Twizzlers, Yum!

Dear Diary,

Well today is kind of a weird, ordinary day around here. Instead of taking today off like everyone else, Garrett decided to work so he could take Friday off instead and help pack and get ready for vacation. It's just the girls and I today as usual, but I'll be thankful to have his help on Friday. My organizational skills are going to be in full force as I prepare 4 people for a week at the beach!

Addy is watching Elmo and Olivia is asleep (weird) so I am going to take a few minutes to enjoy my laptop and write about my little life. Will this entry have a point? Probably not, but enjoy anyway!

Sleeeeeep. I love sleep. And I especially love sleeping in a childless room for a good 8-9 hours, uninterrupted. Once again I've got a good sleeper on my hands. Not sure how I have gotten so lucky, twice, but I have. Olivia is in her own crib in Addy's room and she's sleeping like a champ. She goes down around 10:00pm and she wakes up around 6:00 or 7:00am! Hopefully before long she'll go down a little earlier in the evenings but until then, I'll be happy with this little routine we've got going!

I never had issues with Walmart when I lived in Pittsburg. I did most of my grocery shopping there actually. I don't know if it's because I HATE how our Shawnee Walmart is set up, or because I have other options, but I DO NOT like going into that store...so I don't. I shop at our Price Chopper for grocery's and at Target for anything else I need. We did have to go there this weekend however and I was reassured at how much I actually hate that place. I feel dirty as soon as I walk in the door, I immediately encounter someone who thinks their business needs to be every one's business, and our checker might be the most unpleasant lady I have ever had to speak to in my life. What are their problems? The checkers at my Price Chopper are doing the exact same job and they are as nice as can be! Shawnee Walmart, you suck.

It is an understatement to say that I LIKE Bite Sized Cherry Twizzlers. It is more accurate to say I am OBSESSED. Fruit-like snacks are normally not my snack of choice. If I was standing in the candy aisle and could pick one thing it would probably be chocolate and it would definitely have peanut butter involved. But, I no longer have the luxury of picking whatever I want unless I want to make a sacrificial trade-off of numerous points. What points am I referring to? Well those would be Weight Watchers points. I can have a whopping 17 delicious Bite Sized Cherry Twizzlers for a mere 2 points. Needless to say I've gone through my fair share of bags. This light snack has done me well - 33 pounds lost since I brought Olivia home from the hospital, and 20 of those pounds have been from WW! I'll keep on counting those points...

Packing. Ugh. I do it all the time for our little trips to Pittsburg but this is going to be a bit different. One husband, two kids, and me - all trying to fit our things for a week at the beach in as few suitcases as possible. The good news - comfortable, loungy clothes fold pretty tight. Bad news - toys do not. I am going to cross my fingers that the number of new faces, the fun of the beach, and books can keep my child entertained for 7 days. Besides the fear over our first plane ride with two kids, the anxiety of breastfeeding in public and the anticipation that our family will hate us after being around so many small children for a week, we are REALLY excited about this trip! The last time we went on our Fripp trip, they were throwing us a mock bridal shower! (We were much more tan and much more thin back then, sigh) So we are definitely ready to get back to the ocean this year! And who knows, maybe the flight will be a piece of cake, no one will even notice I am breastfeeding my baby under that blanket and all the children will be little angels all week! At least there will be plenty of alcohol =)

Happy Memorial Day Everyone! And a BIG thanks to all the military today and every day! And, as always, I am keeping Joplin in my prayers!

Sincerely Yours,

Oprah...

Dear Diary,

I had plans today to do some cleaning, finish up some projects and take a shower. Then we got tornado sirens and instead of doing the things I needed to be doing, I spent the rest of my day watching the news, something I have have done more in the last few days than I have my entire life.

I did, however, flip from the news station at 4:00 to watch the final episode of Oprah. Anyone else disappointed?

Now, granted, I have not been a faithful Oprah follower for her 25 years (I am only 25 myself) nor have I even been a faithful follower in my adult years. I can't even say I have seen every episode this season, BUT I do catch it now and again and try to watch when the topic interests me.

For some reason I was pretty excited to watch the last three episodes this week. The Spectacular on Monday and Tuesday were pretty "action" packed. I am sure her ultimate fans were not disappointed as there were celebs coming out of every corner and touching moments right and left - My favorite being when Kristin Chenoweth came out to sing "For Good" as 300 of the men who have received the Oprah Winfrey scholarship at Moorehouse College lit up the dark United Center with the candles they were holding as they walked up to the stage.

I don't know what I was expecting her final show to be like today, but it just didn't do much for me. I felt like she was a motivational speaker that I was forced to listen to for extra credit points or something. While her messages were good, they seemed very rehearsed (which they probably were) and kind of, I don't know, repetitive.

I guess I wanted more tears, more "in-the moment" moments and maybe even one of those cheesy video's set to music with all the shining highlights of the past 25 years. To be honest, I enjoyed the credits the most, when Oprah walked off stage to meet all the members of her crew, standing shoulder to shoulder, giving her hugs as she traveled back to her office for the last time.

I guess it's good I have more important things occupying my thoughts than Oprah's final show, or else I'd be really disappointed.

May God continue to be with the people of Joplin.

Sincerely Yours,

Pray For Joplin

Dear Diary,

I just can't seem to shake this uneasy feeling. What has happened in Joplin, MO has had such an impact on me, as it has had on many of you reading this I am sure. Lucky for me, all that I know and love are safe and many that I know are volunteering their time in Joplin, using their talents to help in any way that they can.

If there is a positive out of this tragedy, which there really isn't, but if there is then I'd have to say it has been quite the wake-up call for me. We have spent years and years listening to tornado sirens, and rarely did we take them seriously. Half the time we were outside, hoping to catch a glimpse. And as much as I am ashamed to admit it, I loved being in the middle of the storm, the sirens and the possibility of a tornado. The words, "I hope a tornado comes," has come out of my mouth several times and I recall numerous storms where I sat looking outside my parents bedroom window "hoping" a tornado could be seen in the distance.

No, I didn't hope for damage or hope my house was flattened or my community torn to shreds - I was ignorant and curious and, like many people like me, I wanted to see something so incredible in person. Needless to say, I have changed my tune...

It is sad to me that it took something so close to home to finally register with me. Just last month, tornado's tore through the south, killing hundreds, and although it didn't go unnoticed, it didn't impact me like it should have. Just Saturday night we had sirens go off here in KC. What did we do? Well we sat in our bed watching the news for a few minutes. Then we rolled our eyes and debated on getting the girls out of bed. By the time the second or third sirens started we slowly got the girls up and slowly made our way to the basement. Not to mention we weren't even in the safe part of the basement where we should have been if a storm hit. What if that was Sunday night in Joplin, MO? We would have been amongst those who have lost their lives all because we didn't move fast enough or get in the safest part of our house.

Joplin is 30 miles from our hometown. It is the place we all travel to for shopping, a nice dinner out or just to get away for the day. I can't tell you how many trips I have made to and from Joplin and to think of what it looks like now is just too much to grasp.

My heart breaks for all those affected by this tragedy. I think of those who didn't survive, those who did survive but lost everything, those that still can't be found, those who are injured and fighting to survive, those who were lucky to not get hit but have family and friends that did, and all of those who are there, getting their hands dirty, and doing whatever they can to help as many people as possible.

This has been horrible for so many people and I just cant stop thinking about it. Prayers, prayers and more prayers are needed for today and many days to follow. I hope the severe weather that is predicted for today doesn't produce the tornado's it is capable of. Too much has happened already.

May the Lord be with all of the people of Joplin, MO. Donations are being accepted all over the area so if you can, send something to help the thousands of people who need it. And most importantly, keep praying.

Sincerely Yours,

Yep, That's My Kid

Dear Diary,

Remember before you had kids when you'd be out in public, either a restaurant, a store or even a sporting event, and there was always that kid that wouldn't stop screaming or crying and his/her parents were just going about their business like they didn't hear a thing? And remember thinking, "Oh my gosh, I cant believe those parents have no control over their kids. I will NEVER have a child like that." And do you even remember thinking that if that was YOUR kid, he/she would be out in the car by now with a spanked butt?

It's funny isn't it? As a teenager you think you have all the answers. I'd like to go back and ask my teenage self what I would do in a situation like I faced on Tuesday afternoon.

Dear Teenage "know-it-all" Lindsey, since you are SO smart, how do you handle a crabby, crying, fit-throwing 20 month old in the middle of Hobby Lobby when she INSISTS on having milk and WONT stop crying for it. What would you do, oh so intelligent teenage Lindsey, when Hobby Lobby isn't a milk store and you can't just pull milk off the shelf to give to your completely devastated daughter. And please, oh so wise Lindsey, what is the best answer when you are pushing two kids around a store and you HAVE to finish shopping because you wont be able to come back before they close at 8:00PM and no matter how many ways you try to calm her down you cant. What would YOU do?

Is it obvious this wasn't a good outing for us? Yes, that was MY kid in Hobby Lobby on Tuesday and there was nothing I could do to stop the madness. I want to apologize for all those times in my ignorant years when I thought badly about some poor parent who couldn't calm her kid down. Little did I know that sometimes, no matter how "good" of a parent you are or how "well mannered" your kid usually is or how "strongly" you threaten them to stop saying milk over and over and OVER again, sometimes you just have be THAT parent who continues their shopping as quickly as possible while their kid is THAT kid that wont shut up.

Long story short: I think we are hitting "Terrible-Two's" and I am not ready for it!

Sincerely Yours,

Talk Show Junkie

Dear Diary,

I feel like, as a Stay-At-Home Mom, I have an obligation to be a "Soap Opera" junkie. Well I have failed, and instead of filling my head with tragic love story drama on a daily basis, I spend my time being a "Talk Show" junkie.

A new talk show has recently sparked my interest. When I saw the publicity for TheTalk my first thought was, "How ridiculous. They are 'The View' wannabes." I swore I wouldn't watch it. Well one afternoon, during my favorite time of the day, nap time, I caught the beginning of the show and decided to stick it out and see what it was made of.

Conclusion? I like it. It is like The View minus the bickering between Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, the "never know if she's going to show up" Barbara Walters, the sometimes funny Sherri Shepherd and the "Oh my gosh, get the hair out of your face" Whoopi Goldberg.

Like The View, The Talk has 5 women who sit around a table discussing topics, followed by a celebrity or two who comes out for an interview. But, unlike The View, the topics are less debatable, and more charming. It's like 5 girlfriend sitting around a table rather than 5 women who more or less hate each other but want to get a paycheck.

The hosts include Sara Gilbert (star of Roseanne, aka Darlene), Sharon Osbourne (outspoken wife to Ozzy), Holly Robinson Peete (actress from Hangin' With Mr. Cooper), Julie Chen (host of Big Brother and wife to CEO of CBS Television. Wonder how she scored this gig?) and my favorite Leah Remini (I suppose you know her as the star of The King of Queens but I'll always think of her as Stacey Carosi from Saved By The Bell, the beach club years).

I have to say I have enjoyed watching it. One minute they can be discussing childhood obesity and with one quick fart joke from Leah or cuss word from Sharon, they are laughing and moving onto the next topic. Sure, it has its "View-like" moments, and to be honest Julie Chen bugs me about half the time, but I'll take it over The View any day.

Regis and Kelly still keep me company with my coffee in the morning until Addy makes me turn it to Sesame Street. And Oprah grabs my attention now and then with an interesting episode. And OF COURSE, The Ellen Degeneres Show does not get missed. She will always be my favorite. But, The Talk has now made its way onto my list of tolerable talk shows! Congratulations ladies!

Sincerely Yours,

Party of One Please!

Dear Diary,

If you read my blog on a semi-regular basis you may remember a posting about all the things I was anxiously awaiting post pregnancy. I believe I listed everything I wouldn't miss once little lady made her appearance, and now that she is here and I am back to a party of one, those things I listed aren't missed in the slightest.

I love that Olivia "baked" in my oven for 9 months because there is no other oven I'd want her to be in, but I am so incredibly happy to not be pregnant anymore. I am not afraid to say it, I DO NOT like being pregnant. Sorry if you are somebody who does and sorry if you look at it as a "bonding" experience, but I'd much, MUCH rather be bonding with my baby in my arms, not my belly.

So, as I was laying in bed last night, in the exact position I wanted to be laying in, I started counting all my post pregnancy blessings:

• I get UP (not ROLL) out of bed in the morning.

• I start my day with a cup of coffee, rather than with a quick throw up in the toilet.

• I make several trips up and down the stairs and NOT ONCE do I feel like I am going to lose my balance.

• I can sneeze without almost peeing my pants (It's true. Both pregnancies I had sneezing issues and as soon as the baby was out, no trouble. Weird).

• My shirts stay down and my pants stay up (although I am still far from having a flat stomach).

• It's summer time and I actually ENJOY being outside in the heat.

• It finally makes sense for me to turn sideways to squeeze through tight spaces.

• I can climb in and out of the car, no problem.

• I can shave my legs AND tie my shoes with ease.

• I am able to finally workout and although I am sucking air, I am happy to be able to exercise.

• Caffeine is my friend.

• The only Doctors appointments I am required to go to now are for my girls.

• The numbers on the scale are going down, not up. HOLLA!!

• I can carry things, heavy things, and not leave them for Garrett to do when he gets home (although I will miss that pregnancy excuse).

• Addy can jump, sit, lean, and play all over me.

• The only thing waking me up through the night is Olivia, NOT my bladder.

And my favorite:

• I can sleep ANY WAY I WANT TO: on my back, my stomach, my side...I can roll over or change position in seconds not minutes and it takes NO time at all to fall asleep once my head hits that pillow. IT. IS. AWESOME.

So, Addalyn and Olivia, you are lucky your Mom loves you enough to make all the sacrifices to bring you into this world. And future child (IF there is another one) I will do it all again for you too. Just remember, you ALL owe me... big time!

Sincerely Yours,

It is Indeed a HAPPY Mothers Day!

Dear Diary,

“To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you must be in their lives today.”

I found this quote a few days ago, and obviously I liked it enough to put it as part of my header above. This is exactly what I feel, and I know why…

I cannot tell you how many times I was asked in my college years this question: “What do you want to do with your life?” It’s kind of like the question you get asked as a little kid, ’What do you want to be when you grow up?” And even if it didn’t seem fitting, or appropriate (especially in my college courses amongst my peers ), I always answered the same way, “I want to be a stay-at-home Mom.”

I remember being asked this sitting in the stands at one of Garrett’s baseball games. An older man was talking to my in-laws and I and he asked me what I was studying and, like any Communication major, I was asked what I would do with a Communication degree. I simply said, “I am hoping to be a stay-at-home Mom.” He of course laughed and made a remark or two, but it was the truth and I was only being honest.

I got that response a lot. I was, and am, very thankful to have a degree and someday I hope to have my “dream job” whatever that may be, but being home with my kids is something I have always, ALWAYS, wanted and I am incredibly thankful that it is a possibility for me.

Why the urge to stay home? Well I think it 100% has to do with my childhood and my Mother. She stayed home with us and I will tell you that no one in this world had a better childhood than my siblings and I. My brother and I, only being a year apart in age, have more great memories than we know what to do with. My Mom was the kind of Mom that made sure our time was spent doing everything we ever wanted to do, and I can’t think of my childhood without thinking of her in it. And while I am sure she had her days of wishing she was at a job rather than dealing with our shenanigans, I know now that she was probably just as thankful as I am to be able to be in her children’s lives everyday, all day.

And don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against daycare. And I respect those working Moms who are doing what they’ve always wanted to do and even more so the Moms who wish they could be home but can’t. Believe me, I am extremely thankful that staying home is even a possibility. Garrett knew this meant a lot to me and even though we aren’t making millions (who is?), we are making it work!

My Mother made growing up the best experience it could be for us and I can only hope to be that kind of a Mother to my kids. I love that, like her, I get to wake up each and every morning with my kids. I love that, like her, I get to fix every meal, change every diaper and wipe every snotty nose. I love that, like her, I get to be there for every laugh, first step or new word. I love that, like her, I get to be in my children’s lives today, and in their memories tomorrow.

Every one thinks they have the best Mom in the world, but I know that I truly do. I hope that I can handle those unavoidable, snotty teenage years the way she did. I pray that after my girls grow up, get married, and start families of their own that they think of me like I think of my Mother. Then I know I will have done something right!

Happy Mother’s Day to ALL Mothers. Being a Mom is the hardest and best job out there! I respect each and every one of you, especially my Mother! Love you more and more every day!

Sincerely Yours,