the New Years Cause and Effect

At the close of every year we are taken back to all the happenings of the past year before we jump into a new one. Sometimes I don't stop to really think of the past year for what it really was...many causes with the return of many effects.

We don't always know how something will end or how words will affect someone or how even how food will "treat us" before we partake. The most we can ever do is have faith, pray for the outcome to be good, or even an intellectually stimulated guess. But really what it all comes down to is that we have very little control over the things and people around us.......or do we have all the control in the world?!

As I was watching Myth Busters with my husband we learned that when in a car that falls into a body of water there is a small window of time when you are actually able to push the car door open before the force of the water compounds to about 350lbs per square inch. (meaning you are unable to get out by opening the door...) In that situation you have no control over how quickly your car fills with water or how easily your car door will open...you can only control your reaction. So, your choice is to be alert enough to know the exact time in which to open the car door and escape OR remain calm and save all the oxygen and energy you can while waiting for your car to fill with water till the opposing pressure is equalized, thus enabling you to escape.

Pondering on that thought, I came to a realization that our time here on Earth is much like trying to escape from a sinking car. We can either panic and try to get the timing just right (which if we do not, we will pay serious consequences) OR we remain calm and trust that our gained knowledge will give us the strength we need to arise victorious.

As I look back on this past year I have seen many times of PANIC. Where the effect of my choices caused confusion, pain, sadness, and even anger.
But I have also had many times of TRUST. Times when I was blessed, felt love, freedom, and gratitude.

I am not the kind of person to wish away any of my poor choices or misjudgements because I know that they have made me and given me what I have today (even if those effects have not been pleasant). I know that we are all given the same opportunity in life to reach for something more than ourselves. And, we don't always step up to the plate. But I do hope that I am given courage to TRUST more than I PANIC and in turn, end this next year with more pleasant "effects" than the year before.

May your New Year bring you more joy and experience than the last!
to TRUST -cheers- 

*Long Sigh*

Ahhhh!!  It's over!
The hustle and bustle of Christmas is over!
It makes me sad.
However, the hustle and bustle of return lines are growing longer!

This was an amazing and beautiful Christmas!!
So many blessings have filled our home!!

Now it's time to welcome in a New Year!!!
Can you believe it's almost 2011?!?!
Where has all of the time gone?! 

It feels like I was just a kid running around with my cousins...
Seeing my mom pull up in the driveway and doing the army crawl trying to clean the house!

But that was so long ago...
Now I'm the wife...
the mom...

So with that being said...
There are lots and lots and bunches of resolutions that I have for this new decade!!
But I'll just take it one year at a time...

One of my biggest goals for 2011 is to READ MORE BOOKS!!!
I want to read at LEAST one good book a month!!

Another goal is to have an entire 15 MINUTES of ME TIME a day!!!!
NO interruptions...
Not by my sweets or honeyman!

I'm a screamer!
At my kids, y'all!!!
So, I'm gonna breathe deeply before ripping someone's head off!
Isn't that a good goal?!

So let's recap...
This time next year, I'm gonna be a quiet, well put together lady with a bigger vocabulary!!
Yay me!!!

What are some of your goals for the beginning of a new year?!

I hope the end of your 2010 is beautiful and I hope the beginning of your 2011 is a glimpse into the happiness you'll feel for the rest of the year!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

"I WANT YOU..."

Christmas time is full of Family, Presents, Cookies, Carols, and Parties!

Christmas time is also full of Churches, Nativities, Hymns, Praises, and Jesus!

I say, why can't we have it all?! Well, I am here to tell you that we CAN have it all! In fact Christmas (Dec. 25th) is just a day we made up to celebrate the birth of Christ...since he was really born in the spring.

Jesus came and brought love, kindness, charity, and selflessness. So, why don't we emulate a bit of Him during Christmas time.

So, go ahead, give those gifts, share the love, and warm some hearts...

After all He wants YOU to join His holy army! :)

Happy Holidays!

Tis the Season for ......

CRAZY....STRESSFUL.....LAST FEW DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!!!


So remember my post of of the fun things I was going to do with my kids this week? Yeah that went out the door first thing Monday morning. Instead this took its place.
I headed to JoAnns and picked up a bunch of this. They have these kits that have a coloring poster and markers for $1. I also got these ornaments for 29 cents. I bought some paints for them to paint them, some glitter glue and they can also use the markers on them. I am going to stick a picture of the kids in them and they are going to give them to their Grandparents for Christmas.


Also, I got this cute little thing for a neighbor gift and had to post. So if you need a little last minute gift for someone, here you go.

Happy Holiday! These last few days may we all try to take the stress out of Christmas and enjoy our families and celebrate the real Reason for the Season!!!

christmas means...

christmas at our house means little elves watching...

christmas at our house means family sleepovers under the tree...

christmas at our house means "polar express" and "elf"...and "white christmas"

christmas at our house means santa at bass pro...

christmas at our house means homemade ornaments...

christmas at our house means the nativity...

christmas at our house means baking cookies...

christmas at our house means serving each other...

christmas at our house means counting the presents to be sure it's "fair"...

christmas at our house means carols playing on pandora...

christmas at our house means waking up before the sun...

christmas at our house means lots of snuggle time...

christmas at our house means peanuts and oranges and new chapstick...

christmas at our house means happiness and love...

merry christmas, from our house to yours!!

Ummm...yeah...

Today would be Tuesday wouldn't it?!
It would be my day to post...and I forgot!
You would think it's the week of Christmas and I've not gotten anything for honeyman yet...
You wouldn't think I'm stressed or anything like that, huh?!

I'm a slacker...I'll admit it...but I usually have good intentions!

So instead of this long beautiful, "True Meaning of Christmas" post like I was planning...
here is a...

"Get back to shopping, wrapping, and baking and get off of the internet!!" post!! 
I know we are all so busy...so, THANK YOU for taking the time out of your busy week to stop by ROASAHM*!!!

This year, I'm trying to start some of my own traditions with my babies! 
Here are a few:

~Every night we get to take a candy cane off of the tree and put it in our hot chocolate!

~When I wake up and before I go to bed I drink a cup of hot apple cider and let my babes sip some!

~I spend at least 10 minutes with just the honeyman infront of our tree with NO media in our faces...just us!

~I've wrapped the majority of the presents and placed them under the tree! ((This is a first!  I've always wrapped Christmas Eve!))

~I'm blasting the GLEE Christmas Album!!

~I'm gonna bake bake bake!!!  I usually leave that up to my mommy and sissies...but I think I'll surprise everyone and do it myself!!!  Maybe I'll even share!!!  =)

*CLICK HERE*

Mele Kalikimaka Y'all!!!

Santa's list of shopping etiquettes...

Say "please", "thank you" AND "excuse me"

Smile

 Have patience with those around you.

Don't "cut" in line.

Find a quarter, dime or nickel and donate to the red bucket...don't just walk by.

Hang up your PHONE and quit TEXTING when its your turn to check out. 

Use the customer service desk for major issues. Don't hold up the line for 20min b/c you "have a question"

And ALWAYS give MORE than you receive

Happy Shopping My CO-SANTA'S

*MAKE* Your Christmas Beautiful

As I thought about gifts this year I thought of all the money that I would need to buy all the "things" that I would love to give my favorite people....but then I woke up and remembered that I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY! (can I get a whot! whot!...rock it your poor girl with rich taste!)

SOOOOOOO, I was on to the next best thing. Spending 1/2 that amount at the fabric and craft stores and make things myself.

Here are a few home-made gift ideas to save a buck or two and can be even more "beautiful" than that plastic wrapped, over priced toy or electronic device.

Blankets: these can be fast and super cute and there are tons of different kinds to make. I am all about the fast ones so my favorites are Rag Quilts. I like to make them with 8 inch squares out of flannel. (the image sample is done with 6 inch squares) click here for video instructions.                   (sample image below)



Rag Quilt



Tie Fleece Blanket



The next kind of easy blanket is a Tie Fleece. Take two pieces of fleece (about 2yards each) put them together with print facing out (most of the time there is not "back side") and cut about 3inch tassels all around the blanket then tie one tassel from each piece of flannel together.



personalized photo frame



Framed Photos: take your favorite photo and put it in a home-made frame! They have unfinished wood frames that can be painted with acrylic paint and embellished with glitter, beads, ribbon, puffy paint, small wooden letters, stickers, scrapbook paper and Modge Podge. (really great for Grandparents!) 

Cookies in a Jar: people always love food! Just layer the dry ingredients in a mason jar. Place a cute piece of fabric on the lid and tie the instructions for the cookies to the neck of the jar. Presto Chango you're done!



Cookies in a Jar

PJ Pants: these are my personal favorite right now! The best pattern I found is Simplicity Easy to Sew 3871 the pant style is very wide so I would recommend going down a size from what you would normally wear...but they are so easy to do and very comfortable. This is a great idea for Holiday matching PJs for the family or just some new "comfy pants" for someone on your list.       

Best PJ Pant Pattern EVER!

Purses: I love all the FREE purse patterns on All People Quilt.com Below is a photo of my favorite one....and it really is super cute and REALLY EASY, promise! Your BFF would go hog wild if you made her one!! :)

Pick -A- Pocket Purse


These are just a few of the MILLIONS of gifts that you can make for your friends and family that would be possible for you to finish in only a few hours.

Keep the Kiddos Busy

My kids will be out of school ALL week next week. So I have been trying to find some fun things to keep them busy (and out of my hair, and not fighting, and not yelling). I headed over to familyfun.com and found these cute ideas. I am going to try some of these things next week. If you are in needed of some things to keep the kiddos busy head over to familyfun.com for tons of ideas!

bacon

dear turkey bacon,

you are NOT real bacon! real bacon is, by definition, delicious and fatty and from a PIG. you are not delicious, not fatty, and you are from a TURKEY! you are not welcome in my kitchen anymore...please pack your fake self and go find some health-concious, no-regard-for-taste family to live with. thank you.

best regards,
the mom of a family that places high value on DELICIOUSNESS

Okay SAHMs...I wanna know!

I recently had conversation with my cousin about Santa!

She has a sister-in-law that told her very yound child that there is no Santa and that she buys the toys.
Said sister-in-law also said that she didn't feel it right to lie to her child!

So, I wanna know!  What do you think?!  What do you DO?! 
I mean seriously!  Dr. Phil and Oprah say it's completely normal!!

Here are a list of lies that my children will either outgrow and figure out the truth OR will use on their children OR will always believe:
**in no particular order**

1- Your pee pee is gonna fall off if you play with it!  (I know, a bit extreme...)
2- You're gonna go blind if you stand too close to the TV!
3- You're not gonna have any friends if you put too much lip gloss on because people are gonna think you're a monster and not a little girl!
4- If you don't bless your food before eating, you're gonna get sick!
5- If you don't say your prayers before bed you're gonna have nightmares!
6- If you don't make your bed your gonna have spiders and bugs in it!

I know...I know...I'm a teeny tiny bit of a drama queen!!

Are there any "lies" you tell your children?
What about Santa & the Easter Bunny?
Start filling out the comment box!!

one foot in front of the other...ITS MONDAY

I feel like I'm on a freaking hamster wheel lately and I'm sure you've felt that way too, especially with the holidays upon us. So on this delightful a.m. I will just show you what I'm up against today, and maybe it will help me get something accomplished, and help you to not feel so bad about what you've got on your list of must do's! Happy turning of the wheel:)

Of course: laundry, beds, rooms, bills and groceries...but mixed in with that we all know we still have to bathe ourselves and the kids, and feed them too!?!?

Yarn Ball and Ornament Wreath

So have been seeing different versions of these all over blogland so here is my version.

You need
Wire wreath form (I got mine at JoAnns and got the 18in size)
Various Sizes of Styrofoam Balls (Dollartree)
Yarn (several colors)
Different size ornaments (I got most at the Dollartree)
I sign or some decoration to hang in the middle
Anything else you would like to add to the wreath. I found some cute star picks at JoAnns that I added.
Hot Glue Gun


First I took the styrofoam balls and wrapped in yarn until completely covered

Then I just started glueing the yarn balls and ornaments randomly all over. I found it was easiest to complete in sections. I took the biggest yarn balls and spaced them evenly around the wreath then completed each section one at a time.

The finished product.

The possibilities are endless. There is so much stuff in so many colors so choose a color scheme and get started. Have fun!!!!!

you say to-may-to, i say to-mah-to

single women wear stilettos
moms wear sneakers

single women drive a sporty car
moms drive a minivan ( you know this is your fav!)

single women wear eyeliner
moms wear dark circles

single women listen to talk radio
moms listen to power tunes

single women have a girls' night out
moms have playgroup

single women sport a salon haircut
moms sport a ponytail

single women stay up for a late movie
moms stay up for a 2am feeding

single women read romance novels
moms read dr. seuss

single women carry a designer bag
moms carry a diaper bag

single women have adult conversation
moms...don't

single women lift weights at the gym
moms lift 19 bags of groceries

single women keep their home smelling nice with scented candles
moms keep their home smelling nice (ish) with a diaper genie

single women go out for a night on the town
moms go out to the 24-hour grocery store

sometimes i think i miss being single...but i quite enjoy shopping at my 24-hour walmart in my sneakers and ponytail, then driving home in my minivan and rocking out to "power tunes" to unload the 19 bags of groceries. and at playgroup, in between 87 dr. seuss books, the other moms and i skip adult conversation and instead compare dark circles and 2am feeding stories and swap diaper bag contents. and when i get home...time to empty the diaper genie.

for reals, it's the life...

A Season of Giving ((and receiving))...Rated M for Married Only

(all of the following puns ARE intended!)

I think your man would agree:  Short and sweet and to the point!
Okay ladies…I’m just gonna get straight to the point!
No beating around the bush!
We cannot forget our dear honeymen this holiday season! ;)
That’s right! I’m talking about Sexy Time!!
So shave, shower, and tweeze!!


Don’t give him the ultimatum of:
“A Hot Dinner OR A Hot Wife: You don’t get both in the same day!”


Let’s go BIG!!
Start with the Sexy Time texts or emails!
Trust, ladies!! He’ll love ya for it!!
Make sure you back it up...((I mean what you say!!!))

**even you can do it Mom! I know you’re reading!**


It only takes a few minutes to send!! And can you imagine the smile on his face?!
Our men work hard for all that money we’re spending ((on everyone else))…
So why not thank him in only the way you can?!


*stop blushing!*


Face it, we wouldn’t be Stay At Home Mom’s ((or Moms for that matter)) if it wasn’t for Sexy Time!
Don’t you like saying that?! Sexy Time. It has a nice ring!! Sexy Time!!


I think Ron Burgundy sang it best!!

Afternoon Delight

So enjoy this magical time of year by getting closer with your man!
Literally!
For more tips on what/how/when to say/do/how to do things...just ask!! ;)
**except for you Mom, please don't ask!**

So....

I'm guilty. I know you're wondering "of what?", or maybe some of you may be saying "of course you are", but here is the deal.... I am a Dr. Phil watcher (but that's not what I'm pleading guilty to)...actually I dvr it and then when I'm bored I go back through and watch the ones that I may be interested in. As my children and husband were all nestled in their beds the other I night I stayed up and watched the boob tube and came across this:

http://drphil.com/videos/?Url=/house/flv/9009_2.flv&background=header_drphil_video.jpg

WOW! I mean really? I'm sure you'll be taken back initially just like I was. My defense was immediately for the children, but then as I watched more I heard more in her voice than the volume of it. She wasn't beating her children or calling them nasty names. She was purely out of control with her emotion, loneliness and longing for some simplicity. She did yell way too much, but honestly I caught little glimpses of myself. How crazy, how exhausting. I don't like to yell and I don't yell most of the time...(anymore), but when I do it kind of just happens and once I get started it's hard for me to take a step back and let things cool down. As I watched this whole episode which aired on Thursday December 02, for those of you who want to go take a look, I realized just how toxic it is to yell at my children, and how unnecessary it is too. It hit me in the right spot at the right time and there were great pointers that helped me think about how I could be better. The show was actually titled " brat proof your child". Obviously I would have given it a different title...like "how to stop yelling", "how to overcome the sound of your own crazy", "how to have happier children" etc..b/c really if we are really real with ourselves...we all know that it isn't the child.

New Featured Follower: Brittany!

Our new Featured Follower for December is...Brittany!


Brittany is a S@HM of 3 adorable little kids...all under the age of 5! Although that makes for a sometimes crazy and chaotic home, she wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Here is what Brittany has to say about Realities of a S@HM:


"I love reading Realities of a Stay at Home Mom! The posts are inspiring and uplifting. They have helped me to take notice of how special every moment is from the most precious to the most mundane. Thank you ladies for inspiring me to be a better mom!"


Thanks for being a loyal reader and follower!

Hey all you readers...if you'd like the chance to be our next "Featured Follower" and have yourself right here on our blog for a whole month...become a follower!!

the Icy Vegetation, and Me

Back in December 2007 Eastern Kansas was hit pretty hard with a strong ice storm. It came on quickly and caught even Mother Nature by surprise. Many trees were so burdened by the weight of the ice that they snapped in half, falling on cars, homes, electrical wiring and even people. Many were injured and even more were left without electricity for weeks. These photos were taken the morning after this great storm. The photographer in me couldn't resist an artistically beautiful sight.

Yet, as I look back on these photos I begin to see more than just ice and branches.

I see life captured and frozen in a very vibrant part of growth. I see once plush, soft grass become like daggers. I see sheet of snowy, slippery ice cover the once steady and colorful ground.

I admit that there are times when I feel like this vegetation. Buried under a thick layer of ice. Full of live and color and strength, yet, some how with the weight of so many things layered on my shoulders there are days that I feel like I just 'snap'.

I feel like a pretty prepared person but I don't think we are ever really prepared for getting older. I mean everyone does it but no one really tells you the honest truth....like that you find out that Santa is not real and if you try to eat candy for dinner it will make you sick, and that grown-ups are not always as perfect as they seem!

The truth is that once you reach a certain age YOU are now the one responsible for inspiring those younger souls around you. And unfortunately, you wont always do the right thing, and there wont always be someone else there to help you pick up the pieces. However, God knows who you are and he knows that you are ready for this next step. Come what may, ice storm or temper tantrum, He will get you through it.

Deep down under that cold ice is a beautiful daughter of God who can get through anything. We just need time to thaw....

How many "ice storms" have you lived through?

Advent Calendars

Okay so I know that yesterday was the 1st but you can start a little late if you want to add a little fun to your kids or your honeys holiday season. Here are a couple of ideas.

The first one I bought this scrapbook paper at the store and thought I would come up with something to use it on. Well then I saw this super cute idea on Studio Five.

You start with a mini muffin pan. One with 24 cups.

The paper I found had the numbers already all cute and in circles so I just puched them out with the scalloped punch. You could make your own by print numbers, using vinyl or stickers.
I then used my cricuit to cut 2 1/2 inch circles to go behind the number. Again you could use a punch or trace them and cut them out. The I took magnent strips and put them on the back and wa-la there is your advent calendar.

You could fill each day with candy or I already have another advent calendar for that, so I chose to put activites instead. Some examples: read a Christmas Story, Make snowflakes, watch a Christmas Movie, look at Christmas lights, make a Christmas treat, think about Jesus today....you get the idea.

Okay the next one I got the idea from this link http://thedahlingdatingdivas.blogspot.com/2010/11/spouse-christmas-countdown.html Such a super cute idea. Sometimes I think our hubbies are left out this time of year. So I did my own version (not quite as fancy as hers but I got it done in 1 afternoon). I used the same idea. Some days I wrote things I love about him, some days I did candy sayings with the treat, and some days I did an activity that we can do together. He was so excited when he saw it and I think it will be lots of fun. Oh and I hung it in the window in our bedroom so the boys would leave it alone.

Okay and the last fun thing we are doing this year is this cute Elf on the Shelf. If you haven't heard of it you should check it out. You can get at Barnes and Noble or other bookstores. You have this elf that the kids name and every night he goes back to the North Pole and reports on the kids and every morning he returns and hides in a new spot. It is like Christmas morning everyday. Super Duper Fun!!

switcheroo...

i joke a lot with my nearest and dearest friends that i am "the yes girl"...you know, when i get asked to do something i don't know how to say no. i do it all, sometimes willingly and sometimes grudgingly...i give rides, i babysit, i make meals, i plan the entire activity, i set up alone, etc...i am "the yes girl".

i most definitely do not have this nickname at home. if you were to tell my kids that i am "the yes girl", they would hyperventilate and faint, right there on the spot. you know, just like i did when i learned that my dad was the cool guy in high school. or the first time i heard my grandma tell a dirty joke. one of those super shocking moments when everything you thought you knew about your parents get smashed to pieces and you realize that they are just people, too...because at my house, i am "the no girl". for sure.

can i wear my flip flops to build a snowman?
nope.

can i have 2 cupcakes in my lunch?
nope.

can i drive the car?
nope.

can i skip school today?
nope.

can i throw away my carrot sticks?
nope.

can i live at grandpa's house?
nope.

can i use the sharpie on the cupboards?
nope.

can i have my own room?
nope.

can i have a pet snake?
nope.

but i recently came across some parenting advice that i have given some serious thought to adopting...and it might just blow my kids' socks off...

make it a point to tell your children "yes" as often as you possibly can

hmmm...why not? i like to shake things up every now and then!

see, it made me realize that most of the time that i say "no", it's because it's just inconvenient for me or i'm not in the mood...and that doesn't count the safety stuff...i'm never in the mood for hurt or sick kids. just sayin'.

so these days, we are hearing more of this around our place...

can you rub my back until your arm goes numb, mom?
yes.

can we play for 5 more minutes and then ask for another 5?
yes.

can we make cookies and eat more of the dough than we bake?
yes.

can we play "uno" and cry about the rules?
yes.

can we read one more book, eventhough we already read 39?
yes.

can we all invite a friend over at the same time?
yes.

can i cut up paper into tiny pieces?
yes (sigh).

can i wear your least favorite shirt to the mall?
(sigh) yes.

can i sit on your lap and elbow you in the ribs?
yes.

can i help stir the lemonade, lick the spoon, and then spill it?
yes.

can you curl my hair like taylor swift?
yes.

can i always be your kid?
yes. yes, you can.

and that, my friends, is my master plan to become "the yes girl"...at home.

can i stuff marshmallows in my nose and look cute for a picture?
yes. you most definitely can!