- Turning 21 and doing as many shots as humanly possible at The University Pub at TCU...that was awesome
- Graduating from TCU at 23
- Walking down the aisle with my dad and marrying my college sweetheart at 24
- Going out of the country for the first time to Jamaica for our honeymoon at 24
- Buying our first house at 25, and then buying our second two years later at 27...I don't recommend moving twice in two years
- Buying my first car by myself at 25
- Walking 60 miles in three days for the Breast Cancer 3Day at 25
- Losing my dad at 25
- Becoming a mom to C at 27
- Becoming a mom to K at 29
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Dirty 30
In two days I'll be turning 30. I've been a little freaked out that I'm leaving my 20's behind because although I'm married and have two kids, I'm still not quite ready to admit I'm a responsible adult. So, in honor of my 30th birthday I will give you the 10 most memorable events of my 20's...
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Guilty
Before C was born I worked a LOT. During grad school I had started working for Pier 1 and found that I really enjoyed retail. I know it sounds weird but, it was fun because you never had the same day twice. Every day was different. I was always busy. It burned a lot of calories! After 3 years of moving up from associate to assistant manager, I became a store manager with my own store. At the time it was cool because my husband was a musician and worked odd hours. It worked for us.
Retail has its down sides though. Crazy hours, working at 6am the day after Thanksgiving or staying until midnight because you have a visit the next day from the VP. Shoppers that assume you're uneducated because you work in a retail store. Shoppers that treat you like you're their servant. People that come in and seem to feel like they are entitled to something more than every one else. Or that person that wants to take their bad day out on every one else.
Despite these things I loved working in retail. I loved the visual aspects of it, moving displays and changing products for the appropriate seasons. I liked helping customers find what they were looking for and more. I even liked unloading trucks. So, when I became a stay at home mom it was a hard change.
Days began to feel like weeks when C would just sleep for hours and hours. I didn't know what to do with myself. Gradually, I adjusted and begin to love my new career as Mommy. When K came along I couldn't imagine myself working outside the home, at least until both kids were in school. Unfortunately, life doesn't always work out like we think.
When it was decided that I had to return to work part-time the first thing I thought of was retail. It's what I know and what I enjoy doing. It's also flexible with those crazy hours. I ended up getting a job at The Container Store which is not only and awesome place to shop, it's an awesome place to work.
But, I find myself feeling guilty for liking my job so much. When the ice storm hit a few weeks ago and I wasn't able to get to work for two days I found myself feeling sad that I was missing work. Some times it seems as if my job is actually a break from my life as Mom. I love C and K more than the world but, it's nice to have some time to breathe and not have a small person hanging off your leg. I know there are moms out there that feel guilty for having to work but, do they feel guilty that they like to work?
Retail has its down sides though. Crazy hours, working at 6am the day after Thanksgiving or staying until midnight because you have a visit the next day from the VP. Shoppers that assume you're uneducated because you work in a retail store. Shoppers that treat you like you're their servant. People that come in and seem to feel like they are entitled to something more than every one else. Or that person that wants to take their bad day out on every one else.
Despite these things I loved working in retail. I loved the visual aspects of it, moving displays and changing products for the appropriate seasons. I liked helping customers find what they were looking for and more. I even liked unloading trucks. So, when I became a stay at home mom it was a hard change.
Days began to feel like weeks when C would just sleep for hours and hours. I didn't know what to do with myself. Gradually, I adjusted and begin to love my new career as Mommy. When K came along I couldn't imagine myself working outside the home, at least until both kids were in school. Unfortunately, life doesn't always work out like we think.
When it was decided that I had to return to work part-time the first thing I thought of was retail. It's what I know and what I enjoy doing. It's also flexible with those crazy hours. I ended up getting a job at The Container Store which is not only and awesome place to shop, it's an awesome place to work.
But, I find myself feeling guilty for liking my job so much. When the ice storm hit a few weeks ago and I wasn't able to get to work for two days I found myself feeling sad that I was missing work. Some times it seems as if my job is actually a break from my life as Mom. I love C and K more than the world but, it's nice to have some time to breathe and not have a small person hanging off your leg. I know there are moms out there that feel guilty for having to work but, do they feel guilty that they like to work?
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Great Moms Think Alike Wednesday 2/16
It's Great Moms Think Alike Wednesday again over at The Unexpected Mother. Today we're talking about the Cry It Out method and sleeping.
Oh, sleep how I have missed it!
When C was born I was an attachment parent from the start, or as much as I could be from the outside of a box in the NICU. When C came home we had a co-sleeper attached to the bed but most of the time he was actually in the bed with us. I was so afraid that he would stop breathing I just needed him next to me. But, when he started growing and squirming around in the bed and FINALLY slept through the night around 5-6 months it was time for him to go to his own room.
One thing that was in our favor was that he was already sleeping through the night. He wasn't waking up for feedings or changing which was nice. We started putting him down for naps in his crib around 4 months and the first time it happened he cried like crazy. My mom was there and she told me he would just cry himself out. It was so hard but, I let him do it and he only cried for 10 minutes. The next day he cried for 5-10 minutes and after that he would go down easy. So, when we transitioned him to the crib it was actually no problem. I was so happy I almost through myself a party! Now, every now and then we do have some crying at bed time and if it persists more than half an hour I make sure to check and make sure there isn't something wrong.
K is 7 months and a totally different story. I've been co-sleeping with her since she came home as well. Around 4 months I started putting her to bed in the co-sleeper by herself a little while after C went to bed. I have been so ready for her to move into her room because I am just so tired. But, the kids share a room so, I have been super reluctant to transition her to the crib using the cry it out method. I think the cry it out method does work but, not when you have two kids in the same room.
During K's morning nap she sleeps in her crib but, during her afternoon nap she still sleeps in the co-sleeper. In the last week I've actually been able to put her down in the crib for the night without her crying but, she still wakes up crying at 2 am. Ugh! I guess the whole point of the cry it out method is to let her actually cry it out. But, what do you do when there's another child in the room?? Right now, C is the only one in the house getting a full night's sleep!
Be sure to stop by The Unexpected Mother for Great Moms Think Alike Wednesday!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
I Can Use Power Tools!
When we sell elfa closet solutions at The Container Store, where I work, we design them to the specifications of the customer. This means that every customer's closet or pantry or desk solution is different and that's what is so freaking cool about it. Not only do they get a space designed exactly for them that no one else has but, they can change it later on because of the versatility of the product! Okay, enough of my elfa rant(for those of you that don't live close to a Container Store you must check them out online and check out their elfa closet section!).
Anyway, because we design to meet the customer's specifications we have to cut certain metal shelves or posts. That means using a heavy duty saw or bolt cutters. And you have tobe trained in order to do that so you don't cut your fingers off.
Guess who can cut through metal things??
That's right, yours truly! Back in December I was trained to use the heavy duty tools. It's pretty sweet to get back there and just saw through a piece of metal. Today, I got to cut several different things for a closet solution and I have to say that it was very satisfying!
Anyway, because we design to meet the customer's specifications we have to cut certain metal shelves or posts. That means using a heavy duty saw or bolt cutters. And you have tobe trained in order to do that so you don't cut your fingers off.
Guess who can cut through metal things??
That's right, yours truly! Back in December I was trained to use the heavy duty tools. It's pretty sweet to get back there and just saw through a piece of metal. Today, I got to cut several different things for a closet solution and I have to say that it was very satisfying!
Friday, February 11, 2011
What a Surprise!
I've been given an award by one of my favorite bloggers! Monica from Organized Chaos!! awarded me with the
How fun! To accept the award, I'm supposed to share 7 facts about myself and then pass the award on to other Stylish Bloggers. So, here goes...
I'll be passing this award on to...
Babbs at Babbs Place even though I think she already got this award but, she's just so darn Stylish!!
and
Mommyfriend Lori over at Mommyfriend.
Be sure to check them out a well as Monica over at Organized Chaos!! because they are awesome ladies!
How fun! To accept the award, I'm supposed to share 7 facts about myself and then pass the award on to other Stylish Bloggers. So, here goes...- I recently gave up coke or for you northerners pop or soda. It was a very sad day but, I was drinking way too much!
- Fall is my favorite season, I love when the air gets cooler. Of course, in Texas that means the 70's!
- I have an irrational fear of fish...eek I'm afraid of them touching me...it makes me shudder just thinking about it!
- I played the flute from 2nd grade all the way through college, which is how I met my husband.
- I'm totally jealous of people that can sew.
- I make all of my own baby food and I love it!
- I love, love, love the show Parenthood.
I'll be passing this award on to...
Babbs at Babbs Place even though I think she already got this award but, she's just so darn Stylish!!
and
Mommyfriend Lori over at Mommyfriend.
Be sure to check them out a well as Monica over at Organized Chaos!! because they are awesome ladies!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Great Moms Think Alike Wednesday
It's Great Moms Think Alike Wednesday over at The Unexpected Mom and today's prompt is what would you say in a letter to your pre-kiddo self...
Dear pre-kiddo self,
You will hate being pregnant. You will worry that there is something wrong with you because you hate it so much.
Your OBGYN for your first child will be a horrible person but, you will find a wonderful doctor mid-pregnancy who will deliver you at 29 weeks.
It will be very scary and you will spend 47 days by your son's side in the NICU.
You will realize that you are a thousand times stronger than you think you are.
You won't lose your pregnancy weight after your first child.
You will get pregnant with your second child before you are ready and you will hate being pregnant AGAIN.
You will realize the symptoms of pre-eclampsia earlier than your first pregnancy and will spend 2 weeks on bed rest.
You will lose your pregnancy weight after your second child...yay!
You will love your children more than you can ever imagine and they will amaze you every day.
You will throw yourself a private party when your husband volunteers to get a vasectomy.
Dear pre-kiddo self,
You will hate being pregnant. You will worry that there is something wrong with you because you hate it so much.
Your OBGYN for your first child will be a horrible person but, you will find a wonderful doctor mid-pregnancy who will deliver you at 29 weeks.
It will be very scary and you will spend 47 days by your son's side in the NICU.
You will realize that you are a thousand times stronger than you think you are.
You won't lose your pregnancy weight after your first child.
You will get pregnant with your second child before you are ready and you will hate being pregnant AGAIN.
You will realize the symptoms of pre-eclampsia earlier than your first pregnancy and will spend 2 weeks on bed rest.
You will lose your pregnancy weight after your second child...yay!
You will love your children more than you can ever imagine and they will amaze you every day.
You will throw yourself a private party when your husband volunteers to get a vasectomy.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Snow Day Chicken Chili
We had a snow day here today which only happens in Texas because no one knows how to drive when that white stuff starts coming down. It was really fun having Mark home with me and the kids and also a nice break for me.
When I first saw this Chicken Chili recipe over at The Cutting Back Kitchen I wanted to make it right away. But, last week it was 70 degrees and no one wants to eat chili when it's 70 outside. I knew it was supposed to be crazy cold this week so I decided I would make it today. This turned out so well, it's definitely a keeper. One weird/cool thing is that the black beans turned the chicken purple. So, this would be great for all of my TCU tailgating friends! I adapted this recipe from Katie at The Cutting Back Kitchen, if you want to see her original recipe click here.
Chicken Chili
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked and cubed
3 cans (or one bag dry) black beans
32 oz chicken broth
16 oz jar of salsa
8 oz shredded Colby jack cheese
2 tsp cumin
1 small can green chilies ( I have awesome in-laws that bring us real green chilies from New Mexico so I used these)
This is so easy! Place all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours and then on low for 2 more hours. Scoop into bowl and add some shredded cheddar or sour cream. I served it with tortilla chips.
If you use a bag of dry black beans be sure to sort and soak them over night and then put them in the slow cooker on high by themselves for 2-3 hours before you put the rest of the ingredients in.
Yumm!
When I first saw this Chicken Chili recipe over at The Cutting Back Kitchen I wanted to make it right away. But, last week it was 70 degrees and no one wants to eat chili when it's 70 outside. I knew it was supposed to be crazy cold this week so I decided I would make it today. This turned out so well, it's definitely a keeper. One weird/cool thing is that the black beans turned the chicken purple. So, this would be great for all of my TCU tailgating friends! I adapted this recipe from Katie at The Cutting Back Kitchen, if you want to see her original recipe click here.
Chicken Chili
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked and cubed
3 cans (or one bag dry) black beans
32 oz chicken broth
16 oz jar of salsa
8 oz shredded Colby jack cheese
2 tsp cumin
1 small can green chilies ( I have awesome in-laws that bring us real green chilies from New Mexico so I used these)
This is so easy! Place all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours and then on low for 2 more hours. Scoop into bowl and add some shredded cheddar or sour cream. I served it with tortilla chips.
If you use a bag of dry black beans be sure to sort and soak them over night and then put them in the slow cooker on high by themselves for 2-3 hours before you put the rest of the ingredients in.
Yumm!
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