Is Monday Over Yet?

Y'all. It has been one. of. those. days.

I really don't want my blog to become a whining spot. Really. But today was not a good day.

It started with a poor night's sleep. Even though we went to bed at 9:30 (we're really wild, obviously) things did not go well. My mind was restless and my body was uncomfortable. I eventually moved to the couch, hoping to get more comfortable. Not too long after settling in there, Buddy appeared at my side. I knew he was there because of the hacking cough. All of the kids have had some variation of a cough and/or runny nose in the last week, but nothing that was affecting sleep. Until now. Buddy slept on the other couch and woke me with his coughing every twenty minutes or so. Yikes.

He stayed home this morning, of course. Even if he didn't feel terrible, his cough would be a total distraction. He seemed fine most of the day with the exception of his cough. But now, at 7:30 p.m., he can't stop coughing. And in true selfish, parenting fail mode, I think I am going to go crazy listening to him cough! Isn't that terrible? I'm irritated by my son's cough, as if he was doing it on purpose!

Now Monster is seeming a little puny too, with a mild fever. What joy comes next?

If all I had to complain about was one semi-sick kid I wouldn't even be here. But it is not. Oh no. Two hours of my life got sucked away on hold with our antivirus/security software company, after my desktop went crazy with warnings about a virus that seems likely to destroy not only my computer but those of everyone I love. Or something. Now my desktop is off-limits while they figure out the problem. I'm using Husband's laptop to type this, and I don't like it. I always accidentally hit the touch control and end up typing in the middle of other words. Frustrating. Plus, Husband doesn't like having my junk on his computer, so I have none of my bookmarks or anything. Annoying. I really hope my computer is restored to good health by tomorrow.

Finally, it was just a cold and crappy day and I didn't plan my meals and I didn't go to the store and so that all must be done tomorrow.

But hey, there is ice cream in the freezer and I did get to the library and get a good book. Our maladies are minor and treatable. We are warm and sheltered with full stomachs. So it is not all bad.

But I'm still looking forward to starting over tomorrow.

So It is Not Just Me

Pregnant women can convince themselves of a lot of things, in my experience.

I ran into a long-time friend last night. She has seen me through most of my pregnancies, since she sings with the band at church and Husband used to lead the band and so on. She asked me how much longer I have to go with this pregnancy, and when I told her I was having surgery May 5, her eyes got a little wider.

I knew it! I knew I was looking bigger this time around. It is not just in my head, some silly vanity making me feel huge.

She asked if I was sure it wasn't twins. Yes, we're sure. She did comment that I looked great (she's a smart lady and knows how to make a pregnant woman feel good, even while commenting on the size of her belly). I told her that my weight gain was tracking about the same as my last couple of pregnancies, so smaller than the first three. Still, I knew what she meant. I could have been offended, but instead I was elated.

Now I know I'm not just suffering from some hormonal delusion. I really am as big as I feel, at least in the belly area. This baby boy must be working hard on growing (which definitely makes a c-section more appealing, I'm a wimp).

I wonder if growing a bigger baby (totally guessing he is bigger than the others at this point) makes a woman more tired? Because, y'all, I am t-i-r-e-d. Every day I wake up and all I'm thinking about is when I get to sleep again! I let my kids buy their lunch twice this week just because I was too tired to make breakfast and lunch early in the morning. Can you say lazy?

So, with something like 13 weeks to go, I am definitely already in countdown mode. I'm ready to reclaim my body (although nursing is another kind of sacrifice). I'm ready to have some energy back, even though I know that won't come for a few months anyway. I'm ready to go to the gym with a purpose beyond just moving.

And I'm ready for some squishy newborn snuggles. :)

Menu Plan Monday: February 1

So, last week's menu did not get eaten as planned. We made a last minute decision to see a dollar movie with the kids for family night on Wednesday. Friday we ended up making a meal for friends who tragically lost their son and were welcoming family to their home. In fact, on Friday, I made breakfast, lunch, muffins, two batches of broccoli salad and smoked beans (which failed, but not my fault) all before 4:00. So when dinner rolled around, I was flat-out done in the kitchen. Husband saved the day and suggested pizza. Anyway, here is my menu for this week, hopefully we will stick to it more.

Monday: Baked chicken (marinated in Italian dressing), rice, vegetables

Tuesday: BBQ pork chops in the crock pot with macaroni and cheese and fruit

Wednesday: Chicken Tortilla Soup (I'll be using leftover grilled chicken, so we will have less meat in the soup than suggested, but I'll use more black beans)

Thursday: Slow-cooker lasagna, salad, garlic bread

Friday: Hot dogs, chili, fruit

Saturday: Grilled tequila lime chicken, perhaps served as fajitas

Sunday: BBQ something from the smoker

For more menu plans, visit Organizing Junkie.

On a More Positive Note

Well, I couldn't let my pity party of a post be on top over the weekend. I'm not that kind of girl. I'm usually pretty cheerful and optimistic. So I'll share how things are looking up.

First, and most awesomely, we are going to a concert tomorrow night! We got FREE tickets to see Remedy Drive, Shane and Shane and the David Crowder Band here in town. I'm very excited about this. I know I could use some time with Husband and some good worship music, and the fact that it is free makes it even better. Our wonderful Uncle Jack will be babysitting the kids, giving us just the break we need.

Second, I decided to make pumpkin muffins today. I used my recipe for pumpkin bread that makes two loaves. Well, when making muffins, I got two dozen full-size muffins and three dozen mini-muffins! Holy baked goods Batman! I will keep all of the big ones for my family and send some of the small ones to church tomorrow for a funeral. Dear friends lost their son and Husband will be representing our family at the funeral, since the kids have basketball games. I am happy to send whatever love I can, even in the form of baked goods.

Third, I just decided being in a funk was no fun for anyone. There is nothing so unmanageable in my life that I have any need to wallow in sadness. So much of how my day goes has to do with my attitude, not the attitudes of the people around me. So I'm trying to stay positive.

Have a great weekend!

Just One of Those Days

Or weeks. Or months. Whatever.

I'm in a funk. I feel tired and crabby and short-tempered. I can rise above it for a time, but find myself sliding right back into the funk with no notice. I imagine it would help a lot if I would get back into a routine of going to the gym, even though I feel like I might lose my mind walking so slow on the treadmill. Still, it would be 45 minutes of listening to music and not having to listen to Monster and Butterfly fight with each other.

Two is rearing it's head in a big way around here. Butterfly has always been more challenging for us than the other kids were, so why should turning two be any different? She never stops eating! Eggs, ham, bread and now crackers and it is only 8:22 a.m.! But okay, she does make funny faces and she loves to sit with her big sister and watch cartoons. She just feels frustrated by her own limits and I know this, but some days it is hard to keep that in mind.

Life around our house is loud. Big surprise, right? Obviously five children are going to be loud and busy and messy. Still, there are days or times when I just feel like it is going to push me right over the edge. But it doesn't. I guess that is grace, just enough to get me through the day.

I usually love being pregnant, and I can't complain this time because I am healthy and complication-free, which is a huge blessing, I know. Unfortunately, I have already reached the point of being ready to have my body back and see this belly go away. It is starting to feel heavy and huge and I still have 14 weeks to go! Of course that time will fly by and I'll be mourning the change in my body. Hormones are wacky things like that.

My rational mind knows all this is just fatigue and emotions talking. Things are really pretty great around here. We're healthy, we have food on the table, Husband is working (and has had his pick of where he will work, crazy in the mortgage industry), all is good. It is time to put on my big-girl pants and get out of my funk and move on.

(But sometimes it just feels good to let it all out too, right?)

(Also, spellcheck just told me "no misspellings found" and that makes me happy.)

Menu Plan Monday: January 25

Monday: Chicken and black bean enchiladas* with fruit

Tuesday: Pinto Beans and Cornbread

Wednesday: Slow cooker pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans

Thursday: Black bean nachos

Friday: Breakfast for dinner

Saturday: Grilled pork chops, rice, SteamFresh Vegetables

Sunday: Leftovers or hot dogs with chili

*Chicken is leftover grilled chicken from last week, I have Husband grill a family pack of boneless/skinless chicken and freeze the extra for future meals.

Last week I stuck to my menu plan every day except Tuesday, when I couldn't make lasagna because I forgot an essential ingredient. We had spaghetti instead. I did end up cooking dinner on Sunday, we had chili and cornbread. I only felt like cooking because we had lunch out though--thanks to coupons and a generous manager at Golden Corral all seven of us ate for $24.00! It would cost us almost that much to eat fast food.

For more menus, visit Organizing Junkie.

Quick Takes

Hello. A friend mentioned she would like to know some of my favorite Etsy shops, so I'll try to oblige here. I haven't purchased from all of these shops, but I probably will in the future.

1. I bought Butterfly's hat from Toddler Toppers. There are many vendors selling super cute crocheted hats in many styles, but this shop had the best price for what I was wanting to buy.



2. Husband bought me this wallet from CottonPurr. It might seem a little pricey for a wallet, but it is handmade and unique. I love using it, and could easily carry my checkbook in it if I wanted to do so. I love pulling it out of my purse and seeing a little bit of summer on a wintry day.

3. I will definitely be buying at least one of these onesies/shirts for BTS. Who can resist the cuteness? Again, many people sell similar items on Etsy, I just chose Piggy Baby for price (I probably have a dozen bookmarked in favorites though!).

4. I'm in the market for a new purse/diaper bag when little man arrives on the scene. Debo's Designs has a slouch bag style that I really like. AllyBu has some cute bags too. Seriously, there are so many great bags I will have a really hard time choosing just one.

5. Thanks to Etsy I am kind of obsessed with owls. Things like this. Or this collection of prints that you might find hanging in my girls' room if we ever redecorate.

6. I love pillowcase dresses and I really wish I knew how to sew and could make my own. Instead, I dream of buying several from Creative Bee. So many choices, and right now a sale!

7. Finally, I would love to indulge in a couple of unique, one-of-a-kind maternity shirts, although that is unlikely. Jelly Bean Apparel has a lot of options.

Visit Jen for some less materialistic quick takes. Happy Friday!

P.S. Sorry for all the links and on pictures, but it is just too much work in Blogger right now.