Today I Realized I Really, REALLY Like the Name Pippa.

I had no idea about Kate Middleton having a younger sister.  To be honest, I haven't been paying any attention to Prince William and Kate at all.  But this morning I decided to check out the rebroadcast of the royal wedding.  My honest to goodness thoughts about the ceremony?  Snoooooore.  I didn't even finish watching it.  Apologies in advance to those of you who love this couple (Amy).  :)  But when I saw the video and pictures of the bride's maid of honor my jaw dropped.  She's such a cute girl and her dress (though way too low cut) was beautiful. 

Pippa Middleton

Do the rest of you fall in love with names because of people you know (or book/movie characters) making their names desirable?  Sometimes it works in the other direction.  I've mentioned names to Tony only to find out he abhors them because of people he once knew. Haha! 

So - dibs on Pippa.  But first I'm going to have an Alice.  Then a Pippa.  :)  I've also got my first two boys named as well.  Do you have a list of names all ready to use?  My mom always spent the whole nine months of pregnancy weighing and measuring and thinking and comparing to come up with the perfect name.  Hubster and I had our girls' names totally picked out before they were born.  It nice and simple. 

Today I Worked On the Drop 10 Challenge.

When I was younger, I always started the yearly Self Challenge which Self Magazine has to gear everyone up for swimsuit season.  Like how I said started?

Yeah.

I never finished.  Hehe.  Fast forward 5 years and here I am now.  Two babies earned and a body to prove it.  My belly and upper arms have definitely seen more toned days!  I decided earlier this week to do The Challenge again.  I'm hoping to actually see it to the end this time.  **fingers crossed*

I will confess, I am not doing the diet part.  I do NOT counting calories.  I've tried that time and time again and just get bogged down by the whole thing.  I'm working on writing down what I eat and using the Challenge's meal ideas for more healthy eating.  I could probably do better at drinking more water too.

Today I did the Interval Workout and boy! did it kick mah boot-tay.  It was HARD work!  But even though each of my limbs feels like wiggly, jiggly, boneless Jello, I am just so happy I did it.  Hopefully I can make a habit out of working out every day.  The workout part of the program requires doing 3 of their workouts (like today) and then burning 700 calories however I like the rest of the week.  They have a huge list of activities, that I don't really think of as exercise, which I can use to help make those 700 cals add up quick.  Things like eating, sleeping, vacuuming, shopping, and folding laundry (WOOHOO!!!!).

It only takes 27 days of doing something for it to become habit, right?  

Today I Drowned.

In an unbelievably huge pile of laundry.

(source)

The End.

Today I Felt Stupid, Yet Proud.

This afternoon I was in my house, minding my own business, reading and snacking.  Ash was outside running around with aunties and uncles.  Britt was in her room playing with her toys.  Then I heard the sound of approaching footsteps at my door, followed by a little knock. 

Whomever it was, they were short.  I opened up the door to see Ash.  She said, "bella kai-ee."  I just nodded my head sagely and invited her in to have some carrot sticks with me.  She, of course, stepped in to happily devour said vegetables - completely forgetting about her reason for coming to the door. 

Then I heard it.  The sound of a small person, gut-crying.  All of a sudden I realized what Ash said - "Bella's crying."  **smacks forehead**  Obviously I ran out the door to see what the matter was.  Molly beat me to it.  Bella was fine physically.  Just got her feelings hurt by another short individual.  Such dramatic sobs for no torn skin, broken bones, or poked eyeballs!

After that I felt stupid.  This is what happened.  Ash came to the door to get help for her sad auntie (this is why I am proud - such a sweet girl!!).  "Bella's crying," she says.  Me: "Uh-huh.  Here, have a carrot."  In other words, "No biggie. Doesn't matter."  Not exactly the super mommy follow-up to her good deed that I would have wanted.  Fail.

**sigh**

Today I Finished the Hunger Games Trilogy.

I am so happy this series ended well.  My thoughts on the first book still stand.  These books are deeply disturbing.  They touch on the fralities of government and leadership as well as man's inhumanity to man.  But they also speak of hope, faith, and the will to live freely and fight for that freedom.  I think I liked them.  I do like the way Suzanne Collins wrote her books.  Fast-paced, alive, and descriptive.  It's amazing I even wrote that last word.  I am not one for details.  I usual skim over them to get to the good parts.  But the details and descriptions are actually interesting in the Hunger Games trilogy!  **semi-shocked**  I think I hung on just about every word.  I also liked how there were many twists and turns that I didn't see coming.  Except for one.  That last arrow she shot?  Totally saw it coming.  That being said, these books are nowhere near my favorite.  Too gladiator, too gory, and too disturbing. 

Now.  On to the giveaway winner.  **drum roll**  And the winner is......

Jenny!  She said, "Ooo pick me! I love fabric shavers, I learned about their wonders when I worked at the dry cleaner...I have yet to buy one though :)" 

Hi Jenny!  How are you?  Sorry I don't have a cute little pic of Ash holding up the little winning paper with your name on it.  I didn't think about it until after she went to bed.  :)

For those of you who don't know, Jenny and I know each other in real life.  We both served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Houston, Texas several years ago.  So did my husband.  Jenny knows my husband better than she knows me because both she and Tony were in the Spanish speaking program (lucky ducks).  If I hunt around in my picture boxes I could probably find a picture that the both of us are in.  But, I'm too lazy.  Haha.

So, yay!  Congrats!  And thanks to everyone else for playing.  Wish I could afford to send a fabric shaver to all 16 of you.  They are seriously that good.  :D

Today I Shaved My Sofa.

What a weird thing to say, huh?  **laugh** 

Remember the fabric shaver I wrote about earlier?  Well, our sofa is from Ikea and the cover was looking quite fuzzy and pilly - yuck.  Not anymore!  **big, cheesy grin**  I shaved it and it looks great! 

I orded two more shavers because the blades had worn off my old one.  Since so many of you (my dear bloggy friends) do not own a fabric shaver, or **gasp** had not even heard of such thing (really???), I'm giving my extra away.  If you want a brand new Remington Fuzzaway Fabric Shaver, read on!

(the prize sitting on my freshly shaved sofa)

How to enter this giveaway just do two things:

Step 1.  This is for my follower friends only - so if you haven't already, click that button on the right-hand side to be a Google Friend Follower!  :)

Step 2.  Leave a comment.  Make sure your comment links me to your blog or leave your e-mail.

That's it!  Easy-peasy!  Winner will be chosen by Ash - in other words, your names will be put on pieces of paper, thrown in a bowl, and the first one she picks will be the winner.  :P  Winner will be announced on the 25th (Monday).

Today I Ate Unleavened Bread.

Last year I bought A Christ-Centered Easter by Janet & Jow Hales, because I want to have less eggs and bunnies and more about the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ in our Easter holiday. 

(source)

Today is the day we assume the Savior and His disciples had the Last Supper, which mostly likely would have been the Passover (which Christ turned into the Sacrament). 

(source)

So my family and I sampled the foods of the Passover.  We talked about the original story of how the Passover came into being and the symbolism behind each of the foods (from a Christian standpoint). 

(In Remembrance of Me, by Walter Rane)

I made the unleavened bread, which is soooo simple and plain.  I also roasted some lamb with seasoning.  Like I said, it was just a sampling not a feast. We used romaine lettuce for the bitter herbs and grape juice for wine. 

And if you feel like reading more about it, Terry W. Treseder wrote a great article called, Passover Promises Fulfilled in the Last Supper. 

Today I Jived.

Is that how you say it?  Or should I have said, today I did The Jive?  Maybe I could have said, today I danced with the stars.  Because that's exactly what I did.  :)

(source)

I popped this dvd into my player and worked up a sweat.  And that's saying something since I really don't perspire easily.  And it's actually enjoyable!  I'm gonna have to check out the rest of the dvds in this series.  It's a lot of fun - especially the swing. 

I used to go dancing a lot - swing, latin, modern, tap, and ballet.  But that was 10 years ago.  This is now.  And I'm content to dance in the privacy of my own living room.  Haha! 

I must say though, if someone taught a cardio/swing dance class around here where I live, I'd cut some things out of my budget so I could take them.  Totally! 

I'm really not into the whole zumba thing.  Sensually shaking my body parts is so not me (not hating on those of you who do zumba).  But jumping up and down, kicking, and waving my arms to a fun tune?  Learning a routine I can use later?  THAT is where it is at! 

Just thought those of you who like upbeat exercise dvds would be interested in knowing about this series.  Have a good time!  And let me know if you have a work-out dvd that I should try out

Today I Ordered a New Fabric Shaver.

My fabric shaver is one of my best friends.  Kinda weird, I know.

(source)

I recently discovered that I can transform any, ANY old fuzzy, pilly article of clothing into something that looks almost new again.  All with the help of my handy-dandy sweater shaver.  **stoked**

I have upgraded several shirts, pants, and outfits in the past two months - pieces I thought were bait for the consignment or even Goodwill.  But a quick run over with the shaver and voila!!  Super cool stuff.

Confession:  I have put holes in a couple of knit shirts when I got a little heavy-handed.  ooooops.  One of them was Tony's fave Ireland shirt.  Shhhhhh.  Don't tell.  I should probably replace it before he notices it's missing.

Oh well, you win some and you lose some.  Right?  Lol.

When are they going to invent something that you run over a hole and it mends itself?

Today I Filled a Box for Japan.

Remember that bit I wrote about different fund raising items to help Japan?  Well, I ran across a post by CK about how she and her kids filled a box of needed items for people in Ishinomaki, so I got the idea from her.  She was inspired by Nicole, who has the address to where we'll all shipping boxes to.  I just got so excited when I realized that I could help!  I ran over to my siblings' house and got them all worked up and willing to help.  So we filled a large priority box together and several of my siblings chipped in to get it shipped. 

This is something everybody can do.  We've all got extras of one thing or another stocked up in our house.  We can all fill at least one little box.  We can all scour our sofas, sock drawers and cars for the change to get the box(es) mailed.  If you'd like the address to send your own box, head over to The Sleepytime Gal and leave Nicole a comment so she can get it to you.  Have a great weekend!

What we put in the box.

Thank you to CK and Nicole for letting me know how I can help my Japanese brothers and sisters.

Today I Finally Finished Uploading Pics.

Remember this post?  I promised, almost a month ago, to finish posting the pics from our staycation.  I can finally check it off my to-do list!  Enjoy!

Today I Read about Prehistoric Parenting Lessons.

There is this little blurb in the Womens Day February 2011 issue about some things we could learn from the people of the Stone Age, based on studies done by the University of Notre Dame. 

I thought it was kind of interesting because I had just had a convo with my mom about how sad it is that her parents' generation so openly rejected the wisdom and practices of their moms and dads.  Many people stopped canning, cooking food from scratch, making clothes, and using home remedies around this time.  I've already talked a bit about how frustrated I am over this loss, because I feel those are all valuable skills.  Mom and I started talking about this subject because I was telling her I recently discovered that giving my girls healthy fats before bed means they sleep better.  I give them fish oil, but avocado works well too.  It used to be that kids were given caster oil or other such oils before bed for their health.  It was a regular practice which was stopped several decades ago.  Lo and behold, there is some goodness to the idea!

Back to the article.  Well, not quite a full article, just 4 points. 

1.  Keep your kids close. 
The idea is to hold your babies as much as possible.  Ancient peoples didn't have playpens, swings, and strollers so their babies were cuddled, held and handled more.  Darcia Narvaez, PhD said, "Children who are touched tend to be calmer and more sociable."  It may just be personality but I see this in Britt, whom I carted about in a Moby Wrap the first 3 months of her life (because she screamed if I didn't). 

(source)

2.  Encourage play with kids of all ages. 
To me this one is a no-brainer.  My parents have never bought into the whole learning, playing, and be grouped with kids who are only your age.  And I'm so glad they didn't.  I've had so many friends that were a whole range of older and younger than me and I cherish those relationships.  I also believe that this made social interactions (when I was a child)  easier and more genuine - especially with adults.  Dr. Narvaez said, "Young children mimic the behaviors of older ones, which helps them develop and mature."  The idea that kids need to learn social behavior from kids their own age is a relatively new thought and one that I don't really agree with.

(stock photo)

3.  Ask for help when you need it.   
I have found this to be a tough one.  Probably just part of being the oldest and taking care of everyone else my whole life, plus I have a bit of a type A/perfectionist personality (it's all or nuthin').  Living on my parents' property has really helped me take a step back and realize that not only is it good for my sanity to have help, but it's great for my little ones to see that mommy isn't the be-all and end-all. And they have really bonded with their extended family too.  Bonus!

4.  Address frustrations early on.  Supposedly the cave people were so in tune with their kids, they could attend to their needs and problems before they really got started.  Dr. Narvaez said, "If you sense your child is about to cry or is getting upset, act quickly to soothe him."  On this one all I can say is practice makes perfect.  Spending time, watching and observing your child really helps.  I also believe that our kids were God's kids first and if you ask, He'll let you know what they need and how to help them best. 

(If looks could kill.)

That's it!  Interesting, huh?  The generations of yore are not all full of silly myths and superstitions.  They did have some gems that can help us out too.  I need to go pick my grandparents brains, I think.  How about you?  Any little pearls passed down in your family, that you'd like to share?

Today I Started Reading "Catching Fire."

Haven't even finished the first chapter yet. 

But this post isn't about Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games).  It's about The Hunger Games, which I just finished reading today. 

I'm at a bit of a loss for words over this book.  It's intriguing.  Rather disturbing.  I couldn't put it down though. 

It's supposed to be America of the future with a new, highly corrupt government.  Many people are poor, hard-working serfs living in one of 12 districts.  Every year the youth have their names put in a drawing to decide which boy and girl from each district will be put in an arena to fight to the death.  It's like the gladiators, only televised.  Reality tv gone so very, very wrong. 

When I think about it, I consider the many different kinds of civilizations and cultures that have existed in our world and I worry.  I worry because this barbaric type of government is just as possible now as it was in the past.  I want to believe in the good that is in people, but I'm not so naive as to think that power doesn't go to leaders' heads. 

The quote that comes to mind is, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."  (Edmund Burke) 

 I wonder what the prequel to the story is.  How did those people get that way?  How does any group of people end up with a corrupt government?  I'm guessing that, generally, it is something that happens gradually over many generations.  Until all of a sudden someones great-great-great-great-great grandchildren have no freedoms and no food.  And it doesn't get any better until people (like the girl in the story) decide to take a stand and go against the oppressors.  Like Rosa Parks.  Like the Civil War.  Like the Revolutionary War.  Like most wars that are fought to win back freedoms, equality, and a better way of life. 

I hope that none of us ever take any amount of freedom that we enjoy for granted.  Never be complacent and assume that our way of life will always be.  We've got to make sure we leave this world better than it was when we entered it.  For our children's sake.  I sure don't want any of these "end of the world as we know it" type books and movies (fiction or history) to become life for our posterity.

Today I Have a One Year Old Baby.

Actually, she's been one for several weeks.  Her birthday party was supposed to be the weekend she got a concussion.  But it's all good.  She had a fun party and we got some cute pics, which I am now going to share with you.  :)

Look at that happy, excited, little face.  Love it.

Contemplating removing her hair bow.  Even though Mommy said, "no."

Mischievous from head to toe!

We decorated with dolls since the theme was dolls and cupcakes.  It turned out really cute.

My nephew.  Look at those delicious cheeks and adorable double chin.  He's so scrumptious!

Britt playing with her cutie-pie cousin. 

So thrilled about everyone singing Happy Birthday to her.

New froggy friend from Aunt Lynne.

Despite my tired-mama expression, I just love this pic of Britt.  Her small, solemn face surrounded by observers.  And if you look closely you can see the little face of my other baby - shirtless, because we failed to get her clothes put back on after she ate her cupcake by herself. 

Happy Birthday Britt-Britt!  I'm so grateful you came to be a part of our family.  You are such a funny, ray of sunshine and never fail to smile at everyone you see.  Always full of hugs, kisses and pats.  We love you forever!

Today I Donned My (New) Apron and Made Dolly Cakes.

We were supposed to celebrate Britt's 1st birthday the weekend she got a concussion.  So, of course we had to postpone the festivities.  Tomorrow (the 9th) is the day.  I hope she  enjoys it.  Her cupcakes took a looooong time!

A big thank you to Elizabeth at Home Musings for the giveaway apron!!!  I got it in the mail today and love it. So sweet and pretty.  Great prints! 


Didn't exactly go with what I am wearing today, but even so it is adorable - dontcha think?

For the doll cupcakes: baked box cupcakes, stuck little, naked dollies in the bottoms of the cupcakes, cut the edges off with a knife, decorated!! 

I just have to show you all the gorgeous, fun dresses that are going to be demolished in one fell swoop at tomorrow's fiesta. 

See?  Too cute.  So thankful for friends and family who helped frost!

Today I Went to a Princess Party.

And all the little girls were supposed to dress as princesses.  The following pictures prove it. 


Princess Cheesy


Princess Shortcake


The Birthday Girl


Princess Bouncy


Princess Toothy

On a slightly related note, have any of you read "Cinderella Ate My Daughter?"  I'm going to.

(source)

Today I Made Rice Drink.

Rice drink is what I've weaned both girls onto.  And with both girls inhaling this stuff at a first rate pace, the wallet is getting scary-light.  Plus, I'm suspecting there is some sort of additive that my kids are sensitive too.  I'm thinking this because as soon as we switched from breast milk to rice drink the diaper issues began.  **sigh**  After over a year of dealing with this, I finally got brave and just tried making it myself.  Time consuming?  Yes.  Hard?  Nope!  I found a recipe online and since it has waaaaay bigger proportions than my little 3-cup rice cooker, I cut it down a lot.  Then I found out that it makes rice CREAM.  So, next time I added a lot more water.  The next batch after that I added some maple syrup because I was having a really hard time convincing the girls that it was good.  Ash especially couldn't switch gears and I was mixing half store bought and half homemade.  So I upped the amount of maple syrup by 1 more Tbs per 4 cups.  That seemed to make it more popular with both the girls, but randomly.  Then I added applesauce.  That was not very well received.  So I tried a pinch of cinnamon.  Eureka!  Ash and Britt drink it with gusto and no mixing with store bought drink necessary. 

We have to shake 'em up a bit before we pour.

Quick run through of the process.   The rice gets cooked.  I throw a fourth of the done rice in the vitamix with enough water to fill it (until it reaches the 8 cup line).  Then blend a LOT!   After that it has to be strained.  Lastly, in every 4 cups of rice drink I add 2 Tbs of maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon.    That's it!

Today I Saw What You See.

I can't believe the awesome dialoge that yesterday's post has generated.  Thank you to each one of you for the detailed stories and comments.  You've each given me fodder to mentally chew and ponder.  Hope to see even more the next couple of days.  Please feel free to add more if something comes to mind. 

As I was going through the photo box again, before throwing it back into storage, I found two pictures that astounded me.  You are right!!  My kids really DO look like me!!! 


Ash, I mean ME!  Don't tell Mom I posted this particular pic of her.  Haha.  Wait.  On second thought, look what she did to my poor hair!!


Britt.  Nope, me again!  Could have sworn it was the Britt-Britt.  Same expression.  Same short, chubby arms.  Same determination to get everything off of her head.

Crazy.  And pretty darn cool.

Today I Thought About Traditions, Truth, Magic, and Memories.

One Christmas Eve, when I was 6 or 7 years old, I had gone to bed full excitement and sleeplessness - pretty common for most kids anticipating a visit from Santa.  I can't remember if I dozed a bit and then woke up, or if I stayed up late with no snoozing.  I do recall how around midnight I decided to sneak downstairs and brave a peek at the stockings that were hanging on the wall by the stairs.  I had to tiptoe past Matt and Kara's rooms as well as my parents'.  My parents didn't tolerate their children getting out of their rooms after they'd been put to bed, so this little jaunt was dangerous!

I moved stealthy out of my room, through the hall, and halfway down the stairs until I could see my stocking.  They'd been filled!  Santa had visited!!!!  **squeeeeeeee**  I could see a Potato Head Kid sticking out the top!  Then I heard a weird sound and realized that Santa could be in the other room - STILL HERE!  I lost my nerve, bolted up the stairs and back to the safety of my room, leaping into bed and squeezing my eyes shut.

(me at 1 year)

I swear it wasn't more than two minutes later when I heard someone enter my room.  I lay as still as a statue and kept my eyes closed tight.  Then someone with a soft, gentle touch tucked the blankets in around me and then left, closing the door quietly behind them.  At that point I bounded out of bed, ran to the door and whipped it open.  My parents' door was still closed and no one was in the hall!!!!  It was Santa, I was sure of it.  Only a magical being could have gotten away so quickly.

I had been tucked in by Santa Claus!  I felt so happy and special.

Until two years later when my parents told me that there was no such thing as Santa.  Or the Easter Bunny.  Or the Tooth Fairy.....

(me at 2 years)

Time to grow up!  Haha.  Oldest children really ARE the guinea pigs.

So - here I am.  A parent.  Ash has had three Christmases now and we haven't talked about Santa once.  We have no books about Santa.  We don't sing about Santa.

The Spring Bunny visits on the first Saturday in Spring (March 20th).  There is no Easter Bunny, remember?

(me at 3 years)
                                                              

My parents let the whole Santa Claus thing drop sometime around my 12th year and none of my younger siblings even think about it.  My family prefers to focus on the birth of Christ and the fun traditions that include that.  I'm game.  I'm a Christian and agree that that is where the emphasis should be.  Same thing with Easter.  As a matter of fact, I'm on a mission to figure out some fun, yet meaningful, bunny-less traditions to do this Easter.

But today, when I watched one of my younger siblings discover what the Tooth Fairy had left in exchange for one of their lost teeth - I started to wonder.....

Believing was so magical.  So fun.  So thrilling.  It was fuel for my imagination.  I loved it.  Am I missing  opportunities to give my children the same?

(me at 4 years)

But the truth was such a sad, crushing blow!  And I don't want my kids to feel like that.  So, maybe it's better to never go there in the first place.  And we really haven't missed it.  There are plenty of other traditions to adopt and things to focus on.

I'd love to know what your thoughts and feelings are on this.  

Today I Figured Out Why Moms Can't EVER Be Sick.

Whatever Hubster had, all three of us girls now have.  Fever, sore throat, ear aches, painful muscles, lack of appetite, and Ash has the cough.  I must have gotten a prompting or something because yesterday, around noon-ish, I spontaneously decided to look at my tonsils in the mirror.  I had a lot of terrible strep throat infections as a kid and wanted to check for white patches. 

Yikes!  Sure enough, they were there!  I called the family doctor right away and we got in to see her 30 minutes after our call back.  Tender mercies. 

Based on how Ash and I look, Dr. Michelle is pretty sure it's strep.  She took a culture from my tonsils, so we can be 100% sure.  But in the mean time we're all on antibiotics.  BLEH.  Ash's first time.  Double Bleh.  I haven't had much luck with antibiotics as an adult and Britt's first encounter left something to be desired.

Meanwhile, it has been a huge fight to get liquids down these kids, especially Ash.  She has a worse case than Britt and me.  Yesterday, I could not get any liquids down her.  She didn't drink for over 24 hours.  I went to the store and got Pedialyte and popsicles, but that was after she had gone to bed.  To say that I was really worried is an understatement.  Around 10pm last night I pulled her out of bed and checked her temp.  It was over 103!  Tony and Dad gave her a blessing and after that she asked to take off her pjs and drank a 9 ounces of Pedialyte.  **thankful** 

I feel terrible and just want to lay in bed and sleep and watch movies all day, but nope!  I'm not complaining.  I'd take care of my babies and be sick for a month (or longer) to keep them.  But, le sigh.  Mommies just can't ever be sick.  You don't even want to know what my house looks like at this moment.  **grimace**

Well, at least it is General Conference this weekend and we can watch church from the comfort of our sofa!  And we are doing better today than yesterday. The girls are both drinking and eating more.  Hallelujah!