and dress like this. 
I'm totally sorry I called you Stinkopotamus today.
The joy-bringers
9 years ago
Monday, January 11, 2010
Funny things that Abby does when nobody's watching
Crawl into a pillowcase, with the pillow...
and dress like this.
I'm totally sorry I called you Stinkopotamus today.
and dress like this. I'm totally sorry I called you Stinkopotamus today.
Does it make me a bad mother if...
I make up names for my youngest with the word "stink" in them such as: stinkopotamus, Stinkerella, Stinkerbell, Stinkerbottom?
Just wondering.
Just wondering.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
A Year of Memories
2009 - what a year!
This year was another huge year of growing, living, laughing, and loving... with some tantrums and such thrown in too.
This year, Hannah turned nine years old and started the fourth grade. She read the Twilight series and managed to get a handle on her talking problem at school. She earned "advanced" honors in math and reading every single term. She learned to do a back handspring into a back tuck (that's a standing back flip, for you non-gymnastics folks), a "flyaway" dismount on the bars (basically also a back flip), mastered her cartwheel on beam, and went straight into learning a back walkover on beam. She grew another foot (or so it seems), finally went up a pant size (thank God), and grew out of children's shoe sizes. She is fiercely independent, bossy with her sisters, but is also generally a sweet, carefree, and happy girl. She is that much closer to being a little lady rather than a little girl, and I LOVE THIS FACE.
Ryley started Kindergarten and turned six years old. She learned to ride a bike, read (mostly), and lost four teeth. She also grew about a foot (literally), outgrew two different pant sizes, and FOUR shoe sizes. She pretty much mastered swimming this year, and is no longer afraid to put her head under water. She started gymnastics, and is already almost ready to compete. She is a truly sweet and considerate little girl and I am excited to see how much she'll learn and grow this year! The resemblance of this face to mine is uncanny and I love it to pieces:
My sweet and sassy little Abigail turned four in 2009 and entered her final year of daycare/preschool. She also learned to ride a bike this year. She can sing all the lyrics to pretty much any Taylor Swift song and became extremely proficient at using the computer. By far my smallest child, she still grew a shoe and pant size (again, FINALLY) just in time to avoid the dreaded high-water look. She spent a great deal of this year cuddling and petting on her mommy and pestering the heck out of her sisters. She is wickedly smart (which often landed her in trouble for some scheme or another) and is well on her way to reading, too. She reminds me the most of ME (behavior-wise) and makes it nearly impossible to be angry with her for very long with this face:
My husband Mike turned 32 this year, and landed a brand new job (that skipped a level!). He is a hard-working person by nature, and I was very proud to finally see that pay off for him. While our marriage isn't picture perfect by any means, I laugh with him as often or more than I am angry with him, and I couldn't imagine myself with anyone else. He is my best friend and I love him to pieces. He gives me complete autonomy over our budget, ignores my cranky moods, and I miss him dearly when he's away for very long.
I hit the big 3-0 this year. I can't say it was very painful, and in fact I thought of it as a non-event. I came to some very impactful realizations about my job this year - that maybe this isn't the best job for me? I've already talked to my boss (whom I love and am reluctant to leave) and I rest easier knowing that 2010 will likely hold something different, work-wise. In the meantime, I renewed my love for photography (thanks to an awesome anniversary gift from Mike) and have dreams of that becoming more than just a hobby someday.
This year has been another year where I continue to be blessed with my parents... My mommy, who constantly amazes me with how much she puts into being with my girls. Although I see her almost every day, I don't spend much time one-on-one with her and I have plans to change that this coming year. In an attempt to disrupt their lives as little as possible, I think I actually ended up missing out on some quality mommy time. She isn't afraid of anything, knows what she wants out of life, and it would be an honor to grow up to be just like her someday.
My daddy, whose patience is more than I could ever hope to have... his respect and compassion for others is unbelievable. There isn't a single time I'm around him that I'm not reminded of how much I could improve in those areas, and he isn't even trying! I literally have to restrain him from bending over backwards for any of our every wants and needs... and he isn't too happy when I do!
These two people have taught me how to love, forgive, what marriage is, how parenting should be, self-confidence, tolerance, and most importantly: what unconditional love looks like:
What an impressive year. I can't wait to see what 2010 looks like!
This year was another huge year of growing, living, laughing, and loving... with some tantrums and such thrown in too.
This year, Hannah turned nine years old and started the fourth grade. She read the Twilight series and managed to get a handle on her talking problem at school. She earned "advanced" honors in math and reading every single term. She learned to do a back handspring into a back tuck (that's a standing back flip, for you non-gymnastics folks), a "flyaway" dismount on the bars (basically also a back flip), mastered her cartwheel on beam, and went straight into learning a back walkover on beam. She grew another foot (or so it seems), finally went up a pant size (thank God), and grew out of children's shoe sizes. She is fiercely independent, bossy with her sisters, but is also generally a sweet, carefree, and happy girl. She is that much closer to being a little lady rather than a little girl, and I LOVE THIS FACE.
Ryley started Kindergarten and turned six years old. She learned to ride a bike, read (mostly), and lost four teeth. She also grew about a foot (literally), outgrew two different pant sizes, and FOUR shoe sizes. She pretty much mastered swimming this year, and is no longer afraid to put her head under water. She started gymnastics, and is already almost ready to compete. She is a truly sweet and considerate little girl and I am excited to see how much she'll learn and grow this year! The resemblance of this face to mine is uncanny and I love it to pieces:
My sweet and sassy little Abigail turned four in 2009 and entered her final year of daycare/preschool. She also learned to ride a bike this year. She can sing all the lyrics to pretty much any Taylor Swift song and became extremely proficient at using the computer. By far my smallest child, she still grew a shoe and pant size (again, FINALLY) just in time to avoid the dreaded high-water look. She spent a great deal of this year cuddling and petting on her mommy and pestering the heck out of her sisters. She is wickedly smart (which often landed her in trouble for some scheme or another) and is well on her way to reading, too. She reminds me the most of ME (behavior-wise) and makes it nearly impossible to be angry with her for very long with this face:
My husband Mike turned 32 this year, and landed a brand new job (that skipped a level!). He is a hard-working person by nature, and I was very proud to finally see that pay off for him. While our marriage isn't picture perfect by any means, I laugh with him as often or more than I am angry with him, and I couldn't imagine myself with anyone else. He is my best friend and I love him to pieces. He gives me complete autonomy over our budget, ignores my cranky moods, and I miss him dearly when he's away for very long.I hit the big 3-0 this year. I can't say it was very painful, and in fact I thought of it as a non-event. I came to some very impactful realizations about my job this year - that maybe this isn't the best job for me? I've already talked to my boss (whom I love and am reluctant to leave) and I rest easier knowing that 2010 will likely hold something different, work-wise. In the meantime, I renewed my love for photography (thanks to an awesome anniversary gift from Mike) and have dreams of that becoming more than just a hobby someday.
This year has been another year where I continue to be blessed with my parents... My mommy, who constantly amazes me with how much she puts into being with my girls. Although I see her almost every day, I don't spend much time one-on-one with her and I have plans to change that this coming year. In an attempt to disrupt their lives as little as possible, I think I actually ended up missing out on some quality mommy time. She isn't afraid of anything, knows what she wants out of life, and it would be an honor to grow up to be just like her someday.My daddy, whose patience is more than I could ever hope to have... his respect and compassion for others is unbelievable. There isn't a single time I'm around him that I'm not reminded of how much I could improve in those areas, and he isn't even trying! I literally have to restrain him from bending over backwards for any of our every wants and needs... and he isn't too happy when I do!
These two people have taught me how to love, forgive, what marriage is, how parenting should be, self-confidence, tolerance, and most importantly: what unconditional love looks like:
What an impressive year. I can't wait to see what 2010 looks like!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Today I Am Glad
On this cool, clear, sunny Sunday morning.... I am glad.
Not angry that there are heaps of laundry, but GLAD that there are five people in my house that have clothes to wear.
Not angry that my room is full of kids' clutter, but GLAD that I have three beautiful, healthy children to whom that clutter belongs.
Not angry that my house is never as clean as I'd like, but GLAD that I have a big, comfortable house that's warm for us to live in.
Not angry that I go back to work tomorrow, but GLAD that I have a job.
I'm not the least bit frustrated that our credit cards have balances again, but CALM knowing that we have the resources to pay them off. (Again :) )
Not upset with my husband for any number of trivial, ridiculous things that he did or did not do... but THANKFUL that there is no doubt that he loves me and our children and would do anything for us.
Not overwhelmed with the amount of responsibility that parenthood and being a wife presents on a daily, if not hourly basis... but THRILLED that I have the opportunity to be a mother and a wife.
Not bummed because I need to go grocery shopping... but THANKFUL that I have a nice car to drive there, the money to buy what we need, and a healthy body to carry out the task.
Not super-anxious about the possibility of Mike's new awesome job, but SATISFIED knowing that he is well-qualified for it and any other job he cares to apply for. (Okay, that's a little bit of a lie. I'm SUPER-ANXIOUS to know!!)
I'm ecstatic to know that whether he gets the job or not, that we'll be PERFECTLY FINE.
I'm not frustrated that the girls need new clothes, again, because I'm GLAD to know that they're healthy and growing fast.
I'm not sad that they're growing up so quickly, but EXCITED about the new opportunities and milestones that they reach every day.
I'm not exhausted from the busy schedules and activities, but overwhelmed with PRIDE at the successes they have in these activities.
Not the least bit mad that they misbehave or sneak candy or find creative ways to do exactly whatever it is I said not to do... but in AWE of how smart they are. (It's creepy, really.)
Not the least bit ashamed, disappointed, or angry with whatever life has sent my way... but GLAD.
Not angry that there are heaps of laundry, but GLAD that there are five people in my house that have clothes to wear.
Not angry that my room is full of kids' clutter, but GLAD that I have three beautiful, healthy children to whom that clutter belongs.
Not angry that my house is never as clean as I'd like, but GLAD that I have a big, comfortable house that's warm for us to live in.
Not angry that I go back to work tomorrow, but GLAD that I have a job.
I'm not the least bit frustrated that our credit cards have balances again, but CALM knowing that we have the resources to pay them off. (Again :) )
Not upset with my husband for any number of trivial, ridiculous things that he did or did not do... but THANKFUL that there is no doubt that he loves me and our children and would do anything for us.
Not overwhelmed with the amount of responsibility that parenthood and being a wife presents on a daily, if not hourly basis... but THRILLED that I have the opportunity to be a mother and a wife.
Not bummed because I need to go grocery shopping... but THANKFUL that I have a nice car to drive there, the money to buy what we need, and a healthy body to carry out the task.
Not super-anxious about the possibility of Mike's new awesome job, but SATISFIED knowing that he is well-qualified for it and any other job he cares to apply for. (Okay, that's a little bit of a lie. I'm SUPER-ANXIOUS to know!!)
I'm ecstatic to know that whether he gets the job or not, that we'll be PERFECTLY FINE.
I'm not frustrated that the girls need new clothes, again, because I'm GLAD to know that they're healthy and growing fast.
I'm not sad that they're growing up so quickly, but EXCITED about the new opportunities and milestones that they reach every day.
I'm not exhausted from the busy schedules and activities, but overwhelmed with PRIDE at the successes they have in these activities.
Not the least bit mad that they misbehave or sneak candy or find creative ways to do exactly whatever it is I said not to do... but in AWE of how smart they are. (It's creepy, really.)
Not the least bit ashamed, disappointed, or angry with whatever life has sent my way... but GLAD.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Fashion-forward...or not
If you know me, you also know that I do not dabble in the fashion industry. I don't even peep, I mean, pop a toe (hee hee.. PEEP-TOE!!) in the ocean that is fashion.
My wardrobe consists of comfortable, sensible work-appropriate clothes and an impressive collection of jeans and t-shirts. There's probably no need to discuss my sports bra obsession or choice of underwear that is specifically and meticulously chosen for its ability to stay OUT of my rear. I mean, no need after this one little discussion, of course.
Anyway, I have a point. Or at least there is a point to there not being a point. Whatever.
I am a relatively intelligent person, or so I like to think... but when it comes to the terminology used in the fashion world, said world regularly hands me a large piece of "you're a moron" pie. Rather, it may be more accurate to say that it throws the whole pie in my shiny, make-up free face.
For example. I realize that these were in and out of style a few years ago, but indulge me for a minute. Kitten heels. Seriously? I am not so behind the evolutionary times of women that I don't realize these are shoes. I just didn't realize that small furry kittens wore them! Or...yikes...are they specially made for stomping on said furry kittens??? Either way, I will be forever grateful that they didn't last long. Oh, never mind - my personal satisfaction from this fact has been swiftly replaced by the extreme disappointment at the new stiletto fad. At least I had a minute chance of not breaking my ankle before. Sheesh.
And... something a bit more "with the times"... the "maxi" dress? Really? Are we so at a loss for names for fashion elements that we had to steal from hygiene products?
And don't get me started on all the different names we have for different lengths of dresses. Google produced these: micro-mini, mini, moxi, tea length, ballerina length, full length, midi, maxi. (Reminds me of the name game. "Mini, mini, micro-mini, banana fanna moe moxi, fi fie foe midi... mini!" See, this is why they shouldn't let me out in public.) Presumably, these are in order from shortest to longest (now the maxi thing is making a little more sense, but I still picture the "extra long with wings"). Now, I'm a tall girl, and it is possible that there would be a noticeable distinction in each of these lengths on someone of my height. But, since the average woman is say, 5'5, I venture to guess that these minor variations would be lost. "Oh, for shame... she's wearing a "moxi" length dress at a "tea length" event.. the horror! Her family will be forever shamed." Riiiiiiight.
And the more traditional terms... is it just me, or do they all sound like obscenities (with some sort of accent)? Aw, SMOCK! What the FROCK?! She is such a pain in the ASCOT.
Peep-toe - a toe with voyeuristic tendencies? Probably doesn't refer to the hole in the big toe portion my socks. Furry boots with miniskirts, because our need for warm feet is only slightly more than our need to have our rear ends hanging out in thirty-degree weather (it's not like tights are THAT warm). Or, alternatively, perhaps it's that our need to not have ridiculously sweaty feet is slightly less than our need to be "cool, hip, and with-it. Either way it's lost on me.
And as a personal aside... I'm not sure the fashion industry is so smart anyway. Hello... the 80's called and wants its neon, baggy, ripped, striped, big-haired trends back. They were horrible then. Nobody I know looks back at their high school photos from that period of time and says "Wow, we were so hot!"
Wearing scarves when it's 90 degrees outside. I suppose you don't need me to explain that one. Although, I must admit I put one of Hannah's scarves on after I picked it up out of the floor, and it was kinda fun to fiddle with.
Skinny jeans. I spit in your general direction. They should be called "please only wear me if you're extremely skinny" jeans. Or "please don't even try to squeeze any amount of actual hip or thigh into something this skinny" jeans.
JUST SAY NO to ultra-low-rise pants. From what I can gather, this is the reverse effect of the super-short shorts that were so cool this year. Instead of the inseam covering two inches of your, AHEM, you know... these pants now stylishly show two inches of your, AHEM, crack...
Okay, okay. I'm done.
It's no wonder that "What Not To Wear" is so fiendishly popular.
My wardrobe consists of comfortable, sensible work-appropriate clothes and an impressive collection of jeans and t-shirts. There's probably no need to discuss my sports bra obsession or choice of underwear that is specifically and meticulously chosen for its ability to stay OUT of my rear. I mean, no need after this one little discussion, of course.
Anyway, I have a point. Or at least there is a point to there not being a point. Whatever.
I am a relatively intelligent person, or so I like to think... but when it comes to the terminology used in the fashion world, said world regularly hands me a large piece of "you're a moron" pie. Rather, it may be more accurate to say that it throws the whole pie in my shiny, make-up free face.
For example. I realize that these were in and out of style a few years ago, but indulge me for a minute. Kitten heels. Seriously? I am not so behind the evolutionary times of women that I don't realize these are shoes. I just didn't realize that small furry kittens wore them! Or...yikes...are they specially made for stomping on said furry kittens??? Either way, I will be forever grateful that they didn't last long. Oh, never mind - my personal satisfaction from this fact has been swiftly replaced by the extreme disappointment at the new stiletto fad. At least I had a minute chance of not breaking my ankle before. Sheesh.
And... something a bit more "with the times"... the "maxi" dress? Really? Are we so at a loss for names for fashion elements that we had to steal from hygiene products?
And don't get me started on all the different names we have for different lengths of dresses. Google produced these: micro-mini, mini, moxi, tea length, ballerina length, full length, midi, maxi. (Reminds me of the name game. "Mini, mini, micro-mini, banana fanna moe moxi, fi fie foe midi... mini!" See, this is why they shouldn't let me out in public.) Presumably, these are in order from shortest to longest (now the maxi thing is making a little more sense, but I still picture the "extra long with wings"). Now, I'm a tall girl, and it is possible that there would be a noticeable distinction in each of these lengths on someone of my height. But, since the average woman is say, 5'5, I venture to guess that these minor variations would be lost. "Oh, for shame... she's wearing a "moxi" length dress at a "tea length" event.. the horror! Her family will be forever shamed." Riiiiiiight.
And the more traditional terms... is it just me, or do they all sound like obscenities (with some sort of accent)? Aw, SMOCK! What the FROCK?! She is such a pain in the ASCOT.
Peep-toe - a toe with voyeuristic tendencies? Probably doesn't refer to the hole in the big toe portion my socks. Furry boots with miniskirts, because our need for warm feet is only slightly more than our need to have our rear ends hanging out in thirty-degree weather (it's not like tights are THAT warm). Or, alternatively, perhaps it's that our need to not have ridiculously sweaty feet is slightly less than our need to be "cool, hip, and with-it. Either way it's lost on me.
And as a personal aside... I'm not sure the fashion industry is so smart anyway. Hello... the 80's called and wants its neon, baggy, ripped, striped, big-haired trends back. They were horrible then. Nobody I know looks back at their high school photos from that period of time and says "Wow, we were so hot!"
Wearing scarves when it's 90 degrees outside. I suppose you don't need me to explain that one. Although, I must admit I put one of Hannah's scarves on after I picked it up out of the floor, and it was kinda fun to fiddle with.
Skinny jeans. I spit in your general direction. They should be called "please only wear me if you're extremely skinny" jeans. Or "please don't even try to squeeze any amount of actual hip or thigh into something this skinny" jeans.
JUST SAY NO to ultra-low-rise pants. From what I can gather, this is the reverse effect of the super-short shorts that were so cool this year. Instead of the inseam covering two inches of your, AHEM, you know... these pants now stylishly show two inches of your, AHEM, crack...
Okay, okay. I'm done.
It's no wonder that "What Not To Wear" is so fiendishly popular.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Catching up
Sorry, I've been on an extended blog-vacation. No reason, just got addicted to Facebook and now spend most of my computer time on there. The rest of that time is spent on extremely interesting things like online bill paying and household budgeting. Such a freak!
What's been going on with us:
Abby can ride her bike without training wheels, too. She actually learned two weekends after Ryley did. The girls also spend a lot of time using their SmartCar as a street luge. Our house is on a corner, and the lot slopes down from the front corner, making a really nice street luge course out of our sidewalk. It's scary to watch, but nobody's been turned into hamburger yet.
The girls spent most of their summer hanging out with Granny and Papa, with some intermittent time at Nana & Papaw's and in Harrisburg with Papa. It went by entirely too fast, and I cannot believe that fall is here already. I'm still wondering where April went.
Hannah started the fourth grade. She's close to five feet tall. She's headed swiftly into the age of braces on the teeth (probably next year), boys (hopefully not), and caring what other people think about her. I'm seeing some pre-PMS behavior too. Yikes. She's going to be a level 6 gymnast this year, which means more flips and more practices. She's still got abs of steel.
Ryley started Kindergarten. She was so excited, asked to go every day from the moment we registered her in June... made it a whole week before she decided going to school every day wasn't as cool as she thought, because now she can't have Granny days. She lost her first tooth a few weeks ago, and is very close to losing another one. She will likely change from recreational gymnastics to competitive this year (developmental team - level 4). She's also huge. I forget that she's only five (almost 6) a LOT.
Abigail has entered a new stage of her life - life without Ryley. She's flying solo at preschool now, and honestly it was pretty hard on her for a week or two. Granted, those two are only 15 months apart, and have been together virtually 24/7 since she was born. I did think it was rather funny since those two bicker most of the time they're together anyway. She still remains the most likely one of our children to be featured on a "COPS" episode at some point in her adult life. She is a busy, sneaky, wiley little girl. Earlier this week, her trifling let to the third call to Poison Control in our parenting history after she (likely) ingested seven children's cold and cough medicine dissolving strips and hid the evidence under the (cool) iron in our bathroom. Scary part is we didn't find them until the next day. Apparently seven is well within an acceptable range of cold and cough strips. I then question why the dosage on the back says one strip for her weight??
Mike and I have been working, mostly, and chasing the girls around. We're home about three hours a day during the week, during which time homework, supper, and baths must be scrunched. That really is about all we do. Weekends are reserved for the highly entertaining tasks of laundry, general cleaning, and/or sleeping. We're a fascinating bunch, I know.
Next up: Adult trip to New Orleans, just for the heck of it. Should be exhausting, but a lot of fun!
What's been going on with us:
Abby can ride her bike without training wheels, too. She actually learned two weekends after Ryley did. The girls also spend a lot of time using their SmartCar as a street luge. Our house is on a corner, and the lot slopes down from the front corner, making a really nice street luge course out of our sidewalk. It's scary to watch, but nobody's been turned into hamburger yet.
The girls spent most of their summer hanging out with Granny and Papa, with some intermittent time at Nana & Papaw's and in Harrisburg with Papa. It went by entirely too fast, and I cannot believe that fall is here already. I'm still wondering where April went.
Hannah started the fourth grade. She's close to five feet tall. She's headed swiftly into the age of braces on the teeth (probably next year), boys (hopefully not), and caring what other people think about her. I'm seeing some pre-PMS behavior too. Yikes. She's going to be a level 6 gymnast this year, which means more flips and more practices. She's still got abs of steel.
Ryley started Kindergarten. She was so excited, asked to go every day from the moment we registered her in June... made it a whole week before she decided going to school every day wasn't as cool as she thought, because now she can't have Granny days. She lost her first tooth a few weeks ago, and is very close to losing another one. She will likely change from recreational gymnastics to competitive this year (developmental team - level 4). She's also huge. I forget that she's only five (almost 6) a LOT.
Abigail has entered a new stage of her life - life without Ryley. She's flying solo at preschool now, and honestly it was pretty hard on her for a week or two. Granted, those two are only 15 months apart, and have been together virtually 24/7 since she was born. I did think it was rather funny since those two bicker most of the time they're together anyway. She still remains the most likely one of our children to be featured on a "COPS" episode at some point in her adult life. She is a busy, sneaky, wiley little girl. Earlier this week, her trifling let to the third call to Poison Control in our parenting history after she (likely) ingested seven children's cold and cough medicine dissolving strips and hid the evidence under the (cool) iron in our bathroom. Scary part is we didn't find them until the next day. Apparently seven is well within an acceptable range of cold and cough strips. I then question why the dosage on the back says one strip for her weight??
Mike and I have been working, mostly, and chasing the girls around. We're home about three hours a day during the week, during which time homework, supper, and baths must be scrunched. That really is about all we do. Weekends are reserved for the highly entertaining tasks of laundry, general cleaning, and/or sleeping. We're a fascinating bunch, I know.
Next up: Adult trip to New Orleans, just for the heck of it. Should be exhausting, but a lot of fun!
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