Oh July, where have your days gone? It's hard to believe that we have slightly over a week left in this month. Summer Break came to a close quicker than I expected. I feel like I'm in the minority, but I'm NOT looking forward to school starting back up. If anything all the recent tragedies have made me cherish this uninterrupted time with my family even more. So much so that I think we're going to give homeschooling a try, but that's another post for another time.
This week I am giving thanks for time spend with my loved ones. For the last almost three weeks we've been enjoying the comforts of staying with my mom back in my hometown. We came down for my niece's 11th birthday and ended up pretty much staying, going home for clothes and to visit with the Mr twice. I feel a little sad that his job isn't as flexible and he hasn't been able to come with us.
Nevertheless, this stay is important. Now that I'm in my thirties, I'm realizing just how older my mom is and how much older her siblings are. For the first time in a long time, I'm reminded that life is fleeting and can be taken in an instant. Before this trip it had been well over two years since Moo and JJ had seen my aunts or any of their cousins outside of my niece! I didn't want to the next time they spend time with them to be at a funeral. I want them to get to know and love my aunts like I do.
I'm thankful that I got to run to in one of my cousins and his family at the library. He's in the military and we haven't seen each other in over five years. Unfortunately, he hasn't ever been stationed anywhere close to home. I'm so grateful that he's in good health and has been blessed enough to return home safe and without any injuries from every mission that he's been on. I'm even more grateful for his sacrifice that he makes everyday in serving our country.
Before our trip to my mom's Moo almost had a hospital stay. Long story short she was having a severe allergic reaction to something and we couldn't get her hives under control. She had been taking Benadryl for two days and by day three the hives had gotten worst. Her whole body was almost covered. So we called the pediatrician and she said to take her to the emergency room ASAP. I'm so grateful that when all was said and done, she only needed a few days worth of steroids.
Thank God it wasn't something worse. However, I did have a brief meltdown after everyone went to bed that night. I felt (and still feel) guilty that I have passed my kids bad genes. While I didn't have food or pet allergies as child, I was definitely sick often and saw the inside of my pediatrician's office and the hospital ER more than my siblings. I know that I can only do so much in terms of controlling my kids' health, but that doesn't the stop the mommy guilt during moments like this. I hate seeing my children suffer, but what mom doesn't?
Lastly, I'm so thankful for everyone who has used their voices whether on social media or their blogs to come together to support the Black community (and other minorities) after all of these recent senseless shootings. Police violence against people with brown skin has gotten out of control. Or as a few people pointed out, maybe it's always been out of control but we're just now broadcasting it through live video and this is the first time we're actually seeing it. At the same time I am thankful for those in law enforcement (my husband and cousins included) who are working hard to make sure that we know a few bad cops/law enforcement officials don't speak/stand for all of them.
We are in trying time folks. There's no better way to say it. We have to continue to be vocal about our frustrations, demand answers and try to build a bridge law enforcement in our area. We have to get out here in the trenches and get our hands dirty. That means if you see someone getting pulled over and you're not in hurry, why not pull off to side of the road and be a witness. Get to know your police chief and a few of your local police officers. You will find that they are NO different than us. I'm heartbroken over the recent killings of innocent police officers.
That does not help the cause, but distracts from it as so many people have attached those killings to the Black Lives Matter movement, which in itself is very peaceful and against violence. Instead express and channel your frustration by writing letters to and calling your town and state representatives as well as being active in your community overall. You'd be amazed at all the volunteer needs you can find in your communities. Be smart, be safe and spread love y'all!
This was JJ's first day home from the hospital. I (we) was so tired because my milk came in late while we were in the hospital which meant that he was nursing around the clock trying to get every last bit of colostrum he could. To make matters worst his weight dropped and they were threatening to keep us both another day. The Mr caved and gave him one bottle of formula which made me turn into a crazed mama bear. My heart was set on having a second successful breastfeeding experience and a part of me just knew he was going to end up having a dairy allergy.
This was Moo's first ride on the light rail. Can you tell that she's excited. It was also one of those rare days that Daddy was able to tag along with us because he didn't have to go to work. She was over the moon to have him sit with her and listen to her chatter about all the sights outside her window. My heart was so full this day.
While Moo has always been her brother's biggest fan, the same couldn't be said about him. It was hard getting these two in a picture together because JJ did not like sharing his spotlight. That sucks when you're like me and just want to capture the simple everyday moments. But this is one of my fave photos of my two heartbeats. I was taking a break from folding laundry to hang out on the bed and watch TV.
I absolutely love this picture of Moo! Her smile is just so adorable. Seriously, could you resist this sweet face?! Looking at how small she was here only makes me want to try harder to appreciate these years before she goes off to college. Times flies.
I feel like JJ's first flew by. He was just beginning to start teething (hence the drool) when I took this picture and he's been growing full speed ever since. He was such a low maintenance baby and is that way for the most part. Such sweet memories! I can't wait to print these pictures out and put them in photo albums. I didn't capture these moments to have them waste away on a memory card.
Lastly, this week I'm thanks for my siblings! Hands down they are best and I wouldn't trade them for the world. They always know the right words to say and are constantly doing what they can to be supportive of YUMMommy. I love you guys!
Happy Thankful Thursday! This week in the YUMMommy household was rather uneventful, but I'm grateful. The heat has been unrelenting and we've been staying indoors to keep cool. Well, except for Monday when we went to the pool. Speaking of which this week I'm thankful that Moo has overcome her fear of going out into the pool. For years the farthest we could get her to go in a pool where the steps.
That was totally fine for me because that meant I only had to help one kid battle around the pool- JJ. It's so weird seeing how they have swapped roles with each other. When Moo was a baby she loved water. Bathtime was her favorite time of the day, while JJ was NOT a fan of water at all until he hit age four. Now, he's a water lover and she's not. But she surprised me Monday and asked me to take her paddling around the deep end of the pool.
She did great a job. I'm looking into our budget to see if we can move some funds around to pay for family swimming lessons. The Mr already knows how to swim, but doesn't because he's not a fan of public or community pools. So maybe he'll tag along for a refresher if we do take some. Swimming lessons would really help to boost Moo's courage about being in the water and would give me a peace of mind about JJ's enthusiasm for water.
I'm thankful for all of the Booktubers and blog bloggers that have been raving about Sarah J. Maas' A Court of Throne and Roses. I read a few pages in the library and can't wait to fully engross myself into it this weekend. But from what I did read, I know that I'm going to love this Beauty and the Beast fantasy-style retelling. I feel like it's been so long since I've read a good YA (young adult) series. I probably stopped reading YA after the last Twilight book, speaking of which I heard there's a new addition to the series that was recently released.
Earlier this week I had a bit of writer's block and didn't get much added to my novels. Today my characters have been busy chattering away in my head. Scenes have been coming and going. I can't wait to write them all and move these stories forward. I'm thankful that I've learned to respect MY writing process more and have come to terms with the fact that I'm just not a fast writer. And I don't want to be. At least not with my first debut projects.
Lastly, I'm thankful that Moo continues to make new friends everywhere she goes- the library, the park, etc. Her light definitely shines bright and serves as beacon to draw others to her. I hope that light never goes out and that she will find a greater purpose to use her light and voice for.
I'm K. Elizabeth - Southern content creator, writer, and homeschooling mommy to two adorable adventure seekers. I'm a Carolina girl with passion for food, family, books, travel, beauty, and fashion.
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