Who knew?

I did not start this blog for money or for fame like some do. I decided to open my heart and use this

This is me!!!

as an outlet for myself to hopefully relate to someone other than myself. No one focus, just raw honest truth. Allowing myself a platform to inspire others to do what makes them happy.

Writing has always been a way of expression for me, when I feel like I cant say what I feel I just write. Most don't know this, but I have always been afraid of judgement against me. A fear of people not excepting me for ME! Even though I seem like I have it all together and could care less what people think of me, I really and truly have always cared. That is something I am constantly working on. Writing is just one of many of my loves.

When I was younger I wanted to be only one thing (a teacher) because I thought that, that was all one could do... ONE thing!!! I mean who knew that people could juggle more than one love? I sure as heck didn't. That is until I graduated from high school and went through the loss of my first pregnancy. I was not sure if my loss had me confused about the career I wanted or if indeed there was no one particular job out there for me...

For a while after my loss, I battled with career paths. A few months after my miscarriage I found out that I was expecting again. While I was scared and nervous about being pregnant once again, I knew that I wanted a career. I needed a career, after all I was expecting a blessing. So, I started college. I was going to be a teacher. While in school I noticed that I was not that satisfied with the career choice that I had chose because honestly teachers are over worked and very much underpaid.... I decided that I was going to change my career because I was unhappy with my choice. I meet with my career counselor to help me set up courses that I needed to become a crime scene investigator. I started my classes only to find myself saying "girl you cant pass the physical portion of this job" so guess what I did???????

Yep, you guessed it... ON TO THE NEXT CAREER.... I made sure that this time I was not going to waste my time but get that education I wanted so that I could have the career I have always dreamed about. I met with my career counselor again and talked about some options for me.

Now by this time I had already had my first child and was now pregnant with my second. I not only wanted a career but, felt like I needed it more than ever. I went to school during the summer and did very well, but once I had my second daughter I decided to stay home and put my career on hold.

I loved being a mommy, but hated that I felt like a complete failure. While all my other friends were at college I was at home raising babies and letting my man take care of the household financially (ladies I felt like a complete and utter mess). That was until one day a great friend of mine that went to school to become a Medical Assistant told me all about it. I instantly was in love. Who knew that in less than a year I could have a job in the Medical field and still be a mom and a wife?

My friend went with me to check out a school and helped me to get on track to start my career. I signed up for school and let me tell you I did very well. I was a mentor in my class as well as a
4.0 student with perfect attendance and honor roll. It felt great to graduate at the top of my class, but that was short lived. I put my heart in my schooling but, all the jobs out there when I graduated were not what I had expected.

Still feeling unfulfilled in my career path, I chose to go back to school. I was so excited because now I was going to go and work hard to become a Physician Assistant. Yes, honey I was going to provide a better life for my wonderful family. Until, the school I lived by didn't offer any classes for my career of choice. I would have to drive well over an hour and a half just for school. I could not do that I had two little ones under the age of 3. Again, I felt unfulfilled and defeated.

So, here I am now a mother of 3 and wanting to go back to school. I thought hey one of my favorite things in this world is cooking. I can go to culinary arts school because honey she can cook. That is until my world stopped when I found out that my favorite school on this planet wants $40,000. That is not with interest honey.... I nearly passed out and while I really was considering it, I thought to myself.... "Now Kayleigh, is this smart of you to do? How are you going to be able to pay that off? Will you be able to find a great job in this field? Will you ever have financial freedom if you take loans out like that?" This all came to my mind. So I posted on Facebook to see if anyone could give me some true insight on this school. It seems as though I had no one in my corner to help with insight even though I know people that have attended here, but that is neither here nor there (get out of your feelings girl).

I decided that I was not going to go because I don't want to put myself or leave my family in debt because I want to go this school. Then all of a sudden a light bulb came on and I finally figured out why I had to go through all of these career changes.....

Because, none of these one jobs are for me on there own. I am a teacher to my children each and everyday. From the moment they wake to the moment the go to bed. Even then I am still a teacher, because I am correcting homework and looking over at their work from the day. I am a crime scene investigator when I tackle their room (Lord help me in there, LOL) trying to figure out what the hell happened. When they are sick and not feeling well I am their Medical Assistant (Nurse Mommy to the rescue). I nurse them back to health because that is what mommies do.... Last but not least, I am my own chef. Who said that I needed to go to culinary arts school to be a chef? No one. I am chef mommy.

The reason I wanted to write this today is because I feel like someone needs to hear this (well, technically read this). Your life is not over because you have had obstacles in your way. Look at it from all angles. I promise that it will all come together in the end.

Am I the only one?

It seems like there are not enough hours in the day to do all the things you want to and need to do. You wake up get yourself ready and then the kids. Give them breakfast, drop them off at school (if they are in school) and then run errands. By which now it is time to go to work. You do your job then get off and get home around 9:40 pm or later, eat dinner hop in the shower and sit down to relax and realize you didn't get everything accomplished.

Mimi and Riah!!!

Am I the only one that feels like this? I cant be!!! I would not change my life for anything even  though I am sure I have big bags under my eyes, half my makeup smeared off and I'm sure my kids are climbing up the walls, lol. I am just kidding people, calm down already................

Well now that the kids are out of school and its time to prep them for next year. I am so excited to be having two children in elementary now. Riah just got her final grades in and she has made me very proud. She made Honor Roll again. That makes for all year!!! My baby is doing so well in school. I couldn't be any more proud of her.

Mimi is counting down the days now till Kinder. My big baby girl has been so patient when it comes to school. She is already 5, but because of being a December baby she had to wait. She keeps asking "Is school tomorrow?" LOL!!! My big baby girl cant wait.

Logey Bear!!!

Logey Bear is finally walking everywhere. You cant get that boy to sit, but when he is sleeping. It is the cutest thing ever in life. He kind of runs while walking, if you can picture that. It is a beautiful thing. People always say that each baby is different and it is so true. This baby is truly a boy, Wholeheartedly. He lets you know when he is mad. I am working on him right now with his cute but very hard attitude. He has a thing for hitting and throwing things when you tell him "no". So, with that being said we are working with him right now.

My life is so full right now and I am truly blessed. Regardless of the craziness I call "LIFE" it is my life and I am grateful to be in it. I love my beautiful family. It is all mine!!!

I love you for reading and I hope that you enjoyed... Till next time... Peace, Love and Blessings!!!

"YOU ARE A MOTHER"!!!

From the moment you think "I might be", to the moment you find
out "I am" "You are a mother". Even if you never heard the heart beat "You are a mother". Just because you didn't get to feel their kick "You are a mother". Even though you never will get to take them home, "You are a mother". So what you had to give them up for adoption "You are a mother". If you didn't get the chance to watch them grow because they got their angel wings earlier than expected "You are a mother". Its okay you had to play mommy and daddy. "You are a mother".

"I am looking forward to seeing the kind of person my son will be. His little personality and his little smile. I am a mother".

"I hate the teenager years, the mood swings, the "mad"itudes for no apparent reason. I am a mother".

"They are my motivation to pull through in life. I am a mother".

"I hate that because I have spoiled them rotten that when I say I don't have it, they don't understand. I am a mother".

"I love the unconditional love that each kid gives to me. I am a mother".

"I hate that I cant protect them from the pain and hurt in the world. Having to let them make their own mistakes. I am a mother".

Regardless of your situation "you are a mother". Some say that if you don't
physically have the child you are not. I say other wise. I celebrate each and everyone of you today. "You are a mother".

"I love the thoughtful things my children do/say without being asked. I am a mother".

"I am not looking forward to the dark thoughts I know will come at night. That I am not able to be the mommy I want to be. I am a mother".

"I love that becoming a mother exposed me to the world of holistic health care. I am a mother".

"I hate mommy wars. I am a mother".

"I love the simple joy that my daughter finds in life, like bubbles and flowers. I am a mother".

"I hate the first trimester of pregnancy. All the sickness its awful. I am a mother".

In life we have obstacles. Some that are easy and some that we really have
to work hard to overcome. Becoming pregnant is one of those obstacles. For some there mere thought of a baby gets them pregnant. That isn't the case for everyone. Some may never get to experience the joys of motherhood through the womb., but by adoption. "You are a mother".

"I love the immediate indescribable love you feel for your kids. I feel it most at night while rocking mine to sleep. I am a mother".
"I hate that I cant ever give up. It is especially hard when I have so much going on in life and I cant deal. I am a mother".

"I love seeing my child apply something that I taught. I am a mother".

"I hate that my kids are old enough to make their own decision and I have to accept them, even though I know the are making a mistake. I am a mother".

"I love that when I am down and out and thinking negative thoughts about leaving this place, just thinking about my kids saves me. I am a mother".

"I am not looking forward to my post-partum body. I am a mother".

Being a parent is a different experience for everyone. Sometimes we get pregnant and we don't feel like it is our time to become a mother. We aren't ready. We think about "do I keep it, get rid of it, what am I going to do"? Adoption becomes an answered pray to some family. "You are a mother".

" I love seeing her every morning and every night just smile at me. I'm finally a real mommy, and it's such a great feeling. I am a mother".

"I hate that he is so far away and there is nothing I can do about it. I never regret my decision to place him for adoption, but sometimes I wish circumstances had been different when he was born so I could have him now. I miss him so much, and there will always be something missing in my heart, but I know I gave him the world. Had I kept him, he probably wouldn't be in my custody now. I am a mother".

"I love watching my son grow. Watching him reach milestones and seeing his personality shine through. I am a mother".

"I hate I feel like I failed my daughter, because I picked a man wouldn't be my husband or a father to her. I am a mother"."

"I am looking forward to breastfeeding. I know it is going to be difficult, but I want to bond/connect and look into her eyes. I am a mother".


"I hate people questioning my parenting especially when I didn't ask for an opinion. I am a mother".

Just because things didn't play out the way you wanted you haven't failed. Sometimes life gets in the way. We do things we aren't proud of, and make choices we soon regret. "You are a mother".

"I love that we will always be a family despite our situation. I am a mother".

"I hate the anxiety that comes with motherhood. I constantly doubt myself, am I doing everything right. I am a mother".

"I love spending time with my daughter, watching her grow and blossom into the young lady she is. I am a mother".

"I hate feeling alone with our kids even though I have a husband home. I am a mother".

"I love that I am able to witness her many talents. She bring joy and
happiness to my heart. I am a mother".

"I hate my pregnancies are so hard that I never get to enjoy them. I am a mother".

     Psalms 127:3 

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

No matter how you were blessed with them, they are your gifts. Love them and cherish the moments you have together. It may get rough, you may lose sleep. But, their are women dying to have the opportunity to become a mother. Don't take it for granted.

No one may ever tell you this but only once a year, and to me that is not enough. We moms are under appreciated. From one mother to the next I will celebrate you and this wonderful thing we get to call motherhood. Lets make a difference in the world. Not judging each other but uplifting one another. I love you all and believe in you. No matter what circumstance you are in or have been in.
                                                             "YOU ARE A MOTHER"!!!

 

 

 

.

Be their encourager!!!

Sariah on her first day of kindergarten.

Encouraging your kids is vital to how much they actually take in while learning at school. You should not leave all the teaching and rewarding up to the teacher. Yes we send our kids to school so that they get an education., but remember that is only the first steps.

When I would pick Sariah up from school everyday I always made sure to ask three questions.

1. How was school today?
2. What did you learn?
3. Did you get homework?

On our drive home she would tell me about her day and what she learned. This probably had to be the best part of the day as a parent. I loved hearing her talk. Listen parents this is key, because had I not asked Sariah how her day was I would have never known that a little boy beat her up. If the child isn't acting normal and seems timid or has their head down, chances are something happened. If they aren't willing to talk about it, you need to turn around and speak with the teacher. This happened a few times. Riri wouldn't tell me what happened, so I would go to her teacher, and she would explain what happened and why Sariah was upset. Communication is a big factor no matter who old or young they are. Once you stop talking to them about things, don't be surprised if they keep things bottled up inside and lash out. I've seen this happen before.

You may be thinking "lash out, my kid is only in kindergarten" Yes, honey it happens. Our kids aren't like the kids we were when we went to school. This generation is much more smart. They see more,

Sariah loves school.

hear more, and do more. 

When asking the question "what did you learn"? Make sure you are asking for full details. Have them explain. For an example. If they say "today we learned about the earth" your question would be "Great, now what about the earth did you learn"? So on and so fourth. I don't think I need to elaborate any more, right? Great, hopefully you got it.

Learning is so important for them at whatever age they are. When they are babies we want them to  learn how to talk, walk, grab things. So when they get older why should it be any different?

Something that my girls loved to do was head out to the library on Wednesdays to check out books. Sariah usually would find books related to what she was learning about at school. She is so smart, and I am blessed to be her mom. We would come home and Riri would tell Kamille about what she had learned. Now Mimi was learning. Your kids can help teach the younger ones. It an added bonus.

This is the most important part of your child's day. Homework time!!! Parents don't slack on this part of the day. Yes, you had a long day at work, the baby is screaming, your husband is driving you crazy, you probably just burned the dinner. I get it, I have 3 kids its not always easy. Just remember if you don't have your kids do homework you are only setting them up for failure.

Sariah would come home every Friday with two new packets of homework, due the next week on Thursday. One would be writing, reading, home connections and the second math. Depending on how many pages of homework she had, would depend on how long we took. I usually had her do 3 a day. Even on the weekend. Our favorite part about homework time, was our one on one time together. I included Kamille in the reading portion because we did it before bed.

I learned a lot about Sariah when helping her out with homework. My daughter is very self conscious about herself and is afraid that people are going to judge her if she does something wrong. This is where parents have to intervene and lift your child's spirits up. Be their encourager!

She still battles with this, but it is something I am working with her on. I see so much potential in her, and I let her know that. If they are struggling in certain areas in school, talk to their teachers. They can give them extra work, and or recommend great "free" websites to use for pintable's.

My homemade packets for Sariah.

Kamille has homemade homework packets
as well.

My favorite place to go is Barnes and Noble. I love to buy there learning activity books. I have the member ship so I get 15% off. It is a must for how often I shop there. I buy them for both girls. They have age one or grade. It just depends on what you want.

Hopefully you have learned a few key tips, school is almost here again. Remember our kids are the next Doctors, Lawyers, Nurses, Engineers and much, much more.

A fun place.

Fun activities are a must with the kiddos. No matter where we live we always have fun... Guess what

Los Angeles isn't the only place to have fun with them either.

I don't think kids should be trapped in the house, so find fun things in your area. Some places are free in your local areas and some cost a little bit of money. If the kids really enjoy the places you can always apply the ticket to the season pass. It just has to be purchased that day.

My girls are very into science, animals and the earth. So we go a lot of museums. Which low key, I love too. Today we decided to try out the Nevada Spring Preserve. http://www.springspreserve.org/coming_soon/coming_soon.html

We totally had fun. They have indoor miniature golf, outside animals, fossils. You name it they probably had it. It did cost to get it, but not a lot. We paid $24.95 for all of us. It opens at 10am -6pm.
Which is great for the kids. On site is a dining area, gift shop and library. Winning.

It was very fun. Inside they do a live animal show. Two different hours in the day. So if you miss the first one you can go to the next. They ask for participation too, so that is a plus. Although my kids cried because they didn't get picked. LOL.

My favorite part (hey parents can have fun too) was the flash flood the do. Mimi was so scared, but not Riri or Logey Bear.

All in all it was fun I am glad that we went.

Now I know that for the most part you that most stay in the greater Los Angeles are, so here are a few fun places my girls loved.
In no particular order:

1. Los Angeles Zoo (it was cheaper to buy a pass for my whole family)
2. California Science center ( The Endeavor exhibit is a must see)
3. Brea tar pit (I loved going her when I was a kid)
4. Aquarium of the pacific (not my favorite thing)
5. Long beach library (my girls are simple)
6. Santa Ana Zoo (The park is amazing)

Now there is so much more to do and see, but these are just a few. Hope you enjoy taking your
kiddos out. Let the fun times begin.

How to keep the balance.

I asked for people to name topics that they wanted me to blog about for them to read. Long and behold most actually had the same concerns. Some expressed them on my "daily mom confessions" page and some in boxed me. Either way I automatically knew this is something I want to blog about.

We all handle things differently because we are not built the same. Physically, mentally and emotionally we all run on different levels. What may make me feel unequipped and get me sad and depressed might not even phase you. 

They only way I was able to keep a balance is because I battled with what one would call PPD "postpartum depression". I had a very bad case of it. Now I wasn't affected by this after Sariah, but with Kamille. It knocked me straight on my ass. Everything in me was fighting it, but nothing worked. I didn't know what to do. I ended up in the hospital so many times because I literally thought " I am dying, today is the day. I feel it". PPD is that bad. It causes you to have panic attacks and very bad anxiety. It isn't a joke at all.

Finally I took myself to Mental Health (yes I left by pride at home). They sent me to a psychologist because they said "you don't belong here, your not crazy". Well I sure felt crazy as hell. I started seeing a psychologist but noticed this is not going to work either. He was weird as ever wanting to talk about when I was a baby. Like I remembered that. LOL.

I was so lost and had no one that I could talk to about it. I've learned that a lot of people are afraid to be themselves and be open. I am not. You ask me something and I usually am an open book. What I went through I believe is to help someone else.

I went to my primary care physician and expressed my concerns about what was going on. She recommended Medication. At this point I was willing to try anything to get better. I had two kids depending on me. The first medication she started me on made things worse. I felt like the walls were caving in on me. Yes it is that bad.

Finally we found a medication that actually worked for me. The only problem was now I was sleepy all the time and hating life. I had to figure out what I could do. I decided that I needed to find an outlet to help me.

I knew that I didn't want to be on the medication anymore. I stayed away from excess amounts of coffee, made sure to keep the house bright. Get out of the house and do stuff with the girls. I learned what worked for me. I stopped taking the medication. Now I use to keep it on me just in case, but thank God I never needed it again.


If I felt like I was about to have an attack, I would suck on a hard piece of candy, and it worked.

This is how I learned how to keep the balance.

I was always to fixated on what the girls needed that I forgot about myself. You cant do that it will only make your life miserable. Just because you become a mother doesn't mean that you die. If anything it just starts a new chapter in your book. I mean that's what we are doing here, writing our book. Our stories aren't the same ever because then the book would be boring and not unique.

When the girls take a nap, I get some "Me time in". I watch my shows, surf the web, catch up on YouTube. Things that make me happy. That make me "ME".  I noticed that when I would work I never bought myself anything. I literally got paid and took the girls out shopping. This is a good thing to a certain extent. You have to treat yourself to something. Now don't get me wrong please provide for you children, but if they don't need anything and you do, make sure to choose you this time.

It is hard, I know. I love my kids with all that is in me, but mommy has needs too. Once you stop doing for you, you've already messed with the balance. It can and will have a negative affect on you. My girls know mommy needs space and they try to help I can tell., but remember they are kids don't expect too much. This is were the saying "it takes a village to raise kids" comes in.

Never be afraid to ask for help. If you have great friends and you are loosing it, ask. If you aren't a single parent tell your husband or boyfriend what's going on. Don't bottle it up and keep it in. It isn't healthy at all. No one is going to judge you, and if they do, they aren't any good for you.

Another great way to stay balanced is find other moms with kids around your kids ages. Schedule weekly play dates and let the kids be. While they are playing you and the kids mom can have some adult time. Trust me talking to kids all day, this will do you some good. I love hanging with other moms because they get you and understand certain frustrations.

Find your outlet. It can be writing (which is my favorite), singing, dancing, reading. Anything that allows you to just openly breath and get back to "YOU". You aren't dead, you are very much alive. Becoming a mother is the best thing in this world and also the hardest., but it isn't rocket science.

In staying balanced we are all going to have our own ways. Remember are make ups are different. No two people are the same. Not even twins. I promise you it only gets easier as time progresses and you learn more about yourself and kids.

I hope this helped someone, anyone. I am always here to help talk if need be. Who am I to judge?

My day!

Today was a great day. Do you remember my frustrations with trying to get scheduled to take my placement tests out here? Well I called and was able to find out that I had to sit and wait for them to release more dates and times. At midnight, but I did it and got my appointments. Thank God. It is two weeks out but hey it is a date.

This morning I woke up and made the best breakfast burritos ever in life. Seriously they were that good. Nom, nom, nom... LOL. Today my little man turned 4 months so that was a big deal for me. All that we have been through with him, it is a blessing to watch him get older.

Dinner was amazing, easy and yummy. It brought back so many childhood memories. I loved it and so did the girls. Riri wanted 2 of them. What a big girl.

Sariah had been bugging me to buy her these little Legos from target so I figured she deserves it. She has been being so good. I am proud of her. I mean they are only $3.99. That isn't exactly breaking the bank. So we went and they each choose something. Logan got a new book.

Logan has been pretty fussy lately because he is starting to teeth already. My poor baby. We got everyone ready for bed and it was time to read some books. The most important thing that you can do with your children, is keep a routine. It really helps the kids. After 3 books everyone was ready for bed.

Now it is "mommy me time". I am watching my pretty little liars and enjoying the silence in the house. Then shower and hitting the sheets. Its been a long day. My body is drained, thank God Shawn is off tomorrow I can sleep in. Yeah right... Nighty night everyone reading. If anyone is reading.

10 Best Mommy Must Haves

As a mom of three kids, I have tried a lot of different products. Some of which I cant live with out and some that I wish I never spent my money on. If you are a new mother or a mother to be, I promise these products will do you justice.

1. Medela breast pump. (There are a million different types you can make the decision based off what you considered to be needed).
2. Ergo carrier
3. Britax traveling system.
4. Lanolin nipple cream.
5. Tommee tippee bottles.
6. Bebe Au Lait nursing cover.
7. Burt's Bee Calming body wash, and lotion.
8. California baby bubble bath (Aromatherapy).
9. Nose Frida (I used this when little man had RSV, it did wonders).
10. Honest company diapers and wipes (I don't use anything else).

Now of course to each is own, but for me these are products that I stand 100% behind. I cant go wrong with any of them.

I love my Medela breast pump. I use the heck out of it, especially when little man was so sick in the hospital. I would pump so that I could leave enough milk for Shawn to feed him. I had to travel back and forth because I had 2 other kids depending on me as well. I am in love with it. When I first had Sariah I bought a cheap one, and boy did I make a mistake there. It had no suction and kept breaking.

You all know my love for the Ergo carrier. I am always using it.

The other day as I cleaned the house I put Logan in it and it put him to sleep. Sometimes you have to work with what works. I would not waste my money on anything but an Ergo, and that's not wasting money. I know that he is safe in it and that he is comfortable. Nothing can beat this.

My Britax traveling system has everything that you need for the baby. It comes with the car seat base, the car seat and the stroller (which is the best part of the whole thing). I wasted a lot of time and money with strollers. I probably have bought at least 10 strollers in my kids life time because they just weren't reliable. I wont go back.

Lanolin nipple cream soothes your sore cracked nipples. Now some say if your nipples are
cracked then your doing it wrong. Not true. Mine actually cracked from using the breast pump and feeding him. My nipples were on over drive if you can understand that. I used other creams and they were greasy and didn't really sooth me.

Tommee tippee bottles are amazing. I use the ones that specialize for colic and reflux babies. It really does make a difference. Logan
is very picky when it comes to a nipple. He likes the Medela bottles as well, but they cant surpass Tommee tippee... They make all the different sizes as well and babies r us always has a sale on them.

Bebe Au Lait nursing cover is a must for breastfeeding mothers. It keeps you 100% covered up and is airy

enough for the baby to keep cool. Also in the inside it has two terry cloth pockets so that you can keep extra breast pads or pacifiers. It is cool. This cover allows you to nurse your baby comfortably in public without worrying who can see (although I didn't care who saw, just being honest).

Burt's Bee Calming body wash, and lotion go hand in hand with the California Baby Bubble Bath (Aromatherapy). Not only do they smell amazing, but they work. When little man is tired at night and ready for bed. I give him a bath using these products and sure enough it puts him right to sleep. I wish I would have found these products with the girls.

Nose Frida is probably one of the coolest things invented since sliced bread (thank you Kendra). When Logan was sick those bulbs the hospital used didn't work for anything. Besides the fact they deep suctioned him we needed something that would work in between. This never once failed me. It grabs all buggers and snot. No people you cant actually get them in your mouth. I only wish that I would have came up with this product...

Honest company diapers and diaper wipes are my favorite for so many reasons. My favorite part about them is the cute designs that are on my babies butt.... OMG they have so many to choose from and I want them all (wait I do have them all). The are bio- degradable and safer for the environment.

Logan has very sensitive skin and huggies make him irritated. He gets very red and swollen. Pampers do the same thing to him. I was buying the sensitive pampers in the beginning because he was so small and the honest company would swim on him., but even those started to irritate him. I love these and am so glad that I found them. I wont go back. A big plus is if your order them online you get way more bang for your buck.

I hope that this will help you when shopping for your baby or setting up your registries for the baby shower. I love each product on here. They are not in any specific order they all stand out on there own.

My day

Today was a pretty laid back day for the most part. Not really much to do. I took the girls out to the pool for a while. It was fun. We had the whole thing to ourselves. I wasn't mad at that. Little man didn't get in, he just watched from the side lines with his daddy. Sariah and Kamille are doing so well in the pool. They took off their life vests to show me that they are able to swim without them. My girls are growing up so fast. I feel like just yesterday they were being born. These are the moments that you have to hold onto, because before you know it they are going to be off to college and out of your house.

After spending time in the pool, we got cleaned up and headed out to do some grocery shopping. We spent about an hour or so getting food for the week and standing in line for what always seems like a life time at food 4 less. I am not sure why they cant hire people that know what they are doing. It so frustrates me. Now for the fun part putting everything away. I have to be honest downsizing so that we can save money to buy our house can make a girl go crazy.

Anyways, after doing so I noticed that I didn't have anymore trash bags. Well wait I did have one and I was holding onto it with my life. Okay just kidding. Seriously though. I really didn't want to leave, but my big girl Sariah said that she would go with me. So out again we went. Heading to our favorite store "Target". Well one of them anyways. On the way Sariah wanted to listen to music. Can anyone guess what we put in and turned all the way up?????

If you guessed Tamar then ding, ding, ding you won a trip to "getcha life"... and honey boo me and Riri got ours. I am almost sure everyone next to us and or driving past thought we were crazy. We didn't care because we were enjoying ourselves and having fun. This is what I live for. Seeing my kids happy and all from the little things in life.

I came home to find that my little man was already for bed, so it was mommy time. I put him to sleep pretty much every night. One thing that I just started doing, is reading him his own books at night because I notice that he actually enjoys it. Trust me I get he is only 4 months (in 6 more mins. as I am writing this) but you should see his eyes glow and get big, his feet start to move and he laughs. I am so in love. After reading him 3 books off my favorites list, I held him close and told him "Mommy loves you". I looked down to see that he had already fell fast asleep. In my arms he was safe and warm.

I got the girls ready for bed, then we cleaned their room. Now book time for them. Tonight it was a "Junie B" Book, which they love. Something about chapter books make them feel like big girls. So cute. Now it is time for me and my honeys guilty pleasure "love and hip hop". Nighty night. Until tomorrow.

Must have in your kids library!!!

If you don't already know books are my favorite thing to buy, now you know. I believe that they keep children grounded. If there is one thing I remember most about my child hood it was my mom reading me books. I make it a point to read 3 books before bed, unless it is chapter night. Then ill read a whole book to them. That's another book topic for later.

Today I want to talk about the 10 books every parent should have in their children's library. Starting with my favorite. Now narrowing these down was very hard. I almost love every book just as much as the other. If I could list all of the books I would, but then we would be here forever. My kids own that many books. So here we go, get your iPhone or pen and paper. Or maybe you already have a few already. Anyways hope you enjoy the quick read, and these books will take you back down memory lane.

TOP BOOKS EVERY MOTHER SHOULD HAVE IN THEIR CHILDRENS LIBRARY!!!

1. LOVE YOU FOREVER: Written by Robert Munsch
2. GOODNIGHT MOON: Written by Margaret Wise Brown
3. CORDUROY: Written by Don Freeman
4. IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE: Written by Laura Numeroff
5. ARE YOU MY MOTHER: Written by P.D. Eastman
6. THE LITTLE RED CABOOSE: Written by Marian Potter
7. THE NAPPING HOUSE: Written by Audrey and Don wood
8. DADDY AND ME: Written by Karen Katz
9. BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE?: Written by Bill Martin jr/ Eric Carle
10. FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED: Written by Eileen Christelow

NOW FOR A BONUS BOOK: WACKY WEDNESDAY: Written by Dr. Seuss

Hope you will enjoy these books as much as we do. I read these books to the girls as well as my little man. They all equally love them.

Frustrations

So now that I am settled here in Vegas, I am ready to get back in the swing of things and go back to school. The only problem that I am now having is that the colleges out here are over populated. Seriously? This has to be one of the hardest places to go to school. They have more than one campus but the one that I need has no testing openings. I am so mad right now. What can I do though?

I feel like every time I try to take a step forward for myself, I get pushed back 20 steps behind. Now this may not seem like a big deal to some, but furthering my education is very important to me. Yes I could always go to another trade school and do something else I love., but why put my "REAL" dream on hold?

Is anyone out there listening to me? Do you understand where I am coming from, or am I all alone in this? Going back to school has always been my dream, I just had to defer it for a while because I needed to put my babies first. Yes I know little man is only going to be 4 months and he is still small, but I need to get things in order so that when he turns 6 months mommy can get her life....

Its been along time coming and I am ready to go back and get my career started. I could sit here and cry because I cant get an appointment, or I can put on my big girl panties and keep fighting for my dream. When one door closes isn't another suppose to open up? I am waiting and praying for this.

I believe that it is my time to finally fulfill "ME"!!! I have the support of my husband, and the motivation from my kids. College here I come, again.

I wont let this bump in the road stop me. I will continue to be persistent even if it means trying to get a walk in and being told "its to full". I got this. College is a weapon we need to succeed in life. It is the true key to success and I can feel it at the tip of my fingers. Lets do this.

Not our season!

I never thought that having kids meant loosing friends, till I had my own. In the movies they make it

seem like not much changes when you get pregnant. Your friends are there for you when you need them. Not in my case.

When I found out that I was pregnant with Sariah I didn't expect to lose the friends that I had been friends with for what seemed like forever. It wasn't until around 3 months that I really noticed (now don't get me wrong, a few did stay, the real ones)., but most of them fled like it was a disease. To this day I still don't understand why. I asked and answers were so ridiculous I could not come to grips with the excuses if you ask me. Some of the reasons: "I wanted to party and you couldn't", or "you were starting a family and I was going to be left out".

First things first I am not one to kick someone to the curb because I am having a baby. The only reason that I would, is if you were a bad influence (drugs, prostitution, stripping). Friends aren't something that you just throw away at your disposal.

This is when I really began to understand what the saying " Some friends are for a lifetime, but some are only for a season". I didn't want to believe this, but it is true. We aren't meant to keep the seasonal friends for life. I now know this. I didn't lose them because I had a baby, it just wasn't our season any longer. Now I am not sure if they come back for another season or not, because I am not willing to get hurt again. Or allow my children to meet someone and they are around for a sort while and then they up and leave.

Me becoming a mother has taught me a lot about myself and showed me that the friends I need are the ones willing to stick it out even if I cant go to the club. So what you can go to the club with the other women who don't have kids (or in todays time the ones that don't take care of their kids, their mom or dads do it for them). Hey I call it like I see it.

Now don't take it out of context people. You don't have to loose yourself and stop having fun. I on the other hand am not about to spend my money to get my nails, toes, hair done and a bomb outfit to sit in the dark and be around a bunch of sweaty nasty young people acting crazy. I can do that at home on YouTube for free, okay!

If you are reading this and you don't have kids, but your friends do. Don't leave them because you think that their life is going to change so much that they would kick you to the curb. Talk to them and explain how you feel, because trust me when I say " if you decide to leave and become MIA don't come back"!!!

Seasons come and seasons go. So do friendships. It is something that is hard but when those friends leave God will give you the true friends that you need. To last a lifetime. My kids didn't scare them away. It was just them being selfish, and that is okay. It just isn't our season anymore!!!