Inspiration For Moms: February 2009

Wednesday, February 25

Splish-Splash...Do We Go Back?

Sebastian loves the water!! He has from an early age. Bath times have never been a problem. All you have to do is say, "Sebastian, would like to go splish-splash?" Before you can finish the word splash he is running towards the bathroom!!

Knowing how much he loves taking baths, we suspected he would really love swimming in the pool. The first time he was introduced to a pool was on a family vacation to California. He was a little cautious at first, but overall enjoyed the experience.

After we returned home from our trip, my in-laws were saying that our town had a new pool that had a special section designed just for children. The water temperature is warmer, the entry is a walk-in-gradual slope so the kids can ease into the water and they have a frog slide!! So, my mother-in-law and I took Sebastian.

He loved it. He loved the slide. The water was so warm and the pool was so clean! It was a really neat experience. He loved the pool and I loved watching him! So after that day, I told my husband that we should go again on his next day off from work. So we did and...that was a disaster. He HATED it!

He was not happy. He was crying. He was screaming.

We were frazzled. We were embarrassed. We were confused!!

Why did he love it all the other times but this time it was like we were torturing him? Needless to say we left after about 10 minutes. I didn't know when we would be back. That experience was one I did not need to repeat any time soon. My husband and I were so embarrassed. People were looking at us like we were crazy and the lifeguard had this look on his face that said," Why do you bring your kid here if he obviously hates it?!!"

My mother-in-law kept saying we needed to go back. We needed to replace this negative event with a positive one. I knew she was right. But was I that brave?

Today I answered that question. I am brave it turns out! We took Sebastian back to the pool and he LOVED it!! I think he enjoyed the pool more today than any other time so far! My husband even brought the camera. And I am so glad he did because I want to remember this day for a long time!

I know the smile is dorky, but we are having fun!! He loves to lay on his back and KICK! As you can probably tell from this picture!!

I am so thankful on this Thankful Thursday for the lesson my son has taught me through this whole experience. Don't give up! At first if I don't like the pool, try again. Be brave Mommy. I just might surprise you!! There will be things I will discover in life that I may not like the first time, but don't give up on me. I am a beautiful work in progress.

You are Sebastian, indeed you are. I am so proud of you. Today, I say to you...."GOOOOD JOB!!"

Monday, February 23

Organic Vegetables!!

My wife asked me to buy ORGANIC vegetables from the market.

I went and looked around but couldn't find any.

So I grabbed an old, tired looking employee and said, "These vegetables are for my wife. Have they been sprayed with any poisonous chemicals?"

The produce guy looked at me and said, "No. You'll have to do that yourself."

Photo by mystery4012002
Joke by edigg

Saving Money at the Grocery Store!!

I don't know how many of you know that I have started challenging myself to get a weeks worth of grocery's for as little money as possible. My goal is to stay under $100.00 a week for our family of 3. Well, today I went shopping at King Soopers, which is a part of the Kroger chain, and I spent $107.79 The picture above shows you everything I got!

Now, I know you all are probably saying two things. First, you went over your budget of $100.00 and second, I could spend way less then that for a weeks worth of grocery's.

So, yes. I did go over and this is why. As I was shopping I found some great items on sale that were not on my list. But they were at a great price, so I wanted to stock up! Some examples:

Jennie-O Ground Turkey for $2.69 (I got two, plus $1.00 off coupon)
Quaker Oatmeal 2 for $5.00 (plus $1.00 off coupon)
Bush Northern Beans 10 for $1.00 (I got two)
Bush Black Beans 10 for $1.00 (I got two)
Pacific Organic Broth 2 for $5.00 (I got three)

And by the way my tax was $3.43. So I was actually over by $4.36. Not to bad!!

Now, I do realize that there are a lot of moms out there that can get their weekly groceries for under $100. But I have found that to be a little more challenging because there are certain areas where I will not skimp. For example, I buy only organic meat and dairy. I also try to buy organic produce when on sale. I know that organic items can be more expense at times but I feel it is worth the extra cost now. And hopefully the benefits from an organic diet will help keep us in good health in the future.

Oh, and guess what? My toilet paper was FREE!! I had two coupons from Cottonelle for $.50 for a 4-pack of toilet paper. King Soopers price was $.99 and they double coupons up to $1.00 So, a 4-pack with a doubled coupon equals free toilet paper!! Go here to print your own coupon and don't forget, you can print it twice!!

After my receipt was totaled, I saved $41.53 between coupons and in-store sales. If I can get an even lower week of groceries, I will be sure to let you know. Good luck to all you grocery shoppers out there!!

FREE Sub at Quiznos!!

If you would like a coupon for a FREE sub, run to Quiznos now!! They have a printable coupon for a free small sub!! Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!! Enjoy!!

Wednesday, February 18

My Joy...Priceless.

Today was one of those days.

You know, one of those days when you feel over-whelmed and scared. Your body feels the weight of your responsibilities on your shoulders. Your mind starts to wander down the path of worry and uncertainty. Your spirit gets cloudy with doubt and hopelessness. Basically...you are not good.

Well, that was my day, or should I say part of my day.

For the past few months, I have been trying very hard to protect my joy like a rare precious stone. I would remind myself that I own my joy and I control it. I can let situations or people steal it from me. But ultimately the choice is mine. And I have found myself in past circumstances where my joy could have been gone like a thief in the night. But, I realized that I had to change at the very moment, and so I did.

And so today, I did it again. I changed.

I stopped and realized that all of those feelings of being over-whelmed, scared, worried, doubtful, hopeless...they all were robbing me blind! No amount of energy I am putting into those feelings is going to change my situation. They are not going to help bring peace in my home or love in my marriage or wisdom in raising my son. I decided right then and there that I wanted joy and I wanted it now!!

So on this Thankful Thursday...I am thankful for my joy. I am thankful that I can stop "one of those days" and turn it into a blessed day of peace in my home, love in my marriage and laughter with my son.

Photo by emmy

Tuesday, February 17

Can You Roar Like a Lion?

My son is asleep, tucked in the corner of his bed. My husband and I have kissed and said our good-nights. He is now in bed, resting from a full day of work. Our pug, Butters, has climbed on to the bed and has already started snoring. The family has turned in for the night...all except for one.

I sit at my computer and am alone with my thoughts. I love this time. All is quiet.

It's a great time for reflection of my day.

I reflect on many different things. I think back to all the tasks I was able to complete. That's always a good place to start. I think about dinner, if it was good and if I would make it again. The burgers weren't bad, maybe a different seasoning next time. Still need to finish gathering stuff for taxes. It goes on and on...but then I stop and think about the best part of my day. Today Sebastian gave me a wonderful surprise and it filled my heart with joy!

I was reading to him an animal book, which I have read at least 100 times before. The book is about jungle animals and as I read the book I always make the animal sounds. I then ask him if he can repeat the animal sound, which he doesn't. But, today, I made the roar sound with the lion and guess what? He roared right back to me with great passion!! It was the most perfect roar I have ever heard! I was so surprised! It was so neat! It was like he had been roaring his whole entire life! You would have never believed that was his first!

It's kinda silly that moments like that make you so proud as a mother. I do realize that my son didn't discover an amazing cure to a disease. But to me, he discovered a perfect way to warm his mother's heart. And for that, he is amazing!

Photo by Mary Eliza Jade

Monday, February 16

Gifts For Mother

Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting back together, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother.

The first said, "I built a big house for our mother."

The second said, "I sent her a Mercedes with a driver."

The third smiled and said, "I've got you, both beat. You know how mom enjoys the Bible, and you know she can't see very well. I sent her a brown parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took 20 monks in a monastery 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000.00 a year for 10 years, but it was worth it. Mom just has to name the verse and the parrot will recite it."

Soon thereafter, Mom sent out letters of thanks:

"Milton," she wrote the first son, "The house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house."

"Marvin," she wrote to another, "I am too old to travel. I stay home all the time, so I never use the Mercedes. And the driver is so rude!"

"Dearest Melvin," she wrote to her third son, "You were the only son to have the good sense to know what your mother likes. The chicken was delicious!"

Photo by mystery4012002
Joke by eDigg.com

Wednesday, February 11

Let's Here it For Swag Bucks!!

Have you heard of Swag Bucks? If not, then please let me explain darling. Swag Bucks is basically a search engine that randomly rewards you with points just for doing online searches. That's all there is to it.

You can earn approximately 1-3 points per day for searches, when you reach 45 points, you can cash in for a $5.00 Amazon card. At 50 points you can win a $5.00 Starbucks card. And there are a lot more prizes to choose from besides the ones I have mentioned!

If you have a blog or lots of friends that like to search the Internet, they have a great referral program. For every person that signs up with your referral code, you can earn up to a 100 matching Swag Bucks!!

If you would like to join, go to Swag Bucks and sign up. Just click on the Swag Bucks logo on the right. I will get a referral Swag Buck and you will be well on your way to getting lots of Swag Bucks of your own!!

The Pain of Change

"If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change."

Another Thursday has rolled around and yet again I am thankful. As I type this entry my hands and arms are literally shaking. No, I am not nervous about you reading my thoughts, you see I just got back from the gym. Today I did some arm exercises and to put it bluntly...I have a very weak upper body!! I know I have gotten stronger somewhat by just carrying Sebastian around. He's become a big boy, especially after a meal. I swear he feels 10 lbs. heavier!!

So as I sit here writing very jittery, I have realized how thankful I am for this pain and uncomfortableness. Because these are the signs that change is happening in my body. Now, no one ever said change is easy or even comfortable. But I do feel that most say that change is good. In this case, it is very good. I am also changing in not just the obvious ways. I am changing my mind to think of taking time for me. I am changing my lifestyle so that I can be a good example to my son. I am changing now for a better future later.

I am also very thankful for my husband who is helping this change become a permanent part of my life. He continues to support my trips to the gym by his encouraging words and by the even more important task of watching Sebastian during my time away. Without him, I know I would be less inclined to take this time for myself and my health.

If you are going through a change right now in your life, I encourage you to be thankful for this time. It may be painful and very uncomfortable but, if you push through the discomfort, it can also be very rewarding. I hope that you see that change can be good. Here's to believing in your life, it will be very good!!

Photo by VickerMonkee

Monday, February 9

Sometimes Moral Lessons Are Hard to Teach...

Here is your tickle for this Tuesday!!

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5 and Ryan 3.

The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.

The mother saw an opportunity for a moral lesson.

"If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,

'Let my brother have the the first pancake, I can wait.'

Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,

"Ryan, you be Jesus!"

Friday, February 6

Fitness Fridays!!

I have decided that I am going to do it!! I am going to make time for myself and my health. So today I went to the gym!! Yes I did!! I have made a goal to workout at least 3 times a week. If I do more, than great!! If not, still great because I will have still met my goal for the week!! It's a win/win!! My weight goal is to lose 20 pounds by May. Why May? Because my husband has a cousin that is getting married around that time. So I thought that would be a good occasion to motivate me.

So each Friday I will share my progress on reaching my goals for the week and any new fitness tips I have discovered. I had planned on weighing myself today before I left the gym, but I forgot! Oops! So the next time I go, I will weigh in and share my starting weight. Man am I brave!!

I have to say though, when I left today I was so proud of myself! And today was only the first day. So it's only going to get better! I am only going to getter stronger and more happy with my overall fitness and body!

I hope through my fitness journey you will be encouraged to take charge of your health. You only have one body, take care of it. Your family needs you to be your best. And don't forget, you deserve to take time for yourself.

Photo by adria.richards

Thursday, February 5

Thankful Thursdays!!

Starting today, every Thursday I will share with you something I am thankful for in my life. I know this daily session will do wonders for me as well as improve my appreciation for everything in my life. I hope it will also help you reflect on all the blessings in your life.

Today was a beautiful day in Colorado. The sun was bright and the temperature was almost 70 degrees!! Just gorgeous!! Sebastian and I had to run some errands and after we finished I drove over to a city park. Sebastian has always enjoyed swinging but has yet to venture out to other forms of playground equipment. But I guess Sebastian decided that today was the day to discover something new. I suggested to him to take a slide down the slide. He was willing and to his surprise...he loved it. He kept saying, "Please". Which is his way for asking for more. It was so neat to see him so happy while experiencing something new. And I realized in that moment, that I was so blessed.

At this time in my life, I am a stay at home mom. My husband and I always said that once we had kids I would stay home. Well, after Sebastian was born we followed through with that plan, but not without a risk. We have struggled at times to make ends meet. But God has always provided and I know he will continue to send endless blessings our way.

Days like today make me stop and say thank you. I am thankful for my healthy baby boy. I am thankful that I get to be his Mom. I am thankful that I get to be his daily care giver. I am thankful for my life and for just being alive!!

Please take time today to stop and reflect on all the blessings in your life. The feeling afterwards is such a warm and peaceful place to be. Won't you join me!

Photo by takingthechallenge

Tuesday, February 3

Tickle Me Tuesday

I am starting a new weekly post called Tickle Me Tuesday on which every Tuesday I will post something to tickle your funny bone! I hope you get a good laugh and it puts a smile on your Tuesday!!
Photo by Aha! Jokes