such is the life of a mom

I'm writing this at approximately 1:00 a.m. You know why? Because I'm a mom and on this particular night that means no sleep. It also means that I missed out on a night out with my girlfriends. Tomorrow my eye will be twitching and I'll be surviving on copious amounts of caffeine. It won't be pretty, not one little bit...

Seriously, sometimes this is the truth. In my case, most of my adult responsibilities mean being a mom. That alone is overwhelming and immense. I am responsible for 2 little hearts, minds, bodies, and souls.   And sometimes, like tonight, that is not fun.

I remember particular stages in my kids life that were tough to go through: the first 2 weeks of their lives, (because, c'mon, learning to parent for the first time is scary!) getting our babies to sleep through the night, potty training (I don't need to say anything else about that), terrible twos (and in our case threes, fours, fives, sixes, sevens, and into her eights), fighting bedtime, picky eaters, constantly messy rooms...and our oldest is only 9. Lots more stages...

But these are all phases of life, things that are short-lived in the grand scheme of things. 

Tonight as I entered into what I knew would be a long night this particular phrase entered my mind as a reminder so I wrote it out: 

Yeah, tonight sucks. My little girl is miserable - (gluten issue), and so I am miserable. 

But it will pass. It is one night out of my life. There have been many and there will be many more.

Such is the life of a mom.

KC

not eye-to-eye

When my husband and I were first married, I found myself getting frustrated when we didn't see eye to eye on matters in our life. How could we disagree on so many things? We got married to each other because we were perfect for each other, right?

Finally, when I expressed this frustration to him he explained that I wouldn't want him to be just like me anyway. It would be like having a clone or a robot who did everything you told it to do. And that would be boring. And in a relationship of any kind, that's just plain impossible.

There are so many things in life to disagree on. Just spend a few moments on Facebook reading people's comments as they vent about what they think is so important. And then they get very upset when someone disagrees with them. Goodness, people; that's life. You will never find one person who agrees 100% with you all of the time. 

And that's where grace comes in. Sometimes you just can't understand a person's point of view. Or you completely disagree with their opinion. Having a bit of understanding to know when to keep your mouth shut and the grace to not rub it in their face just how wrong they are - that is a gift! One that not a lot of people exercise. 

Just like God, as He looks down at us imperfect little beings. There is not a single one of us who completely understands God and lives exactly how He wants us to live. Yet He has grace for our imperfections and allows us to learn from them.  And for me He has double the amount of grace. Sometimes I can't see the big picture He is working on because I am so irritated with the small details He has going on in my life. (I mean seriously, people - He's got me homeschooling...how much more patience do I need to learn?!) (And I hope you can understand the humor here because I do love to homeschool...most of the time...usually...)

Maybe you don't agree with me (which would be the perfect irony here), but I think that we would all get along much better if we each showed that extra measure of grace in our relationships....and on Facebook.

KC

cheesy vegetable chowder

Last night I made soup. Vegetable soup. Ingredients all touching each other and mixed together. It was tasty and delicious amazing soup. And what made it even more amazing: all four of us liked it...a lot!! 

I found this through Pinterest many moons ago. It was the first pin on my "food" board. It comes from Lulu the Baker's website. Here is the link if you'd like it directly from her: http://luluthebaker.blogspot.com/2011/09/cheesy-vegetable-chowder.html.  

Cheesy Vegetable Chowder

2 Tbs butter

1/2 C chopped onion

1 C finely chopped celery

1 Tbs minced garlic

4 C chicken broth

2 lg baking potatoes, peeled and chopped

1 Tbs flour

1/2 C water

2/3 C milk

2 C chopped broccoli

2 heaping C shredded cheddar cheese

Melt butter in a lg soup pot.

Add onions, carrots, celery and sauté over medium heat until tender.

Add garlic and cook 1-2 mins.

Add chicken broth and potatoes, bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender.

Mix flour with water, add, and simmer until soup is slightly thickened.

Add milk and broccoli and cook until broccoli is just tender.

Stir in cheese, allow to melt, and serve.

(I didn't take any pictures while making it and this was all that was left for me after my husband packed a few containers for his lunch this week!) 

KC

almond peach muffins

When fall happens around here, baking happens around here! I made these almond peach muffins yesterday and they ended up being super tasty with a good of melty butter on top (because you all know how much I 💛 butter!)

I can't take any credit for the recipe; it's from a cookbook from the school I grew up in. It was contributed by "Mom Hilvers".  So enjoy Mom Hilvers muffins!

(PS - I don't bake healthy, so if you are looking for healthy you probably won't find it here...)

Almond Peach Muffins

1.5 C flour

1 C sugar

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp soda

2 eggs

1/2 C oil

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp almond extract

1.5 C chopped fresh peaches 

OR a 16 oz. can, drained

1/2 C chopped almonds

Mix flour, sugar, salt, and soda. Stir in eggs, oil, and extracts just until moistened. Fold in peaches and almonds. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full. Bake at 375 for 20-25 mins.

Enjoy with a big slab of butter! 

sleeping wonders

My husband and I agreed that when we had kids, they would sleep in their own beds, not ours, and we would teach them that they didn't need to have a parent lay down with them to fall asleep. This was our personal parenting style, our choice. And with our kids somewhat grown, we still feel that way. 

Nowadays they might wake up in the middle of the night and come sleep on our floor or they might have a "slumber party" in one of their rooms. And before they fall asleep, our bedtime routine includes some very important snuggle time.

But sometimes, like tonight, I sneak back into one of their rooms to watch my babies sleep. It is my favorite time of day: watching their beautiful faces in peace...or with their mouths wide open, or drooling, or whatever wacky position they might he in. 

Goodness, they are amazing little creatures. Miraculous wonders from God. 

During the day, they have their moments. Today was my son's turn to whine at me for most of the day. He turned on his irritating voice and used it. All day. My daughter was somewhat exhausted for the first half of the day from a busy weekend so she played the "poor little old me" role very well. They're not so cute during those moments. Nor do they seem like miraculous little wonders. And sometimes I have to search for the "amazing". 

(That's just me being an honest mom right there - I'm sorry if that offends you, but this mom thing is hard work and I know there are plenty of moms, and dads, who struggle like I do. And if you don't struggle in this whole parenting thing, good for you! But... I've got no advice for you.)

Back to sleeping wonders...

Before I tuck myself in, I always check on my kids. I look at their little faces and realize how blessed I am. God hand-picked my son and daughter for me. He uses them to change me. To grow me. To make me into who He wants me to be. My children are His instruments. 

And at night when they are asleep, they are quiet and cooperative, beautiful and peaceful little instruments. 

KC

it bears repeating

So, I've blogged about this subject before, but every once in a while we all need a reminder of the valuable and important things in life.

Today at church, my daughter's Sunday school teacher from last year stopped my husband and complimented him on our daughter, telling him what a great kid she was. 

Do you know what that does for a parent?! Especially the parents of a strong-willed kid who is somewhat responsible for half of our hair being pulled out?!

I mean, we know she's a great kid. We see it in her. But we also see the side of her will that pushes us to our limits of insanity of parents. There is no joking there. For me personally, I have had a number of times where I have had to walk out of a situation with my daughter because I have felt like my head would explode from all the garbage that she was dishing out to me. (If you've been there, you know. If you haven't been there, please just nod your head in agreement and pretend to sympathize...)

However, it is the HUGEST blessing to a parent to hear how great their kid is from another adult. You know what that means to us? It means that maybe, just maybe we are actually doing something right with her and that there is hope for us to see the fruit of all our exhausting and sometimes frustrating labors. 

So, if you have met or spent any time with a great kid, or can find something encouraging to say about a kiddo who might be a struggle, go tell that kid's mom or dad. There's a pretty good chance they need to hear it. 

Parents always need an encouraging word. Always.

KC

smile

Every once in a while, I have a bad day, or a bad evening, or even just a couple of bad hours. You know what I do to cheer myself up (if there is no ice cream in the freezer)? I distract myself with funny stuff. We don't get the Sunday comics anymore so I'm grateful for all the funny stuff on Pinterest...although you do have to weed through a lot of garbage to get to the good stuff.

Like this gem: 

I mean, c'mon people! It's a cat in a cone with a mustache!

And this ridiculous one:

If you don't know what the "duck face selfie" is, Mona, here is demonstrating it for you.

Oh, and the truth in this one:

Absolutely, Sunshine. Absolutely. 

But this little girl is absolutely adorable, even if she's upset about her ride: 

I've felt this: someone tries to make you happy but you refuse to give in to the fun!

And this is definitely true of being a mom...

But unfortunately, it rarely works - they find you!!

And the best quote I've seen in a long time:

By the time you read this, it'll be Saturday. Go smile - it looks good on you!

KC