Has anyone seen this before?!!?!?

Okay. I'm a really lame blogger. I admit. I embrace it. But I am also a blogger that is half-way through her book (writing it!) and hoping to finish it in time for a writing conference in April that I am currently trying to sweet talk my sweet hubby into letting me attend. :) LOL We'll see if my powers of persuasion extend to beyond the written word... ;)

Anyways...so, while I was down with the nastiness that was a major 2 day head cold - Joshua came down with the same gunk. Like SERIOUS gunk. So serious, it triggered his asthma, pulled an abdominal muscle and he threw up twice from the force of his cough and the phlegm. *yuck!*

So - with all the craziness of sickness and such, we had to make a doctors appointment. AND....because of the crazy economy and my lack of pride when it concerns the health or safety of my children.....we dropped our health insurance, but got the kids accepted on OHP's Healthy Kids program which keeps them insured so I don't have to worry about them too much. (It is also one less expense that I have to worry about while we try and get our bearings in this "NEW" economy...but again...another grumble/gripe that I can vent on later) Which.... unfortunately.... meant that we had to switch doctors. {GULP}

This itself was a nightmare experience....which, I won't post about....it was entirely too traumatic, but needless to say, the "close" doctor that's available (there were 2 in Gresham), we won't be going to. So we have to drive 45 minutes (near Gateway) to the next available doctor.

So...we by some miracle got into the doctors office yesterday. It's a month out for new patient appointments. I had Kathie with me (I love my MIL....she was able to go last minute...THANK YOU!) and she was entertaining the grouch that is currently my son Josh, while I filled out the New Patient paperwork.

THIS is where I pose the question now. HAS ANYONE SEEN THIS BEFORE?! Or am I showing my hillbilly roots - my small town chick mindset - because, there, right after the "Name" line was the "Gender" box. And I was confused.

Really confused.

Instead of 2 options - "male" and "female" there were the following other options.

Male __ Female__ M to F___ F to M____ Other___

Ummm....? Huh?!

Then my blonde little brain clicked into gear and realized they meant "Male to Female" and "Female to Male", but was still stumped by the "Other".

My poor little brain went into overload. This was my first exposure to transgender application. And I want to know....has anyone else seen this....? Or was it my own distinct pleasure to be exposed of "things to come" or is this just a "only in Oregon" kind of experience.

Any thoughts?!

Rant #1 of 2010

(DISCLAIMER: This rant is specifically geared to my friends that are active members of the LDS Church....and is just that. A rant.)

How is it possible to be an active member of the church and be a Liberal?!

I'm just wondering...is all....

I don't really mean to instigate anything....(or maybe subconsciously I do....) but the fact of the matter is....HOW?

Maybe I'm missing some key piece of information that others have?

Maybe my thinking is not as "progressive" or I'm missing a few steps in their line of thinking?

Because I'm just not getting it. I don't. Can someone please explain it to me?

A month of changes....

What is it about January that is so....transitory? It's a changeling kind of month. Even things you thought or considered were permanent - all seem to CHANGE in January...!!?



For example....(now, granted, this is a lousy FIRST example...but stick with me through my train of thought...)



This January, I've now been married 10 years. That's ONE DECADE of my life. That changed. ;)



Not that this is a bad change, because it's not....I love my sweetie - especially when he puts up with so much from my side of things...



I said goodbye to my nice, comfortable teaching calling and hello to a new, more intense calling as HFPE Leader. I admit that I'm currently in a "weak" spot - and don't feel like I can do justice to this calling - or even fill the shoes I'm supposed to....let alone be responsible and accountable for the things that will be expected and asked of me....



This month, we put away our baby crib....I am so sad about this! I know it's a time and season thing, but it just feels so....so...permanent! :( Like I'll never have another baby in my home, now that the crib is put away.



Same goes with the high chair. Our boys haven't used it in over 2 years....and I kept it up for when family gets together, but, as Stann pointed out, it doesn't mean it has to stay out, it just means it can be relocated to the garage....again! Pangs to my heart, because I fear this too, adds another point in the "not having anymore babies" added to my little family....



We said goodbye to that nasty ol' 2009, but are now transitioning again, into another year - 2010, which, although I hope will be better, so far hasn't started out on the best of feet - economy wise or even crisis-wise in the world....



And there are just some things, like change, that are constant, but it doesn't make it an easier pill to swallow, especially when one (ME) only wants to kick their heels into the ground and throw a fit screaming "Enough with the change already!"...



If I thought it would do any good, I'd go to the closet, and scream....but I know that it doesn't and it just leaves me with a sore throat and an intense pressure in my head!


What a way to start the new year! I suppose I'll continue to wax rhetorical, even as I implicate new changes in my schedule - namely - GOING BACK TO THE GYM, whilst I run on the treadmill! Gettin' my behind back into shape!! (LOL)

Now those changes, are the ones I can get behind....!

{Didn't mean for the pun, but still funny!}

2010 Resolutions

I'm thinking that this year, will be our year. :D

Because, if I'm honest, then I'm gonna tell you 2009 really, really stunk. Really. I don't know about you - but you know how they say the 7th year is the hardest one to be married? Well, it was 2006 for us (we're overachievers, obviously...) and 2009 was just about the same as 2006....only, harder. (I hadn't thought that was even possible, I might add...)

So, here are my goals for 2010.

*Lose the weight. Not gonna tell you how much, but I'm still 14 lbs down from cutting soda down and I'm gonna see if we can perpetuate the weight loss motion...

*Start cooking smarter. IE: Healthier options, freezer meals, menu-planning, etc. Time to start utilizing my planner and free up my time.

*FINISH MY BOOK! I'm currently halfway through writing it. It's still the "throwing crap onto the page" stage that Mel and I so lovingly refer to...but at least it's something to work with. :P

*Pass all my college classes - succeed with my nursing goals so I can apply to the Nursing Program in 2011. {SCARY!}

*Be a kinder Wife and Mom. Somehow manage to tame my temper and show more patience to all my boys.

*Get my food storage organized!!! (Sooo wish we had a basement for this...!)

*Get myself running again.

That's pretty much it. Not much else....I actually tried reading War & Peace and fell asleep more times than not....it was just too hard to get into. LOL.

I am so excited to see what 2010 holds in store for our family. Now if I can just channel that excitement into the anticipation for my upcoming math tests.....

Here's hoping you and your family have a great 2010!

Family pics posted FINALLY!!!

Here it is!!! I finally was able to post (one pic at least) from my laptop to the blog! Hooray!!! So, it's definitely got to be something wrong with our home computer...YUCK!

But here it is....one of the last pics we took before David went to Brazil. :D I love this photo.

Hope everyone had an amazing Christmas...and that the next year - 2010 - will be an exceptional year for you all!!!

I'm off to go write my resolutions again....

Post Christmas Updates....

Can I just tell you all, how incredibly awesome this Christmas was?!

First off, it's not everyday that a girl gets everything she hopes for - for Christmas no less!! I'm blogging to you from my very own, personal, pretty, pretty, pink laptop computer. :D

I'm happy about this because #1....it frees up some time during my day to complete my novel. (Insert CHEEZY GRIN here...)

#2....Stann bought it for me.

#3.....Stann believes in my talent as a writer and thinks I have the potential to see my book get published.

Okay...so stopping right there.....that's the biggy. I could just cry!! Tears of sheer joy, I assure you. How many people can you list off that absolutely, truly and unconditionally believe in you and your dreams? Help you find ways to facilitate it?

I'm so overwhelmed with love and gratitude for his belief in me. I've got perma-grin again. It just won't go away....!

He could've stopped there and I still would've labeled this the best Christmas ever - (barring the time I got my first 10 speed...LOL) simply because of the absolute love, joy, shock, awe, gratitude, etc... that have overcome me.

Wow. Like, seriously, WOW.

I just can't even begin to express all the things that I have flying around inside of my head. I've got that feeling in me - you know it - (or I assume you've felt it before) - where you're flying really high - like you can conquer anything - simply because you know that someone's got your back....? That they'll be there to catch you if you fall....?

I'm crying right now. Seriously. Over a computer. Well, not really over the computer. It's really nice, and all....but its soooo much nicer, this pure rush of knowledge - knowing that the special person you love, really, truly, absolutely....believes in you. :D

Happy Christmas everyone!

Christmas Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

Merry Christmas from the McNamee's!

2009 has been filled with challenges, blessings and changes....here's some of what's gone on in our home during the past year...

Joshua - Now 3 years old, enrolled in the Early Intervention Pre-School, and doing wonderful! He loves riding the bus, with his brother and cousin Nathan. His speech is improving - though he still lisps and talks "baby" talk - he is 95% understandable and we are grateful for his strong will and sweet spirit. He is a handful - always on the go, he loves "Brother" and babies. He has a sweetness about him, and you can't help but laugh at his antics, he's prone to climbing walls, cabinets and making "forts". He's constantly on the go when he's up and currently is into PLAYDOUGH. (Yuck! Our carpets will never be the same) His imagination is unparalleled and he's just your average rough-n-tumble boy.

Matthew - Now 4 years old, is our big helper. He too is enrolled in the Early Intervention Pre-School and he is thriving under their direction. He only has the faintest lisp - and we are now working on socialization and behavior. He's such a good helper and oh my! is this boy smart! He absorbs everything. We mean it. EVERYTHING. Already fascinated with the concept of Heaven, and its location, he overhears and stores everything - trying to make sense of it all in his amazing mind! He's still into trucks, cars, trains, and of course, tools....and he constantly amazes us with his logical reasoning - he's quite the planner and also, executor, of said plans. He's a wonderful big brother - who tries to look out for Josh. (Only he can pick on Josh - no one else...) and he makes each day just a little brighter.

Liz - Wife, Mom, housecleaner and future student....she's started the process of looking for grants - trying to get all her college courses under her belt for college - she hopes to complete all the necessary prerequisites for the Nursing Program at MHCC (Mt. Hood Community College) and be eligible for the 2011 Nursing Program, while simultaneously juggling her other day-to-day tasks of Mommyhood and household errands....she's a little shy of half-way through writing her first book - which she continues to revamp and revise, and still has hopes of one day being published, though, it won't be in the near future, unless time either slows down, or she gets 3 more of her to go around completing all the other things required of her. She still teaches CTR 5/6 and 6/7, she loves her class and also working with the RS Enrichment Board. Now that she has both boys in school twice a week, she's started running again, and is hoping to finally achieve her goal (still on her New Year's Resolution list, 3x's going...) of one day running a marathon. She's crossing her fingers that 2010 will be her year...

Stann - Though business has been cut back and the economy is struggling, we're still very blessed to be able to make ends meet. He was released as the YM's 1st Counselor, and is currently teaching the Melchizedek Priesthood Prep Class, and really enjoys working with the men in his class. He's learned a lot for himself through this class and has really enjoyed the chance to brush up on his Church History. He's still plugging along - enjoying time with friends when he can, fixing things with the boys around the house and loves it most when he can find time to "hold down the couch" all by himself....(aka watching TV without children on top of him - or watching their shows...LOL).

2009 has been a tough year - make no mistake - as I'm sure most everyone in the nation can agree with! We've learned some very valuable lessons - on empathy, compassion, humility and kindness....as well as learning some very valuable lessons on thriftiness!! The old adage:

"Use it up! Wear it out! Make it do - or Do without!"

has become our family's favorite mantra of late....and we've been grateful for these life lessons. We've looked at it as a year where we've gotten to know our Savior better, spent more time on our knees looking for answers and less time worrying about appearances, just for appearances sake. And though it's been tough, it has been worthwhile and we are grateful for the love and blessings that our Heavenly Father has seen fit to bless us with.

We are grateful for this Christmas season... The opportunities that are given to us to express our love of the Savior and the gift of Eternal Life and reflect upon the birth of our Savior, His life and ministry....

At this time, we hope this Christmas Season finds you and your families well, we wish the choicest blessings of our Heavenly Father for you and yours and hope that your Holiday Season will be merry and bright.

All Our Love,
The McNamee's
Stann, Liz, Matt & Josh

I can't wait!!!

I seriously can't wait for Turkey Day! :D

Okay...so maybe it's not the turkey I can't wait for....it's the day after sales and stuff. :P

I've got a 26.41 lb turkey defrosting in my fridge as we speak, a 24 hour salad to make tomorrow night - I was going to make rolls but that got taken away from me....(okay, MIL insisted I not stress out - so she pulled rank and is making them. LOL) and I've made all the placards for the table....I found a killer deal at Bi-Mart for sparkling apple cider - 3/$5....Cheap, huh?! I've picked up all the paper products already - at Dollar Tree....and I've already planned my centerpieces.

I've spent $13.50 TOTAL on paper products AND decorations AND the cider. I'm pretty darn pleased with myself too! :D And, I know I say it...but eventually I will post pictures. As soon as I hog-tie Curt to my computer and say "FIX, Please!" :P

But all this is the precursor to BLACK FRIDAY and all that fun stuff. Not that our budget is huge by any means, but I just like to get out there. (I say that, until I have to deal with the other drivers and shoppers....) But I know I'll get seriously annoyed within the first 20 minutes - some random shopper will do some strange thing and tick me off....or some random driver will be a crazy driver and I will be given yet another chance to prove that I can be Christ-like and hold my tongue....

The angst. The excitement. The memory block.

Oh Thursday.....when will you get here?! :D

Worth the Wait....

Yup. It was worth it. Worth the wait that is.

NEW MOON is DEFINITELY better than Twilight. :D Some great one-liner's....fast paced enough to hold your attention and even though I'm pretty sure I babysat Taylor Lautner (j/k...) the boy bulked up nicely. :P

Soooo worth the sleep deprivation. I'm still doing it again for Eclipse, and again at Breaking Dawn. Even if Mel won't go with me ;P (No worries Mel, I've got over a year to change your mind...ha, ha...!)

We got in around 2:40, and I'm pretty sure I was sleeping like a rock at 2:50. (I had to take kids to bed with me...Dad let them sleep on the couch and while I was "transferring" them to their own beds....you guessed it. They woke up!) We were all up and going by 7:40 this AM....and now I'm on my way (with helper's in tow) to go clean some houses. :P

We had a total blast at Red Robin...we missed the girl's who couldn't make it....but still...fun was had by all.

Especially Mindy. She took incriminating photos of me sleeping during the waiting part.

IN MY DEFENSE....I've cut my caffeine intake down again - to just 1 soda a week. I'd prefer to have it the "morning after" and not the "night before" ;P

She posted all incriminating photos to FB, if you're interested. LOL.

But all in all....WHAT A FUN NIGHT!!! :D

COUNTDOWN....! 3 DAYS LEFT!!!

Only 3 days left for all of the Twi-Hard's out there. (Myself most definitely included). I'm already chomping at the bit. Gonna be with my BF Melanie and some other super-duper great gal-pal's....I've even reigned in my GNO's so that I could have a hum-dinger of a night out. LOL. By hum-dinger I mean:

*We'll be going to Red Robin for dinner beforehand.
*We'll be sitting in line early - so we can get good seats, along with 100's+ of hormonal teenage girls.
*We'll all be wearing our fave Twilight Tee's & Jeans...
And last but not least...
*We'll probably be the only women in the theater that don't swoon at the sight of Jacob or Edward, or shout and scream when they do get on screen!!

Not to say we're not fans, 'cuz we are....but we're there for the story. LOL. Get the difference?

It should be fun!!! :D