I think I'm in trouble...you be the judge.

Since it is election season, I thought I would hold a little vote of my own. I think I have trouble on my hands, but you be the judge.

When Sierra was about three months old I had her sitting on my bed and I had the Today show on TV. Nick Lachey just happened to be the musical performing act on the show that day. As Katie Couric and Matt Lauer were introducing him they said, "...and here is NICK LACHEY!!" And my tiny baby litterally squealed with delight! I beleive her exact words at that moment were, "WHOOOWHEEE!"

Fast Forward a few years, Sierra is about 10 months and we are flying to Alaska. In the seat next to me is a little boy about 11 or 12 years old. He is going to a snowboarding camp in Alaska and he is attempting to listen to his headphones. I say attempting, because Sierra is desperately trying to get him to notice her. She is smiling and baby talking and staring deeply into his eyes. When he finally does turn his head away, she places her hand deliberately on his arm and leans way over so that she can put her face directly in front of him. If she could have spoken, I beleive her words would have been, "HELLOOOO, I am right here!!"

Fast Forward into the future a little farther...Sierra is now three and we are in Las Vegas to visit my sister Erica and her new twins. As we drive down the strip, I am pointing out various landmarks to Sierra saying, "Look, there is the stratosphere, see how tall it is..." And from the backseat in I get her reply, " YES! VEGAS HERE US COME!!!"

And finally just this morning I get this gem...I am getting Sierra dressed and I put some pink and purple striped tights on under her denim skirt. She ran in to show her dad her new striped tights. I happened to say, "Those tights are just like dancers tights!" And she looked and me and said, "No Mom, I not going to be a dancer. I'm going to be a rock star!!"

So Ladies and Gentleman, I think the polls are showing strongly against me. The teenage years...I can only imagine!

Potty Training Anyone?

I can not handle potty training! I am totally dying. I have tried everything (sticker charts, prizes, begging and pleading, two weeks of intense potty work, games, you name it!). My sister is training her two year olds and my three year old REFUSES to potty train. I can barely get her to sit on the potty. I bought her her own little potty, got her all excited about it, she peed in it twice and now has completely stopped peeing on the potty all together. I think she is holding it in when I sit her on the potty and then immediately pees her pullup or diaper as soon as I get it on her...What am I doing wrong? I have tried and tried not to yell at her or get frustrated with her--in fact, I have been very nice, but I am ready to not be nice anymore and just lose it every time! I am also thinking about just putting her in panties and cleaning up after her for the next few days and seeing if that triggers any potty sitting time!?! I mean, she is THREE! How old is too old? Does anyone have any suggestions?

Just can't stop thinking about how upsetting it is...

I don't normally discuss my policial views. Mostly I think we should all consider ourselves extremely blessed. We live in a country where we are able to CHOOSE...not just politically, but rather we are able to choose in general. We can live where we want, work as we want, become educated as we see fit, worship as we want, travel as we desire...and so on and so forth. I am aware that these options are not available to many people in other parts of the world. I try to do my part. I am a registered voter, and I regularly take part as such. I do have my own opinions about politics, but in general I try not to get into debates with people who feel differently than I do because, most importantly, I feel that as americans we have a duty to vote. Too many good people have given their time or their lives to give us the opportunity to have our voices heard...

But I digress, I can't stop thinking about the vice presidential debates from last night. I can not understand how any self respecting woman could watch Sarah Palin last night and still vote for that ticket. And I listened to the pundits talk about how well she did and that she "killed it." Honestly, that is not even what I am talking about. She showed that she can discuss previously studied topics in an appropriate manner. She did fine with that. What I am talking about is her complete lack of professionalism. If a person (Sarah Palin) were to go to a job interview (which basically is what the debates are, aren't they?) and talk to the boss the way Sarah Palin talked to the American People last night, and if she were to wink at said boss, and smile patronizingly, and only answer the questions that she chose to answer...omitting answering the most difficult questions, or avoiding questions all together...I ask you, do you think she would get the job? If you went to a job interview and behaved in that manner would you expect to be hired?

Is this Sarah Palin who we want representing women in the United States? Is this the best we can do? I find it hard to beleive. I can appreciate coming from a small town, and I can appreciate being a mother and a stay-at-home mom. I can even appreciate her wanting to represent her own views. But I don't want any cute little quips and quotes, I want someone who, as a woman, is going to speak in an educated and professional manner. I want a woman who can comand respect not only for her stance on policies but comand respect for the position in which she is desiring to uphold.

So Sarah, I know there are people out there who will think you "killed it." But for me, I took an interest in you, I wanted to see what you had to say, I wanted to believe you could do it. I wanted you to change my vote, but it seems you did indeed...kill it. And with that I say, "Good day to you, I say, good day."

The Single Life...

Well, Miner finally comes home from Alaska on Monday. It will be good to have him home. He has been gone for three weeks! I have been home with the kids, here are two conversations I have had with Sierra in the last two days. They can kind of explain what it has been like for me.

Me: "We don't use our toothbrushes to comb our hair!"
Sierra: "I just needed to get my hair a little wet."
Me: "Where did you get the water?"
Sierra: "It's not water. I just used my mouth."

And also this gem that came about yesterday...

Me: "Why didn't you tell me you had a dirty diaper?"
Sierra: "Because...(giggles) pooping in my diaper is my new favorite thing. I hide in Daddy's office and nobody can smell me!!"

Yup. And there is my life in a nutshell...Miner I hope you get home soon!