T'was the tantrum at Barnes & noble that will never be forgotten.

I just realized I never posted this story of the most embarrassment moment at Barnes and Noble that I will never ever forget and has almost kept me from showing my face there again... Almost. If only they're journals & planners weren't so amazing!

It was last  Summer. I was just over my morning sickness and wanted to take Evelynne to Barnes and Noble to look at some Big Sister books and I also wanted to pick up a new Planner for myself.. However, this experience didn't at all go as I planned...

It all started when I was looking at the rack of daily planners. Trying to find the right one when I happened to look beside me to find that my one year old ran off. While freaking out inside I tried to keep calm and called out for Evelynne. I remember the older gentlemen sitting there with his starbucks coffee and book looking at me as if I didn't have a clue and I honestly felt that way.

Thankfully I wasn't looking for too long until she popped out laughing!

"Evelynne you don't run off. You need to stay with Mommy" I said hoping she would listen.

I wish I could say it ended there.. but nope! Shortly after we came across a rack full of stuffed animals. unexpectedly she grabbed a arm full and threw them! Everywhere! I saw the employees and their concerned faces like "She better pick those up" and "Lady control your child!" And I was trying. Oh how I was trying but she seemed so uncontrollable at the moment. So I hurried and picked them up,  grabbed her by the arm and attempted to make it to check out because after what happened (so far) I didn't want to leave empty handed.. But maybe I should have?

The entire time we were in line she was determined to get away from me and run like the wind! She wanted to explore, go her own way and throw stuffed animals and play hide and seek.. But Barnes and Noble certainly isn't the place for that and people were making it obvious they wanted me to leave already so that they could continue to read and study while drinking their precious lattes.

But I wasn't giving up despite those judgmental facial expressions I was getting. As soon as we got to the check out Evelynne managed to run off when I was taking out my card. "Evelynne! Get back here!" And She refused while laughing and running behind the cashier.. Yep, you heard that right!

"No! Ev! Get back here! Sir I'm so sorry, I need to grab my kid." (As she starts running through the empty boxes)

"No problem! Happens all the time *laughs"

So, I grab Evelynne, pick her up as she kicks and screams and with my bought and paid for planner I walk out of Barnes and Noble feeling accomplished.. Well, sorta. More like humiliated. But thankfully no one recognized us the next time we were there and there were no crazy tantrums involved.
:)

Do you have any crazy/embarrassing/funny Mama stories?

The Beauty of Second-time Motherhood.

 

Our life is crazier. 

There's more laundry...lots more.

More dishes.

Less space. 

More exhausting.

More messes.

More coffee.

Less sleep.

And not enough time.

Our three has become four and we're complete.

I must say that I find having two girls incredible fulfilling and rewarding. There is a sense of purpose like no other.

I have found my time to be so much more special. Having kids has helped me say no more and yes to the things that really matter and are important. 

Motherhood inspires me to dig deeper, and to fight harder not just for the things I want but things that I believe in and want to do.

It has inspired me to dream bigger.

Second-time Motherhood in my experience is completely different then the first time Motherhood. I'm more tired, more busy, and getting out of the house has been super difficult and seems impossible some days with making sure they both have diapers, enough wipes, entertainment for Evelynne, snacks, juice, both bags that are stocked plus making sure they're both clean, changed and fed before we leave. However, once we're out and about it gets much easier (sometimes!) And I feel like every time we're getting much better at it.

I'm so much more confident! I much more empowered now to get more of what I want out of life. I no longer doubt myself or questioning if I'm doing things right. I'm so much more relaxed, free and happy despite the juggle and exhaustion that comes with Motherhood. 

I do feel like I have to fight a little harder to still be "Heather"  with all these roles as a wife and mom. During nap I do try to make time for me. Whether it's blogging, crafting or just sitting there in meditation with Jesus. To help me remember who I am and that I'm way more than just a wife and mama. However I love and enjoy these roles more than ever. I feel like they just get better and better with each kid.

I feel like Motherhood just gets better and better with each kid. I really do. Especially because nothing seriously warms the heart more when you see your two little ones loving on each other and savoring that moment as long as you can. I love their bond and their love for each other. I love how Evelynne is the big sister and that she is already crazy in love with Liya and is gentle and protective over her.. As if she knows her duties as an older sister. I love how Liya watches Evelynne. I love how she smiles at Evelynne while she's playing and looks at her intensely while Evelynne's in the room. I love it when Liya looks up to Evelynne when she's talking to her and holding her and I love that the first thing Evelynne asks when she wakes up is "Baby Liylee?" Oh be still my soul.

However,  I believe the hardest adjustment for me after having Liya was how much I miss spending time with My Evelynne all day. It's sometimes hard for me to accept that my time with Evelynne would now involve someone else. And that's okay. But there are definite moments where I miss the amount of time I was able to spend with her where I was  less distracted and trying to juggle everything. I really feel like Leon being off so much in the last month was a gift from God! Because of that it has made it so much easier for Leon and I to have one on one time with Evelynne which has helped all of us so much. I really believe one on one time with each of our girls in so important. Something new that Evelynne and I do is when we go grocery shopping I let her pick out a craft to paint and then we go home and paint it while Liya's napping. And when Leon goes out he always takes Evelynne with him.
 
 Evelynne loves playing "Mom" now. Everywhere we go she likes to take her baby with her. I plan on making her a baby carrier so she can have everything Moms need.

My postpartum body does look a lot different.. At least to me it does but that's okay. To me it was such a small price to pay for these beauties that call me mom. I've never been a bikini person anyways. However, ever since having Liya I've hated wearing jeans and can't make it through a full day of wearing them. I either change into leggins or yoga pants. Thankfully I can still look stylish in leggings and a cute dress perhaps? I just hope jeans and I aren't breaking up forever! Because I do still love the look of skinny jeans.

Mommy Moments

Welcome to Mommy Moments! We hope you all a week filled with wonderful memories! Let's keep it up by sharing and promoting Mommy Moments and the wonderful community we have here! I have enjoyed getting to know all the new mamas linking up and sharing their lives with us! I can't wait to hear more from you all again this week!

Motherhood has its seriousness and frustration as well as its laughs. That's why we are here. Life is much easier when traveled with companions! So mamas, let's join together in the spirit of motherhood and share our moments together. We want to hear the happy, sad, tough, terrible, hilarious moments that make being a mother the best job in the world!

The top viewed link this week belongs to Megan from Make it Count and her post Baby Hall's Birth Story! Every mama has a different birth story with each of their babies and it's so great to read the experiences that other moms have had. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Megan, and congratulation on the birth of your sweet little girl!

The Life Of Faith

 The Not Quite Military Wife

Our Family Grace

A  Beautiful Ministry

Redeeming The Day

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Post can include anything related to mommy-hood, children, homemaking, pregnancy etc. If you aren't a mom yet, feel free to link up your preparation for motherhood, your journey as you try to conceive, or even a post that would be encouraging to the other moms in the party!

Then, explore some of the other posts in the link-up and say hello to some new blog friends! 

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Colossians 3:17 
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

An InLinkz Link-up

The easiest and best potato soup you will probably ever make.

 

I love soups!! I've been trying to make them a lot lately because I'm trying to still enjoy and see the beauty in winter despite the fact Evie bear has cabin fever big time and so do I! We've been doing many play dates, crafts, and lots of coloring and baking.. I really need to lay off the baking part though ;)

My favorite thing about the cold weather is that it makes soups and hot coffee/tea so much more enjoyable so I've been having and enjoying soups and homemade lattes like nobody's busniness. Hola!

One of my newest favorite recipes that I've been making is this Delicious and creamy baked potato soup!

Not only do I love it but my Mother in love  loves it, my sister in love loves it, and my husband loves it and considering he's not a major soup person that's a big deal. We didn't even have left overs for the next day because he had a midnight snack and gobbled the rest up..So I was stuck with cold sandwiches for lunch  the next day. :(  But I forgave him and chose to see the bright side. He loves my cooking! 

The only person in the house who wouldn't even try it was Evelynne.. However, she loved helping Mama make it.

On with the recipe!!

Ingredients: 

8 medium potatoes

2 1/2 cups skim milk

1/4 chopped onion

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

2 tablespoons flour

1 8 oz. bag  cheddar cheese

**this made about 4 large bowls of soup. If you want more (Which I highly recommend) just double the ingredients.

1. Peel and  cut potatoes into small chunks and Boil until they are  tender. 

2. While those are boiling, slice 1/4 cup onion and measure your spices (1 teaspoon of salt and seasoned salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper).

 3. Add milk, flour, seasonings and butter to the pot. Stir well.

6. Stir in potatoes, onion, and 2 handfuls of cheese.

And now it's time to customize! You can add more cheese or different cheeses or more milk if you like it thinner.

Top with cheese or other things like bacon and green onions and enjoy!