Insert witty title here

At 2am, my mind was abuzz with ideas to blog about for Motivational Monday. Fast forward seven hours, one phone call to the ATO, one glance at the dismal bank balance, one fussy four year old and one teething toddler and my mind is drawing a blank. I am finding it really tricky to muster up anything remotely motivating when all I want to do is eat bucket loads of junk food, curl up under a doona and fall fast asleep. Curse my parental responsibilities preventing me from enjoying such an experience. 

Do you know what I have figured out? Tiredness is my kryptonite. When I am full of energy, nothing can hold me back from having an awesomely productive day. Sprinkle on a bit of exhaustion however and everything goes to hell in a hand basket. I want to eat rubbish food, I don't want to exercise and I don't want to look after the household or play much with the kids. It sucks! Maybe in light of that, we could chat about ways to get enough sleep today...not very motivating but important none the less.

So, in order to get enough sleep, first thing's first: don't have children.......Bugger. 

Secondly, don't overcommit yourself and load your plate up with too many tasks to handle........Double bugger. 

Step three, don't consume caffeine or alcohol past 3pm. Oh come on, what am I, a Monk?!?!?!

At this point of writing today's post, I decided to Google tips on how Mum's can get enough sleep. I came across plenty of articles with advice for new Mums and even came across a newspaper article claiming that statistically, Australian and New Zealand parents have little to complain about because according to their survey, our kids are amongst the best sleepers in the World. Well, it's settled then. I am not a new Mum and I am blessed to be Australian so I guess feeling tired should not be a problem for me. Ha!

Thankfully, I did come across this article that has a few handy hints http://www.thesurvivorsclub.org/news-and-articles/moms-cant-sleep-synd-clone-1289424439-4 I have to admit though, I am so tired I didn't actually read it properly so fingers crossed it is a good article that I would be happy to refer to on my blog. If however I manage to read it in full later and find that it is all nonsense, I shall delete the link!

To sum it up though, here are just a few hints for us worn out Mummy's to get enough sleep:

• Start a worry book and keep kit by your bed. If you are like me and your mind races when you are trying to fall asleep, jot your thoughts down in your worry book...they will still be there tomorrow. 
• Avoid sleep aids and alcohol. Not sure I entirely support this 'no alcohol' theory but desperate times call for desperate measures I guess. 
• Ask yourself if your kids are the problem. Oh how I laughed when I read this one.
• Force yourself to stay awake. What the? This is kind of the opposite of what I am aiming for. 
• Limit your time in bed. Again, what the? Isn't this supposed to be about getting some sleep??? I am so confused!

You know what, I have come to the conclusion that I have no idea what I am talking about today. I am sure these tips make sense if you read the whole article and not just the subject lines but unfortunately, that just aint gonna happen today. Sorry folks. I am off to have a cuppa with my Mum who has just popped over for a visit. Maybe I can convince her to take E-man home on her one day off and I can sleep the day away. Lol, kidding Mum! Happy Monday xox        

What goes up, must come down

I am pleased to report that about 90% of yesterday was awesome. The kids were happy and we managed to go to Spotlight, the cake supply shop, Aunty S's to feed her animals and do the grocery shopping all before lunch time. Their fussing was minimal and their cooperation was high...I was pleased as punch! Today however, it would appear the Universe has different plans for me...today shall henceforth be referred to as "Let's test Kate's patience" day...

It is 7am and so far there have been three noteworthy incidents. First up, Elliott screamed the house down when Mat dared to bring him into our bed for a cuddle. No matter how hard I tried to distract him, he wasn't having a bar of it. My thoughts were "Fine, bugger off then you ungrateful child" but what came out of my mouth was "OK Mr, if you don't want a cuddle, that's fine, off you go" said with a smile on my face. 

Incident two was my beautiful daughter coming into bed for a cuddle with Hubby and I this morning. Talk about special! She was delightful, full of smiles, hugs and kisses. Then, out of nowhere, she rolled towards Mat and declared "I love Daddy the best!"...insert my breaking heart here. 

Finally was incident three...Elliott's epic wobbly at the bench during breakfast. Sophie was allowed to pour her own milk onto her cereal because you know, she is three years older than her younger sibling and her motor skills are a little more refined. E-man decided this was just the most awful thing to ever happen in his life and on top of the usual screaming and fussing, he threw his FULL bowl of milky cereal onto the floor!!!!! I was pissed. In my head, many curse words were flying, but out of my mouth came a very stern sentence with no yelling at all..."That is completely unacceptable Elliott. I will not tolerate such nonsense. Off you go! If you throw your food on the floor, you miss out". I took him down from his stool and sent him on his merry way crying and carrying on like a real pork chop. Then I did what all resourceful mothers do...I let the dogs in to clean it up!

OK, make it four noteworthy incidents...while I have been typing this mornings blog, I have been blowing up balloons for the kids to play with while they dance around the lounge room to ridiculously loud music. One of the flipping things just blew up in my face while I was blowing it up!!! Luckily it missed my eye this time (refer to an earlier post "Patchy McGee" http://mummyslovejug.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/patchy-mcgee.html) but my chin and my forearm are sporting some pretty kick-arse welts. Note to self: must buy a bloody hand pump that I see at the shops and think to myself "What a ridiculous item, just blow the balloons up yourselves lazy people". Balloons 2, Kate 0. I would also like to add that tying up the balloons has been made all the more difficult by the cut I have on my finger. I was chopping vegies last night and tried to Masterchef the crap out of them. I sped up the chopping process and incidentally cut the top of my finger quite deep. Bugger!

Yep, no doubt today will go down in history as "Let's test Kate's patience" day. I hope things start to get a little easier because I have my first official cake order to make. One single tiered cake and 36 cupcakes...so excited about that!!!!! 

Have a great weekend everyone and I shall chat to you next week xox     

Thank you Universe

What a beautiful way to start the morning...the kids went to bed a little later last night which meant that they slept in for about half an hour longer than usual. Rather than jumping up to put the washing on or trying to sneak in some more sleep, I decided to start the day with a guided meditation. I grabbed my laptop, chose the file that I wanted and lay back listening to this beautiful morning meditation by Doreen Virtue. I feel so awake and recharged because of it and I am ready to tackle any challenges that come my way today. The most unusual thing that stemmed from this meditation was my morning interaction with Elliott...

To set the scene, the minute Elliott's eyes open, the whinging begins. He has never liked coming into our bed for a snuggle in the morning, and lately, he screams the house down if we even attempt to walk into our bedroom with him. He simply wants to have breakfast and get on with playing, none of this sissy cuddling nonsense. This morning however, I collected him from his cot and smothered him with cuddles and kisses before he was awake enough to protest. Strangely enough, the protest never came. He happily enjoyed my motherly affection and then gestured towards one of his much loved books (admittedly, it is the only book he loves and I tell you what, if I have to read much more of this bloody Night Garden story, I am going to scream!) Anyway, I happily grabbed the book and took Elliott into my bed for a cuddle and a read. As we sat down on my bed, I again waited for the protest....but it never came! We managed to read the book twice, play some "this little piggy" games with his toes and even have a wrestle and a tickle before he decided that was enough and breakfast time was a-calling. I was amazed! 

Interestingly, part of the meditation talks about all interactions today coming from a place of love and that everyone with whom I come in contact with today shall benefit from my positive feelings. This couldn't be more true with Elliott's complete turn around with his morning attitude. Now I don't know if it was the meditation that did it, Elliott getting a decent amount of sleep or the fact that perhaps his cutting teeth are having a break today. Either way though, I am grateful for whatever is happening in the cosmos that has delivered a happy, charming and delightful bubba boy to enjoy the day with. 

Happy Thursday everyone xox

Wet yourself Wednesday

I have shared this story with a few of you in person but it is just so hilarious that I need to talk about it on my blog. Our darling Sophie has a wonderful imagination and is well known for her use of big words, often in context. Sometimes though, she gets a bit jumbled up and the end result is something like this...

Elliott was in the bath over the weekend and Sophie was reading him a story. Well, she was actually making up a story as she thumbed through the phone book, pretending to be a teacher. I was smiling that proud way parents do when they look at their children when Sophie said...

"And the Enchantress grew ginas all around her". 

A giggle was bubbling up inside me and I asked: "What? Did you just say that she grew vaginas all around her?" 

With a very sincere face Sophie replied "Yeah" wondering what my laughter was all about. 

I managed to compose myself long enough to correct her "I think you mean giants maybe?"

"Oh yeah" she chuckled "I got infused". 

The laughter continued then...I think she meant confused.

The laughter on this little one's face is contagious!

Happy Days

Good morning everyone! Another gorgeous day and so glad you popped by for a read. I have just got back from a jog/walk (honestly, it was mostly a walk but I jogged up my street to make it look like I was running the whole time) and am currently riding the glorious endorphin wave. Elliott is happily playing with blocks and we are listening to the Wiggles blaring out of the stereo...such a gorgeous morning! I thought maybe today I would fill you in on my shift in thinking over the past couple of weeks while I had a mini blogging break...

Years ago, when I was new to this motherhood gig, I would wake up every day with a smile on my face and as I snuggled in bed with Sophie, I would ask her what kind of fun things she wanted to do for the day. I managed to juggle all of the household commitments, the business admin for Mat and playing with Sophie. They were happy days. I hadn't realised it but as the years went on, slowly things changed and I was not quite so excited to be waking up every day. All the tasks just seemed to hard, too plentiful and too overwhelming. It sucked. My mind would start racing the minute I woke up, even before my eyes were open, thinking of all the things I had to get done...get the washing on, clean the floors, feed the kids, walk the dog, do some bloody business paperwork, play with the kids, set up some engaging activities for the kids so I can take five minutes to have a shower, feed the kids again, mediate the kids fights, clean up after the kids, run some errands, feed the kids again (they never stop eating!) etc etc etc. It was endless and I felt exhausted before the day had even begun. 

Now however, I have made a simple little shift in my thinking. Instead of considering what I have to get done during the day, I ask myself "What am I going to try to accomplish today?" It sounds so simplistic and perhaps even useless, but for me, it is working a treat. I divide tasks into two categories: that which can be achieved with the kids around (eg- washing and household chores) and that which needs to be done while the kids are asleep or occupied elsewhere (eg- business paperwork and writing). I devote blocks of time and attention to playing with the kids and don't let anything distract us (not even if the phone rings, it just has to wait). Then I also devote time to myself...Yesterday I told the kids I was going to sit on the couch and read a magazine for 20 minutes and they would simply have to entertain themselves. I still conversed with them and only managed to read about one full page of the magazine but I stuck to my guns and just sat on my backside, not tending to another human being for 20 whole minutes. It was great! Sophie had her nose all out of joint about it but Elliott was happy to do his own thing (spot the first child, lol). Then today, I popped Elliott in the pram, left the messy house and list of chores behind us and we went for a walk/jog. I hardly even spoke to Elliott on the journey and we just enjoyed the peace and quiet of the empty streets. It was so peaceful that it was nearly meditative. Delightful!

So there you have it, I have shifted my priorities, put my own needs on the agenda and so far, things seems to be going along smoothly. More good news is that young Sophie seems to have lost that feral and disgusting attitude that she was giving me a few weeks back and is now a happy child once more (well, most of the time anyway). Happy, happy days xox

      

Yes I'm Baaaack in Blaaaaaaack!

The title of this post must be read as though ACDC is singing it. If for some incomprehensible reason you have no idea who these Rock Legends are, please follow the link to be enlightened:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwIvBNsSywQ

That reminds me of a time I was talking with a friend who was born in the 70's about the band KISS...he looked at me blankly and had had no idea who I was talking about!!! Shocking. To avoid such a thing happening in my kids lives, I actually have "music appreciation lessons" with them where we put on good old fashioned Rock'n'Roll and bust a move. I think it is important to let them know that back in the day, music was made with instruments instead of computers and the people singing were actually capable of singing without the aid of computer enhancement. But that's just me :) I love music and how it can evoke and soothe so many emotions we have inside us. Actually, I sang that Mockingbird Song to Sophie when I tucked her into bed one day and she said to me "Mum, that song nearly made me cry". Yep, music is in our blood.

Anyway enough with the rambling, as I was saying, I'm back!! I am so glad to be back in the blogosphere and I actually really missed writing every day. I don't think I realised how important writing is to me until I took a little break from it. Sure it might be just a blog, but it is writing none the less; writing to share my stories with the intention of brightening all of our lives and helping us to be the best possible versions of us that we can be. 

with today being Monday and the theme being Motivational, I wanted to share with you some words from Jacqueline Mooney, editor of Weight Watchers magazine. This exert was from the May issue and the power of the words really hit home for me, not just for weight loss, but for every element of my life. I hope you can draw on it to to invoke the intrinsic motivation we all have to live our happiest lives...

"...I've also learnt many valuable things. Amongst the memorable? Don't sweat the small stuff - focus on what really matters and things eventually fall into place. No matter how scary it seems, step outside of your comfort zone because the rewards are well worth it. Make one small change at a time and, pretty soon, those small adjustments will add up to one very big difference. Above all, if you want to change something for the better, don't wait for next week/next month/until things settle down. Start right now!" 

Happy Monday beautiful people and it is a pleasure to be back xox

Just a quickie

Good morning everyone :) This week is crazy busy with hubby away for work and too many things scheduled for the kids and I, but there was no way I was going to forego the chance to write our Motivational Monday piece! You cannot imagine how much I am missing blogging each day and although this weeks posting will be a little sporadic, I am confident that next week I shall be back in the full swing of it, inspiring us all to live our best and happiest lives ever (and of course, sharing plenty of stories of my less than grand parenting moments to make you all feel better about not being the "perfect" parent, lol). 

Anyway, in light of this mini break I am taking, I thought today could be a blog in pictures, relating to rejuvenating, refreshing and cleansing our souls...

Remember to breath deeply in times of stress. The power of your breath to affect change on an emotional level is phenomenal. 

Even in times of darkness, God's love and light will always find a way to shine through .

Call on the Healing Angels, your Spirit Guide and loved ones who have passed to help you refresh  and heal your soul. Hand your worries over to them for guidance.  

This says: Waste no more time talking about great souls and how they should be. Become one yourself. 

Love and light to you all. Happy Monday xox