Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Saturday, December 31, 2011
goodbye 2011...
Here is the list I posted on what I wanted to do in 2011:
enjoy each and every day; never forget to say i love you; see Leavenworth in the snow; get sand in my toes; finally get the front door stain; road trip; water park; hikes; send more cards to friends; use my camera each and every day; declutter my home; finish my Disneyland mini book; remember to smile more, frown less; be thankful for what i have and worry less for what i don't have
As you can see, I didn't get a lot of the items marked off. I am in the process of working on my 2012 list and I have a good feeling I will be marking more off this year.
I love a fresh start.
Happy New Years Eve, I am looking forward to seeing what the next 365 days has in store for me and my great little family.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
today is a hard one....
Today would have been Brittney's 23rd birthday. 23!!!!
I remember where I was 23 years ago; what I felt the moment I heard she was born. I remember going into the room and seeing her for the first time. I remember hugging my brother when he came out to tell us she was born. I remember so much of that day, I wish I can remember more of her.
I am here, sitting in my office crying my eyes out, hoping a co-worker does not walk by. It just hit me, the sadness of not having this bright, vivid young lady with us anymore. I know she would have done amazing things in her life.
Wherever you are Brittney, please know I love you and think about you each and every day. Watch over all of us and someday I will hug you again.
I remember where I was 23 years ago; what I felt the moment I heard she was born. I remember going into the room and seeing her for the first time. I remember hugging my brother when he came out to tell us she was born. I remember so much of that day, I wish I can remember more of her.
I am here, sitting in my office crying my eyes out, hoping a co-worker does not walk by. It just hit me, the sadness of not having this bright, vivid young lady with us anymore. I know she would have done amazing things in her life.
Wherever you are Brittney, please know I love you and think about you each and every day. Watch over all of us and someday I will hug you again.
Friday, January 21, 2011
words...
What kind of life do you want? What are you doing to get it?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
saw this on msn today....
Sure, you could always be more organized, more cheerful, more on top of every little detail. But you're not a Mombot, thank goodness, and no one (except, perhaps, you!) expects you to be. Below, we've rounded up 31 things among hundreds that you can give yourself leeway to do - without the burden of even one ounce of stress.
1. Taking a vacation with only your husband.
It's such a tragedy for the kids to spend time with their superindulgent grandparents! Besides, they'll benefit from you two not giving each other the stink eye during dinner.
2. Feeling smug that you're a better parent than those on Supernanny.
No worries. We all feel smug watching Supernanny. Until we don't, at which time we employ her techniques.
3. Not signing up to be class parent.
Think of it this way: Your ability to say no to volunteer tasks you can't handle will leave you better able to concentrate on what only you can do, like getting your kids fed, dressed and onto the bus. Some days, that's huge!
4. Yelling at your son when he actually didn't do anything wrong.
Sure, not a great move, but it's a good opportunity to show him that even you screw up sometimes, and that saying sorry really does help make it better.
5. Enjoying your work.
You can love your kids and still have that "Thank God It's Monday" feeling, well, every Monday. Especially after a long and dreary winter weekend.
6. Buying your daughter the generic UGGs.
She'll live without the label, even if she thinks she will not, and her tootsies will be just as toasty.
7. Buying yourself the real ones.
You treat your shoes better than your kid does, and you won't outgrow them. Plus, they're really cute. Being the wage earner has its perks.
8. Giving him the answer to the last problem on his math homework.
He'll get more practice with the teacher in school.
9. Dipping into your son's goody bag when he isn't looking.
What's a funsize Snickers between family members?
10. Not going in the pool with them.
Chlorine does a real number on your hair, and besides, that's what dads are for.
11. Accepting your son's compliment that you're a good cook when he's eating pre-breaded microwave chicken breasts.
You did your part. You pressed "Start."
12. Wiping your daughter's nose with a panty liner - the closest thing to a tissue you had in your purse.
For heaven's sake - it was clean!
13. Stashing the Häagen-Dazs in the back of the freezer, and showcasing the supermarket brand.
If they're not ready to dig, they're not ready to appreciate the premium stuff.
14. Closing the bedroom door in their little faces.
You did not magically lose your need for privacy when you gave birth. If someone's bleeding or not breathing, by all means, they can knock.
15. Giving in once in a while.
It can be a wise parental trade-off, especially if what you're acceding to will buy you a few minutes of quiet time, private time or time to regroup. You don't need to be perfectly consistent.
16. Making your daughter get down from the top of the monkey bars, simply because it makes you nervous.
Yes, she's done it a million times safely, and she'll likely do it again, but who says you have to watch? Your comfort level counts, too!
17. Making the grandparents take them to "Disney on Ice."
It's torture for you, but for them, it's a future memory they'll cherish forever. What's the problem?
18. Tossing their artwork.
After you've saved the truly superior thumb pots and the especially sentimental glitter collages, you will still have a heap of crafts the size of Mount Etna. Fill up a big black Hefty bag after they're asleep, pour yourself some wine, and then watch Hoarders. You'll feel better instantly.
19. Being psyched that the best friend you never liked has moved to another state.
You're not happy your daughter is upset, of course, and you'll help her through it. But being secretly pleased that you won't ever have to host Little Miss Caitlin-Who-Gets-to-Wear-Belly-Shirts for a sleepover again doesn't make you a bad person.
20. Neglecting to videotape his role as "third planet from the sun" in the school solar-system pageant.
There will be other, more important achievements, and you can bet your son won't notice.
21. Letting it slip that the tooth fairy was actually her daddy.
You didn't destroy her childhood innocence. You let her in on a grown-up secret that she must never, ever tell her little brother, which makes her feel mature and important.
22. Knowing you could go months without sex, without even missing it.
Guilt about not feeling frisky makes you even less so. So your libido isn't what it used to be when you had no children to wear you out by 9 p.m. If you can remain open to the idea of sex, and get into it when you can, that's fine until things change. Which they probably will as your children get older.
23. Only pretending to be sad that your child's birthday falls in mid-August.
No gigantic birthday parties, full of political decisions as to whom to invite.
24. Reading this article instead of soliciting donations for the PTA auction, cultivating your organic vegetable garden or cleaning out that kitchen drawer with the random rubber bands, screwdrivers and old keys in it.
Even machines need to unplug and reboot every so often.
25. Sitting and reading.
You do not need to be on the treadmill in your first free 20 minutes in three days. You'll exercise at the next break in the action when you can.
26. Looking forward to guys' weekend even more than your husband.
It's so much easier sometimes to just take care of stuff by yourself without having to take someone else's opinion into account. Plus, a little time apart is never a bad thing.
27. Not letting her pierce her ears until the age at which you were allowed to.
Just because.
28. Finding aspects of motherhood incredibly tedious.
If you didn't find watching your child go down the slide for the 100th time that day ("Mom, look at meeee!") or nagging him to put his socks in the hamper a bit of a snooze, you'd be too easily amused, and hence a moron.
29. Noticing the hot dad at drop-off.
Ahem, you have eyes in your head, and (sex drive or no) you're not dead yet! Did you lick him? No? You're okay.
30. Still being really PO'd about the stretch marks.
31. Forgetting to lay out her best outfit for school photo days.
Years from now, you'll appreciate seeing her as the adorable, rough-and-tumble tomboy she really was - instead of some dolled-up version of herself.
1. Taking a vacation with only your husband.
It's such a tragedy for the kids to spend time with their superindulgent grandparents! Besides, they'll benefit from you two not giving each other the stink eye during dinner.
2. Feeling smug that you're a better parent than those on Supernanny.
No worries. We all feel smug watching Supernanny. Until we don't, at which time we employ her techniques.
3. Not signing up to be class parent.
Think of it this way: Your ability to say no to volunteer tasks you can't handle will leave you better able to concentrate on what only you can do, like getting your kids fed, dressed and onto the bus. Some days, that's huge!
4. Yelling at your son when he actually didn't do anything wrong.
Sure, not a great move, but it's a good opportunity to show him that even you screw up sometimes, and that saying sorry really does help make it better.
5. Enjoying your work.
You can love your kids and still have that "Thank God It's Monday" feeling, well, every Monday. Especially after a long and dreary winter weekend.
6. Buying your daughter the generic UGGs.
She'll live without the label, even if she thinks she will not, and her tootsies will be just as toasty.
7. Buying yourself the real ones.
You treat your shoes better than your kid does, and you won't outgrow them. Plus, they're really cute. Being the wage earner has its perks.
8. Giving him the answer to the last problem on his math homework.
He'll get more practice with the teacher in school.
9. Dipping into your son's goody bag when he isn't looking.
What's a funsize Snickers between family members?
10. Not going in the pool with them.
Chlorine does a real number on your hair, and besides, that's what dads are for.
11. Accepting your son's compliment that you're a good cook when he's eating pre-breaded microwave chicken breasts.
You did your part. You pressed "Start."
12. Wiping your daughter's nose with a panty liner - the closest thing to a tissue you had in your purse.
For heaven's sake - it was clean!
13. Stashing the Häagen-Dazs in the back of the freezer, and showcasing the supermarket brand.
If they're not ready to dig, they're not ready to appreciate the premium stuff.
14. Closing the bedroom door in their little faces.
You did not magically lose your need for privacy when you gave birth. If someone's bleeding or not breathing, by all means, they can knock.
15. Giving in once in a while.
It can be a wise parental trade-off, especially if what you're acceding to will buy you a few minutes of quiet time, private time or time to regroup. You don't need to be perfectly consistent.
16. Making your daughter get down from the top of the monkey bars, simply because it makes you nervous.
Yes, she's done it a million times safely, and she'll likely do it again, but who says you have to watch? Your comfort level counts, too!
17. Making the grandparents take them to "Disney on Ice."
It's torture for you, but for them, it's a future memory they'll cherish forever. What's the problem?
18. Tossing their artwork.
After you've saved the truly superior thumb pots and the especially sentimental glitter collages, you will still have a heap of crafts the size of Mount Etna. Fill up a big black Hefty bag after they're asleep, pour yourself some wine, and then watch Hoarders. You'll feel better instantly.
19. Being psyched that the best friend you never liked has moved to another state.
You're not happy your daughter is upset, of course, and you'll help her through it. But being secretly pleased that you won't ever have to host Little Miss Caitlin-Who-Gets-to-Wear-Belly-Shirts for a sleepover again doesn't make you a bad person.
20. Neglecting to videotape his role as "third planet from the sun" in the school solar-system pageant.
There will be other, more important achievements, and you can bet your son won't notice.
21. Letting it slip that the tooth fairy was actually her daddy.
You didn't destroy her childhood innocence. You let her in on a grown-up secret that she must never, ever tell her little brother, which makes her feel mature and important.
22. Knowing you could go months without sex, without even missing it.
Guilt about not feeling frisky makes you even less so. So your libido isn't what it used to be when you had no children to wear you out by 9 p.m. If you can remain open to the idea of sex, and get into it when you can, that's fine until things change. Which they probably will as your children get older.
23. Only pretending to be sad that your child's birthday falls in mid-August.
No gigantic birthday parties, full of political decisions as to whom to invite.
24. Reading this article instead of soliciting donations for the PTA auction, cultivating your organic vegetable garden or cleaning out that kitchen drawer with the random rubber bands, screwdrivers and old keys in it.
Even machines need to unplug and reboot every so often.
25. Sitting and reading.
You do not need to be on the treadmill in your first free 20 minutes in three days. You'll exercise at the next break in the action when you can.
26. Looking forward to guys' weekend even more than your husband.
It's so much easier sometimes to just take care of stuff by yourself without having to take someone else's opinion into account. Plus, a little time apart is never a bad thing.
27. Not letting her pierce her ears until the age at which you were allowed to.
Just because.
28. Finding aspects of motherhood incredibly tedious.
If you didn't find watching your child go down the slide for the 100th time that day ("Mom, look at meeee!") or nagging him to put his socks in the hamper a bit of a snooze, you'd be too easily amused, and hence a moron.
29. Noticing the hot dad at drop-off.
Ahem, you have eyes in your head, and (sex drive or no) you're not dead yet! Did you lick him? No? You're okay.
30. Still being really PO'd about the stretch marks.
31. Forgetting to lay out her best outfit for school photo days.
Years from now, you'll appreciate seeing her as the adorable, rough-and-tumble tomboy she really was - instead of some dolled-up version of herself.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
its the truth....
Hug your babies. Call your mama. Whisper sweet words to the ones you love. The end.
I read that on someones blog today. It's the total truth. We might not have tomorrow, so do this today. Do this NOW. Do this often. Life sucks when you have regrets.
I read that on someones blog today. It's the total truth. We might not have tomorrow, so do this today. Do this NOW. Do this often. Life sucks when you have regrets.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
oh crap....
At the dinner table tonight Randy asked Carson what day it was. He finally came up with Tuesday after saying Sunday and Thursday. I than told him that his birthday is in 7 days. You should have seen his face light up.
He got the biggest smile on his face; the kind that lights up the room and said "I get presents, I love presents". Well Randy and I get the "worst parents of the year" award because we never even thought of presents for our little guy. I know, hello what were we thinking.
Guess I will be going shopping the moment our plane lands on Saturday.
He got the biggest smile on his face; the kind that lights up the room and said "I get presents, I love presents". Well Randy and I get the "worst parents of the year" award because we never even thought of presents for our little guy. I know, hello what were we thinking.
Guess I will be going shopping the moment our plane lands on Saturday.
Friday, April 16, 2010
why...
Why is it if I don't do my weekly chores each and every week it takes me days to play catch up. Yep, I have been cleaning non-stop since yesterday at 12:15.
When are the boys old enough to help out instead of going behind me and messing things up???
When are the boys old enough to help out instead of going behind me and messing things up???
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
things we love, by Mary S....
http://theschweigerts4.blogspot.com/
This is my friend Mary's blog (link above). I am blessed to have meet her last year and I am happy to be able to call her my friend. She posted the following on her blog; I love this idea and I have put a list that I hope to add to, on the side of my blog; will you take the challenge too:
Everywhere I look reminds me that we are less than 1 month away from the most loveliest holiday~Valentines Day! And I'm not talking about all the flowers, cards, chocolates, fun little heart shaped candies, and jewelry...but the "things we LOVE about life" and sometimes don't realize until we literally stop and smell the flowers.
I challenge you to rediscover "your little things" and to take the time to reflect on how much you "LOVE about life". I will also do this and post them to the sideline of my blog to remind me of what life and LOVE is all about!
Thanks Mary, for reminding me what the sweet things in life are.
This is my friend Mary's blog (link above). I am blessed to have meet her last year and I am happy to be able to call her my friend. She posted the following on her blog; I love this idea and I have put a list that I hope to add to, on the side of my blog; will you take the challenge too:
Everywhere I look reminds me that we are less than 1 month away from the most loveliest holiday~Valentines Day! And I'm not talking about all the flowers, cards, chocolates, fun little heart shaped candies, and jewelry...but the "things we LOVE about life" and sometimes don't realize until we literally stop and smell the flowers.
I challenge you to rediscover "your little things" and to take the time to reflect on how much you "LOVE about life". I will also do this and post them to the sideline of my blog to remind me of what life and LOVE is all about!
Thanks Mary, for reminding me what the sweet things in life are.
Friday, October 9, 2009
the good things....
Had 3 great photo sessions at the pumpkin patch today.
Thanks Mary and Jen for watching my boys while I ran around with your kids. Life it that much sweeter with friends like you. Need a girls night soon.
Thanks Mary and Jen for watching my boys while I ran around with your kids. Life it that much sweeter with friends like you. Need a girls night soon.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
mr. right...
The Armstrong ladies met Mr. Right today. I may have to fight Katie over this one though! Just to clarify, I can still call myself an Armstrong when the situation calls for it. Eat your heart out Team Edward ladies (ok, the picture is really bad, but this is the closest I will ever come to touching him).
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
best part...
One of the best parts of living where I live is watching the mama and baby deers eat. On the flip side it's bad because they eat all my flowers.
Oh well, gotta take the good with the bad.
On a different note, Randy's parents were just here, gave the kids sugar and now they are bouncing off the walls. Fun times.
Oh well, gotta take the good with the bad.
On a different note, Randy's parents were just here, gave the kids sugar and now they are bouncing off the walls. Fun times.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
crazy busy...
Life is a bit crazy right now. I have had a photo session almost every night for the past 6 days. I am loving it.
I wish I could bottle this and save for winter. This will be my first winter with my business and I am a bit apprehensive. I have visions of my calender free - no clients. I must replace that image with many clients wanting lots of sessions.
Off to G man's swimming lessons. I guess if you want to see pictures with my posts go to my web blog.
I wish I could bottle this and save for winter. This will be my first winter with my business and I am a bit apprehensive. I have visions of my calender free - no clients. I must replace that image with many clients wanting lots of sessions.
Off to G man's swimming lessons. I guess if you want to see pictures with my posts go to my web blog.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
it just takes one moment...
The other night I was feeling sorry for myself and said out loud "I hate my life".
The next day I realized, I don't hate my life, I just need to change my attitude about a few things and the rest will fall into space.
One of my dear friends is having a health scare. It still amazes me that one day our life is somewhat perfect and then the next it's completely changed. I need to stop and look at my life every day, be thankful for what I have, not wishing I had more. Because it just takes one second and life as you know it can be drastically different. If I have learned anything in the past 3 years is that very bad things do happen to me, to people I know, to people I love.
I will remember to stop, look around, savor what is right in front of me and be thankful that I had the ability to enjoy and appreciate when I had it.
The next day I realized, I don't hate my life, I just need to change my attitude about a few things and the rest will fall into space.
One of my dear friends is having a health scare. It still amazes me that one day our life is somewhat perfect and then the next it's completely changed. I need to stop and look at my life every day, be thankful for what I have, not wishing I had more. Because it just takes one second and life as you know it can be drastically different. If I have learned anything in the past 3 years is that very bad things do happen to me, to people I know, to people I love.
I will remember to stop, look around, savor what is right in front of me and be thankful that I had the ability to enjoy and appreciate when I had it.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
wet day....
It's is very, very wet today. The rain is coming down in large quantities.
It's also daylight savings. It's only 10:15 and this is what the boys and I have done:
Put away all the wash from yesterday
New sheets on all the beds
Cleaned up b'fast dishes
Picked up C's room (he dumped out all his books from his closet and then climbed up on the 3rd shelf - Griffin never did that)
Had a mini-photo shoot for Christmas card pic
Played "ocean" with sheets and blankets
Made a tower with blocks
Cuddled on the couch and watched little people
Wow, that is a long list and the day is still young. I love wet Sundays. No pressure, pure relaxing. I still have many "to do" items to get done today, now it's off to hang up my clothes and get ready for a play date with Sam.
Have a great day, stay dry if your in Washington.
todays gratitude list:
Time with my sons
Warm tea, a comfy spot on the couch and my Real Simple mag
It's also daylight savings. It's only 10:15 and this is what the boys and I have done:
Put away all the wash from yesterday
New sheets on all the beds
Cleaned up b'fast dishes
Picked up C's room (he dumped out all his books from his closet and then climbed up on the 3rd shelf - Griffin never did that)
Had a mini-photo shoot for Christmas card pic
Played "ocean" with sheets and blankets
Made a tower with blocks
Cuddled on the couch and watched little people
Wow, that is a long list and the day is still young. I love wet Sundays. No pressure, pure relaxing. I still have many "to do" items to get done today, now it's off to hang up my clothes and get ready for a play date with Sam.
Have a great day, stay dry if your in Washington.
todays gratitude list:
Time with my sons
Warm tea, a comfy spot on the couch and my Real Simple mag
Sunday, October 26, 2008
this is why i love it here...
How can you not love the fall colors in Washington. The colors seem so vivid this year; they just pop especially when the sky is a crisp blue.
The boys and I had a play date with Jackson and Tom Tom this afternoon. It was great to catch up with E (if that is what we can call it lady). Having kids sure makes ordinary things a little more spicy. E, I had a blast with you today, hope I was able to raise your spirits some. Lets do it again soon.
Friday, September 19, 2008
and we walked away....
Yesterday was a bit crazy.
The boys had haircuts scheduled at 4:15. After walking Griffin home from school, we hopped in the car and head down to Glenda's. The boys did amazing. Carson didn't even cry! On our way home someone decided that it would be a good idea to not pay attention while he was driving his car. As I sit at a red light on Lakeway I hear a loud thud at the back of my car - WTF!!!! Than it dawns on me, I have just been hit.
As calm as I can be, I step out of my car; the young boy who is driving has the sense to apologize as I am walking back towards him. I give him the evil eye and I tell him to meet me in Fred Myers parking lot.
My kids and I are fine. My car didn't even move. I phoned Randy and asked him what I should do (I was an accident virgin), he was on his way. Ah, my knight in shinning armor. The boy jumps out and is so upset that he hit me, once he finds out I have kids he almost starts to cry. He was very nice and asked over and over again "Are you guys ok".
I amazed my self with being calm. I got all his information (it was his step mothers car, he has no insurance, he's 18, just got his license). I phoned the insurance agent and the police. Randy comes, looks over my car and talks to the boys and his two friends.
I might add that as far as we can see my car has NO DAMAGE, his car is a different story. I thank God for watching over us and I give him a lecture on getting insurance, than drive off in to the sunset.
Wow, I know life can change in a second, but when something happens it heightens your awareness a bit more.
The boys had haircuts scheduled at 4:15. After walking Griffin home from school, we hopped in the car and head down to Glenda's. The boys did amazing. Carson didn't even cry! On our way home someone decided that it would be a good idea to not pay attention while he was driving his car. As I sit at a red light on Lakeway I hear a loud thud at the back of my car - WTF!!!! Than it dawns on me, I have just been hit.
As calm as I can be, I step out of my car; the young boy who is driving has the sense to apologize as I am walking back towards him. I give him the evil eye and I tell him to meet me in Fred Myers parking lot.
My kids and I are fine. My car didn't even move. I phoned Randy and asked him what I should do (I was an accident virgin), he was on his way. Ah, my knight in shinning armor. The boy jumps out and is so upset that he hit me, once he finds out I have kids he almost starts to cry. He was very nice and asked over and over again "Are you guys ok".
I amazed my self with being calm. I got all his information (it was his step mothers car, he has no insurance, he's 18, just got his license). I phoned the insurance agent and the police. Randy comes, looks over my car and talks to the boys and his two friends.
I might add that as far as we can see my car has NO DAMAGE, his car is a different story. I thank God for watching over us and I give him a lecture on getting insurance, than drive off in to the sunset.
Wow, I know life can change in a second, but when something happens it heightens your awareness a bit more.
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