Are you often the last to go to bed at night and the first to be up in the morn?! You must be a Mom!!

I am here today to tell you to TAKE THE NAP.. if you’re able! Be gentle with yourself, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holidays! ❤️

We must find a way to enjoy the CrAzY chaos! Whether you’re a first time mom or a mom of 20+ years like me, you know what the pressure we put on ourselves feels like. I do often times believe we are unrealistic with ourselves.. or we feel like the “person behind the curtain” and struggle to enjoy each thing as it unfolds.

Do you sometimes find yourself running on empty?! You must be a Mom!

I am here to speak from experience! Cut yourself some slack! I encourage you to start some family traditions, ones that speak to your heart! It’s okay if they are modified from time to time. For instance, we have been getting a real tree for about ten years. And this year- during the pandemic, I felt the need to follow suit of others who posted about and set up a Christmas tree early! I wanted to bring the spirit of Christmas into our home early. Especially while we were in the throes of finishing a kitchen and two bathroom remodels! So I purchased a stunning, flocked artificial tree that has larger-than-normal whimsical white lights and has the fluffy just-snowed-on look. Now, we can start a new tradition.. in place of the years past or even get another real tree next year! One tradition that never wavers is our family going to midnight Mass on Christmas Eve! I love to see our kids come together in the beautiful ambience, for the reason for the season!!

Are you wanting to be the mom-of-the-year? You must be a Mom!

Guess what.. YOU ARE mom-of-the-year to your family, because you are their mom! Your kids honestly don’t know what other families are doing when they are little. They only know the traditions you incorporate! So do your best to make it realistic! This sets the tone for years to come!

Are you the one comparing what other moms are doing? You must be a Mom!

Don’t worry, we all do it. I just want to say, “don’t let comparison be the thief of your joy!” Find a way to take a break when necessary and then don’t feel guilty! Instead, feel rejuvenated and thankful that you did it! 
I have not always been so good at this! In fact I am ever evolving and working on it! I remember staying up half the night wrapping gifts when we were fostering to adopt and had six kids in our home. I was a mess the next morning because I was overly tired. I didn’t feel like anyone realized how hard I had worked to provide all the gifts they had asked for or that anyone had reciprocated. That very Christmas morning, I decided to take a break and head to my moms (in a little town close by.. where she lived). I think back to that day and am proud of myself for regrouping. Although, I hope that by writing this blog entry I can help other moms to not get to that breakdown moment. Luckily, that very Christmas ended on an up note.The older girls scrambled and purchased some movie tickets for Johnny and I to have an upcoming date night. I now realize that I can express my wishes, delegate and take “me time”.. as it all unfolds and be in a way better position to enjoy it all!!

I also now realize that unless you are a Mom yourself, you most likely don’t know how much work it is to get ready. I also can say without a doubt that I have figured out, I am way more happy.. if I just tell my husband what I want. I am super sentimental and words of affirmation and gifts are definitely my top two love languages. I feel good if/when others express their love and gratitude. Truly I can be gifted just about anything and be elated that someone thought of me. If you don’t know your top love languages, figure them out! It is life changing!❤️

Having lost a home and our belongings to a house fire in my youth, has made me a complete and utter finatic about taking pictures. Before smartphones, I used to buy disposable cameras and write what ever event I used them for on the camera.. and then take five or so to be developed at a time. What I am getting at is, try to be in the moment- all while taking it in, possibly capturing it.. BUT most of all try to embrace it for what it is! To this day, I have accidentally flubbed while thinking I was recording. I have to take a mental note of how AweSoMe the moment was and move on. We all have our own thing that makes us happy, for me capturing the moment in a photo and even sharing the experience helps me to enjoy it to the fullest. I can’t help but believe someday our kiddos will enjoy looking back with their kids!

Are you questioning who you are outside of being a mom? I promise it’s normal! We are and can be lots of things.. in addition to being a Mom!

Today, I am an up and coming motivational blogger, with a serving heart. I am here to say, don’t be paralyzed and overwhelmed by life. Seek the assistance of a professional ..if need be! Live your best life now!

I came home today, after my early half-day shift as a hairdresser and took a nap. I worked on a couple heads of hair, met with our beauty rep to place an inventory order, I ran a couple of errands for my friends who are shut-in, due to quarantine. Next up was a nap, so I could catch up on rest after being awake for a couple hours in the middle of the night last night (after a busy work day). I was woken up by one of our doggies who heard our 21yr. old son in the kitchen getting a box of cheese-its and a glass of water. I am trying not to be too bitchy about his ridiculous sleep pattern. He’s a 4.O college kid/student, night owl, who’s on the Dean’s Honor Roll! I think he’s home for six weeks!

On a side note, I didn’t rise as early as normal today. Our doggies survived without their morning walk this morning, my daughter loaded the dishwasher (before heading to her late start at school)- from the meal our oldest made last night, my husband and kiddos got things ready for the guys who came this morning to shampoo our carpets. I guess it’s safe to say, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I struggle to bring the best version of myself if/when I am overly tired. I am happy to share that my family impressed me! They can make things happen when I am not on my A-game!! Thanks to my husband for getting them moving and  to all of them for thier help! Not to mention, my husband closed on his second home this afternoon, since being a realtor for a few months! He is getting ready to take on  a new listing! I must say we’ve always pressed forward, even when our kids were younger and our time was more limited because they were more dependant on us. Even if the progress isn’t as fast as you would like, don’t give up! Every step in a certain direction, is a step. If you decide to change course, do it intentionally and without regret. Life is ever changing! Remember.. nothing is truly permanent!

These days go fast! You blink and they’re 20 years old! I am doing my best to embrace that these days will soon be behind us. I love Alana Davis’s lyrics.. in one of her songs she says, “with a shorter past, there’s a greater hurry.. Let the moment last, there’s no need to worry. We should be living for today or tomorrow anyway!” These words speak loud! Slow down, find time to take it in, add in some selfcare, and figure out how to smile more! I am working on letting my kids see me smile more! I am often a serious and firm parent, I must do my best to have a lasting relationship with our kiddos! Moms can be fun too!

Moms, take care of yourself! When you are refreshed and happy~ your family finds themselves more refreshed and happy! Do your best and forget the rest!!

Stay Rosy, Amber

#HalfwayToAnywhereYouPutYourMindTo #Halfwaythere