Go Pack Go!

Yeah, it's a good thing you (Packers) won tonight, I don't let my kids stay up this late for nothing.

So take that Bret Favre! Look where your stupidity got you. Hah!

Stick People

So I've been noticing the little figures people stick on the back of their cars lately. You know, where the little figures of the happy family (Dad, Mom, the number of children and pets) are holding hands on the back car window. Yes, they are cute, but it suddenly hit me that you are telling everyone how many people are in your family and the gender of your children. Now the next time you leave the mall the local pedophile can follow you home and stake out your house. Not exactly the safest thing to put on the back of your car.  Just a thought.

Euphoric High

The hill is approaching. She feels the hard pavement under her feet. Inhaling the cold air cools her lungs and burns when she exhales. Her heart is pounding, her muscles ache, everything hurts, but she pushes harder, increases speed to reach the euphoric high. Chanting to herself, "you can do it, you're almost there," over and over again until there is no other option except to finish. Reaching the top is only part of the game, the real test is to do it again, but faster. Pushing limits or setting goals, we all strive to accomplish.

Even athletic people hurt. I haven't ran in 20 degree weather in years. It was painful, but afterward I felt pretty good. Maybe I will try it again tomorrow if it isn't snowing (the treadmill is getting boring).

It's Always Something

I remember the days when I couldn't wait for the day I didn't have to buy another diaper or sippy cup. Well, those days have passed (I am very thankful), but now I am waiting for the days when there isn't a big gob of tooth paste spit in the sink. Twice a day, I am cleaning the sink.

Now this isn't as bad as sitting on a wet toilet seat (yes, little girls dribble on the toilet seat too). Make sure to look before sitting down. 

Both Sides

Now that I've been on both sides of the spectrum, working mom and stay at home mom, I've learned a lot about myself. Basically what everyone asks themselves at one time or another. What do I want out of life?

What I wanted in my twenties is definitely different than my thirties. It reminds me of the movie City Slickers when Billy Crystal is trying to find the meaning of life.

For me, it turns out that time is the most valuable possession. There's no fluctuation in time. It is set and there is no outside influence to change it. Twenty four hours, seven days a week that's all you get. No politician, no government, no one person can change this. Or at least won't change it in the near future.

When I was working, time was nothing but a battle for me. I was always racing the clock to see how much I could pack into a twenty four hour day. Kind of like a robot always trying to optimize and become more efficient. Never realizing what I was missing out on. Never cherishing the small things, always moving onto the next task. Looking back at it now, my objective for working was so I wouldn't loose my identity of who I was. But that was my identity in my twenties. My identity in my thirties changed. 

Realizing that if I hadn't gotten laid off, I would still be working and wouldn't have had the chance to reflect on things makes this all a blessing in disguise. Everything happens for a reason. And to continue with the cliches, always stop to smell the roses. Funny how time can give you clarity too.

I'm not trying to paint a perfect picture because there is no perfect picture (sorry to burst your bubble). If you know me, you know there are still arguments, yelling and screaming going on over disagreements, but I am extremely lucky and thankful to have the love of my life and three beautiful, healthy children surrounding me. So far, this is the happiest time of my life. And I mean the true happiness, the deep down, great feeling in your chest, surrounding your whole being happiness. I hope everyone gets to experience this one time or another.