Hair Touching or HAIRassing!! AHAHAHA

Something has been sticking out at me the past .. oh say 30 odd years .. something bright, vibrant, noticeable, and it's something that EVERYONE has to comment on. Can you guess what it is???? OH yeah .. my hair color! :)
I've been a red head since birth, and while I do love my hair, I can remember a time in my life that I didn't care for being a redhead. The truth is, red hair is somewhat a phenomenon. So does this make me a phenomenon?!?! Heck yeah! Which is why I'm so awesome, right??? Just agree and go with me on this!
I have a few redheaded friends that are gorgeous women. My sister and brother and few cousins are redheads (runs in the family). My grandpa was lovingly called "Red" and not because of his rosy cheeks after a glass or two of Wild Turkey. :) Love you gramps!
The truth is that red hair is a show stopper. Women pay hundreds of dollars to dye their hair red, all the while, a true redhead can point out dyed red hair. ;) Oh yeah .. we know girls. You can't fake it.
You know, I have dyed my hair twice in my life .. like ALL of my hair. And it was always a darker shade of red. I never sought out to actually "change" my hair color. Cause I love it.
I'm sure you wondering if there's a point to this blog. No worries, I'm wondering the same thing. HAHAHA!
I know that when people comment on my hair, they are doing it with the best of intentions, but sometimes, very rarely, am I wondering if they are going to stalk me in my sleep and scalp me. No no .. just kidding. .. er wait .. no I'm serious.
I bring this topic up because I have a friend who has aweseomely beautifully styled hair all the time, and recently she was at a shopping mall where some creeper touched her hair. I can totally relate to the creeper. I want to touch her hair all the time. HOWEVER, I value having ALL 10 of my fingers connected to my hand.
Anyway, I know what she felt when she was weirded out (and somewhat annoyed) at the touching of the hair. This is my whole life. People always want to touch my hair. WHY!?!? I don't get it. I mean, I could have been suffering from lice that day or something. Seriously.
The point is, even though people have beautiful hair, don't touch it. It's wrong on so many levels. Not to mention most women have spent countless seconds perfecting exactly where that specific hair you are touching is being positioned. And because you thought it was okay to touch said hair .. you've now messed up the positioning.
In closing, if you really want red hair .. you will really have to pay a pretty penny to get it perfectly dyed. Maroon hair does not look good on anyone. Well maybe that one person, but typically not really on anyone.

Cheers!

Turning 30.

For the past couple weeks (maybe even months if we really want to look into this) I've been fretting this upcoming birthday of turning 30. I've never stressed over a birthday before, and I hope I never do again. It's not that I don't like getting older, because that doesn't bother me. It was more of a dwelling in the past and of missed opportunities or misguided decisions. Now, for some letting go of the past is easy. It's not for me. I remember every event, every emotion, and usually every person involved.

Today, I was having a conversation with a friend. And he said to me, "Some things are simply lost in the past and we cannot retrieve them." Now this may have been said to me before, but it never clicked. I've had several conversations with a few friends about why turning 30 is bothering me so much, unable to pinpoint the reason. The truth is, there were many reasons, which would explain why it was so hard to narrow down the exact reason.

I realized today that I have a very beautiful and awesome life. It's not that I didn't already KNOW this, it's just that I never ACCEPTED it. My marriage is strong, my kids are awesome, my health is perfect (minus some few extra pounds I'm still working on losing), my friends are great. I really have a great life. I wasn't necessarily seeking a differently life through this problem with turning 30, but more of recollecting the decisions that were life defining.

I remember when my cousin, Dawn, was about to turn 20 and she was beside herself about leaving her teen years, and I didn't get what the big deal was. LOL We were living together and it was somewhat humorous to me, at the time, that she was so stressed about it. I get it now.

Changing years is a lot like changing pages in a book you've never read before. You have an idea of what might come next, but you cling to what you know in order to soften the unexpected blows. Like reading a love novel and you turn to the next chapter and suddenly the damsel is hurt in a car wreck .. OR .. watching a movie about a broken family and then they rekindle and everything is right with the world. Getting older in life is no different.

We all know what we've done, where we've been and the choices we've made. It isn't until we get older that we see how all these choices were domino effects on our life. I'm not old, or wise, but I'm starting to understand how one decision could've changed my whole life. Or many decisions. At times, I've sat and regretted some opportunities missed and some choices that were made. In doing this it only caused inner conflict and turmoil with my current and most awesome life. Dwelling on the past of yays and nays is not a good way to spend ones upcoming 30th birthday.

My goal for my 30th birthday, and for the rest of my life, is to always look forward and be grateful for the day I am given. I cannot change what did or didn't happen in the past. I can, however, appreciate what I have and use every minute I am given to be the person I was born and meant to be.

So in two days, when I change to a whole new set of numbers, it's not going to be a day of remorse for the things I missed out on, or the bad things I did. It's going to be a day of celebration of what's to come. Of adventures not yet sought. Of experiences I haven't yet felt. Of a life that I have, want, and love!

Peace.

Halloween ta-dahs

So this year the kids dressed up for Halloween, because kids like to do that. Aaron and I did not participate in the dressing up festivities, but instead relished in the delight and fun through our kids' eyes. I really appreciate the innocence and excitement over such little things as miniature candies and random toys that will break within the first 24-hour period of ownership. But the miniature candies do not excite me. No, you know what would get me excited about Halloween?? Trick-or-treating and getting a pillow case full of king size candy bars. Yeah .. that would make me dress up! :)

Anyway, our kids were dressed up as a princess (Kara) and Nacho from "Nacho Libre" (Mason). He was often confused with being Superman and I think, though I'm not sure, that him wearing his red underwear outside of his blue tights might be the cause of the confusion. But when comparing the following two pictures. you'll see the resemblance when the mustache and eye brows are considered.

Mason as "Nacho"

My son LOVES the movie "Nacho Libre." If you haven't seen it and you are a Jack Black fan .. you really should see this movie. :)

Kara, my beautiful princess, was once again a Princess this year for Halloween. She loves Halloween and the dressing up aspect of it. She looked like a princess with her crown and beautiful dress.

Now onto our busy November with three birthdays and a holiday all in one month! :)

Hope you had a fun Halloween!

Peace.

Kallas Family Update

We had Kara's Kindergarten Parent-Teacher Conference today. She is  doing exceptional in Kindergarten. Her teacher, Ms. Turner, says that in all meanings of the kindergarten grades, Kara is a straight A student. This makes us incredibly proud to know that her hard work at home is paying off in the school. Ms. T is also putting Kara into the new enrichment reading program with the librarian for advanced readers. Kara reads at an end kindergarten beginning first grade level with fluency and comprehension, which also makes us very proud. I'm glad they are offering such a program at her school. She is also one of the peer leaders in her class that Ms. T has determined to help the lower performing kids. Of course, both Aaron and I appreciate and understand how this helps Kara and the student she is paired with. In all, we are proud of our little girl and her performance at school. She is also thriving in art. She loves to paint, draw, cut, paste, anything that has to do with art. I see a little artist in our future.

Mason is growing like a weed. His vocabulary development is crazy. Everyday he's picked up a new phrase and uses is like a pro. He loves to rough house, build blocks, play with cars, throw balls and play catch. He is our little athlete and true boy to the core. He loves helping in big sister's class and occasionally likes shopping with me. Mainly when I remember to bring snacks. LOL He runs crazy all day and sleeps soundly at night. I often think I should take on his workout routine. =)

Aaron is working hard as ever. Doing part-time teaching with the Anchorage School District, part-time curriculum development for the ASD and part-time teacher to teacher training with the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He's always been a go getter. I am so proud of his accomplishments and how hard he works to provide for his family.

I am most days loving being home with my  monsters. I learn so much from them. I also am enjoying all the mom-to-mom outreach I get to participate in. God has truly entrusted me with this ability to mentor, advise, and counsel many moms. I could not do any of that without God. The moms I meet on a regular basis provide me with so much education in my own mothering skills. I have so many friends that are here in Alaska supporting me and there when I need them. Life is amazing here! =)

Our hairy son, Mo, is 7. It's hard to believe that we got him almost 7 years ago as a pup. He's more active and fun lately than he has been in recent years. He is fun to play with. He's protective and he's excitable. The other 23 hours a day he sleeps. ;) hahaha JUST KIDDING!

Well that's kind of a wrap up of our life in Alaska right now. We recently had some family portraits done. I'll blog that experience later. But I am impressed with the photographer I found. Her name is Tammy Smith and she owns Tammy Smith Photography. You can check out her work on her Web site

http://www.TammySmithPhotography.com . 

Peace.

Am I really going to Potty Train a BOY!?!?!?!

The next step in my toddler's little short lived life is potty training. Oh I am so not looking forward to this. Kara was difficult to potty train. I had NO IDEA what I was doing, how to do it, when to do it, WHY to do it!!!! :) It was a stressful time. LOL

So yesterday, as Aaron and I were discussing my need to purchase more diapers, he says (and I quote) "WE need to potty train Mason." Yes he said WE, but we all know he meant ME. When looking at this word in writing it's easy to see that he simply just got the "W" upside down and he really meant an "M" but not HIM ... me ... and what he really meant to say was "YOU need to potty train Mason." He meant that I really needed to do it and then said that he was looking forward to the day when he came home from work and didn't have to swipe poopy diapers off the garage step in order to get into the house.

WHAT!?!?!?!?

THAT is what he is looking forward to!!! That's the most insane reasoning for potty training I have ever heard. So I entertain him and this "we" he has thrown out there and proceeded to list reasons why HE should be the one to potty train Mason. The main one being I have different plumbing. =) I know that's about as logical as his "poopy diapers on the step" reason, but hey, a girl's gotta have a reason to debate when the "WE" has been thrown into the court as a playing card. =)

At any rate, I thought about this potty training business, and the fact that I know that I will be the one that does it, but I'm completely gun shy. My last round with potty training was only successful when I took Kara on a trip to see family and my aunt put to good use her experience and potty trained Kara in the two weeks we were in Las Vegas. Hey I wonder if she'll come here for a visit and potty train Mason for me?!?!?!

What is your experience with potty training boys? How did you do it? What failed you? HELP!?!?!?!

Peace!

Let It Be

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer. let it be.

Let it be, let it be, .....

And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, ..... 


 Sometimes The Beatles are the exact advice that we seek.

Mid-Morning Escapades

Ever feel like you are alone in the mothering days when at the store? I am sure that I am not the only one out there with a 2 y/o that likes to saunter through the store as if to own it. And then when he comes in contact with another person of his size he and s/he exchange words that even the finest linguist wouldn't be able to decipher. I think they are planning to take over the candy aisle. Then every time we pass this other toddler in the store, they exchange knowingly glances and giggles and wave. Sometimes even reaching out to each other for high fives.

If adults did this, we'd be jailed. I mean, could you imagine the exchange in secret code at the grocery store, then the glances, high fives. Either jailed or admitted. That or people would avoid you. I'm just sayin.

At any rate, children in stores get away with the silliest of behaviors that have been deemed by the old people as cute. I take Mason shopping only in the morning because there are less people for him to give his secrets to. And he can wander through the store like a "big kid" without me worrying if he's going to bother others. The only other people in the store at that time are construction workers getting some carb refills and little old ladies pushing carts that out weigh them. A topic for another discussion. Why is it that the carts of massive size are the ones that the little old ladies pick???


Anyway, Mason keeps me hopping through the store, playing peek-a-boo and discussing the meaning of life with the other little people there, because their mothers probably also realized it's much easier to shop in the mid-morning with them. 


I have one piece of advice for you with toddlers, shop in the mid-morning. EVERYWHERE! :)


Peace.