Currently listening to the precious sound of my little guy singing “Joy to the World”. Nothing warms my heart like the joy of music in a child.

Of course, the concert is coming from the bathroom where the acoustics are great and I can hear him throwing in a “TRA-LA-LAAAA” (the theme from Captain Underpants) every few verses.

These are the moments when I hope the Good Lord has a break in His day for a little giggle.

#BathroomConcerts #MyGuySingsConstantly #GodDefinitelyHasASenseOfHumor #MusicMakesAHappyHome #OutrageouslyOrdinary

Favorite quote of the day…

The Daught to My Guy as I was getting out of the shower this morning (they didn’t know I could hear them):

“Who needs normal when we have mom.”

Not sure what the context was but I’m grateful for their acceptance.

#WhoNeedsNormal #WeirdIsWonderful #CrazyRunsInMyFamily #KidsSayTheDarndestThings #OutrageouslyOrdinary

I had a terrible dream last night that I was caught in public without a stitch of anything covering my everything. I was walking around a park with every dimple, crack and crevice on display but the only thing I was concerned about was that my toenails weren’t painted. The fact that I may blind passersby with my pale, pigmentally-challenged skin was of no concern. It was my plain, paintless toes that were the source of my embarrassment.

Freud would have a field day with me.

#PaintlessToes #FreudChallenge #PalmToHead #IDreamEveryNight #OutrageouslyOrdinary

If turning the toilet seat yellow were an Olympic sport, my baby would win gold. I’m starting to see the appeal of those lovely 70’s colors.

#OlympicGold #CleaningOlympicGoldForSevenYearsNow #WhyCantBoysAim #CheeriosAreGreatFloatingTargets
#ILoveMyGuy #OutrageouslyOrdinary

My son gave me a sad hug last night before bed. When I asked him what was wrong, he looked at me with sincere regret and told me he was sorry that I didn’t get anything for Valentine’s Day. I explained that his little gobsmacks (kisses) and his sister’s hugs were all the gifts I need, but he wasn’t convinced. He gave me a big monkey hug and told me I shouldn’t worry about not having a Valentine because he would always be mine.

In a time when the world seems to be so focused on things – popular things, expensive things, electronic things, silly things, the wrong things – it is so easy to forget that children need to be reminded that they are blessed beyond measure with simple things like their health. We need to remind them that true happiness is self-made. No gadget or gizmo, no trendy outfit, no car or house will lead them to a perfect life. Their character, their faith, their health, their love for family and hope for humanity is what will guide them to be successful.

In light of this week’s tragedy, I encourage us all to hug our children a little tighter and keep the focus on the important things.

#TheImportantThings #LoveMyLittleGuy #FaithLoveAndHope #MyBoyHasTheBestHeart #ChildrenAreTheInnocenceTheWorldNeeds #OutrageouslyOrdinary

I taught a lesson on different types of advertising strategies to my newspaper students this morning. I showed them commercials from the 50s, 60s and 70s. When it was over the kids told me they loved the commercials, but one little girl raised her hand and said “Ms. Cami, why did you use commercials from way back in the 1900’s? They just don’t look real.”  I told her that way back in the 1900’s didn’t seem very long ago to me… I wish you could have seen her face, like I was the Crypt Keeper. 

#OldLadyLaughs #KidsSayTheDarndestThings #OutrageouslyOrdinary

Current situation – laying in my king size bed, cozy in freshly washed sheets, loving the rhythm of the rain coming down outside, saying my prayers of praise that my family is healthy and happy… and listening to the sound of tiny nails scratching the pipes in the wall of my bathroom getting louder and closer to my headboard, hoping it’s a ghost and not Mickey’s nasty cousin.

#PipeScratching   #MouseInTheHouse   #MayHaveToBurnItDown   #HopeItsAFriendlyGhost   #MickeyMouse   #OutrageouslyOrdinary

I’d like to wish my baby girl a very Happy Birthday!! Feb 1st marks 11 years since the house was clean… Happy day!

#TheDaught #MyAmazingGrace #MyBabyIsEleven #MyBlessing #OutrageouslyOrdinary 

After being stuck in the house for so many snow days,  I wanted to get some fresh air and a little exercise.  I went for an aimless walk and ended up walking by some undeveloped land near my kids school.  For whatever reason, my brain went on shutdown and I decided it would be a marvelous idea to do a cartwheel. No one was looking, there were no cars driving by, there were no smartphones to catch me… Why not, right?

I can tell you three things that I learned after flipping around…

1. The older I get, the less friendly gravity becomes. Triple that effect when upside down. I felt too many parts of me shift into new and unnatural locations.

2. The feeling of achievement for having actually done the cartwheel was incredible. The busted rubberband feeling in my legs afterwards reminded me for days that I am not as young as I think I am. 

3. A good bra is a necessary evil at this age. What hangs when upright could suffocate you when upside down. 

#UpsideDownTown #Cartwheels #SnowDayStretch #LoveGymnastics #TooTallToBeAGymnast #OutrageouslyOrdinary