Opinions...

At what age does it become "rude" or whatever to have an opinion? Do you ever wonder why are you embarassed to have an opinion? I think it is so odd that as we get older opinions seem to become these rude things that you dare not have. I especially notice this with clothes, food, and gifts.

When you are going out to eat with people how many people hesitate to say where they really want to go...a lot...sure you might say 3 places you would be ok with, but why not just say where you really want to go? Also, when you go to someones house to eat, it shouldn't be offensive if they make a nice salmon with some side dishes and things and you don't eat the salmon...just because you are at someone's house doesn't mean you suddenly get their taste buds. Why is it rude to say "no thank you I'll pass on the salmon, I don't eat fish"? It doesn't mean that you don't appreciate their efforts or anything it's a simple fact that you don't eat fish.

Same with gifts, personally I don't want to get you something or waste my money on something that you don't like. So if I ever give you something and you don't particularly care for it, just let me know. "I really appreciate the effort, but this isn't really my thing...maybe we can go pick out something together". Use it as a time to teach me what you do like, it will help me get to know you better and maybe I will do better next time. If you keep accepting the stupid gifts I get you and throwing them in the junk closet or donating them...that's not really what I want to be spending my money on either.

And clothes, just cause I don't think something is cute doesn't mean I care if you have it...I just don't like it, it's nothing personal against you...we just have different tastes.

All these things make us different people, why not embrace the differences and be fine with it. Why are these things are taken personally as we get older. NOT EVERYONE LIKES WHAT YOU DO OR WHAT YOU THINK THEY SHOULD...and thank goodness cause how boring would that be.

Say what you want to say, have an opinion, be YOU. God made you to have thoughts and opinions, not sit there and agree with everyone else. If someone is throwing you a birthday party it's ok to let them know what you want to happen there...afterall their main concern SHOULD be that you have a good time and enjoy it...it's your party.

So Speak your mind people...in a respectful way of course, God gave it to you for a reason. And people who get offended...get over it, it's not always about you...God made everyone different, it's nothing personal against you if someone doesn't like your food, or gift, or clothes. Use it to learn about the person rather then internalize it and take it as a personal attack. Everyone is different...Thank Goodness!

Chubba

The other day Jared and I were reading a book about babies and kids and we came upon this paragraph:

"Stuffed Animals:Babies frequently mistake these toys as living, breathing companions (particularly if the stuffed animal has wide eyes). This is a technical glitch that usually disappears within seven to twelve years."

Jared paused and looked at me....

For those of you that know you me, you know that I love Hippos, and that I have a Hippo named Chubba. (notice the wide eyes)

Chubba is 10 he will be 11 on July 14, and yes we celebrate his birthday. (I also love birthdays so the more the merrier).

Chubba IS alive.

I know in my logical brain that he is a stuffed animal, but seriously I know he is alive. Chubba has been all over the world with me, he gets his picture taken in different countries, he is always in my carry-on because if he got lost in luggage somewhere I am pretty sure I would get the FBI to open a worldwide search for him. I get nervous even putting him above my seat because if we did have to evacuate the plane, I would NEED to grab him! If you read my fear of drowning you will understand that on ferries I get nervous if we leave Duke or Chubba in the car cause there is no way I am getting off without them. Sometimes in Seattle we would just sit in our car on the ferries if Duke was in there so we would be able to rescue him...on the ferry in New Zeeland I took Chubba in my backpack up to the deck so he would be safe.

Yupp that's right I am 28 and still have a Hippo named Chubba who I really believe is alive AND I sleep with him. If you have a problem with that then Oh well, because I am perfectly ok with it and as Dr.Seuss says, "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" LOVE that quote!

So, yes, Jared shot me quite the look...and then we all started laughing...Chubba too, cause he was there reading about his future little sister.

Letter To My Friends

Excerpt from Hippo Cake For The Soul:

by Annonymous

Friendship is a strange thing...

We find ourselves telling each other the deepest details of our lives, things we don't even share with our families. But what is a friend? A confidant? A lover? A shoulder to cry on? An ear to listen? A heard to feel? A friend is all of these things and more. No matter where we met, no matter how long we've been together...I call you a friend. A word so small, yet so large in feeling, a word filled with emotion, a word overflowing with love. Truly great things come in small packages. Once the package of friendship has been opened, it can never be closed. It is a constant book always waiting. Waiting to be read...and enjoyed. We may have our disagreements...we may have disappointments...we may have argued...we may concern one another...friendship is a unique bond that lasts though all tribulations, A part of each of us goes into our friendships...our humor...our experiences...our tears. Friendships are foundations...necessary for our life...and love. Even though I don't speak to you everyday...or even as often as I would like to...you have all crossed my path of life in one way or another. Some of you I've only bumped into. Some have walked with me for a while...and some of you continue to walk with me...but don't EVER think for a second that since we aren't in constant contact...that I don't think of you because if it wasn't for coming across all of you...Who knows? I would be a completely different person...and well, I'm happy with how I've turned out so far.

Thank you!

Hippo Cake For The Soul

A long time ago I made my own book called: Hippo Cake For The Soul -since chicken soup supposedly makes people feel better when they are sick...I am not a big fan of chicken soup, so I thought what would make me feel better...easy: HIPPOS and CAKE (this is not a cake made of Hippos, maybe just a cake in the shape of a hippo).

Anyways, I have decided that I am going to start putting some things that I like from it on here. I hope you enjoy.

Here is a quote from it:

"Never believe you're better than anybody else, but remember that you are just as good as everybody else. That's important: No better, but just as good"

- John Wooden and his Dad.

Pregnancy Update

Ok so now I am at 24 weeks. I am still not huge, but I am showing a bit, although I am still at that awkward stage where people just think I am fat or think MAYBE I am pregnant, but would never say anything.

I have to say I am having a pretty easy pregnancy so far and for that I am greatful. I have been flying high the last few weeks and feeling great and having energy...sadly I think that is slowly coming to an end. Friday Jared and I took Duke to the park for a while and walked around~ about an hour, then home to rest for a couple hours before heading out to the mall. We were at the mall for about 30 minutes and I was done. I soon realized that although it had been my idea to go to the mall to get Jared some clothes that actually fit him, I was now walking like a zombie behind him with no energy left to give. We plowed through for about another hour with me collapsing in every dressing room while he tried on clothes and finally made it to the car. I almost fell asleep in the 10 minutes it takes to get home then crawled to the couch and basically laid there until I was forced up to bed where I slept a good 10 hours.

Sunday, I was doing good, until we ran an errand after church. I didn't bring myself a snack and started to melt down and then a sudden turn for the worst ended up with me whining that I didn't feel good and I was soooooo hungry to Jared while I was laying down in the seat with my eyes closed. Luckily he is the best hubby in the world...he didn't panic or tell me how stupd I was being he simply let me whine until he got to Big Apple Bagel and served me a nice fluffy plain bagel ~ a perfect cure...well, that and the hour long nap I took when I got home while he went running.

Yupp, so I feel my laziness coming back...not sure if it ever completely left, but I figure I should just enjoy all the sleep I can right now, since sleep is one of the things I love the most I must enjoy every moment of it while I can...so I have stopped feeling lazy and started embracing it!

Other then that no big updates, Tenley is moving a lot now - it's so fun to feel her flop around in there. I have my glucose test this week which I am NOT looking forward to, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I have been SUPERLY craving sweets lately so I am trying to cut back cause I am gaining weight now, but not sure it is all "good" weight :)