Fighting Back Friday

I went for my yearly checkup.

If that doesn't count for a full week's worth of fighting I don't know what does.

Bowen & Her Toothbrush

She prefers her way better than mine.

on second thought

my auto fill T9 is the most conceited person I know.

It always defauts to "me" instead of "of"

and I use "of" 90% of the time

oh dear

Most recent text from my mother (maybe you remember this one?)

after a semi-sarcastic text from me regarding potential bulletin board ideas regarding gardens:

good gardens have worms where you hoof with that?

which I not only read too fast and thought it said what the hoof is that?

to which I was completely astounding that hoof was now a substitution for a 4 letter word

which, would be UNHEARD OF, since we aren't even allowed to say the c-word in her presence

then I re-read it...and I'm still at a loss to where that text was going.

anyone else know?? bueller? bueller?

whoops...

Welcome to Wellness Wednesday... on Thursday!

This weekend I attempted to swap up a recipe for Spaghetti Casserole to be more in line with our low salt whole wheat eating ways... I wouldn't say it was an epic fail, because it was edible, but it was not a defined success either.

Good swaps we accomplished: whole wheat pasta, chicken (no salt seasoning), low salt cheeses

Bad swap...as in, bad,bad,bad: no salt added tomato sauce.

Ok, in and of itself, the no salt added tomato sauce was an excellent idea. The choice to use it for the first time as a straight pour on sauce, not such a good idea. The sauce tasted like can. I mean it, like the can it came in can. Michael and I both noticed it right away and it was really overpowering. It might have not been quite as bad if I would have extra seasoned it with some black pepper. It also might not have been as bad if I would have made a true sauce with it (added some tomatoes, paste, spices) and simmered it before assembling into the casserole. The reason I say this is that in using the leftovers I added some of our traditional bottle sauce and it was a whole different ballgame. I didn't have enough sauce or enough flavor in the sauce I used proportionate to the other factors, so combine that and the taste of can... and well, it was a dud.

But its not off the list for round two... just as soon as I forget what aluminum tastes like.

Tuesday's Truths: You know you're a mom when..

1. You consider toys spread all over the floor as an additional security system. No one is coming in this house without losing their footing on the plastic warpath raging in your living room and/or making quite a ruckus.

2. You willing subject yourself to watching the same set of singing songs or other cartoons daily or weekly because, if for nothing else, its 30 minutes where no one says "mom....mama....mom...mama....mom"

3. You feel naked if there isn't a diaper bag on your shoulder in public. Likewise, you stop carrying a purse altogether and inside find an all-in-one wallet that fits inside a certain pocket on a favorite diaper bag.

4. You have found yourself not even close to matching or coordinating while your children are dressed from head to toe in matching outfits complete with hairbows.

5. You wear leggings under dresses not because they are stylish...but because it keeps your rear end covered from wandering toddler hands and changing diapers on floors or sitting "criss cross applesauce" (make that 5a that you even know what criss cross applesauce is) or bending, twisting, picking up and putting down small bodies.

Oh no.. here we go

It's happening... I can feel it. I'm about to be in over my head.

On August 10th we start school. As in. s.c.h.o.o.l. PTO, fundraisers, boxtops, rewards keys, show and tell, name on everything you send/own/wear/use, monthly newsletter, required parent involvement events, lunch boxes, lunch menus.

Oh. my. word.

I am already getting too deeply involved in this. I was looking over our 200 page introduction letter from the school which came paired with the first monthly newsletter from the PTO and various other parent lead committies. I needed to register my grocery card so points go to my school. Ok, done. (and luckily, it lets me support 2 schools...the one my child attends, and the one all my family works at, which are not one and the same because that would just be too simple)... then I get to thinking about boxtops...so I go online to see if you can do online redemptions (you know, like pampers gifts to grow and such... and for the record, the answer is no) which then leads me to looking at ways to maximize boxtops through e-purchases and playing some online trivia something-or-the other to win 250,000 for your school....

and so on and holy cow I'm off the deep end into prospective ways to maximize boxtops to the extent of trying to find a reason to online shop for items I don't know that I need this week, because its TRIPLE.BONUS.POINT. week at retailers X,Y, and Z.

this can't be healthy.

What We're Reading

(from Amazon.com)

I love this translation! I am very hopeful that they will issue more volumes with more of the stories. The illustrations are great and its a "hits the high points" but definitely has a lot of practical application and understanding points for young children.

Pinnable Me: Laugh Out Loud

Sometimes we mothers forget to laugh... Here are some Pinnables that made me laugh this week:

Source: 9gag.com via Meghan on Pinterest

Source: deviantart.com via Meghan on Pinterest

Source: bakerella.com via Meghan on Pinterest

Find me on Pinterest Right Here 

This is linked with Paw Prints & Pastry Bags

Fighting Back Friday

This week I...

1. did not eat out....which really translates to, did not go to the Mexican restaurant during lunch, because, well, there isn't anywhere to eat out for supper in our neck of the woods.

2. made the most of a sing-a-long video by dancing and bouncing and doing some semi-exercise with 23 lbs of baby on one hip

3. made (on my own!) 3 diffferent sets of labels and one directions sign for Hayley's party in a few weeks

4. made 3 photo books from Shutterfly... coupons and discounts get me fired up! I used a Pampers Gifts to Grow redemption for the first book, then a friend sent me a buy 1, get 1 code on Monday so I used it for the other two.

5.had more days without snacks than days with... I want to think it was 4-2, but don't hold me to the exacts.

6. decrease portion sizes at meal time and at the left-over meal-time (which is usually when I eat the most)


This week I did not:
1.drink much water
2.take many pictures
3.substite more healthy options for tried and true favorites (lots of white, not a lot of wheat)

just a little catchup

Hi. My name is Meghan. Here are some random facts for you today:

1. I have a really organized multi-step process for filing my filing at work. Unfortunately, the really organized part is in theory and the actual filling into the cabinent is more of a quarterly process than a weekly. I. despise. paper.

2. Pinterest is giving me way more ideas than I have time.

3. I may have gotten a little, just a smidge, into over planning and details and great big dreams (but not really all that much money spent, which is even better) with Hayley's upcoming birthday party. I blame Pinterest and Etsy...except, its not really blame because I love them both dearly.

4. I have a shopping list that spans from August to December that is really only minutes away from being a complete month-by-month purchasing guide for upcoming birthdays and Christmas. Etsy, I love you.

5. For my birthday I got a laptop. Last month I got a wireless mouse to accompany it. A few months back, we moved. Into a furnished parsonage. With a TV in the bedroom. Needless to say, I spend the duration of my time from when the girls go to bed until I go to bed doing all of my favorite things in one spot.. Get in some tv, stretch out and add in some hodge podge internet browsing while using my wireless mouse from the bedside table. yes, its that bad

and because five works for me. That's a wrap!

No Money Needed...Just Vote

Remember when I asked you for money for people I didn't know?

Well, guess what! They met their goal! See...

Now will you consider supporting them through online voting towards the receipt of a $50,000 grant???

Go here to vote!

Go here to see their post about the grant!

Healthy Choices

We don't run a completely sugar-free non-processed home... but we do try to have more healthy alternatives for snacks and meals for our girls. We also spend more time in "play" than in front of a screen. Often times, our girls go several days without watching a video or early morning cartoons at our house. (What happens at the babysitters, I can't vouch for)

Here are some of our favorites:
1. Whole grain bread. Our girls love it...they'll eat it plain and untoasted.
2. Cheerios and other grain cereals
3. Gerber Puffs (or the generic). These are great because they are made with a lot of natural foods and have low salt.
4.Fresh fruits. These are what typically constitue "dessert" or "sweet" at our table. Hayley's favorite is blueberries and Bowen's favorite is watermelon.
5. Milk and water and occasional juice/lemonade. Most days our girls drink milk all day. Hayley will request water sometimes, and occasionally Daddy shares his Crystal Light lemonade with them...or Big Dave spoils them with chocolate milk.

I really hope to get more creative in getting them a wider variety of the foods that they eat. I usually stick to a lot of the same meals week after week. Especially since we're all relatively picky eaters!

Re-Vote

Ok, Georgians... evidently we can't get our act together... we are now re-voting for the new vehicle tag for 2011.

GO HERE TO VOTE

Tuesdays Truths: You'll Just Never Know

As a mother, we try very very hard to be sure that we know the whereabouts and the happenings and the ins and outs of our daily lives... in my short stint of motherhood, I've also found out, there are somethings that you'll just never know.

1. You'll never know what really happens when Daddy keeps the kids by himself.
2. You'll never know what actually caused a scratch, boo-boo or bruise on your two year old...especially if you are asking them to tell you what happened. The favorite answer in our house right now is.."I was climbing a sycamore tree chasing a lizard and an alligator bit me!" yes, I'm serious, that is the only answer I can get from her.
3. You'll never know what all your crawling child managed to get in her mouth while you were and while you weren't looking... it is especially fun when crawling child learns to laugh and stick their tongue out when you tell them "Ahhhh!" and then rake your finger through their mouth causing them to laugh more.
4. You'll never know why a potty trained child who is capable of pulling up their own underwear and bottomwear will always choose to come streaking out of the bathroom when company is over.
5. You'll never know what or why or how much your children will eat one day verses another. There isn't a logical procession...sometimes, spaghetti is in. Other times spaghetti is out. Sometimes 3 bites is all of supper, sometimes 4 helpings. Its insanity!

But there is ONE thing that we will always know...

or Big Dave... or Breezy... or Aunt Mischa... or Meme... or the list goes on and on!
(found here)

sometimes...

just sometimes, life and fairy tales melt together into mutual existence...

tonight the girls where watching a sing-a-long video (yes, my life has come to this)

in the video there is one song where a little girl is sitting on a wall

from the other room I hear...

Hayley: "we not 'posed to sit on a wall" (this has maximum inflection)
Her daddy: "nooo, we're not..."
Hayley: "they like humpty dump! they fall off we not be able to put them back together again!!!"

end. scene.

Fighting Back Friday

This week, err, not so good on the fighting back... however:

1. I cut down to 1 soda a day every day this week (as best as I remember)
2. I paired down my order size at lunch...not to say I stopped going to get lunch, but I did order less
3. I've drank at least some water daily.
4. For 3 of the days this week, I did not do any snacking or between meal eating.
5. I have begun to do "exercise" in the floor while the girls are playing... crunches, etc.
6. I designed and printed party invitations
7. I fine-tuned party decoration plans
8. I went into complete denial that in 2 week our whole world is going to change with hayley going to school and dance and all those big girl things.

And I really think that's all I did.

And since yesterday, I joined pinterest...which may or may not be a detriment to my productivity all around

Pinterest

I joined the next new internet thing... Pinterest today... follow me there at pinterest.com/lifetimemeg.... but don't get super excited because I'm literally minutes in and it may take a while for me to get to pinning!

Simply Southern: Your People

We down here in the deep south are known for our hospitality, our manners and our general demeanor of life... which is all just because non-natives don't know the language.

In our family, but across southern hometowns everywhere, there are subtle hints in verbiage which are given indicators of something being inferred....

The most over-done now publicized is of course the "Bless your/her/his/their heart" phrase which covers a multitude of family histories/situations/prayer requests that got too in depth and on and on. It's a weighted free-pass to explain more than needed so that everyone really knows the whole picture.

My favorite however, is a family phenomenon: its called the "your people" syndrome. This is often the lead in to conversations about what someone did that would also warrant a "bless their heart" but it is such a common occurrence that it is now more conversationally acceptable to say.... "YOUR mother did this..."

Let's look at the whole context of this:

Phone rings. Its a sibling or an aunt or some other family member. The conversation starts: "Guess what YOUR mother did today??" and then some story about how something completely preposterous went down follows afterward. This can also come after an incident with family member in a public family setting. For example, your mother says something completely haywire (obviously, not MY mother, since she reads this blog and all, but YOUR mother, quite possibly) to which your sister will turn to you and say "Well, she's YOUR mother!"

Seriously y'all. If you can't pick up on the disclaimer through emphasis you'll never survive the Southern dialogue that awaits you in the deep south. Then, unfortunately, it might come down to YOU being someone else's people.

Get A Little Help From Your Friends

 

Here is the place that in an ideal world would show 2 pictures of me with Baby Girl.. unfortunately, this face is what was to be had at the moment...

 oh yes, yes I did go there... and yes, that is remnants of a cracker bribe on her tongue that obviously failed miserably in achieving cooperation... but hey, that's my shoulder there... that counts right??

Photos by a dear dear friend!

What We're Reading

(from Amazon.com)

We read it straight through, daily, for around 2 weeks before we hit the Pinkalicious book about a week ago. The best part of this one is to hear it "read" back to you... its always interesting, but usually pretty close to right!

Tuesdays Truths: Just Get Over

There will be tons and tons and tons of things that come out of your toddler's mouth that will make you smile and showcase them off in all their adorableness.

Things like "I not like tatoes" when the discussion of potatoes come up.... or "Silly Daddy" when Daddy puts her clothes on backwards...or "Sic 'em oo oo oo" (which really only delights your local Georgia fans, which luckily for us, is the majority) and so on and so forth...

They may even say things like "Don't start with out of me" and " She's at her house think so!" "frigerfrater" "updownside" and "twinklestarhowIwonderwhatyouare" or, when dancing at the front of the church before prayer meeting singing "I don't know where my Bible is... I not know where my Bible is" (which, for the record, we have NO IDEA if this constitutes her first entirely made up song or if we've done a really bad job at pronouncing the words in a learned song).

But then, then they say things that you may not want them to share in public...

Like coming out of a restaurant bathroom and yelling "I pooped in the potty! Daddy! I pooped in the potty!"

or

"You're not my best friend anymore" at 2, yes, at 2, and who taught her this??

or

Deciding that her stuffed animal kitten name needs to be the word which starts with a p that refers to cats but in recent years has a more vulgar conontation which she is completely unaware of since someone somewhere read her the nursery rhyme that says "p.... cat, p.... cat, where have you been? I've been to london to visit the queen..."

or

well,

that last one still gets me.

So for you and me both... we've got to learn to just get over it! They are children.. and unless you know that you know that you know that you know that they are doing or saying on purpose...its just a phase! Here's to doing that together!

Deep Breath, Cover Your Ears

Ok, so its been a month and we may have not been following the pediatrians orders quite the way they were given... as in, we are just now beginning the war against the bottle with Baby Girl. Ahem. Perhaps it should be the war of Baby Girl vs. Mommy's ability to endure prolonged periods of yelling/crying/general hysteria. BUT. We have made it 24 hours without a bottle... so we are going to try it again today. See, breaking the bottle away from Big Girl.. no problemo..the bottle wasn't her soother... but Baby Girl.. the bottle is all she has... no paci, no finger or thumb sucking..just bottle.

Only Bottle = WAR

We took some baby steps this week in this, because she fell asleep in the car on multiple occasions right at nap or bedtime and we'd put her in the bed with no bottle with no problem... but last night, we were home and we just put her in the bed. OH NO WE DIDN'T. Oh yes, yes, we TRIED. Michael took a sippy cup in there as a mediation step. OH NO HE DIDN'T. Oh yes, yes, he TRIED. Then there was mass screaming and the nashing of teeth rejection and insult at said sippy cup... which resulted in a documented rocking session with an eventual end in the crib after 15-20 minutes of Baby Girl vs. the World.

Seriously,

This whole process terrifies me.

What We're Reading

This book was Big Girl's first favorite book...we took it on all overnight trips (even one nighters) because its all she wanted. I can now recite it in my sleep, even though our days of reading it multiple times every night have passed..


(from Amazon.com)

No Fighting, Just FIVE

1. Do you think cursive writing is overrated? (Schools in Indiana have now voted to take teaching cursive writing out of their curriculum.) Um..yes and no. I think it should be taught, but I can do without the writing 3 pages in cursive that I was subject to in elementary school. I think handwriting is important and cursive is certainly a large part of developing that skill...And, I prefer to arbitrarily combine cursive and print based on word flow so if its not taught at all then how can these children ever know that you don't have to print individual letter pairs like "en" "ar" and the like!


2. Do you still use a pocket calendar or notepad or do you keep your info on your smart phone?  Did people really use pocket notebooks for pertinent information?? Seriously? Because I totally missed that. I don't have a smart phone (really, I'm old school, I don't have a keyboard..just numbers) or pocket calendar or pocket notepad...so none of the above??



3. What 3 things would you save if your house was burning down? (family & pets are already safe) Photo Albums, Sentimental Jewelry pieces (the pearls my Dad gave me when I got married, jewelry from Michael, bracelets given to the girls), external hardrive with all my photos that never made it into albums (which is like 98% of all 21K+ photos)

4. Country Mouse or City Mouse, err Person? Country Mouse! City Life stresses me out! traffic...commutes... 12 lanes of roadway...no thank you... but I don't want my country mouse house to be within 45 minutes of a city mouse structure, so I can still have access to big city features!


5. If you could pick ANY reality show to go on, which would you pick? Say Yes to the Dress... but I don't want to get remarried... and does that count as a reality show? Oh, wait, I could do the Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids....that would be good... since I'm already married and said yes to the dress before it was cool to do so... so yes, Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids! (Four Weddings would also be fun...but once again, its a little late in my life for that competition too!!)

Fighting Back Friday

It's the week after a holiday.

I did no fighting this week.

I may or may not regret it.

Currently, I'm on the "may not" side of that fence.

Quick Fix: French Onion Dip

This recipe brought to the forefront by this blogger's recent post combined with the fact that yes, indeed, I ate more than my share of it as part of our July Fourth rituals demand.

French Onion Dip

Seriously, this is for the faint of the kitchen. It does not get any easier than this.

8 ounce Sour Cream (16 ounces if you are planning on sharing)
1 package Liption Onion Soup Mix (dry mix) (also, you'll need 2 if you plan on sharing)

Pour sour cream and onion mix into bowl. Stir. Stick in refrigerator. (I prefer that it sit overnight, but you can eat it within a few hours and it be ok too). Eat. With Fritos... or with Ruffles if that's your thing.

The Many Faces of Baby Girl

 (this is my favorite..this is a total summary of her personality in one look)



Where I Ask for Money for People I Don't Know

After the earthquake in Haiti, I did what all internet addicts do... I got to reading and looking and following blogs for ministries, recovery efforts and a little bit of everything else.

This ministry is the only one that has long held my virtual support and endorsement. Lead by two families and a conglamarate of people only God can place together, this ministry provides pre-natal and post-delivery care, education and even a maternity center to young mothers. Look around and you will see how the Lord is divinely working in the lives of those involved.

This month, they have a chance to match a $15,000 donation... Would you consider giving?


Other Links for Heartline:
The Livesay Blog
The Heartline Blog
The Hendricks Blog 

Get Your Smile On!

Its true... I take thousands of pictures each year... get that? I... take thousands... which means that I am in small, small, small portions of our family photo memories... mostly by my own making... this link up is with a great project for all those photo-inspired moms who spend their time behind the camera, more than in front of it... and here's to making a better effort at being IN photographs with our families! We were there too!!

me and big girl shelling peas... candid by Aunt Mischa

What We're Reading

When Big Girl decided she had NO interest in potatoes, this book came along through a monthly book mailer. It is still one of her favorite reads, but has NOT gotten her to eat any potatoes.


(from Amazon.com)

Wellness Wednesday: Making the Swap

I've long be a "branded" buyer... I have my brands, my preferences and I do.not.waver. EVER! There are uncompromisable products on my shelves and in my fridge... that is...there WERE. Some things have been compromised... and even, dare I say it? Permanently replaced!

We're making better choices by adding or replacing other menu items with the following:

1. Whole Grain Bread (no more white for us... well, mostly... I still refuse to give up my brown'n'serve rolls)
2. Whole Grain Tortillas (instead of fried corn tortillas)
3. Unbreaded, Unseasoned Frozen Chicken Breast Tenders (instead of deeply breaded and fried)
4. Sargento Cheeses (instead of my tried and true Kraft...these have lower sodium counts and more low fat options)

We also are not going to talk about all the things that are involved with a holiday weekend at a lake near you and what that means for wellness today. You. Are. Welcome.

Our Red, White & Blue Weekend

 what do you do if its raining? Wear an umbrella hat..of course!

 ..then your face will surely show it...

 here's your hairbow Breeze!

 Grandmama's flag cake

 Daddy's red Crystal light makes things a little...festive

 I'm cold and there is sand on my hands

FLASHBACK! Old school Battleship, I think I will!


Linking Up with:

Tuesdays' Truths About Motherhood: Fears

Once you become a mother, along with the inability to use and distinguish correct words from toddler jargon you will also find yourself with an ever present inner dialogue of fears which go something like this:

1. Is my child eating enough?
2. Is my child not eating enough?
3. Is my child becoming a brat?
4. Will my child be bullied at _______?
5. Oh wait, will my child be a bully?
6. Is my child not sleeping enough?
7. Is my child sleeping too much? Scratch that, you will never worry about sleeping too much because you will be praising Jesus for the quiet.
8. Is my child normal?
9. Is my child not normal?
10. Where did this child come from? (mostly thought in public when behavior is less than stellar or in private when meltdowns or fits come about)
11. Isn't that the cutest thing you've ever heard anyone say?
12. My child is SO not being friends with that child.
13. Should I be feeding organic only?
14. Will goldfish cause childhood obesity?
15. Is it normal for my child to say "say..." whenever playing, much like an interactive tv cartoon series (or two?)
16. What am I going to do if my child continues to do...?
17. Should I laugh or should I cry?
18. Should I pretend I didn't see that?
19. Am I praising enough?
20. Am I correcting too much?
21. Really, I mean, REALLY, why did I ever think I'd get this thing figured out?!

Its Independence Day!

I can't say that without thinking of Martina McBride... oh, yes, yes I went there.

Since we've found ourselves at the lake for the weekend where grilling, fires, smores, water, boats, fishing and familiy are always on this particular weekend of every year.. which also involves no internet.... here are some fabulous 4th of July finds to spark your patriotism!

(from here)

(from here)

(from here)

(from here)

(from here)

(from here via The Macs)

(from here)

(from here)

What We're Reading

This book is a GREAT baby shower gift!! I got it with my Baby Girl but Big Girl claims it as hers.


(from Amazon.com)

Simply Southern: Driving Directions

One of the finer aspects of Southern living is the simplicity of driving directions. There are mostly landmarks to guide your path, and street names are secondary as such. Here are things you need to know to understand directions given by your Southern friends:

1. Minutes = miles. If we its "10 minutes to so and so" that minutes can be exchanged for miles. Travel time equals miles of distance in 9 out of 10 cases, and we measure distance in minutes and hours more than miles. It's just that way. You don't have to figure in traffic times, red lights, construction or other factors...other than the occasional tractor, that is.
2. When we say "just go until you get to the next stop sign." That's what we mean. You could go 2 blocks or you could go 10 miles, either way, until you get to a stop sign, you are still on the right road and there is no need to panic.
3. We give relative directions, so if you don't know where "so and so lives" then you should ask. Because we can clarify with house color and relativeness to another landback as many times as we need to and we will. Even if its turn by turn directions based on house color and what's across the road from where you will turn. 
4. There are roads that will cease being pavement and turn to dirt. Or vise versa. Heed the signs, you don't want to be flying down pavement and hit red dirt.. just trust me on that.
5. It is not in bad taste to not pass a slow truck or moving tractor. Just be sure you wave. If you stay behind them and clog up the lane by making it impassable for others to get around you and the tractor in the same pass you will get the stink eye.

Fighting Back: Week Two

Here's my round-up for this week:

1. Two nights I choose whole wheat soft tortillas over my hard-shell completely processed but totally prefered Old El Paso shells.
2. I now understand when Michael says "Its good enough to eat, but not great enough to want more" and what that means for portion control.
3. I figured out that my "eat now" button is triggered by stress... and that I also crave junky when its an "eat now" stressor rather than true hunger.
4. I choose water over a soda on Thursday night. And I drank the whole bottle. And I didn't chase it with the soda.

Hey Georgians!

If you call my home state, your home state..

 be sure to swing by

and vote on the new

 Vehicle Tag Designs.