I never want to hear that song again. I cannot stand it. I'm allergic to it." - Simon Cowell

I have never really been a big American Idol watcher... I watched some at the end last year, but have never really kept up on it.
I know.
Gasp.
How have I survived living on this planet, and WHAT rock have I been living under? I'm not sure.
I actually really HATE reality TV (sorry. I hope you still want to be my friend! but, I really don't get the whole point of watching people act stupid...)
And, I find it pointless. In all honesty, I find myself being embarrassed for the people on the show... so much so, that I HAVE to change the channel. (then quickly flip back to see if the embarrassment is over)
Well. That is until this year. I have been watching American Idol, faithfully. These people are amazing! And I SO want this boy to win...



And then he can come to my house and sing me to sleep every single night.
Holy voice, Batman!

1. You - Rascal Flatts
2. Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe - Barry White
3. Warehouse - Dave Matthews Band
4. Gone Away From Me - Ray LaMontagne
5. Be Be Your Love - Rachael Yamagata
6. Tied Down - Colbie Caillat
7. Pinch Me - Barenaked Ladies
8. Stay - Alison Krauss
9. Two - Ryan Adams
10. Hot Cookin' - G. Love & Special Sauce

Bonus: In Repair (Acoustic) - John Mayer

I was studying most of the day yesterday for a book presentation that I had to do at my book club, and totally forgot about Wordless Wednesday. (the book was Drowning Ruth... i really liked the book, and it made for a great discussion!)
I have been really missing my camera lately... both cameras actually. (remember my wicked, awesome Midas touch? yeah. awesome... but now i have a broken camera, and no photo software on the computer... )
I love to take photos... I can't paint or sew, or quilt like other people, but I do love to take photos. For me, that's my form of Art. A really good photo brings out these feelings in me that I can't quite describe...
Inspired?
I dunno.
Anyway.
My Dad takes those kind of photos... He is AMAZING. I am trying to get some of his photos, because I want to enlarge them, frame them and hang them in my home. They are AMAZING!
Anyway. These are photos I took this last fall. Enjoy!

My friend, Queen Elizabeth, had this quote on her blog the other day, and I had to share. It sort of blew my mind, and caused me some introspection... Enjoy! (it's from THIS book)

"No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. After all, you find out the strength of the German army by fighting it, not by giving in. You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means - the only complete realist."

Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? Jefe and I love this movie! It is hilarious, and full of great one liners! I can't even begin to count how many times I have watched it, and I laugh at the same places every single time! I am not sure if its the hill-billy in me coming out, or just the fact that I completely LOVE the soundtrack (probably both), but this movie could easily be one of my all time favorites! We have listened to the soundtrack so much that we have actually gone through 2 Cd's of this soundtrack. I know. There is help available for our ailment...

The kids LOVE the music and actually have the words memorized... they have grown up with it, I suppose. (maybe they just haven't come to their senses yet? Doubtful. I mean who can resist the great harmonies on those songs? My dream? To have our entire family singing the various parts... our own little crazyland family band...)
Thing 3 starts doing the hoe-down every time we put this CD in (she also does the hoe-down every time the Prairie Home Companion on NPR starts!) it is the cutest thing I have ever seen! She gets all excited and starts running around the house screaming: "its on! its on! come dance with me!"
Anyway.
One line from this movie totally cracks Jefe up every time he hears it. So much so, that he has started repeating it on a regular basis! If you watched the first clip, its where George Clooney says "I'm the damn pater familias!" Still cracks me up!

Now. Here's the whole purpose of this post.
When we were looking for the Wii for the kids this Christmas, it was almost a bust. I mean, standing in line all day long for the *chance* of maybe getting one??
No.
Not for this mother. Jefe, on the other hand worked his magic mojo, and actually found us one, and it didn't break the bank to get either!
Anyway.
When he finally did get that Wii, I got an email and it said was "I am the damn pater familias!" I laughed so hard, I think I actually started choking!
And so it went all Christmas season long. Whenever something good happened... he was the "pater familias!"
Well.
Earlier this week, Jefe decided that I should change his nickname to "Pater Familias". (I guess he had done something amazing again, but I don't remember what...) He even gave a rather convincing argument as to why it should be changed. (he tries to make me 'argue my case to him' when I want something... I mean, its only fair right?)
I told him no way. He already changed his nickname once. That's all you get. He has now been El Jefe (jefe for short) for 2 years, and everyone knows who he is... no more changing.
He thought about it for a while, then said: "OK. But when you refer to me in reverential tones, I want to be referred to as the Pater Familias".
Huh?
Uh. OK. (when exactly will I do that?)
You mean, when I start out my next post about you I should start it out "El Jefe, the damn Pater Familias" ??
His reply: Yes.

Today has been one of THOSE days for me.
You know the kind.
Where the kids are sick, and grumpy, so pregnant mom is even MORE grumpy.
Yeah.
THAT kind of day.
Being pregnant makes me more emotional than usual (and if you ask Jefe, I'm pretty emotional either way), so everything seems amplified. Then add into the mix Moxie deciding to begin her journey here... (but, really. who knows just how long we will be at this stage?? could be days... could be weeks... ) That little fact of Moxie coming, sooner rather than later, makes me feel overwhelmed. I want her here... but I am such a baby when it comes to pain... and I feel so not ready... You know. The whole name thing.
But anyway. I digress.
Today I really needed that proverbial life preserver...
And my friend, Shep Fam came to my rescue! She brought my family dinner. That would seem like a small thing, but really its huge. She just called me up and didn't give me a choice (smart on her part, I would've talked her out of it! Or at least tried!) and just told me what time dinner was going to arrive.
I can't begin to tell you what that gesture meant to me.
I LOVE doing that kind of stuff for other people. It makes me feel good, to serve like that, to help others out. But, to be on the other end, for no reason other than she could sense I needed it... Well. That meant a lot.
So, Thanks Shep Fam. I am so grateful to have friends here, and further, to have friends that listen to those little promptings!
Thanks! That meant a lot.

p.s. The dinner was SO yummy! (i ate almost all the salad myself! And Thing 2 went a little crazy with the Enchiladas... which is amazing, since he doesn't eat anything!)
It was a HUGE hit! Thanks!

I love this dress! (you can find it HERE) I really want to get a matching one for Thing 3 and Moxie. Wouldn't that just be fun?? I have been phantom shopping this site for months now... I totally LOVE their adult dresses too... I think I am going to get one once Moxie comes!
Anyway.
I am loving this dress... or maybe its just the fabric that I love?! Either way, I'll take 2 please!

What do you get when you have a 9 month pregnant lady, a hormonal teenager, a sick husband, a sick pre-schooler and a sick 9 year old?

Answer: Disaster

Here is the other conversation I had today with Thing 3
Thing3: Mom, who was that guy who died for us up in heaven?
Me: What?
T3: You know. That guy that died up in heaven, who was he?
Me: You mean Jesus?
T3: (thinking really hard) Uhh. No. That other guy that died up there. what's his name?
Me: (now I'm thinking really hard) Huh. Let me see. (who in the Sam hill is she talking about?? Moses? Joseph Smith? Who??) Umm. Jesus, maybe?
T3: No. It wasn't him. He died in heaven Mom. What's his name?
Me: (grasping for straws) Maybe Grandpa? But, he died here.
T3: No, not him. Mom. The guy. He died for us. In heaven. What. Is. His. Name??
Me: Honey. I really think you are talking about Jesus. But, he died down here for you so that you could go back up to heaven and live with Heavenly Father.
T3: (thinking hard again) Oh yeah! Thats it. (huge pause) Wasn't that nice of him?

Whew. That was really hard... Reading the mind of a 4 year old!

I had the following conversation with Thing 3 today...
Thing3: Mom where were you before you came to live with us?
Me: What do you mean, where was I?
T3: I mean, before you became Dad's husband, and came to live with his kids, where were you?
Me: Uhh. You mean where was I before I married Dad? And became his wife and birthed all you kids?
T3: Yeah! Where were you?
Me: With Grandma and Pappy at their house.
T3: You mean Dad didn't already have us when he got you?
Me: Umm. No. First came Dad, then we got married, and then you kids came. IN THAT ORDER!
T3: Oh. Thats weird.

Reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with it. - Jane Wagner

Ahh. Friday. Now that the weather is starting to be nice, I am finding simple pleasure in the fact that we will all be here together this weekend... With nothing to do but play. It is supposed to be almost 50 degrees on Sunday. I won't even care if there really is no sun to go along with that warmth... it will just be warm. It's amazing how a little warmth and fresh air in the house can perk everyone up.
I hope you all have a great weekend!

1. Nightingale - Norah Jones
2. Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now - Hairspray Soundtrack
3. Blue & Lonesome - Alison Krauss
4. Prayin' For Daylight - Rascal Flatts
5. Fallin' Alicia Keys
6. In My Blood - Take Me There - Rascal Flatts
7. Goodnight Children Everywhere - Sixpence None The Richer
8. What About Now - Daughtry
9. Tonight, Not Again (Live) - Jason Mraz
10. Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz

Bonus: Blue Spanish Sky - Chris Isaak

Seriously. I need your help, all my friends of Internet land.
We still have NO name for this baby. As you can see by my little widget, she will be here in less than 26 days. 26 DAYS PEOPLE! (yes that is me freaking out, and banging my head against the keyboard!)
That is not that much time... to agree on a name. I like, according to Jefe, weird Utah names. Jefe, according to me, likes weird 80's names. Those 2 really don't meet anywhere in the middle... do they??
So. My plan is this:
Post your suggestions.
Pass it around.
I will consider it all at this point... otherwise its Moxie Crimefighter for sure!
WE NEED HELP!
I like old fashioned names, but they can't be in the top 100 on the social security website. See how truly difficult I am making this? I know. High maintenance. sigh.
But, seriously.
Help me Help myself.
Please. I'm begging now...

Just because I couldn't decide... Here's 2! (Doesn't the picture of the grass make you just WANT spring?? Yeah. Me too!)
Happy Wordless Wednesday people!

I picked Thing 3 up from school today, and she was telling me that when she grew up, she wanted to be a pet doctor. I asked her what a pet doctor did (thinking that she thought all she would have to do is play with the dogs) and she told me: "Well. I'll give them their shots, fix their broken legs and take their tumors off."
She hit it pretty right on.
Then she asked me: "Mama. What do you want to be when you're all growed up?" I told her that I was already grown up. She said: "No Mama. What do you want your job to be when your growed up?" I again told her that I was all grown up, and that I was her Mommy.
She sighed rather loudly, "No Mama! That's just your life. What do you want to BE, like your job?" I thought about it, and said "Well. I want to be your Mommy." She was getting irritated with me, "No Mama! THAT IS YOUR LIFE! What do you want to be your job? Like work in a store, or be a pet doctor like me, or a tooth doctor...what?"
That's just my life... to be a Mom?!?
I really had nothing to tell her, because really, I don't want to DO anything else.
I said: "I guess I could be a teacher or something."
She smiled, and said: "Thats good Mama. You teach good."

"T.V. is chewing gum for the eyes." - Frank Lloyd Wright

That quote is probably true... but, what, seriously, would we do without the TV? I mean, how would know, every single small detail of every single little thing that goes on in the world? We wouldn't. I think that it's safe to say that I am a CNN junkie.
Must. Have. CNN. Really. It's sort of silly. I watch the news (read:listen) while I am doing everything. I want to know about the bombings in Iraq, the earthquake in Zimbabwe, how the stock market is falling, and the school shooting in DeKalb, Illinois.

I used to live in DeKalb, Illinois. We lived within 2 blocks of where this tragedy happened. I could see, from my apartment window, the circle drive they have been showing on CNN. When I saw it all on CNN my heart dropped. It was where Jefe went to Law School. It is where Thing 2 was born, and where Thing 1 learned to read, make friends and ride her bike. It is where I found myself. It is where I learned how to be a real friend.
I have a soft spot for DeKalb. Don't get me wrong, when we moved up to Loves Park, I was SO happy. I did not want to raise my children in that town... (Thing 1 was one of 5 white kids in her class at school, and over half the kids in her Kindergarten class had a parent in jail. Yeah. gross! )
But, DeKalb was a growing place for me. It was definitely the hardest thing we have ever done. We have never been poorer (I like to say we weren't poor, we were just po-- we couldn't even afford the last o & r.), and I never relied on the Lord more. It is a place where I learned how to REALLY cook, how to stretch a dollar, and how to take care of my family. It's where I learned how to be OK with me, and be proud of ME. Its a place where I discovered my passion for reading. It is also the place where I discovered the true meaning of friendship. (a.k.a tracytreehouse). It was a rough place, in a good way. Does that even make sense?


To see that this town, where I found myself, having such a tragedy... Well it is heart wrenching to me.
I recognized so many things that they have been showing on the news.


My children & I used to walk through those commons area often, to go feed the ducks at the lake. Jefe, I am sure, has more vivid memories of the various buildings mentioned... but none-the- less, this is a terrible tragedy for a town that is mostly full of good, down to earth people, who are just trying to do what is right and get by. It is a farming community. It is a good, Christian community.
We just lived in the wrong part of town... lots of noisy students-- that liked to party!

There were many times when I saw the hand of the Lord in our lives very directly. From finding our first place to live (huge answer to our prayer!) to Jefe finding his first job that summer we moved there, to Thing 2 being born, to Jefe getting his first job after graduating with Hinshaw. I know the Lord was guiding us. It was good growing place. AND, it was a good starting point. We look back on our life now, and can say we have really come far. And, if you ask Jefe, his favorite memory of that place was the first night we slept in our brand new house... In Loves Park. It was the best nights sleep we had ever had!
There are more stories to share... But, I think, overall, it was a good growing place. A defining place. A place that we would not let beat us. We have come far people. Oh. So. Far. I am proud of where we have been, and how we have risen above it.
However, I feel saddened by what has happened there.
So. If you want a local perspective on things... go HERE, and HERE, and HERE and HERE or HERE. There is THIS newspaper (where I used to work) or THIS paper (i like it better)

On a much happier note, its the weekend, and not just ANY weekend... its a LONG weekend... And Jefe's birthday is tomorrow. I am going to take the things shopping after school. For me, he is a hard person to shop for... thankfully he gave me a list.
So. Have a wonderful weekend people. Kiss your family and be grateful for where you are.
OH. And, come out and play Random 10 Friday with me!

1. Voices Carry - 'Til Tuesday
2. Two - Ryan Adams
3. Love On Rocks - Sara Bareilles
4. Jockey Full Of Bourbon - Tom Waits
5. Over You - Daughtry
6. Stranger Than Fiction - Joe Jackson
7. The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
8. Hannah - Ray Lamontagne
9. Better Now - Rascal Flatts
10. The Remedy - Jason Mraz

Bonus: Sleeping To Dream(Live) - Jason Mraz *this is one of my all time favorites! sigh. It makes me happy.
Extra Bonus: Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Baby - Barry White *this is my OTHER favorite song! sigh again. this song makes me want to dance, and that my friends, is scary even when I'm NOT 9 months pregnant. Just ask Jefe!
Here's to a happy Friday!
Dance away!

Happy Valentines Day!
It has been a cold, windy day today. Poor Jefe has been in bed sick all day. You know he must be really sick, because in the 14 years we have been together, the amount of times he has missed work I can count on one hand! Really. There was a time when we were still in Chicago, and I was pregnant with Thing 3 that he was so sick, I really thought he was going to die. But, he never missed 1 day of work. Not one. He slept all through Christmas that year, but he didn't miss a day of work. So, he must be sick if he stayed home today.
Poor baby!
So, in honor of Jefe... I thought I would play a little meme game. I never do these, (well. on the blog anyway. I get them all the time in emails... i just have never thought to put one on my blog) but when i got this in an email today, i just couldn't resist!

1. What is his name? Jefe
2. How long have you been together? 14 years
3.Who eats more? I'm embarrassed, but its me.
4. Who said I love you first? I don't remember. Probably Jefe.
5. Who is taller? Jefe
6. Who sings better? It's probably a tie. Jefe hides his talent under a bush!
7. Who is smarter? 100% Jefe...
8. Who does the laundry? Me. Blech. I really hate laundry!
9. Who does the dishes? Me. I am neurotic about how i like the stupid dishwasher loaded...
10. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do.
11. Who pays the bills? Jefe does.
12. Who mows the lawn? Jefe does that one too.
13. Who cooks dinner? Me, but Jefe is grill master at our house!
14. Who drives when you are together? Jefe. all the way Jefe-- 'cause he says "he's the pant wearer, not me!"
15. Who is more stubborn? That is probably a tie.
16. Who is the first to admit when they're wrong? Always its Jefe. Cause I'm always right! (ha! i wish anyway!)
17. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine
18. Who kissed whom first? Jefe kissed me first... I think. Oh. I don't remember.
19. Who proposed? Jefe.
20. Who is more sensitive? Me... Jefe says that I am high maintenance, but I think I'm low maintenance, and thats the worst kind of high maintenance to be!
21. Who has more friends? Probably me. But, only because Jefe is SO busy, he rarely does anything! (and our best friends moved back to Chicago... we miss you guys! )
22. Who has more siblings? We both have 3 sibs.
23. Who wears the pants in the family? Jefe THINKS he does...

So. I tag anyone that wants to play along! Post your remarks, and let me know so I can go see how totally cool you are too! Stay warm and have a wonderful Valentines day!

Oh. Get better soon Jefe! I heart you!

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived. " - Marjorie Hinckley

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." - Anais Nin
"A hug is worth a thousand words. A friend is worth more." - Anonymous

Today's Wordless Wednesday post isn't all that wordless... I guess I just wanted my 2 best friends to know I was missing them today. I hope they survive the sub-arctic weather Chicago is pressing down on them!
xoxo

I really like to read this blog called Musings & Misadventures. I started reading it at first, because she is in Chicagoland, and I was homesick. Then, I found out it was a friend of a friends sister, (is that right bestbunch? help me out!) and she is Mormon, which made it even more fun for me to read.
I dunno. I guess its the voyeur in me. Or my need for friends? Who knows.
Anyway.
She recently posted a Hot Topic Tuesday that made me write this novel of a comment that I realized would be a much better post on my own blog. So, I deleted it and brought it over here.

To Have or Not To Have The Entire Universe Present When You Deliver Your Baby.

I thought that was quite the interesting topic, and it brought about quite the comments.
I was surprised, really with what people thought. There were those who wanted only them and their spouse there... to the ones that said "bring in the bleachers-- the more the merrier!" (yikes)
I was "present" at each of my child's births,... barely. Don't get me wrong... It was great and wonderful... just not the party atmosphere. Or something that I would want to witness one of my sisters or friends go through.

When I had Thing 3, my labor bed was situated right in front of the bathroom door/mirror. I about had a cow when I looked up, mid pushing, and screamed: "Shut the dang bathroom door!" I seriously did NOT want to see my hoo-haa and everything that was happening with it.
Ewww! ICK!

When I was pregnant with Thing 1, I asked my Mom if she wanted to come into the labor room with me. (that was, I guess quite the trend, and still is) She politely told me: "Been there. Done that. Have no desire to SEE that."
It has always been just Jefe and I, and I think that Jefe would say this: if he could find out who the man was that decided it was the RIGHT thing to do to be in the room while your wife births your child... Well. He would like to punch him in the face.
He tells this story of when I was laboring with Thing 1, and going out to the waiting room to tell his Mom how it was all progressing... He watched her walk out the doors of the waiting room, and seriously contemplated running out the doors with her. He said he looked at the entrance to the labor unit, the exit doors, back and forth... And had to MAKE himself go through those labor doors.
I think thats funny. I really do, and I don't get all offended. But, when I tell that story, women get all hyper. "Doesn't he want to be there with you to see the miracle of birth?" It's not that he doesn't want to see his child... he just doesn't want to see the "process". Does that make sense? It does to me... I mean, I don't even want to see the process!
As a side note, I told Jefe I would give him a "get out of jail free card" (read: be absent from the whole "process") if he would let me have exclusive naming rights. (see... I have a name picked out, that he doesn't like...)
He jumped all over that and said he would write me up a contract, and all I had to do was sign on the line...
Moxie Crimefighter is looking better and better!

So. Back to HTT...
It has always been just Jefe and I. No one else. I did ask Thing 1 recently if she would like to come in and watch the baby be born. She looked at me like I had just grown 87 heads and said: "Are you kidding me? NO! WAY! Gross." Then she shuddered.

I may change my mind someday, and have a desire to see a baby be born. If one of my children asked me, I would have to think about it... very seriously.
But, until then, I do not want nor need any bleachers brought in for all the fans!

I'm getting ready to have one of these in the next little while. I have been going through all the buckets of clothes from babies past... to see what will work, and what I should go buy. Thing 3 has been SO excited to go through the clothes. She wants to know who wore what... and has very definite opinions on what should stay and what should go.
That has been fun.
Thing 2 said last night, under his breath, "I am getting excited to have a little baby here". I was kind of surprised... he has shown ZERO interest in this baby. If I try to have him feel the baby move, he gets all grossed out... so to hear him say how excited he was... that was a tender moment.

I have read the entire "1Billion Baby names For You" (note: not really the title, but should've been) and highlighted a bunch of names for Jefe to consider. I got us each our own highlighter... mine was pink, his was blue. Any names that turn purple, we will consider.
There are NO purple names yet. I mean, Seriously...
THERE ARE NO PURPLE NAMES YET!
None.
Zero.
Zip.
Zilch.
To say that I am just a little stressed out about the fact that we have no name for this baby is an understatement.
I mean. WE. HAVE. NO. NAME.

In the "1Billion Baby Names For You" book, they list the names that celebrities have named their babies. That was entertainment for me. Those people must have been on crack when they signed those birth certificates!
I mean seriously!
Who names their kid Diva Muffin? Or Moon Unit?(frank zappa) Or God'iss Love?(lil'mo) Or Peaches Honeyblossom? (bob geldolf) Then theres Pilot Inspektor (jason lee), Pirate Howmon (jonathon davis), Phoenix Chi (scary spice-melanie brown), Speck Wildhorse (john mellencamp), Sunny Bebop (michael "flea" balzary--i guess that one sort of makes sense... i mean if your name is flea...), and my very personal favorite... Moxie Crimefighter(penn jillette).
Moxie Crimefighter. Wow.
That's my personal favorite.
So. I have told the kids that the name is going to be Moxie Crimefighter. Thing 2 was stoked! He did this punch-your-fist-in-the-air thing... and shouted "Right on! I'll have a super hero baby!"
Moxie Crimefighter... Moxie's not so bad is it?

My Valentine gave me an AWESOME valentines gift. I get to go have a massage tonight.
I. CAN'T. WAIT.
It's a pregnant one... so I guess that means that they will be extra gentle with me, but hit all the areas that pregnant people are prone to hurt in?! I dunno. All I know is that the last time I had one of these, I slept SO GOOD! And, I felt amazing! My body didn't ache, and I was relaxed. I can totally see why you would want to spend 1 day a week at the spa.
My SIL used to be a Nanny for this family in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. They were one of those families that have more money than they know what to do with... their house was a small hotel. They had SIL as the main Nanny, then there was the "nap" nanny, the "weekend" Nanny, and the "overnight" Nanny.
Yes.
They also had a live in maid.
Anyway.
The mom of this family went to the spa every single day. (she also only spent about 10 minutes a day with her kids, and couldn't understand why her kids all called SIL "Mom" and not her. humm. I wonder?!) Now. I don't think I would like that, (I don't know. maybe I would, who knows) but I could totally get used to going every week! I do have a friend that goes on a weekly basis... she is actually the one who got me started with the whole spa experience. Thanks man!
My sleeping habits have not been so great lately... just because I am SO pregnant, that my body starts aching from laying too long in one place. But, as most of you are fully aware, to change positions when you are 9 months pregnant, while sleeping, takes major effort. More effort than I sometimes can muster. Then there is the whole heartburn issue... Don't even get me started with that. I mean, seriously. Thats just gross.
So Yeah.
Sleeping and me lately... not so good.
Anyway.
I get to go have a massage tonight, and I seriously am excited! Thanks Jefe. That was the most thoughtful gift I've gotten in a long time. (well. except for those new tires you bought me last week. oh. and doing the dishes all weekend long. I guess you COULD say that I am spoiled...)
Thanks Jefe.
I heart you!

OK.
First of all, I tried to get a photo of the things, but Thing 3 hollered out "Don't torches us Mom!" So.
You will just have to try and picture this in your creative little minds!

This afternoon, Jefe and I were sitting on the couch, chatting it up. Thing 3 came up and said: "Mom, talk in my ear." Then she thrust her ear at me. So, I whispered something silly. Then she said: "I have this great idea. Mom, put your ear up next to Dad's ear, and I want to try something."
So, we did.
She then proceeded to put her mouth up to my ear... And YELLED as loud as she could
"Dad? Do you hear me? I'm talking through Mom's head!"

A person is a success if they get up in the morning and get to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do. - Bob Dylan

I see sun. Lots and Lots of sun.
I just might put on my bikini and go run around.
Not really. But seeing the sun sure is nice.
Random 10 Friday People. Come play with me!

1. Throwing It All Away (Live) - Genesis
2. The Rescue Blues - Ryan Adams
3. No Such Thing (Live) - John Mayer
4. Curve Of The Earth - Matt Nathan
5. Everytime - David Gray
6. Haven't Seen For A While - Pat McGee Band
7. Once You've Loved Somebody - Dixie Chicks
8. I Wonder - Kellie Pickler
9. Desert Rose - Sting
10. Prayer For The Dying - Seal

Bonus: Come Talk To Me - Peter Gabriel

Have you ever seen this show, Survivor man? Jefe and I have watched it, and found ourselves making wisecracks about what kind of weirdo would do that on purpose. I mean really? The premise of the show is he gets dropped off out in the middle of nowhere, and then has to survive with what he has on hand. One show I remember in particular was him getting dropped off at the site of a plane crash, with nothing but a coat, and him having to survive/get out of the Canadian wilderness in 7 days. He ripped up seats of the plane to put on his feet to keep warm and all sorts of other crazy stuff.

Apparently, we weren't the only ones watching this show. Have you heard about the missing couple from Utah that was found yesterday? They said that they ripped out their truck seats to use as snowshoes... they had seen it on a TV show.
HEY!
I saw that too!
It's amazing that they made it alive for that long in the wilderness, with the sub-zero temperatures we have had lately, not to mention the sheer volumes of snow.
AMAZING!
I found myself this morning thinking that it might not be so bad to be stranded with Jefe like they were. I listened to their press conference and she said that they sat in the truck, played cards, and talked. I bet they talked a lot. I bet you could solve a lot of problems in 12 days with nothing to do but talk and try to stay warm! I don't want to sound morbid, but I thought to myself, that just might be fun. Maybe. You know. To get stranded with Jefe and have nothing but time on our hands. Especially if I could be guaran-damn-teed that we would most definitely be rescued (ah la Survivor man).
That just might be nice... Only up to the point where you have to eat the dog food to survive. Then I would want to be rescued. And, rescued fast! I know. I am seriously messed up.

I have lamented on occasion that Jefe and I are seriously getting old because some of the shows we like to watch, and the channels we watch, are old people channels/shows.
For example:
Ice Road Truckers, on the History Channel. The premise of this show is you watch crude, crass gross truckers drive across an Ice Road up in Canada somewhere, and hope the entire time they are carting around the ridiculously large loads that they don't plummet through the ice. Everyone once in a while, they show a teaser of a truck/tanker falling into the ice... and its a little stressful. I think I'll keep watching this one... just because you never know when I might be driving on that lake of frozen ice, and something I watched on this show just might come in handy.
Then there is that Show, Everest Beyond the limit on The Discovery Channel. They have cameras mounted to the helmets of the Sherpas and the climbers, and you watch while they foolishly try to make it to the top of Mt Everest. It, again, is very stressful. But, I think I will continue watching that one too. Just because, you never know when I might be out in the wilderness, camping or something... and I can't get any oxygen and something you saw some Sherpa do just might save your life.
Serious.
How about Deadliest Catch? Have you seen that one? It's on The Discovery Channel too. You watch these crass fishermen out in the Bering Sea, in the middle of ridiculous weather conditions try and catch Crab.
For real.
The entire show.
I think I will keep watching that one too. Just because, you never know. I just might get stranded out in the middle of the Antarctic somewhere, and need some ideas on how to stay warm and catch me some crab.
I have said for years I hate reality TV, and yet, here I am telling you all the shows that I think I better keep watching... just in case I get stranded and need help.
I mean, really. Is a TV show going to help me survive?
Maybe.
It did that couple from Utah.
So yeah. Survivorman. I think I'll keep watching that one too... You just never know!

Thing 3 and I were watching the news this morning, when they mentioned there was MORE SNOW in the forecast for today.
She groaned REALLY loud and said: "Why don't they just keep the snow and send us summer??"
Who should keep the snow?
"Umm the lady on the TV. I don't want anymore. She can keep it, and send us summer!"
I couldn't agree more!

I REALLY dig this photo.

I read this quote this morning... and it was an amen moment!
I just thought I would share.

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just like people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." - Gordon B. Hinckley

Do you hear that noise?
Yeah.
It's me. Banging my head against the keyboard.
We got MORE snow.
Sigh.
I have 1 word for you, people. 1 word.
POSTAL.
I'm just giving you fair warning. Thats all.

You know there is something seriously messed up in the world when Jefe is the stable one in a crisis and I am the one freaking out. Typically, I am the one that has to take the kids to the Doctor to get them all patched up and fixed because the thoughts of the Doctors office makes Jefe light headed.
Really, I can count 3 times in our marriage when I have been the freaker and Jefe has been the one to have to pick up the pieces and get them fixed.
The first time was when Thing 1 was about 5. We were at church, and the primary was in the chapel practicing for the primary program. I was the choirester, and had been razzing Jefe that I was going to have him come in and help me put the finishing touches on the Spanish song that I had been teaching the kids. Thing 1 got this BRILLIANT idea that it would be fun to kneel on the pew, and then fall forward to the bench in front of her and catch herself. (I guess that says something about my teaching abilities? or lack thereof? was she saying I was boring?)
Yeah.
You see whats coming right?
She missed catching herself on the pew, and slipped. She hit her head ON the pew, she then bounced down and her eye caught the corner of the hymn book holder.
Can you say blood?
Can you say blood everywhere?
Yeah. Gross.
Someone went to get Jefe, but Jefe thought I was teasing him, so he didn't come.
I walked into the gym (where the adult Sunday school class was apparently, unbeknownst to me, praying at that. very. moment. ) with screaming child, saw Jefe and yelled: "Jefe! NOW!" and walked out the other side of the room. ( I am sure there are people who still like to tell the story... remember when that crazy lady came and and yelled at her husband during the prayer?...Yeah. I'm the stuff legends like that are made of!)
I was a mess. Jefe was calm as a cucumber (are cucumbers calm?). Jefe handled that crisis like a pro.
The second time was when Thing 2 broke his leg in 2 places. Again, I was a mess, and pretty non-functioning. Jefe, again was the pro. I was crying right along with Thing 2... you would've thought I had broken my leg too. Jefe kept giving me the hairy eyeball... like I said. He had it together; I was a mess.
The last time was last night. I took Thing 2 & 3 over to this skating rink to let them skate. It was their school "skate for free" night... and me being the cheap-skate (no pun intended) that I am decided that would be a nice way to spend family night. Thing 1 was sick, so I made her stay home and took the little things to go skate away the night. I walked and walked and walked around that skating rink with Thing 3. At first, holding hands, then slowly she would break away and skate a little ways ahead... stop... wait. Then we would proceed on. It went on like that for over an hour. I was getting tired. She was getting braver. So, being the "good, responsible" mother that I am, I sent my 4 year old out to skate by herself, so I could rest my big, tired, pregnant butt.
Do you see where this is going?
Yeah.
She biffed it.
HARD.
One of the kids brought her to me, screaming, with blood gushing down her face.
Her beautiful face.
I sort of had a mini freak out right there. I really didn't know what to do. I ran to the bathroom, got some toilet paper (what kind of establishment doesn't have paper towels? AND what kind of establishment, when the worker sees a bleeding child, just turns and WALKS THE OTHER WAY??? don't get me started on that!) and I realized this child needed stitches.
I went into full blown freak out mode, and could. not. think. I had lost my mind, and the ability to put a string of conscience thoughts together. It was awful. I knew I had another child there... but could not for the life of me figure out how to get him found. Where was Jefe, and how was going to get him to meet me at the ER? And further, how was I going to drive me and this bleeding child to the ER? AND, this bleeding child was freaking out because she heard the word stitches, and she KNEW what that meant!
I was lucky.
I had amazing neighbors there, who picked up my falling pieces.
They got Jefe called, and told him where to go.
They found Thing 2 and took him home.
They drove me to the ER and waited with me until Jefe got there, and he could finish picking up my crumbling pieces.
Thank you amazing neighbors.
Thank you.
Jefe again was a pro. He soothed thing 3 like I had not been able to do. He held her, and actually kept her from freaking out when they put the medicine on her.... he has the touch. So much so, that she actually relaxed enough while were waiting that she fell asleep.
Seriously.
He was a pro again last night.
I have said it many times, but my husband is a baby/child whisperer. Usually its the Mother that has that gift... the gift to soothe and calm. But, in our home, it has always been Jefe. He is the one that can take that screaming baby, ANY baby, and within minutes of picking them up... they are sleeping. He can take the bloodiest crisis (when I am non functioning, of course) and soothe my children.
He has the gift. An amazing gift.
I have been, on more than one occasion, quite jealous of his gift. I mean. Seriously. Isn't this MY job description?
When Thing 1 was like 3 months old, I would often call him at work (he worked nights) to get him to come home and put her to sleep because she would do nothing but scream for me.
AND would. not. sleep.
What kind of mother does that mean I am? I don't know, nor do I want to venture down that road.
However, I do know what kind of Father that means Jefe is! And all I can say is I am blessed.
Very, very blessed.
So. Yeah.
We had a crisis last night, and I sort of freaked out. I felt bad that I had sent her off on her own. I felt bad that I wasn't right there to pick her up. But, luckily for me, I am married to a man that can swoop in, pick up everyone's pieces and soothe the craziness that was us.

Thanks Jefe.

this is me dreaming of warmer days!

I took Thing 3 up to see Grandma Ginny today afterschool. I picked her up from school and she informed me that she DID NOT want to go home, but really needed to go see Grandma Ginny.
Ok.
I can do that.
Mister, her cousin, was visiting Grandma Ginny... he does every Monday and Wednesday. Those 2 love to play and chase. You would never know that they were 2 years apart in age, cause they play amazingly well. Their favorite game is this weird chase game they have invented. One of them will have a stroller, and the other one will have the Barbie car. They will then proceed to run, at mach 10 up and down the hall.
It doesn't bother me.
It does bother Grandma Ginny.
They were yelling, laughing and running up and down the hall when Grandma Ginny had enough!
Grandma Ginny: You guys, Stop it! This is not a race track!
Mister: It's not?
Grandm Ginny: NO!
Mister: Well, what is it then?
Me: (laughing my head off) You set yourself up for that one Grandma Ginny!

The snow doesn't give a soft white damn whom it touches. ~ E.E. Cummings

Ok. I will just say what everyone here is thinking...
OH. MY. HELL.
Seriously. It snowed yet again last night. I went out this morning and measured how much we got... 7 1/2 inches. We have gotten that much each time it has snowed... which BTW has been every other day - no lie - since the beginning of January. If I were Math savvy, I would have the actual totals that we have gotten... but alas. I'm not.
7.5 inches. No matter how I write that it makes me irritated.
My friend, tracytreehouse, said it perfectly in her blog... If she sees one more cute little fluffy snow flake float by her window, she's gonna rip someones head off.
Yeah. Me too.
Don't get me wrong.
Snow is nice... If you like to sled (which I don't) OR if you like to ski (which I do)...
I used to ski... a lot. When I was younger (read:single and no responsibilities) I wanted to grow up and be a ski bum. So, maybe if I were doing this all day....

Or This...
I would be totally stoked about all the crazy amounts of snow we are getting, and singing my praises to the snow Gods.
But. I'm not singing those praises to the Snow Gods.
And I am not here...

... on any regular sort of basis anymore (read: EVER. Not for 13 years 'cause I have babies now). So, I'm not singing praises to the snow gods... I'm chanting curses...
Because my life now consists of this:

And This: (he won the entire Pinewood Derby, thank you very much!)

OH.
And don't forget this...
Yeah.
this cutie too...
And, of course, this one...

You know what? It's all good! My life is awesome!
These guys are worth not being that ski bum.
And, really.
I just wanna be here...
Don't you?
Yeah.
I thought so.
So. We got 7.5 inches of snow last night and I am dreaming of warm, sunny places... with The Things and Jefe.
Have a fun, snow filled weekend people.
Oh. And it's random 10 Friday again... does anyone play? Post what your first random 10 songs are that come up on your music playing device... that way we can mock each other's music taste... or lack there of!

1. Tonight, Not Again - Jason Mraz
2. Green - Sister Hazel
3. Shooting Stars - Edwin McCain
4. Island In The Sun - Weezer
5. We've Been Had - Uncle Tupelo
6. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - The Jayhawks
7. Nobody Much Longer - Colin Herring
8. I Wonder - Chris Isaak
9. Shower The People - James Taylor
10. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac

Bonus: Love or Something Like It - Big Blue Hearts