You are my friend.

Don't Walk In Front of Me, I May Not Follow...
Don't Walk Behind Me, I May Not Lead...
Just Walk Beside Me and Be My Friend...
~Anonymous

If needed I want my friends to find their path back to happiness, it is not as if my path doesn't have some dog shit in the flower beds. It is how you decide to handle it, do you let it fertilize and make a hell of a pretty path or continuously step in it and always smell like shit!

That is my two cents for today.

P.S. The first pic is of our dog Charlie from Anthony's vtech camera- I think he has a future in photography. The second is our girl Ruby the only other female in this household. We are one.

Definition for those who have forgotten.

Truth
Pronunciation:
\ˈtrüth\
fidelity, constancy b: sincerity in action, character, and utterance2 a (1): the state of being the case : fact (2): the body of real things, events, and facts : actuality (3)often capitalized : a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality b: a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true c: the body of true statements and propositions a: the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality briefly British : true 2 c: fidelity to an original or to a standard capitalized Christian Science : god-in truth

The reason that I am writing on this subject is because I am tired of half truth's, tired of hearing stories with missing pieces, and tired of hearing versions of what people believe to be true. Is that what we want to teach our children? That it is okay to lie if it is convenient for you.

I have been catching Anthony lying lately about the silliest stuff. The poor thing does not realize that right now it is nearly impossible to pull the wool over my eyes but he definitely puts forth the effort if he thinks that he may keep himself out of trouble. Currently his famous line is,"just kidding."What I am not kidding about is it is so refreshing to have a conversation that is truthful. For those who know me most are aware (sometimes painfully) that I pretty much call it as I see it. Granted there maybe a good sized opinion involved but I do not beat around the bush. To me there is no point in living in the gray area when the world for the most part as I see it is black and white. It is frustrating for me to be witness to people who cannot just come clean and be who they are. Life is too short, shout it out and be done with it. The truth will set you free...all lying does is make life difficult for the rest of us and puts poor Anthony in unwanted time outs.

1...2...3....

Start!! (All your answers must start with the letter W) and you have 60 seconds to answer-don't cheat!

1. A boys first name.
2. U.S. City
3. Body of Water
4. Type of Spice/ Herb
5. Name of a Professional Sports Team
6. Famous Person
7. Type of cold blooded animal
8. An item you would find in a purse.
9. School Supply
10. Terms of Endearment.

What is a girl to do?

Okay so before I forget for the 10th time I have an announcement. My little Alex's modeling career is in full swing. Remember that my friends' Kris and Holly opened up a baby boutique in Fargo called Pout (http://poutbabyboutique.com). If you have not been there it is a must! Everyone that I have sent in so far absolutely loves it. Anyways Big Al (as we call him here at home) was one of the chosen few to model their very cool wears for babies. Ria Lee Photography (http://www.rialeephotography.com/) did the amazing pics (Ria I couldn't resist downloading this pic). He was also lucky enough to be selected for their advertisement in On the Minds of Moms (http://www.onthemindsofmoms.com/), a very cool new publication offered in the FM area. Kris and Holly are featured in an ongoing section of the mag called "Momprenuers". Seriously how cute is that? So ladies thanks for launching Big Al's modeling career, I can hardly keep up with all of his bookings :). You are going to do awesome!!

On another completely opposite subject, I am clearly having issues. When I am stressed out I tend to get cold sores, styes, and gain weight. Well let's see... I have a huge cold sore, a stye that I think may lead me to blindness, and have gained 7lbs. What is up? I have been teasing our friends that are having some troubles right now that apparently I am taking it just as hard as them. The only exception is that they have both lost weight and I have gained. Figures!

Leslie sent me a card yesterday via JibJabs cards. It is hilarious, if you are looking to get a good laugh out of a loved one it is a must.

Check out the card that she sent me http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/HERXIhO3kR559FYS.

Erik, Anthony, Brian, and I watched it at least 4 times and could not stop laughing.

Well today I am off to the FM Zoo with the boys and my aunt. We are also going to hit some Indian Food for lunch. I figure I might was well make it a solid 10 lb weight gain before I put forth the effort to lose it. Swing by Pout for Alex's book signings and help a friend move. A full day is ahead of me so I better get to it!

Watch out Michael Phelps!

Yesterday was a fun and relaxing day. The boys and I went to Hornbacher's and bought Auntie Leslie a cake, balloons, and cards from them and Stuart for her 30th birthday. We went and picked up Mr. Oberg from daycare early and surprised her. Stu was so cute, he was really excited to bring her the card he signed for "My Mommy's Birthday". We sang to her and all enjoyed a good piece of cake.

After we were done we headed to the pool. Anthony absolutely loves swimming without his life jacket. On the shallow end both him and Stuart can touch so they jump off the edge until they are both water logged. Anthony can do somersaults- front and back so he thinks he is the man. Les and I decided to put Alex in because the water was nice and warm. He loved it! At first he wasn't too sure but 5 minutes into it he was kicking and giggling. I swam with him close to half an hour. It was fun, I think he is going to follow in his big brothers foot steps and love the water. We are lucky to have our lake and Leslie's pool so they get year round practice.

I think we will start training for the Olympics within the year :). I read that Michael Phelps eats 12,000 calories during training. If I would have known that I would have trained right along with him. Here I thought breast feeding was good for burning calories.

Today

Well I have been busy importing pictures to my laptop to only be refused like 1600 times to download them on my blog, it is infuriating to say the least. But I think that I finally figured it out. Today Alex is almost 7 months, he will be on the 19th of August. Anthony is 4 years and just short of 5 months on the 15th. Here are some fun recent pics of "My boys" and I could truly not be prouder. They make my life so fun and crazy. They are both my little buddies and I love being witness to their different personalities. Do not get me wrong at times I am ready to trade them in to the farm :). I think the feeling at times is mutual. After all they have feelings too and need to be allowed to share them SOMETIMES. But at the end of the day our love is unconditional. That is why I love to go through our family pic's as often as I can to remind myself what life is truly about.

Sanity

I swear to you the only thing that is keeping me sane lately is this blog. I joined my family for lunch yesterday (my dad's entire family). We were getting ready to eat and my aunt suddenly disappears. About an hour goes by and you can start to feel the tension in the room, my stomach feels really icky. A short time later the children are told to go to the backyard because we need to have an adult meeting. At this point I am wondering if I am considered an adult or child. I am reassured the I am an adult and should stay. They break the news, it is not as if someone has been hurt physically but I see my family fall apart. I have made a decision today that it is time to "detox" my life. I cannot take anymore unnecessary drama, life is too short. I will not pose judgement on people's decisions and actions. Things happen for reasons that are out of your control. As you grow up it is okay to say your peace but then get over it. I feel like bad energy is circling around me right now and I choose to not become part of it but learn from it. My family has always seemed to be an area in my life that I considered to be "untouchable". I now realize that nothing is entirely sacred but it is up to me to try keep it that way.

On a very exciting side note Anthony can draw all of the letters of the alphabet now, he just ran up and showed me a picture of Mickey Mouse that he just drew. Pretty darn cute. Alex is constantly saying,"da da da da da." I respond with, "ma ma ma ma." He is sitting up very steady now. Over the weekend Erik said that he tried to pull himself up on the couch. He is really solid and I am curious to see if he walks earlier than his older brother. He is definitely laid back. My relatives thought the two were so fun to watch. Anthony is charming the crowd with his usual antics and Alex just smiles at each new face.