The State of Things

I'm tired.  Not unheard of, I know.  But when you're the exhausted one it feels like you're the lone sufferer.  My days start early.  That's my own fault.  I like to get up and run and then get myself ready before the kids wake up.  That makes my days really long.  I like having a clean house so I work to make it that way.  Instead of hanging out on the couch I'm cleaning the toys out from underneath.  I don't like sitting and doing nothing, I'd rather be working on a project.  Even if that project is just throwing soccer balls onto the roof so that they bounce off for my kids to chase after.

I kept meaning to take a break today and do something unproductive before my classes start back up later this week but this morning the kids were playing so nicely together that I kept doing just one more project.  Then later this afternoon they were recreating all of the wars in the history of the world so I was kept busy refereeing.  I wanted to go to bed early but instead I consoled a heartbroken baby and then went to a committee meeting.

I hate being tired because not only does it mess with my energy level but it also colors my normal happy outlook on life.  I'm less able to deal with the constant demands of the family.  Serving the people that I love begins to feel like a prison sentence instead of the vocation that I willingly and gratefully chose.  I know that a good night's sleep will change my perspective.  I know that it's not a permanent state of being but right now it feels like the only way to fit everything in is to sacrifice my sleep time.  I know, it's stupid.  If one of my friends said the same thing to me I would do my best to convince them of the idiocy of their ways (in a kind and loving way, of course) but I guess maybe I just think that somehow I'm different.  Crazy.

So the moral of this whine is that none of us are special.  We all need to get adequate amounts of rest and we need to take care of ourselves.  I haven't figured out how to do that but don't the experts say that admitting that you have a problem is the first step?

Hmmm....

The question last night at the dinner table, well the question that was asked after the usual "do I have to eat this?" and my personal favorite "this is yucky, why don't you make yummy food?" so after those were asked the way they are EVERY FREAKING NIGHT the question was this: am I happy because my life is good or is life good because I'm happy?

The husband thinks it's all in your attitude, if you have a positive take on things than life will be better.  I think it's a combination of both.  Attitude makes a HUGE difference but I also know that some of my happiness is based in situation.  Like the husband finally finishing school last weekend (ten years people, TEN YEARS) and job prospects and a warm home and of course the short people in my life.

So I don't know, what's your take on things?

Are you happy because life is good or is life good because you're happy?

Love you guys!

Life changing in the best way possible!

I'm so excited about today's post.  I mean a real kind of excited not the "yes, I love the picture you've drawn (that looks exactly the same as the previous zillion)".  Like "it's my birthday and someone else is making me dinner" excited.  That's what we're talking about here.

Have you heard of clicking?  It's life changing.  See the idea is that for every positive thought you have you give yourself a click.

Started the washing machine?  Click!

Said something nice to the screamer?  Click!

Was kind to myself?  Click!  Click!

You get the idea.  Click for the good in your life.  I don't understand the science behind it but I know I carry myself a little bit taller these days, I feel happier and I'm a bit more patient.  The only change has been carrying my little clicker around.

Now it's your turn.  Billion Clicks has offered my readers a special deal.  Go to www.billionclicks.org to order your very own Clicker Kit, for each Clicker Kit ordered you get a free clicker, wristband and sticker.  Just use the code KRISTEN958 when you order.

It's an easy way to turn the pre- adolescent drama into smiles.  So do I recommend it?  Definitely!  Go get yourself one!

love the miles

Billion Clicks has sponsored this post but I promise that the experience is mine and that I definitely, wholeheartedly and completely stand by this amazing concept.

Scared. For real

Goblins?  Whatever.  Vampires?  Not even.  Zombies? Ha!

You wanna talk scary?  Let's talk about a baby with an ear infection.  Oh is that not enough for you?  Let's add in a kid with strep throat.  Still not there?  What about at the same time?

Ya, I thought so.  That's scary stuff.

I'm sure we're all familiar with the "bubble gum medicine", professionals call it Amoxicillin but whatever.  So here's how you keep your brain straight when you have multiple children on meds.

See those tally marks on the side?  Every mark means a dose has been given.  Now you don't have to try and remember if baby got her two a day and big bro got his evening dose.  It's on the bottle.

Thanks to modern medicine everyone is now healthy, the pink stuff has been finished and we can move on to important things like begging our neighbors for candy.

Happy Halloween!

love the miles