I'm allergic to exercise.

No, I'm not just being funny. I really am allergic to exercise...you can read more here. Some people think this is cool, but it's not. I don't burn 500 extra calories everyday just because I'm allergic to exercising. I have to be really careful with what I do when I want to exercise and I can never eat before I go. Plus, it can be really scary.I wish I could run or jog..free, social, but that's the worst thing I can do. Makes me kinda sad. It happened once before I was married, a few times in between, and then in the last 3 years it has happened pretty much anytime I really push cardio or try to run (I've downed more Benadryl than can be good for anyone). Good news? I found out interval training works because my body can heat up and cool down throughout the workout which is key.

Even better news...I can ZUMBA! If you like to dance and haven't tried it yet, I would highly recommend it. Or, if you think exercise is super boring and a necessary evil (I fall into that category really often) give it a shot. I tried it once and was completely hooked...it was a full hour and it didn't even feel like I was exercising, but I came out dripping sweat. (However, the quality of the class totally depends on the instructor).  I liked it so much, I got certified to teach, and in Michigan there are plenty of opportunities. I teach about 4 classes a week and get paid to exercise! I realized I wouldn't exercise unless I had a reason to, so it's the perfect fit...I get paid, it makes me work out 4 times a week, and I don't end up looking like an oompah loompah when I'm finished since Zumba works on an interval.

(And no, I don't get paid if you try a Zumba class. Kind of feels like I'm trying to multi-level market here, huh? No, I really do just like it that much!)

Lamest Valentine's Day Ever

I've been reading about amazingly fantastic Valentine's Day celebrations and crafts all week, so I had to put ours out there too:

*When Mike's asked me the week before, "We're really not doing anything for Valentine's day?" I said, "Nope, we're really not. I'm trying to plan/make it to 3 class parties and I have to teach 2 Zumba classes...that's pretty much all I can handle. Plus, I don't want to try and find a babysitter or rush home and get showered and dressed." He was a bit in shock, but he knew I was serious.

*The boys each got new basketball shorts and a box of Jelly Bellies with a handritten Valentine on a piece of pink construction paper from me when they woke up...I didn't even cut it in the shape of a heart

*Jace made everyone in the family really cute Valentine cards...that I forgot to get pictures of before we threw them away

*My kids had store bought valentines (no photos, no homemade suckers, no party bags...I know, failure)...even better, when we were assembling them the night before, I realized that we bought nerds and all the cards said things like, "Here's lookin at you nerd." Hopefully the parents understood.

*I helped plan and administer 2 big school Valentine celebrations and made it to the very end of one (one of the reasons for our lack of family celebrations)

*I taught 2 Zumba classes and felt particularly exhausted after the last one...did you know Valentine's Day is not a REAL holiday where people take the day off from exercise?

*We had no dinner plans...Mike made heart pancakes and we drank red smoothies together...not a bad improv. The kids were pleased.

*We had family night and hung out together and it turned out to be a really nice, low-key night. Exactly what I was looking for.

*We put the kids to bed and Mike got out his laptop to study for a huge midterm, I got my book out and pretended to read until I fell dead asleep at 9:30. Romantic huh?

Well, there is always next year, right?

34 Years Young

That's right! My student husband just turned 34 and looks better than ever. We did our best to make the day special (but when you have class and tests all day....)

He got a big, huge breakfast before he left for the bus at 8am...waffles, bacon, eggs, juice, fruit
He got LOTS of birthday wishes
I brought treats to his class for his birthday (what kid doesn't love that tradition?)
He got lots of happy birthday songs (even one from a professor) thanks to his friends in his program
He got a free dinner at a local pizza house
He ate Baskin Robbins to finish off the night

Nothing mind blowing or spectacular, but we hope he knows how special he is to us. He's the best husband and dad around and we wanted to make sure he knew how we felt. We sure do love him.

What's the score?

Well, we don't know...because apparently kids are not supposed to keep score when they play sports any more. Even Jace, who is almost 8 is obviously too young to handle winning and losing. Oh, and you can travel, double dribble, you can't steal.. Let me just say, and I'll move on (or not), that I would rather teach my kids at a younger age (for sure by 6 or 7) to win and lose graciously and to play the game right...than to have it hit them in the face at some later point (when?) and then wonder, "Why doesn't everyone win? That's no fair! Everyone used to always win! I thought I was good. What happened?" I fully believe my kids are capable of handling winning and losing. And if they are not, it's time for them to learn how. It's like a major backlash from crazy sideline parents and abusive coaches. I'm pining for a happy middle.

Plus, kids play and try harder when there is something on the line. There is almost no incentive to play as a team if it doesn't matter who wins. Every kid on the court is in it for themselves, no one passes, no one goes for the sure shots, everyone is out to be Jimmer Fredet from half court. Harsh reality of life...sometimes you don't win. Get used to it. Learn to deal. Play harder, you'll have a better shot at winning.

So, I'm kind of sounding like a Tiger mom, but I'm not. Ann Arbor sports are just a totally different ball game (pun intended). We are getting used to it, seeing the value in the Kumbaya theory, but in all honesty, wishing for better. A little healthy competition and a little intensity by the time you turn 8 doesn't seem like a sin.
That being said, the boys have loved playing basketball this season and had lots of fun.

James: Loves practice, hates games. Great dribbler and shooter, but when it comes to playing a game, he looks at his teammates as they swarm the ball and the other players like, "You guys are crazy. I'm just going to hang out over here, and if the ball comes my way, so be it. If not, I am NOT throwing myself into that mess of people." He marches to the beat of his own dribble.

Parker: Serious skills and seriously tiny. Such a coordinated and fast kid. He's learned so much and is starting to be more willing to be aggressive. Great dribbler, good shooter and plays hard.  Jumps non stop and is almost always open right by the hoop, but no one passes. Basketball with 5 and 6-year-olds is always interesting, but he loves playing.

Jace: Crazy serious, competitive (though it has been drilled into him that winning doesn't matter, which is probably good for him), just a good athlete. He practices and plays hard and it shows. He loves being out there and loves team sports. Sometimes he thinks he's professional. Case in point: After a particularly lazy game of his, I asked him why he didn't try and get the ball, but just stood down by the hoop, yelling for the ball. His reply?

"That's what they do in the NBA. Other guys get the ball, then they throw it to the best player and he always shoots it."

I kindly reminded him that he does not play in the NBA, he keeps throwing up crazy shots, so he is not the best shooter, and 8 year olds have no desire to work hard to get the ball then pass it to the lazy kid at the end of the court. He didn't think I was being very nice, but really???? His confidence kills me. Lucky for us, the next game he was back into hussle mode. He doesn't like correction, but he's pretty good to put it into practice.

I have to say that one of the best things about having 3 boys is watching them play sports. Glad I like it because it looks like this just might be my life!

Missing AZ

Feeling a little Arizona homesickness right now. Really missing:

Arizona February...best month of the year
Free, delicious, fresh citrus
Our own grapefruit tree
Chatting at the park in the morning and after school
Couples Valentine party
Final four pool
Driveway play
Out of town visitors
Outdoor birthday parties with 25 kids running crazy
Challenger
Hirable babysitters
Sunshine
Bike rides
Walks with friends
Morning workouts at the basketball court
Juicing lemons for fresh lemonade
Bountiful Baskets
Cousins
BBQs at the park
Mountain time zone
Girls nights
Garage (I've been scraping the inside and outside of my windshield)

So, enjoy everything, for us too! We'll be ready to gloat again this summer.

More Funnies

James:
"Mom, why do they call it Sham Poo, not Sham Hair?"
"Oh, and why don't they call it Sham Whale instead of Shamu?"

Parker:

"James, you feel hot. Not "hot" like I love you but hot like warm."

Mike:

(during dinner when Parker is trying to negotiate dessert without eating his dinner)

"Parker, Man Up buddy. Eat it or don't, I don't care, but Man Up!"

Brooke:
(cleaning up the primary room in the middle of church)
"Wow. This turtleneck never itches. Oh, I put it on backwards. The tag is in front. No wonder it's been bugging me."

Jace:
(working on not lying) "Okay guys, what I'm about to tell you is fiction."
(talking to a friend from AZ on the phone) "Wow, Ryan. I can tell that you are older...your voice has changed. No, mine isn't the same. It's changed too."

Mom: Sorry, Jace, sometimes when you are in a family, you have to sacrifice
Parker: We have to kill Jace? (Too much Old Testament?)

Freedom

We have been blessed to meet some great friends here. One family we particularly enjoy is from Egypt. Both parents are doctors and they have 3 wonderful children. We had them over at Christmastime to learn more about their Muslim religion and share some of our traditions with them. We soon found that while our core beliefs are very different, the way they manifest themselves in daily living is shockingly similar. It was a wonderful night.

When the revolution started in Egypt, I thought about them constantly. I was dying to know how they felt about what was going on in their country. We finally made time to connect on Friday and I went to her house with a mind full of questions. She kindly told me she was going to leave the television on...she has been so anxious about what is happening in Egypt since her family, colleagues, and friends are all there and she wants to know what is happening in her country at all times.

As I spoke to her about Egypt, she shared with me the oppression that is felt there. She likened the Egyptian people to victims of domestic violence...people who know they are being treated wrongly, but are too emotionally defeated to do anything about it. She told me that for every 5 Egyptians there is one secret service officer watching them. People listen to their phone calls and watch their actions. Torture is rampant, especially for saying anything against the government. When she was teaching her classes, many students would ask, "Why?" "Why should we study?" "Why should we learn?" They didn't feel like there was anything out there for them because there was so much government control.

Both she and her husband were MDs and taught at the University. Her take home pay after teaching for 15 years was $600 per month because of taxes and bribes they had to concede to. Most Egyptians live on $2 a day, so they were well above the standard. But, once you get more money, you end up paying more to be left alone and continue your work. Everything is corrupt.  The government takes everything...the $400 million a year from the Suez Canal, the profits from tourism, and then, if you leave Egypt, you continue to pay money to the government so you can be out of the country. Poor young people risk their lives everyday to leave Egypt on a floating raft and sail to Greece. Most die trying. Those who are more educated, try to leave to study. The government decides what crops can be grown and what can be bought and sold and at what price. They control the television and radio stations.

When I asked her if she thought a revolution like this would ever happen, she said, "No. I thought we were too broken. I never thought this many people would rise up." She continued to tell me, "Brooke, you don't understand because you won't be able to tell, but the people protesting in the streets are from everywhere...there are rich and poor, male and female, young and old. They are from all religions and all social classes. This isn't a revolution of just the rich or just the poor. All of Egypt is there."

Then, as she was saying this, she paused, and looked at her TV as the Vice-President came into focus. She was watching in Arabic, so I didn't know what was being said, but she stood still, eyes wide, mouth open, hands on her cheeks. She said over and over, "I can't believe it. I can't believe it." She turned and looked at me and said, with tears in her eyes, "The vice-president stepped down. I didn't think this would ever happen." She started to cry and immediately knelt down to pray and thank God. She stood up with wet eyes, and hugged me, hard. I was crying with her and at a loss for words.

I asked, "Did you think this would ever happen?" She said, "No. Yesterday he told the protesters he would bury them tomorrow and here he is stepping down."

Then her phone started ringing and I listened as she exclaimed with her mother and sister over the phone from Egypt. They were speaking Arabic, but it didn't matter...I understood their celebration and incredulity and gratitude. She quietly murmured, "I wish I were there. I wish I were there." It was my turn to leave and let her bask in this joy with other people who really understood. She hugged me with a smile and I told her I would never forget that moment. I felt so blessed to witness something so sacred. She told me, "God sent you here this morning to be here with me." If that is true, I am so grateful He sent me.

You see, I'm an American...have always been. My freedom, while I hate to admit it, is often taken for granted. I take for granted that open to my children is every possibility, that I can choose my leaders, that we are safe, that you can right wrongs, that you can have second chances, that no one is watching me, that I can say what I want to say and others can too without fear, that hatred and cruelty is not tolerated, that I can worship the way I please, that I can pursue happiness.

I'm not a political scientist and I know very little about the Middle East, but what I know is that on Friday I saw sheer joy at even the glimmer of freedom from one who never thought it would be possible. I saw a lifelong yearning for something that was once unattainable start to be filled. I saw hope and rejoicing and love and pride in the people of her country. I saw the gratitude I should feel, everyday, for being lucky enough to live in America. That night I went to bed with a heart full of thanksgiving for the life and opportunity I have here and for a new friendship that taught me how it should feel, everyday, to be free.

The creeps were back

The creeps were back this morning, so I had to go private WAY faster than I wanted to. Thanks to those of you who requested so quickly! If there are people you know who want to be invited, have them send me an email brookeoromney@gmail.com or comment on my public blog http://www.rowdyromneys.blogspot.com/ !

So, lots of you were wondering what exactly made me change things. Here is the short of it. Under the stats tab a few weeks ago, I started noticing a site I didn't recognize. I wasn't worried. I clicked on it and it was a link to an Ann Arbor singles site. Kinda weird but not too worried. Then, last Saturday, I noticed an address that had visited my blog 9 times in one morning. From what I understand if it shows up under your "referring links" or "referring URLs" it means that there is a link from that site to yours. When I clicked on the site (which just had a weird address) it sent me to a pornography website. Which means my site was linked from their website. That's why there was such a rush on my part. As soon as I saw that site again on my stats, I decided to go private for good...you never know who is looking at your site...they can come from anywhere really, but you can see how they got to your blog and which which sites have linked to yours if they show up in your stats. Hope that helps.

Now would also be a great time to change our address in your google reader or bloglist so you know when we update!

Thanks for your patience.

Going Private

I've always hated private blogs...they drive me crazy. But, I'm going private. Checking the Stats tab on my blog last Saturday gave me a day that was so creepy it made my stomach hurt. So, going private is the only way for me to keep blogging and feel okay about it.

But, I hate that I have to do it. So, here is how I'm making it better for myself:

1. If you'd like an invite, leave a comment with your email address or email me your address at brookeoromney (at) gmail (dot) com

2. If I don't know you, or might not recognize your email address, drop me a line and let me know who you are ("friend of your sister" "mom of your friend" "college aquaintance" "cousin's neighbor") and a link to your blog if you have one. I love how the blogging world allows us to see into lives we enjoy and I'd love to see yours too.  I'm not super picky about who looks at my blog, as long as you are not one of the weirdos that was here last Saturday.

3. Change my blog address in your google reader and blog roll to: http://www.rowdyromneys.blogspot.com/ This will be my public blog that will tell you when I make a new post and give you a link to it. That way, it will still be easy to follow if you care to do so (that's the real reason private blogs drive me crazy, because I never know when to check them, so this is how I'm fixing that problem for me). Also, if what I'm posting doesn't involve my kiddos or have pictures of them, I'll post the text there too. It's them I'm worried about. Parenting epiphanies, Michigan hot spots, good books, yummy recipes will all be on my public and private blog.

4. If my blog posts are emailed to you (grandmas and grandpas) they still will be, so no worries there. If that is the way you prefer to see them, let me know that when you email me too.

Thanks for your patience! I really love what blogging has done for me: allowed me to chronicle the best and worst of our family, record who my children are and who they are becoming and pen what is most important to me. I feel like it helps me find myself and creates invaluable records for us to enjoy. My second greatest treasure from blogging is that it allows far away family and friends to be a part of our lives, almost everyday in a way they never could be without this technology. And last, but not least, I LOVE the way it allows me to keep in touch and make and keep strong connections with family and friends that have become important supports in my life. Hopefully I am that same support for you.

Hope to hear from you soon!

We Loved the Blizzard of 2011 because...

The world was white and wonderful

No School
Snow forts, snow fights
Icicles

Friends within walking distance
Kids old enough to play in the snow without their mom

Heat that is included in our rent
Dad home early for serious snow play

A nice crop of library books to read (by the time I got my camera out, James was in jammies reading with me, though he usually is a die hard snow player)
Chicken noodle soup
Amazing snowplows that cleared the streets 

And today....blue skies, sun, 24 degrees and school was back on. My kind of blizzard.