It's not you...it's me.

Last night, one of our best friends was hanging out at our house. We kept chuckling about how anytime we wondered something (my wondering: how old Salma Hayek is because she is smokin') we could just use our phones or our laptop. No waiting. No pondering. No tip-of-the-tongue frustration.

The internet is awesome. Actually awe-some though. Awe-inspiring.

I can get answers (or at least an opinion to put me at ease) when I have one of my weekly health concerns. The amount in copays alone that it's saved me...wow.

I have been able to figure out this huge food allergy thing...and help others on their journey.

And the girls I have met through the blogosphere/Twitterverse? Well, even though when I talk about them (oh, yes, I love them enough to talk about them IRL), I get that look. The "Ohhh, I didn't realize you have friends that live in your computer. Never saw that comin.' " And although I have only heard a handful of their voices through my phone, I feel more connected to some of them then to friends who I see, in person, regularly. I've met people who "get" me. Girls who are my friends. Not my blogfriends or my Twitter friends. Just my friends.

It's an awesome thing.

But? Sometimes the internet sucks. you. in. Or maybe it's just me. So it sucks. me. in. And I wanna know what my friends are up to. And I need to play in one of my 3095033 games of Words with Friends. And yes, I want to spit these words out onto a blog post before I forget them. And that drama going on around Twitter? Well, of course I want to get the dirt!

And because I am a working momma, my evenings are precious and short and frenzied. I'm trying to fit in time to read The Foot Book to G for the 7th time that day. Trying to give L my undivided attention so that he can tell me the new exciting story. Trying to fit in workouts. A conversation with B. Making lunches. Checking backpacks.

And that whole balance thing that I said I wanted to work on? Well, evidently it's a good goal, because I have not reached it. I am so unsteady that I don't know if I'll ever be able to juggle Twitter-mommyhood-SLP-exercise-marriage like some of my girls. These days are deliciously crazy, and I want to remember them that way.

So I've decided to just step back and breathe a little. I'm not throwing my computer out the window ... when you gotta blog, you gotta blog. I'll check in on Twitter but not feel the need to go a while back in the timeline to see what I missed. I know I've never been good at responding to comments, but I can't respond to all of them for the time being anyway.

I'm thinking all this time on the yoga mat - and, yes, a nudge from God - are giving me a craving for presence and balance and zen everywhere.

Which reminds me, I have a yoga love post rolling around in my head. I need to get on that. I kid, I kid. Well, kinda. Anyway.

Hopefully with this life shift, I'll get the chance to sing a few more rounds of "the Hot Dog Song" with G, or play Wii with L, or just sit on my couch and breathe. Or think of 29059 reasons why I love the internet.

Namaste'.

I was nominated? I mean, I was nominated!

Something happened that I never saw coming.

Not in a million years.

I was nominated for a couple of bloggy awards! Little ole me with my silly little L stories. In fact, one of my L stories was nominated for a "Most Inspiring Post" award.

I. Am. Floored.

Especially because I'm in the company of bloggers that I really admire, and two of them are girls who have leapt from "blogfriend" to "IRL friend" territory, Jess and Katie.

So, yeah. Shocked.

I am not one of those people who asks for votes, because I think that kinda defeats the whole purpose of one of these things. So I won't.

But do go check out Karen's blog, because I am confident that you'll love her as much as I do. Plus? She put in a lot of work to set up this nomination thing. Oh, and there are some amazing blogs highlighted, many of which I'd never have known about if it weren't for the nominations.

To whomever nominated me...namaste.

snippets

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to have two boys. The fact that they find bodily functions hilarious doesn't surprise me. The constant talk about body parts doesn't surprise me. What surprises me is how early the fighting began. At one and four, they already fight over toys. Screeching, hitting, whining entails on a daily basis.

But in the mornings, they act as though they haven't seen each other for eight weeks instead of eight hours. They hug. They kiss. They giggle and wrestle and love.
And every so often, I catch moments like this....

...and my heart just about explodes. Oh, my boys.

**********

Remember the Veteran's Day banner that I posted about in my last post? If you aren't on Twitter, then you didn't get a peek of my ten-foot long creative pride and joy for this week. It will hang over about 100 first graders' heads next week as they belt out some super cute tunes for our visiting Veterans.

Squeee! I love it. I do. I make a lot of things that end up looking ridonculous. And although it doesn't have the right number of stripes and paint smears "give it character," I'm proud of it. About 7 or 8 kids lent their hands to the flag and all of them have some type of special need. That makes me love it even more.

*******

This week I've been thinking about my blog-friends that I love.

Like this girl, whose generosity never ceases to amaze me. Because of her, I'm waiting on an Erin Condren planner that I've wanted since the moment I knew they existed. That little beauty is coming to me soon (dear God, hopefully soon...I don't know how much longer I can wait) and thanks to her, I didn't pay a cent. This isn't the first sweet thing she's done for me and one day I will hug her in person. Mark my words. I. Will.

And this girl, whose generosity literally brought tears to my eyes when she sent me one of the kindest gifts I've ever gotten, right when I needed it the most. She has such a kind heart and a good spirit and I'm lucky to have "met" her. If there were more people like her in the world, it would be a better place. For the record, I would also like to hug her one day. She's amazing.

Oh, and this girl, who I do get to hug all the time. She and I got to go out for sushi and wine last weekend. Clearly, judging from my one-glass-of-wine-induced tipsiness and raucous laughter, it had been far too long since I had a girls' night. Hanging out with her is never, ever boring and I'm excited to see her again this weekend. Love her.



Namaste.

I feel pretty........

Ahem.

Aheemmmmmm.

Notice anything different?

If you are in Reader, click over. Just do it. Look at the pretty.

My (very pretty herself) friend Katie over at Loves Of Life made me over. Well, she made my blog over. I wish she'd make my wardrobe over too. And my hair. Oh, and my house. Because she's got more style in her pinky finger than I have in my whole body.

But I am very happy with the blog makeover.

For now. Later, I'll figure out a way to steal more style tips for the rest of my life.

In the meantime, go visit Katie's ridiculously adorable blog and check out her blog makeover business. Leave her some comment love and tell her that her hippie momma friend (it's her term of affection for me, yo) sent you.

Namaste.

Thankful Thursdays: The "Diamonds in the Rough" Edition

Once, a therapist told me that the time that it's the most crucial to take a five-minute break is when you don't feel like you have five minutes to spare. That's stuck with me, years (and admittedly, several therapists) later. I am feeling the same way about Thankful Thursdays. When you're at the end of the rope and your head is spinning? Maybe it's time to focus on what we're grateful for. Can't hurt, right?

I'm thankful for sweet blog friends. You all never disappoint when you sense I need to hear from you. You all came through on my last post and knowing that you think I'm a good mom and that you feed your kids hot dogs too and simply that you've all been there too...you all put me back together. So thank you.

I'm thankful for the Sharpie company. Because those Sharpie pens, pencils, and markers that I bought the other day on my lunch break? They totally helped. Not gonna lie.

I'm thankful for my amazing coworkers. In three days, I've seen adults come together to solve problems regarding scheduling nightmares, temper-tantrum throwing students (yes, plural), and supply shortages. I had my moments last year with my job but I have fallen in love with it all over again and there's no place I'd rather be.

I'm thankful for a phenomenal school where I send my boys. Honest to goodness, I know that it's the best place for them. And if you think the very best place is at home with me, don't bother commenting to tell me that because you are so very wrong. We'll save the reasons for another day. But G is making strides on transitioning with fewer tears and they are so accommodating with my boys' dietary needs. Between socialization and pre-academics, what they are learning there is worth every penny we pay. Plus, it's super fun to get to see G shaking a maraca every day during music time when I pick him up.

I'm thankful for the fact that L makes me so proud that all the tough mama moments are worth it. Today, when I picked him up from school, his preschool teacher met me at the door, beaming with pride. She told me that L showed extraordinary kindness to a friend who was having a tough time transitioning to his first day of preschool. And nothing...not straight A's or a winning touchdown or the lead in the school play will ever make me prouder than a report that my son showed compassion to someone in need.

I'm thankful for jeans days and dark chocolate and coffee and Converse and perfectly ripe bananas and decent gluten-free bread and Dentyne gum and comfortable t-shirt bras. Because they all helped me get through today.

I get by with a little help from my Tweeps...

People like to warn about the horrors of social networking. I agree with a lot of them. There are lots of crazies out there. I'm fairly anonymous on my blog. Search hard enough (or ask around) and you can find out my kids' names. Look around a bit, and you can find out a roundabout place where I live. I don't have an exceptionally large following, so maybe that's why I am more lax. But I do know that there are dangers. 

That being said, I won't be deleting my social networking sites anytime soon (even though there are days I consider it).  Today was a reminder of why. 

On Sunday, someone gave poor L a piece of non-gluten-free bread. The story of how he got it isn't the point. It wasn't B or I who handed it over, but we've all slipped with his allergies. 

I digress.

Today is Wednesday and the third day that he's woken up, violently vomiting, followed by diarrhea. When it happened Sunday night into Monday morning, I expected it. When the cycle repeated itself very early Tuesday morning, I was concerned, but a call to the allergist confirmed that this second reaction phase was indeed normal. But when my L woke up this morning and vomited again (and again and again), mere hours after a dose of Benadryl, I was a bit panicky. 

I called the allergist's office to get a recording explaining that they were closed on Wednesday. Hours of bothering Dr. Google turned up a whole lot of nothing.  Exasperated, I turned to Dr. Twitter. As usual, Dr. T. did not disappoint. His friendly nurses completely turned my day around. 

I simply tweeted a request for anyone with gluten allergies to come forth and rescue me. And rescue me they did. A few of my Twitter besties retweeted my cry for help and did the legwork to hook me up with resources. Thanks to them, help came out of the woodwork. 

Another sweet friend emailed me the contact information for a clinical dietician at a local children's hospital, as well as encouraging thoughts on my parenting, that I desperately needed to hear. Although the woman she recommended couldn't give me specific help with L's present issue, she was full of information on necessary supplements for L due to his milk allergy, and suggestions for G's suspected milk allergy. 

I called L's pediatrician, who tried to convince me that L's sporadic vomiting was viral. Or simply acid reflux. My mama instinct was screaming but I managed to remain fairly respectful while I dug my heels in about this being allergy-related.

I became more and more aggravated, until I got a tweet from a woman who has Celiac Disease.  She put my mind at ease, explaining that it's unfortunately normal for L to still be vomiting; that the fact that all of his ahem-functions are normal between bouts of illness are a good sign; that the reason he throws up only late at night/early in the morning could be due to excess acid, and explained why.A few other women jumped in with valuable tidbits of information and encouragement.

In the meantime, someone responded to a post that I had published on a food allergy forum, continuing to give me answers and support. 

As I type this, L is napping peacefully. I am no longer choked up and tense, as I was this morning. Even though L hasn't eaten much today, I know he's hydrated and his response to the wheat he ate is normal. I have a plan of action for tonight to hopefully keep him more comfortable through the night. Without my social networking, I'd be the one sick to my stomach. 

I didn't link to everyone who helped me today because I was afraid I'd forget someone, and not everyone who helped has a blog to link. Plus, I know they did it out of the kindness of their heart, not for blog traffic. Hopefully they know just how grateful I am for their friendship right now. I love the fact that some of my online friends are my closest friends, and someday I'll figure out a way to hug them in person and buy them a beer.

Namaste.

Recycling-Themed Randomness

A couple of weeks ago, Abbie asked if anyone was interested in having a "no waste" day. We'd try our darndest not to create any trash. Um, right up my alley much? I told her I was in.

And then, 3.6 minutes later, I remembered that I don't cloth diaper. Nor do I plan to. So I e-mailed her later and said I was backing out. (And turning in my tree-hugger card.)

She insisted that it was okay; just to try it. God love that girl. So on our practice day, last Tuesday, at work, I actually produced very little trash. Granted, it was because I asked the secretary exactly what could go into our recycling bins at school. She insisted everything. Even-gasp-those styrofoam cafeteria trays.

Yesterday was the real day. I didn't take photos or really document everything. But I did attempt to recycle every possible thing that I could. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Trader Joe's organic sliced apples bag was recyclable. So were ziplocs. And the plastic container that holds pineapple at the produce stand.

Moral of the story? Before you toss that trash into the dumpster, think about it. Can it be recycled? Now, can I have my tree-hugger card back?

*****

I have inherited my love of recycling from my 95-year-old grandfather. He recycled before it was cool. (What? Recycling is cool.) He even had a compost pile for years and years. He lives with my dad, and every time I go to visit, he has a new book he's reading about re-using things (or natural remedies...like I said, it's genetic).

The recycling gene is apparently dominant...today, L's teacher stopped me in the hall to tell me that he understood recycling more than any other student. It's their theme this week, and today they had to sort materials between metal, plastic, and paper. L was able to do this completely independently and didn't miss one.

On our way home, L excitedly told me about the recycling activity, what each material looked like ("Metal is hard and shiny!") and how we make new things when we recycle. When we got home, we cleaned up the house and talked about what could be recycled and what had to be trashed.

Be still my hippie heart. Never have I been so proud of my kid.

Well, until his other teacher stopped me in the hall to tell me that when he was asked what I looked like today, L answered, "My mommy is really little." 

{She jokingly asked if she was little too...apparently he looked her up and down and answered, "Nope." Whoops. }

Recycling and saying I am little? The kid knows how to melt me already.

*****

Last week, Liz tagged me in a fun little game. And it actually goes right along with my recycling theme because I wrote the answers on a recycled piece of paper. Therefore, excuse the big crease in the middle of the paper. Also, L spilled water on it, and it's been around my house a bit the last few days, so it was a mess by the time I took a picture of it. The good news is, it is now resting in peace...where else...in the recycle bin.

I do like my handwriting. Working at a school, having decent handwriting often gets you many extra duties.  For the most part, it's fine, because I love lettering, but sometimes it's just one more thing when I'm already super pressed for time. Anyway. Here's the handwriting meme:

Questions:

1} What's your name and your blog's name?

2} What's your blog's URL?

3} Write: "A quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog!"

4} What is your favorite quote?

5} What is your favorite song?

6} What are your favorite bands and singers?

7} Anything else you want to include?

8} Tag people.

'Cause you gotta have (blog)friends..,

You probably think that you have the best bloggy friends in the world, don't you?

Well, I am here to tell you that you are wrong.

I win.

Game over.

My friend Katie (who I have never met IRL but will someday...mark my words) made me my blog over and look how beautiful. I am it is.

She's amazing. Seriously.

She makes the cutest headbands in her Etsy store, which are often imitated and never duplicated. Every single time I wear one of mine, I get compliments on it.

She writes the most adorably honest and hilarious blog posts, peppered with breathtaking photos she takes of her oh-so-pretty little girl.

And now she's outdone herself by creating the gorgeousness that is my blog, and when I attempted to update my blog with her creations and totally screwed up my whole blog, talked me off the proverbial ledge via texts, and ended up just doing it for me.

I. Love. Katie.

She deserves a cape. And a tiara. But she'll have to settle for a teeny tiny gift heading her way that won't begin to be enough for providing me these cheesy grins every time I look at my blog.

Now go buy something from her Etsy shop (and keep checking back because I have heard through the grapevine that more cute items will be making their appearance soon).

Go on. You won't regret it. Trust me.

Thanks, Katie! I hope one day I can find a way to repay you!

Sending love to Summer

I've recently started reading Summer's blog, and this amazing girl has gone through more than should be legal, especially recently. So today I'm joining some of her other friends in simply posting these pictures of her and her dad, who she just lost. Go give her some love, would ya? She could use a virtual hug today.

Where's my cape?

Today, I ventured out with my boys to meet up with my bloggy-turned-IRL friend Elizabeth. We decided to meet up at an indoor playground between our two houses where our boys could play and we could sit and chat.

We settled in, I nursed G, and we started talking. And talking. And talking. And as I finished up with G, I started telling Elizabeth about the last time we were at this playground. My typically overly brave L had gotten "lost" in one of the tunnel mazes. He couldn't figure out where to go, and my friend Michele, who had taken him there, had to call directions to get him out. He was so scared that he had a nightmare that night.

Just as I was recounting this story, I heard L start to wail.

"Mommy!" he cried, sounding as though he had immediately gone into panic mode.

I jumped up and agreed to Elizabeth's offer to take G while I rescued L.

I didn't even take the time to obey the no-shoes rule....I just ran up the stairs and into the maze of plastic tunnels, calling, "I'm coming, L! L, hang on, Mommy's coming!"

Elizabeth's little boy led me right to L, but it took a few minutes since I am too big and too old for those tunnels he was quite far away.

When we got close enough, L ran into my arms, hot tears staining his cheeks. I felt terrible for him. Elizabeth's son suggested that we all go down the big huge slide together, and I crawled the rest of the way through the tunnels, banging my knees and elbows and moaning and groaning all the way.

L was still a bit scared, and insisted I hold him while going down the big slide. Honestly, it was a HUGE covered slide, and between the tunnels and the slide, I was feeling a little dizzy and claustrophobic. Once we all got out, the boys ran off and I headed back to our booth to chat with Elizabeth.

We left the playground, had lunch with my dad and grandpa, and headed home. As I was putting L down for his nap, we were recounting our day.

"Dat was a fun day," said L.

"It was fun, wasn't it?" I replied.

"But it was so scary when I got stuck in dat tunnel," whispered L, wide-eyed.

"Yeah, but I came to get you. Mommy's always got your back," I reassured him.

And then L paid me the highest compliment that a 3 year old boy can pay.

"Mommy, you rescued me. You are jus' wike Superman!"

Can someone tell me how I can remain a superhero in my little man's eyes forever?

The Power of Prayer Part II

I'm not feeling so hot today.

I should be...it's our 5 year anniversary, my hubby brought me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, and G gave us a fabulous anniversary gift of....

drumroll please....

sleeping 6 straight hours last night!

But apparently, L thought that the perfect anniversary gift for Mommy and Daddy was his virus.

So I'm sitting here feeling like there are bumblebees in my nose and razorblades in my throat and I am not up to blogging today. I want to blog about B, seeing that it's our anniversary and all, but I want to wait until my brain is working in order to give him the post he deserves.

So.

I want you all to go visit my friend Elizabeth's blog today. She is telling the story of my post yesterday, but from her point of view.

Namaste.

An apology of sorts

Lately, whenever I start to hit "Publish Post" after writing a blog post, I cringe.

I know that I'm going to offend someone with what I've written. Somehow, I've managed to avoid those hate comments that make me shake my head in amazement when I read them on other people's blogs, but I figure it'll happen anytime.

Before it does, I want to make something abundantly clear.

What I write on my blog is pretty self-centered. I mean, let's be honest, we all are to some degree...we are all talking about ourselves and our lives every day. Like everyone else, I have my reasons for blogging. For me, it's a therapeutic outlet; a way to make friends; a log of my life; a virtual baby book.

But when I complain, I am aware that sometimes I hurt people's feelings, and that's the last thing I want to do.

I have friends who have lost babies; who are trying to get pregnant, and I know that when I complain yet again about my trials with Gray, it's irritating.

I have friends who are struggling with their weight; who are trying to dig deep and find motivation to exercise, and I know that when I complain about being fat when I'm not, or even my workouts, it's maddening.

I have friends who are out of work; who hate their job, and I know that when I go on and on for the 36538th time about how much I love my job, it's frustrating.

I do know.

But I want to put something out there. If I've commented on your blog, I am, at the very least, a little envious of something about your life.

Your baby who sleeps five hour stretches.

Your ability to stay home with your children. Even part-time.

Your amazing photography skills.

Your way with words.

Your follower count.

Your ripped arms.

Your kid without food allergies.

Your faith.

Your relationship with your mom.

Your long, gorgeous hair.

Your big group of friends.

Your clean house.

Your cooking skills.

I could go on and on and on. But you get the point. Just know that I feel twinges of jealousy all too often. And if I say something to offend you, I am sorry. Truly. It probably won't surprise anyone to know that in real life, I'm a bit absent-minded, but I almost always have good intentions. It's the same here in the blogosphere.

Namaste.

Twitter: Social Networking Site or Virtual Counseling?

I joined Twitter a while back...and promptly fell a little in love with it.

At that time, I deleted my Myspace. I figured something had to go, considering I had three email accounts, a blog and a Facebook.

Yeah. I know. Sign me up for Social-Networking-Aholics-Anonymous. What can I say? I crave personal interactions. When I'm a SAHM in the summer or on maternity leave, I'd go bonkers without it.

I love me some Facebook. It's actually my home page and I admittedly spend too much time on it. I also adore my blog, and connecting with others through theirs.

But my sweet little Twitter has a special place in my heart.

I throw out a mommy question, a speech/language inquiry, a too-personal-for-the-internet pregnancy query, and almost always, I immediately get a response of some sort.

I can whine shamelessly about my lack of sleep and promptly get supportive ::hugs:: from my "tweeps." (For those of you who haven't discovered Twitter yet, that would be "Twitter peeps." Don't knock it.)

And I have met some really, really great girls, and a few guys, through Twitter. I can't believe I can honestly say that I have made real friends through Twitter, but honestly? I have. I couldn't live without them and their questions, advice, and funny tweets that make me laugh when I am sleep deprived and on the verge of tears, all written in 140 characters or less.

And if, God forbid, I was forced to choose, I am pretty sure I'd give up Facebook for Twitter. I just really hope I never have to actually make that choice. Ahem.

One girl I have met on Twitter through another mutual blog/Twitter friend is Jess, who I adore. She and I have a whole lot in common and her tweets are always extremely honest, like her blog. She has opened her own Etsy shop and you all need to go check it out and give her a little love. She's hosting a giveaway on her blog and I am dying for this print for Baby Gray's room.

And then go join Twitter if you haven't already, and look me up at namastebyday.

Thankful Thursday...the I heart Katie edition

My girl Katie, over at Loves of Life, got me hooked on Thankful Thursdays. And today, she is exactly the person for whom I am thankful.

She's blurred the line between blog-friend and IRL friend. Although I've never actually met her (I will someday!) she was one of the first people I told about my pregnancy. We twitter, text, and e-mail.

On Tuesday, we actually chatted on the phone, because I just had to call her and thank her for the best package EVER....

Check these out:

Yep! That's right! Matching shirts for L and his little brother. (They both are personalized, but I am not giving up little bro's name that easily!) And they are perfect for a crunchy mama like me! I couldn't have created more perfect shirts if I had tried!! I absolutely adore them.

L loves it too. He's so excited to have a shirt with his name on it that matches his brother's. He asked if he could wear it immediately, but wearing a long-sleeved tee in our midwest heat and humidity isn't exactly the best idea. I'll get pics of the boys in their matching shirts come fall.

But that wasn't all. Ohhh, no. Katie included something for little ol' me.

And I love it like I love those tees.

Is this the most adorable headband you've ever seen?


Look at it up close. Just ignore my frizzy hair. (Unless you have some tips or products to recommend to de-frizz me.) Is that the cutest??


The good news is that Katie is giving away a headband today so you can own one too. Head on over. And thank her for me. Because I cannot thank her enough all by myself. There's no way one person can express enough gratitude for brightening my day like she did. Love you, Katie!

I get by with a little help from my (blog)friends

A long time ago, I entered the blogosphere wondering what I was getting myself into. I didn't think I'd ever have many followers, whatever those were. I kind of felt like I did when I switched high schools in the middle of my sophomore year...hopeful, but doubting that I could find a place where I fit in since cliques were already well established.

Lucky for me, I had even more success in the blogworld than in high school. What started as a place to vent, then document my pregnancy and serve as L's scrapbook for a non-scrapbooking mommy turned into a network of people.

I have found people who are ready and willing to support me through a scary first trimester, through tough family situations, and did not disappoint in yesterday's frustration with L's allergy testing. I have received so much information, resources, and emotional support in the last 24 hours that I am overwhelmed with gratitude. As cliche as it is, I don't know what I would do without my blogfriends. Really.

I have a confession...while I have some great friends IRL, I have even more friends online who I feel comfortable telling my secrets and keeping theirs. So many of my friends who I met by stalking their cute blogs have blurred the lines between blogfriends and IRL friends.

On Thursday, I got to meet up with one of them. A while back, I met Elizabeth via another blog and we realized that we only lived about 15 minutes apart and had boys that were only weeks apart. We've been able to meet up a couple of times at Chuck E. Cheese or the movies for playdates, but it's awfully hard to chat when you are chasing around 2 year olds or sneaking them snacks in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

But this week, she invited us over to her house and we had a blast. Elizabeth is the craftiest girl I know. Her whole house is cute and there is something fun to look at everywhere you look. She has an awesome craft room and she's a talented photographer. L loves her, her son, and has a mad crush on her daughter. He actually compared her little girl to Hermione, and that's the highest compliment L can pay someone.

Elizabeth had posted a while back about her tree house and it did not disappoint. She even made a flag for it, and every time a new friend comes over to try out the tree house, she stamps their hand and writes their name on the flag. I watched this process with L, marveling at how she comes up with these ideas, and forgot to take the picture. But trust me, it was cute.



Did I mention she's creative? Only Elizabeth would think of stacking up recycled ice cream containers in front of the slide...

....and letting the kids slide into them! Genius!!



This time, we had lots of time to talk. We sat in the shade, chatting about our favorite blogs, parenting, and life in general. She even got to feel the baby move around in my belly (and I must note that she asked to touch my bump...very sweet). The kids got along really well, playing all morning and then enjoying a picnic lunch.



After lunch, the kids played a little longer and then L got super sleepy.

And super tired of me taking his picture.

(In case you are wondering, yes, he does have other clothes, and no, I can't get him to wear them if this shirt is clean. He is wearing it in the majority of his appearances on my blog.)

And even though our world was turned upside down with a few pricks on L's back later that day, thanks to my blogfriend-turned-IRL friend and her kiddos, I can't chalk Thursday up to a terrible day. Thanks, Elizabeth!

Reasons #23895 and #23896 I love my blogfriends

Secret Santas, Boo Buddies (our school's Halloween Secret Santas), ...I love stuff like that. LOVE it.

So when my girl Katie, who I also love, had the best idea ever for a swap, called the Simply Love Swap, I knew I had to join in the fun.

It's totally a Valentine's Day+Secret Santa (without the 'secret' part)+Swap combination, and is there much more fun than that?

I didn't think so.

Head over there and join in the fun today. You can thank me later. You know...when you get your goodies.

And if that's not fun enough for you, let me tell you, you are missing out on laughing until your sides hurt if you are not participating in....

Not only did I add new terms to my vocabulary, including skanktastic, whorific, and whoriest (oh, wait, that last one was all me), I met some hilarious new girls and had a blast watching The Bachelor "with" them via Twitter.

Go check out Babbling Abby's post for more 'After the Final Tweet' hilarity. There's a possibility that you had to be there. However, you can...in one short week! Come join us next Monday, but don't say I didn't warn you...pee first. You WILL laugh. Hard. You don't know the cheesy pathetic stimulating television that is The Bachelor until you've watched it 'After the Final Tweet' style.

What in the world did I do without the blogosphere???

100!

I entered the world of blogging on my myspace account right before I got pregnant. I loved writing, venting, and of course, finding a new way to socialize. When B had had a long day at work on the phone, he just wanted some peace and quiet. When I had had a long day at work, I liked to recharge by telling him all about my day. While the introvert-extrovert marriage has its pros, the end-of-the-day needs are not included in that list. So I discovered that I could tell my stories online, and if I was lucky, someone like Anrazel or Laura would reply.

Then, I found Jodie's blog when my best friend Em sent me there to check out some photos of her family that Jodie had taken.

Through Jodie's blog, I found the real blogosphere, and I promptly fell in love.

I signed up for google reader and stalked blogs quietly for a few months. I remember being nervous to turn my myspace blog into a big-girl blog over on blogger. I knew I wasn't nearly as talented at writing as some of the blogs that I followed. I certainly had no photography talent to supplement my posts. What if no one followed me? What if I sucked at blogging?

I waited until I came up with my perfect blog name, and then tested the waters. It was then that I realized that I wasn't in it for the followers. I was in it to document my life as a mommy, as a wife, as a speech-language pathologist. I was in it to find more blogs that could make me giggle or put things into perspective after a shitty day at work. I loved being inspired by the amazing writers out there.

I never thought I'd be able to ask for advice on something...anything...and get it.

I never thought I'd post about my crappy day, feel a little better, and then get supportive comments from people, and feel completely better.

I never thought I'd make real friends to whom I would send Christmas cards, text at 6 am, tell secrets that I couldn't share with anyone else, wonder about even when I wasn't reading their blogs, and talk about to my IRL friends and family.

Don't get me wrong. Every single time I got a new follower, I'd get a thrill. And this week, when I got my 100th follower, I was ec. stat. ic. Never in a million years did I think my followers would be in the triple digits. Really. Never.

I am so thankful for everything the blogosphere and more importantly, those of you who read my silly little blog about my silly little life have given me.

I am going to open up my giveaway to anyone who is a follower as of right now. So if you've joined my followers since I posted the giveaway and want in for my favorite Avon goods, let me know.

And if you've already been a follower friend and become a huge part of my life and have done more for me than you probably ever knew, know that today, I am truly grateful for you.

In the truest sense of the word....namaste.

A little Q and A

I asked for questions from my readers, and as always, you didn't disappoint! Here are the answers that I'm sure you've been dying to hear....


Katie



1. What got you into speech pathology?

I started my high school career in a private all-girls high school, which I despised. However, I am grateful that the school helped me find my calling. In one of our religion classes, we had to choose a place to volunteer. When I brought the paperwork home to my mom, she excitedly insisted that I try the "Special People Halloween Party." I had no experience with people with disabilities, and I distinctly remember how nervous I was as we pulled up to the party that day. However, within an hour, I was helping a man with Down Syndrome eat his cake and wipe his face, and had fallen head over heels in love with people with disabilities. I was certain that I would become a special education teacher, and then my mom told me about speech-language pathologists. She explained that SLP's worked with kids one on one, or in small groups, and it was a much more flexible job than a teacher. My little brother had gone to speech therapy after getting tubes at two years old, and I had been deeply touched by my grandfather's loss of communication when he lost his hearing due to a brain tumor. I did a little research, and became very interested. When college recruiters came to my high school and I told them I wanted to be an SLP, they warned me that it was the hardest program at the school. I went home and told my mom that I had changed my mind, but she refused to let me do so. Within minutes of my first Introduction to Communication Disorders class, I realized that this was exactly what I was born to do. I've never looked back.




2. Is your district public, and how many students do you see on an average day?

Yes, I work in a public district. I work with less kids per day than the average SLP, only about 15 each day. I love the students who are low-functioning and require intensive one on one therapy. But I learned the hard way last year that working with only those students will burn you out pretty quickly. So this year, I picked up a couple of 2nd grade speech therapy groups, where I am teaching kids how to say specific sounds (busses rather than buthes). I also picked up some 5th grade language therapy groups, where I preteach them vocabulary from their classes or higher level everyday language (making inferences, comparing and contrasting, etc.) and it's a joy. I've also put some of my students who are nonverbal or have limited verbal language together in small groups, which is pretty interesting too.


3. What do you do when you want to unwind and RELAX?

Duh...I enter the blogosphere! :) I also go to spinning class, practice yoga, read trashy celebrity magazines, wrestle with L, go out to dinner with B, "rock out" to Guitar Hero with my boys, watch reality tv, and drink pumpkin beer.

Karen


How did you pick L's name?

I've liked the name Logan since I was in my 20's, which was fortunate, because B was absolutely set on that name. He first heard it on X-Men (Wolverine's real name is Logan) and always thought it was a really cool name. It fits him. His middle name is the same as B's middle name (and B's dad's first name).


If you had a "List", who would be on it?

How many do I get on this list? I'm including 7. I realize that may be pushing it, but, well, this is my blog. :)
1. Ben McKenzie







2. Matthew McConaughey




3. Dave Matthews



4. Evangeline Lilly (don't act shocked that I had to include a couple of girls!)



5. Olivia Wilde



6. David Morse (this one might shock you more than the females, but I have had the hugest crush on him ever since The Green Mile.)



7. Taye Diggs




Sarah
You mention your workouts and you are very active....I would like to know how much do you workout? days a week.. doing what..?? I need some inspiration ;)


I am currently trying to find a new plan that works for me. My goal is to work out 3-4 times a week (plus cutting the grass with a push mower every week, which I absolutely count as a workout). I never miss my Saturday morning spinning class, and my new goal is to lift weights twice a week, either in Body Pump or using free weights at the gym with B. I also try to work in another day of cardio. I enjoy spinning the most, but the only other time my favorite instructor teaches is at 5:30 am once a week. I'm signed up for this week, but I'll be honest, I also signed up for a 6pm class just in case I don't make it to that ridiculously early morning class. My teacher today told me that I really need to mix it up a little more, so we'll see if I can work something else in. If anything, I'll probably practice yoga at home on my own. Figure out a schedule that works for you, write it down, and stick to it. Eventually, if you find something you like, it will almost become addicting. Really.



Little Woman

1. Do you have any names picked out for when you and B decide to start making babies again?

It's funny that this was one of the questions, because now that B and I are in hoping-for-baby-number-2-mode, we are fighting over discussing names quite often. For a girl, he has tunnel vision with the name Isabella. However, Bella is not my favorite, mostly because it's ridiculously popular. If I could be sure that everyone would call her Izzy, I'd go for it. My favorite name is Emilia. My grandmother's middle name was Amelia, and my best friend's name is Emily, and I really, really, really love this combination of the two names. B isn't so crazy about it. The only other two names we are even throwing around are Scarlett and Charlie. If you all have any suggestions, please send them my way. For a boy, I am set on Gavin, but B is pretty wishy-washy on it. He doesn't have any other suggestions, though, so as far as I'm concerned, Baby Boy 2 will be Gavin unless he comes up with something better.

2. It's a cool fall day and we're driving through the mountains looking at all the pretty leaves and bitching..but then a song comes on the radio, what is the song that we will sing like their is no tomorrow?!

Aw, Little Woman...this would be a dream come true. For some reason, I could see us belting out "So What" by Pink. It always gets me super pumped up in my spinning class! (I hope you don't hate that song!)

3. You are def. coming to my future wedding! lol (ok so that wasn't so much a question as it was a statement) :)

Hook up the invite, and I'm there to see you get hitched to your Big Man!



Leslie

**Leslie and I worked together at my last school and I wouldn't have made it through some days without her. No exaggeration. We sadly lost touch a couple of years back. She has recently showed up as a commenter on my blog but has her own invite-only blog and I am certain she is snickering wickedly knowing that she is torturing me by commenting on my blog, even announcing pregnancy #3, and giving me no way to get in touch with her. However, I will answer her questions out of the kindness of my heart in hopes that I either get an invite to her blog or an e-mail from her soon. Hint, Hint, Leslie.

1. Mason wants to know why we only buy Haribo gummy bears, Im not really sure except they were the only kind you would eat. Is that still so?
Yep. I love me some Haribo gummy bears but I haven't had them in years. Now I have a craving. Thanks.

2. The next time my 20 month old has a F!I!T! Do you want him...a taste of life with 2?

I can't imagine that sweet little man ever throwing a tantrum to rival L, but if it means I get to see you, then bring him over! But there is a reason I've waited to even think about Baby #2 and I am grateful that I did. If I had a newborn now, I'd be heavily medicated.

Michelle

**Michelle asked me this question as part of a comment on my little meltdown post on Thursday.

Have you ever thought about being a foster parent? I know it would be so hard but I could picture myself doing it someday.

I don't think I have it in me to be a foster parent. I used to volunteer at a rehabilitation/pediatric therapy center and I had one little boy named Micah who was my favorite kid ever. We had such a bond that they allowed me to do things that volunteers didn't normally get to do, such as bathing the kids, etc. He was there because his mother neglected him. The day I got to the center and Micah wasn't there because his mom had gotten him back was the last day I volunteered there. I can't imagine that pain to an even larger degree. I don't think my heart could take it.


Emma Lilly

I have a question. It's more for a friend she has an autistic son and is trying to potty train him. They got him stuff that he likes like mqueen pullups and such to help. But I was wondering if you have any helpful ideas because you deal with these sort of things on a daily basis. Thanks.

Oh, Emma, thanks for visiting my blog, but I am the last person to ask for potty training advice, considering my own L is still struggling (and I myself was 4 before I was potty trained through the night!). However, my gut says to be ultra consistent and find out what motivates her son. When he goes, give him that IMMEDIATELY, whether it be his favorite candy, toy, sensory activity, etc. And she could always try a visual schedule using pictures (real photographs work best) so he understands what he needs to do, and what he gets to eat or do after he goes. She could put velcro on the back of the pictures and attach them to a strip. When he goes, he can take the picture of the potty off, and the next picture should be of his reward. Does that make sense? If not, e-mail me.

Laura

I have a burning question... when are we going to get sushi again?

Laura is my very good friend IRL. The poor thing is currently two days past her due date, still waiting for Little Girl A to be born. If I thought it would help her go into labor, I'd go to get sushi with her today. You know...not that I enjoy California Rolls or anything, just to be nice to Laura. I'm a good friend like that.


Katherine: If you don't mind, I have a slightly personal question. You've talked about being in an abusive relationship. I have a family member in an abusive relationship, and she doesn't seem ready to leave. From your point of view, is there anything I can do or say that will make a difference?


I have read and re-read your question several times. Every time I do, I sigh, because I understand why women stay in those relationships. I think the only thing that got me to leave was that B assured me that I could find someone else to love me. (At the time, I didn't realize that person would be him!) Part of the danger of abusive men is that they break down their wives until the women believe that they deserve the abuse. I believed that the abuse was all my fault, that everyone in my life hated me and that no one would ever want me if I did end up divorcing him. You have to build her self-confidence back up. Tell her she's beautiful. Does she realize she's being abused? Gently point out that she doesn't have to put up with anyone treating her badly. Engage her in conversations about it. Figure out her reason for staying. Is she scared to leave? Tell her she can stay with you. Above all, tell her how much she is loved. A million times. Feel free to e-mail me about this. I'd love to help if I can.

That was so fun! Thanks to all of you who sent me a question. I hope that you know a little more about me, now. Enjoy your long weekends!

Couple of things....

Can I just tell you that my mom just stopped by? I hate when people just stop by. Well, unless they are holding a newborn baby in their arms like my neighbor was last night. Or unless they are coming to take my kid to spend the night, like my mom was tonight! Girls, hook me up with a woo hoo! Because not only does that mean we get the night to ourselves, but it also means that I do not have to drive thirty minutes out of the way to drop L off at her house tomorrow morning. Woo effin' hoo indeed. So L is gone. B left to buy dog food for Kingston, who is even across the street on a doggie playdate. I have the house all. to. myself. This never, ever happens.

Also. I don't know what the heck happened in my 5/35 post, but my poor friend Elizabeth did not get the bloggy hookup that she so deserves. I still can't figure out why my links won't work. So go visit her blog at www.sixgoldencoins.blogspot.com . She is such a great person, and a very interesting blogger. She not only is my good blogfriend, but lives very close to me and has a son L's age (almost exactly) so we have gone out a couple of times IRL too. And the other day, for no reason, she sent me the coolest tree charm that is my new favorite piece of jewelry. Go give her some love. Go on. I'll wait.

And while I'm hooking up the link love, check out my girl Petra. She's talking about porn in her column this week. Nuff said. Again, I must be linkally impaired because I can't post the link that she sent me, but go on and visit her column.

Finally, I've been seeing lots of bloggers do some cute question/answer posts. My new teacher blogfriend Katie posted a great one this week and Brittany even had her husband answer questions. There's no way B will do that, but does anyone out there have any burning questions for me? I'd love to answer them in a future post. Let me know.

Hope you all get some of your own time tonight, too! Namaste!

5/35

My blogfriend turned IRL friend Elizabeth posted this post not too long ago. She was asking her readers to focus on the good in their lives and jot down five good things every day for a week. I loved the idea, and had every intention of jotting down my five good things each day. Then a week later, her follow-up post popped up on my reader and I realized that I had forgotten! Whoops! So this week, I was good, and even though I was a bit whiny in my other posts, what you didn't realize was that I was that behind the scenes, I was being positive every day! So without further ado, here are my 5/35!

Monday:
the ability to wear tennis shoes to work...they come in handy when running after students!

being let off with just a warning from the police officer

the fact that Logan didn't really kick his classmate like he claimed

reading part of The Velveteen Rabbit to L; remembering my mom reading it to me as a child

watching B read books to L (and make funny comments about them)


Tuesday:
the escape of reality tv (just being honest)

wonderful principals who support me in tough situations at school

comfort food like Happy Meals

my cycle being regular again!

free child care twice a week....by my mother, no less!


Wednesday:
L's preschool and the feeling that I'd never send him anywhere else

Fruit Punch Gatorade and Cup o'Soup...perfect sick-at-home meal

a very comfy couch and blanket

my DVR...without it, sick days would be even worse

rockin' out with L to Guitar Hero and being amazed that he actually has drumming talent at two


Thursday:
Listening to Logan say funny things, like "this is delicious," "let me tell you something," and "good boys don't hit Kingston"

people who obviously care about me at work

a long talk with my BFF

a smart-ass email from my assistant principal that literally made me LOL

Logan staying accident-free all day long....the thrill of him coming home in the same underwear I sent him to my mom's in!


Friday:
a coworker picking up a Cherry Limeade for me from Sonic

Mr. Goodcents delivery for lunch

my 2nd grade speech group giving me a "group hug"

a very successful and smooth IEP that easily could have gotten ugly

lots of laughs at dinner with my in-laws


Saturday:
the best spinning teacher in the world

getting my house (mostly) clean

a midafternoon nap

my US Weekly arriving in the mail

successfully cooking a good dinner...and pumpkin beer to go along with it!


Sunday:
Mowing the lawn on a beautiful morning (and starting it the first time every time!)

Wrestling in the fresh-cut grass with L and laughing hysterically together

L having significantly less tantrums this weekend

Unexpected "Kids Eat Free night" at McAllister's

Delicious vegetarian choices at dinner

So now I challenge you! Try it out. And let me know if you do it...I'll hook you up with a link on my blog. Optimism is contagious, you know!