Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Finding Jesus

I'm going to keep this quick since it's late and I have a doctor's appointment, work, and then hanging out with the boys in my forecast tomorrow. So, I've been thinking about venturing back into Church for awhile now. And the C word is almost like a bad word in my memory bank basically due to my Catholic upbringing. I can't tell you how much I DO NOT want to raise my children in that religion and scare the crap out of them about God and such. HOWEVER, taking my kids to AA meetings on Sunday is not really going to cut it either since they do talk about things in those meetings that is a little too advanced for small children, etc. It's just not an appropriate place to bring up my children. Not that it's bad its just not situationally appropriate for my offspring. Perhaps if/when they have a problem with alcohol then obviously that's the path I'll encourage them to take. In the meantime, I've been contemplating going to a non-denominational church close to home so I can begin to teach my children about the God that saved my butt 7 years ago when I got sober. So, I googled some non-denominational churches where I live and came up with Full Gospel Family Worship Center http://fullgospeldenton.net/. Lucky for me they had a service this evening at 7:00 p.m. and so I was able to go check it out while my hubby watched the boys. I learned that the religious education is free for children, so my oldest would be able to attend while I listen to services. But, the most important thing I saw tonight was a positive and loving message being conveyed about God. Not that everything is warm and fluffy but I want my kids to grow up knowing a loving God not the fire and brimstone one I learned about growing up. I figure if God loves his children half as much as I love mine then the fire and brimstone definition doesn't fit. God should be the definition of love in its purest form and I was happy that the message I heard tonight conveyed that message. That's what I was looking for. I've almost got Darrell dialed into coming to at least one service with me next week. But, the boys are going because I can make them do that. :P The people were extremely nice and I look forward to bringing my runts with me next week.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

100 Random Things About Me

1. My favorite number is 7.
2. My favorite color is blue.
3. I love On the Border and have been a die-hard fan for about 12 years.
4. My favorite drink is Dr. Pepper, but since I'm pregnant I prefer Coke (in moderation).
5. My favorite TV shows of all time include Law and Order, Law and Order SVU, Law and Order Criminal Intent, and my ultimate favorite is Grey's Anatomy.
6. I have dual citizenship in both Germany and the U.S. since I was born on a U.S. military base in Germany. No, I do not speak German... my parents are completely American.
7. One of my favorite toys to play with as a child was a calculator in the basement of my Grandparent's house, fitting that I now work in Accounting.
8. My God is a lot more tolerant and loving than the one I was taught about in the Catholic church.
9. My Mom bought me a horse when I was 12, his name was Reo and he was a Palomino.
10. My ULTIMATE favorite toys as a child were Barbie's and My Little Ponies.
11. I think Goonies is a timeless classic... I really need to buy that movie.
12. I own 3 computers and 3 TV's. Weird.
13. I think anyone who said that being pregnant is beautiful was on crack and has never been pregnant. It's a very gross experience. Your body does stuff that's definitely not cool under normal circumstances and is totally weird... but the end result is SOOOOOO WORTH IT!!!!
14. When I was pregnant with Dustin I craved Hot and Sour soup the entire time.
15. When I was pregnant with Dakota I craved pasta and listened to Hip Hop throughout.
16. During this pregnancy, the major cravings I've had have been milk and Coke.
17. When I was 16-17 I hated little kids.
18. When I was 16 and 17 1/2 my Mom had two more kids... this is probably why I hated little kids during this time. Hers cried ALL THE TIME.
19. Luckily I love my little brother and sister immensely. :)
20. I don't really eat breakfast foods and freak everyone out at work because I'm constantly eating soup at 8:00 a.m. Sometimes I'll eat pancakes or eggs for dinner or lunch though. I will feed my children Spaghetti O's at 7:00 a.m. because I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. If it's edible at noon, it should in theory be edible at 7:00 a.m.
21. My Dad has taught me what loving unconditionally is all about. I hope to teach my children the same lesson.
22. I lived in Hawaii between the ages of 8-12. I had a great tan for about 3.5 years.
23. I can't sleep without having a MINIMUM of four pillows. 5-6 are preferred. My hubby and I have ten on our bed.
24. My mother and I have a great relationship and I fly out to see her at least 4x a year... unless I'm pregnant then I have to allow some time for delivery and accommodate the no-traveling timeframe.
25. I'm not looking forward to travelling so frequently with three children... that will definitely be a challenge.
26. Loved the movies Avatar, Count of Monte Cristo, and Robin Hood Prince of Thieves (with Kevin Costner).
27. Worst movie I ever saw was The Age of Innocence. I don't even remember what it was about I just remember I hated it.
28. When I was in 8th grade, I read all the romance novels from Johanna Lindsey... now that I'm older I think her story lines are horrible predictable and kind of dumb... but I still have to read every one of her books.
29. My favorite reading genre is Paranormal Romance... and yes that definitely includes the Twilight saga.
30. Since I cancelled cable I rarely watch TV anymore.
31. Not surprisingly my favorite possessions are my KINDLE, laptop, and Droid.
32. I suck at crosswords... but I can handle word searches.
33. I suck at pool too... but before I quit drinking... I swear I played better after I drank.
34. It's been 2,590 days since I consumed my last drink (a little over 7 years).
35. My favorite gum flavor is Sour Apple.
36. Drinks 8-10 servings of water per day.
37. Loves that Dakota carries around his Pooh Bear constantly.
38. My favorite sound is my children laughing.
39. My favorite from Dakota are his hugs and his smiles.
40. My favorite from Dustin are the way he tries to share his blanket with me, his smiles, and when he's being sweet to Dakota.
41. Dakota gave Dustin his first loving the other day, complete with hugs and a mock kiss. It was absolutely adorable.
42. Dustin cracks me up almost daily, one of my favorites was when he shoved Dakota into the closet saying, "bye bye Kota, bye bye." (Kota got in is way).
43. My favorite smells are coffee brewing and the smell outside after it rains.
44. I prefer lakes to the ocean.
45. Since I was an army brat, I hate moving.
46. I also hate buttons.
47. My husband and I met officially for the first time at Saltgrass Steakhouse.
48. I prefer spending time with my family versus a ton of friends.
49. I'm definitely a homebody.
50. I miss catching fireflies like I did when I was a kid in Virginia.
51. I still haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up... I figure as long as I figure it out before my kids grow up I'm good.
52. Despite having a Masters degree and contemplating going back to school to finish my last ten classes so I can sit for my CPA, I dislike school and think it's extremely boring.
53. My kids constantly make me want to be a better person.
54. I try to accept people as they are... but sometimes that's a lot easier said than done.
55. I'm not a morning person even though I have small children.
56. Wishes we could vote certain species ON TO the endangered animal list. I would definitely vote roaches onto that list. I'd be perfectly okay if they disappeared.
57. My favorite holiday is Christmas. I think this is definitely a magical time.
58. My favorite seasons are Fall and Winter. I LOVE cuddling up in warm blankets when it's cold outside.
59. Thinks that no matter how old we get, or what situations we find ourselves in, we will always find that they have similarities to High School and the immaturity we found there.
60. Thinks getting your nails done is a necessity.
61. I voted for the first time in the last Presidential election. I did not vote for our current president.
62. I don't like watching the news because I find it extremely depressing.
63. Milky Way is my favorite candy bar, but sour Skittles or Sour Patch Kids are my favorite regular candy.
64. I eat soup at least 5x a week.
65. Mint chocolate chip ice cream is my ultimate favorite flavor.
66. Love the Longhorns (UT) because I think they have a cute logo not because of some undying love for the school.
67. I love to color and yes I color often. I am very territorial over my markers and my coloring posters. My children are not allowed near them. This is a great hobby when watching TV.
68. I almost always find the need to multitask. Hence, coloring and watching TV, singing and driving, cooking dinner and cleaning up.
69. Loves and hates it when my husband cleans. Love that he was sweet enough to make the effort... hates it because it doesn't really look clean... as in missing half the floor when mopping, etc. So, I feel the need to redo it. Sad but true.
70. The last two times I've gotten pregnant was just after I started working out and had lost weight. With Dakota, I was trying to get pregnant. This one was a surprise.
71. Thinks there are a lot of stupid people in the world. What I hate the most is when I realize I'm the one being stupid. So sad on those days.
72. Thinks sarcasm is a way of life and truly committed individuals use it daily.
73. I used to watch Star Trek all the time in middle school.
74. I swam on my HS swim team. That was a ton of fun.
75. My first job was as a lifeguard and later I taught swim lessons which was a lot of fun as well.
76. I got robbed as a teller at gunpoint. The guy ran in and jumped my counter. He got caught like an hour later. I didn't much like being a teller after that.
77. I made my own bouquets for my wedding out of silk flowers. I still have my flowers from then.
78. I had back surgery on my husband's birthday 3 years ago. I was glad to have that out of the way.
79. Cannot stand Indian food. I have tried on several occasions to like it, but to no avail.
80. I had a cat for 17.5 years from the time I was 8 until I was 26. Her name was McKenzie. I had to put her to sleep 5 weeks before I had my first child.
81. Loved playing outdoors when I was kid in Virginia. Unfortunately poison ivy also loved me. I had it at least 5 times.
82. My favorite day is Saturday because you still have one more weekend day before its time to return to work... although Friday's are a close second.
83. I've been married for five years as of yesterday October 8.
84. I love to stay up late because that's when the house is the most quiet. Although I don't make it very late.
85. My older sister and I practically got into a physical fight over a pair of jean shorts.
86. My sister is naming her son Riley Vaughn Deneau. She's due two weeks after me. Thus, all of the grandchildren will be male.
87. My favorite vehicle I ever owned was my Ford Ranger. I still miss it. Although it wouldn't be very functional at this time in my life.
88. Wouldn't mind driving a van to accommodate my offspring.
89. Favorite metals include white gold and sterling silver.
90. Favorite jewelry would have diamonds in it.
91. My favorite days of the year include 5/8 (Dustin) and 1/21 (Dakota). I'll soon have a third but am unsure what day that will be.
92. Thinks that its silly to make a big deal out of my own birthday when it's more fun to make a big deal out of my children's bdays.
93. Would love to be a stay at home Mom, but would probably last about two months before the staying home part would drive me up the wall.
94. Would suck at being a teacher or trainer because I just don't have that kind of patience except when it comes to other kids other than my own.
95. I hang out with my Dad every weekend and its one of my favorite past times.
96. I believe we should instill nap time during work.
97. Has historically gotten along better with males because they aren't as dramatic as females... so it's probably a good thing I have all boys.
98. Wants to be everything for everyone and feels like she's never going to get there.
99. Gets into trouble for never wanting to cuddle.
100. My son drinks out of the milk carton because he's caught me doing it. :P

Sunday, October 3, 2010

The Rudeness of Others

I have to say that I am surprised and amazed at the rudeness of others... especially to a complete stranger. What an apalling lack of manners. Last night I went grocery shopping and had promised my boys that I would take them to the park following my trip to the store. So, we left at 7ish and went to the park. At 7:49 we left the park when I thought perhaps we could go get some ice cream because it was a Saturday night and the boys and I never go out on a Saturday. Thus, observing the 8:00 p.m. bedtime not being an absolute requirement. So, I drove up to the square which has an ice cream parlor and several other shops. Being that Denton is also a college town this is a popular spot for college students this time of year. Well, I saw a pizza shop and asked Dustin if he would like pizza... to which he replied in the affirmative. So, instead of running directly to the ice cream shop we diverted to a pizza parlor. When we stepped inside it was layed out much like a coffee shop. With a small bar (where they served alcohol) and several tables in the middle for customers. I saw a downstairs section where live music was being played... obviously the more "bar" section of the facility. Most of the customers were indeed college kids or what I would presume were college kids. Anyway, I stood in line and ordered the pizza. Then we sat down and waited for our food. Dustin sat down and I placed Dakota in the high chair. I went and retrieved drinks from the soda fountain and returned to my offspring. So our food arrive about 15 minutes later. We began eating when this male was walking out the door turned to me looked at my children and stated, "Seriously? What time is it?" To which I replied that it was 8:15. He told me that I was wrong and I told him that no it was around 8:15. He pulled out his phone and proved to me that it was 8:22 p.m. To this I replied, "wow I was off by 7 minutes." I also asked him if he had created this children with me. Obviously if he had not then it was none of his damn business what I was doing with my children. For the next two minutes or so he proceeded to ask my why I was exposing my children to such an environment. I said, "we're eating pizza and then we are going home." He told me that, "he understood." I still have NO IDEA what the hell he meant by that. He also stated that he taught school at the juvenile detention center in denton. He stated he had two children to which I replied, "why wasn't he home with them." A banter of, "why are you still talking to me... and don't touch me." Yes, he had the audacity to touch my shoulder even after I asked him not to. So while he was spewing his garbage I was definitely replying in kind to his ridiculous comments. AND I didn't even cuss. It retrospect I'm so proud. I also told him that he was ignorant and needed to leave. To which he replied that I was ignorant and that he would see my children in his school. Then he left.

Now... because I am a mother and I was personally insulted on every level by this male I will state that FIRST I had never been to this pizza establishment. Thus, I was completely unaware of the fact that they had a bar downstairs. Secondly, they served pizza... its called J&J's Pizza. So, forgive me for not having ESP when I arrived to know that they had a bar in the basement. THIRDLY, it was BEFORE 8:30 on a Saturday night. It's not like I had my children in a bar at 11:30 p.m. and I was proceeding to get blitzed. This was so far from what he was actually implying it was ridiculous. Because he was all up in my mug I could tell he'd been drinking and can only think that that is the cause for his ridiculous behavior. I had not realized that there was a curfew of 7 or 8 p.m. for children under the age of 5 when they are with a parent. I also had not realized that an establishment that had "pizza" in the name was a place of ill-repute for young children. Finally, I never take my children out on a Saturday night and thought that since we'd had so much fun at the park that we could continue for a little while longer. Obviously this thought process makes me completely retarded as a parent. I suppose there's a reason I don't venture too far from my comfort zone. I must say that being at home is much more comfortable to me. However, my children also get bored being home all weekend and obviously enjoy some stimulation. The Rudeness of Others does amaze me.