Catching Up

My sister-in-law recently mentioned that I was going blog-crazy. I really don't have any sort of blogging schedule, I just get on here whenever inspiration hits...so please forgive me! On that note - this post is totally uninspired. I just wanted to fill everyone in on a few things.

1. I am not pregnant (you know that was your immediate reaction).

2. I went back to Costco and purchased the oh-so-recommended tortillas. Everyone is right. Fantastic.

3. I've been getting a lot of questions on how I see what has been downloaded from my blog. Unfortunately, it's not actually a blogger feature. I use a free site (HERE) to keep track of my blogs. If you don't have it installed already, you won't be able to see what has been downloaded. BUT, it will help you in the future.

4. Speaking of downloads, the same two pictures were just downloaded in Poland. I really don't get it.

5. I realize that my new background is 4th of July-ish, but I'm really digging it (I can say that since I didn't design it). I think I'm going to keep it for a while. Maybe a long while. We'll see.

I just stole this from my friend's facebook page. (Forgive me Terra!)

This was taken over the weekend at Bridal Veil Falls. Creepy.

Photo by: Randall Sparks

The Interweb

I'm one of those people that throws everything out on the internet...not really thinking about the consequences. A few days ago I read a story online about someone lifting a picture off of a family blog. Have you READ THIS STORY?! Unbelievable. It made me wonder what kind of stuff people could (or would even want to) lift off of my site. I started doing some research on my blog statistics...and here are the pictures that have been downloaded from my blog. I kid you not. I've been downloaded six times in Germany, and eight times in the U.S. Let me know if you see these awful pictures being used against my will. Especially if it's in some sort of "loser of the month" context.

A BIG Help

I'm making THESE (a family favorite) kabobs for Rob's Father's Day meal.  I decided to look for the stew meat at Costco yesterday.  As it turns out, I can pay $10 for 2 lbs of stew meat at "the grocer in my neighborhood" OR I can pay $10 for 5 lbs of stew meat at Costco.  Who knew?  So I froze the second half of the meat for our next kabob dinner, and now I'm feeling rather thrifty and home-maker-like.  Thanks for all of the Costco suggestions.  Rob and I left yesterday with the following items:

Milk

Stew Meat

Pineapple (SUCH a good deal)

Granola Bars 

A pair of jeans for Rob (they're being returned)

Cereal

A fresh pizza for dinner

Cheese

I feel much better.  Thanks, friends.  I think I'll be keeping this membership.  

 I walk around aimlessly, try some samples, get gas, and generally go home empty handed.  Oh, and I pay $50 a year just to do this.  Help me out, friends...what are you actually buying at Costco?  

Huh.

Maddie just handed me three folded hand towels and said, "Mom, I want you to make a tenatownamen out of these."

 

I look at her and say, "Sorry, honey, but I don't know what that means."

She says,"You just have to tylooloolia then it's done."

I stare at her blankly, and she says, "Go ahead.  Make the benashondas."

She slows down (obviously so I can understand) and says, "Maybe we should do this outside today.  In the stickdiny."  

Apparently this kid was wiped.  

 

Ella

I love this girl.  I cannot even begin to tell you how much.  With all of the excitement (good and bad) that Maddie and Jude bring into our little home, it has been such a blessing to have such a peaceful little angel.  I have never seen such a sweet and content baby.  

In those moments when I want to explode, all I have to do is look in Ella's direction, catch one of her smiles, and an immediate calm washes over me.  I am better mother because of her, and for that I am unbelievably grateful.  What an amazing seven months this has been.   

Thirteen Years Ago

I'm sure that not many of you knew me when I looked like this, but it probably makes my high-school stories seem a bit more believable.  And, yes, I was wearing two chokers.  

Tip for New Moms

If your first child is a girl, don't get too set on the word "panties."  It's better to potty train all of your kids using the non-gender-specific term "undies."  Doing this will help to keep your son  from talking about his new Cars Panties in Kohls.  Then you won't be laughed at by strangers in the fitting room.  

Parent blunders aside, we're so proud of our potty trained little boy.  

Here he is on his "potty-chart-completion" surprise.  

First Day of Preschool:

Last Day of Preschool:

I decided not to break her arm for this one.

Phone Etiquette

I have phone issues, people.  Serious  phone issues. I cannot tell you how often I answer my phone and hear, "Oh, you actually answered," instead of "Hi, Melissa!"

 I remember when I got my first cell phone, I was completely obsessed with answering EVERY single call that came my way.  But the times they are-a-changing.  

Last week while at my pediatrician's office my cell phone rang three times (Thanks Mom!).  I knew who it was, but I was not in the position to get it.  My pediatrician kept saying, "You can go ahead and answer that,"  but I didn't want to at the time.  I knew who it was, and I knew I could call them back at a better time.  When I told him that he said, "I think that the younger generation is better with boundaries than the older generation.  We all had cell phones so people could get in touch with us at any given time.  We feel obligated to answer, and can't handle ignoring a call.  But you guys (um, I was pretty flattered to be part of the "younger generation") just get it whenever you want to.  That's impressive." 

Here are my cell phone true colors:

1.  I screen EVERY call.  If I'm not at a good place, or if I don't have the time to talk - I won't answer.  My kids play a big part in this, because as soon as I get on the phone, they want to talk to whoever is on the other line.  A few weeks ago I was being chased around the house by Maddie who was whining, "...but I want to talk to Delta TOO!"  

2.  If you don't leave a message, I probably won't call you back.  I am a firm believer in the answering machine.  Sure my cell phone has caller ID, but to me - that's not a good enough reason to call someone back.  I think this stems from the early 90's when my parents first got caller ID.  I'd get home from school, scan through the missed calls, and call back any friends that had called me.  On several occasions the callback made for some VERY uncomfortable conversations. Example:

Me:  Hi friend, I just got home from school and saw that you called.  What's up?

Friend:  Oh, hi - I was just calling to see if you could come over and play.

Me: OH!  Let me ask my mom.

Friend:  Well, actually since you weren't home, I called _________ and she's on her way over now.

Awkward.

3.  I don't carry my cell phone on me.  Ever.  If I am out running errands, it is in my purse.  But I never keep a phone in my pocket.  My phone does not beep when I miss a call.  So if you call, and I don't hear it, I will see that you called the next time I feel the need to look at my phone.  

4.  If by chance I DO have my cell phone close, and I don't recognize the number - I will NEVER answer.  I've answered too many on-the-spot calls, and they drive me nuts.  The Red Cross calls me every eight weeks to "remind me" that two weeks prior I was qualified to give blood again.  

5.  I DON'T have a text plan.  (I know, what's that about?)  So I rarely respond to texts.  It even charges me twenty cents to read every text that I open.  Lame.  

Perhaps I am behind the times, or even phone-lazy, but I don't think that having a cell phone makes me available at all times.  So I hope that laying it all out there will help anyone who has been offended by my terrible (as some would say) phone etiquette.