****warning: serious post ahead******
I have to tell you about someone special....she is beautiful, kind, and just one of those people who lights up a room when they walk in, everyone just perks up a bit. She has been there for me when I needed her to give me a shoulder to cry on when I needed it. I can always count on her for a good laugh and yummy food.
She is my aunt Holly.
She is 47 years old.
She has cancer.
For the 4th time.
On her 40th birthday she had her first Mammogram. I remember the day clearly because they gave her a rose and she came to my work to give it to me with her son (who was in 8th grade at the time)....well, it was at her first mammogram that they discovered she had breast cancer. okay. very scary, but people get breast cancer all the time, if caught early its a very survivlable thing...
Long-painful-difficult story short.
My beautiful, loving aunt has had not one, not two, not even three, but FOUR rounds of cancer. Two types of cancer: Breast (two rounds) and skin cancer of the rectum (two rounds)
and now its in her lymph nodes. Its been a long 7 years.
I don't understand cancer. I just don't. why her? Why now? She is so young, her children are so young. Why? Why? WHY?
Its not like a heart attack where you spend your life eating like crap and not treating your body right...
Its not like psoriasis of the liver where you drink too much and kill your liver...
Its not a disease you catch...
It just comes to you...any time, anywhere...it seems like there is really no way to prevent it.
I am so terrified right now, I have never been more afraid in my life.
Please, if any of you out there Pray, please pray as hard as you can for my aunt Holly and her family. If you have a prayer list, please add her to it. Ask everyone you know to pray for her.
If you don't pray, please just think positive thoughts for her.
Dear God, please...don't take her away from me...I can't imagine a world without her in it...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Its a Maui thing....this explains alot...
Its a little inside joke my girl friends and I have "Its a Maui thing"...when my MIL saw I had a tattoo on my back of a butterfly (yes I know, so original)...she had a few things to say about that:
1) "Chad, what kind of people are you hanging out with now?" (and yes, I was standing right there)
2) "Is that a Maui thing?" (because ya know, only people from Maui get tattoos)
Hence the catch phrase: "Its a Maui thing"
For anyone that knows me in real life, and maybe online...I have a weird quirk about me...I have to take a shower before bed, not only that...I have established this as a rule in my house...and it can't be too far from bedtime, even if you don't go outside the rest of the day...I would say said shower needs to occur within 3 hours of bed...yes, I told you I was nuts.
Not only do I need to shower close to bed tim, I always-yes-always wash my feet right before I slip into the sheets.
I take a shower in the morning most times as well, but not always...and if i go to the gym at work during lunch, i have to shower after that of course so sometimes I can take up to 3 showers a day.
my college roomie kelly will vouch for me...
When I lived in Maui, it was never something that stood out about it, it wasnt something that made me strange...it was just a normal part of life...
but when I moved to the Mainland, I realized that not everyone takes a shower before bed (which gives me the heebeejeebees thinking about) and not everyone must wash their feet before bed...not only that, people looked at me funny when I would tell them I was off to wash my feet and head to bed...
my sisters and I are the same, and we could never figure out why we are the way we are...
Then today, my sister emailed me this article from The Honolulu Advertiser (the newspaper) and it explains it all! Now I know why I am the way I am: Its a Maui thing!
Bath Rule Is No Dirty Secret. You gotta be local to appreciate this!
By The Honolulu Advertiser columnist and playwright, Lee Cataluna.
It doesn't matter how late it is or how tired you are.
It doesn't matter if nobody else will know or care.
It doesn't even matter if the water heater is in the "off" phase or the solar panels have cooled for the night.
If you're local, you gotta take a bath before you go to sleep.
It's a rule.
You can't really break it down into a more specific category than "local".
It's not a Neighbor Island thing, it's not a Honolulu thing.
It's not particularly a city thing, or a rural thing, a mauka or makai thing.
It's not really an ethnic thing.
It's just a Hawaii thing.
Not that people who live in places other than Hawai'i don't bathe. Of course they do.
But when you live in a tropical climate, you have, shall we say, different issues. Even if you live in an air-conditioned house, drive an air-conditioned car work in an air-conditioned office and shop at Kahala Mall, somehow you get it in your head that you've been exposed to the elements all day and gotta get that lepo gone before you sleep. There is no waiting until morning.
The morning shower is a whole different deal, separate and distinct from the nighttime take-a-bath rule. In lots of households, the rule is both.
When my dad tells the story of his hip replacement surgery, the kicker is always "And in the hospital, I didn't take a bath for eight days!" To him, that was the very worst part. When he tells that story, people gasp, wide-eyed at his sheer survival skills. Eight days. Wow.
The take-a-bath rule has some exceptions, of course. For example, if you took a bath late in the afternoon, you can pass on another one before bedtime just as long as your feet are clean.
When we say "bath," we usually mean shower. Somehow the word gets held over from childhood.
In some houses, it's "au au". In others, it's "bafe", as in "Ramona, go bafe now befo' da hot wata run out."
There's a related phenomenon, known in certain circles as "boch-and-go". "Bocha" is Japanese baby talk for bath. "Boch" is the local-style slang. The "boch-and-go" rule dictates you must bathe before you leave your house to go to a party, go on a date, even to just drop by your friend's place.
If you are coming home from work or school, there must be a bath before you can leave again. "Ho, I had work so late today, when I got back home, I only had enough time to boch and go." "Eh, no waste time watching TV or playing computer. Your auntie waiting. Just boch and go." "No, I cannot come straight from work, I gotta go home first, then boch and go."
But even after boch-and-go, the take-a-bath rule still stands. You can boch and go to a party, but you gotta bathe again when you get home. It's a rule. Depending on the kind of party, of course, there could be exceptions. But at the very least, your feet have to be clean.
It's the rule.
1) "Chad, what kind of people are you hanging out with now?" (and yes, I was standing right there)
2) "Is that a Maui thing?" (because ya know, only people from Maui get tattoos)
Hence the catch phrase: "Its a Maui thing"
For anyone that knows me in real life, and maybe online...I have a weird quirk about me...I have to take a shower before bed, not only that...I have established this as a rule in my house...and it can't be too far from bedtime, even if you don't go outside the rest of the day...I would say said shower needs to occur within 3 hours of bed...yes, I told you I was nuts.
Not only do I need to shower close to bed tim, I always-yes-always wash my feet right before I slip into the sheets.
I take a shower in the morning most times as well, but not always...and if i go to the gym at work during lunch, i have to shower after that of course so sometimes I can take up to 3 showers a day.
my college roomie kelly will vouch for me...
When I lived in Maui, it was never something that stood out about it, it wasnt something that made me strange...it was just a normal part of life...
but when I moved to the Mainland, I realized that not everyone takes a shower before bed (which gives me the heebeejeebees thinking about) and not everyone must wash their feet before bed...not only that, people looked at me funny when I would tell them I was off to wash my feet and head to bed...
my sisters and I are the same, and we could never figure out why we are the way we are...
Then today, my sister emailed me this article from The Honolulu Advertiser (the newspaper) and it explains it all! Now I know why I am the way I am: Its a Maui thing!
Bath Rule Is No Dirty Secret. You gotta be local to appreciate this!
By The Honolulu Advertiser columnist and playwright, Lee Cataluna.
It doesn't matter how late it is or how tired you are.
It doesn't matter if nobody else will know or care.
It doesn't even matter if the water heater is in the "off" phase or the solar panels have cooled for the night.
If you're local, you gotta take a bath before you go to sleep.
It's a rule.
You can't really break it down into a more specific category than "local".
It's not a Neighbor Island thing, it's not a Honolulu thing.
It's not particularly a city thing, or a rural thing, a mauka or makai thing.
It's not really an ethnic thing.
It's just a Hawaii thing.
Not that people who live in places other than Hawai'i don't bathe. Of course they do.
But when you live in a tropical climate, you have, shall we say, different issues. Even if you live in an air-conditioned house, drive an air-conditioned car work in an air-conditioned office and shop at Kahala Mall, somehow you get it in your head that you've been exposed to the elements all day and gotta get that lepo gone before you sleep. There is no waiting until morning.
The morning shower is a whole different deal, separate and distinct from the nighttime take-a-bath rule. In lots of households, the rule is both.
When my dad tells the story of his hip replacement surgery, the kicker is always "And in the hospital, I didn't take a bath for eight days!" To him, that was the very worst part. When he tells that story, people gasp, wide-eyed at his sheer survival skills. Eight days. Wow.
The take-a-bath rule has some exceptions, of course. For example, if you took a bath late in the afternoon, you can pass on another one before bedtime just as long as your feet are clean.
When we say "bath," we usually mean shower. Somehow the word gets held over from childhood.
In some houses, it's "au au". In others, it's "bafe", as in "Ramona, go bafe now befo' da hot wata run out."
There's a related phenomenon, known in certain circles as "boch-and-go". "Bocha" is Japanese baby talk for bath. "Boch" is the local-style slang. The "boch-and-go" rule dictates you must bathe before you leave your house to go to a party, go on a date, even to just drop by your friend's place.
If you are coming home from work or school, there must be a bath before you can leave again. "Ho, I had work so late today, when I got back home, I only had enough time to boch and go." "Eh, no waste time watching TV or playing computer. Your auntie waiting. Just boch and go." "No, I cannot come straight from work, I gotta go home first, then boch and go."
But even after boch-and-go, the take-a-bath rule still stands. You can boch and go to a party, but you gotta bathe again when you get home. It's a rule. Depending on the kind of party, of course, there could be exceptions. But at the very least, your feet have to be clean.
It's the rule.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Babies!
Do you know how much I love babies? I LOVE babies!
I have been lucky that not only do I have 2 gorgeous babies I get to practice my craft on, but a few of my girlfriends have had babies recently and they have let me come and take pics for them.
A cannot tell you how happy it makes me to get a photo birth announcement in the mail and to know that I took the picture! And it makes me even happier when my friend tells me people think that their pictures are taken by a professional! HA! I have tricked 'em! Little do they know its just a little corporate accountant armed with a D40 and PSE!
Here are some shots from recent shoots:
Baby M
this little guy was one week old and he was fuuuuuuusseeeeee! He would just not chill out! Eventually I suggested the mom just nurse (even though he was just fed) till he passed out and it worked! But yeah, this was prob my most difficult shoot yet. I am actually not very pleased with the result, but the mom seems pleased so I guess thats all that matters.
Baby A:
you may remember my maternity shoot? well baby ava was born about 2 weeks ago and I had the pleasure of taking pics just yesterday!
oh, so gorgeous! I am so so so happy with the results of this shoot. We did the nurse till you pass out trick again and then she was just puddy in my hands!
oh, and I learned how to use the clone-stamp in photoshop! I don't think I used it in any of these shots, but its a cool tool!
I love this picture!
oh, and I bought a special fluffy white blanket specifically for photoshoots! I also bought a basket for a baby, but it didnt really work out for this shoot...but I got a cute one of Audrey later.
I have been lucky that not only do I have 2 gorgeous babies I get to practice my craft on, but a few of my girlfriends have had babies recently and they have let me come and take pics for them.
A cannot tell you how happy it makes me to get a photo birth announcement in the mail and to know that I took the picture! And it makes me even happier when my friend tells me people think that their pictures are taken by a professional! HA! I have tricked 'em! Little do they know its just a little corporate accountant armed with a D40 and PSE!
Here are some shots from recent shoots:
Baby M
this little guy was one week old and he was fuuuuuuusseeeeee! He would just not chill out! Eventually I suggested the mom just nurse (even though he was just fed) till he passed out and it worked! But yeah, this was prob my most difficult shoot yet. I am actually not very pleased with the result, but the mom seems pleased so I guess thats all that matters.
Baby A:
you may remember my maternity shoot? well baby ava was born about 2 weeks ago and I had the pleasure of taking pics just yesterday!
oh, so gorgeous! I am so so so happy with the results of this shoot. We did the nurse till you pass out trick again and then she was just puddy in my hands!
oh, and I learned how to use the clone-stamp in photoshop! I don't think I used it in any of these shots, but its a cool tool!
I love this picture!
oh, and I bought a special fluffy white blanket specifically for photoshoots! I also bought a basket for a baby, but it didnt really work out for this shoot...but I got a cute one of Audrey later.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
I have created a monster!
I have been warned of this thing on multiple occasions by multiple mothers....but I didn't listen...i guess I took the "It won't happen to me" approach....so silly of me to think I was imune to it...I was so so wrong.
That's right, Brynn has caught, and our house is now consumed with the must-have-a-bandage-and-it-MUST-have-a-cartoon-on-it-at-all-times-itis.
Many a mom have warned me that once you give your kid a bandaid with a picture on it, they will then need it on every "Booboo" everyday, even after healing for as long as you shall live. And its true. Its completely true.
Prior to this occurance, we really didn't put bandaids on little booboo's that Brynn gets because they are usually so small and a bandaid just wasn't necessary. But then Brynn got a little scrap on her knee that kept getting re-scraped up. So I figured I could put a bandaid on it just to protect it so it could heal better.
It took some talking into, she hesitated at first, so I decided to bust out some Hello Kitty Bandaids I got when I was pregnant with Brynn...little did I know how much this tiny act would affect my life.
Now: Brynn must have a bandaid on, at all times, if she realizes the bandaid came off over night or at school, she will completley melt down as if she just lost a limb...she will follow me around the house saying "Mommy! I need a bandaid! KITTY BANDAID!". There will be no peace in my house until a fresh new Hello Kitty bandage is on her knee...
So a warning to all you mommies out there, keep the cartoon bandages out of the house, you may think they are so cute, but chances are that will wear off quick and you will find yourself needing one on every bump and booboo.
Her knee is completely healed now. But there she sits with that cute little bandage....so funny! Consider yourself warned!
That's right, Brynn has caught, and our house is now consumed with the must-have-a-bandage-and-it-MUST-have-a-cartoon-on-it-at-all-times-itis.
Many a mom have warned me that once you give your kid a bandaid with a picture on it, they will then need it on every "Booboo" everyday, even after healing for as long as you shall live. And its true. Its completely true.
Prior to this occurance, we really didn't put bandaids on little booboo's that Brynn gets because they are usually so small and a bandaid just wasn't necessary. But then Brynn got a little scrap on her knee that kept getting re-scraped up. So I figured I could put a bandaid on it just to protect it so it could heal better.
It took some talking into, she hesitated at first, so I decided to bust out some Hello Kitty Bandaids I got when I was pregnant with Brynn...little did I know how much this tiny act would affect my life.
Now: Brynn must have a bandaid on, at all times, if she realizes the bandaid came off over night or at school, she will completley melt down as if she just lost a limb...she will follow me around the house saying "Mommy! I need a bandaid! KITTY BANDAID!". There will be no peace in my house until a fresh new Hello Kitty bandage is on her knee...
So a warning to all you mommies out there, keep the cartoon bandages out of the house, you may think they are so cute, but chances are that will wear off quick and you will find yourself needing one on every bump and booboo.
Her knee is completely healed now. But there she sits with that cute little bandage....so funny! Consider yourself warned!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Sometimes being a girl just SUCKS
I am going freakin NUTS!
Ever since my regularly scheduled nursing/pumping schedule was disrupted, my body took that as a sign to get those gears going in the fertility department (if ya know what I mean) which means my hormones are a complete roller coaster right now....and as a result I am a crazy woman. I don't know whether to cry, laugh, yell, run...
my poor husband.
one moment I want to kick him in the face because he "looked at me funny"...the next I am sobbing because I think of my Aunt, going through her 4th round of Cancer...at age 47...the next I am just normal. I can literally *FEEL* my hormones flowing through my veins like a drug set out to drive me mad...
I just wanna go home and curl up in bed...I am pissed, I am bloated, I am tired...damn you hormones!
Ever since my regularly scheduled nursing/pumping schedule was disrupted, my body took that as a sign to get those gears going in the fertility department (if ya know what I mean) which means my hormones are a complete roller coaster right now....and as a result I am a crazy woman. I don't know whether to cry, laugh, yell, run...
my poor husband.
one moment I want to kick him in the face because he "looked at me funny"...the next I am sobbing because I think of my Aunt, going through her 4th round of Cancer...at age 47...the next I am just normal. I can literally *FEEL* my hormones flowing through my veins like a drug set out to drive me mad...
I just wanna go home and curl up in bed...I am pissed, I am bloated, I am tired...damn you hormones!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
8 months...
Who pressed the fast forward button? Because June has just flown by in a blink. It feels like I just hit "Publish Post" on Audrey's 7 month update and now here she is at 8 months old!
Notice the little toofer on the bottom?
Let me tell you, Audrey has just had a complete explosion in the milestone department just in the last couple of weeks! When we left off last month, she was a power scooter and was rocking on her hands and knees. Now its a whole new ball game!
Now she pulls to stand, cruises furniture, and even walks while pushing her little mini Radio Flyer! Its amazing how fast that has happened! So we are now in heart-attack land because I am always freaking out that she is about to fall over or something...but she is pretty steady on those tiny feet...for being a beginner ;)
Here she is pushing her Radio Flyer Cart...notice my lame attempt at a vignette?
Today she pulled to stand at Brynn's table and Brynn had a bowl of cheerios on it and Audrey knocked the bowl down on the floor.
Oh yeah: cleaning Milk and soggy cheerios off of carpet...my favorite activity after a long day at the office.
She has also started to be more vocal, she will call out "Ba Ba" (not for a bottle just random speech), can't wait for the "Mama!" Brynn has been coaching her by getting all up in her face and chanting "Mamamamamama" in an effort to teach her to say it...too cute!
Chad took this picture. She was really cold this morning so he wrapped her up in this blanket and she just laid there as Brynn would say "Snuggle Snuggle!"
Audrey now has 2 teeth, but they are coming in all random...so she has her lower left and upper right with more on the way based on her frequent comfort nursing, and her sleep pattern is all screwed up.
Thats about all I can think that I havent already said in other posts...she is just such a cutie...
Notice the little toofer on the bottom?
Let me tell you, Audrey has just had a complete explosion in the milestone department just in the last couple of weeks! When we left off last month, she was a power scooter and was rocking on her hands and knees. Now its a whole new ball game!
Now she pulls to stand, cruises furniture, and even walks while pushing her little mini Radio Flyer! Its amazing how fast that has happened! So we are now in heart-attack land because I am always freaking out that she is about to fall over or something...but she is pretty steady on those tiny feet...for being a beginner ;)
Here she is pushing her Radio Flyer Cart...notice my lame attempt at a vignette?
Today she pulled to stand at Brynn's table and Brynn had a bowl of cheerios on it and Audrey knocked the bowl down on the floor.
Oh yeah: cleaning Milk and soggy cheerios off of carpet...my favorite activity after a long day at the office.
She has also started to be more vocal, she will call out "Ba Ba" (not for a bottle just random speech), can't wait for the "Mama!" Brynn has been coaching her by getting all up in her face and chanting "Mamamamamama" in an effort to teach her to say it...too cute!
Chad took this picture. She was really cold this morning so he wrapped her up in this blanket and she just laid there as Brynn would say "Snuggle Snuggle!"
Audrey now has 2 teeth, but they are coming in all random...so she has her lower left and upper right with more on the way based on her frequent comfort nursing, and her sleep pattern is all screwed up.
Thats about all I can think that I havent already said in other posts...she is just such a cutie...
Sunday, June 21, 2009
30.
Speaking of my baby daddy...I don't know why, but I love to call him that...lol!
Along with Fathers Day (which he is milking for all its worth), Chad turned the big 3-0!
We had a little party with some friends and seemingly 20 little ones. Actually there were only 6 or 7 kids, but I have noticed whatever their age multiplies how many kids it feels like you have in your house. For example: If you have 3 2-yearolds, it actually feels like kids (2x3=6)....that applies I think until age 12 when the kids stop wanting to actually hang out in front of the adults...just a theory I have.
I digress.
Chad is 30. Quite a milestone...and being a male, he is not to concerned with this milestone birthday. The party was alot of fun...I drank entirely too much and woke up entirely too early this morning...but thats alright. :-)
Anyways, in the spirit of his 30th Birthday, here are my 10random facts about My Love:
1) He is an Eagle Scout
2) He doesn't take dressing on his salad
3) Everyonce in awhile he will get on a "Weird Grain Kick" and cook a big'ol batch of something like Barley, kamut or Millet. He will eat it for a couple meals and then it will sit in our fridge till I throw it out.
4) If a Beer is $6 or more...he must have it in our Fridge
5) When we were in college, he would drink tall boy Steel Reserves (I think they are like $2 or something)
6) He used to be a Ski Racer
7) I have known him for almost a decade...and have yet to meet someone who he didn't like or vice versa.
8) He has a thing for all things teriyaki.
9) He knows all the Beatles songs word for word...every.single.one.
Along with Fathers Day (which he is milking for all its worth), Chad turned the big 3-0!
We had a little party with some friends and seemingly 20 little ones. Actually there were only 6 or 7 kids, but I have noticed whatever their age multiplies how many kids it feels like you have in your house. For example: If you have 3 2-yearolds, it actually feels like kids (2x3=6)....that applies I think until age 12 when the kids stop wanting to actually hang out in front of the adults...just a theory I have.
I digress.
Chad is 30. Quite a milestone...and being a male, he is not to concerned with this milestone birthday. The party was alot of fun...I drank entirely too much and woke up entirely too early this morning...but thats alright. :-)
Anyways, in the spirit of his 30th Birthday, here are my 10random facts about My Love:
1) He is an Eagle Scout
2) He doesn't take dressing on his salad
3) Everyonce in awhile he will get on a "Weird Grain Kick" and cook a big'ol batch of something like Barley, kamut or Millet. He will eat it for a couple meals and then it will sit in our fridge till I throw it out.
4) If a Beer is $6 or more...he must have it in our Fridge
5) When we were in college, he would drink tall boy Steel Reserves (I think they are like $2 or something)
6) He used to be a Ski Racer
7) I have known him for almost a decade...and have yet to meet someone who he didn't like or vice versa.
8) He has a thing for all things teriyaki.
9) He knows all the Beatles songs word for word...every.single.one.
10)
And Cause I know you all are wanting MORE CHAD....I stole his "25 random things" from Facebook:
1.This is my first random thing writing
2.I believe that I am a slacker for waiting so long to do this
3.My memory for random stuff is great
4.My memory for everything else is horrible
5.In 1997 I skied 120 days in 2007 I skied 5 and in 2008 I skied 1.5
6.I freak out when a baby spits up on me
7.I only sneeze through my nose
8.I can't watch scary movies but I enjoy reading the spoilers
9.Met Kristin at a sporting goods store
10.My opening line was:"I hear you are from Maui, I've been there once..." and she still married me
11.I got and drove daily a free car from my high school auto shop...when I was 25
12.I don't see how people who work at fast food restaurants can call themselves "cooks"
13.For a period of several years I seriously messed up baking brownies (broiled for 45min, 2 cups oil,etc)
14.Pass the chronic -what- cles of Narnia Lazy Sunday is a great SNL skit
15.I enjoy all James Bond movies
16.I read 8 books each over 1000 pages in a series over 10 years and the author died before he finished the last couple of books aaarrrggghhh
17.I have kept all of my history notebooks and textbooks to the aggravation of my wife
18.I have only bought one bottle of wine in the last 5 years
19.I have a pink ipod and I am ok with it
20.I enjoy driving a minivan or "sport wagon" as I call it
21.My ultimate breakfast is bacon waffles. bacon baked into the waffle... pure genius
22.I buy potatoes whenever I see them at the store but I end up throwing most of them away...sorry
23.I have two different working computers hooked up to the tv but Kristin and I fight over who gets to use the laptop...I mean conversations on sharing
24.I am slightly addicted to a facebook app called Mousehunt which I believe to be a a experiment by the creators to see if they could get people to press a button every 15 minutes like Desmond in the Hatch
25.I listen to NPR (for news) and conservative talk radio (to keep me awake)
25.5 I did not think I could do 25 but now I could do a lot more
1.This is my first random thing writing
2.I believe that I am a slacker for waiting so long to do this
3.My memory for random stuff is great
4.My memory for everything else is horrible
5.In 1997 I skied 120 days in 2007 I skied 5 and in 2008 I skied 1.5
6.I freak out when a baby spits up on me
7.I only sneeze through my nose
8.I can't watch scary movies but I enjoy reading the spoilers
9.Met Kristin at a sporting goods store
10.My opening line was:"I hear you are from Maui, I've been there once..." and she still married me
11.I got and drove daily a free car from my high school auto shop...when I was 25
12.I don't see how people who work at fast food restaurants can call themselves "cooks"
13.For a period of several years I seriously messed up baking brownies (broiled for 45min, 2 cups oil,etc)
14.Pass the chronic -what- cles of Narnia Lazy Sunday is a great SNL skit
15.I enjoy all James Bond movies
16.I read 8 books each over 1000 pages in a series over 10 years and the author died before he finished the last couple of books aaarrrggghhh
17.I have kept all of my history notebooks and textbooks to the aggravation of my wife
18.I have only bought one bottle of wine in the last 5 years
19.I have a pink ipod and I am ok with it
20.I enjoy driving a minivan or "sport wagon" as I call it
21.My ultimate breakfast is bacon waffles. bacon baked into the waffle... pure genius
22.I buy potatoes whenever I see them at the store but I end up throwing most of them away...sorry
23.I have two different working computers hooked up to the tv but Kristin and I fight over who gets to use the laptop...I mean conversations on sharing
24.I am slightly addicted to a facebook app called Mousehunt which I believe to be a a experiment by the creators to see if they could get people to press a button every 15 minutes like Desmond in the Hatch
25.I listen to NPR (for news) and conservative talk radio (to keep me awake)
25.5 I did not think I could do 25 but now I could do a lot more
How to be a Dad like Chad.
I saw a people magazine article titled "How to be a Dad like Brad" as in Mr. Pitt....and I thought: Since when did Brad Pitt become the benchmark that all dads should strive to be???
And since I AM married to the best damn Father around, I thought he deserved his own article:
1) Play with your kids - Chad never holds back on getting on the floor to play with his girls. He shows no shame in making goofy faces and noises. To Drink imaginary tea and eat imaginary cookies, or do a puzzle for the millionth time, or sing a silly song, or go for a walk outside.
2) Teach your kids self-esteem - Chad is Brynn and Audrey's number one fan! Always showing his girls that he values them by spending time with them, listening to everything Brynn has to say, by praising and encouraging things they do. At the same time, allowing them to fall/fail and showing them that that's okay.
3) Be Good to your baby mama/stand by her - Especially since we have girls, Chad is an excellent example to our girls what they should look for in a partner (WAY WAY down the road)...always going out of the way to show affection to the mama (Me) in front of the girls so they know mommy and daddy love each other very much. And lets face it: if Mama ain't happy, no one is happy.
4) Do "Mommy" Duty - He may not be able to take on Booby Duty, but he is awesome at doing what is traditionally considered “mommy duties": He changes diapers, feeds, baths, potty time, time out time, getting up at night (well, at least to bring Audrey to bed with me and then putting her back). He is also very encouraging in allowing Me to go out and do my own thing at times for like a girls night out. He will take the reigns with both girls while mommy gets some "Me" time.
5) Provide Endless Hugs and Kisses - Nothing makes a little kid happier then this simple show of affection and love. Chad, not afraid of showing affection is always ready for hugs and kisses.
6) Protect your family - whether Financially or physically, Chad takes care of his family - although I do wish he ate out less ;)
7) Read to your kids - Everyday.
8) Put your kids first - okay, this pretty much sums it up. Chad is the most selfless person I know...from the moment he became of Father, that has been his number one priority. He loves his girls, takes great care of them, plays with them, reads to them, snuggles with them, protects them, and loves their mommy.
Happy Fathers Day Babe. Thank you for being the Best Dad - the Benchmark in Dads! :-)
this is an oldie but goodie of Chad and Brynn...I think Brynn was like 4 months old?
And since I AM married to the best damn Father around, I thought he deserved his own article:
1) Play with your kids - Chad never holds back on getting on the floor to play with his girls. He shows no shame in making goofy faces and noises. To Drink imaginary tea and eat imaginary cookies, or do a puzzle for the millionth time, or sing a silly song, or go for a walk outside.
2) Teach your kids self-esteem - Chad is Brynn and Audrey's number one fan! Always showing his girls that he values them by spending time with them, listening to everything Brynn has to say, by praising and encouraging things they do. At the same time, allowing them to fall/fail and showing them that that's okay.
3) Be Good to your baby mama/stand by her - Especially since we have girls, Chad is an excellent example to our girls what they should look for in a partner (WAY WAY down the road)...always going out of the way to show affection to the mama (Me) in front of the girls so they know mommy and daddy love each other very much. And lets face it: if Mama ain't happy, no one is happy.
4) Do "Mommy" Duty - He may not be able to take on Booby Duty, but he is awesome at doing what is traditionally considered “mommy duties": He changes diapers, feeds, baths, potty time, time out time, getting up at night (well, at least to bring Audrey to bed with me and then putting her back). He is also very encouraging in allowing Me to go out and do my own thing at times for like a girls night out. He will take the reigns with both girls while mommy gets some "Me" time.
5) Provide Endless Hugs and Kisses - Nothing makes a little kid happier then this simple show of affection and love. Chad, not afraid of showing affection is always ready for hugs and kisses.
6) Protect your family - whether Financially or physically, Chad takes care of his family - although I do wish he ate out less ;)
7) Read to your kids - Everyday.
8) Put your kids first - okay, this pretty much sums it up. Chad is the most selfless person I know...from the moment he became of Father, that has been his number one priority. He loves his girls, takes great care of them, plays with them, reads to them, snuggles with them, protects them, and loves their mommy.
Happy Fathers Day Babe. Thank you for being the Best Dad - the Benchmark in Dads! :-)
this is an oldie but goodie of Chad and Brynn...I think Brynn was like 4 months old?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Secret Double Life...
So, for the last 3 weeks I have been living what felt like a secret double life as a Juror in a criminal case.
It was so strange to be going to the courthouse all day and having all this like deep stuff thrown at you and I had to go home and couldn't talk about what I was doing, who I was with, or what the case was about....for the trial part I couldn't even talk to my fellow Jurors (at least not about the case)...it was maddening at time. So much information, and information that affected me on a personal level, yet I had to keep it bottled up inside....it really did feel like I was living a secret double life.
The lawyers on each side really picked an excellent jury. We took our time, and really hashed things out and paid attention to detail and really looked at the case from all levels, and came to a verdict that I will never question in my mind if we made the right verdict...I am so pleased with my fellow jurors...we were all very respectful and things never got too heated, and we no one ever got offended or irritated when they played devils advocate or didn't agree with everyone...it was like the perfect example of what the democratic process is supposed to look like. I have so much more faith in justice system now.
My fellow jurors and I really all "bonded" over the past three weeks, we had alot of "hurry up and wait" time to get to know each other and since we couldn't talk about the trial, we learned about each other...and the difficult deliberation process brought us closer together...if that makes sense. And it was so strange when it was all over to just say our final goodbyes and head back to our cars and back to our normals lives, most likely to never see each other again. We all came from SUCH different backgrounds and I only know why a few of them were chosen (the lawyer mentioned why during a post-verdict q&A) and they also mentioned that they chose all well educated people due to some difficult legal concepts we had to deliberate over...so I am pretty flattered I am in the "well educated" category...
Anyways, as odd as it may sound, I am honored and so glad to have been a juror and have served my country. Its a great experience I will never forget! It was difficult at times...it was an ugly icky case, but everyone is entitled to a jury of peers...part of being an American...I hope everyone, at least once, is able to serve on a jury at least once in their life because it really really was a great experience.
It was so strange to be going to the courthouse all day and having all this like deep stuff thrown at you and I had to go home and couldn't talk about what I was doing, who I was with, or what the case was about....for the trial part I couldn't even talk to my fellow Jurors (at least not about the case)...it was maddening at time. So much information, and information that affected me on a personal level, yet I had to keep it bottled up inside....it really did feel like I was living a secret double life.
The lawyers on each side really picked an excellent jury. We took our time, and really hashed things out and paid attention to detail and really looked at the case from all levels, and came to a verdict that I will never question in my mind if we made the right verdict...I am so pleased with my fellow jurors...we were all very respectful and things never got too heated, and we no one ever got offended or irritated when they played devils advocate or didn't agree with everyone...it was like the perfect example of what the democratic process is supposed to look like. I have so much more faith in justice system now.
My fellow jurors and I really all "bonded" over the past three weeks, we had alot of "hurry up and wait" time to get to know each other and since we couldn't talk about the trial, we learned about each other...and the difficult deliberation process brought us closer together...if that makes sense. And it was so strange when it was all over to just say our final goodbyes and head back to our cars and back to our normals lives, most likely to never see each other again. We all came from SUCH different backgrounds and I only know why a few of them were chosen (the lawyer mentioned why during a post-verdict q&A) and they also mentioned that they chose all well educated people due to some difficult legal concepts we had to deliberate over...so I am pretty flattered I am in the "well educated" category...
Anyways, as odd as it may sound, I am honored and so glad to have been a juror and have served my country. Its a great experience I will never forget! It was difficult at times...it was an ugly icky case, but everyone is entitled to a jury of peers...part of being an American...I hope everyone, at least once, is able to serve on a jury at least once in their life because it really really was a great experience.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Buddies
I kid you not when I tell you that Brynn and Audrey are the best of buddies right now. And words cannot explain the joy I feel when I see my two daughters, my loves, my creations, play, interact and giggle together.
Here is a collage...if you click it you can see it better :-)
All you have to do is go back and read any post from November/December/January to see that this "Mom of two" thing was no easy journey for me. When I had Brynn, there was very little "adjustment period" for me. I mean sure, there was an adjustment, but it wasn't that bad. When I had Audrey and suddenly had 2 children under two years old who where both incredibly needy and for different reasons at that...oh, and go ahead and smack on some potty training to that and you have ONE stressed out Kristin.
Ah, but now I can look back and say "Damn, that sucked"
But I tell you what: it was all worth it. I am so happy to see them play together, its prob my most favorite thing to see. It tops the milestones: First steps, first sleeping through the night, first words....nothing is better than watching your kids get along and play. Seriously.
Here is a collage...if you click it you can see it better :-)
All you have to do is go back and read any post from November/December/January to see that this "Mom of two" thing was no easy journey for me. When I had Brynn, there was very little "adjustment period" for me. I mean sure, there was an adjustment, but it wasn't that bad. When I had Audrey and suddenly had 2 children under two years old who where both incredibly needy and for different reasons at that...oh, and go ahead and smack on some potty training to that and you have ONE stressed out Kristin.
Ah, but now I can look back and say "Damn, that sucked"
But I tell you what: it was all worth it. I am so happy to see them play together, its prob my most favorite thing to see. It tops the milestones: First steps, first sleeping through the night, first words....nothing is better than watching your kids get along and play. Seriously.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Morning Cup of Foccee
I tried to think of a cleaner way to spell it...
Brynn is a bit dislexic when it come to spelling Mommy's first drink in the morning. See, she misplaced the "C" with the "F" and the "FF with a "C"
C-O-F-F-E-E
F-O-C-C-E-E
*and yes, that is pernounced the naughty way.
Chad and I try not to laugh...but she walks aroung the house in the morning saying things like:
"Mommy's Foccee"
"Mommy likes Foccee"
"Mommy, this your Foccee?"
"Foccee, HOT! Foccee, HOT"
"Brynn drink Foccee?"
I try to correct her I say "Yes Brynn, this is mommys CoFFee!" and then she will repeat "FOCCEE"
ah, so cute. Good Times.
Brynn is a bit dislexic when it come to spelling Mommy's first drink in the morning. See, she misplaced the "C" with the "F" and the "FF with a "C"
C-O-F-F-E-E
F-O-C-C-E-E
*and yes, that is pernounced the naughty way.
Chad and I try not to laugh...but she walks aroung the house in the morning saying things like:
"Mommy's Foccee"
"Mommy likes Foccee"
"Mommy, this your Foccee?"
"Foccee, HOT! Foccee, HOT"
"Brynn drink Foccee?"
I try to correct her I say "Yes Brynn, this is mommys CoFFee!" and then she will repeat "FOCCEE"
ah, so cute. Good Times.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Whoa, wao, whao, woo!
How do you spell Wo? Whoa? Wao? Woo? Wooh? maybe I should just stick with "Yikes" and save myself some embarrassment....I digress.
YIKES! Guess how I found Audrey when I went to go get her from her nap?
yes that's right! my 7 month old pulled herself to standing! Even though I have been watching her attempt it for a while, and she has even made it to knees on occasion, it was still quite a surprise to find her this way! And Brynn definitely shared in my excitement in the matter!
YIKES! Guess how I found Audrey when I went to go get her from her nap?
yes that's right! my 7 month old pulled herself to standing! Even though I have been watching her attempt it for a while, and she has even made it to knees on occasion, it was still quite a surprise to find her this way! And Brynn definitely shared in my excitement in the matter!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Swinging in San Fran
We went to the Zoo in SF today...and they have a big park playground there we made a pitstop at. Audrey LLLLLLLLOOOOOOOVVED the swing...I mean she had the biggest open mouth smile on her face the whole time. More on the Zoo later...in the mean time here is some pics:
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
keeping us honest...
while we were in Maui, Brynn discovered Chad and I's wedding rings...and subsequently became obsessed with them and ensuring her parents are wearing their rings at all times.
Maybe she knows Chad and I have been together for nearly 9 years and wants to make sure neither of us get that "9 year itch"....*whispering* maybe she knows that chad and I irritate the crap out of each other regularly, or maybe she noticed when I stared at the check-out guy with the beautiful eyes for just a little too long.
**disclaimer: Chad and I DO love each other very much...as much as we irritate each other, we are in fact in love....and the guy DID have beautiful eyes, you would have looked to honey...
Each morning as we are all getting ready for work/school/(and for me the next 3 weeks: Jury) she does the daily ring-check
B: "Ring on? Mommy? Ring on?"
M: "Yes sweetie, my ring is on" (verbal confirmation is not enough, she needs visual confirmation as well)
B: "Ring on? Daddy? Ring on?"
(lets say for example purposes, chad doesnt have his on)
B: "I get it"
then she will usually escort one of us to the bathroom to retreive said ring and puts it on the correct finger.
then we ask Brynn where HER ring is.
B: "Um...."
pretty cute!
Maybe she knows Chad and I have been together for nearly 9 years and wants to make sure neither of us get that "9 year itch"....*whispering* maybe she knows that chad and I irritate the crap out of each other regularly, or maybe she noticed when I stared at the check-out guy with the beautiful eyes for just a little too long.
**disclaimer: Chad and I DO love each other very much...as much as we irritate each other, we are in fact in love....and the guy DID have beautiful eyes, you would have looked to honey...
Each morning as we are all getting ready for work/school/(and for me the next 3 weeks: Jury) she does the daily ring-check
B: "Ring on? Mommy? Ring on?"
M: "Yes sweetie, my ring is on" (verbal confirmation is not enough, she needs visual confirmation as well)
B: "Ring on? Daddy? Ring on?"
(lets say for example purposes, chad doesnt have his on)
B: "I get it"
then she will usually escort one of us to the bathroom to retreive said ring and puts it on the correct finger.
then we ask Brynn where HER ring is.
B: "Um...."
pretty cute!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
New Toy! (sorta)
This discovery table was one of Brynn's favorites back in the day and now it is Audreys!
Yesterday she spent a good half hour standing at her discovery table (with a spotter near by, of course) playing will all the gadgets and gizmos. She has even started to attempt to pull herself up to the table, she gets almost to her knees!
growing too fast! Slow down sister!
Yesterday she spent a good half hour standing at her discovery table (with a spotter near by, of course) playing will all the gadgets and gizmos. She has even started to attempt to pull herself up to the table, she gets almost to her knees!
growing too fast! Slow down sister!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Independent Woman
I totally have that destiny's child song in my head. You know the one. "All the women who are independent Throw your hands up at me"
Although my Brynn may not be buying her own bling or profiting dollas as the song suggests, she is quite the independent woman...or at least she desires too be.
"ME DO IT" is a common phrase echoed in our home.
Among the most recent things Brynn has completed all by herself:
- A complete trip to the bathroom. Meaning, going in there, pulling her own pants down, sitting on the toilet, going, wiping (god, I hope so), flushing, redressing and coming back out to request a hand washing. This hasn't happened as much as I would like, but I dream of days where the only bathroom duty I will have to deal with is my own......
- Dressing - She may get both legs in one pant leg, or put her head into the sleeve, but gosh darn it she tries! She is actually getting a lot better at this one.
- getting into her own car seat - for some reason she calls this "Uppy down" which translates into "mama, I want to climb into my seat on my own" -- and then I just do the buckle.
- Carrying her own plate/bowl/cup to the table - ah yes, not with out its own messes, but its all part of the learning process.
This new found freedom doesn't come with its draw backs for Mommy and Daddy. For one thing, everything takes 4X as long as it would it we were doing it ourselves. Second, dealing with the fits if things don't work right for ms Brynn. Its human nature for parents to want to aide their children (we have been doing it since day one)...so naturally it takes self control to be patient with the process and allow Brynn to deal with the frustrations of the learning process.
I am so proud of my baby girl!
Although my Brynn may not be buying her own bling or profiting dollas as the song suggests, she is quite the independent woman...or at least she desires too be.
"ME DO IT" is a common phrase echoed in our home.
Among the most recent things Brynn has completed all by herself:
- A complete trip to the bathroom. Meaning, going in there, pulling her own pants down, sitting on the toilet, going, wiping (god, I hope so), flushing, redressing and coming back out to request a hand washing. This hasn't happened as much as I would like, but I dream of days where the only bathroom duty I will have to deal with is my own......
- Dressing - She may get both legs in one pant leg, or put her head into the sleeve, but gosh darn it she tries! She is actually getting a lot better at this one.
- getting into her own car seat - for some reason she calls this "Uppy down" which translates into "mama, I want to climb into my seat on my own" -- and then I just do the buckle.
- Carrying her own plate/bowl/cup to the table - ah yes, not with out its own messes, but its all part of the learning process.
This new found freedom doesn't come with its draw backs for Mommy and Daddy. For one thing, everything takes 4X as long as it would it we were doing it ourselves. Second, dealing with the fits if things don't work right for ms Brynn. Its human nature for parents to want to aide their children (we have been doing it since day one)...so naturally it takes self control to be patient with the process and allow Brynn to deal with the frustrations of the learning process.
I am so proud of my baby girl!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Yay Me!
Guess who ran for 20 minutes straight without stopping today???
ME!!!
I am so proud of myself! I went at a rate of 12 minute mile so I ran about 2 miles!
I have been working out 6 days a week for 2 weeks and I can really feel a difference in my endurance!
Whats more? I havent taken chocolate out of the chocolate jar at work for the past 3 weeks!
ME!!!
I am so proud of myself! I went at a rate of 12 minute mile so I ran about 2 miles!
I have been working out 6 days a week for 2 weeks and I can really feel a difference in my endurance!
Whats more? I havent taken chocolate out of the chocolate jar at work for the past 3 weeks!
More Info for Vampire Lovers. :-)
The series is : True Blood on HBO. The main vamp played by Stephen Moyer (aka vampire Bill) I think is a total hottie (and British BTW) but still doesnt replace Bobby ;)
The books are by Charlaine Harris the first of the series being Dead until Dark
It took awhile to get used to the different world (in these books: they cant go out in daytime at all, they dont sparkle, and they can get it on with little or no issues)
Let me know if any of you try it out and what you think. I know I am obsessed!
The books are by Charlaine Harris the first of the series being Dead until Dark
It took awhile to get used to the different world (in these books: they cant go out in daytime at all, they dont sparkle, and they can get it on with little or no issues)
Let me know if any of you try it out and what you think. I know I am obsessed!
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