I speak {write} truth.

One more sneak peak

Tryptophan...

Speaking of Chocolate Chips...

Thanksgiving might be my favorite holiday. I'm too attached to a couple of the other ones though to officially declare it as so. I like that family is gathered. I like being thankful. I like eating olives with my Dad.

And ever since 3 years ago, the holiday is the anniversary of the best one-way ticket I ever bought. You can read a little tidbit here or here from the year before that. You'd think I'd come up with new material once in awhile but it's my blog and I'll cry if I want to, cry if I want to, cry if I want to. You would cry too if it happened to you.

Now that we've established that...

Happy Thanksgiving, blogees!!

Link to the Love.

There's a few blogs I read that feature great deals, one of them being Saves for Six which happens to be written by a local blogger. Again, blogees, add it to your reader and be amazed. Link to the Love.

Today she posted a code to get 3 free songs downloaded from Amazon. Combine that with Amazon's $5 Black Friday Week deals and you can get an entire album for less than $2. Peeps, the internet was created for this moment.

Click here for the goodies.

Adoption controversy?

The other night we watched Meet the Robinsons. When it originally came out, the buzz was how anti-adoption this flick was. If you haven't seen it, the cliffsnotes version would be a story of 2 "orphans" and throughout the movie you see couples come in and interview the kids. During the interviews, the kids blow it and in one scene the chairs are actually spinning with how fast the couple gets out of there. So, yeah, those parts of the movie don't color the process beautiful, making prospective parents out to be a tad heartless and disinterested.

HOWEVER! For the last ten minutes of the movie, Eliot hugged me. While he's only 3 and doesn't fully grasp all the messages snuck into this film, something caused him to respond with affection. I'm not trying to read into this, but not only did he suddenly feel super affectionate, but when the main character gets to {spoiler alert!} go back in time to watch his birthmom dropping him off at the orphanage, Eliot ran over to the end table and pulled out the picture album of "Tiny Baby Eliot" (what he calls it) of his baby pictures when we met him at 6 weeks old. He wanted to look through it WHILE WATCHING THIS PART OF THE MOVIE. Random? I think not.

In conclusion:
*Does Eliot "get" adoption already? I think he does more than we give him credit for.

*Is "Meet the Robinsons" anti-adoption? I'm going to rally on the side of no. {spoiler alert} and {speculation alert}If the main character had ended up with any one of the many couples who came to interview him, he wouldn't have become a wildly successful scientist/inventor.


P.S. This is the face that leaned over into my ear at church and whispered "I'm your chocolate chip."

The Flyin' Mayan for Foto Friday

Nov. 19

Some of you lurkers may not know that for a season of our lives (and ever since then, actually) Russ was a youth pastor. A few nights ago we ran into a guy who worked alongside Russ during the same time and watching them talk about this youtube video was like hooking up the flux-capacitor. The majority of you won't care about this but for those who have ever been in youth ministry or for those "kids" of ours, watch and enjoy if you haven't seen it already.

Hmmm...can't decide...

which shoes with this outfit?

AND, my bloggees, you got distracted by the Ginko tree funk and forgot to acknowledge the following paragraph:

While browsing a new blog, I enjoy a section off to the side that highlights reader 'favorites'. I'm thinking of adding such a section and was curious as to what posts have stuck out to you for whatever reason. Was it funny, heartfelt, cute Eliot story, good hair day, whathaveyou?

Input and suffixes.

Firstly, thanks for all the encouragement (i.e. talking me off the 'WHY-ISN'T-MY-KID'fill-in-the-blank ledge). You guys are the best. I will, uh, tell my friend about your suggestions.

Secondness, please know, we have a stinky ginko tree in front of our house that has lovingly bestowed it's fruit all over our front walk and yard. And, frankly, there's no easy way to say this: it stinketh. The fruit is desribed as "attractive in appearance, but contains butanoic acid (also known as butyric acid) and smells like rancid butter (which contains the same chemical) or feces when fallen." My point in sharing this? I was simply looking for an excuse to tell you that Eliot yells "Poopy balls!" everytime we leave or arrive at the house. Entertainingment.


Thirding, while browsing a new blog, I enjoy a section off to the side that highlights reader 'favorites'. I'm thinking of adding such a section and was curious as to what posts have stuck out to you for whatever reason. Was it funny, heartfelt, cute Eliot story, good hair day, whathaveyou? Feel free to experiment with your suffixes when you respond.

Hypothetically...

If your 3 1/2 year old were to still wear a diaper at nap time and night time, often peeing through the diaper at night, what might you do to make that stop?

And, uh, I have a friend who's almost-4-yr-old, might possibly still be drinking milk from a sippy cup when he or she first wakes up. Any ideas there? He or she is not super attached to it but it's still a habit. Err.

Linky Love

Last week, a friend's blog directed me to this blog which has $50 Fridays (complete outfits). I heart it. Click on the link, add it to your google reader and have a great weekend.

Nov 11

Please tell me you read about this.

'While You Were Out' throwback!

Remember that show?? Eliot and I did a little version of it ourselves this week. Russ was o.u.t. so we took matters into our own hands. Since moving into this condo, our bedroom has been my least favorite room. We've not done much {read: ANY} decorating to this place. Sometimes looking at white walls everyday makes me want to bang my head against said walls.
Before:



Have tape, will work. For candy.


What, you don't paint sans pants?

Here's a few 'Afters':


I'm not 100% done, we still need new pillows and curtains but those will come. For now, it feels a lot more homey, a lot more intentional if that makes any sense.

Nov 9

Eliot got another treat last week in that he spent 4 days at my friend Erin's house during the day. She's also an amazing photographer and captured some cute shots of him and Erin's daughter, M.

Here's a link to more great shots.

Also, she recently did a photoshoot of my friend Heather.

And my friend Beth.

Oh, and my friend Sarah.

Click on their names to see their super cute shoots and try not to eat their little girls' faces off.

And, yes I just did a post with links to amazing photography of my friends. So, then, yes not only do I have beautiful friends with gorgeous children but happen to know at least 2 wonderful photographers. It's rough being me.

A Magical weekend

In St. Louis we have this amazing children's place called The Magic House. We rarely go since it can be kind of expensive, in fact we probably haven't gone within the last year. This weekend, however, we had two free invitations to go play! Saturday we met up with the FE families (minus the boys) and Sunday we got to go to an adoption celebration event there. On our way Sunday, we adopted Charlie for the day so she could be loud and crazy and not worry about a newborn. Enjoy the pics!



Yeah, that's my face. Feel free to be creeped out. Just think of it as a new exfoliating treatment I'm trying.




Eliot had a weird thing going with the drinking fountain. Not my proudest of moments.



Sunday:


PITSTOP!

Group pic of the kids at the adoption celebration! It's hard to see but there's a paper link chain listing all their names and birth countries. This kind of thing gets me all verklempt.

Session Crasher.

So, when Lisa told me Jodie was coming over for a photo shoot, I couldn't resist. I sent Luke Skywalker over to protect the newest Ewok. You would have done the same thing.

Take a look at this link.

And if you don't already subscribe to Jodie and Kim's blog, make sure you scroll down enough to catch this post to see my friend Carrie's newest addition(s). They're unbelievable!

Nov 6

Playdate fun!!!! E got to spend a couple days with his friend A and little sister E. Here's a tiny peek into their time:

Nov 5

Thankful Thursday:

1. Eliot's giggle
2. Good friends in pajamas carrying ice cream.
3. DVR
4. Great photos
5. Round the clock Christmas music starting Nov 1
6. Sunday afternoonish
7. Blogs
8. Cute boots
9. Halloween candy
10.Good friends running into my office with Peppermint Mocha and USWeekly

Dear Dad,

I drew this by myself. I think it's pretty good. Mom kinda freaked out. Send help.

Love,

Stinko-man.

Nov 3

The Friday folder.

This is big. We're talking somersault big. We're regularly getting a Friday folder from Eliot's school. Complete with book orders. These two things make us OFFICIAL SCHOOL PARENTS!

OH, and did I tell you about his progress report? People, I can read between the teacher lines. He's clearly their favorite. And gifted. Oh my, he's gifted. "Plays well with others"??? I mean, they might as well interrupt a Taylor Swift acceptance speech with that overwhelming obsession with his performance in class.

We went to an open house for the pre-school a couple weeks ago. From the moment we walked through the door, I was astonished at Eliot's independence and maturity. He was SO excited to show us every single book and puzzle and was doing things I had no idea he could do. I. was. beaming.

I know pre-school/ public school may not be right for everyone, but we're really happy with our decision. Especially considering the quality that we found in the city. Good job, st. louis!

Nov 2

IT'S A NABLOPOMO MIRACLE, I tell you, A NABLOPOMO MIRACLE! I was attempting to join the blogging movement but stealth-like a ninja. But then last night the unthinkable happened, causing me to emerge and share the good news.

Eliot did a somersault.

This is babybook material. This is blog material. This is Olympics material.

Whether it was candy-induced or just Eliot looking for the perfect opportunity to unveil his secret talent, the gymnastics observer made me speechless.

Remember this post and this picture?


I'm not exaggerating when I say this is how he has spent the majority of his time during class. Once I heard that this next week is our last week, my hopes and goal of Eliot learning how to somersault were dashed.

So, last night, we're at a friends house. E was being a nutcase since technically it's almost an hour past his bedtime thanks to Daylight savings. Since he was already in performance mode, I said, "Hey, show them what you learned at gymnastics" and without hesitation, he bent over and did a somersault.

Jaw to the floor.

I've never been so proud. He may as well have fed all the hungry in Uganda with how much my heart swelled.

And that, my friends, is a NaBloPoMo miracle.

Nov 1.

My very lovely friend Sara awarded me these two blog honors. This is big stuff, peeps. I am honored and proud, not only to receive the awards but from Sara! She's one of those friends that I wish our paths crossed more. I love her blog, she's funny, addicted to pop culture, polka dots and soda, a mom of 4, talented and real. I adore her and have plans to spend more time with her in the future, whether or not she wants to.

As part of the award, we're to answer these questions with one word. Yikes.


1. Where is your cell phone? couch
2. Your hair? long
3. Your mother? proud
4. Your father? funny
5. Your favorite food? dairy, beautiful sad dairy
6. Your dream last night? none
7. Your favorite drink? peppermintmocha
8. Your dream/goal? family
9. What room are you in? living
10. Your hobby? writing
11. Your fear? PGN
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Smores
13. Where were you last night? Target
14. Something that you aren't? asleep
15. Muffins? muffintop
16. Wish list item? chi
17. Where did you grow up? Michigan
18. Last thing you did? ProjectRunway
19. What are you wearing? jammies
20. Your TV? on
21. Your pets? old
22. Friends? heart
23. Your life? seasons
24. Your mood? festive
25. Missing someone? Colorado-ish
26. Vehicle? sensible
27. Something you’re not wearing? socks
28. Your favorite store? Anthropologie
29. Your favorite color? yellow
30. When was the last time you laughed? tonight
31. Last time you cried? yesterday
32. Your best friend? Russ
33. One place that I go to over and over? AmigoJoes
34. One person who emails me regularly? Amanda
35. Favorite place to eat? BreadCo

And, without further ado, I'd like to pay it forward to these 6 bloggers, who I am now awarding this award to:


(the other award will be given another time)

1. Kelli from Kellogues.
2. Jodie and Kim from Fresh Art.
3. Amanda from Pretty Simple Art.
4. Erin from This and That.
5. Lisa!
6. Janel from Run With Scissors