Molly's Mantras Part 1

I was thinking last night as I went to bed...."I still need a focus or topic for my blog".  I, of course, would love for it to be about Mia and being a "new mom", but I also want it to include other stuff as well.  For those of you who do not already know, I am three month in to a new job as a Outpatient Mental Health Therapist at a clinic in the twin cities.  I am loving this job and am learning a lot about myself, my strengths, my areas for improvement, my interests, etc.  So far, about 90% of my clients are suffering from Depression or Anxiety in some form or another.  A common treatment option for depression and anxiety (through therapy) can be CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  CBT involves many different elements but is primarily focused around identifying, challenging and shifting our automatic thoughts/cognitions that smack us in the face during bouts of hopelessness, self doubt, panic or excessive worry.  It can be about dissecting those thoughts that have proven themselves ineffective and dysfunctional and replacing them with affirmations and acknowledgements as we work to repair our self esteem, confidence and feelings of worthiness.  With that, I have suggested various "mantras" to some of my clients and the feedback has been generally positive.  So I thought....why not pose some of these mantras to my friends and families and see whether or not they apply and/or are helpful in our own lives?  So here we go....Molly's Mantras Part 1.  Disclaimer: I do not always make these up on my own and am not claiming to think of these all by myself, they are simply sayings or words of wisdom I tend to consider, apply and encourage others to explore.

Mantra #1:  No one can make me feel worthless without my consent.
(Think about it, consider it, how does it fit for you, what comes up?)

Personally, this has been a challenge.  It can be so easy to blame others for our experiences in life and emotional reactions...but that doesn't ultimately give me the results I want in life.  Although it feels good in the moment to get angry or blame others...it leads no where in my opinion.  The added challenge is to substitute worthless with any other emotion including sad, angry, frustrated and even happy.  I do not believe that others can MAKE me feel happy or sad...that is my choice, my responsibility and my reaction.  I don't assume responsibility or want to control the emotions of others...so why would I want to hand over my own emotions and feelings at the discretion of others?  Comments, reactions?.....this is a tough one....let it simmer.

Happy Holidays!

"Happy Huurlidays, Welcome to Tuuurget Cuuurcles"....does anyone remember that fantastic SNL clip a few years back?  Makes me laugh every time.  Well, apparently it isn't even winter yet but I am so OVER this snow and cold.  Scratch that.  I'm over the cold, but I do like the snow...when it is cute, puffy and soft. Anywho, before next week comes and I get too busy with the multiple array of events, gatherings and obligations, I wanted to include our family's chosen holiday card this year.  My apologies if you do not receive a "real life" one in the mail; perhaps you can consider this as your card without the pressure of feeling like you have to hang us on your refrigerator. 

This is the front of our card stock, this makes me want to SQUEEEEEZE Miss Mia

This is the back of the card.  I am aware she looks like a boy

but there is nothing I can do to make her hair grow...

I am told I was basically bald until I was over 2 years old

The runner up picture that did not make Nate's cut...

FYI, I would have included this one :)

From our family to yours, we wish you all of the happiness, joy, safety and FUN this holiday season.

Love,

Molly, Nate and Mia 2010

How come kids can do it but we can't?

*Thank you 3pm client for not showing up and not calling and making me sit here and wait for you.  Fine, I'll just write a quickie blog.

There are some days I wish I was a kid again. I used to wish I was a cat because I have a cat and they literally don't have to do shit...ever.  Now that I have a young child, the wishing I was a cat has shifted to wishing I was a kid. Here are some things I wish I could do/have or experience that babies and toddlers can:

• stare at people for a long long time with or without expression
• take multiple naps a day
• wear fleece footed one piece zip-up jammies to bed
• wear fleece footed one piece zip-up jammies all day long
• get food all over my face and have some else wipe it off
• be held and snuggle in the crook between some one's neck and shoulder
• fall asleep in the back seat of the car
• be pushed around in a stroller
• be pulled around in a sled
• point at people for long periods of time
• flirt with anyone I want
• ask why people they act or look the way they do without consequence
• fart and laugh about it in public
• burp and laugh about it in public
• have all of my meals cooked and prepared for me
• have no chores or cleaning duties other than "can you put this in the garbage?"
• have people clap, smile and laugh at pretty much everything I say or do
• deal with minimal expectations from others...other than sitting, crawling, eating and walking
• again, stare and watch people all day long...I love people-watching

Any others you want to add to the list?  Kids have it so easy don't they?...so do cats.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

*To thank you all for reading my longer posts with too much text and too little pictures....this one's for you.  Here's a look at my past weekend, had SUCH a good time.

Ha! I DARE you to take this away from me.

Um....how long do we have to sit here?

Santa: Ha ha ha, I am SOOOO not having three kids

MJ (in front): Ma ma!  I hate these neighbors, please don't make me play here with them

Mia: Dad?  Is that you?

I knew it was my daddy all along.  Now that those other brats left, I Santa all to myself.

Option #1 for their first CD cover

Option #2, CD release party Dec 31st, 2030

Option #3, they are the opening band at the Turf Club next Tuesday

3 girls, one sled, poor MJ

Why did our parents say this would be fun and why are so many people taking our picture?

The view is way better from up here

Mom, seriously....just pick me up...I can't walk in all of this padding

What's that, you want me to look cute?  No problem...you have 30 seconds before I freak out though...

Why are you still taking my picture and laughing at me?  Get this hat off!!!

Victory!

I know you don't think you're going to take this spoon from me...

I know what you're thinking...I see right through you, dad...this food is MINE.

Ah Ha! I win the clean plate club!

What you talkin' 'bout Willis?

Some attempts at a holiday card

Ahh, how cute was that?  We had a blast this weekend and the coolest part about it was that it was 85% spontaneous (the photo shoot with the girls obviously shows them wearing matching long sweater dresses).  In spite of my disdain for cold weather, I have gotten in to the holiday spirit and am looking forward to a relaxing, fun filled month with friends and family.  I wish the same to all of you.