Days of Play--Nature Walk Collector

The days are finally starting to feel springish .... hopefully I didn't just jinx us, Wyomingites!.

It's time to get out of the house.

Grab a sack and go on a walk.  Let your kids lead--you follow.  Encourage them to explore their surroundings and to "collect" things on the walk (though this might be a good time to explain that it isn't neighborly to collect flowers from other people's gardens).

When you get home, get a strong piece of cardboard and glue.  Have your kiddo turn the collected stuff into a piece of art.  Display it for one week.

Date Night In--Star gazing

When the kids are in bed, sneak out into the yard or onto the patio (if you live in WY take lots of blankets and make cocoa).  Spend some time outside star gazing.  Lay on your backs.  Hold hands.


When Matt and I do this we like to play "Would You Rather ..."  This is silly and easy to play.  Simply come up with two options and your partner has to answer.

You can be:

• Silly--"Would you rather kiss a monkey or a mouse?"
• Adventurous--"Would you rather climb Everest or do a shark cage dive?"
• Gross--"Would you rather eat my booger or one of the kids' boogers?"
• Sexy--"Would you rather kiss me in the car or in the rain?"

Another fun gazing ideas is to wager how many shooting stars you'll see.  Who ever is right (or is the closest without going over--Price is Right rules all the way, baby!) gets a foot rub for the same number of minutes as there were shooting stars (4 stars=4 minutes).

Things I Love--Being Okay with NOT being SuperMom

Today's edition of "Things I Love" was penned by a friend (which leads me to another point--I love guest bloggers.  Want to join the fun?  E-mail me at whereisthemeinmommy@gmail.com).

Rachael is the mom of two little girls, Emily and Jane, and a devoted wife to Chris.  She is the witty one in our local mom's play group.  In her "spare time" she bargain shops for rugs to replace ones that her daughter spilled bleach on and entertains her facebook masses with her humor.

Enjoy Rachael's words.  Surely you'll see why we love NOT being SuperMom and why I love "UltraMom" Rachael!

Rachael with her daughters Emily and Jane (neither of whom were named after literary icons).

As a woman, I fill multiple roles. Every woman does. I can proudly claim the titles “wife”, “mother”, “daughter”, “sister” and “friend”. But one title has eluded my capture these many years.  Despite my best efforts, I am not a “super mom”. Oh how I long to be called super. I dream about getting shirts, mugs and cards for mother’s day emblazoned with the words “Super Mom”. But super I am not. Why? I do not hold down a full time job.

Come to think of it, I kind of see the point of view of the world when they label me “Just Mom”. After all, I can’t think of anything less super than being so covered with oatmeal, snot and mystery liquids that my original clothing choice doesn’t make it past 9 a.m.. 

I certainly don’t feel super when, after feeding my toddler and my preschooler, I finally get to sit down to lunch and my toddler makes a deposit in her diaper. While changing her diaper, my preschooler will inevitably yell, “Mom, I just pooped! Come wipe me!”. By the time I return to the soggy bowl of cereal that is my lunch, the smell of feces lingering in my nostrils, I am feeling about as far as super as it gets.

The other moms at the mall don’t see me as super when I am wildly chasing after one child while trying to get the other child to come to me voluntarily by yelling at the top of my lungs (this never works, by the way).

I am sure that there are many days my excellent husband doesn’t see me as super when he comes home from work to a blubbering mess of a wife who can only blurt out the words, “tantrum… vomit… blowout… carpet… ruined”.

It’s no mystery to me why my cape, tights, “S” emblem and red knee high boots aren’t in the mail. It’s because kids don’t use labels like “super” or “stay at home” or “ultra mom” (This is what I am really longing to be called. Think it will catch on?) because I would like to believe that there are moments when my kids think I’m super. They think I’m super when I take them to the Children’s Garden and they get to take their time exploring. They think I’m super when I make a birthday cake that loosely resembles their favorite cartoon character. They think I’m super when I find a favorite lost toy or am able to produce a comforting blankie at a crucial moment. They think I’m super when I cure minor injuries with Band-Aids, popsicles and snuggles.  If my kids had their way, they’d be throwing oatmeal at the Super Mom uniform every morning. And that’s what really matters.

Something tells me that when I go back to work in a couple years and the world finally admits me to the Super club, I won’t feel any more super than I do now.  In fact, I have a sneaky suspicion that the veteran moms are right and I will someday look back on these years at home with my kids as the best of my life. Of course, by then, my fading memory will have wiped out all the bodily fluids and tantrums that marked these years. When my kids are grown and moved away, I have a feeling that all I will remember these years for the time I got to spend with my children. I will think of golden days at the park, first steps, first words, playing princess, reading books and singing songs. I will remember my children seeing snow, blooming flowers and helium balloons as great miracles. That’s super enough for me. Even if I don’t get to wear a uniform.

Summer Fashion Resource

I've gushed about The Good Life for Less before and Jill's done it again!

If you need to know the summer fashion must-haves or 37 outfit ideas, check this out!

$4 is a bargain!

What I think About--Letting Go (advice appreciated!)

I’ve become monster and I hate it.  I am angry, hateful, and spiteful (I'd include a photo here but really, it's not pretty).  That is not me.  The root of all this is a very unhealthy and dysfunctional relationship.  In fact there is a person who watches this blog not because she wants to be a part of a loving community or values my thoughts but because she is  “checking up” on me.  This letter is directed toward that person.  I’m sorry to use this public venue for such a private conversation but all other attempts of communication have failed.  I’m desperate.

I ask that in all this, you will pray for this woman to fully accept the love of Christ and to find her security, esteem and value in Him alone.  And I beg that you would pray for me. Specifically pray that I would continue to be loving and compassionate even to this person who hates me.  Please pray that I would release my anger to God and be only who He wants me to be and trust that He will work in and through me—even in this yucky situation.  Please pray that God will redeem this relationship.

Dear You Know Who You Are,

I don’t even know enough about you to know if you liked Friends but there was an episode where everyone is slowly finding out about Monica and Chandler.  Rachel and Phoebe mess with them and keep saying, “they don’t know we know they know we know” (if you need comedic relief—especially after reading this--click here).  Anyhow, you’ve been “watching” this blog silently for months.  You don’t know I know that you know about this blog.  But I do.

I do not deny that I have hurt you in the past.  I’ve gossiped about you and thought bad things about you.  I’ve enabled your bad behavior and have not held you to high standards.  I’ve apologized.  I’ve tried to include you in special events and outings.  I’ve called, sent notes, sent e-mails, sent gifts, texted, and invited you to my private family blog.   You do not talk to me.  You have gone out of your way to intentionally hurt and ignore my family and me.  You’ve accused me of seeking to harm you and isolating you but you have taken no responsibility for your actions.  This relationship is dysfunctional and emotionally abusive. 

What I have to say today is: ENOUGH.

Since January, though arguably for the last ten years, I’ve been trying to find the Biblical balance between forgiving you “70x7” and guarding my heart.  How many times am I supposed to forgive someone who doesn’t seek forgiveness or change?  How many times must I turn the other cheek?  At what point does placating your actions hurt you more than me?  This is a sticky slope.  What I’ve come to realize is that forgiveness frees me. 

Please forgive me.

I forgive you. 

Though I love you for who you are and where you are, I love you too much to let you continue down this destructive path.  Like a woman who leaves an alcoholic and abusive husband until he is sober and has demonstrated change, I am leaving this relationship until you are able to show “fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8).

I am making a choice to respond—not react—to you.  You may choose to not deal with your issues but I will not continue to expose my children or myself to the wake of chaos that follows your lack of self-control. 

I am building a boundary.  This building is not a wall but a fence.  The gate is open for you to come through when you chose. 

Of course my great fear, perhaps the greatest fear of anyone who has been in this position is that you will never walk through the gate--that we will never have a relationship--that I won’t know your children and you won’t know mine.  Scary as this thought is, I must lean on this quotation, “Sometimes, the hard truth is that they will not talk to you anymore, or they will leave the relationship if they can no longer control you.  This is a true risk.  God takes this risk every day.  He says that he will only do things the right way and that he will not participate in evil.  And when people choose their own ways, he lets them go.  Sometimes we have to do the same.”

Without malice, without ill-intent you must know that I am letting you go.  You are free of your imaginary competition between us.  You are free of any social obligations to my family or to me.  You are free of having to pretend for my sake--for anyone's sake.  You are free to find who you are and how you fit into the world without comparing yourself to me.  You are free of any burdens or expectations put on you by me.  When it comes to my family and me, you are free!

But know this, I love you.  I desire a loving and healthy relationship with you.  I want you in my life.  I want you to be a member of my blog community.  I am crying as I write this.  When you are ready, if you are ever ready, I am here.  Henceforth the fence will be up but the gate will always be open.

70x7—but with boundaries,

Reagan

What I think about relationships is that they need boundaries. How do you balance guarding your heart with the need to forgive?  Am I right in distancing myself from this relationship?

Advice ladies, advice.

Too Clean Tuesday--Remove Hair Spray Residue

On the Where is the ME in Mommy Facebook page, dear friend Heather asked, "What is the best way to get icky sticky hair spray off bathroom doors and walls?  (Have I even mentioned how much I love your questions and comments?)


Great question and here's my reply:


There are a couple of options for removing hair spray residue. 

• The strongest option is to rub or spray isopropyl alcohol on the wall with a cloth.  Rinse.   Then wash the wall with dishwashing soap (such as Joy or Dawn). Rinse and dry. Though this technique is the strongest you must be careful because the alcohol can remove paint!
• Another option is to make a mix of 1 cup fabric softener to 2 cups of water. Spray onto wall. Wipe. Rinse. Dry.  By the way, this will make your room smell divine.  Want something else to do with fabric softener?  Check here.
• A final option is to make a paste of baking soda and lemon juice and water and rub it on the wall. Rinse and dry.

I've heard of people using kitchen grease spray removers (such as Formula 409), Scrubbing Bubbles, vinegar and Mr. Clean Magic Erasers to clean hairspray goo but I can't speak to how these work since I haven't tried them.  I urge caution :)


What have you done to remove hair spray stick from the walls?


Have a cleaning question?  I'd love to share my thoughts!

Stork Report!

THIS JUST IN!

The airspace over my house is STILL a "No Fly" zone.  All trespassing storks will be dealt with harshly (read: gunned down).

Sorry to disappoint you but my big news has nothing to do with being on the nest.  I love my beautiful children and I have enough (at least right now).

Is the suspense been killing you?

Are you dying to know my dirty little secret?

Here it is .....

                  WAIT!

You didn't think I'd just blurt it out ... did you?

There's lots of talk about God's gifts and I believe all of it.  Early on in my life I knew my gift was teaching.  I taught before I was a mom.  As a mom, I teach about 18 hours a day (you know how that goes).  For my "me" time I've been continuing my education--doing what I can do to be a better teacher.  But something seemed to be missing.  I love my husband.  I love my children.  But I also love teaching.  I knew I didn't want a "regular" teaching job because I didn't want to be away from my children 40+ hours a week. 

So I prayed something would come my way.  Shortly after I started praying, a position teaching history at a local community college opened up.  The position hadn't been open since I moved here four years ago.  Was this a "sign"?  I applied.  For various reasons, this job didn't work out.

But while Job A wasn't working out, Job B came at me from no where!  They sought me out.  They contacted me.  They offered me the position (turns out word of mouth is pretty darn powerful).  I wrangled with the offer. It involves a commute. It involves being away from my kids several hours a week.  It means change and I'm not one of those people who loves change (though I'm also not one of those people who freaks out when Facebook moves the "log out" button!).  It means finding child care that meets my standards (which are pretty dang high).  It means adjustment, and being out of my comfort zone, and being more committed and being in a position   where   I    might       F   A   I     L.

I took it.

Starting this August I will be a part-time professor at our state's only university.  I'll be teaching methods to education students entering phase II of their teacher preparation experience.  

I'm thrilled.

What's Cooking

We've had a few hectic weeks with Matt traveling for a trial and a nasty little spring cold that made our diets consist mainly of chicken broth and crackers.  That being said, we didn't do last week's meal plan and will, instead, be eating it this week.

Please check here for the meal plan.

Have a great week!

Days of Play--Memory Lane

Happy 1st Birthday, Pax!

In celebration of Paxton's first birthday, we'll be doing a walk down memory lane.

You should do it too--your kiddos will love it.

Get out photo albums, ratty toys, and other baby memorabilia and share with your children how they came to be (okay, maybe not the specifics) and how much they are loved.  Share silly stories, first words, etc.

Maybe, like Paxton, they'll be "too young" to get it but you won't be.  An emotional stroll down memory lane is always good therapy.

Frugal Fashion Friday: Wearing Patterns?

Remember when clashing wasn't cool?

Now mixing and matching patterns is all the rage!  Want to mix patterns and prints without looking like a clown?  Follow these tips:

• Stay within the same color family.
• Mix a large, bold print with a smaller subdued print.
• Don't wear prints head to toe.
• Make sure to wear a fitted piece (if you wear everything baggy or flowy you'll look like a curtain).
• Pull it together with a neutral piece (spring jacket, belt, neutral pants or denim, etc.)
• Use patterns in your accessories (do this if big pattern pieces--like shirts--scare you).
• On a personal note, I don't dig mixing animal prints.  Other than that, I'm kind of a fan of mixing stripes with polka dots (or flowers), flowers with plaid, etc.

Stripes and Flowers (gosh, it's hard to tell but the dress has a striped bodice and floral skirt)

Day Dresses by Charlotte Russe
Pumps by Forever 21

Polka Dot and Plaid

Skinny Denim by Old Navy
Hobos by Forever 21

Big and Bold--Soft and Subdued Florals

Distressed Denim by LOFT
Flats by Forever 21

Floral and Animal Print

Cardigans by Forever 21
Clutches by Charlotte Russe

Here's one of my pattern mixers! Same pink/brown family--one bold pattern, one more subdued.

I love this top!

So what's your vote?  Mixing prints and patterns: A trend to embrace or a trendy disgrace?

Things I love--Suspense

I love getting good news (now there's an original thought! haha!).

I recently got some good news and I can't wait to share it with you.

But not today.  Because I also love suspense.

M. Knight Shyamalan movies are some of my favorites because of how beautifully they build suspense.  They aren't scary and yet the purposeful withholding of certain information and the illusion of alternative endings promotes a delicious tension and anxiety.  Waiting is so hard and so rewarding.

So you'll have to wait to find out what my big news is.  How long do you have to wait?  A few days?  Six weeks?  Who knows?!?!

Did I win a free blog design?  Am I moving?  Throw out your ideas--I'd love to see what you mind is entertaining!

(If you are one of the few who knows what the good news is, I encourage you NOT to tell but do try to mislead my loyal readers by dropping some very plausible hypotheses of what is to come ... In this line I guess you could let the cat out of the bag because no one would likely believe you anyway ...).

What I Think About--Jennifer Knapp and Cannibal Christians

If you haven’t already heard then it is upon me to tell you that Jennifer Knapp is a lesbian.  And Christians everywhere are boycotting her.

I just recently finished reading the Bible in 90 Days—more on that in another blog—and as I rummaged through my notes I was surprised to see scribbled down Galatians 5:15, “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

Is this a warning against becoming cannibal Christians?


What do I mean by that?  Cannibal Christians, a group I unfortunately have been a part of at one time or another, use their words and actions to bring death—not life—to others.  Condemnation, judgment, criticism, disapproval, blame—these are the spoiled fruit of a cannibal Christian.  Phelps and the Westboro church with their “God Hates Fags” signs are famous cannibal Christians.  Lay-cannibals are in our own churches--perhaps in our own homes.

Is it surprising to you that many people view Christians as hypocritical, judgmental, insensitive, too political, homophobic, and boring?  Does it surprise you that these opinions are formed based on EXPERIENCE with Christians?  How did Jesus’ teachings go from “love one another” to where we are today?  What are the consequences of misrepresenting Jesus? 

When I think of cannibal Christians I think of Jesus and the adulterous woman.  John 8:3 says the teachers of law and Pharisees brought before Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery—a sinner. 

Stop. 

Where is the man?  This is an important question.  Mosaic law required both men and women who committed adultery to be stoned (Lev. 20:10, Deut. 22:22).  So why is just the woman being exposed?  Is her lawless act of adultery more despicable to God than the man’s? 

Don’t we still do this?  Don’t we elevate one sin above another?  Homosexuals be damned but gossips—not so bad?  Isn’t all sin, sin (James 2:10)?

While the teachers and Pharisees speak to Jesus, he writes in the sand and then says those words that forever highlight our need to be compassionate and merciful towards others—“If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

Jesus ends this encounter with the adulterous woman by saying, “Neither do I condemn you.  Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11).

Where am I going with all this?  I have a point.  I promise.

As Christians when we deal with others, especially those outside of the Church, we can be judgmental and critical.  In fact, many of us use Jesus’ words “go and sin no more” as our battle cry as we condemn sinners to hell with our proverbial bullhorns.  Is it wrong to challenge one another to lead pure lives?  NO!  A thousand times NO!

However, did we forget the first part of His sentence?  Neither do I condemn you.  Neither do I condemn you. Perhaps if Christians followed the first part of the sentence, the second might more readily apply.  If we lovingly and compassionately dealt with those without Christ, if neither did we condemn them, then maybe, just maybe, they’d come to know Christ and begin to address the sin in their lives. 

When it comes to homosexuality, asexuality, transexuality, intersexuality, etc., I believe Christians are facing a huge showdown with their theology.  Do we really believe that Christ came for the sick?  For the sinners?  Do we really believe that he died for the least of these?  That he died for us while we were his sinning enemies?  And if we believe that for us, do we believe it for others?  Did he die for them and their sins too?  Does “God hate fags” or did he die for them?  Are there any sins so deep and so dark and so icky that the blood of Jesus cannot wash and redeem them?

From where I stand, the answer is no.  Jesus is big enough and His love can cover a multitude of sins.

But how will people ever know that Jesus died for them if cannibal Christians, with all their judgments and hypocrisies and “holier than thou-ness” keep people from seeking Him?  How will people know that He is good, and loving, and merciful, and gracious and willing to forgive 

IF     

        WE      

                  DON’T       

                                    SHOW        

                                                       THEM?

As a Christian woman I am challenging all of you to remember what Paul wrote.  “What business is it of mine to judge those outside of the church?  Are you not to judge those inside? (1 Cor. 5:12).  It is time to put our faith where our theological mouths are. 

Your feelings on homosexuality need not be dismissed—your judgments of homosexuals must be.  Do not condemn homosexuals.  Love them.  Let Christ love them through you and He’ll take care of the rest.  Our role is not to judge when others sin.  That is God’s role.  Our role is to be forgiving and compassionate--to love as He loved us.

Finally, Jennifer Knapp.  Boycott if you think it will help her.  Boycott if you think it will show the world God’s mercy. Boycott if you think it will keep another Christian from stumbling.

But know this, I won’t boycott Knapp.  I don’t listen to her music anyway but I’ll pray for her as she fights the Christians who would rather devour her than love her where she is for who she is as she seeks to be the woman God made her to be (all the while trusting that He is working in and through her).

Is Knapp doing something that is against biblical standards?  Yes.  Do I do something every, stinking day that is against biblical standards?  Yes. (Galatians 5 has a great but not inexhaustible list of sins including: hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissention, factions, envy …). 

Will we allow Knapp to be the symbolic adulterous woman who will be stoned while the judgmental, merciless, gossiping Church, symbolic of the adulterous man gets off Scott free? 

Call sin, sin.  Don’t be afraid of that.  But when you do it, do it in front of a mirror and point to the plank in your own eye.  And then praise Jesus that He died for all sinners.  For you.  For me.  And then spread grace and mercy as willingly as He did.

Go, spread life and not death. 

And that’s what I think about Jennifer Knapp and cannibal Christians.

Tuesday's Too Clean Tip--Cleaning Exterior Windows

In general I really enjoy cleaning but some chores are a thorn in my side.  I don't love laundry, vacuuming, or cleaning windows.  It's not that any of them are hard, it just that they are tedious and irritating to me.

I'm not a great window cleaner but I'm working on getting better.  Here are some window cleaning tips.

1. Clean your windows on an over-cast day (too much sun will make the window cleaner dry too quickly.  I'm sure you can guess why you shouldn't do this in the rain).
2. Clean around the window.  Use a paint brush to dust away excess dirt, cobwebs, and grime.  On inside windows, use the vacuum. (if you don't do this, you'll make mud on your window.  Sort of the opposite of clean!)
3. Spray the window with a hose or wipe it down with a cloth and water from a bucket to get off the initial ickiness.
4. Now, get a squeegie (like the kind at a gas station), a clean dry cloth, a wash cloth, and a bucket of cool, clean water (add a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar if you choose).
5. Wash the window.  Using a pattern (up to down or side to side), squeegie of the water.  After each stroke, dry the squeegie blade.
6. Dry the window with newspaper *I'd wear rubber gloves for this or you'll get newspaper ink all over your hands.*.
7. If you clean the inside and outside windows on the same day, use the same pattern (up and down for outside, side to side on the inside).  That will help you know which side the streaks are on (if there are any).

Well, I'd wish you happy window cleaning but there is nothing happy about it.  So, good luck!

My New 'Do!

I'm totally NOT one of those women who is married to my hair.  I've experimented ... a lot (with hair, that is).  I've been known to chop of 13 inches of blond hair and end up with a nearly black bob.  Once I even dyed a portion of my hair construction cone orange (it was for my high school graduation.  My mom didn't find it funny).

Anyhow, whenever spring is nearing I itch for a new 'do.  This most likely stems from the fact that I do not like heat and my fine, uber thick hair is an incredible insulator. Ick.

I've got this great stylist Erin and she's totally game for hair do experiments (probably because by now she knows I won't melt down into a teary-eyed puddle of mush if a quarter inch of hair is cut off).  I went to visit Erin bright and early Saturday morning.  I looked like this:

Okay, honestly don't be too critical.  My friend Beth and I went to a late showing of Letters To Juliet (you'll be glad you saw it but won't want to own it) and I was up at 5:30ish.

Two hours later I left the trendy salon looking like this:

Super blond--super short (for me!).

And everyone knows the true test of a good hair do is whether or not you can style it yourself the next day.  

I totally nailed it!  P.S. My sister made me a necklace, earrings, and bracelet in the brown/black theme.  I'm wearing the earrings.  How awesome is that?!?!

So, a pretty bold move but I'm absolutely in love with my hair style.  It took less than a dime-sized amount of shampoo to wash it and I can blow it dry in under three minutes.  Ahhhhhhhh!

What about you?  Any summer 'do plans?  Something you'd love to do but don't have the guts to try?

What's Cooking 5/17-5/23

And on the dinner menu this week:

Monday--Spiced Chicken and CousCous salad
Tuesday--Pepper steak and rice
Wednesday--Soy-Glazed Halibut with wild rice and steamed veggies
Thursday--Country roast with potatoes and carrots
Friday--Grilled Steaks and home fries
Saturday--Out to dinner--guest in town  **Happy Birthday Paxton!**
Sunday--BBQ for Cousin Luke's Graduation!

Need a recipe not attached to a link?  E-mail me at whereisthemeinmommy@gmail.com

Days of Play--Side Walk Chalk

There is nothing like a bucket of chalk and a sidewalk that can unleash my inner child.  Grab a bucket of chalk and go wild on your driveway or sidewalk.  Teach your child to play hop-scotch or tic-tac-toe.  Draw your imaginary friend (you know you still have one).  Draw your house.

Beautify your world, one sidewalk square at a time.

(Let you kids help).

If you really want to get into it, make your own chalk!

Spy School #8--Casino Royal (great date night in)

Challenge your husband to an evening of cards and intrigue.

A week prior to his challenge, slip your husband the challenge with a new deck of cards.

The Challenge:
Gambling, Tuxedos and Bond--James Bond. If you accept this challenge your card skills will be put to the test and mankind's most precious commodity will be wagered.  If you are prepared to take this challenge, meet me _____date and time______.  Dress Vegas style.

Before the Date:
Learn how to play Texas Hold 'Em.  Google the rules, watch the video, etc.  You might want to have your hot date do the same.

On Spy School Date Night:

• Set the scene--Put up a card table in your room or somewhere private in the house.  Use your imagination to make the space as "gambling" themed as possible.  Consider black and white linens, dim lighting, candles, jazz. 
• Prepare some tapas and drinks (iced tea, wine).
• Have a deck of 52 cards.
• Have something to use for gambling chips/tokens (you can get chips or use pennies, sea shells, etc.).
• Get dressed to kill (even if you are staying in, consider a dress or low cut shirt.)

Forget money, play with tokens/chips that represent a minute of your time (each start with 60 tokens representing one hour of your time). At the end of the evening, each person adds up the number of chips they have and they can use those minutes of your time for whatever they want.  So, if you have 15 of your husband's chips, you get fifteen minutes of his time to use for a foot rub, dishes, laundry, etc.

Need some Texas Hold 'Em tips? Check out this video!


You and your hubby take turns dealing and placing blind bets.

If you need more information or rules on how to play Texas Hold 'Em, click here.

Here are some card hands:

• Straight flush (the best straight flush hand: A-K-Q-J-T, all of the same suit)
• Four-of-a-kind (the best four-of-a-kind hand: A-A-A-A-K)
• Full house (the best full house hand: A-A-A-K-K)
• Flush (all cards of the same suit, the best flush hand: any Ace-high flush)
• Straight (the best straight hand: A-K-Q-J-T)
• Three-of-a-kind (the best three-of-a-kind hand: A-A-A-K-Q)
• Two-pair (the best two-pair hand: A-A-K-K-Q)
• One-pair (the best one-pair hand: A-A-K-Q-J)
• No-pair (the best high hand: A-K-Q-J-9)

If you've never played poker, take your time and just try it out.  Have fun.  


If you want to make your evening **really** spicy, bet clothing instead of minutes.


For our Casino Royal night, we had virgin margartinits (margarita mix with ginger ale in martini glasses) and tapas.  Our tapas menu included: 

• baked brie with green apples and crackers
• Rosemary bread with provolone and prosciutto (you only need 3 oz max of meat)
• Lemon-pepper asparagus
• Spicy-salted shrimp skewers (only use 1 tsp. of salt)
• cantaloupe, black berries, and green grapes
• marinated olives with feta cheese chunks 

One of our Tapas plates.  Mmmmmm!

Our simple decorations--cards, candles, and poker chips.

Vegas gear?

Go Glam

Evening Dresses by Forever 21

Pumps by Forever 21

Or rocker

Distressed Denim by LOFT
Wedges by Old Navy

Things I love--A Good Cause!

Doctors thought Matt and I would have a hard time having kids.  Boy were they wrong.  Two weeks with no birth control and Wham-o ... bun in the oven (should I gross you out by telling you we got pregnant while on vacation with my parents?  I mean, they weren't in the room or anything--actually, they weren't even on the same floor in the hotel but still, it's a bit weird to think about).

Since we didn't think we would have our own biological children we were naturally thrilled.  And then came the question "Are you having a boy or a girl?"  To which I would smile and reply, "I'm having a baby."  Shocked O shaped mouths would reply, "You aren't going to find out?  I couldn't stand not knowing!"  (I always wanted to reply but never did, "Trust me, it is possible to NOT find out gender. People have NOT known the gender of their children prior to delivery for thousands of years. You could stand it if you chose to.").  Anyhow, this exchange always ended with this statement, "As long as baby is healthy."

And do you know what my reply was, "Even if baby isn't healthy."

Shocking.  I know.

Society puts such a huge pressure on what is "normal" and the hierarchy of health but that wasn't me.  I wanted a baby.  Whatever gender, whatever health--I wanted a baby.  Whatever baby God gave me, I wanted it.  Badly.  

Sure I wanted my baby to be healthy, who doesn't want that?  But I was counting on God more than good health.  

Just because we are given healthy babies at birth doesn't mean they will always be healthy. So rather than limiting myself, rather than thinking, "God just give me a healthy baby" I surrounded myself with thoughts of "God, be enough because if you are enough for me, you'll make me enough for my baby" and "Give me the courage to love regardless of what's coming my way (I meant the teenage years more than health--I think)" and "Help me to love You and trust You first ... always."

So far both of my children are very healthy.  And I praise God for their health.  I'm also realistic.  All it takes is one bad illness, one bad wreck and everything changes--everything but God.  That's why I'm counting on Him--first--always.

For one family here in blogland, that change just recently (as in May 5th) happened when they learned their 16 month old daughter, lovingly referred to as Monkey, has cancer.  Even if you've never experienced this crisis, you can certainly imagine what this family is going through (do you shudder when you think of such things happening to your children?).  They wanted healthy babies.  They had healthy babies.  Now they have an unhealthy baby.  

If you have healthy kids, show this family some love.  

1. Go to their blog and leave them comments and prayers of hope and encouragement (and be kind about the F-Bombs.  Remember, they are scared and stressed to the max).  
2. If you have a blog, grab a "Pray for Monkey" button and put it on your blog.
3. If you blog, blog about this!  See the links below for more info.  Spread the (W)ord.  
4. If you are blessed financially, click the link below and donate to help offset the financial costs.  
5. Pray for this baby, her family, and the doctors who will treat her.  
6. Most importantly, praise God because He is good.  He is good when things are good.  He is good when things are bad.  He is bigger than this illness.  He is worthy of our praise---even when we don't understand.  

I love a good cause.  Get on board!

Click on monkey to donate...please help!

For more information, please check out these links:


The Dose of Reality
Things I Can't Say

What I Think About--RSVP

With wedding and graduation season upon us, I feel the need to talk about the art of the RSVP.


RSVP is commonly found on wedding, birthday, and other celebratory invitations.  However, if you've ever thrown a party--or known someone who has--you've probably heard the host or hostess bemoaning the lack of RSVPs for the event.


Perhaps not RSVPing is an indication at the growing rudeness in our nation (I've already complained about ingratitude and the lack of thank you cards).  Perhaps people simply don't understand what RSVP means.  In the spirit of giving people the benefit of the doubt, here is what RSVP means and what you should do about it.


The initials RSVP come from a French term "répondez s'il vous plaît" which basically means "please respond."  


If you receive an invitation requesting an RSVP, it clearly indicates that the host/ess desires a firm head count as to who is coming to the party.  Unless the invitation says "RSVP regrets only" then you should respond regardless of whether you plan on attending or not.  


Not responding to an RSVP request puts extra burden on the host (and causes countless other problems--how much food to order?  How many chairs to set up?  How many favors to have?).


Now for a sad story.  


A few weeks ago (on April 13) I did a tribute to my nephew on his 10th birthday.  In true etiquette fashion, my sister dutifully sent out invitations to her son's party.  NO ONE, not one single person responded to the RSVP.  Knowing that not responding to RSVPs is a growing epidemic, my sister thought little of it (though she was terribly irritated).  Come the birthday boy's big party day, not one child showed up.  Can you imagine this?  Being 10 and having NO ONE come to your party?  There was my sister with her crying son, a huge cake, an expensive pool rental, tons of food and toys for party favors and no guests.  Shame on the parents who didn't RSVP.  Now I know what you're thinking--she should have called to check in--but really, she did her part.  The parents of the invited children should have RSVPed "NO" if they couldn't make it. That way, my sister could have been prepared to deal with the hurt feelings of a disappointed little boy.


This season when you get those wedding invitations or graduation invites, do the polite thing and let the host know whether or not you will attend the event.


If you can't go, RSVP NO.
If you can go, RSVP YES.
If you aren't sure, call the host and explain the situation and see what she would like to do about your "maybe."


What I think about RSVPs is we all need to be more polite and respond when we are invited to an event. 

Featured Blog on Improbable Housewife

FYI--Jessica, the Improbable Housewife, has Where is the ME in Mommy? as her featured blog today!  Thank you for the honor Jessica!  Head on over and check it out!

Oh, and thank you PINK MOSS for my award.  I love Project: In my Daughter's Eyes.  Have you checked it out yet?!?!