New Look To My Blog - And Katie's funny Quote

Thanks to my sister in law Amber, my blog is looking much more my style today. I love the bright colors mixed with white and black. Thanks Amber for changing it all around for me. You are super awesome and I love you.

I just got done wiping Katie's bottom in the bathroom. She kept saying "awwww" like something was cute. I finally tuned in and said what are you talking about honey? And she said "look at my poop. I made a Mama poop, a Daddy poop and 2 sister poops. They are a family and so so cute."

This kid is just weird. Fun, hysterical some times, full of drama and weird.

Hack this!!!

ha ha. This is Rick. Amy I hacked your blog, I told you I could do it. J/K this is Amber. And I just want to tell everyone that Amy has the cutest blog ever.

My New Blog Site - My Love Story With My Friend Mike

In homage to the Pioneer Woman who I secretly love and worship and want to be, I am starting a separate blog that will chronicle chapter by chapter my love story with my husband Mike. We met in 7th grade and have been married for 15 years. This story, entitled "Bossy And The Geek" will chronicle our story from my first memory of him in 7th grade, through high school, through my conversion to a different religion, through college, his mission, the first years of marriage, infertility, life as an Air Force wife, life as a Medical Student's Wife, life as a Resident's wife etc. It will chronicle reaching my dream of finally working on Capitol Hill for a Lobbying Firm where I had encounters with Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, getting shot the peace sign from Yasser Arafat, the bagel and table I shared with Katie Couric and the exciting things around every corner that happen when living and working in the greatest city in the world, Washington DC. I hope to share in a very real fashion the ups and downs of marriage, moving away from home, weight gain and loss, depression, infertility, success in career, high risk pregnancy and the whirlwind that has been live since the birth of our twins. I do this for myself, so that I can write it all down, to relive these memories and remind myself of who I am.

Since quitting work I am in the midst of an identity crisis. I am no longer Amy, the Corporate Executive on Capitol Hill who lunches with clients and makes multi million dollar deals. But I don't feel like Amy the stay-at-home wife and yeegads...the housewife. (Breathe Amy. Swallow Amy. Don't hyperventilate and panic. It's just a word. It doesn't mean anything.) So I hope by visiting my past, I can figure out what direction I want my future to go. I hope to discover that there are parts of all of these versions of my former self in me still and I hope to decide where to go from here. For those of you in your mid thirties, it will take you back to your childhood and teenage years with many cultural references like gag me with a spoon and Depeche Mode. If you grew up with me, you might find your own name mentioned a time or two. I did not change names to protect the innocent or guilty.

So, if you'd like...come along with me for the journey. You'll get to know way more information than you probably want to about me. But I offer this up to the ethos as my truth. Who knows, if you decide to join me, maybe it will take us both some place special.

With Love, Amy

Reach my new blog dedicated strictly to Bossy And The Geek at : www.bossyandthegeek.blogspot.com. Hope you have as much fun reading it as I had writing it. Enjoy!

Can You Imagine A Life Without 409 or Windex?

I'm trying to be Eco responsible. I'm trying to also make sure I don't have hidden toxins in our little apartment that could hurt the girls. I watched Sandra Bullock on Oprah and more and more you are hearing about these cleaning solutions mixed from ingredients I cook with. I can't imagine life without my trusty bottle of 409, or windex, or that stuff that eats through soap scum in your shower, or pledge, and glade plug ins and all the things that I have come to depend upon. But what if this stuff is better? Here's an article from yahoo...see what you think??



Sure, it’s great to find that one magical product that solves a very specific household problem. (The Gonzo Pet Hair Lifter a multiple-cat-owning friend received as a Christmas gift truly has no equal.) But the truth is, you need little more than the following six ingredients—baking soda, borax, lemon juice, salt, olive oil and white vinegar—to clean just about anything in your home (pet hair excluded). Here are just a few of the many uses for these, well, magical multi-taskers: 1. Baking soda: Acts as a scrub to remove hard water stains; polishes metal; deodorizes pretty much anything it touches (try stashing some in the fridge).

2. Borax: Mixed with three parts water, it makes a paste for cleaning carpet stains; mixed with ¼ part lemon juice, it cleans stainless steel and porcelain. (Note: although borax is a natural substance, you still shouldn’t eat it—and neither should your kids or pets.)

3. Lemon: Deodorizes and cuts grease on counter tops; rubbed on cutting boards, it bleaches stains and disinfects; combined with baking soda, it removes stains from plastic food storage containers.

4. Salt: Another natural scrubber—sprinkle it on cookware or oven surfaces, then rub; add citrus juice to turn it into an effective rust remover.

5. White vinegar: Deodorizes and disinfects; combine with water (and a little liquid soap—I know, it feels like cheating) to clean windows, mirrors, and floors; use at full strength in a spray bottle to fight mold and mildew.

6. Olive Oil: Mix two parts oil with one part lemon juice and use as a natural wood polish. (Save the really good stuff for dinner.)One added bonus of using natural cleaners: as part of your spring cleaning regimen, you can now clear out all those bottles of specialized (and possibly toxic) potions.For more tips on rounding out your eco-friendly cleaning closet, see Christina Strutt’s cleaning-pantry-checklist from her new book, A Guide To Green Housekeeping; for a video demonstration of how to mix up some natural cleaning solutions with these ingredients, watch this clip from Decor It Yourself.



What are your best natural cleaning techniques? Does any of this work?

Andrew Lloyd Weber Night On American Idol

Did you know I am a huge Broadway fan? When I was 10 years old my parents took me to San Francisco to see the late Richard Burton play King Arthur in Camelot. I was a gonner from that point on. I played the Camelot record over and over. I then got to go see Annie and was convinced it was my mission in life to play Piper in some future Annie production. I belted out Hard Knock Life and Tomorrow in the shower, on my way to school and in my room while other girls were obsessed with a certain Material Girl. Not that Madonna isn't rad and totally awesome fer sure...but I was secretly in my room all alone singing Don't Cry For Me Argentinia and It's May. I was lucky enough to have parents that wanted to expose me to all sorts of musical theatre and got to see: Camelot, Annie, Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz and Evita all in big huge productions as well as many other local productions. I had a great boyfriend in high school that took me to see the ballet production of Romeo and Juliet and the Nutcracker. As an adult I have gotten to see Les Mis twice on Broadway, Phantom twice once on Broadway and Wicked on Broadway and in Chicago. I have also gotten to see Beauty and The Beast and Rent. I love movie musicals too and wanted to be Maria from West Side Story so badly when I was like 16 and my parents didn't want me to date Robert Contreras. I love Moulin Rouge, Evita the movie, Hairspray, all Disney movies and musicals, my Fair Lady, Oklahoma, Annie Get Your Gun and I could go on and on.

Anyhoo, this past week's American Idol which featured the music of Andrew Lloyd Weber was hands down by far my favorite episode of American Idol ever. David Archeleta's pop version of Think of Me had me standing up alone in my living room giving him a standing ovation. Brooke's version of You Must Love Me brought me to tears even though she had to start over. David Cook's Music of the Night made me wonder out loud (again to myself) where the chubby guy with the bad rocker comb over went and who the heck was this hot, soulful brown eyed dream boat??? That song is so seductive and ethereal and is one of the only moments I have cried so hard during a Broadway musical that I literally could not see the stage.

I don't know about you but I really love Broadway. It is my secret dream and wish in life to play Elphaba or Eva Perone or Guinevere in an actual production. I would only want to do it for one night and my voice would be perfect and people would cry and it would be magical. I really think musical theatre is magical. I think Broadway should let me do it. Come on Broadway...let's give up one night for the Aimster!

Luckily my parents and husband while they have joined in and supported my enthusiasm for these songs and my singing them all the time...they have encouraged me to support Broadway...as an AUDIENCE member and have not encouraged my delusions of stardom because they know like I know secretly deep down in places I don't talk about at parties that I cannot carry a tune in a bucket. But don't cry for me blog reader...the truth is it's never gonna happen. The shower is now and forever will remain my stage. And they LOVE me in the shower!

Jessica Comaniche and Katie Lou Retton

So today was the first day of gymnastics. Just a tip...if you need a laugh, one that makes your belly hurt and tears stream down your face. Enroll your twins in gymnastics at age 3. All you have to do is sit back and let the magic happen. Oh, goodness. It was hysterical. Jessica paid total attention, went to her appropriate stations and even pointed her toes at some part in the class. She gleefully clapped for herself, laughed and got so nervous if any other kid came near her. Katie on the other hand...let's just say Katie gets ummm...what's the word...distracted. She wandered off into the big girls classes, she only wanted to jump on the trampoline and walk sideways on the balance beam. She really liked her outfit and the fact that Grammie, Papa and I were in the audience. She could not follow the instructions but was happy happy happy about all the things she was doing right OR wrong. It was great. They loved it. Katie's quote at the end of the class was: "mama, gymnastics my FAVORITE day of the whole day." Jessica came out of the class with a big frown..."i want to do gymnastics some MORE" Once I promised her we could come back again she was fine. They got to go to Chick FilA for dinner after gymnastics and let me tell ya...they were pretty cute. And funny. And clumsy. And totally unstructured. And totally blissfully happy. GO GYMNASTICS.

Fairytale Town

We went to Fairytale Town with Grammie and Papa the other day. Here is a great shot of Jessica and a fun shot of both girls coming down the dual slide.

To Self Tan OR Not? Please Weigh In...

Gretchen Brown and I used to float lazily in our metallic silver air mattresses in my parents pool for hours and hours after slathering ourselves with Baby Oil or if we were being careful and didn't want to burn...Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Oil SPF 4. We made trips inside for Diet Coke or Dr. Pepper and David's Sunflower Seeds and had zero responsibility other than putting together our video taped Spanish Television Commercials for Senorita Almas' Spanish 1 class. Obviously...these days are OVER - or should I say FINITO? Now, I'm living life on the wild side with my SPF 15 moisturizer and my ghostly white skin trying to undo the damage I know is lurking underneath my skin as a result of my misspent youth.

So, the dilemma that I think we all face is this. Tanning is out. Not good for us, no way no how. Even if I wanted to say screw it and make a break for Maui Tan, I have two kids that don't own any pairs of those little goggle thingys they make you wear AND I have a doctor husband who would kick my butt. It's okay for him to drive 85 MPH on the way to work but I can't clock some time in the tanning bed because of what it will do to me. WHATEVER. Again, as usual, I digress and will get to the point.

Okay...so we aren't going to tan. But nylons are out too. Oh, didn't you know? Yep...they are totally out. Up until last Spring, I still thought it was okay to get some that exactly matched your skin tone as long as you didn't wear them with open toed shoes but apparently all nylons are a fashion disaster. And it's spring. And all the cute skirts with the delicious flower patterns and polka dots are calling my name. So what's a horribly white girl to do? Please weigh in on this for me.

1. Do I go natural with my blindingly white calves and feet?
2. Do I avoid all skirts, capris and limit myself to pants and long skirts?
3. Do I reach for the spray on, rub on, might make me orange, substance of my nightmares...self tanner?

Before you weigh in please realize I have sweaty feet. This means my whole foot sweats up to my ankle. My problem with former self tanner has been all the parts of me that sweat or where the straps of my shoe go cause the self tanner to melt off leaving me with pools of orangey-brown spots and splotches all over my feet and ankles. But also please know I am really white. Like super.

Okay please please please let me know what you think. Even if I don't know you - please let me know what to do. It's a big dilemma for me right now and I actually have the bottle of the self tanner that Oprah said was the best in her magazine this month in a bag on my dining table as we speak. Well we aren't technically speaking, but okay. So hurry, I need to know what you think.

Uh-Oh- I Feel A New Addiction Coming On...

I'm only on day 3 of Photoshop self training and I can feel that this might become a problem! Here are 3 fun techniques that you can apply to your photos to give them a different look. 1. I cropped and gave it a lovely sort of dreamlike feel and played with the color layers. 2. The beach pix I just added a fresh and colorful feel to it to pop the colors and make it seem fun. 3. I wanted a picture that would seem old like it could have been taken if girls visited Disneyland in the 60's. But I wanted it to have a hint of color too. So walaaaa... 3 very different shots than they started out.

My First Photoshop Edits

Above - Straight Out of Camera Image
Below - I took the gray film off the image that seems to be found on so many pictures. I sharpened it up and lightened the contrasting colors so the image pops more.




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Above - Straight Out of Camera Image
Below - I darkened the edges and gave it an ethereal feel with more contrast.




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Above - Straight Out of Camera Image
Below - Cropped and rotated image and applied hard light to image. I blurred the rash under her lip a little bit and softened the dark circles under eyes and vein on bridge of nose.





I'm just learning Photoshop for the first time. I'm teaching myself and I'm really confused but I wanted to post the first edits I have ever made just for posterity sake.

Friday Confessions #5 (really it's #7) but who's counting?

Here I am on Saturday doing Friday confessions. So let's just get to it shall we?

• I don't do my confessions on time. I think Friday is a bad day for me to confess. I'm feeling all too jubilant and celebratory (there's a 50 cent word). Mike will be home from work shortly and we celebrate a weekly ritual of "Nobody Cooks On Fridays" meaning that we eat out every Friday so nobody has to cook. This goes way back to childhood where my parents and I would go out to eat on Friday nights. In college this meant pizza or subway, in our more prosperous years it meant some snazzy great restaurant in DC that served perfect calamari or perfect caprese salad with real buffalo mozzarella or perfect schezuan beef or perfect blackened prime rib and did NOT serve high chairs mac n cheese, crayons or a kids menu. Now, it means a family type joint that has high chairs, crayons etc. and some sort of entree that comes out of the kitchen in such a large portion it could feed a family of six. Anyway, I digress. I don't feel like confessing on Fridays. But it is the day you are supposed to confess so I will try and do better.
• I totally criticized Kate of "Jon & Kate Plus 8" the other night. In case you live on Mars, Jon & Kate Plus 8 is a reality TV show on TLC that follows this great couple who went through infertility and had twin girls. Then, they tried for "one" more and got sextuplets (6) babies. So now, they're twins are 7 and the babies are about 6 months older than my girls. I love Kate and I love Jon because they are real and they are flawed and this show makes me feel loads better about my life, my laundry, my house...my load actually. It lightens my load for 30 minutes each week where I get to watch Kate and Jon try and get through the challenges of parenting 8 kids, 6 of whom are the same age as my 2. I often feel at the end of my rope and when the dishes pile up and the laundry etc etc. I think of Kate in her home in Pennsylvania and I feel better. In the last episode she freaked out because her sister in law Jodi gave the sextuplets gum and they got it all over their clothes. Collin (one of the kids) got it on his bear and Kate was threatening to throw away his bear while he cried at her feet because in her words "i can't wash him anymore because the gum will get on everything in the dryer." She proceeded to throw away the socks, pants and shirts that the gum was on all the while being very critical of her sister in law who had agreed to watch the kids in the first place, for FREE while Jon and Kate took one of the twins out for a "special" day. I thought while watching...geez Kate, chill, it's just gum. It's not worth Collin losing his bear. Come ON Kate, get a grip. I feel badly about this because Kate has it really rough. Nobody in this world is in a position to judge what it must be like to have 8 kids in 2 births and be a full time mom with very little outside help and she should be entitled to lose it every once in awhile. So, Kate, I'm sorry I judged you.
• My kids were sick this week. So was I. So was Mike. I probably yelled too much when I was achy and wanted to just crawl into a hole and sleep but had to chage poopy pants and clean up vomit. I probably wasn't super loving to my husband who didn't get as sick as the rest of us but still had to go to work. I let my kids watch way too much tv because frankly, I just didn't have it in me to play choo choo train, or I spy, or hide the chip clip. I couldn't get up the energy to make a fort or snacks or chocolate milk. So to my kids, my husband I'm sorry.
• I'm sorry to all the people I say I'll call then don't. I'm sorry for broken appointments, cancelled play dates, unreturned calls and my hermit crab tendencies. They are worse sometimes than others. This week, they were worse.
• I feel secretly glad the kids birthday party got moved to next Saturday. Even if they were well enough by today (which they aren't), I would not have been able to pull a party together.

And the Sickness Marches On......

We're still sick. All of us except Mike. The girls go go go go go and then CRASH. I am just trying to keep up and if you saw my house I am obviously loosing.

Sad, Sad, SAD Birthday day and Poop

The girls got up at 4am super excited for their birthdays. Would NOT go back to sleep. As a result, they were crabby and not playing by my "it's your birthday and we are so HAPPY" rules. They crashed for a nap about noon. They slept until about 2:45 when Jessica called me saying her bed was wet. I don't really like to talk about poop, but DIARRHEA from one end of the room to the other. Bed, pillow, head, back , legs, floor, CINDERELLA PRINCESS rug. You name it. So I cleaned and threw everything in the wash, threw the girls in a bath. While all this was going on I'm fielding calls from Mike saying "uhhh...i'm in Elk Grove but I still have to finish our taxes and drop them off and do I have time for a haircut before birthday stuff begins?" Uhhh...Mike, sweetie, are you FREAKING CRAZY? No, Mike you don't have time for a haircut. Why? Because I am currently getting poop from my hands on the phone. I am fighting poop, crying girls, more poop and you want to get a haircut and still have to finish our taxes on the eve of the 15th which is the birthday of our daughters? Freakin A. Please Mike, for the love of all that is good and holy, if you are off work and in the actual town we live in, just get your fanny home Ay-SAP. So Mike comes home, the bath is in full swing, things are smelling better and we are ready to begin the fashionista portion of our evening program. I had gone on many many many websites to find the exact cute Gymboree Holland Days outfits for the girls to wear on their 3rd birthday including red clogs and the exact hat that I knew Jessica would LOVE to wear with her outfit with a red tulip in sequins on the cute brim. We get the girls all dressed and cute. Sure enough Jess wouldn't take off the hat. And we get in the van to go pick up Papa and go to Old Sacramento for Joe's Crab Shack birthday fun. Then as we are turning left on Elk Grove Blvd after picking up Papa, Katie pukes. I don't like to talk about vomit but just imagine all the same adjectives used for the poop for the puke. Then, presto chango, the birthday dinner is cancelled, Papa is taken home, girls are taken home, stripped of clothes, bathed again and the parade of poop and puke has continued into the evening with me and Mike now joining in the group just to be cool. It sucks. We all have fevers and we all are grumpy and this 3rd birthday just SUCKED. Tomorrow ain't lookin like it's gonna be great either. But Jessica did go to bed in her new hat.

Poop out. I mean peace out.

Shout Out To Cayden - Our Birthday Triplett

My nephew Cayden is 4 today. We think of him as our triplet, just born a year to the day earlier than our girls. The girls think Cayden is an actual Rock Star. From the time they were babies, ANYTHING Cayden does they think is the best thing they have ever seen. When they were little, he came to visit and he just stood on a stool in front of their high chairs while they were eating and jumped off over and over and they laughed and squealed so loudly. Cayden has a great heart. He is precocious and a total boy. The girls couldn't figure out why when we visited him last July he kept giving them a sword and then poking them with his sword. He wanted them to play swords and they were like "ouch, Dindin (they're name for him) poked me". But just because he is a boy or maybe BECAUSE he is a boy, he's one of their favorite people on the planet. Even though we don't get to see our Dindin very often, when we do we know we are in for a great time, a lot of laughs, some mischief and getting to be around the sweetest boy who is worshiped by certain members of our family. We love you Birthday Triplet Boy. Happy 4 today!

Happy Birthday to My BABIES who are 3!!!!

My sweet Jessica Rose at about 5 months old
My Funny Katie Kate at 5 months old

I can't believe these guys are 3 today. It took forever to get them here, but since they have arrived it has truly been one big celebration. Having two daughters makes my knees weak and my heart soft. Seeing sisters makes me so happy and brings closure to the loss of not having my own sibling. Having twins and witnessing that bond everyday causes a lump in my throat as I even type this. The blessing that having THESE kids has brought to my life is indescribable. I thought the joy would be in motherhood, or becoming a mom, joining "the club" of other moms and finally feeling normal and whole. But all of that pales in comparison to the happiness I feel that I have gotten to know these particular girls. Their kindness, their joy, their love for me, for Mike, for EACH OTHER, their learning, their laughter, their hearts is what has honestly brought me the most happiness I have ever known. I feel so lucky to just get to be their Mom. That's how I say goodnight to them each night. I say as I'm walking out of their room "Good Night My Girls. Thanks for letting me be your mom". (usually I hear one of them reply in a sing song voice "good night mama, you welcome)

So I guess since this is a birthday post, I need to stop making it about me and make it about them.

KATIE: Katie is the funniest person I have known. She is pure sunshine and a total drama queen. She flirts, she pouts, she squeals with glee then cries for 10 seconds then gives a belly laugh that causes even strangers to start cracking up. She is curly haired and green eyed happiness. I always knew I would have a Katie. Even as a little girl. She doesn't even know her real name is Katelyn. We probably should change it. She loves to wear high heels and she loves to make up games. Her current favorite game is to line up all the chairs she owns (which is six) and make Jessica sit in one and she sits in the back and "conducts" the train. She yells All Aboard and then makes train sounds and tells Jessica where they are off to. Her stuffed animals get the rest of the spots on the train. Today, there was a California Highway Patrol Bear in Seat 1, A large gray Elephant named Harry in seat 2, Jessica in seat 3, A red and white teddy bear named Red Hot in seat 4, Cookie Monster in Seat 5 and Katie in the back with a gigantic (3 ft tall) yellow flower in her hand conducting the train. Katie walks on her tippy toes and twirls. She is my heart.

JESSICA ROSE: I planned on calling her Jess. But Mike, my parents and Katie all call her Jessica Rose so I guess it's sticking. I still call her Jess when I can but she doesn't look up and acknowledge me until I say Jessica Rose. She is amazingly smart when it comes to numbers which I so don't get. She is so like her Dad in so many ways. I see Mike in her mannerisms, temperament, stubborn-ness. But I see me in her love for others, her desire to have everyone in the room be happy and her ability to argue her point. She is the child we can reason with, explain things to and will actually listen, think about what we've said and decide what the outcome will be. She has a smile that not only lights up the room but is so big and bright, sometimes I think even her toes are smiling inside of her shoes. She laughs at everything Katie does and she laughs at anything her Dad does. Her biggest smiles come from being in Mike's arms on his back on his shoulders. If she is touching her Dad she's happy. On Saturday mornings she just looks at him while he is asleep and touches his face softly over and over. She really likes her Dad. She loves her Katie so much. Each morning when she sees Katie she says "Katie come snuggle, I missed you in the night". She gets up extra early so she can come very quietly into my room and get in bed with me and snuggle. I have to put my arm around her so she can grab it and lay it totally across her and hug it very tightly. She says please and thank you for everything and she is very coordinated. She also loves to twirl.

She has my heart.

I love you girls so much. I know I tell you that all the time but you can never hear it enough. Trust me on that. Please go easy on me this year. 3 is looking like it's going to be harder than 2. Let's all make good choices and not double team Mom too much. I am ALSO also another year older. So many kisses to you both. Thanks for letting me be your mom.

My Favorite Things I'm Afraid To Share

I didn't do a Friday confession last 2 weeks. The first Friday we were driving home from Disneyland and I had just spent 4 of the happiest days of my life and Disneyland is so wholesome and good I am positive I didn't sin all week. The second Friday was the week I threw my neck out and couldn't move and scheduled myself 3 massages that week (one for 2 hours) and I had entirely too much to confess that week because I was grumpy and in pain. I craved all sorts of substances that would take me into a happy land where mice and ducks and dogs are friends. Oh-that was Disneyland again. But in any case I forgot.

So instead today I will share with you my favorite things I am afraid to share with you:

1. ThePioneerWoman.com - this blog is my favorite of all blogs in the universe. I check it daily because it is updated daily. But I am scared to share it because I am afraid it will make me much less popular. If you check it out you most definitely will not read my blog ever again because this blog, this woman, this person's life, family, sense of humor, stories etc. are much much much better than mine. Please don't leave me.
2. Ebay for Hair Ribbons and clothes from Gymboree. I buy my kids clothes off season (so right now I am buying for next winter) and I buy them on clearance and I buy them online. Taking the kids shopping, making them try on stuff is just too hard. So I wait until they are in bed and I buy them online from Ebay. I can get new Gymboree clothes there for at least 60% to 80% off the original prices. You can get the cutest hairbows for girls on other ebay sites. There is one that even makes bows to go with different collections from Gymboree. I also buy from Target.com, OldNavy.com, WalMart.com (great play clothes from Geranimals), BabyGap.com, kohls.com and landsend.com. You can go to the other sites but stay away from my ebay gymboree sites. They have limited stock.
3. Craigslist Sacramento. We found our new house on this site. I got a power wheels ride on toy for the girls, i registered for a class in photoshop and the list goes on and on. I'm not scared to tell you about this site because I am just getting started using it. But don't start bidding on my stuff I want or else.
4. Diet Coke - I am addicted to this and maybe if I share it with the masses that read my blog (ha ha - Hi Amber), you might buy it all up and there won't be any left for me and then I couldn't live.
5. Johnson's Baby Shampoo With No Tangle Stuff in it - This is the shampoo I use. I didn't used to but I just do now. It's just easier. Mike uses it too. And you know what, i LOVE it.
6. Hair Dye - I could never live without it either. I am very very very gray.
7. Always Maxi Pads for people that wear over a size 14. I'm just keeping it real people. I love these and I don't want you to know about it.

There, that's it.

locals only

We are looking to move out of our apartment into a house to rent. We have been on craig's list and know what is available out there and there are tons of rentals. However, we thought we'd put it out here to all of our local friends and family. If you or anyone you know if looking to sell their house but can't, renting it to us might be a goof solution. We are looking for something cool and close to I5. Please let us know if you know of anyone selling their house who isn't having any luck finding buyers. thanks

I LOVE YOU BECAUSE...

Tonight Katie called me into their room after they were supposed to be in bed because Mike and I were being too loud and she wanted us to be quiet. (translation: I needed a reason to call you in here for another kiss and drink of water and couldn't think of a good reason) Anyway, Mike had put the kids to bed (normally we do it together) so Jessica wanted a kiss goodnight. So I sat half on the floor and laid half on her bed and snuggled into her. We do this thing where we practice opposites by saying I love you blank. (Example: I love you my daughter. Then she replies, I love you my mother. I love you my little girl and she says I love you my big girl. ) So we started playing our game and Katie came and snuggled into Jessica so all 3 of us were snuggled into Jessica's bed. And I suggested we play an I love you because game. DISCLAIMER: This is only being put on this blog because I want to document this moment for MYSELF AND MIKE. We will be printing our blog and binding it into a book at the end of the year so this has turned into my journal/scrapbook/history etc. I just share it with all of you too. So this is not to be braggy or how cute are my kids etc. It was just an amazing moment that I want to write down before I forget it. Okay so here's how the I love you game went

ME: Okay girls, let's play an I love you game. I'll go first and say all the reasons I love each of you and then it will be your turn okay?
THEM: OKAY YAY!
ME: I love you Katie because you have a great laugh and you smile and you make so many other people smile. You are pure sunshine in my life and it's brighter because of you. You are funny and you love all of us so much. You have a great heart and you are loyal to your sister at all times. Jessica, I love you because you have the best heart of anyone I have ever known. You are sensitive and you love Daddy, me and Katie so much that you would do anything to make sure we are a happy family and that we stay a happy family. You are the first one to say "thanks mama" when I do something for you as simple as getting you a drink of water. You amaze me with how well you understand people's feelings and how strongly you feel the spirit. Okay Katie now it's your turn.
KATIE: I love you Jessica because you snuggle your Annie Zebra so so tight. You are a good sister and me best friend in the whoooooolllle wurld. You play wif me and we have so so fun. Mama I love you because you a nice mama and you snuggle me so so tight and you fun and you wipe my toto (private part) and my bum bum so so fast and good so I can go play with my best friend Jessica Rose.
JESSICA: Katie I lub you cuz you so funny and you play games and you let me be in the middle and you take turns. You always share your bee treats with me and you my bestest friend and sissy. Mama, I lub you because you fun and hold me so tight tight and you hug me and kiss me and give me drinks of water and you teach me songs. You sing Happy Working Song and you so so happy and pretty. You have pink lipstick and you give me some on my lips. I love you cuz you help me and Katie and Daddy.

Then, we all did 3 corner kisses where we kiss each other by putting our heads together. This was a tradition I grew up doing with my mom and dad because there were 3 of us. We do four corner kisses and 3 corner kisses if Mike isn't around. Then they hopped back in their beds and I gave them kisses again and more drinks of water and now they are laughing and talking in their beds and having the best time. Seriously, it was one of the happiest moments of my life. For all of you moms out there, you get it. It's like my heart is just out in the world walking around in the bodies of two short little people. Right now I am just so thankful not only that I got a chance to be a mom but I got a chance to be a mom to THEM. And that I cried for it, yearned for it, grieved that it might not happen, hoped, prayed, begged, cried a river of tears and gave myself a zillion shots in the butt to have the chance to get to do this. I'm glad I'm older because I'm not in a rush anymore and I don't care if things aren't perfect and things get put off until tomorrow. I waited a long time for this and I am really enjoying it.

Thanks for indulging this sappy post. I promise a sarcastic, self deprecating and irreverent one tomorrow.

Bows Bows Bows

I am a huge fan a hair bows for the girls. Headbands get pulled out by my kids so I really like bows. And now that their heads are bigger I like a bow to have about a 4 to 5 inch width. In my town, you can find really cute bows and specialty shops that run $12 - $20 bucks per bow. Ummmm yep. That's not a mistype. Since there is no way in tarnation I would ever pay that for a bow I approached my dilemma in several different ways. First, I just bought bows at Walmart. They weren't anything special but they were cute enough. Then I bought a bunch of ribbon and tried to tie the bow into the girls hair like in the olden days. This just left me with untied ribbons dangling from little heads. So then I asked Amber for directions on how to make bows. She patiently answered all my questions and I dutifully went out and bought all my supplies and was convinced that while we watched the Super Bowl, I would know how to make bows myself. Well, the Patriots won, I won the pool, and the only bow I attempted looked lopsided and pitiful. I realized that bow making was not for me.

Yesterday, I just happened to go on ebay and thought "hmmmm, I wonder if I can get good deals on hair bows here". Well folks, I hit paydirt. I hit the super triple jackpot. Not only is there a plethora of bow makers out there, they are cheap. AND some of the makers even model their designs after clothing collections at Gymboree which I always buy off season on clearance. My favorite collections right now are Holland Days, tennis match and tres chic...all of which are 40 to 60% off. I was able to order bows specifically designed to go with these collections. I love a little girl in a bow. When is another time in your life that you can wear a big pink bow in your hair and get away with it? It's only for childhood. I love bows, lace, organza, Patten leather maryjanes, ruffle butt tights...I'm a sucker for it all. Anyway, just thought I would share this with you. Just go to http://www.ebay.com/ and type in a search for hair bows. It's THAT simple.

SHOCK & AWE

I am trying once again for the zillionth time in my life to lose weight. However, I feel like my life is waaaaayyyy too busy to follow a strict portion measuring, calorie counting, you can eat berries but not mango kind of program. So, I'm trying to work out at my gym and put smart things into my pie hole. This book is so shocking and amazing. You need to go to Target or Borders or Barnes & Noble or wherever and buy it instantly. It takes all the places you eat, the foods you buy and tells you to eat this not that. Example: Did you know that by ordering a 2 scoop hot fudge sundae w/vanilla and chocolate ice cream, whipped cream and a cherry that you will SAVE 130 Calories, 10 grams of fat and 5 grams of sugar than if you ordered a 2 scoop cone of french vanilla and peanut butter n chocolate ice cream? Why on EARTH would I think a sundae would be better? Now, let's keep it real...neither are good for you OR should be consumed on a diet, but every once in awhile, you are going to go get ice cream with your kids, your husband, by yourself in a disguise so the store employees won't recognize you from earlier in the day. So you should know what is BETTER (not best) to order. Another example: did you know a venti strawberry and creme frapucino has as much sugar and calories as 5 Hagan Daz Bars? Did you know P.F. Chang's Pork Lo Mein has 127 grams of fat??? I DID NOT. The fish sandwiches at the fast food chains are worse than the burgers. An entree sized Chinese Chicken Salad at any sit down joint averages 60 grams of fat and more salt than you should have in like 3 days. And get this....at Ruby Tuesday's the TURKEY BURGER has 1,171 calories and 58 grams of fat while the steak, sauteed mushrooms and green beans only has 484 calories and 24 grams of fat. THE TURKEY BURGER IS WORSE THAN A STEAK. And what should you order when you cruise on through the drive through window on the way to work for breakfast? An egg mcmuffin baby. Only 300 calories and 12 grams of fat vs. a multigrain bagel w/LITE cream cheese at 500 calories and 15 grams of fat. I know I know....the world has gone CRAZY. A pessimistic relative of mine scoffed at the book and said...."well, I don't eat out so this doesn't help me." Well, they take you aisle by aisle through the grocery store too. Did you know there were gigantic differences in luncheon meats, yogurts, breads and condiments? Even soups, spaghetti sauces and frozen pepperoni pizzas differ greatly in calories and fat by brand. And the ultimate shocker???? Regular Oscar Meyer Bacon is BETTER FOR YOU than Oscar Meyer Turkey Bacon. For 2 pieces it has the same calories, same grams of fat and the turkey bacon has more salt and additives. Here are the 10 worst foods in America:

• 20. Chicken Selects Breast Strips from McDonald's 5 pieces (830 calories, 55g fat, 48 carbs)
• 19. Jamba Juice Chocolate Moo'd Power Smoothie (900 cal,10g fat, 183 carbs, 166g sugar)
• 18. Pepperidge Farm Chicken Pot Pie (1,020 cal, 64g fat, 86 carbs)
• 17. Ruby Tuesday's Bella Turkey Burger (1,145 cal, 71 g fat, 58 carbs)
• 16. Chipotle Mexican Grilled Chicken Burrito (1,107 cal, 44g fat, 113 carbs, 2,656 sodium)
• 15. Macaroni Grill Double Macaroni n Cheese (1,210 cal, 62 g fat, 3,450 mg sodium)
• 14. Quizno's Chicken Carbonara Sandwich (1,510 cal, 82 g fat, 106 carbs, 3,750 sodium
• 13. On The Border Grande Taco Salad w/ Beef (1,450 cal, 102g fat, 78 carbs, 2,410 sodium)
• 12. Carl's Jr/Hardees Double 6 dollar burger (1520 cal, 111g fat)
• 11. Lonestar T-bone steak (1,540 calories, 124 g fat)
• 10. Bob Evans Caramel Banana Pecan Cream Stacked and Stuffed Hotcakes (If you even would think of ordering this believing it MIGHT not be bad for you, you are in big trouble)
• 9. Chili's Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie w/ice cream (1,600 cal, 78 fat, 215 carbs)
• 8. P.F Chang's Pork Lo Mein (1820 cal, 127 g fat, 95 carbs)
• 7. Chili's Honey Chipotle Crispers w/Chipotle Sauce (2,040 cal, 99g fat, 240 g carbs)
• 6. On the Border Dos XX Fish Tacos w/ Rice&Beans (2100 cal, 130 g fat, 169 carbs, 4,750 g sodium)
• 5. Uno Chicago Grill Chicago Classic Personal Sized Deep Dish Pizza (2,310 cal, 162 g fat, 123 g carbs, 4,470 sodium)
• 4. Macaroni Grill Spaghetti and Meatballs w/Meat Sauce (2430 cal, 128 g fat, 207 carbs, 5,290 sodium)
• 3. On the Border Stacked Border Nachos (2,740 Cal, 166 fat, 191 carbs, 5280 sodium)
• 2. Chili's Awesome Blossom (2710 cal, 203 fat, 194 g carbs, 6, 360 sodium)
• 1. Outback Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries w/ Ranch Dressing ( 2,900 calories, 182 g fat, 240 g carbs) If you are a gal trying to lose weight this is 2 days of calories people for an order of fries. Come ON.
  

Things I Want To Do Before I Die

I hope to live a long long long life. I'm not one of those "Live Hard, Die Young and Make a Good Looking Corpse" kind of gals. I'm more of a "Live Slow, Ski Slow, Drive Slow, Don't Take Any Risks and Die While Rocking on Your Porch at 105" kind of ladies. So...hopefully barring illness, a Mack Truck, a freak avalanche etc. I'd like to do the following before I kick it.

1. Go on an African Safari - a luxury kind NOT the bargain version where you accidentally get ripped apart by a lion.
2. Learn Photo Editing Software and how to use my Canon Digital Camera
3. Go on a spa day with my girls, my mom and my grandma all together
4. See my girls get baptized and develop love for Christ
5. Dance with Mike at my daughters' weddings
6. Go on a Mediterranean Cruise on a fancy cruise ship - NOT Carnival
7. Take the girls on a Disney Cruise when they turn 6
8. Own a really pretty house
9. Have my own conference and meeting planning business
10. Go to Paris with Mike and the girls
11. Live on the island of Kauai for a period of time
12. Get really nice China -- I never registered for any
13. Get a total makeover - head to toe on Rodeo Drive or in NYC
14. Take a Broadway vacation to NYC
15. Get strong and fit
16. Learn to keep my bedroom picked up and organized
17. Go through my entire house and get rid of all the clutter so I'm completely organized
18. Go to a Ball
19. Go on a cross country train vacation in a sleeper car like old fashioned times
20. Attend New Years Eve in Times Square
21. Learn how to make perfect Roasted Turkey and Gravy for Thanksgiving
22. Learn perfect table manners - like WAY beyond the basics
23. Serve as a Full Time Missionary on a Humanitarian Mission
24. Experience Doctors Without Borders with Mike and the Girls
25. Ride a Horse on the Beach

Here are the things that WERE on my list that I've been able to do:

• Go to a Broadway show ON Broadway (Les Mis and Wicked)
• Attend 4th of July on the National Capitol Mall (4 times)
• Go to the French Quarter in New Orleans
• Go out of the country (Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and Cuba for like 3 hours)
• Get highlights in my hair
• Go to Disneyworld
• Take my girls to Disneyland
• Have kids
• Work on Capitol Hill in Washington DC
• Get/stay married
• Live away from Elk Grove (12 years)
• Grow a garden
• Learn how to cook
• Learn all the words to We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel
• Read the classics (so far): Little Women, Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, The Great Gatsby, Les Miserables, Gone With The Wind, Moby Dick, Heart of Darkness, The Odyssey (thanks AP English), The Catcher In The Rye and The Harry Potter Series (let's face it - it's a classic already)
• Bat over .600 in a single softball season
• Own a house
• Go to Hawaii

One Of My Best Friends AND Sister - Happy Birthday Heather

I would like to wish a VERY VERY Happy Birthday to my sister in law Heather. She sure doesn't feel like a sister IN LAW. She's just my sister. And one of my Best Friends. Heather is one of the most thoughtful people I have ever known. She never forgets a birthday (unlike me) and she is always aware and supportive when I am going through a tough time and is the first to celebrate with me when I have a great thing happen. We were pregnant together. Her daughter is 2 months and 12 days older than my girls. Even though we live far apart, we talk all the time and I feel like we share all the ups, downs and in betweens that come with motherhood. Heather got to go through everything first by a couple of months so she has been my guide through all the perils of morning sickness, back pain, labor, what it is like to be truly sleepless, teething, potty training and toddler tantrums. Heather loves Disney and I always think of her as an honorary Disney princess because she loves them so much. Last week at Disneyland Mike and I must have said fifty times, "We Wish Heather Were Here To See This" or "OOOOOOHHHH Heather would have LOVED that". Heather will soon be moving even farther away from us but I have no doubt we'll stay in just as good of touch as we do now. I love you Heather and hope you have the very happiest of birthdays!!!!

We are finally declaring Obama support

Well folks, you probably already knew this, but the Mike, Amy, Katie & Jessica family is officially declaring our support for Obama in 08. The more we listen to this man and the more we learn about decisions he has made, the more we feel in our hearts that he is an exceptional husband, father and public servant. We have not been this excited about a candidate before. We believe Obama is a strong Christian with values that we share. For 28 years, 2 families have been in the white house. (Regan/Bush, Bush, Clinton, W.Bush) We really think it's time to change things up. People say Obama isn't ready for the Presidency and he needs more experience. He has more experience than Kennedy did and he handled The Bay of Pigs, The Cuban Missle Crisis and the Vietnam war. We believe that we are not going to accomplish what we would like to in Iraq. John McCain would have us increase our presence there. This war centers around religion. This region has been at war for all time and it is Biblical that they will be at war until Christ comes again. We believe Obama has the best chance to change things in Washington. We think Michelle will make an awesome First Lady and we truly support Obama in this election. We don't think mathematically that Hilary can get the nomination (thank goodness) and we feel John McCain is not stable and has PTSD and would not be an instrument of peace but an instrument of war. Many people keep their political view to themselves but we feel that if your convictions lead you in a certain way that you have an obligation to share them and not to be ashamed. We don't mean to offend anyone but we encourage ALL to truly study the candidates positions. Don't just vote Republican because you always have. The same goes for voting Democrat. Read their books, read their websites and most importantly, watch the upcoming debates and the conventions. John McCain is a good man and sacrificed a lot of this country. Mike's Uncle Lucky was a POW in Vietnam for 7 long and painful years. All of our POWs should get our respect and gratitude. But what John McCain has voted for, supported and said since then does not make us feel like he represents our own personal morals and values. You can visit Barack Obama's website at http://www.mybarackobama.com/ to get more information about this amazing public servant and future leader of our country.

Katie Got To 2nd Base With Jasmine

I swear I'll have a great picture of Katie and Jasmine to add to this post later. But while we were having dinner with the Princesses in Disneyland, Katie accosted Jasmine. First, Jasmine had a very large and sparkly necklace on. So Katie immediately wanted to show Jasmine HER gold Minnie mouse locket. Then, she noticed that Jasmine had dangle pearls and beads from the bodice of her halter top. These beads dangled from Jasmine's top ribs. (in other words, just below her boobalas) Katie proceeded to take her little hands and make the dangles shake while exclaiming "these are PRETTY" all the while feeling up Jasmine. Then, to top it off, she sticks her finger deep into Jasmine's belly button and says "Jasmine, that's your belly button. Ha Ha Ha. I have a belly button too." Poor Jasmine. It's hot in Agraba. She can't help it if her outfit is a bit on the hussy side. She needs to stay cool. But in this case, Katie took advantage of the skin and the dangle beads and pearls. Jasmine was a great sport and just said "yep, that's my belly button." Oh Jasmine...it's a whole new world. A dazzling place Katie never knew. And from way down there, it was crystal clear, you needed a finger in your belly button.

Stuff to know about me!

A) Four jobs I have had in my life: 1) Youth Aide to Gray Davis (who eventually became Governor) 2) Building Manager of the Student Union Building while in college 3) Regional Marketing Manager for Costco 4) Corporate Development Manager for the Health Insurance Lobby in DC.
B) Four movies I would watch over and over. 1) Sleepless in Seattle) Shawshank Redemption3) Notting Hill 4)Sense & Sensibility
C)Four places I have lived: 1) DC 2)Sacramento 3) Colorado 4)Nebraska
D) Four TV Shows that I watch 1) Grey's Anatomy 2)Survivor 3) Brother's and Sisters 4) Lost E) Four places I have been: 1) Hawaii 2)Puerto Rico 3)Disneyworld/land 4)New Orleans
F) People who e-mail me (or I talk to often) 1)mom 2)amber 3)heather 4)grammie bea
Four of my favorite foods: 1) Steak 2)crab or lobster 3)creme brule 4)misoyaki butter fish in Hawaii
Four places I would rather be right now: 1)hawaii 2)hawaii 3)hawaii 4)hawaii
Things I am looking forward to this year: 1) The girls' 3rd birthday 2)Susan's Wedding 3) OUr family vacation on Oregon Coast 4)Any day Mike has off - then it's 2 on 2 instead of being outnumbered all by myself.

Highlights of Disneyland!!!

Meeting The Big Cheese - Mickey Mouse


Jessica was silly over Pluto


Me and Mike During Fireworks - we took the pic ourselves


This is what Mike woke up to on Day 4


Jessica's favorite place - her Dad's arms


Our family - Huntington Beach

Meeting Pooh Bear

We are BACK. We are exhausted, our feet hurt, our backs are strained and my neck is out...but we made it. We had THE BEST time in Disneyland. This post will be boring (probably) for most but it's a way for me to record the great memories we had on our recent vacation.

Day -1 : Drove to Anaheim. Girls were traveling troopers with only the occasional fuss. DVD players in the van are a great invention. We arrived at the Anaheim Village RV park to meet my parents who were already set up and waiting for us. We went to Downtown Disney that night and bought Minnie Ears for the girls and had dinner at The Rain Forest Cafe. It was overpriced and an absolute zoo, but the kids thought it was fun.

Day -2: It was overcast but the sun broke through by mid morning. We had breakfast with Minnie and other Disney characters. The girls got one on one time with Minnie, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Captain Hook. They were very excited to get to see Minnie. We then ventured to Mickey's Toon Town and met the Mouse himself. We got to go through Mickey's house and play in Goofy's house. The girls got to meet Goofy too and ride on a roller coaster that was way to fast for them. We headed to Fantasy Land where we rode Alice in Wonderland and the Flying Dumbo ride. We went to the Princess Faire where the girls got to sit on a big ballroom floor with other little girls and Snow White came out to tell a story to all the little girls. After lunch, we all rode Pirates of the Caribean. After Pirates, we all took a little breather in the Enchanted Tiki Room where the girls were mesmerized by the singing birds. Then, Mike and I broke off and rode the Indiana Jones roller coaster while the girls terrorized the big Disney store with my mom and dad. Then, we got all situated for the parade which was awesome! The girls loved the parade. Jessica was a bit of a punk this day with a bad attitude. She didn't want to stand in line and she was cold and overwhelmed. I think it was all so much for her to take in. Katie just rolled with the flow and was happy the entire trip. But once the parade started Jessica really liked it. After the parade, we took the girls on Buzz Lightyear Spin Ride and then had dinner at the Pizza parlor in Tomorrow land. After dinner, we were beat and headed back to the RV Village.

Day 3 - We wanted to have a day in between parks so we could rest and make sure the girls got a good nap. We took the girls to Huntington Beach in the morning for their first look and feel of the ocean. The loved it. They ran and ran on the beach and put their feet in the water. They loved running away from the waves with their dad and collecting seashells. They loved the beach and the ocean. After the beach, we ate lunch at Duke's Canoe Club and went back for a long and much needed nap.

Day 4 - Today was California Adventure. We LOVED this park. It is beautiful, well designed and has some great features. Mike, my Dad and I loved the Soarin Over California ride. It is a virtual ride where you actually feel like you are flying over all different parts of California. They even pump in smells like the forest, orange grove blossoms and salt air depending on which part you are at. The girls loved the Bug's Life area which had rides just their size. But by far, our favorite thing we did was had dinner with the Princesses at Ariels Grotto. We got to meet and visit with Snow White, Mulan, Cinderella and Jasmine. The girls were so funny and so star struck during dinner. They were so excited and they loved every minute of it. I'll put a seperate post about Katie feeling up Jasmine. After the Princesses we went back to Disneyland and watched the parade again, went on the Finding Nemo submarine ride and stayed for hot chocolate and fireworks. As we were watching fireworks, Jessica told me to snuggle her so I wrapped her in my arms from behind. She leaned her little head on my shoulder and said "mama, I love Disneyland. This is SO special". It was one of the best moments of my life and I will never forget it. Jessica also chased the end of the parade because Donald Duck was at the end and she really wanted to say hi to him so she ran after his float yelling "hi Donald, hi Donald" It was super cute. Both girls entertained park guests by dancing in the street to several street performers. By the time we got back to the RV village, they were exhausted but really had a good time.

Special things that happened: Getting their "real" gold lockets with Minnie Mouse on the outside. Getting to meet Mickey Mouse. Taking them on the Dumbo ride. Seeing their faces during ther Disney Playhouse show. Seeing them meet the princesses, especially Cinderella. Watching them boogie down in Main Street to a mo-town type of quartet. Going on the Nemo submarine ride and Katie yelling during the whole ride "Neeeemoooo, where ahhhh youuuuu?" Katie holding up her necklace and yelling to Jasmine across the room "Jasmine, Jasmine, JASMINE, I'm over here Jasmine. I have a necklace Jasmine". Jessica working so hard to give Cinderella the glass slipper sticker and to give Jasmine the Magic Lantern sticker. Jessica telling me that this was so special. All of us singing Yo Ho Ho, A Pirate's Life For Me on the Pirates of the Carabeian ride. Going on their first roller coaster. Seeing them kiss Pluto's nose. Sticking our feet in the ocean and watching the girls reaction to the ocean for the first time. Running away from the waves. Katie yelling during the show "HI JUNE" "HI LEO" during the Little Einsteins part. Getting Mickey Ears with their names on the back. Watching the parade and Jessica chasing the Donald float. Looking at all the lights on Main Street USA from the train. It was beautiful. Katie sleeping through the entire 2nd time at the parade. Just being together and sharing these memories with my mom and dad , my husband and my daughters. We always call ourselves "The Pack" and it was so fun to share all this together.