A rough day

Yesterday was a rough day. My husband's Grandmother lost her battle with breast cancer. She had been living with my husbands parents so they could care for her through her treatments and hospice care. She was a feisty lady who wasn't ready to go. Fuck cancer.

There are also lots of broken hearted people in Oklahoma. People lost their homes, communities, and even their loved ones. My heart goes out to all of those who were affected.

With all of the pain in this world, I'm holding my babies tight.

To do PT school or not to

We have gone back and forth about putting Eva in preschool next year. She's THREE now. She's SUPPOSED to be in school- at least part of the day.

I wanted to put her in school. I know she would love the social interaction. She loves being around other kids. I'd like her to learn how to take and follow directions from authority figures other than her parents. And, I'm not going to lie, getting a break from her a couple hours a day would be nice.

Here's the thing... There's no way I would consider putting her in a full time program. I am a stay at home Mom and want my chickie in my nest. That leaves the 2 hours/day twice a week option.

For the 2 hour class, I'd be driving an hour each session (15 mins there and back) not to mention the time getting two kids in and and out of the carseats. There is also the fact that its not cheap. It's not crazy expensive but $175/month for the 4hours/week isn't chump change to us.

I already have her scheduled to the brim with activities for interaction. Between toddler gym, library story time, play groups, and park days, we do an activity for her almost every single morning. Also, not to be braggy but she is learning far more at home with me than she would be learning at a mommy's morning out pre-school program. She's already writing her name and practicing spelling three letter words phonetically.

Did you put your three year old in a mommy's morning out pre-school program or keep her home? What is your plan?

Roots and wings

Thought for this Friday afternoon.

(thanks Heather for the picture)

It's hard to put down real roots when you're a military family who has to move every few years.  

What do YOU do to help establish roots for your kids?

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Life lately + Wednesday Walkabout

Life lately has been... Good.  The days are LONG.  B's been home later and going to school more hours than normal.  With Eva's tantrums ramping up and an infant's sleep schedule, it makes for long days.

What I'm...

Reading: Ummm, yeah.  I'm not reading anything right now. I am planning on reading "Happiest Toddler on the Block" and "The Great Gatsby" (again) as soon as my brain can handle it. 

Eating: Coffee. Does that count?  I haven't been very hungry lately but coffee is a must. 

Wearing: I'm not going to lie. I am wearing dingy old VS sweatpants and a target long sleeve tee.  I look a wreck.

Enjoying: My life. I've really been working on saying "yes" to Eva during the day.  Yes, I'll have a tea party with you (again for the third time today), yes I'll read you another story, yes we can go outside and look for the birds, yes I'll sit on the floor in your toy room while you show me every single doll you own, twice.  And my patient, easy going son is just along for the ride. 

Looking forward to: My sister in law and her friend are flying into town this evening.  This is their first time seeing our house and meeting our son.  I can't wait. 

Anxious about: Cancer is taking another one of our family members.  The process through death is long and hard.  It really takes a toll on those closest to it.  It is a blessing and a curse being so far from "home" during times like this.

***

Happy Wednesday!  Wednesday means its time for the Wednesday Walkabout link-up!

What is a Walk-about?

It's a blog link-up party, every week here and with our co-hosts! Simply put your blog address or a specific post in the linky, visit some other people, and make some friends. Easy as that! I can't wait to talk to everyone!

One "Mystery Host" and will have their link as #5 in the linky, as well as be featured in Rule #1. Follow all 4 hosts on GFC or Bloglovin' to be eligible to be the Mystery Host. 

The Rules

1. Place your link in the linky below and make some new friends. Simple as that.

MYSTERY HOST: Alex from Munchkins and the Military http://www.munchkinsandmilitary.com

Jamie - Handling With Grace

Chantal - Scattered Seashells

Jane - Taingamala

Sarah - G.I. Joe's Wife

If you're a new follower of Handling With Grace, let me know so I can visit you back!

Follow Handling With Grace? on Bloglovin here!

Find me on twitter, facebook, and instagram (jamiegrace01)!

How to get a bikini body

Saw this poster this morning and it made me giggle.  I'm trying to lose the last bit (by "bit" I mean 10 pounds) of baby weight and I try to dress cute most of the time but this is a good reminder.

I am "human shaped".

Mothers Day is hard

Mother's Day brings an interesting dichotomy of feelings when your Mom has already passed- especially when you have children of your own.

I want to celebrate my Mom and remember her with joy in my heart on Mother's Day. She was my Mother and a damn good one at that.  But I can't.  I can't help but be overwhelmed with sadness that she is dead forever. 

I want to be able to allow my husband to celebrate me and revel in my special day as the Mother of my children. But I can't because I don't want to forget MY mom on Mothers Day. 

Whether your Mom is here or she has passed, you're a Mom yourself or not, your babies are here or in heaven, you're celebrating with family or alone with friends, Happy Mothers Day to us all. 

*comments turned off*

What do I really want for Mothers Day?

Mother's Day is this weekend.  Chocolate, candies, brunch, a sweet card, a dozen flowers... This is a standard Mother's Day celebration, right?   This is what I really want for Mothers Day.

1. A full nights rest. And not just "help" from my husband. I mean a full night, in a different room down the hall, with the door closed (and probably locked), and I am taking a Unisom so I can cheat my Mommy twilight sleep nighttime waking up schedule that's already established. I might take two. 

2. My pre-baby body back. I want my size large birthing hips to squeeze back into my size 2's. I want to be able to wear the clothes gathering dust and lining the walls in my closet. Damn you baby chub.

3. To make it through the day without smelling like a wet kitten. I don't know, how do you describe the smell of breast milk spit up?  Sometimes it's leakage, sometimes it's spit-up, sometimes it's curdled- but I'm always covered in it. 

4. A full day to get all my appointments done.  The dentist, the hair salon, maybe even a spray tan.  I'd get them all completed and not worry about where to stash my little monsters while I'm handling business. 

5. A box of chocolate (or cookies or ice cream- I'm not that picky) and a box (yep, I went there) of wine. 

Everything else is unnecessary. Keep the flowers, take back the jewelry (unless its something nice), and don't bother with the card.  

What did I miss?  What do you REALLY want for Mother's Day?

Happy Mothers Day weekend to you all!  Have fun celebrating your Mom's (for those of you who can), remembering the Mom's who are passed, and getting treated special on Sunday for those of us with kiddos.  Much love to those of us who will be mourning our Momma's this weekend. 

Xoxo