New year, new goals

Now New Years resolutions always puzzle me because the things people always put on their "lists" are thing they should be doing anyways year round. Like eating healthy, for example or exercising...hmmmmm, now there's an idea. I understand the whole concept of staring over in the new year and having a fresh slate, erasing all of the failed exercise or diet attempts. Funny how God gives us a clean slate EVERYDAY? The simple and purely humble act of asking for forgiveness just blows my mind. So I guess you can say everyday with Jesus is like New Year's day? Excellent. So I love lists, they make me feel organized and completed. I don't want to resolve anything, just have a few goals to keep me in check. To have something tangible to look at when I start to slide down the tubes....which happens a lot, mind you. So I put them in categories, and some of them might bore you, so grin and bear it. List away....

Family:
1. Less t.v, more games. It's not like I have the t.v on all the time, but I do use it when I need to get something done. Baylor loves watching movies but I think he needs to start playing games with me. I refuse to feel guilty over this subject, I'm doing a great job monitoring and turning it off, I just want to get him involved with more preschool games since he will be starting in the fall...gulp.
2. Family dinners. It by far is the hardest thing to accomplish because of two big factors. One being my kids eat so early (like 4:30 or 5) and Lonnie doesn't come home until....well, that's always a fun little game we like to play. Wait, did I say fun? Not so much. I LOVED the time we spent eating as a family (which was rare) when I was a kid. I want so badly to do this, but I will try to do it (even if Lonnie isn't home yet...he can always eat dessert with us!) No toys at the table either...Baylor insists on bring his arsenal of army men, dinosaurs and veggie tales at every meal!
3. Enough with the freak out anal planning, scheduling and germophobia. It's slowly taking over my life weather I like it or not. I'm a first born, a planner by nature and organization and cleanliness sometimes overtake me...that doesn't make me a bad person. I, in the words of Baylor, "just need to Relax." So I will try......even if it kills me.
4 Less yelling. I grew up in a family of yellers (sorry mom and dad, you know it's true) and I absolutely hate it. I find myself doing it more and more when I get frustrated and I know Baylor is picking it up and it just tears me up inside. I will take more deep breaths and pray before I open my mouth in anger.
5. I will teach Baylor his full address, phone number and how to write his name! I know he's only three, but he's brilliant. I will teach Brody how to talk.....using real words, instead of made up ones....even though they sound mighty funny.
6. More dates and game nights with Lonnie. I knew marrying a coach would come with a weird schedule, but it's even harder when you add kids to the mix. We are both busy and when we do find a spare minutes, we don't spend it together. We, by nature, are very independent people and that makes it even harder to find the time to do something together. We are still going to finish the book Love Dare, even if we're only on page three. The truth is that I need to put more effort into our marriage, it's not something that will get better with time without the hard work. No one said it would be easy either.

Life/health/friends/fun:
1. I will have more play dates over here for the sake of my kids, even if I'm totally freaked out over germs...and even if people don't want to come over here. It doesn't hurt to ask....and if they don't like dog hair, swords or cookies then I guess they can find somewhere else to go.
2. My goal last year was to do a sprint triathlon, but the whole swimming training posed a big problem because of the freaking cost of a pool pass and the whole biking thing...because I don't have a bike. I still want to do one, it just may take a while. I figure a road race is a good place to start or a half marathon. There is no way I will ever do a full one....never ever ever. Either way, I will be running a lot more.
3. Less sugar. Smaller booty. Toned abs. Goal weight. A girl can dream can't she?
4. Make more art. Sell more art. Take a trip...alone or with Lonnie.
5. Learn how to knit.
6. Learn how to play the Euphonium, Baritone or tenor horn....just for fun.
7. Take Baylor bouldering (rock climbing without ropes...don't worry, it's not that high off the ground) I used to climb all the time in college and high school and I miss it. I really think Baylor would love it and we have some great places to start around here.
8. Not care what people think. Really? Really. I don't care if they think I am a bad speller or if I don't discipline my kids the, "right" way or even if they think I smell funny. This is the way I am, like it or not. I think I'm pretty cool and by golly I'm doing the best I can.

Faith:
1. Consistent quiet times or at least scripture for the day. Doesn't matter how long it is, it just needs to be everyday. Praying too!
2. Change my attitude....for the better.
3. Consistently plug God into everything in our lives, teaching my kids more scripture and bible stories. I do it, but not as often as I want to.
4 Trust that God is in control. He is, I know it, I just need to put it into practice.
5. Contentment. With our money, living and car situation. This comes and goes, but I need to be content where God has us right now.

Well, there you have it folks. Who knows if these, "things" will get accomplished, I should hope so. It gives me things to shoot for. I'm aiming high baby.

What are some of your New Year's Goals?

Year in Review

Happy almost New Year.

Here are my top 12 highlights (blog style) from this year:

1. January 2008 http://baylorandbrody.blogspot.com/2008/01/motherhood-is-not-competition.html

2. Feb. http://baylorandbrody.blogspot.com/2008/02/by-golly-i-think-hes-got-it.html

3. March http://baylorandbrody.blogspot.com/2008/03/take-that-menards.html

4. April http://baylorandbrody.blogspot.com/2008/04/i-need-licker.html

5. May http://baylorandbrody.blogspot.com/2008/05/where-wild-things-are-aka-my-house.html

6. June http://baylorandbrody.blogspot.com/2008/06/laugh.html

7. July http://baylorandbrody.blogspot.com/2008/07/football-stars.html

8. August http://baylorandbrody.blogspot.com/2008/08/baylor-speidel-poo-flinger.html

9. Sept. http://baylorandbrody.blogspot.com/2008/09/i-aint-no-martha-steward-booger-face.html

10. Oct http://baylorandbrody.blogspot.com/2008/10/friday-15photos.html

11. Nov http://baylorandbrody.blogspot.com/2008/11/truthful-tuesday.html

12. Dec http://baylorandbrody.blogspot.com/2008/12/lord-of-bean.html

There were too many silly stories and crazy antics to choose from, but here are my faves. I learned a lot by perusing through old blog posts. 1. I sure do whine a lot (mental note, do not whine as much in 2009, find other ways of expressing displeasure) 2. Last winter sucked 3. I always seem to be tired....go figure. I'm still thinking about the ever so popular new year's resolutions (which are waaaay overrated) More like goals, less like resolutions. Here is a quick stat update for those of you keeping score:

Baylor:
3 years and 5 months
35 lbs and skinny as a rail
Size: 4T and moving up to a size 9 shoe..there's still hope. (Can anyone inform me about booster seats vs. car seats, like when to switch and age/weight? His feet are hitting the back of the passenger seat....thinking it's time for a change, but safety first...sorry totally random)
Loves: Pirates, Wonder Pets, Cars, hitting, using anything and everything as a weapon, candy
Hates: going to bed, sharing his toys, being "squished" by dad, eating

Brody:
17 months
26lbs and still a midget (all his 18 month pants are too long) Size: 18 month and size 5.5 shoe
Loves: stealing any toy that Baylor has in his hands, Lovey Lamb, eating, Buch-ho (back-hoes) and destroying all things
Hates: going to sleep, being still, the little plastic finger monsters, wearing a hat, sharing

I done got me some Vitamin D

So apparently women aren't getting enough these days...and judging by the pasty whiteness and translucent glow coming from my body, I'm not either. In fact, I'm not getting much of any vitamins unless they coffee has them...now there's an idea...vitamin infused coffee...I'd be rich. So I went to the store and bought myself some calcium (osteoporosis runs in the fam along with many many joint replacements...gee, can't wait!) and some vitamin D. I hate taking vitamins. I always have. They are as big as horse pills and they always make me sick. I don't drink nearly enough milk, although I secretly put Brody's whole milk on my cereal...soooo much better. I tend to stray away from green things, unless it's a shirt that brings out the green in my eyes. It's not that I don't like them, they just aren't my first choice. Usually brown things are...coffee...chocolate....gravy...just kidding, that stuff will kill ya...and SYRUP!! (also just joking, insert random movie line) So point being, I decided that maybe I should start taking some vitamins and since winter in Iowa usually doesn't involve a lot of sunshine, a little D was my first choice. I guess secretly hoping that the D stood for the bra cup size it would give me.....no, that would hurt my back. Sorry...hello ADD. I have noticed a little difference in my "tude" as in attitude, but that could also be due to the fact that Lonnie was home last week AND he helped me so much around the house and I've gotten some alone time...heaven I tell you, heaven. I should take a women's multi vitamin, but I don't know half of the stuff that's in there and I've never been good at taking pills regularly. Now, I know ya'll really wanted to know about my experimentation with vitamins and such. You thought this post would be cute little photos of my punks or a funny story pertaining to the boys, but instead you got VITAMINS! Wooo doggies. Why the heck am I talking...er, typing in a southern sort of redneck way? No idea. Must be time for bed. Ya'll come back now Ya hear?

Stuffed: Part deux

So my mom got an elliptical machine for her Christmas gift and enlisted the help of handy Lonnie. They spend a total of 4 1/2 hours putting it together! So much for, "sure, it's easy to put together," says Mr.Sears man.


This is my parents dog Waldo. He's tiny, he's annoying, he yips, his ears resemble satellite dishes, but he's sure cute. He's so tiny that he gets cold and sits in the bathroom with his tiny little paws on the heating vent.

Cutting the cake...in my new very early birthday shirt (thanks mom!) Hello sugar coma. Man, I need some sun.

This thing jiggles and wiggles and sings, "Who let the dogs out" really loud...ironically it's Waldo's favorite toy.

Here is handsome himself. So proud of his new found gravy making skills. He made some on Christmas day that was amazing, so he is now officially our gravy making dude.

Stuffed:Part One

All he got were some goldfish.....he's on a high carb diet...just kidding, don't worry...we feed him. TRUST ME ON THIS ONE.

TWO WORDS: MAN BOOBS (not me silly, the kid)

Baylor, the cake is supposed to go IN your mouth.

Lonnie and my mom, gravy making extraordinaries! Guess who gained a new holiday job....excuse me, Christmas job :) The gravy torch has officially been passed.

The pants are off. Sweats are on. I will not eat until next week. We had our Christmas feast at my mom and dad's today. More food than should be allowed. Pies, taters, gravy (YESS!) scalloped oysters, stuffin, meats, pickled herring (sooo good) and good coffee. I ate myself silly and since I fell off the healthy eating wagon waaaaay before Christmas, might as well stay off until New Year. More photos coming soon....from my crappy camera.

Lord of the BEAN

See, I told you he was amusing. Just a tubby little laugh factory. I dare you to watch this an not laugh.

He is freaked out by what he thinks is a bug (but it's actually a bean) He wouldn't touch it. He's yelling, "BUGGY" in case you were wondering. Hey, at least it's better than PENIS!

Fish food for dinner

Brody man continues to be our constant source of entertainment. He is still getting into everything, breaking most breakable objects, dumping whatever he can on the floor and then proceeding to do a little jig on top of his mess. Yesterday's antics were gross, but quite amusing. I had spilled the fish food all over the bathroom floor (secretly hiding it from Baylor but then knocking it over myself...nice) and wend downstairs to get the hand vac. I came back up to see a naked boy (just got done with his bath) laying sprawled out on the floor, licking the fish food up. I picked him up and proceeded to put him in the hallway so I could finish cleaning.....which resulted in an instant meltdown. He ran back in and flopped himself right back down on the floor and continued his licking...why do I even bother vacuuming when I have a baby Hoover of my own?

Numero Dos:

We're trying to teach Brody to say, "please" and "thank you" (among other things) and sometimes he just can't get the words out. I now believe what they say about the second child not talking until later. He speaks in his own language and makes up words. So I was offering him something....can't remember...my mind works like that you know....and I held it out and said, "say please" and what did I get?

"Penis"

Seriously. Did he just say penis? I looked at Lonnie...who was cracking up.....so that answered my question. "Brody, say please."

"Penis"

I'm not even quite sure where he learned how to say that...it's not like we throw that word around a lot here. It think it may be a combination of please and pizza...but it came out so very very not like please or pizza at all. So be careful what you ask for. Instead of a nice and simple please or thank you, we are now getting a phallic organ in response to an offering. Kids say the darnedest things, eh?

We're getting an ice storm today. Lonnie and I are cleaning out closets, cabinets and toy boxes in hopes of making a huge donation to Goodwill on Tuesday (quarter Tuesday baby!) Since the boys got new toys, our rule is that a few older toys that are no longer played with must go. I love cleaning clutter! I can't stand clutter, it makes me short of breath....even though sometimes our house is overrun by it. The stuff must go!!! I got a sweet slow cooker from my mother-in-law and will be getting rid of my other one, so if anyone needs one, let me know, I'll send it your way!

On a quick note, my other blog www.creativegeniusart.blogspot.com, (which features my artwork and projects) will now be featuring the amazing artwork of some of my creative mommy artist friends. I'm so excited, they do wonderful things! So check back soon for an updated art blog...maybe you'll see something you like!!!

Happy Birthday Jesus

Merry Christmas! What a wonderful day. We are so blessed to have a warm (okay, maybe a little chilly) house, food on the table and gifts to open! God is good! Here are some photos from the day and weekend events.

Who gave that to you!? Rethinking that decision now....

What do you mean you don't like being picked up by the neck little kitty?

I wish someone would give me a foot massage!

Flo, guarding the cookies (EL Fudge of course!) and carrots (for thr reigndeer)! Jesus' birthday cake was in the kitchen, it was angelfood...how fitting!

The drooling cowboy.

Remember the last minute presents from my dad...wrapped JUST LIKE THIS? Love it! It was chocolate covered cherries (like I need any more sugar!) and some Keri lotion. Nothing says I love you like large amounts of packing tape.

Christmas morning....his Pirate's Who Don't Do Anything Veggie Tales ship. He's thrilled.

On the car ride back to Iowa....much much needed shut eye for senor cranky pants.

He finally got to open his stocking after waiting for his little brother to wake up!

At Aunt Amanda and Uncle Bill's house. Brody got a bouncing Tigger!

This was nothing compared to what we had to drive through later! Lonnie did a great job navigating through stupid drivers in big SUV's. We saw wind, snow, ice, sleet and rain and when from 50 degrees to 5 degrees.

Over the river and through the woods.....

We're home. FINALLY. Through ice, snow, wind, rain...did I mention wind? Holy cow. Praise God we made it in one cranky piece. (oh yes, we were in Mt.Vernon, Illinois visiting Granny Lila and Gramps Mike, Aunt Christina, Aunt Amanda and Uncle Bill) Tons of fun. Tons of loot. Ate waaaay too much. Photos coming soon.....too tired to be witty or funny, must wrap presents....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
For unto us a SAVIOR is born!!

Dear little red pickup truck driver

Dear little red pickup truck driver,

I realize that even though you don't know me and I haven't the slightest clue who you are, I am harboring large amounts of anger towards you right now. Let me explain why. You see, we are under a, "snow emergency" in this great little town of Lisbon. When that happens, it means you can't park on a street that has the signs reading, "EMERGENCY SNOW ROUTE, NO PARKING" Now I realize that you may be illiterate and I don't mean to discriminate, but I'm pretty sure judging by the fact that THERE ARE NO OTHER CARS ON OUR STREET, you could figure it out. Your little red pickup truck that is sitting in front of our house is causing me frustration. We happen to live on a snow emergency street and so your parking there....IS ILLEGAL. It is also hindering the snow plow from plowing our street and mainly in front of our mailbox. I spent about an hour this morning with a two foot shovel (don't ask) trying to dig the mailbox out to no avail. Do you know what happens when we don't have our mailbox cleared? You guessed it. NO MAIL. No Christmas cards with cute photos, no new magazines and catalogs and no money from granny...all because you decided that parking and leaving your truck in front of our house was a great idea. Believe me, walking outside to the mailbox is the highlight of my day and you are stealing my sunshine, buddy. Another reason you are slightly ticking me off is now that they won't plow on our street...I have to lug two enormously bundled up children through large wet piles of snow to get into my car. Now I am a short person....vertically challenged maybe, and my pant legs sometimes drag on the ground. Trudging and walking through snow makes my shoes, pants and socks wet....and that makes me cranky. You don't want to make me cranky.....er. Now I realize that the reason your car is sitting there could be for many different reasons.....1. Aunt Bertha slipped and broke her hip and you rode with her to the hospital in the ambulance 2. You lost your keys as you were delivering Christmas presents to the needy 3. You ran out of gas while helping a woman with 14 children into her house. If you were doing one of those...then you can just forget this, but I find it highly unlikely. So all I'm asking is that
YOU MOVE YOUR STINKIN CAR SO THEY CAN PLOW MY STREET!

Simple as that.

Have a good day.

Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,
Unhappy mother stuck in her house with nothing better to do than write a fake letter to a truck driver who is m.i.a. I hate winter.

Amen.

Ice, Ice, Baby...

nu nuh nu nu nu nu nuh. I-o-wa Ice, ice baby.

Pardon my singing.

So they say were in for a nice little ole ice and sleet and freezing rain and snow storm. Nothing says Christmas travel like ICE. Boy, can't wait!

Bucket head.

Did you even need to ask if I own a mullet wig? Why of course!!

and I quote, "Little House on the Prairie Women never went anywhere..."

Well, you're right. On rare occasion they hopped in their covered wagon and headed into town to buy some flour and calico fabric for their sexy dresses. I mean, just look at the look on her face...it says it all. "Oh Pa, I just love living in the middle of nowhere...is that a wild puma? Did I remember to turn off the coffee maker and let the children out of their cages? Never mind then, they'll be fine with the dog and the cattle....hopefully they'll have the butter churned by the time we return" and Pa is like, "Ma....just check me out, I am one strapping prairie man....I can slay beasts, drive a wagon AND speaking of butter churning, did you let the children out of their cages?"

Wow, now this is what I want to be like when I grow up. Check out those biceps from manual labor. Dead sexy. And since we're laying on the sarcasm and cynicism pretty darn thick......

...and my personal favorite.....

I need to get myself some gloves that like.

Okay, so I'll explain the source of my laughter this morning and the reason for these amazingly wonderful Anne Taintor photos accompanied by shots from Little House on the Prairie. Sooooooo I made the comment, " blah blah blah...it's okay, I won't be going anywhere today anyways..." Because this is day three of not leaving the house....wait, I take that back, I went to bible study on Monday night. Anyways, I get the reply of the century from my husband whom I love dearly but sometimes just doesn't get that confinement with small children is enough to drive a woman crazy.

"Little House on the Prairie women never went anywhere...."

Great, now my husband is comparing me to a dress wearing, butter churning, bonnet sewing housewife. Okay, don't get me wrong...I LOVE MY JOB (the stay at home mama and housewife...really!!!!) but bonnet wearing bun sporting woman I am not. Either way, it made me laugh and he does bring up a good point....the never did go anywhere did they? Heck, I'd be perfectly fine with an outing to the local gas station at this point!!! Oh well, many laughs were had and I still love him, sarcasm and all.

Now, I must get back to my sock darning......

I am a mean mean mom....

...and here is why.

Now you see that cute little plastic 2 inch yellow monster finger puppet with purple arms? Yea, that one. Well, he strikes fear into the heart of Brody (I'm thinking of calling him Teddy if he keeps gaining any more weight....like the third chipmunk Theodore who eats everything) Notice how Brody has his own little language too. I'm sure he's really saying, "get that freaking monster away from me, you're scaring the poo out of me" We have yet to figure it out though. Now this video doesn't demonstrate my evilness...just wait.

Poor kid. He goes running and hides in the corner all because of that little monster. I do believe you hear me utter the words, "it's okay Brody, come here." Sure, it's okay...I just want to catch you on camera freaking out. Geeze, he can't even decide which couch to hide behind!

The evil is coming, trust me.

Not here so much....or here....but HERE

Notice how he gets further and further behind the couch...he knows what's coming....You'd think you could trust your mom?

"touch it, it's okay"

I think I heard these words uttered from my brother when he put a cigarette lighter up to my finger....

So sorry. I couldn't resist. Never fear, there was much loving and moster therapy after the traumatic touching of the monster. Hey, I'm only trying to help...we don't want to raise a weenie :)

Photo of the day: Brotherly love

Caught in a tender moment.....moments later, Brody was flung to the ground.

A sacrificial couch burning?

Yes, this sounds like a marvelous plan....a couch burning in order to make heat in this ice box house. C'mon, seriously (besides Darryl) who needs three couches? It's not like we have any rockin parties over here since bedtime falls around 7:30. We just got the first winter heating bill and I ran to the thermostat, turned it down to 61 and bundled each child up in layers. All I have to say is...this is going to be a long and painful winter if it stays this cold. Many prayers will be sent in an upward fashion and possible organ selling on the black market?

Well, the weekend was too fast. Lonnie was away for part of it so the boys and I chose to stay indoors (this is also where I spend most of the winter) I made a huge pot of chili and it will last for days, so dinner is covered! Nothing like a bowl of chili with crusty bread and cheese....mmmmmm. Nothing like winter in Iowa too...where you go to church without a coat (it was 50!) and walk out to wind chills and freezing rain. Did I mention how much I hate winter?

So I read this in my quiet time this morning and it was a great verse for me.
Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 cor. 10:5
I often find myself fighting off the "evil" thoughts during the day. Not necessarily mean horrible nasty ones, but simply thought of anger or thoughts of jealousy or even comparison. So every time I find that I am comparing myself to another mom or the girl with the amazing abs in the magazine, I will try to take that thought captive! Grrr take that. It's not as easy as it sounds!

Baylor and I have a Wall-E viewing date right now. Since he gives up most naps, it's been fun to spend some quality time with him while the destroyer sleeps. We'll be huddled under blankets on the couch if anyone comes a knockin.......

Button, button who's got the button?

Ahhh, the photos.....

Alrighty then. Yesterday is was canola oil. Today is was buttons. Ironically enough, I found this Popsicle stick laying in the pile of buttons after I attempted to sweep them up.

The pile after the sweep. This is nothing.

Dangling from the table....trying his hardest to get those buttons! If he doesn't win gold in the Olympics for gymnastics, I'll be stunned.

ALL over the floor. Under the fridge, dishwasher and stove. They were in heaven. I however, was not.

Seriously. I do not suggest this activity for clean freaks or uptight moms...you know who you are. It almost sent me over the edge, but I sucked it up for their sake.

AND THE VIDEO....

So we decided to make homemade Christmas ornaments and I busted out my jar of buttons (which was not a smart idea..what was I thinking?) and they decided that button tossing, throwing and rolling was clearly more fun than making ornaments. So I walked into the other room to grab something and came back to this.....(see above video)

I guess when you've been stuck in a house all week, there is nothing more exciting than making BUTTON ANGELS!!! Woo Hoo....and I guess when you are up from midnight to three in the morning, a little button fun wouldn't hurt anyone. ME TIRED. Oh, and the Christmas ornaments are really cute by the way.

Yea, so if you ever need some buttons....

Dance of the Grandparents

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

" I spilled the YELLOW JUICE!!!!"

Ummmm, we don't have any yellow juice. What on earth could this child who frantically came running upstairs be talking about. I only know of one thing that is yellow and it ain't juice!!! Where is your brother? Is he playing in the, "yellow juice"?

Baylor: "yes"

CRAP.

So Baylor leads me downstairs as I envision Brody swimming in this so called "yellow juice" (which he was) Now you're probably wondering what the, "yellow juice" is. Don't worry, it wasn't bodily fluid related (although the thought did cross my mind) The yellow juice was a brand new, just opened and very full bottle of canola oil...and yes, it was yellow....and yes, Brody was covered in it and thrilled at this new slime he was playing in. I however, was not. How on earth (I am very open to suggestions on how to remove oil from clothing and stuffed animals!!!) do you get this out!!! I've washed the clothes....ALL of our clothes...in hot water, oxyclean, lots of detergent...and when I pull out the load to dry it...my hand is still covered in oil. I'm very sad because he sloshed me in my favorite pair of Jeans....and since I only have two pairs that actually fit, it looks like we're down to sweats. It also got all over the boys nice jeans and Lovey (Brody's stuffed lamb that he has to sleep with or else) So here I am, asking for some laundering advice on how to remove butt loads of canola oil from clothing!!!! Help!!!

Happy Friday.

Ordinary Day

Okay, so obviously I'm trying to avoid the enormous pile of laundry staring me in the face...this is far more entertaining. I found this on my facebook and thought it might be interesting.....

Rules:
1. Put your iPod on shuffle. (or your itunes if you're ghetto like me and don't have one)
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag *at least* 10 friends (or three if you don't have any....) who might enjoy doing this as well as the person you stole it from.
5. Keep in mind this was given to young adults (not happily married stay at home moms :) although some of these are pretty amusing! I've added my commentary in red.

1) IF SOMEONE ASKS, "IS THIS OKAY?", YOU SAY? The Baby-Blake Shelton (of course the baby....that's my answer for anything now.....must be subconscious)

2) WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? Everything You Want-Vertical Horizon (Exactly, I'm a rock star)

3) WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? You Center Me-Robin Thicke (or your husband! How true, he does center me...especially when he sits on me)

4) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? Five Little Frogs-Raffi (if this is any indication of children, I'm crying now)

5) WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? I Vow to Thee My Country-Holst (very true, I love my country...not the current pres. elect, but I still love my country)

6) WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? Lullaby-Brahms (I didn't think I was that boring, but whatever)

7) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? You Said-Shane Barnard (well I hope what you said was nice)

8) WHAT IS 2+2? Overture to Colas Brugnon (dude, math was never my strong point)

9) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Runaway Meadow-Thomas Newman (exactly)

10) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE (or perhaps your husband)? Glad-Tyler Hilton (right on once again)

11) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Show Me Your Glory-Third Day (I hope this can be my life story someday, but not my glory of course)

12) WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Youthless-Beck (Hey, it's better than toothless!)

13) WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE A PERSON YOU LIKE (or your husband perhaps)? Better is One Day-Passion (Better is one day...especially when you bring home pizza for dinner!)

14) WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Nothing Better To Do-LeeAnn Rimes (great, thanks mom....)

15) WHAT DID YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? El Verano-Vivaldi (No hablo espanol, but we can dance)

16) WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? Why Did You Mess With Forever-John Mayer (Yup, dead is pretty much forever....)

17) WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? Audience of One-Big Daddy Weave (or two....little boys that is)

18) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? Riverdance-Dueling Violins (dang it, my secret is out...no more late night Lord of the Dance parties on the kitchen table)

19) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Give Me Your Eyes-Brandon Heath (yea, give me your eyes so you can't make fun of my wicked dance skills)

20) WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN? If I never see your face again-Maroon Five (If I never see your face again...Patrick Dempsy..um, I mean Lonnie)

21) HOW WILL YOU DIE? Walking Away-Craig David (Gosh I hope not, is this a bad western or something?)

22) WHAT IS ONE THING YOU REGRET? Taking Chances-Celine Dion (not at all....more regretful is the fact I have Celine Dion songs on my computer)

23) WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? Lost-Coldplay (pretty much because I can't find my way out of a paper bag)

24) WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? Bone Up-Bonerama (ummmm, I think I'll leave this one alone...by the way, it's a Trombone group!!!)

25) WHAT IS YOUR MARRIAGE LIKE? Puff The Magic Dragon-Peter, Paul and Mary (Just say NO to drugs, seriously)

26) WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? Steal My Kisses-Ben Harper (especially when it's the dog.....nothing like a unsuspecting wet sloppy kiss to the mouth)

27) DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU? Bonified Lovin-Chromeo (Heck yea...apparently it's bonified...and why the heck do I have so many songs with the word bone in them!!)

28) IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? This is Me-Demi Lavato (This is me, what you see is what you get)

29) WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW? More Where that came from-Dolly Parton (well, considering the fact that the sidewalk is covered in ice...I'm fairly certain there will be plenty more wiping out on the hiney...because that's what hurts!)

30) WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Ordinary Day-Vanessa Carleton (story of my life)

Okay, I'm tagging whomever wants to avoid doing housework, laundry or simply wants to ignore their children for a few minute while they fill out this amusing little survey....go go go!

The Speidel Elf Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Drama 101: The Disappearance of Little Green Man

Meet little green man. He doesn't really have an official name, but as you can see he is very very tiny. That is our remote he's posing in front of. Let me give you the background on this frightfully small and somewhat scary looking thing. I got him back in high school from a friend and had kept him in my jewelry box (I don't wear any except my wedding ring because I'm allergic so I don't frequent the box....an old cigar box....very often) for God knows what reason. I guess he was sentimental, but obviously old age and birthing children has permitted me from remembering the details....except it was a boy that gave him to me! Ohhhhhhh, juicy. So one would think that this miniature thing would not be an exciting toy for a kid because he's just so small, he doesn't make any noise and he obviously can't be used as a weapon.

WRONG. If you haven't met my son yet, he gets attached to strange objects (even vegetables such as squash and kitchen utensils such as whisks....don't ask, just smile and nod) and then he sleeps with them, doesn't let them out of his sight and clutches them in his grubby little hands until he falls asleep and they fall out of his hands...which then is another major drama waiting to unfold. Who can find the toy in the bed sheets first! It's a fun game we like to play. So I game this little green dude to Baylor and it was love at first sight. He dropped his other toys, trains, cars and rocks and clutched his beloved green monster thingy with a huge smile. The dude went everywhere with him....ate lunch with him, went to the bathroom with him and of course got to sleep with him. So as you can imagine, he is waaaaaaay attached to this little guy....and of course the inevitable happened.

GONE. HE'S GONE. (insert cries, wails and tantrum throwing here) So yesterday we spent the entire day pulling apart the entire house looking for a 1cm tall scary looking dude. It did however have it's positives. 1. I cleaned the couches off and took all the cushions off, vacuumed and febreezed the heck out of them. 2. Found 13 toys that had magically disappeared under the coaches (yes, COUCHES...THREE!!! Don't remind me!!) 3. Cleaned under each couch with the long sucky thing on the vacuum...it had been a while and I'm sure I sucked up an entire dog worth of hair...ewww gross. We searched in the beds, under the beds, in the toys box, in the bathtub....nothing. Despair was setting in and I was losing hope of ever finding this beloved toy ever again. So the day went on and Baylor went to bed still asking us to search for him while he slept. Sure thing.....I'll get right on that. Sorry..this is turning into a short novel isn't it. Okay, I'll finish soon, I promise!

So this morning I decide that I've been stuck in this house for far too long (since Sunday) and needed to get out and move around and have the boys run off some energy. So we bundled them up and tossed them in the car. Okay, we safely buckled them in...but tossed sounds much more exciting doesn't it? Baylor kept complaining of something in his boot and I just thought it was his sock seam (coming from a freak of sock seams...I have to have mine perfect or else) We get to Cornell, take off his boot and.....
BAM! Out falls little green man!!!!!
I know you're excited now.
Jubilation. Celebrations. Cries of joy. I kid you not, I think I saw a tear in Baylor's eye..of joy of course! So little green man has returned...for now.

Just because

Okay, so I was playing around in photoshop with some new actions and made this old newspaper looking photo of Brody. Now doesn't he remind you of the last chipmunk from Alvin and the chipmunks? You know, Theodore? Here, let me refresh your memory....

Theodore is the one of the far right. I think Brody has grown out of his Curious George stage and has moved on to his Teddy stage...don't you?

(Thanks anonymous comment person for correcting me! It was Theodore not Simon!!)

Excuse me, it's not Holiday decorations...

...it's CHRISTMAS decorations....CHRISTMAS lights....CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS!!
If it was not for the CHRIST in CHRISTmas...there would not be one....a Christmas that is. Where has America fallen of the deep end to the extent that we can't even say "SALE on Christmas decorations!" we have to say, "sale on holiday decorations!" Hold on, I have to go put an ornament on my holiday tree and then while I'm at it, I might sing a little holiday carol. (Heaven forbid you might get someones undies in a bind) Sure, it's a holly jolly holiday season, but isn't this big ole' holiday that we're celebrating CHRISTMAS? Yes, I do believe so. Remember way back in Sunday school....you know, when you used to stick glue in little Cindy's hair and make fun of your Sunday school teacher's uni brow? And that nativity scene that you used to play with as a kid? (ours is currently sitting next to lightening McQueen, Larry Boy and a t-rex...but who's to say there weren't giant cucumbers back in the day) So back to JESUS.....Yes, that one. Remember those stories about wise men and Shepards and oh yes, THE BABY JESUS!!!! That little baby my friends, is why we celebrate CHRISTMAS not just have holidays. That little baby that came to earth and eventually die for us (a big fat bunch of sinners...yes, I just called you a sinner) So please don't take the CHRIST out of CHRISTmas. Our goal this year is to make sure Baylor knows the true meaning of Christmas and how it's not all about the loot (which seems almost impossible since he realized that he gets presents this time) it's not all about the shiny glittery "holiday" decorations, it's about that little baby that was born in a manger...and I thought the sheets at St.Lukes were scratchy......True, it is fun to give presents and even more fun to get them, but we have totally over commercialized Christmas to the extent of nausea while watching t.v commercials for sales, bargains and knocking down pregnant Wal-mart employees. So maybe instead of reading them The Night Before Christmas, you read them the reality show version of Christmas...straight out of the Bible. I hope that you (and myself) can reach out to our kids this year and really show them the true reason for the season.

Time out please!

This is exactly how I feel today. *insert growling sound and a big ole BLECH* Can someone give me a timeout please? (this is Baylor's cute little tongue in case you were wondering) He calls the uvula the "sharpy thing" in his mouth. It's called a uvula right? Sounds icky.....never mind

...and maybe there would be a nice comfy bed and a glass of wine to accompany me to my time out? Or maybe a big chunk of dark chocolate and some strong coffee?

I'm in a funk today. I'm senorita grumpy pants. It's not hormonal or pregnancy linked ( I can assure you of this without divulging you in the visit of aunt Flow details!) It could be due to the fact that we're supposed to get a big ole snow storm tonight or the fact that I just realized that I can't handle my dogs anymore (love them dearly!) but can't handle the dog hair and constant eating of toys. Maybe it's because I was looking forward to some alone time and Baylor decided to share the love with me this afternoon. Oh oh, I know..it's because we have THREE, count em' THREE couches in our house right now...in our small house...and the big man put his foot down and said NO to getting rid of any of them! Makes it hard to breath, I feel claustrophobic walking through the living room!!! You know, this sulking and whining would work much better as a list....so let's recap...things making me grumpy today:

1. Big snow coming

2. Dog hair

3. THREE couches in tiny house

4. Short naps(I however would like to interject how much I do love spending time with my children)

5. My white legs....okay, my white body

6. My pride (really, it's a long story and it involves band...I know, I know)

7. NO chocolate in the house...not even chocolate chips!! The tragedy!

8. No car, stuck in house, just call me Hermie (as in Hermit)

9. The fact that there are fingerprints on every surface in this house...some peanut butter and some are dog nose prints.

10. Did I mention dog hair?

I actually know what a lot of it has to do with, but I'm not going to tell you because you'll laugh. So there. I just need a swift kick in the hiney.

So that didn't help very much. Maybe a list of things to be happy about will work:

1. The mocha I just made myself with leftover morning coffee and hot cocoa!

2. How Baylor just told me how much he loves me!

3. Wonderpets (Jen I'm not sure if should thank you for this yet....the jury is still out)

4. I have bible study tonight with some stellar ladies

5. I'm actually a teeny weeny bit excited (think sledding) about this large amount of snow we're supposed to get....HEY! I said TEENY WEENY!!!

6. I got to take a hot bath today and read a magazine for 10 minutes...so I guess I did get some alone time huh?

7. I sorted through toys this morning and Baylor helped me pick toys he doesn't play with to give to Children who don't have any! Now we have room for the buttload that I'm sure will accompany my children at Christmas time. I was thinking a large box would suffice.....

Maybe this photo will help. Nothing like a boy with a sword. Look at his focused face....argh, pirate Baylor....ready to hit the high seas....or his brother.

...or this photo of the "Christmas Sweater" It does conjure up a little giggle inside because I can only imagine what he'll say when I bust this photo out and show it to his future wife. Just wait until the naked butt shots come out....ooooh can't wait!

I FIGURED IT OUT! I'm totally stoked to show you the SWEET mp3 player (stage right) so you can check out my favorite tunes and listen while you read. Yippee!!! Check it out.

The men in my life

Man, am I a lucky woman or what!?

A lucky and very HAPPILY BLESSED woman.

I sure do love these punks.

Flashback Friday: Happy Birthday Grandma!!

She's a hottie isn't she? This is my grandmother M.E and she is turning 80!! I have been so blessed to have her in my life from the very beginning and she was even there for Baylor's birth. She has the spunk of a 20 year old and the legs of an 18 year old. I'm pretty sure she's had every joint in her body replaced but still gets up and walks two miles a day. She's retired (but not really) from a lifetime of racing horses on a farm in Illinois. She is also celebrating her 60th wedding anniversary to my Grandpa Allen aka Senor grumpy pants :) I used to go and spend weeks with her on the farm in the summer, learned how to drive a tractor (and crash it too) ride a horse, fall off a horse, get back on a horse, walk underneath a horse, shoe a horse, bale hay, shovel horse crap (a skill I think everyone should learn!) build spectacular tree forts near the creek, chase horses, shoot a gun, change a tractor tire, and the list goes on. I have so many fun memories and hope to have many more. She is one special lady and I love her to death! Happy Birthday Grandma!!

The Ugly Angel

Shield your eyes!

I know, I know...there is no such thing as an ugly angel.

I beg to differ.

Let me introduce you to Flo. You may need to sit down for this, she strikes fear into the hearts of children upon first glance. She fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. Homely...now there's a great word to describe Flo. Now that I think about it, she's not THAT ugly, she's just having a real bad hair day (story of my life) I think she over processed a little back in angel school...trust me Flo, we've all been there. At least she's praying...she needs all the prayers she can get with hair like that. I'm also thinking Flo needs a new color..that putrid goldish color isn't working for you. Okay, so here's the story behind Flo. She belonged to my mom and dad and was on our Christmas tree as long as I can remember. My mother hated her with a vengeance. She would try to hide Flo all over the house, but much to her dismay....my dad and I would always find her. My mom finally bought a fancy smancy star for atop the tree and I think there were tears shed over the replacement of Flo. So every Christmas, my mom would proudly place her horrid foofy star on the tree and my dad and I would sneak over and replace it with Flo. She got so mad!!! It was hilarious. So Flo has been lovingly passed on to better hands. She now sits on top of our tree, and proudly I may add. Baylor yells this morning, "MOM! Where is the ugly angel!! She needs to go on top of the tree!" So there she sits....ugliness and all.

Now for sad story number two. These are Lonnie's glasses...well, what's left of them. They have been through two toddlers and been saved from the jaws of a dog (twice). Now Lonnie is mighty blind without them, so at night when he takes his contacts out he fumbles about like well...a blind man. I like to dash in font of him and freak him out...throw off his balance a little :) Just kidding. The poor man has been missing his glasses for about two years and has sacrificed a new pair for....ummm, well groceries, medical bills and the heating bill. (yes, this is a sad attempt for you to feel sorry for him :) The goal is to save up enough to get him a new pair...he said he wants the kind that Drew Carey has (you know, the really really thick ones that are virtually indestructible) So next time you see Lonnie, ask him why he doesn't wear his glasses.

...and for your final viewing pleasure....Brody waiting for his daddy to come home last night....so sweet...peering out the window....um, nekkid of course! (that is why I love the "crop" option of the photo edit software) Luckily the neighbors were gone.

Three peas in a pod

...or more like two midgets in a bed that does not belong to them at THREE IN THE MORNING!!! So Brody was crying last night, and with all the recent flu outbreaks here, I always dread the worst (puke covered kiddo) so I went and got him to check to see if my nightmare had come true. He was fine.....and apparently so was Baylor who excitedly yelled, "MOM! I stayed in my bed" when I passed through. Now I have two very wide awake, but healthy (thank God) children at three in the morning. I took Brody to our bed because he screamed....not just a cry...a full out girlie I'm pissed at you scream, when I put him back in his crib. This is his new deal...screaming...I NO LIKE. Anyways, then Baylor comes bouncing in and insists that he needs to sleep with me (lonnie is on the couch at this point) because he has a stuffy nose. By all means child, a stuffy nose...poor thing. Long story short...it took them two hours to fall asleep. That is why I have finished an entire pot of coffee in one hour. On the plus side, Baylor is still sleeping, which is a major miracle within itself (this is the longest he's ever slept in) so Brody and I are taking over the toys downstairs.

It's snowing again. Did I mention how much I hate winter?

Does this snowsuit make my butt look HUGE?

Before I subtitle these photos...I just want to address the fact that every time I turn around one of my children has removed an article of clothing...mainly pants. I just hope this fascination with streaking ends before collage. That is all.

Why yes, son...HUGE. Look at those birthing hips....

The 80's called....they want their snowsuit back.

We had to bribe him back inside

I think we're going to have trouble with this one....as in preppy college frat boy trouble. He couldn't keep the ladies away in the nursery on Sunday. That's the way he rolls.

I Love it when you call me BIG POPPA...(sorry, you have to see the movie to understand...)

We made "gingerbread" houses this morning out of graham crackers, frosting and m&m's (most of which were ingested rather than making on the houses.

Brody putting the finishing touches on his masterpiece.

We had our "first" real snow this weekend. Nothing major, just a few inches...but enough to release the anger within. I used to love winter and love snow....and after last winter of record proportions and ice so thick you needed an axe to remove....I despise winter. I still love watching the snowfall and especially running in the quiet snow, but this cold and ice and stuck inside and sicknesses...ahhhh makes me want to hide. I will try not to complain so much about the weather as a friend so lovingly reminded me (she was trying to not complain as much too!) but with two small children and no car most of the time...I can hear the nut house filling out my preregistration forms.

On a happy note, I have one more person on my Christmas list along with a few stocking stuffers and I'm done! Stockings are my favorite. We always got a toothbrush, chapstick, chocolate covered cherries for me and strange flavored candy canes for Kort and other random things. My dad would always go out at the last minute and buy us a family game and wrap it in butcher paper (he used to be a butcher) then sneak it under the tree. We always knew what gift was from Dad! My mom is notorious for hiding Christmas gifts and then finding them six months later. I am just like her though, we both can't wait to give people their gifts and always end up giving the gift early. I love watching the reaction after finding the perfect (or so we think) gift. I think maybe I'll stuff my own stocking with goodies this year...after I rob the bank down the street :)