Right Wing Mom

My bloggy friend Andrea is so enjoyable to read. She is super cute and has 3 beautiful kiddos! I love reading her blog! She keeps me inspired

One of the things she has been ding this summer is Dinner for Dessert. Now, of all the things I would take from her… do I really need something that is going to make my butt even bigger? Probably not! But I have been in a “hanging out in the kitchen” kind of mood - so I had to take advantage!

I went with a recipe I had been drooling over and man… it did not disappoint! So much so, that Marc and I ended up redoing the recipe for Kaitie and Mandy’s breakfast in bed for their birthday.

I give you Chocolate Waffles!

Oh so yummy chocolate goodness with bananas, strawberries and homemade vanilla whipped creme! Wow. It was good… very, very good.

But it is… My babies, my girls, my chickies, my “girlfriends”, my firstborn… they turn 10 today. And as I type that, I cry. Not Boo-hooing, bawling type of cry. But, my eyes are swollen with tears and I feel a bit of sadness.

You know, when Marc and I first got married, I was even sure I wanted kids. It’s not that I was totally against it, but really, I could have done without kids… or so I thought.

When Marc and I found out we were pregnant - I was excited. Sure, a little scared, but mostly excited. The thought of having a child grew on me. It made me happy. Then just a few weeks later, we found out the really big news. I was not pregnant with “a” baby… nope - I was pregnant with “babies!” Umm, ’scuse me? Two? Really? I was so freaked out, I think I just stared at the wall for a week, every now and then I would say “twins?” quietly to myself and get all kinds of freaked out.

I don’t know what I was worried about. God knew what he was doing, and wow! He did a really good thing! He gave me two of the most perfect creatures ever put on the earth. They have changed me in so many ways. They are truly incredible! I know how could gush about them all day long, but I will spare you.

Let me just say this - they are awesome! Loving, caring, thoughtful, smart, sweet, beautiful, little girls… that aren’t so little anymore. Which brings me back to square one… sadness. I guess its not really sadness, but more bittersweet. I see them growing into these awesome young ladies and it make me so happy and proud, but it also brings the realization that each day that passes is one day closer to my girls, my babies, growing up, getting married and well, not being my babies anymore.

Want to take a look back with me?

Amanda Rose, born 7/24/98 at 9:01pm, weighing 4lbs 7 oz

Kaitlin Mae, born 7/24/98 at 8:55pm, weighing 4lbs 13oz

Those pictures prove a mother’s love is blind… those two look like aliens!

2 years old. Their Grandma bought these outfits for them so they could cheer their Uncle Dave playing football.

Their first year in gymnastics

Halloween, age 5

Getting their ears pierced at age 6

Their 7th birthday

Pensacola Beach, age 8

Homeschool - age 9

ok… I think I am going to curl up in a ball and cry a bit. Or - I can fix lunch and take my ladies shopping!!! Hmm, tough choice!

Nothing like a 4 year old to keep it real and tell you where you really stand in life.

(after watching Sesame Street together)

Jake: I just LOVE Sesame Street! Don’t you Mommy?

Me: I sure do, I love it.

Jake: I love it more than I love you.

Me: WHAT!?! You love Sesame Street more?

Jake: No, No, No… I still love you, I just love Sesame Street more.

Me: Really?

Jake: Yes. But I still love you.

Well, I guess it’s a good thing he “Still” loves me. (sniff, sniff) He took back his marriage proposal too when Dave and Haley were here. Yep - he told Haley he wanted to marry her instead. Hmm, that boy is going to be a little heartbreaker - I can see it now.

I read a book

I used to love reading, like seriously love it! I was a voracious reader! But, sometimes it is just so hard to find time to sit and read. Sure, I read the paper (sometimes) and magazines, I have a lot of Dr Seuss memorized and I love History of the World. I am talking about a “grown-up” book. Purely for entertainment kind of book. No home school book, no bible study book, no parenting book - just something rather “fluffy” and fun.

The crazy thing is that I did not read one book. Nope! I just finished my 3rd this week I am so proud of myself and feel so happy that I have kind of rediscovered reading.

So - what did I read?

Well, a confession first. A few years ago I discovered a weird, sub-category of fiction. Culinary Mystery. Ok, yeah it sounds a little weird, but I love them!!!! Up till this week I had only read from one author - Diane Mott Davidson. Abut 8 years ago, Marc and I used to drive from Louisiana to Texas (about 7hrs each way) every other week to see his “little” brother play football. It was his Senior year and we had been in Japan for the previous 3 years - so we had to do it!

Anyway, (me get off track?) Marc and I started getting audiobooks from Cracker Barrel to help pass the time. Well, we got her first book “Catering to Nobody.” I was hooked! I loved it!!!

This week I read one of her latest (she has one newer one that I don’t have yet) Dark Torte. It was fun, it was light and fluffy - I loved every bit of it!

The second book I read was another journey into a culinary mystery: “Two Cooks A-Killing” by Joanne Pence. It wasn’t as good, I think, as Diane Mott Davidsons books, but that could be a little biased there. I did enjoy it though, and will be more than likely picking up some other books by the author.

Last, but certainly not least, a non-fuffy book - lest you think all I read is fluff. Pride ad Prejudice. Oh how I love the story. I have seen just about every version of the movie made. I have seen the one made in 1940, the latest one (with Keira Knightly), the A&E version, the Bollywood version (Andrea S. Have you seen this?), even the Mormon version! But, sadly I had yet to read the book. (so day, I know)

I bought the book a few months ago and started it, but put it down and forgot about it. That all changed this week! I picked it up yesterday and tore right through it!

Verdict? Oh man! I loved it!!! It was, as almost always the case, better than the movie. Like way better! I really enjoyed it.

So - do you ready fluffy books? Not-so-fluffy books? Do you read at all? Any good recommendations?

I was thinking the other day - reflecting really, about how much I have changed and how weird I have gotten. Now, this is mostly relating to food and such, so I don’t want to her any feedback about how weird ya’ll knew I was the moment you met me ( or read a post if we have yet to meet IRL) OK?

I think it all began when I was pregnant with Kaitie and Mandy. Marc brought up breast feeding and mentioned that he really thought I should do it. Umm me? Breast feeding? You’re joking right? I mean, I guess I knew what those things on my chest were for, I had plenty to go around, it was free.. oh alright, I’ll give it a shot. A funny thing happened. I don’t know weather I had to prove something to myself, or to those people that looked at me like I was INSANE to nurse twins but I did it. Rather successfully too I might add. Oh, we had our trouble - the (seemingly) never ending case of thrush, supply issues, a (semi) hostile work environment, but we did it, for 10 months. Weird.

Then came the baby food thing. What in the world possessed me to want to make our own baby food? I am going to go with temporary insanity. It had to be! No, in all seriousness, it was guilt. Yep, former-Catholic, young Mamma guilt - a classic case. I worked 12-13 hour days, Marc worked 12-13 hour days, my girls were so itty-bitty and in day care so many hours a day. So I decided to give it a whirl. You know what I found out? It was simple! And cheap! I felt like I was finally doing something Mom like for my girls (oh yes, tons of guilt back then - darn Marine Corps!)

Then came home schooling? That (nI thought back then) was REALLY weird. I didn’t even know anyone at that time that home schooled. All my friends thought I was weird. I guess they were right.

Ok, at this point I stopped increasing my weirdness for awhile. But then… oh then I started going off the deep end. I got on an Organic kick. It started with milk. I had seen some reports about early onset puberty being linked with milk. Hmm - 8 year old and periods? Not my idea of a good time. We did soy milk for few months, then went to organic. Slightly weird now, weirder 7 years ago.

There have been more steps to weirdness the past few years. One thing I have noticed is that I have bumped my weirdness factor up significantly the past two years or so. A quick rundown on the 1-10 weirdness scale (totally made -up of course (does that make me weird?))

Midwife birth (4)
wanting a home birth (8)
Unmedicated birth (6)
Breast feeding (2)
Drinking raw milk (9)
Drinking raw kefir (9)
Drinking green smoothies (7)
Going “green” on my cleaners (5)

hmmm - I am sure there is more. But, it is getting late and it is time to get my weird self to bed.

So, on the Alicia’s weirdness scale - how weird are you? And what do you think would constitute a 10? Hmm… how weird can one get?

Sorry I am getting this up kind of late today. We didn’t get home from the movies till 1:30! Do you know how much past my bedtime that is? I have been dragging a little all day

For everyone who voted last week - thank you! I’ll get the new poll up this evening. This week is all about the Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is our FAVORITE place to stay. I seriously love this hotel! When I walk into the lobby, especially from a full day at the parks… I take a deep breath and I am instantly calm, cooled and relaxed. Oh yeah, its good :)I had so many great pictures that I wanted to share, I thought I would do a little slideshow. I hope it turns out ok. Hopefully next week I will have my act a little more together! Enjoy!

a little info: All the animal photos were taken from the balcony in our rooms. The pictures with the kids in them are from the fantastic kids program in the hotel that runs throughout the day with a bunch of different activities.

That would be Emma!

I know I am supposed to get my next batch of Disney photo’s up… but it is a little crazy around here today.

The kids and I are planning on going to a drive-in tonight! How cool is that? I grew up going to drive-ins and totally love them! Marc, for some reason, has no interest in going, oh well! WE will have fun and we will be thinking of Shannon and her kids the entire time (promise!) The first (and only) time the kids went and the last time I went was to go see Spiderman 2 with my awesome bestest friend in the entire world Shannon. We had such a blast, even if our girls got sick from eating a “Candy Salad.” Don’t ask.

Anyway, the only bad part about going to the drive-in? It’s about an hour away. Crazy? Yes. But, I do things like that sometimes. Keeps things interesting that way.

O.K., the little stinker part. Emma has been toying around with crawling. The other day she moved her arms, then did this little froggy hop where she jumped both her legs forward at the same time. Very weird, but so cute and funny. Well, last night I put her down on the floor in my room and she just took off! No hesitant crawling, no slow and steady.. Nope, she took off like a crazy woman. Just what I need - a mobile baby!

Hmm, looks like its time to get some baby gates. (cause you know I am not prepared - shocking, I know)

Hopefully I will get some Disney pics up a little later, if not, I will get them up tomorrow. I’ll see about getting some crawling video too

Marc’s phone has been dying a very slow, painful death. Saturday he decided it was time to get a new phone. I freaked out when he said he was getting an I-Phone! I can’t believe my former “Mac’s stink” man is quickly coming over to the “dark side” lol!!! What really floored me was when he said he was getting me one too! So exciting!!!!!

Here she is:

Complete with a hot pink hard case, cause every girl needs a hot pink case to her cell phone right?

I have been having way too much fun with it. Its got tons of little applications you can download. I’ve downloaded some games and even a Bible app! Yep - got my daily bible reading in! Ha-Ha! So crazy!

Now… I need your help. I have to find a good ring tone. It’s some some decent ones already on it, but I am thinking about a song. I have always wanted a song for a ring tone. But, I have no clue!

So - based on what you know about me, what would YOU pick for my “theme song?” What would you pick for YOUR theme song?

Wow! I was completely blown away by your support, thank you so much!

I was really debating if I wanted to post all that “drama” but, I really felt like I needed to get it off my chest a little more. I am really glad I took that chance, you guys gays gave so much good advice!

It is a touch situation. I will take the high road, I have no choice. I feel my beliefs as a Christian call me to do that. But, a doormat I am not. I have decided to not say anything to her unless she comes at me again. If that happens, I hope I can just kindly tell her that I am not going to discuss it with her again and leave it at that. If she continues to try and jump all over me - she will just be showing her true colors even more.

I have thought about confronting the other mom. Still not sure what I will do about that one. I will most likely see her this afternoon. I think I will just let her take the lead and hopefully things will work out.

Ok - enough about that! Case (hopefully) closed!

Marc and I bought some new (grown-up) toys this weekend! I am having so much fun… I’ll be back later this evening to show you! Any guesses?

hint - Marc waited in line for 2 hours to get them. (And if you know Marc, that is saying something!)