Three Thought Thursday: Episode 7

1. I hate vinyl tablecloths. I mean, for their intended use, I guess their ideal for homes with children. But ugh. Nothing says "picnic" like a big piece of plastic draped across the table. And still, I found myself at Target this morning walking past a clearance display with khaki colored vinyl table cloths for just a few bucks and I instantly snapping up not just one, but two in my table's size. (might as well have a back-up for when the monsters manage to destroy the first...) I attempted to do the fabric table cloth thing for a while after Kolbe was born, but let's get real: I'd be forced to throw that thing in the washing machine every single day with a two-year-old and a one-year-old. Heck, I'm lucky if they can manage to keep a meal on their plates! Actually, I should be honest, Reagan doesn't even use a plate. I just put whatever he's eating right on the table to avoid him throwing the plate on the floor. One day I'll have a lovely looking table cloth that exudes sophistication and style. For now, despite my disdain for their appearance, I'll go with convenience. It's indoor picnics year round.

2. I'm obsessed with The Olympics. Literally right now as I type I have curling on in the background. Curling. I somehow feel compelled to watch people play essentially shuffleboard on ice. But to tell the whole story, my parents raised us on watching the Olympics every year that they came up and several of my most vivid memories as a child evolved around The Olympics. I especially remember the Summer Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. We were living in Columbus, MS, just a few hours away so The Olympics were all the rage. The neighborhood girls and I did gymnastics in the front yard to songs on the radio. So endearing. I tend to prefer the summer Olympics, but I'm not one to skip on the winter ones either. I knew they were coming up but didn't really think much about them until the opening ceremonies a few nights ago. Now I'm completely hooked and committed to watching whatever sport is on whenever I have a few free minutes. There's just something about the competition, pride, and emotion that goes in to these games. Last night Mark and I had the snowboarding on as Kolbe played on the floor with his bowling set. After knocking down all of the pins, he flipped the bin that stores the set over and climbed up on top of it, ala gold medal podium style. I remember doing just the same on my mom's mixing bowls as a child. So adorable!

3. For all you Catholic-folk out there, you know what time of year it is...Lent! And while it's certainly a wonderful time of year to deepen your faith, it's also a wonderful time of year to expand that cooking repertoire and sharpen up on a few no-meat recipes. At least that's what I plan to do this Lent. Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom, I was really never much of a cook. Now I really love to cook and try out new recipes, though I'm certainly no pro yet! In previous years, throughout the season of Lent, Friday became a good excuse to pick up pricey fried catfish instead of cooking. But then part of me felt slightly guilty...like how does eating out constitute any form of a fast!?! For us, eating out is a treat no matter what's on the menu. So this year I'm going to make an attempt to try some fun new meat-free recipes. I found this website with tons of good recipes to attempt. I'm sure there are many more site out there (and books too!), but just thought I'd share one for those of you looking for the same Friday food requirement. Happy Lent to everyone! (including any non-Catholics...preparing for Easter is such a wonderful time!) (and yes, I'm sure I'll have fried catfish at least once this Lenten Season!!! So yummy!!!)

Not Quite as Planned...

I am such a control freak. If something has the propensity to be planned, I plan it. If it can be organized, I organize it. (or at least attempt to...) I like the feeling of being in control and knowing what's around the corner. I'm not big on surprises. Though most of the surprises in my life have been pleasant, I suppose.

This past week was a total detriment to my controlling ways. The little guys and I travelled to Houston last Monday for what was supposed to be a quick three day trip. Just a visit to Kolbe's Shriners doctor for a check-up, plus a little visit with Pinkie and Pa for the boys. Plus, it got us out of the house so Mark could study for his Internal Medicine exam scheduled for Thursday morning. Early on, we planned to arrive in Houston on Monday and leave on Thursday. Since we fly stand-by on my dad's passes, we're kind of at the mercy of the airlines as to when we can and can't fly. Before we left Lubbock, Friday was already looking full so we set Thursday to be our return date.

After making it safely to Houston on Monday, we enjoyed a relaxing day on Tuesday, had a wonderful appointment at Shriners and a mini-birthday party for Reagan on Wednesday, and were packed up and ready to leave on Thursday morning. Now before we get any farther, let me remind you that my parents' house is roughly an hour away from the airport. And considering you have to be at the airport an hour before the flight, that means we have to leave the house two hours prior to departure. After arriving at the airport early Thursday morning with my dad, we were glad to hear that our flight was slightly delayed since we too were running late. Shortly after arriving at the gate, we received the thrilling news that all flights through Dallas were cancelled until at least 2:00pm. Since almost all of the flights to Lubbock go through Dallas, we were doomed. Defeated, we headed home.

As the day progressed, we discovered that all the flights to Dallas ended up being cancelled, thanks to the twelve inches of snow Dallas received. I was bound and determined not to let this set back throw off my plans to get home no later than Friday. After all, it was a rare three day weekend for Mark (Fri, Sat, Sun) as it was the weekend between two rotations. The perfect time for us to spend as a family! No studying, no paper writing, no patient logging allowed!

For Friday, our only option was to attempt a flight that took off at 7:25am and was scheduled to go through Austin instead of Dallas. After waking up at 4:30am to get ready and head to the airport, we were thrilled that we actually made it on time. As the elevator door opened to the Southwest check in area, we were instantly taken aback. No fewer than 250 people stood in the endless line waiting to get a ticket. I think it's safe to say that the majority of these poor souls were ones who got booted from their flights to Dallas the previous day. With just an hour to go before our flight took off, there was no way we'd make it to the front of this line and then through the equally long security line before take off. We didn't even bother staying to give it a shot. Trip two: busted.

As soon as we got back to my parents' house, I quickly checked the flights for Saturday before calling Mark with the bad news. I just about had a nervous break down when I discovered that there was literally no way we'd get back to Lubbock on Saturday either. With just a few flights going to Lubbock on the weekends and all the cancellations, there was absolutely no space for stand-bys. Not to mention the three-day, Valentine's weekend for travellers. Sunday morning would be our best shot. I was devastated.

It wasn't so much that I didn't want to be at my parents'. I love their home, love spending time with them, and love any chance the boys can get to be around them. It was more so that my plans for the weekend with our little family were crushed. I had it in my mind that things were going to go a certain way. I had it planned to a T. Instead, while we hung out in Houston, Mark got to hang out here in Lubbock. By himself. Whenever we're here, it kills him that he can't spend time with us because of studying and work. Then when he can spend time with us, we're not even here! Grrrr!!!

But I suppose, like all things, God has his ways which are far, far greater than mine. He always manages to show me why He is in control and not me. When we finally made it home on Sunday, I had a wonderful "surprise" (ok, I knew about it, but I was still so excited to see it!) waiting for me. On Saturday, Mark, my cousin-in-law Joe (is that a term? my cousin's husband who also happens to be my sister-in-law's brother....don't ask...), and his father Mr. Bergman spent ALL day creating a look-through window from our kitchen in to our family room-- something I've dreamed of having since I bought this house almost six years ago. I'm so thrilled by it that I will be devoting an entire post to it's greatness as soon as Mark finishes the last coat of paint. (yes, I keep getting the itch to finish it myself while he's at work but I'm trying to work on the whole control thing...)

Like I was saying before I got distracted by my awesome window, it's a good thing that God's in control. While, yes, life would be so much easier if everything went the way I designed it, it wouldn't be nearly as beautiful. After all, if everything went the way I designed it, we wouldn't be just months away from Mark finishing P.A. School, we wouldn't have been exposed to some amazing people like all of Kolbe's doctors, and we wouldn't have a sweet little dumpling sleeping in the other room named Reagan. All things that made up reasons for this whole crazy Houston trip in the first place! Under His control, life will always go "as planned."

Three Thought Thursday: Episode 6

1. I had a lot of fun watching the Super Bowl Sunday night. For once, I actually had a team I was cheering for and was thrilled when the Saints won! Mark's high school classmate and football team member plays for the Saints (#85, David Thomas) so we had to cheer for them! Yea, Saints!

But more so than cheering for the Saints, I was cheering for the Pro-Life Movement and the victory we had Sunday night. Unless you live under a rock, I'm sure you heard something about the "controversial" Focus on the Family ad that would be airing during the Super Bowl in the weeks leading up to the big game. Countless Pro-Choice groups across the country were completely up in arms over this supposed Pro-Life commercial starring Tim Tebow and his mother. From spots on the evening news to articles in numerous newspapers (it was front page of The Lubbock Avalanche Journal on Sunday morning...), there was some media supporting it, but mainly protesting it's running during the Super Bowl. The article in Lubbock's paper included quotes from Lubbock Pro-Choicers commenting on how they were essentially appalled that Focus on the Family was willing to drop an estimated $2.5 million on this ad when there were so many other "far more important issues" in the nation. Uh, hello!!! Another lady said she thought it was "crass" for them to "make light" of such a complex issue by putting it in a 30 second ad....

Did you see the controversial commercial??? Without all of the media attention leading up to the Super Bowl, there is no way I would have ever known that this commercial had anything to do with the Pro-Life Movement. Pam Tebow mentions, "He almost didn't make it into this world." Other than that, there was absolutely no reference to his birth, a recommendation given to her to abort the pregnancy, or anything else relating to abortion whatsoever. I loved it!

On Monday morning, I happened to turn on the TV to see what the unpredictable Lubbock weather would be doing that day and happened to catch a clip on Good Morning, America that was reviewing which Super Bowl ads were successes and which were failures. The woman doing the review mentioned that because of all the Pro-Choice protesting, the $2.5 million investment by Focus on the Family was worth far, far more than that, considering all the attention the ad received. I hate to have such a snooty attitude but I couldn't help but think ha, ha, ha! A movie line from a favorite childhood movie of mine, Major Payne, also came in to my head...One: Don't you feel dumb... Ok, ok, I know that's not the right attitude to have. Honestly though, I'm just marvelling at how God stepped in on this one and took the leap of faith that Focus on the Family chose to make and turned it in to something really special that gave tons of publicity to a cause that is so important to me. If you missed the ad, you can check it out on YouTube and I encourage you to go to the Focus on the Family website (www.focusonthefamily.com) and listen to the Tebow Family's full story about the creation of their awesome son.

"The thief comes only to kill, steal, and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly." - John 10:10

2. In the winter months, I love things that have a slightly nostalgic feel. Like my red tea pot. Mark does not seem to be quite the fan of it that I am. For the first two years of our marriage, I somehow managed to convince him to allow me to keep it on the stove top for "decoration" whether in use or not. With the addition of kiddos who have lots of "stuff," the kitchen quickly became a complete clutter zone so my beloved tea pot got exiled to a cabinet. But in the winter time when I'm craving a nice mug of cocoa, I bust it out to boil my water. No mind that the microwave is just a few feet away and could get the job done much quicker. There's just something about the warm whistling sound when the water is ready that makes me feel all comfy and cozy. I usually leave it out on the stove top till the afternoon when I put it away before Mark gets home. Maybe one day I'll have a open, airy kitchen where a tea pot on the stove will be perfectly appropriate.

3. We celebrated Reagan's birthday with a little party held at Mark's mom's house last Saturday and I couldn't resist attempting some cute little cupcakes for my little cutie. While I wish I could claim to have created these all on my own genius, I would be completely fibbing if I did. I got the idea for the circus animal themed cupcakes from an adorable book my Aunt Mimi gave me a few weeks before Christmas called Hello, Cupcake!: Irresistibly Playful Creations Anyone Can Make. After receiving it, I flipped through and ear marked several adorable ideas I could see myself bringing to life. Without a reason to make cupcakes, the book just glared at me from my shelf of cookbooks in the laundry room each time I'd go in to do a load of wash. Reagan's party was the perfect excuse to give these a try and I certainly had a lot of fun making them. My faithful sous chef, Mark, helped me decorate the cupcakes the night before, despite his aching back from a long week of work. I think they came out great! I'm totally impressed with this fun cookbook and it's great, easy ideas for making darling cupcakes! They really are much easier than they look! ***My plan was to include a pic of the cupcakes, but I'm stuck here in Houston while my camera is in Lubbock. I was supposed to make it back today, but it looks like it will be at least tomorrow so I'll put one up whenever I make it home!

Three Thought Thursday: Episode 5

1. My baby is turning one next week. I don't like it. At all. I know, I know. He'll still be a baby. And my baby, at that. But there's just something about being one that makes him not as baby-ish as when he's not one. I certainly didn't feel this way with Kolbe. With him, I think we were so proud of all he had been through in his first year and just thrilled that he made it to one with such success, that it didn't matter quite as much. Plus, I was about five months pregnant with Reagan at Kolbe's first birthday, so there was the guarantee of another "baby" just a few months away. Kolbe had to be the big bro! I know that the day after Reagan's birthday will be pretty much the exact same as the day before (it's just a number, after all...), but it makes me sad. I want him to stay a baby forever. I guess the only consolation is that at least for the second year of life, I can still refer to his age in terms of months. (eighteen months, fifteen months...) Once they hit two, they're just two.

2. We got several inches of snow last week. And lots of ice too! It was so pretty, and though Lubbock is probably one of the least scenically attractive cities ever, it's so fun to live in a place where we have all four seasons. Hot summers, cool falls, fresh springs, and cold winters with enough snow to make it fun but not annoying. Especially with kiddos, the snow is a blast! The only thing I hate is the mess it causes during and after. Wet towels, piles of wet snow gear, messy footprints, tons of laundry...the snow has got to be the biggest chore of all forms of precipitation. Not to mention the fact that as soon as they're bundled up, they suddenly have to go pee. It's so worth it, though, to see that look of wonder on their faces!

3. Are you a crock pot cooker? I am. More so in the winter than the summer, 'cause it usually seems like crock pot food is more of the warm, comfort variety. The perks of the crock pot are numerous. Who doesn't love throwing a bunch of stuff in a pot and winding up with a yummy dinner hours later!?! No "cooking" required! The one thing I've always hated, though, is trying to clean that sucker afterward. With several hours of heat streaming in to bubbly contents, it makes for tons and tons of caked on goo along the sides of the pot. A while back I came across a coupon for Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners and decided that I'd have to give them a try. While yes, one of them leaked slightly, overall they've been an awesome addition to the paper goods cabinet at our house. Best of all, they fit all sizes of crock pots, so whether I'm making a roast for dinner or queso for a party, I can throw one on either of my crock pots and don't have to fret about having to clean it up later. Or let it soak on the counter overnight as globs of nasty cheese float to the top of the stagnant water. While not a necessity, they're a fun, appreciated splurge. Such a great invention! Now if only they'd make them in 8"x8" or 13"x9" pan sizes....

Three Thought Thursday: Episode 4

1. If you're of the male variety, read no further. Let me drop a few words to stop you in your tracks: "period." "cramps." "hormones." There. Now that hopefully all the males that would even consider reading this blog have stopped, I'll begin my rant on my detestation of these things. Grrrr. I suppose I had gotten spoiled. Seriously, I had gone just a little over two and a half years with just one visit from Aunt Flo. (back to back pregnancies will afford you such luxuries...) "Out of sight, out of mind" is a good way to describe how I was feeling toward this whole process and now that it's back, absence had definitely not made the heart grow fonder. I must admit, I'm not a horrible cramper, don't writhe in pain for days, and don't turn in to a she-devil (that I know of); I just don't like the way I feel overall when the ol' "semi-colon" comes to town. (That's what my grandfather, father of five daughters, chose to call it.) It's almost like I walk around in a daze, running on about two cylinders. I guess I must give my thanks to breast feeding. It did get me eleven extra months, after all. But despite the fact that I haven't stopped breast feeding, my body decided it was time to get back to the real world. Actually, I'm pretty sure that I'm cut from a fertile fold of fabric and my body thinks it should be in reproduction mode at all times. Sheesh. At least I don't have it as bad as my poor, poor cousin. She is exclusively breastfeeding her five-month-old and her "friend" has already returned! She must be cut from a double piece off the same bolt. I think I'd put my fist through a wall.

2. I love Target. Really, if I could have a shopping spree to any store in the world, I would pick Target. A few days ago while working at my sewing machine, I had a day dream where I was given thirty minutes to run through Target and get anything I wanted. I literally sat there while sewing and plotted out the path I would take through the store. Where I'd start, where I'd go next, which items I just had to included, and which items would be great, but not necessities. The whole process came complete with a team of people with carts running behind me to catch everything I threw over my shoulder. It was awesome. And it ended with a large Slurpee. Mildly disturbing considering this was not an actual dream and I was completely awake while thinking through this entire trip. Surely I've now scared the rest of you off. (since it should be just us girls reading, right?)

3. The product of the week needs just three words: Elmo's Potty Time. If you're potty training a little one or even considering it, go buy it. It's not expensive. And even if it was, it would be worth it. Even if your kid doesn't like TV. Even if you don't allow TV. This just might be a lifesaver for you like it was for me! Kolbe's not obsessed with it any more, but I'm considering framing it and hanging it above the boys' potty as a shrine of sorts. It's been automatically elevated to Asmussen Family Classic level. You know, up for several Oscars. (the Grouch, I suppose....)

Adventures in Potty Training

As of tomorrow, we will have officially reached the two week mark with no diapers for Mr. Kolbe Alexander. I'd like to call that officially potty-trained. Hopefully.

To say it has been an interesting few weeks would be an understatement. There have been definite highs (making it through mass, a visit to a friend's house, a trip to the store...accident free) and definite lows (mastering nap time, a poopy accident, and the not-so-accident accidents). Overall, I must admit that it has gone much smoother than I had expected it would.

I think we were destined for success simply based on the fact that Kolbe was more than ready to get started. For the past several months, Kolbe had been telling us whenever he had a poopy diaper. Charming, really. Then it got even more steam-shooting-from-ears inducing. He would tell us BEFORE he needed to go but would sit on the potty, get stage fright, put the diapie back on and go in it two minutes later. Grrr!

But dear sweet Uncle Brian and Aunt Cristi! Oh, how my heart beats for you! Cristi had e-mailed to ask what the boys wanted for Christmas and I simply mentioned that we would be starting Kolbe's potty training soon and he'd be needing some big boy undies. So not only did they buy Kolbe the cutest set of boxer briefs I've ever seen, but they also threw in the beloved Elmo DVD and a little potty training book. Now Kolbe has never been much of a TV watcher. He's a boy! He's much more in to action and playing than sitting down and focusing. He has certainly never been able to follow anything on the TV with a plot or significant amounts of talking. Way too much time and effort for him! But something about the Elmo Potty Time DVD really piqued his interest. It was the final piece that propelled him in to a full-fledged potty-going super star!

The first week was definitely the hardest. We went cold turkey style, just having Kolb walk around in undies and hoping we'd make it to the potty each time he needed to go. Frequent reminders really helped and we had few accidents. Still, the world literally revolved around the potty. Practice makes perfect, after all. And then there was that one lovely morning....

No sooner had I written my posted about my lovely door knob covers than I went in my bedroom for my five minute morning spruce-up and the grossest accident ever occurred. Knock, knock, knock on the door, "Mama!" Nothing out of the ordinary. "Mama!" This is my private time, kiddo. Be there in a sec. After all, I had just taken him to the bathroom a few minutes ago. He couldn't possibly need to go again. By the time I rejoined the troops, an ominous odor immediately told me what was up. Changing a poopy diaper is gross. Changing poopy underwear is grosser. Ugh.

And then there was the other day. There he sat on the potty doing his business. (and yes, by "business" I mean #2...he does the #1 standing up.) Reagan was fussing in the other room so I told Kolb I'd be right back. Not 20 seconds later he pattered in to the room with a nervous "Uh-oh. Uh-oh." I followed him back to the bathroom only to find that his interest in what was going on in the family room with Reagan and me had apparently overtaken his need to finish his business, so he had just slid right on off that potty to come see what was going on, leaving streaks of something special all along the potty and down his legs. Sweet.

But I have to say, the victories have been just as note-worthy too. Heck, today we were traipsing through WalMart and he told me he had to go in plenty of time to get to the front of the store, check out, and use the public bathroom. (Gross.) And the other day, we were all the way down on 19th Street (quite a way from our home) when he told me he had to go from the back seat of the car. I talked him through holding it on the ten minute drive home and we made it without a single leak. I don't even have to remind him to tell me any more. He's got it completely figured out!

The only problem will be the "non-accident accident." Kolbe has figured out that since he has full control of his faculties, he can use them to his advantage, should he decide to do so. For example, today he decided to rear back and hit is baby brother...
"Go to your room, Kolbe, and think about being nice to your baby brother," I told him. He trotted of, the lovely little obedient boy. Thirty seconds later he ran back in:
"Uh-oh. PeePee. Bed. Mama."
"No, Kolbe. You didn't go peepee in your bed today. You made it through nap time with no accidents! Remember? Good job!"
"No. Uh-oh. PeePee. Bed. Mama." He led me by hand to his room where, sure enough, he had sat right in the middle of his bed and let it all go. Knowing that he had just gone on the potty not ten minutes before, this was definitely a non-accident. Let's just say I couldn't force myself to clean it up right then. I literally had to walk away and cool down, I was so mad!

My little guy is growing up. He's gaining his independence and freedom. Really, it's kind of bittersweet. Sweet in that my always stinky diaper pail is suddenly not quite as bad. Sweet in that I now get to see the tiniest little pairs of undies in the wash. (and I mean TINY! Undies on a 24 pounder!) Bitter in that my baby isn't really a baby any more. And I hate it. But luckily, I've grown him in to something just as wonderful. Now, when I ask him if he's my baby he says, "No, RuRu. Baby." (Reagan's the baby.)
"So what are you, Kolbe?" I ask.
"Seet. Haht!" (Sweetheart!)

Three Thought Thursday: Episode 3

1. My world has revolved around potty training this week. Three full days of "total submersion" into all things potty followed by several more days of getting used to participating in the real world in undies instead of a diaper. This includes everything from going at a friend's house, going at a restaurant, going at Target, and even going behind a tree at the park because Mama forgot the travel potty. Really, I've had to think about it non-stop because what self-respecting two-year-old boy would honestly want to spend his day doing that!?! Though I must admit, 9 times out of 10, he tells me when he needs to go. It's just that 10th time when I'm glad I reminded him.

2. Has anyone else been having problems with Blogger? Mine is behaving badly. I really don't like either of the blogging formats they offer. I usually end up bouncing back and forth between both formats just to be able to do what I want to do. Surely it's not that hard to come up with a blogging system that's user friendly! I hardly have time to get on and blog as it is, so when I do, I'd like for it to be a smooth, efficient process. Free time is precious, people! The last thing I want is for it to end with frustration! And if google can't do it, I may just have to go to a different system! Bahumbug!

3. This past summer I (finally) took up sewing after twenty-seven years of watching my mother do it on a regular basis. Really? It took that long? Yes. I had always wanted to learn how to sew but was one of the busiest high schoolers you could ever imagine and just never got around to learning. Then college came and it was more of the same. My parents got me a new sewing machine for my twenty-seventh birthday (which I absolutely LOVE) and I haven't turned back since. I love the feeling of actually producing something after a project is completed. And sometimes when the only thing going on with the boys in a day is total nonsense, making something with the machine is quite empowering!

Anyway, this "thought" is not about the love of my sewing machine. Yes, I love it dearly, but right now I'm just totally infatuated with my magnetic pin cushion. I supposed I just needed to give it the proper background story before I jumped in to discussing it's super powers. Prior to receiving this awesome gift from Abby for Christmas, I was using the good ol' tomato pin cushion where you have to physically push each pin into the cushion. The only problem was that as I would sew, I would pull out each pin and just set it on the table. Seriously, who wants to stop the machine to push each pin into the cushion?! Get real! So I would end up with a pile of pins on the table and then put them all back in the cushion at the same time. Inadvertently, there'd always be one (or seven) pins that would roll to the floor, under the table, across the room.... You get the point. Despite my efforts to track them down, there were constantly run-aways. Mark constantly was getting on to me when his magic eyes somehow tracked them down. But alas! A creation that solves this problem completely! The magnetic pin cushion zaps up any metal object that comes with in a foot of it. Seriously, drop a pin relatively close to it, and it sucks it right in! It even holds my thick, heavy, metal fabric scissors with no problem. I have several baby showers coming up so I've been sewing away in my free time (i.e. pretty much rarely, always during nap time, and certainly not more than 30 minutes a day...) and finally getting to use my new little gadget. Let me just say, it's awesome! If you sew, you need one of these! Especially if you have little ones. Their knees and hands will thank you! (or Aunt Abby!)