the Power of Oprah and other things that really don't matter...

So, Oprah's doing this big campaign to get people off of the phone while they're driving. Ok, I get it. I even agree with it. My issue is that she did a big show today where different cities were shown all signing her pledge and basically bowing down to Oprah, saying their cars would be no phone zones, all because she said to. I'm not sure about the other cities on her show today, but LA was represented and it's against the law in CA to use your phone while driving. I'm not signing any pledge from Oprah, I signed a pledge when I got my CA driver's license. These idiots on TV displayed total disregard for the law (apparently) but because they had an opportunity to be on Oprah, they signed a pledge. Are you kidding me? Alright, getting off my soapbox, now. Oprah just annoys me...or maybe it's all of the people who worship her that annoy me...

Moving on-It's been a rough week of parenting at Osborn abode. Avery's been fine, except when provoked by McKenna. She is still working on self-control and just ignoring her sisters. I think McKenna is just now acting out b/c of the move and transition (something I went through in January and February and most of March) She talks about Wichita a lot, even Abby. She's overly whiney, and reverts to screaming and moaning when things don't go her way. Kevin says she's just a middle child. Maybe I should read a book about that. hmmm. Presley is just testing her boundaries. This week it was trying to climb to the top bunk in her big sisters' room. Lots of time-outs, tears, and "sorry, mommy." And then, we repeat the scenario 5 minutes later. Very frustrating. I'll be so glad to get rid of those bunk beds. They were good for us and served their purpose the last 3 years, but I'm done. Miraculously, the girls have been good in the evenings, so Kevin probably thinks I'm losing my mind and making all of this up. Oh, well.

I read somewhere that I am supposed to be keeping track of the baby's kicks in the morning and evening. I should feel 10 kicks within an hour, both times of day. All I can say is, this kid kicks me 10 times in about 8 minutes when I finally slow down and count. He's all over the place. It feels like there's an alien in my stomach! I'm well aware that there will come a time when I will miss feeling these kicks, but that's hard to comprehend right now.

Tonight, it's movie night at our house. We are watching Princess and the Frog and eating CPK delivery. I can't wait for CPK-Sonora egg rolls, yummmmmm Tomorrow, the girls are going to a birthday party. I must say, I'm a little jealous-they're getting pedicures and manicures at this party! It sounds so fun. They are so excited and I'm excited for them. And jealous. Maybe I can sneak a trip to Crate and Barrel sometime this weekend. That might make up for it.

Menu Plan Monday and my favorite breakfast

For the last few weeks, I've been fixing this breakfast for myself. The rest of the family usually prefers something sweet in the mornings. I've been craving savory. Baby blue must love this stuff. It's so simple and it tastes so good.

In a small skillet, add a teaspoon of EVOO and then add a handful (I don't measure, just throw some in) of frozen potatoes O'Brien (those are the potatoes with peppers and onions mixed in) and cook for a minute or so. Then, add 1 slice of ham, chopped. After the ham and potatoes are cooked to your liking, add one egg and mix together, until the egg is cooked. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, salt and pepper and serve. So good.

Here's what we're eating the rest of the day and week.

• hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill, fries, and salad.
• Chipotle-because it's Tuesday and the baby wants it...
• pancakes, sausage, fruit
• spaghetti, garlic bread, salad
• Sally's Chinese chicken salad
• Taco Salad

Breakfasts-see above for mine, otherwise it's cereal, yogurt, toast, fruit, etc...

Lunch-leftovers, sandwiches, repeat...

Paula Deen!

A few days ago, I found out that Paula Deen was doing a book signing at a local store here in Pasadena. I immediately thought of my mom, and how much she would like a signed book by Paula. There were several rules that followed-only books bought at that store, no photos, only 1 book per person, etc. I was a little nervous, because I was afraid she might be a totally different person in real life, compared to the southern belle she is on tv.

I was so wrong! She was wonderful. The 3 seconds I got to spend with her were divine. She talked to Avery and McKenna, even wrote their names in one of the books-which was against the rules :) I begged Kevin to come and help with Presley and try to take a picture while we were in line. Paula even talked to him and when she saw that Presley was part of the group, she jokingly asked us if we knew how "that" happened (the whole having kids thing, it's a question we get asked a lot out here in Ca).

We arrived at the bookstore at 5:30 (signing was at 6) and there was already a long line outside of the building. She came at 6 and spoke for a few minutes about the book, which is a decorating book written with her assistant. That's the pic at the top of this post. Then, she went inside for the actual signing. By 6:30, we were talking to Paula! It was a great experience. Just like the time we met KU Basketball coach, Bill Self.

In honor of Paula, I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes of hers. It's her chicken and rice casserole. LOVE IT!

RLC!

Here is a link with more info about Real Life Church and their first building. If you scroll down to the end of the post, click on the link for the pix, then look through the pictures, you'll see Avery in pic #53, singing, I think. Her new BFF is one over from her, in the same dress :)

I can't remember if I gave the history of how we got to RLC. Back when Kevin and I lived in KY, I taught music at an elementary school. One of the teachers there, Lorrie, was a friend of mine, and her husband, Rusty, was a pastor at Southland Christian church in Lexington. We both had our first kids, daughters, during the same year. Not long after, they followed God's call to move to Valencia, Ca, and have been at RLC ever since. Ok-fast forward 6 years...when Kevin and I were thinking about moving to CA, I looked up Lorrie, via Facebook and we were able to reconnect. Fast forward another few months...after moving to Pasadena and trying to find a home, our realtor suggested that we look at Valencia. I immediately contacted Lorrie about visiting RLC and finding a home there. We attended RLC the first Sunday in December and new we had found our church home. I am so thankful God planned for us to be in this church. It has been a bright spot during this transition from Ks to Cali and an answer to our prayer for a great family church to call home!

Lazy Monday

We are all still sick-I took Presley to dr. on Thursday and she was diagnosed with a common cold. A COMMON COLD. I've had a sore throat, severe at times, for 8 days now. I want to go to a dr. but I'm afraid she'll say the same thing, and I'll have wasted money for nothing. I'm so tired of being sick. Even more so, I'm tired of my kids being sick. Presley is doing much better, though. Avery isn't so bad, and McKenna has good days and bad days. Kevin started coughing again this morning. ARGGGH-make it go away!

So, the girls and I are watching Movie Time Monday on Disney-Jungle Book 2. Actually, the girls are watching and I'm messing around on the computer. Looking for appliances and furniture for our new house. Shopping with 3 kids isn't fun. I've tried to do most of the research online, before we load up the kids for yet another adventure in search of washers and dryers. I think I know what we want, with the exception of mattresses. Man, mattresses can get so expensive! Kevin and I have no clue what to look for, but we always seem to like the ones with the biggest price tag. Anyhoo, it's fun and exhausting at the same time.

Church was incredible yesterday! It was the first Sunday in the new building. I must say, I felt a little guilty being so excited, even emotional, since we've only been going to RLC for a few months. The church is 9 years old, and this is there first permanent home. But, this church has been the best thing about moving to CA, many weeks, it's been the only good thing about being here. The girls love this church and Kevin and I can't wait to get involved in a life group as soon as we move.

So, today is a lazy day for Osbornabode. Watch a movie, rest, try to feel better, repeat...

On hold...

I feel like my life is on hold right now. I mean, I still do laundry, I still feed my family (most days), I still change diapers and home school Avery and McKenna. But, I feel like life is on hold until we move into our new (to us) home. That's when things will move. Fast. We plan to move sometime around June 12. Unless God has other plans, Baby Blue will come 10 days to 2 weeks later. Then, family will start coming to help, visit, take the girls back to KS. More family will bring the girls back to Cali a week or so later, hopefully. Then, school will start. I'm already thinking, where has the summer gone?

So, they say here in SoCal that the allergies are their worst in 10 years. Lovely, just in time for my husband and kids to experience it. Kevin, Avery and McKenna have already dealt with horrible allergies. A few days ago, Presley and I started having the symptoms. Presley, however, much worse than I. I feel so sorry for her. She's grown out of the stage where when she's sick, she just wants to be held. Now, even though she's sick, she drives me crazy. She's testing her boundaries, she's whiney, and she absolutely hates it when I wipe her nose, which is every 3 minutes. Her eyes are matted shut in the mornings and after naps. Gross. I think her allergies have turned into an infection.

We've made it this far without having to see a dr, with the exception of going to urgent care on the weekend a couple of times. A few weeks ago, I changed the girls PCP to a dr. up in Valencia that was recommended to me. We haven't gotten their insurance cards yet, so I spent most of the morning on the phone with Cigna, trying to figure out to do what to get Presley in to see someone. Why can't anything be uncomplicated? Geesh-after multiple phone conversations, Presley has an appt. on Thursday. And, I'm not leaving that office without a prescription, either for her or me!

Fuller has an art show this afternoon and Avery and McKenna each did a painting for an exhibit. So, we are headed there shortly. I'll try to post pix of their work tomorrow. They're both so excited!