...dland or bust...

Wow. So...first of all...what a much needed vacation!!! Although it was tough getting around w/ my big belly hanging out...and I'm pretty sure that walking around the Parks for 4 days was probably more painful than childbirth...it was super fun! And...I must say- I couldn't have done it without the help of my motherinlaw, Melody...who took Jude back to the room for naps...and walked slowly with me when "turbo-legs" would forget his waddling wife in the dust! :)

Wednesday:
Jude did an excellent job on the way to Cali...he managed to take a couple of naps in the car...and for the most part, remained jovial. We had a good time eating at In&Out Burger in California...which...there's nothing like I&O in Cali- many memories! While we were there...Derrick downloaded some of the worship album that was done being mixed...so it was fun getting to listed to most of the album before being sent to be mastered. It sounds great- and I can't wait until everyone else gets to hear it! (You're gunna love it, Love!!!) Anywho...We made it to Cali in pretty good time...got to our hotel room- which was WAY nice inside...but very small! I did my OCD thing and got everything put away...we rested a wee bit...and then walked to Downtown Disney. The hotel was only 1/2 a mile away- if that...but after sitting for 6 hours in a car...my body was not liking the walk!

Jude enjoyed the freedom of walking around DTD. As a matter of fact...he walked right into the Lego store...which I'm pretty sure that we've never ever ever been inside! He had fun looking at all the random Lego sculptures (as did his dad)...while Melody and I marveled at the fact that in no time, Jude's going to be wanting these for Christmas! Oy!



Anywho...Melody and Jude then went off on their own adventure...while Derrick and I went into Disneyland. We had a couple of hours to kill before going to Pasadena to see my cousin, Stacy, at CalTech. I was in alot of pain...so we didn't plan on doing much...window shopping...walking around...enjoying the "Happiest Place on Earth". We snacked at our favorite place- the Bengal BBQ...and rode the Buzz Lightyear ride. Derrick and I are uber competitive on this ride...I used to win- always...now...not so much! But our crazy mad skills paid off...as I was ranked #27...and DLo was ranked #8 of the day! We are just...THAT good! ::inserts evil laughter!!!

So...Our plan was to meet up with Stacy at 7pm. She is a freshman at CalTech...which is still blowing my mind...and has an ULTRAbusy schedule...so we basically had only a window of opportunity to have dinner with her and not much else. Derrick and I headed back to the hotel to get our car and head out to meet her...we'd been texting each other all day...and I was SO excited to see her and hear all about college life! So...it's about 5:45pmish...it was only supposed to be a 40 min drive WITH traffic. Yeah. Try 1.5hours! What in the world?! It was pretty miserable! I texted her when we were about 30 mins away...to let her know our situation...and she texted me back letting me know that we should meet at her dorm. Now. This is probably where I was an idiot...b/c I told her that I'd call her when we were by CalTech so she could give us directions....I SHOULD have just asked her to text me where her dorm was/room number. When we finally got there at 7:20pm...I texted her to call me. Then I called her. Then we parked and waited. Then I called her again. After 10 mins...I called her mom in AZ to find out what dorm she was in- so we could at least be near it...her mom tells me Avery- which is on the opposite side of where we are...So we drive there...and I text her...and call her. No response. Straight to VM. What. The. Heck. So. I get out of the car...and waddle over to the dorm. This is where the comedy starts. So. I see some Asian girl coming out of Avery...I stop her and say, "Excuse me...you wouldn't happen to know a Stacy Kim???" She looks at me, startled (probably by my height), giggles and shakes her head. I say, "I know, I'm sorry, there are probably a million kids on this campus...but she lives in Avery..." After some small talk- she tells me that she'll let me into the dorms...b/c the names are posted on the doors of the dorms! Score! So. I start looking in the first section- downstairs. No dice. So I go upstairs. Now. I would say...about 99.9% of the people I ran into were Asian. Out. Rageous. I even had 2 dorm rooms full of boys laugh at me as I walked by...I wasn't sure if they were laughing at me...but they laughed each time I passed. I guess it would be pretty amusing to see a bigtallAsian hustling by with her big fat pregnant belly flopping around in front of her. ::sigh:: No Stacy upstairs. I'm just about to go downstairs to start on the second section...when my aunt calls me back. I inform her that I have found Avery...she is elated...now I can ask someone where Stacy lives...b/c...she doesn't actually KNOW if Stace lives in Avery.... You see. Apparently at CalTech...during Orientation- the freshman aren't assigned a dorm (in one of the EIGHT houses)...they have a temporary room and then are assigned their House at the end? Something like that. So all my aunt knew...was an Avery House. W.T.H. Oh my word...my pregnant body cannot possibly handle this sad news. So...I've just waddled up and down this hall...and it could be for NOTHING?! I call Stacy's twin, Sarah...who is attending Cornell...which would make it about midnight her time...I'm hoping she's up studying like a good Korean college student...I'm thinking...surely SURELY Sarah will know where her sister lives....No answer. ::big sigh:: I go back down...not knowing what to do. We drove 1.5 hours to see her...I've spent 30 mins searching...I don't want to go back w/o seeing her!!! I call Derrick...and also had several other students stare at me...At this point, DLo had parked and was on his way to find me...(did I mention that I was freezing in my light longsleeved shirt and shorts???)...I let him into Avery and he went to look at the second section- the one I was too defeated to waddle to...after 10ish mins, he calls...there was a super skinny girl w/ long hair that looked just like her...he was ::this:: close to saying "Stacy?"...when she turned- and it was SO not her! LOL...as we're on the phone- he comes to a door w/o a nametag, but a white board that simply says "Stacy and ?:LIKDJS:FOI?" "Should I knock???" "What the heck- just do it- can't hurt..." We get off the phone...2 mins later...out walks Derrick...and STACY!!!! baaaahahahahhahahaahha! It was TOTALLY her room! Her phone had died...and she'd passed out while waiting for us- b/c of her sleepless nights studying! Hi-lar-i-ty! So...we drove off to a Korean restaurant called Cham and enjoyed a very very short dinner (b/c our original 2 hours together turned into less than one!). Derrick was leery of the food...he's only had my mom's Korean...and this was listed as a "fast food" Korean restaurant...but- I must say...it was fan-freakin'-tastic food! So delish...Derrick wouldn't stop talking about it...and now we're determined to hit up a Korean restaurant here in town! MMMMmmm.
















Thursday:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DERRICK!!! Today is the day we've been waiting for. Derrick turns 29! That means...for a few short months, we'll be 29 together! :)

The park didn't open today until 10am. Which is really 11am AZ time. This wouldn't have been a bad thing...except...Jude woke up at 7am AZ time...which means...we all got ready HOURS before the park opened! That was a first! But it worked out...we got ready and went to LaBrea for breakfast in DTD. Yum.

So. One of the first rides we went on was the Finding Nemo ride. The last time we took Jude on this ride...he was 9.5 months old...and he passed out in the first 2 mins of the ride. This time...Jude was very attentive...looking out the windows. Then...2 mins before the ride was over...bam- he passed out! Poor kid! :)

Melody took Jude back to the hotel for a nap. Derrick and I got to spend a good amount of time together...and just as we were about to get on the Toy Story ride, Melody brought Jude back to us! So...we got to ride w/ our lil love! We hit Playhouse Disney next...which I had been UBER excited for. Jude really enjoyed it when we brought him in Feb...and I just knew he's love it more this time since we actually watch some of the cartoons featured...AND...he absolutely LOVES Mickey Mouse. It did not disappoint. Jude was enamored from the getgo...dancing...bouncing...clapping...watching. It was great. The hard part was keeping him with us- as he wanted to run up on stage, I'm sure! The best best BEST part of the whole show was, though, when one of the Playhouse workers nose dived to prevent some of the kids (toddlers, mind you) from being on the yellow part of the carpet....you see- we had been instructed to keep the yellow carpet clear "for our safety"...and this chicka took that seriously- she literally ran from the back and DOVE- both arms straight out- at these kids. I couldn't stop laughing!!! It. was. awesome!
























Derrick was so cute with Jude...I dunno if it's a daddy thing...or a Disney thing...but MAN that guy has got some energy! We went from location to location with Jude on Derrick's shoulders...as Derrick bounced- much like Tigger- from place to place. Awesome.





















Okay. Now...for dinner. When Derrick and I were dating...we went to DLand our fair share of times. One of our favorite places to eat was the Big Thunder Mountain BBQ. It was a little expensive, but had lots of food and refills! MMMmmm. We were all KINDS of sad when it closed down (before our honeymoon!!!)...and then elated when it reopened this year. When we went on our one day Disney trip (sans Jude) this summer...we were determined to eat there...um...but we were rejected! It was FULL! They changed it to an all you can eat type meal...and accept walk-ins or reservations, but they were FULL! OMG. I cannot express to you how dejected and sad Mr. Logan was! So...This time- I called- a month ago for a reservation. I figured we should eat at 5pm- which is 6pm AZ time- to give us plenty of time to eat and get Jude to bed. So. Playhouse Disney gave us 10 mins to get back to DLand and to our reservation. I was pretty hellbent on getting there on time- b/c heads would have rolled if they bumped our reservation b/c we were late!!! I cannot begin to express how quickly I walked. It was practically running. Melody even commented that it was the first time the whole trip she had to work to keep up with me!!! But- I was de-ter-mined! So. We walk up...it's 5:02. And...there is not a SINGLE patron there! HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH! So...not only did I make this reservation to secure our spot...but I ran...and they were UBER excited to have guests! We were the only 4 people there for the first 20 mins! Which was fun...b/c the entertainment- which was awesome btw- catered to us! I highly recommend going there for dinner...it's a bit pricey- I think it was like $25-30 a person (Jude was free) but it's all you can eat- family style- BBQ ribs, chicken, corn bread, slaw, corn, beans...MMMmmmm. The only downfall...it was REALLY cold outside- not so bad once you got eating and stuff, but it did make the food get cold really fast- which some people may not like! :)

We rode some more rides...and then watched the parade. Kinda wish we woulda seen it during the day so that the pix woulda turned out better- I left my fancy flash at the hotel...and am really working hard at learning manual...so...it's hit or miss! Jude enjoyed watching the parade though...it was fun to dance around to the music! It was fun too b/c the dancers- and Peter Pan mouthed "Happy Birthday" to Derrick after seeing his pin. Disney is so stinkin' great! Derrick was a sucker though- and bought Jude a light up Mickey sword...I laughed- we're so silly- spoiling ourselves by spoiling Jude! :) The night ended w/ some Bday goodies- Derrick got a candy apple (shaped like Minnie Mouse b/c he said it had more "goodness" on it)...I got a chocolate smore thing- delish...and Melody got a sad single Mickey Chocolate Turtle. MMmmm.





















Friday:
We started our day off right. At the Plaza Inn for Breakfast in the Park with Minnie and Friends. Another all you can eat experience...it's another thing we recommend...b/c 1. it's all you can eat and 2. the food is good and 3. you get to see the characters! Jude was super funny...he liked the characters- well, all but Tigger- but he had a time frame that they were allowed to be near him. He'd wave at them, give them a high five, and then **ding** times up! If the character decided to stay to try to hug him or get a picture with him...he would freak out! So funny! The only character he really engaged with was Minnie...something to do with the fact that she looks like Mickey?! I dunno. But he gave her a big kiss on the tip of her nose- which was UBER cute- but of course- I was too busy gawking and didn't snap a picture! ::sigh::





When we were done with breakfast, we rode on more rides...went to the Tiki Room...and went to see The Mouse. Jude wasn't so much interested in the Tiki Room...he did well, but it wasn't as enjoyable to him as the other shows. Jude rode on the Buzz ride w/ MeeMaw- which was AWESOME b/c he totally beat her score! HAHAH! And we rode the Dumbo ride- which I love! Jude had fun playing w/ the lever that makes Dumbo fly up and down- until we started spinning- and then he just enjoyed the ride- which is WAY too short! Going to see Mickey was THE best. After waiting in line for a short while- we finally got to go to the room to see the Mouse. Now- remember how Jude was afraid of most of the characters...not so much w/ Mickey! He went right up to him and gave him a hug withOUT being told to! :) I think we'll keep him- he is just the perfect lil boy for our family! haha!






Eventually, Meemaw took Jude back to the room for his nap...he totally passed out in the stroller- in one of those cute moments when his head keeps bobbing until he hits the tray- it was so sweet! While Melody and Jude went off, Derrick and I got some Jamba Juice and Wetzel's Pretzels and headed to the AMC at DTD to see The Christmas Carol in 3D. We love love LOVE seeing movies at Disneyland- such a nice way to take a break and relax your feet (or stay cool in the summer)...and it's especially fun when we see a movie on opening day!!! (We saw Ratatoulle on opening day too...saw Finding Nemo on our honeymoon and...Enchanted on some random trip). The movie was good. I've been reading on FB that alot of people aren't liking it. I can say that it really wasn't the fluffy Disney that we're used to...granted...the story of Ebeneazor Scrooge isn't quite fluffy...and it did have some morbid parts that I wouldn't recommend for children...I dunno maybe a 3rd grader...and up? Not for lil ones for sure. I did like it. Great animation. The 3D was great- didn't hurt my head!

After the movie- Meemaw and Jude met us in front of the theater and we waited for Grandab- who drove down to Cali for the weekend. Roderick and Melody were going to spend time with some friends that Roderick met and live in California...We had dinner at Tortilla Joe's at DTD- which we've never ate at...and never will again. Not quite on the yummy side. Afterwards- Derrick and Roderick went to the House of Blues to watch Tyrone Wells perform (he's the guy who wrote "More" that we used for the "Live Like You Were Dying" series at church- although- Derrick didn't get to hear him sing that song). Melody and I went back to California Adventure...where Melody rode Tower of Terror by herself (::sigh::- one day I'll not be pregnant and be able to ride fun rides!) and I took Jude to see Turtle Talk w/ Crush. He didn't get it, but liked watching it. Melody and I took Jude around the animation place some more, then went to a store to buy Jude a BIG Mickey (which would make his fourth MM) and then went to the hotel. Jude went to bed...Melody and I watched Private Practice and the Diane Sawyer/Rhianna interview! LOL!


Saturday:
I know that by now, most of you will have just skimmed my "book" and just looked at the pictures...whatever. To my 2 true BFFs that have read every word- I heart you! ;) Saturday morning started later than normal. Jude woke up at 8am...which was glorious. After packing up our stuff and checking out, we went to DTD for breakfast at LaBrea again. Then we went to CaliAdventure to finish off the things we didn't get to do. We spent most of the time in Bug's Land...which- other than going to see "It's Tough to be a Bug", DLo and I have never been back there! How cute! The three of us had fun (Melody had gone w/ Roderick the night before- when they got back from the House of Blues) riding all the rides. Jude is def. like his daddy- not afraid of ride! I mean...I rode on things like- the Teacups when I was little...but my first rollercoaster wasn't until I was in college!!! Oy! Daredevil! (You'll note my scary face in the second ladybug picture...it was VERY hard to spin around like that and hold on so that I didn't fly out AND hold on to Jude so HE didn't fly out!) I even rode the Zypher for the first time b/c Derrick was taking Jude on it...and I didn't want Jude to ride something before I had ever ridden it! It wasn't too bad- especially b/c I was busy taking pictures and not paying attention to the scariness! Jude reeealllly liked the Ferris Wheel. Crazy kid- we went on the swinging gondola b/c it doesn't go as high as the nonswinging one...and Jude had a smile on his face the entire time! I love it! Can't wait til he's old enough to go on Tower of Terror and such! :)









After riding our butts off...and playing some of the carnival games (which DLo won a Dumbo while Jude and I enjoyed some cotton candy)...we decided that we should probably head home- especially since it was 3pm! LOL...Jude did great on the way home again- he took two REALLY long naps- which made it wonderful! Derrick and I didn't talk the first 4 hours. I had had to pee before leaving (which I failed to mention that I went pee like every 30 mins ...ugh!) but I thought I'd hold it until we stopped to eat...I didn't realize that that wasn't going to be until we got to Blythe at 7:30pm!!! So...most of the "nontalking" was due to the fact that I was concentrating so hard on NOT peeing my pants! I even contemplated at one point going in a diaper or in the bucket that had contained my cotton candy! :P Anywho. We got home at like 10:30pm or so...which wasn't too bad. Got everything unpacked and put away and then passed OUT!

What a great trip...I love Disneyland...I especially love going there with my best friend and best boy. Special thanks to Melody for coming with us and making it that much more memorable! :)

Happy Birthday, Derrick. Love you.

...pumpkin patch...

Oh. My. Word. We had SO much fun today at Schnepf Farms. It was a LOOOOONG drive...but it was worth it to spend a couple of hours frolicking on the farm with my two favorite boys. I took about 5 gazillion pictures and they are all so cute! :) I was SUPER proud of myself b/c I usually take my camera, but only snap a few here and there... Anywho...here's all the fun we had:

*Jude LOVED tossing the lil pumpkins around like a ball!
*He got his first face painting done- and did SUCH a good job holding still- but it helped that the painting dood was SUPER fast!
*Watched Derrick almost get eaten by some random scary dwarf goat looking thing! It was in it's cage, but it made this hilarious noise and started licking the cage by Derrick's fingers! It was awesome! (This goat thing seriously looked like it belonged in The Shire- like a hobbit goat!
*Got to watch Jude pet some reaaaalllllly stinky goats! I thought he'd be afraid of them, but he TOTALLY loved it! I didn't go in...b/c honestly- I am a little afraid of them! LOL
*Jude and Daddy rode a ride together- not gunna lie- they were the cutest! Jude kept trying to wave at me when he'd hear me call his name...but of course, he couldn't see me before they were turning again! I loved it!
*Catapulted some tennis balls towards some cardboard bullseye thing...we weren't so good! LOL And...the best was that the lil boy who went after us...TOTALLY hit the target the first time! ::shame!::
*Rode on a carousel that I swear had to have been made by Uncle Jeb or something...it was quite frightening...and I wasn't convinced that it was going to stay in one piece!
*Bought a cute lil pumpkin and a delicious caramel apple pie! MMMmmmm...
*Had a nice drive to and from Queen Creek...where I allllllmost finished reading Catching Fire out loud to Derrick...

I absolutely love Fridays...it's so great having family time...whether we sit around and do NOTHING...or trek across AZ to pick a pumpkin...spending time w/ my boys is just the best! :)

...family...

I am so blessed. I always prayed that God would send me a husband with a big family...but...I never thought that He would bless me with such a GREAT family (I know...my nose is getting a lil brown!) But...in all honesty- I sincerely love them all.

Recently...when Jude had the flu...my sisterinlaw Niki offered to bring us dinners...and my mother/fatherinlaw came over to love on Jude and give Derrick and I a much needed break. And then Derrick's sister Tori and Kevin watched Jude for an ENTIRE day (the first time I've EVER done that!) so that I could get some rest- as I caught a cold and was just EXHAUSTED! My motherinlaw also came over to watch Jude for me- since Derrick was going to be at rehearsal or recording or something... I'm just overwhelmed with how thankful I am for such a loving-closeknit family.

...The Children's Museum...

Oh my! I am going to be so depressed next week when my friends are all back to work! Who will Jude and I play with?!

I had a nice time at the Children's Museum w/ all my girlfriends and their kids. The last time I took Jude, he had just turned 1...and he wasn't walking yet...and just really didn't "get it". I think it'll be more fun with him when he's a wee little bit older...but we were still able to have a good time- for the most part!

Jude did a pretty good job...He'd gone the entire week w/ only a nap a day...leaving the house right around the time he'd take his first nap! This particular day...you could tell he was just DONE during lunch time...and sure enough- he passed out shortly after- in the stroller- which NEVER happens!

I can't wait for my friends to have their next "break"...it will probably be my last "outing" until after 2.0 arrives and I get situated w/ life being a mommy to TWO loverloos! Oh my! :) I def. want to take Jude again...w/ daddy this time...it's just so fun to see him growing up...and discovering new things! How did I get to be so blessed???

Here are some pix of our adventurous and exhausting day:

...neener neener neeneeeeeer...

Hmmm. I guess that's not the best way to start a blog which I'm sure will cause many of you to judge me. ...Hmmm...

So. There was recently this brilliant idea in the state of AZ to give away free passes to various educational "hot spots"....like...The Phoenix Zoo...or the Desert Botanical Gardens...or The Children's Museum. Great concept...you know...times are tough...and free is...FREE! In order to obtain one of these Culture Passes, you must visit your library...with your valid library card...and check one out. The catch...there are only 65 passes to check out at a time at the various participating libraries... and these things are a HOT commodity. Chances are...the library you go to (which, the one closest to us is NOT a participating library) will only have 5 total passes of each "hot spot"...and chances are...only 1 or 2 or 3 will be available...so...you'll have to get there preeeetty early to snag one up.

My girlfriends Jaime and Bre went early one day during their Spring Break to get one...they got to the library early...and there was already a crowd!!!! Imagine...dayafterthanksgivingsales, minus the sales! The girls didn't stand a chance...and by the time they got to the rack w/ passes...they were ALL gone...well...except the Heard Museum...but who wants to take 3andunders there?!

So. I've realllllly been wanting to take Jude back to the Children's Museum...especially since the last time I took him was a complete FLOP! (He was just a wee bit too little to "get it") I've been determined to go down to the library early one day and see if I can't get me one of those passes!!! (Saving $9 per person...for up to 4 people...is TOTALLY worth it!) At the Zoo on Tuesday...we had talked about going to the CM sometime this week...and I mentioned that I was going to attempt to get a Culture Pass...which...luckily...there were THREE that were going to be available the next day at some library far far far away in the ghetto (no joke!). The next morning...Les, Jaime, and I...round up the four kids...pile them into Leslie's car...and head out...

By the time we get to the library...there is a small group of people there. There is no line...just a crowd...just as Jaime warned me. (btw- I NEVER go to afterThanksgiving sales...b/c I loathe being around tons of people...and I especially hate being in a situation where I KNOW people are going to be inconsiderate and I might have to Kung Fu someone) Majority of the people there...hmmm...let's just say...they don't look like the type of people who would be interested in a pass to go to some museum or the zoo... Leslie took the kids to the playground next to the library, leaving Jaime and I to try to get the passes. We were SOOOO hoping to get one...two would have been REALLY nice...and all three would have been the JACKPOT! ::sigh:: ...but...there were a few people there that looked like they were probably there for passes as well...granted...who knows WHICH pass they're there for! One lady- who was there w/ her husband and kid(s)- came over to us and asked if we were there to get a CP, and how it all worked (meaning- is it first come, first served). Jaime politely explained that unfortunately...it wasn't a "nice" process...and that when the doors open...there would probably be a mad rush...that it didn't matter who got to the library first...it only mattered that you got to the passes first. **I must say...that whoever didn't suggest a BETTER method to this madness...is not too bright** The lady kinda seemed put out...even after we pointed to where we thought the passes might be...b/c we were now the competition...even though she'd been there 2 seconds earlier than us. She proceeded to stand w/ her family...game face on...staring us down. **comedy**

Uhoh...this is already turning out to be a looooong blog...but it's a good one...if only to Jaime, Leslie and I! Haha!

Anywho...as the time gets closer to the library opening...the bigger the crowd becomes...and the closer everyone moves towards to door...and the more people who gather in front of you or beside you. **Another Kim-ism- I am a girl who does not mind confrontation. I'm not afraid to tell it how it is...I'm not afraid to have to get up in someones face- if need be....but...I don't like to tick people off on purpose...I don't like people to be mad at me b/c I've done something "jerky"...I'd rather skip the "jerkiness" thus skipping a confrontation...but like I said...if I've done nothing wrong...and I need to defend myself or have a hard conversation...9 out of 10 times, I'll do it...no sweat*** I say this b/c...As Jaime is moving closer...I stay put! I don't want anyone to get mad at me for "cutting" them...but alas...eventually...I also move closer...b/c people are all KINDS of up in my space! Finally FINALLY one of the library workers comes to unlock and open the doors. Now...I wish you could have been there...it was like a movie...where the doors move an a snails pace...pathetic! While the doors open..."GameFace" moves her son closer- and this big dood says "Wow- you're ready to go- I'm going to let you go first!". The doors open. People rush in. Jaime gets plowed over by a stroller. Kim waddles in holding her belly and trying not to slip- man...I didn't wear the right kinda shoes for this! It's my every worst nightmare...people in too close of a proximity to me...pushing...being impolite. Ugh! I see Jaime is a good 12 feet in front of me..."GameFace" is asking for directions. DIRECTIONS! ?! Lady. Let me give you some advice. Have your husband ask for directions...while YOU follow us or just GO- just GO where ever you think it could be...b/c you wasted a LONG time! ...By the time I get to the passes...Jaime already has them in her hand! She was the first one there!!! YES!

Andddddd here's where it gets good and dramatic. As Jaime- with hands shaking- hands me my pass...(and I'm thinking- YES, we got TWO!) "GameFace" goes to the circulation desk and says- quite loudly- "How does this work?! Is it first come first served?! We were here for 30 mins...blah blah blah"...Now. At this point...I'm not paying too much attention to her. I'm mostly just thrilled that we got TWO passes! YES! But as we wait for Leslie to heard the kids over...I notice- as Jaime points out....that "GF" is ppppppoooooooooo'dddddddd...and is giving us the death glare! DEATH GLARE. It is at this point...that I realize...that we don't have two passes...we've got ALL THREE passes!!! (Go Jaime!) Jaime hands Les the pass (a la secret library drug deal) and we all get in line.

I've got to admit. I felt wicked guilty! I didn't know we had all of them...granted...how were we to know that she wanted the Children's Museum passes too? Leslie is just finishing up...and I decide...I'm going to go give her my pass. It's a wayyyy smooshie- notcompletelytypicalKim thing to do...but...drat...what if she goes to PVC? Ugh. As I'm turning my body to walk towards her...she comes barreling forward to Jaime- pulling her son along- pointing her finger- saying... "You two are THE RUDEST ladies I have EVER met!" ::insert innocent face:: "You should be ASHAMED of yourselves.... What a NICE example you are setting forth for your children!" ::insert sound of car slamming on breaks:: Did you just bring our kids into it?! Did you just point your finger at OUR beautiful kids and say that WE are being a bad example?! Wow. I was processing my thoughts...I didn't want to throw down...I mean...we are MILES away from PVC...MILES away from people we'd probably know or run into...but there was that lil part of me...that knew that of all people...DERRICK would be the one who would give me sad puppy dog eyes and make me feel uber guilty if I didn't control my behavior. As I'm processing- Jaime apologizes and tries to explain that she warned her that it was first to get there gets 'em...and whatever smooshie other thing...but the lady won't hear ANY of it...and says- "SO THIS IS HOW YOU PAY IT FORWARD?!" ::process complete:: Ya know...I was GOING to give her a pass. I FELT guilty...but really? You're seriously going to throw a fit? You're mad at US?! Calling US rude when we had NO idea that we were after the same specific pass. Shouldn't you be mad at the LIBRARY for it's flawed process? Hmmm. Yeah...I'm not gunna give you the pass. I mean...sure...maybe it wasn't the most...WWJD thing to do...but...when you are yelling at us...and bringing MY son into it (um- and btw- I consider Matti, Brody, and Zoe my bebe's too)...you're lucky that I didn't bust out w/ some ASIAN SPICE all over your ...well...you get the picture. But I smile...and wait for her to finish her rant. I mean...I can understand her being disappointed...I can even respect that she came up to us to make sure we were aware she was upset...but...come ON!

Jaime checks out...I'm next...as Jaime is wrapping up...Madame Purple walks up to us. "Excuse me ladies...I'm so and so the Branch Manager...." At this point... all the calmness in my body is starting to fade...if she tells us we need to give up a pass, heads will roll! "...can I please see you in my office when you are finished checking out?" Laugh. Out. Loud. ::yes maam:: Jaime turns and give me the "Seriously?!" look...and me...well...I just think this is the best thing ever! Really?! After we check out? So....you're not taking our CPass away...soooo...what's the worst that can happen? You wanna revoke my card? Well...that's fine- I NEVER go to the library (after being the Media Specialist...I've seen first hand what books go through. EW. I buy all my books!) You gunna call the cops on me? For...what? I check out. Jaime and I look at each other...are we seriously going to go? Seriously? Well..."GFace" will probably follow us out if we don't...let's just DO this!

Leslie takes the kids- well...I take Jude...thinking- she can't yell at us too much w/ this adorable creature all up in her face! We follow "Purple" to her office...where she tells us to "have a seat" ::lol:: and closes the door!!!! LOL! I turn and look at Jaime...who's face is FLAMING red and her eyes are piercing...uhoh! Basically...after being informed that she has NEVER gotten a complaint over the CPasses..."Purple" wanted to know if 1. we cut and 2. we pushed/shoved/ran/usedastrollerasaweapon! I answered...and I was sawwwweeeetter than sugah! Did we cut...probably. But no more or less than anyone else...the time gets closer to opening- EVERYone starts gathering in...so...we do too! Did we push/shove/etc? Um...no...I'm PREGNANT...I can barely move! "Purple" tells us she's not there to place blame...just to hear our side of the story...Jaime informs her that really it's the library's lame system... blah blah...that's pretty much it!

We leave the room...me with a smile on my face. Nothing like starting your morning w/ a good faux spanking at the library! What a joke! "GFace" is still there w/ her family...staring at us. Apparently the lack of rubbing of our tooshies leaves a bad taste in her mouth...and she decides to put in a last hurrah of "Hope you have a GRRRREAT day!" I coulda been snarky. But I just kept on walking. We get outside and see that our "getaway" car is waiting for us at the curb! While we were in "Purple's" office...Leslie got the kids buckled in and called her husband...and as she's explaining to him the situation- a few security guys walk towards the library...and she screams to her hubby- "OMG! THE COPS ARE HERE! I NEED TO GET JUDE!!!" LOLOL! She was very anxious to hear what happened! As I'm buckling Jude into his carseat...out walks "GFace" and family. She just can't let it go. I mean...what good is it doing you?! You're mad at US but it's not really US you should be this mad at! "You should explain to my son why...blah blah blah" I'm thinking...really? Really? You want to 1. drag your son into it...and 2. do you REALLY want me to explain something to your son...b/c you're not going to like what I have to say...and I'm going to be 100% honest w/ him! Really? The only thing I say is..."Keep talking if it makes you feel better- but you're not helping one bit..." At this...Leslie gets a wee freaked out...she doesn't want a confrontation...Leslie says- "Kim- just leave Jude unbuckled until I pull away somewhere else!" And THAT is what finally did me in. I wasn't mad at Les...but I was frustrated that this lady's persistent yelling as freaked my friend out... So...don't judge me...know that I was very pleasant and VERY unKimlike up until this point... I say..."NO! I am going to make sure my son is SAFE! And if SHE wants to come say some more...if she wants to THROW DOWN...then LET'S DO THIS!" ::hangs head in shame:: Luckily- I got him buckled and got into the front seat...and there were no need for any pulling of hair...or cat scratches... (I only share all this b/c I want you to know that even though I love Jesus...I'm human too...)

We got our passes...we had a delicious celebratory lunch at the OG....and later- Les got a call from the "Superintendent of the Library" inquiring about the "incident" earlier in the day...Les was so nervous that she hung up...only to find out later that it was a girlfriend's hubby calling to give her a hard time! LOL! What a day. But...it was hilarious. And...I'm glad I experienced it w/ my BFFs!

Dear Husband of GameFace,
I mean...wow. You just stood there. Really? If you agreed w/ your wife...that we were in the wrong...you could have came to her aide and tried to reason w/ us a different way. I can only assume the ranting and the telling on us to Madame Purple was in hopes of getting one of our passes taken away... YOU should have tried a different tactic...the results could have been different than me smiling at you while my pass was securely tucked away in my purse. ...And...if you DIDN'T agree with your wife...you should have told her that she looked like a fool. Because...really...she did...and I'm sure she was only getting more angry at our lack of reaction to her ridiculousness. ...And...I'm sure that when push comes to shove- YOU are the one who had to suffer listening to her go on and on and on about the bigtallasian and shortblondechick who were the "RUDEST women in the history of women"...


DLo might let me get away with alot...he might put up with alot...but he would NEVER have let me get away w/ letting our family of three look that retarded. I would have gotten the smackdown...or...he would have tried to help the situation in a different way... regardless...he wouldn't have stood there with a pathetic look on his face. The. End.

...zoo...

October Break.... I've been waiting for my girlfriends to finally be on break for a long long time! The summer was a bust for Jude and I...b/c I was so so so sick (from 2.0) and did NOT feel like moving! But, alas, they are finally on break...so our first excursion was... The Phoenix Zoo!

I haven't taken Jude to the zoo yet...figured he was still too little to "get it"...which...he still didn't really get into it as much as the rest of the kids...but I think we had a good time! Mostly- it's nice to get out and about w/ my favorite boy and favorite gals and their kiddos!

Our favorite part of the trip was...the elephants....I only say that b/c it was the only thing Jude acknowledged! He pointed and said "that?!"- which means he wants it...or wants to go to it! There was a brief moment that Jude melted down after that...which was literally 5 mins after we got to the zoo...and I just KNEW I was going to have to call someone to pick us up! Luckily...I figured out that Jude's shoes musta been hurting his feet- b/c as soon as I took them off, he was better! (Praise. The. Lord!) I saw a lot of pregnant people there- people even further along that me...and with 15 trillion kids... wow...that's a dedicated mom right there...b/c I was getting worn OUT and there were areas of my body that felt like they were going to explode! ;)

We had a nice lunch together- where Jude was an AMAZING lil guy and sat on my lap and ate his entire lunch and watched all the kids play for a good hour (give or take)...and then we came home. Jude passed out 5 mins into the movie that was playing in the van...and luckily stayed asleep once we got home! ...Which means that mama got some rest too!

Here are some pix (mostly taken by Jaime) of our fun day: