Before and After Kids

**Thought I’d try something a little different with this post. Hope you all like it!**

Before I had kids I used to wake up a half hour before I had to be at work and still make it on time. Showering and shampooing at night was how I rolled. After kids I need to get up 1.5 hours before I need to be at work and still manage to be a few minutes late some mornings.

Before kids I never ate breakfast….unless you consider a big mug of coffee on your drive to work breakfast. After kids I eat within an hour of being up. Someone had to set the “breakfast is good for you” routine and I’ll admit to happily being that person.
-2/3 cup water
-1/3 cup sunrise blend with quinoa
-cinnamon
-dried cherries
-almond butter/chocolate honey
Before kids this is what my first meal of the day would’ve looked like:
After kids, it’s what my morning snack looks like.

Before kids I used to hang out over the lunch hour with co workers. Usually at a restaurant or patio, weather permitting. After kids I use my precious hour to get my workout in or in some cases (like today) order lunch through office staff association, have co worker collect it and bring to my desk while I run errands like a mad woman because there’s no time after work.
This turkey sandwich was very good once I got rid of the offending dill pickle. I despise dill pickles. Sue me.
The salad was a little weak in the portion department, but tasted pretty good none the less.

Before kids I wouldn’t have thought twice about buying latte’s pretty much every afternoon as a pick me up. After kids I can not afford lattes more than twice a month because we all know I work to pay for my kids athletic desires. :D I opt instead for just as sweet sugar snap peas.

Before kids I would’ve gone straight home from work and plopped my butt on the couch. After kids I leave work and go straight to the care giver to pick up often “grumpy from the school day” kids. I will admit to grabbing chewy candy from the office candy dish to keep their mouths occupied for the 5 minutes it takes to get home.

Before kids dinner was never cooked daily. It was more of an “eat whatever you want” and was frequently enjoyed while we sat on the couch watching what we wanted on TV…and we could actually hear it. After kids cooking dinner is an everyday event and is NEVER eaten in front of the TV (although I am subjected to listening to Sponge Bob while cooking). Even if we are eating on the fly or at separate times, a home cooked meal is a constant:
Mama Peas delicious Lemon Lentil Soup with a toasted, Allegro cheese filled Ezekiel English muffin.

Before kids my evenings were spent doing whatever I felt like. Maybe reading a book, taking a bath, talking for hours on the phone. The possibilities were endless. After kids I spend my evenings attending sporting events and if I’m lucky, like tonight, I get to go to one right after the other at opposite ends of town.

Before kids I went to bed whenever I wanted. After kids I get to go to bed once lunches are made, school work completed and signed, clothes are set out, change for hotdog/pancake/milk and pizza’s days is counted and, during winter, proper outdoor clothing is at the ready.

Before kids I would read for hours before actually being tired enough to fall asleep. After kids I’m lucky to read one page before I’m snoring and drooling all over my pillow.

You know what? As busy as my life is with high energy children, you couldn’t pay me enough to go back to “before”. Sure I was free to do what I pleased when I wanted and could buy most “anything” I desired, but there is nothing comparable to the joy I see in my kids faces while they are having fun at their sports of choice, bringing home a good mark from school, digging into a home cooked plate of pasta and just enjoying life and all it has to offer as only innocent children can. I’ll take “after” any day!

Bye for now!!