Weekend's here...

And I won't finish the Toby Keith song at that point, as we surely won't be drunk. Ha!

I'm glad this week has gone by quickly. Its just been hard emotionally for some reason.  But I'm really looking forward to some socializing tomorrow with the husband's former boss and his family, plus other people as well. It should be fun. 

I'm not doing so well with Couch to 5k. I will revisit that topic soon. I am trying to do pilates and yoga more at home but I probably need to add a cardio/aerobics somewhere during the week.  I'm pretty behind my goal so hopefully I can get back into gear.

Not much else going on for now. So here's to the weekend!

Hit like a ton of bricks

I really don't like how my anxiety just hits so hard out of nowhere.  I miss a lot of people today.  I miss the ease of getting out of the house and around to run errands or see people or...well just about anything outside.  I miss being able to pick up the phone and say, "Hey, mom, we need out sometime this week."  Most days I am okay but for someone reason out of nowhere today I felt like I got hit by a truck.  It really struck me hard and I could barely breath with the panic attack that was surely coming on.  I guess I have a long day a head of me.

Inspired

My mind is going a mile a minute in all directions right now.  I've been checking out ideas for our at-home classroom.  I cannot wait to get started on it!  I'm really excited about it all actually.  We have a small space to work with, so I am trying to come up with ideas to make the most out of what we have.  Lots of ideas, lots of fun ahead - - I hope!  The boys are truly going to LOVE this!  I have a good amount of wall to work with for now.  And if need be, we will overflow into the hallway.  I am going to start making my "want" list soon.  Small steps, but eventually I want it to be a well stocked, at home learning area.  I really love that The Pioneer Woman has a whole section on Homeschooling.  I could get addicted. 

Week...whatever

Yeah so its not that I have lost count on how long we've been here, its just that all the days mesh together for me when I'm not working or am not out of the house and more active.  I kept thinking it was Sunday all day long today.  Maybe that is partly due to the very long night we had last night with kiddos that did not want to go back to sleep.  After 3 hours of sleep, I was back up and at it this morning as they were bright eyed and bushy tailed.  I've survived the day, with a nap albeit, but I can feel the crash and burn coming soon as it is now 11:30pm. 

I am still contemplated my "classroom" learning area for in the house.  We've got the part of the front room pegged for where, but now its coming up with exactly how I want to set it up once we can do so.  I am a bit excited over this!  I have lots of ideas and really hope we can get going on this.

Its been a pretty mellow, relax at home weekend.  Not sure what the rest of the week will bring or if I'll make anymore plans.  I guess that all depends on the weather outside as well.  It would be nice to take the boys out.  Yet, it gets so warm so early in the day that it makes it hard to do so.  I will be happy when September rolls around.

Overestimated myself

I've always thought I had an iron stomach. It takes a lot to gross me out!  Well, that was true until moving to Texas.  I am so over the icky critters around here. Heebie jeebie central.  Now its all about learning how to rid our house of these pests. Its a whole new world for us. Some days I swear I'm in yet another horrible sequel to Starship Troopers.  Oh the joy.

Patience

“Patience and fortitude conquer all things” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.” - Arnold H. Glasgow
“Patience can't be acquired overnight. It is just like building up a muscle. Every day you need to work on it.” -Eknath Easwaran

The subject of tonight's post is quite obvious.  We all know "Patience is a Virtue", but we also all joke that we either have none or it is the hardest of all virtues to possess.  I have found since becoming a mother, I have even less patience than I did before.  Who knew that was even possible.  One would think that after having children, you'd learn the art of patience much better due to the nature of parenting and children.  Instead, I feel as if it is all lost.  I am slowly working on my expectations and my patience in certain situations.  Its a learning experience and it will take time.  I hope it will also, in turn, help my children to have patience in the things they do and with the world around them.  

Patience with a 4 1/2 year old and an almost 2 year old is not an easy thing.  Its as if their daily duty is to try my patience to the very end as those tired, little eyes finally close, and they drift off into what I am beginning to call my "Bliss time."  Its that time of day that it is finally quiet, the screeching and whining has ceased, and all finally is peaceful in the world.  That's not the time of day I need help with...its all those other hours.  So I have gone to reading lots of different opinions and methods on the matter.  Ways to help both their behavior and my own.  It all comes down to basically the same five elements:

1.  Examine, and possibly change, your expectations
2. Don't take the fights and outbursts personally
3. Adjust your parenting style to fit the child
4. Have a consistent discipline strategy 
5. Take a time out for yourself (either from the situation at hand, or just in general time for yourself)

It all sounds so simple, but sometimes I think we adults forget those steps after they've been in this crazy journey called "parenthood."  Its easy to say what you do or don't want to do as a parent when you don't have kids yet and are just developing the "dream" in your head.  The reality changes a whole lot once those lovely little humans start developing their own personalities and ideas - - once they start challenging you in ways you never knew possible.  These are the times that patience is needed the most.  So, here I am, tired and weary...but most of all trying to learn and find patience when it seems I have none left.  Its there, hidden, but there.  

Weekend

So late last night, the husband's boss came by to let us borrow her car again for the weekend.  While we don't have plans, it'll be nice if we do want to go anywhere. 

The bug guy is coming back this afternoon.  Hopefully it gets a lot better.  All I can say is blech to all the bugs out here.

Its a holiday weekend. Not much to do here.  We'll be thinking about our friends and family back in Vegas.  I hope everyone has a safe and fun Independance Day.