Music Monday: Seven

Posted on April 30, 2012 | Leave a comment

Happy anniversary to my hubby – seven years of wedded bliss (or something like it)! I already talked about our wedding CD here (check it out – I loved our wedding CD, maybe you will, too).

We celebrated this weekend with dinner out at the restaurant we went to for our first anniversary. Thanks to a Groupon and my parents being in town to watch the kids. Our standard gift to each other for our anniversary is a very nice dinner out (though this year we both got something for the other – apparently we need to revisit the rules of our gift-giving) because along with loving music, we also share a love of food.

Anywho… where was I… happy anniversary wishing to my hubby. Happy anniversary, my dear – love you mucho! So glad you are in my life. So thankful for our boys. So thankful we share a love of music. Here’s to many, many more years of good food, good people and good music.

Top Seven Songs from Our Seven Years Together

Better Be Home Soon | Crowded House
Simon’s favorite band who we got to see in concert in Ann Arbor and Chicago. One of my favorite songs by them, it just belongs here.

Once in a Lifetime | Keith Urban
We got the “Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing” CD as a Christmas gift in 2006 – my SIL, Janelle, adores Keith Urban and gifted us with the CD. Janelle wasn’t the only fan in the family, apparently so was a baby Liam – we listened to this CD night after night when Liam was between 4 and 8 months. He usually needed a little catnap each evening after daycare but wouldn’t go to sleep anywhere but in his swing and would fight it like crazy with lots of crying (which he did regardless of whether or not we were trying to get him to sleep because he was TIRED. One night I put this CD in and cranked up the volume and left the room; before the end of the first song (this song) he was out cold. This continued, nightly at 5:30, until he no longer needed that catnap to make it through the evening. The whole album was a sanity saver.

City of Blinding Lights | U2
Last year I got to fulfill my (nearly) lifelong dream of seeing U2 in concert. We heard this song from outside the stadium during sound check and I can still feel the chills, knowing I was finally going to see them live – they did not disappoint.

Jackdaw | David Gray
It’s only appropriate that we also got to see my favorite singer live (multiple times) but the first time we saw him together, this was one of my favorite songs from the evening.

Need You Now | Lady Antebellum
I cannot hear this song and not think of Simon, but not because it’s a booty call song (this is exactly how I found it on YouTube, by looking up “booty call song country” because I couldn’t remember the name of the song or band, no lie) but because we heard it more times than we could count on our roadtrip to Texas last year. This is what happens when a song is super popular and you are in a car for long stretches during a short time frame (this also happened with the song “You and Your Hand” by Pink and “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People – from our trips to Australia).

Just Another Day in Paradise | Phil Collins
Just because my sweet, AC/DC-loving husband also LOVES Phil Collins and won’t let me turn off the song when we come across one (or one by Genesis) on the radio but this is actually a Phil Collins song that I will listen to without complaint (and only a little mocking).

#41 | Dave Matthews Band
Last summer we also got to fulfill Simon’s slightly-shorter-than-lifelong dream of seeing Dave Matthews Band live (would have also been mine but I saw Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds while I was in college so I wasn’t missing out as much as Simon was). This was the first song on the set list and the moment I’d been waiting for that whole long (and fun) day – seeing Simon hear DMB live and in person for the first time.

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Instagram – Week Four

Posted on April 28, 2012 | 6 comments

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Jack finally hit five days in a row with potty training so he earned some long-awaited goodies in the form of a Hex Bug Battle Bridge to attach to his Hex Bug habitat. We love Hex Bugs.

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Jack referred to this as a funny Squinkie, Simon quickly corrected him with, “You mean, Magneto!?”

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A fun visit to our local park until two 9-year-olds came along and started swearing… seriously, thanks kids.

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Two of my favorite boys.

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Girl’s Night Out… love that girl, Sarah! Love my MOPS friends!

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At Sarah’s the next day for dinner and sharing parenting responsibilities while Simon was at work and Brian was out of town. Hands full and happy hearts.

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Sigh – we’ve had to resort to putting Jack’s jammies on him backwards since he’s resorted to taking them (along with his diaper) off during bedtime.

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This bubble wall is in the outpatient waiting room at the Children’s Hospital… so fun. Though strangely the woman at the check-in desk made a comment specifically about the wall, saying that the only thing they probably would do differently was not put in the bubble wall because of calcium build-ups. Very random small talk since we hadn’t even noticed the wall when she said that. But perhaps her intention was to get us to go look at the wall – done and done!

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Liam’s surgery went very well, no issues or complications and the surgeon even discovered a small hernia which he stitched up while he was in there. Recovery went less smoothly and Liam started crying when got to the recovery room and said that his tummy hurt. Poor kid just wasn’t prepared for it to hurt and to feel sick from the morphine. He slept on and off for three hours and then drank a blue slushie. Then he threw up a blue slushie. It was pretty impressive how quickly he sat up before puking. But after that he was a little better and soon we went home. But that evening his appetite was back and by the next day, no more pain. Our little trooper! I’m just sad about the blue slushie – that was what he was most looking forward to about the hospital visit.

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We played Up the River, Down the River (or Oh Hell). I won. This is rare. It was worth a photo.

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My dad, Jack and I took a little walk around Millennium Park and topped it off with a ride on the swings. We were the only ones at the park because it was only 40 degrees – I’m disappointed in the other wimpy Michiganders who don’t go to parks in just above freezing weather.

imageOn our way out we discovered a momma duck sitting on her eggs just a few feet from where we were swinging. She was super well disguised and super pissed that we were near her nest. While we were checking her out, she started puffing out her feathers and I thought it was best that we walk away considering it would be just our luck to add “attacked by a duck” to the inexplicable situations that Jack has gotten into.

This is my 300th post – wowsers!

And BK gift card winner to be announced tomorrow – thanks for commenting!

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Thursday Randoms

Posted on April 26, 2012 | 2 comments
  • Have you entered my FIRST giveaway (let’s assume it won’t be my last)? Your chances are pretty good so go check it out and comment. Unless you are like me and slightly wary of Burger King, in which case, don’t be because they have some good stuff and for a free $25, it’s worth checking out. Just sayin’.
  • I’ve been watching two new comedies that I’d recommend checking out: Best Friends Forever (premise: recently divorced woman moves back to NYC to live with her best friend and best friend’s boyfriend, wacky hi jinx ensues) and Bent (premise: down on his luck, former gambling addict contractor convinces Amanda Peet’s character – recently divorced – to let him remodel her kitchen). Both are fast-paced, have slightly off-kilter characters and great supporting casts. Give ’em a look-see.
  • I painted my nails over the weekend (all by myself) with a new OPI color – Thanks a WindMillion – it’s a breezy sea green color, not at all my norm and I rather love it (thanks, Michelle – not me, Michelle, but my friend who is also named Michelle who introduced me to it). But let me tell you, maintaining a nail color is a project. I’ve touched them up a couple of times since then but I am super glad I bought a new top coat (Sally Hansen Professional, it’s actually pretty awesome).
  • Per a referral from Jill at The Diaper Diaries, I’ve been using Organix Moroccan Argan Oil this week and I kind of love it. My hair is super soft and perfectly shiny. I found mine at the local grocery store but I also found you can order it on Amazon for a cheaper price per bottle, problem is, you have to get 4 larger bottles so does anyone want to go with me to get some?
  • We were listening to fun.’s song “We Are Young” in the car at the lyrics in the beginning go, “My friends are in the bathroom getting higher than the Empire State” and so of course Liam asked, “What’s the Empire State?” And I told him it was a very tall building in New York and that the people in the song were jumping very high. He was contented with that explanation, but am I horrible for not taking that song out of rotation.
  • Liam still says “extra-size” instead of “exercise” and I will hurt anyone who ever corrects him. He also says, “Phineas and Firm” instead of “Phineas and Ferb” and I kind of love that, too.
  • Jack took off his pajamas and diaper the other night before falling asleep so of course his bed was wet in the morning so we have entered the backwards, zip-up pajama phase of having a child again. Liam did this same thing and now Jack is trying his hand at it. We tried duct-taping the diaper on, with little success but I think someone told us to try backwards pajamas and it totally worked. Here’s hoping because changing a bunk bed with a double mattress is not my favorite thing. [Sidebar: just realized I’ve been spelling pajama incorrectly, at least in my head and perhaps other places – sorry folks, I’m not perfect. If there was any question.]
  • Liam has his little belly button procedure tomorrow morning completely with general anesthesia. Fun times. I’m hoping it will be drama-free and very low on the pain scale. I’m very thankful my parents will be arriving this afternoon to help out with Jack while we are at the hospital tomorrow and for when Simon goes to work tomorrow night. They are staying until Sunday so we can go out Saturday night for our anniversary. Love them!
  • It’s our anniversary on Monday. Seven years. It seems like so much longer and like no time at all – which is probably a good thing – does that mean it’s a perfect balance (note: I did not say perfect marriage 😉 we are both flawed and fully aware of it).
  • Simon’s mom has been in and out of the hospital recently with some heart trouble (likely related to her recurring dropping blood counts and needing transfusions) but we’d appreciate prayers for her and Simon’s sister who has a lot on her plate with taking care of everything and needing to have surgery to figure out why her recently replaced hip keeps going out of joint (I think we can categorize that under “Not Fun”).
  • My friend, Sandy, is having a baby!!! She finally spilled the beans to everyone but I have known for a while now and it’s been killing me!!! [But apparently, I can keep a secret when it’s not mine to tell… I’m growing as a person.] She’s had a couple scares recently with the pregnancy so she’d also welcome your prayers and good thoughts! And HUGE congrats; so exciting!
  • Still super loving our new small group – the people are great, the study is thought-provoking and God is doing good things with our marriage and friendships with other couples. Happy day.

Here’s a question for you… is there anything you’d like to know about me or like me to blog about? I’d love your feedback/comments on that one (i.e., I’m in need of a little blog inspiration).

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Posted in Life in general, Random

One of those days

Posted on April 25, 2012 | 5 comments

I know within seconds of getting in the car if it’s going to be “one of those days.” I’m speaking of our thrice-weekly routine of meeting in the parking lot and trading cars (one with and one without children). Usually the boy-os are pretty good, this is usually because I have a plan for what we are going to be doing [side note: Liam told me yesterday he just wanted to see his friends because I wasn’t his favorite, spending time with just me was just not the best. Thanks for that buckaroo. And also, sniff.]

But at least one time a week they are NOT like the photo below (OMG – doesn’t Jack look like a wee little baby?):

Rather, they are little pint-sized containers of raging hormones – much like teenagers but with extra concentration. And instead of laughter and smiles, all I get from the back of the car is screaming, whining and crying. Seriously – how can life be so very hard when you are 3 and 5.5? Really. I wonder.

Here’s a typical exchange:
Liam: Um, mommy… can we…
Jack: Mommy…
Liam: Be quiet Jack, I’m talking… mommy, can we…
Jack: No!
Liam: Jack!! Mommy, can we…
Jack: Aarrrgh!
Liam: Jack, shhhh!!!! Mommy, can we…
Jack: [screamy, screamy sounds]
Liam: MOMMMM!!!! Jack won’t be quiet! Jack, you’re making me mad… I want to punch you [we need to work on his anger management skills]
Me: [breathe in, breathe out] Jack, Liam was talking first, please be quiet for a minute and then it will be your turn. Liam, just keep talking, I can still hear you over his screaming.
Jack: Aargh! I want to tell you something!
Liam: Jack, be quiet, it’s my turn to talk. Mommy, can we go to [someone’s] house?
Me: No, not today, they are busy [who knows if they are]
Liam: WHINE… whine… whine… never do anything… WHINE…
Jack: SCREAM… mommy, my turn… scream… no Liam!

[It’s just as fun and as loud as it sounds. See also: annoying, maddening, relentless. You are jealous. I can tell.]

Last week when this happened we ended up going to Millenium Park on the spur of the moment because I needed to do something or else I was going to end up with no children in my car and a future prison sentence. But yesterday, it happened again and I had plans later that night with my friends so I didn’t want to have to re-shower to look presentable after a walk pushing both kids in the stroller (I’m a sweaty person, it’s genetic, at least that’s what my dad says). So I calmly (go me with my no yelling) but forcefully told them both to stop talking and that the next person who whined or screamed or so much as made a sound would not be getting the Wii or the Kindle that evening. I told them they needed to stay quiet until we got on the highway. And they were silent. For 30 seconds (but it was a glorious 30 seconds). Jack started to speak, but a quick “nope” from me got him quiet again (Liam, my elder and possibly smarter child recognized the gravity of the situation and kept quiet a good 5 minutes) and I decided we were going to going to Costco. Because Costco makes everything better with their cheap fruit smoothies and mass quantities of stuff to buy.

We made it through the afternoon (as we always do) and I got to go out with my friends and have good food, dark beer and creme brulee (with an Italian flair, the menu said, but when we asked our server, she said the only Italian flair was in its Italian-sounding name – ha!). All was right with the world. Until the next time this happens. Next Tuesday, I’m looking at you.

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Posted in Parenting

First time for everything: my first giveaway/contest

Posted on April 24, 2012 | 31 comments

I’m happy to tell you that I’m hosting a giveaway, ironically it’s for Burger King, a place I haven’t eaten at in at least five years, since I was pregnant with Liam and really wanted one of their biscuits. (BTW – those are delicious.) I have to be honest and say that I prefer other fast food options because I like their menu items better and BK’s marketing campaigns don’t really appeal to me. But I recently got a coupon flier in the mail advertising their new menu items – smoothies, frappes and salads are a few of the items – so I had planned on visiting them soon. And then I got an email inquiring about whether I’d like to sample their products for FREE and offer a gift card to my readers (i.e., my family and friends) so I thought – sure, why not? I’m not too good for saying “no” to free food, especially if it can be healthy.

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I stopped there timageoday for lunch and picked up a Chicken, Apple and Cranberry Salad and a Tropical Mango smoothie. Next time we’ll be getting one of their new wraps and a mocha frappe (cold, blended coffee is my weakness, it’s true).

Phone camera photos aside, the food was really good and filling. The salad is as good as one I’ve been getting from a local deli and a few dollars cheaper (though slightly smaller). The smoothie was quite yummy but no different than any other mango smoothie, just nice and refreshing.
I’m excited to see BK offering some new menu items, especially when they are items that I normally get from other restaurants. But I’m even happier to tell you that they are very good!

Here’s a listing of all their new menu items:

  • New Garden Fresh Salads (topped with your choice of TENDERCRISP® or juicy TENDERGRILL® chicken). Varieties include: Chicken BLT, Chicken, Apple and Cranberry and Chicken Caesar Garden Fresh Salad
  • New Snack Wraps (quick, flavorful snacks for less than 400 calories each). Snack Wrap options include: Honey Mustard Crispy Chicken and Ranch Crispy Chicken
  • New Crispy Chicken Strips made with white meat tenderloin chicken, marinated and lightly battered in seasoned home-style breading.
  • New Real Fruit Smoothies made fresh to order with real fruit, low-fat yogurt and juices blended together. Each smoothie provides a full serving of fruit and is offered in the following varieties: Tropical Mango and Strawberry Banana
  • Rich and smooth Frappés made to order and provide the perfect combination of sweet Mocha or Caramel flavors, a hint coffee and ice. Frappes are available in the following varieties: Mocha and Caramel

So, who wants to win their own $25 gift card to Burger King so you can try out some of their new menu items? If you are interested, please leave a comment below and let me know which new menu item you’d most like to try. Contest will close at noon on Sunday, April 29. Winner will be selected at random.

You can earn another entry by liking Burger King on Facebook and then leaving a comment here that you did so.

Disclosure:  The coupons, product information, and additional gift pack have been provided courtesy of Burger King Corporation through MyBlogSpark.

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