Gold Ribbons

Once again, Carol and I have been spoiled by our editor, Steve! He surprised us with advance copies of our new book, What Happy Parents Do (coming to stores in August). Nestled in the package was another surprise: A custom-printed gold ribbon with the inscription "What Happy Parents Do 1st Place (tie) Author Award!"

That Steve, he never misses an expression or nuance! You see, when he told us, many months ago, that the Parents edition would sport a gold ribbon page marker, Carol's spontaneous e-mail response was: "Funny, but when you (Steve) said 'gold ribbon', I pictured 'first place'! It must be the old competitive swimmer in me, always hoping for winning more ribbons."

Thanks Steve, for honoring the ribbon-seeking side of our souls. How many times will you make us remark, "We're the luckiest authors on the planet!"?

And the book? It's another work of art, thanks to Fairview Press. Can't wait for it to be on the shelves so you can enjoy it too!

Whew

We're thrilled if you're saying "Whew. A new blog post finally!"

We've been saying "whew ... the semester is finally over!" Don't mistake the sentiment; we love what we do. Shaping young minds, educating the future, discussing dialectical theory & relational messages & the circumplex model of family functioning to a captive audience of 18 year olds. It's beautiful. But also beautiful are cycles, including the magical academic calendar and yearly cycle (translation: Summer vacation!) With spring comes last day of classes, final exams, graduation, receptions, parties, happy hours, and many sweet notes from students thanking us for making an impact. And with spring comes a collective "whew" as we - students and professors - transition into a collective summer mood, enjoying up-close time with our gardens, children, friends ... back porches, front stoops, neighbors ... books, beach bags, and laptop computers (working on some new books ... TBA soon!)

Can you see the "whew" on my face in this photo as I pose happily (front row, green clogs, pencil in my hand ready to grade all of those final papers). This was the last day of class in COMM222 (Interpersonal Communication). Loved this group. And my group of family communication students (although we forgot the camera on our last day). In case you're wondering: Yes, that is a big Fat Lorenzo's pizza box in the back row. You have to have a final-day-of-class-pizza-party. I love college.

Pete's Pizza

While Carol was receiving sweet gifts from her children, I spent Mother's Day with my mom at my brother's restaurant, "Pete's Pizza." She requested to spend the day side-by-side, mother and son, at the restaurant he's owned for nearly a year. My dad made her an apron that said, "Pete's Mom" and she made two batches of her famous lasagna for the lucky customers (and workers!). It was so fun for us to see my brother in business mode. He's hosted two Brownie Troops teaching them how to make pizza and he proudly displays their thank you notes on the wall. If you call Pete's Pizza, you'll be greeted by the friendliest voice, followed by efficient service and delicious pizza. I may be a proud sister, but I never lie about my pizza. Check them out!


Pete's Pizza
4902 Highway 12
Maple Plain, MN 55359
(763) 479-2221

Mother's Day is "Hear"

That was the title of the book my 8-year-old authored for and about me, presented lovingly next to a bowl of oatmeal and a chocolate chip scone in bed yesterday morning. Also on the tray were 3 homemade gift certificates (from the whole gang): 1) a certificate to spend an entire day with said 8 year old (doing whatever she wants); 2) a certificate to go to a spa (I like the sounds of that); and 3) while at the spa, my husband and son will hire a professional "mouse extractor" (the child-friendly way to say mouse-killer) to "extract" the little guys who have made our home theirs this winter ... and now spring ... and forever more if we don't get a professional in here soon.

Back to the book. Here it is in total (no edits):

Title: Mother's Day is Hear!

Mother's day is hear. The big parade is hear! And my mom is the leader and the baton twirler.

Finally it's time to go to church, the special mothers day saramony. All the moms are dressed so nice. My mom is the nicest.

Mothers day is over and I wish it was still going on. But my mom is a vary happy mom just like she always is.

The End.

[Translation: My mom used to be in the rifle twirling squad and so naturally she could lead a parade while twirling a baton. And my mom spends a lot of her lame salary on clothes. And my mom is always smiling, even when she's crabby.]

Hope you found a way to honor your unique and lovely mother, whatever her special talents (or disposition)!

You know that table ...

... the first one you see when you walk into Barnes and Noble? It says, in strong yet inviting letters: "New Arrivals." The table you always glance at first; where you check out what's hot; where you discern what thousands of other people must be reading (because if B&N puts it on THAT table it MUST be a hot new book, no?)

Of course it must be. Which is exactly where our volume II in the Happy series will be in August! What Happy Parents Do was just selected to take its place beside the other hot new books below the "New Arrivals" table sign at B&N stores all over the country!

And can you even believe that we forgot to tell you that our dear second child (What Happy Parents Do) is currently in Hong Kong, with all sorts of adorable little chinese characters in the margins, getting printed, bound, and its beautiful self all ready to make its debut back here in the U.S. in August. Ah, giving birth to a book. It's such a glorious process.

Stay tuned for news of the 3rd child in the Happy family of books .... ?

My Kitchen Aid Mixer

I (Anna) love to cook and bake. After many months of saving my "allowance," I have purchased a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer! Oh my gosh. How did I ever live without it?

My husband is studying for the most important test of his life, the first-step medical school boards (no pressure, Hunny!). Last night I wanted to do a little something for him so I made him a treat. If you're a chocolate lover, you've GOT to try this recipe (link below). I swear, you won't regret it. They're the easiest, most delectable chocoloate molten cakes you'll ever make at home. I didn't need to use my new mixer (a whisk would have done the trick), but I'm using every excuse to marvel at its efficiency!

http://yumsugar.com/105887

Also, for those of you who don't know, Carol made Gracie's communion dress in the picture below. What a talent!

First Communion ...

... is one of the long-standing rituals in our family and faith, one that we celebrated yesterday in St. Paul. Quote of the day from one of the 2nd graders in Gracie's class of 62 first communicants: "I think I had just a little too much wine!"

Sister, I know what you mean.

We've Been Podcasted

Yes, it's true: Another milestone. Another first. Another great resource for us and (hopefully) millions of others! (NOTE: A quick link to the Wedding Podcast Network can be found in the "our favorite sites" list at the right/top of this blog page).

Check out Wedding Podcast Network, the #1 wedding talk show on the Internet. Their latest lovecast features us (yes, Carol and Anna) talking about what we all can learn by practicing loving little rituals, learning positive communication patterns, and taking cues from "what happy couples do" to keep their love alive and energized.

To listen, click here.

After listening, tune into the Wedding Podcast Network's hundreds of other podcasts about love, marriage, relationships, and weddings. As we revealed in an earlier blog, Holli and Robert, the founders/creators of Wedding Podcast Network are so incredibly cool. And incredibly amazing at what they do. Share their priceless resource with all of your friends! Once you start listening you no doubt -- like us -- will find it hard to stop. And you'll be so much smarter and inspired for it.

Light Bulbs

I (Anna) had the most rewarding teaching experience this semester. I taught family communication for the first time at Metropolitan State University. The students were friendly, fun, and eager to learn. And it's over already. I never thought I'd say this, but I think the semester was too short! The last class session was such a joyful celebration, though. We had a pot-luck while they reported what they learned from their service-learning experience. Watching students' light bulbs go on is the greatest part of this gig. I'm so lucky Carol turned on mine some four years ago when she taught me family communication!

Max

While Anna's husband is a lover of technology, I (Carol) am a lover of my Canon Digital Rebel XT 10 megapixel digital camera with the combo 28-300 zoom. My favorite subject? Not lice or casts or dog barf. Just kids. I know, not very original. But kids are kind of like lice; they capture your attention and are oh so fleeting. And although I adore my own children, I love capturing the moments of others' kids (with permission, of course).

Here's Max who I've been documenting since age 3 months. His 9 month birthday is today! Can you even stand those cheeks?

Happy 270 days old today, Max.

The New/Old Keyboard

My (Anna's) husband is a geek, a coveted title he enjoys having earned, like a badge of honor.

Don't get me wrong, I like technology as much as the next person (can you say iPhone), but I'm nowhere near geek status. So, you should have seen the look on my face when I walked into our office and noticed an old, ugly, bisque-colored keyboard in front of his beautiful, white iMac. I asked, "What is this?" He responded with excitement, "It's a superior keyboard! It's the Apple Extended Keyboard II and it has mechanical key switches." (Translation: The new/old keyboard is not only ugly, it's also loud).

And get this, he bought a $20 adaptor to make the ugly thing work! Yes, my sweet, smart, cute, funny, geeky husband actually spent money on a new/old keyboard when he had a gleeming white one that matched his iMac. A year ago, a purchase like this could have caused a bit of a spat between us love birds. You see, Brent is in medical school and I'm an adjunct professor. That $20 could have been a night at the movies, a near full gas tank, a happy hour with friends, the list goes on...

It was just this type of thing that made us find a new solution for money about a year ago. Now, we have what we call "allowance." We each get a set amount of money per week to spend on whatever we please. No questions asked. No bickering. No sqaubbles over money for us anymore! Sometimes we separately save our allowance for something bigger that we've been dreaming of. Sometimes we pool our allowance and get something we can enjoy together that might otherwise be out of our budget.

When I first saw the new/old keyboard I thought, "what a waste!" And then I smiled and remembered how much I love his geekiness. And, even more, our allowance.

Head Lice + Dog Flu + Broken Leg = ?

According to Social Exchange Theory, we often calculate the "worth" of our relationships by calculating - usually subconsciously - the costs and rewards of said relationships.

In the past 2 weeks, I (Carol) have been calculating the the literal, social, and psychological costs and (I keep telling myself) "rewards" of being a dog lover with a pup who is puking and pooping dark liquid all over my wool rugs, a mom whose beautiful daughter acquired a case of head lice, and a loyal wife whose husband who comes in from the back yard and announces: "I've got a little problem" (translation: "I just broke my leg"):

1. Licemister Comb: $2.89
2. Gallon Extra Virgin Olive Oil: $17.99 (the "natural" way to kill a louse)
3. Shower caps (to contain the dripping olive oil): $1.09
4. 3 rolls of paper towels: $3.33
5. PetSmart Rug deodorizer/cleaner: $8.99
6. Trip to Vet: $148.00
7. Rx for the dog: $39
8. Gallon of Bleach: $1.49
9. Trip to Urgent Care (including X-rays of broken fibula): $769.00
10. Set of 6' 4" chrome crutches: $89.00
11. Rx for husband (20 ct. Vicadin): $6.04
12. Loving your family so much that you don't even think twice about the above "costs" = Priceless.

Thanks for listening. I'd write more, but I'm off to go do a little more "nit picking," "rug doctoring," and "nursing" of my patients.