I've been thinking about something for awhile now. When I say this to my husband, he gets very nervous. :) I've probably overtalked it to him so now I'm voicing it to a different audience. I haven't got it all figured out, and I feel like it will take me awhile before I do. It's the whole concept of friendships.
You always hear about how there are different friends for different seasons in your life. Totally get it. So...what are friendships supposed to be like when you're in your mid-30's, work, clean, cook, and stay busy with three kids and all that goes with it? How do you find the time to work on the friendships in your life that have depth and meaning? How do you let go of the ones that aren't really worth hanging on to? How do you find quality ones when you are put into new scenarios in life?
I have to admit-sometimes I feel like I fit in everywhere, and yet I don't fit in anywhere. I can be surrounded by people and yet feel totally and utterly alone. I have many friends, and yet when I get a rare opportunity to shop or get a pedicure...it's usually by myself.
I look back (that makes me feel old to say that) and look around me now and see so many different kinds of friendships in my life. And really, it's probably a sampling of the friendships we all have in life....
...the college friends who you will love forever. They get you and you get them. No matter the changes in life or the distance between you, it takes one phone call or one email, and bam...you pick up where you left off. And it is oh so good. And oh so far away.
...the couple that you bond with (we like both of them!!!) and feel an instant connection. Kids play well, you love getting together...and then they move away. The ache when they leave-it never really leaves. Long distance relationships are hard but totally worth it.
...the fun person who is married to a dud. Admit it, you all have one of those in your life. You can get together one-on-one but the couple thing isn't really happening.
...the friend who is a little too judgmental, or too opinionated, or too negative, or too materialistic, or too holy. Lots to like but slightly irritating too.
...the friend that your inner gut tells you they are probably badmouthing you behind your back. You think you're crazy for thinking it, but you are probably not.
...the friend who is popular and has lots of other close friends so you don't want to stalk them because you really really like them but don't want to appear too desperate to hang out.
...the friend who is closer friends with your other friend but yet the three of you don't really hang out together. Kinda awkward.
...the friend who thinks your husband is a little weird or off the wall or loud. They invite you out for coffee, but you don't get invited to the couples kind of thing. Goes both ways, I guess. Whatever. He's a rockstar.
...the friend who you really like and would love to be closer to, but they keep you at arm's length.
Can anyone relate?!? At the end of the day, I sometimes think...how many of my friends can I be totally real with? That I can cry to (like the rare ugly cry) and be gut-level honest with. For many of us, we have a spouse that is our best friend. They have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly and still love us no matter what. But sometimes you need that girlfriend to go shopping with, get a pedicure with, talk about Grey's Anatomy with (seriously...the plane crash was sad), talk about mothering failures, and how you want to be a better person. Not quite the hubby's territory.
I have an awesome husband, an awesome mom, and a handful of awesome friends that have my back and love me for me. I couldn't do life without them. But I'm not sure at this phase in life, (when your personal stuff sometimes takes a backseat), how do you start new friendships, maintain close ones, and grow them deeper? Like I said....I've been thinking about something for awhile now.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
A Bit Rusty Over Here
Well, blogging in 2012 was a fail, wasn't it? I should've been better at it. Somehow it's just easier to make a quick post on Facebook and run with it. I could give you a few dozen excuses, but I won't. Cause then I'd have to admit that one of them is me watching too much TV after the kids go to bed. :) I like a few shows....yes, I can be shallow and boring like that.
I did the unthinkable just now and sat down in the middle of the day. I now have two kids vying for my attention in a most disobedient kind of way. Well, I shall return and post a little more when I can. I'm thinking that my goal for the new year will be to post on here once a day...I wonder if I can live up to that challenge. Hmm...
I did the unthinkable just now and sat down in the middle of the day. I now have two kids vying for my attention in a most disobedient kind of way. Well, I shall return and post a little more when I can. I'm thinking that my goal for the new year will be to post on here once a day...I wonder if I can live up to that challenge. Hmm...
Friday, April 27, 2012
The Big Blue Blessing
I packed away the high chair this week. Scrubbed it down, washed the cushion and straps, and put it all away. Probably for the last time. (My sweet Hannah has officially graduated to the booster seat.) I felt so sentimental about the whole thing. Then I felt silly about being sentimental.
Granted, it is just a big ol' blue high chair. But it is a piece of our life that has seen many a fun moment. It's in the baby pictures of the kiddos covered in spaghetti. It's in the birthday pictures of them eating cake and celebrating their big day. It held them many an evening when we ate dinner together as a family. And most importantly, it is a simple reminder to me that God always provides.
Back when Abby was about 4 months old, we were living in West Haven and living on a strict budget. Jason and I were in the throes of the Dave Ramsey Debt Snowball while we each were working full-time and learning how to be parents for the first time. When Abby was ready to start eating some solid foods, we realized we didn't have a high chair. And we didn't have the money for one. A very nice coworker of mine gave us an old high chair that she had. Free, but old. And it didn't have straps on it or the middle leg divider (what do you call that thing that goes between the legs and keeps them in place?). Anywhoo...first time in the high chair Abby almost slid out of it in 2 minutes flat. One minute she's sitting there checking out her new digs, and the next minute her head has disappeared! She had slid all the way down to where her head was where her butt should have been. A minor freak out. So it was free, but no good. I remember Jason and I talking aboout it and not really knowing where the extra money was going to come from. So you say a little prayer under your breath and keep on keepin' on. The very next day, I checked the mail, and we had the most random envelope from Oklahoma that day. When we opened it, there was a check for $75 from our old insurance company. We had moved a year and half earlier, but they had just realized we had an overage on our closed account and sent us a check. It still gives me goosebumps to think about it. We did a happy Jesus dance right there in the kitchen! Time to buy a high chair!
I headed off to Babies R Us to see what $75 could get me. I was still a little freaked about Abby sliding out of the used high chair, so we were going with a new one this time! And easily enough, I found our big blue high chair for $73 and change. Said a little "Hallejuah! Thank you Jesus!" right there in BRU and took it home with us. And it's been with us ever since...other than loaning it out to a friend whose two little boys enjoyed it when mine weren't.
So, cleaning the ol' high chair this week (a little beat up and bruised and missing a few parts), I was reminded of how special we are to Him.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
-Matthew 6:25-34 NIV
Granted, it is just a big ol' blue high chair. But it is a piece of our life that has seen many a fun moment. It's in the baby pictures of the kiddos covered in spaghetti. It's in the birthday pictures of them eating cake and celebrating their big day. It held them many an evening when we ate dinner together as a family. And most importantly, it is a simple reminder to me that God always provides.
Back when Abby was about 4 months old, we were living in West Haven and living on a strict budget. Jason and I were in the throes of the Dave Ramsey Debt Snowball while we each were working full-time and learning how to be parents for the first time. When Abby was ready to start eating some solid foods, we realized we didn't have a high chair. And we didn't have the money for one. A very nice coworker of mine gave us an old high chair that she had. Free, but old. And it didn't have straps on it or the middle leg divider (what do you call that thing that goes between the legs and keeps them in place?). Anywhoo...first time in the high chair Abby almost slid out of it in 2 minutes flat. One minute she's sitting there checking out her new digs, and the next minute her head has disappeared! She had slid all the way down to where her head was where her butt should have been. A minor freak out. So it was free, but no good. I remember Jason and I talking aboout it and not really knowing where the extra money was going to come from. So you say a little prayer under your breath and keep on keepin' on. The very next day, I checked the mail, and we had the most random envelope from Oklahoma that day. When we opened it, there was a check for $75 from our old insurance company. We had moved a year and half earlier, but they had just realized we had an overage on our closed account and sent us a check. It still gives me goosebumps to think about it. We did a happy Jesus dance right there in the kitchen! Time to buy a high chair!
I headed off to Babies R Us to see what $75 could get me. I was still a little freaked about Abby sliding out of the used high chair, so we were going with a new one this time! And easily enough, I found our big blue high chair for $73 and change. Said a little "Hallejuah! Thank you Jesus!" right there in BRU and took it home with us. And it's been with us ever since...other than loaning it out to a friend whose two little boys enjoyed it when mine weren't.
So, cleaning the ol' high chair this week (a little beat up and bruised and missing a few parts), I was reminded of how special we are to Him.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
-Matthew 6:25-34 NIV
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The 7th Annual Chiodo's Top Ten Favorite Things
1. Pinterest: Let's start off with my most favorite thing this year...Pinterest! I would describe Pinterest as an online pinning board where you can find everything on there: crafts, recipes, home decor, fashion, comedy, quotes, etc. People post a picture (many times with a link) on there of something, and if you like it, you can "pin" it to your own board. The result is that you create your own pin boards of things that you love or that interest you. Some of my pinboards are: Fun Food, I Heart Spray Paint, Home Sweet Home, Quotables, and Kiddo Stuff. It can really suck you in so be prepared! Why do I love it so much? I love to be creative...but my secret is that many times I copycat the creativity that I see from other people. So this website is like a dream come true for me. I've done several things that I've found on here...home decor, recipes, playroom ideas. I don't get to spend a ton of time on Pinterest, but I love to sneak on there when I can.
2. Flirty Aprons: Every woman I know spends time in the kitchen...why not look and feel a little sassy while doing your baking, cleaning, and cooking?!? I love Flirty Aprons (www.flirtyaprons.com). I bought one this year (through a Groupon discount...see #10), and it adds a little fun even when washing the dishes for the 100th time that week. It's perfect to throw on when you have guests coming over and you still have some work to do in the kitchen.
3. Zingo: My two older kiddos LOVE the game Zingo! It's fun and educational so everyone's happy. It's bingo with a twist...using picture words to play all while making a little race out of it. It's a great game to play for more than 2 players too.
4. Pottery Barn Station Clock: I got a little birthday money this year and was so excited to get something that was catching my eye in the Pottery Barn catalog. The Pottery Barn Station Clock is now proudly mounted on my wall in my kitchen/hallway area. It's a great conversation piece, and it's perfect when needing to see the time from several different areas in the house.
5. "Family Rules" Subway Art: I'm loving subway art these days, and I loved finding something that was a meaningful piece to add to our home. I bought ours on etsy.com from "mytreehousetreasures." She was fabulous to work with, and they custom make it for you with your last name. It's been a great reference point when talking with the kiddos, and it's also a good little reminder for Mom and Dad too. :)
6. Sigg Kid's Water Bottles: This year I have become a lunch-making fool. Not only does Abby bring a snack and lunch each day to first grade, I also have to have a snack for Ben on preschool days, as well as lunch for him if he is going to the babysitter (if I worked the night before). I will many times pack a Sigg kid's water bottle in their lunchbags for them to have water, milk, or OJ when they eat. The designs are cute and easy to wash, and they are also perfect for ball games and practices.
7. Melissa & Doug Magnetic Dress Up Dolls: My mom gave some of these to Abby and Ben last year, and they have been played with ever since. There is a Joey doll for boys which has costumes like a fireman, a superhero, a pirate, etc. And there are several for girls...a ballerina, a princess, and loads of outfits to change on the dolls. There are a lot of cute little accessories to go with them...a purse, a crown, shoes, a flashlight, a shield and sword. I many times find the two of them dressing them up (like the girl as a queen and the boy as a king) and creating many fun stories with them.
8. Keurig: We jumped on the Keurig wagon this year. Oh, it's heavenly! We love it, especially me who works the off shifts. I would many times work the night before, go home and sleep until early afternoon, and then suffer the rest of the day with a "I need coffee!" headache. I wouldn't make a pot because it was just me who wanted it. Now...that all has changed, and everyone is happy that momma gets a cup of hot joe when she really needs one. You can get the best bang for your buck on K-cups at Sam's or Costco. And you can have hot chocolate, hot tea, or iced coffee with it as well. Well worth the money.
9. Krylon Spray Paint: Who puts spray paint on their Top 10 list? That would be me, of course. I don't think I could live without the stuff. Spray paint has changed my whole outlook on shopping. If I like a bargain, but hate the color. No problem. Buy a can of spray paint and make it yours. Seriously...I think there is something that is spray painted in every room of our house. When we lived at Blueberry Lane, we had ugly reddish orange shutters on the outside of our home. New shutters were $75/set. I had Jason take them down; I powerwashed them; bought a couple of cans of glossy black spray paint; and presto...fancy new shutters. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars, I think I spent $16 and change. You should never spray paint inside, but grab a tarp or cardboard box and head outside on a sunny day (or the garage on a not-so-sunny day) and spray away. Krylon is my favorite brand for it's quality and their fun colors. You can find it at Walmart, Lowe's, or Home Depot. I dare you to go spray paint something today. Do it.
10. Groupon: Last but not least, is a fabulous website that I love. If you haven't ventured into the world of Groupon, you are missing out on some good deals. They offer some bargain basement prices on any and everything in your area....restaurants, services, memberships, etc. They also have Groupon Getaways for fabulous prices on vacations, big and small. It's all free! Last year they had the local Maritime Aquarium yearly family membership for half off. Instead of paying over $110 for it, we got it for $55. And we went there A LOT! Just to visit one time with our family would be over $46 so we saved a bundle. Check out your local area on there and see what you can find.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
2011 Chiodo Christmas Letter
Merry Christmas from Trumbull, Connecticut! We hope you and your family have had a wonderful year and are enjoying this holiday season. I have a little downtime to share a few of our memories from our somewhat eventful year. There is one thing I will preface everything with...God is faithful. He showed His faithfulness to us time and time again this year. There were many times in 2011 where life for us could have made a wrong turn. But each time our prayers were answered, and we knew that God was with us and helping (and holding) us along the way.
The biggest event of this year was welcoming our beautiful baby girl, Hannah Josephine. She was born on March 4th, and she is a perfect fit for our family. She is our third redhead (I think she's the reddest of all three) and has the feisty personality to boot. Hannah is 9 1/2 months old now, getting into everything, standing up everywhere, growing her third tooth, and eating like a champ. Probably at least 10 times a day, I look at her and thank God for this sweet and fun little girl that I can't stop kissing.
The next biggest thing this year is finishing our new house and moving in on July 30th. I am going to blog a little series of the whole process (with pictures) of it in January so check back then to hear more of the start-to-finish details. It was definitely not a walk in the park, and there were days where we thought we just might not make it. We had some issues with our contractor towards the end, and we had quite an unfinished home about 3 weeks before we needed to move in. To say there was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (and worn out knees from praying) up until moving day would be an understatement. We have some fabulous friends and family who pitched in and helped us wrap up some of the final details. We are still working on a few projects that still need to be finished, but our family is settling in and enjoying our new home.
Another big event for us was Jason getting a new job in September. He was really ready for a change, but we weren't quite sure with the economy how that change would happen. (Again, cue the worn out knees from praying.) A door opened for him at the beginning of September, and we have been thanking God ever since. He is now the Director of Community & Provider Relations with the Stratford VNA (Visiting Nurse Association). He is the sales and marketing guy for all the local doctors, nursing homes, rehab facilities, hospitals, etc. that need a variety of services for their home healthcare patients. It's an excellent job for Jason...he gets to work independently and have a flexible schedule.
Abigail is 6 1/2, in the first grade, and growing up before our eyes. Besides losing four teeth this year, she also loves to draw (she's quite an artist) and is reading more and more every day. She continues to be a Girl Scout Daisy, and also enjoyed playing basketball and soccer this fall. She takes her role as big sister very seriously, which means bossing Ben around, and entertaining Hannah with her songs and dances. One thing I will say about Abby...she is very observant (she doesn't miss a beat!), and we get a kick out of some of her thoughts and opinions about life around her.
Benjamin is 3 1/2 and going to preschool two mornings a week. He's our little stinker...all boy and then some. Others say that he's an angel when we aren't around, so I'll take that over the opposite any day. His big excitements this year were graduating to big boy undies and getting his first stitches after a run-in with the barstool. Ben is our little helper...he loves to help me cook, put away the groceries, and empty the dishwasher; and his toolbox is never far behind his daddy's. He gives Abigail a run for her money, and doesn't seem too keen on Hannah wanting to play with "his" toys (we're working on it).
I continue to work the night shift part-time at Yale in the PACU. It works great for our family's schedule, and I seem to bounce between day and night fairly well. When I have a little free time, I squeeze in some reading for book club and coupon clipping for some savings. Life is busy with three kiddos, and I've got us mostly unpacked and organized in the new home. That seems easy to type, but it sums up a lot of my life!
This year was pretty stressful, working day and night around jobs and kids and activities to finish our home. Now that we've reached the end of the year, we both are looking back, taking a few deep breaths, and starting to relax. We didn't do much for vacationing this year...the one weekend we enjoyed at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania was cut short with a hurricane! Next year is our 10 year anniversary, and we have big plans to escape for a few kid-free days to a remote island with lots of beaches and fruity drinks. :)
We have much to be thankful for, including our wonderful friends and family. We are truly blessed with people in our lives who motivate us, encourage us, pray for us, laugh with us, and accept us. We miss our loved ones who are far away...if any of you have plans to pass through New England, we would love to see you! Stay tuned for our Top 10 List!
The biggest event of this year was welcoming our beautiful baby girl, Hannah Josephine. She was born on March 4th, and she is a perfect fit for our family. She is our third redhead (I think she's the reddest of all three) and has the feisty personality to boot. Hannah is 9 1/2 months old now, getting into everything, standing up everywhere, growing her third tooth, and eating like a champ. Probably at least 10 times a day, I look at her and thank God for this sweet and fun little girl that I can't stop kissing.
The next biggest thing this year is finishing our new house and moving in on July 30th. I am going to blog a little series of the whole process (with pictures) of it in January so check back then to hear more of the start-to-finish details. It was definitely not a walk in the park, and there were days where we thought we just might not make it. We had some issues with our contractor towards the end, and we had quite an unfinished home about 3 weeks before we needed to move in. To say there was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (and worn out knees from praying) up until moving day would be an understatement. We have some fabulous friends and family who pitched in and helped us wrap up some of the final details. We are still working on a few projects that still need to be finished, but our family is settling in and enjoying our new home.
Another big event for us was Jason getting a new job in September. He was really ready for a change, but we weren't quite sure with the economy how that change would happen. (Again, cue the worn out knees from praying.) A door opened for him at the beginning of September, and we have been thanking God ever since. He is now the Director of Community & Provider Relations with the Stratford VNA (Visiting Nurse Association). He is the sales and marketing guy for all the local doctors, nursing homes, rehab facilities, hospitals, etc. that need a variety of services for their home healthcare patients. It's an excellent job for Jason...he gets to work independently and have a flexible schedule.
Abigail is 6 1/2, in the first grade, and growing up before our eyes. Besides losing four teeth this year, she also loves to draw (she's quite an artist) and is reading more and more every day. She continues to be a Girl Scout Daisy, and also enjoyed playing basketball and soccer this fall. She takes her role as big sister very seriously, which means bossing Ben around, and entertaining Hannah with her songs and dances. One thing I will say about Abby...she is very observant (she doesn't miss a beat!), and we get a kick out of some of her thoughts and opinions about life around her.
Benjamin is 3 1/2 and going to preschool two mornings a week. He's our little stinker...all boy and then some. Others say that he's an angel when we aren't around, so I'll take that over the opposite any day. His big excitements this year were graduating to big boy undies and getting his first stitches after a run-in with the barstool. Ben is our little helper...he loves to help me cook, put away the groceries, and empty the dishwasher; and his toolbox is never far behind his daddy's. He gives Abigail a run for her money, and doesn't seem too keen on Hannah wanting to play with "his" toys (we're working on it).
I continue to work the night shift part-time at Yale in the PACU. It works great for our family's schedule, and I seem to bounce between day and night fairly well. When I have a little free time, I squeeze in some reading for book club and coupon clipping for some savings. Life is busy with three kiddos, and I've got us mostly unpacked and organized in the new home. That seems easy to type, but it sums up a lot of my life!
This year was pretty stressful, working day and night around jobs and kids and activities to finish our home. Now that we've reached the end of the year, we both are looking back, taking a few deep breaths, and starting to relax. We didn't do much for vacationing this year...the one weekend we enjoyed at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania was cut short with a hurricane! Next year is our 10 year anniversary, and we have big plans to escape for a few kid-free days to a remote island with lots of beaches and fruity drinks. :)
We have much to be thankful for, including our wonderful friends and family. We are truly blessed with people in our lives who motivate us, encourage us, pray for us, laugh with us, and accept us. We miss our loved ones who are far away...if any of you have plans to pass through New England, we would love to see you! Stay tuned for our Top 10 List!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Here, There, Everywhere
Hello out there! It's me...I know you thought I jumped ship on this blog, but I haven't. I've been wrestling with my thoughts about this blog behind the scenes. Part of me wants to throw in the towel and say, "I'm too darn busy to keep up with this the way I want to." And another part of me yearns to sit down with a cup of coffee (lukewarm, of course, cause there is always something to do between brewing it and drinking it) and type away all my thoughts and ideas and funny happenings in the Chiodo home.
But I must admit, that I have some insecurities about it all. For one, I read other blogs which are so fun and creative (and updated), and I feel so far out of the loop with the blog world. Secondly, I wrestle with how much I really want to put myself out there. My husband thinks I'm an open book and will tell anyone anything. Yes, that is mostly true. But part of me doesn't want to open up and share the ups and downs, the good and bad, the weird and dorky side of me. What it all comes down to is this...I just got a lot to say sometimes. I like to be creative. I like to share my projects, ideas, and roll-your-eyes moments. And I really like to keep it real. I get so tired of the fakey-fakey stuff. I will be the first in line to admit that I don't have it all together most of the time. Also, being a nurse doesn't really let me express myself creatively most of the time. And being home the other part of the time with three kiddos...I need an outlet. This year really kicked my butt on several levels, and blogging took a backseat to it all. I would blog away in my mind and write some really fun posts, but it was usually while I was making dinner/holding a baby/breaking up a sibling argument/emptying the dishwasher/packing (or unpacking) a box all at the same time. So Chiodo Chuckles will not be cancelled. It is my utmost goal to keep it updated on a very regular basis after the holidays. Next year, there will be no moving and no babies so get ready to read. :)
The Chiodo Christmas letter, Top 10 list, and Christmas card are in the works. You will get it before Christmas, that I can promise.
But I must admit, that I have some insecurities about it all. For one, I read other blogs which are so fun and creative (and updated), and I feel so far out of the loop with the blog world. Secondly, I wrestle with how much I really want to put myself out there. My husband thinks I'm an open book and will tell anyone anything. Yes, that is mostly true. But part of me doesn't want to open up and share the ups and downs, the good and bad, the weird and dorky side of me. What it all comes down to is this...I just got a lot to say sometimes. I like to be creative. I like to share my projects, ideas, and roll-your-eyes moments. And I really like to keep it real. I get so tired of the fakey-fakey stuff. I will be the first in line to admit that I don't have it all together most of the time. Also, being a nurse doesn't really let me express myself creatively most of the time. And being home the other part of the time with three kiddos...I need an outlet. This year really kicked my butt on several levels, and blogging took a backseat to it all. I would blog away in my mind and write some really fun posts, but it was usually while I was making dinner/holding a baby/breaking up a sibling argument/emptying the dishwasher/packing (or unpacking) a box all at the same time. So Chiodo Chuckles will not be cancelled. It is my utmost goal to keep it updated on a very regular basis after the holidays. Next year, there will be no moving and no babies so get ready to read. :)
The Chiodo Christmas letter, Top 10 list, and Christmas card are in the works. You will get it before Christmas, that I can promise.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
I Am Too Blessed To Be Stressed!
That's my mantra for the next couple of weeks. If you find me chanting it under my breath in a catatonic state, you might want to chat with me later. How is life? Life is stressful, overwhelming, and quite busy at the moment. I feel like selling a house, building a house, and having a baby during all of that...all in one year has aged me a good extra 5 years in 2011. And I now have gray hairs to boot. Didn't have those in 2010.
We are moving into our new home by the end of the month. It's finally here. A few months past the initial deadline, but it's actually going to happen. In less than 18 days. Life today is all about toilet choices, grout color, hardwood floor guys, appliance deliveries, moving dates, front porch materials, and subcontractors. Along with a healthy daily dose of baby spit up, little boy shenanigans, swimming lessons, playdates, VBS, and 12 hour night shifts at the hospital. Somewhere in there I throw some food together and call it dinner.
We have tried oh so hard to keep life as normal as possible for us and the kids through this transition time. Same kind of schedule every day. Same routine to go to bed at night. Mommy and Daddy are always here...doing their best to not let the temporary craziness of life inflict on our family unit.
Surprisingly, when we first told people we were building a house, the answer I got several times over was, "Well, I hope you don't get divorced over it." I was initially shocked that people would say that to me. But after the months on end of the high level of stress involved with building a home, I can understand it completely. I am oh.so.thankful. for a wonderful husband and a strong marriage that not only has stood the test of time, but has become even stronger through all of this. He gets me, and I get him. We had a few ugly spats here and there cause, Lord knows, we are not perfect. But in a couple of weeks when we move in, I am going to wag my finger at those marriage naysayers and say, "Don't think so!" Not only are we still married, we still like each other too.
We are definitely excited to finally move in to our new home. I packed quite aggressively when we sold our home on Blueberry Lane and moved into our small rental for 9 months. We've lived on just the basics, so I know it's going to feel like Christmas in July when we unpack boxes that I packed almost a year ago. And then again, I think...do we really need that stuff that we didn't use all this time? Maybe Goodwill is going to write me a large tax deductible receipt when it is all said and done. Yes, the house is nice and new and everything we picked out. (Picking stuff out...not as much fun as you imagine it to be). But it is just a house...looking at it that way really makes a lot of this stress seem quite trivial at times. More importantly though, I'm most excited about feeling settled. To truly be home in a place that is ours. To hang curtains. To decorate the kid's rooms. To scrub my own toilets. To work the soil in my own yard. To walk out the front door and put Abby on the bus for her first day of school this fall. Yes...after typing all of this...I am definitely too blessed to be stressed. :)
We are moving into our new home by the end of the month. It's finally here. A few months past the initial deadline, but it's actually going to happen. In less than 18 days. Life today is all about toilet choices, grout color, hardwood floor guys, appliance deliveries, moving dates, front porch materials, and subcontractors. Along with a healthy daily dose of baby spit up, little boy shenanigans, swimming lessons, playdates, VBS, and 12 hour night shifts at the hospital. Somewhere in there I throw some food together and call it dinner.
We have tried oh so hard to keep life as normal as possible for us and the kids through this transition time. Same kind of schedule every day. Same routine to go to bed at night. Mommy and Daddy are always here...doing their best to not let the temporary craziness of life inflict on our family unit.
Surprisingly, when we first told people we were building a house, the answer I got several times over was, "Well, I hope you don't get divorced over it." I was initially shocked that people would say that to me. But after the months on end of the high level of stress involved with building a home, I can understand it completely. I am oh.so.thankful. for a wonderful husband and a strong marriage that not only has stood the test of time, but has become even stronger through all of this. He gets me, and I get him. We had a few ugly spats here and there cause, Lord knows, we are not perfect. But in a couple of weeks when we move in, I am going to wag my finger at those marriage naysayers and say, "Don't think so!" Not only are we still married, we still like each other too.
We are definitely excited to finally move in to our new home. I packed quite aggressively when we sold our home on Blueberry Lane and moved into our small rental for 9 months. We've lived on just the basics, so I know it's going to feel like Christmas in July when we unpack boxes that I packed almost a year ago. And then again, I think...do we really need that stuff that we didn't use all this time? Maybe Goodwill is going to write me a large tax deductible receipt when it is all said and done. Yes, the house is nice and new and everything we picked out. (Picking stuff out...not as much fun as you imagine it to be). But it is just a house...looking at it that way really makes a lot of this stress seem quite trivial at times. More importantly though, I'm most excited about feeling settled. To truly be home in a place that is ours. To hang curtains. To decorate the kid's rooms. To scrub my own toilets. To work the soil in my own yard. To walk out the front door and put Abby on the bus for her first day of school this fall. Yes...after typing all of this...I am definitely too blessed to be stressed. :)
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