Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Guilty of SOT...

'Skating over Twenty'

Here's how it started:












And it ended like this:





Everyone knows that Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. So when I was planning this month's GNO, I thought it would be fun to get Footloose. Well, You Might Think I am too clumsy for such things....and you would be right. Time after Time, I have injured myself trying to do pretty standard activities. I guess being young and stupid is a Hard Habit to Break. I wasn't trying to Jump, or do anything crazy. I know that No One is To Blame, but Don't You think that even In the Heat of The Moment, I could have been a little more careful?! Now, when it comes to anything Physical, I am Once Bitten, Twice Shy. I'm kicking myself for getting such a silly injury, but hey...I'm only Human. It's not like I Party All the Time. So, for now, I am dealing with it, I have lots of lovely help, and I have stopped being So Emotional about my broken elbow and possibly slightly fractured wrist.
And, dressed like that, wouldn't you imagine that I would have to go to the Doctor, Doctor all Alone? Nope, not me...That's What Friends are For, right?

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Ketchup!

What I mean is, time to catch up on my bloggin'. Things have been busier around here lately, what with the kids, the house, and the new fall TV lineup. Ahem.

Charlie's BFF Max turned the big THREE last week, and his party was a hit! All the kids had a great time, and of course it was so good to see these ladies, my fellow adoptive moms!




Mallory spent the party the way she spends most of her time:

So I walked her around for a bit.


Charlie had a ball! Or two...This picture cracks me up. Please, no big purple boob jokes.



I photographed baby Ava last week. Ava is the daughter of one of the moms I have befriended from preschool, Cindy. She and Mallory were born on the same day.
During a break in the session, I thought I would get a couple shots of Mallory.
This is what I got:




More random cuteness from the week:
We finally got a chance to use the Joovy tandem stroller and loved it!



Helping me cook dinner...




Mal all dressed up to visit her great-grandma...







Happy 1st Anniverary to my lovely sister and hubby Patrick!





This is uber grainy, but I thought it was cute anyway...



All is well. Having 2 kiddos is (shhhh) not as hard as I thought it would be. I told myself I wouldn't brag blog tooo much about it, but MJ is a super sweet and easy babe. She's been sleeping through the night for weeks now, and rarely cries or fusses. The smiles and coos are too cute for words...I try to film it, but our girl seems to get stage fright. Charlie is a great brother, we just have to make sure he doesn't try to carry her outside to play in the dirt with him. He tries to be pretty hands on with his baby sis!

Oh! I did something I thought I would never do! Thanks to my gals Laurie and Jess, I have joined a gym and worked out THREE days last week. Pilates. yoga, and cardio.

It was HARD. But the more I do, the easier it gets. and I already feel like I have way more energy. Woohoo! The best part is, I have to stick to it...or I will be in big trouble with my friends. Now if I could cut out french fries and pizza and wine.....





Thursday, September 25, 2008

How lucky am I?


I am friends with this redonkulously talented gal. Somehow, she is always willing to capture these moments for me, and I will always be grateful for them. That's what photos are. Keys to unlock memories that we would have forgotten without them.
What an amazing gift, this girl who gives me those keys.
I am returning the favor soon, and can only hope I can do half as well as she does.
Thanks for capturing my babies for me.
More here.

Love this.

Check these out!

Vinyl sleeve heads

I'm so doing this soon.
:)

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

I miss my bloooog!

Things are going well here at the Beachum home...I am really getting into a routine with the kids and I am learing to handle Adam's redonkulous work schedule. It really is busy, even without one of those pesky 'job' things. Getting the kids out the door for preschool, naps, lunches, snacks, groceries, lost toys, owies... and ohhhh the bodily fluids that come from these two. I have made some new friends, too, a couple of preschool moms, and we have breakfast at a diner on Wednesday morning. I've been helping out at Adam's grandmother's restaurant on Saturday nights. I joined the gym and had my first Pilates class tonight. I am helping Jess with her awesome Halloween Bash plans, my mom with the Vow Renewal plans, and planning a travel group reunion for December in Wisconsin. I watch Runway on Wednesday nights with Rachel, and drink wine. Our Sk80's roller skating party is Sunday. We go out on dates (sometimes). I am trying to keep the house and laundry caught up. And for the most part, I do. I'm about to start doing some work to help with this.
Oh, and I am up to 80% on the Africa quiz.
I feel so lucky to have this life. We may not have the most or the best of everything, but we have a great life here. Adam, thank you for everything you do to make it possible. You and I are a great team, even though sometimes we act otherwise. I was afraid I would feel...unfulfilled. But I don't, at least today I don't. Fall is here, time for fairs and picnics and my favorite holiday. We have so much to look forward too!
Wow, I really feel like someone has sprinkled me with pixie dust tonight. I may be singing a different tune tomorrow, when we are late to school, I have spitup on my jeans, I forgot Charlie's favorite toy, the phone is ringing, and I almost run over the dog. Sigh.
The one thing I need to make more time for is this. I gotta get back on the blogwagon. It's this damn fall tv season. Anyone watching Fringe?? Holy crap, it's good.
HappyHappyHappyWednesday.

Monday, September 22, 2008

How not to feel smart...

http://www.purposegames.com/game/countries-of-africa-quiz


Thanks to my buddies over at the adoption forum, I am HOOKED on this site. The Africa quiz is my first goal. I have gotten my score up to 50% (pitiful, I know), but I am not stopping until I have it perfected.

After that, I'm taking on Europe.

Here's to getting smarter and ignoring the laundry!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The Adam's Family

One of the best things about being married, in my opinion, is doubling your relatives. All families are different, they all have stories and memories, and becoming part of those is a really fun thing. This weekend Adam and I attended his cousin Brooke's wedding in Atlanta. I had never met Brooke, but Adam told me that they were close when they were little kids. I have been really excited for this event, mostly to celebrate Brooke and her now hubby, Devin, but also because I really love weddings and being around family. Okay, and also I was excited to wear heels again (I remembered late into the evening why I stopped.)
The wedding was fabulous. Brooke looked so beautiful, and I would venture to guess that she is the kind of girl who always looks that way, even without all the wedding preperation. The reception was in one of the ballrooms at the Biltmore downtown. Her dad and stepdad gave speeches that made everyone laugh and cry. The band played some great versions of R&B songs, including the one Adam and I danced to at our wedding, which was a sweet memory. We were seated with Adam's parents, and his aunts and uncles that we don't see very often. It was a blast. The food was great, and the open bar, well that didn't suck.
I WISH I had photos of the night, but of photographers don't really like it when people walk around lugging their own big Nikon like they know something. (Trust me, they don't!) I even forgot to take them when we were all dressed up before we left. I have one of us in the car. How cute is my Adam???


At the reception, plans were made to meet for lunch the following day. Everyone was excited to meet Charlie and Mal, and I was happy to oblige. Who doesn't like to show off thier babies? It was really cool to introduce them to more family.









My father-in-law (far right) with his brother and sisters...

Can you guess who everyone says he looks like? (Hint:actor!)

If you guys are reading this, I had a blast seeing you all, and Charlie and Mallory did, too. I hope we see you again soon. I will email photos!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Bring it!

This is Uncle Patrick:


Patrick loves kids. He really loves to teach Charlie new tidbits of vocabulary, the latest being "DUDE!" and of course, this little number right here:



Love you, dude!

Friday, September 5, 2008

See below!

I have been trying to get a blog up about our Safari day, and I guess since I started it before the Sarah one, it's stuck back on the 3rd. Scroll down...there are funny pictures!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Sarah article...

(I come in peace!)
I know the whole country is a bit starry eyed over Sarah Palin, and I can see why (even thought I agree with about, ohhh, 0% of her politics). Here are some facts that show she is, indeed, still a politician like the rest of 'em.
And yes, I know that Obama is as well.

Article from Yahoo News:

Attacks, praise stretch truth at GOP convention By JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press Writer
Wed Sep 3, 11:48 PM ET




ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her Republican supporters held back little Wednesday as they issued dismissive attacks on Barack Obama and flattering praise on her credentials to be vice president. In some cases, the reproach and the praise stretched the truth.


Some examples:

PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."

THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."

PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform — not even in the state senate."

THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.

PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."

THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.

Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.

He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.

MCCAIN: "She's been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply ... She's responsible for 20 percent of the nation's energy supply. I'm entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America," he said in an interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson.

THE FACTS: McCain's phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she's no more "responsible" for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state — by population.

MCCAIN: "She's the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities," he said on ABC.

THE FACTS: While governors are in charge of their state guard units, that authority ends whenever those units are called to actual military service. When guard units are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, for example, they assume those duties under "federal status," which means they report to the Defense Department, not their governors. Alaska's national guard units have a total of about 4,200 personnel, among the smallest of state guard organizations.

FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."

THE FACTS: A whopper. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.

FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "We need change, all right — change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington — throw out the big-government liberals, and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin."

THE FACTS: A Back-to-the-Future moment. George W. Bush, a conservative Republican, has been president for nearly eight years. And until last year, Republicans controlled Congress. Only since January 2007 have Democrats have been in charge of the House and Senate.

___

Associated Press Writer Jim Drinkard in Washington contributed to this report.


Okay, I'm adding this because, well....I think it's good. And I love Jon.
I'll shut up now, I promise!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Welcome to the Jungle...

Well, not exactly.
Last Saturday was gorgeous, and so I got the "it's a gorgeous day out lets dooooo something!" text from Jess. We thought about DragonCon, but decided we didn't want to expose our kids to quite so much geek at one time. (Living with thier dads is enough for now!) My mom suggested a place near Calloway Gardens, where you drive through this wilderness area and feed the animals. Perfect! She even offered to watch baby sis, which I was so grateful for. I don't think she is ready to be drooled upon by roaming bison. (For the record, neither am I).
After a nice drive, we arrived at the Wild Safari. Now, I admit, they had some cool animals, like zebras and giraffes, but the majority was...cows. I mean, not all regular cows, but you know...some types of cow. (I am no farmer.) Have you ever seen a cow tongue?? Ewwwww.
The food smelled bad, too.



Oh dear God, what have we gotten into?



Jess got brave, and got slimed.


Chase is getting too big! He looks so grown here.

Okay, for some reason, toward the end of the ride, Charlie decided he was, ahem, udderly terrified of cows. It was hard not to laugh as he scrambled around in the floor and the cow refused to give up on his treat.
Notice the hand sanitizer being served up.


Finally I had to roll up the window. Sorry, cow! CF was really freaking.


I mean, that's just nasty!


This guy really did not want to move.

Sweetsies.

Charlie trying to be a mean bear!


Charlie picked his "Inda Jones" hat as his prize for the day. (He wants to be him for Halloween.)


Okay, since I am behind on blogging my photos, I am cramming this entry full. Here's Charlie the next day, getting ready to go eat Ethiopian food to celebrate our one year Homeaversary! (one week early.)


He wasn't too much into the photos, can you tell?

And finally, this evening, our two kids hanging out together. Which consists of Charlie loving all over Mal, and she in turn giving him her best WTF face.





High waisted denim is so in right now.
(Happy one month, MJ!)

Hope you all have a beautiful weekend!!