Living the dream.

Now you REALLY need a blog," my husband reiterated the other day when we were discussing our growing family.  He's been after me for ages to blog about my life.  Thus far I've been reluctant to do so, since I'm one of the last computer illiterate "young" people on the planet.  My college roommate and I actually walked out of a computer lab once because we didn't know how to turn the machines on.  But, I digress.  Here I am...blogging.   "Think short and impactful," Hubs added, "like when you're scolding the kids."  Perfect!  Now that, I can do.  Have I mentioned I have three and one-half little people?  Ages 8, 6, and 2, with #4 debuting in early August.  "You must be soooo busy," people always say to me.  Surprisingly, not so much.  Well, that's not entirely true.  If you count folding laundry, changing diapers, and negotiating screen time "busy", then yes, I'm swamped.  And I'm frequently too buried for crafting.  But while my college friends have become fashion designers or high profile lawyers, I, in contrast, am wearing my husband's sweatpants, reading the ingredient labels on Play Doh.  Again.  And JFYI, it contains wheat.  So, here is where I probably should insert the whole, "Don't get me wrong, I adore my kids," disclaimer.  But, you've heard that all before, and knowing that it just goes without saying, I'm going to level with you.  This isn't what I thought my life would be like.  True, I quit my job willingly, even happily, when I had my first baby, but I left it to pursue The Motherhood Fantasy.  You know, the one starring me as the head-turning, urban mom in Christian Laboutin heels, slinking down the aisles at Whole Foods, cart chock full of organic produce.  Rural Iowa, yes Iowa, was never part of the dream.  Seriously, nary even a Target to be found?!  Oh, l should tell you that my husband and I moved here almost 6 years ago for his job.  Believe me, it's been a process, but I'm beginning to feel at peace with that, even embrace it.  And I've learned a thing or two along the way that I thought I'd throw out into cyberspace for someone (anyone?) to read.  For instance, I know more about food allergies in children than I had ever hoped to.  I can tell you off the top of my head how many eggs to expect from one chicken in one year.  I think I have learned a few tools to keep my anxiety under control...for now.  And on occasion, people turn to me for fashion advice.  So, who cares if life's not exactly what I expected?   Nothing ever is, right?  Except Oreos.  Oreos always seem to exceed my expectations....
Anyway, right now I gotta run.  My son's eating cat food, and that's an ingredient label I haven't read yet.