Xavier is a very industrious child and very interested in justice, in our household and elsewhere. Therefore, it only made sense that he would come up with a very detailed discipline chart and request that Adrian and I implement these new rules that he'd worked so hard to reason out. The top of the chart has drawings on him and of his brother, each with five stars (with boxes for check marks above them) that lead to a drawing of a piece of candy labeled "treat." Five instances of go...

So I've been called a flirt. I don't mean to do it. I don't even really consider it flirting. It's just being friendly and chipper. Hell, I do it with women, too. What is flirting? Is flirting wrong when you're in a committed relationship? Is THIS flirting? My husband and I are in Blockbuster, looking for the movie Holes. I am in an aisle alone, and I look up to see a friendly looking Blockbuster employee. He smiles and asks, "Is there anything I can help you with?" I smi...

Men, have you spent many a sleepless night wondering exactly what numerically quantified value you are to the opposite sex? Women, do you wish you could give your man a report card? The solution is finally here! It's the Male Scale, a scientifically proven method to rate a man's attractiveness, sensitivity, and usefulness, and for a limited time, it's yours free! To use the Male Scale, simply answer the questions (men answer for themselves, women answer for their husbands or partners) a...

Wouldn't you like to sleep in this bad mofo? It's a couple of years old and has lived through some rough "missions," but I still think my boys' bunk bed is just about the coolest thing ever.

This might have been one of my favorite fourth of Julys ever, and that's something, coming from a Texan. We had a spectacular view of the firework display from the boys' playroom upstairs. We opened up their window and gathered around and watched the fireworks. It was incredible. It was so nice to be together as a family, with the boys chattering excitedly and Adrian running his hand over my back as we took in the view. The fireworks were just...wow. Red, white, and blue. Purpl...

It's been said that my house is boring. Tortuously boring, even. With that in mind, I have come up with a humane alternative to Gitmo. Our terrorist's day will start at 7:30 am, when he crawls out of his bed (which ironically, is a bunk bed that looks just like a military vehicle, you'd just have to see it), and searches through his drawers for clean clothes. He'll find clean underwear plus a t-shirt or shorts. He'll never find both. Mr. Terrorist will have to come down the stai...

My dress came today. Mailed all the way from Hong Kong. I excitedly tore open the brown paper bag it came in with my bare hands. The dress was sealed in a clear plastic bag, and I ripped that one open with my teeth, and then I bounded up the stairs to try the dress on. The dress is beautiful. Very detailed and feminine. It even has little sparkles that manage to dust everything it touches. I stepped into the dress and pulled the top up over my chest. I started zipping the dress ...

The Director of Army Staff has proclaimed that henceforth, in all Army correspondence, the word "family" will be capitalized. From the current ACS/My Army Life Too newsletter: "...in recognition of the fact that Army Families are a key component of readiness, and shoulder a great burden of sacrifice, supporting their Soldier and often enduring long periods of separation from their loved ones, effective immediately, the word "Families" will be capitalized in all Army correspondence." "So...

Laughing Baby: Surprised Baby: (I don't know how many of you remember details from the first Home Alone movie, but there's this part where Kevin is looking through Buzz's footlocker and he finds a picture of Buzz's girlfriend and says, "Buzz, your girlfriend...WOOF!"  Haha, this picture of Izzy reminds me of the pic of Buzz's chubby girlfriend!) Frilly Baby: Curious Baby: Worried Baby: Chillin' Baby: Uh-Oh Baby:

- My Favorite Things - Babylegs.  Tide Simple Pleasures Vanilla Lavender detergent and fabric softener. The Baby Book by Dr. William Sears. Swaddle Me blanket by Kiddopotamus. Starbucks Iced Coffee Light. Eva Lillian's "Sexy Nursing Goddess" nursing top. Elle Sexy Nursing Bra with matching breast pads (and matching thong or bikini panties). Bath and Body Works Black Raspberry Vanilla hand sanitizer, hand soap, body cream, a...

Last night I had the brilliant idea that I would make a slide show.  I had pictures I wanted to share, and I had seen a couple people post these awesome slide shows that showcased LOTS of pictures.  Unfortunately, I'm not as smart as these people I've seen posting these slideshows, and for ALL my effort (I spent a long damn time uploading photos), I ended up posting nothing but impotent code.  It was late and I was tired so I decided "screw it" and I just deleted the article. ...

Most everyone I spent the last 3 years getting to know have moved.  We're still here for who knows how long (not that I'm complaining). New neighbors are like a box of chocolates. I want to introduce you to my new neighbor, Scrawny*. Scrawny moved in with his active duty wife and his two daughters.  His oldest daughter is maybe 9 or so and she is Amy Poehler's "Kaitlyn" character personified.  Rick!! Rick!! Rick!!!! Can I go to the pool, Rick? Rick!! Rick!! Rick!! The ...

Apparently this would be the safest choice for pregnant women. I'm a big fan of safety and minimizing risks.  Particularly when the risks involve children or potential children. But COME ON, PEOPLE! No caffeine. No deli meat or hot dogs. No alcohol. No artificial sweeteners. No sushi. No soft cheeses. No smoked meats. No sprouts. No unripe papaya. No Caesar salad. No tuna or other high mercury fish. No peanuts. No Chinese food (MSG). No shrimp...

I don't know if it's because I'm pregnant or what, but I've noticed that people now seem compelled to lie to me to spare my feelings. I don't particularly mind this, but it would be nice if EVERYONE would lie to me ALWAYS just to keep things consistent, or at the very least, tell convincing lies. Lie #1: "You're not fat, you're pregnant." This is very sweet. And for many women this is true. However, if I was fat before I became pregnant, how did I suddenly become not fat and ins...

Our couch was delivered today, and I'm so happy with it. It's big and comfy, although I think there will be a lot of fights over the chaise lounge/ottoman. The living room looks more like an actual living room and less like a room that we just threw random stuff into. We'll never be featured in Homes & Gardens, but our living room seems cozier and more put together now. And NO migrating couch covers!! We hired a local guy to deliver the couch instead of the company that the furniture s...