Our friend, Buddy

Buddy is our new friend this year during the Christmas season. I debated for a LONG time as to whether or not to get an Elf on The Shelf. Abi came home from school and talked about how they had an Elf at school. She shared with me how she was being extra good at school so Santa would put her on the "Nice" list. That's when I knew. This could be what I needed to keep the kids calmer and nicer to each other during the season. I sent Matthew to Target to make the purchase. He was reluctant, it is a little pricey, but he successfully brought home Buddy!!! We had just watched the movie Elf, so the kids and I picked out the name Buddy. I will have to say that he was worth EVERY penny. The kids LOVE him. They wake up every morning running and screaming as they search the house for Buddy. I simply say, "Don't do that, Buddy will tell Santa" or "If you treat your sister like that you will not be on the "Nice" list". And YES it works!!! No, it is not the answer to a perfect home and no it doesn't replace my role as disciplinarian, but it is a temporary fix for my sanity for a few weeks. And it is fun!!! This is what the kids found this morning. They were ECSTATIC to say the least.

Cards for the Kids Teachers

Got this idea from Pinterest. Love it. Hand made cards for all the kids teachers and I already had all the supplies.

Need to Vent

I have learned that when I am frustrated about something it is best for me to to write about it. Don't judge me or think "she has no reason to complain". I think everyone no matter what their circumstances have a right to vent and complain sometimes. Just not all the time.

I feel like I have no control over my house. I will spend and entire day cleaning and by the next afternoon it is destroyed again. The laundry is never done, more like always a month behind. The dishwasher is always full with 2 loads waiting to be washed. I wake up everyday feeling like I am repeating the day before. Groundhog Day? I have tried implementing a schedule: Monday laundry, Tuesday mop, Wednesday more laundry and vacuum, etc. etc. but it doesn't help. I find myself getting even more stressed because if I don't accomplish the daily LIST, I beat myself up.

I try so hard to just let things go and not worry so much about things being clean. I have gotten better and I do not feel like things have to be perfect. How can it with four kids age six and under? But I have a slight problem. I LIKE things to be organized and tidy. I feel a sense of accomplishment and success if my house looks clean. Why??? Who knows. No one sees it but us. And I am very blessed to have a husband that could care less what the house looks like. I use to think I was OCD. But I finally discovered that isn't possible because I am a slob!!! (shhhhh, don't tell anyone.) You would think that since I am messy, I wouldn't be bothered by the un-organization and clutter. But it drives me NUTS.

Everyday I pray to God to help me embrace the mess and focus on the kids. It is so hard to do. I have to force myself to stop all the chores and long list of to do's and spend quality time with the kids. I know it is a balance and truly an art for a stay at home mother, but I have yet to master it. I pray one day I will or God will answer my prayers and I will learn to LOVE the messes. And as every older wise woman tells me, enjoy them while their young. It will be the best time of your life. Now if only I can believe that and live it!!!

Christas Cookie Fun

Even though my list of "to do's" is ten thousand miles long I decided to worry about that tomorrow and enjoy a fun day of cookie making. Even daddy helped. We had a blast!!! And the kids decorated almost all the cooking by themselves and no finger licking.

FB vs. Blogging

I have never been good about keeping up with a blog but always seem to find myself on FB. I began asking myself why this was and if I felt like it was positive for MY life. I think FB can be a great way to stay connected with friends and see lots of pictures of people and their kids and I LOVE that. I however do feel that FB can be a negative outlet. I have found myself getting my feelings hurt, lied to, ridiculed, and have even lost friendships because of it. I feel that on FB you only see the "perfect" lives of others and sometimes even find myself wishing for what others have. I find myself comparing my life to others and questioning my life: my motherhood, how clean my house is, wishing I could go on that vacation, wondering why I didn't get invited to that party, are my meals healthy like her meals are, etc....... I have come to realize that this is very unhealthy for my life. I decided that blogging would be better for me personally. I love sharing my stories and my thoughts and of course pictures, so why can't I just do it on a blog. So here goes. Hope you enjoy what you read!!!