A Day at The Beauchamps

NaBloPoFAIL...

2010-12-07T19:24:00.007-05:00

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...

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!

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. ;)

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.

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?

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.

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.

Here they are with Adam at dinner aboout a month ago. :)

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.)

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. ;)

pitchers. :)

2010-11-02T19:30:00.008-04:00

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.

Fall Fun '10

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...

Don't worry, America. Jess and I ventured to DC to restore sanity. All is well.

Yay, pictures!

*chirp.....chirp....chirp....*

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. ;)

NaBloPoMo....Omg.

2010-11-01T21:37:00.003-04:00

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. <3

Piper.

2010-10-02T11:11:00.005-04:00

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?
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.
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.
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.
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.

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?)
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!"
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. :)

Not My Kid.

2010-10-01T15:45:00.005-04:00

Like many of you, the news of the now five 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.

I don't need to explain how horribly unfair it is...that these kids suffer SO MUCH 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.

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.

My next thought was "What if my child was the bully?"

That really made me think...What does it feel like for THOSE 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 TELL 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 PURPOSELY teach their children to hate? If not there, then where is it coming from?

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?

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?

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 OUR 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.

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 WILL however, grow up KNOWING that it is wrong to belittle, to tease, to call names, to cyber-bully, to prank people who seem different than they are.

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. HOW SCARY IS THAT? How awe-inspiring is it that we can change it?

I URGE my fellow parents and future parents to talk to your children. 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 afraid that thier parents won't support them, so they don't ask for help.

It's not being gay that's killing childen...it's the shame that they feel keeping it secret.

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.

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.
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. Open the door to the conversation and never close that door.

Print the Pledge. Sign it. Do a self portrait with it, post it, share it, be an example.
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.

Click here to find the Pledge on Facebook.

how to make an angry hormonal woman die laughing.

2010-09-30T15:09:00.003-04:00

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.

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.

so, today in his bookbag, i find this card...

i laughed SO HARD. 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.

road trip?

2010-09-19T21:50:00.002-04:00

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Rally to Restore Sanity

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

*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*

i think i need to be there!

Fall-ish

2010-09-19T08:53:00.005-04:00

I 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.

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.

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. ;)

here's a little video i got of the chase...look for the red shirt in the middle of the crowd.

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.

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.

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??

it's Sunday again!

2010-09-06T08:24:00.004-04:00

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. ;)

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.

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.

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 single umbilical artery 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.

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.

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.

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.

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! ;)

Happy Labor Day to all y'all!

gratitude.

2010-09-01T21:49:00.002-04:00

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.
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. <3

not ok.

2010-08-30T22:02:00.003-04:00

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?

what happened.

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!!!!!!!!"

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.

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.

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.

the response was all a blur except one line. to paraphrase, it said...

ready?

there are kids being adopted from other countries, while there are kids here in the US who need homes.

*pause for suspense*

*pause for you to collect yourself"

*pause for you to go find another blog to read if you agree with this statement*

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."

is that not what it sounds like?

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.

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!

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.

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.

how many times have people, some my friends, made comments that made me cringe.

taking the car to the Mexicans to get cleaned.
do you know that one Indian at the BP station?
black folks can't drive or swim. it's just fact. i'm not racist.

right there. those words. here's what i'm saying, or trying to, but not making clear.

IF YOU FEEL THE NEED TO PREFACE YOUR FORTHCOMING STATEMENT WITH "I'M NOT RACIST, BUT..."

DON'T SAY IT TO ME.

ever.

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". you don't know shit about any one's truth but your own.

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.

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.

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...
...but when you dehumanize someone by making their RACE, or where they were BORN, the main aspect of who they ARE as a PERSON, their ONLY identifying factor....THAT'S NOT OKAY!!!!!!

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.

outwit.

2010-08-23T20:13:00.003-04:00

tucking charlie in tonite, we had this conversation. i thought it was pretty clever...on his part, not on mine. :/

cf: "can i watch a movie?'

me: "nope"

cf: "but i'm scared! i'm scared without you in here or a movie on. what if bad guys come?"

me: "bad guys won't come here."

cf: "why?"

me: "because...all the windows and doors are locked. and we don't have anything fancy."

cf: "what if they break the window?"

me: "then i will call the police and they will go to jail".

cf: "what if they come down the chimney?"

(here's the part were i start uber failing)

me: "ha! no way. only santa can come down the chimney."

cf: "but what if the bad guys have a ladder?"

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."

(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.)

cf: "what if they break the lock?"

(ugh. brace yourself)

me: "um, it's made of a special, unbreakable metal."

cf: (pondering) "so, how does santa get in?"

me: (proudly) "well, we unlock it on christmas, silly! duh!"

cf: (confused) "aaaand what if the bad guys come on christmas?"

me: (facepalm)

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.

(how does one do that exactly?)

what else?

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.
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!;)

presenting:

here's a review:

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.

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.)

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!

we find out the sex of hethen #3 NEXT FRIDAY! how is this flying by so quickly? eeek!!

more soon. by soon i mean, whenever i feel like bloggins. g'nite!

TREASURE!!

2010-08-17T16:53:00.003-04:00

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! ;)

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.

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.

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.

Jessie with our first find!

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. ;)

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.
me signing in at The Big Red G cache:

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.

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??

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. ;)

jessie discovering treasure at Birdie Clubhouse:

the fun starts here:

http://www.geocaching.com/

i hope some more new people discover this and love it as much as i already do.

4+2= fun

2010-08-09T22:02:00.005-04:00

mallory'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.

thanks and love to our guests. <3

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. ;)

Circus Circus!

2010-08-05T21:50:00.004-04:00

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.
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...

awesome gift, great aunt and uncle. :)

um...these photos are backwards. this is me not caring. hehe.

can't wait to party on Sunday!

Funny Girl...

2010-08-04T09:40:00.004-04:00

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".

here are the FOUR babies that mallory now diligently cares for daily:

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.

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. ;)

here's our girl playing, and generally being adorable, on her last day as a "something-month-old"... :)

An Ounce of Pretention...

2010-08-03T10:49:00.002-04:00

...is worth a pound of manure...

one of my favorite quotes from Steel Magnolias. and a thought that crosses my mind often lately.

Warning: this is a rant.

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.

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. ;)

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.

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.

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 myself 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.

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 THAT IS THE FREAKING POINT OF LIVING HERE.

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.

First Day Jitters? Not here!

2010-08-02T20:44:00.004-04:00

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....

wait for it...

I SLEPT LATE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

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.

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!"

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.

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?

CHARLIE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RUG DOING THE ROBOT!!!

i will never, ever, forgive myself for not getting a picture. but i didn't. we're all gonna have to move on. ;)

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.

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*

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?? ;)

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.

Open House, 1 of...42?

2010-07-29T20:22:00.005-04:00

42...assuming we have 3 kids and none of them fail a grade or drop out of school....hmmm. ANYWHO.

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.

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.

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. ;)

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.

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. :)

school prep and no princess.

2010-07-27T20:58:00.003-04:00

it must be confessed.

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.
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?
here's a sad picture taken by a mean, mean, mama.

mal and i in happier times. ;)

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*

cute, right? surely someone will want it one day!

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. :)

charlie is getting excited to begin Pre-K...in 6 days. *panic*
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. :)

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.

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.

what are we doing tonight?

2010-07-23T19:37:00.003-04:00

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:

"what are we doing tonight?"

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.

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.

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. ;)

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.

round hole, square peg? or something.

2010-07-22T22:22:00.003-04:00

so, i have titled three different posts tonight. forcing myself back to blogging like i used to is proving to be a task.

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...

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?

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?

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. ;)

OOH....i know. lindsay lohan? mel gibson? no. the Governor primary? snooze. how much i like ke$ha's new song? embarrassing.

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...

;)

what'd i miss?

2010-07-22T00:32:00.002-04:00

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!

ramblings of july.

2010-07-18T20:41:00.003-04:00

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.

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. ;)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

if #3 is a girl, she will be Piper. we're still at it over boys' names, so feel free to name our kid. ;)

if i can remember how to blog properly...i will keep trying. didn't i use to be a little better at this? sheesh. :/

here are a couple of photos of my goofball kids:

stuff my kid says.

2010-03-24T19:56:00.005-04:00

ah, another day, another need for more than a status update or tweet. tonite at dinner cf cracked me up and also gave me pause with one of "those" moments. i'll start with the funny stuff.

CF: (eating ice cream very slowly)
me: "Charlie, are you done with that?"
CF: "no, i'm just eating slowly. i'm maintaining, so i don't get brainfreeze."
me: (busts out laughing)

later...

i'm cleaning up and come back into the dining room
CF: (singing)"the party don't start till Mom walks in!"
me: (busts out laughing again)

and then...

something came up about CF being a daddy one day when he's grown.
CF: "when i'm a man, i want to be just like daddy".
me: "you will, babe. you will be big and tall and strong, and maybe have a family if you want"
CF: "no, i mean i want to LOOK like daddy"
me: "well, we all look different. we all just look like ourselves."
CF: "i'm talking about all the same colors, like daddy, like pink and orange and stuff."
(ha...is adam orange?)
me: "oohhh, well, i got ya. the thing about skin is that most of us are different colors, and that's a good thing. you will always have brown skin, and dad will always have that pinkish skin, and when you are a man, you will still be brown. your skin is great and it's beautiful."
CF: "aww, thanks, mom."

and that was that.

so not a big conversation, but one of many that are coming. this time though, i didn't panic. i didn't wonder if i said the right things. i didn't overanalyze. he's a kid, asking questions that any kid would ask. i CAN do this, and i'm going to do a good job. i know that now...finally.

i'm learning not to be afraid of the big, bad wolves anymore. i feel sorry for them, mostly.

one more thing he said...
""mom, you crack me up when you dance."

get used to it, kid! ;)

perpetual motion...

2010-02-21T19:39:00.003-05:00

for once, i can't fit my thoughts into a tweet or status update...which brings me here, to my sweet blog home. like an old friend who you neglect your time with, even though you love them the best. so much is going on. SO MUCH.
the end of '09/start of '10 has been all about 2 things for me: gifts and change. gifts, mostly in the form of people...i started noticing all these new people coming into my life and i really paid attention to them all, and feel so lucky to have found them...folks like Adam Grubbs, who sweetly looks into my soul and isn't afraid to tell me what he sees. Drew Odom, who inspires me like no one else has, both to help others and listen to what my heart tells me...about gardening, and life. ;) Sandi Bruegger...our instant online connection, and her unbelievable comfort to me in one of my lowest moments. Ashley Woods, who is FUN and spiritual in the best way. Jessie Smith, acquaintance turned superfriend in about 6 days. Amber Bridges, who cracks me up and makes me feel saner.
okay, i know, this isn't the Oscars of Heather's Life as of February or anything. i just wanted to acknowledge a few of the people and look up and say "thanks for them all." i just don't think it's an accident.

as far as change....sometime in the last few weeks, some of the things inside me have clawed their way out. i'm going back to work...i'm finally starting a BIG garden, complete with chickens (because ONE of those gifts Drew gave me were the best eggs i have tasted in my life)...my sweet babies are growing up before my very eyes, and sometimes it hurts more than i'd like to admit. Adam has been home, off work, for several weeks now, and while the money part sucks, the time together has been bliss. i adore him. simple as that. he goes back out tomorrow and i already feel a little ache, but i know it's for the best. with lots of help, i planned one of the best parties, well, ever, i'm pretty sure. i was in a serious car accident with a dear friend last month. i lost 4 fingernails, but gained some incredible perspective. it brings tears to think about it, but i know how lucky we both are. and also, i became blonde. ;)

all in all, we've been a little quieter, a little simpler, and a little slower than we used to, and it's so welcome. i'm turning 30 this summer...what better time to start learning new things and give in to the temptation of fresh veggies, less drama, oh, COUPONING (i know!) and dirty, precious kids running around the yard? this party girl is ready to dig deeper and do more. and i think we need a new home for it all. Adam, who is very into the couponing, warming up quickly to the chickens, and iffy on the gardening, agrees. ;) i'm not saying goodbye just yet. i have a few more posts i want to do, but look for our new space soon, as this TiVo addicted, McNugget eating family tries to make some changes. (disclaimer: we will still be watching TiVo and eating nuggets. ahem).

Have a great week!

every drop counts.

2009-12-04T11:07:00.004-05:00

a couple of weeks ago, i rolled groggily out of bed and stumbled over to the sink, as i do each morning. i slapped up the faucet, and was surprised by the spitting, random burst of water that shot out, and then quickly disappeared. i wanted nothing more in the world than to brush my teeth at that moment. we had twenty minutes to leave for preschool if we were going to make it on time. (i never claimed to be a morning person.) i gave an exasperated sigh, and went on with my morning. needless to say, the frustration was immense.

since that day, we have learned that the motor is going out on our water pump for the well we use. there's a trick to getting it to come back on, but it's, well...tricky. i have cussed, i have stomped, and i have pitched total fits about the inconvenience of this problem. when i turn on a faucet, dammit, there should be fresh, clean water at my disposal. that's the way it is, right? i need to do dishes! wash clothes! bathe myself or the kids! water the tree! drink! brush my teeth! flush the toilet! wash my hands!

as these days have passed, i have started to keep a pitcher filled by the sink, in case it goes out. i stopped buying bottled water. i remember a shot in charlie's lifebook video that shows his birthmother with a large plastic jug on her shoulder, beginning the walk to get water. i'm now calm when i make the (much shorter) walk out to the pump house with the screwdriver to turn it back on again. it happens up to 5 times a day. it happens in the cold, in the rain, at night. it's even happened while i was IN the shower. in a few more days, when we are added to county water, and we don't have this problem anymore, i hope i don't start to take it for granted again.

water. it's the most basic human necessity. we need it for almost everything. while we soak in hot, relaxing tubs...gallons of water, someone in the world looks at their thirsty child. can you even imagine? it's not fair. forget not being able to find a certain Barbie doll or Wii game this season. How about not being able to bathe, or take a drink without becoming sick? PLEASE donate something. everyone who contributes to this cause becomes a drop in the well that will be built. enough drops, and we fill it to the top.

Click here to view our page and donate online.

Click here for the Photography Fundraiser Event Information.

Laughing With

2009-12-01T14:31:00.002-05:00

so, here i sit, editing my little heart out to Pandora (Bon Iver with a little Ani thrown in) and on comes this Regina Specktor song i had never heard. it gave me CHILLS. as someone who religion is kinda lost on, it made me feel...something. which is progress. i don't know what the something was...whatevs, it's just a good song! listen...

Tree Day!

2009-11-28T21:35:00.005-05:00

the Saturday after Thanksgiving holds yet another cherished family tradition. we all go together to get our trees, and hang out at the parents' house and eat oyster stew. it's a good way to round out the first holiday weekend. the girls fuss over every tree before finally picking the perfect one, while the men follow with the saw, eyes rolling. of course, once we get home and have to put the tree UP without killing each other, the fun really begins. ;)
Getting all three kids to smile or even NOT freak out is a feat, but today was a nice surprise.

we get to Brown's Tree Farm and Charlie immediately grabs my hand and pulls me, screaming, over to see who was there. Mallory was perplexed, at best.

the kids loved the pony ride!

this year, the decorating was much smoother than the past couple of years. looking back over the old blogs (this is my third bloggy holiday!) i can see a big difference. we must be getting better at this. ;)as we were breaking out all the goods, i thought it's so nice to see all these familiar snowmen and singing penguins every year. our holiday decor is NOT fancy. it's mostly dollar store chic. but i like it.
unfortunately, mal conked out and missed most of the action. she had enough excitement for one day, and i'm sure tomorrow the battle of mal vs. tree will commence. sigh. any tips for keeping toddlers out of the tree??
as of now, the kids are snug in thier beds...i'm sipping coffee and trying to keep adam calm as he watches GA, GA Tech. So far, he is no happy elf. ;)
happy decorating!

ThanksGiving-your-family-hell.

2009-11-27T17:01:00.004-05:00

i hope everyone had an excellent turkey/tofurkey day. ours was fabulous. we played on the farm, ate way too much, and spent time with the family and friends. there was football, naps, laughter. you know, probably similar to your day...
but this family...must live in fear of the holidays. i found this on awkwardfamilyphotos.com, and it was originally posted last year, so this may be old news, but i just saw it and laughed at least 12 calories off. from the blog listed at the bottom, it appears to be a real email!
can you IMAGINE??

From: Marney
As you all know a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner does not make itself. I need to ask each of you to help by bringing something to complete the meal. I truly appreciate your offers to assist with the meal preparation.

Now, while I do have quite a sense of humor and joke around all the time, I COULD NOT BE MORE SERIOUS when I am providing you with your Thanksgiving instructions and orders. I am very particular, so please perform your task EXACTLY as I have requested and read your portion very carefully. If I ask you to bring your offering in a container that has a lid, bring your offering in a container WITH A LID, NOT ALUMINUM FOIL! If I ask you to bring a serving spoon for your dish, BRING A SERVING SPOON, NOT A SOUP SPOON! And please do not forget anything.

All food that is to be cooked should already be prepared, bring it hot and ready to serve, warm or room temp. These are your ONLY THREE options. Anything meant to be served cold should, of course, already be cold.

HJB—Dinner wine

The Mike Byron Family
1. Turnips in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. Please do not fill the casserole all the way up to the top, it gets too messy. I know this may come as a bit of a surprise to you, but most of us hate turnips so don’t feel like you a have to feed an army.
2. Two half gallons of ice cream, one must be VANILLA, I don’t care what the other one is. No store brands please. I did see an ad this morning for Hagan Daz Peppermint Bark Ice Cream, yum!! (no pressure here, though).
3. Toppings for the ice cream.
4. A case of bottled water, NOT gallons, any brand is ok.

The Bob Byron Family
1. Green beans or asparagus (not both) in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. If you are making the green beans, please prepare FOUR pounds, if you are making asparagus please prepare FIVE pounds. It is up to you how you wish to prepare them, no soupy sauces, no cheese (you know how Mike is), a light sprinkling of toasted nuts, or pancetta, or some EVOO would be a nice way to jazz them up.
2. A case of beer of your choice (I have Coors Light and Corona) or a bottle of clos du bois chardonnay (you will have to let me know which you will bring prior to 11/22).

The Lisa Byron Chesterford Family
1. Lisa as a married woman you are now required to contribute at the adult level. You can bring an hors d’ouvres. A few helpful hints/suggestions. Keep it very light, and non-filling, NO COCKTAIL SAUCE, no beans of any kind. I think your best bet would be a platter of fresh veggies and dip. Not a huge platter mind you (i.e., not the plastic platter from the supermarket).

The Michelle Bobble Family
1. Stuffing in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please make the stuffing sans meat.
2. 2.5-3 qts. of mashed squash in a casserole with a lid and serving spoon
3. Proscuitto pin wheel – please stick to the recipe, no need to bring a plate.
4. A pie knife

The June Davis Family
1. 15 LBS of mashed potatoes in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please do not use the over-size blue serving dish you used last year. Because you are making such a large batch you can do one of two things: put half the mash in a regulation size casserole with lid and put the other half in a plastic container and we can just replenish with that or use two regulation size casserole dishes with lids. Only one serving spoon is needed.
2. A bottle of clos du bois chardonnay

The Amy Misto Family (why do I even bother she will never read this)
1. A pumpkin pie in a pie dish (please use my silver palate recipe) no knife needed.
2. An apple pie in a pie dish, you can use your own recipe, no knife needed.

Looking forward to the 28th!!

Marney

(kindly submitted by Kara at http://californiakara.blogspot.com)

i would totally show up with pizza. or Krystals.

keep enjoying your couches, people! it's a looooong, gorgeous weekend.
tomorrow...we break out the Christmas. :)

New Moan.

2009-11-21T19:49:00.003-05:00

hehe. forgive the suggestive title, will ya? you know you twilight freaks REALLY go for the boys. and i do mean BOYS. several times during the movie, i almost slapped myself. "he is SEVENTEEN! calm yourself!" phew.

okay, so the movie. due to my first ever peer pressure experience where i was NOT the person doing the pressuring, my girlfriends and i decided at the last minute to see the midnight preview. i also had tickets for friday night, so OKAAAY, i went again. i should be able to put together a proper review. if you have not seen it, and plan to...here's a hint. don't read this. i'm going bullet style, 'cause i got no review skills.

-i really, really liked the movie.

-i didn't feel AS giddy as i did watching Twilight, but i realize that New Moon is in fact, better.

-i thought the actors did MUCH better this time. Kristen Stewart didn't fidget quite as much, Taylor Lautner seemed much more confident, and Rob Pattinson, well. I mean, he IS Edward.

-Taylor Lautner's body. (please, i know, it's sick. don't report me.)

-spirit Edward was a little cheeseball, but i got used to it. i LOVED the vision of he and Bella, underwater after she jumped off the cliff. The whole underwater scene was really cool.

-i loved when the Volturi painting started to move. it was visually beautiful, and a great part of the story.

-Aro and Jane kick total ASS. best bad guys evah. well, except Lestat. cmon.

-The comic relief was great again. without Mike, Eric, and Jessica, the movies would be totally laughless. other than a couple good cracks by Alice.

-i loved that i found myself rooting for Jacob at times. that's how good some of his and Bella's scenes together were. i felt like a traitor, but man, it felt good!

-the CGI was "eh", but i didn't care. the wolves were awesome.

-when jacob phased in mid-air, even though it was in the trailer i saw 586 times, i was pumped. such a good, suspensful moment.

-victoria bored me this time, other than the water scene.

-some of the camera work made me dizzy! when Bella lies down in the woods, i got quesy, and that never happens to me. also when sam jumps off the cliff. eeks.

-i missed the other Cullens. one of my favorite things about Twilight was all the Cullen time. here they were not as involved, but it is true to the story.

-what the heck happened to Edward's silver Volvo?

-i thought emo Bella was great, and really sad. she could have looked a LITTLE more haggard, but i thought it was fine. the nightmare moments were heartbreaking!

-watching Bella come back to life as she and Jake worked on the bikes was adorable...

-but it was weird when she threw the slice of pizza and he caught a tool.

all in all, i enjoyed New Moon. i'm not nearly as Twihard as i was last year, but it's still a really fun escape. and big thanks to my Adam for going with me and only making minimal jokes throughout. ;) bring on Eclipse, June 20th!!

about a girl...

2009-11-18T00:20:00.003-05:00

almost 2 years ago, i peed on a stick. as i sat there, waiting, my heart began to beat a little faster. doubt turned into shock as the blank screen turned into two small, pink lines. it was in that instant that i knew i was going to have a daughter. i don't know how i knew, but i did. 10 weeks later, i was lying on a table for an ultrasound. still not a moment of doubt, and the nurse confirmed what i already believed. a girl. apart from thoughts of bright tutus and pigtails, i considered what it was going to mean, raising a girl. obviously, i am one. and so, my perspective of what her life would be was a little clearer for me. i thought about my relationship with my mother, and how i so want that for she and i. i felt, and still feel, privileged to be a part of such a sacred bond.
as i watch my daughter grow, and oh, she is growing, i feel lucky and amazed every day. she's mine, and i'm hers, for now, and i hope in some way, for always. she's stubborn and sweet. loving and independent. she likes spicy food and babydolls. she loves to sleep, and dance. she's engaging, and when i watch others play with her, and enjoy her company, i swell with pride that i get to be the one to keep her. to get her dressed and watch her grin when she loves what she's wearing. to share my jewelry with her, and indulge in her cuddles whenever i can.
i am trying to remember to put her down and let her walk more. let her explore this world that i hope she finds as beautiful as i do. she's not even 2, and i find myself already wanting to make her understand how special she is, and how beautiful and smart. i want her to be confident and strong, and i know firsthand how hard that journey will be. but i made it there, and i know she will, too.
i will look around soon, any minute now, and she will be a real, live girl. with homework, crushes, crazy curly hair, and doubt and happiness. a few brief moments after that one, she will be a real, live woman. with friends, and a partner, and a favorite wine, and a home, and maybe children of her own. and still with a mother who will hope that she is happy deep down to her soul. i hope we are always close. i can't wait to see what this sweet little being will paint on this world.
i love you, mallory j.

What's the zip for the North Pole?

2009-11-16T22:33:00.005-05:00

Tonight before dinner, Marlena and I sat down with the littles to write some letters about how good we have all been this year. (I totally was.) Charlie wrote some of his himself, by copying letters I had written. My little genius.

(Marlena used baby Cullen's letter to ask for personal items, including, but not limited to, a pair of skinny jeans and the New Moon soundtrack...but I digress.);)

Cullen doesn't mind. :)

Mal just cannot decide, apparently...

SO...to determine if Santa will indeed be bringing any of this loot, is the elf. You may have heard of Elf on a Shelf. Ours appeared this weekend, via my awesome mom, and Hallmark. We let Charlie name him, and so the tradition of Indiana Jones' watchful eye was born. I think most people wait until Thanksgiving to break out the elfage, but...I can always use the extra eyes. ;)

The World According to Chuck.

2009-11-16T10:55:00.007-05:00

This is fun for me, and close to my heart, being the picture lover that I am . Adam's work camera was no longer useable for him, because the display screen broke. The camera still worked, though, and so he gave it to Charlie. Best idea ever. Looking at the photos this morning from the past few weeks was so much fun. He hasn't seen these yet, but he will no doubt be proud of his artistic vision. Enjoy the view from Charlie height. (Captions also by the artist.)
Bouncy ball!

Mommy driving carefully.

A suckah.

Chahlie.

Captain America, sideways.

Mallory in the carseat.

Daddy's picking up Mallory.

Daddy, sitting.

Daddy, about to grab me.

My feet, and my leg.

Banana. (But really, it's the sun.)

Down the stairs.

My mommy's room!

The kitchen, with my walkie-talkie.

That's where Daddy keeps the Wii remotes!

Charlie Boshanks.

A cookie on my little table.

Daddy.

Da fwah. (floor.)

The man's got skills. :) Give your kiddos a camera (an old one) and see what they come up with!

Fickle Musician...

2009-10-09T11:38:00.004-04:00

Mallory has a new love, one that Adam swears he taught her, but I dunno. I think she's a natural. So of course, I grab the camera and get a shot of my baby's incredible talent. I did refrain from calling Oprah, barely.

Cute, right??

And then...just like that, the music business became too much, and Mal quit, before the pressure overtook her life and she ended up in baby rehab.

My girl is so smart. I guess we will have to work on her many other natural gifts instead. ;)

Here's another vid of my musically inclined kids having one of thier many jam sessions a few weeks ago. Errr...you may wanna turn down your volume...a lot.

Party on!

on the road, again

2009-09-30T20:33:00.005-04:00

I am sitting on my couch, rested, showered, and really happy about the great times we have spent with family in the last couple of weeks. We literally have not been home for more than a few hours in 8 days or so. Adam was scheduled to computerize a brand new ChicFilA in the Charlotte, NC area, and I immediately volunteered me and the kids to be travel companions. (Adam at least faked being thrilled about this;). His aunt and uncle live there, and we never have had a lot of time to spend with them. We had a great time...other than my nervousness about the kids breaking stuff (they didn't!). Dodie showed us around Charlotte, and I fell in love with the city. It's beautiful...the perfect southern city with a ton of charm. It's a lot different than the good ole ATL. (though i love her, too).
Some photos from our time with Rick and Dodie!
Best cookies ever...gotta find me a Trader Joe's nearby!

Rick is an awesome grillman...runs in the family!

At the Children's Museum...

Checking out the Shipwreck exibit.

Mallory totally jacked my necklace that morning.

So, on our last day, Adam picked us up from the (beautiful) house around 5 to head home. Just had to make one more quick stop by the restaurant. Which of course led to almost SIX hours of waiting, driving around with the kids in the rain, panicking, singing every song I could remember from childhood, doing donuts in the parking lots, and eating lots of KFC mac and cheese. Adam now says that I jinx him when I tag along...I don't agree. :) Surely that printer cable issue would have happened anyway, right? The kids were GREAT in the car. We walked them at all the rest stops, fed them planty of french fries, and listened to the Chicken Dance cd at least 63 times. :)SO, they're fine, we're insane.
More stories from the road, coming soon!

September, remember?

2009-09-07T22:45:00.006-04:00

I can't believe how fast this year is flying by. My kids are huge! I'm getting so stoked for the fall...I cannot wait to take them to all the fairs and the farms. Mal is quite the adventurer, just like her bro.
Oh, update on the yard sale shenanigans...it went well. Our house is MUCH less cluttered, and while I do pop out to the garage now and then to glance at my old treasures (anything that didn't sell is out there, waiting for round 2), I am happy with less stuff.
ALSO...less stuff on my head is making me happy. I did it..cut it all off! I love it. I was worried that I would miss it, but it was such a hassle. I even like it messy. It's way more fun.
How's about some pics from my parents' house today...

Hoarder-line

2009-08-20T22:08:00.003-04:00

Okay...this is not our home. I am nowhere near this bad when it comes to throwing things away. But I am a clutterer, and I have a hard time getting rid of things. I have receipts from special dates, all of Charlie's art projects, old coke bottles, lamps that do not work...you get the idea. I hold on to things because they remind me of people or events. I know, everyone does, but it really is silly when you think about it. And it's just not good decorating sense. Just this weekend, Jess, very gently, referred to my corner cabinet in the dining room as "how old ladies decorate". I looked at it, opened my mouth to defend...and she's totally right. There's a vintage cup and plate, a frame of a poem from our wedding, and a bowl of dried flowers from various weddings and funerals we have attended. Not to mention a sun and moon candle I had in high school, some sort of little troll guy, and a little ceramic mushroom with a cute worm on it. This is all true, and as just as un-fabulous as you are probably picturing it.
So, with all this in mind, we have been talking about a yard sale. (No, I don't plan on selling the dead flowers...but maybe the troll.) Coinciding with this light bulb moment, the recession has come to call on the Beauchamp household. Money is tighter than it has ever been, as I am sure everyone has experienced. It's something I think we have tried to ignore. We go, go, go...and now it's time to pull back the reins, and make some changes. Simplifying our home while making some money at the same time is the first step.
Sounds easy, right? It would be, if I didn't have about 25% of the hoarder syndrome. For the last two days, I have strolled through the house, eyeballing the wicker end table that is gathering dust in a room that no one ever even goes in. But, in my mind, I could at any time rearrange the furniture and kick myself for selling the perfect table for like, 3 bucks. Remember the chandelier I pleaded with Adam to buy me from the store closing? Yeah, it's still in the basement, patiently waiting to be hung in the foyer. So, logically, I should sell it, right?
NO!
I really can't sell the chandelier. It's too cool. We will get around to hanging it, soon.
So, my challenge over the next 24 hours is to fight and (mostly) win these mini battles with myself (and undoubtedly with Adam, who will end up prying some random knick-knack out of my hands). If I haven't touched it, thought about it, used it, looked for it, or even smiled at it...it can go...right?? I do not want to be the crazy lady hauling things back into the house all afternoon.
Send clean, organized, money-makin' vibes!

NA

2009-08-19T18:22:00.003-04:00

Before continuing to read this blog post, please take the time to mentally take this quick survey:

*Do you nap often? Perhaps...too often?

*Do you feel you experience a higher quality of life when you nap?

*Is your napping becoming more frequent, perhaps habitual?

*Do you lie to friends and loved ones about the frequency, length or depth of your naps?

*Do you find yourself answering your phone in the middle of a nap using your best "I'm wide awake, of course!" voice?

*Do you hurriedly put your children down for their naps in order to crawl into bed to enjoy one for yourself, rather than work/laundry/prepare a healthy meal?

*Do you stay up until 1 or 2 am, banking on catching up the next afternoon?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you may have a problem. If you answered yes to all of them...you may be me.

Here's the deal: Charlie's back in preschool, 3 days a week from 8:15 to 11:30. Mallory would LOVE to go to sleep around 9 or 10, but then I would have to wake her up to go pick up the brother. I tried this the first day of school and it was a disaster. She woke up awfully cranky, and didn't go back to sleep until early evening. So every day since then, I have been keeping her awake (sooooo much fun) until after we pick him up and have lunch. After that, the kids get in their beds (Mallory usually gives me a look of "finally!") and all is quiet...As some of you know, we recently upgraded our bedding to white down. It's a king sized pillow top mattress. 800 thread count white Egyptian cotton sheets. The fattest, coziest down comforter ever, and four overstuffed down pillows. It's pretty much heaven on earth. So, I guess at some point, I started indulging in the afternoon nap with the kids. They usually sleep between two and three hours. You know the days. Cuddled in bed, silent house, ceiling fan on high above you...siiiigh. And me, I have always been a night owl. I don't love mornings, and don't enjoy going to bed early. You can see where this is going. The napping led to 2 am bedtimes some nights, which in return makes the nap practically a requirement! I know, get a job, loser. I have to break the cycle! I need help...I need Nappers Anonymous.

Summer Lovin'.

2009-08-18T09:37:00.007-04:00

This is how it went down:

Now, fall is right around the corner. Summer was great, but I am getting excited for crispy air, boots, jeans, kids in cute hats, new tv season, and oh yeah, even football. (Maybe...I'll try again).

Hello, old friend.

2009-08-18T00:05:00.004-04:00

So. Is it sane to feel sheepish towards a blog? It's not even a real thing or place...and yet typing this makes me feel a little sad. Like when you have waited a really long time to call a friend and you know you should, but you feel like it's awkward because you should have called them forever ago, but you just didn't? So, you don't and more time goes by and more time goes by until you are just an a-hole.
That's kinda how this feels. I feel so out of the loop and I pop into my bloggy friends lives and can't believe how fast time is flying by. I can't believe I didn't document my family's summer. Mallory's first steps. Charlie starting school again.
I am being a little hard on myself. It's just a blog, and it's not like, a requirement. But I miss it. Writer's block just should not happen when you have these two to hang with all day.
And hang we do. Adam is still gone most of the week, and we are getting back into our routine. Summer was amazing...I became an aunt to the cutest stinkin' newborn baby ever (Cullen's arrival gets it's own blog very soon)...we went to Asheville, NC. ..We hit the casinos in Biloxi for a wild night...We rented a boat with our friends and cruised around the lake...We went dancing, hung by the pool, had adventures with the kiddos, spent time with family. Saw PAUL MCCARTNEY... I actually got semi-tan, which for me is huge. I actually wore shorts, again...huge.

I wish I could pull out of my brain even half of the hilariousness that comes out of Charlie's mouth these days. The kid is something else. And every day, I see him getting older and honestly, it scares the mess outta me. I feel like he will be 15 next week. He is, as always, stubborn and "forgets to listen", but at the same time is as sweet and loving as ever. He's just SUCH a boy...all kinda rowdy.
Mallory is going to be a lot like him. She has a funny little sense of humor. She gets aggravated if she can't move something or pick up something on her own. She laughs at her brother all the time. She kisses and hugs and is in love with her babydoll, dada. (Yep, dada and dada mean two different things at this point).

Here are some pictures from the first day of school, and Malgal's first birthday party...

Here is the moment Cullen appeared on the planet:

And here is the first time I held him:

There is so much life in this LIFE I am living, and I really hope I don't waste any more memories by not sharing them here. There are more laughs, more babies on the way, more girls' nights out, more family dinners, weddings, trips...I don't want to miss my friends any more, and I don't want to leave any more gaps in our story.

What I'm sayin' is I'm back, baby.

Snack Attack!

2009-06-24T18:54:00.001-04:00

Charlie- "Can I have a snack?"

Me- "Uhh, no! You didn't eat any of your dinner!"

Charlie(rolling eyes)- "Okaaaaay, I'll have my dinner..."

Me- "Oh, you want your dinner now?"

Charlie- "Yeah, so I can have a snack!"

Sheesh!

Peekaboo!!

2009-06-23T13:43:00.005-04:00

Hello friends!! Here I am to well, blog! I won't even go into all the distractions and reasons for my absence...just want to do some catching up and see where it goes. I miss everyone ALOT though.
Today I attempted something ELSE I have been totally slacking on...photographing my youngins! It did not go well. Mallory was overdue for her nap, and Charlie just can't seem to remember where the camera is. BUT their outfits are so stinkin' cute, I will post the best of them here.
These first ones are my attempt at getting Mallory to sit still and smile pretty. She was so excited about a)the grass, and b)the dogs, that she just could not focus:

Now for the cute tye dye outfits...

You have got to be kidding me.

I would go back out for round 2, but it is TOO DANG HOT. Anyone else just to hot to go outside. We have yet to visit the waterpark, the zoo, or the park since preschool let out. Sad, I know. We have done the pool several times, though. I don't even remember being this hot last summer when I was pregnant.
Speaking of...my sis is getting a good dose of pregnant these days: We had her baby shower a couple of weeks ago...Baby Cullen is due in 4 little weeks!

What else is up? I am totally bummed about missing the EKC picnic AGAIN. I can't imagine how much fun it would be to meet blogfriends in person. Maaaaybe next year, and maaaaybe we will even get to meet the children of these lovely people...(by the way, I might have stopped blogging to protest the ridiculously long wait time of said lovely people's proposal ;)Read about the big day, it is a wonderful story. Congrats again, you guys.

What else? Last week, Adam invited us to go to work with him in Asheville, NC. Jess and I tagged along with the kids and had a great week. We saw the Biltmore on my birthday, which was awesome. The wine tasting was pretty fun, too. After 3.5 days there, Adam got a call to do a job in Biloxi, MS. Which happens to be (in my opinion) one of the happiest places on earth. So, in the car driving from Asheville, I am texting away searching for an overnight babysitter. Amber (who has moved back home, but is still our great babysitter) came through, and after the 4 hour drive from NC, we embarked on another 6 hour journey to MS. To gamble from midnight to 6 am, sleep until noon, and arrive home at 7pm. Phew!! It was a BLAST, and no, we didn't even hit the big one (this time...we will be back!)

All is well at the Beauchamps. The kids are awesome, the family is well and healthy, our friends are still as close as ever. I'll leave this post with a couple of our latest Charlie-isms:

"Mom, I'm a son. And you have to be very careful with sons!"

"Pop, don't say shit!" (oops).

(while playing Mario, to himself) "Missed me, missed me, now ya gotta kiss me!" (I have no idea where he heard this.)

"Earth is our planek, where we live, Mom. It's a good planek."

Ain'tsurance.

2009-05-13T09:58:00.003-04:00

So, I go to the drugstore this morning to pick up my birth control. I love my babies, but I NEED the pill right now. I had been using samples from my doc to make sure I was on the right one, so this was the first time I was getting them from the store. $62. Really?? I have never paid more than 20 bucks before. So I call the insurance company, and they let me know that I have a $100 deductible on all name brand drugs. So, they are telling me that our $1200 every three months to cover our family is not QUITE enough money, and that the also are going to need this drug deductible. I guess they would rather me get pregnant again, so that I could go through another pregnancy that they DON'T EVEN COVER. I'm so over these people.

It's really too bad I picked today to blog, because things have been going really, really well around here. I escaped to the beach for a weekend with my best friend, Adam and I are doing great, the kids are awesome. My sister is graduating from college this weekend, and my mom's 50th is tomorrow. Plans for this weekend's celebrations are in full swing, and life is good. So, here I am, in my first REALLY bad mood in weeks. Bleeeehhhh....Happier catchin up soon.

'cause ya gotta have faith...

2009-04-27T20:33:00.003-04:00

Okay, I'm ending my blog hiatus (hopefully, this time) with a bang...I have been wanting to write about this for a while now, and the time has come. I haven't managed to offend anyone since the election, and well, I guess I'm due.
Okay, I take that back. I'm not literally out to piss anyone off or be disrespectful...just want to voice my opinion, concerns, and questions.

Actually what I want to express here is that what I feel toward religion in general isn't contempt, it's more like...I feel left out of this club. I see people who have so much faith in what they believe in, and I'm thinking, "Well, why can't I have that?" And it's not that I don't WANT it, I just cannot make myself get it. I don't TRULY believe everything in the Bible...I don't TRULY know in my heart that there is one way to heaven, or that there even is one. And I can't fake it, either. I know that the meaning of the word "faith" has a lot to do with not having proof, and believing something anyway...but I'm just not there. It leaves me feeling like my soul lost out on some trait that allows me to believe without question. I see people quote scripture, and offer prayer, and I feel a little guilty when I smile and nod, all the while thinking, how come you have it?? Where's my big sign?
I have, in the last few years, started to sweat this whole thing a little less. I do believe in God, a God of some sort, and I really can't imagine the big guy/gal condemning folks who really did mean well to eternal fiery torture. Isn't that just...mean? And contrary to some people's beliefs, I DO pray. I pray all the time, and not just "O,God-I-am-about-to-run-this-red-light-please-don't let-me-die-right-now!" I have had some pretty spiritual moments where I felt such calm, and such a real presence with me (the most notable one happened to me in Paris) so I do not consider myself to be some heathen with no connection to the greater powers. I just cannot pretend to know what those may be. I HOPE there is more after this amazing life I am living...I hope to see my family members again...I hope to feel embraced by warmth and love and to never doubt anything again...But hope and faith are not the same. I know that many of you who do go to church and have that faith are probably shaking your heads, thinking about the many sermons you have heard about people who are saying the same thing as me..."If I am a good person, then SURELY, I will get in the gates, right??" And I know that Christians do not believe that is enough. But for now, it's all I got. I get uneasy when I hear that all gays are doomed, or that liberals are never really Christians...why not? So while I do not agree with many aspects of that major religion, I do admire faith in any form. I admire people who have that...thing. There is something beautiful about taking that leap. I hope one day I can. For now, I look at all religions as different paths to the same outcome. I think it's exciting that we can (or should be able to, as human beings) choose our own paths. And I don't like to think that heaven is won by being lucky enough to choose the right one.
So, in closing, I will say that if you do indeed, have the faith, I don't really want advice on how to get it. That sounds rough, but I have had many people try to help me out with this, all my questions and doubts, and I just think it's going to happen on it's own...or it won't. I do have moments of panic...Oh, shit, what if I DO die tomorrow and as it all slips away, I think...'all I had to do was accept Jesus as my personal Lord and Saviour, and I couldn't even do THAT? Come ON! I do, I do!' The closest I have gotten to having religion click with me was reading the book Eat, Pray, Love. Elizabeth's journey to God through meditation and prayer was amazing, and if only I could spend three months in an ashram in India, I bet I could do it to.
There I go again, ever the cynic...what's wrong with me??

CF talks...

2009-04-15T23:03:00.002-04:00

These have been all over, and I'm late to the game, but here's Chuck's interview!

1. What is something mom always says to you?
"don't do it"

2. What makes mom happy?
"clean up"
(Dang, I'm mean).

3. What makes mom sad?
"sit on Mallory"

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
"poopoo on Mallory's head!"
(Never happened, but he thought it was a funny thing to say...ew).

5. What was your mom like as a child?
"tickle her belly"

6. How old is your mom?
"I dunno"

7. What is your favorite song?
"liiiike, Bob Marley"

8. What is mommy’s favorite thing to do?
"playin' out in the yard"

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
"work downstairs with the 'lil puter and I always cry"
(Awww.)

10. What is your favorite movie?
"Surf's Up and Ghostbusters"

11. What is your mommy's name?
"Hedda"

12. What is your mom not very good at?
"I dunno, Mom"

13. What does your mom do for her job?
"get some money"
(if only it were that easy)

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
"peanut butta"
(I hate peanut butter and I never eat it. haha)

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
"pushin' me on the big boy swings"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
"Spongebob"

17. What do you and your mom do together?
"pway outside, Mom"

18. How are you and your mom the same?
(At this point, I lost him to a game of 'scatter the pillows all over the living room').

19. How are you and your mom different?
"Mom, you already said that"

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
"hug, just hug."

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
"to work"

:)

Oh, and so you know he's NOT a baby anymore:

Alright, Already.

2009-04-09T13:11:00.009-04:00

This is why I could never be one of those awesome bloggers who make the big bucks with advertising. Well, one reason...I have no discipline! I have plenty to blog, but not the mojo to do it. I can still stare blankly at Facebook for hours, and update my status every 20 minutes. Ah, well. I'm here now, kiddies. It's all gonna be okay.
I know the main thing your itching to see are Twilight party pictures. What a night.
Apryl worked her tush off on the decor. And other than red candle wax bleeding down my mantle onto the pillows, it was beautiful! (It looks like someone was murdered in my living room!Haha.) We had bloody butter popcorn, Bella's mushroom ravioli, Bloody Marys, punch, and vampire bitten cupcakes, courtesy of my sister, the cupcake queen.
Th stress was on just before people started arriving, so I WILL admit to hitting that red punch (not kool-aid) right at 7. Soooo, by the time the movie started, some of us ended up a little too giggly for the show and partied on the porch. WITH the soundtrack playing, so we weren't too out of the loop. It was an awesomely fun night.
Yes, Twilight shirts WERE passed around my the girls, in the most appropriate manner!
Enjoy!

THAT....was fun.

Two days later, we partied on for Charlie's THIRD birthday. He has requested a Ghostbusters party for months now. You can't really find that stuff these days, so the decor and shirts were handmade with love by Adam and I. We tried to use a lot of green, a la Slimer. It was a hit. We even made a "Slime the Ghostbusters" game. It was chilly (that makes TWO years in row) but the kids were able to play in the yard, kind of a kiddie afterparty. :)

What else? There's plenty going on, but I think I may have already reached my quota for the year o the "Life-is-hard-I-am-overwhelmed-what-the-hell-am-I-doing-here???" posts. It helps tremendously though, when I do have to post those, and read the amazing responses. We really aren't alone. It's amazing. Thank you for that.

How about a few more pics? Amber took some great ones of the kids one day while I was working...Gotta love that girl, she can do it all.

The kids are doing well. Mallory is turning into a bit of a mama's girl, which is sweet, until I want to put her down for any reason. Her first tooth finally came through on the bottom, so I'm sure that is part of it. She is still a great sleeper, so I am not complaining. Charlie is still crazy, still stubborn, and still awesome, as he will tell you upon meeting him.

Speaking of kids...looks like there is a puddle of ice cream with my name on it.
More soon!

I should really blog...

2009-04-02T09:16:00.000-04:00

...and I will, soon!

Welcome home, Edward.

2009-03-21T23:24:00.008-04:00

So this weekend has been pretty fantabulous. Friday night, Jess, Apryl, Amber and I got a little silly in preparation for the big day. Frozen margs (in the cold, not as much fun), Twilight clips on the Mac, and dancing in the living room. Apryl is our newbie...but I feel like we have been friends for a long time. She fits right in...which means she is crazy and awesome. :)The gals spent the night since we had to get up super early and go get our man!

Amber says, thank you Apryl!

Watching the kiss scene...know how I know? Check out the toes. Hehe.

This came too soon, but who needs sleep? Vampires don't.

Here we come!

He's OURS!

There was no one there but us and a couple of teenage girls. Oh, well. It was fun to get there early. We had extra time to do this:

Matching flip flops, courtesy of Apryl. Matching toes, courtesy of being just that cool.

Tonight we cooked out with some friends and family, and I am totally kicking myself for not getting one single photo of my Chantel. She lives too, too far away, but it was great having her and her fam down for the night. Here's a great one of me and my women, though:

Tomorrow we are on the move again. We have an Ethiopian gathering that I am really looking forward to, because we are going to meet some new familes, a few of whom live very close to us. This is exciting news, and I can't wait to chat them up...and eat a ton of delish Opia veggies! Email me if you are in the area and need details.

So, here's to new friends, old friends, sexy vampires, and turkey burgers.
It's been a great one!

Here's what's up.

2009-03-19T14:22:00.003-04:00

Okay, remember a jillion years ago when my partner and I were working on a new business venture? Well, it's time to unveil! When I was in the studio, I booked an account with the local dance studio. I really, really enjoyed it...the kids, the costumes,the parents. I remembered a conversation I had with Virginia, an awesome photographer that I sometimes second shoot weddings for, about the dance business. She knew a little about it, and about a year later, Twirlz was born. (Slowly...I was pretty pregnant). Now that things are settling down, and we are back in planning (and booking!) mode. Virginia and I are so excited to finally share the website she has been working on (it's one of her old ones, so nevermind the wrong title in the bar.)
I proudly present...
www.twirlzphotography.com

If anyone knows anyone who takes dance classes, send them our way!

Little darlin'...

2009-03-18T16:48:00.003-04:00

Clutter.

2009-03-17T22:50:00.002-04:00

I'm having issues. I feel like I am moving in slow motion, like I'm submerged in jello. (Always wanted to try that, by the way). Lately...no, that's a lie. More than lately. For a long, long time, I have struggled with some things. I can't even put a finger on all of them. Self-esteem, organization, motivation, purpose, courage, priorities...to name a few. I sometimes live like there is no tomorrow, and other times I worry that I have no time left and that nothing means anything. Some days the wind is at my feet, and I am unstoppable. Some days, I don't want to get out of bed, because I feel I can't do the things I need to do. Some people are so good at keeping it all together, and I haven't been, and it's catching up with me. In everything...I feel like I have put so many things on the back burner that there's now a fire in the kitchen. Ethiopia. I can't even pretend I am doing enough. Today when I read that Haregewoin Tererra had passed away, I cried, of course in honor of all she has done, but also because I remembered reading There is No Me Without You. I read it and was absorbed and overpowered and knew that I would always, always feel that way. And I do, but the intensity of it has faded. I'm scared I am losing Ethiopia. Because I am lazy, and I can't help but to live this crazy, nonstop life I have created. I can't put the right things first.
Adam. Yep, even that sweet man has been affected. (Please, Mom, don't panic...we are fine). But there has been something missing, or maybe just faded, and the best news I can report is that we are totally aware of it, and instead of growing apart, we are catching each other, not falling, and not backing away. Like we promised we would. He will probably kill me for this much honesty. But I truly believe (think?) that it happens to all couples, and that hiding it only makes me a phony. (Or a normal, private type person...eh.) I really miss him when he is gone, and I know that he is doing it for us, and just...it's alot.
I have come to realize that I have been living with so much crap under my metaphorical rug, that I'm choking on it. I will feel great and in control and then realize that I'm actually going bonkers because the garage is disgusting and anyone who walks through it will think we are totally trashy. So, clean it, right? No, I don't. I just ignore the anxiety I feel every time I come home. Same with the car. Oh, wow. What a nightmare. I NEED to clean it, I NEED an oil change, I NEED to have the tires checked. These are normal, grown up things that for some reason, I like to ignore until they are taunting me, telling me what a loser I am. Every room in my house is full of junk that I don't need. Stuff that no one even touches or remembers. I will say that in a way, I do like a crowded room. I'm not a minimalist. But I don't need this much stuff. Toys, clothes, furniture, the effing chandelier that's still sitting in the foyer. That I didn't need.
It's more than just stuff, too. It's the anxiety I feel when I have a job coming up, or a bill collector calls my cell phone and I ignore it. The feeling that whatever I am doing is just not good enough, and why would I not just snap out of it, go on a frenzy and get this stuff done? The more I wait, the more it all builds and builds, until I can't even remember to send Charlie to school with a green toy for show and tell. I panic when I hear the date because OH CRAP did I have something to do today? Is someone waiting for me somewhere and I forgot?
And why, instead of doing the things I need to do to feel better, to make all of our lives happier, do I constantly escape into this freaking internet? I have no real reason to check my email, blog, facebook 100 times a day. The reason is that it's a distraction. From what's really going on. From the garage, the bills, the kids, the problems. My mind is cluttered. I'm so worried about everyone else that my own life suffers. What people think, what they are doing, who's going where, and should we go, too? If we cook out, I wonder who we can invite over? If we go to the park, I need someone to meet me there. Why is nothing ever enough for me? I can't seem to remember anything, I can't seem to really focus on the kids, or Adam, or the house. It's all just...surviving. And I am sick of it. I know this sounds like some pretty easy things to deal with...procrastination, lack of motivation, and a messy minivan. Who doesn't feel that way? But to me, all those things are on steroids. I sat outside today, looking out of that really gross garage, and thought....enough is enough. I am ready. To box up, to clean out, to photograph from my heart, to really PLAY with my kids, to make out with my husband, to rake the leaves, invent adventures, pay those hospital bills off, to broaden myself, my life, our life. I have everything I ever wanted. What's the point if your hiding inside your head all the time?
It's scary...but exciting, to think that I can make some kind of step to getting out of this place. I want to remember who I am, and like her. And be proud of the wife, mom, friend, sister, daughter, artist that I want to be.

Deep breath.

Found it...

2009-03-17T13:33:00.000-04:00

You like Me!

2009-03-10T00:08:00.001-04:00

Well, at least some of you! I have been nominated twice for the Fabulous blog award thingy. It really warms my heart to know that despite my slacking off lately, people still read. Kinda makes me feel like Tilda Swinton winning an Oscar for Michael Clayton, which she was barely even in. GRRR.

Anyway, on to happier topics!

I have been picked by the Moe Better Family. These guys are local, and seriously adorable. They have been through some really hard times, and are finally living it up with cool lil' Moe. I love getting to see them in person, although my coolness meter starts to drop as soon as I am around the lovely Moe Mama. I would LOVE to meet Steph for dinner and hang in the big city together. Seriously, there should be some cap on how cute one person can be!

My other tag was by Jess at Our Ever Growing Family. Talk about cute kids...wow. And the perfect number of them, I think. Jess is awesome and honest and makes you feel like you have known her forever when you read her. I think that we would be great friends in real life!

So the deal is that now I have to share 5 of my most fabulous addictions. Only 5?
Dang.
Okay, in no particular order:

1.
Although I am starting to agree with Adam that it may be the downfall of society as we know it, I still log in daily (read:hourly) to see what the peeps are up to. I can no longer imagine a world where I don't know what so and so had for dinner, what my sister is currently craving, or who got stuck in traffic this afternoon. I'm thinking of upgrading to a Blackberry next month. Can you guess why??

2.
Come on, who isn't? I mean, it's insane. I have gotten several people hooked on it, just for fun. Catherine, who almost didn't trust me after I forced her to borrow The O.C (which, yes, I LOVE) is completely caught up after only a few months. My friend Cindy, who had NO idea what it was, is now ordering season sets on Amazon. If you don't watch it, you SHOULD. It's the best, best show ever. (Well, other than The Wonder Years.)

3.
I go through a couple jars of these a week. I stand over the sink and eat them like they're going to run away. I stomp my foot for the hot ones. I put them in our big salads, even though most people pick them out and give them to me. My mouth is watering right now!

4.
This is one that has been trying to sneak away from me for the last couple of years. I have ALWAYS loved rides. The biggest, scariest ones. And lately, I am in line, a little anxious, looking around thinking, "well, if that little kids can do it...." Then I get on and immediately I'm laughing my butt off and never want it to end. It's euphoric. I missed out last summer, so this year, it's ON. But I will be pulling extra hard on those safetly buckles, just to be sure.

5.
Need I say more?

Okay, now I get to nominate some folks!
5 Fabulous Blogs.
And the Bloscars go to...

http://www.mylifephotoblog.com/
This is my gal Catherine's new blog. And yes, this is my plug! Go check it out!
(Yes, Cat, you have to do it, but you can do it at your home blogger. :)

http://www.saffrondaisy.blogspot.com/
This is one of my best blog friends, Dierdre. Our kids are similar, in age and origin! She's a lot like me...and a lot like the me I want to be. And she hates being tagged. Teehee.

http://cathytalks.blogspot.com/
Cathy is another blogfriend who lives too far away. Her kids crack me up from thousands of miles away, and I cannot wait to give her a squeeze when we finally meet. Cathy, I hope you are a hugger. :)

http://www.ambercarden.blogspot.com/
An award, to welcome sweet lil Amber to blogworld! Please go say hi, and read all about my sweet babies. :)

http://crazycruzhouse.blogspot.com/
My guru. Seriously, Charlie Fekadu would not be here if it were not for Cindy. We met shortly after Adam and I started the process, and she literally did everything but fill out our paperwork. HOURS of instant messaging. Phone calls. A trip to the west to see the Wonder Twins. I miss you, you crazy psycho. :)

I hear the music playing in the background...my time is up! :)
Thank you, and good night!

Birthmark.

2009-03-04T14:20:00.003-05:00

This afternoon, I got a gift I don't think I could have ever imagined. Maybe it's not meant for me, and maybe it's something I want to see, so that I could feel the incredible peace that came over me when I saw it.
I don't know how I never saw it before, in all this time.
So, am I a crazy 'Jesus-in-the-grilled-cheese' person...or does this give you chills, too?

Wow, wow, wow!

Baby, baby.

2009-02-26T00:28:00.002-05:00

Did I tell you that my sister and her hubby are expecting?

Did I tell you that I was right?

It's a BOY.

His name...is CULLEN PATRICK BELL.

My sister is the coolest. Patrick's not so bad, either.

I cannot WAIT to hold this little babe, my very first nephew.

Siiiiiigh.

It's fixed!

2009-02-25T15:47:00.003-05:00

Just now:

Charlie: "Can I have my little truck back?"

Me: "No, you lost your truck because you broke a rule and threw a toy near your sister."

Charlie: "I can have it later?"

Me: "You get it back tomorrow, if you don't break any more rules tonight."

Charlie: "Mom, that rule's fixed now...can I have it back?"

Sheesh!

Malcontent

2009-02-24T20:17:00.005-05:00

mal·con·tent (mlkn-tnt)
adj.
Dissatisfied with existing conditions.
n.
1. A chronically dissatisfied person.
2. One who rebels against the established system

Yeah, I don't mean Mal, content. This girl has developed a 'tude. I hope it's just the teething and not a permanent change. She wants to be held all the time, screams and fights sleep, and really hasn't smiled a whole lot in the last couple of days. She still has her giggling fits, and that's adorable. But the adorable-ness is so hard to remember when she is having a fit. I'm sure that I am getting what I deserve, what with all the bragging over my perfect babe. The best remedy for a tantrum? Two things...Charlie Fekadu and electronics. Charlie cam make her dissolve into laughter just by acting crazy. And let her get ahold of your cell phone or laptop, and she's occupied indefinitely. Decide that it's getting a bit risky to keep letting drool seep into the cracks of said equipment, and you are doomed. When you take something away from her that she was enjoying, she cries like she has been pinched. Today for instance, I was letting her play with one of Charlie's old toys. It's one of those toys that you press a button and it lights up and spins around all psychedelic like. She loved the colors and motion, but as soon as I let the button go, she would wail. Solution? Packing tape, around the button to hold that bad boy down. Despite her bad mood, she is still my little chuck of love (well, if you call 20 pounds little...she is catching up to big brother).

Big brother...another firecracker these days. I have to tell him 12 times to STOP, COME HERE, SIT DOWN...and today, LOOK AT THE CAMERA, CHARLIE. THE CAMERA. RIGHT HEEEEERE! Yep, I finally have my Nikon D90. And today was my first attempt at a photo shoot with my little darlings. Amber was there to help me, as she always is these days (how did I do this alone?) but the kiddos were not feeling it. Mallory would not smile, but she was gazing very intently at the great outdoors. Charlie couldn't seem to figure out where I was or that I was taking photos. Or how to smile without looking insane. The dogs were rolling around all over the place. After about 10 minutes I threw in the towel. I did get some cute shots, but not the WOW ones I was after. I need something big for the mantle. Another day.

What's that? You wanna see the pictures? Well, some are decorating my blog since the makeover, as you can see. Here are some others:

Okay. I take it back, Mal.

As I was loading those photos, she woke up and I bolted upstairs to check on her, armed with 4 ounces of formula. I scooped her up and she instantly fell asleep curled up on my chest. I rocked her and fed her, and once she was good and asleep, I kissed her face, and breathed her in and marveled at how beautiful she is. This baby can do no wrong! What was I thinking, saying all those mean things about her?
Isn't it funny, how quickly you forget the irritation, the mean mommy voice, and the hiding in the bathroom? Let's love our babies!

I wonder how long that will last. Probably until the next screaming fit or temper tantrum. Parenting is so freaking hard. But we love it. And we do the best we can (usually). It's just really, really...fun.

On a totally different note, I made a recipe (healthy!) that was seriously the yummiest thing I have ever made. For my veg friends, just add artichokes and mushrooms instead of the chicken. Actually, add them anyway. Serve with Greek salad and YUMMO. Bam, even!
Behold:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Garlic-Chicken-with-Orzo-Noodles/Detail.aspx

It's so easy, too. And delish. In fact, I am embarrassed, a little, to tell you this dish's nickname in my house, because then you would think I was gross. Let's just say it was to good to throw out, and what's that rule again?

M'kay, now that no one will ever eat dinner at my house again...I'm out!

We'll Always Have Paris....sort of.

2009-02-16T13:12:00.002-05:00

Honeymoon in Paris.

A young, excited new wife with a brand new Nikon.

A horrifying computer crash.

All of these added up to the reason why I have NO PHOTOS FROM OUR HONEYMOON. I take that back. I have a framed shot of the Eiffel Tower that I salvaged. And, I guess I should be grateful that I uploaded a few of the images onto Photobucket. I could order prints from there, but OF COURSE the photos I uploaded are trapped forever in a grotesque low-res hell. So, no prints, but, why not share them in my very favorite place? It's nice to remember that amazing trip, even if it constantly reminds me of the stupidity of NOT BACKING UP YOUR IMAGES.

The Louvre. It would take DAYS to see it all, maybe weeks.

The Rose Window in Saint-Chappelle. The chapel was built to house Christ's crown of thorns and other treasures.

Notre Dame

Yes, silly Americans. We hung out in an Irish pub and I drank Bailey's...not wine.

La Concergerie, where Marie Antoinette was held prisoner. The spiral staircase up to her cell was blocked off, and man, was it mysterious, and very creepy.

You know this lovely lady...

And this handsome man...

Just a couple of kids at Euro Disney

You spin me right round, baby!

Lighting a candle at one of the churches

Laura and I know the truth...
Also buried here were Chopin and Oscar Wilde. Women had kissed lipstick smooches all over Oscar's headstone. There were also TONS of letters and notes.

I straight killed some beignets that week. Mmmmm, heaven.

Which way??

Beautiful!

The view from our cute hotel room

And we complain about parking...

Lovers by the Seine...ahhh...

Anyone wanna go on a wild goose chase?? ;)

Sacre-Coeur (Sacred Heart), in Montmartre, which was artsy and quirky. My favorite part of Paris.

I can't remember where this was. I remember it being in a garden. I think it is shown in that really bad movie, The Happening, at the very end. Some guys are walking through it, and one croaks. I wish I could remember!

It was Adam's idea to go to Paris. I was thinking Jamaica, but I am so glad we did. I can't wait to go back again someday.

Maybe not so many pastries this time around...

(didya notice, i blogged twice in one day...scroll down, peeps!)

Valentine Weekend

2009-02-16T09:32:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago, I dropped some hintage on Facebook that I would love a "surprise" one night in Atlanta for the big V. We don't usually celebrate the holiday much, but the more kids we have, the more we will take an excuse to get a few moments together. And on a Saturday? Heck yeah.
(Know what sucks about this post? I have no pictures! I got lazy...again).
We dropped the kiddos off in the afternoon, one at my parents', one at Adams' and headed north in my dad's cute little Versa. (The minivan just isn't as much fun to drive downtown.) We checked into our free room (thank you, Hilton points) and hung out for a while before dinner. I had toyed with the idea of getting dressed up, making reservations, and mingling with the fancy shmancy for a night. Then, I pictures us in jeans, sucking down raw oysters with a big ole' rum drink. And so, we ended up at my favorite restaurant ever ever ever. We had oysters, crab legs, peel n' eat shrimp, crab dip, and lobster bisque. And two of those rum drinks. I could not have been happier. We ate dinner at about 5:00 so we would beat the crowds, and we planned on staying a long time anyway. But, the rum made me kinda tired, and the king sized white down comforter was calling my name. We headed back to the hotel and plopped down. Hey, we should go out to a bar! Orrrr....we could get some junk food and beer and stay in bed. The next 14 hours were spent in bed, with wine, cheesecake, chocolate covered strawberries, and cannoli. And the Sci-Fi channel. And each other. It was lovely.
Sunday we spent the afternoon driving around the city. Every time I am in Atlanta, I love it more and more. We drove from downtown, to midtown, to Buckhead, to Little 5. There was little traffic. The sun was shining. People were smiling. We had lunch on the patio at the Vortex, where I decided that instead of seeing a movie that afternoon, I would rather get a tattoo. Actually, I wanted to update the stars on my foot. After all, I have another girl star to add. :)
Two hours later:

My favorite color combo, and now, two boys and two girls.
Perhaps this time next year, we will start working on bringing home our final star, another little blue one. Perhaps...
On the way home, we played the Ipod game. Adam demolished my record of naming 20 artists in a row by making it to 34 with no oopsies. We picked up our babies, whom I had missed more than I thought I would. I think that one night away from them is all I can do for now. To end the weekend, we all went to Laurie and Loyd's for a cookout and enjoyed some awesome food and company. Home by 9 with two sleeping littles. Up till 1 catching up on Tivo and Facebook. What a fabulous weekend.

More sunshine...

2009-02-10T21:20:00.005-05:00

Anyone up for more gratuitous cute photos of my kids?
Yeah?

Okay!
(These are all by Amber...except the ones she's in.)

Things are really good for us right now. I think that I sometimes take that for granted. It's not sunshine for everyone out there right now, and I think about you, hope for you, pray for you. It can't rain forever.

Welcome home, springtime.

2009-02-08T20:24:00.007-05:00

Oh, I know it's wishful thinking...but I couldn't help but pretend today. It was a beautiful, sunny 70 degrees. Adam had to work, but the rest of us spent the day with my family. Dad grilled the most amazing burgers, once again confirming that I could only ever be an ISH vegetarian. Mom and Dad were so excited to see the kids. We played and wished the cold would stay away for good. I even had to celebrate with a fruity cocktail in the sun. I did take pictures, but I gotta apologize for the quality. All I have to work with right now is my little Nikon Coolpix, which is driving me crazy. If I don't get to adjust my ISO like a normal person soon, I'm gonna go Christian Bale on someone. (The D90 will be mine....within days.) Anyway, we all look angelic, so that's a plus.

Thanks for a great day, guys!
Oh, do you want to see my latest purchase for the house? First, the story. My friend April and I were in our local Goody's a couple of weeks ago, and learned they would be closing down soon. Everything in the store was on sale, so said the huge sign on the door. Including furniture and fixtures. On the way out, the chandelier over in the Ashley Judd section caught my eye and I remembered always thinking that it was way to cool for Goody's. I ran back over to the service desk and asked about buying it. The lady kinda sighed, and said something like, yeah, everyone wants it. Sign up in this book. So I did, and forgot about it. Yesterday, Marlena calls me and the thing is still there. Apparently no one wanted it that badly. It was 100 bucks, and I screamed when she told me she could get it and bring it over. Adam took convincing, but agreed. Later that night, when the chandelier was about to make it's grand entrance, Adam mentioned how good it would be to have a light there over the stairs. Um, there's no light. He was like...what is this thing? To which I answered...art! It's not functional, but it's really freakin' cool looking. And here it is:

Hopefully we will have that bad boy hanging up soon. I own a little piece of the cheap clothing legacy that is Goody's department stores.

Thursday was Miss Mal's 6 month birthday. She turned the big .5. And I think she knows it, as she pretty much started sitting up that day. She is really close to holding her own bottle, too. And she is scarfing down the veggies. No crawling yet, but she gets around all right. Here are a couple more shots of her from the last few days:

Here's a good Charlie-ism for you, too. One that he may be upset with me one day for sharing...but hey, it's too hilarious and I can't resist.
Charlie (On the swing, being pushed my mom): "PattyPoo, you gotta stop pushing me so high! My balls tickle!"
C'mon, you know you just spit out your coffee a little.

Speaking of Charlie. Tomorrow is February the 9th. On that day, Charlie Fekadu will have lived in the US exactly as long as he lived in Ethiopia. All the days after that, he will have been here longer. I don't know why it's such a weird thing for me, but it is, and I have been thinking about it for days. I'm sure I will post more later on all those incredibly sappy and monotonous feelings.

Speaking of feelings. I felt amazing when I realized today that I have lost 12 pounds.

Posting this blog was like a breath of fresh air. Take that, Facebook!

Photo Tag!

2009-02-07T14:11:00.005-05:00

Finally, a blog I don't have to put THAT much thought into. I'm so totally out of things to say! Well, okay, I'm not...I'm just saying them on Facebook. It's a disgrace, I know.
I've actually wanted to get this tag for a while. What a fun idea!
Here it is.
The 4th photo in the 4th folder of my pictures.

This is my handsome, handsome brother. It's one of the photos I took for his graduation announcement last summer. How cute is he? He looks just like my dad when he was younger. (Not that my dad is old AT ALL ;). This kid is a crazy talented musician, and just a blast to be around. We used to go to horror movies together when he was too young to get in, and I would insist I was his guardian.
Love ya lil bro.

I'm tagging my hometown gals this time:

Jess

Cat

April

Kelly

Family expansion!

2009-01-30T22:07:00.003-05:00

Oh, no, ya don't. It's not that kind of expansion. But it is great news that I am really, really excited about.

This is Amber. Amber was my only employee at Ever After. She was my organizer, my second shooter, my receptionist, my friend, and my sounding board.I have known her, through her parents, since she was about 12. She is creative, funny, sensitive, and oh so helpful. After I closed the studio, Amber moved around a bit, looking for something she could fall in love with, like she had photography. On Thursday I remembered that I had not talked to her in awhile, so I gave her a little text. She was in town, and within an hour was at my house, catching me up. Turns out her current situation had led her back home to her parents house. I suggested she stay the night with us, and within a few hours, I knew we would ask her to stay. She's amazing with children. It's part of what made her so special to photograph them with. She's also a cleaning fool. Adam and I discussed it this morning, and decided that we would invite Amber to live with us, as a guest/part-time nanny/light housekeeper/friend/family member. Adam is finishing the basement right now, and will be putting her a nice bedroom there. One of the stipulations...We are going to make sure she gets enrolled at college this fall.She is young, and has so much potential. I never, ever thought I would feel comfortable with someone living with us, but it's so much fun, and such a huge help. I also told her that this is not a Cinderella arrangement, and we will of course, still take care of our children. But yes folks, she will be on laundry detail, and NO, I don't feel bad about it. We are ALL totally stoked! Welcome to our home, Ambrosia. <3

Is it summer yet?

2009-01-26T20:41:00.005-05:00

Not that it's even that cold here, but bleh, is winter boooooring. I'm ready to go to the pool! Play volleyball! Eat a big fat grilled burger! Soon, enough, summer.
Things are relatively well here at the Beauchamp home. Business as usual...Adam off to work, the kids and I hanging out and playing and preschool, then all of us cramming as much fun and as many errands into the weekend as possible.
Charlie bowled for the first time on Saturday. We all went for my brother in law's THIRTIETH birthday. Everyone had fun...well, okay chasing Charlie around did get a little tiring. He loved the bowling, and actually scored better than my mother. (Sorry, Mom!) :) Adam almost died when Charlie casually walked by one of the pool tables and...PLOP!...knocked a guy's cue ball onto the floor without a second glance. Luckily, the guy wasn't playing for cash.
Charlie and the Nintendo DS broke up. We had to do it. He wasn't taking very good care of it. (He bit off some little plastic piece). Plus there is something disturbing about your 2 year old being that engrossed in something as often as he can. So, bye, bye, Mario, we shall see thee in the future, I am sure. Thanks for that one night at the airport.
Mallory is steadily earning herself a new nickname, Grunt. She doesn't usually cry when she's tired, she makes this God-awful, loud, moaning, grunty...thing. It's loud. Like you can't hear the person next to you speaking. But the louder it gets, the closer she is to nodding off. It's pretty funny. She will be 6 big months in a few days. She's starting to laugh more, be more comfy on her tummy, and is almost ready to sit up. She's a big squishy love ball.
Today I went with my sister to the doctor and heard the heartbeat of my tiny niece or nephew. It was awesome, and she is doing so great. (I think it's a boy...) ;)
Charlie has had quite a few zingers lately:

Me..."Charlie, can I have some of your lemonade?"
Charlie..."No, Mom, lemonade is too sour for girdles" (how he says 'girls')

Me..."Charlie, get over here and eat NOW"
Charlie...(shaking head) "Mom...I can't take this anymore."

Me..."Woah, I almost totally ran off the road".
Charlie..."Mom, you a really bad driver!"

Charlie..."Can I watch Ghostbusters again?"
Me..."Um, okay."
Charlie..."Mom, whass that green guy doin'?"
Me..."That's Slimer...he slimes people."
Charlie..."'Cause why?"
Me..."'Cause that's what he does.
Charlie..."Where'd that 'nother Ghostbuster go?"
Me..."Venkman? He got slimed and fell down."
Charlie..."Cause why?"
Me..."sigh"
Charlie..."Why dat ghost in the liberry for?"
Me..."I don't know babe, but it's just a movie. There aren't really ghosts that are scary, okay?"
Charlie..."I'm brave, Mom."
Me..."I know."
Charlie..."Mom? Whass dat big marshmallow doin'?"
Me..."Okay, enough Ghostbusters."

Me..."Hey babe! Did you have a good day at school?"
Charlie..."Yeah, Mom. I didn't bite anybodyyyyyy, I didn't spit anybody's faaaaaaace, I didn't push anybodyyyyyyy. I didn't get in nooooo twouble!"
Me..."Well...that's good?"

What else is new? Oh, I know. I've lost 10 pounds!! Wooootwooooot!
More later, but for now, a couple of old photos.
Repeat...I will not cut my hair, I will not cut my hair, I will not cut my hair....

And can someone please tell me where this baby boy went??

I miss my blog, as usual. See you again, soon.

Where were you when...?

2009-01-20T14:44:00.003-05:00

It's a New Day!!!

2009-01-20T10:24:00.000-05:00

Bullets

2009-01-19T23:49:00.004-05:00

So apparently, my blogger's block hasn't ended. Throughout the day, I usually have thoughts like, "oh, I'll blog this!" ...lately, not so much. The thought of stringing together coherent thoughts makes me nervous. I have been a little out of sorts lately. Not unhappy, not bored, but...something. Something inside me has been feeling off, and I don't know what it is. Everything is fine, I am happy and blessed and life is great. Maybe I just need therapy!
So, to get some of my thoughts out, I have decided to use bullet points for tonight's blog. The ultimate cure for lack of cleverness.

*Adam and I saw Benjamin Button. I was a choking, sobbing mess in the end, and was grateful that we saw the late show and left at 1:30 am. I can't stop thinking about the movie...I feel like it's something that happened to me, rather than something I saw.

*Tomorrow we get a new president (did you hear?). Let me refrain from being annoying and ---Oh, screw it WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*I'm so grateful for my friends. Some of my very best ones just left my house after dinner, tv, wine, and great conversation. They brighten my world.

*I'm starting to doubt my ability to successfully parent a stubborn, strong willed child. Charlie is a handful lately, and I just can't seem to get him to WANT to be nice. He is still sweet usually, but just isn't listening. Mallory is going through such a cute, sweet age that the contrast of the two makes me feel....you guessed it....GUILTY.

*I am becoming a better cleaner these days.

*I want a WiiFit!

*I really miss Adam. Sometimes these weeks are so long without him here.

*For girl's night out last week, I brought along an old friend. Seeing her have so much fun made my night. Thanks, April, for finally coming out with us!

*I hate tax season, because my mom is so busy! We really miss her this time of year.

*My sister and her hubby are getting ready to move in to their own place! I am so excited and proud of her. Little family of three will be right at home there.

*I have GOT to take my camera to be fixed because I am going nuts without one.

*I want Julie and Steven's proposal to come. Now.

*I am thinking about skipping preschool tomorrow, mainly because I am not sure I have enough gas to make it, and I don't think I want to even deal with it. That's pretty terrible, I know.

*We are letting Charlie's hair grow out and it looks adorable!

*I finally watched The Dark Knight last night and it was AWESOME. I asked about 674 questions throughout the movie.

*To end on a happy note, do YA KNOW what tomorrow is???? ;)

So there. Some of the things that are on my mind, without me having to put them in paragraph form. Lazy, uninspired, yes...I need to shake this off!!

It's time again!

2009-01-13T23:18:00.004-05:00

Anyone else do this? Every year, I swear I'm not gonna watch it...and as always, I am glued.
And it's really good...so far. Lovin' the pink haired gal.
I heart Simon.

And I ra-aaan...

2009-01-09T16:47:00.004-05:00

Flock of Seagulls, anyone?
Last night was Night Two at the gym with Jess. We took an amazing yogalates class that really helped me regain my ability to walk like a human, rather than a zombie. After that, we hit the treadmill again. This time, I took Jessica's advice and brought my Ipod. I don't have one of the awesome new ones, mine is an old clunker from about 3 years ago. (Cat, remember the year we had the big birthday party and got our Ipods?) But I dug it up, charged it, and brought it with me. The difference was immediate and obvious. I ran for most of the 25 minutes, which is something I have never been able to do before. I know there are alot of you that are runners, and I have always heard tell of "the hill". That point where you are about to vomit, or die, or both, but you don't stop. You keep going and all of a sudden, you're kinda flying, and it gets easier. I don't know if it was just the music that helped me, or if I'm just getting used to moving at more than a slacker pace. I have always shuddered at the thought of running (for fun? what??) but now I think that maybe, maybe, there is a runner hidden somewhere inside of me. I don't know if she will ever run a marathon, half-marathon, or even a 5k, but it's nice to know that I could maybe, possibly think about it....one day. Ish.
Speaking of my Ipod...scrolling through it last night, looking for motivational tunes as I ran was a bit comical. I remember my brother going though it once in my car and calling out "FOLK....ACOUSTIC....FOLK....ACOUSTIC....BEATLES....FOLK". It made me laugh again last night as I ran like hell to Ani Difranco (which was surprisingly inspiring) and The Countours "Do you Love Me". (Which was great as well). Since I stopped updating my Ipod, my musical taste has evolved to include more modern tunage, thanks to my ultra hip rockstar girlfriends.
So, let's play a game. I am now going to shuffle through and list the first 15 songs I come across. Here goes:

-Wouldn't it Be Nice by The Beach Boys
-Keep on Lovin' You by REO Speedwagon (just realized this could get embarrassing.)
-From Me to You by the Beatles
-Any Other World by Mika
-Touch Me by The Doors
-Closer to The Heart by Rush
-I Want You by Bob Dylan
-Buddy Holley by Weezer
-Either Way by Guster
-The Air That I Breathe by The Hollies
-Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis
-Sober by Tool
-The Bitch is Back by Elton John (now there's one you could run to)
-Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi
-Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol (another fast one, wow!)

So, you can see that while I have IMPECCABLE taste in music, I do seem to lean towards the slower songs. Which makes the treadmill even more of an adventure.

Upon arriving home from the gym last night, Charlie, who can spot any electronic device from a mile away, made a beeline for my Ipod and has had it nearby ever since. He loves it. Notice the euphoric look on his face. If only you could see the slammin' dance moves that go along with it.

Here are a couple more pics from this morning. Charlie asks to help, I promise!

We are getting together with our ATL ET group tomorrow to celebrate Ethiopian Christmas which was Wednesday, and I can't wait! Melkam Genna!! Hope everyone in Blogland has a fabulous weekend.

Got celery?

2009-01-07T14:20:00.005-05:00

Yeah, that's not me, don't get excited. Just motivational! Here we are on day three. 1500 calories for the last couple of days and 700-ish so far today. I can definitely feel a difference...the difference being that I am used to suppressing any traces of hunger immediately with a double stack, mac and cheese, or a frozen burrito smothered in sour cream. I can tell I am eating enough, because I have plenty of energy and I don't feel dizzy or anything, but the change is taking some getting used to. Breakfast is pretty easy. I like scrambled egg whites on a bagel with a teensy bit of cream cheese. Lunch is okay, too. I have some Lean Cuisines, and today I made tuna salad WITHOUT mayo, which I think may be illegal in some states (or it should be). Stupid calorie free mustard. Bleh. A lot of my problem is portion sizes, so I will still be partaking in some of my old faves, but counting calories and setting limitations. And I am drinking ONLY water, other than a 4 ounce shot of OJ in the morning. I've always loved drinking water, so I do get a break there.
Jess and I ventured back into the gym last night. The parking lot was packed, and we had a little giggle about January being their biggest month. We thought we were there for a Group Power class, which is weights and resistance training. The class came highly recommended by our friend Laurie, so we were excited. Even when we learned that we were actually in line for the hour "Gut and Butt" class. Okay, well that sounds important, so we did it.
And today I could kick someones gut and butt. (I'M SO SORE!) We did lunges across the room, back and forth, back and forth. We did squats for days. Crunches. Leg lifts. Torture. After the class, we hobbled to the treadmills and ran/walked for 20 minutes. I have friends that run marathons, and I can't run for more than 5 minutes without choking. It's shocking that I am in such poor shape. On the way home, as we always do, we felt great about what we had done and were pumped and excited about coming back this week. What would I do without my gym buddies??
Here's a little tip, too. There are no calories in most hot sauces. Thank you, diet gods!

Holidaze

2009-01-05T15:21:00.011-05:00

The writer's strike has ended!

I don't know what came over me, abandoning one of my great loves for so long. I got lazy, way too introspective, busy, apathetic, sappy, and happy. All of which led to my blogvoidance period. I am so back and ready to get this year on!
Let me share some photos from our amazing holidays. This year was so much more fun for me (no morning sickness) and for Charlie. He really got into it, and it was a blast. Mal loved it too, of course, because she pretty much loves everything.

Looks like fun, huh? It was. We had great food, and a bunch of new games. Games are big in our house at the holidays. We had several going at once, and we are lucky that our closest friends also join us at my parent's house. My parents are the coolest. Seriously. Several of us stayed the night, and we were there a lot for the next few days. There was some serious vegging going on! I do have more photos, like some from out annual Calloway trip, that I will add asap!

On to New Year's, where if you know us, you know there was a party. THE party. Jess and I had worked on a theme, decorations, the right playlist, the lights, the drinks. It was amazing fun. Just like Halloween, she and Wes' garage was transformed into our own little dance club. There were several new faces, which was fun. About 10 minutes before midnight, everyone gathered in the garage, arms linked and swaying together belting out Dan Fogelberg's Another Auld Lang Syne. (Technically a Christmas song, but it works.) It was one of the best moments with my friends and family that I can remember. Minutes later, the countdown ensued, and the year was over. The celebration was everywhere. Hugs, kisses, noisemakers. This year I really feel a sense of renewal, more than ever before.

I guess it's cliche to make changes this time of year (and then forget them by March) but I have several in the works, and I feel like '09 is going to give me that chance that I need. I'm going to lose weight, save money, be better to my kids and myself (oh, okay, Adam too) and I'm going to become the most awesomest aunt ever! My mom has a big birthday this year, my sister graduates from college AND becomes a mommy, my best friend, well, she has big plans, too. Charlie will turn three, and Mallory one. The summer will bring pool parties, volleyball, margaritas, and new friends and new babies. My baby girl will walk. My hubby has a great job. We are going to the beach.
Why do I sometimes forget how lucky I am?

Let's chat about these kiddos of mine.
Charlie as of today:

This dude. For starters, he has been under the impression that he is the only kid who is home from school right now. He was talking about it the other day and asked "Hey, Mom, do those guys miss me?" I tried to explain that everyone is on break for the holiday. I know he's ready to go back...one more week!
Also, somehow I think he is a teenager in an almost three year old body. In the last few weeks, I have gone from being "mommy!" to being "mooo-ooom!" The entire package includes eye-rolling, hip swaying and exasperated head-shaking. Order now and you will recieve such phrases as "Geez, Mom, relax!" and "Could you keep it down, I'm watching a movie!" and not to be forgotten "You guys are driving me bananas!"
I want a refund, please, and my sweet guy back.
Despite the attitude, Charlie remains as affectionate and loving as ever. He randomly tells me he loves me all the time. Then he'll say "I love Daddy, too, and I love Mallory, too."
What else?
He can write the letter 'A'. That makes me happy. His new favorite word is "pologize!" (He uses it a lot). He is the person who can make Mallory laugh the loudest, usually by pretending to fall down or hit himself. And the boy loves to cook. I could see him as a chef, but he informed me recently that he would like to be a plumber when he grows up, like Mario. :)

Malgirl.
Here she is today, on her 5 month birthday:

My bouncing butterball of love. This girl is so meant to be one of us. She and Charlie are quite the pair, and she is so laid back like the rest of us. She is teething, so we have some fussy moments, but for the most part, she is good as gold. Sometimes I have to back off and not over fuss with her. She was fussing recently and squirming in my arms, so I just plunked her down in the crib, and she drifted to sleep immediately, almost saying "Thanks for finally putting me down, woman!" She is doing great with cereal twice a day and is so cute with the spoon. It's a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to smashing up some veggies for her soon. She sleeps (don't throw things) from about 9pm to 9am. Straight. (I do know that karma is a bitch, and I am going to have the most rebellious teenager in the world on my hands). This little doll weighed in at 17 pounds a month ago. She'll have her big brother in a headlock in no time, I can feel it.
All in all, these two are my heart and my joy, and I didn't realize how having the both of them would make me love them each even more. It's the biggest gift of my life. (I think we have one more of these types of gifts out there in the world, waiting, for one day...)

Going back to the resolutions...today is the first day of my (gulp) diet-that's-not-a-diet-'cause-diets-don't-work'-it's-a-lifestyle-change. I am basically having to cut the calories I was consuming by more than HALF. I mean, I ate what I want, when I wanted it for the last YEAR. So far, today has been okay. I'm a little hungry, but it kinda feels good. Hunger means that my body is snacking on a little piece of gut rather than a Big Mac for once. I ordered a Dance Cardio DVD by Gweneth and Madonna's trainer (am I ambitious or what??) and penciled in 4 gym classes for the week. I can do this, because I have to do it. I want to look on the outside the way I feel on the inside. When I see photos lately, I think...wow, that's not at all the way I see myself. I am about 24 pounds overweight, so the goal is 25 pounds gone by my birthday. My TWENTYNINTH birthday, in June. Yowsa, I hope this is a slow year.
So, wish me luck there. I have only attempted this a few times, but never lasts long. This IS however, my first postnatal go at it, and I hope I can keep the willpower.

I will not abandon you again, dear blog!!

Blaaaaaahgggg.

2008-12-27T23:17:00.003-05:00

I really do want to upload my Christmas pics and blog about the great time had by all, but...hmmm, how do I put this. I don't feel like it!
As a reward for de-Christmasing the whole house by himself today, I encouraged Adam to go out dancing with the gang. I'm home with the kids, glued to the couch watching chick flicks and eating the summer sausage and cheddar cheese gift set.
Ahh, the life!

Christmasing!

2008-12-22T22:58:00.003-05:00

I miss my quiet nights, sitting cross-legged on the couch, blogging away, but right now it's crazy here. I'm sure it's the same for you, huh?
Tomorrow we are doing our annual trip to Calloway with Adam's family. Carrie and Robby are in town, which is awesome, and my sister and her hubby are going with us this year, too. I'm sure Charlie will have a blast, and Mal will like all the pretty lights. Last year, the day we went there was the same day I found out I was pregnant with her. It really, really flew by, this one.
I hope everyone is having a great week! Happy Holidays.

To the frozen North, and back again.

2008-12-17T20:11:00.036-05:00

It's going to be difficult to describe our trip and share photos without going on and on for hours, but I will try. Maybe I can break it up into parts.

Part I. Traveling with Children
Oh, wow. It is hard. We had about 9 bags, total, including carry-ons and Mal's diaper bag. We checked 5 of them, for free, thanks to Adam's uber platinum kiss butt Delta status these days. After we lost the heavy gear, we were prepared for smooth sailing.
Why, I do not know...
After waiting happily at the gate for about an hour and a half, our gate was changed to one that's about 6 miles away. (ish). The airport was about 90 degrees, I had Mal in the Ergo, Adam was lugging Charlie, because he cannot walk without looking at his feet in a crowd, and we had all our carry-on bags. We were HOT. Pouring sweat, we joked about how good the 4 degree blast of MN air would feel later in the evening.
We had almost made it to the new gate when they announced that the flight had been cancelled. Ha. Thanks. So, we were rebooked on a 10:30 pm flight. It was about 3:30 at this time. Are you friggin kidding me? They wanted me to entertain these 2 (ahem, 3) for 7 hours??
Somehow, we did it. We had a campout, and Charlie never seemed to notice, other than to ask every once in a while if our airplane was lost. (We said yes.) Thank God for the Nintendo DS. I can no longer feel bad about letting him do something that has saved my butt this many times, it's just rude. We ate some junk food, played some games, and voila, it was time to go. Charlie did great on the plane, once he fell asleep. The first 30 minutes, he talked nonstop to the guy next to us, a nice man named Gary. Charlie insisted that Gary watch him play Mario, and then asked him 100 questions about the airplane, and his boots. Gary was a good sport.
We landed in MN at about midnight, and our friend Jason was there to meet us.
I was wrong about the cool, crisp air. It was damn freezing.

Part II. Minnesota

The next day we spent with our good friends, Suzie and Jason. They were part of our travel group, and we were so happy that they invited us to stay. Our kids are all about one year apart, and we were especially excited to see Zach and Charlie get together. It was adorable, even when they had their little moments. And sweet Nomi, who loves all things baby, was a total sweetie to Mallory. (And everyone, for that matter). The girl is pure sunshine....I don't believe the rumors that she gets feisty! Love those kids.

Jason helped me, the snow amateur, get CF bundled up for his first time out there. He really liked it, but mostly for the "foottraps" (footprints). The snow was amazing for all of us really. We kept asking about it, about the cold, about the shoveling...it's truly another way of life. It's beautiful scenery, and the holidays definitely look more festive there, in the endless white snow. It was different to see people functioning in it. There was even plenty of bread and milk, AND they had school!

Suzie was very sick on Thursday, which really sucked (I can truly vouch for that now). Jason was so nice to drive us around town with all the kids strapped into the van. We went to CHSFS first, which was a little surreal to me. Kristina (who is somehow even cuter in person!) met us and played with Charlie a little and we chatted. She showed us her office, where I couldn't help but picture her, on June 27th of last year, picking up the phone to call us. THE CALL. I also pictured her picking it up to call someone else I know very, very soon. It was a great visit, even if Charlie was acting a bit crazed. (I don't think he was acting.)

After CHS, of course we had to hit the mall. Getting 4 kids out and in strollers (thankfully, Jason and Suzie have lots of baby stuff!) was a bit of work. (Did I say I want 4 kids of my own??) Jason was awesome. He and Adam pushed the kids, like good daddies.

We met up with Sarah, another friend from Blogland, and her 2 cuties, Bennett and Amelia. Bennett was not shy for long. Once we broke out the Happy Meals, the boys went wild (in a cute way). After lunch, we headed for the best thing about the MOA, the amusement park. Imagine...roller coasters and rides and treats...and no heat, cold, or lines (during the week, anyway). Paradise.
The kids picked a few things to ride, which were enjoyed by all. By all, I mean, most. The Wonder Pet's Flyboat didn't um, fly, with our Chuck. He said afterwards that it was "toooooo bouncyyyyyy!"

Adam and I wanted to ride a coaster together, but Charlie refused...until I offered up the Nikon. He snapped photos while we rode. Jason was amused that he actually managed to get a blurry shot of us on the ride. My little protege...

We had a great time you guys! Thanks, Sarah, for coming to see us. :)

Part III. Wisconsin
Friday morning, Suzie and I went shopping for groceries for the cabin. The Targets up there kick our Target's asses. And the beer is cheaper. Then it was time to pack up both cars, 4 babes in car seats, 4 parents, and 2 dogs for the 3.5 hour trek to Wisconsin Dells. The drive was beautiful. Snow and farms. Snow and farms. Cheese. Mmmm...

When we arrived at the cabin, we scoped out rooms and unpacked. Soon, our friends started arriving. I have to say, it was kinda emotional, seeing them again. And, ohhhh, the kids. It was unbelievable, the change in them. I mean, you see it in pictures, but you can't really get it until you see them. Our travel group fell right back into our groove. Somehow, it feels like we were all meant to be friends. Someone even suggested communal living. Hey, it would be cheaper, too! We were all together when are children came into our lives, the labor and delivery part of adoption. The scariest, and most beautiful part. I couldn't have gotten through that week without them, especially the girls. Now, to get back together, without the fear of the unknown, just to celebrate, was incredible. Here are a ton o' pictures:
Lydia being sassy

The fabulous Miss Makenna, live and in person

Kari and her sweet little cuddler, Kya

Suzie, Beth, and me

This one's on the house, Zachie!

Movie time

Kya

Kari introducing Makenna to Mallory

Dawn greeting Ada

Busy, busy!

This was a moment after Alemitu announced, "There's going to be a SHOW!"

The audience was captivated

Sweet Ada

The show turned into a dance party!

Maya, the kid whisperer

I didn't get many shots at the water park. There was too much going on, and I was having too much fun sliding and splashing around with Charlie. Yep, in a bathing suit, while outside, there was freezing snow everywhere. Bizzare. The water parks were unreal. So much fun, I can't wait to go back. Maya, Gifford, if you are reading this, I had a blast with you guys...I will never forget that Hurricane!

Here are couple I snagged from Dawn...a bunch of us floating in the river

Beautiful Selamewit

Lucas

Jackson, happy

Jackson, playing hard to get!

Alemitu and Nomi snag a snack at the park

Beth and CF

Kerry and me

Suz, feeding Mal

Someone wants to go out and play!

Best. Family. Ever.

My guys

Dawn and her Selame

Beth and her babes, Lydia and Toby

They like to move it, move it! (sometimes)

Adam is not crazy, I promise. Playing with his gal Ada.

How cute are these two? We didn't even plan it...

Suzie, all better!

Beechums

The youngins

Charlie, Zach, and the power of Spongebob

Malicious

The kids, getting ready to say goodbye for now

Ron playing with CF

Beth with Lydia and Kya

Bye, Ken! We love you!

Me with Makenna and Selame

I was sad to leave the cabin. We said our goodbyes, with me begging everyone to come south next summer. (I'm not letting that one go, there WILL be a plan, soon!) The drive back was nice. We stopped and Suzie treated us to some fresh cheese curds....yum! I was worried about our flight home, since there was a snowstorm gearing up as we left for the airport, but we got out just fine. Charlie actually stayed awake for the flight. And had to GO TO THE BATHROOM twice...during takeoff. Fun times. What seatbelt sign??
We made it home just after 1 am. At about 8:30 when I went downstairs to make Mal's bottle, it hit me. I had the Suzie. Or the Toby. (Poor kid was sick on the trip, too). Either way, it was bad. Alice, the most awesome MIL ever, came right over to get the kids and kept them all day. Lifesaver #2, my mom, came and spent the night and did laundry. What would I ever do without those two? Thanks so, so much. So, even though I brought back great memories, cheese AND a nasty bug, it was worth it a million times over. I love you, Millenium travel group, and I cannot wait to see you again!

'Tis the Season!

2008-12-09T20:49:00.005-05:00

Okay, they aren't going to be that fabulous this year, but if you want to get our Christmas cuties your mailbox, send your mailing address to:
heatherbean616@yahoo.com

Happy Holidays!

ETA:
Okay, instead of finishing the packing, I worked on the card all night, and, okay, they're pretty friggin' cute.

Also ETA:
If you email me to get a card, please note that I won't be sending any holiday cards to any crazies this year (at least ones I don't know) so let me know who the heck you are.

KThxbye.

Julie.

2008-12-08T23:04:00.001-05:00

I love you,
Mallory

Ah, memories...

2008-12-08T16:59:00.003-05:00

Being in a club all by myself takes me back to 5th grade, when all the cool kids had one, so I made my own. :) It's okay, though. I know everyone does what they can, and I am still going to have my very own Bloggacchino meetings. Should be a hoot!

My annual Dirty Santa party (not dirty like that, dirty like, you steal people's gifts) was a hit again this year. I actually cooked things that didn't suck, and I think everyone had a good time. My house was PACKED. It was fun, chaotic, and we may have to rent a ballroom somewhere for next year. (And definitely get a nanny to come along). Pics of the party soon.

Tonight and tomorrow we are getting ready for our trip to MN and WI. Hopefully the flight will be boring, quiet, and not at all make me want to jump from the emergency doors. I can't wait to see our friends, and the KIDS. We're really excited, and my sources tell me that we may get to see real, actual SNOW. I haven't seen more than a couple of inches since 1993!

Kind of on this topic, I went out today looking for rain/snow/anything-but-cowboy boots for Charlie. ALL the boots were for girls. Pink, sparkles, glitter, plastic butterflies, Hannah Montana... craptackytasticness. I ended up finding a kinda unisex looking pair (like plain Uggs) and he loves them, but it was disappointing. Thank God for the internet. I didn't even bother looking for something NOT awful for Mallory.

I have decided to discontinue Musical Monday for a while. But I leave it with a tribute to one of the most magical people ever to have lived. Our lives only crossed for 6 months, and then he was gone, 28 years ago today. I wish he were still here.