IT'S SPRINGTIME ... I Think?

Although I appreciate living in a state that captures all four seasons winter is not my favorite.  In fact, the cold, dreary days puts me in a deep depression.  However, this year I managed to survive with very little complaining about it.  We are now into the second day of spring.  Spring is a time when you see a little bit of rain and the blossoming of beautiful flowers.  This is what the start of our spring looks like.

Have you ever heard the expression "Spring comes in like a lion and out like a lamb?"  Well, this is a snowy lion.  On the first day of the season we were greeted with a big snow storm.  It started snowing shortly after the kids went to school and thankfully an early dismissal was already scheduled for the day.  I almost put in my three hours of work in the cafeteria and then took the kids home where we stayed for the rest of the evening.  Snow continued to fall all night and into the morning.  It's still falling.  We probably have about 9" and more is expected until tonight.  School and my husband's work was closed today so we all have been enjoying a day at home.  Scouts was cancelled last night and I just received word that dance is cancelled for tonight as well. 

The kids have been in and out of the house.  My husband did some shoveling.  I stayed in and caught up on housework.  I do realize that getting anything accomplished isn't possible with the two little ones running around.  They both did a fantastic job at helping their Daddy shovel.  I think a reward for them is necessary.

Today is supposed to be the last day that Toys R Us will be open.  I can't believe it.  That was the toy store I grew up with and my father enjoyed bringing my kids there.  Now where will I go when it's time to spoil my grandchildren?  They say it's because so many kids prefer electronics but I personally think it's because Toys R Us prices are E X P E N S I V E!  "You can buy the same d--- thing on the Walmart shelf half price" -- Gretchen Wilson.

I really am thankful that we are in the spring season.  This means that we are entering a very busy time.  My daughter is preparing for her June dance recital, my son is finishing up a year of scouts and getting ready to start baseball, lots of activities and fun events are planned and maybe, just maybe, we will see sunshine and warm weather very soon.  I'm excited for what's to come.  Stay tuned.  

RAMBLINGS OF AN OVERTIRED MOMMA

It's definitely one of those days where a Snapchat filter is needed.  I wish I could really take this look around with me all day.  Today is a stay in sweats and wear no makeup kind of day.  My eyes also show the lack of sleep I've endured last night.

I just couldn't get to sleep and then at some point in the early morning my son started a coughing fit.  He had been coughing all day yesterday and even though he went to school I allowed him to miss cub scouts.  He said his throat hurt also.  We were expecting 2 - 6 inches of snow today and I was prepared for a school closing.  As I laid in the dark bedroom this morning I was waiting and expecting the phone to ring.  When there is a delay or closing the school calls about 5:30 am.  Once the alarm went off I figured that was a good indication that school was in session.  I got out of bed and looked out the window.  No snow.  Nothing.  Okay, meteorologists, you failed again.

I was really hoping for a snow day so my son could get away with not having to worry about an absence.   Although, I do not get paid for snow days but I do get paid sick time so this is a win for me.  My daughter went off to school and my boy has been laying around the couch all morning coughing like crazy.  What is going on?  I thought we were finally passed all of this.  I'm praying and crossing my fingers that this doesn't get passed onto my daughter but you know how it goes.  When one gets it the other one does too.  Ugh.

I put together beef stew in the crock pot for dinner and have been lounging around and doing nothing all day.  I could use my day off as an opportunity to get things done but I lack the energy to do so.  So, I've been taking this opportunity to think about the future and where I want to go from here in regards to career and finances.  My job in the cafeteria definitely helps fill the gap but I would really love to involve myself in something on top of that.  I've been taking the time to pray and contemplate what I could do while being able to be home when the kids are home.  I have a few things in mind but I'm taking my time to see which opportunity is better than the other.  Maybe I'm taking too much time. 

NO, YOU CAN'T COME OVER

 Recently I came across the blog post It's Never A Good Time To Let Kids In 
that talks about the importance of teaching your kids how to be hospitable and allowing their friends to come over.  I do believe in the importance of being hospitable but what if the kids are destructive maniacs?

I can remember having friends over and we would sit in my room and play with my toys and use our imaginations, but never did my friends break anything I owned and vice versa.  Having friends is important and I want my children to enjoy playtime with their friends.  I love entertaining children and seeing the world through their eyes.  Often my kids have friends come over and I set up some craft activity or watch as they play outside on the swing set.  Then there are friends that come over that think it's fine to jump on beds, climb my son's bunk bed, rip their fat head sticker off the wall, break toys and run through the house leaving trails of items all over the floor.  I may have made the mistake of just dealing with it silently and not worrying about telling the parents but now my kids are annoyed and have voiced their opinions that they do not want these certain kids at the house or in their bedrooms anymore.  So, what am I to do?

I have been adamant to teach my kids the importance of being hospitable.  I teach them that kindness and treating others as we want to be treated is important.  I teach them to be respectful towards others and other people's property. To always say please and thank you.  To love and honor their country.  To love others, even their enemies.  I expect them to clean up after themselves.  We set limits on screen time and there is to be no screen time when company is present.  After all I teach my children it's so difficult when other children, who do not have those same rules, come into my house and destroy everything.  The worst part is when the parents have no control over their children in the matter.  I see how these kids look at their parents and stick their tongue out and laugh when they are being disciplined.

I've come to the decision that these particular kids are no longer welcomed in my house, no matter how great of a relationship I have with their parents.  My husband and I have worked too hard to afford this house and everything in it.  I could always set up activities and consistently follow these children the entire time they are here but that's not always possible because of some distractions I may get caught up in.  So, if your kids are destructive, messy and disrespectful they can't come over. 

WHAT VALENTINES DAY MEANS TO ME

Valentines Day is quickly approaching, which means I'm going to see some Facebook posts from people stating their aggravation towards this "Hallmark made up holiday" and "we should be showing our love towards each other every day, not just one day of the year."  There are many legends about who St. Valentine was and why this holiday of love got started but I can tell you that these tales dated long before Hallmark first opened up its doors.  Yes, the card store does profit well in the month of February but it has nothing to do with the start of Valentines Day.

Valentines Day is not for everyone and I understand that.  Even those who have significant others find themselves uninterested in the day and that's okay. I only wish people could use their negative rants and energy on something more useful and allow those of us who love the day to be able to enjoy it without all the hate that's wrapped around it. 

I do remember what Valentines Day was like when I was single.  It was just another day.  Nothing more.  Even though I didn't have anyone to celebrate with I still appreciated the significance of the holiday.  One of those years my father presented me with white socks that had red outlined hearts all over them.  I loved it and still wear them every year.  What can I say, a father is a daughter's first true love. 

I can recall one particular Valentines Day 11 years ago when my husband and I were both off of work because of a terrible snow storm.  I was in the process of making a lasagna when the power went out and left us with no electricity for quite some time.  My son was born 40 weeks later.  That is when Valentines Day became more than just a day for me and my love.  I also use the day to spoil my children because, hey, I love them too!

 My husband and children definitely get plenty of love and attention from me throughout the entire year but I do enjoy spending a little money and time on them on the 14th of February.  Just like Christmas and birthdays, my children love receiving gifts and I enjoy seeing their faces light up when they open them.  It's usually small items like candy, a stuffed animal and maybe a book but it's my way of showing them just how much they mean to me.  I also get my husband some chocolate and something else too.  We all dress in red and I turn as many foods as I can into heart-shapes; such as pancakes, sandwiches, potato fries and cake.  The effort is something I am not capable of pulling off every day but my family sure does appreciate these bonuses.

Valentines Day is a good excuse to do something extra special and out of the ordinary for those I love.