The Rockford Files: Introduction

I'm Karalin, currently a SAHM with three young boys in Rockford, Illinois. DS5 will be starting public school Kindergarten at the end of August, so that will be a huge change for us. DS3 is a VERY typical 3 year old right now. He and his older brother fight ALL OF THE TIME, but are also the first to come to each other's defense against other people (including me!). DS4months is a sweetie. He is so good-natured, sleeps through the night, patiently waits for his meals while I settle the older two into their next activity.

I was a first grade teacher in a public school before I had children and I LOVED it! But I always knew that I wanted to be home with my kids. I couldn't wrap my head around the idea of paying someone else to watch my kids for most of their waking hours while I went and took care of OTHER people's children. Not for me. So, here I am five years later. It has gone by so fast!

So, that's me in a nutshell. I have some stories and some questions that I'll share or ask later. But right now I need to finish my menu plan/grocery list so that I can head to the store after I next nurse the baby.

Thanks Patty and April for letting me join in!

Stay tuned for a straight-from-the-trenches experience I had a couple of weeks ago...

Just a check in!

I just wanted to post really quick and let you know I am still here! We are full swing in summer vacation now. No early mornings, no backpacks! And my 21-month-old has been wearing only a diaper for most of the day! I am really relishing the days more this summer because...I may be a SAHM for only about 10 more weeks! I have been asked if I'm interested in a half-time teaching position right here in town. Part of me screams, "noooooooo! I'm not ready to go back to work!" but I know it would be great for our finances, and I would really enjoy it.
And...our electricity just "blinked". I think it's getting ready to storm, so getting off the computer would be a GOOD idea.
hugs to all!

Dressed for Success

So, when working from home, dressing the part of the working woman really helps to shift your mindset. I know a lot of people who work from home do that, so I've been trying it out. Sometimes it's as simple as changing out of my Teva sandals and into something with a heel. Today I'm wearing a fitted polyester skirt and biz casual sweater, in addition to the wedge sandals that have become my write-from-home uniform.

And while I haven't actually finished much of my list below, I'm starting to feel like I can, which is important.

Not Working

I like to plan. I like to plan more than I like to put my plans into practice. So I end up procrastinating actually doing what's on my plan to keep planning. Nothing gets done that way.

Another hitch in my planning is that my plans are dependent on the sleeping schedules of two other little people. And like the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, once you enter the situation and try to measure or categorize what's going on, you change it.

So of course just when I thought I had a good schedule going with my toddler, my baby decides it's time to start crawling. She doesn't want to sleep any more -- she wakes herself up and wants to crawl around the bed.

My hopes for the organization and high that come with working isn't materializing yet. But it may be that I'm just having an off day: it's raining, so no park for the kids; I slept in, so I lost a few hours; and I've been procrastinating up a storm, so I lost a few more hours.

Argh. Ok. Deep breath. Don't linger worrying about what you didn't do perfectly. What can I do now to get back on track?

• Check my schedule
• At least I am dressed and so are my kids.
• Figure out what to do with Maggie to wear her out for her nap.
• Start dinner in the crock pot.
• Look at budget and plan for a couple of extra expenses tonight.
• Write like mad as soon as the kids are sleeping.

Deep breath.

Here I go.

(Photo: freefoto.com)