"Boy, you've got YOUR hands full!"

It happened, you guys, it really happened! I was in the parking lot of our local grocery store. I had my baby in his carseat on one arm (oh, p.s. I had a baby), I had J standing every so obediently to my side, and I was grabbing my grocery bags from my trunk (oh, p.p.s. I live in Austin now--sort of hippie, don't forget your reusable shopping bags or you will regret it!). Anyways, I was standing there, with all of this going on around me, and an older man, maybe 75 years old, walked by and he said IT!!!!!

"Boy, you've got YOUR hands full!"

I couldn't believe it! I had always heard other moms talk about people making those comments and, of course, I believed them! BUT THEN, it happened to ME!

I was so proud of myself! Do you want to know why? I remembered! I remembered what I wanted to do when someone said that to me. I have this theory, if someone wants to make an awkward comment, you've got two choices--(1) smile, be polite, move on with life; or (2) make.them.feel.awkward.back! OF COURSE, I chose option 2! How could I not!?

My kids were being so good! J could have been yelling, tugging at my jeans, and running into the street--barely dodging a car coming straight for her (which DOES happen). Yet, she wasn't! She was standing there, just like I taught her--right next to my leg, very still, chatting about the mysteries of her three year old life.  And H, he's not even 9 months old yet. The possibilities of annoying things he could have been doing is remarkable! On that day though, he was strapped into his carseat (which to him is either the greatest or most awful contraption ever invented--luckily, that day it was the latter), he was watching me with the most serious and focused eyes, pondering the possibilities of which brightly colored shopping bag he could reach next and shove directly into his mouth, babbling his incoherent language that only I can understand.

So when that stranger said those words, that honestly, he meant ZERO harm in, I couldn't help it! I had to stand up for my kids. To be 100% real, I had to stand up for myself and my husband. It's not easy setting standards and remaining consistent with your kids, but we really really really try to raise well mannered kids who are pleasant to be around.

"Boy, you've got YOUR hands full!"

"No, actually, I don't! They're great kids!"

*continues figuring out which bag will serve as Mary Poppins bag reincarnated*

I promise I wasn't trying to make him feel bad about himself, like I said, I know he meant no harm in it. However, guess what I heard next? It wasn't from him, he was well on his way. No, it was from J!

"Why did that guy say that?"

I was so happy she asked! I ALWAYS am in a position where I can point out the mistakes she makes and how she can fix them. Now, this stranger had given me the chance to point out something good she had done in an unforced, authentic, and sincere way.

"Because he's used to kids that aren't making good choices, but not you! You were doing just what I asked you to do and being safe, standing right by me watching out for cars. I have great kids, you and H are awesome!"

So while it was totally harmless, but still kind of annoying, I ended up being happy that someone said IT to me! Sometimes those moments are just what I need to help me be the type of person I want to be. Plus, I felt like a legit mom--and now I'm too legit to quit (What! What!)

Remember that annoying person? Boo-yah!

Has anyone been watching the new NBC show, Ready for Love? I love it! It's not your typical 'Bachelorette' sort of show (don't get me wrong, I can get sucked right into those too)! This show takes three bachelors and, using three professional Match Makers, they find nine possible candidates and date them...all while being filmed and viewed on national television, totally natural.

On the show this week, one of the bachelors, Ernesto, sent his sister to spend time with his girls--only, she was in disguise so they didn't know. He wanted to see what the girls were like when he wasn't around. I LOVED IT! They don't have the exact clip that I want online, but if you go to minute 37, that's where it starts.

If you don't feel like watching the clip, basically one girl is super rude to his sister. She treats her like she's the "help" and keeps calling her annoying. When Ernesto reveals who his spy is, you can tell the girl is so scared! She realizes she's been such a jerk and even pulls him aside to tell him how she isn't like that and was raised differently.

It was always a huge deal in my family growing up to be nice to everyone we came in contact with. I've never been perfect at it, but that was always what I strived for. I remember when I was a kid, my mom would throw a huge prime rib and king crab dinner every year for the custodians at the school where she taught. It wasn't something in her contract or something the school asked her to do (although, I think they did fund it). It was just what she felt was the right thing to do. She would actually go in on a Sunday night because that's what worked best for their lunch schedule.

It's funny because, a lot of times people are rude to custodians, but even at a young age I started to realize that the custodians are the people you want on your side! They have a key to every room and can always help you out when you're in a bind. Obviously, you should be nice regardless, but it's always nice when there's an added bonus.

This is a random post, but I couldn't get over what sweet justice it was! I love when kindness wins and people are brought back to the simple values that should always guide our everyday interactions. Let's be honest here, this was a great reminder for me too! I spend so much time with just J and I during the day, sometimes when I come in contact with people I'm in my own world. It was good for me to acknowledge how important it is to be mindful of who is around me and how I treat them.

I'm also so happy to be done with dating for the rest of my life...but that's an entirely different post!

Toddler-isms

The peace offering was accepted and all is right in the world :). As I was leaving for the gym at about 9:00 pm, I heard our neighbors across the hall from us. The guy was yelling at his girlfriend and dropping F-bombs towards her. I thought to myself, "maybe I should clarify to people what my definition of 'loco' is!" haha, but, since most of you that read this blog are related to me or have spent a significant amount of time with me, I'm just going to assume you know--my loco = getting offended too easily. No f-bombs needed :). 

Yesterday was such a weird day. J went to bed a baby and woke up a real toddler. I've been calling her a toddler for months now, but she really truly became a toddler yesterday. 

We started the day with a little bed head. Whaaaaaaaat?! Yep, we have enough hair for bed head!

What's that mom, you want to tame that bed head, yeah, well I have enough hair for real pig-tails. Or as K called them last night, double pony-tails. (Poor guy grew up with only one sister, and she was way beyond pig-tails by the time he came along.)

You want me to eat my lunch, well I'm just going to negotiate this PB&J right into a little 'oo-oo-ah-ah' (translation: Curious George) and Elmo. 

I started making dinner when I heard, "Mom, watch this!"(A full sentence..? Why not?) Just chillin' out in a box. Not seen in the picture are all of her 'little people' action figures that she had piled into the box before she climbed in.

Just incase you thought I was cute, I'm going to throw a little random weirdo into the mix. I was giving K a hug when he got home from work, J decided to just camp out in between us..?

Aaaand, for a direct shot to the ovaries, big kid swing. What the what?

And yes, if you're thinking it, I'm just fine with playing into the terrible creation of a narcissistic generation all because their parents took a million photos of them each day. 

K Texts...

And because some of you were all, "Hey, me and my pan of brownies were doing just fine before you and your last post came along!" Here's this one for you,

and this...

These may or may not have been on my nightstand...yep, it's all about the process!

Who's ready for the weekend??? Any weekend plans? 
Going to Portland!! Excited :)

Inspirational Stories...

I've always been a sucker for inspirational sports stories. I blame my dad. He was the type of coach that gave/still gives his teams the pump up speeches you see in the movies. He can remember quotes/stories and then turn them into the exact situation his team is currently in...it's a gift!

Maybe you've seen this video floating around Facebook:

BAWLING! A lot of times I don't watch the videos people post on Facebook (most likely out of laziness), but I'm so glad I watched that one! I don't know if other moms are like this, but I'm so nervous that J and our next baby (whenever that day comes...no announcements here :)) won't get along. I really want my kids to be close. My siblings and I are all close now, but as kids most of us weren't. My younger brother and I being somewhat of the exception. I love that this little boy isn't embarrassed by his brother and wants to stick up for him.  That video is a close second to my all time favorite YouTube sports video:

I CRY. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. It's ridiculous! I love it! With all the crap in the world, I like to always try to remind myself of the good...because there really is a lot of it!

Suggestions?

I know I posted this on our family blog too, but I thought, just incase any of you don't see that one since it's set to private...I'll post here too!

I'm still open to suggestions from anyone about specific pack'n'plays, car seats, and strollers. Everyone has such varied advice that I'm not sure what I want to do. I really just want people to give me their pro's and con's about everything! haha. Because I know you all have that much time on your hands.......but if you do, I'd be down! Right now my biggest dilemma is deciding between getting a car seat-stroller combo, or getting a car seat and buying a jogging stroller. I have NEVER (and remember I'm from Alaska) had cabin fever has badly as I do this year! So I'm expecting that I'm going to want to get out and walk with her as soon as my doctor will let me. I've heard that the car seat stroller is great for when they are first born, but once they can hold their heads up the jogging stroller is way nicer to have. Soooo, any advice? If you do decide to comment, please leave me the make/model of stroller you want...because honestly, they all seem about the same to me!

p.s. I finally updated our family blog, so you can go check it out if you want to know what we've been up to!