A Friday Funny

I came across this video late tonight and just had to share. As I watched this, I had visions of my little Peanut doing something like this. She is my fearless, ornery one who would probably get the biggest kick out getting stuck. Check it out to see what I mean...

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/tcnica-para-sacar-un-osito/2352140836

(Sorry, the descriptions are in Spanish. I think it means (loosely) "techniques to remove a teddy bear." All Spanish speaking folk can correct me on this one though.)

The Dirty Little "M" Word

What? Moron? Menace? Micky Mouse?

No.

Mine!

I loath this word. I shudder every time anyone under three feet uses this word in any context. I have made serious effort to never use this word. We have always said, "This is Mama's." "Dada's shoes." If one of the girls is playing with a toy and her sister tries to take it, we have always said, "Sissy is playing with that toy right now. It is Sissy's toy." Things have been going so well that both girls will walk around and point out ownership to items around our house.

"Mama's cup." (Points to my drinking glass.)

"Mama's." (Points to my, uh, laptop...hee hee...anyway)

"Dada's cup." (Points to twindada's beer bottle. He LOVES this one! Ha ha!)

Anyway, the point is that I have gone through great pains to never say "mine" to the girls so they will not use this word.

Why would I do that?

For the very reason why this week, Jelly Bean ripped a toy out of her sister's hands yelling, "Mine!" Or the time when Peanut got hold of some fresh laundry and when I went to retrieve it, she yelled at me shouting, "Mine!" (For the record, the item was one of my socks. It did not belong to her at all.)

Where did they learn this?

I am blaming Noggin's Lazytown and Max & Ruby. Both shows this week showed children saying the word. Shouldn't the censors be on that? Don't they know that in the pre-school world, "mine" is as dirty a word as other more adult four letter words?

My critics will say, "well, who let them watch TV in the first place?"

And I say, "Well, me, but that isn't the point..."

Ultimately it all comes back on the mother, so whatever, I guess the fault is all...mine.

This post is part of a series titled "Twinmama's Lifestyle Challenge". For more information about how the challenge works, please visit related links here and here.

Week Five: How Did It Go?

Like many people, I have a list of little things that urk me, however there is one that reigns supreme over all of them and that is dog hair. We have two shepherd mixes and they are an endless supply of hair. I spend a lot of time sweeping, vacuuming and picking hair off everyone and everything and I am tired of it. I decided since I am not allowed to get rid of them or shave them (twindada wouldn't let me...), I would go to the source of the problem and dedicate time to brush them with a really good undercoat rake to help reduce the amount that comes off in the house. This task requires some time and dedication on my part, but the amount of dog hair that I have been able to brush away has made me realize this is the best way for the hair to not end up on my couch. And that makes me happy.

Week Six...cue Mission: Impossible music...

Category?: Faith

What?: Ask someone how I can pray for them. I pray for my family and friends as things arise, but sometimes I don't know if someone is in need of prayer.

Why?: Often people won't ask for prayer because they don't want to burden others, come across selfish or just don't think they need it. By asking someone if I can pray for them, they will know that I am thinking about them and want go to God on their behalf to help them with anything.

How Do We Go About Doing the Challenge?: Identify a person that doesn't necessarily ask for prayer often, someone who is in trying times or anyone.

Who Does the Challenge Include?: Me and the person I pick.

Resources to Help:

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should" —Colossians 4:2-4.

"I urge, then first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. … I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing" —1 Timothy 2:1-4, 8.

TLC Weekly Challenges start on Mondays and continue indefinitely. I will post my results along with the following challenge next Sunday. Remember, you are invited to participate in my weekly challenge or create your own and tell me about it! Also, if you find better ways to accomplish a weekly challenge, please drop me a comment. Good luck, fellow TLC-ers!

Commonly Heard Phrases in Twinland

Toddlers learn to talk by imitating the words they hear from others. Whatever expressions parents, grandparents, other family and friends say, children will say, too. That is why I am convinced the following phrases are quick to become part of my girls' vocabulary.

"Close it."
"Drop it."
"Not for you."
"You may not ___."
"Quite touching that."
"Don't eat that."
"Eat your dinner."
"Sit still."
"Come on."
"Come here."
"Don't run away from me."
"Get your hand out of the toilet."
"Give sissy her bear back."
"Be nice to your sister."
"Be nice to me."
"Get your hand out of your diaper."
"Come back."
"Get down."
"Don't grab that."
"Leave the doggies alone."
"Don't throw that on the floor."

I could go on, but you probably get my point.

Making a Lemonade Stand

At the beginning of January, my husband came home to tell me that he was laid off from his job. I wasn't shocked that this had happened because he prepared me a couple of months before that it could happen in 2009. However I was a little surprised because I don't think that I thought it was going to occur so soon.

We both went through a range of emotions. There was surprise that it had happened right after the first of the year. There was relief that he didn't have to make that 3+ hour round trip commute anymore. And there was concern about what we were going to do financially.

I think like most people we needed time to decompress and figure out our game plan. We knew we needed to sit down and discuss how we were going to provide for our family and stay in our house. Also, there was the question of what my husband was going to do now that he was unemployed. Was he going to look for another job closer to home? Was he going to be forced to look at jobs that would give him yet another considerable commute? Or was there something else that he should now do?

It usually takes some sort of drastic change (usually not by our doing) to initiate a complete perspective change. A decision, realization, loss or any other moment when our thought processes shift from thinking one way to having a whole new appreciation for something else forces us to consider that maybe there is another way. Maybe there is a way to be happier. Maybe there is a way to do what we have always wanted to do. Maybe that time is now.

He was at a crossroads.

We have been together for over eight years and the entire time that I have known him, he has wanted to start his own business. There are certain people that are just born with that entrepreneur heart and he is definitely one of them. Entrepreneurs can create, set in motion and manage something without the fear of failure. They can take a step out away from the pack to pursue their heart's desire without the security of a corporate backing or company health benefits. It's a risky world, but it is also the most fulfilling place for an entrepreneur.

Years ago when he approached me with this idea, I was completely against it. I didn't like the lack of security or feared it was too outside what "everyone else does". Despite this, he continued to dream about the opportunity while building his skillset as a corporate recruiter with several good companies.

Again, the topic was revisited and this time we both knew that it felt right. We have been praying a lot to God for direction, guidance and resources and I get a completely content feeling about him pursuing this. Should I be this content? Probably not - we have 2 children and a mortgage which we didn't have before, but I think that is why I am so supportive. I have spent eight years getting to know my husband and I have learned many things, but this one is the most important of all - I trust him and know that he will provide for us.

It's amazing how much things can change and how if we pray for guidance, God will give us not only direction, but the comfort in knowing we are making the right decision. I pray twindada's business thrives and it is able to provide for our family. I don't pray for anything beyond that, I just want God's provisions. Some may question starting a business in today's market, but I feel this is the best time to start! Having a presence in the market right now will set him up for the future when job growth picks up again. It is those who ran away at this time that will not come out on top when the economy turns upward.

So, if you find that your life has taken a change that you weren't expecting consider the old saying, "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade." It is so true that our reaction to something weighs far greater than the event itself. We must push on despite the economy, loss of jobs and trying to stretch money that doesn't seem to want to stretch. Life goes on and we have to be ready to accept God's blessings and learn from His guidance. Wow, do I know this lesson. I get "educated" in this several times a year. (You would think I would have learned by now?)

We are embracing the opportunity to change our lives forever. My husband gets his "shot" to see what he can do in the business ownership world and I get my family all under one roof. (Which for those who know me well understand that I am a homebody and like all my birds in the nest, so I am in heaven.)

Life took an unexpected turn and we are taking the chance to stop dreaming and start doing.

Time to start squeezing.

This post is part of a series titled "Twinmama's Lifestyle Challenge". For more information about how the challenge works, please visit related links here and here.

Week Four: How Did It Go?

Yet another crazy week, but things are starting to get into a new routine. Twindada was laid off from his job early in January, so we are adjusting to everyone at home. It has been good to have him close because I was tired of the 3+ hours round trip commute he was making everyday. The girls have enjoyed having him at home, too. I worked this week on trying to identify the best times to get the girls' attention so we could read books. At almost two years old, they have a lot energy, a little stubborness and compete for my attention, so sitting quietly with one girl to read has proven to be a challenge. This week, I am going to start a routine of reading to them before naptime and bedtime and see how that works.

Week Five...cue Mission: Impossible music...

Category?: Personal/Family

What?: Eliminate a stressor! I will identify something that makes me feel stressed, overwhelmed or frustrated and work on ways to improve it in my life.

Why?: Stress is a nasty little thing that corrodes our physical and mental well being as well as causes strife in our relationships.

How Do We Go About Doing the Challenge?: Like most people, I have some things that just make me crazy. I will pick one and concentrate on fixing it. Instead of being on the defensive, I will go to the source of the problem. I will pick something that I have the ability to control or cause change.

Who Does the Challenge Include?: Me.

Resources to Help:

http://www.stressbook.com/eliminating_stress.shtml

TLC Weekly Challenges start on Mondays and continue indefinitely. I will post my results along with the following challenge next Sunday. Remember, you are invited to participate in my weekly challenge or create your own and tell me about it! Also, if you find better ways to accomplish a weekly challenge, please drop me a comment. Good luck, fellow TLC-ers!

Oh My Gosh...

I owe you all a TLC post this week along with more twinperspective stuff. I have been really stinking it up as a blogger lately and I promise that I will get back in the saddle very soon.

The new TLC will post later tonight as soon as I get my head out of the snow!

Thanks for sticking with me, Blogging Buddies!