Loved Today!

Lucy finally started preschool- not sure why it has to be two full weeks after elementary starts and it is further unclear why I have to pay full tuition for half a month... But I'm not complaining. I just had 10 hours completely to myself ( yesterday and today combined) and it was glorious!  I went to a super fun class at the gym called "Soul Grooves."  This is pretty much the only way a mom who doesn't hang out at bars can get her groove on.  Had lunch with some awesome ladies and even watched a good chick flick.  ahhhh zen!

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This time to myself is pretty much a first since having kids, although I did get a 2 month break when Dan was in preschool and I was huge miserable pregnant with Lucy.   Last year was such a whirlwind with homeschool, Rodan & Fields and all the other normal stuff that usually ensures a mom's insanity. Lots of people have asked if homeschool was "worth it" and I would definitely have to say yes. Just talked to a bunch of moms with college age children and they all agreed that time accelerates once they hit 8th grade and suddenly they're gone. I'm so thankful that we had last year with Jonah. We really made some amazing memories and just had so many conversations that we never would have had time for. We were both nervous for him to go back to school but so far things have gone really well.  I keep trying to take credit for his test scores but really, for now he's just a kid who sees the big picture and gets that if he works hard in school he'll have more options later in life.

Bubbles

Does this make anyone else happy?

Love is in the air

I was flipping channels a couple of nights ago and happened on the ending of "Pride and Prejudice," the one with Keira Knightly. It was at the part where she meets Darcy at sunrise and he asks for the last time if he might hope to have her love. Ahhhhh.... now that is my idea of a great romance flick.

We're not big Valentine's celebrators. I think I was seriously turned off years ago by a jewelry ad that implied (no, stronger than that) that diamonds are how you prove your love. Gag! But... I have no beef with chocolate. Especially if it's Sees. Yummo. This has been a great day. Happy VD!

Because Life is Funny

I'm in a good mood today. It's so simple really- why am I always falling off the bandwagon?! Be productive and do what you're supposed to do!

For starters I've been good about studying the scriptures this week- that always helps my days go better.

And then I've been getting up with Curtis in the morning. (I usually sleep until the kids wake me and then I am a complete disaster rushing them out the door.) This week I've been up well before them so that breakfast and lunches are mostly ready and I even got some laundry done!

The weather is sort cooling down a bit and we've walked to school for the past couple of days. In the past we biked to school but Daniel and a neighbor who carpools with us both need a little more practice before they're ready for that. But then I read

this post and decided to forget about the bikes and start walking asap. It's a mile walk and takes us about 15 minutes to get there.They complain a bit but I know it's a great way for them to start their day. Then I jog home. The whole exercise thing has been on my mind b/c I keep thinking that exercise needs to fit into my life and not be this two hour event sucking up every morning! I know I need more than just a morning walk to school but if I were doing that 4 or 5 times a week I think it would be a great foundation for health (I'm writing this as I eat Molasses cookies and milk btw).

I've decided that after living here for almost 4 years it's finally time to decorate the kid's rooms. I've been a painting machine for past couple of weeks and the end is in sight! Our whole house is a tan color and it's fine for the main areas but borrrring for kids rooms. The colors I picked... are not boring. :)

And last but not least I happened on this just a few minutes ago- someone forwarded it to me a couple of years ago and I had saved it in a word doc. It's called "They didn't study" and you can enlarge the pics to see them up close. The paper on "El Nino" is priceless. You will pee your pants.

And now for a Deep Thought:

If you're robbing a bank and you're pants fall down, I think it's okay to laugh and to let the hostages laugh too, because, come on, life is funny.

Pan Handlers in Training

The other day I was driving and saw a bunch of kids and moms holding signs at a street corner. I figured they were advertising for a nearby carwash, but as I got closer I realized that the kids were asking for money for their baseball team. Just. Asking.

Am I just a grouch? It totally bugged me. I know that sometimes everyone gets tired of selling wrapping paper and other fundraising junk. The car wash market is probably saturated too. But I think that just asking for money, on a corner no less, sends the wrong message. So anyway, I didn't contribute.

Some of the kids at church earned money for a big trip by delivering and laying down mulch. Sweaty, messy work. But I bet they felt good after doing it. I've seen the same thing with my own kids. I ask them to do chores around the house or in the yard. They usually complain for a bit but when it's all done they feel great. In fact I actually put them to work whenever they're all being squirrelly and crabby and it's amazing how much happier everyone is after working a bit- mom included.

I actually think that we're designed that way and there's something a little divine in that whole "sweat of their brow" concept. So back to the baseball kids, it's not just that they're learning how to beg, but that they're being robbed of the good feelings associated with an honest effort. In a culture where so many people feel they just "deserve" the things they want... I think we need to teach the happy principle of hard work. I can just hear my mother's voice whenever we would complain about helping around the house: "I am not raising a bunch of aristocrats! We work!" (Thanks mom. :)

Am I just one of those "no pain no gain" people?

PS: The above pic is of my kids detailing the minivan after a road trip. They did such a good job with minimal threatening from mom and only a handfull of fights. :)

Canada Gold!

So I've never been one of those sports people. In fact I still get really mixed up about which teams play which sports: Astros, Longhorns...? whatever. But after 13 years with Curtis I have to admit that I sort of enjoy watching hockey.

Maybe it's because of the ice factor- I mean all sports are tough, but add a slippery surface... and well it's amazing how good they are. Or maybe it's because hockey players in general are such humble herbs. So the opposite of basketball or football players. I've watched lots of interviews and they're always deflecting compliments. Maybe it's just because Curtis plays hockey and we love to go and cheer for him.

Anyway, this year I watched several of the olympic hockey games and was so excited when Canada won! I know, I know I should be rooting for the good ole USA but really, Canadians WORSHIP hockey (serioulsy half of their country watched that final game!!!) Needless to say, Curtis was in a super mood yesterday! :)

Go Canada, eh?

Pig Tails

Okay, I've wanted these for 10 years!! :O

"Yep, he's hot"

Okay, so it became apparent a few years ago that I have sort of quirky tastes. I've never been a fan of the typical Hollywood guys (ie: Brad Pitt, George Clooney... blah) But the issue really came to my attention after I watched "Lord of the Rings." This past weekend I saw "Avatar" and my little list is growing. So, drum roll.... Here's who I think is hot:


1) Legolas from "Lord of the Rings." It's very impt that I make a distinction here- I do not find Orlando Bloom attractive at all! He's sort of a girly man in Pirates of the Caribbean and does nothing for me. But give him a blond wig, some pointy ears, a quiverful of arrows and DANG!

















2) Wolverine from "X-Men." Impt distinction: not Hugh Jackman (see #1). It helps that I LOVE his character in the X-Men movies. I'm normally not a facial hair person but on him- it's perfect. Note to Curtis: Dressing up like Wolverine is encouraged!























3) Diego from "Ice Age." Yes, I know he's a cartoon. Yes, I know he's an animal and yes I've seen Dennis Leary. But... I love that Diego!
















4) And now I love JakeSully from Avatar. But I don't love him when he's human, only when he's a 10 foot blue alien. Wha...?



So there it is. Who will be next? The good news: when I was searching for a picture from Avatar I found a thread of others who agree with me on JakeSully- so I'm not alone. The bad news: I think Curtis is offended when I tell him I think he's hot! Doh!

Who Am I?

I just realized why I hate facebook. I joined a couple of years ago at the urging of several friends. Since that time I have reconnected with old friends from high school and church, lots of people I hadn't talk to in years. I caught up with old boyfriends and buddies and have had the chance to see pics of their kids. All of this has been fun... but also a little strange. And I finally know why. Drum rolll... I am different with different people. I don't joke about prostitution with my parents but tramp is a term of endearment for my old roomies. I try to maintain some level of respectibility with the youth at church but laugh at SNL skits with my sister. I have strong opinions about religion, politics, parenting, you name it but I don't want to debate or even share these with everyone. I can play the role of serious sahm or revert back to my "Jagged Little Pill" days. Do I have mulitple personality disorder? Am I just a total hypocrite? I know this isn't a problem for everyone. I bet there are lots of people who are always the same- no matter who their with. I sort of envy them but that's not who I am either. Anyway... long story short: I'm slowly going to exit the facebook scene. You'll miss me.

Can't resist a scarf

We visited my sister in Sweden two summers ago and the temperature change was shocking! Houston to Gothenberg and a 40F shift! I was pregant so the change was welcome but I did find myself shivering when we were out and about. I noticed that everyone in Sweden wears scarves. So somewhere along the way I bought one. I know everyone else already know this but scarves are magical! With the right scarf, you don't need a bulky jacket! Neck warm=body warm. You can wear a totally cute top (even short sleeved sometimes) and won't have to cover it up with a coat! My sister explained all of this to me but I didn't really believe her. I'm officially a believer and totally addicted to scarves now. I'm starting Lucy early- no need for her to wait until she's in her 30's. :)