Thank You Thank You Thank You

Ok, my mom thinks I'm paranoid, but I really, really, really have a hard time allowing anyone to babysit my children or have them go to daycare.

Now, don't get me wrong, I do have a select few that I trust with them, but over all - no.  Sorry.

Paranoid?  Maybe.

Here is my enthusiasm behind this post...

I'm pushing to finish reading Have a New Kid by Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman since I've wasted my time with it and I can't extend the loan from the library - someone else wants it.  Go figure.

Not that I'm going to give you any details now...  However, I can say, it's not about what you think.  Further review to be posted over at my other blog, but page 158, at the bottom, talks about your child going on overnights to their friends' house.  What age is appropriate, where, etc...

Well let me tell you.  As soon as I read "How well do you know the family that your child would be staying with?"  and he goes on to write, "Do you know, for sure, that there is no pedophile in that home?"

Hallelujah!!  Thank you!  Bam!  No more paranoid guilt for me!  I wanted to jump up and down with excitement!  Let me tell you - on the inside, I was!  Validation for my feelings...Beautiful!

Seriously though, am I a paranoid parent that will shelter her children from experiencing the fun of sleep-overs at a friends house?  Of course not, but there are several factors that will need to be considered before allowing it and, honestly, they will have more sleep-overs at our home than at a friends'.

So how about you?  Do you let your children go to sleep overs?  How old were they when they started?  I'd love to 'hear' your thoughts as our children are only 3 & 4 and are not at that stage yet.

Thank you for sharing.

Until next time!

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Interview Me!

First, I want to thank you for stopping by my little corner of bloggy world to get to know me a bit more.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of my new readers, those have stuck with me and anyone new just passing through.  :)  Thank you!

To give you a little background, I've been reading a blog by Heather over here.  I think what piqued my immediate interest was the title of her blog:  Want What You Have.  I love that title.  The whole 'be grateful for what you have' mantra sounds so much better the way it's written in her title.  It's simple.

Want.

What.

You.

Have.

She brings her readers into her home and shares her organization, household management tips (I love 'the guide') and stretching their family income with frugal living.  I have many days that I am feeling not up to par with the rest of 'moms' out there and it's refreshing; not to mention humbling to visit a fellow (although more consistent) blogger that 'gets it'.

A couple of weeks ago, Heather asked her readers if they'd like to be interviewed.  Of course I said yes.  She will be featuring her readers via interviews for the next few weeks and this week I am one of them, so without further ado, here are the questions that she asked me.

#1 You're the mother of three toddlers (you're my hero - I don't know how you do it!)  What are the greatest challenges and joys of raising children who are so close in age?

Well, first, I don't know how we do it either.  I guess it just has to be done.  I think no matter the number of children you have (1-??), you will always do the best that you can.  You could do it.

With that, yes, we have three times the tantrums and other challenging developmental stages.  When one child has a tantrum, another may or may not join in and then another.  And before I know it, I can have all three screaming in the middle of Kroger while shopping and I'll have all three screaming as we immediately exit Kroger.  That happened once, I hope it never happens again and with some proper planning - it should be minimized.  Sometimes they can each have their own mini crisis at different intensities just to compete for attention.

We also have three times the fun.  Three times the hugs, kisses and I love you's.  Although it scares me tremendously, my children are not afraid of people.  While at the park, my youngest will find someone sitting by themselves and make a bee line for them - practically give them a hug and sit with them - just to jabber.  Fortunately all have obliged and been kind.  Her older twin will practically give passersby High-5's through the mall.  Most don't know how to react to either of them, again, they usually graciously play along.  Although this is a fear and challenge - it truly is a joy watching them interact with people without prejudice.

#2 You created a (very long) list of goals for yourself in 2009.  What is one goal that you hope to achieve more than any other, and why?

As I keep looking over my list, I've summed up that it really has a family and "good to thy neighbor" core.  It may be a long list, but I look at it as each item being little building blocks to the  whole scheme.  If I had to choose just one though, it would be to "Show my husband how much I appreciate him".  It is so easy to take for granted...  I never have to put gas in my vehicle, I never have to warm it up or scrape the snow/ice off the windshield in subzero temps, I never had to do laundry, I never iron clothes, he helps me find my keys and my shoes, he's an amazing cook and while there are more, the biggest one is that he loves me, for me.  I need to show him that I appreciate and respect him.

#3 You're a fellow bookworm, and I've enjoyed browsing your Inspiring Book Worms blog.  What is one book that you could read over and over again, and what do you love most about it?

Thank you for stopping by over there and I'm glad you like it.  It's funny.  I've always loved books, but haven't found one in particular that I'd read over an over again.  I guess cause there are so many books that I want to read that once I read a book, I embrace it, then move on to the next one.  However, of those that I have read recently, if I had the time to read one again, I would read Inkheart by Cornelia Funke.  I love(d) this book!

#4 If you had one full day to yourself, with no responsibilities or obligations, what would you do?

If I had a full day with no responsibilities or obligations...  I would do one of two scenarios.

I would get the workout that I've been wanting, but don't get to do.  Exercising always put me in a good mood.  I'd check out the local library or book store.  Then I'd be off to a craft store.  Maybe take a walk around one of the many lakes or visit THE Mall.

OR

I would spend most of the day sleeping and/or just lounging in bed, for some serious, peace, quiet and alone time.  Of course, I'd need comfy pj's and a few good books.

Either way, I'd schedule a pedicure for late afternoon.

#5 If a movie was made about your life, who would you choose to play your part, and why?

I would love for Diane Lane as Frances from Under the Tuscan Sun to play my part.  Not necessarily as the scenario as portrayed in the move, but rather France's overall desire to have a family and her persistence with that old villa to make it come to life and create the family she's always wanted.  Only to realize, after someone points it out to her, that it's already there.  I think sometimes I'm trying so hard at the "work" part of building a family that I don't realize it's already manifested and I just need to enjoy it.

Heather, thank you for this opportunity, I hope you and everyone reading enjoyed learning a little bit more about me.

If you'd like to play along, here are the directions for this meme:

1) Leave me a comment saying, "Interview Me."

2) I will dig around in my journalist's brain, and email you five questions.  I get to pick the questions.

3) You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4) You will include this explanation and offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5) When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Until Next Time!

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