Today I downsized my living room. Lately my boys have been acting like, well- boys! Climbing, jumping, doing flips and somersaults and all sorts of dangerous looking stunts. Needless to say I had visions of head and neck injuries in my future. Of course I could ride them both and be the strict disciplinarian- no running, no jumping, no climbing- but what fun is that! They are boys! And as hard as it is right now to bring them outside as often as they need, I decided they needed a safe space inside where they can let loose and have fun. Why should I expect them to adapt to an adult space at a such young age when they SHOULD be exploring and active? They are only at this amazing stage for so long, why not give adapt to their needs for a short time? So, I'm relinquishing the idea of a traditional adult centered living room and making it kid friendly. I got rid of 2 large armchairs that took up a LOT of space, as well as a glass end table and coffee table that were just begging to be the cause of a first set of stitches. Currently we have one couch, a TV and a Christmas tree. Yes a Christmas tree- since my husband is deployed we are planning on doing a small Christmas when he comes home. And I added a queen sized futon mattress on the floor- Miles calls it his "baby couch" and their roadway rug that has been stuffed in a closet. I have SO much more space to spread out their toys now- they aren't all dumped in a huge pile in one room where nothing gets played with anymore. I still have more work to do on the playroom, but the living room feels wonderful now. Its roomy and open- they can chase each other and play monsters, and race their cars straight through without winding around furniture. Who needs furniture when you have happy kids?
Before:
After:
This is what just randomly came out of my 3 year old's mouth- between the songs and the poems he comes up with I swear he is going to be an entertainer of some sort!
Sun, sun, very hot.
Sun, sun, please come back.
Sun, sun, beautiful day.
Sun, sun, hot.
Gasp, a post! Its been ohh what, 6 months now since the last one? I have had so much on my brain these days I thought it would be helpful to get it all out somehow. So we come back to the blog.
Today in church we talked about Dissonance. Cognitive Dissonance means basically, a state of mental conflict. And OH how that describes me lately! Most right now school is the source of much dissonance. At the moment I am going to Leeward Community College, working towards my AA. My eventual goal is (was?) to work in Social Work. I love people, I love helping people, it sounds like a great career for me. Another passion of mine is childbirth. I am working towards becoming a Certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator. Recently the birth community in Hawaii has been stirred up, and is starting to becoming more active in advocating midwifery and normal, natural birth. I'm seriously considering going to nursing school to become a Nurse Midwife. The problem being- I've never been a science person. Nursing school = lots of science courses! I think the actual Midwifery career would be up my alley, but the path to get there- I'm a bit nervous and anxious about that part. Next semester I plan on taking some of the nursing pre-requisites, first to see how I do in the science courses, and also if I really do decide to take this route I will be a little bit closer.
I feel like the most indecisive person ever- I've been to 2 schools with 2 different courses of study within 6 months, and could quite possibly be changing it yet again. I can't understand the 18 year old kids who go straight to college and figure out what they are going to spend thousands of dollars on learning, and then working that career for a good part of their lives. How on earth are they supposed to make a decision like that with no life experience? Just baffles me- I'm so glad my life has gone in the direction it has, 4 years ago I never would have had any interest in birth!
Going to finish my Anthropology notes, hopefully before Brock wakes up!
Oh yes, before I go, I HIGHLY recommend this movie to every women that has had, or might have a baby- it is amazing and eye opening to the "industry" of birth and what birth has become.
Whew, I am glad that week is over. I am now officially the mother of 2 toddlers- EEK. Brock turned one on August 29th, we had 2 parties for him, that lucky duck. The day of his birthday we had a playgroup party, all of our normal playgroup friends plus a few extras all came over to celebrate. We had a good time, all the older kids played in the kiddy pool, and we all hung out in the garage. There was tons of food, and of course my infamous chocolate cake. (Best. Chocolate cake. EVER.) It was exhausting, but lots of fun.
Thursday night my husband ended up puking alllll night long for some unknown reason. He went to work on Friday and they sent him home and he was SIQ (sick in quarters) all weekend. He slept all day Friday, and was still queasy over the weekend, but was feeling better.
Saturday afternoon/evening we had a BBQ with all the neighbors and that was alot of fun too. Minus the "curry burgers" that my husband concocted. Yikes, they were horrid. We had a really good time chilling and listening to William and Stephen play some music. And yet again we ate my delish chocolate cake! So freakin good. Stephen ended up sleeping over Saturday night after consuming a little too much... um... juice... We just hung out and got to be lazy on Sunday, that was kind of nice.
And Today, Monday, was Labor day. We went out and bought a kiddy pool of our own- which is pretty freakin cool. Its Little Tykes, and it has a basket ball hoop on it! Miles seemed to enjoy it immensely. We also bought supplies for our gardening project- you can read about that HERE. I couldn't figure out how to start a second blog on VOX, so its gonna be on blogspot for now.
Well thats about it. Tomorrow starts a new week. If I remember I think I'm going to try to go to La Leche League tomorrow with Jami. I haven't been in awhile, but its something to get us out of the house. Theres something else I have to do.... but I can't remember right now. Gotta go finish up my chocolate cake- Yum!
Why am I not cleaning? I have 3 large floors to vacuum/mop, and 3 rooms to clean top to bottom. I also have a cake and cupcakes to make. As well as a trip to the store to buy last minute supplies for tomorrow. And yet, here I am, sitting at the computer typing away. I would be more likely to be cleaning if every time I stood up my kids didn't latch on to my legs and scream at me. But since that does indeed happen every. single. time. I try to do anything, I have very little motivation. We're hoping William gets off work pretty early so that he can occupy the kids while I mop, and then he can help with the clean up effort. I'll bake once the kids go to bed, that should take too long- I hope!
"Skinny Girls are for Wimps" Someone on a message board I belong to has that phrase in their avatar. I must admit I have an overwhelming urge to make my own that says "Fat girls are for losers" simply to see the tremendous uproar that would commence due to the ridiculous double standard. Because of course, in a country where the majority of the citizens are obese, being thin makes you a target for cattiness and rudeness. Most people don't realize there is a double standard there, but I promise it exists. For some reason its perfectly acceptable for someone twice my size to make comments about MY weight, however its rude and offensive for me to say something back. You know, thats even besides the point- I would never even think about making a comment about anyone's weight.
I'm going to try very, very, very hard to stop myself from making my own avatar, or commenting on this over on that board. Not sure if I'll be able to stop myself.
Military wives are an interesting obnoxious bunch. Once they find a friendship, they cling to each other and don't let go. There are these exclusive cliques of 2-4 women and they are just so obvious about it. It truly is like high school again. And of course once I find someone that seems similar to me and would like to be friends with- it turns out they are leaving.
Reason #25659 to hate military life :)
You know, its kind of sad- yet amusing in a sick way- that I have had so many people that I know ask me if my husband is real, because they have never seen him in the multiple times I have seen them. He's sort of this elusive being that you see early in the morning jumping in the car, or late in the evening trudging into the house.
6 more years...
Speaking of 6 more years- I have a 6 year financial goal! I want to have our debt ($20K) paid off - which WILL happen within the next year. And I want to have $50K saved so when we settle down out of the Navy, we can have a nice down payment on a house, or even land to build a house on. I know it is very possible to do this, I just have to stay in the same mindset I am in right now. I've gotten pretty intense about our budget and debt payment, and I hope that once it is payed off I can be equally intense in saving.
So as closure to my last entry- my conclusion is that William will never regret spending time with his family- even if it sets him back a few years in his career (if there even is a career?). So I can't stress about it- he is absolutely sure that he wants shore duty and to be with his family, rather than become a work obsessed diggit.
Today- We go to the second first birthday party of the weekend. Miles is really starting to like birthdays! Especially CAKE! This kid is on cake overload already, and we're just going to add to that today.
Speaking of first birthdays, Brock has his coming up THIS. WEEK. The part one of Birthday Bonanza starts Wednesday morning with our playgroup pals. Sprinklers, side walk chalk, cake and ice cream- sounds like toddler heaven to me! Part two of Birthday Bonanza commences Saturday afternoon with a neighborhood BBQ. Should be a bit more chill, not so many young ones to keep track of.
Guess I need to pay attention to the children for awhile.Imagine that.
