Whatev!

I made a comment on the Facebook status of a new bride. She said that she was cooking this elaborate dinner and just couldn't wait until her husband got home. My comment said to "keep standards low" so that his "expectations will be low." I had some fellow commenters that were right in tune with my viewpoint…one was in the drive thru and the other had just gotten a $5 pizza. The rest told me that I was stupid and pathetic and should be ashamed of my horrible wife skills. Not really, I'm paraphrasing. They encouraged her to "be proud of her skills" and that cooking was "more power to the woman." Another said to make sure she shared her recipes. My pithy sarcasm had offended once again and the "mama bears" came out to make sure I knew it.

But here's the thing…I don't care. I take the best care of my little family that I can. I have come a long, looooooong way from the 21 y/o newly wed, still in college, wife that I once was. I'll never be perfect, sorry Bryan ! But easy recipes, the occasional take-out, and a bi-monthly maid sure do push me closer to "great."

Crass but insightful...

I am an adoptions worker for the state of Texas. I love it. I was wired for this job. Each time I tell a family that they have been selected for a specific child, I feel the exact same excitement as the other dozens of times. I had a thought on the way home yesterday...I'm like a pregnancy test without the pee. I get to provide the same feelings and excitement to a family, just like a those two little lines. I can't really put to words how it feels to have that sort of responsibility for another family. I'm just glad I get to do what I do.

It's the small stuff...

I have never been much of a "Susie home-maker." When we first got married, Brian could not believe what a slob I was. HA! I've come a long way in seven and a half years. Granted we have a cleaning lady, but with Brian in school, it sure makes our free time a lot more "free." Anywho...cooking falls into the "home-maker" skills that I lacked. I'm not a bad cook...pretty good, according to Brian. :) I just hated cooking. I work full time in a stressful job, as does Brian. It's hard to get off work at 5 p.m., go pick up Ben from daycare, and then come home and spend 45 minutes to an hour cooking. So I'd get take out...fast food, restaurant take out, Chinese delivery, pizza. We developed quite the bad habit of eating out way too much.

A couple of weeks ago, I looked through the check book register and counted up how much we spent eating out for May. I WAS SHOCKED! And very motivated. I've cooked every night for the last week and a half. I'm so proud of myself. I've tried new things and found a lot of fun recipes online. I've also stuck in some classics...spaghetti, enchiladas. What makes it all worth it? The money saved is nice...it's also healthier. But what makes me sooo happy?? When Ben tells me every night, this is the best dinner I ever had. HA! And Brian's been pretty happy as well.

Feeling more and more like an adult every year! :)

According to Ben

Ben-isms...He loves singing the songs he learns at preschool. Here are some of his "interpretations" of the songs.

Melly, Melly, Melly, Melly, Life is but a dream.

Months song: February, March, Juuuuuuunnnnniiiiieeee. Me: What about May? Ben: Who is she?

The "Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee" is never-ending...I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee, won't my momma be so proud of me? I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee, won't my momma be so proud of me? I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee, won't my momma be so...Not kidding.

What time is it? What time is it? Is it outside time? Oh no, no, no. Oh, no, no, no. (Shakes his finger) It's not outside time. What time is it? What time is it? It's time for circle time. Oh, yes, yes, yes. Oh, yes, yes, yes. It's time for circle time.

He's super cute, until he starts substituting words with "poop." Example: I'm a little acorn man, sitting on the cold, cold ground. Ben's version: I'm a little poo-poo man, pooping on the poo-poo ground. Etc.

Ok, he's still cute.

Weekend

I had a wonderful weekend, movies, naps, a pedi. Wonderful!! But I TOTALLY missed my guys. Seriously, I couldn't sleep b/c Brian wasn't there. I didn't want to put on Facebook that I was home by myself, just in case a serial killer saw that and broke into my house. You may call that a little bit CRAZY...I'd call that healthy paranoia and too many crime shows.

I must tell you about the pedicure. I knew I wanted something a little extra with the pedicure but I wasn't sure what they offered. After he attempted to explain to me what I could get, I went and picked out my color (Hooker Red) and sat down. They were really excited about the new chairs they had just gotten in. The manager even showed me how easy it was to clean them (shockingly easy to clean, really). So the lady pulls this cart out with salts, masks, waxes, etc. I just nodded a couple of times and went with it, a little nervous about how much $$ I had just agreed to part with. The massage chairs were...different. They had butt massagers. Wasn't sure what people would enjoy that...I sure didn't. I made sure the settings were just on my back but because I'm so short, the "upper back" was really my head. Finally I just gave up on that one and moved my head forward when the upper back part would come. Anywho...so, the lady puts on two different rounds of sea salts on my legs and feet. HEAVEN!! Then, she put this mask stuff on my legs and wrapped them in hot towels. HEAVEN X's TWO!! After I had sat waiting for the paint to dry, I decided to put on my shoes. Now this had been a spontaneous pedicure so I was not wearing flip flops. I can't wear those paper flip flops out of the store b/c I have almost fallen and killed myself on multiple occasions. So I put on my flats and gingerly walked to my car. When I checked the damage, I had successfully smudged the top part of every nail. Eh, it was worth it. And all for $30!! Thanks, Rose...if that's your real name. :)

"Me Time" Update...

1. Taco Bell
2. 3 hour nap
3. Ice cream and Cookies
4. CHICK FLICK - Valentine's Day, others coming up, I'm sure.

Me Time!!!!!

I will be enjoying some verrrrrry needed "alone time" this weekend. I will have the kitchen cleaned before the boys leave in order to maximize my time. There will be naps, taco bell, and chick flicks. I'll let you know how things go!!!!!