what bugs me

I am terrified of bugs -when they are in my house - and when I'm the only one home to kill them!

With the exception of those teeny spiders you sometimes find in your bathtub and sugar ants that sometimes invade your kitchen, I'm a bug wimp. I cannot stand the thought of stomping or smashing them. Even pesky flies. It just grosses me out. Instead of using a shoe or rolled up newspaper, I prefer a bottle of Hot Shot - squirt the heck out of those nasty bugs and watch them slowly...very slowly as the case was today...die.

Once I'm absolutely certain that the bug is dead I'm faced with the job of disposing the bug body. I seriously think I hate this part more than the killing part. I'll go grab a wad (half a roll) of toilet paper, and stand poised over the dead bug. At this point, I'm praying either the thing will just disappear, my husband will stop by and I can hand the toilet paper to him, or one of my kids will heroically offer to get the bug for me. Never in my lifetime of getting rid of bugs has one of these three things happened.

Instead the scene usually plays out like this: Me standing over the bug with my toilet paper, just staring down offering up the prayer mentioned in the above paragraph. The kids crouched very near the scene looking between me and the bug, and asking "What are you doing mommy?". Me responding "I hate bugs! Jules, do you want to pick it up for me?" Jules replying "No" verbally and with a firm shake of her head and look of disgust that I would even ask her such a question. A few more minutes pass with us looking at the bug, and I FINALLY sike myself up enough to reach down, grab the nasty thing in the toilet paper, and run screaming "I hate bugs!" over and over again as I make my way to the nearest toilet to throw and flush the bug down in one fluid motion.

After all the drama is over, my breathing will return to normal, the kids will start playing again, and I'll wonder to myself...did God give me a little boy, because he knew I needed someone who would want to kill bugs for mommy one day? Must be one of the reasons at least, because Jules and I are just too girlie to kill bugs, and we'll gladly hand the job over to Griff whenever he's ready.

saw it & loved it

Eclipse was excellent! Not sure it was the best out of the three Twilight Saga movies, as I've been told it was, but it met all my expectations without a doubt. Once again, Kristen, Robert and Taylor made Bella, Edward and Jacob come alive!


Watching this movie made me think for the very first time that maybe Bella should have given Jacob a chance (that's a lot coming from me..a huge Edward fan). You could feel the love Jacob had for Bella even more than you could in New Moon, and it really made me wonder how different the story would have been had Bella chosen Jacob.


Unfortunately, I was not able to make the June 30 midnight premier. Here in Virginia, I know no one, so if I had went to the premier I would have went alone...that idea didn't appeal to me at all. I'm sorry I missed all the premier fun my friends back home have told me about. I definitely could have handled paying $17.50 for a ticket to show up at the theater at 7pm to watch Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse back to back on the big screen. Oh well, part 1 of Breaking Dawn is only 16 months away, so I'll just have to wait for that midnight premier.


I had to wait an agonizing 2 days after Eclipse debuted before I was able to take me turn to see it! I made it to the theater on Saturday for the 11:45am showing. Patrick dropped me off at the theater, and then occupied the kids by taking them to Walmart, the mall and Chick-fil-a. I was certain the theater would be packed, but by 11:30, nobody else had shown up, so I figured it wouldn't be sold out after all. When the theater lights dimmed at 11:45, I was the only person in the theater!!! I watched Eclipse alone, literally. That was sort of a neat experience. Certainly the first time I had been in a theater all by myself. I think it made the movie sort of more personal, but I really missed watching the movie for the first time surrounded by other Twilight fans. When I went to theater to see New Moon the day after it opened last November the theater was packed, and when Jacob took his shirt off for the first time when Bella fell of the motorcycle, many in the crowd clapped and cheered. I wonder had there been a packed theater this time, what moments would have brought cheers and applause. I have my suspicions, but I won't reveal anything, because you may not have seen the movie for yourself. Nevertheless, I did see the movie, and that's really all that matters.

Now I just have to sit back and wait for it to come out on DVD, so I can watch it repeatedly for at least a month- or until I can quote it - whichever comes first!

let's get this party started

I'm one of those moms. I live to plan birthday parties for my kids! Without any forethought on my part, I managed to have my oldest in the month of March and my youngest in the month of September. It's perfect this way - six months in between each party. It gives me plenty of time to prepare for each one, and this is essential, because I start planning their parties 2-3 months ahead of time.

I sort of feel sorry for the moms whose kids' birthdays fall one month after another - or goodness, more than one birthday in a month! How stressful to be simultaneously planning more than one child's party, and how hard to get family and friends together over and over again. Plus, it would just be lousy to have one time each year, where you cram in party planning and birthday celebrations, and then have to wait another full year for such excitement to roll around again.

Yes, I definitely feel lucky in the fact that I can begin planning Jules' party in January (right after getting over the holidays), have her party in March. Take a breather, and start planning Griff's party in late June to July, and have his party in September. I joke around and say that IF I had #3, it would just be too ideal to have him/her in June...so then their parties would be every three months! If I have a third, I'm not going to try to arrange a June birth, but I'm just saying it would be convenient:)

So now that I've disclosed my love of planning parties, I just wonder at what point parties go from fun to extreme! What's an ideal birthday party budget? Just this week I've started throwing around party theme ideas for Griff's 2nd birthday. At one point, for just a second, I seriously considered a train theme. Why? Because I found a place that would rent me both a train shaped moon walk and slide, plus an actual little train that would ride the kids around! Patrick immediately informed me that I could not have both. I guess I see his point. To rent both was going to run us about $550, and then there would be food and decoration costs! It really adds up. So now that this plan is out, I've got a few, less expensive ideas, forming in my head. No doubt when I finish typing this post, I'll start researching online, once again, for Griff's party.

The funny thing is that before we had kids, Patrick and I had both swore off throwing parties every single year. We thought it was ridiculous and a waste of money. Sure have a party celebrating the milestones - 1st, 5th, 13th, 16th...but that's it. Obviously, now that I have kids of my own, I've changed my mind. I now say that ridiculously fun parties should happen. Every. Single. Year. Your kids are only young once, and their birthday only happens once a year...so go nuts. Maybe not too terribly, I charged the whole party on my credit card, nuts, but you get my drift!

a little useful information

I LOVE all you magazine! So much so that I received a subscription as a Christmas gift. Each month's magazine is stuffed full of money saving ideas, and even better, it is stuffed with coupons! The coupons I get out of the magazine and actually use save me enough money to pay for the magazine and then some. For example, I use Neutrogena foundation, and about every other month there is a $3 off coupon for Neutrogena makeup, and that one coupon alone pays for my magazine. You can click here if you're interested in a free trial of all you.

In the June issue I ran across an interesting article and I thought I would pass along a little of what I learned from it.

1. Wash your dishwasher: Fill the detergent cups with 1/2 cup white vinegar then run your empty dishwasher through a complete cycle.
2. Clean your garbage disposal: Once every few weeks, put a handful of ice cubes into your disposal. Turn on the disposal while running cold water, and the ice will help break up grease that collects on the blades. To add a bit of freshness toss in some orange, lemon or lime peels into the disposal.
3. Keep sponges sanitary: After using your kitchen sponge, rinse, squeeze and place in the microwave for three minutes. The heat will help kill any bacteria.
4. Keep the trash clean: Take old newspaper and line the bottom of your kitchen trash. The newspaper will help soak up leaks and absorb odors.

This is just four of 30 ideas they gave. The ideas seem so simple, but I had never thought of them myself. I thought I would pass this new knowledge on!!!

what a no-fun weekend

Today I got to have a little "me" time. That's right, 2 whole hours without my kids. It was a totally unexpected couple of hours, and definitely 2 hours I would have much rather spent with my kids. Heck, I would have rather watched paint dry or grass grow! Why? Because my 2 hours alone were spent in the emergency room (and they wouldn't let the kids go back, so Patrick took them to walmart instead).

I'm ok. There was no blood or broken bones. Just a horrible case of food poisoning! It started late Friday afternoon after a meal at - dare I say it - Taco Bell. I won't go into the yucky details, but lets just say I felt like I was pregnant again...nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and stomach cramps that went all the way up my back and mirrored the way I felt when I was in labor with Griff. On a side note, I was just starting to get minor baby fever, since my youngest will be 2 in a couple of months. Let's just say that this weekend nipped that fever in the bud. No new babies for me, thank you.

They drew blood, took a urine sample, and gave me an IV of fluids laced with antibiotic for pain. I started to feel much better, and even enjoyed playing a little Diner Dash 2 on my cell phone. The final diagnosis: acute gastroenteritis. Actually, the doctor said it is either food poisoning or a virus. There's just no way to know with 100% certainty without a stool sample. And my body was not excited nor willing to hand one over. Instead they've sent me home with a little kit to collect one myself and bring it to their lab when I do. I'm, of course, praying for a miraculous healing before I have to "go" again, so no stool sample will be needed.

As I'm typing this, I still feel a bit weak, but not nauseous. Come tomorrow morning I should start feeling a good bit better, because Patrick is going to fill my Vicodin and Zofran prescription. Oh how I would love to be doped up tonight, but the nearest 24 hour pharmacy is just too far. Patrick's willing to make the drive, but honestly, I would just rather have him home with me.

I've spent over 48 hours feeling puny, so maybe, just maybe, I'll be back to my old self soon. Goodness, all I've ate today was a strawberry cereal bar and about 8 tater tots. I'm starving! But, I'm too scared to eat - afraid of a relapse! I'll tell you what, when I do get my appetite back, I already told Patrick we're heading to a buffet:)

kristen's 25 random things

Can you come up with 25 odd and random things about yourself? I did. It's a lot of fun to do:) If you're up for the challenge, make your own list. Post your list on your blog and then link it below. Don't have a blog? Not a problem. Just leave your list as a comment.

Have fun with this! I can't wait to read about you!

1. I have to have an Avon Moisture Therapy chapstick with me at all times.


2. I took piano from the time I was 4 until I was 17, but rarely play anymore.


3. I straighten my hair every morning. If I didn't, it would be VERY frizzy.


4. At least once a day, I turn on some music and dance with my kids.


5. I could watch the Game Show Network, all day, every day. Family Feud has been my favorite for years!


6. My dream job: to be a game show host.


7. I am spoiled rotten by my husband.


8. I sleep in socks...year round.


9. As of May 19, 2010, I have been out of high school for decade. I'm starting to feel real old.


10. Mopping is my least favorite chore and cleaning the toilet and laundry would be my favorites.


11. I classify myself as blind! I've worn contacts and glasses for so long that I honestly cannot remember being able to see without them.


12. My favorite sound: My two kiddos belly laughing. Precious...precious...precious.


13. I had Griff with an epidural...not by choice...he just came too quickly.


14. I love to sing along to Sirius 32 Hear the Message in my car.


15. I am a night owl. I'm most productive after 8 pm...that's also when I do most of my blogging.


16. I've been swept into the Twilight Saga...Team Edward.


17. I was a bank teller for 5 years. Boy do I have some stories from that experience.


18. When Griff kisses me, my heart melts.


19. I love Debbie Cakes. Always have...always will.


20. Cheese is my favorite food.


21. I have been to the Jay Leno Show and The Price Is Right in California.


22. I love letting Jules "fix" my hair. It gives me a reason to sit still, plus I think she enjoys having control over mommy for a change.


23. I have to iron everything (with the exception of underclothes & socks) whether it needs it or not.


24. Call my crazy, but I think I want one more child...certainly not right now, but maybe in another year or two.


25. I come across as shy until I get to know you, then I become quite crazy...just ask my friends:)

the family man

Over the weekend, I stayed up way too late watching this movie. It came on one of our cable channels, and I just couldn't resist (although the next morning, I questioned my sanity for staying up to watch tv when I have little ones who wake up with the sun).

For those of you who have not seen this Nicholas Cage movie ever or in a while, let me give you a very quick synopsis! At the beginning of the movie Cage's character is a wealthy businessman. Although rich and powerful, and in his opinion, happy, he is alone. Years before, he actually chose his career over a girlfriend, and as a result, never married or had children. In a sort of "It's A Wonderful Life" way, he is given a glimpse of what his life could have been had he chosen the girlfriend and not the job. He goes to bed on Christmas night by himself and wakes up the following morning with a wife and two kids. You get to watch him experience life in a completely different way; as a middle class family man. And you get to watch him fall in love with this new life.

Before this weekend, I had seen this movie once before. Nearly 10 years ago when it came out in theaters during the 2000 Christmas season. Patrick and I went on a date to the movies, and this is what we chose to watch. At the time, we had only been dating 3-4 months. No thoughts of marriage and certainly no thoughts of kids.

It was so weird to watch the movie together almost a decade later, and realize how much our lives have changed since we saw it last. We watched the movie this time in a completely new way, because we realized that our lives mirrored those of the characters. We are now the couple with the crazy but ordinary life. We now have our own two kids. Most importantly, seeing this movie made me realize that even though I may occasionally wonder how my life would be different had I made different decisions, I realize that my life is a success! It brought me to tears to think that what Cage's character learns to long for and love, I've had all along!

to be tan

Once upon a time there lived a girl who kept a tan from the months of May through September. This girl was extremely busy working and going to college, so her beautiful tan came compliments of the local tanning salon. There was no time for a good old fashioned tan from the actual sun. Besides, that kind of tan comes with tan lines...yuck!

Fast forward a few years. The girl is now married, and has a husband who likes keeping a tan too. So much so that it did not take much twisting of his arm, to get him to buy them their very own tanning bed. How heavenly...to be able to come home from work or school and simply go into a room, in your own house, to work on your tan! This tanning bed was open 24/7, and it was truly a prized possession.

Fast forward another few years. The girl and her husband go through a whirlwind of changes. College graduation. New jobs. The selling of a house and the buying of a new one. And the biggest one of all, a baby is on the way. There is no room in the new house for the tanning bed. That's ok though, because a pregnant girl is beautiful even without a tan. The tanning bed goes into storage, in the basement of the girl's in-laws.

Three years later and the tanning bed remains in storage. The girl and her husband had the baby, and wouldn't you know, 17 months later they had another one. Life is busier for them than ever before. The girl is a stay-at-home mom whose job has no set hours, and the husband works 80+ hours some weeks. Life is crazy, but at the same time sweet.

There's a beach trip coming up for this little family in a matter of weeks. For some reason, the girl and her husband start reminiscing about life with a tan, and how nice it would be to go to the beach golden instead of pasty! Fate (aka the GPS) reveals a tanning salon only 5 minutes from where they live, and they happily sign up for a tanning package. In between cooking dinner, bathing kids, brushing teeth, putting on PJ's, and rocking kids to sleep, the parents take turns slipping away to work on their tan. Oh how this little piece of yesteryear makes them happy, makes them feel young again, makes them golden:)

american idol anyone?

It's down to the top 3.

Casey James. Crystal Bowersox. Lee Dewyze.

Who is your favorite? Who do you think will win?

I'll admit it. I'm one of those people who religiously watches the show. Well, I religiously watch it once it gets dwindled down to the top 12, and then I usually only watch the Tuesday night show. I prefer to skip the results show, or if I'm lucky, happen upon the last 5 minutes. Typically, my mom fills me in on who was sent packing. Also, I'm not one of those viewers who actually votes for a contestant (unless that contestant is from Alabama).

This season I've watched, but haven't really had a favorite. Now that it's down to these three, I would have to say that Lee would get my votes (if I actually voted:)) However, my prediction is that Crystal will win in the end.

Who knows though! I think last year's winner was a complete surprise, so who knows what will happen until it happens!

sing it bob & larry

This is the cutest CD! It was $9.99 at Target (thanks MaMaw for the $5 gift cards...the kids pooled their cards for this purchase!). It is awesome praise music, but with a Veggie Tales twist. It's perfect for moms and kids. Many of these songs are favorites of mine, and the kids love the fact that the Veggie Tales are helping sing them. It's a win-win, because all three of us could listen to this CD over and over again! I'm so glad Julia spotted it while we were shopping!

6 germiest places

My Nanny gives me stacks of old magazines, and when I have the time, I flip through them. Mainly I enjoy looking for recipes or craft ideas, but sometimes something else will jump off the page at me...some random story or bit of info.

I thought these facts were part interesting and part creepy. They came from the December 2009 Woman's Day magazine.

The 6 Germiest Places

1. Shopping Cart - 80% of shopping carts tested had traces of E. coli on them
2. Cutting Board - More harmful bacteria are here than on a toilet seat
3. First-floor Elevator Button - Most punched elevator button, so it is highly germy
4. ATM Enter Key - Another popular button
5. Your Desktop - Bacteria are higher here, because you spend so much time in this one area
6. Playground - Bacteria (including fecal bacteria) are all over playgrounds

Lovely, huh?