Be sure to check out all the awesome Ask Away Hostesses as well! They are:
Tamara from Tamara Like Camera,
Tiffany from Mrs. Tee Love Life Laughter,
Christy from Uplifting Families,
Stacey from This Momma’s Ramblings
and
Amber from Bold Fit Mom
Check out my answers to the questions Suzanna sent me and then head over to her blog to read her answers to my questions!
Does Sophie have a favorite member of your family?
Yes! Sophie is our 4 year old border collie. Her favorite member of our family is definitely our oldest daughter. Rachel LOVES animals and she and Sophie just have this unspoken connections. It's really sweet.
Which of your top 20 things to teach your daughters do you find the most challenging?
Right now, I am struggling with "Keep Order In Your Life." I like things neat and tidy, but my daughters don't seem to mind the mess at all. I have tried everything tom chore charts to nagging and nothing seems to get through!
Which lesson comes easiest to you to share with them?
Probably "Laugh." My hubby is really good at keeping things lighthearted and I'm happy to say our family laughs a lot.
What has been your biggest challenge of being a stay at home mom?
I think the biggest challenge has been truing to redefine myself. When I first became a SAHM, I felt isolated. I had to find a whole new circle of friends and a whole new set of peers. This happens again to some degree as children grow. When they start preschool, you become one of the preschool moms. Then, elementary. This year, my oldest started middle school. As my girls have gotten older and needed me less and less, I have struggled to find some sense of self accomplishment and fulfillment of my own that is not always directly tied to being their mom.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of being a stay at home mom?
I'm so glad that I have had the opportunity to so involved in my girls' lives. I've been the playdate mom and the classroom party mom. I am able to go on field trips with them and join them an dog to most of their school functions. I know it's not the right decision or everyone, but it was the right decision for me. It's not always easy or glamorous, but I am glad I have been able to be home with them.
What is your favorite thing about blogging?
By far my favorite this is the connections I have made with other bloggers whom I now consider friends. I started blogging because I like to write and I wanted to record memories for my girls. That is still a high part of why I do it. The friendships turned out to be a wonderful surprise!
What is your favorite thing about being a Southerner?
Hmmmm... You know I don't think anyone has ever asked me that! The truth is that I have never been anything else - I have visited other places, but only ever lived in North Carolina and Tennessee (briefly), so I don't really have any mechanism of comparison. I love the friendly nature of people in the South. I love that people are willing to help one another and that people are generally polite to others. I love the climate, too. I needy four seasons and can't imagine being somewhere warm in December! :-)
If you had a whole day with no commitments and $500 to spend on yourself, what would you do?
I would probably go shopping for some new clothes. Then, I would settle in with my laptop at a Starbucks or Barnes and Noble with a yummy cup of coffee. I would hang out alone reading blogs and writing.
I would probably go shopping for some new clothes. Then, I would settle in with my laptop at a Starbucks or Barnes and Noble with a yummy cup of coffee. I would hang out alone reading blogs and writing.
If you had to pick one food to eat every day for a year, what would you pick?
The sensible me says chicken. The honest me says CHOCOLATE!
The sensible me says chicken. The honest me says CHOCOLATE!
What is one of your favorite tips to share with a new blogger?
I am a nut about organization, so I would say to use some kind of editorial calendar. Mine is very simple - posts and topics penciled on a blank paper calendar. I know some bloggers use fancy spreadsheets. Do whatever works for you, but do something. It will keep you organized and it will keep you from staring at a blank computer screen wondering what in the world to write. (Most of the time at least!)
31 comments:
Totally would spend the day similar to you if I had it to myself and some extra money, too. Just the thought makes me smile :)
It would make me so happy to have a day like that - especially after a week like this!
Stopping by from the Bloppy Bloggers--thank you for introducing me to another cool blogger :).
Mmmmm, that day sounds dreamy. We should all plan a "Mom walk out" and do this.
You're welcome! Thanks for stoping by!
I'm in!!! :-)
Aww, I hope your daughters do tell you just a bit of this for Mother's Day, but I suspect even if they don't you know that they do feel this way deep down, because you are truly a wonderful mom and the best mom to them. On a side not, can totally understand about life itself coming the way and think as moms we have all been there. Happy Mother's Day, Lisa and hope that you have a wonderful day and weekend, too! :)
Thanks, Janine!! Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day, too!!
I try to teach my Kiddies order and lately they are learning it when they can't find the things they want. I end giving the now if you had this in a set place speech and it seems to actually sink in...finally.
I understand that feeling of isolation when you become a SAHM...I still haven't found a true circle of friends but I'm getting there. It honestly does feel like everything I do is either for the kids or the house. Loosing me in there can be very easy.
Lisa, this is perfect and you nailed it with the fact that none of us are perfect, but all of us are doing our best and our kids know that we love them more than anything else. I admire you for baking the cake at 9pm too for teacher appreciation. I bought store-bought treats. Sigh. And here's to not letting our children hear us call ourselves fat. Such a hard one. But so important. Happy Mother's Day to you my friend! I hope your weekend is amazing. And that you get to relax.
Man, this one made me cry, too! I loved your unique take, and I better you are closer than you might think to guessing what your daughters would say- I bet they are so proud and grateful to have you. Beautiful post.
I think is exactly what your daughters would say, Lisa. You made be cry a little - happy tears. Have a great Mother's Day with your girls!
Thanks Kristi! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, too!!
Thank you, Stephanie!
Aw! Glad they were happy tears. Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day too!
Well, that gives me hope that mine might get it too someday! And, yes, very easy to lose yourself as a mom.
Awwww - I totally go goosebumps at "but your are beautiful". That sentence was so real. Whenever we are packing to go on a trip I don't want my husband to be home because I don't want him to see what I go through picking stuff out that fits. He wouldn't get that there's a last day outfit that compensates for how much I ate during the trip. Anyway this letter is perfect and I'm sure that's what they would have written.
I'd do the same thing with free time and $500! Also regarding Sophie, I think Scarlet is Athena's favorite. When Athena first came to us and was so sick with a stomach infection, she had to spend a day at the vet. When she came home, Scarlet burst out of the house yelling, "Athena! Athena!" and they ran into each other's arm. It was sweet. I think that was the moment that Athena really realized that we were her forever family and we weren't just a stop along the way.
A great letter from your girls! I'm sure they would like to send it to you, especially the part about "it's okay". Moms don't hear that enough, it seems......
Thank you Kenya!
Definitely! Thanks~
I like your take on this. First your original plan & how you responded to the prompt. :)
I'm guessing here that every single child would write that very same letter to their mom. Beautiful and absolute truth!!
Have a wonderful and BLESSED Mother's Day my friend. XOXO
Isn't it fun to see how our animals pick "their person"? Both our cats and our dog have their favorites. It's so neat to experience and see that bond between people and animals.
Your day sounds just like what I would love - a little clothes shopping and a little me time with some coffee and reading and writing!
Have a great Mama's day!
Awesome post! It brought tears to my eyes!
Aw, that's sweet! Sophie loves all the girls and even helps me wake the middle one up every morning, but she just has a special bond with Rachel.
Thanks, Beth! You too!
Thanks!
Thanks Chris! You too!
Visiting from SITS. Beautiful post! We're all the perfect moms for OUR kids. Have a wonderful weekend!
We have three dogs and out of the three, so far the Chi has picked me as his best buddy. I wasn't a dog lover until I started staying at home because of my medical issues. He loves to lay beside me and will follow me every where. The puppy we got a few months ago, is still too small to tell who he is attached too. Our oldest is attached to my husband of course, she likes me when I ask her if she wants to go for a car ride.
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