Battleground: Tales of My Kitchen Sink

"All the silverware is clean!" I exclaimed. In that moment I felt triumphant, but the battle was not yet won. I narrowed my eyes to the remaining dirty dishwater where leagues of bowls and plates had banded together. Sometime during the week they formed an alliance with the Saucepan Squad and a cookie sheet. It was just me and my sponge that faced this wretched, stinking bunch.
I try to keep my voice steady,"We will overcome these grim odds. No matter what happens, it was an honor to fight beside you." My trusty sponge would not survive this last wave of dishes, and we both knew it. The Silverware had a cartel of cutlery that injured my sponge beyond repair. "FOR GLORY!" In a whirl of water and soap, together my sponge and I scrubbed our way to victory!!!

We won this week's battle, but I know the war on washing dishes is far from over.

We do not own a dishwasher, so we have to do them by hand. Sometimes we keep up on the dishes which keeps the battles less eventful. Sadly, more often than not, we prioritize doing other things rather than taking care of a few dishes. Before long the dishes are piled up in the sink and have overflowed onto the counter. The worst part then occurs, we have no more clean dishes!
When I look at the mess and feel that anger start to grow, I remind myself to be thankful. Perhaps there are others out there who are equally terrible at keeping up with your dishes, so this is dedicated to you. Michael and I try to keep the silly spats to a minimum, usually I am the one who is more prone to get sassy over the dishes. This is the thankful mantra that I go through to keep myself in a sane state.
I am thankful for dishes to have food to put on.
I am thankful to have food to put on or in dishes.
I am thankful for a home with running water.
I am thankful for having the luxury to choose to wash the dishes or do something else in my own home.

By the time I get done saying what I am thankful for I feel better and less concerned about the pile, because its really not that many dishes, and I get to listen to music while I wash and dry. Yes, I do indeed dance at the sink!!! I think there is a study that was done by someone....ah yes, a quote, "In every job that must be done there is an element of fun! You find the fun, and snap! The job's a game."

I hope in whatever tasks you have before you this week you are able to do them with joy and get it done!! Be triumphant my loves.


                                               ~This post is dedicated to the brave Sponge. R.I.P.~

Snot Sucks!

Happy Sunday Folks!

I was going to do my first public thank you for you being you to none other than the King of the Castle, Daddy Jump, but I just gotta share some parenting experiences that I have...ummm....experienced. So, this is not about thanking my husband, but rather how snot sucks!

Let me start by telling you I have the most giving mom. She was (still is) all heart and just gives gives giiiiiiives! All y'all out there, give your mom a call RIGHT NOW because you know what I am talking about when it comes to a mother's love. I would talk to her for about an hour at night when i was supposed to be going to sleep. She would ask me "Why didn't you talk to me earlier?" I would say, "My day wasn't done yet." Good point little 'Stine. Then when I was homesick  and away at college I would call her crying at a ridiculously late hour and she would ANSWER!! No matter what, my mama is there for me. 

I tell you that so that you know that I know...payback is coming. Actually, payback has arrived in an adorable blue eyed and blonde haired baby angel. All that sleep I robbed from my momma, is getting cashed in for late nights or rather E A R L Y mornings with Miss AK. 

Sadly the winter cold has caught our household. The Dr recommended some great things to help our little one stay comfortable over the weekend until our appointment on Monday. 

-Put a diffuser on in her room (I add lavender oil)

-Slant her crib mattress up so her head is slightly elevated

-Use nasal drops in her nose and then suck the drainage out to keep her as clear as possible

Reasonable requests...but we live in reality and not a Pampers commercial. So here is what is happening 

-Diffuser on... in the living room

-Papasan cushion on the floor for mommy and baby to sleep, and a blanket underneath the cushion to keep our heads slightly elevated

-Adrianna does not like us up in her grill. 

We get a fight every time we try to put the drops in and suck the mucus (yummaaaaaay) out of her little nose. Despite its positive intention, she is not about letting other people pick her nose. I can appreciate her opinion, but I am not about snot all over her face, toys, clothes, and hair. Mom wins, you're getting your snot sucked! 

Now baby is sleeping, I'm drinking my coffee, chocolate Shakeo, and pretending like I got a full hour of sleep last night.  It is still a beautiful day.... Mama Donna came down and is helping the Jumps all function this fine weekend. She is back from church, so I can go to the store for ingredients to make a yummy meal from Michael's mom's recipe book!  

Snot may suck, but our moms sure don't! 

Talk to you again soon! Xo CJ 

Fit To Be Mom: The First Post

"Oh my gosh babe!!! She's not digging solid poops!" Is something I never thought I would be texting to anyone.
There are a lot of things I am doing and saying that I never dreamt I would be, not even in my wildest dreams. I have had many unique opportunities since becoming a mother this past June. I truly did not think I would be a good mom, but I feel good about my performance so far.

Back to my above mentioned text, we recently started our baby girl on solid foods. She is having, what I told my husband, skipping stone like quality poops. Welcome to my stories! This is not the life I dreamt of, but man does it kick that dream's bootay! I love my family, friends, and my job - mostly because of my hilarious coworkers.

I don't wish to waste your time because I know you have a lot to do (as awesome people often do), so here are a few topics off the top of my head that you will likely read stories about:
-Diaper Changes: The New Frontier
-Coffee, my love for it, and how its importance relates to life
-I Can't Eat That, and other nutrition lies
-Mismatching socks: The Never-ending story
-Body & Mind: We Are One
-Inspiration Spotlight: A Public Thank You for You Being You

My goals are to entertain, uplift, and spread good...like some smooth peanut butter. Mmmmmm!!!

Talk to you again soon!!!
xo CJ