(inspired by Shellie)
If I had a year left to live I would ......
Vacation in Europe with Superman. We'd see the fields of green and castles in Ireland. We'd hit Rome and Venice in Italy. The Eiffel Tower in France. We'd go to Germany, Spain, Greece.....I'd wanna see it all. Might as well go to Israel while we're there.
Move back to Kansas (near the fam.)
Be part of the community musical theater program. I'd ask for the lead role, since I'm dying and all.
Start family traditions. Pancakes every Saturday. Stories, singing and cuddle time every night. Regular Family Home Evening. Friday movie nights/camping in the living room. MEMORIES.
Make a million home movies of all that stuff.
Bear my testimony every fast Sunday so my children would remember me testifying of Christ.
Take a road trip with my sisters-in-law. Probably to Forks. Then Port Angeles since that's where all the shopping is. We'd do some serious shopping.
Roll on the highway after midnight with Kelli. (We did it as teenagers.)
Climb the water tower in Mayfield, KS. Play truth or dare.
Have a weekend sleepover with my SILs, mom and MIL. Watch Moulin Rouge, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, and Glee. Lots of pizza and popcorn and Diet Dr. Pepper and Red Vines and Junior Mints.
Go hand-gliding.
Go bungee-jumping.
Karaoke.
Go to a taping of The Colbert Report. And Ellen.
See a good show on Broadway in New York.
Go to an American Idol finale.
Try out for American Idol. Why not?
Teach my younger brother what women want -- then tell him to STAY AWAY till he's at least 21.
Eat out a lot. Olive Garden and Chili's come to mind. And Tucanos. Definitely Tucanos.
Go to Disneyland as a family. Off season, for at least a week. I've never been. (How sad is that?!)
Go to the beach.
Eat chocolate every day. (I do that now and probably only have a year left to live because of it.)
There's more, but that's pretty comprehensive. Feel free to play along. Or just tell me something that'd be on your list.
4.29.2010
4.24.2010
Inquiring minds want to know......
What are you thoughts on spanking?
I'm talking about spanking your kids, you sickos. Get your mind out of the gutter.
Sher asked the same question on her blog and rather than write a massively long comment, I decided to share my thoughts on the matter in my own forum.
In the aMayzing household, spankings are a last resort. We give warnings and time-outs. They're generally effective. Really, the only time spankings come into play are when the boys are out of control in time out. Like when the Hulk kicks the door while he's in time out. Even then, I'll open the door and tell him that if he kicks the door again, I'm going to spank him. Then when he kicks it, I follow through.
I never spank when I'm angry. I've been careful about that. In fact, just the other night, Spiderman was throwing a HUGE fit and was in time-out. Superman was the one who had disciplined him and I was in the other room. In the midst of his screaming, Spiderman yelled, "Dad you're so stupid!"
That's the first time he's ever said that. (Big shout out to the neighborhood kids for teaching him that one.) When I heard it, my first reaction was SHOCK. Then I ran into the kitchen, took Spiderman by the shoulders and said, "You. Do. Not. EVER. Say. That." I was angry. I WANTED to spank Spiderman. But I didn't, because I knew it was because *I* was angry.
So spankings are a last resort for us. Warnings and time-outs are fairly effective. I'm also a big believer in de-escalation and stopping the fit before it starts.
A few days ago I saw an article on my Yahoo! homepage that caught my eye. The headline said that studies had proved that spankings led to more aggressive behavior. 3-year-olds who were spanked more than twice a month were 50% more aggressive as 5-year-olds than kids who weren't spanked. (And twice a month isn't a lot.)
But as I considered this regarding my own children, I had to wonder if there was any way to take personality into account. Meaning: Spiderman has always been much more mellow than the Hulk. Spiderman has just always been more likely to obey, and therefore hasn't been spanked as much. The Hulk, on the other hand, has always been more passionate. He's REALLY happy, or REALLY mad. He's quick to forgive and love, but also quick to anger. (The de-escalation really comes into play with him.) He's just more aggressive by nature. Consequently, he's received more spankings than Spiderman. He's probably going to be more aggressive as a 5 year old than Spiderman is.
For the record, I'm not saying that his aggression is okay just because it's part of his nature. I'm just saying that it's part of his nature and always will be. And I don't know that there's a way for any study to take that into account. The kid's going to get more spankings because he's more likely to kick the door.
What are your thoughts on spanking?
Talk to me, Goose.
I'm talking about spanking your kids, you sickos. Get your mind out of the gutter.
Sher asked the same question on her blog and rather than write a massively long comment, I decided to share my thoughts on the matter in my own forum.
In the aMayzing household, spankings are a last resort. We give warnings and time-outs. They're generally effective. Really, the only time spankings come into play are when the boys are out of control in time out. Like when the Hulk kicks the door while he's in time out. Even then, I'll open the door and tell him that if he kicks the door again, I'm going to spank him. Then when he kicks it, I follow through.
I never spank when I'm angry. I've been careful about that. In fact, just the other night, Spiderman was throwing a HUGE fit and was in time-out. Superman was the one who had disciplined him and I was in the other room. In the midst of his screaming, Spiderman yelled, "Dad you're so stupid!"
That's the first time he's ever said that. (Big shout out to the neighborhood kids for teaching him that one.) When I heard it, my first reaction was SHOCK. Then I ran into the kitchen, took Spiderman by the shoulders and said, "You. Do. Not. EVER. Say. That." I was angry. I WANTED to spank Spiderman. But I didn't, because I knew it was because *I* was angry.
So spankings are a last resort for us. Warnings and time-outs are fairly effective. I'm also a big believer in de-escalation and stopping the fit before it starts.
A few days ago I saw an article on my Yahoo! homepage that caught my eye. The headline said that studies had proved that spankings led to more aggressive behavior. 3-year-olds who were spanked more than twice a month were 50% more aggressive as 5-year-olds than kids who weren't spanked. (And twice a month isn't a lot.)
But as I considered this regarding my own children, I had to wonder if there was any way to take personality into account. Meaning: Spiderman has always been much more mellow than the Hulk. Spiderman has just always been more likely to obey, and therefore hasn't been spanked as much. The Hulk, on the other hand, has always been more passionate. He's REALLY happy, or REALLY mad. He's quick to forgive and love, but also quick to anger. (The de-escalation really comes into play with him.) He's just more aggressive by nature. Consequently, he's received more spankings than Spiderman. He's probably going to be more aggressive as a 5 year old than Spiderman is.
For the record, I'm not saying that his aggression is okay just because it's part of his nature. I'm just saying that it's part of his nature and always will be. And I don't know that there's a way for any study to take that into account. The kid's going to get more spankings because he's more likely to kick the door.
What are your thoughts on spanking?
Talk to me, Goose.
4.23.2010
ATTENTION!
We interrupt this unplanned, unexplained blogging hiatus for a special announcement:
Don't forget the Service Soapbox March of Dimes baby shower tomorrow morning!!!!
It's going to be a fun open-house style party for bloggers and non-bloggers alike, with lots of refreshments and TONS of great door prizes for those who donate something to the charity. It will be from 10AM - 12PM (open house style) at My Noah's in South Jordan (322 West 11000 South).
This is such a great charity. They help to prevent birth defects by educating low income women about how to protect their babies prenatally. Women who successfully participate in the program (by getting prenatal care, quitting smoking, avoiding unhealthy behaviors before and after the birth of the baby, etc.) are offered baby items like diapers, wipes, baby clothes, blankets, and more. We're helping by working to "stock the den" with baby items.
I'll be there with Miss Marvel. She's perfectly adorable and if you're really nice, I'll let you hold her. Plus, there's seriously like a million door prizes. If I didn't think this was such a great cause, I'd just keep all this info to myself and increase my chances of scoring some swag. But this IS a good cause, and there's so many door prizes that I'll probably still win something. Sa-WEET!
On an unrelated note: how do you moms with more than two kids go anywhere? I've gone a few places with all three when it can't be avoided. It's not an experience I'm eager to repeat. But that means I sit in the house all day while the kids and I slowly drive each other crazy. I confess that one of the reasons I'm so excited about the thing tomorrow is the fact that I'll LEAVE THE HOUSE with only ONE CHILD. And there will be ADULT INTERACTION.
These things are all very exciting to me. Hence the capital letters.
So if any of those things sound good to you, too, come! Bring a (new) baby item to donate and do some good!
p.s. the awesome Evelyn at The Perks of Life is hosting a rockin' giveaway. I love this girl's style, and that her blog is so real. It's funny, too. She's a new blog friend that I'm totally crushin' on. Go check out her blog and giveaway!
Don't forget the Service Soapbox March of Dimes baby shower tomorrow morning!!!!
It's going to be a fun open-house style party for bloggers and non-bloggers alike, with lots of refreshments and TONS of great door prizes for those who donate something to the charity. It will be from 10AM - 12PM (open house style) at My Noah's in South Jordan (322 West 11000 South).
This is such a great charity. They help to prevent birth defects by educating low income women about how to protect their babies prenatally. Women who successfully participate in the program (by getting prenatal care, quitting smoking, avoiding unhealthy behaviors before and after the birth of the baby, etc.) are offered baby items like diapers, wipes, baby clothes, blankets, and more. We're helping by working to "stock the den" with baby items.
I'll be there with Miss Marvel. She's perfectly adorable and if you're really nice, I'll let you hold her. Plus, there's seriously like a million door prizes. If I didn't think this was such a great cause, I'd just keep all this info to myself and increase my chances of scoring some swag. But this IS a good cause, and there's so many door prizes that I'll probably still win something. Sa-WEET!
On an unrelated note: how do you moms with more than two kids go anywhere? I've gone a few places with all three when it can't be avoided. It's not an experience I'm eager to repeat. But that means I sit in the house all day while the kids and I slowly drive each other crazy. I confess that one of the reasons I'm so excited about the thing tomorrow is the fact that I'll LEAVE THE HOUSE with only ONE CHILD. And there will be ADULT INTERACTION.
These things are all very exciting to me. Hence the capital letters.
So if any of those things sound good to you, too, come! Bring a (new) baby item to donate and do some good!
p.s. the awesome Evelyn at The Perks of Life is hosting a rockin' giveaway. I love this girl's style, and that her blog is so real. It's funny, too. She's a new blog friend that I'm totally crushin' on. Go check out her blog and giveaway!
4.14.2010
Four Words that bring me everlasting happiness
....or something like that.
I love my brother.
I love my sister.
More Diet Dr. Pepper?
Some chocolate for you.
This........is American Idol!
She is so pretty!
I love those shoes.
You won the giveaway!
I read your blog.....
I did the dishes.
Desmond's gonna fix it.
You look so good!
I love you, Babe.
Your house is cute!
I brought you something.
What a cute outfit!
Last time on Glee...
I love you, Mom.
This dinner is delicious!
The house looks great.
I cleaned my room!
Back to: The Notebook.
We're coming to visit!
I'll watch the boys.
You smell like {WonderWoman}
Go back to sleep.
This is my 99.5.
Flowers for you, Mom.
I wanted to obey.
I used the potty!
I love my brother.
I love my sister.
More Diet Dr. Pepper?
Some chocolate for you.
This........is American Idol!
She is so pretty!
I love those shoes.
You won the giveaway!
I read your blog.....
I did the dishes.
Desmond's gonna fix it.
You look so good!
I love you, Babe.
Your house is cute!
I brought you something.
What a cute outfit!
Last time on Glee...
I love you, Mom.
This dinner is delicious!
The house looks great.
I cleaned my room!
Back to: The Notebook.
We're coming to visit!
I'll watch the boys.
You smell like {WonderWoman}
Go back to sleep.
This is my 99.5.
Flowers for you, Mom.
I wanted to obey.
I used the potty!
What four words bring you endless amounts of joy?
Consider yourself tagged.
Consider yourself tagged.
4.09.2010
Friday musings with no common thread
I've discovered that wearing tennis shoes makes me SO much more productive! I'm much less likely to veg on the couch or waste time on the computer when I'm wearing shoes. I did the dishes and a load of laundry simply because I was wearing shoes and couldn't make myself curl up and watch Ellen.
Why is EVERY show on Tuesday now?!? Between American Idol, Biggest Loser, DWTS results, Parenthood and Lost, I'm flippin' channels like there's no tomorrow. And now they're adding Glee to the mix?! What was wrong with Wednesday? Wednesday is Superman's guys' night, and I really need good shows that night. There's only like 2 shows I really watch on Wednesdays now.
I guess what I really need is a DVR. Or, more accurately, the extra $50/month it would add to our bill.
Miss Marvel was up till 1:30 last night. Then up again at 7 when the boys woke up.
This day needs to hold either a nap or a Dr. Pepper if I'm gonna make it through. Preferably both.
Divorce is a really, REALLY common thing. It's both heartbreaking and scary to me. I can't believe how many {young} people I know with first-hand experience.
That is all. The weather's going to be GORGEOUS here (finally!) this weekend and I'm really hoping we can do something fun. What about you? Fun weekend plans?
~~~~~
Why is EVERY show on Tuesday now?!? Between American Idol, Biggest Loser, DWTS results, Parenthood and Lost, I'm flippin' channels like there's no tomorrow. And now they're adding Glee to the mix?! What was wrong with Wednesday? Wednesday is Superman's guys' night, and I really need good shows that night. There's only like 2 shows I really watch on Wednesdays now.
I guess what I really need is a DVR. Or, more accurately, the extra $50/month it would add to our bill.
~~~~~
Miss Marvel was up till 1:30 last night. Then up again at 7 when the boys woke up.
This day needs to hold either a nap or a Dr. Pepper if I'm gonna make it through. Preferably both.
~~~~~
Divorce is a really, REALLY common thing. It's both heartbreaking and scary to me. I can't believe how many {young} people I know with first-hand experience.
~~~~~
That is all. The weather's going to be GORGEOUS here (finally!) this weekend and I'm really hoping we can do something fun. What about you? Fun weekend plans?
4.07.2010
New celebrity crush?
One of the perks of being up late with the Little Miss is Mr. Jimmy Fallon:
I admit, this brought me much joy.
I admit, this brought me much joy.
4.05.2010
I've got it covered
This post has been inspired by the recent heroics of The Guardian of Virtue. You can read his tale here, on Mormon Mommy Blogs.
About 10 years ago, Superman and I started dating. One night we were sitting on my (well-lit) front porch, talking. Superman had his arm around my shoulder and I was cuddled up to him. I was in a dress that I had owned for a few years and one of my favorites. As we talked, I glanced down at myself and saw "things" that only I was supposed to see. Now, I wasn't surprised to see them, since I had seen them when I got myself dressed. I was surprised to realize that from Superman's spot right next to me, he had quite a view of the girls.
I was mortified. As soon as I realized the predicament I had put him in, I jumped up. I told him it was probably time for him to go and ran inside. I don't think we even hugged good-bye.
I felt so guilty. Superman and I had often talked in our relationship about him serving a mission. We were always focused on that and didn't want to do anything to jeopardize him going. Honestly, we were hesitant to start dating for that very reason, but the pull between us was just too strong.
Anyway..........I felt so very, very guilty. I couldn't believe the awkward situation I had put him in. And I was embarrassed. What must he have thought of me? The little floozy.
The next time I wore that dress, I had a tank top to go under it. I wasn't about to put myself or Superman in that situation again.
The next time I wore that dress, I had a tank top under it. When Superman saw me, he told me I looked really nice. (Good boyfriend.) As we were in the car that evening, he thanked me for wearing a tank top under the dress. He said that he had been really uncomfortable the last time, but didn't know what to say or do about it. I told him that I hadn't realized what I had done and I felt really bad. It wouldn't happen again.
A few months later at EFY, my male counselor talked to the girls about modesty. He said that guys (at least the good ones) really appreciated us dressing modestly. He said that one day, a guy might even thank us for it. I told the counselor that I'd already had a guy thank me for it, and I knew it was important for girls to cover up a bit.
Have you had any significant experiences with modesty? What do you (or what would you) do about little girls and modesty? Do you have a problem with tank tops or bikinis/tankinis on little girls? Do you have teenagers or work with the youth? Thoughts on modesty in general?
About 10 years ago, Superman and I started dating. One night we were sitting on my (well-lit) front porch, talking. Superman had his arm around my shoulder and I was cuddled up to him. I was in a dress that I had owned for a few years and one of my favorites. As we talked, I glanced down at myself and saw "things" that only I was supposed to see. Now, I wasn't surprised to see them, since I had seen them when I got myself dressed. I was surprised to realize that from Superman's spot right next to me, he had quite a view of the girls.
I was mortified. As soon as I realized the predicament I had put him in, I jumped up. I told him it was probably time for him to go and ran inside. I don't think we even hugged good-bye.
I felt so guilty. Superman and I had often talked in our relationship about him serving a mission. We were always focused on that and didn't want to do anything to jeopardize him going. Honestly, we were hesitant to start dating for that very reason, but the pull between us was just too strong.
Anyway..........I felt so very, very guilty. I couldn't believe the awkward situation I had put him in. And I was embarrassed. What must he have thought of me? The little floozy.
The next time I wore that dress, I had a tank top to go under it. I wasn't about to put myself or Superman in that situation again.
The next time I wore that dress, I had a tank top under it. When Superman saw me, he told me I looked really nice. (Good boyfriend.) As we were in the car that evening, he thanked me for wearing a tank top under the dress. He said that he had been really uncomfortable the last time, but didn't know what to say or do about it. I told him that I hadn't realized what I had done and I felt really bad. It wouldn't happen again.
A few months later at EFY, my male counselor talked to the girls about modesty. He said that guys (at least the good ones) really appreciated us dressing modestly. He said that one day, a guy might even thank us for it. I told the counselor that I'd already had a guy thank me for it, and I knew it was important for girls to cover up a bit.
~~~~~~~~
Have you had any significant experiences with modesty? What do you (or what would you) do about little girls and modesty? Do you have a problem with tank tops or bikinis/tankinis on little girls? Do you have teenagers or work with the youth? Thoughts on modesty in general?
4.01.2010
The next time your husband says that blogging is a waste of time...........
show him this post.
First of all, I ordered Miss Marvel's birth announcements this week!!!
They are from Sugarhouse Ink. I won a $25 gift card for the company in a Mormon Mommy Blogs giveaway and used it toward the purchase. They have a ton of cute cards, and you just pick the one you want and send them the pictures you want inserted. A girl named Sarah worked with me and she was fantastic. I was kinda picky about the wording and the pictures, but she was really great about working with me. She did three different proofs for me and I love how it turned out. (photos by a-m-photography)
Secondly, Cally made this cute bag for me!!
I won a giveaway from her a little while ago and the prize was something handmade by her. Have you been to her blog? She makes THE CUTEST STUFF. Little girls' dresses, purses, diaper bags, monsters........I love everything she makes. Including my new bag.
And lastly, the sweet Jennilyn made this quilt for Miss Marvel. She is a brand new blog friend who made this out of the goodness of her heart and some of the coolest fabric in the world.
I absolutely ADORE this quilt. I love the fabric combinations. I LOVE the green silk on the back. I love that it's large enough that it will cover her for years. I just love love LOVE it!!!
Jennilyn also sent a little sock monster out of the same fabrics and bow ties for the boys. I'd show you those, but I'm having issues with uploading my pictures right now.
These are just some of the cool things that have come to me from blogging. Some of the tangible things, I should say. Blogging has also helped me keep my sanity as a mother, helped me find my voice as a {wannabe} writer, and given me fabulous, talented friends that I wouldn't otherwise possess.
High five for blogging!!!!
First of all, I ordered Miss Marvel's birth announcements this week!!!
They are from Sugarhouse Ink. I won a $25 gift card for the company in a Mormon Mommy Blogs giveaway and used it toward the purchase. They have a ton of cute cards, and you just pick the one you want and send them the pictures you want inserted. A girl named Sarah worked with me and she was fantastic. I was kinda picky about the wording and the pictures, but she was really great about working with me. She did three different proofs for me and I love how it turned out. (photos by a-m-photography)
Secondly, Cally made this cute bag for me!!
I won a giveaway from her a little while ago and the prize was something handmade by her. Have you been to her blog? She makes THE CUTEST STUFF. Little girls' dresses, purses, diaper bags, monsters........I love everything she makes. Including my new bag.
And lastly, the sweet Jennilyn made this quilt for Miss Marvel. She is a brand new blog friend who made this out of the goodness of her heart and some of the coolest fabric in the world.
I absolutely ADORE this quilt. I love the fabric combinations. I LOVE the green silk on the back. I love that it's large enough that it will cover her for years. I just love love LOVE it!!!
Jennilyn also sent a little sock monster out of the same fabrics and bow ties for the boys. I'd show you those, but I'm having issues with uploading my pictures right now.
These are just some of the cool things that have come to me from blogging. Some of the tangible things, I should say. Blogging has also helped me keep my sanity as a mother, helped me find my voice as a {wannabe} writer, and given me fabulous, talented friends that I wouldn't otherwise possess.
High five for blogging!!!!
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