Thank You Mom in Law

I decided to participate in the group writing contest hosted by Jordan at MamaBlogga. Here is my entry (just in the nick of time!), entitled Thank You Mom in Law.


Mom-in-law, I want to thank you for raising such a wonderful son. I also want to thank you for giving him to me on our wedding day, although you did hold on tight until the very last second. In fact, I nearly broke a well manicured nail trying to wrench him out of your eagle-like grasp. But you handed him over, and for that, I thank you.

I would also like to thank you for the many, many hours you spent taking care of your family. Your son is proud that he had a stay at home mother at his beck and call, ready to serve the family diligently. You set the bar so very, very high for your son's wife, and for that, I thank you.

You spent so many hours taking care of your children when they were ill. This helped your son learn that someone would always be there to rub his back, fetch his blankets, and wipe his nose. You spent many hours slaving over a hot stove, dishing up everyone's plates, jumping up to grab forgotten condiments, clearing the table, and washing the dishes, never once expecting (or receiving) a thank you. You were delighted to follow your children around with a dust buster, snatching up each crumb before it hit the floor. Your children came home from school to see a freshly made bed, neatly vaccuumed bedroom, and a nice homemade snack waiting for them. You spent every waking moment doing something for someone in your family, and for that, I thank you.

You gladly took your husband's coat when he came inside, lined his boots up neatly in the proper place, and smiled when he threw his dirty socks next to the laundry hamper, instead of in. You spent hours ironing clothes- you could make the perfect crease in a pair of boxer shorts! You spent hours perfecting your cookie recipe- you could have made money off of those chocolate chip beauties! You spent hours scrubbing the toilet- anyone would have been glad to rest their hiney upon the gleaming throne! You were always armed with a bottle of homemade cleaning solution, a dustrag, and a giant smile on your face, and for that, I thank you.

Although you felt that no one would ever be good enough for your son, you still welcomed me into the family with half open arms. You never failed to impart your wisdom on to me. I was blessed with your advice in many areas of my life, including: my marriage, my parenting skills, my finances, and even my weight. You were always willing to share tips and ideas for improving my life, and for that, I thank you.

When it comes to your son's children, you really shine. You love your granddaughters with such a passion, like a grandma lioness protecting her cubs. Of course, you shower them with too many sweets, inappropriate cartoons, and uber late bedtimes, but you also shower them with love. Lots and lots of pure, unconditional love. And for that, I thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Throughout your son's childhood, you were there to clean up after him, feed him, make his bed, and keep him happy. You were always there to fulfill every need he could have. You might have been there too much, but you were always there. And for that, I thank you.

You raised your son with the expectation that his wife should do as much as his mom did. The pressure and responsibility can be a bit much, and to say our household is different than yours used to be, is an understatement. But please know, that you are appreciated. Appreciated for your undying love for your family, your constant need to please, even your unsolicited advice. You are appreciated for all of your hard work, your sense of humor, and especially for your mouthwatering chocolate chip cookies and your gleaming toilets.

You gave me your son, my children's father, and my best friend. And for that, I thank you.

Vacuums and Vodkas

Hello, my name is Julie. And I am a binge cleaner.

Just like a binge drinker, but with a broom instead of a beer. Like a college co-ed, I abstain for most of the week. Then the weekend hits, and I find myself spending hours cleaning as much as I can.

After a weekend of heavy drinking and partying, the binge drinker usually needs a day or two to recover. She rests in a dimly lit room, pops Advil, and runs to the bathroom. She vows to the toilet bowl "I will never drink that much again!"

Likewise, the binge cleaner needs to recover after a weekend of heavy scrubbing. She collapses on the couch, the lingering scent of cleaning fumes still thick in the air and vows "I will never clean that much again!"

But alas, the weekend comes, and with it the promises of mops for one, and martinis for the other. One throwing trash out, the other throwing tequila up. Both will probably spend time on their knees, one scrubbing the floor, and the other..er...

As much as I loathe cleaning, I much prefer it over raging hangovers and cheap beer.

Please?

Pretty please with a cherry on top?

With sprinkles?

And nuts?

And a generous dose of whipped cream?

And big warm globs of ooey gooey hot fudge?

Please, oh please, just let me SLEEP!!!???

I'm not quite sure who I am begging. Maybe it is the Exhaustion Elf? Dream Fairy? Pillow Princess? I'm not sure who grants sleep wishes, but I desperately need some help in the Zzzz department. I haven't had a good night's sleep in three and a half years. I've been rolling out of bed and waddling my big pregnant self into the bathroom to pee every ten minutes, or attaching a baby to a boob, rocking an infant to sleep, entertaining toddler bedtime stalling tactics, or catching up on hours of TIVO goodness.

However, I really have no excuse now. Ali is sleeping through the majority of the night, Chloe snoozes like an angel, my bed is nice and cozy, and the cup of warm milk runneth over. So, why can't I sleep?

The only benefit of being a raging insomniac is getting so much 'me time'. In three nights I have read four Harry Potter books, spent a few hours in long hot baths, and organized a few kitchen drawers.

It is a miracle though, I am feeling a bit sleepy tonight. Maybe I'll go stare at the ceiling and silently plead with the Fairy SnoozeMother for a few hours. Insomnia bites.

Eek! Big decisions!

I am on the brink of a major decision in my life. I have decided to go back to school. This is very scary for me, but I am also excited.

However, it is not that easy. I have been having a lot of conversations and arguments inside my head as to what I want to do when I "grow up". I have three different careers that I would really love to pursue. They are very different, all three have many pros and cons, and they all vary in salary.

The three careers I have narrowed it down to are sanitation worker, forklift operator, and receptionist.

Just kidding, I really had you there didn't I? Anyhoo, my three choices of professions are.....drumroll please........

Teacher
Nurse
Writer

I know, very random choices. Ever since I was a wee one, I dreamed about being a teacher. I loved school, even high school. I had some fantastic teachers that really made a difference in my life. I started school three years ago, with every intent of pursuing my teaching dreams. But a certain red haired pixie came along and forced all school related thoughts right out of my exhausted brain. I planned on going back, and I did for one semester, but it was much harder than I expected.

But the past year I have been so fascinated by the health care industry. I can totally picture myself as a nurse, specifically an OB or pediatric nurse. The health care industry is ever growing and is one profession that will always be around. I have always been fascinated with the human body and biology. Our local college has an amazing RN program. It is very competitive, but a really fantastic program.

And the writing thing...something I have always, always wanted to do. I have a story that I wrote when I was only four years old about Santa Claus coming into a house through the fireplace and tripping over the striped cat that was stretched out. I had a notebook that I was constantly writing short stories in. I have hundreds of ideas floating around in my head about what I want to write. Magazine articles, a collection of short stories, a novel, a young adults series, I want to do it all!

It's so scary to think of finding something I want to do forever. I won't lie, money is somewhat important to me, but I really want something I can be passionate about. Because if you don't love your job, you're screwed. I want something that is family friendly and allows me to spend a lot of time with my kids. I want to make a difference! I am going back to school this fall and taking a few more of my core classes. That will give me a little more time to decide what I want to do. You know what though? I love school! I really enjoy classes, homework, essays, even tests!!

Some major decisions to make, a lot of responsibility and pressure to worry about. Scary stuff!

Ali's Rules

Alivia's Rules

1) I rule this roost. Mommy may think she is in charge but she is just in major denial. The world revolves around ME.

2) If you think a schedule would work wonders for me, please refer to rule number 1.

3) If I am crying, you may only pick me up to console me IF, and I repeat, IF, you are my Mommy. If you are my Daddy, or Grandma, or some other person, don't even attempt it.

4) I will only sleep curled up next to Mommy. I have to be holding her pinky finger, I must be rotated exactly 170 degrees to the East, and I have to be wrapped in the same blanket.

5) Mommy, if you attempt to move away from me once I am sound asleep, I will know. I will wake. I will cry.

6) Don't even think about feeding me those nasty solids. If you try I will clench my lips and thrust my tongue out at you. If you try a second time, I will bat at the spoon and fling goop everywhere. If you try a third time I will blow sweet potato rasberries all over you. If you try a fourth time, I start to think you aren't all that bright Mom.

7) I love my sister. If she cries, I cry harder. If she laughs, I laugh too. If she falls down, I laugh again.

8) Sometimes when I am happy, I will entertain myself. I will play on the floor, I will work on my motor skills. I will laugh, and giggle and smile. Enjoy these times.

9) Naps are for wussies. We don't speak of that four letter word in my household.

10) If you have any questions or concerns about any of my mannerisms, please feel free to read rule number 1.

50th Post!

Yay for fifty posts!!

Life has been crazy, crazy, crazy. I had a super busy weekend. Hubby went on a three day bachelor party. Sheesh! A big group of the guys went camping and fishing, they really had a blast. So I invited my cousin to stay the weekend with me. She is 14, and both of the girls really love her. I had a lot of fun staying up late, giggling and chatting. But man, I am really appalled at how 'grown up' teenagers are. Doing drugs, having sex, sneaking out. My cousin isn't doing those things (yet anyway) but all of her friends are. It's scary. We went swimming on Saturday for my younger cousins' birthday party. It was a lot of fun, and I really slathered a ton of sunscreen on both girls. I must have missed a spot on Ali's arm though because the poor thing got burnt. I completely forgot about putting sun screen on me, and I am super crispy and red. Then on Sunday my mom and I went to visit my friend and her new little baby. Such a sweet little thing! She is still teeny, only 5 lbs 3 oz, and still in the NICU, but she is beautiful! Then we did a whirlwind of power shopping, and lots of driving back home.

All this week I'll be catching up on housecleaning! Should be fun times.

I've been reading all about the huge 4th of July giveaway at 5 Minutes For Mom for quite a while. In true procastinator fashion I waited until now to enter though! Just in the nick of time! You have to check them out, they have some amazing things to give away!