Introduction

I've been wanting to create a blog for awhile...just never actually had time to sit down and do it. My thoughts may at times, be scattered and all over the place. Just keep in mind that during each blog entry, I am most likely interrupted 6,897 times. I'm expecting a lot of writer's block, but hopefully my random thoughts will be enough to keep me going. Also, be warned.....although I was brilliant in English in school, since having children, I've gone partially brain dead. Apparently, that was the part of my brain that needed to cut back to make room for all the new Mommy stuff I needed to retain.....

So down to business.....

I am Nicole, 30. Wife to David, 31. Mother to Emily, Nicholas, Brady and Evan. Their ages 9,5,4,2. I am a stay at home mom. Which can be tough, but I really can't imagine it any other way. My days are full of the typical SAHM stuff....getting kids off to school, picking them up, general care of the kiddos, cleaning, etc. I'm sure I will have tons of Mommy stuff to write of. While, I consider myself a pretty experienced mother, I know there is much more to learn. Especially about the teenage years.....currently in denial that this is coming in a few years!

My children really are the light of my life, but it wasn't always that way. While, I love them more than life itself...and would give anything for them, I guess I didn't always embrace motherhood the way I do now. I know my children are blessings, but for the longest time their day to day needs were so difficult. I often wondered was it just me that found all this mothering stuff so difficult. I struggled to find peace and balance within myself, my home, and my family. I have slowly come around to realize that I had "it" in me. I was a lot stronger than I gave myself credit for. I now realize that my children have made me the woman I am today. They taught me more about myself and life than anything else.

David is my best friend, soul mate, lover, support group. Just as with motherhood, marriage did not necessarily come easy. My husband is in the military. When we first became serious in our dating relationship, I found out I was pregnant with our first son (Emily is from a previous relationship...more on that later). We became married shortly before he was born. Talk about a shotgun wedding!! Ten days after Nicholas was born, David left for his deployment. This was just the first of many separations. It was extremely hard to try to adjust as a brand new family with being separated and both of us so stressed. I believe it took three years before we finally lived together as a family full time. David and I have truly been through many tests as a married couple. Financial woes (I don't believe they will ever end), deployment, High risk pregnancy, nearly losing our child.....and even a short marital separation. It took a very long time for me to trust him with my emotions and to be "there" for me. I can say with pride that we are now better than ever before. He is my best friend and I know I can count on him now.

Well, I will end this introduction now. Apparently it's play doh time.....I need to get with the program!