The Ho-Hums

Hooooooooo-Hummmmmmmm. If you were sitting beside me, you would realize that was a big sigh I just let out.



Can I just be honest and say that I'm really, really tired of blogging? In fact, I'm so tired of blogging that I'm not really even reading other people's blogs. There's a few I check in on regularly, but not daily as I used to. But I don't want to lose my connection with those of you who read this, so I press on. (And if my 9 month pregnant sister can still blog....so can I!)



Life is moving at a rapid speed for us right now. Deep in the trenches of basketball season (which I LOVE), back to the solid rock of spring Bible study, the second semester of school, a new year full of already-broken resolutions, the promise of spring, trying to plan a summer vacation, becoming the owners of 15 acres of land........time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin (sing with me now) into the future.....



Many of my fellow-bloggers re-capped their favorite Christmas memories with photos. I'll have to pass on that, but here are a few bullet points from Beeler Christmas 2008:



--I made a spontaneous purchase for Kellie-Laine: and ipod touch. Only after I had the thing engraved did I realize that a.) the ipod touch does not have parental controls for the internet and b.) the ipod is non-returnable after engraving. Guess who is now the proud owner of an ipod touch which conveniently sits on my computer desk for days at a time untouched?! I call it my ipod no-touch because I never use the thing.



--We had family visit for five days straight. FIVE DAYS STRAIGHT. In case you didn't get that let me repeat....five, 5, cinco days in a row. I love parts of my family and for those family members, five days is not enough. But those on the other hand.......



-- My brother-in-law came down with a stomach bug during the five days straight. There is nothing better than cleaning up someone else's poop/vomit on the potty while trying to ensure that my kiddos or other visiting family members don't get sick.



-- Landrie and cousin Grace went MIA with all of their "pretend play" time. I only got glimpses of Landrie throughout most of the holidays. She was in heaven having a captive audience to play with at her every beck and call.



-- I loved seeing the shock on Kellie-Laine's face when she pulled the ipod nano out of her stocking. She was totally shocked. Her elation was short lived once she heard my confession of the ipod no-touch.



--I bought Cody a gun for Christmas. While I loved seeing the joy and surprise on his face, nothing compares to the experience actually purchasing the gun. (Imagine a dressed-to-the-hilt half-Asian girl sauntering into Academy holding a torn piece of paper while reading to the salesperson: "I would like to buy either a .22 rifle or a .177 pellet gun with rat ammo, please. Oh, and do those guns come in pink, by chance?) Bat those eyelashes; twirl that hair......



--For the fourth year in a row, I had my Christmas meal catered. This is a tradition I'm not willing to change. Money well spent.



-- Speaking of traditions, we once again purchased an expensive gift for someone who complained about it. I'm not naming names, but apparently this has become a Beeler tradition. I call it the "Let's See How Much Money We Can Spend On Someone Who Will Complain About Why They Can't Use It" tradition.



-- I did not take full opportunity to share the real reason behind the season with my girls. They were, however, fully aware of Max, our Elf on the Shelf. Note to self: gotta do a better job next year. My girls spent quite a bit of time searching for Max and asking him to bring them real cell phones. He did not comply.



And finally,



--My Christmas card-making business was successful and so much fun. Those of you who ordered a card from me, please know that you are helping me pay for a very useless ipod no-touch.





May joy and peace abound in your home in 2009! Until next time.................

Christmas Wishes

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas! Here's our card for this year.....let me know if you'd like one.

Apparently, I don't have as many friends as I thought. I've got a few dozen left.....(you can click on the photo to see it larger).

Also, thank you to all those who allowed me the opportunity of designing a Christmas card for you! I loved each project, and I will hopefully post some of my favorites on my other blog (www.creative-blank.blogspot.com) soon!

Honesty is the Best Policy?

I received this award from my sweet friends, Amy and Autumn. Here are the rules:

"When you receive the prize, you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in their content or design. Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing that they were prized with 'Honest Weblog'. List [if you can and/or dare] at least ten honest things about yourself. Then, pass it on!"

And here are the 10 honest things about me...in no particular order:

1. My friend, Marsha, tells me often that I have "boldness of spirit" but really what I have is the inability to control my tongue. Some things aren't meant to be shared. I apparently don't have that particular filter, and I will say things that, more often than not, hurt someone's feelings. I often leave a conversation feeling as though I said too much or was too "big" for the crowd. Does that make sense?

2. I have severe PMS (me, too, Rachel!). I've struggled with it ever since I can remember, and it oftentimes is incapacitating. Sometimes I can't shake it off, and it will linger for weeks at a time. Sadly, the person who notices this the most is my husband.

3. I find myself often trying to "get out" of my motherhood duties by arranging playdates, shopping with the kids, or asking my husband to help out. I really, really hate those days when nothing is on the agenda, and I have to entertain the girls. It's a selfish response, really. I have to remind myself over and over to "die to self."

4. I am physically out of shape. Although I have been blessed with being genetically skinny, I could not run a race to save my life. At this point, I couldn't even participate in a "Sit and Be Fit" class without getting sore! I know I need to do some cardio to get my heart properly running, but I have no motivation to do so.

5. I am a negative thinker.

6. I am sort of good at a lot of things, but not really good at any one thing. This really bothers me. I'd love to have one talent or one skill that defines me or that I'm known for.

7. I did not have a close relationship with my mom and sometimes I'm a little uncertain how to connect with my girls. My mother wasn't a "hugger" and didn't express her love physically. I really have to work on remembering to physically touch and love on my girls. It's not a natural response for me.

8. If I could have breast augmentation without my girls knowing, I would. I breastfed all three of my babies, and it's a badge I wear with honor. But, let's face it, not every mommy can walk away with a body like Heidi Klum! (this probably falls under the TMI category....but review point #1).

9. I struggle with contentment. It seems I always have my eye on the "next thing" ......next project, next purchase, next home, next phase of life, etc.

10. I bathe every night without fail, which includes shaving my legs and washing my hair. I never miss. On the rare occasion that I have had to skip a shower for some random reason, I usually can't sleep because the bed sheets don't "feel right."

Okay, so there you have it! More information about me than you've ever wished for or wanted. And I'm certain you'll avoid me in the hallway the next time you see me.....

I tag the following people:

Kimberly P.
Nicksterland
Flo
Jamie
Heather
Diary of a Playdate Dropout
Juli B
Kesleigh

I'm too lazy to link them on this post....so just look on my blog lists to find them.

Love ya!

Well, hello there!

I am going to ramble here because I realize it's been forever since I've posted. I was seriously even tempted to just close up shop until after Christmas, but the thought of losing all of you precious readers drove me to post!


My life can be described in two little words: controlled chaos. Anyone know what I'm talking about? There has been so much activity lately....things that really are too boring to mention here. On Sunday, as I was planning my week ahead, I realized that every single night of the week was booked--which meant that I would not be cooking dinner, which meant we would not be eating together as a family. In my book, that's tragic.

I may not be great at most things, but I do get a little possessive about family meal time. I don't really even like to cook, and sometimes the burden of coming up with a menu for Picky #1, Picky #2, and Picky #3 is too much! However, I value the way a home cooked meal feels.....around the dinner table; together as a family.

Please don't misunderstand, even while we're eating--it is still controlled chaos. The two little ones crawling under the table, the oldest hurriedly eating so she can resume checking her email, me claiming a small victory for each morsel of food I get into Emerie's mouth, Cody trying to hold conversation with anyone who is paying attention. Oh, yeah. It's pure insanity.

But you know what? It's a memory. I don't really remember too many meals 'round the dinner table from my childhood. Both my parents worked outside of the home, which kept them super busy. But the times I do remember eating together as a family (even the times I hated what we were eating) are cherished memories.

I was sharing my frustration with my wise mommy friends, and most agreed that I needed to give myself a break. My expectations needed to be lowered, they said. And, I agree. CanI admit to you that when order food at a drive through, I get a little bit embarrassed at who might recognize my car? Isn't that insane?

I guess I feel like a failure when I can't provide a home-cooked meal for my family. Partly it's about nutrition, but mainly it's about the tradition of the meal. I think I'm justified to want to protect that, but I also think I'm a little too consumed by it. A frozen pizza and macaroni shouldn't feel like failure. Driving through Bush's Chicken shouldn't require a trench coat and sunglasses.

Any psycho therapists out there willing to diagnose me? In the meantime, if any of you have any great weeknight meals, could you leave the recipe in my comments section?

Until next time........

Life With A Toddler

I really don't think any words are necessary! I just wanted to give you sneek peak into my daily life. Hang in there tired and weary mommies! This really is the good stuff......

Applying makeup.....the way mommy does!

Yes, those are panties she is wearing over her jeans!

This is a battle we're just not choosing to fight.

Nice goggles.....and nice nose boogies!

Because I'm Just Not Busy Enough

Check out my other Adventure Series......Adventures of a Work-From-Home SuperMom!

Just kidding.....

But you can check out my other blog to see what else I've been up to.....because I really needed something else to do, and apparently I like torture.

http://www.creative-blank.blogspot.com/

Many of you know I've been dabbling a bit in digital designing for a few years now, and I've decided to launch a side business called Creative Blank.

My first endeavor will be a Christmas Card By Design Extravaganza--custom designed Christmas cards for your family to be designed by me and printed by you (or some other photo fininshing company!).

You can email me for an information sheet with prices, instructions and details. My email is cbeeler@grandecom.net

Oh No She Didn't!

.....or rather, Yes she did!

She turned 13 today. This morning around 7 am to be exact.

I am shrieking with misery at the mere thought of being the mom of a teenager! But here I am, and here I go.



I will buy her a training bra and a copy of "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret." I will wrap these gifts in a pretty package and let her open them during her lunch at school.



I will also smile discreetly when she shrieks in horror.





Happy Birthday, baby! You were (and still are) the best surprise of my life.



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(thanks for your prayers for KL and her best friend, Phoebe.....things seem to be moving in the right direction!)