Time with My Girls

I wish I could say that I loved sitting down and playing with my girls non-stop all day. That is not the case. I have a really hard time enjoying a lot of what they (mainly Keila) wants to play. For example: Keila wants to play with her baby. She puts the baby to sleep then we turn off the lights and Keila wants us to lay down and "sleep". Then 20 seconds later we wake up, pick up the baby, put her back in the crib, lay back down, etc. repeat.
I'M TIRED BECAUSE IM A MOM!!! I'M ALMOST ACTUALLY ASLEEP WHEN I LAY DOWN FOR 20 SECONDS!

I read a blog from a mom who adimitted to a group of friends that she didn't enjoy playing with her kids. Several of them gave her some advice that I've tried to apply. Here are a couple of the things that were said:
1- Give a time limit to what you will participate in with your kids (15 minutes to play night night with the baby).
2- Do something that you enjoy doing. For me: coloring, kicking a ball, dancing around, building with blocks or magnetic tiles, and playing with playdough. (My only trouble with this one is Keila doesn't ever want to dio what I want to do. It has to be her idea)

Going along with spending time with my girls, I feel bad when I don't spend any time with them, even for a portion of the day because there are things I want to get done around the house. As much as I'm ok having my house look like I live here, I do like to have certain areas of my house looking picked up.  I like having the laundry done and put away. I want the dishes done and counters wiped down. I don't know about you, but when I need to clean, I have to either to ignore my girls while I get thing done, take all day while trying to also play do the them, OR have them help!

Lia has shown interest of wanting to do what I'm doing. She loves when Scott and I are unloading the dish washer. Scott will hand Lia a dish of some sort and Lia will bring it to me and I'll put it away. Keila was watching Lia help and she came to help as well. Since the first time, Keila has become the one who pulls the dishes out of the dishwasher and hands them to Lia.

My girls also like to help me do the the laundry. I will hand them clothes and they will put them into the washer for me. I'll put the soap in. I'll help Lia push the power and start buttons. And that is that!

I can now spend time with both girls and get some cleaning done. Yes, it does take more time but at least I can get done what I want, and I can spend quality time with my girls.

Not A Perfect Mom

I'm going to be honest, I'm not always a nice mom. I'm not just talking about telling my kids no, not letting them watch a show, no treats after dinner, etc. I'm talk about how I speak to my girl's. There are too many times a day, to many days a week, I don't respond to them kindly, I snap at them for no reason, I begin yelling before I've taken a deep breath.

(Please go away child, I can't hold you right now)

I have known for a long time that I need help in the patience department. I can tell the days that I don't pray for patience, maybe pray once in the day for it, and the days that it is in every prayer we say throughout the day.
The last couple of weeks I have finally figured out that praying and then just trying really hard not to yell or get frustrated is not the key. I need to do more.

(I'm going to go on a couple of tangents, but I'll bring it back around.)

Thanks to Facebook and the "memories from this day" I was reminded of an article that I found and shared called, "you are enough". It talks about being a mom and being with yous kids. We shouldn't try to be "super mom". We shouldn't worry so much about trying to have a spotless house. We need to enjoy the journey of life with our kids. Re-reading this article helped me remember that I do not need to compare myself to what other moms are doing. I'm MY kids mom, and I'm going to be the best mom for them!

During some "window shopping" on pinterest, I came across a great pin for moms. I'd say especially stay-at-home moms, but great for all moms. Since reading through each of the listed items below and incorporating at least one into my day, I am starting to feel, I'll call it accomplished.

It is amazing what doing at least one of these a day will do to get you into a better mood. Since I've incorporated these into my life, I feel like a person, a real human being....not just a mom. I feel good about who I am and it gives me more confidence, which helps me be more positive with my girls.

My girls and I always begin the day in my bed. When my 3 year old wakes up, she comes and cuddles with me. My one year old is in a crib (and thankfully doesn't know how to climb out) makes noises when she wakes up, so I go get her and bring her into bed with me. Regardless of who is in bed with me first, once both girls are awake and in my bed with me we start the morning off like this; I've began a new morning tradition. I have done this the past 3 days now, and I really feel like it helps me through my day (along with the above mentioned helpers). I read the scripture of the day- from the scripture of the day widget on my phone- and then I explain it in the simplest way I can for my 3 year old to understand. Then we say a morning prayer together. There is just something about begining our day together like this that helps bring us peace and happiness.

Again, I hate that I turn to anger and yell at my girls, but I know I'm not perfect. Thankfully, I know I'm not the only mom out there who is not perfect. I am trying my hardest to figure out how to be the best mom for my girls. I just need to remember that spending time with them, playing with them on the ground is so much more important than cleaning up after them all day. I do need to think of myself during the day, because that one thing helps me be a better mom for my girls. And starting my day out with learning about Jesus and Heavenly Father, and then praying has brought more peace into my home than just praying and then hoping my prayers are being heard. I am feel more patient. Which means my efforts AND prayers are working!

(It's a darn good thing they are cute! I love my girls)

Lia's First Birthday!

I can't believe that one year ago I gave birth to my second child, another beautiful baby girl. Lia has been walking since she was 8 and a half month old. She says mama and dada. She goes to the garage door when Scott gets home from work and is so excited to see him. Lia loves following Keila around around, and playing with what Keila is playing with (sometimes, most times the toy that is in Keila's hands right then). Lia has 3 teeth, two on bottom and finally, one up top. She thinks she's so funny, which she is, and loves to be chased. I can't remember life without her.

On Lia's birthday, we had two parties for her; one in the morning with grandparents and one in the evening with friends.

For the morning we had Scott's parents and my parents down for breakfast. It was fun to have a small family gathering. Lia didn't really get the whole opening gifts thing, but she did like having all the paper and boxes around to play with. (The second a toy was unwrapped, Keila was more than willing to open and play with them for Lia.)

We were able to have a quiet afternoon with naps and played with the new toys before the next party began. We had friends from Scott's work and their families over to help celebrate Lia's big day. There were 8 children and 8 adults. We had a great dinner of taco soup, fruit, veggies, and rolls. After dinner the men went downstairs and played fusbol, the women and babies hung out in the living room, while the "older" children played upstairs in the toy room. 

Once the men and kids had their play time we called everyone back to the kitchen for cake and ice cream. We sang to Lia and then put the cake in front of her to blow out her candle, she reached for the cake instead. (Keila was more than happy to blow out the candle for her sister). We gave Lia her cupcake. She grabbed the frosting with both hands, but then looked at mommy and daddy like, "what do you expect me to do with this?" Scott helped her a couple times, then she got the hang of it. She loved it!

Oh how this little girl's many smiles bring me so much joy. I love her so much! Happy Birthday little Lia girl!

My baby is 3.....going on 13.

My beautiful baby girl, who made me a mommy, turned 3 on January 3rd! My beautiful Keila has the sweetest laugh and most innocent smile. She is kind, cares for others, can be an excellent sharer of toys and dress-ups, and enjoys the company of any aged child. Keila loves to run and be chased. She climbs on and up everything she can, (and not allowed) and loves life. Now, don't let her fool you. She can turn all of the above off faster than the blink of an eye. If her mom or dad don't wrestle with her "correctly" she begins to whine and cry. If she doesn't want to give loves hello or goodbye to screams, kicks, and may run away. It's her way or the highway. But, no matter what mood she's in, she's my like girl and I love her (even if I do need to lock her into her room for several minutes).

For Keila's birthday we went and had lunch with daddy at his work. That evening we had Nana, Grammy, Poppy, and Great Grandma Wilson over for dinner; we had spaghetti, French bread, and salad. We then opened gifts. Keila received a "Elena of Avalor" dress-up dress and shoes from Nana, a book and an outfit from Grammy and Poppy, and a book, an outfit, and a new chair that reclines from mommy and daddy. (She also received a trampoline from mommy, daddy, Grammy and poppy, but that came on Saturday) After presents we had cake and  ice cream. My attempt art being creative with the cake obviously failed when Scott asked if I ran out of blue frosting. No, it is supposed to look like that. I made the cake itself look like the number 3 and I frosted it in the colors of Queen Else's hair color and dress (See picture). Regardless, Keila loved it and it tasted great!

I'm so glad Keila enjoyed her birthday. I love that she doesn't expect anything big. She loved opening gifts and have all of the attention on her all day long.