Really Siri?

I was in the car and wanted to call my mom hands free, so I thought Siri may help out..

last  digits of my mom's number 7 2946
So up popped a calendar for tonight with sex at 7...
Really tonight for sex and 2946 sound the same....

Mops Testimony and Good Bye

For my sweet friends that could not be there, here is my Mops good bye...  I had to keep it cry proof, but I was shaking through it:)

Five and a half years ago, I walked through the doors of Hope with my 6 month little boy in my arms into a place where I knew no one.  Today I walk into the same building with my husband, nearly 6 year old boy and 3 year olds girl.  The kids break off to spin in the chairs and skip carelessly through the halls while we greet so many friends.  They learn about God and love, they feel safe, we feel at peace, this is a home to us.  Remember though that 5 and ½ years ago I walked into Mops not knowing even what it was or what it would mean in my life.  God knew though, had a plan for how Mops could work in our family. 

As you all sit here, you are in your own journey of motherhood and faith.  I know that many of you are in the place where I was 5 years ago.  Maybe you feel insecure about yourself as a mother or are trying to decide where you fit in this new role as a mother.  I pray that Mops can be a help to you in your journey and that through the sight of  moms graduating today you can realize that though the days are long these precious years will be gone in no time. 

So here are my Mops/mothering tips, secrets, suggestions, and blatant opinions as my last time getting to hog the microphone from me to you:

1.      Don’t judge… tough one right we all get caught up on this trap from time to time.  Some moms nurse, others bottle feed.  Some have family beds while others put their kids the first night right in their crib gasp (me).  We do what we need to do to survive and sometimes even thrive.  It is okay if a parenting style is not for you, just remember nothing is right for all of us which makes.

2.      Go places, do things oh and stay home too.  Take the risk to go somewhere where you know no one, that is what got me here.  Also have those special at home days where you enjoy the simple pleasures with your children.  A full day of TV on a rainy day won’t rot your child’s brain, Cole is living proofJ

3.      Kids driving you crazy… My best survival tips take walks, go outside, put them in the tub, give them sponges and let them clean, have a dance party, and if all else fails find a door with a lock and go behind it put ear plugs in your ears and pretend you are somewhere else for at least 30 seconds.

4.      Join in- everyone can do something for someone with in the Mops community.  Set goals, make at least one meal a year for someone this year.  No one is expecting Paula Deen or Julia Childs, you can buy a rotisserie  chicken or make your own pizza. Staff a bake sale, be a DGL, cut the bagels, wash the serving spoons, make the coffee.  Serving in Mops makes you part of it and none of it ever goes unnoticed. Not by us and certainly not by God.  Sometimes all you have left to give is to just be here and that is too is enough.

5.      Feel safe at Mops, the number one thing that drew me to stay at Mops was that there was no back stabbing or criticizing.  If there was no answer to the problem, people didn’t give advice they prayed for me and they meant it.

6.      Your support system lives in this room.  How did I survive those little bitty years with my children without family, my friends in Mops.  No grandmother to snuggle your baby, not a problem we got you, husband away all the time we got that too, had a bad day and need a shoulder to cry on got you… grief, joy, pain, love we have you for everything… Just know that you can reach out.  Little secret no one is turned away because they can’t pay, no one is turned away when they need meals, no one is turned away when they need prayers, coverage for doctors appointments.  You all make it happen for each other no matter what.

Finally if you feel led towards steering… do it.  Yes you basically pay Mops dues to work your rear off, but for me it was like paying to form relationships that would turn into my best friendships.  So if someone from steering hunts you down, and they will remember that saying yes could change your life for the better.  It did for me and I thank you all for that! 

Up the Creek Without a Paddle

My life right now is chaos! I won't go through every little detail but let's just say I am taking things -a day at a time.  An impending move, a fixer upper, a couple mortgages, a couple kids, a couple of other very stressful things and then the end of the school year with parties and such oh and how about Cole's birthday too.
So did I end up doing to escape the stress, I retreated into the world of Dawson's Creek which was and perhaps still is my favorite show.  I thought last night I would just watch the episode where Joey decides that she has feelings for Pacey more than old Blockhead Dawson.I had not seen it since it originally aired. One episode ought to do and frankly I skipped through all the annoying scenes.  I snuggled in my bed with my laptop streaming free Dawson's Creek, after three hours I was still enthralled skipping from episode to episode.  At about 11:30,  I even emailed my old roommate wishing she was with me reliving our days in our early twenties glued to the TV.  The days before DVR...  Not going to fib, that I was back at it again today in between a million other things.  So what is my new stress rescue, Dawson's Creek which could actually be turning into a problem of its own.

Will We Ever Safely Eat Again?

 Foul language is necessary to get my point across, sorry:)

Have you been following the recent news, movement, and viral information about genetically modified food?  If not let me update you... You can no longer feel safe about walking into a grocery store and buying your family food.  Don't get anything in a box, or in a bag, don't eat anything that may prompt you to lick the orange dusty remnants off your fingers, don't buy anything that your child may be delighted in you serving them for dinner.  In fact don't even buy something that is called Nature Valley and is something you previously felt good packing in your mommy snack bag to pull out in front of the other moms on the playground.  Like hey bitches check me out and the good food I feed my little ones.

Now you must go only to Whole Foods, with your smart phone and scan in each item you consider buying.  The app will let you know which foods won't give your cancer.  Walk out of the store with two bags of groceries totally over $200 and go for it gals! Pull out your safe foods at the playground and relish in your shining mom of the year moment.  Hand it over to your dear little one that you are saving from a lifetime of poison and wait for that wonderful success moment.  Wait for it, wait for it.  What you little spoiled brat, you will eat that stick and berry crunchy gluten free, sugar free, natural bar.  Don't you dare throw that on the ground, that cost a day's pay!  Fine mommy will eat it see..... Yum, oh Shit it tastes like ass...

Oh course I kid, but seriously this is through the roof.  I looked at the list of what I need to avoid at the store.  Why not just write....  the three foods I could eat.  Honestly, I never really thought anything that left cheese residue on Cecily's hands was either good or really safe, but sometimes a girl has to paint and move and so you know how that story goes. Like sure have your three little bags of Cheetos and wash your hand when you are done, I will be up here being productive as you clog your arteries.

Here is what I think... buy local, try to buy organic, buy foods that will actually spoil because they are fresh! Do what you can, when you can for your family and don't judge.  Inform others with kindness.  For God's sake's one of you GMO knowledge gals send me a list I can buy at the grocery store that will neither cause us to claim bankruptcy or send my kids into a starvation front.  Thank God my kids like fresh foods.  So for now we are going to just eat the fresh strawberries grown in our yard and I am looking at that venison in the freezer with new perspective!

To Live Like You Are In Your Last Days...

This week I have been inspired and amazed by some really joyful people who are living their last days.  I learned that there are blessings that can come from illness. That it can give you a new perspective.  I was reminded that life is about relationships and joy.  That there can be peace in death and that even when you are gone from this world you can leave a legacy and an be inspiration. 

I am sure you have seen a link for this amazing video about Zach Sobiech.  It is about 22 minutes long and worth every second. Watch here on Youtube. After you watch that, check out his music.  I was especially touched by the song he and his very good friend wrote and sung about friendship called Fix Me Up.  Though Zach has left this world, he continues to inspire and remind others what life is about. All the money raised from the sales of his music is going to cancer research.

Zach's story is just one of many shared on Soul Pancake in a series called My Last Days.  I have watched each  one and can say that this is life altering.  These courageous people show us to be more appreciative, more joyful and to live a life worth living.  Please take the time to grab a tissue and listen to the lessons they have left for us.

The Downton Depression

After hearing about Downton Abbey for months from my friends, I knew at some point I had to watch it.  I was going to wait until the fall when we had officially moved. I was thinking I would be more than bored while trying to make friends.  Also I could then just jump right in when the new season started up.
So out went that plan when I found myself alone, with nothing on TV and the kids in bed early.  That was day one and it took some getting into, but I finally was catching on.  So I sat huddled in my bedroom streaming the first season through Amazon Prime. I was up way later than I needed to be considering my offspring are relatives of roosters and think 6:30 is a sleep in.

 Day two....  I could watch it on my laptop while Cecily enjoyed her "quiet I am never taking a nap again you fool time" watching Backyardigans.  Yes, she snapped at me a bit that it was too loud and "bovering" her, she didn't get that the war was coming and nobody may ever marry Mary after all.

Day 3... I was sleepy and had been up now tucked next to my sleeping husband catching just the end of this episode or maybe the first ten minutes of the next.  They were free and I just needed to click next, plus I found a way to stretch the cord long enough to charge the laptop and watch at the same time.

 Day 4:  It was season two and I was enthralled, calling Cecily my lady and googling exactly what a valet and footman were.  Another late night.

Day 5:  Life for the sirs and ladies was not going well.  I was getting bummed, I was late getting out of the house.  Downton Abbey was ruining my life.  I had to stop, because I literally became in a foul mood from my Downton Abbey addiction.  I will finish them, but I must show control and self restraint.  Downton Abbey can't own me.

Soft Scrub Mold and Mildew Review and Giveaway

We have our fair share of mold and mildew lurking in the moist areas of the house.  I was really anxious to try Soft Scrub's new product as I have been using a competitors product for years but using it results in a head  ache every time! We have been working plenty on the house lately and in cutting back a tree on the side of the house, it reveals that the siding was ridden with green slime. 

This is how it looked with a little dish soap and a scrub.  Not great as you can see.  So I applied the Soft Scrub Mold and Mildew and let it sit for only a few seconds, then we used a sponge to remove the gunk. 

It did a great job and no headache for me either!
Soft Scrub provided me with a sample in exchange for my honest opinion/review.  They are also offering another Sweepstakes where someone could win $1,000 and a year's worth of Soft Scrub. 
Things I like about the product:

• The gel clings to grout and hard to clean thin surfaces.
• There are not many fumes at all. 
• I can clean in my regular clothes, no bleach splashes that ruin clothing.
• It is fast and effective!

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