If You Ain't Here to Party

I went to an "assembly" at work this week. It was a collection of great people in our district talking about teacher effectiveness.  We did an activity where we had to decide if we were mostly a north, south, east, or west kind of person. I'm warning you, this is pretty crazy-true and it freaked me out a bit. I felt connected to recognize my personality but have also be contemplating what it means all week! Don't be wishy washy, you have to pick only one! (I also color coded them, there is a similar personality test that links you with a color.)

Here are the breakdowns:

North - Acting - Likes to take action, try things, plunge in. "Let's do it!" 

East - Speculating - Likes to look at the big picture and the possibilities before acting.

South - Caring - Likes to know that everyone's feelings have been taken into consideration and that their voices have been heard before acting.

West - Pay attention to detail - Likes to know the who, what, where, when, and why before acting.

Can you tell which one I am? I'm totally a north. I actually love being a north. I think norths have a lot of fun. You know what I just realized? My grandmother on my dad's side of the family was a North; that was her family name. That's crazy.

Anyway, I am definitely the kind of person who jumps into things. Then I become more of a west and stop to think of all the elements to get things done right, but I am first and foremost a north. I really like who I am in that sense. I love that I have the energy and will to just go and do things. I definitely think of myself as a leader. I feel like I get things done. Knowing I am a north did make me stop and realize the other directions that I don't identify with as easily. I consider myself to be a caring person and I do take others into account, but sometimes it's hard for me to understand why people aren't on board with me. This helped me recognize that others just think differently before jumping into things.

My north-ish self has adopted this song as my anthem. This is how I'm feeling about life right now! I'm a north and I'm here to party! Let's do it!!!

If You Ain't Here to Party - Luke Bryan - Luke Bryan Videos

What personality do you think you match up with? Do you feel like you can fit into one? Does it change your perspective about people? Where do your family members fit? I think this is to intriguing!!

Remember These?

Does anyone remember these sticker collecting books?  I had to call my mom as soon as I found them because I vividly remember these from my childhood.  I had a Care Bears one!  It's a sticker book that you have to buy these sticker packs for, then you have to stick the stickers in just the right spot.  They are all numbered.  I can't wait to give Jordan his and start collecting...it's for Jordan, really!

 See the little Panini logo with the knight?  Major memories came flooding in when I saw that!!!!

 Here's a page, you can see all the squares where you fit the stickers in!!!!!  How many days until I can break into these things????

Do you have memories of these or something else from your childhood?

Donating My Hair!

I'm still kind of in shock that I actually cut all of my hair off yesterday...but I did it!  It's hard to get used to short hair again after having long hair for soooooo long.  I cut my hair the week I had Jordan to be really super short and then I have been growing it out since then, just getting trims here and there.  So it's been over three years since I really had a crazy haircut that someone would notice!  

I mentioned to Chad that I was thinking of getting my hair cut and he agreed that he had looked at my hair the other day and thought how long it really was.  Then I started thinking about how long my hair was and realized it might be long enough to donate.  And guess what?  It was!  I chose to donate it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths because the donated hair is made into wigs for women who have lost their hair from cancer treatment.  I have an aunt who has survived breast cancer and another aunt struggling with a brain tumor right now.  

Of course, I had to take pictures!  Here they are!  This is my long hair!  I had to blowdry it straight so I could measure it easily.  

In the chair!  Getting ready to chop it off!

 AH!

 Gone!  Unfortunately even though it was still fairly long after this, I had to cut quite a bit more off to make it look normal again...plus my hair is curly...

So this is how short it ended up being!!!!  I feel kind of like a little kid, but that's okay!  I like it.  It definitely feels light.  It's going to take some getting used to, but it will grow back and hopefully someone else can enjoy my hair!

Cereal Idiosyncracies

Honestly, I never really realized how different two people can be when it comes to eating cereal!  I just have to write about it because it's been cracking me up lately.  I am intrigued by how opposite Chad and I are when it comes to eating cereal and now I'm wondering what other people's tendencies are when they eat cereal.  

Me: I prefer a roundish tall bowl full of cereal.  I then load up on milk, too.  I make sure I start to see the milk coming up over the cereal so the cereal starts to just barely start to float in the milk.  I love a big spoon to eat cereal with.  I gauge how much cereal versus how much milk I have left as I go so when it comes down to the end I usually can finish my cereal at the same time as I finish the milk.  I leave usually a teeny bit of milk in the bottom of the bowl but otherwise (in my opinion) it is cereal-eating perfection.  Waste not, want not.  

Chad: He prefers a wider short bowl full of cereal.  He does load up on cereal but he doesn't like too much milk.  I mean, he barely even wants any milk in his cereal.  He chooses a small spoon.  He doesn't want to really drink the milk, he just wants his cereal to be barely wet from the cereal.  He'll eat the cereal, leaving flakes or krispies or whatever all around the rim of the bowl and a ton of milk in the bowl.  Here's the part that I am most astonished by, he'll use that leftover milk and just add more cereal to his bowl.  (If I'm going back for a second bowl, I need a whole new set of cereal and a whole new pouring of milk.)  

Did you realize it was even possible to cereal so differently?  I honestly, truly, desperately am dying to know how you eat cereal.  Do you eat cereal?  What kind of a bowl do you like?  Big spoon or small spoon?  Lots of milk or some milk...or no milk!!!  (Jordan has been requesting Cocoa Krispies with no milk and he'll use his spoon to eat it but doesn't want milk on it!)  Don't be shy, no judging, I'm just curious about your cereal personality!

Happy 5th Anniversary, Chad!

On Saturday, June 26th, Chad and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary!  It's crazy to think that 5 years have already gone by since we were in Vegas at the Bellagio with our family and friends!!  At the same time, we have been together for almost 11 years...how wild is that?  I have a few friends that are getting married this summer or soon and it's fun to remember what it was like to be a fiance and to plan a wedding.  I thought I would be sad when the wedding was over but I don't miss being engaged one bit.  I absolutely without no hesitation can say I am so happy to be where I am in my life.

My parents took Jordan for the weekend so we could hang out together.  I'm glad we were able to spend a few days just the two of us before our family changes and becomes a family of four!  It was nice to go out to eat, see a movie, shop, and just relax with each other.  We talked about how much we love Jordan and how he's going to be a big brother.  We talked about the new baby and how we can't wait to meet him or her.  What is he/she going to look like?  Are we 100% sure about the names we have chosen?  (Speaking of which, it's scary to know we've kept our names secret for this whole entire time and to know soon we'll share the name with everyone and you never know what comments people are going to make...come to think of it, I think we talked more about that than the names themselves...we're worried about what people are going to say!  Sad, isn't it?  In the end, I suggested Chad tell everyone they don't need to comment on or question the name but just say the baby is so cute and leave it at that!)

See our beautiful cake?!?!  My cousin, Silvia, made it for us!  When we were married and had our reception in Vegas we didn't have an actual wedding cake.  We had dessert at the reception and Chad and I fed each other yummy chocolate cake from the bakery at Bellagio, but we decided not to have an actual big wedding cake.  We did look at cakes and there was a cake from a bakery out in Vegas that we would have picked...and that's what Silvia made!  It turned out so cute and tasted yummy, too!  It was my surprise to Chad!

Speaking of Chad, I am so thankful to have him in my life and to be able to call him all mine!!!  I remember when I caught a glimpse of him in the dorms and thought he was so cute.  He's only gotten hotter as the years have gone on.  I'm 39 weeks pregnant and everything drives me up the wall and I have absolutely no patience but he's still a great hubby and father no matter what.  We have fun with each other and I know he's always there for me no matter what.  I love knowing I married my very best friend.  
 

Gaff Giveaway! and Me Update

For all of My Front Porch followers, I am hosting a giveaway over Teach Mentor Texts starting today!  Don't miss out!  I got to interview the author and gain some really cool insight into her life as a writer...plus the giveaway!  Gotta love it!

It's finally a beautiful sunny day here!  I'm so excited!  Jordan will be at his mini-preschool camp this morning...while I get a fun mom morning.  I'm cashing in my free beverage at Starbucks, getting a pedicure, and then roaming Target.  It's going to be fun.  I also have a great book to finish (YA) and one that looks really good to pick up at the library.  That's only the morning.  

We've been slowly getting more and more ready for our new baby to come.  I have my hospital bag pretty much packed.  I did a couple loads of laundry with Deft (love it!) and even found some drawers that can be solely for the baby.  Jordan's drawers need to be figured out a little bit, I did make piles of his clothes but I hate transitioning from cooler weather to warmer weather.  We have a bucket that I got at my shower from my aunt, Guise, filled with the new baby toys and books just for the baby.  Jordan has been talking more and more about the baby.  I have noticed that he's been pretty snuggly with us lately.  He gives us lots of hugs and snuggles.  I think he realizes things are going to change when the baby comes.   I think that baby is getting ready to come...I've had cramps the last few nights/days which should mean I'm dilating at least a little bit.  My next appointment is tomorrow (Thursday) so we'll see then what my Dr. says.  Exciting times!

The One Where I Turn 30!

Egads!  I can't believe I'm 30 already.  At the same time, I'm so happy with my wonderful life, I wouldn't want to be anything but 30!  I had a fun day: presents with Chad and Jordan in the morning, breakfast at IHOP, shopping at the mall, relaxing the rest of the day.  It was great.  This weekend we celebrated with family at Sweet Tomato's (healthy and vegetarian-friendly!).  

Jordan got to ride the train at the mall - that makes him sooooooo happy!  Choo choo!

This one's for you Chad - have I mentioned he thinks he's wants to be Danny Gokey?  (Hence, the peace sign...sigh.)

He's a Stud, She's a Slut

He's a Stud, She's a Slut, 

and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know

By Jessica Valenti

I've had this book on my list of books to read since at least last year and I finally got around to reading it (mostly while sitting on a hard, wooden bench while Chad and Jordan rode rides at Great America).  I wouldn't necessarily consider myself an outspoken feminist, but I am proud to be a woman and there are some things that really bother me.  This book is full of double standards evident in society today when it comes to men and women.  The title refers to the fact that if a guy sleeps with lots of women he's considered a stud, while a woman can sleep with lots of men - or not even - just have the reputation as dating lots of men and she is labeled a slut.  It was interesting to read about how many double standards there are that I kind of overlook.  

One that I have realized now that I am raising Jordan has to do with the gender-biased toys.  Jordan hangs out with lots of girls at daycare all day so he knows all of the Disney princesses and has seen pretty much all of their movies.  When given a chance he would much rather play with trains and trucks but he does like all kinds of toys.  He likes imagining and making food and I considered getting him a microwave for Christmas (because we have no room for an entire kitchen setup) but a certain French store I visited only had pink microwaves.  Hmm...what kind of message is that sending our girls?  Hate.

The other thing that really drives me crazy is that boys are supposed to be all tough, and then if they're not, there are those like-nails-on-a-chalkboard comments that refer to boys as being weak like girls: "Don't be such a girl," "You're such a sissy," (or insert another such words I soooo hate).  And here's one that drives me insane: "Don't be such a Sally...or Mary."  It's so not cool to be a girl.  What about girls who want to play sports or play in the dirt or like dinosaurs - oh, they're tomboys and that's really not all that big of a deal.  Extra-hate.

I'm proud to be a strong, opinionated woman.  I'm a mom and I love it.  I'm a wife and I love it.  I have a college degree and post-graduate degree and a career and I love it.  I'm a woman and I love it!

What do you think about the state of women in our country?  Have you experienced any of these or other double standards?  Please, share!

It's All How You Look At It

I haven't uploaded any pictures this week, so when I sat down to finally get pictures off of my camera tonight it was kind of like a fun surprise! Over break I dug out my old digital camera because I wanted to take pictures of Chad and Jordan playing outside in the snow. Later, I was goofing around with Jordan and taking a picture of him with his fuzz. Here's a picture he took of me, frizzy hair and all:

Now, here's a picture I took of him being goofy and showing me his foot. I love the shadows in this picture.

Here is the really cool part though...I didn't realize it, but Chad had our little digital point and shoot and was taking a picture of me taking a picture of Jordan. This was such a cool surprise because I had no idea he was taking the picture and it's kind of cool to see what Chad sees. It is so completely candid...hell, you can't even see our faces, but it's a cool picture if you ask me!

This is me showing Jordan the picture I took because the kid has to see very single picture you take right after you take it. I'm so thankful that Chad took these pictures because I don't have any pictures like them at all.

Last one, this is another one Chad took earlier in the week. I do remember him taking this picture...I'm making chocolate-covered pretzel rods in the background...I asked jokingly if he had just taken a picture of his cherry Coke and he explained that just like I take pictures of stuff he wanted to take a picture of his cherry Coke. I think it's cute that this is the picture he took. It's fun to see his perspective on things, it's so not the way I would have taken the picture but I love the bag of chips and salsa cover on the counter, I love the magnets all over the fridge, I love me in the background and our messy stove. It's our life!

This might possibly be my favorite post ever because it's such a genuine look at our family.

Honest Scrap Award

I just got an award!!! Woo hoo! I've never won a blog award before! Thank you, Lara!!!! Here's my first one!

It's the Honest Scrap Award. So here's what I have to do now:

1) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me. 2) Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award. 3) Share "10 Honest Things" about myself.

Here are 10 honest things about myself:

1. I'm a tad obsessed with being on my laptop...I love to check my e-mail, check Twitter, check blog updates, check FB, shop online, digital scrapbook.

2. I forgot to take in a half gallon of chocolate milk last week when I was bringing the groceries in and then forgot that I forgot it in the trunk...for the whole week...I did finally pitch it today...it was G-R-O-S-S.

3. I can't fall asleep at night unless I've gone in to see Jordan and whispered that I love him (just one more time) and said my prayers.

4. On the first day of the month, I try to remember to say, "Rabbit, rabbit," before I say anything else because in high school I heard somewhere that it would bring me good luck for the month.

5. At some point in my life I developed a crazy Kleenex folding routine for when I have to blow my nose in order to get maximum use out of each tissue.

6. I want my hair to be just like Evangeline Lily's. She's Kate from Lost.

7. It's actually hard to think of 10 honest things about me when I actually have to do it...

8. I can make friendship bracelets blindfolded...the colorful ones made from embroidery floss.

9. Sometimes I have very little, if any, patience for people who just can't seem to understand something that seems to simple to me...and especially no patience for someone who refuses to understand/accept something that just makes sense.

10. Kevin is my favorite Jonas brother. (He just seems to be the most normal and mature and no one likes him...but I do.)

I am proud to bequeath this "Honest Scrap" award to the following people:

http://www.lauramikewalker.blogspot.com/

http://kathylouwashere.blogspot.com/

http://www.callitaclan.blogspot.com/

http://stateiamin.com/

http://windingdowntheroad.blogspot.com/

http://thelongestyear.typepad.com/my_weblog/

http://fuchsiag.wordpress.com/

10 Things You May Not Know About Me

Well…if everyones doing it…I guess I will, too.  First, Laura posted 100 things about herself, and now Kathy has posted twice about herself in 10 “thing” increments.  So, I’m starting with ten myself.  I have to say it was kind of hard to think of 10 things people may not know about me.  I feel like Chad probably knows all these things…but he doesn’t really read my blog, so I think there should be at least 1 of these things that you other readers may not know about me. 

 1. I secretly wish I could be a barista at Starbucks.  (For those of you who don’t know, baristas are the people who work at Starbucks and make those yummy drinks.)

 2. I count how many steps I take each day.  My pedometer ran out of battery so I seriously count every step I take…give or take a few.  I’ve gotta try to at least get to 10,000 every day.

 3. Last night, I dreamt of eating a yummy birthday cake with lots of sweet sugary frosting.  It wasn’t even a slice, I was just digging my fork right into an entire cake.  Yum.  I love birthday cake!

 4. There are times when the roof of my mouth itches…and I scratch it with my tongue.

 5. I hate it when a dish is left in the sink with food still in/on it.  I know sometimes the dishwasher is full or there isn’t time to put it in the dishwasher, and I can handle if there’s a dish in the sink…but, I loathe the crusty cereal that dries to the sides of a bowl after it’s been sitting there all day.

 6. I hate physically washing dishes…this the explanation for number 5 above.

 7. I love the dishwaser and believe it to be one of the greatest inventions (see 5 and 6).  It might be because we didn’t have one growing up…although I never really did the dishes anyway…my mom usually did them. 

 8. I can make friendship bracelets with my eyes closed.  I used to make them all the time when I was a kid and seriously don’t even have to look.  It’s completely automatic.  Sadly, this is not really a useful skill, seeing as most of my friends to not go around sporting frienship bracelets.

 9. My favorite color is pink.  Maybe you could have guess this about me but it wasn’t until recently that I officially declared my favorite color to be pink.  It was red for a really long time…but I told Chad the other day that my favorite color is now pink.

 10. I love talking to Chad in bed before we go to sleep each night…unless he falls asleep watching TV while I’m still reading.