Working Towards a Wordless Wednesday

This was the sunset last night. The only thing I did to alter / edit this photo was to up the color saturation just a tad, and deepen the shadows a bit (just to pull the eye off the parking lot).

The Battle Within

If I had to, I would say that I was raised not to air your dirty laundry. In fact don't air your laundry at all. Is that bad, no. However, I have just recently learned how liberating it is to be yourself / speak your mind. Like many people do, I too decided on a few things I would do differently after our big move. This is a fresh start for us, so why not. The one that has brought me the most joy and reward, is to just be 'me.' 'It is very easy to be me. I don't have to perform. I can just relax.' (Adopted from Joel Osteen. When I heard this, I thought 'Yes!' this is what I have been doing that is working so well for me.)

That being said, today has been a battle. I run Tuesday nights. Tonight I wanted to take Cambry to see a Ventriloquist at a local church, so I would need to run earlier. Before running, I needed to make a playlist on my mp3 player because I was tired of listening to everything and having the hear "The ants go marching two by two, Hooray!" in the middle of my run. (Cam and I share the mp3 player.) Well the d*&% (sounds like ma'am) thing wouldn't work. Then it froze up completely. After an hour with tec support, I threw in the towel. I can't run without music, so I guess I'm done running. Without running, I will never loose the weight I need to. I'll be fat forever. (Yes, that was the thought process. I even verbalized it to Joe. He is so patient with me. lol.) Here is a little cartoon that reminds me of me. Remember: I'm a work in progress.


www.nataliedee.com

After slapping some sense into myself (literally), I spent another three hours on the thing, and finally got it up and running. Despite the fact that it was nap time, we were going running. If I didn't do it now, I never would. That's where the battle comes in, I drag myself to run each time (3 times per week). I feel great afterwords, but list off millions of excuses for why I don't need to or shouldn't run. I thought running would help me loose weight. Yes, still just over 50 lbs to go. Yikes! We I read recently that unless you are running 30+ miles per week, running alone is not enough to shape your body and loose large amounts of weight. Clearly. I have been weighting for weeks in hopes to see even just a couple of pounds shed - not helping the motivation so much. I thought maybe is I posted my measurements and checked in (like other bloggers), I would be held accountable. Not so much into that, I am still a little sensitive about it all. Then I heard something great today. "Treat it like a full-time job." (Thanks Noelle) Love it! My only job right now is to take care of the kids; I can handle another job right? I put my heart into making things the very best I can, why would I deliver any less on this job? So there you have it, I'm hired.

P.S. Check out the temperature. The picture was taken just before we set out to run 2 miles, yes outside. What was I thinking?

Celebrate!

Today is Joe's Birthday! Happy Birthday to the man who makes our dreams possible, the man who stands behind me even when I'm wrong, the man who is our soft place to land and our unwavering support... To the man who does it all so that we don't have to, and to the best father these two little birds could have.

Today not only marks Joe's birthday, but also the very first 'date' Joe and I had. It was more like the first time we hung out for any significant amount of time. At the end of that day, spent with he and Michael, I knew we would share more days to come. I didn't know how many more, but I knew there would be more. :) To celebrate, and reminisce, Joe and I secured a babysitter (Yeah!) and we out to try a new Sushi place in Katy, Nikko. Before dining at a new restaurant, we always spend at least an hour researching and reading reviews. The meal was delightful, inexpensive (for sushi) and well crafted. The roll selection could have had a bit more diversity or creativity, but we will definitely be back. (Killer happy hour specials too, check it out.)

(I hardly recognize my self, but check out my handsome man.)

Joe's heart was heavy today remembering how he usually spends his birthday, with his best friend Michael who passed away a couple months back. We know the day was hard. Thanks for sharing your day with us.

Amoung My Favs

This weekend ended my friend Matt's week stay in Houston. I think he enjoyed himself, although Houston was not his favorite city. Saturday night Joe came home early from work - just for me :) and Matt and I hit the town. We had dinner at the original Carraba's downtown. Delicious! We shared mussels to start, and I had clam pasta for dinner. Seafood and Pasta...can it really get any better than that? Afterwards we headed over to the Toyota Center for the Fleetwood Mac concert. I was hoping to share some pics, maybe even a video. No such luck, they were not allowing photography or recording devices of any kind. I have never been to a live show where they didn't allow this, not even the Eagles. Stevie Nicks was beautiful and talented for a woman in her 30's...being that she is in her 60's she was phenomenal! A timeless goddess! Lindsay Buckingham can still rock it too, wow! We had a great time; I am thrilled that we were able to go. Thanks George! After the concert we stopped by a little pub to watch some live music, cover band style. This was my first time to a bar in Houston.

Just when you thought a day couldn't be better, along came Sunday. After spending the morning with the kids, I went to pick up Donni for massages at Massage Envy, courtesy of the Mommy Madness Promotion. I will let the video do the talking.


Joe had to go to work for a bit after I came home. Afterwords, he picked up Chinese food from Yao's. (Yes, the Rockets own Yao Ming has a place here in Houston that his parents run.) This is for sure my new favorite Chinese place. Try the curry shrimp.

Despite all the stress from financial burdens, our home in Omaha, and my lack of income, life has been really enjoyable lately. Joe works really had everyday for us (the kids and I) to be together at home, and experience life to the fullest. You're the best Papa Joe!

More Mommy Madness Videos

There are a few of you who are not able to view my videos on the Mommy Madness site so I will continue to share them here as well. The first video is a the first video I made for the promotion (2 weeks ago). It is a little on the long side. The second video is just a fun video I added this week.




If you live in the great state of TX, make sure you stop by a Houston area Chevy Dealer to test drive the Traverse. You will receive a complimentary one hour massage from Massage Envy. Register (and vote for your favorite blogger) to win a weekend getaway to Barton Creek on the Mommy Madness site too!

Friday Funnies - Go Ahead, Smile Out Loud

In our lives, around every corner is a good laugh. Although these may not be our proudest moments, I am going to make a point to share with you each week. Why not spread the joy, right?

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Here is a link to last weeks Funnies if you missed them.

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I have been teaching Cambry about emotions, expressing emotion, and the faces that might accompany certain emotions. I want her to be comfortable with emotions and know that it is okay to feel any emotion. Last week, we were in the check out line after grocery shopping. When it was our turn, I had already loaded the belt and was holding Cambry on my hip. "Look Mommy, she's bored," Cambry said, referring to the cashier. LOL! Okay, I didn't really laugh out loud, but I wanted to.

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I figured it was only a matter of time; it has finally happened. I was on the computer this week, when Cambry called out to me from the bathroom. "Mommy, the toilet is spitting up!." I ran to see, of course, by I already knew what had happened. You guessed it; she had officially put WAY too much toilet paper in the bowl and tried to flush.

I Don't Grow Older Everyday, Why do You?

I do know the answer to the question, yet I still wonder why it goes by so fast. Boston has two teeth coming through (on the bottom); he is up on all fours, ready to crawl, and I think he made his first sign today. He had just finished dinner and was sitting next to me while I ate. He was going nuts every time I took a drink. So, I offered him some water out of the lid of my water bottle. He became quite upset with me. He then stuck out his arm and began to squeeze his hand - to say he wanted milk? I celebrated and praised at though it was a sign. I hope to see more soon for confirmation. If this is so, that would mean he is signing a whole month earlier than Cambry did. Yeah! Oh yes, and my favorite thing lately...he is over the moon about his daddy! (Video to come) (The frames below hold a picture of the children 6 months ago as well as a current picture.)


Y'all (Yes, I said it.) already know that Miss Cambry is over the moon about her Papa. :) Today I was helping her get dressed for the day. "Ohh, a dress, I'll be so pretty," she said.
Wednesday, after paying for lunch, I received about $2.45 in change. She asked me for the money. I gave her the coins. "Can I have the cash?" she asked. She continues to be a sponge for knowledge as well as the Princess of Literalness.
And then there was tonight, the reason why this whole post came to be. I was laying next to her bed, holding her hand before she went to bed. Ever since she was a baby, she holds hands by holding my pointer finger; I then wrap my hand around hers. Tonight, she shook out of this mold we have created, clasped my hand in the typical hand-holding position, and said, "Like this Mommy." There goes my baby.

Working Towards a Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday is an entry many bloggers make each week by just posting a picture. I tend to be wordy; I will have to work towards that.

Houston doesn't mess around when it comes to weather! This photo is actually from last weeks rain storm. This is the park right across the street from our house. The photo was taken from inside the Traverse as I drove by. I was blown away by the amount of water. Turns out, when you are at sea level, you create parks to hold water. Being home to playgrounds and ball games is their second function.

This week, on Monday night, was the the first night ever (in my adult life) that I was woke up by a storm. Our area of the city received 4 inches of rain in an hour, and it kept on coming, accompanied by hail and severe thunderstorms. Roads and homes alike were flooded. Our home was fine. We were unable to leave for most of the day though. All the roads leading to the freeway were closed. Joe traveled 8+ miles out of his way to get to work Tuesday morning. The trip took him about an hour and a half.

So that was far from 'wordless.' Like I said, this will be a work in progress. teehee.

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In other random ramblings...

We make a lot of dust. What is the deal with that?

I ♥ Faces - Adult Entry, Wk. 16 - Reflection

Welcome to my second week entering the I ♥ Faces weekly photo contest. Last week I mentioned the contest is only for amateurs. I stand corrected. Occasionally they do offer another category for amateurs, but in general the contests are open to all skill level. The theme this week, Week 16, is reflection. Perfect, I just entered my best reflection picture in the Self Portrait Category last week. :) That's the way it usually goes, right? So this week I was pondering how I would capture a reflection photo. Cambry was not cooperating, and Joe prefers not to have his photo taken. To spare phoning a friend, I decided the picture should be of me, taken by me of course. I am a die hard foodie and have actually been doing quite a bit in the kitchen lately. ('Quite a bit' by my standards is a step above opening the box and emptying it into a pan. Progress is progress.) What would me more appropriate than a photo of myself in my silverware?

I ♥ Faces Wk. 16 Reflection - Adult Entry

For more great reflection photos, or to join the fun yourself, make sure to stop by I ♥ Faces. Hope you enjoyed my photo. Thanks for stopping by!

Director, Producer, Videographer, & Lead Actress

Although I never thought I would say this, I am having a lot of fun making videos for the Mommy Madness promotion. It proves to be quite challenging to hold the camera yourself (or prop it up, turn it on, and run in front of it) A few of my family members have mentioned that they are not able to see the videos on the Mommy Madness site, so I am posting them here for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Trini Traverse

I am already attached to the Traverse. I am completely bummed that we will have to return it at the end of eight weeks. There is a purchase option, but we are in no place to buy a new vehicle. This Traverse is my ultimate Mommy Mobile! It has sooo many features that I don't currently have. Check out my blog entry on the Mommy Madness site She's a Keeper. You will learn all my favorite features, what I could live without, and why I named her Trini.

**If you are in Texas, remember that every time you vote, you are entered to win a weekend getaway! (and spa services) You can vote as often as you like. Thanks in advance for your support! Click Here to Vote

Friday Funnies - Go Ahead, Smile Out Loud

In our lives, around every corner is a good laugh. Although these may not be our proudest moments, I am going to make a point to share with you each week. Why not spread the joy, right?

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Yesterday at Boston's 6 month check, Cambry decided that the doctor would need to look at the pea size bruise she had on her leg from falling the day before. She asked me permission to ask the doctor. After getting the doc's attention, she asked, "Can you please look at my boo-boo? I could stop whining to Mommy about it if you looked at it."

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I have had this pair of unworn socks sitting on the ledge in our bedroom for sometime. When I went to go pick up my new running shoes, I attempted to return them. I explained to the woman that the package contained two left socks, rather than a right and a left. I wanted to know if I could exchange them, or by a package that had two right socks. She went to get the manager. It was then politely revealed to me that the "L" on the socks meant they were large, not left.

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This week I was fixing Cambry's hair in the bathroom. She is a gassy child, but knows it is nothing to be ashamed of. During the entire time I was fixing her hair, she was audibly passing gas. I was nearly finished with the style when she looked up at me and said, "I can't even stand in here; you smell so much!" -LMBO-