Why oh Why?

Why oh why can't some foods have a greater nutritional value?!?!? Of course, when I say some foods I am directly talking about those that are 99.9% sugar. It would make my life so much easier as a mother and even as a wife sometimes. I battle with my son wanting popsicles for breakfast accompanied with a sippy-cup of sprite. Now if they had a better nutritional value, my mornings would start out peaceful rather than tears and screaming, and me wondering why I ever got out of bed. My daughter thinks that ramen noodles should be served at every meal. She loves them so much that it is no wonder that she told me she wanted to be one for halloween. Again, if they had a greater nutrional value (all the healthy stuff that say, a bowl of broccoli had), my mealtime problems would be solved. Now we can't discuss something like this without mentioning the absence of nutrition and vitamins in candy...everyone raise their hand if candy being healthy would bring a smile to your face (both my hands are raised!) I wouldn't feel like such a bad parent if everytime we saw a gumball machine or vending machine and before my kids even had a chance to ask, I was already mid-reply of "no"! It would be nice if I said, hey kids want some healthy candy? I think there would be a lot less crying in stores, malls, restuarants, and everywhere else you go that decides to make parents cover their children's eyes so they don't see the candy machine....don't we have enough tantrums to deal with?!?!?
Well, since I am sure that candy companies, soda companies and even the ramen noodle company try daily to improve the nutritional value of their products, I as a loving and concerned mother will continue to have to come up of creative ways to make the food my kids love, even dream about sometimes, healthy. We will continue to pretend that carrots, broccoli and cauliflower are spaceships that even princesses eat. Some days it does just the trick!

Just One of Those Days

I know that I am not the only one out there who has had "One of Those Days", and I know that I am not the last to have them. Today was just my turn. It started out great and I am sure that it will end great (going to bed). I guess what has gotten me down is to see my husb dealing with a lot right now. He has so much on his plate right now and I am completely helpless. That's right, his wife...for better or worse...is helpless. It's hard to see one of my family members have so much to tend to and worry about and I can't do much to help. The kids and I sat down and talked about ways that we can help Dad feel happy and at peace when he is home with us. Of course no whining was first on our list of ways to help, we also thought of no TV, no fighting, saying prayers for him, giving him hugs, singing songs to him and the list went on and on. Well, our first attempt didn't go as I had imagined, but the kids are great and will keep trying. Dad got home late from work, hugged the kids and me, settled a fight between the two small genders of the home, made two or three phone calls, changed his clothes, hugged the kids goodbye and was out the door-20 minutes tops. No dinner, no relaxing on the couch or even sitting down for that matter, no reading his paper (his favorite thing to do), no playing with the kids or hearing their stories. However, one thing that I do KNOW is that when we are on the Lord's errand we are entitled to His help. I know Jason isn't completely alone in dealing with this load. He has a greater helper than I could ever be. Jason knows this and for that I know we, or should I say that he will make it through. We are grateful for the experiences the Lord gives us to grow, learn, teach and help others. We certainly have our "days" around here, but they don't last long because somewhere in the middle of them we stop and realize that really, we have been blessed. Thanks for being my listening ears. I hope I haven't come across as complaining or murmuring. I just needed a friend or two to express some feelings and I am glad that you are there to listen. Good night. Tomorrow is a new day!

15 weeks

Slowly, but surely, time goes by. Atleast that is how I feel when I am pregnant. I find myself sighing that I am only 15 weeks along. It sure beats 5 weeks along though. We go to the doctor today for a check up and I have decided to take the kids along with us. I want them to be a part of this. I thought that they might enjoy hearing the baby's heart beat. Ashley is always telling the baby stories and is ever so willing to sing it a song with me. It is fun to see how much she understands about another baby joining our family. Jackson on the other hand, still feels that he is my baby and he is. He is my tender-hearted, sensitive and yet still rough little boy. He has really developed a huge preference for his dad lately. He only lets Jason hold him when we go out together. Only Dad can push the stroller when we go for walks and Dad is the all time best ever person to go look for spiders, crickets and other bugs with (Jack's obsession right now).
It hasn't taken me long to realize that I love what I am doing. I may not have a college degree, or read a book every week or be able to carry on a highly intellectual conversation, but I can understand a 2 year old, I can do several voices when reading a story to my kids and I can even make up a pretty good princess story on the spot. I may not be remembered by most people, but to two, almost three, people, I am the world!!! And I am soooo fine with that.