hair, earrings, and tattoos

Hair: If money grew on trees, I would have my hair the color of Tori Spelling's. I've wanted super blond hair for years. The problem is that you have to get it done about every 2 weeks, in order to keep it looking nice. Every two weeks? It's been over a year since I last got mine highlighted! I guess one can dream.



Back in college, Chris bleached his hair. I LOVED it. I would love it if he did it again. I think he could easily pull it off. Unfortunately, he is not on board with my desire to turn him into Guy Fieri.



Earrings: I would love it if Chris got an earring. I'm not sure if the trend now is for guys to have one or two, but it wouldn't really matter to me. I like the look and think he could pull it off. But sadly again, he isn't on board with this idea.

Tattoos: I like tattoos. I know many people think they are dirty and low class. I do think some are, and I'm not into one's whole body being covered. However I like it when people get tattoos that have a special meaning to them. When I was in high school, I wanted to get one. My mom told me I had to wait until I graduated. She hoped I would lose interest, however I didn't, and got one shortly after I started college. My only regret is that it's a flower, with no meaning. Someday, I would like Chris to design a small one for my ankle. I would love him to get one as well, but...yep...you guessed it, he's not into the idea. :)hehe

sound proof window, please?

Does anyone know where they install those sound proof glass things that are in limos? You know, so the driver doesn't hear what is going on in the back? After today, Chris and I feel like that would be a great purchase. We took our normal trip out to Palm Springs for Costco/lunch and the mall. For the most part, our actual outings went well: Samples too numerous to count at Costco...Christmas toys out in full force (making our kiddos quite happy)... fun time walking around the mall...etc. BUT, the rides to and from were yucky, nasty, and made Chris and I want to join in the yelling, screaming, and crying (many times Kendall was merely screaming for the sake of screaming...but Cam perceived it as she was upset). Maybe joining would have been better than sitting in silence, both wondering what our lives were like when taking a simple car ride didn't make us both tense up due to our ticking time bomb in the back. Please God, please help us figure this crying issue out with Cam.

OK, enough complaining. I'll end my post on a good note with two cute pics. The first is of our kids exploring the array of toys at Costco. The second is at the park. Chris gave me a nice break when we returned by taking Kendall to the park (Cam was in special room time).

country

I love country music for many reasons. First off, I love songs about the simple things in life. I also like songs I can relate to. Rather than being about getting drunk and riding cows (like many mock it for), so many of the songs speak wonderfully to my stage of life. One of my favorite artists is Phil Vassar. His songs seem to all hit me every time I listen to them.

Here are the lyrics to one of my all time favorites. While I can't relate specifically to every line...I hope the general idea relates to you like it does to me. :)

Just Another Day In Paradise

The kids screaming, phone ringing
Dog barking at the mailman bringing
That stack of bills - overdue
Good morning baby, how are you?
Got a half hour, quick shower
Take a drink of milk but the milk's gone sour
My funny face makes you laugh
Twist the top on and I put it back
There goes the washing machine
Baby, don't kick it.
I promise I'll fix it
Long about a million other things

Well, it's ok. It's so nice
It's just another day in paradise
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

Friday, you're late
Guess we'll never make our dinner date
At the restaurant you start to cry
Baby, we'll just improvise
Well, plan B looks like
Dominoes' pizza in the candle light
Then we'll tippy toe to our room
Make a little love that's overdue
But somebody had a bad dream
Mama and daddy
Can me and my teddy
Come in to sleep in between?

Well, it's ok. It's so nice
It's just another day in paradise
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

*This morning Cam's special ed teacher went to observe him at his regular pre school. She wanted to see if there were any areas that she could support him better in while he is with her. I have never known a teacher to go as above and beyond as she does. I'm SOOO thankful for her.

*Tonight we enjoyed some yummy turkey burgers from Costco. Their sample convinced us to purchase them and we are quite pleased. However Cam politely informed me, "Um...this sure isn't very tasty right now." :)

*My poor little Kendall is again constipated to the point of screaming. I can see the look on her face and rush over to hold her as she screams. So hard to see.

*Food Network magazine arrived yesterday. Woohoo!

*Footie p.j.'s made their appearance tonight. I love this weather!

*Yesterday at Costco Cam was playing the piano they had on display. A little boy came and turned it off. Cam turned it back on. The boy did it again. Cam reached over and gently pushed him away. Our reaction? Ecstatic!!! Cam's personality is such that he does not generally do anything when other kids take his toys or cut in front of him while playing. We want a little aggression from him as I worry he won't be able to stand up for himself. So while other parents would have scolded, we secretly cheered. :)

*A long time ago we met some friends at Johnny Carino's (in Rancho Cucamonga). When Chris used the restroom, they were in horrible condition. He ended up writing a comment about them on their website. Long story short, tomorrow evening we will be dining there using a complimentary $40 gift card. :)

family visit- lotsa pics :)

We just returned from an EXTREMELY fun weekend up with Chris's parents. We left Friday morning and had an almost perfect ride up (meaning very little Kendall crying = Cam crying). Kendall soon fell into the same groove Cam always does, meaning spending hours and hours outside running around and playing with the dogs. It was such a fun weekend for all of us and while it's nice to be home, it was sad to leave. Here are several pics from all the things we did:

Chris taught Cam how to play bowling on the Wii. Cam adored it and actually learned how to do it without Chris's help.


Saturday we went up to Hume Lake for their country fair. I got to see my good friend, Cheryl (who lives up there), and the kids had a blast. Cam got to play several carnival games, including golf.


Here we are letting Kendall enjoy some apple pie with ice cream.


Chris and his parents took turns waiting in line for almost an hour for the huge bungee jump contraption. Cam was scared at first, but quickly warmed up. I loved it when the guy asked him if he was going to do any flips and Cam responded, "Um, no. Not today." :)


Down by the lake.


On Sunday we celebrated Cam's birthday. Chris's mom worked so hard and made homemade pizza dough and loads of topping choices so we could all make our own pizzas.


The pizzas were amazing! My toppings? Pesto combined with Alfredo sauce, chicken, sun dried tomatoes, almonds, pecans, chicken, cheese, sauteed onions.


Cam is super into spelling and is always asking how to spell words. He loves doing word searches (basically I find the words and he spells them out), so I decided to capitalize on that and make him a word search cake.


Overall it was such a fun weekend. Despite having somewhat of a rough ride home, it didn't matter because it was worth the great memories we made. :)

so unselfish

Not to pat my own back, but I have really raised the most generous and unselfish daughter. Take a look at how giving she is in wanting ME to have her vegetables instead of herself. Wow. Now THAT is what I call good parenting. :)

stuff

*Today is Costco day. I've been out of Skinny Cows for a few days and am NOT a happy camper after dinner.

*Yesterday I offered to bring cupcakes to Cam's school for his birthday. The director asked that I bring something healthier. I was bummed, but then figured I would rather have his school be overly conscious about junk food as opposed to feeding them sweets all the time. So I made oatmeal muffins and put one M&M on top of each, just for good measure. :)

*Loving the new season of, "Flipping Out".

*A couple weekends back, Chris's mom introduced Cam to what has become his FAVORITE activity right now. They are the games on this website. He even has mastered using the mouse all by himself.

*Here are two cute pics from yesterday:



*I'm realizing Fresh and Easy might really be a good deal. I bought some grapes there last week for 79 cents a pound. Staters has only gotten as low as 99 cents. It's on the way to Cam's school, so I might be looking at their ads a little more closely.