Generation: Workaholic

I started a new term at school today (officially my last before I graduate) and I'm in this course called "Leisure and Culture". It's required. Anyway, so I thought I would hate this class and find it super boring but after reading my lectures for the week, I have a whole new developing outlook on life. We have become this society of people who don't work to live, we live to work and work to spend. It's not okay to just have the necessities, we have to buy useless crap to prove that we have money. We buy houses that are too big, cars that we can't afford to keep up the maintenance on, and toys we never enjoy. What's even worse is that we don't buy these things outright, we use our credit to buy the things we can't afford. Then, after we buy these extravagant luxuries, we work overtime to make our monthly payments, many times neglecting other aspects of our lives including family, religion, friends, etc. And after we have been heavily medicated due to the backbreaking work we performed our entire lives, we die; leaving behind our beautiful items to family that never really knew who we were.

Now don't get me wrong, I am completely guilty of this too. It's sad to look at it from this perspective though. Honestly, how many people in today's world can say they spend more time with their families (quality time, not multitasking time) than they do with work (that includes housework)? Being a stay at home mom you would think I could say that, but no. Most of my time is spent doing housework and schoolwork to prepare for a future career that will ultimately lead to less time with my family. Back in the 40s, it was expected that working Americans would only be required to devote 20 hrs/wk, or six months/year to paid employment. Instead of working less, we work about the same but commutes are longer, and less vacation time is taken due to the fear of losing our jobs. Of anyone reading this, how many of you used up all of your vacation time last year on actual relaxing time away from work, not sickness or other pressing matters? Not us! J had a 4 day liberty pass (kind of like a coupon), and used it to work on the Jeep project that still remains in our garage (it's not even ours). We are a generation of workaholics, unable to separate ourselves from our jobs and responsibilities, rarely allowing ourselves time to kick back and recharge.

Being a workaholic causes problems in all facets of our lives including personal health, marriage, family, etc. Our country has ridiculous divorce rates, horrible health, and a rising generation of neglected children. I'm not saying this is completely due to our need to work so we can spend, but they have been correlated. What would it be like in your life if you took one day a month or a week a year to do absolutely nothing but devote yourself to your spouse and children? Many religions use Sunday's as that day every week, including mine. In our house, we spend Sunday's together and make sure we do not do anything that would require someone else to be away from their family (like shopping or eating out). I definitely plan on going a step further and try to stay off the computer on Sundays. With school it'll be hard. But what's the point in working if you can't appreciate the benefits that come from it?

Happy New Year!

Well, onto a new year full of new surprises and goals. I'm set to graduate in Summer 2011 so I have 2 1/2 terms left to get my BS in Natural Resources with a minor in Fisheries and Wildlife. I hope to get a job working in either renewable energy (specifically hydroelectric) or fish biology. After all the jobs I've had, these areas made me the happiest. I'm pretty sure I was a fish in a previous life. My sign is also a Pisces so that may also have something to do with it. I don't know. I start classes again today after a month break. I've got some crazy classes left to take but I'm excited for them. This term I have Atmospheric Sciences; Mineralogy, Energy, and Geological processes; Senior Decision Making (not so excited about this one); and a Watershed Management class. Should be fun!

I just started the Couch to 5k program and am on week 2. That means by March I should be able to run a 5k. Plenty of time for me to get my speed up by May so I don't look like a complete fool when I'm running with a bunch of divers! I'm also doing classes on base. Mondays is kickboxing, T- Spin, W- Drill (It's like PT for marines but on a lot easier scale) Th- Weight training. I'm determined to be back in my bikini (or at least a swimsuit) for Spring break/Summer. I've already lost all but 2 pounds from pre-prego and am back in my old clothes but I want to get better than that. My life changed 180 degrees last year so I need to follow suit with the rest of my life. I'm not just a frumpy housewife; I'm a mom, a wife, a student, and I am so proud of that! Time to show the world how proud I am of who I am!  

Christmas was a lot of fun. Very relaxing and quiet (well, in comparison to other years). Here are a bunch of pictures from December.

Reading the Christmas story

Hanging stockings

So proud!

About to get their Christmas Eve gifts. Like a deer in the headlights!

Sorry it's sideways! Santa was good to our family.

See what I mean!

Christmas morning. So excited!

Not so excited yet.

He got WAY too many presents. I went overboard on the gift giving.

Could've just given B paper. That's all she wanted to play with.

Christmas

This year has been filled with ups and downs but at the end, I couldn't wish for anything more. W is growing up so fast and although he tests my patience daily, he's my favorite little guy in the world. I wouldn't change him for anything. B is also becoming such a big girly girl. She's a bit of a mama's girl, but my snuggle time with her forces me to stop and reflect on the things that matter most in my life.

Going organic and natural is one of the best steps I've made in my life this year. I feel healthier and am a little bit more aware of what I am putting into my body and the little bodies around me. I also save a bunch by making all of B's food and not eating fast food. It seems strange that W does not know what McDonalds is, but he sure asks for fries a lot so I guess I still have work to do there. My goal this year of stopping drinking soda did not work out too well but onto another year of improving my health. I'm trying to swap my soda for herbal teas so hopefully that will help. The gym is also my best friend and has helped me get through several rough mental patches. =) I have a 5k to run in May so I need to get on the ball with my training. Maybe if I can do that, I'll run a 10k at the end of the year. Sounds ambitious, but we'll see what happens.

Thankful

My heart has been very full the last few weeks and I feel like I need to get it out there somewhere. As many of you know, this year has been very difficult emotionally for Jeremiah and I. With births, deaths, and other trials I feel I have grown more than ever. And now with Thanksgiving here, I've had an opportunity to realize how blessed I've been. In the midst of trials, we find out who we really are. Sometimes, we need more than 1 trial to really get a kick in the butt, which is what has happened to me. I guess it all compiled last week when Jeremiah's brother Jonathon was severely burned in an explosion at his home. It was the final emotional problem that forced me to really look at my life and especially this past year.
I am so grateful to have a husband that is overly honest with me.
Grateful for my super healthy kids and being able to constantly shop since they grow so fast.
Grateful for our home which will hopefully sell next year for what we owe on it.
Grateful for J's job that provides income, stability, insurance and the opportunity to move every three years.
Grateful for friends scattered all over the US.
Grateful for extended family that loves me and my spouse unconditionally.
Grateful for college, as difficult as it can be with two young children.
I could go on for days but I won't. The key here is that my trials have forced me to truly appreciate life. Its better than being on my deathbed and figuring all this out. Thank you to everyone in my life for making me a better person. I love you all!
Anyone who can, a donation fund has been established for Jonathon at Potlatch Federal Credit Union in Lewiston to help cover some of his medical costs. We would greatly appreciate anything you can give.

Merry Christmas in November

So Christmas came early for me. I asked for a steam cleaner as a Christmas gift but J saw the need for it sooner than that (oh darn!). How did I live without this thing until now? What an awesome cleaning tool. I pour water in it, let it heat up while I vacuum, and pass the steamer over the floor. I can clean my floors without having to evacuate the house. The house looks and smells amazing already, not toxic and fumey like usual. This led me on an adventure researching household cleaners. Now, we all know that most cleaners are bad if you swallow them or don't ventilate the area well. Duh! Shouldn't that be a clue that we shouldn't use them? Now I love the smell of bleach but I think it's because I associate it with clean. I can't believe I let myself use it as much as I do though. It's a toxic product that researchers are now thinking is one of the biggest contributors to cancer. Not to mention if you combine bleach with ammonia you can kill yourself by toxic fumes. Okay, so enough with straight bleach, what about other disinfectants. Most products do not have an "ingredient" list, just warning panels. Any product that says, do not combine with other cleaners usually has either bleach or ammonia in it. Some other compounds in cleaners are Toulene, Formaldehyde, phenol, and benzene; all carcinogens.
Those of us with kids need to be extremely cautious because an infants system works much differently than adults. They do not excrete toxins through their waste as much as adults do. They tend to build in areas that are developing but tend to not accumulate in fat. So basically, the toxins kids are subjected to tend to stay with them their whole lives. Some researchers are saying that the toxins in the cleaners parents use are more hazardous to health than the stuff we're trying to clean off. The whole soak it in bleach routine (which I am SO guilty of) is one of the worst things we can do.

Here's a bunch of articles I ran across that give more information on some of this if you're looking for more. Basically, invest in a steamer. I bought the Haan floor steamer and the handheld steamer. I can't get enough cleaning. I guess that's a good thing.
http://lesstoxicguide.ca/index.asp?fetch=household
http://www.mamashealth.com/doc/cleanprod.asp
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-531269/Chemicals-household-cleaning-products-cause-asthma-children-finds-study.html
http://living.amuchbetterway.com/harmful-effects-of-household-cleaners/

Better the Second Time

I know I tell everyone that going from 1 baby to 2 was harder than 0 to 1, but there are a few things I have found easier. To give hope to those with one baby and considering another, here is my list so far.
-Going to the bathroom without putting the baby down.
-Not running into strangers with the stroller. *However, a double is much harder than a single and I said running into strangers, not Wyatt or myself (which happens frequently).
-Functioning on broken sleep. I don't think I ever returned to a healthy sleep pattern after W anyway so the lack of sleep didn't bother me as much with B.
-Feeding B while getting lunch for W and talking on the phone. Seems like everyone wants your attention at the exact same time.
-Making up swear words, or at least finding replacements. Every time I get angry while driving, W now yells out, "You're driving me CRAZY!"
-Acting stupid. Believe it or not, babies and toddlers love this. Jumping around acting silly makes both W and B crack up and nothing is better than a laughing baby!!!

Well, in other news, W had his 3rd birthday. We had 13 kids here for a pool party on Saturday and it couldn't have been more fun. I encouraged all the kids to wear floaties so we wouldn't have any incidents. My cake was quite the fiasco, but turned out great in the end. Then I had to endure W for two days after that crying and complaining trying to come off of his "all about me" sugared-up pedestal. Oh the joys of Motherhood! I just keep telling myself, "It's just a phase".

Also, due to all the cake and joys of birthdays, I totally ruined my diet and exercise routine. I was averaging 2 pounds a week weight loss, and this week lost none. Didn't gain any either though so I guess I should consider that an accomplishment. My exercise has decreased though and that's not good for anyone (I get very agitated if I don't get a good workout every morning). So, I'm at it again.

I LOVE my natural and organic changes. Everything tastes so much better and my cravings are slowly changing from processed candy to fruit, cheese, and granola. I could eat that all day long! I also feel better knowing that what is going into/onto my body is healthier and better for me in the long run.

Here are some pictures from W's Birthday:

Dresses

Here are some of the dresses I've been busy making for B. They're called pillowcase dresses but I don't use pillowcases. Organic clothing is the best choice (especially since it can withstand more washes than other clothing) but next best is homemade clothing. This is because store bought clothing has added chemicals and starches to stiffen the fabric. The flame retardant they put on children's clothing is the worst though. It's important to be careful what you use to clothe your children and yourself because it's on you and you're breathing the "fumes" from it all day long. Soaking clothing in vinegar water overnight is a great way to remove chemical buildup and stains. Baking soda is another option but it takes a few washes to get rid of all the residue. We just bought Ecos detergent but are finishing up the rest of our Cheer before we start to use it. I'll let you know how it works. Oxy-clean is another great choice for spot cleaning, especially for the stains kids end up with since they are organic (blood, snot, bodily fluids, grass, etc).

Anyway, here are the dresses. Super cute, super easy. That's my kind of sewing!