my WEEK

Last Thursday, exactly one hour before I was scheduled to be at work, my daughter had explosion issues.  I didn't worry at first, but it just wouldn't stop. 

I immediately called the baby-sitter and told her not to worry about watching Isabelle.

I frantically called my husband, practically begging him to come home from work early.

Then I called my work, explained my situation and said I would be possibly 30 minutes late.

I heard there were a few more explosions while I was at work.

...

On Monday, it started all over again.  At basically the same time of day:  right before I had to go to work.

Seriously?

My mom agreed to watch Isabelle.  Thankfully I had one Pull-Up left in the house.  Unfortunately, it didn't last long, but Isabelle was nice enough to not put her grandma through any torture.

Once Dustin got home, there were a few more explosions - literally one right after the other.

And Dustin threw up because of it all.

That night, while the rest of the world was sleeping, we had to give two emergency baths plus a few loads of laundry.

...

The fun-ness of it all continued on Tuesday.  Thankfully I didn't have to work that day, so all we did was sit around and do nothing.

I'll admit, it was pretty much awesome, ya know, in between all the baths and clean up and dry heaving.

 My FB status that day:  "Parenthood is full of endless joy.  And endless diarrhea."

...

Last night, Isabelle woke up every hour with night terrors.  She was easy to calm down, but getting up and out of bed got a little old.

Eventually, I caved and brought her into our bed.  We needed some serious sleep, and the screaming stopped once we did that.

And then she peed in our bed.

...

Well, that's been my week.  How about you?

INSTAGRAM wednesdays: HAIRCUT...big time

It never fails.  We always go too long before we schedule an appointment for our Cocker Spaniel to go to the groomers.  

This is usually the end result.

At least she blends into the carpet, right? 

MUSIC mondays: ANI DIFRANCO

Don't you just love it when you come across a song  you just love, but sort of forgot about?  That's what happened to me as I was scrolling through my music library, trying to decide what to feature today.

The song is called YOU HAD TIME

by ANI DiFRANCO

Source

I used to listen to Ani a lot more back in the day.  I even saw her in concert once.  Her music has a unique style which I really gravitated to at the time.

Nowadays, my taste in music has somewhat changed, but I still adore this song.  It starts out with a two minute piano solo and then the guitar and vocals are added later.  I personally don't care for the long, drawn out piano part, but that's probably because I love it when the guitar and vocals start so much.

Anyway, here's my favorite song from Ani DiFranco.  I had a pretty hard time finding a decent video of the song, so just open another window and browse the web while you listen to the song.  :)  Oh, and if you get tired of the long piano part, the best part of the song starts at 2:08.

Hope you enjoy it!

why I GO TO CHURCH

One of the posts I decided to showcase on my SITS day was about the time we skipped church.  The post generated a lot of comments, more than I was anticipating; however, one comment that basically said, "What's the point?" really caught my attention.  I decided I wanted to spend a little bit of time talking about why I go to church.

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Or, I'm a Mormon.  Or, I'm LDS.  I was born and raised LDS.  After I left home and started living life on my own, I chose to remain LDS.  Being a Mormon is so much more than just attending church on Sundays.  It's an entire lifestyle.  No, I'm not one of 15 wives married to the same man, but I am a  Christian who firmly believes in the teachings of the LDS faith.

It is because of this that I choose to deal with the ups and downs of taking a toddler to church.  I have been blessed beyond measure for doing that which I know to be right, even when it seems to have no purpose.  Before I was a mother, I would attend church and feel so uplifted and motivated to be a better person.  After my daughter was born {and before she was old enough to attend the nursery}, I rarely, if ever, had those same feelings.  I was going to church strictly out of obedience to God, having faith I would be blessed for it later.

Some Sundays are great.  Others not so great.  Either way, I always feel like I did the right thing when I go to church, regardless of what I got out of it.  At the very least, I know by consistently going to church, I'm teaching my daughter what I deem important in life.  And I want my daughter to know that I don't just talk about what I believe, but that I put into action what I believe.

So, to the person that asked, "What's the point?"  My simple answer is, "Because it is the point."  I can't imagine how my life would be if I didn't believe in a Heavenly Father that knows and loves me.  I can't imagine how my life would be if I didn't feel like I mattered.  Because of church, I know I matter.  I know who I am.  I know where I came from.  I know where I'm going.  I know I am here for a reason.

And that, my friends, is why I go to church.

INSTAGRAM wednesdays: TOY time

Building Rapuzel's tower.

Link up and play along on INSTAGRAM wednesdays!

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WELCOME to my BLOG

Welcome, Everyone, to my Thought Blog.  I am the featured blogger on SITS today!

My name is Emily and I am a thirty-something wife and mother that began blogging back in 2007 to chronicle my family's life.

After a few years of documenting just my day to day activities, I felt the need to start another blog that focused on different aspects of my life.  It's been a struggle keeping my creative juices flowing, and I sometimes slack in posting on a regular basis, but overall it's been a great experience for me.

And I'm really happy you have taken the time to visit my little corner of the Internet.

I'd love to gain new readers as a result of being the featured blogger, so here's some ideas about what I blog about.

First, I love and adore music, so every Monday {except for today, of course} I feature a song, artist, album that I really like.  Or, it could be a song my daughter really likes.  Or, just something that revolves around music.

Second, I love to take pictures using the app Instagram; hence, INSTAGRAM wednesdays.  This is basically a way for me to get in a post without actually having to write anything.  I co-host this meme with my very good friend, Karen.

And last, I write a lot about my marriage and about being a mom.

I definitely don't think I write anything earth-shattering, but I try to be as raw and real as possible.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.  Please come again!

the SO-CALLED MOTHERHOOD bond

I think when a woman becomes a mother, she automatically becomes a member of a club.  A motherhood club, so to speak.  As technology has expanded and become more sophisticated, it's easier now more than ever to connect with other mothers and to share experiences with one another.

Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc., are all avenues in which mothers can interact with one another, lift each other up, give advice, extend sympathy and overall be there for one another.

But it seems as though our bond with other mothers seems to disappear as soon as we walk outside our homes.  When we face life in the flesh, and not behind our computer screens, it's everyone for herself.

Minutes after my daughter was born, my doctor commented on her screaming.  He said he had never heard a newborn make such noise.  I had no idea how my daughter's lungs would be such a source of stress, anger, humiliation and bitterness for me as time passed.

I've seen mother's glare at me.  I've seen them stare at me.  I've watched them put their hands over their ears.  I've seen them shake their heads.  I've heard them make comments under their breath.

All the while, I am thinking to myself, "Haven't you been in my shoes?  Don't you know exactly what I am going through as I struggle to keep my child well-behaved in public?  Your reaction to me is one that implies I enjoy dealing with a loud child in public."

I just don't get it.  Where's the love?  Is it something that only exists when commenting on a blog post?

I have a part-time job at a retail store.  I see mother's shop with their children on a daily basis.  I hear them plead with their children to sit still.  I see them struggle as they try to get their shopping done.  I hear them apologize to me or fellow shoppers for how much noise they are making.  It is abundantly clear that these mothers are mortified and want nothing more to get what they came to buy and leave.

So, what do I do?

I approach the mother's and ask them if they need help.  More often than not, if children see me they either calm down and get shy or they want to talk to me.  Either way, it's easier on the mother and allows her to get done what she needs to.

Many times, I let the mother know I completely understand how she is feeling.  I tell her I have been in her shoes more times than I'd like to admit.

My goal as an employee and as a mother is to let these women know that I get it.  I completely, 100% get it.  And that I am not there to judge them.  I'm there to help them.  I'm there to let them know that they are not alone.

So, the next time  you find yourself in a store and  you hear a child throwing a tantrum, maybe just offer the struggling mother a smile.  

After all, you know exactly how she feels, right?

INSTAGRAM wednesdays: SUMMER memory

It's officially summertime!  Last year, Isabelle fell asleep on the stairs while wearing her swimsuit.  It is probably my favorite memory from last year.  I just had to share it again.

I also love how Sammie {the dog} is just staring at her, as if to say, "I'm the only one allowed to sleep on the stairs."

everyday HUMOR

I've come to realize that some of the funniest things that are ever said really come out of nowhere, and if you're really paying attention you can have a ball no matter where you are.  Here are a few fun conversations I've had lately.

...

Co-Worker:  "Hot Rod is the best movie ever made!"

Me {jokingly, of course}:  "Really?  Even better than Schindler's List?"

Co-Worker:  "I've never seen Schindler's List.  What's it about?"

Me {in shock}:  "What's it about?!  Wait, when were you born?"

Co-Worker:  "1991."

Me:  "Okay, ya, you were probably 4 when that movie came out, so I guess I can understand why you haven't seen it."

{I then explain what Schindler's List is all about.}

Co-Worker:  "Ya, I think I'll just stick to Hot Rod."

...

Isabelle's 4 year old friend:  "When I was a kid, I used to play matching games all the time."

Me:  "You're still a kid."

Friend:  Blank stare

...

{A different} Co-Worker:  "She did a total 360!"

Me:  "You mean 180."

Co-Worker:  "What?!"

{I then explain the difference between a 180 and a 360}

"Co-Worker:  "Okay, so anyway...."

...

Manager:  "Is everything okay with you and Katie {not the person's real name, fyi}

Me:  "Yeah, why?"

Manager:  "Well, you were talking to her in your mom voice, so I just wanted to make sure."

Me:  "I guess the mom in me is bound to come out at work every once in awhile."

...

{A different} Manager:  "Hey, are you okay?"

Me:  "No, I'm not.  I don't really want to be at work today."

Manager:  "It'll be okay.  We have pickles today in the break room for everyone."

...

These gems that I totally want to do in my own neighborhood

...

There you have it.  A small glimpse into my life and the things I find quite funny.

MUSIC mondays: VAST

I first discovered VAST {Video Audio Sensory Theater} back in high school.  They're one of those bands whose music I have stored in my iTunes library, but sometimes forget that it's there.  But, when I remember about them, I listen to them over and over again because there music is just so amazing.

There are many to choose from, but today I'm featuring their song Don't Take Your Love Away From Me.  I love this song.  The lyrics are so beautiful, yet desperate.  I think love is best expressed through music, and this song is a perfect example of how vulnerable we all are when it comes to matters of the heart.  I hope you enjoy the song as much as I do.

Today, I am happy to be linking my posts with Miss Angie over at My So-Called Chaos.  She has a weekly meme called Musical Mondays that I think is so great and will hopefully be participating in every week from here on out.

FLASHBACK FRIDAYS: That One Special Day in June

Today, I'm participating in Karen's meme Flashback Fridays.  I think it's fun to revisit old posts, and this one is in honor of Father's Day, which is fast approaching.

Enjoy!

...

My husband and I tend to take a "less is more" approach when it comes to holidays.

Father's Day was pretty easy, breezy this year.  We made plans to spend the day with Dustin's side of the family who live two hours away from us.  On Sunday morning we woke up early, got ready and then hit the road.  Before we left, though, I gave Dustin his present.  It actually ended up being a two-for-one because I ended up getting somewhat of a gift too.

I bought Dustin 'Fierce' from Abercrombie & Fitch;.  It is an awesome cologne that, I swear, The Gateway (an outdoor mall near our house) pumps through the vents so it can be smelled all throughout the greater Salt Lake area.  It seriously haunts me every time I am shopping.  I tried my best to resist the temptation to buy it.  I really did.  But, eventually, it's awesomeness won, even at the risk of losing my hearing (it's so loud in A&F, seriously!) which means it's that good of a cologne.

Dustin loved it, and now he and our house smell so wonderful.  It's like heaven in here!

But, wait, it gets better.  When I left the store carrying my first ever A&F purchase, I walked out of the store with this bag.  It was WAY too big for my little cologne box, but it had cloth handles which made it both cool and ridiculous.  Cool in that how often do you get bags with cloth handles, and ridiculous because, hello, cloth handles?  What a waste of money!

No, the best part is not the handles.  It's the bag itself.  I mean, seriously, how often does a bag with this type of picture on it come along?  Forget that this is a bag from a clothing store and the picture is of a half-naked man modeling a swimsuit that isn't really even on his body, begging the question, "Does A&F really even like their clothes?  They don't advertise people wearing their them."

Just forget all that nonsense.  Sometimes we all just think and analyze too much.  Just look at the bag.  The bag, in all it's glory.

Ya, the bag was my present.

P.S. Dustin, I love you so much.  And one of the reasons why I love you so much is because you can appreciate the humor in this post.  :)