P2P

Identity Crisis

Sometimes I have a bit of an identity crisis on here. 

Sometimes I feel like a mom blogger.  I blog about the funny things my kids say or I write them birthday letters.  There are some mammoth mommy bloggers that I read and I think oh, I really need to steer my posts that way.  Even more than that, some of them are super involved in their local blogging community.  My mind goes a mile a minute and oh, wouldn’t a Charlotte mommy-blogger group be so much fun! 

Other days I feel like a geek girl.  I’m a professional programmer and love techie stuff whether it be my iPhone or just some cool thing I found online.  I found some rockstar geek girl bloggers yesterday and I thought man, wouldn’t I love to be a rockstar geek girl like that..I really should write about all this coding and techie stuff I’m immersed in.

Other times I feel like a fan girl, writing about celebrity meetings or celebrity photos.  Sometimes I feel like I could turn my blog into a Grade A (or at least D) celebrity news site. 

Sometimes, I’m simply a Christian blogger.  I put my heart on the line over and over and my soul is satisfied when I share that.  There are some great Christian bloggers out there and I know I could write about that every single day and be happy. 

I love to be the comedian.  I can’t tell you the satisfaction I get when someone can laugh at something I wrote.  Because sometimes you have to be there and sometimes you can write it well enough for people to feel like they were there.  I read other blogs that are super funny and wonder if I could do that every day. 

I’m also a writer, a cyclist, a fashionista, a designer, a photographer, a couponer, and a cook. 

I guess sometimes I just feel like I need to peg this blog into one thing and be really good at that.  Because that’s what the blogging experts say to do and those expert blogs look like so much fun.  Some people have said they like coming on the blog and not ever knowing what type of post it will be.  I’m sure some are turned off when they are expecting a spiritual nugget and then have to read about my new hair cut.  I’d really like to find my niche.  But I can’t.  I am all those things.  Some days I’m only one of those and some days I’m all of them. Usually on those days, I don’t even have time to be a blogger.  I guess when you get to it, the thing I’m good at, the thing I know the most about, the thing that is my niche, is me.  And as self-absorbed as that sounds, I can’t change it without losing some part of me. 

I don’t think I have a pretty bow to put on the end of this except to say to those that stick around, I can’t thank you enough.  I would write this blog (and did for 6 years) with no one reading it, but it sure makes it fun when you do.  I hope you’ve learned a little, laughed a little, cried a little and one day, remember all those a lot.

Birthday Card FAIL

Hang in with me here…it’s a funny one…

So my dad’s 55th birthday is today.  Happy Birthday, once again!  For his birthday he got up early and did a 55 mile bike ride.  Wow!  Well, this morning Heather and Mom call and “suggest” that I make dinner tonight. Which is fine by me but I tell them I have absolutely nothing.  We get on speakerphone and decide on one of my dad’s favorite, baked spaghetti.  They ensure that I’ll have garlic bread and my mom pipes up “I’ll make salad…do you mind picking up the lettuce?”   Really, mom?  We all start laughing…I’ll get salad…buuut do you mind getting the lettuce?  For the record, I completely forgot to get the lettuce at the store and then my mom said she’d get it, fixes it at home and then completely forgets to bring it to my house and has to go back and get it.  That salad was did not want to happen!

So this afternoon I go with the girls to Walgreens to pick out his card and in my mindset I decide to go with something funny…about being old(er – Dad, I don’t think you’re old!).  The girls are intent on helping out.  I turn down the purple Barbie birthday card that Lexi picks out first but then she hands over a card that actually made me laugh out loud.  And I say perfect, Lexi!  The outside said “You don’t have to take your birthday lying down!” And the inside says, “Unless you want to!”  So I’m thinking perfect!  He’s probably so tired from his long bike ride and it makes a joke of him being old…this couldn’t be a more perfect card!

I should add in here that Dad is NOTORIOUS for not reading his cards.  If it’s more than like 5 words, he skips right to the signatures.  So he opens all his cards tonight including ours which Lexi was SUPER proud of…

opens his presents

We take birthday photos

I light the cake with a near-blow-torch

And he blows out the candles

And then Mom says, “Did you get what your card is suggesting??”  I’m thinking yeah, he’s old and tired.  She starts laughing and then hands the card over to me:

Gah, I completely skipped over the “Honey” and all the hearts and THE BED.  Yes, that is the card I gave to my dad for his 55th birthday from his daughter and granddaughters.

We caught a picture of how happy the girls were to give it to him.  Lexi thought it was HILARIOUS and didn’t catch the real meaning at all.

After I figured it out, I was like, “Birthday Card FAIL!”  Mom says “Oh but Lexi picked it out.” And I said, “Yeah, but I screened them all first!  I turned down the purple Barbie one.”  Heather, always one to quip, “Then, yeah, that’s a big FAIL.”

So…Happy Birthday…Honey!

*shudders*

ugh

This post was written at the behest of all those involved with the warning that it would be all over Facebook if not.

A Little Wall Art Change

So for several years, since Heather bought me these two pictures for my birthday, they’ve been on the wall here –>

They are the two behind the couch.  I had to go back in photo archives 2 years to find a picture of them at this angle.  Well, I’ve had some other unused wall art sitting around the house and I decided to make use of it all in one wall collage.  I wanted it to be cool like something like these from Pottery Barn:

But it didn’t happen.  However, I did what I could:

Not ideal, but I’m calling it a win.

Amelie’s Bakery

Becky has been singing the praises of Amelie’s Bakery, even Pioneer Woman has sung the praises of Amelie’s after her visit to Charlotte but Melissa and I finally made it to Amelie’s last night.  It’s a 24 hour bakery in NoDa made for the young and hip.  Well, I don’t know if it was made for the young and hip but it certainly is.

The bakery is almost as much about the experience and environment as it is about the yummy French pastries.  Off the main bakery room there were several lounge rooms were many people were ensconced in laptop work or group chats.

I was shocked to find every single table and couch full save one two-seat table at the door that Melissa and grabbed and spent the next 2 hours chatting away. 

I had the salted caramel brownie and wow, it was delish!  I loved the thin crunchy layer in between the two very moist and chewy chocolate and caramel layers.  PW agreed and recreated the recipe after returning from Charlotte.

I couldn’t go to Amelie’s and not return without something for the family so this is what I got: Lexi got the salted caramel brownie, Emma got the mixed berry tart, I got a cream cheese puff for breakfast and I got Scott the raspberry chocolate tart.

OK, I have to be honest here and say while the salted caramel brownie knocked my socks off, I wasn’t very impressed with the cream cheese puff.  I found the whole thing to be a little dry and lacking in the cream cheese department.  The raspberry chocolate tart got thumbs up from Scott and the same from Emma’s berry tart.  Please don’t ask me to rate any dessert that has fruit in it.  However, ALL of us raved over the brownie.  I’m declaring that our winner!

If you’re in the Charlotte area or ever visiting, make sure to check it out but be sure to plan lots of time to hang out an enjoy!

Danny Gokey/Tim McGraw Concert

So I’ve tried to give myself some space to blog about this concert on Friday.  No need to sound like a raging fangirl at 32.  But you know, space…

hasn’t

really

helped. 

In fact, I’m not sure what can help.   Probably another post for another time. 

The fact is, Danny and Tim blew me away in concert.  Danny’s voice gets better every time I see him (which is, let’s see, 4 times now).  I will argue until I’m blue in the face that he has the chops to do what he is doing.  He’s a legit guy and deserves whatever comes his way.  We were able to talk to him at a meet and greet before the concert and an autograph signing afterwards.  If you super-duper details, please hop over to my recap on the site.

Tim surprised the heck out of both Dani and I who were first-timers.  I knew and loved his music but I had no idea he sounded exactly like that in person so much so I had to listen and watch very closely to see if he indeed was lip-synching.  Something caught his funny-bone about 3/4 through the concert and he laughed.  The fact that the singing stopped and the laughter came through is the only thing that convinced me he wasn’t.  And he certainly has entertaining on a stage down to an art.  Which pretty much means he just has to stand there and all the women are entertained.  I mean, just sayin’.  I’m sure if Faith was up there the men would say the same.  Speaking of, we kept hoping she would show up on stage and were still disappointed at the end of the night when she didn’t.

All in all, a super great, very fangirly fun night with Carla and Dani.

Taking the Plunge on Cold Brew Coffee

Jo-Lynne inspired me to try this iced coffee thing at home.  She mentioned cold brew coffee and my interest was instantly piqued.  Cold brew coffee?  What is this?  So a-googling and youtubing I went.  Turns out cold brew coffees are less bitter when you use a cold brewing method.  This seems to be the key to making iced coffees at home.  Every other time I’ve tried to make coffee and refrigerate it, it was not a pleasant taste.

Cold brewing is really easy if you have a french press.  And if you do not have a french press, get thee to your local IKEA to get a very affordable one or Starbucks for a longer-lasting, recycled one.  Or, you know, Wally world probably has one too.  I’ve had the IKEA and Starbucks one and the Starbucks one is actually worth the extra money.   So to cold brew coffee with a french press, do this:

1. Put one cup of coffee grounds in your french press
2. Put 4 cups of water in your french press
3. Mix it up
4. Put the top on but don’t plunge it
5. Put it in the fridge.  The time spent there varies widely.  I read anywhere from 4 hours to 24 hours.  I did 12 hours/overnight.
6. After whatever time you decide, plunge the press like you would normally

Voila!  Cold brew coffee!  If you don’t have a french press, don’t worry, you can still do this.  Just get a large jar (old spaghetti jar would work!) and mix the grounds and coffee and put it in the fridge to sit.  When it’s done in the fridge, use cheese cloth, a regular coffee filter or a metal strainer and pour the coffee into another container.  Easiest is probably just to use your regular filter basket and set it on the jar and run it through like normal.

The best part is the coffee lasts up to 14 days so don’t worry about making so much!

Now, what do you do with that coffee?  I found this video from Seattle’s Best to be the best instructions.

But here’s what I did with what I had on hand:

• 50/50 ratio coffee to half & half
• 2 teaspoons of super fine sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• Mix and pour in a handful of ice

Results:

It certainly will never replace my Starbucks Iced White Mocha.  I’m not going to lie.  BUT since I’ve been trying to limit myself to once a week coffee at Starbucks, it’s a nice alternative.  I’m hoping to get some white chocolate powder and use that in place of one of the teaspoons of sugar.  As you can tell from the video, there are lots of things you can do with the cold brew.  Who knew?

The Hair Cut – Again

So I tried.  I really tried to let it grow.  My hair is just not made to be long though.  It’s too fine and flyway and finicky.  So I got it chopped again today.  It’s ok if you like it longer, you won’t hurt my feelings but I love it!

The Five Love Languages of Children – Review

I’ve been very familiar with the Five Love Languages for adults for years now. I can’t tell you how much it has helped in pinpointing issues between me and Scott.  I was feeling a little behind in reading the children’s version but it turns out you probably can’t fully identify your child’s love language until 5 years old.

If you’re not familiar, the five love languages are words of affirmation, touch, quality time, acts of service and gifts.  We all need love in all forms but we especially feel loved through one of these.  We also tend to love other people in our own language.  I’m primarily acts of service with words of affirmation as a secondary.  Scott is touch, touch and more touch.  As you can imagine, many times our languages don’t mix!

I was pretty sure Emma was quality time and words of affirmation secondary and Lexi was touch and words of affirmation.  After reading the book, I’m more convinced that is the case.  At least for now, because they can change.

I may spend a lot of time with Lexi and do a lot for her, even tell her I love her, but if I were to never hug her, she’d be devastated.  Same for Emma.  I can tell her, do things for her, buy stuff for her but until I sit beside her and give her undivided attention, she’s like an empty sponge.  Her love bank is empty.  I remember her writing in her journal in Kindergarten that the favorite thing I did as a mother for her was play Barbie’s with her.  I think that’s part of the reason I’ve been so grateful to have stayed home with her.  She’s usually ok as long as I’m nearby.  It’s no fault of hers or mine, that’s just the way she’s wired.  Lexi can be very upset at something, and a quick hug and kiss will sooth many anxieties.  She loves you to scratch or rub her back and arms.  She likes to hold your hand.  She lives on hugs and kisses.

What I love about this book is it not only explains the languages and gives you ideas on how to spot it (two things I was pretty sure I knew how to do), it also gives you guidance on how this affects discipline, learning and even anger issues.   Ever see just a mad kid?  Oh yes, I have.  The book suggests a parent could change the way they are expressing their love to them and a lot of that would change.  Not all, but most anger issues are rooted in a lack of love.  Well, let me rephrase, it’s not a lack of love but a lack of expressive it in the right way.  Kids are wired so that their love banks also have to be filled in order to learn properly.  The book gives you lots of suggestions and scenarios to help you understand how to wade through these tough issues.

I would go so far as to suggest this as a pre-requisite to parenting.  As I knew about the love languages for lots of years, I was paying attention to how I expressed my love to the girls but I think this book gave me an extra insight to how to relate it to children and the damage it can do if we don’t.

Can’t recommend it enough!  Check it out on Amazon!

Post includes referral links

Zac Efron Charlie St. Cloud Premiere Pictures

I kinda lose all sorts of levels of maturity when I see pictures of Zac Efron.  Last night was the premiere of Charlie St. Cloud and I couldn’t help but need to comment on some of the pictures.

This? Is what I would do if I was near Zac Efron.  Stand very close and stare at him with a cheesy smile.  I imagine his reaction to be the same.

I imagine a stalker flashing Zac here.  The captions above Vanessa are mostly bleeped.

This? Could be a screen cap from High School Musical.  I expect them to break out in song any moment.

Vanessa’s legs and Zac’s expression?  Kinda make me jealous.

This? Makes me imagine he just recognized me.  Oh, it’s you, Amy.  How are you, darling?

And this?  Just needed blogged.  You’re welcome.

Picture Wall

Sunday Highlights: Outlaws: Honor Your Father and Mother

I KNOW this is late.  Believe me, I know.  But I can’t seem to get past any other blog posts until I type this one up.

To be honest, I thought this sermon was going to be quite unrelated to me.  I’m not a child at home and I don’t have an issue with honoring my parents.  I ended up taking lots of notes though as it was directed towards parents and children alike.

Text is Exodus 20:12

* My heart toward my parents is important to God, my home and my community.  Strong families build strong communities, regions and nations.

Honor means to give weight to a relationship.  In Biblical times, value was determined largely by weight.  We should value the parent-child relationship.

Good parenting is not the easy thing to do.  It’s easiest to be popular and do things outside the home but most important inside the home.

Speaking to teenagers…it’s easier to be with people who don’t question us, think like us, dress like us.  Teenagers change tribes as their hearts turn away from their parents.  The parent’s lifespan goes from God, Hero, Friend to Idiot.  But it’s hard on teenagers.  Suddenly they have to make decisions without their parents input.  God put a chain of command to put wisdom in their lives and put order to the family.

Deut. 1 talks about the community having the ability to stone a rebellious, drunkard child.  It was treated like a capital offense.  The phrase live long in Exodus was literal.  If you were not a rebellious child, you would live longer.

Deut. 6 says to listen to your parents.  They are responsible for speaking God’s word.

There are 3 things parents are responsible for that can be likened to a traffic light:

• Red – protection.  They are there to give rules to protect.
• Yellow – correction.  They are there to say watch out, you need to make a change before you get hurt.
• Green – affirmation.  Tell them they are on the right path.

Rebellious spirit is likened to the sin of witchcraft.  In Biblical times, parents could do what they wanted to their children so when Christ came and taught Ephesians 6:1-4, it was eye-opening.  Yes, you are responsible as a parent for not provoking your child to anger.

Take-aways:

1. Make a ruthless inventory in your roles.  For me, daughter, wife and mother.  What is the next step for you?  Conversation?  Attitude change? Forgiveness?
2. What’s the rebellion in your heart that Christ needs to capture?

Grace is the key to forgiving and healing homes.

What I love about this is I have a few things bombarding me in my quiet time…doing the hard things in life (ohAmanda has been hitting the nail on the head) and as I read the Five Love Languages for Children, I’m struck by how much effort and attention good parenting really takes. This was just another umph to take next steps to be a better parent.

Happy 3-2

Oh. my. That’s a lot of candles.

Someone might have to help blow all these out!

Here goes nothin’

Someone get me some oxygen!

The fire alarm might go off…

Happy 3-2 to me. 

Lots more posts coming but thought I’d take my birthday off before jumping back in…

Check-in from the Beach

We’re at a local Dunkin Donuts, the closest place we can sit and enjoy free Wi-Fi.    I can see on the blog that my Top Ten Tuesday post didn’t post from my Wordpress app.  It was all the things you want to do or do more at the beach that you normally wouldn’t like dig holes and swim with sharks.  Oh well.

We’re having a great time here.  Lots of shopping, eating and beach time.  The kids are loving the ocean and sand and they’re all at the age we don’t have to be on top of them in the water.  We watch them like hawks but it’s nice to be able to do it from a chair.  Scott and I are enjoying morning bike rides.  It’s just been a very enjoyable visit so far.

Hope you’re all having a great week!  Check out the first round of pictures here.

Beach-bound

We are beach-bound this morning.  Internet was scarce last year and I expect the same this year.  If I don’t blog this week, have a great week and expect lots of posts next!

The Girls Tackle Babysitting

Tonight we babysat for Jake and Jill’s baby Kellan.  He is seriously the cutest little man I know and the best baby ever.  Emma and Lexi were so excited but especially Emma.  If Lexi adores animals, Emma adores babies.  I really think she could have watched him herself.  She loves her Baby Alive babies and I KNOW that’s no comparison but she did have a little inkling on how to feed a baby so I let her help me feed him. Turns out Emma is pretty darn good at feeding a baby and she fed him two whole containers on her own.  Well, Lexi helped a few times.  The video is priceless.  Here are some highlights:

:34 No, he eats good for me!

:45 Even though this is less messier [than feeding her Baby Alive]

1:03 Kellan’s face is priceless.  “Save me!”

1:43 Lexi doing the famous wide-open mouth when trying to get the baby to do the same

3:10 Lexi’s chugga-chugga WITH the wide-open mouth

3:25 Kellan’s face.  “Save me.  Now.”

3:49 Emma: “He needs to concentrate on eating.”

Generally: Lexi’s random dancing and singing and Kellan’s as-always easy going attitude.

Bonus pictures: Lexi putting lipstick on me tonight. Jake and Jill, you owe me one.  She wanted to put it on Kellan.