Today I Went On My First Business Trip

Today I flew away from my husband and children for the first time in order to attend a two day training for my new career as Texas State Director for my tutoring company.  I felt confident that I would fit in, thanks to my friend Jodi and her sudden desire to replace everything in her closet!  I managed to shop a little for some business type outfits that were still young and fun so I knew I’d at least look the part.  The best part of my day easily though was that I had convinced my best friend, Abby, to join me on my trip!  I had arranged to have a stopover in her area at least to have a visit, but as God had made sure things were to be special this weekend, the airlines ended up giving me a voucher for $150 dollars on my next flight while allowing me to drive the last leg of my flight with Abby even though they had quoted me a $400 change fee less than 30 minutes before!  Silly airlines.  We enjoyed the good long talk on the drive and then got to explore downtown Austin for several hours (Longhorn Stadium and the Capitol) before ordering a big meal and some fruity cocktails.  Both of us didn't know what to do without our kids hanging on us and couldn't quite bring ourselves to go ‘wild’.  It was nice to visit though, and eat hot food with cold drinks, a rare treat.

Today I Prepared For A Trip, and Endured Chaos

Poor Momma’s... sometimes those days are just those days.  Mine, surprisingly enough, was okay but I got to witness and be around both my sister-in-law’s rough one as well as a friends. First of all my poor sister-in-law taking advantage of a toddler free shopping trip had lost her IPhone in the parking lot of Hobby Lobby that turned into a two hour escapade of me driving across town to meet the girl who found it (and who had called the last number dialed, me, to return it) and then back again to my very stressed sister who didn't know why on earth anyone might have stolen her phone and what she would have to do to ensure her personal and kids information was kept safe.  She was more than relieved to find me in her driveway with the phone (there was no way to let her know I was on my way to get it or return) and then she joined along to eat dinner with some other friends.

My friend on the other hand was having a normal day with a toddler and a baby, the kind consistent of puke, accidents, and the interesting adventures of missing dogs but we all got it sorted out in the end. Super women are we.  The men of course, stumbled in 10 minutes after the chaos subsided, the conquering bird hunters, stress free.  Punks.

For dinner we had fried some of the Axis deer from the August hunt and it was amazing as usual.  If only my munchkins would have been there to play with their cousins and friends but alas they were already with their other Aunt because tomorrow I fly to Austin for my first business trip! 

Today I Went Back to Blonde

I did it again.  I put my life and my *hair* on the line at the beauty school to get an updated look with a side of risk at the hands of a fairly new student.  And again, it turned out okay. I know I can tell the difference between a ‘professional’ and these practice jobs but really, I just can’t bring myself to spend $150 on a color and cut (or not even a cut in some cases!)  No matter how much money we bring in I don’t know if I’ll ever be there. I just need one of my girls to go to beauty school themselves and arrange a co-op of services. I love those kind of deals, everybody wins.

Anyway, I guess I'm blonde again. I think it’s pretty extreme but the husband commented on it the moment he saw it and said he liked it so I guess he’s the one that counts.   Four hours in the chair is making me reconsider my thriftiness though, a mom of two just doesn't have that kind of time.  Bless our Nana for her willingness to babysit.

Other things I did today… deposit checks in the bank, drop off a donated crochet hat for an upcoming local fundraiser, the post office to mail away three new orders, and a visit with my friend to ‘shop’ through her closet. Pretty full day. 

Today I Launched An Etsy Shop

I bit the bullet, decided to throw caution to the wind, and signed up for the wonderful world of Etsy selling.  Not that I’m in the middle of buying two new properties, not that I’m starting a new nearly full-time job that requires travel, not that I have two kids under three and a perpetually untidy house that need attention.  Not that we’re moving in just THREE WEEKS. Oh well, sleep is overrated.

I’m so excited!  Go check out CrossWesternCrochet   Get some orders in, just in time for Christmas! 

P.S. Happy Birthday Mom! 

Today I Needed This

http://rachelmariemartin.blogspot.com/2012/08/dear-sweet-mom-who-feels-like-she-is.html

Introduction

I had this idea...

One day I was reading an email about a man that asks his wife exactly what she did all day.  The rest of the story goes on to explain how he came home the next day to an absolute chaos and when he went to see if his wife was alright she explained "You know how you ask me what I do all day?  Well today I didn't do it!"

I love this story, and although my lovely husband is smart enough to never utter those words to me, I do feel like a lot of what us stay-at-home mom's go through is ignored.  I also try to realize that we are blessed because yes, some days we do stay in our pajamas all day long, take the easy way out on dinner, and get down on ourselves because certainly Ms.Thing down the street would never do that!  (not the case).  There are also days where we feel like we can do ANYTHING, and can feel wonderful that we managed to keep the children fed, clean, and learning, the house spotless and even a DIY project or two completed. I love those days. Let's keep it real here visitors, there are some days I'm Supermom, others, I don't even get a shower.

I created this blog as a place to motivate myself to keep up with the activities I plan and do for my family, the crafting projects that turn out (or don't) and the wonderful ways I experiment with Pinterest.

Hope you enjoy your visit!
Sarah

12 Hours and Counting

In just a little over 12 hours I will be checked into our wonderful hospital to be 'encouraged' to have a baby.  I am a little nervous of going the induction route again as my last experience was near perfect and I can't possibly be that lucky again right?  I do feel more comfortable though at this point having little girl out than in, since the last appointment I had fallen behind even further and am measuring 4 weeks behind in growth!

I am so happy though that we've made it this far (39 weeks) since I had been expecting the go ahead anytime after 35 due to growth restriction issues.  Turns out little girl didn't have any growth restrictions on her own, it's just Mama and a little problem with our amniotic fluid.  They assure me that it's not in the 'danger' zone, but close so I have just been taking it easy to keep the stress off baby and drinking my fluids.  Yesterday I had a bad bout of nausea and even a one time horrible case of puking so all in all I'm just ready for her to be out and safe.  Being my second time around I'm actually a little 'excited' for the birth experience, and I can't wait to be back in control of my own body. I love my children, but I don't love being pregnant.

CK has been trying to step up with Bug, and it's nice to see them spend time together. I know it's frustrating dealing with a toddler after a long day of work but I'm sure he'll be jumping at the chance to take Bug out once the newborn screaming commences!  All about perspective.

Our lovely family came and spent Thanksgiving with us, well the young ones at least. It was a great day. We also have been doing projects around the house to get ready for baby and just to feel more 'settled in'. Still a long ways to go, as CK said today... we get more room just to get more stuff to fill it up!  Mostly though, life is boring at least until tomorrow. I have learned to crochet and am so far loving it, can't wait to make a bunch of adorable baby things for my own precious girl and her two cousins coming in Feb and March of next year!