Since when does turning 3...

mean " Now I run this place? "

I mean last I checked, I was the one who married my husband, became pregnant & gave birth to a child. Certainly, someone left these details out because I think I may have to clarify the "rules of engagement" to my daughter. Clearly she thinks she's in control and I have to do something about it.

pic courtesy of ehow.com

Temper tantrums don't work, screaming, kicking, crying...I'm not talking about her.. I mean me lol! In all seriousness though I am trying everything and this girl is like an oak tree. SHE. WILL. NOT. BE. MOVED. So I resolved to loving her for all of her stubbornness and instead of trying to break her to get her to "fit" into my mold, I will encourage her to stay strong but remember to yield to authority. Especially me - cause in case she didn't know, I'm the Head Hauncho around these parts. The Big Kahuna, The Chief, CEO, CFO, M.O.M!

Anyhoo, sorry for the rant, I just needed to make that clear, even is she can't read lol! I just have to say that blogging is awesome! If any of you ladies have any comments or even advice post them cause I need help. My eyes are burning from watching Supernanny so much lol! Sound off & let me know how to emerge victorious from this battle. Pray I make it through with no battle scars!

pic courtesy of theage.com

Speaking of awesome bloggers, I must ay I envy those of you who got a chance to hand & chat with each other at BlogHer this year but I was privileged to meet one of the moms in my own backyard! I bumped into her at church...great place to meet good people lol. It was Anna of Quiskaeya! I love blogging you guys rock!

Remember not to forget to take care of you! I certainly won't ;)

- Just a few thoughts....

it's an epidemic of .....

huge proportions!

Hello Lovelies! Normally I'm am being silly whenever I am posting but I find that it's time for me to get a lil serious today. You all know that I am a huge advocate for taking care of yourself AND your family. I mean if you aren't healthy, how will you possibly care for your family - let alone be able to be "pleasant" to those around you?

You know what I mean, the saying goes, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" While it's funny it is also very true. I have been chatting with a few girlfriends of mine even a female relative or two who have all been struggling to take care of their families and have long forgotten about themselves, so that being said, we have to take action....take off your rubber gloves, burn your apron, put down the Lysol, drop the broom and listen up! Okay.... so I am still being a lil silly but I just can't help it.

Here's some more ways that you can do a lil' something just for yourself:

1. When you are feeling overwhelmed with everyday responsibility, Stop. Take a few deep breaths, put your feet up and even if it is just 30 seconds of breathing and sitting down ITS WORTH IT! Don't tell me you don't have 30 seconds now... better get off the computer a lil sooner ;) Sometimes just stopping to breathe when we are tense is just enough to relax us & keep us moving on with our day. Its serious! There's even evidence to back it up, Check out this article.

2. After taking a deep breath, if you don't live in a 20 degree area, go for a walk. I used to make every excuse in the book NOT to go outside. It's too hot, it's too cold but the truth is that staying inside all of your days is a recipe for falling into a deep depression. NO.JOKE. I have been a victim of it and it is hard to battle as a lonely stay at home mom. if you have a friend go out with her, if you have family go out to see them, if you have no one I'm here for you and know that i have been there and emerged victorious! This is one not to miss! Bonus? You get to experience the beauty of God's nature and you'll be good when you get back home.

3. Make some time for you during the week. I don't mean just 5 - 10 minutes but I mean legitimate time away from your home & children. You don't have to spend money either, if its cold where you are go to a library ( Peace & quiet ahhh!!!!) if its warm go to the mall and just

window shop. If you have a few bucks treat yourself to a nice dessert or a latte - with extra whipped cream..... okay back to reality, point is whatever you do, do it for you ;) Not only is it fun but I promise you, you will be sooo happy when you come back to your little ones!

4. Exercise. Now I must caution you that exercise is my arch enemy but it's necessary for a healthy mind, body AND Spirit. You all know that I'm a God fearing woman, the truth is He created us in those three mediums to operate as one. Sound familiar? Anyhoo, you cannot deny the physical aspect of your body and not expect your mind & body not to be affected. I don't like highly aerobic workouts cause they can be hard on my body but stretching is wonderful for you. If you struggle with sleep as I do stretching before sleep will help to relax you, trust me as an insomniac, IT WORKS!

5. Get rest. I cannot say this enough! If you are not sleeping your body is not being replenished or repaired. I stand guilty as charged. I am notorious for burning myself out so badly that I become sick or worse. Even God rested on the seventh day! I mean seriously, if He being infinite in all His might took a load off, how much more should we being fragile? Don't get me wrong we

are strong but to deny ourselves the very thing we were created to do can't be right. That why the shops close, lights are turned off and things shut down. Just in case you didn't know we as the women of the household are the captains of the ship we call home (not to deny the husbands authority). If you let go of the steering wheel & forget about our responsibility to ourselves AND those on board... where will everyone end up?

Take that time....you know the rest.

Ladies if you have any other advice or comments please weigh in with what works for you. You never know how you may encourage someone by just sharing how you make it happen.

- Just a thought.....

Well I have finally...

Conquered my computer woes for now....or so it seems ( I can laugh about it now) and while I am feeling victorious as I sit in front of my computer, I have waged a new battle with my now three year old ;)

POTTY WARS! I can hear all of the theme music playing in the background - DUN DUN DUN!!!!!!!! with blood curdling screams firing off in the background... okay enough of the drama and back to the story.

As I was saying, I have begun the battle with the potty. Now just so you know my little peanut Leia has been well trained since she was about 2 years old. I started when she was about 14 months, it quickly got too overwhelming for her, so we took a break and resumed when she hit 2. Now she has been a rare case - she took on very quickly and very rarely had an accident unless she was groggy in the morning - ( I can count on one hand her accidents and still have fingers left)

Anyhoo, lately I find that while she is fully trained she has been having all of these accidents. For example, she was sitting on my lap while I was banging/working on my computer and proceeded to scream "I gotta potty" and peed all over me, the computer chair & my floor. Sometimes I find she hasn't gone all day and then in a rush she goes running & peeing all over the place! I don't know what's going on here! Even if I ask her if she has to go she still won't. Me & the hubs have to leave her there crying in order for her to go. I don't know if its an independence thing or what but I am tired of cleaning out the potty and my floors! By the way, this new independence thing at 3 years old... a whole nother ' blog post.

Sorry for the rant but the only thing that gives me peace while I'm in the midst of cleaning is knowing that I'm loving her in the midst of this instead of reacting to what's happening. It reminds me of how many times God has to come down & clean up my mess. At least she's innocent and doing this unknowingly... or so I think. Well besides the cleaning of my peanut and her potty there is much to be happy about. We'll see if that attitude sticks though the next time I have to clean up a dirty potty lol!

Regardless of what part of the floor (or your child) you find yourself cleaning make some time to take care of just you.

- Just a thought....

What am I doing for me you're thinking? I'm getting ready to go hang out with my girlfriends and then coming home to nap with the kid & the hubs. You didn't think I forgot huh?

This is exactly how I feel...

about my computer!!!!

While I'm brand new, my situation with this page taking FOREVER to load is getting real old...real fast.

We have since been experiencing some technical difficulties and when they resume as they should be we'll get back to our regular scheduled programming.

Anyone know my frustration? Leave your comments & advice if you know how to deal.

- Just a frustrated rant......

I'm .....

brand new everyone!

Hello lovelies! It's wonderful to be back and better than ever! Nothing like a makeover to give a gurl a confidence boost huh? I absolutely adore what Louise ( of Adori Graphics) did for my blog and my hope is that you love it too. If not that's okay I'll still love you lol! It makes me wanna jump for joy.

Anyhoo, I have since recovered from my denial of my child getting older but am absorbing the time and fun we are having just for today. There are so many great things to talk to you all about and I just cannot wait to share so stay tuned....

- Just a thought.... and while you ponder that may I ask, what have you done for you lately?