Ever gone a night without sleep? Maybe even a couple? Makes it pretty hard to get through the next day as productively as your normal, right? This is my life. I have insomnia. I've had it since high school. There would be nights that, no matter how exhausted I felt, I would just lay in bed staring at my ceiling. Sometimes it's caused by my mind constantly going, constantly thinking about everything from stupid crap to what I need to do tomorrow. My episodes can last a day or two or weeks, months, even years.
I know there are medications out there that advertise that they help insomnia. I can't take them! I've tried taking over the counter and prescription meds and the results are not good. Sure they knock me out, but then I am unable to wake up when my youngest needs me. Oh yeah, did I mention she has insomnia as well along with an undiagnosed medical issue (the current speculation is that she has Fibromyalgia, but she because is only 4, they don't want to make that diagnosis yet). So I need to be able to wake up and help her when she wakes up crying in the middle of the night. Also the meds make me feel like warmed over death the next morning. If I have to choose between being tired or feeling like a zombie, I choose tired.
What I do take is Melatonin. Melatonin is a natural suppliment that can help aid in sleep. For me, it has about a 50/50 chance of working (better than nothing right!?!). My daughter also takes it, though for her it's about a 80% chance that it will help her sleep. It's very difficult for me to keep up with a 4 year old who is either very active or worn out from pain (happy to add here that her pain and fevers have been a lot better since putting her on a GF diet). I also watch a 2 year old boy 4 days week, plus there is a house to keep picked up, dinner to make, Amee's homework to help with, etc., etc.
Insomnia is a bitch and I feel for all the other sufferers out there. We have to play the hand we are dealt.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Busy Weekend! Harry Connick Jr. and Sicky Children
This last weekend was very busy. On Saturday, Amee woke up stuffy with a scratchy throat and low grade fever. Oh yeah! First cold of the new school year. I'm so looking forward to homeschooling her again starting next year. It really limits the amounth of nasties that get trailed through the house. The good news is that Amee has a fantastic immune system. Most doctors will tell you that children in school will get sick 6-12 times a year (some docs say 6-8, some say 10-12). Amee gets sick 1-3 times a year and she's usually over it in a day or two :). Unfortunately she shared the nastiness with her little sister, who doesn't handle illness with the same flare as Amee. This led to me be woken up at 3am Monday morning by a screaming 4 year old with a fever of 101.2. Thankfully she is doing much better today.
Saturday I was by myself with the kids. I had planned on cleaning and getting caught up with laundry, but Amee took up a lot of my time. Because she doesn't get sick very often, she gets pretty needy when she's not feeling well. Ryan was at work all day, running a charity tennis tournament. I am so very proud of him for making it so successful. Ryan is the manager at a high end luxury apartment complex right on Lake Washington. The tennis tournament had 4 teams. The tennis pros (don't remember the exact name of the group), Seattle Children's Hospital, Microsoft and a team representing the property. He also arranged for Susan G. Komen for the Cure to be the charity sponsor. It went great! This was the first charity event he had to organize and I'm so glad it went well. Just wish I could have been there to be the supportive wife, but sometimes my mommy job comes first.
Sunday night was really special. We went to the Chatuea St. Michelle Winery to see Harry Connick Jr. He is my favorite artist and it was an amazing night! Totally worth getting rained on, lol (at least it wasn't cold). What an absolutely incredible entertainer. It was an early Anniversary/Christmas present to each and was definitely the best date we've had so far. We had wonderful seats and had a great view of everything. It was just so wonderful to be in the arms of the man I love, sharing something I absolutely love with him.
All in all, it was a very busy, but very enjoyable weekend.
Saturday I was by myself with the kids. I had planned on cleaning and getting caught up with laundry, but Amee took up a lot of my time. Because she doesn't get sick very often, she gets pretty needy when she's not feeling well. Ryan was at work all day, running a charity tennis tournament. I am so very proud of him for making it so successful. Ryan is the manager at a high end luxury apartment complex right on Lake Washington. The tennis tournament had 4 teams. The tennis pros (don't remember the exact name of the group), Seattle Children's Hospital, Microsoft and a team representing the property. He also arranged for Susan G. Komen for the Cure to be the charity sponsor. It went great! This was the first charity event he had to organize and I'm so glad it went well. Just wish I could have been there to be the supportive wife, but sometimes my mommy job comes first.
Sunday night was really special. We went to the Chatuea St. Michelle Winery to see Harry Connick Jr. He is my favorite artist and it was an amazing night! Totally worth getting rained on, lol (at least it wasn't cold). What an absolutely incredible entertainer. It was an early Anniversary/Christmas present to each and was definitely the best date we've had so far. We had wonderful seats and had a great view of everything. It was just so wonderful to be in the arms of the man I love, sharing something I absolutely love with him.
All in all, it was a very busy, but very enjoyable weekend.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Labels Labels Everywhere And Now There Is Nothing To Eat
A lot of people are concerned about health these days. As consumers, we are trying to become more aware of what is put in our food and therefore what is put in our bodies. As a mother of two children on a gluten-free diet, I am even more careful about label checking. It's not easy. If you don't know already, here is a big tip for you- the FDA is a big load of horse crap! Manufacturers know this and they take advantage of it every chance they can. Don't believe me!?! Let me give you a good easy to spot example. We have probably all seen those Diabetes Association labels popping up on foods right? The idea is that diabetics can safely choose these foods because they are endorsed by The Diabetes Association (or Foundation or whatever they're calling themselves these days). Anyway, it's supposed to make shopping "easier", right? WRONG!!!!!! Do you know what it takes to get this oh-so-special edorsement seal? A donation. Yup, that's it. Granted I'm sure it's a large amount, but ya, all they have to do is pay for the right to use the official logo. The Diabetes group does not look into every product they "endorse" and the ones they do check up on, the manufacturers have already cleverely made the food "look" healthy at first glance (what you usually find if you look closer is lots of sugar in different forms with "hidden" and confusing names, lots of white flour- which will shoot your blood sugar up just as high and fast as sugar, oh and can't forget, they load it up with fat and chemicals to make it "taste good").
You may think, well, shame on them for doing that, but what does the FDA have to do with this? The FDA does not regulate this kind of labeling. In fact the FDA is pretty relaxed on all labeling. Yes, there are things in place to make the FDA crack down, but then manufacturers will find more ways to cheat and lie the system and the FDA is too overwhelmed to do much of anything.
So what does this have to do with a gluten-free diet. Gluten-free diets are growing in numbers and not just as a "fad dieting" craze. Celiacs Disease is on the rise as well as wheat allergies and gluten intolerance. This means big bucks for manufacturers if they can find a way to get in on it. Unfortunately, it is done so with little reguard to health and the suffering that happens when gluten in ingested. There are a lot of deceptive practices going around with the labeling for GF products. For example, a company will slap a big old shiny label on the front claiming "Gluten Free". It may be big, bright or have nifty symbols, in short, it will be "eye catching". It will be somewhere easy to see. Don't be fooled, check the label!!!! Several times I have found, way down at the bottom, almost hidden in all the other confusing labeling, MAY CONTAIN WHEAT. Yup! The front says GLUTEN FREE, but the side label tells a whole different story.
What does MAY CONTAIN WHEAT mean? It's put on products that are in fact gluten free, as in the product itself was not made or packaged with any gluten containing products (wheat, barley and rye). When the product is made or packaged, it is done so in the same building and on the same machines that handle wheat containing products. This can cause cross contamination. Cross contamination is a difficult demon to deal with. It can be small enough that it causes no problems or it can make a gluten sensitive person very sick. The FDA does nothing about this. As a parent, who is trying to keep her children healthy, I don't see why they can't make it to where you cannot not claim "gluten-free" in any way, shape or form unless the product is not only gluten free, but also produced and packaged in a gluten free environment. Several products are already manufactured in this way and some of them by big name companies (thank you to General Mills Chex and Betty Crocker for producing some really great GF products). I am more than happy to pay a bit more for a product that I know is safe. I'm already paying over $4 dollars a loaf for bread that is safe for my kids. GF animal crackers run over $3 per box (which is a little smaller in size than a box of graham crackers). I don't mind one bit! It is so worth it to be able to give my kids some of things they like after having to restrict so much.
We all know that manufacturers are all about making money. I get it. But come on FDA, protect the consumers. Help us out just a little. Yes, we the consumers need to take responsibility for our own health and be educated and aware, but when these companies are going to such great lengths to be sneaky and decieve the consumers, it becomes that much harder to do. But until stricter regulations are in place, just be extra careful. Do your research and read the entire label and ingredient list.
You may think, well, shame on them for doing that, but what does the FDA have to do with this? The FDA does not regulate this kind of labeling. In fact the FDA is pretty relaxed on all labeling. Yes, there are things in place to make the FDA crack down, but then manufacturers will find more ways to cheat and lie the system and the FDA is too overwhelmed to do much of anything.
So what does this have to do with a gluten-free diet. Gluten-free diets are growing in numbers and not just as a "fad dieting" craze. Celiacs Disease is on the rise as well as wheat allergies and gluten intolerance. This means big bucks for manufacturers if they can find a way to get in on it. Unfortunately, it is done so with little reguard to health and the suffering that happens when gluten in ingested. There are a lot of deceptive practices going around with the labeling for GF products. For example, a company will slap a big old shiny label on the front claiming "Gluten Free". It may be big, bright or have nifty symbols, in short, it will be "eye catching". It will be somewhere easy to see. Don't be fooled, check the label!!!! Several times I have found, way down at the bottom, almost hidden in all the other confusing labeling, MAY CONTAIN WHEAT. Yup! The front says GLUTEN FREE, but the side label tells a whole different story.
What does MAY CONTAIN WHEAT mean? It's put on products that are in fact gluten free, as in the product itself was not made or packaged with any gluten containing products (wheat, barley and rye). When the product is made or packaged, it is done so in the same building and on the same machines that handle wheat containing products. This can cause cross contamination. Cross contamination is a difficult demon to deal with. It can be small enough that it causes no problems or it can make a gluten sensitive person very sick. The FDA does nothing about this. As a parent, who is trying to keep her children healthy, I don't see why they can't make it to where you cannot not claim "gluten-free" in any way, shape or form unless the product is not only gluten free, but also produced and packaged in a gluten free environment. Several products are already manufactured in this way and some of them by big name companies (thank you to General Mills Chex and Betty Crocker for producing some really great GF products). I am more than happy to pay a bit more for a product that I know is safe. I'm already paying over $4 dollars a loaf for bread that is safe for my kids. GF animal crackers run over $3 per box (which is a little smaller in size than a box of graham crackers). I don't mind one bit! It is so worth it to be able to give my kids some of things they like after having to restrict so much.
We all know that manufacturers are all about making money. I get it. But come on FDA, protect the consumers. Help us out just a little. Yes, we the consumers need to take responsibility for our own health and be educated and aware, but when these companies are going to such great lengths to be sneaky and decieve the consumers, it becomes that much harder to do. But until stricter regulations are in place, just be extra careful. Do your research and read the entire label and ingredient list.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
I'm a crappy housewife!
I think I may possibly be one of the worst housewives ever! I love my children and my husband. They make up a big part of my world. But I SUCK at the role of housewife!
So you're probably wondering why I have come to this conclusion. Well, I really truelly don't think I actually "suck" at being a housewife in my mind. But I definitely fall short of what a lot of people think a good housewife should be. I hate cleaning! I will do it, but not as often as should. I'm usually just proud of myself if everyday the kitchen is clean and the living room gets picked up. I used to enjoy cooking and baking, but I'm still adjusting to my kids recent need for a gluten-free diet. It has taken a bit of the joy out of cooking for me because I am unable to make a lot of my favorites (and sometimes when I do try to make certain favorites gluten-free, they come out horrible). I wait to do laundry until the last possible moment (hubby or kids are out of clothes) and I very rarely ever get to stage of actually folding and putting away clean clothes. The dining table is always cluttered and we usually all eat the living room. I consider myself to be very productive if the bathroom is cleaned once a week. I never dust (unless I'm moving something and notice the incredible amount of dust around that object). I don't vaccuum nearly as often as I should.
Now you're probably wondering what it is I do all day. The kids get fed at every mealtime (one way or another, lol). Most days I get some schooling done with Mickey. I watch a little boy 4 days a week (he is 2). I help Amee with homework. I workout for at least 45 minutes at home, sometimes 90 minutes and I try to get to the gym for 1-2 hours 4-5 days a week. Some days I have an extremely cranky Mickey on my hands, making every single little thing seem like an epic battle just to get it accomplished. It's not her fault. She deals with a chronic condition that can cause stomach pain, neck pain, headaches, insomnia, exhaustion and low grade fevers. It's even more difficult because after 2 years of doctors appointments, they still can't give us a straight answer about what's wrong with her. And I try to get in a little me time during the day (usually spent catching up with friends online or reading).
As you can see, I'm not really a "bad" housewife. My day is pretty full. But sometimes I feel like I'm failing at this "title". I know so many other moms that seem to get so much more done everyday. Their house is always clean, meals are homemade 99% of the time, kids are involved in several extra-curricular activities, they are involved with the PTA and helping in the classroom, etc. It just makes me feel like I lagging behind.
But it helps that I have a very supportive and understanding husband and happy children, especially since being a HW/SAHM is not something I actually wanted. I was sort of pushed into this role by uncontrolable circumstances. For awhile, I even resented it and that made me feel even worse. But Mickey just cannot handle public school. She gets horribly sick very easily, plus she has a very severe gluten intolerance and has her bad days when she hurts and has a fever. If she was in school, she would end up missing half of it anyway. This prevents me from having a job and means I stay home to take care of her. It took awhile to get used to this life. I just didn't feel like I was able to just be me, since this is never the life I pictured for myself. But over time I have adjusted and learned to at least like it a little ;).
Now if I could just figure out a way to keep the house clean LOL.
So you're probably wondering why I have come to this conclusion. Well, I really truelly don't think I actually "suck" at being a housewife in my mind. But I definitely fall short of what a lot of people think a good housewife should be. I hate cleaning! I will do it, but not as often as should. I'm usually just proud of myself if everyday the kitchen is clean and the living room gets picked up. I used to enjoy cooking and baking, but I'm still adjusting to my kids recent need for a gluten-free diet. It has taken a bit of the joy out of cooking for me because I am unable to make a lot of my favorites (and sometimes when I do try to make certain favorites gluten-free, they come out horrible). I wait to do laundry until the last possible moment (hubby or kids are out of clothes) and I very rarely ever get to stage of actually folding and putting away clean clothes. The dining table is always cluttered and we usually all eat the living room. I consider myself to be very productive if the bathroom is cleaned once a week. I never dust (unless I'm moving something and notice the incredible amount of dust around that object). I don't vaccuum nearly as often as I should.
Now you're probably wondering what it is I do all day. The kids get fed at every mealtime (one way or another, lol). Most days I get some schooling done with Mickey. I watch a little boy 4 days a week (he is 2). I help Amee with homework. I workout for at least 45 minutes at home, sometimes 90 minutes and I try to get to the gym for 1-2 hours 4-5 days a week. Some days I have an extremely cranky Mickey on my hands, making every single little thing seem like an epic battle just to get it accomplished. It's not her fault. She deals with a chronic condition that can cause stomach pain, neck pain, headaches, insomnia, exhaustion and low grade fevers. It's even more difficult because after 2 years of doctors appointments, they still can't give us a straight answer about what's wrong with her. And I try to get in a little me time during the day (usually spent catching up with friends online or reading).
As you can see, I'm not really a "bad" housewife. My day is pretty full. But sometimes I feel like I'm failing at this "title". I know so many other moms that seem to get so much more done everyday. Their house is always clean, meals are homemade 99% of the time, kids are involved in several extra-curricular activities, they are involved with the PTA and helping in the classroom, etc. It just makes me feel like I lagging behind.
But it helps that I have a very supportive and understanding husband and happy children, especially since being a HW/SAHM is not something I actually wanted. I was sort of pushed into this role by uncontrolable circumstances. For awhile, I even resented it and that made me feel even worse. But Mickey just cannot handle public school. She gets horribly sick very easily, plus she has a very severe gluten intolerance and has her bad days when she hurts and has a fever. If she was in school, she would end up missing half of it anyway. This prevents me from having a job and means I stay home to take care of her. It took awhile to get used to this life. I just didn't feel like I was able to just be me, since this is never the life I pictured for myself. But over time I have adjusted and learned to at least like it a little ;).
Now if I could just figure out a way to keep the house clean LOL.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Mornings Aren't Magical
This is my coffee mug :). On the back it says "Mornings aren't MAGICAL". It's absolutely perfect for me. I am not a morning person, plain and simple. I never have been. For as long as I can remember, I have unleashed my wrath on anyone foolish enough to attempt to wake me before I was ready. My mom taught me early on to use an alarm clock. Of course it didn't take me long to learn about the snooze button, lol! But that would lead to her wrath when she came in to drag me out of bed.
Then came high school. I joined the colorguard (don't laugh, our band and colorguard were freaking awesome!). This meant I had 0 period. Wondering what that is? 0 period is when you have to show up at school at the ass crack of dawn. Crazy huh!?! I would drag myself out of bed sometime between 5am and 5:30am, start the coffee, yell at the parentals (yes I yelled, I wasn't going in there, they were about as much of morning people as I was), then hop in the shower in hopes of improving my mood. Coffee would be tossed into a thermos, make-up and clothes tossed into the backpack and off I would go.
Then the fun would really begin. 250 cranky teenagers gathered onto the field to practice, practice and practice some more. Even in Southern California, some mornings were down right cold. And thick fog led for some funny collisions. Ever run into a quad set of drums or a line of saxaphones? I have and I don't recommend it. The band was released a few minutes before 1st period bell and then you would see the mad dash as they all rushed to change their clothes before class (most of us wore sweats to practice, you don't want to go to the rest of your classes in sweaty clothes). Colorguard had 1st period practice as well and our only hope was that the instructor watched the time so we could have enough of it to change and throw on some makeup before the rest of the day. All of this is a lot to stuff into the morning of someone who despises the hours before 10am. And yet, despite my crankiness and hatred of the morning hours, I looked forward to it everyday. I met some of the greatest people ever in the colorguard and band and I'm happy to say that 15ish years later, they are still some of my closest friends.
Then came adulthood and my first job, Disneyland. Oh yeah baby, I worked at The Happiest Place On Earth! Occasionally I had an opening weekday shift, which meant back to pre-dawn wake up calls. Again coffee was my best friend. I also learned to put my makeup on in the car in order to save time. Don't worry, it was in rush hour traffic, which in Cali means at times you come to full stop right there on the freeway. I'd put my makeup on, park my car, take the shuttle to the park and grab my costume. As I pulled on my costume for the day, I blastered on my fantastic smile. No really, I have a great smile. I would list it as my second best feature, second only to my green eyes. After I was dressed, I polished off whatever coffee I had left (keeping the thermos with me for refills, especially on 10+ hour days) and hopped on out to whatever store I was at, ready to be part of the Disney magic.
Then came my first child. She was born 9 years ago and I haven't gotten a good nights sleep since lol. I know longer work, but if you think I get to sleep in now, you'd be mistaken. But I do have my children well trained, sort of. They know that if they irritate mommy before my coffee, it is at their own peril. So now I sip my coffee from my Mornings Aren't Magical cup and think about different my mornings are now. 15 years ago my biggest worry was getting to school on time. I hated mornings, but it was relief to get out of the drama at my house and get to my friends who had become my family. Now my first morning hours are filled with making breakfast, packing lunch, getting kids dressed and Amee out the door to the bus stop. Then I plan for lessons (the youngest is home schooled) and wait for my little buddy to get here (I watch a little 2 year old boy 4 days a week). I take a few moments, with my beloved coffee and just let my mind wander. The coffee kicks in, my shoulders relax, the tension releases just a bit and I smile at all the wonderful memories of the non-magical mornings of high school. Then it's time to jump back into reality and my continueing quest to be the best mom I can be.
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Wonderful World of Cats and Kids
Parents will tell you that having children can lead to some very funny moments. They range from mild giggle inducing to a literal on the floor, my stomach hurts I'm laughing so hard. Pet owners will tell you the same. So what happens when you have both? Pure entertainment.
Today I had planned on doing a blog about names and nicknames. But as I was brainstorming how to start, one of my cats plopped himself down up against my feet and began whipping my shins with his tail. This is just one of his many ways of letting me know he now requires my attention. So it got me thinking about the joys of parenting, whether it be actual children or "furr babies".
I have 2 children, Amethyst (9) and Mykayla (4). I also have 2 furr children. Mogli the Jungle Boy (approx 3) and Irridessa the Light Fairy (approx 2).
Me and my girls
Irridessa
Mogli
All 4 of my babies have very different personalities. Amethyst is a slightly awkward, outgoing people pleaser with a touch of girly. Mykayla is the bulldozer (or enforcer to quote a title used by a family member that has a daughter with a similar personality). Mogli is the independent thinking, daddy's boy. He also happens to be an excellent mouser. Irridessa is the attention whore. There is really no other way to put it. She is the one that will climb on you and lick your face at 3am if there is something she wants (and sometimes that "something" is just to announce her grand entrance into your presence).
All 4 are pretty entertaining by themselves. When 2 or more are together, it can be down right hilarious. Lots of chasing, tagging, yelling and hissing. And the cats are pretty crazy too, lol. Mogli is the most ungraceful cat I have ever seen. A good giggle can be had when swinging his "feather tail" toy and watching him flop around attempting to catch it. He is constantly trying to walk along the back of the couch or headboard, which leads to him usually falling on one of us. It's pretty hilarious, when it's not you that is. Mogli is a big boy and does not ever land lightly. Irridessa is a licker. She will lick anything! People, walls, windows, plastic bags, boxes, the list goes on, haha. There are also lots of sweet moments. The 2 kitties are known as "The Lovers" around here, because they will cuddle up and groom each other. It's so cute to watch them being sweet together (don't worry, they're fixed, so no teeny babies). They also like to lay with the girls when they are not feeling well, which is why we sometimes refer to them as "Medicine Kitties".
I admit, there are times that all 4 drive me nutty. Being woken up in the middle of a deep sleep is no fun, no matter if it's by a crying child or cat sprinting across your head. But, I wouldn't change it for anything :). My life is never boring!
Today I had planned on doing a blog about names and nicknames. But as I was brainstorming how to start, one of my cats plopped himself down up against my feet and began whipping my shins with his tail. This is just one of his many ways of letting me know he now requires my attention. So it got me thinking about the joys of parenting, whether it be actual children or "furr babies".
I have 2 children, Amethyst (9) and Mykayla (4). I also have 2 furr children. Mogli the Jungle Boy (approx 3) and Irridessa the Light Fairy (approx 2).
All 4 of my babies have very different personalities. Amethyst is a slightly awkward, outgoing people pleaser with a touch of girly. Mykayla is the bulldozer (or enforcer to quote a title used by a family member that has a daughter with a similar personality). Mogli is the independent thinking, daddy's boy. He also happens to be an excellent mouser. Irridessa is the attention whore. There is really no other way to put it. She is the one that will climb on you and lick your face at 3am if there is something she wants (and sometimes that "something" is just to announce her grand entrance into your presence).
All 4 are pretty entertaining by themselves. When 2 or more are together, it can be down right hilarious. Lots of chasing, tagging, yelling and hissing. And the cats are pretty crazy too, lol. Mogli is the most ungraceful cat I have ever seen. A good giggle can be had when swinging his "feather tail" toy and watching him flop around attempting to catch it. He is constantly trying to walk along the back of the couch or headboard, which leads to him usually falling on one of us. It's pretty hilarious, when it's not you that is. Mogli is a big boy and does not ever land lightly. Irridessa is a licker. She will lick anything! People, walls, windows, plastic bags, boxes, the list goes on, haha. There are also lots of sweet moments. The 2 kitties are known as "The Lovers" around here, because they will cuddle up and groom each other. It's so cute to watch them being sweet together (don't worry, they're fixed, so no teeny babies). They also like to lay with the girls when they are not feeling well, which is why we sometimes refer to them as "Medicine Kitties".
I admit, there are times that all 4 drive me nutty. Being woken up in the middle of a deep sleep is no fun, no matter if it's by a crying child or cat sprinting across your head. But, I wouldn't change it for anything :). My life is never boring!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Introductions are in order
I will admit, I've tried this blog thingy before and it didn't work out so well (meaning I forgot about it, lol). I thought I'd try again. I mean, hay, why not!?! It's not like I have anywhere to be :). Why is that, you might be asking? Well, I am a Stay-At-Home-Mom (know as SAHM). Yep, that's right! Hubby works and I stay home. Unfortunately it's not as glamorous as one might think, but it does have it's interesting moments. In fact this blog is going to consist mostly of those moments, because lets face it, life is never boring when kids are involved.
So I guess I should start by describing my little family. My hubby is Ryan. He is one of sweetest, most adoring and loving man I have ever met :). Ryan swept me off of my feet summer 2006, but our story actually began long before that (but I will save that for another blog, just known that we've known each other since we were 15). My beautiful girls are Amethyst and Mykayla aka Amee and Mickey. Amee is the oldest at 9 and Mickey is 4 1/2. They keep me on my toes to say the least. We also have two kitties- Mogli and Irridessa and an old gerbil that won't get mention much (he really doesn't do much since he is old, deaf and possibly blind).
And then there is me :). I am the finishing touch on this crazy group. So I guess I should give a little info on myself. I am quickly approaching 30 (much faster than I would like to admit). I have been married before. In fact, the kids are from my first marriage, but you wouldn't know it when Ryan and I are out with them :). He is a really fantastic dad and I am so lucky that he joined our family. I don't like to talk about my first husband much, except to vent when he irritates me. It's better that way, because I don't want to influence my daughters view of him. As I mentioned before, I am a SAHM. However it is not exactly by choice. Mickey has some health issues that make it difficult and dangerous for her to be in public school/daycare, so I stay home with her. I do homeschool her as well and she is a fabulous little student :). I do not homeschool Amee at this time, but that may change next school year. I'm pretty stubborn. Haha, okay, I'm a lot stubborn :). I'm also go-with-flow kinda gal, but I do have my break downs every so often. Get me around my friends and I'm pretty loud and outgoing (ya and I cuss like a sailor, but I will try to hold myself back in my blogs). I love tattoos and currently have 4, with many many more planned.
So I guess that's enough for now. Just a little bit about our crazy little family to get started. As time goes on, I'm sure the true craziness will really show itself :).
So I guess I should start by describing my little family. My hubby is Ryan. He is one of sweetest, most adoring and loving man I have ever met :). Ryan swept me off of my feet summer 2006, but our story actually began long before that (but I will save that for another blog, just known that we've known each other since we were 15). My beautiful girls are Amethyst and Mykayla aka Amee and Mickey. Amee is the oldest at 9 and Mickey is 4 1/2. They keep me on my toes to say the least. We also have two kitties- Mogli and Irridessa and an old gerbil that won't get mention much (he really doesn't do much since he is old, deaf and possibly blind).
And then there is me :). I am the finishing touch on this crazy group. So I guess I should give a little info on myself. I am quickly approaching 30 (much faster than I would like to admit). I have been married before. In fact, the kids are from my first marriage, but you wouldn't know it when Ryan and I are out with them :). He is a really fantastic dad and I am so lucky that he joined our family. I don't like to talk about my first husband much, except to vent when he irritates me. It's better that way, because I don't want to influence my daughters view of him. As I mentioned before, I am a SAHM. However it is not exactly by choice. Mickey has some health issues that make it difficult and dangerous for her to be in public school/daycare, so I stay home with her. I do homeschool her as well and she is a fabulous little student :). I do not homeschool Amee at this time, but that may change next school year. I'm pretty stubborn. Haha, okay, I'm a lot stubborn :). I'm also go-with-flow kinda gal, but I do have my break downs every so often. Get me around my friends and I'm pretty loud and outgoing (ya and I cuss like a sailor, but I will try to hold myself back in my blogs). I love tattoos and currently have 4, with many many more planned.
So I guess that's enough for now. Just a little bit about our crazy little family to get started. As time goes on, I'm sure the true craziness will really show itself :).
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