Intelligence For Your Life

I was thinking the other day about how many things there are about me that are strange. Would you like to know? Ok I'll tell you anyways.

1. I've never had my nails done. I always thought I'd feel really stupid with them, because...I just would?
2. When I have a hangnail, I run it across the seem on the inside of my t-shirt sleeve until it gets caught and rips it down until my finger bleeds. (Masochistic!) That one just screams "weirdo".
3. I had my braces taken off 2 weeks early because I was going on a senior vacation and just couldn't stand having them on for one more big event! So now I get meat and all kinds of goodies stuck in between certain teeth. I haaaaate meat in my teeth!
4. I can't handle having dry hands and feet. If my feet are so dry that I can't even put them on the carpet, I'll pause whatever I'm doing just to go rub lotion on my feet and then I can carry on. I(Same with bare feet on cement...I CAN'T STAND IT! I put socks on.)
5. I can't touch velvety things or microfiber-like things. Makes me choke.
6. I like popping things. Like zits. Gross to you, fun for me.
7. When I cut my hair, I go about 3 years until I cut it again. Even a trim. I'm not crunchy or anything (well, sometimes I am), but I just get lazy or decide to grow my hair out and then before I know it, it's down to my booty.
8. My favorite types of movies are action movies. Although, I do enjoy romantic comedies from time to time. I think Derek definitely got a sweet deal with that one. He never has to drag me to a movie he wants to see.
9. I am the most easily carsick person you'll meet.
10. I have an infatuation with men's ties.
11. I have always loved math and numbers, so growing up and having a digital clock, I would always do math equations. For example, if my clock said 8:42- I would say 8+4+2=14. 8x4 %2= 16. 8-4+2=6. Etc.
12. I've always liked even numbers and never cared for odd ones.
13. Oceans make me nervous.
14. I had a hallucination period when I was about 15 where every time I turned around I heard, "Lauren", "Lauren", "Lauren" in my ear and I would see things that weren't actually there. It was then that I decided never to watch another scary movie. I think I've only seen one since.
15. I don't like diamonds. At least, not on my wedding ring. Maybe someday I'll change my mind.


I'm sure there are a hundred more. What's weird about you!?

8 weeks and counting...

Eight weeks until what, you ask?

Moving time!

I'd like to say that I'll be "Moving Back to America".

Packing our things in plastic totes: Check. But not done.

Looking for an apartment in Georgia: Check. Also not done.

Spending quality time with the fam: No check. Jobs ruin everything, don't they???

This is a bitter-sweet time for me, I think. Although I'm constantly finding and pointing out the rather humorous things in El Paso, it's the only place Derek and I have lived as a married couple. I (sort-of) know my way around. I am (a little) acquainted with people at church, I (for the most part) enjoy my job. Eh? Notice the bittersweet here? Maybe El Paso is where the bittersweetness stems from...not the fact that I'll be a Southern Girl for a half a year or more.



I've never been known for my navigational skills, in fact when Derek and I visit Albuquerque (my home for 15 years of my life), I can't even tell where I am half the time. So, with trees as my personal block-it-all, I'm not sure how I'll even find the nearest grocery store. Thus the reason my loving husband has already told me in advance (bless his heart for not being able to keep secrets) that I'll be receiving one of these for my birthday next month.



And that's it! Happy Easters! (Yes, the "s" is intentional. *See Nacho Libre)

Bringin sexy back.

Obviously these pictures aren't of us, but they illustrate our lives as of late. And how sweet a dad Derek is.

If you didn't know, for the last 8 months, I have been a working mom.

And for the last 8 months, Derek has been a stay-at-home dad.

Quite the flip-flop at first! By the time we leave here and move to Georgia, Derek will have been a longer stay-at-home-parent than I was. Therefore, he has the final say on anything in the house. Our home is his office! He does the dishes every day. He grocery shops every Tuesday. Laundry every Wednesday and random chores in between. He created his own schedule- so by now I just know what to expect! This is how I view Derek...



Hey, hey, hey...take it easy.


I feel like he is a better mom than I have ever been. Titan naps like a champ, plays outside in the sand, goes on walks with Derek, sometimes meets me at work to take me to lunch, he always looks spiffy, does his push-ups every morning, sticks to his diet...etc, etc. WOW. What mom can say they do all of that and have a huge smile on their face at the end of the day? I think I am being held to a high standard here. There were days I wouldn't even get out of my P.J.'s! Now I'm wearing pencil skirts and button up dress shirts while looking over resumes to find a new hire. Like I said, quite the flip flop!

In these last 8 months I've learned that:

*No matter how many children you have, or what you have going in your life, you are still you. You can be on a city league soccer team, ride motorcycles, go sky diving, write a book, learn a new instrument, take classes online, or do whatever it is you like. Being a mom adds a badge to your sash, it doesn't strip all the others away.

*Kids will grow up no matter how much you worry. And they grow up fast, so never wish a stage away. Live it up and laugh about it. You will miss the messy one year old when you have a screaming teenager.

*Don't let your children run YOU. I used to be so afraid of Titan. "What if he wakes up? What if he cries? What if, what if, what if???" and I'd stress over those stupid what-if's. You're the boss. Remember that.

*8 hours at the office is no easier than 8 hours at home. Give a little to get a little.

*Keep the fire alive. Titan woke up and I looked over to see Derek with his mouth hanging wide open and he was fast asleep. So I got up quietly to let him keep sleeping. When he stumbled out of bed and into the kitchen, one of the legs of his shorts was all hiked up and one sleeve was all scrunched up- he looked like he stepped out of a tornado. I saw him, smiled and motioned him over to give him a big good-morning squeeze. No matter what my Mr. Mom looks like, he will always be sexy. In fact, he may be even sexier now that his domestic side has been exposed!

*My family is everything to me! If the whole world passed away and it was just us 3, I wouldn't complain for a second.

Vroom vroomin

Now just HOLD ON, PEEPS. Before you go on JUDGING (Mom!), please stop and think for a minute. Isn't this awesome? A few years ago Derek tried teaching me to ride this guy and it was just too heavy. Now that I've got a little post-preggo weight on me, I asked him to teach me again. I took it out on the road and loved it! And I handled all 365 pounds of it by myself! Please tell me you think that's cool...even if you judge a little.