On My Heart: Being an Unconventional Family


I will be linking up with Amanda @ A Royal Daughter for today's On My Heart post. Amanda's blog and the way she lives her life inspires me, and encourages me to write about the real stuff, which is what this link-up is all about.

 

:: Before I begin, I just wanted to say that I thought about postponing this post and writing about the tragedy that occurred in Boston yesterday, but I thought it best to continue with what was written already, and just say that my hearts are with everyone involved. I hope that everyone finds peace in this troubled time::


I've thought a lot lately about being a traditional family. When I found out I was pregnant with Natalie I thought about all of the things I would do with her as she grew up. I had grand plans.

I was going to breastfeed. Then Natalie came seven weeks early and my milk never came in. Dream Over.

I was going to cloth diaper. Man, those things are expensive! And we didn't get any at our baby shower. Dream Over.

I was going to make sure I woke up every time the baby cried. Exhaustion won over, and the baby went back to sleep. Dream Over.

I was going to make sure that Natalie never put anything in her mouth that isn't supposed to be there, like you know.....dog food? Yeah that happened. Food that fell on the floor? Already been there. Toys that are not meant for chewing on? Done that. Dream Over. (God made dirt, and dirt don't hurt right???)

I was going to make sure that she was introduced to many different foods and that she always got her veggies. Then she got semi-picky and always wanted chicken nuggets and tater tots. I got pregnant again, and refuse to fight with her over it some nights. Dream Over.

I want to say that my house is always clean, but sometimes the trash overflows, the floors are dirty, toys are everywhere, and there is pet hair all over the floor that I let my daughter play on, but I just don't have the energy to do anything about it. Dream Over.

I was going to make sure that meal time was at the table and never in front of the TV. Yeah, we never use our kitchen table. Dream Over.

 

At least she's sort of at a table right?

I was going to make sure that she gets a bath every night. Yeah, again, no energy and I just do NOT feel like fighting her to sit still while I dry her hair every night especially when she is already over-tired. Dream Over.

 I wish I could say that I never get frustrated, never get angry, but that would be a lie. But will also say that I love her with my entire heart and soul, and I think she has a pretty good idea just how much I love her - at least I would hope she does. And, for the most part, she is happy and healthy, and even if we aren't perfect, she is loved. That counts for something right?

I want to say that everything else I will follow through with. I want to say that eventually we will be a traditional family, but I would be kidding myself. We are an unconventional family, and in this day and age, I'm starting to think that being that way is more normal than abnormal.

Now I just have to learn how to be ok with it.

 

 

 

Until later lovebugs,

 

Rachael

Mani Monday

 

Last week I promised that I would paint my nails the blue color that my Instagrammies picked out! So without further ado, here is the polish:

 

 It's such a pretty metallic color! I had originally wanted to add some nail art to my ring fingers, but after seeing the gorgeous-ness of the color, I decided it was too pretty to be covered in any way! 

 

Here's how it turned out!

 

 

Linking up with Vicki, Tara, and Heather! Thanks girls for hosting these weekly linkups! It's motivating me to get some "me time" every week and what girl DOESN'T feel pretty with painted nails?!?!

Now the question is...what to choose next week?!

Calypso Blue, Right Said Red, or Purple Pulse?? Tell me what you'd like to see in the comments!



See you later lovebugs!

Rachael

My Husband Rocks Vol. 9

No husband is perfect and it doesn’t really matter. What matters is how I set myself up to think about him. If I focus on his failures, his annoyances, or ways in which I’ve felt hurt by him, then I will interact with him as a hurt and frustrated and disappointed wife. That makes for miserable living for me and my husband and those around us. But if I focus on his strengths, his potential, and the ways in which I feel blessed by him, then I will interact with him as a forgiving, blessed, and contented wife. And there’s no greater need a man has than to feel respected by his wife. If he feels like all he does is hurt, disappoint, and frustrate, then the same atmosphere and the same actions will be perpetuated. But if he feels that his wife can be happy and responsive regardless of his shortcomings, he feels respected and empowered. Then a positive atmosphere is perpetuated and actions, once destructive, can improve in an environment that is rich for cultivation and growth into deepened respect and intimacy."

(from the From*me Tees Mission Reflection)

 

 

 

This week I am joined by the fabulous Ashley from Him & Her! Check out her post here:

This week we are talking about the first "I love you."

This is actually a pretty funny story for us!

(one of the very first photos of us in 2005)

 



We had decided to drive to Fredericksburg, VA for a weekend and stay at a hotel, visit his uncle and do some shopping. That first night, we were laying in bed talking, each of us tripping numerous times trying NOT to say "I love you." I had said it was too soon, I was just divorced, I didn't want a boyfriend blah, blah, blah.

Eventually, we started to get sleepy and decided to say goodnight....

Hubby looked at me, started to say it, stopped. Thought about it some, and then said....

(from my 21st birthday in 2005)

"Oh, F it! I LOVE YOU!" So romantic, right?? 

 

 

We want to hear all about the loves of your lives!

<center> <a href="http://thegrowingtreeblog.blogspot.com/search/label/My%20Husband%20Rocks"><img alt="The Growing Tree" src="http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh534/thegrowingtree/MHR200x200button.jpg" height="200"/></a></center>

*Next Sunday*

Kristina from The Streeters Unlimited will be hosting with me! Topic of conversation will be:

Tell me the story of how your significant other proposed! Or, if there isn't a proposal yet, tell me what your dream proposal would be!

* If you would like to participate *

Follow the prompt, or just wing it and blog about whatever you want, as long as it is about the love of your life! Don't feel like you can't contribute if you are not married, this is for anyone who wants to celebrate their significant other!  Then come back here and link up in the collection at the bottom of this post. Please grab the button and use it in your post, or post it somewhere on your blog!

The only thing I ask is to follow my blog and my co-host Ashley's  blog via GFC, Bloglovin, Facebook or Twitter (icons at the top of my page - be sure to comment below and let me know how you follow and I will follow you back!) Then, take a look around at the other blogs linked up and leave them some love too!

* If you want to add the blog hop to your post *

If you want to participate in the hop and add the link-up to your post, click here and highlight the first code!

* If you would like me to add you to the advance email OR if you would like to co-host in the future*

If you would like to receive the code for the post before it goes live, or would like to co-host your very own My Husband Rocks Sunday Link-up, send me a message with the subject My Husband Rocks to:

 

See you later lovebugs!

Rachael

52 in 52 Update: April

1. Blog at least twice a week. Done.
2. My Hubby Rocks posts each Sunday. Go here to view them.
3. 52 in 52 updates once a month (2/12 )
4. Post Desire to Inspire posts once a month. Here and here (2/12)
5. "Little Miss Natalie" posts twice a month. Here and here (2/12)

24. Get a meal planning system going. Haven't gotten this finished yet. We did one week of it, but then kind of fell off the wagon. We will get started soon.

30. Update baby book monthly. Ha. I'll get to it eventually.
32. Finish 0-6 month scrapbook. Haven't touched it. Hopefully will have some time soon.
37. Bump shots weekly starting at 18 weeks. Good to go. Except for the past two weeks. My friend is on vacation, she'll be back next week. I am going to try and take one on my own somehow.

40. Have a gender reveal party. Completed!
41. Buy my baby bag and necessities. Completed!

45. Have a set bedtime and wakeup time and stick to it, even on weekends. I've got weekdays down pretty good, just need to stop sleeping in on weekends.

That's it for now! Looks like a good start to me. My next update will be May 10th!

Until later, lovebugs!



Rachael

Wordless Wednesday