California, Part 1

We're leaving in two days for California. Can I just tell you how PUMPED I am?!? We haven't been out there for, like, three years. It's been too long. The great news is that we're flying out this time. We'll be staying with John & Katrina (Jim's brother & his wife) and their daughter, Kalista Rae. They've got a beautiful house and a fantastic back yard, with a pool and everything. Totally the California dream home! Still, they come to Nebraska often enough (2-3 times a year) that they've found the best airline to travel and the best deals. We're going via ExpressJet, which does non-stop flights from Omaha to Ontario, CA, and back. Unfortunately, there hasn't been enough business for that airline, so they're disbanding or whatever in August. But our trip is safe. I'm SO glad I don't have to drive through the mountains again. I get positively sick going through them! The combination of the high altitude and the fear of death just gets to me. I'll have no problem flying over those mountains, though.

So Jim and his brother and their Dad (who's flying out separately and flying home on his own) will be going to the US Open, and hopefully they'll get to see all the big names: Tiger, Phil, etc.

My big thing is swimming in the pool in the back yard whenever I want. Plus, we'll make trips to Hollywood, Disneyland and maybe even Newport Beach. (I prefer Venice Beach, but it's not exactly that kid-friendly, y'know?)

Hollywood

Disneyland

Venice Beach

Will hopefully have some pictures of our trip to post upon our return. See y'all later!

Pet Peeves

I can't remember if I've done this before or not, and I'm not going to take the time to look... I haven't been on here in so long, I just need to hurry up and write while I've got the time and the desire!
Here are some of my pet peeves... some are pretty major, and some are petty. Enjoy!

PET PEEVES
-When people drive too fast down my street, or any other residential street. I don't mind people going a little over the speed limit, but it's 25 on residential streets and if some idiot's in a hurry and he or she is on his or her phone, blaring their radio and smoking a cigarette as they're zooming down my street, they're not going to be focused enough to stop in time if my kid runs out after a ball or something.
-When someone takes the last of the chips from a bag, except the last five or six... It's like they can't quite commit to finishing the whole thing off, but they don't leave enough to satisfy anyone else! (This goes, also, for milk and toilet paper... If you don't have a back-up plan before you ALMOST finish it off, you're going to be hurtin' for certain!)
-When people leave cupboard doors open after getting something out of them.
-Parents who hover over their children at playgrounds... Now, if you've got a baby or toddler, I can understand, but if your kid is four and has been at the playground a thousand times already, go have a seat and let your child play on their own with people closer to their own age group! Sure, they might fall and get hurt--that's part of childhood.
-Parents who don't let their kids get dirty. That's another part of childhood, and frankly, it's one of the best parts! Getting dirty is fun and sometimes it just feels good. Let your kid be a kid.
-Men or boys who leave the toilet seat up. Yes, I know, thank you THANK YOU for lifting it in the first place, but put it back down when you're done. (Lucky for me, this is a huge pet peeve for Jim, too, so it's not an issue in my home!)
-People who act superior, for whatever reason.
-People who get their kicks off excluding other people (i.e. forming cliques).
-People who are mean.
-People who are stupid... I don't mean people who are of a low intelligence, I mean people who just don't use their head.
-When people use their 'position' to get ahead, in life, in work, in school, etc. I suppose that's part of 'survival of the fittest', but to an extent, it's more of that elitist crap, and I really hate that.
-When people drive around with their radios blaring, especially when all you can hear (or rather, feel) is the bass. That makes me crazy!
-People who are rude.
-When people are walking anywhere near me (in the store, on a sidewalk, at the park, wherever) and they slide their feet rather than picking them up and placing them down. I mean, I'm a fairly lazy person, but I can at least pick up my feet, for goodness' sake!
-I know this is still, somehow, fashionable (what, 15 years after it first started being seen!), but I hate the way boys and young men wear their pants down to their butts, purposely showing their "drawers". It's beyond sloppy and in no way attractive. I can't recall ever hearing any girl anywhere say "I LOVE the way _______'s boxers show because his jeans are so low." Puh-leeeez!
-Muffin tops. 'Nuff said.
-People wearing slippers out in public. Jeez, I know they're comfy, and I'm really a big fan of comfort, but let's not get too comfortable in public, please. Next thing you know, people will walk around in their pajamas--oh, wait! They already do that, too!
-See 2nd part of last comment.

Okay, that's all I can come up with. I know it seems like a lot, but if you sat down and wrote out all of YOUR pet peeves, I bet you'd have a lot, too. Am I right?

Some of the Things I Love About Donovan

Okay, now it's time for me to list things about Donovan. The girls don't think I'll be able to come up with as much stuff, since he's still so young and doesn't talk (much) yet, etc. But I'm not thinking I'll have a problem with it.



1. He's laid-back. This guy has one of the most easy-going temperaments I've ever seen in a child.

2. He's almost always happy.

3. When he's not happy, his sadness or anger or frustration is short-lived.

4. He's able to get his point across, despite the fact that he's not speaking actual words yet.

5. He babbles constantly.

6. Some of his babbling is hilarious--I swear he says "deedle-deedle" in a way that sounds just like Ned Flanders! And his tone is the perfect mimicry of tones we use when we speak. He THINKS he's saying something.

7. Donovan has the tiniest little cleft in his chin. It's adorable!

8. He has the same chocolate-y brown eyes that his sisters have, and they twinkle when he smiles.

9. He's got a GREAT smile!

10. His smile is contagious.

11. He is very affectionate, even willing to blow kisses to strangers!

12. He LOVES his Mommy!!!

13. He's a fast learner--he learned to walk at 9mos.

14. He makes decisions and sticks to them. (e.g. When he decided to walk, to wean off the breast, to stop using the pacifier, etc., it was as if he said "this is it" and that was IT.)

15. He's got a great squeal.

16. Donovan loves to play games, e.g. peek-a-boo, "I'm gonna get you," etc.

17. He already shows preference for certain songs--some of his favorites are "The Itsy Bitsy Spider", "Old McDonald" and "Bingo".

18. He loves bath-time.

19. He's a gift--we tried for years to get pregnant and even had a miscarriage before we got pregnant with him, so we truly know that he was meant to be in our lives... as were his sisters, of course!

20. He's got a magnetic personality--he knows he's entertaining to be around, and he makes the most of it!

21. He is a good boy, y'know? I mean, some kids are just naturally ornery or just naturally well-behaved. Donovan is the latter.

22. He loves to dance--he's an especially big fan of "Cotton Eye Joe" (as sung by Daddy, complete with hand claps and foot stomping), but he enjoys dancing to anything with a good beat!

23. He's independent--he's quite good at entertaining himself when Mommy is doing "clickity" on the computer, or whatever.

24. He's like a puppy: he's always happy to see you return, whether you've been gone for days, or hours, or minutes.

25. His joy is infectious!

26. He smells fantastic!

27. When he hugs you, you feel like the most special person in the world.

28. He's so forgiving--of me, of the girls and Daddy, of playfriends who hurt his feelings or otherwise injure him.

29. He's very funny.

30. He's my Bobo--I know, I know, 'that nickname is gonna stick'. Well, who the hell cares? I love him, and he IS the Bobo!!! Not some clown, not some goof, but just a sweetheart, gorgeous, amazingly smart, wonderful Gift of God whom Mommy chose to nickname Bobo.

What I Love About Josie

If you'll scroll down, you can see that I listed some of the things I love about Lindsay. Now, I'm going to clarify, in case I hadn't before: these are not ALL of the things I love... just some of them.
Today, I'm going to list SOME of the things I love about Josie:

1. She's very affectionate. This girl ALWAYS has a hug and a kiss for me, if not several! And she's like that with her whole family.
2. Her eyes twinkle when she smiles.
3. She has the most gorgeous beauty mark just below the left corner of her mouth.
4. She's sporty.
5. She's very brave.
6. If Josie falls down, she gets right back up again.
7. In similar fashion, if Josie doesn't succeed right away at something, she keeps trying until she gets it.
8. She's funny. In fact, I've never heard or seen anyone else make Lindsay laugh as hard as Josie can.
9. She's great at cheering you up when you're down.
10. She'll wipe away your tears if you're crying.
11. Josie is always willing to try something new, whether it's a new food or a new activity.
12. She can - and does - make friends anywhere she goes.
13. She has fantastic hair... just the right amount of straight and curly to make it full and bouncy.
14. She's great on her bicycle.
15. She swims like a fish.
16. She has a very kind heart.
17. Josie is a very determined person.
18. She's really smart, especially at math.
19. She writes well.
20. Josie is a great dancer.
21. She has a lovely voice and makes up beautiful songs.
22. She does a great job with her baby brother, playing nicely with him as well as keeping him out of trouble.
23. She is very forgiving.
24. She has her own, unique fashion sense.
25. Josie is independent.
26. She has lovely hands, especially when she lets her nails grow long.
27. She truly enjoys helping out in the kitchen, whether that's with setting the table, clearing it, or even cooking.
28. She's especially good at making brownies and chopping tomatos!
29. She loves to sleep in--something she gets from her mother.
30. She always knows the coolest catch phrases.
31. She has a magnetic personality--everyone wants to be around her.
32. Josie is just as comfortable hangin' with boys as she is hangin' with girls. She can be a bit of a tomboy, yet she's very much a girly-girl.
33. She looks great in pictures.
34. She gets excited about the simplest things--she finds pleasure in everything!
35. She makes me very happy!

A Few Things I Love About Lindsay

I was thinking about the time I wrote what I love about Jim, and I thought, "Why not write what I love about my kids? There are so many things I can say about them--they're so fantastic!"

Things I Love About Lindsay

1. She's got a big heart.

2. She's very smart.

3. Her eyes twinkle when she smiles.

4. She has the cutest dimples, just a little down from where you normally see dimples--so special!

5. She is the best Big Sister I have ever known!

6. She loves playing dress-up, something I enjoyed as a child.

7. She's a very good dancer.

8. Lindsay is always willing to make sacrifices for people, especially for her sister, Josie.

9. She is very forgiving.

10. She doesn't hold a grudge (something I could learn from).

11. She is patient.

12. She loves to sing, and she does it well, even if it's songs she's made up herself.

13. She's a friend to everyone.

14. She doesn't like watching movies or shows where someone gets hurt, physically or emotionally, even if the person getting hurt is the "bad guy".

15. She's extremely empathetic.

16. She's willing to try new things, even when she's pretty sure she won't like them.

17. She'd rather play independently than hang out with someone who's not necessarily treating her well. (i.e. rather than "taking it")

18. She truly loves reading (something I think/hope she gets from her mother).

19. She's very creative.

20. She's artistic.

21. She loves to write and make up stories.

22. She stands her ground when it's something she truly believes in or feels strongly about.

23. She tries to find the best in everyone.

24. She's a girly-girl.

25. She's in no hurry to grow up.

26. She has good values already.

27. She behaves well when she knows she should (e.g. in Church, in restaurants, etc.).

28. She comes off as shy to people who don't know her that well.

29. She's not so shy at all!

30. She can talk your ear off--much like her mother would at that age.

31. She's very photogenic.

32. Lindsay comes up with great make-believe games.

33. She is willing to defer to other people's ideas.

34. She is very free with her praise for others.

35. She's 100% sincere with her praise.

These are just a few things I am able to come up with off the top of my head. I have been blessed for just over 9 years with a beautiful, sweet, loving girl who brings Sunshine to the cloudiest of my days. Thank you, God, for the gift you have given me in Lindsay!!!