Memoirs of a Mommy: December 2007

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Things that make you go hmmm...

The other day while we were driving to get Joy at school I had the following conversation with Deirdre.

Deirdre: Mom, do turtles have hearts?
Me: Yep.
Deirdre: Does everyone know that?
Me: Yep.
Deirdre: Hmmm, COOL!

Where do they come up with this stuff?! As long as their questions stay at this level I feel well prepared for the future.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

O, Christmas Tree!

The feelings I have about decorating the Christmas tree have changed GREATLY now that I am a mom. It's just not the enjoyable exciting thing that it was when I was a kid. Now, don't get me wrong.. I'm not a Scrooge. I LOVE Christmas. It's just that when it came time to get the tree out this year I felt more dread than joy.

For Deirdre's first Christmas we bought an artificial tree. I love fresh cut trees, but being thrifty we decided we needed something that would save us money by lasting for years. Now, six years later, it's definitely showing it's age by dropping so many needles I'm amazed it's not bare. And, the needles that fall are these thin little paper like things that I find stuck to things months after Christmas is over.

Anyway, once I lug the tree and other numerous boxes up from the basement it's time to open every tediously wrapped ornament. As I am doing this the girls are practically standing on my toes trying to see each one as it's opened, and pushing at each other to get a better look. They do a really good job not arguing over who gets to put up what, but they hang the ornaments so fast that it's obvious the joy for them is in the unveiling of the ornaments and not the actual hanging. This too is evident once the event is over and 90% of the decorations are clustered in one section of the tree.

Once everything is hung up, or moved out of the cluster and rehung, it's time for clean up. Miraculously the girls disappear at this point. I hastily stuff paper and bubble wrap haphazardly back into boxes, knowing I will regret it when it comes time to take everything off the tree, and lug it all back down to the basement. Then I get out the vacuum and attempt to suck up all of the Velcro like needles. To me this is the most pointless thing of all, because I know the floor will be covered with the tree's endless supply of needles again in a matter of hours. By the way, I feel the same away about raking leaves in the fall... pointless!

It's a good thing the girls' joy and excitement are so overwhelming, because in the end I do find that I had a good time putting the tree up with them... in spite of myself. But, if it wasn't for them I think we might have a treeless Christmas.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Introduction ~ all about ME

I'm new to the world of blogging, but definitely addicted. I started a private family blog back in Sept. 2007, and have since created this blog to write about motherhood, saving money, cooking/baking, sewing, and knitting. (all favorite past times of mine, and things I LOVE to blog about) I also have a photo blog to indulge in my love of pictures, and I will soon have a food blog to write about recipes.

I'm the luckiest woman in the world because I was able to marry my true love, and we have been blessed with four beautiful girls: Deirdre - 7, Joy - 5 1/2, Sabrina - 2 1/2, and Maggie - 1. And yes, I have changed their names. I figure it's my job to protect them, and while this may be an unnecessary precaution I live by the old standard, "better safe than sorry."

In the beginning of 2007 I stopped working outside of the house, and began the full time management of my family and home. Before that I was a Marine... yep, I said Marine! I served in the Marine Corps for 9 years and I enjoyed it, but I was glad to let that life go so that I could devote my time to my family instead. NOTHING has been the same since.

Almost daily something occurs that amazes me, or distresses me, or just plain confuses me, and I find myself wishing to record these feelings and thoughts. And, because I am not shy in the least, I decided that a blog would be the best forum to do this. Now all of you out there will be able to join me as I meander through the marvelous madness of motherhood!

So, Welcome, and I hope you enjoy my blog. Please feel free to leave comments, because I would love to know your thoughts as well. God Bless!