Really?

So I'm not normally one to get all upitty about inapropriateness in music. I love music. I believe artists have the right and freedom to express themselves.

But there's expressing your art and talent and then there's this:



Miley Cyrus' new music video, "Who Owns My Heart."

The girl is 17 (this I know for sure because I looked it up; she'll be 18 in November) and is writhing around in a bed blindfolded in her underwear, then following it up with a wild romp at a club in some daisy dukes and a backless top.

Maybe it's because I have a daughter of my own now that I feel so strongly about this, but WTF. How is this OK? How do her parents believe this is OK?

I don't consider myself a conservative person; in fact I'm pretty much the opposite of that; but this is not OK.

Miley has many fans, most of which are young girls. I just can't imagine what those girls are going to think when they see this video of their beloved Miley. Are they going to look in the mirror and think, I'm just not that pretty, but maybe if I curl my hair, put on some makeup and a sexy top then I will be.

Even knowing it's possible that they will think that breaks my heart.

It makes me think back to Britney Spears' video, "Baby One More Time" and how up in arms everyone got about young Brit in her school girl uniform showing her middrift.

Miley's new video makes that look like Sunday school.

I think there should be a line, or at least, with a girl like Miley who is under 18, a parent who puts their foot down.

I don't care if you daughter's famous. Step it up Billy Ray.

House Tour

I've been meaning to do this for a while, but I wanted to wait until our house was more put together. So here it is...

Our colorful home.

2 years

I have been married to this man for 2 years...



We've shared adventures, low points, air mattresses, 40 ounce beers, friends, family, high points, a baby girl, more low points, and most of all a love that is constant through all of that.

Because that's what love is. It's choosing to love someone else more than yourself; even when everything in you says that's not what you want to do. It's taking your guard down and being completely vulnerable. It's a comfort that you've never experienced before.

I love this man who I get to call my husband. He is often times a better person than me. He loves me fully, he loves me deeply, and everyday I am amazed by our life together.

We moved to another country where we didn't speak the language, where we had no plans, no place to live, little money; and managed to find a house, jobs, friends, have a daughter and ultimately make a home.

But then again, I think we've always had a home together, even if it didn't include four walls and a roof. We are each other's home and that is what I am thankful for more than anything else when I think of our marriage.

Here's to 2 years and many many more to come.

Colic

Colic....


Our child has colic.


It's terrible.


Crying almost every night between the hours of 7 and 9pm until she finally falls asleep.


A friend of ours whose child also had colic said this... "I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."


So true.


I hear they grow out of it around 6 months old, which means we have 3 more months to go...


James and I are hanging on by a thread. We bicker like never before because of the frustration and exhaustion.


We love each other; we love our daughter, but man; this is rough.


Luckily I have this to cheer me up.

A Lullaby

A song for my daughter

They didn't have you where I come from
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

I slip in bed when you're asleep
To hold you close and feel your breath on me
Tomorrow there'll be so much to do
So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

As you wander through this troubled world
In search of all things beautiful
You can close your eyes when you're miles away
And hear my voice like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

-Dixie Chicks, Lullaby

Exhausted

I am officially worn out and it's only the third week of work.

I have just taken over a third grade classroom as a long term sub for a teacher who is on maternity leave. I was supposed to take over two weeks from now after having a week getting to know the classroom and how everything works. Due to some complications with the teacher's pregnancy, I have taken over this week, unexpectedly.

I feel overwhelmed to say the least and am attempting to fight a cold to top it off.

I want to devote my evenings to my daughter, but I find myself not only exhausted, but so busy with work to do.

I know this is what I want... to teach, but man do I wish I was a stay at home mom lately.

I just need to make it through this year and I know it will only get better.

Easier said than done

Christmas, where are you?

It's almost September and once again I find myself wishing for Christmas. This has been the case ever since we moved to Mexico almost two years ago. The summers here are rainy and drab, which only adds to my want of Gingerbread lattes, boots and warm coats, watching White Christmas, catching up with old friends, and most of all, time with family.

This year I feel it even more now that Isa is in our lives. I so want to show her off to my wonderful girlfriends in San Diego and to watch my grandma hold her and to hear my dad talk to her.

But once again, I must wait; almost 4 months to be exact. I'm trying my best not to listen to Christmas music, and I may or may not have given in once or twice.

But I am hit with reality when I remember that I have 3 grad school classes to complete before then as well as a classroom of children to teach.

So, to get me through til December, I'll listen to some Bon Iver and enjoy my rapidly growing daughter.