It's Beginning to look a lot like...

Iowa

Heard of the blizzard tearing through the Midwest?

Here's Alabama's portion of their winter wonderland. 1/2 inch, maybe 3/4ths? What ever the precipitation, it was cause to run out, grab a loaf of bread and milk, then toss the kids in their "winter gear", aka a fleece zip up, and play in the snow until it melted into a soggy, muddy mess(30 minutes later).It was good practice though.

I thought about naming this post

I-O-Whatta?

Wondering why?

Steve has accepted a residency in Davenport, Iowa and as of June we'll officially be Midwesterners.

My first thought was..."uh, where IS Iowa?"

Isn't it that state I missed every test in the 4th grade when they either asked us to name all 50 states OR handed us a map and told us to fill it in. BOTH times = no idea! We are trilled with the opportunities that await us there, but at the same time there are moments like these when my heart feels heavy. Wonderful friends and family that will no longer be a short jaunt away. More like a grueling 14 hour track away, through snow and ice, uphill both ways.

My girls...

who welcomed me to Alabama with open arms when I had a 5 day old baby and forced me to exercise. I've love every minute...and will cry as I reread this post next winter in my down parka huddled next to a wood burning stove while you frolic at the park in your windbreakers.
But life's an adventure and I voluntarily signed up for the ride.

I had to include this picture. It shows my true colors. Or at least how I feel about dogs. There I said it. You always had an inkling though, didn't you?

When Lindsey Comes to Town

The sun shines brighter.
Almost blinding.
And life is a little better.
And she's so sweet with your kids that you nearly forgive her for stealing both recessive genes and getting the blue eyes that were meant for you (meaning Me, Melissa).

...I said nearly forgive. And I'm pretty sure the doctrine includes something about...AND forgetting as well, which will never happen, so I'm not too focused on the forgiving part for that reason alone.

Anyways, you feel inspired to...

Get gussied up.

Even if she is my sister, I can't let her see the way I really live.

Thanks to Laura for turning our kitchen into a hair salon and for being patient with me while I attempted to learn how to cut Shannon's hair.
Oh, and thanks for fixing Shannon's hair after I butchered it.

(note the look of concern on Shannon's face) (and the ugly look of concentration on mine)

All's well that ends well. Shannon likes her hair.
Whew.
I would have never heard the end of that one.

Moving on

...create an army of turkey cupcakes for Shannon's birthday at school.

(note Shannon's and Lindsey's new hair styles)

...Feel a little more free

like Adam here, who decided to sleep commando and leave a puddle on his bed for me to clean.

...get a shrink for your daughter after she hyperventilates/cries for 2 hours straight after Lindsey leaves.

Or just call Lindsey plan the next time she can come down. It's much cheaper and more fun!

my dirty little secret

He knew what he was getting into, but he was so hopped up on love that I knew he would agree to anything I said. I told him it would be expensive, I would have to rendezvous frequently, and that was the way it was going to be. OK? Good.

Fast forward 8 1/2 years.

The time has come. He's in denial. I did warn you, didn't I?

I'd seen my mom do it for years. I knew it was part of life. However, at the tender age of 17 I discovered the first culprit. It forced me to look at my own mortality.

Later, as they multiplied like a raging virus, I said, "No not until I'm 30." I gained some comfort knowing that my younger sister was starting down the same vicious spiral. Misery loves company.

With the awkward teenage years gone, I was finally learning to love myself. I might not have been perfect, but it was me. Now that must all change.

I also didn't think we'd STILL be students when the time came. But luckily, someone in the know took pity on me and came to my rescue. A fellow starving student wife. I offered to give her a shot anytime in return. Hi. My name is Melissa and I dyed my hair to cover a gray hair or two. I'm a natural brunette but loving my new life with blond highlights.

I'm still trying to decide if blonds have more fun.

Thank you Laura!

Who Doesn't LOVE...

Yea Yea. I'm alert and oriented. A&O x 3.

Yea Yea I know it's the middle of November.

BUT, I had to post some Halloween Happenings.

Partially at the insisting of Lindsey.

Partially for posterity's sakes.

Mostly because it's just too cute not to share.

What kid doesn't LOVE a mummy/pig in the blanket covered in blood/ketchup?

What little boy doesn't LOVE digging through orange, squishy pumpkin guts then flinging them on anything within 8 feet?

And what little girl doesn't LOVE getting her make up done by a professional make up artist (aka life saver Laura) to transform her into the Asian princess Mulan?

And what little boy doesn't LOVE a little extra junk in the trunk to pad a fall or two as he waddles from car to car sucking on his first dum dum?

And what parents doesn't LOVE pulling dum dum sticks off their little boy's stomach or taking a tax on their cute kids candy as payment for security provided while their children begged for candy from strangers (haven't I tried to teach them NOT to take candy from strangers)?

I don't know what you think, but we LOVE Halloween!

Future Sanitation Engineer

Yes, this is my trash.
Why a pic of my garbage?
Look closely.

A little closer.

There, now do you see it?

Yep, it's our library DVD.

Why in the trash? You might need to ask Adam.

He's been responsible for various disappearances around the house. He doesn't discriminate. Sippy cups. Grandma's shoes. Barbies.

But when you start messing with federal property, it's time for an intervention my boy.

Center Stage

We survived this years primary program....barely.

practiced for weeks - check

had part memorized - check

wore the longest dress Shannon owns WITH bloomers - check

But all the prep doesn't mean much when you are sitting in the pews, helpless, hanging your head in shame as your almost 5 year old puts on what can only be described as a theatrical extravaganza for your fellow brothers and sisters in the gospel.

It started with a few harmless waves (everyone was doing it), then went a little cutsie with a thumbs up here and there. I Love to See the Temple brought a few non-church endorsed versions of Shanny sign language accentuated with some eye crossing. Upon seeing an increasing amount of panic on our faces, she moved onto the show stopper...think Stevie Wonder in a Sound Booth = eyes closed, head cocked bobbing from side to side, enunciating every possible syllable. Audible laughter throughout the chapel and visible tears of shame from her mother. With the exception of a kid who couldn't keep from laughing as he attempted to say he would try and listen to his parents and the kid who held the final note 15 seconds after the chorister ended the song and motioned the primary to be seated, I think it's safe to say we had the most people come up to us afterwards, complementing on Shannon's exuberant personality and thanking her for being "that kid" which makes each and every primary program memorable.


Practice makes perfect, right? But no body's perfect so why practice! Especially when they ended the way things did. This is how it WAS practiced and I should have seen the writing on the wall, shouldn't I?

Skeletor

Sometimes I zone out while looking at a messy room and think about all the money we've spent on junk. Bummer moments.
Then other times say, "Worth every penny."

Don't you agree? Glow in the dark skeleton pj's purchased at Gap last year sometime in December on "final sale" when this little man was 4 months old. I think I prayed all summer that he would fit into these 2Ts.

Not be too big that is.

Yes, he was that ginormous at 16 weeks old that I had the forsight to buy BIG.

Then while documenting this purchase as a pick me up for future "bummer moments", Adam parked himself in front of the camera and ZONED for pic

after pic

after pic
until something snapped and he returned to earth and back to his usual goofball self

Good to have you back.

And looking so stylin' if I may say so.

And I do.

A Room with a View

I love the view from my kitchen window. It makes me happy.

It's a little costly to maintain, but I have a high standard of living.

It's the only way I know how to live.

Angry little socks

Gruwell's don't like shoes. That's why we have nasty, cracking heels.

Maybe it's in our blood?

Maybe it's our southern roots?

Whatever the reason, my son is following tradition. With the weather turning cooler, the fact that he's starting to walk, and stores require footwear in order to enter, we've had to attempt to look civilized and started with socks. It hasn't gone over very well.

Halloween Preview

What do you think?

On a side note, why do I tell my family not to eat the "pretty" cookies because I'm giving them away. I think my priorities are mixed up.It just seems wrong.

Adam's Gone Tribal

And he's not happy about it.But I wouldn't be too happy either if my sister inked me while my mom was trying to take a shower.

Thank you Shannon for the purplish black marks all over the house. Yes, the marker was washable and I appreciate that fact. However, Adam is a very slobbery little boy and wallows everywhere, thus leaving remnants of the marker EVERYWHERE.

She's lost her markers for a week.

Buzz Worthy

After hearing Shannon whine about the discrimination she was enduring at school, Benjamin Bee finally selected her to go home for a visit. He came with strict instructions as well as the journals of past home visit with other students in her class. We couldn't have another boring entry that went something like this, "Nanna picked us up, we went home, ate lunch, took a nap. Mama picked us up, we ate dinner and went to bed."

We are so much cooler than that.

Benjamin ate a peanut butter and honey sandwich for lunch, spun circles until he got dizzy, did have to take a nap but then went on a walk and spotted butterflies and lizards, got put in time out for hitting, and finally went on a Daddy/daughter date for ice cream, but was disappointed there was no honey ice cream. He also inspired Shannon to wiggle her "stinger".

This video is for grandparents only. You don't' have to endure it unless you're blood. This is a song she learned at preschool. Listen for the slight southern accent she's picking up from her teachers.

You're Invited to Breakfast with the Hodgens

Thankfully most of you will be spared the random events that occur during breakfast at the Hodgen house. Least you be curious, here's a recap of conversations that occurred this week.

Shannon: Mommy, can I wear my goggles when I get baptized?

Me: No Shannon. I was on a swim team by the time I was 8 so I think you'll be fine.

Shannon: Who will take care of me if you and Daddy die?

Me: Melanie and Zach. But I don't plan on going anywhere for a long time. I hope that one day you'll bring your kids to my house and I will be their grandma and give them lots of treats.

Shannon CRYING!!" If I have babies then I'll have to get a shot like you.

Me: If you don't what to have babies that's ok. I'll just play with Adam's kids.

Shannon: Ok, I don't want to have babies, but Adam can't have babies. He's a boy.

Me: I give up.

Next morning...

Shannon: Mommy, I had a nightmare last night. I dreamed Daddy ran over a guy named Go Away and the guy got mad and was doing not nice things to daddy. When the guy saw me he got scared because he didn't like little girls. So I punched him, kicked him as hard as I could, and grabbed his hand and bonked him from tree to tree because I was very upset with him.

Me: No more Batman.

Later in the week

Background info: Shannon wandered off in Target and I was in a frantic mode for what felt like 20 minutes searching for her. I found her being led to customers' service by a kind lady, after which the post panic phase set in (relief, sweat, I'm so glad you're ok but now I'm going to get you, etc), so I threw everything in my basket onto a shelf and got out of there. As we were driving away I realized that Adam had a dollar bin toy in his hand. Dang. I'll have to go back and pay for that sometime, but not today.

When Steve talk to Shannon about her little stroll around Target, the following conversation ensued.

Steve: Did something happen at Target?
Shannon: Yes, mommy stole.
Steve: Why did Mommy steal?
Shannon: Because she forgot to pay.

Steve: Why did Mommy forget to pay?

Shannon: Some people forget and some people don't and Mommy FORGOT!

Steve: Did Mommy forget because she was frustrated about something?

Shannon: Yes, that she stole.

This Morning

Shannon: Mom, you look pretty when your hair is in a ponytail. But right now it looks like a mud mouse.

Me: Shannon, what's a mud mouse?
Shannon: A mouse covered in mud. Duh!

Sometimes I wake up wondering if I'm awake enough to handle the conversations that are about to take place. Statistics show that families who eat together have children with lower delinquency rates. This must be why they call breakfast the most important meal of the day.

Iron Chef Adam

You'd think Shannon would be my sou chef...but once she gets a hold of a beater, she mentally checks out. Surprisingly, Adam has been the one keeping me company in the kitchen. Well, I guess not too suprising seeing as how he prefers to press his nose to the oven window and watch cookies baking over an episode of Sesame Street.

My little shadow. At first it was cute...the banging of the pots and pans. Very Boy.

Then he kicked it up a notch...using wooden spoons to stir his empty pots.

That's one thing about Adam; he's very observant.

Then he put it into 5th gear and it ain't so cute anymore. In fact, it made my heart stop.

Yes, I was actually making eggs, so that's a hot pan little Bubba is inches away from touching. I think I'm going to start using the microwave more.