I'm Putting Out An Ad ...

Wanted:

Housewife

Qualified candidate will fulfill the following duties:

House cleaning (kitchen, dishes, bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting, cat litter, make beds, etc.), wash and fold laundry, prepare breakfast every morning, prepare a healthy yet delicious dinner every night for picky family of five, make/pack lunches.

Grocery shop.

Carpool ...

Drive the morning elementary carpool, drive preschoolers to and from school, drive children to and

from various extra curricular activities such as ballet, art, church group, swimming and playdates.

Volunteer at the elementary school.

Homework ...

There is A LOT and currently only one of three kids has it - be prepared for the load to triple soon. 

Help children master spelling, finish math homework, practice reading, do flashcards and study for tests. 

Oh and please don't forget the school projects!

Pay bills, organize/manage household financial affairs, schedule appointments, actually make it to said appointments on time in between other scheduled activities.

All duties to be performed on a daily basis in a timely manner- no room for slacking!  Expect frequent interruptions from children, husbands and friends .... and always leave time to quickly regroup from error.

Most of all make life easy for the real Housewife/Mommy

so she can relax and enjoy her husband and children.

One more thing ... there is no pay.  Bonus: If you can fit your own personal interests into random five minute incriments throughout the day, your set!

Can anyone relate?! 

The Music Of My Life

It is always a treat when I get to go run errands on my own without any kids in the car. I can turn the music up loud, listen to anything I want and really concentrate.  The other day was one of those special times when I was all alone, jamming to my music.  I was listening to Break Your Heart by Taio Cruz ft Ludacris ... All of a sudden I laughed and thought, "I totally want my Mom to hear this song!"  Now, if you know my Mom you would know that she would have absolutely no interest in hearing this song.  Why then would I want her to hear it? I realized it isn't exactly that I wanted her to hear the song but the message and how it crazily related to a certain part of my life. 

Thinking further, I began to realize what a huge impact different music and lyrics have had on my life.  Since I was a teen I have loved lyrics.  They were pinned up all over my bedroom wall as a teen.  Lyrics tell a story and there are so many stories to tell out there.  I have always loved connecting myself and people in my life to different songs.  I remember hearing certain songs as a teen and wishing on them, that the story of that song would come true for me as I grew up.  Celine Dion, Seal and yes, even a certain Cher song helped me through a broken heart.  Lifehouse was always good to listen to when I was in the pit of despair and wanted to dwell in it.  Dave Matthews could quickly put me in a great mood and yet I would settle for some great 60's music any day.

My best friend and I had what we called our "pump up songs" ... we would go out on the town, roll down the windows and blast those songs, singing on the top of our lungs.  We were young, having amazingly fun times and just being crazy teenage girls.  We LOVED Real McCoy Another Night remix, Heaven remixed by DJ Sammy, among others.  Today my pump up artists have changed to Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga and such.  Depending on the song and its appropriateness my daughters have learned to appreciate my pump up music too!

I have also given songs to my daughters, songs I heard that described my feelings for them (for the most part, obviously not every lyric in their songs rings true) .  My oldest was given the song, The Reason by Hoobastank and my youngest, Just Haven't Met You Yet by Michael Buble, which I blogged about.  Still haven't found that perfect one for my Diva. 

And then there are those great American classics that everyone loves and identifies with in their own way. American Pie, Piano Man, Walking In Memphis, Cats In the Cradle   … Classic … I love them!

I just can't help it, I hear a song and if I connect with it I automatically assign it to a part of my life.  I love music; the beat, the words, how it makes me feel, how it reconnects me with people, places and memories.  I love how it comforts, commiserates, inspires and empowers.  I love the stories and maybe that is one of the reasons I love to write … I just love me some good words!

What is your favorite song?  What music takes you back and sends chills up your spine?  What amazing memories do you have that are connected with certain songs? 

Ditching School

Last week I had my first day of volunteering in The Boss's classroom.  She was ecstatic to say the least.  We had a count down for at least two weeks prior to the day.  The morning of she asked me seven times if I was sure I knew where her school was ... even in the parking lot of the school as I dropped her off ...   She was so excited to have Mommy come and be a part of her "school world" for a couple of hours.

I decided that since I was coming in toward the end of the day, when I was finished helping I would take her out of school a little early and we would go for ice cream.  We hadn't spent any "girlfriend time", as we like to call it, together in a while and I just wanted time to catch up with my girl.  Plus what kid wouldn't want to skip out on school for ice cream?!  Apparently mine ...

When I whispered to her my brilliant idea she said, "But Mommy ... I really want to go to computer class.  Can we get ice cream a different time?" Seriously?!  The kid wanted to stay at school rather then leave early and get ice cream.  I was a little dumb struck, but told her I would take her after school instead.

After she left for computer class and I finished my volunteer duties I asked her teacher to please get [The Boss] as I was going to go ahead and take her with me.  The Boss walked back into the room where I was, hands on her hips giving me a mad face.  I just took her hand and walked her out.  When we got to the ice cream shop, I said, "Just think [Boss], all of your friends are at school right now and you are out having fun eating ice cream!  How awesome is that?!"  It finally hit her and she was feeling pretty lucky.  The smile on her face said it all!  She proceeded to tell me that I was a great Mom and that this was the best day of her life ... EVER!  Best day would have been great, but best day EVER, now that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. 

It pays to break the rules a little sometimes ... I think kids deserve to be treated once in a while for no good reason but to show how much you care!  She will never remember what she would have done in computer class that day, but the memory of going out and spending some special one on one time together is something we will both hang on to for a long time!

My Grown Up Princess Party

Last weekend The Boss went to a sleepover at church with her missionettes group.  It was a princess tea-party theme.  We walked in to find gorgeous tables covered in pink table cloths, a tea party set up, beautifully displayed snacks, pretty flowers arrangements on each table, etc.  It was every little girls dream of being pampered like a princess.  The Boss and her two little friends that came with her were awe struck at the sight and very eager for me to leave so that they could start enjoying the party.  They would have the tea party, watch their favorite movies, play games, stay up late (almost until midnight, I was later informed), enjoy a fun breakfast together and more. 

I was so glad that my daughter could be a part of something so cool for that night.  How fun to get to get away from her family for a night and attend such elegance!  I started thinking ... why should only the kids get such fun outings?  My girlfriends and I never forget to plan a girls night every other month, but nothing so fancy ... What would an Adult Princess Party look like?  Hmmmm ... the wheels began spinning ...

If I threw a "princess" party for my friends it would meet every woman's mini dream getaway.  We would escape to a luxury location and take a weekend to get away from our jobs, carpools, cooking, cleaning, laundry, homework, responsibilities, etc.  The biggest worry we would have would be choosing what color to have our toe nails painted during our spa pedicures. 

We would be staying at a secluded location where we were unable to check email, phone messages, etc.  We would unreachable to the world around us.  Our husbands would just have to deal with whatever mayhem might be happening at home or with our children.  For one weekend, it would be not of concern to us. 

Since it would be a sleep over we would all share a room, but this wouldn't be just any room ... It would be a huge room that would hold eight king sized beds, each with beautiful canopy's, 1000 thread count cotton sheets,  and plush mattresses.  Although we would be sleeping in one giant room, we would each have our own bathroom. They would each have huge round jacuzzi bath tubs (always filled with warm water, luxury oils and salts and bubbles) and those nifty showers where the water sprays out from six different places so that you are totally immersed. 

Saturday morning we would start out with massages by our own personal masseuses, followed by mani's and pedi's, and then ending with stylists who would do our hair, makeup and dress us (in all new clothes of course).  We would then each be given $1000 to spend for the day however we saw fit.  Some of us would shop, some would go on adventures, some would just stay back and relax at our elegant pad.  We would end the day with a beautiful sit down, five course meal prepared by our chefs. 

One of the most important features that would make our weekend would be the food - the heavenly, tantalizing, mouth watering food.  We would have gourmet chefs who would cook all our meals and anything else that we desired at our request.  Drinks would be flowing as we would have our own bartender who would make speciality drinks especially to all of our different tastes - oh and don't forget the cabana boy who would bring the drinks to us.  And then ...

Oh my imagination could go on and on ... it would be perfect!  Pampered GROWN UP princesses.  Elegance at its best!  Only the best for my friends ... if only.  Since I doubt that three million is going to drop into my bank account today like I am hoping I guess we will just have to settle for a potluck appetizer girls night at my house.  Bring some wine ... we'll talk and share and maybe dream of a more luxurious time away ... at least we have each other.  What it comes down to whether you are 6, 16, 26, 36, 46 or 56 is having a group of fun girlfriends to hang out with and just be real with.  Luxury or not, the time is always blessed!

Darling Diva

The Diva, like I said, is very particular about everything ... her clothes, her hair, her shoes, her food, where she plays, etc.  For an entire nine month period she had to have "all my hair up and a clip."  Not one day could we vary the style.  Her hair had to completely up so that it didn't get in her face, but it still had to look "beautiful".  Finally we moved past that stage ... thank goodness ... I wanted to show off those pretty blond curls!

She then moved on to refusing to eat anything that is in any way sticky or that could make her feel dirty ... no syrup on her waffles, no ice cream, no jelly on her peanut butter sandwich, etc.  Seriously!  This is about the same time she started not wanting to play outside anymore either ... after all you can get very dirty outside.  Why play outside when you can play nicely on the rug inside with clean toys?!   

This is just a preview of The Diva.  Can you tell why I named her that?  The other day she came up to me very seriously and said, "Mommy I want to be a doctor ... " I was very pleased to hear her make this goal although my enthusiasm was quickly curbed when she proceeded to say, "I want to be a doctor but they always wear long sleeves [on their coats] and I only like short sleeves cuz they are prettier ... so I'm not going to be a doctor."  I just looked at her standing there in all seriousness with her big blue eyes.  Apparently long sleeves are not fashionable enough for this girl.  I just burst out laughing ... where does she get this?  Not from me!

So please don't fret ... The Diva will not be operating on you anytime in the distant future.  The gloves and lab coats aren't her forte.  I bet if she knew how messy it can be being a doctor (surgeries, broken bones, cuts and scrapes, constantly caring for sick people) she would just die.  I think something in the fashion world would suite her better.  :)

Our first break ...

Over the weekend, our girls stayed with grandparents.  It was an opportunity for me to get caught up with household duties, do some creative brainstorming and also watch a couple movies with Airman without any interruptions.  I think every parent needs a weekend to themselves every so often to maintain their sanity.  Plus it is fun for the kids to get out and have fun in a different environment.

Sunday morning when we picked them up we were informed that Little Miss Thing had somehow hurt her knee ... she was wobbling around and unable to stand up bearing weight on her left leg.  At first we thought she was faking (she is known for dramatic faking spells) but soon realized that she was in fact in real pain.  Airman took the other two girls home and I drove Little Miss Thing to the nearest ER.  After four hours of waiting and waiting, two attempts at drawing blood through IV's and a traumatic x-ray experience we were informed that she has a growth plate fracture ... didn't even show up on the x-ray but they assured us it was there.  Awesome ...

She was quickly put into a soft cast splint and we headed home.  I was told that she needed to stay on the couch or in bed for three days ... no walking, no running, no standing, nothing.  Ummm ... ever tried to keep a two and a half year old down for that long?  Much to my surprise she has been very easy and has actually enjoyed her down time.  There have been zero tantrums, 50% less fighting in the house and an overall nice and quiet atmosphere.  My drama child has found her quiet happy place ... inside the confines of a soft cast.  Hmmm ... maybe I should put it up in the closet and save it for one of her long overdue catastrophic tantrums ... smart plan Scarlett!

Aside from carrying around Little Miss Thing and tending to every need, I have actually enjoyed her injury as well.  Don't get me wrong ... I don't want to see her hurt, but since she has been so unusually quiet and peaceful I have had to time to appreciate her other qualities.  We have had a lot of cuddle time which is nice since she is my last baby and she isn't usually very cuddly.  She has been ever so sweet and sincere.  I've had time to pray blessings over her while rocking her in the middle of the day ... I will always look back on this injury and thank God for blessing me with this time to share in her sweetness and enjoy my baby before she gets too big. 

Introducing ...

I like to call my house the house of fairytale land … we do after all have three princesses who are always on a quest to find their prince charming, often times ready to band together as musketeers to fight off enemies, or journey in their best attire to attend the fanciest balls, and yet sometimes ready to randomly open up a pet shop that hold not only cats and dogs but also unicorns and butterflies. This is my life. My first princess I like to call The Boss. She is the oldest and as her title describes, she is the boss. She names the game, hands out the roles and directs the scenes. The Boss is lovely and bright … a leader at heart! My second princess is The Diva. The Diva doesn’t like the outdoors and can’t stand the thought of getting dirty. She is particular about her outfits and is crazy about shoes. The third little princess was easily named Little Miss Thing … need I say more? She believes the world revolves around her, and truly to avoid catastrophic tantrums we tend to do our fair share of tip toeing around her as to not disturb her mood. Her charm and personality offset her strong willed personality and make her a show we love to tune into. The King of fairytale land would like to be called Thor … thank goodness he is not the writer of this story! Instead, we will call him Airman to link him to his passion and work. The Queen, the mastermind of it all, is simply called Scarlett as will later be explained.


I’m not going to lie; things can get a little crazy here in fairytale land … My princesses do not always get along. If I got a dollar for every time that one of them tattled I would be living the dream in a real castle on the coast. As every fairytale does, our story has its ups and downs, sharp turns and surprises around corners. We live our life to the fullest, enjoy it as best as we can and hope that we are doing our best in the meantime. And, just so you know our story is not only centered around our princesses … As much as we adore our girls Airman and I like to relish in our own stories as well. You are, after all, a better parent when you take time out to tend to yourself and who you are at heart. We stay true to who we are, don’t pretend to be things we aren’t and aren’t afraid to do things our own way … that’s just how we roll.

So I hope that you enjoy the musings of our lives. Our story is sometimes redundant and predictable but never boring and always filled with twists and turns. That was sort of an ironic sentence, but how else can I describe it?! We live in a fairytale … things don’t always make sense!