Hearts at Home

This past Friday I had MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), which meets 2 Fridays a month. It is held at a church in Fishers from 9:30-11:30, and we have about 70 members (moms). Childcare is provided through  a small due we pay each year. MOPS has become a big blessing in my life. When we first moved to Indiana, and I knew no one. We lived in a 2 bedroom apartment for 4 months in Greenfield (about 30 minutes south of Fishers) and those were 4 hard months. When we moved to Fishers, I felt alnoe and needed deperatly to make some friends who I could relate to, ask questions about, and help me navigate this new town. Luckily, 2 months after we moved in, a lady at my church told me about MOPS. I got online right away and registered to join. It has been one of the best decisions I made upon moving here. The ladies I have met have become close friends and people to support me. Whenever I had questions (where is the best pizza? which it the best place for gymnastics? where do i get my haircut?) they were/are always there to help me out. I have met a stong group of supportive and positive women who have helped me navigate life out here as a stay at home mom with no family around. They are a blessing!
This past Friday, we had a well known speaker come to our group. Her name is Jill Savage. Years ago, as a stay at home mom, she held a conference at her local church in Bloomington IL to help stay at home moms feel supported and connected. Now, years later, the conference is National and more than 10,000 moms attended each year. Her mission is called "Hearts at Home" and though I had never heard of it before, I am sure glad I have now. Hearts at Home's mission is to
"encourage, educate, and equip every mom in every season of motherhood using Christian values to strengthen families."
Yesterday, she spoke to us about the ABC's of a healthy marriage- stating you are only as good of a mother as you are a wife.She also spoke of how your child is keenly aware of your marriage, and a safe and happy marriage means safe and happy kids.  She was very informative, relatable, and humorous. She has published many books, two of which I purchased yesterday. If you are a mom, I highly encourage you to visit her website heartsathome.org. It is a great organization that supports moms, encourages them, and does so with a Christian foundation. I plan to attend the national conference next March in Bloomington, IL- they also have one next November in Rocester, MN.  Its a 1 day seminar where you can pick from 30 different sessions based on your season of life (she has topics from birth to raising/connecting with adult children). Any mom can go and its only $95. Well worth it!

So, that is a brief overview of our speaker yesterday. I thought she was fantastic, and I love the focus of the mission she has created. Most people don't quite understand what it takes to be a stay at home mom, and this support group is much needed for people like me!

Here are just a few of her books: 

    

What Are You?

What are you....

Eating: To be honest, whatever I can whip up the quickest, or a crock pot meal. I haven't had much time to cook a good meal (and by good I mean a meal that takes more than 30 minutes!)We usually go to the YMCA around 4:00 after the kids naps, and I don't get home until 5:30 or so, and by 6:00, the kids are ready for dinner. I did Crock Pot Ribs tonight, we did Chicken Teriyaki last night, and as for the rest of the week, well I'm not there yet :) We usually cook better meals on the weekend when we have more time! One snack I'm eating alot of lately is hummus. A great alternative to a fatty- based dip. I pair it usually with pretzel chips (a fave of mine!) or with carrots.

Reading: A few things lately. I finished Gone Girl by Gilligan Flynn a few weeks ago and then went to the movie with a friend of mine. Great read and great movie! I then read her book Dark Places, another great read. I'm on the library list for another of her's- Sharp Objects. Right now, I am reading Looking for Alaska, a book by John Green (famous for A Fault in Our Stars.) So far, so good. I also have recently read Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist- which was a book for a book club that I am in. An easy read with lots of insights about life (it's a Christian book.)

Focusing on: Honesty is the best policy, right? Well, right now I am focusing on my children not killing each other. You may laugh at this, but it's true. We are in a phase where they, for the most part, just do not get along. This is leaving me with many feelings. As I stroll through Target and see other parents with two kids sitting blissfully in the cart together, laughing, and sharing the free cookie
Target has, I then snap into reality and look/hear my cart and realize the screaming at each other, calling each other names, stealing each other cookies, is my reality. Why, oh why, can't they just get along?!?! If they are within 3 feet of each other, someone is usually crying. I keep reminding myself, it's just a phase (I hope!) Preston just wants to play with Reese, and Reese wants nothing to do with him- which results in Preston antagonizing her even harder, making her more mad, and so on and so on. Daily. Thank goodness Reese goes to preschool so I have some parts of my day where I am not constantly keeping them separated, or feeling like I'm always scolding them. Ugh- ready for this to pass!

Excited about: The upcoming Holidays! Reese was just dying to get out Christmas decorations- so yes, I swore I never would- but we some of our decorations are out and its before Thanksgiving! She was willing to help decorate, so I jumped on that opportunity and had her help me a little on Sunday. I also have been Christmas shopping here and there, which is always the best part of Christmas for me! I just love the idea of giving things and seeing peoples faces when they open it! I am also excited about our upcoming trip to Mexico in 3 weeks for a friends wedding. This mom could use a beach, the ocean, and a cocktail - all while listening to anything but my kids fighting with each other :) It's also a special trip as my parents and sister and brother in law will be there as well. We are excited!

Doing to keep busy: What am I not doing to keep busy? Taking kids to school, playdates, going to the YMCA, my MOPS group every other week, my church playgroup every other week, going to the library, recently joined a book club with some women in my MOPS group, and started a bible study on Monday mornings while Reese is in preschool with 5 other moms. We are doing a study called  The Frazzled Female by Cindi Wood- but have only done week 1. I'll let ya know how I like it!
 I try to remember a quote from the Bittersweet book I just read "A filled life is not a filled calendar." Point taken! With that being said though, Reese also starts gymnastics back up the first week of December. She has been out of it since last May- but asks to get back in all the time, so- with winter here and us not being outside as much, I thought we could enroll again.

Watching; I just finished the second season of Orange is the New Black on Netflix, and am still watching How I Met Your Mother. Kyle and I finished Breaking Bad a month or so ago (my favorite show ever!) and I think we may start Scandal. Mind you, these are all streaming on Netflix.

So, there's a bit about what I've been upto- hope you stay warm this week. Fun fact: Today was the coldest day on record since 1976 for November. I think it was (with wind chill) -5 this morning. Since we have moved from Wisconsin, we have brought cold and brutal winters with us. UGH!

Our life recently: pictures

A quick Friday night update while I sip on a Spotted Cow (Kyle was in Madison, WI this past week and brought me the only thing -besides good cheese- that I miss most!)  Here's an update on what we have been up to- picture style!

Reese had a her good friend, Kensley's, birthday party last week. It was a Frozen theme- and was her first "friend" birthday party she went to :)

 My most recent mileage. I've been slacking the past week, not motivating myself to go much further. Just keeping steady at this distance for the moment.

 Preston and Maddy (Kensley's little sister)- buddies. We met up for a playdate at the Mall so the kids could run around the play area while the older girls had preschool.

A boy and his dog. Now when we go for walks (which may be coming to an end with the temps!) Preston insists on holding the leash!

Meet Max. My first friend when we moved to Indiana (Trisha) had her 3rd baby on November 1st (Kyles birthday!) We took her dinner last week, and spent some time meeting Max. He was SO tiny!

 After meeting Max, we headed to Culvers for dinner (when Kyle was traveling) and they had kids night! Free balloons! Elsa for Reese. 

Elmo for Preston.

Short but sweet this time. Enjoy your weekend!

Single Mom

I was a single Mom last week, and I'm sure glad Kyle came home yesterday. The kids were actually pretty good (only fighting here and there instead of constantly) :) Kyle ventured to South Africa (no, not where Ebola is) for work this past week. He left on Monday and got home yesterday. A 19 hour flight from Atlanta. No fun.  Luckily,we had a pretty busy week lined up, so the time went rather quickly. The kids had school, Reese had a friends 5th birthday party, we had some dinner plans with friends, a few play dates, and a morning at the library. Also, a friend of mine had her baby, so we are so excited to go and meet baby Max on Tuesday!
New events in the kids life:
Reese- She can now count to 39 (when she gets to 40, she says 20) :) She can write her name, trace lines pretty good, write the letters of the alphabet, has a great memory, and apparently can now blow up balloons :) She is my thinker. She still uses words too big for her age, asks very inquisitive questions, and most days, talks to me like she is 14, not 4. Love that little stinker bug.  Her favorite things to do are play with barbies, color and do arts and crafts, and anything related to Frozen or the princesses. She loves going to Pre-K and is excited to get to go to Kindergarten next year. (Tear, tear!)
Preston- Talks constantly. Says mostly 2 word phrases. Is always on the move, and a fast move that is. Keeps me on my toes all day long. He is such a cuddle boy too though, and is my sensitive one. He is quite mischievous and likes to get a reaction out of you. He will do ANYTHING to make you laugh, I guarantee he will be the class clown. He has earned the nickname digger don due to his intense fascination with anything with wheels, especially digger, firetrucks, and tractors. (Don is a nickname that started as a baby, long story!) He goes to preschool one day a week, and loves his teachers and his friends there. His favorite things to do are read books, watch the movie Cars, play with cars, trucks, trains, tractors, firetrucks (again, anything with wheels) and has a new fascination with Mater from the movie Cars. He is my outside child, and would live outside all day long if I let him.

Well, there is my quick update on the kids. Hope you all have a great week!

Blessed

I know recently I've been blogging more about myself than the kids or the family, but, as many of you know, I've always liked to write, and I use the blog also as a way for me to decompress and jot down my thoughts about whats happening in life. Today's blog came to me while I was sitting in church this morning. It's All Saints Sunday, and our Pastor shared a great sermon with us. During the sermon, he alluded to the fact that is come way, we are all blessed- whether it be by good health, friends, family, etc. I sat back, and as I listened, I realized that wow, everything he just mentioned is spot on in my life. I am blessed in so many ways.
-Health: This past week I had a close friend (here in Fishers) text me to say she found a lump in her right breast. She is 32 with 3 girls under the age of 4.  I was shocked. I couldn't believe it and had a hard time sleeping that night, just thinking about what she must be going through. Her mammogram and ultrasound were set up for the next morning, so I waited to hear the news. Her appointment was over by 11;30 am, and she asked if I wanted to meet for lunch (the kids both had school that morning.) Luckily, the lump is most likely a fatty tissue that they believe to be non-cancerous. It fit all the criteria they believe to be non cancerous so at this time a biopsy was not needed- Thank god! I was so relieved to hear the news. Sitting in church today, I realized how blessed I actually am with good health, and the health of my family members. I am so lucky to have my kids, parents, sister, husband, and in laws in all great health.
-Opportunity: I have been blessed to have the opportunity to be able to stay home with my kids on a daily basis. Believe me, there are days I just wish I could have an office job and stare at a computer for 8 hours with no one interrupting me, but that's not very often. I get to see them grow and learn new things right in front of me. I am blessed that Kyle's job allows me not only to stay home, but to do fun things with them like the Children's museum, zoo, etc.
-Family: I got pretty lucky. Not only was I born into a great family, but I also married into one. A family that is always there for us, to help us move a gazillion times, to take our kids on short notice, and to be there for us no matter what. Blessed!
-Friends: Old and New. Not many people can say they have had a best friend since they were 18 months old :) Or can people say they are as close to their 4 college girlfriends today as they were 10 years ago their freshmen year of college. I'm pretty lucky to have all these ladies in my life that support me, love me, and who I can have the best time with, no matter how long its been since we have seen each other.

I could go on and on on ways that I am blessed in my life. I really did reflect today during the sermon, and was reminded that even when I'm stressed out because both kids are screaming as I put them in their car seats, or because we woke up late and I still have lunches to make for school, or when Preston throws a huge tantrum though all of Target because I didn't let him eat fruit snacks the entire cart ride, it will all be ok, because in the grand scheme of things, I am truly blessed.

We celebrate Kyle's birthday yesterday, and I have to say, he was one spoiled guy. I let him sleep in (until 10:00!) while the kids and I ran to get our favorite donuts from Tim's Bakery to surprise him with. We also went out for Mexican for lunch as a family, followed by a 2 hour nap in our house. He then woke up to open birthday presents from us, and then we had our neighbor come over to watch the kids while we went out for sushi and a trip to Target (romantic, I know!) But, it was actually FUN to walk around Target with him, kids free. We looked at Christmas ideas for family members, and had fun just walking and chatting :) Overall, a birthday success!

I couldn't resist this picture. Preston playing with 4 girls- forced to play jewelry dress up. Poor guy!

Halloween night. Cold, snowy, brutal weather- but the kids LOVED it!

Preston got the hang of it real fast, and we could barely keep up with Reese!

Trick or Treat!

 Reese with our neighbors, Elle and Reese

 After trick or treating, Reese got to hang with the big girls (Elle's friends) and do candy swap. She was in heaven :)