Sunday 20 July 2008

I used to.....

This week all week I am on holiday (please don't come burgle us!) in Wales with Rob's extended family, ALL of them. Well with 5 out 8 of my father in laws siblings and their families. Obviously it will rain all week long and we'll get on each others nerves constantly. But that's only to be expected when you choose Wales as a holiday destination. It is after all hardly the Caribbean.

So I'd thought I'd take this opportunity to recycle some older posts (courtesy of scheduled posting!) that I wrote when I was pretty much the only person reading my blog!

Enjoy!

I used to have rock hard abs despite doing no exercise, now I look at my stomach and wonder if I even have abs at all.

I used to look forward to the weekend because it was free time for fun stuff, now I look forward to the weekend because I have an extra pair of hands at my disposal for 48 hours.

I used to think I was legitimately tired before I had kids, now I know I wasn't tired at all but actually perfectly well rested.

I used to know exactly how Dolly the sheep was cloned, now I only remember that she was called Dolly because she was cloned from udder cells.

I used to read plenty of books educating my mind constantly, now I read about how Dinosaurs say goodnight and Gruffalo's.

I used to wear PJ's all day because I could, now I wear PJ's all day because sometimes there is no window of opportunity to get dressed.

I used to judge Mothers who had kids with dried snot on their face, now I know some days it's an achievement to get the little monkeys dressed let alone clean.

I used to think I'd never bribe my kids, now I know the power of a small piece of chocolate.

I used to know the whole Periodic Table of Elements, now I know every single train from Thomas the Tank Engine.

I used to love going to the movies, now I like watching Cars, Toy Story and Peter Pan on DVD with the boys even if it is for the millionth time.

I used to do 3 loads of washing a week, now I do 8.

I used to go to the toilet alone with the door closed, now I have trouble remembering to shut the door when I'm at someone else's house.

I used to take pride in my appearance, now I take pride in my kids.

I used to eat all my dinner by myself and while it was hot, now I get to eat it when it's cold and still have to share.

I used to think I'd have 4 or 5 kids, now I think I'll have 3.

I used to think I couldn't love another child as much as my first, now I know I was wrong.

I used to enjoy 10 hours sleep a night, now I don't remember what that feels like.

I used to think I was happy, Now I know what happiness really is.

25 lovely comments:

The Hamilton's said...

So very true!

jOni lAnE said...

Ah! I love it Carol. Thanks for sharing this post. Love your new look by the way. It's fabulous!
Smiles,
Joni

Anonymous said...

This is probably one of the most wonderful things I've read in a long time...and so very true!

Good stuff mama!

Hope you're having a smashing holiday! See ya when you get back!

Simply Shannon said...

Have a nice trip! I hope that the weather cooperates so that you don't lose your mind while you're there. It would be a shame to miss out on all of your lovely posts just because a relative got on your nerves once too many!

Kristen said...

Carol,

This is perfect!!

I love your list, and with each one, I kept nodding my head.

I don't remember 10 hours of sleep any more either, but pretty sure I too figured out what happiness really is.

Great post! And SUPER glad you reposted it!!

Our Loved-up Family said...

Loved this post (as usual)! Even though we've only had Bevan for a couple of weeks I can relate to so many things there. I love your last phrase..."now I know what happiness really is". Have a great time in Wales.
PS. I don't live close enough to burgle you:)

Rach (Mommy Learns to Blog) said...

What a great post! So true and so poignant. Hope you're having a great vacay, ALL of you!

Beth Cotell said...

What a lovely post and all of it, so true!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

All of these are SO true! Hope you are having a GREAT holiday!

Kelli @ writing the waves said...

I hear you! And you are so right...my kids make me laugh and smile everyday. I feel so blessed to be a mom. Have a great holiday!

P.S. Love the new look!

Wendi said...

I love this!
I laughed out loud!
It is funny how children change our lives.
In ways we never knew they could.
Thanks for sharing!

Vashey Fam said...

It *is* so true! You summed it up completely!.....even the part about the periodic table. What happened to my brain? Anyway, happy vacation and sorry about making you feel old! Hope you won't hold it against me!

Jodi said...

That was great! I am so glad you re-posted it. Can't wait to read more!

4funboys said...

aaaaaaaaaamen...

you've got it!

Anonymous said...

So sweet...so true. I especially agree with the being tired part. Oh how I wish I could go back to being that kind of tired.

Lauren W said...

First, I love the new layout! It's so cute.
Second, enjoy your holiday. I do hope you all get at least a little time away so as not to drive each other completely mad.
Third, what a great list! It's fun to look back and see what we've learned :)

Miss Lisa said...

Print this one out for the refrigerator! True and heart warming :)

Laural Out Loud said...

I LOVE this post! Every single one of the things you listed is oh so true. I can really relate to the cloning- I feel like my very expensive college education was a total waste because I can't remember a darn thing I learned anymore.

Hope the weather's not as dreary as you predict. Wales is gorgeous. Can't wait to hear how it goes!

Kimberly said...

This is hilarious! So funny! Girl, I don't think there was one I couldn't totally relate to you on. Thanks for keeping it real:)

Anna said...

I'm not sure I remember what 6 hours sleep feels like - its funny how true all those statements are!!

Anti-Supermom said...

That was so me, use to think I'd have 4 0r 5 kiddos, now it's more like 3.

The others ring true too! Very true!

Unknown said...

What a perfect post. 100% true, that's for sure!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this post. So wonderful, so true.

Susan said...

LOL!!! That was a great post. So very true and so very well expressed.
Enjoy your vacation!

McMommy said...

Someone needs to nominate this post as a PERFECT POST!!! I think you put into words what every single mother feels!!