Management issues

Too often, we say that "I want more...." or "I want a different...." (fill in the dots). We pray it. We wish for it. We long for it. Sometimes, we actually get it and then are quickly overwhelmed and become dissatisfied.

My husband and I have been asking ourselves those questions a lot. Especially regarding his job and our kids. I have spoken with friends, family, a counselor. All of them have listened and given advice: "you can have what you want"; "In this economy, be glad that you have anything at all"; "Maybe you have unrealistic expectations and set the bar to high"; "your too controlling and can't control everything".

But as I tossed and turned attempting to sleep this week, I remembered two pieces of advice that were given to me by a spiritual mentor and a business mentor:
1.) Have you made your bed?

2.) How can you expect the universe to provide you anymore if you can't manage what you already have? In order to manage money, you must manage your life.

So, I have started taking inventory of what I am/am not managing well. It has been eye opening and revealing. It is the little details that are derailing me/us/my kids.
Yes, my bed is made, but I ignored the piles of laundry, dishes, paperwork, (the list goes on and on).
Yes, the kids make their sports events, school, dr. appointments on time. BUT, do they help each other, speak kindly to each, contribute to the house? Have we managed to teach them or just managed to make it through another day?

I am ready to manage better and create instead of feeling like I am barely surviving. Do you feel like you are a good manager?

To soup or not to soup?

One of the best things about our cross country move is the weather. It is much cooler here in the Pacific Northwest. It is cool enough for soup and I love soup! So after finding the box with my cook books in it, I had to make some Creamy Potato Broccoli soup. Since all of the kids like potatoes and broccoli, I felt pretty safe that it would be well liked.

Boy was I wrong!

Mini Man didn't like the color, so he ate his with his eyes shut!

Girly Wirly didn't like them mixed together. She wanted me to separate the broccoli from the potatoes and melted down crying because I couldn't do that! It would have been very funny except I kept thinking "is this how she will be once she PMS's?"



I wonder if she would have eaten it better if I had melted velveeta on it?
For more velveeta stories and a chance to win some visit Candid Carries.

Taking Over

There is an absolute craziness that has taken over the madhouse. One could argue that a house with 5 kids is always crazy, but we have went and added even more.
YUP, Girly Wirly starting kindergarten, homeschooling Lord Humble(9/10th grade) and Red (7/8th grade), fundraising for our upcoming gymnastics season, Little Bit trying to crawl, and Mini Man longing to be in school with everyone else, just wasn't enough. So,we decided to move across the country to the Seattle area and gave ourselves just a few months to make it happen.
I am looking forward to the seasons, and trees--BIG trees (not palm trees). And the thought of being hurricane free just makes us all do the happy dance. No more boarding up and evacuating. Woo Hoo!!!!
But in all of the excitement, there is also some sadness. We are leaving our friends some of whom I consider family. We have shared so much; births, weddings, illness, gymnastics practice.
It would be easy to get lost in the sadness. BUT, the movers will be here in 14 days. So back to the craziness I go!!

Tropical Storm Phun

After being trapped in the house for several days due to a tropical storm, the kids were desperately needing to burn off some energy. So, Tom took them outside to splash in the puddles. The cold hard rain did not stop them from doing the puddle dance of joy or from racing through the natural slip and slide!





For more Phriday Phun, head over to Candid Carrie and play along with her phabulous foto fiesta !

Snow Monster

Three years ago, we took the kids to Whislter, BC and played in snow. This was Girly Wirly's first time in snow. She fell in love. She wanted so badly to learn how to snowboard with the boys that she would wear their helmet anytime they weren't using it.
To this day, she still talks about the snow and informs us that "we can move if it is to snow!". OH, the monster that we created!
For more phun fotos, please visit Candid Carrie.

Updated For Moose:

Top 10

Here is my Top 10 list of things that I have learned from my kids:

1. Babies smell sweet and yummy.
2. Mommy kisses can heal any boo-boo.
3. Veggies taste better from my plate.
4. The only difference between my teen and my toddlers temper tantrums are their word choices (poopie head vs. BLEEP).
5. World of Warcraft is addicting.
6. They remind me to take baby steps and to get up when I fall.
7. They have taught me to be consistent.
8. I have learned that my post-pregnancy belly is their favorite and funniest squishy toy.
9. I have learned that when I am away, Dad lets them do things that I don't (like watch Sponge Bob).
10. The biggest thing that I have learned from them is to love unconditionally and laugh often!

To play along or to view more lists, please visit Absolutely Bananas.

The Internal Fight: ME vs. ME?

Yesterday, we went to the beach with our friends and it was a blast. We played in the water, caught starfish, and laughed a lot. As I watched the kids, you could tell that they were in the moment. Not concerned with the time or chores. Their only focus was FUN!






Although I had an amazing time with all of the kids and Bec, I kept watching the clock. Mentally making a list of all the chores/errands that would have to be finished once our fun was over. Why is it that instead having fun and being in the moment, I am lost in the land of lists and what-ifs?
After putting the kids to bed, I was still beating myself up for "not getting everything done". Then, Judy gently reminded that the kids won't remember the clean house, but they will remember the day at the beach. And that was all I needed to break up the internal fight in my head.

The Human Whisperer

A few weeks ago, I watched my first episode of the Dog Whisperer. I really wasn't sure what to expect or if I would like the show. How interesting can a show be that is about misbehaving dogs? Being more of a cat person, I thought "well at least the show will give me a few more reasons why our family should not add a dog to the already existing madness" and more importantly I lost the remote.
Fast forwad to today, I am hooked on the show. It amazes me to see how inconsistent undisciplined enabling humans can produce such neurotic dogs. Could this be the true for parents and kids as well as the dog world?
My question was definitely answered last night at the playground! Sitting there watching Girly Whirly and Mini Man play, I witnessed both the neurotic and the balanced.
As I watched a balanced pack leader, it amazed me at how relaxed she was. If her son was playing a little to rough, she would calmly redirect him. If he didn't listen to her when corrected, she removed him for a short time-out. She was consistent every time.
By contrast the other mom was all over the map. Her son whined, screamed, and would throw himself on the ground/bench about everything. Whenever he tore the arm on his stuffed animal she went and got him a new one from the stroller. Whenever he pushed other kids, she would threaten to not buy him ice cream but backed down everytime he yelled or slapped her.

After watching this eposide of the "Human Whisperer", it made me wonder if I am a balanced "pack leader" OR am I creating a bunch of nuts who will need intense therapy once grown?

Gold Medal Sacrifice

Tom (husband/dad) and I are totally supportive of all of the kids goals and activities. We are at all of Girly Wirly's (she's 5) soccer games, dance recitals, swim lessons. Little Man (he's 3) is just now showing interest in activities other than Thomas the Tank Engine, Lightning McQueen, and Nemo. Little Bit (she's 2 months) is only interested in nursing. Then there are the boys' interests....GYMNASTICS!!
My two oldest sons are competitive gymnasts. Lord Humble (he's 14) has been competing for 4 years and Red (he's 12) has been competing for 3 years. Red wants to continue competing through college. Lord Humble wants to be an Olympic gold medal winner. Not just one Olympics either, he wants to go and win in several.

WOW! The Olympics! We talk to him seriously about the sacrifices that he will have to make in order for his dream to become reality.

1. No other sport activities. "Not a problem, don't really like other sports", he says.
2. Lots of time in the gym (up to 24 hours per week). "The more the better", he says.
3. Not alot of extra "hanging with your buds" time. "Most of my friends are gymnasts", he says.
4.Homework and meals in car. "Okay", he says.

For the past 4 years, he has made the sacrifices and more. He has cried, ripped the skin on his hands repeatedly, fallen on his face and has always gotten back up ready for more. He's in love. It is his bliss, his passion. It is a gift that we get to watch.

It has never felt like a sacrifice on my part until this past week. We moved to a new gym. It is a lot farther away (1.5 hours each direction). Because of Little Bit, I can't get them there every day. So in order for the boys to practice more days a week, they are staying with another gym family a few nights a week.
I didn't think that it would be this hard for me or the other kids! I didn't think that I would be the one having to make sacrifices so that their dreams can be fulfilled. I knew that eventually they would leave the nest, but I wasn't ready for it now! I keep telling myself that it is only for a night here, a few nights there. Is it really any different than them staying the night at a friends house? But somehow it feels different. I'm invested in their progress. I feel out of the loop? How are your giants? Kip? Working rings?
The Madhouse isn't quite as mad without all of the kids being here. I guess instead of the madness being in the house, it is all in my head.

Mother's Day

1.) Mom and Mimi, thank you for all of the support, guidance, and love that you have sent in my direction! It has been a huge comfort to know that both of you are in my corner.

2.) To my wonderful kids, you are what makes our madhouse so much fun. I am amazed and inspired by all of you!

3.) To Tammy, I have learned so much from watching you with my neice and nephew. You are always giving me ideas of stuff do with my own kids. Your strength is amazing. Thanks!

4.) To Steph, I am so lucky to have you in my life. You have always been there for me and I know that if one of my daughters is "girly" that you will be there to help with hair and make up.

5.) To all of the women in my life who have played the "mom" role whenever I needed the extra support and nurturing; THANKS! It is comforting to know that there is always a warm shoulder to lean on.

Swimming Bliss & Fish

Saturday, we set up an above ground pool for our kids. It wasn't the simpliest thing to set up and it took my husband and the two oldest boys half a day to do it.
So, yesterday, it was finally filled and ready to be used. It was amazing! We had to drag all of the rosie cheeked monkeys out of it at the end of the day. They were in BLISS! I sat back and marveled at how a simple liner filled with water could bing such happiness.
I have read numerous books, listened to numerous lectures, participated in workshops all on finding my bliss. I am always left with more questions like: How do you find it? Does it find you? Is bliss fleeting or can it last forever?
Well yesterday I finally had all of those questions answered. The answer is 'YES'. Bliss finds you, you find it, and it can be both fleeting and forever.
As I sat watching the kids evolve from monkeys to fish, I experienced their bliss. It was so simple. It was fun. It was an ear to ear, full face grin. It was the squeal of delight and unending laughter.
So now, I am left with only one question: AM I HAVING FUN?
If I am, then I am bliss.