Mommy Musings

I've known this day was coming for a while but I've been avoiding it. Seven years ago, I started this blog. I really didn't know what I was doing, haha. But a few friends from high school started ones, and it interested me. I started this when Emmy was only 4 months old and I felt completely lost as a new mom. I found others who felt the same. Blogging became a way to document my daughter's life and ask questions, find out tips, etc. Through that time I have shared our life. Emmy growing up, adding Charlie to our family, and watching them get older. I've documented vacations, day to day life, and even found a way to make a little bit of money. I've met some amazing friends on here, that I wouldn't have otherwise. It truly has been a wonderful experience But the girls are getting older and their story is not really mine to tell to the public. Also, as my writing career is starting to take off, I want to make sure my private life stays private. Because of that...

There are a few phone calls in my life that I'll remember forever. The most significant was when my husband called me from Germany, having safely left Iraq, to tell me he was on his way home to me.   A phone call I received last Friday afternoon ranks high on that list now too.   You've all been following on this writing journey with me, and I'm so excited to announce that I have finally landed a literary agent! I have unofficially been working with Sarah for a few months now. But as of Friday, I am officially a client, contracts signed and all.   What I love about Sarah is she's not just trying to make a quick buck off my book. She's been working on me with the best plan for my career. Because if I'm going to do this, then I want to do that right. And with that comes me putting aside my first two books {and the third I only finished half of} and have started working on a new book. This one will be the best shot as a debut author. And once I have a followin...

I've been meaning to carve out more blogging time, so when I saw Kelly is reviving her 'Show Us Your Life Fridays' I thought I'd jump on! I used to do this link-up years ago and always loved it! Today's topic is an introduction. So whether you're an old follower, or new, here's a little but about me!  My name's Mandy, I'm in my early 30's, and I live in New Jersey {best state ever} I've been married to my husband Skip for over a decade. He is a combat veteran of the Marine Corps and currently works in law enforcement. We have two sweet little girls. Emmy is 7 and Charlie is 4. They are the sweetest, silliest, sisters you've ever seen and I'm so lucky I get to call them mine. I'm a former teacher-turned SAHM-turned wanna be novelist. I've got two {unpublished} books under my belt. But thanks to some advice from someone I'm unofficially working with, a third book will be my best chance at a print deal. So that's what I...

I can't believe we're almost halfway done with February. I love how quickly this winter is flying by. Especially with the sub-0 temps we're supposed to get this weekend, I can't wait for it to be spring. Here's a little recap of what's been going on around here. -my foot still hurts. I'm so over this. My dr gave me a nerve stimulating machine that I have to use for 30 minutes 3 times a day. It was helping, but unfortunately Skip kneeled on my foot last week, then accidentally pulled it in the wrong direction last night, so I'm in a lot of pain still. I also now think that not only did I sprain the mid foot, but also the lower ankle as well. I'll be calling the dr next week if it's not better. 7 weeks in I'm so, SO done. - Emmy is SO grown up these days. Seriously, she's 7 going on 17. That comes with it's own challenges, but I just love seeing the person she has turned into. She was doing math problems for fun tonight {so not from me}...

Since I asked the girls the questions about me the other day, I decided it was only fair to ask them the same questions about Skip! Here are their answers: Emmy and Charlie -7 and 4 years old 1.     What is something dad always says to you? M: You’re my treasure C: Thank you 2. What makes dad happy? M: When we tickle him C: Me 3. What makes dad sad?   M: When I don’t forgive him C: Snow 4. How does your dad make you laugh? M: Telling jokes C: Tickling 5. What was your dad like as a child? M: A fisherman C: A monkey 6. How old is your dad? M: 34 C: 100 7. How tall is your dad? M: 6 ft tall C: 100 ft tall 8. What is his favorite thing to do? M: Go nuts C: Hugging 9. What does your dad do when you're not around? M: Work C: Take care of monkey 10. If your dad becomes famous, what will it be for? M: Ballet C: Sleeping 11. What is your dad really good at ? M: Throwing people in jail C: Exercising 12. What is your dad not very good at? M: The dark C: Steering the ship 13....

Like the rest of the east coast, we got slammed with Jonas the blizzard this weekend.  I honestly thought they'd get this one wrong. Which technically they did, but went the wrong way. Originally my area was supposed to get a dusting to maybe  six inches.  Well about 2ft of snow later, obviously they were a little off. Honestly, this storm wasn't that bad for us personally. Skip was off on Saturday, and we had no where to go. We never lost power, and with my foot injury, was prevented from shoveling. So there was a lot of eating, playing, relaxing and taking it easy. My favorite part was the snow ice cream we made that night...delicious!     Skip went back to work Sunday, and the girls and I spent another day watching football and more relaxing. The plows in our town were pretty decent, and the roads were clear enough by Sunday morning. So unlike the rest of the area around me, the girls had a regular start time for school today and we're all back into...

I saw this floating around Facebook and had to jump in! Loved interviewing my sweet girls! Emmy and Charlie -7 and 4 years old 1.     What is something mom always says to you? M: You’re my sweetheart C: I love you 2. What makes mom happy? M: When I kiss you. C: Otters 3. What makes mom sad?   M: When no one helps you. C: Pirates 4. How does your mom make you laugh? M: By everything C: Tickling me 5. What was your mom like as a child? M: A mini gardener C: Like a dolphin 6. How old is your mom? M: 33 C: 100 7. How tall is your mom? M: 40 ft tall C: 100 ft tall 8. What is her favorite thing to do? M: nap C: nothing 9. What does your mom do when you're not around? M: Write your books and chores C: Watch TV 10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? M: Writing C: Being a queen 11. What is your mom really good at ? M: Watching football and teaching me about it C: Filling the bucket {this is something they do at school. When someon...