I've lost my Mind

That's how I feel every single day of my life. I walk into a room, and I can't remember why I'm in there. My kids go down for a nap, and there's so many things that I want to get done that I end up starting one task and only finishing it half way before beginning another. My purse winds up in the freezer. I write something down so I won't forget, only to forget where I placed the piece of paper. I've been known to give a sippy cup to my husband, and hand a fork to the toddler.

One time I was filling out a form, and when it asked for my first name I instinctively wrote,"Mommy."

There was even one time where I thought I'd lost a child, only to realize I was holding the "missing" child. Yes, please don't judge me too harshly.

 What is going on? What has happened to my brain?! I'm not pregnant, I'm getting a full night of sleep(most of the time), and I'm taking care of myself.

 And then I remember the four little people I take care of every day, and I remember this little thing called "Mommy Brain."

I've heard it's normal for this season of life. That it's temporary.

Here's hoping that's true.. and even if it's not, that I can at least start remembering my own name.

My Sweet Max

Max is almost 11 months old! I can't believe it! He is so laid back and easy going. Erik and I laugh and wonder if our older three children were this easy, and wonder if we're just more experienced now, or if Max really is just super easy going. And all I have to do is browse through baby books and blog archives to discover that, yes, Max really is super laid back!

He adores Jack. I don't think Jack can do any wrong as far as Max is concerned. Lily still thinks she's also Max's mommy. He's starting to become more and more of a Mommy and Daddy's boy. He takes two naps a day, and is usually ready for bed by 6:30. He wakes up in the happiest mood in the morning, and for some reason thinks that watching Erik put his black socks on before leaving for work is the most entertaining part of the day! He army crawls mostly, and is starting to pull up on everything. He'll be walking before I know it, which should be pretty funny since he's on the small side.

I'm still nursing him about three times a day. This is the longest I've ever nursed a baby, with all my other kids I've been pregnant by this point and had to wean them. I am truly enjoying Max's baby days, and feel so blessed to have two sweet boys and two precious girls. 

Super Yummy Delicious Afternoon Smoothie

Great name, right? Seriously though, I am in love with this smoothie. I've been drinking it in the afternoons after the kids go down for their naps(yes instead of coffee and dark chocolate- well, ok, maybe instead of coffee, I can't be without dark chocolate!) It's a great pick me up, and as far as I can tell it's good for me.

Super Yummy Delicious Afternoon Smoothie

1/2-1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup old fashioned or rolled oats
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 banana
1/4 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
1 cup spinach/kale
1/3 cup of ice

Blend until smooth.

I'm thinking this would be a great way to start the morning too, but I don't usually drink smoothies for breakfast because I'm always afraid the blender will wake up the kids. Let me know if you try it, and what you think of it!

Anyone else have any great smoothie recipes?







Linked to Pennywise Platter

Freezer Cooking Follow Up

Yesterday's freezer cooking didn't go quite as smooth as I had hoped. First off our washing machine broke, so I had to spend a little bit of time figuring out what to do about that over the phone with Erik. Then once we found one, I had to get things cleaned up in the laundry room so that when the installers came no one would be embarrassed..;)

I did manage to get almost everything made that I had planned. The only thing I didn't get around to was the chocolate chip cookies. I was getting a little grouchy, and I'm a firm believer that making cookies should always be a fun experience! I'm hoping to make those today.

Anna helping me roll tortillas.

So by the time it was all said and done I made 12 tortillas, 16 hamburger buns, one loaf of bread, and four pizza crusts. The kids love helping me make tortillas, and really any type of bread, probably because I can let them experiment to their hearts content since it's really hard to mess up those things. 

Despite the day not going as smoothly as I'd hoped(but really, does any day go as smooth as hoped?!) I'm so glad I got ahead, and now I shouldn't have hardly any work to do on pizza, hamburger, and Mexican nights for at least a couple of weeks!

Freezer Cooking Day

I remember a few years ago reading about a lady who would randomly have baking and freezer cooking days to help her save time and money in the kitchen. I have a little bit of extra time today, so I decided to do a little freezer cooking today. Here's what I'm planning on making:

Homemade tortillas
Homemade bread
Homemade Hamburger Buns(we're supposedly having hamburgers tonight for dinner, so it might be helpful to have some buns...;)
Pizza Crust
Chocolate Chip cookies

I decided to try soaking my pizza crust and tortillas yesterday. I have never done this before, and I'm curious how they'll turn out.

I'll be back later to let you know this goes! Cooking with little ones under my feet can be challenging, but they love to help, so here's hoping I can keep a good attitude and we'll make good memories!

My Surprise Stuggle

Whew, it has been a rough week around here. One of those weeks where I have felt completely helpless. One of my kids has been having a tough time going to sleep(i.e. screaming for over an hour at bed time and nap time plus waking up in the middle of the night inconsolably crying.) That coupled with the normal issues that come with having small children has been enough to push every button I have!

You know I never thought of myself as someone who really struggled with anger until I had kids. I found it "interesting" the other morning when I sat down to read my Bible that this was the first verse my eyes fell upon:

"Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly." Proverbs 14:29


I remember highlighting that verse years ago, but now it takes on a whole new meaning. How am I responding when my kids don't share their toys? What about when someone throws a tantrum? More times than I care to admit I get angry. I yell and get annoyed about teaching the same lessons over and over again.

And then I feel guilty and condemned because I've messed up yet again.

But you know what? My kids do not need a perfect mom. They need to see me repenting to them when I've messed up, they need to hear me say how much I need Jesus' grace just like they do. I certainly don't want them to think of me as perfect(and after this week, I seriously doubt they do...)

That's not to say I have a free ticket to allow my emotions to control me. But the more I learn to walk in grace, the easier it will be to respond to my children in love and not anger.

P.S. For a hilarious description of what this past week has been like for my hubby and I, check out my hubby's blog!

Something I'm Trying to Remember

"So while your children are still little, cultivate an attitude of sacrifice. Sacrifice your peace for their fun, your clean kitchen floor for their help cracking eggs, your quiet moment for their long retelling of a dream that a friend of theirs allegedly had. Prioritize your children far and away above the other work you need to get done. They are the only part of your work that really matters."
From Loving The Little Years, Rachel Jankovic