Saturday, December 13, 2008

The Christ in Christmas

I was in Wal-Mart today for the third time this week, doing a mad dash up and down the aisles, counting on my fingers how many gifts the kids will have under the tree and starting to stress about making sure they have enough presents.

Then I stopped dead in my tracks. I've got it all wrong, and I know better.

What have we done to Christmas? This is the time of year where we are to celebrate Christ's birth, coming into this world to save us, and we have turned it into a complete circus.

Jamin and I have been watching several Christmas movies and specials, a tradition around here each year (by the way DONT watch Jingle All The Way...stupid stupid stupid movie with a HORRIBLE meaning to it). We watched the 1930's version of "A Christmas Carol" and it was so wonderful. The kids were excited about spending time with family, about the food and the little things, and going to Church on Christmas morning. Old movies like that are wonderful, I just love them.

Of course all these Christmas specials (except for Charlie Brown Christmas - which I have to give them credit for even saying the word "Jesus" on television since it is so taboo now a days), all these Christmas specials emphasize time with family and being together and yes they leave you with a nice warm and fuzzy feeling, but how many of them actually mention what Christmas is truly about?

We are living in dangerous times. Where we are afraid to call a Christmas tree a Christmas Tree...now it is a "Holiday Tree". You can't wish someone a "Merry Christmas" because it may offend them, you have to say "Seasons Greetings" or "Happy Holidays". It makes me sick sick sick. We can install foot washing baths in NYC for the Muslims, but we are not allowed freedom of our religion because Christ may offend someone.

Ok, I'm done ranting.

What I'm saying is maybe this year instead of worrying about our kids (who have everything all ready) let's teach our kids about giving and having the character of Christ. Christ gave us his life, he gave us everything so that we may live.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Triple Nipple Sandwich

I'm sorry about the title. You can blame my imaginative son for that one.

My son wanted to pack a lunch for school today, so last night he began to make his lunch all by himself. I let him be in the kitchen while Jamin and I caught up on The Office from last week.

He called out a few moments later "look at my sandwich. I call it the triple nipple sandwich!" Jamin and I giggled a bit and glanced over there. I decided to go see what he had made. I'm glad I did this. His sandwich consisted of two slices of raw bacon, dry bread, a leaf of lettuce and some strawberries, sliced perfectly.

He was so proud of his "triple nipple sandwich" I just hated to burst his bubble and throw it away, but I couldn't let him eat raw bacon, seriously. I explained to him how it would have been a wonderful sandwich had he cooked the bacon, he seemed to understand this. I then got him out some roast beef and cheese, mayo and the fix-in's and watched him make a more appropriate sandwich.

I'm just thankful I went over and examined his sandwich! Could you imagine what his teacher would have thought seeing raw bacon on bread. She would have called CPS for sure.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Dognapped!

Ok, so I only thought that dogs got stolen in Disney movies and in episodes of Seinfield, but I was wrong.

We have a Shitsu (Nikki) who is about 16 years old. She doesn't do much but sleep, eat and occasionally go pee outside (if she hasn't all ready peed on my living room floor). This morning I let her out to pee, five minutes later I check on her and she is still sniffing around. I check on her because she somehow ALWAYS manages to find her way out of our yard. She is a dog version of Houdini.

I go tend to the kids, and a few moments later look out and she is gone. I walk up and down the street, because she is so old she could not have gone anywhere that quickly. She is not on our block. The neighbors behind us have no fence, so she could have got into their subdivision which is different than ours and you can only get there by driving. So, I pack up the kids who are still in their pajamas, and barefoot. I also have one of the neighbor kids with me. We all head out to drive around in search for Nikki. She has a number on her tag so I notify Jamin that if someone calls to call me and let me know.

I search all around and can't find her anywhere. My phone rings Jamin informs me that someone found her and took her to the vet because "she had an infection with her eye and they were afraid that she was not well taken care of and she needed medical attention."

At this point I was livid. Why on earth would someone take the liberty of taking her to the vet without calling the number on the tag first? Especially if it was not a life threatening issue.

I head to the vet, steaming. I find this guy walking around the parking lot of the "pet resort" (not kidding) they took her to on his cell phone, but Nikki is no where in sight. I get out of the car, and ask where my dog is. He then informs me that he is calling his fiance to find out where the dog is. Hello? I thought she was at the vet? He then hands me her collar. This is getting stranger and stranger. By then, I'm really peeved. Anyone that knows me, knows I have a hot temper. At this point I SHOULD have kept my mouth shut, but I just absolutely cannot. I say to him "I'm curious as to why you would bring her to the vet rather than just call the number that was on her tag." and he could see I was visibly angry with him. He then said "lady, I'm just trying to do the right thing and help. I don't appreciate you getting hostile with me." We exchanged a few more words, then he got back on his phone. Still, no Nikki. I turn around to tell the kids in the car to be quiet and when I look again, the guy is gone. I then see him peeling out of the parking lot five seconds later.

I go inside the vet, thinking she is inside. She isn't there. I call Jamin and he answers and I told him the guy left. Jamin said yes, the guy just called him. He had called Jamin and lit into him. He then proceeded to call me a B*&%^ to my husband. That was NOT the right thing to do. Jamin lit into him. The guy then physically threatened Jamin over the phone. Jamin then explained to him calmly that he was calling the police due to the physical threat and the fact that they had taken our dog.

During this time I called the Pet Palace (ok, pet RESORT). What actually happened. The lady brought in Nikki NOT with the intention of getting her medical attention, but to get her groomed. She had planned on KEEPING MY DOG! They told her they couldn't groom her not knowing her shot record, and she would have to go to the vet. They transferred me to the vet, the vet said they told the lady Nikki's age and that was it, she then left with the dog. I told the vet she had a tag and they were flabbergasted they said "She had a tag?" they couldn't believe that the lady brought her in if she had a tag on. They were as confused as I was.

In the meantime Jamin calls me back and said the lady (not her husband) would meet me at the parking lot of a local grocery store to give me the dog back. Jamin wasn't about to let that guy near me. So I head up there and get my dog back.

This lady had every intention of keeping my dog, until we threatened to call the police, because she assumed she was not taken care of because she hadn't had a haircut in some time and assumed that we were poor owners.

This HAS to be one of the strangest things that has ever happened to me!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Guess Who?

A few weeks ago when I was garage sell looking at (see previous blog entry for full details), I ran across the kids game "Guess Who" for $2. It had never even been played.

Now, if you ask Lanie about this game she will most likely roll her eyes. I made her play it. ALOT. The thing is, as a kid I LOVED games but nobody ever really liked to play games with me, looking back I know why because I was a sore looser and a cheat. I'm still a sore looser, but I've gotten better, but thankfully I no longer feel the need to cheat.

Anyhow, once again I'm getting away from the point of this blog.

Watching my kids play this game was a painful yet amusing experience. This was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. For the first few rounds we played it with them, to let them get the hang of it and they did fine. Finally we stepped back and let them have a go at it. Here is how it went down:

Brett: Does your guy not have maybe a hat?

Myah: Yes

Her character did have a hat by the way. She had no clue what Brett was asking, and it was hard for us to decipher what he had said

Myah: Does yours have a hat?

Wow original question there Myah

Brett: No. Does your's have ear hair?

Myah: No.

Her's had hair OVER the ears, not coming OUT of them, which I think is what he meant, so I piped in because at this point I was about to scream

Myah: Does yours have a beard?

Brett: No. Is yours funny looking?

At this point Jamin and I have tears rolling down our cheeks

Anyhow, you get the idea. The game goes on and on like this and nobody wins obviously. It was so much fun to watch them. Jamin and I then played the "politically incorrect" version of Guess Who.

Julie: Is your character currently wearing adult diapers?

Jamin: Uh, no. Was your character in a seventies adult film?

Julie: No. Does your character possibly own a 7 Eleven?

Jamin: Yes, possibly. Is your character from the inner city?

Julie: No. Is your character listed online in a database for offenders?

Jamin: Hmmm...possibly. Does your character have "secrets" hidden in the backyard?

Julie: Oh yeah, absolutely.


Yes, we are TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, PEOPLE...but funny.


Tuesday, May 6, 2008

My Latest Obsession

As my friends have been noticing from my status updates I've recently been doing some shopping at garage sales and Craig's List.

Ok, let's be honest here. It's becoming an obsession.

Let's go back about a month. Jamin drags me into the thrift store to go clothes shopping for summer clothes for the kids. I'm a bit leery of the whole thrift store thing, but I am aware sometimes you can find a gem or two there. This time was a whole different story. We find TONS of practically new clothes for the kids, for just a few dollars each. Not only that, they have this color coded tag system that you get half off items with certain color tags. We got shorts, shirts and ton's of stuff for like .50 each, and they are some REALLY cute stuff.

We head to Goodwill next, and find brand new snow pants for $2 each, with the Target tags still on them! I mean this is AWESOME.

So, for the last month I've been itching to go back and see what else we could find, but we just didn't have the money budgeted for me to go and spend it on miscellaneous stuff.

Fast forward to last week, it is Evie's birthday. I go to Target and Wal-Mart and I buy her several items. One happened to be a see n say($10) another this little push car like her cousin Ethan had ($17). I had about $15 left to spend on her so I went to the thrift store. I found the EXACT same two items there in perfect condition. I got them for $2.99 each. I was amazed. I also found this cute fisher price vacuum cleaner for $1.99. I couldn't believe it! Now I was hooked.

While I was in there I spotted a Love seat, clean, ugly fabric but we can fix that with a slip cover, but in great condition. It was $79.99, more than I wanted to pay at the moment. Friday I went back to look again (for Myah's birthday). This time the lady recognized me and the kids from two days ago. This time I picked up a purse, brand new necklace and earrings, cleats for Brett's t-ball for $10 total. I told her I liked the couch, today it was 50% off because it had one of the color coded tags. I wondered if I should snag it for $40, but I still wasn't convinced. She told me "come back on Sunday, it will be one dollar". I couldn't believe it. This color coded system switches every week, then on Sunday everything that is a certain color goes to $1. She told me she would try and hold it for me and mark it as sold, and to come back Sunday and get there early because there will be a line. This was Friday.

We go garage sale looking at on Saturday, find a brand new sleeper sofa for $100. The mattress still has plastic on it. It is a horrible floral print, but I'm going to get a slip cover. The guy was asking $350 for it, Jamin offered them $100 and they took the offer! I was amazed.

Sunday rolls around and we get up at 6am and go out and start hunting garage sales again. I still have money for my birthday that is burning a hole in my pocket and I'm dying to find another deal. Anyhow, no garage sales that day, but we head to the thrift store. Jamin was so irritated with me because I wanted to get there early and stand outside. He swore nobody would be there early, that no idiot would stand in line at a thrift store.

He was wrong. Everyone had my same idea and had something picked they wanted. There was a line at the door when we got there at 9:45 (they opened at 10). We were about 8th or so in line. Five minutes later, the line extends to about 30 people. Jamin was laughing. He just couldn't believe this. The doors open and people start running, yes RUNNING at a thrift store. It was like Disneyland was opening or something. I didn't run, but I did do a pretty brisk walk to the back. When I got there, the couch was there, but someone told me a lady at the front was buying it? What she didn't come back and touch it so no fair! Well, come to find out it was the guys wife TRYING to buy it (sneaky people). Anyhow, it was sold the day before for the half price.

Now I'm looking online trying to find another sofa. I went back to the thrift stores today to see if anything new had popped up, but alas, nothing. I found one on Craigs List last night for $15, but the lady left it out in the rain, and it got ruined, so I'm on the hunt again.

Obviously I'm crazy and obsessed now. I know I'm driving my husband nuts.

Maybe I need an intervention or some kind of support group.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Yes, I'm THAT mom.

I'm quickly becoming known as the totally disheveled mom at my kids school.

Here is one reason why.

Sunday night 11:00pm, I realize it is my week to send snacks for Bretts class. It's 11:00 though and I'm in my P.J.'s and not about to get out of the house.

Fast forward to the next morning. Everyone is trying to get their breakfast, and in line at the toaster. Kids need things signed, need backpacks...have to let the dog out, baby is crying and sitting in high chair without food in front of her. Total chaos, you get it.

I realize oh crap, I have snack. I glance in the pantry and realize I have a box of unopened graham crackers in my pantry that I can send to get them through Monday, then I can go out that afternoon and purchase snacks for the remainder of the week. I look on the fridge and see the note that requests that a box of baby wipes also be sent with the snack for the week.

Since I don't have a box to spare (you think we would, but we only have one tub, then the refills), I realize I have a sample pack I can send. You know how when you are pregnant they send you Huggies, Pampers, etc...samples of EVERYTHING. So feeling like such a genius I throw the sample pack into the bag with the graham crackers, and quickly scribble a note (using a dry erase marker - the only thing I could find) explaining that I forgot snack, I'm sending what I can and will send more the next day. I throw all this in a plastic grocery sack and stick it in Brett's backpack, give the kids kisses and hugs and send them on their way to the bus stop. Whew.

Fast forward again now to picking Brett up from school. His teacher puts him in the car and looks at me and says "don't stress so much over snack. Oh, and we sent the diaper back." and she gives me a weird look.

I still don't get it. I ramble on for a minute at how I needed wipes, and she looks more confused, but people are behind us so I pull away.

Diaper? What did she mean by diaper?

Oh my God.

That wasn't a sample pack of wipes. It was a sample of a Huggies diaper. I didn't bother to read the label. I hear my son from the back seat about the time of my realization "MOM! Why did you send a diaper to school with me? The teacher gave me a funny look and the class laughed at me". I explained to him my intention and he saw my embarrassment and he realized my faux pa.

Both of us laughed uncontrollably for about ten minutes. I can just imagine the teacher opening a diaper in the middle of class.

Yes, I'm THAT mom.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

God is Funny

I don’t think funny is the right word...maybe ironic?

I kind of publicly blasted him the other day. Yes, I was angry at my father God and felt he was not providing for me the way that he should, however I had come to accept that though he may not be providing for me in the best way possible, that as long as he was there to hold me through all my fears I would be ok.

Not even twenty four hours later I received a phone call from a former supervisor at my old job asking me to come back to work for them part time.

Now isn’t that a predicament? Here we are not struggling for money, but tight, and this opportunity arises. It really made me think. Ok God, is this you providing for me, or is this some sort of test?

Last summer after giving birth to Evie, I realized I wanted to stay at home with my kids and invest in their lives. I also came to a realization that things will come and go, but the legacy that I have is in my family and my kids. God was very clear to me in what he taught me. Was I scared to death to go to one income? Yes. Did God always make a way? Yes he did.

I realized what God was saying. He was saying that if money is what is truly important, then sure, go back to work. Then we can get a new roof, get ten root canals if necessary and have enough money left over to furnish our house from Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel. We can go out every other night to Red Lobster and Olive Garden if we like.

Or...

We could struggle for a while, but look back and see all the wonderful home cooked meals we had at home around our kitchen table. I can be taking a nice evening walk with my kids and see a dresser on the side of the road, in perfect condition. I can take it home, sand it, paint it and make it new all for little or no money and have something artistic that I’m proud of in my home, that has a nice story behind it.

I honestly feel that if I would go back to work I’d be in disobedience to what God wanted me to do last summer. My husband (the wise loving man that he is) immediately saw this. He reminded me of not just the reasons for me to quit sitting here at home, but all the reasons at that job why I wanted to quit. What an awesome great man he is.

Thanks Lord for the swift kick in the pants, I needed it to get motivated once again. You always know how to do that to me and I thank you for it.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

A long look back and a glance forward

2007 for me was an amazing year. I'm sad to see it go, sad to see my kids grow so fast, but I look forward in anticipation of what 2008 will hold.

2007 brought with it some big realizations for me. I realized that what I thought my goals and plans were was not what God wanted for me, and when I finally put my selfishness aside, he had a world of happiness awaiting for me.

Of course the biggest highlight for me of this past year was the arrival of Evie. She is everything that we could have hoped for and more. She has filled a void in our family we never would have known about until her arrival. Ginger put it best when we were talking about Ethan and Evie and said that if we would have never gotten pregnant and had her, we would have never missed her. I think that is a really profound statement. However my heart longed for her, and now she is here she has brought so much joy in this family.

I'm so happy to be at home with my children. I'm so happy to be going to school. It feels like such a big accomplishment, and I'm so proud of myself for finally doing it.

2007 was filled with wonderful times with family. I loved having so many of our friends/family from Phoenix come and visit and stay in our home with us. Even though we have a tiny little home it is bursting at the seems with love and lots of fun.

I think I've loosened up (a bit) this year. I still have a lot of work to do on myself about not sweating the small stuff, but God is working on me.

I must say the saddest part of the year was loosing Grandma Miser and Ted. We look forward to seeing them again when we all meet in heaven. Life is short and you don't know when your last day on earth will be, so it made me hug my kids a little tighter and tell my family every day just how much I love them.

In 2008 I hope to....

Loose 10 pounds.
Exercise more.
Find a home church.
Meet some new friends.
Keep a 4.0 GPA in school.
Buy a minivan.
Pay off debt.
Read my bible more.
Quit Smoking!!!! (I'm crossing my fingers that Chantix will work)
Continue telling my family every day just how wonderful they are.
Stress less.
Laugh more.
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