Mary Had A Little Lamb, er Goat

Well, I'm sure Mary's little lamb didn't play with knives and other sharp objects...

I have three capricorns in the house - three goats. And, boy, are they all stubborn! Nothing in life has prepared me for raising two toddlers. It's overwhelming and exhausting most of the time. It can be fun, too, mixed in with the screaming and dirty diapers.

I've found a new hobby, though, or rather I'm preparing to start a new hobby. I always collected fossils and neat rocks and gemstones when I was little. Now that I'm a big girl, I've resparked that interest because of Ebay (which should be called Freebase, because, yes, it's that addictive). Thanks to Ebay, I have the power to buy excessive amounts of pretty gemstones right at my fingertips. And, it's funny, because I find good deals and then groan when the shipping charges are all added up. However, I plan on turning these pretty little pebbles into beautiful, one of a kind necklaces. And, yes, folks - I am that selfish that I will prbably keep them all for myself!

Now, when I sit down to start making a necklace, it will be interesting to see how far I get  - you have to consider the fact that I rarely get to sit for longer than five minutes at a time, unless I completely ignore the children! And, will grabby little hands ruin my projects? Probably, at least for as long as it takes to pick up little beads out of the carpet.

But, I'm looking forward to this new hobby. It's been a long time since I've found something that holds my attention in this way.

Floating in Chemicals

Chris and I hardly ever get any time together anymore, so we decided that we would have family nap time this morning (late in the morning, of course). We put the baby in her crib and double-gated the older toddler in his room. Well, we evidently needed that nap - we fell asleep so soundly that we didn't hear Brayden get out of his room (I still don't know how he got the second gate down).

I awoke to the smell of something - something fresh but chemical. I got out of bed and looked in his room. He was gone. As I descended the stairs, the smell got stronger, mixed in with the smell of lavender-scented Pledge. Lo and behold, he had Febreezed the television and speaker covers. Osmocote (plant fertilizer granules) was all over the dining room...and lock de-icer was beginning to eat through the varnish on the dining room table...

I remember a simpler time in our marriage...spontaneity, relaxation, tv time, shooting pool. Now I have to schedule running to the grocery store. I almost have to schedule peeing with the behavior Brayden exhibits. But, we love our children and wouldn't give it up for anything. Well, almost.

I know we are not the only parents who feel this way. Child-rearing is difficult, especially when you don't have the support systems that you need. We, unfortunately, lack the support system that allows us to have alone time, window-shopping time, dinner alone time, time away, you name it.

I've been trying to paint Brayden's room, but that is a pain in the butt as anyone could imagine. Yet, as I sit here with a massive headache from inhaling chemicals all day, I feel calm and at peace with myself. My children bring out the best and the worst of me, but I have grown from my experiences. I continue to grow every day. And I hope that never stops...if only the chemical smell would go away.

5 am headrush

I always start my day with coffee. Very strong coffee. It's the only thing that jolts me awake and keeps me going through the ordeals of raising two toddlers...

You know, being a stay at home mom and trying to have hobbies is difficult. There is only so much NickJr. I can take. I can say the same about playing with toys. Being stuck inside when the weather is nasty is rough. On the psyche and the soul - for all of us. It's been how many days since it was sunny?

I finally got to sit down and watch both Twilight movies last night. And I watched The Fourth Kind the night before that. My goal is to watch a good movie three times a week, even if I have to stay up past my usual bedtime (don't ask when that is, because you'll laugh your butt off). It's really hard to listen to movies when there is so much chaos going on around me, but that is going to change!

I feel a lot of change will be happening soon. It's time for Mom to reclaim her space and not be overrun by the kids. Spring will be here soon enough and we can spend more time outside (thankfully), the days will be getting longer (and I will stay up longer), and I'll be able to have the windows open to let in some fresh air.