Playdate With Alexandra

Alexandra with her 2 yr old Christopher

The other day (before my kids were sneezing their brains out...guess cold's are the consequence of playing at the gym, church, and playdates..ugh) we went over to Alexandra's to play. It was fun to finally meet her 2 sons, but my kids were brats....they had a room full of awesome toys, and they had to fight over deflated balloons, a hammer, or this dinosaur. Lucas even kicked me when I tried to put him in a "timeout." He started acting a little better after Alexandra made them delicious grilled cheese.

 














The 2 yr olds decided to ride the bike together--funny their outfits sorta match too :)

  I haven't been giving the kids a set nap per se, but one or both of them eventually fall asleep either in the car, in the game room, or in their beds during a timeout. But they needed a nap that day so they took when we got home.

   Thanks for having us over and sharing your toys! I hope to return the favor soon--hopefully my kids will be as generous with all their toys :)

Things That Excite Johnny

The other day while doing our grocery shopping, I grabbed a paper shredder (I know John has been wanting to get another one--ours broke a while ago). He was so excited to see that in the cart at checkout lol.

Another funny one---the new modular couches we got for the game room are kind of stiff (I like them). I went to go workout the other night while he watched a movie with the kids and when I came home, he pointed to one of the cushions he typically lies down on, and said "this one's getting better"---and he said it in a 'news announcement' sorta way, expecting me to be as excited. lol. He's a peculiar one :)

(but I'm sure all the dumb and embarrassing things I choose to tell him and hair-brained ideas I nag him about when he gets home from work are just as 'peculiar' to him haha!)

I love you..you freakin weirdo!

Crawfish Boil

John's co-workers had a little get-together yesterday with family and friends. His co-worker Charlie is from the area and still has all his family here, so he had a crawfish boil at his parent's place. It was the perfect weather and the backyard was so fun for the kids. Everyone had a couple kids and they all got along very well. 

Not quite able to reach the gas....eventually she did but would only go in reverse!

Beer cooler "It's not easy being a princess"

This is Mike--another co-worker of John's, although they call John by his middle name "Cody" because there was another John in the office. I think that's so funny to hear because Cody seems like a little boy's name---totally can't see John as "cody" :) 

Charlie's girlfriend showing us how to eat crawfish :)

Olivia at least tried it but didn't like it. She's pretty adventurous!

Lucas at most of his hot dog--even though I accidentally put cocktail sauce on it instead of ketchup!

 We spent hours in the back talking and eating piles of shrimp, crawfish, potatoes and corn. Delicious and messy. We got bit up pretty bad, but it was fun. Charlie's parents had 2 little dogs--one that looked exactly how Shmoopy used to as a puppy...before he got all neurotic...when we treated him as our baby :( And it's ironic--the dog's names were Teddy & Lucy..the 2 first names I picked out for baby names...John shot them down though.

 

  Mike's daughter Sage was so nice and helpful to Olivia :)

 The little girls kept asking John to spin them around...he ate a bunch of seafood, drank beer and still spun them...no barf either! What a hero :)

 Proud Air Products employees :)

 Lucas was too busy trying to drive the Barbie car to join...

Thanks for having us---and giving us a doggy bag of crawfish and shrimp!

GNO

One of the mom meet-up groups I joined, had a "GNO" the other night...it was posted on the schedule and I didn't know what it stood for at first....to me intitially I thought maybe we were taking a field trip to the gynecologist for a group visit. Yay--that sounds like a good time--and I'm due for a visit  :) lol.

  But we had a girl's night out at a local mexican restaurant and bar. John was home to watch the kids. It was really fun meeting all the girls. They have all been close for a while, so I had to quickly jump in and acclimate them to my antics and lack of social graces. They were very accepting and after dinner we went to the bar for a bit to watch the karaoke singers. It was very entertaining--the dancing in between, the karaoke host guy (aren't they all the same wherever you go?). And I even got up and sang a few (I did "That's Alright Mama" by Elvis)...even though the other girls were the one's drinking--they wouldn't try it! I told them next time we will have a girl's night in and sing at my house.

  It was funny to meet Alexandra-I recognized her...she and her 2 boys were shopping in target recently and having a rough time..I was in the same aisle, and thankfully John stayed home with the kids. I told her I understand how she feels--I have a 2 and 3 yr old and it's a LUXURY to go shopping alone...get in and out, no buckling in, yelling, or pooping lol.

  They all have kids from the ages of ~2yrs to 6. Not all the mom's could come out that night, so I have yet to meet more.And they're all happily married--it's refreshing to have so much in common, as they all married fairly young too. One of them has been married for 15 yrs! Impressive :) I hope to hang out some more and get the kids together often---a big plus is that a few of them have memberships at lifetime fitness so we can meet up for spin classes and stuff. I've always wanted to try it! (And maybe I'll make them join me for another go at the rock wall lol).

   Here's the only pic I took---didn't even get everyone in it...sorry Cheryl and Alexandra!

I hope this will be the start of many lasting friendships. I gotta stop moving around so much so I can establish good friends huh!?

Snake Farts

I just wanted to share this hilarious moment....

Lucas with mommy's pretentious glasses

I was making the kids' dinner the other night and it was almost bedtime. Lucas has to sleep with his toy snake...and he couldn't find it. I told him where to look, but he kept acting helpless. So I eventually said
   "Sorry Lucas, I got hungry and ate it."

And he was really stunned. I think he knows it was a joke, but was too tired and whiney to acknowledge it.
He kept whining for it and I told him he'd have to wait til I pooped him out. lol


   A little while later, I farted (yeah, thanks Kashi) and without skipping a beat, Lucas looks up and says "snake?" HHAHHAHAHAHA!

  I laughed so hard and so did he. He said "hahaha silly!"

Oh farts and kids. fun stuff.

If you had to describe what kind of mom you are, with a TV or Movie character, who would you be?
  I think i'd be Gene Wilder's version of Willy Wonka. A little cruel at times, sweet at others but always entertaining :)

Playdates

I became part of a few playdate groups in the area to meet other moms and have my kids play with other toddlers. It was a busy day, but I know the kids loved it. The women were all very nice--but it wasn't a lot of conversation since we all had or were about to have 2 kids each!
A few pics i got:

 Lucas doesn't like very happy huh? lol.

Then after a little nap, we went to another playdate at this huge indoor playground at a church. It was awesome for them, but scary for me not to see them every second...it's so tall--Olivia eventually got up to the top and wouldn't slide down...I was worried I'd have to get up there, but she climbed down again--with the help of older kids. The boy was so sweet to her!

I know this is what they need, and I'll eat less and be more active. There is so much to do here for kids!

"mom & dad"...according to L & O

They call them "mommy and daddy..daddy goin work!"
If this is how our kids see us, that's totally awesome with me :)

just to be clear...john's on the left :)

Wayfaring Stranger No One Knows

Wish I had a better way to record music than with my camera, but at least I can play at 2am and not worry about bothering people! First recording in the new house :)

A mixture of Eva Cassidy's and Emmylou Harris' versions of "Wayfaring  Stranger"
and Queens of the Stone Age "No One Knows".

Sunglasses...cuz future's so bright....

Barf

I didn't want to read these articles. John happened to leave them up after reading them earlier. I get so frustrated and saddened, but I know I need to be aware of what's going on.
Daily Caller: Tax-Funded Abortions
So this is a very well-written article regarding Obamacare and the details that will be enacted next year. Remember when it was first thrown on us and quickly passed without it's thousands of pages ever being read? Well, according to a policy analyst whose job is to study the bill, it's chock full of flaws. No democrat wants to admit any flaws because they are so numerous it would essentially lead to it being overturned--which is why Republicans are simply attempting to overturn it as opposed to wasting time dealing with each issue.

   Looking at this from the perspective I would've had a year or so ago, I can't believe Obama and his posse are forcing us all to pay for abortions through our tax dollars. 60% of Americans don't agree with the bill. The country may be divided fairly evenly on the morality of abortion, but 75% of American's DO NOT think we all should pay the tab.

   Looking at it in the libertarian mindset I am now in, (deep in thought about Tom Woods' 'Nullification') I can't understand how our government can be allowed to even broach the subject of tax-funded abortion, not to mention mandating insurance coverage. It's hard to explain to the average person, because we've been conditioned to believe in government intrusion as something of a charity looking out for "the people," and schooled with a false history of the U.S., and democracy. As I said before, it's easy (and therefore elementary) to look at 'political issues' on the surface only, and judge, "yes this is right and just, and therefore must be enforced by government."

  To put things in perspective:
“When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”

Do you think our government fears it's citizens at all, or even respects us? No. I have lost quite a bit of faith in the integrity of the U.S. voting system ..(when Eric Holder is fighting voter ID laws as being racist) ..lost a lot of faith in the federal government, democrats and republicans. I have lost faith in the supreme court who for the most part conveniently forget that the federal government's delegated tasks are "few and defined." And I lose a little faith in humanity every time I hear the illogical refutations pro-choice people make in defense of murder.

  Yes I am thoroughly sickened to know that our tax dollars will be funding murder...enough to consider leaving the country. And it's no surprise that Obama lied that no tax $ would fund abortions...even supposedly fooling Bart Stupak (who was worried about his pro-life constituents votes..). Yeah sure all politicians lie. But Obama is NEVER confronted by any media or questioned about his contradictions. And anyone who does, is quickly labeled a racist and that's that.

 What good has he done in his 4 years? and more importantly, what DAMAGE has he done with his bill, and his radical , hateful and condescending administration? He shits on the constitution. Talk about a fucking 'right to privacy', he has placed the federal government inside all of our heavily depreciated homes...with failed (and expensive) 'green' energy programs and mandates--with no attention given to the real available resources we have right here in this country (ironically he finally allowed some of the pipeline to be built, but only some of it, so his pal billionaire Warren Buffet would still reap the rewards of his Santa Fe railway  being the only means of transporting the oil the rest of the way.) And who cares about the states who depend on coal, and the jobs lost in said states--as a result of heavy regulations, and impractical (as of now) and expensive, and not yet very efficient 'green' energy programs. I have no problem with innovation and attempts to make energy cleaner and efficient. But when it's clearly not at the stage capable to support the demand, and when it's mandated instead of allowed to naturally (meaning not using our tax money) fail/succeed, what has it done but raise the costs of living, and unemployment?

  With all he could be focusing on in this country, he's ever-so devoted to the admirable tasks...like getting churches to offer insurance plans with birth control...(as if there's no other way to get birth control). Separation of church & state is selective.

Anyway, the main problem here is the over-reach. The constitution clearly intended to prevent the tyranny we are inching closer to everyday...how many times did they affirm that the federal government is only allowed to regulate the few tasks specifically delegated to it and the rest (which is "indefinite") to the states; to never forget we are a union of States. That the clauses were not to be widely interpreted to allow any and all BS (Obamacare is somehow legitimate by way of the heavily-abused commerce clause..) If anything the commerce clause should be used to overturn Obamacare--the federal government is indirectly impeding on employer's and private insurance companies, and of course us...Don't you think that competition would lead to better (and cheaper) insurance premiums if we just had private insurance companies, not government mandated coverage, in which "they" choose what is right for you...Like comparing your geico quotes...it'd be easy and you can switch to a cheaper one when YOU want.

As I said, aside from murder obviously, no bureaucracy should tell you what is "good" for you--and outlaw your preference as "bad". Slippery slope people..

"Power to the people" meant the individual citizens, and then to their local law, and then their state of choice. What good is a constitution when the one in power, can change the rules at whim?

Nothing to do with race. Nothing to do with sexuality, Nothing to do with religion. The country will only improve if we, the individual citizens open our eyes and get the government in check. According to Tom Woods' studies on federalism and the founder's writings, there is no doubt Obamacare should be nullified.

p.s. don't think my limited government view is biased; I think Santorum's wanting to ban porn as president would definitely not be a task delegated to government, and not to mention futile....and would lead to wasted enforcement, similar to the failed war on drugs, filling up state prisons with people with non-violent drug crimes. Whether I think it is right or wrong is irrelevant. We have free will to do wrong things--as long as we aren't harming anyone else.

White Rabbits

I saw my second cousin's band last night, White Rabbits. A friend I had invited had to cancel, but one of John's coworkers Jeremy (another ex-navy guy) and his boyfriend lived a few miles from Fitzgerald's in The Heights, so he volunteered to join! I was very grateful to not have to go alone, plus we carpooled so I didn't have to be the one to find parking :) Thanks Jeremy!

I had to consider the fact that I might be pregnant...so I had water :) I was glad to see this posted in the bathroom at Fitzgerald's. Pretty risque for them to say "...alcohol while pregnant can hurt your baby's brain.." 

   I didn't know how large the venue was or if I'd even be able to meet my second cousin, but my mom talked to her cousin on FB, who graciously told Alex--who then emailed me about meeting at the show! It was awesome. It was a surreal moment to be working out at the gym yesterday, listening to their music, and then get a little envelop icon on top of my phone--an email from the geetar player :)

I had literally just met my second cousin (yes I am going to keep bragging) when this girl came up with this poster and camera...she said she worked for Sony and was doing an article or something on White Rabbits, so she asked me to hold it for a picture. I invited Alex to be in it and she said, "Umm okay." ...

And I said, "he's in the band.." lol. She said "oh!"  I got a personalized autograph on this poster, but I left it with Jeremy on accident. Will get it next time :)

    I didn't know they didn't go on until 11:00 pm so just before the other bands were opening for them (War on Drugs) Alex came out when we first got there and we got to talk. I'm a dork. I talked about the same stuff I would talk about to a friend...to this famous guy. (for example--"you should see my kids on my family blog!") I'm sure he was thinking, "yeah, I'll get right on it!".

   We were actually only born a few weeks apart. It's so cool to meet more family. And I thought I came from a large family with 6 siblings, Alex is 1 of 10! I hope I get to meet all his siblings someday :)

      Since I really only wanted to see them play and it was so hot and humid upstairs (and loud and crowded...I'm old...I was tempted to buy the $2 earplugs..jk) Jeremy and I spent the first few hours downstairs. They had an open mic, both for comedy and music. I decided to ask if someone might lend me a guitar to play a few songs and a guy in front was very generous---with his ovation :)
   Getting to play music made the night worth it all by itself! I was glad to have Jeremy there to support me :) The "comedian" before me made some dumb jokes about abortion, and complained about the "war on women" in this country...so after I played my 3 songs and got cheers and applause, (of course I wait til they like me lol) I said,

"oh and one more thing in response to the last guy. You asked who watches the news about the "war on women". I just read an article about a girl in Morocco who killed herself because she was forced to marry her rapist. Because that's how it works there--if you rape someone, you are absolved if you marry your victim. Fair and square right? So quit your bitching about having to pay for your own birth control. Choose life!" 

I did "Destiny"  Zero 7, "Ain't no Sunshine" (Eva Cassidy's version) and "Meditation"  Antonio Carlos Jobim. 

The applause turned to a few boos. How do you boo "choose life"? I mean, what's their alternative.."choose death"? "choose...choice"?! Idiots.
In my mind: "my work here is done." :)

Thanks for being strong enough to stand next to me lol :)

Then White Rabbits started setting up. It was so much to set up and looked like they had done it so many times, that this complex setup of cables and numerous drums  and mics and a million guitars  was second nature to them.

Wanna know what was awesome? While the crowd was so anxious for them to start during set up, Alex saw me and smiled and waved---I immediately felt all the girl's heads in the room collectively whip to turn and see who the hell I was. :) I'm spay-shul! 

They first played "Heavy Metal" and it sounded amazing. They sound exactly like their album. Their harmonies are spot on right off the bat. Very fun to watch and dance to.

(Also fun to watch, the groupie circle of girls in front with their interpretive dancing :)

Very cool guitar no? I bumped into him after the show and he said he liked my shirt. And in true "Samantha" form (I swear it was involuntary) I said, "thanks! it was $9"    ? I told him my relation to Alex and he brought him over. Alex gave me a free copy of their new CD, and I decided to buy a t-shirt.

A sample: (sorry for shakey video...dancing)

   I don't even remember all the odd topics I brought up in talking to him. But it was never dull. I did tell him that I don't listen to a lot of new music but that I thought they sounded like Yeasayer but with better vocals. I asked if he had heard of them---he says they're good friends with them lol. And of course I asked who he was voting for, and he said probably Obama. :( He then asked if I was disappointed. I said,
  "oh. no..well, yeah I am!" lol.
We didn't talk about "politics" too much--he didn't want it to divide us.
I said, "well if we're going to hang out, I'm going to endeavor to make you pro-life!"
He laughed and said alright :)
Yeah, I gave a famous rockstar an ultimatum to hang out. haha.
  Hmm. This might be why I don't have many friends. It's always disappointing when I really like someone and think, wow they seem so compassionate and caring. And then...der. not pro-life?! It's nothing new...I grew up in CA, lived in NY...and even in VA and TX I've always felt I was in the minority. As  I said before, in my eyes, it makes me sad because I see them as tainted by death.

BUT. There's always a chance to change/learn.















Anyway, I really appreciated the time he took to meet and talk, considering their very busy tour list. They are in Austin at SXSW the next few days. I can't help but feel a little jealous that I don't have a band and get to tour etc. Music really is in our family's blood :) Happy to have met him and show my kids.

   Alex was very nice and casually said he wants to meet my family and see Lucas & Olivia. Wouldn't that be so fun? To have him come visit the new house and play music together! I think next time John and I go visit our game night friends in KC, we'll try and meet Alex's mom, (my mom's cousin) who I think is only a few hours from there. I realize that I have so much extended family that I barely talk to, or haven't even met in person. I'd really like to change that :) I regret not finding the time to meet my half-sister Michelle in CA, but I know we will someday. It's amazing to me that her kids in some pictures, resemble our dad more than my kids! I think that will be a new goal (meet more extended family) especially since we are pretty accustomed to long road-trips. Won't it be so awesome for L & O to get to know more family from a young age? Hope they'll be better at maintaining communication with friends and family than I've been thus far.