Need a Good Laugh?

I totally cracked up at this post about giving in to peer pressure. Maybe it's because my 3-year-old often acts the same way. All those lessons on sharing are starting to backfire, I think.

Hold the Peanut Butter, Please

Anyone want to take a guess at what these are?

I know you are tempted to say "2 heart-shaped sandwiches." But that is where you'd be wrong.

These, my dear readers, are "jamwiches." That's the new word Makayla is using to describe her favorite snack: jam only sandwiches "cut like a heart."

One Year Older and Taller Too

This picture was taken about 1 year ago. This is Makayla wearing Kasey's pajama bottoms. When I asked her what she was doing, she replied, "I'm keepin' warm."

Kasey still has those pants, and Makayla still puts them on. This morning when she slipped into them, I asked her what she was doing. She scowled at me and said, "I'm trying to sleep in my sleeping bag. Leave me alone!"

I wish I'd taken a picture of her this morning. Those pants that use to come up over her shoulders, now barely reach her armpits. I can't believe how much she's grown in just 1 year!

10 Things That Make Me Smile

I've said before that I don't have a creative bone in my body. No, really. It's true. If ever I do or make something cute, it's because I've stolen that idea from someone else. Today's post will be no different.

I'm stealing this idea from Natalie. She posted this same topic on her blog recently. I loved it. I thought it was such a great way to focus on positive things in her life. So now I'll tell you some of the things that make me smile.

In no particular order, of course. . . .

1. My husband. He is so funny once you get him to open up. But it's not only him cracking jokes or doing crazy voices that make me smile. Just seeing him walk in the door at night is enough to light up my world and bring out a smile in me.

2. My children. My girls are constantly making me smile. I love listening to hilarious stories that Makayla tells me and watching Ellie learn a new word or sign. But like my husband, just seeing them brings a smile to my face.

3. Sales. There's nothing like finding a good bargain on something that I need--and sometimes on things that I don't really need. For example, yesterday at IKEA I found some new picture frames that I absolutely love. They were lots cheaper than the 3 frames I was going to buy at Walmart and way cuter! Score!

4. Music. I've always loved music. Mostly I love to play it, but I also enjoy turning up the volume on the stereo and dancing around the living room with my girls.

5. Emails that are not junk. Opening up my Yahoo! mail and seeing a new message in my inbox is the best. It never fails to make me smile seeing a friend's name on the from line.

6. The sun. It just makes me happy. I especially appreciate the sun in the winter on those rare days when it peeks out from behind a cloud.

7. Blogging. I'd be lying if I didn't say that it makes me smile. I love reading new posts and discovering new blogs.

8. "Me" time. The best kind of "me" time is in the evening after my family is in bed. I slip into my pajamas, mix up some hot chocolate and curl up on the couch with a good book. If I don't have a book to read, I'll pop in a chick flick that Kasey vetoes when we are watching movies together.

9. Grey's Anatomy. I know it's basically an evening soap opera, but I love it. I'm so glad the writer's strike is over so I can start watching new episodes. The next new episode is sure to bring a big smile with it.

10. Food Storage. I've given up on the excuse that I can't have a little food storage because I don't have room for it. So, I've taken to buying a little extra each month to add to my supply. I keep it under my sink, in my linen and coat closets, and even under the kitchen table if I can't find any other space. Just knowing that I can feed my family for a week if we had an emergency brings huge relief and a huge smile.

Denied

I'm sad to report that all requests to view Kasey's Hero video were promptly denied. He said he'd be too embarrassed. That's a funny reaction considering that he knew when he was making the video that people would see it.

So out of love and respect for my husband, I will not be showing the video. Sorry to disappoint!

My Valentine

Since it's Valentine's Day, I thought I'd tell you about the most romantic thing Kasey has ever done for me.

Our good friend, Paula, threw my bridal shower for me. It was lots of fun. We just had a BBQ at her dad's house, chatted and opened presents. Very casual. Very fun.

Near the end, Paula said that she and Kasey had a present for me too. Her dad brought a TV and VCR outside. She said their original plan had been to ask Kasey questions about me and see how many he could answer correctly. But Kasey openly admitted that he probably wouldn't know stuff like my favorite color.

Paula asked if we had a song. Kasey thought and thought and finally said that we like to make fun of Hero by Enrique Iglesias together. She said That'll work.

She then proceeded to film Kasey in 4 different locations singing and dancing to that song. Then Paula spent hours in the editing room at the college splicing the 4 videos together into 1 movie with Enrique doing the singing.

The result is 4 minutes and 24 seconds of the sweetest, funniest, most romantic stuff that makes up my husband.

The first time I watched it, I laughed. The second time I watched it, I cried. It was the perfect gift!

My aunt who attended the shower said, I wish my husband would do something like that for me.

Kasey's friends gave him a hard time about it. They said it wasn't fair for him to set the bar so high, because they would never do something like that. And now their girlfriends/fiances would expect the same from them.

I was thinking about it a few days ago and broke out the DVD. My reaction? I laughed and then cried. Amazing that it gets the same reaction from me almost 6 years later.

So there you go, the most romantic thing Kasey has ever done for me.

Do's and Don'ts with Babies

Thanks to Jodi for this hilarious link about how you do and don't take care of babies. I haven't laughed this hard in a long time!