Thanks from Morgan

It's not even a month since her birthday, and I've already ordered Morgan's thank you notes!
Yay for small miracles!
Too bad the girl got blizzarded out of a real party...

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

We've Moved!

Ok, that headline is a little deceiving.
We haven't technically moved.. that makes it sound like we have a new house.
We don't.
In fact, I really hope to never move again - if we do move, it will either be to the farm, or to a trailer house so I can quit my job.
For now, our move is strictly an online one.
I've got a new website, where all my blogs are contained.
Check it out: http://www.jodykerzman.com/.
You'll find this blog, as well as Lizzy-isms, my craft blog, and my 366 project.
It's part of an overall bigger plan, and it's easier to have everything on one site.
So, go to the new site, snoop around, bookmark it, and let me know what you think!
Thanks for being loyal readers of my ramblings!
See you at http://www.jodykerzman.com/!

Morgan

My sweet baby Morgan is not a baby anymore.


She's like a little person.


Today, the girl who doesn't talk couldn't stop talking, and I actually understood a lot of what she was saying.


My favorite conversation:
Me: "Morgan, are you my baby?"
Morgan: "No! My me!"


And my favorite time with Morgan today: playing on the swings, or the "wee" as she calls it.


Brad just tilled the sandbox, so the sand under the swings is soft and nice.


Morgan loved it, almost as much as she loved trying to grab my "hi" (my phone) out of my hand while swinging!

Because I like free stuff...

I am cheap.


I like saving money.


And coupons are like crack - addicting.


In fact, the only reason I recently created a Shutterfly book was because I had a coupon for a free one. 


Then, to top it all off, just for sharing my book here, I will save another $10.


Sucker.


I didn't really have anything in particular I wanted to make a photo book of, so I just picked some of my favorite pictures from 2012 so far.


If you're curious, bored, or just plain nosy, you can check it out here.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Visit Shutterfly.com to create your own personalized photobook.

Reality Check

If a mom ever wants to feel needed, just leave town for a couple of days.


I guarantee you'll quickly realize just how much your family needs you.


It will probably hit you like a ton of bricks, and it will probably make you a little angry.


Case in point: I was out of town for two nights and two and a half days. Not a long time at all. I even took the two little girls with me. Keeping the house running smoothly should have been a piece of cake.


Far from it.


Here's just a small list of what I came home to this evening:

• A sink full of dirty dishes, including the bowl of cereal Morgan ate before we left on Monday. That didn't smell so good.
• The crockpot that I had left supper in for Monday was also sitting in the sink, with sloppy joes still in it.
• The cake platter I had washed before leaving, was once again dirty, because apparently no one realized the dishes beside the sink were clean.. so they just stacked dirty ones on top of the clean ones.
• The laundry was still untouched - the load I started before leaving on Monday was still in the washing machine, although the lid had been opened, but when they realized there was a load in the washer and in the dryer, they just walked away. Because suddenly, washing a load of clothes became a lot more work than someone had planned on doing.

I could continue, but I don't want to hurt any feelings.

But to say I was annoyed, would be an understatement.

So I spent six hours on the road, with the girls, by myself, worked two nine hour days, and came home to even more work.

Talk about a reality check.

But the thing is, I was never really on "vacation". 

I was working.

And I had a two year old and a five year old with me.

Definitely not a vacation.

But then I did what I always do.

I lost my temper.

I yelled at Jake.

I yelled at Brad.

I yelled at Lexi.

I sent the little girls to bed.

Lizzy started crying and asked "Mom, do you even like us?".

Ouch.

Another slap in the face.

That's when I realized I was freaking out about stupid things.

So the dishes stink.

So the laundry needs to be rewashed.

So what?

There is plenty of time for those chores.

I need to remind myself it's ok to go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink.

The world isn't going to end if a load of laundry sits in the washer overnight.

And I also have to remember, my "big" kids are still just kids.

Yes, they know what needs to be done on a daily basis, but they know those things because I remind them daily. Without those gentle reminders, they will just be kids. 

And that's ok.

However, they're not completely off the hook.

As with every "situation", there's a lesson here for us all too.

My lesson is to chill out.

Their lesson is to be observant - notice what needs to be done, and do it without being asked.

Wish me luck.

And, to answer Lizzy's heartbreaking question, I do like my family.  In fact, I love them more than anything in the world.... stinky dishes and all.

Alone Time

So my life.

Usually I'm ok with it - I haven't peed in peace in almost 13 years.

But today, it really bothered me.

Obviously, it wasn't just the being followed into the bathroom (that's right - today I didn't even get to shut the door. They were on my tail the entire day) that got to me, but it was the straw that broke the camel's back.

I'm grumpy, bitchy, overwhelmed, tired, depressed, and stressed.

I'll get over it. I always do.

But right now, I'd like to run away.

Motherhood is amazing - the best job ever. But it's not all roses. Kids are needy. They want attention, food, clean laundry.. the list goes on. Most days I love it, but today... I'm tempted to just tell them to wear dirty underwear and take the day off.

And you know it's bad, when even the kids realize they only need to talk to you when you are in the bathroom.


My conversation with Jake, seconds after I sat down to pee:
Jake: "Mom?"
Mom: "I'm in the bathroom and not accepting questions right now."


You'll never believe what he needed.


This was the follow up conversation:
Me: "Sorry I yelled. I just really had to pee. What did you need?"
Jake: "Yeah, sorry. I know we only want to talk to you when you're using the bathroom. Sorry about that. But I just wanted to tell you that I went to the bathroom and remembered what kind of cereal I just ate - you know, the kind that makes my pee smell funny."


Sugar smacks, in case you're wondering.


But really?


Why on earth would he feel the need to tell me that in the first place, much less when I'm busy?


I know I should treasure these moments because very soon they will all be grown and the house will be empty. 


Blah, blah, blah.


I can't think that far ahead.


Right now I'm more concerned with timing my trips to the bathroom for those rare times I might get a whole two minutes to myself.....

Another Morgan-ism

Morgan was feeding Lexi fish crackers during church yesterday.


She put one in Lexi's mouth and very seriously told her to "chew, chew."

I Don't Know How She Does It

Have you seen the movie "I Don't Know How She Does It"?

If you haven't, you should.

This goes for busy working moms, stay at home moms, dads, boyfriends, even teenage kids. At least watch the trailer.

Lexi and I watched it this weekend.

It was one of the best movies I've seen in a very long time.

It also hit a little close to home.


Yes, moms really do make lists.


All the time.

In our heads, on paper, on our smartphones, on the back of a napkin.

But the movie is about more than just making lists. In the movie, people constantly say to Sarah Jessica Parker, who plays a working mom trying her best to balance a thriving career, two young kids, and a husband, "I don't know how you do it."

I can't even tell you how many times people say that to me.

"I don't know how you take care of four kids." Um, well, I don't really have a choice, and a couple of them are old enough they kind of take care of themselves (take bath time, for example.. it's been years since I had to help Lexi and Jake with a shower, although I do often have to remind Jake to shower). Really, the big kids just need food and transportation, and maybe some occasional homework help. Oh, and money. Other than that, there's not much work involved - and they even help with their little sisters, making my job not that bad. That's how I do that - we work as a team and take care of each other.

"I don't know how you manage a job and being a mom." Honestly, even on the days I hate my job the very most, it's actually kind of a nice break from being a mom. Yes, I'd really love to not have to work. But the fact of the matter is, I do. We need the little bit of extra income I earn to pay for things like groceries (very important, especially if you're an almost 11 year old boy!) and registration fees (it costs money to do all the "extra" stuff my kids want to do).  In a perfect world, I'd work from home. I'm working on making that happen. In the meantime, I am grateful that I'm able to work part-time. I'm not sure I could do 40+ hours a week and raise a family. Cutting back on work (at least the work that I get paid for) was probably the best decision I ever made. Yet, even with just 20 hours a week, there are still somedays that I wonder how we all get out of the house on time, and fully clothed (ok, that's a lie...sometimes Morgan decides she doesn't want to wear pants, but that's her choice.. and I usually remember to grab pants, just in case).


"I don't know how to find time to scrapbook/blog." For me, those things are relaxing. I don't watch a lot of tv, but when the kids go to bed, I update my blogs and work on scrapbooks. It's therapy. And it's just part of my daily routine. I'm working on adding some other things, like exercise into my daily routine too, but honestly, writing a quick blog so I don't forget the funny thing Lizzy said that day, is a lot more fun, especially at 10:00 pm.

"I don't know how you do it - your husband works long hours." Only in the summer. And again, it's just what we do. Brad's job requires long hours during the summer. It has always been that way, and it always will be. I grew up a farm kid, so maybe I'm used to the dad being gone a lot when it's nice out. It's no big deal. Yes, I'd love it if Brad were home to go on every camping trip with us, grill burgers for us, and go to the swimming pool with us. But that's just not how it is. The kids and I won't let his busy work schedule keep us from having fun. If we did that, we'd never do anything in the summer. We make our plans, assuming he won't be there, and if the contractor breaks down, or it rains, we are pleasantly surprised.

Am I doing everything right?

Absolutely not.

I'd be kidding myself (and lying to you) if I said I was the perfect mom.

But you know what?

My kids are happy, healthy, and so much fun to be around.

So I must be doing something right.

But don't ask me how I do it.

I just do it.

That's all.

No Lunch For You

I learned a few important lessons in the past week.

1. Sometimes, you just have to take control of a situation. And sometimes, when something bad happens, sometimes the only way to fix it, is to raise a little hell.
2. There are bad, grumpy, mean people everywhere. It's important to learn how to deal with these people.
3. Most people, however, are genuinely good and want to help.

Deep, yet vague, huh?

Let me explain.

Lexi came home from school last week and said she wasn't allowed to eat lunch, because she was out of lunch money. I was outraged, and almost called the school right then and there. But a lesson I learned a long time ago, is when you're really fired up, it's a good idea not to do anything drastic.

So instead, I gathered information.

I got the whole story from Lexi (she went to the "crabby" lady's line, this "crabby" lady told Lexi she had a negative balance and told her she could have a glass of water).

I remembered doing a story a few years ago in my former life about a new school policy - middle school students would no longer be allowed to charge more than one lunch. After that, if they still didn't have lunch money, they would be given a cheese sandwich. The idea was to give them a kind of gross lunch so they'd remember to bring lunch money, but not starve them (because kids can't learn when they're starving). The policy was designed to teach kids responsibility. I'm totally in favor of that. And let's face it. By seventh grade, kids are definitely responsible enough to tell their parents they need lunch money.

I also remembered that I used to get weekly email updates from Powerschool, and email alerts when their lunch accounts were getting low. I realized I hadn't gotten those for awhile, thus, I had no idea Lexi was low on lunch money.

So I did what every fired up mom in 2012 does.

I updated my Facebook status.

For those of you who may have missed it, here it is:

Warning.. the following is a Facebook rant:
Today my 7th grader was allowed to have a glass of water for lunch. Apparently she is out of lunch money. Um, ok. I thought she was supposed to get a cheese sandwich (I remember doing a story on that) and another thing... how about telling her she's almost out of money? She's pretty responsible. I bet she'd tell me, and then I'd gladly send a check. I'...m pretty sure it's not healthy for a 12 year old girl to go without food all day. Kinda screams eating disorder to me.. not to mention, how can you learn when you're starving? And... on a related note.. why can I no longer get into Powerschool? I used to get notices about lunch money that way... but suddenly I can't even log in. Frustrated. Thanks for listening Facebook family.
 
I regretted writing that at first. That's really not my Facebook-style. When it comes to my Facebook status, I try really hard not to air my dirty laundry, complain, bad mouth anyone, or be negative.
 
But on this day, I was upset enough to break all my Facebook rules, and post a status like that.
 
The response was amazing.
 
I got something like 40 comments.
 
And, for the most part, those comments actually provided me with some much needed support, and ammunition.
 
After calming down a little, and emailing a couple of friends who work for the school district, I knew what I had to do. I emailed the principal at Lexi's school and requested a meeting for the following day.
 
By the time I got to the meeting, he already knew what was going on and had already talked to the lunch ladies, the head of food services for the district, and Lexi. What can I say.. it's a small town... word travels fast when a parent is upset.
 
The meeting was great. He was totally on my side, and assured me what happened was not school policy and would not happen to my daughter ever again. It never should have happened in the first place - she should not have been denied a sandwich, nor should she have ever gotten $7.80 in the hole. Turns out, there was a break down in the system - the only way kids know they're low on lunch money is when the lunch ladies tell them and when parents get an email (which I didn't get, because I hadn't updated my Powerschool account).
 
But what I also learned is that my daughter isn't the only one who has experienced this. Numerous parents and students have told me the same thing has happened to them, and they've been forced to throw away the food on their trays (lunch numbers are punched in after students go through the line.. it has to be that way because of some federal regulations).
 
While that makes me sad (sad that kids dont get to eat, and sad that food was wasted), it makes me even sadder to know that none of them ever told anyone about the problem. How can school officials fix problems if they don't know about them?
 
We all have a voice.
 
We need to use that voice.
 
It's the only way things will ever change.
 
It's a lesson I've tried to pass on to my kids a little more than normal this past week. Lexi and I have talked at length about being more assertive, and using her voice. She hates to rock the boat or make anyone upset. I'm trying to teach her that sometimes you have to rock the boat. It's so important to stick up for yourself, even if it is over something as silly as a cheese sandwich. 
 
And, through this all, my faith in our school system has been restored.

I have always thought Bismarck's public schools are among the best. Honestly, if they weren't, I'd probably have enrolled my kids in private school by now (there are several to choose from here). But we've always been happy with the education they've received, the lessons they've learned in relationships and responsiblity, and how much the majority of the teachers and staff truly care for the kids. Don't get me wrong - there have been a few over the years that we've been less than excited about, but our kids still managed to learn, even excel, despite those "bad apples". We refuse to let them spoil the bunch.

The same is true with this no lunch fiasco. We will not let one grumpy lunch lady ruin our respect for the teachers and staff who do their very best every day to make the school day a good experience for our children.

I challenge each of you to take a moment and think about all the good things the people at your childs school do for your kids. They really do have your child's best interests in mind and I'm betting they actually really care about your child, and want to see them succeed.  Then, tell them thanks. It is a tough job, and one many of us (myself included) could not do.

Screen Time

We are really making an effort to spend less time in front of screens: televisions, computers, iPods, video games, cell phones.

Like most kids (and adults), we spend much too much time in front of our screens.

It's so easy to do... and so easy to waste an hour or more.

But there are so many other things, better things, we could be doing instead of vegging out on the couch, watching a re-run of some Disney channel show.

Today, I told the kids they each get a half an hour in front of the screen of their choice.

Lexi chose a half hour of tv.

Jake chose a half hour of x-box.

Lizzy and Morgan chose a half hour of Veggie Tales.

And that made me smile.

When Lexi was Morgan's age, she was obsessed with Veggie Tales.

She watched them every chance she got.

We got our first dog during this phase. His name is Bob... after Bob the Tomato.

I'm just glad she didn't make us name Jake Larry.

Lexi was in the hospital for about a week during her Veggie Tale obsession.

With nothing else to do, she watched Veggie Tales all day and all night (on VHS... it was 2001..we weren't that high tech yet!) We still have those VHS tapes.

But today, the girls found "King George and the Ducky"on Netflix.

I actually used my half hour watching it with them (while working on the computer too..two screens...bad!)

Jake and Lexi got sucked in too, and the five of us watched most of the show together.

I'm happy to say I remember all the words to the Veggie Tales theme song, and most of the words to the Silly Song with Larry.

Some things you just don't forget.

But the best part, was watching tv and laughing with the kids, rather than all of us just "zoning" out and staring at the screen.

And guess what?

They all survived just fine with only 30 minutes of screen time.

In fact, the little girls and I played a game of Memory and read two books...and they were still sleeping by 8:15.

By the way, I really do love Veggie Tales.. I've been singing "More Wronger" all evening!

Leapin' Kerzmans!

I had a great idea for a picture for my picture of the day challenge today: I wanted the kids to leap, all at the same time.

I obviously didn't think the idea through. I had no idea how difficult it would be.

But.. it was still fun, at least on my side of the camera anyway!

My favorite of the three "leapers" is posted here.

But here are the "rejects", which I think are still pretty funny!

Morgan, walking in front of the camera.. not to leap, just to be in the way!

Morgan... still walking!

After we finished this little photo shoot, I wondered: how many of our neighbors were watching this gong show out their windows? At least the Kerzmans are always good for a laugh :)

And Then It Was Quiet...

This cartoon pretty much sums up my life:

Everyone yelling and running around like crazy people.

Even Morgan.

When she really wants to get her point across, she stomps her foot, stares you in the eye, yells some random sounds, pauses, then adds a very dramatic "huh".

While that's cute, I really hate the yelling.

I hate the yelling so much I even made it one of my resolutions for 2012: stop yelling.

I don't yell as much, but I still yell.

I justify it by telling myself, if I speak in a normal voice, no one will hear me.

Our house is just so loud.

So loud.

I can't stand it.

I know I'll miss the noise someday.

But not today.

Today I really just long for a few minutes, preferably before midnight, of peace and quiet.

Yet, here it is: 12:46 am.

It is finally quiet.

I think it's the first silence I've enjoyed all day, and technically, it's a new day, which means yesterday was extra loud.

But even now, it's not really quiet.

I'm listening to the sound of the dishwasher (which I'd put off starting earlier because I swear it's getting noiser everytime I run it) and the snoring from the little girls' room (which is actually pretty cute).

But here's the thing... now it's actually too quiet.

I can't enjoy my book, because it's too quiet.

Or maybe it's because I'm exhausted.

At any rate, if I've learned anything in the past few years, this too shall pass.

Soon, very soon... and way earlier than I'd like, the noise will resume.

And it will likely be yelling.

I can't wait.

Seriously.

I can't wait to see what tomorow will bring, noise and all! 

Morgan-ism

They're starting.

Morgan-isms.

Here's today's Morgan-ism (from the girl who barely talks):

Morgan, yelling at the dog: "Bob!"
Jake, to Morgan: "Are you Bob?"
Morgan: "No. My me!"

Divine Intervention

We had a crazy weekend.. both Lexi and Jake played in a basketball tournament.


That meant eight basketball games in two days.

Amazingly, none of the games were at the same time, but they were close, and they were at different gyms, which meant a lot of running back and forth for those of us with driver's licenses.

Today, it caught up with me, and with the little girls too.

Brad had commitments at church he coudln't get out of, so I was left to play taxi driver by myself (not really by myself - I was so lucky to have Mary, Madonna and Chrissy to help!).

At some point during Jake's first game of the day (the second we had sat through), the little girls started melting down.

This was not a little meltdown.

We're talking about a very big meltdown.

Huge, to be exact.

I was ready to leave and never step foot in a gym again.

But I knew I couldn't do that.

Because while Lexi and Jake would tell me it was ok, I know they would have been hurt if I'd bailed.

But this meltdown was bad.

Jake's game ran long, and I knew we'd be late for Lexi's game.

Of course the girls didn't cooperate and get in and out of the van nicely.

And they were even worse during Lexi's game (of which we missed the entire first half).

I didn't enjoy the game, even though Lexi played great and her team won.. the game and the tourney.

Afterwards, she decided to hang with her team rather than go watch Jake's last game.

Lizzy completely lost it.

Total meltdown/temper tanturm.

Not cool.

Morgan fell asleep before we even left the parking lot.

Jake and I decided to drive to the other side of town to get McDonald's and ignore Lizzy's screaming.

After 30 minutes of screaming and crying, Lizzy finally fell asleep.

I took Jake to the gym and opted to stay in the van until game time.

It was then, while I played solitare on my phone and enjoyed the silence (and occasional snores) from the back of the van and contemplated skipping Jake's game, that I got a mood-changing text. It read:

"I know this may be kind of strange, but I was thinking of how AWESOME of a mother you are. Just wanted to tell you that."

Talk about divine intervention.

At it's finest.

I so needed to read those words, because at the very moment I got that text, I was doubting my mom skills. How in the world did my amazing sister in law know that? And why did she take time to send a random text telling me what a great job I'm doing?

That text changed my perspective on my situation, and reminded me that one bad moment (or two hours worth of bad moments, in this case), doesn't make me a bad mom.

It makes me human.

And even though I could have handled their behavior better, I didn't do a lousy job either.

We moms are too hard on ourselves.

But the reality is, even moms have bad days.

Its ok.

Kids have bad days too, and that's ok too.

It's how we handle those situations that's important.

And even at our very worst moments, some people still think we're doing a pretty good job.

It's something I need to remember, and I also need to remember that others look up to me as a mom, and as an example.

That's a lot of pressure.

I just hope I can handle it, and rise to the occasion, even during the biggest meltdowns ever.

That text also taught me how important it is to be nice, and to take time to be kind. I need to do this more often - whether it's the teller at the bank, my boss, or even my kids. Kind words can change a person's entire day.

Trust me.

And to my amazing sister in law: thank you. You have no idea how much I needed that random text today. And, for the record, I think you're pretty awesome too.

Morgan!

My sweet baby Morgan.

Silly, smart, happy, beautiful.

Man, I love this girl!

In 2012...

I hate new year's resolutions.

I never keep them.

This year, I considered not even making any, just to spare myself the guilt.

But then I had to write an article for work about setting realistic resolutions, and I got inspired.

So this year, instead of making a ton of resolutions that I know I won't keep, and trying to do them all in the first week of January, I'm going to pace myself. I'm also going to blog them... that should give me some sort of accountability, right?

So, here goes.

In 2012, I will....

• Yell less. Seriously, I hate yelling at my kids. I'm not going to do it anymore. I am going to count to ten in my head before I fly off the handle. While I'm counting, they may color on the walls with a permanent marker, slam their fingers in the door, or maybe even be late for school. But there will no yelling.
• Eat healthier. I know. Everyone says they're going to do this, but I really am. I'm even going to start eating breakfast (and from now on, breakfast will consist of more than just a cup of coffee or a Diet Coke). In fact, from what I've read, I actually need to eat more. I don't eat enough (which is weird.. I should be skinny). It's not even that I make terrible food choices (string cheese and popcorn are actually pretty healthy snacks) it's just that I don't eat enough. This will be a challenge for me - I don't eat because I simply don't have time. I'm going to have to do some pre-planning here.
• Try new recipies. While I'm on the subject of food, I'd also like to try new recipes more often. I feel like we eat the same five or six meals every single week: spaghetti, tacos, hotdish, etc. Boring. I have been saving some crockpot recipes that look good... time to actually make them!
• Drink more water. I know, I know. It's good for me. And I actually even kind of like the taste of water. I just don't drink enough of it. I will drink more water, and less Diet Coke. I promise.
• Be more organized. I'm an organizational-geek. Yet I still manage to be totally unorganized. I like everything in it's place, and I hate clutter. But every morning I run around like a crazy person, looking for my keys. No more. I will put things where they belong, and so will my family. We will no longer be late for things because we can't find our keys or our shoes. And, taking that one step further, I will not only make lists and fill out my planner in great detail, I will also reference those things and will never miss another chiropractor appointment, haircut, meeting, or practice.
• Run a 5K.  I've just recently gotten back into a good exercise routine. In 2012, I'm going to expand on that. For a couple of years now I've been thinking about doing a 5K. I don't like to run, but it's something I'd like to do, just to prove I can.  Plus, I'd really like to lose some weight (about 50 pounds, to be exact.. or 2 dress sizes) and gain some muscle.. running seems like a really great way to do that. And, if I run every day, I will get a short break from the chaos that is my life. Sounds like a win-win.
• Slow down. Life is so busy. We're always running from one thing to another. While I want my kids to be involved in things and experience different things, I also want slow down a little. I want to spend a beautiful spring afternoon at the park, or a hot summer day at the pool. I want to paint pictures on a rainy day, or bake cookies when it's snowing. Too often I take on too much, and don't have time to do the really important stuff, like build a fort with the little girls, or play Yatzee with the big kids, or go out for a drink with Brad. This year I will make time for those things.
• Spend wisely. Ok, so I want to save money. But I want to do more than that. I want to use our money wisely. That means using coupons, watching sales,  controlling impulse buys, and not using credit cards. Of course I have a list of things I'd like to buy with that extra money: a new computer, a new van, a new lens for my camera, a vacation. Realistically, I know we will not be able to buy all that in 2012, but if we spend wisely, we can be in a much better position to buy those things in 2013. And, in the process, we can teach our kids some really important lessons about money.
• Spend more time in my craft room. Now that it's all nicely organized, I am dreaming of using this space every single day. I know that will never happen, but I would like to spend a few hours a week there. I haven't even started Morgan's scrapbook yet (she's 2!) and I'm several years behind on the other kids' books too. Besides scrapbooks, I have zillions of other great ideas in my head that I would love to actually do. This is the year....

I could go on and on and on, but I think this is probably enough non-resolutions for one year. Overall, my goal is to just be a happier person  and a better mom,and wife.

Wish me luck!