Random Friday

I am going to the grocery store today. 

It's my least favorite chore.

Actually it is in a dead heat with laundry.

Yesterday while I made lunch, Ryan told me he was going to write.

I was all for it.

I thought he would draw pictures and make scribbles.

 

He wrote his name first, then his sisters.

I helped him with some of the letters.

I didn't know he had come so far.

Before my next thought, I apologize to teachers.

I think you are awesome.

That being said, homework totally sucks, and projects are sheer torture.

Exhibit A:

A book report made into a filmstrip.  

Well thank heaven for Emmy and her Time for Tots!  

Without her, it would have been an all nighter.

It's true, the weather out here has been grand.

Take a few minutes to hate us.

I will wait.

I do not take a nap in the morning on the couch.

And it is not because I go to bed past midnight most nights.

My mom's aunt sent her this:

Women are Angels.

And when someone breaks our wings....

We simply continue to fly ......... On a broomstick...

We are flexible....

I like that.

Because it's true.

I do not prefer to be lazy.

I just happen to be laid back.

I am not a control freak.

I am thrilled for Friday's.

No homework.

Sleeping In.

I fill like a kid again!

Stay warm and cozy.  

Treat yourself nice.

You deserve it.

What are your random thoughts? 

Internet Safety

It's the Writer's Workshop with Mama Kat.  I chose prompt #2.

2.) Brea from Tomika’s Treasure Trove wants your advice: Quick question. I am new to the blogging world, having clocked up less than 2 weeks worth of posts, and I have just had an ‘Anonymous’ commenter slam me for blogging about my daughter, mentioning her by name, posting photos and up-to-date stories about her. I have not mentioned anywhere in my blog where we live, Country OR State, or what school she goes to. I have also seen, on several other blogs, that other parents do the same thing as me. Some even mention where they live. I was wondering, as a fellow blogger who posts about your family, what are your thoughts on the subject?


This is a great topic for discussion.  When I first started blogging, I was reluctant to post pictures online.  But then I realized I was being...well...paranoid.  I don't name my city, or even county.  I do reside in CA, but let's face it...CA is very big.    I also don't give out any personal information beyond first names.  Some folks out there have nicknames for their families.  I didn't think of that.  I wish I had only because it's fun.   I don't name schools.  I don't post pictures that have my city's name it.  If there is a picture with the name I block it out.

When we blog about our families, we are sharing our experiences with one another. We are the 21st century version of ladies standing at their fences chatting it up while their kids are eating dirt.  It's not as if we have set up our children with an account on the predators delight *cough* My Space.  My daughter has two blogs.  One is her blog for sharing.  No personal info and she knows it.  I read her blogs before they are posted.  Her other blog is dedicated to animals.  She picks an animal a week and does a mini report about that animal.  And again, I read the blog before it is posted.

The choice to publish pictures and adventures about our families is ultimately up to us.  The parent.  We are the adult and we know what is safe and unsafe.  And really if someone wants to slam a stranger for "putting their kids in danger," they should at least have the guts to comment with their own username rather than anonymously! And while I am at it, that person should mind their d*mn business.

So yes, I am of the opinion that if you want to post pictures of your family...more power to you!  And thank you all for sharing a piece of your life with me.  For letting me know my kids are pretty normal and I am doing a pretty good job most of the time. 

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Picture of the Day

 

Ryan and I shared a bowl of chocolate chips.  It was mixing bowl holding about 1/2 a cup of the chips.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Houston, TX 

You Like Me! You Really Like Me!

I have been a very ungrateful bloggy friend.  I am ungrateful because I was awarded twice last week and I haven't done anything with them.  Last week was one of my crazier weeks filled with multiple doctor appointments, sick kids, yadda yadda yadda.  So now I will begin....*ahem*

The first award comes from Joy at The Practical Mom Guide. I enjoy her site very much. Go and visit her.    The award is the Happy 101 Award!

To accept the "Happy 101 Award" I need to:
1. Acknowledge the person who gave it to me
2. List ten items that make me happy, and
3. Award it to other bloggers.

10 Things That Make Me Happy:  In no particular order

1.Chocolate.

2.The beach

3. When my son grabs my cheeks and smushes my face.

4.When my eldest cracks a joke

5.When my little middle draws me a picture

6.When my hubby tells me that I do a good job

7. Shoes (There is no such thing as too many shoes.)

8.Floating in a pool, on my back, eyes closed. 

9.warm homemade rolls with butter (Mmmmmm!)

10. Getting lost in a book.

Next up is an award I received from Mother Chick.  She is fresh and funny.  This award is The Sunshine Award!  This is fitting for me, I guess, since my mother called me "Sunshine" when I was growing up.

 

And now to hand over both awards to my fellow bloggers...well ladies it gets harder and harder for me, because first I really do enjoy each and everyone of your blogs.  I look forward to stalking checking in on you each day.  So how do I pick?  I could throw them on the floor and let the first one to get them have them.  I could do a game like Ellen, you know musical chairs.  But instead I am going to pass  them to you all and share the love that way.

XOXOXO

Remembering Me.

When I was 16, I had it all figured out.  Of course I did.  Don't all 16-25 year old people have it all figured out.   It's that time in your life when you know more than your parents could ever dream or hope to know.  Yes, I had it planned out.  I was going to have a career...in....well it be something good.  Something that makes me lots of money.  I will probably get married and IF I do have children, well then my husband will be the one to stay home with the kids.  I am not going to do all the homemaker junk!  I am woman hear me roar! 

I met my husband when I was 21.   We were married three weeks after I turned 23.  Then just 4 years later something happened that changed who I was forever.  When they first handed her to me, I thought she looked kind of funny.  Nobody ever told me that they don't come out looking like a cherub.  They actually are kind blotchy and wrinkly.  No matter, once I held her in my arms my life was forever changed.  For starters, I had no idea what to do with her.  I had no idea about anything to do with raising a child.  And that is when it hit me.  I had to stay home.  I had to be with her. 

12 years and two kids later, I realize more and more that I have lost a lot of who I was.  Where is that girl with the fierce attitude?  Where is that girl who never backed down from a fight?  Where is that girl who was outspoken and had passions?  I am happy to say she is still in there somewhere.  And I am going to bring her back to the surface.  I miss her.  Part of what has brought this on is Holly's--from 504 Main--weekly feature of Rethink What Matters.  If you want to learn more go here.  

But it is not just her wonderful posts that have inspired me.  It's this funk I have been in for way too long now.  Oh and the fact that I am turning...f-f-f-f-orty this year! Oh!  That really hurt!  It really has hit me.  I am in the middle of my life, and some where along the way, I left part of me behind. Why do we do that?  How do we change it?  And how do we not have the guilt the comes with remembering ourselves?  What do you do?  Where is the balance? 

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Picture of the Day

 

I think the picture pretty much sums up my weekend.