Cell phones-am I the only one they totally confuse?

Okay so Erik and I have our Verizon "new in every two" availability with our cell phone plan. We decided to go in on Saturday and make a decision. We have visited twice already but just cannot commit to a phone. Why? Because there are 18 million choices. All with different functions, benefits, and applications. I admit I have been spoiled by my phone. I like having access to work emails, taking pictures of the boys, and sexting my husband texting my husband. But I decided I really do not need all this, I can go in and buy the cheapest phone with a flip out keyboard-that is the only function I really did not want to give up.


Oddly enough the guy we originally start talking to we find out happens to be my aunts nephew on her husband’s side-completely random but not surprising because I usually am able to seek out my relatives usually one way or another. He was extremely helpful and VERY patient with The Tortorice's. But we went in on Saturday on a mission. We had a long checklist to take care of and that was one of the priorities because Erik's phone is literally falling apart.

We walk in, ask for Derek. Both of us sit down and our content with our decisions. He starts to transition our phones. In the mean time I start adding up all the costs because even thought we kept it simple there are still some upgrade fees. I realize that the cost difference is pretty insignificant for us to get the new it phone call the "Droid". I ask Derek if I can still get emails with my new phone, he replies no. I ask if I can still have access to some of the applications of my phone that I use, he replies no. He then points out that the cost difference really is marginal. I start to panic because I might be unplugged and not have instant access to the information I want. So I do it-I tell him I have to have the Droid, it’s a must, and what the heck so does Erik. I mean really it’s about time he gets on the up and up of technology. He thinks it’s time he gets an actual email address and is stoked that he has GPS available for free for his golf game, that he can play Star Wars, and have a Magic 8 Ball application on his phone.

So we do it-we feel really cool-we have the best cell phones available from Verizon and Derek gave us a great deal. Not only do we have these really cool phones, we are only paying $30/mo a piece for access to all this information (yes I know what you are thinking).We also have all the coolest accessories to go with our phones. Man, we are so cool.

So we go home and start playing on our new mini-computers. Wow honey look at this, check out this- I can fish on my phone, I can play Scrabble, and look at how clear the pictures are. Both of our phones start to ring, “How do I answer this *&#)(&#(*)(@$?" We start to realize we have no idea how to text, call people right back, and Erik is already locked out of his email. Not only that but there are touch phones so you start putting information in and you hit a wrong button and you are sent through three screens you weren't intending on going through.


Luckily we get 30 days to try out these new monsters we bought. So far it has been three days and I have now realized that sometimes simpler truly is better. So if you call me and I don't answer or my phone calls you back and I don't know it please be patient with me. Leslie is already threatening to toss my new computer in the Red River-I highly doubt I would be swimming after it. Pretty sure we will be visiting Derek again-VERY SOON! Wait-let me check my Magic 8 Ball application and get back to you!

I scored 25%...

http://www.gagirl.com/quiz/gender.html

So I took this quiz and scored a whopping 25%. The funny part is I thought I nailed it. How about you?

Why did they burn their bras and not their husbands drawers?

I found this and thought it was fun to share:

From a 1950's high school home economics textbook, teaching girls how to prepare for married life.


1. Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time.

This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him, and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.

2. Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking.

He has just been with a lot of work- weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

3. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables.

Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.

4. Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes.

They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

5. Minimize the noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.

6. Things to avoid: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner.

Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.

7. Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes.

Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.

8. Listen to him: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.

9. Make the evening his: Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment; instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.

10. The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can relax.

Sooo...any comments?

What is the story? When I ask for advice there are no comments. When I don't care either way I get 10. Is this reverse psychology from you all or what? The funny thing is this falls into a subject I have wanted to post on for a long time simply because it has intrigued me. When, why, and who comments on blogs.

When do I comment? I find it funny when people seem to fall in the pattern on commenting on one of my posts because I commented on theirs but if I don't comment on theirs there will be no comment. Does this happen to be coincidence or is this blog etiquette that I am not familiar with? Either way this is not an angry comment just an observation.

Why do I comment? I am they type of girl that leaves a comment when I feel like it, not out of obligation but because something struck me funny or because I wanted to just shout out some support to my fellow blogger. Not because I feel obligated to. So I should stop crying about not getting advice last post? Yep!

Whose blog do I comment on? Any and all that will let me that I find interesting. Nie Nie does not give you that option and it drives me crazy! But she also is able to safeguard herself from any negative comments that may come her way. I find it disturbing when you read comments and they are all negatively geared towards the writer of the blog-simply unnecessary. Yes I believe in free speech, unfortunately some people take it to the next level simply because they can, not even processing what they are commenting half the time and do it to drive traffic to their own blogs.

Why do I blog? Because I love it! I love this community that we have going on and really do appreciate all the support, insight, and comments. I love reading about all of your lives, getting updates on your kids, and feeling that I am not the only crazy in this universe. Cheers!

Should we stay or should we go? Advice please.

So Erik and I are debating selling our camper at the lake. We laid out our pros and cons.

Pros:


1. It is a special experience with our boys.

2. We have made many great friends at Tony's.

3. It is also a great way to keep up with friends that also camp there.

4. We all love the lake, especially when it is sunny and warm.


Cons:

1. Even though boys love it they are exhausted after staying out there due to later bed times, overload of activity, and there schedule gets thrown.

2. Extra expense of the camper and lot rental. Not to mention groceries, gas, etc. So changes that we want to make on our house tend to go on hold.

3. We don't have a boat so we don't have regular access to the water.

4. We love it when its warm, but get no use out of it when it is rainy and cold.

5. The maintenance of our home goes down over the summer and we are trying to win the battle of an overgrown lawn as well as a ridiculous amount of laundry.

6. Since we pay for it we feel like we need to use it and tend to not do anything else over the summer.



So you can probably see where we are leaning. Any thoughts to help a girl out?

So what, I'm still a rockstar...

The song by Pink is constantly going off in my head. Is this a sign that I am suppose to be a rock star or that it is time to throw the towel in on this dream? I do love me some Pink, if I was to be a rock star she maybe who I would want to be.


Regardless, a couple of updates. This past weekend we went and stayed with the Heer's (thanks again AJ for an awesome weekend). I did notice that she was very sad after we left. I mean after all having 5 children in the house 6 and under for a weekend can lead to depression the day after they are all split up. I have to say the kids were really good though. The dynamic when we get together with the Heer family is so easy. Kids like each other, adults like each other, and it is very relaxing considering that we are outnumbered by children.

On Sunday before the Super Bowl Erik and Bill took the kids sledding at this hill that provided the tubes and a "magic carpet" ride back up the hill so you didn't have to walk back up. They had a blast and I was jealous but us girls stayed back with the babies and enjoyed our down time and some chicken wings in ode to the Super Bowl. I am definitely in the next time they want to go. Pure genius if you ask me-going up the hill is when you start to lose the kids and the adult’s stamina.

We came home on Monday; since it was mildly storming the roads were horrendous. It took us 8 hours to get home; Erik drove between 40-50 the entire drive home. There were tons of cars in the ditch, semi's jack knifed, and troopers everywhere. We contemplated stopping multiple times but as long as you drove with the conditions in mind it was okay. I can never get over the jackasses that insist on driving like maniacs in bad weather, like the rest of us are being too cautious and 20 miles down the road you seem them stuck in the ditch. I started to take stock and saw that it was consistently college age girls and man over 40 in big trucks that thought they were invincible. Kids slept at least half of the drive because they were exhausted and I was finally able to breathe when we got off and the interstate.

This week have been preparing Valentines and getting used to Zoe again. Forgot how much work a puppy is while we were gone but I am also still happy with our decision to bring her on. She helps complete my rock star image. So who is your inner rock star? Do share.

Happy Belated Birthday Alex!

Oh how we love our Big Al! I am so grateful that we took the big step and added to our brood. I was on the fence if I wanted to take the infertility wagon and thank the Lord we decided to. We did infertility for one month that is all it took. Dr. Christianson told us that Alex should be the poster child for infertility because it was a turnkey process with him. We went in had our consultations, waited until I ovulated, took a couple of shots, and shazam I was pregnant.

I went online and purchased a bulk of pregnancy test strips (btw-best way to do it, it was like $13 for 15 strips vs. $15 a test). I was sure that I wasn't, I had taken all the tests except for one the Friday before Memorial Weekend. I kept one to confirm that I wasn't so on Tuesday when we got back from the lake I could call into the clinic and let them know we needed to start the process over. I went to take the test on Tuesday morning. The strip turned blue, I bet I turned white. I was thrilled! I called Erik in shock. Then drove to CVS to buy another test because I had uses all of my strips up. Sure enough I was pregnant.

If you have ever gone through any infertility you know that it just doesn't end there though. You go in for an ultrasound and blood testing every week until you are 12 weeks and passed along to your regular OB. So I went in and they told me that some of my levels were lower than the like to see so I was put on Progesterone to maintain my levels. After being on them for 9 weeks it seemed my levels were good so I started to wean myself off of the drugs a little (I am not one that likes to take medication for any reason). After my next appointment the clinic had called and left a message that my levels had dropped significantly and I was in the range of being at high risk for a miscarriage. I had forgotten my medication at the lake and I was hysterical. I drove out of Moorhead like a bat out of hell to the lake. I was pulled over on the I-94 and I was sobbing. The officer asked if I knew how fast I was going, I told him yes. He asked me why and I just blurted out the entire story. He walked back to his car with my license and registration, approached my window again and said very calmly, “I understand, my wife and I have gone through infertility. Try to stay calm, slow down, and take care." I will never forget what that officer looks like and how I felt that day. I was so terrified that I was going to lose this baby that I had desperately wanted for so long.

When Alex was born I noticed very quickly when they were taking him to be weighed, that he had a birthmark on his back. To me it is always a reminder that he could have pulled away from me and how I am so thankful that he stayed. He is truly a light in my life and my little miracle.

So Happy (Belated) Birthday Alex! You are LOVED! XOXO- Mom