Successful sleep over and tooth fairy action

Domestic Workout

My domestic workout
Made muffins and bacon
Made veggie soup
Washed and put away 2 loads of dishes
Cleaned kitchen
Washed and dry sheets
Packet lunches
Put away 3 loads of Landry
Home with 2 five year olds and 2 dogs
It is Sunday at 8:45 am

My new year

Speak in a meaningful and thoughtful way. 

Instagram

My new Instagram obsession lead me to capture this Christmas 70's style.

Mellow Christmas Eve

Maybe it is because I have a five-year-old, and I don't have to prevent him from choking on legos and candy, but this Christmas was one of the most mellow in history and the most fun. Long live fine motor skills and self-preservation!

What my house will sound like

What happens with the boy falls asleep on the way home from Grandma's house?

Mommy has to put out the reindeer food and Santa cookies on her own. Daddy took pictures for proof.

Much better than a wrapped box

What doesn't fit under a tree and is the ultimate present for me?

A trip to Charleston with my man. For two years now, we have forgone the robotic vacuums and perfunctory power tools and opted for something far more satisfying- a two day quickie trip to Charleston SC. We stay on East Bay Street, park the car and enjoy two days of shopping, eating, and loafing. For two adults with four jobs and one five-year-old between them this trip is the ultimate present.

High Lights

Pizza and beer from South End Brewery

Ruben from Mac's Pub and Grill

Hot pralines

The Savannah Honey Co

Urban Outfitters

Charleston Library (still uses a card catalogue and proud of it)

Ancient Man Cave

The ancient Greeks did it, and the African tribes still do. There is no reason that I cannot join the ranks of these wise cultures and send my husband packing to his own space. Many cultures believed that husbands and wives got along much better when they were regulated to separate spaces. While these men often had multiple wives to house, I see no reason that it cannot be adapted to our current living situation.

My husband came to the conclusion that the garage might make a better leisure time area for him after enduring my secession of Wii Zumba. Needless to say, when I play Zumba, I look like a monkey who is being electrocuted. It would drive anyone to  new living quarters, and frankly, I much rather have a happy husband in a safe man space than an angry husband in my space. Long live the man cave!

Please stop asking when I am going to have another baby

I would really like to have another baby. I love being a mother, my son wants a sibling, and I always intended to have two children. To make matters worse, even though I only breast fed my son for 18 months, every once and awhile, I spontaneously lactate. If that does not remind you of how badly you want a baby, nothing will. But here are the facts, my husband does not want anymore children, we do not have enough money to maintain our current life style and add a family member, my husband's career is in flux, and my career is flying high. Finally, we have no viable options for child care. I can want a baby with all my heart, but I am also a responsible person.

It is unfair to bring a baby into an environment where it's basic needs cannot be fulfilled. The bottom line is that I would have trouble finding time to care for it's needs, and my husband would have a hard time caring about it, not an ideal situation to bring a person into.

 Over the last year, I have worked hard to make peace with a situation I cannot change. Seven of my friends became pregnant last year. I went to seven showers, and each time I would stand next to one, I was peppered with questions about when I would have another child. I really wish strangers/co-workers/acquaintances would just assume that my uterus turned black fell out. It would be much less painful. However, after a ton of practice and some will power, I have learned to bare these comments. I have even started enjoying my friend's babies and their new pregnancies. Some are now on round two of baby making. For as much progress as I have made appreciating my wonderful reality and letting go of my family planning wishes, I had a major set back yesterday. This story on NPR had me in tears.

My Son at 12 months 

I know the life I have is wonderful. I know that I am happy, but I just don't think I will be able to let my  need for another child go until my uterus actually does fall out. The trick is not allowing this defeat to ruin the wonderful life I have. I am great a solutions, compromises, and all manner of analysis and none if it helps in this situation.

Our Year in Review

Four Power by Melissa Warren | Make Your Own Book

Brady's new Kindergarten Skills

Farm Time

We had another great agricultural experience at Indigo Farms in Calabash. We learned how to make grits and indigo dye. We went on a hay ride and bought some wonderful fresh veggies. Fall is here!!

Soccer Action