This is part 2 of 4 stop motion shorts my daughter did for fun. I thought they were cute and funny and think you will enjoy. This one is only 12 seconds.
http://youtu.be/9Wf7XWu3d_Q
Parts 3 and 4 coming soon.
See Part 1: http://youtu.be/MUOSNFKYzNI
Pups and Rodents Part 2
Blog about being a wife, mom of a toddler and tween, and spiritual practitioner. Sharing when I can about my life which includes home, family, spiritual work, following my other passions and interests and growing as a spiritual being having an exciting human experience.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
Be Fully Present
Several years ago I worked in a consultant like fashion in a health policy center. While it wasn't my primary role, I went through training form some community program coaching work and although there was much said there that simply got filed, one thing my former Director said has stuck with me to this day.
It applies to so much more than working with clients or other professional dealings. I think of it as a lesson for life.
She said to be fully present.
Now I am sure she said much more that I couldn't recite, but the message was that when you are with someone, be with them. When you are doing something, do that thing.
In today's world of always being connected, I believe we suffer from not truly being connected. We are hyper-connected at the risk of being hypo-connected. That's a whole blog post. My point here is that I am going to try better to be fully present more often with the people I am with, when I am with them.
Sometimes it is hard to pull ourselves away from the easy, addictive draw of our overly smart phones that ring, ding, buzz, and talk to us constantly about every thing from a cat video to the latest catastrophe. Even our daily chores sometimes get ahead of our families and loved ones (even more reason for some extra help around the house! Work with me, I'm trying to build a case...)
I know I find myself having to mentally remind myself to turn it off, stop working, and give solid meaningful time to the kids and husband. I am a full-time stay at home mom and a part-time work from home mom. So when I am finding moments to work, it is probably harder since I don't physically leave an office, have a transitional commute, and my schedule is usually determined by everyone else's. I try to sneak in minutes before wakeup, after every one is asleep, and during naps and am now trying harder to make myself stop at 4pm or sooner if the little man wakes earlier just so I can be fully present. (Now I may stay up to 1 am or later some nights to make up for it...).
Unfortunately, the phone does ring at times and you have to take it. Kids are smart though. They know if you are initiating those calls and e-communications and whether you are trying to get back to them or not. And they are learning how to interact with other people - friends, family, and even us - their parents, from us.
I don't take being fully present to mean that every minute of every day when the kids are awake must be dedicated to them. They are individuals, no longer physically connected to me and they have to eventually learn how to entertain themselves. BUT when I am with them, I am making it my goal to be with them. The phone will be left on the counter and the computer closed. I hope that by doing this, it'll be easier for them when mommy does have to work and can't give them my undivided attention. They'll know that when it is their time, it is really their time.
Crossing my fingers I can take this message to heart and really apply it throughout my life.
How do you manage all of your roles to be there for your friends and family?
P.S. If you wonder why I am not much of a phone person, well it's because I usually don't have time to talk until after 9:30 or 10 most nights and by then it seems rude to call.
Picture of Peaches Geldof from Huffington Post 9/13/2012
It applies to so much more than working with clients or other professional dealings. I think of it as a lesson for life.
She said to be fully present.
Now I am sure she said much more that I couldn't recite, but the message was that when you are with someone, be with them. When you are doing something, do that thing.
In today's world of always being connected, I believe we suffer from not truly being connected. We are hyper-connected at the risk of being hypo-connected. That's a whole blog post. My point here is that I am going to try better to be fully present more often with the people I am with, when I am with them.
Sometimes it is hard to pull ourselves away from the easy, addictive draw of our overly smart phones that ring, ding, buzz, and talk to us constantly about every thing from a cat video to the latest catastrophe. Even our daily chores sometimes get ahead of our families and loved ones (even more reason for some extra help around the house! Work with me, I'm trying to build a case...)
I know I find myself having to mentally remind myself to turn it off, stop working, and give solid meaningful time to the kids and husband. I am a full-time stay at home mom and a part-time work from home mom. So when I am finding moments to work, it is probably harder since I don't physically leave an office, have a transitional commute, and my schedule is usually determined by everyone else's. I try to sneak in minutes before wakeup, after every one is asleep, and during naps and am now trying harder to make myself stop at 4pm or sooner if the little man wakes earlier just so I can be fully present. (Now I may stay up to 1 am or later some nights to make up for it...).
Unfortunately, the phone does ring at times and you have to take it. Kids are smart though. They know if you are initiating those calls and e-communications and whether you are trying to get back to them or not. And they are learning how to interact with other people - friends, family, and even us - their parents, from us.
I don't take being fully present to mean that every minute of every day when the kids are awake must be dedicated to them. They are individuals, no longer physically connected to me and they have to eventually learn how to entertain themselves. BUT when I am with them, I am making it my goal to be with them. The phone will be left on the counter and the computer closed. I hope that by doing this, it'll be easier for them when mommy does have to work and can't give them my undivided attention. They'll know that when it is their time, it is really their time.
Crossing my fingers I can take this message to heart and really apply it throughout my life.
How do you manage all of your roles to be there for your friends and family?
P.S. If you wonder why I am not much of a phone person, well it's because I usually don't have time to talk until after 9:30 or 10 most nights and by then it seems rude to call.
Picture of Peaches Geldof from Huffington Post 9/13/2012
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Groundhog Day
Some days I feel like I am
stuck in Groundhog Day.
I cook, clean, do laundry.
I go to bed.
I wake up the next day
and it all repeats.
I just had to write this up. I'll share one some other item about the Gremlins! I think I know what they have been up to.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Don't Blink - May and the Passing of Time
May is always a busy month with school ending, recitals, talent shows, graduations, and my wedding anniversary. Not to mention Mother's Day and this year I am adding what will be my first 'real' festival.
I guess it's a little bittersweet. There is so much to look forward to, and every weekend has something going on. As May ends so will elementary school for my daughter. She'll be a rising middle-schooler and I keep looking at her and listening to her speak and wondering where my little girl went; where is she hiding?
In her stead is this beautiful girl with braces, big hair, long legs, and a little pre-teen personality. When did I become the mother of tween? I'm not old enough to have a tween! There are days I forget that I'm in my late 30s and not late 20s. After all we are as old as we feel.... problem is her growing up is starting to make me feel..well... older. Thankfully my almost 16 month old makes me feel a bit younger - challenging me to keep up with him.
The end of the month also brings 8 years married to the love of my life. The years have flown by as evidenced by the fact that his nephew, who was younger than my daughter is now when we married, graduates from highschool this month.
Don't blink....
I guess it's a little bittersweet. There is so much to look forward to, and every weekend has something going on. As May ends so will elementary school for my daughter. She'll be a rising middle-schooler and I keep looking at her and listening to her speak and wondering where my little girl went; where is she hiding?
In her stead is this beautiful girl with braces, big hair, long legs, and a little pre-teen personality. When did I become the mother of tween? I'm not old enough to have a tween! There are days I forget that I'm in my late 30s and not late 20s. After all we are as old as we feel.... problem is her growing up is starting to make me feel..well... older. Thankfully my almost 16 month old makes me feel a bit younger - challenging me to keep up with him.
The end of the month also brings 8 years married to the love of my life. The years have flown by as evidenced by the fact that his nephew, who was younger than my daughter is now when we married, graduates from highschool this month.
Don't blink....
What Would You Do For Your Mom?
Vote with your comments on Facebook at www.facebook.com/momadoredMother's Day is Sunday, May 12, 2013.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Our Little Long Weekend
Last week my wonderful husband and I got away for a long weekend. It was just the two of us, the first time we'd really gone away for a relaxing time in nearly 7 years. We'd done Paris for a long weekend but you are not about to relax there with so much to see and do!
So we headed back to the gulf shores - Pensacola Beach, this time. I had just the kind of time I wanted. I'd told my husband I didn't want to do anything, I didn't want to have plans, or schedules, or any kind of agenda.
The first day we got there we laid by the pool for a couple of hours before deciding to find some food within walking distance. We found this spot called Crabs. They had special $3 Martinis that Thursday evening and we got sweet potato fries as an appetizer (I admit that Saturday night we went back there for a drink and appetizer before dinner they were so good!) . I ate so many that I couldn't even finish half of my fish sandwich.
The next day we did the pool again after I finally found a place for my manicure and pedicure. I dared not head back to the pool or beach before getting them done. It had been since Fall Break in February so they arin desperate need of attention. Nails by Lynn just back over the bridge to Gulf Breeze did a great job if you are in the area. So with the whole morning gone we went and grabbed subs for lunch and a few books and snacks for the pool. We hung out until the sun began to set before finally heading upstairs.
We didn't realize how sleep deprived we were, even after getting 8 full hours the night before. We wound up sleeping until after 11pm! We had to go all the way back over the bridge again just to find someplace open with food. Hint: Whataburger in Gulf Breeze not far from the bridge is 24/7. I'm not a big burger eater and didn't have one myself but if you are hungry at midnight...
We saved the beach for our very last day. The forecast said it was to be mostly sunny and 80 degrees. Perfect! I put on my polka dot bikini, went shopping for a little cooler and some hard lemonade while my husband did a long run. I took it all down to the beach and settled in for a beautiful and relaxing day by the shore.
It was beautiful and relaxing. The perfect end to a perfect getaway. It never got to 80 or mostly sunny. I never donned my bikini - keeping my jeans and jacket on almost the whole time. LOL. But I read and finished a book, witnessed two weddings, watched the fearless children playing in the water, and listened to the waves lap against the shore for hours. You can't help but feel good and relaxed after that.
I would definitely do it again - before another 7 years pass. Here's a heads up to Mom who came down to watch the kids - we plan to do this again next year!
If you are curious we stayed at the Hilton.
So we headed back to the gulf shores - Pensacola Beach, this time. I had just the kind of time I wanted. I'd told my husband I didn't want to do anything, I didn't want to have plans, or schedules, or any kind of agenda.
The first day we got there we laid by the pool for a couple of hours before deciding to find some food within walking distance. We found this spot called Crabs. They had special $3 Martinis that Thursday evening and we got sweet potato fries as an appetizer (I admit that Saturday night we went back there for a drink and appetizer before dinner they were so good!) . I ate so many that I couldn't even finish half of my fish sandwich.
The next day we did the pool again after I finally found a place for my manicure and pedicure. I dared not head back to the pool or beach before getting them done. It had been since Fall Break in February so they arin desperate need of attention. Nails by Lynn just back over the bridge to Gulf Breeze did a great job if you are in the area. So with the whole morning gone we went and grabbed subs for lunch and a few books and snacks for the pool. We hung out until the sun began to set before finally heading upstairs.
We didn't realize how sleep deprived we were, even after getting 8 full hours the night before. We wound up sleeping until after 11pm! We had to go all the way back over the bridge again just to find someplace open with food. Hint: Whataburger in Gulf Breeze not far from the bridge is 24/7. I'm not a big burger eater and didn't have one myself but if you are hungry at midnight...
We saved the beach for our very last day. The forecast said it was to be mostly sunny and 80 degrees. Perfect! I put on my polka dot bikini, went shopping for a little cooler and some hard lemonade while my husband did a long run. I took it all down to the beach and settled in for a beautiful and relaxing day by the shore.
It was beautiful and relaxing. The perfect end to a perfect getaway. It never got to 80 or mostly sunny. I never donned my bikini - keeping my jeans and jacket on almost the whole time. LOL. But I read and finished a book, witnessed two weddings, watched the fearless children playing in the water, and listened to the waves lap against the shore for hours. You can't help but feel good and relaxed after that.
I would definitely do it again - before another 7 years pass. Here's a heads up to Mom who came down to watch the kids - we plan to do this again next year!
If you are curious we stayed at the Hilton.
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