Moving!

We are in the midst of moving to Thailand, so I will be unable to update this blog.  Please bear with me and check back in about a month (wish me luck).

Back from Thailand

Well, I survived my trip to Thailand and better yet, traveling with a 16 month old.   My first impression of Thailand was not favorable.  It looked very poor, run down and depressing.  After freshening up, we left immediately to meet our relocation assistant to find a home in the community surrounding the International School of Bangkok.  My spirits were not lifted at all and I asked my husband if the move was definite and if we could still back out.  He replied that it was definite and we could not back out.  My heart sank.  How could I bring my three children here?

The next morning I enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the hotel and a nice cup of espresso.  I went back out that day with a new attitude — if this would be my life for the next three to four years, I had better be in charge of it.  I had better find a house that my children would call home. 

As the week progressed I realized it wasn’t the landscape or the architecture of Thailand that would win a small piece of my heart, but the very friendly Thai people.  They absolutely loved my little Lilly.  Wherever we went they would reach out and touch her, stroke her curls, look into her blue eyes and tell me repeatedly that she looked just like a doll.  Lilly soaked up all the attention and smiled at everyone.  Normally I would not want people to touch my child for fear of germs, but the Thai people were so loving and sweet to deny them would have been beyond rude on my part.

Well, by weeks end, we found a home with a nice garden and a beautiful pool across the street.  Many neighbors had children’s bicycles in their driveways.  Hopefully I will easily find friends for my children and everyone will assimilate well into our new lifestyle.

We are back  home now and organizing for our big move.  Stress is high and I am fighting a stomach bug I picked up in Thailand.  I can’t believe that by August 1 we will be living in Thailand.  I get sad and depressed about leaving my life here behind.  I hope and pray we will all transition smoothly into our new lives in Thailand.

Thailand, Here I Come

I can’t believe the time has arrived for my husband, baby and I to travel to Thailand to find a home.  I am having a horrible time leaving my two older girls.  I know they will be fine with my Mom watching them, I am just afraid something will happen to me and I will never see them again.  I know these are normal fears all mothers feel, but it doesn’t make them any easier to tolerate. 

If all goes well, we will all be moving there at the end of July.  I have such mixed feelings regarding the entire move.  Yes, it will be an adventure, yes, it will be a wonderful experience for the children.   But, a lot can be said for stability, safety and familiar surroundings.  All of which I find comfort in.    I will write more on all this later this week if time permits . . .

My Crummy Thyroid!

Well, I am guessing my lack of interest in just about anything and my irritability and fatigue (not to mention weight gain) are to be blamed on my thyroid.  I am sure many are out there rolling your eyes and wondering how I can be such a whiner about this, but I frequently go through these bouts due to an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  This disease has plagued me for close to 15 years.  When properly medicated, I can function normally with only general fatigue brought on by stress, lack of sleep or illness.  When my body fluctuates in its response to my thyroid, then I slowly start drifting into a black hole.   Because this is a gradual drift, I usually don’t realize the culprit (my thyroid) until I have a blood test or become so tired I hardly have the energy to get out of bed or shower.  In the beginning I tend to blame it on staying up too late, not eating well, illness or monthly hormone fluctuation. 

So, here I am, my arms aching while I type and around me are unwashed dishes and unfolded laundry.  In bed are my three beautiful children whom I have been irritable with all week.  Their usually easy-going mom now gets frustrated over just about everything and every minor request from them sounds too huge to accomplish in my mind.  I am exhausted — mentally and physically.  Luckily I have an appointment next week.  Let’s hope I can make it until then.  Three americanos and a Coke daily aren’t doing the trick.  I could lay down right now and fall asleep.  My only goal tonight is to get the kitchen cleaned and maybe some laundry folded.  That sounds way too ambitious as it is already 9 p.m.   Wish me luck!

Daughter Date Night and Inspiration

I had a wonderful night with my 11-year-old last week.  Although my husband could only give us three hours together we had a lot of fun.  We spent way too long at dinner, but she talked almost non-stop which was wonderful.  It is so great to reconnect with her.  I wish I could have time like this with each child daily.  Such a wish had me searching the web for answers. 

There is an “inspiring” blog out there called Inspired to Action.  It has me questioning the life I am living.  I am not happy, so something needs to change and it has to start with me.  I need to take control again and be a good example for my children.  If you have a moment, check out Inspired to Action http://inspiredtoaction.com/  and let it inspire you.  I will keep you posted on my progress.

Thank You for Voting!

Katey won Honorable Mention in the state Arbor Day poster competition.   She was given a tree to plant at her school and her name was engraved on a plaque which is hung at the Arbor Day Foundation.  Her picture will also be placed on a bookmark.  I am so proud of her!  Thank you again for all your support.

Life is Good . . . Don’t Miss It! (Ladies Home Journal, March 2010)

Making Moments that Matter

I recently read an article in Ladies Home Journal that inspired me.  It discusses being  present for the important moments of your life.  The article calls it mindfulness — the practice of keeping your focus on the present moment. 

I am notorious for lying in bed at night usually around 3 a.m. thinking about all the ways I haven’t been there for each child and how overwhelmed I am.   With all the multitasking modern-day life requires, I find  myself hurrying so fast to accomplish so much I forget to stop and enjoy the moments that truly matter.  I have not been practicing mindfulness and I am missing out on so much. 

So how do I accomplish mindfulness?  It takes practice.  While I am hurrying along accomplishing all the tasks necessary for a family of five I am focusing on getting to the next task.  I should instead focus on the actual task and ask myself how I can enjoy the moment.  I know this may sound crazy, but I have tried it a few times and it really works.  I have noticed more joy in my every day life just by slowing down and engaging in what I am doing while I am doing it.  Whether it be folding laundry or taking out the trash.  I take a deep breath, notice the details of my surroundings and be present. 

The article also discusses during times when I feel frantic or overwhelmed I need to see it as an invitation to be present.  Take a deep breath, focus and bring myself back into the moment.  

When I focus on doing too many things at once I am not giving full attention to either one and then when a child (or three) enter the situation I can only offer a fraction of attention to what really matters.  It’s almost as if I have left my body and I am just going through the motions like a machine.  My mind isn’t even focusing.  

My task list, laundry, blog, e-mail and Facebook will be there tomorrow, but my children are growing up quickly.  A great quote from the article says, “Technology is great for staying in touch with far-away loved ones.  But for the near and dear who are actually near?  Be with them when you can.”  I need to make rules for myself to limit technology for those times when my children don’t need me.  This also holds true for the daily tasks like laundry and cleaning.  When a child does require my attention — be there “mindfully.”  Look in her eyes, notice her expression and really listen.  Incorporating mindfulness in my marriage would go a long way too. 

Hopefully by practicing mindfulness my late night guilt will fade.  I am hoping my children will benefit from a mom who is truly there for them and present.  No more half-heartedly listening to one of my children while I complete a task or plunk away on the computer.  I vow from this moment on to be there as much as I can and be mindful.

Easy Overnight Oatmeal

Has anyone tried overnight oatmeal?  I am not a huge oatmeal fan although I do like a bowl now and then.  I made overnight oatmeal in my crock recently and awoke to the best oatmeal I have ever tasted.  My daughter loved it and has requested it again. 

Easy Overnight Oatmeal

4 cups milk

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp. melted butter

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 cups old-fashioned or steel-cut oats

1 cup craisins

2 cups apple, chopped

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Coat the inside of a 3-4 quart slow cooker with non-stick spray.  Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and mix well.  Cover and cook on warm or low setting overnight, or 7-8 hours.  In the morning, stir well and scoop into individual bowls.  Refrigerate any leftovers (they reheat well in the microwave).

Hooked on Animal Crossing!

Does anyone out there have a Wii and the game Animal Crossing?  With my husband out of town I can enjoy playing the game while I nurse my four month old.  My 10 year old plays the game too, but mostly on her DS.  It is such a guilty pleasure.  The laundry and dishes pile up while I live vicariously through my persona on the Wii.

For those of you who play the game, today is the “bug off.”  I can’t wait!

Our Fairy-tale Portrait Session

What an event!  It went better than I had expected.  I hope my husband enjoys his Father’s Day gift.    My two year old loved being a fairy.  I thought she would be my difficult one at the session, but she surprised me.   The baby was a little fussy because she had just awakened and was hungry.  My ten year old didn’t like the costume and refused to take her socks off.  But, all in all, it turned out nice.  I just hope my children look back on such events as a fun time and don’t remember the uncomfortable costumes and my short temper.