What We've Been Up To

Hello Blog World, My name is Sarah...have we met? It's been so long I don't know if we have. Well before you roll your bloggy eyes at me and click to a new site, let me at least give you my list of excuses of why I have been MIA in the internet world.

1) As you know we moved from Colorado to California. Now let me start by saying this wasn't really something we had planned. Yes we had dreams of pulling up roots in Co and doing something else. But So Cal was not what we had in mind. But as life goes, Someone else had bigger plans for us and we know why we are here now. Family, plain and simple.

2) It took till now to accept that I am not on vacation. You know how it is new place, new things. One of those new things being fabulous weather and a beach. Also Chip is now working from home so I don't get that feeling that the work week is going because he is gone.

3) A little bit of self pity. I really miss Colorado. I miss the people, so bad. I miss everyone of you. It makes me not want to get on facebook, or read your blogs because it make me miss you so much, But in this solitude I have found something. My hubby. It has been hard to say the least being around each other like 24/7. But I can see how this has forced us to "be together" and be there for each other.

4) My children are out of control...and are exhausting. Good thing they are cute!

5) We just moved into a new(ish) house. And if any of you have ever moved into a house that requires some work will understand that it is all consuming. The person that lived here before us neither knew how to clean or pick proper paint colors. Seriously, who makes an entire house covered in neon colors?

6) I am lazy. (wait, what..who wrote that? I think my subconscious is taking over my list)

7) Trying to find a balance between acceptance that I am not back in my comfort zone where I know people and they know me ( I am hearing the theme song to Cheers right now) and trying to put myself out there and make new friends. And still keeping the ones that I have made before. I have to say "I DON'T WANT TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS!" You guys are just to amazing and I don't want new ones I just want you all to come here!

So with that being said, do you all forgive my internet silence?

P.S You all can come stay with us! We will put you up in our sparest of spare rooms (only the kindred spirits will understand that) But we do in fact have a spare room that is just waiting for occupants! At the moment it is a lovely shade of neon pink and blue, but it is on my list of things to paint.

Because it's my Birthday!

Because it's my birthday, I didn't get out of bed until the last minute.

Because it's my birthday, I drove Henry to school even though it is only a mile away.

Because it's my birthday, I ate chocolate covered pretzels for breakfast.

Because it's my birthday, my kid's ate chocolate for breakfast too!

Because it's my birthday, I am not doing the dishes.

Because it's my birthday, I will have a glass of wine with lunch.

Because it's my birthday, I will spend the afternoon at the spa.

Because it's my birthday, after I will go to starbuck's after I am done.

Because it's my birthday, I will take a long walk on the beach all by myself.

Because it's my birthday, I will not feel bad that my kid's are not at the beach with me.

Because it's my birthday, I will let someone else cook me dinner.

Because it's my birthday, I might have more than a glass of wine at dinner.

Because it's my birthday, I will eat 2 portions or dessert.

Because it's my birthday, I won't do the dishes.

Because it's my birthday, I will go to bed without brushing my teeth.

Because it's my birthday, I will brush my teeth, because it is gross to not ;)

Because it's my birthday, I will get kisses goodnight from my favorite boys.

Because it's my birthday, I will have a good day.

Fear No More!

My little family and I have gone on a bit of a life adventure. After a couple of years of feeling like maybe it was time for us to pull our roots and land someplace other than the comfort of Colorado, we decided to do it. Oceanside Ca became our destination. Why? I am not sure. We knew that we wanted someplace warmer in the winter and not so miserable in the summer. But more than that it just felt right for us. My sister just moved here and I have always wanted to be closer to her and her family. I want my boys to grow up knowing their cousins.

So here we are. We have sold most of our things, and moved into an apartment (with only one bathroom) And we are living the California Dream.

The one thing this whole move has brought to surface is the fact that I live in fear everyday. In Colorado I was able to "avoid" the things I was afraid of. One of the things I fear is water. No not drinking it. But large bodies of water freak me out. I can lay in bed for hours imagining all the ways my boys can be swept out to sea. Or fall off the cliff into the waves below. Or at the pool, slipping on a slippery spot and cracking their little heads on the side of the pool.....the list goes on and on and just saying them makes my chest tighten and tears start to form in my eyes. My conclusion is I am completely mental!

I am making a choice this morning, I am no longer going to be governed by my fear. (you should hear my inner dialog going nuts right now, I think it is not happy about giving up this continuous stressing over what "might" happen)(told you I was mental) I have been put in so many situations in the last week that have made me face these ugly faced fears and guess what?! At the beach my kids were not swept away by a rouge riptide. We went to the cliffs and tide pools in La Jolla and neither of them fell to their deaths. We go to the pool almost everyday and they have yet to crack open those beautiful little heads.

Yes, they need to be kept an I on. Because left to their own devices. They would kill themselves. But are they going to learn how to be functioning members of society if I don't let them do anything? We all learn by doing and I need to just tell my fear to sod off, because it is no longer just affecting me, I am going to start giving that fear to my kids.

So fear this is what I have to say to you. BUGGER OFF! I have a God that will take care of me and my boys. We will live life, and live it abundantly. You have no power here any longer. I am taking back my thoughts. You will no longer keep me up at night or cause these awful wrinkles you are putting on my forehead.

I don't know why but this song makes me just feel better about life. It makes me want to dance...So here you go. (sorry about the creepy preview before hand)

For Addison

So last August I got to tag along on my sister's family vacation to Bodega Bay. It was quite fabulous really.

While I was there with them my adorable nephew Addison......introduced me to this song. I love that my 3 year old nephew has such awesome music taste! Now I had to hear it about 30,000 times while I was there and have not really thought of it since, but today I cannot get it out of my head.

I decided it was time to teach it to my boys. I was very happy to learn that over the last year it has become quite popular....Addison was so ahead of the trend for music ;)

So for your listening pleasure, in honor of Addison

GRRRRRR

BEWARE A RANT AND RAVE TO FOLLOW

Ok so here I am sitting at home trying to wrangle my two monkey children who at the moment one is trying to use my beautiful pearl necklace as a dog leash while the other one is removing everything out of the cabinets. While trying to get the house ready for company. I sit myself down at the computer to check my email and in the side bar something catches my eye. It's an add. Normally I just ignore them as I have no need to loose 25lbs in 10 days (well maybe I could loose the 25lbs, but the 10 day part seems a bit extreme)But this one held my attention.

Am I a Good Mom?

Take the Quiz & See if you are a Good, Bad or So So Mother.

MyDailyMoment.com

WHAT!?! I am furious as should all mothers out there should be. And here are my reasons:

1) How can a 15 question quiz measure the value of my ability to be a good Mother

2) As a Mom you face the feelings every day that you are not doing a good enough of a job, do I really need to take a quiz to tell me that I am stinking it up.

3)How could this website that posted this be so irresponsible in having such a potentially damaging,to an already struggling mother, quiz. That will, lets face it make us feel like it is true, I am not doing enough.

Shame on you MyDailyMoment.com in your poor choice.

I apologize to all for having to read this, I just needed to get that off my chest :)

Brilliant!

Okay, well this morning I found the most um funny/weird invention. I cannot stop giggling. My words cannot do this product justice so I will let you decide the proper descriptive word to describe it
All I can say is it's about time they made a decent night time breast support. I don't know about you but for years I have been trying to figure out how at night can I keep the ladies separated and lifted? And now at last my search is over. There is possibly a nobel prize in store for the inventor of this oh so practical device. But do you know what I think is missing.......The Kush Cozy. Personally I believe that it looks be made of a rubbery material and I would just wake up with sweaty cleavage (and nothing is worse than starting your day with that!) They could come in assorted colors or fabrics. There could even be an option to have it monogramed. I'm gonna be rich ;)

Calvin...I mean Henry

I have come to a realization.......Henry is a Calvin. I am living in a comic strip. I give you exhibit A:

At least he is cute ;)

Just for Giggles!

So this morning in my attempt to put off folding the mass of laundry that has taken over my bed. I was cruising around blogs and I happened upon this one! I spent over an hour looking through the last few months of posts. It is quite funny :)

Here are some of my personal favorites

MUD

So yesterday I was faced with a Mama choice. It was about 4:15 the boys were up from their naps and we needed to be out the door by 5 o'clock at the latest. It was a beautiful afternoon and the boys wanted to play in the back yard. Well we went out back and they played for a bit. At that point Henry came and asked me if he could water our trees and bushes. I told him yes, but to be very careful not to get wet, or to get his brother wet. The next thing I knew Henry was in my garden with the hose and Thomas was on his way to join in the fun. I took a deep breath and thought. I can freak out and drag them both inside right now, or I can let them be boys, be a little late because with this case baths will surely be necessary, and grab the camera.

Well as you can see, I chose the second option.



As you can see they had a blast. Yes, it took me forever to get all the mud off of them and their clothing. Yes, we were almost 45 minutes late leaving the house. Yes, I may never get all the dirt out of my bathtub. Yes, I had to change my clothing as well.

But most importantly Yes, they had fun!

What To Do, What To Do......

Okay lets start out our time by talking about my lack of bloggieness...well thats about all I have say on that.

Second I need your opinion on something very serious.

If you were going on a trip and you had to pick a B&B, which one out of these two would you pick?

Option One



or Option Two

Pleated Petal Tank ANTHROPOLIFICATION GIVEAWAY!!!!

Pleated Petal Tank ANTHROPOLIFICATION GIVEAWAY!!!!

Oh Thomas!

Well now that we are back to "normalcy" with the holidays over and Chip back at work. It's time to update the ol' blog.

I dedicate this morning to Thomas my dear second born.

I have just been watching him the last few weeks, seeing more and more the person he is becoming. At first glance I had come to the conclusion that he is abnormally naughty. He has zero self control, he gets into everything, climbs on everything, destroys EVERYTHING. The boy is a Houdini! He has found a way to get out of every device we have put him in (sometimes very dangerously) I have caught him on the verge of falling on his head from his highchair numerous times. I just keep thinking Henry was never ever this way. Yes, he was still a little boy, but Thomas is just so mischievous! He does all his destroying and dangerous stunts with the most purposefully naughty look on his face. But after watching him more closely I discovered something.

He isn't naughty, and plotting behind my back of ways to drive me nuts and give me heart attacks. He is a true lover of life. When he has climbed up to the top bunk, somehow? I know the boy can barely walk straight, but he can scale a ladder, and is hanging off the top bar screaming with that "naughty" look in his eyes. That look isn't that he is trying to think of the best ways to drive me up the wall, He is just experiencing, and loving a life experience. It isn't a naughty look after all. He is just enjoying what he is doing. Even in the smallest things in life he takes the greatest joy. Like picking up a ball and trowing it. His face lights up like its Christmas morning and he lets out a fabulous laugh. Just watching from a distance you would assume that his devilish grin was because the ball that he just threw almost broke something, but nope he is just loving watching the ball, that he threw bounce about the room. The simple pleasures in life. It takes almost nothing to make him laugh, just looking at him can send him into a fit of giggles. Why, I think he is just loving the experience. So heres to you my little lover of life!

p.s what you don't see in this photo was he had just knocked my coffee on the floor and was going after the computer keyboard. hmmm okay maybe he is a little naughty ;)

I Wish I Was Ginger!

This morning I have decided that the celebrity talent that I want is the ability to dance like Ginger Rogers. She was an obscenely talented dancer. The grace that she could pull out while wearing high heels is really jaw dropping if you think about it. She was one of the only dancers who could even keep up with Fred Astaire. He is another legend. Back in the good ole' days. When the manliest men were the ones that sung and danced. So I am off to go pretend to be Ginger. I guess that will make Henry, Fred. Dance party in the front room :)

Waking up with Tom Waits...Hmmm

Good Morning World. I woke up this morning with a song in my head. For some reason I just cannot shake it. So I have decided to embrace the it :). I thought that I would share it so you can have it stuck in your heads. (hahahahahahahaha)

Fandfon's?

Okay I feel that I need to apologize to anyone who read my previous post. I was having a grumpy morning. I think I need to let you all in on a small part of my day. A conversation that took place between me and my 3 year old. And I would like to let all of the advertisers know that they are doing a fabulous job!

The conversation went something like this:

Henry: Mama, Mama come here.

Me: What Henry

Henry: I want it

Me: Ok what is it?

Henry: A Fanfon Mama.

Me: What!?!

Henry: Fandfon

Me: Henry I don't understand what you are saying

Henry: Come see, funny Famfon, I want it for Merry Chirstmas

Me:(I get up from the table and walk to the TV to see what in the world he is talking about, and gasp in horror!)

Henry: See Mama a fandfom.

Me: Sorry Henry (while stifling a laugh) those are for Mama's only.

Can you guess what kind of commercial he was watching?

Warning Cynicism Ahead!

Well I have to admit something to you all. I am a big giant Grinch! I have many a yuletide doubts. I would like to say that I am one of those people that "live" for the holiday season, but alas I am not!!!!!!!

I think that my Navidad aversions can be traced to my childhood. Lets start with the obvious. I am child #3 of 4. I wasn't the older two when they (my parents) tried to make Christmas magical and I wasn't the "baby" of the family so I think I just fell through the cracks of the festivities.

We were never did much celebrating of good ol' Christmas anyway. My parents (yet again I blame them, isn't it fabulous to have someone to blame your short comings on.) were not into the commercialism of the season. As we got older and older the presents just well, lets just say Christmas morning was not much of an expectant time. We actually decided that no one was allowed to leave their room until 9am (which is where my love of sleep issues may have stared, but that is another therapy session, oops I mean blog post in it self) Maybe most importantly , I am so lazy. The idea of getting out in the cold to go fight people in stores, and the stories every year of people being trampled to death at Walmart for what, 15% off that TV. Oh God please don't let me die in a Walmart!!!!!

Hmmmm do you detect some cynicism here? I think I just don't like the perversion of what this time of year should be. Instead of being a time to look forward to with eagerness and anticipation. We dread the idea that we have to see our families (yet again, didn't we just see them like 3 weeks earlier) No, lets forget that we all have eternal life due to the birth of someone (who was that again), for the love don't make me sit at the same table with the people that share genetic material with me.

Okay I am done I promise. I just found my grouchy pills and I am all better now. I have been enjoying elfing ourselves. Thanks for the idea Amber. What other time of year can you put your families heads on a bunch of dancing elves? Sorry to be a bit of a Debby Downer here! I think now that I have gotten that off my chest I can dive into the Christmas Spirit. Errr maybe. I do put on a good show for my kids. I don't feel they need to suffer any yuletide loss due to my bad attitude.

Oh and I always get sick this time of year. Lets just sprinkle some salt on the wound huh!

Okay, Okay I am really done now. If you all feel the need to pitch in an get me some therapy for Christmas I understand! :)

Merry Christmas Everyone!

"You Are My Life Now"

Where have I been? What have I been doing with my life?
I know that is what you are all thinking, right :) I have been major blogger blocked. I don't know if it was the weather change or the time change but something has been off. Okay okay I would love to blame my inability to sit down and type on a force of nature (not that the time change is from nature) but I think I need to be truly honest with you all. I have not been, alas truth be told, I returned from vacation with my husband and fell in to a major post vacation depression. The real world was just such a let down after having everything done for me! So instead of facing reality I slipped away to a land of fiction. I allowed my quasi-obsessive tendencies to take over. My mind has disappeared from this world and gone over to the world of Twilight.

I have not been able to do this all alone, unfortunately I think I may have pulled a few of you down with me, so to your husbands I apologize that your wife's no longer cook or clean all they do is read, and when they are not reading they are contemplating what they just read.

I am convinced that if I had read that books and than did not find out that there is a movie coming out on the 21st, I may have just had a small neurotic issue, but the movie is coming out. So my obsession just grew. I have watched every trailer, any video I could find on youtube and most recently bought the soundtrack. Not to bad, really it fits the book well so I have high hopes for the movie.

Knowing that it really is me and mostly 16 year old girls that have fallen into this pit of obsession makes me question my own maturity (not that I have ever taken any claims to maturity) But it has made me feel so much better to learn that I do have some fellow "adult" soul mates in this obsession.

So this post I know will be understood by a few of you, and the rest PLEASE don't judge me :) Or if you do, don't tell me.

Crud Below

This blog post is dedicated to the back corner under my desk.

Dark and dingy, out of sight
Crumbs do gather with out a fight

Hairs and toe nail clippings
Make me gag

What's that I see, oh could it be
The power cord can not be freed
From the hairs that are binding thee

Dust bunnies and dirt
In the corner they do flirt

Where is the vacuum
I must find, a way to end this awful grime

Thank You, Thank You I know I should have been a poet!

I was going to post a picture for dramatic effect but I was to embarrassed for you all to see this unclean area in the house.

Happy Monday!

Wedding Crasher

Sniff, Sniff today is a big day for me. It is Chip and I's unsung anniversary. Anniversary for what you wonder? Well I think to explain it to you I need to take you back in time. Imagine yourself back 9 years ago today. It was a Sunday, I was new at a church. Without knowing a soul I was forced (with everything short of physical abuse) to go to sunday morning youth group (insert teenager rolling of eyes, can't you just picture it) Well after sitting through what seemed to be an eternity all by myself it was over. The youth pastor got up and announced he was getting married today and that everyone was welcome to come to the reception (hmmm I thought to myself) I took off to find my parents just wanting to get the heck out of there. After finding them I stood next to them,rather annoyed, waiting for them to stop "church talking" and go to lunch. As sulked there arms crossed and I am sure the most sour puss faced a teenage girl can put on, a boy called my name from across the room. "Are you coming to the wedding?" he asked me. Very taken back "Uh maybe" I stammered out quite eloquently. Who the heck was that I thought, and how does he know my name? He looked vaguely like someone that I think was in my Chemistry class, darn why did I never stay awake in that class long enough to know peoples names. So after going home and thinking hum well maybe someone did know who I was there, maybe I should go to this wedding. Even if it is a bust at least I can get a piece of cake. So I gussied myself up and headed out the door to what can only be explained as a wedding of two people I do not know at all. Well I sat through the wedding, the kiss (and a kiss it was), went out to dinner and drove to the reception. The certain gentleman who has asked me if I was going to come, was my dancing partner all night (don't worry I figured out his name) We spun, twirled and dipped. After dancing our feet off he asked if I wanted to go outside to the courtyard to talk." Sure" I said, so we grabbed some drinks and walked outside. We talked for a bit (about what I don't remember) I am sure it was deep stuff! After a while I was starting to think, I feel like I am hanging out with my brother. (not good for a boy, that I can only assume was trying to woo a girl, maybe he wasn't and I am just a bit into myself) Well as I started to look around and find something to catch my attention the door opened and in stepped one of this boys friends. "Are you coming" he asked not to me but to my male wooer. "Yeah, I am on my way" he said. "Who is that" I asked "oh just Chip" he is cute I thought to myself. Well as they went off to do something extremely mature involving phone books. I went back inside and sat down to eat some cake. But I could not get the image of the they guy who I had just seen out of my mind. I really couldn't see his face because of the lighting he was just silhouetted in the doorway.

Well I don't think I need to tell any of you what happened after that, but lets just say that this is the result of that first sighting.

I have been told that as he stuck his head out the door he was awestruck by the girl sitting there (just what I was told, who knows if he even noticed me) But to this day, we can say that it was the moment that we fell for each other. So really I guess we can thank our life together to the boy who asked me if I was coming to the wedding.

Pre-Schoolin' it.

Well I have been a busy woman lately. Chip and I decided that we were not going to put Henry in pre-school this year. We have a very busy week this year and it just didn't seem practical. But I was feeling awfully guilty that he was missing out on that academic challenge (I know, I know they don't really do much in pre-school) but I was feeling guilty. And he was really starting to show an interest in learning. So with this all on my mind, I went out antique shopping the other day. As I was rummaging through someone else's junk I came upon this.
I thought to myself, I could do pre-school with him. PBS will not be what educates my child. It lit up my mind with ideas! So for a whopping 19 dollars it was mine. I got it home and started in on my newest project. I grabed Henry and took off for Home Depot (I figured after all this was a desk for him, he should be involved in the fix up process) Here is the cast of characters I needed to fix this thing up.
(This desk was suddenly becoming less of a deal!) I Stripped (he, he), Sanded, Painted and Stained (and by I, I mean I started it and than Chip finished it)

After the fumes settled it was ready for Henrys first day of "school". I bought some materials (I know, I know you really don't need to spend money to teach someone the ABC's and numbers, but when I start something I tend to go a bit overboard!)
Well this morning after putting Thomas down for his morning nap, the TV went off and we started. Today was A day (meaning we started with the letter A) Henry loved it. And it was really fun to get to spend some time with him.
Look at those beautiful A's!


And to stop you from thinking these thoughts, no I will not be home schooling him. This is a pre-school thing only. I have it already planned that I will drop the boys at school and return home and eat bon bon's and watch Oprah all day.