My week without kids- so far.

Has been mixed.

It started off wonderfully. Spent the whole weekend with my hubby. We had a date night, watched a movie, ate Mexican, had Starbucks for desert, stayed up late, went shopping for Santa. It was just peaceful. We weren't rushed or worried about getting back to the kids. It was just nice. We even slept until almost noon Saturday morning. Wonderful.

Then Sunday afternoon we get word that Jon Kent had some symptoms of pink eye. I told them to keep an eye (no pun intended) on him and I would check back with them the next morning. I also told them to give him some children's benadryl just in case it was allergies. So Monday morning I call and check on him and he hadn't gotten better and in fact his other eye was started to do the same thing. So I call his old pediatrician in Alabama and after jumping through hoops and explaining our situation (I'm in South Carolina, he's in Alabama with family, we were told earlier this would be fine, etc. etc. etc.) they gave us an appointment. It was/is pink eye. So he is on some drops for that. And I am hoping, hoping, hoping that no one else gets it. Zoey told my daddy that the reason Jon Kent's eye looked like that was because she hit him. That girl is a hoot.

Kent's momma called and told me that Sunday night Jon Kent was watching TV before bed and he turned around to her with tears in his eyes and a pout on his face. She asked him what was wrong and he said, "Do you think Jesus will make me see again?" She said he was so serious and sincere. So she went and recleaned his eyes for him and once she did that he said, "I can see again! I can see!!". That boy is such a sweet heart and so tenderhearted. If he keeps that sweet heart of his he is going to make a wonderful husband someday. But according to him he is going to live with me forever! That's my boy!!

So, so far my week has been good and has had a little bad to it. I miss my babies, but I am enjoying my free time to get things done and to just do it in my own time. I think after this week I will be a better mother for taking this break. At least I hope so!

Empty Nest

All my babies are in Alabama for 7 days.

What will I do with all my free time?

Sleep.

Clean.

Sleep.

Get rid of toys to make room for more toys.

Sleep.

Might actually run every day this week.

Sleep.

Go do more Santa shopping.

Sleep.

Play endless amounts of Farkle.

Sleep.

And of course miss my babies greatly.

And a little more sleep.

Mommy Life

Last night I was watching TV and something came on about this woman having a career and no children. And I thought, well I am the opposite. I have children and no career. I've held 1 job so far in my entire life. And for the first time ever, it bothered me. I know I am not meant to work right now. I am to be at home. Taking care of my children and keeping the home running smoothly. But someday, I do want to work. I want to work doing something I love and I fully believe that is in nursing. But that is still a bit off from now, just because of the move and then getting the kids started in school, etc. In the long run of things, I know my purpose was to be a mommy first and a career woman second or even third. But it just hit me wrong last night for some reason. I honestly just feel blah-ish lately. Maybe I am burnt out. I don't know. I'm hoping that once the kids go back to Alabama (did I mention they were leaving Friday to go to Alabama for a week?) and I am able to just chill and do whatever I want, that I will get refreshed and recharge my batteries. I want to be a good mom, and right now I don't feel I am giving the kids all they need. And I think it's just because I am spent.

In other news, the kids went to see Santa last night. They enjoyed it quite well. Zoey was talking to Santa and mentioned that her daddy was on Santa's naughty list. The back story to all that is I went to this website and made the kids and then Kent a video from Santa. It's actually very neat. Anyway, I made sure Kent was put on the naughty list for "not picking his underwear off the floor" and for "spending too much time on Facebook". Zoey told Santa the first part. It was hilarious. All the kids ended up sitting, without crying, in Santa's lap!

And lastly, I have 5 20% coupons to Gymboree that you can redeem online. First come, first served.

Why me?

Why am I a mother? And why am I a mother to Jon Kent, Zoey and Nathan. Why not 3 other kids and why not another mother for the 3 that I have?

These are questions that have been running through my mind lately. And the reason they have been running through my mind lately is because I have been questioning my mothering. Of late, I have just been feeling overwhelmed with my responsibilities. Have these 3 lives that I am supposed to mold and shape into productive citizens.

Am I doing it right? Am I doing enough?

More questioning.

Are my kids getting what they need from me or am I selling them short? Are we doing enough educational activities? Are we doing enough fun activities? Are we having enough family time? Am I a good example for them to look to?

Motherhood is hard. And sometimes I want to bust out of it like my hair is on fire.

I want to know, now, if I am doing enough. Or if I need to do more. I want the very best for my 3 and I want to be able to give it to them. I want their little love tanks to be full and never lacking.

So, again, why me? Why am I their mother?

Jon Kent and Zoey's Birthday Party

Dressed and ready for their party.

Whoa!

Wheeeee!

Nate and his Aunt Kerith

Zoey playing with Kayla Grace

It might not be his party but he wasn't going to give up the throne!

Party room

Blowing out the candles!

Picture with Monkey Joe!

Gift time!

All the gifts.

Kent playing.

Kent resting.

Letters to Santa

I got this idea from Karen and the kids loved it! We will have to make this a yearly thing.

First, they looked through all the toy books we got in the mail.

Jon Kent and Zoey were helping Nathan.

Nathan gluing down his pictures.

Jon Kent doing the same.

All finished.

Nathan decided he would let his big brother hold his picture for him.

Jon Kent's letter

Zoey's letter.

Nathan's letter.

Out takes from our photo shoot