Things that are on my mind

Ok so, I'm sitting here on this lovely California afternoon, bored. Though I'm not complaining. Really, I'm not. Mckenzie and Abby are napping and what mother in their right mind doesn't enjoy nap time? I keep thinking of all these things that I want to bring up/share on my blog, but I seem to always forget them when it comes to the actual task of blogging. So, while I have a few minutes (you never know when those cute little rug-rats will wake up) I thought I'd list some.

1. I'm really excited! Gap (my dear sweet store) has now started up a "Baby Home" collection. I saw it in the mall yesterday and the stuff is adorable! You have to
check it out.

2. Garage-guru.com. I went to an enrichment meeting a few weeks ago (I think it was the first one I've been to in 2 years) and this lady came and spoke on decluttering your life. Massachusetts is pushing the whole being "green" thing A LOT, so she taught us about different ways to reuse, recycle, sell, etc. Go on her website. She has great self-help tips and places (if you're in MA) to donate. I've always just given stuff to DI, but there's other places that are designed for more specific things. For example: If you have business suits, there are actual donation shops to give those to. Anyway, it was really interesting. I'm always amazed at how much junk we collect.

3. Barack Obama vs. Hillary Clinton. Now, before my sweet republican family gets all worried that Massachusetts has "brainwashed" me, read on. Dan and I find this whole race to Washington both intriguing and funny. I can't believe how glued we are to it. Maybe because adrenaline and fear go together. I'm a bit scared at what would happen with one of them in the White House. Don't get me wrong, I'm not the biggest fan of John McCain either. It just scares me to think of the possibility of having someone to represent our country that I don't have any similar beliefs with. Ok. I'm done with that. Note to all my democratic friends and family: I still love you.

4. I'm so excited for my brother-in-law to come visit us. Dan's brother Jonathan, graduates high school this month and will be working from the end of May till November in Nantucket on a fishing tour boat. Cool job, huh? Anyway, he gets to spend some time with us before he starts and hopefully during the next several months as well. He's a lot of fun to hang out with and is such a great uncle!

5. I wonder if our medical bills will ever end. I'm SO close to paying off Mckenzie's bills from when she was in the NICU. Yes, you read correctly, Mckenzie's bills. Abby's are a whole other story.

6. I love my stroller. I know this is really wierd to have on my mind, but I love my stroller. It took me forever to decide what double stroller to get, and I wouldn't change it for anything. I love using it. I don't mind hauling it everywhere, getting it in and out of the trunk or anything. It's light-weight, folds up well and I can even set it up while holding Abby in one arm.

7. When will my mom come out to see us? ?

8. When will anyone for that matter (except Jonathan who's coming out) come to see us? I know it's across the country for most of you, but remember, you miss us very much!

9. I LOVE LOVE LOVE coming back to the hotel after a day of playing and having the "dumavoi" clean the hotel room spotless. What a great concept. You leave for a little while and come back and everything is done for you. Now, I wonder how I can get that to happen at home. (Dumavoi: It's these little fairytale/elf like creatures that Russians believe/say are in homes and they do little things to bug or help out. I had a russian mission companion that would always say after she'd do something nice for me "oh sister, the Dumavoi must have been here". Thanks Sister Golavakhina!)

10. I LOVE NAP time, but I can't figure out why I don't join Mckenzie and Abby during their naps. Instead, I spend "my nap time" creating blog posts. Oh well. I figure my blog is like our family journal. Speaking of, have you heard about blurb.com. It takes your blog and puts it into book form. Kind of cool huh? Thanks Torrey for the idea. She's always giving me good tips.

11. Last, but not least, my two little girls. Life can get pretty hectic and crazy with them so close in age, but oh how sweet they are. The little things they do make it all worth it. For those of you that know Mckenzie, you know that she's 100% on the go. Has been since she was in the womb. Maybe that's why she was so early. She just wanted to get her life outside started! My favorite thing lately is when she's going bananas and off the walls, she'll just stop, run up to me and give me a HUGE hug for no apparent reason. Maybe this is her way of telling me not to worry and to calm down. Abby on the other hand, with her calm and gentle self, makes me feel special when out of the blue, she giggles. Random times, random places we'll hear Abby giggling. She also has a way of snuggling up to you that brings calmness and comfort. She's got a gift!

So, that's what's on my mind. How about yours?