Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things I am MOST embarrassed about! 1. In elementary school, going outside for recess and spotting a long blonde hair Recess Guide which I thought was my older sister and jumping on her back and sliding down around her body to find out it wasn't my sister! 2. When I was about 10 yrs. old my mom sent me to the store to get milk so we could have cereal for breakfast. She told me to buy her a newspaper with the change. I was so excited to eat the new cereal we got (I think it was Cap'n Crunch), I ended up buying another box of cereal and with the extra change I bought a pack of gum! 3. I was on the eight-grade girl's basketball team and at the end of practice, each person had to make one lay up in sequence or we had to run laps for each one missed. Well to make it more interesting we (the girls) decided we would snap each other's bra strap if we missed. Only to realize that one of those practice days...I forgot to wear my bra!! 4. I was cheerleading at a high school basketball game during a time out and came out onto the floor to do a cheer for the crowd with pom poms. Well our new pom poms had plastic handles around the hand; as I started tumbling across the slick gym floor to the sidelines (you know where this is going don't you?) I slipped on the handles upside-down in the AIR and landed on my rump sliding into the wall! (I took a bow to the crowd to help shake off the horror!!) 5. My naive self moving to Texas (from Ohio) and pronouncing the word Tortilla like Tor-till-la in front of my new Texas friends! 6. Since having children I switch between a diaper bag and purse on occasion. Well I grabbed my diaper bag one day on a trip to Wal-Mart and bought a cart FULL of groceries only to find out that my wallet was in my purse and I had no money to pay! (I believe I've done this twice now!!) 7. Last fall I was picking up Victoria after being at Mom's Day Out and carried Claire in in her infant seat (she was just born). I set Claire down to help Victoria put her shoes on and proceeded to walk out of the building without Claire! I ran back down the hall after realizing I had left her only to meet Victoria's teacher in the hall to come find me! 8. Last summer I was delivering some Mary Kay products to a client of mine and I was putting Victoria in her car seat. I threw my keys in the front seat so I could do her seat buckle - upon tossing the keys they hit the seat at the correct angle and it hit the lock button. Wha-la! Victoria was locked inside the car! I had to go back to the house and ask to use her phone so I could call John to the rescue! 9. I think that's enough damage for now...thirteen seems like a lot! 10. If I happen to remember any other good ones I'll post them as I remember. Looks like I still owe ya about 5 more. 11. Sorry some are private and I can't share them...he, he! 12. I can't believe I really posted all these ~ how embarrassing is that?? 13. Most embarrassing...posting all my most embarrassing moments on my personal blog for the world to laugh and make fun of me!! Hope you all get a good laugh! :-)

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the verdict is in...

Claire tested positive for Strep this Monday. We are busy distributing antibiotics, Motrin, Tylenol, juice, popsicles, etc. to both girls now. Also, Claire has her three front teeth coming in - ugh! On top of that, Grandma Twyla had to cut her trip short this week - we are going to miss her terribly.

She has been a God-send these past two weeks. She helped so much with the move like, packing boxes, moving boxes, cooking, babysitting (two sick ones) and she even rode in the back of John's pickup truck so the Little Tykes house wouldn't fly out! How nice is she?

Well things are starting to get a little normal again. I've got the kids (Hunter & Briley) the rest of this week on top of my own so it should be a little challenging. At least we can walk through the kitchen, living room and bedrooms without running into a box.

Oh, but, don't ask about the garage or laundry room because I'll probably lose it! :-)

Strep, Fever, Cough, White sores...what else?

Well I'm only back for a short second because I am TOTALLY exhausted. We have officially moved to the new house however, there have been a few delays during the process.

Here is the summary:

1. Victoria came down with fever AGAIN! So the day after we close I am spending my morning with her at the doctor's office only to confirm that she tested positive for Strep Throat (a.k.a. Group A Streptococci.)

2. Next, off to the pharmacy for more antibiotics, Sprite, popsicles, etc.

3. We decide to move ourselves (to save on cash) with one wife, one husband, one grandma, one 3-year old, one 1-one year old, one retriever mix mut, and one Jack Russell Terrier. Total days to move 5!! (With the exception of one friend to help John one day to move furniture).

4. Claire 1-yr comes down with fever, white sores all over mouth, no appetite and won't drink.

We still do not know what is wrong with Claire after talking with the nurse on the phone today. Hopefully we will get to see a doctor tomorrow and have a verdict.

Until then, good night...

Crying a river

I know when you are pregnant you get very emotional, moody, fatigued, etc. - all those fun things, but why doesn't anyone ever tell you after having a kid you will become an emotional roller coaster? Am I the only one on this planet that feels after you have a baby, somewhere in your deep inner brain you get a switch that allows you to cry spontaneously? I mean I get so emotional now about the smallest things. It's only gotten worse after having a second baby... (I can't imagine the size river I'd cry if there were three!)

It just seems that I am so emotional over the tiny littlest thoughts/scenarios. Now I'm not talking about the Hallmark aisle or sad movies here. I'm talking, if I see something on TV like a little baby just being born (i.e. A Baby Story) I'm so gone...I just have to change the channel. That goes for Extreme Makeover Home Edition too. Bring on the tissues! Or maybe if Victoria says something or asked me so something that is just so sweet and innocent - I start welling-up! I even well up when I sing certain songs in my head. For example, like on my run listening to "Held" by Natalie Grant. Or, even on Sunday morning at church a certain song will hit me and John looks over to comfort me. Or, times of importance...like just finishing the signing of papers for a new house or seeing a family member after a long time spent apart.

I can't think of all the times I have cried or welled up over small things in the past three years. Maybe it's from having my own children, maybe it's due to my spiritual growth, maybe I cry just because I'm truly happy or maybe because I'm just truly sad...whatever the cause I just want to warn other pregnant women that this could happen to you and be prepared to "cry a river" about what once was the little things in life.

It's too good to be true

Okay I know ya'll have been waiting for pics of the new house. Well I finally got some today on our walk through. Please note, they have not cleaned the house and there is green tape to mark all the fix ups so, Well, here you go!!!! We get the keys Wednesday morning - I can't wait!

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Thursday Thirteen




Thirteen Things about T-Lo 1. When I was a little girl I was a complete Tomboy! Mom kept my hair super short (sometimes I was mistaken for a little boy) and I played on a Little League Baseball team (with all boys) AND played football and dug up worms with all the boys on my street. I don't ever remember playing with Barbies'! 2. John and I got married at the New York, New York Hotel in Las Vegas because he proposed to me in New York, New York. Our theme was a horse and carriage (cake topper, napkins, invitations, etc.) because he proposed on a carriage ride through Central Park. (Just giving a little props to my hubby and here some link love). 3. Since last week, Victoria can read 44 vocabulary words and Claire can say her version of "thank you" and can now give kisses with her mouth closed. (Phew) 4. In two days we get to do our walk-thru on the new house and Monday we sign the papers - Yahoo! Hopefully by TT of next week we'll have the keys!! 5. This week I made RR (Rachel Ray) Thai-glazed Chicken Lettuce Wraps and they were awesome. I had them for left-overs tonight since Daddy was at a work function. I also made the girls beans and weenies and they both threw a fit. They ended up eating my dinner! (What kid doesn't like B & W???) Apparently, mine! 6. Buckeye (the city where I live) finally opened up a NEW restaurant besides Jack in the Box, the local pizza shop and Subway. I am happy to announce we now have "Great China". The grand opening was this week and it was packed!! (Only in Buckeye...LOL) 7. John is getting up super early to go to work so that he can get home earlier for me to go running while it's still daylight out. Isn't he a sweetie? I ran S, M, T and skipped today because he worked late. But I still did my 100 crunches! 8. I got my second issue of Everyday with Rachel Ray in the mail today. I'm so excited! 9. Tuesday night, I spent 2 1/2 hours organizing my songs in iTunes to upload to my iPod. That included correcting spelling errors, alphabetizing, deleting dupes, etc. Did I ever tell you I was an organization freak? 10. I think I need to be on HGTV, that show Mission Organization. I think I would be really good at it. 11. I believe my daughter is picking up on my OCD with cleaning/organizing. Tonight she cleaned up the living room and organized her flash cards in a certain neat stack - the kind of weird stacking that I would do - scary! 12. I am a smoothie nut! Did you know Smoothie King is the best place ever to get a smoothie. I just found one in Surprise, AZ this weekend. 13. I honestly like and love eating anything soy, nutty, grainy, whole wheat-y, seedy, granola-ly, etc.




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How much do you know about T-Lo?

Click on the link below and see how much you really know about me.
Warning: Please take at your own risk! :-)

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Idol Anonymous

Hi, my name is Theresa and I'm addicted to American Idol. There I said it. If you have the same problem I have, then jump on the "Idol Speculation" with your TiVo and get busy. Now this is not an extreme obsession because I have a few exceptions about the addiction:

1. I don't call in and vote.
2. I don't peruse the idol website.
3. I do not own any memorabilia or clothing.

Now what I am actually addicted to:

1. Watching religiously every week (with a Season Pass on TiVo)
2. Verbally make predictions every week before it is aired.
3. Discuss performances, clothing and other non-pertinent info. w/ family and friends.

With that being said, now I am blogging about it...if anyone catches me out running with an 'I love Idol' t-shirt on, please shoot me.

This week's Idol Speculation...Bucky goes home. I really want to win the grand prize of a Limited Edition High Definition TiVo to feed my other addiction......... TiVo!

Kitchen Talk!

1. How many meals does most of your family eat at home each week? How many are in your family?

We eat about 6 out of seven. There are 4 of us.

2. How many cookbooks do you own?

Too many to count, probably 15 -20 (that's counting mags too)

3. How often do you refer to a cookbook each week?

Probably 4 out of 6 times (since discovering Rachel Ray)

4. Do you collect recipes from other sources? If so, what are some of your favorite sources (relaties, friends, magazines, advertisements, packages, the internet, etc)

I usually collect them from the Internet (cooks.com or http://allrecipes.com/). I also copied many from my mother-in-law. This was after my soon-to-be hubby at the time told me to call her after I made him a meatloaf, "because it didn't taste like my moms!") And, I STILL married him???

5. How do you store those recipes?

Okay - remember I'm anal, but I usually print them out, trim/fold them, highlight titles, etc. then file them in my Longaberger Recipe Basket. However, the ones I copied are written down on recipe cards then filed. But, it still is a little messy for me so it's on my "to do" list when we move to reorganize them - again!!

6. When you cook, do you follow the recipe pretty closely, or do you use recipes primarily to give you ideas?

I use to do them exactly and if I was missing an ingredient needed I didn't make it. But, over the years I have learned that the omission of some ingredients is okay and now a days I am much better at adding or substituing in any recipes.

7. Is there a particular ethnic style or flavor that predominates in your cooking? If so, what is it?
Well this one is a toss up... Mexican vs. Italian? I like to say I mix it up pretty good but my "go to" foods are the above mentioned.

8. What’s your favorite kitchen task related to meal planning and preparation? (eating the finished product does not count)

Dicing, cutting, chopping, slicing, zesting, peeling, mincing, shredding...anything that requires me using my 7" Santuko Knife! :-) That's a scary answer isn't it?

9. What’s your least favorite part?

Clean Up!

10. Do you plan menus before you shop?

Sometimes I make a weekly menu but it depends what's on the calendar for the family that week.

11. What are your three favorite kitchen tools or appliances?

1) my two 7" Santuko knives 2) Pampered Chef stones 3) my microwave

12. If you could buy one new thing for your kitchen, money was no object, and space not an issue, what would you most like to have?

A SIX burner gas range w/ convection oven with a built- in grill...just like this one!

3. Since money and space probably are objects, what are you most likely to buy next?

Well, I just bought a new Microplane and basting brush this weekend; so my next new little purchase will probably be a large wooden cutting block/board.

14. Do you have a separate freezer for storage?

No, I sure wish I did!

15. Grocery shop alone or with others?

I prefer to go alone so I can browse at my leisure. I really enjoy grocery shopping especially in the organic section. I like to read everything and try new stuff!!

16. How many meatless main dish meals do you fix in a week?

Probably twice a week. It would be more if I could get my hubby to eat more healthy. I usually end of fixing two dinners the night I'm having a "non-meat" dish.

17. If you have a decorating theme in your kitchen, what is it? Favorite kitchen colors?

No theme right now since were in a rental. But, normally I have a traditional taste. So the new kitchen has Briarwood Cherry cabinents with black appliances. The counterops and floor are real earthy colors. I'll post a pic when after we move in...

18. What’s the first thing you ever learned to cook, and how old were you?

Tuna Noodle Casserole - probably 10.

19. How did you learn to cook?

I learned a few dishes from Mom, some from Home Ec in 8th grade, but mainly I taught myself. I think it's called 'trial and error' school. Oh, and my latest teacher RR.

20. Tag two other people to play.

Robin (because she is a SERIOUS meal planner, cook, and former Pampered Chef consultant)

Lori (because Robin told me she is the best cook ever - and I have one of her recipes)

Static Electricity

After much anticipation, Phoenix finally got some rain! Yahoo!! After a loooong record-breaking 143 days (btw - the original record was 101 days).

So, you ask... what does 143 days of no rain do? See for yourself.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about T-LO 1. I started running again after completing a 5K two weeks ago. I am really trying to lose some weight after both pregnancies. Claire is one now I have no excuse!! Yesterday I ran for 40 mins. and tonight I walked for thirty mins. (I just ate dinner so I had to walk instead of run.) 2. I use to run all the time and played soccer ALL time, like on several different teams at once. I'm a soccer fanatic! 3. I started to really love long distance running after coming in second place in the Turkey Trot in 7th grade. Second place was okay because 1st place got a turkey and I got a cool T-shirt! 4. Our new house is almost finished and we close in two weeks - yahoo! Thirteen months later... 5. I love to sing and did a lot of it when I was younger. I use to travel with a group from church in middle school peforming a musical called Surrender all over the New England states and Canada. In a singing competition, I also one two metals once for a solo performance and a duet 6. I would not dare sing in front of anyone today. 7. One of my all time favorite christian songs is 'Better is One Day'. 8. I love to scrap. Actually started back in 9th grade before it became popular. I still have the photo albums. 9. If I ever have a boy (and that is if we go for a third) his name will be 'Noah Michael'. (It's been picked out before Victoria was born). Noah is my Dad and brother's middle name. 10. Today I started teaching Victoria who is 3 how to read. I recently realized after teaching her how to write that she can recognize words. So today we learned, cat, dog, house, Claire, Mommy, pink, hat, and Daddy. 11. Claire has what the doctors are calling an intestinal virus. She is screaming all day, gassy and has diarrhea. I'm sure more than you wanted to know. 12. I almost got a tatoo once with John after we got married. It took me two hours in the Las Vegas shops to find the right one. After I finally picked one out, John grabbed me by the hand and said let's go. 13. My very first job was at Pepperoni Express the local pizza shop down the street when I was fifteen. After my first year, I was the manager for the next three years - all throughout high school. * Sorry this is so late again, I've been a little distracted by a one year old monkey hanging on my legs all day.

What do YOU call your blog?

Well, my husband has been hounding me to switch to Typepad vs. Blogger because our family website is in Typepad AND so I can get my own name domain. Although, I have been hesitant to do this in fear of losing everything! I'm sure there is some fancy synchronization tool that can do this for you. (Oh yeah, my husband!) Anyways, I have decided when it's time to switch services that I would give my blog a new look and a new name (just because I can.) Plus, I found these statistics about blog titles and I thought they were interesting. If you have any suggestions leave them for me in my comments. I'm open to everything and would love to hear what ya'll have in mind.

Introducing, Peep, Chirp, Quack...Curtis, Shaun, Karla, Kimmie and Jen

Do you monitor what your kids watch on TV? Are your children sensitive to certain movies/cartoons? Do your children like to learn, dance and/or sing? Then I have the programs for you! If your kids haven't seen these two shows already, then you need to tune into TLC (The Learning Channel) or Discovery Kids Channel!

I think these are the two best cartoons since our time (that's us the parents!) Please let me introduce to you: Peep and the Big Wide World and Hi-5! If your not sure what I'm talking about then you must check them out. These are Victoria's-3yr two favorite shows. My one-year watches them too!

Peep and the Big Wide World is set in and around a pond, a bush, and a tin can, the show follows a newly hatched chicken named Peep, and his friends Chirp and Quack (a robin and a duck), on their daily adventures. Surrounding them is a large urban park — a place of great wonder and mystery, a place they are forever eager to explore, a place they call "the big wide world."

Right after Peep is, Hi-5... which is a twice Emmy-nominated television show that's educational, interactive and, most of all, fun! Brought to you by innovative educators, Hi-5 features a dynamic young cast - Curtis, Jenn, Kimee, Karla and Shaun - in musical adventures where the energy and excitement never end!

If you haven't had a chance to view them go now and set up your VCR, DVR, TiVo, etc. I guarantee your little one(s) will enjoy.

BTW - Hi-5 is appearing at Sea World San Diego, California on April 14th - 15th 2006. Anyone up for meeting us out there? The kids will have a blast seeing Hi-5 in person, not to mention spending the day at Sea World too. If anyone is interested drop a note in my comments.

And the Oscar goes too...

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What!#@! Are you kidding me??? I'm sitting there watching the 78th Annual Academy Awards on my TiVo. Pausing every time I have to get up and get my screaming child from her crib who won't stay asleep for longer than 5 minutes. I have been waiting all weekend to watch them. I even bought the movie, Crash, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and rented Hustle & Flow. Just so I could be "in the know" come Sunday (plus my daughter was sick all weekend long with high fever - that's another story.) Back to the Oscars...I had seen Walk the Line and absolutely LOVED it. Being a Johnny Cash fan myself, my sisters and I used to roller skate to his music in our basement on an 8-track!

Back to my point... I can't wait to see the Best Actress winner because of course I'm rooting for Reese and second I want to see Best Picture. So, I finally get the baby down and finish watching to the very end. Jamie Foxx walks out on stage and begins to announce the nominations for Best Actress. My heart is pounding as the little promos run for all the movies (anxiously waiting to see Reese's tidbit.) Showing currently is Felicity Huffman talking about her sex change with her doctor then, BAM!!! TiVo stops recording...

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Can you believe it??? Note to self: Next year, remember that the Oscars ALWAYS run over their allotted time and for heaven sakes schedule your TiVo to run a half hour longer!!!!! UGH!!

Almost 7 years...and the love of my life

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Theresa! 1. This week my daughter Claire turned one, and I made from free-hand a Dora Backpack cake! (To answer your question Addie :) See previous post for pic.) 2. Right now we are living in a rental house (that I cannot stand) and closing on a new house in three weeks - I cannot wait! 3. My Rachel Ray addiction led me to Buffalo Turkey Burgers with Blue Cheese Dressing (minus the Dressing; I can't stand Blue Cheese) last night for dinner. My hubby so kindly told me to never fix them again! 4. I babysit Hunter-3yr. and Briley-20 mos. for a friend of mine a couple days a week...today was one of those days I believe four children is enough! 5. With that being said, why doesn't someone make a vehicle big enough AND easily accessible for four car seats? 6. My laundry room always looks like I have a six person family but actually there's only four of us. Especially today... 7. My favorite laundry product is Oxy Clean and my all-time favorite cleaning splurge is Mr. Clean Erasers. Did I mention they come in Extra Power now? I use them on everything. 8. I'm very anal-retentive with my house...I usually always have it picked up/cleaned (except the laundry room of course) so I have not participated in the "Real Monday" meme...in fear of not being believed. 9. I'm so anal that my label maker gets more use than my washing machine and if I were smart I would buy stock in Mr. Clean. 10. Note to everyone: I do have days where there are toys lying around or a few dishes in the sink (especially since living in the rental and out of boxes) but 95% of the time I'm picking up, straightening pillows, etc. Sometimes I just need to be slapped! 11. Claire at her one year checkup weighed 18lbs. 2oz. with a diaper on. However, I still have her forward facing in the car. (See, she lost some weight when she was sick and I can't bear to turn her back around.) 12. I hope no one in law enforcement is reading my blog right now. 13. Final thirteen and a confession: I'm addicted to the one and only soap opera: The Young and the Restless. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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Claire's Birthday

I have to admit I'm a little sad today. My little baby girl turned one year's old yesterday! The formula, bottles, and baby food are all gone. The only reminders I have left are the binky's and dirty diapers. Where did this past year go?


Anyways, we are going to have a celebration for her in a few weeks when we are in the new house. So, in the meantime I made her a Dora Backpack cake (that is her all time favorite cartoon) and took her and her sister to Peter Piper Pizza. I know it's hard to believe at one year of age but it's true...she dances everytime the theme song comes on and she can say "ba-pah" aka "backpack". It was a little challenging making the cake from scratch without a shape pan and instructions, but she knew what the cake was so I guess, mission accomplished!



So, here is a picture of the cake (and my little princess above) at one year's old. She looks so grown up!







Here is a list of Claire's milestones at one year's old:

* Running now - not walking (at 9 months)
* She can say Mama, Daddy, Daisy (our Jack Russell), and Backpack
* She is a dancing fool like her Mama
* She can't give enough kisses to her big sister or her puppy Daisy
* She loves to eat Yo Baby yogurt and Honey Maid sticks
* With the only three teeth that she has (the bottom two and one eye tooth) :)
* She loves to clap and wave hi
* She still bald
* She's showing serious signs of a drama queen

And Mommy and Daddy love her so much, Happy Birthday Claire!! Or, as Daddy would say, Happy Birthday little bit!!