Take A Deep Breath Mama

I was recently scrolling down my Facebook timeline and came across a few moms who seemed to be stressed and anxious due to the overwhelming tasks of being a mom, a wife, a student, an employee, a leader, a devoted ministry member, etc. My best advice that I can offer, and that I'm sure I need to practice is to TAKE A DEEP BREATH MAMA!

I am one of those moms who believe that motherhood should not take away from our home being clean, dinner being cooked, laundry being done, etc. I have found myself plenty of times crying my eyes out because I felt like I did not have anymore energy to offer to cleaning my house...until... One day I was having a panic attack and I was venting to my husband about all the things that needed to be done around the house and he seemed so nonchalant about it. He just did not understand how serious the situation was.... there were a few dishes in the sink... the floor needed to be mopped... the bathrooms needed to be cleaned... the laundry was piling up... and on top of that I had assignment after assignment due for school... AND did I mention that I frequently experience severe migraines and this was one of those days? The only consolation I had was when he told me that things were not as bad as they appeared.

 I was going crazy because I wanted my house to look a certain way, not for me or my family, BUT for other people to know and see that I know how to be a good wife and a good mom. It was then that I figured out that everything that I was panicking about was to please others. Why are we putting ourselves through that torture? We're killing ourselves to impress others! I've also learned that it is absolutely okay to ask my dear husband to help. I don't know what your home situation may be like, but if you have someone willing to assist in duties around the house, then use their assistance. Trust me! Once I started taking advantage of his help, I was also relieving myself of unnecessary stress.

We're only moms and wives and whatever other titles we may carry, but we are NOT SUPERWOMEN! It's time for you to take off your cape, hang it up, and go into retirement because realistically you just cannot do it all. Some people and some things will have to get your "No, but I can't this time." Now, I'm not saying to totally neglect what needs to be done, but I'm simply advising you to give yourself a break. Being a wife alone is work and being a mom is work, so combining the two with other things is EXTRAORDINARY work, but you can do it if and only if you pace yourself.

And mama... it's okay for you to dedicate one day to you every month. Go treat yourself to an appointment at the hair salon, get pampered at the nail salon, relax with a massage. Whatever your vice is, enjoy it once a month, and while you're enjoying it TAKE A DEEP BREATH MAMA!

I hope you find this helpful in relieving some of the overwhelming anxiety that can control us moms who feel like we have to do it all. Some wifely and motherly tasks absolutely cannot be ignored; however, those other minor things like the floor being mopped and the laundry getting cleaned can go on a schedule. Strive to achieve one of those minor tasks everyday, but do not pressure yourself into doing it all in one day. It will be okay if that bathroom waits an additional 24 hours to be cleaned. That same bathroom will still be there tomorrow :-)

Mom Spill: Dry Skin Go Away

 If you have skin like myself and little princess, then you know that winter is just not our friend. I have very sensitive skin and suffer from frequent bouts of eczema outbreaks. As much as I wanted little princess to come out looking like me and to have features of her daddy, unfortunately she came out looking like daddy with features like me, including sensitive skin.

Since she was born we've battled with different lotions, creams, and bath soaps that would fit perfectly with her skin. Now let me just say that her doctor has prescribed a steroid cream, but I have made the choice to discontinue the use of the prescription. I've had my share with the prescriptions for eczema, which included me being up all night because the medicine made it worse! I just think that I would rather go an easier route than to deal with an itchy scratchy three year old. Behold, after mixing lotion with Vaseline for a while only to find it to not work, I have found the genius of Aveeno's lotion specifically for eczema.

I'll pause here to say that I am in no way being sponsored nor paid by Aveeno to give my honest review. However, I am writing this from one mommy to another because I know what I went through to get little princess's skin to clear without it being even more irritated. To be more specific I use Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream. This wonderful relief does not come without a cost. I paid about $9 for it at my local Walmart, but after doing a little price comparisons, I believe that it may be a tad bit cheaper at Target. I'm definitely willing to spend that much for some lifesaving relief.

When little princess has her outbreaks, it usually appears all over her abdominal area, on her legs, thighs, arms, and buttocks. She becomes an itchy mess complaining of "My tummy is scratchy." These patches are very scaly! We just so happened to take her to the doctor for her 3 year check up when she was having an outbreak, and her doctor suggested everything BUT Aveeno.

This lotion works wonders with just a dab. You don't have to squirt half the bottle in order to get good coverage. I usually use about a quarter sized amount to cover her body. So I guess that $9 isn't so bad after all. Did I mention that it's fragrance free? Indeed it is. My sweet little princess says that it smells like nothing. To me, I think that it smells like plain oatmeal.

OVERALL, I definitely recommend this product to all my mom friends who are enduring the dry itchy eczema outbreaks along with their little ones. It may be a little costly, but it is worth every single penny! Now go attack eczema full force! ENJOY :)

Rainy Days: Pop Goes The Kernel

Today has been such a gloomy day. It's raining and cold...and raining...and cold. The little princess and I have decided to make this a lounging day by sitting downstairs in our PJ's, enjoying some of our favorite brown paper bag popcorn, and ODing on Netflix movies.

I don't know about you, but I grew up in the house where rainy days called for a fresh pot of something hot simmering on the stove, filling the house with a delightful aroma. Most times my mom would have a pot of lima beans or soup simmering. Rainy days also called for lounging around in the cozy atmosphere of our den (living room) with blankets wrapped around us. Of course I would love to keep up the cozy tradition with my children; however, today I have nothing to simmer on the stove, so we pulled out our brown paper bags, popcorn kernels, and got to popping!

Since I have been inclined to begin making my popcorn this way, I have not purchased any microwaveable popcorn, which makes it almost 2 years since doing so. I just have a preference now to indulge in the greasy saltiness of my own brown paper bag popcorn. But I will say that it is not something that I indulge in frequently. It's more like once a month that I do so.

If you have a young child like I do, then you know that they always want to help cook and clean. If you're a controlling OCD parent like me, then you know how hard it is to find something for them to help you cook or clean. Popping popcorn is one of the easiest activities that we can do together while bonding over junk food. The princess enjoyed today's bonding moments so much that I decided to share with my readers because I know how important it is to bond while being lazy :) Below I have listed all that you will need to make this a wonderful experience for you and your little one. Be it a rainy day, a lazy afternoon, or family movie night, I'm sure that your little one will enjoy being able to make their own popcorn, and you will enjoy the taste of this delicious treat. ENJOY :-)

Things You Will Need:

• 1/2 cup - 1 cup of popcorn kernels (I prefer yellow kernels)
• Brown paper bag (lunch sack)
• Movie theater butter oil blend (I used Kernel Season's)
• Butter Seasoning (Again I used Kernel Season's)

First measure at least 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels and pour into brown paper bag. Remember the more kernels, the more popcorn. I don't like a full bag so typically a 1/2 cup makes the perfect amount for me.

Next fold the top of paper bag over twice and put in microwave to cook. I typically pop my bags for no more than 1 minute and 15 seconds.

Lastly, pour at least 5 dashes of the oil blend into the bag and shake to mix all around. WARNING THE OIL BEGINS TO SEEP THROUGH THE BAG SO PREPARE FOR THE MESSINESS. You can stop with the 5 dashes or sprinkle more oil, it's all about your preference. I typically pour a little more. 

Afterwards season with your butter seasoning and shake the bag. Season to your liking. 

In the words of my little one, "TADAAA!" you have successfully achieved your brown paper bag popcorn! ENJOY!

P.S. All of the items used were found in the popcorn/chips section of my local grocery store. There may be different brands and flavors at your store of preference. Either way try your best to have as much fun being lazy and indulging in a little greasy pleasure.