditions (to add to the old) to help reclaim the season from our grief.

This is where I could use your help. I am looking for new ideas for traditions for our family. Nothing extravagant or with too much prep time needed.

What are some SIMPLE ways you celebrate life, focus on thankfulness, and keep your family centered on what is truly important (particularly during Thanksgiving and Christmas)?

Put your ideas in the comments section, on my FB page, or in a private message.

Thanks for your help.

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11.04.2013

Just last Tuesday

You always read these articles about ways to be more content, how to be satisfied with the life you have... etc. I was never one who felt the need to read such articles. My life is good. Generally, I am very content. Once in awhile, though, everything comes crashing to the ground.

Last Tuesday, we got a phone call from my brother saying that Dad had passed out on their drive home from work. We didn't think it was a big deal. Mom rushed in to the ER bringing a change of clothes for my dad in case he had to stay overnight. Twenty minutes later, Mom called me and said the two words that changed everything.

He's gone.

I can hardly bare to type it, but it's true. At seventy-seven he was much too young to be gone. He and my mom were getting ready to celebrate their 50th anniversary next summer, planning where they wanted to go on vacation. Instead, we said good bye to him last Friday.

Dad was a man of few words. Norwegian, steady, honest, humble, patient, hard working, with a wry sense of humor, a smile on his face as he went through life. He loved God, his family, and his country, in that order. Not one to preach, his life was a testimony to his faith in God. Truly I was blessed to have a father who lived his faith.


My dad was always giving people second chances. Helping someone out when no one else would. Hiring someone that had recently (or was still) struggling with their own personal demons. Growing up, it was not uncommon for our home to be opened up to those wounded souls whether it be at Thanksgiving or the middle of the night. If someone needed help, my dad was there.

I was not an easy child to parent. Head strong, impulsive, hot tempered. Often, I acted first and thought later. But Dad never yelled at me. On more than one occasion, I remember Dad sitting on the bed next to me after I had done something I shouldn't have. With his eyes full of pain and love he would ask me, "Do you like to make your mom cry?" Not trying to guilt trip me, he genuinely couldn't understand why someone would want to hurt another person's feelings.

Sometimes, giving second chances meant that my dad was taken advantage of. Being compassionate can be bad for business. Dad would fire people when he had to, even try to counsel them make better choices, but he never got bitter. He was not perfect, but really try to live 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. His life was love.

I wish I was more like that. Unfortunately, I am much less patient and understanding.

But I'm sure going to try.


1 Corinthians 13:4-8


Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

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10.26.2013

Just B...

Focused

I just finished running errands with Little Man, Baby B, and Princess Cousin.

Without a list.

Not my best idea ever. We kept running into people that I knew every few minutes as we walked through the stores. Baby B was showing off her tired funny self to cousin. Little Man was all a twitter about his upcoming birthday. Princess Cousin was very helpful. I was like a lost sailor at sea. I apologize if you saw me walking around with glazed eyes and I didn't say 'hi.'

I have always been absent minded and being a mom has definitely not helped matters. Just when my brain seems about to settle on a clear thought, it flies away again in another direction. I blame it on being creative and having so many great ideas floating around in my head.  ☺Nevertheless, I think that it is time to take drastic measures.

That's right. I am going to re-implement the use of .....The List.

In reality, I adore lists. Pretty little planners get me excited. Put me in an office supply store where I can dream about a beautifully organized life and I am glowing. (Never mind the fact that since my attention span is about the length of a gnat I probably will never stay focused long enough to truly organized.)


Life is pretty busy right now, and only going to get busier when I head back to work. So, it looks like its time to get a new planner (excited giggle). I know that I could use my phone, but it's just not the same. Call me nerdy, old school, whatever, but there's just nothing like putting a pen to paper.

Now, do I go shopping,make one of my own, or use one of these cute free ones from online?


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10.25.2013

Freebie Friday!

What...why?

Because I just thought is was cool and reminded me of raindrops on a spiders web. Because I am an artist and am going through an abstract phase.  Because we really need to finish our family room in the basement and these colors are the ones that I am hoping to decorate with...


Because I possibly have been looking at Pinterest art projects too much lately.  

Possibly. 

(But I really do think it looks cool. Especially if I getting it printed on canvas. Or I could paint one myself 'for real'. Although I like the crisp, perfection of this design. Hmmmm.)

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10.24.2013

Rosetta Stone, We're Not

It's interesting bringing home an older, internationally adopted child. Unlike bringing home an infant, who has not yet begun to talk, older children have already made that leap. Even in bringing home a baby, you will notice that their jabbering may sound different than what you may expect. There are sounds in other languages that we don't have in the English language.

Little Man came home with the most adorable accent. His birth language is Hadiyya, the care center where he stayed used Amharic, and then he came to the U.S. and had to learn English. Wow. I love watching the old videos of him when he was first speaking English. The accent is adorable! He picked up the language really quickly, but he still had the inflection that you would hear in his birth language. I have a voice mail saved from when he was three because it just sounds soooo cute.

We have been working really hard to help Baby B learn English so she can tell us what she needs more easily. She can understand most of what we are saying, but she is still working on being able to speak English herself.

The results have been...interesting.

Apparently, Baby B thinks that her name is 'Mama'. Either that or 'No.'  (Little Man thought he'd be silly one day and start telling sister that his name was Mama, so she thought her name must be mam too...then I tried to correct the confusion by saying no, whenever Baby B would say her name was Mama. Sigh.)

When you are finished eating, according to Baby B, you say 'Cacca.' Now, I'm not sure if you know what cacca really means (it involves using the bathroom and going number two) but I definitely don't want her running around saying 'Cacca!' whenever she finishes with something. This happened as a result of Mama trying to potty train and saying "Cacca, all done?" Whoops.

Baby B can say the word 'kitty' really well. This word can be used when referring to cats, dogs, rabbits, cows, elephants...

We've got 'Amen' covered. Baby B is even praying before she uses the potty these days. (I'm letting Little Man clear up the confusion on that one.)

I have discovered that we say "Okay" around here. A lot. My little princess walks around saying "Okay? Okay. Okay?" all day long. She's totally nailed that word in the English language. That and the words: yes, all done, more, and eat.

I'm thinking I'm not going to sign up to teach English anytime soon. Rosetta Stone people, you're safe.

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10.22.2013

Great Expectations

Sometimes we have to adjust our expectations. Last night, Little Man and I were reflecting on how our life has changed since Baby B came home. To quote Little Man: "I thought the day we brought her home would be, like, the best day ever....and it was really more like a really bad dream. But it's good now." Yep. He summed it up pretty well.

Now, to clarify what he meant. Bringing home a new member of the family can be rugged at first.


Little Man did not expect the tantrums, or how hard it was to travel with a two year old who alternated between trying to take off into the crowds, pitching fits, and laying on the airport floor. He didn't anticipate what it would feel like to have to share his mom at bedtime, with a little stranger 'messing up' the routine. He didn't realize what it would feel like to have a two year old riding in the car, interrupting him while he tried to talk to his mom on the way home from school.

I didn't realize what it would feel like to have my heart divided in two, feeling badly for both my children as they struggle to get to know each other. I didn't know how hard it was when both of your children are mad at each other (irrationally) and you are trying to keep the peace. I didn't expect how different bringing home a two year old would be from bringing home an almost three year old developmentally. I forgot how much patience I would need.

We turned a corner a few days ago (Yes, your eyes do not deceive you, we had a dusting of snow.)

Suddenly,  Little Man and Baby B are truly siblings. He plays games with her and she doesn't feel the need to constantly try to get him in trouble.  (Seriously, she is so good at faking getting hurt...I can't believe it.) Little Man will come lay in my room while I am putting Baby B to bed and then we still have time for just the two of us to read books after she falls asleep. This morning while I was getting ready in the bathroom, Little Man was reading books to Baby B while she ate breakfast. When I came out to check on them, they were both glowing with happiness. Yay!

I'm not second guessing myself on whether or not I am doing the right thing. I'm just Mom and we're figuring it out as we go along. She's my baby, and some days she can be a real turkey, but most days she's so much fun. I've kind of figured out how to juggle having two little sweetie pies in my life. It is hectic, but it is forcing me to be much more organized and intentional with my time.

Yesterday I noticed the biggest change.  Baby B was having a tantrum about something. Before, Little Man would have gotten frustrated and left the room. His response, a tender smile, a hug for his sister, and a whispered "Mom, she is just so cute I don't even mind the crying anymore."

Happy sigh.

Now, we will ride off into the sunset and my children will never fight again. Oh, and I will always be an organized, put together, cool mom.

 That's how it works in a "real" family, right? ☺

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10.19.2013

Just Be...

Imperfect
I can be much too hard on myself. Even Little Man has noticed and has gotten after me for it (thanks junior Dad!) I am trying to remedy this. Consciously trying to retrain how my brain talks to me. My internal self talk needs an attitude adjustment. It's okay if I'm not perfect, as long as I keep trying.

God doesn't make junk. I am not perfect, but I am perfectly suited for the places, people and projects that God has brought into my life.  I am perfect for my life, imperfections and all.


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10.16.2013

Adoption Stories

All adoption stories are unique, yet one theme runs through each story. Every child who finds their family through adoption wants, needs, and deserves to have his or her early birth history redeemed. 

 I have been privileged to have recently read a children's book about adoption that does exactly that. 


Born From the Heart is a children's story book written by author Berta Serrano, a mom through adoption. Not only does the text tickle the heart, but the whimsical illustrations by Alfonso Serrano help pull the reader in to the happy fairy story of their family.The story helps to explain the beauty of adoption in a very age appropriate way. Little Man was especially delighted with the ending (I didn't tell him what the book was about before I read it to him.) 

Watch this short video for more information about the author's story, then get this book! 



You won't be disappointed. 

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10.15.2013

"Poor" Me...


We are not rolling in the dough around here. I am not working while Baby B gets adjusted and used to home.  That means, there is no paycheck coming in during those eight weeks I am home. Whenever I start to get panicky about our current situation, I remind myself that compared to many parts of the world, we are incredibly wealthy.

I am getting pretty tricky with making money s-t-r-e-t-c-h farther than I ever knew that it could.
Things are tight, but we are making it work.

 With Christmas here before you know it, I am determined to still have a fabulous Christmas. (I know, I know, it's still October).  I love finding and making the perfect gift for my kids, nieces and nephews. Less funds does not mean that has to change. This year, I will just have to be a little more creative than I have been in years past. 

 I think I'm up for the challenge.  

Plus, I think we have the things that matter most-God's love, family and friends who support us, a roof over our heads, and each other.


 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19
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10.10.2013

Keeping Things Clean

Today I was very excited that I stayed clean for a little over an hour! Granted, Baby B was asleep during most of that time, but still... These days, seeing me wearing clean clothes is rare. 

Who am I kidding, even seeing me look half way put together is rare.

Today I went for a walk with my sister. She looked completely cool wearing her yoga pants and a cool turquoise shirt and tennis shoes. (She also has older children.)Meanwhile, I'm walking around in my old jeans, old t-shirt, old tennis shoes, and sippy cup in my back pocket.  Sigh.

Yep, totally not going to show you a picture of that.

To get back to the clean clothes thing though, I think I might have a solution.

I thought about trying this, but realized it wouldn't take care of my lower half (the 'run to Mama and hug her' zone).


Then, I thought about something like this. 
Longer, but probably a little hot to wear inside. 

 Then I stumbled upon this little gem while cruising Pinterest . 

Silicone!

I'm thinking about sealing all of my clothes with it, so they are like oilcloth! The original idea was to do this with book pages, to make crafty little table cloths, but I think my plan is much more useful. 

Okay moms, who's with me!

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10.07.2013

Ordinary Days

Today was a wonderfully ordinary fall day.  

Little Man had a "great day" in school. Baby B had a tantrum before nap (which did not come as a surprise to me, and I knew what to do about it!) That's huge. Every day more and more we feel like a 'regular family'. This little girl is no longer a stranger to us.

 To top it all off, was beautiful weather. 



We helped Grandma pick the apples off of their remaining apple tree, which is a fall tradition. 


 I really am trying to create a lot of memories together with Little Man and Baby B. Shared experiences is part of what makes a family.


I can almost taste the homemade apple sauce now. Mmmmmmmm.

Tomorrow, it's pumpkin time.

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10.05.2013

Just B...

...Tricky

Having Baby B home has made me think about many things in new, ahem, more creative ways. 

Take eating a meal, for example. Baby B does not understand why ALL food in view is not for her. She will chow down her plate of food, and if I haven't eaten my food yet she will be very upset (or irate) that I am not giving my food to her.  The same with Little Man's food.  I have actually taken to eating many of my calories while she is sleeping...or hiding in the bathroom.

According to Baby B the old saying is...What's mine is mine and what's yours is also mine?

We are currently potty training Baby B, so hopefully she will be nearly trained by the time Grandma starts taking care of her when I head back to work. I know that Baby B is only two, but she really was not liking having wet or dirty diapers so we started potty training. Then, smart girl that she is, Baby B realized this was an area where she could assert her own will. That girl has bladder and bowel control like you wouldn't believe! Luckily, I have heard many parents who have used the M & M trick...I ended  up using  chocolate chips, along with wild "You did it! What a big girl!" cheering. I never imagined I would be jumping up and down because of someone's successful elimination of body wastes. Hmmm.

Bedtime. I can't be the only parent who pretends to be falling asleep so that their toddler will succumb to Mr. Sandman. She's really good but I always win out in the end, at least so far.

How did I acquire such 'tricky' skills, you may ask. I worked for years with middle school students, have been an aunt for eighteen years and loved every minute of it. I especially love the challenge of getting kids to want to do what I wanted them to do (without them realizing that I was doing it.) 

Always a good time.

Hopefully, these skills will continue to come in handy while I raise Little Man and Baby B. I don't know though, I'm a little afraid that they might start to outsmart me before too long.

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