Delicious

There are so many great things in this world. Of all the great things, there is one thing that I happen to love so much, I think it actually hurts. What is this beloved thing?

Yes, Diet Pepsi. To me, there is nothing better than a fountain Diet Pepsi. Just like they say. . . . Light, Crisp, Refreshing. And I say . . . YUMMY!

I was never a big soda drinker until I started working nights. This is when my love affair with DP began. I depended on the caffeine to keep me going. I would get myself one almost every night. The problem with this bad habit, is that Diet Pepsi is not good for my body. No soda is.

So guess what? I don't drink it anymore. I have been sober for 11 months. Although it is VERY tempting at times, I WILL NOT cave. Why would I want to go and get myself addicted again after such success?

To some this may seem like a small feat, but to me, it is a big deal. I am trying to practice some self control in my life. I plan on choosing one thing at a time, and mastering it. Then I will move along to another. So the next thing I want to do is eat less meat. No, I am not going to become a vegetarian, but I do believe that eating meat sparingly is much healthier for our bodies. This will be much harder for me than quitting the DP. So I'll get back to you in 11 months and let you know how it's going!

Somewhat of a Compromise

Although a classic bowl cut was VERY tempting . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . I opted to KEEP and CUT. Kept it long, BUT cut thicker bangs. And after only two days of doing said bangs, I am kicking myself in the shin for cutting them. Although I think they look good, I can't stand them in my face, AND I already burned my forehead and it looks nasty. So, next time two thirds of you tell me not to cut bangs, I will totally listen. I promise.

decisions, decisions. . . .

Usually I am a VERY decisive person. I know what I want, and I don't waste too much time trying to talk myself into, or out of anything. (Sometimes this is a good thing, sometimes not so good). So when I decide that I want to cut my hair, I usually just go for it. I always like it for about a week, and then I regret it, because typically, my locks are slicked back everyday anyway and it only puts a damper on my slickness when i cut my hair too short . . . . . . you know the drill.

My hair is pretty long right now. I like long hair. There is so much you can do with it. I also like short hair. There are so many cute short cuts, but my hair type just doesn't allow said cuts to look well (believe me, I have tried it). Whenever I have tried a short hair cut, it is always with the belief that it will MAKE me have to do my hair. Yah right. I WILL find a way to slick it back, or get it out of my face somehow, even if 20 bobby pins are involved.

This brings me to my most current dilemma. What to do with the gnarly knots? I mean . . . .just look at the state of my mane. I thought I was just going to grow out my bangs, but I am really thinking this over and I think I might just cut them. I am thinking of doing them a little thicker than usuall too. I think I might also cut about three inches off and go for "medium hair."

(no, you're not just seeing things . . . . it looks totally greasy, cause it is! leftovers from last nights AMAZING workout. i prefer the WT look).

Why am I being so indecisive? This is SO not me.
HELP
I am getting my hair done and it is imperative that I have decided promptly by 12:30pm Pacific Time on January 16, 2009. Should I KEEP, or CUT?

I Guess I'll Do It

I have been avoiding doing this Christmas/New Year post. Probably because to me it is still Christmas Break and I have been partying too hard. We have had so much fun with friends and family just hanging out and playing games, but the time has come. Here it goes . . . . .

My kids are spoiled enough as it is. They pretty much get whatever they want all year round because Damon and I are the biggest suckers. So naturally for Christmas we promise eachother we will try to make it more simple and stick to the real meaning of Christmas, but of course this year, I pretty much over did it once again.


Don't get me wrong, our Christmas was good, but I think I really mean it when I say next year will be much more simple. Here's why:

1. Edyn got everything she asked for. A guitar, snow globe, clothes, games, books, barbie scooter . .. etc. On Christmas she told us many times that "This is the best day of my life!" A few days later we overheard her and her friend talking about what they got for Christmas, and she said, "I don't even remember what I got." Hmmmmmm . . . . . .

2. Ava, also happy as a clam, for 15 minutes and then she was more interested in stealing Lila's binkis and sneaking up to the bonus room to watch tv.

3. Lila. . . . . don't know why I even bothered. She prefers piles of garbage to toys. I have proof.

Anyway, It was a good day, but like I said . . . . next year, A LOT different. I plan on doing more service and spending more TIME than MONEY.

Of all the gifts I received, my very favorite thing about this year was this.


Nana ( WE LOVE YOU!) snuck our plain little table and spent countless hours hand painting it into a beautiful work of art. It is so hard for me to express how much I appreciate this kind gesture. I was basically speechless. She spent so much TIME on this amazing gift. I LOVE it. My kids LOVE it. They feel like little princesses when they sit at it. This was better than any store bought gift we have ever received. Priceless.

My next favorite thing was this picture Damon did for me. You wouldn't understand unless you saw the original how much TIME he put into it. It was horrendous. He worked his magic in photoshop, switching heads cleaning things up (like my fat face), making me look somewhat presentable (30 pounds lighter) and printing it VERY LARGE for my viewing pleasure. Of course now all we have to do is photoshop him in one of these days so we can have a real family picture for once. (That doesn't mean I will be doing Christmas cards next year . . . . just because I still don't want to)!

New Years was fun. We spent some time with friends, came home early (sorry guys, I know we are lame) and put the kids to bed and then of course played a couple of rounds of Ticket to Ride. Then I spent the wee hours of New Years Day spooning with my sister and watching arguably the funniest show ever . . . . Arrested Development. Oh WOW. That is some good stuff! (Thanks for the rental El Donaldo).

On a side note. . . . I have been wondering what I can do for some decorations in my room. I am basically stumped and have been asking around for some opinions. No worries though. Damon took care of that for me. Doesn't he have good taste?


This is what I walked into the other night. I let him keep it up, because after all, the Dolphins did make it to the playoffs, but it might be coming down tonight after the game they played today. Stinkin Dolphins. Blew it.

Also, I started a new tradition. New Years Day from now on in our house is Kids Day. They get to do whatever they want. Shoots and Ladders, pedicures and manicures, hide and seek and dancing were on my shift. Damon's shift was the movies. Unfortunately it all came to a screeching halt when Ava got explosive diarrhea during said movie. So glad that was Damon's shift :).

We have had a great break, but I am so ready to be back on track. My kids need school. I need them out of my face cause its about to get ugly up in here. Love those little turkeys, but we are just plain ready for this break to be over.

While we are on the subject of New Years, I will announce to the world (or the 5 people who read this blog) my one and only resolution. I used to make all sorts of resolutions that I knew I really wouldn't keep for more than two or three weeks. Not any more. I am going COMPLETELY REALISTIC this year. Here it is. . . . . AVOID WALMART. This might seem kind of silly to some, seeing as how we are neighbors and all, but the amount of time and money I spend at that place is just astronomical. I drop so much cash there that its just better for all of us if I stay away.

From now on, I will be doing my grocery shopping at Yokes (for my produce), and Winco (for everything else). In doing this, I WILL NOT be able to purchase anything BUT groceries and I will go ahead and make an estimated guess that I will be saving myself THOUSANDS of dollars, which will help us to pay off even more debt than we did in 2008, WHICH will get me one step closer to my goal of being filthy rich . . . . (hey, i can dream can't I)? BTW. .. . if you do happen to see me at WalMart . . . . . . it is for White Cloud diapers. Can't beat that price.

Another side note . . . . . . .I guess Edyn is basically partied out, because I found this on our front door a few days ago. Apparently we are now closed. She is so right . . . . in a way.

I wish you all a Happy 2009. I plan on having a great one.

Merry Christmas

In the spirit of consistency (which I am totally into btw) . . . . . I will NOT be sending out Christmas cards this year. It would be a shame break my six year record of neglecting such a popular tradition.

Although I do LOVE getting Christmas cards, I just haven't been able to get myself excited about sending out my own. 1. For some reason I feel like my cards have to be handmade, and I just don't have the energy 2. Not only do we not have any NICE family pictures, but we don't have even ONE single SNAPSHOT of our family all together (which is quite ironic because my husband is a professional photographer and takes pictures of HUNDREDS of other families each year).

Who needs a family picture anyway (totally overrated) when you have a Wacom tablet to DRAW a perfectly good one?

Apparently the artist thought that the Fairchild ladies needed to be toplesss this year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
from Boy Head, Girl Head, Loca, The Beadsa, and Toots

Maybe next year will be the year for me to be inconsistent. I might suprise you all with a REAL card, but until then .. . . . . don't count on it.

My Happy Birthday

Today I turned 31. In honor of my birthday I actually took a shower, put jeans on, AND I am wearing my best belt.

This is also my 100th post. I didn't plan this very special 100th post to come on such a blessed day. I just happened. And its only taken me 2 years to get here. Maybe some more exciting things will happen in my life, so I can get to my 200th post before 2011. Who knows.

I must admit. I used to get so excited for my birthdays when I was little. Who didn't? I was even so excited all the way up to college, and then I started getting older and older, and for some reason it just wasn't as exciting anymore. Maybe its because as I get older and older, I get more and more boring?

A few years ago, Damon decided that birthdays were going to be very special occasions in our house. If he can, he takes birthdays off work. Some people think it is ridiculous that he would do such a thing. I think it is very noble. My husband loves me, and he loves our precious babies so much. It makes me so happy that he would want to stay home to celebrate and pamper me, and my girls on our birthdays. Because he does this, I can honestly say that once again I am excited for my birthdays. He always has something fun planned and makes my birthday so special. I hope that the men my little girls marry someday, will treat them as well as Damon treats me.

My 31st birthday festivities began at about 11am when I finally rolled out of bed. IT does seem a little weird to be waking up that late, after all, I am not a teenager anymore and I think sleeping in that late is absolutely absurd, but I did stay up til 4am. So it was much needed. Don't judge me.

We went and got a couples massage. It was awesome (Thanks Stacey. We finally cashed it in after a year! You're the best)! Susan babysat our kids, decorated the house, and made my absolute fave dessert of the year, the lemon blueberry trifle. (this time I took a picture, although I did have my way with said trifle before I took the picture. poor planning on my part). I LOVE SUSAN.

And instead of spending gobs of money at Outback, which would have been my restaurant of choice, I chose to spend $20 on Costco Steak and have Flamers BBQ it for me in the 18 degree weather. HOW RUDE of me. But he totally did it! I love him.

I scored a gorgeous new guitar. She is so shiny and I am just delighted to welcome her into our family. I will now try to remember how to play. It has been WAY too long. My friend is going to give me some lessons and I can't wait.

Damon serenading me with a very appropriate "Wild Thing"

Erika (I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU) got me what I have needed for like 10 years but never could bring myself to buy. A wheat grinder. I don't have many passions in life, but one of them is food storage. You should know that I have so much food storage and I just keep getting more. The problem is, I don't know how to use it, so if something were to happen, I am sure we would get sick of boiled wheat for breakfast lunch and dinner. BUT . . . soon I will know how to make bread and I can even grind my own wheat. I will be just like the little red hen. (Thank you in advance Linda).

Since it is my birthday, and my 100th post, I will go ahead a share with you 31 very important and fascinating things about ME. They will be different then the amazing facts I shared with you on my 30th birthday, which could be hard, because there really isn't that much to me. Here goes:

1. Salmon is my favorite food. And these days, avocados come in a close second.

2. Burned out light bulbs drive me crazy.

3. I don't know why I like torture, but I chose to start eating healthy and losing weight in December. Why? I'll never know, but its working. I lost three pounds last week. I'm not bragging. I'm just proud of myself.

4. I can't stand liars.

5. I can't stand fake people.

6. I am always about a year to year and a half behind in the fashion world.

7. I don't discriminate. I feel just as comfortable in Walmart clothes as I do in designer clothes. I'll wear anything, but as you know, I prefer sweats.

8. I have a horrible time falling asleep most nights. Probably because my brain feels this is the time to think. Some nights I take Melatonin to help me get to sleep. The only problem with that is it makes me have crazy dreams that usually include Rush Limbaugh with no clothes on. (I have got to find a better way to get to sleep).

9. In the winter, I only shave my legs on Sunday. Again . . . . . don't judge me. I just found out I'm not the only one.

10. Damon thinks I have a really nice rack. I agree.

11. I am still deathly afraid of the ocean.

12. I still hate traveling, but sometimes I do it for the team.

13. I photoshop all my zits out of pictures before I post them on my blog. What? You thought I just had naturally flawless skin?

14. I LOVE my brother and sisters. My parents aren't too shabby either.

15. I LOVE my friends.

16. I am a horrible oral communicator. I do much better writing out how I think and feel.

17. I am going to get in a swimsuit this summer and look GOOD, even if I have to pay for lypo. Believe it.

18. I still need to learn to keep my mouth shut.

19. I am not done having babies, although I swore I was. I cannot and should not be held accountable for anything I say during pregnancy and approximately 9 months after.

20. I LOVE Colorado (not only because its beautiful, but because Josh and Erika live there) and if we ever move, it will be there.

21. I DID NOT like Twilight movie. I thought it was horrible acting and extremely cheesy. Some have given me grief because of this, so I will say something positive now: I think they did a good job of condensing the book into what little time they had. But still . . . . . . .

22. I DO like High School Musical series. The first one is my favorite. I know this might be shocking, but I even choked up a little at the end of the third one. Do they really have to graduate?

23. I still hate the spotlight. I get nervous diarrhea cramping at the thought of having to be in front of a large group.

24. My favorite color is black. Is that a color?

25. It is safe to say that I will NEVER wear a pair of "skinny" jeans. My thighs would never forgive me for exposing them to the world like that. I would just be too humiliating.

26. It really bothers me that they don't sell pink guns. I mean, COME ON. Lots of chicks are into shooting. Its definitely something to think about.

27. I am such a night person. I can stay up all night, which I actually do more than I would like. I surprise myself with how little sleep I can go on, although I am sure I am not very pleasant to be around the next day.

28. I need a vacation.

29. I don't swear quite as much as I did last year.

30. I won't eat food at any potluck unless I know where it comes from (who made it). If they live in a dirty house(especially their kitchen) and I know for a fact that they don't wash their hands after they go to the bathroom or pick their nose, you better believe I WILL NOT be eating their grub. Call me snobbish . . . . I call me smart.

31. What you see (read) is what you get. This is the real me.

Thanks Flamers for another awesome birthday. And thanks to all you friends and family for all your birthday wishes. I am so blessed to have you all in my life.

And with these 31 fascinating things about me I am sure all of your lives are now more complete! Now . . . . . . I've got to go and play with my shiny new geeee-tar. PEACE OUT.

Paybacks?

Ava. I often wonder about this girl. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE her to pieces. And so does pretty much everyone who knows her. I just haven't been able to figure her out. Although today, I do think that I had a major breakthrough.

I went to Fred Meyer. I was doing a little shopping, and my darling girls were of course out of control. It just so happens that in the very same isle as me, was my high school chemistry teacher. This may come as a shock to some of you, but I was very disrespectful to this teacher. I have gotten better over the years (so I think), but I tend to be a little sassy, and unfortunately, this teacher got the brunt of it because . . . . well . . . . . . I didn't like her. (That was back when I only wanted to have the cool teachers who only wanted to be your friend and weren't really interested in teaching. They just wanted high schoolers to think they were cool, because they obviuosly didn't have enough friends their own age). This teacher wasn't like that. She honestly tried to teach, and I would have not part of it. She was also a really nice person. I am so ashamed.

Anyway, back to my story. So I see her in the same isle, and like I said, my kids . . . . . out of control. Mostly Ava, because that is just her nature. I did not want her to see me for a couple of reasons. 1. I was so embarrassed of the way I had acted back in the day. 2. I didn't want her to see my Ava being so disrespectful to me and have her think in her head "hmmmmmm, Libbie totally deserves a kid like her after all the crap she put me through."

I successfully avoided her. But it really got me thinking. Why is it that I have such a hard time with Ava? Edyn and me get along great. Lila is a peach so far, except for the stunt she pulled the first six months of her life with the whole colic/not sleeping thing. But Ava. . . . . we butt heads like no other. Since I am such a genius, it has taken me this long to figure out why. WE ARE JUST LIKE EACHOTHER. Seriously. There are just so many similarities.

1. Ava is sassy. I am sassy.
2. Ava is bossy. I am bossy.
3. Ava is stubborn. I am stubborn.
4. Ava has blue eyes. I have blue eyes. ("Mom, our eyes match.")
5. Ava tells me I am mean all the time. I call Damon a jerk all the time.
6. Ava has been peeing her pants lately even though she has been potty trained for 2 years, because she is too lazy to get up and go to the bathroom. I pee my pants when I cough or laugh too hard, jump on the trampoline, or while attempting aerobics.
7. Ava is always feeding her face. I am always feeding my face.
8. Ava has never been really cuddly or affectionate. I have never been cuddly or affectionate.
9. Ava is impatient. I am impatient.
10. Ava will not take no for an answer. I will not take no for an answer.
11. Ava has her own agenda. I have my own agenda.
12. Ava hates going to bed. I hate going to bed.
13. Ava is crazy when she is tired. I am crazy when I am tired (and most other times too).
14. Ava likes to yell. I like to yell at Ava.

OH. MY. GOSH. The list goes on and on. Is no wonder we butt heads. I have never been a big book reader on how to raise kids. Not because I don't think they don't offer valuable information. I just think that every kid is different, and there are so many methods out there. Some things work for some people, and other methods work for other people. Its just too overwhelming. What I want, is for someone else to read the books and tell me what would work best for me in this situation. Anyone interested? I will totally pay you.

Since I am sure no one will volunteer for that one, I think I am definitely going to be reading up on how to do better with this baby o' mine. But until I can fit it in my busy schedule, I will show her all the love I can, because after all, she is pretty adorable.

Yes, that is a BeDazzler in the background.