To Quit or NOT to Quit

Yesterday was a day full of tough choices!  I mean, it was time to re-evaluate MY life.  I had to decide WHAT the HELL I wanted to do and what I ACTUALLY had time to do.  

I actually hate this part of LIFE.  I mean, it happens to me every few months or so, sometimes less, sometimes more.  It is when I purge the ineffective things and make room for growth and things that I LOVE to do.  Plus, I am over extended...let's just be clear about that! 


So, what the hell am I talking about, right!  I work from home and not like as an Independent person for a company. I mean, I have a legit work at home for a company that pays me, provides insurance, retirement, vacation, etc.  It's great, I am blessed.  I work a lot of hours because of the freedom I get for being able to be at home and let's face it, I don't have a commute, which prior to this job was an hour to an hour and half round trip!  Here is a chunk of my time- at least 45+ hours.




Well, then I decided (here it is people!) to start Beachbody as a Coach. 

Sure, I was working out...at first.   I was drinking the shakes...before.  

Then, pressure came to sell, to join a challenge that I failed miserably.  Guess what...that did not make it fun!  

It is not like I tried.  I DID!  

I worked my butt off trying to get people interested, trying to show them the results, the work I was putting in, the fun I was having.  When I get bored though...its over.  This is a part of my life that I am purging.  It is not an easy decision, as this is the second time that I have QUIT Beachbody.  I tried this gig last year and with the house situation and money stuff, it just didn't work.  This year, it is kind of the same. This shit is expensive.  I won't say it doesn't work, because IT DOES, if you WORK too!  

Problem is, I feel SO busy  that I don't work out and therefore it has lost some of its LUSTER.  

Then there is AVON.  What a rip off!  I'm sorry! I mean, you don't actually MAKE money.   It is not like they drop a certain amount in your bank account after an order.  Instead, I pay an inflated price to get the products (yes, pay before product), then I get my invoice with corrected pricing based on my sales (could be up to 40% off) and whatever I paid over and beyond I just get a CREDIT within AVON.  

WTH.  

This is stupid.  So, after a few months of campaigns, and a few customers...I kissed it goodbye.  

Maybe my BANK Account will thank me?

Then I was booted from Scentsy. This was the ONE business that I would go back to.  For one, I LOVE the products.  

I was my BEST customer after all.  

And TWO, it was just FUN.  I did not get the chance to do a party, but I did have some customers and I used the products too, so it made it worth while.  But, that being said, I can not afford to buy every month to keep myself in business.

I kind of feel like a new person today!  I mean, I don' have all that baggage and I feel like i can really just focus on myself and my family. 



Plus, I have this crazy new Gig that I signed up for, it is scaring me to death!  I will be the Daisy Troop Co-Leader. They needed a co-leader to help the Leader out to have a troop and after waiting...what...three months, and hearing that we would not be having a troop this year without a co-leader, I stepped up for the good of the Girls!  My kid is waiting ever so patiently to get this Girl Scout thing going.  I have been doing work with that to pull my weight and help out and surprisingly, I am enjoying it and cant wait to get the girls meeting!

So, goodbye to failed attempts at my own business. I will focus on my family and my real job.  I am kind of thinking of taking my Diaper Cakes to Etsy though...Am I ready for that? EEk... I think I should revisit after holidays pass!

#feelingcarefulandfabulous

~Kel

Day 5 of the 30 Day MOM Challenge...

Did you remember to Kiss your Children while they were asleep last night?  

I bet you did!

Today is day #5 of our 30 day Challenge!  How is everyone doing so far?  I think I am right on track and the previous days challenge items are holding- even the no YELLING!!! (I have to toot my own horn- this is a HUGE step for us!)

So, what do we do about today? I know it is probably bugging you that I did not put it in the Title...right!  

Hey, I have to keep you guys on your toes and ITS FRIDAY, so more the reason to make you READ. (work for it!)

Day #5 Challenge....Drum-roll Please...

Say to YOURSELF, "He/She's ONLY ___ years old. He's/She's still a CHILD."  Then, treat them like it!!!

Quite a concept, right!!

And one that is typically forgotten!  I do HONESTLY, try to remember this with my kids, especially when I am determining behavior lines between my five year old, who is a little bit more mature than my still learning the ropes, three year old!

It still amazes me when I tell my three year old to stop something and yet my five year old will fill her shoes by doing that same thing I just told the other to STOP, -or- vice versa!!

Kids!!

I also think it is SUPER important to remember that THEY ARE JUST KIDS!  

In my own life, I know that some people expect my children to be quiet and sit still....guess what...they are KIDS and young kids at that!  My kids are gems though, really! Ruler with an iron fist..totally JOKING!  But, they are very respectful when in Public- which is ALL I can ask for- as we still have lots of issues with respect behind the scenes.  Mom would def. rather have these issues "behind the scenes" a.k.a. at home than in front of the world! lol

So, as the weekend begins and all those school aged kiddos are home for the weekend- remember to say this to yourself!

I know you can't wait for tomorrow- right!!

~Kel

Let's talk Kids versus Flu Shot/Mist....and a risk of Paralysis??? EEK KNOW THE FACTS!

Being a MOM means...

Being in charge of decisions, tough ones, small ones, ones that mean nothing and ones that can mean the difference between my kids mobility and lack there of. 

It is a scary job.  I mean, seriously, with my JOB-E-JOB, I don't have these kinds of life or in some cases, death... decisions to make if I follow up with a practice or load the wrong template in.... With these kids, I am like the head honcho.  Think about it.  I mean it started with them being born. Suddenly, I was responsible for this little life. I had to make sure it was clean, it ate, it didn't get sick, and most importantly, it stayed breathing.  I can remember with my first checking on her a million times a night and mind you we were up every 3-4 hours with bottles!  It only gets worse the older they get, I can promise you that!

Then comes the GREAT VACCINE debate.  I mean, to vaccinate, to not vaccinate...What do we do?  Well, Hubby and I have a stance on this that is our very own.. I mean, thinking logically, we were vaccinated as kids and look how we turned out.. Wait..wait...don't answer that. So, we chose to vaccinate and KNOCK ON WOOD, we are all still standing!

So, as the world evolves and we have crazy um, for lack of a better word...SHIT all over the dang gone place...it comes to the question..."TO GET THE FLU SHOT/MIST...TO NOT GET THE FLU SHOT/MIST..."  and once again, MOM to the rescue as I have to come up with the decision.  What if I make the wrong one... It is seriously terrifying to me.  We have been doing the flu shot/mist for the past...I think three or four years. Last year my baby got the shot and my big girl got the mist. All was fine, I suppose.  We got a BAD cold and my little one had to go on a stupid breathing machine...but better safe than sorry.  I got the shot the year before (2013) and got the worst sickness of my LIFE!  I was flat out, bed ridden, ill!  So, I opted out last year.  Which is great because I was not sick last year and this year I don't work in an office, but from the luxury of my home (whoo hoo) ..so I will be opting out again.  Great for me, right. Still doesn't answer my grueling question...Kiddo's and flu vaccine..  

After MUCH thought, consideration, going back and forth, lists of PROs and CONs...with Hubby, we decided that since our oldest is in school and there is crazy, acrobatic germs that live in such places...we would be getting her the MIST again this year.  Praying to GOD that we do not get sick. Our little one will also be getting the MIST, as she seems to catch everything that her big sissy gets!

But, then, as if a BALL dropped once I made this miraculous decision... I read about the FLU shot leaving a 10-year old girl....PARALYZED.... WHAT?   So, let me break it down...

Flu season is a time of year where parents are left to decide what is best for their children. (It is truly the time of year when it is so awesome to be a Parent...wait...no ITS NOT!)  

So, there is this 10 year old girl in Florida who loved school. She received the flu vaccine (2013) and since that point, she has been bedridden. I want to note that it seems that this was not her first flu shot- she seems to have gotten them annually but her parents are stating that the day after her shot she was unresponsive when they tried to wake her. When she finally opened her eyes, she did not speak.  

Doctors have diagnosed her with Acute Disseminated Encephalitis (ADEM), which is a rare condition associated with inflammation throughout the brain and spinal cord. 

Today this little girl is in a wheelchair and eats through a feeding tube.  How terrifying for her parents, right!  But, do you think that the vaccine was to blame? 

Well, her Parents are convinced and studies are showing that about 5% of all cases of ADEM might be triggered by recent immunizations. 

We need to keep our heads on straight here, Parents.  Now, there are key words in that above statement, like MIGHT!  

According to a 2014 study in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, which analyzed an ADEM case in a 59-year old man who received the flu vaccine 10 days before showing symptoms, says that the overall rate of post-vaccination ADEM is extremely low, breaking it down to about 10 to 20 people per million individuals who get immunized.

For ADEM it is about one per 10 million doses.  Usually, ADEM is associated with a recent infection, not an immunization.  It is said that ADEM could develop as a consequence to the flu- as there are more cases related to infections than vaccines.

 

But, it is extremely rare in any case. ADEM is like multiple sclerosis, but with M.S. you have one area of inflammation, affecting one part of the central nervous system.  With ADEM, it generally clears up within three months.  With this 10 year old girl, and her symptoms lasting a year, it is considered an extreme case and linked to incomplete recovery.

The science says that you have a better chance of winning the lottery than having ADEM happen due to the flu vaccine.  Plus, studies show that between 3,000 to 49,000 people in the U.S. alone will die each year from the flu. 

The Flu can be very serious for young children with studies showing that last flu season more than 100 U.S. children died according to the CDC. 

Source: yahoo.com/parenting

With that, this MAMA is getting her kiddo's the mist!  I like the mist because the cold/flu usually starts with the nasal cavity and works its way into the body.  This way, the mist goes straight into the nasal cavity and it also allows my scared of needles children some relief! ("Would you rather have a mist in your nose and your nose feel funny or the needle" and of course the answer is always MIST!) 

Know the facts people.  Do your research and protect your family in the way that best suits YOUR needs!  My family seems to get sick a lot.  We are actually just over the HUMP of a pretty awesome cold that has wicked coughs to match!  I do not want to be dealing with fevers and muscle aches, puking and pale faces too.  Our appointment is made and we are DOING THIS!

(& this Mama will pray to my God the whole way through)

P.S. be careful what you read on the internet.  Some things may be printed at face value without any additional research being done.  Do the work people and make your own decisions based on your own research!

~Kel

The choice is always yours..but make sure you are making the decision for your kids and you know the facts!

Day #4- Kiss your children when they are asleep

I know it isn't something that you might think about.  It is kind of something that just happens!  

I know that I don't necessarily think, 'I am going to go into my kiddo's room and kiss them because they are asleep.' I usually I just go to check on them and they are so sweet, lost in their dreams, that I just kind of have to kiss those gosh, darn, too cute chubby cheeks and whisper my 'I love yous' to them on my way out. 

Lucky for me, I have been doing this since birth- so...they do not wake and I can creep back to my bed and sleep soundly knowing they are safe. 


The kicker is that my Hubby, who works seconds, does the same thing! 

What a good Daddy!! 

Round of applause, please!  

He doesn't go to bed without checking on them first, and he knows that I am getting up right after he settles in. 

So, Kiss your babies in their sleep and send them wishes of good, peaceful dreams of butterflies and rainbows and everything that does NOT exist in this crazy world we are raising them in...

P.S. I gave lots of hugs yesterday! ;)  

Day 3 - Mom Challenge Hug your child three times today

Hug me..Hug me..Say that you LOVE me...

I am combining my No Yelling challenge from yesterday, with today's Hug your child three times.  

Let's just say, I have this one in the bag! 

 

Yesterday, after I blogged, of course, my Mom came and captured my children (at 10:00 a.m., I might add- a WHOLE day without KIDS and night too!!) and took them for an overnight stay.  


So, needless to say, technically I passed my challenge for yesterday, but guilt has me thinking that in some way/shape/form...that is was cheating.  

Great...thanks guilt!  

So, by guilt, I have carried over yesterday's challenge to today.  What is better is that today's challenge is:

Hug your Child three times today!

Done and Done!  I mean, seriously, when my kids stay the night away, I miss them terribly. I think it realigns me in some weird way.  They have gotten hug after hug since being home and what is a bonus is that they are sick and just want their Mom!

We have also added onto the 1st challenge- What is one thing we can do together this month.  Yes, yes, we will still be doing Imagination Station, presumably this weekend, but we are also going to take a trip to Build a Bear- since, of course, they have Frozen bears now!  

Anna and Elsa...Bear  we are coming for you!

Day 3 is a done deal...Bring it Day #4!

~

Day 2 of the MOM Challenge- Go the WHOLE day without YELLING!

Times are tough in our household!  I asked my Question to my little ladies before bed yesterday, "What is one thing we can do together this month?" with an answer that was completely in-sync, like they rehearse this stuff!  It was a shout, "Imagination Station."  I was waiting for one to say something different, but instead it was the same answer, which is awesome because we love Imagination Station, plus we have the membership- so it's a free day! 

Too easy is my first thought on this one! 

Today is DAY 2.  

This one is going to be a challenge. I almost want to make this a challenge for my kids because they do their share of this in our house!  

Go the WHOLE day without YELLING.

Obviously, I know this can be done, as I have had maybe a handful of these kinds of days- but they are so far away to date that I can hardly remember them.  It seems that my girls have broken ears on most days (and yes, we do threaten to take them to a "special" doctor who will do surgery and give them Elephant Ears to help them hear all things!)  and unless I raise my voice, my warnings are completely and utterly ignored. 

I am going to try this today though.  It would be a great day to have a yelling free home, but like I said, they do their share of it too!  Usually it starts with them yelling, me calmly telling them to use their indoor voice and them consistently ignoring me that leads to a Girls! shout.  Oh what fun it is to be a PARENT!  

I pray to God everyday to please let me survive teenage years because I feel like this is the teenage years and when they are actually teenagers I am going to get eaten alive! (times two!) 

Let me know how this challenge is going for your family!  I will let you know how my day goes today- YELLING FREE ZONE here!

Until Tomorrow all my Parents!!

~Kel

30 Day Mom Challenge- who's in?

It happens to all of us.  It is the weekend.  We are ready to get stuff done.  Friday turns into Saturday.  Saturday turns into Sunday.  It is as if the days flip without a blink of the eye.  Well, this weekend was no different in our household.  I took the day off on Friday for the crazy Halloween festivities.  It was a blessing, if I might add!  I spent the morning playing My little Pony with my Three year old.  I spend the afternoon freezing in the cold and rain watching my five year old in her Halloween Parade at school, outside without a coat! (I am a MOM!) Then, we kissed my Husband goodbye, as he headed to work and we headed to Nana and Papa's for Trick or Treating, bundled up, umbrella in tow, as usual! (Halloween in Ohio...this is NORMAL!)

Imagine my surprise when at six o'clock my Hubby comes waltzing in the front door of my Parents house.  It was a surprise to the girls too, who were excited as could be to see their Daddy, skull mask ready. (Yes, he had to buy a Halloween mask this year to "fit in"....)

So, we bundled up, gloves check, hat check, scarf check.  We even doubled our socks and headed out into the rain, cold and dark streets.  It was lame.  That is all I have to say.  It was a forty minute trek around the few neighborhoods and half way around it was met by complaints from a girl who was a) tired, b) sick and c) had wet feet.  My three year old was having the time of her life though and kept saying, after every stop, "I love this! I love trick or treating!" which was a treat for Jason and I as well!

So, we finally made it back to the house, checked out candy and allowed the girls to have 1 piece.  Mind you, Miss five year old had an abundance already at school that day- she is so much fun when she has had a pound of chocolate in her system...not!

We had whining.  We had crying.  We had back-talk.  We had to set them straight, which was met by a Nana and Papa scold.  Really...  But, we got back on track and happy before we headed home. 

It wasn't until Saturday Morning that I realized, as a Mom that is, what a mistake the night before really was.  My Oldest had a terrible cough, followed by feeling icky and a stomach ache to match.  Love the weather, i tell you!

So, although we "took it easy" on Saturday, we were still busy.  I had laundry, they had running around the house all day stuff to do!  Sunday was errand day, and of course- Sheet Day.  We are always so busy!  I got to thinking that we really do not take a day out of each month to spend with our kids.  I mean, sure, we did Boo to the Zoo this month for the girls and it was fun and all, but it was busy!  It was station after station and there really was not a time to wander and ask questions and learn, even observe. 

What is better with these types of dilemmas than a MOM CHALLENGE? 

This is a 30 day Challenge for MOMs- an ultimate Mom's TO DO list and to help me, as a MOM, be the best I can be. 

On your MARK.  Get SET.  GO!

Today is Day #1:

Ask.  "What is one thing we can do together this month?

Jot down your kiddo's answer and make it happen!  I have two kids, so guess what, I guarantee I will get to do two things together with them and I can't wait!


Check back tomorrow for my Kiddo's answers to this question and what Day #2's challenge awaits!


Happy Mom-vember :)

~Kel