Tell Me I'm Not the Only One

I had a moment yesterday that literally made me laugh out loud. And smile from ear to ear. It. got me thinking, I can't be the only one that does this. What is this "thing" you ask? Well, I don't know what you call it, but I call it June Clever time!

Still confused? Let me explain further. But before I do, did you know......

Damn skippy.

 The house is a mess, the kids are dirty and most likely just in chonies, I am in sexy sweatpants, the blinds might still be closed, a load of laundry sits on the bed, and another one in the dryer and yet another one in the washer....then the phone rings. "Hi Babe, I'm on my way home." Oh crap- those 7 words throw me into action faster than you can sexy sweatpants. In my mind, I am turning a a fast, tornado like circle and when I stop- I have June Clever powers. Like actual amazing homemaker powers. It's powerful. I'm powerful. I have a small routine. I turn on the vacuum (Roomba to the rescue)! I run to the kitchen, make sure the dishes are done (they usually are- I really hate dirty dishes in the sink), then I fill up the water pitcher, put some water on the stove for green tea, clean out the coffee pot, and wipe down the counters. I then move to the living room, I straighten all the pillows, fold the blankets, put toys away, turn on my candle. etc. Then I rush to our room, put away the load that 's on our bed, re-start the dryer and then re-wash the clothes in the washer- usually on the express setting. By this time, the water is boiling so I throw some tea bags in and then make coffee (yes we drink it in the afternoon. Eric gets up at 3:30am for work every day. The man is tired).


 I run around around the house picking up and then I change my clothes, brush my hair, fix my make-up, try to remember if I brushed my teeth, flush the potty and clean it off (thank you Brody) and then it's time for the kids. I try to make them look a little less homeless and by that time Eric is almost home and I sit down, all the while pretending that this house and I looked like this all day. I know he knows, or he will after this, but that's okay. It's my job. He deserves a nice home to come home to. 

I just think it's funny how much I get done in an hour (that's his commute). I often chuckle to myself and think, if only I did this earlier, but no- the house can't stay clean right now- it is for real impossible. Just sayin'. So that 30 minutes or so of clean bliss, is enough to make me happy. 


And now if you'll excuse me....June Clever is on her way out:)


Oh and one more thing.....

Wordless Wednesday: Pure Love

Helping me make Danielle's wedding cake

Seriously....love.....this.....man. 

He's the chocolate to my milk.

The tequila to my lime.

and

my new motto:

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Stage Fright and Cool Cars

Happy Monday! We've had a couple of busy days around here! Friday was the kids last day of Vacation Bible School! They had so much fun! Friday night they have the kids sing the songs they learned all week. Brody really had no idea what he was getting into. I kept asking him if he was excited and he was confidently saying yes! During the week, they would practice on the big stage, but no one was in there obviously. Different story on Friday night! The auditorium was jam packed and when they called his group, The Helium Blimps, I took him up to the stage, kinda pushed him up there, and quickly went back to my seat without looking back. The music started and his bottom lip immediately came out. He did hold it together and did not cry, but he was adamantly looking for us, through teary eyes, no doubt. He stayed up on stage the whole time, but did not sing a note. The camera guys kept putting his sweet little face on the big screen- so adorable! 

Still happy...

Uh-oh.

The. Whole. Time.

Miss Delaney, on the other hand, ran on stage when they called her group, The White Clouds. She  waved to us throughout her entire performance. Once it was her turn to be center stage, she rocked it. She decided that she had given us enough love and it was time to shine. 

After the performance, it was time to play! The kids went on all the inflatables, had some sno-cones and hung out with friends. Now the question is....will I be able to get Brody on stage next year? Hmmm.....

Last week a new restaurant opened near us- this is exciting, y'all. We don't have too many places to eat near us and this particular restaurant includes cars and motor cycles, so you know we there! It's called Hot rods and is pretty cool. Unfortunately, all of Tucson came out to opening night and we could not even get into the actual restaurant, so we meandered around the car show for a bit. {Side note: we did go back a couple days later for lunch: super cool atmosphere and great food}. Danielle and baby Griffin joined us for the festivities and I am pretty sure the smell of exhaust, exhausted little man. 

Delaney and Griffin

Loves looking at cars and trucks with his daddy

Checking out the M&M Nascar inside the lobby!

Delaney was very impressed with the huge Miller Lite.

So there ya...some random pictures of the fam! My menu will be up tomorrow:)

Have a great day!

Backpack, Car or Fish Food?

I realize that I promised a recipe with pictures today for no-bake granola bars, but something has come up in the Mikkelson household that has caused that post to be delayed. We have added two new members to our family. 


We go to a fabulous church. And the children's program? Forget about it {said in my best Joey Tribiani voice}. During the summer, the offer classes for preschoolers on Tuesday. Last week it was water day-lots of water guns, baby pools and an inflatable slide. Today, was all about reptiles. They were able to touch snakes, lizards, turtles and who knows what else. They do a craft project, have a snack that goes along with the lesson (last week they had cupcakes with blue frosting and goldfish to simulate the ocean, ya know, since Jesus walked on water:). Today was extra special. Each child, came home with a Betta fish. Yep, a fish. And when you have two preschoolers, ya get two fish. They sent home a bowl and some fish food to last a couple days too. I must say, watching me leave the church parking lot this morning was quite entertaining. I had two big fish bowls in boxes, Brody's backpack, his snake craft, Delaney's cup, Delaney's shoe (her flip flop broke during class) and then Brody's fish. And then, I had to get it all in the car. Comical, I promise.

She can hardly wait for her turn!

Yay!

So here we are. We have two fish. Brody is still going back and forth with names. It's consistently between Fish Food, Backpack, or Car- creative that one. And Delaney's fish is named Princess. Surprised?


We headed to Petco when Eric got home from work to get some gravel for the bowls and some conditioning stuff for the water. The kids love the pet store, it's quite funny and loud. When we got home, I let Eric take over the fish duties and said I needed to take pictures, but really I just did not want anything to do with the transfer. 

Maybe a little excited:)

Checking out Car, Backpack, or Fish Food...

Meet: Car or Backpack or Fish Food

There's Princess in there....waiting to transfer to her castle

Fancy, right?

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

We don't really have any room for Princess and Backpack, so they are currently residing on our table. Kinda gross, but oh well. So now, as we eat, this is what we look at:

Yep. I feel fancy. 

So there ya have it.

:)

Little nuggets....

Since I have some new followers I thought I'd take a minute to let you all know some random facts about me. Are you just dying to know? I thought so. For your Friday reading pleasure, I give you the list (in no particular order. Just the order that popped into my head):


1. I hate white milk- I only drink chocolate and I drink a glass everyday- like I'm 4 years old.


2. I hate working out. Okay, that's not entirely true. I love Zumba. There's something about shaking your bon bon that is so freeing.

3. If I could drink Dr. Pepper all day long- I would. Mmmmm....


4. The chore I love the most? Mega Monday clean-up (I'll explain next week)


5. The chore I hate the most? Stupid laundry. I truly suck at it and I get all defensive if Eric simply asks if I did laundry. Seriously, I go all Jerry Maguire on him (you know the scene, when he's leaving the office and he freaks about manners.... that's me. Jerry Mableeping guire). In fact, he has quit asking, and now just buys new socks and boxers so he has some clean and hides the bag from me. 


6. I leave clothes on the floor in the bathroom or  right next to the laundry basket (I do this because I feel like if the pile keeps getting bigger, Eric will know that I did not do laundry. But I guess he notices that clothes all over the floor too- observant he is)


7. I could eat Olive Garden's soup, salad and bread sticks for every meal. That or taco Bell. 


8. I turn the radio down when I get lost and I get lost a lot.


9. At church, I always fix the pew shelf thing. You know- the thing in front of you that has the Bible, some kleenex, a pen, giving envelopes, etc. Drives me nuts when they are all crooked. Eric and my dad both try to mess with me-they push things on top of each other at the most inopportune times- like right before we pray. I can't take it though, it must be fixed.


10. I am super afraid of birds. They are out to get me. They always poop on me and stare at me with their nasty beady eyes and I feel like they are always giving me the finger with their long, freaky feet. Especially peacocks. They are the scariest. They come right up to me at the zoo and taunt me. Ugh. So I apologize in advance if you are ever with me and I push you in front of me to shield me from the scary foul.

Look- he's gonna peck me.

11. I am obsessed with chap stick and pajama pants. Eric does not find either sexy. I say, I'm bringing sexy back.


12. The show Friends=my fav. That and Nick and Jessica (I am aware they are divorced, but I still heart it to death) and Tori and Dean.

13. I desperately want to go on a beach vacation (aka honeymoon) with Eric but am afraid I will have to be heavily sedated and be carried onto the airplane-drooling all the way. Not sexy. Yes, my father is a pilot, I understand the irony, but let's get one thing straight- I am not a pilot, therefore, my fear of flying is legit. Too legit to quit in fact.

Atlantis Hotel, Bahamas

14. I am a beer drinking, football fanatic. Sit me down with a bunch of guys, I'll scratch myself, burp, eat crap and yell at the refs with the best of em. In fact, in a true romantic gesture, I told Eric that for my birthday/anniversary/Christmas, I want Bears tickets (they are playing the Cardinals in Phoenix December 23). No flowers, no jewelry, no sweet dinner- football tickets. 

15. I can't leave the house with it being a mess. I must have everything picked up, the dishes must be done and the beds made. It will literally put me in a bad mood knowing that we will be going home to a messy house. In fact, I obsess about it the whole time we are gone. Way to ruin a moment, right?


16. I was the drum major of my high school's marching band (not a drummer, the conductor). I was also a cheerleader. In addition, I was a pretty awesome synchronized swimmer. No, not a joke. I rocked the nose plugs- I'm pretty sure that fact is what sealed the deal with Eric;) I told you, I'm bringing sexy back.


17. Feet. They gross me out. I don't like touching them, smelling them, playing footsie (ugh, makes me cringe). No one is allowed to touch my feet either. And when I see people in public places that take their shoes off, I want to give them socks and a flick of the ear. Seriously, folks. Church is not a place to itch the bottom of your feet. God's house is not "please remove your shoes" kind of place. 


18. I have an obsession with Target. And organizing things. Eric has cut me off. He says I have a problem, to which I reply, "how many carburetors do you have?"  Boo-yah.


19.  I am always cold. Unless I am dying of heat. But I am usually cold. There really is no in between for me.


20. I eat grape jelly with my eggs, peas with my mashed potatoes, ketchup with my grilled cheese and ranch with my fries... my tongue is never bored (that's what she said:)


So there ya go... all the randomness that makes me, me and what made Eric fall madly in love with me (or maybe fell in love with me despite of these facts). 

I would love to know what random things make you awesome.

Please share.

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Eucharisteo

If someone told me five years ago that I would be living in a small house, budgeting my money, staying at home with the kids, trying to eat and live healthy- I would have probably slapped you. This is not what my life was supposed to be like. Not at all. I was going to be the mom that could "do it all" and wanted people to think that (confession #1). I mean come on, really? I actually wanted people to look at me and think, "Wow, I wish I could do what she does". What in the world? Who did I think I was, Tori Spelling (maybe that's just my obsession;)? Ya know what? God had a different plan. A plan that took me in the exact opposite direction in fact. He made it so that I never really had anything together. I was grumpy. negative, Dr. Pepper running through my veins, just a butt head really. I am so grateful for unanswered prayers (ahhh Garth). The place that I am in now, is one that I have never, ever been in before. One of constant thanks giving (or at least trying). Eucharisteo. Go head, try to pronounce it. It's a tough one and every time I read it in the book I am reading, I have to slow down and sound it out again. It means giving thanks. And now just for the obvious things such as a house, your health, your kids, etc. No, for the non-obvious and in times when you feel like you are going to explode. Like when your kids are fighting non-stop, I have to keep my cool and thank God that they are well enough to do so. When, I have another load of laundry to do, I am thankful that I have clothes for my family.

 It's an amazing feeling-such a transformation. You know that it is impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time? Wow. I find myself now looking for all the little ways that God is making Himself known and I am thankful. Things such as the clouds billowing over the mountains, the sound of an airplane flying over our house, the perfect timed phone call, the $5 I found in a bag, hot water for our showers, clean water to drink, kids using their imaginations, watching the expressions on the kids faces when they watched the circus, tucking them in at night, housework- yes I said housework. So many people can't- they are either sick or taking care of someone that is sick and can't be home to do so. Even simpler things like the sound of a beer bottle opening or the smell of the barbecue heating up. Even in the midst of sadness, I try to be thankful. I am thankful for all of those houses that the firemen DID save in Colorado, so far. I am thankful for the lessons that we have been taught through the mismanaging of our money (amazing lesson). And even through enduring the loss of a family member, as we are right now, I am thankful that I knew him and I am thankful for my family who love and support each other. Miracles follow eucharisteo....that's what has been said. I believe it. In giving thanks, in little things, I have seen miracles happen here in our house and in my heart. I am such a different person now. I now have the word Eucharisteo printed out and taped to my mirror and to my cabinet in the kitchen as a constant reminder to be thankful. 

What the heck is with this post, right? Well, I am almost finished reading One Thousand Gifts and may I say, Holy Guacamole. Talk about a game changer. It's not a quick read, but it's a must read. I hope that you all will give it a chance-it's really an amazing feeling-not easy, but worth it. 

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