That Time When I Disappeared for a Month...And What I Learned.

Hey y'all! Sorry I have been MIA. If you're friends with me on Facebook or read my personal blog, you know that I've been on a crazy long road trip from Georgia to Alaska. We came back last week and I. Am. Tired.

But I think I'm recovering, slowly but surely. Haha.

The funny thing about trips for me is that I always learn something. Sometimes it's something to apply to my walk with God. Sometimes it's something practical (on one trip I learned how awesome those sponges with the soap in the handle are! Seriously. Awesome.), and sometimes it's completely random.

Here are some things that 35 days on the road and adventuring around the country taught me about mommy-hood, especially as a SAHM.

1. You need to get out of the house. I don't care what your excuse is, or what mine is. Yes, gas is expensive, but hermit-hood isn't healthy for anyone.

2. Pursue things you love. I want my boys to know that I love being a mom. I also want them to know (and want to remind myself!) that I love to go hiking and kayaking, and explore new places. Sometimes I think we get so focused making our houses perfect (haha. ha.) and thinking of all the ways we don't measure up and should do "better" that we forget to have fun. That makes me sad and I'm changing it.

3. It's possible to worry about your kids too much. I figure typing it out is the first step--I'm admitting it, right? Remember our childhood when we rode our bikes till the streetlights came on? Yeah, it turns out that wasn't the most fun part of mine. I learned from my parents while we were in Alaska that they let me go cross-country skiing with the neighbor kids (who were a few years older than I was, but under 10). in the woods behind our house. In Alaska. (Bears, moose, anyone?). I was four. I'm not saying we have to let our kids do those things...But really, some of us (me included!) need to learn to let go a little. Let them have fun.

4. Enjoy your kids. Yes, they need to be fed. And bathed. And kept healthy. But let's worry less about making sure we create some version of perfection for them, stop stressing over whether or not they can count to 100 by 3, and enjoy playing with them sometimes.

5. Relax. I wanted to type "Let it Go" but worried you'd get the song stuck in your head and never forgive me. Oh, wait...Hahaha. Seriously, I think SAHMs as a group are some of the most stressed people I know. Consider it a confession if you aren't one and didn't know that. From the ones I know? I think it's kind of true. We stress about money, almost always, because if we are at home, that means there's less money. (Unless your husband has some crazy high paying job and then just don't tell the rest of us so we won't be jealous, okay?) We stress about raising our kids--when to step in when siblings are fighting--whether we are doing raising them right as a whole, whether we should feed them more green beans--whether Chick-fil-A really should be it's own food group...We stress about dinner (Like, should that be ready and planned before six pm...?). Let's quit. No more stressing. Just enjoy your life with your family, fellow SAHMs. I think that's what we need to hear today. Because it's what we so often forget, which is funny since that's the reason most of us chose to stay home anyway...

I'm still formulating other things I learned from the trip. I'm still accomplishing to-do lists that the drive inspired (like organizing my house, etc). But I think the things I learned about Mommyhood are things that needed to be shared. I hope one of these give you something to think about too. Have fun being Moms, Friends.

Summer Activity: Blueberry Picking

I've had to show major restraint on Instagram lately because I want to post all the pictures of my daughter. This has been such a fun age (for the most part), and I want to capture it in its entirety and soak up every moment of it.

This week while I was on Facebook, I saw a friend liked one of our favorite local spots, Thunderbird Berry Farm. So, being the shameless individual that I am, I texted her and asked her to invite us when she and her kids decided to go since AG and I hadn't been this year.

Fortunately, we didn't have to wait long...


Ripe for the pickin'

Stopping for a sample

So proud of her bounty

Look how cute they are! So what if AG picked some greenberries and pinkberries, too? She had lots of fun with good friends. (And the greenberries reminded me of crabapples I used to eat straight from the tree when I was kid!) 

Like any outdoor activity, if you're going berry picking this summer, make sure to bring plenty of water (I failed at this) and slather on the sunscreen. 

If we can find a berry farm within driving distance of Tulsa, Oklahoma, I'm sure there's one close to you, too!

What are your favorite out-of-the-box activities for summer?

Celebrating the Get-Up-And-Go

I just celebrated a three day weekend with the kiddos. This is a wonderful break from the get-up-and-go that seems to invade every moment of my week. Get up and go to work, get up and go home, get up and go to the softball game, get up and go do laundry, get up and go and to church, get up and go write, get up and .... sorry ... I almost got carried away there.

It was a pleasant weekend, this July 4th, to watch my son hold and swirl his first sparkler. Daddy gave it to him. Mommy imagined all sorts of horrific things happening. Like it exploding and my son ending up in the burn unit. Not sure how a sparkler would explode, but yeah, there goes my writer's imagination. Instead, he waved it with a starry-eyed gaze on his face, no smile, and a well spoken "oh." when it burned out. That's my boy.

Of course he had to wear his raincoat to ward of mosquitoes and gnats. And then wild leaping launch into my lap when Daddy set off the screaming firework bomb made it all worth it.

My arms were full this Fourth of July. Full of celebrating the get-up-and-go hug my family moments. The get up and go love on my kids.

Have gotten up and went lately? To the important things in life?

Happy Birthday, America!

Happy Independence Day from the mamas at Naptime Novelists!
(PS: Does it get any more American than this picture?)

Hope your day is filled with laughter, the smell of barbecue, fireworks, 

and something that tastes half as good as this pie I made a few years ago. 

Have fun + be safe!

Confessions: Wuthering Heights

My laundry piles have reached new heights. The Wuthering sort that leave you morbid and blah for the next week. Piles of clean that don't get out away that get mixed with piles of dirty and suddenly I've doubled my laundry.

My secret: Mom's coming back!

My confession: I'm 37 and my mom still does my laundry

Yes. It's true. Just cause I work full time I've yet to enjoy the luxury of a maid. Yep. That'll never happen. So the chores are there when I leave for work and there when I come home. Except on Mondays. 

My mom watches the kids on Mondays. She calls it "Nanny time". I called "God inspired".

She's been in the process of a move with my dad from their home of thirty years to a new place of respite. So I've been without my Monday missionary for SIX WEEKS. It got so bad with the laundry that my husband went to walmart to buy new underwear. Yes he knows how to do laundry but he works too. So he gets a pass. 

But this week? She returns. En force. To do my laundry and dump all the clean clothes in piles on my bed. It's usually half sorted when I get home. 

Hi. My name is Jaime. My mom folds my underwear. Deal with it. ;)

More true confessions to come ...  There's no shame for those of us who have doting moms. Zero. Shame. 

Driving With Kids

I laughed when I realized Laurie and I were posting about the same thing, but different. But it makes sense, right? It's summer, so it's a good time to travel! If you're one of those people who prefer to fly, Laurie's post will help! If you're more into driving...I've got you covered.

That's my new truck. Currently it is sitting in the parking lot of a hotel in Nebraska, with a camper behind it, while we sleep in a hotel room. We're camping most of the way to Alaska, but a night here and there in a hotel is a nice change.

Rule #1 of driving with kids? Be flexible.  If it's late and everyone is tired and you have to change your stopping plans? Just go with it. If they're sleeping soundly and it's the time you wanted to leave, let them sleep a few extra minutes. It's okay to leave a few minutes late.

Rule #2 Watch the water intake...Okay, seriously, don't deprive your kids of water. But try to give them  lots of water when you stop for the night and limit is slightly during the day. There's a pretty good chance they're not that thirsty during the day, just bored.

Rule #3 Limit the screen time. This one is hard on a road trip! But I don't let my son spend his day glued to the ipad when we're at home, so especially on a long trip, I think you have to watch out for this. He is still spending more time on it than he would be otherwise, but at least he looks out the window some.

Rule #4 Bring their music. In the hopes of not getting it stuck in your head, I won't tell you what soundtrack we're listening to over and over. And I won't tell you which song is stuck in my head.

(Anyone have it stuck in your head now anyway??)

Trust me, though, it's worth the temporary craziness in your mind (no, not that music again!!!) to have your kids take naps.

Rule #5 Enjoy it! It's like Laurie's Magical Summer post. What do you remember from taking trips as a kid? Are they stressful memories in your mind? Or are they fun adventures? I know my parents must have been stressed some on trips, but what I remember is having tons of fun driving across the country and exploring new places. That's what I want my kids to remember too. So if the back of the truck has graham cracker crumbs in it, if you have to stop for a potty break ten minutes after you started driving for the day...try to keep a smile on your face. You're not just making mileage. You're making memories.

Flying with Kids :)

We just got home last night from a trip to keep the fabulous Jaime and kids company while her husband is out of the country doing mission work. We were supposed to come back Wednesday afternoon and didn't get home until Thursday after bedtime.


And we spent a lot of time in the airport. A lot. About 4 hours on Wednesday and 2 back-to-back 4+ hour layovers on Thursday. (But Jaime is worth it.)

Today I thought I'd share tips on traveling with children. AG has been flying since she was 5 months old since her daddy works for an airline. :) Here's how we do it:

Sustenance: When she was a baby, I'd nurse her or bring a bottle to give her during take-off to help her ears adjust to the change in altitude. Be sure to declare any bottles or sippy cups as you're going through security. They won't make you dump milk or formula! Now, I like to pack bags of crackers, goldfish, fruit leather -- anything without a ton of sugar. You definitely don't want to fly with a sugar-rushed child! We also bring a water bottle to fill up once we're through security.

Activities: It's good to pack a few of their favorite toys and books when they're younger in your carry-on bag. Things you know will keep them occupied for longer amounts of time but won't take up a long space. Toys with noise are NOT encouraged for the consideration of your fellow passengers. If your kid is old enough, I'd highly recommend downloading some games or shows on your phone/tablet. But keep in mind, you won't have Wi-Fi, so they have to actually be downloaded onto your drive. To me, this is TOTALLY worth it when your child is in a confined space.

Be Prepared: Not this time (thank the good Lord God almighty) but last time, AG ended up getting the stomach flu and throwing up on the plane. It helps to have an extra pair of clothes and especially a plastic grocery bag because you never know what will happen no matter how old your child is. We packed an extra dress for her that was easy to change in and out of. Pack more than enough diapers and other supplies, too!

Hopefully you'll luck out and get a flight that turns out like this... :)

Our Sarah is bravely traversing across the country from the East Coast to Alaska this week! Maybe she'll share her road trip strategies with two littles when she gets back? But you can follow her journey on her personal blog here. 

What are your best traveling tips? Any trial-and-error stories we can learn from? :)