Insta-Insanity

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If it weren't for my cell phone and the camera that is on it, I might not be able to tell you what I did this past week. But I do and I'm showing you and myself my week in cell phone pics . . .

I stole those feathery wreaths from a closet in my mom's house and found the bird picture at HomeGoods for $20. I am very happy to now sleep under this concoction instead of a plain wall. You wouldn't believe how much more soundly I sleep now.

I worked out at home doing Insanity and then picked up my daughter from school looking like this. I was trying to match my hair to the feather leaves from above. Nailed it.

I'm usually a really good driver, but this week I peeled out.

My husband and my baby whose not a baby anymore. But that's still my husband, so that's cool.

I made Easter cookies on Christmas paper. Found it on Pinterest. Duh.

Jordis and I had a hot chocolate while we colored.

Elijah dug for worms.

Lydia played tag with the older girls while I was on yard duty.

There you have it. A wild ride, a week in the life.

Linking up with Jeannett at Life Rearranged.

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Hollywood Days - Who Said Three's a Crowd?

Pin It Now! If you are new to my blog, on Wednesdays I post about my experience in Hollywood as a former child/teen actress. If you want to start at the beginning of these posts go here.

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Was going through some boxes in the garage the other day and came across this. From a teen magazine. This was taken at our dinner celebration after we taped Circus of the Stars. Pretty funny caption, huh?

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Road Trippin' with My 3-year-old, Part 1

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A few years ago Lydia and I went on an 8-day trip to Southern California. We stayed at my different houses, visited many friends, I spoke at several churches, and we went to Disneyland.

This time it was Jordis's turn to be my roadie.

We traveled over 1000 miles in my dirty minivan over 7 days.

We stayed at four different houses and shared a room and/or bed. Loved it.

I visited with as many friends as we could fit in.

I spoke at three different churches in Orange County.

We spent a day at Disneyland and California adventure.

I had an ice blended mocha from The Coffee Bean three times.

It was awesome and memorable.

Next up? Elijah. Not sure when or where but he is ready and waiting.

We left a day early and took 101 instead of 5 because of wind, rain, and snow. With 5 hours noticed I called my Aunt and Uncle in Arroyo Grande and off we went.

I jogged around their driveway and Jordis, Uncle Mike, and Stella the dog paced me in the golf cart. They could hardly keep up with my 11-12 minute miles.

My Aunt Leslie should change her name to Pinterest. If she was on it or even knew what it was she would totally dominate you. You would want to pin her face off.

Chicken in a basket. Just basic stuff.

They have an incredible yard. If you remember anything in the world, you might remember their garden.

And it wouldn't be a trip to AG with out a stop at The Bean. Ice Blended Mocha heaven.

Then we visited my old school friend Brooke and her family.

We stayed with Carol-Ann and her crew and then headed for the OC. Stay tuned . . . because this short series could knock your socks off. Or bore you to death. Better come back to find out.

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Singing in the Wind

Pin It Now! Today it has rained on and off. Temperature is in the 50s and it has been pretty windy. But that hasn't stopped Jordis from wearing a tank dress and smiling her heart out - even as she was almost blown away.
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Calling All Washington Friends

Pin It Now! I just returned from my So Cal road trip with my three-year-old roadie, Jordis. Will post about that later in the week, but for now . . . preparing for my trip to Washington next month!

If you live anywhere near Olympia, Washington I would love to meet you. I am speaking at Westwood Baptist Church - MOPS in the morning and a women's event in the evening. All are welcome - see the info on the flyer below. If you want to come to MOPS, let me know so I can put you in touch with the church so you can make arrangements for childcare. Yes, free childcare. Word up.

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Hollywood Days - Sweep the Leg Johnny

Pin It Now! If you are new to my blog, on Wednesdays I post about my experience in Hollywood as a former child/teen actress. If you want to start at the beginning of these posts go here.

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Shortly after I moved to Hollywood to film The New Lassie series I attended an Academy Awards party. It was a crowded party--so much so that they had to start turning people away. I was at a table with some other young Hollywood actors and actresses. Two older guys (I was 14 and they were 24) came over to our table and asked if they could sit there. Unfortunately, I told them, our table was full. I watched them as they walked away looking for a spot in the crowded room. They sat on some stairs. I went over to them and told them to just sit at our table and we would just double up seats if we had to.

(photo from that night)

I ended up spending the majority of the night talking to these guys--Mark Clayman and Billy Zabka. While I was talking to Billy he karate kid chopped me and said, "You don't seem like the typical Hollywood kid." Relax, he didn't really karate chop me--just a leg sweep.

From that night, those guys really became like my big brothers.

On a radio show together.

Billy eating my monster feet slippers. Because that's normal . . .

I have not seen these guys in many years, but thanks to thanks to Facebook we keep in touch.

If you haven't seen this "Sweep the Leg" video starring Billy . . . it's funny. Must watch. Who hasn't seen and loved The Karate Kid? Follow Billy on Twitter.

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Do You Run on "ish" Time?

Pin It Now! I don't like being rushed to get somewhere. I plan ahead for things and leave early. I do not like to be late and as much as I can help it - I will not be late. I have always been an on time kind-of-person. Until my monthly visitor was late which eventually led to a lifestyle of running late. Times three. Any kind of casual appointment or play date now starts at 7 ish, 8:3oish, 3ish. . .

If you don't have children you might not understand why moms have operate on "ish" time. Let me explain . . . or rather let Jordis explain. This was on a day where we did not have to be somewhere at a certain time because we were running an errand or going clubbin' or something. So I let Jordis lead the way on our exit and I didn't rush her. Here's how it went down:

1. Slowly climb into the car seat while managing a bag of cereal, a sippy cup, an asymmetrial hairdo (by choice), and the well-loved tie to her robe.

2. "Wait, mom, mom, mom. I need my robe tie. No mom, no mom. Don't strap me in. I need to do this. I need to do somefing."

3. She carefully reaches up to the grab handle and weaves her robe tie through it. This takes several minutes of course.

4. Adjust robe tie so it is just so.

5. "Hey mom. Look at dis!"

6. And check this out.

7. Nothing more satisfying then a good robe tie workout in the car.

And that, my friends, is why moms run on "ish" time. I wish I could let my kids play with their robe ties as we get in the car every day, but sometimes we do have to be somewhere. One day I will chronicle trying to get three kids to get their socks and shoes on to get in the car because that tends to be quite an ordeal . . .

Do you feel me? Do you run on "ish" time?

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Stylin' Saturday - Fanny Packs

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Stylin' Saturday - A place to enjoy the uniqueness of children and their wardrobe choices. Also a place for the momfit - when you just can't get it together for What I Wore Wednesday.

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How many nights have you spent lying awake wondering When, just when will fanny packs make a comeback??? I declare it's time. Time for the Fanny Pack Revolution.* Will you join with me?

I went shopping for rain boots and was so very excited to find these boots for $17. When I opened the box and found a fanny pack inside I began to sob uncontrollably. I considered the fanny pack alone to be worth the seventeen bucks and so the boots were actually free. It was a Christmas miracle.


If Mark-Paul Gosselaar could pull off the fanny pack in 1990 then what is stopping us in 2012?

*The Fanny Pack Revolution is gaining momentum. I know at least one person (whose blog rhymes with buppadim) who is committed and ready to fight the fight with me. Won't you join us?

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Insta Shaved Head

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Linking up with Jeannett at Life Rearranged. My week in cell phone pics.

Elijah got rave reviews from his second grade teacher and had an excellent report card. His reward? Shaved head. With a razor. Total baldy now. He'd been begging for this action for months.

Flawless skin. Oh to be six.

Daylight Savings is a bust.

Me and my baby volunteering for Lydia's kindergarten class. We stamp books at the library every other week.

My goalie (before the hair loss).

My mom. No family resemblance at all.

I was on a mom's panel at MOPS. You might recognized my Chia Pet Mold Ball.

After a long run . . .

Me and this one are going on a road trip next week. Six days. Three speaking engagements. One Disneyland. (If you live in Orange County and want to come hear me speak, leave a comment with your email. There is a "bring-a-friend" day for one of the MOPS and we could pretend to be friends.)

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A Date and I'M READY FOR YOU TO WIPE!

Pin It Now! Me and this girl had a date today. Well, we took my car in to get serviced and it took almost 2 hours so we turned it into a date. We walked in the rain to the nearby shops. We had hot chocolate and reminisced about old times.

She used her new umbrella and she was thrilled about it . . . on the way there anyway.

She ran out of steam on the way back so I carried her and my 40-pound purse. She got her second wind when I encouraged her to jump in the puddles.

And then she colored on her pants on the way home "to make them prettier."

But lest you think my life is filled with hot chocolate dreams and puddle jumpin' jazz all the time . . . I just got word from Jordis. "MOM, I'M READY FOR YOU TO WIPE!" Gotta go . . .

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This Fit Mom's No Muscle

Pin It Now! Wanna know what this Fit Mom has been up to lately? A lot. A full schedule and a lot of saying no. Just ask Annett :) I said no to her "Better Me Challenge." Because right now being a better me required me using my no muscle. It was a great challenge with a lot of great ideas and wonderful encouragement. But it was one of at least 15 Opportunities/requests I had gotten over the last few months - I started counting because I was preparing to teach a workshop at a conference about saying no. All the requests were good things - from blogging requests, to school volunteering and fundraising requests, to speaking requests, to two different fitness challenges . . . NO!

In January and February when all these other requests/opportunities rolled in, I was already leading and team teaching Bible Study at my church on Wednesday mornings (and sometimes Wednesday nights) and hosting a weekly college/young adult life group at my house. And then there is always the everyday life stuff like THREE CHILDREN, a sweet husband, cooking, cleaning, exercising, nurturing my relationship with God, and squirrel watching. Being overscheduled and overcommitted leads to mama meltdowns which benefits no one so I had to say no to a lot of good things.

And despite all my no muscle usage, I still had one solid MBD (mental breakdown day) in there with all the stuff I had previously said yes to. I am a work in process.

So I am here to encourage you overcommitters of the world to feel free to say no. No one will hate you unless he/she is a jerk in which case, who cares? The world will continue to spin and life will go on even if you say no!

After you have evaluated your schedule and made sure your priorities are in line and you have room in your schedule then . . .

Here are five questions that can help you to decide if you should say yes to that opportunity . . .

You'll have to head over to Fit Moms Fit Kids Club to read the rest of this post (which is my last Fit Moms Fit Kids Club post) and find out those five questions!

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Hollywood Days - Alyson Hannigan at Home

Pin It Now! If you are new to my blog, on Wednesdays I post about my experience in Hollywood as a former child/teen actress. If you want to start at the beginning of these posts go here.

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This was originally posted in November of 2010.

When I was in So Cal for my book/speaking stuff I saw a lot of old friends from all different time periods of my life. Like friends of the late 80s/early 90s who indulged with me in stone washed, zipper pants, Reebok hightops, scrunchies, bang nests, and the like. Alyson Hannigan was one of those friends, although I don't know that I ever caught her wearing a scrunchy. You can check out some of our dashing outfits on my previous post about Alyson.

One afternoon I went by Alyson's house for a visit. You probably know her from How I Met Your Mother because that show seems to have quite a large following.

I first met Alyson on the audition for "The New Lassie" 22 years ago!!!


She was one of my best friends in Hollywood when I lived in L.A. from 89' to 92'. We lost touch for a while, reconnected briefly when I was down at UCLA, lost touch again, and recently reconnected thanks to Twitter!

I think it had been at least 14 years since we had seen each other. But it was like no time had passed. It was so great to meet her husband and adorable daughter. And when I say adorable I mean, exceptionally cute. Off the charts. Full of facial expressions, a confident head nod, and a large vocabulary for a toddler. They are a tight-knit family and Alyson and Alexis seem like wonderful parents. **update - Baby #2 is on it's way!

And they care about purified water and have done their water homework, which makes them kindred spirits with Shiloh and me. You might remember our romantic trip to the Penta water factory on our 10-year anniversary.

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Free Music Download - Next Generation's Hymns

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There is a band for the youth at my church. And they are awesome. And it's your lucky ducky day because you can download for FREE Next Generation's Hymns EP for free! So good it will make you want to jump (rope) for joy!

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Jordis Has an Accent

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The other day in the car:
Elijah: I can hear that Jordis has an accent.
Me: What kind of an accent?
Elijah: Like someone who lives on a farm.
Jordis: I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT!

**Personally, I think her accent usually sounds like it is of the Boston variety, but she changes it up from time to time.

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Stylin' Saturday - Work It

Pin It Now! Stylin' Saturday - A place to enjoy the uniqueness of children and their wardrobe choices. Also a place for the momfit - when you just can't get it together for What I Wore Wednesday. If you want to link up with me with your family's Stylin' awesome please leave a link in the comments. I will be sure to check it out and it will make my day.
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Jordis's fashion advice this week? Work it out. Take it to Trader Joe's and to school pick-up. And snow boots under fancy dresses rock.

And this is Jordis's "pretty smile" in case you were wondering.

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My March Madness - Speaking

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I just wrapped up team teaching and leading the women's Bible study at my church on Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline. And so now my speaking stuff is off and running. And driving. And flying. It's my March Madness.

Here's a clip from my talk on the "Simplicity" from the Celebration of Discipline study. I'm sharing a recent personal story of how God showed up in an amazing way in the midst of our financial struggle. If you want some spiritual encouragement . . .

I am hoping to see some of your lovely faces out there so here is my upcoming speaking schedule:

This morning and next Thursday I will be speaking on a panel about Motherhood perspective for MOPS at Cornerstone Fellowship in Livermore, CA. My perspective: Motherhood is awesome. And hard. Keep it Real. There are some wiser moms on the panel so don't you worry.

This Friday, March 2nd I will be doing a workshop at the BASS convention in Castro Valley, CA. My workshop is "Overwhelmed and Overscheduled: Learning to Say No, Especially in Ministry." And of course, I have been aggressively been tested in this area over the last few months as I have prepared this workshop. I've had to use my no muscle a lot even though you might not think so based on my March Madness speaking. But some of you have even victims of my no so you can testify for me in the "No" court. Hope to see some of you at BASS (Bay Area Sunday School Convention). But feel free to say "No!" to that.

Then heading to Orange County in a few weeks to speak to three different Mom groups with this precious and unpredictable three-year-old! Start praying for me now :)

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