Blog moved!

Here's my new blog: http://blog.lindsaymaddox.com

Stop on by!

Lins

Pro Choice AND Pro Life... is it possible?

I believe it is. Here's my take on it:

http://sillymomthoughts.today.com/2008/10/27/slightly-contradictory/

I'm a Grandma!

If you need a chuckle...

http://sillymomthoughts.today.com/2008/10/21/im-a-grandma/

Hee hee!

My Blog Moved!

To my wonderful blog readers:

My blog is new and improved and has moved to this site:

http://sillymomthoughts.today.com

I hope you visit me there!

Love, Lins

My new words to live by.

I want to succeed doing what I love. Yet, every time I think about taking that next step, the plunge into my hopeful career, I get cold feet. What if they don't like me? What if my writing sucks? What if someone else can do it waaaay better than me?

This kind of self-destructive thought has got to stop. I need to think, "Why not me?" If I sit here, with all of these ideas that I personally find interesting and amusing, and do not submit them, I am doing myself an incredible disservice. So what if I get rejected? At least I played the game. One (or two, or three, or fifty) rejections doesn't mean anything, except that I need to keep trying and continue learning.

The crazy thing is that I haven't been rejected yet. I have a couple of pieces that I'm waiting to hear back from. What is the deal with my irrational fear of rejection? It's not like magazine editors are going to write back:

Dear Lindsay,

I'm sorry, we cannot use your piece in our magazine. Because you submitted it to us and we aren't using it, we have to hunt you down and kill you. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

Regards,
Editor

Really, the worst they can say is "No thank you" or nothing at all. How does that saying go? "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

Here's an excellent quote from a blog I read recently, authored by the talented Tim Ferriss:

If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think.

(Read the whole blog here)

So, before I think about "If at first you don't succeed..." I need to borrow the Little Engine That Could's Mantra, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!"

Adoption Article!

I entered this article to win a $5,000 writing challenge. The topic had to answer the question, "What's Next?" and explain why my topic was going to break out in a new way this next year. I chose to write about adoption! Here's the article, if you'd like to check it out:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/803183/social_and_mental_evolution_will_lead.html?cat=25

Need some new music?

Check this out! (I wrote it!)

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/750505/music_to_your_ears_part_i_add_something.html

Adoption Fundraiser TODAY!

We are so lucky to have such great support! Marin is a friend that I grew up with and asked if she could help us out raising money. I said, "Heck yeah!"

---

Come help us out w/ our adoption fundraiser and support a local crafter at the same time.
Marin makes some super cool stuff, great for gifts or to keep for yourself!

Marin said this so well, I don't want to change it, so I'm just reposting!


♥♥♥ It Takes A Village to Bring Home a Child ♥♥♥
,,,
My friend Lindsay is beginning the process of adopting a child with her husband, Clint. It's going to be a long and expensive journey.


The cost of adoption is about $15,000!

Want to help out? Check out my online store: www.marin.etsy.com.


Starting TODAY 5/21-5/28, I will be donating 15% of the total sales to the adoption fund!

If you'd like to read more about Lindsay's family and their decision to adopt, check out her blog: www.yougrewinourhearts.blogspot.com


♥ Want a bonus $25 shopping spree? Send me your email address, I'll send you a referral for Revolution Money Exchange. It's a money exchange service that works like paypal, but without fees.


You'll get $25 for signing up, I'll get a $10 referral bonus, which will also be fully donated to Lindsay's baby fund!

---

Thanks for all your support, prayers, and encouragement, it means so much to me!!

You don't need this baby crap!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/759047/baby_items_you_probably_wont_need.html

I don't think so anyway.

Bring it on.

I feel like I've been tested this week, big time. It's almost as if God is saying, "Okay, Lindsay, you're thinking about adopting another kid (or two)? Can you handle a lot more of this?!" And I so totally can!

It started on about Wednesday when Colby started getting this awful cold. He got up a couple of times, in addition to Lily's usual 2 or 3 night wakings. Friday night, Lily started getting sick and was up even more frequently. Saturday I was out with friends until 3am and woke up at 7:45, so that was my fault, but totally worth it since I really needed a break. Sunday night, Lily was incredibly miserable and I was up with her most of the night. It all came to a head on Monday night, when I was up with her until 3:45am. I hand her off to Clint who gets her to sleep in 15 minutes (go figure), and I sleep from about 4 to 6am. I was so miserably tired the entire day yesterday.

BUT, I made a vow. Not only am I going to pass this test, and function despite my sleep deprivation, but I will also be downright bubbly. And, for the most part I am! (When I told my dad this yesterday, he says, "Yeah, you may be happy and bubbly, but your eyes look like if you closed them for more than a couple of seconds you'd fall asleep where you stand." Thanks Dad. )

So to this I say, bring it ON. I am so ready to take on another kid, and can't WAIT to start the adoption process. (Check out my blog for more info.)

And, things are looking up. Despite Colby waking up twice last night, and Lily waking up three, I actually feel like I got some sleep. And, I may be getting their cold, but I'm pumping myself up with Vitamin C and Zinc and will fight it tooth and nail. I think we're over the worst of it though. Lily and Colby are both doing MUCH better.

Oh! And I realized today a few reasons why Lily has been miserable. One, obviously the cold, complete with an ear infection. Two, she popped 2 teeth through between Thursday and yesterday. Three, if you haven't heard of the Wonder Weeks and you have babies, you need to check this article out:

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=122&id=2312

Lily is suddenly sitting up longer, rolling over more, and making new noises today. I wonder if the Wonder Weeks had something to do with her fussiness.

Anyway, I don't mean to toot my own horn and brag here, but I'm pretty proud of myself, and Clint too. He has been helping me out so much with the kids at night, even though he has to get up and work in the morning and come home and study. (He has a test on Friday, please pray pray pray that he passes!!!!)

Okay, I think I'm done rambling. Thank you if you made it this far.

I've been published!

Associated Content has accepted my article and published me on their site! This is very exciting for me because I have the opportunity to make some extra money doing what I love.

Here's a link to the article:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/743931/make_a_mothers_day_time_capsule.html

It's just a starter, but I will hopefully be writing even better ones soon!

Yay!

Tribute to Coffee

First love in life: My Family
Second love: Coffee

Oh coffee, how I do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

When I am up with my children in the late hours of the night, or the wee hours of the morning, you are there to remind me: "Regardless of the amount of sleep you get, you can count on me to get you through tomorrow."

You sit perched on my countertop, a pod in the Senseo or ground in Mr. Coffee, ready to brew at a moment's notice. You have never let me down (except when I bought that cheap nasty stuff from WinCo, but we'll let that one slide since it was really my fault).

Your delicious aroma drifts through my house and makes it really feel like home.

I firmly believe that you are best served with friends. The best and most insightful conversations happen over a good cup 'o joe. Plus, it's just nice using coffee as an excuse to get together with friends to chat.

I love your flexibility. You blend well with creamer, or taste wonderful as a Double Tall Nonfat Caramel Macciato. You're good iced or hot, but not so much lukewarm. That's okay though, nobody's perfect.

I owe many days of productivity to you, and your wonderful companion caffeine. So thank you. Thank you for being so great. Now, I'm off to enjoy my first cup of the day. Mmmmmmm.

Help us win $100 for adoption expenses!

We realize $100 isn't much in the whole scheme of adoption expenses, but every little bit counts, right?

It's easy! Click the link below and vote 5 stars.

Thank you soooo much.



Wanted: Baby to add to awesomeness of our family.

Vote: 1 2 3 4 5

Tribute to my family

For Lily:

I love that you go to sleep with a big gummy grin on your face, and it comes back the second you wake up (even at naptime!).

I love that when you smile, your eyes totally disappear (which is a pretty big deal since you have such big eyes).

I love making you giggle, watching you get sleepy, and scooping you into my arms.

I love how you grab my face and play with my sweatshirt strings when you're nursing.

I love how you look at me like I am the most amazing person ever.

I love how you look at Daddy like he's a close second in amazing-ness.

I absolutely love that you think Colby is the coolest thing since mashed peas, and no one else can make you laugh like he does.


For Colby:

I love how much you love your little "Sipper" Lily.

I love the big grin on your face when you go to sleep, and the same bright eyes when you wake up (except at naptime).

I love that you have started saying, "Huh?" when someone says, "Hey Colby!" it cracks me up.

I love that you are such a happy boy, and always trying to make friends with other kids.

I love that you are beginning to become the spitting image of your Daddy.

I love that you have such a big heart.


For Clint:

I love that you are the father of my children.

I love that we met when we did and how we did, I love telling our story.

I love that you find me sexy, even when I haven't showered, am covered in breastmilk and spitup, and otherwise resemble the walking dead.

I love your perseverance; when it is important to you, you do not take no for an answer.

I love that we always do things the "hard way."

I love that I can't write half of the things I love about you here , because they're just between us.

Down With Mommy Guilt!

Seriously ladies, we have to stop this. Mommy Guilt is making us nothing but crazy!

My Philosophy No. 1: If it's only temporary, don't worry about it!

For 2 months after bringing Lily home from the hospital, we watched movie after movie, day after day. I was too tired to even attempt any kind of activity with Colby, and the weather wasn't cooperating for outdoor fun. After we finally found a routine with our new little one, I vowed NEVER to watch that many movies again.

And then winter hit. Unless you have a super-human immune system, you can sympathize with how those long months went. One week we're fine, the next sick as dogs. The week after that, we stay inside just to be safe, but we end up sick anyway. This charade went on for months. I broke my anti-movie vow, and succumbed to day after day of watching Cars. "KaChow!"

Is Colby dumber for it? No. (Although now he can recite some lines of his favorite movies.) Does he have less of an imagination? I'm going to say emphatically, no. (Case in point: a couple of days ago I watched him run towards the sun yelling, "I catch you!")

It was temporary, and we're no worse for the wear. And I'm sure we'll do it again many, many more times in the future.

My Philosophy No. 2: If you have no control over it, don't worry about it.

Colby was a BIG baby. I often worried about his size since he was soooo much bigger than his infant counterparts. But, I was assured that he was healthy, and has since evened out. More recently, I have worried that his language skills aren't up to where they should be, as compared to other kids his age. But his vocabulary has recently exploded, so there was no point worrying.

On the other side, Lily is a peanut and pretty small for her age. I take one look at her beautiful, beefy thunder thighs and know that she's healthy. She doesn't like to roll either, but I know she could if she wanted to, so I'm choosing not to worry about it.

My kids are fed and their brains and bodies nurtured. I take them to the doctor when they're sick, feed them when they're hungry, and hug them when they need hugs. These are the things I have power over. Everything beyond that is not worth worrying about, because it isn't mine to control.

My Philosophy No. 3: If it means getting a break, don't worry about it!

This is so important, I almost think it should be No. 1. We work so hard as moms, for little thanks in return. (Sure, hugs and kisses are wonderful and heartwarming, but they don't take the knots out of my back or paint my nails pretty colors.) All of this hard work deserves a break here and there. When you are given the opportunity for an evening, weekend, or week away, take it and don't feel guilty about it. You're allowed to miss your kiddos if you're gone a while, but please don't feel like you're being a "bad mom" for having time for yourself. It may come as a shock, but our kids sometimes need a break from us too. And, while you're out on a date with your hubby, or getting pedicures with your girlfriends, your kids are probably having the time of their lives getting spoiled by grandparents or wrestling with Daddy. You NEED time away to be a good parent, so don't feel bad for taking that opportunity. That's an order soldier.

My Philosophy No. 4: Kids don't eat healthy all the time, so don't worry about it.

We have a rule in our house. If you don't like what Mommy makes for dinner, then you don't eat. I think it's a great rule, when I actually cook...

I've been doing better about making healthy meals since I've been trying to lose weight, but in that time after bringing Lily home, and again during the succeeding endless sickies, we had a whole lot of takeout and pizza. I tried to convince myself that there was something healthy in Colby's meal (Cheese is calcium! Pepperoni is protein! At least he has apples with his Fatty McNuggets dipped in more Fatty Goodness, right?), but realized it really was all crap. I took solace in knowing it was only temporary. And it was! Now, we're eating healthy again, and he's getting homemade (read: microwaved) chicken nuggets dipped in low fat goodness. (Okay, we're working on expanding his menu.) But the point is that there are always going to be times when we don't eat great, and that's okay.

My overall philosophy to banishing Mommy Guilt:

If it doesn't kill or seriously hurt them, don't worry about it!

They'll live, they'll be just fine. I promise. And you'll feel less crazy and have more time to occupy your mind with more constructive things. Like creating the healthiest, nummiest pizza and chicken nuggets ever. (Send me the recipe when you figure it out. )

I found this article from Parenting Magazine called Kiss Mommy Guilt Goodbye, it's a good one! http://www.parenting.com/article/Mom/Relationships/Kiss-Mommy-Guilt-Goodbye/1

Stop feeling guilty, you are a GREAT mom, simply for the reason that you love your kids so much to worry about them.

You are not alone.

This is dedicated to a couple of people in particular (and you know who you are), but I think it will ring true for many more.

You are not alone in this wild ride of motherhood.

Many a mother past, present and future has been through exactly what you're going through.


We have all checked our newborns (and toddlers!) at night to make sure they're still breathing.

We have all yelled too much, and slept (and showered) too little.

We have been hit, kicked, and scratched by our children more times than we care to admit.

We have doubted our abilities to parent these strange creatures called children, and often wondered if someone else might do a better job.

We have all felt mommy guilt over everything from nutrition (nuggets and mac 'n cheese anyone?) to movie watching (is 3 movies a day excessive?).

(Don't even get me started on that mommy guilt, that's a whole other blog for another time.)

We have all worried, worried, WORRIED over everything else!

But we have ALL been there in one capacity or another. We understand when you are too tired to function, your house is a mess, and you just want to crawl into a hole and sleep (or read, or anything, so long as it's quiet).

When we offer to help, please take us up on it because we have been there. We wouldn't have made it through if people didn't offer to help us. If we offer, we really truly want to help you out, it is not an imposition. So please, help us help you. Let us come over and do your laundry and take your kids for the day so you can relax. Call us when you're stressed and vent your little heart out. And for goodness sakes, do not get dressed all pretty when you come to our house (unless you want to), since sweatpants and a sweatshirt are perfectly acceptable playdate/coffee chatting attire.

But most of all, ask for help! We are happy to give it, and love doing it.

You are not alone, we are all in this together.

It takes a village to raise a child, right?

Weight loss stuff again.

It has already been another month since I did my goal re-evaluation! Time to do it again, and make sure I'm on track.

My goals:

First weight loss goal: Be back to prepregnancy weight by Valentine's Day (0 lbs from current weight) Completed 02/04/08

Next weight loss goal: Be back to wedding weight by April 1st
Completed 04/01/08

Final weight loss goal: Be at my ideal weight (7.5 lbs from current weight) by June 1st

Total: Lose 39 lbs
Current weight loss: 31.5 lbs!!

This chart shows my progress towards my last goal of 125 lbs.


My Weight Chart:

Measurements (Dec./Jan./Feb./Mar./Apr.)

Waist: 33.5"/33.0"/31.5"/30.5"/29.5"
Stomach: 40"/39.5"/37.25/36.5"/35.25
Neck: 13.25"/Same/Same/13"/13"

I love taking measurements! It is a much better indicator of my weight loss than my actual weight.

Adoption?

Are we really considering this? Are we totally insane?

Yep!

We have talked about adopting since we were first dating. We definitely don't feel like our family is complete at two kids and would love to open our home and our hearts to a little one who deserves the love of a family. I've actually been having this really weird "phantom child" feeling the past couple of months. All 4 of us will be in the room together, and I have this very strong feeling that someone is missing. I think it's our 3rd kid!

So, we have started to tentatively, yet pretty seriously, talk about adoption. It may seem soon to be talking about adding another kiddo to our family, given that Lily is almost only 6 months old, but depending on which route we take, this whole process could take quite a while.

Our initial thought was to adopt domestically, through DSHS. This is the most cost effective, and potentially the quickest route. Our major concern here is wanting a closed adoption, with no contact with birth family. This is because we already have kids at home to look out for, and we feel like they don't need that extra potential drama in their lives, and it could be very confusing for our adopted child too. Additionally, we worry about the possibility of caring for our adopted child for a while, and he/she somehow being taken away from us and given back to their birth family. That would be hugely devastating for us, and especially confusing for Colby and Lily.

Personally (and Clint is definitely not against this option), I would love, love, LOVE to adopt a child from Korea. In the research I have done so far, it seems as though kids from there are very well taken care of and have had excellent health care. Another plus, is that they can be escorted to the U.S. without us having to make a costly trip to Seoul. If we did adopt a child from there, we would love for him/her to be able to visit there someday, but for now, with 2 little ones at home already (not to mention the cost), it would be easier in the long run to be able to pick them up at the airport. In addition, this would mean that neither Clint nor I would be suffering from jet lag, which would help us help our adopted child to adjust.

The one major issue with international adoption is cost. It is extremely expensive. There are quite a few grant opportunities out there, and Clint's looking to see if his work offers any kind of reimbursement, but unless we can find lots of assistance, we cannot go that route. By one calculation I saw, it was something along the lines of $25,000 with all application fees, homestudy, escort, and other adoption fees. There is an option to take out a loan, but we aren't really comfortable doing that. We will already have to get a bigger car, so that's a big enough loan in itself.

No matter which route we take, we are open to any race, either gender, but want a child who is younger than Lily (we don't want to mess with the birth order, LOL). I think a child around 4-6 months would be SO perfect. But, we're not super picky. :)

Anyway, we are definitely just in the thinking stage, but are doing research and figuring out if this is something we want to do. If we do ultimately decide to go for it, it won't be until after Clint passes his CPA exam. We need to get that out of the way first!

So, wish us luck, and patience (and money). I'll be sure to keep you updated when we really do get things going.

I am officially spoiled.

Whatever I did to deserve such generous people in my life, I don't know, but I am definitely not complaining!

Yesterday Clint called his mom up at about 2pm. This is how the conversation went (slightly abbreviated):

Clint: Guess what mom? Colby has been talking about you all day and said he wanted to see you!

Mom: He did?

Clint: Yeah! And Lily was talking about you too!

Mom: Wow, that's amazing.

Clint: They said they want you to watch them tonight.

Mom: Okay, I'll take them.

Clint: And keep them overnight until tomorrow evening.

Mom: Sounds good! Just let me know when you want to drop them off.



And so, with very short notice, Clint's parents took on the fun of watching our 2.5 year old and 5 month old for over 24 hours. This left us to have a fantastic night of chatting it up and drinking with our neighbors, plenty of *ahem* alone time, and I even got to spend all of Saturday reading, drinking coffee, and shopping. I even took a nap in my car, enjoying the nice warm sunshine and comfortable breeze. I don't remember the last time I was able to do that. (By the way, I don't drive places just to take naps in the car, I was waiting for Clint to get off work so we could drive home.) Then, just before they arrived with the kids, Clint and I were able to do a decent clean up of our house. How much better could it get?

A LOT better!

Clint's dad came in the door with a box and said, "Lins, I was going to try to mess with you, but then I thought, 'Aw, heck with it, I'll just give it to her,'" and he handed me a box. I opened it up and saw the word "Inspiron" and thought to myself (or did I actually say it out loud?) "No WAY." His dad pulled from the box a 17" Dell Inspiron Laptop computer!!! I have been obsessing over getting a laptop for a couple of months now, but had given up hope of getting one any time soon. I had mentioned wanting one to him, and he searched and searched and finally found this one at a great deal. He got Clint in on it, and they split the cost. How do I deserve to be so spoiled?

I tell ya, if I was the crying type, I would've been in tears. Instead, I clapped my hands, squealed, and said, "Thank you, thank you , thank you" and "I'm SO excited" over and over again.

So, this is my first blog on my new, pretty green computer! I cannot tell you how excited and thankful I am to have this wonderful gift. I have such an amazing, generous family! Man, I hit the jackpot.

More weight loss stuff.

I wanted a refresher on goals and to see how far I've come, so I'm going to brag about myself for a bit.

I haven't been blogging lately because I'm working on another writing project, so my creativity has been tapped out! But, I wanted to make sure I have all of my weight loss stuff on track, so here goes:

December 2007 (153 lbs)















March 2008 (137 lbs)














My goals:

First weight loss goal: Be back to prepregnancy weight by Valentine's Day (0 lbs from current weight) Completed 02/04/08

Next weight loss goal: Be back to wedding weight by April 1st (2 lbs from current weight)

Final weight loss goal: Be at my ideal weight (12 lbs from current weight)

Total: Lose 39 lbs
Current weight loss: 27 lbs!!

This chart shows my progress towards my second goal of 135 lbs. (Which I'm 2 lbs away from, wohoo!)


My Weight Chart:

Measurements (Dec./Jan./Feb./Mar.):

Waist: 33.5"/33.0"/31.5"/30.5"
Stomach: 40"/39.5"/37.25/36.5"
Neck: 13.25"/Same/Same/13"