You Can Fly!

Here's a little Monday morning inspiration for those who need it! I know I sure do! 

Don't be afraid to fly! 

My last post talked about some of the big changes I'm making involving going back to cosmetology school and switching professions. That's huge and scary!

But today I'm starting a 30 Day Health Challenge! I'm doing it with a group on Facebook, but I do want to share some of what I'm doing an learning on here too. 

We're all weighing ourselves and measuring arms, thighs, waist, hips, and chest first thing this morning so we can track our progress. A notebook dedicated to your health journey is a great place to do this, because you can also vent in your journal if you're stuck or struggling. If you're more tech savvy, there are lots of apps available like the new Health app from Apple, Lose It!, or Weight Watchers. I'm doing Weight Watchers to monitor my eating, in conjunction with yoga, walking, eating clean, and lots of prayer for strength. 

For breakfast this morning I had two cups of coffee with Splenda and fat free half and half, and a berry breakfast smoothie using frozen berries and a chocolate Quaker Breakfast Shake. 

In anything challenging, even if you're just trying to make this week a good one, Happy Monday, and good luck! With the right amount of effort and prayer, you can fly!

xoxo,

Katie 

 

Party of Two

It's the two of us, and that's all. Just me and Reagan. Not really, but when it comes down to our immediate family unit, that's the truth. Her father is broken and flaky. I can't make excuses for him, I can only try to facilitate some form of a bond between them and attempt to make up for all that he lacks.

So, how does someone who is not just a single parent, but the ONLY parent, go about being a good mother and yet making ends meet financially? Being a mother is the greatest accomplishment in my life and this little girl who counts on me for everything brings me more joy than anything else in the world.

When I found out I was pregnant I was in cosmetology school. I decided I needed to go to nursing school instead, because the pay and benefits were better. I've known from the start that I needed to be able to support us on my own. Now that I'm finished with my first year of Registered Nursing classes, I'm absolutely beside myself with anxiety and stress. Trying to study with a three year old is like fighting a losing battle! So I'm in the beginning of a year long hiatus from "nursing" classes. I thought I could take regular classes for my bachelor's degree and start clinicals again when Reagan started preschool.

Let me tell you, things are NOT going how I envisioned! Keeping up with these classes and a little ball of energy and all that that entails is hard! I'm so busy that I'm not taking care of myself and I'm still missing out on so many day to day things with Reagan. It's really making me question myself as a mother. What message am I sending her, sitting her studying all day? Telling her "Mommy can't play right now" multiple times a day. I see how its affecting her. We are extremely close, and it hurts me not to be able to spend more time just being with her.

At this point I'm considering going back to beauty school. I've always had a knack for it and a passion for it, so my best friend and I are seriously considering going back to school together and opening a salon and spa in our beach vacation town. Sounds crazy, right?

Now that I'm done rambling, my question is, how much should we put school and education ahead of our children? Does it really benefit them in the long run? Or do they benefit more from our PRESENCE and time and attention. I'm home with Reagan all day every day doing online classes, and yet she feels like she gets no time with me. I'm physically in the same room, but I'm not mentally present!

Do the pressures to be "successful" keep you from having quality time with your littles? What can you change to show them how much you care and that they are a top priority too? Maybe it's not something so drastic as changing careers and starting your own business, or maybe that's what you need too.

I don't know how to be a perfect parent, but I do know that success is about more than just how much money you're making. Success has to do with what you feel in your heart you are meant to do. When I can spend quality time with my mini me and work on raising her to be a God loving, forgiving, kind, compassionate, and educated girl who knows how strong my love is for her, that is my vision of success.

They're only little once, and that's over in the blink of an eye. I definitely don't want to miss out on making memories I can't get back.

xoxo,

Katie

About Me

Just FYI I created an About Me page, so check that out if you want a little background info on myself and my family!

xoxo,

Katie

Halloween... Was It Happy?

One of the most reliable things in parenting that never ever fails is that things WILL NOT go as planned! That has been one of my biggest struggles since my little one was born. This is especially true of holidays. I buy lots of supplies for baked goods and activities in the weeks leading up to any given holiday.  I pin all year in preparation for all the things I want to get accomplished. Now Halloween has rolled around and with 50 minutes left, I have used almost none of what I bought and done almost none of what I pinned!

There was a time when this really would have stressed me out. What a waste of time and money I would have thought! I have to save all these things for a whole year before I can use them again! But right now I feel like Halloween has been thoroughly celebrated. And I am content with the fact that we enjoyed the things we were able to do, and I will not let myself stress about the things that did not get done.

If you're too busy doing THINGS, you aren't enjoying the holidays and making MEMORIES. I've come to realize so many things are really more about quality than quantity. My little Rapunzel has a smile on her face and candy in her belly, and she just informed me that this was the best Halloween ever! She's not going to remember the things we didn't do. She's going to remember that Mommy took her to visit our friends at a campground and go trick or treating. She has memories of a special Mommy and Reagan trip to our permanent site at another campground, where we read Halloween stories, had a special night together, and then went out for a Halloween themed breakfast, just the two of us. She's also going to remember Halloween night itself, when we spent time with friends and family, went to a bounce house, and she was the most adorable little Rapunzel ever. 

With the holiday season coming up I feel like it's more important than ever to remember that we don't have to be superheroes and get everything done and do every little project that we would like to. Be realistic about it, and most importantly, have fun making memories with your babies!! 

My last little bit of advice is, don't save everything for a special occasion. Life is a special occasion! Some of these unfinished Halloween projects are going to be done in the next week or two in this house, and that's okay! Life is for the living and the celebrating. Also, some of the Halloween things I bought are perishable and won't last a whole year :) let's be for real y'all!

Did you get everything accomplished in time for Halloween that you had planned? Were you still happy with how your holiday turned out? Let me know!

xoxo,

Katie