If I wanted to see a monkey, I'd go to the Zoo.

Is THIS your baby?

You. Yes, you- the parent ignoring their banshee of a child? Yeah, you might not be phased by your child acting like an asshole, but everyone else is.

I get it- he/she is tired, missed a nap, hungry, not feeling well, generally loud, hates the world today for no reason, hates you today (possibly for good reason, & now, so do I), wants a toy/candy/soda, wants a pony etc... Still not mine, or anyone else in the mall/store/public 's problem.

Having a small child (who acts like a diva on occasion) I have been there. Twice.
No joke, the first week he was home we ventured out and he cried non-stop. We LEFT & went straight home.
The second time, he was 5mos old and was sick (& therefore cranky) but I needed to run errands. I took him home the minute he started to loose it.

Why? Because no one (& I mean NO ONE) should have to be subject to my child's melt down.
Is it easy? Not all the time, life does not revolve around making my child happy 24/7 & errands/shopping/work has to get done at some point.
But as a parent you know better. Kids have schedules, you know the things that will push their little buttons & sometimes a meltdown is unavoidable.

But the minute you decide that you'll "ignore" them and go about whatever you are doing, it more or less becomes a habit.
We all know someone, maybe it's you, that seems to be a walking zoo. Kid(s) screaming, throwing a tantrum or just acting out ALL THE TIME. It becomes expected that world war 3 will happen if they bring their child to any event.

You know that look everyone is giving them/you? It's not really pity, it's annoyance. You have chosen to make everyone else's day suck for the time you and your child decide to be a pain in the ass.
Please make sure to acknowledge those looks once in a while, because they should make you feel like the ass you are.

(here is where I should note: a parent of a child with social, mental or physical disabilities- I AM NOT talking about you!, Under no circumstance are a brat child & a child who truly cannot help them selves the same. I cant tell you how many times I see the same looks being given to special needs children having a hard day, as that of a child that is acting out because he/she chooses to. I have pure and complete respect for parents of special needs children, they are amazing people in my book!)

Being a parent is one of the hardest tasks a person will ever undertake. Actively molding the life of a child is important, but it more important to do it well. Giving in to the idea that "other people can just deal" with how your child acts is ludicrous- Your child learns from YOU. So when I say "that kid is acting like an asshole", I really mean "that parent is a totally asshole, and a shitty role model for that poor kid".

Talk it out.

Amazing how the simple act of purging your thoughts out loud can save your soul.

When silence becomes deafening in your own ears, the only possible action is to vocalize or lose everything you've been holding onto.


Every relationship that has ever failed, has begun with the fear that speaking is worse than silence.
And after the afore mentioned relationship is over, everyone admits that the lack of communication is what felled their once loving dialogue.

Believe me when I say that as much as you think it will hurt to speak the truth, living a lie is much worse.


Lord, thank you for blessing me with a loving husband.

Easter.

Sunday marks the end of Lent. The resurrection of our Lord.
I LOVE Easter. The Catholic in me pines for my yearly fast, it's freeing to abstain from things that were never good for us in the first place.

Easter in most households is usually marked by candy filled baskets for the children, possibly Easter mass, and a large meal consisting of a glazed ham.

While I enjoy that, it seems quite empty to only eat scripture on holidays. And while guppy has a basket with a big Ol' chocolate bunny waiting for Sunday morning, I yearn for the day when he is old enough to bring to church without him acting out. (Lets face it, most adults have trouble staying focused during a mass- let alone a 8mo old.)

I've invited my sister & brother-in-law over for a brunch. Mr. M has to work the grave yard shift that night, so he can only stay up to about 1pm. This allows all of us to have a small get together without taking up every ones full day.
Brunch will be hand made, homemade dishes. Peppered pork loin, cheesey AuGratin red potatoes, sauteed asparagus, Lion head manor yeast rolls, and Grape nut pudding with nutmeg whipped cream.
Simple and made with love.

I plan on spending the rest of this week preparing for Easter- lots of quite time, pumping up my fasting for the three days before Sunday, speaking softly and without malice. Sounds easy? Not so- but well worth it.

Ok Lord, I'm listening.

Summer Lovin.

This week has been absolutely beautiful out! The sun is shining, weather has been clear, and it's starting to warm up even!! Spring is here, at least for about a week- then it's hit or miss.

Tomorrow is Mr. M's first day off, his "Sat". It will be nice to spend some time with my hubby & son.
I plan on heading out to the waterfront for a nice walk in the sunshine, followed by a cupcake at Tacoma's Hello Cupcakes. Then I think homemade pizza will be a nice finish to a calm day of family time.


Monday is my appointment to try on bridesmaid dress styles for my sisters wedding. Though I'm getting back in shape (finally), I've never looked as good as I would like to in dresses. Needless to say, I just want to get this over with. I also have the feeling I will start 2-a-days on my workouts on Monday, as well as figuring out a tanning schedule so I'm not a fat pasty white Maid of Honor in our family photos.

Lord, Thank you for life's blessings.

The price of growing up.

Some days I'm absolutely gob-smacked by the words that come out of peoples mouths.

More so when it comes from the mouth of a friend.

As I come closer to my 26th birthday, I realize how many people I would love to stay friends with, but feel I might have out grown.

I enjoy how my life has evolved. The trials I have endured, the bad situations I've put my self in and some how made it through a wiser woman- they all have contributed to the way I choose to live my life now. I feel a sense of pride when I look at my husband and son, the home we've built as a family and the choices we make daily to ensure the happy and healthy longevity of said family.

But somewhere along the line, I moved in leaps and bounds ahead some of my best friends.

They don't seem to understand why I cant come out drinking with them, or get a tattoo on a whim as I have done in the past. I don't have time to listen to how they are having problems with their parents (because they live at home STILL), I have a child to feed, and dinner to get on the table.

They don't understand why they cant crash on my couch anymore, or why I wont let them stay in our guest room rent free for a "few months".

They wonder why I've "changed so much" and why I'm so "down on their ideas".

It's hard to explain to a person that refuses to hold a job, that my husbands job & the military life comes first.

It's hard to tell them that their "ideas" are great, when they are trying to get you to co-sign their student loans because they've trashed their credit.

It's hard not to roll my eyes when they try to "educate" me on "the government" and how my "husband will die" if he deploys.

I love how they call me "domestic", as if they think it insults me somehow. Last time I checked, I have a roof over my head, food in my kitchen, gas in my car, and insurance on me and everything I own.

Trying to say my life is somehow worse than theirs is laughable, when about 2% of my civilian friends can say the same.

As I come to this crossroads more and more with my longtime friends, I am more and more ready to move on to developing my relationships with people of the same mindset & morals as me.

As much as someone would like, you cant stay a young dumb kid forever, though you can grow up to be a irresponsible dumb adult.

I always tell my husband, "a man is judged by the company he keeps", guess I should listen to my own advice a little more. The time for purging of people and things that add nothing to my life and only wish to take is drawing closer.

Lord make me a stone so that I may stand strong against those that would do me harm.

Shut-down.

Today is full of hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst.

In less than ten hours, all military personnel's paychecks could be furl lowed until a fiscal budget can be decided on in congress.

I know for my family, Mr. M's paycheck is our sole means of survival. This is a reality that military families have not dealt with since 1995.

Most young military families live 'pay-check to pay-check', leaving little room for a lager savings that would be a buffer in these times of delayed pay.

Regardless of how the next few days go, Mr. M & I plan on re-working our finances to allow for quicker debt pay off, more money to be put in savings, and smarter spending over-all to prevent any worry should this become an issue come September.

Lord help the little people, for the kings sit on high and squabble while we toil in the dirt.