Oh, What a Year!

He Sees You when You're Sleeping

Parents, it is that time of year again when we get an extra parental aid. And I know I'm not the only one using this method of threatening. Every store you are in, you will hear a parent saying, "Be good because Santa is coming" or "Santa's watching you so behave" or "We aren't going to get that right now, because you don't know what Santa is going to bring you." And just like that, the child remains calm with hopes that Santa can see this good behavior too!

With my kids, I had to take this threat a step further because my kids may be on to me. Bryce says, "How can he watch all the kids everywhere, ALL over the world?" Good question! You know there is no such thing as a dumb question? Well, I'm not going to let a little half link out smart me. Think fast think fast.....

"You see these camera's in the store?" I point to the black dome shaped camera on the ceiling. It's genius. They are everywhere! Bryce says yes then asks, "Santa's in there?" I say, " No, he records people in stores to make sure they are behaving and then the elves review the tapes and only shows him the bad ones."

"Oh I see," says Bryce. He's buying it, he's buying it! I then tell him to wave up at the cameras, so he does. Whenever we are in a store they find the cameras and wave to Santa. It works great for distracting them from EVERY toy they want in the stores too. I tell them to hold it up to the camera and say, "Santa, this is what I want." They do this too. I love to see people's reactions as they pass by and my kids are holding up a toy in the sky explaining to Santa their need for it. Sometimes you have to get really creative.

Then there was an issue about Santa seeing us when we are at home. How does he see us? Another wonderful question! Think fast, think fast....

"You see all these plug-ins? The little circle in the middle is actually a camera too!" SCORE! These are everywhere too! The kids wave to the hole. Now I have all areas covered for this operation scare the kids straight.

It is so much work keeping this up! I have to get more and more creative to threaten them properly. Then after all this work, Bryce comes home the other day and is taking pictures, on his own digital camera, of everything Santa in our house. I ask him why he is doing this. He tells me that his friend told him Santa isn't real. Bryce argued and the friend told him to prove it with a picture. Whoever wins the Santa bet has to say out loud, "Santa is REAL," or "Santa isn't REAL." This kid is ruining my genius plan! His mom must have been NOT so creative at lying!

I'm going to keep this up as long as I can to have pleasant shopping experiences with the kids. It will either make them really appreciative one day or totally freaked out that Santa can see them EVERYWHERE! I would be really creeped out if that was true.

Enjoy the Holidays everyone, and remember Santa is ALWAYS watching....

Christmas Cheer Delivered

I have been the PTA president at my son's school for two years now. Bryce has only been in school for two years, so basically once they tricked me into this position, they may have me for life. Sometimes PTA is just super annoying. There are more meetings than I thought, more organizing, more time and lots more time. The school didn't really have a PTA for a couple years before I got there, so we have had some work to do, but we all got the ball rolling again.

When I am complaining or telling people I'm off to a PTA meeting, they often reply that I am nuts for joining, let alone being president. I have also known for a long time: I AM NUTS!! The thing is- I always say how important kids are, why doesn't someone do this for our kids, the kids are our future, blah, blah, blah and blah. You get it. The truth is, I feel like I have to or no one else will, and even though it is annoying at times, it is rewarding and necessary. Sometimes I even think about quiting, thinking why are there only a handful of parents for a school with 700 kids? If they don't care, why should I?

Well the answer came today. And every now and then I need reminders of why PTA is so important. A warm fuzzy creeped in.

We decided to have a food drive for a couple of our families in need for the holidays. Our school really came together and collected a ton a food for these families. AWWWW! But it gets even more chicken soupish.

There is a family that stays at a homeless shelter. They are not sure if they will get in every night because it is on a day to day basis. So every day after school they go and wait to see if they can. It is a dad with his two kids. Since they do not have access to a kitchen a food basket would have been pointless. Instead, Denny's donated gift cards for them and then we bought them a gift card for the family to see a movie on Christmas.

Our treasurer usually handles most of the affairs, since she works at the school, but today I got to hand the father our contribution to their holiday. He was so happy, so gracious and a little embarrassed. I shook his hand and told him that this was for his family to enjoy on the holidays. He thanks me and you can tell how grateful he is. He tells me that this is so wonderful and it is the only thing they will be getting for Christmas. I feel so humbled and happy to have the opportunity to brighten some one's holiday. It really meant so much to them...and me!

As I walked away, I couldn't help but cry. All day I thought about that encounter. When I now say I am blessed to have the family I do, it has a whole new meaning. We are so big and so tight-knit, we would never be in that situation. I have never thought about what a security that is. If you are a part of my family, you can sleep on my couch forever if you needed to, and I know that I have my choice of couches as well. I was naive to think that everyone had a family capable of taking care of them.

It's easy, especially during the holidays to wish for more money. Money for gifts, money for your tree, money for your Christmas cards and postage, money for gift wrap, money for work parties, etc., etc. When I think about my life, I realize how truly blessed we are to have the job my husband has. We do all these Christmas traditions without even thinking. Totally take it for granted. We go out to eat at least once a week and don't even think twice about the money. This family was so happy to going to get to go out to Denny's, something we get to do often. Wow, my perspective just changed completely.

I know it sounds cliche, but when you volunteer, it really does make you feel good. Not good because it can give you perspective on your own life, although it certainly does. But good because had I quit, had I not been president, there would be a family on Christmas without a good meal and a fun feeling. We did that! We made some one's life better and there is no way I want to quit now. It was a moment where I didn't care why this man was homeless, no family should go without a little Christmas cheer.

GO SUMMERWIND PTA!!

This is Getting Old

I have never had great skin. I guess it's genes, or hormones, or because I don't wash my makeup off at night or because it is just a bunch of bull! I don't think it's fair for a 27 year old to get blemishes. I think this is a mean trick. I couldn't wait to get older when I was in high school because of the false dream that I may have "great skin." Wrong!! This must be a funny joke to God. Well, I'm not really laughing anymore! Doesn't He know that He needs to give the teenagers the zits?



Will I be 45 still getting these blemishes?



The Proactive commercials are just so tempting. All their celebrity endoresemnts, their before and after pictures really makes me excited about great skin. Then I'm too lazy to go and get my credit card out of my purse! I guess I may just be too lazy to get great skin. For a while I was washing my face at night. But it got old. I was tired and wanted to go to bed. By the time I splashed my whole face with water and soap, I was wide awake for another hour. So instead, I manage the blemishes and complain.



Sometimes I get one giant blemish! I cover it with makeup and more makeup and more makeup. It only looks worse, like a big mountain caked with skin colored goop. So I wash the crap out of it, as if to make up for all the times I don't wash my face. It only dries the sucker out so much I have the worst dry spot on my face in history.



I almost want to make an announcement when I walk into a room or go to dinner.

Yes, go ahead and quickly glance at the spot that has taken residence on my face. Yes, I am a grown ass woman that still breaks out. Yes, I am aware this make-up may be making it look worse. No, I have not named it yet!


Recently I was walking through the mall and behold!! I see this:

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!! A Proactive Vending Machine. It's as easy as getting gum?!

Now my first thought, is of excitement! So easy to get!! My second thought was if I was to stand here in the middle of the mall and start the buy process, I am pretty sure someone from high school would walk by and try to make small talk while I'm trying to purchase some zit cream. How embarrassing! Worst idea EVER! It would probably one of the girls with "good skin " too. Nothing could be more embarrassing, except maybe buying condoms and running into your parents or something.

I guess I will just keep managing these horrid blemishes, praying about them and reminding God I'm not 16 anymore, and continue not washing my face at night. I will just be a walking- before ad for proactive! Maybe when I am like 90, I will have good skin, or it will be so wrinkled it won't matter anyway...

To My Dear Papa

Today would have been my grandpa's 90Th birthday. He passed away four years ago, but it's still easy to remember how wonderful he was. Although he lived a great full life, I wanted to believe he'd be here forever...

I was suppose to say some words at his funeral, but I couldn't bring myself to talk without turning to hysterics. My oldest brother bravely stepped in and said beautiful things about him. I wish I could have pulled it together long enough to talk because there would have been so many things to say...

I am so lucky to have had such a positive role model in my life. I didn't realize until after he was gone just how much he had influenced my life.

He taught me the importance of recycling. I used to go to help him around the house and tease him because he would save anything with a 1-6 recycle code on the bottom. The recycling often took over the counters because the bin was too far for him to walk. I would come over a couple times a week and take them out for him. I remember saying, "What's the difference? Just throw it in the trash." He would lecture me about taking care of the planet for my children and their children. I am now obsessed with recycling and limiting the trail I leave here when I go.

He was so passionate about politics. He was a hard-core democrat. I would go and eat with him and we'd watch the news and talk about politics. I didn't realize how much his passion would make me feel passionate about voting and becoming involved. He use to tell me it was our responsibility to vote. That it was a privilege that shouldn't be taken lightly. He came to America to give his children a better life. We recently found a paycheck stub from when he first came here. It was for 96 cents an hour. I think about that a lot! How hard he had to work for us and become a citizen and do it the right way. I am forever grateful for those hard choices he made. He helped me understand why America was great, so great, he uprooted his family to be a part of it. I will always vote....specially in his honor!

He could cook up a storm! When I'd go for my visits he would make the best tasting food. Then he told me I would have to learn to cook this way. I loved how he'd measure. He take a fist full of rice and say, "This is how much you put in." I'd tell him that my hands were smaller and he'd say, "Doesn't matter." It always turned out good. I am so thankful for the dinners we had together. There were these pork chops he would make that I always requested. He taught me to perfect these and I made them tonight for my family to celebrate his birthday.

I miss so much about him, but mostly I feel so lucky to have had him in my life for as long as I did. He was always kind and patient. The best kind of grandpa to have. He taught without seeming to be lecturing. He was simply there for us when we needed him. If you complimented something of his, he would insist you take it home with you. He always had candy in his pocket to share. He always addressed birthday cards: To my dear, and the name...

So Happy Birthday, to My Dear Papa!

Everyone calls you AMAZING, I just call you MINE!

The title of this blog happens to be a new Martina McBride song. It also happens to be the way I feel about my husband. Since he is not one to brag, I have taken the liberty to dedicate this blog to how awesome he is. All right girls, I am NOT holding back on this one, so sorry if you gag a 'lil.

Of course, I have always thought my husband is great, that's why I married him, right? He works for 24 Hour Fitness and had worked his way up through the years. He may be one of the hardest working guys I know, and does so without complaint. Although he isn't one of the highest paid Club Managers, which I think is a shame, he is one of the best! I have often been frustrated with the company and wonder if they really value him the way they should. Well in the last year, I think his hard work and way with people has really paid off and for anyone who doesn't know...He is AMAZING!

Within the last year he has won an award based on integrity. Just call him Mr. Integrity. Not a bad quality to have in a husband(take notes Tiger)or boss. Then we got to go on a chairman's cruise with the best from the company. All expenses paid! Nice way to say, "That a boy!" Then he received a raise to better reflect his value. This last week his club and him won another honor based on engagement, which means how well the employees are informed and feel a part of the company. Out of ALL the clubs in the company his employees took a survey that put him at the top of the list. This coming from of a club that is in desperate need of an overhaul; the place is OLD! He has created this great atmosphere for his employees to work in and he created a feeling that everyone feels a part of the team. I couldn't be more proud of him!!

The CEO announced during a conference call his name and gave a shot out to the great job he is doing. Then they gave his club $2,000 to spend on a party!

He is always the type of guy to go in and get the job done. He's not in your face or over the top. He won't brag about all the wonderful recognition he receives. He just gives over 110%, all the time. I am so proud of his style and way with people. You just can't meet him and not like the guy!

OK ladies, this is where it gets even more ridiculous! He comes home from work that day with flowers. I think, "Wow, he's in such a great mood because of this award." He hands me the flowers and thanks me!!! He gives me a great big hug and said if it wasn't for me, he couldn't do the stuff he is doing at work. I find that hard to believe, but it felt great to hear, regardless. He tells me thanks for taking care of the kids and that the job I'm doing at home allows him to do a good job at work.

Let me get this straight, he gets an award because he is awesome, and he turns it around to make me feel awesome! How awesome is he?? And there is no extra charge for this?

I usually try to downplay how great he is, for some reason. BUT not today!!! Today, I shout from the roof tops: BOBBY is the BEST, and am proud to call him MINE!!

Thankful for the Annoying Little Things!

Of course, I'm thankful for the usual: my husband, my kids, my family, my friends and our health. But this year I find myself focusing on things that usually annoy the crap out of me, and have found how truly thankful I am for these little things.

Working out- I dread this normally. And I am still not seeing the great results I want, but I have found that I am so thankful for the ability to work out. And I'm trying not to complain about it! I started seeing this man in a wheelchair working out. I thought about his hardships and how challenging it must be to get to the gym in his condition. What the heck am I complaining about? I am thankful to have a totally working body that I am able to work out, without much effort.

Busy Schedule- I often find myself complaining about going here and there and everywhere. I am starting to be thankful for this busy schedule. I use to get a little stressed. We have to visit so many people on the holidays. Split our time, keep the kids happy and clean, etc. I am so thankful that we have so many houses to go to for the holidays. Some people don't have one, and for all this love that my kids get to experience, I am thankful. All the family we have is what MAKES the holidays so special.

Body image- Being a girl, it's easy to pick out what's wrong with myself. I can do it at the drop of a compliment from my husband. "Thanks, but this doesn't look good," is my usual response. I am starting to focus a little less on these flaws and focus on what I do like. I have been reading a blog about a woman who has been badly burned, but is still so happy. I am thankful for all the things I have, regardless of my appearance. And I'm thankful for this new outlook.

The Non-Stop Noise- I am so noise sensitive, and my kids are talkers, singers, noise makers and drummers. Sometimes at the end of the day I love to sit in the quiet house and listen to...nothing at all. Lately, the noise hasn't been bothering me as much. I am so thankful that their minds are always engaged and that they are healthy happy kids. In fact, I am so thankful to have this noise around, I have even started making noise with them.

Transportation- I often complain about gas prices, driving from one side of the town to the other and back again. Lately, I have been just so thankful for being able to drive two working, great rides. It was really cold one morning and I saw a lady standing at a bus stop with her young child. I couldn't believe how a little perspective can change my outlook so much. If I think it's hard loading up two kids in the garage to get ready for school, imagine how hard it must be to walk in the freezing cold to catch a bus with a toddler. My life is really a cake walk and I have no right to complain!

So, after our second Thanksgiving dinner today, I wanted to write about how thankful I am to gain perspective in my late twenties. Everyone can feel bad from time to time, but really, I am thankful for my life and how little there really is to complain about!

Toy Party

The other day I got a call from a friend inviting me to a Discovery Toy party. I was like, "Oh, you are having one too?" She said, "Yeah...are you? If you come to mine I'll come to yours."

Cool Deal, I thought.

We continue talking and she says, "The daycare kids just love these toys! They are the best."

The line goes dead for a second....

I ask, "Oh, these are toys for kids, like kid toys?"

She said, "Yeah, what kind of toys were you thinking?" Awkward laughing follows.

Then she asks, "Well, what kind of toy party are you having?"

I said, "Well, not the kind for kids, that's for sure!"

Lesson: Always clarify before you insert foot in mouth!

My Life Can Speak for Itself

OK! For those of you that read yesterday's post, it turned out to be a "little" of a ranting blog. I decided to delete it for several reasons. I wrote it out of hurt and on the defense. I now think there is no reason to have to defend the way I live my life to anyone. I am secure enough and know I am making the right choices for my family. "Actions speak louder than words." I don't need to state the obvious about my life, like being happy and loving my kids. I will let my life speak for itself.

Secondly, I think we all love our kids the best we can, anyway we can. There is no reason for me to put down someones way of life, even if they are attacking mine. I don't claim to know the answers and don't need to make other people feel bad to justify the way I feel, even if they are doing that to me.

You know those posts, the ones you should write but never really press publish or send? That was yesterday. It felt better to let it all out, but afterward realized that what I wrote wasn't exactly my style. So I am censoring myself. Sometimes, you should write, get it out and press delete!

When are you REALLY Done?

Content with my Two Cuties (one of my favorite fall pictures)

When I was younger, much younger, and didn't realize how much energy goes into raising one kid, I wanted like a trillion kids. Well, at least four, just like my family. There was never a dull moment growing up with three other siblings. At the time I didn't appreciate it, but realize that I long for the chaos that comes with a bigger family. But....

I am totally content with the two healthy happy little kids I have now. I dread being pregnant again. The thought of feeling sick and pushing and the whole bit doesn't appeal to me. I am not sure I want to start all over with infant car seats, cribs, diapers, bottles, the whole thing. But....

I also can not give away any of my infant things. We have an attic full of stuff that could warrant another baby boy or girl. SO MUCH STUFF! I just can't let it go. I am trying to do some soul searching to see if it is the memories I can't let go of or if it is the suppressed desire to have another baby.

As time passes between kids, I am leaning towards "no more kids," but there is always that little tiny voice saying, maybe?? But by no means am I sure. Bobby has agreed to have the procedure to make this all pretty permanent. Since I did have trauma done to my parts twice, he can definitely deal with an out patient surgery once. Recently, I thought I was for sure over the infant stage and told him to make the appointment. He said he wasn't ready.

It seems as though we can't get on the same page. When I think maybe, he is a no. When he thinks maybe, I am a no. All I know is.... until we are BOTH sure either way their will be no permanent decision making either way.

I just can't believe I may never smell that sweet smell of MY infant again. You know...the almost gross but sweet smell of their necks. It's a mix between spit-up and baby bath. Yes, I miss that smell. But....

Will you always miss that smell when you are done? Does there come a time when you wouldn't miss that smell? I mean look at those crazy people with 18-19 kids!! Did she just say, " I will miss the smell of that baby too much?" I think even when you know you are done, you will miss those beautiful infant moments, but maybe that doesn't mean having more kids for me.

We are constantly asked when we are having more kids. People are actually shocked when I tell them, probably not. They say, "I see you with more kids." I'm not sure what that means because I also saw myself with more kids but feel like I'm PROBABLY done. I'm not sure what I'd be trying for. I have everything I want in these two Lil kids. Perfectly content. And I know the feeling of wanting another one. Almost immediately after Bryce I wanted another baby. The desire isn't the same now, so I'm guessing that's a clue that we are done.

My worry is, although I say I'm done, in 3 years will I want another one? This all leads me to think no permanent solution is a good one for now...just in case. Wish I knew the answers so I could clean out the attic. I wonder how and when you know for sure. I don't want to end up with a baby right before menopause, when my two kids are entering college. Nope, we will have to decide before then.

Better Late Than Never...Halloween!

This year we had our traditional Halloween. We had our annual adult Halloween Party to kick things off a week early. I must say that I was planning on NOT having it this year, but my friends convinced me with their excitement, as most of them had already planned their costumes. So glad we decided to have it! As always it was a good time and fun to be adults and be silly for the evening with great company. For the past three years, Bobby, Katie and I have dressed as a trio but with the addition of James, her boyfriend, we had to come up with something for all four of us. WAY harder! We tossed around several ideas and decided on Oprah and friends, even though we weren't content. One night over Mexican food, Bobby came up with a mariachi band. Could have been the margaritas talking, but we decided it was genius! Here was the final outcome:

My kids are finally at the age where I do not get to pick their costumes and I'm OK with that. Leah surprised me by not picking a princess and went for Tinkerbell. She was completely adorable, even though they were probably 5 other Tinks in her preschool class. She was my obvious favorite though! Here she is:

Bryce wanted to be Bumblebee from Transformers. He got two of these costumes for his birthday so it made it pretty easy for me. I am usually against pre-made Halloween costumes because every kid in America has the same damn thing, but I got way into letting the kids be proud of their selection. Some kid came up to Bryce and told him he looked awesome! Made his day and mine! Here is our little (macho) Bumblebee:
Bryce was extremely sick this Halloween. He had a fever and horrible cough. He ended up trick-or-treating for a couple houses and then had fun handing out the candy at home. This is usually his favorite part anyway. Man, what an awful day to be sick! My mother-in-law made her corn chowder, just like every year. YUM! The grandparents came over to check out their little prized possessions, the kids. Overall it was a great time, sickness and all, now if I can just get rid of all this candy...it's not helping with the diet!!!

Teeth Hoarder

Taking good care of my future "Pearly" whites!


Years back, before I had kids, my mom had asked me to help her organize her room. I love organizing and designing so of course I said sure. Part of organization is determining what is useful and what is not useful. Somethings can be kept for memories, but only if those items honor the memory. You cannot keep everything, it just isn't practical.

So we were going through everything, making a keep pile and a throw away pile. I then opened a small shell box and could not believe what I saw. I asked my mom, "Is this what I think it is?" Almost embarrassed she said, "Yes, what's wrong with that?"


What is wrong with keeping a box full of your kids baby teeth? There were a ton in there. Four kids...you do the math! Was she going to make a necklace later? I did not get it. Why would she keep these teeth? She didn't even have fond memories of us pulling them because I remember her being completely grossed out by process.


Now, as a grown adult I make this weird discovery. I tell her she has to throw them out. This is gross. Worse than keeping a nasty lock of hair. I am kinda mean at this point and she starts crying and saying it is hard for her to part with them. I don't get it. I make her throw them away, and now I feel guilty for that, as she was extremely sad to let go of this reminder of when we were babies.

Why do I feel bad? Well, Bryce has started losing his teeth. 5 to be exact! The tooth fairy sneaks in there at night and gives him some money for this token of his childhood. And do you know what that tooth fairy has been doing with the teeth? That's right, they are in a zip lock bag in my drawer. Why, why, why?????

I don't know, but I too cannot bring myself to throw out this memory, that is quite disgusting, but also so sweet. You can't go around throwing away the DNA that makes up your kid, can you? I'm sure some people can- but it's in my genes, I guess, to hoard teeth. I really am going to throw them out...soon! I don't want my grown, adult children to come across this and be as weirded out as I was at my moms. But I get it now....somehow...I get it! Sorry mom, should of made you a necklace! (totally joking that is so gross)

I Wanna Be Absent!

Getting Bryce to go to school is a little like pulling teeth. I think I have made it too comfortable for him here. When I was a kid I couldn't wait to go to school. I would rather be there than at home putting up with my 3 brothers or a screaming mom. But Bryce, wants to stay home. He says it is more fun here, his toys are here and school is dumb and boring. Not Good!

He is still doing very well in school. It is week 4 and he has aced every spelling tests and gotten 100% on all of his math tests. The kid is smart. I would think because he excels he would want to go....nope. Nothing is better than home.

Once we make him get into the car, he is fine but it is the fight to get him to that point that is wearing on all of us. Every morning he asks if he could just be absent. He tells me school is too long, it's too early. He wants to go back to half day like in kindergarten. He says all this in an extremely whining voice. The only good thing he says about ALL day school is two recesses. A boy has to have his priorities.

Since the whining has not been working he has gotten even more creative with the reasons he needs to stay home.

Bryce: "Mom, I wanna be absent. I think I need to stay home, I have a cold."
Me: "I don't think you have a cold...why do you think you do?"
Bryce: "Feel my head I have a fever," he reaches my hand to his forehead. "See it's really cold. I have a fever. I have a cold."
Me: " When you have a fever, your forehead is hot, not cold."
Bryce: "Oh, I guess I don't have a cold then and I'll go to school."

Next excuse was one of my favorites.

Bryce: "Mom, I wanna be absent. I'm sick."
Mom: "What's wrong with you?"
Bryce: "I have allergies and I might be contagious and I don't really want to get my friends sick."
Mom: "Allergies aren't contagious."
Bryce: "OK, I'll guess I'll go then..."

1st grade is a harder adjustment than kindergarten was, it does seem too long to me too. We miss the little guy! I am proud of him for going and doing a good job even though he'd rather stay home. I think if I keep strong sending him and he keeps it up with his 100% I may just let him be absent to go be sick at Disneyland as a reward.

Bon Appetit!

In an attempt to help Bryce become more independent, I have tried to relinquish some control issues I have. The typical stuff, I think. I try to let him pour his own milk, and stay calm when it ends up on the floor. I try to let him wipe his own *ss, even though I worry about him being the smelly kid at school. I try to let him stir the mac n' cheese, feed the dog, tie his own shoe, buckle his own seat belt....well, you get it!

Part of me doesn't want him to be independent for the fear that he doesn't need me as much sets in. On the other hand, I love when he can do things on his own. It makes me so proud and I want him to grow and get big and be independent, just not so fast!

Well, tonight he said he was hungry. I ran through a list of things I could make him for dinner. He said he wanted a cup of noodle soup. I felt like this was a great opportunity to let him be independent. I told him he could make it if he wanted. He got so excited! I didn't help, I just instructed from the sidelines. "Tear off the plastic, fill with water to the line, put it in the microwave and press one. Put in some ice and ENJOY!"

He gets done "cooking" his cup of noodle and there is a smile stretching from ear to ear. He is beaming with pride at his own delicious masterpiece. He says, "You know Mom, maybe I'll be a chef when I get older. I am a really good cook!"

Of course he is and you never know, one day at a five star restaurant near you, you may be able to order an iced down cup of noodle soup from my son, THE CHEF!

Is this Still Good?

Food expiration dates is always something that confuses the heck out of me. Why can't there be a universal way to explain when you shouldn't chance eating the food? I just don't want to get diarrhea or give my family or company a bad case of the BG's (bubble guts). I waste so much food because I would rather play it safe.

If it was so simple, I think I could understand. I am a college educated person and it seems confusing to me. I know those of you reading this may say, "It's not saying much if you are confused." Basically implying that I am dumb. But really try to make sense of it.

There is:

"Best if used by"- does this mean you can still take a chance eating it after that date? How long after can you eat it after the best used by date...a day, week, month? I hate this one. It's like you take your chances past that date because it doesn't say, "It goes bad by this date. DO not EAT." "Or you can eat any date after the 'best by' date but it will be stale." Little more direction, please.

"Freeze or use by"- Now how long can it stay in the freezer? You know that stuff gets freezer burn. What if you buy it and then don't freeze it until the use by date? Is it still good? Say you take it out to thaw months after the use by date but it was in the freezer, how can that still be OK?

"Exp 00/00/0000"- This is pretty self explanatory. Don't eat it after this day. However, we shop at Costco and you don't even open the 2ND or 3rd package by this date. My mom, and several others say it is fine if you haven't opened it. But it doesn't say that on the package. This stuff also goes in the trash. It should say "Exp one month after opened." Can I get some more instructions, this is my tummy we are dealing with?

"Best if eaten within 7 days of opening"- Hot dogs and bologna have a whole separate thing. They have a date and then this message written tiny! Well, can you still eat it past the best by date? Or do you go by the other random date on the package? Who can eat that many hot dogs or bologna in just 7 days?

"00/00/0000" - Again, just a date, I will throw out by that date, unless unopened rule still applies here?

Then you get some food that has a whole set of separate directions. More complex but just as confusing. Like, "Freeze, take out 24 hours before, refrigerate." I mean I think I get it? Then some food spoils before the date listed. I wonder who comes up with these dates and how accurate they really are.

I think the food and drug administration should get their act together and make it universal. "DO NOT EAT AFTER THIS DATE 00/00/0000. PERIOD. Doesn't matter if you freeze, eat within 7 days, take out defrost and freeze again, just make sure it's gone and eaten by this date or throw it away. If you eat this after, you will be sick!" Simple...I think!

Sit-at-Home Mom

One day, I was running late for my training appointment. It had been one of those days where everything was a going wrong in the morning. Tantrums over breakfast, couldn't find one of Leah's shoes, spilt milk, the whole hectic bit. I don't really care when I'm late. I figure most the world runs about ten minutes behind so if you show up 1o minutes late, you are right on time. I run on what my family jokingly calls "Egyptian Time." Plus, if you have to pick your battles, running late because I am tending to my kids, doesn't bother me.

Anyway I get in late and my trainer, asks why. I tell him it was a rough morning with the kids and try to explain how it is to be a stay-at-home mom. He says sarcastically, "Yeah, being a sit-at-home mom IS hard." Now, initially I wanted to punch him in the face. Then I realized, unless you are a stay-at-home mom, this would be your impression, although I never get to sit for more than 5 minutes.

I also understand where the confusion sets in. For the most part I don't have a schedule to follow. Anyone without kids would think, "SWEET! I can do whatever I want!" The thing is, with kids, your day is dictated by their needs. I do not get to watch the shows I enjoy because they are watching their cartoons. I can get on the computer, but I am interrupted a millions times. "Mom, I need milk." "Mom, I have to go potty." "Mom, he hit me." "Mom, fix this toy."

Even getting ready is tricky. Yeah some days I don't shower until 3 in the afternoon, but that's because it is a chore to do with kids. For a week straight, during the potty training months, Leah would wait until I was in the shower, completely sudded up, to announce she had to go potty. I don't think people without kids have ever had to get out of a shower to wipe an ass. It isn't fun! You feel sticky and cold and soaking wet. I could have told her to wait a second, but if you have potty trained a toddler, you know waiting is only an option if you want a whole new different type of mess to wipe up.

I am not writing all this to complain, even though that is what it seems like. I wouldn't trade this in for anything, but not because it is easy to "sit" at home and watch the kids. I have a different perspective on life now that I have to put my needs second and my kids' needs first. It makes me less selfish, and at times, completely selfless. I don't mind, but to say I sit at home doing nothing is very far from the truth.

Most people without kids, don't get that constant grind of doing things for kids. And I decided that it doesn't make me mad. No not at all. I don't mind if I get looked at like a lazy house wife. I understand that you can't possibly understand until you have kids. That's why I can't wait for the people who think this is a cake walk to have kids, lots of them, or just one really, really mischievous one.

Hillbilly Day!

Mt. Whitney is a place my parents used to take us yearly when we were kids. This last weekend we decided to hop in the car with my mom and dad to take the kids to this cool place. We made a day trip out of it. I hadn't been there since I had my kids and was excited to see it through their eyes.

My dad has recently taken up an obsession with guns. Real ones!! He has bought three guns in the last year, one of them being a 22 rifle for Bryce. I was not sure how I felt about guns. They scare the crap out of me, even more so now that I have kids. You realize the danger or possibility of an accident and it frightens me. My dad reassured me that if I wasn't comfortable, Bryce didn't have to shoot. My dad was reciting gun safety with Bryce since he bought his first one. Then when I would get my panties in a bunch over the guns, Bryce would recite these gun safety rules my dad was teaching him.

It was all pretty effective. I decided that since there was no way of taking all the guns off the earth, knowledge and empowerment was the best way to avoid an accident. I figured that if I banned guns, the curiosity would still be there. I would rather him know what to do if he found a gun at sombody's house, than be curious enough to play with it. When you ask him what to do if he finds a gun, he proudly says, "Go find a grown-up!" Hopefully we take the curiosity away by letting him shoot in an adult controlled environment.

So this trip up to mountain-ville/ hick ville was to be the trip that Bryce got to shoot his 22 for the first time. He was beaming with excitement and joy! The things that makes a boy happy! I was nervous....but he did great. His got 9 out of 10 shot on the target. I was pretty impressed. He was also very protective of Leah and made sure he recited all the gun safety rules to her. It was cute!

I think Bobby also got the gun bug and couldn't stop shooting. He now wants to get a gun. GREAT!! I took a couple shots on the 22 and one on my Dad;s 45, but it really didn't do much for me. I will just cheer from the side lines.

We also got to take the kids fishing at the little pond up there. Bryce has been fishing several times and has never caught anything. I don't even know why he wants to still fish! Growing up at this water hole, I knew that we would probably not catch anything because my brothers tried for years and maybe pulled out a couple tiny fish. He was excited though, so we didn't want to discourage him. Well, it must have been Bryce's lucky day! He pulled in two fishes. Within 5 minutes of dropping our lines, my dad caught one that he let Bryce reel in. Bryce was excited but knew that he wasn't the one to catch that fish. He wanted to catch one all by himself. Bobby says, "Oh, we must have gotten lucky."

Next thing you know, Bryce says, "I got a fish!!!"

Bobby says, "He must just have caught the bottom."

Then he looks and realizes he really did have a fish. Bryce pulls in this huge fish. The excitement was awesome!! He caught his first fish all by himself. We were all buzzing.

After the photo shoot was done he tells his dad in a panicky voice, "OK Dad, put him back now, he's still breathing and I don't want to kill him!" That's my boy. Too sweet. Bobby asked if he was sure we didn't want to eat him, but Bryce was like, "Put him back now Dad."

We roasted marshmallows, sat by a campfire, got to shoot, fish, play in the stream, visit fossil falls, eat some camping food, and look at the amazing stars!! We squeezed all this into one day! Needless to say the kids slept well on the way home. It is days like this that I feel so extremely grateful and content with family life. Bryce said it was his favorite day of his life! The next day we were all feeling lazy and Bryce asked if we knew why he was so calm? We said, "No why?" He said because he got to shoot his gun and go fishing, his two favorite things. We'll have to do this more often!

Beauty Sleep

In our house, the boys are early birds and the girls...well...aren't. It works out good for Leah and me because we get to sleep in while the boys wake up and watch ESPN and make us breakfast. Nice!!

When we first brought Leah home from the hospital we didn't wake up until 10am the next day! I was like, "This is my type of girl!"

Sometimes she is wakened by Bryce but I continue to sleep. Really, this is the time Bobby gets to hang out with them, because he usually works past their bedtime at night. It is a routine I have really come to love! I get some time to myself in the morning and choose to spend it sleeping. In true mom fashion though, I will sometimes feel guilty and wake up and go down to hang out with the family. Most morning I can't even open my eyes wide enough to feel the guilt, so I continue to sleep.

Now, when I say sleep in I am only talking 8am, people! Not like the good ol' teenage days of sleeping in till 11:30. Remember when you just woke up in time to eat lunch? Those days are gone, but sleeping in until 8 is really a treat for most moms.

The other day Bryce asked me, "Mom, why do you like ALWAYS sleep so long in the mornings?"

Of course I felt guilty, but then reminded myself that it is OK for Bobby to take the morning routine, since I have the evening one. Equal partnership...right? I'm all for it!!

I tell Bryce I need to get my beauty sleep in. To that my little charmer says...
"But you are already beautiful!!"

Gotta love my little early bird too! Must only be beautiful because of all that sleep I'm getting...

Tiny Tots

Leah started preschool last week which makes me both happy and sad! Happy because now I get a couple hours a week of guilt free/ kid free time. Katie signed Cody up too, so we get to do lunch or our grocery shopping together without kids. Really relaxing!! I am a little sad that my youngest is in school. What does this mean for me?? Pretty much it means that I probably won't start over and have another baby...nothing in stone yet, but I never wanted the gap between kids to be so big!

Leah and Cody, who, if you frequent this blog, you already know, are boyfriend and girlfriend. It is too cute they have class together and I'm glad they know at least one familiar face as it has seemed to make the transition easy. It could be that we just have well adjusted kids though!

The backpack was almost as big as her! Nice one of Cody digging in the trash!

We'll have to save this one for their wedding

Cutting the cord...=(

The well-adjusted Tiny Tots!

I Need a Man Around HERE!

Bobby took off this last weekend for his annual backpacking trip. Basically, he fishes and carries everything he needs in a backpack and poops in a hole. No thank you! I sort of dread this annual trip because truth be told, I don't like not having Bobby around. He already works many hours during the week and the weekends are our designated family time. This last weekend it was going to be just the kids and me.

To say I managed without him, would not be an accurate statement. I was miserable. And as much as I don't like to admit I am dependent on a man, I totally realize I am! And I don't want to change. Much props and admiration to my single moms out there who do it alone and have even come to like it! I don't like it one bit.

For starters my daughter had a severe allergic reaction while he was gone and had hives all over her body. It was horrible. We were back to the doctor's several times and I really wanted Bobby to be there, if for nothing besides support.

Then there are the nights that just seem so quiet when I am sleeping alone. Every noise makes me wake up and thinks someone is breaking in. I made the kids sleep in my room both nights because of all the scenarios I was creating in my head. If someone was to break in, I wasn't sure if I could grab both kids and escape effectively. Much faster to grab them both if they are laying next to me. Maybe I'm crazy, but I had to become the protector, a role I do not like. When Bobby is here, I know he'd take care of an intruder and help grab the kids. I don't even worry when he's here. It's so nice to realize the security I feel when he's around.

I realize that this makes me weak, the fact that I do not want to function when he's not here, but there has never been a point in my life when I didn't have a man to take out the garbage, protect me, comfort me and just make me feel safe. I went straight from my parents home to living with Bobby. Is this such a bad thing?!?!

Bully Boy

Not just because Bryce is my kid, but he is a cool kid. Really! Here is a story to illustrate this point. Last year he told his teacher he was having a rough day. When she asked why he said, "Everyone wants to be my best friend and they can't ALL be my best friend." Not a bad problem to have. If that is your only problem, you really don't have a problem.

Bryce's first day of school was on Tues. When I asked him how his day was he said in great excitement, "It was great Mom, I get two recesses now!!"

My mind was at ease. All day I was wondering how he was doing and if it was going well.

Later that day Bryce comes over to me, smelling of men's cologne and says, "Mom, smell me!" As he breathes his breath into my face. I tell him his breath smells good and he tells me he brushed his teeth. Then he says, "Now Josh can't say that my breath stinks or that I smell!"

Let me give you the background on this little shit, Josh. He was in Bryce's class last year and he is a mean boy and not just to Bryce. He walks around the playground like he owns the place and makes kids feel bad. All the boys hang out in a group called the boy group, clever huh? They made that name up. Josh would single out a boy and tell him that he wasn't allowed to be in the boy group today. Why?? Who knows, because Josh would just come up with this on his own. He is just a bully!!

Bryce still considers Josh his friend even though he can be cruel. He is also a bit of a class clown so the boys like to laugh at him when he isn't terrorizing the group.

I tell Bryce that he doesn't smell and that Josh is a bully. I tell him that if Josh tells him something like that again to go play with other boys. I am in mom-protective-mode now and seem more upset than Bryce even is. Bryce simply took what he said literally and went to brush his teeth and spray cologne. I'm pissed because I know for a fact, Bryce doesn't stink and has pearly white smelling fresh breath. I make sure of this. So now this is an attack on me!

I explain to Bryce that Josh must be jealous because Bryce is so cool. Bryce asks me what jealous means. I say, "Josh thinks you are cool and he wants to be like you, but isn't as cool, so he puts you down to make himself feel better."

Bryce says, "So Josh wants to be like me?"

I say, "Yes!!"

Bryce says, "But why would Josh want to have stinky breath?"

My poor little guy. He believes this kid, even though he is just a jerk. My heart hurt and I was pissed and felt like walking up to the kid and giving him a taste of his own medicine. Since I am PTA president, I don't think playground bullying a 1st grader will look so good for me.

Bryce puts his cologne on in the morning and has me smell his breath after he brushes. He says, "Now Josh can't say anything!"

I understand this is a part of growing up and that a fair amount of teasing is OK. But when it is your kid, and you know the other kid is a brat, it makes you mad and sad. I don't want Bryce to have this complex about how he smells when he is a clean, well kept kid. Now he is very aware of how he smells and he shouldn't be worrying about that yet. And for those of you who know Bryce, he is a sweet kid. He would NEVER make someone feel bad like that, and for this I am proud of him. I am proud of how he handled it too. He is such a man already. There was a problem, he went and fixed it, by brushing and borrowing Dad's cologne!!

See when your kids get older, you think things will get easier. They won't fall when they are walking like when they were first learning around 1 year. You make it through the tantrums around 2 years. You tell yourself when they are babies and toddlers that protecting them and teaching them will get easier when they are older and can think for themselves. In actuality, it doesn't get easier to shield your children, the challenges just change from sharp ends on the table to bully boys on the playground.

Speech to the Students

To be honest, I'm not sure why such a positive message would be so controversial! Whether you are republican or democrat or other, when the President of the United State wants to address the youth or anyone for that matter, I believe they have earned our attention. For anyone who missed it or thought this meassage should not be aired...here it is to enjoy or pick apart:

Highlights Of Summer

This summer was our first official summer, since it was the first year Bryce was in school. Up until this, everyday kind of seemed like a summer vacation in the fact that we didn't have much to do. Tomorrow is the first day back to school so I wanted to highlight all the fun times we had this summer.

I love the time we get in the summer. We stayed in our jammies all day, or went swimming at my moms, played with our good friends, had tons of bbq's, and threw in a couple fun family trips as well.

I am sad to see the summer gone so fast. I love not having a schedule and just waking up and relaxing or seeing where the day takes us. I am a little emotional about my little guy going back to school too. He is a full day student now and Leah and I will for sure miss him when he's gone all day. He's new teacher won school district teacher of the year last year though, and I'm excited to see his growth this year. Leah will also be starting preschool a couple times a week. While I look forward to the free time, it is a reminder that my little ones aren't so little anymore.

Fourth of July @ Marina Del Rey
Fishing at the marina

Jethawks

Day at the beach

Watching Daddy play softball

Boating at Lake Mead

Backyard FUN

Disneyland B-day trip

Jet Museum

Berry Star with our best bud Cody