It's True

When the kids were younger, they thought I was the epitome of "uncool". Me? Can you believe it? ;)
Well, everything you do is dumb to your preteen. Heck, breathing was even too much for them to see me do. I knew nothing, well to Gracie that still applies, even if she's 8. That girl came out looking at me like I was the alien. Um, you're 4 minutes old, what do you know? And there the competition began.
And here as I type away, Ben and Gracie are rocking out to country music in the other room. This country music I have listened to since I can remember. Which they all hated. But then Ben heard "Chicken Fried" last summer and he converted then and there, to the country side. Even the bigs listen to country often. It's like I was cool all along and they are just beginning to realize! Okay, maybe not cool, but acceptable. Or maybe I wasn't cool or acceptable, but my music was. Whatever the case may be, they are heading in the right direction. ("And somehow listening to country music means they are heading on the right path in life?" you say??) Why yes, because it means they may have been listening when I said things like "Brush your teeth before bed, don't do drugs, don't drink and drive, Jesus loves you, be safe". All while music was in the background. And while they sure as heck looked like it was their day job to ignore me, I am thinking maybe something got through.
Now don't get me wrong. When your babies coo at you and you think if you just feed them organic everything will turn out divine. Then when they are 14 months and show the first signs of their own will at work, or the preschool teacher asks for back up, or they begin mouthing off and you wonder why organic didn't prevent bad attitude as it may prevent other ailments.
But then , a glimmer of hope. A light shining in the darkness. Everything you put in, while they fight you on much, one little thing shines through and you feel like the best parent again like you did in the hospital and they "slept so well". And mind you, it was for sure because took your vitamins and didn't have even a sip of wine. Yep.
But I'll be darned if listening to "She loves me like Jesus" or "Chicken Fried" isn't a sign of good things to come, because Lord knows those country songs were sang like a prayer.

All in fun,
Nicole

Always Something New

As you may know by now, I started Runway, a running "club" for women of all ages and abilities to attempt better health. Now when I say "running", please know that while some actually can run well, I'm more like a You Tube video that should be titled "Old lady who thinks she can run: Funny".
But really I'm trying. And what I have learned it this: while I was not born a runner, I was born a girl. And we girls love nothing more than love, acceptance, and camaraderie. And this group totally provides that for me. There are high fives, thumbs up, and words of encouragement. And THAT is why I'm still going. Every step hurts, every smile heals.

Speaking of girls and personality traits, Rachel took home for us a sheet that shows the DISC personality test results for people. You can pretty easily diagnose figure out everyone around you. Boy is it fun to look at. Well, for some of us anyway. Then it gives you tips on how to communicate with each other. Yes. That part is helpful and hard. And no wonder talking to so and so is like talking to a wall, I was not being sensitive to their personality language needs. Gracie is totally high dominance. Like that was a surprise. Ben totally steady-yup. Me? High Influence. Hmmm. Is that good or bad? I won't tell you everyone as if you really care to know. But, take a look online and like Love Languages, everyone's personality is different and it's so much better to love on and handle people the way they understand, even if it's different than ourselves.

Speaking of love. It really makes the world go round. Jesus said it best. Love one another.

Have a good Friday, y'all.

Nicole

Oh Monday

Today I woke with the world's worst headache and wanted to cover my head and go back to sleep. But since I can't because we haven't found a way to win the lottery, I had so suffer light, sound, and shower to head to work. Work where babies cry. And alarms go off every 32 seconds. And where they expect me to contribute for that paycheck I so cherish. And so I did.

But I did get a hug at work today, and it felt so good. Just a simple "Happy Mother's Day" hug and I kinda wanted to cry. It was warm and soft and so nice. And my headache at the moment seemed so far away. Touch-totally my love language.

Now, I'm waiting for the bus so we can head out for Ben's baseball game. In the cold. Because May didn't get today's memo to heat up. So I have my fleece and a blanket, yes a blanket to keep me warm on those cold hard bleachers. Not to mention I have no coffee to keep me warm because we are out. Fresh out.

Fast forward: now it's Wednesday morning. Yes it is. I started that post 2 whole days ago, and now I'm attempting to finish it. I kind of wanted to delete the previous work, but thought you'd enjoy knowing my life is total chaos and I'm just now able to sit and attempt to think while ignoring Gracie who is getting ready for school. I didn't win "Mom of the Year Award" for nothing, you know.

We now have coffee and I'm so thankful for it. Coffee, my other love language. So clarity, you're all mine.

Ben's team won that baseball game, yes they did and I froze the whole game. There is nothing sweeter than spring/summer baseball but when it's actually above 75 degrees outside. He had a game yesterday too and it was so very cold again(in which they sadly lost). The sun hid behind many clouds and the wind decided to pick up as it never does when it's 95 in July. Funny how that is.

My headache went away, but without apologies for the TMI, some intestinal bug got me after the headache went away. That or IBS. Whatever, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that it's over,and that I lost a pound in 12 hours.  Because we all know that while liquid is coming out of places it shouldn't, every women is praying at least for a little weight loss. Truth.

Dan won something cool. He won Central Massachusetts Coach of the Year. Yes, he did and there is a ceremony (an all day dragged out Oscars of coaches (give me a break)) on Sunday. He loves coaching more than anything (I think it's his love language), and he is now being awarded for it. So go Dan.

 Today  Rachel is treating me to pedicures and lobster rolls for Mother's Day! Can I hear an amen?! I am so excited. Now here is a girl who totally knows my love language.

Fast forward: to Wednesday afternoon. I just got the most wonderful pedicure ever. And the lobster roll: perfection! Could a day get any sweeter than this?

Now doesn't that look wonderful? Except for the fact that for some reason, my lobster roll looks flattened in this, but not in reality. Which is why I'm not posting a picture of my finished feet.

Monday, Wednesday, coffee, lobster and sports. What more could you ask for?

Nicole

Sparkley Green Earrings Book Giveaway (Winner Announced)

And the winner is Jessica!

"I have to read your blog more. : ) Especially for phrasing like "only in the USA will I ship to". Love it!! : D

On the topic of Mother's Day, I love being a mama. : ) I'm getting all choked up thinking about it. I love love love my little bug. I feel privileged to be responsible to care for him. I love his smile and the way he curls towards me when he's hungry. I love watching him sleep and I love when he gets excited about something and I love all his many expressions. : ) Love him!! : )"

Congratulations Jessica! I will contact you today!

Have a great Friday Y'all!!

Nicole

A List For You, A List For Me

I know, it's not totally creative to just make my list and call it a blog post, buy y'all that's the day I'm having. So a list it is.

1. I still haven't found a convent that accepts 8 year old girls, but I'm still looking. And until I find one, I'd appreciate all the prayers you can send up. Because Lord, help me.

2. I've detoxed well enough since our quick visit to Alabama, and now I could totally go for some more biscuits and gravy.

3. But I have some gorgeous tomatoes that need eating so instead I think I'll whip up some of this, except with fresh tomatoes. http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/01/restaurant-style-salsa/
Because YUM!

4. I just read the the first chapter on here of this: http://boomama.net/a-little-salty-to-cut-the-sweet/.
And now I'm sure you all know what's on my latest Amazon order. Please check it out. So great!

5. Rachel is home so hallelujah!

6. I did not require CPR yesterday with that whole running thing I'm doing. So another hallelujah!

7. It is Teacher Appreciation Week so THANK YOU to you all who do what I would never do! I think elementary school and I think pink eye, lice, and stomach virus. Yes. I know. Classy.

8. So in the spirit of thanks, Gigi made chocolate chunk cookies for her teacher, with a nice handmade card. Then she picked lilacs for her bus driver who deserves a raise. Because really now.

9. My dryer is fixed. Yes, another hallelujah! No more clothes draped over everything I own with fans on high, because it decided to get rainy and humid.

10. A precious momma and baby girl in my new mom's group gave me a gift card to a local salon and spa. Okay, it'll be my last hallelujah! I am tickled just thinking about how I want to use it! Thanks girls!

11. Okay, one more. Sunday is Mother's Day!! What do you all have planned? Now remember, it's way easier on EVERYBODY involved if you just plan/buy what you want and go with whatever they add. Big smiles, loud gushy thank yous and move along!

Nicole

A Mother's Day Giveaway!

Yes, you heard me. I have a gift for one of you Mommas, and you're going to love it! It is Sparkley Green Earrings, a book written by Melanie Shankle, author of Big Mama Blog. It is a funny, heartfelt depiction based on the realities of motherhood. Here's a link to check it out:

http://thebigmamablog.com/sparkly-green-earrings/

I've read this book twice, and it was even better the second time around! So, all you have to do is write a comment on HERE. Not on facebook. Here. Tell me anything you want. Your favorite color, your favorite meal or why you love being a momma. And if you're not a momma, tell me about a momma you love and maybe this would make a nice belated gift for them. You have to have a google account and that's easy to do. Winner will be picked at random. BTW, only in the USA will I ship to.
Winner will be posted on Friday!
Good luck!

Nicole

I'm Back

Well, I'm back. Actually I have been since Sunday. I'm just lazy and had to work and catch up on laundry. Plus, my dryer broke the eve of out departure and that means hanging everything out to dry. Everything. That's a lot of stuff.

Let me just sing praise to whoever invented the clothes dryer. I may just name my next baby after you, except that I have no uterus and that just isn't going to happen. But if it were...

Our time in Alabama went like this. FAST. BUSY. NICE. The people were so nice  and the service was amazing. And seeing Dan's family was a great blessing. We were all together and that doesn't happen often considering everyone in his family lives in different states.
I also learned a lot about his Aunt Dot, a really neat lady who I wish we were able to see more of.
Dot started a teen center when she was a high school teacher, which turned into a theater company that has performed hundreds of shows over these past 45 years. Well, some of these teens turned men and women came and spoke in her honor. It was so moving. One read from Our Town which led many of us to tears and together they sang from Carousel which was just beautiful. Jesus was honored and the message of the day was to love one another.
Do I hear an Amen?

Then we had the reception that evening at Dot's home. People brought food and a celebration of Dot's life was had. But there was just one thing I noticed and have had fun thinking about since. This is by no means meant to be disrespect. This is an observation worth mentioning. When food is meant to be shared for a reason like this, instead of quiche they serve Kentucky Fried Chicken. Instead of crudites, they serve Fritos and queso. And in addition to punch, there is plenty of beer. It is very much relaxed and the focus is on your neighbor and not the food. While I played with this, I learned something from it. Take your time, and stop worrying about impressing as much as you should worry about affecting.

I do have to admit though, I do like me some biscuits and gravy now and then. But when I came home, it was all detox time. Veggies, water, fruit, and less of the heavy, gravied, and salty.

Which brings me to this. Tomorrow I start a RUNNING program. Now before you tell me how great it'll be, (and yes, I'm still doing TRX) I'm just asking for prayer. Running is not my thing people. I'm hoping somebody there is in the medical profession. I'm only half joking. The other half is scared and wondering why I just can't accept these rolls that have found themselves a comfy home around my waist. Then I can order some more biscuits and gravy and call it a day.

I mean who doesn't love some squish? Anyone?... Hello?... Are you there?... Am I the only one here?

Hoping to still be here this time tomorrow,
Nicole