Anyone want to tell me what happened to my caramel apples? Yesterday I went to go pick up the boys, Cooper and then Harper and when we got back home this is how we found them.
Not sure what happened. It didn’t phase Huddy though…he enjoyed his caramel apple fully.
Do you fix dinner every night? I try. They are never elaborate dinners though. This whole parenting & life thing, well, it’s just tough and some days just get the best of me. Last night we did in fact have cereal for dinner. It happens often.
Currently I am exhausted and stressed and have crazy anxiety and I’ve snapped at the wee Kelleys one too many times and had to ask for forgiveness way too much lately. I may have even dosed off in the car rider line today. Things are just hard sometimes and it doesn’t help when you feel like your lacking in the parenting department. No one wants to feel like they’re not giving their kids their best.
Today I needed to get things ready for my friend’s baby shower tomorrow. And instead of feeling guilty, I gave myself a pass. I have to remind myself often that I’m only human.
So the boys played on their own most of the day. They even made an entire wood working shop. Josh drew some tools for them before he left this morning.
We’re still working on our paper problem. We do recycle, but I am completely aware of how wasteful this is 
I’m doing the best I can currently…feeling like I’m failing in a lot of departments, but IT’S OKAY. On those days when my best is “just making it”, I’m reminding myself that this is life and perfection is something I was not made for. Perfection is something we were not made for. I am so thankful and madly in love with a God who showers me with grace and compassion and ample re-dos because He knows I need them.
So tonight I’m wooing the wee Kelleys with The Lorax, pizza and slushies…I have no shame. A guilt induced movie night because I am aware I have completely sucked it up as a parent lately. Funny thing…I don’t think they’ve even noticed much. You have to love kids and their perfect way of forgiveness.
The good thing is…tonight the sun will set and it will rise again in the morning and I get to try this life and parenting thing all over again. Tomorrow will be a better day.
Happy Friday!
Jeremiah 29:11 Laura! Just like you said, tomorrow is a new day, and I am positive you are not a bad parent! We all have days we fall short of, but each day is a good day!
Caramel..every year in November we make chocolate carmel turtles. You have to use Kraft Caramels! Seriously, we have tried so many others that we don’t even waste our time or money now; we stick to the real deal. AND to make the pecans stick and the caramels the right consistency we always melt them over medium and put in 1 tablespoon of water per bag of caramels. You might have to put the apples in the freezer for just a few minutes after you dip them! Try again; if you don’t do Kraft be sure to cheat a little and purchase the sheets of caramel!!
BTW…you are not a failure. Do you know how many people you touch? Do you know how many people only dream of doing as much with their kids as you do? Do you know how many women look at the blog and see your clean floors, the creative spirit and the smiles on the kids faces and long to have that in their family? You are not a failure!! You are you and for that we are thankful.
I saw a Pintrest with apple slices in caramel, easier to make and eat.
Laura, Amanda said it perfectly. So many of us are inspired by your blog and look forward to it every single day! You are human and we love you!
Laura you and Josh are phenomenal parents, and your children are blessed that God chose you as their parents. I love your sweet family
I love your spirit and your mindset! I guarantee, the fact that you even RECOGNIZE these times speaks volumes. You are teaching your kids more than you know!
Thank God that kids are so forgiving and resilient. They probably don’t even notice most of the stuff that we stress out about.
We all have those days…or weeks… It’s great that kids usually just keep doing what they do tho. About the paper thing…I used to go through piles of paper when I was little (my mom always had a stack of little plain notepads for me) and someone once mentioned to her what a waste it was because sometimes I would just make a mark and move on…my mom told her she loved that I was creative and it wasn’t a waste. They’ll figure out how to conserve paper eventually…I love that you provide such a creative home for them. I also realize that I really need to work on my 3yo’s scissor skills LOL! Have a great weekend!
Sometimes the children need days of learning how to entertain themselves, havi g creativity thatcan only come from boredom, and self-soothing mechanisms. I say pat yourself on the back. You just gave the boys a wealth of skills
The wonderful thing about the sun setting and rising is that “His mercies are new every morning!”. Love you_girl!!
Laura, I yearn to be half as good a mom as you are! Don’t ever think you are a failure. You are a beautiful child of God, and, yes, I too am so thankful He gives us do-overs EVERY DAY!
Oh boy, unfortunately I have too many occasions where I stink at parenting and have lost all patience with my kids. We had one of those mornings just today and when we got home from school today, I pulled my daughter aside and told her I was sorry that our morning was such a yucky one. She looked at me and said, “Huh?” I sure wish I could let things go as easily as my children do. Instead, I was feeling crummy most of my day and dwelling on the way things went earlier. It really is hard being a parent. And I don’t do half the baking and making that you do either.
Well said! I’m right there with you.
Exactly what everyone else has said! I love your posts and look forward to them everyday! You inspire me daily and I only have two kiddos! I can’t imagine what it’s like to take care of 4! Keep on keeping on and know that so many prayers are being offered on your family’s behalf!
Slice the apples and dump the caramel on. I know that’s not the point of this post. But they are way easier to eat that way. And make. Give yourself some grace. You just added a baby (a super adorable one) to your family. You have been through a lot this past month.
As Anne of Green Gables once said “tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it.”
)
Hang in there… and cut yourself some slack
Crystal (from Canada
Let the apples sit in hot water with a bit of vinegar to get the wax off of them, so that the caramel doesn’t slide off
Rub the apples dry with a towel and make sure there isn’t any remaining wax.
I love your blog and I am always thinking how you are the most fun, creative mom
Laura, Your children go to bed each night and wake up each morning feeling abundantly loved. That is your greatest gift to them. There is no failure , only success in the love you give them.
sometimes we get so focused on how the rollercoaster works..what makes it stay on track why do I not fall off when I go up side down..will I be scared or sick or I hate not being in control…so on….but we forget to enjoy the ride we have been given ..the toss the turn the defying gravity…we need to just lay back and know it is okay when are not in control..Someone will watch us
you just don’t know how encouraging this post is to my heart. I often try to be perfect, saying “i’m not trying to be perfect”, but still trying to do it all, not asking for help ever, and beating myself up especially when my house doesn’t look and feel clean. I have 1 precious and sweet and super playful little 3 year old (also from ET), a super hard-working PE coach by weekday/select soccer coach hubby by every weekday night and scattered around the weekend, and a dog who is still very playful and chews up my stuff and my son’s toys far too much. The source of my stress is most definitely the house, the hub’s coaching schedule, and that is b/c is puts the house responsibilities pretty much all on me. I am snappy towards the hubs and my sweet boy who just wants me to play with him all day. I know I am not perfect, and cannot do it all. Thank you for your post, and you are in my prayers too. You are a great mom!
You truly are a blessing Laura and I, like the rest on here love reading your blogs and just love you and your precious family!!!
So glad your human, I get your blog and I think to myself why can’t I be like her, she is always being creative, taking pictures and posting them. Cooking and maintaining a home for 6 people, be kind to yourself and realize what a blessing you are even when you get upset. Have a blessed day
Everyone has spoken so well and summed things up. I, too struggle with anxiety. Rescue Remedy is my best friend. I get it at the health food store! I try to lean on the Lord but there are days when I just don’t do a good job. My husband travels for work and is gone for chunks of time (like 2 months) and I feel like I can’t accomplish anything. Every day is new and wonderful. I just keep trying
God is good, and gracious. Be easy on yourself, Mama.
We are an ET adoptive family too, our boys have been home for 14 months.
Your apples likely still have wax on them. I tried doing the hot water mentioned above, and also did a lemon juice-baking soda rub with much better success, and scrubbed the wax off.