Wordless Wednesday (Archive)

I am going home to Iowa in December! What a rare and precious treat! In honor of me scoring a great deal on tickets please enjoy some pictures from our last visit in September 2008.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Climb Every Moutain

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

I Blinked

I used to get annoyed when wiser parents would remind me to "enjoy the moment, before you know it your kids will be grown." Of course, I'll enjoy the moment...like changing bed sheets soaked with vomit at 3 a.m.(good times, good times), cleaning up spilled milk at the dinner table again,...ahem...no I mean like kissing their soft faces at night and sharing a fresh, layer of snow with them.

Being a parent is filled of enjoyable moments. However, somewhere in the midst of running A to B last week I missed a huge milestone. Apparently, I blinked and Keegan was potty trained.

I'd love to say it was amazing parenting, but it wasn't. Keegan was just ready. No sticker charts, no running to the bathroom every 15 minutes, no potty party...it just happened. Apparently, I blinked.

For over five years, I've routinely purchased diapers and in a matter of a day it was over. Just like that...no fanfare...no hand shakes from the Huggies Corporation....done. Oddly, I felt a sense of loss and still do.

My baby is now a little boy wearing a variety of action-hero underwear. He reminds me that he "(can) do it myself" when he gets into the bathroom. And wasn't it just last week when I was still changing his diaper? Don't get me wrong...I am ecstatic, but I am watching carefully from the side lines wondering what next milestone he'll tackle on his own.

I'm holding my eyes wide open now, because apparently I blinked last week.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Wordless Wednesday

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

From Inside the Little Blue Bungalow

As I sit here typing, I am amazed at how dark 6:15 a.m. looks today. Even though I'm already back from working out at the YMCA, the house is quiet and peaceful. In the silence, the tea kettle yells to let me know my hot water is ready, but once again it is quiet except for my typing.

The morning is my favorite part of the day. A chance to exercise, sip my tea, pray, surf the Internet, think, and catch up on a few household chores in peace. It is my time.

In the past 9 months much has changed in our house. Before, I was a dedicated stay-at-home mom for almost 4 1/2 years aching to find routine and purpose in my day. Today, I am back in the working world part-time and maintaining my "mommy" duties.

Though I find myself juggling the daily routines of motherhood and work interesting, I wouldn't change it. Being a full-time stay-at-home mom (or dad) is one of the most rewarding and hardest jobs you'll ever do. Though I loved being home with the kids, I realized it was time to move on...and for a mother, that is a hard concept to admit. At times the hours as a stay-at-home mom seemed to creep by and now I long for an hour to sit and reflect on the day ahead. How quickly things have changed.

They say the grass is always greener on the other side. But is it really?

I guess what I'm trying to say is to enjoy where you are right now and be your best always. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, part-time mom, working mom, or foster mom. The important thing is that you are a MOM. And at the end of the day Mom is who they want to tuck them in bed and kiss their fears away. Regardless of my "title", I am forever Fiona and Keegan's Mom.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Wordless Wednesday

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Scenes from Fall Classic Monroe YMCA Run

The entire family participated in the Fall Classic Fun Run sponsored by the Monroe/Sky Valley Family YMCA (my work and family's home away from home). It was truly a family event complete with great prizes, running competition, and bouncy house. The kids participated in a Kiddy Dash and Drew and I ran the 5K.

It was a beautiful Halloween morning WITHOUT rain and everyone was in great spirits. Personally, my run wasn't the best, but I finished four minutes under my goal time. I try to remind myself that a year ago I'd never even consider running a 5K, but it wouldn't be like me to want to do better. Drew stayed by my side again the entire way which made it more fun for me. Hopefully, I'll have the confidence to do it by myself next time, but I enjoy his company even though I'm recking his race times.

We're off tonight to enjoy and volunteer at The Rock's Fall Festival of Funness... Happy Halloween.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean