It's important to have hobbies. So they say anyway. So I have a few. It does help keep me somewhat sane in our Daily Circus but I'm still a wee bit crazy. (Like the touch of Irish there, did ya?)
I love to read. It's probably my favorite thing to do ever. I would choose reading over almost any activity in the world. Ok, maybe not over hearing my kids' deep belly laughs. But reading is a close second!
I also love to cook. If you combine a good novel with some yummy recipes for me to try, I love you ten times over. (Cough, cough, JOANN FLUKE, cough, cough)
I love music. Singing, dancing, trying (and failing) to play it on piano. I just adore it.
Hobbies keep us entertained. They keep us sane. They keep us human. They keep us, US. They are what shapes you into who you are. A nerdy bookworm that could tell you anything about Harry Potter or Hannah Swensen and can cook a mean peanut butter cake all while singing an Enya song from LOTR? Oh yeah, that's me.
Who are you? Do you define yourself by your race, gender, age? How about your occupation? Your sexual orientation? Your familial identity (brother, sister, mom, dad)?
I don't want to know if you are gay,straight, black, white, Christian, atheist, a teacher, a carpenter, a generation x'er, a baby boomer, etc. I want to know YOU.
Are you kind? Are you loving? Do you accept others or try to change them to fit your ideals? Do you forgive? What do you learn from your experiences? What are your dreams? Your goals? What's your favorite color? Song? Movie?
I can tell more about who you are by those questions than the typical ones people ask each other.
And let me tell you who taught me to look at these seemingly pointless areas......my children. When my son meets another child, he doesn't first ask "Are you 7?". He asks the child's name. That's always a good starter.
Then he asks "What do you like to play?". A simple question with a sometimes simple answer. Cars. Cops and robbers. Blocks. Mario. Sonic. Pokemon. Dolls.
From there the children are off on an adventure of getting to know one another. And they never ask the boring questions adults might.
When I was young, I knew three things about all of my bestest best friends. I knew their birthdays (and I still remember them to this day!). I knew their middle names (because that was just so cool to know). And I knew their pet's name. Those were the BIG important things to know. Now it may seem silly. A birthday is just another way of identifying someone but to me, as a kid, it was a way to know how to make my friends feel special.
I would make them cards on their birthdays. I would address it with their FULL name (since I was special enough to know it) and I would hand deliver it. And you know what? We were BEST friends. And to this day, I still talk to some of them.
So maybe we as adults should take some time to start watching how our kids do things. We might learn a thing or two. And it's time to pick up a hobby or two as well. Maybe one you can even share with your kid. (I can't WAIT til my kids start reading Harry Potter!)
Friday, March 8, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Mini Rant to Educate Some People
Ok, today I've read across some things (some posted by my FRIENDS) that have REALLY irked me.
So here's my rant for today and I'm sorry if you don't like my opinion or my language.
IT'S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS HOW MANY CHILDREN I HAVE AND HOW I MANAGE TO FEED/CARE FOR THEM ALL!!!!!!!
There, I've said it. If you have a problem with the number of kids in my family, too freaking bad. Not your womb, not your decision.
If you have a problem that due to circumstances we couldn't control, that we are on some forms of assistance to help us get by, too freaking bad! That's what it's there for!! Whether we had one kid or twenty, the hard times we've had over the last year hit us deep and we needed the help. Get OVER IT!!!
I am so SICK of hearing people say that we shouldn't have had as many kids as we did. But the bottom line is this: God provides for those who have faith. Did you ever stop to think that MAYBE His way of providing is to allow some assistance to be given in times of need????
My kids are healthy. They are fed. They are clothed. They have a roof over their heads and a warm bed to sleep in. They have a few toys to entertain. They are smart. They attend school. They have extracurriculars they participate in. I will NOT force my children to suffer and miss out because we are having some troubles. I will sacrifice some things I need so that they can go to Scouts or Cheerleading and have some fun and learn something new.
If you have a problem with this, don't bother us. Don't look into our lives, don't friend us, don't talk to us. We are not welfare whores. We EARNED our living and it was RIPPED away from us so we are doing what we can.
I am so sick and tired of hearing snarky comments from so called friends and even worse from our family! I will have as many children as GOD will allow since ALL blessings are from above, right??? Should I not have sex with my own husband because YOU might not like the number of my family? Screw you! This is OUR life and WE will deal with any consequences from it.
OUR tax dollars go to support government aid no matter WHO is on it so what difference does one family make? Whether we choose to accept it or not, your taxes will still pay for it. That won't ever change so stop trying to make me feel guilty because you are just jealous that you don't qualify!
Why don't you have some more kids??? Since that's obviously what we're doing, right? Just having kid after kid to stay on the system??
Wanna hear a secret?? We make below the poverty level for a SINGLE PERSON FAMILY!!!! And we're a family of SIX!!!
Instead of complaining that WE'RE the problem, why don't you work on getting more JOBS here for us that pay more than a meager $8/hr?? Think maybe that would solve a problem or two?? Huh???
Get over yourselves and keep your nose out of my uterus.
Ok, rant over. Go on about your day.
So here's my rant for today and I'm sorry if you don't like my opinion or my language.
IT'S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS HOW MANY CHILDREN I HAVE AND HOW I MANAGE TO FEED/CARE FOR THEM ALL!!!!!!!
There, I've said it. If you have a problem with the number of kids in my family, too freaking bad. Not your womb, not your decision.
If you have a problem that due to circumstances we couldn't control, that we are on some forms of assistance to help us get by, too freaking bad! That's what it's there for!! Whether we had one kid or twenty, the hard times we've had over the last year hit us deep and we needed the help. Get OVER IT!!!
I am so SICK of hearing people say that we shouldn't have had as many kids as we did. But the bottom line is this: God provides for those who have faith. Did you ever stop to think that MAYBE His way of providing is to allow some assistance to be given in times of need????
My kids are healthy. They are fed. They are clothed. They have a roof over their heads and a warm bed to sleep in. They have a few toys to entertain. They are smart. They attend school. They have extracurriculars they participate in. I will NOT force my children to suffer and miss out because we are having some troubles. I will sacrifice some things I need so that they can go to Scouts or Cheerleading and have some fun and learn something new.
If you have a problem with this, don't bother us. Don't look into our lives, don't friend us, don't talk to us. We are not welfare whores. We EARNED our living and it was RIPPED away from us so we are doing what we can.
I am so sick and tired of hearing snarky comments from so called friends and even worse from our family! I will have as many children as GOD will allow since ALL blessings are from above, right??? Should I not have sex with my own husband because YOU might not like the number of my family? Screw you! This is OUR life and WE will deal with any consequences from it.
OUR tax dollars go to support government aid no matter WHO is on it so what difference does one family make? Whether we choose to accept it or not, your taxes will still pay for it. That won't ever change so stop trying to make me feel guilty because you are just jealous that you don't qualify!
Why don't you have some more kids??? Since that's obviously what we're doing, right? Just having kid after kid to stay on the system??
Wanna hear a secret?? We make below the poverty level for a SINGLE PERSON FAMILY!!!! And we're a family of SIX!!!
Instead of complaining that WE'RE the problem, why don't you work on getting more JOBS here for us that pay more than a meager $8/hr?? Think maybe that would solve a problem or two?? Huh???
Get over yourselves and keep your nose out of my uterus.
Ok, rant over. Go on about your day.
Monday, March 4, 2013
How this is going to work
Hello again. Since I am the busy mom of four little ones, I guess the main purpose of this blog is to entertain, but also to inform. I've been asked by a number of people how I do it. Well the honest answer is I don't know exactly.
But over the years and as more children have come along, Brent and I have stumbled upon some tips and tricks that work well for our family. They keep the ship on course if you will.
So I am going to try to post a parenting tip, organizing tip, or recipe at least once a week, sometimes more, sometimes less. But my hope is that through my journal of our daily lives you will find tips to keep your own stress level down, or at least thank your lucky stars that it's me and not you!
So, for week one, March 4, 2013 I will start with this:
BE CONSISTENT!!!!!!!!!
That is my NUMBER ONE tip for ALL parents of ANY age kids.
I have found when my kids get out of their daily routine, that is when I am ready to pull my hair out. Kids HATE change. They may not say it or act like it or even know it, but they HATE it. So try to avoid it.
When major changes must happen (i.e. move, new baby, death in the family, changing jobs, changing beds, etc.) try to keep the rest of life as routine as possible. This way at least the children have a schedule to look forward to for solice. They really do find comfort in a routine.
Once you find a routine that works for you, STICK WITH IT!!! Don't get lazy after a few weeks (as I often do) or change it up because you are bored. Kids thrive on it and NEED it. Ever wonder why teachers always had the same schedule year after year, class after class? It's because children learn better when they know what to expect. They are curious little creatures and are dying to know what their future holds for them.
Luckily for us, their parents, they only care about the coming minutes or hour or even day but never much more than that. So I would suggest if you are new to the routine thing, sit down, write one out and see what happens.
You will immediately feel more organized and I bet a bit of stress will dissipate. Talk to your kids about the new routine. Ask if there is anything they'd like included (special bedtime story each night, or one night a week where they pick dinner, perhaps?) and then go with it as a family. Remain united and stick with it.
You'll all be much happier and rested!
That's my tip for the day! Have a great night everyone. Until tomorrow!
But over the years and as more children have come along, Brent and I have stumbled upon some tips and tricks that work well for our family. They keep the ship on course if you will.
So I am going to try to post a parenting tip, organizing tip, or recipe at least once a week, sometimes more, sometimes less. But my hope is that through my journal of our daily lives you will find tips to keep your own stress level down, or at least thank your lucky stars that it's me and not you!
So, for week one, March 4, 2013 I will start with this:
BE CONSISTENT!!!!!!!!!
That is my NUMBER ONE tip for ALL parents of ANY age kids.
I have found when my kids get out of their daily routine, that is when I am ready to pull my hair out. Kids HATE change. They may not say it or act like it or even know it, but they HATE it. So try to avoid it.
When major changes must happen (i.e. move, new baby, death in the family, changing jobs, changing beds, etc.) try to keep the rest of life as routine as possible. This way at least the children have a schedule to look forward to for solice. They really do find comfort in a routine.
Once you find a routine that works for you, STICK WITH IT!!! Don't get lazy after a few weeks (as I often do) or change it up because you are bored. Kids thrive on it and NEED it. Ever wonder why teachers always had the same schedule year after year, class after class? It's because children learn better when they know what to expect. They are curious little creatures and are dying to know what their future holds for them.
Luckily for us, their parents, they only care about the coming minutes or hour or even day but never much more than that. So I would suggest if you are new to the routine thing, sit down, write one out and see what happens.
You will immediately feel more organized and I bet a bit of stress will dissipate. Talk to your kids about the new routine. Ask if there is anything they'd like included (special bedtime story each night, or one night a week where they pick dinner, perhaps?) and then go with it as a family. Remain united and stick with it.
You'll all be much happier and rested!
That's my tip for the day! Have a great night everyone. Until tomorrow!
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Intro to the show.(Cast of characters)
Hey there. Guess I should introduce myself. I'm Krysta. I'm a mom. It really is the best job in the world. I have four wonderful children. I guess you could say I've been at this a while and I know what I'm doing. :)
My oldest child is 7. He's a boy. We'll call him "E" since my kids have the same first initials and I'd prefer to not use their names here. Never know who's reading this. E is my shining star. He's smart, funny, kind, loving. And ornery! But what first grader isn't, right?
Next is "A". She's 5 and is our princess. She loves to dance and sing and is smart as a whip. She's in kindergarten now but we fully expect her to be pushed ahead in the next year or so which would make E pretty jealous I'm sure.
Then comes "D". She's 3, eager to be like her big siblings but lazy too. Still working on basics with her such as potty training. I'm not in too much of a hurry though. She's still my baby girl.
Finally there's "M". He's 14 months old and is growing way too fast. He's so ahead on the milestone charts we call him our baby genius. I did breastfeed him the longest though so that may have something to do with his large intellect. ;)
And I can't leave out my main man, my knight in shining armor, my soul mate and partner on this crazy ride; my husband, Brent. He's a geek, nerd, techno-brain, what have you and he's all mine.
So that makes up our brood for now. Not sure what all God has in store for us in the future but we're eagerly anticipating.
I want to try to keep this blog up better than I did my last one. I also would love to gain more followers and potentially get signed on to a site like Babycenter or Babble. Blogging is not easy, especially when you are a stay at home parent of four young kids, but I feel I have a lot that I can share with the world and I look forward to doing just that.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy our life on internet pages. Our one of a kind storyline. Our very own virtual circus that we call family. Have fun!
My oldest child is 7. He's a boy. We'll call him "E" since my kids have the same first initials and I'd prefer to not use their names here. Never know who's reading this. E is my shining star. He's smart, funny, kind, loving. And ornery! But what first grader isn't, right?
Next is "A". She's 5 and is our princess. She loves to dance and sing and is smart as a whip. She's in kindergarten now but we fully expect her to be pushed ahead in the next year or so which would make E pretty jealous I'm sure.
Then comes "D". She's 3, eager to be like her big siblings but lazy too. Still working on basics with her such as potty training. I'm not in too much of a hurry though. She's still my baby girl.
Finally there's "M". He's 14 months old and is growing way too fast. He's so ahead on the milestone charts we call him our baby genius. I did breastfeed him the longest though so that may have something to do with his large intellect. ;)
And I can't leave out my main man, my knight in shining armor, my soul mate and partner on this crazy ride; my husband, Brent. He's a geek, nerd, techno-brain, what have you and he's all mine.
So that makes up our brood for now. Not sure what all God has in store for us in the future but we're eagerly anticipating.
I want to try to keep this blog up better than I did my last one. I also would love to gain more followers and potentially get signed on to a site like Babycenter or Babble. Blogging is not easy, especially when you are a stay at home parent of four young kids, but I feel I have a lot that I can share with the world and I look forward to doing just that.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy our life on internet pages. Our one of a kind storyline. Our very own virtual circus that we call family. Have fun!
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