The Baby Book Bonanza

My kids don't have them. Well, they do, they are just in a Tupperware, and not a book.  I love my kids, I do, and I vowed to be better at this than my mother was.

You see, I got my baby books when I was 20. No, that isn't when she handed them to me in this coming of age ritual, that's when she did them. I won't even get into how there are pictures me with a report card that says "Jordan- 1985" when I was clearly in grade school, not preschool, but whatever... I'm clearly scarred from it.

So, I guess I need to do my kids books. What I have decided to do is do one book per season until they reach grade school, and then make 1 book a year after that. I can order 3 copies of the same book- one for me, one for each of them. Right? Surely there isn't a flaw in this plan. They will only be a year apart in school, so I think its logical. 

OMG- just explaining it stressed me out.

I have kind of started, but then the online program I use pisses me off, and I have to delete and start over.  And it's not that I don't take the pictures. I have like 10,000 on my computer. Literally. I took a photography class, for pete's sake. So they are there, and they are kind of good. They are just not in a book... 

I'm not a scrapbooker. I envy those who are, and those who write down when the first tooth came in, yada yada, but I don't do that. I buy all the calendars and crap to document it, but I don't ever do it.  I used to guilt myself , but I am over it.  My kids won't care when their teeth came in, or when they got what shot, cause who cares about that???  (Really, if you do, send me a message. I need to know and understand why.) Whatever. I know half of you are thinking the same thing and are scared you will look like a bad momma for not caring.  So here it is, OFFICIALLY:

My name is Jordan, and I do not have my kids baby books done, nor do I have immediate plans for completion of said baby books.  

There. it's out. Don't be scared anymore. 

So, I will continue to throw all their keepsakes in a giant Tupperware, where I am bound to mix them up, and hopefully it doesn't throw them into therapy later. 

I've lived a joyous and blessed life, and I feel like I have a great sense of identity, all without my pediatric shot records.

have a wonderful holiday and be nice to each other.

ciao.

I ate SPAM today.

I did. And, much to my dismay, I have to say that it may be better than bacon. (turkey bacon, that is)  It kind of stuck to my teeth a bit- not a fan of that- but it was kind of delicious in an 'ive been drinking a little and this is a great sandwich' kinda way.  I can no longer snub canned meat.
  SPAM. I googled it and found all sorts of recipes.  There is spam sushi. Yup, I'm for real.  I wonder what kind of parts are in there. I draw the line when I know an ear, hoof, or cheek is in my SPAM. I'll google that right now.... (pause while I google again...)


Oh wow! Apparently spam is really a "spiced ham" and is just pork shoulder and ham with a lot of chemicals to make it ok for it to be in a can.


However, I'm still skeptical.

Apparently it's a delicacy in Hawaii. That makes it sound better, right?

Maybe not. But the beach sounds nice.

Maybe a recipe from http://www.spam.com/- the blue ribbon state fair champion "Golden Spam Surprise"

And...maybe not. You can go on their website and listen to a song called "Pam don't take my SPAM"

Please Pam! Please take my SPAM.

Why are we naturally terrified of SPAM, but we will eat tuna, no problem? Apparently Jessica Simpson and I were the only two on the planet that thought Chicken of the Sea was actually chicken.  I thought there was another can called "Tuna of the Sea", I also "came home" to OK from KS by way of I35 NORTH. Yeah, that was a long day. 

that's no lie folks. I have no shame in admitting that.

I encourage each of you to buy a can of SPAM, and be creative. Let me know how it goes. I may even take myself up on my own challenge.   I'll post pictures. I've heard that eggs and SPAM is seriously delicious.

have a great weekend-

ciao.

My handsome fella

Love him. All 6 foot 5, and every bit of concrete dust that follows him into our house.


This man will do just about anything for his family, and if that means sitting his tall and lanky self on a toddler chair while watching Toy Story for the 1000th time, then so be it.


Tall guy, little chair.


He made sure Will had his priorities straight for 2010 election..

An introduced Luke to the world..


And that was all just this year!

He is charming and hilarious, and I drive him bananas, but he loves me anyway. I couldn't be more thankful for the life we've built together.

My cup runneth over.

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Whats playing on my Ipod...

John would say I have horrible taste in music, but I beg to differ.  I love ballads, and I listen to an ipod all day, so I've found that mellow music is the least distracting while satisfying my need to do something other than stare at a computer.

I made a playlist today that is blowing my socks off.  I love it. I named it Picnic Blanket because I would like to be on a Picnic Blanket with an actual picnic while this is playing. Maybe a bonfire later in the evening, with lots of good pals around. Preferably on a beach...

Wow. I even lost myself there for a moment.


1) Dave Matthews Band. This should have a presence on every playlist.
2) Tracy Chapman- For You, Run, Fast Car, Baby Can I Hold You
3) Dan Fogelberg- Leader of the Band
4) Indigo Girls- Fleet of Hope
5) Sara Barielles- Hold my Heart, Machine Gun, River
6) John Mayer (see #1)
7) Rilo Kiley- 15
8) Jennifer Knapp- Refine Me, Martyrs and Thieves
9) Missy Higgins- Where I Stood, Nightminds
10) Eric Hutchinson- Food Chain, All Over Now, Ok its alright with me
11) Joshua Radin and Schuyler Fisk- Paperweight
12) Marc Cohn- Maybe I'm Amazed
13) Watermark- Captivate Us, Knees to the Earth
14) James Taylor and Carole King- Machine Gun Kelly, Blossom, Smackwater Jack
15) Third Day- When the Rain Comes
16) Taylor Swift- Never Grow Up, Dear John
17) Jack Johnson-(see #1)
18) Kate Nash- Birds (This song reminds me of John and I. I laugh everytime I hear it.)
19) Michelle Branch- A Case of You
20) Needtobreathe- The Outsiders, Garden
21) Zac Brown- Jolene, Whatever it is, and of course, Chicken Fried

I hope this inspires you to create situational playlists. Not really, but maybe you will find a song you like, and it will remind you of me, and a picnic blanket. Then maybe you will create one called "ski lodge" with songs that make you feel cozy and crave micro brews from little mountain breweries and a big roaring fire.

enjoy.

I'm really not an adult. It's a costume.

Do u find that when you grow up and have to do things you really don't want to do, that you still don't really want to do them? I don't really want to be at the dr's office right now. At all. I know it's what's best for me,whatever, but right now I want to cross my arms and collapse on the ground like Will does. I just wouldn't have anyone to drag me out while brilliantly keeping my shoulder in it's socket. (I have that gift).

It's like a couple of weeks ago when John made me go somewhere I really didn't want to go. HE didn't even go, but preached to me about how I should, so I went, against my will. I should have collapsed then too.

Just a small thought I had while sitting in the waiting room. Oh, and there is a girl in here with athletic socks and scotch plaid heels on. It's never that cold, honey.

Ciao



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Raindrops on Roses

It's Christmas, and I have the wantsies. So, here is my list of favorite things I love, and want, and need, and HAVE TO HAVE.


1)Things I love, i can't start that list without my 3 men.

love them.

2) Max Factor mascara with the curved applicator.I have used this since I was 10, and they quit carrying it in the US.  I can get it on Amazon for $28 a tube. No thanks. If you find this at your nearest bargain bin I will pay $10 a tube. Yes, this is my #2 wish.


3) These bar stools from Ballard Designs. I mean, I know that they are expensive, but I have it all planned out. You must pay butt rental to sit there. I would have them paid off by next Christmas. For sure. They are beautiful, and I really think they would soften my table a bit. 
4) The Coors Light kegorator- I don't feel like this needs much explanation. It's also a green alternative to drinking out of aluminum and glass. I win, mother earth wins.

5)A wifi connection. This is another post in and of itself. I never imagined how entirely frustrated this could make me.

6) Philosophy Hope in a Jar.  Oprah doesn't joke around. This stuff is serious. Changed my skin.

7) Christmas decorations. I love them. They make me happy, and they make John crazy, which makes me laugh. I just imagine one day looking at them and remembering when each ornament was purchased, and going from newlyweds, from one baby, to two babies, through dogs... and so on, and so on.  My friend Julie has a audio ornament of her son saying "Merry Christmas". How precious is that, and what a wonderful thing for her to remember what her son sounded like. I need an audio ornament asap.

8) The Etsy pillow lady. I haven't ordered anything quite yet, but I look and drool over her pillows. The fabrics are fabulous and funky. Love the Ikat print.

9)  Girlfriends.  I think you know who you two are, but one fell in a grocery store parking lot and spilt (yup- that's a word today) her groceries, and the other bought me festive kleenex.  I am grateful, and these people are a gift that we should all ask for from Santa.  xo. I'm gettin jingly with it.

10) My husband's love for extreme cooking. Without him, I would weigh 10 lbs less, but I would never know the beautiful reality it is to be a foodie. yummy in the tummy.

ciao.

Bee-Bees and Bottles are for Babies....right?

bee-bee: pacifier; binky.

Wrong. My 2 year old still gets both WHENEVER he wants them. And I am 120% okay with it. Yes, I'm aware of tooth decay and setting him up for years in hideous braces, but, at the end of the day John is right. his teeth are going to fall out anyway. Sounds redneck, I know. And I don't put him to bed with a bottle, and the bottle isn't every night, either. Sometimes he chooses a sipee. My 9 month old obviously drinks from a bottle and uses the same bee bee as the 2 year old, so any hope of successful removal is long gone. So, I justify it to myself.

Also, since becoming a mother I have wondered something. Why are people in a hurry for their babies to grow up? 'my baby walked at 2 months!' or 'my baby can read'. NEWSFLASH: your baby isn't supposed to be able to read or walk. He's a BABY. He is supposed to be cuddled and tickled and kissed, not shown flashcards and forced to do squats.  Life flies by, and I'm afraid the mom's in my generation push it further.  I myself am guilty of pleading "PLEASE sleep through the night and I'll buy you the best car in the world for your 16th birthday. I swear!" which won't happen because a) he never followed through on his end of the bargain, and B) that's insanity buying a 16 year old a cool car.

That is beside the point.

It takes such practice and awareness to actually stop and be present in the moment.  I remember going to Israel when I was a freshman in high school. My older brother and I were not really excited about it. In fact, we were actually dreading it. I remember knowing that I should be appreciative of this opportunity, (and I remember seeing my uncle jack without his hair- whoa.) but I just couldn't get into it. As we were driving down the highway I looked out of our van and said "God, if I remember nothing else from this trip I want to remember this rock I'm looking at right this instant."  To this day I can describe every angle of the rock, and then man sitting next to it and his white tshirt. That trip was full of memories, some good and some bittersweet, but I made sure I was present for that.

Same with our wedding. I thought to myself  "you have to be here for this. center yourself and treasure every second." and I still remember the look on John's face as he said "I do" a little earlier than asked. :) But with my kids, I find that its harder to get centered and focused on the moment. If you are a working mother, your job really begins when you get home from work.  Nothing at my day job can ever make me utilize my time management skills like the first two hours at home with my kids.  However, I find that I lose focus and center myself around chores instead of my children. It's a constant struggle for me, and I have to re-focus quite frequently.

So, when you see my 2 year old with either, know that he can have the bee bee, or the bottle.  I don't care. I chose to let my babies be babies.  He's only a baby once, and I don't really want any opinions on the matter. He's only going to want to snuggle up with a "bot" and watch TV with mama for a little bit, and I think a steep future orthodontist bill is a great trade for that. 

ciao