Reality TV & Me

Things I love (besides my family), serving in the community, hanging out with teens, reality tv, good food. How lucky am I that today I got to combine all these things and end up with a fun filled day! A little known factoid about me; my minor in college (yes, I had a major AND minor regardless of those nightmares I have where I have yet to graduate) was Youth Service Administration, so basically along with all the biomechanics, kinesiology, A & P, and Math that I took, I also took classes in how to plan, program and operate events. Fun stuff!! So, while it's been a few years since I've used my major (Kinesiology) I am super fortunate to have a job where I use my minor.
Today a group of us from our church's youth group headed into Seattle to the Union Gospel Mission, where we were fortunate enough to be allowed to serve lunch. It's so amazing to me that while we go to "help" those "less fortunate" we're the ones who end up being blessed. I also love watching the teens serving and helping with such enthusiasm! I have an awesome job and get to spend time with awesome teens!
Where does the reality tv fit into all this? I love, love, love Man vs Food, although, watching it always makes my hungry! I saw the episode in Seattle and decided then and there I needed to go to Beth's Cafe. So after we served lunch we headed over to Beth's Cafe, and I think Marissa summed it up best when she said, "My omelet is like a yummy fluffy pillow". We did not, individually, partake in the 12 egg omelet challenge, 5 of us shared in the sheer deliciousness of it. Not going to lie, as I'm writing, I'm thinking man that was one good omelet - when can I go back?!
While I'm reflecting on the people we served today and the sheer deliciousness of the food, I can't help but be thankful for a wonderful day (AND it was sunny to boot!).


Group in front of Beth's Cafe

Extreme Couponing, or Beginning Stages of Hoarding

I love, love, love shopping, and one thing that I love even more than shopping is getting a good deal. When I saw there was a show called Extreme Couponing I new it was right up my alley! But here is my question - what is the difference between extreme couponing and hoarding? Is it that everything purchased is a good deal, or maybe because it's "stockpiled" neatly? Maybe because they have plans to use what they buy? Which leads me to the question, when do you know you have enough? I mean, how long will it take a family to go thru 500 bottles of body wash, and at what point in time do you say, shoot we're getting low on body wash, only 200 bottles left, time to start stockpiling again.

I think companies are loving the show and using it to their advantage (that and our love of consumerism) - think about how many store adds you see now where you can mix and match for a better price, or buy 4 boxes of cereal and get $1.00 off. I went to the grocery store the other day to get milk, and they had a special buy 4 of a certain type of yogurt and get free milk; so I'm thinking sweet, milk is what I'm here for, so I started selecting my yogurt flavors only to stop myself and think, "I'm willing to spend $8.00 on yogurt that may or may not get eaten, to get a gallon of milk that would otherwise cost me $2.50". I put the yogurt back, but it was hard to do, because I thought I was missing out on such a great deal!

There are somethings that I will buy in mass quantities (although to me that means 10 at the most), when they're on sale. Goldfish - yep, Capri-Sun lemonade - a staple for my boys, toothpaste - something we use everyday, soda - of course. But the other day I opened my pantry to get out cereal and thought oh my word we have too much food in here! I could never be an extreme coupon-er because for me it'd probably look a bit more like hoarding, which is one show I can't watch because all that stuff gives me anxiety!!

So where do you find the balance in spending to save and knowing when is enough? These are the questions that wake me up at night. How am I a good steward with our money; making sure I am taking care of the family but also being generous with the resources God has given us?

Oh, the paper is here! Time to look thru the sale ads!

Men are from Mars and Women Aren't and other Gender Related Issues

I know that's not technically the title of that popular book that came out years ago, that was all the rage, giving us Scientific evidence that men and women are different. Glad someone cleared that up, because it was confusing me!
Those of you that know me well, know we're not a family big on "gender roles". If women want to work outside the home, fine by us! I'm, actually, very thankful for those women who have diagnosed my sick kids, and those who have faithfully and lovingly given them a quality education.
Feel free to quote verses at me night and day giving me your Biblical perspective/interpretation - I know them all! I went to a VERY conservative school growing up, where when women got married, they could no longer work at the school - except for my Kindergarten teacher, maybe because her kids were grown, I don't know, never really thought about that until now...
Anyway, I digress...
I have friends that stay home, and friends that work, and choose not to judge them or their decisions. I have been fortunate to have a job that lets me put family first, and I'm able to drop my kids off every day at school and (most days) pick them up. Over the years I have had many "professional" aspirations, but I've always known I wanted to be a wife and mom.
Now, while we don't have the stated "roles" in our house, we do have unspoken "understandings". I plan the meals, do the majority of the shopping and cleaning; if it's inside the house, I (mostly) take care of it; if it's outside I consider that Adam's domain. Lawn needs to be mowed - Adam, windows need to be washed - Adam, deck needs to be stained - Adam, dinner needs to be BBQ'ed - Adam.
Which leads me to tonight's dilemma - Adam is out of town (country to be exact) and the boys wanted burgers and I wanted a steak. Now, not getting married until I was 29 has also taught me to be somewhat independent, but BBQ'ing is not something I've ever done. I can start the grill, but once it's time to put the meat on, I'm clueless! And we all know steak cooked in the oven is just not as good! I'm kind of proud of myself - I went to the store, bought the meat, sucked it up and asked the guy behind the counter how the heck to BBQ. You know - didn't turn out too bad - ok the boys burgers were a bit burned, but what with my fear of e-coli and all, my motto is you can't cook burgers too much, and while my kabob was a bit more done than usual it was pretty good!
Will I make this a habit - no. Do I want you to come over and teach me to mow my lawn - no. Am I looking forward to my husband re-entering this time zone and coming home - yes.
But for now I'm glad I had a good dinner!

Stop "Shoulding" Yourself

This morning when I stepped on the scale (a daily habit that I should probably break), I thought, "I've should start eating better again". Then I went downstairs to let George out (the dog, lest you think I'm practicing poor parenting) I looked at my treadmill and thought, "I should really use that thing more often". The other day I started a blog for Thornley and thought, "I should probably post something on my own blog". So while I was drinking my coffee this morning, I was remembering a conversation Adam and I had where he said we really need to stop "shoulding" ourselves. I was also recalling something I heard at church and I'm not sure if it was Adam or this past Sunday, but the thought of just wanting something isn't enough, you actually have to DO it. Wanting to follow an eating plan, wanting to use my treadmill, wanting to post on my blog, wanting a clean house (my list could go on, believe me) isn't going to happen by moping around wishing and "shoulding". I actually have to decide to do something about it.
Part of my problem is I look at other people's blogs and think, "They're so creative, I could never do that", or, "They're such a good writer; if I wrote like them, maybe someone would read my blog". Then the verse, that I so often have to remind myself of whilst the shoulds are taking over, comes to mind, "...you are fearfully and wonderfully made". So while I may not be as creative, or as funny, or as skinny, or as in shape (again, my list could go on) as the majority of people out there, I AM wonderfully made by God, which is something to be proud of.
I am also a firm believer in leading by example, one of my favorite verses being, "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps". Perhaps a bit out of context, but if I want my kids to be healthy, to enjoy the outdoors, to take risks and be creative, I need to show them how, lead by example and encourage them.
Here is hoping for more doing and less wishing and shoulding!

When I think Pride is OK

You hear it preached how wrong pride is, how pride goes before a fall, etc, but I feel like pride is ok when you realize it has absolutely nothing to do with us, and everything to do with God. This weekend was a big one for the Andersons! Adam was in Denver at our denomination's mid-winter conference and was being interviewed for ordination. This has been something he's been working towards for about 13 years, and finally he's been recommended for ordination! He will be ordained in Word and Sacrament this June in Minnesota. It will be a time of celebration for our family! My parents were here this weekend and we were planning our trip. I'm excited and I'm very proud of him, fully acknowledging it has nothing to do with me, and frankly not a whole lot to do with him, but mostly how God has been working in Adam's life oh these many years that this goal has been in front of him.

The boys were baptized today, which was super fun! Adam has been preaching on John the Baptist and his work preparing the way for Jesus, so Adam and his ministry leader (and more importantly his friend) felt God calling them to have our first baptisms at E(x)tol. The boys have been asking about baptism for a while, so it was a sweet moment for our family to have Adam's first baptisms be of our boys. I was proud of both our boys and Adam as well, again, fully realizing it has nothing to do with us but everything to do with God's working in their lives.

Another very precious moment was our friend reaffirming her baptism and her son being baptized. So amazing to see God's work!

There is a video on facebook on Ncc Extol's page if you want to check it out. Otherwise here are a few pictures.

Trying to find the Silver Lining

I was going to say, "Life is what you make of it", but I don't think that's totally true. I think life is what we let God make of it, and how we choose to react to it. I was thinking today at church that I can either choose to let situations get me down and continue to flounder around, or I can realize God's given me a pretty good life and instead of having a pitty party, I need to CHOOSE to look at the bright side. My friend, Andrea, is GREAT at this; whenever she is telling me about something that could bring her down, she laughs and says, "...but what can you do about it". I love that!
My kids have been driving me crazy. Just plain crazy! Today has been a better day, for which I am thankful. I need to be thankful that I have to (somewhat) happy, healthy kids; not all of my friends can say that, so while they're throwing tantrums and making me say bad words in my head, I need to see them as the blessing God intended them to be (not going to lie - easier said than done).
My husband is going to be gone 4 out of 5 nights this week, and for our 10 year anniversary we'll be going to Thornley's Cub Scout Pinewood Derby. I know, it's how everyone wishes they could celebrate a decade of marriage - last year they at least had pizza, hopefully this year we'll be so lucky! My husband is gone because he is blessed to have a job that he loves, that he is good at. I need to be thankful that he's only gone for the evening, and while it's hard at times especially at bedtime for the boys, he's not off fighting in the war like some people's husbands (regardless of what you think about war, you've got to be thankful for those that serve).
Our house, which I so lovingly refer to as the "half-ass house" because that's the kind of job the previous owner did on the house; is a house. That we own. Sometimes I feel it's too big, and hard to clean, but we have a house, with running water, heat, food in the refrigerator and clothes in the closet (and all over the laundry room floor).
I would love to be more like my friend, Andrea, and be able to laugh and say, "Well, what are you going to do". Because maybe, just maybe I shouldn't be praying for God to change my situation, but to change ME in my situation. Maybe I should start looking for the silver lining as opposed to the constant cloud cover!

Meghan's "Real" Math

2 children + 2 nights with babysitters + not enough sleep = a long day!

Oh my goodness! The first week back at work/school has been a long one!

On Tuesday night my friend's son, Kyle, watched the boys - a good time had by all.
On Wed night our friend Janet watched the boys; they made 2 cakes and had a great time.
On Thursday and Friday we stayed up a little too late, which led to a long, tantrum filled day!

We went to the craft store so I could use a coupon and get some scrapbooking stuff to start my Project 365 album (9 days in, and I've only forgotten to take a picture one day - that's pretty good for me), and Thornley and Adam needed to get some stuff for Thornlely's Pinewood Derby car that "they" are making tomorrow. I met a friend and her son at the store and showed them what they needed so her son could make a scrapbook of their recent trip. I don't know what transpired between the men in the family, but when we get in the car Thornley says to me, "I bet if you had known how today was going to turn out, you would have reconsidered marrying daddy. He's just mean." I think 7 is too young to explain to Thornley that had I NOT married Adam, Thornley wouldn't be around. I'll save that conversation for another day.

Bedtime came early, and I can only hope that for all of us tomorrow is a better day!

I'd love to post something fun and happy, but you know me, I like to keep it real!

The Simple Life

Wasn't that the name of Nicole Richie & Paris Hilton's show a few years back. That is soooo how I would describe myself right now; drinking a glass of 2 buck Chuck, typing on my 5 year old computer, lamenting about my husband's 10 year old car that wouldn't start last night and is in the shop, but they can't find anything wrong with it. Yes, Nicole and Paris, I'm right there with you!
I've always wanted to live a "simple life", and am wondering how that is possible while living in such a consumeristic place like we do. I'm not talking Laura Ingalls, go out and get my eggs from the chicken and milk from the cow so I can make breakfast (although, some days I'm so ready to throw on the calico and braid my hair), but more along the lines of how do we enjoy the simple things in life with all the madness going on around us? How do we sit back and relax, when there is always so much to do?
Adam and I (well, mostly just me, Adam kept leaving the table because of a migraine) were invited out to dinner the other night with a bunch youth pastors from the area, and I was sitting at a table with a newly engaged couple that were going on and on about the way things were going to be when they got married. And while it was fun to listen to and reminded me of Adam and I back in the day, I found myself being somewhat cynical, thinking, "Sure, that's what you THINK things are going to be like, but reality is so much different". Then I got to thinking, is it really, or do we just sometime sell out because it's easier?
Last night at youth group Adam was talking about life being a mess and living a life of obedience to God, even though we don't always get it. During our small group time one of the girls said, "Being obedient sucks sometimes", and I couldn't have agreed more! Why is it so hard to do what we're supposed to do, instead of what we think we want to do? Why is it so easy to sell out and go with the flow?
So maybe there is my answer, the simple life is like the obedient life; it's not always the fun option to choose and it doesn't always make sense, but in the end I'll look back and be alot happier for choosing that path.
Not going to lie, I will still continue to wrestle and struggle with this, because sometimes the over the top, the new and the flashy LOOKS like it's more fun!
Oh, and the problem with the car is a part under warranty - so yay! Other than renewing AAA so we didn't have to pay for the tow, it won't cost us a cent!

Things that make Meghan Cry

I'm not known to be a big crier, or at least before kids I wasn't known as a big crier. But there are a few things that make me cry, always, no matter what.
Survivor videos from home. I remember watching Survivor Australia in our living room in Idaho and they got videos from home and I sat on the couch and cried and cried. I'm sure I was home alone, bawling because these people were seeing videos of their loved ones from home.
Biggest Loser Finale. Just discovered this show two seasons ago, and I always cry at the finale. Don't know what it is, but the whole before/after transformation gets me every time.
Graduations. No matter what, I cry. I cried when Thornley "graduated" from Kindergarten, and it was just a silly 15 minute ceremony in class.
Confirmation. Every year on confirmation Sunday, there I am, listening to the 8th graders testimonies crying.
Baptisms. Whether I know the people or not, I cry. This summer I was visiting a church and it was baptism Sunday; I knew not a soul in the building and I sat there and cried.
Hmmmm...maybe I do cry alot and I'm just in denial.
Adam is planning E(x)tol's first baptisms, so I asked the boys if they wanted to be baptized. They asked if they had to be dunked in the lake and we said no, it was just sprinkles on Sunday at church, and here are their responses...
Me, "Thornley, do you want daddy to baptize you?'
Thornley, "In the lake, heck no."
Me, "No, just at church, this is what he'd do (proceeded by me showing him how you "sprinkle" baptize), all you have to do is say that you've asked Jesus to live in your heart. Does Jesus live in your heart?"
Thornley, "Duh, of course he does mommy, remember?"
Although, Thornley does not like being in front of people, so this is stressing him out a little. I assured him that E(x)tol is very dark, so he won't really be able to see too much. He's looking forward to it (I think).
Jack rounds the corner, so I say, "Jack, do you want daddy to baptize you?"
Jack, "Yah, sure, that sounds good."
End of conversation.
So if I cry when random unknowns are baptized, you might want to buy some stock in Kleenex before the weekend of Jan. 24th!

Back to Life, Back to Reality

First day of the alarm waking me up, first day back at school, first day back at work; yes, we're back to life as usual and we're back to reality...
Reality TV that is. In just a short bit of time I will be laying on the couch and watching the new season of The Bachelor, and tomorrow night one of my new favs - The Biggest Loser.
But for now, it's time to get lunches and snacks packed and ready to go, because wow it's painful when the alarm goes off so early!

Best of Both Worlds

No, not in a Hannah Montana sort of way, although I am thankful my niece keeps me up to date on what's going on in the pre-teen world! Sometimes I am very sad that I don't live by my parents, and don't get to see them as often as I'd like. But, I also like to consider myself very fortunate that I not only was born into a great family, but I have a great church family as well. Seriously, the knowledge I glean from friends is invaluable (thanks Andrea & Janet).
Sometimes it's easier to learn from people you AREN'T related too, which is why I'm excited that I have friends who know how to cook and sew that are willing to impart their knowledge on to me :) (again, thanks Janet!)
I'd like to learn to live a "simpler" life, and be more "homemade and crafty". I truly am jealous when I see things people make and I think I could NEVER come up with anything that creative!
My first mission - tea towels. Lame and simple, yes, but really I do know my limits and abilities! The material came today, and I'm kind of excited about it!

New Year, New Ideas

It's only day 1 of the new year and already I'm thinking, "Nah, I don't need to blog, I've got nothing to say". Well, nothing exciting that is - I always have something to say :)
Today I did my annual scrapbook day with some girlfriends, a tradition started years ago when we would hit our local haunt - The Bee's Knees, for their all day New Years crop. Sadly, TBK is no more, but the tradition continues, so today I loaded up my car with all my scrapbook paraphernalia and headed over to Cori's for a day of scrapping fun.
My oh so crafty, love her scrapbooks friend, Michelle, told us about a project she's been working on. Last year she committed to Project 365 which is where you take a picture a day and journal about it. She showed me her (super cute - I'm jealous) album with the fun pictures and stories about life at her house. What a fun idea! So this year, I decided along with blogging more, I'm going to try that out.
That got me to thinking, how often do I just go day to day trying to get thru one day and on to the next. I thought this might be a good way to make me stop and think about our day - the good and the bad - and remember life in our family.
If you think this sounds fun and want more info, here is the site http://www.beckyhiggins.com/projectlife
Adam is getting the dad of the year award because he's taking the boys to do super fun stuff this week! I think he's making me look bad - although, I did take them to Chuck E Cheese AND Family Fun Center. He and the boys spent the morning at the aquarium (membership already paid for itself - yay) and the afternoon at the zoo. I'm so glad my kids like that kind of stuff and that Adam is patient enough with them to let them look and explore and enjoy - not just get from one exhibit to another!
And on a total side note, what's with the Pac 10 and Bowl games this year - dang!
See, I told you I always had SOMETHING to say!

New Year's Resolution

Does anyone still check my blog? I don't blame you if you say no. It has been a while since I updated! With the New Year starting tomorrow a bunch of people in Facebook land have been asking who is making resolutions and what they are. Mine is sort of general, but if I follow thru will actually encompass quite a bit. I want to be more disciplined in the coming year: you know, setting my alarm and actually getting up, saying, "I'm going to do _____ today" and do it, oh and ACTUALLY updating my blog! Sometimes I feel there aren't enough hours in the day, but maybe, just maybe if I say I'm going to try to live a disciplined life I will find a bit more time to do the things that I want/need to do!
Must go drink some caffeine if I have any HOPE of staying awake for the New York New Year I told the boys we could celebrate together!
Happy New Year!

Are We Turning into THAT Family?

We always said we wouldn't sign our kids up for this, that, and the other: every season a different sport, swim lessons, piano lessons, art lessons, blah blah blah..., especially since the boys are only 5 and 7, and I refuse to pay good money for an activity until they are able to really understand what they're doing and retain the information.
That being said...
The first week of school Jack brought home a brochure from Bellevue Park and Rec, and after looking thru it, we decided to sign Jack up for indoor soccer lessons. It's once a week, for 45 minutes, on Tuesdays while Thornley is still in school. I think it will be good for him, especially when the rain starts! He seems excited - he is the sports lover, so hopefully this will be a good experience for him. I do refuse to become soccer mom, who has to refinance our house to pay for year around soccer teams, but for now, it should be something special and fun for him.
Thornley has no interest in sports of any kind, so we decided to sign him up for piano lessons. He went for his introductory lesson yesterday and really liked it. He has early release on Weds, so Adam was able to get him a lesson right after school, and will take him; which is perfect because I don't have early release on Wed, and otherwise he and Jack just hang out with me and teach my class important stuff like how to arm fart.
Hopefully, we won't turn into that family that has a list a mile long of all the things they "have" to do on any given day because of all the activities their kids are signed up for! First of all because we can't afford it, and second of all because I've been convicted more and more lately that they're only kids once so they need lots of time to just be a kid and use their imaginations and PLAY!

Christian-ese

Give me a moment while I hop up on my soapbox - yes, it's a nice view from up here, testing - one, two, is this thing on...

You know, kind of like Chinese, but it's the language Christians speak.

I went to a VERY conservative high school (Eagle Pride, baby, Eagle Pride), so I am fluent in Christian-ese; you had to be, or you couldn't get your diploma; really, you could smoke and drink as long as you were off campus, but if you knew the lingo you were golden. Which may be why I'm having these issues as of late. You know I am addicted to facebook, LOVE IT, and have reconnected with many friends from high school, which leads me to this post.

I logged on to check out what all of my "friends" were up to, and I read this status update, "Praise God for He is faithful to those who love Him..." this person is referring to a mutual friend whose baby is sick, apparently he (the baby) is responding to treatment and doing better. But my question is this, isn't God faithful to ALL of us, it is US who are lacking in faith? And what about the gal who played basketball on the team I coached (low those many years ago), who also has a child in the hospital that will most likely die - does she NOT love God, and is He not being faithful to her?

Maybe the solution is I shouldn't spend so much attention to facebook, but still, I wonder, how do we communicate our faith and relationship with God without being all holier than thou and totally offending and alienating those who don't share our beliefs. If this is annoying to me, imagine how those who have a different view/opinion of God would feel about comments like this.

Stepping off the soapbox now. Thank you, I'm here all week...

Lunch Date

Day #3, and we're still liking school! What a difference a fun teacher and a best buddy in the same class makes. Or maybe, just maybe, Thornley is growing up...
Yesterday was Tuesday (obviously), and I had told Thornley I would have lunch with him. I told him this, not because he was an emotional stressed out wreck, yelling and screaming all the way into class, like last year, but because he asked, "Mommy, will you come have lunch with me?". It was a bit of a pain logistically speaking, as Jack gets done with school at 11:45, and Thornley's lunch isn't until 12:15, but I figure, there will come a day when he doesn't want me anywhere NEAR the cafeteria, so I'll take him up on the offer while he's still excited to see me and maybe, just maybe, on a good day, even admits to liking me.
Jack is liking Kindergarten, is thrilled to be learning Spanish, and ecstatic that he had homework tonight.
I realize we're just three days in, and still in the "honeymoon" phase (although, last year three days in was pure hell, so, so much for that theory), so I refuse to tell myself we're going to have a good year. Although, I tell the boys all the time it's going to be a great year!
Walkathon coming up - let me know if you want to sponsor my people!

First Day Hurray!

I won't brag or boast, because who knows what tomorrow brings, but so far so good on the school front! I am exhausted, and so are the boys, but they enjoyed their first day of school, which makes life so much easier on the home front. Thornley must really like his teacher, he actually did his homework before I asked, AND read in Spanish!
Jack was so cute, grown up and serious (so NOT Jack) waiting for his class to start. He said school was a bit boring (sound familiar Andrea?), all they did was practice lining up and sitting correctly at circle time - all important aspects of school I told him. Perhaps tomorrow they will learn some Spanish and get homework (something else he was upset about, so I made up homework for him).
Thornley is GIDDY about school, his best friend is in his class which right there makes for a good school year. He tried to complain, but in the end admitted that his teacher is fun and funny and he likes her.
What a difference a year (and a lot of prayer) makes! Hoping for continued success and a fun year!

Hola Kindergarten

Tonight Jack had his "meet the teacher" for kindergarten, he was SOOOOOOO excited. Even Thornley wanted to go along to see his room and show him the ropes of actually GOING to school at Puesta, not just hanging out in the library and lunch room, although, Thornley asked me if we could go in the office and ask who HIS teacher was going to be - a bit of anxiety going on as he won't find out until tomorrow or Friday. Heaven forbid we find out too much in advance lest all us angry parents storm the office demanding our children switch classes - seriously people, help the anxiety ridden youth out!

But I digress...I like Jack's teacher, I think she'll be a great fit for him - sweet, friendly, but no-nonsense get down to business type. I'm trying to be fair since I ADORED Sra Bier; I'll give this one a fair fighting chance and assume the best. jack went in, introduced himself, found his seat and sat thru her "presentation" where she explained what goes on during a "typical" day at kindergarten. She talked a lot about picking up and dropping off and the bus schedule, perhaps this is why, when at the end when she asked for questions Jack raised his hand and asked, "If our parents forget what time school starts, well, what do we do about that?". Dear, sweet, Jack, I love you, but believe me, I'd never FORGET to take you to school! I was proud of him though for raising his hand and asking a question.

He's excited, and so is Thornley, although he'd never admit it. This is the day I've been waiting for - both my boys in school every day, and yet, it makes me sad at the same time. They're getting so big...sigh...

With this ring, I...

...become a ring bearer.



The boys did such an amazing job on Saturday! They looked so handsome in their outfits, they didn't complain once about being hot (until after the ceremony and then Jack couldn't get his tie off fast enough), walked down the aisle no problem, passed the rings off to the appropriate people, and even - get this - SMILED for the pictures, yes ALL of them. I guess going to all those wedding with me paid off, because they were like professional ring bearers. I think I may hire them out; if I meet with a bride and she doesn't have a ring bearer, I may offer my boys - for a small fee.



Thornley wanted nothing to do with watching the K-I-double S!

We interrupt your _______________

I have a few guilty pleasures, and those of you who know me know one is reality tv, and one is my love of People/Us/whatever kind of magazines Erin brings me. I must also admit, I have read both of Tori Spellings books. Love them, she is hilarious! I finished reading both of them while we were in Maui, and perhaps she has inspired me to write a book of my own to my children. Some things I would tell them...

It shouldn't surprise you that when the two of you play tag team wake mommy up in the middle of the night, so I sleep for two hours am awake for two hours and then sleep two more hours before you wake me up for the day, I am not going to be in a good mood. I know you don't have a clock in your room, and you've asked for one, but especially in the summer, if the sun isn't up yet, you shouldn't be either. Just saying...

The bathroom door is shut for a reason, and when I say I'll be done in a minute, I'll try to hold true to that promise. You banging on the door and yelling my name is not going to make things move along any quicker.

Along with the last one; when the shower is running, chances are that means I am in it, and am not able to log on to the computer for you or turn on your favorite tv show.

Oh, and daddy is a very capable man, so if he's home you can ask him to help you as well. Just in case that didn't cross your mind.

Yes, I love my kids and we're having a great summer. They have been troopers and have done/gone pretty much whatever/where ever might be on my agenda for the day. I love spending time with them, but really, is it asking too much to take a shower and go to the bathroom without interruption (I totally was going to say, "take a shower and a $&*#, because that would have gone so well together, but decided against - kind of)?

OK, that's all the complaining for now. Must go to bed because even though my 8th grade Science teacher told me you can never "catch-up" on missed sleep, it doesn't make me any less tired from my whopping 4 hours of sleep last night. The temperature has dropped a degree inside the house, so we're now at a frigid 87 degrees, brrrrrs! Anyone want to donate to the Anderson Screen Door fund, so we can keep our kitchen sliding glass door open at night to cool the house off, just let me know!