Fodder Dodder Canoe Trip

There is something magical that happens every spring on a river in Arkansas.

The annual Fodder Dodder Canoe Trip.

Canoeing and magical together in the same sentence???  What?

That's right.  Magical.

Because to a little girl having her big, strong daddy all too herself for two whole days is very magical.

He is her hero.

Her knight in shining armor.

Her very own daddy.

Just nothing but time and a river to spend together.

She knows her daddy is all there for her.

When he should could be working.

He choose her.

And that, my friends, is magical.

True love between a daddy and his princess. 

And his really big hat.

This is me pushing through the writer's block.

I really can't believe it has been so long since I wrote a blog post. I have wanted to write.  I have had plenty of stuff to say.  But it just hasn't happened naturally.

I'm officially blocked.

Sure, I could blame the fact that I don't have access to a computer during the day.  But that's not entirely true.  I do have access, but it's all the way downstairs.  And it's slow.  And I can't upload pictures from that desktop.

(And yet, I still make time for pinterest.  Amen?)

Oh, woe is me.

When I last wrote, it was a pretty hard time for our family.  I stopped so suddenly that I hope no one was worried that something worse had happened.  It didn't.  My brother and father-in-law are both doing great!  Time has just gotten the better of me.  It's been a blur.

Summer came and went...

Baseball season came and went...

Potty training my last baby came and went...

My 20th HS reunion came and went...

Swimsuit season came and went...

Lazy, carefree days came and went...

The start of school came and went...

And this blog sat quiet for all of it.  I haven't shared pictures or stories or pity parties with you in a very long time.

So here is where I get frozen.  Do I pretend that 4 months haven't past and just tell the stories like they just happened?  Or do I just move forward?  Or do I try to do both?

This is me.  Frozen with indecision.

*deep breath*

I guess the only thing to do now is MOVE FORWARD.

Move forward with our life.  Our stories.  My (ahem...alleged) pity parties.

Move forward with our relationship.

Moving forward, with a special look back on some of the summer fun.  Like that 20th reunion I mentioned.  And the start of school.

Moving forward, unfrozen.  Unblocked.

I like that decision.

Snot and Kisses back in business.



 

This thing called the Internet.

During my final semester in college a new class became mandatory for all education majors. 

Internet 101.

At that time, I had already completed all the hours I needed before my student teaching semester and I had to add in this silly class.  All of us did.  We were very unhappy about it.  I remember sitting in front of the computer while the professor walked us through setting up an email account and logging on to AOL. 

Bet you five bucks you can still hear the dial-up screech in your head.

Anyway, I remember thinking..."Yeah, right.  When will I ever use this thing?  It's just a fad."

Just a fad, people.

I was 23, married, in my last semester of college before the "REAL" world started so clearly I was qualified to declare the Internet a fad.

Clearly.  I mean.  Who needs the Internet with hair like that?

I would have never dreamed how much this world would rely on the Internet for our daily life.  Everything has changed.  Information is a click, or touch away.  Anything you could ever think to ask is available as quick as your fingers can type the question. 

I even love how our language has changed.  Back before the Internet craze, if you would have used these words in your vocabulary people would have thought you were mental and needed medication.

Google it
Text me
I like you on facebook
I saw this tweet the other day
Do you stumble?
LOL
Let's skype
Just click here to get your widget
Bing
What's your favorite app?
Are your cookies enabled?
I'm an Angry Bird addict.

For me, this "fad" has become one of the most important daily sources of encouragement and support.  One of my favorite things to read on the Internet is blogs.  My google reader list keeps growing with amazing blogs and amazing writers.  I have met some of the neatest, kindest women on the pages of their blogs.  Reading and connecting with other friends on this journey called life is something that I am very thankful for.  I admire reading about people's struggles and their victories.  I love when their truth comes to the surface and leaves me feeling validated about my own truth.  This may sound crazy, but I truly believe that some of the connections I have made through this blog are God's gift to me. 

Some of my greatest friends live in the computer.  And when I have my phone with me, my greatest friends live in my back pocket.  I take you with me wherever I go.

How cool is that?

I certainly never imagined that back in 1997. But back then I was just trying to make my hair as tall as it could be.  So I didn't have much room for all this knowledge.

I thought I would share with you some things that I am reading today.  If you are new to these blogs, stop in and say "HI!"

I promise they won't bite.

1.  I wish this lady was a real friend of mine.  Her daily devotionals are RIGHT ON and so relevant to my life.  This is her latest about eating junk.  I have been changing some things lately and this hit me between the eyes. 

2.  You have to go meet Denise.  She is pure sweetness with an extra layer of cute.  You must enter her awesome giveaway.  On second thought, don't because I want to win. 

OK, fine.  Enter and I hope you win.  Doesn't the Bible say to be happy for those who win the giveaway you wanted to win?  I will google it.

3.  Speaking of changing eating habits, this is a MUST READ.  Julianne is a real friend/family member of mine.  I love her to pieces.  This journey that she writes about is every woman's struggle.  Her writing is funny and honest and real.  Her blog has been neglected for some time but I hope she will keep it going.  Why don't you tell her that, too.  Maybe we can nag her into a comeback.

I have been told that I am real good at nagging.

4.  This post about eating meals as a family really slapped me upside the head.  Life is moving way too fast and our schedule is too tight.  I am trying my hardest to hang on to eating dinner as a family.  We have had to adapt due to our busyness.  I hate the nights that we don't have together.  I don't want life to pass this little family by.

5. I wouldn't be true to myself if I didn't link up to my bff, PW.  I will be making this cake in the near future.  My grandma raised us all on her GO BIG RED cake (pure Nebraska Cornhusker fan) and I have never attempted to make it because of the layers.  But this looks like something anyone can master.  I would probably need more frosting on the top though.  No offense, PW.  I hope we can still be bffs.

6.  Slow down today and read this.  Take a deep breath and soak up the beauty around you today.  Make sure you add this blog to your feeder.  Everything she writes is WONDERFUL.  Some days she is funny, some days insightful and some days a recipe.  Every day is just right with MarytheKay.  Now go give her a GREAT BIG HUG from me!

There are so many more people in this computer that I love.  I hope someday to meet them in real life!  I have a possible trip that I am praying about in November to meet this dear friend.

*Crossing my fingers*

Feel free to leave any links to your favorite reads in the comment section. 

I big red puffy heart the Internet!

Raw.

You know the feeling when you are driving through thick, dense fog? Fog so thick you fear you won't see the car in front of you, or the direction that you need to take. You can only see inches in front of you forcing you to slow down. Hopefully in the slower tense pace you find yourself muttering a desperate prayer for help. Because that prayer may be the only thing saving you from being swallowed up in the fog, or worse.

Well, that was 2010.

OK, maybe that is a little dramatic. But sometimes reality is full of drama!

That is exactly how I have felt this year. This is the year that things got hard. Really, really hard. Friendships were tested and some lost, finances were strained, secure jobs became unstable, parenting sprouted severe insecurities, our calendar reached maximum capacity, my metabolism changed, the mundane became even more mundane. And I went missing. My spark died out.

On many occasions I let the fog roll in around me and take me away. I didn't have the strength to survive it, much less see through it. I gave in.

This should be the time when I tell you that I turned to my Bible and let God carry me through this storm. I wish I could say that. It seems like I found even more excuses not to that very thing. Yet, strangely enough, I can say that I have never felt closer to God, or more loved.

Our pastor spent a significant time this year talking about "Pure Joy". Joy that only comes in the midst of crisis and darkness. I sat through many Sundays not getting it. How can I have JOY when life is crumbling around me? It hit me one day after a phone call with a dear friend. When life is good and the riches are piling up, you don't recognize joy. But when darkness settles in and you can't make your way through it, you find the purest form of God's love.

Here is an example from my life this year. Our puppy was in a freak accident and needed three surgeries to heal. Finances have been so strained this year that Skip and I weren't sure we could afford to keep going with her treatments and hospitalization. We were days away from putting her to sleep. When the vet called to tell us she needed to have the third surgery I knew in my heart we couldn't afford it and needed to end this. Out of the goodness of his heart, our vet took away all the remaining costs of our puppy's care. He wanted to see her healed and returned to our family...AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO US.

It was at that moment that I felt God whisper to my heart regarding His definition of joy. It's the little gifts He gives us. This was a pretty extravagant gift, but it took this act of kindness for me to see what joy means.

Pure joy is
...the perfect timing of a phone call
...it's a child's much needed nap time
...it's a clean house
...it's a sweet word from my husband
...it's in my home when my kids are getting along
...it's in a one-on-one lunch with a friend
...it's in telling the truth...the hard truth
...it's in an offer from my mom to take the kids
...it's in a smile from the clerk who knows how hard it is to shop with a toddler.

It's the moments that God gives us to HEAL some of the hard. Make it more BEARABLE.

Once I recognized what Joy means in God's economy the fog has lifted. The circumstances of the fog haven't...life is still beating us down. But I can see God's offering to me. He is handing me joy on a silver platter. Every day.

My hope this new year is to continue to see the joy in the mundane and hard. To see the richness in suffering. It is for a purpose.

Before you get all worried about me, I am really OK. The suffering of this year has been good, too. It has caused Skip and I to make some decisions on how we spend our time and reduce the waste on the calendar. It has turned our family inward. There is nothing greater than being home together. It has quieted down the noise. I value these changes. I like not having a full calendar. I have fallen in love with Skip again watching him navigate his own pain. I wouldn't trade any of it!

My hopes in starting this blog again is to find the WOMAN in the MOMMY. I hope by slowing things down and appreciating life more, I will savor this season. I love you all and have missed our connection on the pages of our blogs.

Here's to a fresh start!

Bloggy Cobwebs

There was a time, when this blog was first created, that I couldn't go a single day without a writing a post. It is amazing to me how far I have strayed from that. I definitely need to dust off these bloggy cobwebs that have settled.

I have finally gotten rid of the idea that my bloggy comeback has to be the most creative piece EVER WRITTEN. Now, I just want something...anything that will break my silence. The best I can do is a list. A list of thoughts, ideas and a whole lot of random.

Fasten your seat belts...this will be riveting, or at the very best...readable.

1. If I were a blog friend of mine, I would have dumped me a long time ago. I haven't been faithful to read or comment lately. I still care deeply about all of you and hope to do better.

2. Facebook is just so much easier these days. I love "talking" with some of you there.

3. I haven't blogged in such a long time, I forgot my kids' blog names.

4. This weekend we celebrated Valentine's Day. It was the perfect blend of friends, family and couple time. I loved every minute of it and don't want it to end.

5. I am seriously addicted to coffee and all things caffeine. I find myself thinking about what I will drink tomorrow morning and anxiously awaiting that time, that smell, that taste.

6. I have been scrapbooking with a good friend every Friday. I love that time and really cherish the work that I have been doing on Loulabelle's baby book. I am almost done with her book and will be able to start Wingman's. From there I want to do a birthday book and Christmas book for each kiddo. I love our weekly time and hope we can always plan for it.

7. I have been recently made aware that I close my eyes when I talk. Why is that? Am I nervous, or self-conscious? I don't know, but I want to find out.

8. I have yet to find moderation in computer usage.

9. Wingman has been in his crib for a week. I miss him so much. The only comfort I have is knowing that he is sleeping so much better and just waking up once.

10. I love my kids. With my whole heart.

11. There are so many good shows on our Tivo right now. I love TV about as much as coffee and Facebook. Moderation, smoderation.

12. I want another big snow storm before spring. I want my kids home with me.

13. This list is riveting, I know.

14. I have recently come to realize that more people like their toilet paper to hang over rather than under. Apparently it is a big deal to most people.

15. My favorite item of clothing is my gray, velour track suit. I could wear it everyday.

16. I am sure some of you are regretting asking me to update my blog (Heather!) This is really the best I can come up with.

17. I made Ziplock omelets this morning. I don't know if I will ever go back to using my omelet pan after this. I love this recipe! Very fun!

18. I wish I was more articulate. I am a verbal mess. The words in my heart and head come out all jumbled and messy from my mouth. I wish I could change that.

19. I wonder if anyone cares about all this! If you are still reading...thank you!

20. I am mourning the fact that Wingman is almost 8 months old. On one hand, I love what he is doing and what is to come. But my heart is sad at what he has already left behind. The last month has brought so many changes for him. Time is going way too fast.

21. I held Z-Man tonight as I put him to bed. I realized that he still has the little boy smell of graham crackers. He has always smelled like that. I love that little boy smell. It will be a sad, sad day when that changes.

22. I am really, seriously contemplating getting a perm to reform my natural curls.

23. Tatiana, from American Idol, has GOT TO GO!! Seriously.

24. I am not sure when to use 'than' and 'then'...'effect' and 'affect'. Need a refresher course in grammar. Pretty sure that I use way too many dots when I type ...

25. I am already sad at the thought of Loulabelle starting Kindergarten in August. She is my little best friend. I will miss her so much when I have to share her with the world.

26. Skip and I would be the couple on Amazing Race that everyone hates. I don't do well under pressure and it wouldn't be pretty.

27. I want a new vacuum.

28. I am going to pull the plug on this nonsense. I'm not sure if the cobwebs are gone, but it will feel good to hit the PUBLISH button after a month of silence.

Love to my blog friends!!

I have no title for this random mess of information.

Hi everyone! I have been away far too long and I would love to catch up with all of you. First let me explain why I have been away. It is weird and you might not believe me. Being that I have been so sick with this pregnancy, one of the side effects for me is an aversion to Wal-Mart and computers.

Now I know you are all shaking your heads in disbelief. But it is true. I haven't been able to tolerate our local Wal-Marts, or spend any length of time on the computer without getting really sick. I can't explain it but it has held true with all three of my pregnancies.

The good news is that I am feeling 100% better. The dark days of the first trimester have cleared and I enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and family vacation without the dreaded and frequent trips to the bathroom. I am so thankful that it is behind me and I am enjoying my newly formed BUMP.

Today, I am tackling Wal-Mart. I think I can do it.

Anyway, December flew by for us probably like it did for all of you. It was a magical month filled with anniversaries, birthdays, gingerbread houses, hot cocoa, weddings, gift exchanges, Santa sightings, movie nights, and cookie making. Honestly I don't know how we managed to do it all based on how sick I was. It was all a blur, but I know memories were made.

Right after Christmas, Skip's dad plans a Mystery Trip for the whole family. He plans it and is the only one who knows where we are going. This was our 14th year and what a blast! We went on a Rambling Road trip through the South and ended up in Disney World. Watching my kids enjoy the wonder of it all with their cousins was really special. Zman was brave enough to ride the biggest and fastest thrill rides. It really made it fun to watch him overcome his fears. Loulabelle and I met every character and decided that Belle was pretty but not her favorite. I think she thought the Beast was lurking somewhere in her midst ready to scare her.

Since returning home I have been buried by laundry and dishes and the clutter of toys. Thankfully our house was de-Christmased while we were gone so I didn't have to mess with that. I am almost through getting organized. I still don't know where to put some of the new toys. It is time to get serious on Mission Organization!

Last night our area had a MAJOR storm. At around 3am, the Tornado siren in our neighborhood started to shriek. I felt for Skip and couldn't find him in bed. I got up to look for him and figure out what to do. I couldn't find him in the kid's rooms. I looked in the garage. I couldn't find him. I made one more walk through and see him coming in the front door from outside. FROM OUTSIDE. What was he thinking?? He said he heard a really loud noise like a snow plow and had to go check it out. Hello! The tornado siren was going off so there is only one thing that could sound that loud...WIND. I think he wants to be a weather chaser in his next life!

Little Poppy had a doctor's appointment today. I have lost 10 pounds since October and the Dr. was a little concerned. I need to start making up ground. I find it hard to believe that I am still losing because I am starting to waddle. Anyway, she said the baby was active and the heart beat was really healthy. I love hearing that sweet noise of the heart. It is so reassuring to me to know that our baby is safe and sound inside me

As you can see, we are still here. Healthy and safe. I can't wait to start blogging again and reading all your terrific and encouraging words. I have missed my computer time. Now that it won't make me vomit, I should be spending more time right here with you!

I will leave you with our sweet Christmas card picture. I still have my cards to mail so if you live in B-town I will get you a real copy!

Drama, drama, drama.

Yesterday, spider killing. Today, stomach flu.


We are like the weather around here. If you get tired of one thing, it will change by tomorrow. Life is never dull.

Making some changes.

Summer is gone. With that are the relaxed, lazy, do what you please days. I will miss summer, but I have been looking forward to the Fall schedule. I thrive on routine. I thrive on a schedule. This summer was the worst for productivity. With so little time to spend with the kids, I let everything go.

After months of playing, I need to reclaim my house. Everywhere I look I see remnants of a disorganized life. It is driving me crazy. I have to make some changes.

My number one change is the blog. I have been living for the blog. It has become my one of my main focuses. I am not proud of the amount of time spent with this computer in my lap. I am not proud of how many TV shows my kids have watched while "mommy's blogging again." I have been a slave to the blog. Time spent here has added to the chaos everywhere else.

At first, I attributed the mess to the kids. But after some analysis, I realized that it is all my stuff. Sure they can be mess monsters, but I always make them clean up. They didn't make the mess in my craft room. They didn't make the mess in the storage closet. They didn't make the weeds grow. They didn't cause my underwear to multiply and overflow from the drawer. They didn't cause the suitcases to remain unpacked for a full month after vacation.

It is all my stuff. All my work. It is far too easy for me to get grumpy about this work. I have other important things to do. I can't be bothered with organizing underwear or cleaning kitchen counters. I want to do fun stuff. I need a break. I deserve it.

I was reminded earlier this week that this IS my job. I have the privilege of staying home and being a homemaker. It is time that I grow up and assume responsibility. It is time that I start praising God for the ability to remain out of the workplace for a few more years. This is my home and I want it to honor our family. I want our home to be orderly and calm. I know that I feel better about life when things are in their place. I feel better when I tackle a project that has become a huge mountain of procrastination.

So, it is time for work. Time to put the blog aside and use it only as a reward when the work is done. It is time to tackle the mess that I have allowed to take root.

My first and most dreaded project was accomplished. Our flower beds have been invaded by crabgrass and it was making me quite "crabby!" It took 2 days to get the problem under control. In addition to weeding, I also trimmed a couple of bushes, scrubbed the front door, changed over to Fall decor, planted mums, and mulched the flower beds. (My mom will be smiling when she reads this!)

There is joy to be found in the work of our hands. I am honored to stay home and raise my family. I need to be careful about what I am spending my time doing. So this Fall, I am saying NO to some things. I am clearing up my schedule and cleaning up my life. Pray for me that the changes I need to make will not be pushed aside and forgotten. Pray that I will be able to protect my time and find healthy limits for extras. Pray that I can keep family first.

Thank you, friends. I will be around to read your blogs when I get my work done.

That is, if I haven't fallen into bed with exhaustion.

Proverbs 31:27 "She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of laziness."

beep.beep.beep.beep.beep.beep.beep.

We're sorry. The blogger that you are attempting to reach is unavailable. She is disconnecting at a local spa and won't be in service for the next 30 hours.

Hopefully she will be able to disconnect from the stress of cooking, cleaning, school readying, THE LOOP ranting, soccer practice times two-ing, toilet bowl plunging, things lost retrieving, organizing, blogging, babysitting, carpooling, grocery shopping, gas guzzling, window cleaning, nose wiping, snack preparing, cell phone losing, hair straigthening, car breaking, snuggle stealing, kiss mooching, dollar saving, bedtime reading, blanket washing, telemarketer hassling, imaginary role playing, drum beating, car seat buckling, laundry sorting, only water for drinking, toenail painting, homework pending, husband tending, dog walking, treat supervising, freckle counting, pantry locking, Eskimo kissing, family loving, schedule coordinating, and heaven forbid... occasional spanking.

Please log off and try your search again.

It was easy!

Jumped on the bling bandwagon.

Thanks, Alana and Dawn and Melissa!

The big question?

I am finally coming out of the fog from the worst headaches in the history of the world.

Maybe I am being a tad dramatic. I woke up this morning free from the throbbing pain I have known for the last week. Oh yeah, I am doing the happy dance.

My big question....

Is it possible to lose the bloggy feeling? It has been days since I thought of something interesting to write about. In the past, I have been able to think of several topics per day that I would love to pen. And the worst of it is, I haven't even wanted to read any blogs.

FOR SHAME!

Maybe the head squeezing pain has altered my state of blogginess. I hope so!

What do you get when you cross...

...a horned frog, robot hand and bass fishing? A family vacation, of course!

Summer would not be complete until we hit the road. This year we decided to do an extended road trip starting in Ft. Worth and ending in Hot Springs. We loaded up the family and set off for maximum togetherness. Some was good...some was not. Here are the highlights complete with pictures and embarrassing moments. Our family trip would not be the same without some major humiliation (but you will have to wait until the end, folks!)

First stop, Ft. Worth. Skip and I lived in Texas for 5 years (not long enough to qualify saying "ya'll", but long enough for us.) We graduated from TCU and thought it would be fun to show the kids our alma mater. Hindsight is 20/20 in this case. They did not appreciate the froggie tour. In fact, it was awful! The kids had a hard time understanding how important this was to Skip and I. They didn't care to see where we slept, ate or played tag football ten plus years ago. They only cared about food, shade, water, gum, swimming, drinks, snacks, TV, mud, etc. We did manage to get a few pictures here and there.

Here is Loulabelle in front of the famous Horned Frog. The TCU tradition is to rub his nose before a test for good luck. I have many a hand print on that ugly thing! If you are wondering where Z is for this picture...he was getting "talked to" by daddy. One of many that day, until we found this tree.

Finally, a smile-ish. If you are wondering where Loulabelle is for this picture...she was crying as a result of a "talking to" from daddy. Can you see a pattern here? After our horrific trip down memory lane we ate at Uncle Julio's. The kids had a blast watching the homemade tortilla machine while Skip and I drowned our sorrows with chips and queso. It was like manna from Heaven. Speaking of manna, the next day we ate at La Madeleine's. Our raw nerves were soothed with some of the finest food ever made. Even the kids loved it! Most of our raw nerves came from our hotel room. When using Priceline..."you get what you get and you try not to throw a fit." Picture the 4 of us sleeping on a FULL sized bed. I felt like a sweaty hot dog in the package. So, we were anxious to get started the second morning and head to the Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History for the Star Wars exhibit.

Any one that knows us knows my boys are Star Wars fanatics. FANATICS! Skip was so excited to take Z to this exhibit. Let's suffice it to say that his expectations were set a tad too high.

The exhibit contained the real props and costumes from the most famous movie series ever. What we didn't expect was that Z would be completely overwhelmed with how the museum could get the "real" stuff. Poor thing. This was too much for him to process. We saw the real costumes that the characters wore. He couldn't believe it because in most cases the characters died so how could we be looking at the real outfit, or light saber? This picture is of Luke's robot hand. Z stared at this hand and started to yell that it wasn't the real hand from the movie. He was angry at this point. I think we may have ruined some of the "magic" for him. Once Skip and I understood his confusion and anger, we made a readjustment. We stopped telling him that it was the "real" object and started saying it looks like the real one. Then we started to have fun! It is amazing how letting go of expectations can turn into a real blessing.

Next stop, Hot Springs. The real reason for the trip. My step-dad (aka, PA) is a professional bass fisherman. This week was the FLW tournament with the pot of $2 million dollars. Now that is a reason to start fishing! The tournament was a four day event with 81 of the best anglers in the US. Two days, all 81 anglers compete. Then they narrow the field down to just the top 10. Pretty tough competition.

After day 1, Pa had 7lbs worth of bass. Not bad, but is it enough to keep going?

The PA-parazzi.


My kids are crazy in love with their Pa. I think it goes both ways. Unfortunately, he did not catch enough in 2 days to compete on Saturday and Sunday. He finished in 42nd place and we are so proud! Fishing is harder than it looks. I certainly couldn't wake up at 4:00am and fish in the HOT sun for 10 hours only to catch 5 fish. Not a chance! Pa makes it look easy and the cool thing is that he is teaching Z how to fish.

Our accommodations in Hot Springs couldn't be better. We rented a 2 bedroom condo so we have LOTS of room to run around. No sleeping in one bed here! Our days have been filled with major relaxation and family fun. We sleep in, play games, watch movies, take naps and blog. It is perfect! Most days we get out of the condo and go play in this fun town. One day we went back to the FLW tournament trade show where they have a "Family Fun Zone." Z had been wanting to climb a 40 foot rock wall sponsored by the National Guard. Being the fun mom that I am, I decided to climb with him. YEAH, RIGHT! I was FORCED by a Guardsman. As he was putting the harness on me, he laughed. It was pure evil! What I wouldn't do for some Mommy Love. I almost made it to the top...it hurt so bad!

Warning: Objects in picture are really smaller ( I hope) than they appear!

Hook Me Up

78%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Sacramento Singles from Mingle²

^{Thanks, Alana! I would have thought you were more addicted than I. Although I am on vacation...and still blogging.}

Say again...

I just got this message from Blogger. I don't know if I am just punchy from all the kids in my house, or if I read more into this than intended. Whatever the case, I got a good giggle.

Here is the official message:

Your browser's cookie functuality is disabled. Please enable Java Script and cookies in order to use blogger.

Here is my interpretation:

Your browser's (kid's) cookie functuality is disabled (because we ran out of cookies hours ago). Please enable JavaScript (JavaChip) and cookies in order to use blogger (because you deserve it.)

The Revolving Door

The door is open. The kitchen is stocked. The noise is extreme. The dog is on Prozac. The love overflows.

Here is a list of people that have come through the house in the last 24 hours.

-boy cousin
-girl cousin
-teenage boy
-preteen girl
-young boy
-parents of the above children
-babysitter
-uncle
-oldest boy cousin
-neighbor
-Ma
-Pa
-oldest girl cousin
-baby girl cousin
-baby boy cousin

Home is where our heart is.

The pursuit of free stuff.

Blogging today?

NO WAY!

I have no time to blog. I am too busy signing up for all the awesome prizes here:

http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/

Even if you don't have a blog, you can still enter. Go check it out!

Free stuff = good!

I won something...and so did 99 other bloggers! Gotta say, I am pretty darn excited about it. I love worship music. But F.R.E.E. worship music gives me goosebumps! You gotta check out this group. They are really, really good. Don't tell them, but I would have paid $ to have this in my collection. But let's just keep that between the two of us.

http://monkandneagle.com/blogformusic/

100 Things About Me

Dear blog,

I love you. I love that I can tell you anything and not be judged. I love that you have brought joy into my life. I love that I can look at the mundane things and turn them into a happy memory. I love that there are so many hip mommies and women out in cyberspace that I feel connected to. Thank you blog, for the memories. Here is my 100th post just for you.

Love, Janelle


1. I accepted Jesus into my heart when I was 10.

2. I am from Colorado.

3. I could easily move back.

4. Mexican food has always been my favorite food.

5. Something about chips, salsa, and queso requires good friends and fun.

6. My first friend was Paige.

7. She moved away in 3rd grade and lives in Kittyhox country.

8. I started reading before Kindergarten. My first book was a dictionary (I didn't finish it).

9. I vividly remember my Kindergarten teacher and class.

10. I loved to finger paint.

11. I love the smell of Christmas.

12. I had Chicken Pox when I was 3. It was Christmas.

13. I love fresh, crunchy, sparkly snow.

14. I love days when you don't have to go anywhere.

15. I am a night owl.

16. Before kids, I could sleep till noon...and did.

17. For my birthday, I want to sleep till noon.

18. I burn easily, and freckle.

19. My back is currently sunburned.

20. and itchy.

21. I love cookbooks.

22. I plan a monthly menu and love to try new recipes.

23. Cooking is a fun hobby for me.

24. I learned from my mom and Grannie.

25. Baking is not my thing.

26. I love a clean kitchen.

27. Mine rarely is.

28. I wear contacts...my glasses are coke bottles.

29. I am a TV drama series junkie.

30. Battlestar Galactica is a new favorite.

31. And I really don't like science fiction.

32. Except Star Wars.

33. I remember going to the theatre with my dad and brother to see the Star Wars movies.

34. I was a daddy's girl.

35. My dad lives in heaven.

36. I miss him.

37. My knees are chubby.

38. So is the rest of me.

39. I have a mole on my big toe.

40. It is the one thing Skip admits to not liking about me.

41. There might be other things, but he is too smart for that.

42. "Roy Rogers" was my first drink in a bar (that's a cherry coke!)

43. Chocolate cake with real frosting is my favorite dessert.

44. Real frosting has lots of butter.

45. I make my kid's birthday cakes.

46. I love planning their birthday parties.

47. I want another baby.

48. I think.

49. Tonight we laid outside and gazed at the stars.

50. Camping is one of my favorite childhood memories.

51. Both of my kids have been hurt camping.

52. My brother is cool.

53. He loves my kids and never gets tired of playing with them.

54. I have the best family and friends a girl could ever dream of.

55. I have had 13 car wrecks.

56. I have run out of gas 5 times.

57. 4 speeding tickets.

58. 2 flat tires.

59. Now I drive responsibly.

60. I am a back seat driver.

61. I used to come home from school and eat powdered sugar.

62. While watching Scooby Doo.

63. I used to get in trouble for eating powered sugar.

64. As a mom, I completely understand.

65. Also, I completely understand what sacrificial love is all about.

66. I attended 3 colleges and graduated from 1.

67. I declared 3 majors.

68. Education was definitely a good fit for me.

69. I taught Kindergarten for 4 years.

70. I hope to teach again.

71. I love staying home with my kids, but we are not home much.

72. Should be called "Stay in the Car" mom.

73. My car is TRASHED and smells funny.

74. I can't sing a note.

75. I was the only one in 5th grade not selected for "Special Choir".

76. I don't know what was "special" about it since EVERYONE else was selected.

77. I think I was special to not be in it.

78. I knew I was going to marry Skip the moment I sat behind him in drama.

79. We became instant friends.

80. He saved me from a burning camp fire. He jumped over the fire to save me.

81. We lived in Ft. Worth for 4 years.

82. I didn't drive for the first month I lived there.

83. *Terrified*

84. Dawn and I lived in the same dorm, 1 floor apart.

85. I wish I would have known her in college.

86. I worked at the Fudge Shop for my first job.

87. They let us eat, actually encouraged us to eat, all the fudge we wanted.

88. Two weeks into the job and I hate fudge! Barf.

89. I have a ridiculous amount of flip-flops. Too lazy to count them, but trust me it's a lot.

90. I am missing my gall bladder and spleen.

91. I can eat more than Skip, and have on many occasion.

92. When I was pregnant with Z, I craved tacos.

92. We ate them 3-4 times a week.

93. I craved watermelon with Loulabelle.

94. She dislikes it...won't touch it.

95. Had C-sections with both kids and wouldn't change that experience for the world.

96. Loved holding and rocking and nursing my babies.

97. I hate mazes. Scared TO DEATH of getting separated from people.

98. Swimming was my favorite sport to compete.

99. Too uncoordinated for anything else.

100. I can do a mean impression of the "Elaine Dance" from Seinfeld.

Mini Me

Hmmm...so this is what my mom does for hours everyday.

Another one bites the dust.

Well, lookie here folks. Dawn has a blog.

Check for signs of addiction:
--laundry piled up
--dishes piled high in the sink
--showers every other day
--kids left to feed themselves
--beds go unmade
--can't talk on the phone because she is busy typing
--blood shot eyes due to lack of sleep
--husband left to feed himself
--blog-able moments are everywhere in your mundane day

Don't know about you, but I will be a faithful reader.