I'm that Mom...

Ok I always said it would never be me...I would never become that Mom. The fact that I'm even referring to being that MOM instead of that WOMAN says it all. When did I become that person that only talks about her baby? Who thinks strangers care about her poop? Who finds it hard not to talk to everyone in baby talk?

So today's post is 10 things NOT baby (or Mommy) related!

1) I love our new deck but to tell the truth...we've barely used it!  It either seems too hot or too rainy.  And honestly? Sometimes we'd rather veg in front of the tv  and I feel so guilty about that!

2)I love my new hobby!! Mom and I have begun selling little girl headbands. I love that it means more time with my Mom and doing something that is fun and creative!

3)A few new facebook pages have popped up that are releated to cooking with the Crock Pot. I really want to start trying some new recipes. Last night I made Buffalo Chicken. It was way too spicy for me but hubby loved it!!

I took 3 extra large chicken breasts and covered it with Franks Red Hot, Fat Free Ranch and low-fat Cream Cheese (I eyeballed it all).  After 4 hours I shredded the chicken and he ate it on Weight Watchers hamburger rolls. He LOVED it!!

4)Weight Watchers...I fell off the wagon! I lost 6 lbs and then got off track. Even after a semi-bad week I only gained 6/10ths of a pound. That's great news and bad news.  The great news is I didn't gain too much so I feel like I'm making smarter choices.  The bad? I only gained a little which makes it even harder to get started again! I really just want to drop the weight and feel good.  Especially before our big trip!

5)Only 82 days until our trip to Disney! It's been over 200 days since our last trip (I know I sound like an addict!!) 

I am excited for a number of reasons but I think I will leave that for another post!

6) I love our new car! We are leasing a 2011 Nissan Rogue and I love it! I know a lot of people don't care for leasing but when it came down to it, the math worked out better for us than leasing. Yes we will continually have a car payment but we don't mind that.  The only bad part is I want to drive it all the time!!

7) I really want to take some time and learn how to use my camera. I know it's pretty decent but I feel stupid when I use it. And I know my Dad will turn into Ansel Adams when we go to Disney but I'd like to be able to take some great pictures myself!

8) I hate doing laundry...more than any other chore around the house! I hate knowing there is laundry in the washing machine right now that has to be put in the dryer.  It just bugs me!!

9) I got to number 9 before I had trouble thinking of something non-Mommy related!! I'm so excited that Fall is here. The temp is only getting into the 60's today and I really would love some apple cider and donuts!! I can't wait to take Kennedy pumpkin picking!! Ooopps...I just ruined my Non-Mommy list!!

10)I love my job. I honestly feel I have my dream job. It's not always perfect but it's something I am honestly passionate about and  I feel so blessed!!!

Why I want to be a 1950's Housewife

I know this topic can be controversial.  Every time I read something about a woman expressing her interest in being a housewife, there is a debate over Women's Rights and equality.  I don't honestly think they two have anything to do with each other.  As a housewife, either in the 1950's or now, I don't equate that role as being any less equal to my husband.  I believe that women are equals to their counterparts, and I also believe in more traditional gender roles.  I think when it comes down to it, there are some things that women should do and somethings that men should do.  I also believe there are exceptions to every rule and this isn't a hard fast theory to live by.

That being said, ever since I was young I dreamed of being a wife and a mom. My mom joked with me during college that I should just get my "Mrs." degree. Those who know me, know about the "Amanda" degree that I did end up getting...and has subsequently proven worthless. I could never figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up because all I wanted was the life of a mom and wife.

I have always been infatuated with the 1940's and 1950's. A time when people lived simpler lives and respected one another.  A time when women still wore dresses every day (with their pearls). I could dress like this everyday!!

Another argument I often hear is that a woman's responsibility was to make her man happy.  My comment would be...and?  I think in general this is a good rule to live by. Not just for women, but for men too!  I think that a good marriage means thinking about the other person and trying to make them happy. That doesn't mean sacrificing  yourself in the meantime though.

And don't be confused. I realize how much hard work it would take. Hell, I realize how hard it is right now being a Work at Home mom. Taking care of a baby is full time work! Through in a house and a hubby and your plate is full!  I do all of that plus work full time at home.  I'm doing everything in my power to try and stay home to raise my kids. It was something I missed out on as a child and hope to give my kids the benefit of their Mom being home.

The bottom line of all of this is I really admire the women of the 40's and 50's. There was something about that era that really intrigues me.  Their morals and ethics were just on another level compared to today.  I don't see anything wrong with wanting to stay home and dedicate myself to my husband and children.  I want my kids to have some of what I had...

-Growing up playing outside, not vegging in front of video games.
-Taking road trips with the whole family
-Family vacations where the most important thing was spending time together
-Respecting their parents (and grandparents)
-Family dinners

There are some principles that I think 1950's housewives embodied that will really help me get organized and get on track:

-Don't think of daily housework as CHORES. Make it more enjoyable!
-Get up early and get dressed! Too often I'm in my PJ's all day!
-Set a weekly menu and cook dinner...too often we are eating on the run
-Keep up with Laundry so it doesn't become overwhelming
-Make the bed!

I love reading blogs about women who are embodying the lifestyle I've been talking about. I won't be taking it to the extreme (hair and makeup...although I'd love to!) but I will be striving to accomplish those goals!

Thanks to the kindness of strangers...

To say that I am overwhelmed at the outpouring of support from friend, family and, well...strangers, would be putting it lightly. In just about a week we have raised over $1,800! We are less than $500 away from our goal.

As thrilled as I am with how much we've raised, my heart is still broken. I wish every single day that we didn't have to do this. I keep hoping I get a phone call about the miracle that cured Caleb. It's not fair...no one should have to deal with this much less a little boy.

If you know me, you know that my family has a history of cancer, so this hits home especially hard. We lost my Dad's baby sister when I was just 12 years old. That was the first time I saw my Dad cry.  We also lost my Grandfather to this horrific disease and my family hasn't been the same since...and never will.  My dad was diagnosed last year with Thyroid cancer and I'm happy to report that as of his last appointment he is still Cancer free.

Thank you again to every single person...whether you donated $1 or $200.  This means a lot to me, and will to Caleb's family I'm sure.  We are so close to paying off their trip...a phone call I can't wait to make!

Send Caleb to Walt Disney World

Recently I have been working with a lot of great clients. That is the best part of my job. Two families in particular have been a lot of fun to work with.  They are actually traveling to Disney at the same time as my family. It's their first visit and we've had a blast planning it.

2 days ago I received word that 6 year old Caleb, the son of one of the families was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. His mom said Chemo and radiation would just be too hard on his body.

I can't express how heartbroken I am. I have cried many times already for Caleb and his family.   No one deserves to go through this but especially not a 6 year old. Right now Caleb's biggest wish is to go on the trip to Disney that his Mom and I have been planning. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that happens. If you are reading this and can afford to donate just a little, please do...every little big helps.

Right now I'm going to hug my baby so tight and say lots of prayers for Caleb and his family.

Diary of a Work at Home Mom

I'll admit it...I have my dream job, or rather one of my dream jobs.  I get to help people travel to my absolute favorite place on earth. I get to share something I'm passionate about and help families create memories. There is nothing like it in the word. I feel incredibly blessed for the turn of events that led me here.  Another amazing bonus to this is that I get to stay home with my beautiful daughter. 

While I was pregnant I used to day dream of how it would be once she was here.  We'd hang out in the office together...she'd play, I'd work.  This all seems incredible ironic as she is starting to wail in the room next to me.  Being a work at home Mom is tough...a lot tougher than I imagined.  It's been tricky trying to find a balance between working, taking care of her, taking care of the house...and did I mention I will also return to work part time out of the house 2 days a week (or will in a few weeks)!  I'm like Donna Reed meets Mary Tyler Moore, lol!

The first 2 months with her we haven't been on a set schedule...everything revolves around her! I've decided we need to get more organized and have some type of daily routine!  Today is the start of a new week and with only 2 weeks before I return to my part time job, it's the perfect time to get ourselves a plan.

Kennedy isn't on any kind of a schedule yet but usually she gets up pretty early and eats. Then she dozes back off in her swing.  This is my time to take a shower and start returning emails. She usually only interrupts me when it's time to eat again. Afternoons aren't as easy as she is starting to be more awake and alert but I also have Eric around to help out.

Monday- This is my busiest day of the week for the travel agencies. Everyone is settling back in after the weekend and is ready (hopefully) to book a magical vacation! Monday's will be dedicated mostly to the travel agency
Tuesday- I'll work my part time job. I'll be working 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. while my Mother-In-Law watches Kennedy
Wednesday- Mail day! Wednesday's will be the day I send out all documents to my clients
Thursday- Also working today 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday-Grocery shopping. In an upcoming post I'll talk about our struggle to keep our grocery bill down while eating healthy!
Saturday/Sunday-Cleaning the house. When I was a kid, Saturday mornings was when we completed our chores.  Looks like Kennedy will have a similar memory!

Of course in the midst of all of that I'll have laundry, practically every day.  Since we use cloth diapers, we do a lot of laundry. 

There is also the task of meal planning and just keeping up with every day chores.  Being a work at home mom is like no other job I've ever had. It's hard and stressful and the most rewarding thing I've every done. I love being at home every day with my little girl and realize how lucky I am to have this opportunity.

Why I love to write

When I was a child, my favorite subject in school was English...geek, I know. I loved that I could let my imagination run wild and "empty" my brain onto paper. I regret not keeping more of my work but I recently found several papers dated 1992.  They were pretty funny to go through...I had quite the imagination, lol!  I decided to kick off my blog, every Friday I will try my hand at a bit of creative writing! Here is my first attempt!

This exercise must begin with writing the word Remember 3 times and it should prompt something.

Remember
Remember
Remember

Remember when life was simpler?  Remember when the sound of the shrill whistle caused your feet and legs to smart moving before you realized that it was Dad calling you home? Remember when we were spies and the only thing we had was a map and a flashlight? Remember where the map is?  Remember the Arctic adventure we took and the lodge we stopped at for hot chocolate (I learned French there)? Remember when I was a teacher and you were my student? Remember the intense kickball games? Remember the icing on the brownies? Remember that you got a stupid red wagon? Remember "our" day? Remember walking to day camp? Remember boondoggle? I do.

Not the most creative thing I've ever written but it was fun and sure evoked a lot of memories.  Dedicated to my baby brother.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! For some time now I've wanted to get back into writing a blog, but I couldn't figure out just what I wanted to write about.  While browsing the web I was looking at some weddings inspired by the movie UP!  Both my husband and I adore this movie and that's when it hit me...life is too short and while we may have settled down with our little family, our life has been quite the adventure! After all, the definition of adventure is an exciting or remarkable experience.  Thanks for reading along and sharing in our adventure!