About Me: 20 Random Things

Just working on a list of things I want my kids to know. (It's really just stuff about me)

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1. I prefer my tea half sweet and half unsweet.
2. I used to play tennis, was actually pretty good at it, and got to watch lots of pros play live when I was a kid.
3. I never make our bed in the morning but always straighten it up before going to sleep.
4. I have a fear of commitment to things like shoes, home decor, vehicles, etc...
5. I rarely read books but enjoy flipping through a magazine.
6. I'm a teensy bit ashamed of it, but I like my down time to be spent on the couch, in front of the TV. I LOVE TV. I would rather watch TV than do something active. It's just how I roll.
7. I'm a people pleaser and a peace keeper. I don't like confrontation but I do enjoy a nice debate every now and then.
8. I am a Christian but don't know near enough about the Bible. Even the parts I've read I don't retain well and can't seem to memorize.
9. I appreciate so many types of music... there's very few types I can't enjoy.
10. I'm not a huge fan of veggies but have really worked to add more to my palette over the past few years. I'm proud of that!
11. I'm a friendly, chatty introvert - an only child who loves to be with friends and family, as long as I can escape to some quiet every now and then.
12. I've had my ears pierced at least 3 times. I don't wear earrings, or much jewelry at all really. I almost always have toenail polish on though.
13. Some of the most fun I've ever had was being in or preparing for a show (ie: costume making)/concert/recital. There's something about the spotlight, the dark audience, the sound of your voice moving through the room, pretending to be someone else for a bit, and of course, the applause at the end. It just never got old.
14. I enjoy writing. I write much better than I can verbally tell a story. Oh my. Ask anyone, I'm horrible at it. 
15. I make a better 'right-hand man' than I do a 'boss'.
16. I love to cook and even more than that, bake. I don't do it near enough anymore.
17. I despise clutter and busy-ness. I like a clean, organized, minimalistic room with some cozy, homey touches.
18. I've been hit by a car and so has Dac. Let's hope Reid breaks the cycle!
19. I have a soft heart. It makes me sick to see someone hurting and there's rarely a dog we pass that I don't say hi to. I want for everyone to be taken care of.
20. I need a creative outlet. Whether that's snapping a photo, writing a blog post, or planning a room on pinterest.

About Me: Things I Want My Kids to Know

I borrowed this from a friend who borrowed it from someone else. I think it might be kinda fun to go through the list... posting periodically. I'll be posting my 20 random facts in the very near future.

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.

2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears (graphic version)

3. Describe your relationship with your spouse. (graphic version)

4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

6. If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?

7. What is your dream job, and why?

8. What are 5 passions you have?

9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.

11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.

12. Describe a typical day in your current life.

13. What’s the hardest part of growing up?

14. Describe 5 and weaknesses strengths you have.

15. Describe when you knew your spouse was the one or how you fell in  love.

16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?

17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?

18. What do you think your spouse loves most about you?

19. How did you feel the moment you became a parent?

20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.

21. Describe your relationship with your parents.

22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?

23. What’s your favorite holiday and why?

24. What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about parenthood?

25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?

26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?

27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?

28. What’s your favorite quality in your spouse?

29. What are your hopes and dreams for your prosperity?

30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

Midweek Randoms

Last Thursday I posted a little throwback thursday treat for ya. This was taken in late August 2012.

As was this...

Thursday was also Wii night. We grilled burgers and I made banana pudding. Note to self: don't make pudding with almond milk, it doesn't set up right. I love some banana puddin' y'all.

Reid is just as sweet and fun as ever. Ornery though. Oh my.

Still pulling up, standing, and falling down quite frequently. This week alone he got his first bloody lip and his first real bruisy-welt by his eye. =/

I love cinnamon rolls.

So Friday night, my parents came over for supper. Saturday, we went to Andover for a photo session then spent way too much money at Target on nothing fun, and ate at Red Robin w/ a gift card. =) We also shopped at Kohl's where I actually found a pair of dress pants that fit. It's a miracle folks. It is so hard for me to find pants that fit. I'm a funny shape I guess so it's a definite scavenger hunt. I also picked up a couple shirts on sale for work.

Sunday morning we went out for breakfast with Dac's family. Then, we spent the rest of the day doing house/yard work, and I got to snuggle and play with my boy a bit. =) After Dac mowed, he got to participate in some of Reid's bedtime fun. This hasn't happened much lately since he's been working so much overtime.

So far this week has been filled with lots of work and chasing after this little animal. =)

This isn't a real good picture... meaning I don't think it looks as much like him, but when he sleeps, he still looks the same as he did when he was a wee little baby. =) I absolutely love the chance to hold him while he naps a bit.

I've decided to fully embrace my sorta wavy hair and quit straightening it. I'm going to try some products to help me along and hopefully I'll have beautiful, easy and quick-to-fix locks soon. =) 

Being Mama: Breastfeeding Awareness

This is the fourth post in my "being mama" series.
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Let me start out by saying (again) that I'm writing this post for documentation purposes and if someone out there in the interwebs happens to find something helpful or encouraging from it, all the better. What I'm NOT trying to do is make someone feel doubt, guilt, hurt, or worse - judgement. Lord knows there's enough of that to go around in MomLand - you don't need it here too! =)
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Yes, I know, we're talking about boobies again. I'm sorry about that. I think this should pretty well wrap it up. ;)

It's just that it's Breastfeeding Awareness month and I came across this article on a blog I follow.

It's from the Pregnant Chicken blog - which is a comical blog about pregnancy and what-not. The writer pretty well echoes my sentiments exactly. I think breastfeeding is wonderful - truly. It's an awesome thing and nobody should feel shunned or get loaded glances for it. I feel the same way about formula feeding. *sigh* It just seems like it's always such a thing, you know? I guess I would call for awareness of acceptance and compassion towards others regardless of their feeding style, more than awareness of "breast is best". But I digress. Here's what she had to say.

"Did you know that August is breastfeeding awareness month? No? Well, boobs feed babies – now we're all aware. 

I've always had a bit of a love/hate with breastfeeding awareness. On one hand I think it's fantastic that there's a whole moment that encourages and supports women that choose to breastfeed. There needs to be more. More support when it's hard and shitty. More people that stand up to corporations or douches at the mall who still can't seem to separate feeding an infant from a sexual display. More acceptance from generations who were told formula was the sensible way to feed a baby and that breastfeeding was for poor people.

On the other hand, we always need to remember that not everyone chooses to breastfeed or can breastfeed. This is where I think some people forget who their audience is when they are screaming breast is best from the tallest tower and hand out pamphlets saying babies that aren't breastfed won't be as smart, or will be fat, or will grow a tail, all because they were fed formula. It really doesn't help. It just makes people feel shitty, defensive and inferior and I don't think that's the kind of awareness we want to spread."

She then goes on to link to several interesting articles, the first of which all but brought me to tears. She just gets it and points out that "feeding with love" is what matters. If you're going to take the time to read it, I highly encourage you to stick it out 'til the end because that's where the really good stuff is. The compassion she showed towards another mom cracked my all-too-sensitive little heart and warmed it at the same time. =) Hooray for being friends!

Midweek Randoms

First of all, I love this picture. I can't look at it without smiling inside and out. 

His new standing up trick is annoying at times (naps, for instance...), as is his chewing on the crib rails, but he's so darn proud of himself and it's fun to watch him learn and accomplish feats. We now have a big fuzzy rug in front of his crib. You know, just in case. ;) We need to replace it with a smaller one that actually fits. I'm on the lookout. Anyway, all this to say, the fun well outweighs the occasional inconvenience. 

Here, I was attempting to capture his little belly roll/wrinkles. He decided to throw his foot up in the air as I was snapping the shot, so we ended up with this. I like it anyway. He's such a busy body.

Oh how he loves Peety. We can't let them play together much because Reid attacks Peety's bug eyes. Peety is so patient with him but we don't want either one of them getting hurt. They're both little animals.

Last week was busy. Teachers were back on duty as of Thursday and we had opening convocation that morning. Reid was apparently happy about it. When I got to his babysitter's door, his little face lit up like he realized where he was going. I take that as a good sign he's well taken care of there. =)

This face. I die.

This face in OSU-wear. I die again.

Thursday night we went to the all-staff picnic. It's not really a picnic - but rather a gathering of staff members at the high school for some BBQ. We sat with two teacher couples. One of the couples has a little boy just one month older than Reid. It was fun to watch them interact! Can I just say that I think it's interesting to see the differences in kids? They show them so early. I enjoy comparing - but not in a competitive way or anything. I think it's just neat to see what makes people different. =) God's kinda cool for doing that.

Friday-day I trained middle school teachers on how to use the new website. That night, we went out to eat with Dac's family. Then later, when Reid went to bed, we had a date night. We're trying to be better about making an effort to spend time together, at least once a week. This time, we sat on the couch and watched that dorky zombie movie, Warm Bodies. It was ok I guess, but I wasn't super impressed.

Saturday morning, Dac let me sleep in a bit. When I came out, I found this. =)

Then, we went to get Breakfast at Braum's and take care of my aunt's dogs before picking up a new mower blade. The exciting life and times... =)

When we got back home, it was time for Reid to take a nap. I put him down earlier than usual because he had a very special birthday party to go to that afternoon and I wanted him to be awake and pleasant for it.

Instead of sleeping, Reid decided to practice standing. This lasted 45 minutes (and took several trips in to rescue him) before he finally fell asleep - getting in a short nap before the party.

Lazy bones.

It was Felicity's party. She'll be one in a couple days. I don't see how. You may remember I had the honor of photographing her world debut. Now, here she is, practically a big girl, with her mama. The party was turtle-themed and was real cute.

Reid and most of his little cousins on Dac's side.

He tried watermelon for the first time. The picture says it all.

But he did enjoy eating yogurt bites while Felicity opened up her cool gifts.

 The little doll enjoying her cake! =)

After the party we attempted another nap-time, only to spend another 45 minutes 'practicing' again. Fail.

I went to check on the dogs again later (aren't the cute?) and accidentally came home with ice cream. =)

Sunday, I led praise at church but Reid had woke up early and had fallen back asleep about the time we needed to go so Dac stayed home with him. Dac finally got the yard mowed that day while Reid and I went back to the church for small group. After that, we had a google hangout session with several of our friends (Dac's group of high school buddies). We got to talk to John, Anna, and Ruby; Tarl and Joy (and Newman); Matt and Kelly (and kitties); and even Brother Victor (Stock). It's actually Father Victor now but that's going to take some time for me to get used to. =) It was great to talk to all of them!!! We plan on trying to do that once a month.

Monday. Oh Monday. Super crazy busy. Dac worked until like 8:30 that night (over 13 hours). SO, Reid and I played for a while. He crawled over everything in his path and practiced standing some more while I chased after him. =) 

Then, we took Dac supper because I knew he had to be hungry and I wanted him and Reid to see each other for a minute. Dac works so hard and does so with an incredibly positive attitude towards those he's helping.

He made me a PB&J when he got home. =) I had a horrible back ache (I've since gone to the chiropractor, which helped, but I think I need to go back!) The sandwich was delicious and so was the rest.

I watched The West Wing and browsed the new IKEA catalog.

Yesterday, I met Kayla for lunch. Dac worked late again, just not as late. Reid and I tackled Wal-Mart (oh Lawd) then made hotdogs at home. We're glamorous like that.

I need a pedicure, I do believe. A pedicure and a massage. =)

I'm honestly not a huge fan of back-to-school time. Can we fast forward to October or something? =)

I think sometimes it's hard to be the only one who does your job where you do it. It's also hard when it's not well understood.

Trying to schedule things in my week stresses me out. At the moment that includes trying to find time to work out and trying to find time to fit in photo sessions. I like those things (or at least the photo sessions) and want to make time but am just struggling with the logistics. One of these days I'll figure out how to do life well. =) Right?

We're starting a new Bible study at church. I think it'll be interesting and I could certainly stand to learn a few things!

Midweek Randoms

First of all, I'd just like to say that these "Midweek Randoms" posts have just taken a total turn from what I intended them to be. Now they're more like weekly recaps. Eh... I'll roll with it for now.

So rolling right along...

After we spoke last week, I locked my keys in the house so I went to visit Terese and this little dude (my nephew Tater) until Dac got off work. =) Then, we went and ate Chinese food.

When we got home, Dac and I finished up some house work then watched some West Wing before bed.

I had every intention of sleeping in a bit Saturday morning, but Reid had other plans. SO I got up early so fun time could begin. =) Right away, Reid started getting up on his knees. I knew we were in for it and that night, Dac finally lowered his crib mattress.

Then, my old college roomies and friends forever Beth and Julie came to visit us and meet Reid. I think they liked him and they certainly won Reid's approval. =) It was great to see them, we don't get to often enough. Next time I hope to see more of the gang too!

Julie

Beth

We didn't have big, exciting plans... just lunch and cookies at Grinder Man and an afternoon of chatting and catching up.

Reid has decided he loves a good bucket. =)

 Annnnd, later in the day pulled himself clear up on his feet. Proud moment!

When Beth and Julie left that evening, Dac, Reid, and I went out to eat. It was so nice to have a weekend day be work free. That does a person good.

Sunday, we went to church. We just recently got a new pastor. I've only been a couple times since she started (thanks to two rounds of stomach flu) but she and her husband seem nice and I particularly enjoyed last weekend's message about not worrying. It referenced one of my favorite verses.

Um yeah. Cute feets.

The rest of the weekend included more playing and more eating.

Monday, I had a Board meeting so I worked late.

Tuesday, Dac and I had dentist appt's. Oh boy. Here's what I think about that!

No offense to my dentist, of course, I really like him. He'd just be cooler if I saw him outside the dentist office and if he kept his hands and tools out of my mouth. =)

It's been raining cats and dogs around here lately. Lots of rain, which was needed, but it's starting to become a bit excessive. Rivers are starting to flood, etc... Anyway, while we were in the dentist's office, it poured. I mean reeeaaaallly poured. Then, downtown Wichita became downright flooded. Cars were stuck and traffic was moving at snail speed. 45 minutes later, we were out of town and on our way home.

And on the way home we stopped for this. =) Take that dentist.

A whole lotta advil and a sleep later... I'm able to chew again.

This morning, Dac had a little fun with Reid. He gave him a challenge, if you will...

Reid, of course, rose to the occasion and conquered the challenge. =)

He's such a fun kid. Even in the mornings.

In other news, I'm still watching West Wing... and loving it. There's not much other random stuff in my life right now. The days are pretty predictable in that they involve work and Reid care. I wish I was cooler... but I'm just not.

OH - one kind of exciting thing is that I've been asked to be guest blogger for another blog... the topic is my life as a working mom. The post will be published later in September... so I'll keep you posted so you can check it out if you want to.

Midweek Randoms

So after our fun-filled night of pain, tears, and teething... Reid spent the next day at Aunt Darla and Uncle Darin's.

His cousin Ellie was there too! =)

He ate corn and donuts. He get it from his mama. ha!

Played in the legos...

Enjoyed the swing...

And overall, had a much better day than the night we had before! Whew!! =)

Friday night, Dac worked a bit late then we went to my parents for dinner! It was a nice evening and was fun while it lasted. I say while it lasted because I woke up shortly after midnight with the dang stomach flu. AGAIN. Don't even get me started. It was horrible. It was bad enough when it was just me but then that morning, Dac got sick too. This was intense, not functioning sick. Terese came and got Reid and we slept most the day.

Sunday was spent recovering.

Did I mention I finished The Finder? I also started watching The West Wing. I used to watch it when it was on air but never caught all the seasons, so here we go! =) I like it. This show actually played a role in my career choice. Watching it again, I see that and watching it again I can't help but think "what was I thinking?!"

Monday was super, fun, happy work as is every day right now.

Reid really fed himself for the first time. He's done it a bit off and on but not this well.

Earlier that night Reid tried tomato. He was not a fan.

Stud muffin.

Intense!

Big guy.