Keepin' it Real-- Anxiety

*don't let their sweet looks fool you, these guys mean trouble ;]

I like to keep it real-- life can't be sunshine and rainbows all the time. I love being a wife and mommy more than anything, but with two very active little boys and a husband who has a very demanding schedule, a lot of times, I feel like a single parent and get overwhelmed.

I've always been able to handle a lot of stress without any problems, but lately I've had such bad anxiety. Just a knot in my stomach and that feeling of nervousness. I have standards for the order of my home that sometimes seem impossible to attain. My children throw tantrums and some days just do not listen (I just pulled Landon off the counter as he was throwing teddy grahams all over the floor... oh, here he goes again).

Anyway, it can be a real challenge doing it by myself 24/7. 

I've had a crazy busy schedule lately, teaching young women, doing photo shoots, editing photos, and just trying to keep our family afloat. It seems like I just go, go, go hardly stopping to eat or sleep. And as if sleep isn't hard enough to come by, I've been getting these horrible itchy hives at night for the last 2 days. With the bedbug epidemic I freaked out. I ripped off the sheets, checked the cracks and crevices of the mattress, and saw nothing. Harper still sleeps with us, and he and Anthony haven't had hives at all. 

After being kept awake for 22 hours straight, I did a little research (thank you, Google), and found out that anxiety and the epidermis are directly related. 

"Anxiety releases a myriad of chemical reactions in the body, including adrenaline and cortisol, which can cause eruptions on the skin's surface."

"Hives are typically caused by an allergic reaction to a substance, but also can be the result of high stress."

And the reason I'm getting these hives at night is because the body produces a natural antihistamine (anti itch) during the day, but at night it shuts off.

I'm so relieved just to find answers. 

Anthony has been super helpful today. He's off work this week (tender mercy), and let me go back to bed for a few hours this morning. When I woke up he was making lunch, and then went to get me benedryl, clariton, and benedryl lotion. They have helped so, so much! And my aunt gave me an herb called Valerian Root that helps you relax. And I needed to calm the heck the down, so I'm feeling much better. :)

So, friends (especially all you mommas out there)-- during stressful times, do you ever get anxiety, and how do you deal with it?

Kali's Cell- Unloaded

Here are my very dirty little munchkins after an eventful day at the park. 

Here are some geese that wander around the apartment complex leaving turds everywhere and

 squawking their annoying little heads off day and night.

Here's my knee after they lunged after me!

I tripped and fell up the stairs. 

With Harper in my arms, thankyouverymuch, geese.

Don't worry, he's just fine. :)

I protected him with my mom reflexes.

Here's my handmade necklace, handmade by your's truly.

Check it out on my fashion blog. 

Last but not least, I'm so excited because my cousin's getting married this Saturday,

and I get to do the bride's makeup!

I love this look, so I've been practicing on myself. :)

P.S. Did I mention, I'm photographing the wedding, too?

So excited!!!

Dear to My Heart

Last night, the babies and I went to Ross while waiting for Anthony to get a new phone nearby, which typically takes 57,438 hours. That's okay though, because I like Ross. We circled the aisles over and over, and Landon started to sing, "Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet, don't go a stray!" with much enthusiasm. As embarrassing as it was, I couldn't help but smile, and actually get a little teary eyed. I'm so happy for the gospel in our lives. I'm so, so grateful for all the tools it has given me to help lead my family to Christ.

Landon is a very strong-willed child. He is challenging, but so smart, sensitive, and loving. Lately, I've noticed just how sponge-like our little children are. Landon has been using a particular phrase lately that I'm not perfectly happy with. When I ask him to do something, his first response is, "Stuh minute."
"Pick up your toys, Landon."
"Stuh minute!"
"Come eat breakfast, Landon."
"Stuh minute!"

You get the idea.

After several days of this, I started to become quite frustrated having to wait on him for everything. And then, I realized that is what I sound like. I'm sure he's been frustrated with me! When Landon asks for something; help with a toy, a snack, a book, my time, I'm often preoccupied and respond with, "Just a minute." Despite all of the responsibilities mothers have, I'd really like to become more present for my children. If that means letting the house get a little bit messier than I'd like, so be it.

They really absorb all that we say and do, which can actually be a good thing. It's an opportune time to teach them the values we hold dear.

For the last few weeks, Landon and I have read the Book of Mormon together each night before bed. I wasn't sure how he would do because he's so used to our rhyming books with lots of colorful pictures, but he so looks forward to us reading the Book of Mormon. He'll point to the pictures in the front and tell me who Jesus Christ is, who Joseph Smith is, and then go on and on about Lehi and the liahona (or gold ball, as he likes to call it).

I've noticed a change in our home, since we've started reading together. There is more peace. More understanding. It helps remind me that they are not just my children, but children of God. And I realize what a blessing it is to have them entrusted in my care.

I truly believe that the spirits who have come to this earth in these latter days and those who are being born now, were saved for a special purpose. They are the most brilliant and the most valiant. They will have temptations and challenges that are greater than we've ever had to face. Never in the history of mankind has it been so vital to teach them who they are and what their purpose is.

I've decided to start teaching the boys the Articles of Faith. For Family Home Evening last night, we went over the first, "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and his son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." I'm so excited about it, and I'm so grateful to be a mom. Again, I am so, so thankful for the church and all the tools it has given me to lead and guide my children. My family means everything to me.

I've noticed, I have a lot of new followers on my blog. Some I've met and some I have not, but I'm excited to get to know you. If you are not a Mormon, and have any questions about this post, please see mormon.org. Or feel free to leave me questions in the comment box, or email me at kalisarah88@yahoo.com. My faith is very dear to my heart and I'm more than happy to share it. :)

*Despite all of the crazy things you may have heard, we can drink coke. In fact, Harper loves it!

What's on Kali's Phone? (It's a good one)

It's Tuesday, so head over to the Hussy's blog, and link up! 

(she's super pretty, hilarious, has FIVE kids, and you'll love her, so go!)

Harper decided he didn't just want one piece, but he wanted the whole box.

Aren't those chubby legs the cutest?

And, I gave him a big boy haircut this week!

*tear*

It really does make him look so big.

I couldn't resist taking this sweet picture of husband taking the boys to nursery on Sunday.

As Sarah says, The Walk to Freedom for 2 Hours. 

haha...so true!

I went to a Filipino restaurant called Jolibee, and had to get a 

picture of my drink to send to Luisa.

Her husband told her the little black balls were jellyfish poopies.

They weren't poop balls, but they were gross.

Or were they?

The other night Harper kept me up until 12:30 teething, and woke up several times throughout the night.

So, when Landon woke up at 5, I was desperate for some sleep. 

I stayed up until 7 with him, made him breakfast, put on Toy Story 3, and went back to bed.

Not long after, I hear water running.

I run into the bathroom to find him like this:

He flooded the whole entire bathroom.

I quickly threw down about 12 towels, when I heard a knock at the door.

I literally just woke up, so I threw some clothes on, and yelled "Who is it?"

"Maintenance."

I crack open the door,

"Is there a leak somewhere in here? The lady downstairs says her bathroom is flooding."

Crap.

That's the first and last time, I'll ever fall asleep while one of my kids is up.

And, we should really have a downstairs apartment.