Baby Mama

Earlier this week I visited Lily's Baby Nursery.  

She pulled her papasan chair into her pop-up tent so she could watch her babies in comfort. 

She made sure she dressed herself appropriately for the occasion. 

She was very patient with them while they were sleeping.  

She waited until they started crying.  

Then she rocked and burped them. 

And laid them back into their designated spots.  

She really had a good system.  

I may leave her in charge of things pretty soon.  

Cooties!!!

Yesterday, I received an email from Molly's teacher that a little boy in her classroom had kissed Molly and it really freaked her out.

Apparently, as Molly was going into her class yesterday morning, some of her classmates were headed to breakfast.  Molly said she froze as one little boy "started skipping over to me and hugged me and KISSED me on the cheek and then said, 'See you later, girlfriend!' as he went back to the line."

Molly didn't know what to do, so she kept walking to her classroom and announced to her teacher's assistant, "Mrs. Edwards!  Robert Kelly just kissed me!"

The assistant called the teacher to tell her that Molly was freaking out (and for those of you who haven't met Molly's teachers, please know that they are hysterical and I bet they were ROLLING!)

My child?  Dramatic?  Freak out??  What?!?!

So, when the boy came back to the room Mrs. Edwards asked him if he kissed Molly and he told her, "No."

Molly was called over and Mrs. Edwards asked him again and before he could answer Molly said she jumped right in and said, "Oh yes he did!"

Mrs. Edwards talked to Robert about how little boys don't need to be kissing little girls and sent him on his way.

No big deal.

The part that really grossed out my child?

The fact that while Robert was talking to Mrs. Edwards he was sucking his thumb, and had to go wash his hands.

After I picked up Molly from school yesterday, we ran some errands and went to Kohl's, Krispy Kreme, and Lowes.  While we were at Lowes, Rachel called to see if she and Tyler could come over to hear the story firsthand.  Apparently, Uncle Tyler was not having some little boy kiss on his Molly.

Chris laughed when he found out.

I think the Mount rose up in Tyler because he was ready for blood.

This morning, I reminded Molly not to make a big deal out of the kissing incident, but if that boy kept telling her that she was his girlfriend she could say, "I'm your friend, but not your girlfriend."

Moral of the Story:  If you still suck your thumb, you're too young to be kissing on girls. 

Fear & Doubt

Fear%20%26%20Doubt...

This is very, very good.

Yummy Side

1 Roma Tomato (sliced)

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, basil, and mozzarella cheese. 

Microwave 10-15 seconds to slightly melt cheese (but not overheat tomato). 

Yum!

If you're like me. . .

You'll really appreciate this post.

I cry.  A lot.  Probably way more than I should and never enough.

It doesn't take much these years to make me tear up.

I used to think that my tears were signs of weakness.

Now I'm learning to embrace them and the cleansing they provide my soul.

Next week, while on my spring break, I've agreed to meet with a friend and do something that is going to bring on a lot of tears.

A LOT of tears.

I should probably contact Kleenex NOW and alert them to an upcoming shortage.

However, I trust that my tears will do what I need them to do--give my physical body a momentary release from sadness.

Molly's Smoothie

1/2 cup of yogurt (I usually use vanilla or cookies n' cream)
1 banana (in chunks)
5-6 strawberries (I usually half or quarter them)
1/4 cup of milk
1 tsp-tbsp of sugar
Oreo crumbles (maybe from one cookie--not a lot)

Blend.

Taste.

Serve to 2 happy children in cups with straws.

Breakfast is served!!!

On My Mind

I am very glad to have a husband who can tinker on cars and perhaps save us hundreds of dollars by doing the labor himself.

I really hope this car gets fixed so I can drive it again to EC and avoid major gas bills, as well as avoid a trip to the mechanic.

I do not want to go to my guitar lesson today.  My fingertips are killing me with new callouses.  I don't mind them normally, but my hands are extra sensitive for some reason right now.  I know, wahh wahh.

I like HT Express Lane.

I no longer fear that something might happen to me or the kids while I'm on tour in April for a week with my students.  However, I do have concerns about how I'm going to afford it.

I wish the economy would turn around rapidly.

I like my job.

I'm overwhelmed with deadlines and responsibilities these days at work and at ECU.

I have to decide my final project topic ASAP and get my committee together ASAP.

I can't wait for summer.

I wish Buster would stop peeing in the house.  I really am going to kill that dog one day.  Sneaky little stinker head.

I can't believe I have spring break in a week and a half.  I have a TON of catching up to do--and time to do it.

I have an enormous zit on my forehead and it hurts every time I smile or wrinkle my head in concentration.  Gross.  

Lily no longer screams when she potties--praise the LORD!

I sincerely hope that this was a fluke and not a problem because of her 2-vessel cord.

Lily still rocks her patch and will until at least April.

I wonder if Lily will need eye surgery?

Someone said they heard something about snow again on Monday.  Even I'm over it at this point.  And I love, love, love snow.

Evan, Dave B., and I had a conversation about eating placentas yesterday.  Gross.  Then Mike wrote a song about it.  Foul.

I want my students to learn theory--and appreciate it.

I am feeling ok.

It's Just Money. . .

I say to myself when my car breaks down unexpectedly.

When my 2 year old has something wrong with her and we go to the after-hours clinic, receive no definitive results and try to decide if we need to take her to her regular doctor for more extensive (read:  expensive) testing.

When I have to drive my SUV to work because my fuel-efficient car is not working.

When I'm making less money now.

It's just money.

There's something magical

about eastern NC snow.

My Food BFF

"Let me tell you about beeeeeeeeeesssssssssst friend" (man I miss "Rob and Big"):

 Love mexican food?  Love that crazy kick, but just can't put your finger on what it is (is it onion?  jalapeno?)  Oh man, I love, love, love cilantro!

Recently I posted about the Averys trying to eat better.  This was the first week in our official "we've got to stop eating crap" diet and Chris went to the store and bought a ton of veggies and fruits--many organic and we've been making some interesting and yummy dishes this week.  

Some of the things we've been eating this week include:

• Sandwich wraps with whole wheat tortillas (stuffed with lean turkey, tomatoes, and cilantro--yum!!!!)
• Chicken tacos with ww tortillas (notice we used ingredients we had around the house!) with homemade salsa (tomatoes, onions, cilantro, salt & pepper, and a dash of cumin--next time I'll add chilis and/or jalapenos)
• Vegetable salads--bell pepper, cilantro, tomatoes, and a small amount of cheese
• Homemade orangeaid (I bought Chris a juicer like they use at Andy's a few years ago and it has become one of my favorite kitchen appliances)
• More yogurt, bananas, and oranges

I really like the way the organic produce tastes--very homegrown and not like the cardboard tasting produce you find in the store.  However, because it's very expensive Chris and I are talking about growing a lot of our own produce this summer.  We have a few places that would make excellent garden areas around our house and I would love to grow some herbs in my window.  Also, the Farmer's Market is right next to Molly's school and open on Tuesdays and Thursdays (how is that for convenience?)

So, we still have some crutches we need to get over, but we're getting better.  I have noticed that I feel better overall even after just a few adjustments to my diet.  The hardest thing will be making changes on the days I work.  I have free lunch at work and sometimes the salad bar looks less than appetizing.  I also don't care for most of the food on the line.  So, I need to either bite the bullet and just eat salad or start bringing my own lunch.  I also need to plan ahead on those days that I work later and miss family dinner (usually only on Mondays) and resist the urge to pull into McD's or eat crap from the gas station.  I need to either pack a ton of healthy snacks or a dinner for on the road.  

I also purchased two items earlier this week the Consumer Reports Food & Fitness edition and The Skinnygirl Dish: Easy Recipes for Your Naturally Thin Life by Bethenny Frankel and Eve Adamson.

We're getting there. . .

Olympic Theme

You make me feel like I can conquer the world!!!!

We're going on a mission, start the countdown

5, 4, 321!!!!

Today has been dubbed:  Amanda Must Clean Her House Before It Drives Her Completely Insane!!!!!

Oh my goodness.  I have let it go too far--I can't remember the last time I dusted, mopped, vacuumed, or scrubbed.  I, of course, have hit the major areas, trying to corral the clutter, and remotely try to straighten before Rachel comes over on Wednesdays and Fridays--or in the event we may have people stop by.

But my house is simply out of control.  This is not Amanda AT ALL!

I don't like the way it smells less than fresh, looks, or feels these days and I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!

So, huge task ahead of me today--but I have high hopes to get it all done.

Ready, set, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Walk for ALS

I would like to encourage you to join the ALS Walk at the end of March.

Ivy has more information on her blog if you are interested in joining with those of us who will be walking.  Many of you know my dear friend, Jill, and her courageous fight against this disease.

The walk last year was a very encouraging and sobering day all in one.  Jill has become a very, very special friend to me and I dread the days and months ahead for her and her family as they continue to look death in the face.

So, while there may not be a cure for ALS, we can use our very capable bodies and wagons to walk in honor of Jill in hopes there will someday be a cure.

Today Was. . .

Cold.  While I didn't see much wintry precipitation (I believe I counted 7 flakes in the Target parking lot), it was wet outside as I ran errands with my family and later by myself.

Loud.  Children who don't get to run around outside because of cold weather become increasingly loud and crazy.

Inspiring.  Attending The Fresh Market food tasting and looking at all the organic and natural reminded me to want to cook better.  We eat too much crap.

Shaky.  What happens when I go too long between meals--an overall ugh feeling and instant irritability.

Better.  After a quick lunch I was back to myself again.

Quiet.  Molly went to a friend's house and Lily took a nap.

Peaceful.  I went to Target and Barnes and Noble by myself, saw some snowflakes, listened to some great 90s music on the XM, and refused to get irritated by the large amounts of people out and about.

Scary.  I received my requirements for my graduate project sheet today.  Oh me.

Sleepy.  This weather is great for snoozing.  The girls have had dinner, baths, and pjs on and it's only 5:45pm.  Early bedtimes for all tonight!

Hopeful.  I found some great deals on plane tickets to Orlando. . .maybe, just maybe, we can squeeze in a trip to the house of mouse later this year.

Funny.  Chris and I cracked up at "What Not To Wear."  I love it that he enjoys watching that show with me.

Good.  Overall a pretty good day.

Tough Stuff

Ministry is tough stuff.

There are days you feel on top of the world--ready to celebrate the wonderful things you've witnessed.  You see God moving, lives changed for the better, and wave that banner high.

Other times you feel like you're at the bottom of the barrel--ready to hang your head and cry because try as you may you just can't please everyone.  You feel Satan creeping in, lives are changed for the worse, and you really want to crawl under a rock.

No one quite understands unless they are or have been in the ministry themselves. I've written before about being the maid that raises the people, and then slapped with the reality that we're just the hired help.

There are days I love my job.  There are days I feel like I can't do anything right.

There are days my husband and other ministers love their jobs.  There are days they feel like they can't do anything right.

Even Jesus' best pals bailed on Him.  He understands how we feel.

It doesn't change the fact that it's hard sometimes.

On the Road Again

Driving to MACU yesterday was not awful, but not the best drive.  Roads were still gross between here and almost Windsor--and some slick spots and a very close near miss with a big truck kept my heart racing.  Blah.

Today the girls and I are jumping in the car (after I pick up Molly from school at noon--and they have a delay today but that's just how it goes today) and heading to Jacksonville to surprise my grandparents.  Today is their 61st(?) wedding anniversary and we're going to take them out to eat.  They have no idea my sister or my family is coming.  They will be so pleased.

After the death of my grandfather last year, watching things unfold with Jill and her family, and knowing Rachel and her family I've been reminded to not take one day for granted.

I'm so glad we can celebrate with them today--what an accomplishment!

Back to Life, back to Reality

This is a quick post before I jump in the shower to get ready for a day at work.  Luckily, I arranged for my first 9am class to be cancelled so I could leave later this morning.  I'm hoping to get on the road by 10ish and hopefully the icy roads will be better.  I went out to get the paper and my driveway is still very slippery in spots.  I'm not looking forward to my extra long drive either.  In order to miss most of the ice I'm taking all main roads--this will add almost half and hour to my drive in my estimation.  Blah.

I would just cancel the whole day, but I feel badly about that.  Two of my classes only meet once a week and we already missed one day as the semester started on a Tuesday.  Blah.  I'm not gonna lie and say that I really wish I could stay home one more day with the kiddos, but I'd feel guilty if the roads were clear by 10 or so and I chose not to work.

However, I'm not loving the idea of it. . .I'mjustsayin'.

I did download the new Lady Antebellum from iTunes and a few other of my favorite songs to make a good driving CD--hopefully that will take my mind off the long drive.  Blah.

Be careful everyone that has to return to work today--don't be crazy!