Glory Days

Missing a little bit of that "Effortless" thing that used to be a part of my life

2011-10-03T16:36:00.000-04:00

I like hard work. I really do. I love that feeling I get after I have cleaned my entire house and am sweaty and the house smells good and dinner is in the crock pot and the laundry is done. I love that.

I love when I have a huge project at work and its finally done and someone says they loved it. Because I already loved it but its nice to know that your hard work is working for you.

Or how about when I took my child to the daycare at the gym for the first time in over a year and when I picked him up the babysitter ladies told me what a nice young man he is.

All of that is wonderful hard work paying off. And I love it.

But today I need a little bit of effortless in my life. That sentence probably doesn't make sense. But its what I need so I am keeping it there.

I need a day where I can call my friend and we just talk. We just go get coffee. We don't need a reason. We just exist as friends. Because we like each other.

I need a day where I can leave my house to run an errand or have a little me time and everything is in its place when I return. The kids, the house, the dishes. And I just fall into the couch with my People magazine and watch mindless television and just exist for a moment.

I need a day where I come to work and I put in my day and feel good at the end of it. Accomplished.

I just need some effortless in my life.

I have a case of the Monday's if you can't tell.

And apparently I think its a good reason to blog.

We will see if it turns out to be. HA!

I think this is why I feel this way:
Woke up at 1:30 am, fed baby J.
Put her back to bed at 2:30am
Had to take a half of a Tylenol PM at 3:30 pm because P-Daddy was snoring so bad I couldn't fall back asleep from being woken up at 1:30am
Next thing I know JD is tapping me at 7am
My mom stayed with us last night so her dog is at the house. Throw on clothes (or more clothes-I am not a sexy type sleeper-ha!), get JD bundled, me bundled and we take Pete (the dog) out.
Jacob has tantrum number one of the day because I wouldn't let him put on the leash.
Get the dog in.
Make JD his milk and get him a nutra grain bar
get the dog his food
make myself some coffee
JDs alarm clock starts going off (because he is supposed to sleep until that goes off).
I run upstairs to turn it off and find baby J awake.
Get baby J.
Change her diaper.
Give her Zantac.
Feed her.
Get JD bundled again, get myself bundled and take Pete out to poop
Get JD dressed for school.
P-Daddy is now up and JD goes upstairs to talk to him.
I take this opportunity to pack JD's school bag.
Baby J has pooped.
Change baby J's diaper.
Its 8:40.
JD is leaving for school with Daddy.
My mom is up now and taking care of Baby J.
I go to the office, boot up my computer and start my work day.
Have first meeting with boss where I am told I didn't turn in my "best work"-probably right.
Take notes.
Doing it over.
Get a text from P-Daddy that JD had a complete meltdown when he was dropped at school
Still on a call/meeting with my boss. And now he is telling me how unhappy he is with other peoples work.
Flip to now where P-Daddy is back home because he doesn't feel good.
Struggling to keep JD down for a nap.
Have EOD meetings that I am preparing for.
Still have unbrushed teeth, pajama bottoms, my shirt I wore yesterday on and haven't brushed my hair.
I have a huge zit on the tip of my nose
I have a huge zit on the side of my nose where a mole is and I am sort of freaking out that something is wrong (just went to the dermatologist and nothing was wrong then of course).
PS-I have been zit free my whole life so this is pissing me off
The lawn needs mowed and P-Daddy is sick-guess who is doing that now?
Finish meetings at 5pm
Mow lawn.
Make dinner for JD.
Feed Baby J Squash and Rice Cereal
Bath JD
Bath Baby J
Put JD to bed
Feed Baby J last bottle
Put Baby J to bed
Eat something somewhere in there
Go back to work because I didn't have time to complete everything I needed to in the 8 hours I was in the den today
Make bottle for the middle of the night
Make coffee for the morning
Go to bed

*Note: I don't always do all of this. Sometimes P-Daddy wakes up with JD in the morning. And the night routine is normally shared. But not today. And probably not tomorrow. Cause when P-Daddy is sick, he is out and an additional person for me to care for. Doesn't make me love him any less. Just makes it a bit of a harder week for me. All of that was brutally honest and hard for me to type but I am keeping it there.

I realize that something at some point is gonna give. Has gotta give. I don't want it to be me. Lack of sleep can do that to this momma. Lack of sleep and the constant of the above.

And I pause for a moment and think "How in the HELL do the Duggars do it?" And then I laugh at myself for thinking that because its so outlandish but seriously, how do they do it?

On top of all of the above. I.never.stop.thinking.

Thinking about

if JD is in the right school or if I need to send him full time somewhere
if I am in the right job for me
If P-Daddy is happy (with his job, his life, me, sex, you name it)
Shit...if I am happy (with all of the above)
If I am spending enough quality time with Baby J
If I am spending enough time with JD
If I am spending enough time with P-Daddy
If I am spending enough time with me
If my boss is happy with that specific day
And then in the middle of the night I start making mental to-do's for the next day while I am not sleeping
If I am skinny enough for me
How am I going to get skinny
If my mom is happy
If my dads business is going to be okay through this recession
And then if my brother will be okay if the business isn't okay
If P-Daddy's parents are okay and healthy and happy
If my dad is healthy and okay
If I am being a good enough friend
If I am being a good enough sister
If I am good enough
If I work out enough, not for skinniness for healthiness
Then I think about it for the skinniness part
If I tell people my feelings enough
If I tell people my feelings too much
Then I think about what I wish I would have said to that person at work that talked down to me that specific day
Am I being myself
Are we saving enough
I literally could go on and on but I will spare you

and I know I am not alone. Everyone has their own struggles. Facebook is good and bad for me on this front alone. Good because everyone seems to be so honest about their trials and tribulations on their status updates...most of which I find completely trivial and it makes me stop for a moment and be thankful that I am not a skank. Ha. Then bad because I start to feel guilty about all the feelings I have above because my life is so good. And I am not a skank.

Needless to say I made a long overdue appt with the therapist today. Or I at least emailed her. Its time to go and have a good cry on her couch. She is the one person on this planet that doesn't make me feel like my feelings about anything are trivial or bad. And I need that right now. Apparently worse than I thought.

Long overdue on a good rambling session don't ya think?

2011-09-26T15:01:00.000-04:00

OMG I leave for a few months and Blogger goes and changes its interface and its all pretty and new and it makes me feel like I don't belong. HA!

I probably don't.

I am sure I piss off the regular bloggers.

But that's not what this is about now is it.

Apparently if you want to be all into FREE social networking you need to be okay with change. Which is funny because people hate change. And yet it seems all people are social networking. Maybe Mark Zuckerberg is single handidly going to change that in the world. Now that would be an interesting movie.

Can you believe my baby is 6 months old? I am pretty sure I haven't REALLY blogged since she was an infant. She is wayy too big. And wayyy to sweet. She is the kind of baby that if she was the first born you would for sure have a dozen. You not me. But she sure does make it tempting.

Oh but she doesn't really like to sleep. So excuse me if I misspell words and sort of sound crazy at times through this post. I am a bit dizzy and delirious most of the time now a days.

Worth it.

And JD is FOUR! How did that happen? I am a mother of a child. Not a baby. Oh and speaking of that I have CHILDREN. Not child. Children.

And yet I still act like teenager or 20 something most of the time. Not with the drinking and the smoking. But with my weirdness mostly. And the laughing at my own jokes. And the weirdness.

I can't wait until my kids can really appreciate their parents weirdness. I seem to think they will totally dig it and will be laughing with US and not at us. One can only dream.

And the reason I say "us" is because P-Daddy is just as weird and funny. If not more so. But don't tell him I said that because I like him to think I am the funniest and weirdest one around here.

I like to think that the two new hit shows New Girl and Up All Night are somewhat written about me and my life. I am weird and funny like New girl (just ask me) and up all night is just my life! It just is, OKAY?! :)

So I mentioned this to some of my friends last week but think its definitely worth saying here.

I blogged a lot about how being a SAHM and how it was hard and all that jazz.

Who was I kidding?

Working mom status is the hardest. And I will tell you why. You work and have all of that responsibility and have to be on your A game and all professional and smart cause they don't care if you were Up All Night (see how I worked that in there...told ya) or still smell like spit up and snot...nope. They need you at your best all the time.

And then there is the guilt. The mom guilt that you aren't there every waking second with your children ensuring that they know they are loved and adored and nurtured.

And then there is the pangs that you AREN'T there seeing every little amazing thing that your children do each day.

And then there is laundry, and cooking a HEALTHY dinner and trying to spend time with your husband and time for yourself and then there is your friends. Basically you become a bad friend. I will say it. And then you have guilt about that.

And I don't have to get ready for work. I am pj casual everyday.

And my mom watches our kids.

And every other week I have a cleaning service that changes my sheets and makes my home squeaky clean and beautiful.

And yet its still really hard. Do I sound like I am complaining?

I am not. I like my life (can't you tell?!-HA!). I am happy with the decision to be working.

I am better when I work.

But the moms and dads out there that get up after no sleep and get themselves ready, their kids ready, drop their kids at a daycare somewhere and are at their desk by 8am. Well, they are my new hero's.

Seriously.

Moving On...

I have officially diagnosed myself with a MILD (okay maybe moderate) case of OCD. P-Daddy and I had the whole day to ourselves (basically) yesterday and we both decided to spend the day completely organizing our lives. Relax cause we get no sleep..nahhh! Lets maticulously organize the tool box in the garage (if you are wondering, no it wasn't P-Daddy-it was me), medicine cabinet, and our master bedroom closet. Oh and don't forget loading up three large boxes of kids clothes (tear) for Goodwill.

Or the fact that before P-Daddy and I had a little get-away I labeled all of Baby J's drawers and made the below (which is just one page of the entire binder I left for our precious babies caretakers that weekend).

Not to mention that this month alone I have re-arranged our living room twice. Last month-once.

Apparently OCD is currently how I am dealing with my issues. HA! Better that than Marlboro Ultra Lights right?! Can I get an AMEN?

P-Daddy and I did get away recently to go and watch our great friends get hitched. We made a long weekend out of it and spent some quality time with each other and friends. It was awesome and much needed.

I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

At other people's jokes that is.

I laugh that hard all the time at my own of course.

We have great friends.

And that's all I got for today.

Happy 4th Birthday to my Favorite Son!

2011-09-14T07:58:00.003-04:00

Because I never blog anymore, ever I tried uploading this to Facebook but they got angry at me because of the music I added and deleted it. So...I am trying here. And can't make any promises that I will be back soon! BUT I do miss you blog!

Happy Birthday Jacob!

If you just smile

2011-06-22T15:50:00.008-04:00

I noticed last night as I was laughing out loud at the rerun of Saturday Night Live we had DVR'd that my face hurt. I noticed this the night before too. Hurt like it did when I used to smile for hours through a Madrigal performance back in the day.

And then I smiled...again

Because I realized that my face hurt because I am smiling so much.

How fun is that?

I do have so much to smile about and I know this but knowing you have a lot to smile about and actually smiling about it are two different things people.

And I have been smiling so much, without even realizing it that my face hurts at the end of the day.

So blessed. So freaking, flipping blessed.

Here is a glimpse into my smiles...I hope it makes you smile too! Love my life!

PS-may need a reminder of this face hurting due to smiling so much business very, very soon if Baby J doesn't start to consistently sleep through the night pronto! :)

My Little Boy

2011-06-15T11:25:00.005-04:00

For some reason I have been thinking a lot about these pictures...or I guess the day behind these pictures...

My LITTLE JD.

He was 13 months old on this day and I remember thinking that he was soo big! He didn't really talk until he was 27 months old but yet I look back at these and think about the language he and I had. Its remarkable to me that I stayed at home with JD for over 2 years and for most of that time he couldn't tell me a thing in plain English.

And yet he told me everything.

He really is a little me and P-Daddy all rolled into one. Which can be challenging at times...because, really...who wants to live with themselves? Or a small version of themselves at that? The cute parts of yourself, sure. But the little girl and little boy parts inside of you that are raw and sensitive and humble and outspoken and and AND...well those can be a bit more difficult of course.

And yet even those difficult parts about a 3 year old that is just like you is still beautiful.

I laid in bed the other night while trying to fall asleep and my heart starting to ache. Because he is growing up. He is making friends. Not MY friends children, his own, real life friends. And I am so proud of him.

So proud that when asked which child wants to come up in front of the class to tell a story about an unknown thing he jumps up and can't wait to do it. Turns out it was about a robot. Score.

He does a perfect Robot impression.

But my heart ached because for some reason on this random night of trying to fall asleep I got super in touch with my own childhood. Or could remember things that were painful. Like feeling as though I wasn't good enough or cool enough as the people that surrounded me. Feeling left out, being made fun of. All things that are a part of any childhood.

And yet all things he hasn't had the pleasure of knowing yet.

He is this amazing, beautiful, outspoken little boy and I want him to ALWAYS know this. Something that I feel like all parents lose (including mine) is the perspective of who their child is right at this point in their life. I read recently that our God given talents are there ready to be improved upon at the ripe age of TWO! Its just what our parents decide to do with us that shapes whether or not we really develop those talents.

I want to help shape his God given talents. I don't want to hinder them. I don't want to ever forget who he is right now.

I want him to LOVE who he is always and forever. I want to help him with that journey. Because, as we all know, its not easy to love yourself through thick and thin. But if I could accomplish one thing as a mommy it would be that. To have children who are completely aware of who they are and love that person. Amen-Hallelujah.

And so...

Wait for it...

Challenge Accepted! :)

Sharing Time!

2011-05-26T14:02:00.009-04:00

I am an oversharer. I overshare. The good, the bad, the ugly. I will share with you. I do it (most of the time) because I am a rescuer by nature. I want to help you. Are you going through something? I bet I have a story that's worse (in my head) or equal that will help. Or I hope it will.
I realized an obvious factoid the other day when I was oversharing. That no matter how well I overshare (or tell my story), no matter how detailed it is-no one really knows what it feels like/felt like to be me in that or any situation. Simple thought, complex emotion.

Its just a story to anyone I overshare with.

It was/is my life.

Essentially I am telling you so you can hear what it is to walk a mile in my shoes. So you know you aren't alone.

Never before have I thought about it this way and I don't know why. Especially because I am such an oversharer.

Hello-if you have read this blog long enough you KNOW I overshare.

In my hormonal state I think this came to mind because a LOT has happened since I had baby girl. Stuff that may have also happened to other people but that is still so personal that it can only be a story to them and it was my real life.a

Like Open heart surgery for dad.

6 additional days on the ventilator for dad because there were complications.

Dad being 2 and a half hours a way while I had just had surgery to get baby girl out of me.

P-Daddys dad having a procedure done.

Hospitals everywhere.

Oh and then Dad got married.

So just a lot. And so lots of stories to tell. Lots of people asking questions. Lots of me oversharing.

I don't like secrets. That's another reason I overshare.

The in laws didn't know my dad had been to prison prior to our marriage. I by no means kept it a secret- just never came up in conversation (and why would it I guess...but most of the time I would have made sure that people who are close to me know about this).

So when it DID come up the looks on their faces alone told how they felt. And that's why I don't like secrets. And that's why I overshare.

You can judge. But at least judge with all of the facts.

I think I used to overshare because I was scared of the judging.

Now I overshare because its part of who I am and I like me and I want to help you.

But in realizing that my stories are JUST stories to you I also realized that your stories are just stories to me. And that sometimes in my oversharing I am not LISTENING to you enough. And by you I mean anyone who I have overshared with. So I guess, you.

Lately I have been laying in bed at night thinking of all the things I want to overshare about.

Like my postpartum weight and how breastfeeding didn't really help. And that I don't love myself enough during pregnancy to not gain too much weight.

And like how I already quit breastfeeding and how that whole thing was good, bad, REALLY ugly (like my nipples) at times but so worth it. Even if it was for a short time. And I can't believe the guilt I feel about stopping.

Or the fact that I am looking forward to going back to work and how guilty I feel about that. I am telling you that being a stay-at-home mommy was hard but I think that being a working mom may just be harder. Because of the guilt and the guilt alone.

And how the worst part about getting therapy for yourself is that it makes you look at all the people around you totally different. How transparent they now are because of everything I have learned. And how I just want to shout from the rooftops what a gift it is to learn more about yourself and heal from any wounds you may have from life thus far.

And really, all of that oversharing is just my selfish thoughts that may or may not help you or you or you but they are the ones that I lie in bed at night and think about how I should blog about them.

And so I have.

On why I think Rob Lowe is a Smart Cookie

2011-05-04T19:58:00.006-04:00

So I have been totally sucked in to Oprah's FINAL 25 shows...which happened to include the interview of Rob Lowe. Who, by the way, I do not find dreamy at all. Except for his recent cover on Vanity Fair. That was pretty hot. But as a general statement, not so dreamy.

If I am going to get a choice in a celebrity man, I would rather have myself some Matthew McConahay. But thats just me.

But I digress...

So ROB said two things on Oprah that I found very smart that I thought I should share because for whatever reason they have not left my brain since I heard them come from his non dreamy mouth.

The first is a comment he made about his wife, his marriage. He said (not quoting, just generalizing here) that he and his wife try and find things to do TOGETHER not A PART. Sounds simple enough, right? Sounds like what people would DO in a marriage. Or that it would be what comes easy to two people who decided to spend their life TOGETHER right?

I heard this and thought "RIGHT ON BROTHER" and "PREACH IT" because I live in that same sort of marriage. And I was that girl that entered in my marriage thinking that all marriages were ones where the two involved really loved to spend actual time together. That they enjoy. But honestly I have very few friends, acquaintances, co-workers, you name it that enjoy spending time with their significant other. Or maybe enjoy isn't the correct word. Maybe its that when given the opportunity to spend time with someone, the first choice is not their significant other.

So whatever that means.

And they look at me funny when my first choice IS P-Daddy.

My marriage is NOT perfect. Well not perfect to you or if you knew all the ins and outs you would say it wasn't. But I have come to know that its messy perfect to ME and really, that is all that matters. I am happy that when Mr. Rob Lowe said that he would rather spend time with his wife than a part I could smile and know exactly what he was talking about.

Preach it Rob.

I hope people listen to him, on Oprah, in his book...because his wife, lets be honest is not what I would consider "Hollywood perfect" and yet Mr. Bratpack dreaminess thinks she is the most awesome woman ever.

Go him.

Onto the second point that I think makes Mr. Rob Lowe pretty smart.

He said (and again not quoting) that there comes a time in ones life where feeling youthful becomes work and its a choice that everyone makes a choice to live youthfully or start to live like an old fart. HA! He didn't say the fart part at all...just how I interpreted it. And the context was not botox or looks, it was on a question she asked him about how much energy he has and how excited he seems about life.

That really spoke to me for some reason. Probably because I just had our second child (which sort of makes me feel old), I am close to being 10 years removed from college and I am no longer in my 20's. But the funny thing is I tell my dad all the time that you are only as old as you feel.

And I don't feel OLDER.

I feel great, full of life.

Ready for the journey. Like I always have been.

But I don't ride around in my teal Lebaron convertible anymore singing as loud as I can whenever I want just to clear my head.

And I don't write in my journal like its a person and tell it exactly how I am feeling all of the time about every little thing.

I don't run miles and miles just to feel great anymore either.

I don't walk into a room full of 30 somethings and feel anywhere NEAR as confident as I did when I walked into a room full of 2o somethings in college.

So its a bit MORE work to keep ME full of beautiful LIFE.

Sing it ROB, sing it.

Oh and thanks for telling this to Oprah while I am 30. :)

I might be a wee slap silly with tiredness (I know you are sick of me talking about it but this but this sleeplessness is serious business) but I think Rob Lowe may just be a smart cookie.

The Ramblings of This Tired Momma

2011-05-02T08:05:00.006-04:00

Today you will get a rare glimpse into exactly how my brain is working right now. Its a bit jumbled and filled with lots of randomness but should be an interesting read! :)

Right now I am sitting with JD on the couch, watching "Handy Manny." He is snuggled up to me and his feet are on top of my feet. He is huge. I mean seriously GIANT and I know I won't get opportunities like this with him forever so I am soaking it up.

I was really over all of the Royal Wedding coverage. I mean over it. I just sort of wanted the world to leave William and Kate alone. But turns out I felt their day was lovely. And I liked the short kisses. William doesn't like PDA people. It was cute.

He fell out of his bed at 4am this morning. Loudest thump I have ever heard (or so it seemed at the time). Almost a full year in that bed with no guard rail and he has never fallen out before. Poor thing was so sad. This momma was happy to help him BACK into bed and prayed he would fall back asleep. He did. Thank God.

Baby J is currently fast asleep in her pack n play with us downstairs. Sleeping on her belly, which happens to be her favorite way to sleep. This is unfortunate because unless I am wide awake and able to watch her every move she can't sleep this way. Even though the girl has AMAZING head control. Came out of the womb that way. Everyone in the hospital ooo'd and awww'd about it. I just wish she could sleep the way she likes without me breathing over her neck. Oh because selfishly I would like to sleep while she is sleeping the way she likes.

My left hip hurts like a mother trucker and has since the third trimester of pregnancy. I thought it was the pregnancy but I am worried something got loose in there. I walk with a limp sometimes. Probably not good. Totally forgot to address this issue at my 6 week follow up appointment last week because on that particular day things were feeling quite normal.

And now JD is out on the screened in porch. Mowing. Changing oil on his mower. Filling up the gas tank. Washing his mower. If he could mow in his sleep, he would.

And he is STILL talking about how much he missed us while we were in the hospital with Baby J. He sometimes cries about it. To say he felt abandoned is an UNDERSTATEMENT. He just told me he missed us while we were in the hospital. Came in from the porch, told me, went back to his business. Sad that even while he is busy with his favorite thing in the world, his little brain goes there.

Right before I had baby J I went to get my usual highlights and the gal tried something new and turned my hair ORANGE. I am still reaping the benefits from that disaster. Really awesome when my self confidence was already in the pregnancy dumps and now I have the lovely post baby body. I have had three total hair redo's, so its better but I have a feeling I will be feeling the pain of this mess up for at least a year. I have switched hair dressers.

I am in awe of how wonderful JD is with Baby J. In awe. He is a rowdy, ROWDY boy but when he is dealing with Baby J he is gentle and caring. Its a beautiful thing. And I find it so neat that when he is around she is almost always silent and following him around wherever he goes.

My old job decided they wanted me to return apparently. They sent me an email asking me to re-interview for my old position. I find this EXTREMELY interesting. I graciously told them I was happy with the company I am working with now. It was nice to know that they were interested in having me back. Wish they would have acted like they gave a damn about my work when I was there. Glad my company does now.

Speaking of my company now...they have been so ridiculously generous to our family since Baby J was born. Its humbling to know that these people I call co-workers that I have only met in person ONCE can be so giving and thoughtful.

My dad had open heart surgery to replace a valve 2 weeks after Baby J was born. He is doing okay now but things went very south a day after surgery. To say that I have been stressed is an understatement.

Baby J laughs in her sleep. Might just be one of my favorite things of all time.

I don't remember my dreams being as vivid postpartum with JD. I am having some crazy ones every single night and every single morning I think I should be writing them down.

Speaking of writing things down, I still have yet to write a single word in an actual journal. And yet I think about doing that everyday too.

When JD asked me to turn on a show for him this morning I told him that we really should be watching the news because today is a special day. "Osama Bin Laden was killed" I told him. "Why?" he asked. "Because he hurt our country and tried to make us less safe." "Why?" he asked. "Because he wasn't a nice man." "They schanked him mom?" "Yep JD, the schanked him." Schanked seemed like a less violent way to describe things so I went with that.

I am breastfeeding this time around and feel as though this subject needs a whole blog post. Bottom line: its hard work. Stay tuned.

I am struggling with what in the world to put on Baby J's feet when I put her in a dress. Socks? That seems strange to me. And she is too little for shoes. She has the cutest dresses but I just don't know where to begin with the feet business. Dressing JD was much easier. She has so many accessories and multiple parts to the same outfit. She is wayyyyy more fashionable than me (which I hope to continue for her sake).

My belly button will never be the same I am quite positive. Its back to being an innie but I just don't think its ever going to look right again. Damnit. :)

I wish I had more time to blog because I miss it. There I said it. I miss it.

Must label baby pictures well...could get confusing in old age...

2011-04-12T16:13:00.005-04:00

So from the moment we saw our precious baby girl it has been a bit shocking how MUCH she looks like her brother did. I mean its even a bit creepy. JD has what they call a "stork bite" on the back of his neck that just looks like a big strawberry at the bottom of his hairline. His little sister, yeah, born with the SAME ONE! I think that is the creepiest to me of all the things.

From the hairline, to the eyelashes to the nose...its as if we have produced the exact same baby again, just a different sex! I never imagined they would look this much alike!

They are NOT the same baby...but they could have been twins and that is FO SHO!

Can you guess which one is JD and which is baby girl?

The Arrival Of Our Baby Girl

2011-03-26T14:01:00.007-04:00

Our precious daughter was born on St. Patrick's Day, arriving exactly how she was supposed to! We are in love with her beyond words. JD is in love with her beyond words. JD is NOT in love with his mommy and daddy right now. :) We are still working that out!

Here are her stats:

March 17, 2011

7lbs 4oz

20 1/2 inches

Born at: 7:38am (random factoid: her brother was born at 7:37am)

Granbecks (also known as Gaga) holding Julia for the first time

Papa President holding Julia for the first time

Aunt Ricki holding Julia

Aunt Ricki and Uncle Badgeman

Grandpa Menard and Grandma Principal

Godmom holding Julia for the first time

Aimee holding Julia for the first time

Uncle VP, our first visitor at home!

I sure am hormonal so Lord knows in the coming weeks I will have lots to write about. :) And Julia will have a secret name like JD but thought the only peeps reading this blog were those that know me so you get the inside scoop! :)

Over it?

2011-02-20T20:58:00.003-05:00

I may just be over blogging, this here blog...the blog thang.

I just don't know. I still have lots and lots to say, don't get this girl wrong...but I am just not able to take the time to sit down and type it out.

I have censored myself too. And I hate that. I think about writing all of my (ahem) profound thoughts and then I think about who reads this and what they will think if I am that brutally honest about whatever subject is running through my head.

Secretly I want to start a secret blog.

The biggest secret is I don't have time to start a secret blog.

I also think that maybe I should just journal again. Maybe that.

But if nothing else I am a confused blogger.

I don't want to be a mommy blogger.

I want to be able to discuss my momminess when I feel necessary but I don't want to be a mommy blogger.

Being a mommy is important and, of course does defines part of who I am. BUT JUST PART PEOPLE.

Here is what I know fo sho:

We are great.
I love my job.
I am approximately 3 weeks from delivering our Baby Girl.
This stage of pregnancy is really hard on my body, mind and soul.
I have fabulous friends from all walks of my life.
I miss the gym.
I am so thankful my mom lives so close.
JD is the light of my life. Our life.
I can't wait for March Madness.
P-Daddy is the LOVE of my life. Seriously people. The Best.
I don't pray enough.
I am scared of my second c-section.
I love getting my nails done.
I may just be over this here blog.

Time shall tell I guess. I am taking 12 weeks off once baby girl is born. You may just get some delirious sleep deprived posts! Now THAT could be entertaining folks!

Which of your parents are you most like?

2011-01-24T08:05:00.005-05:00

P-Daddy gets told ALL.THE.TIME he is "just like his father." Which isn't a negative thing at all, it just isn't true. :) But I let the family continue to say it because its their gig. And P-Daddy and his daddy look a LOT a like. Way more than the other bro's...so I see how that could throw them all off. Ha!

I look a LOT like my mom, minus her height. I didn't quite get to 5'11...I hang out at 5'5 (on a good day). But if you look back at pictures from when she was my age its a bit scary how much we resemble each other. And I am like her in a lot of ways.

For example, I make my friends mix CD's whenever an opportunity arises to do so. Momism for sure.

I also shop on the sale rack first, wear my heart on my sleeve and feel very comfortable cooking without a recipe.

But as a PARENT, lately I have realized I may just be my dad. I have been told I am "just like your father" several times in my life. Mostly when I am in an angry and stubborn sort of mood. Which paints a bad picture of my dad. He isn't bad just so you know. He does have a temper (not a scary one, just a normal type) and is very stubborn.

I actually love how my dad parented. He was strict but knew when to give a little. He worked really hard to provide for his family, but when he came home he would always play with us or work with us on our sports. In the summer he would find time to coach our teams and come to the pool to swim with us. He had a social life with my mom, for himself, but you knew that we were the most important thing.

I painted a REALLY pretty picture there...we were NOT at ALL a perfect family. He made LOTS of mistakes in his life that affected our family. But now that I am a parent I look back at THOSE things above and really appreciate that I had a dad that was there.

I am like him though in the way of being the strict parent. I am not afraid to yell. I am also not afraid to give lots of hugs and love. I am not afraid to sacrifice everything (even sleep, especially sleep) for my child(ren). I get a little short tempered when JD acts up over and over again. I work hard for their future.

This is just one of those funny little things in life I think. Looking back at your parents and seeing the good and the bad. Trying to figure out your own way but realizing there are things that they did that will be embedded in you forever.

I am glad I make mix CD's and wear my heart on my sleeve. I am also glad that I am able to be strict yet loving.

Which of your parents are you most like?

This Girl and Pregnancy

2011-01-09T09:10:00.002-05:00

I have been thinking about this post for a while...you know with all the up and down in the night (gives me lots of time to THINK). I had lots to say when prego with JD but didn't blog...sooo thought it may be fun to think out loud a bit on what this 9 month gig is all about for what is probably my final pregnancy.

So I am literally just going to type what I think. May be a bit jumbled. May be brilliant. We shall see...

Pregnancy with JD was trying. Lots of medical weirdness and complications. Makes the whole process very hard. Made me a nervous nelly. Pretty sure it heightened the level of my control freakness with him when he was born healthy.

Avoided Pregnancy for almost 3 years due to this factoid.

Took me about 3 years to get off all the weight from the FIRST one.

My boobs stayed bigger. Good for P-Daddy, ehhh for me. Big boobs to a girl that never had much makes you feel fatter. But I will say my cleavage is gorgeous now. HA!

First trimester sucks for two reasons.
One-you are tired and feel like crap for 12-14 weeks.
Two-you are cautioned to not tell a soul about being pregnant because the chances of miscarrying your baby is so high.
Which really means there are THREE reasons to not like it because who wants to carry around the burden of the fact that you are pregnant now but for no rhyme or reason in a 12 week time frame you could just "poof"...not be anymore.

First 12 weeks drag for this girl.

When I see two blue lines or "PREGNANT" on a stick...I want to shout it from the roof tops. Such an exciting moment.

Second Trimester is bliss. Even with JD and the ball of stress I was. Baby girl has been much easier overall but the two of them made the second 12 weeks fabulous.

Belly looks like a pregnant person and not just a chub.

You start to feel their little kicks and punches.

You glow a bit.

And you aren't too big that doing anything like sitting down and standing up is a challenge.

The hormones that run through your body during this time frame must be some good stuff (aka they should bottle it-ha!) too because I worry a LOT less during this time frame.

We find out what we are having and get the blessed 20 week ultrasound.

Then you hit (overnight it feels) the third trimester. I feel, especially with this pregnancy that I went to bed one night and woke up the next morning and I was a lot rounder in the belly, it was harder to roll myself out of bed in the morning and baby girl gained at least two pounds.

I start to worry a lot too. If I don't feel her move (and was the same way with JD) for a second (okay probably longer than that) I start to worry that something is wrong.

I start to worry about the delivery and that her cord will be wrapped around her neck 4 times too.

I start to worry about the recovery of another c-section.

I start to worry about weird things like blood clots because of c-sections.

I nest like no other woman has nested. I nest hard.

I start getting so excited about meeting our daughter (our DAUGHTER!) and then get scared in the same breath that something could go wrong.

I don't like third trimester hormones. :)

I worry that each Braxton Hicks is a real contraction (as I don't think I had any real ones with JD) and that I am not paying close enough attention.

Did I mention I nest?

Did I mention everything is already washed, put in its organized place, and ready for her arrival?
Did I mention I am only 29 1/2 (yes I needed to get the half in there) pregnant?

Oh and the nursery is done.

And I am thinking about packing my hospital bag today. No joking around here folks. Move out the way...I am nesting.

Then I look at JD and cherish every moment with him (or at least try to) because his world is going to be rocked soon.

I was the oldest child. I know the responsibility you feel as the oldest. I don't want him to feel that yet (and I know he won't but my adult horomoned out brain is O.C.)

I can't wait to see him as a big brother.

I have loved this time as our family of three though. For us, I am glad we had it this way.

And I do think about and thank God about the fact that we have no troubles getting pregnant. That in itself is a gift.

I have tried to let the weight thing go. I have been conscious about what I ingest (although Christmas time was hard on this front), how much I work out, etc. But I have just tried to appreciate what my body is doing this time.

The deal is that no one can prepare any one gal what this will be like as it is different for everyone. And I like to go into a situation prepared.

The first time around hit me like a ton of bricks as I literally had always envisioned pregnancy as a very blissful time.

I was of course more prepared this time around but it still hasn't ceased to amaze me. It hasn't been blissful but its been niceR

Overall I am trying to cherish pregnancy this time around. Trying to breath, give it to God and enjoy the 9 month ride. I am just at the 7 month part and wish that God had created pregnancy to be 30 weeks instead of 40. :)

A View of 2010

2011-01-03T12:38:00.007-05:00

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

From our Family to yours...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer...

2010-12-15T15:03:00.000-05:00

And yet another deep thought by this momma

2010-12-12T08:13:00.005-05:00

So I am having a girl as you all know by now.

And I am so excited.

But I am also so scared.

Women are so hard on themselves (including this woman). And I was hard on myself as a girl, teen, and young adult too.

So I was at a baby shower today of a friend who happens to also be having a girl. There were 34 other beautiful women there...some I knew, most I didn't from all walks of this friends life. I listened (probably looked creepy but whatevs) to these girls talk about their jobs, their friends, their lives. I find people so interesting so this is always fun for me...you know to be the creepy one listening in! HA!

Anyway...then it came time to take the group photo. We all gathered on this pretty staircase and that's when it started.

"I would prefer to be in the back"
"Please take this shot from the waist up"
"Could you hide my hips"

...and those were just a few.

I have to admit that earlier at this same shower one of my friends and I were discussing our Christmas cards and I sooo said I hate having my own face on them as I criticize almost all pictures of myself. To which she replied "oh whatever you are soo freaking photogenic"...to which I replied "oh no I am not"...but then followed it up with "I do realize that I am my worst critic." And I look back at that conversation and just want to stop myself and say instead "THANK YOU."

In her eyes, perception is probably reality. Meaning in her eyes I AM photogenic. And paying someone a compliment like that is extremely sweet. Next time, I promise to say thank you. Whether I believe it or not.

Speaking of BELIEVING it...I actually have come a long way from the days where I would look in the mirror and only see my flaws. I actually do like ME. Even my growing a** from the baby growing inside of me. :) Even that. And that, my dear readers is a HUGE STEP for this girl.

But this brings me to the responsibility I feel to my unborn daughter.

I realize that society will play a part in how she looks at herself.

I realize that I (and P-Daddy) will play the LARGEST part.

Yes, this may sound or read as if I am only focusing on vanity. But if you are a girl and you are reading this, you know what you think about yourself to the core of your being. And it starts with what you are looking at in the mirror. Yes, sure you may see wrinkles and not love them...but if you look at your eyes you see your core. This is what I am talking about. And you may not really be able to pin point WHY you feel the way you do but I can tell you from all the therapy this girl has had...it came from your family. And how you feel at the core of yourself does spill out of you. Whether you like it or not. Like when you are 30 something and have to take a group picture at a baby shower.

My husband, by the way looks at himself fondly in the mirror every single day. And always has since the day I met him. And I love this quality. He likes himself. I want both my kids to feel this way too.

So as I am aware this CAN be something men deal with, I know this IS something women deal with.

When I hear friends who already have little girls criticize them I cringe. They hear you is what I want to say. You are shaping them NOW. And I don't think calling a 2 year old chubby is ever okay. Mostly because its just allowing YOU to think its okay to say it later too.

So I may be a bit sensitive because of my own experiences...and I may take this way too seriously for some...but no matter your thoughts of what I am writing if you are a woman...YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT and you know how it affects YOU!

I have always said "you do better when you know better." And we all know better. We are all smart, we have all seen the way this whole thing plays out. I want our baby girl to grow up and say "THANK YOU" to a compliment without even thinking twice about it. Because at her core, she knows that she is beautiful inside and out. I want her to truly love herself.

By the way your parents did the best they knew how. Just as mine did. We all carry our baggage and unfortunately this is given to our children. I don't blame my parents as what good does that do? I just want to learn from my own experiences. And NOT repeat history.

And so I am scared.

Because this is a HUGE responsibility.

For both our kids.

But believe me when I say I am thrilled to be given this opportunity. To be a parent. To love my children and show them how to love.

Dear God thank you for the gift of my children...help me do your will along the road of raising them! AMEN!

Cookie Time!

2010-12-09T12:09:00.004-05:00

Its Cookie Time, Cookie Time, Coo-kie TI-ME! Who else LOVED Beverly Hills What a Thrill? Aka-Troop Beverly Hills the movie! Early 90's classic if you ask me!

Anyway, thought I would share the cookie love in blogger world today with a new recipe I made up this year*! With JD's peanut allergy the last few years I have felt rather limited on my Christmas cookie baking because everything I USED to make included peanut butter. But alas, I have gone back to the drawing board and come up with something I think is fun and different!

Introducing: Sugary White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookie Cups

Ingredients:

1 cup butter flavored shortening (or you could use just one cup unsalted butter)

1 1/2 cups white sugar

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour

2 teaspoons of cream of tarter

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 1/2 bags of white chocolate chips

1 package of candy canes, crushed

Mini muffin pan

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Mix Shortening (or butter), sugar and eggs until creamy. (use hand mixer)

Mix the flour, cream of tarter, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. (Just use a wooden spoon for this)

Mix together the wet and dry ingredients with a wooden spoon.

Take 1 inch pieces of dough and push into the bottom of your mini muffin pan (I used a dark non-stick muffin pan so I didn't have to grease it...use your own discretion for what you own). Bake for approximately 10 min or until dough is brown around the edges (all of mine also kind of rose and fell in the oven...I always took out right when the centers fell). Have your white chocolate chips and crushed candy canes handy because you will want to sprinkle each cup with a few chips and candy canes right out of the oven! Let them cool a bit in the muffin tin and then pop them out on a cooling rack for the remainder of the cooling process!

Makes about 48 mini's.

*FYI/Disclaimer-Cookie Recipe is actually a Snickerdoodle recipe (minus the cinnamon and sugar) I found on www.allrecipes.com a few years back that I LOVE. Also, I am quite aware that I am probably not the first to think of this recipe so I claim no rights to it at all. :)

A month?

2010-11-30T11:22:00.003-05:00

How did this happen? November seriously went by in the blink of an eye. And I have been TERRIBLE about blogging. Terrible. A month people...that's just not like me.

So in a nutshell...or a blink of an eye...here is what I have been up to (cause I just know you are curious).

Turned 30, celebrated with friends and family at a surprise party P-Daddy put together.

Saw Oprah's LAST (two) Favorite Things...this is momentous people, don't hate. And just in case you were wondering the peeps who were at the FIRST round got it so much better.

Found out we are having a BABY GIRL...and for those 5 of you who voted, thank you for your patronage. Your GRAND PRIZE is being CORRECT! Go you!

Created and ordered our 2010 Christmas Card and stressed WAY too much about this.

JD started and finished his first round of swim lessons. Round two coming soon! I am pretty sure he will be swimming by himself this summer (no floatation devices needed) and we are pumped about this.

Found a new lady to get my hair did by and love her.

Pretty sure I was ill with a cold half the month (this pregnancy is kicking my immune system's bootie...but in other news that same bootie seems to be not getting as LARGE this time-can I get a WOOHOO, and a knock on wood for good measure...)

Started purchasing 5T clothing for my 3 year old and am pretty damn sad about it. He is giant Toddler officially.

Bought a new (fake) Christmas tree and decked our halls.

JD started soccer and did fabulous on his first day! They give these little guys and gals uniforms which I find HILARIOUS and love it. He really was a sweaty mess after the 50 minute class!

Watched Butler get beat by Duke...again. Brutal.

Started to feel baby girl move around, always fun...wish she would cut out the bladder kicking though! Its her current favorite!!

Finally ordered a family stamp and I am super excited about this. I am OVER return address labels and feel so fancy now! :)

Took my car into the shop 3 times (or rather P-Daddy did this) and got super annoyed about it because the problem was a defect that they wouldn't fix until each "coil" went out. We are finally fixed but and it was FREE but I am over having car issues!!

FINALLY hired a painter and getting the rest of our house painted. Every color has been chosen, the floors have been covered in plastic and the painting starts TOMORROW! woohoo!

Implemented a "chore chart" for JD...the "chores" are currently
Eating a good dinner (meaning at least one sampling of each item on the plate)
cleaning up toys at the end of each day
going to bed ONCE (he has been known to reappear downstairs and have to be put BACK in bed)
staying in bed ALL NIGHT, until its light outside (also been known to appear at my bedside in the middle of the night and freak this momma out)

Still working on what the "rewards" should be...don't want them to be too complicated or food oriented. Perplexed...

I have done a ridiculous amount of baking! Which I plan on sharing the wealth of the recipes soon with all of you, so get yourself excited! :)

Happy December! Happy Advent!

To Celebrate Growing Older...

2010-11-07T07:48:00.004-05:00

This week I turn 30. Thursday to be exact. 11-11...a beautiful day (in my humble opinion-ha!). I am excited about my next 30 years as the first 30 were filled with so much I can't imagine what God has in store for me!

I was sent the below as an email forward by a great friend the other day and thought it was worth sharing! I always love getting advice from those who have been around the block more times than I!

This was written by Regina Brett, a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2009 and 2008. Oh and contrary to what the email forward says...she is 54, not 90. And if you click on her name above it will take you to her web site to confirm! Pretty funny story actually!

*****************

To Celebrate Growing Older...

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone, everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Its about time...

2010-10-27T12:07:00.006-04:00

I know its been WAYYYY too long since I shared the cuteness of JD. Or updated you on his life and social calendar. So here it goes people. Get excited.

Just call him Farmer JD because he would MUCH rather be "mowing" than doing ANYTHING else!

He met Sid the Science Kid...a current favorite.

Had his very first hayride that he LOVED because a tractor pulled us!

Went to the driving range for the first time with Daddy!

Had girls in our bed for the first time! Luckily it was just to wake him up from a nap because they were their for his birthday party and he was sleeping through it!

Went to the pumpkin patch and rode on the moo train. Again, pulled by a tractor so you really can't go wrong!

And he is still avoiding taking a nice picture with his momma! Pretty sure this is always going to be a struggle! :)

Happy Fall everyone!

How Are You?

2010-10-21T08:06:00.005-04:00

My mind is rather full right now. I have an overly active brain as it is and then with the extra blood flow because of being prego...well, to put it nicely, the brain is on overdrive.

It doesn't feel any different than my normal over-active brain but I know with the amount of stuff I have swirling around, it is. And also what kind of stuff. Its everything from the national attention on bullying, to worrying about JD (normal), to thinking about exactly how I should re-arrange, oh, you know, the WHOLE house, to what I will wear for Christmas Eve mass and, and, and. Insert any topic and its probably running through my brain.

And I already have the perfect dress for Christmas Eve mass. But I still wake up in the middle of the night and think about how the ENTIRE outfit will look together. So I guess in the end it better be great cause its only October! :)

But honestly, mostly I think about the people closest to my heart. And this is NOTHING new. A lot of women say "its so hard to put myself first, put myself on the list, think of myself." And yes, I find this hard too...especially after having JD. And yes I went through some serious "where did mamalouise go/identity crisis" stuff. But I believe I came out better for all of that so I don't dwell.

It is not in my human nature to think of myself first. I would MUCH rather ask how you are and talk about you and your life and your cheers and fears. MUCH rather. If you read my diary I kept from 5th grade through high school you would know that this is so true its a bit ridiculous. I read my middle school diary somewhat recently and in most posts I wrote how I was worried about so and so and needed to pray for so and so.

I am this way to a fault.

Now that doesn't mean I can't dominate conversations like the best of em. I can. And that is not my best quality. Even though while dominating I am most likely just trying to help by sharing a story from my own personal experience that I think may be a good parallel. NOT EVERYONE WANTS HELPED MAMA! But my brain always goes there.

Sometimes, no more than sometimes I think I would have been better suited as a therapist.

I have lots of personal stories to draw upon. Believe me. I was telling one just last night to a few friends at dinner (my dad going to jail one) and even as I was sharing what I have shared a million times I still thought to myself (this doesn't even sound real...I bet this friend of mine is questioning how truthful this all is). And yet the whole thing is real and true. So anyway I kind of have the shock and awe stories that have to make people feel better about their current situation, right?

On a side note, I think this is one of the reasons I have issues with liars. Why would people make up stories about their own life/experience for a shock and awe type of reaction? Coming from someone who has lived through some actual shock and awe, its insulting.

P-Daddy told me the other day how awesome he thought it was that I could laugh about my family's dysfunction. That he believes a lot of people would walk through life bitter and defensive if they had lived through some of the same stuff I have. And its funny, because the word bitter has NEVER even crossed my mind. The feeling bitter has never been in my soul.

I feel blessed actually. I feel blessed to have a life story already.

To have known what I wanted before entering a marriage because of seeing my parents mistakes...

To be able to help friends (and sometimes complete random strangers that I get into weird conversations with) with my story...

To have been adult enough to demand that I go to the college I want when I had very little support from my parents at age 17...

To live through a lot of adults in my life acting more like children than adults and having to pick up their pieces...

To know that I never want to have any sort of permanent addiction because I have seen what doing anything in excess can bring you...

To have already felt somewhat prepared as a parent because I have somewhat already been one to my brother...

I look at everyone and see their beauty first. Sure, once I get to know you I may see the demons you have too but I always see the beauty first. I could give a 45 minute (minimum) speech on every one of my friends and tell them all of the beautiful things about them. The things they see, and the things that they don't.

My point in sharing that is because I guess P-Daddy was right, I could have been the girl to have wallowed in her family's dysfunction. And yes, I am in therapy. Its one of the most selfish things I have done in my life to date honestly. That and smoking way too many cigarettes for too many years. Therapy just helps me see the beauty within my family, my story. It doesn't make me bitter.

I have ALWAYS said that God put me on earth so that I could help others. That everything that has happened in my life was only so I could help others with their trials. I am so glad that He also gave me the strength to laugh, cry, yell and even scream through all of my experiences.

Please know I have my days. I HAVE my days. :) I am just so freaking lucky to have found P-Daddy. To be able to be sharing my life with someone I truly enjoy spending time with, who is my best friend in a sense that no one has ever been to me (and its not because he gets to make sweet love to me-HA!!)

And for my take on the bully's and bullying...bully's have more pain than they know what to do with and that sucks. The bullying they do sucks worse because they are hurting others in their pain. And its a no win situation because there is always two victims in the end. I know the world doesn't see the bully's like that but I do. They were already hurting for some reason and decided to inflict pain on someone else...and then they hurt someone to the point of killing themselves in some cases and now that bully has to live with the pain they already had AND the fact they lead someone to death. Its awful. Parents need to hug their kids more. Get off their Facebook page and hug their kids more.

Oh and I think some of this said bullying is complete crap (the ones that make the news that don't end in death)...as I think it is over-reacting, sue happy, want to be famous parents who jump at any opportunity. Sad truth.

So blog stalkers...How Are You today?

This one almost reads like an agenda or checklist...but it is sooo not

2010-10-13T08:02:00.001-04:00

First things first...to my left you will see a brand new poll on whether or not Baby #2 will be a boy or a girl. Only 29 days left to vote people...do your blog stalker thang and cast your vote today! Go Baby Dumas #2! :)

Second things second. We had some of our friends over on Friday night and it was so much fun! By SOME of our friends I mean my college girlfriends and their significant others. It has been FOREVER since we were all together so I was extra excited! The boys sat in our living room and watched the Reds game (or tried) as we did our usual thing and yelled over each other trying to just get a word in edge wise amongst ourselves. This is normal, right?

I did realize a few things worth sharing from that evening.

One is I couldn't have a more diverse group of friends by means of personalities. I am pretty sure everyone was offended at least once by another's comment throughout the evening, including comments that I am sure I made. We are ALL definitely not afraid to use our First Amendment right with each other. Although this is nothing new to the group it still shocks me a little every time we are together.

Another is I am not doing a very good job when it comes to being myself as a Christian amongst my friends. I realized that they don't see me as a religious person at all that evening (because yes religion came up) and I am disappointed in myself.

And finally I realized that one of the reasons we don't get together that often anymore is because we all don't have a lot in common anymore. This is probably one of the saddest factoids. However, I don't walk away from this realization sad at all...because all of those beautiful and talented ladies are wonderful people and friends. And we will always have our get togethers. Just not Desperate Housewives style where it is in the neighborhood and we have our morning coffee together. Its a lot more like we live in separate cities and our get togethers are to catch up on each others lives. Which is probably the "normal" for a lot of people. It just wasn't the normal for us for a lot of years.

I realized this summer especially how much I haven't let myself branch out from these girls because I didn't want to offend any of them. I realized this because I did branch out...and found myself having a lot of fun with other friends...friends that have been around for a lot of years that have had the patience to stay in my life without me putting much effort in until recently. Its just that I never really let other friends IN. Because I had MY circle of friends. I was cheating myself by not being REAL friends with anyone else besides the ladies I once lived on Hampton Drive with (well them and my Dvegas girlfriends-but my Dvegas friends are a breed of their own because I never had trouble letting them in...and they all have known me since I was 10 or younger even, chubby, boy haircut, you know the lovely awkward years).

I think its because it took me a long time to really let my college friends in. My life in college to many of my now close friends seemed at one time (because they have told me) as careless and care free. And there definitely was a part of my college days that were exactly that. But behind the scenes, those who really got to know ME found that I had been an ADULT in my family for years and years. And I was in a lot of ways parenting my brother at the time. My carelessness and carefreeness was my release from my real life. Its also how I buried pain but that's for another day and another blog. But not everyone knew what they knew about me and my personal life and I have always revered their friendships...for being there when I was in a rough spot...helping find lots and lots of laughter and being a shoulder to lean on.

So in many ways I feel grateful for all of the above. That I have these amazing women in my life that are great friends... but that I have many others in my life that I have finally let IN and am having so much fun with. Yes I still have fun with my college friends (reread above). Lots of it... we have had some amazing times and I know we have more amazing ones in our future.

I have to be somewhat careful in writing this because a lot my college girlfriends read this (hi ladies) and again I was so fiercely loyal to them for so many years that its somewhat hard for me to be so honest. Even with myself on this subject. I sat in bed and thought long and hard about this blog and realized that my favorite blogs are ones where I am honest...so here I am.

I feel fortunate for all the wonderful people in my life and love them all dearly. I just love to share my thoughts in hopes that I can help another. And I am quite sure that I am not alone in trying to stay true to my friends, those friends drifting a part, struggling to let new friends in and balancing life, friends, family, God, work, kids. And that is all I have to say about that.

Who has two thumbs, a new found love of strawberries and is growing at the age of 29?

2010-10-04T16:21:00.007-04:00

THIS GIRL!

Hmmm....wonder what I am talking about? Well lets see, I have spent the past 15 weeks being nauseous, craving lots and lots of fruit and cereal, gained some weight, my breastesses are large and in charge, I am starting to seriously look at wearing elastic wasted pants....

...thats right folks, this girl is PREGNANT with Baby #2!! I know, right?! We never thought I would do it again!! But alas, I am going down the long 40 week road of the gift of pregnancy. And am trying to embrace all the lovliness that goes along with it.

I didn't blog when prego with JD so this is new territory for me. I only took ONE photo of me and my prego belly with JD, and am planning on reluctantly doing the same with this babe. So really, no fun for you on that front. BUT I am sure I will share some lovely details along the way.

First up will be if this babe is a boy or a girl. And that, dear readers is a detail that I am NOT patiently awaiting this time around!! I want to know so bad for some reason!! And I think its because everyone near and dear to me has decided I am having a girl (gasp). Oh and the reason for the gasp is that P-Daddy is one of 3 boys, there is all boy cousins (one girl somewhere in there), I only have one brother, my mom had three...so I kind of always assumed I would just have all boys. It really never occurred to me that I would EVER have a girl. So they all have me curious and interested that it could actually be a girl. And be prepared if it is...I will literally start peeing in pink I think. :) But this will FOR SURE be uncharted territory for me, for US!

So for now we wait. We find out this detail in November and that feels like a year away (dramatic). But we are thrilled, blessed, and so excited to share this news with you and you and you!

JD is so excited he agreed to a photo shoot. :)

Last Official Day of Summer

2010-09-21T13:17:00.009-04:00

Its kind of hard to believe that we are in the middle/end of September, have already gotten a few teaser Fall days and yet TODAY is the final day of summer. I wouldn't have even known this factoid if my mom hadn't told me as summer basically ended for us at the end of July. Plus the only reason she knows this is because apparently TODAY is setting record heat indexes in Hoosierland.

That always happens...we are gung ho ready for nice weather by the time June arrives, pissed off if it even thinks about getting chilly or raining...and then a whole month later we are all burnt out of pool days and overwhelming heat and humidity that we can't WAIT for Fall to get here! Which is ridiculous because I HATE WINTER! Except for the month of December of course. Apparently I like my seasons to last a month and then I am over them. HA! Anyway, I am sure as JD gets older this will change as activities will keep us busy all summer long but for now this is our story.

Plus I LOVE (understatement) Fall. I love the smell, the wonderful temperature, the colors, the clothes (new jeans, sweatshirts), the decorations, Thanksgiving...well you name it I love it. If Fall could last all year I would be in heaven (side note: it does, you just have to move to Southern California...and in that case you do miss out on the fall colors but you DO get the wonderful temperatures!!)

But alas, I realized that I did not do ONE pool post this year...which is ridiculous because Mr. JD is quite the fish! This season brought some swimming with no floaties which is a far cry from LAST YEAR, holding our breath under water, swimming down to get sticks at the bottom of the shallow end AND jumping off the diving board for the first time (WITH floaties!). So on this last day of summer I thought I would share some of our highlights...

Happy Last Day of Summer everyone!! Fall 2010 HERE WE COME!!

Tivo Talk-Fall 2010 Premier Week!!

2010-09-19T15:30:00.004-04:00

It sure is that time of year again! The leaves are turning beautiful shades of orange, the kids are back in school (not my kid but you know what I mean), bonfires with smores are going on somewhere around here, and, you guessed it-FALL PREMIER WEEK has arrived! So get excited, and get those TIVO's and DVR's ready because this season is sure to entertain us all!!

What's New:

NBC
Monday at 10pm EST Chase. Featuring the handsome Jesse Matclaf who we all remember as Jon Rowland, the frisky lawn boy from Desperate Housewives.

Thursday at 9:30pm EST Outsourced. I already heart NBC's The Office and Community which are both a play on sitcom meets reality TV and am thinking this will be along those same lines. Looking forward to laughing out loud.

Friday at 10pm EST Outlaw. Who doesn't love Jimmy Smitz? I mean hello?! But really the season premier of this was last week for some reason and we tuned in. So far so good. Think quirkier Law and Order with a main character trying to make positive changes within our system. We shall see how this goes...could be a great one!

The Apprentice really isn't new but has received a face lift. Celebrity Apprentice is the route that The Donald had gone the past few seasons and I was yawning. so I guess its a good thing for him that he has changed it up. The premier was this past week but you can catch it on Thursdays at 10pm. The previews have me intrigued because it appears he is taking peeps on that lost their jobs due to our current financial crisis. Could be very interesting...

ABC
The Whole Truth premiers Wednesday at 10pm EST. If you were a fan of ER get excited because this is bringing back Maura Tierney. I am not so sure if I will love this but am going to give it a try. Sounds like another spin off of a Law and Order but we shall see where they take us.

Shows I was excited to see return:

NBC
Parenthood, already premiered this week as well but can be seen on Tuesday nights at 1opm EST. And this just in via PEOPLE magazine...Lauren Graham and Peter Kraus (who play brother and sister on this show) are DATING! I know, so weird and yet so right.

CBS
Premiering NEXT week on Tuesday September 28th (but still WAY worth mentioning) is The Good Wife. I think this actually may be my *FAV* Drama of the year. It was a great first season last year and it seems like they have a great plot coming at us this year! YAY for a good drama. :)

ABC
Premiering Wednesday at 9:30pm EST Cougartown is BACK! This is one I wasn't so sure of last season but it did just continue to keep me laughing and coming back for more so I am a in now. I still don't like Courtney Cox's son...he creeps me out but everyone else is hilarious!

As if there was any question this was going to return, but still it was a new show last year...Modern Family is BACK and premiers this Wednesday at 9pm EST. Cam and Phil, I have missed you and can't wait until Wednesday to see your shiny faces!

Oldies but goodies:

CBS
Survivor: Nicaragua. This premiered last week so if you missed know you haven't missed much. Its on Wednesday's at 9pm EST now and I am not sure how I feel about that but am excited it is still going strong. Amazing that they can still think of new challenges after all these seasons.

Monday September 20 at 8pm EST, How I Met Your Mother. I am SO glad we are getting into a new season because P-Daddy has just about burned me out with the Lifetime re-runs of this show. He is officially obsessed with Barney and all of his antics and I am convinced he could watch this show 24-7 over and over and still giggle out loud.

ABC
Desperate Housewives, premiers Sunday the 26th at 9pm EST. The website says tonight at 9pm but my TIVO is showing "The Gates." So I think their site is wrong. But anywho...I am way excited about the return of the Housewives. I can't get enough actually.

Private Practice, premiering Thursday at 10pm EST. Although I have ditched my beloved Grey's Anatomy as it just got to be too much I still heart this show. Addison and the gang still keep me excited to come back week after week. I really hope Addison gets herself some Taye Diggs this season. :)

Shows that are set to tape on my TIVO but I am about to breakup with:

ABC

Brother's and Sisters, premiers Sunday September 26. This USED to be on my favorites list but I am telling you it went a little too far last season and I don't know how they are going to come back from it. So my story is I am going to go ahead and watch the first episode and see how it goes.

Thinking out loud Thursday

2010-09-16T15:36:00.004-04:00

I am having one of those days where I just feel like blogging but I don't necessarily have anything to blog about. So brace yourself people. This could get interesting.

I am exhausted. Literally I wake up every day after a crappy night of sleep as of late (thanks to my dear son) and think "I'm not that tired, I am going to be good to go today." And I am that way until about noon and then I crash. Except I don't crash because I work. But I mentally crash. Oh and the crappy night of sleep we are getting nightly I hear is due to the fact that we now have a 3 year old. A very strong willed 3 year old. But we will prevail this, don't you worry. I just may eventually need an IV of caffeine to get myself through a day.

We are in the midst of making some large furniture purchases right now. And if you know us you know that we were REALLY good at making these types of purchases (minus couches, we always suck at buying couches) early on in our relationship and now we second guess every move and spend WAY too much time shopping, negotiating and then sometimes never buying. We will buy this time. It just may take a year. Sometimes I wish I was young and stupid again...at least on this front. I am way too worried about big decisions now...

...like the robins egg paint samples I have had on my bathroom walls for a year with still no final decision made. Its just paint mama, its just paint. I act like its wallpaper. Now THAT is a marriage I just cannot enter.

I have a girls day planned on Saturday that includes a fancy breakfast and manicures and pedicures. I am so looking forward to this! I wonder if I can talk any of them into allowing me to come back to their house and take a nap after? Too much? HA!

I am losing followers lately...wonder what I did? Its like losing Facebook friends. You really don't care but you are always curious as to what happened.

It is taking everything I have not to bust out my all of my fall decor. I heart this time of year so much and with the brutal summer we had I am embracing all things FALL. Including the lovely breeze outside today! Now, Fall go ahead and stay around until December and we will be good to go. And yes, I just spoke to a season.

If stand up comedy existed for 3 year olds Jacob would be making millions. I laugh out loud every day at his funny stories. And kids, as you know, have no filter and have no idea what being really scared of anything means. Its such a beautiful thing.

I feel like I have said this before in some form or fashion as I guess I am just eternally perplexed at the complexity of how women interact with each other...but friendship in many ways isn't what I thought it was. Sometimes better, sometimes surprising, sometimes worse, sometimes the exact thing you needed...its just an interesting breed in our lives. I just hope I am a good one. I sure do try to be...but that doesn't always matter.

I realized the other day that my day instantly gets better when I hear (and sing) a good song on the radio with the windows down. I used to do this a LOT more. Its good for my soul. Favorite current song: "Half of my Heart" by John Mayer (featuring the lovely Taylor Swift).

Its about that time for me to do a Fall Tivo Talk. I am so excited I could pee my pants as I have missed good TV. Except for the fact that Entourage, Weeds, and Project Runway have kept me somewhat occupied. Especially PR as it is hands down the greatest reality show on television. And I don't sew and can't afford high end designer.

And finally...its the Farewell Season of Oprah people. Get excited.

3, as in years old

2010-09-13T08:16:00.005-04:00

You know what is coming next as I have realized I am pretty predictable when it comes to JD and his birthday's. Turn up the volume people, its not the same without the music. You will all be excited to know that this year's picture montage has some new features AND is shorter. :)

Happy 3rd Birthday JD! He woke up just about the time he was born three years ago this morning (and so of course I had a moment...sniff, sniff) and had the birthday tradition of a doughnut for breakfast! Birthday party post coming soon!

Your Love, Your Love, Your Love is my Drug

2010-09-07T17:34:00.003-04:00

Who doesn't love K$SHA?! I mean, hello?!

P-Daddy thinks I sounds just like her when I sing "Wake up in the morning feelin like P-Diddy" as I sing that often 'round here. And when he says that I am all "I know, right?! And I look sorta like her too, right...right?" And then I say "I could have soo done her gig and totally been makin her millions...DANG!" Then he does the whole song and dance where he pretends like he's mad about it and says "thanks a lot...I wouldn't have to sell insurance if you would have just been K$SHA." And then I say the obvious..."umm my stage name would have totally been something way cooler than K$SHA" and we move on...What? You and your hubby don't have conversations like that? Daily? You should try it out sometime,its a blast. We are a blast. Just ask us.

Anyway...back to K$SHA and her fabulous tune "Your Love is my Drug." Actually P-Daddy's love drug is what I am referring to as we celebrated our 6th year of marriage on Saturday. Awww...I know, we are so cute! After we were done patting ourselves on the back for staying together and still loving each other in the mean time for 6 years (actually we have been together 9 total...but who's counting?) we celebrated this anni by going to the place where it all started. Well, sort of. We packed our pretty bags and took our pretty selves to the hotel in Indy where we had our wedding reception...that also happens to host their famous Heavenly Beds. Just in case you were wondering, they are still oh so heavenly. :) And since I haven't blogged about our recent gap in sleep...I will tell you now...it was important to have a wonderful bed to sleep all the way through a wonderful night in. Just once...at least once...in a months time.

We were classic P and M and instead of going out to a fancy meal (which we do enjoy by the way but on momentous relationship occasions history has shown that we will do a bit more comfort food than fine dining. Like the night we got engaged...Arby's pot roast sandwiches was our celebratory dinner of choice. I know this just made you want to be friends with us even more!)we ordered one of our favorite pizza's that won't deliver to us in God's Country and ate in our hotel room while watching HGTV. Oh and for those of you who know me and care, yes I sure did go to the gift shop and purchase myself some Pringles...because we all know how I feel about pizza and chips. We did a lot of laughing (at our own jokes and each others) and a lot of relaxing. It was a wonderful way to spend a day with each other in celebration of our love!

And since we were too lazy to take any pictures to mark this occasion...I will share one of my favorites of us!

Love you forever P-Daddy!

Your So Vain...

2010-08-27T15:39:00.005-04:00

(sing it with me)..."you probly think this song is about you...your so vain (your so VAIN) you probly think this song is about you, don't you, DON'T YOU!" :)

So apparently Mr. JD got a hold of my camera the other day and learned himself how to take pictures. I say this because I plugged in my SD card today and up pops what you shall see below. The funny thing is there were about 40 total of he, himself and him! These are just the ones that you could see his pretty face! Kind of a fun surprise for mommy!

Also fun that he didn't break the camera while it was in his little curious hands! And pretty great that he didn't lose said camera while it was in his possession. Never underestimate the power of his creepiness! :)

Happy Friday!

Oh and sorry about the boogies in his nose...we are fighting something and as much as we try to keep on top of them, they are coming back faster than we can grab him and wipe him up. And remember, he was apparently roaming the house and MIA during this "photo shoot." (insert mom of the year award HERE).

Powerful

2010-08-24T10:28:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was one of those days where you realize that life is fragile and God is in control. Yesterday was one of those days that makes you realize how much love runs through family. Yesterday was one of those days that makes you realize how powerful prayer can be.
Yesterday was one of those days that reminded me of how GOOD people can be.

Let me go back a few days actually...because its not just about yesterday...

About a week ago P-Daddy and I packed up the family truckster to brave the grocery store on a weekend morning. We had been playing with JD outside for most of the morning and our arms were really tired from swinging him so we decided this would be a good idea. I had laid my cell phone on my back bumper for play time and noticed it before we packed up, making a mental note I needed to grab it before we left. But I forgot. And we went on our merry way to the store and back home again. The store by the way is about 10 miles away. So we get home and I remember that I had left my cell on the bumper and forgot and we had driven off with it there. CRAP!!! But my optimistic self got back in the car with P-Daddy's cell phone and thought I would slowly drive down our street and down the main road of our hood on the off chance it was still out there and still in one piece. I did have a pretty sinking feeling in my gut that I was wrong though. Well...I drove down our street calling my phone and get to the stop sign at the end of our road and there I hear it. In the MIDDLE of the main road in our neighborhood, ringing. I get out of my car, walk over to my untouched phone, laugh, shake my head and say (out loud)"God I have NO idea why you are so good to me because I don't deserve it."

To you this may be silly because it is just a cell phone, and believe me when I say I completely realize this. It was just one of those rare moments where it was kind of a miracle that it was still in one piece based on where it was laying and it was going to be a real pain to have to get a new phone (and expensive) and I really felt God was saying "see I am in your life, even for the small things." (insert chills)

Flip back to the present...

It has truly been a powerful couple of days. We have been battling (made up) monsters in JD's room, lots of allergies turned into sickness (for me, JD, and Granbeck), lots of family in town, some days off of work for both me and P-Daddy, a dear loved ones surgery, lots of worrying, lots of praying, lots of laughter to break through the fear, and a huge blessing.

The surgery went well, better than well actually. And we are blessed. May we all see God's blessings through the good and tough times in our lives...the small and the big ways he shows us he is there.

B.O.

2010-08-19T15:55:00.006-04:00

B.O. is not something a woman should deal with (even if she does sweat like a man in the armpit region)

B.O. may be a result of the fact that I have an obscene amount of hair under my pits (TMI?)

B.O. means I can't wear satin, even in the winter, unless I want to show off serious sweaty pit stains.

B.O. knows no boundaries and has ripped through every antiperspirant on the market (normal and "clinical") and one prescription deo too.

So as you can see I have a problem. And its of the smelly variety. I mean, don't get me wrong...I don't smell like a 7th grader who just went through puberty and doesn't yet realize they need some deodorant but by the end of every day I don't smell so hot. In fact, every night when P-Daddy gets home from work we hug it out and typically he gives me a smell check. Most days the verdict is: "you've smelled worse." Which is kind of gross. And I really hate it.

Right now I have a stick of deo in the center console of my ride, just in case. I used to have it there AND in my desk drawer at work. Yep peeps, its THAT bad.

Currently I start the day with a little SECRET and end with applying some Mitchum (for women). Always, ALWAYS of the powder fresh scent as it smells a little LESS bad when it is wearing of! Its working for me, for now. I think I need botox in the pits. I hear it works. And at the ripe age of 29 I am thinking this is a problem that won't go away without a serious intervention.

The deo's currently in my bathroom...

Aren't you glad you stopped by this here blog and read about Body Odor today? I'm sure glad you did. Now don't go off and forget your deodorant today! :)

Priceless

2010-08-16T11:47:00.009-04:00

As a parent you find yourself doing things you never thought you would do. A few examples shall we?

Allowing your baby to take naps in their swing (guilty)
Sometimes having a potty mouth in front of your child (guilty)
Allowing your child to watch more than the recommended half an hour a day of television (very guilty)
Opening a box of cookies in a store just so he will stop screaming and disrupting the public (guilty)

Believe me when I say these are LIGHT examples, there are many, many more. The bottom line is you do these things mostly out of desperation, which doesn't make it OKAY and as a parent you know this....but it does help you survive the early days of parenting.

One of the things that P-Daddy and I were pretty convicted about not getting was a swing set for our yard. Mainly because they are VERY expensive, we don't have a lot of flat yard space and we have a neighborhood park that we can practically spit on (oh and selfishly they can be sort of an eye sore). Insert=eating your own words.

One of our neighbors has grown children, had one of these said swing sets and was looking to get rid of it. We actually looked into this for one of our friends who were interested in a swing set, not for us. But when he told us the price (umm think deal of the century), P-Daddy perked up and said "maybe we should buy it." I was all "WHAT?" Of course JD had walked down with us to our neighbors house and had already gone down the slide about a million times. He's a good salesman to his dear old dad.

So we made the big purchase. And after a much needed face lift we have the happiest boy on the block. To say that this purchase was priceless is an understatement.

This is the "after face lift" pic...sorry about the fuzziness...don't know what happened.

Sometimes its nice to eat your words.

Next up: Teaching JD how to SWING himself! My arms are tired. :)

I Love Technology...Always and Forever

2010-07-25T08:49:00.004-04:00

If you don't know the movie my title is from, well, you just haven't lived. HA! (its from Napoleon Dynamite-go watch it and prepare to LYAO).

I haven't really mentioned the big J-O-B on here at all and since I spent half of my week away from the fam and on the job this past week I thought it might be a great time to enlighten.

I do work for a technology company in their financial services department. I have personally never worked in the financial services industry but my hubby does so I feel very comfortable talking that language...and I did help peeps with their mortgage process in my former life. But anyway, my job doesn't have much to do with actual financial services. Its just a nice thing that I kind of know it.

As I mentioned above I just spent a few days away from home in the windy city for my job. Its been a while for me to be that involved with work. Meaning I work from home and attend all my meetings via webcam all day (again I heart technology) and IM to get the rest done etc. This was my first time meeting anyone from my company in person. It was two hard core days of intense rah rah for the company's next fiscal year, which kicks off August 1st.

So here is what I observed (being out of this game for approximately 3 years and all...)

I am so lucky to be working for a company that is so positive on their outlook and honestly feels that the recession is behind them.
I attended meetings in 7 different cities over two days, well, kind of. 75 people overall attended these meetings but we used our handy dandy technology so that very little travel was required for anyone. I am a nerd but I think this is cool.
I realized one of the reasons I loved my former life is because when I was in it things were booming and it was thrilling to be a part of it. Insert I really don't like down turns.
I forgot how much I missed listening and learning from others. I can't believe how many quotes I wrote down from my peers who spoke. Personal Favorite: "we have to have ambition greater than ourselves."
I have always worked for mostly men but in this situation the main boss is a woman. Its an interesting change.
I love working with other people who have passion for what they do
I don't think I will ever be a traditional working woman. That many days away from home on a regular basis for work isn't the mom I want to be. But interestingly enough, it is a LOT of the women I work with. And I once thought I would be just like them. Its funny to look through a window at them up close and realize how much I love my life exactly how it is.
I do still want to dabble in my former life and (eventually) flip at least one house. Although I think this technology gig is really cool, I love homes.
I think its fun to know things before the rest of the world knows it. And I do. HEHE!
No matter what the demographic, everyone loves a little reality TV. Especially the "Real Housewives" series. Which is funny because I consider myself a TV junkie and that is the ONE reality series I don't watch. Well that and the Bachelor.
I think eventually my company will help the likes of others get out of this recession and we will all work in a way that no one thought feasible 10 years ago. And that my friends is cool.

I have always thought it was very important to love what you do if you are going to work. I know not everyone is afforded this luxury but I pray someday we all will be. There is nothing better than spending your days doing something you believe in and are passionate about. Some days I still think for me, eventually this is just being a mom. I do miss my playgroup, going to the gym every morning, raising my son. But for now, I do believe this is what God has planned for our family. And while I am on it, I am going to enjoy the ride...

Bible Beater

2010-07-13T12:48:00.003-04:00

Mamalouise's definition of a BB: a "Christian" who knows more about the Bible than anyone else (so they claim) and beats that said Bible in anyone and everyone's face that they can. Very Christian like eh?

I have some family that I would categorize as BB's (nothing like the pot calling the kettle black though...you know this being such a "christian" like and un-judgemental statement and all!)...one member of the good old fam even sent out Christmas cards to everyone that said that all of us were going to go to hell because we didn't follow God's ways. Now isn't that a way to encourage people to go to church?! Laughable.

So our fam went to church with GranBeck and Fwank this weekend. They are of the Lutheran type and we wanted to check out their churchy digs. There was a band (if your understanding of a band is a synthesizer a guitar and a few middle aged woman on the mics rocking it out) which had great music but the clapping thing is a bit too much for P-Daddy. Its the Catholic in him, so he just stands there as we tease him. JD on the other hand dances his little heart out just like he dances to the rap music I allow him to listen to...apparently he is a non bias' music lover just like his mommy. Can I get an AMEN! :)

The gospel verse this week was Luke 10:25-37 which is the parable of the "Good Samaritan." This jist of this story is that a man is talking to Jesus and tells him that he thinks being a good christian means to "love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus is all like-duh-yes but asks him what that means? Then tells the story of a man getting robbed and left for dead. Three men pass him...a priest, a levite (don't ask me what this kind of man is, I am assuming a rich man?), and, you guessed it-the good samaritan...who is the only one that stops and then helps this poor man who was just robbed. The moral is that the man who stopped was truly living out God's love...not that the other's weren't Christians but that they didn't show God's love to the robbed man.

Lots of good modern day parallels were drawn, including personal stories that the pastor told of walking away from people who he now looks back and realizes he could have helped...but at the time it seemed too much to deal with. I love it when pastors are honest about being real people and not holier than thou types.

One of the best things that I think were said out of the whole thing was this:
"It is far easier to be GOOD than it is to be COMPASSIONATE."

First of all, I think there are a lot of good people who don't love themselves enough to be able to love and be compassionate towards their neighbors...

Second...I think being good is easier to pull off as we were taught good/bad, right/wrong from birth. Compassion is so much harder to come by because if you weren't shown compassion by any growing up then how are you to know how to be compassionate towards others? Also I think a lot of us were raised (including children today) with expectations set higher than can be achieved with little compassion or leeway if those expectations are not met. Insert here why a lot of people have trouble loving themselves...vicious circle I tell ya!

Third...I realized (especially after looking at point #4 below) that I am pretty darn compassionate. My therapist may beg to differ as she would say I am more of a "rescuer" because it makes me feel good to help everyone else with their problems and not focus on my own (see point one about loving yourself first-ha-you following me...Bueller?)

Finally...the definition of Compassion is: Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.

Anyway its always a good reminder...to pray for those around you...to open your eyes to the way you can affect people. To realize that everyone suffers a bit in their own way. To understand little old me or you can have an impact on those around us just by reaching out. Even if it is rescuing. :)

I was always taught in Baptist like church digs to lead by example. To radiate God's love in your life so that others will want to learn more about God just by the way you live. Not by beating the bible over their heads. I am not always good at leading by example. Oh lets be serious, I pretty much suck at it. Which is why I seriously pray every day to be a good influence on those around me. As much as I know God knows my heart and yours, I am still a believer in the Good Samaritan and the impact that being compassionate can have on someones life. It may not lead them to have a relationship with God, but it will allow them to believe that there is good in this world.

And the Bible Beater thing...well I probably just beat down the Bible a bit too much for some right here...I will pray that everyone can read this with an open heart. I have said it before and I sure will say it again...I am by NO means a perfect Christian and my relatives are very correct in saying I would be going straight to hell on a turbo jet rocket if God wasn't a forgiving God. Thank God! :)

A Little Bit of Chicken Fried...

2010-07-10T08:16:00.007-04:00

...Cold beer on a Friday night, pair of jeans that fit just right, and the radio uuuuuuuuP! Oh yes, I heart this Zac Brown Band tune. And I didn't want to. Too twangy. But I heart it. Especially the part about a pair of jeans fitting just right...cause there is NOTHING better now is there?!

Last weekend we headed to northernish Indiana where my in-laws live (ahem, excuse me...where Grandma Principal and Grandpa Menard reside) for some Independence Day fun. Although we did NOT have Chicken Fried, we did have a LOT of food (breakdown below...yes it was THAT noteable) and it was really too hot for beer to stay cold so instead we consumed other forms of alcoholic beverages. :) P-Daddy has 2 brothers (ahem, Uncle Badgeman and Uncle Stinky) and they came along with Aunt Ricky and Rae Rae for a whole family affair of fun in the sun!

FOOD CONSUMED:
Grilled chicken tacos
fresh guac
a whole turkey was cooked for lunch meat
hot dogs and bratwurst purchased from a fancy butcher shop (only reason I mention this is that a. it was the best hot dog I have ever had and b. apparently this is due to the fact that it was a "no filler" real dog..hmmm, oh and...mmmmmm).
the biggest Cowboy Ribeye Steaks I have ever seen
Cheesy Potatoes
Baked Mushrooms
Salad (of 2 different varieties)
Brownies
grilled garlic bread
Cherry Pie
Apple Pie
Peanut Buster Bar Dessert (JD was not present)
Ribs
Green Beans
and a whole pork shoulder was also slow cooked but it really was not consumed...

...Needless to say I came home really full.

Oh but I did manage to throw on workout clothes and walg (walk/jog) with Rae Rae one day and walk the city of Rennsy with Aunt Ricky one day. As if it made a difference...

We did manage to squeeze into our swim gear and utilize their pool for some sun and fun. JD discovered that jumping off a diving board is a blast, and that lounging rafts are actually "boats" used for jumping off of, forward and backward somersaults (duh).

Us gals (and JD) also hit up the local farmer's market and a garage sale. No we didn't buy MORE food at the FM, but I totally would have if it hadn't been mostly closed up.

We did not manage to sleep well because it was a slumber part of fun with P-Daddy, JD, and me....in separate beds...in the same room. Oh I haven't told you before? Well, P-Daddy's old room in his 'rents home has twin beds and typically we choose to sleep in there. Call it nostalgic for my hubs or call it that we enjoy falling asleep like the people in the 50's did every once in a while (or that there is a tv in this room and we heart falling asleep to tv)...its our room of choice. So we squeezed in another twin bed on the floor this time, which somehow I got the pleasure of getting...and there you have it. Our family slumber party. I wish I could have gotten this shit show on camera somehow because (and I kid you not)...every night of our three night stay I was awakened in the wee hours of the morning to my son grabbing me and getting right in my face saying "I need to go pee." And then he was up at 5am because he heard Grandpa Menard (who chooses to get up that early) and wanted to go play with him.

...so I also came home exhausted...actually, we all did.

But it was a whole lot of fun. Kind of like a mini family vacation. Filled with lots of love and dysfunction.

Dear Mlouise,

2010-07-06T17:16:00.014-04:00

This is a fun post I found via OHML and COEX. Very therapeutic. Highly suggest it to one and all.
Dear 9 year old Mlouise,

You are in 5th grade and you just found out you have scoliosis bad enough to be sent to a specialist. This brings a whole new set of challenges to your life, including a not so fun experience with an x-ray technician. I look back at you and wonder how you handled this so well. All of it. I can't believe all that you have already been through in your life, from the FBI to your house burning down while your whole family was sleeping inside, its crazy to me that you were so put together. You get an absolutely AWFUL perm and started to realize that being pretty was something to worry about. You were freaking awesome at softball, although this was one area that you doubted yourself. You shouldn't have because you were great.

Dear 12 year old Mlouise,

You recently found out you have to have back surgery because your scoliosis is so bad. You wore a back brace at night for over a year and your spine didn't stop curving. You are now growing side-ways. Its a great look. Your grandmother just died and this completely rocked your world. But don't worry, because somehow for the rest of your life you will feel her with you. You get back surgery and you rocked it. Grew two inches in a 4 hour time period and now have a cool scar on your back that will be a conversation starter for years to come. You are in show choir and you LOVE it. Your dad has already been to jail and is back again. Your family didn't lose the business and things are starting to fall back into "normal." You start to suspect that your parents aren't going to be together forever. You start dying your hair blonde. I kind of want to go back and give you a big hug. You are cute and you don't think so and you are WAYYYYY to worried about it. You also fret about getting fat wayyy too much. xoxo girlfriend.

Dear 13 year old Mlouise,

You get your first solo in show choir this year and you rocked it. You don't think so though...but I have VHS video to prove it girl. I am so proud of you. You also help your basketball team in ways you never thought you could. You are a bit too caddy to your friends for my own taste...which is too bad but I know it was because you were so insecure. Again, wish I could go back and tell you how fantastic you were. You dyed your hair auburn for a hot second (and have a picture to prove it as 8th grade pictures were the next day)...this was not a good look for you sweetie. You had your very first kiss at the movie theater with your boyfriend watching "So I married an ax murderer." That boyfriend would go down in history as being one of the kindest. That break up was way too brutal for 8th grade though. You wore a white dress with white panty hose to your eighth grade graduation that you purchased at DEB.

Dear 16 year old Mlouise,

A lot has happened in three years! You are driving a sweet teal Chrysler Lebaron convertible...and you love it. You are on the dance team, something you cherish and are thriving in show choir. All of the sports you grew up loving have gone by the way side and you have officially become a girly girl. Your parents get divorced. This doesn't come as a surprise but is so dysfunctional that you change as a person. You wore your heart on your sleeve before and now you bottle everything up inside. I so wish I could go back and tell you NOT to do that. I so wish someone in your life would have realized how badly you just needed a hug. You become your brothers rock and your relationship with him grows in ways you never thought possible. You get accepted to every college you apply to. You don't get into Butler University's singing program. You do get into Butler. You are so excited to LEAVE Dvegas.

Dear 19 year old Mlouise,

You LOVE Butler. You are a sophomore/junior in college already...time sure does fly. You are dating the man you THINK you are going to marry. Turns out you are really wrong about that but learned a whole lot about relationships and yourself. You are in a sorority but most days regret making that decision. Although your greatest friends are a part of it and I am positive that is the only reason you stayed. You smoke a LOT of cigarettes. Its how you deal with most anything stressful (and lets be honest...goes hand in hand with the large amount of cocktails you are consuming). Your mom lives in California and this is cool and devastating all at once. Your dad dates a woman you loathe so going "home" is hard. You throw the biggest millennium New Years party Dvegas has seen. You didn't have fun though. Wish I could have told you to have fun! You are a bit more secure with yourself but in general you still worry way too much. You have great friends. Ones that do give you hugs when they suspect you need one.

Dear 21 year old Mlouise,

You became a fair queen and handed off your crown already. It was fun for sure, but you didn't believe in yourself enough. I know it is because you didn't feel like anyone else did either, but you should have believed in yourself more. You were a great public speaker and totally could have won the state title. I am glad you didn't though. You officially graduate from college and officially find yourself BROKE. Your friends all left the city after graduating. You didn't. You got the worst job ever and hated going every single day. You barely paid your bills. But you are strong woman. You do pay them, you do go to work (most days), and you do look for something better. You are dating the man you will marry and he is and has been the best thing to walk in your life. Ever. You don't worry so much about anything when you are around him. Turns out that landed you a bit chubby for a while but turns out he loved you anyway. You find your dream job. You find yourself a bit more too.

Dear 23 year old Mlouise,

You are engaged, and about to be married to P-Daddy. You are a homeowner. You are freaking rocking out at your job that you LOVE in ways many never thought you would. Your mom has remarried and is living in Tennessee now. You go on your first real cruise and learn how to play blackjack and roulette. These are skills that carry you well throughout the coming years as you will work mostly with men who like to take manager trips to casinos! You marry the man of your dreams on the hottest day of the year in a big ole church with no AC (with many other blips including a HORRIBLE DJ that people still laugh about today) and yet it still goes down as one of the best days in life thus far. You take lots and lots of vacations and go to places you never thought you would. You become Catholic. This is the most confident you have felt, maybe ever, about everything. Life is really good.

Dear 26/27 year old Mlouise,

You are a manager now and are working on a commercial construction design project that you love. You are a homeowner for the second time as you and P-Daddy have already sold and built a new home again! You are pregnant with your first child and you kind of hate it. Pregnancy hasn't been awesome to you as there have been a lot of trials. Two of your best friends are pregnant and as much as you want to love this, it isn't as fun as it sounds. You start to feel the most insecure you have in a LONG time and you aren't real happy about that. You quit your job because you think you are moving to Cincinnati for your husbands job but it doesn't happen. You lose your management role because of this. I want to go back and tell you that its all going to be okay and work out in the end. Because it did. Just not the way you ever thought it would. You plan your first wedding and realize in the mean time this may be something you want to pursue full time. You train for a mini marathon but are too freaked out to run it. You are the most sleep deprived you have ever been in your life and yet are still functioning (sort of). You deliver a healthy baby boy who rocks.

Dear 29 year old Mamalouise,

You kind of can't believe what you just wrote above. Its been a great life so far. Even with all the stuff. Because all of the stuff. You are really happy to be sitting here writing on this beautiful day about how far you have come... how many times the road of life split off and somehow you have always ended up on the right path. Your husband really is one of the best gifts that God sent you. You look at your son in awe most days because you cannot believe that you made him and how much he is like you (loud mouthed, opinionated, stubborn...all of the qualities I heart! :). You worry a lot and I want to tell you to stop. What you worry about is out of your control and you need to have more faith in God, take a few more deep breaths and pray. You have recently just fallen into a dream job and are grateful. You have really started to love yourself again and take care of yourself. You think all the time about what a gift this is. Your mom just moved back and this rocked your world a bit. But in such a good way. You are excited about the big 3-0 and what this next decade in life will bring. You are good at asking for hugs when you need them now. Life isn't exactly what you thought it would be, most days its better.

Uncomfortable

2010-06-29T09:29:00.006-04:00

I think I tend to make people uncomfortable. With my words. Or my language. Or both.

I am pretty sure that when I stood in front of my sorority on senior night LMAO about how my favorite movie was "Ernest Goes to Jail" because that is my fathers name and he had really been to jail I made people uncomfortable. It was a joke obviously, about that being my favorite movie and all. Its not.

I have definitely called my son a nightmare to friends. The looks were priceless. Again, uncomfortable. I mean really, he can be a nightmare, I can be a nightmare, most of them can be a nightmare too. Why can't I just be honest? Without the looks.

No one really likes it when I am honest about my pregnancy either. You know the part where I bled out something they think may have been JD's twin? Or when they told me he had a calcium deposit in his heart and that he MAY have down syndrome? Or when they told me that I have a heart shaped uterus and this may mean I won't be able to carry my son to term? That makes people uncomfortable.

It REALLY makes people uncomfortable when you call them out on their uncomfortable truth. So I really try and avoid that. Although my brain doesn't avoid it at all. I think about calling people out all the time. Because I.DON'T.GET.IT...or at least my brain doesn't understand why we all can't be honest.

I think when I use the "F" word a minimum of 10 times in one sentence makes some uncomfortable. I kind of, sort of understand this one. But I am so not going to stop.

I have noticed that asking my friends about how they are doing makes them uncomfortable. The question I get back a lot is, "why?" Ummm because I want to know how you are doing that is why. Because I care that is why.

Again, asking others about how their hubby or significant other the older we get makes people uncomfortable too. Most of the time I don't get a real answer. Which leads me to believe they don't want me to think that their relationship isn't what it always was (insert mental photo of them saying their "I Do's"). I know better. I AM married, remember. That's why I am asking. Aren't we supposed to be there for each other? And PS I want you to be happy in your marriage. I want you to have great sex and lots of it. I want your husband/boyfriend to tell you how awesome of a person you are. And I want you to tell me if he isn't doing this. Because maybe just maybe I can help. Or at least lend an ear. And offer cocktails.

You know what makes ME uncomfortable? That I grew up thinking things like religion, politics and abortion were the subjects too taboo to discuss. So I avoid them, for the most part at least. In fact, all of those "taboo" items are funny to me because I don't really care about them at all. I may think you are a bit close-minded if you won't listen to other's opinions, but if your beliefs are different than mine I don't care. In fact, thank God. How boring would life be if we all thought the same way?!

I digressed because I got off on a tangent on the taboo thing (go figure). The REAL taboo, turns out is that every one's truth is uncomfortable. Especially to discuss. Out Loud. And that makes me uncomfortable.

I would rather sit and have coffee and talk about my truth, your truth so help us God than talk about bullshit. Bullshit makes me uncomfortable. The FBI raiding my house does not.

Anyway...I had just been thinking about this. Its nothing personal to anyone in particular. Its just life I guess. I like that I use my voice and that my own experiences don't make me uncomfortable. I appreciate that my family, as dysfunctional as we were/are, allowed me to FEEL and be honest about my feelings.

I like that I am a person that doesn't really care if my life appears perfect to everyone. I think perfect sounds miserable.

I like that my son is a nightmare sometimes. Makes for good conversation as far as I am concerned. Makes me a better mom too.

The only thing that made me uncomfortable about my pregnancy was the weight gain and stretch marks. The other part was very scary. Scarier that I couldn't talk about it without making everyone uncomfortable. I have a healthy son. So the pregancy was just a part of my life story.

And my dad going to jail...well that sucked. His gambling habits caught up with him and he was the fall guy in the midst of many other gamblers. I hate that for him, the jail part. I hate that for my family too and all we went through. But I know all of it happened for a reason. And I know I am who I am because of all of my experiences, including this one. I have chosen (with the help of a fabulous therapist) to enjoy the messiness in life.

Speaking of therapists (insert my own ADD right now)...talking about going to a therapist makes people REAL uncomfortable. By the way, you all should go to one. Its the best gift you will ever give yourself. Believe that!

(and I am back from ADD land) Personally I think we would all be better off if we got a little bit more UNCOMFORTABLE and a little more REAL. But that's just me.

I am so going to get a lot of phone calls after this one. HA!

Morning Coffee

2010-06-27T14:30:00.003-04:00

Coffee has been necessary lately as we are battling the 2 year old vs. the big boy bed. Let me tell you folks, the big boy bed isn't all its cracked up to be. The crib on the other hand...well I heart the crib. I miss the crib and its cage like features that kept my baby safe and sound.

Anyway, I clearly need to save all of that for another blog.

Today (after the worlds worst night of sleep, thanks to said big boy bed) I woke up "refreshed" and enjoyed my morning coffee outside with Mr. JD. We chatted, err, had some "coffee talk" and I captured a bit on camera as I never want to forget this cuteness.

Hugs

2010-06-24T15:44:00.010-04:00

Today I had one of those funny moments in life when you are talking with one of your greatest friends and you realize that what you just said only that friend understands. Or better yet, that friend knows you so well that what you just said they GET it and they LIKEY, they might even laugh out loud(ey).

Sometimes I take that for granted. you know the whole getting to be myself around my true friends. Because lets be honest folks, you aren't your 100% self at work, or in those oh so fun situations where you are the new person of a group...you know what I am talking about.

And I can be high maintenance as a friend. I can be loud, or talk way too much, or be WAYYYYY to opinoinated. So today was one of those fun Oprah "ah-ha" moments where you realize how obnoxious you are as a person (or can be...or maybe that's just me...don't be jealous) and that there are actually great people in this world that love you in spite of all of that. Besides your husband or your parents? These people chose to be your friend. Thank them people, they deserve it.

And yes in case you care I do consider myself a good friend to those who are good to me. I love and admire the people I surround myself with, and they know this. I still don't think I could tell them enough though...

It takes a lot of years to build a history with a person, the good, the great, the happy, the sad, the tears, the fears and the cheers. I cherish that. All of it. I want to hug it and all of my friends today! I wish this for JD...everyone deserves this family of friends! Have you hugged a friend today?

Scrappy

2010-06-20T09:23:00.008-04:00

Amy over at our OHML gave me this blog award, oh I don't know, about a week (or more) ago and I haven't had the chance to respond. Amy is not only a blog friend, but one of my oldest real life friends! So thanks Amy! You rock as I know you know I HEART blog awards and you are most likely just appeasing me. :)

Honest Scrap Award Rules

1. Thank the person who gave you this award.

2. Copy and place the award on your blog.

3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.

4. Share 10 things about yourself.

5. Nominate 10 of your favorite bloggers for this award.

6. Post links to the blogs you nominate.

Ten Things you may or may not know about Mamalouise:

1. I am an excellent multi-tasker. I can literally finish three things at once and sometimes when I hit, save, send, save in a matter of seconds and realize that literally just ADD'd out on three documents but also got them done efficiently I laugh out loud (literally) because I can't believe I just did that. My husband DOES NOT understand this by the way as I can be typing and carrying on a conversation with him about what to get at the grocery, who is picking J up and when my last meeting is for the day and really be INTO both.

2. Speaking of the above ADD, I totally think I have always had a version of this. I even went so far as to go online to adultADD.com a few years back and take the 5 question test. It said I was all good in the hood but I don't really buy it. I have never been medicated for this but honestly think I would have been a better student had I been on something. I am especially bad at this if I have too much multi-tasking/on my mind. I jump all over the place in a conversation with someone and even annoy myself.

3. I have excellent peripheral vision. I feel like this is a gift because I can see so much having this. Its like seeing a panoramic view of the world 24/7...creepy eh? :)

4. I love to dance. I even toss around the idea of taking a dance class of sorts now. I am by no means very good at dancing but I loved being on a dance team/show choir back in the day and knowing moves to an entire song. It was just plain fun. Now I just make up my moves and sadly, JD has picked most of them up, but I could sing and dance all day, every day and be the happiest girl in the world. Makes me wonder why I didn't go live on a cruise ship for a few years after college. Could have been fun...oh but don't worry I tell P-Daddy all the time that when we retire we should do something like that! Would keep us younger! HA! But at that point I would probably be more qualified to be a dealer in the casino than sing and dance-which also would work for me!

5. The men in my life have better wardrobes than me. I would MUCH rather dress them than myself. My husband probably has more shoes than I do even! Its not that I don't like fashion, or looking nice...believe me I do. I just LOVE to purchase them clothes. I feel its easier to dress them than myself. I am working on this factoid about me though...because I don't want them looking all pretty all the time and not be included in the prettiness. HA!

6. I got my belly button pierced when I was 15 years old, took that baby out when I was 21 years old and I STILL HAVE THE HOLE AT 29 years young. Note to all young readers out there...when you get a belly ring because you think it is less invasive to the body than a tattoo...you are wrong. It will permanently scar your body with a hole, gross. I am soo getting plastic surgery though (probably, hopefully) after any and all children are born in this family because in general there has been "damage" to that area done that no one BUT a surgeon could fix. Damnit to 15 year old logic and Damnit to all those doughnuts I ate during pregnancy. :)

7. I have driven some sort of SUV since 2000 (with a small blip in the radar of a Honda Civic for a hot second). So far my favorite has been the Acura MDX, but I would never own one again because I had more problems with that thing than ever (which is why I don't own it anymore). But it was oh so pretty and special. Have I mentioned that I also love to drive and am kind of a control freak about this particular thing in my life? Oh...well then yeah, I am like that so having a car that I love is kind of important. :) If the Chevy Tahoe wasn't such a gas hog, there would be a beautiful black one in my garage right now. Maybe one day...

8. I was an "athlete" growing up. I put "athlete" because my career pretty much peaked in 5th grade with being a "star" at SLOW PITCH softball. But I am glad that I was able to be involved with so many sports. I obviously feel this helped me keep in shape for most of my life as I have never been scared of a gym or athletic opportunity, but I am also glad to know about these sports and be able to play/practice with our children some day soon!

9. I love making photo books (not to be mistaken for scrapbooks), and memory picture videos. So far JD has a memory video for each year of his life, along with a photo book. I don't plan to stop this tradition as it is so much fun! And how fun will it be to combine all of these and put together a super long one to play as a loop at his high school graduation party? Oh yeah, already planning that! :)

10. I had a concentration in Speech Communications in college. I loved learning the art of articulating myself well in public situations. I didn't know until I started attending professional education seminars that the number ONE fear of most adults is public speaking! I have always felt God gave me my voice for a reason and I have ALWAYS had something to say, so why not use that voice? But I totally get it, for those that do have that fear. I still get a little scared before I go before a group but it gives me such a rush to be able to share whatever is on the agenda that day. :)

And believe me when I say, you are ALL winners...so please except this award on behalf of me! :)

Happy Blogiversary to ME!

2010-06-15T14:17:00.007-04:00

Today I celebrate year number two as a blogger. Crazy to think that two years ago I started with THIS post. JD was so little...and I was still trying to lose that darn pregnancy weight...oh how the years go by!

Last year I did the whole 30 blogs in 30 days to get myself to 100 posts within a years time (see Year 1 Blogiversary post HERE) . That was super fun but it apparently made me all blogged out. I did so many in so little time (because if you remember girlfriend can't count apparently and ended up realizing I needed to do 30 in 24 days which lead to me writing 7 blogs in one day...I don't recommend it) when it was all said and done I apparently didn't have much to say...

...because well this year, if I am being real real with you... I have been a blogger slacker. I only did 4o some odd posts all year and they really didn't amount to what I really wanted to say. This means I have a lot in my head that I think about sharing with you but I never took the time to write it (errr type it).

In my thinking and not blogging year I have decided that I am not a mommy blogger. Although I do like to share some funny events in JD's life, I selfishly like to mostly talk about me. Or I guess those are my favorite posts. So in year THREE I am vowing to do more of that. Girlfriend has a lot to say, believe me. Watch out.

So Happy Second Blogiversary to me! Pretty sure I am going to dance in my underoos and eat ice cream out of the carton to celebrate. I might even take a shower before 7pm today...its gonna get buck wild probably.

Thought maybe you would want to celebrate also dancing in your underoos but (of course) while reading my self-proclaimed best of blogs in the past two years! For those of you (ahem) dedicated stalkers that do click on the blogs below, I thank you kindly...promise they won't disappoint.

Mamalouise's Blog Fav's
(this is soo self righteous I am laughing at myself while doing it...yet still I am gonna do it! HA)

Favorite Blog from Year #1: "Thoughts"

Favorite "30 blogs in 30 days" Blog: "Learning from other's mistakes"

Favorite Blog from Year #2 (and the blog that confused a lot of people): "29"

Reader's Choice to date (The blog that received the most comments): "The Skinny"

Favorite Blog with JD Video: "Riding Along in my Automobile"

National Doughnut Day

2010-06-04T08:27:00.003-04:00

I know, I know I have been MIA. But its National Doughnut Day and I just couldn't leave this alone and not tell you about it! It is doughnuts after all.

I do find this ironic because just the other day JD and I were driving to GranBecks house and just as we approached a strip mall that happens to have Dunkin Donuts in it he announced that he had to go potty. We don't mess around with this anouncement so OF COURSE I had to stop and allow my son to releave himself. And then I just DIDNT want to be "that girl" that just goes into a store to use the restroom and not actually purchase anything so I HAD to purchase a half dozen doughnuts, right? Right?

And yes JD had his eaten well before we got to GranBecks house...he gets this honestly as I ate more than I care to share with you while pregnant with him. Poor kid got a shock wave of sugar all the time in the womb and hasn't had much to speak of at all since his birth.

Although I do not endorse Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donuts, as they are not even close to my favorite doughnut, they are giving them away today. Click here to see if the Krispy Kreme near you can get you the hook up or HERE to see where the closest Dunkin Donuts to you is. IF I were you, I would go to both and get two free doughnuts. But thats just if I were you.

If you live in Dvegas and read this blog...please go to Royal Doughnut today for me will ya? To say I am jealous of you is an understatement. Best Ever.

Second best though...just in case you were wondering...I have found to be at Casey's General Stores. They are of the cake variety but seriously rock the house.

And if you are of the Betty Crocker variety of people, Click Here for a great recipe to make homemade doughnuts!

Tik Tok

2010-05-19T11:25:00.006-04:00

Oh yeah, I got Ke$ha's song Tik Tok on my brain this morning. On that note, I really don’t get her…because with a name that has a dollar sign used instead of an “s” I was thinking straight GHETTO. Turns out, she kind of looks like a cross between Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. So not really ghetto at all. Hmmm…I love trendy music.

"Tik tok on the clock cause the party don’t stop no"…well that party isn’t stopping at this house because Mr. JD is POTTY TRAINED!!! Oh and he is so going to get me back at some point in his life for sharing this photo with the blog world too! :)

That is really, no REALLY the biggest news going on in my life. And no I don’t have any brilliant tips for mothers out there trying to attack the battle of the bathroom with their toddler. He was ready, we were ready…end of story.

In other news my job is going well. My new boss is awesome, and is one of those people that has “thank you” in his vocabulary which is always a bonus. I should probably dedicate a whole blog to this but that just sounds tiring. This company is fantastic, and is quite honestly exactly what I would have asked for had I been able to spell it out on paper. Oh and I have an ID badge. I feel so official with an ID badge. HA! The job I turned down in December was SOO not right and believe me when I say there were times that I regretted not taking it. Everything happens for a reason though, can I get an AMEN!

I have my first ever (in like 5 years) slumber party this weekend. All girls slumber party I mean…I guess you could count all the times lots of people crashed at our house as slumber parties too. But this one will be filled with pillow fights and…oh just kidding, wanted to see if you were paying attention. Will probably be filled with bottles of wine and lots of pizza and maybe even a Marlboro Ultra Light. You just never know. Whats the occasion you ask? Oh well one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world is moving in with her boyfriend and we are spending one of her last nights in her apartment together. Awww…I know, we are so cute.

Still haven’t worked out…just letting you know to hold myself accountable.

I miss the gym and all of the snobby stay-at-home mommies that I used to silently judge in my head as I was trying to take the focus off of how much I HATED the stairmaster. It worked, you should try it out sometime.

Oh and I don’t always love the random quotes to the left…but I really love today’s. Check it out…so true.

That is my randomness for today. Hope everyone has a fabulous HUMP DAY today!

Kick, Goo, Ma, Mom, Momma, Mommy

2010-05-12T11:51:00.002-04:00

This year was (technically) my third mother’s day (totally counting the year I was cooking JD in my belly). Lets go back, shall we.

The first year, “the kick year” we shall call it, was interesting because I didn’t know if I was cooking a boy or a girl. But, really I did know I was having a boy. Well at least I had a hunch. At this point I thought I knew what it meant to be a mom, as I was already making sacrifices for my little one (insert me laughing at myself at this one). Turns out I had NO IDEA.

Year two, “The Goo” year, JD was 8 months old and was still not sleeping through the night on a regular basis. I was tired beyond belief and losing it a little I think. At this point I had given up my career, my bed, and lets be honest my sanity. I now knew what it meant to be a mom. At least a mom of an infant. :) That all sounds terrible, but if you are a mom and reading this you know it doesn’t at all feel terrible. It somehow is still amazing and rewarding, each and everyday. Trying, yes…but one little milestone that you know you had a hand in…even as little as a smile on their face…makes all the spit up and sleepless nights worth it. On this Mother’s Day JD also held his own bottle for the first time and we went to brunch as a family for the first time.

Last year, the “Ma, Mom, Momma” year where I was hearing those words from my little man on a regular basis had JD starting to become the little man he is today. That little man I grew in my belly who I found on THAT Mother’s Day walking around our yard, golf club in hand, swinging away at golf balls and bossing P-Daddy and I around. Although he couldn’t really talk…we were still bossed.

This year I am Mommy. When he says Mommy it makes him sound so grown up for some reason. Although I know eventually I will just be “Mom”…which is REALLY grown up…for now Mommy seems so mature-ha! This year as I reflected on JD’s life to date I am thankful. Yes, of his health and happiness. But more than that…I am thankful for the words he says (ahem the sentences he speaks), the confidence he possesses, his “dance like no ones watching” ways, the way he laughs at jokes that everyone else laughs at when he has no idea what the joke really was, and that when he walks into a room everyone notices. You know as a girl/teen/woman I always wanted to be that person that walked into a room and everyone noticed…I never knew that it would be SO.MUCH.BETTER to raise someone else to be that person.

We had a wonderful Mother’s Day twenty ten shared with all the Moms in our life! It was the first Mother’s Day where we all could be together and I have to say that I hope it is a tradition we keep forever. It was so nice to share that day with the ones we love. This year on Mother’s Day, JD said “Happy Mother’s Day” for the first time (insert-awwww).

Overall, becoming a Mother is soo not what I thought it was going to be. I used to be somewhat angry at women, mother’s for not preparing us with any advice other than “everything is gum drops and roses” but now I understand. I mean, to most people I am brutally honest when asked specific questions because I don’t want others to be as shocked as I was on certain things. But for the most part, the gum drops and roses really do sum it all up. It’s the silver lining for sure….and every day I feel blessed to have the title of JD’s Mommy.

SHRED it or DREAD it Friday

2010-05-07T17:28:00.004-04:00

Exgf over at Confessions of an ExGirlfriend started this tradition last week and I think it is a wonderful opportunity to dump on the blog world so I can go into my weekend fully shredded.

*****

I need to stop feeling so guilty all the time that I am not this perfect Christian. I know...those who know me are all like-WHAT? But seriously it runs through my head a million times a week probably that I should be better. I tell ya, those Baptists did know how to instill a lot of guilt when it comes to Jesus. Oh...and those Catholics aren't much better either...ha! But in all seriousness, I am SHREDDING the guilt! God knows where my heart is...

Speaking of guilt, I am already feeling that weight on my shoulders for working full time and not being with JD. He has acted out a bit more this week and I am certain that it is because he is testing us as his world has been flipped up-side-down. Children are resilient, Children are resilient, must.keep.repeating. But honestly, when I take a step back I really have been handed the perfect opportunity and I did get to spend some QT with him at random hours this week. I just have to cherish my moments a bit more now! So today, at least for today, I am shredding the guilt I feel when it comes to going back to work.

I have noticed that I am not good with giving myself "time" to "settle" into anything. Looking back through life to date I have either dove in head first or didn't dive in at all. Soooo with that said... I haven't really worked out for a long time (okay I ran once this week...but that isn't a lot at all). Everyone tells me this has to do with the fact that I need "time" to "settle"...but my brain hears all of that as "excuse"...so anyway I am SHREDDING the worry about not working out (at least for this week).

I am so SHREDDING the Outback Steakhouse Bloomin Onion I am about to indulge in...I may as well SHRED the fact that I will probably wash it down with a few Goose Island Honker Ale's too...

Oh and I am not DREADING or SHREDDING this one...but "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts-CAN'T LOSE, aka Friday Night Lights returns to NBC tonight-I.Cannot.Freaking.Wait! I.Am.A.Freaking.Nerd...but I know this and am cool with it!

I totally feel better. Thanks for listening. Oh and I think everyone should do this. Its like blogger therapy. Thanks Exgf...great idea! Oh and if you want to participate with her, just comment on her blog: Confessions of an Exgirlfriend and put a link to your blog!

Happy Weekend everyone!

Travel Club Members

2010-05-04T14:26:00.009-04:00

I know, I know you miss me. I missed blogging too. But this girl has found herself to be quite the busy butterfly lately. I won't bore you with those details (for now)...I will get to the vacay as I know you all have been anxious to hear all about!

I wanted to title this "Travel Warriors" because I do feel like, with what P-Daddy and I encountered we are ready and able to handle any travel glitches that come our way from here on out (bring it on Disney World, BRING IT). Lets just say it was a bit rough getting to our location (thank you Iceland volcano) and even rougher getting home (thank you Miami Air).

But alas, we are now officially card carrying members of the FB Travel Club. I have to say, its where all the cool kids are. And we met some cool kids. No, we met some cool friends. Seriously, the group we were with throughout the entire week was great (and great doesn't describe it really). We laughed, we laughed more, we laughed until we cried. It was just a blessing to be with them. I miss all of them actually. And I find it weird to explain this vacation to anyone, even blogger world, because it is one of those experiences that is hard to relive with words. You just had to be there. It truly was a vacation of a lifetime.

Travel stats are

32 hours to get to our first destination (this stopping point was a slight detour to our final destination) which included sitting in Rome's airport for 5 hours waiting and a lovely 6 1/2 hour bus ride through Italy's countryside.
10 hours of rest (thankfully) in a lovely Sheraton hotel in Bari, Italy where I indulged (prior to slumber) in the best red wine I have ever tasted.
2 more hours of waiting
48 or so hours before we united with the FB Travel Club...and we weren't in the group that got the worst of it.
Sat in JFK airport for 11 hours waiting for airplane to come take us back home to Indiana.
Traveled for 32 hours before arriving home sweet home.
Total hours traveled via airports or buses: 80 (Don't.Be.Jealous)

Then there was vacation bliss...

The above pictures highlight the place I would like to now retire to, Santorini, Greece. My pictures do not do my dear Santorini justice as it is literally one of the most beautiful place I have ever seen.

The below pictures highlight our way "out" of Santorini. It involved (as you will see), what was supposed to be a "15 minute walk" down the side of a beautiful mountain, but instead was a over hour walk down a donkey (shit) slippery stone stepped mountain. It was an adventure for sure!

And then there was Athens...

Mykonos, Greece was next and was supposed to be a nightlife location but we couldn't find any. Instead we ate and had a beer and then departed. Was also a beautiful stop though...

The final stop was Dubrovnikkkk (you have to accentuate the k, its just how we do), Croatia. It involved a stop to a local farm where we drank some wine and saw a few local dancers (think men in skirts). We also walked around this city via an ancient wall-PDaddy doesn't like heights so we peaced out on this one as most of this said wall was rather high in the sky.

I said it once and I will say it again, it was a trip of a lifetime. I cannot say I would do it again, but mostly because I know it wouldn't be the same.

And now a few updates:
I rocked the 9 1/2 hour flight, both ways...
...didn't get grouchy once during our two legs of over 24 hours of travel (so proud, right?!...becoming a mom has made me such a grown up-ha!)
...did lose weight (it was not 20 pounds)
...amazed myself at how adventurous I was
...was amazed at how well JD took us being gone in stride
...cannot believe the bond we formed with people we hardly knew going into the week, and I love that

...now I gotta get back to work!

Uncharted Territory

2010-04-14T07:54:00.004-04:00

Lots and lots of "new" in the Glory Day's household. Don't know about you or you or even you over there, but we don't ALWAYS deal with change that well. On a side note: while in sales in my former, former life (did you catch that?) I saw several seminars on change and how to effectively handle it as adults. Interesting stuff. At that point in my life I hadn't even thought about change, let alone it being difficult. Turns out, I should have paid more attention.

Lets see, where shall I start? Well Granbecks and The Engineer have been living with us for 2 weeks now. They officially made it here from sunny California and are awaiting their moving truck to come and bring them their furnishings in order to move into their home. A toddler with an acquired attitude (see below for further detail), a Grandma, a dog, a cat, P-Daddy, The Engineer and me have all been living happily ever after. Its been interesting. But I have to say, it still feels like they are here just for a visit.

Having my mom here, in the same vicinity (they are living in the city next to ours), 15 minutes away is going to for sure be a change. I haven't lived this close to my mom since I was 19 years young. Try 10 years ago. Try that was hard to type because 10 years goes wayyyy to fast. I am not complaining about her closeness at all. We are thrilled. Just going to be a big change.

Speaking of Granbeck, I should probably mention that another big change a coming is that I got a J-O-B! That change still for sure hasn't sunk in. Not even close. Its a cool job. Its giving me the best of all worlds (in my humble opinion) as I will be working from home full time doing interesting stuff. I wanted full time employment but wanted to work from home (at least a little) and this, well I truly believe God handed this one to me. I feel blessed.

Back to Granbeck...she will be babysitting JD full time for us. This is what she wanted. This is what we wanted. I literally got this job the day before she arrived. To God be the Glory!

Speaking of my new job, well I start it very soon. You know, two days after we get back from our Greek Isles cruise. Another change. I have never been abroad....on a plane...for 9.5 hours...anyway back to the abroad part. So excited about that! I am pretty sure I am going to pretend I am in at least ONE scene of Mama Mia while there. I also might catch myself drinking (and shipping home) too much local wine. P-Daddy worked really, really hard last year and was awarded this trip through his work so we will be traveling with about 150 other people from the FBI. Don't worry, I will be on my best behavior. Long time away from JD, another change, but this is a once in a lifetime kind of trip. Pray the Dramamine knocks me out on the flight! :)

Speaking of JD, well he has officially entered the "terrible twos"...whatever that means. But I actually DO know what it means and I actually dislike it and I was actually in denial that my sweet pie son would ever be in this phase of life. He still is a sweetie pie, for the most part. But LORDY LORDY when he gets himself worked up we may as well just realize that the next half hour to an hour is going to be filled with screams and tears and tantrums. Perfect timing for P-Daddy and I to go on vacay right? The FBI knew and totally timed this on our behalf. And to that I say a BIG THANKS!

When we return and I start my new job and Granbeck is settled in her home and P-Daddy starts his weekly golf league and JD is being babysat everyday and most of our home is getting painted and I am 20 pounds skinnier and my house is clean all the time....oh sorry I was just dreaming for those last two...anyway...back to the "when we return" stuff...we are going to tackle potty training and big boy bed for the little man who also doesn't really love change. Probably not in that order and probably not all that well. But doggonit we will look pretty while we are doing it and eventually it will be did. :)

One Shining Moment?

2010-04-05T08:42:00.004-04:00

I have never been a fan of the song that the NCAA has chosen to play for the CHAMPION of the NCAA tournament. I mean, I am a music buff kind of gal and I heart this tournament and all its glory (even if the Bulldogs aren't in the final game) and each year when "One Shining Moment" starts to play, it ruins all the chills I just had for the winning team.

Its just not a good fit if you ask me. And they aren't asking. But I wish they were.

Tonight could be Butler University's ONE SHINING MOMENT (side note, I love the name of the song, just dislike the actual song). I am so excited for them I couldn't sleep (again) last night.

I am thinking the song playing on this here blog (turn up the volume) is WAY more appropriate for BU for THIS YEAR but I am still working on an overall winner that will be a crowd pleaser to the masses for years to come.

I saw this quote on FB the other day and think it is absolutely perfect for tonight (but I have no idea who said it, the status update failed to mention this):

"We can't remember when the last time we lost and we haven't forgotten the ways we win...we're ready, we're here, we're HOME!"

WE'RE GONNA RUN THIS TOWN TONIGHT!! GO DAWGS!

Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow

2010-03-27T08:35:00.007-04:00

***UPDATE***

TODAY WAS THE HUGEST DAY IN BULLDOG HISTORY!!!

TODAY BUTLER MADE IT TO THE FINAL FOUR!!!

Today is a day we will NEVER FORGET!!!

TODAY I couldn't be PROUDER to be a BULLDOG!!!

***ORIGINAL POST***

Today is a BIG, HUGE, no (potentially) the HUGEST day for the Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team. CBS 4:30pm EST, tune in people. It won't disappoint. GO DAWGS!

Today I woke up with a sore throat but I think its due to the stupid Indiana weather: warm, cold, sunny, rain, sleet, freezing, sunny...my body is not adjusting well.

Today I am going to have coffee with a good friend.

Today my mom is that much closer to becoming a Hoosier.

Today JD woke up without being soaked head to toe in his own pee. That is currently a victory in this house.

Today I got to watch a smidgen of real people morning news before turning to the Disney Channel.

Today we might get to go and hang out with our fellow Butler friends to watch the big game.

Today I will do a lot of text messaging using foul language. I like foul language. So does JD. That's why I will text it and not say it.

Today JD will have blueberry waffles for breakfast...and I will have a fiber bar. Ohh to be two again and eat syrup soaked goodness. :)

****

YESTERDAY I was on a Butler high. Elite Eight for the first time can do that to someone.

Yesterday I talked to one of my best friends in the whole wide world (and when I say talked, I am pretty sure I talked her face off-sorry KB...its just that miss you and want to get it all in!) :)

Yesterday I finished the project I have been working on at my former sorority house.

Yesterday JD through about 14 "terrible TWO" fits but went to bed peacefully.

Yesterday I applied for a job that I am really excited about. Thanks to a new friend I met watching Butler the night before!

****

TOMORROW is Palm Sunday and we are going to church. Not really because its Palm Sunday mostly because we want to go to church.

Tomorrow I hope to wake up on a Butler high again ready to purchase tickets to see history be made in the FINAL FOUR of 2010.

TOMORROW, like TODAY oh and YESTERDAY will be days I am thankful for my life just exactly how it is.

GO BULLDOGS!!!
(you knew I was going to do it one more time for good measure!)

Branding

2010-03-21T08:28:00.010-04:00

So we are deep into the Madness of March, highlighters in toe and have completely out-bracketed ourselves (if that all makes sense). If you aren't in the know, our Alma Mater played yesterday and are headed to the SWEET SIXTEEN BABY!! GO BULLDOGS!!

Side note: I don't think I have EVER done this poorly on my bracket picks. Thank you Kansas and Villanova. Although the Kansas game was unbelievable to watch. I do love upsets, I just wish I had picked them! :)

Yes, the Butler Men's Basketball squad (I like that word) has done a great job with branding themselves as a team to watch out for (Brad Stevens for President!) in the last decade...but that isn't where I am going to go with the whole branding bit.

Needless to say, JD shocked his momma the other day in the department of words...him saying words that is. He grabbed one of the (way too many) receipts out of my purse and said "Walmart mommy." And low and behold, it was a Walmart receipt. He can't read. He JUST started talking in 4 word sentences and even those sometimes don't make a whole lot of sense. I at that point hugged him and then looked at him as if he had 5 heads, and then told him he was brilliant. I mean I already thought the brilliant thing (don't all mothers?) but really? Logos?

So I tested him and put Target, Kroger, and Walmart receipts in front of him. He name them ALL! Just went one by one and named them. Again, he CAN'T READ! So hats off to these stores because I would have never thunk it. Apparently they brain washed me too (especially Target) with their mad branding skills because I don't think Walmart's is especially smart...but smart enough for a 2 year old to recognize it. So smarter than I thought. Due to my obsession with Target I am thinking that these three stores will probably have patron for life! :)

You Give Me Fever

2010-03-14T09:09:00.007-04:00

We sure have Spring Fever around these here parts. It was one busy week and I have to say I loved every second of it! We went from the dog days of winter (pretty sure that's not a real phrase but I am going to stick with it), being sick with the oh so fun stomach flu as a family (note: I do not recommend) to bright sunny skies, the mounds of snow still in our driveway officially melting, and lots of activities to enjoy...all in a weeks time! So...FEVER it is!

Because I am apparently so proud of all that was accomplished in this week (and maybe just a little bit hoping that the weeks ahead we be just as full, and blogging about it will ensure that right? :) I thought I would spell it out here. Read on if you wish...stalk pictures if you must. :)

Sunday kicked things off for me with a girls only Oscars get together. I have to say, this was so fun I could just (insert something funny right here...like pee myself or something). I haven't watched the Oscars with women in too long to even think about. Its just not the same with the hubs. He doesn't understand why I HATED Charlize Theron's dress, or SJP's hair...but they sure did. And we all judged together. And it was super fun. Totally doing this every year now.

Monday we went to the park in our neighborhood and then to Chick-Fil-A for dinner because Mr. JD was being a bit of a pickle (probably because he caught the FEVER too and I think its a bit overwhelming for a 2 year old) and they have an indoor playground. Funny story: everyone else had this idea too. Funnier story: a grandmother (who happened to have no teeth) decided to be super excited about our son. I am normally cool with this but she crossed the line and ended up making P-Daddy and I SUPER uncomfortable. She started with just wanting a hug from JD, then wanted him to say he loved her, then started tickling him...and then we left. I felt all yucky.

Tuesday JD had school while Aimee and I went to lunch at the hospital to visit Godmom. We never do this and it was so much fun! Jimmy Johns and good conversation in the middle of the day, love it.

Wednesday we had a scheduled Playdate with our group but only two of us could make it. So...we decided to go to a spin class together (we belong to the same gym) and then go to Chick-Fil-A with our kiddos and let them run out some energy (whats funny about Chick-Fil-A coming up twice in one week is that, well its just funny. We aren't really eater-outers) No creepy people were at Chick-Fil-A. Victory.

Wednesday night I went to the mall and bought more skinny jeans (and later wore them with flats...gasp I know...I already broke my "I won't wear skinny jeans with anything but boots that go over them" rule. I liked it though. I liked it a lot. I'm gonna do it again). I also had dinner with Gdub and JBU, sans children. Good wine, good food, great conversation. Lots of laughs. Don't be jealous.

Thursday morning I tried to go to this "body works" class that I adore at my gym (its weight lifting) but unfortunately because I didn't get there an hour early I was not able to attend (if you don't sense my annoyance with this please allow me to let you know right here and right now, this annoys me) so I did my own thang. Never the same though, never the same. Then JD and I drove to Dvegas (my hometown) to have lunch with Papa President and Uncle VP. So fun. Need to do that more often.

Friday P-Daddy took the day off and we took JD to the Children's Museum. Always a great time, always a great nap day. P-Daddy had never been with us so this was super fun for me to watch my boys enjoy this together!

Saturday we braved Walmart in the AM (and I have to say it wasn't bad at all) as we were trying to get some errands out of the way for our big trip we have coming up (more on that later). Nothing was really accomplished but we did detour to Marshalls and I found the perfect chair for my vanity in our bathroom. Uncle VP came over last night and we made homemade ribs, fried cauliflower and mushrooms. P-Daddy rocked it out with the ribs ("I had ribs for lunch, that's why I'm doing this"), they were DELICIOUS!

Today, well, if you don't know what today is then you are weird. Its Selection Sunday! We are throwing a little last minute party in honor of this event. Some pizza, some beer and the beginning of the best tournament there is. Go Bulldogs. I mean GO BULLDOGS!!

Happy Week. Happy Girl. Happy Spring!

No Shower Sunday

2010-03-09T13:59:00.009-05:00

So in college we (as in me and my oh so cool friends) declared most Sundays as "No Shower Sunday." Gross. Yet at the time it wasn't so much. Don't mind the fact that we probably also ate McDonald's twice in that same Sunday. It was also "no bra day", and a sweat pants only zone. Oh yeah...those were the days.

So JD loves showering, as mentioned here, so "No Shower Sunday" has been reintroduced to our lives, but now it only pertains to people who are under 4ft tall that reside here. Oh and we don't eat McDonalds twice (or once for that matter). And I wear a bra and real clothes. Just clarifying... :) Anywho, he is not so happy about this because he sure does love to be clean but I think a one day break won't hurt him!

I did however go ahead and take a VERY PG video of him in said shower, not on a Sunday of course. Think Adam Sandler in Big Daddy PG. Anyway, yes he is lip singing (to his favorite song) more than showering, still though, laugh out loud funny if you ask me.

PS- SELECTION SUNDAY IS THIS SUNDAY! WOOHOO!! Time to fill out those brackets. We should totally start a blogger bracket buster game!! Love me some March Madness!

Friday Favorites

2010-02-26T07:40:00.005-05:00

Thought that today, last Friday in February, would be a fun day to pass along some fun, interesting, exciting blogs I stalk on a regular basis! Aren't we all always looking for more ways to waste time? :) Well...even if you aren't these are noteworthy (or click worthy) for sure!

In no particular order...

My BFF has Addy and Lilly: A Whole New World where she blogs about her two, TWO year olds...but CLICK HERE to read about something near and dear to her heart. Worth it, promise.

Want to read lots of interesting funny stuff from an expectant father (who happens to be the hubby of one of my dearest friends)...look no further because Sullidad Chicago has it all.

Reasonably Swanky doesn't even know I stalk her blog but I just think she is the cutest with all her shopping and decorating and such. She also lives in the south, a place in the US of A I just think is quite special.

Confessions of an Ex-girlfriend is as great as its title...and not just because she talks about her ex, she has lots of interesting things to say!!

Jules vs. Nuts is a current fav because she is just herself (I say that like I really know her) and translates that life into witty writing that is interesting to read. THIS POST is what got me hooked.

Would love to know your current favs too! TGIF everyone! We have date night this weekend...seeing a cheesy movie in an actual theater (translates to, we never do this) and going to a meal of food where neither of us is cooking it...or cleaning up the dishes! Cannot wait!

Schooled

2010-02-24T14:57:00.005-05:00

Lately a lot has been happening in this here household. JD is going from toddler to boy right before our eyes. I am pretty sure at this point he is half my size, which is rather scary considering he is only the ripe age of 2.5 (not even). But I am not just talking about a growth spurt here, I am speaking mostly of Mr. Independent over there sitting by the TV watching his current favorite show, "Movers mommy, Movers" (translates to Imagination Movers).

I mean don't get me wrong, I love it...you know all the talking. I love that his eyes have been widely (understatement) opened to the world of words. Some we have taught him, some school has taught him, some he has just (ahem) heard us say, some I am pretty sure he made up, and some he got from those TV shows I let him watch in the morning.

Lately he has been doing and saying things that P-Daddy and I have found rather shocking because we don't remember ever teaching him such. So I thought it would be fun to do a run through of things we have taught him, and things JD has picked up along the way thus far in his life.

**************

We DID teach him to say "please" and "thanks" which he does on a regular basis (currently better at the "thanks" than the "please").

We DID NOT teach him to say "mine" and run in the opposite direction as you or you or you when he has something that is not his.

We DID give him Handy Manny tools, and then he has acquired a tool bench and a Bob the Builder tool set...but we DID NOT teach him to use the tools properly or know the names of every tool (and not the Handy Manny names the real ones...specifically "wrench" still gets me. That is kind of a hard word to say and its a freaking wrench?)

We DID NOT teach him to organize his blankets and bear in the exact same way before nap and bedtime but he sure does do that (am thinking though, through osmosis he got this "anal man" straight from his dear old dad).

We DID teach him to dance.

We DID NOT teach him to crump.

We DID teach him to tell people how old he is when asked.

We DID NOT teach him to say that every letter in the alphabet is "E." Somehow even the letters above his bed that spell his name (which does not contain an "E") are all still "E." Work in progress.

We DID NOT tell him that mommy went to not ONE but TWO NSYNC concerts in her "youth" and had a love for boy bands however his current favorite song is Owl City's "Fireflies."

We DID teach him to shake people's hand and say "Nice to meet ya" (which is more like "mee ya").

We DID NOT teach him that cords are okay to play with, plug in, unplug...however somehow he knows how to do all of this AND has since he was about...oh...ONE! At this point we don't fight this obsession, we just supervise. And yes we still have the child safety "protectors" on our plugs, and yes he figured those things out at age one as well. We have tried all different brands and he knew how to get all of them off. *Sigh*

We DID teach him not to stick his finger into plugs (and he never has)...that has to count for something right?

We DID NOT teach him that breakfast is the most important meal of the day (yet) but he sure does eat his best in the morning (typical day=three Nutra Grain bars, 3 bowls of cereal or 3 regular sized Eggo blueberry waffles).

We DID teach him that bathing daily is important as we implemented this into his routine when he was the ripe age of a few months old.

We DID NOT teach him that ADDING a shower to that routine was important yet somehow every morning after breakfast he insists that showering is the next step to his day...so currently he is showering and bathing daily. Not going to meet a cleaner two year old.

We DID give him an old cell phone to play with when he was just a wee little one.

We DID NOT know that this would mean he would snatch our real cell phones and call the same people over and over again without mommy or daddy realizing (sorry Amy), call 911 (once...turns out if you lock your phone there is still a way for babies to press one little button and viala, "911 whats your emergency"...CRAP!), and send random cryptic text messages to people.

We DID teach him what a frog is (as for some reasons frogs are in a lot of children's books), the sound they make and how they move around.

We DID NOT teach him to move around the house just like a frog on a regular basis and scream "RIBBIT."

We DID teach him to give lots of hugs and kisses.

We DID NOT know this would become a form of toddler manipulation each night at bedtime. "More kiss mommy, more hug mommy...MORE KISSSS MOMMY"...I know, could be worse and was funny/cute for the first few nights...now it is just painful to listen to him scream that over and over once I or P-Daddy have given him 10,000 hugs and kisses and oh...ONE LAST HUG to grow on.

We DID say "I love you" enough to him that he now says it back (and I melt like an M&M in a sweaty palm every time).

Speaking of being "schooled"...he teaches me something about myself each and every day too...and what I have found about this motherhood gig is that I still have a LOT to learn.

And The Winners Are...

2010-02-17T14:54:00.002-05:00

....The ONLY TWO THAT PARTICIPATED!! GO THEM! On a side note I am pretty sure that I will no longer be selected by anyone for give-aways! :)

Aimee and Allison CONGRATS! The good people at Weber Shandwick will be sending you a goodie bag from Dove Go Fresh Deoderant and Body Mist!

Thanks to both of you for participating and for your inspiring stories!

Happy Hump Day!

Give-Away...Girl World Tour

2010-02-10T11:09:00.008-05:00

YAY for Give-aways!

So...the good people at Weber Shandwick contacted me recently to give YOU or YOU or YOU free tickets to this amazing, inspiring, event called the Girl World Tour! It is lead by Roselin Wiseman, best selling author of Queen Bees and Wannabees, the book that inspired the movie Mean Girls.

Here are the event details:

WHEN: Tuesday February 23, 2010

TIME: 6:30-8:30pm

WHERE: Saint Richards Episcopal School

33 West 33rd Street

Indianapolis, IN 46205

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

http://rosalindwiseman.com/events/girl-world-tour/

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PRESENTED BY:

So how do YOU get these one of kind tickets?

STEP 1: Post a (non anonymous) comment telling me who the most inspiring woman in your life has been and why!

THAT'S IT!!

I will choose 2 Winners one week from today! The two winners will receive either a gift bag of freebies from Dove Go Fresh Deodorant and Body Mist OR two tickets to the Girl World Tour event! I will do a blog post naming the winners and will also send you an email if you are said winner!

NOTE: The featured event is geared towards a mother-daughter pair, specifically mother's of tween's. I know a lot of my blog stalkers have young children (or none at all) so you don't necessarily fit into this category but the fun part about this give-away is you can STILL win something even if you don't qualify for the event!! The wonderful people with Weber-Shandwick and Dove Go Fresh Deodorant and Body Mists have offered to send you a lovely gift bag with freebies (if you do not qualify for the Girl World Tour Event).

Not that this helped...

2010-02-08T20:50:00.003-05:00

...but they sure were/are DAMN good! Thanks to Exgf and her recipe she shared with the blog world last week I made the below for our Superbowl party. I had a feeling it was potentially a bad omen because without even knowing Exgf (translates to, I just stalk her blog) I am thinking due to her location in the world she is more of a Saints fan , therefore I was making a Saint's fan recipe on the big Colts day....oops!

INTRODUCING THE AMAZING OREO CAKE BALLS (or as I called them...the Colt's Balls...I know I am so funny).

It worked out well though because there is nothing better than drowning your sorrows in sweetness right??

If you want the delicious recipe, click HERE (recipe is towards the bottom...but read the whole thing people, it will be worth your time. :)

On a side note...who else is ready for some March Madness?? I know this girl is! Seriously, one of my favorite times of each year!

Doppleganger Week

2010-02-05T13:11:00.004-05:00

Two blogs in two days...what? I know, right?! Anyway Its Doppleganger week on Facebook so I participated. I don't normally get all into that stuff that Facebook does but thought this was fun!

I have frequently been told that I look like two pretty famous people...

DJ Tanner (aka Candice Cameron), FULL HOUSE

Scarlett Johansson

I used Scarlett as my Facebook profile pic because I may as well right? She is gorgeous and I will take that compliment from anyone willing to dish it out. I really don't think I resemble either of these women....who cares though...its fun to play pretend.

Myheritage.com is a website you can use that will use a picture of yourself that you upload and output celebrities that look like you. Scarlett nor Candice Cameron showed up on my list (see below) but I will tell you who did...DAVID HASSELHOFF!! Yep, all 70% of his bad self. Nothing like being told you look 70% like a man. Oh and I am pretty sure my number one match is some sort of porn star! Sweet!

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Cele

brity - Collage - Morph

Blogging about nothing

2010-02-04T13:53:00.004-05:00

I have realized this task, you know, the one that has me sit down to write about "nothing" is harder than it once was. But today I am going to do just that.

I have the winter blues or am allergic to winter. Walking in a Winter Wonderland is only fun if and when it is done at Christmas. Thought about going tanning to let the "sun" shine on my face but I haven't done this in years because I don't want my skin to be leather by the time I am 35. It may be anyway considering all the time I USED to spend in those things and the fact that I didn't start wearing sunscreen until...umm...last year?! So I can't undo what is already done but I don't want to do more...but I was thinking it would help. We just got word from Mr. Weatherman that we should expect 8 INCHES of snow this weekend. Stupid groundhog.

I have been working out consistently for over a year...part of which I even had a personal trainer. Due to this fact alone, I think I should be skinnier. Just sayin...not freaking out...just sayin...oh and that my lovely prego stretch marks...yeah wishing those would have magically dissapeared too. Just sayin.

I have been pretty diligently looking for a job as of late. I was even offered a job in early December. I didn't take it, wasn't right for me and the fam. Trying to figure out what is right for all of us that accomplishes what I really want to do is not an easy task. I never would have thought I could have or would have enjoyed this stay at home gig as much as I have. But this momma needs an outlet. Its what I am good at...working. Everything is organized in our home, and JD is so so so ready for an outlet himself that doesn't include his momma.

P-Daddy and I are going on a cruise to the Greek Isles this spring. He won this big trip through work. We will fly into Venice, Italy and then go from there. I have never been abroad and kind of hate flying but the closer this trip comes the more excited I get.

GranBeck's is moving here very soon. I couldn't be more excited! WE couldn't be more excited! You never know how nice it would be to have your parents close until you have a child. I haven't lived in the same city as my mother since I was in high school. Long time...can't wait!

Volunteering for my former sorority keeps me young. Or makes me feel young again. Something like that...but I enjoy it none-the-less. Going back to our former campus floods memories, good ones in my head. College students don't know how good they have it. I sure didn't.

JD is talking up a storm and I love it! He is able to communicate what he wants or needs and I couldn't be happier. A lot of women get frustrated with the repatativeness of their toddler's words. I revel in it (most of the time) because I realize he is just so excited to be able to say whatever he is saying. Kind of like I get excited to say whatever I am sayin and Lord knows I have been sayin lots of words a lot of the time for a long time. Just sayin.

I recently bought these amazing shoes from WHBM and have still never worn them. They are those fabulous shoes that I fear may sit in my closet for a few years before I am ever brave enough to wear them. *GASP*...I think I bought shoes that are more fashionable than me! HA! They are gorgeous though and when I do bust them out everyone will be talking don't you worry. Now...to find that perfect outfit to go with them...

Speaking of clothes...I recently dove into the deep end of the pool and purchased skinny jeans. I said I would NEVER do this but I have enough tall boots that I really wanted to wear over jeans that I caved. I rock them. They are basically denim spandex. They are so comfortable I want to sleep in them. I still feel like they are "tight rolled" at the bottom (if you were in middle/high school in the nineties you know what I am talking about) but I am not going to lie, I wish I had 20 pairs. It is scaring me though that COLORED jeans are coming back in? I hated fashion in the 80's and colored jeans feels very 80's. But so does spandex jeans I guess...damnit if that means I will be rocking electric blue dyed denim next season!

Side note: I still stand by only wearing my skinny jeans with boots that hide the fact that they are skinny. Can't rock high heels with them. I am pretty sure (no-POSITIVE) I would look ridiculous.

I have been leaving church sort of angry lately. Mostly because the sermon's are just ludacris (if you ask me of course). A few Sunday's ago we went, they read the verses of that week, I really liked said verses (and was excited to hear how Mr. Priest was going to relate to them to the real world), and then the priest stood up and discussed the fact that people should treat church like they would a wedding and dress up because it is distracting to him if people show up in Colts jersey's.
REALLY?
We are really going to focus an entire sermon on what people wear?
Do you not realize Mr. Priest that your church is PACKED this and every Sunday?
That these people come to listen to the word of God and to have you make sense of it all?
So that day, everyone left feeling shamed if they were wearing or had ever chosen to wear a jersey to church and heard nothing about how much God LOVED THEM? PS-don't think I am angry about this because P-Daddy and I were one of those people...we aren't the jersey type personally...but we were wearing jeans and apparently that is also not good enough either. Don't get me started. Maybe I wouldn't have been as angry if we hadn't already sat through an entire sermon on how birth control of any form is abortion. UGH! We need a new church.

Interesting that church talk was the longest paragraph...I guess we really do need to find a new place of worship.

I am making Rachel Ray's Shepherds Pie tonight for dinner...30 minutes my ass. But I don't care, I love to cook and if it takes me two hours I will be fine with it. Just sayin...no way its 30 minutes. Maybe if its pretty and delicious I will take a picture and share the recipe. I should do that more often...because people like looking at pretty food.

Thats all I got. Happy Hump Day!

Traveling with a Toddler 101

2010-01-24T09:48:00.011-05:00

Lake Tahoe Christmas was our destination and surviving it (and finding time to enjoy it somewhere in there too) was our plan.

Here are the trip details...the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Left via US Airways Christmas Eve. Had two flights that day and an hour drive to final destination once we landed in Reno. The first flight was the longest. I would highly recommend this if you are traveling with a toddler and have to do two flights. US Airways was not accommodating to senior citizens or people traveling with children. I would not recommend. JD cried (rather screamed), I cried, it was the definite UGLY part of our trip. Side note: who knew SO MANY PEOPLE traveled on Christmas Eve? Every flight was jam packed!

"Not amused by the length of this flight mom"

Arrived in Lake Tahoe where GranBeck and Tracey were waiting for us at the airport. This was the first highlight of JD's trip as he loves GranBeck. We also arrived to beautiful snow capped mountains and a clear crisp day.

Drove through the beautiful mountains (and very safe roads I might add, which I appreciated) to get to our home that GranBeck's rented for the week. We arrived to a whole new world for JD and a lot of new family for all of us (JD's favorite being 4 year old cousin Alex who he is still talking about daily). Everyone was excited to be together, that was clear. We were excited we survived the first leg of travel safe and sound. We also asked and received for a rather stiff cocktail and appreciated our new family even more when they gave it to us! :)

Christmas was filled with lots of eating, presents, stockings, family, laughs...and a new one for us...gambling. HA! After JD went to sleep on Christmas night...mama and P-Daddy (and Uncle VP) could be found at one of the local Casinos. It was weird but fun at the same time. I think what I found most odd was how many people were there. I don't know...I just kind of felt like we were the odd ones for going to a casino on Christmas. Apparently my logic was off because everyone in Nevada seemed to be joining us.

The entire crew at Christmas dinner

GranBeck and JD Christmas morning

In the remaining time there we shared more laughs, decorated sweatshirts (in true GranBeck fashion), relaxed, sledded and gambled a bit more. Oh and JD slept like a CHAMPION. Call it baby stress from all the traveling, call it being 6300 feet above sea level, or being worn out by his new cousin Alex...we aren't sure but it was AWESOME! People we are talking 3 hour naps and 14-15 hours of sleep every night!

Uncle VP and JD chillin in the snow

We flew home on Southwest Airlines. JD has a peanut allergy and they are one of the few airlines that still serve peanuts as their free snack so this was an obvious worry of mine going into it. BUT I have to tell you they could not have been more accommodating and nice to us. We filled out the appropriate paperwork online when we booked our flight and when we checked in reminded them of this and were treated like royalty... not like we were putting them out. Which is interesting because we kind of were a pain in their rear because once you fill out that information they are flagged to take all peanuts off that plane and ask all passengers to not open anything containing peanuts that they may have brought onto the plane. They never once made us feel like this was an inconvenience.

Our first leg of the flight was again the longest and this time we went scream free. WOOHOO! We made several trips to the airline bathroom (as JD decided right before we left that going potty in a real potty was super fun), ate lots and lots of snacks, and listened to lots and lots of songs on mommies ipod which as a combination all worked! It was no less stressful because I was on edge that he was going to scream but he didn't and that made it one successful 4 hour flight.

We arrived in Chicago, Midway wayyyy past JD's bed time and had a stupidly long layover. Note to parents: when traveling with a toddler DO NOT FLY THROUGH CHICAGO MIDWAY. It seriously is one of the worst airports I have ever flown through. Way too crowded and the gates are not large enough to accommodate the amount of people.

In general it was a wonderful trip filled with lots of firsts and great fun. But I don't think we will be traveling with OUR toddler on a plane anytime soon. :)

Here are a few other items we found helpful...just in case you decide to travel with yours...

1. Children's Benadryl (specifically the "perfect measures")=does not make our son drowsy AT ALL. But as a side note (and before I get baraded about giving my 2 year old benadryl) this was mostly due to JD's peanut allergy and we were taking precautions before getting on an airplane that sold snacks with peanuts in them. Oh and I do hear that OTHER parents use Children's Benadryl for the purposes of drowsiness when they fly and I would have been TOTALLY okay with this happening to us too but, alas JD loves to defy all odds and so awake he was! :)

2. Lots of favorite snacks. For us this includes cheez-its, fruit snacks and dried fruit. We threw in some snack sized oreo's which were a HUGE hit because JD doesn't get sugary snacks that often and he loves "cookies."

3. Antibacterial wipes. This is especially important if you are traveling with a baby/toddler with a peanut allergy because you can wipe down the seats, windows, etc just in case there was anyone sitting there before that had peanuts. We were given this advice before we left and were grateful for it! And really, in the Swine Flu world we live in, this isn't a bad thing to do anyway I guess.

4. While in an airport, anything that moves such as the "people movers" (shown below) can keep a toddlers attention for quite some time. Would highly recommend. Helps pass the time for parents and toddlers very well. :)

5. IPOD with non children music. Yep, thats right our son loves rap music (Timbaland is his favorite) and this held his attention for a good 45 minutes on one of the legs of the flight.

6. Once at destination, if car travel is required of any distance other than 15 minutes, must stop at the nearest fast food place and pick up fries for cranky toddler who has already been traveling for too many hours to mention. This will buy you some time before a meltdown.

7. After arriving be sure to have another toddler or child there available to play with at all times. This one is HUGE and highly important if you would like to also get to enjoy yourself on said vacation.

JD, P-Daddy and Alex on Christmas Day

A Big Thank you to GranBecks for organizing this special trip...one we will remember forever!

TIVO TALK

2010-01-16T08:18:00.006-05:00

A few things before I begin...
I agree that it is absolutely ridiculous that I haven't posted anything of substance since my New Years post.
I am having serious writers block when it comes to the recap of Lake Tahoe Christmas Vacation but promise its a blog in the backlog
I would be remiss if I didn't plug Shallow Thoughts here because she is not only a rock star in my eyes because she read a book a DAY in '09 AND blogged about that book EVERYDAY but now she has continued her blog but has added her thoughts on television. LOVE IT...and we are getting ready to talk about my Tivo, so this plug works!

Now onto the good stuff...

Notable items on my TIVO (and listed in order of importance...of course!):
How I Met Your Mother (Can you tell this one is still winning in my book?)
Modern Family
Desperate Housewives
Project Runway
The Good Wife
60 Minutes
Cougar Town
Shark Tank
Iron Chef America
American Idol

Its hard to believe that American Idol has fallen as low as it has...but its true. I would skip AI to view any of the other shows above it, any day! And you know why? I JUST don't think they are ever going to find another Carrie Underwood. Nope. Don't think they can do it. But THIS guy...well he is brilliant...

If you aren't watching Modern Family you are seriously missing out. And here is a PERFECT example:

The Good Wife was one I wasn't so sure about when it first started but now P-Daddy and I find ourselves glued to the TV when its on. Its nice because there is a different story line every week but on the back side there is an on going story line. And its based in Chicago...which I think I already mentioned in the last Tivo Talk...but apparently I find it that appealing. Just sick of every show being based in NYC.

60 Minutes, if you aren't already aware is (in our humble opinoin) one of the best news shows on television. I really don't watch a lot of news nor do I read a lot of news online or in print. I don't need a daily dose of depressing stories and lets be honest, the news thrives on it. But every Sunday I am sucked into every story on this amazing news show. Whether they are talking about elephants, the 2009 campaign, or the United States border patrol I am way into it! You can't beat Andy Rooney's take on life at the end either:

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Shark Tank, if you don't know is a show where 5 unique investors (including but not limited to the guy who owns FUBU) sit on a panel and people bring their products to them. In bringing their products they are also asking for a certain dollar amount in exchange of giving up a portion of their company. Its sort of like a lame show that was on television a few summers back that was called "American Inventors" (that I am sad to say we watched), but because it involves investors its a bit different. All of the investors have HUGE ego's which makes the show (of course) that much more interesting...and lets be honest some people and their "inventions" are for sure TV worthy. This was my favorite company...and the video doesn't explain it but these guys invented a website where college students can upload (and sell) their notes from a class (within their College/University), the notes are proofed to make sure they are "worthy" and then other students can go and purchase those notes. Why didn't I think of this??

What is my TIVO missing?
LIFE, we Loved this show and frankly I am pissed that I will never know what happened.
Friday Night Lights, although I hear that this one will be returning this summer I was ready for it to come back now!
Alias...I know, I know this show as done years ago...but I still miss it

What my TIVO is adding?
The Deep End, begins this Thursday 1/21...below is the preview

I would be kidding you and you and YOU if I didn't also mention JD's TIVO list (in order of importance of course) because most days I feel like I watch more of whats on his TIVO list than whats on mine (within the half an hour he is allowed per day of course-HA!)
Handy Manny
Sesame Street
Imagination Movers (which used to creep me out because there are grown men in jumpsuits but now I know every song by heart...crap)
My Friends Tigger and Pooh

PS-If you were over my videos and didn't click on one of them, please appease me and go back and watch the Modern Family one...its worth your time I promise!!

New Year, New Name..

2010-01-05T22:32:00.003-05:00

Yes that is right, we have a new name! The header is currently my work in progress...but it was time for Rhyme and Reason (which equals I never liked it to begin with) to go and for something fresh and new! If you have read this blog long...you can tell I kind of love change. And not to worry its not just on the internets...I have been known to rearrange in the whole house while P-Daddy is at work (I have freakishly weird woman strength). The blog name is no exception apparently. However...I didn't change our blog address this time...cause that was just silly before. :)

And yes, we do heart The Boss in this hood. And yes, we are totally naming our blog from his song Glory Days...cause you don't want to let em pass you by...Glory Days...in the wink of a young girls eye...okay I will stop. But now how fun is it that every time you visit this here blog you will sing that there song. Its awesome, we know.

Decade

2009-12-31T10:16:00.014-05:00

Ahhh New Years Eve...the worlds most over-rated holiday (if I do say so myself). Don't get me wrong...I have had myself a jolly great time on New Year's before, but lets be serious...its HARD work to actually get to have fun on this day. The best New Year's I have ever had were when all of our friends headed to the hills of Indiana and rented a cabin for the weekend. I cannot explain to you how easy this is to do, and HOW MUCH FUN IT IS!! And even though we chose not to have plans this year...I still would pay serious dollars if someone called me today and told me that they had it all planned for me (babysitter and all) and could go there tonight with everyone I love.

But this blog is dedicated to the last decade as I thought it would be fun to review where we were and where we are now.

In the Years 1999/2000...
we both were a sophomores in college
I was a fair queen
P-Daddy drove a 1991 Honda Accord
I drove a car named Tyrone

Our favorite party of the year was called "Derby Days" (and in general our parties had names)
Both smoked too many cigarettes to mention...daily
We were both young and "in love"...with other people
We were not 21 (although P-Daddy was closer than I was)
I had a millennium party at my dad's house that ended with china broken, carpet ruined, and police. Wasn't even at all a little bit fun. And my dads basement still has a hint of keg smell in it...
P-Daddy went to see Mellencamp in brand new Conseco Fieldhouse with his friends and had the time of his life.
We both lived on Hampton Drive

P-Daddy traveled to Scotland for a family golf trip
Our favorite place to go was called Broadripple

In the years 2001/2002...
9/11 happened as I was sleeping comfortably in my bed in Indiana
I lived in a house we called "The Front Door"
P-Daddy and I started dating
I planned my first major event as an intern
P-Daddy interned for the local NBC news station
We Graduated college
both had our first jobs...and I had my second squeezed in there too
first big kid apartments...then I had my second (it was a rough go for a while-ha!)
I was FINALLY 21
P-Daddy and I played match-maker and it worked!

I spent New Years Eve with two of my greatest friends in Times Square
We went on Spring Break to a place we like to call "South Party Island" because everything is bigger in Texass (and I took the road trip of a lifetime while P-Daddy took the high road and flew).

In the years 2003/2004...
We were engaged and married
We traveled to the Dominican Republic, went on our first cruise, Martha's Vineyard and Las Vegas
P-Daddy changed careers

We got our first (and probably only) dog and named him Charlie
We built our first home
My mom got re-married
We attended countless weddings of amazing friends
P-Daddy was a best man
We bought 2 cars
the tradition of Friendsgiving was born

In the years 2005/2006...
We watched some of our best friends get married on a beach in Florida
I was a maid of honor for the first time
I was promoted to a job I loved
We celebrated our first year anniversary in Las Vegas
We traveled to Florida, went on a cruise, Puerto Vallarta twice, southern California, and Kansas City
We became Colts season ticket holders
We discovered yagerbombs
We built our second home
I bought my first pair of spanx

In the years 2007/2008...
We found out I was prego in early 2007 (and coincidentally our best friends found out the same day they were prego too...and then a few months later some of our other best friends found out THEY were prego...2007 was the year of the baby!)
We had the most beautiful and healthy baby boy
I trained for a half marathon and didn't run it
We traveled to Wisconsin and Florida (all by car...with our baby...do not recommend)
The Colts won the Superbowl

I started this here blog

We lost a LOT of sleep and I became a wee bit crazy for a bit because of it
Uncle Badgeman met his future wife (Aunt Ricky)
I left the job I once loved to tackle staying at home with our little JD

10 year high school reunions happened. P-Daddy skipped his, we celebrated like high schoolers at mine

We gave our dog away to my Papa President

And finally in 2009...
We celebrated 5 years of marriage by traveling on a cruise to the Bahamas (and having our first long period away from our son)

JD started pre-school
P-Daddy won his work incentive trip (which means if all the stars align we will be traveling to Italy in 2010!)
Uncle Badgeman married Aunt Ricky

P-Daddy joined his first golf league
JD was in his first wedding

I interviewed for, and was offered a great job with a great company...and I turned it down for greener pastures
P-Daddy was a best man

JD went trick-or-treating for the first time dressed as Donald Trump
I was a maid of honor again to another best friend

P-Daddy turned the big 3-0
We spent an exciting Christmas in Lake Tahoe, which included JD's first airplane flight (a whole blog will be dedicated to this later)
ALL of our friends that we watched walk down the aisle (or celebrated with after) are still happily married!

JD said his first words
We gave up yagerbombs

But as fun as that was to remember and write down...there aren't words to describe how awesome these last 10 years have been. "To God be the glory great things he hath done!" I hadn't really thought about the fact that we are ending a decade until I signed onto the internets the other day and MSN's ad was about the drama of the last decade. Which, lets be honest, there has been a lot of that for the rich and famous and the not so famous too. While we are on the subject I should mention that I don't believe the most notable is the death of Michael Jackson or the "indiscretions" of Tiger Woods. I think I am going with the innocent lives that were lost on 9/11 and how that affected the way our country is and will be forever.

I don't believe in New Years Resolutions because if you want to change anything about yourself or your surroundings, you will. So raise whatever glass you have in front of you and lets cheers to this New Year, this past decade, and the many decades to come! Cheers!

Oh and LETS GO BULLDOGS!

Fa La La La...

2009-12-17T15:23:00.008-05:00

This is a fun post that Amy over at Our Happy Married Life did and I thought I would join in...feel free to do the same! Of course I added a few because it wouldn't be right if I didn't now would it?! And for all of you only following this to keep up with JD, I included some fun photos of him too!

Oh and "Deck the Halls with bows of Holly...Fa La La La Laaaa, La La La Laaaa." Loving myself some Christmas music! (you know you were already singing this...and if not-you are now!! HEHE!)

1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags? wrapping paper, with ribbons and bows all the way. I personally think that is just part of the fun of the season!

2. Real Tree or Artificial? We have a 9 foot artificial tree that I LOVE, BUT I grew up having a mixture of both. I am fine with real but I do think they can be a beast to take care of. But I heard today via the blog world that this equals that I don't love Jesus...not having a real tree and all, and am perplexed cause I sure do love myself some Jesus (and just because this quote is in my head I will follow it up with...) "I like the baby version best"...NAME THAT MOVIE!

JD "helping" put out the christmas lights

3. When do you put your tree up? The day after Thanksgiving is normally our tradition.

4. When do you take the tree down? Normally the weekend that follows New Years but this year our halls will be decked until the third weekend in January as we are hosting "friendsgiving" which isn't happening until January 9th and it just wouldn't be the same if the tree wasn't up...

"Uncle VP, let me show you how this is done"

5. Favorite Childhood Christmas Memory? I wrote an entire 8 page paper on this my freshmen year of college for a creative writing class...wish I still had it actually! Anywho I LOVED Christmas growing up. For everything it was...dad getting out the Christmas lights and stringing them all over the house to make sure they worked, and inevitably one wouldn't so we would have to use our electrical skills to try and figure out which one caused the problem...flip to him up on a ladder putting out the lights and yelling at us, to helping my mom bake cookies (and the house smelling like baked goods for a whole month, Christmas programs at school and then Madrigals in high school, to the dysfunction of our extended family's poker game on Christmas night, to dad's obsession with being in the living room, coffee in hand before we could go in and see what Santa brought us...it wasn't perfect but it is what made me love Christmas. I cannot WAIT until we can create our own traditions with JD!

Final Product...

6. Do you like eggnog? That is a negative.

7. Favorite gift you received as a child? My first real Cabbage Patch kid! Why did I say REAL you ask? Oh because my grandma was FAMOUS for trying to make fake Cabbage Patch dolls out of cotton stuffed women's nylons. Funny now...yep it sure is...but not so funny then!

8. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes I sure do...Jesus is the reason for the season you know. :)

JD doing some "work" on the Christmas tree...noticing a trend here anyone??

9. Favorite Christmas Movie Quote? "Santa-I KNOW HIM!" or "The best way to spend Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!"-Elf

10. Hardest person to buy for? P-Daddy's Dad, Papa Lawyer. He asks (jokingly) for boxers every year and that's all we get from him. He better watch out cause one of these years he is going to be getting a fresh crisp pair of boxers from us to him. HA!

11. Easiest Person to buy for? P-Daddy AND JD. I could buy gifts for them all year long if we could afford it! But really in general I love giving to everyone!

12. Worst Christmas Gift Ever Received? It wasn't a gift for me, it was for my brother but still somewhat counts...golf themed toilet paper. And yes he sure does love golf, but really? And no this was not a joke.

13. Mail or e-Christmas card? Mail...except for you, right here and right now it will be a blogochristmas card :)

14. Favorite Christmas Movie? I really do love them all so this is hard to choose. But Miracle on 34th street is my fav. Elf comes in at a close second though...

15. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Normally around December 1st...but I kind of like to drag it out because I love malls around Christmas time...I know they are crowded as heck but they are part of what makes it Christmas!

JD February 2007 JD December 2009

16. Have you ever recycled a Christmas Present? No and never plan to. I don't recycle gifts at all actually but sometimes I think I should because the ones that we don't use just end up in our garage sale...

17. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Peppermint Bark...fun to eat and fun to make! And really it would feel weird eating this at any other time in the year!

18. Colored or Clear Lights? Grew up with colored lights but I kind of hate them now so we are a clear lighted family

19. Favorite Christmas Song? Me: Carol of the Bells P-Daddy: Santa Claus is coming to town (but only the Neil Diamond version) JD: (coincidentally) Deck the Halls (because he can sing the Fa La La part). But I must add that Christmas wouldn't be right without Amy Grant's Greatest hits Christmas CD playing over and over and over again! :)

20. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Well, this is something I am rather passionate about so I am glad you asked! We currently travel here there and everywhere BUT Santa always came to OUR house growing up, and I really liked that every year we got to wake up in our own bed at Christmas so that is the tradition that we are going to have once JD is old enough to understand. If we travel at all it will be to a driveable place for Christmas dinner. Pray for me though...family can be rough on that subject!

21. Name Santa's Reindeer=Dasher, Dancer Donner and Blitzen, Comet and Cupid and Blank and Blank...but do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?? Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose...

22. Angel or Star on top of your tree? Sparkly Gold Star

Arts and Crafts time at playgroup

23. Favorite Adult Christmas Memory? First Christmas in our first home with P-daddy. I just knew I would always remember every thing about it. Although what I think is really fun about P-Daddy and I in general is that EVERY.SINGLE.CHRISTMAS we have spent together (going on year 8) we always get each other the same thing. Seriously, no joke and no we NEVER plan it. We've done watches and not just any watch but the EXACT same watch, mine was the girl version, his was the boy...we have done robes and we both had them embroidered, last year we both got each other North Face jackets...its pretty hysterical really because we never make lists for each other and we seriously end up with the same thing! I kind of (no really) love this.

24. Presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning: My family tradition equals Christmas morning...P-Daddy's family equals Christmas Eve. I kind of love Christmas eve because we like to drink a lot after Christmas Eve Mass so Christmas morning can be a rough one...but for JD's sake we will do Christmas morning (that is until he is old enough to drink-HA!)

25. Most annoying thing about this season? In the moment, being dragged a million different directions by family. But really, in the end I would be sad not to have that family so its kind of dumb to be annoyed by this.

26. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? Anything that blows up to giant size that is placed in people's front yards. Hideous. Should be banned by all neighborhood associations EVERYWHERE!

27. Themed trees or traditional/homey ones? I am a fan of "homey" in general so a homey tree it is and will always be.

28. Gingerbread Cookies or Sugar Cookies? Sugar Cookies with Buttercream icing please.

29. Do you like fruitcake? Never had it but I am thinking it would be awful. Brick of dense bread doesn't even sound good.

30. Are you a stocking stuffer? Absolutely yes! I love stockings...I think the most thoughtful gifts are normally in the stocking!

31. Any Christmas Song make you a bit emotional? Yes...Silent Night. Especially when sung in church on Christmas Eve, lights out, candles of the congregation lit. Gets me every time!

Now that was fun! Hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did typing! Now off to do some Christmas baking and wrapping! YAY!

Tis the Season...

2009-12-09T08:55:00.004-05:00

if you have read my blog for a while, you knew this one was coming! This Christmas is a wee bit different for us because we are celebrating in Lake Tahoe. Our tree is up, the house is decorated, we even made our first attempt at putting lights out in our yard, but the spirit of Christmas (baby Jesus and all) hasn't hit me yet... I don't have any wrapped presents under the tree, actually I haven't really shopped at all. We are sooo excited to go to Lake Tahoe (and yes we do realize how fortunate we are to be able to even have the opportunity to go there), but it just feels a wee bit different (as stated earlier).

This, however, has officially put me in the Christmas spirit! This and making peppermint bark *yummy*

I won't keep this from you any longer...introducing the Rhyme and Reason elves HIP HOP Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Shameless Plug

2009-11-28T19:44:00.006-05:00

On my other blog I am promoting some holiday cards I can do for you and you and you...oh and you too!

Here is a taste of what I am offering...but click here to see the rest! :)

It sure is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! :)

29

2009-11-21T12:14:00.006-05:00

I have been 29 years young for one week and three days so of course I have been thinking a lot about this last year of my twenties. I am not scared of 30, in fact I bring forth the attitude that my 30’s will provide lots and lots of joy…pretty much like my whole life has provided but with age I do believe comes some comfort too. Comfort with me, my body, my mind and my soul.

I couldn’t really let 29 move on by without putting out there in the good old blog world some profound statements (if I do say so myself) of the past, present and future (this includes a few (half) of song lyrics that I feel are also profound…its my blog I can do what I want to…do what I want to). So anyway, here goes nothing…

1.I am a lover of giving but as a mother I have realized I have also become a taker. I probably was a taker before I became a mother but have just come to realize it now. Anyway, I love the giver part. The taker part I am still trying to come to grips with.

2.ANNA NALIK SAID IT BEST WHEN SHE SANG: 2am and I’m still awake writing a song trying if I get it all down on paper its no longer inside of me threatenin the life it belongs to and I feel like I’m naked in front of crowd cause these words on my diary screaming out loud and I know that you’ll use them however you want to

3.If there is one thing I will stand by, fight for, yell about it is keeping music in schools. Music lesson’s are the gifts that keep on giving throughout life.

4.BRUCE HORNSBY SAID IT BEST WHEN HE SANG a man in a silk suit hurries by as he catches the poor old ladies eye and just to be funny says “get a job”….thats just the way it is, some things will never change

5.Being a snob isn’t always a bad thing. It isn’t always good either.

6.The transition into becoming a parent is the most life altering experience one can go through. I wish it on everyone.

7.THE FRAY SAID IT BEST WHEN THEY SANG: I never knew, I never knew that everything was falling through, that everyone I knew was waiting on cue, to turn and run when all I needed was the truth and that’s how its gotta be, its coming down to nothing more than apathy…everyone knows I’m in over my head, over my head with eight seconds left in overtime she’s your mind…she’s on your mind.

8.Friendship is hard in every stage of your life. {Those people who tell you that high school is the hardest and it is all uphill from there are big fat liars (I also think these are the same liars that tell you pregnancy is bliss). I am just going to put it out there that friendship in high school was a piece of cake in comparison to present day. I am hoping this is an area that gets easier in my 30’s but am not holding my breath. Oh and the reason I say its hard is not because its hard to LIKE my friends, nothing silly like that. Its hard because EVERYONE is in a different place at this age and EVERYONE has an opinion about EVERYONE else’s place and what she should, I should, or you should be doing, feeling, saying, wanting. Friends just don’t let friends LIVE and respect that LIFE (kind of like friends don’t let friends drive drunk...but actually different).}

9.THE DIXIE CHICKS SAID IT BEST WHEN THEY SANG… My friends from high school, married their high school boyfriends…moved into houses in the same zip code where their parents lived but I, I could never follow, no I, I could never follow. I hit the highway…in a pink RV with stars on the ceiling, lived like a gypsy, six strong hands on the steering wheel…been a long time gone now maybe someday someday I’m gonna settle down but I always find my way somehow by takin the long way…takin the long way ‘round.

10.Tradition is important. {It makes me feel safe and all warm and cozy inside.}

11.POINT OF GRACE SAID IT BEST WHEN THEY SANG The skies still blue and my hope is anew, you’re my hope, you’re my joy, you’re my dream that’s still alive, with the wind on back and the sun on my face, you are life you’re grace you are BLUE SKIES

12.A Tragic Life is one filled with lies.

13.JODEE MESSINA SAID IT BEST WHEN SHE SANG Do you gonna be a poet, and write…do you wanna be an actor of the light, do you wanna be a soldier and fight for love, do you wanna travel the world, do you wanna be a diver for pearls, or climb a mountain and touch the clouds above, be anyone you want to be bring to life your fantasies but I want something in return….I want you to BURN, burn for me baby, like a candle in my night, I want you to BURN…Are you gonna be a gambler and deal, or are you gonna be a doctor and heal, or go to heaven and touch God’s face…are you gonna be a dreamer who sleeps, are you gonna be a sinner who weeps or an angel under grace.

14.Confidence can be exuded even when you aren’t.

15.JOHN COUGAR MELLENCAMP SAID IT BEST WHEN HE SANG that’s when a smoke was a smoke and grooving was grooving, dancing meant everything...we were young and we were improving…

16.I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…there is isn’t much better than marrying your best friend {which I have realized EVERYONE says that they married their best friend…but I actually was friends with my husband for 3 years before we dated and having that foundation and background is what I am talking about…don’t get me wrong, I am happy for you and you and you that your husband has become your best friend…but ladies and gents I needed to be clear that we aren’t talking about the same thing. Oh and before you get your panties in a bunch over that statement…please remember, these are MY SELF PROCLAIMED PROFOUND STATEMENTS. I am not Jesus}.

17.RASCALL FLATTS SAID IT BEST WHEN THEY SANG If it couldn’t be then baby how did we get here… Some Say will never get it off the ground, some say we’ll never make it out of town and some day we’ll end up a world apart. Some say we’re a couple of crazy kids, some say that’s exactly what they did, I say you gotta go with your heart…and baby look who we are.

18.Eyebrows are an important asset to your face. Don’t over pluck.

19.STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN SAID IT BEST WHEN HE SANG today I watch in silence as people pass me by and strain to see if there is something hidden in their eye, they all look back at me as if to say “life just goes on”…the old familiar story told in different ways make the most of your own journey from the cradle to the grave dream your dreams tomorrow because today “life just must go on”….but theres more to this life, livin and dyin more than just trying to make it through the day, more to this life more than these eyes alone can see and theres more than this life alone can be.

20.Learning to play poker when you are young is important. It teaches you to how to hang with (outwit) the boys early.

21.LADY GAGA SAID IT BEST WHEN SHE SANG I want to hold em like they do in Texas please. Fold em let em hit me raise it baby stay with me.

22.The four year college experience is one like no other. {It is one of the best gifts I (along with the help of my father) gave to myself.}

23.PINK SAID IT BEST WHEN SHE SANG I don’t want to be the laughs the loudest, or the girl that never wants to be alone. I don’t wanna be the girl that has to fill the silence…the quiet scares me cause it screams the truth.

24.Being able to land in San Diego and navigate that city like I would my own home is something wonderful that came out of my youth…because that place and those people are part of who made me who I am today.

25.DAVE MATTHEWS BAND SAID IT BEST WHEN THEY SANG if these walls came crumbling down, fell so hard to make us lose our faith, from what’s left we’d figure it out, still make lemonade taste like a summer day

26.Your name isn’t your identity…but it makes me smile that to some I will always be known as “Jorgenson”, “Michy kid”, or “Mlouise.”

27.LITTLE BIG TOWN SAID IT BEST WHEN THEY SANG I feel no shame I’m proud of where I came from I was born and raised in the boondocks. One thing I know no matter where I go I keep my heart and soul in the boondocks.

28.In theory, a big family would be ideal. In reality, that means I would have to get pregnant a lot. Reality bites sometimes.

29.RYAN ADAMS SAID IT BEST WHEN HE SANG Today is gonna be the day that they’re gonna give it back to you, by now you should’ve somehow realized what you gotta do, I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now…Bad beat the word is on the street and the fire in your heart is out, I’m sure you’ve heard it all before but you’ve never really had a doubt, I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now. And all the roads we have to are co-winding (sp?) and all the lights that lead the way are blinding, there are many things that I would like to say to you but I don’t know how…I said maybe, your gonna be the one that saves me, and afterall…you’re my Wonderwall.

AND ONE TO GROW ON: Laughing so hard you pee your pants is something you miss out on in life if you don’t do it at least once.

Ummm...No Mom

2009-11-15T09:11:00.003-05:00

JD has been pretty funny lately and for whatever reason we think the below is hysterical. Right now he has coined the phrase "ummm...no mom" or "no mom" or "uh-uh mom" and says it all the time whether the answer to the question really is "no". I know this won't last so I had to bottle it up on camera so we can have this snip bit for years to come!

Enjoy...