Twilight Audition

I found this blog post that I never posted and thought I would share since it is fitting to this awful weather.

For those of us that live in Seattle, the news of the sun making an appearance results in many people suddenly becoming “sick” and can’t make it in to work. I was one of those extremely ill people who caught that moment of panic when I realize I may not see the sun for another 3,953 days and if I go into work I will be stuck in a cube only to witness this catastrophic event by periodically standing and looking desperately out the distant window. I NEEDED TO GET OUT THERE! At this point of the winter season my skin has become so pale I was considering auditioning for the next Twilight movie. What! They film locally. It could happen. It would be the first success story of a sun deprived person. Those actors shine artificially. I shine naturally thanks to my “Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer”. It’s supposed to make my skin three shades darker in as little as three days. THREE DAYS FOLKS! That’s equal to the amount of times the sun actually comes out. I was sold!  It has little tiny glitter flakes in it, which I now feel, is only to distract you from the fact that it does absolutely nothing to darken your skin.  I have used it for several months trying to convince myself that my skin simply takes longer than average person  to appear three shades darker but if I just wear the right color, under the right lighting,  while squinting my eyes just so and not look at myself in natural light, I look several shades darker. Well, I was so convincing that I purchased a second bottle. *sigh* I’m such a consumer. Something else that I noticed when the sun comes out in Seattle is that everyone gets out their summer clothes. That’s right; it may only be 49 degrees out but you bet your ass people will be out in shorts and tank tops accessorized with goose bumps.  So don’t even consider stepping outside in a sweater because inevitably you will get the “Are you effing kidding me? Do you not see the sun is out!?” stare from a large busted girl in spaghetti straps. You know the one.

Needless to say, I couldn’t wait for a day of sun and may have been over excited! I even got up early and drove to the beach to watch it rise beautifully over the mountains, clearly oozing pathetic. I am not sure what I was expecting, maybe the warmth on my face to add a little pink to my cheeks. Ha! The only way I could even tell the sun was out, other than the visual, was when I sat in my car and it was warm without running the heat full blast. This could have been disappointing but you know what, I got to wear my super cute gas station sun glasses. And when it comes down to it, there are not many wrongs in this world that can’t be righted with super cute gas station sun glasses.

"So, the Republicans are the bad guys?"

Suggested by my therapist, (yes I see a therapist, trust me people, I need it) I have recently started a new thing with the girls that has earned the name “My 10 Minutes”.  I dedicate 10 minutes of undivided, one-on-one time to each girlie every day of the week. I had the girls create a list of things they would like to do during their 10 minutes. At first the lists were pretty typical; reading a story or coloring but as we enter our fourth week of “My 10 Minutes” the girls have gotten more creative. For example: writing a story together, writing/drawing on the freshly cleaned chalk board and building a doll house together. This individual one-on-one time has significantly improved some behavioral issues we have been having both at home and school. See, therapy works, people. “My 10 Minutes” quickly became all of our favorite time of the day.

Aside from the surprisingly creative activities the girls have come up with I am more surprised by the conversations that come up during these activities. For example, last night as Kaeli and I were starting our 10 minutes while Chloe was in the shower, Kaeli asked me what a democrat was. Ha! Wow, um ok…well…as I started to explain I realized I had no idea how to put the government into 9-year-old terms, so I turned to Google. By the way,  if Google were a man, I would marry him. Hell, I might even marry Google if it were a girl. We are legal to do so now in Washington, you know. Anyway, of course Google pulls up “How to Explain Democrats and Republicans to schoolagers”. Have I mentioned that I love Google? So I read to her what the article said and elaborated on some things that might have been confusing. What I found to be the most difficult about my explanation was trying not to put my bias opinion into the matter. I really feel like it is important to educate your children on matters such as these but I try to leave it as open as possible so they can form their own opinions. So when Kaeli said “So, the Republicans are the bad guys?” I can’t honestly say whether it was me or the article that swayed her opinion that way. I did try to explain to her that they aren’t the bad guys…. Just sayin….

Look at the awesome doll house we made!

Ok, when I said “we made”, I mean, Kaeli made most of it and she wanted to put the finishing touches on it during our 10 minutes. I love the night stand with the digital alarm clock. Also, the girl in bed is not just a head, she drew out the whole person. I checked.

Take notice that the clock on the wall matches the digital alarm clock. She is so creative! I made the curtains. Feel free to “oooo and ahhhhh!” I also helped make the cupboards that have yet to be installed. Under the window is a cat sleeping in a cat bed. The picture she drew of the cat was excellent. She tried to color it in and now it is not as recognizable but eh! I love her imagination!

Game Face!

For the record, I hate taking pictures of myself. I always have this look as if I am on the verge of doing the potty dance, but I feel like it is a little less awkward than “Hey dude, can you take a picture of me.”  Anyway, I wanted to display the awesomeness that is my Seahawk jersey and a special appearance of my Seahawk snuggie in the back ground. YES, I know today’s game is only a preseason game but I am a very dedicated fan, you guys. Don’t judge! Plus, when I make Russell Wilson my husband I want to be able to truthfully say that I watched him from the beginning.

Sportin the Converse

I want to say that wearing my Converse shoes takes me back to a time when life was a little simpler, that they make me feel like a kid again, but in all actuality, the lack of arch support hurts my shins and calves. I can't wait to get home and take them off. Aren't they cute though?

Happy Birthday, Kaeli!!!

To My Beloved Daughter Kaeli,

Today is your 9^th birthday. I can’t believe how the time has flown! Let me tell you a little bit about who I see you as at 9 years old. You have matured so much in this past year alone. You have started developing complex ideas about the world around you and the questions you come up with sometimes are making Google and I best friends. You are always thinking, always pondering and I love this about you. You love to learn. Don’t ever change this about yourself. This world has more knowledge than anyone could ever soak up but it is fun to try!

You excel at everything you do. Your school work is no exception. You love to try new things all the time (with the exception of food). You love to read and Goosebump chapter books are your favorite right now. You especially love to read to Chloe. I love hearing you read to her.

You have the most compassionate, caring, and considerate heart I have ever encountered. I will never forget when you can home, telling me about your day and how you chose to stay inside on your recess that day to play board games with a special needs student in your class because she could not go out to recess while it was raining due to the medical equipment she had to use. “I didn’t want her to feel left out.” Is what you told me. *tear*. You are always putting others needs in front of yours and you considers other peoples feeling before making a decision. You will go out of your way to make someone feel special.  You are the first to notice when someone is sad and you try to make it right. I am so proud of you. My heart swells when I think of you and I tear up like a big baby.

You are an exceptional sister to Chloe. Yes, of course you both have your moments of siblingrey, but you are very good about comforting her when she is sad and protecting her when you feel others are doing her an injustice. You help her when she is unable to help herself. She looks up to you and you set a great example for her.

I enjoy your corky sense of humor and love your very contagious laugh. You love to be active whether it’s playing outside, riding your bike, hiking, going to the park, kayaking, doing track and field etc. I love your imagination and how you still use it on a regular basis. Don’t lose your imagination. This world is very real and we all need some fantasy in our lives.

Most of all, I love your love for Jesus. He will be there for you when this world fails you. He will be your Father, brother, best friend, and your protector. Trust in Him always!

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “ Lamentations 3: 22-23

You are a wonderful daughter and I am so proud of you. I love you so very much my sweet girl. Happy Birthday!!

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord the fruit of the womb a reward.” Psalms 127:3

Ode to Chloe

Today is your 7^th birthday and I can hardly believe how fast these years have gone. I wanted to share some words of how special you are to me and this world. One of my favorite things about you is that you are hilarious without even knowing it. You have an uncanny ability to make anyone laugh just by being yourself. I never know what is going to come out of that mouth of yours. Another thing that I love about you is that you tell things how they are. Mix that with a side of sassiness and you get 100% unadulterated Chloe at all times. I envy this part of you. I have always been too timid to say exactly what I think. That quality will get you far in life and sometimes in trouble but that comes with the territory. Be true to yourself.

I have never met a person like you and figuring you out has been very challenging at times but this makes me love you more every day. You force me to think outside the box and be a better mother. I am always learning from you. Your love for music and singing warms my heart. Music can be so powerful and I hope it is something you will always enjoy. Your artistic ability already stands out immensely. When you came up to me the other day with a cartoon character that you had drawn from a cartoon you were watching on tv, I was floored. It looked just like the character and you drew it while the character was moving on the screen.

On top of being a great daughter you are also a wonderful sister. You often times will give up something you want just to make kaeli happy. You are so kind and thoughtful. You look up to Kaeli and I hope the bond that you both share right now lasts a life time. There is something so special about a sister’s love.

I love who you are and who you are becoming. You add a sparkle to my life that could never be provided by another soul. I am so proud of you and I am blessed to call you my daughter.