Jerks In White Vans

I narrowly avoided an accident today when some jerk in a white van cut me off. I had to slam on my brakes in order to prevent him from clipping me during his dangerous lane change. He continued to speed and swerve, tailgating and switching lanes too frequently. Idiotically unaware that he nearly ran me off the road. Overall just being a moron. I had both boys in the car with me, so naturally this prick infuriated me. The worst part about the whole thing was not even the reckless act, but the end result.... Me. For some reason, this jerk's rude disregard for all other motorists on the road got me to thinking about people in general. I began to ponder on just a few of the many times I have been lied to, deceived, betrayed, disrespected. Thinking of how rude people can be, how cruel, how heartless. Liars, cheats, thieves. Inconsiderate folks who don't hold the door open for a mom struggling with 2 kids. People who can't drive and put everyone else at risk for their poor decisions. People who cheat on their spouse, or lie to their friends, or steal from their mom. I just don't understand why so many people in this world are entirely self-absorbed (because in my opinion it is the most self-centered, selfish kind of person to possess the traits I listed above). Sometimes I feel there is no hope for the human race. All this because I got cut off today while driving down the street.

I think from now on when Bean watches a movie in the van, I will turn the stereo on up front for me. The quiet obviously gives me way too much opportunity to think.

Watch A Movie?

Bean has gotten to the point now where he knows what a movie is and often requests it. He doesn't really have a favorite to speak of at the moment,  he just wants entertainment. Every time we get in the van: "Watch a movie? Watch a movie?" If I put one on for him he will be totally content, no matter how long the car ride. At home, when we are just chilling, he will break out with his usual request -- "Watch a movie?" But I have a trick for him when we are at the house. His "movie" is always something educational. He doesn't even know the difference between a real movie and a learning one. Gullible kid.

The Smell of Pine (real pine, not Pine-Sol)

This is my favorite time of year. I always loved Christmas best as a child and even a young adult. It wasn't until later in life that I grew so cynical and let the commercialism of the holiday get me down. Now though, I have children of my own so it has once again become magical for me. I enjoy shopping for my boys, I enjoy wrapping their presents. I can't wait to see them on Christmas morning. Bun, because it will be his first -- and Bean because this year he will know what is going on for real.

We got our tree today. The entire downstairs now smells like fresh evergreen. I love it. That means Christmas to me, and I insist on having a real tree because I want the boys to make the same memory. I think I must be getting the "Christmas Spirit" because my heart has been a lot lighter these days.

ps - the boys got very few (if any) 'toys' this year because I do not want anymore China-made crap in our home. Almost all their gifts are electronic, educational, outdoorsy, or artsy. Fun!

Happy Thanksgiving

Another year has come and gone, and I have had plenty of time to reflect on the deeper matters of heart and soul over the last 12 months. My life is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but I recognize my blessings. I am thankful for --

• My 2 beautiful boys
• Love and support from family
• My husband's safety
• My own health and well-being
• True friends

If you care to share what you are thankful for in the comments section, I would love to hear it.

BlogTour: Jump Start World

We were able to try out this really cute, educational software for children called Jump Start World. It focuses on helping your child with math, reading and critical thinking skills. It's aptly named Jump Start World because there is a whole virtual existence for your child to discover. They can choose a character and then explore their surroundings, doing everything from completing "missions" to caring for pets. Solid academic skills are also presented, of course, in a way that is entertaining and keeps your child engaged. So the kid is smiling and cooperative while adding numbers or practicing phonics. It's learning cleverly disguised as fun in the truest sense. In my opinion though, the two best features of this software are ones that your child couldn't care less about. First of all, it is customized to your child's individual learning style by responding to your child's abilities. In this manner the activities are still challenging, but not so much so that the kid feels overwhelmed. The second key point is that it is completely safe. The content is appropriate for all ages, and there is no way your child can access the internet while playing this software. So this should make mom happy too.

Time To Eat

I honestly feel like I spend my entire day feeding someone. My typical day goes something like this...

Wake up, nurse Bun
Get Bean up and prepare his breakfast
Feed Bun his baby fruits and cereals
Nurse Bun again
About one second of free play
Time to feed both boys lunch
Put Bean down for a nap
Nurse Bun again. Try to get him down for a nap as well
When Bean wakes up from his nap, give him a snack
When Bun wakes up, nurse him then give him a snack too
Three seconds of free time
Feed both boys dinner
Clean up, get ready for bed, offer Bean a snack
Nurse Bun off and on for the rest of the night

Oh - and somewhere in there I eat too.

We spend so much of our day eating, there is very little time left for anything else. I truly do feel like we burn up hours on end either preparing or eating meals and snacks. I get tired of thinking about what to fix for the boys all day every day. Perhaps I should start preparing menus in advance, like the school lunch lady. With all the time spent in the kitchen, advance meal preparation would save me those blank minutes when I open the fridge door and just stare at the contents; zoning out. Waiting for something to jump up at me and say "Feed ME to the boy!!"

I enjoy eating; I love food. But this is ridiculous. It doesn't help that our kitchen happens to be the most uncomfortable room in the house. Granite counters, hardwood floors, tall back chairs. The only thing cozy about our kitchen is the smell of food cooking. And even that does not last.

Nine Months Old Then, Nine Months Old Now

Bun is nine months old. I look at Bun, and can scarcely believe that Bean was that age when I found out I was pregnant again. No wonder I freaked out! Bun is very much a baby. He is still nursing, teething, crying; he can't walk yet. He is only now starting to say his first (simple) words. He has to be carried everywhere and needs constant supervision. Even though I had a lot of fears that turned out to be unfounded, I still cannot blame the woman I used to be. The one who saw herself with an already small baby and another on the way... and sorta lost her sanity for a spell.

I went through that rough patch and I have coped -- indeed, thrived. I cannot imagine life now without either of my two boys. But there is still a part of me that is very glad, to know I don't have to worry about finding out (ever again) that there is another little surprise on the way.

Gender Discrimination

I feel ashamed of myself for being so close-minded. But today at Library Story Time, the storyteller was... a man.... and that just felt so weird to me. You know how people read stories to kids in that high, sing-songy voice (well, if they are any good they do)? Of course he attempted doing this, and it just didn't seem right. He was a little less 'warm' and did not seem quite as approachable. He didn't smile nearly as much as the prior lady did, and he didn't squat down to be eye level with the kids. Maybe I am just complaining because I am not fond of change (fancy ME saying that -- a military brat and wife -- but it's true). The children didn't seem to mind one bit who was reading them stories or playing games with them today. Still, I just couldn't help but wonder what kind of grown man wants to read stories to a room full of 2-3 year olds. I should put myself in time-out for even thinking it. My views are biased. I am discriminating against the story teller because he is a man, and I simply cannot help myself; even though I know it is wrong.

There's Nothing To Do

Bean had a playdate today with a new little boy, at the science museum. For many reasons, today's playdate made me feel sad. For one thing, it is disappointing to make a new mommy friend and find a little boy so close to Bean's age -- right when we are nearing the end of this deployment and preparing to return to NC. For another thing, it is a pitiful reminder of how very little there is to do in Nowheresville, NC where we are stationed. No museums, no plays, no children's centers, no indoor gyms. Nothing educational or artsy or even just plain fun for the boys to get into. Just the beach. And Wal-Mart. (which I now hate in favor of The Store With The Red Bullseye And The Pseudo-French Name). Oh, and there is a Chuck E Cheese. I hate that town we have to live in!! But there is nothing to be done about it, so I have to suck it up until we PCS (move to a new duty station) again. It's gonna be a looooong 2 years.

BlogTour: The Right Words At The Right Time

This week's blog tour is about The Right Words At The Right Time: Your Turn! by Marlo Thomas. It's an inspirational book filled from cover to cover with personal anecdotes. Because it is not a novel, there's no need to read it straight from beginning to end. You can pick it up when you literally only have a couple of minutes to spare and read one of the stories in there for a quick dose of heart-warming. A nice feature is that the Table of Contents organizes the essays by topic, making it easier to find the sort of encouragement you seek. The common thread is that each author tells of a time when simple words effected enlightenment in their world. For some, the words were spoken. For others still, they were written. But for all, it sparked a turning point in their life. It makes you feel good to read this book. It also makes you think: About your own life and how it can be improved by the words that meant so much to the authors sharing their stories.