Go over to Kenlie's blog for Friend Makin' Monday!

These are her questions and my answers...

Foodie Questions

1. Do you make grocery lists?  I do, but I always add stuff while I'm there!
2.  Do you have a routine when shopping in your favorite grocery store?  I always go to the right once in the door and practically go up and down every aisle except pet food since we have to furry friends here.
3.  What is your favorite seasoning?  I adore McCormick’s Italian seasoning and Lipton French Onion packets!
4.  What is the healthiest food in your fridge right now?  I love grapefruit. It's ALWAYS in there!
5.  What is the most unhealthy food in your fridge now?  I have Cokes (the real thing...red can and all) in there for my husband!
6. What is the most exotic produce you’ve ever had? hmmm...I don't think I've ever been exotic in any way!
7. Tell us about your favorite local restaurant.  Our local Mexican restaurant on the square here is delish...and different from the chains.
8.  What kind of pasta do you prefer (regular, whole wheat, etc.?)  I don’t eat a lot of pasta, but I like regular.
9. If you could make one food calorie-free for an entire week, which food would you choose?  I’d choose all breads...mmmm, I love bread and wish I could eat it guilt free!
10.  If you had to choose would you rather give up french fries or chocolate?  Lately, I've given up both...I think I've had fries once since February. I have better self-control with chocolate...I can do just one small piece.

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions.  And don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments!  Happy Monday, darlings!

My wish for you...
A Happy Monday!

Jess

What's that noise?

Ummm...do you hear that?

That sound would be my kids! For some reason, my children have become extreme noise makers this summer!!!

My oldest especially...AND she's a girl! I did not realize 10 year old girls did this. My little six year old boy students make car/gun/laser/whatever noises all day long...but girls? not so much. Anyway..she has turned into some kind of drummer or rhythmic music maker using her body...she slaps her legs, belly, tables, and makes the weirdest sounds with her mouth!!! I find myself warning her with stupid words like..."you know you can't make those noises when you go back to school, right? It will get on your teacher's nerves."

I go from laughing hysterically to begging her for a little quiet!!!

Then...she gets the younger one going...I'm tag teamed!!!

The other day, after a special mommy/daughter day of bonding, we were driving home and I thought my brain was going to explode from the noisemakers and the ever present "stop touching me" "I'm not touching you" "yes, you are" "mooooooommmmm, she's touching me" dialogue taking place in the backseat. When we arrived home:

Me:  Girls, I need about 30 minutes just to chill. Go back to your rooms and straighten up, play, read or something.

Girls: We did that yesterday.

Me:  Mommy needs a little downtime to just relax.

Older girl: But we want to be with you. (oldest one snuggles up to me, laying on my leg and propping her cute little head on my shoulder, looking up at me with her big beautiful eyes)

Younger girl: we do mom (she gets on other side--now I'm surrounded during my chill-out time.) we'll just sit here quiet

We begin to let mom look at People magazine for oh...about 15 seconds

Oldest: can we raise our hand if we need to talk to you?

Youngest: yeah...

hand raising starts, noise starts again...chill-out time never happened!

 Sometimes I wonder if being a teacher is helpful with my parenting...I really do think it is. I mean, I should totally know how to handle this. But this summer I seem to be craving more quiet moments than usual. I daydream of snuggling up with soft sheets and comfy pillows and a really, really good book! My husband works long hours so I am with my children (or someone else's children) pretty much all the time. Don't get me wrong- I love them! But...I sense that I need some quiet reflection time. So...that night, I LOCKED myself in the bathroom. Laid on the closet floor with my book! I was alone for an entire 15 minutes before the banging began...MOM! Let us in...what are you doing?

Have you ever felt this way?

My wish for you...
quiet moments to re-center

Jess

Independence Weekend...

Does anyone celebrate July 4 on just that day????

I don't know anyone who does. It's like a big weekend or week celebration! And it should be! We live in a good country. Even though I worry a lot about the state of our country, it's still a good one. I am so grateful to live here and more importantly, I am thankful for the people who SERVE our country! They sacrifice soooo much!

Have you seen this video? It is well worth the 6 minute viewing...get your tissues ready! My hubs and I saw it the other night on ESPN and we both cried! Very moving!

Anyway...we'll be cooking out and playing on the lake all weekend. There are several places that we will go see fireworks. Mostly, just good ole family fun!!!!

My wish for you...
cherish time with your family

Jess