Terrible....Threes?

I want to know who started this lie.

You know the one about twos being terrible?  That little statement "terrible twos" had me believing that when Evie hit the oh so magical age of three that toddlerhood would be a little easier.  Granted, she was a pretty good two year old so it wouldn't have been much of a difference.  But still.  I'm annoyed that I was lied to.

Because threes?  Are waaaaay more terrible than twos.

I'm a little curious if that sweet gray-eyed little angel I used to claim relation to will ever return.  Because right now, in her place, is a red horned little devil child with an attitude the size of an elephant and a temper the size of well....mine.

Don't get me wrong.  She's still pretty amazing.  The little moments when she whispers "I love you Mommy" or asks me to sing her a lullaby just one more time always catch at my heart, and do a great job of erasing all those not-so-great moments of the day away.  Those not-so-great moments that make me want to scream and pull my hair out and pretty much run away from it all.

I wish someone would have told me this is all.  I wasn't prepared.  And it was basically like someone flipped a switch.  She turned three and then BAM!  Instant chaos.  

Most of the time I feel like I know what to do as a parent.  Right now isn't one of those times.

When it comes to my child, I have the patience of a saint.  Most of the time.  Right now?  Not so much.  Someone please send some my way.  And while you're at it?  Please punch the person who coined the phrase "terrible twos".

I Blame Netflix

Yes, that's right.  I blame Netflix.

It's really that simple.  Netflix is turning my world upside down.  I never used to get sucked into what I've always seen as complete garbage, and a waste of air space.  I never wanted to burn my retinas on the trash that is reality television.

Until Netflix Instant came along.

It's all at my fingertips now.  Seasons upon seasons of raunchy, ridiculous, absolutely brain-numbing reality T.V.  I've dabbled a little here, a little there.  So many choices.  So many ways to lose brain cells.

I watched an episode of Toddlers & Tiaras and almost puked I was so disgusted.  I watched two whole seasons of Keeping up with the Kardashians before I could pull myself away.  I didn't mind so much watching the Duggar family on 17 18 Kids and Counting.  But that's not the point.

The point is, it's Netflix's fault.

But it gets worse than Toddlers & Tiaras and The Hills and the plethora of Kardashian shows. 

The bane of reality television is now available for instant viewing.  The show that makes me shake in my boots in horror.  I can't even utter the name without trembling in disgust.  You know what I'm talking about.  Yah, that's right.

Jersey Shore.

It's right there, at my fingertips, taunting me.  I keep telling myself that I'm too strong to be pulled in.  But I just don't know how long I can last. I don't want to know anything about Snookie or "The Situation" or fist pumping.

Help.  Please help.  I'm so scared.

I Shouldn't Be Afraid

Have you ever had one of those moments in life where you take a good look at who you've become, and you're not quite sure you like what you see?  I had one of those moments today.

It's not that I don't like myself.  Because most of the time I do.  But today I realized something about myself that I'm not proud of.  Instead of speaking my mind when I think it's right or owning my opinions and beliefs, I consider first what people may think of me before I open my mouth.

When did I become this person?  And how can I make it stop?

I don't think it's right to always say what's on your mind.  If what I say may hurt someone, it's probably best that I keep it to myself.  But I don't necessarily think I should keep my mouth shut just because my opinion may offend someone.  People these days take offense to everything. 

I shouldn't be afraid to be myself just because other people may not like it.  I shouldn't be afraid to say "no, I don't share your opinion" even when my opinion isn't a popular one.  I shouldn't be afraid that if I share my true self, that people who are ignorant and uninformed about the issue at hand will harass me or think less of me simply because they follow the crowd instead of forming their own educated opinions. 

I shouldn't be afraid to be me.

Even on this blog, this piece of space that should be my sanctuary, I don't always feel I can be myself.  Or more accurately, I censor that self that I show the world because I don't necessarily want my blog to be about hot button issues or politics or things that I think are wrong with the world.  Even though being opinionated about those things is a big part of who I am.  I didn't spend four years of my life immersed in social issues while earning my degree to simply stop when I received my diploma.

This beautiful piece of the world wide web is just another place where I give only part of myself because I'm afraid to be me.  And after my epiphany today, I just can't allow that.  Not that things around here will change all that much.  I'll continue to ramble about my awesome child, the military, and every other topic that I think is interesting.  But I have to--at least once--tell you who I really am.

I don't believe in God because there are thousands of religions in this world, and I don't feel in my heart that I could choose just one to believe in.  I'm a feminist, and I hate the stereotypes that surround that label but I will never shy away from it because I believe in humanity.  And I believe in choice.  Every woman should be allowed to choose what she does with her body, if and where she works, and how she feeds her children because if you try to take choice away, we'll find some way to defy you and do it anyway.

I believe that we should help the poor, the abused, the sick, the elderly, the unrepresented and everyone who is unable to help themselves because we are all human, and we all deserve a chance.  I thank my lucky stars every day that there are men and women in our country who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms because I know I'm not a strong enough person to make such a sacrifice. 

I am patient and kind and compassionate but also head-strong and independent and opinionated.  I'm only adventurous in storybooks; taking risks scare me.  I'm liberal and a Democrat to the core though sometimes I get confused where my loyalties lie now that I'm a military wife since the military is usually supported by the Republicans in office.

This is who I am.  Love me or leave me.  Because I'm going to be me regardless.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Evie accessorizes all by herself.  I think I have a little diva on my hands! She also organizes picnics for her animals, and demands to share headphones.

My Etsy

I've talked a few times now about how I've recently started sewing.  And about how much I love it.  It's been a blast playing with different fabrics and trying out new patterns and the like. 

I finally set up an Etsy shop, Susie Homemaker Boutique, though it sort of gives me indigestion just saying typing that.  Obviously I'm still learning, and I can't really imagine people liking my stuff enough to buy it.  But tons of people have said they like it, and would love for me to start selling.

Ask and you shall receive.

I don't have a lot of inventory right now so it's slim pickings over at my shop.  Mostly I'm selling so I can buy more fabric and not feel guilty about it, and I'm just having fun.  Plus, since I'm still new to all of this, each item takes me a little while to produce since I want to make sure its absolutely perfect. 

So head on over to my shop if you're willing, and pass it along to your friends if you love it.  I promise I won't let my Etsy shop overtake my blog, but like a terrified proud Momma bear, I couldn't help but share!

Green & Yellow

Yeah, that's right.  My home state kicked butt in the Superbowl last night.  Go Pack Go!

I'm not really much of a football fan usually.  My family and pretty much everyone I know are die-hard Green Bay Packer fans, and I was a cheerleader in high school so I can follow the game.  It's just never been my thing.  And having a husband who doesn't follow sports makes not watching football even easier.

But next year?  We're watching the Packers dominate.  I vowed that we'd start watching football if the Packers won, as sort of an incentive for them to play their best.  Obviously having me as a fan was motivation enough for them to get their butts into the game and take home that trophy!

Go Pack Go!

Birthday Party

The weekend after Evie's birthday we held her Princess-themed Birthday Party.  This was the first year that no family would be attending so I was a little sad and nervous that it wouldn't be as great as her parties in the past.

Thankfully, I couldn't have been more wrong!

I've talked before about how great our friends are here in Kansas, and they delivered once again for her party.  It was a fantastic day, and everyone had a lot of fun.

Castle Cake!

Cookie Wands!

Decorations

Evie had five friends in attendance which was a perfect number.  Her birthday parties in the past have been more adult-focused since only one or two other children were present, and she was so young.  It was a blast to plan activities and prepare little goody bags for the kids to take home.  It was a little noisy, but when you have five kids aged five and younger, that's pretty much a given.

Ready to Blow Out the Candles

Gifts

Decorating Her Crown

Birthday Girl

All in all, the party was a complete success, and Evie had so much fun with her friends.  And really, that's what matters most.  We are so blessed!

Wordless Wednesday

You can tell I now have a three year old on my hands.  I no longer have final say on her wardrobe.  These pictures are an obvious testament to that.