For today 3/28/12

Outside my window... is black.

I am thinking... about balance.

I am thankful... for my good-hearted husband and hilariously clever daughters.

In the kitchen... my Top Ramen just came to a boil.

I am wearing... purple. I must be old.

I am creating... an atmosphere of hope and life.

I am going... to face my fears instead of run from or avoid them. I'm glad I don't have to face all of them at once.

I am wondering... if curling the top sections (or all sections) of my hair with a flat iron will work.

I am reading... The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan and Boundaries: When To Say Yes, How to Say No by Henry Cloud and John Townsend - both on my Kindle. Also a few daily meditation/devotional books. And the Bible. And books by James Herriot and O. Henry are by my bed.

I am hoping... to gain and maintain weight.

I am looking forward to... Val's birthday celebration on Saturday. Bring on the rainbows!

I am hearing... nothing currently, though five minutes ago Elaine woke up with a bloody nose.

Around the house... I've customized and laminated and pinned up a house cleaning checklist. This way Superman knows exactly how he can help without having to ask. I use it to keep track of what needs to be done still.

One of my favorite things... is reading somewhere warm and cozy.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Couples massage with my husband on Friday (really is a pity I don't enjoy those more), birthday party on Saturday, helping Superman get ready to ride his bike to Yosemite on Sunday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My oldest enjoying my parents boat on the Sacramento Delta, mid-August of last year.

A meme thing!

I spent much of the time I should have been studying for college classes filling out these things. Surveys. Memes. Whatever you call 'em. Here's one for good old time's sake, courtesy of Leah and probably a bunch of other people because that's how these things work.

A. Age: Twenty-niiiiiiiiiiiiine. After June I'll never be in my twenties ever agaaaaiiiiiiiiiin. I think I was supposed to grow up somewhere along the way. I hope I do. For the sake of my kids, at the very least. On the other hand I hope I don't, also for the sake of my kids. =)

B. Bed size: California King, baby! And thanks to a husband who works nights, most of the time I have it all to myself (with a stray child or two, occasionally.)

C. Chore that you hate: I don't know that I particularly HATE one chore. Nothing's coming to mind. What I do HATE is being responsible for them ALL and that terrible feeling one gets (I'm assuming, if one were to ever do this) while shoveling snow during a blizzard. That's what chores feel like to me and I only have two lovely, not-quite-old-enough-to-really-be-of-TRUE-help children.

D. Dogs: I adore dogs. I am a dog person. I have been several dogs' person. I miss my dogs. As soon as we move into a house I want to get a dog. I love dogs. (Cats are okay.)

E. Essential start to your day: Prayer. Also, getting out of bed.

F. Favorite color: Blue. Duh.

G. Gold or Silver: Silver.

H. Height: 5'10" or so. At least that's what my license says. So I was that tall when I was 15, because they didn't update the info when I got my license and I assume it hasn't changed too much.

I. Instruments you play: I have played the piano and clarinet. Also harmonica and saw.

J. Job title: The person and people I work for call me 'lover' and 'mommy.'

K. Kids: Val and Elaine, who inspire and motivate me to be and to do better in everything. Except possibly grammar and spelling.

L. Live: Currently in a 3rd-floor 2-bedroom apartment.

M. Mother's name: Seriously? Isn't this a much-used security question? My mother's mother's name was Cora.

N. Nicknames: Beck is one of my most-used nicknames.

O. Overnight hospital stays: Just both times I gave birth.

P. Pet peeves: When a person tosses a still-burning cigarette out their car window.

Q. Quote from a movie: Well I don't know if I have a favorite but here's the first that came to mind, "Happiness isn't happiness without a violin-playing goat."

R. Right- or left-handed: I'm right.


S. Siblings: Only the most awesome ones ever. TAB (27), Mistablades (25) and LL (23).

U. Underwear: Yeah, what about it? I should probably buy more.

V. Vegetable(s) you hate: PEAS. WITH A PASSION. Like, it's rare that I can swallow them without doing the full-body shudder thing. And yet I STILL serve and eat (a bite or two of) them to show my kids that yes, even MOM does stuff she'd rather not do because it's good for her.

W. What makes you run late: My failure to plan realistically.

X. X-Rays you've had: Teeth. Back. Boring.

Y. Yummy food that you make: I used to make decent peach pies, but I do believe my little brother took over in that department.

Z. Zoo animal: Tiger.

For today

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... a large U-Haul truck is parked, its contents now emptied into apartment number 328.

I am thinking... not as clearly as I would have been had I gone to bed when I... wait what? See. Told you.

I am thankful... for redemption.

The kitchen... is very clean and tidy, thanks to Superman's heroic efforts.

I am wearing... a skirt.

I am creating... more work for myself, always.

I am going... to bed as soon as this post is completed.

I am wondering... about website design.

I am reading... One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, Dave Barry's Guide To Life by Dave Barry (!) and Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris.

I am hoping... to learn joy and contentment regardless of circumstances.

I am looking forward to... BSF starting up again.

I am hearing... nothing at all. And I like it that way.

Around the house... there need to be more picture frames hung (also, pictures put in said frames.)

I am pondering... almost continuously.

One of my favorite things... is my pen.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Val's first day of preschool, schedule a dentist appointment for me, organize my recipe binder, reschedule chiropractor appointment, buy a few necessary items for me and my kids.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... it was taken one year ago, today, after Superman went sky diving to celebrate his 30th birthday.

For today, August 5

Outside my window... it's a beautiful day. A little on the windy side. Very unfortunate that Val broke my hammock chair, or I would have spent their nap time in it, reading a book and rocking.

I am thinking... about faith and trust and where it is being actively practiced in my life. Also about being a better wife for Superman in the ways that are important to him, not just the ways I think are important to him. Or the ways I think should be important to him.

I am thankful for... Elaine's finger looking SO good, and for a smaller cast that's easier for us to work around.

I am wearing... pigtails and cargo pants.

I am remembering... not to take my husband's job for granted.

I am going... to be the epitome of productivity. Just as soon as I finish this entry. And maybe check Twitter. Or Facebook. Or my RSS feed.

I am currently reading... How We Love WORKBOOK. It's hard.

I am hoping... to change some really hard habits to change. But I've seen tiny bits of progress... so hooray!

On my mind... the Cannonball Bandits, of course! Go Bandits! Come on, Organizers Choice three-peat!

Noticing that... my control of the internet is slipping and it's been controlling me, lately.

Pondering these words... what is Superman's biggest complaint about me?

From the kitchen... there arises an army of dirty dishes, and not a single army to clean them.

Around the house... I need to put a few more systems into place to make organizing and cleaning easier.

One of my favorite things... is chunky artichoke jalapeno dip from Costco, heated up, on chips.

From my picture journal... I took this (note the stunning wardrobe) after I nursed Elaine for the last time. Oh I love her. Oh those months were rough. Oh I'll never forget.

July currents

current book: 
Where are You, Blue Kangaroo by Emma Chichester Clark

current music:

Traditional gospel

current guilty pleasure:
Brownies and Bryer's cherry-vanilla ice cream

current colors:
Brown/tan

current love:
H's silly smirk and her baby cheeks and neck

current drink:
water all day all the way

current songs:
"Wonderful, Merciful Savior" by Selah

current movie:
Bear in the Big Blue House

current wish-list:
To know where we'll be living for the next few years

current needs:
To go shopping and eat more calories

current triumph(s):
Staying un-depressed, most of the time

current bane(s) of my existence:
Weeds. Everywhere.

current indulgence:
Internet!

current blessing:
Superman

current slang or saying:
Please wait patiently until I'm off the phone.

current outfit:
Green knit pants with a black t-shirt from a high school winter camp I was a counselor at.

current excitement:
10 year high school reunion coming up!

current mood:
Slow and tired.



May currents

current book: 
How We Love by Milan & Kay Yerkovich

current music:
Hymns Ancient & Modern

current wish:

for red hair

current love:
MysteryGuitarMan. Duh.

current colors:
browns for my eyes

current drink:
Gatorade

current songs:
Wonderful, Merciful Savior by Selah

current movie/TV show:
Parenthood

current wish-list:
sleep

current needs:
patience over not getting sleep

current triumph(s):
actually finishing some of my Flylady-inspired routines

current bane(s) of my existence:
early-rising children

current indulgence:
chocolate ice cream

current blessing:
this house to live in

current phrase:
do you have to go potty?

current outfit:
black t-shirt from a high school retreat I chaperoned and Levi's jeans

current excitement:
Thursday nights with Superman this month

current mood:
dull

Next time won't you sing with me

A - Age: 2 weeks to 27. Late twenties. Eek. I'd better figure out what the heck I'm going to be when I grow up.

B - Bed size: CALIFORNIA KING, BABY. And I would have it no other way.

C - Chore you hate: Mopping the kitchen floor.

D - Dog's name: T-bird, who is a giant lug of a dog and quite handy to have when I'm out and about sans my big, muscular husband. T-bird is pretty much the perfect dog: smart, loyal, patient with kids and everyone/thing else and protective. Jackson is still my dog (and he always will be), but he lives with my parents due to the anxiety issues he has at our house. We have no idea what causes his anxiety but he MUST be able to be with me at all times or he flips out. I'm honored, but can't cater to him as I'm busy catering to the actual humans. I'm glad he's able to be himself at my folks house.

E - Essential start to your day: More sleep.

F - Favorite color: Blue, of course.

G - Gold or Silver: Silver.

H - Height: 5'10" or thereabouts. It might be closer to 5'9" but I haven't measured in a while. I like being tall, except for the fact that any sort of high heel makes me a giant and then I feel awkward hugging my friends. It IS nice to have a taller husband. =)

I - Instruments you play: Piano. Guitar. Neither very well. Used to play clarinet as well.

J- Job: Wife and mother (in the home and out.)

K – Kids: Two girls, because I told God I wanted a bunch of boys.

L - Living arrangements: At this point in time who the heck knows. My parents house, our house, Superman's grandma's house have all been places we've lived since January.

M - Mom's name: Beck's Mom. Duh.

N - Nicknames: Beck, Beckers, Beckeriah, Dabeckster, etc.

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: My birth or the births of my children? I've only stayed overnight after giving birth the two times.

P - Pet Peeve: When people throw cigarette butts (usually still burning) out the car window.

Q - Quote from a movie: "Life IS pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something." "Happiness isn't happiness without a violin-playing goat."

R – Robot or Human?: Human controlling a robot!

S - Siblings: My little bigger brother TAB and my little taller brother Mistablades and my baby sister LL. I'm the oldest and know what's best for all of them, naturally.

T - Time you wake up: When I am woken up by either or both of my daughters, usually between 6 and 7 am.

U- Underwear: Yes, it is UNDERWEAR and not that... that... other... p-word.

V - Vegetable you dislike: Peas. Oh peas make me gag every single time. I'm delighted to discover that Val makes the EXACT same face I make when forced to eat peas. I love pea soup though, go figure.

W - Ways you run late: Uh... children, children and children? But I refuse to give up striving to be on time!

X - X-rays you've had: My back and teeth mostly, I suppose.

Y - Yummy food you make: Mexican lasagna, cinnamon rolls/twists, biscuits and gravy, Top Ramen, breastmilk, etc..

Z - Zoo favorite: Effalunts!!!

For the love of motherhood

Jaye tagged me for this meme and so here it is, mostly un-pre-meditated. Five reasons I love being a mom today:

1. Middle of the night nursing. Everything is quiet and calm and warm and snuggly.


2. My daughter informs me she's going to sneak up on me and then does, usually ending the "sneaking" part by shouting, "RAAAAH," blowing raspberries on my arm/torso/leg, or tickling me. I love that she does this because it means she loves it when we do it to her.


3. So many hilarious photo opportunities!


4. Cloth diapering. I really do love it!


5. Now that I'm a mom of two, it's amazing to see the differences. I love finding out about their personalities and what they love and don't like starting the day they're born! Sometimes they take after their daddy, sometimes they take after me and many times it's just who they are!

Pregnancy survey

I've been doing a lot of surveys recently. If there's anything you'd like me to blog about just say the word... and yes, I *would* like to write about going into labor and having this baby. But that's out of my control for the time being. =)

About the Mommy:
Name: beck
Age: 26
First child?: No. Second pregnancy, second child.

About the Daddy:
Name: Superman
Age: 28
First child?: No. He already has an adorable daughter from a younger (and less-prepared, less-experienced) wife.

Finding out:
What day did you find out?: Ha! That's a very good question. And I give my mother a hard time for not remembering how she potty trained us... Oh! I suspected (and pretty much knew) I was pregnant right before I left for these people's wedding. But I waited to take the test until I got back so Superman could find out with me. I told him of my suspicion before I left and we decided to give it time and take the test when I returned.
How did you feel when you found out?: Nervous. Excited. Appalled (but not really surprised) at my uber-fertility.
Who was with you?: Um, no one. Just me and my pee, thanks.
Who was the first person you told?: My husband of course.
How did they react?: Very happily. =)
How did the daddy react?: Very, very happily.

Telling the grandparents:
How did your parents react?: My mother carefully read the "I'm the big sister!" shirt on her only granddaughter and then didn't say anything because she wasn't sure if the shirt was supposed to mean anything (we said nothing.) Of COURSE the shirt meant something! I wouldn't do that if I wasn't serious! Then later she asked if the shirt was a message and I said, "YES." Then they both said something along the lines of, "wow, congratulations!"
How did his parents react?: General joy and hugs and congratulations all around.
Are they helping with baby names?: Nope. No one picks our baby's names except me and Superman. And we have a hard enough time as it is.
Have they bought anything for the baby yet?: I don't think so? Maybe? I don't remember.
How often do they call to check on you?: Every so often. Or we see them.

About the pregnancy:
When was your first appointment?: I don't know. June?
When is your due date?: IN FOUR DAYS
How far along are you?: 39 weeks
Pre-pregnancy weight?: 120
Weight now?: 160
Have you had an ultrasound?: Three, I think. No. Four.
Have you heard the heartbeat?: Many times
What was the heartbeat?: It's varied. Healthy range. Once the baby kicked the wand. That was funny.

Sex of the baby:
What do you want?: Whatever we get! Boy would have been nice, but girl means they can share rooms for longer and we have more time to fix up and move out of this house!
What does the daddy want?: Whatever we get!
What do you think you are having?: I really thought it was a boy this time, as did others. We were all a little shocked to be wrong.
Have you had your big ultrasound yet?: Yes.
If so, what are you having?: Not a boy. The other kind.
Are you happy with what you're having?: Absolutely.

About the birth:
Do you know what you are taking with you?: Clothes, camera, car seat. Peace of mind (please.) Not much else.
Who is going to be with you?: Hopefully a healthy husband and labor coach Peggy.
Are you going to videotape it?: Absolutely not. I have no desire to videotape it, my husband has no desire to videotape it and I can't imagine my child would want to watch such a videotape. No one else gets a say in the matter.
Natural or medicated?: Natural unless there's a need or reason for medicated.
Do you think you will need a c-section?: Not as far as I know, but every labor is different.
Will you cry with you hold your baby for the first time?: Last time I was too exhausted. Definitely on an emotional high, but not the kind that involved crying. This time, I don't know. I tear up *thinking* about it, especially when we introduce K to her sister for the first time, but who knows what will transpire when the moment is actually there. I'm usually distracted by something incredibly mundane whenever I'm supposed to be soaking up a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Do you know what you will say to the baby when you first hold him/her?: Probably something like, "Hi! Hello! Hi little baby! It's ok... shhhh... hey look! It's you're daddy! And I'm your mommy. I'm the one you've been hearing all this time. OK now smile for the camera!"
Are you scared about the labor?: Not scared. Not jumping up and down in anticipation either... Hoping it'll be shorter than the last one and praying I'll go into labor without any assistance from drugs.

Names:
Do you have a name picked out?: Yes. And it took us a long time.
Girl names: She has one (two, actually.)
Boy names: We have THREE ready to go for whenever we have a son.
Is your baby going to be named after someone?: No, though she does share the first name of a fellow blogger's daughter.

Other random questions:
Where was your baby conceived?: And you think I would share this even if I did know? Inconceivable!
Have you felt the baby move?: Have I! Anyone who wants to can feel the baby move.
What race will your baby have? Eh, 5k. No, marathon. No, 100 meter. No, I think 5k.
Do you have stretch marks?: Do I ever. Pretty much wherever you see my stomach stick out, I have stretch marks. My abdomen is one, huge, giant stretch mark. And don't get me started on the veins of Halloween-costume-worthy proportions.
What was your first symptom?: Exhaustion. But, having a (sick) one-year-old can do that to you too, so I wasn't sure.
What religion will the baby know? I plan to teach her about several. And hopefully she'll have a meaningful relationship with God.
What music or interests do you want the baby to know?: Whatever music or interests she wants.
Will your baby have godparents?: No. What are godparents supposed to do, anyhow?
Who will the god mommy be?: N/A
Who will the god daddy be?: N/A
What is the baby's room theme?: Why thank you so much for asking! Old carpet, unfinished drywall and old sheets for curtains. Seriously.
What was the first thing you bought for the baby?: I have not purchased a single item for this baby. I'll probably buy a manual breast pump soon though. Electric pumps and I didn't get along so well last time.
Are you ready to be a mommy?: Ready? I already am!

ABCs

Got this from Abigail.

A is for age: 26
B is for beer of choice: No thank you on the beer, and believe me many have tried to get me to try many kinds. Haven't had a single beer I've even remotely enjoyed.
C is for career right now: Uh... wife and mother and all that entails. "Homemaker" though I hate that term.
D is for your dog's name: Jackson and Tbird.
E is for essential item you use every day: toothbrush
F is for favorite TV shows: The Office, The Colbert Report
G is for favorite game: Ticket to Ride!
H is for hometown: Bay Area
I is for instruments you play: I have played piano, clarinet and guitar but none of them very well.
J is for favorite juice: Freshly-squeezed orange
K is for whose butt you'd like to kick: H's. Out of my womb.
L is for last place you ate: Costco.
M is for marriage: OK? I'm married to Superman?
N is for your middle name: It starts with a J and that's all I'll say.
O is for overnight hospital stay: Just when I gave birth to K.
P is for people you were with today: My husband and daughter and whoever else was at Walmart and Costco.
Q is for quote: Here's a good one: “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.“ - James Baldwin
R is for biggest regret: Not wearing my hair down at my wedding. Failing a class in college (more or less intentionally.)
S is for sport: Chase-the-giggling-toddler-around-the-house-and-tickle-her.
T is for time you woke up today: 8:15!!!
U is for underwear you have on now: Um... purple and cream VS.
V is for vegetable you love: Zucchini
W is for worst habits: Cracking my knuckles, procrastinating and perfectionism.
X is for xrays you've had: A few, probably, though I can't remember for what. Dentist, chiropractor, stuff like that.
Y is for something yummy you've eaten today: Waffles.
Z is for zodiac sign: Gemini

25: Because I'm at least one better than Keifer Sutherland

I was tagged in this thingy by Tim (aka burndive) and must do it before H is born. Or I never will. Or I probably would because I like to talk about me me me but it would wait for a long time until I could actually be coherent enough. Not that that's stopped me from blogging before...

I got tagged, so I get to list 25 random things, facts, habits, goals, etc. about myself, and then I tag 25 people, including the person who tagged me, and if they haven't already done it, they need to do it too. (Um. If you were tagged by someone that probably means they've already done it. So I don't see the point in back-tagging.)

1. My body type (excluding the pregnant part) happens to be genetic. I do not look this way because I am in good physical shape. Or because I pay any attention at all to what/how I eat. You could probably beat me in a race to the end of the street. Seriously. In my family's case 'skinny' does not necessarily equal 'in shape' and I find that many people make that assumption automatically.


2. I've never broken a bone and never hope to.


3. Now that I'm done with formal education (for the foreseeable future) I would love to go back to school. I might major in something to do with writing or photography. Or study further into neuro-science and the brain. Learning is fun. I like it. (Except when I don't.)


4. Being married is one of the hardest things I've ever done. Until I became a parent as well. Both are incredibly rewarding and absolutely well-worth it. Both take every last ounce of everything out of you (and then some. And then some more.)


5. I am an INTJ, and I like it.


6. In general I am not a girlie girl. Neither was (is!) my mother. I tend to relate better to boys. I don't know how to "do" girlie things and this makes me somewhat apprehensive when it comes to raising my daughters. What do I do if they love dolls or the color pink? Or if they love spending hours doing their hair and make-up? I want to encourage them to be them and I don't want my preferences getting in the way. I think it'll be difficult but I'm up for the challenge. (I always thought I'd be raising a crop of boys. And here I have two girls. Ha ha, God. Ha ha.)


7. I pooh-poohed smart phones. And then I got one.


8. I have a bad habit of not doing or participating in things I'm not good at. A lamentable combination of pride and perfectionism. Fortunately I have a child, who is quickly teaching me to be humble and to throw perfectionism to the wind.


9. I absolutely adore climbing a good tree. Oaks are wonderful. It's even better if I can read a book in the tree. I love everything about trees.


10. I'm new at this whole celebrating Christmas thing, but excited to do it!


11. I've read the Bible cover-to-cover more than twice and things STILL jump out at me that I've never noticed before.


12. Once upon a time long, long ago, I fell out of the back of a little red wagon and smashed my skull against our brick porch. I had been standing up in the wagon. And wearing roller skates. And my little brother was pulling me. Thankfully my hair color is darkening as I get older.


13. Being a stay at home mom is HARD. I am never off-duty, even (especially!) when asleep. I always "bring my work home with me." There is no time for me unless I make it. I'm getting better at making time for me because if I don't things spiral downwards pretty quickly.


14. Neither Superman nor I are especially romantic and this is something we take a bit of pride in. Mostly we enjoy the shock and disbelief of other couples as they hear about our callous disregard for things like cards, chocolate, flower-buying, candles, rose petals, romantic music or even gifts for the other's birthday. We generally decide what we want for our birthday and then go out and get it ourselves. Then tell the other what we got. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a romantic husband, but I doubt he would fit me as well as Superman does. Fortunately this goes well with number 6!


15. I like to bake. I'm a terrible cook.


16. The house I live in is in a constant state of upgrading. We failed to factor children into our master plan to overhaul this 50-plus-year-old house and so that is why we currently lack central air and heat. And why we don't have exterior siding on 1/4 the house. And why 1/3 of the house's walls are unfinished sheet rock. But we manage. Most of the time it's fun.


17. I enjoy pets. Especially dogs. I would love to work with and train seeing-eye or police-dog puppies but for now I get to work with and train my daughters instead. I have two German Shepherd mixes and two American Curl cats. I think we've reached the pet limit for a while now... need to even out the kid to pet ratio.


18. My little girl loves books and loves animals and this makes me proud.


19. I would love to get a trampoline. I grew up with one (before they had those wussy walls around them!) and have many fond memories (and very few painful ones, surprisingly) of time spent on the trampoline.


20. I'm looking forward to meeting my second little girl and learning about her personality. I'm praying she'll take after her daddy like her older sister did but I'm not holding my breath. They say second babies usually aren't anything like the first, which means she'll probably take after me instead and all my mother's prayers in that regard will be answered.


21. I didn't major in something to do with literature/writing/journalism in college even though several of my high school teachers encouraged me to. I was afraid it would kill my desire to write. So I majored in biology instead, and never changed my major throughout all my college career.


22. I would like a purple hand gun to take shooting with my husband. I'm not sure how to get the purple part, but my multi-gun-owning brother says there are ways.


23. Movies and TV shows rarely interest me. Maybe because we don't have a TV (but still watch some shows online via the broadcaster's website or hulu.com.)


24. My spelling is atrocious. (No I didn't spell that correctly the first time. Thank you Firefox add-on that corrects the spelling of any word you type in the browser!) That doesn't keep me from writing though, especially typing. When writing by hand I'll sometimes switch to a word I know how to spell instead of using the better one I don't know how to spell.


25. I like having a small house. I'm not sure if this one could handle a third child, but generally a smaller house means less to clean and less stuff to deal with.

Whew that was long. Some of these things may or may not have been taken from this list of 110 (yes you read that correctly) things about me here. And now for the tagging! If you just read this, consider yourself tagged. I don't care if you don't have a blog. Email me. I don't care if you don't have my email address. Leave a comment with yours and I'll reply with my email address. I don't even care if you don't do all 25 things. Even 3 things I didn't know about you before would be interesting!

Bold moves

I got this from Nicole and Bethany Actually. Bold what you've done.

1. Started your own blog. (In 2000!)


2. Slept under the stars. (Many many times, mostly on our trampoline.)


3. Played in a band. (Clarinet.)


4. Visited Hawaii. (Twice. Once after high school and again on my honeymoon.)


5. Watched a meteor shower.


6. Given more than you can afford to charity.


7. Been to Disneyland. (Once. Yes as in once in my life. I'm not impressed.)


8. Climbed a mountain.


9. Held a praying mantis. (So has my daughter.)


10. Sang a solo. (Just the unintentional kind, when you think it's time to start and it wasn't. Oh wait! No, I have.)


11. Bungee jumped.


12. Visited Paris. (No, but does Perris, CA count?)


13. Watched a lightening storm at sea. (Confusing... I have seen lightening over the ocean, but I myself wasn't at sea at the time.)


14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.


15. Adopted a child.


16. Had food poisoning.


17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty. (I think so, but the actual torch was off limits. Regardless we were THERE. I think.)


18. Grown your own vegetables.


19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France


20. Slept on an overnight train.


21. Had a pillow fight.


22. Hitch hiked.


23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill.


24. Built a snow fort.


25. Held a lamb.


26. Gone skinny dipping.


27. Run a Marathon.


28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice


29. Seen a total eclipse


30. Watched a sunrise or sunset


31. Hit a home run


32. Been on a cruise


33. Seen Niagara Falls in person


34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors. (Both Iowa and New York.)


35. Seen an Amish community. (Been there, done that, bought the bonnet.)


36. Taught yourself a new language. (I keep meaning to learn Greek...)


37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. (Who says that it takes MONEY to be truly satisfied? Bah.)


38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person


39. Gone rock climbing.


40. Seen Michelangelo's David


41. Sung karaoke


42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt


43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant (I've paid for people behind me in the drive thru, does that count?)


44. Visited Africa


45. Walked on a beach by moonlight. (Several! The most memorable being the Mediterranean Sea on Israel's coast.)


46. Been transported in an ambulance.


47. Had your portrait painted.


48. Gone deep sea fishing. (And I actually caught fish!)


49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.


50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.


51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling


52. Kissed in the rain.


53. Played in the mud.


54. Gone to a drive-in theater.


55. Been in a movie.


56. Visited the Great Wall of China.


57. Started a business.


58. Taken a martial arts class.


59. Visited Russia.


60. Served at a soup kitchen.


61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.


62. Gone whale watching.


63. Got flowers for no reason.


64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.


65. Gone sky diving.


66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp (no, but have visited Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.)


67. Bounced a check.


68. Flown in a helicopter.


69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.


70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.


71. Eaten Caviar.


72. Pieced a quilt.


73. Stood in Times Square.


74. Toured the Everglades.


75. Been fired from a job.


76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.


77. Broken a bone.


78. Been on a speeding motorcycle. (Heh heh heh...)


79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.


80. Published a book.


81. Visited the Vatican.


82. Bought a brand new car.


83. Walked in Jerusalem. (For four days.)


84. Had your picture in a newspaper.


85. Read the entire Bible.


86. Killed and prepared an animal for eating. (Do fish count?)


87. Visited the White House.


88. Had chickenpox.


89. Saved someone's life.


90. Sat on a jury.


91. Met someone famous.


92. Joined a book club


93. Lost a loved one.


94. Had a baby


95. Seen the Alamo in person


96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake. (No but floated/swam in the Dead Sea.)


97. Been involved in a lawsuit.


98. Owned a cell phone.


99. Been stung by a bee.


100. Read an entire book in one day. (All the time before I had a baby!)

Grace

This test is pretty right-on, despite having only two "questions" (long ones, but well thought out.) I think it describes me more accurately than many other "personality" tests I've taken. SAJ did it over here and so I followed suit.


Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Grace!

You are a Grace -- "I need to understand the world."


Graces have a need for knowledge and are introverted, curious, analytical, and insightful.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be independent, not clingy


• * Speak in a straightforward and brief manner


• * I need time alone to process my feelings and thoughts


• * Remember that If I seem aloof, distant, or arrogant, it may be that I am feeling uncomfortable


• * Make me feel welcome, but not too intensely, or I might doubt your sincerity


• * If I become irritated when I have to repeat things, it may be because it was such an effort to get my thoughts out in the first place


• * don't come on like a bulldozer


• * Help me to avoid my pet peeves: big parties, other people's loud music, overdone emotions, and intrusions on my privacy

What I Like About Being a Grace
* standing back and viewing life objectively
* coming to a thorough understanding; perceiving causes and effects
* my sense of integrity: doing what I think is right and not being influenced by social pressure
* not being caught up in material possessions and status
* being calm in a crisis

What's Hard About Being a Grace

• * being slow to put my knowledge and insights out in the world


• * feeling bad when I act defensive or like a know-it-all


• * being pressured to be with people when I don't want to be


• * watching others with better social skills, but less intelligence or technical skill, do better professionally

Graces as Children Often

• * spend a lot of time alone reading, making collections, and so on


• * have a few special friends rather than many


• * are very bright and curious and do well in school


• * have independent minds and often question their parents and teachers


• * watch events from a detached point of view, gathering information


• * assume a poker face in order not to look afraid


• * are sensitive; avoid interpersonal conflict


• * feel intruded upon and controlled and/or ignored and neglected

Graces as Parents

• * are often kind, perceptive, and devoted


• * are sometimes authoritarian and demanding


• * may expect more intellectual achievement than is developmentally appropriate


• * may be intolerant of their children expressing strong emotions

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

The only thing that made me cringe instead of nod in agreement is that I may be intolerant of my children expressing strong emotions. Well, I had to cringe as I nodded in agreement. I'm not sure if "intolerant" is the right word (who likes to be told they're intolerant, anyhow?!? =) ) but I'm certainly uncomfortable and even at a loss at what to do about it at times. I do my best to validate her feelings ("Yes I understand that you're upset that you can't do __________ right now but Mommy said no.") and be firm at the same time but I'd rather run far away than deal with a tantrum in the grocery store. I want her to know it's ok to feel emotions but she needs to express them appropriately. Actually now that I've thought about it, I'd say I'm uncomfortable with ANYone expressing strong emotions. Whichever extreme they're at I generally try to talk them back to the middle. Or I reason with them in my head as to why they shouldn't feel so strongly.

Really, if you know me in person, every single thing on those lists up there is true about me. I feel exposed. =) *assumes a poker face in order not to look afraid*

Her children arise and call her, "Mooooommyyyyyyy!"

Neen did this over here and it looked fun so I thought I'd do it too.

1. How long have you been a Mom? 1.5 years, not counting pregnancy.

2. How many children call you Mommy? One, and the other just kicks me in the ribs to get my attention.


3. Girl? Boy? or both? Girl and girl!


4. Did you know what you were having? Yes and both times I've wanted to find out. I like being able to pray for the child by name (once we settle on it) and talk to the big sister about her baby sister.

5. How old were you when you became a Mom? 24


6. How long were you in labor? Six or seven hours. I was induced (with cervidil only) and had a natural labor (I don't count the one dose of nubain because it took NO edge off for me, but did lower my climbing blood pressure (and thereby K's) which is why I took it in the first place.) I'm not necessarily committed to an all natural birth for this next baby; we'll have to see how things shape up. I'm a firm believer in doing what I feel is best for my baby and sometimes that means having a mom who isn't stressed out by gut-wrenching pain. In K's birth I know without a doubt it was best not to have an epidural, especially looking back. Every birth is different though!


7. What’s your favorite thing about being a Mom? Baby hugs and their sloppy kisses. Nursing while looking into their sweet, trusting eyes. Being there to see them experience the world for the first time. Looking down to see little arms stretched up to me, wanting to be held.


8. What’s your least favorite thing? Waking up at night. The ease at which I can be awakened (the mommy sense never sleeps!) Sick babies.

9. Do you want more kids? Yes please. At least two more.


10. Do you plan on having more soon? On or around the 23rd of January.


11. How many times have you been pee’d on? Just once, as I carried my naked kid in from the backyard to the bath and stopped to give her a drink of water on the way. Bad idea.

12. Barfed on? Been spit up on many times. K hasn't gotten sick with the flu yet so no "real" vomit yet.


13. Is your child named after anyone? K's middle name is sort of after my sister and Superman's maternal grandmother. It also happens to be the name of a dear, sweet friend of mine whom I happened to tell on the day we met that I wanted to name my future daughter her name. At the time I was just engaged and fortunately she did nothing but sweeten the name for me. =)

14. How did you come up with their name? After hours and hours of discussion spanning several months. Girls names are hard for us. Their names are basically among the handful of girl names on the face of the earth that neither of us had a problem with. Heaven help us if we have another girl.


15. When your child gets in trouble, who is the bad guy? The child is! Duh! We both can be the bad guy as parents. We try to stand by the other's decision and present a unified front so there is no running to mommy/daddy to escape.


16. What is the longest you have been away from your children? Overnight, just this past month.


17. Bedtime routine? Bath (with daddy when he's home), brush teeth, comb hair, read a book (or two), rock with mommy and then bedtime.


18. Are your toes painted? No. But they were last week.


19. Last movie you saw in the theater? WALL-E, without the baby.

20. One thing you will not give up just because you’re a mom? My identity as a wife and other interests I had before kids. I hope to share my loves and interests with my kids as they get older.


21. One thing you did give up now that you’re a mom: Peeing alone. (This was Neen's answer and it's so good and so true I'm leaving it!)


22. Best Mom perk: Laughing with my kid(s).


23. Snack, you sneak bites from your child? K and I usually snack on the same things.


24. When the kid is napping, you are: Taking a timed nap or quiet time, doing finances on the computer, washing dishes, doing my Bible study, reading blogs.


25. Where is your child(ren) now? Finally asleep after using the crib as a trampoline.


26. Favorite place to buy maternity clothes? Old Navy.

27. If I could do it over… I would have had central air and heat before having kids.

28. Did it turn out the way you expected? More or less. But I've got a long way to go!

Mosaic of me

The Rules:
If you want to play too, type your answer to each of the questions below into a Flickr search. Using only the first page, choose your favorite image, then copy and paste each of the URL’s into the mosaic maker (3 columns, 4 rows).

The questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you attend?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One word to describe you.
12. Your Flickr name.

My picture:

Shocking

I don't know if this is something to brag about or not:

62 As a 1930s wife, I am Superior Take the test!

I took the test intending to laugh at the results but can I now? I think I still will. We have a happy, loving marriage (usually) but it's a far cry from what I imagine most marriages to have been in the 1930s. It's a fun test to take, though. Give it a try and let me know how you rate!

How well can you read a face?

I think this test was pretty fun to take. Can you tell the difference between a real and fake smile?

Remember when...

I've been thinking about all the things I've seen come to pass over the course of just my lifetime. Things that my children won't be able to imagine because they've never known life without _______.

Feel free to add your own. Remember, the changes have to have occurred within your own lifetime. This is something that only our/your generation will be able to say.

I remember when...

1. The only way to roast a marshmallow was with a wire coat hanger.


2. None of my friends had a computer at home and when our family got one it was only because my dad worked for Hewlett Packard. The colors on the screen were black and green and gray.


3. All telephones were wired to the base.


4. Pagers were popular and the cool kids in high school not only had their own pagers but they knew pager code too.


5. We could walk the traveler to the gate at the airport or wait at the gate to meet them as they came off the airplane without having to be a ticketed passenger ourselves.


6. We kept paper maps in the car and used them to navigate our route.


7. No one owned a cell phone.


8. You had to lick stamps.


9. I didn't have to wear a helmet when riding my bike (this varies by state.)

I blank.

I like: to eat lots of raw fish any time I'm given the opportunity.

I think: minivans are pretty wonderful. Especially the Toyota Sienna.

I know: how to keep my baby happy.

I have: WAY too much.

I hate: the act of abortion (not the people involved.)

I don't: weigh as much as I should.

I can't: use my oven without the highly-sensitive smoke alarm having a fit. The food is fine.

I can: eat a foot-long subway sandwich in one sitting.

I will: probably dye my hair back to blond.

I won't: dye my hair again after that. Probably.

I miss: playing volleyball at Balboa Beach.

I fear: that we bit off more than we could chew when it comes to remodeling our house.

I feel: cold.

I hear: the rain.

I smell: wet dogs.

I crave: sushi. Duh.

I wonder: why health insurance has to be so complicated. Give me simple answers in terms I understand, please!

I regret: going to college away from home.

I love: watching my husband be a daddy.

I dream: of super things with my super man.

I long: for central heat.

I care: even if it's not as obvious as you would like.

I always: wanted an older brother.

I am not: grown up yet.

I believe: my daughter is teething.

I sing: in harmony.

I smile: sincerely.

I laugh: whenever Kem tries to climb over T-Bird.

I collect: history in the form of true stories, written or spoken.

I play: the piano rather poorly.

I write: every single day.

I await: patiently for a new camera.

I cook: scientifically.

I trust: my child care provider.

I intend: to make meat loaf as soon as I post this entry.

I search: for the perfect coat and the perfect pen.

I look: outside to make sure the dogs are in their dog houses when it rains.

I shout: at the dogs when they are inexplicably lying in the mud instead.

I whisper: so as not to wake the baby.

I conquer: writers block.

I listen: far less often than I should.

I ignore: professional sports.

I live: because He lives. (I Corinthians 15:12-14)

On the watch