Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Finish This! -- Week #20

Finish This!

This game is called "Finish This," and all you have to do is finish the following prompts and link up your post below! You can also visit the other hosts of this party on their fun blogs: Nicole {Three 31} Lisa {Coastlined}, Jen {The Arizona Russums} and Becky {The Java Mama}.


My favorite receipe is... My homemade lasagna... I make a scratch sauce that cooks all day marinating all of the spices together.  The big trick is when you're layering the sauce, cheese and noodles, to add a thick layer of parmesan cheese on top of the sauce (before the mozzarella cheese).  It cooks right into the sauce giving it a heavenly taste!  Yum! 


I believe in... the power of laughter and a smile. The unconditional love of a child... That sometimes ice cream does make it all better... That exercise will kill any bad mood Im in... having a happy child is better than a clean house... and of course God the Almighty, Jesus Son of God and Mary, the Momma of all Mommas.

I need to set boundaries... with Adam. This is one of those things that we are really working on. I feel like I prioritize the family and put them at the front of my list. I try to do things as quickly as possible to not place any undue burden on others. But for Adam, he can go take 5 hours to golf, then come home, work on the yard and not think anything of my time or spending time with George. He’s very good at putting himself first and that’s where I need to start setting those boundaries. If he wants a morning off, then perhaps he needs to get his golfing in and the yard work in because it’s been very stressful on me when I spend 90% of my time taking care of George and very little time for me. (Rant over).

I started living when… I turned 30. For so long I was always so concerned about doing what everyone else wanted me to do. I was the first person to graduate college in my family but I think back and I did it for my family, not for myself. So when I turned 30 I started to make decisions with myself in mind, not what everyone else wanted. I went back to school for my Master’s in teaching and people definitely questioned that decision because I already had a good job. But it was for ME. Something I WANTED to do. And when I took a leave of absence from my company and spent 2 of my 4 months student teaching in England, that was for me – no one else. I was able to travel and experience something entirely different. No, I'm not even teaching now, but that's always something I have to fall back on if I needed to. However, now that I’ve become a mama, my life has reverted back to that living for others first. I’m still working on that balance of family and me time.


Prompts for WEEK 21 (May 28) are:
The best mistake I ever made …
From this mistake, I learned …
When I’m anxious, I tell myself …
All I really want to do is …

 

15 comments:

  1. wow, that Lasagna sounds yumm-o! I agree with the power of laughter & a smile. So true. A smile can change someone's whole day. And what a great experience for you to have student taught in England! I hope to visit there some day. :-)

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  2. I promise your not the only one who has to set boundaries like that. My hubs and I have had that talk before too. The lasagna sounds amazing and good for you for getting your masters and doing things for you. Sometimes we just have to!

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  3. Amen! Amen! Amen! Kamden is a very happy child and my house is currently VERY messy. Oops. He knows he is loved, that's all that matters, right?!?! I have such a boundary issue with my time as well. Even before Kamden was born I was the "yes" person and would do anything for anybody, always putting myself last and it's exhausting and overwhelming. I'm getting better, obviously, since Kamden is my priority now, but now I'm having trouble finding the balance between being Kamden's mom and Husband's wife. You know?

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  4. Speaking from a mom that has been married for a long time and married into a ready made family and then later in life had 3 more kids... Now this will sound crazy and I know we should not have to do this.. that like women.. men should have common sense and recognition.... Girl, you have to tell your husband (or politely ask) what you want or need him to do. He is your first child. Men, sadly, have to be told and directed on what to do when it comes to helping around the house, simple parenting, helping clean up.. etc.... For example.. I have to tell my husband 'hey on your way down will you put those clothes in the wash'... Now if I did not ask him ... he would not even think to do it. OR if my child vomits... 'Hey, start a bath for her and I will do XYZ'... If I did not tell him.. he would just remain laying bed... I hope this helps.. It is a process... Crazy process... but a process ;-)

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    1. Or before he schedules that golf date for Saturday.. tell him that you have XYZ planned for that day and that you will need him to hang w the kid.... no options ;-) good luck.

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    2. Oh Aimee you are my new go to for relationship help! (We aren't married.. yet... still...waiting...after 4...years..) I so appreciate your advice. I'm so so so to blame for not taking time for myself. I have to start getting more involved in stuff and making more friends locally to actually go and do things. I'm such a home body that I'm quite content being home!!

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    3. I am a home body as well.. I have friends but don't go out BUT I like MY time! My husband and I got married after being together for 3 years! Just know most.. not all.. but most men are still boys... Girl, holler at me... I' have the experience and stories.. oh do I have stories! Really I have to tell you thank you for putting away your dish!?!? Are you kidding me?!??! I am not your mama... Yep those words have come out of my mouth ;0) But I love him.

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  5. I love a good lasagna! It's one of the ultimate comfort foods to me! Especially with a delicious loaf of bread to dip into all the sauce! Yummy!

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  6. I love your believed in. Yay for excessive and ice cream.

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    1. Yes! I love ice cream... Have you ever tried Pirate's Booty? It's from a brand called Cedar Crest... think caramel ice cream, cookies, m&ms - soooo good ... yet sooo bad for you!

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  7. Homemade lasagna mmmm!!! I have a great recipe from my sister's mother in law (ha!) that uses Italian sausage links instead of ground meat and cottage cheese instead of ricotta. OMG so good!
    And laughter, yes!

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  8. I love reading your response that at 30 you really started to LIVE FOR YOU!! That is exactly the type of realization that sets people free. And I agree that in general us "moms" put everyone else before our own needs, but really we should be putting ourselves first because a happy mom means a happy family. Is this a linkup? Not sure where to linkup but I will try to in the future!



    Angie from reasons to dress, life as a North American mom in Italy.

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    1. Yes my dear it is a linkup! I start with one of the hosts http://nicoleandkevin.wordpress.com and post my link there on Weds. Thank you for the encouragement too! I sincerely appreciate it. It's difficult to put myself first but will get back there eventually :)

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  9. All the recipes I've made and at my age...I've never made lasagna, can you believe it? I have purchased the easy no cook noodles but still haven't made one.

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    1. Oh Jeannie you could totally make the lasagna!! If you ever want an easy (and soooo delightful - and terribly unhealthy) recipe please let me know and I'd be happy to share!! (It's one from memory so I didn't link it because I don't have it typed out.. but woudl be glad to do so!) And get rid of those no cook noodles - I'm not sold (perhaps because I'm a little old school :)

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