Tag Archives: Husbands

Art, Creativity, Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama, Reflections

Changing It Up

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What’s your #1 priority tomorrow?

I need to make a change. I hurt. I hurt everywhere. I’m only in my thirties, and I feel like I’m well into my forties. I need to do more.

The point of having our kids young, was so that we could enjoy them more. But I have no extra energy in a day; not even to go on a one hour walk at night. Key word: Walk! Not even strenuous. But I have no energy to accomplish that. I need to say it’s an hour walk, but about 30min in my son is tired and “needs” to be carried back. He’s about thirty pounds…so I’m usually dead when we get back to the house.

My night doesn’t end there; I have showers, bedtime, story time, baby feeding time, then I get to go to sleep. But do I? No. By then I’ve missed my window of being tired and I have to wait until the next window opens.

So back to changing. My husband feels the same. He wants to start exercising. He’s in his thirties too. He shouldn’t be hurting so much either.

So we are starting things. I’m going to try and cook differently. Not severely. But less carbs and more vegetables. Not the kids, they need carbs.

The husband wants to start a military month workout. I’m all for this plan. Haha!

But I want to swim occasionally. Try for three times a week. Swimming is the best exercise for me. It works my whole body. It will also help loosen my back muscles.

But something needs to change. This is usually when we make these decisions. At the end of the year. But we are hoping to try for our last kid this time next year; so I want to loose sixteen pounds before trying again. That’s not a crazy amount.

My doctor told me I was a little overweight at my last appointment; that if I lost sixteen to twenty pounds my BMI would be back to perfect. But when my doc told me that I was ten pounds heavier and I already lost that.

So my #1 priority is to change things. Like even this blog. I wrote a post instead of mindlessly playing my game, I decided to write instead. Make a change!

Creativity, Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama, Reflections

Brands…?

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What brands do you associate with?

I am not really a brand type person. I’ve never cared about brands on clothes. If it fits, and it’s comfortable that’s what I’m buying. Which actually works the best for me because most brands are designed for smaller women. Like 5ft 3” to 5ft 6”. Add 5” and you’ve got me. So their dresses are shirts. Their pants are capris. Their shorts are…scandalous.

So instead I’ve always loved handmie downs. I love them! Free clothes! It’s gotten to the point though that I have to give handmie downs to my sister and not vice versa.

But I love shopping at thrift stores, Ross, Burlington coat factory. Any store where you have to dig for your pieces. Because then you really are picking them hints you like initially off the rack. Then you try it on, and decide again, “is this me?”

I used to take ten things into the dressing room and buy all ten things. Spending about $300 without blinking. My mom told me I had to stop. There was only so many clothes I could wear in a lifetime. $100 limit. So then before marriage I would take ten things in and maybe only buy 3-4 depending on prices. I actually was that person that did the calculations before buying, including tax. Making sure I didn’t go over the limit. Which is why I loved thrift stores. I could get ten things and still be under budget.

And now with kids I think differently. Also the thrift store I go to is a pay what you can. At least $1 an item. Which is awesome!! Because there was a while there that we had no extra money. And I was able to still get nice things for about $5 every few months.

I guess the only brand store I’ve gone into and spent the shiny penny recently was called Lilyful. The name was so pretty and their clothes were pretty too. But I still only shopped in the clearance section. Because I got a beautiful dress for $50. Originally $150…!

But I’ve gone back a few times. But always I go straight to the clearance. But now they are only online. Which I won’t be doing, because that means less clearance items and no trying on. And I have to try things on. Since I’m not a normal size ever.

But I do know other brands. Like Merell shoes. My husband likes them. Milwaukee tools. Again my husband loves. And Ram. My husband loves his truck. Haha!

Art, Creativity, Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama, Reflections

Various Things.

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What motivates you?

Cooking food for my family. Hearing my husband praise my food. Or even better, my kiddos yelling, “this is the best food ever, mama!”

Trying to be patient. I struggle with this one. But when I do succeed I usually get huge smiles from my kids.

The end of the day hugs. Usually at the end of a day I feel defeated. Like there were times I could have had mor patience. Or could have made better food. Or given my husband more attention. But usually at the end of those days I get my kids coming up to me saying, “you are the best mama ever! I love you,” and finishing with hugs and kisses.

Fitting into my skinny pants. When I’m good and stay within my healthy food intake I can fit into those clothes that should be packed away, but I keep them out to motivate myself. And as soon S I get to that point I….will be pregnant again. Haha!

Sometimes I just need a hug. When I’m feeling discouraged or useless, I need a hug from my hubby. His hugs gives me so much more energy, that I feel motivated to finish out the awful day.

Writing a post. Posting something on my blog makes me think that I’m having a more accomplished day than I might actually be having. But publishing something can motivate me to be extra productive. Which I have made breakfast, started bread, cooked food for my husband’s upcoming trip, started a load of wash, and have my kids ready for the day. Now I’m posting something. Pretty full first half of the day.

Swimming. Anytime I swim I feel rejuvenated and ready for life. I miss swimming. I really want to be in a pool.

Motivation can come from anything. Things said, things you do, things are done, memories, etc. It’s not going to be a generic motivation moment, you might have to look through your life and find unconventional types of motivation. They are out there!

Art, Creativity, Daily Prompts, Reflections

Hawaii

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What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it?

I can’t really think of a meal that was so expensive, that I paid. I know my mom had bought expensive meals. I know my swim coach has. But until my husband and I went to Hawaii for our honeymoon; we eat mostly fast foods. Cheap. Affordable.

But Hawaii, we discovered a restaurant that served fish tacos, with a pineapple salsa…so delicious!!

We ate there so many times. But we discovered that dinner prices are way more than lunch. Because yes, we went to the same restaurant for both lunch and dinner. And while lunch was $25 for the fish taco meal; dinner was $50 for the same meal.

So that night the dinner was close to $150!! Which is way too much money. When the same meal was $60 at lunchtime.

So I don’t know if I would say it was worth it, but we did eat their fish tacos multiple time on our trip. But only for lunch. We lived more practical on our honeymoon. We cooked breakfast and dinner in our rented condo. We also bought coffee and beer from Costco. (Kona coffee…best coffee ever!!)

So eating the tacos was worth it. But what made the trip extra awesome, was stuffing my suitcase with Hawaiian Costco coffee. We gave some as gifts when we returned, but we kept most of it for ourselves. 😎

Taken in Hawaii on a cruise. Where I got sea sick! Haha 😂
Art, Creativity, Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama, Reflections

At Least It’s Not One.

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List 30 things that make you happy.

  1. God! Knowing He is always with me, gives me peace of mind!
  2. My family. This includes everyone. My husband, my kids, my mom, husband’s family, my siblings, grandparents, etc.
  3. My job. Even though I complain about being a mom sometimes, it is still the best job in the world. Just a lot of work.
  4. Chocolate. Yes. Straight to chocolate! But that’s what I’m wanting right now.
  5. Socks. Especially my Winnie the Pooh socks. My kids got them for me two Christmas’ ago.
  6. Organization! Not my own stuff. Other people’s stuff only. Like when my husband makes a mess in his shop, and I get to clean it up and put things away, that makes me happy.
  7. Art!! I forgot art. Art should have been before chocolate, but it can be here. All kinds of art. Painting, drawing, markers, pastels, paper machete, sculpting, etc.
  8. Playing with my babies. I asked my kids what makes me happy, and they insisted I needed this on the list. And it’s true. But it was funny that they insisted this made me happy. Not them happy. Haha!
  9. My car. My husband replaced my car that we had to sell. He got me a seven seat car!! It’s so awesome. I can separate my older kids. I can fit all my stuff.
  10. Cooking. Cooking does make me happy. I love cooking. The cleaning up after cooking…not so much. Haha
  11. Dried mango. Mango is so delicious. And for a while it was awesome because my husband doesn’t like mango. However, my son loves mango, and now my daughter likes mango. But my kiddos only like the sweet pieces. So I’m stuck with the sour ones.
  12. Being married to my husband. This one should have been first. But… my hubby!! He is the best person that ever came into my life.
  13. Chocolate Pudding. I know that should count towards chocolate. But my homemade pudding is in a category all by itself.
  14. Watching movies. I know this is kind of generic. But I do enjoy watching movies. But the same movies over and over again. Like I just watched the new Godzilla movie. I like that movie.
  15. Yard work. I love being in dirt. Mud. Mud is fun!! But planting a garden. Keeping up on flowers. I’m excited to being in my mom’s yard.
  16. Skorts. I like shorts. And I like skirts. But something about wearing a skirt, and knowing your underwear’s won’t show is a nice feeling.
  17. My new black shoes. My husband bought me a nice pair of shoes and I wear them everyday. I used to be someone that like to wear a different pair of shoes, but now I wear my black shoes with shorts, pants, skirts, and even dresses.
  18. Swimming. This should be an earlier number too. But swimming is what makes my body relax and feel energized. Or at least that’s what I remember.
  19. Dancing. I like to dance. But I also like to watch dancing. Any style that is done tasteful. Which doesn’t surprise me that my daughter also loves dancing.
  20. Seeing my husband with his son. To me seeing a man with his son is one of the cutest things. My husband with his daughters is super cute too. I guess seeing Father’s with their kids.
  21. Cardboard boxes. I guess I’m still a kid at heart. But when we get a large cardboard box, I instantly want to make a little house. With a door and windows.
  22. Reading my short stories. I actually read through my short stories often. When I want to read something. That I know has nothing inappropriate. Just feel good stories, that what I reread.
  23. Finishing. Seems like an easy thing to do but for me it is sometimes impossible. Like even writing this post. I’ve had to stop four times. Finishing a painting. Finishing a short story. I never seem to finish my long stories…but I will someday.
  24. Creative writing. I’m assuming you know this. But I really do love writing. And I do really get my ideas from dreams. Or when I daydream.
  25. Ross: Dress for less. I really do like that store. I haven’t been for a long time, but I remember liking finding gems in the chaos. But I also like thrift stores. The thrift store in our town is every item is $1. I’ve gotten great things over the years that I would have never been able to buy originally.
  26. Wandering. I like wandering in stores. We don’t have to buy anything; but I like looking at things with no crunch for time. This was my husband’s and I’s normal date, while first dating. We would walk around Home Depot and Lowe’s. Costco, Bass Pro, etc.
  27. BBQ ribs. Another food that should have been listed farther up. But yes, I love bbq ribs. My husband’s recipe. If my hubby didn’t stop me I could eat all of them! And I don’t use a napping until I’m done, my bbq stained face is my medal.
  28. Baby animals. Almost all baby animals make me smile. Tiger cubs, kittens, and baby hippos. Those are just my kids favorite animals, so I see those pictures often. But puppies too.
  29. Doing my daughter’s hair. When she allows me to braid, put up, style, her hair; it makes me happy. When she became the age to want to do her hair I was huge pregnant with my newest daughter; so I was exhausted. So sadly she taught herself. And now she wants to do it by herself, even when I have time. But I’m happy when I get to.
  30. Rain. I’ve come to realize that I’m not a huge fan of snow. Living in the North has shown me I don’t like being wet and cold. But rain is the exception. I like to run around and play in the rain with my kids. Or find worms the next day. Rain is fun.

This was actually really hard to fill in. But I like these types of prompts. It makes you think about what truly matters.

On the funny side…

My son said, going potty. Haha! It was a good laugh!!

Leaving in two days. So I had a chance to write this post, but I won’t for a while. Unless is one of my many drafted short stories. Those are easy for me to write.

“Sailing In The Clouds”
Photography By: emily2jane 08-04-25

It really looks like a sailboat is sailing on the cloud waves. Also looks like a moon…

Art, Creativity, Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama, Reflections

A Family Answer.

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If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?

My husband was home so I decided to ask everyone.

So for me I would wear my long black skirt/ dress. It can be either. I could hem up the length to make it any length. I would wear a tank top under my long sleeve button up. ( my grandma’s shirt). This outfit would give me various looks. It’s one look, but I could still look different. Haha!! I don’t know if that’s allowed, but if it’s not specified it’s allowed.

My six year old daughter: Princess dress, with shorts underneath for playing, ruffle socks, and sparkly princess shoes. Pretty much what I expected. I know my kids.

Husband: His answer was simple of course. Haha! Jeans, gray shirt, belt, socks no holes, Merrel shoes. That’s it. Which is really funny. Because that pretty much what he wears everyday. I would probably choose him his cargo shorts that have zip sections too. So they can be pants or shorts. But that’s just me planning ahead.

My almost three year old son: he didn’t want to answer. So choose for him. Shorts, Hawaiian shirt, black clip on tie, Spider-Man shoes.

Baby Nugget: She would probably say just a diaper. She gets hot easily. But I would choose her a shirt, skort combo. Because she likes to suck on her shirt. And a skort is just some added defense for the floor against a poopy diaper.

Hope the various answers were fun to read. It was fun for me to make it a family day.

Art, Creativity, Daily Prompts, Reflections

Again Both

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Are you a leader or a follower?

I usually say I’m a follower. I prefer to follow behind and just do what I am told. Like my husband. If he is doing a project, I just follow behind and help him however I can.

Nine time out of ten, I’m like this. It is a lot easier to be a follower.

But if regarding art, I’m the leader. I might ask for input but I’m going to do it my way. I’m just curious about how my husband would do some things. Because his brain is a mystery to me.

Also swimming. I was the leader in my younger days. And still I feel like the leader within my family. Outside of my family…yeah. I’d get my butt kicked. Haha!

Also part of being a leader is people looking to you to lead. I’m okay if I’m looked at for art or swimming, because I’m a master at both (7 years+). But other things I’m a novice. I dabble in things but I’ve never spent years learning it.

We are going on a trip!! I’m excited to see my family. Even though it’s only 1 day. But still I’m excited to meet my nephew and to introduce my new daughter to everyone.

Art, Creativity, Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama, Reflections

Play With My Babies

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What do you wish you could do more every day?

Because we are trying to sell our house, all my time is spent focused on the house. Is it clean? Does it smell nice? Do the dishes. Do the laundry. Mop the floors.

But pile on top of that, make breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day from scratch. Take care of a two month year old. (Diapers, feeding, smiles). School is on pause; but my daughter is doing an awesome job reading her books from Nana.

But within all of this, I rarely have time to just play with my kiddos. Or even just watch them play.

But a big part of anyone’s childhood is to be read a bedtime story. Even when my mom was crazy busy, she would read us Indian in the Cupboard series. (Great books). But she made time. But for me, I don’t know where my time goes every day. By the time bedtime rolls in I’m tired and my body hurts, that I just was to be in bed.

It happens occasionally when my husband is home at night, and he can hold the little one. But with his schedule , and him being exhausted all the time, that’s slim.

So mom’s out there. Read books with your kids. Play imaginary games too. They are only little once. But also, if you have more kids, you might not have lots of free time in the future.

But also it will give your kids memories they keep forever. Because I have no idea how little I was when my mom read to me, but I can still remember.

Weekend is almost here. Have fun!!🤩

Creativity, Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama

Car!

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You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?

Well technically a 3500 large cab truck. The husband will be driving so that I can totally doze off in the front seat. Haha!

We actually were just talking about road tripping. But what I’m excited about it we are going to be getting a camper trailer. So eventually when we go on trips we will tow that around as well.

Which means no more hotels. No more random bathrooms. No more waiting for food.

The hotel one is a big thing. Because my husband and I are slight meat freaks. In the sense of, the hotel room is still not clean; not matter how much they do. So having a toddler run around touching everything. Licking things occasionally. Rubbing their face all over the floor. This makes my brain explode. But being in a camper trailer will mean the toddler is doing all of this in our own space. If it’s not super clean; I at least know the dirty.

Also, it will be our own bathroom. So if it has a weird smell of pee, I know it was one of the four of us. Unlike when you go to rest stops, fast food, or an unfortunate porta potty. Again think little kids. And bathrooms are full of germs. Blah!! So gross. Camper toilet sounds awesome.

Food. Food is hard now since I make everything from scratch. So the only place we can eat is cafe Rio. Only bowls. Cafe Rio is not popular everywhere. Also for some reason food seems to take forever. Especially when the whole car is hangry. So when we are hungry, we just pull over and I can whip up a lunch! More work for me, but less stress.

But yea definitely a truck. Airplanes are short, but the process before the flight is long and unbearable.

Train would be fun. But not realistic when the husband only has so much time off.

Bus…no. Nope. Can you imagine two wired kids, one infant, and two frustrated parents?? “And a partridge in a pear tree.”

Bike. Haha! Bike. Me biking. That’s funny. Maybe motorcycle, 8 years ago, with no kids. Again hubby in charge. But bicycle…I can do a trail and bike for a bit. Especially if I have a motor, but more than that, no thanks.

This was fun. 🤩

Art, Creativity, Daily Prompts, Life As A Mama, Reflections

This is A Difficult One.

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Who is the most confident person you know?

This one is hard. Because I don’t know if there is truly a true confident person. Everyone, even the most confident person, has doubts. If you don’t you aren’t human.

Like I’m not a very confident person. But put me in a pool or behind a canvas and I change completely. You wouldn’t even recognize me.

My husband is pretty confident in several aspects of his life. But he is constantly doubting on various decisions. He’s just worried if he is making the right decision. But that’s life. You live, and learn.

My daughter, I would say is the most confident person I know. But she’s only six. It’s amazing to see how a six year old’s mind works. They are fearless! I think she lives with the motto, “ask for forgiveness later.” But I know in her teenage years she will have doubts; we all do.

My son is confident too. But again he is almost three. The mind of a two year old is mind-blowing. He believes his way is the only way. He’s also super independent. I sometimes really want to help him, but nope. Not allowed in his book. Even if he fails and fails, he continually tries until he gets it. He doesn’t ask for help. So to me that is confidence as well. Confidence that you can do it yourself eventually.

My siblings and mama too. They are confident in different aspects of their lives, but they are still unsure of things.

Which to me it is normal. Doubts or questions are a normal part of growing up.

So if you see that super confident person in your life; and it seems like have it all together, they are probably struggling with something too. And sometimes the super confident person needs help, but their persona is against asking for help. So try and be that person for them. Everyone needs someone.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Digital Art “Us”
By: emily2jane
03-16-25

I like drawing quick easy drawings. All I need is my phone and my pointer finger.