Happy Leap Day 2008!!

Gymnastics Pics!

~ Kaitlyn ~

~ Morgan ~

~ Megan ~

~ Madison ~

Back to the doctor

Luckily I was able to get an appointment with my doctor for 2pm today. She said the infection is gone and that this must be caused by a blockage or backup of mucous way deep in my sinuses. So she gave me a super-strong dose of a decongestion to 'push it all out'. Sorry if TMI. Apparently all of this sickness feeling stems from this blockage. She said that part of the cause may be environmental allergies too. So I am on a daily regimen of Claritin once a day, Ocean saline spray & Nasinex nasal spray twice a day. We'll see. I just want to feel better.
On a side note, I had to bring the triplets with me and they did great. I was so proud of them.
We made it just in time to pick up Kaitlyn from school at 3pm. Her teacher said she did awesome up on stage, speaking into the microphone and all! She had actually memorized her speech, I was amazed.
Our friends with Baby Ryan are coming down tomorrow for the weekend. We are so excited. I can only hope and pray to feel better so I can enjoy our time together. At least I'm not contageous, so that's a good thing. Tim is scheduled to come home tonight too, I can't wait! OK, time for more rest...

TV Talk ~ Survivor (BEWARE: spoilers)

CAST:
Favorites:
Amanda Kimmel
Age: 23 Los Angeles Occupation: Hiking Guide
Ami Cusack
Age: 34 Lakewood, Colorado Occupation: Coffee Barista
Cirie Fields
Age: 37 Walterboro, SC Occupation: Registered Nurse
Eliza Orlins
Age: 25 Syracuse, NY Occupation: Law Student
James Clement
Age: 30 Lafayette, Louisiana Occ: Gravedigger/Bartender
Jonathan Penner
Age: 45 Los Angeles Occupation: Script Writer/Actor
"Ozzy" Lusth
Age: 26 Venice, Ca Occupation: Waiter, Surfer
Parvati Shallow
Age: 25 Los Angeles Occupation: Waitress
Jonny Fairplay
Age: 33 Los Angeles Occupation: Reality TV Contestant
Yau-Man Chan
Age: 55 Martinez, Ca Occupation: Dir of Info. Systems

Fans
Alexis Jones >>
Age: 24 Austin, TX Occupation: Motivational Speaker
Chet Welch >>
Age: 47 Ford City, Pa Occupation: Customer Service Rep
Eric Reichenbach >>
Age: 22 Pinckney, MI Occupation: Ice Cream Scooper, Student
Jason Siska >>
Age: 22 Hometown: Fox River Grove, IL Occupation: Student
Joel Anderson >>
Age: 32 Avondale, AZ Occupation: Fireman
Kathy Sleckman >>
Age: 45 Glen Ellyn, Ill Occupation: ?
Natalie Bolton >>
Age: 32 Hometown: West Hollywood Occupation: Personal Trainer
Mary Sartain >>
Age: 29 Hometown: Emeryville, Ca Occupation: Loan Officer
Michael Bortone aka Mikey B.
Age: 34 Hometown: Los Angeles Occupation: Actor/Writer

Quick Review:
Week 1-Fans won immunity. Favorites sent home: Jonny Fairplay.

Week 2-Faves won immunity. Fans sent home: Mary Sartain

Week 3-Fans won immunity. Faves sent home: Yau-man.

Week 4-Faves won immunity. Fans sent home: Mikey B.

My thoughts:
I loved James when he was on Survivor the first time. I was so bummed when he was booted. So I was excited to see him return for this season. But he is acting differently this time, so we'll see. Last time, I didn't like Jonathon but this time he is impressing me. I loved Yau-man both times and was upset when they sent him home last week. I disliked Cirie last time and dislike her even more this time.
As for the fans, I'm still trying to learn them and figure them all out. Ones that stand out in a negative way are Kathleen and Chet. They both make me crazy. Even though I don't really have a favorite 'FAN' yet, that is the team I've been rooting for. It looks like next week they are going to switch it up though, so that should be interesting. So far, it has alternated each week which team won, so we'll see what happens with the new 'shake up'.

Delayed sunset!

I noticed today for the first time, it is staying lighter later - hurray! I looked outside at 5pm when we usually sit down to eat dinner and the sun was still out! Just a few weeks ago, it was totally dark by 5pm. I am SO thankful! In fact, it didnt start getting dark until almost 5:45pm, yippee! This is a sure sign that Spring is on its way! Nevermind the 20 degree temperatures outside right now and pending snow/ice for the weekend!

I still feel like crap, it's just ridiculous at this point. And of course, my dr is closed on Thursdays (hence the reason I had to go to that clinic last Thurs). So, I'll try to get in with her tomorrow. I was getting awful side effects from that antibiotic, and no benefits, so I decided to stop taking it today after 7 days on it.

Our friend Jennifer took Kaitlyn to school yesterday and today (and offered again tomorrow). What a huge blessing and help this has been for me. It means I dont have to drag all of the girls out of the house, or rush out myself in the cold with feeling sick.

I did take the triplets to gymnastics this morning, they love it so much so I didnt have the heart to make them miss it. I just curled up on a chair and read my book. They are doing great with it too. All four girls get progress stickers to put on a chart and all of them are accomplishing a lot already, it's exciting for them!

Also, I volunteered at the school library today. That is something I have missed so much. Last year, I was in Kaitlyn's school at least once per week, either helping in her classroom, for picture day, etc. So it felt good to be there today, meeting some teachers and feeling like a part of the school 'team'. Another mom volunteered with me and it turns out her son is in preschool with Megan and Morgan. So we talked a lot and she invited me to join a book club she belongs to. I am excited. I have always wanted to join a book club, I love to read. But before I can join, I have to talk to one of the head members I guess, there are like 25 women in the group! I felt sick to begin with and by the end, I had a raging sharp-pain headache. So I had to lay down at home while the girls watched a movie after school. They have been SO GOOD for me and I am very thankful for that as well. Its like they are old enough to understand now and they're being good to me.

Tomorrow is Leap Day! So, at school they are doing a frog theme. Kaitlyn has to wear green, bring in a green snack for the class and bring something with a frog (she chose a Froggy book). Also, she is part of an assembly about consideration of others, where she will make a small speech in front of the whole school. She's nervous, but we've been practicing at home and I know she'll do great! Then tomorrow night there is a school winter carnival from 5-8pm. I am curious what it will be like, the girls are excited!

I signed up for facebook yesterday, so if you have an account, let me know and we can 'hook up'! ;) It was kind of by chance, but it seems cool. I have already gotten in touch with two different people that I hadnt talked to in over 2 years! Well off to watch Survivor and Celebrity Apprentice...my old faithful reality TV!

TV Talk ~ American Idol

Last night the remaining 10 guys sang. Tonight, the 10 girls sang.

I think this week went better than last week, overall. But there is really only one guy singer that I like...

David Archuleta, the little 17 year old cutie pie. He has a great voice, good stage presence and (so far) is not full of himself, letting it get to his head. He is just an all around likeable guy.


Another guy that I kind of like (and definitely never thought I would) is...

Danny Noriega. He is an 18 year old, kind of funky and quirky guy and really funny personality. I can see that he could become highly annoying though, so he better watch that.


I think Luke Menard is really cute, but his personality is a dud. I had to laugh when Ryan Seacrest referred to him as Luke Perry...so true! Jason Castro looks like a hippee or something with all that crazy hair. And Jason Yeager looks a bit like Nick Lachey in my opinion, no complaints here!

As for the girls, my stand out fave is...

Brooke White. I thought she did great tonight, had great stage presence playing her guitar and she's so cute. She's also a nanny which I think is cool!


And probably my second favorite girl is...

Kady Malloy is only 18 years old, seems the younger ones have an edge this season. She is gorgeous, sings well and is funny when she does her impressions of Britney Spears and Shakira, etc.


Carly Smithson is interesting - she's Irish I think and speaks with a fun accent. She's one of my top picks for the girls. I really don't care for Amanda Overmyer - she looks freaky and doesn't really sing that well. It's almost like she tries too hard.

So, we'll see who goes home tomorrow night. I don't even have a guess this week. I just hope its not one of my faves!

Ten on Tuesday ~ Week 3

10 Movies That I've Intended to Watch, but Havent

I missed last week's Ten on Tuesday from being so sick, so I figured I'd jump back on the bandwagon this week! I am not much of a 'movie buff' so this one was kind of hard for me, but here goes...

1. A Beautiful Mind
2. Harry Potter movies
3. The Bucket List
4. Under the Tuscan Sun
5. Juno
6. 27 Dresses
7. Meet the Robinsons
8. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
9. Atonement
10. An Inconvenient Truth

Next week: 10 Favorite Drinks

Ian Blake Anders

It's a Boy!
Tim's brother, Gary and his wife, Beth brought their little bundle of joy into the world this afternoon (which also happens to be Beth's birthday) around 4pm. He weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and mommy and baby are doing well. They will be going home tomorrow! They sent us these pics through the cell phone - they promised more clear pics tomorrow!!
What a cutie:

And the proud new Daddy!

We are so excited and can't wait to meet him! We have it planned to visit them in Harrisburg in a few weeks, hopefully he wont grow too fast before then!

Sinus infection & the flu

Last Thursday night Tim brought me to the doctor (actually a 'clinic', I'll explain later). Turns out I do have a sinus infection, but also seem to have the flu along with it. So now I am on antibiotics and he also gave me meds for the pain. Here I am, 3 days later and still feeling like crap. Maybe that's why I'm not quick to go to the doctor.

Anyway, long story short, here in NJ, it seems there arent group practices of doctors, but rather each doctor works independently. Therefore, they are generally only open certain hours, certain days of the week. Unfortunately, my doctor's office was closed on Thursday. So, there is a state-run facility (which I call a clinic sort of place). They are open every night and weekends to make up for the hours the regular doctors offices are closed. It is kind of like an Emergency Room (even has the $50 deductible of the ER). All of the 'regular doctors' apparently take turns working shifts at this clinic. It turns out, I was treated by my actual doctor's husband, which shows that it really is a small world, or maybe this is just a small town.

Anyway, I am debating if I still feel this bad tomorrow that I should call my regular doctor to see if maybe I need some different meds.

I thought I was feeling slightly better yesterday, at least I was able to get out of bed. But then we drove to PA to get our taxes done and I just felt horrible. Once again, I was unable to get out of bed today. Which totally sucked because I missed church AGAIN (the 30 Days to Live series). **sigh** Tim took the girls though, so at least they didnt have to miss church this week.

I am so incredibly ready for Spring and spending time outside in the fresh air. So, notice the new header at the top and the countdown...25 days to go.

On an exciting side note, please keep Tim's brother and his wife in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow, as she is going to be induced to deliver their first baby together. I will keep you posted on the details (and hopefully pictures!!)

Also, friends of ours in PA are going through a rough time with some childcare issues for my favorite little guy. So please, send some positive thoughts their way as well. I know they will make the right decision and it will all work out.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
Published in 2005. 401 Pages.

http://www.amazon.com/Memory-Keepers-Daughter-Kim-Edwards/dp/0670034169

http://www.memorykeepersdaughter.com/


First sentence: The snow started to fall several hours before her labor began.

Last sentence: He walked across the grass and touched her shoulder, to take her home.

What it’s about: (taken from amazon.com) The book opens during a snowstorm in Lexington, Ky., in 1964. Norah Henry goes into labor and because of the weather, the doctor can't make it, so her husband David, an orthopedic surgeon, delivers his own twins. Norah gives birth to a healthy baby boy, but then gives birth to another child, a girl with Down's Syndrome.

While his wife sleeps, David hands the baby to his nurse and asks her to take it to a home for handicapped children. When Norah awakens a few minutes later, he tells her their second baby was stillborn.

The novel moves through the next 25 years. The story runs along parallel tracks that don't converge until the very end: The first follows the picture-perfect Henry family, three healthy, talented people separated from one another by the secret that only David knows. The other track follows David's nurse, Caroline, who couldn't bring herself to follow his instructions that night. Instead, she left town with his baby, struggled through a series of part-time jobs, battled an unresponsive school system and managed to hammer out a joyful life. Those two sets of lives make for a thought-provoking contrast, a study in what really determines a family's happiness.

Why I read this book: I had read the cover in a bookstore and was intrigued. Then I found it in our local library and brought it home. It sounded like a unique story line.

My thoughts about this book: I was really moved by the story line. At times it is difficult to feel connected to the characters and because it covers a span of 25 years, you do not know all the small details. Overall, it was a sad story but also uplifting in some ways. There were a lot of editing errors, which for me always distracts from the story. I liked the comparison of how the two families lives turned out and to think about what really determines a person's happiness.

When I finished it: February 19, 2008

Sickness sucks!

There is just no other way to say it. I hate sickness. This is awful. The very worst is seeing my girls sick. That was terrible with those scary-high fevers, horrible choking coughs, sad weepy little eyes.
So thank God, they seem to be better for the most part. And they returned to school today.
But me. Its awful. I am so thankful that Tim is home with us, he is doing a great job taking care of the girls. He even put pig tails in the triplets' hair for school, what a daddy! I feel so out of it. I was supposed to attend a Parent Workshop at the school tonight, but of course had to miss that.
I ache from head to toe. My sinuses hurt and I have ear aches. I feel so weak and havent really eaten in 3 days (except for a few nibbles here and there). Finally I took Nyquil last night which basically knocked me out for most of today. I spent the whole day in bed. But it even hurts to sleep because of my muscles, it almost feels like my bones ache if that makes sense.
Is this the flu? I dont know. I just want it gone. I really dont think it's something that a doctor can heal, but I will go tomorrow if I'm not feeling any better. Most of you know, I am not fond of going to the doctor and I always put it off till the last minute.
So, thats whats going on here. Now I'm going to try to eat a piece of toast and drink some tea. Please, send positive healthy thoughts this way. I need them.

101 Things About Me

101 Things about Myself

1. I am a stay-at-home mom of four, all girls
2. I unintentionally proofread everything, often finding errors in books, advertisements, on signs, in magazines, on business cards.
3. I have triplets.
4. It drives me crazy when people scratch the plate with their knife or fork, or ball up their straw wrappers.
5. I have a dog and 2 cats.
6. I drive a 2008 Nissan Armada.
7. I love to make scrapbooks.
8. I love to take pictures (almost addicted!)
9. My favorite color is purple.
10. My favorite dessert is (gooey) brownies.
11. I love to watch reality TV.
12. I write in a thankful journal every night.
13. I love to read (fiction & non-fiction).
14. I don’t like to drive at night or in the rain.
15. My favorite pizza is Mack ‘n Mancos on the boardwalk.
16. I love chocolate ice cream and milkshakes.
17. I have been married for almost 10 years (8/1998).
18. I have been in a relationship with him for almost 15 years (9/2003).
19. I met my husband when we were in 8th grade (15 years old).
20. I have owned 3 homes (this is our third).
21. I am not allergic to anything.
22. My favorite season is summer (and late-spring, early-fall).
23. I highly dislike winter.
24. I can’t do a cartwheel.
25. I love to go boating.
26. I love the beach, but don’t like the clean-up of sand afterward.
27. I use soap in the shower and don’t like shower gel.
28. I bring a cup of ice water to bed with me every night.
29. I am not a morning person.
30. I enjoy Jay Leno’s ‘Headlines’ on Monday nights.
31. I have way too many clothes (half of which don’t fit me).
32. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from WCU.
33. I started babysitting when I was 10 years old.
34. My most recent job was working with Autistic children.
35. I hate putting laundry away.
36. My favorite electronics are: my laptop, DVR, camera.
37. I like to burn candles or oil burners.
38. I hate scooping the cat litter.
39. I love to make lists.
40. I wear a size 10 shoe.
41. I spell all curse words (even questionable ones) since having children.
42. I am pretty cheap (frugal is a nicer way to say it!)
43. I am pretty bad at calling people back (sorry!)
44. I have 2 brothers and no sisters.
45. I usually tell it how it is, so you always know how I feel.
46. I go to church every Sunday (non-denominational).
47. My favorite part about church is the music.
48. I love hot wings (miss our favorites from PA).
49. My face is acne-prone (never recovered from the teenage years).
50. I don’t like change, and take a long time to recover from it.
51. I prefer to be around people rather than alone.
52. I have broken one bone (right arm when I was 7 years old).
53. I come up with nicknames for most people.
54. I love to take naps.
55. My family is my #1 passion.
56. I like to keep a 5-year plan (which we update each year).
57. I went to France, Italy & Switzerland in high school.
58. I have been to Disney World in Florida more than 8 times.
59. I have been to Disney Land in California 1 time (Jan 2003, pregnant with triplets, awful)
60. I am grossed out by chewing gum (don’t even like when others do it).
61. I sleep on my belly most times.
62. I have a heater next to my bed that I use to warm my feet at night.
63. I would like to be a guidance counselor ‘one day’.
64. I cannot drive a stick shift (manual transmission) car very well.
65. My first car was a 1981 Oldsmobile (white). Second was a 1987 Dodge Daytona (red).
66. I love to sing in the car (but I’m not very good).
67. I love Orange Soda.
68. My favorite alcoholic beverage is Kahlua & Cream.
69. I have a horrible memory.
70. I have negative blood type (rare) and so does my husband (it was fate!)
71. I have collected all of the State Quarters and only need the 2008 ones.
72. I read the entire ‘Sweet Valley High’ books when I was aged 10-15.
73. I am a Gemini.
74. I have never taken any drugs (except alcohol).
75. I got married at age 23, just 3 months after graduating college.
76. My ears are both double pierced, but I rarely wear earrings.
77. My favorite games are: Boggle, Yahtzee, Scattergories, Skip-Bo
78. My favorite smells: hyacinths, fireplace, after-rain freshness, my girls after tubbies, pages of a new book
79. I avidly recycle, but do not consider myself to be overly eco-friendly.
80. I am neither Democrat nor Republican: in 2000 I voted for Gore, in 2004 I voted for Bush (kicking myself now, but didn’t like Kerry).
81. I am proud to be an American.
82. I am not easily impressed with comedy; I laugh more at real-life situations.
83. I pay all of our bills online through our bank’s website.
84. I fear dying and leaving my children without a mother.
85. I am also afraid of our home burning down in a fire.
86. I would love the thrill of sky-diving, but know that I will probably never have the nerve to do it.
87. I really dislike grocery shopping and putting groceries away.
88. I do not drink coffee, prefer tea or hot chocolate.
89. My goal for this year is to learn to live in the moment, not look back at the past or ahead to the future as much.
90. I dread the end of vacation before it even begins.
91. I am generally impatient.
92. I rarely get to bed before midnight.
93. I did not want to know the sex of our first child, but found out with the triplets (figured we had enough surprises at that point!)
94. I am not coordinated or athletic.
95. I hate to be late (rarely was late until I had kids).
96. I wear a watch every day and feel naked without it.
97. I prefer to be one-on-one or in a small group, rather than large groups.
98. I have an extremely strong sense of smell, to the point it makes me ill quite often.
99. I am thankful to have 20/20 vision…still.
100. Rarely watch TV live, I always want to fast forward commercials. I mute the TV when commercials are on (drives my family nuts!)
101. I couldn’t swallow pills until I was almost 20 years old.

A Hot Cup of Tea...

Yep, you guessed it, we're not feeling any better today.
It is awful.
I was up all night last night. When I checked the girls at midnight, Kaitlyn felt like she was on fire. I woke her to take Tylenol. Then realized she was struggling to breathe. It was so scary. I brought her into my bed and set her up on the wheezy machine (nebulizer). Around 2:45am, her temp went up instead of down, so it was time for a nice bath. I threw in all the toys that have been tucked under the sink since we moved in, so she felt really cozy in there. Meanwhile, it seemed the temp came down finally, so I brought her into bed. I stayed awake all night listening to her raspy breathing.
Of course the triplets woke up at 7am like usual, so they came into my room and we snuggled in bed watching TV. Next thing I knew, Morgan was moaning in pain, I touched her forehead....yep, you guessed it - burning up. And, as the day went on, it just all continued. We spent most of the day watching TV and lounging. I made them chicken soup for dinner but they really didnt eat it.
Showers were a struggle as they all screamed for the most part. Finally, in bed. Then I took a refreshing shower and by the time I was out, they were asleep. That fast. My poor babies.
So now, I am snuggled in my rocker, with a hot cup of tea, ready for some mindless reality TV to take my mind away. At this point, Tim cant come home soon enough. Baby, we miss you, hurry home...

100th Post!

I can't believe this is my 100th post already! I feel like so much has changed since my very first post last August. In some ways, the past 6 months have felt like a lifetime has gone by, in other ways, it seems like just yesterday. I have really come to enjoy blogging, it is like my online journal where I can post pictures and updates along the way. And I am thankful for those of you who check it on a regular basis, even though it may be boring at times, it feels good to know that you care! ;) And of course, I LOVE the comments too!!

This weekend started out great and ended a bit rough for me. I was very excited, my cousin Tommy took off work on Friday and came down around 12noon. The girls had off school Friday and they have off tomorrow too for President's Day. We had an awesome time Friday - my friend Jennifer watched the girls so Tommy & I could go out to celebrate his (27th!!) birthday. We went for dinner and drinks at Chickies & Petes then went to walk around the Hamilton Mall for a bit. We were able to talk about a lot of things and it was nice to spend some 'adult' time together, since usually our time is spent with the girls.

Yesterday, we stayed home the whole day. I just wasnt feeling quite right, then later in the day Megan and Kaitlyn both spiked fevers and had terrible coughs. Tommy's girlfriend Kim came down later in the afternoon and we ordered Chinese take-out for dinner. We did get to use the webcam with Mommom and Poppop for awhile which was really nice. Gotta love modern technology! The girls love seeing them and talking to them through the computer! It was an early-to-bed night and thats when things went downhill for me. I felt awful. I had the chills, then started sweating. Definitely felt feverish. A choking cough from deep in my chest. Upset stomach. I was exhausted but couldnt sleep. It was terrible. Around 5am I tried turning on the TV (nothing like a little 'Threes Company' and 'The Brady Bunch' when you're feeling sick!)

I was soooo upset that we missed church this morning. That new series was starting today, so I'll have to get caught up on our church website to listen online. Thanks to Kim and Tommy taking care of the girls, I was able to sleep most of the day. They even took the girls for a walk on the bike path down to the park to play for awhile this afternoon. I am so grateful for their help today. I dont know what I would have done without them here. I couldnt even move. At one point, I tried coming downstairs, but had to go right back up (with a cup of hot tea).

Unfortunately, the time came when Tommy and Kim had to leave (they stayed 4 hours past the time they meant to leave!) Luckily the girls went right to sleep, and now I am about to go up to bed myself. Tim is in Las Vegas until Tuesday night, so one way or the other, I have to pull myself together. Here's hoping that we all feel better tomorrow, after a good night's sleep. So we can enjoy a nice day home together with no school. And I really hope that we didnt make Kim and Tommy sick, I made them eat some Vitamin C before they left!

How I spent my Valentine's Day...

After having a whole 'bonus' week home, Tim was called on a trip today... he flew Larry King from NY to DC to interview John McCain on CNN Live. So, we were sad to not have him home with us. But... we definitely made the most of it!

I took the triplets to gymnastics this morning, which is always a fun start to our day. Then when I picked them up from school, all four girls were hyped up on sugary treats from their Valentines parties! I figured the chance of getting them to take a nap today was slim to none, so I didnt even try it!

Instead, I had pizza delivered and the girls and I ate dinner by candelight. It was very cozy, until Madison (my scaredy-cat) started crying to turn the lights on! heehee After dinner, we cozied up on the couch to watch some TV before the girls crashed into bed!





Do you think Madison & Megan are tired?? ;)

Fun Valentine's Facts!

Cards & Gifts:
About 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year. That's the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas.

Teachers receive the most Valentine's Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and then, sweethearts.

73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27% are women.

Approximately 110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period.

Only the U.S., Canada, Mexico, France, Australia and the U.K. celebrate Valentine's Day.

Wearing a wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was believed that the vein of love ran from this finger directly to the heart.

Chocolate manufacturers currently use 40 percent of the world's almonds and 20 percent of the world's peanuts.

Consumers over the past few years have spent nearly $650 million annually on Valentine’s Day gifts of flowers, candy, wine, eating out, and jewelry.

Men prefer to give or receive dark chocolate. Women favor milk chocolate.

Kissing facts:
You burn 26 calories in a one minute kiss. Good, rich, passionate kissing can help you burn up to 600 calories per hour!

The average person spends two weeks (336 hours) of their life kissing. At an approximate length of one minute each, that’s 20,160 kisses!

Eskimos, Polynesians and Malaysians rub noses instead of kissing.

The scientific name for kissing is philematology.

Kissing can actually be a beauty treatment. Scientific tests show that good kissing helps reduce dermatitis, skin rashes and blemishes. It also makes your skin glow and your eyes shine.

Babies who are kissed usually have a greater capacity for intimacy later in life.

Our brains have special neurons that help us locate each other’s lips in the dark.

Kissing can relieve headaches. With relaxation, the tension that restricts blood vessels in the brain is released. Quality is the key.

Quotes:
"Who, being loved, is poor?" - Oscar Wilde

"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity" - Henry Van Dyke

"Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place" - Zora Neale Hurston

"Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired" - Robert Frost

"Love is the greatest refreshment in life" - Pablo Picasso

"It is never too late to fall in love"- Sandy Wilson

"Love is not finding someone to live with; it's finding someone you can't live without" - Rafael Ortiz

"The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know." -Pascal

"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world"-Unknown

"What we love to do we find time to do." -John L. Spalding

"Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life." -Leo Buscaglia

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
Published in 2007. 272 Pages.

http://www.amazon.com/Choice-Nicholas-Sparks/dp/0446579920


First sentence: (from the Prologue) Stories are as unique as the people who tell them, and the best stories are those in which the ending is a surprise.

Last sentence: (from the Epilogue) But most of all, it was a day in which everything was exactly the way it should be.

What it’s about: (taken from amazon.com) The story takes place in Beaufort, N.C. and the main characters are veterinarian Travis Parker and his next-door neighbor Gabrielle Holland, a physician's assistant who just moved in. After a crazy first meeting where Gabby accuses Travis's boxer of impregnating her purebred collie, the two fall hard for each other. Already dating someone else seriously, Gabby is faced with a dilemma: whether to stick with longtime boyfriend Kevin, or get involved with Travis. The first part of the tale paints a vivid picture of her decision-making process and its effects on Travis and Gabby's lives. That sets up Part II, which takes place 11 years later when Travis faces a life and death decision following a car accident. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage and family, THE CHOICE ultimately confronts us with the most heart-wrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive? A tender and moving love story and a quick read.

Why I read this book: I have read every one of Nicholas Sparks’ books and I own them all in Hardcover. This is his 13th book and my mom and Cecil got it for me for Christmas.

My thoughts about this book: It was very easy reading and basically held my interest. I felt it was a bit predictable and fell into the same lines as a basic romance novel. The characters were likeable and at times I felt that I was a part of the story. It did make me think what choice I would have made if given the same circumstances.

When I finished it: February 8, 2008

Ten on Tuesday ~ Week 2

10 Things I Dislike about Politics


1. Negative campaign ads - shown too often - mudslinging
2. They divide the country, not unify
3. Lies, cheating, stealing
4. Hypocrites - they have no idea what life is like in the 'real world'
5. False promises with no follow-through, they'll say anything to get elected.
6. Billions of dollars wasted every year (especially during campaigns)
7. War, violence, killing
8. They have way too much control and power over our choices
9. The thought that there is only ONE right way: Abortion, Gay marriage, etc.
10. Care more about their own agenda then what really matters

Next week: 10 Things I Love

30 Days to Live

http://30daystolive.tv/

You have 30 days to live.
What is the ONE thing you would do with your last days?

Our church is starting this 4-week series next weekend and it has really got me thinking. At first, it sounded a bit depressing. But, I'm sure this thought has crossed your mind at one point in time or another. The more I think about it, the more I am taking it as a challenge for my own life. I know there are many things I put off for another time, a better time. Using excuses like: We dont have the money, Maybe when the girls are older, There isnt enough time, I am not good enough for that. I want to stop the excuses. It's time to start LIVING...
Check out the website above to discover practical approaches to apply as you begin to live in the moment, live for eternity, leave a legacy, and fight for peace.
Here are some ideas from that website:

1. Think through the things you want your family to know and begin to impart this knowledge to them.
-Write a letter
-Make a video recording
-Post it on a blog
-Tell them
2. Ask yourself how you want people to remember you and then start living accordingly.
-Create a list of these qualities, actions and set goals to help you accomplish them
3. Discover your impact on the world? What can you offer the world that no one else can?
-Create a family/personal vision
-Discover and define your passion

Also, there was recently a movie released with this similar question posed. I have not seen it yet, but would definitely like to check it out... The Bucket List is a 2007 American film directed by Rob Reiner and starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. The story follows two terminally ill men on a road trip with a wish list of things to do before they die. Both are diagnosed with less than one year to live. Carter begins writing a "bucket list," or things to do before "he kicks the bucket."
The pair then begin an around-the-world vacation, embarking on everything from race car driving to sky diving to climbing the Pyramids to hunting lions in Africa. Along the way they discuss faith and family, and learn from each other.

I think I may create a 'Bucket List' of my own. What do you think? Are there one or two specific things you would want to do or say if you only had 30 days to live?

Check out the song above (under the Countdown to Spring)...it was inspired by this post. (FYI...I change the song each week)

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.” Psalms 39:4-5 NLT

Random Household Tips

One of the websites/blogs I read almost daily is: http://mommylife.net/

It is a mother of 12 who writes about parenting, cultural, political, and spiritual wisdom. She usually adds posts several times a day and they are often quite interesting. Recently, she had a post full of random household tips that I found really useful. I will just include a sample list here, feel free to check out the complete list on her website in a post dated February 9th.

DID YOU KNOW?
-Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to pick the little "stringy things" off of it. That's how the primates do it.

-Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

-Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating; peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

-For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

- To make quick deviled eggs: put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly. Now cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

-When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount.

-Use wet newspapers and put layers around plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic but they will not get through wet newspapers.

-Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

-To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

-Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

-Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

-If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two.Viola! It unseals easily.

-Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair...

-To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2" with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid, mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

-Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it "home," can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works & you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

Weekend review

The past week has literally flown by so fast, I can hardly remember it. But I wanted to post about our awesome weekend and show you some pictures of our fun!
Friday Feb 8 ~ The triplets do not have school on Fridays, but once per month, we go on a field trip with their class. This past Friday, it was a trip to the local bakery, which we have never been to. They took the kids in the back to show them how the bakery works, then each of them got to decorate their own cupcake - so much fun! And check out the baker hats!! :)




Since our friends werent able to visit last week due to illness, we had rescheduled it for this past weekend. In the early afternoon, I got a phone call from my mom. They were making a surprise visit to see us for just 2 days this weekend and had already bought the tickets! Of course we were over the moon with excitement! Unfortunately that also meant our weekend with our friends was cancelled again. We're hoping to see them in the next few weeks!

We went to have dinner at our new friends' house at 5pm...which was a blast! It seems we have even more in common with them than we originally thought and the evening was full of much laughter and not a moment of silence!

We left there around 9pm, Tim dropped the girls and I off at home and he went over to the airport to pick up Mommom and Poppop (the flight was actually almost 20 minutes early!) I proceeded to put the girls to bed, keeping the visit a surprise for them. Of course, when Mommom & Poppop got here, they went to give kisses and hugs to each of the girls, even if it meant waking them up! The surprise and joy was apparent on everyone's face!

Saturday Feb 9 ~ Tim made a yummy pancake breakfast for everyone and we sat in PJs all morning playing, talking and telling fun stories.


Then it was time to quickly get showered and dressed to take Kaitlyn to a friend's birthday party at the bowling alley. We thought it would be fun to stay and let the triplets bowl for the first time! Of course, of all times...I forgot my camera :( So I dont have any pics of that, but let me tell you, we had so much fun! It was really cute to see the girls' faces as they watched their ball literally 'crawl' down the alley to knock down one or two pins at a time. I have to admit, it was nice for the adults to bowl with the guards blocking the gutters = NO GUTTER BALLS!! It was great! Then we had lunch with the party and Kaitlyn had so much fun. Their teacher even came to the party at the end, which was almost like a celebrity appearing for all these little first-graders! So cute, and what a nice woman she is.

Then it was time to head home so everyone could take a nap. The triplets all slept in the bed with Mommom, which was very cozy for them! Poppop helped Tim work on the kitchen cabinet project (which is still ongoing...) After nap, around 6pm, we drove out to the mall, looking forward to a reminiscent dinner at Friendly's, only to find out that after 30 years, Friendly's in the mall has closed its doors. So, instead, we had a yummy dinner at Ruby Tuesday, which was a lot of fun. Then I dropped one of my rings off at Littman's to see if they can replace a missing diamond. And we ventured in to Build-A-Bear Workshop to get information on having Kaitlyn's birthday party there. Meanwhile, the girls had fun in the toy store with Mommom & Poppop. On the way home, we stopped for ice cream at McDonalds and the girls did not get to bed until after 10pm.

Sunday Feb 10 ~ We were up and out early because church starts at 9am! I think although hesitant, Mommom and Poppop did enjoy the service, which was about following-through on commitments and keeping your promises. We have a rock band at our church, which is quite different than the old hymns sung with an organ. So, I can see how it would take people a bit to get used to. The girls had fun as always. After church, we had an early lunch at Denny's. Morgan decided to eat her pancake like it was a slice of pizza - too funny!


And then it was time for our fun activity of the afternoon... The Clay Station! Some of you may remember that this is the place we went for the triplets class trip in December. We thought it would be a fun activity for us to do together on a freezing cold day! And it sure was! We chose a fancy platter to paint with the girls' handprints as a gift for Mommom and Poppop. Also, each girl painted a small piece of ceramics for themselves.





Once again, we came home for naps and then the time came much too quickly for Mommom & Poppop to make their (safe) trip home. We miss them like crazy already, but we are so very thankful that we were given the gift of that time with them! The girls were so tired after such a busy weekend, Megan even fell asleep in my lap while Kaitlyn was reading us a story!

Immediately, our fun weekend turned into an evening of chores and getting ready for the week ahead! I hope everyone had a great weekend and have a nice Monday!