Today, apparently one of the top “news” items is the addition of the Duggars’ new baby (number 20).  I will admit that I’m in awe of how they do it.  I’m pregnant with my third baby and swear I could have an anxiety attack at any moment just from the stress on my body and just taking care of me and two kids.  But, today I actually saw a post that called the Duggars selfish for having another child.  Really?  Selfish?  Parenting is one of the LEAST selfish things a person can do.  What about laying down your personal wants and needs for that of someone else is SELFISH?

Second, if the Duggars want to have 20 children (or 40, for that matter) and aren’t cloning or abusing or whatever… what business is it of anyone else?  I mean, really… what are you, the uterus police?  Just because some folks actually want more than 2.5 children and are willing to do so, it doesn’t mean anyone else has the right to judge.  Do you think you have a right to weigh in on others’ fertility decisions – whether a family wants 4 kids or 24?  SHEESH!

That’s not the end of my thoughts, but I can stop there   Stepping off my soap box for now.

“remaining upright is apparently my latest challenge. rockin the flu.” — Dec 12

“Today was a rough one. Horizontal parenting is not easy. So ready to be done with being sick ” — Dec 13

“Find of the day: A mouth full of beads that my 3 year old gave to my 18 month old while they’re both supposed to be napping. SIGH” — Dec 14

“Mommy, you’re the super awesome most best mommy EVER! — Lorelei” — Dec 14

“?”No, Aurora, we DO NOT high five people’s faces.” – Me” — Dec 14

“Today was a good day. Tomorrow will be even better.” — Dec 16

“I love my life and the beautiful souls in it.” — Dec 17

“Ready for my body to kick back in gear. Needing this much sleep each day is not conducive to getting much done.” — Dec 20

“In an effort to get rid of any rumors – No, I am definitely not pregnant again. My body is just on the fritz. And yes, I’m sure.” — Dec 21

“thanks to the sweet secret santa who left goodies on our porch. You definitely brightened my Christmas Eve more than you can imagine.” — Dec 25

“is still enjoying her candy from her secret santa angel. –Sometimes even the simplest acts of kindness can bring the greatest joy and biggest smiles. Thank you again…whoever you are ” — Dec 25

“Just loaded 5 bags of recyclable paper and cardboard products into the van – which doesn’t count the stack of boxes in the washroom. Now, if only the recycling center would open!!” — Dec 27

“It makes me feel like I’m doing something right when my 3 1/2 year old turns around and says “you’re the best mommy ever” even after I just finish having to discipline her.” — Dec 27

“‘Mommy, I love this house.  (Me: Good.  Why do you love this house?)  Because I want to.’- Lorelei.   I need to be taking lessons from this kid.  We love because we choose to.”  — Dec 28

That, and half the time I’m wearing either no pants or … well, in some other way not really dressed for company. –Which has little to do with erotic fantasies and everything to do with my distaste for doing laundry. (Wear less, wash less. Plus, it makes my clothes last longer, right?)

But then, a few days ago, someone parked in our driveway and walked right up to the door and….knocked. I know *GASP* THE AUDACITY! Steven, apparently thinking it was a mass murderer zoned in on our home during broad daylight ran for the bedroom (where I was sitting in a towel because I’d just gotten out of the shower – because this is how my timing ALWAYS works) and collected his gun. He stuffed it down the back of his pants and proceeded to one of the front windows to spy through the cheap plastic mini blinds.

I thought he was going to answer the door.

I began frantically getting dressed, replaying our bills through my head. I was pretty sure we’d paid them all so SURELY nobody was here to collect or turn off something. Hmm.

Then it hit me. What if they brought us food? We can’t not let them in if they bring food or presents! I peer through the blinds as I struggle to get the shirt over belly monster. As far as I could tell there was no cake…unless like Steven, he was keen to stuffing things down the back of his pants – and while I understood the weapon, I just couldn’t imagine collecting food from someone else’s pants. I mean, I don’t know him THAT well.

There was another knock at the door. I hissed a few words at Steven, something to the effect of WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? YOU HAVE A GUN!” and continued to try to get pants up over my butt (which is a task all in itself these days…not to mention with only one hand!)

“I THINK IT’S ONE OF THE MASON-GUYS” he whispered back. “WHAT, DO YOU THINK THEY’RE HERE TO COLLECT YOUR HEAD FOR NOT PAYING DUES?” I mean, sure…we’d kind of slacked on the dues but we DID have a good reason. “I DON”T REALLY THINK SO. HE’S NOT WEARING AN APRON OR A FUNNY SHEEP HEAD.”

I don’t know exactly what a free-mason would wear to come make collections, or if they’d prefer toes over heads for their stash, but I could imagine a sheep head and apron would make the perfect attire. Or, that’s what I think I would wear, at least.

“JUST OPEN THE DOOR! SEE WHAT HE WANTS!” I whispered to Steven. “WAIT. ON SECOND THOUGHT, DON’T. IT COULD BE CHILD SERVICES!”

Steven stopped peering through the blinds for a moment to look at me. “YOU CALLED CHILD SERVICES?”

Yeh. Sometimes I get bored and prank call them. Um, obviously NO I DIDN’T CALL THEM but he’s not wearing a sheep head or bringing food, who else could it possibly be?

UPDATE: He finally left our house and went to the other houses in our neighborhood. I’ve surmised that he was most likely a secret undercover agent and was interrogating our neighbors. At first, I figured he was the grim reaper, but everyone seems to still be alive, so that CLEARLY can’t be it.

3. Do you own a gun?
Technically they’re Steven’s, but yes.

4. What’s your favorite drink at Starbucks or other specialty coffee shops?
Something iced with caramel and chocolate and whipped cream with little chocolate chips and caramel drizzles on top.  and a cherry.  Not that I ever really go, though.  The caffeine and sugar are enough to make me feel like crap (and a waste of calories).  But they ARE yummy.

5. What do you think of hot dogs?
eh.  They’re okay really rarely.  I don’t like to eat them often.

6. Favorite Christmas song?
Do you hear what I hear and…Away in a Manger…and…

7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
water.  Same for afternoon and night, too!  (Although a healthy fruit smoothie would be yummy too!)

8. Can you do push ups?
Yes.  COULD.

9. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?
Probably this necklace with a circle. Real descriptive, I know.  I don’t wear much jewelry because I don’t really go much of anywhere.

10. Favorite hobbies?
geocaching, crafting with ppl, parties (not the get smashed kind), events, etc.  I just like DOING stuff and being around people I like.  Pretty easy.

11. Do you have ADD?
Nope.  I have a toddler and a husband who thinks what he has to say is more important than what I’m doing, though.  Which is why I can rarely read when he’s home, because instead I get read anything he says, whether I protest or not.  My earplugs are in the mail.

12. What’s one trait that you hate about yourself?
I hate that I CARE so much about what others think/say/do (or dont do)…and I often base my “self worth” off of that.  So, there are days I feel really shitty.  Like now.

13. Middle name?
Nicole

14. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
It’s supposed to be pretty out today and I haven’t even walked outside yet.
I want to do something fun today, but at the same time I want to hide in the closet and cry.
I feel like a total loser for feeling like a total loser just because of a nonexistent stupid party – which also makes me feel like they don’t love me and want to celebrate.

15. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink
Water

16. Current worry right now?
Stressed about getting stuff done before baby.  And money.

17. Current hate(s) right now?
These frickin’ ridiculous tears.

18. Favorite place to be?
Jamaica was pretty darn awesome.  But, traveling to new places with my family.

20. Like to travel?
Love it!

21. Name 3 people that will complete this.
Surprise me!

22. Do you own slippers?
No.  I received 2 pair actually.  One for a just because gift, which were really nice…but they were for the same foot.  One set for Christmas but they were too small.  But, it’s okay.  I don’t really wear house shoes/slippers.

23. What color shirt are you wearing?
pink

24. Could you ever make it 39 days on the show Survivor?
Could.  But have no wish to…so therefore, I’d just quit.

25. What song do you sing in the shower?
I don’t sing in the shower.  I think in the shower.  Or, I talk to Lorelei when she’s in the shower with me.

26. Favorite girls names?
Lorelei and Aurora to name two.  I have a whole list but the mister hates them.  We don’t agree on girl names very well.

26. Favorite boys’ names?
Izaiah Christian and Aidan Joseph and we had another one which I can’t remember.

28. What’s in your pocket right now?
no pockets

29. Last thing that made you laugh?
Lorelei being silly

30. Worst injury you’ve ever had?
When I was raped.

31. Do you love where you live?
Yes and no.  In the summer, yes.  Winter? No.

32. How many TV’s do you have in your house?
2.  Neither have cable.  They’re just for looks (or moobies)

33. Who’s your loudest friend?
Michele

34. Does someone have a crush on you?
I’m sure some people would like to crush me…with their car.

35. What’s your favorite candy?
I’m more of a cookie/cake kind of girl.  Candy is sweet but …nothing really to it.

36. Favorite sports team?
don’t have one

37. What were you doing at 12 AM last night?
sleeping

38. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up today?
Ow.  I have to pee! And, MAN I’m dehydrated just from sleeping?  WTH?

39. What’s your favorite holiday?
All of them pretty much…and my birthday.  I just like being with those I love and celebrating.

40. What are your plans for tomorrow?
Church, if I feel up to it.  That’s about it since it’s supposed to be icky and rainy.

Kim tagged me for this, so here you go. Aren’t you so lucky? This is me …right now. Whenever right now is…11:50 pm. Geez…I need to go to bed, huh?

Here’s the info:

And how do you play? I am glad you asked, here are the rules…
1) Take a picture of yourself right NOW!
2) DON’T change your clothes, DON’T fix your hair… Just take a picture.
3) Post that picture with NO editing.
4) Post these instructions with your picture.
5)Tag 10 people to do this..

I tag…

OHmommy
Maria
Amalah
BusyDad
Nissa
mr lady
Judith Shakespeare
Kelley
Sandy
the Bloggess

*I’m not really sure what will happen if you don’t succumb to peer pressure and do this meme, but I have a feeling it might include Santa sneaking into your bedroom…without shiny wrapped presents…and that just freaks me out.  Then again, I’m not really into old men… (and he’s got centuries on me)

I just wanted to say “Thank you” to my dear friend Nissa who gave me this awesome award (see above). You should really go check out her blog. She rocks my socks off.

And, a quick update for family…

It seems as if L and I both caught a cold. Actually she caught it, and then I got it from her. We’ve been doing loads of acupressure, supplements, and therapeutic oils so I’m hoping it won’t stay long. What we’re doing seems to be helping, though because baby L is already back to her less-whiny self. Me? Not so much. Ha. What can I say? – Except I want a nap! Again! And…brownies.

So, that’s kind of my warning. If you visit us, you might get a cold. Colds suck. So, if you don’t come around this weekend, we understand. And if you do? It’s totally your fault if you end up with body aches and a fever. Okay?