Train Wrecks

I have a 'dirty little secret'.

I am obsessed with watching train wrecks. Not like literally "I'm stalking rail road tracks and praying for something to go wrong so I can see big explosions" type of train wrecks- but the "I'm completely obsessed with celebrity gossip" type of train wrecks...... or Smut as I like to call it.

I think not having cable has helped me squash most of the need for the smut- and I don't watch Entertainment Tonight- mostly due to the fact that I don't feel comfortable letting my children watch it, and I don't want to be teased mercilessly by Chip for watching it. I don't buy tabloids because I think it's a waste of money..... but my grandma sends me some of her tabloids that she has already read- and I get a THRILL out of reading them. I can't go through a check-out line in a store with out skimming at least 2 of the magazines. ( My chiropractor also has some lovely smut magazines to read- which aside from his massive ego- is one of the turn-ons for me to go to his office. :D)

This past two weeks I have found the most awesome shows on Netflix that are amusing me right now. Keeping up with the Kardashians and Sister Wives. Talk about T-R-A-I-N-W-R-E-C-K-S!

hahahaha I can't believe I'm admitting this!

I feel like I can't stop pushing the "Next Episode" button! It's insane! I must know more! How do these people actually exist living those lives? It just amazes me to no end.

If I ever treated my parents the way the Kardashian kids treat theirs- or heaven forbid- if Alli and Maggie start talking to me like those kids talk to their parents, I'd probably smack them across the head so hard they'd wake up next week. And if Chip ever got more wives- ohh my goodness...... I just can't even imagine being OKAY with sharing my husband...... 

But yeah. I must watch more.I can't stop. My brain is just overloaded with all of it!.

I think I need therapy.

Maybe my obsession with watching celeb-type smut/train-wrecks is it makes me feel a little more normal (and we all kinda know that I'm not normal). It just makes me feel good that I have some of my priorities in place- I don't need $5,000 dresses or armored cars or $5.9 million dollar mansions, or 3 other sister-wives, or 19 children to make me happy. 

Whatever it is: I'm sure glad that it's them and not me on those TV shows.


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What are you obsessed with that's your 'dirty little secret'?

Cricut Lovin'

This week I went and picked up my Cricut Expression machine. I have already pulled it out a dozen and a half times to play with it and try and figure out all the coolness of it. My dear friend Lora has a regular Cricut that she let me borrow a few years ago, and I paid to take a class using it. It was a really cool class to go to, and I learned a lot........ but now I'm learning that the Cricut is way different from the Cricut Expression. There are just so many more cool features on the Expression for me to learn. I'm excited to figure it all out.

 My Expression came with this font (Plantin School Book) cartridge as well as the Accent Essential cartridge. There is lots of stuff I can learn with both of these cartridges. I can't wait to get more!

Anyone who knows me knows that I tend to be a >tad< obsessed when it comes to scrapbooking- and I pretty much have to have EVERYTHING that's ever been made. As seen here by my "scrapbooking room/dining room/sewing room"- I really have tons and tons of stuff.  The problem is: I have maxed out my little space to add more things of awesomeness. - which basically means I have to be very very selective on the cartridges that I buy for my Cricut. It has to be something that I'll use like... every day. I've started doing some research on different font cartridges- because I'm looking for something I'm going to L-O-V-E.

This Lyrical Letters is one that I'm considering..... 

So here's where you, my lovelies, come in- If you have a Cricut and have a cartridge that you are madly in love with- or cartridges that you absolutely hate or anything in between.....  let me know your feelings on them. I am really going to be selective on the ones I buy- so I want everyone's opinions. :)
(or heck- any tips or tricks that you've learned along the way that you want to let me know about....)


Can't wait!

Mr. Mustache

 I'd like to introduce you all to Mr. Mustache.  

Chip has always been one who enjoys a good display of facial hair. It's something that we both enjoy, actually. Someone that he admires for his mad mustache skills is my dad:

See? My dad is a true rough and tough cowboy/mountain man. 
He's also been known to play with his facial hair- although not quite as dramatically as Chip.

But I think Chip's most favorite part of shaving his facial hair is making faces at in the mirror and trying out the different voices that goes along with them.  This facial hair belongs to a gentleman from England- in case you wanted to know.....
He also likes to shave it into "trailer park/wife beater/creepy guy " and the always popular "Hitler 'stache"

As you can clearly see- entertainment can come from pretty much anywhere around these parts. 

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Does your spouse like to play with his facial hair as well?

Hoarders

 It is come to my attention that my car is absolutely filthy. I am like.... two dead cats away from needing to be turned in to Hoarders on TV. I get embarrassed opening the van doors to get the boys out of the car if someone is next to us in the parking lot.

I have stuff packed in my car that I haven't seen or used in years.
I have yet to unpack the car from my trip to Virginia a few weeks ago. Heck... I have yet to clean out the car from our trip to Pennsylvania in August.

 My kids leave everything under the sun in their spots....I bet there are more socks living in my car, then there are socks in my entire house.

The van reeks of sour milk from when the boys throw their cups on the floor and it leaks out while I'm driving... graham crackers, gold fish, and bananas come to die in my car. Usually they turn into some sort of sticky paste.

The girls use the back of the van as their personal trash can.

Ugg.....

Have your children destroyed your car too? Or am I the only one with this problem?

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I need a fairy god mother to clean this up..... I'm too tired just looking at it.

Would you like fries with that?

I have to give mad props to my mom growing up. Serious. Mad. Props.

My dad was a hard worker- he worked as a long distance truck driver during most of my teen years. He'd come home on Friday nights- and leave back out on the road Sunday after church.  Because of this, my mom ended up being a 'single' mom- working full time- having two of the nicest, most well behaved children/teens in the history of the entire world ever, to raise. Scouts honor.
(fooled ya! I wasn't a scout in my teens! HA)

Anyway, My mom was set in raising us the right and God fearing way- and come hell or high water, boy- howdy she was going to do it.

Every morning she would knock on my brothers door..... then my door... to wake us up at the unholy hour of 5:30  (I'm a firm believer that if the Lord wanted me to see the sunrise, he would make the sunrise at a later hour of the day....) She'd have to re-visit our rooms a few times to get us out of bed, (When knocking didn't seem to work- she would resort to different tactics: Using our stuffed animals- {Rock on Cabbage Patch Kids!} and do a lovely play for us, having our dog lick our faces, sing the most lovely of songs to us, or last resort- setting my gerbil free on my face) but once we got out to the table, there was always a hot breakfast waiting for us along with scriptures sitting beside the food. Our family tradition was to read scriptures together for 30 minutes before the day got started. I must admit- as a kid I rather hated it- I mean.... at 5:30 in the morning, actually having to pay attention to scriptures? At 5:30 in the morning, I'm not even sure I know English yet- let alone being able to comprehend the words of men and women who lived like a bazillion years before me.

So. Why 5:30? Well... it was the only time my mom could figure out that we'd all actually be home. Scott (my bro) was deeply into sports (yeah... he pretty much dominated the world of wrestling, tennis, and anything else he set his mind to), and I was a work-a-holic- (At the age of 15 I got a job at MCD's and worked 20-30 hours a week during school, and full time during the summers... I did this until after graduation. Plus I babysat on top of all of it.) which basically meant that we were never home until after 9pm. Ever.  My mom would leave for work around 6:30, and soon after- my brother and I had to be at Seminary- (fyi: Mormon kids go to a seminary class every school day from 9th grade until they graduate.- while it is purely a voluntary thing- it is HIGHLY recommended that you go. Each year you study something different- Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants.) so our days were pretty darn busy.

Our scripture reading always started out in prayer- we also would bless the food - and then we'd take turns reading 2 verses at a time.Usually my mom would have to kinda wake up my brother and I for our turns to read- ya know... remind us what verses that we were supposed to be reading. (It was an epic battle with the nodding off. If only they made scriptures more exciting to a teen....) But that saintly mother of mine kept persisting- and year after year we would follow this routine. I am completely grateful that #1- she never killed us out of frustration, and #2- she never gave up.

One morning, after a very short night of sleep- (I was working late at McD's and then had homework to finish) it was my turn to pray- I was so tired, I'm not sure I remembered my name- but since I was taught to pray when I was a tiny child, prayers were pretty much 2nd nature, so I figured I could muster through one half asleep. I must have nodded off a little more than 'half asleep' as my mom started laughing hysterically during the prayer- and I snapped awake and totally realized my prayer blunder... it went a little like this......... "Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for choosing McDonalds, can I take your order?"  and then I started snoring a bit....

After the laughter died down my mom asked "So.... what do you think Heavenly Father would have ordered?"

I have yet to live that one down.


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This is just one of the many reasons that Chip and I do our NIGHTLY routine of scripture study with the kids.... everyone is fully awake.



 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
- Have you ever blundered a prayer? What did you say?

Road Trips

I love road trips. (... I loved them a little bit more when I didn't have kids......)  There is just something about getting in the car and discovering new silly little things and having adventures along the way. Every time I am about to go on a road trip, I get super excited. Packing snacks for the journey, making sure my camera is charged, picking out books on CD to listen to along the way..... it's all pretty exhilarating.  There is one part of my that especially gets over excited on road trips...

My Bladder.

Now... for any of you who know me- you know I was not born with the biggest bladder in the world. It's like close to the size of a pea. (get it.. pee.. pea? HA!)  but when it comes to road trips, my bladder is suddenly like "Woah! We've got to try out ALL of the bathrooms along the way. I want to see them ALL!!!"  It usually gets what it wants.

I secretly think that my bladder is part puppy. It just has that overwhelming urge to mark it's spot. I have no doubt that if my bladder could, it'd hang it's head out of the window and bask in the wind as we drove....  luckily for me, it doesn't have that option.

When I blame our long road trips on the kids.... I am partially right, I mean, I have to get 4 of them out and in and herd around the candy isles..... but mostly- I blame my bladder for it's lack of common sense.





In other news: My twins club voted on allowing men to join or not last night. The results: MEN CANNOT JOIN.  If we had gone by popular vote, men would be able to join, but it did not get a 2/3 majority rule (about 10 votes shy)- so the dude can't come play with the women folk.
Now we just have to see if he is bluffing or not on suing the pants off of us.

TOFW

Remember those blog posts about Time Out For Women? Well... it finally happened this past weekend.

It. Was. Amazing.

The theme for this year was Choose to Become- "All things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23) 

I feel like my little cup runneth over - So many awesome nuggets of truth and information that I needed to hear that were spoken. I'm just going to jot down a few of the things that hit me the most:

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- She who is too busy is pray is busier than the Lord wants her to be.

- Notice the little things more. Stop stressing about the BIG PICTURE.  Just stop and notice the little things- this also includes service. You may not be able to save the world, but you can certainly stop and do a kind thing for another person.

-Write little love notes to children and husband like "I noticed that you did __________ and I think you are amazing."

-Just like the Widow gave her two little mites as her tithing to Jesus, He said her sacrifice was worth more than the rich people who gave much more than her little pittance- because she gave EVERYTHING that she had- and the others gave just a tiny portion of their wealth-and didn't sacrifice anything- we all have Mother's mites that we give every day. (Insert Grandmother's mites, Aunt mites, kindly neighbor mites....)  We give out our time, our talents, our good examples, our patience, our love, etc.... everyday to others. Just when you feel like what you do every day isn't enough- isn't good enough- somebody will always be giving more/better... just remember you are giving your ALL- just like the widow's mite- and your sacrifices are accepted by Heavenly Father. 

- remember: It is MY daily mood that makes the weather at home. I can choose to be a builder or a tormentor of my children. I can choose to have humor or humiliate them. Instead of shaming your children when they make mistakes, kindly ask them what they learned from it- and then help them clean up the mess with love.



- When we treat people how they ARE, they will become worse.  When we treat people as they can BECOME, they become better.

-"I did not call you for your weaknesses, I called you here for your strengths". The Lord didn't send us here to Earth to laugh at us from the Heavens as we struggle. He sent us down here with certain strengths that are supposed to be a gift to everyone around us. Use those gifts, and stop focusing on our weaknesses. He'll make up for where we lack.

- Become a more grateful person. At the end of each day, in your prayers, be grateful for three different and new things- and be sure to say why they happened. Example: I am grateful for the food on my table. It was able to be put there by my husband who worked so hard to earn the money to purchase it and because there are people out in the fields planting, tending, and harvesting that food for me.

- Who did you serve today?

-Celebrate your failures. It means you took a risk- which means you stretched yourself.

- Write down the three absolute worst times in your life. Write all about it in detail. When you are done- write down the things that you learned from that trial in your life. What little nuggets did you learn?

My mom, my dear friend Michelle, and I all went down to Cincinnati together to the conference. I was "working" for Time Out (aka: I got a free ticket, so I had to do something for it...) and I got placed as one of the door greeters. I took tickets and gave out little cute tote bags.
... and here's my little funny story:

I ticked off one of the speakers.  Like big time.

Confession: I am not into Mormon "pop-culture". I don't listen to Christian music (unless at church or playing Mormon Tabernacle Choir on Sunday). I don't read books written by members of my church aka: 'churchy books' (unless quite by accident.....  or it's REALLY REALLY suggested that I read it).{Other than the Book of Mormon and the Bible, of course...} It's not that I'm against it.... it's just that I don't feel the need to do those things on a daily basis- Just not my thing.
okay... so I do have "Utah Hair" when I do it (poofy/streaked with blonde/lots of hairspray)... and I do own jewelry and wear ruffles on my shirts..... so I guess in those aspects I am kinda "Utah"... (For those of you who are members of my church, I know you understand... for those of you who aren't a member of my church- let me try to explain: it always seems (at least from the outside looking in) that women of my faith are.... um..... striving to prove their perfection in every aspect of their lives - It almost makes you gag-  mostly because they have no visible stains anywhere on their shirts and are supposed to have spent all day with their children, rearing them "in righteousness"...and not a single hair is out of place on their head.... big nice jewelry is always worn.... and the smile that shows every single last one of their teeth is always pearly white/no stains and their lips surrounding those teeth always have a sparkle gloss on them and you wonder how the heck they manage to pull that off. )

Anyway, So I'm standing there at the door when this total "Utah" woman came walking in with an entourage of other "Utah" women and I was like "Hi! Welcome to Time Out for Women! Can I see your ticket please?" And she was um... way rude....... and in a very pronounced slow voice, usually only given to a naughty 5 year old she said, "I don't NEED a ticket, I'm a P.R.E.S.E.N.T.E.R".... so there was me thinking cool.. she might just have a since of humor.... I said " Ohh awesome!..... so ........... where's your ticket?"  She didn't think it was funny. At. All. Then she curtly said who was part of her entourage was so I wouldn't have the gall to ask them where their tickets were as well.... and then stormed off, blonde hair bobbing behind her.  Hum.

I wasn't quite expecting that from someone who'd be presenting an 'uplifting' 45 minute talk to me later on.... but whatever. I just let it roll off my back and continued on greeting people with a smile.  The hour that I was standing at the door passed and soon the conference had started. I ran up to my seat to sit with my mom and Michelle- and I told them what had happened. We all kind of laughed a bit at it. It seemed so strange!

During our first break of the night, I remembered that I had won a gift earlier in the evening at our "staff" meeting. It was wrapped in a pretty floral paper with a huge bow on it. I knew it was a book. You just feel those things.... As I tore off the paper I started laughing. I had won an AUTOGRAPHED copy of a book written by the lady that I totally ticked off earlier in the day! HA! Only me.
At least I'll have fond memories of getting chewed out by her as I read it and be uplifted by her words. Gag.  :) Note to self: Become a groupie of everyone who speaks at any conference I attend. That way I can at least know who they are..... 





Overall it was a super fun weekend. Lots of laughs, lots of tears (good tears), lots of emotional highs, and super good company. On our way home we stopped at Max and Erma's (my favorite restaurant out here) and I got sung 'Happy Birthday' to....  and I ate Tortilla soup. Yum Yum Yum. (Their tortilla soup is completely different and super duper way better than any other tortilla soup ever made. trust me.)

As soon as I walked in the door I was side swiped by 4 screaming children who missed their mommy so super duper much that their only desire in life was to become absorbed by me just so they could stick with me 100% of the time. It feels good to be wanted.

I'm so thankful to Chip for watching all 4 of the munchkins so I could go to Time Out for Women. He's such a good guy.  I'm thankful for my mom and Michelle for going with me. I'm thankful for my free ticket to go. I'm thankful for the knowledge that I gained while at the conference. It was just such a good weekend. :)

Virginia: Days 3 & 4

 The rest of our time in Virginia went a little like this:
Dance parties! Woot! My grandpa has a kickin' sound system and he was our DJ for the night. Can anyone say Michael Jackson dance party?  My grandma had Leah spin her around on the floor so she could break dance. It's probably the only way I could break dance too.... 

 Leah, Alli and Ian were especially good at interpretive dances. I'm a bit jealous of their smooth moves.

 With everyone hoppin' and boppin around, I'm surprised that the cops didn't show up, but glad they didn't. (ohh wait... that could have made an awesome story.... darn. Next time. )

 Opa decided to grow insta-hair. (aka dog Halloween costume).... Poor Dexter was so confused.
I remember when I was a kid and he actually HAD hair, he'd let me braid it and put piggie tails and hair bows in it too. Those were the good ol' days.

 A little ring-around-the-rosey with Grammy....

 and after all that fun, some of us were just too tuckered out to handle it anymore- and dropped- and slept in this position for like... a few hours..... while everyone else partied around her....

(my mom, my grandpa, my grandma)

For our last night there, Oma and Opa took the whole lot of us hoodlums to a little Mexican restaurant. It started out well....... and then the babies (aka- MY babies) decided they were done.

 The trouble makers..... I should put them in straight jackets until they are old enough to go to college...

 Brian got stuck in the middle of the kiddie table. Poor guy. Me thinks he didn't have children so he'd never get put in this situation- Me also thinks his logic didn't save him. :D

 After the Mexican dinner- the kiddos decided to put on a glow-stick performance party for all of us. There was dancing, singing, and lots of giggling.....

And... a few flying babies....

After all of the fun (and a few touch and go moments) it was time to head back home. Before we all left, my mom's wish was to get a picture of her with all her grand babies. This was the first time she's ever been with all 7 of them at one time. Too bad the kids (well, my kids) didn't get the memo they were supposed to be charming and take awesome photos. Ohh well. 

It was such a lovely visit! A big hug and kiss to everyone that was there. :)

Virginia: Days 1 & 2

 So what exactly have we been doing in Virginia? Why.... having lots of fun, of course!
Here's the run down: 

The picture above is of Buster. He's a Miniature Schnauzer- He's my favorite yippie dog. He just lays around and likes to be snuggled. Win/Win.

 Maggie (5) and Maddy (3) have paired off and do practically everything together. They are bff cousins. I'm so glad they love each other so much!

 3 of 4 dogs. Buster (left) Gizmo (by door) and Sophie (in front). If you yell "Squirrel" they all come running and barking and charge outside to defend their territory. It reminds me of the movie "Up" when all the dogs get distracted by squirrels.

 My new awesome laptop.
Last night it helped me fit right in. We had a laptop party. We all sat at the kitchen table together. Leah had her laptop out, I had mine out, my mom had hers out, Rudi had his I-pad, and Brian was helping my mom with her website. We were laughing hysterically as my mom was trying to write her description of her business. I don't think we helped her much.

 Miles got his fingernails filed by Oma. He really thought it was pretty awesome. He let her file probably 4 or 5 of his fingers and just cooed at her while she did it.

 4 out of 4 yippie dog. Sparkie. He looks a little like Yoda...... only a little furrier. 

 Alli went into the bathroom and came out with this new-do. There are two piggie tails in the back. She thought she was pretty hot stuff.

 Here's a picture of pumpkin grin Rylan. So cute!
I told him that when I was a kid and I lost all 4 of my front teeth at the same time, that his father (my brother) got the ENTIRE grade school to call me 'Fang'. Charming eh? I'm tempted to do it to Rylan..... but I have a heart. :D

 The kids have been amusing themselves by playing on a blow up mattress in the living room. Pushing each other back and forth, jumping up and down on it, and rolling around like crazy on it. I must say, for being purchased as a bed- it transitions as a toy pretty nicely. 

 Ian has been the 'star' of the visit. This little man has just learned to crawl. He takes a few paces, and sits up, and claps for himself. He's pretty darn adorable. He coos and jabbers on all day.
(Ian with my mom)

 He also eats bananas quite adorably too.

 The boys have started learning how to cook. They aren't very good at it yet- we get mostly dog food and dirty water.... .but at least they are making an effort. 

 Aunt Leah has been teaching the girls how to play Frisbee. Maggie liked it (you can tell, because she was sticking out her tongue.) Alli didn't like the fact she had to chase it.... and Maddy- well she was so cute playing it that even Uncle Brian couldn't resist playing with her. 

 Uncle Brian is over the church's store house cannery down here in Richmond. He took us down for a tour today. He runs a pretty tight ship. Leah and I put on hair nets to be Laverne and Shirley- my mom was pretending to be Lucy. Let's just say it got entertaining. :) 

 The babies have been having secret meetings. Nobody knows what is said..... but Dexter usually presides over the meetings.

 When we first got here, the dogs weren't quite sure what to think about the babies. (knee jerk reaction was "RUN!") But now that we've been down here for 2 days they are figuring out the perks of having little gullible babies around who feed them gold fish crackers. One bite for me, one bite for you......

Leah tried rounding up the troops and teaching them how to do the Thriller dance (Michael Jackson.....), after about 10 eight counts into it- she lost them. Apparently whining about being bored was a much better alternative. At least she tried. :)

So there ya go... two days in... two days left. Let's see what else unfolds........

Traveling

Yesterday morning my mom and I set out from Columbus...... and 12.5 hours later we arrived in Virginia at my grandparent's house.  (Mapquest says it's only a 9 hour drive. Liar.)


Currently there are:
1- Grandma
1- Grandpa
1- Uncle Brian (my mom's brother)
1- Mom
1- Aunt Leah (my brother's wife)
1- Me
7- Children 8 and under
4- little tiny yippie dogs
1987918723421- breakable things
...... and a partridge in a pear tree.


Basically this equals out to a packed house that is extremely loud and giggly..... .and it's super fun!


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My Uncle Brian surprised me by giving me some birthday presents early- a new laptop (new to me... and it's RED) and a blue-ray player. My grandma gave me a HUGE tub of scrapbooking tools and a... wait for it........ CRICUT EXPRESSION!  Dream. Come. True. :D

Basically I'm pumped. Like Rockin' argyle socks pumped. I'd jump up and down, but I'm afraid I'd pee my pants.

Homework

Every Thursday afternoon, Alli gets to take her math study book home with her to study for the test that will be given on Friday.  The problem is that all the answers are provided for her already- as they are written in the book, so we never know if she is skimming them and memorizing answers or actually understanding how to do the work.

Chip decided that he would take the study book and make a worksheet similar to the questions in the book and give it to Alli to answer.

I absolutely LOVE this solution- not only do we see that Alli is actually doing the work, but I get entertainment value out of it too, as Chip's questions aren't "school appropriate" questions- so I get to laugh and laugh.....

Exhibit A:

See? Awesome.

Chip should have been a 3rd grade teacher, for sure.

To Change or Not To Change....

I've been thinking about how to write this for a few weeks now. I couldn't decide if I actually was going to write about this topic, as I don't want any super 'angry' feelings at me (gulp)- but in the end.... like I could actually keep my mouth closed (well.. fingers still...in this case) 

So.. the big 'hub bub' in the twins club right now is: A man wants to join.

The official title of the twins club is 'Columbus Mother's of Twins Club'. In it's official 'what we stand for' documents- it says that we are a club for mothers. It's been like that for the past 60 some odd years.

This man just moved from another city- and the city he lived in before had a family of twins club- dad's and mom's were involved in the meetings. He thinks that he is entitled to the same 'family of twins club' type of stuff  here in Columbus. He has hired a lawyer and is prepared to sue the pants off of us if we don't let him in. We had to legal council just in case....

The option was brought to him that he should start a Father's of twins club, but he flat out refused to entertain that option- even after we offered him our support in helping him get started with the effort.

If he took us to court- of course we'd win.... however we'd be bankrupt as a club because of all the legal fees.

Nice way to join something, huh?



Our club meeting in September was all about discussing changing our club to include men or not. It was pretty intense! There are a ton of supporters of changing the club to accepting men. Some of the reasons were:
*Stepping into the 21st century and realizing that not all families are husband/wife units-  but husband/husband and wife/wife units too. We already allow wife/wife units to join the club, because........ they are women. We are a women's club- all mom's get invited. Easy peasy. Husband/husband units haven't been invited to join because neither party of that unit has a uterus and ovaries.
*Why not? It'd be fun to have a different 'dad' perspective on raising twins.
*You know the topic is going to come up again, so why not just be pro-active and let men join now.
*Some fathers in the family unit are more maternal than the mothers- so they should be allowed to go instead of the mom's.
*What happens if one of us dies (one of the member's in the club) and her husband wants to join the club to get the same support that the member got when she was alive. If we don't let men in, the husband can't be apart of the club.

There were only a handful of non-supporters of changing the club to involve men. They were shot down pretty fast for being the nay-sayers. You know... not being 'open minded' and all.

The nay sayers had responses like:
*I like it to only be women in the club. It's what I feel comfortable with.  Mom's night out and such.... (we all know how precious those 'mom's night out's' are...)
*Bullying isn't the way to get something. He should just be told no.

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So here are my feelings on the topic (I know you're just itchin' to find out!) 

I actually don't care that a man wants to join the club. I think it's pretty weird that a man would want to join the hen house. I mean- heck- if you're a woman, you know what I mean. With that being said....... I was one of the nay-sayers of the group. The reason why?
I don't think that you should bully people to get your way.
I think it's incredibly sick the way people just throw lawsuits around like candy at a parade- just to make the world bend to their wishes. There have been a million different times I could have sued just to do it- ya know... like when Walmart didn't put oil back into our car after an oil change, and our car's engine got locked up on the freeway in the middle of rush hour traffic and Chip almost got into a horrific accident- and our car didn't ever run right after the event. Did we sue? no. We asked Walmart to pay for our car to be checked out by the car's dealership. Yes. Did they do it? Yes..... after 3 months. Were we without a car for 3 months? Yes. Was it a pain in our bum-bums? heck yes- but we didn't sue. We refuse to stoop to that level.    Or the time that Alli got pierced in the bum by a rusty broken shopping cart basket wire and had to get a tetanus shot. We could have sued- but we didn't. The store offered to pay for the shot- and we took them up on the offer. Alli's still surviving- the scratch/piercing has healed- and she doesn't remember anything about the event.  I could sue the zoo for discrimination against multiples for blocking us from so many exhibits and FORCE them to bend to my will.... but I haven't. There are tons more examples of times we could have sued- but it's just not in our nature. What's done is done- whatever.

Sure- if we don't like something that happens to us- we can talk about it- vent our feelings and such.... but it's such a lame lame thing to say "Ohh yeah, well if I don't get my way I'm going to sue you"  In my opinion, only 12 year old immature people say stuff like that.

That's it. That's my whole reason of why I don't think this guy should get to join.



Voice your opinion in the comments section- and be sure to click the survey on the side of my blog.

Our group will vote on it (I'm pretty sure) in a few weeks to see if this guy will be allowed to join. I'm sure it'll be an interesting meeting.......











*p.s. if we do let this guy join- we will be voting to allow any man who is a parent of twins to join too- so it won't just be 'only one guy' in the club.....

whisperings.....

I know some of you who read my blog aren't religious. I just so happen to be religious, so you'll have put up with the only way I feel I can describe my feelings right now.... :D (hope that's okay)....


Today I was so filled with gratitude, thinking about what happened yesterday. You see, yesterday I was feeling pretty blue. You probably know that my friend Michelle, moved away at the beginning of the summer. She was my go-to gal, always up for getting out of the house on a moment's notice. That's how I roll. I really, really don't like being by myself and without friends to hang out with. I get really lonely, really fast. Unfortunately for me- most of the gals that still live by me are totally okay with staying in the house all day long and I just don't feel like I can call them up and say "Hey! Let's go ___________!" I'm so afraid of rejections, that I just don't bother calling. Am I lame, or what?!?  (As people are reading this, they are probably shaking their heads saying "Why don't you call me, lame-o-sauce!") Anyway- Yesterday I was totally bummin' about being stuck in the house all day long, again....  and my phone starts instantly ringing. "Hey B-Rad (yeah, that's what she calls me.... awesome, right?!) Wanna come play at Trader-Joes and Archivers with me?!" Um... heck yes!  My friend totally listened to the promptings/whisperings given to her and it totally made my day so much brighter.

I am a big supporter to listening to the promptings given to us by The Spirit/Holy Ghost/ Holy Spirit- whatever you want to call it.

Quite a few years ago, I got the biggest feeling that I needed to call someone right then and there. I am ashamed to admit it, but I didn't listen to that prompting. My knee jerk reaction was to justify it and say "She's not my good friend. I'm not sure she even likes me. I've never called her before, this would be completely weird."...... so I let it go. I think that Heavenly Father wanted me to learn from that lesson- so he let me know how exactly that turned out.  I'm assuming that after I dismissed that whispering from The Spirit, Heavenly Father was like "Okay, well- thanks for letting me down on that one..... I'll have someone else do it......." And He did.  A week or so later, I was talking to one of my friends- and as it turns out- she was the one who got that prompting to call that other person.... and she followed that prompting, and as it turns out- really really helped that person out of a deep bind, and in the process became dear friends with her. I could have kicked myself for not listening to that prompting. I not only let down my Heavenly Father- but I let that person down too. She'll probably never know it was me that was given the first opportunity to come to her aid, but I still feel so bad for letting her down.

It was after that sad, sad experience that I made a promise to Heavenly Father that I would always listen if He called. I think so far, I've kept up that promise.

...... but anyway, it just got me thinking about how grateful I am that Heavenly Father is always mindful of us, sending others in our paths to help us, love us, or just let us know they are there.  I am so extremely thankful that I have a friend who listens to those promptings in my time of need. She is such a good example to me...... 

I guess the lesson is: You never know the impact that you make on people, simply by following (or not) the promptings/whisperings that you receive. 

Happy, huh?

Girl Chatter.....

A couple of gal pals and I were gathered around a table recently- chatting it up as most girls do- when a topic came up that in my world "stays in the closet"......



The topic?.......
Cheating on your hubs in your dreams....... usually with all of my ex boyfriends.

Yes, it's true. I cheat on Chip in my dreams- but in my defense, it usually happens when I'm pregnant (does it make it better that I haven't 'dream cheated' on him in a while.... like..... 16 months?) and I just can't control anything when I'm pregnant.

When I admitted the fact that I'm a 'dream cheater'- everyone else was like "Totally!" "I do it all the time!" and was like "I could never tell my husband that I'm cheating on him in my dreams!"

Really?

I totally tell Chip that I dream cheat on him! How is he supposed to get mad at that.... It's not like I can control it.  (Although, when the girls have dreams they don't like- they are supposed to wake up, use a pretend remote, and change their dream channel- maybe I should get a dream remote?)Chip and I usually have a laugh about the dream, and our day goes on as usual.


Tonight I asked Chip if he's had any dreams that he's cheated on me lately. This was our conversation:


Me: So.... have you had any cheating dreams that you need to tell me about?
Chip: Nope, I don't cheat on you in my dreams.
Me: Awwww, that's so sweet that you don't stray in your dreams.
Chip: In my dreams I'm not married- so if I'm not married, I can't cheat.......
Me: Clever. :D



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So do you tell your spouse or significant other about your cheating dreams?





** Just to clarify- This was written in a silly mood (read it and giggle...). It was not meant to suggest that either of us are having affairs. It was just a funny topic that gave us some really good laughs tonight. Neither Chip or I have ever, and will never cheat on one another in real life. You can take that one to the bank. :)

Poor Kitty

Forget the rough life Chip has working 2 full time jobs and having a full time church calling of working with the youth. Forget the rough life that I have trying to raise 4 children, being a taxi, maid, chef, laundress, tutor, historian, and game-player. Forget Alli's rough life of learning at school and a gazillon hours of homework and dealing with ignorant stupid heads. Forget Maggie's rough life of living in a non-magical world of unicorns and 24/7 rainbows and also learning how to read. Forget the boy's rough life of pooping in their pants and not being able to do anything for themselves except for getting into mischief.

I think that Finn the Cat gets the award for having the roughest life in the Kohrman household. 

Poor kitty.

I'm pretty sure he will quite literally get 'loved' to death.

Kitchen Charms

My kitchen has much to be desired.
It's the farthest thing from "poof" kitchen- like- ever.

"Poof" kitchen will have:
1) a dishwasher
2) a window
3) counter space

Yeah- I know I dream big.

You wanna see what I've been cooking with for the past um.... well.... 9 years?

Brace yourself.

Yep. That's it. In all it's splendid glory.

And it totally looks this clean all the time. (Stop laughing and calling me a liar.)

But there IS one thing that I quite like in my kitchen....

My dishes.

okay, and my Kitchen Aid too (It was my 'awesome-sauce job for having Maggie' present from my parents).  But we're talking about my dishes here.

Quite a few years (like 6 years) ago my grandma started giving me one or two sets of Fiesta dinnerware for my birthday/Christmas- and then random stuff too- salt/pepper shakers, platters, big bowls, gravy boats, spoon rests... etc... 

Let me tell you: Fiesta dishes makes me happy.

I enjoy setting the table with multi-colored arrangements. I love taking pictures of food and having different color options to choose from. I love that they are bright and sunny. I love that if one of them breaks- I know that the company has been around for-eva' so I can go get a replacement (Heck... even a new color of replacement!) I love that every few months they come out with a different color to add to the collection. I simply love them.- and I love that I will still love them in "poof" kitchen too. 

I also love that my grandma, and my mom, and my sil Leah have Fiesta too. It's like we're all eating off of the same-United-States-sized dinner table together.


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So- what is your favorite thing about your kitchen?

If you blog about it- write it in my comments section so you can share :)