If You're Looking For Fun....

then you really need to buy "The Game Of Things." We just had some friends over for supper tonight, then brought out my favouritest game ever - here's a link: http://www.thingsthegame.com/
The way it works is that the reader reads a card. Eg. "Things you shouldn't laugh at." Then everyone writes down an answer and hands it in to the reader, who then reads them out loud. Everyone guesses whose answer belongs to who, and IT IS A HOOT!! Here were some funny ones we had tonight:

Things you shouldn't laugh at:
- your friends dog on fire
- someone with half a face due to surgery

Things you shouldn't say to the police officer when pulled over for speeding:
- I'm so sorry sir. Oops, I mean mam!
- I'm just super baked right now, officer
- wanna have sex??

Things you shouldn't say to break an awkward silence:
-want a mint?
- my dogs kisses taste good

Things that cause accidents:
- seeing a dog lit on fire!
- too much ex-lax

Things you shouldn't advertise on a billboard:
- Hitler was my great great uncle
- geriatric strip club

Things that jiggle:
- your mom
- your aunts double chin

Ok, some of those might sound immature and lame, but in the moment, they are just so funny. There were so many more that became inside jokes, and it is just such a great game to play especially if you are just getting to know people. It breaks the ice, and makes everyone comfortable. That being said, you need to play with people that like to have fun. It can be pretty dry if people don't get creative with their answers. I realize this is a random post, but if someone got a little chuckle out of some of those answers, it's worth it :D

Random Tuesday

I'm watching Tiger Woods on the TV right now. What a dink. As I watch him walk with a smug look on his face, I can't help but be sickened (because of all his affairs). Do you think it's possible to be so famous and sought after, yet still remain humble and not let it get to your head? I wonder what it's like to be famous.... so many people seem to want it, but I don't understand why. The money? The recognition? The pride in fame? Although I never want to be in that situation, I'm curious what it would be like to live your life in the public eye. Even people like Jon and Kate, who aren't actors or have 'talent' per-see, are now famous and can't go in public without being flagged down and talked to by their fans. I think I'd find that exhausting, and I wonder if any stars ever regret their choice of career.

Having the stomach flu really sucks. As most of my FB friends know, we got hit with it over the Easter weekend. We didn't even do our easter egg hunt until yesterday because I was in bed all day Easter Sunday. Chris took the boys to Steinbach to church, then to my parents' house to have a hunt and dinner with my family, which I was really thankful for. They had a really great day.... and I got a lot of sleep :p

Sometimes I consider calling 'College Pro Painters' (I always see their signs in the spring) to come paint my house (inside). Having kids, keeping a house, doing photography, and everything else is so all-consuming, that tasks like painting just don't happen. I would love almost every room of the house re-painted in a different colour. The colours we have right now are the ones the previous owners picked, and although they're nice and neutral, they just aren't what I love. I often dream of the colours I'd choose, and have on more than one occasion (ok, actually on 4 occasions) gone and picked out paint chips.... only to not do anything about it. I seriously don't have time or energy to paint with kids around, and by the time it's evening, I'm too tired. I wonder if we ever will get any walls painted here. I even bought new really nice towel rods and TP roll holder, hooks etc. for the bathroom, but they still sit in their boxes under my dresser.... sigh. I also bought a new shower curtain that I LOVE so much.... it's up, and doesn't match a thing in our bathroom. One day the bathrooms will at least get done. And our bedroom. Yeah, I better hire someone because I can't see it happening on anyone's initiative around here (but I never will hire anyone because I can't justify it!!).

I've lost ten pounds in two weeks. It feels pretty awesome, and I'm still going strong. The secret to my success is pre-making and portioning meals so that when I'm hungry I can pull out a container, heat it up, and eat. The other secret to my success is eating my pre-portioned frozen grapes (1 cup). They take a while to eat, and fill my craving for something sweet :D

I don't have a strong desire to travel to far off lands at this point in my life. If I could have any vacation right now, it would just be an all inclusive 5 star resort on a beach where Chris and I could go and do nothing. I would love to go somewhere with zip lines through the jungle, and I'd love to swim with dolphins and scuba dive. Cruises seem pretty cool too, but I'd like to do a Disney cruise with the kids when they're older. I like dreaming of vacations (like decorating). But isn't it sad that they're over SO quickly after you've spent so much money?? Or isn't it sad when people go somewhere like Mexico for one week, then get that crazy stomach bug from the water, and end up spending 4 days out of 7 in bed?? That would really suck! I have friends who had that happen to them on their honeymoon. Ouch.

I should tell the rest of my dinner story from when my grandpa and his wife came over for dinner. There's not a whole lot more to it, only that on two separate occasions, each of them went to the washroom (which is right beside the dining room), and had some gas issues..... Chris and I were sitting across from each other, and it seriously felt like we were in elementary school again. Eye-yi-yi!! We couldn't make eye contact, and I kept having to look down or I'd burst out laughing. So lame, but so funny at the time!

Not a very entertaining Random Tuesday, but a post nonetheless :D

Procrastination

I invited my grandpa and his new wife, Esther over for dinner tonight because I had to give them their wedding pictures. But first, a little history: I am a procrastinator. Always have been, always.....won't be?? I'm hoping! Usually when we have people over, I am praying they'll be late because I'm NEVER ready on time. Ever. No matter how good my intentions, I just can't seem to get my crap together and produce on time! This actually rolls over into many areas of my life because I'm also always late arriving places. What's up with that? How do other people actually succeed at being on time?? I prepare things in advance, I wake up early (or intend to at least, that's gotta count for something), I plan..... but to no avail. I'm always late. But that's not the point, that's the history.
So, in my attempts to be prepared and not be rushing at the last minute, I sent all the pictures to the photo lab on Friday, assuming I would have the pictures by the next day like I have in the past. Saturday rolled by.... no phone call saying the pictures are done. Sunday rolled by... no phone call. Monday is the big day of picture delivery, they MUST be ready THREE days later, so I didn't wait for a phone call, I called them. It ends up the photo lab is closed on weekends, so ALL orders received over the weekend have to be processed on Monday, which means they often aren't all filled until Tuesday. "You've gotta be kidding me!!" But thankfully since my order was placed on Friday, I was close to the top of the list. Woohoo! But still, my plans were wrecked. I had wanted to get the pictures in the morning, giving me plenty of time to put them in albums, play with the kids, clean the bathroom and wash the floors while the boys slept, prepare the dinner during lunch so I wouldn't be flustered at the last minute - all the details that a wonderful hostess unlike myself would do. If the pictures weren't done until mid afternoon, that would be nap time and I don't have anyone to come over to stay with the boys while they sleep so I can run out. If it was after nap time, that would be cutting it very close since the lab is 20 minutes away. So I did what every married woman does - called my husband for help! Oh how I love my husband.... so he agreed to pick up the pictures on his way home from the course for work he was at today, saying he'd call when he left.
The rest of my day did go pretty smoothly, I prepped for supper during lunch, cleaned the bathroom as planned, Anthony fell asleep great, Ethan didn't sleep and woke up Anthony... not so great... so I washed the floors with the boys awake. What is it with kids needing to be right under your feet each step of the way?? It's cute and all that they want to 'help' but come on! Sometimes you just need to 'git er done!' without worrying about redoing the work you just did because of those little feet! So yes, I patiently, very patiently, since I'm very patient.... coaxed the boys not to walk where it was wet.... pffft, try coaxing a 19 month old not to walk on a wet floor? How could you? Nope, so I got out the gate and locked them in the downstairs :D
They actually didn't mind because I gave them a snack, don't call CFS ;p
Then just as I was looking forward to Chris' arrival with my pictures, with just one hour until my eager guests arrival, he called to say he hadn't picked up the pictures because when he'd called to tell me he was leaving, I didn't answer the phone. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? He was. Jerk.
But finally, finally for once in my life I had done it. I had thought of all the details and would accomplish a successful dinner party. All I had to do was mix a couple ingredients to spread on my casserole, pop it in the oven, and I would have a whole glorious hour to focus on the pictures. Uh no.
To make a long story short, I didn't pull it off because I didn't have oregano. Oregano of all things, a key ingredient in what I was making, so I had to drive to the store (where I realized I hadn't planned dessert so I had to buy stuff for that too), which took 20 minutes, go home, mix it up, pop it in the oven, then had a whopping 15 minutes of flustered, frantic picture putting-in (??) while my cranky one year old dumped a bag of blocks all over the clean living room, and then my ever-so-early grandpa arrived 15 minutes early. Who does that?? My kids were both wearing pyjama shirts with no pants, I had a shirt on that was too small, the casserole wasn't done cooking, the once clean living room was a mess, and best of all I had NO PICTURE album to hand to them! Awesome.
I explained to the circumstance, and they very graciously waited for me to finish, and I must say, their reaction was worth all the chaos. They sat and laughed and talked about every picture and the day. It was very cute and I was just happy to have it done. My next post will be about what happened around the dinner table. Stay tuned :D

Ummm.....

I'm not really sure what I'm going to write about, but I feel like doing a post... OH, I know! RANDOM TUESDAY, WOO HOO!

I started Weight Watchers yesterday and am pretty pumped. I planned a lot of snacks and meals, as lack of planning has been one of my biggest mistakes in the past. The last time I started, I was pretty depressed, so it was a bad time. This time I know I'm going to be successful, and although part of me feels like not even mentioning it or not even trying because I've failed in the past, I know that I have to keep trying because staying this way isn't an option!! I really feel that if I have enough great meals and snacks, I can do it! I'll keep you posted. Mondays will be my 'weigh day' so we'll see how week one goes!

I'm listening to Anthony cry in bed right now. What the heck, Anthony? He's SO tired because he was at a sleepover at my parent's on Sunday night, didn't get nearly enough sleep that night, wouldn't nap the day before, and only napped an hour yesterday. "You're seriously tired, kid! So get the hint that I'm not getting you out of bed, and GO TO SLEEP ALREADY!"

I have a never-ending list of things to do in my head at all times. It consumes my thoughts. But I feel like I can never actually get all the things done because as the days go on, more things get added. Yes, things get crossed off as well, but the list just never ends!! I find this overwhelming sometimes, and wish I could have a live-in nanny :D Just kidding, but that would be sweet as far as sending them all to the park while I accomplish things.

In relation to the prior post, I find it hard to know what to 'play' with my kids sometimes, and it seems like as long as we're home, my never-ending list consumes me to the point where I can't really focus on anything else.... this isn't good, I need to spend more floor time with my kids. It has been super nice to go outside though, we have lots of fun outside.

I hear water trickling somewhere...... I wonder if the upstairs toilet's handle needs a jostle.

Edit, edit, edit.... that is what I must do now.... and go see if Anthony pooped....

Getting Out

I am someone who needs to get out. Often. So, we do. (How's that for a few short sentences in a row?) For the first year of Anthony's life, we were pretty much house bound, and we've come full circle! So now we go to 2 play groups a week, Steinbach one day a week to hang out with family, church on the weekends, and usually throw a playdate in there too. I've just gotta say that it has made a WORLD of difference in my life (and the boys).
For so long I moped and sat at home, bored, stir crazy, depressed, until one day I hit my breaking point and had a meltdown. That meltdown was the best thing that ever happened to me because it made me get off my butt and do something about my life!! I realized I needed to forge ahead, grab a branch to pull myself out of the deep mud pit I was stuck in instead of waiting for someone to come pull me out. It's so easy to blame other people for the dissatisfaction we might feel in our lives rather than take ownership. I also realized that when we often feel unhappy with other people or focus on their weaknesses, we are actually dissatisfied with ourselves. It is SO much easier to point the finger at others (especially in marriage) than look at ourselves.
So I have begun once again, a journey of healing and dealing with my $#!T. And in case you aren't sure what that means, yes, it means counselling! I wasn't sure if I wanted to admit that on here because it might somehow make me vulnerable or seem weak or damaged. But the truth is, we all are damaged, no matter how 'perfect' our upbringing was. I'm sure many people would assume mine was. And it was great, but not perfect. I've learned that Children always perceive life through their innocent naive minds, and they can't understand situations and events the way an adult can. This results in baggage. I'm sure almost all of us can remember times when our parents were very angry with us, and those memories can still bring up some strong feelings in us.
So when I started noticing anger rising in me towards my kids, I knew something had to be done. There was no way I was going to raise my kids in a house where they didn't feel completely secure. Anger always has a negative effect on kids, and can very easily cause damage with life long effects. "But everyone gets mad at their kids" you might say. And this is true, but I've learned that once you are completely healthy and free of your own hurt, you will still feel the anger, but not nearly to the same extent, and you will be able to control yourself and act rationally.
And although I'm not there 100%, I have actually seen it happen in my life. I no longer am triggered when Chris and I disagree, I can stay completely calm and level headed. I also have the ability to look at a situation with my kids and realize that they are just kids. Innocent, childish, kids who don't need to be punished in order to obey, they need to be taught. It is my job as their parent to teach them, to teach them with grace. They will ALWAYS mess up, they will repeat the same mistakes again and again, and just like God has grace for my mistakes, I need to have grace for theirs.
I am not writing this to say how amazing I am, or how all-together I have it. I am writing this because I feel free, free from the bondage of my past, free from the vows I made against people who hurt me, free from the lies I believed, and free from the shame that came along with all the mistakes I have made. And if by any chance someone reading this feels bound and hopeless, it's to show that there is hope. Nothing is too big for God, and He knows where we are and what we need. Feel free to write me if you want to talk or want to know of a good place for counselling. There is no shame in going. If anything, there is ignorance in thinking we can do things all on our own. Blessings <3

Random

I recently saw that it's common to have "Random Thoughts Tuesday," and since I missed the boat on Tuesday but I still want to do it, I'm doing it today!

The first thing that comes to my mind is PICTURES! I have so many pictures to edit, and it takes SOOOOOO long.... I'm really considering raising my prices, or limiting the amount of pictures I give people because right now I'm spreading myself too thin.

We are going on a family vacation with Chris' family to Kelowna in August and we're SOOOOOO excited!! His parents rented 2 cabins, and we'll spend a week there, woo hoo! I know the boys will love it and so will we. I'm hoping we can make it a tradition, it will great memories for the kids. With that though, comes lots of activity and swimming..... which reminds me that I will have to show some skin. A thought that doesn't thrill me. So I've decided to do Weight Watchers again, starting on Monday. I decided to make big signs to put on my cupboard and fridge that say "IT'S NOT WORTH IT!!!!" and one that says "Kelowna = swimsuit." Hopefully that will be some good motivation for me! I'm sure I'll be talking about the ups and downs of weight loss in future posts :p

I love spring, and love even more that I can send the kids outside to play while I'm preparing meals! We've been playing outside every day and it's so great for all of us. Watching the boys is so awesome, Anthony just follows and mimics Ethan which is adorable. They are such a great little team. It makes me really happy we had them so close together. I can't imagine having only one child, and being their only playmate. Siblings are so good for kids, it teaches them that the world doesn't revolve around them, how to play together, how to share, and how to work out problems. It's just great!

Sometimes I wonder if investing so much time on the computer is really a good thing, even though it is somewhat relational. Things like blogging or moms boards, Facebook..... they definitely are a good connection to the outside world, but I wonder if I didn't have them if I'd invest more time in relationships close to me....

Well that's enough random thoughts for today. Bye :D

For The Records

Ok, for my own records I just need to record the things that Anthony started saying last week. One morning we were walking down the stairs and Anthony stopped. He wouldn't keep coming so I said "come on Anthony." He looked at me and said "I don't want to."
WHAT??? I figured I must have mis-heard him, so I said "Anthony, come here."
"Why? I don't want to."
Shock. Was my 18 month old baby actually saying that to me?? How? Where? When did he figure out what that means?? Ahhh right.... his older brother. Ethan didn't say such things at his age, he talked about busses and trucks, animal noises, and could even count to ten... because his parents were the ones he was learning from. Not so with little brothers. But I don't mind, I actually find it so stinking cute every time he says it (and believe me, he says it A LOT!), and try hard not to smile. What can I say to that sweet little face? :D
The other thing he's picked up on is saying "Please please please! Please mommy! Please!" Seriously, if he ever wants ANYTHING he has resorted to begging... and again, I find it kind of adorable. It sounds annoying to read, but just imagine a cute little 1 1/2 year old with a high pitched voice, who is just learning how to talk say it. So stinking cute.
And I can't remember what the other one was.... hmmm... it will have to wait for another day.
But I will also write about the fact that Anthony LOVES singing, and will put any word into a song: usually to the tune of twinkle twinkle. When we're driving in the car, he'll just sing away "mommy mommy mommy mommy, etc..." to twinkle twinkle.
Oh yeah, one more cute thing he does is call out for things. He's done this since before he was one, but lately it's gotten a little more elaborate. Eg. he'll ask me "mommy, where's one?" (he means where's the other one, if he's looking for a shoe, or something that has more than one of something)
So I'll say "I don't know, where is the other one?"
Then he'll turn around and as loudly as he can bellow, he'll say "ONE, WHERE ARE YOU?? ONE?? ONE?? WHERE ARE YOU??"
I love that boy.