Starting A New

I started this blog over a year ago but I have never really gotten into it. I have written a few articles here and there, yet never anything consistent. So I am setting a new goal for myself, I will write, at the very least (but hopefully more) one article a week. I will write about everything and nothing. I will share bits of my life, thoughts, and dreams. I will also write about being a woman, a parent, a homemaker, and the trials of everyday life. I am a random individual, so don’t be surprised if randomness shows up in my writings.

Getting Your Kids Ready For School

School time is here again and the morning battles with your kids have began. I know getting your kids ready for school in the morning is no easy task. Here are some tips to make your morning go more smoothly.
Step 1
Getting kids ready for school in the morning starts with the night before. Help your child by setting a nightly routine for them.
Step 2
Have your child choose what clothes and shoes they will be wearing in the next day. I have a 5 year old that is very particular and it can take him up to 30 minutes for him to decide what he is going to wear. If I don't have him pick out something to wear the night before, we both get upset. He feels rushed and I get fustrated because he might miss his bus. By having him choose the night before he can take his time and in the morning he gets dressed with no problem.
Step 3
Besides getting clothes out the night before gather everything else that is needed the next day. Set backpacks, papers needed to go back to school, homework, and other school materials by the door. Also if your child takes there lunch to school prepare and pack it the night before as well. All these things reduce the time it takes to get out the door in the morning.
Step 4
Another important thing is making sure your child gets a decent nights sleep. Kids can be very cranky in the morning when they lack sufficient sleep. With summer just ending kids need to readdjust to getting up earlier and going to bed earlier. Gradually push back their bedtimes by 15 minutes until a suitable bedtime is reached.
Step 5
In the morning gently start waking up your child. Tell them that they have 15 minutes then it will be time to get out of bed. Have them eat a good breakfeast before getting dressed (this way if something spills on them it will only be on thier pajamas). Now all your child has to do is get dressed, brush their teeth and hair, and grab there already packed bags and lunches as they go out the door.

Finally Some Warm Weather!

This winter for me was kind of rough. It just seemed to always be bitter cold and I never could seem to be warm enough. My kids were getting real bored, they have been full of energy and were tired of being couped up in the house. It is finally getting nice outside and we are loving it!

I know how to Declog a Bathroom Sink

Everyone runs into a clogged sink at some point in time. Purchasing Declogging cleaners, like Draino, costs money. Now days most people are trying to cut their costs as much as possible with the down turn of the economy. Well, here is a solution, that is easy, and more than likely you already have what you need in your kitchen. Remove any type of stopper in the sink that is clogged. Turn on the hot water. Then wait for it to drain (this can take a few minutes.)
Step2After all the water has finally drained, pour the baking soda down the drain.
Step3Next, pour the vinager down the drain. The interaction of the baking soda and vinager will cause it to fizz or bubble.
Step4Wait for most of the fizzing to stop, you may want to try to listen inside the drain. Then just turn and let the hot water run for a minute. (Sometimes you might need to repeat the process depending how that the clogged sink is)

How to Get Your Child to Go to Bed

As a mother of a 3 year old and 5 year old, I know how difficult and stressful it can be at bedtime. Some parents have no problems getting there children to bed. But me, my boys have proven to be very difficult. I think it is very important to get into a routine and stick with it as much as possible. Kids like routines, it makes them comfortable. So create a routine that is right for your kids. Here is what I do:

Have your kids take a bath and put pajamas on.

Then have them get into their beds while you sit next to them and read to them for a few minutes.

After you are finished reading to them, tell them goodnight and that you will see them in the morning.

In the beginning it will be very hard and even stressful. Your child may get out of bed, cry, scream, throw a temper tantrum, but you have to remain strong. You are the adult and every time your child gets out of bed simply pick them up or walk them back into their room. Tuck them back in and say goodnight.

Your child may get out of bed 30 times the first night. But keep at it. Even at the end of a week, even if they still get up, you will notice a difference. Just remember you are the parent, you know how important a goodnight sleep is for them.

Reclaiming Your Life When You Have Children

So many women loose themselves after having children. They are only known as mom know and that is what we tend to think of ourselves after having children, only mom. We need to realize that we are more than just mom, we can still be the same people that we were before sleepless nights, diapers, feedings, being a maid, and shuffling kids from one place to another. So now it is time to reclaim You!

Every mother had a life before having children. But for many women, after having children, our children soley become our lives. I'm not saying we don't love our children, but we were an individual before them, they should be an addition to our lives, not our entire life. I believe that the more well-rounded we are, the better it is for our children.

I think it is important to make time for yourself and time for your significant other. Make time, whether it is a couple hours a week or just 30 minutes. Call a babysitter or recruit friends and family to watch your children every now and again.

Use your "You" time for what you want to do. I wake up a half hour earlier then anybody else in my house. I take a short walk down the street and back, which takes 5 minutes. Then I go back inside, drink a cup of coffee or tea, and read several pages a book.

I also think it is important that you get creative about how you are going to spend your "you" time. There are many local classes that are an hour a week, like an art class, belly dancing, yoga, join a gym, go for a walk with a friend, plant a garden, take a bubble bath. Whatever you want to do. A couple years ago I joined a belly dancing group for an hour a week. I only did it for few months, but I am glad I tried something new.

Time To Hit The Gym

So last nite was the first time in 6 or so years (since I got pregnant with my first child) that I have been to a gym. And it gave me such a rush. I am hoping i will be able to go two or three times a week, if my hectic schedule allows it. For me, its not necassarily about loosing weight, but rather having some me time, connecting with a friend, and feeling good about myself.

Job Update

Well after six months of job hunting, I finally got one. I will be working at local clinic in the appointment/scheduling department. The job is only part though, so I will be keeping my other job as a waitress. I am excited though, atleast I got my foot in the door.

Irish Stew Recipe

Ok this is an easy recipe, my husband and my two picky eaters love it!

What you need:
1 pound stew meat (any kind will do)
5 or 6 potatoes
1 bag baby carrots
1 family size can cream of mushroom

What to do:
Cut meat into bite size pieces
Peel and dice potatoes
Put all items into crockpot for 8 hours on low.

Thats it! I like quick and easy recipes. And I like this.

Job Hunting

It has been 6 months since I have started looking for a job. Even though I have a degree in the field I want to go into I have found it to be very difficult to get a job. So many people are applying the same jobs, and it seems like even with a degree no one wants to hire someone with no work experience when there are many other applicants with experience. I have had several interviews but the response always seems to be the same, "we are looking for someone with a little more experience." How fustrurating! All I can do is pray and keep putting myself out there and networking. Hopefully it will pay off soon.

The Struggle To Survive

With gas prices that are high and the cost of all foods still on the rise, it is becoming harder and harder to feed and support a family. I go grocery shopping every other week. Two years ago I spent about $80 every grocery shopping trip, now every other week I find myself spending $120 to $130 on groceries. I haven't add more items to my shopping cart, and I still by the cheapest of brands that are available. If anything I cut items out of my shopping list and by cheaper cuts of meat. I realize that my monthly gocery bill may not seem much compared to others, but the raise in prices has definitly effected us.
I also try to have my kids eat nutritously, which isn't and easy task in itself. But with prices being so high I find it hard to. I would love to be able to buy only organic foods and the best of the best quality of foods, unfortunately I can't though. However, here are some things I do and buy for them:
I buy whole wheat. In my grocery store whole wheat is only 20 cents more.
I always have celery and peanut butter on hand for snacks.
I buy whatever fruits and vegetables that are on sale that week.
I buy soy milk when it is on sale or when I have coupons for it.
I buy low-fat or less-fat with everything I can.
I buy dried fruit instead of "fruit" candy snacks since they are almost the smae in price.
I buy a box of plain regular oatmeal and add honey and cinnamon to it, instead of buying flavored and individual sized packets of oatmeal.
And this year we grew our own garden in the backyard. So we didn't have to buy tomatoes, peppers, squash, spincah, watermelon, and a couple of other things. My husband even canned salsa, so we shouldnt have to buy any for a year.

Even though it has become a struggle to feed a family sometimes, it is still manageable. You just have to get creative.

Mom and a Job

So I have recieved my Associate degree in Medical officce administration, now it is time to get a job. I have been having mixed feelings about working a regular 9 - 5 job though. I have stayed home during the days and working nights for so long now. I also feel that by working during the day, I might miss out on some event that happens in my childrens' lives. I'm not going to be there everyday to make lunches and put them down for there naps. In away I feel that I am abandoning them in some way. I realize that I am not the first nor last mother to feel this.

The past few years...

Okay, so since I had my kids I have been very busy. Even though I stay at home with my kids during the day, 5 nights a week I work as a waitress at a local restraruant. I also have been going to college.... it took me almost six years, but I will get my two year associate's degree diploma this week!!!! I plan on taking a semester off, just so I can have a little break and breathe for a bit. Then i will start again in january so I can get a four year degree. So between cooking, cleaning, shuffleing my kids places, work, and school it has been a hectic couple of years.

When It started

I was 18 years old, in my first year of college, and still living with my parents when I got pregnant. Telling them I was pregnant was horrifying, but they handled it better than expected. Me and my boyfriend decided the best thing to do was to get married. So we did and I was 7 1/2 months pregnant when we did get married. It was a beautiful wedding, but it wasnt the wedding of my dreams. I was huge and had to settle for a dress I wouldnt have picked out if the situation was different.
Two months after getting married, along came my first child. So I was 19 years old, married for two months, and now had a new born. I had lived with my parent my entire life. Now I had to not only take care of myself, I had a husband and a newborn to take of too!

Young and a Mother

Being a young mother, you face many challenges. I know first hand about being a mother at a young age. I had my first child when I was only 19 and I had my second child at 21. Now, at 24 years old, I still face many challenges and have a lot of learning to do.