I have realized some things lately. Being a stay at home mom is a lot of work. Babies are, if anything, inconsistent, and sometimes hard to read. It doesn't matter how well I communicate with her, it only matters (at least at this point) how well I understand her. I find myself consulting the book "What to expect the first year" as if it is a language translation guide and I am a wanderer in a foreign country. After all, the answer has to be found in a book--- isn't that what we are taught our whole lives? Don't know the answer-- just look it up.
Also, I am trying to do this whole coupon thing so that i too can come home with a whole shopping list i got for free. Only, there is no such thing as a free lunch, and i am realizing that couponing takes both skill and a lot of effort. There are even classes on couponing. So, do you fail the class if you don't save enough? Are there tests? All joking aside, I do want to learn how to be a better shopper, but I kind of feel like an old dog that doesn't want to learn any new tricks if they are too complicated.
I have been doing some serious craig listing of late. We found a crib, two dressers, and a dining table. I have been sending Richard all over to pick them up and cart them back so that we can have a home-- especially Anna who needs her space. It feels good to have an apartment of our own again. However, the trade off is that I am now away from all my support systems-- friends, family, and work. It is one thing to adjust to a new baby, it is entirely another thing to do it thousands of miles away from anything familiar. Thinking about this makes me very glad I decided to serve a mission. This is not the first time I have been forced outside of my comfort zone in this way. Its not so different really, when you think about it. I just have a different mission now-- oh, and I get to come home for the holidays, not just phone home!
My confidence in my cooking is weakened. I have been known in times past to improvise recipes when I have been lacking ingredients, much to my family's dismay. When I do improvise, the offerings are usually dismal. When I follow recipes, I get much better results. the trouble with starting off with nothing in your kitchen, is that you have to build up your store of supplies gradually, forcing you to get creative with your cooking in the beginning. I tried to make Richard burrito burgers after watching a Rachael Ray episode. I don't know what happened, but the burgers were falling apart, so I scrambled it all up and served it inside a tortilla. Luckily...mexican food is forgiving....all except for that enchilada sauce I tried to make....there was no love in that!
On the upside...I took muffins to my new upstairs neighbors who moved in the same time we did, and I found that the occupants include a new stay at home mom like myself, named Stephanie, with a 7 month old little boy. How long should I wait before I ask her to be my new best Seattle friend! Probably a few more weeks before I spring that on her. Also, I found a running trail today that is a loop around Lake Washington, so maybe my training days are not over!
Overall, I feel pretty good for being uprooted. I have a great husband, a daughter that I love and who makes me laugh, and I have the gospel! What more do I need, really?
50+ Vegetarian Dinner Recipes
3 days ago
5 comments:
Oh, I remember some of these feelings all too well when I first moved to Utah and got married. I thought about doing coupons but I agree...it's way too much work. I shop for sale stuff and that makes me feel good about my thrifty skills.
Good luck with all the adjustments, I know it can be so tough! But you are amazing at making friends and I'm sure you will have a wonderful support group in no time!
Miss you!
you need a hug from me...
seriously, just make sure that you get it out of your head that being a mom is easy and natural, because it's not..it's a constant learning experience, and truth be told, I stopped consulting parenting books a looooooooong time ago because I found that it kept me from tapping into the place that I really needed for help. (on my knees) I know that the books work for some people, but not for me...so if they are not working, don't stress. She is thriving, she is happy, you are doing a great job!
And as for the coupons, those who I know who do it regularly consider it a part to full time job...so just plan on putting in the time. Me, I don't have the time, so I do the best I can.
I wish we could come over and hang out. I'm sure you will make friends quickly...just don't hit your new neighbor with any lines that start with: "do you ever worry that one day you might wake up and you're a..."
hey rachel! i was wondering if I could get your address. I've had a thank you note for you for a while now but wasn't sure where to send it.
and also if you want more information about couponing let me know. im just starting too and ive learned a few tricks to help. but like megan said, i know people who do it and consider it a job, it takes quite a bit of time.
Hey there! I didn't know you had a blog! I guess that shows how lame I am. Well, I look forward to hearing about more of your adventures.
HI this is The Heaths. We were in your previous ward in UT. We live in Seattle too! I came across your blog and was thinking we should get together. What ward and stake are you in?
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