My Crazy Busy Life

How I became a Taylor Swift fan

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Tue, 29 May 2012 14:51:00 +0000

I admit.. in the beginning I was NOT a Taylor Swift fan. Everything about her just rubbed me the wrong way.

Reason 1:
Her posture:: the girl is tall and lanky. Someone PLEASE tell her to hold her shoulders back and stand tall..

Reason 2:
The song, "Love Story":: every fiber of my inner English nerd screams when I hear this song.

'Cause you were Romeo,

I was a scarlet letter,

And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet."

But you were everything to me,

Begging you, "Please don't go".

Really? Did she ever read Hawthorne or Shakespeare? These are NOT love stories. They didn't hold a happy ending for anyone.

Reason 3:
The duet with Stevie Nicks for the Grammys: Oh my. The entire time the pair were on stage, I cringed. They covered the Fleetwood Mac classic, "Rhiannon." Stevie is one of my all-time favorite artists. Ever. The two together on stage sounded worse than nails on a chalkboard.

And then one morning, I caught an interview on LIVE with Kelly that made me second-guess my viewpoint. Kelly was asking about a recent quote Miss Swift regarding her personal appearance, being sexy and her young fan base.

I'm not uncomfortable with it. You have to be conscious of that. If you're choosing

to put out music and be out there in the public, you have to be conscious of the fact

that you are a part of the raising of the next generation and you do have an

impact on that. So, choose your outfits and your words and your actions

carefully. I think it matters. I think it really does. You can pretend it doesn't, but it does.

Wait a minute. She's young, pretty and now SUPER famous, but she thinks she should be held accountable for her own choices? I had to wonder if this was for real so I did a little digging and found another quote.

"I definitely think about a million people when I'm getting dressed in the morning, and

that's just part of my life now. I think it's my responsibility to know it and to be conscious

of it. It would be really easy to say, 'I'm 21 now, I do what I want. You raise your

kids,' but it's not the truth of it. The truth of it is that every singer out there with

songs on the radio is raising the next generation, so make your words count."

I.was.floored. When so many girls her age and position are dancing with poles, wearing clothes that aren't much more than a bathing suit and finding themselves in the backs of police cards, she is saying that not only is it wrong, but it's more so because of her chosen career.

Can't say I can argue with her. So now that my sweet 6 year old little girl claims that she wants to be Taylor Swift when she grows up? How can I object?

Cheeks, sitting in the front of the computer and writing a song.

The Price of our Freedom

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 28 May 2012 15:31:00 +0000

Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer. School is out, pools are open and people fire-up the grill.

While we're enjoying our day filled with family and friends, please remember the countless other families who are missing their own loved ones. My family has been lucky and all of our loved ones have returned safely; others are not so lucky. Every day, soldiers are risking their life so we don't have to.

This post was originally posted last year upon my

return from Washington DC with Andrew. I thought

the content was appropriate for today's holiday.

Freedom Is Not Free

One of the mandatory stops I had to make on my Washington, DC trip was to Arlington National Cemetery. We saved it for Tuesday, our last day. I didn't want to be rushed and wanted to be able to soak in the magnitude of the experience.

I wanted Andrew to walk through our country's most famous cemetery and see with his own eyes that many, many people have given the ultimate sacrifice for his very freedom.

One of the things I noted when walking on the hallowed ground was the fact that the graves included past Presidents, 5 star generals, Astronauts, Supreme Court Justices. As well as the unknown soldier. The ones who fought in the trenches without the notoriety and decoration of others. Yet here, they are all together.

It was an amazing and humbling experience.

The Kennedy's are one the most visited graves (and well-known).

President John F. Kennedy with wife Jackie Kennedy & the Eternal Flame

Around the grave site, there are some of JFK's famous quotes.

Robert Kennedy's Grave, marked by a simple white cross near his brother's grave.

The other MUST-SEE at Arlington is the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers Hands down, one of the most reverent, bone-chilling sites I've ever seen.

We happened to be there at the same time as a visiting foreign dignitary wanting to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. We were lucky enough to be privy to an official Air Force Wreath Laying Ceremony. The AF Band and Color Guard were there and played our National Anthem and also Taps. Both brought tears to my eyes.

Following that, we watched the Changing of the Guard.

A little history: Taken from Arlington Ceremonies

The Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and in any weather by Tomb Guard sentinels. Sentinels, all volunteers, are considered to be the best of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), headquartered at Fort Myer, Va.

The relief commander conducts a detailed white-glove inspection of the weapon, checking each part of the rifle once. Then, the relief commander and the relieving sentinel meet the retiring sentinel at the center of the matted path in front of the Tomb. All three salute the Unknowns who have been symbolically given the Medal of Honor. Then the relief commander orders the relieved sentinel, "Pass on your orders." The current sentinel commands, "Post and orders, remain as directed." The newly posted sentinel replies, "Orders acknowledged," and steps into position on the black mat. When the relief commander passes by, the new sentinel begins walking at a cadence of 90 steps per minute.

The Tomb Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. After the turn, the sentinel executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the sentinel stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed -- the 21-gun salute.

We ended the tour at Arlington House Click the link to learn the long history of the house. It's related to George Washington & then finally, General Robert Lee. Upon joining the Confederate Army, Lee & his wife vacated the home only to have it land in the hands of the Union Army.

After the Battle of Bull Run, an Union General appropriated the grounds as a burial site for Union Soldiers. The first grave site was located in Mrs. Lee's rose garden in hopes to deter the Lee's from ever returning to their beloved home.

The view of Washington DC from the front steps of Arlington House

Although he didn't fully understand WHY he was being drug around a cemetery in the beginning, Arlington became his favorite part of the trip.

Arlington was only one of MANY sites on our DC Tour.

I began with it in honor of the upcoming birthday of our Nation.

Happy Birthday America!

He's Legal:: Motherhood Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Tue, 22 May 2012 02:46:00 +0000

Considering the boy turned 15 in January, I think he's shown SERIOUS restraint in asking to take the test for his driver's permit.

Last week, I gathered the required paperwork and headed to the DMV. And waited. There was LOTS of waiting.

waiting to check-in

he was more than a little thrilled when my phone died so I couldn't take more pictures.

Our patience paid off because it was finally our turn. He walked over and sat down at his assigned computer. Fifteen minutes later, I saw him give a WHOO HOO motion and walk over to the counter.

HE PASSED!! And his bragging rights? He got every.single.question correct.

That's right.. He aced the test that I had to take more than once before passing. But I didn't mention that to him because I would NEVER hear the end of it.

He called absolutely everybody in his phone's address book to tell them the good news. And if you see him? I guarantee that he will whip out his wallet to show you his permit. He'll also probably ask you if he can drive your car.

Speaking of which, we had our first lesson The car was FULL of emotions: excitement on his part and anxiety on mine. I couldn't believe that my little boy was ready to get behind the wheel of a real car.

I took him to the high school parking lot since it was big and empty. We went over a few simple guidelines and off we went.

Aside from hitting the brakes too quickly, he did great. I heard the quote of the night while he practiced parking..

"I feel like a professional. I think I need a helmet!"

Cheeseburger Pizza:: Recipe & {emeals} Review

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:27:00 +0000

This week's Emeal's list included a recipe for Cheeseburger Pizza. I admit, I was skeptical at first. Pizza is one of those food groups that is almost holy. It should be served as deep dish, heavy sauce, lots of cheese and smothered in veggies.

But I put my food prejudices aside and decided to try it. EVERYBODY in the house loved it. While devouring his fourth piece, the oldest teenager asked where I found such a great recipe. I call that a dinner success.

Cheeseburger Pizza Recipe
Ingredients::
Refrigerated Pizza Crust
Ketchup
Mustard
small onion, diced
1 lb ground beef
Worcestershire sauce
clove of garlic, minced
1 cup Shredded Cheese

Directions::
Preheat oven. Prepare crust and bake according to directions. Brown ground beef with garlic and onion. Drain if necessary and add Worcestershire Sauce. Mix ketchup and mustard, spread over cooked pizza crust. Sprinkle most of cheese mixture; top with ground beef and then top with remaining cheese. Return to over for approximately 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven to cool. Cut and serve.

**For serving, I added toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes and pickles because I like them on my cheeseburgers.

after just coming out of the oven

after adding a few pickles.

the addition of a fresh tomato made it super yummy

And because we had this over the weekend and it had been a CRAZY week, I enjoyed a Hurricane made from a mix straight from New Orleans.

That's not all.. If you click on the sponsor button on the right side of this blog, it will take you directly to the EMEALS website. And for the next 24 hours, LIVING SOCIAL has a deal for HALF OFF year's subscription. The offer ends tomorrow so act fast. I promise you won't regret it.

Healing through Motherhood

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Mothers and daughters are closest, when daughters become mothers.

My journey into mommyland began with boys. The longer I was at the job, the more my appreication grew for what my own parents had experienced. It wasn't until I became a mother to a sweet, little girl that I truly knew how my own mother felt.

The relationship between a mother and her daughter goes through many changes over the years and mine was no different. She started as my role model. I played dress-up in her high heels and smeared lipstick on my chubby 5 year old face, hoping that one day I would be as beautiful as she is. The teen years were a whole new dynamic.

You see.. being a teenage girl puts all kinds of strain on the mother-daughter relationship. I was no exception. I wasn't always the sweet, loveable girl you know today. I was even more sarcastic and free spirited. I was certain that my parents hated me and wanted to kill all things independant within me. We butted heads on more than one occasion. My biggest enemy was often myself. I had to have the last word and was ALWAYS right. I just knew they didn't understand what I was going through.

Regardless of how much of a monster I was, the fits I threw or how much distance I wanted between us, she supported me from the sidelines. Often silent and mostly unrecognized, but she was there doing what mothers do best.. loving her child.

When I brought home a little pink bundle of joy, I was surprised at how it made me feel. The love for my child was a given, but the overwhelming urgency towards my own mother and grandmother took my breath away. I immediately knew every ounce of pain I must have caused and regretted all of it. I wanted to take back all of the spiteful words and undo the hurt.

Having a daughter healed many of the wounds in our relationship I never realized was there. After all of the years of fighting, my mother became my best friend again. It seemed as if I had made a full-circle:: playing dress-up and wanting to be just like my mom to wanting to be like ANYBODY but her and then finally thinking that being like my mom would be the best compliment in the world.

a daughter is a mother's gender partner, her closest ally in the family confederacy, an extension of her self. And mothers are their daughters' role model, their biological and emotional road map, the arbiter of all their relationships.

~Victoria Secunda

I am Mom Enough

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:24:00 +0000

By now, I'm sure you've seen the infamous Time cover. The one of the attractive mom nursing her toddler-preschool age son.

Yes, the image is controversial and outside of our norm.
That was the magazine's intention. It wanted to grab our attention and sell magazines. If it used a headline or picture simply titled Attachment Parenting, the chances of anyone picking it up on the newsstands that wasn't already a follower of this method was slim to none. So, the marketing department did what it is paid to do. It went outside the box to sell magazines. It played on the fact that our society has turned the natural act of a nursing mother into something dirty. A woman's breast was originally created as a way of feeding her child NOT something sexual or to be paraded within the pages of Playboy.

All day I read Facebook status updates about how gross it was; how wrong; how THEY would NEVER want to be a mom like that.

Really? Because if people would stop letting the media pit us against each other, they might would realize that moms? Are just doing the best they can.

Just.Don't.Participate. Walk away from the drama and pot-stirring. If we chose to support each other instead of point fingers, there would be no dramatic, attention grabbing headlines.

I barely managed to breastfeed any of my kids for 3 months so the chances of me going 3 years or longer, is slim to none. I didn't co-sleep. I rocked and snuggled, but then put all 3 of my babies in their own bed, in their own room. I used disposable diapers on every little booty. Was that wrong? Did I break some unknown parenting rule?

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

I did what was right for me. Just like these moms are doing for them.

And for the people who have the ruffled feathers because the site of a nursing mother is disturbing? Why don't you focus your attention on things that are actually harmful to the kid? Such as..

Incorrect installation of car seats Or not using a car seat at all
Kids not even old enough to sit in the front seat being given energy drinks
Toddlers drinking undiluted juice and worse soda.
Babies sleeping with bottles in their mouth's all night.
Parents dragging their kids to restaurants and stores at all hours of the night.
When the relationship between friend and parent become so blurred that kids run the house.
Kids roaming their neighborhoods or towns with zero supervision.
the obvious lack of respect many tweens show for authority and adults.

Ok.. that list could probably go on for awhile. There are numerous annoyances I have so I'll just stop while I'm ahead.

The bottom line is parenting is hard. We don't need an us vs. them mentality. We're all doing what we can, the BEST we can. Stop judging and start supporting.

To answer Time's question.. Yes. I AM Mom Enough to simply walk away from this created debate and simply live and let live.

Let the Wild Rumpus Start

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:20:00 +0000

I just read the news that Maurice Sendak, beloved children's author, died at the age of 83 due to complications from a stroke.

via PBSkids.org

My heart is saddened.

I never knew this man. In fact, I had no idea what he even looked like until I read the newspaper article.
Nonetheless, he had a profound impact on my life. I remember sitting on my bed while my mother read "Where the Wild Things Are" to me and my brother. I was mesmerized by this wild little boy who ran away from home to live among the wild things. It sounded like heaven. He broke all the rules and even became a King. At the end of the day, his mother still welcomed him home with loving arms.

As a child sitting near my mother, I couldn't appreciate or even understand the depths of this iconic story's meaning. I was simply fascinated with the idea of a child running away for the Wild Rumpus.

Naturally as I began building my own kid's library, I included this one. I was a mom to two rowdy little boys who each made their own kind of mischief on a daily basis. But yet, when they sat on their beds next to me (just like I had with my own brother) they were quieted. They became mesmerized by Max and his mischief; listening intently as the story unfolded.

Like her brothers before her, Cheeks claimed this as an early favorite. It was ALWAYS included in one of the 3 bedtime stories. I would often find her playing Wild Thing in her bedroom, pretending to tame her toys with the magic trick of not blinking during a staring contest.

So thank you Mr. Sendak. Thank you for writing a beautifully, simple story about the importance of family, expressing our feelings and coming home. You were a creative force behind many children's imaginations and many more to come. Your legacy will be long remembered and you will be certainly missed.

Talking Smack:: Motherhood Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Don't let the cute, sweet innocence on her face fool you . This little girl is hands down, the biggest trash talker in this house.

If she's playing you in a game, I guarantee she's also running her mouth about how much she will win big.

To say that I don't have to worry about her low self-esteem is an understatement. I wish I could say her attitude is simply a by product of being near her brothers and their sports her whole life, but it's not. She gets it quite honestly from both me and her dad.

Which is why I wasn't necessarily surprised by the dinner conversation the other night. I was however, extremely amused.

** Back story** Nathan & Jolie tease each other ALL THE TIME. He calls her a stinky boy and she, in turn, calls him a pretty little girl.

The 5 of us plus 2 friends were sitting at the dinner table enjoying our spaghetti. The topic was of the hubs' and his friend's blooming bro-mance. Jolie inquired as to what exactly did that mean.
I explained that it's just a silly way of two boys that are really good friends. She gets this a-ha look on her face and says,

So Daddy & Jason have a BROMANCE. Kinda like Andrew & John? And Nathan & Jake? Oh no.. That's not it because that's not two boys. It's a boy and a GIIIRL!

She then starts giggling, looks across the table at hubs' friend, holds her hand up for a high 5 & says, " Right?? Up top??"

I.almost.died. She was so proud of herself for coming up with this funny revelation. It took everything I had not to fall apart.

Once everyone finished, hubs and I were cleaning up and he told me he thinks we need to teach her how to defend herself. Because he can envision her at a party one day in the far-off future and her mouth will get her in trouble. Not with the girls though. He predicts she will stomp some competitive frat boy's ass in a game of Bags and not be able to keep her mouth shut.

Considering she's MY kid? I tend to agree with him.

You Have No Idea:: Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I received a copy of "You Have No Idea" by Vanessa & Helen Williams as part of the BlogHer Book Club. I was immediately interested because I LOVED Vanessa on shows like Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives.

I picked up the book while waiting in car pool and couldn't put it down. I read it cover to cover in one day. Yes, it was THAT good.

I admit that before reading the tell-all style biography, I didn't know much about Williams' past. I remember a few of her songs being on the radio when I was a kid and the rumors of how she was crowned the first Black Miss America only to lose the crown when the naked picture scandal broke.

The honesty both of these women shared their stories struck a nerve with me. Whether it was discussing being the only black family in a middle-class neighborhood, handling death threats after Vanessa won the crown and again when the title was taken away. I cannot even begin to imagine how had it must have been as a mother to watch your child experience such a humiliating point in their life and on a pubic scale. The love between this family was evident on each page.

The other thing that stayed with me was Vanessa's work ethic and personal drive. . Regardless of what was going on personally, she held her head high, carried herself with certain dignity, but most of all she kept going. She covers the nude pictures, but also molestation, abortion, failed marriages and losing her father. Through it all, she kept going. on sheer determination and the support of her mother.

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

2 Wheelers:: Motherhood Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:23:00 +0000

After much practice and anticipation, the big day finally happened this week.

My baby learned to ride her bicycle without training wheels.

"Riding a bike is the HARDEST thing ever, but I really think it's going to be worth it."

Cheeks, age 6

Don't Have a Cow!

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:48:00 +0000

Every mom knows the story "if you give a pig a pancake".. one decision

snowballed into a chain reaction of other decisions. This is my version:

If Natalie watches a documentary, she gets ideas about her food's origin.

The ideas trigger day dreams of living on a farm.

Day dreams lead to internet research

Internet research causes learning about local farmers.

Local Farmers Markets websites then introduces the world of CSA's

Learning about CSA's is a reminder of where food comes from.

Unknown food origin sparks the interest in what are we eating.

An interest in what we eat prompts me to find a food documentary.

I always joke that whenever I watch a food documentary, I end up dreaming/researching/asking about moving to the county and living on a farm complete with cows, chickens and pigs. But ultimately, I wake up and realize HOW MUCH work would be involved. Living on a farm and tending to livestock isn't in my future. I mean, really? Could you imagine me living more than 10 miles from a Target or Starbucks? I don't think so.

Nonetheless, I am still deeply disturbed by the state of our food production in this country. My concerns boil down to basic journalism:: 5 w's.

WHO grew/raised it?

WHAT is in? Any preservatives or pesticides?

WHERE did it grow and travel far before I bought it?

WHY aren't more people aware of their options?

With the farm scenario out of the picture, I found local options for what I wanted. At first, the hubs complained. Even though he watched the documentaries with me, he didn't GET why I was so passionate about this particular topic.

And then the pink slime story broke in the media. If you don't know what that is, I highly recommend googling it and educating yourself. To say it's disturbing is an understatement.

But after that? The hubs was completely on board with my whole food-organic-farm raised-grain fed beef.

Lucky for me, I have family that raises cows that fit that criteria. I placed my order and bought half a cow. Yes. Half.A.Cow.

If you want to know what 200+ pounds of beef look like? Here it is. And don't let the picture fool you. There is three layers of frozen meet stacked in there.

we have eaten at least 2 dinners a week out of this and still barely made a dent.

This picture was taken with my iPhone.

I'm linking up with Liz & KLZ for

Sharing is Caring

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Source: etsy.com via Erin on Pinterest

One of the cardinal rules for parenting is teaching our children to SHARE. Share their toys, their time and eventually their hearts.

It's true, I met the man of my dreams in a bar.

Then we had a fairy tale wedding. More importantly, we have a fairy tale marriage.

We completed our family with the addition of a little girl.

In the midst of all that.. I was already the mom of two fabulous boys. They were my world so when I started dating Joe, I was nervous about how they would get along.

Turns out, my fears were completely unfounded. They quickly became the 3 Musketeers. He taught them how to ride a bike without training wheels, took them fishing and coached their sports teams.

It seems I found a man who was a natural father.

You may be wondering about the man who donated the sperm. The shortened explanation is: he was my high school boyfriend and then became my husband. After my second child, I left. I moved across the state for a fresh start. He didn't follow.

I could write posts bashing him, but I won't. While he hasn't been a great parent, he is the reason I have my sons. I would live with a 1,000 broken hearts and the pain he caused just to be sure I was able to have those boys in my life. The song, "The Dance" by Garth Brooks paints a good description about how I feel about that time of my life. Given the choice to remove the painful parts would mean I wouldn't have those handsome young men.. that's simply not a reality I want to know.

On to the happy news..

Although we have felt this way emotionally for 9 years, Joe is now LEGALLY the father to the boys. We filed the appropriate paperwork and went before a judge this morning.

He is now officially the father to three children:: 2 boys & 1 girl.
Although, the only things changing are their names.

House Cleaning

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:24:00 +0000

I know it's only Wednesday, but I'm all out of sorts this week. We've had a birthday, dance rehearsal, a field trip and other craziness this week. Walking around the zoo with a bunch of kindergartners wore me out yesterday! I'm not sure how teachers do it every day. Why aren't they paid more?

On to the news you've all been waiting for.. The winner of the Estrea skin-care package...

Mateya, I'm waiting your email so I can get you your goodies!!

YAY!!
And just because you didn't win, doesn't mean you still can't try Estrea's awesomeness. They have extended the $5 credit on ALL ORDERS until the end of April.

Welcome to Teenage-hood:: Motherhood Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:25:00 +0000

During my second pregnancy, I had many fears and worries. I often wondered how I could ever love another child as much as the first. Welcoming that first baby into your heart creates feelings in us we never even knew existed. The center of my universe literally shifted and changed course. So with baby number two, I was afraid that my universe wouldn't be able to adapt to another center. After all, I am the oldest in my family and I always thought my parents loved me the most.

Silly me.

The moment in that delivery room I learned how mothers with several children are capable of loving more than one. When they laid this beautiful baby in my arms, I felt it. My universe shifted to have not one, but two centers to orbit.

Becoming the mother to this boy gave me something I didn't know I had inside me. I found the courage to make the hardest decision of my life.

Dear sweet son,

Today is a big milestone for you. You are now a member of an often-feared group of people. You, my sweet son, are now a teenager. While that means there are many changes ahead of us and more than our share of disagreements, one that thing that will NEVER change is the fact that I love you more than life itself.

Even when you are driving me crazy (mostly because you remind me mostly of myself), I would give the world for you.

Your love of sports amazes me. I can barely walk and chew gum at the same time, but you? Are truly in your element with a basketball in your hand. The confidence you show on a court is one I hope you learn in every aspect of your life.

You amaze me every day. Instead of viewing your position as the middle child in the family order as difficult, you've turned it into a positive outlook. For you, the middle child is like the best part of the Oreo:: the filling. While you aren't the oldest or the youngest, you are the only one to be BOTH a big and little brother.

I hope today's milestone birthday is everything you hope it to be.

Becoming your mother gave me more courage than I knew. Thank you, sweet boy. I hope I am half as good of a mother that you deserve.

Birthday # Eleven

Birthday # Twelve

Accountability and a Higher Standard

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:16:00 +0000

You all know I'm a Southern girl. What you don't know is that my family are all Arkansas fans (Sooo-eeee Pig!). One of my earliest memories is of my aunt teaching me the proper way to call the Hogs. So when this story broke, to say I was interested is an understatement.

Last week, University of Arkansas head coach, Bobby Petrino held a press conference regarding his motorcycle accident which sent him to the hospital. He wasn't wearing a helmet because in Arkansas, they aren't mandatory (WHY ISN'T THIS LAW CHANGED!!) and the guy looked pretty rough. He wore a neck brace and his face was covered in bruises. The general reaction I noticed consisted of pity and relief he wasn't more seriously injured.

via elitedaily

Then there was the police report containing more details. It seems that Coach Petrino wasn't alone during his afternoon bike ride. His passenger was a young, blond University employee, Jessica Dorrell. The sordid details started rushing out:

Petrino gifted Dorrell $20k for unknown reasons.
Petrino looked as if he was on the losing end of a fight with a baseball bat, but yet the girl was never taken to a hospital. Instead, she was dropped off at her car before Petrino was driven to the hospital.
This isn't a new relationship. They were a couple when Dorrell applied for her current position at the University. She was one of 3 finalists where Petrino sat in all interviews and aided in hiring his mistress for a job.
The two have exchanged more 4300 text messages and nearly 300 phone calls over the past 7 months including game days, the day of the accident, while Petrino recovered in the hospital and even the day the police was released.

Tuesday evening, Jeff Long, the Univ. of Ark. Athletic Director, held his own press conference stating that Petrino was being released of his contract effective immediately due to the included morality clause.

I admit that initially I was confused and upset over this decision. And then I read my twitter stream. I expected to find other fans bashing this decision, but instead they were VERY supportive of it.
It got me thinking.. WHY was I initially angry at his dismissal. The affair was immoral, yes, but had nothing to do with football. Like others, I assumed his winning record would save his job (and we all know what assuming does, right?). I've seen various players and coaches who were held to a much lower standard when their actions DID affect their sport and performance.

Petrino knowingly participated (and probably initiated) an extra-marital affair. He used his authority to help obtain a job for his mistress in his department. This is a man who is supposed to be a leader and shaper of men. As their coach,he should be someone the players, faculty and fans can admire. NOT a dirty secret they are burdened with simply in favor a winning season.

Congratulations Mr. Long on having a backbone and holding your faculty accountable for their actions. I wish we had more people in not only powerful positions, but also the media and our in our everyday lives who were willing to stand up for their beliefs.

Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:54:00 +0000

While at Blissdom, I had the chance to hang out with not only awesome people, but also a few characters. Case in point? I talked to the Easter Bunny while snagging a few yummy Twizzlers.

After having my picture taken, I made sure to fill out the request for a custom Easter Basket. It was fully of all of my favorites:: mini Cadbury eggs, Reece's PB Egg plus even more chocolate. Because really?? Isn't the chocolate the best part?

I'd like to say I shared most of this yumminess, but lying is wrong.

Easter around here is all about family. It starts with the coloring of eggs and continues through lunch featuring an egg hunt on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday afternoon

Cousins make the best friends.

even (almost) teenagers join the fun

Sunday morning

Yes, the Easter Bunny supports reading

She loved her bunny ears

Cheeks and her great grandfather

my donation to the dessert table

an upclose look

on the hunt

and... she found one!

I hope everyone enjoyed their 3 day weekend.. Thank you Hershey's for sending me such a fabulous Easter basket with my favorite treats!

**There's still time to enter in my Giveaway.. What are you waiting for?

Star Student:: Motherhood Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:03:00 +0000

One of the highlights of kindergarten is when each student gets a turn being the STAR STUDENT. While every class and teacher has their own version, the basic idea is the same.

The kid gets to be the center of attention.

And the all LOVE it.

It was our turn a few weeks ago and as you can imagine, Cheeks enjoyed every second of that week.

Her poster included pictures from each birthday, every ballet recital, first days of preschool and her big hair cut.

Good-Bye, One Tree Hill

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:41:00 +0000

via Title to be Determined

We were introduced to the town of Tree Hill, NC the fall of 2003. I was starting my senior of college, not exactly the prime demographic for a show about high school juniors but I was hooked from the first episode. I watched religiously each week.

via USWeekly

Then the show changed times, days, networks; life happened. Although I wasn't as invested or obsessed with it weekly, I watched whenever I could. And later? I relived many of my favorite memories through reruns on SoapNet. Those reruns reminded me why I loved the show in the first place.
It wasn't simply a silly, teenage high school drama. It transcended ages and was about the relationships between the characters. We followed REAL stories like absentee parents, teenage pregnancy, cancer, stalkers, adoption. We watched as the characters developed and reacted to life happening TO them, not simply around them.

When I heard that this would be the ending with the 9th series, I knew I had to watch it in the same way I began it. Sitting on my bed or couch, glued to my tv every week as it aired. Before the final season began, I watched the previous two seasons on Netflix and became caught up on all of the story lines.

And that first episode of the 9th season? The beginning of the end? I was hooked. And spent most of the night texting Neely, who as it turns out is more obsessed with this show than I was.

Fast Forward to Wednesday night:: The 2-hour series finale. It was very bittersweet. I wanted to know how the show was going to end. What was in store for all of these people I watched grow up on my tv? Would anyone make return appearances? At the same time, I didn't want it to be over.

I admit.. I was a little disappointed when I realized it wasn't REALLY a two hour episode. They spent the first hour in documentary style talking with cast and the creator. Behind the scene shots were shown. Also? Did you know that the original story was set in Illinois, but due to weather concerns the producers asked them to consider North Carolina. When the creator set foot in the town of Wilmington, he fell in love. And when he visited the high school gym of Michael Jordan? He had found the court for his Tree Hill Ravens.

Did you notice that all of the female characters that became mothers, used their maiden names for their children? LOVE LOVE LOVE. It's such a Southern thing and one that I've done naming my own kids.

Brooke: son named Davis

Peyton: daughter named Sawyer

Haley: son named James (Jamie)

I know the Peyton/Lucas love story was one of the main focus of the earlier seasons. Yes, they were star crossed lovers who finally worked things out. My favorite couple was Nathan and Haley. She saw something more in him than what he even knew existed. Their relationship wasn't always sunshine and roses, but they dealt with it and became a stronger for it.

Another interesting factoid:: James Lafferty, aka Nathan Scott, was the only cast member who was ACTUALLY a teenager when cast for the part at 17 years old. He also played basketball on his high school team. So all of those shots of Nathan draining 3s and dunking? Were actually Nathan and not a double.

My thoughts on the actual finale? I loved it. Parts were predictable, yes. But that's what I wanted. I wanted my happy ending. I don't like watching shows ending and sit there wondering, Now what? {Friends, anyone?}

Other things I loved and made me cry::

adult characters looking back on their younger selves and giving advice
Nathan and Jamie at the River Court where he says to follow his dream & play sports for just him
The return of Bevin & later realizing she's dating Skills again.
Young Jamie staring at Nathan's jersey in the gym
Older Jamie's jersey hanging next to it years later
Brooke & Haley owning their own corner in the world w/ Karen's Cafe & Baker Man
Haley's bracelet in the Cracker Jack box
Everything about Quinn, Clay & Logan
Nathan & Haley kissing in the rain
Julian buying Brooke's childhood home and helping her dream come full circle.
Gavin Degraw performing "I Don't Wanna Be" while the cast sings in the audience.
Haley with Jamie and the box of predictions: "This is a magical place. There's only one Tree Hill and it's your home."
Brooke in the fictional teenage room of Peyton running her hands across the records. "we did a lot of growing up in here. Wishing & dreaming, figuring out who we were going to be, ya know?"
Dan Scott's redemption. He was the villain you loved to hate. "You can't kill Dan Scott." He survived a fire, car crashes, crazy nannies, losing his heart transplant, a failed suicide. In the end, he gave his life for his son. And Keith returned to give forgiveness.
The final shot of 17 year old Jamie playing basketball while his family cheered in the stands.

Yes, I cried through a big portion of the episode. I even cried during the documentary. I had pulled myself together towards the end when the middle kid, who watched with me, looks over and says, "I wish they were showing a preview for next week." And it hit me.

It was really the finale and would never be another new episode.

And in case you just can't enough OTH:

25 Facts you didn't know about Sophia Bush

Bethany Joy Galeotti's thoughts on the final episode

Did you watch?? Did you love it? Hate it?

via Perez Hilton

I'm linking up with Neely & Ashley for Boob-Tube Babble

PS. Have you entered my giveaway? There are still a few days left to try and win!

Shrimp Tacos {Recipe}

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:33:00 +0000

After tweeting with A Classy, Southern Wife, I was left craving some of her fish tacos. The problem? I didn't' have fish in my freezer. I DID have a bag of frozen shrimp. SCORE!

If you don't like dealing with boiling, peeling, deveining raw shrimp.. no worries. I always buy the precooked and cleaned jumbo shrimp from Sam's. They're ready to go after removing their tale and heating (if desired). I buy the big bag of nearly 2 pounds because I feed 5 people very night, plus enough for Hubs' lunch the next day. If you don't have hungry, hungry teenage boys, then by all means buy a smaller amount of shrimp.

There are two approaches to prepare the meal. It really depends on my mood which method I'll go with for the meal. Last night, I opted for the second recipe because I LOVE the smell of onions and olive oil being sauteed. But that's just me.

Option 1::

frozen shrimp, a pound or two

Remove shrimp's tails. Heat olive oil in skillet, add garlic, shrimp, any desired seasoning (I like oregano). I also like adding mushrooms and bell peppers, but they're not necessary. After a few minutes, squeeze half a lime into the mixture. Remove from heat. While shrimp is settling, prepare Pico de Gallo.

Pico de Gallo Recipe

2-4 ripe tomatoes, chopped coarsely

half bunch of cilantro, approximately 1/2 a cup, minced

1 medium onion, chopped

jalapeno, if you like spicy

salt & pepper, to taste

juice from half a lime

Combine all ingredients in a bowl; Allow to set for 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with tortilla shells. Guacamole and sour cream are also yummy additions.

Option 2::

olive oil

med onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 lime

half a bunch of cilantro, chopped

2 -3 tomatoes, coarsely chopped.

1 med bell pepper, chopped & mushrooms:: if desired

Heat olive oil in pan, saute onions, garlic. Enjoy the yummy smell that will follow. Add mushrooms, bell peppers or other veggies if you're so inclined. Once veggies have cooked down and onions are a nice translucent color, add shrimp. Cook several minutes, til warm. Add diced tomatoes; squeeze lime juice into meal. Mix well. Remove from heat and add cilantro.

Serve on tortilla shells.

cilantro before chopping

Shrimp with Veggies heated in pan

so yummy

Are you packing?? Guest Post

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:08:00 +0000

I've always heard that Memphis is the biggest small town. The older I get, the more I realize just how true this is.

Case in point? Do you know this lovely blogger?

I was told about her in passing over a year ago, but it took me a little while before I really started reading her. When I noticed we lived near each other, my next step was ~~stalking~~ searching on Facebook. After a few emails, we realized that not only do we share many mutual friends one of them is actually my husband. It seems she knew him way back when while they were in high school.

Like I said... Biggest Small Town!!

When she threw the net out for guest posts, I jumped at the chance. Caroline and her hubby are off, traveling and celebrating another year of marriage, I'm discussing some of my own summer plans.

My Summer Must-Haves

PS.. Have you entered my giveaway? It's full of amazing products valued over $150

Estrea:: European Beauty Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I've used the same skin care products for most of my life. I started with one brand in middle school and have continued ever since. But when I was offered a chance to sample a new (to the US) line of skincare, I figured why not?

Here are few facts from the Estrea website:

Since its proven success in the mid 90s, Estrea’s Skin Care System has been the number one choice of European women. Now, for the first time, the Estrea product line is available to the U.S. market, so that American women can experience the benefits of Estrea’s unique European Skin Care System.
Estrea’s twelve cleansing and moisturizing products for the face, hands, body and feet, bring together modern science and the restorative properties of nature to create a rejuvenating skin care regimen.
The line’s most popular products, the fast-absorbing hand lotions and creams, have been proven to promote fingernail growth.
The natural ingredients in Estrea include aloe vera, collagen, coffee, olive oil, citrus extracts, chestnut and Vitamins A, C, E and F.

The first day I used the moisturizer, I was skeptical because this one felt thick when I applied it. My skin is combination/oily so I've always used an oil free lotion to prevent breakouts and becoming greasy. I've being using it every day, twice a day for a month and neither of those things have happened. In fact, my face feels softer than ever. And the little laugh lines popping up around my forehead are smaller.
A product that makes me look younger? WIN!

It's not just the moisturizer that's awesome either. The foot replenishing balm feels great on a pair of tired feet when they ache from wearing heels or ~~shopping~~ working all day.

The best part? You're getting the chance to win your own set from Estrea.

Body Care Package

Face Care Package

Want to win your own BODY CARE SET and FACE CARE SET?
(mandatory) Leave a comment on this post telling me if you'd like the oily or dry skin option

(additional entries)
Follow @EstreaUSA on Twitter & tweet about this giveaway. (an extra entry for each tweet)
Follow EstreaUSA on Facebook

*As an added bonus, anyone who follows on Twitter during this giveaway will be sent a DM with a $5 credit, good for two weeks, to use toward any product. AND? They're offering free shipping on all orders.

**This giveaway is open until midnight, April 15th..

I received a complimentary product to review and

compensation for this post. The thoughts I have expressed

are all mine. This stuff really is awesome.

{Homemade} Sloppy Joe's

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:29:00 +0000

Sloppy Joe's are one of the go-to staple meals in this house. They're cheap, quick and easy. Plus? The kids love them.

Once I had planned on making them for dinner, but then quickly realized I didn't have any canned sauce. You know the one: hint it's a sanWHICH for a MAN.
So I improvised and used things I already had in my kitchen.

It was a huge hit and now my kids request MY sauce instead of the canned kind.

Sloppy Joe's with {homemade} sauce

ingredients:

ketchup, approximately a cup

1/2 onion, diced

ground beef, 1-2 lbs

diced tomato, either fresh or canned

salt & pepper

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

Add olive oil to pan and saute onions and garlic until soft.

Add ground beef .

Cook until done.

For the sauce:: You can prepare in a separate pot to allow to simmer. In an effort to condense the number of dirty dishes, I simply add everything to the ground beef after it's browned.

Squeeze ketchup into meat mixture. I said use a cup, but I always just add it until it looks like sauce-y.

Next add diced tomatoes and all seasonings. Mix ingredients together. Cook on low for 3-5 minutes.

Serve on a bun. Enjoy

Popular additions to the sandwich around her include sliced cheese and jalapenos. They're almost always served with tater tots too.

Proof that my kids love this dish? The oldest one has requested it as his birthday meal for at least two different birthdays. That's love, people.

Motherhood Monday:: What happened to your face?

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:37:00 +0000

On the rare day that Andrew doesn't stay after school for some sort of practice, I pick him up so he doesn't have to ride the bus.

It was one of those days several weeks ago when he climbed in the front seat of the car, but he wouldn't look at me. I caught a shadow of his face and asked him what was wrong. He mumbled nothing, but kept his face hidden within his hoodie.

I persisted that he look at me. And when he did I saw it.

My child had a nasty, ugly black eye.

I was livid but calmly asked what happened. He went into this long, dramatic explanation about how he was simply minding his own business sitting in class when another older kid walked in and started yelling at him to get out of his seat. Andrew told him that it wasn't his seat, but he wasn't moving. Apparently, the teacher was in the hallway handling something else and didn't hear any of this commotion. The older kid repeatedly asked him to get out of his seat while my son told him to calm down, that it wasn't a big deal. It was then that the older kid PUNCHED Andrew.

I was beyond LIVID. Why wasn't I notified? Why didn't he go to the office? WHAT?

And he looked at me with a are-you-kidding-me look and says..

Because Mom, You KNOW this is make-up, right?

I wanted to kill him. One of his classes is Into to Theater and that day, his teacher applied stage make up to a few kids to explain the technique. Mine was the lucky to kid to get a fake black eye.

I wasn't the only one who got upset either. His girlfriend wasn't happy when she thought he'd been in a fight. And one of other teachers came very close to giving him an office referral for fighting and didn't believe the make-up story.

He, naturally, loved every bit of the attention.

Hunger Games:: Midnight Premier

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:33:00 +0000

Several summers ago, I texted my fellow book whore and asked for recommendations. She practically yelled at me (via text) that I MUST read The Hunger Games. She never let me down before, so I picked up a copy at the store.
And fell in love on the first page. So I ran to the library to pick up the second book. And devoured it.

The worst part about reading a series is always waiting for the next installment. But that's what I did.. I waited (impatiently) for MockingJay, book 3. I was at Target the day it was released and finished it later that night.

When it was rumored there would be a movie, Hotpants and I FREAKED OUT. I scoured for any information about the casting and a release date.

Being the mom that I am, I begged my boys to read the books after I finished them. I KNEW they would love them.. especially A. Being the boys they are, they ignored me.

Until recently. I ~~bribed~~ promised them that if they read the book and enjoyed it, then I would take them with me to the midnight premier. It wasn't until Andrew was grounded that he picked up the book.
Our convo's that week:

(after reading the first half of book1) A: Dude. Why didn't you tell me to read this sooner?

Do you have the next one?

(after starting book 2) MOM! This is so good. You're gonna need to get the last book. For real.

(3 days later) So.. Are you really gonna take me to the movie? I wonder what they'll do. Think it will be good because this was AWESOME!

I kept my word and took him to the midnight premier last night. He was literally bubbling over with excitement.

I bought our tickets, made plans with friends and headed out for my date with the most handsome 15 year old I know.

In Walgreens buying goodies. And the cashier thought we were a couple. WTH.

waiting outside in line before going in the theater..we were cracking up over the guy & girl "DISCUSSING" Peeta vs. Gale

In the middle of a conversation, I looked over when he wasn't answering a question. It seems SOMEONE needed to take a cat nap before the movie.

People? The movie was absolutely AMAZEBALLS. Read the book and then run to the theater. They did such an incredible job:: the directing, the adaptation from the book, the acting, cinematography and costumes were just like I envisioned while reading it.

Honestly, I was more than a little skeptical about Josh Hutcherson as Peeta. By the end of the movie, I knew they chose the right guy and all of the doubt I had from the beginning only made me like him more. It reminded me of how I wasn't so sure about the character from the book, but then grew to cheer for him and love his character.

One of the things i loved most about The Hunger Games was Suzanne Collins choosing a strong-female lead character. Katniss wasn't sitting at home twiddling her thumbs waiting for a prince to rescue her. She fought for everything she had. Frankly, she kicked ass and took names. In a male dominated society, Katniss became the hope her society needed.

Jennifer Lawrence is now my newest girl crush. She nailed the role spot on. From the way she held her bow and arrow with confidence to her scenes with Rue during the games.

Woody Harrelson, who I have loved since his days on "Cheers", portrayed Haymitch as if he were born for the part. Quirky, drunk who at the end of the day really wanted to see his tributes win.

Cinna, played by Lenny Kravitz? Yes, please.

why wasn't he shirtless in any of the scenes?

Stanley Tucci and Elizabeth Banks characters were so off-the-top but still believable and provided some much needed comic relief.

Tucci as Cesar, the Games' host who interviews & spectates

Effie Trinket with Katniss during The Reaping

Costumes and set design were equally brilliant. The Capital was everything I hoped it would be. And I'm more than ready for Catching Fire.. although I've read we will be waiting until November 2013.
Even the kid left was excited about the experience as I was. He complained briefly at a few scenes being edited and shortened. I reminded him that it's not a book.. Movies are always different. He agreed and said that at least they did a great job with this one. Although, he still wishes that EVERYTHING from the book had been included even if it meant a three hour movie or longer.

Going into the midnight showing, I assumed there would be a few teenagers. What I wasn't prepared for were the parents that brought their children who were no more than 8 or 9 years old. Really? I'm not questioning whether or not their kids were mature enough for the content of the movie. If they read the books, then maybe they were. But a midnight premier? No way. Absolutely not. People wonder why our kids today are growing up too fast. It's because parents are more concerned about being their child's friend and not their parent.
Okay.. stepping off my soapbox now..

Moving On...
In my sleep-deprived state this morning, I decided to try a new look with Cheek's hair for school. I gave her the Katniss' braid. It wasn't too difficult.. I need a little bit of practice with the side french braid, but I definitely think she will be wearing it again.
The best part? During drop-off as she was getting out of the car, her art teacher rushed towards us smiling and asked, "Is that the Hunger Games braid? I LOVE IT!"
Yep.. I felt completely validated..

“Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in

your favor.”

Levels of Done

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:37:00 +0000

While reading Theta Mom's post on being content with having two children and then later discussing on twitter with her, it made me think about my own level of doneness.

i'm not sure why this uploaded sideways..

When I met Joe, he was on the fence about having children. The fact I brought two boys into the relationship that were walking, talking and potty-trained sealed the deal with him that he didn't want any. He was good with the two. And for awhile, so was I. I thought we could be a happy, little family of four.

And then something happened after we got married. I started hearing that subtle ticking of my biological clock. Shortly after, we welcomed the third child into our hearts.

Again, Joe said we were done. He's not a fan of babies. The pregnancy didn't fascinate him. He doesn't melt over the site of newborn clothes the way I do. He remembers the sleeping in 2 hour increments, constant diaper changing and how much money another kid would cost. As much as he adores his daughter, he much prefers this kid stage to the infant one.

The problem with his line of thinking is that I loved being pregnant. Even when I was 17, I enjoyed every minute of it. Aside from the last few weeks when every woman is just D-O-N-E and ready to be over it, I had never felt more beautiful and feminine than when I was carrying a baby. The swell of my growing belly and feeling baby kicks from the inside always made me smile.

Anytime I mentioned having another baby, the idea was shot down. He brought up money, needing a bigger car, sleeping arrangements.. anything to deter me from daydreaming about little baby clothes. The most difficult part of this for me was the lack of conversation between myself and Hubs about this.. It was as if he made his decision and couldn't comprehend any other viewpoint. He simply didn't understand WHY I would want another baby because he didn't. During a recent hormonal surge, I asked if he even considered how I felt.. could he not see my side... That his flat-out refusal to have anymore babies without an honest discussion was no worse than if I had gone off birth control without his knowledge and gotten pregnant behind his back. Both situations lacked honest, open communication

And my head agrees with him. It knows that logistically, it makes sense to stop with the beautiful three children we have. It knows that if I got pregnant now, the age gap between the last two would be almost 7 years putting Jolie in the middle between the first set and the last one. It would negate my argument about wanting to give her a sibling to be close in age with.

But inside my Mommy-heart, it really wanted another baby. That maybe my one big regret will be NOT listening to it. And if I'm honest, it could be because if we are truly DONE then I know I will never hear the heart beat for the first time, feel the first flutters of movement, watch my body grow and change or never again feel the connection to an unborn child than only a mother can feel.

Barring any huge surprise or failure of planning, I know we're done. We will always be a family of 5. And I'm trying to make myself okay with that.

I'm linking up with Shell from Thinks I Can't Say

for her POUR YOUR HEART OUT series.