Caffeine the Wonder Drug!? definitely not, but I like it.

So, I am probably the only "Mormon Mom" who will briefly endorse Coca-Cola! Just hear me out. I have terrible pain in my face and teeth with this sinus infection. Nothing has really taken away the pain until....my McDonald's Coke this afternoon. I called Rob and asked him to look up if caffeine can aid in pain relief. He found some articles that say when paired with Tylenol or Advil it can help with pain. He also found some articles that say it can increase inflammation and pain. Naturally, I am totally disregarding the fact that I am on my fourth round of antibiotics and my fever has basically broken. I want the validation for my vice, is that so wrong?! Yes, it is. Anyway, I really think it helped. I made the realization when I shook my booty to the Backyardigans on TV with my kids...I felt better! YEAH! Today, Coke is my hero. Tomorrow, I am back to trying to kick my one a day habit. (which really isn't that bad, but we all have to feel guilty about something)

Like Father Like Son

Luke is at the impressionable age of 3 1/2 and lets just say he picks up on everything. Today after a long day of not feeling well. I was drying Luke off after his shower and he says, "I loooove Johnny Cash!" "WHAT," I reply. "Yep, that's the new music me and my dad love. We listen to it in the blue car," explained Luke. This is just one of Rob's questionable influences. (sorry if you love good old Johnny)

A few weeks ago Luke had a friend over and the two boys chose what they wanted to be when they grow up. The little boy said, "an Astronaut!" I thought, wow that is cool for a nearly 4 year old to choose. Then Luke says, "I'm going to be a tiger hunter!" SCREEECH! Hold it! ROB!!!!!!! Rob has been really interested in taking up the seasonal sport of hunting. We have tried hard not to mention or discuss it around Luke as I do not want to devote too much conversation to killing animals, guns, etc. We have been to Bass Pro Sports Shop and Luke did see the quarter machine shooting range and thought it looked cool. But, I guess we haven't done a good enough job at explaining that we aren't aspiring to be hunters as a profession. Since then, we have ceased using trigger (excuse the pun) words and he hasn't really shown any further interest. Too bad I can't say the same about Rob's interest in taking up hunting :).

I won't go into any more detail about the various disgusting boy habits my son has picked up from his father. I know the good ones out weigh the bad, but man... MEN!

I'll bet he needs to clean his mouth out with soap!

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=BzjLlqIuVhI

Think healthy thoughts!

Please! All of you who read this PLEASE think healthy thoughts and send the vibe our way! I am dying! I think I have a sinus infection and once home from church began to claw my face off and pull out my teeth because of the pain. The line of sinus pressure to severe pain without any medication doing the trick has been crossed. Yes, I will be at the doctor bright and early tomorrow...antibiotics here I come! Anyway, I write this partially in jest, but mostly in tears as I plead for good health vibes for me, Rob, Carys and Luke (who are still not 100%). Hey, it may not help the pain or illness, but it couldn't hurt, right?

So, do you feel sympathetic yet? Or have I sucked you dry with the pink eye pictures and emails?! I spared you a picture of my gross eye, but some friends can attest to its nastiness. Hence, my nickname, "Pinky!" It's sad when I have nothing else to post about, right? I guess it is true what they say...misery loves company! Just kidding, I wouldn't wish this on anyone! Again, I say, STAY HEALTHY!

Did I miss the spring weather report?

Why? I repeat. Why?? Why can't I go shopping and find anything appropriate for the season we are in? Namely winter. This has been bugging me since I went shopping for some winter dresses for Carys right after Christmas. I went to Target, Babies R Us, and another store and couldn't find one single long sleeve dress! There were sleeveless dresses with spring flowers, lilac sashes, and white satin ribbon! Easter?! I do realize that in many parts of the country winter has been in full force for quite some time now, but we are just getting started. Shouldn't retail companies base their inventory on the location of their individual stores and the needs of the local customers? I am not a business woman, but it doesn't make me more eager to buy spring clothes. I don't even know what size my kids will be in the spring! Do you feel me or am I just a whiner?

Carys "Pinkeyes"

I thought this picture was funny because it looks like a mug shot! She actually took another one smiling so she isn't feeling as bad as she looks. I can't wait until Carys wakes up with her face back to its normally beautiful form. We have not been lucky in the illness department this year. It has been VERY frustrating for mom as she has to rearrange schedules, take them to doc appointments, and basically become slave to the laundry and snotty noses...not fun at all. It is true that you do crazy things for the ones you love. Needless to say, I will be happy when this winter season is over!

Why is it never enough?

Now, don't worry, this isn't going to be some big negative rant and rave. :) I was simply thinking about my day. Today, I went to the NVCC bookstore to buy a textbook and then went major grocery shopping for the week and some. Then, I proceeded to go home and feed both the kids lunch, unload the $150 worth of food, and get them ready for naps. Oh, yeah, I ate somewhere in that time too. This was not a crazy day at all, but I made a conscious decision not to do housework this afternoon before I took the kids to their babysitting co-op at 4. Instead, I browsed a book order form for Luke's school, showered, and hung out with Luke watching a movie. I was laying there enjoying Luke's company when I felt this overwhelming feeling of...GUILT! Now, you moms out there know the feeling. Why couldn't I just feel good about the two big errands I ran that took up my entire morning? Wasn't that enough? Why did I feel lazy or neglectful of my duties? I mean, so what if I was going out to dinner at 5 and got a 4 hour kid-free break tonight. Couldn't I take a break with the kids around? Is there some commandment that is unstated, but known, that moms, "shalt never see let their families/kids see them stop?"

Sometimes I wonder if the message I am actually sending is that perfection is essential or that to be a good parent you must kill yourself every minute and you better act like you enjoy it! My house may be messy today but it isn't everyday, right? What is my problem!? Maybe I'm afraid the mom police will arrest me for my short-comings? :0

OK. This is beginning to sound like a rant, but I am saying most of this in my most sarcastic and jovial blogger voice. I found it amazing that I had to talk myself out of feeling guilty about nothing! "Julie, you had a productive day. Julie, you are allowed to sit still for 1-2 hours while your kids do too. Julie, enjoy it and work on the house tomorrow or Monday...after all it will still be waiting for you." (Am I the only one who has conversations in their heads about guilt?) Well, it worked! I lounged luxuriously in my disaster of a bedroom with my kid and my pillows! I then went out to dinner and ate yummy food with a good friend! I think today I believed what I accomplished was enough for me and my family! I consider this a break-through! Woo Hoo!

Eating me out of house and home and Carys' other new tricks!

Many of you know that I am fond of food! I make no secret of my love of fast food, particularly McDonalds sausage egg biscuit and hashbrown breakfast meal. (I have cut back to 1-2 times a week...woo hoo!) Well, my daughter is no petite petunia, but she isn't hefty either. Man, can she throw down some food! Tonight we went to the Old Country Buffet with my family. Luke, who has been having 2 lunches every day this week, only ate macaroni and cheese and fruit. All of the adults ate ourselves sick, but Carys really gave us a run for our money! I couldn't believe the amount of food she ate. She out ate Luke by three and she downed odd foods like mushrooms and zucchini. The dish of ice cream was by far her favorite though. I better come up with some better meals to serve at home because I have not yet inspired such an appetite at home. Probably says something about my cooking?! :)

Other notes on Carys:

She has been so talkative lately! She is adding words like crazy! Now she says, mama, bye, hi, up, down, go, poop, cheese, co co, dad dad, mom mom, shoes, socks, book, blanket or something like it, cracker, and some others I can't remember right now. I love it that she is copying everything and learning new things everyday. Today she tried to play rock paper scissors and use her fingers to do 1 + 1 like emom and Luke were doing. She dances like a rock star... stomp stomp shake your bootie! She cheeses for the camera and protests loudly when she is offended. My favorite thing lately is that I feel like I really have a little girl. She made me put makeup on her cheeks and eyes (empty makeup brushes) and then looked fondly at herself in the mirror! I about died laughing!

Kids say the darndest things!

Well, as usual, when my family is around Luke picks up some new sayings or games. My mom in particular is a big kid when it comes to Luke. She is often found playing "giant hide and seek" where she is simultaneously teaching Luke his "F" sound as he practices, "Fee Fi Fo Fum!" as he searches throughout the house for his hiding "Emom." She also teaches him odd songs and games like rock paper scissors, which he loves. She has a way of turning everything typically mundane into a fun toddler game. At times it leaves me feeling oddly exhausted for her...I can barely keep up with the kids let alone play hide and seek! I guess that is what grandparents are for, right?
So, here are a couple of Luke's cute quotes some of which can be attributed to my mother.

Luke: Emom?
my mom: Yes
Luke: Carys' blanket is a disgrace to humanity! (speaking of the nasty blanket she carries everywhere and most likely needs another washing)


While playing his leapster he tried to go to Level 2 and I tried to tell him to go to level 1...
Julie: Luke, go to level 1...that is your level
Luke: No, I want a bigger challenge! (he proceeded to level 2 and yes it was a challenge, but he did allow me to help at that point.)

New lyrics to a song I was taught as a kid and emom has passed on to my kids:

Ooh Eee Ooh AH Ah Ting Tang Walla Walla Bing Bang! Ooh EEe Ooh Ah Ah Ting Tang Walla walla bing bang oh baby!

I will try and get it recorded because it is pretty cute to hear him try to say these correctly!

I took a dog quiz...I thought it was funny!

Woof woof! You're a Bernese!

No bones about it, you're a good-hearted, people-loving Bernese Mountain Dog. Down-to-earth and loyal, no one works or plays harder than you do. You put your nose to the grindstone when it really counts, but you never neglect your social calendar. Simultaneously strong and sweet, you're very tuned-in to the feelings and needs of the other dogs you run with. Without having to be asked, you always have a helping paw to lend and a sympathetic shoulder to lean on. "Communication" is your middle name, and when that's paired with your unswerving devotion, you get a breed that everyone respects and trusts. Woof!

Yep, I am joining the political blogging bandwagon

How do I compete in this political world of double standards and judgments?

Before I address my question I should give some background. I, by nature or should I say by nurture, should be a staunch conservative and very charged at every election time. Just to paint a picture, my mom even went to a Bush Rally and was partially photographed in the paper during the "miscount" in Florida. My grandparents religiously listen to Rush Limbaugh and swear by FOX NEWS. While, I share most of their political views, I have really tried not to be as emotionally into politics as a whole. Then, I went and married the son my mom never had, who is very diplomatic and researched and up to date on political issues. Rob's love of politics began at a ripe early age and hasn't really stopped. In many ways, I feel inadequate among my family and friends to even air my views for fear I haven't researched both sides enough to spew facts to back my opinions. I also don't care for the stress it would bring to my life as I am unable to half care about something. I would research and therefore defend my conclusions much too passionately. Honestly, I can talk and armed with the right ammo/research would most likely win many a debate. Perhaps that makes me politically lazy.

My real problem lies with the ugliness surrounding politics, politicians, and citizens during these times. I have a problem with the expectation that politicians should be super-human and without flaws. They are expected to never change their minds and to also change the world we know. We don't elect government officials to play God. (Maybe that is societies' problematic view..too much power in government.) I hate the judgment we pass daily on every word, deed, and ill-timed smirk a candidate says or does. What do we really want? How unrealistic can we as a people be? One person will never change it all and expecting them to say so leaves us with empty promises of perfection. Doesn't anyone get tired of the personal discussions about these men's personal lives? Doesn't anyone grow weary of analyzing them with a fine-tooth comb and a magnifying glass?

I guess in conclusion to this rant, I just wish the people of this country would rise to a taller stand and truly stop watching debates to watch other humans flounder and stop laughing at the men who are actually stepping up for a job none of us could/would do. Does that excuse their immoral actions? No, but does judging them excuse societies' immoral actions? It is amazing the lack of sincerity and over-all lack of forgiveness that exists in our political world or world in general. In fact, it is sadly telling of how our society has taken a nasty turn. Also, what is this business about not allowing these human candidates to change their minds ever? Who do you know that has never made a mistake, changed their mind on a topic or issue. How do we expect these men to be all-knowing. It is no wonder our presidents are getting god-complexes. We give them to them. I am sure the elections in Washington and Jefferson's times were heated and controversial, but were they concerned with how they prayed? whether they were appropriately intimate with their spouse? how they cooked their eggs? or combed their wig? I mean really!

I do not shun political debate and discussion. I merely think we should chose our candidate or favorite based on good and realistic standards. I believe in freedom of opinion. I believe in freedom of choice. I just don't like the ugliness this whole business brings out in normal, educated, and usually reasonable people.

I will probably feel differently tomorrow. So, please don't take my blog post as gospel on Julie's views or hold me too accountable for this "freedom of speech." :) Just laugh as I am right now. In the end, I usually turn off the news and say, "what will be will be." Thank goodness I have a government/gospel to raise my kids with.

And yes, I am definitely a republican and I pretty much choose my candidates based on the moral issues, which to me, are black and white. Sadly, that is getting harder to do as the moral line is getting
less and less clear for the candidates. I don't agree with gun control, abortion, gay marriage, raised taxes, increased government interference or control. I don't like the idea of socialized medicine. I do like the Federalist views in having state governments. I hate the idea that our government is "supposed" to give us our "deserved" handouts. I hate the idea that government is supposed to save all...where is our responsibility and accountability. This is what democracy is about...self choice, independence, and freedom. Not being held under the thumb of government or taking from their hand our food, medical care, money, businesses, etc. what do we deserve?...to work hard and make our world happy and teach our children to be honest and to have integrity so they don't perpetuate the cyclic problems in our country.

Crazy kids!

My kids have been really fun lately! They have also been sick a lot...but that aggravation is a whole other post. (luke has double pink eye as of Monday morning...watch out Church friends he got picked it up on Sunday!) Anyway, Luke is a difficult sleeper. He fights it tooth and nail. Even when he goes to sleep, he tosses around like a crazed kid. What more do I want from a kid that I had to swaddle until he was 1? One night Luke treid to hide from us and wait until we found him to put him back in bed. Well, we didn't hear him and thought he had gon eto sleep. We didn't go upstairs until much our bedtime. I was messing around in my room when I see soemthing move on the floor. It was Luke's foot. He fell asleep under our bed! It was so funny. Carys has been a spit-fire as she learns to assert herself. All my angst about barely meeting her needs because she was so easy going was worthless. She has no problem letting me or anyone know her desires or disgusts! Girls and Boys are different. Luke couldn't care less about messes or matching clothes. Carys, on the other hand, already wants matching shoes to play in and sort of organized her toys. She is much more systematic in her approach to her toys. She also seems a little more obssessive. ANyone who knows her knows her attachment to her blanket. There is no touching that blanket...it is undoubtedly hers. She decided to play with the game Cariboo (cranium brand) and she literally spent an entire day dropping the balls in the holes and using a key to open each slot until she found all the balls. It took very good fine motor skills so I was very proud of her, but all day? What stamina! Luke would never have lasted that long! Speaking of doing things all day...Luke has been SIR KNIGHT LUKE MORGAN all day fighting dragons and goblins! Here are some more PICS! OK no more after these!

The train expo!

Luke, Dad, Dad Dad, and I went to the local train expo. It was a fun outing. I don't know who enjoyed it more...the grown men or Luke?! They had the coolest race tracks. I had no idea how big the train hobby/interest was. I guess you could really spend some money on the elaborate trains and tracks. It was really neat. My favorite display was a coffee table that had glass panels and encased a train track/city on a smaller scale. It was awesome! Kids would think it was the coolest...too bad I can't take a second mortagage to buy one ;)

Christmas Eve Pics

Luke was an angel/shepherd!


The yummy dinner minus kids!

The crazy wolves have spilled on their shirts and now need a break!


Mary (Carys) on her donkey! (BEN) HA HA!


Joseph (DANE) wants a ride too...forget that prego!


We also got to meet our dear friends for breakfast the weekend after Christmas. Morgan is Luke's best friend, but do you think he'd pose for a picture with her? NO! Carys did though. They exchanged gifts and it was nice to see them for a short while.

Christmas Fun!

The Santa spread!


So, I know that I have MIA for a little while. Sorry. I am going to bore you with my Christmas update and some extra stuff we've done lately. Plus, there will be lots of pictures, too!

Christmas was wonderful this year. Luke really understood Santa and so after asking three different ones for a pirate ship you can imagine what a believer he became when he got one! Carys was a little nervous about all the new toys. She immediately made a bee line for her old toys on the shelf. I think she was a little bit overwhelmed and wasn't sure what to do next. Luckily that only lasted a few seconds and she caught on that those toys, namely that kitchen, was for her! She had a blast with her new baby and disappearing milk bottles too. We tried to make the race track a "family gift." I didn't want to referee between the kids. Well, our idea was great, but the kids don't care and they still go at it at times. Carys surprised us by loving the race cars! She shakes them up and watches them race around the track like a pro. My favorite gift this year was a bread maker from my grandparents! I have wanted one for a while. The best gifts are those that you really didn't' think would come and from those that couldn't possibly have remembered I mentioned wanting it a year ago. I was truly surprised. I also love the leapster Luke got. He actually drove in the car playing his game all the way to Waldorf, MD! He never asked for a movie once! Woo-Hoo!

There must be a separate paragraph discussing the food surrounding Christmas. :) To start off, I have been on a cooking spree. The holidays do it to me every year. We had tons of goodies and our butts are reflecting as much! WE spent Christmas Eve with our friends the Sorensens. They made a beautiful and delicious dinner. The kids played (aka screamed and ran around) while we ate and laughed about our attempt at a fancy dinner. IT was the best! The kids opened PJs and Brynn made Nativity outfits for the kids to do the Christmas story. For some reason, I have made it through my entire life without ever doing this or even seeing it done. I know, I know, did I live in a hole? Hey, I never missed the Christmas lights and I know all the Christmas carols, doesn't that count for something?! Anyway, it was tons of fun and thanks to the Sorensens for putting up with our motley crew for the evening. Our next big meal was Christmas brunch complete with the classic egg strata casserole, muffins, and juice. It is just about my favorite breakfast! (I should freeze some year round.) Christmas dinner was ham and my FIRST HOMEMADE PIE!!!! Yes, I made the crust, the filling, the everything! IT was a lemon chess pie and it was perfect! Flaky, sweet and tart, set just right and Rob approved...he is the biggest pie critic I know! He was so proud of me and it made it so worth it. We also made the standard Christmas cookies and I tried some macaroons dipped in chocolate...they were sinful! Alright, have I devoted enough to the food? Christmas Rocks!

On a more humble note... I felt so much love this season. It was as joyous as it should be. Thanks to all who spread the spirit. Thanks to my family who made this Christmas very special for us!