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)

Back to the Grind

I've taken another writing project with Content Divas so I'll be busy for the next two weeks (this time I'm doing a half-project instead of the full 22 days of submissions). I'm a little nervous since last time there were days where I felt like my writing kind of took over my life.

But I'm also excited. This stay-at-home-Mom is looking forward to devoting her brain to more than just working on grocery lists or the logistics of trying to get out of the house daily with two people under the age of three in tow. I've got high hopes for doing various aspects of my day better this time around than last. For example, I have my menus planned for the next three weeks (until we go on vacation!!), so hopefully that will be less of a slow-down point to my weeks.

Finally, I'm looking forward to the increased level of productivity that comes with having most of the day scheduled. Work -- especially working hard -- can be a high: many of us are naturally happy when we have real work to do (as opposed to my playing around on this blog and pretending that people read it). Not necessarily ecstatic, just content (and not depressed).

A podcaster I have come to really enjoy is Kh. Krista West on Ancient Faith Radio. She has some spot-on things to say on that final point (in fact, I think I took some of that point from her because it so resonated with my experience), so I'd like to point any readers I may have in the direction of her podcast "A Tailor’s reflections on the prayer of St. Ephraim" which is really an excellent reflection on the value of work.

So, wish me luck! It may be another bumpy ride, but I can only get better at it. :)

(Photo: FreeFoto.com)

The Microwaved-Coffee Cycle

Pour morning coffee. Get sidetracked and forget to drink it.

Stumble upon 3/4-full cup sometime later.

Sip. Too cold; doesn't taste right. Microwave.

Sip. Still doesn't taste right; lukewarm. Intend to keep drinking it, but forget.

Sip. Too cold; doesn't taste right. Microwave.

Sip. Too hot, burnt my tongue, and still doesn't taste right. Forget about it.

Reach for 1/2-full cup again.

Sip. Too cold; doesn't taste right. Microwave....
(Photo: freephotos.com)

There's Peanut Butter Expanding into a Grease Spot on My Wall

So, Happy Mother's Day!

There's unfolded (and some folded) laundry on my coffee table.
A pile of unmatched socks on the chair.
Cheerios crunch beneath my feet.
There's a lot of whining in my house (and my kids aren't the only culprits).

Happy Mother's Day!

There are dishes in my sink.
My daughter's poopy diaper exploded onto the chair.
My daughter is wearing her last diaper.
I need to go to the store to buy more diapers -- and I am not dressed, nor have I finished my coffee. (P.S. I have to walk... Husband has the car.)

Happy Mother's Day!

There is laundry in the dryer three flights of stairs below me.
Correction, it is probably in a heap on a table by now.
But at least we have relatively clean sheets on our beds.
And my bedroom looks pretty nice without piles of clothes on the bed frame and the baby's swing.

Happy Mother's Day!

A friend is coming to visit in an hour.
Did I mention I am not dressed, have to go to the store, and have one remaining diaper?
So why am I on the computer?
When was the last time I showered?

Happy Mother's Day!

We're having grilled cheese for lunch with that friend.
We have no bread -- I really do have to go to the store.
My daughter will bring home rocks for her rock jar while we are out.
I used to paint rocks and give them to my Mom for Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day!

My two-year-old is singing "Christ is Risen" from our Easter service in its entirety, over and over. She learned it so quickly!
The baby let me sleep in for an extra hour this morning.
The Angle cried to the Lady, full of grace, "Rejoice! Your son is risen from his three days in the tomb!"
Christ is Risen!

Happy Mother's Day!