Miss Marina Star

Looking Back

Written on May 15, 2012 by Miss Marina Star in more marina

Yesterday I turned 35.

Pause for effect…

I am now 35 years old.

Take a breath…

I’m not exactly sure how I got to 35 but honestly, 25 seems forever ago. And while I’m certain that I’d never want those years back, I’m not so sure I’m ready to blow out the five candles that lead to 40.

I feel like this post should be momentous. A list of what I’ve learned over my 35 years on earth. Something profound and filled with wisdom. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your outlook, that is not to be. It’s not because I haven’t learned anything about life these past years. The truth is, I’ve made enough mistakes to easily fill this page with all sorts of good advice I’ve never followed. Interestingly enough, though, when I look back on my life, the only thing that truly comes to mind is…

PHEW!

As in:

My kids seem happy and healthy in spite of me…Phew!

My husband is still here after 13 years of nagging…Phew!

My career gives me joy and freedom instead of stifling my spirit…Phew!

That’s not to say that I’m always content with my life, that I’ve never wondered how things might be had I made different choices. Would I still be happy had I not gotten married so young? What if we hadn’t had kids? Or didn’t have two? Why on earth did I go to nursing school anyway?

I think that I will always have moments of questioning. (I’m convinced it comes from those ridiculous “choose your own adventure” books I read as a child.) However, in spite of those questions, looking back on my life I love that I can say:

Yesterday, I turned 35.

Phew!

I am damn lucky.

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Three Years of Amelia

Written on April 19, 2012 by Miss Marina Star in family, Ladybug, mommy madness

image courtesy of her daddy

Amelia turned three this month.

It’s been a big year for her. She started school, got out of diapers, and discovered the Disney Princesses.

She is a full blown girlie girl, preferring tutus to pants and requesting pedicures on a regular basis. She loves to shop and is responsible for picking out several pieces in her ever growing wardrobe.

(I just cannot say bear to say no when she walks up to me with whatever frilly new thing has caught her eye.)

She can be maddening and wild with a temper too big for her little body. But she is also sweet and loving, revealing a heart much bigger than her temper.

As my baby girl gets older, I realize how much I love watching her grow. Seeing her react to the world around her fascinates me in a way I cannot describe. I am anxious (but not too anxious) to see who she becomes, as her personality reveals itself a little more every day.

I am totally overwhelmed by how much I love being the mother of this little girl.

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Balance Schmalance

Written on April 16, 2012 by Miss Marina Star in just.be.enough, more marina

This space has been neglected. Sporadic postings and even less sporadic comments with online friends has left me feeling more than a little guilty about going silent. Part of me feels like I need to explain. Part of me feels like every other blogger, actually every other person, has been here and already understands. I…

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Five Days

Written on April 12, 2012 by Miss Marina Star in mommy madness, more marina, nursing

I have the next five days off. Five days to catch up on laundry and clean the bathrooms. Five days to redeem myself from last week’s dinners. Five days of parks, parties, sleepovers, and movie nights. Five days of bath time giggles and goodnight books. Five days to snuggle my kids in the morning and…

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Guilty No More

Written on April 2, 2012 by Miss Marina Star in mommy madness, more marina

I wasn’t sure I was going to get this list posted in time. It’s been a rough weekend and I’m still recovering from 24 hours of crazy ER shifts. Better late than never though, right? Here’s the list of my TOP 10 GUILTY PLEASURES! 1. Starbucks – I realize for some this is a staple,…

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A Little Help From My Friends

Written on March 25, 2012 by Miss Marina Star in monday listicles, more marina

I’m back! I think it’s been about two weeks since I’ve posted. I know I pretty much logged off of everything except Instagram, which means you should be following me there if you want to know where I go when I disappear. Spring Break came and went, and I suppose I just needed a little…

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Moments

Written on March 12, 2012 by Miss Marina Star in more marina, Uncategorized

We celebrate and memorialize all sorts of occasions: births, deaths, promotions, graduations, weddings. Momentous events, days that serve to remind us of, and keep us moving towards, the “bigger picture.” But what happens to the smaller moments? The kind words, smiles, laughter and interactions with those who touch our lives in little ways. When do…

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Sleeping Beauty

Written on March 7, 2012 by Miss Marina Star in mommy madness, more marina

My parents separated when I was five years old. My mother left my four brothers and I with our father, who raised us as a single parent until he married eight years later. I don’t have many memories of living with my mother, but the ones I have are vivid. She spent a lot of…

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I Love That I Suck

Written on March 4, 2012 by Miss Marina Star in monday listicles, more marina

Today’s Monday Listicles’ topic is 10 THINGS THAT I AM RUBBISH AT. I am totally using Stasha’s words there, because I never say rubbish. However, I’m starting to think I might put it into my verbal rotation. It really is a perfectly good word that is tragically underused by us American folk. Okay, okay, I…

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