Mythical boyfriend

Ok, so he's not my boyfriend, he's really my husband. And he's not mythical either, it's just that he's gone a lot. I really wish I had a dollar for everytime someone has said, "I don't think I've ever seen your husband", or "I wouldn't know him if I saw him."
So today I am devoting a whole blog to him so that you can all meet him. He's usually the one taking the pictures, so I had to scour our files to find some pictures of him to share.
He's a cool guy.
1. the guy in the black shirt with the big wad in his mouth
2. this is an older pic
3. yankees game
4 with senator Patty Murray
5. rinding the bull on wallstreet

Just call me "Ricki Lake"

Just so you know from the beginning, this blog is basically a rant/vent. That means it is going to be full of whining and complaining about something NOT LIFE THREATENING, and I realize that.
So, after about a week of not watching what I ate, at least not really, and eating way too late EVERY night; I have gained 9 lbs. That's right, 9. Granted, it's the end of the day, not the best time to weigh in. But two weeks ago at this time of night I would have weighed 9 pounds less!!!!! I am so angry. I am so mad at myself. I noticed I wasn't looking quite as trim around the middle, but whoa. All the hard work... now I have to re-loose those 9 pounds.
IDIOT!!! UGH!!!
So, as of tonight, my goal for this week is to try to get a little closer to where I was. Logic tells me that it's not all fat... yet, because it hasn't been there long enough. (and I ate at least a pound of spinach dip just today) So just maybe most of it can go away before Bry comes home.
Step 1) Loose the blubber I gained back
Step 2) Maybe scrape off 5 more beyond that.
Goodbye tasty food... (tear)
The perils of being a woman.

UPDATE: I ate a whole bunch of peanutbutter cup cookies today.

Funnies
(courtey of www.theonion.com)

Just wanted to get your laugh boxes going...





White House Reveals Obama Is Bipolar, Has Entered Depressive Phase

Today I was planning on posting some interresting pictures from over the past few months that were taken from my phone. I have sent them to my inbox twice and still they keep getting lost somewhere out in cyberspace. So, hopefully they turn up eventually and I can post them. Until then, I ain't got nothin. So maybe another post later...

Anecdotes to lighten the Friday afternoon load.



Lucy Sprouts Tooth

At seven months old, little Lucy Clover is growing what appear to be some form of gopher teeth from her upper gum. Her mother didn't know that Lucy was hiding the teeth until she heard a noise that sounded like grinding coming from the child's mouth. Details and photos to come as the situation develops.


Old Dog, New Tricks

Twenty-six year old house keeper, Mandi Lou, was recently reported to have "mopped the kitchen floor". Many thought it would never be done, but Miss Lou is not one to stand in the way of progress. When questioned Miss Lou replied, "It really wasn't dirty, it was just sticky from all this darn humidity".
Well, we don't care what was causing it Miss Lou, we're just glad that the situation has been rectified. More next week on the breakfast cereal removed from under the couch that strongly resembled rodent feces.


Fall Fashion Trends

Looking to spruce up your fall wardrobe this month? Here are the latest fashion reports from the Martin Household, the height of fashion this year.
First we have Aiden, an alternative designer who is mixing comfort and creative. His latest design for the fall consists of high water jammy bottoms and a traditional t-shirt with a trendy pair of "toes hang over the edge"-style sandals.
Next up we have the lovely Mandi whose new logo for fall is "dress three sizes to big"! She prefers jeans with holes ALL over them that are so big on her she doesn't have to unzip them to use the restroom and show her old lady underwear every time she sits down. Paired with a perhaps too youthful looking t-shirt. Anyone familiar with Mandi's fashion design knows that everything goes with flip-flops!
Last but certainly not least we have Bryanwear. When going for this look never wear pants that don't have holes and grease all over them. The knew look this fall is also letting your toddler color all over your pants with marker and still wearing them out of the house. To complete this look top it off one of your 200 t-shirts you've had since 1995.
Enjoy your fall and back to school shopping, and don't forget... you are what you wear!

Blurg-blog

Here it is, time again for a post full of honesty and real life issues. I confess I haven't been up to my usual par for blogging, my mind has been further occupied. There is a situation that has been underlying and growing for months and it is finally coming to the point where I am having trouble seeing around it in order to perform everyday tasks. It is a money issue, and an issue with Bryan's job. I don't want to be to specific because I don't want to turn to complaining, and I don't want to over step my bounds as far as sharing private information is concerned.
So here's what it comes to... the outcome of this situation affects so many aspects of my life that I have run out of ways to plan around it. My home, my family's well being, my ability to minister to others the way God is directing me, and so much more.
When it comes to these type of material dilemmas I get so frustrated. What is it I expect? Perfect comfort on an imperfect earth? No, but what about my children? Should they have to suffer? Is this really just an issue that my worrying and fretting has blown out of proportion, or is there really some loss heading my way.
Yes, God does provide peace and comfort in all situations; through his word and the daily commune and renewal with the Holy Spirit.
The trouble is I'm a thinker. A person of process and method. "What does this mean?" "what am I supposed to do?" When I believe so strongly that there is a purpose to everything, not on the condition of my understanding, I can't avoid the thought that this too has purpose. So I rethink it over and over, wondering what I should be doing differently and hoping God will soon break His silence on the subject.

the word on the street

Less than a month until school starts!! So today I am going to give a little list of family updates.

1. Bryan and I were SUPPOSED to leave yesterday for our vacation in new York. However, due mostly to issues and schedules at work we have to cancel our trip. Instead we are planning on going to California for a few days in the first weekend of October. I must admit, I would rather go to California than New York. It's going to be more relaxing, and probably more romantic.

2. Aiden has finally learned to ride his bike with out training wheels. That's actually very big new. With all his motor skill issues we really didn't expect him to be able to do this yet. He worked so hard at it. Now he's very proud of himself, and we are too.

3. My mom and dad have moved. They are still staying at there Lake Tapps house during the week until it sells, but they have bought a place on Whidby Island. I am trying to adjust to not seeing them as often. The first time it really hit me was Sunday. Bryan had to work, and normally I would call my parents and they could meet me at church to help me get the kids to class. Now I'm on my own! So I do miss them.

4. My brother is going to be moving over to Central Washington University in just a few weeks. That is going to be another big adjustment for my family on top of my parents moving. I'm so excited for him though!

5. I reached the 30 lb mark. That's right, I have lost 30 lbs. I have a few more pounds to go before my end goal (based on my BMI). But here is a word of truth for everyone out there... it hasn't changed anything. I feel the same. I don't even view myself differently. If anything, I miss brownies more than I enjoy being a size 6. So for anyone out there who looks in the mirror and thinks "...if only I were twenty pounds smaller...", just know that it won't make you feel better. You truly do have to choose to be happy with yourself in any state and not make it contingent upon physical appearance or any one aspect of yourself.

Ta-da!

Gone

This morning the song "Gone" by Switchfoot is on a continual rotation in my brain. It makes sense, though, because this morning I cleaned out Lucy's closet. Goodbye baby swing, goodbye bouncy seat, goodbye newborn swaddling blankets. "Today will soon be gone, like yesterday is gone."
I am glad to pass these items on to another family, but it feels like just yesterday I was preparing for the arrival of little Jack, and now it's been almost three years! And Lucy, just when I thought I was going back into the never ending pregnancy and newborn days, here I am getting rid of all the precious things I gathered to prepare for her arrival. The baby days will soon be gone. It's hard, after being in pregnancy/newborn mode for the past seven years, to know how to move on from all that. No pregnancy tests, no nursing in the middle of the night, no pouring over "What to Expect When You're Expecting" for the hundredth time.
Yes, we are truly finished, no I really don't want another baby. I just wish those days with my babies hadn't flown by in such a flash (although it seemed like an eternity at the time).
Now to embrace my freedom. I don't have to stay away from fancy cheese and wine, I don't need pants with a stretchy waistband, or worry about pregnancy weight ever again. My body is no longer shared.
...beautiful memories of birth....

A striking resemblance

It's still summer

It's happened... every summer there comes a day when I walk outside and the air is different. I can feel it. There are six weeks left until fall. It doesn't matter that it is still roasting outside, I can tell things are changing.
So now, for no reason I feel all googly and romantic. I stood there, smelling the Macintosh Yankee candles for a good five minutes while at Ben Franklins. I love fall. It really brings out the best in me. So, even though I think we still have some summer left in the year, I know that it's coming. So for all you fall fans mark it on your calendar. I've been right to the week for several years in a row. Six weeks from now the leaves will be falling and there will be no doubt that the summer is leaving.
So, as a tribute to my favorite time of year I am making a list of my top 10 favorite fall things:

10) It's the Great Pumpkin! Halloween, I love to see how much fun my kids have. They are so cute all dressed up.




9) Fresh, hot, apple cider. Especially when sharing some with friends. Either inside by the fire, or outside on a hayride.

8) The colors. In Buffalo the falls were especially beautiful, but there is no shortage of beauty here in the Cascades either! When the leaves turn and fall it gives me this peaceful feeling, and reminds me of our mortality. How short our time is, how beautiful.

7) The smells. Pies. Apples. The crisp air. Breath it in, aahhhh.

6)"Back to school, back to school, to show my dad I'm not fool." Aiden needs more social interaction than I am able to give him. He thrives on being in a stimulating environment. I try to give him that at home, but really we're pretty boring. Not to mention I don't mind a little extra peace and quiet.

5)Thanksgiving. God made us for HIS glory, it's so nice to celebrate everything He has given us. especially when it involves good food.

4)Jackets and scarves. I'm not much for warm weather. I prefer drizzle and chill any day. I like my sweaters, hoodies, and jackets.

3) Pies. I mentioned the way they smell, but how about the way they taste, and most of all the wonderful feeling you get from making them. There are pies in the summer, particularly the berry variety. But I'm talking about PUMPKIN and APPLE! When I am baking mode I think my family loves me a little more than usual.

2)Going to the pumpkin patch! We love Spooner farms. This year I hope to do more than last year, as I was pregnant and not in the mood for tractor rides or haunted corn mazes. I love pushing the wheel barrow around, my kids trying to pick up pumpkins that are bigger than they are, and the feeling of family it all gives me. Those memories are lasting.




1) It's the beginning of the holiday season! It all starts with the pumpkin spice latte and before ya know it it's time for a good 'ol peppermint mocha! I don't know how else to explain this, unless you LOVE Christmas like I do. It is the festivities that preclude the most "magical" time of year. It's a feeling that keeps me young.

There, have I romanticized it enough for you?

water proof mattress cover

I have been trying to potty train Jack, I really have. He's just not interested.
Unfortunately the heat has been really bugging him this past week, and there have been several times when I have caught him peeling off his diaper. He really doesn't want to wear it, but he REFUSES to use a toilet. So, I told him he has to wear the diaper unless he uses the potty like a big boy first.
Well, this morning I woke up to the sounds of the boys running through my room like a pack of monkeys. When I opened my eyes I was ALARMED to see that Jack was butt naked. When I looked at him he took off to his room. I jumped up and followed, worried about what I would find when I got to his room. When I got there I saw a puddle in his bed.
Aiden, the official big brother explained the situation to me as follows: "Last night Jack was too hot, so he decided to take off his diaper".
"Jackson!" I exclaimed.
Jack's eyes got very wide and he shouted, "Mama mia!"

...aaand that's all I got.