I'm NOT Bored: What I Wish I Said If I Could Think Faster

"What do you do all day? Don't you get bored being at home all the time?" I smiled and bit my tongue "You should do a project" I literally laughed out loud.

***Now, I know what you must be thinking: this is a post about how stay at home mamas (SAHM) have it hard.  You are wrong!  Mamas that work in the home and out of the home, as well as SAHM are all working hard.  I've been all of these, and honestly they all have their own unique challenges. The job of being a mother has NOTHING to do with whether or not you receive a paycheck.  Every mama is working her hardest to serve her family the best way she can, so bravo to you mamas every where no matter where you work.  This post is for ALL of the mamas!***

So, above was a conversation that actually happened on Wednesday.  Yes, another mother asked me this.  I wish I had answered her instead of laughing.  But sometimes I just can't think fast enough.  Does that ever happen to you?  Maybe with 2 babies two and under I was just too tired to think fast enough to respond?  My entire drive home I ruminated over all of the things that I wish I told her.  So mother out there who thinks I'm bored, this is what I wish I said:

What DO I do all day?
-I change 4 bazillion diapers before noon everyday. -I answer a thousand questions during every meal. -My fingers are chapped because I am constantly washing my hands (ya know, between the poop and all of the other messes; oh yeah, and doing dishes constantly). -I run errands (the vet, grocery store, dry cleaning, etc.)
-I vacuum at least once a day, because 2 dogs....
-I am completely ignorant over what the latest musical group is because I sing about Old McDonald and The Wheels on the Bus. I’m really good. You should see me, I can do the motions and everything ;-)
-I've had at least one person attached to me for the past 2 years, and lately I have 2 people attached or hanging off of me. -I have developed the fine art of guessing. -I play hockey with plastic golf clubs for hours -I make overly ambitious to-do lists that roll-over daily and overwhelm me. -I coordinate when we need to have someone come out to the house because something broke.  This week it's our fridge that broke, and I'm nervous I'm going to lose the thousands of ounces- yes, you read that correctly: thousands- of breast milk I have pumped to donate to sick babies in the NICU.  This means that I pump every 2-3 hours in between nursing my babies. -I'm a chef.  Not a great one, but I do my very best.
-I do a minimum of 2 loads of laundry a day. -I nurse boo-boos back to health with "bam-bams," which translates to "band aids" in case you don't speak Toddler.  Yes I've picked up another foreign language in my free time ;-) -The last book I read was made of thick cardboard, was 5 pages long, and I read it no less than 60 times.  I have memorized it.  My variety comes from "doing the voices." -I meal plan nutritious meals for my family (well not this week because I didn't get to it last Friday and we're living off my freezer meal stash). -I too, keep up with email. -I slept 1.5 hours last night because of a sick baby and today I get to juggle that sick baby while I chase a toddler. #sendmorecoffee -My last hot meal was over 2 years ago. -I learn about the latest breaking news 3 days after the event. -My only communication with the outside world is via Facebook and text. -When the stars align and both babies are asleep at the same time, I blog...it's a guilty pleasure. -I organize art projects and educational lessons for the kids. -My uniform is a headband, leggings, and a nursing top.  (Why do I ever buy anything else?!) -We go through and read our bibles and work on learning scripture. -I sometimes remember to feed the dogs (thank goodness the Mr. helps remind me here) . -I wash bed linens at least 2x a week because.....poop-polosions -I pay bills. #adultingsucks -I make sure the kids are clothed and bathed. -I oversee doctors appointments at least once a month. -I chauffeur to preschool and make sure lunches are packed. -I email myself more than anyone else so that I can remember to add stuff to my todo list . -I counsel toddler problems and redirect behavior. -I dream about hot coffee (“hot” being the key word). -I haven't gone to the bathroom alone ("alone" is the keyword here) in 2 years. -I also haven't showered alone in over 2 years, and I currently don't remember when my last shower was. #IwishIwerekidding #dryshampooismyfriend -I never regret being home with my kids, but my work doesn't end at 5pm, it goes around the clock (and well until the am hours). -I try to "stop and smell the roses" as much as I can.  I hold my babies as much as I can because I know they grow too quickly, and the world can wait while I hold them.  No one will die if I don't respond right away.  Nothing is that emergent.

-Amidst the chaos I try to create a home that is safe, secure, peaceful, & encouraging.


This list of daily activities is NOT a list of complaints.  Far from it!  This list may not seem like important work, but I am investing and contributing to society.

While I absolutely love my job being a mama, and have ZERO regrets, I can assure you, I am NOT bored. 

Matching Jammies

Seeing my babies in matching clothes makes me melt.  I’m like putty in their hands!  I purchased these simple jammies as soon as I found out that I was having a girl.  I know that my timeline of getting them to match is very short so I’ve really got to capitalize on the next couple years.  Here are my sweet babies (and bear of course) in their matching jammies :-)

Tumeric Cauliflower Egg Skillet

To be honest, I had to test this recipe se-ver-al times before I got it right.  The first time I made it, it was so grainy and not appealing at all.  It’s kind of a unique collection of ingredients, but so yummy together.  I can now say that this is a really delicious recipe, and SOOOO easy to create.  I know that I say that all the time, but really if it isn’t “easy” I don’t want any part of it! Ain’t nobody got time for that! Am I right or am I right!?!?!?!?!
Ingredients
6 tsp coconut oil
1 medium red onion
5 cups cauliflower florets
2 limes, juiced
2 tsp ground turmeric
2 tsp ground ginger
cayenne pepper
6-8 eggs
lime juice, for serving
cilantro, for serving
avocado, for serving

Directions:
1. Over medium heat melt 2 tsp coconut oil in a skillet (I know that I usually use a cast iron skillet, but I didn’t this time.  No real reason, I just didn’t).  Add in the red onions & cauliflower, and cook until the cauliflower begins to brown (this was about 8 minutes for me).
2. Stir in the lime juice, tumeric, ginger, cayenne pepper, and 2 tsp of coconut oil.  Once everything is well incorporated create a well in the center (push all of the cauliflower and onions to the edges).
3. To the well, add 2 tsp coconut oil and once it melts crack in the eggs.  Decrease the heat to low and put a lid on the skillet.  Cook until the whites of the eggs are set & you achieve your preferred yolk firmness (for me it was about 8 minutes).
4. I served mine topped with lime juice, cilantro, and avocado with a side of asparagus that I sauted in bacon fat (yum!)
5. Enjoy! 

Popsicle Puzzles

Wow I seriously wish that I could take credit for this.  This is so creative and fun……there is only one person that this idea could come from and it’s Aunt Nana!  When my sister came to visit in May she told me that she had a craft to do with Dutch.  She is seriously the best aunt and always has the funnest things planned for my kiddos.  She’s golden! On this particular trip she wanted to make puzzles with Dutch out of popsicle sticks.  What a fun idea, right?!

For this craft all you need is popsicles sticks, tape, paint, and a paint brush.  You tape the popsicles sticks together, paint an image, let it dry, and then you have a puzzle!  What a fun personalized little craft?!  This is small enough that you can put it in your purse or diaper bag for fun on the go when you need to be quiet (e.g. a waiting room, a restaurant, etc.).  We’ve also used these puzzles during our home school hour for counting, matching, and identifying shapes & colors.  This is a fun summer art project.  Thank you Aunt Nana!!!
See, isn't that a fun craft with great opportunities for learning?!?!?! Thank you Aunt Nana!!!

The Ducks & The Jumpie-Jump

When Aunt Nana was here in May we had several morning outings and activities.  We went to the fire station one morning and made beignets another.  Before it got too warm we ventured out to the park to check out the gardens and feed the ducks.  We've been to this park many times, but we always forget the bread for the ducks, so I made sure to pack it this time.  I loved feeding the ducks as a kid so I knew that Dutch would have a ball.  The gardens were so beautiful & in full bloom that day.  The gardeners were working while we walked through and they gave us pods of seeds to take home and try out.  I wonder if I can keep mine as pretty as theirs?  Dutch liked feeding the ducks, but I'm pretty sure that his favorite part was throwing rocks into the water.  If he sees water anywhere, he is looking for some rocks to throw.  It was such a blessing to sit and watch Aunt Nana & Dutch enjoy each others company and deepen their relationship while having fun feeding the ducks.   

Another morning during Aunt Nana’s trip we went to Pump It Up.  It’s one of those places that is just a room filled with moon bounces for everyone to jump in.  I love it because it’s a cheap (and AIR CONDITIONED) summer activity.  Dutch loves it because he likes the “jumpie-jump”.  He frequently asks to go when I get him up in the morning and he shows me that he’s ready by jumping in his bed lol  I took several videos of Aunt Nana, her beau, & Dutch in the jumpie-jumps.  It was just another fun activity to watch.  Now that I’m looking through these pictures again, I smile because we joked that it looked like Aunt Nana & her beau worked at the jumpie-jump because they coincidentally dressed similar. Ha!

I think it’s safe to say that we all know I take way too many pictures.  It’s true. I know it.  But in precious times like this one week with Aunt Nana, I’m so glad that I have this problem habit and capture so many savored moments with family.

It's always really tough to say bye to family, but after such a fun week, it really stunk this time.   Now we're holding onto the fun plans for our next visit.

Oh-TWO-dles! Dutch is TWO!

Oh my goodness, I have a TWO YEAR OLD!  I have no idea how that happened! I’m probably going to say that every birthday.  I can foresee myself saying, “Oh my goodness, I have a FORTY YEAR OLD!”  I promise this is going to happen every year lol

Last year for Dutch’s birthday I was way super emotional.  I was so in denial about his birthday party that I almost didn’t plan a party at all; I just couldn't go there emotionally.  Then I finally got on board and I did plan the party, but when the party day arrived we had a torrential downpour.  Supposedly it was a Hundred Year Storm or something like that, but we had another one this year so I’m not sure that name is the most accurate description.  Anyways,  last year I rented a moon bounce, had the yard done with lost of games, the Mr. had smoked almost 20 lbs of meat, and my sister and her Beau flew in from Virginia……and then the rain hit.  I’m talking like HUGE flooding storm.  I was so sad that we couldn’t celebrate the way we had planned for Dutch.  His birthday ended up being fine; we got to celebrate him which was the entire purpose, but I knew that I wanted this year to be different.  I wasn’t going to go over-board with the birthday party.  Have you noticed all of those moms try to out-party (or out-pinterest) each other with their kids’ parties?! Yeah I’m not down with that at all.  This was going to be a small party and we were only going to do the things that Dutch loves.  He’s two.  There aren’t too many things he loves more than Mickey, the park, bubbles, cake, and pizza.  So that is exactly what we did.  And friends, it was perfect: the weather cooperated, Dutch had a blast, I wasn’t stressed out, and I got a chance to talk with everyone (not just say hi) at the party.  We did have a few decorations but nothing over the top or hard.  I’m so glad that my sister & her beau were able to fly in again this year to help us celebrate.  I have no idea what we would do without them!  I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our sweet Dutch entering a new year.  We were definitely looking forward to the celebration much more this year, and I’m so glad that I got to watch my joyful boy have so much fun at his birthday party.

For Dutch’s birthday we woke him up with a crib full of balloons. 
I swear, if you could have heard the giggles, you would have been laughing too :-)

The morning of the birthday party.  The girls (me, Aunt Nana, and Ellis) went to the park to set up a little bit before the guys arrived.  Aunt Nana was such a HUGE help with the decorations.  She also made Dutch’s cupcakes again this year.  It’s really special that she is the only one that has made him his birthday cupcakes so far. When Dutch was born I had a versed that I prayed over him (I have it posted on the nursery wall for Dutch & Ellis), and then last year I picked another verse for the year for him.  This year it was important for me to pick a verse to focus on praying over him this year also.  We had this sitting next to his cake.Once the boys got to the park we took a few pictures, because I knew if we didn’t do it at the beginning then it would be forgotten lolDuring the party Dutch spent the majority of the time throwing rocks into a puddle.  If that’s what makes you happy, go for it babe.  It’s your birthday after allDutch really loves birthday cake; anyone’s birthday cake.  I’m not completely sure that he knew we were singing to him this time, and that it was cake in honor of him, but I don’t think he cared.  All he wanted was yummy cake.  He does love singing the song now, and whenever he hears the song or we talk about birthdays he wants to talk about cake. 

The kid definitely belongs to me ;-)

We opened presents when we got home after nap time…..I think we were all way more excited about this than he was, until he started unwrapping.  I tell ya, it was very different this year compared to last year.  He really understood what presents were and that you get to rip them open.  He got a “dump truck” (which are trash trucks…his favorite), a hockey set (that we play with all day everyday), some books, and several educational toys (our friends know me well lol).

This birthday party was such an enjoyable morning and such a fun celebration. I love you my sweet Dutch, and I look forward to watching you grow this year.