Shuttin her down...sorta

2010-09-02T16:18:00.000-07:00

I can't actually delete this blog because I need time to save some of the posts and stuff BUT I'm leavin this one to use JUST my homeschooling one HERE not because I'm only doing homeschooling now, but because everything in my life is intersecting too much to really justify 2 blogs. That one started out as a link holder and has grown to so much more. So I'm just going to take my daily stuff there too.

I will eventually go through all of my posts here and save what I need...but till then consider this one

Feel free to join me on my other blog! Hopefully with just one I can keep up with it a ton better. :)

Moaning Monday: Duggar Haters

2010-08-30T03:26:00.000-07:00

Seriously. I follow this family like some people follow Britney Spears. I check for news updates, I was holding my breath while Josie was in, out, then in, then out of the hospital. I was just joyfully happy that she was given the help and diagnosis she needed and the healing she needed to start growing and get healthy enough to join her family.

And I see EVERYWHERE people complaining. I thought about including the links, but they'd be followed and I don't want to reward those posters with more individual attention.

You hear/read TERRIBLE things. People just violently hate this family
*It's not a clown car (vulgar and inappropriate in my opinion, not funny
*She's addicted to babies (they are quiverful, the believe children are gifts, and they are doing what they feel God wants them too...she loves babies but so do many people)
*They make their older kids raise the little ones (not true, read their book, watch the show, the parents are disciplining, teaching, helping, and loving their kids all the time, they teach allllll of their kids responsibility...not a bad thing)
*They are a drain on resources (they are actually very ecofriendly as a family, most of their clothes are second hand, they get tons of stuff used, etc)
*They better not be on government assistance (they aren't...they are actually debt free and have been FOREVAH)
*How could they possibly want #20 when Josie was a preemie (um...1, because they follow Gods word, 2, because Josie was a blessing to them 3, because Michelle is not likely to get pre-E again since hers was most likely induced by the GALL STONE SURGERY she had to have while pregnant)

The list continues and gets plain nasty.

They have different beliefs that challenge or vary from a lot of people (I know because they differ from mine! I am NOT a creationist)

So why the absolute hate?

My theory is that MOST people who are hating on the Duggars are shamed by them. Shamed by the calm and loving way the 2 parents address their kids, shamed that this family has 19 kids that are relatively well behaved (that Johannah is a SPIT FIRE!! My the spirit on that girl) and that they can't control their own 2.3 children OR their tempers. Shamed that this family of 19 does so well staying debt free, shamed that they are so strong in their faith when so many aren't.

They don't shame me, they inspire me. Even as I disagree with a lot of their views I admire the way they stand strong in their convictions. Even as I do things different I appreciate and am in awe of their calm and gentle mannerisms.

I think its sad that people cannot accept that there are people out there winning virtual gold medals for parenting that should win our respect like gold medalists (that aren't on the juice) should win in the Olympics.

Don't hate the Duggars. Love em for their care and responsible method of raising so many children that will be great citizens (even if they will probably vote differently than I do.)

Whats on your playlist lately?

2010-08-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

Are you listening to oldies (or songs they CALL oldies but can't possibly be all that old cause that would mean that you were...oops)?

Are you up on the latest hits?

Rap? Rock? Pop? Christian Rock? Classical music?

I'm wondering cause we are just mish-mashing so many old and new and newish songs up in here.

Hubby and I both have laptops and played musical tag. We would take turns playing song after song. Some that the kids were requesting, others that we wanted to hear.

Don't judge us...we forgot that some of these weren't all that kid friendly :P

Just a sample:
Beastie Boys!! Sabotage!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5rRZdiu1UE&feature=av2n

Usher and Will.I.Am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GRm7nl1eHk

The Darkness: I believe in a thing called love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRYNYb30nxU

Ke$ha: Your Love is My Drug
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLGtc1pLWMw

Carrie Underwood: Cowboy Casinova
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7NQQ0Lfu4&feature=av2e

Robert Palmer: Simply Irresistible
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ-eisHzA84

Man I love music :) I miss real MTV :(

Wonderful Wednesday Part Duex, some pics to share

2010-08-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

The boy reading...yep, thats pretty much his favorite thing to do.

The baby and her four teeth

The girl missing SOOO MANY

The toddler asleep on his bean bag chair :)

Just had to share my growin children :)

Wonderful Wednesday: Teething is over!

2010-08-25T04:56:00.000-07:00

For now...

After 3-4 long weeks of popping out one top tooth and then JUST as that one broke free popping out another one the Baby is finally done with the teething process for now.

Hopefully the next one/ones won't come through anytime soon!

She was miserable, drippy, slobbery, she had a slight fever at times, slept terrible, and bit the hubby and I. I have bruises on my arms and cuts in ... other places :P

BUT we are done for now! And she's sleeping better! And smiling more! And just a much happier baby.

WOOT!

Moaning Monday: toys.

2010-08-23T04:18:00.000-07:00

Toys, toys, toys EVERYWHERE.

Sigh.

Yeah, I know its my fault. I know I can control how many there are and where they go. I know I could toss them all and save myself some heartache and maybe get some order back in my lives.

But its not that easy. Every birthday we get tons of gifts and everyone wants to give one the kids will like...so they bring toys. And we end up with gifts from uncles, friends, aunts, grandparents, us, and even members of our church family.

And it adds up FAST!

And they end up on my floor.

And I bag em up, toss em, donate em. And STILL there are multiple toy boxes worth and other big ones and the tooth fairy comes and suddenly someone has money to spend on another toy.

ARGH. I.am.so.tired.of.it! How very, very, very frustrating.

By the way...have you seen these 'siftables' wonder when they are coming out....

Selling it Saturday: The Bumblebees Closet!

2010-08-21T03:24:00.000-07:00

Supa hot stuff. Seriously, adorable things for your little ones.

A great take off of the pillowcase dress, crayon roll-ups (that my kids are LOVING), custom paci/bippie clips, these really great bibs, and just a plethora (yes a plethora) of ideas churning out of there all the time. :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBumbleBeesCloset?ref=seller_info

I got three of her crayon roll ups as back to school gifts and my kids just LOVED them. The Girl takes hers to church every Sunday (where she gets 'oohs' and 'aahs') and I am DEFINITELY getting them for the little kids in my life (that aren't mine) for Christmas (unless she comes up with something ELSE fabulous before then!)

I adore handmade stuff and I hope she does crazy well in her business :)

Check her out!!!

Marks of Grace. A Great chance for charity!

2010-08-19T13:44:00.000-07:00

Here is the explanation for what these bookmarks can do:

Marks for Grace!

We are selling these bookmarks to raise money for 3 missionaries headed to Kosovo. They are on a mission to bring God's light to this war-torn country. Your prayer is the biggest support you can give, but if you are interested in purchasing a bookmark to aid financially, please contact me at ahall27@gmail.com.

You can read more in this card that comes with the marker!

These are an awesome way to support youth that give lie to the stereotypes of disenfranchised/do nothing teens and young adult that are out there.

Headin for the 90's livin in the wild, wild west...

2010-08-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

I listen to the 80's station a lot...that ole synthesizer sound just really gets me.

So I'm sitting there...listening to said station. And this comes on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq0XZx_a7Y8

Its safe if you are allowed to have music play at work :) Its just The Escape Club's song "Wild, Wild West"

The concept that they were barreling towards the 90's has always sounded so hopeful to me. Like they knew so many things were in store for the world for that decade. And indeed it was a crazy decade with tons of things happening.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990s

But I think to myself that we haven't yet jumped off that ride. We are STILL transitioning. We're up to 6 in 10 people having cellphones, cellphones becoming smartphones, smartphones becoming computers that call people.

And everyone is connected all of the time.

Our economy is tanking, tankers are spilling oil, and oil prices are fluctuating.

Nothing is settled. The reigning rhetoric before November 2008 was so pro Obama you couldn't turn around without hearing great things about him. Now...not even 2 years later, you can't find people saying good things about the poor guy :(

Things look bad for a lot of reasons, mostly economical and environmental.

BUT...somehow there is still an overall feeling of "great things are coming".

We're moving closer and closer to that Jetson/Star Trek era of teleporters, space travel, and moonbases.

Hovercars (long promised), medical technology, and dome houses are all on their way to our world and the anticipation still has that electric feel to it that we had in the 80's.

I don't know if this has always existed. It seems like, from comments from older generations, that it didn't exist in the 50's or 40's or before then. The changes started slowly in the 60's and barreled into a huge avalanche of "New" till now we are reading our books in tiny, slim, pocket puters that hold more than a huge bookshelf can at once. We are calling people across the coast for almost free.

Its just insane and it struck me that this transition paper is long and huge, and that is probably normal, but since I wasn't there for other transition periods I wouldn't know :)

Wonderful Wednesday: GODZILLA

2010-08-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

No seriously. This Wednesday Godzilla is bringing a smile to my face. I took the Boy and the Girl to see it at a local library last night.

The little 2 stayed home with Daddy.

I cannot remember the last time it was just me and the big two. It was SO lovely to share that with them. And none of us had seen Godzilla (really I hadn't!) so it was new and exciting for us.

And it was "Destroy All Monsters" so ALL the monsters were in it. SO neat.

They had a blast, loved the movie, and I loved being with them just the 3 of us for a short period of time :D

Moaning Monday: Cell Phones

2010-08-16T04:27:00.000-07:00

Clearly Cell Phones are awesome. They are fantastic and helpful and one of the single biggest advances in personal safety.

That said...there is a side of cell phones that annoys me SO MUCH.

Its like this. You call someone. They don't answer. You wait for them to call you back, they don't get to you in five minutes.

You start to worry, you know what they are doing (especially if its a spouse) and they should be able to call you...you know...if everything is going okay.

You call them back...maybe they didn't hear you, maybe they were busy. They don't answer.

The worry grows. You start run through the things that they could be doing that would stop them from answering.

Another 5 minutes passes and you call again. Seriously...why aren't they answering?? What in the world could they be doing???

They aren't answering and you are crazy worried by this point.

You maybe even call a 3rd party "Have you heard from this person?" "No??"

Your panic is full blown. You think about driving to where they should be. You think about calling someone else.

Just when you are about to call some other fourth party your phone rings. Its them. They are fine...of course...they were in the bathroom, or talking to someone, or their phone was turned off or out of reach while driving, working, etc. They are fine. You worried for nothing, stressed out for nothing, freaked out for nothing...

and now you are left calling back the National Guard and explaining to them that everything is fine.

:P

So yeah, cell phones rock...but once again technology adds one more stress to our lives even as it removes another.

Moaning Monday: Permit me to be trite...the HEAT

2010-07-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

For LANDS SAKES (I don't know why thats an expletive substitute but I'm rolling with it) its so miserably hot and humid.
Yesterday got up to 100+ ACTUAL I refused to check out the heat index.

I thought briefly about trying to fry an egg but didn't because I'd hate to have rotting egg out there if it didn't work.

It is too hot to swim because all the pools are as warm as hot tubs right now.

It is too hot to play outside for longer than 15 minutes. The kids are feeling the side effects of that.

It is too hot outside to leave windows open...I miss the sun but its heating up my home!

It is too hot outside to bake. We've been eating meals that don't need the oven.

Our air conditioner is like 5 years old, something like that. Its young. And its still being challenged right now.

BAHHHHH. Thats my response. BAHHHHH.

On a positive note we have VBS so updates on that will be coming since its the toddlers first year of being old enough for it!

Sweet Shot Tuesday: The Beach

2010-07-20T03:25:00.000-07:00

I FINALLY got beach pictures uploaded, so here are some of my favorite ones :)

I love this one very much:

My husbands wedding ring on the wrong finger because he's lost weight.

A flag and a beach, can't really beat that :)

sun on the water

the clothespins that are supposed to hold our towels...they didn't work :P

pelican on the warf...just sittin there :)

my girl joyful about the beach.

an old pier plank in the sand...I was obsessed with taking pictures of this thing.

My little boy doing his best David Hasselhoff

I love it when water shots catch the splash like this!

I love sweet shot Tuesday! Its so neat to see what everyone 'captures' so check everyone out here:

Wonderful Thursday...this week gets a bonus

2010-07-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

I have a pretty amazing and powerful story to tell everyone. Hubby and I took the kids to a local japanese/hibachi/american food buffett. They have fish to feed and sushi for hubby and I love their hibachi grill teriyaki sauce. We were seated near this elderly couple...mid 60's early 70's ish. The entire time they were next to us they were looking and over and whispering about us.

Our kids were mostly behaving but we wondered if maybe they were talking about The Toddler getting up and being put back in his seat. Maybe they were just commenting because we have four kids. Who knew.

Towards the end of their meal, just before they asked for their check, the elderly man asked Hubby if he could ask him a question, though he didn't want to 'be forward.'

Hubby said sure.

The old man said "Could I offer to pay for your meal?"

He told the man thank you but that's okay, we're fine.

The man then tells Hubby "no God is moving us to pay for your meal and we want to listen to the word of God" (or something like that it was a loud restaurant). Hubby, not wanting to question how God moves people told the gentleman that he understood and if he'd like to pay than he could feel free.

They did so and the lady told me that they had just felt called to do so and that they had never done anything like this before. They complimented us on our children several times and asked us a few questions and graciously answered some of ours.

When they left they told us they would pray for us and for our children and we told them that we would do the same and thank you.

They also gave us a card with a scripture about finding Christs forgiveness ("Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" II Corinthian 5:17 NIV)

Its a jaded, cynical world we live in, well do I know (I am the Queen of Sarcasm and Cynicism) but this was such a shining example of people who walk in Christ reaching out to others and sharing the love that Christ has shown them that I HAD to share it, HAD to.

Wonderful Wednesday: Being home

2010-07-14T04:09:00.000-07:00

We had a fantastic week long beach vacation, which I will share if I can ever get the pictures to upload :P But for now...well, I'm reveling in being home.

The vacation was wonderful, swimming all the time, the beach, mini adventures...family was even nice to have around.

BUT...it wasn't our house. It was someone else's house. A lovely home, but not mine just the same. It wasn't set up for my kids. My 3 year old was a mini terror at times, he shared the room (and for a portion of each night our lovely king sized bed) each night with us because if he woke up and got out of the kids bedroom by himself there is no doubt in my mind that he either would have gotten out on the balcony by himself (that had stairs leading down to the pool) or used the elevator that didn't lock to get outside (he loved pushing the buttons and you only needed a code to go up, not down). Or at a minimum he would've broken something.

So in our room he was and while it was 'livable' it was not fun.

It made me appreciate the set up we have at the house that lets us allow our kids to play as they will and lets mommy and daddy not have to jump up every few minutes to redirect the little ones.

So it is very nice indeed to be home after a lovely vacation. Siiggghhhhh (of contentment)

Moaning Monday: Pottytraining...even successful potty training

2010-07-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

Shocker. A parent that doesn't enjoy potty training. I SWEAR its the one thing I would wish away if I could wish away a part of child-rearing. Its messy, irritating, frustrating, defeating, and just not pleasant.

That said, my 3 year old is doing fantastic. He's pretty much 'done'. Overnight, nap times, car rides, out of the house, finished.

Fabu. Abso-fickin-loutely fabu...right?

Yeah...except that he has developed the need to see EVERY BATHROOM ANYWHERE WE GO and if he gets bored at the table or in church or at a friends house then boom "I have to go potty". And while 2 out of 3 declarations of the need to use the facilities winds up with him sitting on the potty saying 'i can't go' and us walking back out that 1 out of 3 chances that this time he actually HAS to go has me acquiescing to his demands each time.

What if he really does have to go again? Its happened that he's gone and 5 minutes later gone again, who am I to deny him the trip to the bathroom because he might not need to go? Do I want to be responsible for an accident?

No...no I don't. So onward we go and go again.

That doesn't mean I have to be happy about it though. No...no I don't.

I will TRY to be thankful that potty training him has been so easy and so quick. I will TRY to be happy to have only one left in diapers.

But I cannot help whining since I know next time we pass a gas station in the car he will say "I need to go potty at the gas station" (because that's apparently the equivalent of a trip to Disney World to the boy)

Sigh....

Sweet Shot Tuesday: Apples and ...

2010-06-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

I've been looking at this blog that encourages people to play with their cameras. I'm all over that.

So here is my first submission for Sweet Shot Tuesday.

My husband was gifted some firecrackers from his Dad...and so they HAD to be used. Had to. :)

Yes, thats four firecrackers in the apple. Silly boys. But I love this shot. :)

And a second one, Fathers Day also happened to fall on The Boy's 8th birthday. (that blog will come later)

He's gotten so big.

You want to join Sweet Shot Tuedays? Follow the link!

Wonderful Wednesday: my local library.

2010-06-15T05:18:00.000-07:00

I would like to dedicate today to my local library system.

I realize that not everyone is as blessed as I am. But if you haven't even taken a peek to what is offered by yours you need to.

I put books on reserve AT HOME. I can check out up to 200 books at a time (I've gotten up to 74). I can renew them ONLINE.

They have so many kids programs its amazing!

Today we are going to see a magician. Thursday is storytime with a frog, and then a concert on Friday. PLUS a clown next week!

I can get books from any of the 8 branches brought to my branch for free.

I can request conference rooms for free.

They have computers, magazines, etc

Its really and truly one of the best library systems I've ever been in.

So do yourself a favor and see what YOUR library has to offer. I honestly could not homeschool without it. COULD NOT.

Moaning Monday: The Conservative Media

2010-06-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

This is not a post suggesting that the Liberal media has no flaws, or that one is better than the other. I am simply pointing out the very, very, real problems with the conservative media.

I could go in depth about the issues with so many of the conservative media. I really could.

But instead I will point out just one instance. And I have to say, I am not the originator of this, its from an article found here

http://mediamatters.org/research/201006110040

Its about soccer. World Cup soccer, the conservative media is acting as if soccer is an ATTACK on the American people. Why? I don't know. I couldn't tell you. But they are. Apparently soccer is being forced down our throats, we don't want it, etc. etc. OH and Dan Gainor said "that the sport of soccer "is being sold" as necessary due to the "browning of America."

Yeah. lets not be too obviously racist please, lets keep it to generalities and inferences, this outright racism is way too refreshingly honest for me. I don't know how to take it "Aha!" "Told you so!" "Neener Neener Neeneer" these all seem somehow lacking.

Why is the conservative media fighting soccer? Are they angry they were never good at it? Are they all busy being news nerds so sports just don't matter to them? Can they not see the benefit of having another viable sports franchise in the US?

Idiots.

Absolute idiots.

Especially the ones saying our sports have no riots like theirs...the riots after the Duke and Carolina games are twice YEARLY. YEARLY, as in 2 times each year. If they play each other in post season there are more. Yeah. And the Raiders fans and Eagle fans may not riot, but they sure as heck aren't your model citizens at the games.

I am just stunned at the thought of this being an issue and I think it all comes down to Gainors comment. Racism has put these 'news people' against something that so many people with darker skin than they have like and enjoy and its disgusting.

Silly The Girl

2010-06-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

I love my girl, but she's just so silly.

This is her being a puppy.

She made a great one...until I told her she'd have to eat dog food too. Then all of a sudden she was a dog that like Macaroni and Cheese and Apples :)

Just looking at those pictures makes me smile.

Wonderful Wednesday: My baby is 7 months!

2010-06-02T06:45:00.000-07:00

I know its so trite, what can I say, the truth is the truth, but time FLIES.

Just yesterday I was in the hospital having a baby. And now boom!

Moaning Monday: Unsolicited Advice

2010-05-31T05:31:00.000-07:00

Tell me you don't hate this:

You're hanging out, doing your thing. Parenting, pregnancy, shopping, whatever. And you hear 'oh I wouldn't do/eat/buy that'

huh?

"That is bad for you"

Um...what?

"Yeah you should not do/eat/buy that."

Seriously people?

I am not trying to offend anyone that thinks they are helping someone out. Not my intention.

But I am offering my own unsolicited advice. And that is "Don't"

Don't try to help anyone. Don't tell pregnant women not to drink coffee (seriously, at the wrong moment you could get it splashed in your face). Don't tell a parent not to give their kid juice or that they need to step outside with their kid during a tantrum...unless you would like said kid sent home with you. Don't tell shoppers what products to buy, whats healthy and whats not, not to shop at wal-mart.

Live YOUR life, not another person's life. You will be 100% better off.

You won't be invasive, intrusive and rude. You will be able to help yourself more when other peoples trivia is not butting into your own life and eventually your actions will change your thoughts.

Which means you will stop being bothered by so many people. Which means you will pay attention to your own life.

So...as Voltaire said...CULTIVATE YOUR GARDEN (not anyone else's)

Today my toddler is 3

2010-05-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

***Life has been busy and crazy and crazy busy but I HAD to find the time to write this for my guy***

Three years ago today I was in the hospital. I was going through labor yet again to produce another fine child for the raising. He was born long but small, relatively. At 7lbs 10ozs he has been my lightest baby. I remember staring at him for what was probably minutes but felt like hours saying 'you are so small' over and over.

He has remained a tiny guy, not ridiculously small, but he is not the big guy that his brother is or among the bigger kids in his age group.

He was active and alert from the start. That is not special for my kids. What was special was his early crawling. Early walking was nothing new, but the crawling normally waited till 6 months. At 4.5 months I video taped the guy army crawling all over the floor.

He is still a super active guy. He is into everything. He dances. And he is so smart. I know. Its shocking to hear a mother say something like that.

He is definitely a challenge, and definitely in one of the harder ages to parent. The energy and interest and curiosity and need to 'do it himself' does...on several daily occasions...drive me CRAZY. But there are an equal number of times that I am so proud, like when he counts to 15, picks up toys, hugs his sister, helps with the baby, etc.

He is a nice guy but tough, tough tough tough. He will get hurt and cry and as soon as you say 'its okay' he's fine. He will equally play football and princess with either older sibling. He loves helping with his baby. And he gives the best hugs.

He sings his big brother and sister to sleep at night.

He pretends to be our Pastor as a game, he will sing Jesus Loves Me, have the big kids come sit with him, show them something and pretend its about Jesus, and then pray JUST like Pastor does for Childrens Sermon. Its pretty amazing.

I am ever so thankful that this little guy is mine. I'm looking forward to this year, I think 2-3 gets steadily worse for listening and behaving but 3-4 gets steadily better. That will be very nice I think :)

Wonderful Wednesday...er Thursday: Spring has Sprung!

2010-04-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

Its so bright and sunny outside.

The flowers are in bloom.

The botanical gardens are free this month.

And cars are turning yellow!

ITS SPRING!

That joyous time of year when shorts come out, you buy sandals, and the bugs return! I'm normally not a warm weather person but this winter has been so much longer than normal and so much colder than normal I'm chomping at the bit to enjoy some hotness. :)

I cannot wait to share some pictures from the botanical gardens, we'll be heading there as frequently as possible this month. Summers here are so hot that it gets difficult to go outside. So we have to hit it hard now while we can :)

I'm so excited about this. I'm really hoping to enjoy it as much as possible. :)

Moaning Moaning: Easter Eggstravagance

2010-03-29T16:44:00.000-07:00

Just in case anyone was wondering Christmas is in December.

DECEMBER.

So spending 150.00 on Easter Baskets is RIDICULOUS. Spending 100 on an Easter Basket is RIDICULOUS.

Did you know that if you did not start your kid out expecting a ton of stuff for Easter (or birthdays or Christmas) that they will be OVER.THE.MOON if that silly bunny leaves a small hallow chocolate bunny, a few easter colored candies, a peep, and one toy! or a toy and a book if you want to go all out?

And yet...all over the place you see people planning for Easter and that ole bunny like its meant to be a second gifting holiday and not just incidentally so. Bikes, trikes, clothes, movies, leapsters, ds lites, etc. etc. etc. Seriously...the only reason kids end up NEEDING so much stuff is because we make them expect it.

Like Harry Potters Dudley "But last year, but last year I got 37 presents"

Yeah. And we all wonder WHY our children have such entitlement issues. "Oh where did we go wrong? We gave them everyTHING they could ever want.

I loved the scene in Escape to Witch Mountain where the children are taken to a home with Mr. Durant and it has this amazing nursery with a soda fountain, huge toys, beautiful furniture, etc. But I'm not about to give that to my children...

No wonder our country in debt!!

The Weekender: My 2 year old believes in Dragons.

2010-03-28T03:17:00.000-07:00

I think I'm tired of Sell it Saturday. I don't to do nearly enough online shopping to keep it up!

Instead I think I will discuss...I dunno, anything, on the weekend. :)

SO:

My 2 year old believes in Dragons. He's at that age where he can make believe, he's really good at it for a 2 year old. We have fake ice cream cones, tea, and he gives status reports as a soldier all the time! But he also is still at an age where he just takes what we say for granted. I love that. We read books. Tons an tons and tons of books every week. Some of them are about bunnies, or cows, or Martin Luther King Jr, or an Elephant Detective, or Dragons. We talk about them so they MUST be real.

Yesterday we were at the Rolling Thunders Easter Egg Hunt. We go every year, the kids LOVE the biker bunny. :) I had all four when I went in but only 2 when I left, the bigger guys got sent to my moms for the day since we were headed there for dinner anyway. So only me, the Toddler an the Baby in the van...it was QUIET!

So I asked the little guy if he'd like a story, momma just isn't use to the quiet. I told him about a little boy who was curious and asked his mom so many questions and then told him her answers. :) After that I asked him to tell ME a story.

It was so sweet. He told me about animals. About the rooster that cockadoodle dos, the cow that moos, the pig that oinks, the dog that barks, and the dragon that rawrrrrrs. Yes, right with all the farm animals my boy puts the Dragons. It struck me that theres no way he could know that Dragons AREN'T real yet. Afterall, we read about tons of animals he hasn't seen in real life yet so why would the dragon be different?

This just underlines the trust and dependence kids have on their parents. Mommy has told him about dragons, so they MUST exist. Its sweet, cute, and awe-inspiring all at the same time.

Eventually he will learn that dragons are fairy tales, mommy's can be wrong, and that the world is a colder, less interesting place. But for NOW my 2 year old believes in Dragons.

Finally Friday: Last full week in March :)

2010-03-26T13:46:00.000-07:00

I missed last weeks, but we were busy learning and having fun outside. It was very important.

The weather has been amazing so we've been trying to get out in it some:

bathed in the sunlight!

the trees are in bloom!

reading in the great outdoors

yes...even the baby :)

my bud the thug, doesn't he look tough?

We also went to the Planetarium last weekend and enjoyed ourselves a lot! Er...after figuring out that our 2 year old gets motion sick...sigh. We THOUGHT maybe he might since we've had 'issues' before but they all coincided with other illnesses...I guess they exacerbated the problem? I dunno...but we had to make a quick trip to a store to get new clothes and Dramamine for the poor kid. Luckily we don't do long trips often. I know he felt horrible, growing up I got car-sick all the time, still do if I'm not driving!!

I wish I had pictures from the Planetarium, but my mom is holding them hostage! Well...really she just has them. I just need to get them from her. :)

I also got to go consignment sale shopping. I ADORE consignment sales, but figured out that the Boy is getting to the age where their clothes don't really survive year to year for people to consign :( booooo. Ah well, I got enough for the Toddler to clothe 2 little boys :D

AND I will leave you with you this. Our tv broke last week. Our gorgeous, 3 year old, 52 inch screen 1080 p tv. Gone. Fixing it would have cost 800+labor. Not gonna happen, a 65 inch one of equal quality is about 1300 nowadays.

:( So we found a great deal at Dell for a 37 incher to 'tide us over' and waited anxiously for its arrival. Here is my husbands story of its delivery:

"I was expecting a package from UPS today, and on the way home I was pretty excited to see if it had arrived. Upon pulling into my driveway, I noticed there was a sticker on the front door.

When I went to look at the sticker, it was a failed delivery notice. It said no one was home, so my package could not be delivered. The only problem with that is Susanne was home with the kids ALL day.

So I called UPS to complain, explained the situation, and was told that someone would call me within the hour...
About 15 minutes later, a UPS truck pulls up to the house. The driver gets out with my delivery. While I am signing for it (I didn't say anything to him), he says "your wife must have been asleep when I came by earlier". I asked him what time he came by, and he replied "about 9:30am". 9:30!!! With 4 kids? My wife was homeschooling at 9:30. What a bunch of bull.

Then, a few minutes later, while I was unpacking the box, a UPS representative called. She said that the driver would be by soon, at which point I explained he had already delivered the box. Then, the representative told me that the driver had come by earlier and that he had beaten on the door and rang the doorbell repeatedly, but that he doubted anyone heard him over the blaring television.

I just laughed (angrily).

The package was a new TV. Our only TV broke last week."

Wonderful Wednesday: Stonewear

2010-03-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

So I've been to Pampered Chef parties, bought inexpensive things so I could help without spending a fortune. I saw the stonewear, it was pretty but expensive...it couldn't POSSIBLY be worth it right?

Well...my Mom went to a Pampered Chef party and bought me a 9x9 cranberry stonewear pan as a 'little' gift.

I just got around to testing it on some brownies.

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!

I had NO clue, NONE about the fabulousness that is stonewear. None. It cleaned the easiest of ANY pan I've ever owned, nonstick included, expensive 20 dollar teflon pans, etc. It was perfection. Absolute perfection.

I was dreading cleaning the pan. I always do. We have no dishwasher, or rather, we have me. I am the dishwasher. So when something is difficult I provide the elbow grease. But it was FABU. Absolutely easy to clean.

So thanks Mom!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! :)

Moaning Monday: Healthcare

2010-03-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

1st, let me say I am a liberal, I support this bill mostly. It ain't amazing but if we wait for perfect it will be a bajillion years till something gets done.

2nd, my problem.

WHEN did we lose the ability to disagree about things with each other? When did someone thinking differently automatically become a cause to fight, feud, and defriend on facebook those you disagree with? When did we stop letting people have differing opinions even on big subjects with us?

(did we ever do that?)

Polarization is KILLING us. Not this bill, not the war, not immigration, not abortion, not teenage pregnancy, not education. Polarization. This us/them concept. This whole "you are with me or against me" concept is great for a war but we are not, or at least should not, be warring with our neighbors.

The pundits put our conversations in terms of war, I know this. I know because last night I watched 8 hours of protesters randomly shouting "kill the bill". I know this because Bill O'Reilly has written a book called "Culture Warrior" and puts it in those terms on a daily basis. I know this because Glen Beck (sp?) mentions how he'd love to hurt people constantly. Including strangling the President.

I know this because the reporters take this language and run with it because we watch "Maddow eviscerates Gingrich" faster than "Maddow disagrees with Gingrich and discusses this disagreement".

I also know I hear this language in the people I talk to. I hear it from my mom, from friends, from the newspapers. This language. These 'innocent' words are creating a divide wider and wider between us. Its easy to disagree nicely with people who want the healthcare bill and are voting for it even if you aren't. It is impossible to do so when they are 'ramming it down your throat'. The type of terminology, the violent word choice, is just impossible to stay friends through.

And this latest bill, this Healthcare bill, has just invited so many people to malign each other, to hate each other, to blame each other. You would think that in the interests in keeping our union more perfect the congresspeople would support better verbiage. Maybe lighten the tones. But they get swept up just the same, they blind themselves just the same.

I don't have a solution, if I did I would not be moaning. I would be doing it.

The only thing I know to do is to stop taking the bait and start using my words better.

Wonderful Wednesday: Happy St. Patricks Day

2010-03-17T07:26:00.000-07:00

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

I don't know if I've described how much I love ALL holidays. Something is so neat and cool about a theme. Switching up daily routines, having something to focus on. And since I'm part Irish I love to pretend on March 17th that it is a much bigger part of me than normal! (Who doesn't, KISS ME I'M IRISH!)

So today I am wearing green, eating potatoes, listening to Irish music, and reading some Irish/St. Pats stories. And being thankful for the wonderful country that gets to be celebrated on this day every year.

Moaning Monday: Technology

2010-03-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

ARGH!!!!

I am SO tired of technology (she says as she types on her laptop sitting in front of her big screen tv with her touch screen phone sitting next to her).

Specifically I'm tired of technology not working, having hiccups, having 'issues'. Issues? People have issues, that why we see therapists. My printer (yeah printer, you heard me) should not have issues. All I want to do is print out stuff but no, the password for the wireless connection is funky and needs to be put back in ALL the time. Yeah, I COULD just be thankful that I have a great wireless printer.

Sure.

If you like that kind of thing. :P

Instead I'm choosing to be petty and ungrateful for the many blessings I have in my life and to just be irritated by them instead.

So, I would like my phone to stop messing up phone calls and have a screen that is not susceptible to my not taking care of it. I would like my printer to just print things when I ask and not need to have that password I insisted on inserted all the time. I would like the D on my keyboard to not stick sometimes (even if its my mistreatment that caused it). I would like my microwave to never burn my popcorn. I would also like it if my ereader could keep up with my scrolling 100%.

I'm sure I have a bunch other ones. This technology stuff is so sensitive. It requires 'care' and treating them with 'respect'. Pfft. Once they've EARNED my respect they can have it, but so far all I see is a bunch of future junk mocking me.

And that gets no respect from me.

Sell it Saturday: A PSA for this week, Slings

2010-03-13T10:24:00.000-08:00

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has many women up in arms. They've issued a report on 'slings' and telling parents to be careful when using them.

I'm a baby wearer. Have been for oh...almost 3 years now (on the second baby now) and I have to say...people who are angered by their report are just being ignorant. I use a mayawrap, its a ring-sling style carrier. There are a few ways you can carry your baby in it. One of them is the bag-style. Honestly...I've never been a fan. I had a Snugli style carrier with my first...it was uncomfortable and I couldn't take not seeing his face.

I tried it on once and it got put away with other things we also never used.

This site http://www.sleepingbaby.net/safety.php gives a good explanation of safe baby wearing. The basic gist is that if you would naturally hold baby a certain way its safe. Exempt from this are the back carriers like the baby hawks.

When you use a bag-style one its just not safe, they can suffocate without you ever knowing it! Really, really think about this when go to get your sling. Tons of styles are great! But the infantino bag styles, peanut shells etc are all a little more risky than I like.

Good Luck Sling shopping! Here are some great sites that sell great wraps/slings that are safe (plus the two up above):
http://www.bustlingbaby.com/baby-slings-carriers.html
http://www.meitaibaby.com/
Happy Babywearing!

Finally Friday: The Zoo!

2010-03-12T09:45:00.000-08:00

We went to the Zoo on Saturday. So much fun. I'd never been to this zoo, it was great. LONG. But great. It's about a 2 hour drive so we did that and my mom, brother, and his fiance went with us. We spent about 5 hours trekking the 5 miles of zoo land. (that did include a lunch) The kids had a great time and most of the animals were very cooperative in showing off.
The girl in the egg

The toddler checking out a chimp who obliged us by sitting RIGHT THERE!

The baby, not entirely sure why she's along for the ride (in a stroller for the first time too)

Flamingos! Always my favorite exhibit for some reason

The boy on top of a bison

The girl on top of a bison

Petting the fake bison

Checking out another animal

The boy actually smiling normal

Harper Seals

And no trip back is complete without Carrabbas. MMM I love that restaurant. So good.

Unfortunately the toddler got sicker this week. So much so that we actually took him to the doctor, poor boy has pink eye and is congested enough that they gave him a decongestant. Hopefully next week will be much better.
Hubby was off this week so he was able to him to the doctor and stay home with him yesterday since we had our homeschool group. The kids really enjoyed going and it was so weird not to have to chase a 2 year old around.

Because we were all still recovering and chilling with the Man home we really didn't too much else. Now I am praying that the other children don't get pink eye...its so contagious :(

Wonderful Wednesday: Gameshows

2010-03-10T17:04:00.000-08:00

Specifically Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.

Call me old fashioned but at 7 est I don't watch reruns of Two and Half Men (no offense) or whatever else is on (I only know that because I catch the last minute before House or Idol). No. We watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune with the kids. We compete against each other or we work on teams. The kids are actually getting better!

I adore these game shows. Each one offers up its own brand of fun. Jeopardy has actual bits of knowledge, some I know, some I SHOULD know, some there's no way I know. There's Alex Trebek making all sorts of corny jokes he thinks are self-deprecating, the puny categories (oohhh I love a pun) and of course final jeopardy where I always bet it all!

And then we have Vanna and Pat. Oh Vanna, do you ever age? You are still graceful and beautiful, even the few closeups are amazing. And who doesn't love their banter after the show. Good times. Plus I know more answers. And I love getting a puzzle that's 5 words long with only 6 letters within it. That's such a great feeling. Makes ya kinda giddy doesn't it!

So today, on this beautiful Wednesday, I'm saying HOORAY for Game Shows!! Thanks Alex, Vanna, an Pat, for being my pals.

Moaning Monday: Never

2010-03-08T16:28:00.000-08:00

I live by the phrase: Never say Never, and for someone as given to hyperbole that's saying a lot. I say this because there was an argument about tantrums and a bunch of first time mommies were vowing that their little angels would NEVER throw tantrums in public. Nooooo their cute little bundles would condensen learn respect and know how to act.

I try not to be condescending but...um...at one point every kid will be that kid. Probably between 2 and 4, those are the cavemen years. Thats when they have NO impulse control, no matter what you've taught them, but they do have WANTS as opposed to before then when they don't really get the whole 'ooh toy, I want that' thing that the bigger ones have. So of COURSE you will have tantrums.

Look, I'm not saying that there aren't stupid parents out there. I'm not saying that you can't be irritated by them. I'm just saying, NEVER SAY NEVER. Never look at a parenting style (barring extremes of course) and say NEVER. Because you don't know what type of kid you will have and you'd hate to remember some day, when your precious little Johnny is making a grocery trip the absolute living HELL and remember how horrible YOU were about it and so you KNOW what others are thinking about you.

Learning a little empathy is just the best thing anyone can do for themselves. I promise.

Sell it Saturday: PurelyBeauty

2010-03-06T06:46:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love a spa day?
No one, that's who! It feels GOOD to pamper yourself and it feels GREAT to see results from products that are not bad for you, your skin, or your looks!!

Which is why today's blog is dedicated to PurelyBeauty
http://www.etsy.com/shop/purelybeauty

another Etsy shop selling some fantastic stuff don't ya know.

There are some fantastic treasures on this site. I think my favorite is the pumpkin mask though. You can't beat that!! I know the other stuff I bought after having my baby in October was more expensive than that. And kinda slimyish, not really clean feeling.

And for me, if I don't feel clean while washing my face or afterward then there's not a real reason for me to do it at all. Why wash with something (or exfoliate) that doesn't work? Even if it is expensive. :P And ridiculously so.

Not only are the prices at PurelyBeauty reasonable but the products are quality made. And they are really for the natural beauty product lover. Peppermint and Tea Tree Oil Shampoo (just imagine the scent on that!) and the Green Tea Facial cleanser are rockin. Things that have been par for the course in a lot of other places in the world.

I love it, love the whole idea. I hope everyone stocks up on their stuff because it could be the best thing you did for your face :)

Finally Friday: March Enters

2010-03-05T10:41:00.000-08:00

We got to see the Salvador Dali exhibit on Sunday, it was so much fun. It was his 100 works on Dante's Divine Comedy.
The pieces were so interesting and some were just lovely (others...well kinda gross but still neat to look at).

The kids (all four) were so much better than I feared. They waited 'mostly' patiently for our turn and even once they got tired they still paid attention and looked interested!! The girl has been practicing perspective this week because of it.

Monday was March 1st which means that my baby was 4 months old! Alreadyyyyy!!??!! Sigh. I know I'm a broken record...but time flies so quickly. This is her gnawing those hands. :) I take pictures of her each month on the 1st and I'm looking forward to doing something with them when she turns one. :)

More weird weather! Snow, like a fine dusting and now 60's :P sigh the south. I would like to have one set of clothes that work for a season, I really would. Asking too much, I know.

And of course I got a cold this week...so far it seems to be just me, but I can't breattthhhheeeee wahhhhhh. By Doze iz tuffy. :( I hate having a cold. Especially this kind with the clogged nose.

You know what creeped me out this week? Reading how Heidi/Speidi Montag (sp?) want to have a baby. Are you kidding me??? Thankfully they would probably just get a nanny for it so they won't be the ones raising a child. PLUS it may just be a rumor right? (fingers crossed) I don't have a lot of respect for most celebrities anyway but the absolutely classless and talentless ones like 'Speidi' just make my skin crawl.

AND Today my 6 year old went and got a great new haircut, she normally, or always I'd guess you would say, has lonnnggg hair, past the middle of her back long and she decided she wanted it cut to her shoulders. It looks fantastic! As one of my aunts said, very french.

A good good week...and we start next week off with a bang because we are going to the Zoo!! Hooray! I love the zoo, and the zoo in March is PERFECT, not hot yet so no stinky animals (or not AS stinky) and not tooo cold. :)

Wonderful Wednesday: Coffee

2010-03-03T06:43:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be cliche and give thanks and praise for coffee. And whoever it was that first looked at the plant, said hey lets see if you can make a tea with it, and voila discovered the fantastic creation we call "A Cup of Joe."

I cannot tell you how much I have come to consider coffee my friend. I am looking forward to the day when I am no longer nursing so that I can drink the amount I'd like to instead of keeping it under 3 cups a day so I don't have a jittery baby.

I enjoy it with sugar (real sugar, not sweeteners) and half and half helping it smooth its way into my heart. I also enjoy the flavored creamers that come out around Halloween and Christmas. Its also great just black.

I think half of my love is the smell. I wake up so much better when the coffee is brewing and the aroma is wafting its way through the rooms of the house. It stimulates my nose and brain and gives me something to look forward to as I get up from my warm bed.

Thank you Coffee, thank you for being there for me through sleepless nights, colds when only you were strong enough to penetrate my sense of smell and taste, through early morning trips, and all nighters in college. You are welcome in my home anytime.

Moaning Monday: New Years Resolutions

2010-03-01T14:46:00.000-08:00

Why do I make ones I won't want to keep?

Sure, I know I SHOULD keep them, they are good things to do. But after a while I don't wanna anymore and feel like maybe I've been punished enough.

For instance: No more fastfood. Yeah. I made that, built in some exceptions for on the road traveling and group trips with my homeschool friends. I thought those would be enough to let me have the devils food and not really, really want it. But planning and making and cleaning up after meals every night SUCKS. And my husband leaves me alone a few weekends every semester (hes a college professor, we live our lives in semesters.) He does most of the cooking. Oh how I depended on McD's chicken nuggets and apple dippers when he would go away.

Now what am I supposed to do? Cook?? You've got to be kidding me!

And they are building a new Sonics on the way home from my MOPS group. I have to see it every week, sometimes multiple times and think of the coneys and tatertots.

This is ridiculous!

And I'm supposed to be less lazy. Um...hello, less lazy? WHY??? I don't wanna stop procrastinating! I don't wanna clean up after dinner right after dinner. Who cares that its easier and takes less time. Or that its great for the kids to see me taking care of business properly. How healthy can it be if I do so grumbling under my breath while I 'work'. I am quite sure I'm supposed to be sitting around watching a soap opera eating bon bons. With frou-frou slippers non the less. Yes?

Whatever 2010. I'll stick to them for the most part. I will. I'll keep down the 'slips' as much as my willpower will allow. BUT my 2011 resolutions will be the opposite, I will resolve to eat MORE junk food and MORE fast food and to be MORE lazy. Take that 2010. Take that.

Selling it Saturday: Leahs Etsy Shop!

2010-02-27T04:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the world of LM Designs.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lmd514

Leah does FANTASTIC bead work (which is so neat!) and her pieces are just wonderful. I actually own a bracelet and am seriously considering several other pieces at the moment which is huge for me because I'm not a jewelry person. I lose it, I break it. But I tell ya, my bracelet is a Christmas piece and I wore it from the time I got it to some time in January and it is still whole and hearty :) That's huge for me.

I love how detailed some of her work is. And her shipping is so fast!! PLUS she can do custom scrabble tile pieces and they are so frickin hot right now its not even funny. And no wonder why, they are just gorgeous! The perfect shape to accent just about any wardrobe without being the overwhelmingly large chunky pieces you see sometimes that make you wonder how people are walking with em (there's chunky jewelry thats hot and then there's 'Hey its Flava Flav!' size).

Check out these pieces, all between 4-6 bucks! You can't beat that.

Some scrabble tile stuff:

this is my bracelet

Check out these earrings! How sexy are those??

I am so in love with all of this stuff, and she has so much more on the site, PLUS she will custom make stuff for you, its unreal. So check out Leah and come back again and again!

Finally Friday: Last week in February

2010-02-26T16:31:00.000-08:00

So we spent last weekend sitting around the house save for a few hours for church on Sunday (had a long meeting about the human sexuality statement that the ELCA is going to ratify in two years, making it the official stance of the church. I will one day soon express my feelings on this subject but its so jumbled I just don't feel up to it now).
Monday was just school, work, etc.
Tuesday we had MOPS. I love MOPS. I enjoy talking with other moms, I had a good time because it was 'Spa Day' which is always nice. But I have decided to stop attending after this 'year' because I would like to find a more enriching way to spend the kids time. The boy and girl are going to be 8 and 6.5 in the beginning next year. MOPS is for Mothers of Preschoolers. I need to move on with them and do something more appropriate for their age.

I feel fine for the toddler and the baby because our Homeschool group on Wednesday had a bunch (like 6) babies about my youngest kids age and a toddler brigade for the tyrant to learn how to be a thug with. As long as we keep that weekly meeting those two will be just fine. Especially since we still have Sunday School that the tyrant 2 year old loves.

Now I sit, playing jeopardy and wheel of fortune with my family, the kids taking all the credit for the phrases hubby and I get. And its been a good week. A weird one weather-wise. We had 60's early in the week, lovely weather letting us take this picture:

No jackets or sweaters! Then yesterday we had snow flurries in the morning!! How in the world do those two things live together?

I will say that the snow did not stick this time and we were out and about during the day just fine. But its a third fall in a place that normally gets one. Crazy.

Wonderful Wednesday: Socks

2010-02-24T13:30:00.000-08:00

I love socks. I don't think there is another article of clothing with the potential to cause as much happiness. They instantly make my feet happy. The make the cold, cold hardwood floor and linoleum feel better. They cover up toenails when they are gnarly looking from a few winter weeks of neglect and they hide unsightly dry skin from the world.

You can wear black or white ones to go with your outfits. You can wear seasonal ones to support the holiday of your choice. You can wear striped ones, fuzzy ones, rainbow ones, spotted ones, ones with toe slots, ones that look like animals. You can have a different color on each foot. You can match your shirt, compliment your shirt, clash your shirt.

There are socks that are warm and furry, some that are silky, some that are cottony lovely, some that are wooly and stout. They can be thin to go well with trousers, thick to keep feet toasty in the winter, and normal ones for jogging and walks.

So today lets all give it up for socks and wave our feet in the air, covered in beautiful lovely socks.

Moaning Monday: Bumper Sticker Hypocrisy

2010-02-22T07:06:00.001-08:00

So, I'm driving home from church on a Sunday afternoon and on the back of a black SUV of some quality is the bumper sticker 'does not play well with others'

can we dissect this for a moment?

when you don't play well with others what do you not do well? interact, communicate, accept, want to be with right? sort of a loner, or when you are around you are kinda aloof or a spoke in the wheel sorta person.

so you wouldn't advertise this. you wouldn't communicate with others to let them know that you have an issue.

so the bumper sticker is just a way to advertise bad assery (you heard that word here first folks!) that you do not actually possess.

Because we all know that you are not truly a bad ass if you have to tell people you are a bad ass. You are a bad ass when others instinctively know not to mess with you!

On the same ride home. I drive by a car, bumper sticker says "baby on board". I'm assuming they are asking others to drive cautiously because of their 'precious cargo'. Which is good because apparently keeping their kids in the carseats wasn't important. They were practically bouncing around in the backseat. Two kids younger/smaller than my six year old. And she's small for her age. I was shocked. Not using carseats here is illegal but of course its not an oft used thing, just something extra when you are stopped for other things. But why in the world would you be so concerned with how others are driving but not do your part in keeping the kids safe.

Nonsense irritates me. That is all.

Sell it Saturday: Bustlingbaby.com

2010-02-20T13:40:00.000-08:00

www.bustlingbaby.com

I love this store. I've mentioned it before. Great prices, great service, I've communicated with the owner several times. Lovely people.

NOW they've started selling diapers. Like Cloth Diapers. I've thought about cloth diapering before. Good for the environment, great for the budget (imagine buying 100 diapers total instead of I can't even say how many I use per each kid. Its an insane number I know) and they are SO CUTE. (We all know thats the important thing right?)

Well, all the information I need to not only make that decision but figure out which diaper is for me is on this site. Lots of explanations (leaving you feeling confident in what you are buying) and lots of styles (who knew there were different types??)

Along with accessories (the cutest wet bags! and inserts to make it less 'ick' for the diaper changer!) the site is currently stocked on Fuzzibunz, so cute and soooo manyyyy colors!!

Every single outfit will be matched by one of the diapers on this site.

And it looks so easy, these diapers look very much like they change just like disposable diapers. I adore them and the reviews are great on these!

I hope everyone enjoys this shop and buys a lot! Especially since I've been told other brands are coming in stock soon! Sounds like a new addiction to me! Except if I'm smart I can save money this way!!!

Finally Friday: Valentines Parties and Snow White OH MY!

2010-02-19T15:42:00.000-08:00

Had SUCH a good time this week. We had a decent, if busy, start to our week and learned much, played much. Made some cards for later in the week, watched the weather warm up slightly and the sun start to play with us. It was lovely and nice and relaxing to see and feel the sun again.

BUT Thursday came round and we had our Valentines Day Party. It was so much fun. We played games, gave out valentines, had yummy snacks and played outside. Ahhhhh outside. How we've missed you. The brief outing in the snow was nice but playing at a park and doing so for an hour with sunshine, friends, chatter, and lovely times was amazing.

And then Friday came and with it a chance for play and fun again. This time at a play "Snow White" at a local university with our homeschool friends. The play was amazing. Just fantastic. And afterward we all headed to Chik fil a to spend time with each other and let the kids play in the indoor play place. Awesome time. We had the best customer service ever. It was really wonderful. I think we will do that more regularly. Is there anything better than spending time with friends?

The week has been a good one and hopefully it leads into an even better weekend since we get to have time with Daddy. :)

Wonderful Wednesday: The Sun

2010-02-17T08:31:00.000-08:00

I often don't appreciate the Sun as much as I should. And then it goes away behind clouds for a few days and I can tell how much I miss it. Its light, its warmth (even in winter), the way the sky looks framing it.

Its here again for a few beautiful days in this unusually cold and stormy winter and I am so thankful to see it, to see the blue blue sky, to look at the floor of my backyard and see the greens and reds of grass and pine needles in 'hd' so to speak.

Its beautiful, its comforting, its not just a light, its illumination of the world that this here Sun provides. I'm eternally grateful for its beautiful rays and lovely warmth.

Why you should read to your kids!

2010-02-16T05:16:00.000-08:00

from earlychildhood.com

1. A stronger relationship with you. As your child grows older, he’ll be on the move—playing, running, and constantly exploring his environment. Snuggling up with a book lets the two of you slow down and recaptures that sweet, cuddly time you enjoyed when he was a baby. Instead of being seen as a chore or a task, reading will become a nurturing activity that will bring the two of you closer together.

2. Academic excellence. One of the primary benefits of reading to toddlers and preschoolers is a higher aptitude for learning in general. Numerous studies have shown that students who are exposed to reading before preschool are more likely to do well in all facets of formal education. After all, if a student struggles to put together words and sentences, how can he be expected to grasp the math, science, and social concepts he’ll be presented with when he begins elementary school?

3. Basic speech skills. Throughout toddlerhood and preschool, your child is learning critical language and enunciation skills. By listening to you read One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, your child is reinforcing the basic sounds that form language. “Pretend reading”—when a toddler pages through a book with squeals and jabbers of delight—is a very important pre-literacy activity. As a preschooler, your child will likely begin sounding out words on his own.

4. The basics of how to read a book. Children aren’t born with an innate knowledge that text is read from left to right, or that the words on a page are separate from the images. Essential pre-reading skills like these are among the major benefits of early reading.

5. Better communication skills. When you spend time reading to toddlers, they’ll be much more likely to express themselves and relate to others in a healthy, constructive way. By witnessing the interactions between the characters in the books you read, as well as the contact with you during story time, your child is gaining valuable communication skills.

Moaning Monday: my desk

2010-02-15T05:20:00.000-08:00

Let me explain. My desk SHOULD be neat. I have a place for everything, everything in its place. And NORMALLY I start each Monday with an organized, pretty desk. And as the week goes by and school goes by it gets worse and worse and worse :P

Well....I didn't get around to cleaning it this weekend. I didn't put anything up and piled more things ON it. I put up picture boxes, papers, some poetry from the girl, some boxes of cricut cartridges, pencil boxes, and library books.

Put together with LAST WEEKS mess...its truly scary. I have piles of books to be put away, crayons needing a home, stickers to be up and away from the toddler tyrant and cds needing a resting spot. :P Not to mention my scrapbooking stuff and my pictures and scraps of paper from doing crafts with the kids.

SIGGHHHHHH

Off to try to wade through the 'stuff' :P

Sell it Saturday/Sunday: Chubbalub

2010-02-13T10:34:00.000-08:00

http://chubbalub.com/index.html

I love baby legs. Love them. I think they are neat. BUT I have trouble with the brand name ones. They don't fit well. My kids are skinny but have chunkster thighs. PLUS I like tons of different patterns, not patterns that all look the same.

SO I found this lady, Amy, she's a work-at-home mom and she makes her own babyleg type warmers.

I have used them before for my own kids and they are great! Not only were they perfect when my LAST baby was crawling but my older daughter uses them as arm warmers sometimes and they are durable enough that my new daughter/baby will be using them to crawl around with (we have hardwood floors) in a month or two!

These are my kids in her handiwork :)

(this was my babies 80s outfit :) )

I love these baby legs and she has other products for sale too, like the ruffle butt onesies that I adored but just couldn't justify buying for my son ;) (but now I might for my baby girl). She's truly crafty and these are some of the best things EVER.

Check her out!

Finally Friday: Week Review February 8-12th

2010-02-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

We had what feels like a long week. It started with a Super Bowl Party that went Fantastically! We had great friends, food, and fun. Unfortunately the Colts lost...but hey the Saints can really USE the ring.

But we all got sick! BOOOOO! A cold ripped through the household hitting one after another. Unfortunately it got the baby too. She had a horrible night last night. Why can't people keep their colds to themselves :( Its never fun. We never get just one of us sick, NEVER!

We've pushed through the pain and we are still alive so thats good.

:)

And the news has been interesting to me too. I'm getting pretty disgusted with Palin. She's ridiculous an I cannot believe anyone can be that blind to the truth. How she could get on a Democrat for using the 'r' word and not Rush...I saw a magazine asking if she could save America...um. No. No she can't. She can't save herself from a papercut much less know how to do ANYTHING for America. *Shudder*

And the weather is crazy everywhere. Inches of snow, feet of snow, and just snow in places where its all weird to have some or have a lot. We are actually supposed to get our second snow/ice fall tonight. If we do I will HAVE to take the kids out in it. So I'm hoping if it falls its more reasonable and less icy.

I have friends in northern VA and DC with 20 inches of snow! How crazy is that?

I am hoping everyone survives these winter snow storms relatively well and that the people here in my town enjoy their bread and milk. :)

Wonderful Wednesday: A Friends Daughter

2010-02-10T14:09:00.000-08:00

This is my first 'praise' day and its not even about anything in my own life. I hope my friend doesn't get upset about me posting this, but I'm not using names or anything.

She lives in one of the snowy places in America and yesterday her daughter was in a carpool to school and the mom called her a few minutes after she left...the mom thought it was something forgotten but instead the car had been in an accident, frantic she flew from her house to the accident and the car had rolled over twice (i think) she sees the cops, the wreck, she's frantic.

They finally take her to her daughter. Her coat has blood on it, she's panicked, shaking, I hope some of you can imagine the thoughts going through her mind. The blood on the coat wasn't hers! It was the drivers, who had been scraped up (as had the drivers daughter) but my friends daughter was unscratched! Not a bump or a bruise.

She was OBVIOUSLY shaken, but fine! She woke up this morning willing and wanting to go to school!!

I am amazed at the resilience of this little girl! And so proud of her and her mommy. I am so, so thankful for her little girls health. I cannot believe she is okay, healthy, not hurt, etc. Its amazing!

I've said several prayers today thanking god for this little girl and her mom. God is Good!

Moaning Monday: Ebay Gripe

2010-02-08T08:39:00.000-08:00

So my gripe this week is Ebay.

To start with let me say that I don't often use Ebay and when I do I use Buy it Now when possible. The reason? I'm one of the crazies that will put in the amount you want to bid and then after it seems like that won't be enough I will up it and up it and up it till I'm paying twice what I willing too, and I'm panting heavily, stressed, pulling my hair, and crying "But I'm going to lose it, I neeeeedddd (insert object)"

This past week I found a scrapbook album I HAVE to have. See I do large spreads for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Which is cool. BUT all I have are Christmas Albums. And while I'm willing to stretch the imagination to include Thanksgiving in them that just can't extend to Halloween so I have tons of pages for Halloweens that need a home.

I have been seeking 'the perfect' album, i.e. one that LOOKED "halloweeny" for years. But I use Strap-hinge Albums from Creative Memories, I know, I know unnecessarily expensive, but I like them. And apparently last October they made some as hostess gifts that were either bright green with owls or black with owls! How perfect is that?

I found them on ebay this week. I've decided not to go after one because I DID try to bid on one and I went crazy. I can't justify spending 60+shipping on one album. I am hoping for something else to come out this Fall. But I'm not holding out hope. I will just continue to store the stuff till I find it.

But! Till then I need to stay away from Ebay wars and the money draining nonsense they induce!

Selling it Saturday! Etsy Shop: Hookaholic

2010-02-06T03:14:00.000-08:00

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Hookaholic

This Store is Stephanie's Crochet Store. She's a mom of four with 3 girls an 1 boy. She crochets as a hobby and does such a fantastic job that many of her friends kinda pushed her into selling them (including me) on etsy. I cannot tell you how awesome her stuff is. So I will show you instead.

And these are just a few of her items. She can custom order any colors (she can match coats or team colors, etc). AND if there is something you want she can often recreate a pattern.

I am SUCH a fan of her craftmanship. I hope everyone checks it out and buys something :)

Themes and posting more.

2010-02-06T03:09:00.001-08:00

I really want to post more than I do, but often can't figure out what to say.

SO. I am going to start "themeing" some posts, it seems to help a lot of blogs I read and hopefully it will help me focus. :)

So: Moaning Mondays for a weekly gripe fest, Wonderful Wednesdays for a weekly praise fest, Finally Friday for a week review, and Sell it Saturday to support some Mommy Entrepreneurs that I know.

Its not EVERY day but hopefully it will get there. But I need to start something up :)

The longest winter

2010-01-26T12:25:00.000-08:00

I can't remember a longer feeling winter. They always seem to zip by, days flying into weeks until spring jumps out at us to say hi and disappears into summer. But this winter is just staying. Staying and staying and staying.
Maybe because time just slammed past waiting for the bitty baby? Maybe because I have a rhythm and a system this year?

I don't know. Its sad though, a slow winter, a slowing of time, should be a GOOD thing. But I feel...trapped I guess.
Trapped in winter. Trapped by cold breezes and freezing rain. Trapped by 'maybe snows' that never show. Trapped by the gray that seems to come out every other day.

Its not something I'm enjoying, thats for sure.

But the kids are relatively healthy, hubby is good. I'm good. I don't normally get the 'winter blahs' but boom, here they are. And I desperately need them to go away.

The bitty baby!

2010-01-26T04:30:00.001-08:00

Yesterday and this morning she's been practicing her skillz as a roller :) belly to back of course, but she's doing it. Not even 3 months yet :D

Thats my love!

This is the kind of kid I have to deal with!

2010-01-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is what I live with, what makes it so We were watching the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon, and the boy asked Daddy "why don't we make some peanut butter sandwiches and send them to Haiti?". After explaining that wouldn't work, the boy told Daddy that Haiti was the island where Napoleon lost 20,000 troops to Yellow Fever they got from mosquitoes.

And now she is six

2010-01-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

I write this yearly and yearly I struggle to explain and express how it is that my girl makes me feel.

I find myself grasping at metaphors.

She is a butterfly, she flies free and flits about merrily.
She is the breeze that cools your summer heat.
She is the sunlight that warms the ground in the winter.

They are all inadequate.

I could try to describe her laugh, not the fake girly laugh that she thinks is proper for a girl to have, but her real laugh, the one that is deep and can be felt if you hold her to you while she does it.
I could try to explain what her eyes are like. The depth of the brown, the gold that you don't see but rather sense, the joy that shines there most of the day.
I could tell stories about her, the skipping that she does constantly, even just from room to room. The normal narcissism that has her staring at her reflection and smiling "Hi self, I love you" she says and blows kisses to her other self.

Comfort flows from her as she plays with my hair, gives me a hug, sits up on my lap to watch a tv show. I adore it. It makes me feel whole and content. Not just happy but content. That fantastic lassitude that settles on you after a wonderful day. She makes me feel joy. The other end of the 'happy' spectrum. Not 'hum a tune' happy, but bursting through your skin joy.

I am in constant awe that I get to raise this girl and that she's been mine for six years now. Six years. She is little, she is beautiful, I am enthralled with her. I keep waiting for her to get 'bigger' and drift from me, from us. She hasn't done so yet. Each year is a gift, a present from God. She is still my wonder, my lovely daughter who loves us fiercely and without reservation or hesitation.

She is six and today is her birthday.

Haiti

2010-01-14T11:46:00.000-08:00

praying for them

The Licking Game

2010-01-09T14:08:00.001-08:00

So I don't know how it is in other homes. Other families may be more...prim and proper? reserved? I dunno.

In THIS house we lick each other. In passing, pretending to kiss and licking instead, we send the kids to lick the other parent as a game.

Its funny. And gross. But something we've just always done. I wonder, today as I am put on the receiving end of many a lick from the 2 year old (who's the worst because he uses a full tongue sweep to lick with) what things other families do that might be considered odd or unusual by my standards or the standards of others. Do you do head noogies, tweak noses, do food fights? I am certain that even if other families do NOT lick they do 'something' similar. Something that makes them different, some sort of bonding activity that is NOT inside the 'norm'.

And I guess that makes me feel content that our unusual is not the only unusual out there :)

Sorry so busy

2009-11-15T13:03:00.001-08:00

Had my baby on November 1st, I'm still working on timing out things and such :D

more later, I have to go fight inertia and fold some laundry before the new one needs attention. :D

October is Breast Cancer Awareness

2009-10-25T16:03:00.000-07:00

Breast Cancer Awareness

I posted this in 2006 and there is just nothing better to say about it, so REPOST

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. And it's important to become aware, to care about this disease, this epidemic that affects millions of women in America, no telling how many elsewhere. Most of the women that have it, are undiagnosed. Most of the women that have it, have never done a self-exam. Most of the women that have it, will survive if it's found in time. Most of the women that have it will have to have invasive treatments to save their lives. Some will have part of their breasts removed, Some will have a whole breast removed. Some will have two breasts removed. Some will lose their hair. Some will lose too much weight. Some will lose their spouses, who will be scared of the consequences. Some will grow stronger relationships.Some women will get reconstructive surgery to replace their lost or damaged breast(s). Some women will get a tatoo in its place to signify their triumph.Breast cancer can come back.Men can get breast cancer. It's not common, but happens.95% of women who get breast cancer have no family history of it. It's not a genetic disease, it strikes without prejudice.A healthier diet will help with recovery. A healthier diet is not a vaccine against breast cancer. Chance reducers like breast feeding, not smoking, not drinking in excess are only reducers, not guarantees.Talking about breast cancer, and raising awareness, is only part of the solution.Do a monthly exam. No matter how old you are.Breast cancer can affect the young women as well. It's not as common, but it happens.Get a mammogram starting at 40.If your mother had breast cancer start getting mammograms 10 years before her diagnosis. Not her death, her diagnosis.Early detection can save your life. Early detection can increase your chance of being saved. Early detection can decrease the recovery time. Early detection can give you easier treatment options.It's important. It's not a myth. It's not something other people get. You are not safe if you eat an organic diet. You are not safe if no one in your family ever had cancer. You are not safe if you don't do drugs. You are not safe if you don't smoke. You are not safe if you don't drink.Do monthly exams. This link explains how.http://www.cancer.org/docroot/nws/content/nws_2_1x_how_to_perform_a_breast_self_examination.aspCurrently listening : Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled By Melissa Etheridge Release date: By 04 October, 2005

Sometimes you just need a break

2009-10-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

And thats what I've been doing. The kids were sick and it was hard to find time to think, and now I'm just brooding till my latest chick 'hatches'
She, like my other 3, is late. Late, late, late. Evil baby. :)

We are prepared for her. The kids are ready. The weather is right.

And she's not here.

So I'm moody. And thats a hard place to share from.

BUT Halloween is coming, Christmas is around the corner, and I am so in love with the weather, despite it jumping up and down, as long as it doesn't jump up above 70's I'm happy :D

The stress of End of Pregnancy

2009-09-24T17:26:00.000-07:00

Now...I know in about a week I will get daily calls from some relative or friend asking how I'm doing. They will be random, out of the blue, quick calls. Just basic "are you in labor? we don't trust you to tell us if you are in labor." phone calls.

This will be how they play out
ring ring (because cell phones sound like that?)
Me: Hello?
Whomever: Hey!
Me: Hey! Whats goin on
pause
Whomever: Er...nothing, just thought of you and thought I'd give a call. How are you doing?
Me: I'm fine, just gestating.
Whomever: Oh yeah, you'll be getting to the end soon won't you? Totally slipped my mind.
Me: Yep (my teeth are clenched in a smile so I sound happy at this point) towards the middle/end of October!
Whomever: So close?? I had no idea.
Me: I know, its speeding by
Whomever: Okay, well really I was just calling to hear your voice, I gotta go!
Me: Talk to you later
*click*

sigghhhhh

I'm used to it and I just fully expect it at this point. I gloss over those calls and forget em quickly.

What I was NOT expecting and what has caused CONSIDERABLE stress lately is my own little betrayers. Thing 1 and Thing 2 as they deserve to be called for now.

The boy and girl are merciless asking me daily questions about when she will be born and when the baby will be here and what will we do when baby is here, will we still have school, will we still see friends, when when when when when will she be here.

Making me panicked and constantly reminding that a) I will need to give birth again...is there STILL no easier way? No magic wand? Where's that genie of the lamp when I need him/her.
and b) I will be bringing a fourth home.

Normally this is NOT an issue for me. I cope well with the three, I have a sling, strollers, etc. But TODAY I ended up with the 3 of them on errands. This doesn't happen often, we TRY to schedule things so I go to the library for pick up (love online requesting) and we either go grocery shopping as singletons or as a family so 2 parents to help. But because of scheduling issues I HAD to go to the library AND grocery shopping with all three.

They were good. It wasn't 'that' hard. It never is. But today it made me think about tugging along 4. 4 carseats/boosters to tighten, help into, help out of. 4 children to pull out of a car and make sure they stay near so that they are safe in parking lots. 4 children to watch and keep an eye and ear on in various places.

I can do it. I know this.

But I also know it will be a tremendous amount of stress, especially at first.

and that induces the internal mental scream at the thought that this will be happening soon. Which I can normally forget.

Unless the kids KEEP REMINDING ME!

UGHHHH. :)

An Aids vaccine?

2009-09-24T04:09:00.001-07:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090924/ap_on_re_as/med_aids_vaccine

how awesome would that be?
I hope all the trials come out correctly!

Kris Allen's Single!

2009-09-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

Awesome!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WnmNvbomQE&feature=player_embedded#t=106

hooray!

My favorite Etsy shop

2009-09-14T13:32:00.001-07:00

Like so many moms I love the Etsy stuff.

This is my favorite, favorite shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=8054555

hookaholic's shop. she makes fabu stuff and has made my baby her coming home outfit!

she does custom sizes and colors and honestly has the best prices I've seen. I WISH I was that talented :P Jelly.

Its Football Season! WOOOOOTTT

2009-09-13T10:27:00.000-07:00

Redskins kick off at 4 today, against the Giants.

I realize that not everyone loves the football, but in our house today is close to a holiday.

SOOO

Hail to the Redskins
Hail to Victory
Hail to the Redskins
Fight for Old DC

these guys:

say GO SKINS

Yet another 9-11 post

2009-09-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

8 years ago we were all shocked out of a very large and apparently false sense of security. The results have been devastating. Two wars, a potential third, schisms developing between parties that have ripped the nation apart. The deaths are horrific, the injuries too. Our nation has stooped to terrorist tactics to interrogate the enemy. We have impounded people, yet again, for their ethnicity, teens and students held under suspicion.

Our president has been maligned because his name sounds like the terrorists.

We are a humbled and wounded nation.

We've healed some of the immediate pain of loss and destruction. The firefighters, innocent people in the buildings and planes, the police officers, the soldiers that have all lost their lives or their health in some way. Those wounds are all healing.

We need to heal the other wounds. The ones that still pour blood, the ones that still break back open daily when politics drag us apart, when the media RIPS them apart to rub salt in them instead of trying to bring us together. They have the power to do both, but they choose the easier course, the inflammatory course, and its sick.

I don't know how long it will take for our country to be one again. Or if it can be. But I know that in the current state all we are doing is spoiling for a reason to fight. And fight big.

8 years later and we still bleed.

The problem with the 'media' and politics

2009-09-09T07:43:00.000-07:00

Recently there was terrible ugliness about an innocuous speech the President wanted (and did) give to school age children about staying in school and personal responsibility.

It was called indoctrination, socialist, compared to Hitler, etc. etc.
I am shocked at the insinuations that were hurled. But I think the problem doesn't lie with actual politicians.

I think that it comes from the 24 hours tabloid style journalism we have.

Think about the crap that we started dealing with once we had Clinton. What he ate, where he ran, and his poor daughter. Chelsea had to deal with all sorts of negative press and jokes over her awkward phase. Because we are all soooo frickin gorgeous in those teen years? Clinton, God Bless him I respect him as a politician, gave the media the foothold they'd been looking for with his little 'trysts' (if only he'd kept his 'affairs' on the dl like smart men in power...where would we be today) and once that ball got rolling...

And then Bush came, and we had the awkwardness of the contested election (and will anyone ever name their son Chad again?). His...er...verbal slips (which...as a speech prof I cringe at but if speakings not your thing its not your thing) were just fodder for the mill, easy targets. 9-11 opened the door to support for a bit, but the inevitable criticism that is waiting to turn everyone into foaming lunatics. And worse, much worse in my opinion, HIS kids became targets. The bush girls couldn't just grow up making mistakes and being themselves, every misdeed they dealt with was televised and sensationalized. I shudder to think that Malia and Sascha will have to go through all of that (and HAVE actually been pulled in and used by some already)

again, our news is immediate, they need something to say, they need ratings, so they go after what gets people watching. People don't want to hear the fantastic arguments from both sides for the various types of health care reform, they'd rather hear about Michelle Obama baring her arms, wearing shorter shorts (to the frickin HOT grand canyon) than she 'should' and of course, this speech.

We get up in arms over stupid stuff that should barely register with us because these news organizations bring it to our attention and act like the world is ending because by acting that way more people tune in and their ratings go up.

When you find the actual debates over real issues it lasts like 5 minutes and then they move on "speaking of health insurance, did you hear that pelosi and obama have been at odds over this issue and have had a strained relationship" "yes Diane (isn't there always a Diane) the fight has split apart what had been a working team)"

taking a difference of opinion (without explaining that difference of course, cause who wants real news) and turning it into a fight between the people involved. They do it ALL THE TIME and there's no real solution, which sucks even more so.

Its not partisan, it really isn't. Its all stupid, stupid political tabloid journalism.

I'm going to be pregnant forever.

2009-09-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

Or at least I feel that way. I know I'm just hitting that natural spot I always get to. BUT SIIIGGGHHHHHHH.

I have 7-9 weeks to go and its just never going to end.

:P

Warning, Liberal Alert but....

2009-08-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.2news.tv/news/local/55482562.html
So this guy is making a bid to be Governor of Idaho and says he'd buy tags to shoot Obama.

and

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090827/ap_on_re_us/us_jenkins__great_white_hope
this chick says that the republican party needs a 'great white hope'

um

Can we get some smarter politicians at table 12? Seriously.

I like birthday cake too...but come on kid, a 'little' patience please. :)

2009-08-26T04:55:00.000-07:00

All morning long, since she woke up, the girl has been figuring out what cake to have for her birthday.

Which is cool...except that she's got 6 months till her birthday party.

Just wait little one, no need to leap into 2010 right now. Lets have us some halloween, thanksgiving, and christmas first okay :D

sigh. kids. :D

Inglorious Basterds

2009-08-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

I rarely get to see movies at the theater. And I can count on one hand the times its been opening weekend when I got to go.

I was fortunate enough this weeked to have my mother in law watch my kids so that hubby and I could go catch the film "Inglorious Basterds" a Quentin Tarantino film. I have to say...it was awesome.

We have a 5 star rating system with 5 being a movie you would have to see in order to continue life happily. This was a 4.5. almost a 4.75. Just amazing. Good plot GREAT story the actors were all amazing the script was really nicely written.

I was happy from start to finish. And I can almost never say that.

It is probably not everyone's cup of tea. We happen to love Tarantino, but I was so happy to get to see it now and not on my tv.

Matthew 7:3

2009-08-21T06:19:00.000-07:00

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Because sometimes, a lot of times, I need this reminder, this call that says "I'm not perfect so shut up about other people's problems"

That is all :D

This is my fourth pregnancy. I think I know some things.

2009-08-20T05:13:00.000-07:00

Like: How much water to drink, what is a fixable problem and what is not, what sort of movements I should be feeling, etc.

So WHY did my doctor quiz me like a 15 year old first time mom yesterday acting as if I know nothing?

Sample
"How much water are you drinking?"
'Tons'
"Break it down for me because the last person who said that really meant 20 ounces a day"
'Okay, I have 20 oz tumbler cups, I drink at least 6-8 of those filled a day'
"Yep, thats how much you should have"
'Yeah'

Dude, this is so not my first time at the rodeo, please give me some credit. And no, no I do not want to start the weeklies early.

One of the issues I don't 'get' and come close to judging people on.

2009-08-17T11:26:00.000-07:00

One of the commercials out there for school supplies is a dad pushing a cart while spritely dancing, the song 'its the most wonderful time of the year' playing. The kids trudge reluctantly behind.

you see where this is going yeah?

Why in the world do people dislike their children enough that its the most wonderful time of the year?

I don't get it. I am in no way making a blanket statement. I know its not everyone. And I know some are only glad to have them back on schedules, or happy because the kids are happy, or relieved to not have to find ways to watch their kids in the summer.

But I KNOW people who are seriously 'so relieved' that school is in session because they are not fans of the having kids around thing. I don't get it. It baffles me, truly baffles me! I'm not arguing that you must homeschool and be attached to your kids 24/7 or that you are a bad person for wanting space (lord knows after hearing the boy describe step-by-step how to transform things that I need a good bit of distance and quiet from him) but to not like it enough that you are giddy and excited for THAT ASPECT...it confuses me. Its not really a judgment just a non-understanding. I just don't understand feeling that way.

I know its not most people, but I know 2 of them. 2 different moms that are just so glad to get the kids out of the house. :( Their words. It baffles me.

We are the Gatekeepers er...make that the Gardeners

2009-08-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

I've had a couple of friends lately commenting about what they want or don't want their kids to see/hear. And then they are in turn argued with because they are not 'realistic' and 'kids will see/hear/smell/touch/taste it anyway'.

Which is true.

Despite anything and everything we as parents do our kids will be exposed to the things we don't want them to be. It sucks it does.

But the issue, for me, is how they gain that access.

Lets build a metaphor.

You have a plot of land. It has high walls on all sides and a gate. You are the only one with a key to that gate. You control everything that goes through that gate, in or out. You use the land to either put things you don't want outside of those walls or to store things until the proper time comes to use them.
You control these items for the most part. Sometimes they make it over the walls or under the walls or even through the walls when you don't want them to. But YOU don't bring them through.
Someone else does. That someone else doesn't use the gate. So these things come out tainted. With hints of shame and blame on them making them 'fun' and 'illicit' but with a flaw. Only the things you bring properly through the gate can take shape.

hmmm.
maybe this should be a garden metaphor, this ones getting complicated. Lets try this again.

You have seeds. You can grow whatever you want to with these seeds. But you decide which ones will grow. You keep the soil fertile, you water, nourish, provide the sunlight and plant food to make them healthy and strong and grow fast and strong and take root.

Sometimes you have bad seeds that you push to the side. Sometimes you have seeds for plants that are not supposed to grow yet. You have to sort the seeds and decide whats best to be planted and when to plant them.

Sometimes seeds will get caught by the wind and float off planting themselves. Sometimes others will take a seed and plant it even if you don't want them too. Sometimes a seed just happens to fall from your sleeve cuff because gardening is dirty work and doesn't always work properly.
But these seeds, these accidental, illicit, messy seeds don't grow the same. You didn't put them there on purpose so you don't give them the water they need, the sun they need, the plant food that will make them grow. You can sometimes pull them as weeds. You can sometimes prune them and try to mold them into better plants than you believed they were to start with. But they will NEVER be as healthy as the seeds you have purposefully planted. And you can shun them, cutting off their light, cutting off their water, making sure they grow only as weak sprouts.

It doesn't matter what your issues are with your children. If you don't want them to see violence, magic, ghosts, sex, hatred, intolerance, etc. Whatever you want to protect them from is your call as a parent. And it may SEEM extreme and silly to deny them something they will see/hear about anyway. But if you give in, against your beliefs, against what you want to 'grow' in them you give those seeds water and sunlight and plant food. You make the issue an 'okay' thing and legitimize it. Sending the message that you think its okay. Even if you don't. Even if every part of you screams that its a wrong thing. You give it the 'okay' by providing it, by allowing access, by giving the 'okay'

It is OUR job to choose what grows well, to decide what we WANT to be strong in our children. It is our responsibility to pick and choose what books we allow them to read...even if we know they will sneak comic books at a friends house. We need to control what they watch on tv...even when auntie will let them see what they want to at her house. We even teach them how to dress and eat properly...especially when Grandma gives in on the weekends.

By showing them what we think is right and what we allow, we show them what is legitimate, what belongs, and what its okay to feel good about. We make the good things healthy and the bad things, even if they like them and them being 'illegal' makes them appealing, weak.

Thats our job as gatekeepers or gardeners or whatever. It just is.

Fighting inertia

2009-08-05T18:46:00.000-07:00

I am lazy and I am not.

Once I get started I'm a beast on whatever it is I'm doing. Cleaning: bam, four rooms done and sparkling in a day. Scrapbooking: taken care of, pages and pages done. Errands: let me at em, I'll mark a list off in a hot minute.

But getting started. Ah. There's the rub.

I don't like getting up in the mornings. I hate it. I want to just lay there not moving till the next morning. Once I force the issue I'm a-okay. But getting there. Sigh.

If I sit down to eat, to computer time, to read, getting up is my enemy. I would sit, have sat, reading a book from start to finish when allowed (once upon a youthful book filled past) rather than get up to do ANYTHING.

I don't know where to find that motivating spark. All it takes, ALL it takes, is standing up. I don't know how to make myself do that happily.
I say happily cause anyone can push through. I'm looking for a way to be content with that choice and happy to be doing it. No clue how to accomplish that. No clue and it seems impossible. And I don't want it to be impossible. I want it to be easy and come easily and take away this burdening and overwhelming inertia I feel at the start of tasks.

Help!

Things I NEED in life

2009-08-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

First: I NEED the kindle. NEED.

I mean...for someone who reads as much as I do this thing is AWESOME.

Second: I NEED a playdate some time next week, I will be alone with my kids all week...I'm gonna go crazy I think! This one I might actually get.

Third: Time. I need to do a scrapbook for my mom...maybe next week while hubby is gone I'll crank that out so I can continue in my quest to get my own albums up to date.

Fourth: A magic wand to clean my house. I am so tired of it always getting messed up daily. Sigghhhh. Its never done!

There's more. I know. But for now thats it.

Cultivating my garden...allow me to wax philosophical for a bit

2009-07-29T11:55:00.000-07:00

Like everyone I have personal flaws.

I am way too judgmental and concerned about what other people do. Wayyyyy too much so.
I am lazy. Super duper lazy.
I am overly concerned with how others view me.

In light of these various personality flaws Voltaire has been 'speaking to me'

He says 'cultivate your garden'

Meaning don't worry about all the things you can't control. Don't focus on how others are living. Don't obsess over things that don't concern you. Grow your life. Tend your life. Solve the problems that you can effect that affect you.

I have been very strongly attempting to do this. I will catch my mind wandering in a spiral or judgment about someone that has nothing to do with me and switch off that track and focus on my own life. I don't know how yet to stop myself from starting to think of these things but I am getting good at catching it and stopping it.

I am trying to be active/proactive in making my life what I want, parenting as I want, getting the outcomes that I want and can effect through my actions. Its hard. I don't want to clean the house, I want it to be clean. I don't want to listen to the boy drone on about his bionicles, I just want him to feel like I care. I don't want to teach my kids how to do math, I just want them to know. DOING is so much harder than WISHING.

I am who I am and I have to evaluate what I want with my life and stop worrying about people disagreeing with me or being angry that I disagree or trying to impress them BY disagreeing. I can only offer who I am and knowing who I am is a hard, hard thing. I am impressed and respectful of many of my friends life decisions. The way the live, what they believe, how they do things in their life. But I very much need to separate out that respect and admiration from wanting to 'do it like them'. In a way this is the easier 'issue' to deal with because I do have a strong ability to respect but vary. Its the identification of where I vary thats the problem!

Tired, sleepy, soooo sleepy

2009-07-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

I can't sleep. I have this crazy sleep thing going on. Every night, every single night, I wake up around 2 or 3 and I'm just awake for 2 hours. It sucks. I'm waking up tired every morning. I don't know what to do about it. I do not like to take meds for sleep. I react very strongly to them so its really gotta be important to take them.

I think it might be getting there. I'm basically getting 2 less hours of sleep than I should be getting. This is NOT good. :(

I'm crazy. I just know it.

2009-07-15T15:31:00.000-07:00

So we are going to the beach this weekend.
No biggie, just a 2 hour drive to a beach, an overnight hotel stay and home on the second day. Really no big issue.
But its highlighted a very sick and twisted part of my mind.

See...I like to take pictures. LOTS of pictures. And in my minds eye I am mentally reviewing all of the outfits the children have and what will be best at the beach, etc.

For instance, should the boy wear his plain shirts without graphics or his Hawaiian shirt and his gymboree thing with the pineapple?
Should the baby wear HIS Hawaiian shirts or maybe his one with the monkey on it.
And of course being the good mommy of a girl I am, the girls wardrobe is causing me the most uncertainty. I have a Jamaican dress for her and another sun dress thats darling. These would both be awesome to photograph against the pale beachy colors.
BUT I also have a cute white skirt and a tye dye shirt she looks frickin adorable in. Plus theres another skirt/shirt combo she could wear that would be awesome.

You see...this is not stuff to worry me. It shouldn't be, but it does. I am thinking about THIS and not important things.

I MUST be crazy. MUST be.

My little ones at VBS

2009-07-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

The boy waiting to be a perch to a parrot in VBS

And here he is with his bandanna slipping while concentrating on another craft.

The girl posing in her bandanna, the only time she wore it :P

And playing in game time.

The toddler terror of the open seas Arrrggghh

And playing with his CARRRSSSS in the nursery at VBS

I don't wanna study

2009-07-12T10:51:00.000-07:00

I am WANTING a natural birth.
I've been induced 3 times. No 'big deal' except I am POSITIVE the last time it was unnecessary. With my first he was out of fluid at 1 week past due the lying 'due date' they give you. With my second she was a week past due and I had Symphis Pubis Dysfunction and welcomed the induction.

With my third I WANTED to go 'natural' I didn't want interventions but status quo here is a week, I got 9 days and then was induced. Even though I was having sporadic (very sporadic) contractions on my own.

This time I'm going 2 weeks if I have to. I don't mind after 2 weeks, thats where medical journals start disagreeing about placental degradation. I KNOW when I am 'due' because I was very carefully charting my cycle, etc.

This all being said.

I want to go natural. I really, really do.

I don't want to read, I don't want to listen to cds, I don't want to do much of anything to prepare. I've got my game plan in mind and I'm feeling very manish about it and "i don't need to stop for directions, I can do this on my own" (insert tim the toolman taylors grunt)

I don't know if I will eventually succumb and pick up a book. I just don't know. But this is my fourth, I've read tons on the internets, and I just feel...I dunno. Like I know what I'm doing and I'm not scared, worried, or unsure of things.

I just want to have a baby. Thats all :)

I am the King of the Mountain.

2009-07-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

I read once in a book that children will start games fighting to be the 'king' of the mountain. the one calling the shots and directing everyone. But they quickly realize that when they do so they don't get to have a part in the action, so they set up a straw man to be the king and then they all play and make up the directions.

I am so that straw man. My kids will set up games, today its mission space. They have all sorts of things thrown around put together as a rocket and they are flying around crashing into meteorites and Saturns gassy surface. But the directions come from me. Space Base Commander Mommy. Every 5 or so minutes I get a 'space base commander mommy can we have a status update.'

This is not the only time. most of them involve missions and such that they play at for 5-15 minutes and then return to me for a new 'mission' of sorts. Whether they are explorers, soldiers, astronaughts, police men/women.

They don't want me playing WITH them, even if I TRY to have another role I get stuck with 2 and the commander role comes first for them.

Sigh. Just call me straw man mommy.

The Liberal In Me

2009-07-01T18:59:00.000-07:00

I don't really make it a secret, i'm a big ole bleeding heart.

So here's one that struck me as unnecessarily something to concern oneself today:

Transgender bathrooms. I dunno, don't ask me where the interpeople come up with this crap, but the backstory is that SUPPOSEDLY there is legislation in Pennsylvania to mandate Transgender people so that they have protection to go where they want.

Its been translated (if it exists...the only source I've heard of it from is a conservative who listens to Hannity...very well could have this way overblown...I could find neither hide nor hair of it on the web searchin) to mean that businesses will have to have transgender bathrooms.

UM.

Yeah.

My first thought was 'why don't we go unisex' how many problems would THAT solve for everyone. Stall up the urinals and have at it. We are adults or children who should be supervised by adults so why the heck not!!

But of course that is CRAZY talk and transgendered people are ucky and not deserving of care and SHOULD be treated like second class citizens and how oh how will we answer our childrens queries on why that woman has a *gasp* penis.
First: I doubt any child would see a womans penis (the argument is that it extends to locker rooms) and the parent should be with them in locker rooms to prevent rude staring at naked bodies anyway.
Second: Kids only know something is wrong once you tell them its wrong. If instead of making a disgusted face you just matter of factly explain that there are all sorts of different people in the world and thats what makes it so interesting, 10:1 the kid is going to drop it. Just drop it and move on to talk of other things.

Seriously...not that difficult of a concept people, really not.

The decision to go to church has its rewards :)

2009-06-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

Its the south. Its hot. My van sits under a carport or I'd never leave the house.

Yesterday I sat for a bit arguing with myself over whether or not I would go to church. The car gets murderously hot in the parking lot there. It was a tough decision for me.

BUT my dad was spending his last sunday there for a while. And I really wanted out of the house. So despite hating the heat, we went.

I have never been so happy with my choice.

My dad picked up the toddler and held him for the 15 minutes before childrens sermon (toddler goes to the nursery after that) and the toddler didn't fight it, didn't squirm, didn't complain one bit, just sat there holding him. I KNOW that meant something to my dad, how often does a 2 year old let you just hold him, and it meant a lot to me to not have to fight with the toddler while listening to the lessons and psalmody.

Then we sang hymns. And the boy (who is too old for the nursery) sang them with me! read them and sang them along in time. It was fabulous.

The Pastors sermon was about giving to God, and it was something I had been thinking about. And I appreciated it. Not his best. But good.

And then we had a reception for New Members and it was a good time, good food, etc.

I was well rewarded for braving the heat of the day to attend church :)

Facebook and 'friendships'

2009-06-27T18:01:00.000-07:00

So. I like facebook, love it sometimes. I'm a fan of simple games and that they have. I like seeing the status update 'checks' on people. So thats nice.

But I don't view it as a place for real discussion. Its not a blog or a conversation in real life or even a message board community. Its something different, something shallower.

That doesn't help much when my 'liberal uppitiness' is offended. Its not 'normally' by my friends. More often its from THEIR friends and the responses they make to more thoughtful/normal comments that they start out with.

At times it makes me want to defriend the original friend! Just so I don't have to see their 'friends' comments.

That is how much I hate ignorance.

Michael Jackson

2009-06-26T10:33:00.000-07:00

So the news is that Michael Jackson has died. I'm sad. I didn't think I would be. Not that I had given it serious consideration, but I am.

He was one of the movers of modern art. He pioneered the music videos, the songs, celebrity charity. He was so much to the world. He made fans faint and cry just watching him. He shared his voice, his songs, his words with the world.

He was Legendary in every sense of the word and I mourn his passing.

Do I volunteer? Don't I?

2009-06-25T13:06:00.000-07:00

I don't do a 'bunch'

I volunteer with my MOPS group, its the easiest job too, Assistant Discussion Group Leader. No big. I kinda wanted to do just the "Group Leader" bit this coming year.

I also teach Sunday School. the 2-4 year class. Again, no biggie, we team teach so there is someone there to cover for me.

BUT. Is it fair to volunteer my time when I will perhaps not be available? I mean...baby is due on the 20th of October. Say I take minimum time and return the following weekend to regular routine. Possible, entirely possible.

Its also entirely possible that I will be overwhelmed with 4 kids, a busy husband, nursing on demand for a month or two till little girl gets a schedule of sorts going, and the approaching holidays and such, plus homeschooling.

Will I be capable of supermomdom? Why don't I know anyone who is exactly like me a couple years down the road? Totally unfair.

Happy Birthday The Boy!

2009-06-20T18:41:00.000-07:00

I keep waiting for the kids to hit an age that I don't like. I'm sure it will happen someday, or at least I'm told it will.

But The Boy at 7 is still awesome!

A little...how do you say...unusual from what I've seen of other 7 year olds, but I'm sure most Mom's feel that way.

But I have to tell him to put down books to eat, clean, or sleep. He was opening a gift, a lego set, and it rattled. He said 'hmmm, sounds like some assembly required' Just as cool as you could be, it just tumbled from his mouth like he had never NOT known the words.

He is currently putting together a Bionicle set thats meant for 9-16 year olds. I'm not sure if it will take him 1 or 2 days, but that will be it. And to do it he will follow the instructions step by step.

He's very serious. Very, very serious. He likes physical comedy, but thats about it for the jokes. So when I tease him he can get quite incensed. "Mommy I don't like those jokes"

He's also very literal. So when I tell him we're eating rainbow pie for dinner he'll say "no, you can't make pie out of rainbows, thats just fractured light, unless you mean its called that because it has bunches of different colored fruit, you might be able to do that."

He is obsessed with learning. He reads his encyclopedias ALL THE TIME. And then discusses them with me, and expects me to have answers for his questions (what does a black hole really look like, why is a super nova so dangerous, do you think we could see one someday, etc. etc)

He is also a fantastic brother. He's gentle with the Baby, plays with the Girl, and never balks when I tell him to hold someones hand. He loves his siblings and is so excited for another one. I couldn't ask for it to be better.

I'm sure he will eventually grow his hair long, stop washing, and start yelling things like "i hate you, i hate you" but for now he's still a great little guy and I'm just amazed at that!

The Beach and Lovin it and hopeful for tomorrow

2009-06-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

Summer has started and we went to the beach for the first time last week and loved it. It was the kids first time and hubby had forgotten how much he loved it. We also went to the aquarium and had so much fun checking out the fish and turtles an dalbino alligator/crocodile (i can't remember which)

NOW we are hoping to go again. This time with my Dad who is back from Afghanistan. The ONLY problem is that it might be some rain. I really hope there's not. I would be so sad if we drove 2 hours and didn't get to go play on the beach and make our castles and swim in the ocean.

Fingers crossed.

My baby is 2 years old.

2009-05-20T05:28:00.000-07:00

He is such a little bundle of love. He is funny and sweet and mean all at the same time. He will console you if you cry, take your toy from you if look away, and then share it with you when he sees it makes you upset.

He has sunshine behind his amber brown eyes. And blonde hair I wasn't expecting. Its golden in the sun.

He is a monkey-see monkey do kid. To the extreme. I can let him walk up to the childrens sermon and sit there by himself because the other kids are doing it. I can let him walk beside me at parks rather than hold his hand because he'll stay with the group. He colors like a big kid almost (way past dots and he's starting to use multiple colors) because he has to do it when his sister does (which is always) and he tries to color like her.

He shakes hands with the Pastor because we all stand in line to do so at church.

He is amazing at restaurants because his siblings are great. :)

I am so lucky to have good kid after good kid and I can't believe he's two already. I keep looking at him like he should have sprouted wings or horns or something :D

thanks for reading.

How much I love being pregnant

2009-05-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

(

)
that much :D

I've been feeling baby move and I am so, so excited! I love the flutters, I'm waiting for some hiccups and thumps.

I adore pregnancy, I think I do it well. :D

Lizards lizards everywhere!!!

2009-05-09T13:01:00.001-07:00

It is May. Not even mid-May. Early May. And already we have had TWO lizards invade our home. This is going to be a CRAZY year. CRAZY. I am not happy, not content. And now the boy wants to keep one as a pet. No. No I don't like things you have to feed live food to. No thank you.

Help me plllleeeaaasssseeee

The boys poem

2009-05-08T09:37:00.000-07:00

Ahem:

Spring Rain
Spring is Main
I want to cry
When the days are dry

yep. he's a regular ts elliot :D

I'm playing rock paper scissors with the baby

2009-05-02T18:01:00.000-07:00

He always picks rock, its too funny. I have to 'let' him win every other time because otherwise he gets frustrated. But he watches the girl and the boy play and likes to be just like them. So I play with him to make him happy. And it works! And it has him counting 1, 2, 3! Too cute.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

I am going to post some pictures when I upload them, but till then I just want to say Happy Easter. We've had an amazing time today, everything has been just great :)

What we teach our children

2009-03-30T16:45:00.001-07:00

The boy is awesome. He understands and gets so much. He caught on some medical show a pregnant lady smoking. He said 'that womans pregnant". Yes, she is.
"She shouldn't be smoking, smoking is bad. " That's true, but its always bad to smoke.
"Yes, but its always worse to smoke when you are pregnant." Why is that
"Because when a mommy is pregnant with a baby then the baby copies the mommy"

yes, yes thats true buddy.

we've done well :)

In case you missed it