Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Perspective

Day 83
As I crawled into bed tonight I seriously wanted to just pull the covers over my head and cry. It has been an icky, stressful, self-deprecating, no good kind of day. I won't bore you with the details of why. Usually when I feel like I do tonight I just own my feelings and soak my pillow with tears. But tonight I forced myself to give it up. Here's how I did it.

  1. I said a prayer
  2. I sat quietly and took 30 deep breaths. 10 seconds in through the nose, and 10 seconds out the mouth- each breath.

  3. I listened to my favorite song which unfailingly makes me smile.

  4. I mapped out a mental chart for tomorrow. What bothered me about today? What can I do to make it better tomorrow?

  5. I consciously reviewed, in detail, much harder days I've managed to get through.

  6. I compared my "problems" with real problems and realized that my next step would not involve tears, or anger, or cortisol-inducing stress. It would be a very whole-hearted exercise in...
  7. Gratitude.


Janet

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Muscle vs. Fat

If you're like me, you've probably carried around the idea that muscle weighs more than fat. But it's just simply not true. I learned this today- http://www.onemorebite-weightloss.com/muscle-to-fat.html. I feel like such an idiot for not thinking of it like that before.

Janet

Monday, March 29, 2010

Celebrity Crush

Day 81

When I was 10 I had a framed (yes framed) picture of Tom Cruise. I loved that man (this was way before we knew what a weirdo he is). I used to dream that I'd be his wife someday-little did I know that some other 10 year old was actually going to become his wife. Anyway-that crush was soon trumped by Leonardo DiCaprio via "Romeo + Juliet" and "Titanic." But step aside Tom and Leo...you've been replaced by an Irishman. I didn't know until today that my little crush had reached "poster-status." My brother-in-law Steve brought this to me as a joke. Eat your heart out ladies.


Now Trenton is a secure man, but even he might feel a little insecure if I hung this in our bedroom. Instead, Shannon suggested I hang it on the inside of one my food storage cabinets in the garage. It would be a great motivation to cook with the food in our pantry and to restock frequently. Love you guys- you're hilarious. By the way-if you're wondering who that is just google Jonathan Rhyes Myers.

Here is another yummy recipe!

Janet's BBQ Chicken Pizza

3 tbsp of your favorite BBQ sauce
1 tbsp of honey
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp of vinegar
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 white or red onion
shredded cheddar cheese
1 tube refrigerator pizza dough

Combine all ingredients for BBQ sauce and cube raw chicken into the sauce. Simmer the chicken in the sauce until chicken is fully cooked. Brush the sauce on dough and sprinkle with cheese. Add chicken, thinly sliced onion, and sprinkle with more cheese. Bake at 400 for exactly 13 minutes. Enjoy!


Janet

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Brainless

Day 80
Today I learned, with all my forgetfulness, that if I continue to insist on burning the candle at both ends -I need to at least invest in a daily planner.


Janet

The Fam

Day 79 (Saturday- March 27)

The reason I didn't get to post yesterday is because I was having an AWESOME time with my family. I drove the kids up to Denver (through a blizzard) on Friday and met up with Trenton at work. We stayed with Tate and Patti and got to visit with Mike, Diana, Brit, and John over dinner at Hacienda Colorado (they have the most delicious Mexican food), lingered with Tate and Patti for Saturday breakfast, and then met up with all my siblings and their kids at Casa Bonita (they do NOT have the most delicious Mexican food). Emma was in HEAVEN. I absolutely love that place. I have gone there at least once a year since I was 3 and every time I enter the place I am greeted with the familiar scent of cafeteria quality Tex-Mex and chlorine. I'm not being sarcastic when I say the smell is divine. On a whim we decided to get a hotel room where the rest of my family was staying and take the kids swimming, eat yummy snacks, and once we got the kids all settled- the adults stayed up until 3 playing games. I talked to my dad earlier in the evening and he mentioned how warm and tingly it made him feel knowing that almost all (we missed you Bill, Lori, and kids) were together willingly.
Out of all the people in the world that we could have spent our evening with-we chose each other and it was so much fun. I learned that one of my greatest desires is to raise children that love each other, and especially like each other. How satisfying must it be to know that your children are friends with each other?

Janet

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Fun

Day 78 (Friday)

I learned how having fun has made me too busy to write a post. I'll get back to it tonight:)

Janet

Thursday, March 25, 2010

The Blind Side

Day 77

Until today I hadn't seen "The Blind Side." Saying it was a wonderful movie is an understatement. Bravo Sandra!

Janet

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

101 Things Before I Die

Day 76
There are all kinds of books, blogs, and articles about things that should be done before we die. I'm not quite sure why 101 seems to be the magic number, but I'm going to try. Until today I had always wanted to, but had never composed the list. So here is the beginning of my bucket list-it is certainly not complete and it is written in no particular order.

  1. Complete a legal living will.

  2. Go back to England and walk the same trails I walked the first time.

  3. Go back to England and visit the places I didn't get to the first time.

  4. Vacation in the Mediterranean.

  5. Become a published author.

  6. Sing on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera. I don't even care if there's an audience.

  7. Plant and maintain a thriving garden.

  8. Become fluent in other languages.

  9. Teach Emma and Ben where they came from, who they are, and where they're going.

  10. Help my parents sift through all the boxes in their home.

  11. Earn a Masters Degree

  12. Earn a Doctorate

  13. Help get more doctors, teachers, parents, and media involved in the fight against eating disorders.

  14. Visit my Grandma while she's still with us.

  15. Be sure that Trenton knows all my passwords and where I keep important documents and files in case I'm suddenly not around to explain it all to him.

  16. Be sure he knows how to do Emma's hair in case I can't.

  17. Show Trenton how much I love him every...single...day.

  18. Take dance classes again.

  19. Go back to performing with the Colorado Springs Chorale.

  20. Teach Emma and Ben how to read music and play the piano.

  21. Teach Emma and Ben how to cook.

  22. Birth another baby.

  23. Adopt a child.

  24. Get all of my siblings (just siblings) together for a weekend-maybe at a cabin in the mountains.

  25. Live in the south for a while.

  26. Live in England for a while.

  27. Live in Italy for a while.

  28. Never go to France again.

  29. Figure out some way to provide clean water and safe food for all mankind.

  30. Ride a motorcycle.

  31. Go water skiing.

  32. Learn more about my family history-so that it's not awkward when I run into them in the next life:)

  33. Put together the ultimate, self-defining playlist for each of my kids so they can listen to it whenever they miss me.

  34. Go to Hawaii

  35. Bake the perfect Red Cake.

  36. Work in a florist shop.

  37. Take a cake decorating class.
  38. Ride in a hot air balloon.

  39. Swim with dolphins.

  40. Find my old best friend Shana Mcready. Where are you?!?

  41. Personally thank all the doctors and nutritionists that saved my life.

  42. Find the perfect bathing suit.

  43. Get an A in college Algebra. (Just kidding. I couldn't care less about that).

  44. Learn how to cut hair.

  45. Own a gourmet confection and soap shop. I would want it to be just that...a simple, elegant, earthy shop- downtown somewhere.

  46. Write a letter to my old boyfriends explaining what went wrong...and instead of sending them, I'll just read them to my children.

  47. Write a book about my experiences with Anorexia and Emetephobia.

  48. Be on the Oprah show.

  49. Overcome my fear of automatic flush toilets, public bathrooms, pool drains, and vomit.

  50. Be able to quote scripture for every circumstance.

  51. Buy, renovate, and decorate a Victorian mansion.

  52. Find a cure for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

  53. Compose some songs and hear them on the radio (I can dream can't I?)

  54. Watch my children graduate from high school and college.

  55. Receive postcards from my kids from places all over the world.

  56. Help Emma get through the joy and pain of her first "crush."

  57. See my sister Cathy happily married again.

  58. See my children happily married.

  59. Have Grand babies

  60. Have Great Grand babies!

  61. Visit all the historical castles across Europe-and understand their history.

  62. Write down the bedtime stories I tell Emma and Ben.

  63. Sing in a huge, gospel choir with my arms raised high.

  64. Teach my kids to be the Earth's advocates.

  65. Go on an African Safari.

  66. Speak for a cause.

  67. Grow my hair really long...at least once.

  68. Help Trenton start and run a business.

  69. Find a cure for snoring.

  70. Help as many people as I can find peace and happiness.

  71. Write a cookbook.

  72. Have enough money saved up that Trenton and I can live comfortably in our golden years and leave some cushion behind.

  73. Send my parents on a cruise.

  74. Spend some time with all of my out of state relatives.

  75. Get a rockin' camera and take a photography class.

  76. Be able to touch my toes without bending my knees. (I'm beginning to think it's impossible for me. I have freakishly long legs and very average length arms.)

  77. Find the athlete inside of me.

  78. Hike the fourteeners.

  79. Spend the 4th of July in the center of Philadelphia at least once.

  80. Spend New Year's Eve in Times Square.

  81. Enjoy a Frozen Hot Chocolate at the original "Serendipity."

  82. Kiss Trenton by the Fountain de Republica in Rome again. (That's where we shared our first kiss.)

  83. Be a guest at the White House.

  84. Be a blond.

  85. Save a life.

  86. Have the fish-n-chips dinner from Gravely's in downtown Harrogate, England.

  87. Speak at General Conference.

  88. Serve a mission with Trenton.

  89. Raise healthy, loved and loving, secure, emotionally-stable, human beings.

  90. Watch a baby being born...other than my own.

  91. Vacation in the Virgin Islands.

  92. See the war being declared "OVER."

  93. Take as many picnics in the park as weather permits.

  94. Live by the sea-even if it's only for a little while.

  95. Learn how to operate all my husbands guns.

  96. Overcome my stomach problems.

  97. Live in a neighborhood that hosts block parties and easter egg hunts.

  98. Have a kitchen with tons of windows to showcase my life-long collection of Cobalt blue glass.

  99. Be in a Broadway musical.

  100. Visit the wonders of the world.

  101. Help with the serious epidemic of animal overpopulation.
  102. Remain clean, honest, faithful, charitable, compassionate, smart, proactive, grateful, and joyful.

102. Leave the world better than I found it.

Go on...create one for yourself!

Janet

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Thankful

Day 75
I spent a good part of the day searching homes for sale and dreaming about a garden tub, walk-in closet, and more cabinet space. But when my family and I came in from the storm tonight, I all but kissed my home. Today I was reminded of how truly thankful I am to have such a warm, comforting place to call mine. My family has clean water, and safe food, and warmth in many forms. What did we do to be so blessed?


Janet

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Little Man!

Day 73

Since about 16 weeks into my pregnancy with Ben I knew that I was having a boy. But today it occurred to me that I have a little MAN!

Janet

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Jalapeno Poppers

Day 72

I learned somewhere some time ago that bacon is America's favorite food. I think even vegetarians might consider bending their rules when bacon is involved. There was also a study where women rubbed bacon on all their pressure points before heading out for a night on the town. They were approached by men significantly more than those not slathered in grease. Anyway-my point is that you just can't go wrong with bacon (cardiologists might disagree), especially when it is cradling melted cheese and jalapenos. Thanks to Carol Foote and her sister-in-law, Selia Crawford, you are about to enjoy one of the yummiest appetizers you've ever had. *They really aren't too spicy. The cheese and cooking process mellows the heat in the peppers.

Jalapeno Poppers
8 jalapeno peppers
1/4 cup shredded Colby-Monterrey jack cheese
8 oz cream cheese
8 slices bacon, cut
black pepper
toothpicks

*Be sure to wear gloves when working with the peppers

Cut off stems and cut in half lengthwise, seed, rinse, dry, and set aside.
Mix cheeses until well blended.
Stuff the pepper halves with cheese mixture and wrap with bacon. Secure with toothpick and sprinkle with black pepper. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 375. Be sure the bacon is nice and crispy before serving.

Enjoy!

Thanks so much for sharing Carol.

Janet

Reading Back

Day 71 (Friday- March 20, 2010)

Today I learned that Emma has been seriously paying attention when we read to her. As I was reading to her this afternoon, she put her index finger over my lips to "shush" me and began "reading" the book to me! I wondered if there were any other books she had memorized so I grabbed a couple of our other regulars and she had. I'm so excited!

Janet

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Peanut Butter Cup Cake

Day 70
I had to make a cake for the Relief Society tonight, and I knew that my day would be insanely busy. I stayed up until midnight to get it done last night. This morning I walked downstairs to find that my dog had eaten half of it right off the counter. So, as with many other recipes that we know and love, I came up with an accidental one today with ingredients I had in the pantry. It's a Reese's peanut butter, cold-oven pound and butter chocolate cake with decadent cream-cheese and peanut butter icing. What's more...I sprinkle (practically bathe) the entire confection in chopped Reese's peanut butter cups. May I urge you to indulge a little? One bite will send you straight to your happy place, wherever that may be. I sincerely hope you enjoy!

Janet's "Happy Place" Peanut Butter Cup Cake

Pound Cake
3 cups sugar
3 cups flour
1 cup milk
6 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup softened butter

Mix all ingredients except for the eggs. Add one egg at a time and blend just until it's mixed-don't over mix. Pour batter into a bundt pan and place into a cold over-then set the temperature for 350 and bake for 1 hr. and 15 min.

Also bake your favorite boxed chocolate cake mix as directed in two 9 inch round pans.

Peanut Butter Frosting
2 cans of store-bought cream cheese frosting
1 cup of creamy peanut butter
add milk to get the consistency you desire

Preparation
Once you've cooled the bundt cake, cut it in half. Take one of the round chocolate cakes and stuff the center of the bundt with it. You will have to break the chocolate cake up to do this. Place the other round of chocolate cake on top of the bottom half of the bundt cake. Frost the center of the cake. Place the top of the bundt cake and frost the entire cake generously. Sprinkle entire cake, top and sides, with chopped peanut butter cups. I put mine in the freezer for 4 hours at this point so everything would set up. Just pull it out about an hour before serving. You could just as easily do this cake using bread pans-in fact it might actually be easier. Enjoy!
Janet

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Ummmm...

Day 69

I was awakened early this morning by this story on the news. I was out of it and thought I was imagining things until I looked it up. It is, in fact, true. http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/600-pound-woman-eating-her-way-to-dubious-distinction/19399734. Poor woman. How bad must her life be to be looking into a slow suicide?

Janet

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Love

Day 68
Okay, so two months ago I started working out more than I have my entire life. I have been genuinely exercising and doing my best to eat right, taking my vitamins, and drinking plenty of water. I stepped on the scale the other night and realized that I had gained 7 pounds. I stepped on the scale last night and the number jumped up another 3 pounds for a total of 10 pounds. How is this possible? How is it that I have been working so hard, feeling better than I ever have, and my clothes even fit better, but I've gained 10 pounds? Needless to say I had an all-out meltdown last night. Trenton was completely dumbfounded. He couldn't understand how I could let a number determine my emotional well-being. Still, he handled it like a man should. Of all the things he could have said (like, "maybe it's all the late-night root beer floats, or Reese's you don't think I know about.") He just held me as I cried and insisted it was muscle gain (10 pounds of muscle gain is highly unlikely but I thank him for trying) and listened as I spouted all kinds of shallow insecurities. I eventually fell asleep and when I woke up this morning I was greeted with this:

"I know you're having some trouble dealing with the fluctuations of your body. I just want you to know that I have never been so attracted to you as I am now. I love you more and more with every breath I take.

I love you,
Trenton"

Here's the thing-Trenton and I have had our fair share of arguments throughout our 5 years of marriage. My temper gets so hot sometimes that I feel totally out of control, and Trenton is the worst offender. But today I learned that Trenton has been learning. 5 years ago, his reaction to my little problem might have gone a little more like this:
"If you're so upset about it then quit eating crap and go to the gym." But I thought about it today and our arguments have lessened significantly in the last couple years. Today it occurred to me that Trenton has been paying attention. I learned today that men can and do learn from their mistakes! I do believe he meant what he said though... that he's not just trying to appease me. Tonight when I stood up to walk upstairs I saw Trenton's reflection in our TV. He turned his head and followed my every step. My husband was checking me out! Trenton always makes it a point to be sure I know he's attracted to me, but there is something so fabulous about catching someone checking you out when they don't know you're aware of it. It's the ultimate compliment because they weren't trying to flatter you. Be still my beating heart!


Janet

Monday, March 15, 2010

Drugs

Day 67

Today I learned about the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children. I'm not sure how yet, but I am going to do something about what is happening in my state, and in 16 others across the nation. Please-even if you have absolutely no interest, check out this website. http://www.nationaldec.org/. We have got to do more to rescue, defend, shelter, and support our world's babies.

Janet

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Traditional Irish Soda Bread

Day 66

I had the opportunity to visit Ireland a few years ago, and it was everything and more than I expected. (Although I am still a little bummed I didn't run into Jonathan Ryes Myers). I was in heaven there- surrounded by other fair-skinned, red-heads and a history as rich as it's soil. But I can honestly say that one of my favorite memories is the soda bread served with each meal. Until today I had never made Irish soda bread. You want some now, don't you?

Traditional Irish Soda Bread

3 cups flour

1/3 cup sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 tsp Salt

1 egg

2 cups buttermilk

1/4 cup butter (melted)

(I added a handful a raisins too, just because that's how I had it in Ireland.)


Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mix the egg and buttermilk and add to the flour mixture. Mix and add melted butter. Bake at 325 for an hour or so.

It's better when it has had a chance to sit for a few hours or even over night. Serve along with your corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes. Cheers!

Janet

Our Deck

Day 65 (Saturday-March 13th)

Today I learned how much work goes into the foundation of an up-to-code deck. I also learned what an auger is. Never knew that before today. Thanks to everyone that is helping us build our deck!


Janet

Friday, March 12, 2010

So Much Pain...

Day 64

I have always loved Easter. Every February 15th I spring out of bed and head to the grocery store. As the breeze from the automatic sliding doors sweeps across my face I am greeted with the season's opening of pastel chicks and bunnies. The rich scarlet of Valentine's Day is a thing of the past, dragging winter with it. Easter, with all it's hope and life, is finally here. Along with buying all my favorite chocolates, I usually decorate my house prematurely. That has never been a problem until today. As I was walking out my front door with Emma and the diaper bag in tow, I stepped on a stupid Easter egg that had fallen off my wreath. All my energy went into preserving my two year old, and none of it was focused on the ankle that was rolling to a clean 90 degree angle as I smacked full-force onto my tailbone. Sooooo...I can't walk. Is it a sprain? Is it just bruised? Should it be swelling to twice it's original size? Should I go to the doctor? Will they be able to do anything? The Tylenol isn't cutting it...what else should I try? Should it be hurting this bad?

Today I learned that my husband is strong enough to literally carry me up and down our stairs as often as needed. But what about tomorrow when the kids are awake? Is he strong enough to carry me, Emma, and Ben?

Janet

Thursday, March 11, 2010

God Bless

Day 63
I have always been a patriotic person. My Grandpa served as a Chaplin during World War II and my Dad fought in Vietnam as part of his 25 years in the Air force. I live in Colorado Springs where I am surrounded by military bases and facilities that act as a constant reminder of those serving to maintain our freedom. But I have been brushing up on my World history and I have to say, more now than ever, that I am proud to be an American. I challenge you to do these two things. Go thank someone in your life that serves or has served to protect our freedom and turn your speakers up as loud as you can while you listen to this...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlk5alGBbZg&feature=related. Did you get goosebumps?


Janet

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Top Ten

Day 61

Today I found this website...http://www.cspinet.org/nah/10foods_bad.html. OH MY GOSH!

Janet

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Oral Stage

Day 60

Today's post is about something my two year old learned. If you put anything within mouth-range of my 6 month old, it will end up in his mouth. Emma came screaming to me that Ben ate her foot. "What? Ben ate your foot?" "Yes!" As tears are streaming down her face. So she took me back to the scene of the crime and demonstrated the whole incident. Ben was sitting with her facing him. She was distracted by a toy and before she had a chance to do anything about it he managed to get her foot in his mouth. It happened again right before my eyes. That totally freaked her out. It doesn't help that Ben makes a growling sound whenever he puts anything in his mouth. I can only imagine how she must have felt. For all she knew, he could and would have eaten her foot clean off!

Janet

Costochondritis

Day 59 (3/8/10)

Today I learned what Costochondritis is. I have been experiencing dull-moderate chest pain for a while now but yesterday it just wasn't going away. I have to admit that even with all of my attempts to ignore it, the pain and worry kept nagging to the point where I was willing to go to the doctor. Anyone that truly knows me understands that I would rather die than step foot in a hospital (unless there's actually concern that I'm dying). I hate the way they smell, I hate the way they sound, I hate their procedures and protocols. I hate that from the moment I step in one I am submitting to the fact that I could, in fact, be sick. And even worse, when you're complaining of any pain in the chest they send you directly to the ER, which of course I hate even more because you're surrounded by people that are truly sick. You're doomed to a waiting room where you'll be surrounded by bleeding, puking, wailing people. But I went anyway. You know why? Because it's not just me anymore. I am no longer one, singular person. I have chosen to fall in love with a man that would die without me and I have also shared my genetic code with two other human beings that rely on me for even the most fundamental necessities. Once I was in the hospital room they performed all the standard tests and thankfully I am a very healthy woman. There has been no damage to my heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, or anything else they tested. Turns out I have Cosochondritis, which is an inflammation in the cartilage between the ribcage-which is usually caused by a virus that will go away on its own. The doctor did notice that I have an irregular heart beat, which was odd, but benign.

So, fearing that I'd be destined to repeat this experience if I didn't learn from it, I spent my time in that hospital room thinking about what to take away from it. First-if you are experiencing any chest pain, go to the hospital. The doctors and nurses couldn't stress it enough, even if you think it's something harmless, get seen. They started naming a list of life-threatening possibilities that just shouldn't be messed with. Second-from this moment on I am going to live the healthiest life possible. We all have this feeling like we're going to live forever (humans are very good at procrastination and denial) and it's just not true. Not one of us knows when our number is up, but we can take measures to prolong our lives. Nothing in this life is cut and dry, but the medical recommendations are pretty clear: Get plenty of sleep and exercise, avoid high fat, high calorie foods, take your vitamins, have preventative diagnostic testing, floss. Why don't we do it? Why are those things so hard for us to follow? They seem so easy as I'm typing them and the benefits are indisputable-so what is the problem? Opposition in all things, I suppose. Anyway, I decided that I am going to do my best to follow those recommendations so that I can avoid, or at least prolong, my risk of experiencing something from that list of life-threatening possibilities. Lastly, I am going to start living like I'm dying. I have to preface this by mentioning how I loathe that statement. I even hate the song because it's just not realistic for us to live like we're dying. To be able to function on this earth we have to live like we're...living. To survive, a great majority of us have to work at jobs we hate, deal with people we dislike almost as much, and agree to do things we don't want to do-that's just the way it is. I ask you, what's one of the first thing you would do if you found out you were dying (behind crying and spending time with loved ones)? You'd quit your job, say no to that person you can't stand, and quit doing anything you don't enjoy! But you just can't do that when you're alive and well, unless you want to be a very poor, hated, unsuccessful person. But when someone suggests that you start living like you're dying they are urging you to understand that any moment truly could be your last. That means something different to every person, I think. For some people that may equate to living life to the the fullest-going skydiving, rock-climbing, scuba diving, writing a novel, singing in front of a million adoring fans. Other people may take that as being sure their loved ones know they love them every day. I plan on doing both of those things (maybe not sky-diving), but I do intend on trying things I have always wanted to try, and refusing to leave my loved ones wondering if I loved them. I am going to try harder to be the best version of myself.

My sister always tells me it's better to leave (a party, vacation, etc.) when you're still having fun. That way you're left with the happiest memories instead of the, "Gosh- I wish I had left sooner" memories. I hope that's what it's like when I leave his world. Even if I'm 98, I hope I'm still having a good time.
Emma-6 months
Janet

Sunday, March 7, 2010

First Word

Day 58

Today I learned that my baby, Ben, can say "Mama." It isn't that he does it intentionally, but I can't deny how special it makes me feel that he said "Mama" before he said "Dada." I think I've got the makings of a future mama's boy on my hands.

Janet

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Day 57

Today I started reading a book about the Tudor Dynasty- as in Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Queen Elizabeth, etc. Sooooo fascinating! Did you know that Henry's mom was 13 when she gave birth to him? And then died when he was 11. Now wonder he was such a tyrant-he just needed a mommy! Reading about the midevil era reminded of how grateful I am to live in a time and place where I'm free to marry for love, choose my own profession, be excited about my first child being a daughter, and I don't have this gnawing fear that my husband will behead me if I can't produce a male son. It's horrifying to think that there are people in parts of the world that still worry about at least one of those things.

Janet

Friday, March 5, 2010

Blank

Day 56

Can't think of a darn thing. Sorry.

Janet

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Ideas...Please?

For this to be the growing experience I was hoping it would be I am going to need to step beyond myself a bit more. Yes, I have managed to learn something every day. I am hoping, however, to challenge myself to learn and try things I would have never imagined before this little...experiment. Instead of allowing life to simply teach me something, I need to be a better student...a more proactive student. So-I am asking you, please give me some ideas of things to try, sources to learn from, subjects to study, adventures that aren't too expensive or deadly. Please? Pretty Please? With a cherry on top?

Janet

Patty and Selma Bouvier

Day 55
Tonight I learned that when my sister Heather and I are together-we remind our other sister Shannon of Marge Simpson's chain-smoking, very opinionated sisters. Something about the way we interrupt each other, finish each other's stories, and share our thoughts on every subject-especially the ones that are none of our business. When Shannon told us that I couldn't stop laughing. It was like the inappropriate, "church laughter" that downright hurts to hold back and the more you try to stop the louder and more obnoxious it gets. Oh well-they were always my favorite characters anyway.

Janet

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Dancing

Day 24

Trenton and I learned some ballroom dances tonight with the youth at our church. Dancing with my husband tonight gave me butterflies again. Be still my racing heart. *Loving sigh*

Janet

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Soothing Sounds

Day 53

Tonight I had cooking club so I didn't get home until later. I snuck into Ben's room and gave him a kiss and then planned on just giving Emma a quick peck on her sleeping eyes. To my surprise, Emma's eyes were wide open and she was so excited to see me. I crawled into bed with her, read her a couple books, and then we both settled into a warm, cozy position that reminded me so much of when I was a kid and my mom would read me stories before bed. As she drifted off I heard the sound of her pacifier smacking. (I know you're probably judging me for allowing my 2 year old to still use one-but she only uses it at night.) The squish, squish, squish of her pacifier was similar to the comfort that sounds such as the whirring of a fan, crickets after dark, sprinklers, children playing at the park, or thunderstorms offer. Tonight I realized as I drifted to that heavenly sound that my daughter is still a baby. I have been feeling emotional lately about how quickly she is moving through the stages of early life and tonight was encouraging. Tonight I learned that my big girl-who uses the potty, speaks in full sentences, and has opinions of her own-is still, very much, a baby girl. I just need it to be this way for a little longer. It's too good to change yet.




Janet

Monday, March 1, 2010

Lying in the Dark

Day 51

I learned today that people are less honest when they are in darker surroundings. We are even more likely to lie in situations where our identity is clearly known (such as email, phone, or with loved ones)when we are in a dark room. Check this out! http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20100301/sc_livescience/darknessbegetsdishonestystudyfinds

Now I don't know if I buy it, but I can tell you that it made me question just enough that I actually got up from my desk and flipped the lights on.

Janet