Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Musical Mommy – It’s All the Rage

June 16, 2012

Yes, my kids have been playing what I call “Musical Mommy” for quite a while now. You’ve heard of musical chairs right? Well, this is similar. First Mom must be stretched out on the couch relaxing. Second, a child must scoot in next to Mom for a snuggle. When that child decides to move on, another child comes in beside Mom to take the other child’s place. And it goes on, until most kids have snuggled with Mom. Musical Mommy – what a great game!

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I’m Not That Blogger

June 14, 2012

Nope, I’m just an ordinary woman who is almost 50 and homeschools 5 of her 8 children and plays Suzy Homemaker each and every day by cleaning house and making meals. I do not command an audience of 2,000,000 hits a month. I do not get 500 comments on a post. I do not write books or ebooks that make me money on the side. I don’t even belong in some of these mommy blog circles – so many are much younger than me and only have toddlers and babies. BTDT! I still have kids at home, but my nest is emptying and there aren’t many bloggers like me with different ages and stages while entering your 50’s.

Sometimes I don’t update my blog often because usually some crap is going on like sickness, tornado weather, or hormones (or all 3 at the same time). Sometimes it’s because my life is so incredibly ordinary that I wonder why anyone would want to read about it. And, obviously not many do.

What I do talk about is real though and it is my life and while it may not be perfect or thought provoking or laced with a gazillion pictures, it’s all I know and know how to do. And keeping it simple is best.

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End of a longish week

June 8, 2012

TGIF!! It’s been a longish week filled with dental appointments (with 2 kids), the library reading program (with 4 kids), and working out a billing snafu…UGH. My stress level reached its limit so I stopped school (much to the delight of my children) and focused on cleaning house. Housecleaning is good for me because I get good exercise from it :-). And I know that the more I move, the better I feel – you’d THINK I’d be doing more of it knowing that. I’ve also been spending more time outside now that we have that cute patio set. In fact, the kids have been spending more time outside too so it’s been a great benefit to all of us. Then again, that was the plan :-).

Today it’s grocery shopping because Matt and Jeff are coming in this evening and we have to have lots of food. It’s also Matt’s birthday today (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!) and we’ll be celebrating tomorrow. Yep, he’s getting ever closer to 30 – bwahahahahaha!! Sorry – couldn’t help myself. Especially since they all talk about how I’m a DINOSAUR! :-) Hell, I KNOW I’m old and actually I’m kind of looking forward to being 50. But anyway…

The question is since I’m at burnout, should I continue school or should I get some other things in place and take the next two months off and start the new school year in August. The other option is continuing doing school in the mornings and then being free to do the other stuff (like cleaning and organizing this place and pulling myself together) in the afternoons. I’m thinking of finding a good used copy of Math It for math drill and maybe going ahead and doing Winston Grammar for the English. I could pull out my little religion books to read to the younger ones (they have been standards in this house for years) as well. Also, I could continue to read the history readers from SL and do the hands on science stuff from them as well. SO – I have options.

BTW – the dental appointments went very well, the billing problem was (hopefully) fixed, and the reading program will become a regular thing this summer (the kids loved it). So, sometimes it’s a good idea to sit back and recharge so that life can be lived and problems can be worked out. Happy Weekend!!

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More On Reading Together As A Family

June 5, 2012

Remember my post the other day about our favorite books? Well, Matt has posted about – what else – our family read aloud time! Matt and I share a brain so it really isn’t surprising that we’re thinking about the same things :-). Anyway, that post was so good that I wanted to give you the link to it.

A Reminiscing Walk Through Literature

Go read about the joy of spending time as a family reading books aloud. Hmmm – maybe it’s time to pick up the Little House series where we left off.

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Be Available

June 4, 2012

I wrote this blog post last year, but never published it. Lately though it has been haunting me again and I know that I need to make changes. Here’s what I wrote:

These words – be available – have been coming to me lately in regards to my children and you know what? It is exactly what I need to do – be more available to them. See, I have been letting other things get in the way and steal my time instead of being around my kids. Sure I’m with my kids every day, but I was getting kind of worn down and sought out my computer and mindless viewing as a way to de-stress. The last few days I decided to heed that voice inside and be available to my kids when they needed me. Which apparently was a lot! I guess I’d been hiding in the office more than I thought I had. Today, I had lots of helpers in the kitchen and read plenty of books with the younger ones. I’ve also noticed when I am more available to my kids that things run a little smoother around here in regard to behaviors. So, I’ll keep this up and make sure that my priorities stay where they should be. It’s not a bad thing to take time for myself, I just need to make sure I’m not taking time away from other areas either.

I want to add that a way I am available to my children is during storms – and last night we had storms! Lots of thunder and lightning and a dumping of rain everywhere (flooding rain to be exact). Early on, I came down to check on the radar and Steve joined me shortly thereafter. I enjoyed the time to just sit and talk together – it doesn’t happen as often now that he is getting older. Then there was a big crack of thunder followed by the thud of footsteps on the stairs from three little girls :-). Becky and I snuggled a little and then I just let her sleep after she took my spot when I left to check the radar on the computer. Later, there was another mighty crash of thunder and Becky’s head popped up and she looked for me and, after noticing I was still around, she went back to sleep. I’m glad I am there for my kids especially when they are afraid. As they get older they will pull away from needing mom, but for now they need the security of knowing I am there for them.

Anywho – that’s another goal for the month – be m0re available to my kids.

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A Prayer for the Feast of the Holy Trinity

June 3, 2012

Actually it’s not a prayer just for today – it’s one to pray every day. I read a book by Fr. Oscar Lukefahr titled “We Live – To Know, Love, and Serve God”. In it, he gives a 3 minute nighttime prayer “formula” so to speak and I’ve been praying this prayer for two years now. It has been an easy prayer to remember and one that has brought me much peace. Here’s what you do:

“Begin the first minute by adoring Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with the Sign of the Cross and Glory Be. Then, think about the greatest blessing you’ve received in the past twenty-four hours, and thank God the Father for it. In the second minute, turn to Jesus, remember your most serious sin of the past twenty-four hours, and ask Jesus to forgive you. In the third, look ahead to the greatest challenge facing you in the next twenty-four hours and ask the Holy Spirit to help you face that challenge.” (excerpted from “We Live” by Fr. Oscar Lukefahr, CM)

A very simple but very effective prayer this is! So, start today by praying this prayer and see how it helps you grow in your relationship with the Blessed Trinity. Happy Feast Day!

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Something I’ve Always Wanted

June 2, 2012

On Thursday I decided to take a deep breath and buy something I’ve wanted ever since we moved into this house – a patio set! I had finally found one that was $100 and it had everything I required. I had been looking at one that was more expensive, but it was very beige and this other one was more colorful. The reviews were all very good too – the average star rating was close to 5! That was the clincher. So, after hemming and hawing for about 2 months, I finally jumped and bought it. Luckily, they had it at our local Wally World and we were able to pick it right up. YAY!

After Chris and I got home, we started supper and Mike and Steve (with “help” from the younger ones) put our patio set together. It is SO cute and fits perfectly in it’s little spot. The four youngest hogged it all yesterday evening and that also made me feel good as it’s something we can ALL enjoy – not just mommy. I am looking forward to having quiet times outside on my own. Luckily the sun is coming up around 6:30, if not before, and no one else is up then so I’ll have my moments :-).

Anyway, here are some pictures of this lovely little patio set that has totally made my day.

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May Progress Report

June 1, 2012

And so we’ve come to the end of another month. It was an interesting month to say the least. Here in the middle of the country May began and ended with severe storms – whee. However, Wednesday night’s storms have brought a cold front through our area and it is so cool and beautiful! It’s almost like an early fall day. Better enjoy it before the heat of summer kicks in.

We’re continuing in restoration mode and I still need to make that list of all the stuff we are needing. It is slow going, but things are getting done and we are moving forward. Hopefully this time next year we’ll have been through most of it (the restoration) and can relax and enjoy other stuff. Like maybe a family vacation somewhere – I’m still wanting to go to that Little House in Mansfield and there are those museums in OK City. In the meantime I really should take advantage of the museums we have in OUR area and get some good field trips in this summer. It’s time!

Don’t ask about the weight or the weight loss efforts. I cannot focus on it long enough to do any good. Sometimes I wonder if things will ever slow down enough for me to focus on, well, ME. Sounds selfish, but a mom does need to take care of herself to be able to take care of her family. A burnt out mom living on coffee and eating chocolate for stress relief isn’t much good.

Speaking of burnt out, I am following the suggestions in Real Learning and that is going well. It is helping to revive me. I start my day with the Morning Offering and end my day with my prayer to the Trinity (I’ll talk about that later – in a different post). I also read my Bible each day – not studying, just reading. I have read John, Mark, and Romans. Now I’m working on Luke and will read Acts after that. I always start by reading a Psalm as well. This has been a real balm for my soul and given me much to think about during my days. I try to pray the rosary at night, but usually nod off right after I’ve made my intentions :-).

I am also spending quiet time outside daily just soaking up nature. I’m also trying to do something just for me – a favorite tv show, a book, whatever. I realize I need more outlets for myself and need to find ways to nurture myself. I’m also really needing to start that journal, but one step at a time. I’m also working on just two goals for health – water and a daily vitamin. You wouldn’t believe how helpful just those two things are! Oh, and more sleep – and if I need a nap during the day I take one! My darn stupid hormones are wreaking havoc on me now that I’m going through “the Change” (ominous music plays in background).

SO, all in all, not a bad month – I feel like I’m making progress every day and we as a family are making progress. Even if it’s at a snail’s pace.

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