Pretty Sure I Didn't Already Write about This....

You see... when you have kids - for whom you must coordinate and remember things, and work, and like to play, and maintain a home, etc, etc, etc - your brain is very succeptable to what has been clinically referred to as "overload". It's true! It was probably 20 years ago - by my mother's doctor. When she complained at one time of having a very difficult time storing things to memory, or recalling things day-to-day, her doc's reply was simply, "Totally normal... It's called 'overload'." (And this was a STELLAR doctor!) And so - to this day - she and I both use this term (pretty loosely.) It makes for a favorable excuse for a less-than-stellar memory capacity. It's obviously also genetic to some degree... Yet another handy excuse! Now - these are 2 reasons why this is completely out of our control. Well, I suppose not completely... I do think I could manage to 'exercise' my brain a tad more in the way of brain teasers and such...  Caffeine for the Creative Mind: 250 Exercises to Wake Up Your Brain     Have you not read the above list of things that occupy my already-bustling-mind?!? So - one day - when I have time... (Dang it! Fine... I'm going to make time. I don't particularly enjoy crossword puzzles... I'll think of something.)  Now I forgot what I was going to originally write about - you know - but wasn't sure whether it had already been scribed?? K, where is that puzzle??

TIP: If your friends forget certain details about your life... don't take it personally. They've probably just been busy being one brain spread out amongst 3 people - or something like that.

A QUOTE: “When I was younger I could remember anything, whether it happened or not.” ~Mark Twain

WHIDFML:  Just realized how to exercise my mind, AND prepare for some future expedition to a far away land.... Re-learn the German language! Score.

Fly on the Wall...

Sometimes it's fun to 'pretend' you're a fly on the wall - and secretly overhear the interactions between the girls when they are playing together. Gotta keep from laughing out-loud at times, and disrupting such cordial exchanges! 

Recently overheard during interactive play: 

~ While Adelyn was toiling with some items as part of one imaginative session, Myla was heard saying, "You know, I can help you a hand there..."

~ And when it was deemed that Adelyn was the 'mommy' and Myla was to be the 'kid', Adelyn blurted out with every transition to a new location, "C'mon kid!"

Pure, unadulterated, humorous entertainment - no additional charges apply!

TIP: When you're having a stressful day - have a conversation (or eavesdrop on one) with your kids. Instant cure.

A QUOTE: “Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.” ~Bill Cosby

WHIDFML: Starting my interview soon - going to be featured on the TJ's blog!!

"Crazy-Mixed-Up-Day"

Hmmmmm.... Kinda like the new motto for my life ;) 

But really - they have so much fun in Myla's preschool class! Though I have to say, I'm not entirely certain who has the most fun with it: Myla, or me? Keeps my creative juices flowing - which I always welcome. 

They are reading "The Mixed Up Chameleon"... and the class was encouraged to "go crazy and use their imaginations" - and mix things up. So - we obliged. 

We put socks on her head - adhered to her 3 wacky pig-tails, jeans under her dress... one pant leg way up, one rolled down, 2 different socks on her feet, 2 different shoes, a tail, and every fingernail is painted a different color.

Trying to encourage her to be creative, and be herself, without the fear of being judged... Seems to be working. She is thrilled each time they get to do something so out-of-the-ordinary. So should our attitudes remain towards this 'crazy life'!
Cheers to that.

TIP: Let them express themselves - Start young and they'll probably be less prone to taking it to heart if they are picked on by other kids. That's one thing that never really got to me - when kids would tease me in school. It always rolled right off. I have my mom to thank in part - because the first pokes were made at my short stature. My mom's reply? "Well good! You'll be glad you're short... The boys like short girls the most."  Ha! Cute, eh? Look how long that memory stuck with me...

A QUOTE: “The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed, in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a wide-spread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible” ~Bertrand Russell

WHIDFML: About to paint Easter-Eggs with the girls and daddy! :)  Happy Happy -

Extra Inspiration!

Still dreaming about writing a book (well, a couple - maybe even a few, actually). Tried to collaborate with the chicks at "Cooking with Trader Joe's" a couple of months ago... Still awaiting a reply. That never bogs me down. Lots of doors stay stuck closed before the right doors eventually open :) 

[I'm an eternal optimist, and eternally determined!]

Anyway - you have it here: I was going to work with them on creating a gluten-free cookbook specific to products purchased at TJ's. Ya'll got my back if something turns 'sour', right? Of course you do!

In any case - the flick "Julie & Julia" made its way to the top of our Neflix Que a couple of weeks back - and I was re-inspired! I love a good true-story - and this was a Twofer (2 for 1). Bonus! I could relate to them both on different levels... Still, I'm pretty sure I relate to Julie most closely. Also got me thinking - "What makes some blogs so viral?" Real life is probably the most obvious answer - and perhaps humor coupled with humility. Maybe one day - my blog will get there. To be honest - I've been somewhat hesitant to really strive to 'publish' it on a larger scale. Trying to keep it separate from my other biz... and be genuine and real without divulging too much (precautionary stalker-avoidance). I mean - although this blog is primarily about ME, and my journey through motherhood and other related life-occurrences, it does involve my immediate family greatly. Kind of comes with the territory, given the subject matter. But I think I'm doing so in a way that prevents any attempted malice, or so I hope. (Feel free to leave feedback below.) I've always been a cautious kind of gal - and if anyone came close to attempting possible harm involving my children - they'd be dealing with (an armed) mother-bear! Is that too cautious? Maybe. Perhaps I should have used a tad more caution with regard to patent/ copyright protection before submitting my proposal??? We shall see. Still learning. And - still excited about any future opps that may come along! 

(And still giving the TJ's gals the benefit of the doubt!)

TIP: Follow your heart, tune into your instincts/ intuition, and never doubt the viability of your ideas. That's where it always begins, and you have to start somewhere!

A QUOTE: “I put all my genius into my life; I put only my talent into my works.” ~Oscar Wilde

WHIDFML: Took that first step toward a (er, another) big goal! Feels groovy. 

If At First You Don't Succeed....

...Go on Vacation!!

So - we get home to find that our youngest has been successfully potty-trained in our absence. Cheers to Grandmas and Aunties! :) Teeeheeee

TIP: The promise of some grand, sought-after 'prize' for successful completion, will help motivate late-bloomers in their potty-capabilities. Grandma's can be a great help with this piece. 

A QUOTE: “When a child is locked in the bathroom with water running and he says he's doing nothing but the dog is barking, call 911.” Erma Bombeck 

WHIDFML: Researched all of the possibilities... a few projects are in motion!

Maybe Age 3???

For the longest time I could swear that age 2 was my favorite age... So little still, and so innocent - and just figuring out how to hold a conversation and express oneself.... The way they talk at that age - just makes me giggle with welcome regularity :) But - I have to say that age 3 is creeping in on age 2 and JUST might take over! Here are a few of my current favorite words: 

~Hangburger

~Paper Tollow

~Neck-a-lace (3 syllables)

and choice phrases:

~Don't let the bed bites eat you!

~named a stuffed dog "Pooh Pooh Puppy"

~"My want to give you 'gassy kisses'" (blowing air against your cheek!)

These examples are just the icing on the cake! I feel like I'm laughing about it all that much more. Maybe it's because she's really putting words together - and speaking in complete sentences - but still harbors that innocent "baby-accent". Then again, maybe it has to do with the fact that she is growing more and more independent. Potty-trained. Eats her food (usually). Gets dressed by herself. Plays with her sister. These variables could also apply to general increases in overall laughter, I do suppose ;)

TIP: For pickier eaters - try offering 2 choices. Giving them the power to choose seems to make a big difference in how well it is actually consumed. And - you only have to offer what you know is readily available.

A QUOTE: "One way to prevent conversation from being boring is to say the wrong thing."  ~Frank Sheed

WHIDFML: Joel and I devoted some time and energy - and managed to replace all of our old basement windows! Mucho savings... on $$$ for windows + install, as well as on all of that previously wasted heat throughout the winters!!  Bright, beautiful, secure, energy-efficient, and soon - completely maintenance-free!

Clever Little Lady -

Right about the time you've absotively had it up to your brow with the excuses, and all reasons they need to talk to you and say "good night" just one more time... This little bug comes out bearing the big guns.
Adelyn: "Good niiiiiight! Don't let the bed bites eat you!!"
Mom & Dad: "Yes, Addie - now go night-night. See you tomorrow...."
Adelyn: "But my have one more thing to tell you!"
Mom and Dad: "WHAT???"
Adelyn: "My LOOOVE you."
OK - so now how do you possibly recover from that one? ;) With an...
"I love you tooooo!"

TIP: It's not only okay, but good, to share feelings openly. I grew up that way... Hubby did not. But these interactions have opened up a new world to him too :)

A QUOTE: "Where there is love there is life." ~Indira Gandhi

WHIDFML: Shared some art-time with my girls. They are such little art-tiests!

Kid-Speak!

Daddy: "Girls, how many hotdogs do you want?"

Myla: "HOTDOGS?!? I want like, a THOUSAND..."

Daddy: "I don't think you're going to be able to eat a thousand hotdogs..."

Myla: "Okay. Then I'll have 3."

TIP: Trader Joe's sells all natural, organic, non-filler-bearing varieties of foods that are typically considered to be "not the greatest". Hot dogs, pop-tarts, chips to name a few... Dig in & enjoy! ;)

A QUOTE: “I am a zizzer zazzer zuzz as you can plainly see.” ~Dr. Seuss

WHIDFML: Made a cheap, natural, yet crazy at-home concoction for taming the mane - and it worked! Mixed up some Avocado, Mayo, and olive oil... mashed until creamy - saturated hair. Left on (for some time... did things around the house with it all wrapped up in a towel) - rinsed, conditioned, slept overnight without washing - kept in braids, washed and conditioned the next day (also promptly washed the pillow-case!) - and it was all ultra soft and smoovits again. JOY! 

Keepin' the 'Girls' in Check!

Who us??         No wait - not THOSE girls!

You know... 'Da Girlz' - Arrrr, the two attached to the front of me chest! So - I've been needlessly mourning what I had though to be a significant loss - a full cup-size to be precise. Since nursing the little'ns, I couldn't help but notice a change. Turns out - I was just sizin' 'em up all wrong! While gravity is no longer a friend of 'da girlz' - (hence our little mix up in the bra-size department) - the strap just needs to be fitted more securely to the torso for effective lifting & shifting of what does remain. And so begins a new-found sense of gratitude for bras. I guess my hippie instincts were kickin' in for a while. Now, kinda havin' fun with them again! ;) ha!

TIP: If at first you don't succeed, try try again............................................

A QUOTE:  “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” ~Winston Churchill 

WHIDFML: Bought 2 new boulder-holders - with store credit besides! Yippee! 

Took a Sabbatical!

Been on sabbatical from writing, evidently! - But here I am ready to revel in my soul's further development via putting thoughts into words once again.
Been chip, chip, chippin' away at that list for a lust for life - otherwise known as our 'new year's resolutions'... I gotta say - they are still in full effect - and brimming over with success! 

Spent a week alone with my other half - making our way through cities and scenics alike. Spent a few days exploring Vegas (and the more rustic, lesser-known natural outskirts thereof.) Then, jumped in with all our Aces and rented the tremendously fun, bumblebee-yellow Vette Convertible for an 1100+ mile adventure from Vegas, over to the Grand Canyon, down to Sedona, and further south to Peoria, AZ to visit a good friend - then around to Vegas again before catching our flight home. 

Check out the photo-blog chronicles here! LV-AZ Roadies Blog

As my regular readers are aware ~ we are natural-born nature-lovers ~ and only required-'city-dwellers' ~ by career choice, and our desire to remain close to family (both spiritually, as well as by where we fall on the map.) [Though our patch of woods & water make it much more worthwhile.] Now, here we are, ready to jump in with both feet, 'getting away from it all', kidless for a week, serenity lies ahead, endless possibilities - and where do we begin our exploits?? Only the busiest, loudest, most brightly-lit, hub O' hubub known to our continent: the famed Sin-City. A friend even remarked about her surprise & discontent with our desire to venture in this direction. It got me thinking (more deep thought - comin' at ya!) - - While I wish there were (much) less of it, and I certainly wouldn't want to live anywhere near it, I still harbor some element of appreciation for the craziness (and let's just be real here - even stupidity to some regard) that man can conjure up as well. For me, it's like art. I adore art. I'm an artist at heart, and it influences everything I do on some level. While I may be more drawn to certain styles, mediums, or subject matter (nature photography, anyone?) I scan still ogle all of the zany, even 'messy', abstract stuff out there. That came from someone's mind, heart, and soul.... I may even LIKE much (if not most) of what I see... But,  it still doesn't mean I want to take it home with me and hang it on my walls! And so there you have it - your 'nature is to art, as art is to... overpopulated cities?' analogy. Have a sip of wine. It'll make more sense!

The nature-therapy was inexplicably fulfilling. Still reveling in the aftermath (er, new batch of hundreds of surreal, breathtaking depictions of God's handiwork captured on digital 'film' to cherish forever!) Couldn't be happier about our uncanny ability to unconsciously time stellar sunsets with our arrivals to the Canyon, Sedona, and a drive through the mountains, camera in hand all the while!! The entire drive, once outside of Vegas, and once outside of the Phoenix area again, was ever-changing, eye-catching, natural terrain. A-MAZ-ING.
 Talk about happies!

Joel's hooked, and it has been deemed the first of many, many more expeditions to come! We have our second annual 'couple-trip' picked out for next winter, and our summer outing with the girls and camper in tow being mapped out slowly-but-surely as well! We always have to make time for the Gunflint Trail in there. Our home away from home! We literally go through withdrawl when we don't get up there for too long... as there truly is no substitute.

We came home better parents... Renewed, awakened, well-traveled, and well-slept. Breathe deeply with me: Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Mmmmm, hmmmm. Feels nice. Learned more about ourselves, each other, and life.... in just one week! I highly recommend it.

TIP: Parenting is a full-time job - with many perks and benefits, but comes with limited 'breaks'. Make breaks happen. It's necessary for all involved. If you're in a relationship - you need to make time for that person too.

A QUOTE: "By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off.  They are the great vacationless class."  ~Anne Morrow Lindbergh

WHIDFML: VA-CA-TION!!