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...

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...

I can get really wrapped up in my own world. My brain never shuts up. It's always talking about something...debating, discussing, encouraging, chastising me. Never more so than when I am completing routine tasks. I walk my boys to school everyday. On the way there, we chatter together, and my brain focuses on what my babies have to say. On the way back, my mind shifts gears from conversation mode to internal chatter. Making a chore checklist. Thinking about things people have said t...

Well, he did it again. My youngest cut his hair. He had scissors for a homework project and still managed to cut his hair without my seeing him do it. He is the sneakiest little guy. I wonder how much he's gotten away with that I haven't found out about yet. He snipped a tiny bit from the back of his hair. It's barely noticeable, but being mom I noticed it. He tried to deny it, but when I made him look me in the eyes he cracked and the truth spilled out. Of course he doesn't know wh...

Technically, it's my birthday. Not here, of course, but on the mainland where I was born, it is. I'm 27 today. I feel sad. Partly because I'm getting older. Closer to 30 than 20. Weird how fast time flies. But mostly I'm sad because I'm thinking about my grandfather. Pa. Pa's in the hospital right now. He's been diagnosed with a lung disease and he'll be on oxygen for the rest of his life. This hurts me so deeply. He's such a proud, independent, active man. It breaks me to ...

I'm the Grinch. The Scrooge. The Christmas Jerk. We have an abundance of gifts this year. We bought the children about 9 presents each back in November. Since then we've added nearly as many, piece by piece. Then the in-laws sent money which we used to buy gifts for the children. Finally, earlier this week we received 4 or 5 HUGE boxes full of presents from my parents. I didn't count them all, but I'd say it's a safe bet to assume that each child and adult in our family received bet...