Forgiveness

My wife and I just barely finished watching this. Of course she was crying, but I teared up too (that's no small feat for me). This was such a powerful and incredible story about forgiveness. I'm glad that there are people like Chris in the world that we can all learn from and be inspired by.

McKay

Reasons I love the South

Manners, Manners manners manners. This is something that is fast disappearing, What! You have noticed this too? I blame it on social media. But not on blogging. Just the other social media forms. Yes, THOSE ones.

Living is Texas for TWO YEARS now, I like to think that we a bit of experts if you will, on the south. You see, since I have started working at the lovely little people place, I have noticed a few things.

4 year olds call me Ma'am
3 year olds tell me they are fixin' to go
Teens say "pardon me"
and of course, who can forget the endless supply of small talk that greets me everywhere from the post office to the gas station to the parents who are dropping off kids. Seriously, we are all BFF's here. And Paris Hilton is no where to be found.

It is truly wonderful. Simply wonderful. And being the now well mannered and polite and reformed California girl that I am, here is a list for you to enjoy. And remember:

Having bad manners will cause other southerners to question your upbringing


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-Say "pardon me" or "excuse me" when having to walk in front of someone or if you bump into someone.

-Err on the side of being too nice.


-Conduct small talk with others whether you know them or not (particularly in stores and restaurants, etc.).

-Respect elders

-Be gracious and extend hospitality whenever possible. Offer guests in your home food and drink.

-Don't interrupt

-Say "yes sir" or "no sir" and "yes ma'am" or "no ma'am" at all appropriate times. If you don't use these you may 
be viewed as arrogant or disrespectful, or uppity.


-If you don't get what you want, say something like "well, thank you anyway." You should also use "May I," "You're Welcome," "Excuse Me," and "Pardon Me."
Read more: How to Have Good Southern Manners | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2324670_have-good-southern-manners.html#ixzz0uAQvE30
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Houston in July

{before I start, let me preface that I have been writing this since Sunday. Yes, Sunday. I am finally getting to post this. I have dishes in the sink, Lemon-Blueberry bread in the oven and 6 seasons of LOST to watch. Feel privileged. Oh, and I am allergy-ridden along with my toddler. Feel very privileged}

and here we go.......
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Most people I associate with love Houston. I mean, where else will you find such diversity in people, art, food, etc. It is the 4th most populated city in the USA, home to the largest medical district in the world, and the second LOWEST cost of living. Lest you think I have made these facts up, just click here.

I love Houston. I love the heat. I love the humidity. I love the use of Ma'am and Sir and doors opened for me by strangers and chatting to my new BFF in the grocery line (you know, the one you will never see again). Its.... wonderful. HOWEVER... I do understand that some people really do not like the heat and humidity. But really, who goes outside for long periods of time in ANY US city where it is hot and humid? I'll wait for your response...


still waiting.....

I didn't think so. With that said, there really is a lot to do in Houston. I feel like we are doing something each weekend. Maybe all this "going-and-doing" is why I currently have lost my sense of smell and taste and can't seem to stop the sneezing and watering of my eyeballs. I should stop. I should rest. I should.... but I don't. It is a disease. Its called "I can do it all, all of the time" disease. You have it too!! And here I thought I was the only one. Glad to have you aboard my friend. You can be the Vice President.

This week we have started the POTTY TRAINING process. And I would like to say for the record that I am doing pretty well. Every twenty minutes I try. And so far it has been a success. Oh, and the toddler has been doing pretty well too. But don't be fooled. She still has a long ways to go. But the end of diapers in in sight! Please bless I am not saying this prematurely.

And then we went to see this beautiful girl. Lois! who smelled like, well, crap. Apparently at its peak it smells like a rotting corpse. No thank you. And yet, we lined up and saw this girl with Mommy-to-be-T.

One of the truly great things about here in Texas is how they battle this war against heat and humidity. For instance, building a stadium that is indoors. Yes my friends, picture enjoying a baseball game in the comfort of AC! The last time we went the toddler was still in incubation. This was our two-year anniversary of that almost to the day.

And who could forget the celebration of another 16year old! Our cousin had a bday party. And teenagers do but of course, I never did because I am perfect. (sarcasm? satire?) The toddler was taught to JUMP OFF THE TRAMP INTO THE POOL. And as her ever diligent parents, we watched her do it not just once, not just twice, but three times. I figure she is going to do it anyhow so I may as well encourage it and supervise.

Now that is sound parenting advice right there. And I am off to visit LOST

This says it all

Many people have commented to me something along the lines of:
"Wow, she's a firecracker"
"She must keep you busy"
"No wonder you are so skinny!" (really, that's all you can say?)
or even my special favorites:
"None of my kids would ever do that"
"Doesn't she ever stop"
"I bet she never sleeps"

When I hear these statements I think to myself "........." Actually, I am not going to tell you what I think. I am sure you can imagine. i just take a breath and give thanks to God for this girl of mine and her daddy who takes over when I need a break, or even when I don't.

As we gear up for the big SuperWHY Birthday Party in just a month, I am loving even more her activity. She dances, she sings, she climbs and UNlike her mommy, she has no sense of fear. Hmmm, maybe that is the wrong statement. She does know her limits. She is very (read: for a toddler) obedient. And boy can this toddler sleep! But she is my lover of life. And when she wants to try something crazy (like cliff jumping for beginners at Club Larsen) and I don't want her to, I just remember that Life without adventure is likely to be unsatisfying. And no, I did not make that up on my own. (but it is not because I am not clever. I am very clever in fact)

I love Spam

If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. And unless you have tasted this lovely dish, preferably at the 7-11 off the Kam highway in Laie, I just don't want to hear it. We are going on a cruise in a few months and I am hoping against hope that the cruise has these onboard. 

Welcome Home Jonji!

Jon-ji. The name dubbed to my little-but-taller than me brother by a certain mrs. chatterbox niece
He has been serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ for Latter Day Saints in Denver, Colorado. This mission lasted two years. I have done it, the hubbs did it and hopefully this will continue to the posterity. Some much is learned on a mission. Mostly about your self and the world in which we reside. It is really hard. There are times I wanted to quit. There were times I cried. And there were times where my happiness was off the charts. And it is where I have met some of my very best friends.  It is great to see Jonji home. He came home Friday and flys to Hawaii on Monday.

“Zoo: An excellent place to study the habits of human beings.”

but before we talk about the zoo, I just wanted to take votes on what you think is?

Hint: NOT due to excessive walking. And in accompanied with 8 mosquito bites and another one JUST like this. 

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And now, for the zoo. Because you see, I did not just observe animals, but people as well. Especially this particular person who just about got heat stroke. And before you judge me, I was drinking water. I was also sleep deprived and food deprived and it was 100000* outside with humidity at 1000000*.
I did recognize the tell-tell trait of the mommy in me coming out. I wanted the toddler to experience this. I mean, doesn't this face look like a kid who is having fun? How could I rain in her parade?

After an hour we went home. Obviously. You see, the toddler is more of the "Do-Er" type. But not before we saw my sister. :) (I am not being mean)

To be a good wife you must first...

Get married. Yup, no point is being a good wife if you do not have a hubby.

But in all the semi-seriousness that I can extract, I just wanted to share why today, on My Husband Rocks Friday a few thoughts. Brought to you by none other than Dr. Laura,. Yes, THAT Dr. Laura. Because my friend B&G had this on their shelf and now it is in my hands. In the opening pages i read this quote:

As a man, I can tell you our needs are simple. We want to be fed, we want our kids mothered, and we want lovin'."
-- Vince

Now I am going to toot my own horn here and say that I like to think I am a pretty decent wife and mother. More often than not I am a Mother first and foremost to which Dr. Laura disagrees with. And to which I recall many a lessons in my classes of Marriage and Family agreeing with her. I agree with her as well. I need to be a wife first, THEN a mom. I also like that she is in favor of SAHM. And the need for them in families esspecially with how there is a strong attack on the family.

As I am not very far in this book, here are a few reminders, ideas, thoughts.... whatever you want to call them. Have you read this book yet? What do you think?
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As one listener, Gary, says:

"A husband is like a horse. At the end of the day he is usually rode hard and put away sweaty. Like in the movies, if his master drives and beats him, he'll go just so far before bucking and rebelling.

If you love him, if you coax him, he'll drive himself till his heart explodes before he will let down his master. He'll give himself to death for the one he loves.

Which way should women handle a man?"

I have never gotten a complaint from a male listener in twenty-five years on the radio over my assertion that men are very simple creatures. They agree. I have explained time and again on my radio program that men are borne of women and spend the rest of their lives yearning for a woman's acceptance and approval. Unless you've got a man with a frank mental or personality disorder (the exception, not the rule), men admittedly are putty in the hands of a woman they love. Give him direct communication, respect, appreciation, food, and good lovin', and he'll do just about anything you wish -- foolish or not.

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"Men really are not as complicated as we think they should be. Men love to hear that their woman is happy and that they are the source of this happiness. Men deserve the same respect you would show a visitor in your home -- even more. Men love to be complimented. They also like to be admired. I always thank my husband for working so hard for us, and I encourage the kids to do so, too. Men are grumpy when they are tired and/or hungry. Anything they say while they are in either one of these states is not to be taken seriously. Men don't like it when women talk about them behind their backs. Men are not your 'daddies,' they are your contemporaries and get stressed and scared about things just like you do. And if you were a real friend, you would help ease their burdens, not add to them. Men have dreams, too, and it doesn't matter if it's logical or not, don't walk all over them. (this is where our dream, me speaking,  of living in Montana comes in... he would love that. I hate the snow. But I love him so its ok)

This doesn't mean that we don't have problems -- everyone does -- but it's a lot easier to work them out with a man who knows you love and respect him."

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Excerpted from “The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands” by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. Copyright © 2004 

Well I am sure you can go read the book for yourself. Really, its worth it. I had one professor point out that we claim to put Family first on our list of priorities. Within that list if our relationship to our spouse. But what are we doing for them? Are we continuing our education regarding marriage? He then said that we should be constantly improving that relationship. We should be reading about it, working on it and even going to classes and seminars on it. So as they wanna-be A+ student that I am, I am reading this book. And I can't seem to put it down. 

So here is to you Hubby. I love you. I appreciate you. Thank you for working so hard for our family each and every day. For coming home and doing the dishes and watching the toddler and rubbing my feet and telling ME to go relax. I am pretty sure I should be rubbing your feet and telling you to relax instead. 

My needs. Sound familiar?

I am a woman. And as a woman I have certain needs. I have been reading a really marvelous book called "The proper care and feeding of husbands." After I finished the pages that are not even real numbers (XXIII etc...) I asked the hubbs to read as far as I went as well. And he did. And he agreed with every word. I HIGHLY recommend it. I think it will change your life just as Leadership and Self-deception will. Or has. Depending on if you have read it yet obviously. But, I am not here to talk about that. I am here because I have needs.

Recently two of my girlfriends, Mommy-to-be-T and The Scottish couple, decided that rather than cook everyday for a whole two people and a toddler in my case, we should split the work. Living in close proximity helps this dream become a reality. Just think of date night trades. Its like that. But with food. And it is heaven-sent.

I was enjoying the time of not having to cook and just enjoy sitting. I am sure you understand that this is a rarity. In fact, I would go so far as classifying "mommy-sitting-down-with-no-one-climbing-on-her-or-nothing-to-do" as endangered species. Sometimes I realize the only time I sat down was to relieve myself. But even then I tend to not be able to do that distraction free. What that TMI?

yes, I did just. Go figure.

It was in this rare moment of watching my all time favorite program of Food Network. And don't you dare think less of me. I was watching this and he showed me this.

And then I just knew that I had a need. It was this.

A cooking torch. 

I sort of love camping. But my reasons all have to do with food and nothing to do with nature. Once again, I have needs. One of then does not include sleeping on the dirt and peeing over a hole. 

But it does include tin foil dinners and now, smore cupcakes. Oh please bless you my friend with long life for sending me this beautiful item... I'll name a child after you. Well, maybe not. How about my next plant?

***note: i do not own one. But if you want a plant named after you, i'll send you my address.

Then I did the unthinkable. 

I. 

Kept.

Watching. 

And I realized I need to go to Utah. To Salt Lake. To The Sweet Candy Company. To eat some taffy. Yumm. Until then, I will just have to make my way to Austin. For these. Lots and lots of these tasty treats found at the Holy Cacao.  Road trip anyone?

Typical Journal Entry

diary. A journal. A blog. Really there is no difference. And so this post is dedicated to posterity once again. Posterity and far away family. If you are not either, there is no point in wasting your time. That is, of course, you are here because I DEACTIVATED MY FACEBOOK ACCOUNT!

That's right. I did it. I took the leap. (Actually, it took me three times but whose counting). Will you?

So without further hesitation (because he who hesitates is lost" **note: only those who know about the Baudelaire's will get that literary reference)


Dear Diary/Journal/Blog, 
This week has been jam-packed and wonderful and actually, this whole month has been. It is hard to think that I once lamented that Summer would take so long to go by. But it has. 24 hours at a time. And now it is already the MIDDLE of JULY! Yikes! What have we done this summer?


Racetracks, Sleepover, Dress up, Watermelon Party, Dress like a Cow, Swim. A LOT., Play 18 holes of golf, visit with family, cook, bake, sew, color on walls, Wicked, basketball, volleyball, ride 4-wheelers, start a new job, read, watch movies, buy a new car, swim. A LOT. Scooter rides, beach time, world cup parties, BBQ's, drive-in movies, Super WHY, bed time tantrums, new editions, and the park. Enjoy

I know that was a lot. But now here are just two movies that are sure to impress. Can you get what the first one is? It involves USA and Ghana

now this one is more of what happens you combine a tired toddler with a show she loves to watch around bedtime. Don't judge me. I'm new at this mom thing. 

The perfect Victim

Remember the M&M's with the Crispy center? What about Strawberry Oreo's or Chocolate Covered Cherry Jamba Juice? What! You don't? Obviously you are NOT like me. A perfect Victim. A sucker for labels such as "NEW" "LIMITED TIME". I mean, what if it doesn't comeback like Orbitz?

And so one fateful day I was offered by Big Daddy Matt the chance to try my taste buds with these. Pretzel M&M's.

I opened my hand like a child waiting for that chocolaty goodness to pour out. And just for the record, I don't like M&M's... ever since they snatched away my Crispy's. These ancestors of the Crispy's are round. The colors just as bright and intriguing. And the bag is even one of the colors from my wedding. Soon, I have a handful and I remember that contrary to popular belief, these little balls of goodness will melt in my hands. Houston in the Summer means I better pop them fast. And so I do. I place the first few into my salivating mouth. And then.... Crunch. AAAHHHHH!!!!!

Followed by an OOHHHH!!!!

Followed by "I need to get more. NOW!" And then I think, next time I am pregnant or cycling (the monthly kind) I am going to be sure to crave these. Heck, I crave them already and I am not either of the two. My next thought is  "next time I start walking I am going to be sure to crave these." And true to my word, I get up from the lovely leather sofa and walk to the table to get more. Because I am walking now. I am craving them. And these little brightly colored balls have seriously made my list of top 10 things to always always have on hand. Either that or I need to find alternative methods to walking.

So I go to the M&M site and contact them. I ask them to never get rid of this product. Or if they do, please send all left over inventory to me.

NOTE: I have shared my new love with family and friends and its agreed. These are DELISH!

Thoughts on the Treadmill: Part III

This is my third installment of the fantastic series "Thoughts on a treadmill". I know I have held all of you, my eager readers in suspense since the last one. Feel free to read the first one here and the second here.
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It started last night. I went to bed at 10p. It has been a long time since I went to bed at 10p. Generally it is more close to 11 or 12. Why I have no idea. Usually it is because of a dirty kitchen, full dishwasher, semi organized laundry pile and a bowl or two of ice cream. Bryers. Vanilla. And a book. But there I was at 10p in bed. Prayers said, house clean. Just the silence emanating from the toddler's room over the gentle hum of her fan and the busy day at the Club Larsen and the hubbs breathing evenly next to me. The perfect equation for a good nights rest.
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BEEP>BEEP>BEEEEEPPP! 
6:30 am already here. "I don't hear a toddler, I can still sleep" And then I remember. It's 6:30 am. Time to get up. Perfect Morning goal. Then to hit the treadmill/elliptical. Then get back in time to get everything done for the day before the day is over. These are my thoughts as I kiss the hubbs and head out the door.
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The work out center is always empty this early. So it is just me verse the machine. And my mind. This time I mount the elliptical with much on my mind. Mostly thoughts of why am I such a weirdo. That's not the right adjective. Maybe more like spaz or airhead or idiot. Yep, something along those lines. I wonder to myself how is it that I have made it to live 27 years. How is that the toddler will be almost two and that I still have a great marriage. Being me is hard. Its frustrating. Confusing.  My sister once visited my world inside my head. The hubbs once took that journey as well. I would say it it similar to Alice in Wonderland. Confused yet semi-organized chaos. And beautiful in its own way.
I move my legs and arms in rhythm and  feel the buzz of adrenaline and the beads of sweat form. This is how I feel mentally many time. I move. I work. I sweat. I toil. Sometimes the results are instant but most happen over the course of time. Like... realizing that if I don't write it down it won't get done. Realizing that if an event is not on my google calendar, my two wall calendars, my planner, and my phone, I will NOT be there. And then I wonder how is it that my Savior knows how I feel. I am pretty sure He had it together. I am pretty sure He never dropped the ball. But I know that He is also the one that can help me be more of an adult. To become more responsible.
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25 minutes pass. A few muscles to work out before I am no longer the solitary person in the space I am currently occupying.  Before I venture back into my mind completely. But now I have some new goals. And I realize that these new goals, new ideas that have been created over the last 25 minutes are the result of my desire to change and the influence of the Spirit. And so I go home. I kneel and say thanks to my Father in Heaven for helping me to become better. I am sure I will still be the Spaz that you know and love, but maybe I will be a little less absent minded. At least, those are the thoughts I had today on the treadmill.

Racetrack: You know that hot tip I told you about?

 Jack Kelly: Yeah.  

Racetrack: Nobody told the horse. 

Nothing is as timeless as "Newsies" Well, except for maybe the Fourth of July. 

I love the Fourth of July. It is actually my favorite holiday. Maybe it's the patriotism. Or the lovely red white and blue everything. Maybe it is the BBQ's and the swimming. Maybe the fireworks. I am not sure. I just know that I love this holiday. The past two years we have gone to race tracks with the Knudson's. (I know what you are thinking. But believe me, it is not trashy. It was really fun.) This will be the last time as they are bidding us farewell and moving. And this leaves just one unanswered question: Who will be the toddlers new candy dealer?

We spent the day adapting to the rain due to Tropical Storm Alex. We met up with our lovely friends at the track and enjoyed day making faces, feeding horses, playing Phase 10 and getting DRENCHED at Chick Fil A for an EXTREMAL Spicy Sandwich.   

Did you look closely at the Hubbs shirt? Can you see what is written there? :)

And here is a video our friend Mommy-to-be-T hubbs captured for us.

NOTE: No animals were hurt in the making of this post

The Colors, The Music, The WICKEDNESS

It was 8:00pm on July 1, 2010. By 10:30p I knew it was love. But for who? GALinda (with a GA), Elphaba "Elphie",  Nessie Rose, the Hobby Center?


Now I mentioned that the Hubbs had a great date night planned and boy of boy did he come through. My friend B and G watched the toddler and Mommy-to-be-T brought in delish dinner. I was dressed to the nines for the second weekend in a row and hubbs downed his blue button up which on any day normally makes me swoon to begin with. Add some "Very Sexy" and I am putty in his hands. 


So off he whisked this red clad momma to the Hobby Center for an evening of Wickedness. And I enjoyed it.  Every. Single. Note. But as all things must they curtain closed and the applause rang out and I thought about how easy life would be if I were like GALinda Glinda. I could tell people what they want to hear, give people something to believe in. Then I thought about Elphaba. "Elphie" Her courage and passion and if I were like her I could accomplish anything. And then I realized that these two woman were very different similar different. These two women both suffered heartache. Loss. Dreams destroyed. Dreams realized. In appearance they share nothing on common besides having the correct amount of appendages. Yet in heart and mind they share the same values and even loved the same man. One great lesson I can take from this experience is that truly there are always two sides to each stories. People do crazy things for love and for friends. And each action for good or for evil can change lives. That was more than one lesson. Oh well. 

Some of our favorite quotes:
Let the green girl GO!


You mean this whole time... the two of you, behind my back?
No, no Glinda, it wasn't like that.
Actually it was, but it wasn't


I wanted something to remember her by and all that were left were those shoes! And now that wretched little farm girl has walked off with them


We can't all come and go by bubble!


I can't harbor a fugitive! I am an un-elected official!