Category Archives: growing up

Let’s Talk About Modesty

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Or lack there of perhaps?

No worries, I’m not here to judge. If you run around naked, that’s your gig. This is merely my observations regarding the subject.

As I’ve been to the gym more frequently, I’ve been thinking more and more about it.

What makes someone modest? Or not?

In no way do I consider myself an ultra-conservative modest person. When in the ladies locker room at the gym, I don’t feel the need to use one of the changing stalls to change in and out of my workout clothes/prep for my shower, but at the same time, I don’t go walking around the locker room completely free-ballin’ sans towel. {And yes, I know women can’t “free ball” but you know what I mean}

I haven’t always been this way. Before I had Rylee I was super modest. I was a member at a different gym just after Andy and I were married and I always remember thinking how I couldn’t believe all these women just walked around buck-ass nekked like it was nothing. Most of the time I wouldn’t even change at the gym. And if I did, I most definitely would not shower.

Andy and I would have long conversations about it too. He thought I was dumb for even caring. “The women aren’t there to stare at your boobies, you know.” But I just couldn’t shake it. It made me super squeamish. Even talking about it did.

He never had any problem changing or showering at the gym. Or even sitting in the steam room with nothing but a towel on. {I still can’t work myself up to do that.} He grew up going to the gym, so it was no big thing. He was taught it was no big deal and he could be comfortable in his own skin.

I’m sure that’s where it all stems from. I wasn’t raised in an environment where I even knew what “not modest” was. I remember in the 6th grade being terrified because we had to {GASP!} dress down for PE.

Here’s where this all comes together…I need to foster an attitude of comfort and freedom and pride for who she is for my daughter. I don’t want Rylee to have to wait until she bears a child to be comfortable in her own skin. I don’t want Rylee to ever be embarrassed or shy or whatever about something as trivial as having to change her clothes in front of people. {When appropriate, of course. I for sure don’t want a streaker on my hands.}

Although, even if she does go and join some nudist colony someday, I’m sure I’ll love her just the same.

A Perfect Lazy Sunday Morning

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I was a bit under the weather this weekend. Nothing major, just a head cold. But they suck, don’t they? It knocked me on my rear.

Sunday morning we were able to sleep in all the way until 8:30! It was glorious. Once we were all awake, we just stayed in bed for a bit. Since I didn’t feel well, Andy took pity on me and rubbed my back. Rylee wriggled her way down to the end of the bed and she rubbed my feet.

Andy soon left to go help his Dad with something over at his Grandparents’ house…AKA the never ending project. Rylee and I stayed in our jammies, ate some breakfast and watched some cartoons. Then decided we needed to Skype with Auntie “Telli”. Since we have the best Internet connection in my bedroom, we headed back in there.

And then, we spent the next 1/2 hour talking to Auntie Kelli.

We talked about puzzles. We talked about Rylee’s baby doll’s new dress. Then she went to find it and brought it in to shoe Auntie. We talked about braiding hair. Then Ry decided she needed some clippies in her hair and disappeared for about 5 minutes to go find some. Auntie showed us the snow outside her living room window. Rylee pointed out all the letters on the keyboard that she recognized. It was all pretty comical. Auntie Telli was soaking it all up.

I love that Rylee loves all of her Aunties and Uncles. She has such a special relationship with all of them.

And I also love modern technology, specifically Skype. Such a great way to keep in touch with far away friends and family.

The Best Creamy Chicken Enchiladas Ever.

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Yep, I said ever. And I mean it.

You know what else? They’re easy to boot!

You know what else, what else? There’s pictures of my cute kid involved.

You’re welcome in advance.

Ingredients:

  • 1- pound Shredded Chicken
  • 2- 14.5 oz cans of Cream of Chicken Soup
  • 1- 16 oz tub of Sour Cream
  • 1- 4 oz can of Diced Green Chiles
  • 1/2- Cup Chopped Onions – Option {I say optional because I hate raw onions thrown in my food.  I only use the onions if I have to cook the chicken before hand. In which case, I sauté the onions with the chicken.}
  • 10-12- Flour Tortillas {Depends on the size of your tortillas here. We use the GIANT burrito size tortillas. Go big or go home folks. That’s our motto}
  • 2- Cups Shredded Cheese {Or more if you fancy. Cheese makes everything better.}
  • 1- 4 oz can Sliced Olives – Optional

{Ry showing off her Vanna skills, while pointing to what she feels is the most important ingredient. CHEESE.}
Step One: 
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix the chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream and diced chiles together in a bowl.
{Please disregard the dirty dishes in the background. They all got washed after the enchiladas went in the oven. Promise}
Step Two:
Spoon some mix into the center of a tortilla. Add cheese. Roll and place in a 13×9 baking dish. 
Continue until all the mix is used. Then top all the enchiladas with the remaining cheese and optional sliced olives.

{Rylee and Daddy admiring her cheese spreading skills}



Step Three:
Cover the enchiladas with tin foil. **Make sure you spray your foil with Pam or you’ll lose your cheese!** Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. I like to remove the foil after about 20 minutes of baking…it makes the edges enchiladas nice and crispy.

Step Four:
Serve with your favorite mexican side dishes and enjoy!!

2010: Year of the…Tiger?

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According to China, it’s the year of the tiger. For us, it’s more like “2010: Year of the Rice Family Roller Coaster”.

Happy New Year’s Eve ya’all. It’s 10:00 PM Pacific time and I’m ringing in the new year sitting on my couch, with my teeth brushed, face washed, sporting my flannel pj pants and oversized sweatshirt next to the warm, crackling fire, typing this by the twinkling lights of my Christmas tree.

And I couldn’t be happier.

This year was a crazy one filled with challenges and sadness. But also one filled with love and an abundance of blessings. And so, I give you our 2010, a year in review.

January: Rang in the new year with money troubles, the worry of losing our home, a puking kid, followed by a puking husband, followed by a business trip to Columbus, OH. Mid-to-late January was spent in and out of the pediatrician’s office with Rylee battling bronchiolitis. We celebrated Grandma Rice’s 88th birthday!

February: Spent the better part of February in and out of the pediatrician’s office, again, while Rylee battled RSV and croup. At the same time. I did manage to work in a quick, weekend trip with Kristen to fly out to Chicago to help Kelli celebrate her 30th birthday.

March: More time spent in the pediatrician’s office {the receptionists knew Rylee all too well}. This time with another bout of pneumonia, followed by the flu. We took Ry on her first trip to the zoo and transitioned her from her crib to a “big-girl” bed.

April: Ry got the flu…again. I went to my first Cirque De Sole show with Julia and Kristen. April is when the floodgates called Rylee’s Vocabulary opened up.

May:  We celebrated Rylee’s 2nd birthday. Unfortunately, we ended the month on a low with the loss of Andy’s Grandma Rice.

June: Started off June with Julia’s bridal shower. Andy wrapped up another school year. Rylee repeated her first bad word {that I said!}.We took Rylee to the Oregon Coast Aquarium and her first real trip to the beach. Julia and Spencer said “I do”. Best. Wedding. Ever.

July: 4th of July. Always amazing. We took Rylee on her first camping trip. I headed to Minnesota for a work trip, visited family I hadn’t seen for nearly 20 years and received a phone call that would leave me with major decisions to make…

August: Andy and I celebrated 5 wonderful years of marriage. I stepped way out of my comfort zone and left my very comfortable, very familiar job to work for a company that was less than 1 year old and in a new, unfamiliar industry. Andy started another school year.

September: Canned dozens of jars of fruit and potty trained Rylee in a weekend…all while Andy was gone {thanks Auntie Kristen!}. Andy spent that weekend with a much needed/deserved visit with his best friend. Ry started back up in daycare. We got to help celebrate our “nephew’s” first birthday.

October: We started out October with the phone call that Andy’s grandfather (his mom’s dad) passed away. I harvested a forked horn blacktail. We booked plane tickets for Andy and his dad to visit his best friend in Alaska this coming Summer for 12 days! {I am accepting wine donations starting now.}

November: Andy received a much deserved promotion at work to Head Teacher. Celebrated Thanksgiving with family.

December: Spent the first half of December waiting for Andy to get home from work and eating dinner at 8:00 at night…some promotion {I have been assured that it will not continue this way}. Spent the second half of December celebrating the birth of Jesus, and the rest of Christmas break, with some much needed family time.

That about wraps it up. It’s been a wild year and it flew by.

I am looking forward to all 2011 has in store for our little family.

The ups and the downs.

Also? This happens to mark my 200th post. So, in honor of my 200th post, picture me throwing confetti in the air, raising the roof and even busting out the head-down-knee-popped-fist-clenched-elbow-back-DJ Tanner-style “YESSSsss”.

Or not. Your choice.

Heart Melty Goodness

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The morning started off like any other. Somewhere around 4:45 AM I woke up to a toddler knee in my back. I rolled over and dozed back off. My alarm went off at the all too early time of 5:35 AM. I rolled out of bed about 10 minutes later and proceeded with my typical morning ritual. Ry was still asleep, sprawled out on our bed. {How such a small little person can take up so much space is beyond my worldly knowledge.}

As Andy is getting ready to leave I tell him to go ahead and wake her up. Her groggy eyes open and she lifts her head onto my lap. As Andy gets up to leave she jolts up and puts her arms out.

Eskimo kisses for Daddy.

As he turned to walk out to door she said, “WAIT! One more kiss!”

Kisses for Daddy.

“Wait! One more hug!”

Big hug for daddy.

“WAIT! Last kiss…”

After we are up and moving we head to her bathroom where she announces that she is not going to sit down. It takes me a second to get what she is saying. It clicks right about the time she faces the toilet, buck naked and starts pinching her belly button!! {NOTE TO SELF: no more Rylee in the bathroom when Daddy is going potty!} As I proceed to explain to Rylee that I know it’s a bummer, but girls have to sit down to go potty and boys like Daddy can stand, she finishes up. I wipe her sweet little tush and she spins around, looks at me and matter-of-factly says “I love you Mommy.”

The first unsolicited L word from the monster. My heart skipped a beat.

Next it’s time to get dressed. We head into her bedroom and we talk about what she will wear today. We start with her chonies {AKA: panties but I refuse to use that word}. While my back is turned away from her and toward her dresser to grab some pants and a shirt, she sits down on the floor and picks up a book. “Love you Forever”

I know you know the book.  It’s the one that makes every single mother cry every single time she reads it.

I turn back around to face her and I see her rocking “back and forth, back and forth, back and forth”. She looks up at me, smiles and sings “mumble, mumble, mumble…LOVE YOU ALWAYS”.

Just reliving the morning makes my heart all sorts of full with warm-gushy-meltyness. What a kid, I tell ya. What a kid.