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I've updated my family blog.....fyi. If you need an invite, just email me or leave me a comment. :)Happy Memorial Weekend!

bachelorette da-r-a-a-a-am-a

Ok, so if you want a synopsis on all of the fabulous bachelors, go HERE

But if you just want to hear me relish in my favorite bachelorette moments, look no further.

Ali, you looked stunning, but seriously, it was almost painful to watch all of the boys get out of the limos and try and "outdo" eachother on the intros. And you just laughed it up and squealed it up to the point that I wanted to throw up a little in my mouth.....

I think the best intros were the ones that weren't forced, were sincere and didn't involve neck breaking backflips out of the limo, silly nickname jokes involving pre-ejac...(well, you know), realing in a fish line, or fake proposals.....OMG I nearly fell over when the guy "fake" proposed with a CZ ring....cheeeeeeeeezy. And dude, I actually think you may be g.a.y. But she kept you around anyways......maybe to balance out the testosterone in the house?

Jesse. Wow. Cute. Cute. Cute. Nice. Nice. Nice. Me likey. Seems like a very genuine guy.
One of the hundred "Chris's" in the show.....and hello, did they find all of the contestants in Canada? Anyways, Chris L. is one of my fav's so far....nice guy. Lives in Cape Cod....very close to his family. Seems pretty grounded.

Well, there always has to be an emotional wreck on the show that is Bachelorette/Bachelor. This is our drama queen.....Kasey. Sniff. sniff. sob. "I'm here to get married. I'm here to find my wife. I'm here to fall inlove, for the love!!!" (sound familiar?)

Roberto. I have to agree with Ali. This guy is sexy. And so sweet. What do you think?

This was the first guy (and the first Chris..ha ha) to step out of the limo. WOW. This is a cute guy. But he got NO screen time. But she kept him anyways. Good, Ali..... Go Canada.

Biggest douche award goes to........

Craig.

Hands down.

What's up with the hair? And the pink scarf in the pocket? Light in the loafers? Inlove with yourself? Vomit. Gag. Eew. Boo! Ali, you really wasted a precious rose on this one.

I don't know why, but I really really like this guy. Ty. I think it's because he's a southern boy. He has that southern charm. And I think he's handsome, even more so in person.

The "most like fingernails scratching down a chalkboard" award goes to: Jonathan. The weather man. Yikes. I think he just likes to hear himself go on and on and on and on........I see a limited number of roses in this weatherman's forecast. Stormy days ahead.



I see lots of awkward moments in the future. I love it!

a choice

I've been doing a little "soul searching" lately, and thought I would share this little bit of my "soul"....and then I'll go onto indulge in the Bachelorette....stay tuned for that. Check out my sister's blog HERE for a synopsis of this week's episode, it's hilarious. And she is pretty much in sync with me on my picks....

So, here goes. Not too long ago, in church, we talked about "being offended." It sucks right? Feeling offended. Or having offended someone else. That really sucks just as bad. I've done it before. And although I try really hard NOT to offend, I will probably offend someone else in the future. That's life. Unless you are perfect. I clearly haven't arrived to perfection quite yet. Sigh.

But I really do agree with this: It is a conscious CHOICE to BE offended. YOU decide whether someone offends you or not. Wow, I really do agree with this. Although, it's hard to control how we feel and to what degree we feel it.

I also agree with this: A true friend forgives. Have you ever had someone not forgive you? It really really really hurts. Especially when you have tried to repair the problem. I had this happen to me a few years back. Someone I was very close to. It involved gossip. Incorrect information. A blowup. (yes, even people our age still have those!) Hurt feelings. Sadness. Anger. Offense. All kinds of emotions. And still......awkwardness. I can't tell you how much time I've spent trying to repair the situation, and how much emotional energy I've put into this. But at some point, you have to move on. And let it go. And not worry about if this person is being offended over and over by you. Especially if you are NOT trying to offend. Sometimes you just can't win.

Some things just can't be fixed. (blah! I am a "fixer" so this is super hard for me! I can't stand having someone mad at me, and I can't stand confrontation.....I want to crawl under a table...)

Here is what I learned from this: Forgive. Give someone the benefit of the doubt. Choose not to be offended. For emotional health. For spiritual health. For sanity.

There's my two cents. It's what's been on my mind today. It isn't much, but I have felt better knowing that I really can't fix everything, and I can only do my best to do better and be better.

Have a happy day!

the bird that left.....

Well, following up with the post before this one, we have had more rain than I can remember in the grand ol' state, and our little bird went packing.

Um, little bird, next time, maybe don't make you nest in the rain gutter?

With all of the rain, she was freezing cold and left her two little eggs to fend for themselves. So, yes, my horrified children are watching the eggs do "nothing" in the nest, praying that the mommy bird comes back. She's not coming back. She gave up. Made me think of the familiar Dr. Suess book..."Horton Hatches the Egg"......doesn't it remind have a familiar feel? "I sat and I sat and I sat....."

Here I am thinking that my kids are going to have this nice springtime surprise, they even prayed that the bird would make it through the freezing cold rain. (Gasp!) But alas.....

I am the poster child for "when you don't get the answer to prayers that you are looking for...." I mean, the story in the children's Friend magazine would have had a happy ending. Beautiful new little baby birds....a mommy bird that made it thru the storm....

WHERE IS MY HAPPY ENDING? Anyone?

Well, I can't end this post on a completely depressing note, so let's cheer up with a cute idea I found on one of my favorite blogs......check out these darling cupcake toppers that you can make! The possibilities are endless! Click HERE

Happier posts to follow....

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.)