May I Just Vent For a Minute?

Highs

• ASH is becoming more independent
• EZ is becoming more independent
• I have discovered new food science material that is changing everything about how I approach bread-making (and beyond, really)
• Using these techniques, I made some rockin' blueberry scones the other day
• The weather is getting warmer
• We got our family pictures!
• My taxes are filed
• I haven't gained more than 2 pounds since October
• We are sticking to the grocery budget, come rain or come shine (aka I am resisting the persistent urge to monthly spend $500 on exotic ingredients, etc)
• This summer's family trip is going to be stellar and we couldn't be more excited
• I'm planning to be at my "ideal" body weight by said family trip
• I am participating in a new mother's learning circle group
• The children are getting older and it is fun to see them as little individuals
• I love my sweet and cute little ones
• I feel more lucky, every day, that I married who I married
• YW is finally starting to go

Lows

• ASH thinks he is a super big dude and has completely lost his mind--nothing is safe anymore
• EZ is the king of kissing and pinching--truly the dichotomy incarnate
• Three little boys + excessive energy + warmer weather + boring town = driving mom bananas
• My new found food knowledge is distracting me from my calorie counting (Does anyone out there want to be a taste-tester? I am serious here, folks.)
• The scones alone were 407 calories each. Eeek.
• In a fit of practicality, Aaron and I decided to dedicate most of the impending tax refund to a decidedly un-sexy endeavor
• The family pictures, unfortunately, look exactly like us--one (slightly chunky) mom, one hot dad, one photogenic kid, one ham, and one sad toddler--ordinary individuals with a black background
• I haven't lost more than 4 pounds since October
• It is basically February and I can't stay under 1500 Kcal for more than 4 days in a row (sigh)
• In the name of staying on budget for January, I am out of the following: vanilla, cornmeal, shortening, butter, eggs, milk, fresh and/or frozen vegetables, cheese, yogurt, bread, garlic, onions, TP, deodorant, razors, etc)
• The "mother's circle" material, so far, makes me feel enormously guilty
• I have officially become a real mother--yesterday I was told that I was "mean" by my five-year-old
• I feel more pulls and stresses than I have in a long long time
• It is not getting any better
• I see Aaron less and less
• Because of this stress, I have found myself daily combing the house for chocolate
• It could also be hormones
• YW is a full time (unpaid) job
• I am tired

Daily Tweets

• 21:50 Taxes are filed. Time to party! #

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Daily Tweets

• 14:03 Just returned from the (surprise) overnight trip to Vegas. Thanks, Sis. I needed that. #

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Daily Tweets

• 21:29 Just witnessed the saddest/most hilarious circus I have ever seen--featuring an 11 yr old clown and a trans-gender "Indonesian" dancer. #
• 21:32 Kids in bed. Now, settling down to watch "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" with the man of the house. #

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Daily Tweets

• 23:02 Fun with the screwdriver again. The five-year-old has an insatiable curiosity for mechanical items. Bonus: He fixed the fan!

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Daily Tweets

• 14:28 HY has been coming up with new letters in addition to the regular 26. One of them is pronounced "durn" and the symbol is a hyperactive "M."
• 14:29 Today he showed me another one, called a "turp" that is represented by a sort of sideways 8 with a wiggily tail. Strange.
• 14:30 The funny thing is that he is using these "new" letters in forming "new" words, like "pro[durn]lop[turp]i." Should I be alarmed or amused?
• 14:32 Did you know that you can give money directly to the church for emergency aid www.give.lds.org/emergencyresponse How cool is that?
• 21:05 All kids in bed. So nice.
  

Daily Tweets

• 14:42 Stake Conference was great. Off to nap.

Daily Tweets

• 11:18 This morning's family jump rope competition was temporarily halted by jumping-induced-incontinence and too-loose shorts.
• 11:20 It's hard to jump with your shorts around your ankles. But it DOES produce massive fits of giggling in little boys, let me tell you...
• 11:21 By the way, I beat Aaron by four jumps. Booyah!

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Daily Tweets

• 22:50 I want a pizza. And chocolate.

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Daily Tweets

• 14:29 Remember that bowl of pasta that he called "yucky" and threw across the room? Yeah. Now he's crying because I threw it away. Sheesh.
  
• 14:31 Me and the boys...we need a vacation!
• 16:55 HY just asked me what happens to the gluten in dough when it is heated. ...I'm speechless (and in love!) My children are brilliant!
• 17:00 Is there anything a common gal like I can do for Haiti? What do you think?
• 17:18 Got tired of standing outside. So I moved all the furniture and let them ride bikes inside. What a great idea!

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Daily Tweets

• 22:20 YW went well tonight. Score one point. Went over calories by teaching fettuccine alfredo . Take two away. #

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Daily Tweets

• 08:58 More evidence that FHE is really making a difference: (EZ, with conviction) "Jesus loves...pizza and breadsticks!" #
• 11:43 Oatmeal from the garbage smeared on face and floor, a whole cup of milk on the carpet, pen on the wall. ASH has gone to the dark side. Sigh. #
• 11:44 Now what is that smell? And where is EZ? #
• 18:32 Made dinner that kids won't really go for and Aaron just called saying he won't be home. What to do with all this food and no will-power? #

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Daily Tweets

• 12:31 Entering negotiations today with EZ regarding potty training. #
• 14:47 Potty negotiations going well. Had a slight hiccup when EZ demanded the potty be perched atop my cedar chest. #
• 20:18 Nothing says "family togetherness" like boogie-ing to 94.5 The Vibe. Post-FHE freakin, doing "the eagle" and general white-man dancing. Fun. #

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Fresh New Up-do

Aaron asked me, the other day, if I was going to change the title of my blog.

"But it has been that title for years...I don't think that it really affects me..." I replied.

But, hey, looking back on the previous year, things have changed. I can't say that I like eating any less, but it is just not the elephant in the room anymore.

So, out with the old and on with the, well, better!

Oh, and Aaron, thanks! You are everything.