Embracing Adventurous Ventures

Ok, so I realize (even more so now than before) that I am not ready to settle for just having kids and staying at home.
I want to experience so many things and there is just so much out there. I have toyed with the idea of WWOOF for several years now and always get excited and then like a lot of things it gets lost in the shuffle of everyday busyness and life.
My husband and I talked about it again. This time with the idea of taking it slow. So starting in my own country before venturing out to a different one and then discovering that I don't like the experience.
So, I have been looking at the WWOOF USA site and I am pretty enthusiastic. I know nothing is going to happen on that route until next January, since this year is already so booked up and planned out. But, I am very determined to do this. I just need to get my head in the game and stay there.



I have spent the last 2 years working on getting my life back. My health, mentally and physically went down considerably 4 years ago and it has been a journey full of rough and smooth moments getting it back to normal.
Now that I am at the healthiest I have ever been, I am ready for some new challenges. I have been lucky in that my husbands works hard so that I don't have to. But this doesn't mean I don't contribute to our life. I handle most of everything around the house, upkeep, bills, etc. Most of the logistics are in my lap. Part of that luckiness is that he is also very supportive of whatever I want to try.
I have a desire to experience new things, to try as much as possible. When and if we do have kids I want stories and experience that I can tell them about and share with them. I can't explain why this means so much to me, it just does.
As it says in the "photo quote" above, I also want to experience being around good energy. I am finding more often then not I am affected by the energy that the people around me give off. The negative is something that I have tired of.
So, that is something that I am going to immediately tackle. I turn 28 next weekend. I am not upset about the age, I am feel more empowered than ever.  I have experienced and learned so much that it doesn't feel empty entering this new number. As soon as my birthday celebration ends I am going to tackle finding a yoga group to join. More exercise is always a plus but I feel like I could benefit from the positivity of it. I have tried the dvds at home, it is just not the same. I feel like something is lacking.
As for learning new things, I am currently tackling a new language "Italian" it has been fun so far. Though I am disappointed that life's busyness has also interfered with my progress in that. So, again determined to move forward and make some progress in this.
Well, that's all for now. Ciao!

Changing Direction

I am a coffee addict trying to change how I start my mornings! Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have always been the type that has trouble opening my eyes and uttering any even slightly intelligent conversation until after that first sip of caffeinated goodness has graced my lips.

Now, don't get me wrong I haven't really tired of this. I just feel like the older I get the less reliant I need to be on it (not that I am going to drink less of it). When I say less reliant I mean being able to handle doing other things before I have had it.
So, this morning I woke up at 7 a.m. I started the coffee pot, left it to work it's magic. I immediately opened all the curtains, started my eo diffuser with a wonderful blend of sweet orange, lemon and lime (great wake up juice), took a shower, and did a 6 minute wakeup morning workout (another topic I am going to talk about).
I have to say my morning has been great so far. I love the feeling of productiveness and being overall refreshed. Here's to a new routine and hoping that it sticks.



Agh yes! My "6 Minute Wakeup Workout". I didn't forget. Ok, so I have trouble dedicating an hour plus to one specific workout method. I have always been this way. Main reason that I like going to the gym is that there so many options and you can change up whenever you feel like it.
Since we moved, I haven't had access to a gym. So, I have been coming up with my own combos.
So, this morning I did a series of squats, crunches, pushups and planks. Later I will do my pilates routine, and typically later in the afternoon I do some weights and walk the dogs for about 30 minutes. Still not what I want it to be.
I have a workout machine picked out that I want to get. Gonna have to wait a little longer, but hoping I can get it before summer kicks in. I miss my hardcore cardio workouts that I used to do.
Ok, that's all for this wonderful day after Monday.

 

Are People Going Overboard During the Holidays or Do People's Opinions Need to Be Thrown Overboard?

Something I have always noticed, yet it is becoming more frequent by the day, people complaining about how and what other people do during the holidays.
 I will start off with the fact that as a child we never believed in Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Cupid or any other fictional holiday mascot. However, this wasn't because our parents were constantly down our throats about not believing in fictional characters we just logically knew that there was no such thing. Not to mention being brought up in a Christian household we knew what holidays were about. Right next to the Night Before Christmas and The Nutcracker was The Nativity. We just in general loved everything about the holidays.
Yet, even as a child I remember people that we associated with people that had an issue with putting up a star instead of an angel; having Santa Claus décor; people that did not allow their children to watch The Christmas Carol for fear of having nightmares, the list could go on. We never seemed to run into issues with how we celebrated the holidays. We understand what Easter and Christmas are really about. We understood that Thanksgiving was historical and that Valentine's Day was a made up holiday so that people could buy cutesy heart themed crap.
At Thanksgiving (like everyone else) we ate. At Christmas we celebrate all month long (not like everyone else). There was always an eclectic mix of decorations from handmade nativities, German nutcrackers to vintage 1940s Santa Claus décor. I would say that my parent's house looked like the very embodiment of Christmas, especially in the eyes of a child. At Valentine's Day my dad always got my mom a box of chocolates and a card and always a little something for me (being the only daughter) and for as long as my grandmother was alive she always mailed me and my brothers an envelope of Disney and Looney Tunes Valentine's cards to give out to our friends. At Easter we always had new outfits for church, my grandparents would come over and we would dye eggs and after church we always had an Easter Egg hunt for eggs filled with money. My parents usually had an Easter basket for each of us filled with candies, a toy and usually a book.
My point is that out of all of the holidays Christmas and Easter are the most religious. Remembering throughout the holiday what happened or what it signifies is important. BUT, when people who take it a little more serious or get a little more political about it start criticizing how other people celebrate it or start posting things in Facebook about how people celebrate the holidays and then state why they don't personally do that you have single handedly mistreated the holiday worse than any parent that chooses to indulge in a little Santa Claus fantasy.
It's not a pissing contest. It's not the time to poke at others. It's certainly not the time to push your agenda. If you want to celebrate Christmas by singing hymns everyday and having no tree, no sugar cookies and no stockings then that is your choice, good for you. But, if your neighbor has their house lit out the wazoo, a tree inside and outside, packages covering the living room floor, cookies and candies all month long and Christmas songs (some about the birth of Christ others about Kris Kringle) blaring everyday DON'T take it upon yourself to put a post on Facebook about "The Reason for the Season".  Maybe some parents don't have the funds to do things for their child year round. Maybe they can't afford family vacations, maybe they have special memories from the holiday time, maybe they're just very enthusiastic.  Whatever the reason, I can't think of a LESS Christian way to behave at the holidays then to criticize how someone else celebrates.
I think that there is a fine line between spoiling and holiday indulgence.
If you can acknowledge what Easter represents then buy all means eat a Palmer's hollow chocolate bunny and enjoy it.
If you can being generous and kind hearted to others during Christmas (not just buying the big fancy top of the line toy for your child) but drop a little money in the Salvation Army bucket, smile when you see Christmas lights, be humbled when you watch It's A Wonderful Life or The Christmas Carol then please enjoy your over stuffed stockings, your over abundance of candy and your packages that you probably have too many of and enjoy.
As for the rest of the holidays, some people choose to ignore them, others choose to create a party to celebrate when in reality it's just a reason to have another party, but however you choose to acknowledge it don't ruin it for others by spreading your personal opinion.
To wrap this up, my point is that not everything needs much less requires an opinion from the peanut gallery.

Can't Afford Kids? Quit Having Kids

Really it's a simple decision. As soon as you release that you can't raise your child independently (financially, physically or mentally), then maybe it's time to stop having babies.
When you won't take your child to the Dr because you can't afford it, you need to stop having babies.
When you look like a hobo that just crawled out of a dumpster because you can't afford new clothes, you need to stop having babies.
When you can't remember the last time you bathed your kids, you need to stop having babies.
God loves children. He hates divorce because he wants godly offspring. However, I truly believe that God does not intend for you to make your children a burden on others. Kids are not little "cuddle buddies." If that's what your looking for them go buy a stuffed animal.
I don't want my kids to be spoiled and pampered children. But I would love to be able to afford to take them to the Dr when they're sick, to look like a human being when I go grocery shopping and maybe even to smell nice. I don't think that's asking too much.
Recently, I sat with a table of 10 other people, two of which were pregnant and  six of which were children all under the age of 4. We hadn't even ordered food yet and 2 of the kids had already thrown up (enough to fill a to go box), 2 more were playing drums on the table with knives, another is having a meltdown about the throw up epsiode, the spouses are becoming irritable with each other and I'm sitting here holding together my sanity by a mere thread.
I realized at that moment that if I had been one of the people at a different table that I would have been appalled and probably would have left the restaurant.
What's wrong with having 1 child? I have heard anything from  "it's selfish" to " you're not a real woman if you didn't have more than 1 child".  Shocked? I was when I heard those things said. I like the idea of pacing myself, not being overwhelmed.
The truth is that it only becomes overwhelming if we allow it to be.
If I have the control I would choose not to overwhelm myself with too many kids at once for the sake of my sanity, the kids sanity, my husband's sanity, my marriage, my spouse, the desire for romance and the well being of my children. Wow! I just gave 7 perfectly reasons why it's OK to pace yourself.
Also, if your kids are sick please don't bring them to a restaurant or anywhere for that matter unless it's the doctor. It's not fair to the child and it is certainly not fair to the innocent people that are involuntarily being subjected to illness.

You Kids Aren't Your " buddies"

I have recently come to realize how many mom's are treating their kids like they're best buds or friends or companions, rather than a parent and their child.
There's nothing wrong with wanting a good relationship with your child but when you've been on more date with ypur child than your spouse, something needs to change.
When you let your child get away with things just because you did it as a child and therefore you think it's cute? Come on really?
While your trying to pursue a friendship with your child, don't forget to do a little parenting as well.

Baby Fever? Sorry Haven't Caught That Yet

Hey I don't have anything against kids. They are cute, they can be fun (when they actually properly raised) and I certainly appreciate that I was once a kid. However, never confuse the facts. You chose to have kids now, I did not.
I know what your thinking, "Oh boy, here comes another rant". But seriously. I have never been able to understand these women that choose to have kids so early, or choose to have a billion of them (ok not really but 4, 5, 6, and even those that choose to have a dozen) and then they complain about it and then..........wait for it..........they try to tell you how wonderful it is.......and then.......wait for it..........they try to guilt you for not having kids. I HATE that. Not because it gets to me a way that makes me feel guilty for not having kids. More like in a way that makes me pity them. Because they aren't happy with their choices.
I believe you shouldn't have kids till you are married (besides the fact that I believe this as a Christian, I also believe it is wrong to bring a child into a broken family intentionally). I also believe that if you know your limitations there is nothing wrong with acting on them. Like, "I want to wait, because I want to enjoy the first years of marriage" or "I really think I just want one or two, I know that's about all I can handle" or "I thought I wanted more, but after the first one I decided having more just wasn't for me". THANK YOU! You were honest, you were upfront, you didn't lie to trap other unsuspecting women.
I have so many girls that I grew up with, went to church with, etc. that mostly got married before me and I remember thinking how strange when within a few weeks of the honeymoon they would announce their first pregnancy or the fact that they would have their first baby before their first wedding anniversary. What happened to enjoying being married. Having adventures with your husband. Being spontaneous with your life before settling down.
I don't confuse marriage with settling down. I married my husband within 6 months of knowing him, because I knew he was the one and there was no sense in waiting any longer. But we both knew we didn't want kids immediately. In fact our 2 year plan has become a five year plan and I am sure will possibly extend past that. I am not afraid of having kids. I am not afraid of the changes it will bring to my life and my husbands. I am aware of what we want out of life and our marriage. I don't believe we are selfish for pursuing our goals or adventures before we start having kids, please note that I don't say "start a family". When we took our vows we started our family. Done.
I see girls that are straight our of high school, living with a deadbeat boyfriend and neither have much of a job to speak of and lo and behold suddenly they are announcing that they are expecting! What? Why? Why? Why would you do this? Have you no shame? Bringing a child into a world like that and people actually show joy and excitement for this! What about all of the hardships that child will know because of what they will be subjected to? Did you think about that when you were thinking about cute and cuddly the baby was gonna be? Good grief!
Ok, I realize I chased some bunnies there for a while. Back to the main topic.
If YOU choose to have babies. If YOU choose to start having kids

http://www.yourtango.com/2015250349/dear-moms-stop-complaining-you-chose-to-have-kids-remember

What Came First? Marriage or Kids?

Yes that is what I asked. Same concept as "the chicken or the egg". Traditionally yes, the marriage comes before the kids. So let's use that scenario, shall we?
When you stand up there in front of witnesses and take the vows of commitment to the person standing across from you there were no kids in the picture. You didn't say "to you and to the children we will someday have".
Let's also say for sake of argument that you don't even know if you can have kids, I am going to assume however that you are both in agreement on whether you want kids or not.
Now, why is it that once the kids come they are constantly being put first? Not in a "basic nurturing" way but in such a way that keeps you completely busy and stressed to the point that you don't have time for your spouse? BTW this includes people that have to have a schedule "date night".  If you have to reserve "Wednesday Night" for your spouse than you aren't giving him/her enough of your attention.
If you don't maintain that original commitment than how is this affecting your kids? They can't survive without a stable marriage as the source of stability in their lives. So by puttig your spouse first you are actually ultimately thinking of the kids' well being. Interesting.
Here is a good article with some good perspective on the topic:
http://www.yourtango.com/experts/lori-lowe/your-marriage-more-important-your-kids
Keep this in mind, the kids don't miss what they don't know. If you choose to attend "mommy groups", "soccer practice", "dance practice", "play dates", "shopping trips", vacations for the whole family", "weekend trips to the zoo", "weekend trips to theme parks", then it's your choice. Not the child's. Sure they will get upset if you suddenly stop doing it but if they never become used to it, then it's not an issues.
I remember getting to go to "Astro World" in Houston as a kid several times. I also remember an occasional trip to the zoo. But it wasn't habit and we never felt deprived if we didn't go. So many kids today are senselessly spoiled with the idea that they "need this". Says who? Who says they need all of that?
So before you tie yourself up with these unnecessary things, think about what else you should be doing. Planning a long three day weekend for you and your spouse? Special dinner somewhere new on a Friday night? Don't be afraid to ask the grandparents or aunts and uncles to babysit. Guess what? You and your spouse will be happier for it and in the end so will the kids.