Friday, June 29, 2012
Tater tots in the cupboard, and 7 other signs your life might need just a little less "crazy"
My head just isn't in the game. I've talked to like four other moms in the last week who agree that balancing work, family, love and life is a HUGE challenge. So how do we balance it all??? How do we pursue our passions (wether it's work, volunteering or projects around the house) and not completely ignore entire sections of our lives??? It seems like someone or something is continually neglected. Husbands get whiney, kids start acting even crazier than normal and the laundry .... ohhh the laundry...
I don't know what the answer is, but I know that something has to be done to counteract the crazy around here... the saying that women can have it all (family, career, and a great marriage) seems like a big old fatty lie to me... While I don't have the answer, here are seven RED FLAGS that your life might be just as out of balance as mine...
1) When you get so frustrated you decide to take clippers to the sides of your head and pull a Sharon Stone... only you're not Sharon Stone and you end up with a "mommy mullet"... oh wait is that just me?2) When your three year old says everyday for a week, "Dis house id messy, when you gunna to cwean it?"
3) When your laundry pile is taller than your oldest child.Not exaggerating mine is pushing about 4' tall right now...
4) When your children have worn their pajamas for three days in a row. Don't judge me, like it's never happened to you!
5) When you've had to take off the lower quarter of your bathroom sink to remove the toothbrush, tweezers and giant wads of TP your children shoved down the drain while entertaining themselves for 5 minutes.
6) When you've worn the same make-up for two days and instead of washing your face you just wipe the raccoon eyes off with lotion and apply more where needed... Don't gasp at me! I can name at least 5 of you right now who have done the exact same thing... If I have to I'll name names:)
7) When one of your children colors the bottom half of your NEW fridge with a bright blue Sharpie... Still no words... at least none that I can share here.
I don't really know how I get myself into these completely overwhelming, stupid, crazy situations... All I know is that it's time to clean up the aftermath of hurricane "I bit off more than I can chew" and figure out how in the heck I'm going to work, cook, clean (bwahahaha), wipe butts, pay bills, be a mommy and "keep my husband happy"... So starting riiiiight nnnnnnow mama's jumping off the crazy train and and saying no to what doesn't actually have to be done in order for my family to survive.... that doesn't mean we'll be getting out of our jammies anytime soon though:)
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Monday, June 25, 2012
Sit up and listen lady! {oh sorry, I was talking to myself again...}
Today I'm sharing my favorite inspirational saying of all time! I have shared it before, but I needed it again. It hits me every once in a while the impact that I have on the entire feeling of my home and how not only my husband, but my kids react to "my attitude". (no pressure! sheesh!) So today, I'm gonna keep these things in mind all day long and see what happens.
Thats it girls, that's all this mama's got!!!!
The longer I live,
the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.
It is more important than the past, than education,
than money, than circumstances, than failures,
than successes, than what other people think or say or do.
It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.
It will make or break a company... a church... a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a
choice every day regarding the attitude
we will embrace for that day. (or moment by moment)
We cannot change our past...
we cannot change the fact that people
will act in a certain way. (my kids will whine)
We cannot change the inevitable. (milk will be spilled)
The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...
I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me
and 90% how I react to it. (freak out, or attempt calm)
And so it is with you...
we are in charge of our attitudes.
Charles swindoll
In case you are new around here, I am GENA...I am a self titled "professional mess picker upper". Becoming the mother of the two, mommy titled "mess makers" was not an easy road. I've been thru the struggle of infertility, and ended up with the two most amazing children thru the miracle of adoption.
I love my God, my husband, and my children (not always in that order) I am fanatic about keeping my family healthy...If you like to learn, but don't take life very seriously, we will get along just fine...I will never be stagnant, mentally or physically...so, Ready, Set, Go!!!
Friday, June 22, 2012
OMG I WILL NEVER... Linz Style
Here are my top 5 most annoying “NEVERS” ever…Drumroll please…
1) I WILL NEVER COOK MORE THAN ONE MEAL…if you’re a picky eater…you’ll have to starve. Now, I’m sure there are good moms who can stick to their guns on this rule…but I am not one of them. I cook anywhere from 2-4 meals three times a day most days. I should clarify that my kids are on the GFCF diet AND God blessed me with not only the pickiest kids on earth but also kids with the worst gagg reflexes ever…thank you for that one. Sawyer has thrown up in his plate more than once …sometimes he gags just looking at food. And the whole starving method only works if you can put up with hours of whining crying and tantruming … I can’t - so I will cook!
2) MY KIDS WON’T WATCH TV…. ahahahhhahahahahahahahahahahaha ….. ahahhahahahahahahahah…. excuse me, I mean hmmm…yeah right. TV is my best friend simply because it’s the only thing that can paralyze and mesmerize my children for more than 10 minutes…the only time I get to go to the bathroom by myself is when the kids are sucked into curious george or shawn the sheep. Do they watch too much?? Absolutely…Am I going to do anything about it in the near future?? Uhhh not likely. Don’t judge…try it, you’ll like it…all of your friends are doing it:):)
3) I WON’T ALLOW SIBLING RIVALRY… I wish I could go back in time and slap myself for that one… ALL my children do (besides watch TV:)) is FIGHT…not just arguing or screaming at each other either… things usually end with someone being punched, hit, bit or bludgeoned with a golf club…they’re furocious… And they’re all under 8 … ohhh mamas got a long road ahead of her!
4) MY KIDS WILL NEVER JUST RUN WILD AT HOME OR IN PUBLIC…seriously my mom used to say, “I just can’t have nice things”...I decided yesterday my line is “I just can’t have things!” because they destroy everything!! Sawyer didn’t earn the nickname “SAWYER THE DESTROYER” for nothing. They are all three animals…AN-I-MALS! Last week sawyer pulled down his pants and peed in front of dinner guests WHILE we were eating diner on the patio!!
5) I WILL NEVER TAKE MY KIDS INTO PUBLIC LOOKING LIKE TRASH… Not that we venture into public often…but I will tell you it’s rare to have teeth brushed, shoes on, hair done and nothing sticky on faces when we leave the house. I had a friend post on facebook that she and her husband had done what they said they would never do…they took their children into town looking totally dirty and trashy…I told her it gets easier after the first time and earlier that day we went to the store shoeless because my kids just didn’t feel like putting them on:) Ohhh so classy!
What are some of your “NEVERS”? We want to hear from you…
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Monday, June 18, 2012
OMG... I would never do that... Gena Style
Seriously, people with kids do so many stupid things. Like really does it take any time to wipe that nasty food off of their dirty little face? And then, I get so grossed out when mothers try to clean it off with their own spit…Nasty! I would never do that! Oh my gosh, when I see a kid drop food then pick it up and eat it, I totally want to gag…My kid will never eat anything that could have dirt or germs on it like that! And I so can’t stand being in a car that kids ride in. Do they all have to be that dirty? Food on the floor, clothes, and diapers, all right already just clean it up and keep it clean! For real if I have to listen to one more bratty kid in the grocery store or restaurant crying or screaming, I’ll spank them myself. It’s not that hard to control their behavior! And one last thing, I will never, and I mean never wipe a snotty nose with anything but a Kleenex tissue! I saw a lady use her jacket sleeve…Disgusting!!!
That was a glimpse into my past…before motherhood. Those may not have been my exact words but they were definitely things that I just knew I would never do when I was a mother. Now let me tell you what I have become.
Sometimes I look at my children (mostly my toddler, my 7 year old can now clean herself) and I think really, how long has that been stuck to your face? Hunter went to bed tonight with sharpie on his and I frequently wonder what most of the gunk could possibly be! We do try to clean up before entering public life, but even in his car seat he somehow ends up a mess.
Which brings me to my next topic…Messy cars. So ya, I have become that mom that is mortified to even have the gas station guy look into my car. I even wonder if it smells to him when my window is rolled down. I’m telling you that I fill my arms with as much stuff as I can every time I get out and its still a mess! I took out a floor mat that was caked with dried milk a few months ago, I should go clean that thing. Think I’ll wait, its 2:45 am! And lets not even talk about car seats! I’m sure my kids will need therapy someday to deal with that issue. I have just given up on getting those clean!
My toddler can throw a fit the size of Texas if he drops his “bar” and I’m sure that by blowing on it after I pick it up, its clean enough to eat. I’m convinced, and that’s good enough for me! Dare I admit that I am now occasionally eating dropped food too???
And yes I have become the mother with the screaming kids. I try my best to be respectful, and I have removed us from a few places because of crying, but come on, if I went home every time one of my kids was screaming, I would never be anywhere outside my home! Sorry is the best I can do.
I saved to grossest (I’m sure that’s a word somewhere) thing for last…I do it…I use my shirt often to wipe snotty noses. I hope at least one person can relate and the rest of you should try it! Its convenient, eco friendly (think of all the tissue you save) it dries quickly and washes out easily. What? You don’t think those are good reasons??? I’ll just give you a tighter hug next time I see you.
In case you are new around here, I am GENA...I am a self titled "professional mess picker upper". Becoming the mother of the two, mommy titled "mess makers" was not an easy road. I've been thru the struggle of infertility, and ended up with the two most amazing children thru the miracle of adoption.
I love my God, my husband, and my children (not always in that order) I am fanatic about keeping my family healthy...If you like to learn, but don't take life very seriously, we will get along just fine...I will never be stagnant, mentally or physically...so, Ready, Set, Go!!!
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Friday, June 8, 2012
Life Before Kids...
Although my oldest is only 7, I barely remember life before kids. Here’s what I do vaguely remember though….
BOOBS!!!!! Although I don’t really need to say more if you have breast fed for even a second…let me just say the reward for nursing a child for months … and feeling like a freaking dairy cow 24/7 …. should not be smaller, flatter, stretch-marked boobs…seriously, am I wrong? However I do have to say Victoria Secrets has come to my rescue with the “bombshell” bra… although I usually shop clearance at Target for my bras and undies… dropping $50 on the VS bra was like buying a boob job in a bag and I couldn’t be happier:)
WORK-OUTS… I can remember the day when I would just go work out at the gym whenever I wanted… I was 20 pounds lighter and I actually thought the gym was a required part of my existence…now you would either laugh or cringe watching my workouts… although I LOVE our boot camps (ummm that’s just a fancy way of saying all of my best friends meet at my house to work out in my backyard:) there is rarely a day that goes by when one of our kids doesn’t cry or try to shank another child with a broken sand toy. We do crunches while toddlers straddle us and use us as trampolines and somebody’s kid is always trying to get a pony ride while we do push-ups… it’s a friggen circus and anything but glamourous.
SLEEP… I remember complaining if I had to get up before 11 on a weekend… ugghh I was so annoying!!! And let me just say, if you don’t have kids and make any sort of ridiculous statement like the one I used to make… you’d better not be within slapping distance of me!! I was so stoked this morning that only one of the boys got up last night and they all slep until 5:45…that NEVERhappens… two days ago Crew, our youngest, came in at 4 am and body slammed my head until I couldn’t take it anymore and got up with him. And the dark circles and bags under my eyes are now permanent fixtures on my 32 year old face…someday though… I know I will be able to sleep again … and then I will have no excuse for being the wicked witch of the west.
ROMANCE… ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! Let’s just say romance these days equals a quickie at noon while the kids are napping…hmmm TMI???
LOVE… Even with the saggy boobs, no sleep, extra 20 pounds and general lack of adventure, glamor and romance…LOVE makes it all worth it!! It’s amazing to me how much LOVE I have for these grubby little monkeys. It’s amazing that no matter how crazy they make us…how much heart break we experience on their behalf…how hard they make life…there is an unending well of unconditional love for them. It’s depth is unexplainable to anyone that doesn’t have children and honestly it wasn’t until I had kids that I realized that the love, grace and forgiveness I have for my boys is only a fraction of what God has for me. My boys complete me and as we were wrestling on the floor last night while my hubby was cooking dinner I thanked God for such a hugely blessed life!
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Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Apple Crumble Scones... AKA Comfort Food!
Britny Fritts is a Mommy of 2, wife to 1 and lover of God.
cook books and searching for the best local eats.
She is an occasional runner,which is necessary
when there is so much good food in the world...
When not covered in flour and drowning in laundry,
multiplication tables and coupon clipping...
you will find her sipping on a vanilla latte with her BFF,
who also happens to be her husband of over 11 years.
you will find her sipping on a vanilla latte with her BFF,
who also happens to be her husband of over 11 years.
I really enjoy a good scone. I really really enjoy a good scone and coffee. I really really really enjoy a good scone and coffee especially on a rainy Fall day. For the love of the season, I challenge you to bake yourself a treat, kick back with your morning joe and taste the delight of Fall in an Apple Crumble Scone!
~APPLE CRUMBLE SCONES~
makes 8 large bakery serving scones
Scone ingredients:
3 cups Flour
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/4 tsp. Salt
A pinch of Nutmeg
1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter (cold)
1/2 Cup Buttermilk
2 Medium Apples (peeled and chopped into small chunks)
1 Tbsp. Sugar
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Lemon Juice
~In a small bowl, mix chopped Apples, 1 Tbsp. Sugar and 1/4 tsp Cinnamon until Apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
~In a large bowl or standing mixer combine the Flour, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt & Nutmeg. Stir until combine.
~Chop the Butter into small chunks and add to the dry mixture.
Mix together using 2 forks, pastry blender or paddle attachment until the mixture resembles soft crumbs.
~Add the apple mixture and mix until combine.
~Add the Buttermilk until the ingredients are evenly moist.
~Dump the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
~Sprinkle the dough with a dusting of flour and knead 2-3 times until easily handled.
~Press the dough into a 9-10 inch circle about 1/2 an inch thick.
~Cut the dough into 8 even “pie” slices (I like to use a pizza cutter for this)
~Place scones onto a baking sheet about an inch apart.
Crumble Topping:
1/2 Cup Oats
1/4 Cup Flour
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
Pinch of Cinnamon
~Mix together all your crumble ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs.
~Pour about a Tbsp. of the crumble onto each scone.
~Gently press the crumble mixture onto each scone.
Bake Scones for 18 to 20 minutes or until GBD (Golden Brown & Delicious) :)
These scones are fantastic just the way they are, but if you want to add a little more sass once they are cooled.....
Spice Glaze:
1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 Tbsp. Heavy Cream or Milk
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
Pinch of Nutmeg
Pinch of Ginger
Pinch of Cloves
Pre-heat oven to 375
~Mix together the Powder Sugar and Milk until Smooth.
~Add in your Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger and Cloves
~Using a fork, drizzle the glaze over the Scones.
ENJOY!
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Monday, June 4, 2012
{please pray for our son}...It's emails like this that bring a good reality check!
I spend way too much time in my days being frustrated at the unending chaos that my 3 year old dishes up, the busyness that running 3 different "business" brings and the stress of moving our home...it is emails like this that provide me with a well needed reality check! This comes from a good friend of mine and reminds me that at the end of the day, life is good, my children are healthy, and I have a ton to be grateful for!
Would you please join us in praying for our son (deleted name). He is scheduled for surgery tomorrow, June 4th at 8:30 am to repair his cleft palate and place tubes in his ears. Because he has been rather sick this past week, they will decide upon check in tomorrow if they will proceed with the surgery. We would love your prayers for his protection, for a successful repair of his mouth that would result in this being his only surgery with regard to his palate. And also for a quick and complete recovery.
They basically take apart his full upper palate (roof of his mouth) and put it back together so the recovery can be rather difficult they say.....4 weeks of wearing arm braces to keep his hands out of his mouth and no regular food for up to that time frame. He can start back with pureed foods after a week or so I understand. So please pray for him to be able to handle this well as well as his Mama. Please pray that his two year old sister will not be stuffing things in his mouth for him as that could be catastrophic! That's her newest trick these days....just enough to make me a bit nervous for the weeks ahead.
Trusting the Lord with our son as He writes his story. Pray for wisdom, strength and guidance for us as we move ahead this next month. Love you all.
They basically take apart his full upper palate (roof of his mouth) and put it back together so the recovery can be rather difficult they say.....4 weeks of wearing arm braces to keep his hands out of his mouth and no regular food for up to that time frame. He can start back with pureed foods after a week or so I understand. So please pray for him to be able to handle this well as well as his Mama. Please pray that his two year old sister will not be stuffing things in his mouth for him as that could be catastrophic! That's her newest trick these days....just enough to make me a bit nervous for the weeks ahead.
Trusting the Lord with our son as He writes his story. Pray for wisdom, strength and guidance for us as we move ahead this next month. Love you all.
I hope you can all join me in praying for my friend (and all of the other families in the middle of really hard circumstances!) and remember all that we have to be grateful for even in the midst of what seams like tough stuff ;)
...GENA
Friday, June 1, 2012
Kids & Chores:: An Urban Legend Unearthed
Now I've heard the legend and even recent tales from some of you that kids do in fact help around the house... it's something I've yet to experience personally though. So... yesterday I did a little experiment. I have been making Soy unload the silverware every morning but this new venture is for all of the kids... and it's a biggie. I labeled each of their laundry baskets... then I took sticky notes and a sharpie and labeled each of their drawers... (a great therapy technique useful for the whole family:)) I shoved their baskets over to them and told them to get on it. After the jaw dropping initial shock of realizing they had to do something more than play on the iPad or catch frogs all day, with groans and moans they started pushing their FULL baskets of clothes down the hall to their bedrooms. (great heavy work by the way!!) I pointed out each of their drawers and had to remind our 3 year old a couple of times what goes where, BUT they did it!!! Nothing was folded by the time it made it into the drawers but who cares!!!!!!!!!!! My little, slobby, monkey butts put their own flipped clothes in their drawers... angels were singing and it felt like in one moment my destiny was forever changed! Ok that's a little dramatic but it made me realize my smart, funny, handsome little guys are totally capable of helping a frazzled, sometimes crazy witch of a mom around the house. YEEEEHAWWWW!Here's the awesome thing though. Even with their protesting and whining when they finished they totally were proud of themselves! I praised the crap out of them and next time maybe there will be less whining... well who are we kidding, probably not but now mama knows what they are capable of... bwahahahaha!
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