Yesterday

Yesterday, I say yesterday because it is 12:07AM, but it still feels like yesterday is today but it really is yesterday, so I will just call it yesterday, and that day (which was yesterday) was supposed to be my blogging day.  The thing is though, that I got obsessed with a project earlier on in the week on my laundry day, so today, I mean yesterday became my laundry day and the time I spent blogging yesterday,  was spent helping my mom put her annual Valentine's letter up on her blog (She said I could use her content for my blog too because she is the sweetest person ever, but I will just link to it instead [: ) and writing up this quick "hey y'all, my week is behind and tomorrow which is really today will be blogging day" post.

I have half a dozen posts planned, just have to get the pics ready and actually I would've had a "better" post done today if my wi-fi would've cooperated.  I've been trying yesterday yesterday, yesterday, today, and tomorrow today to upload a video for your viewing enjoyment. I've even banned all others in the home from using wi-fi until I get this video uploaded.  I mean It's not like a "blow your mind" video, but it is a matter of principle now! :D


Now, I am off to bake some cakes a cake because I promised my off track kids- who are obsessed with Cake Boss- we could decorate cake tomorrow and they need time to cool, but I promise myself before the Blogoverse that I will still blog tomorrow.  I mean today! Definitely today...and tomorrow...


P.S. This might be a good time to mention that if you click on the very safe ads on my blog, you don't have to buy anything, but I get compensated. So click away.  kthanksbai.

Sock Bun

If you have seen me lately chances are you have seen me in another one of my new favorite things.  The sock bun!  I guess it has been around for awhile, but I was just tipped off on it from my niece's blog:
http://tayshaspencer.blogspot.com/2012/01/weekend-update.html

And I am hooked.  Fast, fun and versatile.

I thought it was just a clever name, but you use an actual sock (slightly altered) to make this look.  I had to google and youtube it to figure it out. (you can too)  Justina was with me when I was watching one vid and the girl  doing the tutorial was ridiculous. Quite a few gems on the tube, aren't there.  ("oh my gosh, my hair is sooooo pretty! Let me flip it again for you.") :D  During the searching process I found out you can curl your hair over night this way too!  Just don't have your hair too wet. I found that out the hard way...:)  kinks anyone?

My New Hero

I put "The Incredibles" on the other day for my little boys and as I was listening to the movie from the laundry room, I was struck by how differently a few plot lines settled with me and what ideas came to my mine regarding Mrs. Incredible.  I used to just love that Pixar made such a cool advocate for a homemaker/mom, but this time, as if  Mrs.stay-at-home-mom wasn't Incredible enough, because of these thoughts, she became my new hero.

This is a woman who, along with her husband, had to give up their very identities and doing the good things they loved and become "regular' citizens.  She raises her children and takes care of her home trusting that her husband  has given up his old ways as well.  Then she finds out she is being lied to by him, that she was too trusting and didn't ask enough questions when things seemed too good to be true with his new job.  She is blissfully ignorant. Until she find out that very lie is destroying her husband and endangering her children.

Then she becomes a fighter.  This wife, this mom, is not going to let anything or anyone destroy her family.  She doesn't let the fact that her husband deceived her cloud her judgment.   She isn't going to beat herself up that she was too trusting. She is going to do anything she can to save her family from the evil trying to destroy them.  She is going to pull out all the stops to bring her husband and children home safely.

She fights for her family.   She isn't going to let deception,  indifference, or ignorance get in the way of her family.

No one, no, nothing is gonna stand in her way.

She is a true hero.

BULL!

This is a difficult post for me because I feel like a hypocrite while writing it.  However, I hope you will see past my obvious hypocrisy and realize what I am really trying to say. :)

  I recently found out someone thinks I was being a bully and offensive to them and that they thought I might be bipolar.   That last one made me laugh for a whole day- every time I thought about it.(actually I'm still laughing) But really, I think it is a slap in the face to people who actually DO struggle with that very real diagnosis.  I am none of those things. (well, maybe offensive....) I also want to emphasize that I didn't even act like these things in this situation. I was called these things by someone who doesn't even spend much time around me anymore.  I would take being called bi-polar seriously if it was by someone who really knew me and spent time with me.  In this instance I was called these things by someone who doesn't like what I say or do anymore and they think I should be how they want me to be.   So you might be thinking who cares what this person says if they are someone whom you are rarely around? True. I love this person though and we used to be much closer. I don't like to spend as much time around them because they are so judgmental and two-faced.  They are forever in my life though, so besides the laughing, it is rather sad to me.

But really, I only bring this whole situation up because it  proves that I am finally standing up for myself and my beliefs.  Sure I will still avoid certain topics with certain people, but this new me might also call you out when you are being fake, or condescending, closed-minded or judgmental.  I think if we can't discuss things or say how we really feel to those we care about, then how will  we ever be able to truly express them to the world around us.

I love this person always and they love me always. If  love is understood and expressed we should be able to discuss difficult topics without the fear of losing that love. Even if the discussion ends with both of you agreeing to disagree.  We are better people for opening our minds and considering the other's point of view even if we don't' change each other's minds.

I have talked with this person since then and admitted that I shouldn't have gotten so offended by their words and that I need to remember they are coming from a good place.  I did not apologize for what I said though  because I still believe what I said was true and maybe I didn't HAVE to point it out to them, but it felt good to let them know how they were coming across,  too judgmental and constantly giving slanted, sugary-coated advice when it isn't needed, and why I said the things I did.   I told them to their face, unlike the way they did it-behind my back.  It feels good to have it all worked out and to have moved on.  I really don't like drama, but ever since I have began to step out of my comfort zone, it seems certain people feel the need to try to put me back in.  So, my resistance and their controlling tendencies are creating more friction in my life than I am used to dealing with.  Being out of my comfort zone is still worth it. So worth it.

I don't want to let people tell me how I should be, what I should say, how I will raise my children or act in my marriage relationship anymore.  I've always thought of myself as a teachable person. One who will listen to suggestions from friends and family and I like to learn from others. I am still this person, so please don't let me scare you away from giving me constructive criticism or advice.  Just don't be judgmental while you do it.  ;-)

For someone who has remained introverted and silent for too long, if being called a bully, rude and offensive  means I am finally speaking my mind then I'll take it.

Do you agree to disagree with me?   :-)

Bobcat To Bear

 I've mentioned this before, but Tyler struggles with the desire to go to Scouts.  He always has a good time once he's there, but he hates coming home from school and having only a few minutes to be home before he has to rush to scouts.  Those few minutes are filled with finding out how his day at school went, grabbing a snack and then getting his scout shirt on. HE JUST WANTS TO COME HOME AND RELAX!  ( I know the feeling...) :)  poor guy.     These are the nights that make it all worth it.

 He worked really hard to complete his bobcat requirements.  The main motivating factor for him was that he would get his little awards and move on to being a Bear. :D  He was so excited to become a Bear with a new, blue neck scarf and gold scarf ring.  That night he received several new patches for his shirt, but as we were walking back to our seats, he started getting emotional.  Come to find out he thought he would be getting his blue scarf and ring that night. I thought so too.  I asked one of the leaders when he gets that and that's when I found out that I was the one who was supposed to go to the store and buy it for him and that I would've known that if I had attended the pack meeting where all this was told to the parents.  Well, excuse me!   :)    Really, people that have to point out that crap annoy me.  Does it really do any good bring up something that can not be changed? I missed it, can't turn back time.  Just tell me that it is my responsibility to get that for him and all is well. If you want to drop a little hint that you did talk about it at a past meeting go ahead, no problem, you don't have to be snooty about it. Anyway,  I went and picked them up a few days later and then surprised him with it by putting it in his Christmas stocking.

He has fun with this leader and vigorously shook his hand up and down.  Like jumping up and down for about 10 sec. Doesn't sound like that long, but count it out and imagine a 10 second jumping handshake. We all got a chuckle out of that.

Then he was to pin the bobcat pin on me....but he still needed some help.  I love my big BEAR hugs from Tyler! ;)

This Is A Stick-Up! Gimme All Your Hairspray

I like baby stuff lately.  I've been burning my baby powder-scented candle, using my reserve of leftover baby lotion (mmm smells so good and relaxing) and I even occasionally talk in baby talk. However, there is only one type of baby developing around here and it's not the squishy, small, sweet, newborn type baby that I like.

 It is BABY HAIR.

You know those little new hairs that grow in around your hairline.

  I think I will love them when I am 71, but I do not love them when I am 31.
It's hard enough trying to tame my already crazy hair into non-fly away hair styles. I want to pull them all out, but I won't because that would be painful and slightly neurotic.

I feel really ungracious all of the sudden.

Okay, what if I make myself be grateful for the gray hairs I am getting?  Would that balance out my ungratefulness for my baby hairs?


P.S.  *monotone* I suddenly really love my gray hairs.  They make me distinguished and I can cover them with hair color.

P.P.S. Hair color does nothing to help with baby hair's unruliness or else I'm sure I could learn to love them too.

Baby lotion anyone???

Josh You Need To Read This

I want to do a monthly update on my New Years Resolutions.  I don't usually do serious resolutions, so I think this will help me stay on track.

First of all, For those of you who follow S.R. Braddy's blog I did not copy him. I had written this post before I saw his and have already contacted him in this regard. :) Great minds just think a like. obvi.

1. Park in the Garage --Waiting for it to get a bit warmer outside to make space, but putting things back in their prospective boxes after I am done with them and this will help when the time comes to check this off the list.

2. Organize my craft boxes --Brought them inside to my office aaannnnnddd theyvebeensittingthereforoveraweek, but it's a start, right? :D  This will be done before my update next month.

3. Improve my language. --Installed a dictionary/thesaurus app on my phone...haha j/k.  So far in my head I have started replacing  those special little 4-letter words with my old standbys (Dang, Heck, Fudge, Stars, Shiz) and it seems to help.  I mean a few have slipped out, but not as much, so this is improvement I am happy with.

4. Blog weekly. --Um...I've been blogging AT LEAST bi-weekly and scheduling a post to go up daily. Boo-yah!  So far this one is in the bag.  And again, thank you for reading and commenting and following.  I love you guys. *cyberhugs*

5. Read scriptures to my kids more. --FAILING!   Maybe take some of the blogging time and move it over to this one...? :-)

6. Say peoples names more.  I think about this one every now and then, but I'm not really sure if I am doing it though.  Maybe I need to add to this list-think before I talk more too... ;-) 

7.Get my flipping wedding ring refitted!--FAILING!  Need to set date and place soon. *HINT HINT ALERT* Josh if you are reading this, number 7 would be a fabulous Valentine's day gift.  *cheesy grin*

8. No. Going.  Back!-- I had a few relapses of some depression, but feeling stronger over the past week and happier than usual and not letting the past bog me down. Will continue to look forward to the future. There is so much potential for me this year and I am excited!

It's Super Cassidy Jane!

It's a Bird!

It's a Plane!

No, It's Super Cassidy Jane!

This was what we put on the invitation for Cassidy's 7th birthday party. And I totes stole the idea from the internet. not pintrest. just the good ol' internet.  (The whole pinterest thing actually really scares me because I hear of its addicting powers, but that's entirely for an another blog post.)

 

This post is about Cassidy and her birthday party!  With the holidays and recovery from them and then company and sickness we didn't get around to her party til uh... about 3 weeks after her birthday. She was so understanding. She didn't have a set idea of what she wanted for a party when I asked her, so I gave her a few suggestions and she picked a SuperGirl party. YAY!  What a perfect idea for a boy/girl party.

Problem was none of the party stores carried Super stuff.  Yeah, they had some hero stuff but it was all straight up male. I wanted a girl twist on it.  I might have been able to order stuff online if I had thought of it in time, but I didn't, so I ended up making my own decor and then piecing together the treat bags. I found some colorful hair extensions and light up duckies which were pretty fun. So it worked out,but just took more time than I would've wanted and I asked myself several times how many years of my life I lost in preparing for this party.  :)

I don't know if you can tell, but those balloons spell out her name.  I bought the balloons just for basic party decor, but then in a late night spurt of inspiration I came up with this idea. So, I had to use what balloons I had already bought and luckily I had just enough.  I am trying to decided if next time it would be better to have just one solid color or maybe two alternating colors?  That would make it more uniform, but still be able to distinguish between the letters..? Yeah, because I am definitely doing it again.  It was a pain in the neck and took awhile, but the effect was so cool and I want to do it for each of my kids even if it is just once.

My friend Justina WordGirl stopped by the party as a special host!

Super Sugar Cake

Cassidy decided she wanted a jello cake.  You know where you cook the cake regular, poke holes in it before you frost, pour jello into the holes and chill?  I had done this with pudding before, but never jello.  It was a huge hit!  Usually the kids lick off the frosting and are done with cake, but this one they snarfed down!   I only wish I would've made it a double layered cake.  After it chilled I trimmed it to look like a super symbol, frosted it and decorated it with a two-toned tube of frosting (so excited I happened across this at the store because of the cool look it gave with minimal effort), and pink and gold sprinkles.  Definitely one of my favorite cakes I've made because the ease to coolness result ratio was so high.

While waiting for guests to arrive we played charades and then I had the kids put together a puzzle.  When they realized the puzzle said WordGirl, they yelled it out and out came our special guest!

WordGirl! Half were surprised and excited and the other half were shy.

In no time with WordGirl's children skills they all got into it and had fun playing Super Action HangMan with her.

When the hangman phrase was solved they all acted out the action. This one was "Melt Away".

Then to hide our secret identity, we went up to the kitchen and decorated our Super masks!  When they were done the kids were ready to go on a super hero mission and whoops, I didn't have one for them, so I had them all turn around and try to figure what the balloons spelled. My super thinking powers saved the day on that one. whew!

To keep the kids occupied and contained while cleaning up the mask mess we turned on a show that Cassidy had picked to watch. T.U.F.F. Puppy. Sorta superhero-ish,secret agent cartoon. Anyway the kids were completely enthralled in the show. I think most of them had never seen it before.

Then it was time for Pizza and Cake!

It seems like eating time at parties is always kinda quiet. I usually try to get the kids to talk and have a good time while they eat. However, this year I had another bout of inspiration at the last second when WordGirl mentioned MadLibs and I was like, "Let's do those during eating time!"  So I got my MadLibs books out and WordGirl had the kids fill in the blanks and then read the story called "Cassidy's Diary"  They actually made a really funny story.  It was all about her crush on one of the boys at the party.  She was blushing so hard! :D

WordGirl has a tradition of singing the Happy Birthday song the worst way you can.  It was a fun change from our normal, perfect harmonies. ;-)

To run off their developing sugar highs we played Super Relay.
Super Relay: Each team member must race to the basket, put on the 3 articles of super clothing and carry a spoon with a ping pong ball on it across the room and back, take off the super clothes and race back to tag the next person in line.

Presents!

Man, this party ran so smoothly!  I do always have a few extra things to do on my party list in case we need them.  We ended with all the set plans right on time, but the parents hadn't arrived yet- which was fine because then we were able to have a Super Dance party to pass the time.  Loved seeing the moves these kids pulled out to show us.

 WordGirl gets her dance on.

AFTER PARTY!

Some of the cousins hung around after the party and went a little "star"crazy.  I'm posting their picture first so mine looks more normal.

I didn't want the adults to feel left out so I started endowing them with stars. After about an hour of wearing our stars we actually forgot they were even there.  It was like they became a part of us.

Or we became a part of them...Dun Dun Duuuunn!!!

 We have never had a special guest come to one of our parties and it made it so amazing! Thanks WordGirl!

Sign of Success : A worn out WordGirl

Ssshhhhhhh...

And We Have A Winner!

  Danielle is in her last year at the elementary school. ridic, i know.  Every year she puts her heart and soul into her school Reflections Project in hopes it will be chosen as a winner. This year she was so happy and relieved that she pulled out an honorable mention win!

Winning Entry

 Usually she draws a picture, but this year she decided to enter a photograph/collage.  The contest theme was "Diversity Is..."  I hate these type of themes.   It seems like this is the theme every other year and I just think the national board could  be a little bit more diverse themselves in picking their themes.

   Anyway,  she came up with the idea of photographing different personalities.  She pulled each of her siblings into her room and directed them to make a bunch of expressions for the camera.  ( If I had realized when she was doing it I would've had them look a bit more tidy, but I guess that's really not what it was about...)  She then picked her favorites from the shots and I helped her make it into a collage.  All of the pictures were really so funny and cute that I made a little slide show you can watch at the end of this post. I was so proud of her concept and talent to make a good entry.

Good Job, Danielle!

Photography winners! She was so embarrassed walking up to the stage in front of the whole school.  Endearing, really.

*update* Danielle always works hard on everything she does and wants it to be the best it can be.  She just won a prize at her school for a short play she wrote.  Most of the other kids decided to do it in a group, she chose to do it herself so that she could write her unique idea just as it was in her head and she won!  So impressed with this oldest child of mine. Where did she even come from?   :)  I am one lucky mommy.

Favorite Fings

i wanna share wif you 1 of my favorite fings in the whole wide world.

and be warned be cause it is very housewifey.

like uber, SUMP (Super Ulitmate Mega Platinum), maximum housewifey!

Here it is, my favorite recipe for.........Laundry Pretreatment Spray!
So really,  technically.. it is for anybody who does laundry.  You're welcome. And yes, you will be thanking me when you use this and your stains are magically* gone**.

All you have to do is fill a spray bottle*** with equal parts****

• Liquid Dish Soap
• Ammonia
• Water

Then spray it on the stains. The beauty of this homemade pretreatment solution is that you can spray it on the clothes whenever you want and throw them in the washer or back in the laundry pile until you are ready to wash them, with no harm to the clothes. Of course, the sooner you spray and wash the better stain removal you will have, but I have had great success in spraying a week-ish old stain and immediately washing it and also spraying a week-ish old stain and then washing it a week-ish later.
(Immediately spraying a new stain and then immediately washing it does not exist in my world. I don't even comprehend what I just typed.)

Again, you're welcome.

Happy Laundry to you all!





* This is not an actual magic potion.  
**It will not remove every stain in the universe. 
***Do not combine with bleach.  If you spray some clothes and there happens to already be bleach in the water, it should be fine though...
****Discontinue use if you have a change in libido, diet, or notice one pinkie is longer than the other.