Family Musings

Did you know I lived in Louisiana for 1 year? It was the year after I graduated from college and it was time for Bruce to finish he bachelor's degree. So off to New Orleans we went! I'll be honest and tell you there were lots of things about N'Awlins I didn't care for. But I did like going to the family-friendly Mardi Gras parades in Metarie. They were clean and enjoyable and parents didn't have to worry about exposing their children to the various "things" that are typically associated with Mardi Gras celebrations. Around here, since we don't live in N'Awlins any more, we don't really celebrate Mardi Gras. But I did get a chance to look at some Mardi Gras games and printable activities and think about ways we could celebrate at home. My favorite was the dress up dolls pack. None of the outfits were offensive or over the top and I could really imagine all the stories my girls could make up with the different dresses and outfits. I think...

With all my computer issues recently I did not choose my last 2 giveaway winners as quickly as I would have liked. But I did it. Random.org chose comment #15 as the winner of a Chalkboard Tee , Vicki Wurgler wrote, this would be for my granddaughter Random.org chose comment #35 as the winner of the $50 JBF North Tampa gift certificate . Naomie wrote, I follow you both on twitter and twitted @kidsanddeals  http://twitter.com/#!/kidsanddeals/status/3870812...   I need both of you to contact me at familymusings at gmail (dot) com with your email and mailing addresses!

Tomorrow is the day I prove once again how crazy I am. :) Tomorrow I will walk 13.1 miles with my friends Alisa and Kelly in the Disney Princess Half Marathon. I have my bib. I have my tag on my shoe. I have my tutu made. And my pink plastic tiara is sitting on top of my head as I type this. Though I may wear this pink cowboy hat instead. It lights up! You can always leave me a supportive message using the Runtastic app on the left side of my page. Or you can go here ( http://live.activeresult.com/msg/MSG-signup.tcl?event_id=50 ) and sign up to receive emails or text messages with details about my progress or finish times. So, which hat do you think I should wear???

My laptop is giving me trouble. It won't hold a charge and the power cable doesn't want to work any more. Fortunately, Bruce came to the rescue and a new laptop is on the way! I'm posting this from my phone and can definitely say this is not something I'll do often. I'll be back after I walk the Disney Princess Half Marathon next Sunday. You can leave a cheer or note for me in the left side bar. I'll listen to them while I walk next Sunday! Until then...

Today I am going to show you a picture of something I love - a house full of teenagers! Something I haven't shared with my blog readers yet is that we have opened our home to host a Chinese exchange student for this school year. She has been with us since August and will be staying until late June. Her name is Yanfei and she is definitely a part of our family. (She was even on our family's photo Christmas card !) For Chinese New Year earlier this month, she decided to throw a party for her new American friends and give them a taste of her food and culture. We have loved having her in our home and the night of this party was one of my favorite nights in a long, long time. We served dumplings, steamed buns, spring rolls, and a great citrus punch. It was great to see her friends willing to try all of these new to them foods. I was channeling my own mom all night long - cooking, listening into their teenage conversations, occasionally interjecting to clarify a point about the...

WARNING: Not for the faint of heart!! Here is a link to pictures of something I hate: abortion I am not sharing the actual images on my blog out of respect for those of you with weak stomachs, so do not click that link if you have a weak stomach or do not want to be confronted with with an aborted baby looks like.  I know some of you will unsubscribe because I posted this, but before you do... you should know, I hate the abortion and but I do not hate the women or the doctor's who perform it. I have compassion for the women who feel this is their only choice. And you should know that forgiveness is available. You do not have to live with the guilt of this decision and you can see your baby again in heaven one day if you believe.  If you want to learn more about how abortion affects women or how you can begin healing if you have had an abortion , then please visit Abort73.com . They are not a counseling center, but they do share the facts about abortion and can point you...

I am at my silliest when no one is looking. Well, when no one over 3 is looking! I have no problem being my silliest self with these two girls. Silly things we do include dress up, dancing silly dances, making up songs about our cereal, creating silly faces to make each other laugh, and talking in funny voices when we make believe we are someone else. Its hard though to get pictures of these things myself though because I am so busy enjoying the moment. And that is okay with me.