tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84883446401860550792024-02-20T12:16:30.568-05:00A Day at The Beauchampswhatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-60404693407719540752012-03-29T09:51:00.003-04:002012-03-29T11:20:15.050-04:00Holding the Cards<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIxuR7o-zSQ/T3R8GBPIVZI/AAAAAAAADo0/1h5pbArJmpc/s1600/mug_trayvonm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIxuR7o-zSQ/T3R8GBPIVZI/AAAAAAAADo0/1h5pbArJmpc/s400/mug_trayvonm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725337469147698578" /></a><br /><br /> As I watched the outrage over the Trayvon Martin case begin to spread across the internet, my initial reaction was something like pride. I was seeing people get behind a cause who usually stay quiet about such issues. Granted, it was nothing like the outpouring of reposts I saw from the Kony 2012 video...but that's another topic. It was good to feel united in something, because who could <strong>POSSIBLY</strong> deny that this crime was race related? White and Black alike had to see this for what it was. Even as I allowed that sense of pride take over, I feared it wouldn’t last. Within days, some of the outrage had turned to boredom, which turned into ignorance. Something like…<br /><br />“Ok okay, I get it, hoodies and Skittles. I let you guys have your moment for a couple of days, now can we please stop hearing about this kid?”<br />(I’m paraphrasing). <br /><br />I understand…I’m guilty of it myself. Specific topics on Facebook have a certain shelf life, and if they go over their time limit, it becomes easy to joke about it. Examples:<br /><br />“Gee, is it hot outside? I couldn’t tell.”<br /><br />Or…<br /><br />“GAH, anyone watching Walking Dead tonight? YEAH, they’re still on the farm, we know!”<br /><br />So, all that said, I knew the solidarity wouldn’t last and that some of my white friends would start to squirm uncomfortably after a few days of being in the hot seat. Not that they are directly to blame, but you talk about racial issues for too long, and, like an overplayed Facebook status, it becomes too difficult to keep those mouths and fingers quiet.<br /> <br />Enter “<strong>the Race Card</strong>”. <br /><br />Definition:<br />The race card is something that white people like to talk about because it absolves us of guilt.<br /><br />Period. <br /><br />There is no race card. White people made it up as a way to once again say to minorities, “you’re nuts. You’re imagining things. Get over it. Slavery was like, a million years ago. We’re equal. Promise.” <br /><br />*wink, wink*<br /><br />I just realized I've never heard any non-white person talk about the "race card". Know why? <strong>Because we're holding the cards.</strong> But it's easier to feel okay about that fact if we brush it aside as a silly game. Oh, they're playing the race card again. Translation:” I don't want to look like a jerk just for being white, and I don't think you have anything to be upset about. “<br /><br /><strong>Pretending racism doesn't exist is not the answer.</strong><br /><br />I understand the theory. It’s time to move on. I agree. That would be lovely, of course. But we can’t move on by telling a whole group of people that they are IMAGINING years of being followed, pulled over, ignored, made fun of, profiled, degraded, and even murdered. Having empathy doesn’t have to equal accepting ALL the blame. <br /><br />Have you ever been in a relationship where the other person had a problem that you didn’t understand? Did you look at them and say, “Oh, stop playing the ________card”. Or did you try to see it from their perspective and realize that it takes WORK and UNDERSTANDING to make things right? There’s no time limit to recovery. It takes however long it takes. <br /><br />In the middle of White People Are Getting Tired of Hearing About Trayvon Week, this little movie called The Hunger Games opened up to the third highest opening weekend for a movie, ever. Everyone has been raving about the movie. Again, one of the few times recently when MOST people I know agree on something. (I’m learning to stop trusting that feeling). Then this blog post appears calling out Twitter users for posting horribly racist thoughts about the movie. <br /><br />For those 7 of you who have not read the books or seen the movie, one very important character in the books, sweet little Rue, is described as dark-skinned, and comes from the district that is hinted to be primarily made up of Black people. It doesn’t spell it out, but for anyone with basic reading comprehension skills, you could figure it out and envision your Rue accordingly. <br /><br />After the movie, tweets like these began to surface:<br />(I wish I was paraphrasing)<br /><br />“Ewwwww, Rue is black? I’m not watching.”<br /><br />“I still don’t understand why Rue is going to be a little black girl in the movie. I pictured her white. Maybe I’m racist though…”<br /><br />“Rue can’t be black in the movie. No. It can’t be.”<br /><br />“Kk call me racist but when I found out Rue was black her death wasn’t as sad. #ihatemyself”<br /><br />YES, I know that we ALL know that a lot of people are not this blatantly ignorant. There are idiots of all shapes, sizes, and races. That is common knowledge. <br /><br />BUT THAT DOES NOT EXCUSE IT AND IT DOES NOT MAKE IT IMAGINARY. <br /><br />If my son ever tells me about a time when he is being followed, or some blonde won’t date him, or he gets pulled over for no reason, or someone gets out of the pool when he gets in, or he’s upset about a comment made on the bus, am I supposed to look at him and tell him he’s just “playing the race card?” <br /><br />Would you tell him that? <br /><br />How can we not agree that it’s an absurd concept? Is there a “Jew card?” or a” Gay card”? Can we make ourselves feel better about any kind of discrimination simply by giving ourselves an out in the form of an imaginary card? <br /><br />“Oh, Mark is just upset because he can’t legally marry his partner. He thinks he’s not being treated fairly. Playing the ol’ Gay Card again. Eyeroll.”<br /><br />The point is this. <br /><br />It’s not just about Skittles and hoodies. It’s not just about Rue. It’s about facts, and learning to face them instead of sweeping them under the rug. I for one would bet the farm that if Trayvon were white, he’d still be alive. It’s okay if you don’t agree. <strong>But you don’t have to dismiss the possibility to justify your righteousness.</strong> You didn’t shoot him. Not your fault. You’re surely not racist, so therefore racism must not even exist. Shrug.<br /> <br /><strong>REALLY?</strong> <br /><br />Is it so hard to admit that, as white people, we tend to be the default? The “norm”? And I get that it’s uncomfortable to have to “feel bad” for that. It <strong>SUCKS</strong> when my 6 year old kid tells me he wants to be white. To deny that white privilege exists is nothing more than a defense mechanism. <br /><br />Try to empathize with this kid’s family. <br /><br />With those of us who fear that one day it could be us.<br /><br />With your fellow <strong>HUMAN BEINGS</strong>… not as a <strong>THEM</strong> but as a <strong>WE</strong>.<br /><br />If you don’t want to stand together on this, then feel free to sit down. <br /><br />But when you do, you should also shut up.whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-6827842564710400242010-12-07T19:24:00.007-05:002010-12-07T22:15:07.200-05:00NaBloPoFAIL...So, a few days after my big TWO blog posts in November, I remembered that it was...November. The first thing that threw off the blog "streak" was that I decided to redo our living room...we had a small budget for a new couch, so I reasoned that with an affordable enough sofa set, we could do a whole new room. My friend and co-worker Jessie is a painting FOOL. She loves it, and I love help. ;) One girl's night in, a few hours, and some amazing Greek pizza thrown in and TADAH! Our new digs...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TP7gvOIVxxI/AAAAAAAADeE/zvCJa5pEpuU/s1600/IMG_20101104_121213.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TP7gvOIVxxI/AAAAAAAADeE/zvCJa5pEpuU/s400/IMG_20101104_121213.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548118892818581266" /></a><br /><br /><br />I LOVE THIS ROOM. i honestly think that i might have been a notch happier every day for the last three years had the room always looked like this. *sigh* thanks to my wonderful gals who helped make it happen with me...whether they painted the ENTIRE room (even behind the tv) or helped arrange the pillows...it all meant a lot. As I was working on it around 1 a.m, the blog popped into my head and i just...you know...ignored it. it was embarrasing for a couple days, but i'm over it. I'm very proud of my fellow bloggers (the real ones!) who made it!<br /><br />Adam and I celebrated our 5th anniversary in October and to surprise him, I had secretly been awaiting the arrival of a tiny female min-pin...his favorite dog. We actually picked her up on the right date, and I managed to keep it a secret until I walked out with her and placed her in his arms. He was so excited...it's nice to every now and then do something for the guy who puts up with all my crap. He and Ruby are a great match...she's still learning her way around the kids and i, but...we're getting there. ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TP7iISFeOaI/AAAAAAAADeM/gNd7jjBAy9s/s1600/IMG_20101022_142725-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TP7iISFeOaI/AAAAAAAADeM/gNd7jjBAy9s/s400/IMG_20101022_142725-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548120422888651170" /></a><br /><br />Fast forward because this post bores me. Documenting the obvious stuff seems a little monotonous...We ate Thanksgiving dinner, got a tree, we've been shopping for gifts, threatening that Santa won't bring said gifts, working, school, ect...what's really got me wanting to blog again are the kids and how freaking funny they are every day. Some of the things that they do and say make me want to run screaming OR freeze time and never let them get any bigger. <br /><br />This morning was typical...I hit snooze one too many times and got in a rush...Charlie is a good helper sometimes, but in the morning, he's molasses. I'm showering, getting ready, getting the kids dressed, and the whole time, he's stalling. Twice in the last month, we've been late enough that he was going to miss breakfast with his class, so we stopped for a quick breakfast burrito. (I realize that the snooze button is to blame for this lateness, not my kids...)So, this morning as we carefully drive to school not going a mile over the speed limit, ahem...he offers me "the troof"....he goes slow in the mornings because he WANTS THE BREAKFAST BURRITO. hahah....to quote "I like to be late 'cause the breakfast is better"....little manipulator! who knew? <br /><br />He seems to be learning a ton in school. He's all into identifying dinosaurs right now. he's a fantastic artist. he uses words that i never would have expected he would know at 4 and a half. he understands things...he's SO VERY smart...and SO VERY....bad sometimes. Our little Elf on a Shelf does not faze this one when we're in a power struggle. He rarely backs down, and we've had way more tantrums and talking back than I'd hoped for this month. The Santa card is not really doing it's job...maybe he is smart enough to know...well, you know...Boy, I hope not. Ironically, despite his craziness at home, the boy was totally student of the month for November. I literally screamed when I read the announcement. So stinkin' proud. Here he is at his celebratory lunch. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TP71MDCY3YI/AAAAAAAADek/ORy4PNSv10U/s1600/IMG_20101116_110421.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TP71MDCY3YI/AAAAAAAADek/ORy4PNSv10U/s400/IMG_20101116_110421.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548141378289589634" /></a><br /><br />Mallory is Charlie's mini-me. Every. Single. Thing. Charlie says or does, she has to repeat. She wants the same toys. (Hear that Santa....think SIMILAR)...she hops into bed with him every night before I have to drag her to her own room. In the morning she yells "HEYYYYY GAHKEYYYYY". Yeah....Gahkey. That's as close as we've gotten. :) But it's adorable. She's so affectionate right now and just...silly and fun. I really need to take some video of the two of them soon...Words can't do their cuteness justice. <br /><br />Here they are with Adam at dinner aboout a month ago. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TP7126GGQpI/AAAAAAAADes/G90PKtschyI/s1600/IMG_20101104_175241.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TP7126GGQpI/AAAAAAAADes/G90PKtschyI/s400/IMG_20101104_175241.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548142114623603346" /></a><br /> <br />As for the littlest Beauchamp...Today makes 30 weeks in the oven! Getting really excited to meet this little girl. The holidays are making this pregnancy FLY and I know I'm going to spend most (all) of January in a panicked rush to get ready for Pie. (Who by the way, could become Piper Ann Ryan Beauchamp if the Falcons make the Super Bowl...according to her Daddy.) <br /><br />So, here's a couple of silly pictures of the kids tonight at dinner...SPEAKING OF....my kids who rarely eat enough to keep a bird alive, LOVE my enchiladas. I don't know what it is...I made them last weekend and they scarfed them down. Made them again tonight and they were at my feet begging for dinner to be ready. Seriously?? Looks like we'll be whipping them up at least once a week. ;) <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TP7x7oV7MvI/AAAAAAAADec/wDok0xiornQ/s1600/2010-12-07_18-17-57_157.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TP7x7oV7MvI/AAAAAAAADec/wDok0xiornQ/s400/2010-12-07_18-17-57_157.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548137797710983922" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TP7x7R8q84I/AAAAAAAADeU/3nmRdpGLxoY/s1600/2010-12-07_18-17-50_820.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TP7x7R8q84I/AAAAAAAADeU/3nmRdpGLxoY/s400/2010-12-07_18-17-50_820.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548137791699481474" /></a>whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-85363213195152158652010-11-02T19:30:00.008-04:002010-11-02T20:26:04.749-04:00pitchers. :)I figured I would use one of the first days of NaBloPoMo to update my photos here for posterity. These are all FB repeats, but I like having them in both places. <br /><br />Fall Fun '10<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCjfVvv59I/AAAAAAAADag/Wv-Klwi7-eQ/s1600/fair2.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCjfVvv59I/AAAAAAAADag/Wv-Klwi7-eQ/s400/fair2.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535103700847028178" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCjfCESdlI/AAAAAAAADaY/xr_2PewgjT0/s1600/fair1.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCjfCESdlI/AAAAAAAADaY/xr_2PewgjT0/s400/fair1.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535103695564469842" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCje0LWZ3I/AAAAAAAADaQ/Dbr1KTKu-YM/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCje0LWZ3I/AAAAAAAADaQ/Dbr1KTKu-YM/s400/DSC_0115.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535103691835991922" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCjepMYsxI/AAAAAAAADaI/7cK5LIXcUa0/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCjepMYsxI/AAAAAAAADaI/7cK5LIXcUa0/s400/DSC_0105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535103688887546642" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCjek8_r4I/AAAAAAAADaA/4kBgOBakUWY/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCjek8_r4I/AAAAAAAADaA/4kBgOBakUWY/s400/DSC_0079.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535103687749250946" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCkc-KnkyI/AAAAAAAADbA/AsLQO3qlvN0/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCkc-KnkyI/AAAAAAAADbA/AsLQO3qlvN0/s400/DSC_0037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535104759669166882" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCkct1YWBI/AAAAAAAADa4/GvHkuFRGobU/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCkct1YWBI/AAAAAAAADa4/GvHkuFRGobU/s400/DSC_0019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535104755285121042" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCkcnaQLKI/AAAAAAAADaw/j9RptKwSbaQ/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCkcnaQLKI/AAAAAAAADaw/j9RptKwSbaQ/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535104753560726690" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCkcQlD-pI/AAAAAAAADao/Kb7F4egq3UM/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCkcQlD-pI/AAAAAAAADao/Kb7F4egq3UM/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535104747432049298" /></a><br /><br />Oh! A few weeks ago, I won tickets on the radio to Sesame Street Live. I was beyond excited to take the kids to Philips Arena for the first time, and they had a blast. It was even worth the ridiculously expensive souveniers and snacks...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCl564P5rI/AAAAAAAADbo/uKO1g3eQUlw/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCl564P5rI/AAAAAAAADbo/uKO1g3eQUlw/s400/DSC_0092.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535106356514645682" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCl5tpT5kI/AAAAAAAADbg/2Dsz6dT26_Q/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCl5tpT5kI/AAAAAAAADbg/2Dsz6dT26_Q/s400/DSC_0067.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535106352962332226" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCl5QHp31I/AAAAAAAADbY/foLeCkMYaY8/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCl5QHp31I/AAAAAAAADbY/foLeCkMYaY8/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535106345036537682" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCl5Lvd9PI/AAAAAAAADbQ/n-Noa5jbyNI/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCl5Lvd9PI/AAAAAAAADbQ/n-Noa5jbyNI/s400/DSC_0034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535106343861351666" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCl4wq-lEI/AAAAAAAADbI/WRGiihEeo_c/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCl4wq-lEI/AAAAAAAADbI/WRGiihEeo_c/s400/DSC_0024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535106336594760770" /></a><br /><br />Don't worry, America. Jess and I ventured to DC to restore sanity. All is well. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCrL4svGyI/AAAAAAAADcQ/4QViBeosCHI/s1600/DSC_0409.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCrL4svGyI/AAAAAAAADcQ/4QViBeosCHI/s400/DSC_0409.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535112162725272354" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCrLm7YO2I/AAAAAAAADcI/fv0G4_vp0m8/s1600/DSC_0384.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCrLm7YO2I/AAAAAAAADcI/fv0G4_vp0m8/s400/DSC_0384.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535112157954849634" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCrLaR5i2I/AAAAAAAADcA/I15h4z-_N-k/s1600/DSC_0446.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCrLaR5i2I/AAAAAAAADcA/I15h4z-_N-k/s400/DSC_0446.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535112154559646562" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCrK4q_Y_I/AAAAAAAADb4/g6xEuvD_ntw/s1600/DSC_0344.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCrK4q_Y_I/AAAAAAAADb4/g6xEuvD_ntw/s400/DSC_0344.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535112145538081778" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCrKvt9fSI/AAAAAAAADbw/wbMhWQww6Vc/s1600/DSC_0266.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TNCrKvt9fSI/AAAAAAAADbw/wbMhWQww6Vc/s400/DSC_0266.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535112143134620962" /></a><br /><br /><br />Yay, pictures!<br /><br />*chirp.....chirp....chirp....*<br /><br />Ugh, this is a shitty month to blog every day. I'm feeling more cynical than Denis Leary's standup comedy, and writing what I'm feeling would strike fear into the hearts of the masses. Maybe starting tomorrow I'll start taking essay suggestions so that I'm not left to my own devices. ;)whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-18251868743489500222010-11-01T21:37:00.003-04:002010-11-01T21:59:40.078-04:00NaBloPoMo....Omg.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TM9v4NFQHrI/AAAAAAAADZs/j4xRoufFJXY/s1600/nablo_typer_300px.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 302px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TM9v4NFQHrI/AAAAAAAADZs/j4xRoufFJXY/s400/nablo_typer_300px.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534765478436675250" /></a><br />I've never even ATTEMPTED to participate in National Blog Post Month, even at the height of my bloginess. So, why I would dare to think that THIS would be the year to go for it, I have no idea. Maybe for the challenge. Maybe because I'm always talking to myself anyway, so I might as well record some of my rantings. Maybe because my blog is on life support. I think it's got permanent damage at this point. A Day At the Beauchamps won't ever be what it once was...When I look back at old posts, it seems like lifetimes have gone by, and yet it feels like yesterday. Maybe the reality of an actual timeline of my life is too scary. Being able to see it all go by is just another reminder that it is in fact, going by. Everything changes. On Facebook, I can whimsically update about little nothings and then go about my merry way, avoiding the permanence of whatever stupid thing I posted there. Here, I have grown up...and am still growing, some days more painfully than others. My babies are becoming kids. Things get hard, and through it all, it's still funny as hell most of the time. My blog used to be my safe place, but now feels a little scary and vulnerable. I hope this month will help that, and if it doesn't, then that's okay. It can be whatever it needs to be, and I'll still keep it around. I hope you'll be here, too. <3whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-34797337284833397542010-10-02T11:11:00.005-04:002010-10-02T12:36:08.644-04:00Piper.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TKdVmFVfH5I/AAAAAAAADYg/9OaYvD6uQhc/s1600/piper2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TKdVmFVfH5I/AAAAAAAADYg/9OaYvD6uQhc/s400/piper2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523477580748890002" /></a><br />For the last few weeks, we've been waiting to go for another ultrasound at the specialist to learn more about Piper's umbilical cord situation. During that wait, I had another regular visit. I went in, I was tired, I wasn't thinking, and when they handed me a consent form for the AFP quad screen test, I signed it and gave a vial of blood. I wasn't even sure what test it was, but I vaguely remembered turning down all those tests with Mallory. I shrugged it off, but OF COURSE, the next Friday night at 10pm, I opened a letter from my OB saying that my test had come back abnormal and to please contact them AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Really, guys, a letter? <br />Although it was a little worrisome, I spent the weekend not thinking about it too much. I know of LOTS of people who've gotten that test back the same way and it's nothing. It's ultimately a screening, not a diagnostic, so it just lets parents know if their child is "at risk" for certain conditions. I went in on Monday and learned that we had results which put Piper at risk for Down's Syndrome. The doctor was very good about explaining that this was still rare, and that these results only prompt further testing, that we can take as far as we want, or refuse altogether. I agreed to go for genetic counseling and another ultrasound to look for physical characteristics, but was pretty sure we would not do the amnio test. <br />Yesterday was the appointment. In the waiting room, I randomly picked up a magazine, and randomly opened to an article about a mother giving birth to a baby girl with Down's Syndrome. It was odd, but reading it made me worry less. She had had no idea that it was a possibility. <br />Adam and I got to see Piper again and the tech who did the ultrasound told us everything she was doing. All her organs look great. Her heart is perfect. Her arms and legs measure right where they should. She has ten fingers and ten toes. She is still a girl. (I was concerned...haha) She is 3/4 a pound, and a wiggly little thing. She is beautiful.<br />Afterward, the doctor took us into his office and proceeded to ask us four thousand questions about our family history. He was SUCH a nice man, very patient with us and very thorough. He showed us our test results, which revealed that Piper has a 1 in 65 chance of having Down's. The average risk for a 30 year old woman is 1 in 952. He said sometimes these things can happen with no reason, whether or not there is a family history. He advised us on the amniocentesis...which is invasive, and while not as risky as some people believe, there's 1 in 500 risk of miscarriage. THAT number scared us much more than the 1 in 65. The ONLY advantage there is to knowing for sure is research. Time to learn all we can. But it's not worth the risk to me, and honestly, I don't feel a whole lot of urgency about knowing or not knowing. She's going to be fine, either way.<br /><br />Adam said on the way home "I think if any parents were going to have to deal with this, we're really good ones for it." (How much do we love this guy?)<br />So, in conclusion, I'm not stressing the tests. We're proceeding as normal. The umbilical cord is perfectly fine as well, so Piper is getting everything she needs. Mama feeds her well. Everyone is getting excited. Adam taught Mal to say "hey, Pipuh!" <br />No need for a fuss here, I just wanted to share what we learned because, um, that's what I do. Everything is going to be great! We can't wait to meet you, little girl. :)whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-35751062340626885492010-10-01T15:45:00.005-04:002010-10-02T00:13:51.995-04:00Not My Kid.Like many of you, the news of the now <strong>five</strong> recent teen suicides has been heavy on my mind lately. The night that 13-year old Seth Walsh died, I lay in bed for hours trying to sleep, unable to stop my mind from going back to that boy and his family. 13 years old. 8th grade. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TKabKBavOcI/AAAAAAAADYM/e42CMrADXcg/s1600/seth_walsh_01_1_370x278__oPt.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TKabKBavOcI/AAAAAAAADYM/e42CMrADXcg/s400/seth_walsh_01_1_370x278__oPt.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523272589498071490" /></a><br /><br />I don't need to explain how horribly unfair it is...that these kids suffer <strong>SO MUCH </strong>that they are finding the ability to put guns to their heads and pull the trigger. Or to hang themselves by a rope and let go. That those acts, which are some of the most terrifying things I can imagine, are easier for them than going to school. I think everyone I know and have talked to agrees with that. This isn't a split issue, and if you think it is, then please, seek help, because you are seriously messed up inside. <br /><br />My initial thought was "What would happen if that was my child?" I'm sure most of us thought that as well. To imagine your child being bullied like that...these precious children that we try so hard to protect from every hurt. It's hard to fathom what that must feel like.<br /><br />My next thought was "What if my child was the bully?" <br /><br />That really made me think...What does it feel like for <strong>THOSE</strong> parents? I don't necessarily think that they must be horrible people who taught their children to be hateful on purpose. I know firsthand that kids, even kids with great parents, can be cruel. I'm sure there are some kids, however, who are learning some of this behavior at home. I'm not really sure how to picture it. Do these parents openly <strong>TELL</strong> their children that being gay is wrong, or weird...something to be teased for? Or do they make the subject so taboo that kids interpret it as "strange"? Why isn't it changing yet? Are there parents out there who <strong>PURPOSELY</strong> teach their children to hate? If not there, then where is it coming from? <br /><br />I wonder if the parents feel torn between guilt over what's happened and defending their child, who is inevitably the villain in these scenarios. I would imagine so...of course, you love your child, but how do you come to terms with the fact that another life is lost, in part because of their actions. Are any of them in denial that it's partially their fault? <br /><br />I personally think that bullies, for the most part, have low self esteem. They do it to make themselves feel better, to take on a position of power against someone else. If you suspected your child of being a bully at school...what would you do? <br /><br />I could sit here all day and wonder, but it won't help. There are tons of questions, but no real answers. All I can do is try to help...we can all do that. As parents, or future parents, it is our responsibility to instill in them that teasing is never okay. These children that are dying are <strong>OUR</strong> children. The bullying is starting somewhere, and I hate to point fingers, but seriously, who better to prepare our kids than us? If we're not sitting down and having conversations with our children and using words like "different", "compassion", and "equal", then we need to start, now. <br /><br />My kids will never grow up thinking that there is anything wrong with "gay". With wearing what they want, walking the way that comes naturally to them, speaking in their given voice, loving whomever they choose, with being their genuine selves, and nothing more. They <strong>WILL</strong> however, grow up <strong>KNOWING</strong> that it is wrong to belittle, to tease, to call names, to cyber-bully, to prank people who seem different than they are. <br /><br />Some of us parents have no idea which category our kids will fall into, if any. We may be raising the bully. We may be raising the victim. <strong>HOW SCARY IS THAT?</strong> How awe-inspiring is it that we can change it? <br /><br />I <strong>URGE</strong> my fellow parents and future parents to <strong>talk to your children</strong>. Don't treat homosexuality like some awful secret or something to be feared. Even if your religious beliefs lead you to believe it's "wrong", don't ever, ever, ever use that as an excuse to allow disrespect to their peers. This conversation will also open the door for them to come to you if they ever feel they themselves have questions about their own sexuality. Some of these kids become victims because they are <strong>afraid that thier parents won't support them</strong>, so they don't ask for help.<br /><br />It's not being gay that's killing childen...it's the shame that they feel keeping it secret. <br /><br />Wouldn't you rather have open honesty with your child than force them to hide something that could lead to their ultimate self destruction? I think that, for me, that would feel like nothing more than absolutely failing my child.<br /><br />Here's what I propose. Although it feels like there isn't a lot we can do about this problem, the answer is staring us in the face, every day...(literally). Our kids. <br />Make the decision to be a proactive parent. Don't wait until there's a problem, and their school is calling you, to talk to them about bullying. I ask you to (yeah, I totally stole this from Oprah) to pledge to talk to your kids. If you don't have them yet, pledge to do it when the time comes. <strong>Open the door to the conversation and never close that door</strong>. <br /><br /><a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/heatherbean1022/Not%20My%20Kid%20Pledge/?action=view¤t=notmykidpledge.jpg">Print the Pledge</a>. Sign it. Do a self portrait with it, post it, share it, be an example. <br />Please? It might seem silly. If there's even a chance that we can help each other remember to teach our children how to treat one another, then I'll risk looking silly. This is what we signed up for when we decided to raise the future.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1111065337#!/pages/Not-My-Kid-A-Parents-Pledge-to-Teach-Compassion-and-End-Bullying/163245960354911">here</a> to find the Pledge on Facebook.whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-67582446528192619302010-09-30T15:09:00.003-04:002010-09-30T15:31:30.066-04:00how to make an angry hormonal woman die laughing.today has been one of "those"...i started out in a great mood, and gradually let myself spiral into a frenzy of self pity and silly anger. nothing was THAT bad, so i (as usual) blame hormones. when i met charlie's bus this afternoon, however, i got the sweetest surprise and the best laugh. <br /><br />CF confesses to most every crime and misdemeanor he commits on his own. yesterday on the way to school he told me that he had stuck the plunger on the wall in the bathroom. i was confused because i hadn't seen it, but i told him thanks for telling me and not to do it again. <br /><br />so, today in his bookbag, i find this card...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TKTjCml4aOI/AAAAAAAADXs/lhzJFTxo8W0/s1600/DSC_0355.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TKTjCml4aOI/AAAAAAAADXs/lhzJFTxo8W0/s400/DSC_0355.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522788676921747682" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TKTjD8IDg7I/AAAAAAAADX8/LXyqYxs16E8/s1600/DSC_0357.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TKTjD8IDg7I/AAAAAAAADX8/LXyqYxs16E8/s400/DSC_0357.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522788699882095538" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TKTjDb3HRvI/AAAAAAAADX0/k8yy92eVNE0/s1600/DSC_0356.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TKTjDb3HRvI/AAAAAAAADX0/k8yy92eVNE0/s400/DSC_0356.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522788691221104370" /></a><br /><br />i laughed <strong>SO HARD</strong>. i asked him why he'd wanted to make a card for it, and he said "i just felt so bad about it. mario does it, so i was just trying to be like mario." i told him again that it wasn't a big deal, but i'm so glad i have this card to hang onto for the next million years. what a great way to cheer up a crazy mama. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TKTjFPWlEnI/AAAAAAAADYE/vNV2TBY_KQw/s1600/DSC_0359.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TKTjFPWlEnI/AAAAAAAADYE/vNV2TBY_KQw/s400/DSC_0359.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522788722223157874" /></a>whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-91350558954230713162010-09-19T21:50:00.002-04:002010-09-19T22:03:59.651-04:00road trip?<table style='font:11px arial; color:#333; background-color:#f5f5f5' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' width='360' height='353'><tbody><tr style='background-color:#e5e5e5' valign='middle'><td style='padding:2px 1px 0px 5px;'><a target='_blank' style='color:#333; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;' href='http://www.thedailyshow.com'>The Daily Show With Jon Stewart</a></td><td style='padding:2px 5px 0px 5px; text-align:right; font-weight:bold;'>Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c</td></tr><tr style='height:14px;' valign='middle'><td style='padding:2px 1px 0px 5px;' colspan='2'><a target='_blank' style='color:#333; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;' href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-september-16-2010/rally-to-restore-sanity'>Rally to Restore Sanity</a></td></tr><tr style='height:14px; background-color:#353535' valign='middle'><td colspan='2' style='padding:2px 5px 0px 5px; width:360px; overflow:hidden; text-align:right'><a target='_blank' style='color:#96deff; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;' href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/'>www.thedailyshow.com</a></td></tr><tr valign='middle'><td style='padding:0px;' colspan='2'><embed style='display:block' src='http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:359366' width='360' height='301' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='window' allowFullscreen='true' flashvars='autoPlay=false' allowscriptaccess='always' allownetworking='all' bgcolor='#000000'></embed></td></tr><tr style='height:18px;' valign='middle'><td style='padding:0px;' colspan='2'><table style='margin:0px; text-align:center' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' width='100%' height='100%'><tr valign='middle'><td style='padding:3px; width:33%;'><a target='_blank' style='font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;' href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/'>Daily Show Full Episodes</a></td><td style='padding:3px; width:33%;'><a target='_blank' style='font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;' href='http://www.indecisionforever.com/'>Political Humor</a></td><td style='padding:3px; width:33%;'><a target='_blank' style='font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;' href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/videos/tag/Tea+Party'>Tea Party</a></td></tr></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />*calculates hours in the car vs. hours at the rally* *makes mental list of snacks and treats to keep the kids happy* *ponders clever signage options* *investigates hotel points* <br /><br />i think i need to be there!whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-85978991442228521472010-09-19T08:53:00.005-04:002010-09-19T09:43:10.435-04:00Fall-ishI swear it's close...you can feel it in the air between the hours of 7 a.m and 10 a.m, and then again overnight. the rest of the time, it's still very much summer. we learned this yesterday at our town's annual festival, Buggy Days. (at one point, we were apparently a huge manufacturer of buggies. obvs.) i actually got sunburned and Charlie was so wiped out that he rode in the stroller. it was HOT. but we had a blast. Kids' park, great festival food....(fried green tomatoes and kettle corn) and a lot of really great craft vendors. both kids got a prize and bounced until we feared overheating. after the parade, we headed home to get some MUCH needed rest, then ventured back for the Pig Chase at the old football field. this is something that's been happening here for years, and i had never been. i wouldn't have been able to imagine the amount of people who were there. it was craziness. there are different age groups who chase a piglet around the field until someone catches it. of course, the prize is...the pig. <br /><br />when CF heard about the chase earlier that day, he let us know that he really wanted to do it, and that he was going to win the pig. we thought it would be good for him to participate, but we kept on pushing the "it's not about winning, just have fun" speech. we settled in the stands until they called his group. because they are younger, Adam got to go down to the field and stand with him before the race. there were SO many kids. i started to get nervous, thinking that there is no way they would all get out of this uninjured. <br /><br />for whatever reason, this little piggie didn't give much chase. but the fastest kid got there first and pinned it. of course, that kid was Charlie. the crowd was gathered around so much that we couldn't really tell at first, but the people around us in the stands were already cheering and telling me that he'd won. sure enough, adam broke through the crowd, carrying the proudest looking boy i'd ever seen, who was carrying a ticket. Charlie told the story to everyone around us and was so sweet about the whole thing. then we had to decide what to DO about the pig. i felt sure that it would be one of those things we embark on that turn out to be a huge mistake. so, after getting the champ's approval, we decided to sell the pig. now CF is the proud owner of prize money, and the reputation of being the fastest 4 year old in town. ;) <br /><br />here's a little <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENX7GWb06vs">video</a> i got of the chase...look for the red shirt in the middle of the crowd. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOMuBylLI/AAAAAAAADWM/lzK0Wv4bu4k/s1600/DSC_0162.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOMuBylLI/AAAAAAAADWM/lzK0Wv4bu4k/s400/DSC_0162.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518614005065880754" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOMcooUaI/AAAAAAAADWE/hibRoLL_QC0/s1600/DSC_0166.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOMcooUaI/AAAAAAAADWE/hibRoLL_QC0/s400/DSC_0166.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518614000396947874" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOMF5f1ZI/AAAAAAAADV8/x8aMWJ5iXDQ/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOMF5f1ZI/AAAAAAAADV8/x8aMWJ5iXDQ/s400/DSC_0130.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518613994293679506" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOLmwpaEI/AAAAAAAADV0/w8-HQ6jilqM/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOLmwpaEI/AAAAAAAADV0/w8-HQ6jilqM/s400/DSC_0122.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518613985935059010" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOLJsuyWI/AAAAAAAADVs/DTnT_xdjjeE/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOLJsuyWI/AAAAAAAADVs/DTnT_xdjjeE/s400/DSC_0112.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518613978134006114" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOqwFxlLI/AAAAAAAADWs/bYM3k0V6auI/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOqwFxlLI/AAAAAAAADWs/bYM3k0V6auI/s400/DSC_0222.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518614521015538866" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOquZnSUI/AAAAAAAADWk/0v9balFrcG0/s1600/DSC_0221.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOquZnSUI/AAAAAAAADWk/0v9balFrcG0/s400/DSC_0221.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518614520561879362" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOqYGtwuI/AAAAAAAADWc/GOPA5dxX7O8/s1600/DSC_0215.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOqYGtwuI/AAAAAAAADWc/GOPA5dxX7O8/s400/DSC_0215.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518614514577031906" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOqMvCe7I/AAAAAAAADWU/SqPpqAnNl90/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYOqMvCe7I/AAAAAAAADWU/SqPpqAnNl90/s400/DSC_0213.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518614511524936626" /></a><br /><br /><br />the night BEFORE, we were able to take the kids to Atlanta to see the Sesame Street Live show for the first time. all thanks to my love of Aretha's Freeway of Love. I won tickets about a week ago by being the 8th caller and knowing that song title. i have NEVER won anything off the radio, and when it happened, i was screaming so much that i'm sure people driving past thought i had won the lotto. i was SO excited to be able to take the kids. we don't have a lot (er, any) extra money to buy tickets to things like that these days, so it was great timing. the kids loved eating dinner in the giant CNN Center food court and were in awe of the show, dancing the whole time. so, we've had two busy, awesome family days that none of us will soon forget. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYNpXIipcI/AAAAAAAADVk/qDfsTz5mdMc/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYNpXIipcI/AAAAAAAADVk/qDfsTz5mdMc/s400/DSC_0100.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518613397624759746" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYNpDP9aEI/AAAAAAAADVc/iy60lABkGL8/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYNpDP9aEI/AAAAAAAADVc/iy60lABkGL8/s400/DSC_0072.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518613392287164482" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYNoiPQY9I/AAAAAAAADVU/TxukEbZm1gE/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYNoiPQY9I/AAAAAAAADVU/TxukEbZm1gE/s400/DSC_0076.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518613383425844178" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYNoYw5ueI/AAAAAAAADVM/mJ39jyKCeuM/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYNoYw5ueI/AAAAAAAADVM/mJ39jyKCeuM/s400/DSC_0034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518613380882610658" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYNoGwD6ZI/AAAAAAAADVE/kKmMM75w_Mk/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TJYNoGwD6ZI/AAAAAAAADVE/kKmMM75w_Mk/s400/DSC_0024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518613376047245714" /></a><br /><br />this weekend made me even more excited to do things with the kids this fall...all the fair and corn mazes we can stand. they are at such FUN ages. along with the fun does come some (lots of) defiance and energy, but we are getting better at handling it and diffusing tantrums. Charlie starting school has proved to be a HUGE advantage for him. in just a couple of months, he has learned so much. he can now write his name alone, he's writing simple math problems out on the magnadoodle, and he's (wait for it) saying "yes, maam" and the like ON HIS OWN. he sits for long spells just looking at books by himself and "reading". he memorizes songs even faster than before. yesterday he requested the Talking Heads "don't touch me, i'm a real live wire"....haha. the kid's still got taste. <br /><br />Here we are, Sunday morning, a much needed day to recover from our rock star family weekend. we're visiting my parents, and rumor has it that my mom is making some of my favorite things for lunch. need i say more??whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-5013145254240273622010-09-06T08:24:00.004-04:002010-09-06T09:19:41.533-04:00it's Sunday again!Nah, it's Monday morning. Other than Adam being gone (headed to Cali for work) it feels like a perfect Sunday morning. Labor Day rules. Our holiday plans include : pajamas, grocery store, cartoons, grilled cheese and soup, laundry, and playing with Lanie, the chihuahua puppy we are dog-sitting for this week. She's Jessie's puppy...Jessie and her husband are off on a week long cruise....alone....no kids. I'm not jealous. Not even a lil' bit. ;) <br /><br />Adam is in LOVE with Lanie. He's already mentioned some evil schemes to keep her here. He's been cuddled up with her since she got here, and calls her his tiny baby. Ha. It's the cutest thing ever, and also ridiculously funny. Don't worry, Jessie, we'll make sure Lanie gets home safe and sound. But Adam may try to move in with you. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TIToZpb9_8I/AAAAAAAADUE/7UcOXz-nal4/s1600/lanie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TIToZpb9_8I/AAAAAAAADUE/7UcOXz-nal4/s400/lanie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513787371125866434" /></a><br /><br />This weekend has been a great time for the most part. Friday morning started earlier that usual, because we had our big ultrasound appointment about 45 minutes north. We got there and waited another HOUR before being called back, but I was too excited to mind. The ultrasound equipment was amazing...a large tv screen positioned over my head so that Adam and I could see it better, and it was the clearest one we've ever seen. The tech was very thorough, showing us organs, head size, little fingers and toes, and finally, she asked if we wanted to know the sex. Wellyeah. I think it would be great fun to wait and be surprised, but come on. I could never ever be so patient. So the next thing we got to see on the U/S were....girly bits! yay! we have another lil sis on the way. Piper Ann Beauchamp. She is already so lovely. <br /><br />After the tech was finished and I was sitting up, there was a moment of "uh'oh". She mentioned that I was to come back in 4 weeks for another ultrasound with a doctor present. She explained that the umbilical cord should have 3 chambers, and it looks like mine only has 2. Of course, I started spouting out questions like "is that common? what are the risks? is she ok?" She was very nice, but very vague, seeming to not want to worry us until we know for sure that that's what's going on. So, of course, I Googled. It appears that <a href="http://www.womens-health.co.uk/sua.asp">single umbilical artery</a> has it's share of risks, but that in MOST cases, the babies are born perfectly healthy. We'll know more after October 1st, but for now, let's send out some good thoughts and prayers that Piper is getting everything she needs. I'm honestly not worried at this point. She looks great and right on track for her very young age. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TITpeGNDhII/AAAAAAAADUM/yQ-05-TMsZc/s1600/piper1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TITpeGNDhII/AAAAAAAADUM/yQ-05-TMsZc/s400/piper1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513788547079046274" /></a><br /><br />After that we decided to have some friends over to cook out. We haven't done that as much this summer, thanks to our hermitage, and it was a lot of fun. I love watching our kids play together. The food and the company were both a perfect way to say bye-bye to summer. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TIToZKOWZ4I/AAAAAAAADT0/BXw-lezx3A4/s1600/DSC_1689.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TIToZKOWZ4I/AAAAAAAADT0/BXw-lezx3A4/s400/DSC_1689.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513787362747246466" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TIToYwYQyFI/AAAAAAAADTs/YqrsnIMWILU/s1600/DSC_1688.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TIToYwYQyFI/AAAAAAAADTs/YqrsnIMWILU/s400/DSC_1688.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513787355809499218" /></a><br /><br />Saturday the bestie came down with her son, Chase, who happens to be Charlie's idol and best, best friend. We had played outside all day. Rode bikes at the park, did a little geocaching, stopped for fresh fruit. All of this was set to the most beautiful weather I have seen in months. Bright blue sky, warm but crisp air, the perfect temperature. The only sucky party (ba dum bum) was the 4 million mosquitoes that I provided lunch for at the park. OUCH.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TIToZdD3JGI/AAAAAAAADT8/OEb3rOw-CMw/s1600/cache.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TIToZdD3JGI/AAAAAAAADT8/OEb3rOw-CMw/s400/cache.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513787367803528290" /></a><br /><br />Yesterday we hung out at my parents most of the day. Laying on a blanket under a shady tree, throwing the baseball, eating even MORE amazing food with the family...another perfect afternoon. <br /><br />And here we are, almost back to the real world, but not quite. One more day to play before reality sets in. As a mom with a kid in school, I'm REALLY seeing how great these 3-day weekends are. Bring on Fall Break! ;)<br /><br />Happy Labor Day to all y'all!whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-90896530012016487462010-09-01T21:49:00.002-04:002010-09-01T22:22:11.142-04:00gratitude.the last couple of days have been...woah. i never, ever expected so many people to respond to that post, or to share it with so many others. the comments on the blog and on facebook...i can't begin to explain how much each one means to me. reading them made me cry, and they gave me so much more confidence that with THIS many like-minded people, we really do have a chance to make major changes. i have gone back over them so many times, lingering over each one and really paying attention to every word. to everyone who reposted or shared, thank you, too. <br />i'm sure there are at least a couple of people who are ready for me to get over myself...hehe. and i am. just with a little more peace of mind, thanks to YOU. <3whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-81618376271512777602010-08-30T22:02:00.003-04:002010-08-31T00:30:27.459-04:00not ok.here it is. the post that's been about one week, or ten years in the making. i have pondered, i have fumed, i have cried, ranted, and cussed. i have daydreamed about saying things that will never sound as awesome as they do in my head if i said them out loud. or write them here. but today, i realized that while my raving may be pointless and eyeroll-worthy, i want to do it anyway. when have i been known to keep my mouth shut? <br /><br />what happened. <br /><br />what happened was i made the mistake of commenting on the status of a Facebook friend that i don't know well. it was one of those "repost this if you believe in BLAH BLAH and BLAH. 98% of you are too chicken!!!!!!!!"<br /><br />can i just interrupt myself to add that those status updates are ridiculous and most are probably written (poorly) by bored kids? write your own updates. mkay? mkay.<br /><br />this particular zinger was about the tragic state of charity and how "we" send all our money overseas when there are people here who need things. troops who need supplies, and mentally ill who need hospitals. me being me, thought, oh, hey...let me shed some light. it's the nice thing to do. i politely explained that while it's true, there are MANY families in need here in the states, i feel it's important to remember that in some places, there are no programs in place to support the poor, the sick, and the hungry. there are earthquakes. natural disasters of all kinds. no matter where in the world these things happen, HUMAN BEINGS are meant to help one another. <br /><br />i added something about charity being a personal decision and that i feel as long as we are giving what we can, to whatever cause we feel drawn to, then that's what will make the world a better place. <br /><br />the response was all a blur except one line. to paraphrase, it said...<br /><br />ready?<br /><br />there are kids being adopted from other countries, while there are kids here in the US who need homes.<br /><br />*pause for suspense*<br /><br />*pause for you to collect yourself"<br /><br />*pause for you to go find another blog to read if you agree with this statement*<br /><br />honestly, i know that fellow APs i know have been told this very thing. i know all the responses that we are armed with, and yet, reading those words made me blind with anger. blood rushed to my head, which immediately started pounding. it was as if someone had told me "your son shouldn't be your son. he doesn't belong HERE." <br /><br />is that not what it sounds like? <br /><br />i tried to formulate a response that reflected my hurt feelings, anger, and also could provide some education on the subject. like it mattered at that point. it didn't work. i'm not going to waste any more energy reliving the conversation. basically, i was furious, she didn't seem to understand why. <br /><br />here's what i came up with today. i don't live in a world, mental OR physical, where i am better than anyone else because of where i HAPPENED TO BE BORN. because NEWS FLASH you didn't do shit to get here. our ancestors did, but that's another story, that so many people obviously choose to forget when they complain endlessly about "immigrants". i love my country. i do. but it makes me so very, very sad when i see my fellow Americans take patriotism to a level that is nothing less than ignorant. and it makes me want to shout to the world IT'S NOT ALL OF US! I'M HERE! WE'RE EQUAL!<br /><br />years ago, a fellow business owner in my town used to come in to my studio to chat. more than once she brought up, in a hushed voice, the topic of "black people". make sure you whisper it. "black people". i would stare blankly at her, remind her that we were in the process of adopting one of those "black people" and i would proceed to act bewildered. but i didn't speak up. <br /><br />i should have said something. i should have told her HOLD UP. don't put me in your little club just because our skin matches. our hearts do NOT. please leave. <br /><br />how many times have people, some my friends, made comments that made me cringe. <br /><br />taking the car to the Mexicans to get cleaned. <br />do you know that one Indian at the BP station? <br />black folks can't drive or swim. it's just fact. i'm not racist. <br /><br />right there. those words. here's what i'm saying, or trying to, but not making clear. <br /><br /><strong>IF YOU FEEL THE NEED TO PREFACE YOUR FORTHCOMING STATEMENT WITH "I'M NOT RACIST, BUT..."<br /><br />DON'T SAY IT TO ME. </strong><br /><br />ever. <br /><br />it's not okay. i'm not okay with being hurt every day by people who should know better. it's not about religion, it's not about politics, it's about being a HUMAN. with a heart and a soul. it hurts me so much that people have so much hate in their hearts, even if they try to hide it. even if they make excuses about it "not being a stereotype, it's the truth". <strong>you don't know shit about any one's truth but your own</strong>. <br /><br />it's not okay for me. it's not okay for my family. it's not okay for our future, for the children who are growing up in homes where parents use the "n-word" and "faggot". it's not okay that a good portion of the people i have been associating with in this world would have a problem with their child dating outside their race. if you say you love my family, then ask yourself that question. could your blonde haired daughter marry my son with your blessing? if not, that's not okay with me.<br /><br />i think i had tricked myself into thinking that things were not so bad. now it seems every day i am slapped in the face with ignorant comments and it scares me. my small hope, the one thing that keeps me confident that it won't always be this way, are my kids. the kids of the beautiful families that i know feel the same way i do, down to their core. our kids will grow up and prove them all wrong. they will lead the kids that were lied to, to the truth. it's not their job. it's not even going to be something they know they are doing. but it can happen. <br /><br />prop 8. the "mosque" drama. tea parties. arizona. people here, that i know, questioning the way we chose to start our family. as if they have the right. i don't have to agree with all of my friends' politics. we don't have to vote the same. i can be friends with people of any religion... <br />...but when you dehumanize someone by making their <strong>RACE</strong>, or where they were <strong>BORN</strong>, the main aspect of who they <strong>ARE</strong> as a <strong>PERSON</strong>, their <strong>ONLY</strong> identifying factor....<strong>THAT'S NOT OKAY!!!!!!</strong><br /><br />i don't know whether to run into the streets preaching equality (as if i could ever find the courage), or retreat into my home to keep my heart, and my family safe from hurt for as long as possible.whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com92tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-2909662099423481662010-08-23T20:13:00.003-04:002010-08-23T21:02:06.421-04:00outwit.tucking charlie in tonite, we had this conversation. i thought it was pretty clever...on his part, not on mine. :/<br /><br />cf: "can i watch a movie?'<br /><br />me: "nope"<br /><br />cf: "but i'm scared! i'm scared without you in here or a movie on. what if bad guys come?"<br /><br />me: "bad guys won't come here."<br /><br />cf: "why?"<br /><br />me: "because...all the windows and doors are locked. and we don't have anything fancy."<br /><br />cf: "what if they break the window?"<br /><br />me: "then i will call the police and they will go to jail".<br /><br />cf: "what if they come down the chimney?"<br /><br />(here's the part were i start uber failing)<br /><br />me: "ha! no way. only santa can come down the chimney."<br /><br />cf: "but what if the bad guys have a ladder?"<br /><br />me: "wellll....they can't get in because...because there's a special lock on the top of the chimney so people can't get in."<br /><br />(can i just say in my defense that this is the FIRST time i have tried to make up a ridiculous lie to appease my child. i thought i should give it a shot.)<br /><br />cf: "what if they break the lock?"<br /><br />(ugh. brace yourself)<br /><br />me: "um, it's made of a special, unbreakable metal."<br /><br />cf: (pondering) "so, how does santa get in?"<br /><br />me: (proudly) "well, we unlock it on christmas, silly! duh!"<br /><br />cf: (confused) "aaaand what if the bad guys come on christmas?"<br /><br />me: (facepalm)<br /><br />after that, i fessed up. i just can't do it. i can't make up crazy answers to questions that i know he will figure out anyway. i'm just going to have to get better about explaining hard things to him in a kid-friendly, but not idiotic, way. <br /><br />(how does one do that exactly?)<br /><br />what else? <br /><br />oh, my new obsession. yeah, there used to be these vampire books that i read...? i kinda remember being addicted to them, and now i have found myself there again. which is why i am frantically blogging tonight's post while eyeing my new hardback on the end table. <br />apparently, people knew about this trilogy and i wasn't paying attention. PLEASE, if you enjoyed Twilight, READ THESE BOOKS. no vampires, but there's something similar in the writing. (yeah, both tweener books, but they feel mature enough!;) <br /><br />presenting:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/THMUkGwqU1I/AAAAAAAADTA/1kcRu-pOiG0/s1600/hunger-games.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/THMUkGwqU1I/AAAAAAAADTA/1kcRu-pOiG0/s400/hunger-games.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508769379726807890" /></a><br /><br />here's a review:<br /><br />no, nevermind. all the reviews are too spoiler-y. you trust me, i know you do, so just go get it. or borrow mine. just make it happen so we can freak out together, mkay? mkay.<br /><br />a few more quick things, since i now have a great book AND a strawberry milkshake awaiting me (are we SURE polygamy isn't legal? OHMYGOSH i'm kidding. calmdown.)<br /><br />i'm seeing the cardiologist again due to some crazy heart racing spells. i'm sure it's nothing, and they aren't worried either, but we're doing some testing. better safe than sorry and all that jazz! <br /><br />we find out the sex of hethen #3 NEXT FRIDAY! how is this flying by so quickly? eeek!!<br /><br />more soon. by soon i mean, whenever i feel like bloggins. g'nite!whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-18030731452771002422010-08-17T16:53:00.003-04:002010-08-17T18:22:16.379-04:00TREASURE!!who doesn't dream about being a treasure hunter? as a kid, i was always looking for a good mystery, random clues to a long-kept secret, even ghosts. the thrill of finding something hidden never goes away. adam used to (back in the woo-ing stages, haha) hide little notes with clues on them that led to a prize. so of course i married him! ;)<br /><br />a few days ago, my good friend Loyd told Jessie and I about Geocaching. we both lit up as he described the website, clues, GPS, and logbooks. over the weekend i registered for the website, and today we took some time in between selling (YES, we did work today) to do a little caching. <br /><br />Our first adventure took us to a local spot in Milner. The hider of the cache, which can be anything from a pill bottle to a large bucket, registers the coordinates and clues on the website. they all have names and are rated by difficulty, so you know what you're getting into. in case you happen to be wearing dress clothes and sandals. ahem. this one was called I Can See The Light, and was rated a 1/5, so it's an easy one. BUT we were first timers, and this cache eluded us. quite the sight, us walking around the side of the road with our phones out, trying to match our steps to the exact coordinates. we poked around under bushes, in a hollow tree, behind a trash can. no luck. as we pulled away, defeated, Jessie said..."we should have checked back there near those trees." she was right....we later learned that it IS there, but we have yet to go back. <br /><br />we still had a few minutes before my first appointment, so we read the next cache clue, titled Open House. as i read the description, Jessie let out a squeal. "i know where that is!!" off we go. we found the general spot, pulled over and got out. on the side of the highway. (yes, you must be very careful while treasure hunting!) it took just a few minutes, and i triumphantly pulled the cache from it's hiding spot. we were GIDDY. needless to say, i was hooked from that moment.<br /><br />Jessie with our first find!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGsGd22jAwI/AAAAAAAADSE/V6NqFvxKRpw/s1600/geo+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGsGd22jAwI/AAAAAAAADSE/V6NqFvxKRpw/s400/geo+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506502079400837890" /></a><br /><br /><br />the rest of the day i had thoughts of bringing Adam out, how much Charlie would love it, about hiding our own and posting them to the site. this is something that we can do as a family, pack a cooler and go for the day. it's something different. a lot of people already know about this, but i had no "clue". harhar. ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGsGeaTPOnI/AAAAAAAADSM/tYn2YBROMqU/s1600/geo+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGsGeaTPOnI/AAAAAAAADSM/tYn2YBROMqU/s400/geo+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506502088916417138" /></a><br /><br />next we pulled up The Big Red G, which instantly we knew was near the UGA campus in Griffin. the clues led us to a nearby bridge, and even though it was a little creepy, Jessie found the cache, again with the happy squeal. signing the log books is so much fun. <br />me signing in at The Big Red G cache:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGsGevJIlOI/AAAAAAAADSU/bqMPJVsY7O4/s1600/geo+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGsGevJIlOI/AAAAAAAADSU/bqMPJVsY7O4/s400/geo+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506502094511183074" /></a><br /><br />throughout the day, we hit a couple more caches. Jessie is much more patient with it than me. at one point, while tramping through some wooded area and cursing the briers and mosquitoes, i was ready to give up on that one. i could tell that not finding it was going to drive her nuts. in fact, she may be back there as i type this. <br /><br />one of my clients to see today was in Zebulon, so OF COURSE we went ahead and made a stop at one last cache. the clue led us to a place of business that was open. it also mentioned that the people there would know what you were up to, and not to be shy. after a few minutes of searching with no luck, we went inside and met a super nice man named Mike. Mike was very excited when we realized what we were up to, and immediately came outside with us for a little guidance. after signing his log, we talked about how it was our first time ever Geocaching, and that we both loved it. he said he's been at it for almost 5 years. :O where have i been??<br /><br />there are over a million geocaches hidden all over the world. it can be something as simple as the thrill of the hunt, and signing your name alongside the treasure hunters there before you. to me, that was the best part. i am in love with this, and i can't wait to share it with my family! sign up if you haven't already, and go on your own adventure. just don't forget the GPS. this IS 2010, after all. ;)<br /><br />jessie discovering treasure at Birdie Clubhouse:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGsGe_WsHYI/AAAAAAAADSc/Mx1Zz_BrXII/s1600/geo+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGsGe_WsHYI/AAAAAAAADSc/Mx1Zz_BrXII/s400/geo+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506502098863005058" /></a> <br /><br />the fun starts here:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.geocaching.com/">http://www.geocaching.com/</a><br /><br />i hope some more new people discover this and love it as much as i already do.whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-22048287659047452072010-08-09T22:02:00.005-04:002010-08-09T22:22:26.109-04:004+2= funmallory's birthday party was fantastic. so many friends and family showed up to celebrate with us. the hot dogs were yummy, the pink lemonade flowed like wine (ok, like lemonade), and the Hello Kitty cupcakes were not nearly as terrifying as i'd imagined they would be. :) Miss M scored some great loot, got tatt'd up, and had a 4-hour-nap inducing BLAST. <br /><br />thanks and love to our guests. <3<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC1V2hGbAI/AAAAAAAADRI/iFSxGD4zqoM/s1600/DSC_1156.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC1V2hGbAI/AAAAAAAADRI/iFSxGD4zqoM/s400/DSC_1156.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503598131662973954" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC1Ve7HYbI/AAAAAAAADRA/TOu4ORCkzYk/s1600/DSC_1183.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC1Ve7HYbI/AAAAAAAADRA/TOu4ORCkzYk/s400/DSC_1183.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503598125329637810" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC1VcnFotI/AAAAAAAADQ4/aeQrBfqLhB8/s1600/DSC_1177.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC1VcnFotI/AAAAAAAADQ4/aeQrBfqLhB8/s400/DSC_1177.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503598124708766418" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC1VMxPW_I/AAAAAAAADQw/azlmrvl11Go/s1600/DSC_1157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC1VMxPW_I/AAAAAAAADQw/azlmrvl11Go/s400/DSC_1157.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503598120456379378" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC1U9nrPNI/AAAAAAAADQo/PTBcjM5MqmQ/s1600/DSC_1125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC1U9nrPNI/AAAAAAAADQo/PTBcjM5MqmQ/s400/DSC_1125.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503598116389731538" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC0ygy9DnI/AAAAAAAADQg/eyYon_7k3e0/s1600/DSC_1117.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC0ygy9DnI/AAAAAAAADQg/eyYon_7k3e0/s400/DSC_1117.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503597524536856178" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC0xakf9LI/AAAAAAAADQY/WtrumA72f4o/s1600/DSC_1108.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC0xakf9LI/AAAAAAAADQY/WtrumA72f4o/s400/DSC_1108.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503597505685746866" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC0xNgYjtI/AAAAAAAADQQ/LXqV4eEuZyE/s1600/DSC_1085.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC0xNgYjtI/AAAAAAAADQQ/LXqV4eEuZyE/s400/DSC_1085.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503597502178823890" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC0wpiF5DI/AAAAAAAADQI/mOg5z9haWr8/s1600/DSC_1061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC0wpiF5DI/AAAAAAAADQI/mOg5z9haWr8/s400/DSC_1061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503597492522312754" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC0wZ47l6I/AAAAAAAADQA/tS00Huyc6d8/s1600/DSC_1055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TGC0wZ47l6I/AAAAAAAADQA/tS00Huyc6d8/s400/DSC_1055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503597488323139490" /></a><br /><br />for the record, the number of babies we now have to have for bye-bye and bedtime is....SIX!!! six babies, people. ain't no joke. ;)whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-65608478938559914582010-08-05T21:50:00.004-04:002010-08-05T22:46:57.099-04:00Circus Circus!tonight my sister called and said that they wanted to go ahead and bring Mal's gift over today. since it's her actual birthday and we didn't really do a whole lot, it was a great idea. <br />about a week ago, Marlena called and gave me the dimensions of the gift they were planning on getting. ok, of course it's fine! bigger is better, right? haha. once it was assembled, i joked about finding Cullen something even bigger for Christmas. Mwahahaha...<br /><br />awesome gift, great aunt and uncle. :)<br /><br />um...these photos are backwards. this is me not caring. hehe. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtvCL7U5QI/AAAAAAAADPk/z0ISNOMzRSE/s1600/DSC_1042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtvCL7U5QI/AAAAAAAADPk/z0ISNOMzRSE/s400/DSC_1042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502113453115237634" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtvBp_tFJI/AAAAAAAADPc/M2ph6j0Utcw/s1600/DSC_1040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtvBp_tFJI/AAAAAAAADPc/M2ph6j0Utcw/s400/DSC_1040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502113444006794386" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtvBU8q4yI/AAAAAAAADPU/sS8BrsnP8zo/s1600/DSC_1035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtvBU8q4yI/AAAAAAAADPU/sS8BrsnP8zo/s400/DSC_1035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502113438356923170" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtvBDJoOEI/AAAAAAAADPM/bCA2O1t0djg/s1600/DSC_1034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtvBDJoOEI/AAAAAAAADPM/bCA2O1t0djg/s400/DSC_1034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502113433579436098" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtvApn-7fI/AAAAAAAADPE/XZ3_DURQdgE/s1600/DSC_1032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtvApn-7fI/AAAAAAAADPE/XZ3_DURQdgE/s400/DSC_1032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502113426727431666" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtuaodj_vI/AAAAAAAADO8/AVVonXghYvc/s1600/DSC_1031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtuaodj_vI/AAAAAAAADO8/AVVonXghYvc/s400/DSC_1031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502112773580259058" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtuZ1aan6I/AAAAAAAADOs/o-n3xYPi3AM/s1600/DSC_1025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtuZ1aan6I/AAAAAAAADOs/o-n3xYPi3AM/s400/DSC_1025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502112759876853666" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtuZZIw2PI/AAAAAAAADOk/4pR3vm99Lq0/s1600/DSC_1021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtuZZIw2PI/AAAAAAAADOk/4pR3vm99Lq0/s400/DSC_1021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502112752286619890" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtuZBik6kI/AAAAAAAADOc/s0mZnAK10ag/s1600/DSC_1018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFtuZBik6kI/AAAAAAAADOc/s0mZnAK10ag/s400/DSC_1018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502112745952438850" /></a><br /><br />can't wait to party on Sunday!whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-31254714489098452912010-08-04T09:40:00.004-04:002010-08-04T09:59:46.018-04:00Funny Girl...MalMal will be 2 years old tomorrow! she is SUCH a character. her personality changes often. one minute she's headbanging to Lady Gaga, and the next she's feeling and putting her babies down for "night night". <br /><br />here are the FOUR babies that mallory now diligently cares for daily:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFlvl4R0ljI/AAAAAAAADNo/vM44os3hibE/s1600/DSC_1014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFlvl4R0ljI/AAAAAAAADNo/vM44os3hibE/s400/DSC_1014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501551116362749490" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFlvlobjvZI/AAAAAAAADNg/ZbKm389II68/s1600/DSC_1013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFlvlobjvZI/AAAAAAAADNg/ZbKm389II68/s400/DSC_1013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501551112108621202" /></a><br /><br />we have Tagatha, of course. Tagatha will also be celebrating her birthday soon, as she was a present for Mal last year from her Nana. Every night since, she has cuddled her and rubbed the tag on her back, even in her sleep. it's her comfort item, and sadly, the tag is now attached by (gulp) duct tape. every time it comes off, mallory sobs and it's the most pitiful thing you ever saw. permanent tag replacement will be soon, and hopefully go unnoticed. <br /><br />also in the family is a kitty cat doll that Mal got for Christmas from Carrie and Robby. she has recently fallen in love with KittyCat. she kisses it's nose all the time. Hello Kitty is also a permanent companion, and lately, charlie's first doll has gotten lots of attention. i'm hoping it stays at 4 for a while. i'm too young to have this many grandbabies. ;)<br /><br />here's our girl playing, and generally being adorable, on her last day as a "something-month-old"... :)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFlxQ3MTAuI/AAAAAAAADOI/LT0gl9F7XVg/s1600/DSC_1009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFlxQ3MTAuI/AAAAAAAADOI/LT0gl9F7XVg/s400/DSC_1009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501552954317144802" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFlxQuSJXNI/AAAAAAAADOA/puonF7YGCY4/s1600/DSC_1008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFlxQuSJXNI/AAAAAAAADOA/puonF7YGCY4/s400/DSC_1008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501552951925759186" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFlxQZasN6I/AAAAAAAADN4/bL4B2CMTVFk/s1600/DSC_1007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFlxQZasN6I/AAAAAAAADN4/bL4B2CMTVFk/s400/DSC_1007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501552946324453282" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFlxP8EmGgI/AAAAAAAADNw/YevjAKPvweo/s1600/DSC_1004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFlxP8EmGgI/AAAAAAAADNw/YevjAKPvweo/s400/DSC_1004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501552938447149570" /></a>whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-53665185379786531932010-08-03T10:49:00.002-04:002010-08-03T11:31:06.742-04:00An Ounce of Pretention......is worth a pound of manure...<br /><br />one of my favorite quotes from Steel Magnolias. and a thought that crosses my mind often lately. <br /><br /><strong>Warning: this is a rant.</strong> <br /><br />here are my thoughts. i know that there are people out there who prefer to avoid all things mainstream. bands, movies, television, pop culture. i think in some cases it's a genuine lack of interest. genuine aloofness. i think in a lot of cases, it's a desire to be different and fight idea of being herded into whatever "they" want us to watch, listen to, or wear. i totally respect that. it's the beauty of freedom. my issue is when people who choose not to participate in the fabulously ridiculous culture we live in, ridicule those who do. <br /><br />there are those of us who choose to listen to pop radio. some of us watch American Idol and The Bachelor. i know people who are slightly obsessed with the goings-on of (ahem) Lindsay Lohan. i even have one friend who is deliciously in love with New Kids On The Block AND occasionally listens to Britney Spears. ;)<br /><br />all of these people, including myself, are upstanding members of society. we pay our taxes, donate to charity, read the news, educate ourselves on real issues. we all vote. some of us even recycle. i stopped buying bottled water because of all the waste. i send money to haiti and ethiopia. i have traveled, read books, met people, and seen many things. <br /><br />it frustrates me that some people assume that because you enjoy the silliness that you are ignorant of what's REALLY going on out there in the world. maybe the fact that we DO know what's going on out there drives us to need an escape. i know that yes, there are people who are ignorant. there are people who can't tell you the capital of Alabama, but can recap the plot of General Hospital for the last 14 years. i get that it's not how we all live. <br /><br />i truly believe in "to each their own"...and let me go ahead and admit that OF COURSE i have teased people about hobbies. Warcraft, for example. i have many friends who play it, and even those people can laugh about it. i can laugh at <em>myself</em> for spending 3 hours watching something that is total crap. we poke fun when someone REALLY loves a Ke$ha song. including myself. there is a difference between teasing among friends and the ACTUAL belief that you are better than someone else because you only listen to bands that no one else has ever heard of. <br /><br />please know that i am not talking about joking. i'm talking about real "holier than thou" attitude that i have been seeing lately. maybe i'm defensive. we all do things differently. it would be nice to remember that <strong>THAT IS THE FREAKING POINT OF LIVING HERE. </strong><br /><br />so, tweet on, Perez. i'm listening to what you got to say. you, too, Anderson Cooper. there's room in my brain for the both of you.whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-49851339893053975192010-08-02T20:44:00.004-04:002010-08-02T22:02:47.542-04:00First Day Jitters? Not here!i was plotting, all day, to totally lie on this blog post. okay, well...withhold information. i planned on leaving out the part of the morning where....<br /><br />wait for it...<br /><br /><strong>I SLEPT LATE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!</strong><br /><br />the kids are supposed to be dropped off between 7:45 and 8 am. at 7:30, i wake up to charlie in my face saying "mooooommy, it's schooool tiiiiiime"....to which i jumped up, grabbed my phone to check the time, and hauled ass out of bed. i don't know WHY my alarm didn't go off...ok, i also don't know if maybe i turned it off. i was dreaming about winning some money on a slot machine and also being attacked by bees. sooooo....it's possible. <br /><br />luckily, the angel that is Meredith showed up right then. i got dressed and washed my hair while she got CF ready. mallory woke up too, so i ran in to grab her and rushed out of the room, bashing my little toe into the toddler bed and almost crashing us both down the stairs. we got teeth brushed, pictures made, supplies in the car. (the entire time with me muttering, "why did i do this, why on the first day, WHAT is my problem, okay, calm down, we will make it, it's fine, oh my GOSH i am the worst mother ever"....and so on. all charlie said was "i'm so nervous that i might pupe!"<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFd2pOtVbDI/AAAAAAAADNM/thChfhV3tbI/s1600/DSC_0987.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFd2pOtVbDI/AAAAAAAADNM/thChfhV3tbI/s400/DSC_0987.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500995920551308338" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFd2oyL7LII/AAAAAAAADNE/8BTZg1vBLs8/s1600/DSC_0986.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFd2oyL7LII/AAAAAAAADNE/8BTZg1vBLs8/s400/DSC_0986.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500995912894983298" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFd2oit7MBI/AAAAAAAADM8/nEDI2K9f6PA/s1600/DSC_0983.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFd2oit7MBI/AAAAAAAADM8/nEDI2K9f6PA/s400/DSC_0983.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500995908742623250" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFd2oX_H60I/AAAAAAAADM0/AXjh26gNoEM/s1600/DSC_0982.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFd2oX_H60I/AAAAAAAADM0/AXjh26gNoEM/s400/DSC_0982.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500995905861970754" /></a><br /><br />we got in the van around 7:42 and made it right on time. charlie was irritated with my picture taking outside the school, saying "you're making me EVEN LATER"...haha. we saw some more friends from preschool, none of which are in his class, but it's ok. he's going to make friends quickly, no doubt. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFd2oPfGyHI/AAAAAAAADMs/Jjd3cmQd3mE/s1600/DSC_0980.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFd2oPfGyHI/AAAAAAAADMs/Jjd3cmQd3mE/s400/DSC_0980.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500995903580194930" /></a><br /><br />we got to Ms. Holcomb's room and handed off lunch money and supplies. charlie went right to the rug and sat with the other kids while i tried not to hover. one quick hug and kiss and i went out the door, but...i didn't leave right away. i hung out in the hallway, just curious to see what he would do. as i peeked in, most of the kids were still sitting patiently. what was my son doing? are you ready? <br /><br /><strong>CHARLIE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RUG DOING THE ROBOT!!!</strong><br /><br />i will never, ever, forgive myself for not getting a picture. but i didn't. we're all gonna have to move on. ;)<br /><br />luckily, jessie called me right as i was about to have the meltdown that had been creeping up on me all morning. i wasn't as upset as i thought i would be. just a little sad, and i really just missed him. even though i work daily, knowing he's at home is comforting. this is all new. <br /><br />i spent the morning working at the office, checking the time. i came home for lunch and a nap, and finally it was 2:30. Charlie ran up to me in the hallway shouting "Mommy!" so freaking sweet. i mouthed "how was he?" to his teacher, who seemed surprised that i even asked. "he was great", she replied. *phew*<br /><br />since then, i have asked him 4,684,873 questions. "did you nap?" "were you a good listener?" "did you sing songs?" "what songs did you sing?" "did you enjoy your lunch?" ...and so on. it was so much fun to hear his answers. he did totally sell out one kid in the class, saying he didn't listen to ANYTHING the teacher said...haha. said kid shall remain nameless, who knows if his mama is reading?? ;)<br /><br />long story long, charlie had a perfect first day of school. he's excited to go back tomorrow. i will turn up the volume on my alarm. but i might forget his lunch money...NAHHHH.whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-40789239488803864052010-07-29T20:22:00.005-04:002010-07-29T23:19:11.552-04:00Open House, 1 of...42?42...assuming we have 3 kids and none of them fail a grade or drop out of school....hmmm. ANYWHO. <br /><br />open house was really fun. it's SO easy to get caught up in the excitement and school spirit. we stopped on the way so that charlie could pick out a plant for his new teacher. *suckup* ;) meredith went along with us, always a welcome addition to whatever we're doing. we ran into several friends and familiar faces. some of the staff are family friends. a lot of the kids i recognize from the photo studio days. it's SUCH a positive, upbeat place. everyone there seems so excited, and truly happy to be meeting you and your child. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFI_w3GZOMI/AAAAAAAADLA/tbL4hLq_DqY/s1600/DSC_0962.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFI_w3GZOMI/AAAAAAAADLA/tbL4hLq_DqY/s400/DSC_0962.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499528203629836482" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFJBV78zcoI/AAAAAAAADL4/V0o_HT6RBI0/s1600/DSC_0971.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFJBV78zcoI/AAAAAAAADL4/V0o_HT6RBI0/s400/DSC_0971.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499529940098577026" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFJBWF3zL2I/AAAAAAAADMA/LgsSG5HEKYM/s1600/DSC_0972.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFJBWF3zL2I/AAAAAAAADMA/LgsSG5HEKYM/s400/DSC_0972.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499529942761942882" /></a><br /><br />this photo is pretty special to me...when adam and i were preparing our dossier for the adoption, we were allowed to include a photo of the school that our child would one day attend. we drove up here and took a picture of the primary school, since it would be the first one. it seemed so...vague, so far into the future. at that point, even traveling to Ethiopia felt like forever away. and here we are. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFI_xO8eoKI/AAAAAAAADLI/8UBtkkrLYZY/s1600/DSC_0963.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFI_xO8eoKI/AAAAAAAADLI/8UBtkkrLYZY/s400/DSC_0963.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499528210030698658" /></a><br /><br />ms. holcomb, charlie's teacher, graduated from college with my sister a couple of years ago. it's her first year with her own classroom. i think she's a perfect match for him. i told her he can be...spirited, and she laughed and promised that it would be fine. we agreed to not believe everything CF tells us about the other. ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFJBVch6CSI/AAAAAAAADLo/K36eBxGLqkE/s1600/DSC_0968.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFJBVch6CSI/AAAAAAAADLo/K36eBxGLqkE/s400/DSC_0968.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499529931664263458" /></a><br /><br /><br />as soon as we entered the room, charlie bolted for the rug and began coloring. he explored the toys and games, the reading corner, and didn't seem nervous at all. (feigned shock) he even stayed in the classroom while i checked out the cafeteria, looked at bus schedules, and of course, bought some cute LCPS t-shirts. he is really, really going to love it. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFI_yC-T9-I/AAAAAAAADLg/23DuADoudRY/s1600/DSC_0966.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFI_yC-T9-I/AAAAAAAADLg/23DuADoudRY/s400/DSC_0966.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499528223997032418" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFJB_8jFzVI/AAAAAAAADMQ/tJAWayUlDNM/s1600/DSC_0975.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFJB_8jFzVI/AAAAAAAADMQ/tJAWayUlDNM/s400/DSC_0975.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499530661813669202" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFI_xR4ySRI/AAAAAAAADLQ/1SsW-ZjKb3s/s1600/DSC_0964.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFI_xR4ySRI/AAAAAAAADLQ/1SsW-ZjKb3s/s400/DSC_0964.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499528210820516114" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFJBWv_MrhI/AAAAAAAADMI/0P7tYHGGQOI/s1600/DSC_0974.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFJBWv_MrhI/AAAAAAAADMI/0P7tYHGGQOI/s400/DSC_0974.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499529954067262994" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFI_x17v_PI/AAAAAAAADLY/xuMujYY8kD0/s1600/DSC_0965.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFI_x17v_PI/AAAAAAAADLY/xuMujYY8kD0/s400/DSC_0965.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499528220496624882" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFJBVg6uDBI/AAAAAAAADLw/wGtF59Z36wI/s1600/DSC_0969.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TFJBVg6uDBI/AAAAAAAADLw/wGtF59Z36wI/s400/DSC_0969.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499529932842077202" /></a><br /><br />all that said, i did involuntarily choke up several times during the hour or so we were there. i don't know WHY really. i never really understood what was so emotional about it. school is awesome, kids love it, parents love it, it's all good, right? now i get it. it means your baby is no baby. simple as that. and so, it begins. :)whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-23824108178214621612010-07-27T20:58:00.003-04:002010-07-27T22:10:38.009-04:00school prep and no princess.it must be confessed. <br /><br />mallory, my beautiful daughter, hates dresses. she hates hairbows. she hates tights. she is okay with skirts and tees, most shoes, although she prefers converse or boots, and she loves jackets.<br />if i ever DO manage to get her (little bit of) hair into a ponytail, it borders on torture. i have to first put charlie's hair up in a little puff ball, fuss over how amazingly cute it is, and run him to the mirror for a show. he plays along beautifully. after seeing this display, she will SOMETIMES allow me to wrestle the hair band into her (ahem) long, flowing locks. it always leads to screaming and pulling of the ponytail. at that point i go for distraction. if she forgets about it, we're golden. if not, out it comes. i mean, i have a heart, right? <br />here's a sad picture taken by a mean, mean, mama. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TE-DfyuPk8I/AAAAAAAADKM/mDOXpFckjHA/s1600/mal+crying.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TE-DfyuPk8I/AAAAAAAADKM/mDOXpFckjHA/s400/mal+crying.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498758252257579970" /></a><br /><br />mal and i in happier times. ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TE-DgypuohI/AAAAAAAADKk/8zWRDkCRyLY/s1600/me+and+mal.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TE-DgypuohI/AAAAAAAADKk/8zWRDkCRyLY/s400/me+and+mal.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498758269418512914" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />here's the dress i bought her today. it was on clearance for around ten bucks, and i felt good about getting her a little something since CF was getting school clothes.she LITERALLY ran screaming away from it as i pulled it out of the bag. *faceplam*<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TE-Dggdy71I/AAAAAAAADKc/rMSMLAYYNyc/s1600/dress.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TE-Dggdy71I/AAAAAAAADKc/rMSMLAYYNyc/s400/dress.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498758264536624978" /></a><br /><br />cute, right? surely someone will want it one day!<br /><br />that's okay. mal can be a tough gal if she wants to be. they make super cute boots and jeans and rocker tees for babies. so, anyone coming to her upcoming birthday party, be warned. :)<br /><br /><br /><br />charlie is getting excited to begin Pre-K...in 6 days. *panic* <br />me, on the other hand...i AM really happy. i know he will love it. i know it is the beginning of a LONG journey that will have lots of ups and downs. i just remember walking through the airport with that baby boy, sweating next to me in the Ergo, so protective of every little bit of him. that never changes, and it's so scary to picture him...in a lunch line, a classroom, a bathroom, interacting and doing things on his own and saying things that i won't ever hear. it's a GOOD THING. it's also really, really hard. even so, i am bursting with excitement to hear all about that first day...and all the days after that. :)<br /><br />shopping today was minimal. he's going to a lottery funded Pre-K, so they don't ask for supplies, which is awesome. okay, i really wanted to buy pencil boxes, and Kleenex, and crayons. (next year). i'm not ever a fan of anything with "characters" on it, but he really loved this dragon backpack from the How To Train Your Dragon movie. it was minimally tacky, so i said sure. we got a nap mat (can't wait to hear how THAT goes)...and a lunchbox. we bought some new hair goo and i combed out a long summer of pool fun. he looks so handsome. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TE-DgMJKksI/AAAAAAAADKU/Gyz6tjkbKzQ/s1600/cf+hair.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TE-DgMJKksI/AAAAAAAADKU/Gyz6tjkbKzQ/s400/cf+hair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498758259081384642" /></a><br /><br />he came home and wanted to rest on his new mat. he lay there and repeated his teacher's name so he can remember it. mallory ran around the living room with his new backpack strapped to her. i just laughed at them, with a lump in my throat, because it's all going by so fast. soon, they will both be running out the door, weighed down with books and personal problems. maybe charlie will drive them both, or drive them ALL. *gulp* i can't focus on that, though. let's just get the boy and his punk rock little sis into this new routine.whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-841009087084777172010-07-23T19:37:00.003-04:002010-07-23T21:13:00.059-04:00what are we doing tonight?that used to be THE friday night question. i remember speeding down 92 from work, marlboro out the window, Queen's greatest hits blasting, headed toward Adam's house, feeling total freedom, without even realizing that's what it was. once there, we'd hang out a while, unwind, sit on the porch with the roommates, until someone asked the inevitable question:<br /><br />"what are we doing tonight?"<br /><br />the question would be met with multiple voices telling of movie releases, food cravings, local parties, live music, no cover charges, ect. usually we'd call more friends and include them in whatever plan was being hatched. there were lots of dinners at Manhattan's, splitting bottles of Asti with the girls while the guys ate fried mushrooms and talked sports. lots of nights spent dancing and laughing at karaoke. some spent at Lot One, our residence, on the porch playing crazy games and talking all night long. i think the thing that is the strangest to look back on, is that i had no idea. i was so carefree, and didn't even realize it enough to enjoy it. youth is truly wasted on the young. <br /><br />not that i would go back. these days when we ask each other the question "what are we doing tonight?" it's with a hint of trepidation, subliminally willing the other person to respond with "hmmm, nothing i guess, we could watch a movie?"...*sigh of relief*...in the old days the question was asked with a tone of urgency, a NEED for the response to be filled with adventure and night air and connections. so much has changed. <br /><br />i am not saying i want to fully commit to hermit life. everyone who knows me well, knows that will never do. i still love a good night out, some recklessness (carefully executed). but tonight, on a friday evening, making BLTs and chatting over the kids squealing and chasing each other through the house, felt perfect. for a couple of years, i have struggled with giving in to letting nights like this be enough. maybe i was afraid of getting old, sitting still. i'm glad that it's getting easier...this friday night i'm on my couch, doing laundry that i probably WON'T finish, browsing netflix options and thinking about the carrot cake in the kitchen. oh, and blogging. ;)<br /><br />of course, i am aware that within a couple of months i will get stir crazy and anxiously ask the question with a different intent. that's the beauty of giving in to growing up...you can handle the answer no matter what it is, and still have a fabulous time.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TEo9DP9F0nI/AAAAAAAADJw/ZPJn5waK9p4/s1600/l_68cbc9931194866528853c8eb787cb9f.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TEo9DP9F0nI/AAAAAAAADJw/ZPJn5waK9p4/s400/l_68cbc9931194866528853c8eb787cb9f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497273421190779506" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TEo9C2eMbZI/AAAAAAAADJo/Vt7Vs5VOgQ0/s1600/l_811297fce208854aec61a639dd24b4d4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TEo9C2eMbZI/AAAAAAAADJo/Vt7Vs5VOgQ0/s400/l_811297fce208854aec61a639dd24b4d4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497273414350302610" /></a>whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-24891462789834532922010-07-22T22:22:00.003-04:002010-07-22T23:28:12.404-04:00round hole, square peg? or something.so, i have titled three different posts tonight. forcing myself back to blogging like i used to is proving to be a task.<br /><br />first i thought, oh, i'll post about how i'm potty training mallory and how i wish i had SOME clue how the nannies in Et did it so efficiently. i'll write about the differences in him when he was her age. nah...<br /><br />oh, i could write about turning 30. how it's been over a month and i'm sort of over it. a lot of my favorite people are over 30. although i do see some differences in my face that i'm not thrilled with. nah, who cares? <br /><br />i guess i could write about my relationships and how i feel like some of them are being well maintained while others suffer and fade. and how i am okay with it...sometimes it's just a natural progression. i imagine things will change with some of them, and then again, maybe not. i am so grateful for the people i know are always true and positive. but no, who cares about all that drama? <br /><br />oh, ok, i'll post about the pregnancy. oh, dear god, no. i'm already one of THOSE women who doesn't stop whining or bragging, or both. i will refrain from that topic SOMETIMES. ;)<br /><br />OOH....i know. lindsay lohan? mel gibson? no. the Governor primary? snooze. how much i like ke$ha's new song? embarrassing. <br /><br />so, in closing, while yeah....i'm blogging, it's not the same. posts use to write themselves in my head all day long and all i had to do at night was type it out. so much more fun. but i'll keep forcing it, and i hope it doesn't annoy my 6 remaining readers. i think it will come back to me...i think...<br /><br />;)whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-74254692292921002362010-07-22T00:32:00.002-04:002010-07-22T00:44:12.208-04:00what'd i miss?so, i went back through some of my old posts. what in the world happened? i feel like someone else wrote some of it. i feel so much more...chickenshit now about what i write. what is that? maybe i was a little TOO out there? i read the comments and wonder how in the world i stopped communicating with some of these amazing women. there are SO many new babies...mostly GIRLS...that i need to catch up on. so, i'd like to update my blogroll...who's new and fabulous? (by fabulous i mean honest and relatable and flawed like the rest of us) the CHS forum is long gone, and so i'd love to "meet" some more families that you guys are reading about. send me links!whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488344640186055079.post-60296481950699936502010-07-18T20:41:00.003-04:002010-07-18T21:19:43.279-04:00ramblings of july.<insert sheepish and regretful verse about missing blogging and promises in vain to return regularly here><br /><br /><realization that i'm probably not on anyone's bloglist anymore anyway here><br /><br /><remembering that this blog feeds to facebook, and that people on there get enough of my presence as it is><br /><br /><whatever><br /><br />things are simultaneously hectic and calm here, somehow. we manage to keep busy, while still carving out pajama days filled with movies and blankets on the floor and various horrible food items. this pregnancy (the surprise one, yes) is sucking my will to live some days. i'm moody, overly sensitive, hungry, full, restless, blah...adam is being good...he's currently at the store getting me fruit. several kinds. siiiiigh. i know, it's a rough life. <br /><br />we are excited for the baby though. people seem a little shocked at the idea of another one, but i don't care. we are making my office into a nursery...kinda symbolic, seeing as i once had a need for a computer, files, shelves...and now i just need space to store all these youngins. ;) <br /><br />adam and i are also slowly working on some house projects. we got the basement pretty much finished, and our roommate mike is living down there comfortably. it's pretty awesome. we have a schedule made of what's happening next around here and when to start them so we can stay organized. my garden didn't get as big as i thought it would. it's so HOT, and i'm so TIRED, and i wish i had committed more, but i didn't. we have had some awesome squash, peppers, and tomatoes though, and that's not a bad start.<br /><br />the kids are so...wow. so big. some days we have a blast, laughing, making up little games, dancing....some days, they have me on the verge of madness. (again with the hormones). charlie starts school in 2 weeks, and i can't believe it. i know he will love it. i am hoping his teacher has her wits about her. ;) he's a handful, but such a charmer. other than today when we stomped off and called me Medusa. nice. <br /><br />mallory jessica will be 2 years old next month. she's not a big talker. i'm not worried, as she is obviously vastly intelligent and beautiful. she says a new word almost every day, and that girl is COUNTRY. tonight she said "my ball", but it came out sounding like "mah baww"...lawd help. that is a stubborn one, too. but again, she won't be taking any crap, and i love that. <br /><br />adam's still traveling and it can be hard some weeks. sometimes on monday i feel as if thursday will never get here. but we keep our routine going and it always comes, and my quiet weeknights are always enjoyed. i could not function at ALL without our nanny, Meredith. that girl is an angel from heaven. thanks to her, i can get up, get ready for work, work all day and never worry about whether the kids are having a good day. she's amazing. <br /><br />work. work is really good. i enjoy it a lot. jessie and i basically hit the town and sell yellow page ads. some are long time customers that we renew, and some are new ones that we work ourselves. it's a lot of fun meeting people, and only once has anyone been totally rude. **dontgototiremasterthomastongacoughcough** it's nice to get out and work and still have a flexible schedule for the kids. and for all the doctor's appointments i have coming up.<br /><br />if #3 is a girl, she will be Piper. we're still at it over boys' names, so feel free to name our kid. ;)<br /><br />if i can remember how to blog properly...i will keep trying. didn't i use to be a little better at this? sheesh. :/<br /><br />here are a couple of photos of my goofball kids:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TEOmDJ5sE7I/AAAAAAAADJU/1n_wrkAVX-Y/s1600/DSC_0643.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TEOmDJ5sE7I/AAAAAAAADJU/1n_wrkAVX-Y/s400/DSC_0643.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495418543449838514" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TEOmChSCYII/AAAAAAAADJM/IZMN_U6qU_c/s1600/DSC_0642.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TEOmChSCYII/AAAAAAAADJM/IZMN_U6qU_c/s400/DSC_0642.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495418532546109570" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TEOmCZXzQVI/AAAAAAAADJE/8_f7SNAGvlc/s1600/DSC_0641.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TEOmCZXzQVI/AAAAAAAADJE/8_f7SNAGvlc/s400/DSC_0641.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495418530422800722" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TEOmCKBuRVI/AAAAAAAADI8/NudLZt2XTEw/s1600/DSC_0638.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zGAaqTDWdzA/TEOmCKBuRVI/AAAAAAAADI8/NudLZt2XTEw/s400/DSC_0638.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495418526303667538" /></a>whatever_heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06976633997537872632noreply@blogger.com5