The Abnormally Normal Introverted Extrovert

Note....this Elf on the Shelf obsessed post is really for my sake so I can remember in 2019 what our elf Bee was up to in 2018! I must confess, I'm one of the rare moms who LOVES the Elf. Of course, I love most anything Christmas related...but the joy on my kids faces is so much fun each morning. I also was a HUGE Barbie kid, and so I've always enjoyed creating little scenes. I know that some day I will miss this magical aspect of Christmas, so I need to enjoy it while I can! Our elf is named Bee, and he arrived on Tobin's 1st birthday 6 years ago. He started off just moving to random shelves (and I helped my tiny 1 year old 'find him'-HA!) and has gradually gotten a little crazier each year. My kids 'get it' more this year than ever before, and I've enjoyed coming up with new adventures each night after they go to bed. I think the longest I've spent is 5 minutes each night, and their reaction the next day is totally worth it! This year, he arri...

November 2018: I am Thankful. No matter how stressful or overwhelming my life may get, I know that I am incredibly fortunate. I am blessed with… Two beautiful, healthy babies. One supportive husband. A home with everything we need, in a wonderful community for my children to grow up in. Two helpful, loving sides of the family. A group of mama friends to share struggles and joys. A job that allows me the flexibility to spend time with my family. The ability and the freedom to be myself and do the things I enjoy. A recent conversation with a coworker reminded me of one of my greatest blessings: my health. She commented that she had been eating better and exercising more regularly, and then said, ‘I don’t LOVE it like you do Katie, but I’m getting there!’ Confession time: here’s the thing. I didn’t always love it. I didn’t always eat healthy. I didn’t always exercise daily. Taking care of myself wasn’t always a huge part of my life or a priority. I MADE it be that way...

A few months ago, I made the decision to do something crazy. Me, klutzy, accident-prone, me…signed up to rappel down a building. WHAT! And once I signed up, I immediately told people via text and Facebook…because then, I couldn’t back out and change my mind. Right!? For the next few months, I posted regularly and raised money to benefit the nonprofit agency I’ve been with for 7 years. As the day grew closer, I did begin to feel slight apprehension, but I watched numerous videos, asked tons of questions, and talked to others who had rappelled before. I decided not to let myself worry too much until the day of the event. Sunday, October 14th came…it was raining and had started to get chilly. At this point, I was looking forward to my descent and hoped for no lightning/major storms! Fortunately, we didn’t have more than sprinkles during our time. My friend Shari rappelled with me. Because she helped me raised money by hosting a leggings fundraiser, I shared the fun and adventure with her...

A day that I’ll never forget. A day that started like any other day. A day that taught me so much more than I anticipated. A day that could have been so much worse. Happy 1st birthday, Coco. From the focus on pain...to the focus on movement...to the focus on scarring... I’m proud of this journey. I’m proud of my healing. I now know... Coconut oil is very flammable. Fire destroys faster than I realized Water doesn’t put out grease fires. Adrenaline gives you superpowers. Regional One is an amazing facility that our city to blessed to have. I am capable of so much more than I knew. Healing truly comes from within. What a year it’s been. What a learning experience it’s been.

To my little boy…. Growing up with only sisters, I may never quite understand many things about you. Your Legos strewn everywhere. Your YouTube videos streaming more Legos. Your constant goofy dances and moves. Your silliness and class clown behavior. Your unending collections of cicada shells. Your sweet snuggles for your sister one minute….shoves the next. Your regular layers of mud and dirt and sand all over you Your pizza crumbs and ice cream dribbles on your chin. Your resistance toward your need for rest and sleep. Your desire to be independent and test limits. Your abnormal interest in poop, toots, and pee. Your nightly visits to a sound asleep Mommy But…. many, many aspects of your personality I can relate to. Your desire to be nurtured, loved, and protected. Your wish for praise and positive words Your hand holding, hugs, and snuggles. Your need for routine and structure. Your enjoyment of reading for pleasure. Your worries about making mistakes. You...

My mom said something to me years ago that she didn’t even remember, but it stuck with me. When I was in 3rd grade, I had to get stitches in the side of my head, and I asked her on the way to the doctor, ‘Why me? Why did this happen to ME?’….to which she responded, ‘Why NOT you? Why any other kid?’ I remind myself of that conversation often when I’m going through a struggle {no matter how big or small} and wondering, WHY me or WHY my child or WHY my family? Well, why on earth not?….nobody is exempt from mental and physical struggles throughout our lives. The GOOD thing is that even though sometimes it may seem like we’re on an island, we are NEVER alone. There is always SOMEBODY who can relate, sympathize, empathize, or provide guidance and advice. In going through our own struggles, we become stronger and then can be that support system to somebody else in need. Life most definitely takes a village. Today, choose to LIFT someone else up. Help someone in your life find their stren...