A Day In The Life of a Kid .... February 2015 #SecretSubjectSwap

Welcome to February's Secret Subject Swap. This week, 15 brave bloggers submitted a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style. Today we are all simultaneously divulging our topics and submitting our posts. 

My “Secret Subject” is:

You wake up and discover you are your kid. Which kid are you and what do you do?

It was submitted by: http://themomisodes.com (Thank you for such a great subject! xoxo)

This subject was so thought provoking for me. I think the easiest answer would be Weewee. I would most likely spend the day eating all the COOKIES and playing with all my toys and watching all the ELMO. That is a typical day for her, minus eating all the cookies. I am not that cool of a mom. She is the energizer bunny. She plays and plays and plays and plays. Recently, she has taken a slightly bigger interest in TV, mostly Sesame Street (especially Elmo). She will wander around the living room playing with her toys and having tea parties with Mama (me). Now, more than ever, she takes longer TV breaks, and seems to particularly love it when Elmo's World is on.

Yes, that would really be the easiest answer. After some thought and internal debate, I decided not to take the easiest road this time. 

I would be Kateri. My sweet, precious angel baby. 

I really am not sure how this would work. It is my secret subject, and up to my interpretation. (I would LOVE to know how you would interpret this subject. Please feel free to tell me in the comments!) As I was pondering this, I was trying to decide if she would get to hang out with me, or if that would be impossible, since technically I am her. I decided that since I was waking up as her, I would not be available in my normal presence. This makes me sad, but it really seems the most logical conclusion.

If I were able to be myself and her, I would spend the entire day holding her and telling her I love her. Just for the record.

If I were able to be her, I would live life. In my mind, I wake up and I am her. I am not the tiny little baby that was born into this world. I would be the eleven year old girl, that she would be if she were here today. 

I would eat candy, ice cream, cake, cupcakes, cookies, etc, etc. I would experience as many of the foods and drinks that kids love, that I could fit into the day. I would swing on a swing, slide down a slide, and cross the monkey bars. 

I would watch The Little Mermaid and Dirty Dancing. I would listen to Bob Marley. 

I would sit in a photo booth and take pictures, to leave behind, so my mom (Me) would have something to cherish. 

I would visit my family. Let them hug me and meet me, since they were never able to do this previously. 

Since my existence, would be a miracle, I honestly feel anything would be possible and money would not be an obstacle. 

I would go visit Matt Damon and I would tell him about my mom (Me). I would tell him that she has loved him forever and a day. I would encourage him to visit her, but warn him that it would be at his own risk. I would tell him that she admires him and all the good he is doing, and thank him for all he has done and will do. I would know that is what my mom (I) would do if she (I) could. Then, I would add that he is an idiot for being a Patriots fan and should seriously consider becoming a Green Bay fan. Hey, I am my mom's child, after all.

I would go see the Eiffel Tower. I would take pictures with it, for my mom (Me) to cherish. 

I would swim with the Manatees. 

I would go to an Atlanta Braves game. I would go to a Boston Red Sox game. I would go to a Green Bay game. I would go to a Boston Celtics game. I would go to a Golden State Warriors game. I would watch Jimmie Johnson race. 

I would walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and visit the Grand Canyon.

I would visit Disney World, and ride all the rides. I would take pictures with Eeyore for my mom (me).

I would color some pictures for my mom to cherish forever.

I would make my mom an awesome coffee cup, so she would think of me every time she made coffee (which is often). I would also drink some coffee, just to see if all the hype my mom gives it is worth it. Of course it would be, because my mom is very wise, particularly when it comes to the greatness of coffee.

I would sit in on a class at Harvard Law school. My mom used to tell me, while I was growing in her tummy, that I could grow up to be ANYTHING I wanted to be, but that she would always secretly hope I ended up going to Harvard Law. She said that she would support me in ANYTHING (legal) I chose to do, but that if I could help defend justice, that would be extra cool.

I would visit my Dad. My mom does not talk to him anymore. Losing me was too much for them to bare, but I know she would want me to see him, even though I cannot see her.

I would hand out book bags filled with supplies to homeless people.

I would visit Washington D.C. and remind the politicians that HONESTY is important, as is doing the right thing. I would tell them they should be allied with the people, and not with any particular political parties or corporations. I would remind them that their goal should be to make this country a better place to live for everyone, not just people that fund them and share the same political party label they do.

I would jump on a trampoline.

I would go skydiving.

I would ride a bicycle.

I would visit my sister Weewee. I give her hugs and kisses. I would give her some cookies, my mom doesn't let her have nearly enough. 

I would visit Chad. I would tell him that my mom loves him lots and talks to me about him all the time. I would thank him for taking such good care of my Mommy. I would ask him to give my mom hugs and kisses from me every day, since I cannot do so myself.

I would visit Embee. I would tell her what a cool kid she is, and tell her that my mom talks about her a lot, and that my mom thinks that she and I would be BFFs, if I were here. I would let her know my mom loves her very much, and that she has always told me stories about her, saying that I would probably be doing the same things, since we are so close in age. 

I would take pictures with Chad, Weewee, and Embee, so that my mom can cherish them forever. 

I would hide a bag full of money, where I know my mom would find it, so she could do all the great things she wants in this world. (Hey, this is my interpretation!)

I would live.

Then I would go back to Heaven, and let my mom (me) come back. 

**A few side notes** For anyone that may not know... Kateri is my daughter that died in 2003, after I went into labor prematurely. 

If at all possible, I would happily stay her forever, and let her live, even if it meant I could no longer live. I am sure she would do this thing called life way better than I do it.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post! 

Here are links to all the sites now featuring February's Secret Subject Swap posts.  Sit back, grab a drink, and check them all out. See you there:

http://www.BakingInATornado.com                          Baking In A Tornado

http://stacysewsandschools.blogspot.com/          Stacy Sews and Schools

http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com                     Spatulas on Parade

http://dinoheromommy.com/                           Dinosaur Superhero Mommy

http://themomisodes.com                                          The Momisodes

http://climaxedtheblog.blogspot.com                              Climaxed

http://thethreegerbers.blogspot.ch/        Confessions of a part-time working mom

http://www.southernbellecharm.com                       Southern Belle Charm

http://thelieberfamily.com                                             The Lieber Family

http://www.someoneelsesgenius.com                      Someone Else’s Genius

http://www.eviljoyspeaks.wordpress.com                         Evil Joy Speaks

http://www.gndisney.wordpress.com                        Disneyland in Kentucky

http://sparklyjenn.blogspot.com/                               Sparkly Poetic Weirdo 

http://www.JuiceboxConfession.com                           Juicebox Confession

#Mommitment

On Facebook recently, I saw the mention of a "Mommitment" on the page "Next Life, NO Kids". Being the nosy person that I am, I immediately checked it out. I just had to know what it was about. You guys! YOU GUYS! You guys! You NEED to look into it. Do yourselves a favor, and check out the blog post. I will even make it easy for you and link it.

Right Here:

#Mommitment Post on Next Life, NO Kids

I am sure you have seen Mom Wars. You may have even participated in a few. I think Mom Wars are just a common occurrence in our society, not that they should be. Everyone has their own opinions, and everyone feels their opinions are correct. This tends to lead to judgment and often times persecution. Why? Seriously, Why?

That is what we need to be asking ourselves. Why? What purpose does it serve to judge another parent? Do we want to be judged? Nope. We may not let judgments bother us, but obviously we would prefer they not even happen. 

Why is one parent better than another? Yes, let's be honest, there are crappy parents in this world. There are also great parents and mediocre parents. At the end of the day, they all love their children. (Yes, some parents may not love their children, but that is a topic for another day... I am referring to the parents that love their children, and are doing their best).

I do not know about you, but I endeavor to be the best parent I am able to be. I know that there will always be parents that are "better" parents than I am. I know there are parents that will be "worse" parents than I am. That is life. I am sure they all love their child(ren), just as much as I love mine. 

I was not able to breastfeed Weewee. I was blessed to be able to for two weeks. I was so happy. I was doing what I thought was best for her. Unfortunately, my doctor decided it best that I stop. It was very important for me to go back on my blood thinners, and they were not safe for breastfeeding. My milk would no longer be safe for Weewee.

You guys... it killed me. I was so upset. I was angry at my body for not being able to allow me to safely breastfeed Weewee for as long as I wanted. I cried about it. I was so dreadfully sad. I pumped as much as I possibly could, so she could have as much of my milk as possible. A few weeks later, I even looked into how long the medicine remained in my milk, so I could stop taking it and breastfeed again.

I spent months kicking my own butt, for not being able to live up to the expectations I had for myself. If I am being honest, I am still disappointed. In the end, my goal was to do what was best for Weewee. Yes, breastfeeding would have been wonderful, but it was even more important I stay alive and healthy. That was what was best for her.

During that time of my life, when it came out (through me venting and me asking questions about formula) that I was not going to be breastfeeding, so many moms chastised me. Told me how they would "never, ever put nasty formula in their babies tummies". I was told by multiple moms that I should do "whatever it took" to make certain she was breastfed. All this negativity hurt me to my soul. Made me feel worse than I already did.

These moms were my friends. Some, just random mom group moms. These moms were judging me. These moms were putting me on the defensive. These moms were making me question my worth as a mom. These moms were waging war on myself, and all other moms that chose formula (for whatever reason) for their child(ren).

Why? 

I am making a #Mommitment, so that I NEVER ever make another mom feel the way those moms made me feel. 

I have always been a person that is able to agree to disagree. I fully accept that people will often have opinions that differ from my opinions. That is perfectly fine. Yes, I will stand up for what I believe in, but I won't hate you for doing the same. I think far to often we are willing to stand up strong and loud for what we believe in, and oftentimes we get upset when others do the same. Mostly, because their opinion is different than our own.

If I am being honest, as much I would love for everyone to see things the way I do, that would make for a pretty boring world. Peaceful (most likely) but definitely boring. 

What really matters most in parenthood, is loving your child and wanting the very best for them. The reality is, we will all have different ideas of what is best for our own children, and that is okay. It should be okay. As long as our children are safe, it is okay.

Breastfeed. Don't breastfeed. Use cloth diapers. Use disposable diapers. Co-sleep. Don't co-sleep. Be a helicopter parent. Don't be a helicopter parent. Cry it out. Never cry it out. Etc etc etc

I promise, that for as long as I live, as long as you love your child and keep them safe, I will never not ever wage war on you. I will not judge you. I will not talk bad of you to other moms. I will not ridicule you for making different parenting choices than I make. 

I must add, that if I see you blatantly risking your child's life, I will rescue them, and make sure the proper authorities speak with you, and do whatever is necessary to secure your child's safety. It is my responsibility as a human being, to make sure everyone around me is safe, and to seek help for anyone in danger. I would hope you would do the same for my child.

We need to stop being so hateful and judgmental. We need to support one another. We need to help build each other up, and stop trying to tear others down. We need to make the world a better place. We need to form a world wide alliance of parents, and quit forming parenting factions that war with one another.

We need to treat others respectfully, just like we would like to be treated. We need to get over ourselves. None of us are perfect. None. Together, we can help each other to be the best parent we can be. Our kids are the future, and they learn from us. We need to make sure we are teaching them all the right things. Acceptance and compassion, those are among the right things.

Chad and I are currently attending baptism classes, for preparation of Weewee being baptized. In class today, we had to write out a list of attributes we want our child to possess. To envision the adult we want to raise our children to be. Then we were encouraged to be a parent that instills those qualities into our children. I want my daughter to grow up to be a mom that will love her children unconditionally and keep them safe. I want her to be a mom that will never war with other moms over a difference in parenting styles.

I really hope that you will join me and make a #Mommitment.

Don't like another parents parenting style? That is okay. There will be parents that don't like your parenting style. We are lucky to be able to choose our friends, and the people we include in our life. Rather than waging a war on another parent, peacefully move on and parent your child(ren). Let them parent their child(ren).

Spread love, not hate. Spread acceptance, not persecution and judgment. The Golden Rule really is a thing of beauty... Do unto others as you would wish them to do unto you. It really is that easy.

Be the parent, you would want your child to be one day, to your grandchildren. Be a parent that will raise your child to be the adult you hope for them to be. 

Please, take the time to read Julie's blog post (linked above), and if you would be so kind, sign the petition and make a #Mommitment. We owe it to ourselves, and we owe it to our kids.

I just want to add.... I am not a perfect parent. I know this. I am not even half the parent I want to be. I do love Weewee. I will always love her. I will always be the absolute best mom I am able to be. I will endeavor to raise her to be the best person she can be. I see in her limitless potential, and I will do my very best to help her see it in herself. So, please do not ever think that I think I am perfect, or a better parent than anyone else. I am far from it. 

Please feel free to click on the image below, and sign the petition! Together we can end Mom Wars!

Funny Friday January 2015

Today’s post is January’s Funny Friday, a regular feature published on the last Friday of every month. Funny Friday is a collaborative project. Each month one of the participants submits a picture, then we all write five captions or thoughts inspired by that month’s picture. Links to the other bloggers’ posts are below, click on them and see what they’ve come up with. I hope we bring a smile to your face as you start your weekend.

Here’s today’s picture. It was submitted by Baking In A Tornado (http://www.BakingInATornado.com)

1. If food isn't involved, don't disturb me. 

2. Exhaustion- 1

Dude- 0

3. Here is photographic proof that couch monsters do exist. Save yourselves!

4. Mom told me to disappear while company was here. They'll never see me here.

5. Mom- Kids! Please come help with the dishes and garbage!

Dude to himself- Maybe if I hide here and stay very still, she won't find me.

Thank you for taking the time to read this! I hope I was able to give you a giggle or two. I hope the weekend is fun and joyful for you all!

Click on the links below and let some other bloggers make you smile:

Stacy Sews and Schools (http://stacysewsandschools.blogspot.com)

Follow me home  (http://followmehome.shellybean.com)

Baking In A Tornado (http://www.BakingInATornado.com)

Someone Else’s Genius (http://www.someoneelsesgenius.com)

Confessions of a part-time working mom (http://thethreegerbers.blogspot.ch/)

The Momisodes (http://themomisodes.com)

Sanity Waiting to Happen (http://www.angelaweight.com)

Spatulas on Parade  (http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/)

Juicebox Confession (http://www.JuiceboxConfession.com)

Cluttered Genius (http://www.clutteredgenius.com)

Eileen’s Perpetually Busy (http://eileensperpetuallybusy.blogspot.com/)

As a quick side note... This is my 50th blog post. Fifty. I have written/shared FIFTY blog posts!

Use Your Words January 2015

Today’s post is a writing challenge. This is how it works: participating bloggers picked 4 – 6 words or short phrases for someone else to craft into a post. All words must be used at least once and all the posts will be unique as each writer has received their own set of words. That’s the challenge, here’s a fun twist; no one who’s participating knows who got their words and in what direction the writer will take them. Until now.

My words are:

Bitter ~ watch ~ wild ~ stand ~ chat               

They were submitted by: http://batteredhope.blogspot.com      

**Thank you for such inspiring words!!**

Take 1:

I don't know if it makes me a bitter person, but my mind goes wild with jealousy, when I have to stand and watch you chat with other women.


Take 2:

I hate to stand by and watch you chat with other women.
It drives my mind wild with hurt and jealousy.
I guess you could call me bitter.
Maybe I am.
I cannot help it.
Not that long ago, it was me that held your attention.
I was the object of your affection.
I miss that. 
I miss you. 
I miss us.



Thank you for taking the time to read this! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!


Links to the other “Use Your Words” posts:

http://www.BakingInATornado.com                                                           Baking In A Tornado

http://stacysewsandschools.blogspot.com/                                          Stacy Sews and Schools

http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/                                                      Spatulas on Parade

http://thethreegerbers.blogspot.ch/                         Confessions of a part-time working mom

http://www.JuiceboxConfession.com                                                          Juicebox Confession

http://www.someoneelsesgenius.com                                                    Someone Else’s Genius

http://themomisodes.com                                                                                 The Momisodes

http://batteredhope.blogspot.com                                                                      Battered Hope

http://eileensperpetuallybusy.blogspot.com/                                      Eileen’s Perpetually Busy

 http://www.eviljoyspeaks.wordpress.com                                                          Evil Joy Speaks

Goals and a Diagnosis... Secret Subject Swap January 2015

Welcome to January's Secret Subject Swap. This week, 14 brave bloggers submitted a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style. Today, we are all simultaneously divulging our topics and submitting our posts, in the first Secret Subject Swap installment of 2015!!!

My “Secret Subject” is:

This year has just begun. What do you plan on doing and what do you plan on avoiding to make this one of your best years?

It was submitted by: http://sparklyjenn.blogspot.com/  

**Thank you for such a fabulous subject!!**

A new year, a new you! Isn't that how the saying goes? It seems that during this time of year, everyone is on a mission to becoming a better person. For some it is a successful mission, for others it is a not so successful mission. Some stick with it and others give up. Some set far too many goals, and only accomplish a few. Others set not nearly enough. At least, even if only for a brief time, we can all admit that we are not perfect.

Many people tend to have the "I'm perfect/I'm better than you/I don't make mistakes" attitudes. For some it is a permanent thing, and for some it is an every once in a while thing. I try very hard to always admit my faults. To own up to my imperfections. I view them, not as things that make me a failure or less than perfect, but as things that make me who I am. Things that build my character and reveal that I am merely a human. 

Being imperfect is not a bad thing. It is a "normal" thing. No person is perfect. I know, shocking information. Not even Matt Damon is perfect. I know, I know. I should have given warning before dropping such a shocking piece of information out there. 

I am personally far from perfect. A fact, that as the years have passed, I have become much more appreciative of. Not being perfect adds to my individual uniqueness, and it gives me something to aspire to. I can always change and grow as a person. I can always become better, and learn new lessons.

I quit making resolutions a few years ago. I tend to make goals. I think about what things I would like to change and/or accomplish in the near future, and I do my best to make that happen. Some of my goals take multiple years to achieve. Some never happen. Some change before they happen. Some I sit back and laugh at. Others I revisit and renew my desire to make them happen. Some happen and do not bring about the change I thought it would... sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worse. No matter what the outcome, I do my best to turn each situation into growth.

We should always learn from our successes and our failures. Everything that happens in our lives, should impact us. Nothing should ever be in vain. I know... much easier said than done, but it is entirely possible. 

I recently found out that I have Lupus. I think I am still in shock. I really am not sure how I feel about it, other than scared. With the fear also comes relief. Weird, I know, though I never claimed to be even remotely normal. The relief comes from the answers the diagnosis provides. At least now I know why I have blood clots, why my memory is failing, why I am suffering from several physical ailments, and why I have all the chronic pain. There is definite relief in knowing the why.

I have discovered that there is also disappointment in the why. As odd as it may seem, I am actually a very optimistic person. Now knowing why, and knowing it is permanent, I realize that I had been optimistically hopeful, that I would be healed. Now, I know that healing is not possible. That is okay, because endurance is possible. Acceptance is possible. Coping is possible.

I tend to start thinking about the new year in November. I start contemplating what goals I will make for the upcoming years. Which goals I will carry over, which I will quit working on, and what new ones I need to make. I had come up with several for this year, but now that I know about the Lupus, I have completely changed my 2015 goal plan.

I want to accept that I have Lupus. Not just acknowledge that I have it, but actually make peace with the fact that I have it. I want to learn everything I can about it. I want to work closely with my doctors and come up with a successful treatment plan. I want to come up with a plan of action, to make living a good life despite the Lupus possible. I am sure this will be a goal for the next few years.

I want to make needed changes in my life, to make my life better. I want to completely organize our home. This way I can relax and just live. I want to come up with a system that works. One that helps me remember all I need to remember, and stay organized. Over the last couple of years, I have forgotten many things, which is not characteristic of me at all. I figured it was "pregnancy brain" and then "mom of a newborn brain". I now know that it is actual Lupus brain.

I plan on continuing my weight loss, until I achieve my absolute goal. I am almost there. Much closer than I was when I started. I plan on getting all my vitamin and mineral levels to an acceptable place. Currently, I am deficient in several. The healthier I am, the better I can live.

I plan on not letting myself get overwhelmed or discouraged. I plan on not letting myself give up. I plan on not letting myself make excuses. I plan on not letting myself give up on the things I want to do, just because they may be more difficult than originally anticipated.

I really want to take this blog up. Does that make sense? Haha. I want to make this blog better. It has been my goal for a few months now. I still want to continue with that goal. 

What about you... do you have any goals? Do you make them yearly? I'd love to hear what you want to do in 2015!

Happy New Year! I hope it is an awesome year! Thank you for reading!


Here are links to all the fabulous sites now featuring Secret Subject Swap posts.  Sit back, grab a cup (preferably of coffee), and check them all out. See you there:

  

Baking in a Tornado                    

Spatulas on Parade                 

Stacy Sews and Schools      

Dinosaur Superhero Mommy                     

Confessions of a Part-Time Working Mom  

Juicebox Confession               

Someone Else's Genius                

The Momisodes                                          

Climaxed                                 

Sparkly Poetic Weirdo                         

Cluttered Genius                               

Southern Belle Charm                  

Evil Joy Speaks