CLICK HERE FOR THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES »

Monday, November 29, 2010

Month of Thanks 11/29

Today I am really thankful that my mom is a great cook.  My jeans and waist line are not so thankful, but my heart and tummy sure are.  Nothing like one of moms home cooked meals to make you feel all warm and special inside. 

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Month of Thanks 11/28

Today, i am thankful my work is done for another year.  The Country Christmas Show for this year has been put to bed.  We made it through with only minor injuries (a dog scratch, busted lip from falling on concrete stairs, and a cold from being on the door too long).  Seems like a success to me, and for that, I am thankful. 

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Month of Thanks 11/27

Today, I am really thankful that I don't have to work this hard, or do the job I am doing right now as a full time position.  I am thankful it is once a year and then over.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Month of Thanks 11/26

Today, I am really thankful for the family i have that steps in to help me out with my girls. Those moments where I know my girls are safe and with someone I love so that I can really relax are wonderful and I am thankful for each moment.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Month of Thanks 11/25

Today, I am thankful for life. I am thankful for everything I have. I am thankful for my own little family and my extended family. I am thankful for the times we have together. I am thankful for today.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Month of Thanks 11/24

Today I am thankful for nice comfy beds.  I was just thinking about my grandmother talking to me about the straw mattresses she used to have, and I couldn't imagine.  I am so thankful for my nice comfy pillow top mattress, and the way I can just fall into it.  Sometimes, the little things we never think about would be a big deal to someone else.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Month of Thanks 11/23

Today I am thankful for the simple pleasures of being home.  I love being able to visit my home, and enjoy the southern warmth and flavor of the region.  Even if some things change, some things stay the same (like the food, YUM!) and for that I am thankful.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Month of Thanks 11/22

Today, I am thankful for my brother, and the funny, level headed guy he turned out to be.  I love the limited amount of time that I get spend with him, and I am thankful for every moment of it. 

Sunday, November 21, 2010

month of thanks 11/21

Today I am thankful for the ability to be expose my children to ways, crafts, and skills that so many people don't have or even know about anymore.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Month of Thanks 11/20

Today I am very thankful that my parents made me learn how to drive on a conversion van. Makes driving the big trucks my husband loves so much easier.

Friday, November 19, 2010

month of thanks 11/19

Today, I am so thankful for my girls and their personalities just as they are. I couldn't imagine them being any more wonderful just as they are.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Month of Thanks

Today, I am very thankful That the first leg of my holiday trip is over, and we made it safely.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

That Is Sooo Cool.

Today, I had yet another of the 14,000 appointment you have to go to when you are expecting.  I swear between blood draws, and rechecks, regular appointments,and more that you go to a ton of medical appointments while pregnant.  At least this time my OB is willing to manage my hypothroidism, and I don't have to see an endoconologist at the same time.  That was fun before.  Then again, it could all just be me, because I am special, and not in a good way when it comes to pregnancies.

Today's appointment was a regular checkup.  These I usually like.  For whatever reason, my body makes it nearly impossible to hear a baby's heartbeat until we get to the very end of the pregnancy.  When I was pregnant with The Big One, it really freaked me out each time that they would say they couldn't find the heart beat with the little dopplar thing, and needed to get an ultrasound.  The Husband and I would hold hands, hope and prey. Then, things would be just fine.  When it was The Little One, the same would happen, but The Husband and I would just look at each other.  I would remind the doctor that I was always difficult.  We would get the ultrasound, and it would all be fine.  Now, I just know.  I do worry deep down inside, but honestly, it is kind of a boon that my body just doesn't do dopplar.  It means that I get to see my baby at each appointment, and they almost always give me a picture each time.  I can actually chronical my child's growth in womb with pictures.  You can't get much cooler than that.

So, as is normal today, we got to see the baby.  This one is going to be stubborn.  I think today I decided it was a boy.  Not because we got tosee anything.  We didn't.  In fact, all we got to see was the baby's back.  It was laying on its side, back to us, and it refused to move.  The nurse practitioer pushed and prodded a little, and the baby kicked at her.  Then, resumed laying there content.  So, I figure this child doesn't want to move, it just wants to lay there and be lazy...there fore it must be a boy.  Aren't boys suppsoed to be lazier in utero?  I don't mean that to be a dig, I honestly swear I have been told that a thousand times.  Both girls were very active, but this one, just wanted to hang.

Maybe this is wishful thinking.  Maybe not.  I guess we will find out in a few months for sure.  Until then, I'll just take all those special pictures and put them in the scrap book stack that I will eventually start for this Little One, The Littlest One.

Month Of Thankfulness - 11/17

Today I am thankful that even though my body isn't perfect, and hasn't always cooperated, it has been able to make these tiny little lives that I love so much.  I am so thankful that I have had to opportunity to do this, no matter how difficult it has been, or will be, at times.  The fact that these little lives start growing in there is amazing to me, and I am so thankful for that.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Life Sans Microwave

It has been two days here now with no microwave.  Ok, actually, it has been about 31 and a half hours, but I swear it feels longer.

I had no idea how much I relied on that thing.  It seems like life came to a screeching halt the moment it died.  So many little things each day are taken care of by that one machine.  For starters, each day I give myself one cup of coffee with Starbucks instant.  It is really pretty good, and by using that, I really do limit myself to just one cup.  So, each morning, I heat up my little cup of water in the microwave.  Without it, I have to get out a pot, boil the water, dry the pot, and then put it away.  Blah.
The same goes for my tea, which I also drink quite a bit of.  I have plenty of caffeine free teas that I love to enjoy, especially on cooler days, and each one require the same long pot involved method right now.
All of this has forced me to bump up my electric tea kettle request for Christmas, because I swear I would use it.
After my nice warm drinks, I use the microwave for breakfast often.  When I make The Girls a batch of pancakes, I usually make enough for two days.  On the second day, they go in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel.  If not that, then maybe a piece of veggie sausage for me, or for the Little One.
Lunch is almost always made using the microwave.  We reheat leftovers pretty much every day. I always over  prepare dinner each night with the intention that it provides lunch throughout the week. So, not being able to reheat easily puts a serious damper on that plan, and on all the leftovers we have in the fridge that need to be eaten.
I can't really tell you, and perhaps I shouldn't just because I rely on that thing so much, how many times a day we use it, but I can tell you that we all miss it.  The Little One really misses pushing the buttons, or telling me "her numbers" as she likes to dictate the time I put on everything.  The Big One would just like breakfast a little faster.  Most of all, they all really want me to have my coffee as quickly as possible in the morning.  I agree with them.  Someone needs to fix this problem before the microwave isn't the only that can't fulfill it's obligations in the morning.

Month Of Thankfulness - 11/16

Today, I am thankful for days when my husband gets to spend time with us.  Those days are pretty rare now, with his work schedule, and I love the mornings he actually gets to spend with us, just hanging out, taking The Big One to school, and things like that.

Monday, November 15, 2010

An Epic Food Failure

Not to toot my own horn, but I think I am a pretty decent cook.  I am not a chef or real foodie, but I can make a decent meal.  Even when I don't cook from scratch, I tend to be able to throw together something that comes out pretty well.

Tonight, apparently, I failed.  I failed miserably.  Let me state before we go any further, though, that it was not so much what I did, but what I picked.

Since it is Girl Scout night, I need to be able to get my meal ready pretty quickly as Scouts doesn't even end until 5:30, assuming we actually get out of there on time.  So, normally Monday is one of my crock pot days.  For some reason, my brain missed that memo today, and I just forgot all about it.  (I would venture the guess is pregnancy brain already, but who knows.)  The Husband is trying to eat healthy right now, and has requested lots of chicken breasts this week.  So, I thought, chicken breasts, baked potatoes, green beans, and some cottage cheese thrown in for The Big One and I who don't eat meat.  Unfortunately, I needed to hit the store to do this as I am out of potatoes.  I kept trying to get there today, and it never happened.  Just one of those days.  Not a problem if you can grab the potatoes and have them done in about 15 minutes in the microwave.  It is a problem if your microwave suddenly up and dies on you.  That is worthy of a whole post by itself (and probably will get one), but it also means that I have to make the potatoes in the over at about an hour of time instead of 15 minutes.

So, at the last second, I had to choose something else.  I opted for quinoa.  Apparently, my choice was incorrect.  I like quinoa, and it is very healthy.  It is also a complete protein, something very important that I try to get in The Big One now that she is not eating meat.  I knew they would all balk at the idea of something new, so I told them it was special rice.  They didn't buy that either.

The comments I heard tonight were pretty bad.  It seems my family thinks I was trying to poison them.  Not with a nice poison that you can't detect, either, but something horrific that makes you want to lick tree bark.  The Little One started crying the instant I made her put a tiny bite in her mouth.  The Big One acted as though she was going to vomit each time she started to chew the few bites I required she eat in order to continue to be a vegetarian.  The Husband told me he had mistaken it for cardboard, but then told me it might be ok, if I picked a flavor other than "recycled" next time.  It was French Herb.

I liked it.  So, I have it.  I have a medium sized container of it to eat  tomorrow.  I'm thinking a nice cold quinoa salad with some cut tomatoes, cucumber, and a little feta will be great for lunch.  I guess this time I will actually be allowed to eat all of my own food without anyone asking me to share, or just picking up my fork and getting a bite at their own will, too.  I suppose my loss is also my gain.  Ehh...I can only lead the horse to healthy food, I can't make it eat.  I can, though, remember that the horse refuses particular healthy grains, and promise never, ever, to fix them again.

Month Of Thankfulness - 11/15

Today I am thankful for great experiances that being a military wife has given me.  I doubt seriously that I would have seen as much of the world, its wonderful people, and great food [;)] had I not married into this life and I love it all.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Month Of Thankfulness - 11/14

Today I am thankful for really good convenience food.  Gone are the days of old when it was all tv or box dinner junk if you didn't feel like cooking a real meal.  I can go to Costco, get bagged, pre prepped salad, and a really good entre to serve, and spend little to no time in the kitchen when I am too tired to do ti all myself, and I LOVE it.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Its Parenting, Not A Pissing Contest

I am so over the people out there who feel some ridiculous need to show the superiority in the choices they make as parents over the choices other people make. If you feel the need to actually show people how much of a better parent you are, then I have two things to tell you. First, you probably aren't just because of what your actions alone teach your child. Second, Get-over-yourself. Your poop does in fact stink and you actually get dressed in the same one pant leg at a time that every other parent does. The only difference is that you seem to think you do it better where as most of us realize were all just doing the best we can.

You see, as parents, we are all struggling to get through this, and figure this whole thing out one day at a time in our own way. While we may look to each other for support or help, I don't think any of us look to each other to be knocked down a peg or two. Frankly, there are days when I don't think I could afford to be knocked down an inch, let alone a peg or two.

So, let me openly admit that I am not perfect. I do things that may make some of you cringe.
I let my children watch TV. While I generally limit the things they are allowed to watch, I do let them watch. In our house, the tv is often just background noise while we do other things, like arts and crafts, work on writing and the alphabet, or what have you. While I don't care if they watch, I do care about what they watch. It may surprise you to learn that as free wheeling as we are with the remote, I don't let them watch Sponge Bob as I see nothing redeeming in that show what so ever. If they are going to watch, I don't want it to be crap. There are definitely times when I turn it off, or when it is limited, but in general, I don't care if it is on, as long as it is an ok show. If your child never watches tv in their lives, great for you all! I'm glad you are devoted to being your child's sole form of entertainment 24/7 and hope that works out well for you all. I have found it not only to be a sanity saver for myself at times, but by choosing something with an educational benefit, I have seen my child be opened up to many things I would never have thought to teach them.

Yes. I feed my child fast food. They love it. They even appreciate and show their appreciation by using the good manors I have taught them by saying please and thank you for their fast food meals in boxes or bags. I hope your child says please and thank you for whatever it is you serve them. You see, I don't care if you choose to feed your child purely organic, vegan, fruititarian diet, or whatever other thing kind of thing you might think is best. That is all fabulous...for you. If you and your family are happy with your life, then good on you. You should feel the same way for me, and even if you don't, you should fake it. This is how it is supposed to work.

So, having confessed a couple, but surely not all, of the sins you see me commit as a parent, if you would like to leave any comments as to confirm my atrocities, I ask that you please write them all down on paper. Take that paper, and fold it neatly. Then, stick where the sun don't shine. At least then you would have a reason to be grumpy with me.

And the next time you see a parent make a decision that you would never make, be nice. If you absolutely have to comment, say something generic and pleasant like, "that will be nice for them" or simply, "ok, great" or whatever else that you can come up with. If all else fails, just smile and nod. Think about that little piece of paper I mentioned, and where it belongs. Then grin and bear the atrocity before you like the good supportive friend and fellow parent you should be.

Month Of Thankfulness - 11/13

Today, I am thankful for the good times. I am thankful for all the wonderful little moments in life that are full of joy, laughter, and love. They may not be the result of big days out, or anything like that, but those little moments are often the best.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Month Of Thankfulness - 11/12

Man. Doing this everyday is a challenge, but not because I can't think of anything to be thankful for. Actually, I can think of a lot of things I am thankful for every day. It really is interesting to sit and think everyday, and pick just one thing that you are thankful for. Some things that I am thankful for a very little, but matter to me. Some things that I am thankful for are huge. This may turn into a year long challenge for me. We shall see.

Today, I am thankful for the ability to laugh, even when it hurts sometimes. I am thankful that the people I love can laugh with me, and we all see the need for love and laughter even in the darkest of times.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Month Of Thankfulness - 11/11

Today, I am thankful for the freedoms that we have in this nation. Without those who protect our nation, we would not enjoy the lives we lead. I am forever thankful for all those who serve and maintain our freedom, past, present, and future.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Month Of Thankfulness - 11/10

Today, I am thankful thank I get to spend at least one holiday every year with my family. It may not be the most normal Thanksgiving in the world, but I love it.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Month Of Thankfulness - 11/9

Today I am thankful for good friends. I am thankful for all of my friends in general, but I am really thankful for the few fantastic people that I know will be in my life forever, in more than just a facebook way. I love them dearly, and don't know how I would get through life without them.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Know Peace No More

I'm sitting at the computer, in relative peace at the moment. I realize that just typing that will certainly cause a fight to break out momentarily, but until it does, I'm going to sit here, type, think, and sip my sweet tea. It all sounds so good, right, uninterrupted time on the computer and all that.
It isn't exactly quiet, The Girls are in eye shot watching TV and coloring together. So, it is loud, but calm, which is the best I can ask for anymore.

About the same time I realized that we had momentary calm, I simultaneously realized how fleeting it is. The Little One is three and a half now. She can do a lot on her own. She gets to go to the playroom and chill, leaving me to do laundry in my bedroom, or whatever I need to. She can get a drink from the fridge if I let her have a box juice or milk. She can also get her own snack, like a cheese stick, from the fridge. So, I don't have to drop everything for her. I don't have to have my eyes on her constantly, anymore. The Big One is seven, and though she would prefer I still follow her around and wipe her rear, she really is pretty much independent within our home, as much as a seven year old could and should be.
Next year, it will all be gone. While the two I have will only continue to grow up and be more independent, we are going to have a brand new little tiny babe, who can't do anything. I will be back to picking them up, holding them, doing everything, even being their food source, which certainly leaves me chained to the new child. I actually happen to love the baby stage, but I realized today that it is going to be a total shock to my system at this point. Starting all over now will be...weird. I know how it will go, and what to do, but really, its the idea of starting all over again that is startling.

 I'm sure it will all be fine, and I will definitely enjoy the special time together with the new little one, knowing for sure that this will be our last. It will certainly be a major adjustment for everyone.  I think there will be some jealousy, especially from The Little One, who won't be the littlest one anymore, and who is used to having my lap or hand when ever she wants.  She will miss having my total attention during the day, when her sister is at school.  The Big One already knows what it is like to start sharing.  I actually think she will start to flourish, under the even bigger sister role she will get to take on.

Yes, there will be a lot of changes for us. The quiet times will be different, or gone.  The independence gone, but there will be even more love.  In a few years, it will begin to be quiet again, and I'm sure I will miss their need for me.  So, I will just choose to enjoy the dependence while I can, and cherish it for as long as they need me, even if it means no more quiet time for me for quite a while.

Month Of Thankfulness - 11/8

Today I am very thankful that I live in an age where a womyn can be whatever she chooses to be, how ever she chooses to be it. I am thankful that I can both vote and run for office. I am thankful that I can express my opinions anytime, anywhere, no matter what they are. I am thankful for the freedom that many women haven't had, and still don't have elsewhere.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

A Month of Thankfulness

Since November 1st, I have been participating in a month of thankfulness challenge I saw somewhere. I posted this on my moms group discussion board, but I love it so much, I want to carry it over to here.

Every day, I want to post something that I am thankful for. So often, we look at the bad, the negative, and dwell only on that. If, though, we took a month, just 30 days, to think of at least one thing we are thankful for every day, maybe we could change some of our own attitude, and maybe even that of someone else. Why not try to make the world a happier place for one.

So, here are my postings so far, with one more to come each day.

November 1st - I am truly thankful for all of the beautiful laughter I got to share in with my girls at bedtime tonight.

November 2nd - Today, I am very thankful for my mom, who answers the phone cheerfully and lovingly no matter how many times I call in a day.

November 3rd - Today I am thankful for the beautiful weather that allows me to wear a t-shirt instead of a snow suit.

November 4th - Today I am thankful for the relationship my little sister and I have. I love her to death, and I am so thankful that we have finally grown into, and grown up enough to have the beautiful relationship that we have now.

November 5th - Today, I am thankful for really good instant coffee. Just makes my life and attitude a little bit better some mornings. = )

November 6th - Today I am thankful for technology and all it allows us to do, like me help my sister (who lives in Atlanta) find her way when she is out and about and lost. If it weren't for cell phone, my internet connection and google maps, I swear we would have lost her long, long ago.

And finally, today. November 7th - Today, I am thankful for public library systems. That may sound crazy, but reading is a huge part of my life. It is all of my down time right now, and I know that I, like many, certainly couldn't afford to buy everything I read. My girls both love to read, too. We go to the library no less than once a week and always leave with a massive bag of books. So, I am thankful that my girls and I can go get books, participate in reading programs, story times, and enrich our lives, whenever we want. It is a fabulous thing to be able to do all for free, and sometimes, you just don't realize how great it is.

What are you thankful for?

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Oh My, The Questions

The Big One has questions about the new baby to be. Every day. All the time. She even announces it like that, "Mom, I have questions about the baby" so that there is no doubt as to what we will spend the next 15 minutes or more doing.

I think she is really curious, but doesn't know what all to ask. Since I told her that any time she had a questions she could feel free, I also think she feels the need to ask, even when she doesn't know what to say. Hence our 30 minute random sessions of question asking. Believe me, that are random.

Tonight, I got what I think will be my best question, but I will try to make a list of all the good ones she gives me, and update frequently.

Tonight's Q & A started as normal with the announcement, then my giving the go ahead. At that point, she him and haws around for a while, and is asking me about the baby turning out different. I thought at first we were going to have a serious discussion about the possibility of the baby having a disability, or something like that.  I started thinking about all the ways to explain how children are sometimes born different and special.  All the while, she kept asking this series of questions about being different.
Finally, she hit me with the big one, and the closest thing she could to what she really wanted to know.

"What if they baby speaks Spanish instead of English."

That took me a minute.  I had to process it, and come to a realization of what she was asking.

"Are you trying to ask me what if the baby is Hispanic?"

"Yes."

"Well, then your father would have a lot of questions for me."
She didn't bat an eye at that.
I did go on to explain to her how that wasn't possible and just a snippet about how the baby will be made up of Mommy and Daddy's genes.  

This only gets funnier because later on, The Little One told me that maybe this baby will be black. I think she meant it would have black hair, but that isn't what she said. My Husband nearly went into hysterics.

I'm not really sure what my children think of me.  I'm beginning to be worried about the reputation I have in my own house hold.

What I need to do now is find a picture of The Little One at birth to post.  No matter how many people refuse to believe me, I really am of Native American heritage on my Mom's side, and it shows in her family.  In fact, I am enough Native American to claim that legally.  My Dad's side, though, is straight up white bread Irish, and I am only third generation here.  His DNA won out in me, and I look at white as possible.  So, white, that I am nearly translucent and I swear to you that parts of me glow in the dark.  Yet, somehow, some way, when the The Little One was born, she had a head full of black hair.  I think it came from my heritage.  She also had jaundice, and was tinted fairly dark compared to me.  I actually had people look at me and ask if I was sure that was my baby.  Her jaundice went away, and her hair turned red, then went blonde, but that definitely isn't how she was born.

So, if after all those discussions, with both children about what the baby can look like, if the baby really does come out like The Little One, I think my own children might start checking out the UPS Man just to be sure.

Monday, November 1, 2010

She Is Not An Angel

I think I should spend more time relaying the simple, adorable, and often precocious things my children do because like all parents, I like to gloat about how great my kids are.

Last night was Halloween. I'll post more about the holiday and how much candy I now have to hide later. On to the real story of how wonderful my children are.

The Little One was a fairy. The Big One was a caterina; half cat, half ballerina. We actually found that costume.

The Little One was very much in love with being a fairy. She told everyone she was a fairy. Most people got it right away, what with the big pink fairy wings, purple sparkly dress, fairy face paint, and all.
There was, though, one exception.

As we were close to home, and maybe a little tired, we came to a house where an older lady opened the door. I happen to know this woman, as her granddaughter was in The Big One's first Girl Scout Troop. Bless her heart.
Anyway, The Big One is at the door first. She knocks. The door opens. The Nice Lady tells her how cute she is, they do the normal Halloween exchange of "Trick or Treat" and "Thank you"s, and The Big One steps out the way.

The Little One moves up.

The Nice Lady goes nuts for her. She was pretty cute. The Nice Lady kept saying how precious she was, and then she called her an angel. At first I thought she meant she looked angelic. Then said said again, "You are an angel". The Little One got a funny look on her face, but said nothing. She had already said her due "trick or treat" and so she just stood there, pumpkin bucket out, staring at the woman. After another second of gushing, telling her how much of a beautiful angel she was, and still no response from the stone faced Little One, the woman gave her candy.

Then, she got her response.

"Thank you! And I am a fairy!" Then turned with a huff and walked away.
She was no fool. She waited until she had the goods to let the Crazy Lady know she wasn't an angel. Apparently, being called an angel was an affront this this fairy.

She was so upset, the Poor Lady actually apologized to her.

I giggled before telling her to be nice and reprimanding the huff. I told The Nice Lady thank you as well and we were on our way.

Oh, my angelic little fairy.