Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon Giveaway

I found this really cool site that I wanted to share with everyone...being that I am the newest to this, you all probably already know about it though! Seems cool, I cant wait to read more!

http://tipjunkie.blogspot.com/

PSS: Kisses

It was my turn to ask a question this week so I asked about everyone's first kiss.

My first kiss is when I was in 5th grade. We were living in South Bend on the coolest street in the city, Sunnymede. I had friends all around me and we would often play night games like Jail Break and Capture the Flag in the "backtracks". I was friends with Molly, who lived across the street. Molly had an older brother named Andy. I remember we were playing Hide and Seek in the Dark and he was on my team. We went to hide in his garage behind his house. I don't quite remember if anything was said or what happened exactly, but I do recall him grabbing my face and kissing me. Tongue and all.

My first kiss was a french kiss by and 8th grader!!!

I remember some of my friends being jealous... some thinking it was gross. I was pretty excited about it. He and I "went out" for like a whole 6 days, I was sure he was the boy I was going to marry. Awww... to be in grade school again. LOL

I am a Marilyn

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.


How to Get Along with Me
* Be direct and clear
* Listen to me carefully
* Don't judge me for my anxiety
* Work things through with me
* Reassure me that everything is OK between us
* Laugh and make jokes with me
* Gently push me toward new experiences
* Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn
* being committed and faithful to family and friends
* being responsible and hardworking
* being compassionate toward others
* having intellect and wit
* being a nonconformist
* confronting danger bravely
* being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn
* the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind
* procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself
* fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of
* exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger
* wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right
* being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often
* are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn
* are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger
* form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent
* look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel
* are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents
* are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty
* are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence
* worry more than most that their children will get hurt
* sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

I met Monica!

I was at my daughter's basketball game this morning and around the corner came Marcus. Its been along time since I have seen him. He walked right up and said hello . He was doing the Farr West Bball photos today. He asked"Have you ever met my wife?". At the moment I said "No, but I blog with her!"... and now that I've thought I about it I think I have met Monica before at maybe a birthday party, or scrapbooking, or something...

Anyhoo- Hi Monica, it was nice to see you today!

Beer and Laptops

I just realized that my HP laptop doesn't care much for Bud Light...

As I was trying to show Bryan my blog, I turned the laptop towards him which resulted in knocking over my beer and it landed right on my keyboard. Near panic; I am turning it upside down, shaking it, blowing in the keys... a few weird screens popped up but I think it survived. Ugh! My heart is racing. I cant be without my computer.

Lesson learned: finish your damn beer before you blog.

Kid-free Weekend

Every once in a while... like once a month (instead of every other weekend and one night a week, but we won't get into that right now) it ends up that we don't have any kids. This phenomenon has happened maybe 3x in the time Bryan and I have been together.

The last two times this has happened, we both took Friday off to just hang out together and have a long weekend. Today we got hair cuts, went to lunch with some of my family, and tonight we are going to go to Wise Guys Comedy Club. Tomorrow maybe a movie and sushi. We don't even have to do anything for me to be happy, I just love being with my husband... even if this gives him even more time to pick on me!

Its nice to have a break. Not have to worry about feeding the kids at a certain time, or breaking up fights, or worry about running anyone anywhere. I feel that the adult time helps us to both relax and makes us better parents.

The funny thing is, as much as I live for my kid-free time, I still look around the house for the kids or think of things I need to remember to tell them. Having them more than 95% of the time makes it odd when they aren't here.

I love my little ones and just hope they are enjoying their time with their dad. It's been a struggle lately and I just want everyone to value the time they have together and never take anything for granted.

Prayer Shawl

Yesterday was a tough day. I spoke to my mom on the car ride to work and she didn't sound so good. She has been sick, she's got sores in her mouth and is crazy nauseous. As soon as I got off the phone I started bawling. I prayed to God to help her through this tough time. She just sounds worn out. I prayed that I have strength and comfort as well b/c I will be no good to her if I am a mess.

I believe he heard my prayers b/c around lunch yesterday I had a special visitor who brought us some amazing gifts. They are called Prayer Shawls. They are shawls someone from her church made and a group of ladies prayed for us while holding them and the little note talks about how to wrap up in them and feel comfort and love. That gift could not have come at a better time. It was exactly what we both needed.

We went to my mom's for dinner last night and I gave her the one that was made for her and she just sat there holding it saying what a special gift it was.

Seeing her in person helped me after that phone call... she was tired, but didn't sound as bad as she had on the phone. I think the sores in her mouth from the chemo made it hard for her to talk and she sounded congested. She did have problems opening her mouth to talk, but seeing that verses hearing that was ok. She still was smiley and full of hugs.

Thanks again to the special friend and her ministry at church. You have us both something we will always treasure.