Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts

Friday, January 16, 2015

I declare

This is a declaration. To any and all who may read my blog to hold me accountable.
I always believed, knew, I was capable of doing great things. But it wasn't till recently that I accepted that I lack the motivation to do anything about it. 

I am kind of over that.
So, back to my declaration. I declare that I will be better. That I will work harder. That I will achieve my dreams. Dreams of doing something great. Of writing and getting my thoughts and words out there. That I will make others happy. That I will allow myself to become who I am mean to be.


Now, just hold me to it. 





Tuesday, November 4, 2014

This is how we roll...

I always imagined I would be a sophisticated mom.

My kids would always wear outfits that matched (individually, not like as a group- i.e. Sariah a shirt would match her pants).

My kids faces would always be clean.

My car would always be neat.

Basically a bunch of fantasies from my
Now life.
And that's ok. Because I am working on it. And for me, it's not what matters the most.

So my kid may sleep in a Walmart shopping cart. But at least he sleeps and I can get things done.

That's the point.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Life for Mary

This past week I made 4 NEW recipe's to take to events, and they all ROCKED. And got multiple compliments and requests for the recipe. I like when that happens. I know It doesn't quite sound like a good plan to be trying out new recipes on groups of people, but it somehow feels like a better idea experimenting with grousp of 30+ people than 4.

 Recipe #1: Christmas Breakfast Sausage Casserole =
(via
I took this to a MOPS meeting where groups take turns providing brunch. I made some changes based on the review (first off I doubled it, increased the eggs and decreased the milk, added mushrooms. And probably increased the cheese). It turned out really well. I have always been hesitant/skeptical of breakfast casseroles. I am not a fan of eggs, but I LOVED this. And it freezes well. Recipe

 #2: Pumpkin Dump Cake
Probably my favorite dessert growing up was a dump cake, so to me- it is a completely normal thing. It is a desert/cake where you dump (literally) all the ingredients in a pan and bake! Normally fruit/pie filling, pour a cake mix on top, blast it with butter, and THEN bake. Delicious I promise. I took it to a RS activity (a church women's activity) and this one was very much a hit! I didn't put a 'topping' on it, but everyone said that it was perfect as is.

#3:Slow Cooker Sweet and Tangy Meatballs

I have been wanting to make these for a while, and finally got the chance! We had a friend get baptized this past Saturday and we had some 'snacks' afterwards, and I made these and was astonished at how quickly they disappeared! They were good. I would recommend doubling the batch. And I have it on good authority they taste great with ice cream.

#4: The BEST Slow Cooker Baked Beans

 
The third Sunday of every month our church has a potluck, so it's nice to have a chance to make something new every month. I haven't ever made baked beans before, so I am not an expert to say if these really ARE the best, but they were good. They were a bit time consuming, I gotta admit. Although, instead of onions I used shallots. Someone in our last living area (western Nebraska), gave us a bag- and oh my! They are strong, Just in chopping 2 cups worth I had to take at least 3 breaks.
But anyways, mmmm. They will be worth making again.



And there you have it. That is basically what I did this last week =]

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Hi.

Today Is Wednesday. We have been moved in for about 6 week- it has gone by way too fast, and I am finally getting around to say 'hello' once again! And here is a "what-you-missed-in-the-past-6-weeks" update: -Sariah likes to run around naked. At the YMCA. After she steals other peoples stuff. Little convict in training. -Seamus likes to step on leaves. Can you imagine 3 inch feet crunching leaves? Just imagine. It. Is. Adorable. -Sariah decided to 'help' the people are Papa Murphey's make their pizza. They were are Highschool girls and had no idea what to do and just stared at her and looked around awkwardly. - Pierre is kind of awesome. You just gotta see it to believe it. -They actually have a pretty good donut place here. But apparently the are shutting down. Live over. I guess Pierre just dropped a notch. -I think I can make up words. What in the world did my BA in English get me if not to be able to make up words?? The end.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Getting things rolling

Sorry for the changes/lack of authority in my blog. I am working on getting it fixed up and updated, and it isn't nearly as easy to go through endless html codes as one might think.

I must also apologize for my lack of proper usage of my English degree with my blog. It seems that I have not been adequately proof-reading my blog posts, which has always been my biggest fault with papers, so I am not surprised. (Especially since I am self-aware that I hit 'publish' with just a quick glance over).

But here I am- starting new. Trying to anyways. Joe say's that my 'problem' with blogging/writing is that I type like I talk.  Fast and without thinking. (DISCLAIMER: I believe that I do think before I speak, it's more like, what is in my head sound's fine, and it isn't until it is out in the open that I realize how horrible it sounded. Or a few hours/days later.)


I am trying to get into blogging again because I am sick of sitting around trying to motivate myself to write. I need to just start- everyday I need to write, and not just for myself in my journal- but for the world. I need to tell you all a story. I am still figuring out how to tell you the stories in my head, so I hope you all will join with me on our adventure and help encourage me.
I hope this blog turns into a lot more than what it was before, and I am excited for the journey. Life is an adventure, and I want to share my talent or writing and creating and making others happy.


Enjoy.


Friday, November 22, 2013

November

I feel like for the first time in my life I am actually experiencing what "fall" SHOULD feel like. I am sorta loving it (although Séamus and I both agree we would prefer CA weather still).

Today was high 40's-low 50's. Low wind. Some overcast but mostly sunny. I couldn't help but keep us outside all day. 

Not much new happens to us to post about. Séamus will be 12 weeks tomorrow! He is still big too. He has rolled over and sits up well. And oh when he smiles...he loves me it shows. :)

Sariah loves him. It's adorable and heart warming and all te mushy stuff. She likes to hold him and read to him and make him dance. She also will sleep anywhere. Most nights she goes to sleep in bed, but we wake up to find her in the glider or dog bed or the couch or her little couch. It's ridiculous and adorable.

Joe and I saw Enders Game in theaters last week. It's the first movie we have seen in theaters (together) for about 2 1/2 years. That's crazy! 

I am working 6 hours a week, and that is the perfect amount for us right now. Sariah is doing SO much better about being left without me and I appreciate it so much. 

We also bought a gun this week. And it's my gun (since I have the NE drivers license). It's a shotgun and Joe is really excited to go hunting next year. 

And...yep. That's what's new-ish.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

October, feelin' fine.

Today I went back to work.
I worked a total of 3 hours. 
Next week I will work another 3.
Then the week after that starts to get heavy....SIX hours a week.
Eventually I may increase it. Or I may decrease and quit. Only time will tell. And eventually how I, and the kids feel.

Anyways, it wasn't too bad. Joe watched Seamus for the first two hours, then brought him to me before his class started. Seamus slept the whole time in his car seat undisturbed- until a co-worker wanted a glimpse of him and Sariah got to show him off.

And, like most things in my life lately- the hardest part about the whole thing was Sariah.
She moved chairs to the sink to try and do dishes like at home. Moved chairs to the tv to try and pick a movie to watch. Tried to take over and control the whole place basically. 


In other news, Scout is a life saver. At least once a day does she occupies (she is German after all) Sariah for me while I nurse little guy. It is really relaxing to hear giggles come from Sariah and Scout doe her bidding. 


Seamus is growing (as the doc says) like a gang buster. Last Friday he was well over 11 pounds. 11.5 to be exact. His jaundice is gone and he is looking mighty good. When he was first born I thought he looked like Sariah. But now he doesn't resemble her at all- and is starting to look more like Joe. 

And sadly, not so sadly- oddly, whatever you will- I am starting to feel a bit more like a local here in Lincoln. Our home is starting to feel more like a home (furniture does wonders!), and we are getting to like this place more every day. 
Although, we still most the West. Home. Especially when we hear that these Nebraskans can't navigate a round-a-bout, and they have to change it from 3 lanes to 2 lanes, and take away signs as not to confuse people going around the round-a-bout. Been too many accidents.

Sometimes, Nebraska still boggles me.  

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Life with this little man...

Is slowly, I mean slowly, starting to seem normal.

I heard once the best thing you can do for your child is to give them a sibling. I am not sold on that yet. I was pretty sure there a few days Sariah wanted nothing to do with her little brother and that things were about to blow up in our faces.

But amazingly, Sariah has grown fond of the baby. (Yes- he is still "baby" to her,  not Séamus). And what has surprised me the most- is how much more love I have for that little girl. 

Her wanting to hold the baby, give him kisses, or talking about what he is doing melts my heart.

This little guy- he fits well with our family. He eats well. He sleeps well. He is strong and tough and I think we are gonna get along rather well. Plus, Scout us rather intrigued by the little dude as well.



Friday, April 19, 2013

YMCA

What's new with us?

Oh, I just got a job at the YMCA (yes, sing along time).

Now I get to feel all fit & healthy in my staff t-shirt.
Except I work in the child watch, and have nothing to do with exercise

But that's okay, because I have a job where I can take Sariah. It's pretty win.


And, last night I was reading to Sariah before bed time on our couch. I told her to get get another book. So she went into her room. Ten minutes later I walk in and find her fast asleep in her bed.
Joe described it as the best day ever.
Pretty accurate.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

First world problems

When your kitchen cabinets are just not high enough.

When your key fob for your car winds up in your daughters hands, and you have to battle with her to get them back to turn off the car alarm. (Actually, she has grown out of that- and now runs and hands them to me).

When you can't decide which to wash first- the whites or the towels??? You really can't take a shower without either one.

When your nail breaks a bit too low for comfort, and you wear a bandaid all week till your nail grows out more.

When you can't decide which kind of potatoes would go best with dinner- so you make both. Oh, the work.

Also oddly, this has been my day.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Life

I saw a sign that said "there is no place lie Nebraska" and all I thought was: THANK GOODNESS.

Last week driving around Nebraska, rather boring. I find it funny that the 2 largest cities in this town are on the borders- an hour further you would be in another state.
But, I have also realized that Lincoln is not the worst place to live.
No, certainly not.

Also, I love what my husband does. It let us be outside- it makes us be active- it gives us a lifestyle we want. And I love it.
It causes us to always learn and be aware, and to meet the most interesting people.
And that just makes it all worth it.









Friday, March 8, 2013

The little things, eh?

People are always talking about the little things that make "it" worth it.
Here is my list today:

-Scout likes to annoy Penny. And it is visibly clear and funny. Like the other day Penny was laying in her dog bed, and Scout came over all non-chalantly, and just sat on her head. Thought nothing of it. Till Penny threw a fit. Now Scout does the whole "I'm not touching you" thing and just lays her face as close as possible to Penny. Penny hates it, but can't quite complain. See below.

- I have really good pregnancies. So far. Other than my gall bladder. And my hips. My hips hurt a lot, but there is a plus side- Joe gives me massages a lot. Lately, to better direct him where exactly I need him to massage on my hips, I have taken on referring to my body as land. So, I use phrases such as "inland" or "out to sea". Joe doesn't enjoy it as much- but I find it hilarious.

-Sariah left her camelback at the Children's Museum. And yes, SHE left it. She snuck into my bag and took it out without me knowing. When I got home and realized a few hours later, I was really upset about the idea of replacing it. (Last time we lost a water bottle was during the big flu- and any lost water bottles were thrown away). SO I was really happy when I called and found out they still had it . Being reunited was a blessed moment.

-Going through my phone to delete pictures and realizing Sariah trying to take some as well :) it may be just her forehead, but how could I throw that away?!?

The end.





Saturday, December 29, 2012

Things you wish you knew...

Since the world as we know it will be ending in about, 50 hours or so... (And yes, I know that The Mayan Apocolypse is over. I also know that when I say 'world' I really mean the US of A), and because ALL you ever see on the news is BAD news, I thought I would share some things you WISH YOU HAD KNOWN. You know, before the world dies and we have to start fighting over milk, taxes, and whatever else you can think of. 



1. 365 Superheroes



This man set a goal to draw 365 superheroes in one year. A new superhero every day.
Well, it's year 3 and he isn't quite done yet, but still. It's almost New Years. Isn't it important that no matter what happens, we decide to finish our goals? Because it isn't about setting them- but about finishing them.
And what about someone as amazing and creative to create this many superheroes? Even Disney can't claim that!



Did you hear about the man who jumped from SPACE?
Yes. Space. And not like out of a space ship onto the moon kinda jump.
We are talking he went up in a pressurized capsule, reached the stratosphere (about 24 miles away) and then got out in a space suite, and JUMPED out. Plummeted to earth. And landed in New Mexico.


Can you just imagine how hard it would be to be up there and be like, "Great. What did I do now? Well, It's either I jump, or I fall with this heap of metal." And then to will yourself outta that thing? 
Yes, he had a parachute. 
And yes, it is awesome. 
But of course, not one of Barbara Walters top ten, nor googles. Sad. 



Haven't heard of him either? Color me purple.
Ronald Brown died in mid-October at the good age of 94. He was a Britain who had served in WWII, who had stepped on a land mine in 1944 while serving in France.
After he was cremated, they found 6 oz. of shrapnel in his leg. 
6 oz!!
I don't know about you all, but I walk like I am severely crippled if I have a sliver of glass in my foot.
6 oz is a LOT. 
He would tell his kids and grandkids that he had been hit by a bullet- but NEVER alluded to how much. He would tell them they could not sit on his bad leg, but NEVER alluded to how much pain he was in. No one in the family ever knew. And this man lived a LONG life, and he WORKED. And lived with that shrapnel in his leg for 72 years! 
That is a man for you. 



Just some things I thought you all should know.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Putting life into perspective

You know, some days suck. They really do. Some people call it waking up on the wrong side of the bed, some call it karma, and others call it seeing the glass as half empty. I just see is as reality. Some days you wakeup, and instead of the devil groaning that your awake, he cackles (yes, the devil does cackle), and you just have to accept that no matter how hard you try- the day is going to suck.

Now, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t TRY and make it better.Because no doubt when you TRY and make a sucky day better, it will in fact bebetter. In fact, some days can turn into good days. But still, you are betteroff admitting that some days are bad ones, and move on.

Yesterday was one of those days. The world was lookingrather bleak, our bank account was looking rather empty, I was feeling emptyinside and not too happy or bright. Sariah couldn’t make up her mind what shewanted, and Scout seemed to have just a little bit too much energy. It allaccumulated in a break down where Joe held me as I cried, and he was magicallyable to articulate everything I was feeling. Which was truly magic, becauseeven I didn’t know what was wrong.


Then BAM! Perspective hits. Like a driver who makes a lefthand turn in front of you on a 45MPH road and expects you to stop for them asthey slowly gain speed to make itacross all four lanes onto their side of the road. It hit’s hard and fast, anddon’t expect it.

Like today. It was a pretty good day. Sariah and I werefairly productive, swept the house, went to the library, made lunch, then werewalking to the dog park. It was nice weather (45 degrees, nice, you know?), andI was looking forward to walking a few laps, listening to Christmas music, andgetting some energy out of Scout. But that dang perceptive, it just buts it’snose into everything. And you realize, days really can get worst.
Here is what happened:

SCENE: Dog ‘run’ AKA dog park. There are 5 car’s in theparking lot.
I enter the first gate and proceed to unleash the hounds. Iglance around at the first table in the dog park, where most people gather totalk. Three people are seated and standing around said table, their dogs justlounging around- waiting for my dogs to enter to attack. No one new- I haveseen all these dogs multiple times before.
I open the second gate to let Penny and Scout in, and theyrun off (ok, Scout does- Penny runs in like a frightened chicken because thegates are on a hinge and she is scared of them).  I grab the stroller and push it through andstand  just inside the gate adjusting theleashes before we start walking. A rather timid looking dog approaches meshyly, and I reach down to pet her. MISTAKE. She immediately takes the pet as a“welcome, please jump all over my daughter” and basically climbs into Sariah’sstroller, determined to eat every last crumb that she has ever dropped in thatthing. Of course, another dog along with Scout are curious and decide to jointhe first dog.
So, there I am, bending over, doing my BEST to push thesethree dog’s out of Sariah’s face and stroller (which she doesn’t mind, but I sure do), when all the sudden the back of my leg feel’s warm. Then wet.
WHAT THE HECK?!?!
I turn around the see another dog walking away.
I know it may be hard to see, but that dark stain- ya, that's the target. And it kept going on around my leg.
DID I REALLY JUST GET PEED ON? 
Yes. Really. And it wasn’t low- it was above my knee. By adog I have met before.
The owner comes over and says,  

“oh, did he pee on you again? Oh, Marley! CanI wash your jeans for you?”

Oh yes, let me take them off right now and walkaround with no pants on…..hmmm….
I politely decline, just wanting to get all these dogs awayfor the moment (this all happened within about 2 min of being in the dogpark-mind you).

I mean really, I don’t blame her for offering to wash mypants- and I don’t know what else she could have done, but you know how stupidyou feel when you get peed on by a dog? At a DOG park? You really shouldn’tfeel so stupid. It actually makes sense. But for some reason, being target by amale dog like that makes you feel like you have succumbed to dog level. Thewhole  “you have been marked!” makes youfeel not like a human, controller of these beasts- but like you are, indeed,their property.
And because we had JUST gotten there, and I had walkedthere, and it would take me 20 minutes to get home- I really didn’t feel like Ihad any other choice. So, I walked around the dog park, with dog-peed pants.


So, now I know. Firsthand, that your day can always get a little bit worst. Thank you, dog, for putting my life into perspective. 

The end. =]


Thursday, November 1, 2012

November

I am darn excited it's November.
More excited than I should be, really.
I am not excited for this point in time where the weather has to sit me down and say' "Mary- look. It's November. In a little more than a month, it will be winter. That means cold. Give up all these crazy motions you have about it getting warm again any time soon. Your not in California anymore."
I am sad for that.

But I am SO excited for Thanksgiving.
Christmas.
Road trips (doesn't this time of year demand it?)
Walks
And other prospects...

It just seems like an exciting time of life.

Doesn't it?

Thursday, August 30, 2012

When your baby turns one...


All the suden, they go from an infant to a toddler. Over night.
You realize that once upon a time, when they were first born, their nose was a lot bigger then it seems to be right now.
You suddenly get excited for watching someone else open gifts.
You don't mind spending all day on all fours.
You let your house become a mess, because it seems like the child likes it better that way any ways.
You are willing to let them indulge in as much sugar as they desire, just to stick to tradition and to see them smile.
You feed them lots and lots of black beans, because they are baby cakes favorite. =]
You realize how life really hasn't change much since you first had her. I still wake up in the middle of the night- when I was pregnant it was to pee, when she was a newborn it was to nurse, and now I do to make sure she is safe.
You try to remember how you ever thought you never had any time before- and envy those who say, "Oh, I am going to school I have no time" and wish you had that much time.
You don't mind the awkward stares you get when you walk around, being so young with a baby. You realize how much you, and she, have accomplished- and how much more life has to offer. 
You don't quite understand how in the world you could possibly make more room in your heart, or your family, for more. But I am sure I thought the same thing before!
You wish everyone could know how amazing it feels when your baby gets EXCITED to see her daddy at the end of the day- because it is her daddy and she loves you both. 

When your baby turns one,
You wonder how you ever lived without her.
How did you fill the times of your day without the constant worry of "is she still breathing alright?", "Is  that piece of food to big", or "Will she pull something off and knock herself with it?".
You wonder what you could have ever found more funny that a baby sucking on a lemon for the first time, the displeasing look they get eating a food they do not like, or being tickled.
You wonder how life could get better, how you could get any happier.


You know that your baby will continue to get older- and that is a fact. And you (okay, I) have accepted that.
What I cannot accept is that she will forget how happy she was today.
How content she was, in love we all were with each other today.
She will continue to grow up and forget about the things that matter most- and start to worry about things that have to matter.

When your baby turns one, reality starts. The first year seems like a trial run, but now things get serious. It no longer is a year of mile-stones waiting to happen. Now the teaching, learning, growing, begins.

And things can only get better from here.