Tag: family

routines

Morning Routine

JustAMom

My morning routine is going to change. There’s no doubt! But I would like for it to stay the same, to a certain extent.

I do have Ricket man laying down and just realized it’s only 7:49 pm!!!! So my morning routine is probably not going to go as planned in the morning.

Anyways…

I have an alarm set for 4:40am. This way I can press snooze twice. Then I know it is time to get up.

I drag out of bed at 5 am and jump in the shower. I usually already have my clothes, towel, and rag in the bathroom ready to go.

I get out of the shower. In this order! I dry off, brush my teeth, moisturize my face, eye cream, lotion my entire body, deodorant, then put my clothes on and fix my hair.

I get into the kitchen at 5:24. Get the coffee pot ready and cut it on. The last few days I’ve had the coffee set to automatic so that it comes on by itself at 5am.

At 5:30 I get Mags up to get in the shower. After I wake her up I grab her a towel and rag and set it in the bathroom.

I go back to the kitchen, drink a full glass of water and the coffee is ready. I make my husband and my cup of coffee and sit at the table with something small to eat.

First, I read my bible. I’m currently doing a “Bible in One Year” study. I then write in my prayer journal. I go over my planner. I go over my bills for that week.

Second, I take my daily vitamins which are magnesium, biotin, vitamin E, iron, elderberry, cranberry, and B12 with a full glass of water.

Third, I make my husbands lunch. Usually it’s already made and I just throw it in a lunch box with a note and snack.

At 6am I get Morgan and Eli up. We always have our clothes laid out the night before. Morgan can dress herself and brush her teeth. So I help Eli get his clothes on. We go to the bathroom and I help him brush his teeth. I spray his hair with water then detangle spray and brush his hair. His hair is very curly.

I make sure Morgan is dressed and has her teeth brushed then I do the same hair brushing routine as I do for Eli. Her hair is also curly.

Last, I get Ricket changed and dressed and we’re out the door by 6:20 and we’re on the road by 6:32.

This may not be helpful in any way, shape, or form. But I hope it reaches someone out there that’s trying to get into a good routine!

As always. Thanks for stopping by and come back tomorrow for more!

inspiration

She was tired!

JustAMom

She was tired, to say the least.

The house was a mess and the baby was sleeping. The dishes were piled high and the clean laundry had taken over the couch.

Her back ached and her eyes burned as she laid peacefully in her bed with only a cotton gown.

She had tiding to do but no energy to bother.

“The dishes will still be piled and the laundry will still be unfolded.” She thinks to herself as her mind drifts away. “They can wait till morning.”

She isn’t perfect. But to the babies, she hung the moon. To her husband, she is enough.

It’s time to rest. Sunrise will bring another day and more time to fret over tidying. For now, peace.

So off to dream she goes.

Good evening. I hope this reaches mom’s that this small message hits home!

I just want you to know that you ARE NOT alone! You are not the only mom who is tired and just ready to sleep.

I want you to know that it’s ok to sometimes go to bed with a messy home.

It’s ok to just relax and try again tomorrow.

I hope everyone has a wonderful evening!

inspiration

I’m back

JustAMom

Ladies and Gentlemen. I have returned to blogging.

I tirelessly worked a job I HATED for 5 excruciating months. I did this to keep my girls in a specific school.

It started to affect my home life. My attitude. My children. My marriage. It had control over me 24/7. Even when I wasn’t at work.

In short. If you hate where you are, don’t stick it out. YOU DO have options!

If it’s an income issue. Get up and go find another job. People are hiring EVERYWHERE! EVERYDAY! Don’t wait! Do it TODAY! Right now!

Good luck job hunting!

Thanks for reading!

Come back tomorrow for more!

tips and tricks

Self Awareness

JustAMom

THIS!!! It took me almost 30 years to learn this!

Learn how to take criticism. Especially good criticism!

It’s the best way to learn who YOU are as a person and to become the best person you can be!

Just remember you can’t please everyone. So take a piece at a time and apply to YOU.

Also, admit when you know you’re wrong! Especially in any type of relationship.

Uncategorized

Controversy

JustAMom

Ricket’s laying here beside me on my bed. He’s half asleep. I can’t decide if he’s trying to stay awake or if he can’t get comfy. He’s on his belly and tossing his head from one side to the other.

Baby’s are so precious! They’re innocent, perfection. They can’t do a single thing for themselves. Ricket on the other hand is beginning to scoot to whatever his heart desires. And if he can’t reach it, he screams until we figure it out or he gets distracted.

I remember being pregnant with him. I found out just months after having an early miscarriage. I was so excited and terrified at the same time. I didn’t know if I could handle losing another one.

I called and made my first appointment. We get there and there he is on that black screen. Only a few weeks and there he was. He didn’t look like a baby, of course. But he had a heart. We heard and saw his little heart just a beating. I cried!

Every appointment, I was terrified. What if something is wrong! After 3 successful pregnancies, I’m wondering how I could have a 4th. But sure enough, I did!

Then the time comes! Jamie sees his little head. I give one more big push and I hear crying! He’s here!

His tiny hands and feet are so perfect! God is amazing, isn’t he? He’s a tiny human being! A tiny human that has relied on me, even today, since his little heart started beating!

God created him specifically for Jamie and me! God doesn’t make mistakes! Babies are created specifically for their parents or maybe for their adopted parents! God has plans laid out for that tiny little human. Even before their little hearts started beating!

So if you’re on my blog, and you’ve made it this far, think about what’s going on in the world today.

Maybe you’re pregnant but not yet ready for a little baby of your own. That’s ok! Because maybe God didn’t create that little baby for you to raise. Maybe he created him to be with another family. Another mama that is so desperate to be a mother.

Before you decide to end this little babies life. Stop! Pray! God WILL answer your prayer. God WILL give you a sign if you give him time and you look for it.

Maybe this post won’t get the attention it deserves. Maybe it will lead you to unfollow me. That’s ok! I understand!

But just give it a chance and some thought.

tips and tricks

Help Them Help You

JustAMom

Children are so fascinating, right? I’m currently raising 4 of them! Spanning from 5 months to 12 years old.

One thing I’ve learned over the years with mine, if you help them do a chore at a young age, they do it much easier and better. You’re not only helping them, but you’re teaching them.

Children can’t read your mind so they don’t know that you want that toy in that box or this toy in that corner. Their little minds usually don’t pay attention either at first. But after a while and after getting a routine they do catch on.

Yelling at them doesn’t help either of you!! It stresses you out more than you probably already are and it stresses them out. It also makes them feel insecure and misunderstood. It also teaches them that yelling is ok. Has your child ever yelled at you when they’re angry or frustrated? They got that from you home girl!

Instead, walk into the bedroom with them. Sit on the floor where there is a mess. Pick one or two toys up at a time, hand it to your little one and tell them where you want the toy to go and point to the location. Don’t yell it or tell them in a bossy type way. Be sweet about it with a smile. Trust me, you’ll get a much better reaction.

If the living room or toy room is a mess and covered in toys, ask your little one “hey can you come help me with the living room/toy room?”. Help them do it. Let them take over while you go grab the vacuum or broom. Tell them “clean while I go grab the vacuum or broom”. Tell them that if they finish picking up they can help you sweep or vacuum when you return.

I hope this little trick helps you as much as it’s helped me over the years!

As always! Thanks for stopping by and come back tomorrow for more tips and stories!

tips and tricks

We saved $20k in a year

JustAMom

How we saved $20,000 in one year!

We’re a family of 6. We have bills to pay just like you. We don’t have a house note so that helps a tons! And that leads me to my first tip!

If you really want to save money over the years, try not to have a big house note or vehicle payment when you’re still in your 20’s.

Buying used and cheap is not a bad thing. America is accustomed to believe new is better! And by all means, it probably is. But only if you can afford it.

If you can pay in full now, even if it’s $3000, imagine what you’ll be able to do in a few years when you’ve saved all that money by not paying $700 a month on a car payment.

Don’t rent your home! Sometimes that’s your only option, and that’s ok! But while your renting, keep an eye out for a great deal and SAVE your money! If you’re just trying to make ends meet this month, look around your house and see if there’s something you never use anymore. Sell it! There’s your savings for that month.

Great deals pop up every day. It may not be your ideal property or home, but look at it as an investment. A starter home. You’re beginning your new journey from home renters to home owners!

While you live there just make essential repairs and improvements and save save save! Don’t put to much into your “starter” home tho. Unless you plan on being there 3+ years.

No matter what, live below your means! That’s a big one!!

My last point! We have 3 vehicles and 1 car note. We just recently added on the car note. But we have a side job that pays it! It’s still not brand new and still within our means. But we went years with vehicles that had to have ALOT of attention and because of that we were able to get our “new” vehicle. On a side note, it does help that the hubby is a good mechanic and so is his dad. But anyone can learn to do normal maintenance, if they’ll take the time!

So yeah! That’s how we saved $20k in one year! To sum it up!

  • Live below your means
  • Don’t rent
  • Don’t add a vehicle payment unless you do have the option to pay for it in full but choose to finance
  • Save every chance you get, even if it’s $20. If you can’t save from your pay check, MAKE it happen. Sell something or get a side job.

I hope this helps someone! I just wish I would’ve learned all of this when I was 18 and not piece by piece over a few years at 30.

As always! Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back tomorrow!

heat wave

Water park during a heat wave?

JustAMom
Geyser Falls Water Theme Park in Philadelphia MS. From left to right: me, my husband Jamie, a family friend Ashley, my niece Chloe, my daughter Mags, my son Eli, my daughter Morgan and my Step Dad Clark.

I know what you’re thinking! A water park is the perfect place to be during a heat wave. Or.. maybe you’re thinking “who goes to a hot water park during a heat wave?” Either way! DON’T DO IT!! When I say heat wave, I mean record breaking heat in Mississippi!

If you do, a little motherly advice! Don’t let your pre teen wear anything BUT cheap 50 cent flip flops from Walmart! And we didn’t just have one preteen, no sir!! We had 3! And NONE of them wore 50 cent flip flops. In fact, they didn’t even wear flip flops! Insert palm to face here!

Number 1. The concrete was so flipping hot that about mid day you couldn’t even walk on it. I mean it was painful to even step foot in front of foot! Even running didn’t help. And not to mention by the time it was so hot that we had to run, our feet were already blistered and tender. So running honestly felt like we were ripping skin from the bottom of our feet. But hey, I got my cardio in for the day in multiple ways!

Number 1.5 (because we’re still on the hot concrete topic) I’ve never been to a decent water park that didn’t have a 20 plus minute wait to get on an attraction. But waiting on hot concrete is a no go! Y’all we ran! I felt like I was back in high school running stadiums! Running up concrete stairs to the tippy top of this free fall slide was definitely one way to lock in your ticket on this slide. No way you’re changing your mind once you got up there and realization sets in that you’re 32 years old and about to basically jump off of a cliff. A cliff that you haven’t jumped off of since you were a pre teen and hadn’t had 4 kids and brittle bones and aches that pop up out of no man’s land! Or maybe that’s the way to do it. To set your fate with the massive free fall slide! You decide! Also, maybe I should’ve already mentioned this. You couldn’t take your shoes. You had to leave them at the bottom of the slide.

That brings us to number 2. There are three slides to choose from at the top. You have a “three fall” where you hit three humps on your way down. You have “free fall” where you jump off the cliff. THEN you have “night fall”!! It’s a fully inclosed tube that twist and turns and free falls at every turn! It’s not bad UNTIL you’re in a heat wave. It’s pitch black and it’s HOT. You honestly feel like your breathing in bodily fluids, chlorine, carbon dioxide, and maybe a touch of oxygen. There’s literally steam coming out of each end of the tube! Just don’t do it! Unless you’re good with not breathing oxygen. Then go for it!

Number 3. People stink! Including yourself! Sure you have water cooling you down and washing the sweat from your body, but the smell of your clothes! Have you ever been sweating, cooled off, started sweating again and then cooled off again? That’s the smell of every person at the water park! It’s just stink mixed with sunscreen. And it’s EVERYBODY! Don’t think you’re excluded! Because you’re not unless you just don’t swim or cool off. Then you have to stand a foot apart in long miserable lines and breath in everybody else’s stank and disposed air.

Number 4. The pre teens were hot, tired and bored after about 2 hours. Their feet were cooked. The lines were long. They were hungry and the food was expensive. They were just DONE!

Number 5. The sunscreen doesn’t work unless you reapply every 30 minutes! Don’t ask me why because I’m not a doctor by no means. But we applied and reapplied every hour. We still burned!! And we used 50 spf… and no it was not expired! If you have advice on this, please give it to me!! TIA!

Lastly, number 6. DRINK WATER!!!