A few pictures and quick update

Here is a picture of the kids in the new Burley. This trailer is awesome. We are able to take the kids on bike rides and then quickly convert the trailer into a stroller. We are braving a walk in the snow here. I can't wait to take the kids all over in this when the weather is nicer.

Gabe is so funny these days. Today after we told him not to climb onto something, he went around the room waving his finger smiling, saying:"No, no no." I am so glad my kids take me so seriously. In the first picture, Gabe is sitting next to his gift from Santa. Santa had to visit us early this year since we will be in Medford on Christmas day, and he doesn't know how to get to Grandma and Grandpa's house.


This is the doll house that Sofia got from Santa. Santa definitely underestimated the size of this doll house and how much room it would take up in our small house. I have already started giving toys away to friends so we have room for it. Oh well, Sofia loves it although it wasn't the most practical choice looking back. Speaking of Sofia, how do you like the short hair? After seeing her cousin Kira's short hair, she begged and begged to get her hair cut short like hers.

Sofia playing in the snow. My kids are a little too young to enjoy being in the snow for long amounts of time, but they had fun for a little while. Chris only had to work 2 1/2 days last week because of the snow (all 4 inches of it :).

I Heart the Grocery Outlet... and shoes

I know... annoying, I am posting again without pictures of the chillins. I finally just got my camera back, so I will be taking lots of pictures during the break. But until then... let's talk about the grocery outlet. Have you been? If not, you are missing out. I remember Elisa Street telling me about the great cheese that they had for 1/2 the price, but I never went. Then recently my friend Adrienne told me about its' wondrousness. Some of you probably haven't been for a reason....namely, you think that it seems a little ghetto. Don't get me wrong, a person who wants to eat a bunch of processed crap would also love the grocery outlet (like the guy in front of me who spent $300.00 on chips, skittles, and soda)..... but did you know that the Grocery Outlet has a ton of gourmet/specialty foods as well as a very large organic variety for 1/4 of the price? You never know what you are going to find, but there is always some goody awaiting. If you don't believe me... come with me, and I will show you.
Okay, now on to item of business #2. I love shoes. I haven't always been that into shoes... just lately. I think that it is a postpartum thing. When I buy clothes, I have to worry about my muffin top hanging over my pants or how my butt looks (even though I am pretty much down to my old size.... .let's face it girls, for most of us, the body does a whole lot of shifting), but this is not the case with shoes. My size never changes. It is awesome. I know that despite my sagginess in some areas, my feet are firm and ready to show off a cute pair of shoes. Am I right, is it a postpartum thing?

Love the voice... Love the video

Sorry, still no pictures of the kids. I am taking a blogging break during the holidays it seems, but my camera comes back next week. I love this video (Bye the way, after posting this, I realized that I may seem a little morbid for liking this video... I just think it is artsy and creative). What an awesome voice Adele has!

Book Review: Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason.

This book was really really interesting. I would really be interested in having other parents reading this book and telling me what you think. I will warn you that I have a feeling that some of the book would tick people off, because it questions many things that most parents commonly do (myself included).I was a little on the defense during some parts of the book when it talked about things I do, but in general, I love the challenge of reading something that makes me question how I parent and live my life. How can we improve if we don't learn about ideas that question how we do things? How I will incorporate some of the changes mentioned in the book... I am still brainstorming, but I have some ideas in the works.
Although there are some concepts in the book that are harder for me to grasp and I am still trying to figure out if I totally agree with Kohn on.... the main concept of the book is amazing. When we use rewards (sticker charts, overusing the phrase "good job") and punishments (lots of times outs, "Because I said so" mentality, or physical punishment to name a few examples), we are often times teaching kids to do or not do xyz because of what the result will be (good or bad), and we are taking the focus away from teaching them to do things because they are right.
Kohn says: "How do we raise our children to be really happy? That's an important question, but here's another one? How do we raise our children to be concerned about whether other people are happy? It's important that we don't allow the first issue to upstage the second, or for that matter, that we don't spend more energy trying to get kids to be polite and well behaved than trying to help them become genuinely compassionate and committed to doing the right thing. We want our kids to ask, "How will doing x make the other kid feel?" not, "Am I allowed to do x?."
Read this book. Like I said, it will make you a little or maybe really defensive depending on your current parenting style, but I am excited to explore my parenting style more to make sure that I am teaching my kids (through word and example) how to treat others and to leave the behavioristic part of parenting behind when possible.
Okay to end this post (I have a way of dragging things out, don't I?), I will just write some points to work on to become a more unconditional parent that are mentioned in the book:
1)Be reflective
2)Reconsider your requests
3)Keep your eye on the long term goals
4)Put the relationship first
5)Change how you see , not just how you act.
6)R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
7)Be authentic
8)Talk less, ask more.
9)Keep their ages in mind.
10)Attribute to children the best possible motive consistent with the facts.
11)Don't stick your no's in unnecessarily.
12)Don't be rigid.
13) Don't be in a hurry.

Soap Box: Consumption in America

I had a sick feeling in my gut all day yesterday after I saw this article in the New York Times:
I never go shopping the day after Thanksgiving, because it gives me anxiety thinking about a bunch of Americans in stores pushing each other around so they can save $20 on a kitchen aid (not saying that everyone is pushy obviously). I enjoy good shopping (too much sometimes), but shopping during the holiday season is not fun for me.
We as a society need to slow down. The fact that something like this could happen is just too difficult for me to imagine. It is disgusting and I am so sad that someone had to die because of people's need to consume. Hopefully this will be a lesson to us all! It definitely makes me rethink how I consume and do things.

Baby Steps

Right now it is 9:30 on Thursday night, and I am proud of myself. This is the first night I have begun the weaning process from Grey's Anatomy. I been a lover and defender of Grey's Anatomy for a long time, but it is just getting ridiculous. Come on Izzie, you are doing what with your ghost boyfriend? I have to draw the line somewhere to the trashiness, although I don't want to because I am addicted. No offense to anyone else who loves the show, because I do/did too.... I just want to try to fill my time with more worthwhile things... like blogging Haa.. :). (p.s. I know that my blog is getting lame without pictures, but my camera is broken and I need to send it off to get fixed).

Good Advice

I like my doctor. He is not your average doctor. I think that I mentioned in another post that he is the one who initially planted the idea of natural childbirth into my head. When I have asked him questions about circumcision/vaccinations and many other topics, he is open to listening to my ideas and then in a fatherly way telling me his ideas.
At Gabe's last well child appointment, I was telling him about sleep issues... namely the fact that he doesn't sleep great. I explained to him that he slept with us for the first 11 months and that he was having a much harder time adjusting to the crib than Sofia did when we transitioned her around the same age. The first thing he asked me is if they sleep in the same room. I explained to him that Gabe is a really light sleeper and that Sofia would wake him up all of the time so they are in different rooms. He told me that he wonders if they would sleep better if they shared a room. He then went on to tell me his fatherly story of how at one point, he had 5 of his own children in the same bedroom when they lived in a small apartment, and that they all slept great with the comfort of having siblings close by.
That night I went home and asked Sofia if she wanted to move her bed into Gabe's room. She was so excited..... and we all lived happily ever after.. J/K. Things are not perfect still, but Gabe is sleeping better, and they are both so happy being in the same room. Why didn't I think of this before? It makes sense that kids would sleep better together and be happier with the closeness of another human that they love. Most of us would believe the contrary (and Sofia has woken Gabe up a couple of times), but it just makes sense. I'm not saying that this is a cure all for sleep problems, because like I said, things are not perfect, but don't be afraid to try at least if you are running out of options!

Christmas Music

I had to do it. I got carried away making a playlist of Christmas music. I know that it may be too early, but I love love love Christmas music. Why I get all teary eyed when I hear Judy Garland sing "Have yourself a merry little Christmas,"... I do not know. Christmas music brings such a great spirit into the home. I am already adding a disclaimer that some of the people I chose are cheesy. Clay Aiken is a dork (not that we all aren't too), but the boy has pipes for singing Christmas music. Enjoy!

Look Alike

It is always funny to see who people say your kids look like. People always say that Gabe looks just like Chris, and I never really saw it all the way, until my father-in-law sent this picture. Holy Cow!

The Omnivore's Dilemma

We've all heard the old saying "Ignorance is bliss." Let me tell you friends, when it comes to what we eat, Ignorance is bliss. Once you read this book, you will not be able to eat the same. I promise. This book traces the history of 4 different meals. 1)Mcdonalds 2)Whole Foods 3)Food from a local amazing farm 4)He does his own hunting and gathering for a meal. This book is not a fast read. I actually didn't finish the last 75 pages in time for book club, so you may be thinking that it is boring, but it isn't. It is just a lot of information to process. The first 50 pages alone talk about corn. While I'm on the subject, the overuse of corn in our country is freaky. You'd have to read the book to understand, but the next time you go to the grocery story, see how many items you can find in the cereal isle that don't have some sort of corn as an ingredient.
Another topic they talk about that is insane, is where our meat comes from. What is injected into beef to make them beef up, ready to slaughter so fast, how many organic "free range" chickens are still treated horribly and live in disgusting circumstances.
The book even explores the idea of organic. Organic is better then most alternatives, but since this market has been industrialized, it too has many many flaws. Eating locally is the best. Okay, this was a lameo cliff note version of the book... but there is so much to talk about, I don't even know where to start. We had such a great conversation about this book at book club. Although I still have many things to work on concerning being aware of where my food comes, here are some things I am working on to try to be more conscientious of not only what I eat, but where it really comes from.
1)I buy local eggs from free range grass fed chickens (this is important) from a friend every week.
2)I try not to buy anything that has "High fructose corn syrup" on the label or "partially hydrogenated oil."
3)In the summer, I buy pretty much all of my produce locally or pick as much as I can. I actually have a little bit of an obsession with this if you will remember from a previous post of mine. I like seeing where my food comes from. I like harvesting. I like being outside with my kids.
4) I try to make as much homemade food as I can... thus avoiding processed food as much as possible. (Obviously we eat processed foods too... I just try to keep it to a minimum). I am on a homemade applesauce kick right now, and I try to make homemade bread when I can.
5) Meat... I am having a hard time deciding what to do with meat. I am not ready to throw in the towel and become a vegetarian, but I do have issues with meat. I buy non-hormone oregon chicken... but this probably isn't good enough. I am not sure what I will do with chicken. I also found a place that sells oregon beef that is hormone free. I really want to find someone who will sell me part of their grass fed cow next summer so I can freeze it. The ultimate thing I am learning about meat is that we really should eat it sparingly. I need to make more vegetarian meals, and I also am starting to use less meat when I do cook with it.

This list is not mean to make people feel bad if they are not doing the things on this list, because like I said, I have a lot of things to work on. I was already doing some of these things before I read the book, but the book made me want to be even better. Read the book and tell me what you think!!

Primary Program

Sofia, Gabe, and the beloved "Baby Chuck" before church
Yesterday we had our primary program at church. I am the music person in primary, so I was really excited for the kiddos, and also a little excited to have it over with so I can just focus on Christmas music now!! The kids did such an awesome job, and the spirit was so strong when the kids sang. I love working with the little kids. It is the best calling in the church. I love that in primary we focus on the simplicity of principles instead of making everything overly complicated. I love that children are humble and teach us how to be better people. I love all of the songs that we have worked on this last year, but there are two songs that touch me so much when the kiddos sing them. I thought that I would share the lyrics in case you need a pick me up today :).
"If the Savior Stood Beside Me"

If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more reverently
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?


He is always near me, though I do not see Him there
And because He loves me dearly, I am in His watchful care
So I'll be the kind of person that I know I'd like to be
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me.

"I'll Walk With You"
If you don't walk as most people do
Some people walk away from you
But I won't, I won't
If you don't talk as most people do
Some people talk and laugh at you
But I won't, I won't
I'll walk with you
I'll talk with you
That's how I'll show my love for you

Jesus turned away from none,
He gave his love to everyone
So I will, I will.
Jesus Blessed all he could see
then turned and said,"Come follow me,"
So I will, I will
I will, I will
I'll walk with you
I'll talk with you
that's how I"ll show my love for you.

I've Been Tagged

Alright Karli, I will go along with being tagged. I will name 8 people at the end to be tagged, but don't feel like you have to do it. Here we go:
8 Favorite TV Shows:
1. Ellen
2. Oprah
3. The Office
4. America's Next Top Model
5. Grey's Anatomy (I know it is trashy... I need to wean myself)
6. American Idol (although I am really bored with it the last couple of season and don't really watch).
7. What not to wear
8. Baby Story (I am obsessed with this show for a few months after giving birth, and then I have no desire to watch it anymore).

8 Things I Did Yesterday
1. Blew my nose a lot. I am feeling congested and yucky.
2. Hung out at Heather's house with family in Eugene.
3. Went to Kris' house to do a family birthday party for Sofia.
4. Exchanged shoes at REI
5. Made cupcakes for the fiesta
6. Read a few more pages from "The Omnivore's Dilemma" (book review to come soon)
7. Went to Trader Joes to stock up on food. I love Trader Joes... we need one in Corvallis.
8. Worried as little kids kept almost hitting each other on accident instead of the pinata.

8 Favorite Restaurants (Disclaimer... this is hard since we don't go out to eat with kids very much... it's just not fun with kids)

1. Cafe Rio (I used to dream about it after we moved here from Utah)
2. Tucanos (Also in Utah.... the best Brazilian food)
3. American Dream (the best pizza in Corvallis)
4. Big River (I have only had a meal there once, because it is spendy... but if I could I would eat there more).
5. Sweet Tomatoes (food is not that awesome, but it is an easy place with kids).
6. Jamba Juice
7. Nearly Normal
8. New Morning Bakery


8 Things on My Wish List

1. To learn to have better self control
2. High Metabolism (come on, why didn't I get Buddy's genes?)
3. A ranch style house with a family room
4. A trip to Brazil and to Machu Pichu in Peru (Elisa... we will visit you someday if you stay long enough)
5. To live abroad with my family
6. To have the courage/time/resources/energy to start my own non-profit.
7. To become a better musician and write children' music.
8. Perspective. I just want to be happy and to have a happy family. I wish there was a magic fairy dust that could be sprinkled to help give me an eternal perspective when I am sweating the small stuff and help me prioritize my life better.

8 People I Tag to Play Next (Although I know that many of you won't do it)
1. Niki
2. Kim
3. Jaime
4. Anita
5. Sharon
6. Adrienne
7. Tonya
8. Margaret

Be the Change

Warning: This is a happy, cheesy, and optimistic post ahead. Leave your negative thoughts and energy at the door.
I have gone through an emotional roller coaster since we have found out about our new President. Here are a few examples of why.
1)I am so hopeful and happy. The day after we heard the news, we were having a family dance party (yes, we really have those) to the 'Yes we Can" video. I got all teary eyed when Sofia and Gabe held and hands and danced around in a circle with Sofia chanting "Yes we Can." Do you all have this picture in your head? It was so sweet, and how can I not be hopeful... it was so pure, sweet, and foreshadowing of the great future in store for my children. I just have to believe they have a great future a head of them, despite some of the awful things going on in the world right now.
2)Things that made me sad. Reading in the news, on blogs, and listening to anti-Obama people's reactions to his winning. Some people have been saying some craaaaazy things this past week. I'll admit that I have jumped in a couple of times to defend my beliefs, but it has just been hard for me to handle the ignorance.
What do do from here:
It is obvious that people all over the country are disagreeing about pretty much everything. The truth is, I could post 100 more political discussions, and we may never all agree on all of the issues. This is why we need to all be better and rise up to become the UNITED States of America (key word...united). It's that simple, we need to unite. It is so easy for us to all focus on our differences, but the truth is, positive change will only come about when we come together and work to make the change we want. I think that Obama is a genuine guy with good intentions, but the truth is (and what he has been saying all a long), is that the change has to come from us. We are all different, but most of us want the same things for our future, and especially for our children's future-Happiness,joy, education, opportunities, strong character.. the list goes on. Let's stop focusing on our differences and how we all disagree and use that energy to become better people and to make a better country. I know this may all sound overly optimistic to some of you, but this is my blog, and I am allowed to be however I want to be.
I have been brainstorming and setting goals as to how I can improve my self and the country, and here are a few ideas that I have had.
1) Simplify my life. We live in a society that buys too much, eats too much, and worries to much. I am going to continue to buy second hand as much as I can to cut down on waste (do we all realize what we do to other countries so that we can have lots of stuff?). I feel like I have been spending way too much lately on things I don't need... and guess what? It doesn't make me any happier. I will not go into debt so that I can live a lifestyle I don't need. I am going to work on being healthier (I signed up for a half marathon). I am going to only add things to my life if they bring balance. I am going to try and enjoy my family and my life more. I have a great life. What a waste for me to not take time every day to appreciate what I have. I am going to keep a gratitude journal to remind myself of how fortunate I am.
2) I am going to drive less and bike more when possible (or stay home more).
3)I am going to find causes I am passionate about and find ways to help. I am thinking about looking into becoming a CASA volunteer. Chris and I talked and thought that it would be a great idea to spend Thanksgiving this year doing service for others. I want to show God that I am thankful by my actions more.
4)I need to work harder to receive spiritual guidance and to become more like the Savior. I need to put into practice what I read in the scriptures(oh and I guess that means I should read the scriptures more regularly).

Those are a few ideas that I have. I am so so far from perfect, and I am sure that I won't be perfect in working on my goals, but I thought that writing them down may help keep me focused. Imagine what this country would be like if we all committed to stop fighting and to instead use our energy for good. I can not look at these pictures of my sweet children, thinking about their futures and not try to think of how I can do my part to make things better. Actions speak louder than words, so let's all stop talking and fighting so much and start doing!!!

My Cutie Pies

Chris took the kids up to this new wedding location a couple of weeks ago to go pick up some equipment, and left me at home to take a much needed nap. Thanks Chris. He took these adorable pictures of my sweeties that just melt my heart.

Yes We Can!

My weird prayer

Today I gave the closing prayer in Sacrament meeting. No big deal, right? Well, usually I would not even think twice about having to do this, but I gave the weirdest most scatter brained prayer today. It may not have been as bad as Ms. South Carolina's answer in the video, but it was so scattered. In no particular order, I prayed that we could all remember to vote, thanks for the testimonies (that I didn't hear since I was in the foyer half of the time), thankfulness for this great country that we live in. The more awkward my prayer got, the more I felt like I had to say something to counteract the weirdness, when I really should have just ended it. Oh well, as my excuse, I did wake up this morning at 5:30 with daylight savings time and I did have to last minute hand off a wild Gabe so that I could even get up there. Oh well, my heart was in the right place... just not my mind.

Halloween

Halloween was a hoot this year. Between all of my family having birthday in October and November, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas... this is a busy time of the year. The kids had fun dressing up and going downtown and to the trunk or treat at the church. Sofia said that her favorite part was handing out candy to kids at the church. Besides having a good time with the familia, my favorite part was eating some of the fruits of her hard work (she's too little to eat a lot of candy... it was my duty to help her out).

Rastafarians for McCain?

Last night I had a dream that John McCain had dreadlocks and was dressed in baggy pants with a Bob Marley T-Shirt. What the heck? Why would I dream this? Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have weird dreams, but this??? I am excited for this election to be over.

When life throws apples at you.. make applesauce?

We went and picked a ton of golden delicious apples today at the house of a family from church. We will be eating a lot of apples. Apple crisp, apple bread... hmm.. any ideas of recipes that don't involve butter or brown sugar? I want to make applesauce... but not sure of when I would have time to do that. Any volunteers to help me?

Gabey Baby

I thought that grandpas would appreciate this football picture. (Don't get too excited Carlos, he may choose to be a gymnast, tap dancer, or accordion player as well). The second football picture shows Gabe's personality so well right now. He melts my heart with that smile.


I got the kids really good rain gear this year, so bring on the rain. I always feel like a rock star mom when I get the kids out in bad weather. They don't mind.. I am the wussy one.

You have to smile when you see this picture.

Gabe checking out his good looking reflection.

Sofia

It is time for a picture update. You can always tell which pictures I have taken of the kids and which ones Chris has taken. Here's the no fail way to tell: Mine suck and Chris' don't..... but since I am the one with the kiddos all day, you mainly get my pictures. At least the subjects are cutie pies.

-Sofia may not look all that much like me, but she sure inherited my silly genes.

Sofia can make Gabe cry and laugh harder than any other person. Ahhh.. siblings.


My brown eyed girl



Mi Casa es su casa. We just got this cute playhouse off of Craigslist. The kids love playing in it. Come and play with us!

Sofia and her buddy Marshall monkeying around

Hi, my name's Kara, and I am an internetholic.

Blogging is great. It is a way for me to stay connected to family friends. It is a way for me to document the happenings of my family, and it is a time thief. I spend way way way to much time on the internet looking at blogs and facebook. It is nice to get a break, but I am feeling like I need to wean myself a little bit. My kids will appreciate it. My mind will appreciate it. My spirit will appreciate it. I am not saying I am quitting. I am just admitting that I have a problem, and that's the first step, right?

Book Reviews... again :)

"Don't Let's go to the Dogs Tonight-"This book is really good. I read it awhile ago, so the details are not fresh in my mind,but here is the gist of it. It is about a young girl's memoir of growing up in southern Africa. Alexandra Fuller is a very descriptive writer. She makes you feel like you are in Africa with her.. only you don't want to be, because many crappy things happen in her life. I think that I am done with depressing books for awhile since I have a tendency to be drawn to them... but if you don't have a book to read, go check this one out.

"On Becoming Babywise-" I will preface this by saying that I didn't finish the book.. I just couldn't. Since I have probably offended several people already in the last month, I will try hard not to go on about this book. I am not so much a fan of the parenting style advocated in this book. It's just not me. There are some very helpful suggestions that I will try (like trying to make nursing sessions longer so your baby doesn't eat as often.. I will try this next kiddo), and it also talks about how a healthy marriage is very important in parenting. Like any parenting book, you take the ideas you like and that will work for you, and you throw out what won't.
What I didn't like about the book was the negative tone it had. I feel like the authors were extremely caught up in ripping on other parenting styles (specifically attachment parenting). If their style is so great, why do they have to spend the whole book ripping on another style of parenting? Also, I feel like this book does not take temperament into account very much, and it is kind of a "one size fits all" approach. I have friends who have used parts of this approach (not to an extreme), and they have had success with it... but like I said.. overall,this style is not for me. I am not sure exactly what my parenting style is.. maybe a mixture of a lot of different styles?

I started a new blog

I just started a new blog for my family to post recipes on. Check it out sometime!!
http://olsenyummyformytummy.blogspot.com/

My Beautiful Boy is 1

My Baby is 1 today! Where has this year gone? I got all teary eyed looking through pictures of my baby in the last year. I love this little boy so much. I know that all parents are so biased, but I just have a feeling that this boy is going to be something great someday. He is so curious, stubborn, and somehow charming and easy going at the same time. Isn't it bittersweet watching your kids grow? Exciting to know all of the fun stages and times ahead, but sad knowing that the time flies by so fast. It doesn't feel like it flies by on a daily basis sometimes when I wake up at 5:30 in the morning and look up at the clock, amazed that it is only 9:30 and I feel like it should be lunch time. It is a good reminder for me to slow down and take time to soak this time up. This is a great time of life that I can never get back. I am blessed.

I couldn't resist......again

Teaching kids not to hit by hitting... hmm........

It has been 2 whole weeks since I have made a controversial post (the last one took this long to recover from), so DJ Kara is here to mix things up again friends. Do you currently or plan on one day spanking your kids? Chris and I are not spankers, nor do we intend to become spankers in the near future. I am not going to lie. There have been a handful of times (okay, more than that) when I have been so frustrated with Sofia, that all I can think about is spanking her, but I don't. The reason that it would not be a good idea for me to spank is because in those moments, I am so totally frustrated and out of control... it would not be good for me to do anything that drastic. By the time I calm down, I no longer have the desire to spank anymore. So, I ask all of you.... is anyone really "in control" of their emotions when they spank, and if so, please explain your rational of why you still do it? Really, I am not here to judge, I know very good parents who spank their kids on occasion, so I am really not trying to judge...I am trying to understand.
I think that some parents who spank, are worried that non-spanking parents do no form of discipline. I agree that if you don't spank, you obviously have to discipline somehow. I am really working hard right now on being more consistent with following through with my threats with Sofia. Being consistent can be hard for me (and every other parent I am sure). I am also working on following through with discipline before I am angry, so I am still calm and in control of my emotions.
Some spanking parents are also thinking, "Well, I was spanked when I was a kid, and I turned out fine." That is true for many of us, but to that reasoning, I would like to quote Maya Angelou: "You did what you knew how to do, and when you knew better, you did better." Being creative with discipline is really really challenging,but I am working on it. Some of you reading this, probably spank, and many of you I probably really respect, so please share some insight on this topic. Also, I am interested in hearing how people do discipline almost 3 year olds. I need new ideas.

Picture catch up

I took the kids to the "Kids day of Conservation," and it was great fun. Sofia even touched a snake. I was talking to the dude who had all of the snakes, and he said that he has over 40 snakes in his 2 bedroom apartment. This is going to give me nightmares.


We did our first pumpkin/hayride trip of the season last week. I have a feeling it won't be our last.



Gabe loves pointing at everything now.