My Daughter the Actress

My daughter never ceases to amaze me with her thoughts, conversation, imagination! She gives me so much hope for her future. She is naturally artistic in many ways from painting to coloring, drawing to writing, and the newest addition ....... pretending to be making a movie!

I imagine her walking down the street in her fancy clothes and pretty purses .. glittery  makeup .. jewelry to the nines. High heels. That classic movie star look.

She starts acting out her movie and I ask her what her character is. She says she's a super hero. Sweet!!! I can go with that. She's fighting crime and keeping bad guys off the street. Keeping people safe. Has a cape and possibly a mask. She flies through the night using her super power..........

Farting.

Yep, her super hero power is farting on criminals to get them to stop committing their crime. I know....

Her name .. you ask. You want to know her superhero name????

Ladies and Gentleman, the one who will save us all.....

Superhero Stinky Stunk!

Peace.

Blogging Pay

When I logged into my blog today, I was thrilled to see that I will be getting paid to blog! This is awesome!

I love to write. I have been writing for as long as I can remember, and until I write a bestselling novel, the blog will do. LOL!

Many blog themes have been coming across my computer lately. Things I love to read about, self-help blogs, blogs that women write to complain or moan about their lives, thankful blogs, grocery blogs, things to do with your kids blogs. And it all seems so overdone to me. I know they are doing things and people are reading it, but how do I compete with all that?!?!

So I came to the conclusion that I can't. I can only just write my blog from my perspective, in my way. So my blog is an everything blog. :) From crafts to complaining to blessings to appreciation to Jesus to life. I love to write about what's happened in my house. It's quite an adventure here in Casa de Kallas and I want to share that with everyone.

I'm also a firm believer of Jesus. I love sharing that with people, too. As well as, the nifty little crafts that I do with my kids.

So for now, my blog is advertiser paid. And hopefully one day I'll have some famous blog with thousands of followers and make a bagillion dollars. And if not, my small following will be just perfect too!

Peace.

My Hubby's Silent Gratitude

I love my husband. He is the most amazing man! He cares for my kids, loves me unconditionally, which believe me can be an awfully hard thing to do. I'm crazzzzzy! =) But most of all, I love his silent gratitude.

Mason has gotten up at 6 a.m. the past two mornings. I got up with him yesterday and Aaron today. And while Kara and I were at church this morning, Mason probably took a necessary nap. And you would think that Aaron would take that as an opportunity to do the same, but nope. You know what my amazingly awesome fantastic husband did?!?!? He cleaned the kitchen to MY STANDARDS!

I KNOW!!!!

He is so awesome. And when I dropped Kara off after church and had to go back to church for a planning meeting, he just went with it. And I even told him the meeting was only probably going to be 1.5 hours long.

Three hours later, I come home to him on the couch and the kids playing nicely together. This isn't usually how he is greeted during the week. Usually, I'm in the kitchen figuring out ways to glue my hair back on to my head. But anyway, I digress.

I had to go grocery shopping today. I go every Sunday for the week. But I usually go by myself. This time I took BOTH kids.

I KNOW!!

They were AWESOME!!! We brought their leapsters, they rode around in the little buggie car thing at the store and just were AWESOME!!! But that's not that best part.

The best part was the silent gratitude I saw in Aaron's eyes when I came home! He is so amazing. I love him so much. I am so very happy to be married to him!

I know!! mushy! Aweeeeeeee!

Peace

Melting Crayons

What to do when it's -20 outside on a January day? I am not sure. But I searched blog after blog today for some ideas. I found a blog written by a mom who encourages the most awesome art projects with her kids I have ever encountered! Let me tell it to you straight .. I have a blog-mom crush on her blog. It gave me some AWESOME ideas that I plan to put to use in my own house with my kids! Things I never thought of. Follow me more through out the next few months.

So anyway, I decided to figure out a crayon craft. I have this huge stash of crayons, because I have a slight crayola addiction. So for an hour or so I spent time peeling the paper of crayons with my girl. I'd like to say I enjoyed the peeling of the crayons, but it was a daunting task. The reward was talking with Kara. She has so much to say and her imagination is so big! I love her so much.

Anyway, so after we peeled and peeled and peeled, we shaved crayons onto some wax paper.

She did a great job doing this. And who doesn't need a princess crown while doing a craft! :)

Once you're done with shaving crayons it's time to melt them in the wax paper. I learned several things doing this. First, do NOT leave the wax paper on your counter top while melting the crayon. I now have a nice layer of wax on the counter top. LOL Aaron warned me of this, but I simply ignored his crazy thought about the wax paper on the counter. Shhhh .. don't tell him I said he was right.

This is what you get when you melt the crayons in the wax paper. Draw some hearts and cut them out.

It takes some major concentration to cut out the hearts.

The result is some pretty awesome Valentine window decor.

Remember about Aaron giving advice on ironing the crayons .. he also suggested I don't "sweep" the iron back and forth so the crayons don't ooze out of the wax paper. I ignored that too..........

Guess I have an official craft towel now! LOL

Peace

Nunderwears Preferred!

Day two of potty training was AWESOME! I'm thinking that I must have learned a lot of what not to dos when training Kara, because this time I've got more of a hold on the reinforcement.

Mason really wanted his "nunderwears" on all day. He was a little unsure about running around naked. Well not naked, remember I draw the line at taking the shirt off. ;) But I think he felt a little too exposed without the undies. So I entrusted him with the knowledge of remembering to go potty when he felt he needed to. And he did not let me down! Even two trips in the car to take Kara to school and also to pick her up! He did amazing.

However, I think that I am getting more chocolate chips as rewards than he is... this could prove to be a problem. But hey, why can't I get a reward for potty training success?? LOL

A new problem has risen because of the reward system. Kara now thinks she needs to be rewarded for using the bathroom. Hmmm... if my six-year-old starts peeing and pooping in her pants to get rewarded for using the bathroom .. don't think I won't buy depends!! HAHAHAH JUST KIDDING!!! I do try to explain to her that when she was potty training we rewarded her for the same behavior!

Anyway, I'm so proud of my big little boy! He is doing a phenomenal job and really likes being a "big boy."

The Purpose of Death

We often are quick to point out the purpose of life when a new baby is born, or someone makes a difference. But what is so hard about pointing out the purpose of death, especially when it's swift and unexpected? This question came upon me last night after my Wednesday night class at church. I was compelled to think about this because I see heartbreak when I see people react to sudden and unexpected deaths of family members, friends, acquaintances or famous people.

Death should never be unexpected. If there is one guarantee in life, it's death. I have had many unexpected deaths in my life from a neighbor boy's suicide to a couple aunts. And for some reason I have never been overcome with emotion or grief when someone dies. Expected or not. I have been called heartless among many things. In my defense, I accept death as an end to life. It's the one thing I know of and can count on happening to everyone. It's not that I'm obsessed with it, I just understand and accept it. The death of my body only gives life to my eternity with Jesus. I hope that those that suddenly die know Jesus. So that when they meet Him, He will welcome them into their Heavenly home.

The comfort I have in accepting death comes from knowing my Jesus. Jesus says in John 14:1-4:

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

Jesus was very clear about our life after death. Death is not the end. He spoke clearly and not in parables when speaking about the eternity with Him. Being on this Earth and in this life has only one purpose, to believe in Jesus! Believing in Him has given me eternal life. Knowing that his "physical" death was not in vain, gives me purpose to share this with everyone. Believing that Jesus paid the ultimate ransom for you, for me, for everyone, just so we could be in God's presence again, cleansed and purified by the "blood of the lamb" is the most amazing thing. How can you not jump for joy and accept death.

While we are in these bodies we are separated from God. Jesus says this in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8
 

"So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." 

I know that while I am here, I am serving Jesus. Waiting for my time to be in His presence for eternity. Death doesn't have to bring heartbreak. Though I know that it does bring sadness and grief for the loss of a loved. Especially if that loved one did not know Jesus, or denied Jesus. My prayer is that you will accept Jesus. He is your Savior. He died for you, for me, for everyone. Please don't let his suffering and all those that suffered after him be in vain. 

When we lose a baby, a friend, a mom or dad, a sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, anyone, it can be a life changing event. When we look back at those losses with hindsight, we see our lives differently, and how it changed the direction. If you haven't seen the movie Adjustment Bureau, I highly recommend you see it. It's kind of an interesting way of seeing the paths in our lives, and how God has a plan and even if we veer off course He always finds a way to steer back on the right track. 

Jesus doesn't want us to be separated from Him. He wants us with Him. He's not a God of hate or mistrust. He's a God love, compassion, emotion, feeling, and concern. He only wants the best for us. And I love Him for all that He has done in my life.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 says: 

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,  who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Going through life bringing out the best in each other is our calling. In death, we see some ugly things come out of people and relationships. I choose to not cling to the ugliness that death can bring upon me. Rather, I choose to believe that in death, there is purpose.

1 John 3:1-2 

" See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."

Peace!

I don't pee standing up!

First day of potty training my two-year-old son was pretty successful. If by successful you define it as three separate turds in the toilet at separate times, instead of all at once in his diaper. I think he did this so he could get MORE chocolate chips.

Let's also not forget the insanely good time he has when racing to the bathroom to fart in the toilet to hear it echo. Well this one time, he did this .. I knew that's what he was doing ... only to see his naked butt sprint past me with a "turd"le sticking out of his cute little butt cheeks. HAHAHAHA If you're grossed out, then don't read on!

So because I don't pee standing up, and have a very basic understanding how to potty train a boy .. because I'm not sure how to teach him to "point his wiener" ... he peed in the toilet successfully half his urine. Guess the step stool was a guard to the bathroom rug, which would've been the recipient of the other half of his pee.

I also define successful that he only argued with me a few times, bringing me diapers to put on him, only to toss them in dismay into the air, landing on the kitchen counter. Every time. I'm not sure if he was more stressed that he didn't have a diaper on .. or that I wasn't put one on him. But then he didn't want his shirt on. No socks, no pants, no undies, no problem. But I drew the line at taking his shirt off?!?!?

Our one venture out of the house today without a diaper, but with big boy underwear was a success. The 25 minutes it takes to go get Kara from school and get home, he was dry and proud of it!

Here's to potty training day number two.

Things You Shouldn't Do

Things you shouldn't do while on dayquil and espresso

needle point

sword fight

draw a straight line

spin in circles

stand on one foot

balance a coffee mug on your chin

shave

drive on blowing snowy roads (It's very disorienting as it is.)

put on mascara or eye liner

or lipstick

take pictures

run

bend over and then stand upright quickly

french braid

use a hot iron on your hair

balance anything on your head

wear high heels

put in your contacts

feed a baby with a spoon

eat cake

with frosting

with a very big spoon

use a knife

boil water

carry boiling water

drink more espresso

sew

lace shoes

trim a dog's hair so he can see (I will not supply a picture)

trim your own hair

cut paper

get pulled over by a police officer and have to do a sobriety test simple because he can't tell if you are on an upper or a downer .. not saying I got pulled over .. just saying it's not a good idea.

The Chapters of Change

I find myself lately recollecting times of change in my life, mainly as one friend is starting a new path in life and she and her little one are trudging through the waters of change. I think back to my life as a young adult, the people I associated myself with, the actions I took, where I worked, what I did, the family memories made, the feelings I hurt, the danger I put myself in, the lifestyle I was living. And I am beyond amazed I survived all of it.

It was not a pretty time in my life. My parents were undoubtedly worried sick about me, my sister concerned, my grandparents helping me at every turn, and I still managed to muck it up over and over and over again. The chemicals I put into my body were life threatening, the amount of alcohol that I took in in one session could have put any number of people in the hospital, the friends I chose to associate with, the decision to drive intoxicated repeatedly, feeling invincible.

I don't tell you this to get a "Good on'ya." I tell you this, because it was a chapter in my book of life. One that without it I would never be where I am at. Never have married Aaron, had my two beautiful blessings, or living in Alaska. I was a wild child. I lived it to the core and to the best of my abilities. And I am completely sorry that I did that to my body, my family, my friends.

When changes happen in life we can do one of two things, 1) Roll with it. OR 2) Complain about it. When change came to my neck of the woods back in 2003 I realized that what I was doing in life was not getting me anywhere. My roommate was a piece of work, so I got my own apartment. Some of the people I associated with were not of the best influence, so I started spending more time at the university focusing on my senior courses. A guy .. can't say man .. can't say boy .. so I say guy .. I associated with for a number of years, proved once again to be unreliable, so I stopped seeing him. And met Aaron three months later.

As my friend begins on this new journey of change, I'm sure she's thinking about all the things that went wrong, but I'd like to say one thing to her, all the wrong things brought about the right things. When you sit and recollect your past and feel remorse or misgivings about it, think about the solutions that came from your changes in your life.

We are all on this roller coaster together. It occurred to me today as I was driving that even simply driving a car on the road takes teamwork from all the drivers on the road to watch out for the other cars. One simple miscalculation while driving would bring about a slew of changes in someone's life. And when they have the hindsight beyond that event, they'll recall all the things they did before that event.

You can't live today if you are focusing so much on the events of yesterday. I can't focus on the drivers that passed me by or the one that could've changed my path in life. But knowing that that one simple split second of focus while passing me on the hwy has forever changed me, is amazing.

Change isn't a bad thing. It doesn't have to be insanely ridiculous or mind-blowing. Nor does it have to be subtle. It's all personal.

New Year Resolutions

The new year always brings about people's new ideas for changing the who what when where and whys of peoples' lives. I find it interesting that it always begins January 1. What baffles me about this practice of new year resolutions is that you can make anything like that at any point in the year and commit to doing said thing for a year from the start date. It doesn't necessarily have to do with January 1. So where did this practice of "New Year's Resolutions" come from??

According to wikipedia (which I KNOW as a trained journalist this is not a reliable source, but it is an adequate one with a lot of information in one spot):

"The ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts.^[1]

The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named.^[2]

In the Medieval era, the knights took the "peacock vow" at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry.^[1]

At watchnight services, many Christians prepare for the year ahead by praying and making these resolutions."

 Hmm ... interesting that resolutions like this go so far back in history. I think I kinda like that "peacock vow" I may forward that to Aaron and see if he can put that as his resolution!! AHAHAHAHA just kidding!


I guess when I started thinking about New Year's Resolutions is was just one thing more to set myself up for failure. Don't get me wrong, I have participated over and over again in this practice for as long as I can remember, and my failure rate is somewhere around 94%. However, I also begin the next year with new resolutions, more defined and understandable and, hopefully, resolutions that will set me up for success instead of failure. 


So in light of the new year (only 6 days late) I am writing my new year's resolutions.


I resolve to be kinder, gentler, and more understanding of people, their circumstances, and the situations that may have brought them to this point in their life. 
I resolve to devote my heart, soul, and mind to Jesus as a servant of His word, deed, and action, in order to show His unconditional love for all.
I resolve to be a committed and loving wife to my husband, for whom God has placed in my life to make me a better person and Christian.
I resolve to love and care for my children unconditionally. No matter how crazy they might be driving me and to call on Christ in those moments of lost patience.
I resolve to take care of myself. My body, my mind, and most importantly, my spirit. To exercise, nurture, and feed all three with healthy and sustainable information and substance.


I think that is it. My mind went blank after that last one! I hope you have found some resolutions that you would be successful at for the year 2012 and that you and your family have a blessed and beautiful year!


Peace!