Yes. That much.

My son was born in Georgia over 7 years ago. My daughter was born on one of our returns to Georgia over 4 years ago. This past October, we added our third (and last) child to the family. Also, incidentally, in Georgia. Isn’t he sweet?

{For some reason, my husband does not seem inclined to return to Georgia. Huh.}

Anyway, amidst our many moves for my husband’s job, we have picked up a few tips along the way. Here are a few ways to make a move without (totally) losing your mind.

Get them involved

While leaving the entire move planning up to your children may not be the best idea, ask their opinion on where they want to stop along the way, where they might want to eat, or what they want to do to commemorate the occasion can help them feel as if they have a part in the process. Instead of feeling as they are simply BEING moved, they can feel as though they are also doing the moving. It has been our experience that a little bit of control goes a long way when moving a child around.

Talk about it

If I’ve learned anything over these years, it’s that communication is so important. Talk about what will be different, what will remain the same, and what you can do about the things that cause stress. This move was the toughest for my oldest since he had been cultivating genuine friendships. So, he gets to keep in touch with his closest friend through skype and email (through my account). They get to connect with each other but without it interfering with making new friends.

His other concern was where he was going to play soccer. So, we did our research online long before we were even sure which neighborhood we would end up in. The fact that we had some options in the different areas made my little organizer feel much better about everything.

Make Fun Bags

Okay, this one may be a bit of a bribe, but what can you do? Since our moves typically involve travel, we like to create fun bags with activities- books, coloring pages, easy crafts to do in the car, and (if you are taking them halfway across the country in a two-day road trip) a movie or video game. Making the event fun helps reinforce that there are positive things with the move.

Research the Area

My kids wanted to know where the closest chuck e. cheese was, how many playgrounds were nearby and if there was access to ice cream. So, I did some neighborhood searches that allowed them to see where these things were (and snuck in a few bonus locations, like the local library, schools, and walking trails). Once they felt confident that it wouldn’t be completely different from where we were, they were a lot more comfortable with the situation.

We’re still in the process of getting settled and all of the boxes unpacked, but I feel like we’re definitely making progress. Now, to tackle summer vacation…

What tips have you found that help during a move?

When I say this to people, they either shake their heads in misguided sympathy, or smile at me knowingly. Because I don’t mean that I didn’t have any wedding- we did. A beautiful ceremony in a little white chapel in Charleston- but just the two of us. It was the perfect day for us, even if many didn’t find out until after the fact. I don’t think either of us would change a thing (except maybe my dress). However, the one thing I did miss out on was planning a wedding with so many great visual elements online in play.

Luckily, my younger sister is getting married this May, and it has been a whirlwind of activity. I am honored to be her matron of honor, and as such, get to do some vicarious wedding planning! I love to  come across creative ideas throughout the internet, especially when browsing every inch of the internet, looking for just the right inspiration.

What I have found is that I love the soft, flowing ideas, especially the ones that involve a dash of blue. Now if only we had an event to incorporate this into… (hmm, I’m thinking vow renewal…)

Of course, my sister and I, while sharing some personality traits, also have many differences. Her wedding will be large, with lots of guests, lots of chaos, lots of color- and of course, lots of fun. Luckily, the purples she picked is actually complimentary to her bridesmaids and none of us are wearing a color that we just shouldn’t be wearing. As everyone who’s ever been a bridesmaid knows, that’s quite the victory. Here is a perfect representation of her wedding inspiration:

So, even though I have been married for quite some time, I’m thinking all this wedding planning is leading me to some serious vow renewal planning. Even if it’s only to make one (ten) of these pretty boards…

Disclosure: I was compensated for my post from Minted.com. All thoughts, wedding preferences and choice of eloping are my own. 

What were you doing 10 years ago?

Roaming the streets of Atlanta. Though not in a homeless way, more of the college student way, typically with a Starbucks cup in hand. I ditched a major and ended up confused about where I wanted to go next. But I did get to do it in a city that I loved.

What 5 things are on your to do list?

5 things? Can I even tell you that the day I get my to-do list down to five things will be a happy day indeed. I’ll pick the top 5:

1. Get organized for Blissdom. Since it’s in 2 days and all. 
2. Close on our house. First the one we’re selling, then the one we’re buying. (Almost there..)
3. Sign the kids up for swimming lessons. Even though my oldest can swim, we just bought a house with a pool. So while we’re installing a safety fence before we even move in, extra steps of safety people.
4. Get all the laundry done. For eternity if I could. But I’ll settle for the week.
5. Become two weeks ahead with my blog. Hey, if I’m going to dream, I’ll dream big. It’s a goal to be that far ahead, and I’d love to do it this week!

What are 5 snacks you enjoy?

Here’s another one that I could go long beyond five.

1. Cheese. Havartie, Brie, Camembert, Monterey Jack… I love me some cheese. 
2. Fruit. Grapes, strawberries, apples, raspberries, blackberries, wine.. (hey it counts)
3. Popcorn. Oh how I love popcorn. Bonus poins if it’s from the movie theater.
4. Chips. The salty goodness. The empty calories. The oh-so-bad-for-you deliciousness of some good ol’ potato chips.
5. Soft pretzel bites. And it has to be served with cream cheese.

Name some things you would do if you were a millionaire.

Oh the possibilities… The first thing would be giving some to family, and then supporting breast cancer and children’s healthcare charities. On the personal note, pay off student loans and kick my teeth disaster fixing into high gear. (side story- I had finally had my wisdom teeth removed, only to have my teeth shift out of place. After the trauma of childhood braces, I now have a gap in my teeth. Again. SIGH. Of course, I also have a 4 month old baby so dentist visits are tough.) And if I’m a really big millionaire, buy an island or a country or something.

Name some places you have lived.

Here’s another list that could get long! Let’s see.. Atlanta Georgia, Salt Lake City Utah, Panama City Florida, Hampton Roads Virginia, Anchorage, Alaska, and currently, the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas.

Name some bad habits you have.

I laugh at the end of sentences. I have very little patience. I overuse the word seriously. Seriously.

Name some jobs you have had.

Blogger. Social Media Associate. Social Media coordinator. Office Manager. Coordinator of Chaos.

Now instead of tagging bloggers since they will run this again next month with a different meme, I will just direct you back to The Miss Elaine-ous Life and Theta Mom to check it all out!

I have had three kids- the youngest now 4 months old- and I still am not a fan of changing diapers. Oh, the amount of changes and messes I have encountered in my 7+ years of motherhood is quite substantial; however, I never quite get over the desire to do it as quickly as possible. It also has led to the desire to find the safest, best quality products out there, because skimping on baby care items– well, you end up with quite a mess on your hands.

(Yes, I went there.)

Luckily, Seventh Generation feels my pain, along with all other moms and dads out there. They have introduced a new larger, thicker, and softer baby wipe that is not only a better product, but is also better for the environment than its predecessor. With three kids? I need to help the environment as much as I can. And with one this little? I need a lot of wipes.

Now, even with the biggest of messes, I can use one wipe. ONE wipe, people. The cost savings and environmental impact of this just for my kids alone is amazing. With all three kids in the car for a move from Georgia to Texas last week, we knew we were in for some messes- those from the baby and the older two. Snacks, juice, full diapers… you get the picture. Family moving bliss, right? Well even though it was two full days (full, full, FULL days) of driving, we only went through a single pack of these wipes! There will now forever be a pack of these right in my car. Because baby wipes are good for EVERY mess people.

Bonus for those who hate scents? These are really unscented. Not the fake unscented where it still smells odd, but really unscented, as in no smell. In addition, these new wipes from Seventh Generation are hypo-allergenic, free of fragrances and dyes and free of parabens and phthalates so you know you can safely use them on your baby.

And 4 year old.

And 7 year old.

And dog.

Did I mention it was a really long trip??

Giveaway

Onto the good news! You can try these wipes too. Seventh Generation is giving away one box of the Seventh Generation baby wipes. Share a baby care tip in the rafflecopter below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest is for US residents only and ends on Sunday, March 10 at 11:59 EST.  Winner is randomly chosen via rafflecopter and has 24 hours to respond. and notified via email. I received wipes for the purpose of this review and was compensated for this post as part of a campaign with The Motherhood. All thoughts, opinions, and baby messes are my own. 

So, third baby in arms, we’re moving again. And then, as with everything with a subsequent child, you become hyperaware of details- how fast they grow, how quickly the baby stage flies by, how much things change in the blink of an eye. This, combined with the upcoming move, has really emphasized how little control of things I sometimes have – even if I wish it otherwise.

I had planned for 2013 to be rather formulaic. The very beginning part of the year would be developing a routine with the new baby, early spring would lead to work travel and blogging more, followed by more travel and networking throughout the year. This year, things would be organized, I would hone my focus and things would fall into place.

Ahem.

Now that we’re throwing a house sale, move to (yet another) state, and a new home search & purchase into the mix, I initially reacted in the way that any sane person would; I panicked. A creature of routine, this repeated sense of chaos gets downright exhausting. However, I suppose that the constant upheaval has, in a sense, become a routine in and of itself. And that is quite the adjustment.

So, I’m going to try to embrace the non-routine routine. I’m going to keep plowing forward, keep working harder, keep an open mind about the location. I’m going to try to enjoy the moments with my kids while balancing the work that I love doing and want to expand on doing. I’m going to load up my family and head to Texas. Tomorrow.

And I’m going to drink a lot of coffee.

How do you cope with big changes?

Yeah. Me neither.

However, I always want to be a little more creative, so a few times a year- usually coinciding with a major holiday- I give it a try. So, when we realized the kids had to bring in boxes for Valentine’s Day, I hit up Pinterest for some inspiration. Lily wanted princess/castles, Tyler wanted a robot.

A robot people. I am the un-craftiest person ever, and the kid wanted a robot. Sigh.

But, never fear, Pinterest to the rescue. Of course they had a robot box. Or twenty. So, supplies in hand we set out to make what they wanted. And you know what? The results weren’t half bad:

What did you get wrangled into making this Valentine’s Day?

It seems like yesterday that you were just born. How quickly that first year went…

Time flew by and another year came and went…

Before we knew it you turned three…

And while each year, you grow and grow some more, somehow this one seemed so much more.

My beautiful baby girl.. of four.

If only time would slow down…

]]> http://www.myfrontporchswing.com/living-life/lily-turns-4/feed/ 5 http://www.myfrontporchswing.com/living-life/lily-turns-4/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/justanothermomof2/EuEP/~3/B4NeLHJ8Zy8/ http://www.myfrontporchswing.com/life-love/matron-of-honor/#comments Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:48:28 +0000 Ashley http://www.myfrontporchswing.com/?p=3755 What do you do in between having a baby, putting your house up for sale (with three kids & a dog in tow), moving to Texas and buying a new home?

Why, be the matron of honor in your baby sister’s wedding of course!

When I can wrap my head around the fact that she’s really getting married, I’m honored to fill this role. My sister and I bickered our way through childhood, cried our way through the teen years, and she was even able to be with me when my youngest baby was born- all the while watching my kids while we were in the hospital (for that one, I’ll omit any bridezilla references. Ahem.)

This May, my younger sister is getting married. They actually have a sweet history and engagement. They dated through college, long-distance while he was in the military and stationed in Iraq, together in Colorado while he finished out his military career and now in Wisconsin, where a new job led them both to purchase their first house (which they’re also doing while planning a wedding. Hey, we like to multitask in this family).

While in Colorado, he took her for a helicopter ride through the mountains. Before they landed at sunset, he proposed (and, um, she said yes).

So sweet, right?

Anyway, fast forward to 2013, and all of a sudden the wedding is on it’s way. With half the bridal party (and the bride!) out of state, we have had to get rather creative. We have dress fittings, bachelorette parties, and a bridal shower all to get through – and soon.

Whew.

So, in the midst of this:

And doing this:

After adding this:

I’m currently in the middle of planning this:

In her defense, her wedding was planned first.

What were some fun games you played during bridal showers/bachelorette parties? Help me out!

One of the things that has struck me is how very much my seven year old keeps growing up. Over the last few months, it’s been more and more apparent; litte things here and there. Oh, the bickering with his nearly 4 year old sister continues and I still stop to pick legos off of the floor, but in between, glimpses of the  young man he’s becoming are shining through. And for all the stresses and chaos of parenting I write, I too often forget to capture the good moments. As I break up the fifteenth argument after school, I marvel at the disparity between the overtired child he still can be and the helpful “big kid” that often shines through.

Last week we went to the grocery store. I usually try to only bring the baby along, or at least only two of the three, but I had everyone with me that day for just a quick few things. By the time we made it home, the baby lost his patience and wanted out. We all rushed inside and I went to change him. By the time I had finished, my oldest had brought in the bags and put everything away. I was stunned, and later, as I went to start dinner, tears came to my eyes when I opened the fridge and had produce tumbling out to greet me. It was such a beautiful mess, created from his desire to help.

His desire to help is always front and center. His kind personality shines through when I’m trying to make dinner and the baby is cranky and his sister is joining in. He sits next to the baby’s bouncer, making faces and singing songs while I throw dinner together or in the oven. He will open a juice box for his sister and pretend his asparagus is green beans so she’ll try it. Cleaning up toys before the realtor comes, helping his sister carry her stuffed animals- all 500 of them- up the stairs. All of these little things that mean so very much to me, that make our days run smoother, that make our family better.

All because of the thoughtfulness of a seven year old.

I am one lucky, blessed mama.

Since he was born in October, I have been on a mission for quick and easy dinners to feed my family that are still enjoyable for everyone. Between my husband, my seven year old, and four year old, that can be quite the task- especially with a three month old who gives me a limited time frame!

Luckily, I have had some success. One of my family’s favorites is this super-simple chicken and stuffing bake, perfect for chilly nights. Bonus? It gets thrown in the oven with minimal effort, leaving my hands free to snuggle the baby. Love.It.

What are some of your favorite go-to recipes?