Over Extended

You know, there is a stigma that stay at home Moms are lazy.  That we sit around all day Facebooking and blogging, neglecting our homes and our kids....hey wait, where't the baby???  KIDDING!  She's NURSING!  That is how I have a moment to blog. Anywho, I digress...

Do any of you stay at home Moms have issues with over extending yourself, mostly out of combatting the stigma of being thought of as lazy??  Do you sign up to do every party, bake every snack, contribute to every art project your kids have going on because you, "are home" and "have the time" to do everything under the sun?!?!  This is an affliction, I recognize this, and I quite frankly have this affliction myself. 

This week I have two class picnics to attend and contribute either snacks, toys, tent, or time too...if not all of the above.  I have to schedule a dr appt for the baby, I have to take my car in to be tuned up, I have dinner to cook, lunches to make, breakfasts, a house to keep clean, a dog to walk and pay attention to, and the baby...God bless her soul, my sweet baby who keeps me on my toes every second of the day that she is NOT nursing, or eating somehow.

I have a very busy life, and yet, I often feel like I could be doing more...not sure when I think this should be happening, but I do know it's all psychological.  I would go to counseling for it, but who has the freaking time?!?!

So I will continue to keep doing everything I can for the kiddos, and you know what, in the long run....they will look back and appreciate that they could always count on Mom to be there....even if it was just to bake some goodies.  They will look at their childhoods and recall me juggling everything I could just to make sure they know I love, support, and will be there for them as much as I can. 

That makes it all worth it. 

Okay, time's up, gotta run....

It's A Balancing Act...

Being a Mom, whether stay at home, work at home, work out of the home, etc. is a balancing act.  Finding a balance between being cooking, cleaning, parenting, and on and on is not an easy task.  It goes beyond time management, because you always have to be able to expect the unexpected.  Being pregnant right now also adds to the difficulty of balancing this act.  I am thankful to have a husband that works his hardest to be supportive, help me whenever he can, and takes care of our family financially....taking one ball out of my juggling act.  I was a single Mom for a couple years.  It was so hard, but it was doable.  I worked at a private preschool and had my kids there with me in some way, whether it was before and after care or their preschool year.  To me it was more important to be there with them physically, then to try and make more money working longer hours somewhere else.  I didn't make a lot of money, but I had more opportunity to be with my children than any other single, working Mom I know.
Having run the gamut, stay at home Mom, working Mom, and single working Mom, I will say, love being a stay at home Mom the most.  Not because I feel it is the easiest, because honestly, it isn't.  There is a whole emotional, psychological fear that can come with staying at home.  You have to work through the idea that if, God forbid, something happens to your hubby, you may be in a really tough spot, and you are totally reliant on your spouse, financially.  It is an adjustment....and of course, there is also the stigma from society that stay at home Moms are all sitting around like the various casts of The Real Housewives of WHEREVER.  My days are pretty full, some more than others, some totally over-flowing.  I do my best to keep the balance between being Mom, Wife, Homemaker, and just plain ME!  One thing I learned the first time around being a stay at home Mom was NOT to lose ME in the process. 
Don't ever lose who I AM while finding my way through this life....that goes for everybody!

My New Vacuum....

A week or so ago, I found myself in need of a new vacuum.  I have a dog, who is currently shedding his entire Winter coat.  I have a 3 level townhome, and am pregnant so the stairs are a killer.  I needed something great on pet hair, lightweight, and that was not going to be cutting into the grocery budget due to cost. 

I did some research and decided to try out the Shark Navigator Lift-Away.  I love this vacuum.  I vacuumed my entire house in an hour, including the stair cases, bare floors, everything, and did not break a sweat for the first time ever. 

It swivels, has a detachable cannister, great tools, and is about 12 pounds.  I cannot say enough about this vacuum.  I bought it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, using my ever handy 20% off coupon, the normally $169.99 vacuum cost me about $142 after tax.

I am very happy with my Shark, and highly recommend it to everyone!!!

Shark Website!!!