two little monkeys & a very mean mama.

{look what i found jumping on the bed when they were supposed to be brushing their teeth?}

okay, the jig is up. i am sensitive. i'm sure pretty sure that may shine through here on this little ole' blog, because seriously, i am. it's okay. i'm good with it. i like it. i really, really do. i often wonder that if i weren't such a sensitive-minded person, would i love the same as i do? genuinely care about things as much? i love thinking about things like this.

do you know the personality tests some employers require you take before they can hire you? the ones that ask questions kind of like these two:

what makes you happiest?

please choose one

1. petting a dog.

2. eating chocolate, and please specify milk or dark?

3. sleeping in and watching shirley temple movies all saturday afternoon.

or even more bizarre,

my own success and happiness are more important than the happiness and success of others.

please check: accurate or very accurate

okay, the first question is a gimmie and it's a trick because of course, eating dark chocolate in bed while watching shirley temple are the correct answer(s), not to mention it will get you hired at any future jobs i may be hiring for in the future. lol.

however, what's up with the second question?! you can bet your last dollar,donald trump wouldn't hire someone that would choose accurate. i bet he would want you to say very accurate. so in this made up scenario, one is kind of forced to look a tad selfish in order to not look like your not focused and driven. i've confused myself.

on serious note, the test i took was for a bar tending job at a seafood restaurant. was it really important to take that test? if i became stressed, i would have indulged in a cocktail versus doing something more aggressive, like offing my frenemies with a big crab claw and a few oyster shells. ha.

regardless, i completed the test and when the handsome manager came back to tell me the good news, "great. you did a great job! you're hired!," i remember sighing relief because,

1. i really needed the money, and

2. whew, i'm a good person. i must not be a crazy person, that test just proved it! ha.

since we're on the subject (and i'm sure my husband is screaming at his computer screen trying to confirm this tidbit of info), i am also emotional, perceptive, friendly, indecisive, loyal, realistic, sincere, confident, truthful, happy, outgoing, accepting... the list goes on and on.

what a self-centered post.

these are the things that make us who we are-along with nature and nurture and all that jazz. it's what we are made of and what renders us special and unique to anyone else. as i become, should i say...'more mature,' i have learned to be accepting of every single one of my traits. dude, i'm not fighting it. i'm tired;)

irrational, insecure, bitchy, sensitive-in-a-bad-way, careful, unfocused, unrealistic, decisive, quiet at times.

who me? yeah me.

the reason i am rambling tonight- my daughter said i was the,

"meanest mommy ever. you are mean to childrens and that's not what mommies do."

(huge sobs and bigger tears falling down her cheeks.)

apparently, i should add mean to my list. bummer. certainly, though, mean can not be possible. i passed that test. the one that said i was perfectly normal and good with people...lol!

for once, i didn't try to win back her affections. i'm sure i appeared hurt, but my response was simple...

"that's okay. you don't have to love me. i still love you and i want you to get rest for tomorrow, so please say goodnight and close your eyes." oddly, i was firm. doing what i thought was best.

i did feel mean though.

so not fair, but such is life...or parenthood.

more sobbing while telling me how much she loves me... daddy too.

and that's what does it. a simple, 'i do love you, mommy,' and all is well.

i truly love and cherish each day being a mommy to two young babies. i love them so much, and while i am a bit afraid of the future teenage peyton, it's only because we are so similar in personality and emotion. i will value her traits, everyone of them, as i have learned to value all of mine.

story time turned into a production tonight, but finally they were quiet...and it is a total happy.

more happy things,

peyton and beckham and how much they love their auntie heather.

recipe time with beckham.

he takes it pretty seriously. it's actually disgusting, but, well, he loves to make a mess and i love

watching him search for items in the kitchen to 'cook' with. i would say this recipe was called,

orange oatmeal with cinnamon nutmeg fruit cereal.

some of the women in my life are really special (grandpa too!)

my lovely mother.

my beautiful sisters. wishing we lived closer to one another. love you, ladies! xoxo

this recipe...

carin's dill and caper chicken.

last year, carin came into town for a much needed girl fest. the three of us sat on the countertop with a glass of

wine, ate cold dill chicken out of the fridge, laughed, danced to mama mia and poked fun at pierce brosnan.

it became a famously perfect evening. so with fond girlfriend bonding memories, i am sharing this with you.

carin's dill chicken is my favorite chicken dish under the healthy umbrella. well, i think it's healthy and if it's not

don't tell me 'cause i like it lots.

chicken breast brushed with olive oil.

optional: sprinkle some of your favorite seasoning salt on the chicken while grilling.

1/4 extra virgin lite olive oil

1 big jar of capers

a bunch of fresh dill.

grill seasoned chicken until done, but not overcooked. when done, i cut the chicken breast into threes (makes it

easy to grab a piece out of the fridge when running out the door), put into pyrex dish. in a pan, i heat the olive oil

capers for a minute or two. add to chicken and sprinkle with a lot of chopped dill. it's soooooo good. try it.

i made it all fancy for jeff though...

and lastly...

congratulations, beautiful girl! thank you for letting me capture such a big night in your life! it was an amazing party you rocked it out.

to see more of your sneak peek, please go here.

lots of love.

xo