In Love with Clutter

I am a sentimental person.  What I am not is a pack rat. If I don't think I am going to use something within the next three months I pitch it.  Which brings up guilty feelings of contributing to a generation of users, but that is another topic all together.

I love all of the memories that we make as a family, but let's face it, I am not a good memory keeper.  I either forget my camera or forget to use it when I do have it.  When I do take pictures, they sit on the memory forever and rarely get printed or shared.  Those that I have printed out now sit in a drawer, or most recently since the move in a box.

I love all of the crafts and pictures that Andrew and Ryan bring home.  But I have a really hard time keeping it and I have a harder time throwing them away.

I needed a way to document them, so I started brainstorming.  Scrapbooking? I tried this once.  All of the items that I purchased at Hobby Lobby and Creative Memories...yep, still in the box.  Making a book online?  This is still a possibility, but even these I am not so good at completing.  Then it hit me - upload them to the ole' blog.  Perfect!

So here are several of our favorite arts and craft projects, so far.

Andrew's Artwork at 3 and 4 years-old.

Andrew's Pre-Kindergarten Artwork.

Hansen Sunday Comics

Just loving some life...

1. Ryan continues to add words and put sentences together as we speak.  Well, he doesn't talk in his sleep like his big brother, but he is continually talking.  All the time.  I always thought that the second child didn't talk as much because the older sibling talked for him/her.  But this is not so in our house.

There are things that he is saying very clearly, like Mickey Mouse, I don't like it!, and Come on!  He also knows names of everyone who he sees often in his little world... Aunt LaLa (my sister Melissa), Aunt Meggie (my sister Megan), Uncle Rockie (he has renamed Megan's husband Rob), Aunt Esa (Mike's sister Lisa), Uncle Kyla (Lisa's husband Kyle).  So far so good, right?

One name that he has down pat is Papa, which of course he calls both Mike's dad and my dad.  And then there's Papa, which he calls Mike's mom and my mom.  We have tired and tried to fix this little term of endearment.  He will shake his head yes when corrected and then say "Gee-ma."  Then as soon as he is trying to get grandma's attention he yells "Papa!  Come on!"

2. We have had a really rotten case of the "Gimmes!" lately.  It is UGLY!  At one point last week I had had enough.  There was asking and pleading and crying for everything in sight.  I finally got what we needed and everyone back into the car.  Andrew continued to carry on and I had reached my limit.

I looked at him and said sharply, "Stop it.  Stop acting that way right now.  You are acting like a spoiled rotten brat!"  He looked at me obviously shocked.  "Wha, what did you call me?" he sniffled.  "I did not call you anything.  I said that your actions right now are like a spoiled brat's."  He said through his tears "I can't believe you called me a spoiled RAT!"  Just try to keep a straight face.  We both were laughing and it quickly broke through the tears and the attitude.  Who knew all it would take was a simple misunderstanding!

3. I got a huge wild hair yesterday and we took a trip to Dallas, TX on the spur of the moment.  I just woke up and decided I HAD to go to IKEA.  Never been there before, but I really just had to go see what it was all about. 

Amazing. Fantastic. Brilliant. Can I live there?  Yes, please!

We were able to fit in a visit to the Dallas Zoo as well.  Which rocks because the admission for this month is $5 for everyone over 3 years old.  Fun for my little guys and fun for my mom and me!  (I think the boys loved IKEA as much as we did!)  And the zoo was just what we needed to stretch our legs and have a great tiring time to make it swiftly through the store.  Which is not an easy task - too many awesome things to look at!  We will return...SOON.  Probably a much-needed girl's allowed only trip!

4. Today we took a trip to meet up with my best friend and her daughter, who just happens to be Andrew's BFF.  On our way out the door, Andrew came running down the stairs, closely followed by Ryan, saying "Come on, Ryan.  Let's tell mommy the good news!" 

"What good news?" I asked.  Andrew ran up to me beaming.  "I can change Ryan's diaper now!  Look!  I did it all by myself!" 

And sure enough, he had a wet diaper in his hand and Ryan actually had a loosely strapped diaper wrapped around his little cute hiney, the right way.  His pants were even on and pulled up perfectly. 

Wow!  Andrew has never shown any interest in changing his brother's diaper.  In fact, just the exact opposite...run!  Now, if only I could get them to scoop the dog poo in the back yard they really would be earning their keep!

5. Our trip to visit my best friend and Andrew's BFF took us to another zoo.  You can never get enough of those animals! 

When we saw them upon arriving at the zoo, it was like watching a miniature chick-flick romance scene.  Andrew and Sarah ran to each other and embraced.  Ines then told me that Sarah had confided in her on the car ride over that she was going to tell Andrew that...wait for it... (gushing and then blush) she LOVED him .  Which she did when they released their embrace.  She leaned in with her mouth cupped by her little hands and whispered "I love you."  Andrew said loudly, "I know, silly.  I love you too.  You know when you tell me these things, Sarah, it makes my heart beeps faster!"

Oh, heart beeps.  And 5 year-old puppy love.

My Lenten Journey

So far I have accomplished reading, or rather listening, to a book I have wanted to read for a while now. 

Eat. Pray Love.

I have been waiting to watch the movie.  I can't even tell you how long the movie has been out sadly.  But when you become a mother, movie watching is a novelty unless Winnie the Pooh, Lightening McQueen or Simba is involved.

Grown up movie watching is a "has-been."  But what, I am getting off topic here.

Eat. Pray. Love.

You know, I really think that God waits to bring certain things into your life when you really will use them and be ready to hear and receive a lesson in life.

Ironically, I finished the audio book on Wednesday, Ash Wednesday.  I thought that was very clever.  Especially when it was about 11am on Wednesday and that's when I realized that it was Ash Wednesday.

How did it get here so quickly?  It just doesn't seem possible.

I really enjoyed the book and can't wait to watch the movie.  Liz Gilbert and I have similar personality traits - bubbly, people-pleaser, quirky, daring and a bit dramatic.  I loved listening to her read her writing.  It really added insight and humor that I'm sure would not have been as good as just reading it on my own from the actual book.

Her experiences made me realize how much I yearn to be closer to God, coupled with everything that makes up Ash Wednesday and the journey to remembering Jesus giving his life so we may live.

It makes me sad that I do not slow down enough to just sit in the presence of God.  Reading a couple of chapters of my Bible every night just does NOT cut it.  And, gee, before I listened to this book, I thought I was doing pretty good.  YIKES!

So, here is my dedication for my Lenten journey this year:

• Andrew and I have compiled a list of 5 Bible verses that we are going to memorize as a family over these 40 days.
• I will start to carve out at least 30 minutes in the mornings before my family wakes up to spend in prayer and meditation.  Just me and God.  I know this will help me focus on my family, attitude for the day and simply, my mental health and balance.
• Using a whisper when I would normally raise my voice in response to a highly energetic, creative and funny five year-old.  He is a good kid and I have to slow down to see the world through his expressive eyes.  Understanding from his view is the key.
• I will finish reading the New Testament of the Bible. 

It feels good to stop and re-focus your life every now and again.  Take a deep breath.  Bless the circumstances that stress and strain.  Love yourself.  Love your Savior and your Creator.

Hello again Jewelry and Oscar Night Lovers...

I have been thinking about the giveaway recently posted and I have updated the way you enter to win $75 in free Premier Designs jewelry.  (Please note:  I am giving this giveaway as an independent distributor of Premier Designs Jewelry, not Premier Designs, Inc.)

Please check out the update to the giveaway: Oscar Night Jewelry Giveaway.

Thank you for the opportunity to help you add to your collection of sparkle with Premier Designs Jewelry!

Just for fun, here are some of the fabulous styles, in no particular order, I hope we see adorning our favorite actresses on Sunday night:

Anne Hathaway is one of my favorite actresses, besides my all time favorite Lucille Ball, and who can forget the multitude of dresses she elegantly paraded across the stage last year.  There were several dresses last year in this brilliant red/orange color, but I loved Anne's the best of all.  It has that very Gone With The Wind, Scarlett O'Hara feel.

Hailee Steinfeld's sweet innocent look in this little number makes me want to dance across a living room with Fred Astaire wishing I was Ginger Rogers.  I just adore those types of movies (Royal Wedding, Holiday Inn, Ziegfeld Follies, White Christmas...).  I wish whole-heartedly that we wore dresses like this all the time again and danced at the drop of a hat when the feeling came over us.

Mila Kunis draws you into this drape of elegance.  This dresses reminds me of a Roman goddess, seductive yet feminine.  I love the lilac color and the shimmer of gold the elongates the flow of the dress to the floor. 

Simply lovely.  Who can go wrong wearing an off-the-shoulder black velvet pooling gown?  Maria Menounos adds just the right sparkle to its glamour with the diamond cuff and clutch to match.

I would wear this dress to Wal-Mart.  Right now.

Mandy Moore has always been the definition of quiet confidence.  Simply stunning.

Okay, so this one is a little quirky but I'm sure that the embroidery on this dress is just breathtaking in person.  I love Nicole Kidman.  I have to admit that my favorite role of hers is Samantha in Bewitched with Will Ferrell.

Camila Alves looks absolutely brilliant.  If only I had little girls to play Barbies with, I would want a Barbie dressed exactly like her.

Oscar Night Jewelry Giveaway!

Hello Fellow-Oscar Lovers!

Update: I have re-thought the way this giveaway will work, so pretty please read below to learn how you can now win $75 in FREE Premier Designs Jewelry!
All of you who, like me, gear up for a magical night of movies, glamour and dream about the day the Academy will one day call your name from the stage know how special this night is, and you too wait in anxious anticipation of all its splendour.  Even if it is just from your own living room.

Awe yes, ever since I was four years-old I told my parents that I was going to be the next Lucille Ball.

Don't you laugh.  Hollywood could still call.  WILL still call.  Me.  (Just wanted to make sure who they would call was clear.)

SO in my earnest anticipation for the red carpet, the smiles, the tears, the gorgeous-ness of the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, February 26th, I am giving away $75 in FREE Premier Designs jewelry (Click HERE to see a sample of the new spring/summer collections on the website).  That way one lucky gal will feel as glamorous with her new bling as our Hollywood Mogul friends.

~~~~~~~~~~
Here is how you can get in on this Special Giveaway (UPDATED):

Watch the fashion show introduction of Premier's new spring/summer collections by clicking HERE.  Then leave a comment with the name of your favorite spring/summer collection from the fashion show.  This will enter you into the drawing for the $75 in free Premier Designs Jewelry.  (As the lucky winner, you will choose the pieces you would like from the new spring/summer catalog! So please be sure to leave me a good way to get in touch with you.)
~~~~~~~~~~

If you would like to order anything you see in the fashion show (you do not have to order to get in on the giveaway), send your snail-mail address to me by email (jewelryladymelody@gmail.com) requesting a catalog.  (Sorry Premier LOVES the personal touch - and so do I - so there is no way to order online.)

It gets even better.  Leave a comment with your Oscar-winning picks from this year's nominations in the Academy Award categories listed below.  (My favorite Oscar awards!)  For each winner you choose correctly, I will give you 5% off if you choose to place an order (up to 25% off your entire order!).  ***Make sure you leave your name and let me know you have emailed me your order!***  NOTE: You have until Sunday, February 26th by 4PM Central Time to post your comment with your picks in order to receive the discount.

Best Motion Picture

O  The Artist

O  The Descendants

O  Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

O  The Help

O  Hugo

O  Midnight in Paris

O  Moneyball

O  The Tree of Life

O  War Horse

Actor in a Leading Role

O  Demian Bichir in A Better Life

O  George Clooney in The Descendants

O  Jean Dujardin in The Artist

O  Gary Oldman in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

O  Brad Pitt in Moneyball

Actress in a Leading Role

O  Glenn Close in Albert Nobbs

O  Viola Davis in The Help

O  Rooney Mara in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

O  Meryl Strep in The Iron Lady

O  Michelle Williams in My Week With Marilyn

Best Animated Film

O  A Cat in Paris

O  Chico & Rita

O  Kung Fu Panda 2

O  Puss in Boots

O  Rango

Best Costume Design

O  Anonymous

O  The Artist

O  Hugo

O  Midnight in Paris

O  The Tree of Life

I will notify the winner of the $75 in free jewelry on Monday, January 27th.

Thank you for your interest, and Good Luck! 

XO from the seat on the couch where I will be watching the Oscars...just waiting for them to call my name!

Please note:  This giveaway is being promoted by myself as an Independent Distributor of Premier Designs High Fashion Jewelry, not Premier Designs, Inc.

Patient.Gentle.Selfless.Mom.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I think this post is only appropriate on this day of love. 

I have already cried over this topic today.  On my drive home.  When I have lots of time to think now with 1 1/2 hour drive both ways.

I have been listening to books on tape.  Well, I guess I shouldn't say "books" because I have just completed the first book.

I started the next book checked out from the library tonight - Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R. Covey.

The book really found me.  I have to admit I was looking for another period romance novel.  I LOVE Victoria Holt-type of books.

After listening for almost 2 hours, I am really glad I went with my gut and picked it up off the shelf.

Andrew is a very curious, high energy, expressive, funny and intense little guy.  I struggle with re-framing the way I think about all of his energy and little boy craziness - not thinking negative thoughts about his attitude and trying times.

I really hate when I have this frame of mind.  I know it makes my attitude and his response to my attitude very destructive.  I end up getting exasperated and wishing that he could just be a normal, well-behaved little boy.

I am very embarrassed to admit this.  But if you have a little red head who is extremely independent with an Irish flair, you know where I am coming from.

Stephen Covey talked (or wrote) about the way we view our children.  We are the ones who assign people labels that we expect them to live up to instead of fostering their true makeup and seeing their circumstances for what they are.

I cannot tell you how many times I have been at the brink of breaking with Andrew.  Or I hate to say, I have hit the wall and I don't like how I have reacted. 

I know this parent thing is all about learning each stage as you grow as a family. But I don't like the thought of having regrets for the way I choose to respond and set an example for my children.

I am reaffirming my faith in myself as a parent, re-framing my own description of Andrew to be positive and committing myself to due diligence in my prayer and Bible reading time.

My new motto from another great family author Dr. Gary Smalley:

High Honor. low anger.

Love on my children, my husband, our family.  With gentleness, grace, and selfless love.

The Great Work Roadtrip, Part II

The journey continues.

And not without a great road trip blooper.

Have you ever been to this fine Texas establishment?

Well, this restaurant just happens to be across the street from the Dr. Pepper Baseball Stadium in Dallas, TX.

Dr. Pepper Baseball Park and the 3rd Base Sports Grill and Bar across the street.  Makes sense right.  Baseball field and your local sports bar.  No big deal to stop in for a good burger or a solid plate of nachos.

So Dr. Barthell, the dean of the college I work with, and I stop to eat lunch.

Nice looking restaurant.  Across the street from a ballpark.

We pull into the parking lot and park.  We exit the vehicle and head toward the entrance.

~~~~~~~~~~Details at this point are very important~~~~~~~~~~

I beat Dr. Barthell to the door of this welcoming, nicely groomed sports grill.  Across the street from a baseball field.  On the third base side.

I look back towards Dr. Barthell as I begin to pull on the handle that is shaped like a baseball bat.  I was thinking as we approached the doors of the entrance that Andrew would have loved the handles since he has already been asking about playing baseball this spring.

I look back to the restaurant as I open the door about 65% of the way and begin to take a step inside.

My eyes were greeted by a young lady and the first thing I notice is her laced-up Ugg boots.  Cute boots.  And then I notice that her legs are bare.  Very tan.  And then I realize what she is wearing...a purple floral print BIKINI!!!

I immediately slam the door shut.  I look back to Dr. Barthell stunned, mouth gaping and eyes wide, and ask, "Do, do, do you still wa-want to go in-inside?!?"  Dr. Barthell later described my reaction as a perfect "Lucille Ball moment."

We walk/run back to the car.  Upon sliding back into our seats and closing our doors.  We look at each other and roar with laughter.

I can't stop thinking that I had just thought of Andrew before opening the door to something he should not see until he is THIRTY!

When we could breath again from the side-splitting, knee-slapping and streaming tears of laughter that consumed the inside of the rental car, Dr. Barthell asked, "Did you really ask me if I still wanted to stay and eat there?"  "To be honest," I responded, "I couldn't tell you what I said to you.  I was in total shock."

Why would anyone think that a SPORTS BAR across the street from a BASEBALL FIELD would be anything more than a nice place where you could catch a good game on TV, order some wings, chili cheese fries and perhaps a nice cold beer.

A place like this needs to have a flashing neon sign that warns you about what you will find inside.  Hooters certainly does.  And the Hooters' girls wear parkas compared to the voluminous girl I peered at momentarily through the 3rd Base Sports Grill's doorway.

We have had a lot of funny stories and humorous experiences traveling, but this one certainly TAKES the CAKE!

The Great Work Roadtrip, Part I

Traveling with family is always interesting and lots of fun.

But when you travel with co-workers it can be something you look forward to or something you might dread.

Fortunately, I enjoy traveling with the dean of the college I currently work with. 

We are in the middle of a week-long road trip through Texas meeting with university alumni along our way to Houston, and then on to San Antonio before flying home. 

This is one of the reasons I absolutely love my job.  I love listening to the stories of what the university, education, career, family and life means to those we meet.  It is so much fun to meet new people, continue relationships with those we have met before, and have wonderful conversations.

Road trip happenings so far:

• Balance is needed when getting lost.  I get us lost, he gets us lost... has to be give and take.
• Dairy Queen stops are a necessity.  Blizzards are sustenance.
• Missing my family is a given.  But it is so much fun to hear Andrew (my 5 year-old) say, "What's up, mom? You doin' good?"  Gosh!  He is getting SO big, and sounds so old.
• Being in a car for 2+ hours at a time = Dr. Barthell needing a break from me! (ha!)
• Seeing 6 alumni in 2 days is just the beginning!

Two days down, three days to go!

It's Love & Hate

We made it!  The first week of starting the new adventure of learning how to be part-time mommy and part-time working mommy has officially come and gone.

I learned several things this week about settling into this new balance of life...

1st Thing
I have always missed my boys during the day.  As a working mom, that is just a given.  But, I didn't realize HOW much I would miss them.  I honestly was a little fearful about staying at home more. 

Crazy, irrational thoughts were swarming around my head, like - What if I messed up my kids by being their primary care giver? What if I couldn't learn to just play for the majority of the day?  Would I be able to teach them what they needed to learn in order to help them be where they should in school?  Would I be able to have the patience needed with two very adventurous, high energy little guys?

Okay - I know, I know... I am their mother, how could I think these things?  But I did.

Now I know I can do it - and I L.O.V.E. it!  I feel like I have the best of both worlds - mommy and adult fulfillment.

With cheeks like these how could you not love being at home kissing them!



2nd Thing
With every move it gets harder to feel settled quickly.  Especially when you keep adding little bodies with every move!  (I am keeping my fingers crossed that this means Mike will get the baby itch!  I really would love a little girl!)

I have been working on choosing colors for our rooms. I really don't like white walls. I just have to have color.  I usually love the colors that I choose.  I have always had a strong vision of the color I decide to paint a room.

Well, I have to admit that I am still in debate with myself on the color I painted our kitchen.  It turned out MUCH darker than I wanted.  Everyone that has seen the kitchen so far has liked it, but I keep going back and forth.

I hated the color - hated it! - when I first started to paint it.  It just was so disappointing that it was going on darker than what I was envisioning.  But I kept painting thinking it may dry differently or it would grow on me...until I had only two feet left to paint and then I stopped, too discouraged to go on. 

TWO feet!  What was I thinking?  Why didn't I just go on?  But instead, I went outside and washed out the roller and paint brush. 

Then I let them dry and finished painting the two feet that a rashly left unpainted.

Now I continue to go back and forth - I like it and then I'll walk in and hate it. 

I am afraid that it looks like a boy's room trying to be a kitchen.  Or that it looks like one of the boys went crazy coloring the walls with a big blue marker.

It is bold.  I do like color, but is it too much?  Of course it will change the look of it some when I start to put things on the wall, but as you can see there is not much wall space to make it my own.  That is where the color comes in. 

See my dilemma. 

3rd Thing
Leaving behind a wonderful church family and trying to find a new one is very hard.  We are not choosing a church family just for Mike and I now as we did eleven years ago.  The goal of finding a place to help encourage and teach our children is number one. 

I am certainly a believer in the philosophy that it takes a village to raise children.

The more positive reinforcement and loving people we can expose our children to the better.

So we will keep searching to make sure we have found the one that fits all our needs and most importantly feels like a place where we can live out and act on our faith as a family.