Thursday Thoughts

• I've been reading.  READING!  This summer I set a goal of 5 books by the end of the year.  5 books that were not requirements for grad class.  I'm so happy to have completed 4/5 for my goal!  I have read:
  
  Murderers Daughters
  The Beach Trees (ooh a little mystery)
  The Help (by far my favorite)
  Best Friends Forever (ehh... kind of a slow read)
  I also had started (and got partway through) Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks but found it pretty boring and predictable.  Ehh.  I skimmed the ending and shelfed it. 
  
  and right now I'm just starting I Don't Know How She Does It.  I want to to see the movie so I ordered the book from Amazon and just started it the other day.  It SO reminds me of my life... chaotic working-mom life.  AHHHH!  Except, she's attempting to make the store bought pies appear homemade?  I'd be the nut in the kitchen 'till 4am baking friggin' pies.  I cant' wait to get further into the book and to see the movie!
• I dropped my Master's Class the day it started.  I knew that with the exhaustion of being pregnant in my first trimester I wouldn't be able to get anything done.  Not to mention September and October are CRAZY busy photograpy months and I already had a bazillion sessions scheduled.  So, I've re-registered for another class that starts the end of January.  That will get me my 9 credits to get an extension. 
• We have started puppy training with Cooper at home (and a little refresher/solidifier for Duncan).  He's doing great at recognizing his name and the first little "session" he learned to sit.  The niblets of cheese had a lot to do with it, but he's a smart little guy.  He's starting to walk on his leash a little better rather than treat it like a venomous snake attached to his neck. 
• The other night I was putting the boys to bed and thought "Oh my word... these kids act just like a couple drunk frat boys.  Hudson had to go pee and I walked back by the bathroom and saw him distracted, with a necklace of mine that was on the sink and he was trying to fit it over his head.  I thought to myself OMG i could totally see a drunk person doing that.... "I have to go pee.... OOOH pretty necklace!  I'll try to put it on.  Ooooh its not fitting on my head.  Errrr if I just tilt my head this way...."  HAHAHaH   There are so many spontaneous and wacky things my kids do that I can't do anything but shake my head at.  Little boys are like little drunk frat boys. 

Moon Moon and More...

is updated!  Our summer library visits are filling us up with some amazing kids' books.  Hopefully I'll be posting more often!

Momfulness Inspiration

Children are amazingly resilient;  we can be "good enough" parents, and when a disconnection or lack of attunement occurs, we can work to repair it as quickly as possible.  

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May we be fully present, here and now, aware of the gift of each moment. 

Patience is a key

As we cultivate mindfulness and compassion, we strengthen our ability to understand what we need, what our child needs, what a moment needs.  We also begin to realize that we can't pull on growing things to make them come up any sooner.  Patience is a key to cultivating things in a healthy way.

PATIENCE is a key to cultivating ALL THINGS in a healthy way. 

-Momfulness

Gobble Gobble Giveaway!

[[Today I am thankful for organization]]

Alright, to be honest, my house is in complete disarray today.  Thursday night we decided to rip out the playroom carpet and replace with faux wood.  It took a little longer than expected and today I'm finally just getting things back in order.  

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it before, but we have a TON of kids books in our house.  Porter has four 12x12 cubes full of books in his room and Hudson had a bookshelf full and in the playroom we had two 12x12 cubes full.  I also have holiday/seasonal books that are in the attic and come out for each holiday/season. 

I decided to move ALL of the books up to the boys' rooms and take Hudson's white forward-facing bookshelf and put that in the playroom for seasonal/holiday books.  I think this will give the boys more of a variety of bedtime/naptime books in their room (we always read a book or two at naptime and bedtime), and it will limit books being scattered around the playroom.  And hopefully, the holiday and seasonal books will get read more often.  

**Yes, he is wearing a butterfly shirt.  It is Aubri's and has been in his closet for awhile.  He decided today he wanted to wear it.  Funny boy!

During this organization, I found a couple books we have doubles of.  I can't guarantee brand new condition (c'mon... they've been in a kids room!) but I am going to do a giveaway on my book blog, Moon Moon and More.  Check out that blog and enter!

Made in the USA: Spoiled brats"

Another good read I just had to share. I got this email from someone at work a few weeks ago....

Article by Craig R. Smith: "Made in the USA: Spoiled brats"

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53028

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The same magazine that employs Michael (Qurans in the toilets at Gitmo) Isikoff. Here I promised myself this week I would be nice and I start off in this way. Oh what a mean man I am.

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home, you may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes; an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells. Just ask why they are going to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn't kill his wife but if he did … insane!

Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

I close with one of my favorite quotes from B.C. Forbes in 1953:

''What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.' Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs.''

I suggest this Thanksgiving we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don't, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful this generation will be known as the 'greediest and most ungrateful generation." A far cry from the proud Americans of the "greatest generation" who left us an untarnished legacy.

Magazine Deal

Family Fun magazine is just $3.79 for a year subscription TODAY ONLY from Best Magazine Deals. Take an extra 15% off most titles with code PXSS914. Exp. 9/24.

(Thanks Baby Cheapskate blog!)

Porn for Women

Nooo... not THAT kind of porn.

While shopping at Chiaroscuro, Heather and I ran across this book and were dying laughing. It is absolutely hilarious! I found it on Amazon.com and there is also a "sister book" called Porn for New Moms. I'm sure that one is just as funny!

I read the reviews on Amazon.com and most were great, but there were a few people who obviously didn't get that this was a sarcastic/humor book. And then again, maybe those with "perfect" husbands wouldn't get the jokes either. Anyhow, I loved it enough to blog about it and I snagged a few of the images off the website to share with you.

Enjoy!

"As soon as I finish the laundry, I'll do the grocery shopping. And I'll take the kids with me so you can relax."

"This is the way you like the shirts folded, right?"

"I like to get to these things before I have to be asked."

"As long as I have legs to walk on, you'll never have to take out the garbage."

"Breakfast's on the table. I'll have your outfit ready in five minutes."

"Ooh, look, the NFL playoffs are today. I bet we'll have no trouble parking at the crafts fair."

I do love him!

I was rummaging through old posts from the past year or so and came across a Q&A Post. Lately I've felt like all I've done is bitch about my husband on my blog... and its true- I have. I probably look like this ungrateful wife who hates the living daylights out of her husband. I'll be honest- lately I have many days where I feel that way about him but in the end and no matter what, I love him to death- quirks, irritations and all.

Anyhow... here's proof that I've said at least one nice thing about my husband:

If you had to pick one thing, what would be your very favorite thing about your husband? My VERY favorite thing? Hmm…. this is hard! How can I narrow it down? I love that he is a great husband and an amazing father. He, 97% of the time, is so incredibly helpful and involved. I love that about him. I love that we know each other so well… I love our inside jokes, I love that we can laugh together and bicker and argue and we still love each other. I love that he’s a hard worker and he always looks out for his family. He’s honest, loving, kind, stubborn, helpful.

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I do have to say he's been an awesome husband this week while I on the other hand have been lazy and cranky and in a bummer mood. Last night he went to the ice cream place down the road and brought me back a soft serve twist. Tonight he ran to the store to get garlic bread for dinner and came back with vanilla ice cream in my favorite brand. And then he cleaned up dinner while I gave P a bath and then he vacuumed the whole house WITHOUT ME ASKING. I can't remember the last time that has happened. He's also put Porter to bed the last 3 nights in a row while I've parked it on the couch in a comatose state. Thank you, honey!

Three Awesome Blogs

I have these lumped under "Parenting Blogs" in my Google Reader, but I guess I'd call them Parenting Tips and Tricks blogs. They post things such as:

• Great online sales
• New, hip baby/kids items
• Parenting tips and tricks
  
• Online Coupons and ways to save money on baby/kid items

Anyhow... check them out. I think they're subscription worthy.

Baby Cheapskate
Parent Hacks
Thingamababy

I'm off to scrapbook for the day with some friends. Wish me some good scrapbooking mojo!!

Good Reads

The slew of books I got for Christmas. I'm so excited to start reading all of them!

I posted over here, but thought I'd post here as well, along with the links to the books.

(L-R)
Be: Life is Here and it is Now by Kobi Yamada
I Was a Really GOOD MOM Before I Had Kids by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile
Sacred Marriage by Gary L. Thomas
Boundaries with Kids by Dr. Henry Cloud
The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold
The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss
Momfulness: Mothering with Mindfulness, Compassion and Grace by Denise Roy
Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining and Bad Attitudes... in you and your kids by Scott Turansky
Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel
Confessions of a Slacker Wife by Muffy Mead-Ferro
It's a Boy: Women Writers on Raising Sons by Andrea J. Buchanan