Keeping Up With the Kearneys

"Have kids," they said; "it'll change your life in so many ways," they said. And while they were undeniably correct, what they fail to tell you, is that not all those ways will be for the better. Don't get me wrong - most days, I wouldn't trade mine for the world, but the sheer amount of stuff that is required for children is absolutely insane. Then, when you factor in all of the optional stuff, that's not even necessary, but that the advertising & marketing world convinces you and your children that you just have to have. Well, it's more than I can fit inside my tiny, little, 1200 sq. ft. house; I'll tell you that. The weight of material things can literally weigh you down, causing you to feel anxious and overwhelmed. Therefore, for me at least, every so often a cleanse is in order. In my last post, it was a mental cleanse, whereas this time, it was a physical cleanse. Three trash bags full, to be precise, and that was only the kid...

There was so much I could've been doing; should've been doing, really, today once I dropped my son off at preschool: grocery shopping, going to the gym, working on the favors for his birthday party this weekend. I mean, there is only so much one can do in a 3-hour period, but the checklist of things that need to get done is seemingly endless for everyone, I'm sure. However, today as I pulled out of the parking lot in my gym clothes with the grocery list in my purse and the party supplies in the trunk, every part of me - my mind, body, and soul - were compelling me to do something I almost never do: nothing. So I got something for breakfast, drove to the nearest peaceful spot I could think of, and let my mind wander wherever it wanted while I just sat there quietly eating. I watched as boats passed through the channel in front of me; nodded hello to passersby walking their dogs; breathed in the crisp morning air; listened to the soun...

As I'm sure many can relate, a typical weekday for us goes something like this: 4:30am - Jake gets up, goes to the gym, and heads to work from there. 6:30am - I get Cali up for school, help her get ready, and drop her off by 7:45am. 8:30-10:30am - 2x a week, Kendrick goes to a parent-participation preschool, in which I have to stay with him during that time. 1:15/2:00pm - I pick Cali up from school. 2:15pm - I help Cali with her homework. 5:00-6:30pm - 2x a week, Kendrick has flag football practice and Jake is the coach, so he meets us at the field after work. If it's not a practice day, then this is typically the time he gets home from work. Unless he has "deadlines," which usually occur at the end of every quarter. Then, he's usually home between 7:00-8:00pm. 7:00-9:00pm - We help the kids get showered, make & eat a quick dinner, get the kids ready for bed. 9:00pm (or once the kids are in bed) - Jake ...

As a mom to two kids who still believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, I would like to preserve those innocent beliefs for as long as possible. However, with my oldest approaching the age of 8, I realize that those days are numbered. Soon the days of standing in line for our two minutes with Santa Claus to ask for their top 2-3 wish list items, will be replaced by cards with money so they can purchase their own wish list items. Soon I will no longer have to stay up until after they've gone to bed, stuffing eggs and scattering them around the yard, or sneaking into their room to replace a tooth with some cash. We will still celebrate these holidays and milestones; however, the manner in which we do so and the traditions we use will change and evolve. Does that mean I need to burst other's bubbles? No. Does that mean I need to make them feel silly or judged for continuing the traditions that our parents used for us and our...