And Now the Reality Sets In

by Monica on February 2, 2010

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This is the dance I do.

I need to get away. I need time for myself. I want to be with other grownups. I want to network.

So? I have chance to do these things. I’m excited. I’m nervous. I’m sad.

Because at the end of the day, I really don’t like being away from my family. Though they all drive me silly-willikers some days, their faces always eventually put a smile on mine. And my heart feels incomplete without them.

Even when my peapod squad were babies, I’d get overwhelmed and insist that Daddy needed to watch them so I could go out alone. Inevitably, though, I’d be homesick for them by the time my car was at the end of our street. Or I’d panic that they may need me.

I still do that. (sigh)

I’ve packed all their stuff in labeled bags. I’ve left notes and little goodies for them each day I’m gone. As I zipped up the last bag tonight, I felt that familiar tug. The tug that wants to hold me here. The tug that whispers, “This is where you belong.”

But I know I’ll have a great time in Nashville. I’m excited to see my friends. To learn more about blogging. To hone my writing craft. To make connections that can help me continue to grow this as a business. And I’ll be a better, more rested, hopefully more patient mommy when I return.

And the hugs I’ll get when I walk back in our front door will be AMAZING.

For that…I can’t wait.

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The Post That Will Likely Jinx Us

by Monica on February 1, 2010

Shhh. I’m going to whisper this. Listen carefully.

We are all well.

Can you even believe it? All three kids are well and almost finished with their antibiotics. I’m midway through my second round and have coughed significantly less today. My ruptured/blistered eardrum is far less painful (i.e. no longer requiring narcotics at bedtime). Hubby managed to avoid the plague altogether. It is quite simply amazing.

So I can head to Blissdom (squee!!!) with less worry. I’m still going to miss my fam, but I’m not going to be freaking out about spiking fevers, vomit and other such niceties. Whew!

OK, now if these kids would just go to sleep already! I’ve got a little more packing to do!

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Happy Birthday, Peapod Squad

by Monica on January 20, 2010

I wonder if I will always cry on the eve of your birthday?

There are just so many overwhelming emotions still really close to the surface, I suppose. It was the most terrifying experience of my life and it led to the purest of joys. That jarring juxtaposition continues to yank my heart to and fro.

I feel like each birthday pulls you all a tiny bit further from my womb. A tiny bit further away from my protection. And that terrifies me.

But oh, the pure joy of seeing you learn new things…to watch you blossom into these capable and compassionate little beings.

I love how inquisitive you are. I love how you process things. I love how you are just so naturally sensitive to the feelings of those around you. And as much as it pains me to feel you growing away from our little safety net, it excites me to see the persons of character you are becoming. I am so honored to be your mom.

Five. Years. Old. As you keep reminding me…you’re “big kids” now. But if it’s OK with you, I’m still gonna’ call you my babies. Because even though you look like this doing cool stuff now:

This is what you looked like when I first fell head-over-heels in love with you. And this precious image is forever etched into my heart.

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Kids Cupcake Round-up

by Monica on January 20, 2010

I’ve been spending oodles of time searching for fun cupcake ideas (my peapod squad will be FIVE tomorrow!) and have found some adorable ones! Because you know how much I heart you, I’m sharing some of my faves!

from Martha Stewart

from Martha Stewart

from BHG

from BHG

from BHG

from BHG

from Martha Stewart

from Martha Stewart

So many cute ideas! Now I just have to make up my mind. Oh, and go buy supplies and find the time to make them. And most of all…pray all three of my sweet ones are well enough for pre-k tomorrow. They are going to cry buckets if they can’t be there for the birthday celebration!

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Unilazy…Where Have you Been all my Life?

January 12, 2010
unilazy

I see an impassioned takeover of the Snuggie market on the horizon.

I’m not kidding. I want a Unilazy. I would truly live in this thing. It even has a zipper-drop for potty breaks. Yep. Amazing. The designers thought of everything.
You think the peapod squad would be embarrassed for me to pick them up from pre-k [...]

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I Can Now Proudly Add “Camera Repairwoman” to my Resume

January 12, 2010
harvest fence

I hate being a quitter, so it has bugged me to no end that I didn’t keep up with BD365. I was off to such a fantastic start with my stunning photography skills (I really have none but can do some fierce editing with Picnik…LOVE IT). See? Is this not completely gorgeous?

And there could have [...]

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Just Another Reason I’m SUPER Excited About Blissdom!!

January 11, 2010

Harry Connick, Jr. finally gets to meet the love of his life. I know…he’ll be devastated to learn I’ve married someone else. And he’ll be pea green with envy when he sees pictures of my beautiful children. He’s really missed out on so much.
Until then, I’ll watch and re-watch this video. My favorite song from [...]

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KISS 2010 Hello

January 10, 2010
2010

I’m aware that I’m a wee bit late on the Happy New Year thing, but I’m declaring a RESET on the start of 2010. Without going into details, just suffice it to say the year did NOT start well for us. Rather than dwelling on all that, we decided to say the new year JUST [...]

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Knock Knock

December 31, 2009
santa in our home

Who’s there?

Probably no one.
Goodness knows I’ve not given any of you reason to come around here lately. I’ve posted nothing. Nada. Not a thing-a-ling in a couple of weeks. This may have been my longest blogging dry spell since the birth of things 1, 2 and 3.

Why so quiet around here? Well, it’s been anything [...]

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Creative Memories Storybook Creator Plus 3.0

December 19, 2009
xmas page - Page 001

I love scrapbooking. I love the whole concept of preserving precious memories in a beautiful way for years to come. But I don’t love having to drag out the cutters and the papers and the special pens. I don’t love having to print out or order copies of digital pictures before I can even sit [...]

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