My thoughts on life in the country, being a Mommy, and everything in between.

Okay, so I might not be that great at two-stepping, which is a partner dance (I much prefer line dancing where I am the only one responsible for getting the steps down correctly), but I thought two-steppin Momma had a much better ring to it than line-dancin Momma.  James and I did try partner dancing for a few months, and while he is a great dancer for a guy, we just didn't dance well together.  The problem was that he is a perfectionist, wanting to get all of the steps down correctly, and I, well, I just wanted to have fun!  This is the story of our lives!  Some days I don't know how we get along so well with our polar opposite views on life.  James' motto is one of "anything worth doing is worth doing right", while mine is more of a "eh, who cares...I just want to get it done so I can say I did it!".  I suppose we balance each other out and that's what makes us work. 

Anyway, I have been meaning to start this blog ever since moving to the country and becoming a new Mom two years ago.  Both of those events happened within 2 months of each other so I didn't have a whole lot of time to adjust to either one on it's own.  But 2 years in, and a month into being a Mommy of 2, it's time to start writing about my experiences, with lots of other random thoughts thrown in! 

On Life in the Country
After visiting my bestie several times at her lovely home in the country, I knew I wanted to live somewhere as peaceful as she does.  This, coupled with the negatives we experienced living in town (neighbors calling the police on us for having a boat for sale in our yard, not being able to have a bonfire, etc) literally drove James and I out to the country!  By that I mean that we would spend our Sunday mornings driving around the Iowa countryside looking for the perfect place to build a home.  We found it!  Err, James did.  I couldn't see the vision for the building site like he did, as it was just a forest of trees to me!  But, I trusted him and am glad I did.  We have a very beautiful view, it is very peaceful, we see lots of critters every day, and the closest neighbor is about half a mile away!! 

Having neighbors far away has it's pros and cons.  Most of the time I love it, but when I'm in a town and see kiddos hanging out in each others' yards, I feel a little sad that my kids won't experience that.  But, my kids will have lots of other experiences that town kids will not. Like playing in the river and handling snakes????  Okay -- I admit I'm not exactly looking forward to some of the experiences my kids will have, but I will get over it....I think??  Snakes??  Nope...will never get over it if one of my kids brings me a snake!!!!  I might even move back to town if that happens! 

When we lived in West Des Moines, I had a grocery store at the end of my block, and hundreds of other stores and services within a couple of miles.  Now, I have to drive 15 minutes to get to civilization.  That part I don't mind terribly.  It probably saves me money being so far away from retailers (though I do love free shipping online!!!!).  I definitely have to plan ahead for groceries and try to run as many errands as possible in one trip to save gas money.

Gas Money.  It may be what's giving me cabin fever.  I feel like I can't go anywhere most days because it will cost me just to leave the house since I have to drive so far to get anywhere.  I'm slowly getting over this as I am realizing that my sanity and getting the kids out of the house to experience life are much more important than saving money on gas.  But if anyone wants to drive out to our house for a play date so we don't have to spend money on gas, please feel free :) 

On Being a Mommy
This section will be short today, as I'm sure most of my future posts will revolve around this topic.

When Rylee was born, I was a little surprised to have a girl.  I always pictured myself to be a mother of boys.  I love my little girl so much and can't imagine not having her in my life!  She is a very sweet girl who shows more compassion than some adults!!  She is so smart and funny!  I don't think a day goes by that she doesn't make me laugh.  I forget she is only 2 sometimes and am so amazed by her thoughts!  As my mom pointed out, I am so glad to have had a little girl first because she is very motherly towards her new little brother.  And such a big helper too!!  I knew she would be a great big sister, but she has exceeded my expectations!! 

Wyatt, my sweet little boy.  I don't know if it is because he will probably be my last baby, or if it is something about a mother-son bond, but I can never stop looking at him and thinking how cute he is, wondering what his interests will be, wondering what kind of girls he will date --- ugh--or NOT date because I won't let him!  I totally understand why men say they have to buy a shot-gun when they have little girls.  I don't care if Rylee dates, but I sure don't want Wyatt to ;)  I hope I will always be his #1 girl.

I will admit that I feel a little old now being a mother of two.  We have completed our family (we think) and something about that just says "old" to me.  Honestly I think I'm just feeling "boring" because for the past 10 months I've either been pregnant or now have an infant and feel held back from doing some things.  This shall pass and I will be the "cool, fun" mommy I always wanted to be.  I think Rylee already thinks I'm cool :) 

I definitely spend a little too much time thinking about the future and not enough time in the present.  I'm always thinking about trips I want to take the kids on when they are older, or what traditions I want to start with them when they get a little older.   I know some day I may regret that I didn't soak in each day while they were little as the days start going faster.  I admittedly, am just not a super fan of baby stage.  I prefer when they can walk and talk, so just as I did with Rylee I am sure I will be trying to speed up the milestones with Wyatt too.  I do love to cuddle my babies though!!

On "Everything in Between"
Well, you will have to keep reading my blog as I plan to share many of the "in between" random thoughts with you as they come......Enjoy!