We did something. After years of cursing and complaining, we finally caved and hired a cleaning service.
And you know what!?!? Come to find out, it’s a dirty little secret that people don’t like to talk about because the minute I mentioned I was “in the market” a small majority of my friends group confessed they did the same thing… years ago. And they never looked back.
I don’t know what perplexes me more:
Technically, it’s just under six years since this photo was taken. Steve and I will be married for six years on Friday (6 more days) and I really miss these two people.
Let me explain briefly.
Exactly six months after our wedding, tragedy struck and took Steve’s 28-year-old younger brother suddenly. It was a stroke and immediate death according to the coroner’s office.
But all I remember is the conversation Mark and I had about two months before this picture. And how for the first time since we started dating, I felt I had a little brother as he finally let down his smart ass armor and shared a part of his heart. That conversation is forever emblazoned in my mind much like the hope I had for our marriage the day this photo was taken.
As we approach our six-year anniversary I have a lot to be grateful for. A loving home, two beautiful and healthy kids, a comfortable living and family, friends and neighbors you dream about. To the outside, we have it all. And it’s never lost on me how insanely lucky we are. I am so grateful for my life, my family, and my health.
And yet…
I’m that Pinterest mom. I spend months scouring the inter webs for a good theme and pin all the ideas.
Then, I spend each weekend leading up to the party tackling one or two crafts and spending way too much on Amazon Prime.
The result? I get a much needed creative release and my kid’s parties turn out pretty darn cute if I do say so myself. I love doing this even though I realize it’s a bit over the top at times.
On the eve of my son’s first birthday, as I watch him smirk and squeal and attempt to walk although not yet without the aid of that fancy Fisher-Price accessory, I cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of awe and pure freaking love.
He’s perfect and I’m so blessed to be his momma.
When we learned our second was going to be a boy, there were equal parts cheer and sadness. I have a younger sister so I know firsthand the lifelong bond sisterhood brings. My husband had two brothers so the bros were in full swing. (My MIL is a bad ass.) With one of each, would they love each other or fight incessantly?
Today marks the mid-term election. Two years ago, red states put a doofus in power and we’ve watched a sad version of The Washington Apprentice. Only this is real life and real (innocent and defenseless) people are in jeopardy because 45 is a narcissist.
I don’t respect people who place personal gain ahead of collective growth nor do I admire assholes who rate their individual success by the zeroes in their foreign bank accounts.
Cooler temperatures are on the way, and another Stitch Fix has arrived. This time, my daughter decided to drop in to help reveal the latest fall fashions.
Did we love it? You’ll have to watch to find out.
We do our best to keep our kids active and entertained, which usually includes lots of book reading, doll playing and — gulp — PJ Masks on the iPad. I’m sorry. There’s only so much Disney Junior I can take.
Thankfully we live in a neighborhood with a ton of kids Brooke’s age and they all play together as well as any group of toddlers can be expected to play together. For Brooke’s birthday, she got a “Stepping Stone kit like this one that turned out to be
Hey, mamas.
I’ve got a topic to talk about and I’m curious how you feel. To do lists. Do you love them or loathe them?
“Have kids,” they say. “They’re amazing,” they say. What they also tell you that’s dang true is that your kids will never let you figure them out. Just when you think you’re #winning in the parenting department, they’ll throw another curve ball.
Last week, I was gone for a 3-day business trip and several people kindly asked me how I was doing “being away from the baby” and toddler, and I’m sure my answer shocked them.
Hey there! Spoiler alert! I’m loving my box this month, but want your opinions stat so I can make an informed decision on what to keep and/or send back. So have a watch and let me know what you think.
anftogive.com 