Hello! And welcome to my blog, 'Laundry In The Basket.' It didn't take me very long to come up with this name. In fact it only took me as long to look up from where I'm sitting and realize I still have an overflowing basket of clothes I need to put away, and two loads of laundry I need to do before tomorrow starts so that my kids have uniform shirts to wear. I'm a mom. A busy mom of an 8 year old girl I will refer to as Missy and a 6 year old boy I will call Bug. I work part time and sometimes full time as a substitute teacher in a few elementary schools in my area. And I also have a Miche purse business that is a home based business. Overall, my life is very blessed and full. But it is also very normal and relatable to many moms and women out there. So I hope that through this blog we can connect, laugh and cry and maybe even feel relief that we're not the only one's out there having that kind of day when our kids are helping us pull out our own hair. So, please allow me to put off laundry for just a little while longer and tell you a story about the other day... A few days ago I was asked to sub in my daughter's class. I have taught in her class before but not yet this year. I've been in my son's class a few times already this year so she was VERY excited that I was going to be in her class. I love her to pieces and she is the sweetest little thing but she had her own idea of how the day was going to play out and already had a list of expectations. As I was choosing an outfit that morning, she asked me, "Mommy, can you pick out something nice to wear today?" At first I was taken back by it, not really offended but I thought, 'Don't I usually wear something nice enough when I teach?' I simply told her, "I will try my best Missy!" and hoped that she was satisfied with that. She takes a lot of pride in me as I do her, so I actually curled my hair, carefully picked out matching earrings, chose matching shoes and wore a new purse, then ran out of time and didn't get any makeup on. But I never wear makeup so I guess that went under her radar, but I was going to try just for her. ;) To start with her class is one of the bigger classes I have subbed for and I had heard this year that they were quite talkative and some of the kids were troublemakers. I wasn't really concerned because it's a great school and the teachers (and subs) do have the Principal's support and the staff there is very helpful. I also do consider myself a seasoned sub and nothing really phases me and kids are just that-- kids. I love being in the classroom with them and getting to know them. And all kids at the elementary school level have so much love to give, even those that seem to like to cause problems-- I've come to know that they have a lot to give back and some just come from really tough situations. There is a quote I have come across that rings true for me, "Kids that are loved at home, come to school to learn. Kid's that aren't loved at home, come to school to be loved." I have so much respect for teachers! I know some really amazing ones and I know that they would do anything for their 'kids.' The student's not just a student to them, they care and love the kids like they would their own. So..... getting back on track to my little one and my day at her class. Everything seemed to be going great! The class was very cooperative. They got a little chatty here and there but I was able to get them to settle down. We were able to get through the work that the teacher left behind and for the most part stay on track. What I didn't expect was to feel smothered.... By my own child. Every time I turned around, there she was with the sweetest smile. And I love it! Don't get me wrong, but while I was trying to teach a lesson or give direction or was in the middle of telling another student not to leave their seat without raising their hand, there was my own little one breaking the rules. More often than not, she's come to me and give a big hug (really sweet) and I'd give her a hug back but then she wouldn't let go. I felt really smothered and almost like a lifeline to her. And maybe I was in a way? At that age group there can be a lot of insecurities and having me there gave her a boost of confidence (she's already quite confident with a great self-esteem) and made her feel extra special. However, that being said I do not give my kids extra attention or special privileges when I sub at their class. I didn't do that when they were younger and I babysat other kids in my home either. So there were times that I gave her the Mommy eye's that I knew she recognized and I did get after her when I felt she was going overboard. By the time lunch rolled around another teacher was kind enough to offer to relieve me so I could sit in the lounge and enjoy my lunch. And I took the offer! It was nice to sit and get my bearings together for the rest of the day and to just be able to think of what I still needed to do in a more quiet setting-- even though there were other people in the lounge, I could still better hear myself think. So what did I take from that day? Well, I was for sure more exhausted than usual. I learned that one child (my child) had the ability to exhaust me more than 22 other students. And I learned just how precious that experience was! I would be there again in a heartbeat just for her!!! She's only 8 once, and it won't be long before she won't want me in her class anymore. I felt loved by her and was glad that she felt proud of me. I also got a glimpse of the kind of hard working student she is and how on task she stays while working on a assignment. Next time, and I do hope there is a next time, I will for sure go over a few things with her before I come back to her class. As much as I gave her a boost of confidence, she gave me a boost of confidence too! She was proud of me, wanted to show me off and let the world know that I am her mommy and how lucky she is! That pretty much made all the pregnancy weight that I still carry, the fact that I rarely have time for makeup, and that I am starting to sport wrinkles and grow a gray hair here and there not matter in at all. Well, it's dinner time now. I have probably about an hour before my crew starts wailing that they are starving. Before they start grabbing at boxed cookies I better start cooking! Laundry can wait until tomorrow! Except for the shirts! They absolutely need to get started tonight and put in the dryer! Again, welcome to my blog! Here you will find my daily going on's as well as favorite recipes, family day trip adventures, posts on my favorite finds and also some deals linked with my Miche business. If you are curious about Miche and haven't heard about it, here is my link: mviator.miche.com