Welcome to the 36th week of #AskAwayFriday!
The rules are simple!
Follow your hosts and guest hosts!
Grab the button and spread the word, the more the merrier!
Get to hopping!
Get to know your fellow bloggers and make some new friends!
Most importantly, have FUN!
Hosted by this awesome crew!
This week, I am also participating in my first ever Finish the Sentence Friday (A blog link-up with a weekly writing prompt!
Hosted by this fabulous group!
Stop & link up your post! It’s the weekend, let’s bloggy with it!
This week I had the pleasure of partnering with a blogger- I actually met in person! The beautiful, Lisa. Wife, mama of three darling divas and creator of The Golden Spoons! And she is just as lovely in person as she is on her blog! I wish I could meet up with her at Blog U in June!
Oh did I mention, author? Yep. She is featured in The Mother of All Meltdowns, which was released just before we met!
By the way, the authors of MOAM are having a Mother’s Day Extravaganza which includes a new forum called No Mother Is Perfect (www.nomotherisperfect.com) and an incredible giveaway that you can enter to win!
Without further ado….here are the questions Lisa had for me this week!
1. This week the FTSF (Finish the Sentence Friday) prompt is “If I could go back in time . . . . ” How would you finish that sentence?
I would speak to myself at 12 years old. I would assure myself matter how bad things seemed (even on those dramatic “world is gonna end” type of days) it would be okay. I would emphasize the abundant love already surrounding me and the importance of loving oneself/self esteem.
Not sure if a swift kick in the butt or a hug, would be better deserved.
2. I was so happy to meet you at the SITS Girls Bloggy Boot Camp back in October. What is one of the biggest things you learned at that conference? Have you been to any other blogging conferences or do you have plans to go to any in the future?
I actually knew most of the “technical” lessons taught at BBC, but did appreciate the valuable tricks/tips on organization and set some personal goals!
I was just so happy to meet other bloggers and not feel so alone! The social impact was so motivating! BBCMPLS energized, inspired and overwhelmed me! I do wish I had chosen to stay one additional night! I loved meeting you (Lisa) and would have loved to go to BLOG U with so many ladies from #AAF/MOAM & #FTSF! It just can’t (financially) happen this year (my blog is in need of a definite professional makeover & switch to Genesis platform).
If I was to choose one blog related trip to make, it would be BLOG U or the ABCkids EXPO.
3. Since I am a mom of 3 girls, I love the Pink and Blue series you do with Melissa. You have 2 boys. Any plans for a third child?? If so, do you hope it’s another boy or would you like a girl?
HAHA! Maybe and yes.
We will have to consider that soon, and make our final decision. However we been debating it for a while now. Late fall we were thinking “yes”, early this year was a “no”.
If we decide to try for a third child, of course #1 is praying for healthy boy OR girl. But I will admit, girls scare me!
4. I hate mornings. Are you more of a morning person or a night owl? Has it changed since becoming a mother?
Ugh I hate mornings! Sleepless toddlers has made it worse for me! LOL! I am definitely not morning friendly and rarely even speak until my 2nd cup of coffee! I need to start thinking of these early mornings as a gift though, because I do get more accomplished and it is quality time with the kids. I am not really a true “night owl” I usually am in bed at 11PM at the latest. I LOVE sleep.
5. We have had a crazy schedule for the past couple weeks and I am really struggling to keep up with the housework, which is bad because I’m kind of a neat freak. Are you a neat freak, too, or does the mess not really bother you? What is the household chore you despise the most?
I would love to consider myself a neat freak, I definitely try. I am about 75% there. Cleaning seems endless and with little ones, and impossible to keep up with! I am actually fortunate we have a tiny house or I might go crazy!
My least favorite thing to clean is the bathroom by far! Between cleaning up my hair from the drains and cleaning up after the boys… it is just yucky!
6. Part of our crazy schedule is due to my kids’ extracurricular activities including soccer, piano lessons, and horseback riding. Your kids are younger than mine, but are there any specific activities you hope they will do (or not do) when they are older?
Well I would love for them to participate in whatever they enjoy! Hayden has had (and still needs) swim lessons, has participated in soccer/t-ball/basketball and gymnastic clinics (1 day classes). Currently my hubby is coaching Hayden’s Pre-K soccer team. It isn’t Hayden forte′. I was NOT athletic, and after today’s game I am officially passing on my childhood nickname “space cadet.” It was rough to watch. He just had no interest at all.
I can’t wait to get him in to Karate. I think he will be ecstatic to try that. He practices his “ninja moves” regularly.
He just isn’t an outdoorsy or athletic kid. And that is okay with me. There are plenty of other activities he may enjoy. Plus it may change… maybe he will be an excellent athlete someday.
Recently, I tried to convince him a bike would be a great birthday gift and he came up with about 10 reasons while I should not buy him a bike. Some of the reasons were solid.
Henry definitely needs to start swim lessons soon, he is a “wild boy” with no fear.
7. You have written before about have picky eaters and, now, a son with food allergies. I, too, have picky eaters, but no allergies to deal with. How has dealing with it changed the way you grocery shop and cook of your family?
Initially, very overwhelming. I had no experience with allergies and was a terrible cook! However I am now looking at it all as a learning adventure! I am actually enjoying the research and learning NEW recipes! I have great resources and local health/dietitian advocates!
It can be pricey to avoid certain ingredients , but I am learning there, too!
I can’t help but to appreciate:
- Henry’s situation was not more serious. He was so sick for several weeks, we are blessed to have him healthy again!
- I have the ability, and resources to LEARN to help him
- It is making us a healthier family- in so many ways!
I am REALLY excited to try a greener/frugal approach to household cleaning! I recently discovered Crunchy Betty and will be attempting to follow many of her recipes (laundry soap/softener, dish-washing, all purpose cleaning, weed control, insect control…etc.) Someday maybe even toothpaste and deodorant, but don’t hold me to the last ones! I AM ACTUALLY VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS!
It is so easy to make these changes! It will benefit our bodies and pocketbook! AND IF I CAN DO THIS, ANY ONE CAN!
Not only was our grocery budget in need of serious adjustment, but I am really bothered by the amount of chemicals in our homes, and on our bodies. Especially in our children’s products. 
8. Tamara asked me this one a couple weeks ago and I loved it, so I’m asking you! What is the biggest thing blogging has taught you about yourself?
I guess I am not sure it has taught me anything new about me. However it gave me much needed “mommy time” and provided a HUGE learning challenge, that I was craving. I never knew the amazing depths of blogosphere! Even if I could blog full-time… there is always more that can/should be done.
9. You wrote a lovely review of The Mother Of All Meltdowns back in October. (Thanks!) Tell us about one of your worst mommy meltdowns!
Thank you! Well it was probably surrounding the True Tales post about Henry. I was so emotional in November/December. I was scared and tired of him being sick. Most tests were coming back normal. The doctors were talking feeding tubes and discussing things like “cystic fibrosis”. Henry was battling constant bowel issues and vomiting during each meal. It was a lonely and frustrating time.
I cried to my barista at Starbucks. I cried when talking to the grocery store dietitian. I never “lost” it and screamed at anyone- but a lot of people had no idea what was even happening until I “unleashed” in that post. It felt so good to let it out. I suddenly felt stronger and stopped crying at the local grocer.
10. O.K. Let’s end with something fun. If you had an entire day to yourself – 24 hours with no kids, no hubby, no schedule, no to-do list, and money is no object – how would you spend the time??
Okay well if money is NO issue…. Ladies, I am chartering a jet and we would Vlog a group version #AAF in a southern climate with Mojitos! Maybe bring in Channing Tatum and Bradley Copper for a few #AAF Twitter selfies!
If I need to be more realistic- Spa, shopping and expensive lunch! but now that seems less fun!
Thank you for the #AskAwayFriday swap, Lisa!
I can’t wait to see how you answered my questions!
See everyone next #AskAwayFriday! Cheers!
