What My Husband Does For A Living

or "How My Husband Brings Home The Bacon"

or "Did You Know Wires Were So Purdy?"

As you know, we just got home last Sunday from Dayton, Ohio after an almost 5 month out-of-town job for my husband's company, Inspired Excellence. My husband took a crew of 6 guys with him and they transformed WHIO Channel 7 News Station into this...

 They specialize in taking messes of wires and making it look like that [above].

 They ran wires from the equipment room through the ceilings, the floors, and even along the ceiling [like above third picture] to the TV studio.

 They installed TV's as well as all the broadcast wiring.

 The boys were amazed at the thousands of wires that ran under the floors.

 All their hard work is not only organized and beautiful, but makes live newscasts & weather reports possible...among other things.

P.S. I shot all these photos with Moses on my back...now thats babywearing.

502 Miles Till Home

I'm happy to be blogging from my very own kitchen table [even if it's in the middle of the literal kitchen because I've moved it to make space for indoor playing since we left our playroom in Ohio, sigh]. Took off blogging yesterday because to put anything else in that last 24 hours would have sent me straight to the hospital. Let me break this week down in picture for you...

a. Our milk dropped, but I used via tray to avoid going back to store in snow

b. The boys room when I asked them to watch a movie so I could pack

c. What the counter looked like over and over again last week

Over the last few weeks Charles work schedule has picked up a lot trying to finish the wire project at Dayton Daily News...some days he worked between 16-24 hours straight. During the last week I attempted...let me use that word twice...attempted...to pack up our 1500 square apartment with 3 kids under 4. Well, I thought I got a lot done, but apparently our two hour load up plan turned into 8...I guess I didn't do as much as I thought. And Yes, I did pack in trash bags.

Luckily my husband is a good sport and we worked together Sunday to get the house all packed up and loaded into two cars, leaving behind only one porch full of items we couldn't fit. Not to worry, my great Ohio friend picked them all up and is busy giving them away to those in need. 

Originally we were suppose to leave Thanksgiving, then December 13th, then 17th, then 18th, so finally the 19th we were on the road...even if was 6pm and we'd both only slept about 5 hours for several nights in a row. The kids slept for the entire 8 hours and Moses only woke up [in my car] 3 times crying a little. I did get sleepy between 2 and 3 am, but thanks to Rihanna radio station on Pandora I got my dance on. Thank you also to my first Starbucks venti coffee drink I managed to chug [hate the taste].

If only my car windows could talk...the things they'd tell you. My dancing was quite humorous I'm sure to God, His angels, and those passerbyer's. 

We got into Marietta about 3 am, but didn't get all settled and asleep till 5 am. Guess what time the kids woke up? 7 am. We took turns napping until noon and then started our day. Thanks to an amazing babysitter, my husband and mom I was able to prepare for our 7th Annual Girl's Christmas party that started at 6pm. That's for another blog though.

I say all this to say...our almost 5 month business trip in Ohio is officially over and we're officially home. We threw all the contents of our cars into our storage unit and will deal with that hot mess in 3 weeks when Christmas vacation is over.

Before & After

[I guess I should actually say... "before & during clean up"

...when we left it looked sort of like the before picture]

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If you think I had a hard week...click once

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These Boots Are Made For Saying Goodbye

I'll get straight to the point...

5 Months

5 People

5 Thoughts 

...I'm about to get back to packing again because...

[1] We probably have more stuff than will fit in our cars

[2] We are tired, but already memorized all the Starbuck exits from OH to GA

[3] We are splitting up the kids so one of us hears crying & the other hears crying

[4] We will attempt to make it in time for church on Sunday [but probably won't]

[5] This may be my last post this year with the label "Dayton"

*Side Note*

Aren't my boys Croc boots cute? They are awesome. They are light weight, washable, soft inside, easy to put on & take off, look just like regular shoes when pants are down and best of all I got them buy one get one half off. Last time [this year] their adorable boots will touch this Ohio snow. 

Bittersweet.

Oh my gosh, please go look at the hot pink little girl versions...I'm drooling.
This might be a good time to mention I have baby fever again.
Stay tuned 2011...

Perfect Family Gift

If you're looking for the perfect gift to give any family this holiday season, I suggest a family membership to a local children's museum [or something of similar nature]. Although they can be pricey, it's a gift for the whole family can enjoy. Plus, if you know this family is all about deals you can rest assured those parents will make your dollar stretch. 

Over the years we've owned memberships to Imagine It Children's Museum, Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Zoo, DAC kids [indoor play], Monkey Joe's [bounce house], and our local water park, White Water. I love when someone buys us a gift certificate or passes to any of those because it not only gives the kids something educational and fun to do, but gives me a break from coming up with something to entertain them with every week. Even if it's a slow month I know we can still go do something fun as a family because it's already paid for.

By checking into cheaper parking options, [validated parking or season parking pass] and bringing a sack lunch you can make it a day of fun [any day of the year!] for nearly free.

If your kids already have too many toys I suggest making this the one family Christmas gift or pull all your kids Christmas money together to buy one gift everyone can enjoy...quality time together.

I'm busying organizing, cleaning, and packing for our move back to GA this weekend, but I wanted to share some pictures of our trip to the Boonshoft [Children's] Museum of Discovery from Tuesday. I'm now wishing we had gone sooner [and more often like planned since my ATL membership included the museum here in Dayton], but better late than never. My best friend April [who is a flight attendant] had a Dayton lay over so she was gracious enough to accompany us.

It was way nicer and larger than the one in Atlanta [which is still nice]. This was two stores of different rooms with different subjects and themes. Even a three story mesh-net-slide-playground in the middle. They had a water system you could play in from one end of the downstairs to the other. It also had an amazing room of balls and another with different types of cars you could ride in.

There were several science & math rooms [puzzles, microscopes, shadows, space station, etc.] I particularly liked the dinosaur excavation center where they could uncover dinosaur bones.

They had several houses, an animal hospital, grocery store, recycle center, lego tables [and exhibits], a room full of hundreds of animal artifacts you could touch and even real animals. Moses wasn't a fan of the log cabin house with pretend pot- over-the-fire-stove...but I was. They also had a small aquarium section that allowed  for touching the marine life. One room talked about climates and had a hot and cold room you could play in.

We spent a little over two hours there and hardly saw or played with it all, but I forgot my own suggestion of bringing a sack lunch and they didn't have any food there. Unless you count vending machines, which I don't. Speaking of food...

My favorite exhibit [I didn't get any pictures of] was a full size pizza restaurant. Complete with oven, pretend pizza ingredients and pizza boxes. You could order from the counter, make the pizza, cook the pizza, waitress the pizza to the table or even deliver the pizza in a life size pizza delivery car.

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Linking up at Boys in Motion

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If this post was helpful please consider clicking once below

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Thankful Thursdays Top Ten [#20]

This snow picture [taken by iPhone] is for You Capture's Photo Challenge

Thankful This Week For:

[For All My Ohio Favorites]

[1] Elizabeth Kilby

I'm so thankful she invited us to her daughter's first birthday even though I was a stranger. She has befriended me each week since...playdates, meetups, and our date night babysitter. She's a wonderful wife & mother, but also has such a sweet heart towards all those around her. She especially pours herself into girls transitioning into womanhood. We could all learn a lot from her hospitality and genuine love.

[2] Attractions

The kids & I go to see and experience so many neat local places & events I can hardly believe it's all going to fit into one scrapbook. I'm thankful that even though I always said I'd never want to come "somewhere boring like Ohio", I came to realize that there are places in "those states" that actually have lots to see and do. I will always miss driving down the highway and seeing all the gorgeous barns and fields too.

[3] The Lofts @ Willow Creek

I didn't want to mention it before [for safety reasons], but our apartment complex has been the best one we've stayed in yet. It was safe, gorgeous, full of things to do [pool! pool! pool!] and all the residents were really kind. [Well, most of them.] I'm going to miss my playroom and extra 500 square feet most, but I suppose my fenced in backyard will make up for it. No, it won't, but I will tell myself that anyways.

[4] To-Go Food

It was nice to have wonderful [for convince, not so much for calories] food around-the-corner. We ate House of Thai & Don Pablos many a nights...because I don't make Thai & Mexican like they do. I'm not even going to go into how much money we probably spent at the Chick-fil-a in Beavercreek. At least it's a Christian company, ha.

[5] Cincinnati [the mall & downtown]

It was the prettiest mall we visited in Ohio and our anniversary in downtown Cincinnati was magical. A must see fountain [at night].

[6] The Greene 

It's where my kids played in the water one month and where we froze our tushes off looking up at the snow covered Christmas tree another month. Caribou coffee gave me my first coffee drink I actually liked. And many much needed date nights. Oh, and let's not forget Noodles...best-mac-and-cheese-ever.

[7] Chicago

Okay, so technically this isn't in Ohio, but I'm thankful it was close because I've fallen in love with this city. I was already planning a trip back before we left. Perfect food, perfect attractions, perfect art, perfect entertainment, perfect architecture, perfect.

[8] Dayton Daily News

I'm so very thankful that after a very slow and unusual finance year we've been able to not only be provided work over the last 5 months, but provide work for many people as well.

[9] Parks

I feel as though this one should receive more than just one thankful mention because these parks in Dayton have been a saving grace for my boys and will definitely be the hardest thing I will have to leave behind. We have amazing parks in Atlanta, but I'm not sure I've ever been to anything as practical and gorgeous as this park. I will miss thee, for all occupying my kids while I cleaned out the car.

[10] A Reason To Blog

I'm thankful that this season in my life provided me the opportunity to start a blog. It started off as a way to keep up with everyone back in GA while here in OH, but has turned into a real outlet for me and [I hope] ministry...to those who read it. 

Be it...

a ministry of humor

a ministry of comradery

a ministry of advice

a ministry of love

I've enjoyed sharing what I believe God has given me and enjoyed receiving from all of you as well. I've fallen even more in love with God's creation of women. We are a special, precious, beautiful thing He has made. I think so many of you are fantastic and hope to continue to have the opportunity to watch God change us from glory to glory...one dish and sock at a time.

After leaving Ohio this weekend, we'll still be on the road [and living out of suitcases] for the next 4 weeks, but will return from our many adventures on [one month from today]...January 16th.

Look forward to my stories of: a week in GA for Christmas, a week in Houston, a week at my dad's ranch, and our cruise to the Caribbean.

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Every week I invite my friends in blogworld to join me in being thankful. 

[1] write a blog post with 10 things you're thankful for this week

[2] mention this blog post [hyperlink my blog and/or grab my button]

[3] use McLinky below by clicking on "Click here to enter"

You don't have to do it on Thursdays. You can do it any day of the week. Call it whatever you want. Be creative...use words, pictures, poems, etc. Come back throughout the week and read other's lists and make new friends.
Ask others to join too. 

Thanks for participating and being patient as "we" grow.

Linking up at The Tarr Pit

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Because you're thankful for me right? [ha!]

Black & White Wordless [#8]

Junk Drawer

I'm an organized person, but I always have a stuffed-so-full-you-can't-open-it junk drawer. No matter where I am---home---or---on the road---it comes with me. So, as we're packing up to head home this weekend I'm separating all my receipts, papers, bills and misc papers from the last 5 months.

Came across this photo from a date night a few months ago.

Do you have a junk drawer? 

[Or secret mess?] Do Tell.

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This photo is apart of photo challenges for:

The Long Road to China

Supermom
Wordless Wednesdays
Frugality is Free

Temporary Single Parenthood

Recently a friend asked me how I manage the kids & house when Chalres is out of town [or when he's working such long hours it's like he's out of town]. I sent her these eight "tips". So, if you or someone you know has to swing the "single parent thing" every once in awhile [or every week]...hope this helps. 

I'm so thankful that Charles normally has "normal" hours, unless it's the end of a project [like now] and in which case I have to step it up a bit [and put my big girl panties on] to do my part to help us finish well. Dayton Daily News' new studio went live this last weekend so it's just tying up loose ends this week and we'll be headed home this upcoming weekend for Christmas and...for good. 

We have loved you Dayton, but after 5 months, we're headed...home.

At a local church's kids Christmas party [invited by our friend Grace]


My 8 Tips

 [1] Ground Rules

Understand that you are both "working". Meaning, he's working at a job, and you're watching the kids, which makes it possible for him to be able to work such long hours. So it's important you see yourself as working 12 hours just like him and it's important he values [and tells you] he appreciates all your hard work too.

[2] Technology

Thankfully, most of us have the ability to call, txt, facebook, email, skype, or facetime using our phones or computer. During the day and or night you might want to make a habit of calling him [with the kids] & [without the kids] at the same time everyday.

[3] Reward System

For you & the kids. Make a chart for the kids to look forward to earning some fun over the weekend alone time with dad! Plan something for yourself too: going out with friends, walk by yourself or...anything! This way everyone is working hard, but come the weekend, you get-a-break! If your husband isn't home at the end of the week see if you can't get someone to keep your kids for a few hours so you can have a break.

[4] Keep It Real, But Positive

I've learned that if I only complain about the kids and how hard my life is when Charles calls that it's not good for our marriage. Yes, the kids might have given me a hard time that day, but when I get on the phone I try to focus on telling him what cute things they did or ask him about his day. Encourage him, flirt with him, you know...make calling me something he enjoys verses something he dreads. At the same time, you're going to have hard days and you need to ask for his advice, vent, tell him about their behavior, etc. Sandwich those complaints in between some nice things. Also, he needs to understand it's important to listen---after all you're the mom and the dad right now so you need to have someone to vent to.

[5] Playdates

I think the hardest part of "single parenting" is adult-time burnouts. If you stay inside all day with little people who you can barely hold a conversation with...you might develop major cabin fever. I suggest getting out, even if it's to drive thru Chickfila for a lemonade and go back home. I think it really helped me [and is still helping me right now] to schedule weekly meet-ups with other moms or friends [my house, theirs or places] so that I have a adult conversation to look forward to while also doing my job---watching the kids.

[6] Give Yourself A Break

You're changing the light bulbs, doing the discipline, cooking the meals, bathing, changing, checking the mail, paying the bills, keeping the kids safe, playing with them, listening to all their talking-crying-screaming, etc. So when they go to bed don't over do it by getting everything "done". Take a mommy time out and do your nails, watch a silly show, read a book or do anything to unwind.

[7] Sleep

You have to be rested because you have to have the patience of two people.

[8] Schedule

Don't do one if you don't want to, but I find it really helps me and the kids. For example, we get up at 8am, nap at 1pm and go to bed by 8pm. We have our meals at 8am,12pm,3pm,6pm so that the kids and I both know what to expect. It's nice because if it's "one of those days" you can watch the clock and know there-is-an-end-in-sight. If the kids are staying up too much and not on a good schedule your alone time will be minimal and you really need it to be able to make it several days without your husband's help.

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 As always, take all this with a grain of salt. Just my thoughts.

I love my husband. I love my kids. I love when we're altogether, but if we can't be I try to make the most of it. I really appreciate all the moms out there who do it alone often or all the time.


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Thanks, one click goes a long way...

Scripture & Snapshot [#5]

Remember HIM today. The one you fell in love with.

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Scripture through Snapshots

[Giving God glory through our photos]

To see more photos from this wedding, click here.

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If this ministered to you...please click link below one time

Organic Part 1 -Why?-

Sometimes when people ask me questions via email I just go ahead and turn them into blog posts. I realize there are probably plenty of more informative and well written articles out there, but for the sake of time & sharing with several friends I'll go ahead and also share with my readers...here is my "two cents".

So, you're thinking of going organic? Maybe you just watched Food, Inc. or an episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution and now you're considering feeding yourself and your kiddos a bit healthier. How did it happen to me?

For me, it started about 7 years ago while I was in college, babysitting for a very natural & organic lady with three boys two years apart [the irony]. Most students put on "the freshman 15", I on the other hand took off the "high school 30". Moving out of Grandma's house helped...I was too cheap to buy all the junk food. Her place is still semi-naughty to go while dieting or being pregnant [which I've basically been one or the other the last 6 years]. Her cabinets are full of wonderful "nacks" as my kids call them. She's got two boys, can you blame her?

At my nanny job, I didn't recognize any of the foods she bought so I started asking questions. Next, I started buying a few organic items every time I shopped. They tasted different, but I knew it was because they were "real". My taste buds adjusted. First, it was milk. Then, the next thing I knew I was shopping where she shopped. Honestly, to this day, I buy certain brand products just because that mom did.

Between meeting her, meeting Charles [also a health nut], getting pregnant, and then feeding my children I've just become generally fond of healthier foods. Do my kids eat drive thru? Yes, am I proud? No. Do my kids eat sugar and things they shouldn't? Yes, am I proud? No. Will you sometimes find regular bread, peanut butter and high fructose corn syrup jelly at my house? Yes, am I proud? No.

I am not 100% organic, I by no means judge others or live for "naturalness", but I do aspire to eat more organically and take better care of myself and my children. I'm thinking long term health enables me to fulfill my two callings: to love God [honor with my body] and love others. I can't exactly take care of my family, much less those outside my home if I'm alway tired, sick or...dead.

Don't take my word for it...read more here

Things That Make Moms Feel Guilty, Advice?

[Nation]

We're closing in on the end of this project here in Dayton, OH. My husbands' crew is finishing up the studio that goes live this weekend. Hours are long and he's only home this week for about 7-8 hours a day [to sleep]. We're thankful to see him in his coming and goings though. He's working hard, I'm working hard.

The kids, well they are just whinny and missing their daddy, but Christmas break and winter vacation are just around the corner. I keep telling them [and myself].

Today, Day 4, was a hard one. I couldn't decide if it was the cold weather keeping us inside more often, them missing their daddy, or their constant need for my attention that wore me out most today. Probably all of the above. Nevertheless, I had a good talk with Charles tonight on the phone and we figured out that I'm probably going a little soft on them.

I think I was fine until Solomon was born. That kid...he's so sweet & sensitive, he can turn on the most dramatic waterworks and sad faces...then...my heart is melted to bits. He's cuteness, however, is a form of manipulation and I'm afraid I'm going to need to crack down a bit tomorrow.

I spend my whole day making sure they have fun, creative, and educational activities in 30-60 minute increments [TV only a bit in the morning and before bed]. I try to change out their toys, do crafts, let them help me with chores, play Wii or online education games, play with Moses, Moon Sand, etc. I try to take them out at least every other day for a few hours. But, it's not the going our part that's been tiring...it's been the staying home part. Which, is a reality, it's gotta happen otherwise...we'll be wearing stinky dirty stained clothes [which we kind of do anyways].

But...they have been wearing me out this week. I forgot how much saving grace it is when your husband walks through the door at 5pm. Instead those last 3 hours of tired kids, dinner, baths and bed are brutal at times...especially doing it alone.

I feel guilty when I'm just about to start a chore or mom thing when they call to me to "help" or "see" or "tell" or "I need" [...to pee, snack, drink, hug, kiss, etc] and I don't come right away. I know I have to do certain things while they are awake, but I also am having a hard time turning down those Solomon eyes and lips. I feel guilty when they say they are bored and end up spinning myself in circles trying to keep them entertained.

They've gone from kids who play by themselves a good bit to kids who have a one minute attention span from being away from me. I've tried everything, but it looks like mommy is going to have to look a lot busier tomorrow. Maybe even "not hear" my named being called so often. If they can't see me, they tend to be just fine, ohhhh but when they see me...they need something.

So, there, I vent. Thursday is over and Friday has begun. I'm hopeful today will be equally fun for them, but less tiring for me. Praying they play more independently with less "needing" & fighting.

Any tips? 

How do you keep your kids busy inside 12-14 hours a day in the cold months? 

What do you do when they constantly "need" you? 

How do you respond when they tell you they are bored when they have plenty of things to do? 

How do you discipline constant fighting [just for the sake of the attention and involvement of mom]?

Thanks!

Turn this day around for me & click below

Thankful Thursday Top Ten -#19-

Thankful This Week For: 

[1] Snow.

[2] My God's faithfulness to restore when I repent

[3] A hard working husband

[4] Our "Moon Sand" indoor activity station [I'm desperately trying here]

[5] The Advent Calendar helping us remember what this season is all about

[6] Twitter...I recently joined and this guy & this guy keep me laughing

[7] Knowing I'll be home, not to visit, but to stay...in 10 days

[8] Heat

[9] The apartment's [free] valet trash service [we just got]

[10] Our Christmas card...ordered...printed...mailed...on my refridge

Thank you for your votes & for putting me in the top 25

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This post was apart of the blog hops:

You Capture

Family Friendly Frugality

Obviously MARvelous 
A Collection of This and That

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Every week I invite my friends in blogworld to join me in being thankful. 

[1] write a blog post with 10 things you're thankful for this week

[2] mention this blog post [hyperlink my blog and/or grab my button]

[3] use McLinky below by clicking on "Click here to enter"

You don't have to do it on Thursdays. You can do it any day of the week. Call it whatever you want. Be creative...use words, pictures, poems, etc. Come back throughout the week and read other's lists and make new friends.
Ask others to join too. 

Thanks for participating and being patient as "we" grow.