It is a Beautiful Thing

It is a beautiful thing...children growing up. Hard sometimes to watch them move forward because we remember them as needing us so much. They still need us, just not as much. Which is a good thing, because it means we've been doing our job right. Right?! 

The four munchkins.

I will be the first to admit that I revel in my children growing up. I enjoy watching them learn and do new things all the time. With four children ages 2-10, I am neck-deep in developmental milestones. Potty training, learning how to write their name, drawing pictures of our family, walking to the school bus by themselves. I can't help but love the fact that they can do things on their own. Sometimes my husband has to tell me to not push them quite so much. And lately, I've tried to let that sink in. He misses a lot because he travels for work. While I am here every day watching them grow and learn. Yes, there have been times I've said, "I can't wait until you're grown up and can do everything on your own!"

But, then there are times, now that three of my kids are in school, that I wonder what it will be like, someday, when I'm not knee-deep in those developmental milestones. How will I spend my days? What will I do when they no longer need me as much? So, while I still revel in watching them make toast, do their own laundry, call friends to make plans, and clean up the dishes. I also make sure to do something else; live in the moment of their childhood. 

I enjoy their kisses, and hugs, and bouquets of weeds. I love when my five-year-old comes to me dressed in jeans, mismatched socks, a skirt, and one-sided pony tail. I delight in bath time, and story time, and dinner time. Sure, not everyday is a Disney fairytale. There are fights, back talk, screaming. Tantrums get thrown, toys get thrown, all sorts of not-so-awesome stuff happens, too. 

But on that day when my last child leaves the nest - one of their last developmental milestones - dare I say, what will I remember? What will be the lasting impression I have of their childhood. What will be theirs? 

I hope it's that they had a mother who cared enough to teach them to take care of themselves. But who also taught them not to forget that mother just because they don't need her as much.

Back to school...Back to school...!!

Well, it's that time of year again.  

That's right! School supplies are on sale! 
 (oh, how I love the smell of fresh notebook paper in the morning!)

I stopped by my local Walmart today to search out my children's school supply lists and I finally found them. Since I have three going to school this year I decided I needed to change my plan of attack when it came to buying school supplies.

In past years we've gone as a family, armed with two lists (one for me, one for my husband) and we have conquered shopping for scissors, pencils, and 3-prong folders in a sort of haphazard, though endearing schizophrenic way. Not this year. This year I created a table in Word with the express intent of making school supply shopping easier!

In my table I have these columns: "Supply" "Quantity" "Cost" "Child" "Purchased". The reason for the "Cost" and "Child" columns is to keep track of each item's cost, to do a calculation of the total later on; the "Child" column I created for easy distribution when it comes time to send the supplies to school. I think the "Supply" "Quantity" and "Purchased" are pretty self explanatory. :) It is fully customizable if you have Word and should be straight-forward and simple to use.

I feel like I am actually in front of the curve this year. Which is a nice feeling, since in past years I have felt far, far behind it...with no chance of ever catching up.




I hope you can get some use out of this table as well, and look forward to any comments you may have.

What Does 'Mother' Mean to You?

Mother is a word, I think, that is synonymous with grace, fortitude, grit, and humor. Because, without all of those things, the daily struggles of getting teeth brushed, bellies filled with food, and minds learning, would feel monotonous, unfulfilled, and quite honestly, frustrating.

How many times have you requested your child do something, only to have them ignore you?
How many times have you looked your darling dear in the face and asked them to stop doing something?
How many times have you wondered what else there was to do in life, as you hold your child's hair back whilst they blew chunks into the toilet?

I'm willing to bet you've thought these things. And if you haven't, well, you are a saint. Or, a liar.

While motherhood can feel like an endless, thankless succession of wiping nose, wiping butts, and cleaning tears. Many are the times when it's more about getting kisses, being hugged, and giggling to tears. Years go by, and children grow, being a mother is never done. Sure, they'll fly away, find another nest, build their own family. But children never forget their mother.

So, with grace, and fortitude, grit, and humor; remember that today you've got it all. And that, because of everything, or maybe in spite of it, you are your child's mother. There is no one else like you.

That is what being a mother means to me.

What Have You Done for Me Lately?

Ever feel like you just can't do enough? After washing the dishes, mopping the floor, playing with Legos, dancing to children's music, eating peanut butter and jelly for the fifth day in a row and watching reruns of Wizards of Waverly Place all day, you kind of feel like, "Why doesn't anyone do anything for me?"

I need some of these kids' powers.

Sometimes I feel like that. And then I wonder if it's okay for me to feel like that. And then I get over it.

I used to work full-time. Then I lost my job due to layoffs. It was pretty stressful for awhile, but then I got a new job; one that essentially leaves me at home most of the month and only sends me off for a few days before getting to come home again. I don't work full-time anymore. At least, not in an office. Now I call a four bedroom, three bath, 2500 square foot home my office. I definitely work full-time. But I'm not complaining.

Okay, maybe a little.

Mom...I think I have too many Legos.

You see, I have a husband, and four children. And while they are really awesome people, who love me and make me laugh very often...sometimes...I wonder. I wonder why I care about doing the dishes for the millionth time. I wonder why the bathrooms need to be clean. I wonder why my two-year-old won't keep the heads on all of the Lego dudes, and why I have to constantly search for the ones he has lost. I wonder why I feel like I have so much time when I wake up in the morning, and then wonder where it went when I'm crawling into bed once again.

Yes, sometimes I lament staying home, but usually not for very long. Because, I know what it's like to wake up every morning, and to leave your children with someone who is not you, to essentially raise them for that day. I know what it's like to come home from work and just want to take a nap, but you can't because someone needs help with their homework and those tacos aren't sure going to make themselves for dinner.

I've been on both sides of the lawn, and I am here to tell you that both sides of the lawn can be incredibly rewarding, healthy, and green!

Was working full-time and being a mother stressful? Hell yes! Is staying at home sometimes inconceivably stressful and sometimes stifling? Sure! But you know what? Once I decided to have children, I had to shift priorities. Anyone who tells you you can have it all and do it all well is, pardon my French, ridiculous.

Or, maybe it's just me.

Maybe I couldn't have it all. Maybe I didn't want it all. Maybe "ALL" isn't everything it's so darn cracked up to be. I know what I did do, and that's do the best I could. I worked, I mothered, I cooked, I cleaned, I loved my husband and my children and I continue to do so day after day. And after awhile there are a few fundamental truths I have learned:





1. You are the best mother your children are ever going to have. Be there for them, when they want to play with Legos, or when they want to tell you about the mean boy that teases them at recess. Some day, they may not want to tell you anything.

2. Being everything to everyone all the time is not possible. When I worked full-time, I was into my job and it was sometimes hard to leave work at work. Learn how to separate the two and save yourself and your family some stress.




3. Creating memorable experiences doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Spending time with your children is as easy as sitting down and reading a book together. Simple, every day interactions are what they are going to remember and cherish most. Make those times something worth remembering.


4. Make sure you're teaching your children how to work. Sometimes, and I know I am guilty of this, it's just easier to do things yourself. Saving time is great, but wouldn't you rather know that you equipped your children with the tools necessary to succeed in life, rather than sending them out the door with nothing to offer the world other than their good looks?


5. Being good to yourself is essential. Take a walk. Ride a bike. Go for a swim. Take a class. I'm not getting any younger and while aging is inevitable, growing old is a state of mind.




Whatever your goals in life. Whatever your personal situation, when you have children, somehow, someway, your thinking must change. Life isn't just about you anymore. Those kids depend on you. They look up to you. They look to you for guidance, support, and protection. Be their rock. Be the person they want to tell things to.

Instead of wondering what you could be doing, be engaged in what you are doing. Right here. Right now.

It's Friday and we so excited!

Frugal Friday!

Decided to start a weekly (hopefully) post designed to talk about what kinds of things you do to live frugally. Now, I will be the first to admit that I don't always buy my kids' clothes second-hand. I don't recycle hardly ever (may be due in part to the fact that my city doesn't make it easy, I am a slacker, sue me). I also like good food. I will tell you one way I have saved a boat load of money: making my own laundry soap! Yes! And it's so easy, too! I've attached the recipe below, and if you're worried about how it will work in your High Efficiency washer - don't be - it works BETTER! That's right. Without all the chemicals and icky stuff you find in store bought laundry soaps. Thanks to a wonderful friend who turned me on to the idea of making my own laundry soap, I started making my own a couple of months ago and I will never go back!

This is all you need to make it:  

You'll need: One cup of Borax, One cup of Super Washing Soda, a bar of Fels Naptha, a grater, a bowl and a jar to store it in. Depending on how much you wash one batch should last for two months! Costs pennies on the dollar, too!

Now, all of that said, that doesn't mean I don't look for deal when I can get them. So, let's hear it. How do you find ways to save money?

Welcome!

Welcome to Meaningful Mommy Meditations! This blog is designed to be a whole amalgamation of things: a place to find inspiration, a place to learn a thing or two, also a place to find there are others like you - looking for a way to make your life meaningful. A meaningful life means something different for everyone.

As parents, grandparents, friends to people with children, teachers, we have an important role in the world. That role starts with how we take care of ourselves. So, come here when you can't find anything to smile about, or anything to help you through a difficult situation. I can't promise we'll come through every time, but you should at least feel some weight lifted off your shoulders after you leave our site.

Suggestions are welcome. So, let's remember that we're all in this together. Now, go get 'em!