Bawl, Baby.

I guess, as of late, I'm into video posts. So, here is another one. I really like this video that Josh made for me, and I used it for a lesson that I gave at church. The topic was "The Importance of Life and the Sacred Power of Procreation". It was quite a heavy topic for 14 year old girls, though, and so I wanted to do it right. I decided to set the tone with this video to help me teach (and show by personal example) the precious nature of human life and the astounding ability and responsibility for us to be co-creators with God in bringing children into the world.

I wanted to say all of this, and planned on doing so. I had watched the video all week as it took shape but as I was sitting there, watching it in it's entirety with "my girls", I couldn't help myself. I started to bawl like a baby and since I cannot talk at all when I cry, I was basically paralyzed by the emotions that I felt and my lesson suffered for it. I'm sure the girls (and the other leaders in the room...) were thinking something like, "Uh, okay. Why did she show us this video?". I blame Brother Ross who showed us this one in Sunday School the hour before. Though I barely made it through that video without crying (using Wheat Thins from my diaper bag as a distraction...) the pump was already primed, and I knew it was over.

Long story, short: Enjoy the video. I'm going to get myself a tissue.

Shall We Dance?

"There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them."

~Vicki Baum

"Dance first. Think later. It's the natural order."

~Samuel Beckett

"There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good."

~Edwin Denby

You gotta admit, the boy has got some wicked moves. Any time he hears a beat, he is dancing.

I love this boy.

Mall Rats

Last year I was able to make it to northern Idaho to see my mom. I love to see my mom but since she frequently has to work, I was lucky to also see my mom's roommate: Jana.

Jana was once, coincidently enough, my roommate. Jana is one of the best friends a girl could ask for. We met our freshman year of college and she has since become just like a sister/daughter in my family. She's attended weddings and baby blessings. Basically, she rocks.

So, while I was able to see her in Idaho, we had a few "Girls Day Out"s. We went with my mom to dinner and a movie and were able to spend the greater part of a day getting pedicures and shopping at the mall. Our adventures at the mall still make me giggle. It's probably all very much "you had to be there", and yet, I share.

First, we had set up appointments with a reputable nail salon for manicures and pedicures but were running late (as Jana and Brooks do...) that morning and in our haste to make it to our appointment, we rushed to the first nail salon within sight and walking distance. We noticed that the name was not the same as the one we had called, but in our defense, there was a temporary plastic banner over a real store sign and so we figured, in our laziness, that they must be in the middle of a remodel. It sure did look like it... The shady nature of the interior should have told us something, or perhaps the confused nod from the pedicurist when we asked if this was, "Q-Nails". I guess my pessimism was on a rare vacation that day... I should have figured that something called "Hi-Tek" would definitely be up to no good. I have subsequently developed a fungus under my left thumbnail. I'm sure it's unrelated...

Later that afternoon, we had lunch, shopped, and were able to find matching toe rings (yea, you wish you were cool like us...). The toe rings, both of us would later admit, were less than adequate. We vowed before ever putting them on, that we would wear them forever while we were apart. Mine lasted until I got on the plane to come home. I don't know if hers lasted that long. Now, this is not because I lack love for my Jana... it is simply because they were the most uncomfortable toe rings ever devised. I am pretty sure that had I not taken it off when I did, it would have grown into my toe and given me tetanus. I am quite attached to my toes, and wanted to keep them. All of them. It was a simple matter of survival. Nothing personal.

While shopping, we saw one of those photo booths that costs a fortune and draws your picture before your very eyes. What a great idea to preserve this wonderful memory! It took several pictures before we found one that flattered us both and then "Rembrandt" began to draw. It was beautiful and began to take shape, much to our excitement. Our excitement soon turned to confusion, however, when Rembrandt held our completed drawing up on the screen, sans noses. Hmm... I'd like to say that I didn't laugh until I nearly peed. For your peace of mind, I didn't. But it was close. A real touch-n-go.

Us in all of our "Lord Voldemort" glory:

The rest of the afternoon included:

- A good hour in the Sprint store in which "Sexy Salesclerk Dude" did everything he could, short of proposing to Jana, to get her to buy a phone.

- One or two Italian Cream Sodas each... I simply can't recall.

- A business card from the glass-blower man.

- A really awkward silence between us and the lady from Q-Nails as we confessed the truth about our missed appointment.

- One more photo booth; After what Rembrandt did, we had to renew our faith in over-priced superfluous Mall economy:

It was a fabulous day and one I am still giggling about as I sit here typing. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

*I told you I'd get around to posting about it... I hope it was worth the wait. Notice that is 1 year to the day?! Yeah, I'm just that thoughtful...

Coping with loss.

It's always sad when you see one that you love so much nearing the end. We have been experiencing such a thing, and will probably be for quite some time as Ethan has trouble letting go. And I must say that I feel his pain.

When I was a young child, before the mere age of four, I had one such beloved friend: Blue Blankie. Blue was, as her name would suggest, blue. But not just any blue. Blue was a soft blue material with a darker blue flower print and had a blue satin binding. Blue was the most perfect of all companions. Blue was warm when I was cold, cold when I was warm. Blue dried my tears and comforted my fears. As you may be able to tell, Blue is no more.

As I mentioned before, Blue met her demise when I was four. I caught the stomach flu (probably from one of my jealous siblings, out to sabotage our relationship, no doubt) and naturally, regurgitated on her at some point in the night. My mother tells me that Blue was already in tatters. This is where we disagree. I do not remember any such distress. In my mind, Blue was perfect. My mother even argues that had she tried to put her into the washer one more time, Blue would have come out in threads. So, in order to save the dignity of Blue, she simply placed her into the garbage can the night before trash pick-up day.

I recall clearly, sitting next to the garbage can in the garage, crying for what seemed like hours. I couldn't believe that I would no longer have Blue and was so mad at my mother's refusal to attempt Blue's resuscitation. Frequently, I tell this story at family gatherings to a rapt audience as my mother rolls her eyes.

What's that they say about what goes around...?

Ethan has had his blanket (aptly named "Blanket") since before he was born. Grandma Gailey pieced it together herself. He took it everywhere from the time he was one year old.

The binding began to wear. The piece with the chicken went first. Piece by piece, Blanket began to die.

Blanket in his glory days:

And now:

My dilemma is this: Do I take his blanket from him now, before it becomes as tattered and unstable as Blue and store it away in a box so that he can look at it when he is old or do I let him have as much time with him as the fabric will allow before I am forced to accept such an undignified exit as my Blue?

I decided to let Ethan choose, which he refuses to do. Denial. Instead, he told me his blanket was fine as he put his head through the hole in the middle.

For the time being, it is in his possession, but the clock is ticking and time is short.

What would you do?

The Bachelorette Party

So, I know that you are all missing me horribly. I apologize for my extended hiatus from the blogosphere. I promise that I have posts planned, but I am too busy indoors, trying to stay cool, and keep my children alive and myself sane. I hope to return soon.

In the meantime, I have been up to a few things; this in particular. And since I was too busy/lazy to take pictures and blog about it myself, I'm going to let my good friend, Maggie, take it from here. Enjoy. The only thing that is missing is the invitation. It was darling, though.

I know you miss me. I promise to rectify that as soon as possible.

Ethan's Big Day!

Ethan had a really big week. Or rather, I think , I did. My baby is growing up and there's nothing that I can do to stop it. Again, how long until I'm allowed to have a mid-life crisis?

We began the week with a Kindergartner and a full-set of primary teeth. I'm sure that you can see where I am going with this...

We ended the week with a 1st Grader and a less-than-full set of primary teeth.

Pictures. I'm good with pictures.

Singing "Macarena Math".

Class of 2022!

Shaking hands with the principal, Ms. Newton.

Please excuse the blurry nature of the photos...

someone may or may not have licked my camera lens with frosting saliva.

My hole-y not-so-baby.

In Memoriam:

Baby Tooth P

January 23rd, 2005 - June 6th, 2010

Sympathy Vote

It seems this week was a bad one for true love. First, Jake and Vienna (more on that, later...) and the much anticipated "reunion"that aired after the Bachelorette on Monday and now this. All I've got to say is this: If Jillian and Ed can't make it work, then what hope have any of the rest of us got? Thiers was a love of dreams. Theirs was a love that could only be matched by Anthony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet, and Trista and Ryan. My faith in relationships has been shaken, likely beyond repair. If only there was something that could be done.

I feel powerless. Defeated. Heartbroken.

So... a moment of silence for the fallen, if you will.

Welp... moving on.

This episode was wearing for oh, so many reasons. First, it was wrong of her to choose her first one-on-one to be with Roberto. She was mopey and morose for the bulk of the remaining dates, and she "ddin't know what was wrong". I do: She's contractually obligated to go on dates with several men for several more weeks including three overnight "fantasy suite" dates, and she already knows what the end result will be. Oh, to be in love and obligated. Maybe if she and Roberto were to just quick and elope, ABC wouldn't take legal action. This, of course, assuming that they quickly reproduce and let ABC film it all in "The Bachelorette: A documentary".

*Side note: Roberto lost any and all love I had for him when he threw out a top contender for the worst line delivered in the Bachlelorette series, ever. The doosy? It is, of course, the quote of the night. I want to throw up just thinking about it.

Next, we learn that not only is Frank an unemployed "screenwriter", but he also lives with his parents. Wow. I don't know why that doesn't seem to bother Ali. Maybe she forgot his age... or maybe she knows that he's really her "settling soulmate". If, in the end, she runs off into the sunset with Frank, I hope that she enjoys the wonders of a dank basement. Be sure to bring your own toothpaste; your future mother-in-law might not be a bottom-squeezer.

Just when you think that Chris is finally going home, he pulls out a gift. A nice one at that. Chris's family friend, Dennis, owes him a big thank you for promoting his jewelry line. Sales are going to soar! Too bad he won't have an opportunity to design an engagement ring as Chris will leave soon after the elation at the bracelet wears off. Nicely played, Chris.

Ah, Ali. I scream at my television in frustration at you because I, as the post-filming viewer, know that Ty should have gotten another week over Frank. Let's forget for a moment that he should have gone home back in week... uhm... I don't remember. Suffice it to say that as time marches on, I want to stab my thumbs into his beady little eyes.

I never liked Ty, but I didn't dislike him either. Ah, well. Trees must be chopped if you're gonna kindle a fire.

Quote of the Night: "Are we the only ones dancing in the street? I don't care." -Roberto

Now, back to the beginning:

We end the episode with a Reunion of Jake and Vienna. Not that we cared in the first place, but I guess it's time for us all to choose sides. I did not take this responsibility lightly. I have, in my possession, both a "Star" and a "People" magazine. Oh, yeah. I did my homework. After reading both articles and staying up late to watch the lover's quarrel, I am prepared to choose a side. The verdict? My own. I think that they're both nuts and that they need to get as far from Hollywood as fast as their tanned legs can take them. I believe that they had this planned out from the beginning as a way to keep in the spotlight. When Jake proposed, he mentioned that he was choosing her because he felt that they had "... the same priorities...". Though I've suspected it all along, now I know for sure. If Vienna's dramatic crocodile tears were not enough to convice you, then you did not see the same episode that I did. So, a plea to both Jake and Vienna: Go home. We don't want to see you anymore. You expired long before Dancing with the Stars. Soon exasperation will turn into anger. Personally, I am prepared to kick you in the shins should this continue. Please don't make me.