Your Words--Wedding Story

Lately, YOUR WORDS has been relationship based. Have you wondered why? It's all in celebration of my parents who, TODAY, are celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad (Okay, they aren't going to read this because where they live in Alaska you can only get dial up at the local library and they don't love me enough to wait for my blog to load.  They will see this when I make a blog book, though)!

Matt and I got married on 12/21/02.  We were married in a small church and had our reception at the Ivinson Mansion (blocks from where we met).  Our colors were black and white and I let each of my four bridesmaids find a black dress they liked--they didn't match but they went together.  And I know at least one of them has since worn her bridesmaid dress to another event so I broke all sorts of wedding stereotypes!

Our wedding was small and intimate but got rowdy during dancing time (I love that we had a dancing reception where literally EVERYONE danced).  Our friend Andrew broke a table full of glasses during the train, I wore a headdress for the YMCA, and Matt's 85 year old great uncle Bob did the chicken dance.  My favorite memory was getting into the getaway car (which had XXX Mobile written on the side) and realizing we were out of gas.  At 11:00 pm in the middle of a snowstorm, Matt pumped gas in his tux and I washed the windshield in my wedding dress.  Classic!

Tell me your wedding story!  When did you get married?  Where?  Was it everything you hoped it would be or was there a blooper?  What's your best wedding memory?

What's Cookin'--8/23-8/29

Turns out I forgot to post my menu plan last weekend.  Oops.

My only excuse is that I was out of town on a mom's slumber party :)

Monday--Cranberry Chicken and wild rice
Tuesday--French dips and raw veggies
Wednesday--Garlic Parmesan chicken salad
Thursday--Herb pork loin, sweet potatoes, and swiss chard
Friday--Shish-ka-bobs
Saturday--Hawaiian chicken and rice
Sunday--BBQ ribs and corn on the cob (ewww!)

Days of Play--Gumdrops

As a mom, I really like to have fun.  But what I really like is fun I can eat! Ergo, gumdrop towers.

You'll need dry spaghetti noodles or toothpicks (better for school-aged children), a bag of gumdrops, and your imagination.

Using your supplies, build a tower with your child.  Try different contests to see who can make the tallest, the roundest, the sturdiest ....

When you are done, eat the gumdrops :)

(P.S.  Did I mention you should wash your hands BEFORE starting?)

Friday Fashion--Fall Finds from Old Navy

I was just perusing Old Navy and here are some finds for fall that I'm kinda falling for ...

Cardigans by Old Navy
Scarves & Wraps by Old Navy

And Jenny over at jaydub photography asked me to put together some possible family photo shoot outfits (away with jeans and black shirts in family photos) so here's what I created (thus far ... I'll probably continue obsessing over this for a few weeks).  Want to know how to buy the pieces posted here?  Just click the item you are interested in and wa-la, buying info shall appear!

Purple and Gray

Tees by Apt. 9
Casual Shoes by Apt. 9

Neutral and Denim

Button Front Tops by Old Navy
Flats by Old Navy

Reds and Greens

Boys' Shirts by Gap
Flats by Old Navy

Things I Love--"Love your pants off!"

For as long as I can remember I've had an affinity for making up words (goof bumps, Mrs. Snickle Dippin' Sparkles was my "teaching" name).  This obsession got worse when I married Matt.  And the trouble compounded when we got our first "kid"--a Brussels Griffon named Griffin.

Griff was such a character and many Kaufman words came about because of him.  My favorite: Grumpus. That little dog had such mood swings and when they took a turn for the worse, we called it "grumpus."

Another Griffin favorite: Snugglepiggy.  Griff had a pink stuffed pig he liked to snuggle.  Still to this day Matt will say, "do you want to get snugglepiggy and watch a movie?'

M.E. gettin' snugglepiggy with BearBear.

Grumpus and snugglepiggy have even made there way into extended family.  Even tough old papas say them around our house!

The word making fun only continued with our first child.  We love the words she's come up with:

• All my byself (all by myself)
• Toast and turtle (toaster strudel)
• Somthing to zert (something for dessert)
• Mooches (kisses)
• Oooh Ahhhs (hugs)
• Hoostibill (hospital)
• Big girl cheese (grilled cheese)
• Ear Zachs (ear wax)

Suffice it to say we've had a laugh or two over words.  But here's the best.

I walk Matt to the door everyday when he leaves for work and M.E. and Pax naturally follow.  One day I said to Matt, "I love you and think you are handsome."  Two year old M.E. quickly yelled out, "Love your pants off!"

Love your pants off, Matt!

To this very day, this is now how we say "I love you."

I love funny words.

Do you have a fun family word you have to share?  Please do.  And remember, I love your pants off!

What I Think About--Getting Kids to Eat

Once again I'm linking my thoughts up with Shell from Things I Can't Say who hosts Pour Your Heart Out every Wednesday. Thanks, Shell!



A few weeks ago we went out to lunch with some friends. The gal and I were chatting and she was sharing how much she hated veggies.

I laughed and said Madisen prefers kale chips to potato chips and thinks beets are pretty much awesome (mostly because they make her poop and pee red but whatever).

My friend was a bit shocked and asked how I get my kids to eat such foods.  And I replied, "Easy.  I don't make it an option."  I continued by sharing that I actually tell my kids that as long as there are human beings eating the remains of leather tennis shoes from dumps, we will eat the food provided to us.  I almost fell out of my chair at her reply.

"Oh," she said, giving me a somewhat "shame on you" glance, "you used the 'starving kids' story."

How badly I wanted to say, "It's not a story--it is a reality!"

As a family we adopt children from Horizon International because we want our children to know and understand that not all people live in a land of plenty.  Not all kids complain that they don't like their beets.  In fact, many kids eat trash just to survive. 

Now I'm sure I'll be totally unpopular when I share some of my food thoughts and that's okay with me.  We can agree to disagree.

1.  I am not a short-order cook.  I make 3 meals a day and my kids have an option at each meal. They can take it or leave it.  If they leave it, they can eat again in a few hours.  Do I hate thinking about them being hungry?  You betcha!  Do I know my kids won't starve themselves?  Yep.
2.  You don't have to eat everything on your plate but you have to eat some of everything on your plate.  They are called "polite bites."  Does this hold true for adults?  Yep.  Matt hates beets.  Does he eat them? Yes.  I can't stand ham. Do I eat it when my mother-in-law makes it?  Sure do.
3.  You do not get dessert if you do not eat your dinner.  No junk goes in until health food does.  Period.  It's not a bribe.  It's not a plea. It's not a requirement to clean your plate.  But my kids know if they want a fruit pop after dinner, they are going to have to eat some of that spinach.
4.  My children can refuse to try any part of their meal.  However, they must be prepared to not eat anything else until they've tried the food.  Has my daughter gone to bed hungry only to have lemon-dill salmon and wild rice for breakfast?  Yes.

To be fair, I respect my kids' likes and dislikes.  Madisen can't stand mushrooms.  When I make chicken marsala, I don't give her any.  She's tried before and doesn't like them. No need to get into a power struggle.  On the other hand she love tomatoes so when we are having tomatoes, I give her more than I give myself.

In the end I just lean on this tidbit given to be by a friend--I can't control when or how much my kids eat but I can control what they eat.  And as long as I'm in charge of that, I will offer vitamin rich, organic fruits and veggies, lean cuts of meat, and a variety of colors and flavors to try.

What I think about getting my kids to eat is that with some clear, consistent food rules, it's a piece of cake!

Do you have food rules?  What are they?  Food battles?  Share?  Going to turn me into DFS?  Let me get you their number ....

To Do Tuesday--Plan a Girl's Night

I think time with the girls is SOOOO important.  Spend some time today organizing a girl's night event.  Send evites to your favorite ladies and spend some quality time chatting and celebrating womanhood.

Need some ideas?

Knit-Wits
Have everyone over to your house.  All ladies bring a snack to share and a craft to work on.  Craft, chat, eat, enjoy!

Dessert Divas
Make a chocolate fondue and have each lady bring a dipper (strawberries, pretzels, marshmallows, bananas, etc).  Visit while you enjoy dessert

Movie Night
Get the gals together and go see the latest chick-flick.  Your husband will probably be on board with this one!
Slumber party
Get four gals together, priceline a ritzy hotel (even in your same town) and go spend the night away from home.  Play games, sit in the hot tub, watch movies, laugh.  Sleep in!

Your Words--Engagement Story

In May of 2002 the new Star Wars (you know the romantic one when Amidala and Anakin get together) was released.  Matt promised to take me to opening night.  On May 15th we worked in my yard all day and he was suddenly too tired and didn't "feel" like going to the midnight showing.  So I did what any grown-up girl would do--I sulked and pouted and told him I didn't "feel" like having dinner with him.

Lucky for me all of my other charming moments made up for my bad attitude that day and he proposed that evening.

Around 9:00 pm he called and asked me to see if he left his wallet in my car.  Out on my deck there was a bunch of balloons and a clue that led me on a scavenger hunt.  I went to the scene of our first date, the place where he met my parents, and the location of our favorite date.  The clues led me back to my house where he had candles lit up everywhere, Unchained Melody playing, and The Matrix on TV.

I don't remember what he asked but I know what I said.  YES!

Last week you shared how you met your husband, now share your engagement story.  Was it movie-quality romantic?  Spur of the moment?  Did you ask him?  Was it a disaster with a happy ending?

Days of Play--Alphabet

Spend some time today working with the alphabet. 

• Sing the alphabet song.  Do the alphabet in sign language.  
• Go through the alphabet and think of an animal that starts with each letter (aardvark, beaver, coyote ...).
• Eat alphabet soup.  
• If you really want to have a good time, get on the ground and see how many letters you can make with your body.  

Your kids will love learning with you!

Date Night In--Themed Dinner and a Movie

I think "dinner and a movie" is the most common date night in (at least around our house).  Though it's common, there is no reason this date has to be boring.

Why not plan a themed dinner and a movie?  Eat and dress according to the movie theme.

For example:

Western Theme

• Wear jeans, big belts, boots and hats
• Eat bbq
• Watch a western like Tombstone, Quigley Down Under, City Slickers, or Young Guns.

Vegas Theme

• Wear a cocktail dress/suit
• Eat hors d'oeuvres
• Drink mocktails
• Watch What Happens in Vegas, Honeymoon in Vegas, The Cooler, or Ocean's Eleven

80's Theme

• Tag your jeans, wear three pairs of socks with some Keds, over-do the blue eyeshadow and rat your hair 
• Dine on Hamburger Helper (which came out in the 80's) or blackened chicken with mud pie for dessert
• Drink Daquiries
• Watch The Wedding Singer, Sixteen Candles, Goonies, or Ferris Buellar's Day Off

Any other theme suggestions?

Things I Love--Not So Much

Sometimes my Things I Love day starts to feel a bit too PollyAnna for me--like I love everything.  Sadly, this is not the case.  So today, let me share some things I DON'T love.

BIRDS
Okay, birds are mostly harmless but I think their eyes are weird and they are dirty little creatures.  But what I really hate is birds waking me up at 5:00 am with their pretty songs.  I love birds singing after 7:00 am.  Before then--Boo Hiss!  Sorry.  I will be happy to accept my "grump of the morning" award now.

CORN
I can't stand corn.  I know, I know--you're thinking "How can anyone not like corn?  It's so good with butter and salt!"  LOTS of things are good when you smear them with butter and salt (popcorn, beets, asparagus, brussle sprouts...) so don't try to sway me with that one.  I don't know why but the corn flavor does nothing for me.  And I hate that it gets stuck in your teeth.  And has a specific type of poop named after it (corn poop).  And that it is all starch and no nutrition.  When it comes to me, you can have my serving of corn.  Deal?

BATH TIME   
I love clean children but I hate bath time.  You probably just gasped because like 90% of moms think bath time is a blast but I can't stand it.  I get wet.  The floor gets wet.  The tub gets ring around the tub (which means I have to clean it when I'm done cleaning the kids).  Suds in eyes, fighting over bath tub toys, trying to find where my turkey baster is (of course it's in the tub, that's an obvious bath time toy, right?)...  I wish I had a better attitude when it comes to bath time but I don't.

 Yes, that is poop.  No, not corn poop.  Yes, I got him out of the tub before he got a hold of it!

NEWS
When I was on the nest with my first child the news was always so traumatic (or maybe it was the hormones) that I always ended up being a teary-eyed mess.  Shortly after my daughter was born I was having discussions with Matt about whether we would humanely kill her if society got *really* bad--you know, in the event that something like the holocaust were to happen again (you know what Nazis did to babies, right? *shudder*). 

Okay, not sound thoughts.  But if you've watched the news it's bad, on top of bad, with bad statistics, bad politics, bad celebrities, and bad news people pretending they are the only one's who aren't spinning the news. 

I haven't watched the news in four years and I gotta tell you, I feel great!  Now I can read news articles I'm interested in in about fifteen minutes a day.  No commercials.

What do you love to hate?

What I Think About--Homeschooling (Advice Appreciated)

As an educator, I'm passionate about teaching and learning.  I have definite ideas about what I want my kids to learn and how I think they should learn.  The problem is my teaching style and philosophies are WAY outside of the box when it comes to traditional public schooling (don't get me started on reward systems or homework).  Ergo, I've always assumed I would home school my children.


Whenever I mention this to people they give me "looks" and even a few judgmental comments:

• Are you qualified? (Let's see, I have a BA in secondary education and middle school, a Master's in teaching history, I'm a year and a bit away from a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, I have teaching experience from k-college ... what do you think?)
• Aren't you afraid your kids won't have social opportunities? (You mean outside of church groups, family, friends, soccer, dance, music, volunteering, 4-H, and play dates? Yeah, I think socialization starts before school, happens in places besides school, and continues post-school.)
• Don't you know that home school graduates aren't taken seriously in the "real world"? (Really?  I wonder why every home schooled graduate I know has gotten into a good--I mean a REALLY good university?)

I clearly see many benefits to home schooling:

• freedom of curriculum, 
• freedom of time (no bus chasing), 
• emotional freedom (no boredom waiting for other kids, less peer-pressure, less feeling bad if you don't keep up in math), 
• one-on-one instruction,  
• no busywork (or homework!)
• field trips and volunteering possibilities ...

Not everything about homeschooling is positive, though.

• Like time!  It is true that homeschooling my children will mean that I won't be running on a school district schedule but it takes time to plan, enact, and grade lessons.  
• And you are around your kids 24/7 with no break! 
• Homeschooling can be expensive too.  The curriculum costs a bundle.  There are virtual schools out there that offer curriculum but not necessarily the curriculum I'd like.  
• Finally, it is hard to live outside of the perceived norm.

My oldest child isn't ready for kindergarten this year.  We are one year away.  But as soon as I see school supplies hit the floor in Target I start to falter on whether or not homeschooling is right for her.  She comes alive in her preschool and flourishes with her friends.  Will I rob her something if I home school her?  On the other hand, if I don't home school her, will she receive what I call a "mis-education"?  Will she be a small, shy voice lost in a sea of busy-bodies?  Will she be just another score on the PAWS test?  What is best for her?  For our family?

I just don't know.  And it's really tough on me because I've always been sure that I'd be sure about teaching her.  Am I wrong?

In sum, I don't know WHAT I THINK about homeschooling.  Thoughts are bum-tumbling in my head.  Do you or were you home schooled?  What do you think of it?  Pros/Cons?  I'd love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and opinions!

Your Words--How I Met Your Father

I met Matt at a party at the corner of Ninth and Ivinson during our early college days.  I was on a date with one of his friends (and by on a date I mean I was acting as a DD for some drunk punk who let another guy spill an entire glass of beer on me.  I should probably mention I was in a bad mood by the time I met Matt).  I was wet, smelly, and sulking in the corner of a room (which Matt thought made me look mysterious and sexy).  He came and started talking with me.  I asked him about his silver cross and we shared our testimonies.  He tried a line on me ("So, if I were to look you up in the phone book, what name would I look under?"  To which I replied, "I'm unlisted"--and I really was, "but I'd be happy to give you my number if you'd like it.)

When he picked me up for our first date his hair was yellow (a frosting accident.  This is why he stopped frosting his hair tips--thank goodness!).  We watched the Matrix and talked forever.  Our second date we never really "met up" because we didn't get off the phone ... for EIGHT hours.

And he'll LOVE that I admit this but I initiated the first smooch!

One day you'll have to tell your children all about how you met their daddy--where, when, first dates ... Practice now.

Where did you meet your husband?  Where were you?  What did you do on your first date?  Who initiated the first kiss?

What's Cookin'--8/9-8/15

Monday--Honey Pepper Pork loin and garlic couscous
Tuesday--Sweet and Spicy Chicken with veggie pasta salad
Wednesday--Quiche with salad
Thursday--Cranberry chicken and wild rice
Friday--Asain chicken salad
Saturday--BBQ ribs and raw veggies
Sunday--grilled flank steak and baked potatoes

Days of Play--Balancing Contest

Balancing items helps children concentrate, learn self-control, and increases coordination.

Young Children:
Build a wooden block tower and see how high you can get it.

Toddlers and Preschool-Aged Children:

Have a contest to see who can stand on one leg the longest.

School-aged children:
Play a game of JENGA!

Simple.  Easy.  Fun!

Friday Fashion--Back Again?

Some "old" styles I'm glad to see re-appearing:

OXFORDS and LOAFERS (without socks, of course)

ROLLING JEANS

WHITE PANTS

DESTROYED DENIM

 

Some trends I wish would have stayed out of the new millennium:

ROMPERS

HARAM PANTS

BAJAS (also known as Mexican Hoodies)

Made famous by him in the 1990s

ACID WASHED JEANS

Oh my gosh!  I'm having 80s/early 90's flashbacks!  Help!

What trends are you happy to see again?  

What trends do you wish would have stayed away?

Things I Love--Gold Canyon Candles

Back in the day when I met my husband (you know, when he was 19) his mom sold Gold Canyon Candles.  One way to grease the future mother-in-law is to buy her product so I did what any super poor college student would do.  I bought $20 candles.

One of the best ideas of my life!  A.  It helped build my relationship with my MIL and B.  I LOVE the candles.

My MIL stopped selling them years ago and they are still the only candle I buy.  They burn slowly, smoothly, and clear to the bottom. The come in various sizes and jars.  There are clean scents, fruity scents, floral scents, baking scents ...

I burn my candles seasonally--ginger lime, fizzy pop, orange, strawberry rhubarb pie, and grapefruit are spring/summer scents while Christmas presence, warm apple crisp, pumpkin pie, apple cider and banana bread make me feel all toasty during the fall and winter.

I'm a bit of a candle addict and I have a whole cupboard dedicated to carefully storing my candles. 

If you ever come to my home and it smells amazing, please know it is NOT me.  It's the candles.

What I Think About--Getting Away

A few weeks ago I read a charming little blog about a husband and wife who got to leave for a week and go on vacation without their children. Sounds dreamy, right?

The blogger, though, had to admit that she and her husband really missed their kids and that though they loved their time away, it was hard to look at the pool and know that kids would love it.  Hard to be at the beach without wishing she could hear their laughter ...

This really got me thinking about getting away.

We got away a lot as kids.  My parents took us traveling everywhere and it was a blast.  Those car fights, hideous hotels, and bathroom breaks along the side of the road are some of my best memories. But my parents got away without us a lot too (and I should mention here they've been married for nearly 41 years).  There were weekends away and weeks away.  I remember as a kid feeling a little duped but I must admit, I get it now.

It is very important to have quality time with your children. But it is equally important to have time alone with your spouse.   After all, one day your darling children will grow up and move out and you're going to want to still know that person you've been parenting with for 18 years.  Ladies, just as we make dang sure we spend enough quality time with our children, we must spend quality time with our husbands!

Part of being a healthy parent is balancing time with children, with your spouse, and with yourself.  Though I often feel guilty when I crave "alone time," I really don't think that constantly sacrificing myself or my marriage for my children is want to model.  I want to model balance and I can't do that unless I actually strive for balance! I can't expect my children to grow up and passionately pursue their dreams and purpose if I don't lead the way.

It is easy to feel guilty for wanting to get away.
It is easy to not make your marriage a priority.
It is easy to make your kids the center of your universe.
I'm saying these things are easy ...

 not right.

A few weeks ago Matt and I took a weekend to ourselves.  It was great to go hiking and out for dinner and to sleep in.  At the end of the weekend, I was ready to see my kids.  And Matt and I returned to them totally refreshed.

Here we are on the summit of Flattop.  We were supposed to climb the 

mountain behind us too but the weather rolled in.  

Yes, your children would have liked the pool.
Yes, your children would probably love the hotel.
Yes, your children probably would have loved the fries at that restaurant.
But here's the important one.
Yes, your children want your marriage to succeed.

Take a moment and get away.  Celebrate the foundation of your family--your marriage (and then plan a little family trip).

What I think is my parents were right children need to see their parents privately getting away to spend time building their intimate relationship. 

BTW--get aways can be cheap!  Go camping.  Get a motel room off priceline.  Switch homes with a friend for the night ...

Do you have any cheap/easy get away ideas to share? The comment line is all yours!

Your Words--You Know You Have PMS When ...

You know you have PMS when ....

• Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
• The dryer has mysteriously shrunk every pair of jeans, capris, and shorts you own.
• Your husband agrees with you too quickly and about everything.
• You get teary-eyed during Yo Gabba Gabba
• You catch yourself reading "Guns and Ammo" instead of "Family Fun" or "Real Simple."
• You think the Bible verse "... and Mary rode Joseph's ass ..." is a Biblical mandate to nag.
• Pretzels, ice cream, and grape jelly seem like a logical breakfast dish.
• You are retaining more water than all of the Great Lakes combined.
• You will fight anyone who says that chocolate is not one of the major food groups.
• A shirt with a big bulls eye on it seems like a good birthday gift for your husband.

Your turn to finish this sentence: YOU KNOW YOU HAVE PMS WHEN ...

What's Cookin'--8/2-8/8

I got an e-mail from gal letting me know that most bloggers post their meal plans on Monday.  Thank you for the heads up, girlie!  However, I'm gonna keep my meal plans on Sunday because, as a meal planner, I think you should get your recipes and buy your groceries BEFORE the week starts (and my sister asked me to post the meal plan on a weekend day).

Here we go!
Monday--Chicken Marsala with salad (this is excellent over whole wheat pasta too but we are still eating very few carbs)
Tuesday--BBQ Salmon and wild rice with steamed veggies
Wednesday--Chili-lime steak salad
Thursday--Spicy grilled shrimp kebabs
Friday--Honey-lime chicken with couscous and salad
Saturday--Asian Chicken salad
Sunday--Spinach Pesto pasta with salad