When we moved to Memphis, TN in Nov. 2012, we knew Russell's promotion meant that he would be gone pretty much every week and only return for the weekends.  But, it was a wonderful opportunity for him we couldn't pass up.  Then, in August 2014, Russell started his online MBA program his company offered to pay for and that put him busy on the weekends.  Being gone during the week and then studying on the weekends makes it pretty chaotic for me during the weeks while chasing a toddler around, cleaning a house, and fitting in workouts, while balancing a 40 hr work week.  How do I do it?  Here are the steps:

1. Schedule, schedule, schedule!
Being the Type A person that I am, structure is key...its like I live for it.  But I have found that creating a strict schedule has been KEY for our weekly balance at home. From sun-up to sun-down, everything is scheduled and it runs like a well oiled machine.  My husband thinks I schedule too much of our life but it works best for me during the week when I am the only one here and juggling our chaotic life.  And, if I didn't schedule every aspect of the day, then I wouldn't be able to squeeze in my "me" time while I value so that I don't lose it.

2. Quick dinners to eat on all week
My motto: If it can't be cooked in 30 or less, then I'm not making it! If it weren't for quick dinners, I swear I would starve.  There is so much to do when I get home in the evenings and not enough hours!  I have worked really hard at collecting a list of delicious recipes that take 30min or less to make that feed Ryan and I and give enough for leftovers for the next few days.

3. While the baby sleeps, the sweat repeats!
Since we are on a strict schedule during the week from sun-up to sun-down, there isn't any time for me to workout before Ryan's bedtime. I am not a morning person when it comes to working out, so I have to do it in the evenings.  As soon as Ryan goes down, I hit a sweat session.  But lets be real, I am tired and ready to wind down myself.  So, I give myself 30 minutes to get one heck of a sweat session on.  I push with HIIT training through the treadmill or strength sessions and then get to relax at least an hour before I put myself to bed.  I have found that it is really important for me to workout during the week because it really helps me battle all of the stress.  I also take this as part of my "me" time.  I work all the stress off and feel much better afterwards.

4. You time.
While I may not get a lot of me time in on the weekdays and most weekends, Russell really tries hard to give me some time when he is home for me to have "me" time.  Even if it is him taking care of Ryan's bedtime routine so that I can relax on the couch, every little bit counts. And this is also where my schedule works for my benefit.  Since I have a strict nightly schedule and have quick (but effective) workouts, I get my very own wind-down time every evening to indulge in my reality tv.

5. Remember that it is all worth it in the end.  
It is easy to find myself so worn out by the end of the week (especially after a week where it seems all goes wrong).  Being a mom that doesn't get a lot of "me" time, I can sometimes get frustrated and I try really hard not to take it out on Russell.  He is not choosing to travel on the weekdays and study on the weekends for only his benefit.  It's for our family.  Once he finishes his MBA in August 2016, there is much more opportunity for him in his job that will ultimately help our family.  And while I am busy juggling everything at home I try and put myself in his place.  He is a working father who is away from his family a lot, that has to be hard on him too, and he is making a huge sacrifice being away from us.  It makes me love him even more.

Am I exhausted every day?  Yep, pretty much.  But I love my life, I love my husband, and I love our family.

XOXOX,
Sherri

Doggies, Diapers, and Grooming Fail

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Did you wear your green today? Ryan made sure he did!  I tried to take a good picture of him in his cute little "Good Luck Charm" outfit this morning but he has definitely morphed into the "I don't want to sit still for a picture" toddler.  But man, look at the difference in a year!

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On a different note, I thought I would share a funny little story with you today to make you laugh.  There is not a dull moment in our home.

Our dog Buddy has been by our sides since May 2009.  Russell and I got him when we moved in together several months after college and he was a year old.  We say it every day, that he is our first born.   He isn't our pet, he is our son and up until 12/23/13, he was our spoiled only child.  When Ryan was born, I was worried how about how Buddy would react but he instantly became protective.  He would get a little jealous at first but he would still come and alert us when Ryan was crying and now Ryan adores Buddy and actually calls him "Bubba." (Instant heart melt.)

But I must warn you, Buddy is more like a human than dog when it comes to personality.   He has a temper tantrum and likes to show it every now and then, and he will cut his eyes at you.  No joke.  This dog will seriously roll his eyes and flat out ignore you and give you the side glance when he is ticked.  Which is why I am writing this post... to showcase temper tantrum Buddy and our accidental grooming fail.  

Buddy is mix, being half lab-half golden retriever.  He has a beautiful golden/reddish coat that everyone always comments on when we take him on walks.  Whenever we have ever taken him to the groomer, he never gets shaved, and only gets a bath, brush, nail clip, ear clean, etc.  Plus, I had always heard you should never shave a lab.  Since our move to Memphis, we have taken him to the same groomer for the last 2 1/2 years and have given the same grooming instructions every time.  

This past week, we dropped Buddy off to get groomed, with the same instructions, and when Ryan and I went to pick him up, Buddy came out COMPLETELY SHAVED.  I was shocked and at a loss for words.  His head looked gargantuan compared to the rest of him because they couldn't shave his head (think lion's mane).  Poor Ryan didn't even recognize his Bubba.  Obviously, the groomer apologized profusely and credited us (its not like she could glue his hair back) but it definitely made us think about switching groomers.

I felt so horrible for Buddy and tried to give him extra attention and cuddles all night but you could visibly see that he was upset and sad.  He was also so cold, poor thing, I felt like a total parent fail.  But, Buddy's sadness turned to toddler temper tantrum and by that next morning he was ticked.  I don't blame him, he didn't know it was an accident.  

Well that morning, I had emptied Ryan's diaper genie and tied the bag and put it at the door for me to take outside to the trashcan when I left for work but totally left in a hurry and forgot.  When I walked in the door with Ryan after work, there were EMPTY diaper carcasses all over the area.  It was like a war scene with diaper parts thrown everywhere but the worst of all was that the poo was gone!  Buddy, in a fit of rage ate the poo and threw the diaper pieces everywhere.  Now granted, at least I didn't have smeared poo to clean but come on man!  I honestly was baffled and immediately grossed out.  I got the silent treatment and rolled eyes from Buddy the rest of the night but I definitely kept a little distance from Mr. Poo Breath myself.  

While I have since gotten over the fact that my dog enjoyed eating my son's diapers, I have since decided Buddy's incident should be a part of those "dog shaming" photos you find on Pinterest.   You know, these:

 

So I have created my own: 

See his shaved body?!  Oh the joys of being a pet owner and a parent.  You definitely learn to stomach more than you ever thought you could.

XOXO, 

Sherri

Do you have any horror pet grooming stories or your own dog shaming story?