Parks are for adults, too.

Tumbling

Fun times with the kiddos...

Em and I had some very special visitors this past weekend: Sisaye and Dinkeneh!! (oh - and Christina and Chris:) I think the pics sum up our weekend. Pancakes and Banana Bread, Naps, Parks, Naps, Christmas lights, Ethiopian food... oh - and naps:).

Thanksgiving 2009

Mom, Dad, Elizabeth and I did a 5k turkey trot this morning before we mealed all afternoon. (It helped ease the guilt QUITE a bit:). Good times. I think the rest is self-explanatory... except for the last pic. That's Joe and Bryan discussing the word "verbivore". ?! I know...

A 2nd Surgery

Well, for those of you who don't know, Miss M developed glaucoma in her remaining eye about 3 months ago. We have struggled with it ever since and due to the pain it's caused her, I decided to have the final eye removed. I based this decision on the pain it's caused her and the fact that she has adapted to getting around without being able to see. When she's in familiar surroundings, more often than not, you would not even guess that she couldn't see. However, it's often hard not to second-guess your decision, even when you think you're doing what's best for the one who can't tell you. So, this post is for the little dog.

Recap

Just to recap, this is a pic from a post made approx 2 1/2 years ago. I think Emily is handling it better with time.

Scoot-ie BOOTIES! Scoot-ie BOOTIES!

More scootie booties ... and NO more scootie booties. Emily has a pair of ... shoes?... that I find less than attractive and I have dubbed them "scootie booties". Fortunately, Emily is no longer allowed to wear them at work. We have now bought NEW scootie booties to wear around the house. I'm a little sad that she doesn't wear the original ones anymore - it is entertaining to make fun of them.

Sunday in the park

Emily and the bird poop saga... continues.

For some reason, Emily is a beacon for birds to poop on.

Expression of Boredom or Act of Rebellion?

Motto

My motto of the week: Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em.

Oh! Miss Katie!

Katie and Brandon came to visit a week (week and a half?) ago. We had a lot of fun, just sad that it wasn't for long. We love you, Kate! Come see us again! Or wait - does this mean it's our turn now?:)

Not so much a watchdog...

Sick of AT&T

I'm 6 months in to my 2 year contract with AT&T and I am already disgusted. why? Why? WHY?! did I ever go back with them? Didn't I learn my lesson the first time??? Why must I make things hard on myself?! For the last four billing cycles, I've had to call and dispute charges of anywhere from $6 to $15. The thing is, I'm not even doing anything. There are random charges that are coming through, showing that I'm accessing the internet at 2 and 4 o'clock in the morning. ?! I'M NOT EVEN AWAKE, PEOPLE!!! It's physically impossible. I ****in' DESPISE AT&T.

10k Run

Emily and I will be running a 10k on October 24 for a charitable organization, Home of the Innocents. I've included an informative excerpt from their website to acquaint you with their purpose. I spent some time working in their facilities as a nursing student and the work that they do is incredible. We're trying to raise money in addition to our own donations and we appreciate any help that we can get. Donations can be made at www.homerun2009.com

*******************************
Where can I feel safe?

Where can I get the special medical care I need?

Will I ever find a ‘Forever Home?’”

I’m pregnant. Where can I turn for help?

Why can’t anyone understand me?

No child should ever have to ask these tough questions. The truth, however, is that there are hundreds of children right here in your community asking these questions every day. Fortunately, Home of the Innocents is here to help.

The doors to our Childkind Center are always open for children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. Some of these children live with us at our Joan E. Thomas children’s village. While here, children receive round-the-clock care and counseling. We also see that children continue their education, take part in community events, and have time just to be kids.

Our Childkind Center also provides services throughout the metro Louisville area. We help heal families on the verge of breakup due to a variety of issues. We are providing in school and in home support to autistic children and their families. And our Therapeutic Loving foster Care program is dedicated to finding forever families for many of these displaced children.

Home of the Innocents is also there for children who are medically fragile, technology dependent, or terminally ill. Our Kosair Charities Pediatric Convalescent Center is this region’s only long-term residential facility for kids, ages infant to 21, with physical and/or developmental disabilities.

Our clinical team of medical professionals sees to the unique needs of each child and we also become an extended part of each child’s family.

For 125 years, Home of the Innocents has been the answer for many of your community’s vulnerable children. If you would like to see for yourself the positive difference the Home makes on the lives of so many, visit our Schedule a Tour page.

Mission Statement:

The Home of the Innocents, a community of dedicated people and those they serve, provides the skills and opportunities by which vulnerable children, youth and their families may improve their lives.

A Weekend at Mom and Dad's

Em and I both went home this weekend. (Does it surprise you that we're still doing almost everything together?) Emily got together with Rachel and I got to see Lauren and Megan, as well as go to the spa for an awesome pedicure. Michael ran a cross-country meet on Saturday and came in 6th place. Woohoo! Dad and Bryan golfed most of the weekend. I brought home Larry's cookies from Marion... and I can FEEL the jealousy already:). Everybody (except Dad) went to the fall festival on Friday night. And Mom and Emily and I shopped at Gordman's while Joe scouted out Guitar Center on Sunday afternoon. Oh yea - we drew names for Christmas, too. Wooptee doo. Now I have to think about this for 3 whole months. There are some things I'd just rather wait until the last minute for. Now I have no excuse for getting a crappy gift. It's so much pressure!! Anyway - I think that cover it. Oh - and Miss M had a GREAT time. Loved all the attention and milked it for all it was worth. *Sigh. Getting ready for another week...

Sleepers

This is a frequent scene around our house...

M and the Rug

Emily and I finally disposed of this old rug that has definitely seen better days. AFter rolling it up, though, it still sat in the house for a couple of days. Wouldn't you know that miss M would just absolutely love the rug, now that we're getting rid of it? Such a silly sweet dog...

New Roomie

Well, Emily moved in about a month ago and things are going well. The other day, we went into a store together and Em looked at me and said, "You know, eventually we will get tired of each other." And Katie called the other day. When Emily answered, I heard her say "What? The vein?" Apparently, Katie (with her experience living with me) knows how neurotic I can be. For anyone who doesn't know, Katie was referring to Monica on Friends and her forehead vein that sticks out when things aren't going her way. Unfortunately, that isn't too far from the truth sometimes. Poor Emily:).

Wineries, Canoes and Gardens... Oh My?

When thou hast no computer, thou cannot post!

So, a quick rundown of events the last few weeks: Moved into the new apartment, still sparsely furnished but working on it. Canoeing, wine tasting and a broken laptop. Yes, the ^@!* piece of %@!^* finally died. (A sigh of relief in some ways). So, I was forced to buy a new computer and - as anyone who knows me - if you're going to do something do it right. So, I type this from my brand new (drumroll, please) ...macbook pro! SWEET!!! To sweeten the deal, I took advantage of the new promo which gives me an 8gb ipod touch FREE. SWEET-ER!!! Since this is my first night with my new toy, I am still learning and will not be posting pics tonight. Hope everyone is doing well.

Creeper.

Please enjoy this pic that Joe slid into in "classic Joe-style" - he's between Elizabeth and me. Joe, you are awesome.:)

The Fredericks

Graduations... CHECK.

So, the last two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind of family. Christina and Emily's graduations both went very well and I think we set a record. The whole family was together for two weekends in a row for the first time in... I don't know how long. Well done, guys. Here are a few pics of the festivities. Miss M came back to Louisville with me this weekend and we'll be moving in to our new place next Wednesday. Could we possibly be this close to resuming the life that we used to know?! So exciting.. yet unbelievable. It's been over a year since it was just M and I. We won't know what to do...