Tag: girl mom

3am Wake Up Cries. (Exhausted Mom)

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 6 Comments

From the moment those two pink lines show up, you are being told how hard being a parent is.

Constant crying, feeding on demand, diaper overloads.

And of course those 3am wake up cries.

But they never tell you the pure emotional exhaustion you will truly feel from trying to be the perfect mom.

And I’m not talking about I’ve just worked a week of 12 hour midnight shifts in a row…I’m talking your whole body is tired, your shoulders and neck are sore and kinked from constantly looking over at your baby, chasing after your toddler. Your mind is on auto-pilot and you forever hear crying even when they aren’t.

It’s just exhausting being a mom.

Period.

There’s no explanation needed.

It’s. Just. Hard.

You put all your energy into these tiny little humans that you have been so blessed to have.

Every thought is about them now.

How do I make my baby happy today?

Is my toddler getting too much screen time?

What can I do better so we sleep better at night?

How do I split up my attention equally?

How do I keep them healthy and safe always?

How can I be better?

How can I be perfect for them?

How do I make time for my husband? For my home? For my career?

That’s the root of it all. We always want to be better, we want to do better for our babies.

We want to be the perfect mom.

The one who looks flawless without a hint of dark circles under her eyes.

The one with hair that looks like she is able to wash and exfoliate regularly.

The one who never has a spot of spit up on her clothes or the smell of it radiating from them.

The one who looks like she’s never changed a blow out diaper in the Target bathrooms in her life.

The one who’s kids look like they would never have a tantrum in aisle 5 at the grocery store.

It’s impossible.

There’s no such thing as a perfect mom.

Yes, some might hide it way better than others but we all have one thing in common.

We are all exhausted.

We are all at some point everyday dealing with diaper overloads and spit up and drool stained clothing.

Meltdowns during the day and waking up to those 3am cries at night.

So don’t ever think you aren’t a good enough mom, please.

Because we’ve all been there.

We are all exhausted.

We are all emotional.

We are all so blessed to have these babies.

But one thing I hope to never happen to any mama’s in this world? You will never be alone in your feelings, EVER. Please just know that.

And if you ever need a reminder? Well, we are here even during those 3am wake up cries.

Our Favorite Michigan Vacation!

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 20 Comments

We kicked off summer with an INCREDIBLE vacation to Port Austin, MI. It is our favorite spot to camp, and we go back as often as we can.

We tent camp, and I could write a whole blog on camping with kids and a dog. It’s a lot of work, but the work is totally worth the reward!

I wanted to talk about this awesome small town at the tip of Michigan’s thumb! This is the second family trip we’ve taken, and we plan to go back again as a yearly tradition.

We always camp at a Michigan state park, Port Crescent State Park. It is called that because the park is on a crescent shaped bay right before the Saginaw bay.

The water is shallow and crystal clear and super sandy for many yards out. It is perfect for kids or young swimmers. The sand bar was insane this year. It actually started at the shore which is something I have never experienced at a Michigan beach.

The sunsets are INCREDIBLE. I live on the east side of MI, so we get stunning sunrises, so experiencing sunsets is my favorite part about the trip.

It’s also a pet friendly park, so we were about to take Addie with us! She REALLY enjoyed digging in the sand with the girls. She loved exploring all things!

There is plenty of hiking and fishing you can do as well at the park. There’s also a nice playground and two bathrooms with showers if needed!

We kayaked one year to a very famous rock structure, Turnip Rock! That trip was so much fun. We rented kayaks from Port Austin Kayak. We rented them for the four hour time. It took roughly two hours to get to the rock structure. It was totally worth it. My phone died just before we got to the structure, so I borrowed an image from Huron County Park’s website.

There is also Caseville up there too! That is home of the “Cheesburger Festival”. Yes it is a festival dedicated to cheeseburgers. Such a fun little town.

We loved traveling so far and are planning another trip in August! Do you have any recommendations in or near MI?! Let me know!

We’re glad to be back! See you next week.

Another week…

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 14 Comments

Does time get away from anyone else or is it just me?!

I just thought I would share a little life update since I’ve been so MIA!

We lucked out tonight, and softball was canceled due to weather. Michigan got snow last night, and if our bodies haven’t reacted enough to spring, we get to go through it again!

I am starting a new job with a huge corporation this week! I have been a dispensing optician for the past (almost) 9 years, and I truly have loved every moment of it!

The first office I started at was awesome! The doctor and his wife were some of my favorite people. What is that saying though? People don’t quit a job, they quit the management? Yeah, that’s what I did. The manager was not the nicest person. In fact the 7.5 years I was there, we had 25 employees come and go. Some lasted a year some not even a day… it was so sad because I had truly gained so much from that office.

The last office I worked at was amazing all around. Such good people! One of the docs though… I’ll just stop there. 😂 I just knew that it wasn’t going to be a good fit for me in the long run, so I’m taking a turn with a corporation from HOME! No more going to an office!

There is SO much to learn though. I am on the computer 100% of my day. Not really a bad thing, but there is no face to face interaction. Although during a global pandemic, I’m not mad about it.

SPORTS! My daughters are in sports! I had mentioned softball earlier, that is what my oldest daughter is playing. My youngest is playing soccer! I know nothing about softball, however I played soccer as a kid and really enjoyed it, SOOO I volunteered to coach! I’m not sure what I was thinking when I did that!

We have had some health problems here too! No COVID, at least that’s what the tests say, but I’m not sure what to believe or not to believe anymore. My girls are still having issues that may or may not be related to whatever “virus” they did have, BUT they are overall healthy and were just praying the heal quickly!

Oh, and I dyed my hair pink! I love having fun with my hair, and this just seemed right!

That is my life update! Lots going on daily, but that is pretty much the just of it!

We want to thank you all for your support! This week actually marks one year of blogging for us! We enjoy every post we do, and every connection we make with each and every one of you! Keep reading, stay healthy and stay safe. ❤️

A Letter From One Exhausted Mom to Another.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 45 Comments

Dear mama’s,

I wish they knew how hard we try.

Lately I’ve just been so burnt out. There really aren’t enough hours in the day.

I just can’t keep up.

For a very patient person, my patience’s has been thin lately. Juggling all our rolls is tough.

I don’t know how some make it look so easy.

Mom life

Wife life

Full time working life

Plus all the small things in between. It’s exhausting.

I yell more than usual which is no fun. But when you have a preschooler who “knows everything” and a toddler who is a pure wild child, it happens.

I feel like I’m either asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow or laying wide awake at night feeling guilty about not playing enough or not finishing the laundry or just knowing my head wasn’t in the right place that day.

I know this is just a temporary phase but sometimes even though I have all the help in the world which I am so grateful and blessed to have, I still feel alone sometimes.

Anyone else?

It just feels like you have so much on your shoulders and even when the weight is a little bit lifted, something else comes long.

I don’t know, maybe it’s just me.

I guess I’m just trying to say is that, I see you.

I see how exhausted you are.

I see how guilty you feel when you have a bad mom day.

I see the work you put in to your family and your life.

I see how hard you try every day.

I get that sometimes that’s all you want.

To be seen.

For everyone to know how hard you try.

I see all you mama’s out there and I hope you know how great of a job you’re doing.

How all these sleepless nights and tired days and exhausted body’s are worth it.

You are doing amazing.

Us exhausted moms will stick together.

Love,

One exhausted mom to another

10 Fun Facts About Marissa!

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 22 Comments

Hey Friends! I wanted to do something fun today and kind of a get to know me type post! I love reading these and wanted to share some things about me.

1. I am TOO optimistic! The glass is always half full in my greener pastures! Everything is sunshine an rainbows 99% of the time.

2. I wanted to be an algebra teacher. I know it sounds super crazy but math was always my favorite subject!

3. I performed in plays throughout my childhood until I was a senior in high school! My favorite was Anita from West Side Story.

4. I married my husband when I was 18! We were BABIES (kind of still are)!

5. I HATE cooking, but LOVE baking! If I’m cooking it’s either a crock pot meal or something very simple, but I will bake you ANYTHING from scratch.

6. I hate winter! It was my favorite season for ever, until last year. Now I long for the days of summer!

7. My favorite color is green. More specifically lime green! The brighter, the better!

8. I used to play a TON of musical instruments! I played the tenor saxophone in band, I played a bit of piano, and guitar once I got older. My favorite instrument is the hammered dulcimer. Look it up if you’ve never heard or seen one.

9. I’m very strong willed! I try to speak my mind as much as possible and stand my ground.

10. Family is THE most important to me, but it’s always God first.

Thank you so much for reading! 💕

Top 4 Beauty NEEDS for Busy Moms

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 26 Comments

I am celebrating 10 years of being a mom this week! I still remember the moment that I first looked into our little girls big eyes. It’s crazy how fast that time flies!

This week I wanted to tell you my top 5 beauty must haves. If there is one thing that I’ve learned in the past decade of “momming”, it’s that some time self-care isn’t a long luxurious bubble bath, or a day trip to the spa. Sometimes it’s simply getting your self presentable within the 10 minutes you have before bolting out the door in the morning.

Revlon One-Step

This little device has changed my life SIGNIFICANTLY! It has literally knocked a half an hour of time off my routine. I had asked my husband to get it for me for my birthday, and he did, and I have used it every day since. The best thing about it was I could dry and style my hair at one time, and for being a busy lady, it drastically improved my life!

Nuetrogena Hydro-Boost Line

I cannot recommend this product line more! I started using the moisturizer the moment it came out. I have dry skin, but in the winter it turns extremely dry! This line has literally saved my skin. It gives me that nice dewy glow without looking oily and greasy. It is perfect under makeup, but quite honestly it’s made me comfortable in my own skin too. That’s a lot of pressure for a product!

Vaseline

I think Vaseline is a very under rated product. I use it for literally everything! Lips, eyebrows, even on my cheek bones to give an extra glow. My hands have been dry and cracking for the past year now, and at night time I will coat the top of my hands. So soothing!

Good Concealer

I don’t use foundation anymore. Even before masks over took our faces. I started buying a good concealer. I started with Tarte Shape Tape, and then Elf came out with a dupe. It’s the 16h Camo Concealer. I honestly can’t tell a difference, but I’m no expert. I just apply under my eyes, depending on how dark the circles are, blend it out, and go!

Wow, I’m not going to lie. I totally inteded doing my top 5, but it’s “mid winter break” and they are still responsible for school work “virtually”.

Hope you enjoyed my top four beauty tips!

Soup Saturday’s! Loaded Baked Potato.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 31 Comments

My family and I started a tradition this past fall. We love soups around here, so we decided that every Saturday (almost), we would all help make some soup!

We’ve done chili, cheddar broccoli, chicken noodle and our absolute favorite Loaded Baked Potato!

This loaded baked potato soup is so so simple, but so so yummy!

No one in my daily complains about what we eat, which is a rarity when you have a 9 & 7 year old!

I’m going to share my recipe with you! It is something so simple, you could throw all the ingredients in the crock pot in the morning & it will be ready when you’re home.

We like to eat ours with a baguette or some type of bread. I’ve even served it with carrots and celery.

Here is what you will need! I just throw it all in the crock pot and set it on low for about 6 hours. You pretty much just want to make sure it’s all melted together.

  • 1 bag Hash browns
  • 1 block ofCream Cheese
  • 1 can Cream of Chicken soup
  • 2 bags Cheddar cheese (we like sharp)
  • Chicken broth
  • Bacon bits

I do save some bacon bits and cheese for on top once it’s in my bowl. You could also add chives or even sour cream if you wanted.

This recipe is so quick and simple, but it’s cheap too! Who doesn’t love a meal that you can throw together for under $15!

If you don’t know me personally, then you don’t know how MUCH I love Target. I am actually able to buy all the ingredients at my local Target, and it only has a very small grocery section.

I just wanted to say thank you for your patience as we navigate this crazy life of being working moms! We have a wonderful support from our friends and family!

Next week, I’m posting about my top five beauty must haves for being a busy mama! See you soon!

The Imperfect Mom.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 24 Comments

Wow, it feels good to be back on the blog this week!

I took a much needed break from the blog, and the socials. We have had a lot going on these past few months.

A lot of hard decisions were made regarding school, and work. I don’t necessarily regret decisions That I’ve made, but if I could go back and make those changes I probably would.

However, I am learning things about my expectations aren’t necessarily attainable or something I can make a reality. I’m trying to form this “perfect” life that is an Instagram highlight reel.

Having a clean, perfectly organized house was something that I have always strived for. Now don’t get me wrong here, my house is far from it. However, I do think that having a well organized house, definitely helps with having a happy environment. It is so nice that when we go to do a craft or want to play with our Barbies, that I know exactly where to go to find the stuff we need for the activity.

I’ve recently reminded myself that my daughters are not going to remember how organized, or disorganized at the moment, the house was, they’re going to remember how warm and joyful our home was.

I’m also trying to stop comparing myself to other moms or women in general on social media. Amanda has touched on this subject before, and she said it so well in this blog here. She also wrote a good one about Expectations v. Reality!

Let’s face it, our faces (no pun intended) are in our phones and iPads more now then ever. I find myself constantly scrolling through social media saying to myself how I wish I could have all those clothes she has, or I wish I was as skinny as her, or even asking myself why would someone need that many hand bags?!

The world of social media is a wicked one. People post the good, not the bad. I am trying my hardest to not compare myself. I’m taking more breaks from social media (and our blog apparently). I am enjoying the quality time I have with my family.

Being a mom is rewarding and hard as hell. Every mom will tell you that. There is no “perfect” mom. We all have our spectacular mom days, where you are exhausted because you did all the things your kids wanted to do that day, but we also have our imperfect mom days where you sat on the couch watching The Home Edit while they played (argued) for four hours in their room. It’s called balance, ladies and gents!

So, drop the hard expectations you have for yourselves and be the mom you want to be. Create the childhood you want your kids to remember.

I couldn’t leave the blog without wishing you all a Happy & Safe Halloween! It is hands down our favorite holiday. We are too excited! I will post our costume on our Instagram and Facebook, so make sure to follow us on there, but here’s a pumpkin picture!

Thanks for reading, and I’m glad to be back! ❤️

My Fall Bucket List!

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 19 Comments

I love fall, y’all!

Pumpkins, apples, Halloween, THANKSGIVING! It’s my favorite time of year.

I love waking up on a chilly morning with coffee in my hand, taking the pups out for a morning run (the dogs, not me!). I go check on the chickens, and Pauly our rooster let’s put his cock-a-doodle-doo!

Fall mornings seems like everything moves a little slower for me.

My youngest had me print out our fall bucket list! I’ll insert it below!

I created my own bucket list for fall. Mine is going to look a bit different.

Slow down

Enjoy the little things. Enjoy the way the leaves turn, and enjoy how the air gets more crisp. Enjoy family time with the hubby and my daughters. They grow so quick, so enjoy the little moments.

Make time for my husband.

We get so lost in taking care of the kids. We do everything we can to make sure they are happy and healthy. We often lose sight of what started it all, our love. Making time to enjoy each other is essential. Wether it’s date night, or just a quiet night on the couch.

Prepare for Winter

Winter is dark and depressing, honestly. It is not my most favorite time of year. I’m going to enjoy and mentally prepare for the dark ahead. Start taking care of my body, and my mental health. Do things for me, to make winter a little more bearable.

Get more organized

I can’t stand clutter! My goal this fall is to get more organized. That should always me my goal, but like I said, I hate winter. Hopefully being more organized will make me enjoy the winter months a little bit more!

Little changes can make a big difference. Hopefully my bucket list for fall will help me enjoy it just a little bit more!

Don’t get me wrong, my youngest girls bucket list sounds fun too!

Keeping busy while social distancing!

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 19 Comments

We are still trying very hard to social distance.

It’s been tough not surrounding ourselves with the many people we love, but also trying to find things to keep our girls occupied!

I’m gonna share some of the things we’ve enjoyed doing.

Crafts

Painting, modeling clay, slime making, bracelet making! You name it, we’ve done it! We love doing crafts, it’s been something the whole family can enjoy. Our favorite has been the clay, though. The girls love making little sculptures, and painting them. I’ve already gotten a few new jewelry dishes. 😉

Lots of Reading

Who doesn’t love curling up with a good book? I know we have really enjoyed it. A lot of our summer reading is done outside in our hammocks. It’s our favorite spot to chill. My youngest (A) loves the Mercy Watson series, written by Kate DiCamillo. My oldest (C) loves The Never Girls series! I will read anything, but I’m a true die hard Twilight series fan. I know 🙈

Video Games

I know what you’re thinking, video games?! Really?! But we honestly enjoy playing so many video games as a family. Minecraft is one of our all time favorites. We also enjoy all of the Super Mario games: Mario Kart, Super Mario World, Mario Party, etc. I also started getting the girls into Animal Crossing, although that’s not a multi player so we don’t play it often.

Outside Play

Sprinklers and pools were a huge part of our summer fun! Riding bikes, scooters, roller blading, swinging on the tree swing, playing fetch with the pups! So much fun stuff to do outside, and the fun is honestly endless when you’re outside. We also have a wooded area on our property which is fun for nature hikes and scavenger hunts! In September all the mushrooms around the yard pop up, and it’s fun to go around and identify some of them.

It’s definitely been an interesting year for us all. Trying to find things for the whole family to enjoy can be challenging.

Hopefully this gave you some ideas if you needed them! ❤️