Blogging? Oh...yeah, I used to do that...

I have thought about blogging.  But not for more than a nanosecond.

The truth, the sad, sad, truth is that I have finally come to a time in my life where I sincerely do not have the time for it!  It was easier when my big kids were little and there were only three of them.  Now that there are five of them and two of them are homeschooling, I have found that I have very little time for anything but life.

I have a house helper, Gemma, who comes to help me a couple of days a week, and she helps with the house and the kids and really whatever I need her to do.  But I am STILL BUSY all day long.  It's weird.  But hey, at least my house looks better than it did, and I am thankful for being able to focus on the kids more than the housework.

I know a lot of people do it alone, and I applaud them.  I suppose I could do it, but I wouldn't be very nice. I'm pretty certain of that.  That's where we were headed about a month ago.  People who have twins will understand me when I say that it really is harder with twins.  Pulling the "twin card" is my new normal.  But honestly, there is no other explanation (except that I may just be crazy???).  So, if I pull the "twin card" with you, just smile and nod and pray for me!

Sam is doing well in school.  I know, not a big surprise!  He's super smart and very inquisitive and thoughtful.  Maryn is also excelling in school and enjoying it so much.  She really loves to be doing her schoolwork.  Sam and Maryn have been spending their free time building a "circus" out in the yard with old firewood.  It's so cute.

I decided to start trying to pottytrain Lucy again.  She will be three in 12 days, and my other two kids did well at 3.  She is no exception.  She had success for two days in a row with a couple of accidents, and then today, she has peed in the potty three times, pooped once, and so far, has had no accidents today!  She is gaining confidence and excitement, and I'm so proud of her.  It really is best to wait until they're ready.

Felix is jabbering a lot.  He also likes to carry toys around in his mouth while he crawls around.  He looks like a puppy.  He is so cute.  I swear he can say "dog."  He is doing well with baby food and some table food.

Milo is starting to screech a lot.  He is also trying to walk.  He's taken many steps, but he usually has to be coaxed.  He is gaining a lot of weight too and looking so cute and chubby.  He LOVES to eat.  I think it is his favorite thing to do.

Both babies are sleeping in their own room.  They aren't sleeping through the night, but at least they're in their own room and Dave and I don't have to tiptoe anymore.

We took a vacation to Oklahoma City and Tulsa and then Northwest Arkansas.  It was exhausting but fun. Maybe someday, I will think about uploading some pictures.  Well, Milo sounds sad, so I better go, but that is what is going on in our lives.  Hopefully, I can find more time for this, but right now, it isn't looking like it!

Reply to Comments on Blogger

I just discovered this.  Blogger doesn't have this kind of option, and it annoys me.  I found this tutorial that helped me figure out how to do this.  I will warn you, you have to scroll about 3/4 of the way down on your Edit Html page to find the code you need to insert your NEW code after.

AND you have to make sure under your settings that you have embedded your comments at the end of your posts instead of on a separate page.

Here's the LINK.  Now you can reply to comments!!!  Isn't that great?

Our New Bloggy Project

Dave and I don't have a lot of free time on our hands, especially since the twins arrived.  We also don't get to go out much because sitters are hard to come by where we live.  If we could go out, we would go to a movie.  It is our favorite date.  We typically sneak in candy from the dollar store and buy a refillable large drink.

We love movies.  But, shamedly, there are MANY classic and greatly heralded films we've never seen.  We were talking the other night, and I thought it would be a good idea to remedy that.  So, we decided to make a list of movies and watch them and, better still, blog about them!  That is exactly what we intend to do.

You can go HERE to see our list and more info about the films we have chosen.  We're looking forward to it!  Feel free to watch-along and provide your own commentary on the films.

Couch to 5K

Okay, so my friend, Marla, is running. A lot. Like 11 miles right now. Insane? Yes. I'm so proud of her, and so motivated. Marla is Miss Motivational. She makes you believe you can really do anything you want.

So, I asked her how in the world did you go from giving birth to running 11 miles? She is training for a half marathon that she will run in a few weeks. That's 13 miles, folks. 13. She gave birth four months ago.

I gave birth 16 months ago. Ahem.

So, I am inspired.

Marla directed me to a site called Couch to 5K. So, I thought, I can do this.

I can do this.

You get a day of rest in between each day you run. I can live with this.

Our problem is childcare. So, I either have to get up early before Dave leaves (by 6 right now while the runs are short) or I have to do it when he's home. C'mon Daylight Savings Time!!! I need more light in the evenings. As the runs get longer, I may have to hire a sitter to watch the kids while I run. But I am going to do this. I want to. I need to. I feel so much better when I exercise--it's just good. And running around my house is hard--there are hills in every direction, no lie. So I am getting a good workout.

Today was Day 3. I ran a little extra today as I was freezing cold. But it felt so good, and it woke me up. I was out there at 6am. Proud of me, anyone??? Especially if you know what I'm like in the morning...

Now, I've been thinking about this. I am going to blog my way through this. I am going to take a break from my regular musings (although they may find their way into my posts as I learn more about myself and God through this adventure), and I am going to be blogging about my progress with running. I hope you'll stick around to see how I'm doing.

This is not going to be nearly as delicious as Julie and Julia. But, I hope I will feel as rewarded at the end of it. 10 weeks to learn to run 3 miles.


I'm gonna do it. Wanna join me?

And the Winner Is...

Christy!!!

"Cooking and baking new foods!"--is how she likes to make her house a home.

Let me say a few things about Christy. I have known Christy since the first grade.

Here we are in the first grade--the two girls holding the sign in the middle.

Christy and I had not seen one another in YEARS, and then we reconnected in the blog world a couple of years ago. I am so glad to be in touch with her. She is a beautiful woman with a sincere heart of worship. I am thrilled to be able to call her friend even after all these years!

So, I know you're all wondering...what is she going to get?

Well, I am going to make her a PURSE!!!

It will be in this style--I've made a couple of these, and I LOVE them.

I will confer with her about fabric choices, and I will post the final pictures when I am done with it!!!

Thanks for playing!!!

Whodunnit?

I got home on Sunday afternoon.

It was wonderful. I want to tell you all about it, but I have to wait.

Why?

Because right now, I am seething.

MAD.
ANGRY.
MUY MALO.

Someone compromised my debit card number while I was in Virginia.
They are using it on telecommunications (about $600 worth).
They used it at Lowe's ($400+).

So, I can't talk about how lovely my trip was or how wonderful it was to meet Joanna and Katie. (Yes, I got to meet Katie as well b/c her plans changed).

So, after I calm down, you can expect a post (or three...I have several in my head currently).

I keep thinking, "Was it that waitress at Chili's? Or the ATM I used at the mall? Or the other waitress at Joe's Crab Shack? Or was it the parking attendant?" Seriously.

Thank God He is the judge and not me.

Pray for me, and use cash when dining out. I should have known better.

Corny Jokes and a Spanish Riddle

So a panda walked into a cafe and much to the shock of the patrons went right up to the counter and demands a meal. The waiter was stunned, first that a panda can even talk, but even more that he was wanting to be served a meal there. Uncertain of what proper protocol may be, the waiter refused insisting that this just wasn't done. The panda argued saying this was in fact true to nature and if they didn't understand they could look him up in a dictionary. Frankly, pandas are big frightening creatures so the waiter conceded, thinking that it was best just to go along with it.

The panda enjoyed his appetizer, his entree, and finally his dessert, something with ginger in it according to some witnesses. The waiter went above and beyond the call of duty to make him feel welcome, partially out of curiosity and partly out of concern for the other guests. After a waft of his napkin and a hearty sigh, the panda stood took out a gun and simply shot the waiter dead.

The panda casually began to walk to the door to leave, but was stopped by a crowd of patrons who in astonishment of the whole scene forgot about their fear. Shouts rang out and everyone demanded to know why the panda had just shot the one person who had worked so hard to help him. His simple reply as he left the cafe, "I’m a panda. It's what I do."

The crowd was stunned and silence filled the space over the dead waiter's body for a few moments until rumbles of questions rose. Should they call the police, animal control, the zoo? Why this cafe, this waiter? The words of the panda haunted one man who remembered his own briefcase... a dictionary was in his possession. Could it really be that simple?

Panda - PANDA: a large bear with origins in Asia; Eats shoots and leaves.
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Q: What is Bruce Lee's favorite drink?
A: "Wa-taaaaaaa!!!"
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Knock, Knock.
Who's there?
Chugga chugga.
Chugga chugga, who?
Chugga chugga chugga chugga WHOOO WHOOO!
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Why did the pirate get his ear pierced?
It was a buccaneer.
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Why is it un-biblical to fly?
Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always."
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What did the Zen Master say to the hot dog vendor?
"Make me one with everything."
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What lies on the ocean floor and shakes?
A nervous wreck.
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What kind of animal can jump higher than a fifty foot wall?
All of them. Fifty foot walls can’t jump.
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What do you get when cross a potato with a sponge?
I don't know, but one thing's for sure, whatever it is, it can hold a LOT of gravy!
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En un cerrito, habia un viejito, con tres pelitos, en el culito? Quien es?
(If you speak Spanish and can answer this one, please enlighten us all!)

Hope you all had a laugh...even if it was a pity laugh. :)

Takin' it down a notch.

Let's be unserious for awhile.

If you read my blog, I want you to comment (either on the blog or on Facebook), with your favorite corny joke. Then, I will post them all here so we can have a corny laugh, a pity laugh, or just an all-out belly laugh (if you like corny jokes, that is).

I'll start.

Why did the cowboy ride the horse into town?

Because he was too heavy to carry.

Your turn.

Curses and Reading Lists

I was casting some spells on blogger last night. You'd think putting ads in would be a cinch. Not so, dear friends. I ended up putting them in as you see them now. I promise I will make it more appealing. Later. I am too irritated to try again. But, they're functional for the time being, so let it ride.

Since we don't have TV (this is only temporary--the Fall season will start in a month!), I've found some books for reading. Here's my list (some have yet to arrive from Amazon):

• He Loves Me : Learning to Live in the Father's Affection--Wayne Jacobsen (mentioned this one in my last post)
• The Total Money Makeover--Dave Ramsey
• Christianish--Mark Steele (friend from Tulsa; has two other great books, Flashbang and Half-Life, Die Already)
• Loving our Kids on Purpose--Danny Silk (on grace-based parenting--very excited about this one)
• Understanding Prophetic People: Blessings and Problems with the Prophetic Gift--R. Loren Sanford (I so need to read this to better understand myself...Dave is going to have to read it too!)

What are you reading? I need a good fiction...probably should take a look at our book club list.

Ads, Reviews, and the Like

Well, fellow community of bloggers, I am biting the bullet. No, I'm not going to quit blogging. I couldn't possibly do that at this stage of the game. Instead, I have joined Blogher! That's right. I was asked to apply (I put my name on a wait list about 6 months ago) today to be a part of their advertising--Blogher Ads. What will happen is there will suddenly be a lot of ads on my blog. Don't let this alarm you. :) Really. That's pretty much it.

I was able to select what kinds of ads I did NOT want to allow on my blog, and you'll be glad to know that your eyes will love me for protecting them from lots of dieting ads, pharmaceutical ads, lingerie ads, and infant formula ads. Now, don't get your panties in a wad. I'm not against infant formula--I have used it in the past, and I have friends who have had to use it as well. I'm just anti-advertising the stuff because it robs a lot of women from the blessing of breastfeeding b/c they are not educated on breastfeeding--all they see are ads for infant formula. So, don't take offense.

I will be able to make a little pocket change this way. Another way I will be making some pocket change is by doing product reviews on a separate non-advertising blog. That blog is called Geidlbots Product Reviews. No-brainer, huh?

Aside from making sweet moolah to spend on Starbucks and books (or student loans...), I think this will be a great opportunity to get a lot of traffic on my blog. One thing I have loved about blogging is that I have been able to minister to a lot of people through what I write. I've been able to be myself and share my struggles and successes and be an encouragement to others. I've also been pretty good about riling people up! :) I never intend to do that. Really!!! I hope that as people visit my blog through BlogHer, they will see Jesus here and find life.

Sorry for the clutter of ads...hope you don't mind too much. Much love to you all.

Show Yourself

Okay, so I know a bunch of peeps are visiting my blog b/c of my little counter. So...show yourself. I'm curious who still reads my blog. I ain't gonna lie--I love me some comment love. You guys needs to show it!

Nah...really, I wanna know who is reading and if you care about my ramblings and to-do lists. Or...do you have any requests?

Not a piano bar, just a blog. For realz.

So, Maryn has an ear infection. I got about 3.5 hours of interrupted sleep last night. I fell asleep about 1:30. I got up and fed Lucy at 3:45. Went back to bed around 4. Got up with Maryn at 5:30 and never got to back to sleep because Sam was up at 6:15. Maryn is just pitiful when she is sick. Her fever got up to 103.2 (under the arm) last night. She whimpered like a little puppy all night long. She's napping now. I'm about to feed Lucy and take a nap myself. I need some sleep!

Okay, there's the update. Now, tell me you stopped by!!!!!

I figure...

...you probably wouldn't mind a real post.

...you wonder what in the world has happened to me.

...you think I must be too tired to blog (probably true).

But the truth is, I actually haven't had anything I could talk about...not that I didn't have plenty TO talk about...I'm just choosing NOT to talk about it. If that makes sense!?!

We've had a very crazy week. We've had a very serious family issue (our little family of five is okay--it was in the extended family). It was quite scary, and to tell you the truth, it was just downright horrible. I wish I could blog about it just to get it off my chest, but instead, I've saved that for my nearest and dearest who have listened to me so patiently. Thank you.

Dave is in a plane right now. He just left Uzbekistan. Next stop: Istanbul. Then Munich. Chicago. and HOME.

I love the feeling of all of us here under one roof. It's so calming to know that everyone is snug and accounted for. If you've ever had a member missing for awhile, you know how nice it is to have him/her back with you.

The kids and I have stayed pretty busy to pass the time. We have eaten out FAR too much. But, I guess it's sort of okay...I know I must have some stories to tell...I should anyways.

My favorite Sam-ism of today was:

Me: "Sam, do you want to come snuggle with me?"
Sam: "Nooooo...I like you....buuuuuttttt, I don't like to snuggle."

So glad to know he likes me...lol.

Tried pottytraining with Maryn again...still a no-go. We'll just keep pluggin' along.

Well, I've gotta get some resty-rest. I am worn out. I admire single moms so much. I don't know how they work outside the home, inside the home, parent their kids, help with homework, cook, clean...it's amazing. They deserve medals.

And after these two weeks, I think I do too....the kids may disagree! :)

Moving

I am officially moving away from Xanga. I'm sad about it, but I feel it is inevitable.

Xanga is dead (or at the very best, on its deathbed).

With the exception of the wonderful few that continue to post and update regularly, most people are not even lurking anymore. Plus, the layout of xanga is just getting to be kind of old-school, and I'm a progressive sort of girl. I love my Xanga community dearly, and I will continue to read and comment on your blogs. But, I will be moving to Blogger.

I can't afford to pay for a blog and go to typepad (which is where I really want to go). I have noticed that on most other blogs, xanga is not supported. It has been a good run for the last three years, but as I prepare for my physical move, I will also go ahead and make a cyber move. :)

My new blog address is: http://geidlbots.blogspot.com. Please stop in, say hello, and add me to your RSS, bookmarks, or favorites. I still want to hear from you. If you don't see your blog in my bloglist on the right, it is because you have Sign-In Lock activated, and I could not add you. I will retain my xanga blog for both comments and privileges. I will not delete it.

So with that, I conclude my final xanga post. "Parting is such sweet sorrow..."