Thoughts from a former Facebook Addict

On November 1st, 2010, I did the unthinkable...

I deactivated my Facebook account. I still find it hard to believe that I haven't posted a status or looked through a stranger's photo album during the entire month of November. And I have to tell you, I feel AWESOME. The time it has freed up in my day to day is priceless. I no longer watch my kids play while I update my status about watching my kids play. Instead, I am present - watching my kids play.

I no longer linger in the kitchen checking my computer or phone to update my page to see if someone - anyone - commented on my hilarious/inspiring/boastful/humiliating/boring status. Instead, I am present - taking care of and enjoying my home, my husband, and my children.

And if I need to know how someone is doing, I call them, or text them, or email them. **side note, remember I no longer read your status updates, so I won't automatically know what's going on in your life!**

It has truly been liberating for me. I do still think in "status update" snippets. This is when you are in the middle of doing something and your mind automatically edits your experience into a soundbyte or perfect status update. Most of my days used to be full of those thoughts! Now I'm down to one or two... and I just hold on to them and tell Darren when I see him or maybe I'll blog them here. Who knows.

So, that's where I've been. NOT on Facebook. I didn't unfriend you on National Unfriend Day, I just took the plunge and walked away - and I haven't looked back :)

Check back in here for updates on the family and life - but not my minute-by-minute status :)

Traffic Jam

Noah found a sheriff's truck that said "traffic unit", so of course we had to make a traffic jam at Jenny's so the sheriff could investigate.

Gingerbread Village

This is partly a post to test out blogger since I haven't blogged in 4-EVER. It's also an opportunity to show how cute my kids are. They had no problem getting behind this year's gingerbread "village" - lots of mini houses to decorate. Though both of them, especially Faith, were more interested in the candy. They don't quite look like they did on the box, but they were fun and yummy :)

Faithy gets a haircut

Last week I took Faith in to get her first haircut. Even though you might think that you can wait a long time before getting a girl's hair cut, it's not always the case. Faith was starting to sport a pretty nice mullet, and the crazy whisps of her baby hair would cause her "do" to be in a constant state of "windsweptness" (yes, I made up that word). It also fell in her eyes and she wanted nothing to do with any kind of contraption to keep it back.

She did really well I think, only crying near the end. My personal favorite shot is of her with the Donald Trump hair. You will know it when you see it... In the end, she now has bangs, and her hair should grow into a cute little bob :)

The Nascar Mayer Wiener

If you haven't heard, Darren is part of a very select racing team that proudly races #55 around the track. The race that they compete in is called the 24 hour of Lemons and is the most unique race you are ever going to see. The rules are simple. Buy a car for less than $500. Get it running. Outfit it to race. Race two days. And if you want to go the extra mile, give it a theme and get crazy.

Well our guys did just that. This race was at Sears Point and they created... the Nascar Mayer Wiener.... It was amazing. Everyone donned hotdog or condiment costumes, wore a great t-shirt, and possibly a lovely hotdog hat. A few other wives and I also passed out 300 free hotdogs to the grandstands, racers, and of course... JUDGES (I use the term loosely). These judges take bribes and give out penalties like...

Colby got pulled in for a penalty when it was actually a Miata that bumped HIM, so he didn't feel he should get penalized. "I'd like to know where that MIATA is..." he told the judge. Pentalty? Write "I'd like to know where that Miata is" 100 times on the car with a permanent marker.

- One team had to dress up like the Village People and dance behind that car as it drove around the Paddock with a boom box blasting music from it.

-Another team had to put on tie dyed shirts and play reggae music and bongos.

-And another team had two guys duct taped together who had to hobble to the cafe to get the judges whatever they wanted...

This race was a seriously good time, and I'm excited for the next one Darren will race in this August. Oh, and though they didn't win the race, they did win the "organizer's choice award" which is the team who seems to fully "get" what Lemons is all about.

I'm so proud.

(If you want to see pics of other cars, go here)

2 peas in a pod

Mr. Affection

This is Noah and Faith driving back from errands today :) She is
asleep and he fell asleep while they were holding hands. He literally
kisses her hand or face 40 times a day - I love how much he loves her!