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I want to do whatever I want

August 16, 2011 by Jennifer 6 Comments

As a mom, you start the journey of motherhood with your kids depending on you for their every need. They wrap their tiny fingers around your fingers and all is well in their world. Being an attachment mother was what I loved and cherished so much during the early stages of motherhood. I miss deeply when the girls were babies as I would always have them close to my chest. I would wear (babywearing sling) them all day and we would be attached at the hip. Pure bliss!

The years are moving so fast though and we have fast forward from the attachment parenting stage to a more independent stage. We are doing our last co-sleeping days but I still see lots of family movie nights of us all cuddled in the bed together… I just wish I could pause time, because we are fast forwarding too fast. How did I wake up one morning and the girls went from depending on me for everything to spreading their wings and taking on the real world.

The girls are back to school for the new year. I am a ball of mixed emotions. This conversation sent my emotions even further all over the place.

L: Mommy, when will I be on my own?

Me: I am not sure. I am assuming when you are 21 and become an adult. But, you could just stay with mommy forever.

L: Mommy, when I am on my own will I have to get a job?

Me: Well honey, we do have to work in order to make a living.

L: Mommy, I want to do whatever I want when I get 21.

Me: Sweetie, that is a good attitude to have. I want you to reach for the stars and let God direct you into a great career.

M pipes in: Why are we talking about growing up for L? I don’t want to grow up, I just want to be a kid.

WOW! L has definitely grown in the last couple of years. She is still a BIG mommy’s girl and needs her mommy close, but she is always engaging in these big grown up conversations. M is not thinking so much about the future and just enjoying the moment. Looking back on the conversation though, I do get a big smile on my face. My girls are growing into independent women and it is all because of the parenting we have done over the last nine years. Who said attachment parenting was so bad? Looks like I have two amazing girls to prove that theory down the drain.

Spread your wings girls but always know mommy is right behind you flying with you. Here’s to a great school year.

What makes you happy?

August 14, 2011 by Jennifer 3 Comments

Sitting down after a busy, stressful week… deep thoughts begin entering…

What makes you happy… a voice is heard from afar asking this question. Laughter, smiles and little voices yelling mommy begin circling all around my head. An immediate smile comes to my face. Two precious girls fill my soul with happiness.

Then I look around the room and I see my handsome husband looking at me with those eyes when we first met. My heart is immediately filled with happiness.

Then the Lord wraps his arms around me and I remember, he gave me this precious family. He is the ultimate reason that I am happy. Lord I lay my life before you, I need, I want to be closer to you. My heart wants to be bursting at the seams with your gospel. I need your heart confidence Lord and I soon will be diving into this book that will continue my happiness. New online bible study starting this fall by Proverbs 31 Ministries and I cannot wait!

What makes you happy?

Internet friends for 8 years meet for first time in real life

August 12, 2011 by Jennifer 3 Comments

Let’s set the stage and turn back time. March of 2003, I had just put in my resignation for my corporate lifestyle job and decided to become a stay at home mother. The only problem? I could not stand sitting still at home. I wanted to know I was contributing to the household income. I would spend time on WAHM.com each day searching for jobs that I could do at home. I came across one and thought the deal sounded really lucrative so I took the bait. One problem though… the job was a scam unfortunately. This is AFTER I had already sent in my SS Number and a copy of Drivers License. I reached out to a few friends on WAHM.com that was scammed by this same woman. We all bonded together and pulled the FBI into this matter to get it resolved. Luckily it did, and even though I was so upset at the time, I made an awesome best buddy through the whole matter. Every day since, we have tried to at least say hey to each other online. Most days we carry on conversations throughout the day. We have sent each other gifts, gifts for our kids, and shed tears on the phone together.

Fast forward 8 years, the day we have been dreaming for this whole time finally comes true. Last week, I got to meet this wonderful friend face to face. My precious friend Nan from A Mom Blog. There were tears shed, but they were happy tears because all those virtual hugs we had given each other, it was time to finally give a real hug to each other in person. I will always have this memory in my mind forever.

We immediately clicked in real life and were glued at the hip for three days we were in San Diego. Our families immediately bonded and spent lots of time together as well. Now, we are going to have to plan an annual trip to see each other. I am so blessed, thankful, and honored to have this special friend in my life. Love You Nan!

Have you ever met any online friends in real life? How did it go?

Brands can connect in person with kids too

August 8, 2011 by Jennifer 9 Comments

Coming off a high from last week’s trip to San Diego. As we touched down on NC soil late Sunday night, M wrapped her arms around me and said:

“Mommy, I am so glad we got to go with you. That was the best trip.”

I am crying again just as I write the quote out. I went back and forth to decide if it would be the right decision to take the girls with me out to San Diego for the BlogHer Conference. Ultimately, it came down to the decision that I really needed them there for my sanity. I love to travel as a family and actually addicted now to seeing new places, my decision did not fail me. We had such a wonderful time.

Did you see?

Seal Family Tours

Harbor Boat Tours

San Diego Safari Park

SeaWorld San Diego

and there were more visits to the San Diego Zoo and the USS Midway Battleship that will be coming to you this week. So with all the super fun family visits to all over San Diego, I did still have my conference to attend. During parts of the conference, I welcomed my family onto the Expo floor with me. I blog about my family, so what better way to see what interests my girls than to put them in the center of it all. The girls had an absolute blast engaging with the brands.

Playskool was rocking their world with the playdough. The theme had the girls creating fun beach scenes.

and also Sesame Street caught their eye and created huge smiles on L’s face.

Hallmark who I love so much as a brand and this weekend just sealed the relationship. The engagement with my kids won my heart over for good.

Scrubbing Bubbles knew how to win over a family’s heart. I am so excited to test out their new bathroom cleaner. Can you say time saver for moms?

Perfect mid-day snack for the girls was found when we visited the Yo-Crunch Yogurt Booth. The yogurt was a hit with the girls and now I found a snack that will be perfect for their school lunches.

With a geek such as their mom, it would not be right if the girls did not test out the technology on the expo floor. We found the coolest game at the Discovery Bay Games booth. I had to literally pry my girls away from their booth. They were having that much fun with their new game DUO.

Then the Samsung 10.1 Galaxy Tablet peeked M’s curiousity, that she had to take a seat at the Samsung booth. She was loving her a game of Angry Birds on such a big screen (compared to mommy’s 4.3 screen on the Droid).

L spotted the banana walking around the Dole fruit booth and just had to catch up with the banana. She couldn’t believe there was a walking banana. Too fun!

Having the kids there made this BlogHer such a different direction but a positive direction. Seeing the girls reaction to products and engaging with the brands made me smile so much. I am so glad I made the decision to take them. Sweet and magical memories that the girls will remember for a lifetime.

Things to do in San Diego with kids | SeaWorld

August 5, 2011 by Jennifer 5 Comments

A trip to SeaWorld is a must-do when you are in San Diego. We laughed, we smiled, we hugged, we gasped all day long as we enjoyed such a wonderful family day today. I will go more in depth with another post next week with a cute video you are going to love which involves a mommy whale and her child.

The girls were ready to start the day…

To start our day, we high tailed it to the Pet’s Stadium to see the much talked about Pet’s Rule show. This show was so funny and left you thinking how do animals do that? All the animals in the show were rescued and turned around to be such great pets that do the coolest tricks.

The highly anticipated show we have been wanting to watch since it was open to the public this spring was The Shamu Show: One Ocean. The show teaches you how we all can make a difference and care for the ONE Ocean we share. So beautiful!

Rides were calling our names, well M and L’s names so we hopped on over to the Sesame Street Bay of Play. Even hubby got in on the fun during the rides. Such a fun place to hang out with your kids and even get wet. Let me say, actually get soaked.

Then we heard a sound, oh it was barking. The Sea Lions were barking for us. They were hungry. The girls were able to feed the Sea Lions fish but had to be extra careful as the birds were perched and ready to dive for the fish themselves.

All the cheering earlier as we walked by the dolphins exhibit left us pondering, so we made our way over to grab a great seat. The show was packed so it paid off getting there 30 minutes early. Dolphins, whales, birds and acrobats… oh my! A little girl’s dreams are made when she finally gets to ride the dolphins. This show will keep you on the edge of your seat and your mouth hanging open. Seriously, it is that good. I was greeted as we came in…

Our time was coming to an end sadly, so we made one last mad dash to see the polar bears. The polar bear was being very sassy today by keeping his bottom pressed up again the window where we were at in the Wild Artic experience.

We went into Polar Bear tunnels and felt the frigid temperatures. I’m ready for winter now 🙂

Overall, it was a phenomenal day. L popped up said, mommy I am so glad we get to do this as a family. Heart breaker, she knows how to melt her mommy’s heart. You could spend a good two days at Sea World, so take your time and really enjoy it all. I have just barely touched based all on there is to do. This is a place the whole family will enjoy 🙂

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