Eleven- Tag!

Kristen, aka: Momma Miles, tagged me in this blog game that's been going around and I'll play along since it's right up my ally of Randomness. Yea!

 Here's what I have to do:

1.  Post these rules
2.  Post a photo of you and 11 things about your life
3.  Answer the questions set for you in the original post
4.  Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them
5.  Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them 

Eleven things about my life:

1. I consider myself a middle child. (Due to age differences and not number of siblings. There are 4 of us.)

2. I played volleyball in high school and loved it.

3. I don't force my kids to eat vegetables. Especially remembering how much I hated green beans when I was kid and refused to eat them no matter the consequence. (I love green beans now. For real.)

4. When I was little my dad and I would watch TV together (Star Trek, The Next Generation and Cheers re-runs) while eating a bowl of ice cream. No, I'm not a Star Trek nerd.

5. I hate arguments and conflict.

6. I'm rarely barefoot and I'm always wearing socks.

7. When we got married people said we'd be different in five years. It's true, we've changed a lot, but we changed together.

8. I can't swim with my head under water. That makes it sound like I can swim despite that... and that would be a huge exaggeration.

9. I never made a timeline for my life... like, by the time I'm [insert specific age] I'll have my degree, be married, have kids, own a house, etc. I'm glad I didn't. I never feel like I've fallen behind in some imaginary time line I'm supposed to be following.

10. I'm a terrible liar.

11. I strive to be content where ever I am.

Kristen's questions:

1.  What was your first memory?

Probably the first clear memory I have is when I fell off my tricycle when I was around 4 and busted my chin on the porch. I remember my mom was watering the flowers. We went to the hospital and I had my chin butterflied. It's probably weird, but I like my scar.

2.  What makes you laugh?

My kids being goofy. My husband telling ridiculously funny stories.

3.  What is the most challenging thing you've done in the last week?

Figuring out how to decorate for a baby shower... I'm not very crafty/creative when it comes to parties. Also, diving into our "big, secret project"

4.  Why do you blog?

It's fun and I get to meet all sorts of awesome people. 

5.  Who inspires you?

My Oma and Opa. My husband's Grandpa and Grandma.

6.  What's the grossest thing you've ever eaten?

Um... well, I tried salmon and thought it was disgusting. I also did not enjoy duck or lamb.

7.  Jeans or a skirt?

I wear jeans all the time, but I like skirts in the summer.

8.  You're traveling to Europe, where do you go?

Germany, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Italy.

9.  If you could spend $500 on any one thing what would it be?

Maybe a new (used) car/truck. Or the project. Or a vacation. Or a new wardrobe... I'll stop there.

10.  What's your favorite quote/ scripture/ saying?

You can find that here and at the very bottom of my blog.

11.  What's your favorite flavor of ice cream/ fro-yo/ gelato/ frozen concoction? 

Okay, I like vanilla because I can add so much to it, but I also love chocolate. Whatever flavor it must be Blue Bell. The last one I really liked was Vanilla Cookies and Cream.

I'm breaking/bending the rules here, mainly because I'm running out of nap time and I need to shower, and not tagging eleven people.  Kelly Jo, Steph, Ana, Cynthia, Jen, Brooke you are tagged!! 

Your questions:

1.Where were you born and raised?

2. What's your favorite book or movie?

3. Why'd you start a blog?

4. If you could live anywhere, where and why?

5. What is your occupation? Do you like it?

6. What's the best meal you've ever eaten or made?

7. What's your dream vacation?

8. Your weekends are spent doing what?

9. Salty or sweet?

10. What's happening in your house while you answer these?

11. Are you a morning person or night owl?

Yea!

ten happy things friday

one

canvases, washable paint & paintbrushes = two very unique pieces of art.

two

sunshine

three

new beginnings

four

my (new) favorite green coffee cup and drinking more cups of water than coffee

five

spicy hummus with veggie chips

six

quiet moments

seven

TV shows that make me laugh

eight

holding hands

nine

listening to my kids tell each other they are geniuses and hearing them laugh

ten (a thing you didn't know)

I lack of fear of aging
(it was recently pointed out that I was not part of the majority on the subject of aging, especially in the 25-30 age group. maybe some elaboration on this in a different post, because I have some theories.)

I'm Sylish (and didn't even know!)

I was just reading up on the blogs I follow and Steph got an award for being a Stylish Blogger. Very cool. And guess what you guys? She awarded me with the Stylish Blogger Award, too!! I'm pretty much famous now. (Steph is awesome and I really recommend you go visit her blog.)

Now, the rules of accepting this award are that I have to reveal seven things that you didn't know about me. I don't know if you'll be able to handle it, honestly. (I'm doing this right away, because I'm afraid my blog was in a mix up... we all know I lack style.)

1.

When I started this blog I was super afraid/paranoid that if I used my first name that some creepy predator would find me and murder me. (Yes, I have watched too many Dateline and 20/20 stories about this.)

2.
I never made it to my due date with any of my children. D was 11 days early, Ry was 13 days early and Rose was 12 days early- all according to the doctors due date. (Neat little fact.)

3.
If we can make it happen I'd love to buy an RV (like in 18-20 years) and travel. I also think about living in a small village somewhere in Italy or Portugal... I have never researched this, which is the odd part.

4.
I detest horror movies and see no point in them at all.

5.
When Ry was in the NICU I decided that I'd like to do volunteer work at a children's hospital at some point in my life. Maybe I will try to do this when all the kids are in school. 

6.

The woman who I strive to be more like is my Oma. She was hardworking, frugal and I can't remember a time she complained about her life. She also used to curse under her breath, on occasion, in German, which I still find amusing. I barely go a day without remembering her.

7.

Last night I spotted a scorpion crawl across the floor. Not a big deal? Well it was 15 feet away, partially hidden behind a pile of clothes that were stripped from children at bath time and it was the same color as our floor. I leaped from my chair and tracked it down and then had nothing in reach to kill it with. Beard-O grabbed the closest object: D's baseball bat and promptly executed it. May this be a lesson to all scorpions that plan to invade our house- I will see you and then end you.  

I'll continue the trend and send the award to some other very deserving bloggers.

Grace @ Camp Patton
Kelly Jo @ The Dr. and The Mrs.
Jen @ Runner Mom
ML @ My 3 Little Birds
Nina @ The Adventures of ArtsyNina (I've been blog stalking... awkward...)

Go forth and visit those blogs. I'll be back later to talk apple pie.

Best Ice Pop Molds Ever Made

I was looking for some ice pop molds yesterday on Amazon. I had already picked out what brand I wanted and was scrolling through my options when I came across this

Click this picture for full viewing pleasure

Well! That price seems totally reasonable for a set of 6 ice pop molds. Whatever it's made from must be cutting edge. I bet those molds would make it through all kinds of disasters. Fire? No problem! Tornado, flood, earthquake, hurricane? Tracking device. Dog chewed them up? Not possible! These one of a kind molds must be indestructible. Since some electronics company is selling them I'm guessing each mold comes with the newest ipad/ipod for your entertainment. Also included (I'm guessing) is the newest flat screen HDTV with 3D technology. Also, throw in a brand new Ford F350 for daddy while you're at it. That price is starting to make sense now. Ok, for it really make cents (haha) it also comes with a RV! That sleeps 6 comfortably and makes your travels across the country with small children incredibly tolerable. 
I'll take it. Just wait until my husband sees the bill! He'll know I got a real bargain with this. 
Mama

I Betcha Didn't Know...

It's Friday and I thought you'd enjoy a round of "I betcha didn't know"...

• I drink orange juice straight out of the container. Unless I know you are coming over to enjoy some orange juice... and then I just don't offer you any. 
• It took all week to put the laundry away. From last week. 
• I used to lurk on "mommy message boards" but now I don't. Too much drama. Instead, I lurk on random blogs
• I found Spider Man in my kitchen last night. 

Scaling the cabinet that also hides the really old Halloween candy.

• I debated eating a lemon for a snack yesterday morning. I was feeling quite famished.
• I can't eat a peanut butter sandwich (No Jelly. Gross.) without potato chips on the side. I can't really explain this.
• Speaking of jelly... Jello is also on my Foods to Avoid list. It wiggles? Bounces? Jiggles? Food should not do these things. Especially while I'm trying to eat them. 

Jello

• I had to consult my friend Miss Google to figure out how to take a screen shot to show you the above "Original Wiggle"
• My posts might get way cooler now that I know how to do that. Don't actually count on it, though.

Will you have a fantastic weekend for me? Thanks ever so much,
Mama