Ebay and The Cold of Doom

These are my frustrations of the day! Ebay and Pay Pal that won't release the hold on some money from a book Hubby sold and The Cold of Doom that I've been dealing with for two weeks. TWO WEEKS. tWO. Weeks. Everytime I'm starting to feel human, I relapse into the Queen of Tissues. Bleckh! I'm so thankful Hubby's been home to care for me in my ailing state and deal with the monkeys. Speaking of...our baby has a new skill. Wanna see??


Oh, and Hubby's at the grocery store for me right now:) I'm so blessed!

Merry Christmas!

I hope ya'll had a wonderful, blessed day yesterday! We had a relaxing day at home with my two monkeys playing with new toys all day. The big hits were the Disney princess cd player (fake cds) and the huge basket of dress up stuff I've been hiding in my closet for close to three months.

Today we're sorta back to our routine, but Hubs is still home and he took Chloe to gymnastics this morning. I've been bit by the cleaning/organizing/getting rid of the junk bug so we'll see how much I can get done before the in-laws visit in a couple of days. I always get this way around New Year's day, and usually that is our big cleaning day. But this year I'd love to start the New Year with a clutter free house.

I'm also feeling super motivated to lose the baby love all over my body. I feel like someone has taken over my formerly athletic and trim little figure, like it's not really me in these fat pants. I haven't been this motivated since last summer when I started the Atkins-debacle. (Lost about 15lbs in two months, gained it back in about three weeks:) So I'm trying to figure out how to create a healthier lifestyle with realistic work out goals.

Fitness bootcamp actually sounds great.

Anyone have an extra $100 a month for fitness bootcamp? Yeah, me neither!!

Hubby got me an armband ipod holder and workout headphones so I'm thinking of getting up early to run or ride my bike....I'll let you know how that goes!

Be blessed today internet friends!

Election Day

I am not a fan of politics. Really, it stresses me out. I feel like I never know enough to discuss the issues and discussing them in my family (parents, sibling) is not really an option as they have opinions that are the exact opposite of mine. Things get heated. Confrontation makes me uncomfortable.

I don't love either candidate this time around. But I have to look at the issues that are important to me and see where each candidate stands on them. Abortion. Traditional marriage. Death penalty. Protecting America. Even considering these things I still question a candidate's true character. Is he a chameleon, changing his passion for these causes to fit the audience he is attempting to sway? I'm not apathetic about the election, as my family thinks, I just trust that God is in control. He knows the outcome already and He has a plan for our country.

Sometimes I feel like my vote does not even matter (darn that electoral college!) living in California. Honestly, CA is not going to turn red over night. We do however have many state propositions that are a big deal this time around! So yes, Hubby and I voted, even if half our ballot might as well be blank!

What are your election thoughts??

Back to "The Strong Willed Child"....

So the other day I was chatting with Hubby and I said I thought Chloe had really started growing out of the terrible twos and she'd been so pleasant to be around lately. Not many discipline issues, very sweet and respectful.....well...I spoke too soon.

Last night confirmed to me that I need to pick up "The Strong Willed Child" from my nightstand where it's been sitting for the last month or so and read it, again, and completely.

We had a battle on our hands in the form of pasta and homemade applesauce, aka: Chloe's dinner. She's been taking a few bites, saying she's full and then asking for a snack 20 mins later. Well Hubby wasn't havin' it last night and he made her sit at the table for an hour after everyone else was done. She tried every trick in book to get down from that table and Hubby was firm. She didn't eat, but she stayed, and she did not get a snack when she got down. I'm gearin' up for another round tonight. Maybe tonight I'll man up and help out instead of whimpering in the corner like last night (it was an emotional day, that's my excuse!).

If anyone has any suggestions to get my almost 3 yr old to actually eat her food, I'll be indebted to your forever!

Death knocking at my door...

After spending the past few days with the stomach flu I am so thankful to be a semi-functioning human today! It all started Saturday when Hubby wasn't feelin' too great; we were planning on going to Sea World but by 2:30 we realized that was not going to happen! I got struck with this minion of Satan about 9:00 Saturday night and have been near-death ever since. (Can you tell I'm a bit dramatic at times?). So yesterday we packed up the girls and sent them to my parent's house so hopefully they wouldn't catch the bug, and thank goodness, they're fine so far. This morning I feel okay, just really weak still, but not too weak to blog :) It's medicine for the soul, I say! Here's Chloe this morning: "Mommy, are you feeling today?". Not feeling good, just "feeling". Hopefully the kids will stay healthy and I'll be fully recovered for MOPs tomorrow! Hubby stayed home today to help with the girls so I can rest some more (I can hear them screaming at the breakfast table right now...). Better go rescue Hubby!

Visit with old friends

The past few days have been big on reminiscing in our house. We had my old college roomie and hubby's old roomie (now married, with one child- yes, we set them up way back in the day, a source of pride for us that we were so successful in our matchmaking!) visiting with their cute little baby girl. She fit right in in the House of All Things Pink.

So there was lot's of remembering the carefree days. The days of freedom without responsibility. The days of college pranks. The days of being young(er) and in love and living without restrictions (other than our private school dress code, dorm curfew, mandatory chapel attendance, restriction on dancing and walking on the landscape-because walking on landscape leads to premarital sex-didn't you know?). A lot of sharing and laughing over silly teenage mistakes. But it got me thinking, now that I have kids, what do I want them to know about me as a younger Lisa? Do I want them to know about going to frat parties and other dumb mistakes I made? Do I want my girls to see pictures of me dressing a little (or a lot!)on the trashy side?

Despite being a Christian since I was 14 I definetly made A LOT of choices I'm so not proud of as they definetly were not glorifying to the Lord. I cringe at the thought of my girls hearing some of these stories. It terrifies me that they could repeat my mistakes. I know it's definetly a possibility and this impresses upon me the importance of prayer interceding for my chilren. I constantly pray for them that they will accept Christ at a young age and lead a life that glorifies God. However we all have "those moments" and make "those choices". One book that 's been huge for me in praying for my children has been this:


Stormie really challenges the reader to pray over every aspect of your child's life. At times it's a bit overwhelming, honestly, there is soo much to pray for. But it's a great guide and reminder of how important prayer is. I may remember all the mistakes I've made and not-so-great decisions but the Bible says " As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him" Psalm 103:12-13

A Perfect Day!

Today was wonderful. Cool, almost cold, temperatures and tons of fun up in Oak Glen! This was our first time taking the girls up to pick apples and we had so much fun. Chloe was a brave girl and rode Casper the pony and both girls loved picking (and eating) a ton of yummy apples. It rained a bit while we were up there but it was still beautiful and the girls loved the rain. Chloe got the giggles when we got home by saying "I rode apples and picked horsies from a tree!". Quite the entertainer that one is....here's some fun pictures of our day:

Grouchy

Have you ever had one of those days where you're so grouchy and there's really no good reason for it? Yesterday, today....hmmm....

I just can't seem to find the true joy of the Lord and my poor husband and children are suffering because of it. I really have no good reason to be grouchy. There are a few nagging things that are bugging me but really I'm so blessed and should be shouting with joy daily.

Mommies are not perfect. (Gasp!) Let me reiterate. We are not perfect. We snap at our kids, make sarcastic comments to our husbands, yell a little bit (or "speak passionately"), and have these days. It's hard to recover from them because they involve (gulp) apologies and repentance. Both of these are hard for me sometimes. Especially when I have no good reason for being grouchy! It's kind of a big deal for me to be vulnerable on a blog (with all of my 2 readers getting a glimpse of this rare moment!). I like to think that I have things together,but maybe this is one of those humbling moments the Lord likes to bless me with.

I need to get out of this funk today. I'm watching my sweet friend's twins and it's one thing to be grouchy to your own kids, it's totally another to be grouchy with someone else's kids! So I'm off to pray, pray, pray for joy today (and tomorrow), make some Mickey Mouse pancakes and listen to some goofy music my kids love. Any ideas for cheering up (or sharing of your own grouchy moments so I don't feel like such a jerk) would be welcomed with open arms!

Not too much Mommy...

This is Chloe's new favorite phrase. I heard it a few minutes ago when I was pouring some Chex in a baggy for her to eat in my bed (since yes, it's 6:35 and she's awake for the day). I have also heard this phrase when I was spraying my hair with hairspray, spraying myself with perfume, putting on make-up and eating a cupcake. My daughter, the minimalist.

Aside from Chloe's need for moderation, this week's been pretty uneventful. Yesterday my bestie came down for a spur-of-the moment visit with her baby boy. Sidenote: I'm still deciding if I like that term "bestie". Bff is a little over-used. But whenever I type bestie, I see "beastie". Yikes! Hubby and I are going to an Angel game tonight, an adults only adventure with another couple. Yay for babysitters!

I'm a traitor because I chose sleep over the last 30 mins of Gray's Anatomy last night. But seriously expecting a Mommy of two small children to willingly stay up until 11 to watch tv is totally unrealistic. Since we have not yet joined the TiVo generation, I'm praying the episode is online. Did I miss anything good? Let me know, I hate waiting to know, you won't spoil it for me!
Have a blessed weekend!

Up on my soap box

I'm climbing up on my soap box for today's post. Get ready. It's a rare occurance.

My kids do not watch much television. We do Sesame Street and Blue's Clues, almost always from On Demand, rarely on the actual channel. But on that long, rough day when Mommy does not feel well and the sky is falling I'd like to be able to let them watch a little more that usual without fearing that they'll lose their innocence because of a wayward cartoon character. Maybe it's just me but I do not want to hear the following coming from my 2 year old's mouth:
1. Stupid (D.W. on "Arthur")
2. Oh my gosh (Mickey Mouse on "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse")
3. NO, I don't want to!! (Caillou on "Caillou")- I could go on and on about Caillou, this kid is so stinkin' bratty and disrespectful towards his parents!

I'm going to stop now because it just makes me angry that I even have to worry what is said on a CHILDREN'S TELEVISION SHOW! Even when our On Demand channel is on the commercials they show in between programs are for violent and sometimes scary movies and shows. What is going on?! I know, I know there's an easy solution to all this...no television, or just watch our Veggie Tales and Baby Einstein.

Let's not even get started on Bratz dolls....

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Today is my sweet, selfless Husband's 27th birthday. (That is really old!) I am especially thankful he was born as now I get to be married to him and have beautiful children with him!

A fun Andrew story to celebrate this day....
How we met: It was our sophomore year in college, Andrew was a new transfer student. I was playing powder puff football, and Andrew was coaching. (sidenote: I LOVED powder puff! I scored one of the three touchdowns our class scored in three years! Pathetic, only three touchdowns in three years, whatever.) So I totally thought this new coach was pretty hot stuff, but thought he was interested in my cute best friend (as most guys were!). Well, game day arrived and being the fashionista that I am (yeah right) I changed my underwear to match my game shorts...which meant....I was wearing a black thong. Sorry for the overshare, but it's crucial to the story. So here I am, the powder puff stud of '01, intercepting the senior's pass, running down to the end zone, and what's this? A senior girl grabbing for my flag, oh wait, that's not my flag, that's MY SHORTS. And what does the entire school see as she desperately hangs on? MY BARE BOOTY. Embarassing. I did score the touchdown, by the way. And why am I brave enough to share this 8 years later on a blog? Because I got a hot husband out of it, ya'll!! He always says that is what got him hooked! We started dating a few months later and have been together ever since!

Happy Birthday sweet Husband!! You are the most selfless, caring and amazing man I've ever known. I love you!

Finally Friday...

Finally! Why did this week seem so stinkin' long??!! Was it the 95 degree weather? The 1 year old who cut 2 molars (a little early?!). The monster tantrums Chloe had yesterday?? (Including throwing herself on the floor as we're leaving a restraunt! Yep, I was that mommy!).

I'm so over running my air conditioner! Seriously! (I really like exclamation marks today!). Yesterday I told Chloe that Mommy was grouchy- she had just intentionally wiped her runny nose on my new shirt- and she said "Let's pray for you Mommy!". Love her. To end this super long week I'm going to make a list of a few things that I loved this week...

1. Creme Brulee coffee creamer. Yummy!
2. The coupon we used last night at BJ's (med pizza, salad/soup for 2, pizookie for 19.95).
3. Watching Ava Joy become a walker!! So cute! She get's very excited and claps her hands as she realizes that she's walking- this often makes her fall, still so cute.
4. The 7 scrapbook pages I got done this week- hence the reason for 3 days without a blog....
5. Teaching Chloe to play red light/green light yesterday. She soo didn't get it, very comical.
6. My pumpkin spice candle.
7. Fun with MOPs ladies on Tuesday.
8. The "Wicked" soundtrack.
9. My two new shirts from christa-taylor.com (Check this website out! Sooo cute! It's nice finding fun clothes that are still modest and mommy-friendly!)
10. The promise of a fun, relaxing weekend with my family, celebrating Hubby's birthday on Sunday!

Blessings ya'll!!

Another Saturday

Here's a few fun moments from today, Chloe's comments included:



"Stinky toot Snoopy! You need to go poo-poo?"


"I throw Snoopy!! He's stinky!" (Such a loving child...)


"Oh Snoopy, I forgive you!" (Once again...she's a lover!)

Sad Day

I struggle right now to understand God's plan in life. His plan for a young mommmy with two young children, whose unsaved husband takes his own life. His plan for these kids to grow up without their father. His plan for my sweet friend, now a second-time widow. His plan for this father, who never believed, and selfishly chose to abandon his best friend and mother of his children. His plan for their friends and family who are devastated.

Repeatedly throughout my own seemingly insignifigant trials in life I've always been able to assure myself that God has a plan for whatever I'm dealing with. But why does His plan have to include terrible tragedies such as this one? I feel confusion, anger, and an overwhelming sadness for my sweet friend and her precious kids.

Take this time to hug your loved ones, assure your children you love them and give your spouse a kiss. Trust in God's plan. He holds our lives in the palm of His almighty hand.

Gymnastics

Now that Chloe is almost three I've decided it's time for a hobby and because I really am crazy, I decided to sign her up for gymnastics, adding to our hectic fall schedule. So yesterday was her first class. Am I like the other mommies who sent their kids in comfy old sweats? Nope. We went out bought a leotard. With sparkles on it. I slicked her hair back in a Shawn Johnson-style ponytail. Why all the effort for her to roll around on some mats for 45 minutes? Because I'm super-competitive-mommy of course!!

I loved watching my girl, don't get me wrong, I do think the most important thing in this endeavor is for her to have fun (and burn off lot's of energy before naptime!). But it killed me that she was not the best in her class. Granted she's the youngest (a 3 year old class full of almost 4 year old boys- she'll be 3 in November). She's never done anything like this before and is not so great in the coordination department yet. I still expected her to cruise down the beam with grace and be doing back handsprings down the tumbling mat! It's that competitive bug, I'm tellin' ya! I played competitive softball for 16 years and I love to win!! I always wanted to be the best at what I did and being a mommy is no exception. How is that proven to the world? By the success of your children!! (I have issues!) My husband, on the other hand, is totally not competitive!! The exact opposite of me!!

So I chatted up Chloe's teacher after class and she assured me that Chloe is exactly where she should be and after a few weeks of class the ADD will wear off (my girl ran off a few times to play on other equipment-oops!!). And I had a major heart check when we got home. I reminded myself of the purpose of gymnastics- fun and meeting other kids. I reminded myself that she's only 2 (and even Shawn Johnson wasn't doing backhand springs down the mat at 2- there's still time!!). I will not push my daughter. I will not be a crazy mommy. I will not have unreasonable expectations. I will be thankful for the beautiful, clumsy, ADD child God has given me. But tell me this.....there is a bit of a resemblence isn't there???

Happy Birthday Joy Baby....

My girl is 1 today! My sweet, brown eyed, snuggle bug is 1. Where does the time go? This time last year we had a freak summer storm that knocked out the power at the hospital (no air conditioning makes one cranky mommy in labor!). I had a fabulously easy labor and three pushes brought out my girl. I couldn't believe how big she was! 9 lbs!! I'm so thankful for her, her sweet smile, and goofy laugh. Her middle name describes her perfectly (probably why I call her Joy more than Ava).

So on this special day, Happy Birthday Ava-girl!! We are so thankful for you and blessed to have you in our lives!!
Love, Mommy

Reunion....

One of the biggest blessings is God bringing old friends whom you have lost touch with back into your life....this was the case for me recently! My best friend from junior high and I were reuntied (thanks Facebook!)and it's amazing to see how we can pick up just where we left off when we were 13! It's been 12 years since we've seen each other or spoken and it felt like not a day has passed! This girl first started planting seeds of the Lord in my heart in 7th grade, and I became a Christian in 9th grade, largely due to her influence. We were dorks together in junior high and now we both have hot husbands and have decided we're definetly the type that get's better looking with age! We met up last Saturday night and our families got along so well and we had so much fun catching up!! I wish I could find a 7th grade pic to post but that's probably lost in the pit of storage that is my closet. Here's our pic from Saturday....



Praise Jesus for sweet friends.

Mommy's in a time out....

Yes, I put myself in time-out. In my room. In front of the computer. I've had enough. I feel like a doormat, a dirty, smelly old doormat! Our house is a disaster, which since Andrew's been home to help me out, it shouldn't be. But it is. I've been trying to clean this afternoon to get ready for our 1st annual Olympic opening ceremonies party, but each time I put a toy away, 4 more come out. Each pile of laundry I put into a basket spawns three more dirty socks or shirts on the floor. The television I so carefully cleaned with Windex is once again covered in baby drool and handprints. DVDs on the floor (out of their cases of course). Our life has been so crazy these past few weeks that cleaning has not been a priority. Let me tell you...a dirty house makes a grouchy mommy.

More doormat factors: twice at Sea World last night Chloe and I were in a bathroom stall and while I was doing my business she opened the door and flashed me to many excited Sea World guests. Not fun.
I cannot even describe the amount of times my darling Ava has bitten me these past few days (while nursing of course!).
I'm going on 3rd day hair. Two day hair is my limit.
I had to share my fruit and cheese plate from Starbucks this morning with Chloe. Did she want the raisin bread, the yummy treat mommy can't have? NO! She wanted my gorgeous strawberry! (I'm not a bad person, I just get stingy with my food around my kids since I never have a chance to eat all of my own meal, let's just call it Mommy-Greed!)

So now my dear husband is vacuuming. Sweet guy. The girls are screaming. Last I heard Chloe got flicked for squeezing Ava's head again (Ava who has been banished to the exersaucer for the fingerprint offense...). I guess my time out's over and it's back to the chaos. Happy Friday!