Parenting PTSD

Wow! So much has happened since I last posted.

So much has changed.

I found a wonderful church that has welcomed me with open arms and allowed me to deepen my relationship with Heavenly Father. Something I've struggled with for years.

Two seasons have come and gone; ones that were filled with memories and great times, even if the weather didn't always hold up to my expectations.

And now my child filled, crazy mornings (which I could never decide if I was happy about or completely overwhelmed by) have quieted down to a few peaceful hours of alone time.

Yes, the little terror that is one of the biggest blessings in my life has started preschool!

*Mommy Dance*

We are three weeks into this glorious routine and I have discovered something; I have been forever changed by the chaotic-ness that is motherhood and probably not in the way we mothers would expect.

I believe I have Parenting PTSD.

Now, before you get all "that is a serious disorder and you shouldn't be making light of it", I agree with you and as a Human Service Major I would never do such a thing.

(And if you worry that you or someone you know may be suffering from PTSD please find a trained professional who can help. Getting treatment is far better than struggling. You can also check out The National Center for PTSD for more information).

But the kind of PTSD I'm talking about is one caused by the constant need to be on alert as a parent.

Even though in my mind that I'm the only one here I still find myself jumping in panic when I realize it's been quiet for too long, or feeling absolutely horrible when I see that it's 11:00 and I haven't offered a snack or started on lunch yet, and I still mentally plan out when will be the best time to jump in the shower so L isn't running around unattended (not only for his safety but also because I don't think my house would recover).

My children, especially my youngest, have warped me.

And the best part about it all is that I know just about the time I start actually relaxing into this child-free morning thing, another snowpocalypse will hit and they will both be home for extended snow days.

So goes life.

*I know all you parents have gone through this a time or two. Tell me your stories!

Spring Nail Polish Swap

This spring I took part in an awesome little activity along with several other great bloggers; The Spring Nail Polish Swap, Hosted by Mrs. AOK who has quickly become a good friend in my blogging world.

I've seen this swap happen a few times over the last year, have LOVED seeing all the love and smiles spread between the lady bloggers who participate, and decided I just HAD to be a part of it this time around!

And I'm so happy that I did.

I was paired up with Miss Penny Chevally from The Real Housewife of Caroline County; a fellow Mommy blogger who, like me, is crazy about fashion, make-up, mother-hood, and reality TV (was that planned out well or what?!).

I had to wait a little longer than normal to see what she had chose for me since I was away on Spring Break Vacation with my boys (a work trip for the hubster, but vacation for us), but it was completely worth it when I got home and found my bright pink package sitting on the kitchen table!

I was all too excited to open that baby up and see the nail polish love and I wasn't disappointed in the least bit!!!

Isn't that the best shade of pink you've ever seen?! The color is called Fiesta by Essie, and is completely perfect for me!

She hit the nail on the head with this one, that's for sure.

I think the best part is that she kept it all in the Mommy, In Demand family with this shade (If you look above you'll see that she matched this gorgeous shade of Essie pink to the exact shade I used in the Mommy, In Demand header!) and whether she did that on purpose or it was a complete coincidence, I think it was amazing!

I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, because I had gotten my nails done while on my Spring Break trip but I will blow up your Instagram feed with it as soon as I do!

Thanks so much to everyone who put together this amazing experience for all of us lady bloggers to participate in. It was so much fun and a great way to get to know each other!

And a BIG BIG BIG thanks to The Real Housewife of Caroline County's Penny for such a perfectly gorgeous pink nail polish!!! I love it and cannot wait to try it out!!!

I'm The Monthly Review Co-Host

This month Mommy, In Demand is Co-Hosting the Monthly Review with Heather from The Frill of Life!

(I seem to work with a lot of Heathers don't I? Lol!)

I'm so honored to be able to join in this exciting and fun link-up with Miss Heather and hope all of you great readers and fellow bloggers will check it out. 

And be sure to link-up if you're interested; although there are a few rules:

• Please grab a button and post in your linked up posts or in your sidebar. This will help our linky grow and get YOU more views! 

• Follow your host (that’s me) and your co-host in one form or fashion.

• Link up to 3 posts from this month only. OR link up one post with links to this month’s posts within that linked post. 

• Give us a shout-out on Twitter using #MonthlyReviewLinkup and we’ll be sure to see your posts!

• Check back next month to see if you’re featured. We will feature four posts every month. If you are featured, feel free to grab a featured button and wear that baby with pride on your sidebar!  

There are TONS of great posts from other bloggers to read and new friends to make. 

I look forward to seeing you there!

Click Here to Link-Up!

5 Ingredient Creamy Tortellini

By the time January hits here in Michigan, there's only one thing left on anyone's mind: how much longer will winter last?

And it seems like it's the same story every year (and even worse this year it seems). We get hammered with snow storms, the children have so many snow days that you're almost unsure if anyone will survive it, and all you can dream about for supper is a nice burger off the grill at the picnic table.

Is this the story in your house as well, or is it just me?

Well, after many, many, many, many....many hours on pinterest looking at some new and easy recipes to challenge our now hibernating taste buds, I found something from Suzy Home Baker that has become a hit with my little ones!

And, since I like to spread the love with all of you, I'm here to tell you all about it!

5 Ingredient Creamy Tortellini

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 19oz Bag Frozen Tortellini
• 1 small bag Fresh Baby Spinach
• 2 cans of Italian-Style Diced Tomatoes
• 1 32oz box (4 cups) Vegetable Broth
• 1 block Cream Cheese 

Directions:

Put all of it in the crock pot. (I cut the cream cheese in 4's so that it would melt easily the first time I made this. But didn't the second time and it cooked just the same).

Cook on low for 3-4hrs or on high for 1-2hrs depending on your time limit.

I wouldn't recommend cooking for much longer or the pasta will get really soft. I don't like soft pasta; I actually like mine slightly undercooked. But if you DO like it really soft, cook it for 4-5hrs on low or 2-3hrs on high.

That's all there is to it!

I've found that if I throw this is the crock pot after I finish my house work, before I start getting cleaned up for the day (on the days when I do get "cleaned up") then it's perfectly cooked by the time everyone gets home from work and school.

And since this recipe is so easy, I like to use it on days when we have a lot of evening activities going on. Because it's one less thing I have to worry about, it's REALLY filling, and really, really, REALLY yummy!

What are some of your favorite Crock pot recipes, easy and complicated?

A Not-So-Witty Introduction

After last weeks' big Happy Birthday post for Mommy, In Demand I got to thinking about how I got into blogging and found myself looking at old posts. Through that search I found the first blog post I had ever written.

And between laughing at myself for my bad humor and writing style I came to the decision that this was something I just could keep to myself. I had to share it with all of you!

Enjoy.

Mommy, In Demand's first ever blog post:

"As a stay at home mother of 2 I've found that the most stimulating conversation I get these days pertains to what I'm making for lunch or which toys to take into the bathtub.

So when I find an opportunity, which isn't often, to use words longer than four or five letters in length, I jump....mostly onto Facebook (no judgements please, we all have our vices).

Source

_Unfortunately for me (and for thousands of other mothers who attempt to keep the peace in their families) Facebook isn't the greatest place to express all your thoughts, feelings, stories, or life lessons.

Therefore, I came here.

A space all my own. Where I can (attempt) to drown out all the screaming, the crying, and the never ending questions for at least one day a week (and don't let me forget the jumping in and out of my chair every 30 seconds because somebody needs me; another topic for another post.)

I hope you'll find my future posts to be entertaining and consider sticking around each week as I lay my life out there in my own words. It's not something I'm used to doing but I figure if my friends can find my stories and the antics of my kids fun to listen to then others may find them interesting to read as well.

Lord knows, with all the things that happen in this house on a daily basis I have plenty of material to write about."

It's been a long time since I've written those words, but I love that every single one of them still pertains to my life today.

So tell me, what did you think? I love hearing from you, so be sure to leave a comment!

Happy Birthday Mommy, In Demand!

Ever have that moment when you feel stupid? Completely and utterly stupid? Well, yesterday I had mine.

It was the 1 year "blogiversary" of a favorite blog of mine. In which I was quick to congratulate them and immerse myself in their joy. After all, a blog only turns 1 once and when you've put your time, blood, sweat, and (sometimes) tears into making something out of your blog, you like to hear a few "good jobs" and have a few "pat-on-the-backs" for your work.

And by doing so, I got to thinking. Mommy, In Demand will be turning 1 soon also. I should look up when so I can be sure to celebrate it.

Which I did. And realized...

I MISSED MY BLOG'S BIRTHDAY!!!!

By a whole day!

Who does that?! It's like a mother forgetting when she gave birth to her precious little baby; and yet, it happened. I have missed the "big day" of my very own blog.


But that's ok. Better late than never!

So I'd like to give myself and this wonderful little web-page I call home a little shout out in honor of Mommy, In Demand turning 1.

And, even though I missed it. I'm still incredibly proud of what Mommy, In Demand has become over the last year. I never thought I would've created as many friendships or had as many opportunities as I do now, when I first started up. 

So to all of you who have become dedicated fans. Thank-you. This little Mom Blog wouldn't be what it is without each and every one of you coming back every week.

Thank-you for being here.

Thank-you for commenting.

Thank-you for sharing with your friends, families, and followers.

Thank-you for letting me into your lives every week.

Thank-you. 

Hopefully the next year will be just as wonderful as the past one has been. I can't wait to see where it will take me!

Cabin Fever

Whenever I hear the term Cabin Fever I can't help but think of the scene in that Muppet's movie Treasure Island where they are dancing and singing about cabin fever; and as a child watching it I never really knew what they were talking about.

Cabin Fever? Psshht. We could be inside for years together and never be effected by it...

Aaaaaannnnndddd, then I became a Mom.

Better yet, a Mom of boys.

And most recently, a Mom of boys stuck in the house for almost 3 weeks straight because of the dangerously low temperatures outside. Talk about a bad case of Cabin Fever (one I'm not likely to be seen singing and dancing about).

 For those of you who haven't been faced with these problems, picture this:

2 very active little boys who over time have forgotten how to walk due to just plain needing to move their legs, no longer listen because 1. they've heard it all 100,000 times that day and 2. they've inherited their daddy's selective hearing, and have taken to screaming and throwing their toys instead of playing nice because....well....they're bored, trapped, and .... boys.

See it now?

Yep. My one level, storybook looking home was almost instantly turned into a battlefield (and I'm sure the neighbors would say that's often how it's sounded).

Why, you ask?

Well, if you haven't been paying attention. We have been dealing with the northern end of the "Polar Vortex" that's taken over the United States. Extending our already 2 week long Christmas Vacation by an extra four days. 

Which has caused me to wonder over the past week how people in the 1800s did this all. The. Time? (Maybe winters like this are the real reason that the childhood death rate was so high in those days. Parents couldn't take it).

So what does a stressed out, worn thin, Mamma do to help ease the boredom of the children in her care?

She joins in of course!

Honestly, in a situation like this you can either beat them or join them; I chose to join or die.

We built forts in the living-room, played play dough in the dining-room, went swimming in the bathtub, and had a million family night movies (topped off with popcorn, sleeping bags on the floor, and our stuffed animal friends joining in). And were even able to go outside to play, but for only 15/20 minutes at a time (-25 degree wind chill temps bring on frost bite in a matter of minutes).

But that all leads me to the major point of this post, I did it!

It took some major ingenuity, quick thinking, and an untapped amount of patience that I didn't know I had to make it through this test alive, but I did it and I'm proud I did.

I was able to have fun, stay sane, and make some great memories with my little ones that probably wouldn't have happened otherwise (which, I guess, is a wonderful silver lining).

Were you and your family effected by this crazy cold winter weather this last week? What did you do to keep the peace in your home? (Yes, alcohol is an acceptable answer).

The Best Mommy, In Demand Posts of 2013

Almost one year ago this month I had this brilliant little idea to start a blog chronicling the antics of my every day life. And what a little idea that was! Mommy, In Demand has grown a great deal over the course of just a few short months and I've been presented several opportunities that I couldn't even imagine being offered when I hit that 'publish' button for the first time.

But despite those opportunities, there is one thing I've enjoyed about being a Mom Blogger: the weekly posts.

In honor of that love and in honor of the new year we've celebrated this week, I dug deep into the Mommy, In Demand archives and found 12 of my most favorite posts of 2013 and thought I'd share them with you! I hope that you find them as interesting, humorous, and touching as I still do today.

1. Magic, Miracles, and Misleading Movies

2. Crafty Kendra: Clouding Around

3. Haunted Huggies: A Dirty Diaper Mystery

4. How To Clean A Glass Top Stove

5. Cleaning Cheat Sheet For The Non Stay-At-Home Mom

6. Don't Wake Baby...

7. The Moment He Grew Up

8. 5 Important Conversations to Have Before Back To School

9. Our First Day of School Party

10. Minivan Moms

11. 5 Roadtrip Phrases I Wish Existed 20 Years Ago

12. The Elf that Came Out of the Closet

Gotta love all that Mommy, In Demand goodness!

As I said, I hope you find as much in each of these posts as I have going back through them. It's like reading a childhood diary of the last year for me.

I can only hope that one year from now I'm saying the same thing about my posts of 2014.

So here's a toast to 2014; may it be filled with as much wonder, love, surprise, and joy as the year before it!