30 Days Of Music::Day 5 & 6::Sad & Angry

What song do you listen to when you are sad?

Typically, when I am sad, I'll listen to music that is happy or upbeat. Sometimes though, I listen to music that I might think is sad, other's might not.

One song is Ana's Song (Open Fire) by Silverchair. I happen to LOVE this song. The subject matter is quite sad. The lead singer, Daniel Johns, wrote it about his battle with anorexia. He was the first male that I ever saw open up about his battle. So, on the occasion that I feel like listening to something sad, I listen to this.

What song do you listen to when you are Angry?

Just as my favorite song, this one changes as well. As of right now, it's Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri.

It's a beautiful song with a lot of emotion in it.

30 Days Of Music::Day 4::When You're Happy

When I'm happy, I like to put on music that makes me want to dance in a crazy/silly manner. Claire and Grayson giggle like crazy. Ethan has gotten to the "Mom, you're so embarrassing" stage when this happens. I dance anyways.

And a song I like to do that to is "Here (In Your Arms)" by HelloGoodbye.

So, listen, enjoy and maybe get a little silly yourself.

30 Days Of Music::Day 3::The Highest Plays On iTunes

I'm not one for buying whole CD's from a specific artist. I make exceptions for Jewel, Jimmy Eat World, Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service. A lot of my music comes from friend suggestions, but a great majority comes from hearing the song on a TV show or in a movie, which is where I got his song.

Living A Lie by Daniel Zott

I heard it on an episode of Chuck. I drove myself crazy for weeks trying to find out what it was and who sang it. Luckily, David found it for me. I love this song.

30 Days Of Music::Day 2::Your Least Favorite Song

I've had several songs that have annoyed the holy living crap out of me in my time. Chumbawamba and their Tubthumping. Birthday Sex by Jeremiah...I mean..REALLY? Anything by Justin Beiber.

But nothing, and I mean NO SONG EVER, has come close to The Impression That I Get by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

I HATE this song. I drives me crazy. If it comes on the radio, I change it. I couldn't even stand to let it start playing when I found the video. It makes me kind of want to be deaf for the 3 minutes and 16 seconds this song has to play.

I went to a concert in high school, and this band was an opener. They of course, played this song. The incredibly drunk guy that was sitting next to my friend and I was so freaking happy about this song, that he started dancing like a maniac and spilled beer all over me. True story. That made me hate the song even more.

So, please, listen at your own discretion.

30 Days Of Music::Day 1::Your Favorite Song

My favorite song changes..A lot. I don't think I've ever had a steady favorite song.

Recently, I had an old friend suggest to me a band called The National. I'd heard of them, and I'd listened to a few songs, but not a lot. So, I went onto our Napster account and pulled up their music. I saw the song Green Gloves. It seemed interesting, so I clicked on it.

It struck something in me for some reason. I just think it's beautiful. I listen to it a lot. I don't know what it is about it. I think this is a favorite, and will remain so for a very long time.

Arizona

Our trip to Arizona was wonderful. While we went for a reason that was quite sad, I had a wonderful time visiting family and I absolutely loved watching all of my grandparents and my great-grandmother meet Claire and Grayson for the very first time.

We got to the airport bright and early on April 4th. The kids were excited about flying. Me? Not so much. The kids were also excited about watching airplanes.

Grayson cared more about French Fries.

Once we got to AZ and found my MIL in the airport, we headed off to her house, where the kids were obviously WIRED at almost 9PM. Claire and Ethan spent a good half hour (maybe longer) spinning in the computer chair together.

The next day we headed out to my grandma's house for lunch, where the kids sat and ate at the same table that I sat and had meals at when I was their age.

There was an impromptu party as it was my grandmother's birthday. Dinner and cake with my family. It felt like home. No pictures of this event though as I want to protect my family's privacy.

I headed up north on Wednesday, and realized that sometimes, I miss the mountain view around Phoenix.

But on my way down just 3 short days later, I realized that snow might follow me everywhere I go.

We spent the next couple of days being worn out by family

Playing with Grandma

And striking a model pose.

Then we headed back out to my grandmother's in Chandler. Grayson met the dog that my brother and I begged my grandfather for when I was 11. He caved and we took her home.

I watched them play in the same places that I played when I was their age, just minus a few fences and a couple dozen goats.

Then they ran around on the trailer that my brother and I spent hours jumping off of and running back and forth on when we were kids, and the sunset in the background was amazing.

And before we knew it, it was time to go.

Our trip was wonderful. The kids did amazing on the airplanes. Yeah, that's plural. Four airplanes in total. However, it was a fun (sad) trip. I can't wait to go back.

Dear Claire

Dear Claire,

Yesterday, April 14th, you turned 3. I can't believe it. My baby girl is 3.

In the past year, you've gone from this:

To this:

You are an amazing big sister. You follow me into Grayson's room every morning and say, "Hi Grayson. Good morning. Good morning handsome!" He smiles and claps. You love Yo Gabba Gabba. You've taken a break from Monster's Inc and have started watching Tangled on repeat. It's a much welcome break from Monster's Inc. You talk a lot, but not around other people. You're favorite food is apples.

We took your very first plane trip to Arizona this year. You did wonderful on the plane, and were so excited to ride it. You met mommy's family for the first time. They all said you were a tiny version of me. I loved watching you run and play in the same places that I ran and played when I was your age at grandma's (great grandma to you).

On your birthday, I made you bacon and toast, because you aren't a fan of eggs. Then, I made your cake. This year I made a butterfly.

And, it actually looked pretty good. Not very deformed. You looked at it and smiled. I think that was mostly because you wanted to eat it (and tried to when I went to get dressed).

You put on your birthday dressed and twirled. Grayson giggled. This made you twirl more.

After dinner, you opened presents.

Or I should say, you opened a present. You aren't much of a present kind of girl. You opened the one, and then sat in my lap and directed me on which presents you wanted me to open. You received lots of wonderful gifts. Your favorites? Barbie's and the two Little People play sets from daddy and mommy.

Then I lit three candles on your cake....

And you ran away. I blew them out for you and wished for you a year full of happiness.

I love you baby girl and may year 3 be everything you hope it will be,

Mommy

Three Kids, Two Planes And One Mom...

We're here. Arizona. Our travels began bright and early Monday morning. We got up and I fed the kids and finished packing our bags. We headed to the airport. The drive there was great. When we got there and got everything out of the trunk though, I started feeling a slight sense of panic. We had two carseats (one that was being checked because Grayson was riding in my lap), two suticases, three backpacks, an umbrella stroller and a diaper bag. How in the hell was a I planning on doing this....Alone? David walked us to get our tickets and check our bags. Then they asked David if he wanted to accompany me to the gate. He did. LIFESAVER. He carried the carseat to the gate and then sat with the kids while I went and bought water and lunch for them. When I got back with lunch, he gave the kids kisses and hugs and left, and I sat in my quiet panic, slowly chewing my french fries. Claire and Ethan stood at the gate and watched all the planes fly in and out. Claire was amazed. When the plane landed, Grayson stood with his little face against the bars and screamed at every one that came off the plane whild his little feet danced with excitement. When it came time to board the plane, Claire took off down the walkway screaming, "I go bye bye! I go bye bye!" The whole way to the plane. I struggeld to get the carseat on the plane. I hit a few elbows on the way....Sorry. I got it in, and put Claire in the seat. She stared out the window and clapped. Grayson got fussy. Ethan started talking a mile a minute. Then the plane taxied and Grayson and Claire were asleep before we were even in the air. We got to Denver and a wonderful couple stayed on the plane to help me off. They said they were sad to leave their little one behind, but they did not envy me for traveling alone with three. They carried the carseat off the plane so I could hold Claire's hand and push the stroller without struggling. They were lifesavers and I thanked them profusely. However, my flight from Denver was delayed an hour. The kids were great, and the next flight went just as well as the first, minus all the sleeping. Now, I'm at my mom's. We're getting ready to go meet her at work for lunch in about a half hour. I'm enjoying my time, even if my trip out was for a very sad reason. More updates soon. And pictures when I get home.

See, I Told You I'd Post More Pictures...And This Is Post 300!

Me and my new camera? We're totally BFF's. It takes amazing pictures without my having to do much and I can snap to my hearts content without having to stop and wait for the camera to react to the picture I just took. Basically, I am in love with my camera. If I could run away with it to take amazing pictures of my small ones forever, I would.

Monday, the small ones and I are going to be in Arizona visiting for 9 days due to the death of my mother's boyfriend of 8 years. He was much loved and will be very much missed. So, expect micro-updates from the desert and maybe a picture or two. My new BFF will be going with me.