tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57363670127430392382011-12-18T23:41:01.083-06:00If you don't stand for something, than you'll fall for anything.LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.comBlogger1551100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-58050944379391282762011-11-04T15:51:00.000-05:002011-11-04T15:51:30.384-05:00

As you can probably tell, the overarching theme of my life right now is "Healthier".  Or at least, the prequel to "Healthier."  Since coming to England, I've gained 30 pounds (well, that started a few months before getting here), joined weight watchers (again), lost 20, quit doing weight watchers because I hate counting, stalled in my weight loss, gotten really sick and lost 10 more pounds, then

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-63326245089291590952011-11-03T03:12:00.000-05:002011-11-03T03:12:51.162-05:00

Food is not the enemy. Your body is not the enemy. Learn to love both.  Learn to respect both.    This is my struggle. But, I've stumbled across a great book, and if the idea intrigues you, I think you should check it out! Women, Food, and God by Geneen Roth. Full disclosure, I'm only a few chapters in.  But I love how she writes and already the book has made me question the reasons why I

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-87370400943034640702011-10-28T02:21:00.000-05:002011-10-28T02:21:48.629-05:00

I just stumbled across this blog, and it's had me sitting here, scrolling through the back-logs of posts, reading about this woman's journey of weight loss and finding her happy self, without the back-breaking sweat and toil of the gym, and the disheartening view of all things food related.  Please, go, browse.  Check out her weight loss journey, and her views on exercise.  Currently, I am

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-33955479646608834992011-10-26T14:27:00.000-05:002011-10-26T14:27:44.934-05:00

I'm not even sure how long it's been since I've written anything.  I'm happy to report that it's not because I have nothing to write about, but because in fact I am too busy to write! What a great change! I was thinking tonight, though, that I miss all that blogging holds with it.  I miss being able to sit down and write a summary (that's longer than a facebook status) about what my life is

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-4075768389500028152011-03-23T09:49:00.001-05:002011-03-23T09:50:01.632-05:00

My parents visited not too long ago.  It had been  7 months since we had seen each other, and in terms of the kids, that's a big chunk of time.  I can't describe how wonderful it was to have them here, to have a little piece of home living in the house, playing with the kids, seeing my life here.  There were moments when my heart would grow heavy, when the realization of what we were missing by

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-14459003565834583272011-02-18T05:32:00.000-06:002011-02-18T05:32:08.627-06:00

Sometimes... well, ok... a lot of the time, I look on my life with a mixed bag of emotions.  I am so thankful for everything that I have.  I can look behind me and see my parents and my brothers (and all those who branch off), all who love me and who make it so easy to love them in return, who have been faithful and true and steady.  I can look to my side to my husband, my children, all who are

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-14392693814330943182011-01-24T08:10:00.001-06:002011-01-24T08:10:25.441-06:00

A Comfy Mess. by LRinas featuring browning bootsIf I could I would pull this out and wear it for the rest of the year. Even the jean vest. (ps- this site is oddly fun and addicting... if you need a time-waster, try it!)

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-48694772418612947652010-12-29T16:16:00.002-06:002010-12-29T16:36:47.696-06:00

There are days in my life that leave me breathless, with a sore back and unwashed hair, looking back at my house that is neither organized nor clean, wondering how it is I stumbled down this road. It's in those times, shuffling up the stairs with a basket of laundry that I am almost positive made it through the washer, peeling a child or two off of my legs while ignoring the "CARRRIIIEED!!!

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-20993820482665921582010-12-27T10:06:00.002-06:002010-12-27T10:25:36.013-06:00

Merry Christmas from the Rinas Family.

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-28798907398652565182010-12-17T02:29:00.004-06:002010-12-17T04:18:31.397-06:00

It's hard to hear the warnings of other mothers when your little ones are... well... little. Everyone says it goes quickly, and that you should store each and every moment up in a bottle, because soon you will be missing it sorely. When you're entrenched in diapers and crying and late nights and Baby Stuff, it's hard to take that warning seriously. But you know what? It's true.While on the

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-64982987709820603222010-11-10T03:32:00.003-06:002010-11-10T03:53:28.409-06:00

The road leading to our house. If you look left, you see the freeway, right and you see the road leading into the village.The village Church. Still active.Across the street from the church, the graveyard.With a place to rest. Continue on the road and see our lonely bus stop. And some rolling hills. Not a bad place to call home.

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-26310397894081127402010-10-28T09:55:00.006-05:002010-10-29T03:03:31.760-05:00

It seems as of late that my family life has been evolving, taking on new aspects that we never saw up until just a few months ago. I think that this is to be expected, for things to change like this, when you have a trans-continental move. I think that life probably changes like this a lot even without the move when you have two little people walking in your wake who are changing each and every

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-21667698290278078912010-10-09T14:28:00.002-05:002010-10-09T14:32:30.830-05:00

Hello again.Sorry it's been so long. Our move, plus our lack of internet for the past few weeks make it a wee bit hard to get on here and update. But there are things happening here that deserve a little time.Problem is, I just hosted a birthday party for a friend here today, as it was filled with fun times with new friends, and more baked goods than I can remember, and has left me just plum

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-12619829518556122022010-09-03T04:14:00.003-05:002010-09-03T04:31:25.891-05:00

Being an adult blows sometimes. But along with those crap moments, it's peppered with moments that make me revel in the freedom and maturity that adulthood brings. I get to appreciate things that I wouldn't have understood as a child. I get to taste and savor moments of severe contentment, and have them logged in my memory to access as I need them.Paul and I have made the very-adult decision

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-22329003468312055882010-09-01T15:01:00.002-05:002010-09-01T15:21:42.515-05:00

There are things that are different here in the UK. People drive on the wrong side of the road, they say lorry instead of truck. I'm pretty sure that if I told someone I liked their pants, they would walk away thinking that I just complimented them on their underwear. Just little things. Also, if I give someone the peace sign with my palm facing in, I might get punched. These things I knew

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-37645354899459823032010-08-30T04:35:00.002-05:002010-08-30T04:40:05.350-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts. Aside from moving twice in the last week, we've had some type of illness that swept in and stole away our 'head in the clouds, yay we're living in England!' atmosphere that we've been enjoying since we've been here. The kids came down with it first, and then kindly passed it on to Paul and I. Everyone else is on the mend, the kids completely over it. But I sit

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-58507668545681539402010-08-14T10:47:00.002-05:002010-08-14T11:01:11.542-05:00

There are very few times when I actually feel like an adult. I've said it on here before, it's no secret. But recently, with everything that we've been doing, I've had no choice but to feel and act with a little maturity.That is, of course, until this morning. Because as I buckled myself in the car with the rest of my family, my husband popped in a tape (ya.. a TAPE... remember those?) that

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-64542789729931698172010-08-13T03:06:00.003-05:002010-08-13T03:21:02.292-05:00

(Please excuse the greasy lady in the background... Just focus on the cute kid. Thanks.)(Also, ignore the clutter. And if you can't ignore it, just know that we've been living out of suitcases for... a long time now, and the kids don't exactly leave them packed.)(Also, there just comes a time when you just don't want to repack them anymore.)(And then you go crazy because it gets all

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-47354067634916254392010-08-10T01:39:00.002-05:002010-08-10T01:59:51.790-05:00

Def: When water is confined so as to be practically motionless except as it may be moved by the wind or by the application of other forces to the surface, there is apt to be an accumulation of debris, which manifests itself in various ways.That pretty much sums it up right now. We are stagnant at the moment, stuck in the 'hotel' of sorts on the base, which, along with the conveniences of

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-2091592169832223842010-08-02T07:29:00.002-05:002010-08-02T07:43:46.291-05:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you were going to the airport to begin a trans-Atlantic move, and about 30 minutes before you get there, you get a recording on your cell phone saying that your flight has been 'affected by a cancellation', only to find out that your connection to Chicago has been canceled and that there was absolutely no way for you to make your connection to London, so

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-65654212421810820522010-07-29T09:28:00.002-05:002010-07-29T09:32:59.662-05:00

We leave in... wait, let me do the math.... 8 hours. We don't have as much to do as we both thought, though there is still plenty to keep us busy.And as of right now, I am kind of feeling like I am on a roller coaster, making the slow climb up the first big hill, thinking to myself what the HELL were you thinking willingly climbing on this thing and strapping yourself down when you KNEW this huge

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-81476558635648138252010-07-26T08:38:00.002-05:002010-07-26T08:57:10.353-05:00

Paul and I make a good team. We each have our strengths, and eventually we get around to admitting our weaknesses. It only takes us a little bit to sync with one another and stop grouching and just get the job done. And we only very rarely resort to just ignoring one another for a little bit until the other finally admits that it was actually YOUR idea that worked. ...We make a good team.This

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-57882337381480842010-07-22T14:45:00.002-05:002010-07-22T15:04:27.802-05:00

I know. You didn't expect to see me here. I didn't either.I am sitting in my living room, surrounded by boxes and empty cupboards. There are two girls in my house, going from room to room packing everything up. I am pretty positive that they are both younger than me. I keep feeling as if I should help or do something, but I'm not allowed. Which is not an entirely bad thing. The kids are

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-46328621820395289802010-07-21T08:16:00.002-05:002010-07-21T08:36:42.901-05:00

First, this house is a madhouse.Second, I am not nearly as mad (mad hatter style, not mad hulk style) as I thought it would be at this point, and I think most of that is a direct effect of our previous few (uh.... 7?) months. I am not glad that they happened, but they prepared me for this move. I have been pretty calm and collected through most of this (besides the beginning of our garage sale,

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-71760584267148368062010-07-13T07:41:00.003-05:002010-07-13T08:17:45.904-05:00

I was raised with two older brothers. For my entire childhood, they had me by height, weight, gumption, everything. I was never on the receiving end of any cruel treatment (well, if you don't count my bike being dragged down the street by a car... thanks Mike!), but I learned to stick up for myself. Add to this years and years of playing sports (on girl's teams nonetheless, which I still hold

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-48472789306598486852010-07-08T14:13:00.001-05:002010-07-08T14:19:13.597-05:00

Aside from the kids, birthdays aren't much of a big deal in this house. We get each other small things, and maybe a high-five, but that's pretty much it. The same goes for Valentine's Day, Christmas. Gifts are never the priority. Both of us would much rather do something than get something. There is one gift, however, that I look forward to every year. And it's one that has not been

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-77660308099156651522010-07-08T07:41:00.004-05:002010-07-08T08:04:39.599-05:00

My birthday is this week. I am almost positive I will be 26. For a while this year, I was telling people that I was already 26. I think that's where the confusion lies. I really did think I was a year older, until one day I did the math and, lo! I was only 25. So... yes. 26 this year. ...Right? Ya. '84. Means 26.Anyway, I've been doing a lot of baking and cooking lately, and because of

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-90827890902392220052010-07-04T18:58:00.003-05:002010-07-04T22:13:55.094-05:00

When things are already stressful because of things that are beyond our control, it's hard to see the silver lining of joy sometimes. It's hard to look past the sleepless nights (thank you teeth!), and the early mornings, and the constant whine that's sputtering out of my kids mouths.But sometimes, it's sinfully easy. And those times fill me up and sustain me for the time being.And soooometimes

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-47841122392128341802010-07-02T08:00:00.005-05:002010-07-02T09:41:23.502-05:00

Where did June go? I'm not even sure. For some reason, I've missed the entire month on my calendar, which sadly leaves all of those Waldo characters unfound. That's a shame.To say that we have been busy is an understatement of great proportions. I find myself giggling from time to time just thinking about what we've done in the past month and what we have yet to do. And it's not a fun giggle

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-13605363123410392462010-05-21T08:02:00.003-05:002010-05-21T09:06:40.210-05:00

I've had a crazy morning. It was not bad, per se, just crazy. Loud. Even as I write this, Alex is standing in the living room screaming "ALL GOOOOOONE ALL GOOOOOONE!" because I took away her means of climbing into the baby's bed, where all she does is jump up and down and try to kill it. Oh wait, now she's on top of the changing table. One moment, please.Ok. Where were we?Crazy morning.

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-86872931469949298992010-05-19T07:34:00.002-05:002010-05-19T07:54:02.193-05:00

I suppose I should update, huh? I gave you all the suspense, the sadness, the climax, and didn't even hand the 'happily ever after'. How rude of me.Paul is HOME.Am I done? Can I get away with just typing that?*sigh*Paul is HOME, and it is WONDERFUL.We were worried for a little bit there because of the copious amounts of volcanic ash that was lazily floating over the Atlantic. His flight out

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-59264475099295697602010-05-08T22:15:00.001-05:002010-05-08T22:16:32.712-05:00

ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh.I'm excited and I can't sleep.ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh.

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-84459703587655490522010-05-05T12:40:00.003-05:002010-05-05T15:45:41.899-05:00

I'm not a runner. I wish I was. I think the freedom of the open road underneath your feet would be exhilarating. I think the quietness except for the slap of your feet on the pavement would be refreshing. If only the numbness of my legs, the burn of my lungs, and that nasty dry mouth I get which makes me want to spit except that when I do I get a dribble of saliva that doesn't quite want to

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-65131852059945171712010-04-20T18:47:00.004-05:002010-04-21T22:12:21.743-05:00

I have a two year old. And an almost one year old. And aside from the lack of sleep (thank you teething!), this means that, for the most part, whenever I go out in public, my clothes are a bit stretched due to 4 little hands grabbing and pulling, my hair is a bit frazzled from those same 4 hands yanking and tearing (also, if I am being honest, from sleep, because usually the first time I catch

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-4382818920253914732010-04-10T13:15:00.002-05:002010-04-10T13:31:30.627-05:00

The sixteenth of this month will mark the One Month Till Paul Is Home Day. I am incredibly excited for that, and was actually going to wait until then to post something on here, but I've had such an AWFUL last few days, that I was inspired to come on here and tell you how great things have been going. Make sense?We really have had a wonderful few weeks here. Things have finally fell into the

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-43593650521135193452010-03-29T20:09:00.003-05:002010-03-29T20:24:22.029-05:00

Today I caught a glimpse of what parenthood must be for those with older children. And let me tell you, it was the most wonderful thing I have ever seen. There is hope! I've seen it!We had late naps today, so as soon as everybody was up, I packed us up in the car and headed to the grocery store to get some produce that I would need for dinner. We got home at 6, which is normally when we are

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-6251082920593487712010-03-26T09:26:00.004-05:002010-03-26T09:41:09.362-05:00

This will be short as I am on my way out the door, but I wanted to throw this up here before I left. I have been having to 'go out of the box' lately when it comes to keeping both the kids busy while I get things done like, you know, cook and, when I am feeling very luxurious and in the need for some pampering, going to the bathroom with the door closed, get this, without any children in there

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-36010471469607777442010-02-25T09:35:00.002-06:002010-02-25T09:53:43.237-06:00

I apologize for being such a Negative Nancy in my last post. It's always a bad thing when I log into my blog after a hard day, because things spill out and the filter is almost nonexistent. And when you combine hard days with self-pity... well, you get the last post. So again, I apologize. So, all whining aside, things have been... good? Normal. I think normal is a better word. No doubt I

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-50539011282711591532010-02-16T09:00:00.003-06:002010-02-16T10:38:44.990-06:00

These past few weeks have been a struggle. When Paul left, it was hard, and when my mom, it was hard, but then I thought I found my groove. The days were passing quickly, the nights, not so much. But I was dealing, I was handling it.Lately, though, it's been rough. To put it lightly, I really truly think that this feeling, this feeling that is so overwhelming that I feel as if I am drowning

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-1402839541019662982010-02-14T10:32:00.007-06:002010-02-14T12:37:37.876-06:00

Obviously my life has been full of changes lately. Some which I took on with a smile (or grimace... depending on the circumstances) on my face, and some which I kicked and screamed about until they finally hit me in the face with a force that usually took my breath away.Lately, however, I have been DECIDING to change things, which makes it so much easier to handle. Because my hubby is 9 time

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-36302660026113442582010-01-31T20:25:00.003-06:002010-01-31T20:57:25.950-06:00

It appears that my heart does not know what to make of an empty house once blessed bedtime rolls around and kids are "quietly" tucked away "for the evening". I am beginning to feel strangely accustomed to the quiet house and the nights to myself, but at the same time, I continue to get restless after 8 pm, and I still consider this part of the day to be the hardest. It's odd not having Paul

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-28396150239590123442010-01-30T15:50:00.003-06:002010-01-30T16:03:47.513-06:00

For as long as I can remember (or should I say, for as long as I have cared), I have never, EVER felt my age. Perhaps I was feeling exactly how my age should feel, but I never felt how I thought others of that age appeared to feel. Does that make sense? Probably not.Anyway- never felt my age. This has been more true since I've become a mother. I have never felt old enough, mature enough,

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-50470966525540945312010-01-24T09:41:00.002-06:002010-01-24T10:00:56.346-06:00

I don't even know where to begin. This past week has been the hardest since I have had children, which is saying a lot considering I've been through the newborn "sleepless in St. Louis" stage twice in a very short amount of time. But I am so thankful that it happened this way, I can't even begin to explain. Talk about God giving you what you need, and not exactly what you want. It started a

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-88911468178012163612010-01-16T11:57:00.004-06:002010-01-16T12:57:50.647-06:00

Well, January 14th came and went. It was by far my worst day so far this year (which makes me have hope--get it out of the way early!). The few days leading up to it were soaked in an energy that was both sad as we saw the date approaching with a unyielding resilience, and eager as we went out of our way to take advantage of every moment we had together as a family. In a way, this whole

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-8630634291619952822009-12-22T10:49:00.002-06:002009-12-22T11:08:56.862-06:00

"Alex, can you please sit still?" "Alex... sit down, hun." "ALEX! DO NOT EAT THE BABY!" "Alex... it's not bedtime, hun." "Violet, can you get your crotch out of the picture?" "Really? Do you have to look so SAD?" "Yes, I know I haven't showered. And yes, I know I am wearing my husband's clothes. But this makes a total of THREE pictures of all of us, so let's not pass this oppurtunity up."

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-76801181455606012102009-12-09T15:12:00.002-06:002009-12-09T15:21:14.153-06:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. The holidays have overcome this house, and between visits home and decorating and getting ready here, I've had neither the time nor the energy, or for that matter, the motivation to get on here. But that will soon change.I won't be picking anything up for now, because my son, my dear dear son, is trying to kill via sleep deprivation. Today marks his 6 month

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-54207729478684769972009-11-16T12:58:00.002-06:002009-11-16T13:19:13.461-06:00

Yesterday was great. We had our family get-together for my side of the family. It was wonderful to see the kids again.Yesterday was scary.As many of you know, my parents have a house that's right on the water. I've posted pictures on here before of the backyard, on the back of which is a dock that we go fishing on, and in the summer it's our 'safe zone' for swimming in the channel, which has a

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-39583099136460123742009-11-05T13:16:00.002-06:002009-11-05T13:24:29.041-06:00

I have been feeling guilty lately for not posting as frequently as I want to. To remedy that, I am going to (try) start posting at least every Thursday, with an update on awful things I do during the day that normally I would not post on the internet for fear of people coming and taking the kids away. Fun, no?So let's kick it off with some food safety.Yesterday, I was mixing up some corn for

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-14602296511550665442009-10-31T22:47:00.004-05:002009-10-31T23:15:05.703-05:00

Act One:Partying it up with some friends. Chose a family theme. Started with Alex as our bag lady (please notice the shopping cart... and fingerless gloves). Paul and I are homeless. And then we have our cat. ...Er.... Lion. (All the cat costumes were a bit too feline for my liking.) Upon arrival, first person who sees us says, "Oh good! You didn't dress up either!" Fail. Second person

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-53091667398380343892009-10-19T15:00:00.000-05:002009-10-19T14:33:54.489-05:00

Not pocket change. I have none of that. (I am definitly one of those people who uses a debit card to pay $1.50 for a pop. Sue me. Also one of those people that uses the free address stickers I get from charities without donating anything.... aren't I awful??)What I have are big BIG changes. Changes that, had this happened 10 years ago, I would have had to write several letters with PAPER and

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-35111483377313584122009-10-09T16:05:00.000-05:002009-10-09T16:06:03.907-05:00

I have an actual post that has been put on hold for a bit, but I just had to share this picture. Initially, I thought that it was one of those that would get deleted right away (because of the magnificance that IS digital photography that allows me to take 10 pictures in the hopes of getting one where all the fingers are out of noses and at least one eye is open on all involved). But... the

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-74445898696270516852009-10-02T16:01:00.004-05:002009-10-02T16:56:09.104-05:00

So, you would think that our bodies are pretty put-together, right? Like we have everything we need, and lack anything that would just get in the way. We have ten fingers because that's how many we need. 11 would just be showing off. Only two eyes because if parents actually saw everything, childhood wouldn't be nearly as fun. We have a liver to... uhm... process alcohol? And an esaphagus

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-33960182738659153242009-09-17T14:24:00.004-05:002009-09-17T14:44:23.729-05:00

There's too many things going on at the moment. Paul and I have somehow landed at some major crossroad in our lives, where decisions must be made and 'adult' things accomplished. I am not sure how we got here.... one minute we were walking along just fine, and all of a sudden, there are 10 HUGE MAJOR LIFE-CHANGING decisions that NEED TO BE DECIDED NOW! NOW! NOW! And I have several different

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-42537320567560183772009-09-09T20:07:00.003-05:002009-09-09T20:36:53.292-05:00

...And I don't even feel bad about it. Isn't that awful?But first, I just have to comment on this. I am watching the President's address to Congress right now, and though I like that any President must go through the gauntlet that is Congress when bringing his ideas to fruition, I can't help but laugh at the ritual it's become. Speech writers try to pack as many BAM phrases into one speech as

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-10361056289415443602009-09-01T11:57:00.003-05:002009-09-01T12:01:19.037-05:00

Scene: Eli laying on couch. Alex pointing to his various body parts.Alex: (points to eye) EeeeyyyyyeeE?Laura: yes, eye.Alex: (points to nose) EeeeyyyyyeeE?Laura: Nose.Alex: (points to arm) EeeeeyyyyeeE?Laura: Arm.Alex: (points to foot) EEeeyyyyeeeE?Laura: Foot.Alex: (points to belly) EEeeeeeyyyyeee?Laura: Belly.Alex: (points to crotch area) EeeeeyyyyeeeE?Laura: (thinking daughter will continue

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-24281169902215409012009-08-26T16:40:00.003-05:002009-08-26T16:58:14.530-05:00

I have been trying again and again to upload a certain video of certain children. You may have noticed the blank post that's been on here for the past few days. Well, it's gone. I am going to for-go uploading that certain video (which starred a certain mini-man and his talkative nature), and head straight to this one (which I have yet to attempt to upload... so it may or may not be at the

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-21703012046600419682009-08-19T21:23:00.000-05:002009-08-19T21:23:41.723-05:00

Things are changing.I wear glasses now. And aside from a few days where it felt like I had been punched in the face (trust me, I asked Paul about 5 times if he would please just tell me if he hit me while I was sleeping... which he didn't.). Anyway, aside from that, the transition has been smooth. I was amazed (like, truly slack-jawed, with audible gasps and everything) at how much better I

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-38183126729727247602009-08-12T10:42:00.002-05:002009-08-12T10:54:49.963-05:00

August 12.Happy Anniversary, to my one and only.On this day, 3 years ago (has it really only been THREE years?... or is it... has it ALREADY been THREE years? I can't tell), we said our vows, we walked down an aisle, we cut some cake.On this day, 2 years ago, I threw up a few times, we ate a bland dinner because that was the only thing I could stomach (because something very special was growing

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-60172935359859712732009-07-31T12:13:00.003-05:002009-07-31T12:51:30.514-05:00

For the first few weeks of my son's life, I was walking around the house saying some pretty silly things. Things like, "I don't know WHYYYY I thought this newborn thing was hard the first time!" and, "Man, I must have been a real whiner that last time around, because this is CAKE!" Now, granted, I wasn't saying that life with TWO beautiful little darling devils running around was easy, but that

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-17548781845815366932009-07-28T09:17:00.002-05:002009-07-28T09:19:26.684-05:00

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-87486100926124408542009-07-27T16:01:00.002-05:002009-07-27T16:38:16.876-05:00

I promise I have a good explanation for the lack of posts recently. Actually, I have two. First, I wasn't home. I was in the land of the Island-folk, resting and catching up with family and kids and friends alike. It was a good trip, with the exception of the big void that was the absence of the hubby. Alas, he was off doing that thing called 'work', which apparently needs to get done in

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-91836463560196547822009-07-08T09:38:00.002-05:002009-07-08T09:41:21.865-05:00

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-11229329948400883802009-07-04T20:56:00.002-05:002009-07-04T21:02:07.036-05:00

God, that is. Here are all of my upstanding neighbors trying to put on some fantastic firework shows, and there He goes, making bigger booms and brighter flashes (read: incoming thunderstorm) than any of them can manage. Showing off that 'All-poweful-creator-of-the-universe' thing again. That is so LIKE Him.But, I must admit, though the lights and sounds are better, He cannot compete with the

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-66253809535143978742009-07-02T19:14:00.003-05:002009-07-02T21:55:27.328-05:00

I've grown a new appreciate for my eldest since the birth of my son. I can see clearly now how much work and love and tears and just-plain-craziness went into to getting where we are at today. There was a time during my pregnancy when I feared that the newest addition would take away from the relationship and the bond that had formed between Alex and I and her father. I am very happy to say

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-59287851700701840502009-06-30T16:29:00.000-05:002009-06-30T16:29:17.954-05:00

Alex totally has a mullet. This was my attempt to make that mullet really cute. Turns out it just looks like a mullet with the back tied up. Her front hairs need to catch up with the back....But I still think it's adorable.

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-13755931584902429912009-06-18T20:15:00.004-05:002009-06-25T22:27:38.463-05:00

"...and then they brought this thing home with them..."Life with a new baby. Always exciting. Especially when you get to see it through the eyes of a 15 month old. Which, if you look at it from that perspective, it's more annoying than fun, and kind of irritating because here is this brand new toy and nobody will let me play with it! Alex has been adjusting well. She is mostly not so interested

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-47802398476517986922009-06-14T20:53:00.005-05:002009-06-14T22:01:32.310-05:00

Other titles considered for this post:In which I get no sleep.In which my boobs triple in size overnight.Hello internet!Sorry for the delay. I have been taking a hiatus from the world for the past almost-week, choosing to handle only those things that were necessary, most of which concerned diapers and boobs and sleep (kinda) and pain meds. I haven't felt like interneting, or phone-talking, or

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-29506090252275643852009-06-11T21:03:00.003-05:002009-06-11T21:10:09.876-05:00

I would like you to meet the newest addition.Elijah SamuelBorn on Tuesday, June 9th at 11:27 am.7 lbs, 11 oz19 3/4 inches long (And, as an added bonus, this is what happens when you give your husband camera duty with a camera that has fun features on it, like the 'Make new mother look like she did exactly 10 minutes prior to giving birth' feature. Lovely) More to come later. It's quite the

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-48647567169522255732009-06-08T09:04:00.002-05:002009-06-08T09:04:49.545-05:00

to not have heartburn 24/7. So close. SO CLOSE.

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-48735119552807495162009-06-05T16:34:00.002-05:002009-06-05T17:02:25.527-05:00

Dilated 3 cm. (voice in my head says ALLELUIA!)The heartrate was a little low, which subsequently had me strapped to a table for the next half hour for a non-stress test to make sure that Little Buddy is doing alright. I watched as his heartrate went from 118 up to 150, back down again, back up again. He was all over the place. But Doc assured me that he is perfectly fine, and that I should

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-76691312234284219982009-05-31T20:16:00.001-05:002009-05-31T20:22:20.614-05:00

Before: (All those boxes on the counter? Our dinner that night. SUSHI! YUM!)Sneak Peek: The After is being completed as I type. We painted that little pantry door, and Paul is at the moment drilling back in. Yay! A project that got completed in the time we alloted! This is a first for our house! I'll get some good pictures of it tomorrow when we get some good light. In other news, I

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-55121182426189852762009-05-29T16:44:00.004-05:002009-05-29T20:11:40.322-05:00

Are you getting overwhelmed with my influx of posts lately? I am not going to apologize. I will remember this and point it out to you when I don't post for 6 months after this baby is born. 'See? Remember when I used to post alot? It was to hold you over.'I find myself in a very awkward stage right now. It's that stage of being very pregnant and on the verge of popping, overwhelmed with the

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-12437335527489713942009-05-28T20:13:00.002-05:002009-05-28T20:24:25.544-05:00

I had a run-in with a fellow today, and I am stumped as to how to feel about it. So I am asking you, internet.I had to run up to the grocery store right before we put Alex to bed because both Paul and I had forgotten that we were out of milk. Paul was on the phone and happened to be more exhausted than I was at this point (which NEVER happens anymore), so I grabbed my keys and ran up there.

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-40454289910810960902009-05-28T08:43:00.002-05:002009-05-28T09:02:21.639-05:00

Dilated 2 cm (!!!)Everything else the same.Progress is progress, right?! I'll take it. It took me hours and hours of actual labor to hit 2 cm with Alex.In other news, Paul and I are silly. Silly silly silly. And maybe you could substitute 'silly' for 'STUPID STUPID FOOLS'. Either one is acceptable.We've decided that NOW would be the perfect time to finally get some of these silly little

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-66658887724927886102009-05-26T09:05:00.004-05:002009-05-26T09:36:40.567-05:00

Sorry for that last post. It was a weak moment during which I had access to the internet. (Stupid accessible wireless technology.) Thanks for not coming back at me with totally justifiable comments that told me to suck it up. I appreciate it.To make up for it, I have alot of random photos for you! Yay! (I am loading these while Alex is sitting on the kitchen floor reading a Reader's Digest. Gotta

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-22401234409513614192009-05-24T13:06:00.004-05:002009-05-24T13:19:45.168-05:00

This post is a lousy attempt to give Paul a break from hearing me whine. I say 'lousy attempt' because he's already heard most of this and will no doubt hear it again 10 more times before this day is through. Uh-well. It's his part of the pregnancy I suppose. I'll do the heavy lifting, he does the heavy hearing. Or something.I just feel very pregnant today. From the moment I woke up, I could feel

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-11644262691579577522009-05-22T10:12:00.003-05:002009-05-22T12:30:49.123-05:00

I promise that this sounds worse than it actually was. Right after I set the camera down, she put her hand on her head, rubbed it a little, gave me a really confused look, then ran and pushed the button again. She's got a thick skull.

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-84533653762694824092009-05-21T14:03:00.002-05:002009-05-21T14:06:51.452-05:00

Alex's first time in a sprinkler. I have never ever seen her more delighted in the world. I am sure she was wetting herself due to the excitement.... but we'll never know... that's the beauty of swimmy diapers! (Pictures are courtesy of a good friend who took pity on my cameraless self and recorded a bit of Alex's life for me.)

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-89421519491164599462009-05-20T20:24:00.002-05:002009-05-20T20:30:13.665-05:00

No, not various pictures of my child eating popsicles, but pictures in general! My camera arrived this afternoon, and I've had a busy day figuring it all out. Most of the pictures I got today were no good, mostly due to my unwillingness to use the flash and the natural light fading too quickly, but I am getting a hang of this thing, and soon, we shall have pictures! pictures! pictures!Ah, and

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-50074089752648670352009-05-20T11:24:00.002-05:002009-05-20T11:28:49.669-05:00

Still at 1 cm, still softening up.But baby dropped quite a bit (hence the pressure I was feeling on Saturday).Doctor is guessing he will be in the high range of 6 pounds, which I can handle. Alex was 6 lbs, 5 oz, and I was nervous that this little dude was going to be well above that. My doctor was spot on with Alex, so I am hoping he's right with this one too.3 more weeks to go!

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-60926419472795725672009-05-16T21:09:00.003-05:002009-05-16T22:45:54.734-05:00

Tonight, my husband and I went on a date. Technically for his birthday, though that was this past Thursday. We were both looking forward to some 'adult time', which doesn't happen very often.It was a fun night... nice to eat without having to worry about cutting up someone else's food, or having to shovel it in her mouth quickly enough to avoid a food-throwing tantrum. And, may I just say, that I

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-34074216741571500662009-05-15T17:30:00.001-05:002009-05-15T17:30:58.420-05:00

I put the baby's clothes in the washer! Yay!

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-60151586535863696272009-05-13T15:05:00.003-05:002009-05-13T15:14:42.364-05:00

I will be pregnant forever.Still at 1 cm.But cervix is 60% effaced.He did tell me to pack my bags, though. Which I guess I should do. Because not only do I have to pack for myself and for the one on the way, but also one for Alex. (Which... that's the only part I am worried about... getting Alex to her babysitters on the way to the hospital... if I go into labor like I did with Alex, it won't

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-36258792198175918182009-05-11T12:47:00.002-05:002009-05-11T13:09:57.454-05:00

Do NOT play the I'm-gonna-eat-your-foot! game prior to changing a poop-filled diaper. Makes it much harder.In unborn fetus news, I have my next doctors appointment on Wednesday. Then I go every week. Only four weeks away! I am hoping that I have made some progress down south, but, not really counting on it. I was always so sure that I was going to be fully dilated and give birth right there

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-10386768541302259802009-05-08T15:57:00.002-05:002009-05-08T16:12:05.326-05:00

1) Go to Kohl's. Mother is in an excellent mood due to extraordinarily long nap on account of soothing thunderstorms. This will be a good day.2) Carry child into store, notice that there aren't any shopping carts with child seat attached at this entrance. Not a problem, walk over to the other side of the store.3) What luck! There's one more left (among dozens and dozens of regular carts).4)

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-6902489537753779732009-05-07T11:20:00.002-05:002009-05-07T11:28:01.350-05:00

Alot of motherhood (at least in non-verbal infant stage) is based on informed guesswork. Guess why she is crying, guess why she won't sleep, guess why she thinks dog food is more fun to eat than anything I make her. Guessing guessing guessing. I will be the first to admit that sometimes I guess wrong and then feel awful for all of the 30 seconds it takes Alex to forget that it took mommy a

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-64363049409096881282009-04-29T21:35:00.001-05:002009-04-29T21:37:02.215-05:00

Dialated 1 cm.Baby in head-down, lock-and-load position.I honestly cannot keep it in my head how close I am... For taking so long, it sure is coming up quickly...

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-1517023852242102442009-04-27T21:22:00.002-05:002009-04-27T21:25:42.160-05:00

I was asked a total of 7 times "When are you due?!?", as in, "WHEN ARE YOU DUE BECAUSE YOU ARE SO BIG YOU LOOK LIKE YOU SHOULD POP NOW?!"Most of them followed up with, 'Just think of how big you'll be by June!" or "You've just gotten so big since last week!" (Which, actually, I am losing weight now. Yay for no more eyebrow raises from skinny-nurse!)Thanks ladies.

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-55334758552501365442009-04-26T14:10:00.004-05:002009-04-26T19:07:54.091-05:00

Less than seven weeks to go. And as I sit here, literally throwing chunks of sloppy joe at my daughter for lunch, it's beginning to dawn on me that that's not really a lot of time. I've been patting myself on the back for the past several weeks because I have definitely hit the 'nesting' stage of this pregnancy and, because of this, I've been motivated enough to start cleaning house. And, because

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-19418116294584182022009-04-22T14:13:00.001-05:002009-04-22T14:14:43.196-05:00

be expected to carry this child for 7 more weeks.

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-62671142769268716582009-04-18T20:19:00.009-05:002009-04-19T07:26:41.241-05:00

Finally. And it's only been a month since her actual birthday! I say that's pretty good!(Note- The party was actually yesterday, but this post has taken me a full day to get together... and I am too lazy to go back and change all the times... so... Saturday... the party was Saturday.) Today was a busy day. We had 17 people over to the house, which included 10 adults, 7 kids between the ages of 1

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-23603596190458491372009-04-12T17:31:00.002-05:002009-04-12T17:45:46.198-05:00

I am typing this as I wait for water to boil. I am making a sweet potato casserole, for which I have to boil the potatoes for 10 minutes and bake them for 30 minutes.... and the rest of the dinner will be done in .... 10 minutes. So much for timing dinner correctly. At least it isn't a big holiday or anything.Aw, crap.It's Easter. Well, Happy Easter everyone! Hope your dinner is more...

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-81191179299371558102009-04-08T12:02:00.002-05:002009-04-08T12:09:01.520-05:00

Just know, I didn't steal this first.This has been trailing through the blogs recently, and I found it refreshing and true enough to repost even though alot of people that read this blog have probably already seen it... but for those who haven't, thank my friend Anna for bringing it to my attention.Everything is amazing, but nobody is happy. Ya, things aren't as easy as they used to be, but

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-58805519444169617132009-04-04T15:36:00.004-05:002009-04-04T15:55:26.726-05:00

So... I'm pregnant. I don't know if I've mentioned that on here or not. And being pregnant makes things hard(er than normal). (And really, I want to apologize for complaining all of the time on here... but... it is my outlet... so you'll just have to bear with me for a few more months) The other day, I went to the bank. As it was in the middle of the day, I was totting along Alex in her stroller

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-37538390642420779242009-04-02T12:45:00.003-05:002009-04-02T13:15:43.505-05:00

My little mudslinger is 30 weeks old today! Yahoo! Not only does that mean that he (according to the handy emails I get) is about the size of a head of cabbage (not sure why they compare him to food every week... sometimes I have no idea what the food is and then I am all thrown off because HOW BIG IS MY CHILD THIS WEEK?!?! DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY CHINESE CABBAGE I CAN REFERENCE?! OR WHAT ABOUT

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-75959856762897532882009-03-31T07:57:00.004-05:002009-03-31T08:15:57.126-05:00

Child gets up much earlier than normal. Mother curses incoming molars.Child cries and cries while Mother, still very drowsy, ambles around the kitchen gathering a simple breakfast for Child.Child chugs back a bottle of milk while waiting for Tired Mother.Tired Mother finally has breakfast, toast with jelly and sliced up oranges, ready for Impatient Child.Impatient Child shovels food in mouth at

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-25427577814254434492009-03-26T17:21:00.003-05:002009-03-27T16:49:27.789-05:00

Because I am obviously pregnant now, with a huge belly and all, people have decided that it's ok to assume that I am with child. This is fine with me, because... I am... but along with that assumption always comes the same advice. Upon seeing my belly, and seeing Alex strapped in the stroller or waddling along next to me (yes, we waddle together), most everybody always feels the need to point out

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-20411772926339673732009-03-22T16:52:00.002-05:002009-03-22T17:17:49.448-05:00

I've heard that you get bigger quicker with your second pregnancy. And that has been the norm for me this time around. I am now officially at the weight I was when I gave birth to Alex... and I have over 2 months to go. Instead of feeling incredibly self-conscience all the time, I've decided to look at this as something I can check off of my 'things to do before I die' list. #567-Get

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-4844786581063444392009-03-18T16:49:00.003-05:002009-03-18T17:09:14.328-05:00

There are a few moments in every person's life where they are struck with some kind of light bulb-worthy idea. Or maybe 'idea' isn't what I'm going for. Just some kind of mental hurdle they have finally overcome. Sometimes is getting over some kind of racism, or sexism, or any other kind of bigotry that you've been holding on to for years and years. Sometimes it's finally patching up things

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736367012743039238.post-33756961803012336482009-03-15T17:07:00.002-05:002009-03-15T17:17:17.000-05:00

We are home. This will be a short post because I want to turn my brain off for a while while the kid is still sleeping.Last night was the best night's sleep I have had in what seems like a very long time. Our bed is stupidly large and incredibly soft (it was an investment. shoes and beds-two things I am not afraid to spend some money on--they are the two things that have a huge impact on how

LarMarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445689376080198394noreply@blogger.com0