Girl Named Crazy

I read this article today, and felt the need to blog about it. It's about being ashamed when you have more than 2 kids. 

To the Lady Ashamed of Being Pregnant With Her Fourth

When we had Kylie, people asked if we were going to try for a boy. When we had Claire, people asked if we were going to try for a boy or if we were done. When I was pregnant with Chloe, people asked if she was an accident or planned (and I was always amazed people had the nerve to ask such a question), and if we are done or going to try for a boy. Now, when we did PLAN to have Chloe we were trying for a boy, but not everyone knows that. Why would they just assume that since we had two girls we automatically wanted a boy? And now that we have 3 girls, we will automatically try for a boy again? Having a girl and a boy doesn't define the American family. We are very happy and blessed with the 3 amazing girls that we have. 

People also assume if you're having more than 2 kids you're crazy. Studies have been done, and the parents of 4 kids reported being the happiest! Having said that, sometimes I feel like I'm crazy. Having 3 kids is HARD work. But for us personally, the benefits far outweigh the work we have to put in. Those 3 girls are our lives, and we can't imagine it any other way. And it melts my heart on a daily basis to see them interact with each other, and the sweet little sister moments they have (when they're actually being nice to each other!) and the bond that I know they will have for life. I am an only child, and I have wished my whole life that I had a sister to share everything with, so I'm so happy to have provided that to my kids. Every day is a new adventure, and I just want to enjoy this "magic time" while they're little because all too fast it will be past. 

The bottom line is - 1 kid or 20 kids (if you're a Duggar) it's everyone's individual family decision, and none of anyone's business. Moms get judged for SO many things, why add the number of children she has to the list? Why can't we moms stick together and support each other instead of picking apart every little thing that each other does. 

Girl Named 35 Weeks

We're getting there! I can't believe my due date is a month away! We are ready for her, and I'm definitely ready to be done being pregnant! We had a big Superbowl party on Sunday, and I'm just now recovering from it. It seems like every little task is now a huge undertaking!  

The Belly: Getting bigger every day. My selection of shirts is dwindling.

Food: I still don't have much room, but I feel like she's dropped a little bit because I have a little more room than I did last week. No cravings really, in the past week. 

Baby: She's the size of a honeydew melon!

Feeling: Exhausted, like I could sleep a day straight and still be tired. Sore, huge, no energy, heartburn...the usual.

Activity: Picking stuff up off the floor. 

On another note, you may have noticed my blog has changed looks (I designed my new logo!), I have a new Facebook page (www.facebook.com/girlnamedmommy) please "like" it if you haven't already,  and I'm now a part of Mom Hot Spot! There is a link to the right you can click on and it will automatically vote for my blog, which increases my rank in their blogging community. If you would do that each time you read a post, I would appreciate it! I'm trying to grow readers and followers, get more sponsorships and get contests and promotions to participate in! I'm really excited about this new opportunity, and excited to see where it takes me!

Girl Named Speechless

I know, anyone that knows me knows I'm never speechless. I haven't written for a LONG time, mainly because I don't know what to write about. I don't want to be too bragadocious about my life, and I hesitate to share too many intimate details of my life and my family's life, so I feel that I've run out of topics! Here is an overview of what's been happening:

I registered for a half-marathon (yikes) on April 13th in Kansas City. Pete is doing it with me (not that it matters, because he doesn't run with me) but I am really nervous. There is a time limit on this race (I curse Crystal for convincing me to sign up for this one, then backing out!) and I'm not sure I can make it in the time limit. I am running a 15k this weekend (9.32 miles) and am also very nervous (although there is no time limit on this one, whew!) My last long run was 7.5 miles, and was the worst run of my life. I have never had a run where I literally wondered if I would make it back home, or if Pete would have to come pick me up. I made it home...very slowly. I had a sinus infection, lack of sleep, and strong winds were the perfect cherry on top. I've started antibiotics and feel MUCH better, but am wondering if I'm ready to tackle 9 miles yet. I wish I had one more week. It's so hard to overcome those doubts and voices telling me I can't do it, I'm too fat, I'm not athletic, why would I ever think I could do something like this, I'll come in last, everyone will laugh at me, I will pass out, I will die, etc. etc. I am terrified of this race.  

We registered Kylie for kindergarten (gasp), she will start this fall. We have her orientation April 10th, and I can't believe it. She's so funny though, she knows I am (like a typical mom) in disbelief that she's that old, so when I mention it she says "We aren't supposed to talk about me going to kindergarten, because it makes you sad". Be still my heart. It's so cliche, but I honestly don't know how they grow up so fast. Claire is almost 3, and talking SO much, telling stories, singing songs, and it seems like she was just born too. Such is life. 

4 1/2 going on 16

My job is going great, after being there a year in January I finally feel like I've gotten into the groove and everything is going smoothly (knock on wood). I enjoy what I do, and am so thankful to have found this job when I did! 

I was recently honored with being selected as one of the Springfield Business Journal's 40 Under 40 2013 Class. They put a nice article in their publication, and Pete, Heather and Nathan accompanied me to a wonderful dinner and award ceremony where they presented all the honorees with beautiful hand-made glass awards. I was truly humbled by the experience. The other honorees were accomplished, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, successful members of society, I felt I didn't belong and it must be some mistake that I was chosen. I am proud of my accomplishments, but don't feel that they rank in the top 40 of Springfield's under 40 population! It was so amazing to be placed in the company of the other honorees.

My handsome husband and I at the 40 Under 40 dinner

Other than that, life has been pretty "normal". I count my blessings every day - that I have such awesome, healthy kids; an amazing husband; so many awesome friends and family that support me; a roof over my head; a good job; I am truly the luckiest girl alive. With that I'll leave you, and hopefully it won't be 3 months until my next post! 

Girl Named Hopeful

I, along with everyone in the country, have been thinking a lot about the Sandy Hook shooting a lot in the past week. When I first heard about it I was in shock that something so horrible could happen. I cried and hugged my kids. I go to bed every night and think about it. I think about the poor kids and what they went through. I think about what could have possibly been going through the shooters head when he decided to do that. I think about the teachers and how brave they were. I think about the policemen, fire fighters, first responders, anyone that was there and saw that, because I'm sure that's something they will never get out of their heads. And I think about the parents of children that were killed, and what they went through - what was their morning before school like, what were the last words they said to their kids, and how it's so unfair that their kids were taken from them so mercilessly. I pray for those parents every night, that God will provide them with whatever comfort he can in such a horrible situation, and help them to get through the grief and somehow find a light on the other side. It has made me look at my kids, my days, my time, my attitude a lot differently. I have always known, from my experience working at CMN, that I should never take my kids health for granted because it can change in an instant. But these kids weren't sick, it was so unexpected. You take for granted that you leave the house every morning and part ways with your family, and you will all come home that night. I'm making an effort to pay attention to my kids when they talk, to spend time with them (I haven't worked out at all this week while they are awake - but some of that could be from eating too many Christmas treats and being lazy...), to make them feel important, to not let the little things matter (mismatched clothes, spills on the floor, staying up past bedtime, taking an hour to eat dinner), and to have PATIENCE with them (I struggle with having patience!) I've realized they are only kids for so long - sing their song to them 20 times before bed, let them get up and get a drink 5 times before they go to sleep, let them watch "1 more Dora", let them have candy, buy them too many Christmas gifts. They will be teenagers in the blink of an eye and they won't want any of that, and they won't want to spend time with me because they'll be with their friends. 

These are, of course, things that I should always be doing, and it shouldn't take a tragedy to make me start. But it's so easy to get caught up in life, and being busy, and working, and you forget what's important and how fleeting it is. I want my kids to be happy, and have great memories of their childhood and the traditions we've started. I want them to be generous and kind to others, especially others in need. I want them to be nice to everyone, regardless of how that person treats them. I want them to be good friends to people.  I don't want them to take for granted what they have, because material things can be taken away in an instant (my house burned down when I was 16 and I lost everything. Possessions can be replaced, but people can't). In order to teach them what the important things are in life, I have to know without a doubt what I think the important things are in life. I want them to be happy with who they are, and confident in themselves no matter what they decide to do. Most of all, I want them to know they are LOVED. With the new year right around the corner, it's a perfect time to begin practicing these things. I can't be responsible for the evil people in the world and the decisions they make, I can only be responsible for myself and for the way I raise my kids. I'm hopeful - I know there is good in the world, and there is more good than bad. You have to help make the good though, you can't just sit back and expect to take the good. If everyone helped make a little good, everything wouldn't be so bad! I'm hopeful that my kids will grow up and help make good in the world.