Taking ‘double trouble’ to a new level

I have often wondered who coined the term “double trouble.” Was it really a parent of twins or just a parent who looked at another parent of twins thinking to themselves, “Wow, talk about double trouble!” as they walked away laughing.

Lately, if you were a fly on a wall in my house, you’d be laughing and thanking your lucky stars you do not have 22-month-old twins.

Let me take a moment to paint this picture.

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Feeling the defeat of motherhood

On this week before Mother’s Day, I have come to the conclusion that some women were born to be mothers and others should just stick to owning dogs.

Since having the twins in July 2008, only on two occasions have I felt defeated as a mother. And by that I mean something or someone has come in my way of accomplishing what I set out to do.

I blame my...

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Praying for a miracle on Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is one of my favorite Masses to attend as a Catholic. For me, it’s the start of the holiest week for Catholics and it reminds me of what special event will be taking place on Easter Sunday – the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

(And in my opinion, Jesus rising from the dead is a miracle.)

When I married Seth, who is Protestant, we agreed that all of the children we have would be raised in the Catholic faith. He didn’t object and thus, all...

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Lack of daytime naps causes meltdowns (for mommy)

Ten years ago, I graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in journalism. During my senior year, I was the editor of the collegiate newspaper, The BG News and I also wrote for the local newspaper, The Sentinel Tribune. Between the two jobs, I was also taking 18 credit hours, cramming for exams/writing papers and planning a wedding.

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Pre-spring means time to clean out closets

We are half-way through February, which means, spring is just around the corner. Which means, soon an entire new wardrobe will hit my kids’ closets. Long-sleeve shirts will be replaced by short-sleeve shirts; heavy dresses will be replaced by pretty pastel-colored dresses; and boots will be replaced by sandals/slip-on shoes.

Yet, before any new clothes can find their place in the closet, I need to attack the old clothes with a vengeance.

I know, for a fact,...

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Embracing the 30s, anti-wrinkle creams and all

The other day, I looked in my bathroom basket sitting on top of the counter and noticed something … the place where all the sweet smelling lotions used to sit have now been replaced by lotions for extremely dry, cracked skin or wrinkles.

In college, I loved to shop at Victoria’s Secret, because clearly, she had the secret in her lotion for attracting and keeping men. Now when I am at a mall, I don’t even walk into Victoria’s Secret because, well, I simply cannot afford a $42 undergarment, let alone a bottle of her lotion.

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A mom’s lack-of talent is put to the test

Yesterday, my soon-to-be 7-year-old-son asked me a question that I was never prepared to answer – “Mom, can we sew something?”

“WHAT?” I said to him, with a perplexed look on my face.

“You know, can we sew something, like a...

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Worst cook in America seems to be missing … me

A new show recently premiered on the Food Network Channel – “Worst Cooks in America.”

Clearly, my husband, nor I, knew this show was in the works and was looking for contestants several months ago, because he would have been the first person in line at the studio to sign me up.

My name is Melissa Linebrink and I cannot cook.

What’s a parent to do about swine flu (vaccine that is)

These days, in my personal opinion, the H1N1 vaccine is more valuable than gold or silver.

In fact, I am referring to the H1N1 vaccine as “liquid gold” when having conversations between myself and other parents.

Conversations usually start like this, “Did you see they are having a H1N1 vaccine clinic in (fill in the blank town)?”

Sports – you can either love em’ or hate em’

Here I sit, alone, in my house.

It’s as quiet as a mouse.

The children are nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of fun and laughter dance in their heads.

My husband is glued to the basement television set,

And once again, on another Saturday night, I am not content.

–The Football Season Widow – (aka Melissa Linebrink)

What our lives were like before children went something like this:

Work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Drive home, eat dinner, chat, watch TV, go to bed. …

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