My Moments As Told By Me

Rant number 1.

I turned on the TV last night. The kids were down, the house picked up, and the kitchen cleaned. I wanted to relax before hitting the sack. I’m scrolling through the channels and I end up on The Bachelor. It was the finale, and only the second episode I’d seen. I looked at the time, 9:15 and he still had to pick his girl. Crap, I had to wait till 10:00 to see which girl gets chosen? They were really gonna drag this out? Oh yes they were.

I picked up my laptop and goggled some things, I even did some yoga. All while in the background the show was playing. I half watched, half puttered around online. The first girl walks up to meet him. Right away I knew he wouldn’t pick her. How did I know this? All these shows are the same. Same concept, right? She was too cute, too nice looking. She will most likely be the next Bachelorette. So he is crying, she is crying, hearts are broken, cue sad music….are.you.serious. And am I really watching this nonsense? Oh and wait, after this I can stay up and watch the “After the Final Rose” ? Incredible.

In between Jake making the “toughest decision” he’s ever made, a promo for Dancing with Stars came on. We got a first look at who the next “stars” will be. (oh boy) And who is gonna be on? Kate Gosselin. You’re joking right? Can’t this woman stay out of the limelight? Can she stop doing reality TV?  Her poor children. And though I should, being a hairdresser, I won’t even go there with her hair extensions.

This proves we should read more books.

OK, I digress before all the Bachelor and Kate Gosselin fans throw flaming hot poo at me.

Rant number 2.

Can we stop talking about Tiger Woods. I mean seriously. He’s a golfer, who cheated on his wife. Can we stop analyzing the man’s body language when he gives an apology? Do we have to have paparazzi trying to get a shot of him leaving therapy? Can we move on?

Rant number 3.

Facebook. Ah, facebook. How you sucked me in at one time, how sometimes you still can. Why I care who so- and- so married or how many kids what’s- her- name ended up having, I’ll never know. I’m tired though Facebook. Tired of your  friend requests from people I never even talked to in the past, yet now in Cyber world they want to be friends? I’m tired of your profile forwards, and how if I don’t post this, I don’t support the troops. If I don’t post that, I’m ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.  I’m sick of your weekly, sometimes daily, “change your profile pic” to, fill-in-the-blank. You are turning into Myspace and I don’t like it.

(Onto happy thoughts)

Rave number 1.

We got Netflix about two months ago. Oh sweet Netflix how I love thee. I love being able to watch full seasons of shows that I’ve always wanted to get into. And now I can watch them on my time.

Two shows I’m loving thanks to Netflix.

Rave number 2.

Dexter is just all sorts of awesome. The concept of this show is great. He is a serial killer who works for the Miami Metro Police Department as a blood spatter analyst.  BUT he only kills the people he feels deserves it, the people that some how get let go to hurt more people. Since my husband and I have totally different tastes in television, it’s nice to have a show we like to watch together. We’re half way through the first season, so if you’re into it, shh, no spoilers please:)

Rave number 3.

Greek. I’m ashamed to admit it but if a show is about high school or college I’m usually all over it. This is about sororities and fraternities and I sorta love it and stuff. Also? The college is supposed to be set in Ohio.

Rave number 4.

Yoga.

I took up prenatal yoga while pregnant with Gavin. I recently got this DVD and have been doing it for a little over a weekm now. I gotta say, I feel fabulous! I have so much more energy and stamina. I feel my body and mind is so much more centered and controlled the more I do it.  And I can’t believe how deep I sleep at night now. It really is amazing. I give Yoga two thumbs up.

Cooking for me is therapy. I love to cook. I love trying new recipes. I love to eat, and I love food. Sometimes though even food lovers and lovers of cooking have weeks where we get stumped on what to make. I find myself getting into the rut of making the same- old same -old. Over and over we have our favorites.

I’m a big planner, so I of course love the whole  meal planning idea. This really has helped me keep my meals new, helps with the horrible task of grocery shopping, cuts down the grocery cost, and makes meal time even more enjoyable. It makes me excited all over again to see what new recipe I can try.

I found a great website that really helps me plan my meals. The best part? It’s free and so easy to use! Meals Matter. It gives you a calendar to add your meals to. And recipes? So many to search through! You can even add your own favorite dishes to the list. It really helps you stay organized, helps with getting your grocery list together, and you have more variety and you’re not repeating the same meals over and over.

Here is one recipe I tried and it was very yummy and very filling. We all enjoyed it.

Vegetarian Quiche

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

1. Place pie crust in a pie dish. Pierce bottom with a fork.

(I usually make my own crusts but this time bought the ready made kind. So much faster and easier this way!)

2. Layer vegetables with cheese.

3. Cover vegetables with as much “Better Than Eggs as needed and top with salt, pepper and cheese.

( I added spinach instead of green pepper because they give me heart burn.)

4. Take a break long enough to sip some coffee.

(Mmmm hazelnut creamer…heaven in a cup I tell ya.)

5. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the eggs are firm.

( I made mine a little thicker so it took longer)

(Would ya look at that pretty little piece of egg and cheese filled goodness.)

6. Enjoy your Quiche with another fresh cup of coffee.

(This time sans creamer. You know, to say you’re living on the edge.)

“But time makes you bolder, children get older, I’m getting older too…..” -Stevie Nicks

Turning 30 not only starts a new decade for me, it also brings a sense of nostalgia. My 20’s were full of heart ache and extreme happiness. Mundane moments and life changing ones. It was spent learning who I was and what I wanted. Where I wanted to go. It brought growing up, decisions, school, careers, marriage, miscarriages, home ownership, and two beautiful healthy sons. It brought reality that plans don’t always go as planned. Dreams and goals can and will change. Life isn’t easy nor fair at times, but more times than one it can bring such intense joy you can’t explain it. It taught me that marriage is a wonderful thing, but you must work daily on it to keep it healthy and strong. There is no such thing as a perfect union. Parenting is the hardest job on the planet but its the best job on the planet. The best things come to those who wait, pray, and trust God’s timing and perfect plan for their life. His plan might not be your plan, but it is the best plan. It brought the reality that sometimes you think you know someone when really you don’t. That when you get an opportunity to travel down a certain road,  it can sometimes cause a painful space in a relationship with someone. It taught me that just because you think certain people will always be in your life, doesn’t always mean they will. And people you never dreamed you’d find a connection with you do. It taught me it’s OK to be open and honest. It’s OK to just be, me. It’s OK to close a door and let go.

I don’t know what this year will bring. I don’t know what my 30’s will bring. I don’t know if it will bring another child, different home, building on, job opportunities, or more college. I don’t have a clue and no definite plans for that matter. All I know is that I’m embracing this new chapter. I’m excited about this new chapter. I feel grownup, as silly as that sounds. Almost like now I’ve arrived, I’m much more mature now. I’m looking forward to what is to come and I’m ready. I’m not sad I’m turning 30, I’m celebrating 3 decades of being alive and well on this earth. I’ll remember fondly my 20’s and all that it brought to me. But I’m also saying goodbye and moving forward.

A new age. A new decade.  A new me.

You are my little explorer. You get into any and every thing. You crawl into the kitchen cupboards, so I can’t see you.  You are always trying to figure out how things work. You pick up on things very quickly. You are one smart cookie. Daily you are learning something new and amazing me. You follow your big brother around because you simply adore him and want to be near him at all times. Your little faces make any bad day better. Your little teeth are the cutest thing. You love your mom, which makes my heart swell from time to time. Even though you are my short little guy you are strong. You have a pot belly which I could eat on everyday. You are adventurous. You climb and walk all over the place.  You try to run even. You can go all the way up to the top of the stairs. You are fast. You sometimes scare mommy. You love to play and follow me from room to room talking in your own little language. My heart melts when you give me that crooked half smile that looks so much like the one your dad gives me.

You are all boy and you keep me on my toes daily!

I wouldn’t change it for a second.

Goodness I love being your mom.

Watching Gavin walk to me with this insanely cute grin on his face and infectious giggle as he collapses into me with a hug. It’s like, the best.thing.ever.

Getting my hands on a book I can’t wait to immerse myself into. Thanks to some great bloggy/twitter friends.

Looking forward to tax return season so we can start a few new projects and pay off previous ones.

Craigslist and Ebay. Enough said.

Feta Cheese.

Purging and Organizing in real and virtual life.

Seeing the sun and blue skies after a couple of gray gloomy days.

Landon now wanting to take showers every day. He even washes his own hair. Showers literally make this child giddy with delight. (What is he 14!?!)

Rosie O’Donnell’s new radio show.

Saving for a van. Never thought I’d be so excited about window shopping for vans, but look at me now! Move over sport’s car, here comes soccer mom!

Count down to our first real family vacation since 2003! I know, I know. We are way over due for one. We’re very frugal in some areas of our life.

Getting a birthday wish/want list ready.

Being OK with turning 30 next month. No really, I am fine with it. Just can’t believe I’ve been on this earth for 3 decades!?

After years of hearing how great they are, I totally get it now. I.get.it. I have been a Mac user now for over a month, and I’m still in love with this gem. That saying, “Once you go Mac, you never go back”? It’s true.

What are some things you are currently in love with at the moment?