we have a visitor

We looked out missy's window today and we had a very fun surprise!......a cute mama bird, who has built a nest from sticks in our rain gutter, right outside missy's window....RIGHT OUTSIDE! We have a front row seat! She has been there all day, hasn't moved. Is there a cute little egg underneath? We'll soon find out! I love Spring!

What I miss.....

Do you sometimes forget that you were an actual person with actual interests before the "chillen's" came along (southern for children....fyi)....don't get me wrong, there is nothing I'd rather be doing...I am loving the mom thing and I feel like things are as they should be right now in my life........BUT....

I can't believe that it was over 10 years ago that I lived in France. I really can't believe it. And do you know how bad my French is? MAUVAIS. Horrible....terrible.....(said in a very French accent)... it's seriously been since I worked with the French NOC during the Olympics in 2002 that I've really spoken good French. That's a loooooonnnnng time......

I'm seriously out of practice. I don't sit around and speak French all day. Because I know NOONE that speaks French. Because I haven't been back to France since my eldest was born. All contributers. OH, and don't forget the fact that my hubby HATES all things French. Especially the food (GASP!)....so what's a girl to do?

First of all, I stepped OUT of my comfort zone.

I have been spying on a lady at the library storytime every Thursday morning. Yes, you heard me correctly. SPYING. She is FRENCH (sigh.....oh la la...) and I hear her talking to her little boy. But coward me is too afraid to talk to her. So I just spy from afar and avoid, avoid. That's how awful my French is, in my mind. Scary. Scary scary scary.

Today. I. Opened. My. Mouth.

Yeah, me! I talked to my scary French lady! She is from Paris! She is tres parisienne. Tres chic. We talked for twenty minutes while my children ran wild. Yes, I only understand half of what she said to me, and nodded during the other half. And I actually opened my mouth and spoke French for the first time in ages. It felt SO good. It really did.

So.....

I have set a goal for myself. Oh yes. That's right. A GOAL. Something for ME.

ME!

I need something to work for. Something to look forward to. Nope, not a massage. Not a pedicure. Not a trip to Target ......

Here's a hint.....

Nope, I'm not going to learn the art of baguettes ....

here are a few more hints....

Nope, not adopting a little French boy......another hint?

Nope, not taking up knitting....

Now, this is a lot harder than it seems. For one, I have to plan at least 2 weeks away from my little peeps that I take care of all day. That is NOT going to be easy. Secondly, I have to really brush up on le francais....ALSO not an easy task. I'm going to have to cut some things out of my life to insert some study time. Not easily done. Already feel like there is NO extra time.

I'll keep you updated on my progress.....d'accord? It's a daunting task.

Why? Tell me why.

I want someone to tell me something......Why are there not any affordable but CUTE maternity clothes out there?

Now, all of you put your minds at ease....I am NOT pregnant. However, my darling sister is. And she and I have been on the search for some cute maternity clothes, since she lives clear out in outer darkness (ok, maybe not OUTER darkness....maybe just in a very remote area of the United States) where really her only options are Target, Old Navy, and ONLINE. But really, there isn't a lot available, unless you want to look like a big fat WHALE in a big fat TENT. Or...if you want all of your fat to hang out. That is an option, too. If you think your arms are sexy when you are pregnant, then please proceed to your nearest maternity dealer and buy the tight-armsleeved concoctions. Me personally? My arms are nice and flabby, and pimply and bumpy and disgusting when I'm pregnant.

And in searching for my sister's wardrobe, I stumbled across one the most hideous things I have ever seen in my life.

ENTER Heidi Klum.

Now everyone knows Heidi. She is gorgeous. Right? Right.

But.......I have to say something to her.

Thank you, Heidi, for reminding us that we are not all as beautiful, thin, and glamorous and you. Thank you for reminding us that you NEVER eat carbs (Pasta.....said in a German accent) EVER. Not ever ever ever ever. Thank you for reminding us that you don't gain one lb. during your fabulous pregnancies. And thank you for delivering your fourth child and then walking down the cat-walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show a few months ago. We ALL wanted to throw something at our television screens. I bet some ladies actually did (come on,

admit it!!!!!)

This should be outlawed. Check out Heidi Klum's Lavish maternity line here

And don't forget to purchase this fabulous little number, essential for EVERY pregnant woman's wardrobe:

Is this for real? Is she joking? Fabulous? Or hideous???? You be the judge.

If any of you have any suggestions for cute NORMAL maternity clothes, please leave me some love.........(oh, and it can't break the bank, we don't live in Happy-ville where we all drive Escalades and have designer diaper bags and designer maternity clothes, and travel everywhere with our mothers in tow...... sound familiar? Hey, I can say it, I'm not from Utah.)

Has anyone else noticed the insane number of earthquakes lately? It's crazy. It seems like every day, we turn on the news and there is another high magnitude earthquake happening somewhere around the world. Not very comforting when you live somewhere where they tell us OFTEN that we are due for a HUGE earthquake anytime....

This is what my little boy's prayers conisist of EVERY night (I'm not exaggerating): "Dear Heavenly Father, please bless the people in Haiti, Chile, Turkey and ....pause......and......pause..........China (he means Indonesia, good try)...that they will get the things that they need. "

How sad that he is losing track of who to pray for because there are so many!

And of course, the kids came home from school today and informed me that it is National Earthquake Drill Day...and that they had an awesome earthquake drill at school. They all got under their desks. (Um...ok... a little different from the tornado drills that I grew up with!)

That got us talking about where we should go in our house if we were home during an earthquake, and so we looked around for the safest place. Interior wall..........not close to a window. VERY difficult in my house, come to find out, since I had to put so many dam- windows in! It was almost funny! So, we determined that there were like, 2 walls in my entire house that were safe to stand by...hmmmm..... Are you prepared for an earthquake? Here are some things that are suggested:

Flashlight with extra batteries (preferably one for each individual) Portable, battery-operated radio with extra batteries Purchase and use "Self Powered Radios" and "Self Powered Flashlights". Batteries will be hard to find, if you can find them. Some models will charge cell phones, but the cell phone towers may be damaged, even destroyed. Purchase and use "Glow Sticks". These are SAFER than candles, since you will be dealing with ruptured gas lines, flammable, explosive gas. First aid kit and manual Emergency food and water (some sources say you should have up to 2 weeks worth of extra food on hand in case rescue workers cannot reach your location) Nonelectric can opener Essential medicines Cash and credit cards Sturdy shoes for each family member -and one site suggested that EVERY family member know where the gas shut off is....my dad always says, "if it shakes, it BAKES"....

So guess what we put by our beds tonight? Flashlights and shoes. Don't forget the shoes! Here's hoping we don't ever have to use them.......

Aaaahhhh the time honored tradition of Easter Egg dyeing.....I have such a love hate relationship with it, but the kids LOVE it. Absolutely.

Little hands.....

Know what I love most about Easter Eggs? ....Besides the colorful shells.......

.....besides the big mess?

....besides watching my kids take an hour to peel the egg?

Mmmmm........these:

Worth every mess, every shell, every broken egg.........