The "Joys" of Motherhood

I hate people who constantly complain about having kids, taking care of said kids, having to do things with/for kids.  I usually try to keep my public whining to a minimum.  But every once in awhile there are those occassions where you just think..."WHAT THE F**K!!!  MY CHILD DID NNNNOOOOTTT JUST DO THAT!?!?"
So from previous blogs I'm sure you are aware we have a very precocious 3 (almost 4-or 25) year old.  She is independent (when she wants to be), intelligent (when she isn't mad at you), and adorable (when she isn't throwing a horrible fit). I know most children are probably like this....but you never really hear people (well most) talk about the ridculous thing their child did.  I could probably write a series on the "Misadventures of Curious Kyla". You know...that's probably actually a really good idea....hmmm, I will have to get back to everyone on that one!

Hhhhmmmm....Where to Begin???

So a lot has changed in my life since I last wrote on here.  Like the Title says...Where to Begin??  Well I guess first things first...I quit my job.  I know, I know.  A lot of people will sit there shaking there heads, but I honestly was a grown up about this decision.  First off I have worked steadily since I was 15 years old...so this isn't like it's just "oh, kim is working anymore".  Jon and I looked at our finances....and after a good long look we came to the understanding that this just isn't going to work anymore.  Right now we have two children in day care and a 45 min. commute for both of us everyday.  After the sitter is paid and gas tanks are filled we are left with...well pretty much nothing from my paycheck.  So I asked Jon...do I really want to keep working to make nothing? It was getting close to the point where I was about to start PAYING to work.  So now I am at home enjoying my lovely, CrAzY children.  (this is my first week at home)  I have begun a new exercise/diet program and hopefully can shed these extra pounds that I have added on whilst working and the children and I have found PLENTY to keep us busy! Thank you Gigi for finally opening the pool!  I am looking at schools to take online courses and I hope to watch a few children when need be to bring in extra cash.  I know this isn't the option everyone would of picked...but I am too grown to keep doing things because I don't want to dissapoint someone.  I am going to try my best to do what I believe is right for my family and I want to also try to make myself Happy! Life is too short to sweat the small stuff!

Ok, so thing #2! Hahaha....we are going to try Cloth Diapering! I really believe this will save us $$$ and I also just think it's not as hard as it used to be.  Right now I deal with stains in lovely child #1's undies all the time...so why not just have a WHOLE load of laundry focused on #2 instead of half one?

Thing #3..you know that amazing man I blogged about last time.  Well we got good news.....then the doo-doo hit the fan.  We are all worried and a little sick to find out that we didn't beat the buzzer on this one.  My wonderful amazing Grandpa is now dealing with Cancer.  Aunt Margie (bless her lovely lovely soul) has been helping my grandparents every step of the way through this life changing process.  She is such a wonderful person who doesn't always get the recognition she deserves! LOVE YOU AUNT MARGIE!! I don't truly think the reality of this news has totally hit home for me, having one grandparent who has passed on from cancer I think I am just numb right now.  My Grandma Marcy was a fiery, inspiring, and much loved great cook who could cuss like a sailor!! And I miss her everyday!! I just know she would love how well our sports teams have been doing lately and she would be there if she could be.  So Grandpa...I know you can do this.  You never quit and you are one of the hardest working men I have ever known! So I know when it's time you wll GET TO WORK and kick this cancer's A**!!!

Anyway...I think that's enough exclamation points and a pretty good overview of my life these days...

A Great Man :)

My grandpa John is one of the best men ever.  He is kind, generous, quiet (he raised 7 girls!!), and easy to be around.  He loves his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and loves to be around all of us crazy people.  He works HARD all the time and treats my Grandma like she's a princess! When I think of growing old I hope Jon and I can have the same sort of relationship my Grandmother and Grandfather share.  Of course their lives haven't been  perfect, but there is one thing you know for sure about them: They are STILL crazy about each other!!! Recently Grandpa got sick, and let me just say that for a lot of us the world kinda turned funny for a few days.  He is such a great man and I hope my son can grow up looking up to him! The guy who I know does so much for so many now has to rest, which he isn't really used to.  This has been a long week of waiting for my family and we really want to know that everything is just OK.  LOVE YOU GRANDPA JOHN and I'll be thinking of you all day tomorrow!!

Is it poop...or is it pee??

So sorry to say I have  been wwwaaayyy too busy it seems to write anything. It's not that a lot hasn't happened, it's just that it seems like we are going non-stop!

So Ms. Ky just got over being sick.  The really sick, like didn't eat for 3 days sick.  Poor baby!! Anyway, lucky Aunt Beme (Jon's Sis) got to deal with the first day, Gigi (my mother) got the second day, and I dealt with the last few. 

Side note-Jon and I were at a B&B when this started...more about that later! (and only the pg stuff Nana Cappy)

Oh, forgot to mention...we are REALLY working on the big PT...POTTY TRAINING! So far going pretty great except for this one issue...Kyla has had for quite some time a problem with holding #2! So needless to say, let the skid marks begin..I know disgusting! But so far that's A LOT of being a MOM!!

Ok...so back to the story! Kyla was on her potty and I was feeding Jaxon (I nurse, so no just easy putting him down real quick and checking out the situation mind you) and she stood up and said "MOOOOMM, I'm done!"  Alright sweetheart, let me put this away real quick....

Next thing I hear a toot...followed by...a sound...like water (or pee hopefully)

"Is it pee or is it poop Kyla??"...."I don't know mom."...."WELL LOOK...PEE OR POOP???"...."Umm, well it's somefin!"

No I won't hold you in suspense...my daughter just for real sharted!! All over the toilet and the floor and her pants!!

No one ever really told me just how shitty of a job being a mom can be sometimes....ah, well good thing I love these little monkeys so darn much.... :)

Yeah....shes my sister, yeah I know...I love her anyway :)

So my sister and I have not always been the bestest of friends.  Yes we love each other, and yes we will ALWAYS be there for each other, and yes I will kick your ass if you mess with her....but there was a LONG time where we couldn't stand to be around each other (HIGHSCHOOL).  Now she is my sissy and I can tell her everything and I hope she has come to realize the same goes for her! We don't get to talk often, but when we do it seems to be a long conversation that always includes a new recipe! Yes the daughter who had to ask Grandma Marcella how to make grilled cheese at 16 can now cook (loved you anyway katie-did).  These are the conversations that make my day...these long drawn out conversations about the little mundane tasks and events in our lives.  I love it when shes here and I REALLY love going to Florida to see her, but trust me a week or two is juuussstt about enough of each other for us.  The main thing I don't like about her living in the Sunshine State is she misses out on sooo much of my kids, well that and she doesn't have a place big enough for all of us and its not on the beach.  She is an amazing Auntie and I feel like my children are really missing out on it with all the miles we have between us. 

So here is my new recipe she really wanted to know about the other night that got me thinking about this...hope you enjoy!!

Stuffed Mushrooms with Shrimp

Tray of mushrooms (about 15-20)                                       2 tbsp Old Bay Seasoning
1 Shrimp for every 2 Mushrooms, cut into small pieces        2 tbsp Garlic Powder or Salt
1/2 red bell pepper cut into small pieces                              4 tbsp melted butter
1/8 cup carrot cut into small pieces                                      2 tbsp butter
1 bunch green onion chopped                                              1 cup bread crumbs
1 cup shredded cheese (i prefer monterey jack)                   1/4 softened cream cheese brick

Clean mushrooms and remove stems.  Cut stems into small pieces and add pepper, carrot, green onion, and seasoning. Cook over medium heat with the 2 tbsp of butter.  When shrimp and veggies are done put into a medium bowl.  Pre-heat oven to 350.  Add cream cheese and shredded cheese and mix, add in bread crumbs slowly unitil forms a ball add 2 tbsp of melted butter and mix in remaining bread crumbs. Spray baking dish with non-stick spray.  Fill mushroom caps with mixture and mound on top.  Place mushroom in middle of pan and make sure they are touching.  Sprinkle more shredded cheese over mushrooms and top with palmful of bread crumbs and drizzle remaining melted butter on top.  Bake until cheese has melted and starts to brown!

Just Another Manic Sunday

Ok...so it's already began to sink in.  That feeling on Sunday of  Oh SHIT! I really have to go to work tomorrow.  Every Sunday I know I should be grateful that I have a job...but sorry, here's the reality, I'm kinda just well...not. What I mean is, I'm grateful that I get a paycheck every week, and I'm grateful that I have insurance.  It's just that having to get up and leave my kids and then come home tired and have to clean and cook and take care of all the junk that needs to be done day to day...well, it's getting old. I wish I had more time to play with them and have fun.  I want a week where there is no cleaning and cooking and getting everything ready for work and sitters and daycare. Where I don't have to remember 50 little things that MUST be done or we will be running late in the morning or I will have to come home and do the next night.  It's a lofty goal huh? Well for moms it seems to be! Coming from a house where everything was put away seeming all the time, I feel there's a standard I'm not quite reaching sometimes.  For the most part I can say to myself f-it! Then I will know someone is coming over, or sit here and have a minute and look around and I think, HOLY SHIT!!! How did the house get like this...and where the heck am I going to put all this stuff we seem to accumulate on a daily basis!!!! No matter how much I pick up and put away it seems like it just piles right back up or isn't quite as neat as I started out to make it.

So I have decided something...if it isn't done by 5 it's not getting done on Sunday.  If there's laundry or cleaning forget about it. It's not happening! I am going to take the  time to spend WITH my family, not just beside them.  So lets see how that goes today...1 hour and 1 minute to go.....wish me luck

What will now be know as "The Sharpie Incident"

Life for us on the weekends isn't exactly what it used to be.  I remeber the times when we used to go out with friends (and each other).  With two kids...a 3 year old and a 4 month old...staying at home has become the norm.  Trust me, I'm totally fine with it! Most weekends we just hang out and try to find things for our daughter to do so she stays entertained, this weekend I decided that some much needed cleaning was in my future.  Now Kyla is usually pretty good about playing by herself in her bedroom..on occasion she just needs to time to herself.  Thinking this was what was happening Jon and I enjoyed some relative quiet in the living room. Hahaha, I think most parents know where this is going...   Anyway, she come out with her doll that is pretty much the same size as her..missing it's clothes...and an arm.  What ya doing with that Kyla and where is her arm?  "I took it off" was her cool reply as she grabbed a wipe and headed toward my bedroom.  We generally allow her to play in there since it has the only other tv in it.  A few minutes go by and she comes back for another wipe...Now wait a minute kid, those cost money...what do you need it for anyway? As I walk into my room I'm thinking please tell me she didn't have food in here...That's when I see it, PURPLE Sharpie across one wall...KYLA!!!!! I didn't even know that I OWNED a purple sharpie!! Take her for timeout in her room....MORE PURPLE SHARPIE on the wall!!  Where the heck did this come from??? When I go to pick up the doll I hear something rattle inside it...My darling daughter has invented a genius hiding space for carrying forbidden objects around the house...pop an arm off the doll and voila! perfect place to hide 2 pens and da da da da...a purple sharpie.  Ugh, now to clean it......does anyone have a magic eraser I can borrow?