Random Tuesday Thoughts (On Wednesday)

Well, it's still Tuesday to me because I haven't gone to bed yet. Wait, I did go to bed. Then Emma woke me and I can't go back to sleep now because of the thoughts that are swirling around in my head. I hate it when that happens!

I think Emma had a stomach ache or something because she didn't take her milk or lose her pacifier, the usual causes of nighttime cries for her. She just cried and stared up at me reproachfully. I feel soooo helpless in those cases, knowing there's something wrong and she's not even able to tell me what hurts. Thankfully after about five minutes of rocking her while patting and rubbing her back, she burped and she's back down now. *whew* But I'm not back down. *sigh*

Anyway, on to my random thoughts:

• We totally scored today (yesterday) on packages. I received two AWESOME giveaway items, a Flip video camera that I won from 3 Kids and Us and a super cute apron dress, the kind I would never be able to afford myself (or justify spending the money on) from Kandy Kisses. I also received a bunch of books to review (yippee!) and my first cart cover for review - and it is gorgeous! I can't wait to show you all.
  
  I know as a Christian I'm not supposed to be attached to stuff, but it's really hard sometimes. :-p Can anyone relate?
  
  
  
• I just finished The Enclave by Karen Hancock and loved it. It took me FOREVER to get through that book, though! It wasn't a simple read, it was very involved and jumped back and forth between three points of view - it was a very satisfying read, though, and very worth the time it took!
  
  
• We're going on a road trip. Labor Day weekend, ya know. We're going to see my hubby's family and it's going to be over 10 hours on the road. With a toddler. Yeah. We're crazy. I've got a list made and I'm just hoping I don't forget anything important. I guess as long as we don't fill the car up and forget the toddler we're okay. ;-) We're going to be gone for four days, from Thursday to Monday. Methinks this vacation is going to be a bit tiring.
  
  
• I have been in suuuuch a crafty mood lately! I'm regretting leaving my mom's sewing machine at my mom's house... she let me borrow it but I took it back because I didn't think I had a place or time for it. So then I find myself wandering aimlessly after the baby goes to bed (7:30 p.m. every night on the dot - I know, I'm lucky), wishing I had something crafty to do. And I really want to sew. Really. I did pull out my yarn stash and crochet hook but I just kind of stared at it. No inspiration. I didn't like the colors or yarns I had there. Guess I need to go buy some pretty yarn... By the way, if you want to learn how to crochet or see some of my ingenious creations (*snort*), visit my Creative Mamas Monday post - and I invite you to come by every Monday to participate! I'll be sharing a sewing tutorial next Monday. :-)
  
  
• I dyed my hair on Friday! I already talked a lot about it (No, I'm NOT vain! Really!) so if you want to see before and after photos and hear about my great hair dye drama, go HERE.

Okay, I just might be able to sleep now. Or maybe I'll work on a review. No, I'm too tired. Okay, really going now. Night! I mean morning...

I really need to sleep.


Thank you sooo much for sharing this post! :-)

The Great Hair Dye Drama

I have a problem. My natural hair color has been described as "dirty dishwater blond" and I don't like it. The color, not that it's been called that. ;-) Though I can't imagine saying that about anyone, lol. Annnyway, I've been dying my hair since I was a teen. Usually an auburn color because I wished to be Anne Shirley (of Anne of Green Gables).

I took a pretty big break from the hair dye when I got married with the exception of one incident, a dye job that caused me to cry and my husband to ask me never to dye my hair again after the waterworks - but once every couple of months now I get this uncontrollable urge to change my hair. I start thinking about cutting my hair or begin to eye the hair dye aisle. Those perfect women with their perfect hair... if I do put all those chemicals on my hair will I look like that?

*insert sarcasm* Of couuuuurse!

Well, I finally gave in last Friday and bought one. I decided it was worth the gamble and chose this:
This is "Light Golden Brown" and washes out in 28 days (I'm not totally stupid, lol). I was going for a shade that was a bit darker than my natural shade - about the color it is when it's wet.

The result? Brassy red.

Brassy. Red.

I don't know what happened. I don't think I should have chosen something with "golden" in it because the natural red in my hair altered it. I know you can't expect to have the color that is on the box... but argh! I did not want red. *sigh*

So I decided I didn't want to live with it even for 28 days (plus I've heard these things don't really wash out, just fade) and made an appointment with my stylist. Yay for great hair people! I love the stylist I go to, she works out of her home and is just so sweet. She put highlights and lowlights in my hair and I'm so happy with the result! I should have just done that in the first place. I was trying to save money. Ended up spending more anyway.

Here are the before and after photos:

Before



and

AFTER!

I didn't take a photo of the brassy red. Didn't even cross my mind... I just wanted to hide! lol

Anyway, I'm really happy with it. Might even go for a little more contrast next time though.

The moral of this story:

Don't DO IT YOURSELF! lol

Unless you've just been lucky enough to find the color that works for you. It's painful getting there, though. And if you have red in your hair, it's even harder to find a decent color.

Is anyone else crazy like me, always experimenting with their hair?

Do you have a hair dye story to tell?

Thank you sooo much for sharing this post! :-)

From the Heart (a mom's thoughts on loneliness, contentment, and surrender)

Credit for image goes to Sky-fyre on DeviantArt

Carrie from Growing a Baby wrote a wonderful, heartfelt post about what it's like to be a mom who is feeling lonely and a bit caged - she has two little ones, one of them born in June, so I can understand the feeling. She also talks about trusting God and surrendering her will to His. Take a moment to read it, you'll be glad you did! :-)

Her post touched my heart, and I felt immediately that she was a kindred spirit because I have been going through the same thing lately.

*warning, what comes could possibly sound like complaining, lol*

Emma has been teething and very whiny, and I've been needing a break so bad it's not even funny. We know when we're reaching the end of our rope - we start getting very grumpy, depressed, or even whiny (shocker).

I know I need a break now and then, but I also have been struggling with who I am in Christ. It was so easy before Emma was born - I had time to clear my head and made time for God. I filled journals with my prayers to God, and that really helped keep me focused on Him every day. I know that He didn't change or grow apart from me, but I have grown distracted and lost my focus on Him. I'm sinking into the ocean and I don't like it!*

Finding balance as a mom is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I have a few friends, but they're either busy with their own little ones or they have no little ones and their schedule and brain runs completely differently than mine. Sometimes it's my fault for not making more of an effort, though.

At church, I'm the only mom with a toddler. It makes it hard for multiple reasons - people spend so much time looking at, talking to, or talking about Emma that I feel almost invisible. And I'm bad enough at conversation anyway, lol. And if I am in a conversation with anyone, it's only about surface things because Emma's either tired and whiny or running off somewhere.

I can't do any of the things I love like crafting because Emma would get into it. In my free time I blog and read. We live in an apartment and that alone is making me feel cooped up - I grew up in the country and love the fresh air and the ability to go outside and not be seen by "the whole world". Some quiet would be SO nice! lol

I love love LOVE my baby, but this takes some getting used to.

I really thought I could live without friends and other moms - I thought it made me more tired putting out the extra effort. But the truth is that I need interaction with other Christians. I want to be friends with moms who can relate to what I'm going through with Emma, and find women I can talk to about God. This is something I'm going to be praying about. I'm going to start looking into activities at other churches around me, maybe I can find a women's group doing a Beth Moore study (I LOVE her studies, they are so encouraging) or a mom's group. I'm scared, lol. But I'll do it for my sanity. And my husband's and daughter's. ;-)

I have so many blessings in my life, and I want to be able to enjoy them and thank God for them rather than always complaining about something in my life, or waiting for that next thing that will "make life better". I want to be a person everyone wants to be around because I'm positive and encouraging. I want to be able to enjoy my life and my wonderful husband and my child. I want to be there for others when they need help.

The same way Carrie felt that she was "kicking and screaming" down the path God had laid for her - I know I've done the same thing recently. I have felt in the past (five minutes, haha) that I can't relax or be happy until we find a better church, get to a better stage in Emma's life (like past teething), or get _____(insert any item that can be bought)____. Or get a house. I'm pretty sure I would be perfectly happy with a house. ;-)

No, I know that my life is complete only in God. I think He wants me to be focus on learning to trust Him, to focus on "raising my child up in the way she should go", to be a help to my husband, and to pray for my family.

I read recently in Fear Not Tomorrow, God is Already There by Ruth Graham (fantastic book, by the way) this passage:

Shifting our focus is first a decision, then a process. When we turn to God, our decision opens a door for peace and reassurance to enter our hearts. The Bible says of God, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You" (Isaiah 26:3). When we focus on God, peace follows. I find that as I concentrate on God, as I examine facets of his character, as I spend time with Him in prayer, sharing my heart and quieting myself to listen, as I meditate on what the Bible says about Him, as I read about Jesus and observe the way he handled life - as I "stay" my mind on God - my problems begin to lose their power over me. Instead, I recognize the power, the beauty, and the love of God. He is my focus now. I am learning about Him and getting to know Him. And the more I learn, the more I discover I can trust Him.

For me, all this has to do with trusting God. I have a hard time with that - I want to fix everything myself right now. I want everything perfect right now. And if it's not, I'm not happy. I recognize that that's not trusting God, though. I've been through some things in my life that have shown me that it is stupid NOT to trust and rely on God actively (praying, waiting, whatever).

So anyway, thank you for bearing with me for this post. I'm not sure how much sense it actually made - I've got a lot of thoughts going through my head right now, and a lot of praying and thinking to do. I really hope I'm not the only confused and seeking mom in the world, lol. It really just shows me how much I do need God. I know things will only get better if I follow the path He has laid before me. Without kicking and screaming, preferably. ;-)

*And in the fourth watch [between 3:00--6:00 a.m.] of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright.
But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid!^A)">(A)
And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.
He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus. But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]!
Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
And those in the boat knelt and worshiped Him, saying, Truly You are the Son of God!
Matthew 14:25-35

Thank you sooo much for sharing this post! :-)

Random Tuesday Thoughts from a Kindred Spirit

• I went to the dentist today - phase I of Operation Root Canal was completed. Why oh why is it taking two or three visits to get this done? Good grief! lol Today I got my teeth cleaned and the evil tooth checked out, drilled, and a temporary filling put in place. Friday I go in and get the actual root canal. *sigh* Now that I've bored you with that...
  
  
• Why do dentists ask you questions when your mouth is full of instruments and hands, AND they're drilling? I can hardly hear let alone answer!
  
  
• It kind of makes me nervous when a dentist jokes with her assistant right in front of me that neither of them know anything... dentists have a weird sense of humor.
  
  
• My neighbor has a new kitten. I want a kitten!
  
  
  
  
  
• I just bought another four pacifiers and another straw sippy cup yesterday. We're always losing pacifiers and there are never enough sippy cups somehow... I wonder how much I've spent on these necessary items so far?
  
  
• Toys. I'm ready to write a post on toys. Of all the toys we have, there are a precious few Emma actually plays with over and over - usually the cheapest, simplest ones.
  
  
• My baby is growing up! Slowly but surely, her baby fat is falling off. She's a silly little girl who entertains me with her antics 24/7. Who needs TV? Oh wait, she does. ;-) At least Baby Signs.
  
  
  
  
  
• I was thinking yesterday that now that I'm grown up, I have to be the one to plan and cook dinners forever - until I'm dead. That is a sad, depressing thought. I hate planning meals! lol I wonder if we'll ever be able to afford hiring a maid...
  
  
• I need clothes. I guess I should wait until Fall now...

Thanks for sticking around for my randomness! :-) Got a post of your own?



Thank you sooo much for sharing this post! :-)

Crazy Blogger Woman - How Do You Find TIME To Blog?

How do you find time to blog?

I recently had a conversation with one of my very good friends who isn't into blogging. Actually it seems like most of my real-life friends (haha) don't understand blogging. Even though I win giveaways often. Even though I have the opportunity to review great products and share them with my mom friends. If that's not going to draw non-bloggers, I don't know what will. Maybe you really do have to just love blogging and online communities. I know that I do. I was a blogger for a full year before I figured out how to "socialize", lol. I would post and no one would comment (or I would get one in a blue moon - have no idea how they found me), but I was undaunted. I continued because I loved it. And eventually I figured out the best way to run my blog, though I'm still learning.

I guess this leads to the question, "Why do you blog?"

I blog because (again) I love it. It's a way to share my life and my daughter with extended family, it's a way to share my thoughts on life and get feedback from other moms and friends all over, and I love to offer giveaways and honest reviews on the popular baby products out there. There are so many opportunities and I have met many amazing moms through blogging. Just last week I met a fellow blogging mama IRL (in real life) (Erin at Connected2Christ) and I'm so glad I did because we really are kindred spirits! We each have a baby girl born in May 2008, were homeschooled, are Christians, and have a passion for blogging (or maybe it's just gabbing, lol). If I hadn't had a blog, I probably wouldn't have met her and we would have just smiled at each other in Target while we perused the adorable baby dresses and moved on, not knowing a potential good friend was right there. Not knowing that we both love social networking and have probably entered each other's giveaways - I wonder how many other mom bloggers I pass on the street or even live in my apartment? Okay, I'm getting off track here, but you get my meaning. Blogging becomes a part of your life, a wonderful one!

So back to the original question: How do I find TIME to blog?

Well personally, it's just a matter of priorities. My house might be a little more cluttered than the average non-blogger. We might have to have Top Ramen or mac 'n cheese for lunch one day because I "got lost" in Blog Land. I don't do a lot of mall-shopping, and my reading time has been cut way down (which is sad), but it's worth it! I think people find time for what they want to do, for their priorities. My sister, for instance, has a full-time job 45 minutes away from home, has three kids, and does the majority of the planning, cooking, and cleaning herself. But she's found time to sew some very adorable baby blankets, burpies, and bibs, run an Etsy store, and take college classes! How does she find the TIME? I have no idea, but obviously it can be done when you put your mind to it.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it! ;-)

♥ Share Your Thoughts ♥

How do YOU find time to blog?

Have you ever met a blogger in real life?

How many of your friends have you been able to convince to start a blog?


Okay, gotta go change a poopy diaper now. Now THAT is a priority!

Crazy Blogger Woman (should I change my blog title or what? haha)

aka

Thank you sooo much for sharing this post! :-)