14 degrees F ...
snow on the ground...
4 LARGE coffees before 9:00...
slept five in the bed last night--not as bad as one would imagine!!!!
an hour to get the kids in their boots, mitts, toques, scarves, coats...
snow angels...
Santa Claus parade today--we will never warm up after that...
glad to be alive after driving through London in snow squalls--almost 3 feet dumped!
happy that kids are having fun and baby is sleeping well!
committed to getting Natan's adenoids removed over the holidays in December--he SNORES and grumbles ALL NIGHT!!!!!
Ahhh....life in Canada!!!!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Choir Debut!
Mimi & George made their Cherub Choir debut last Sunday morning--I recorded the rehearsal. Very cute.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Great Day!
For no known reason, we just had a FABULOUS day today! We, as Mimi explained to Da tonight over dinner, "painted naked." Yes, the kids painted naked since we were using acrylic paint which is NOT washable!!! They managed to cover the entire counter, all of George, the two stools, but what fun!! Nothing like homemade Christmas gifts...
I kicked my own butt running 9 minute miles this morning!!! I never thought I would get back to running like that again, and it feels great!! What did not feel great was having to hop over the robots being thrown onto the treadmill by George--I am however, getting VERY agile!!
Vinny had his six month check up and performed very well--sat up...babbled...smiled...and it turns out he is our tallest kid so far--in the 90th percentile for height!
Enjoyed Mellow Mushroom for supper--meatball and green olive pizza!
Mimi's newest phrase: "That's not my story to tell...you'll have to ask ______ about that story." (She has, I suspect, learned this from Miss Jeannie at the Homeschool Co-op and it is a good solution to tattle tales!).
I gave the two big boys haircuts...I tried to shape Natan's into a nice rounded, short, curly look, but ended up going over his whole head with a number one and two blade...then I tried for the "Obama Bangs"...that didn't turn out so great either. So, he now just has a buzz cut. But, he is still gorgeous!!!!!!
Life is indeed wonderful...
FYI--LOVING the Christmas music at Walmart tonight!! I am ready!!!!!!!!! Bring on the mistletoe and decorations!!!!!!!!
Oh my...it's 11:00. I am very tired--it's not the kids' fault, is it?? I stay up way too late!!!!!!!
I kicked my own butt running 9 minute miles this morning!!! I never thought I would get back to running like that again, and it feels great!! What did not feel great was having to hop over the robots being thrown onto the treadmill by George--I am however, getting VERY agile!!
Vinny had his six month check up and performed very well--sat up...babbled...smiled...and it turns out he is our tallest kid so far--in the 90th percentile for height!
Enjoyed Mellow Mushroom for supper--meatball and green olive pizza!
Mimi's newest phrase: "That's not my story to tell...you'll have to ask ______ about that story." (She has, I suspect, learned this from Miss Jeannie at the Homeschool Co-op and it is a good solution to tattle tales!).
I gave the two big boys haircuts...I tried to shape Natan's into a nice rounded, short, curly look, but ended up going over his whole head with a number one and two blade...then I tried for the "Obama Bangs"...that didn't turn out so great either. So, he now just has a buzz cut. But, he is still gorgeous!!!!!!
Life is indeed wonderful...
FYI--LOVING the Christmas music at Walmart tonight!! I am ready!!!!!!!!! Bring on the mistletoe and decorations!!!!!!!!
Oh my...it's 11:00. I am very tired--it's not the kids' fault, is it?? I stay up way too late!!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Christmas has arrived...
We saw Santa Claus today. I took the kids to Target to have their pictures made with the man. We have, for the past three years, gone to the same place for this, but Target sold me (took me), and they are done. Long story--will not repeat this next year--back to the malls for the Montagues!
Anyhoo...the kids all ran to Santa and hugged him (change from previous years--he can be rather creepy!), and when asked what each wanted for Christmas, the replies were:
Natan: "Super! Super!" (his new, favorite word!)
George: "A present. " What kind of present, George, asked Santa. "A Christmas present." Well, what kind of Christmas present, asked Santa. "A key robot. My other key robot is broken."
Mimi: "A cat." omg.
Vinny: I think he'd like some matching upper teeth to go with the two bottom ones!!!
The kids are insisting that the decorations be put up this weekend BEFORE we leave for Canada--who am I to argue! We love Christmas!!
FYI--Sally has been out of town all week and we are LONELY!!!!! Sally...come home!!!!!!!!!!
Anyhoo...the kids all ran to Santa and hugged him (change from previous years--he can be rather creepy!), and when asked what each wanted for Christmas, the replies were:
Natan: "Super! Super!" (his new, favorite word!)
George: "A present. " What kind of present, George, asked Santa. "A Christmas present." Well, what kind of Christmas present, asked Santa. "A key robot. My other key robot is broken."
Mimi: "A cat." omg.
Vinny: I think he'd like some matching upper teeth to go with the two bottom ones!!!
The kids are insisting that the decorations be put up this weekend BEFORE we leave for Canada--who am I to argue! We love Christmas!!
FYI--Sally has been out of town all week and we are LONELY!!!!! Sally...come home!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Various, unrelated stuff...
Today at the Dermatologist's office, Mimi was looking at pictures of people's skin--chins, thighs, stomachs, faces, etc.--and she asked me, "Where are all the tooties, Mama?" Seems Mimi has some vivid memories of the OB visits for Vinny last year!!!!
And yes, I am disgusted, saddened, and dismayed at the result in California last week...the will of the people, my foot. In a country where the divorce rate is slightly under 50%, how DARE anyone speak out against gay marriage?? Again, I ask the question--why are religious people/conservatives so obsessed with gay sex?? How does same sex marriage possibly affect YOU?? Ummm...it doesn't. Perhaps married homophobes should examine their own marriages and start fixing the problems, and leave the gay community alone. May I point out, for the record, that over the past twenty or so years, the most bigoted, mean spirited, unkind people I have met (and continue to meet) have all been heterosexual?? And, when I moved to Atlanta to live 12 years ago, my good friend invited me to move in with her and her partner--total invasion of their space I'm sure, as it would have been in any family--and I had the time of my life! They were the first people I introduced Jason to and I will never forgot their generosity.
When I first met my friend, Shaun (the one I lived with when I moved here), we sat in her car and she said to me, point blank: "I'm gay. I thought you should know that before we become friends, and then you stop being my friend because you find out I'm gay." Imagine having to say that to people because you've lost friends for such a ridiculous reason. My response: "I really don't care..you're funny and I can swear around you!" (Remember--living in Milledgeville at the time as my first experience living in GA--slight culture shock!). She became one of my best friends, and to this day, no one outside my Mum has made me laugh as hard as her...if you know me--you know that's a prerequisite for friendship!
So, in between admiring my kids and getting ready for a marathon trip to Canada, I had to vent. Just remember that you never know the friends you miss out on when you are a bigot.
And yes, I am disgusted, saddened, and dismayed at the result in California last week...the will of the people, my foot. In a country where the divorce rate is slightly under 50%, how DARE anyone speak out against gay marriage?? Again, I ask the question--why are religious people/conservatives so obsessed with gay sex?? How does same sex marriage possibly affect YOU?? Ummm...it doesn't. Perhaps married homophobes should examine their own marriages and start fixing the problems, and leave the gay community alone. May I point out, for the record, that over the past twenty or so years, the most bigoted, mean spirited, unkind people I have met (and continue to meet) have all been heterosexual?? And, when I moved to Atlanta to live 12 years ago, my good friend invited me to move in with her and her partner--total invasion of their space I'm sure, as it would have been in any family--and I had the time of my life! They were the first people I introduced Jason to and I will never forgot their generosity.
When I first met my friend, Shaun (the one I lived with when I moved here), we sat in her car and she said to me, point blank: "I'm gay. I thought you should know that before we become friends, and then you stop being my friend because you find out I'm gay." Imagine having to say that to people because you've lost friends for such a ridiculous reason. My response: "I really don't care..you're funny and I can swear around you!" (Remember--living in Milledgeville at the time as my first experience living in GA--slight culture shock!). She became one of my best friends, and to this day, no one outside my Mum has made me laugh as hard as her...if you know me--you know that's a prerequisite for friendship!
So, in between admiring my kids and getting ready for a marathon trip to Canada, I had to vent. Just remember that you never know the friends you miss out on when you are a bigot.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Realization...
It takes five times longer to plant things with three little "helpers" assisting!!!!!!!!!
I may not have the best-looking or neatest gardens, but they are definitely created with LOVE!!!!!!
I may not have the best-looking or neatest gardens, but they are definitely created with LOVE!!!!!!
Friday, November 07, 2008
Hmmm...
Woke up this morning and the first thing Mimi and George said to me was, "Happy Birthday" without prompting...very sweet!
Mimi must have sung "Happy birthday dear Mama" at least 80 times throughout the day, AND offered me part of her dinner since it was my birthday!
The only person who FORGOT MY BIRTHDAY was Jason...not sure if there is a big enough doghouse to make up for FORGETTING MY BIRTHDAY...even the receptionist at the dermatologist's office today wished me a happy birthday when she scheduled my appt. and saw my date of birth.
Hmmm...I believe there is a big shopping spree in my future.
Mimi must have sung "Happy birthday dear Mama" at least 80 times throughout the day, AND offered me part of her dinner since it was my birthday!
The only person who FORGOT MY BIRTHDAY was Jason...not sure if there is a big enough doghouse to make up for FORGETTING MY BIRTHDAY...even the receptionist at the dermatologist's office today wished me a happy birthday when she scheduled my appt. and saw my date of birth.
Hmmm...I believe there is a big shopping spree in my future.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Good Morning (in a VERY sing song voice!!!)
YAY! WOW! AWESOME!
If there were a hundred words to express what I feel, it wouldn't be enough!
So excited...I actually feel lighthearted! The kids watched the morning news with me and were dancing around the sunroom singing "Obama...Obama!" Proud moment.
I'm sure there will be things in the next four years that come up and don't make sense--it happens to everyone. But...for today...at this one moment....I am ecstatic!
And now, I believe I will refrain from talking politics again. Mainly because I truly believe everyone has the right to their own opinion (unless it's a bigoted one), and I refuse to lose friends (well, certain ones!), over politics.
My policy is usually not to spout my beliefs on others and I have spewed a little over this election. Get over it. I have to listen to conservative christians attacking me all the time (either people I know or strangers), so for a few blog entries, if I babbled a little about my hope for Obama to win, I believe that can be overlooked.
It is a great morning...have a wonderful, fabulous day!
If there were a hundred words to express what I feel, it wouldn't be enough!
So excited...I actually feel lighthearted! The kids watched the morning news with me and were dancing around the sunroom singing "Obama...Obama!" Proud moment.
I'm sure there will be things in the next four years that come up and don't make sense--it happens to everyone. But...for today...at this one moment....I am ecstatic!
And now, I believe I will refrain from talking politics again. Mainly because I truly believe everyone has the right to their own opinion (unless it's a bigoted one), and I refuse to lose friends (well, certain ones!), over politics.
My policy is usually not to spout my beliefs on others and I have spewed a little over this election. Get over it. I have to listen to conservative christians attacking me all the time (either people I know or strangers), so for a few blog entries, if I babbled a little about my hope for Obama to win, I believe that can be overlooked.
It is a great morning...have a wonderful, fabulous day!
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Cool Usher video for new release
Love this...Great Usher quote: "Everybody wants to touch the sky but nobody wants to reach down to the ones who are scared to fly..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giEYHxwN5y4
Got to love someone who makes it and makes the money...and then gives back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giEYHxwN5y4
Got to love someone who makes it and makes the money...and then gives back.
Attitude of Gratitude
Today is just one of those beautiful, Autumn days...except for the fact that it is HOT out and I have sprouted new freckles on my face! The sky is clear and blue...there are gorgeous red and orange trees all around, and it is just my favorite time of year. Now, if I weren't so sweaty!!!
The Montagues will enjoy a nice, long walk tonight...and some homemade soup.
I am also happy because for the first time ever, I am finished all my Christmas planning. Portraits have been taken, purchased, and picked up today...small tokens have been bought for the kids...I have something for my mum, sister, and brother in law...and I even have something for Jason! Yay!! I'm really trying to make this Christmas about family, friends, and remembering how fortunate we all are, and how there are, every few seconds, children dying from ridiculous causes...
Now, if only I could wake up Christmas morning with another completed adoption, life would be perfect!!
OMG--Vinny just crawled. My life is officially over (again!!!). Go, Vin!!!!!
The Montagues will enjoy a nice, long walk tonight...and some homemade soup.
I am also happy because for the first time ever, I am finished all my Christmas planning. Portraits have been taken, purchased, and picked up today...small tokens have been bought for the kids...I have something for my mum, sister, and brother in law...and I even have something for Jason! Yay!! I'm really trying to make this Christmas about family, friends, and remembering how fortunate we all are, and how there are, every few seconds, children dying from ridiculous causes...
Now, if only I could wake up Christmas morning with another completed adoption, life would be perfect!!
OMG--Vinny just crawled. My life is officially over (again!!!). Go, Vin!!!!!
Election Day (don't read if you're going to bitch to me later!)
Today is the day!!! Even though I cannot vote, I still have a vested interest in this election.
The one thing I think that has truly come out of these two particular candidates is seeing people's true mindsets. We have heard so many people say, "Well, THOSE people can't be president..." that I am, every day, more and more disgusted with humans.
I have the sick suspicion that to many, our children represent the "token" diverse kids they know. It's OK for the Montagues to be different ethnic backgrounds, but god forbid they would allow their kids to date someone different, or even have a real friendship with someone different.
If one more person says to me: "I'm not racist, but..." I may respond unkindly--I usually try to be polite and re-educate--but I am fed up with narrow mindedness, bigotry, and all-round hatefulness. If you have to clarify your thoughts by saying that, guess what?? You ARE racist--please stay away from my children.
Obama '08.
The one thing I think that has truly come out of these two particular candidates is seeing people's true mindsets. We have heard so many people say, "Well, THOSE people can't be president..." that I am, every day, more and more disgusted with humans.
I have the sick suspicion that to many, our children represent the "token" diverse kids they know. It's OK for the Montagues to be different ethnic backgrounds, but god forbid they would allow their kids to date someone different, or even have a real friendship with someone different.
If one more person says to me: "I'm not racist, but..." I may respond unkindly--I usually try to be polite and re-educate--but I am fed up with narrow mindedness, bigotry, and all-round hatefulness. If you have to clarify your thoughts by saying that, guess what?? You ARE racist--please stay away from my children.
Obama '08.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Ramblings...nothing political!
George: (as he was zipping up his "slipper jammies"--the ones with feet attached-- last night, he almost caught "IT" and I warned him that "IT" would get hurt if "IT" got zipped up! His response:
"If I break my penis, I can just use scotch tape to fix it."
Natan: Can sing his ABC's clearly and all the way through!! Those ear tubes are paying off!!!!
Mimi: "When can I see my China Mommy? I just want to say good bye..."
(this is not the first time this has come up...no, it does not hurt my feelings...yes, it breaks my heart for Ellen--imagine NEVER being able to find your biological mother--EVER. )
Vinny: LOVES the bath!!!!! Jason (in charge of bath time!), lays him in a few inches of water and Vinny starts: kick, laugh, repeat!!!
"If I break my penis, I can just use scotch tape to fix it."
Natan: Can sing his ABC's clearly and all the way through!! Those ear tubes are paying off!!!!
Mimi: "When can I see my China Mommy? I just want to say good bye..."
(this is not the first time this has come up...no, it does not hurt my feelings...yes, it breaks my heart for Ellen--imagine NEVER being able to find your biological mother--EVER. )
Vinny: LOVES the bath!!!!! Jason (in charge of bath time!), lays him in a few inches of water and Vinny starts: kick, laugh, repeat!!!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Look at us!!!!!
Here is a news story from Fox News at 6:00 today! Go, Bob Crane!!!!!
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=7771680&version=1&locale=EN-US
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=7771680&version=1&locale=EN-US
Go Team George 2008!!!!!
The Atlanta heart Walk was a success!!!! Since our first walk in 2005, we have raised over $15,000--we raised $2000 this year!
It was a beautiful morning...kids got their faces painted...we met the Fox 5 Atlanta Team and had our picture taken with them (thanks to our aggressive, new member, Dody!!). Mimi decided this year that she would NOT be riding in the stroller and she walked all 3.2 miles!! Thanks goodness for Bob Crane's hand and patience...he never let go!
As always, it was wonderful to see all the heart survivors--lots of Red Cap walkers, including George. Everyone has their own story, and it is promising to see survivors, but always heart wrenching to see the signs that say, "In Memory of..."--we are thankful each year that we don;t wear that for George...he wore his red cap proudly and all four kids were troupers! Vincey slept most of the way...
Thanks to everyone--near and far--who supported Team George 2008...we'll be back bigger and stronger next year for Heart Walk 2009!!!!!!!
Thanks to our great team this year--had a blast!!!!! We could not do this without the many hands that hold our kids' hands, and Big George on stroller duty for the third year in a row!!!!
Check out the pics in "Family Pictures"--here's a couple to wet your whistle!
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