I just want to be me

Upon pulling Erin's hair into pigtails which adds some cuteness to my sweet girl I asked Ireland if she would like to have her hair fixed before we left.

"No, I just want to be Ireland."

Works for me kid....I hope you are always able to fight the peer pressure.


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In other news...the kids and I are back from our beach trip to visit with husband/daddy.
Wonderful visit all around but very sad to leave knowing it will be another month before we see him.

More to come...I'm just too tired from traveling and attempting to unpack. My bed is calling to me and my eyelids have informed me that if I sit here a moment longer they are going on strike. May tomorrow be full of energy....and some warm warm weather because I arrived home to snow flurries. Geesh, my whole vocabulary has to change now that snow has re-entered my life.

all things irish with massive amounts of confusion

Our children were given names in which we love and ones that mean very much to us. Being that today is a special holiday within our home (you know...being Irish and all) we ventured to explain the significance of our girls names.

Ireland....was completely lost and confused by the conversation.

"Ireland, you were named after the country Ireland. A place in which we love not only because it's part of our heritage but because of it's beauty and outlook on life."

"Mom, is it far far far far away?" Ireland questioned.

"Yes, you would have to ride an airplane for a long time over lots of water." explained Mom

"I want to meet her." Ireland said excited

"Honey, it isn't a person...it's a place." explained Mom.

"But mom, I want to meet my sister." huffed Ireland.

"It isn't your sister it's a place like North Carolina or West Virginia." attempted Mom.

"I want to go and meet her." shouted Ireland.

"Babe, it's not a girl." Dad said with laughter.

"So it's a boy?" Ireland said with disbelief.

"No, it's a place...like North Carolina or West Virginia." Mom offered.

"It's not fair...I want to meet my sister." Ireland exclaimed through desperation.


Maybe this year just isn't the year she understands the importance of her name.

Erin however, accepts the explanation. "Sweetie, your name is Gaelic for Ireland. You were named after the same country. So you and your sister kind of have the same name."

Maybe she just doesn't care as much or maybe this all stems from the fact that Erin's godmother is also named Erin, and Ireland....well is feeling left out.

Ireland, mommy and daddy want to take you to meet her so very much. One day sweetie...one day we will take you to visit your most beautiful namesake.

adventures in prayers

Mom, "okay girls finish brushing your teeth so we can get to bed."



Erin, "we can't forget to say prayers...people need prayers."



Mom, "okay hun, but get a move on...it's getting late."



Ireland, "Ok, I'll start. Michael, pop and gramma, and nana, and who else Erin?"



Erin, "daddy and mommy, michael, ireland, nana, ashwee, and don't forget God."

does a mom ever really get to leave the home?

I used to be one of three SAHM within my husband's family...now there is only I. The other two have found rewarding (at least I'm hoping) opportunities within their children's schools.

Each day they drop off their children and then stick around to teach and fulfill other responsibilities. They have found a way to continue being a hands on involved mom while also creating some cash flow and being something other than a crazed house mom.

I guess I'm slightly envious since most of my days still involve keeping a house from burning to the ground while it occupies my three children. All day I clean, prep food, clean, change diapers, clean...oh and did I mention clean.

Laugh as you may but that is mainly what I do each day. By the way, I'm very sick of cleaning. No matter how much I do there is always more. I just want to end the cycle.

There is however a problem I see. Returning to work doesn't end this cycle. As my lovely sister-in-law has pointed out she not only is working now but she is still having to complete all of her other duties at home.

I honestly believe that some of my husband and I's arguments are fueled by the existence of "he works, she doesn't" attitude. My husband would say he is the first to point out that what I do is difficult but I often wonder if this is believed.

If I was to return to work would the work at home suddenly become shared? Would dishes and laundry and bathroom cleaning become a partnership? I must point out that my husband does help with the dishes and will occasionally do a couple other chores so it isn't as if I am completely alone on the whole housework issue...but you get my point.

I also realize that there are some husbands out there that do the cleaning and even the cooking. I wonder though, with the housework as a whole will a wife always in some way be the stay-at-home spouse? Regardless of employment beyond the homes walls will she be the one who must carry the work within the walls?

Some of this I believe is our own fault. We have a certain way we want things accomplished, a certain place things must be put. When our spouses offer help with the dishes do we feel the need to make remarks when they don't know where the dishes go or because they don't load the dishwasher as we would wish or are unable to wipe down the counter as we would like do we feel as if they weren't really helping? "Well, if he really wanted to help he would do it the way he knows I like it done."

Are we in essence hitting a gift horse in the mouth? Would we rather short change ourselves by taking on more than we must or would we rather have help?

Do we have the right to complain when we scoff at help when it's offered simply because, "he won't do it right"?

I suppose there is no simple solution, so perfect answer. There however is hope that we can all work towards a more equal partnership in which both parent, clean, work, and hopefully have fun.