It's official! I'm organized.

I had just poured my third cup of coffee yesterday morning when I heard the unmistakable hum of the FedEx truck ricochet off the trees on my street. "Could this be the day?" I wondered. I forced myself to stay seated at my desk, eyes focused on the computer screen in front of me. On more than one occasion, I've ran to the front window in eager anticipation only to see the FedEx man jaunt over to my neighbor's house (who, incidentally, receives an inordinate number of deliveries each week). This time, I would keep my cool.

A few seconds later, the dingbell rang (as my 2-year-old calls it) and I saw a shadow of a delivery man scurry off the porch. "Yes!" I exclaim with a mental fist pump and I bolted for the door. Finally, it had arrived. My new planner from Erin Condren designs. Yes, I know it's April, but the 2010 editions just went on sale (50% off!) so I was suddenly motivated to get my schedule in order. I was so impressed with this company before I even opened the box. The BOX itself was a piece of art:

I spent five minutes devising a plan to wallpaper our next house with the quirky blue and pink design on the back of the box, and then dove in. My planner is adorable. The sweet little butterflies make me smile and the best part is that my name is on the bottom of the (laminated!) cover. Growing up, I never found a "Tiernan" bike license plate or book mark so I really appreciate the opportunity to customize:

They even throw in a bevy of organization-inspiring stickers and a pocket full of customized gift tags! Love.

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I spent the afternoon transferring my scraps of paper appointments and commitments to my nifty new planner and I feel so much lighter now. So, I say with conviction that I am officially organized and I look forward to actually attending meetings I have planned this year.

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Erin Condren is coming out with new 2011 planners in a few months and I cannot wait to see them. Who else is willing to join the organizational revolution (what? don't tell me you are ALREADY organized?!?!)?

The not-so-nurturing mother...

Cody and I always have fun watching new parents navigate the treacherous waters of infant/baby/toddler sleeping habits. The most common complaint we hear from friends with new babies (well, sometimes not-so-new babies too) is that little cutie just won't sleep when they want him/her to.

More often than not, the story goes like this: Mom and dad want to go to bed and want baby to go to bed too. Baby resists. Screeching cries ensue. Parents debate the pros and cons of rescuing baby from the torture chamber otherwise known as a crib. Protest escalates to violent screams. Images of baby's sweet face flash through mom and dad's mind. Baby monitor on the verge of exploding. The parental debate continues. Precious angel somehow senses that mom and dad are about to cave and subsequently finds one more dramatic outburst. Mom and dad can't take it one more second. Abandoning any prospect of sleep, one or both bursts into baby's room and saves the bundle of joy from eminent death by excessive tears.

The end result? Nobody gets sleep, except baby during odd hours of the day. Baby learns that the louder he/she cries, the faster mom and dad arrive at the door...and if they don't come quickly, they will come eventually.

We have experienced this challenge three times with each of our kids. Fortunately, we rarely lost sleep. Not because our children were perfect, but because we were able to turn the monitor OFF and let them cry. I know plenty of people will disagree with this method, but it worked for us and our children are well adjusted, healthy and excellent sleepers today. We've analyzed this issue over and over again, as more and more friends share their nighttime woes with us.

Recently, we've come to the conclusion that neither of us is particularly innately nurturing. This is not to say we do not nurture our children, but neither Cody and nor I are overly nurturing by nature. For the most part, we've ignored manipulative cries and our kids learned that crying would get them nowhere (unless of course they were hurt, in pain or injured in some way). Yes, we'd check on them if the tears did not subside, but if all was well, back to bed we went. Some would argue that this is a parental weakness, but we argue that this characteristic has saved us from countless sleepless nights and endless hours of retraining our kids to sleep. Where do you stand on the issue?

My Patriotic Prodigy

Here is Gioia's Pledge of Allegiance at 2 years-old (almost 3). Love her. :-)

Obvious holes in my mothering abilities...

We have a tradition in our family while we're driving in the car. Every time we see an American Flag, someone breaks out with the Pledge of Allegiance. Whoever starts saying it is allowed to finish it without any interruptions (my kids don't like doing things in unison, they would much rather bask in individual spotlight, so, for example, if Rocco starts "I pledge allegiance..." Eden has to hold her tongue until she spots Old Glory herself).

So far, only Eden and Rocco have participated in this patriotic driving distraction, but yesterday Gioia joined in. She is two, almost three, and has clearly been absorbing our nationalistic banter. By the end of the day, she was reciting the Pledge with minimal cues from me. Of course, the "indivisible" challenge is particularly difficult at her age, but she does her best to tackle it.

While Gioia's early civics lesson is a positive example of the power of educational osmosis, there are plenty of darker examples that speak to the obvious holes in my mothering abilities. As I was making dinner last night, the kids were all in their playroom coloring and enjoying a tea party. All was well for about ten minutes. When I walked downstairs to go to the laundry room, I see Eden grab Rocco's face between her hands and tell him sternly, "Rocco, you're behavior is not acceptable. You've got to be kidding me right now."

It wasn't so much the words but the tone that freaked me out a bit. She was extremely serious and I may have detected a touch of "the eye." Frozen in my tracks, I watched to see how this stare down played out. She proceeded to take a deep, drawn out breath with her eyes closed. Then she shook her head, walked away and said, "I really hope you change your attitude soon." Then, she snapped back into Eden. Rocco just stood her perplexed, probably wondering how mom stealthily invaded his sister's body and momentarily captured her tongue.

Technically, she accurately represented a typical conversation I have with my kids. At least she wasn't smacking him or screaming obscenities. Still, I was struck by how easily and thoroughly my words pervade my daughter's world. Of course, I am aware that they are greatly impacted my words and actions, but that brief glimpse of a mini-mirror image of myself is sobering.

Mothering is really a journey of self-discovery. You can't hide your true self from your kids and they are all too eager to show you exactly who you are...like it or not.

What does it take to make mom happy?

Last week, my husband surprised me with an incredible gift. He's not much for surprises, which works out because I'm not much for being surprised, but he's had a few deliciously unexpected moments over the years. There was a box full of my favorite kettle corn sent from the Sacramento River Cats ballpark, a last minute trip to a bed and breakfast in Sedona for our anniversary and a beautiful Catherine Malandrino dress (that I had been eyeing for weeks) that magically appeared in my closet.
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Yes, all of these were nice, but last week I walked in the house from picking up Eden from school to find...wait for it...no, not diamonds...not a horse with a big red bow around his neck...not a plane ticket to Greece...but, a vacuum cleaner.
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For some, this would be a major let down (I can almost feel your collective shoulders collapse in disappointment), but I was seriously thrilled! Our last vacuum cleaner has been on its last leg for a month now. Only the hose works, so I was pretty much stabbing every speck of dirt I could find, hoping it would be sucked up. As if I don't have enough to do.

Maybe if I'm more specific, you'll appreciate this gift with me. This isn't just ANY vacuum...it's a Dyson Animal...and it's PURPLE! Could life get any better? In the interest of frugality, I should tell you that he got a fantastic deal on this vacuum from Craigslist. Apparently, a newlywed couple received it as wedding gift (even though they already had a vacuum...an inferior vacuum, but still). Clearly they realized that they could cash in pretty well by selling it...TO ME. Obviously, as a rookie wife, the original owner was not aware of the true value of this treasure. I almost felt bad...but then I got over it.

This is THE best vacuum cleaner EVER. Nothing can defeat it and I feel incredibly domestically empowered as I pilot it around my floors. So, my excitement quickly gave way to a reality check. As I was cleaning my living room carpet for the 6th time in 24 hours, I thought, "Am I REALLY this excited about a vacuum cleaner? And, if so, what has happened to me?"

The answer is YES, and I'm ok with it. These days, the prospect of my household chores becoming a little less burdensome is enough to make me leap for joy! I'm not ashamed to admit it. This was a win/win situation for my husband. He is a hero for taking the Dyson plunge (forget that he was probably motivated by utter annoyance because of my stabbing technique) and I am happy because my day just got a little easier. Maybe I do like surprises after all.

Confessions of an unorganized mom.

Back in 2007, I decided I was going to be organized. I bought a lovely customized yearly planner and a huge assortment color coordinated stickers that cheerfully reminded me of a birthday, anniversary, party, play date, doctor visit or hair appointment. My stickers were orange. Cody's were green. Eden's were pink. Rocco's were blue and Gioia's were purple.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy organizing so much, having never been much for official organization, but there was a certain satisfaction that came with peeling off a pink sticker and forever committing it to a date in the distant future. I felt structured, diligent and purposeful. I found myself flipping through the pages as my curiosity bubbled, wondering what adventures I had planned in the months ahead. Whipping out my trusty planner at the briefest mention of a casual get together became a sort of drug for me.

By the time September rolled around, I felt pretty comfortable claiming the rank of organized mom. But, December came and went. In spite of the re-order reminder from Erin Condren Designs, the adorable company that personalized my 2007 planner, I didn't re-order. You see, I was riding a high fueled by excessive organization and an addiction to colorful dot stickers. I overestimated my ability to juggle the schedules and commitments of a 5-person family and decided to brave 2008 sans planner.

Since then, my schedule organization consists of tiny scraps of paper with commitments scribbled on them, a dry erase board that is always half-erased at the hands of a two-year-old and whatever I manage to file away in my memory. I've been talking myself into believing that this system is good enough. It's not....anymore. As the kids get older and the activities pile up, I realize I just can't keep it all together on my own. My brain can only hold so much...and "so much" is a lot less than it used to be.

Today, the sprinkler man woke us up instead of the alarm because I forgot he was coming at 7am, I failed to send Eden to school with snack for the class (I only have snack day twice a semester! You'd think I could handle that!), I completely spaced on a meeting with her summer tutor and I barely squeaked an article in by deadline at the last minute. I've come to the conclusion that trying to remember everything is sooooo much harder than just admitting I have a problem. I need help and help comes in the form of a planner. Simple really, so why do I resist?

As a mom, I figure I can do it all...or I should at least try to do it all. Somehow giving in to the need for a planner sucks away a little bit of my imaginary mom power (which reminds me, I need to buy straws). But, I suppose that mom power will multiply if I actually get my kids to their commitments on time, show up for meetings and remember birthdays on the actual day and not a week later. Why did it take me so long to figure this out? Bottom line...tomorrow I'm off to buy a planner.

Non-toxic Toys for My Daughter's Birthday

I do not consider myself a "granola-type" of mother. Nor am I completely oblivious to the possible dangers of mass-produced toys and products for children. Like many of you, I find myself nestled comfortably in the middle. I try to avoid unnecessary exposure to chemicals, provide the best possible nutrition and keep them as happy and healthy as possible. Even though I don't believe in "global warming", I do believe it a valiant cause to find well-made toys that will keep my children entertained and SAFE.

My oldest daughter, Eden, just turned 6 last week. There were a lot of people asking me what she wanted for her birthday. I always laugh at that question. What does she want? A pony. Literally. Is she going to get it? No. What does she need? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Regardless, I know gift giving is a way of showing love, so I just asked people to get her toys that are non toxic, preferably not made in China, and do not have a million parts.

There are actually quite a few options when it comes to finding toys that do not have lead paint, are not made of plastic and were not shipped in from China. It does, however, take a little extra effort to find them. While it's much easier to walk into Toys-R-Us or Target and grab the most popular item off the shelf, with a little digging, you could discover a more unique, non-toxic, creative option that will actually survive more than a month. Here are some good picks:

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Planet Happy Kids offers a wide range of toys that fall into one or more of these categories: "all natural, organic, fairly traded, green (environmental awareness), responsible (labor), and multi-use."

Check out this "green" dollhouse that includes a wind turbine and its own recycling bins.

The Green Toy Company was started by a mom who wanted to provide children with safe, organic, eco-responsible toys. She has sourced some really creative and well-made toys that are just beautiful.

This elephant alphabet wooden toy is one of my favorites. It's challenging, imaginative and educational.

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EcoToyTown is a one-stop-shop for all things eco-friendly. You can find organic cotton bedding, board games (like "Earth-opoly"), soy crayon rocks, even art pads made of banana stalks.

My daughter would love this leaf press...and so would I!

No, the grave couldn't hold Him!

This morning, the t.v. in our house remains black and silent. The newspaper sits folded in its protective blue wrapper. I don't care about politics or the teetering real estate market or our bank account. Today, I'm putting myself in the shoes of those faithful Apostles who found an empty tomb.

I've thought about the pain they experienced as they watched Jesus suffer on that Cross. They knew it was coming, but how could they prepare? As they pulled His bloody body off the Cross, I imagine they were full of questions, confusion and possibly even doubt. "This wasn't the way it was suppose to happen."

As they rolled the massive stone in front of the tomb, surely they felt raw and vulnerable. They dedicated their life to Jesus...and now, He lies entombed and lifeless.

But, of course, the story does not end there.

On the 3rd day, as they returned to the tomb, all they found were strips of linen and a folded burial cloth....and their hearts leaped with joy! Probably not right away, but when their eyes were opened to the miracle, their world changed, and so did mine. No, the grave couldn't hold Him. The world couldn't define His destiny. The devil couldn't win.

An empty tomb breathed new life into the words of the Prophet Isaiah, spoken hundreds and hundreds of years before Jesus walked the Earth: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The blessings that He deserved as the Son of God are now mine. He gladly took my place and I am forever humbled. Like Jesus, the power of the Easter message can't be contained. It's a message of love, acceptance and grace. After all, He died with His arms wide open....

Guam on the verge of capsizing!!!!

I'm not sure if I have any friends in Georgia's 4th Congressional District, but if I do, I'm BEGGING them to run for a seat...specifically, Rep. Hank Johnson's seat. His recent performance during a House Armed Services Committee

hearing is...well, embarrassing, laughable and alarming all at the same time.

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As Johnson sat in front of Admiral Robert Willard, the leader of the U.S. Pacific fleet, he spent an uncomfortable amount of time questioning him about the exact size of Guam. He then expressed his concerns that the island could "tip over and capsize" with the addition of 8,000 Marines to the island (with no hint of sarcasm). Seriously. This is a U.S. Congressman. This is a man who is trusted with the responsibility of representing his constituents in the government. This is man who votes on our laws. This is a man who makes $174,000 a year to fulfill these duties.

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I'm SHOCKED that Admiral Willard maintained his composure, responding, "We don't anticipate that happening." Can you imagine what was going through his head?

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On one hand, I feel bad for the guy. It seems he honestly believes that islands float. To be fair, I'm sure his voters did not ask him whether or not he believed this to be true. But, if I am one of them, I'm wondering what other crazy beliefs are lurking beneath the surface. On the other hand, I'm offended that he is taking up a seat in Congress. This isn't the PTA or even the School Board...this is the United States CONGRESS. Let's hope Georgia's 4th Congressional has some better options when Rep. Johnson comes up for re-election.

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Watch the video here (preferably on an empty stomach):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNZczIgVXjg