Gale....A strong wind

My First Mothers Day

So, realistically, this is NOT my first mothers day. However, all of my adult life, I have dreaded mothers day. I loved celebrating my mom. She is amazing, and I could not have received a better mother. No way.

I have always felt that Mothers Day was a reminder of my failure as a woman. That I am broken, my body does not work the way it is supposed to. It is a day I have spent crying and hiding from the world, embarrassed.

My body has not changed, I still have never given birth. HOWEVER, I have two AMAZING litte girls. Yes, I have been slacking. For the past six months I have had Sweet Pea (9) and Monkey (almost 2) in my home. I am mommy to them. I get to be with them for hard days, and happy days. I get to cheer them on in performances and track meets. I hold them when they get hurt, I kiss their owies. I drive them around, cook for (and with) them. I explain things I'd rather not. (Mom what's a virgin? holy cow scriptures bringing up stuff). I am their Mom.

I woke up this morning to roses and a bike from my husband, and a handmade card from Sweet Pea. She wrote a poem for me:

You are nicer than a teacher.

(Simils) better than the sun.

Coolest Mom ever!

This poem may not (ryim).

The words aren't spelled right, but I love you with all my heart forever!

There were tears. I love the drawing, the misspelled words. I L.O.V.E. being a mom.

12 May 2013

Glade Expressions Collection

I am a Buzz Agent. I received free product in exchange for my opinions. All opinions are mine.

I LOVE this product. The oil difuser is my favorite. It's sleek bamboo cover goes great with any decor, and the scents available are AMAZING. Pineapple & Mangosteen is amazing. When I walk into the room, I always find myself taking a big whiff, so I can be transported from my stress and daily routine, and relax on the beach of my mind. It's not overly strong, but it's there, and it's pleasant. I can't wait to try some of the other scents!

11 October 2012

PCOS Awareness

September is PCOS awareness month. Teal is PCOS awareness color, hence the new background.

I have PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I am one in ten women.

It affects every aspect of your life. It can some times seem like it's taking over. It is unknown what causes the hormone imbalance that is the root cause of PCOS.

Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

- Irregular Menstrual cycle

- Weight gain

- Difficulty Losing weight

- Excess Hair growth on face and body called Hirsutism

- Darkened Skin Patches

- Skin tags

- infertility

- Thinning hair

- Insulin Resistance (diabetes)

- High Cholesterol and High Triglycerides

- High Blood Pressure

- Cysts on Ovaries

- Pelvic Pain

- Depression

- Anxiety

- Sleep Apnea

- Decreased Sex Drive

- Increased Stress Levels.

- Acne that gets worse

Not only does it make it nearly impossible to lose weight (for every pound someone with PCOS loses someone "normal" will lose 3 pounds), we have to pay extra attention to what we eat. Carbs are killer and so is Soy.

Ironically the best treatment for PCOS is weight loss.

One of the most difficult aspects of PCOS, at least for me, is infertility. I have wanted to be a mom since I was 5 years old. I have tried to do what's right. I've made mistakes for certain, I don't claim to be perfect, but I do try to be what God wants me to be. I watch people who make no effort to do what's right, and as a matter of fact, go out of their way to NOT do what's right have kids.

I have friends, whom I love dearly, who get pregnant, and come to me to complain about how they feel. I try to be empathetic, but it's really difficult. So now you know a little more about it, all I'm going to ask is that you be sensitive to my plight, and the plight of 10% of all women. Recognize that we struggle with self esteem already.

Facial hair and infertility makes us feel unfeminine. Excessive weight gain makes us hate our bodies. Acne makes us frustrated with our skin. Stress an Anxiety and hair loss make us depressed, and feel unsexy. It's not something we can control and there is no real cure. Husbands, take care of your wives. Be understanding, tell your wife she is beautiful. Let her know you find her sexy. Encourage her to eat healthy, but be kind. We all need a little extra hope.

15 September 2012

I owe the world a living

There has been a lot on my mind lately, and I've had a really hard time organizing it into coherency. I hope you can follo this post without too much trouble.

Yesterday was the primary election here in Utah. Next week is Independence Day. I've never really realized how close these two events are together. Independence day used to be a day for fireworks, and to hang out with family, and an excuse to not work. Then I met my Dear Husband.

Adam is a true patriot if there ever was one. I've never met someone who loved this country so much. Who really wanted to fight for what it stands for. For life, liberty and the PURSUIT of happiness. Our GOD GIVEN rights. The ONLY things we are entitled to.

I get so frustrated with people who think that they are ENTITLED to so much. Freedom, opportunity and entitlement are three ENTIRELY different things.

To be perfectly blunt, I am embarrassed by a lot of my generation. They have the grashopper mentality of

"Oh the world owes me a living

Deedle dardle doodle deedle dum

Oh the world owes me a living

Deedle dardle doodle deedle dum

If I worked hard all day I might

Sleep badder when in bed at night

I sleep all day so that's alright

Deedle dardle doodle deedle dum"

The problem with this is, that living has to come from somewhere. So those who work hard, and seize opportunities are made to pay for it. You are NOT entitled to my paycheck. I work hard for my living, to help support my family, and I can not support others. Ugh. I"m going in a direction I didn't want to go. But this IS my blog.

We need to stop putting our hands out, and start getting them dirty. You are NOT too good for fast food. I have had a job since I was 11 years old. Sometimes it was just babysitting, mostly though, it was a real come-to-work-punch-in-and-out-get-a-paycheck kind of job. Yes, some of the time it was in the food service industry. I am truly grateful to my heavenly father for my job. I feel good about how I do it, I work hard, and long, but I know that I have EARNED nearly everything I have. None of it is bought on credit, none of it is still being paid for. It's out and out paid for.

I don't have everything I want, but I have what I need, and I have those around me who I KNOW love me. Even Mr. T. LIKES me. (does that mean I'm doing something wrong as a parent?) I have a roof over my head, food to eat, clothes to wear, shoes on my feet and a car to drive. THAT is what makes me part of the 1%. I don't have extra money in the bank, but I have enough. I appreciate, very much, the things I have been gifted, and the things that I have earned.

If you don't think I'm right check this article out...http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2011/10/28/attention-protestors-youre-probably-part-of-the-1-.aspx

I may be ridiculed for this post. I may have finally ticked off enough people that NO one will read anymore. But this is something that I can not get off of my mind. I really hope we can get away from the grasshopper mentality, and get back to what will really and truly save our nation...The ANT mentality:

"Oh I owe the world a living

Deedle dardle doodle deedle dum, ah-choo!

Oh I owe the world a living

Deedle dardle doodle deedle dum, ah-choo!

I got a bad cold in my head

You ants were right the time you said

You've got to work for all you get

Deedle dardle doodle deedle dum, ah-choo"

27 June 2012

It's BORING...

Mr T is constantly bored. He is still getting to know people around here and so has not as many friends as he could. The result?

I swear it's like this 96% of the time. The only time I don't hear that is when he is playing Wii...and lets face it...I can't let him play Wii all day, as much as I would like to. Since I work all day, and A. Sleeps due to working on his new business venture all night, Mr T is often on his own for entertainment. (Luckily I work from home so I can be here if he needs me.

I looked at A LOT of ways to entertain an 8 year old. A LOT. But most of them require either parental involvement, supervision or other kids. So I picked over, and cannibalized, several lists and came up with stuff he can do on his own. The result? Awesomeness.

My Unfinished list of 101 things for an only child to do....

1. Write a letter to a family member

2. READ!!!!

3. Write a story

4. Draw Pictures for the story you just wrote

5. Jam out to some music! LIsten and dance.

6. Play with our dog (not right for every one obviously)

7. Wash the table

8. Pick up your room

9. Draw

10. Color (no folks they aren't the same)

11. Feed the dog

12 Pick up the living room

13. Build a fort

14 Take a nap

15. Call a friend

16. Take pictures

17 Draw on the sidewalk

18. Quiet time (30 Minutes)

19. Exercise

20. Create a journal and write in it.

21. Use your toys to create a story

22. Create a collage with pictures from magazines

23. Play with legos

24. Play with Play-Dough

25. Nature Rubbings

26. Tie your shoes with one hand

27. Make a paper airplane and see how far you can make it go

28. Make another paper airplane and beat your record

29. Jump on a trampoline

30. Blow bubbles

31. Make an award for a friend

32. Wash the car

33. Invent a language and write it down

34. Bean bag toss

35. Play with Silly putty

36. take a bath (with toys!)

37. Fold and put away rags

38 Fold and put away clothes

39 gon on a nature hunt in the back yard

40. Find a cool rock on your nature walk

41 Draw a picture of a bug you found outside

42. Do a puzzle

43. Water plants

44. Listen to an audio book

45. do a craft

46 origami

47 Make a paper chain to count down how many days til school starts (or other thing you are looking forward to)

48 Tie knots in a rope

49 Make shadow puppets

50. Have a scavenger hunt (this requires a little bit of prep time from mom or dad, but can be done ahead of time!

51. Bug race (use potato bugs!)

52 Learn a magic trick

53. Try writing with your left hand

54. draw a picture of your favorite dinner.

55. Draw a picture with your toes

56. Build a card house

57. Make a placemat

58. Make a paper helicopter

59. Find, and write to, a pen pal

60. Draw a picture of yourself

61 shoe box guitar

62. Sock puppet show

63. Create a star show

64. Make a time capsule

65. Make a nature display

66. Draw on a shirt with washable marker

67 Finger paint

68. Fun Freeze (freeze little objects ie legos or other small things in a big chunk of ice. Have them try to get them out...no knifes!)

69. Make an obstacle course

70. Do your own scrap book page

71. Make a calming glitter Jar and/or play with it

72. make a paper boat

73. Make a Mini Me

74. Build a tower with jenga blocks

75. Paint outside with water

76. Make a pillow path...Don't touch the lava!!!

77. Jug catch

78. Waterfall game

79. Make a movie

80 Draw a picture to go with the story we read last night

81. Make up a song

82. Make a diorama

83. Play with a hand held game

84. Play with my iPod

85. Noodle Balloon race

86. Bubble Snake

87. Sweep the floor

88. Create a cotton ball statue

89. Create a statue with mini marshmallows and tooth picks.

90. Pom Pom Angry birds

91. Make a paper hat

92. Make a froot loop necklace

93. Make a pillow pile and jump into it

94. Indoor bowling

95. Rock crafts (paint them or build a statue)

96. Make a piece of clay jewelry

97. Make a paper space Ship

98. PLay with the wii for 30 minutes

99. Watch tv for an hour

and that's why it's unfinished......anyone have two more ideas?

20 June 2012

The Stupendous Mr. T

I am so blessed to have Mr. T in my home right now. No, I"m not taking in the former A Team member. Mr T is my friend who is staying with us. He's 8 and he flippin cracks me up. I don't know where he comes up with some of the things he says. But seriously, I asked him if he wanted broccoli pizza, and he said yes! The kid LOVES veggies. And fruits. His head almost exploded when I showed him a butterfly made of grapes. He's been with us for just over a week, and I get to read to him every night. He loves it. It's our special time. He's silly and energetic and very sensitive (even if he won't show it to you) It has definitely been an adventure. To all the moms that I've sugared up your kids and sent them home hyper, I"m sorry. I won't ever do it again. Well we all know THAT part is a blatant lie. I probably will do it again. Because kids are fun :)

It has been interesting finding his likes and dislikes, and his needs and wants. Mr T is a great helper, unless you use the word "chore" Then.....with no better way to put it......all hell breaks loose. So instead of creating a "chore" list, we ask him to do things as we go. So far, so good. I really am looking forward to the next few months! Mr T is awesome! So in the words if his namesake:

I Pity da foo' who dosen't get to know Mr T!!!

13 June 2012

Free Your Mind

I'm a Gleek. It's true. I'm not afraid to say it. There are so very few programs that celebrate the diferences in our lives that make us who we are. One of the biggest things I like about it is that they celebrate all kinds of beauty. One example of this is Mercedes. She's a bigger girl. She says...no....she KNOWs that she is fabulous, sexy and amazing. The last episode I watched was one where the football coach (a woman who is not very feminine) finds out that students are using thoughts of her to help "cool off" after making out. She is devastated. Who wouldn't be? I felt it. I saw the pain flash across her face and my heart shattered. I won't lie I felt like I was her. I am aware that I am not most peoples Ideal. I have never thought I was beautiful, sexy or amazing. I am very blessed to have a husband who does not look at the stereotypical beauty and swoon. He finds everything about me beautiful. Every last scar, every last stretch mark (yup I'm that heavy). He tells me every day how beautiful I am, and how much he loves my shape, and my body.

I really hope that we can stop seeing only this