Hot Mess Mommy Express

Fog. It's this thing I've been walking around in for the last couple of weeks. I haven't felt like myself in quite a while. Between the packed schedule at home and the packed schedule at work combined with all of the curveballs added on top, I have been one physically and mentally exhausted subhuman of myself. Last night I made my family go to sleep early; two hours earlier than I normally go to bed to be exact. Let me just tell you! Today, I feel like a new me. Perhaps it's because this week marks the last ballgame of the season and we will no longer be running to the ball field four nights a week. This week, my work calendar isn't overflowing with meetings. This week, we have a fun weekend to work toward. This week, I finally have time to squeeze in much needed workouts. This week, my meals are planned. This week, even my kids can take a breather.  The other day, I was so mentally tired that I didn’t even realize I didn’t fully start my car. I put it in re...

7 years ago, we purchased our current home and a new chapter unfolded. We entered our home having one child, barely two years old, completely different jobs and a positive outlook on what our future would hold on Hanley Road.... Doesn't that sound magical? Well, there's a twist to this story! Enter the red couch. Salsa red. Yep! The me 7 years ago wanted to make a statement and so I pranced (yes pranced) into the furniture store and said "yep! I'll take that one!" Here's the thing....current me absolutely hates it, yet I have been stuck with it, because well...let's face it. Couches aren't exactly disposable or interchangeable. They're pretty expensive! Plus there was that time we had twins, that time we had what felt like forty-five medical bills, that time we needed a new car, that time this or that needed replaced....life. When it comes to taking care of your family, it's all about priorities. Do you feel me? That red couch has remained ...

When you get that phone call....from the PTO asking if you would like to be head room parent for your son's classroom. Here's the thing. I would absolutely LOVE to do that. Turning it down absolutely killed me, but here's the thing. If I can't be all in, then I'm not willing. That's my mantra with most things. Sometimes it's hard not to feel that little twinge of mom guilt. At the same time, I have to keep my focus on my family's needs, our family calendar, my full-time career goals and make room for some self care in the crazy mix that is my life.  When 2019 started, I wrote down my personal resolutions, one of which was to start saying no. How often do we overload our plates by  agreeing to things before we fully think them through? How many times have we maxed our budgets by saying "count us in" when friends and family invite you to things? How many mental breakdowns have we had, because we've taken on too much? Here's the thing mo...

"I'll just make a quick run up town on my lunch break for the last things on my birthday party list."  When you are throwing a birthday bash, regardless of how prepared you are, how many lists you've made, how many items you've crafted and how many RSVP's you've calculated, it always comes down to the last list of random items to complete the vision. In this case, we're throwing a circus themed party! I'm very excited about it as it ties in well with the girls' latest love of The Greatest Showman. I want to take you moms along on the whirlwind lunch hour that consisted of those last little tidbits. I swear this kind of thing always happens to me. In our family, we call it "Epley Luck" and I'm sure you have your own name for the ironic moments that I'm about to share with you. When all else fails, you just have to make humor of these kinds of situations. So let's dive in! First, let's start with the smoldering he...

"Mom, he's pushing me." "Mom, she won't get out of my room." "Mom, they are irritating me!" "Mooooooommmmmm!" Isn't if funny how our kiddos can push us to the absolute brink of insanity? I find my inner thoughts saying, "Okay Crystal. Today's the day you finally go crazy. It's happening." Yet, when I'm away from those stinkers, I long to be around that chaos. I truly enjoy going to work. I know....right? That's nuts, but I do. Yet early afternoon rolls around and I find myself counting down to quitting time, so I can go home and just hug all three of them. Even though 90% of the time between siblings (in my house anyway) is spent seeing what they can do to push each other's buttons, there are sometimes these sweet moments of peace and playtime. Those moments where despite the bickering and the tattling to mom, you can truly see that they love each other. My favorites are when I'm just sitti...

Most days I feel like I've been on a whirlwind adventure before I even make it into the office! It's here. I've lived in denial, but now I can't escape it. Back to school. I feel like I'm among a select few of the moms who dread back-to-school time. Lately when I talk to other parents, they are excited for school to start. They are anticipating empty houses, routines, activities and milestones. And while I appreciate those things as well, I am just not ready for the demands that come with back to school. Seriously, I get so much anxiety thinking about it. Back to school brings added chaos to our already chaotic life. While some enjoy an empty home, mine becomes like Grand Central Station. Don't get me wrong, I am so very thankful for the help and support of family and the ability to have my kids in their care. It's just very tough going to work for eight hours and coming home to a home that has been very well lived in while I'm away. Back to schoo...

When asked what I was doing for my birthday, I thought back to the days when my plans involved going out on the town or out to a fancy dinner, but not this year! You could find me at the ball field, cheering on my son, cooler bag on my hip, camera on the other hip and a potentially spiked beverage, because it was my birthday after all. When did that become my version of being a rebel? Here's the thing...I wouldn't have had it any other way. Mom life is the majority of who I am at this point and I'm doing my best to soak up all of the time we have together as it's already flying by. Most of my social media indicates that I'm "embracing the 30's," which is still true as I'm only 32, but there are some valuable life lessons that I've learned in my 30's thus far. The 30's have been a time of true self-discovery for me; a time when I'm still realizing my own potential. I've learned to see myself as more than "their mom" t...