Potty Humor

I have decided that boys come to this world trained to acknowledge bodily functions as humor. My kids think of any gas, bubbles, or air that might sneak out as the best kind of comedy. This morning Remi was laying on my bed watching Stephen get ready for work. He passed what sounded like a fog horn from his rear part. He laughed and laughed. Stephen and I are used to this. We are both fairly mature adults. Stephen calmly explained to him that passing gas is not funny. It is gross. Remi promptly said, "It IS funny, you know, I almost woke Hunter up in his bed!" Farts are awesome!

Car Wash

I have always loved driving my car through the car wash. When I was little, my dad would fuel up at the Chevron in East Bay on University Ave. It has a car wash on site. Big blue flaps of material hitting wildly against the car, pushing it side to side threatening to tip the beast, but it never did. I used to hold my breath thinking each time that this would be the one that defied all others. This would be the exact moment that our car would be knocked to it side killing all occupants. (A little dramatic, I realize this, I was maybe 10, give me a break.)

Well, when I was about 19 or 20, Ephraim got their first automatic touchless car wash. Yeah, sure they had car washes before this, but I was thrilled. A car is driven into the bay and cleaned with sprays of water only. It is amazing! The splish splash car wash is particularly wonderful, because it's foam is multi-colored (Mind blowing, I know!) and sprays uniformly across the windows. When the boys were little we went to this wash about once a week. It was like getting a pedicure for the car.

As life has continued on for our family I have come to see that it is a bit frivolous to wash my car at the car wash each week. I have all the equipment at home, not that I use it. Anyhow, sometimes I decide that it will be a nice adventure for the day to go through our local car wash. (Still picaresque.) The other day was one of these magnificent days. Bentley and Remi had both fallen asleep leaving only Hunter and I to enjoy the experience. I recently purchased a Hey Tom duster from flylady.net. It is wonderful. I dusted the front dash board and the passenger seat. Hunter wiped the back seats down and started to clean the above console. I took the duster from him, so that he wouldn't wipe it on the ceiling. I wiped over the compartment containing my favorite sunglasses, the duster clinging to dirty fingerprints and dust like a magnet. I moved the duster forward in one swift motion to complete the job. As I pulled the duster down I heard the passenger back door open. Oh No, I thought, I didn't. Oh yes, I did. I had hit the button opening the back door. "Idiot!" I thought. Lucky for me the water had just passed her door and I closed it allowing only a fine mist to enter my car. As the door closed I could hear that the water was still whooshing as loud as it had before. I looked over my left shoulder to see the other door open. *^%$! I quickly pushed the button to safely close this door. It would close without incident just as before. As this thought crossed my mind I saw the door slowly closing and realized with horror that the water was quickly making it's way to our open door. Tie goes the runner I saw as water sprayed into my car soaking my arm that I had thrown protectively back, (like my arm is going to keep gallons of forceful water out of my car.) I screamed, Hunter screamed, Bentley woke up, and Remi slept. I laughed and laughed. It was hysterical. Hunter said, "That was awesome!" Lucky for my Bentley, she was mostly covered and only got a little wet. We definitely got our money's worth out of this inside/out car wash.

We are the same!

Stephen and I are trying to introduce a new parenting fad, or mantra of sorts for each family member:

"SAY NO TO INDIVIDUALISM!"

There is no need for children to grow up competing with one another to try and show that they are best. Everyone should be the same. If one of your children cannot ride a bike, none of them should. If your 3 yr old is not ready to read, by all means, do not let your 6 yr old learn. This would make his abilities stand out. And if by some chance, your baby cannot grow hair, shave the older children bald, so that she will not feel bad.

Music Monday

Today I would like everyone to go back in their minds to the fall of 1998. I was a senior at Delta High School, trying my best to enjoy life to the fullest. My best friend was Angelica Ward. We were practically inseparable. Stephen had just left to do his own thing. It was a Saturday night, the exact date escapes me. Angelica and I were restless. We wanted to do something crazy. Lucky for us we had Sarah Cross to grace our existence. She is one crazy broad, and I loved her for it. Sarah has always been a bit eccentric. She always had the most exciting ideas of fun. Some were good and some not so good for any of us. Well, this particular Saturday night she was at her best. The three of us got all dressed up in our best formal dresses. Annie Draper made us the most beautiful corsages made from marigold flowers. Marigolds? Yes, they are not the typical orchid, they are not part of the Orchidaceae family at all. But they were all we had. So there we were, three hot chicks dressed to kill. We got in my little 1982 mercury lynx with faux wood paneling and drove the 45 minute drive to Fillmore, Utah. Their high school was having the annual homecoming dance. It was a formal dance, and we just happened to be dressed for the occasion. The dance was held in the gym and every song played was a slow, nice, dance close to your boyfriend song. Well, we requested "Gettin Jiggy With it" from Will Smith. The dance floor cleared and the three of us took the floor. It was hilarious. I loved it. Every time I hear this song, I think of my date with Angelica and Sarah and how we ripped up the floor. I tried to find the picture that goes with this blog, but my scanner isn't working. Ah good times!

Music Monday

Brooke started a tag on music. I think this is a wonderful idea. Music defines so many different situations in life. Think of all of the music we have running all around us each day. Commercials, television programs, movies, stores, the car, it is everywhere. I am surprised that the refrigerator doesn't play music when the door is opened. I always have a song playing in my head, kind of like Homer Simpson.

There are few things that bind us together in commonality. With the exception of the crazy cults that might not allow any kind of music, most people across the world listen to some form of music. Try and name five things that humanity in general has in common. I am willing to bet my morning doughnut that music would be one of them. Music speaks to the soul. It inspires, it leads, it angers, it softens. It has the ability to conjure any emotion desired with it's beat, words, and melody.

The song I would like to discuss from my blog today is Depeche Mode's "Somebody." This has to be one of the cheesiest songs I can think of. I first heard it when I was in college. My roommate and friend (there is a definite distinction) Jill Farnsworth, now Jill Norris, knew all the words. We would call the college radio station every two hours, when they switched the DJ, and request it. She would stand on the couch and sing it to the roommates like she was giving a concert. Jill is the type of person that can light up the darkest room. I can't think of anyone that doesn't like to be around her. It was so much fun. Every time I hear this song, I think of her and how much I envied the happiness the radiated from inside of her. It makes me smile.

If there are any of you that don't read Brooke blog, which I can't imagine because she is a wonderful writer, I have copied and pasted part of her post that includes Music Monday:

"Therefore, I am hereby announcing that Monday will now be (drum roll.....) "Music Monday" (catchy, huh?) A lot of you have music on your blogs, so I'm tagging everyone who reads this (no one is left out!) to write a post about one of the songs on your blog each Monday. It can simply say why you like it, etc. Or it can be about how you had your first kiss to the song, blah, blah. Even if you don't have music on your blog, you can still write about songs you like. Anyway, I am doing it, so that I will have a tag to do :) Sooooo...EVERYONE, TAG, YOU'RE IT! :)"

Brooke, I hope that this is okay with you. I don't have the brain power to reword it.

TAG!

You never forget how to ride a bike!

I am going to have to come up with a big fat bullshit on this one. Yesterday, I was showing Hunter how I learned to ride a bike and I have never forgotten. I rode from our church, to my house and back again. I was doing really well. Granted, a few days earlier the sprocket tried to eat my leg. It ripped a hole as big as my face in my pant leg. I was so mad. My best pair of jeans. Damn bike! I'm surprised that I decided to have a rematch. This time I wore gym shorts, perfect bicycling attire. I rode around the church parking lot, down the curb, around the van and back. I was feeling extremely comfortable. It must be true, I thought, you don't ever forget this kind of thing. Well that's when I got the great idea to jump the curb. Let me repeat myself, jump the curb. As in lift the front wheel of the bike up bring the entire bike up the 3 foot wall that had to have been the curb. (Accurateness need not apply.) Well, without going into to much detail. I flipped the bike over, scraped my leg, hit my ribs, and after all of that, I caught myself on the sidewalk. Stephen thought I might break an arm or something, but no, I came away with only minor bruises to my legs and ego.

I Am America (And So Can You)

"I AM A GAY AMERICAN. AND I COULDN'T BE GAYER NOW THAT THE GAYS ARE ON THE RUN. OF COURSE, I'M USING "GAY" THE WAY OUR FOUNDING FATHERS INTENDED, TO MEAN "HAPPY," BEFORE IT WAS STOLEN FROM THEM BY THE GAYS, JUST LIKE THEY STOLE THEIR TIGHTS, WIGS, AND CODPIECES." -Stephen Colbert

Stephen has been reading this book "I Am America (And So Can You)" by Stephen Colbert. It is hilarious! On the back of the book he writes, "A great read! I laughed, I cried, I lost 15 pounds! I cannot recommend this book highly enough." Stephen and I have been hysterical over him. I love his satirical humor. You can also watch him on the Colbert Report. I am always crying by the time the show ends because I have been laughing so hard.

Flashback Friday

This photo is of me and Stephen's younger brothers. Eric is to my right and Spencer is to my left. They were so much fun. When Stephen was a junior, he got it in his head that he needed to take another junior to the Junior Prom. I was a year younger in school so I didn't qualify. I spent the night with these two hotties chugging mountain dew and watching stupid movies. Ah the good ol' days! By the way, when I was a junior, I was perfectly fine with my senior boyfriend taking me Go figure!

This picture was taken at my Homecoming dance a few days before Stephen left on his mission I am surprised that I was even smiling.
It wasn't my happiest time ever. :(

Flashback Fridays

Ali tagged everyone to do a Flashback Friday. I love them so I decided to start doing it. Great idea Al!

This Friday I am flashing back to toddler age. I don't know exactly how old I am in this picture, but I definitely have red hair at this point, no denying it. My nemesis throughout life, the hair. What can you do though right? Dye it you say? Not this hair. I have dyed it and it returns to its natural state before about a month is over. So I have given in and go all natural.

Apparently at this age, I was pretty vain. My mom said that I loved getting my picture taken, and always smiled. When you are this little, who doesn't love getting photographed? Especially, when chubby thighs and double chins are the style.

Can I stay a bit longer?

As you may or may not have noticed I finally added music to my site.

100 songs that make me tick

When I first set up my blog a few years ago, I had to pick a title. At that moment I was listening to one of my favorite songs. My favorite music always makes me want to stay a bit longer. To enjoy the moment forever. Music can take the worst day and make it better. I can close my eyes and see the music and forget all my troubles. The music has a wide range of audiences. I am not typically a sappy person, as some of you probably have seen. I have a hard time with PDA, which Stephen absolutely loves. He is so good to always tell me he loves me. I have a hard time always telling him that. But with music, you don't have to pick the right words to express your thoughts, it is just there. Sappy music is perfectly acceptable. This selection beings with one of my all time favorites and finishes with a song that makes me think of Stephen every time. It starts and ends with what is most important, Love.

I hope you can find at least one song that makes you smile.

Enjoy!

More Pictures of Bentley

I took some pictures of Bentley the other day while all the boys were gone. I am definitely not a good photographer, but I think they turned out alright. While I was taking the photos, I accidentally had the camera on video and got footage of Bentley peeing on the blanket. It was hilarious!

Baby Bentley

Stephen and I took some pictures of Bentley in her blessing dress. This was not a easy task. Babies do not cooperate very well! In fact I think this is one of the only decent ones we got.

Angie wanted to see some pictures of the kids. Right now I don't have much to say about them.

The boys smothering Bentley.

Bentley, encouraging them even more by laughing at them.

Bentley, more curious about Hunter than the camera.

What's on your mind?

It is about 4:00 AM. I just fed Bentley, and find myself restless. My thoughts are too loud. What's on your mind you ask? Well, nobody asked, but I am going to share it anyhow. Yesterday I overheard someone make this comment: "I could care less." For some reason I cannot stop thinking about what she meant by that sentence. She was speaking about a topic that she no longer wanted to give any thought. She was tired of dealing with it and wanted it known that she was done and COULDN'T care less. I wanted to lean over to her and say, "you mean, you couldn't care less, right? Saying that she could care less does in fact mean that she could going on caring about the subject more than she did right at that moment. For some reason I seem to notice when people use the word 'could' instead of 'couldn't' in that phrase. I always have to restrain myself from correcting them. Why? Why do I care? I know what was meant by the phrase. Get over it and GO TO SLEEP!

Be on your best behaivor

This is in the Philippines. It reads, "Don't pee here, there, or anywhere."

How do you feel about the poor guy that got so fed up he had to paint the word pee on the side of his building in big bold letters?







This is my personal favorite. They don't care where you spit, just do it quietly please.

If you reveal your secrets to the wind you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees.
-Kahlil Gibran

Welcome back

Well, a lot has changed over the course of this last year. At the end of March 2007, I started working at the last place one could imagine me working: a daycare. One can only work in low income housing for so long before the craziness seeps in. I had started to feel like I was going to lose it when a lady that I go to church with asked me if I wanted a new job. What was I thinking? DAYCARE? ME? I should have have said no when I had the chance. But, I didn't. I started in the 3 year old class room on March 26. By May, I was ready for a change. I moved out of the 3's and started doing accounts receivable. Well, one thing led to another and I found myself doing about 4 jobs for the price of one. Anyhow, that phase has passed me by. I now find myself unemployed. My last day of work was January 25th. What a glorious day (singing) aaaaaaaahhh!

On January 27th at 7:20 PM I started my next adventure. I had a baby girl.


Wow are girls different than boys. She looks pretty much the same, well with the obvious exception of the actual girl parts. She smells pretty much the same, but there is a distinct contrast between her and either of my boys. She is sooooo good. I can honestly say that I have really enjoyed having her around these last two weeks. Oh I almost forgot hmmm (clearing my throat)

Annoucing the birth of Bentley Lyn Hintze.

Weight: 7 lbs. 9 ozs.
Height: 18 inches

Both of the boys are eating her up. They are driving me crazy wanting to love her and hold her.






Hunter has absolutely been madly in love with her!













Remi is a little more standoffish, but he loves getting his picture taken.








Thus begins our new saga!

Update

Remi discovers my mascara.

Hunter went on his first deer hunt.

My brother's girlfriend had a baby girl. He always has beautiful dark haired babies.

Remi also discovered that he loves the margarine. I know that this picture looks strangely familiar. I haven't learned my lesson of not leaving him unattended.

Our family photo

Also, we bought our first home. It is an old brick house, built in 1931. It has a lot of character. We are really excited about it. Currently we are deciding what to do with the flooring. There is wood in it. We would have to refinish it and it will look incredibly rustic. We can't decide what to do. More to follow.

I am not dead yet!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am not dead yet. We have had a rough October, November, December, and January. Now that we are half way through February, I think things are looking better. More to come......

Things that make me smile

Okay, I am trying a new thing. I am going to make a list of all the things that make me smile.

1. Rain - I love the way everything looks both while it is raining and after. I even love the hard, beat everything down rain. The kind that you can't see through even with your windshield wipers on high. I love it!

2. Music - We have music on at our house nearly all the time. I dream about music while I sleep, strange I know. Actually, it is more like my dreams have background music. I love almost all types of music as mentioned in previous post. I love everything from James Taylor to Jack Johnson, depending on my mood

3. Getting E-mail - I love, love getting emails from people, not junk but a good old fashioned
letter. It always makes my day, even if it is an incomplete sentence that doesn't make any sense at all from my youngest brother. I still love it.

4. Mountains - The view from my front lawn. Simply amazing

5. Short Stop Lights -

6. Meeting new friends - I love new people. It always makes my day to have a conversation with any adult, but I love friends.

7. Football - This hasn't always been the case. I used to despise it, absolutely despise it, but now it makes me smile.

8. When random things make me think of my Grandma.

9. Camping - Especially in the canyon above our old home sniff sniff

10. Unexpected gifts - We have had so much fun with this old thing.

11. Lilies - especially star gazers

12. New shoes - Who doesn't love new shoes, I mean come on they are shoes for crying out loud!

13. Preschool - Two complete hours with no being told what to do or when to do it. I am talking about my 4 1/2 year old. Yes he does boss me around. I like the break.

14. The Move Theatre - I don't get out much if this makes me smile, but it does, it really does.

15. My nieces and nephews

16. The fall season. This time of year is wonderful. I love all of the colors in the sky and on the leaves. It is beautiful.

17. Lunch, speaking of which I am hungry. I'm am going to update this later. I am a little disappointed with myself that only 17 things make me smile and food is one of them.

What makes you smile?