Women, please watch this.

I had never heard of this, but it's good to be informed. Click on the link to learn about inflammatory breast cancer.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D_5tXybj-E

One of those moments of sheer joy and laughter

Me: You guys are making a good mess in here!
Caleb: Are you being...that one word?
Me: Sarcastic?
Caleb: Yeah, sarcastic.
Me: Yep.

Lonely, I am so lonely, I have nobody....

How am I doing? Yes, this is a question I've been longing to answer, but with no one to ask it. So I'm taking it upon myself to answer my own question as the necessary outlet I've been looking for.

We have lived in 7 places in the 6.75 years since we were married. We have made good friends in each of those places, but inevitably left them all behind. Most of these friends have become "virtual friends," with little to no contact outside of the internet. And even contact via internet is not usually personalized.

Since we moved here, we have met several families. But there hasn't been a lot of reciprocation so far.

So I spend my days with little children, and only occasionally break up the monotony with a play date or trip to the science center or the park.

In some ways, I am liking my new found routine, which has come about as a consequence to acquiring a more stable sleeping schedule.

I am proud of the fact that A) I have weaned the kids down to 1 hour of TV per day, and B) I have been exercising 20-30 minutes a day (hence my need for the electronic babysitter).

I have also organized most of my house, though not all. I am contemplating several sewing projects, and have yet to put up decorations for fear of putting holes in the perfectly smooth walls.

I also have been very dejected over the lack of opportunities to use my degree/talents. With a wide range of musical knowledge, I am only teaching one voice lesson 30 minutes per week. While I enjoy it, I also long for more opportunities to perform or conduct or just to teach more.

I enjoy my calling in the Young Women, but have yet to really connect with the girls or even the other leaders. I feel out of place, but I faithfully go every Sunday and Wednesday.

My visiting teachers come every month, but I'm not sure I'll ever feel like I can call them in a time of need. Or even when I just feel lonely... Granted, I don't even know who I visit teach, so who am I to complain?

I'm not depressed, but I can't say that I'm happy either. I know I have a few things to work on to make myself a better person, a happier person. And I'm working on them.

I love my kids, truly. But sometimes it's hard to love being a mom. Every day is a new battle, and yet every day produces moments of sheer joy and laughter. It is so draining, and yet so rewarding at the same time.

I adore my husband, and lately feel more in love with him than ever. I love that he works so hard so that I can stay home with the kids. But I miss him.

I guess that's all.

Misunderstood Misunderstanding

Have you ever had the experience of trying to understand a somewhat incomprehensible little kid? And they keep saying the same thing over and over again, so you know they know what they want?

Well, I never figured out Savanna's "Bobocock." (Any guesses on that one?!)

But I finally figured out another of her sayings that baffled me. Kind of like Mad Gab, I had to hear it over and over again, and in context.

And it finally occurred to me that Savanna had first misunderstood what I had said, and now I was misunderstanding what she was saying.

So the context is Savanna chasing Caleb around the room, and the Mad Gab version is "Tag! I hear it!"

I know, I know, it took me that long to figure it out?

Picture Post

These pictures make me happy, so I thought I'd share:

(This was two months ago, but I like it anyway.)

(Second day of school; forgot the camera the day before.)

Doesn't this make you wish you could get a birthday card from Caleb?

Getting in Shape

Still can't roll, but does crunches all day long.
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Here's a better angle.

Mom Jeans

I saw a lady at school today who was wearing classic Mom Jeans.

I like her.

And I like most women who wear "Mom Jeans." They are some of the most selfless, generous people I know.

So what's the problem, you ask? The problem is anyone who makes fun of Mom Jeans. The women who wear them usually have a bit (or a lot) of a pooch from having children, who might not care about fashion, and/or who might not be able to afford anything else.

And that's okay!

We all come in different shapes and sizes, and we all prioritize things differently.

And really, what alternative does this woman have? To let the pooch hang out the top of her pants? Is that really better?

So stop judging Mom Jeans, or you'll have to answer to me.

He Threw Off My Groove...(Name that movie.)

Joseph, that is.

But I got it back!

I mean, it has been over a year of being pregnant and sick, pregnant and tired, pregnant and sore, postpartum and sore, and postpartum and tired.

It helps that Joseph has been sleeping 10 hours each night for the last week. And then he has been taking regular naps during the day. And since Caleb goes to school while the other two nap, I have free time now!!!

Is this is what it feels like to have energy again? Awesome.