The Joy of Volunteering

Growing up, we didn't really make it to many events. Come to think of it, I don't there were many kids events like we have now. We did frequently go to the Zoo, The Kids Museum, and did plenty of traveling. My mom was very adamant about getting us out living life.

One thing we didn't really do was volunteer for stuff. It's not that anyone in my family was against it, it's just that we didn't know where to volunteer where it would be safe for kids and what to do.

With my children, I can honestly say there are spoiled. They are spoiled because really that's how we were brought up as well: getting whatever we wanted. My mother though, was quick to let us know that she works very hard to make our life great, and it's something that my sisters and I understood. When she said no, she really meant it.

Me on the other hand, I'm quick to give give give, yet my daughter who will be 5 next month doesn't quite get the concept of other people's situations. I have not found that assertive tone my mother had that let us know that we are lucky and that other people are not as lucky. She taught us to be appreciative and to never take anything for granted. Most importantly she taught us that we should never look to ourselves as being better than anyone else. We are all the same.

Sure Truly may be too young to understand, but I'd like to understand the feeling of helping other people is also a really good feeling.

I hope that makes sense.

I've been looking into a lot of different activities and events here in San Antonio and the results were pretty tremendous. From art festivals, to outdoor activities, it seems like everyone is needing volunteers and everyone is happy letting children volunteer with their parents.

Next weekend, my daughter and I will be volunteering at Luminaria, an arts festival that goes on downtown in our city. We will be working in the Kids Arts & Crafts area.

Not only do we get free t-shirts, but a fun activity, mother and daughter, for free!!!

Do you volunteer with your kids? How does it work for you?

The Puppy She Always Wanted

When we moved into our house in September of last year, I knew we had to get a dog. With my husbands work schedule of owning his own moving company, there are many times where he is working late, or get a job later in the day. There are times when it's just the kids and I at home and I'm a nervous wreck. I'm one of those people who think that the killer is going to bust down my door any second. I'm one of those people who has an escape route planned in my head if the worst were to happen.

Moving into this house, I knew we had to have a dog. We have a huge backyard, and a corner lot where student walk by on their way home from school. I also did not want the chihuahua, lap dog kind of dog.

So in came Matthew.

He is our black lab mix we got from the Humane Society. While he is still only 6 months old and not too much of a barker, he still "looks" intimidating and I think gets the job done with people knowing in the neighborhood we have the big dog. He's also super and gentle with the kids so he is a great family pet.

But...

This is not the kind of dog our little four year old Truly was expecting. In fact, the opposite. Her dream dog has been a white, malti-poo. Although she loves Matthew, she has been very upset that this was not her dream dog. 

So I vowed to her little four year old heart that when I do find one, I'll get it for her. Why? Because well I wanted one to :)

Also she said she would be in total care for her. Now of course that's what all kids say, but giving her the benefit of the doubt and some quick google searching, say hello to our newest family pet, Princess:

Now I have to also give Truly the benefit of the doubt. We have had her or about a week and Truly has been on her game! Taking her out, feeding her, making sure she is in the right place at the right time. She really caught me off guard. Saying that they are BFF's would be an understatement.

These two are inseparable!

If this doesn't get you Best Mom Award, I don't know what else would! :)

Perfection For The Sake Of Your Children

Sometimes I wondering if I put too much thought and effort into how I look. Here I am getting my hair done, and for what? So that my husband can love me more? So I don't embarrass my children at the playground? Or maybe it so that I can feel prettier standing next to the woman beside me?

As a mother I always feel like you have to look your best because you no longer have to look good for you, the way people see you also judges how they see your children. If your a slob they assume your children's are slob. They end up feeling sorry for the spawn of the woman who can't come her hair.

I don't want to be that woman, but I hate the thought of having to look perfect all the time to impress everyone.

There's got to be a middle ground.

First Attempt at Christmas Decorating

I'm no "holiday decorator", in fact I've never been in a holiday decorated home. My family loves the holidays, but when it comes to christmas, we had the nice tree, the wreath outside, and the tree full of presents on christmas day. I never really felt into the christmas spirit until it was actually christmas day.

Being a blogger, it's fun that I get to come across some blogs where they show off all their little DIY christmas decorations, as well as how they change the theme of their home to fit the bill. Since I've started my #BeforeSchool Challenge, it got me thinking about how much I want to have memories with my children, and one of those memores is creating a loving home that they want to be in.

So this Christmas, I'm decorating. Little knick knacks, tinsel all over the house, and decking the halls, literally.

I got started and headed over to my local Garden Ridge to see what they had and was floored at the selection. I had no idea there were so much stuff that you could decorate with and for. I mean, door knob decorations? Really?

Nonetheless, I was determined and blow the minds off my kids and guests.

Little did I know, 2 hours later, I was stressed and looking at a full cart full of, what looked to me, junk.

I was planning on buying the lights and everything to decorate the outside of our house too, but at this point I was beyond exhausted.

I dragged myself to the counter, paid my dues, and came home to take nap over my knick knacks.

The end product?

And we still need a tree, that will then need decorations.

.......Oh the outside lights as well.

Whew, let's get this started!!!