What if I Don't Wanna Cherish Those Moments?

"Remember these days; they are only little once."

"Cherish these moments. You will never get them back."

"Hold on to these times. You'll miss them where they are gone."

It seems as though my Facebook page as been inundated when these types of articles and blog posts about cherishing those moments while your children are little. Well, frankly, I am about sick of them. You must understand. I  LOVE my children.  I would move the heavens and earth for them if it meant them never getting hurt or sick. And as much as I loved them during their baby stages, I do not- repeat- do NOT miss the days of cleaning up spit-up, crying through the night, sleepless nights, baby-proofing everything in bubblewrap, teething, potty-training.  I am glad it is in the past. Will I forget them? Probably not. Do I want to keep them little forever? No to that, too.

To me, and it is probably just my interpretation of these sentiments, there are too many people already living in the past:  "I miss their little toes."  "I miss their smell."  "Why can't they stay little forever?"  Couple that with all the imagining and pressure we put on the kids about the future, and we forget to celebrate who they are now.

Enjoy the NOW moments. I know I could hold my little girl in my arms and just hold her forever. But you know what, she can sit on my lap now with her arms around me, and we can have a conversation about her day. Her wants. Her fears. Her own visions for her life.

My son, now 7, just lost his first tooth.  A milestone.  Celebrate THAT.  He was the cutest baby ever, but he is growing into a handsome young man today. I know I can't get those little moments back, but I don't think they are any more important than the moments we are having now.

My littlest, finally officially potty-trained over six months now.  Hooray.  I want to celebrate what is to come.  How everyday, I can understand him a little more. He has a major speech articulation issue that requires speech therapy. I would trade those frustration tantrums of not being able to communicate his needs and wants.

I do get sentimental but only when I realize how far they have come, not because I miss how little they were.  I don't think it was any easier than now, or even easier now than then.  Parenting is hard no matter what stage you are in.  I just want to help my little ones celebrate today without regret of their past selves or and without fear of the future.  I want them to know I love them now.

- Carol

Free Academic School Year Printables

As the school year approaches (we start August 4!!), I am attempting to start off and stay organized.  This year instead of buying a calendar that never really fits my needs, I made my own.  I plan on keeping all of the following pages in a 3-ring binder.

I haven't created a cute front cover yet, but I may not because I like the design of the binder.

My first is my Monthly Calendar: 

August 2014-July 2015

Then I have my weekly calendar:

This is two pages with spaces for each family member

Next I have my Birthdays & Anniversaries

I use this instead of taking up space on the calendar

Follows is my To Do List

I can just "x" the task once I am done.

I am also including My Faith Page

I want to try to focus my thoughts on my blessings and to remember those who need prayer

Last, I have my Weight Loss Goals

This will hopefully encourage me to focus on overall health instead of just numbers.

Whatcha think?

My New Cleaning Schedule

I hate to clean. It's true. I would definitely characterize myself as a little on the lazy side.  I would much rather watch television, Netflix, or Hulu, than clean my house. However, I hate my house to be messy. It has become quite a problem.  I can't afford for anyone else to clean it, and I don't think anyone will do it for free. So I just have to hunker down and get it done.

I have discovered I love lists. I could lose all day making lists. I like making lists of the lists I am going to make. It's a problem. Nonetheless, I made a check-off list for cleaning.  I call it my Completely Possible Cleaning Schedule.  It has my daily chores and my weekly responsibilities. The best part is it shouldn't take very long to do it, so I can spend the rest of my time doing those things I enjoy: binge-watching, crafting, getting a pedicure, volunteering at my kids' school, grocery shopping (yup, I enjoy shopping for groceries).

Anyway, hope you enjoy the list. I put it in a plastic page protector and make off my squares with a dry-erase marker. Then, wipe it off at the end of the week, and start again.

Carol

Freebies for Good Report Cards: Macon Edition

Nearing the end of the year, as we anticipate report cards, be sure to celebrate those A's and B's.

Here are some Macon area places that reward good grades:

Chuck E. Cheese  - Take in your most recent report card and receive FREE tokens for good grades.

Krispy Kreme  – Take home a free original glazed donut for each A (up to 6 A’s). Simply show your report card and receive your warm, delicious doughnuts!. What could be better?

Hello There, Cupcake - Offers one free cupcake for all As for any report card, any grade level. Simply show your report card.

Now there are more nationwide programs that offer good grades, but I have not verified them in Macon. As I verify more, I will include them.

New Beginnings

What is it about January that makes people feel rejuvenated and inspired to make grand resolutions and  aspirations. I get the whole "It's a brand new year with no mistakes in it." But why do we only have this feeling in January? Are there mistakes in the latter part of the year?   By February or March, after we have broken most or all of our resolutions, we often feel defeated,  and our pumped up, eager, get-it-done attitude is no where to be found.

I can easily put myself in this category. I sometimes find things easier to begin, if I begin in January. I think it is the same concept as starting that diet on Monday. Why do January and Monday have that magic?

I hope this year, I can find excitement in every month like I do in January and set goals to reach every day like Monday. I want to remember that every day has no mistakes. Every day is an opportunity to change my life, my future, my health, my relationships and that mistake are only speed bumps not road blocks.

I hope to find the continued strength for each day. And I wish that for you, too.