Reality

Um, I usually only share pictures on here where I look half-way decent and several people have commented that they are amazed that I get up, shower, do my hair and make-up everyday...

This pictures is to show you that this idea is not even close to the reality at my house. This picture represents reality!

Confessions:

• I haven't even succeeded in shower every other day... it is usually every three days.


• Hair/make-up only happens when I am going somewhere in public and then it isn't even usually fully "done" (despite the fact that I have a 5 minute make-up application time) because I'm too lazy.


• At home I live in 4 pairs of workout/pj pants that fit and a rotation of a few shirts, but when I go out I rotate a pair of maternity jeans and a pair of maternity cargos. Nothing else fits.


• I only put on a real bra when people I know are going to see me (going to Target doesn't count).

Things I can't live without right now... (postpartum edition)

I pretty much live in a chair like this...
my boobs don't look this perky, but I have one of these on at all times

my rear end is posted on top of one of these a few hours a day

I take two of these four times a day and smell like maple syrup because of it

I've grown to despise these, but oh, so needed.

Whoever invented these must be given an award for helping a women with major stitches

Robyn's gift of these blankets saves my sanity, can't thank her enough

this beauty has allowed Drew to latch properly

obviously these are important, but this mommy has decided that she likes this kind better than Pampers

this has allowed Drew not to starve, but to still latch on to the breast well.

last, but not least, this has helped me get my finger back and will make grandma happy

(only introduced Monday after a full day of no sleep)

Toliet Paper Snob

thats me.

I care what kind, what softness, what thickness, etc. I have "high standards" as to what is going to touch my skin. This toilet paper thing started when I was little and, thankfully, my parents trained us that good toilet paper was of the utmost importance.

Needless to say, I have created another toilet paper snob--Dave. We're a Charmin, Ultra Soft, Jumbo Roll household. I don't care what is on sale, or what I have a coupon for, it is always the same (and has been since I began buying my own toilet paper in 2002).

But get this--I bought the wrong kind at the store this week! HOLY COW, pregnancy brain is real! And an open toilet paper package is NOT returnable.

(The world is not completely over, it is still Charmin--Charmin, Ultra Strong, Jumbo Roll)

Things I can't live without right now...

I feel like everything I have to say sounds like a complaint, but life isn't really that bad right now. So instead of writing anything, I thought I'd show you the things that have made the last few weeks/months better.

My Converse tennis shoes have managed to keep my feet pretty happy while teaching. I have gray and black and I wear there at least four days a week.
Cuties--easy to peal and no seeds! I eat 4-10 per day... keeps this pregnant body "regular."

Super dry hands eat this up!

These are wipes for adults that are flushable. They have saved me from having my own diaper rash...

Drinking water has become my arch nemesis due to acid reflux. For whatever reason, Gatorade has been better than water, so at least I'm staying hydrated.

I'm used more of these beauties in the past few months that I have in YEARS!

I may turn into this string cheese guy with the amount of this I've eaten during the past nine months. Any time I feel sick, I eat string cheese. Quick and easy protein.

I spend way too much time on the bump but it makes me happy and feel normal in pregnancy when everything seems abnormal.

This is my daily breakfast addition that gives me a full serving of fruits and veggies.

I take this every morning and it has saved me. Sometimes I take a second one in the evening if the acid reflux is still bugging me.

A bit late, but Happy Birthday to ME

To celebrate my birthday back in October, my parents took me out to the dinner of my choice. I picked Ooka at the Plaza so that we could eat at the hibachi grill!

The food is SO GOOD--I wish I could eat it all the time!

My cute ice cream cup

The next day, Tawni, Rob, Sammy, Desiree, and Melissa joined Dave and I at John's Incrediable Pizza for unlimited pizza and a few video games. This is Des and Melissa playing the stressful bug flying at you game!

Our ice cream on the way out the door

A letter to the weather

Dear Rain,

I am glad you're here to give us Southern Californians some change of scenery. You've done your job; actually, you've done your job so well that you're over doing it. Now you're causing other issues--like flooding Lincoln, parts of Magnolia, and the slow lane of the 91 Freeway. You're job is complete, you can move on now.

I'm just a So Cal girl. I know more about living without water, than living with you coming from the sky for seventeen days in one month. I don't really know how to dress for your presence in my daily life. My pants are too cold, my shoes are slippery, and my "rain" jacket isn't all that stylish. Reese, my dog, really hates you. She refuses to go outside for the sake of her dainty paws, which of course, means she doesn't use the bathroom correctly. She is tired of getting in trouble; for her sake, can you move on now?

My students don't know how to deal with you either. Yes, high school is a much better environment for rain than middle school, but they still haven't understood that sweatshirts don't protect them against you. Umbrellas are unheard of, not that they are too "uncool," but that the stores only carry a few and every single store is out of stock. My students come inside really quickly because you're visiting and want to "hang out" with me at lunch while you're here. This is fine... but I sort of liked the "me" time. Can you move on now?

Again, I am grateful for the fact that you've raised our water reserve levels and you've gleefully covered my surrounding mountains with snow. I'm sure that all the brush along the 15 is happy as a clam. My backyard of dirt has loved your visit; the mushrooms, three-leaf clovers, and other assorted greenlings have taken over the dirt. Despite my gratefulness, I'd kindly ask you to move on now.

Sincerely,

Jennifer

Best (klutzy) Injuries

My bad mood continues from yesterday and has given way to a dark sense of humor at the moment. For today's best post I thought I'd give you my best injury stories.

I am not an athlete and have never done anything remotely "dangerous" in my entire life; that has not stopped me from really, really hurting myself over the years.

2007: Maui, Road to Hana, attempting to see a "big" waterfall (which turned out to be a trickle) by "hiking" along side a 50 foot drop. Slipped on a wet rock and landed on my right side on top of some incredibly sharp bushes. I was too worried about my SLR around my neck and the cliff to try to break my fall well. Several nasty bruises on my legs and arms and a broken nuckle (found two weeks later).

2005: Central MS, my classroom. Cords were everywhere because of the new technology and the new cord protector that wouldn't lay flat on the ground. Tripped over the cord, doing a rolling somersault across the front of the room in attempt to catch the flying protector. Saved the projector, showed my entire class my underwear, and really hurt my back. Lots of 800 mg motrin and limited movement for WEEKS.

August, 2001: Big Bear, CBU New Student Orientation. Walking down a slight dirt incline on the way to the fire pit, slid a little (like 6 inches), and ended up tearing two ligaments in my ankle. Air cast and "no walking" for the first six weeks of college.

June, 2001: Parent house, my bedroom. While getting out of bed, fell to the ground after finding that leg was asleep. Severe sprain of ankle.

2000: Parents house, kitchen. Making snickerdoodles to take to school, when the handmixer had a hard time mixing the tripled batch, I stirred it by hand and strained my rotator cuff. Sling for two weeks.

1999: Mrs. Rosenburg's Honors Chem class, El Capitan HS. Lab experiment where we had to put glass rod into rubber plug; I was given the responsibility for this part because I often exploded chemicals and this was considered "safe." Ended up pushing too hard and shattering the rod through my finger at the palm. Lots of blood, passing out at the nurses office...

I could keep going, but you get the point :)

Sunday's Best

Best: (noun) ones' finest clothing

Church has changed in the 2000's. It is now okay to wear holey jeans and sweatshirts to church. Kids think that dressing up means that they are clean. I completely understand that churches want the atmostsphere to feel less imtimidating and more welcoming, but it makes me a bit sad to see people clearly not in the Sunday's best when I walk into church.

Now dressing up for church isn't about showing off or making myself better than someone else, but instead to show that I care and that I am preparing myself to worship God with fellow believers.

When I was little, dressing up for church was about my mom. Lace, frilly dresses, tights, matching shoes, purses, and the few hats were pretty much torture for me. I didn't understand why then...

PJs

best: (adjective) largest, most

The best part of my day is when I get home and put my PJs on (because heaven forbid, I wear them to teach in... that would not qualify for the best teacher award). Anyone close to me knows that I don't like to wear clothes; instead I love to pull on the fleece/flannel/cotton pants, fuzzy slippers, and a big sweatshirt. Once I've changed into this "evening" outfit, it will be hard to get me out of it.

Looking forward to 2010

Exciting things I'm looking forward to, by the month, during 2010

• 1-Class only on Saturdays with my favorite professior
• 2-Reaching 50 workouts at Curves and earning my ladybug
• 3-Dave graduating with his BA in Network Security (God, please make a job for him)
• 4-Hearing the results of the 2009 CSPA yearbook crown competition
• 5-Rachel's baby boy is coming for a visit
• 6-Graduating in June with my MA in Educational Leadership (God, please remind me that I don't want to get a Ph.D during this process)
• 7-Both Dave and I being done with school and home together in the evening for the first time in our marriage, vacation?!?
• 8-Four years of marriage and Robyn's baby is coming (God, please make it a girl)
• 9-Starting back to school with a new assignment (God, please make Yearbook happen)
• 10-Officially being "old" at 27
• 11-Melissa's birthday and...
• 12-Dave turns 29, CHRISTmas, vacations, 2011

Of course, there are some things that don't "fit" into the months because I have no idea when they'll happen;

• Dave getting a good job in his computer field which makes him happy (Selfishly: perferably one making a good salary)
• Dad going to a church that will uplift him and allow his serve God (Selfishly: perferably in SD or closer to me)
• Melissa finding the perfect RN job for her in a place that she'll learn and meet the perfect cute doctor
• Mom getting to keep her El Cap job for as long as they need it and if they do have to move that she'll adjust in her powerful fashion
• Spending time with my friends and being a part of their ever growing families as they celebrate love, pregnancy, babies, etc.
• The house moving towards completion (notice I didn't say "complete," I am not that unrealistic) as the money and time is provided through our hard work

Success

Today is the last offical day of NoBloPoMo for 2009 and I think I can call my pledge successful.

Although I did miss November 21 (sleep deprived from New Moon opening), I blogged 36 times in the month of November (37 counting this one).

I've averaged 17 viewers per day and totaled more than 675 viewers for the month of November. On average, 1.4 people visited my blog per hour in November. If you compare that to October, only 8 of you visited per day and 412 visited for the entire month!

Now, I'm assuming that many of you (my faithful readers) skim what I write and ignore 99% of it. Hopefully there is one day that I make you laugh... or at least crack a smile. Hopefully you haven't been too irritated at my complaining... or too bored with my boring posts.

Quanity over quality has been my push for November and I've actually enjoyed trying to be creative about what I post.

Thanks for reading friends, mom, and a view strangers (strangers, feel free to comment so I can follow you too).

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

As I reflect on this past year, I quickly realize how blessed I am and

how many thousands of things I am thankful for.

Not only do I a personal savior in Jesus,

I have a personal encourager and stronger supporter in difficult times.

My family has had a very difficult year, but we are closer than ever.

Although the perfect job hasn't found Dave, Melissa, and Dad, it has not caused major issues.

God has kept his promises and provided for the needs of the family.

Not only do we own the house,

but we've made great progress on turning it into a home for our little family.

The dog that came home unexpectly had become my "baby"

and she provides everyone with such joy.

I am blessed with a career that I enjoy and provides daily rewards beyond the paycheck.

As I complete my second masters degree,

I am thankful for the perservance my parents taught me.

I have found a passion in educational leadership.

Again

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Crafting

Growing up, my mom crafted an awful lot. Yearly, she made beautiful Christmas presents for family and friends. I assumed that everyone's mom did it too until I was old enough to realize that it was a very special talent she had. She let me help (sometimes) or gave me my own projects to complete along side of her. I loved craft days.

With Robyn's desire to make a glittery replica of a Crate and Barrel product, I started thing about crafting my own tree. After spending several hours in Micheals and returning twice for more parts to the project, I had all the supplies to make my own set of "trees."

I was so excited to begin crafting that I started the night before Robyn and I were to meet. Remembering the days of my childhood, I used paper plates and attempted my project.

I think my trial run (to keep at my house), came out pretty good.

My trio of burgandy trees

I haven't decided if I need to give them stumps or if I like them sitting on the bottom like there are in this picture.

Woah there, Jennifer

If you've known me for awhile, you've seen my hair color change a few hundred times and at least ten different hair cut styles.

It has been "long," flippy, and REALLY short... five weeks ago at my last hair appointment, I told my trusty hair stylist that I was bored. Because it is so short, there isn't a lot we could do, so we opted to change the color. I went all over dark (three/four shades darker than my natural color) with blond and light brown coloring...

It wasn't enough.

I was still bored.

Today, I went for my five-week hair cut (yes, every 5 weeks I have a scheduled hair appointment and yes, it is normal when your hair is this short). I was planning on getting the back bottom trimmed in order to grow it out a little for a different style.

Then... I saw another hair stylist's hair. Her hair was really similar to mine, but she had bangs.

I told Stephanie, "okay, lets do that."

She laughed and asked if I was ready... within minutes I had bangs! At first, I couldn't stop laughing because they looked funny flat and wet.

After some styling and blowdrying... I think I like them :)

Of course, the back is still the same a-line like normal, can't change that yet...

Five weeks from now, what should I add?

Wordless Wednesday (actually on Wednesday)

Opps... so much for my scheduling of blogs early...

100th Post

I can't believe this is my 100th post on this blog!

I started blogging in July 2007 when I started my Weight Watchers journey so that I could reflect and encourage myself; doubting that anyone would care what I said, I did not share the website with anyone except the few people on the WW Message Boards. A few friends starting reading, then my mom... I felt like I should talk about things other than my weight so I didn't sound whiny or annoying. In January 2009, when I ran out of "free" space on freewebs, I moved over to blogger (which is much easier, by the way) and it has transformed into a diary of my life.

Thank you to all of you who read my whinning, complaining, and talking about nothing important. This year I hope to post more often and about more interesting things :)

Sleep

My parents believed in an enforced, consistant bedtime. As a small child, I remember clearly having to be in bed by 7:30 and up until the end of high school I remember being in bed by 8:30.

When Dawson's Creek came on in January of 1998 (sophmore year in high school) I still had a set 8:30 bedtime, but was given special permission to stay up on Wednesday nights to watch it with my mom and sister after church. Going to bed was never an issue with me because it was a set expectation and I really like to sleep. In high school I left the house at 6:35 am to get to school before first period bell at 7:21. Going to sleep at 8:30 gave me 8-9 hours of sleep.

I often wonder if my parents had been more relaxed with our bedtimes if I would need less sleep now as an adult. In order to be a peppy, happy person I still need between 8-9 hours... to be manageable, but considerably more calm person, 7 works... but give me less than 7 and you don't want to be around me. Today was one of those days... I am a grumpy, flustered person without sleep.

Morning time isn't my favorite until about 9 am and night time isn't really good after about 9 pm. The middle of the day is my time! I soar in the middle of the day!!

Last night we spent a wonderful night at "The Melting Pot" for Tawni's birthday (more on that to come); the four-course dinner was fun and it was great to spend time with all my friends, but dessert wasn't served until 9:30 pm! We didn't get home until close to 11:15! I get up at 5:30 friends! That is only SIX hours... and you want me to be nice to one hundred and seventy two ninth graders all day?!? Setting myself up for failure!

Battles

My mom sent me a cute note about choosing my battles (over yelling at the kid) and it got me thinking about growing up.

When I was younger, I fought every battle. I defending myself and others to the nth degree, even if I should have just backed down. Some of the time I fought worthy battles that I could have walked away from and some times I fought worthless battles. I had (and still have) this compulsive need to stand up for other people that won't stand up for themselves. Some find that good, some find that bad, some even say that is why I'm a teacher and should have been a lawyer.

Looking back at the battles I've fought over the years a few things come to mind.

• Battles are exhausting, both mentally and physically.
• Battles create drama. I swear it isn't me creating drama :)
• Once I start, I cannot stop or back down (well, I could, but then I wouldn't be opinionated and bossy).
• Sometimes when I "win" I look back and wonder why I cared in the first time, other times I look back and still feel the anger that started the battle.
• I am proud of some of the results of my battles throughout the years and I think I have helped a few people along the way.

But the real insight that I've been pondering is that I have been battling less and less. I'm assuming that is the growing up process that it has taken me twenty-five years to learn--pick your battles wisely (the theme of my mom's email). I also wonder if I will eventually stop battling?

On a side note, I have clearly won today's battle with the yelled at kid. Today he was actually receptive, asked positive questions, kept his mouth shut the one time I corrected his behavior, and let me help him start his narrative. I hope this is our last battle and the war can be over, but knowing fourteen-year-old boys...

It's been awhile...

Sorry about that!

The end of July was just as busy as the beginning of July!
After coming back from San Francisco, I have had non-stop activities.

Gone to lunch , dinners, and movies with several great friends,

spent time "playing" with other great friends,
three days beach camping in South Carlsbad with my parents and the Buxtons,
helped Tawni sort-of surpise Rob for his 28th birthday party at John's Incredible Pizza and played with my big boys,
survived four days of Yearbook camp with seven kiddos from Central and teaching two classes,
and last, but certainly not least, pushed, prodded, and nagged Dave into finishing the bathroom (pictures of that coming soon--it is so huge, it needs it's own post!!)! And loved my doggie over and over again.

Giving Credit

With Fathers' Day right around the corner, I thought I'd give my dad credit for something very special to me. I love my dad and he is amazing in so many ways; he taught me to love a good story and to read that good story with gusto. He also taught me that 100 pages is the "end" of a book and you can't stop/talk/eat or do anything else within the last 100 pages. My love of reading came from my dad! He reads constantly and read to me every single night before bed.

As I was tidying up the house today, I came to a startling realization--I have novels in almost every room of my house. The only rooms I left off were the bathrooms and kitchen (can't count the cookbooks)!

With summer here, I really look forward to reading! I've already finished three books: A Bride with a Bargin by Deanna Gist and Remember Me? and Undomesticated Goddess by Sophie Kinsella.

Mom's Note: I think I would like credit for the 100 pages statement....that was me!!! Since I have "watched" you all read in my house...and not do anything while reading....I decided that instead of yelling at you guys to "make your beds!" "brush your teeth!" or even "just get dressed!!" That I would give MYSELF a break and declare the "100 Page Rule."

YES...your mother came up with the Rule....to save myself from the frustration that living in a household of Readers!! I made the Rule for my sanity!!
Thus...when the statement is Declared....I get to do NOTHING (mommy is not around) until you all finish your books!!