Goodnight, my angels.

I went to check on my 2 angels before going to bed last night. I always love to do that, because they are so peaceful and sweet as they're getting their beauty sleep. I wanted to capture the moment so that I'll never forget how I love to watch them sleep.

"Goodnight my angel, time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say
I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Wherever you may go, no matter where you are
I never will be far away

Goodnight my angel, now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs you sang for me
When we went sailing on an Emerald Bay
And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark and deep inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me

Goodnight my angel, now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry, and if you sing this lullabye
Then in your heart, there will always be a part of me
Someday we'll all be gone, but lullabyes go on and on
They never die, that's how you and I will be"

(Billy Joel)

Sick and wrong.

Last night we had vegetable soup for dinner. It was good except for the green beans. I can't stand those things. I don't know why I keep trying to eat them, because they make me gag every time. Here are some other things that in my opinion are sick and wrong:

My husband's protein shakes: He makes these disgusting health shakes that consist of milk, eggs, oats and bananas. He may throw in a yogurt from time to time to spice things up a bit. They are so nasty. He'll even tell you that himself. But, he has one EVERY morning. You'd think he would have acquired a taste for them after drinking them for at least 15 years now, but he still looks like he's going to get sick when he drinks them. Go figure!

Whole bananas: I don't know why eating a banana whole makes me shudder, but nonetheless, I can only eat a banana if it is sliced.

Mr. Collins from the BBC version of "Pride and Prejudice": Everything about him is absolutely ghastly. His greasy hair, his haunting eyes, his slimy voice, his appalling personality....

Hair in the shower drain: The only way to go is bald.

Toes: That's right, I really dislike toes. All toes are ugly and revolting. Except baby toes, they're actually cute.

Finding the missing non-spill sippy cup that was once filled with milk: I don't even want to try and describe how nauseating this discovery is.

These are just a few things I find really repulsive. What are some things that disgust you?

Motherhood.

I'm in a reflective mood today. I've been thinking about motherhood lately and how I can be a better mother. I feel inadequate at times and worry that I'm not doing enough for my kids. I get frustrated with our 2 year old's stubbornness and temper tantrums. I worry about our 7 year old fitting in and making good friends. It's a challenge to have a full time job outside the home, and then come home and try to fit the full time job of being a Mom and housekeeper in to the last few hours of the day. I heard this quote yesterday that really hit home:

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else...... The joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction." Elder M. Russell Ballard

I love my kids more than anything! Even when my 2 year old throws the fit of the century, or when I have to ask my 7 year old a million times to do something. I love them because they make me laugh. I love them because they give me the best hugs and kisses. I love them because they love me despite my weaknesses. I love them because they constantly teach me valuable lessons. I love them because they are quick to forgive. I love them because they love me. I love them because they complete my life.

I'm so grateful to have these angels in my life. Because that's what they are.

Action hero.

Let me tell you why I should have been Lara Croft:

In the early '90s, I worked in a convenient store. It was a dull evening, and I was just stocking some shelves, minding my own business. This young man walked up to the counter and asked if I could change his 1000 kroner bill to 100 kroner bills. "Sure", I said, opening the till and counting up 10 100 kroner bills. He was going through his pockets, looking for his 1000 kroner bill. Or so I thought. All of a sudden he reached over the counter and grabbed the money out of my hands. Hey! WAIT A MINUTE! Did he just take that money? NOBODY ROBS ME!!!!

The evening was about to turn to anything but dull. I ran after him, only to find out that that weasel had parked his car right outside the door. I tried opening the car door, which, of course was locked. Not really thinking, just knowing that I was not about to let him get away and just acting on my action instincts, I threw myself on the hood. So there I was, staring my enemy in the eyes. I put on my meanest face and hoped that my boss would come to my rescue soon.

The weasel was detirmened to get rid of me, though, so he started driving. Screeching tires and all. At this point my only thought was "how I can stay on this hood while the car is moving?" Windshield wipers, of course. Who would have thought they could be used as handles? Just a minor problem. The driver is able to turn them on. And so the weasel did. I had no other choice but to let go, and fell off the hood. SHOOT! He was getting away! At least I could get the license plate number.... or not. He had them covered. So, he got away.

You may ask yourself if it was worth it over 1000 kroner (about $200). My boss told me sternly it was not. All I can say is that I don't like being robbed.

A few years later, while working in a book store, I attended a "safety awareness" class. At the conclusion of the class, my boss told us to never put our own lives at risk. If he only knew.

So, this is why I should have been Lara Croft. I wouldn't have cost nearly as much as Angelina Jolie. And I would have performed 100 % of the stunts myself, as opposed to Angelina's 80 %.

Observations made out in the free.

Last Wednesday, when going for my daily energized power walk (I have to admit most of the time it's a casual stroll....), I made the following observations:

• There are a lot of trees in Norway. I found this relaxing.
• Despite my efforts to exterminate mosquitoes, there are still too many of them alive. I found this aggrivating.
• A deer. This was really cool because the area is not particularly known for it's wild life. I found this exciting. Unforunately, I was wearing my loud swish, swish rain pants, so he heard me and ran away before I was able to get my phone out and take a picture.
• A man exercising with a cigarette in his hand. I found this quite humorous.
• An old lady wearing leopard print stretch pants walking her dog. I found this a little disturbing.
• The Mamma Mia soundtrack is great walking music. I found this energizing.
• A cute, old man smiling at me. I found this refreshing! I feel I need to enlighten you non-Norwegians out there and inform you that in Norway it's not a common thing to smile at someone you don't know. This was therefore the highlight of my walk. It made me want to stop, pick him up and give him a hug. He was so cute. I grinned excitedly back at him, and probably looked like an idiot.
  

King sized laughs.

I love to laugh. Did you know that:

1. Laughing 100 times roughly equals 15 minutes on an exercise bike. Vigorous laughter increases the heart rate deepens the breathing rate, and uses muscles in the face, stomach, and diaphragm.
2. Aside from improving our moods, laughter can reduce stress, help fight infection, and reduce pain.
3. Laughter releases anger, fear, guilt, anxiety and tension.
4. Laughter encourages concentration on "right" attitudes rather than "wrong" attitudes.

Are you familiar with the show "King of Queens"? I love that show. It gives me my much needed daily dose of vigorous laughter. Here is a quick summary of what it's about in case you've never watched it (shame on you!):

Set in the working-class suburb of Queens, New York, the show follows Doug Heffernan , an amiable deliveryman, and his wife, spitfire legal secretary Carrie Heffernan , as they explore the everyday challenges of love, life, family and marriage.

Doug and Carrie deal with day-to-day domestic realities that reflect our times and enable us to laugh at ourselves. Their love for each other ultimately carries them through each dilemma they face, whether it's Doug's fixation with food or Carrie's obsession with expensive clothing.

What makes the show even funnier, is that my husband and I are the "real life" Doug and Carrie. It's true! We're just like them in everything from our "professions" to our choice of clothing (my husband wears shorts ALL THE TIME, just like Doug.) It's one of those shows I can completely relate to. I think the only differences are that we have kids and they don't, my Dad isn't as crazy as Carrie's Dad, and we don't live next to Lou Ferrigno.

So, to find out what our life is like, (or if you just want a really good laugh), watch "King of Queens". It will improve your life immensly according to the facts mentioned above.

Kill da wabbit!

On the way home from an office BBQ last night, our 2 year old firecracker shared her musical talents. Sitting in her car seat, her blonde curls surrounding her sweet, little face, and her blue eyes looking ever so innocent, she starts singing: "Kiy yabbit, kiy yabbit, kiy yabbit, kiy yabbit." It made me realize that Elmer Fudd has had a profound influence on her nursery rhyme skills. She's a feisty kid, so I guess it makes sense that she prefers the more action filled nursery rhymes such as "Jack and Jill", where "Jack falls down and breaks his crown" and "Humpty Dumpty" who "had a great fall". Hearing about Mary bringing her little lamb to school or Old MacDonald and all the animals on his farm seems a little dull in comparison.



Speaking of musical talents, my "mini me" 7 year old proved to us at the age of 4 that she is a composer when she made up her very own song. Both music and lyrics. I have decided to release it to the public. Ladies and gentlemen; "A, E, I, O":

"A, E, I, O, loop-da-loop-da-loop-da-loop,
A, E, I, O, loop-da-loop-da-loop-da-loop.
If the world is crazy, don't be lazy, Daisy.
A, E, I, O, loop-da-loop-da-loop-da-loop."

© 2008, The Copyright Society of the Loewen family. All rights reserved.