Need a laugh?

OK, so this might be silly, but I like a good joke and I think most people like hearing a good joke.  I love watching/listening to all kinds of comedy...child-like humor, redneck humor, adult humor...even comedy from Kathy Griffin (every once in a while).  My favorite comedian is Ricky Gervais...in case you were wondering. All of this to say is that I came across a few jokes in my January Glamour.  There aren't usually jokes in this magazine, so I was pleasantly surprised to not only see some, but they were actually funny and I thought I would share them with you just so you could have a chuckle or a laugh-out-loud moment.  I know I needed one this morning and so I read the jokes over again!  :)


1)  Two weasels are sitting on a bar stool.  One starts to insult the other one.  He screams, "I slept with your mother!"  The bar gets quiet as everyone listens to see what the other weasel will do.  The first again yells, "I SLEPT with your MOTHER!"  The other weasel says, "Go home, Dad, you're drunk."


*The following is a little more adult, but there are no children reading this blog.


2)  A chicken and an egg are lying in bed.  The chicken is smoking a cigarette with a very satisfied smile.  The egg is frowning and looking frustrated.  The egg says, "Guess we answered THAT question."


3)  A married couple in their early sixties were celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary in a romantic restaurant.  Suddenly, a fairy godmother appeared.  She said, "For being such an exemplary married couple, I will grant you each a wish."  The wife answered, "I want to travel around the world with my darling husband."  The fairy waved her magic wand and poof! - two tickets for the Queen Mary 2 appeared.  The husband though for a moment, and then said, "Well, this is all very romantic, but an opportunity like this will never come again.  I'm sorry sweetheart, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me."  The wife and the fairy godmother were  deeply disappointed, but a wish is a wish.  So the fairy waved her magic wand and poof! - the husband became 92 years old.  The moral of this story: Men who are ungrateful should remember that fairy godmothers are female.

The Mommy-Fight Site: Welcome to the D.C. Urban Moms message board. And by the way, your kid's stroller sucks.

So, I came across this article (The Mommy-Fight Site: Welcome to the D.C. Urban Moms message board. And by the way, your kid's stroller sucks.) during my slow work day that is called Monday. I found it via one of my favorite blogs: AdequateParenting.com. As I'm typing this I'm trying to decide whether I should full-out rant or just let you read the article for yourself and pick a side. But, that right there is what I think is the real problem - picking sides. Why as moms do we feel like we need to pick a side(s) on everything that has to do with motherhood and raising children?

When we are engaged, newly married and/or pregnant, there are numerous people giving us unwanted advice that drives us absolutely insane, right? I mean, we may find out at some point that their advice was good advice, but whether it ends up being good or not, most of us do not like unsolicited advice (i.e. "enjoy the first year of marriage, it's all downhill from there!" or "You need to go home and have lots of sex to get that baby out!") So, why on earth would we indirectly (or directly) do that to other mothers when we know from our own experience they are just as worried, confused and learning as they go as we are?! And why would we judge them for their decisions?

The article above talks about this, yet on a more extreme level. Briefly, it talks about a blog for mothers in D.C. to offer insight, advice, etc. on life as a mom in D.C. Unfortunately it has morphed into name-calling, judging and all out war between moms! This is sad, but I will admit I have done some judging of my own, not on whether you're ruining your kid's life by not breastfeeding or going back to work, not about what school you choose to send your kid(s) and not about what car you drive or what house you live in. The article talks about mothers judging each other by what stroller they use and I suddenly felt a twinge in my side. I do this, I admit, BUT only on one front and that would be those crazy $800-$1000 strollers I see being pushed around! Why on earth would you spend that much money on a stroller?!?! Unless they can soothe your child when they start fussing, feed them and wipe their butts, there is no reason to spend that much money on them whether you can afford them or not. Now, if you can afford them it is totally your prerogative to purchase one, but again I say, why? That could be a few car payments or better yet, put that aside for your kid's college tuition or even their current school's tuition if they're going to a private school! And I could be wrong in saying this, but I've never seen a toddler in these expensive strollers? Is that possible? Before I end this rant/confession, in the article it talks about these mothers judging your stroller this way: Buggaboo owners are rich and fad-oriented, Maclaren owners are upper middle-class and highly educated, while Graco owners are poor. So, I own a Maclaren AND a Graco...so what does that say about me?! So yes, I am judgmental when I feel like people are wasting their money on things that don't really improve their lives or have any worth for a long period of time. While that is my opinion, I would not call someone a name or insinuate they were rich, poor or otherwise from certain gear they own because we all know people who buy things they CAN'T afford and then there are those who will say that "it was a gift", so then I can say the gift-giver is wasting money! :)

All joking and sarcasm aside, I wanted to blog about this because I truly feel that we need to lift each other up as mother's and be there for each other when we do have the courage to ask for help/advice. I am one of those people who don't like to ask for help, so it takes a lot for me to ask and when I finally do, I don't want to be judged or made to feel stupid. And who are we to judge someone's choice(s) when it comes to raising our kids? Who cares if you send your child to public or private school? My husband went to a public school and got a w-a-y better education than I did at a private school, but if you can afford to send your kid to a private school, go for it (and if you can't, it's not a big deal. There are GREAT public schools out there!). Who cares what stroller you decide to push around? Everyone has their preferences. The only reason I own a Maclaren on top of a Graco travel system is because it's lighter and easier to use. Travel systems are not shopping-friendly! Who cares whether you live in the city or in the suburbs? Does that really means anything in grand scheme of things (or the not-so-grand scheme of things)?

Being a mommy is a wonderful, hard, time-consuming, tiring, intense, fun, magical, never-ending, awesome ride that most of us all have in common!  So, unless you see two toddlers running around the airport barefoot while drinking Coke from a bottle, there is no need to judge!

Annie and Ella Updates

Time is flying by!  Not only is 2010 over, but my baby girl is 3 months old and my first baby girl is 5 1/2 and will be 6 before I know it.  These are the days that I want to stop time and sit down with my girls and just play and laugh mentally remember them at this age.  Ella's baby years flew by too fast with all the moving and new beginnings of motherhood and 'doctor'-hood.  I want so bad to cherish Annie as a baby and for time to slow down because I'm pretty sure I'm done having kids.  Yet as I am typing this post Annie is having more 'firsts' and reaching more and more milestones which only means one thing - she's growing up!  Ahhhh!

Yesterday Annie rolled over...1/2 way...for the first time.  I know this isn't a huge deal as rolling over is usually celebrated when then can fully roll over from front to back and vice versa, but I was proud of her because this is helping her enjoy her playmat, playpen and crib a bit more as she can look in different directions now.  She is also grasping objects more.  She has a rattle that she likes and she also holds her pacifier and a soft elephant/blanket thingy (I have no idea what to call it.  It's one of those little blankets that have a stuffed animal head attached to it).  Anyway, Ella was the first one to see Annie's half roll onto her side.  I was fixing dinner in the kitchen while Annie was in the living room on her playmat.  Ella came down from upstairs and ran into the kitchen saying, "Mommy!  Annie tipped over!  Annie tipped over!"  At first I was brushing Ella off because I knew Annie was lying on the ground so she couldn't really "tip over", but then Ella's sound of concern/surprise made me run in the living room to see what was going on and sure enough there was Annie on her right side cooing and looking around!  It made me smile and Ella thought it was really cool that she was the first one to see her new milestone.  I'm very curious to see what her stats will be on her 4 month check up next month.  

My ever growing, stubborn, hilarious, smart, beautiful 15.yo., um, 5 y.o. (ha ha) is coming home every day learning new spelling words, reading more, painting beautiful pictures (although I'm sick of all her stuff smelling like tempera paint!) and adding and subtracting like it's going out of style!  I am amazed at how much she is learning in Kindergarten.  But I am so thrilled with her love of reading and music (she gets that from me) and she is also really interested in science, but I have to say that was always my weak point.  Thank God that Stephen is strong in that area because when Science Fair projects come around, that's all him!  :)  

Ella will be starting her last couple rounds swim classes next month.  She has finished all her classes teaching her the different strokes.  She is now in an advanced class teaching better breathing techniques and longevity for lap swimming.  This summer she will be able to be on a swim team if she so desires, although she says she doesn't want to do races, she wants to dive!  I'm trying really hard to not live vicariously through her, but I loved being on a swim team when I was younger and even to this day I could stay in a pool for hours!

Overall, my girls are amazing!  Any mother out there with kids, especially girls, knows how I feel.  And this will be the post that I read and re-read over and over again to calm myself and remember how blessed I am on those days where I'm getting payback for being such a brat when I was little!  (Just kidding...no, I'm not.) 

Hello God...

Hi Y'all!  I got this prayer mailed to me in a birthday card this past weekend and absolutely loved it!  It's exactly what I need at this point in my life and I plan on putting it up in numerous places around the house so I can always read it and pray it several times a day.  I know you will probably love it, too, so enjoy!

Hello God,

I called tonight

To talk a little while

I need a friend who will listen

To my anxiety and trial.

You see, I can't quite make it

Through a day just on my own.

I need your love to guide me,

So I'll never feel alone.

I want to ask you please to keep

My family safe and sound.

Come and fill their lives with confidence

For whatever fate they're bound.

Give me faith, dear God, to face

Each hour throughout the day

And not to worry over things

I cannot change in any way.

I thank you God for being home

And listening to my call,

For giving me such good advice

When I stumble and fall.

Your number, God, is the only one

That answers every time.

I never get a busy signal,

Never had to pay a dime.

So thank you, God, for listening

To my troubles and my sorrow.

Good night, God, I love you too,

And I will call again tomorrow!

Cupcakes & Jellybeans

Hi y'all! I wanted to share this website with you that was created by one of my good friends from college. She is a temporarily retired teacher while she is awaiting the birth of her second child (a girl) and staying home with her young son.

She is another crafty friend of mine who has started her own business from home and I thought my other crafty friends would love to see her designs to get new ideas and maybe even share yours with her! Enjoy!

Cupcakes & Jellybeans

Midlife crisis at 30?!

Let me first warn the reader that this post might be a bit rambling...okay, it might be a lot rambling (and personal).  The last week or so has been very emotional, stressful, quizzical, introspective, worrisome, lonely and so much more - all because I'm turning 30!?  I know this sounds crazy and I'm sure I'm making it a bigger deal that it needs to be.  But, I truly feel this is the beginning of a new phase of my life and while it's making me want to set goals and really keep them and accomplish them, it's making me think of this past decade of my life and what I've accomplished so far.  My greatest accomplishments so far is that I've been married almost 10 years to my soulmate who is a wonderful, caring and supportive man that I know was put on this earth only for me.  And then my other accomplishment would be my two beautiful girls who have shown me that I can love more than I ever thought and to reaffirm my faith that God does truly exist.  So, this sounds all wonderful and fluffy as I write this, but thinking about all of this has made me also think about what I've not accomplished and to wonder what I'm really on this earth for, because even though I love being a wife and mother, I am one of those people who does not like to be defined by that.  I don't like the feeling that the best part of my life is ending.


It's clear to me and I'm sure to a lot of others (hee, hee) that I am not the wife, mother, friend, Christian, health nut, clean freak, go-getter, good example that I want/wish to be.  I'm assuming none of us are, so that's not my issue.  I'm not comparing myself to others in any of these areas, but I do have several friends and family members that I admire and respect who are very strong in certain areas and even though I try and hang out with them as much as possible, nothing rubs off on me!  :)  But as I move onto a new phase and a new decade in my life, I find myself reminiscing about my past and missing it more than I'm looking forward to the future.  I feel like I'm stuck in my HS and college days as that is the last time I felt most successful about my life and when I had the most fun.  When it comes to this part of my life, I feel like the only way I could feel like a success is to go back to school.  But, I can't right now with a newborn and we'll see if I'm still interested in going back when it is possible in a couple years.  As for now, I'm trying to feel successful in my job as a medical transcriptionist, but that feelings ebbs and flows month to month mainly for reasons that are out of my control.  But, I am thankful for my job and I love  the feeling of accomplishing a huge amount of work in a few hours.


As for my role as mother and wife, I have not felt very successful and I want with all my soul to be better in those roles.  I am not a patient person.  I never have been.  I know it is possible to become a more patient person and as I have prayed numerous times for God to help me become more patient, He clearly has/is putting me in situations to test me as that will be the only way I can learn, change and grow.  Oh how I have failed!  Which means I'll only be tested more...and I want to succeed, somehow.  Of course, associated with my lack of patience is a quick temper and bad language.  Now, I can make excuses and say that this is how I was raised and it's just in my genes, and although that is part of it, I do not want to pass this down to my girls.  I go through phases in my life where the last thing I could think of doing is saying a curse word, but then I have phases where I think, who cares?  I'm not saying it where anyone can hear it or I'm only saying it out of frustration, not towards anyone in a hurtful way.  But, obviously I know that if I'm saying or thinking these words my heart is not right.  I want to be a good example for my girls, my non-Christian friends and I don't want to disappoint my husband.  He hates it when I curse.  I can tell every time I do that it makes me a little ugly to him.  So, I will continue to pray for help and healing in this area(s).


As for the rest of my issues...I want/need to lose weight, I need to eat better, I need to work out regularly, I need to make reading my Bible a priority as well as my prayer life, I need to call and reach out to my friends more, especially those who live in FL as they are very important to me and I would hate time and distance to ruin those relationships, I need to vacuum more often (LOL)...


...You know, all of this sounds like a lot of New Year's resolutions, but I promise they are not.  I've never been the type to make New Year's resolutions and I'm not starting now.  But, after a week or so of such introspection and disappointment in myself it only seemed fitting that I make note of all the areas I need/want improvement in.  I am very grateful for my husband's support and for him not running away in fear when he noticed my weirdness this past week.  :)  And as you are reading this, I would hope that you would support me as well, whether you are a friend or a family member, in prayers and accountability.


As I usually post things updating you on my girls' accomplishments and growth stats, I will hopefully be able to update you on my growth and accomplishments: emotionally, spiritually and physically.  I appreciate you taking the time to read my ramblings and if you think I'm crazy or not, please pray for me!  

Happy New Year...I think!

Oh my...I have 15 more days in my 20's.  Is this really a happy new year?  I don't know why, but I'm really dreading turning 30.  I may just be building it up in my head since many of my friends who have already turned 30 didn't seem to care or have a hard time with it.  I'm sure once the day gets here I won't feel any different and nothing bad will happen, but I still don't like it!  I have a couple 'crazy' ideas to end my 20's with, but I won't speak of them unless I really go through with it.  (There will be a posting if so.)


Instead of looking ahead right now, I'll wrap up 2010 in this post (pretty bow not included).  After much complaining of people bringing Christmas to the forefront a little too early for me this past year and then all of a sudden it being here, I finally got into the Christmas spirit once we arrived (safely, thank God - I hate flying) in FL.  But, before I knew it, it was over.  And it was also 70 on Christmas day; that's just not right.  We're now back in MI where I'm still in the Christmas spirit, but everyone is now rushing in Valentine's Day!  


Overall, our family had a great Christmas!  We enjoyed the sunshine and palm trees in FL and a little reprieve from the MI winter, although FL was unseasonably cold for a few days while we were down there.  Ella had a great time with her great-grandma, cousins, paw-paw, and aunts and uncles.  I really enjoyed time with my grandma and being in G'ville.  And it was REALLY nice to be with my husband for 10 days straight without any work distractions, etc.!  The trip went by fast nonetheless.  And although we love our family, we are ready and so overdue for a REAL vacation that doesn't involve us trying to see tons of people in a short amount of time.  Hopefully we will see that come to fruition in 2011.


I will post pictures of our Christmas trip soon and will post much more of what my 30th year will entail.  But before that, I will say that 2010 came with a lot of blessings...more than I can recount, but most of our blessings have to do with our daughters and what God has done in our lives through them and what he has done in their lives.  Ella started Kindergarten and is learning how to read and spell at warp speed and is becoming even more independent than I thought possible.  And of course, Annie was born and we were blessed with another sweet, calm baby who was sleeping through the night by 8 weeks and is also a VERY good traveler.  She was absolutely perfect on every flight we took to and from FL.  I am well-aware that even though there are things that are difficult in our lives and struggles that we have at times, things could be so much worse and God is truly with us and blessing us every day.  I look forward to seeing what He has in store for us in 2011 even though I'll be 30 while doing so.