Back to normal- as normal as it gets

Well after a good (almost) 2 weeks, mom left this morning to go back home. We had a good time with her here. Danika loves her grandma, and is always upset when mom goes home- this time though, since she is driving they have already left, and Danika is still in bed- so maybe we will just go about the day as we normally do.

It was two weeks of visiting, and doing things- which keeps me busy, but makes me tired. I had a great time, and even when Brett was working, I had stuff to do. But now- we get back to normal. More normal than things have been, since I have more energy now.

I have pretty much stepped back into my role as wife and mother, and caretaker of the house. I get the kids up in the morning, help get breakfast. Clean up the house, get lunch ready, do something with Danika while Bryce naps, and then get dinner ready. Although- when I did all of this before, I also had some other kids in my care, so it was always busy. As much as Danika loves doing things with me, she is also very independent, and likes her time alone. So now, I have to get back to my new normal. I have to get used to life while not working.

I can't drive yet- so it is not like I can just take the kids and go somewhere. And I can't walk far without a break. So unless Brett has a free day- we are at the house. This I will have to get used to. I have some energy back, I can do things around the house- but I can't drive, so I am still sort of stuck. And you can only clean the house so many times before people think you are going crazy.

We sold the slide in the yard, because it was too big, and replaced that with a green turtle- which will probably become a sandbox. Brett doesn't really want that- due to the sand getting in our house. But since I am the one cleaning that up- I am not really giving him a choice (just don't tell him that). He was going to use it as a pool- but there is a hole in the bottom! So, I am sure the kids and I will spend some time outside. It is best in the morning, or late in the day- the afternoon is too hot. We are going to have to figure out a new schedule, and things we can do. And I have to get Brett to find all my craft stuff- if he threw it out when we moved he is in trouble!

I am slowly getting used to my new life. My life as a stay home mom- with only my two kids. I sit here some days and think of things I "could" do when I am able again (or when we are ready for me to go back to work- which wont be until the kids are in school because daycare costs are too high for me to go back to work- it would be counter productive). But then I sit back and think that my kids will only want me to do things with them for so long, they will only want my help for so long, they will only be this little for so long- so I am going to take full advantage of it- even if it drives them, or me crazy!

Brett is getting used to his new life too. He still does many things around the house, he wants me to sit on the couch because I am bossing him around now. He is also doing lots of work, and wants to start designing and printing (and selling) salt water themed t-shirts. He has designed one so far and I love it. It is great. He has lots of interest in that, so he is going to see where that will take him. He is trying to get used to working in the kitchen while the kids play in the living room- which he is getting used to faster that I would.

The kids are also getting used to their new life- even though they don't really know any different. They are getting used to Daddy being in the kitchen- and they try not to bug him while he is working. They are getting used to mommy having more energy and being able to do things. They are also getting used to me disciplining them- which I haven't been able to do in awhile. Even the other night- Brett was out, mom was feeding Brooklynn and Leslie was making a salad in the kitchen. Danika decided to act up, so I sent her for a time out- she flat out told me "No". So I got up, picked her up, helped her to the step, and put her there. She was in shock- she stopped crying and just starred. When Leslie saw here there, she said "Danika, what is wrong?" Danika's reply wasn't that she was in time out, or was not being good she said "Mommy put me in time out". She has started listening a lot better now!

Life is good. Life is starting again. It is time to make our new normal- as normal as we can be!