Monday, February 27, 2006

McDonald Adventures


Oh, how I love to go to McDonalds. Do you know that a childless man once said to Charles and I, "No one ever goes to McDonalds anymore. I'm pretty sure they're gonna go out of business anyday." HAHAHAHAHAHA! Charles and I couldn't stop rolling over that one. Unfortunately, no NICE restaurant has ever caught on to that idea. Like a nice PF Changs with a room for people you hire to babysit. Ooooohhhh, I would be their greatest customer. We would walk in every Friday night (or every night) and say "hello, we would like the usual". Oh man! Could you imagine?! They would get sick of us because it would just be another excuse for Charles and I to have date night. So for now...it'll have to be McDonalds. I'm sure after we were there for 4 hours today, the people were beginning to wonder. I even had them warm up a bottle for Ivy. In fact, they should have a meal dedicated just for moms. It'd be the McMommy special. A salad, Big Mac, Diet Soda, (a jalepeno to go with a burger for those moms who like some spice in their life), and a warm bottle to go. Oooohhh....And the special surprise, instead of a toy, could be a diaper and wipe pack. Maybe I should call the corporate office. Don't thank me now...wait till the commercial comes out.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Great Questions


1- If you won a million dollars, how much of it would you give to charity? Tithes and Offerings to my church of course! Then I would send money to my sister in South Africa.
2- Describe what you looked like in the 5th grade. Like a complete dork. I'd rather not talk about it. Ugh. I had blonde hair....okay...I'll stop there. It's just not a good stage in my life.
3-Do you think you have a good singing voice? Yes, but not fantastic and unfortunately I get too nervous sometimes and freeze up a little. I wish I was Celine Dion. Dang, that girl can sing. But I would try to bring the songs more up to date though. Charles would disagree maybe. She's one of his favorites.
4- Which would be harder to give up, TV or chocolate? I don't have a TV but it was hard to give up because of the movies. I used to love Braveheart and Clueless! But now I actually have a life so I'm happy I don't have it.
5- If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Ashley, Ivy, or Jessica. Already thought about that. My mom almost named me Ginger. It's a good thing it's not my name because I probably would be teased with the name "Ginger Spice".
6- A cat darts into the road and you hear a thud under your tire, do you stop? Yes and cry, and cry and cry...then have a funeral.
7- A friend has chronic bad breath, do you say something? If so, what? No, I'm not like that. But I know Brianne would say it! She's like that!
8- If you had to move to another country for a year, which one would you choose and why? New Zealand!!!!!!!!! Beautiful!
9- If you had only 15 minutes left to live, what would you do? Hug my family, hug my family, and hug, and hug until I croak. That's kind of like my Grandma Ivy. She only had 2 weeks to live and she was only 22 years old with 2 little boys. She was so pretty and sweet from what everyone said.
10- If you could remain one age for the rest of your life, what would it be? 25...(Rachel, I have to agree. I feel great at this age. Oh wait. I'm 26 now. I still agree with 25). In June I'll be 27...sigh...
11- What kind of food is your best friend? Anything that's not cold. I love food, it's sickening. I can eat 2 value meals for lunch from McDonalds.
12- What is your worst habbit? Biting my nails. I've been doing it since 5 years old. Arrrghhh!
13- Name the best bad movie you ever loved. Braveheart. There is just one bad scene. I have no idea why they had to add that part. Such a small part but enough to make you go "Hey! Did you have to add that?!".
14- Do you make friends easily? Oh gosh...yes. It's crazy. I made a friend today in the grocery store. We talked forever and then I remembered that my family was at home waiting for lunch. Charles should know by now not to send me out on errands! He says I always make a friend and never come home on time.
15- When is the last time you cried? This is so dumb...Okay...I cried not long ago because my husband left for a planned guys night out to play games and I missed him so I cried. It's so ridiculous how we can't be apart. You'd think we're newlyweds or something...I also was sad the other day because someone was unnessecarily mean in the nursery. Didn't cry though. Such a tough cookie...I just forgave them instead. That's what keeps me happy.
16- What will the last line of your obituary say? Um, mine would say "Finally, something to make her stop having kids!" Or "Fun and ridiculously crazy, weird at times, but we still loved her."
17- What was your first job, how much did it pay? Wendy's making $5.75 an hour. I was supposed to go on vacation for 3 weeks to California with my best friend at the time (I was 16). Well, they forgot I was going on vacation and demanded that I don't get on the airplane or I'm fired. Hello! I chose to be fired! So, after vacation I got hired on at Souper Salad for a whopping $5.75 and hour. Boy was I lucky! (Couple of weeks later that Wendy's burned down. No, I didn't do it.)
18- Which Brady would you be if you had to? Marsha. Everyone calls me that anyway so I guess that's who I'd be. People say "Marsha, Marsha!"
19- Name the movie you would star in if you could be the lead in any film ever made. Clueless. Oh man! That's one of mine and Charles' favorite movies! (When we were dating I found out Charles owned that movie). He loved it. Him and I still quote from that movie. "I'm outie"!
20- If you had to give up one of the 5 senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste), which one would it be? Smell, it would do me good since I'm always walking down isle grocery stores realizing that some rude person left a cloud of stinkiness.
21- What is the most valuable lesson you have ever learned? Not to care what other people think about me. Just feel sorry for them. Miserable people are usually the rudest. Also, I hate clicks. I will never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, did I say never? ....be in a click. I say "the more friends, the merrier!" Clicks hurt people.
22-What is the worst thing a friend has ever done to you? Gossiped, spread lies, and spoke about my past. ARrggghhh! Those people are such losers! I've learned to leave it in God's hands though. That's the best lesson.
23- If you could give your parents any one gift in the world, what would it be? An easier life for my hard working dad and a beautiful home for my mom with maid so she could pursue her love of art.
24- What is the last good deed someone has done for you? My awesome mother-in-law and father-in-law watched our kids for 4 hours so Charles and I could have a date at gold at Castles n Coasters last friday. My angel friend, Brianne's mom, is letting Brianne and I go to her spa she owns so we can have massages before a party! I love Brianne. I love her mom too. Sigh. There are so many wonderful people in my life.
25- What is your least favorite fashion trend? Punk hair on girls (yuck!), or old lady skirts on young woman. (Double yuck!).
26- If you had triplet daughters today, what would you name them? Ashley, Jessica, Asia.
27- Tell about a time when you laughed inappropriately. I always laugh inappropiately, it's ridiculous. I get the giggles and then it's hard to stop. Especially on stage singing on the platform. I love singing with Karen. She's my favorite singer. She's goofy, I'm goofy, we joke, and then it's hard to keep a straight face. I wish I could sing with her every Sunday.
28- What makes you happy? Living my life with Charles. He is the love of my life, my best friend, my shopping pal, my volleyball friend, and my camping mate. I love spending my life with him. I'm so lucky. Could life get any better?
29- Ever think you might have ESP? What the heck is that? If it means what I think, .... like God telling you about someone? One time I was in a restaurant and I was about to leave. God told me to confront a couple next to me. He wanted me to tell them that "God sees their sin (adultery). He loves them and wants their hearts back". I can't remember exactly. I thought they were married because I saw rings. God wanted me to say that He sees their adultery?! My gosh, what if they were married to each other? I tried to walk away but God was convicting me so bad I had to turn around and do it. I told them and it turns out they were committing adultery and were married to different people. Turns out that the girl was a backslider. She looked really shaken. I told her God loved her and God is married to the backslider. I think I ruined their date.
30- Name the one super power you would like to have. I would NEVER want to know what people think or to be able to see through things. I think I would love to fly. I used to dream about it all the time.
31- Name the one household chore you wish you never had to do again. Dishes..I wish I had a dishwasher. Still, I hate doing dishes. It's never ending. I should get used to it if I want to keep having kids. I'll train my kids soon though when they are old enough. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....HA!
32- If you could name only one song as the best song of all times, which would it be? "I'll be waiting for you" by Celine Dion. That is mine and Charles' song. He dedicated that to me because he waited for me for a year before we actually dated.
33- How old do you wish you were right now? 18 and skinny
34-Name three things you wouldn't do for money. Anything to compromise my beliefs/morals or that would violate God's 10 commandments. 35. What would you name triplet sons? We've totally run out of names for boys!! I'm telling you...I do not like any other names. Charles and I have gone through baby books 3 times and I hate all of them! Help me!! If I have a boy next (when I get pregnant in the future), I don't have a good name! They are all so common and I don't really want a bible name because everyone does that too.
I guess I'll just have to have 3 more girls because I have 3 girls names.
36. What are your short term goals? Get my house built (taking forever), have more babies (that never takes forever), and keep my nice weight frame. ( I need to lost 10 lbs right now though).
37. What are your long term goals? Stay married, raise my kids in Christ, have more children, be a better woman of Proverbs 31. Oh, and dress more stylish. Yes, that is important. I like to look good for my husband.
38. What do you value most about yourself? My sense of humor.
39. What do you dislike the most about yourself? My forehead and my extra 10 lbs. I think I'd like to go on the Slim Fast diet. My friend lost weight doing that.
40. If you could say anything to any world leader right now, who would it be? Good job, President Bush.
41. Is the glass half full or half empty? Half full... probably cause I drank the other half. (LOLOLOLOLOLOL! Rachel, you're hilarious! I agree about the glass half full. That's how I see life. Everyone is silly about kids these days. They make it harder than it actually is. That goes with most things! When you have the right attitude it changes a lot of things for you. Most importantly, ridding yourself of selfishness. When you stop thinking about yourself and your needs constantly, you are happy to do things for others. That's what the bible is all about!
42. If you could go back to high school, what would you change about your life? I would've joined the basketball team since the coaching was begging me, I would've joined marching band since they asked me, I would've played baseball because it's one of my loves, I would've never dated another man till I met Charles. Then again, I appreciate Charles that much more because I realized how truly unique he is.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

My Fear of Square Dancing

I am second row from the bottom, third person from left

The one thing in school I hated with a passion, was square dancing. Don't get me wrong, I loooove country music. If I ever was in a band, I'd be in that one. (Country Rock though, not Country and Western). Anyhow, in 5th grade, we had to learn. The boy that was supposed to be my partner just got done wiping a big snot off his nose. Without cleaning his hand, he offered his hand to me as his partner. He was assigned so I had no choice. I pleaded sick and ran out of the room. Junior High School I remember having to square dance in gym. I said uh oh. Ain't no one getting me to square dance so I ran out of there too. Same story in high school. So, today, over 10 years later, I was faced with my fear. I walked into my homemakers group (all women), which is in a big room, and noticed there was no chairs. I looked around and saw the cowboy (older) man that had some music. Uh oh. I heard him instruct us to find a partner. I raced to the coffee maker and hid behind it. (It's a big one) They kept saying that someone needed a partner. I looked around pretending to be busy, thinking "no way in heck are they getting me to square dance". Why, oh why, did this have to be Donna Otto's birthday wish? (Homemaker By Choice's leader and founder). It was her birthday and she wanted to make us all square dance. (Hardy har). People kept trying to pull me into the ring but I refused. But when Donna Otta physically dragged me by the hand and put me with a partner, I had to comply. After all, what is a friend to do on her birthday? (Scream and run away). But no, I had to square dance, right in the front. My gosh. So it had caught up with me. My elementary school teachers must've prayed this on me. Teachers can be so pushy. Sigh. So the music started. I had to learn all the dances. Do-si-do (however that is spelled), line dancing, the new line dance (to New York, New York), and a few others. I had some fun after I got them all down, but boy did my legs hurt in my heels. We learned about 5 dances. Afterward, I grabbed Donna by her shoulders, looked her straight in the eye, and said "I only did this for you. I will never do this for anyone else. Happy Birthday!" After all, it was all ladies. I wish I had a picture to show you. Donna Otto is a wonderful lady so we all did it for her. Arrghh!!! Hopefully next years birthday wish won't be for us to do the polka. (I won't give her any ideas).

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Goodbye


Well, I babysat my niece and nephews one last time today before they move to Cape town, South Africa. It's bittersweet because I'm so happy for them to go and be missionaries. But on the other side of it, my heart is broken. I will miss watching the 4 children (ages 9, 7, 4, 2) that I so love very much. Last night I was just thinking how I'd love to babysit them one more time before they leave. Jodee came by today asking last minute if I could watch them all day so they could take care of some paperwork business. I was overjoyed to have the opportunity. When they walked back out the door at the end of the day, I felt my heart break. : ( I'm glad it is breaking for it's reason. They're not moving away just to pursue a better job, or a different church, or just to move to a different state. They have roots where God planted them. Now they are following their destiny. So if my heart were to break at all, to see them leave, this is the best heartbreak I've ever had.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Baby Shower for Lerin


Lerin from my church has one little girl and just had a baby boy. So, we all met at a club house for the baby shower. Congrats Lerin!

Tongue Twister


Have you ever had this tongue twister?

I was discipling my son Ryan. I spanked him and sent him to time out. When he disobeyed again I said a "blooper". I wanted to say "Come here and be quiet". Instead what came out was something of mixing the two sentences. So I said, "Ryan, be queer". Ryan, said "What mom?" I had to look the other way and smile because I didn't want him to see me laughing. I just said "Never mind". That was one weird tongue twister. (Sheesh).

Monday, February 20, 2006

Joke on Pizza Hut Driver


Hee, hee...the other night Charles and I were at Pizza Hut and we decided to play a joke on one of the delivery drivers. This is so gross. I changed Ivy's poopie diaper (which smelled horrible bad that particular time), and then placed in behind the drivers backseat. That way, they won't see it and when they get in the car, they won't know what the smell is. LOL! That was a fun joke of the day, then we took off! Oh, I wish I could see the guy's reaction! I got another good one for someone (probably Roger) but I have to go to the joke store to buy it.

VR

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Valentines Day 2006

My husband surprised me at 6am with flowers and a card. For Valentines I got him a nice watch he's been wanting for some time and a card. I'm so happy to celebrate this day with him. He's my best friend and love.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Aunt Jodee

My sister Jodee dressing up Baby Ivy. Jodee was always doing sweet things for Ivy, buying her clothes, and dolls, and shoes. She loves dressing up a little girl.

Monday, February 06, 2006

Picture Day


Hi,

It seems that Ivy does not like picture day. She'll be happy as a lark...until you walk into a photo studio. I start thinking that all is well, Ivy is happy, this is gonna be a different session this time!!! She's smiling. Then I set her down for her first pose. She gets that look on her face. Uh, oh. Here it comes. She stares at the lens as if it were a one eyed alien. Then her lower lip quivers, Her eyes wide, a flash snatches her picture. Then she breaks down into an emotional mess and cries big crocodile tears. Oh dear. She looks at me as if to say "Mom? Why....?" Finally after a few (hundred it seems) serious and emotional shots, I tell the Lady that I'll walk around and calm her down. She never gets over it. I cuddle and kiss her. Give her the pacifier. A promise of a college tuition. Nothing works. Well, after awhile I head back. I lift my chin and say "This is as good as it gets, just take the darn picture". (I say that to myself of course). I walked in the studio and said "Look, just take the picture... I don't care what happens. Just snap away!" She does. I set her down at an all time record and before Ivy could say "Take-me-to-the-mall-and-let-me-max-out-dad-credit-cards" we get several shots. I'm happy, she's happy, that poor picture lady is happy. And after being at the mall for 6 hours. All my kids are happy. That said in done. Here's a picture of Ivy. Serious. But it's a picture. : ) I kind of like it.

P.S. We did get a smile later (a miracle!) but this one is still cute.

Virginia Revoir