Let’s Talk: Parenting with Depression

My kids are my life. As a stay at home mom with a husband who travels frequently, I often have to be the end all/be all for my boys. My oldest has some developmental delays and requires a LOT of energy. My youngest is a toddler and requires a LOT of energy. There are a lot of days where my tank is on empty. 

After my youngest was born and in the throws of attempting to get a diagnosis for my oldest, the world started looking pretty dark. I am not a person who asks for help, so I powered through. I figured the fog would lift…the thing is, it didn’t. I finally had to admit that something wasn’t right. A quick call to my OB/GYN got me some meds and a suggestion to see a psychologist. I took the meds, but still haven’t seen a psychologist. There just isn’t time. My oldest goes to school half days. I don’t have a sitter for the toddler. Excuses. I know.

Most days, I feel pretty ok. Some days, I’m not sure how I’ll make it. It’s a process. I want to be the best for my kids and husband. They deserve that. 

14 Days…

After seeing a post on Z’s kindergarten teacher’s Facebook page, I decided to do the 14 days of Valentine’s. Even though my youngest is still a young toddler, he’s loved looking at all the new surprises ok his door every morning! It’s also a nice way to tell Z all those little (and big) things I love about him that I might not say often enough. 

Do you do anything special for your kiddos for Valentine’s? Or do you keep it strictly to your significant other?

What’s Getting Trashed This Week?

Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara: loved what it does can hate that it flakes on me

Tarteist Lash Paint (?) mascara: didn’t do much for me…

Fresh Lip Serum: this is ok, nothing I would spend the money on 

Fresh Seaberry Oil: love this and would definitely repurchase when I use up some things.

Estée Lauder Nutritious Vitality moisturizer: liked this, but doubt I would spend this much on a moisturizer

Philosophy Snow Angel Spray: this is from a year ago…I love the scent, but never used it and it smells off now

Reform High Rise Volume shampoo: this was ok, but I wouldn’t repurchase

What’s getting trashed this week…

This is my version of an empties/products I can’t force myself to use anymore post.

The Bobbi Brown mascara was awesome, but this tube was getting dry and flaky. I’ve like the Urban Decay Perversion in the past, but this tube was oddly sticky and really wet (never seemed to dry out either). 

The younique Uplift Eye Serum just didn’t agree with my skin type, so put it goes!

The lotion was fine. I mainly used it on my kiddos. 

How I Stay Organized: Home Binder

As a stay at home mom (SAHM), I try to stay organized and on top of things. It gives a little sanity to all the day to day crazy!

One thing I do is keep a home binder. 

I use a Happy Planner (I buy mine at Michael’s). For this particular planner, I took out the monthly pages and added in the home extension pack. You can have the standard planner pages and extension packs in one planner, but I prefer having them separate. 

My first section is my to do list.

This is great for daily task lists or shopping lists. I us mine for weekly lists/calls to make. There’s something satisfying about checking things off!

The next section, and my favorite, is the meal planner and grocery list maker.

It makes it so easy to write down needed items as I run out of them oras I think of them. I like meal planning a bit at a time and this makes it really easy and convenient.

The next section is a home cleaning checklist. This isn’t something I have utilized much yet, but it is nice to have everything layed out. 

The final section is for household budgeting. My husband and I are trying to get better with a budget and I think this will come in handy! 

There’s an overview of my home binder and how I use it! I’m still new to the world of planning and organizing, but I’m excited to keep learning and trying new things! 

2017: Goals and Wishes

Ah yes. Here I am making promises on the internet. I’m not usually a resolution kinda gal, but this year I’m making an exception. 

1) Make time for me. I’m a SAHM of 2 little boys and a husband who travels a lot for work. “Me time” isn’t something that happens, but I’ve been noticing the lack of self care is having an effect.

2) Get organized! I love planners so perhaps I should use them! 

3) Make time for both of my kiddos. My oldest will be 6 soon and I have a 15 month old. My big boy needs more Momma time. I owe it to him.

These seem like simple, but they are things that need to be done; for me and my family!

What are your goals for the new year?

Burn out

The mommy burn out is strong right now. The husband has been gone out of state for work consistently the last few weeks and Z has been acting out. S is teething. Oh, and one of us has been sick for all but two weeks this entire summer. 

I am tired. There has been no opportunity for “me” time. I’m lucky I get a shower most days. 

I want to get some posts up and they will come. Just be patient, please ❤️

Allow me to introduce myself

I’m not great with introductions (being socially awkward and all), but let me give it a shot.

I’m a wife and stay at home mom to two boys: Z is 5 years and S is 10 months. Z is my wild one: diagnosed with ADHD and the probability of more diagnoses in our future. S is a roly poly, happy baby. G is my husband and partner in crime. He travels frequently for his job and we don’t live close to family, so I have to manage the crazies on my own a lot.
I strive to be organized, but find myself getting behind and letting things pile up. I want to be creative, but get into my own head and doubt my abilities. I feel the pull of a more minimal lifestyle, but love my comfort items as well. Sometimes, I get so caught up in being a mom that I forget I’m an individual. 

This blog is going to be my creative, non-mom indulgence. I hope you’ll join me!

❤️

J