Cookie Decorating & Harvest Festival

Hippo was so excited about this animal train he got into this really serious mode where we could not get his attention and when it would stop he would scream hysterically, "MORE, MORE, MORE!" The second round I rode in the pig behind him and he, periodically, would burst out in excited cheers.

Tales of a Yellowstone Nothing

Last weekend we took a road trip to Jackson, Wyoming. Since I've never been to Yellowstone National Park and have always wanted to, and live closer in proximity to it than I likely ever will, we thought it was good timing.

The drive to Jackson was made bearable to Hippo by the fact that we discovered he loves the song, "99 bottles of beer on the wall." Unfortunately, this song made it unbearable to L and I.

We got up early the next morning, put on our warm snow gear and stopped off at the local K-mart to get Hippo some snow boots. Unfortunately, the cheapest toddler snow boots were ugly, and $30. If I'm going to spend $30 it better be on something good looking that I won't mind him growing out of them in five months. We passed on the boots figuring we can carry Hippo or push him in a bundled up stroller.

Off we were, in near blizzard conditions. We reasoned we would be okay because 1) we drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle with anti-skid technology 2) we're from Utah and drive in near blizzard conditions on a regular enough basis 3) we didn't have anything better to do since we were in Jackson, Wyoming in the winterish time 4) we figured the geysers in Yellowstone would be particularly amazing in such weather 5) we had a GPS to guide us 6) there was enough traffic to suggest we weren't complete morons (or at least the only morons).

Eventually we arrived at a Ranger Station about 15 miles from the south entrance to the park. The ranger was stopping cars and having a lengthy conversation with each one. "How friendly," I thought. Until he stopped us and informed us that the south entrance to the park was CLOSED! due to snow. We then had a length conversation with the ranger about when the south entrance would open. He didn't know. What were we supposed to do? Hang out on the side of the road in a blizzard and wait around?

So, here's what we did instead:

Went bear watching, from the hotel hallways

Walked around town where we bought these totally awesome moccasins for Hippo (pictured below).

Unfortunately we couldn't afford the $120 Stetson I wanted or the $625 cowboy boots L wanted or the $10,000 geode neither of us wanted and were shocked to think that someone would spend that kind of money on something so ugly.

Threw temper tantrums or jumped on the bed, however you see this picture.

Played with fruit snacks. Hippo was running through Albertson's when he stopped on a dime when he saw these fruit snacks with a tractor on the box. He just HAD to have them, and we could afford the $2.35.

And took a picture next to a sign.

Riddle: Who Am I?

Hint #1: A woman.

Hint #2: A woman who is reported upon by popular media, often.

Hint #3: A woman who is reported upon by popular media, often, due her recent divorce announcement.

Hint #4: A woman who is reported upon by popular media, often, due her recent divorce announcement from a man with whom she has had 8 children.

Hint #5: A woman whom is reported upon by popular media, often, due her recent divorce announcement from a man with whom she has had 8 children, six of which were from the SAME pregnancy.

Hint #6: A woman whom is reported upon by popular media, often, due her recent divorce announcement from a man with whom she has had 8 children, six of which were from the SAME pregnancy. Half of the star power of a popular show on TLC.

Scroll down for the answer

If you guessed Kate Gosselin, you are correct.

P.S. Don't you think the resemblance is uncanny?

Therapeutic Thursday: Sitting on the Toilet and Other Relaxation Strategies

I hated my senior year AP English teacher, Mr. D-Bag. He was pompous, arrogant, and tried too hard to be “cool.” I guess he didn’t realize that trying to hard to be cool never works to get teenagers to like you.

Case in point: The first day of class he played Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in The Wall.” This from a man who wore tweed blazers with faux leather patches on the elbows, wore knock-off Salvatore Ferragamo loafers, and groomed his facial hair impeccably daily. And to think, I liked Vintage music and I liked that song (up until that day).

Mr. D-Bag gave us an assignment to keep a journal throughout the school year. Despite my loathsome thoughts and feelings about the guy, I was excited about this project. Why? No so much because I liked journaling, but because I loved shocking teachers, it was sort of a pastime for me.

I faithfully wrote in this journal for months. I would spend too much time most journal entries thinking of the most awful things I could to write about. There were a few days, however, the exhaustion of being 17 overcame me and I wrote whatever was really on my mind.

Imagine that scene in “The Christmas Story” when Ralphie turns in his Theme about the “Red Rider BB Gun with a compass in the stock” he wants for Christmas. Remember how he fantasizes, when he turns it into Miss Shields, about her being awe-struck by his writing ability and originality? That was I, when I excitedly turned my journal into Mr. D-Bag. Except I was imagining Mr. D-Bag would be overcome by horror and as a result, of all the horror, he would die some gruesome death.

Well, that didn’t happen. And my graded journal was returned to me a few weeks later (another case in point: who grades a journal?) with tons of his commentary tarnishing the pages.

“Every teenager feels like the world is against them. What mask do you wear?” is what he wrote next to the entry where I used the “mask” metaphor to criticized as many students in my graduating class that I could.

I did not care to be compared to those I hated nor did I care to be invalidated by a teacher I disliked.

“So true! A very original thought…I’m still laughing” is what he wrote next to the entry where I spoke about the only time I could relax in a day: on the toilet. I reasoned, in the journal entry, that one HAS to go to the bathroom everyday. And since you HAVE to go to the bathroom you can take a few minutes, all to yourself, and relax.

Do you see what I mean? Don’t you hate him now too?

This blog post really isn’t about Mr. D-Bag, however. It is about relaxation.

This morning Hippo and I completed my favorite of weekly chores: grocery shopping (I’m being serious). We love to go together. He rides shotgun and plays with produce bags and other non-breakable/perishable items while greeting strangers and store employees with a genuinely happy, “HIIIII!” while I gather the things we will eat over the next week. The produce section is our favorite section and always comes first on our route through the store. I love the produce section because the vibrant colors that come from nature are gorgeous to behold. I love the fresh aromas, all different as you pass the cilantro, the onions and garlic, the oranges and other citrus fruit, the melons, and then the apples. I love the inspiration that comes from walking through the in-season produce. After all, it’s hard to be inspired by Pasta Roni.

Today “Yukon Gold” potatoes were on the list. Why? Because they are the best. As I fingered through the assortment of Yukon Gold potatoes, being careful to choose the very best of the best, out of the corner of my eye I saw something I have never seen in a produce section before; something rare, interesting, and precious (as the cost will suggest): purple potatoes! I scrambled over to the nearest sack rack and began rapidly filling the bag with as many purple potatoes as would fit, all while reviewing the many things my family and I can enjoy with purple potatoes this week. Being curious I scanned my eyes over the prices listed above the produce beds until I found: Purple Potatoes $4.99/Lb. AHHHHHHHH! I had two pounds and there was no way I was coming home with two pounds of potatoes having spent more than $10 (after tax). So I put one pound back.

Sometime after graduating Mr. D-Bag’s AP English class I discovered a new pastime: eating. I’ve mentioned it before. I realized, quickly, that part of eating was cooking. It’s a good thing I LOVE to cook. I realized, quickly, that part of cooking was produce shopping and gardening. It’s a good think I LOVE to shop and to garden.

Eating, cooking, shopping, and gardening are extremely relaxing for me. It goes back to the same philosophy of going potty—you have to eat, therefore you have to cook, therefore you have to shop, therefore gardening is optional unless your local grocer doesn’t carry all of the things you want to eat (e.g. fennel, leaks, purple potatoes—until today—, arugula, basil—by the bundles—, farm fresh tomatoes, lemon cucumbers, etc.). Since I have to do these things, I might as well get some R&R while doing them, right?

Something else I’ve noticed, in connection with eating, is that the very most relaxing and happy parts of the day are the parts I am eating with my family—my very two favorite things in the world. It’s a time when we put down our projects, turn the television off, turn down the music, step away from our computers, leave the phones in the other room, put the toys away, and come together and enjoy good food, like purple potatoes.

We eat, occasionally, with my in-laws and I’ve noticed that their usually contention-filled home stops abruptly during family dinner. There may be fighting before dinner or after dinner, but I have never, in eight years, seen a fight erupt during dinner. This phenomenon is likely a combination of the neuro-transmitters responsible for mood stabilizing scientists know are released during eating and being distracted by eating that keeps the peace.

Isn’t that useful? Having chemical-induced happiness and innate distraction can make for some of the best and most relaxing of times with the people that matter most. Moreover, the moral of the above stories is: if you are in need of some relaxation go poop and take as much time as you want. Or, have a family dinner. Your children will thank you for it, probably much too late, but they will. Adults often forget that the very nature of childhood can be extraordinarily stressful, give your children the gift of daily relief—family dinner.

I guess I owe Mr. D-Bag gratitude for creating such defiance in me, which would lead to coming up with one of the best ideas of my life. I’ve always been paranoid he would plagiarize that idea, though.

Adoption. It's About...

A lot of things.

But mostly, adoption is about families: all the joys and heartaches, the gains and losses, the victories and defeats, the peace and war, the love and anger that happens in families. All of that, that makes families worth being FOREVER.

I've been following the story of a fellow blogger, and a giant adoption advocate, who is fighting for her baby. Her baby that she adopted from birth about year ago. The judges decision (who is deciding the fate of many people), through the first rounds of court, was delivered today.

I can't say this story has got me thinking about adoption. I've been thinking about adoption since I was a little girl. When I was old enough to understand, a woman in my childhood church congregation was in the throws of infertility. I will always remember her intense desire to have children in her family. Then, when my sister was in high school and competing in speech/dialogue competitions I will always remember the National Champion's speech about adoption--I was deeply moved by the account of of adoption, and its profound positive impact on family. When I was in college I worked with a woman who desperatly wanted to have children but was struggling with infertility. I will always remember, with a lump in my throat, the day she miscarried at work. Then, there was the friend that helped me pass Biology 130H whose deepest desire was to have a career solving fertility challenges as a doctor. I still remember when she said to me, "I believe in eternal families more than I believe in anything else in the world...this way I can help people do the most important thing in the world." And then there is my sister. An eternal family with children occurred for her through adoption. Finally, I became a therapist and found powerful healing through adoption. Yes, I've been thinking about adoption for a long time now.

Hippo with his oldest cousin, Buddy, who is adopted

Whatever the decision--win or loss--is a win or loss for:

14 of my clients (of a caseload of 27) (I just counted) who have been adopted

and their parents, who have adopted

Hundreds of past clients who have been adopted

and of course, their parents who have adopted

Many clients, current and past, who have adopted siblings

More than you can imagine past clients whose children have been adopted into another family

2 co-workers, who have been adopted

3 close friends who have been adopted

2 close friends who have adopted

2 friends who have placed their children through adoption

3 close friends who have siblings who have been adopted

4 neighbors who have adopted

1 special family member who placed their child through adoption

3 special family members who have adopted

4 special family members who have been adopted

31 family members whose lives have been touched and blessed by adoption

Adoption matters to me. Adoption matters to the people I know and love the most.

Hippo with his cousin, who is just three months older than Hippo, Sambo...who is also adopted

Here are two beautiful stories about adoption:

#1: A friend who was adopted from another country when she was three years-old lost her brother this year (who was also adopted). Through her tears of grief she answered my question if, at the time of his death, he felt close to his family membes (as he had separated himself from them by his life choices), "He told me I was the best friend he ever had."

#2: When one of my clients, of several years, was struggling with whether or not he wanted to be adopted I said to him, "I think you need them (his potential adoptive parents). But, I think they need you." A year later he said to me with a glint in his eye and a smile on his lips, "I need [them]. But they REALLY need me!"

I hope adoption matters to you.

A Day In Numbers

2 hour workout

615 calories burned

1 rose planted

26 weeds pulled

1 car vacuumed

25 quarters, to wash car

5 minutes to madly wash/rinse car

3 times mail checked

7 telephone conversations

6 telephone conversations with L who is in Michigan

1 bathroom cleaned

1 level of house vacuumed

2 poopy diapers changed

1 trip to Ogden

3 old clients I saw during trip to Ogden

3 stops in Ogden

1 fruitless stop at the post office

9 hours it took me to realize it is Columbus Day and the US Postal Service is on vacation

7 strangers admiring Hippo

3 onions and bell peppers, each, chopped

5 chicken breasts roasted

8 text messages

5 text messages with L who was stuck on a plane on a Detroit runway

3 times kitchen cleaned

4 times putting Hippo's shoes on

22 pills taken (I'm taking fiber)

1 house decorated for fall

1 toddler Halloween costume purchased

8 conversations with non-family members

1 family home evening

2 people bathed

1 toddler cared for despite...

7,463,890 times Hippo told me "NO!" today

1 tired mommy

Saving It For The Office

The other day I read this blog post: http://www.theamazingtrips.com/2009/10/funny-thing-happened-on-way-to-south.html

It's long but worth it. If you don't have time to read it right away than the following will suffice for now (but promise to go back and read it when you have more time): The author, in a shuttle on the way to the airport, engages in a very meaningful conversation with the shuttle driver. I was extremely touched by the woman's attentiveness, listening, empathizing, caring for and validation of this man's life experience. I listen for a living and her account motivated me to be better at it. It also made me motivated to be more interested in and caring about my fellow man.

Each Tuesday I have a lunch meeting at assorted Ogden restaurants with a colleague to discuss practice matters. I was the first to arrive to the old-school cafe, where malted french toast is served all day and the servers are ALL middle aged women wearing matching black dresses (which zip up the back), white aprons, tan stockings with worn tennis shoes, and tightly wound buns atop their greying permanents. As I made my way past the 75 year-old patrons at the bar it struck me, as it always does when I am in this particular cafe, that I am the youngest one in the place. I like being in the company of wisdom and I had a warm feeling come over me. As I neared my usual table to set down my things a very elderly gentlemen caught my attention by essentially flagging me down and gesturing for me to go over to him. When I neared him he said slowly, shaking (Parkinson's Disease perhaps), "You...are...beautiful."

"Thanks!" I said enthusiastically, remembering the blog entry I read the other day.

"Don't stop smiling because you've got a beautiful one, " he continued.

Sure, I was uncomfortable. But he was old. And I was doing my best to be interested and validating. "Thanks again, have a nice lunch," I said as I turned back to my table.

A few minutes later my colleague had not arrived and the elderly gentleman who thinks I am beautiful came over to my table and began telling me that "...men these days are tools...after just one thing (wink, wink)...they don't take enough time to appreciate real beauty when they see it." By this time I was REALLY uncomfortable and I was cursing my good listening skills.

Five minutes went by and the gentleman continued and my colleague still had not arrived. I pulled out my laptop and some paperwork to make the man think I was really busy and interested in getting some work done. He didn't notice or didn't care. He continued, "...I like making women's day by telling them they are gorgeous...I haven't lived here in more than 50 years and I can't believe the men around here. I'll tell you what, these men around here are tools..." By this time I was cursing my VERY late colleague.

Unfortunately, my colleague did not arrive in time to spare me the following, "I have been in a room of 300 men and asked them all, 'How long does it take a man to get his goal in bed?'" He held up seven fingers--five on his right hand and the thumb and pointer on the left. "Seven minutes, on average," he continued despite me madly scribbling nonsense on my paperwork. "And women? Fourteen!" He declared a little too loudly. "Men are such tools they don't even take the time to learn how to match up his goal with hers, in bed."

I was on the verge of grabbing up my things, screaming "PERV!" and rushing out when my colleague showed up. The man quickly left after I thanked him for his valuable information. Apparently sarcasm is lost on the elderly?

If this is the type of conversation I am destined to have when I try to be genuinely interested than forget it. I'll save it for the office.

A Few Things About What's Going On In Our Neck Of the Woods

I play a game on my phone while Hippo plays in the bath and when I looked up this evening he had gotten into the Vick's Baby Vapor Rub. I think it's funny, and relieving, he didn't try to eat it; instead he slathered his face in it. It's not surprising he chose this tube amongst the other several tubes of baby creams to get into as he loves Vapor Rub so much that I will often get him to comply by asking him if he wants some Vapor Rub on his chest.

***

I took Hippo to a Children's Play Museum Friday and this is the best picture I could get of him all day, dressed as Robin Hood, because he literally would not stop running. It should be noted he did not know how to run prior to this museum visit. He ran, without stopping, for two hours straight.

The bridge he is standing on was his favorite part of the museum last time we went (in June, I think). He had just barely learned to walk four to five steps and he LOVED this bridge. It caught his attention again and he spent nearly 20 minutes walking, crawling, sliding, falling, and eventually running back and forth over it.

***

Monday night, we new would be the last nice day of the year, we took Hippo to Layton Park which has some fabulous toys including this one. Hippo really likes parks but this toy made his summer. Within a few minutes several boys surrounded L and begged him to play with them. At first I thought it was cute and then I realized it must be a novelty for a dad to be there actually playing with the kids.

Also at Layton park is a very large ponded/river area and walkway. Many varieties of birds live here during the summer months including this impressive black swan. Unfortunately, seconds after these photos were snapped this ornery swan pecked Hippo! He only got shirt (I can't get the stain out) as there was not even a little mark on Hippo's stomach, but Hippo had more hurt feelings than scared I think. He started out quite enamored with the swan and the swan seemed enamored with Hippo. We quickly walked away to feed another group of birds and the swan followed us, so we had to run away making Hippo think we were merely suddenly interested in a jog.

***

It is snowing no less than 10 miles from my house. I guess summer's end is now official. I have a dream that someday I will live nearer to the equator where summer's end does not exist.

Goodbye flowers. Goodbye garden. Goodbye garden-fresh cuisine. Goodbye healthy suntan glow. Goodbye utilizing outside as a fit stopper. Goodbye long days. Goodbye eating al fresca. Goodbye outside swimming. Goodbye bike. Goodbye jogging stroller. Goodbye family BBQs. Goodbye camping. Goodbye driving with the windows down. Goodbye stylish sandals. Goodbye smell of freshly mowed grass. Goodbye park. Goodbye feeling my fingers and toes. Goodbye.

Hello indoors. Hello cold. Hello misery. Hello hibernation.

***

L has his first graduate school interview scheduled for October 12th in Michigan. Cross your fingers.

This, by no means, means I want to live in Michigan.

***

Hippo had his 18 month well baby checkup on Friday. His weight and height are in the 75th percentile.

His pediatrician was impressed by Hippo's large vocabulary. This is saying quite a bit, no pun intended, in that his pediatrician is not impressed by much (including Hippo's hysterics the first three months of his life).

***

An example of Hippo's communication skills:

Today I was singing obnoxiously to him, something he usually adores and will say, "MORE! MORE! MORE!" when I stop, when he turned to me and said "ALL DONE!" including the sign we taught him for "all done." He quickly turned away from me.

I think knowing how to annoy him is valuable nonetheless.

***

Recently my mother-in-law approached me about something very serious. She said she was concerned about my disciplining Hippo when he hits. I was excited for some ideas/insights she might have to help me curb this problem. After all, she has raised six children.

She said, "Well, it's just that his Auntie R (age 14) and him have a rough-housing type of relationship and it is okay for him and her to hit each other...because they are just playing...that's just the relationship they have and I don't want to confuse him."

Speaking of confused, I was surprised she was coming to me for advice on how to teach Auntie R to stop hitting. Since 'simplicity' is my motto for addressing behavior problems I said, simply, "Time out is works like a charm. Since Auntie R is 14 that will mean 14 minutes in time out."

Needless to say, hitting is no longer a problem...for either of them.

***

Hippo has a cold and I'm hoping it doesn't turn out to be the croup. Apparently a kid that goes to the gym daycare came down with it this week. The daycare posted a sign about it and Hippo wasn't there the days the other kid was last week so cross your fingers it's just a cold.

I, on the other hand, continue to be sick. Tomorrow marks three weeks. I did a little research and I am convinced I have walking pneumonia. There's no point in going to the doctor, they don't prescribe anything for it anymore (unless of course you are dying and then they will save your life, if your insurance covers it). And, since yesterday and today are the first consecutive days, in three weeks, I've been able to breath normally through my mouth and nose and I haven't had to use my emergency inhaler at all, what's the point?

Potty Humor, Inherited

I love potty humor.

Potty humor is like my cheap beer. Give me a little and I get tipsy and giggly. I want more and more and more. Until I laugh uncontrollably and nearly pass out.

I love potty humor so much I have many "potty humor stories", which have little to do with the potty and a lot to do with the predicaments into which I have gotten as a result of all of the talking about potty.

Here's my favorite. It was late one Friday evening and I was with my three best friends. We were 16 years-old and at our favorite late-night hangout, Sharie's 24-hour restaurant. We had a window booth. I am sure it was me who began singing the, "When you slide into first and you feel something burst..."--you know the rest--song, but everyone quickly joined in. The group to the south of us, though we couldn't see them, were bothered by our potty-song. They began discussing "how obnoxious teens today are." One of them even said, "SHUT UP" loudly. They must have complained because our waitress came over to tell us to shut up or management would kick us out. Being threatened like that had the opposite than the intended effect on us: we thought we were awesome! We continued our song, albeit a little quieter. Eventually the party to the south of us left. A few minutes later I noticed a car halting a few yards away from the window to our booth. Out jumped a young male adult who began running toward us. Odd, I thought, until I noticed him tugging at the waist of his jeans and then I thought, really odd. By the time he arrived at our window he was smashing his bare derriere against the window in a full moon. We screamed. Then we got kicked out. Management was not interested in our excuses and didn't believe a word of our story.

My siblings love potty humor as well. All of our spouses discuss amongst themselves that when we, the S siblings, get together there is only 10 minutes before a potty theme comes up. When it does they all roll their eyes and nod in mutual suffering. All while the S siblings laugh hysterically, until tears sometimes.

I own several potty books.

I read them to my clients sometimes. This is my favorite.

In 11th grade I did a large science project on potty. My teacher LOVED it. It included a rap about potty.

Hippo has inherited my potty sense of humor.

(I'm sitting here typing with a large smile of pride on my face.)

When he farts he laughs hysterically and tries to push out more (maybe that's because, when I'm not in public...okay, sometimes when I am in public...I laugh hysterically at him when he farts). Tonight in the bathtub he began farting loudly, and bubbly, and of course we are both laughing quite hard and L walked by and said, "Maybe you should blog about this," and rolled his eyes.

"Maybe I will," I replied.

More Pictures of MEEEEE

I'm Eighteen Months

It's been a long time since I've guest-posted, I know you've been wondering about me.

Eighteen months is the second right of passage in life if you are Mormon, it's the age where you begin to attend nursery the final two hours of the three hour block on Sunday. My mommy and daddy, and the entire relief society and priesthood, couldn't be more excited. During the announcements in relief society each week, the person conducting asks the ladies if there is anyone with "good news." People usually share the birth of a child/grandchild or the engagement/marriage of a loved one. In twelve years of relief society, my mommy has never shared "good news," until today when she raised her hand and said, "Hippo is finally in nursery!" A loud cheer went through the crowd of ladies. The lady conducting said, "He wasn't too bad..." and my mommy gave her a look to remind her that Mormons believe in being honest. The lady conducting quickly changed the subject.

I didn't have any problem going to nursery like some kids do, some cry a lot but not me. I ran in and didn't take a second look back at my mommy and daddy. When they said "bye" to me I ignored them. They came to check on me half way through by peaking at me through the window of the door; I pretended not to see them because I was having too much fun playing telling a little girl off who took a truck I wanted. We learned about prayer in nursery and I think my teachers were impressed I already know how to fold my arms and say "Amen!"

Speaking of telling off, I talk A LOT, pretty much all of the time. If I am quiet for more than two minutes in a row my mommy suspects I am either sick or doing something I shouldn't be doing. Sometimes I talk in gibberish but most of the time I use my words that I have learned. Just this week I have started to speak in phrases or small sentences. For example, "UP, PLEASE!"

It may surprise you that I know the first few letters of the alphabet. It surprised my mommy and daddy several weeks ago when we were out playing on the farm and I went over to a farm truck to look at the license plate and when I saw the letters I began singing the A-B-C song. Another time I surprised my mommy was when I saw, on one of my alphabet toys, a picture of H is for Hippo and I went over to it, pointed, and said, "Hippo." And yet another thing that shocked my mommy was the other day when I stood up in the bath pointed to my crotch and said the correct anatomical name for my male genitalia.

I absolutely LOVE being outside. I request to go "outside" several times per day. I like to help my mommy water "flowers", weed, harvest her vegetables (especially grape "tomatoes" that I eat right off the vine), dig in the dirt, walk over to my grandma and grandpa's house all by myself, "jump" on the trampoline, play in my sandbox, ride on my "tractor", ride on my grandpa's "tractor" and "trucks" (which I request/demand first thing when I wake up each and every morning), take walks to the store/library/park, swing under the apple tree, mow the lawn with daddy, help on the farm, play with the neighbor "dog" and "kitties", look at "planes" in the sky, eat dinner al fresca, etc., etc., etc.

I also LOVE going places (I ask my mommy to leave the boring house by saying, "bye" and running to the garage door to pound on it). I like to go anywhere and even though I have bad behavior in restaurants and at church I love being out and about. I am still very friendly to friends, family, and strangers.

Another thing my mommy and daddy find incredible is that, now for several weeks, when I go number two I inform them I have "POOP!" in my diaper. They say they are glad I tell them but not so glad I demand to be changed immediately.

I am now walking really good and I am working on going up and down steps and running. I still don't climb much which makes my mommy and daddy rejoice.

I like to "help" my mommy do laundry, dishes, and yard work. I like to pet the "kitty" "gentle". I like to play with my "trucks" and "tractors". I like to eat "snacks" and "lunch". And I like to do "make up" with my mommy.

My favorite food is probably tomatoes right now in addition to my old favorites: strawberries, "oranges", peanut butter, "cheese", pretzels, and "cookies" of course. My mommy made cream of fresh tomato soup the other night for dinner and I LOVED it so much I wanted "MORE!"

My temper tantrums have gotten a little bit better, probably because my mommy and daddy have gotten better at dealing with them appropriately. I don't mind going to time out very much and I often nod "yes" when my mommy and daddy ask me if I need a time out to calm down. Most days I don't have to go to time out but some days I have to go to time out a lot; it just depends on how cooperative I feel like being.

I'm getting skinnier since I can walk and run now. My mommy and daddy are sad to see my chubbiness go but they think I am "cute" no matter what.

I still love music and my mommy and daddy still show me music videos while I eat or to calm me down. My current favorites songs are Airborn Toxic Event's "Sometime Around Midnight", Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody", Taylor Swift "You Belong With Me", George Straight's "Living For The Night", Beyonce's "Sweet Dreams", Boys Like Girls' "Love Drunk", Shakira's "She Wolf", Green Day's "21 Guns", and Colbie Caillat's "Falling For You". I DO NOT like Mariah Carey's "Obsessed" and I HATE everything from Daughtry. My mommy says I have good music taste. I still like it when my mommy sings to me, especially the ABC song.

Besides my trucks and tractors, my favorite toys are still my "books." I don't really have a favorite book anymore because I like them all. I ask my mommy and daddy to read me a "book" if they sit down for more than 30 seconds. I look forward to bedtime or "night-night" because I know that they will read me four books every night.

That's all I can think of to tell about myself. If you have any questions of course you can leave them in the comments and I will get to them as soon as I can.

Sick As A Dog

As my sister would say.

I should have known something was amiss Monday morning when I not only didn't feel like going to the gym but I chose not to go.

Monday afternoon the symptoms began to present themselves: watery eyes, dry throat, sneezing one hundred times in a row (I'm not kidding), and thin mucus which would fall out of my nose if I bent over. By the time L was home that night and Hippo was finally in bed my throat was on fire, I couldn't breath out of my nose if I laid down, and my head felt like it was going to explode. It was the worst sinus headache I can remember--that's a big feat because I have seasonal allergies from h-e-double hockey sticks, as my brother would say.

I could not sleep that night despite L going to the 24-hour pharmacy to purchase some relief for me.

Luckily, I worked the next day.

Things were looking up when I woke up Wednesday with nearly every orifice on my face oozing thick yellow mucus.

I calculate I lost no less than $400 for calling in sick both Tuesday and Wednesday; and of course I had to cancel my private clients as well.

I also missed an important meeting with the organization through which I hold credentials, a business lunch meeting, and some beautiful weather.

On the bright side of things...

Since I was scheduled to work, L was scheduled to be home with Hippo. Nothing beats being taken care of, I'll tell you what. Hippo helped by screaming loudly nearly all day long, napping less than 90 minutes, jumping up on me, wanting me to read him a long book every five minutes, and giving me hugs and kisses every now and again.

I hope I feel much better soon, the house is looking a little shabby.

Eight Years Ago...

Today, I met L. It's been, bar none, the best eight years of my life.

Except eight years ago, today, it was a Tuesday. I thought the world was going to end; turns out, it didn't. And my world, from eight years ago, has gotten better and better and better.

The Moment I Lost It

Our church service changed from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm to 11:00 am to 2:00 pm today. During that time, in a typical day, Hippo plays outside (a critical event in each day as he can verbalize his desire to go "outside" millions of times until he is accommodated), eats lunch, and takes a nap. The way our church goes, those things just will not be possible. Hence, the best way to describe my experience for me and those within a 15-person radius of Hippo today was the exact opposite of Heaven.

I use an empty and dark room for time out during church. Hippo spent a large portion of 11:00 am to 2:00 pm in that empty an dark room today, mostly screaming like a dying hyena.

And when he wasn't in the empty and dark room, he was throwing toys and farting.

Since it was church, I kept praying he would just poop and get it over with...those prayers were unanswered and the farting continued.

By the time I got home and got Hippo into bed, I was plum worn out.

That's when I heard a strange hissing sound coming from the refrigerator. Going over to inspect it I saw nothing out of the ordinary and a quick temperature check yielded perfect freezing and cooling temperatures. So I ignored it and took a well-deserved nap.

I was woken by a VERY LOUD hissing noise coming from the refrigerator and I went to inspect again. This time I found some water dripping from the filter underneath the doors. I grabbed a kitchen towel and figured L would take a look at it when he got home from work.

By then Hippo was awake from his nap and when I got him up he informed me loudly he had, "POOP!"

I brought him downstairs after the diaper change and as I rounded the corner, in the kitchen, to the garbage can to deposit the soiled diaper, I slipped on a large puddle of water and fell on my butt. I got up and laughed a little while my tail bone stung and my eyes tingled with tears. Then I heard another, smaller thud and turned to see Hippo had slipped and fell in the same exact manner I had. I picked him up and comforted him and discovered water covering nearly the entire kitchen floor. He continued to cry as I put him down to assess the emerging crisis.

Pulling the refrigerator out gave no more information as to the problem. I desperately called L who completely blew me off. Hippo cried on.

An hour later, when six bath towels were no longer holding back the leak I desperately called L again leaving a nasty message (or six) and then a nasty text message (or six). And Hippo cried more.

When L finally called me back he gave me some sorry excuse about saving lives. I informed him our HOUSE WAS FLOODING! He told me to turn off the water on the back of the refrigerator. THERE IS NO SWITCH THERE! He told me to go downstairs and turn the valve off on the copper tubing. When I got to basement I discovered water FLOWING OUT OF THE CEILING! I violently swung open the door of the utility closet and realized verbally, IT'S REALLY DARK IN HERE AND I CAN'T SEE A THING!

That's when L said, "Oh, the lightbulb is probably burned out. Is that Hippo crying hysterically?"

Did you remember reading the part of the story, above, where I switched 'on' the light switch? No? That's because I hadn't...yet. L knew, 35 miles south in the depths of the University Hospital that the lightbulb in our utility closet was burned out. Hmmm.

That was the moment.

The one where I lost it.

The Library, The Witch, and The Olive Garden

Yesterday the library was a stop on our errand list. When we arrived Hippo donned his usual hypo-manic mood and began laughing hysterically, pushing books back on the stacks, pulling books off of the stacks, throwing books, running away from me, and then very loud breathing resulting from all of the running, and squealing when I would snatch him up.

It was the middle of the day and the library was surprisingly busy: several people on the computers and nearly all of the cushy chairs in the magazine area were occupied. I noticed, as I tried to keep Hippo sort of appropriate, that he was the only kid there. Sure it was during school hours, but he was the only person under the age of even five there, let along under the age of 18.

Being socially anxious I grew worried Hippo's behavior was annoying other patrons until one lady complimented me on Hippo's hair-do, a young woman snickered at Hippo running by the catalogue computers, and the young women's male companion openly laughed when Hippo snagged his foot on the burber and face planted it just before hitting the check out counter head-on. Finding that others thought him cute and funny I stopped hurrying about to find suitable reading material and took a little more time to enjoy one of my favorite place in the world. After all, I reminded myself, this is a kid-friendly place.

As I began to check out my things the librarian noted I had a $3.80 fine. I knew I had ample change in my wallet to cover the balance and noting there were no waiters in line behind me I thought what a great time to unload the extra weight. Hippo continued to run around and he found himself behind the "book holds" counter. The librarian, there, began to have an age-appropriate conversation with him until I arrived to escort him back to our pile of books. I apologized profusely for his obtrusive behavior. Upon arrival, I realized I had dropped my library card. The maneuver of bending down to pick up the card and slipping it into it's slot in my wallet took about 15 seconds, but unfortunately required me to drop Hippo's hand. Sensing the freedom he took off toward the direction of the "return books" desk and seeing a seemingly friendly librarian he walked behind the counter and screeched, "HIIIII!"

Do want to know what she said to him?

She said, as if talking to any of the adult patrons at the library at that particular moment, "You need to go back out there." and pointed, with a head gesture, to the area behind the counter.

I was furious. She wasn't rude in her voice tone at all. So it took me the 2 mile drive home to figure out what made me so angry. How in the world would a barely walking child understand such adult language, voice tone, and body language? AND, not suggesting my child is above redirection (remember, he is the child that knows a Mom says, "NO, NO, NO!"), what was so wrong with him wanting to say "hi" to her anyway? He didn't touch a thing, and if she would have paid attention to his body language he was staring directly at her and that he stopped directly in front of her.

But more, I realized that a child maybe twice his age would have been more attuned to her aloofness and felt badly about themselves for their attempt at friendliness. I think this is what really drove it home for my anger. How dare she make a child question their friendliness? How dare her teach MY child that the world is not a friendly place at all.

I thought, seriously, about turning around and driving back to the library to ask that particular librarian if she has ever seen the movie "Life is Beautiful" and if she hadn't suggest she view it ASAP and if she had, remind her that protecting children from the ugliness of the world--protecting their innocence--is important...much more than "employee only" zones at the local public library.

We ended our day of errands at the Olive Garden where the yearly promotion "All You Can Eat Pasta Bowl" is going on. We ate to fill our tummies and remind us, "Don't get mad, EAT...A LOT."

P.S. This was after we shared, from Costco's snack bar, 1 churro, 1 berry smoothie, and 1 hand-dipped ice cream bar with roasted almonds. Oh, boy...my Costco shopping experience gets better each and every time I go.

Should've Been A Cowboy (or Cowgirl)

Several years ago I had this co-worker who liked to sing. He had theme-songs for many of the group home residents with whom we worked. He would sing, "Eye of the Tiger" when a resident would get angry or overly worked up. He would sing "Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear" when talking about his heart's desire. And he would sing "I Wanna Talk About Me" to me.

***

A few months ago I was having lunch with a therapist friend and we were discussing ways to effectively deal with the stress of the job. I mentioned I work out quite a bit and that I keep the volume up on the IPOD as to block out any unwanted thoughts about work or clients. He asked me about my workout playlist and I repeated my workout favorites including Beastie Boys, Cyndi Lauper, Kings of Leon, Dashboard Confessional, Shakira, Toby Keith, Snoop Dogg, and U2. His eyes narrowed and his voice lowered a little bit and then he said, "You listen to Toby Keith?" I could feel my face redden a bit. He continued, "I wouldn't have taken you for the type to listen to Toby Keith."

I hadn't really meant to let the cat of the bag. It was one of my biggest secrets.

But, since the cat is now out of the bag...

I HEART Toby Keith.

I know nearly all of his songs' lyrics. Of the 100 songs on my workout playlist--42 of them are Toby Keith songs.

Did I mention that I LOVE Toby Keith?

***

Several years ago I didn't know that many Toby Keith songs (it was before IPODS/ITUNES) and so a few years later when I became a fan and started learning all of the said lyrics I realized my co-worker's song for me wasn't very flattering...at all...

How embarrassing!!!!

We talk about your work how your boss is a jerk
We talk about your church and your head when it hurts
We talk about the troubles you've been having with your brother
About your daddy and your mother and your crazy ex-lover
We talk about your friends and the places that you've been
We talk about your skin and the dimples on your chin
The polish on your toes and the run in your hose
And God knows we're gonna talk about your clothes
You know talking about you makes me smile
But every once in awhile

I wanna talk about me
Wanna talk about I
Wanna talk about number one
Oh my me my
What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see
I like talking about you you you you, usually, but occasionally
I wanna talk about meeeeee
I wanna talk about me

How embarrassing!!!!!

***

Yesterday L and I, with some good friends, went to Usana Amphitheater to see Toby Keith in concert--fulfilling one of my lifelong dreams. It was a fantastic show on an incredible summer evening in Utah.

Here are a few of my thoughts and observations from the show:

-There are a lot of rednecks here.

-If I were to grow a mullet, I'd perm it.

-Why are there so many people passing out from alcohol intoxication before Toby even performs?

-I didn't know you could wear leather chaps over underwear like that.

-I lost count of mullets at approximately 629.

-If I was German this crowd would be how I would stereotype Americans.

-I wish I would have known it was trendy to wear see-through lace blouses BEFORE the concert.

-It IS weird that I still have all of my original teeth.

-A cowboy hat, bikini top, daisy dukes, and cowboy boots--I never thought I'd see someone dressed like that in real life. What would her parents think?! Oh, she's here with her parents.

-I should slip bikini girl/bikini girl's parents my business card.

-Where do you even buy a see-through lace blouse?

-I think L and I may be the only ones here (besides Toby) who actually live on a farm...with cows.

-I've got to get me a straw cowboy hat.

-I should pick up our garbage before we leave. But is that really what a redneck would do?

-I should've been a cowgirl.

Facebook

I joined yesterday. Why? I'll quote my client today (who does not know I joined yesterday):

With a snotty junior high girl ring in the voice tone, "Because Myn-di, myspace is soooo last year. Facebook and Twitter are where the cooool people are."

(If you think I'm kidding you should come to work with me sometime)

I said seriously, "Are you serious?"

She said, "Yeah."

I asked, "Seriously? Your serious."

She said, "Yeah."

I began hating myself and I thought about deleting my profile but when I logged on this evening and saw I had 21 friends. I did some quick math and realized that is 7 times the friends I had in high school.

"SCORE!" I yelled loudly.

Until I realized that my brother-in-law has 542 friends and I re-thought deleting my profile. Ore deleting my existence...

Private Practice

I started, officially, today. It's been in the works for months but today was the day.

I met with 1) my first private client 2) my first couple (oh, boy) for couples therapy ever. I was nervous, but that excited sort of nervous.

It went pretty well. As well as couples therapy first session goes, I guess. I was confident, I was experienced (so I hope they thought), I was an expert, and I had authority. I told her if there is any hope in the marriage working out she's gonna have to try and I told him that he has a million dollar debt (of trust) to repay his wife...starting now. He asked for feedback and I told him, "You sure about that because my feedback can be like a backhanded slap." He looked scared. I looked poised.

I told them, and now I tell you, one of the most important things I have ever said in therapy:

Emotionally sound children are raised with parents that have a healthy relationship with each other. Your children deserve your efforts here, don't they?

BTW, marriage does not define the healthy relationship. The healthy relationship can occur with separation and with divorce--it's just harder and requires more work and happens much less often.

My second private practice client is tomorrow 8:00 am. I'm dedicated aren't I? I haven't gotten up for an 8:00 session in I can't remember how long.