mommy wants some "me" time

I LOVE being home with Luke. My family has made a lot of sacrifices so that we can live on one income. It's not easy, but that's the decision we made for our family. My husband drives a two door cavalier, we don't eat out too often, and we stick to our list every time we go to the grocery store. On the other side of things we live comfortably, in a beautiful home, and have everything we need. That being said there are days where I count down the minutes to the gym child watch opening or to when my husband walks in the door at the end of a workday. Does this make me a bad mom?

I don't think so! It makes me a sane mom. We can't expect to be the best version of us if we are expected to be at everyone else's beck and call 100% of the time. When I spend a few hours by myself, our days go smoother, I have more patience and I soak in the time that Luke and I have together. Luke is getting socialization, he is learning Spanish words, and playing with people OTHER than his mom, he loves the time he has there. Some days I even get a nice little steam and a shower without a little head peeking through the door!

We have decided not to do a pre-K until next year for him, for many reasons, but a main reason is because I am home with him. Paying for him to attend a program like that just isn't an option right now. There are so many tools and websites that show me activities to do with him, so I know he will be prepared. Some say, "what about the socialization?".  Of course, he is not getting as much as the kids who attend pre-school but I do my best with activities like library story time, park activities and play dates. He has his whole life to go to school, why not enjoy our time for a few more years. That being said, I understand people's reasons to send their kids. For us, it was the right decision not to. 

There is no right or wrong. I have no time to feel inadequate or guilty about something that I love doing, being a mom. When I tuck him in bed each night, I know he loved our day, even if it was one of the "hard" days. Your way is not wrong and my way is not always right, but guess what? We ARE making the best decisions for our families. 

Empower yourself and empower your right to decide. If you are a working mom (or dad for that matter) good for you!! Some days I envy your decision, but I never judge it. If you decided to be a SAHM, value your time and value your decision, it was a tough one! Just because you are a SAHM does not mean you need to be with your kid every moment of the day, think of the moments you were with them and be proud of those. Happily sign in him in to the child watch room, and know that you are amazing! 

Happy parenting, 

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#freezerlovefriday does grilling season - Chili Lime Chicken

I have come to love limes! I like them in my water, I sometimes like them in my margarita and I really like them in a chicken marinade. They add a zest and sweetness that is so distinct. 

I like to serve this chicken with a Spanish style dirty rice and steamed radishes and broccoli. Of course, this dinner would also be wonderful paired with a Corona or a DOS Equis, but hey that is just me!!

Chili Lime Chicken 

Yields 4-6 Chicken Breasts/Thighs

Ingredients:

Juice of 5 limes

2 tbsp coconut oil

1 tbsp chili powder

¼ t onion powder

¼ t garlic powder

¼ t salt 

4 chicken breasts

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients together. 

Trim excess fat off of the chicken breasts and place in a large baggie. 

Let sit in refrigerator for one day and freeze laying flat for up to 3 months!

Happy grilling, 

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why I make my son pick up his toys

I get it. You're tired and you are in no mood to sing, "clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere.." why not just clean up later after your little goes to bed? 

This is what my son's playroom looks like after a long day of choo choo building and cookie making in his play kitchen. It is a wreck and there are toys everywhere!

Toys that we worked hard to get for him, or toys that our good family friends gifted him for Easter last year. Toys that his Nonnie and Grandma brought all the way from Ohio to watch him open. They are his possessions. Yes, they are plastic, but they are his. 

Remember, when you were searching for that perfect house. All you kept saying was "open floor concept, please!" Then you had kids and you realized, open floor concept means their toys will be all over that wonderful open floor. Ya, all of sudden you wish you had doors and ways to lock the the mess in. The play room is the first thing people see when they come over and quite frankly by the time I sit down at the end of the day, I don't want to see it. 

I also need some cleanliness to survive. And let's be honest, anything that makes me sane is good for everybody, especially the person who spends 24-7 with me! When I am in cleaning mode and deep cleaning the kitchen, he asks for his cleaner bottle and gets busy cleaning his tractor. Or when I whip out the sweeper, he gets his play Dyson and gets to work. He is learning so much, even the smallest things can teach him lessons. 

I feel that raising kids that know the importance of taking care of their stuff is vital in making sure they are respectful and appreciate everything they own. So, take the few minutes, listen to the whining and make it fun by singing Barney on repeat. Your future adult child will thank you for it one day.

Happy cleaning, 

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