Ungrateful

Lately I have been thinking a lot about how good I have it. My life is really quite ideal. I have 3 amazing kids who I love more than anything I could have ever imagined. I have a fabulous husband who treats me so well, and is so loving, giving, hard working... not to mention he is the best father I know. He is always worried about weather he is doing enough, doing what's right, teaching them what they need to know, spending enough time with them... is he to hard on them, not hard enough???? He is always evaluating his standing as husband, father, leader of our home and family; and adjusting if he sees fit. I have a beautiful house, that I love. I have a nice car, that I equally love! I have great extended family who love and support us in all we do even though we don't see them that often. I have a nanny who helps me out tremendously in my day to day life. She is such a blessing. I am so lucky that I can work a little and have my kids just outside my door. She helps out so I can get household chores done without interruption from my children. I get to do something most Moms only dream off... go grocery shopping alone! It makes it possible for me to have quality one on one time with each of my kids.

In short... I'm spoiled. And I know it.

So why do I feel so many emotions that are so contrary to all I have stated above? What are these wayward feelings I battle with?

1) guilt.  I don't get enough done around the house. I should be able to do more with the time I have.

2) lack of gratitude. I get lost in my own world, my own issues. I forget sometimes how good I have it. I forget that most Mom's have it harder than me because they don't have a nanny to help them. A lot don't even have a supportive and helpful husband like I do. I find myself in a state of excuses. I'm too tired... not feeling well enough... too lazy... to take advantage of my blessings. Hence, feeling #1.

3) Feeling sorry for myself.  I know what you are thinking. Sorry for yourself??? WHY? HOW? I know, I know... it doesn't make any sense to me either. I have nothing to complain about, but I seem determined to complain anyway. Feeling #1 is creaping in again...

4)Frustration / impatience. I shouldn't feel anything toward my kids but love and affection. I don't have them riding my nerves every second of every day like most Stay Home Mom's. I have 5 hours per day, 3 days per week without them. I shouldn't be irritated at them. But, I do. Again, cue feeling #1.

I need to push myself a little harder. Get more done with my "nanny" time. Be happier. How do I change my attitude and shed the ungratefulness/guilt cycle?

Grandma Visits Texas

Grandma Kathy made a trip out to see us last week.  Even though it was super hot (over 100 degrees some days), we still ventured outside and had some fun!  We did the required trips to the outlets in San Marcos, made a day trip up to Old Town Bastrop, saw a show at Esther's Follies, ate yummy food at Whole Foods, and of course...stopped at Might Fine Burgers! 

Tori wearing the Mighty Fine bag

Daddy and the kids stopped for some ice cream at the Drug Store in Old Town Bastrop while Grandma and Mommy shopped

Old Town Bastrop

You have to love the self-portraits...this was us at Esther's Follies.

Enjoying the river in Bastrop...though it was super hot that day!

Mommy at Esther's Follies

We're very sad to see Grandma go, but happy she could come see us!

Mason gets glasses!

Mason failed his eye exam at his 5 year old check up. So Daddy took him to get his eyes checked by an optometrist, and sure enough, he needed glasses. He was so excited to pick them out! Mom was so nervous taking him to pick them out because she didn't want him to pick ugly ones, but still wanted to let him have a say in what he wanted. Luckily he picked the ones Mommy liked!

Mason's 1k Run

Daddy is always doing races and Mason wanted to do one too.  So we signed him up for a 1k at Camp Ben McCulloch.  Luckily Grandma was in town so she got to watch as well!  We all got up early, drove up to the camp, and got ready for our run.  Daddy and Mason were going to run it together.  The race started and Mason took off!  He did AWESOME!  He ran the entire race and didn't stop to walk once!  He only stopped when his shoe fell off!  We are so proud of him. 

 

Mason getting ready for the run!

Mason and Daddy coming into the finish line!

Mason loved when everyone started cheering for him and he got really excited to cross the finish line!

Crossing the finish line, you see his time of 7 minutes 52 seconds.

 Mason and Daddy after the race.  Mason has his award for completing the race!  He was so excited!

 After the 1k, Daddy did a 5k.  Here is Daddy coming in to the finish line.  Daddy finished second in his division!  That's great too!

 Daddy slamming on the breaks after crossing the finish line.

Daddy and Mason at the start line getting ready.

New holes in body parts

Victoria asked over and over... and over... for 2 days to get earrings. I finally told her she had to ask her Daddy. The second Dad walked in the door from work on Wednesday she ran to him and declared "I NEED earrings!"

Thursday afternoon I took her to get them.

Sitting in the chair waiting to get started. She was so excited! That may have been partly because I didn't tell her it was going to hurt. I was afraid that she might jerk her head at the last second if she knew what was coming so she was completely shocked when the earrings were jammed through her flesh. Poor baby!

 After piercing photos. Notice the tears accompanying the smiles! She only cried for a minute. She was fine once I gave her a

lolly-pop!

I asked Victoria if we should get Aryah's ears pierced too. She yelled NO! I thought she was thinking she didn't want it to hurt Aryah, but she said "only I can have earrings and be a princess"! Lovely.