What I learned from a VS clothing catalog

For some reason I was sent a Victoria’s Secret CLOTHING catalog in the mail (it has lots of stuff in there besides just bras and underwear). I’m really wondering how I got on this mailing list.  First of all, it’s news to me that they sell anything but underclothing, lingerie, and pajamas.  Second of all, I don’t think I’ve ever actually bought anything there except for lip gloss one time when I had a coupon to get it mostly free…yep, I’m that cheap. 

So, what did I learn from perusing this catalog? 

1. You don’t actually have to have cleavage to be a VS model—it’s unnecessary now that they can just photoshop you to look like you have cleavage.  (I kinda wish someone had a real life photoshop though—one that wouldn’t hurt like plastic surgery does I’d totally sign up for that)

2. You only need to know about four different poses and you are set.  As long as you have several interpretations of these four you’ll have it made.

• shy/flirty hand at the mouth/face
• hand(s) on hips chest out
• back to the camera sultry look over the shoulder
• hand in your messy hair legs slightly apart

3. Forgetting any part of your clothing isn’t a problem, in fact it’s  recommended.  Cute jacket or vest, but no shirt to go with it?  Don’t worry about it, wear it without a shirt!  Cute shirt, but no bottoms that make you feel happy?  Don’t worry, in VS world pants are optional.  Who needs clothes when you have a foxy pea coat to wear clothes would just take away the spotlight from the gorgeous coat. 

4. “even supermodels love a sale!”  Straight from the cover.  (I don’t believe this for a second.  Don’t they get to keep the stuff they model? If so they don’t need a sale!)

Snow Day

Last week on Tuesday I woke up early to go to an exercise class.  I got all ready, opened up the door and immediately said, “you have got to be kidding me.”  On top of my car was a good 18 inches of snow and walking through it to clean off my car the snow was nearly up to my knees.  Don’t ask me what made me think I should still go so early in the morning, but I did…too bad our illustrious leader didn’t make it.  Then I got stuck for a short time in the parking lot trying to get out.  But finally I found some traction somehow and I headed home and started shoveling.  I shoveled enough to be able to get back into my driveway (no traction again) and then went to warm up inside. 

By the time the kids were ready for school Em didn’t want to walk so I drove her over.  Jason still wanted to walk for some unimaginable reason.  I dropped her off and went back home.  I wasn’t home for five minutes before she called to tell me that school was cancelled.  I was kinda annoyed to have to get back in my car and drive on the slick roads again, but I did it anyway.  I’m a nice Mom like that.  Once the kids got home they of course wanted to go outside and play/shovel snow.  So, we all spent a couple hours outside enjoying the snow and trying to carve a path in it for our vehicles to be able to get anywhere.  It was quite the adventure.  All the neighborhood kids pitched in and worked together to clear all three of their houses driveways.  It was great.  I tried to get some pictures.  None of them are great, but this gives you an idea how deep it was. 

Jason just dove right in at one point who knows what he was thinking.  Liam trying to walk.He kept getting stuck and asking Danielle to help “dig him out”

It was great to have an extra day of Christmas break!

Grateful Sunday

Today I’m grateful for my Savior and the chance we have to celebrate his birth this time of year.  I love Christmas and all that it brings.  I hope that you and your family enjoyed celebrating The birth of the Son of God this week. 

Merry Christmas!

Winnings

In blogland or whatever it is you want to call it there are constantly tons of different giveaways that you can enter.  I’ve tried my luck at them here and there, but never really won anything.  Well, somehow the past month or two I won TWO different giveaways!  When I found out I won the first one, I was seriously surprised because I RARELY if ever win anything.  So, thanks to Angie from “The Blessings of Adoption” for the excitement of my first win!  I absolutely LOVE the book we won too.  It was all I could do not to cry while I read it to Liam.  Even my twins loved it.  It is just perfect for our family and even if adoption isn’t a part of your family you should totally read it.  It’s that good.  I can’t wait until Liam is old enough to understand the meaning a little more, but for right now it has animals in it so he likes it.

Then, a few weeks ago I got an email in my inbox from Prudy saying that I won a giveaway on her blog for an awesome Nestle gift basket.  I couldn’t believe my eyes!  It was a Christmas miracle!  It sat on my counter torturing my children while awaiting the day when I could take a picture of my fabulous prize.  Everyday they would ask me if I had gotten Daddy to take a picture so they could open it and make something sweet.  Finally, I got an early Christmas gift and took my own picture.  I could totally get used to this whole free stuff thing.  I wonder if anyone would send me their handmade gifts to review for my blog—a la Nie Nie…it sure would have made Christmas shopping much easier on me and my wallet.  Yeah, I didn’t think it would work either. 

I’m enjoying my string of luck while it lasts… thanks to Angie and Prudy for the chance to win!  I hope some luck comes your way too! 

Merry Christmas!

New Christmas break tradition

We are really blessed that my husband has a great job.  He is a bit of a vacation day hoarder so he often has a lot of left overs to use up at the end of the year.  This means we get to have him around a lot the last few weeks of the year.  For awhile he had a tradition of growing a beard while he was home from work for several weeks.  (he can’t have a beard where he works)  Since he’s had his cpap machine he hasn’t been able to grow a beard because it makes his mask not work so great. 

For years he’s been telling me he wants to shave his head.  When he says shaved he means BALD too.  So, this year he decided since he can’t grow a beard he would bic his head instead.  I have to admit I was worried he’d look strange with a bald head…but it isn’t as bad as I had thought it would be.    He doesn’t like having his picture taken much.  But look at his smile!  It’s a rare thing to catch him smiling on camera.  I love his smile. 

Merry Christmas!

Grateful Sunday

Today I’m grateful for talented people that are willing to share their talents with those around them and make the world a happier and more lovely place. 

I’m grateful that Santa brought me an early present and I have a camera again!  Here’s hoping it doesn’t take me too long to figure out how to use it. 

I’m grateful for my kids’ enthusiasm for music in all forms and their willingness to share and not be embarrassed by it. 

I’m grateful for my Heavenly Father, that he knows me and that He helps me to make big decisions in my life.

Falling Behind

Wonder Woman I am not.  Case in point…I still don’t have all my Christmas shopping done. (people have been asking me since BEFORE Thanksgiving if I was done yet)  I’m not even caring about getting good deals anymore—because really, I’ll just be surprised to get it done at all.  I paid double for shipping Saturday night so I could be sure to get a gift here by Christmas because I’m a procrastinator.  I ordered our Christmas cards, but they likely won’t get here before Christmas so you’ll all have to enjoy getting them sometime afterwards.  I’ve made nothing homemade for Christmas for anyone.  We haven’t even made any cookies.  Not sure if I’m gonna get neighbor gifts out this year either the way things are going.  Somehow having a 3 year old that is busy enough and smart enough to keep you from getting anything done continues to be my excuse, but according to all the blogs I read it’s a lame one.  Seriously, how do people have time to go to school, bake, sew, craft, photograph, insert crafty thing here and still have time to keep their house picked up (notice I didn’t say clean) and their families fed and generally happy?  Either I’m a total failure or everyone else is totally lying.  Which camp are you in?  Wonder woman or NOT?

Grateful Sunday

   This week I'm grateful for willing workers on our street that helped me in an emergency situation with a friend. 

I’m grateful for friends that can help with the kids at a moments notice.

I’m grateful for the blessing of hearing from an apostle today and for the message of love and peace he gave to our Stake.

I’m grateful for a thoughtful and generous husband that is always willing to help those in need. 

He likes the spice

Recently we went to a local Mexican restaurant for lunch.  Liam wasn’t too impressed with the food there, but he loved the chips and salsa—especially the salsa.

Thanks for sharing the pics you took Angela! 

Santa

Last week we went to have the kids’ picture taken with Santa.  Liam had his tongue out in most of the pictures, but we got a couple cute ones.  Thankfully he didn’t scream and was only a little bit scared this year. 

Just like Daddy

Liam decided that he wanted to be just like Daddy one day after he got home from work. 

Duets

Last month Emily did a duet recital (that I forgot all recording devices in the car for) and then she played the same duets at the duet festival (where there are judges).  By the festival my camera was non functioning so I had Jason record with his iphone.  Here you go.  Enjoy!

Superman's tower

My superman built a tower all. by. himself. Why is this such a big deal? Mostly becasue he seems to think that I need to help him with EVERYTHING he does, but also because he built it up taller than himself by going and getting a chair to put the top ones on so it didn't fall over. Smart kid huh? This was way back in November too by the way. Not having a camera and relying on my husband's iphone and then my husband to get the pictures to me off his iphone takes way too much time...Santa can't come soon enough with my new camera.

Grateful Sunday

I wanted to include the whole family in grateful Sunday this week. 

Daddy is grateful for the scriptures and his ipad.

Mommy is grateful for great friends that are always there when I need a helping hand or a listening ear.

Emily is grateful for books, books, and more books.

Jason is grateful for sports.

Liam is grateful for  a brother that will play boxing with him.

Marriage

I was reading Time magazine the other day and their cover story was about marriage and how people’s attitudes are changing about it.  The points that stood out to me in the article are that less people are getting married, more children are born out of wedlock, and married people are more likely to be financially stable.   The interesting thing is that even though less people are getting married the poll showed that most people still think it’s easier to raise a family if you are married. 

My views on marriage are heavily influenced by my religion and can be summarized by this document.  I’m curious though…what do you think about the things the article says.  Click through the link and then let me know.  Do you agree?  Disagree?  Agree, but wish it weren’t true?  Tell me what you think!