100th Post!

100th Post and 100 things you probably NEVER wanted to know about me

Warning: This post could have an affect on your state of consciousness. Do not read if you are operating heavy machinery or have had too much to drink.

I must admit that I found this idea out there in bloggy-world and thought that it would be a fun way to commemorate my 100th post. If you fall asleep at the computer be sure your head doesn't fall into your cup of coffee.

1. I was born in Aurora, Colorado, on August 22, 1977.
2. I guess it was a great day for my parents.
3. I don't remember it.
4. My brothers were five and four, I doubt that Jason remembers it but I would guarantee that Shane does.
5. I had bloody noses A LOT as a child.
6. I hated it, but my mom hated it more.
7. I bruised VERY easily as a kid. My parents once had social services called on them by a grocery clerk because of my black eye.
8. My brothers were usually to blame for the black eyes, not my parents. Being a human canon ball shot from the legs of my brother 'canon' for a circus act left a mark.
9. My parents later became licensed foster parents.
10. We moved to South Dakota when I was five.
11. I don't really remember that either.
12. I always had my own room, until we started getting foster children.
13. My parents started a Christian Youth Ranch called Living Water Ranch.
14. I do remember that and I remember loving it very much.
15. I learned to ride, saddle, groom, and clean the hooves of horses by the time I was 8.
16. I once fell off my horse, Melissa, while trail riding with some nit-wit city kids. I wasn't using a saddle and when their horses took off mine did too. I couldn't get her under control and I fell off-hard. I was really young. But I still remember seeing my dad in the distance, right before I fainted. He was hurdling fences and running at lightening speed to get to me. They made me get right back on.
17. I loved mowing the yard as a kid...and I still do.
18. I helped my brother, Jason, with his lawn mowing business. I would have done anything he asked me to.
19. Jason taught me to shoot a basketball and catch & throw a football like a boy.
20. He would throw it so hard at my chest that out of self-defense I learned to catch...in the process he killed any chance of a me having a big bust.
21. I use to play football with all of the boys on our road.
22. I even played co-ed, intra-mural football in college...on my brother's team of course.
23. While we were home schooled, I used to sing really loudly, probably totally off key, all of the time and it annoyed the heck out of my brothers. It was my idea of music class.
24. I was home-schooled from first grade to fifth. It didn't seem to do introversive damage to me.
25. My oldest brother, Shane, was the best silent antagonizer that I have ever known.
26. I once scratched his face with my nails leaving tiger-like stripes down his cheek. When my mom asked what he'd done I couldn't even remember.
27. I got my nails cut...short.
28. Shane is still good at antagonizing. But I've found more appropriate ways to deal with it.
29. We took family vacations every year. My favorite vacation memories are the summers we spent going back to the same cabin every year in the Black Hills.
30. Maybe that's why I still long to take my family to the Hills every year.
31. We usually stayed for a week at the rate of $100. There was no television and it wasn't at an inclusive resort. But it couldn't have been any better to me.
32. We fished in the creek out back, panned for gold with the owner, hiked through abandoned train tracks and crossed streams on logs. You can't buy that kind of entertainment.
33. We moved to Florence when I was in 8th grade.
34. The coolest thing about our home was that my dad added a cedar room with a hot tub.
35. I guess that wasn't the coolest thing, the coolest thing was that all of my friends wanted to hang out with my family. Even before the hot tub.
36. My parents hugged every one of my friends when they came and when they left.
37. They hugged me too.
38. I thought it was weird sometimes...but I felt loved and secure.
39. We adopted my sister, Mara when she was 6 years old. She looked like she had always been part of our family.
40. My brothers came home from college once and their friend threw up in our hot tub. That was gross. My dad was not happy.
41. When my brothers were in college they always brought home friends for Thanksgiving.
42. Me and my high school girl-friends loved that.
43. We would sometimes have Thanksgiving at a big hall, called Derby Downs, just so we could invite more people. My dad would get elderly people from the nursing home and bring them to join us.
44. My grandpa loved to cook big meals and I wish he were here to cook one more meal for me and my family.
45. I always had a car to drive in high school, nothing fancy but nice.
46. My parents made it clear that if I got a ticket or in any trouble with it I would lose it..I believed them. So I didn't.
47. I once lied to my parents about where I would be. But it wasn't my fault, Holly made me do it. She didn't want to meet her prom date alone so I had to double with her. My parents thought we were staying in Florence and we met the guys in Watertown.
48. My mom was REALLY mad at me, even though I called from Watertown to confess and tell them where I was. She almost didn't let me go on my day ski-trip with Holly the next day. The double 'date' was SO not worth the lie.
49. I did go skiing. And I didn't lie about where I would be for a LONG time.
50. Holly and I got pulled over on our way to meet our friends for the ski trip at 6 in the morning. She was driving...speeding. But the police officer just gave us a warning. I think because we were so pretty:-)
51. I once went in the ditch after dropping Holly off at home, it was winter. I missed the corner and drove into a snow bank at the end of the road. Teresa was with me and I can't believe that she let me lock the keys in the car with it running. Holly's dad still gives me a hard time about it.
52. My parent's took my friend, Carrie, and I to the Wee Fest in 1993. We had a blast.
53. Carrie could have been my sister. She looks nothing like me and doesn't act like me either, but I think she's just like my mom. That's why I love her so much...and that's why she can tolerate me.
54. My brother's wedding was a riot. Carrie went with us. Carrie went with us a lot.
55. I graduated as the valedictorian of my class.
56. There were only 7 in my class.
57. I was the smartest of seven.
58. Actually, I wasn't the smartest...just the only one who did my homework faithfully.
59. When I graduated I didn't know what I wanted to do.
60. I still don't.
61. I wish that someone would have told me that it was okay not to go to college. My mom wanted to but was afraid that I'd dismiss her opinion as ignorant.
62. I probably would have. My mom is very wise, I just didn't know it then. I do now.
63. College was tough for me. Not academically.
64. I'm glad that I went...but it wasn't easy.
65. I roomed with Carrie. That made it worth the struggle.
66. I actually attended three colleges before graduating from SDSU.
67. I don't have the crazy loyalty thing that most college students have. I could care less if my kids go to SDSU. My husband on the other hand...
68. Carrie and I thought we were so 'bad' when we'd sneak wine coolers into our room. Our neighbor across the hall used to have a fully stocked bar and you could hear her blender whipping up some concoction at all hours of the day.
69. We laughed a lot.
70. Carrie thought that I should dump Chad when we were in college. I probably should have. She never told me too though. That's the kind of friend she is.
71. I'm glad I didn't dump him. I think he's glad too.
72. I married him after he finally asked.
73. Our anniversary is August 29th. We married one week exactly after my 21st birthday.
74. My bachelorette party was also my 21st birthday party.
75. We lived in Bismarck when we first married. A small house that I will always remember as our 'first'.
76. Our goal was to find a way to be closer to family once we started ours.
77. Chad was offered a job with the state that would bring us back to South Dakota, although not closer. However, it allowed him the opportunity to transfer within the state, hopefully closer to our families.
78. Just five months later he was offered a job back in Watertown.
79. I gave birth to our son on November 23, 2000. Thanksgiving day.
80. My heart was changed for eternity.
81. I graduated from SDSU with an English Education major in December of 2000. I missed my graduation ceremony because of a huge storm.
82. We built a home by his family's farm in 2001. My dad and Chad did almost all of the construction. It made for a long summer.
83. We moved in one week before Nicholas turned one.
84. Two more children were brought home there. Olivia, on February 21, 2002 and Katharine, on May 9th, 2004. Kate was born on Mother's day. The best present I've ever received.
85. We agreed that me staying home with our children was the best thing for our family. We knew it would not be easy, but necessary nonetheless.
86. After much prayer and discussion, Chad accepted his current position.
87. It was very hard to say good-bye. I had thought that we would never move. I don't regret it.
88. Andrew is the only child to come home here. On November 4, 2005.
89. A house is only a residence. It's the people inside that make it a home.
90. I could have a home anywhere with these people. They are my life.
91. Most days I wouldn't trade my job for all the money in the world.
92. Some days I'd sell my kids to the highest bidder.
93. We hope that God never calls us farther from our families. Grandparents are too special to be far from.
94. We would go, if He asked though.
95. Someday I might teach other people's children.
96. For now I will just teach my own.
97. I have found great joy in this blog world.
98. A place where I can be creative, some days, and can connect with other real people who are or have walked in my shoes. I am very blessed.
99. I am nothing extraordinary but I have an extraordianry life.
100. This is who I am.

Toddler Tuesday

"Mom I'm feeling 48% better today."

Now if only the other 84% of the household could get up to that mark....

It just keeps coming back

Did you ever have something that you just could not lose? An ugly pair of sunglasses, a raggy old college sweatshirt, a worn out pair of slippers?

For me it is this: my hair pic. I've had it since 7th grade. I never intended for it to play the solo role as hair maintenance device, however it has done just that. It isn't that I love this pic so much. There really is nothing special about it at all. In fact the layers of hairspray and hair goop must be varnish quality by now, despite my many attempts to clean it.

No, I don't know why it's still around but it's probably the only thing that's remained with me since the age of 13. No, I take that back...my chest pretty much stayed the same since then as well. Seriously I just can't lose this thing. It has moved with me too many times to count, it has found it's way back from garbage cans, toilets, underneath sofa cushions, school bus floors, forgotten purses. I just can't seem to rid myself of it.

I can think of at least 5 times that I have thought it was gone for good. Which sends me into a panic as nothing else has combed through this mass of hair in all those years, except the occasional trip to the beauty salon. Sometimes it is gone for a day, sometimes a week, but it always shows up in some obscure place eventually. Just yesterday, Kate found it on the floor of the van. It had apparently fallen out of my gym bag and I had assumed that I left it in the locker room.

Maybe we were meant to be together. Just by posting this I'm probably jinxing myself and this photo may be the last evidence that it actually exists. I hope not.

Check out my Slide Show!

I stole the idea from Michelle and I know the pictures are already there, but I wanted to see how it worked.

Friday Foto Frenzy

I added a few pictures from her actual birthday.

This is her celebration at home.

This is how we celebrated Olivia's birthday.

At a motel with a kids' water-park.

She wanted to know if we could live there.

Olivia Mary is five!

February 21, 2002. Fifteen short months prior I was in the same place doing the same thing and yet this felt like the first time all over again.

Nicholas had been taken as an emergency c-section after 12 hours of non-progressive labor. I wanted to to try things the 'natural' way, if you consider a drug induced stupor natural, this time around. The technical term would be a VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean). So although Olivia was my second birthing experience it was all brand new for me. And really, I was more scared this time around because I knew what could happen...with Nic I was naive.

The good news was that I had my own OB this time. He had been away with family stuffing himself at Thanksgiving dinner when Nicholas decided to enter our world. He knew my anxiety with Olivia and he also knew the added risks involved in a VBAC delivery. I had strict orders: as soon as the contractions were consistently coming 10 or less minutes apart I must come to the hospital. After passing my due date, yet again, I started having contractions at 11:00 pm on the 20th. I did not want to go in so I called the OB nurses and explained my 'symptoms' and asked what they wanted me to do. "COME IN!!"

As desperately as I wanted to try a natural birth, Olivia was doing nothing to help the process. She remained solidly planted in my womb for the next 18 hours. I had given up all hope of her entering the world by any means other than surgery and even though my doctor remained steadfast and hopeful even he left my room between pushes to call for set-up in the OR. Then, as if poked in the butt with a cattle prod...out she came. After 23 hours without sleep, I held my beautiful, pudgy cheeked girl.

I remember the days leading up to her birth I would lie awake at night scared to death that I could not love this new child with the same intensity I did my son. My heart felt like a water balloon already, every ounce of love I knew to exist was poured into my heart for this first child. What if I didn't feel the same way for her?

When I looked into her eyes for the first time my water balloon of a heart burst wide open. The love over-flowed and grew exponentially. I learned then and there that I would never have to divide my love, it would multiply.

I have always said that Olivia was a gift from God in the truest way. We didn't set out to have her only 15 months after our first child. But God's plans are not always ours. If we would have had too much time to think about it we may have decided that we were incapable of raising more than one. Nicholas was a challenging (in the best and worst ways) baby/toddler. So God decided for us. And we wouldn't have it any other way.

Raising children close together has it's moments of insanity. Some days I think that I have reached the limit of my mental capabilities and will no longer be the same. But as I watch them run through the yard chasing each other, building forts for their animals, coloring pictures at the table...I am so overwhelmed with love and peace at knowing that they are the greatest gift I will ever receive in this lifetime.

I love you Olivia. Your outward beauty, in all its charm, pales in comparison to the beauty that you've been given of heart. I love you baby. Now and forever.

Truth or fiction

I recently read a blog post that really made me stop in my tracks and do some thinking. Although the author was merely giving a comical perspective on the topic, I really felt convicted as I read. It was about exaggeration.

I come from a long line of exaggerators. And that is not an exaggeration. I have always considered it just part of 'who I am' and laughed off my stretching of the facts as genetic.

My husband is not an exaggerator. He speaks facts only. Even when he's passionately trying to prove a point you will never hear him say something like, "75% of the people...." unless it is 100% the truth. Although it frustrates the crap out of me I love that about him.

I, on the other hand, use exaggeration as part of my daily genre. If Chad is ten minutes late for lunch he will often hear, "geeze Chad it's almost 12:30, do you think you can make it here on time?" Depending on his mood and desire for an argument he will sometimes call me on it. "Heidi, it's 12:10". That's not the point, to me. The point is, I expected him at 12:00 and because it is not 12:00 I have the right to bend the facts to fit my complaint.

The author suggested that exaggeration really is a form of lying. (Gasp!) Lying? I am NOT a liar. Okay, maybe I am. The truth is, I use exaggeration, (not always intentionally), to present the truth (as I see it) in a way that benefits me. More clearly, I don't set out to tell a fictional story. Funny, frustrating, exciting, joyous, thrilling, annoying, puzzeling, ordinary things happen to me on a daily basis. But if I use exaggeration to better my story I have indeed fictionalized it.

All this said, I have been thinking about how I can use this knowledge (which I always knew to be true but didn't want to address it), to be a better me. As Mia Angelou says, "when you knew better, you did better."

So as I prepare my heart for the season of Lent I offer to God this unattractive habit of exaggeration. I give it to Him and trust that He will use my offering to strip away the liar in me and replace it with His truth.

My Father's Eyes

In my prayer, as well as all areas of my life, I have been struggling with who I am versus who I think I should/could be. During my prayer time and reflection the other day God brought some things to my heart that were really quite freeing and comforting. I don't share any of this in boosting or pride...but to possibly open your eyes to a few things as well.

The picture the Lord gave me was one of a mirror. His mirror and my own. I stood beside Him looking into my own as He looked into His. As I went over my image and personality in my mirror I shared it with Him and He, in turn, responded with what He saw.

In my mirror Lord, I see crazy, unruly and wildly curly hair that rarely looks good and can never just look normal like other women.
~In my mirror, Heidi, I see something that sets you apart from others. Something that makes you unique and different.

In my mirror Lord, I see a leg with varicose veins and poor circulation. Something I am ashamed of and wish to hide.
~In my mirror Heidi, I see the beauty marks left behind as reminders of the years of pregnancy. And a reminder that imperfection does not define.

In my mirror Lord, I see a woman who fails to organize, plan, and schedule as she should. A woman who often fails to keep her house as neat and clean as I ought.
~In my mirror Heidi, I see a woman who loves her children more than her home.

In my mirror Lord, I see a chest that resembles that of a young girl. Something I curse at daily and causes me embarrassment.
~In my mirror Heidi, I see the results of a woman who offered her body as nourishment to her four children.

In my mirror Lord, I see a friend who often neglects friendship and fails to make time for important relationships in her life.
~In my mirror Heidi, I see a woman in a season of her life that will all too soon pass. Her friends love her and will be there when the time is right.

In my mirror Lord, I see someone who snaps at her children and husband and treats the ones I love poorly.
~In my mirror Heidi, I see someone who needs rest. Rest in me and I will give you strength.

I didn't feel as though I was being given excuses for my faults, but rather open arms that are saying..."I love you despite them."

Things I don't like to see

Things that I just do not like to see:

• Water rising in the toilet
• Mid-drifts
• Dog pooping in my front yard
• My kids sick
• Butt cracks through the pew in front of me
• 'Number 2' in the potty with no toilet paper
• Abortion clinics
• Mice, gerbils, hamsters...rodents of any sort
• No new email
• A skinny mother of three or more
• My kids smacking each other
• A big Master Card bill
• Glimpse of my naked body
• New, unexplained stain on my carpet
• Temperature below zero
• Chad upset with me
• Kids not being allowed to be kids
• Man in a speedo
• An un-made bed
• A dead plant
• News stories about how much America sucks
• People ignoring their child in a restaurant
• Pictures of me in junior high
• Chocolate ruined with funky junk in the middle.

My Valentines

You're my bread when I'm hungry,
You're my shelter from troubled winds.
You're my anchor in life's ocean,
but most of all...you're my best friend.
(From Don Williams' "My best friend")

The things that I love about my husband are numerous. But here's the top three.

1. He loves God more than me.




2. He loves me more than himself.




3. He puts our needs above his own.
   

My heart didn't know a love like this existed until I held my children in my arms. I will forever be changed because of their existence. I love you each in ways that you might never fully understand or appreciate but it will be unconditional to my last breathe. Nic, Liv, Kate, & Drew...you are my funny valentine's!

Today will be just like any other day in our home. We rush around getting ready for school and run out the door with hardly another consideration of it being a day different from all the rest. Except for the excitement the kids feel at knowing they have parties at school today. Chad and I exchange the "Happy Valentine's Day" hug and kiss and go about being parents. Should we feel differently today? My love isn't connected to events celebrated secularly, but to the intimate living of each day. The kids will open their Valentine from us this evening at a special supper, it being special because it won't come from a box like most other suppers I make. Chad and I will exchange cards. This year we agreed that we need new bedding...a fitting gift to each other in honor of a day of love, don't you think?

Tell me what you do for Valentine's Day.

Toddler Tuesday

Apparently I'm not the only one in the family with this problem.

Why is it that something so cute on her,

can be so frightening on me?

A day to remember

Nine years ago today Chad proposed to me. He was living in Bismarck, ND working at his first job post-college. I was living at home and commuting to college in Brookings.

After feeling like I had waited long enough I had started to put pressure on Chad about us becoming engaged. I was facing decisions that had to be made in regards to my own schooling but I had held back, thinking that soon I'd be getting married and my plans would be changing again.

Chad does not respond well to pressure. Didn't then, doesn't now. But nine years of marriage are what gives me that wisdom. I didn't know it at the time. Chad listens, quietly to all that someone has to say to him but doesn't respond with any form of acceptance or action right away. He may fully agree with all that is said but he needs hours, days, and sometimes months to ponder it fully before making his final decision.

Through hours of phone conversation I finally resolved myself to the fact that, for now, we were at different places, physically and emotionally. I must go ahead with the plans I had to finish school in Brookings and start making arrangements to make a life for myself there. When I finally released the need to make him commit and admitted that I could go ahead with my life either way, I felt enormous peace. I wasn't angry, (I was at first), with him for being in a different place. I decided to just enjoy this place that we were in and let happen what may.

Chad was scheduled to come home for the Valentine's day weekend. Being use to seeing him daily, a month apart felt like eternity. I was so excited to see him and I can honestly say that I had no inclination that he had plans other than 'visiting'. He came directly to my parents house on Thursday night, two days before Valentine's day. With the new peace I felt about our "agreement", I was content to just sit with him and be loved. I did notice that he seemed especially distracted and antsy but dismissed it to excitement at being home. While alone watching television he dropped down to the ground, on his knee, and pulled out a beautiful ring. (We had never looked at rings together). The shock on my face must have been a surprise to him...but I was blown away. We obviously had a communication breakdown at some point! His 'lack of interest' was part of his plan to surprise me. It worked.

Nine years later, four kids, a mortgage and love that has grown exponentially.

Photo album

If the pictures do not come up for you today than this will move from an uninteresting to BORING post. I am feeling very Monday-ish and uninspired. So I will rely on the rest of you to bring wisdom and inspiration to the blogger kingdom. I'm on a mental hiatus. My mind walked out on me and until it returns I can't promise anything spectacular...or I might write some of my best work yet- you just never know.

We had a jam packed weekend as we traveled North to visit family. Our first stop was to the Comes Colony to see Chad's parents before they head out for a winter get-away. While there the kids got to visit their cousins, grandparents, and great-granny Helen.


In back from left to right, Con-man, Ethan, Nic, Andrew, Katy. In front left to right, Er-bear, Olivia & Kylie Jo-Jo. Noah was MIA.

We packed up Saturday and made our way to the Latunski-Loud Mouth Clan. Mom and dad are doing some remodeling in their house and we were excited to see the progress. It looks great and we can't wait to see it finished, I'm sure they can't either.

Mom is so thoughtful, while doing some of her routine thrift-shopping she came across a sweater that she thought someone in our family would love. Unfortunately it wasn't the person she had in mind...and wasn't a person at all. But Shadow sure appreciated the extra layer of warmth in the below zero weather.

Contrary to what you may think this is NOT my father. I know that he and my mom end up being posted together quite frequently, for what reason I am not sure but this is Joey. Or to some of you U.A.

While the adults played some spirited dice games Tater-Bug, as George calls her, became the center of attention as usual. George, to my kids- Mike to all others, was receiving a hair rub from little Katy.

Dad and I were the only ones at the table who seemed to be able to behave ourselves. While the others got loud, bossy, and giddy, my father and I managed to maintain our reputable calm and reserved nature.

Explanation

Okay, I guess it is necessary to follow up yesterday's post with some additional comments. This isn't what I intended to post today...but hey, I'm flexible.

1. These were random observations, not rules.
2. I will leave rule making to Nazi Karen Kool.
3. I didn't have a correct way to blog in mind.
4. I could think of some of you who fit into one or the other of the categories.
5. I could think of more that were a combination of both.
6. A conscientious blogger is not necessarily the more 'desirable' type to be.
7. After your comments I realize I may have sounded preachy.
8. Not my intent.
9. If you haven't guessed it by now I use sarcasm a little.
10. Usually sarcasm reflected by my own shortcomings.
11. I won't name names...but some of you are TOTAL fun bloggers.
12. You should be proud!
13. Many asked how I would categorize myself.
14. I knew it was a test to see if I would comment back.
15. If I did that automatically eliminated me from being a conscientious blogger.
16. Not that there's anything wrong with that. (Seinfeld moment)
17. I have definite tendencies when it comes to my blogging.
18. I guess I could share what I see myself as.
19. But where's the fun in that?
20. I have no criteria for reading/commenting on my blog...yet.
21. Until it gets out of control, like on Michelle's.

Which are you?

A conscientious blogger posts routinely at the same time, only once, each day. Allowing readers to check on a routine schedule without over doing it.
A fun blogger sporadically and randomly posts throughout the day so that readers must log on a minimum of 70 times.


A conscientious blogger hits the preview button before publishing his/her comments on another's blog to ensure proper grammar and spelling.
A fun blogger considers it a great success if less than three errors appear.


A conscientious blogger posts only when they have something entertaining or inspirational to share with their readers.
A fun blogger posts to tell you they can't think of anything to write about.


A conscientious blogger hits the publish button once, after previewing a written comment, and will wait up to five minutes before reacting.
A fun blogger hits the publish button fourteen times in 30 seconds...leaving 14 repetitive comments.


A conscientious blogger respectfully asks permission before adding a new member to their blog role.
A fun blogger adds anyone who comments on their blog.


A conscientious blogger comments only if they have something pertinent and insightful to add.
A fun blogger comments just so the writer knows they were there.


A conscientious blogger will not intrude on a site that they do not have a direct connection to.
A fun blogger visits the sites of everyone listed on their friends' blog role and leaves comments irregardless.


A conscientious blogger never comments on their own blog.
A fun blogger uses it as a chat room.


A conscientious blogger never solicits their own blog site on someone else's.
A fun blogger all but begs you to stop over and 'check them out'.

Not so Wordy Wednesday

you were there when I needed you most

Toddler Tuesday

Kate: "Mommy, mommy look what we built. A port!"

Olivia: "Not a 'port' Katy, a FORT!"

Kate: "Yeah that's right O-wydia, a PORT!"



Me: "Oh cool girls, what kind of fort is it?"

Kate: "A port for puzzy am-in-als."

Can you hear me now?

Do not answer your cell phone while using the restroom please! Come on, how important do you really believe that you are? It is so disturbing to me to listen to the 'stall' next to mine carry on a one-way conversation all the while balancing the phone between the shoulder and chin, grabbing toilet paper (I hope) and wiping, without losing the phone to the depths of sewer-ville. Now that would be the true definition of a dropped call.

Do we really have to be reached at all times and in all situations? Haven't we gotten a bit out of control? I fully admit the benefits of cell phones and for the most part would say that they, like the Internet, have done great things for society...but everything in moderation folks.

The benefit of a cell phone is never having to worry about being stranded on a deserted country road with a flat tire and no spare, not sitting at the drive-up window of McDonald's trying to order a meal while talking to your friend about what they are having for lunch. The benefit of a cell phone is knowing that while out for a romantic dinner with your spouse the babysitter can call you if your child sets her hair on fire, not calling home every ten minutes to make sure the kids are 'okay', leaving your husband to wish he had indeed stayed home to watch the baseball game. The benefit of a cell phone is that you can virtually call anyone without worrying about long distance fees, not picking it up to call someone in the car in front of you to tell them to turn their radio to KXWZ.

We are adults. Shouldn't we know that it's rude to interrupt someone to answer our phones, shouldn't we know that cell phones don't belong in churches during ANY occasion, shouldn't we know that waiters, bank tellers, and store clerks deserve our attention just as much as we would expect others to show to us?

The beauty of a cell phone is that you can call and be called at your convenience. And your convenience is not a license to disrespect all others. I know that I have done my share of cell phone misuse, but I try. I try to remember that no one else thinks that I am as important as I find myself.

The Bald & The Criminal

The Bald....
& the Criminal.

This year's Superbowl is going to be a good one, I predict. I will be watching each and every play...that is if I can convince the kids that I need my four hours of entertainment uninterrupted!

I use to watch for the commercials but I have lost interest with that. While kids play underfoot, I become more and more aware that the NFL, like most other forms of entertainment, have succumbed to the 'lewd and rude' approach of marketing. I find it unfortunate that I have to worry about what they might over-hear while I try to enjoy some good old-fashioned American fun.

Anyway, who do you think will win? Will Peyton Manning finally get his ring? He certainly has proven his skill. But will his dynamic offensive be able to penetrate through Lovie Smith's powerhouse of a defense?

Chad and I are holding out hope for a Vikings/Bronco's Superbowl but we realize that a chance of that happening becomes dimmer and dimmer each season. Enjoy the game!

Are you a natural?

Are all women natural moms? I have a few friends that were born to be mothers. What does that mean? They do all of the same things that I do with my kids but they don't complain. I guess that may make me a quasi-natural.

Do you know women like this? Maybe you are one. Mothering is not just what they do...it's who they are. They were the girls that were called endlessly to babysit and have received graduation invitations to all of the kids they ever watched. They tend to make the best day-care providers and elementary teachers because they actually tolerate and enjoy other people's kids and not just their own.

Okay, so I don't fall into that category. I am a natural, in that I know without a doubt that this is what I was created to do. Even if I do it with a stubborn set of my chin some days, or throw the kids at their father when he walks in the door at night...I don't have any doubts about being a full-time, SAHM. I rely heavily on Super-natural power to be a mom in any capacity. Without the grace of God I know that I could not pour myself out to these children day in and day out without questioning in HUGE ways why I do it, what benefit it will serve for me, and why there isn't more....

Then there are those who courageously confess that while they love their kids immensely they have another passion in life as well. My sister-in-law, the nurse. She is a great mom who knows that nursing is part of what she was created to do. She finds a beautiful balance in the two and has the complete support of my brother.

The greatest differences aren't really after our children are born...it's before we have children that our philosophies on what kind of mom we will be are varied. The universal equalizer is when we hold our own baby for the first time. All of a sudden our philosophies are changed. We see our own heart beating outside of our bodies. And of course we are all naturals.

At your request

Due to a a frightening photograph posted by my dear friend Teresa, Ginger commented on how it would be 'good of me' to post a picture of myself in the new swimsuit that I purchased. Well I like to please my readers and thought that perhaps she was right, a photo might be necessary since many of your comments did influence my decision.

When my package arrived, courtesy of Victoria's Secret, I got myself all gussied up. After a full body waxing, application of a self-tanner and some glistening gel, I was in tip-top shape for a swimsuit photo shoot. Unfortunately only Kate, Andrew, & Shadow were around to help take the pictures. I attempted to do it myself...but a head shot wouldn't do this suit justice.

Forced to come up with an alternate plan, I measured up this lady and decided that it would work almost as well to post her picture in MY swimsuit since we pretty much have the same body types (my hair is a bit longer than hers). Hope you enjoy.


Is it necessary to state that I am returning the suit, as it is nothing like the one seen worn here? Well, I am. So, I guess this might not count as showing you my new suit...and I'm back to square one.