McHorrible Parenting

I posted this little ditty for our friends over at The Classy Closet earlier this week. I felt so strongly about it I just had to share it again:

Our newest adventure is eating at the indoor McDonald's play area. You know, those scorching green houses that contain ear piercing screams of delight (and terror), constant banging and dramatic melt downs? I'm very aware many of you cringe and would never take your kids there but cut us some slack. It's typically too cold here in the winter to hit the parks to play. We've been there a few times and I must say there is one thing that absolutely makes me want to pull my hair out.

The parents!

I have never seen such a lazy group of grown ups in my entire life. At our McD's at least half of the adults sit at the tables screaming over all the noise and madness (like the kids are even paying attention). They curse them out, threaten and belittle. When the kids finally zoom back to the table for a bite of food before running off into the germ tunnels the parents lose it. I saw more kids crying over their adults chastising them than over anything else.

I was dumbfounded.

Do they seriously think their child is going to stop acting like a banshee when they themselves are? For crying out loud, it doesn't take rocket science smarts to know the kids are on total overload.

My friends, lets be examples of patience and understanding in public and at home. Breathe. Let kids be kids and remember.. keep it classy!

The List & A Legacy

I've been pondering a post I wrote for The Classy Closet. It was about how much I believe we are affected by the environment we grow up in. For some of you stopping by my little blog for the first time, I found out just shy of my 30th birthday that I was adopted. Almost a year after Mama passed away a family friend unknowingly mentioned my adoption in a hastily written note. She obviously thought I had been told.

I was like my parents in so many ways to say I was shocked is an understatement.

DH and I may not share DNA with our adopted child(ren) but how we raise them will have an impact on their lives. What we expose them to can become lifelong interests and memories. I've been thinking about the things my parents encouraged that I hope to pass on:

**A Love For Reading. I was the kid that spent summer nights under her covers with a flashlight devouring books. My imagination was transported by "A Wrinkle In Time", "Charlotte's Web" and I could hardly contain my squeals of laughter from "Mrs Piggle Wiggle". I loved the library and B. Dalton bookstores. I think it's a shame the aroma of Starbucks overwhelms the smell of books at Barnes & Noble.

**Sports. I was an over the top tomboy and loved all things sports. They (almost always) kept me out of trouble and focused.

**Music Appreciation. Honestly I sucked at playing instruments. I gave the violin and clarinet a whirl in elementary school and was a total failure. I couldn't play but learned to love and respect music just the same. For the record, I did find out later in life I have a pretty decent singing voice which is now reserved for future lullaby's.

**A Love For Man's Best Friend. DH and I were raised with dogs and our herd is part of the family. Some of the most stressful times of my life have been soothed by a smile from our mastiff-lab-goofball mix or a nudge and kiss from our husky. Bad things seem to melt away after a long walk with a true companion.

**Faith. I will train them up in my faith and what they decide to do with it as adults is up to them. Like Mama, I will pray they stay the course.

**Take Road Trips. We never flew as a family.. we always drove. Some of my best memories started in the wee hours of the morning leaving our home in the '68 Dart. Mom, Dad, me, 2 toy poodles and Goldie (our gold fish.. I couldn't bear to leave her behind).

**The Value of a Dollar. DH is the hardest working man I've ever met (next to Dad) and we're both cut from the same work ethic cloth. In life, we believe it's very important to pull your own weight.

The list grows daily as more things come to mind. DH and I may not be able to give our adopted children our heritage but we sure can leave them a legacy.

I'm A Classpert!!

You heard me RIGHT!


The lovely ladies at The Classy Closet have bestowed upon me and our dear friend Bridget (of Don't Blink) a very distinct honor. We have been named, "Classperts" and we're going to write about all things classy. Thanks, Classy Lassies, for giving us the wonderful opportunity to be a part of your amazing team!!

Now ya'll surf on over and join us for some classy fun, ya hear?!

Some Fun In The Closet!!!

Hey Everyone!!

I've been neglecting my baby blog all week due to my stupid cold. There's tons to say and I'm hoping to post this evening. In the meantime, please surf on over to the Grand Opening of The Classy Closet!! Kadi and a crew of girlfriends have this great community up and running. She was kind enough to ask me to form an adoption discussion group (Adoption Option).
You can even start your own group! I only have 11 friends and could sure use more (sniff sniff).

There's something for everyone in The Closet!

THIS JUST IN!!
Anyone who signs on to CC by Friday will be entered to win a PINK LEMONADE PURSE!! I KID YOU NOT!

What's In YOUR Closet!???

The lovely ladies over at The Classy Closet are going to feature my little ole blog on their talk radio show!!! CLICK HERE to tune in on Wednesday morning (9am PT and 11am CT!!). You can go over NOW and click on the reminder button. It'll send you an email prior to the show starting so you don't forget. Now don't you fret, if you do miss it you can replay the show later.. how cool is that?!

Note to self.. bring headphones to work..

Thank You Jen, Danielle and Kadi!!