Friday, October 31, 2008

Want an easy way to lose $10?

Do this...


Happy Halloween!!

Chase wishes everyone a Happy Halloween! We will be celebrating by staying home and handing out candy!


Thursday, October 30, 2008

Progress

I am in the process of making good on this post. Wish me luck.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Another video!

Enjoy!!!



Love Love Love This

From the Ron Clark Academy...

Presidential Politics RCA Style

Students from The Ron Clark Academy are studying politics in a unique way. In addition to hosting mock debates during their global studies class and discussing all the latest issues, they’re also rapping about the upcoming Presidential election.

Sixth and seventh graders from the Academy recently joined Mr. Clark at a breakfast speech for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program at the Omni Hotel. While there, students performed their latest song You Can Vote However You Like, putting their own lyrics to the background music of T.I.’s Whatever You Like. A video of their performance made its way to YouTube.



Here are the lyrics... there are a couple verses missing near the beginning so stick with it and the lyrics will catch up...

The Lyrics

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

{Missing Lyrics}

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA,
Stick wit McCain you gonna have some drama
MORE WAR IN IRAQ
Iran he will attack
CAN'T BRING OUR TROOPS BACK
We gotta vote Barack!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like
I said you can vote however you like, yeah

(McCain supporters)
McCain's the best candidate
With Palin as his running mate
They'll fight for gun rights, pro life,
The conservative right
Our future is bright
Better economy in site
And all the world will feel our military might

(Obama supporters)
But McCain and Bush are real close right
They vote alike and keep it tight
Obama's new, he's younger too
The Middle Class he will help you
He'll bring a change, he's got the brains
McCain and Bush are just the same
You are to blame, Iraq's a shame
Four more years would be insane

Lower your Taxes - you know Obama Won't
PROTECT THE LOWER CLASS - You know McCain won't!
Have enough experience - you know that they don't
STOP GLOBAL WARMING - you know that you won't

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA
Stick with McCain and you're going to have some drama
We need it
HE'LL BRING IT
He'll be it
YOU'LL SEE IT
We'll do it
GET TO IT
Let's move it
DO IT!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

I'm talking big pipe lines, and low gas prices
Below $2.00 that would be nice

But to do it right we gotta start today
Finding renewable ways that are here to stay

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA,
Stick wit McCain you gone have some drama
MORE WAR IN IRAQ
Iran he will attack
CAN'T BRING OUR TROOPS BACK
We gotta vote Barack!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah


I could just hug each one of them... they are so cute! I wish all teachers had this kind of enthusiasm!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Sting at Google

Last week my dad went out to his storage unit to get his bike and go for a ride. Unfortunately someone beat him to the punch.... they had cut the lock and stolen all 3 bikes that were in the unit. 2 were dads and 1 was Stacie's. One of dads and Stacie's bike were very expensive but replaceable... the 3rd one... not so replaceable. It was a custom built bike for dad over 25 years ago. This was a one and only bike and some schmuck just came in and took off with it. I believe he knew what he was doing because there were several other units unlocked with bikes still in them. My dad doesn't do hobbies lightly and this schmuck figured that out and went for the good stuff.

Super sleuth Stacie suggested dad check Craigslist to see if the bike was listed anywhere... would you believe it was? Now I won't divulge how the bike was actually worth but it wasn't anywhere close to the $250 price tag this guy had attached.

Not to mention this schmuck had to replace the front tire because dad's front tire was in the apartment being repaired. I am just imagining my dad walking out to the storage unit, front tire in hand and no bike to attach it to! The schmuck also had to replace the handlebar tape... all this and he only sells it for $250. Dumber than a bag of rocks.

As soon as dad saw the ad he called and expressed interest in buying the bike. They set up a meeting at Google (where my dad works) for noon. Dad called the police and as soon as he mentioned that the sting was already set up, they jumped into action. Unfortunately, the police couldn't be there until 1:30, so dad calls back the guy that has stolen his bike and changes the time to 1:30. Schmuck agrees and calls my dad when he arrives on the Google campus. The cops pose as my dad while he, Stacie and many other googlers watch from the windows. Someone snapped this picture...

The guy in the stripes is the schmuck (obviously, he is the one being arrested!) My dad is the one in blue in the foreground.

Currently the police have bike but he should be getting it back soon. As far as my dad can figure, the other 2 bikes were newer and probably ended up in a used bike shop in the mission district. Oh well... at least he got the irreplaceable bike back! This entire event happened in less than 8 hours.

Lesson of the story... there are some computer guys you just shouldn't mess with!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Is there a reason you're moving?

I loathe going to the dentist... with an all consuming fiery passion. As it turns out, with good reason. I won't admit how many cavities I have or crowns that I need but I will say that I have teeth that are prone to cavities so it's really no surprise. Basically I can't get away with doing the status quo... I have to be the 'over the top flosser, rinser, brusher after every meal'. Which I will gladly be from now on if it keeps me out of the dentist office.

How am I prone you ask? Apparently if you have an extremely high fever when you are between the ages of 4-6 your molars could end up malformed and thus prone to cavities. Who knew? I can't say for sure because my mom is the only person that would know that but I do remember some childhood instances that landed me in the hospital so maybe one of them led to my lovely malformed molars. Add to that I was recently pregnant... did I mention I have a son? I try not to dwell on him but I may have mentioned him once or twice here. Anyway, pregnancy has a way of weakening teeth and leaving them more susceptible to problems...

Enter my day at the dentist... which has gone from appointment 1 of 2 to appointment 1 of 4. Color me thrilled.

Here I am on the death chair. My head is on the 'cushion' they call a headrest. My head is also lower than my feet... which means all the blood is rushing to the one place that hurts the most... my face. The dentist is clearly trying to fit more things into my mouth, which if she did some quick calculations, she would come to understand... there just isn't anymore room. She is pressing down on my mouth... which pushes my head further into the unbending cushion, creating a headache like no other. She is poking prodding and drilling my teeth which thankfully I can barely feel due to the wonderful invention of Novocaine... barely. I feel pressure and scraping... I hear sounds like that of a construction site... I smell smoke and I feel vibrations.

And she asks "is there a reason you are moving your head?"

Thursday, October 23, 2008

I was wrong...

The ladies at the little gym are awesome and extremely welcoming! I have been pulled into this crazy group of girls and I am loving it. We have gone to lunch a few times after little gym, baked cookies at Katy and Anna's house, shopped at Target and hung out at the mall. It's been awesome getting to know them and their kids! I have friends in Hagerstown... YAY me ;~)

Chase and I unfortunately had to miss little gym today because Chase is pretty sick ;~( His nose is all icky and he has his first fever... sad for Chase and sad for mommy and daddy. He's handling it ok... well he's cranky and clingy but all in all, he's doing well. We are just hoping he kicks this sickness before Claire's birthday party on Saturday!

Chase gets a mostly daddy day tomorrow since I have an appointment with the dentist! Ick but necessary. I haven't been since before I was pregnant... which I knew wasn't a good idea but I put it off anyway. I have lived to regret that decision. Let's just say I have some work to be done and tomorrow is appointment 1 of 2. Oh well, at least I will feel better when it's over.

Then in the evening I am going to pick up my MIL from Dulles... where was she you ask?? Just Switzerland... for 24 hours! You may remember my BIL is an international flight attendant... well he just happened to score her some tickets to Switzerland (possibly first class) on a flight he is working and while he is sleeping in the hotel, she is going out sight seeing! Ahh to be a jet setter. In the meantime I have been fielding phone calls for Roof Shampoo! I have booked one job and 3 annual maintenance's... not too shabby... I think I earned my keep! Anything for the family! I can't wait to pick her up and see how the trip went!

I thought life would be slower in Hagerstown... country feel and all but it seems like ever since we got here it's been nonstop. There is always something going on... always something to do! Not that I am complaining... I love it!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Warning...

this post will be picture heavy ;~)

Chase's first birthday party was a blast! It was so great to see friends and family come out to celebrate him!


Boys will be boys... checking out the football game!


Terese, Sandy (doting Grandma), Joe (doting Grandpa) and Debbie


C and Scooter (my Godson), Chase and I, Rose (bride to be... 27 days to go!), Laura and Adam and Insung and Minhae!

Adam, Ali, Craig and Nick (groom to be... 27 days to go!)


Chase's first birthday cake(s)!!! I made 26 cars in all! Honest to goodness, it was really no extra effort at all... I did most of it in the morning while we were making the other food. They were so much fun to decorate!

and some chocolate cake because that's my favorite! I actually meant to give Chase chocolate but with all the hubbub I forgot!


Giant baby is here to devour this tiny train!


Funny how he knows just what to do... cram it in his mouth!


Mommy never lets me have this much sugar!


Totally loving this!




I am not sure how much he actually ate but when he started throwing fistfuls on the floor... yeah, game over.


Oddly enough the shirt survived but the pants did not!


Adam was enjoying the cake as well! Laura and Adam are from Little Gym and I have to say Adam is one of the cutest kids ever! I just love hearing him run through the gym with that question mark at the end of every word or sentence, hanging off bars (on his own!) and he does this sideways look... cracks me up every time! He really is a fun little boy!


Adam and Minhae sharing a nice moment.


Grandma and Grandpa's bucket o' fun!


Checking out a new book


Scooter made it up to celebrate Chase's big day!


Kids and toys everywhere!


For the budding architect!


Chase's newest towel... the go-to towel from now on!!!


The paper is almost as much fun as the toys!!!

All in all it was a really great day. I was very touched by all the love Chase is surround by... people drove great lengths to be here... one from NJ!!! (although they were on their way home... but still!!!) It is a wonderful feeling to know your kid is loved. Thanks to everyone who made it out and to the ones that missed... we missed you too!!!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

One Year Old Today

One year ago today Adam and I were welcoming our son into the world.

From this:


To this:


Nothing has tested me as much as parenthood... nothing has made me doubt myself more than parenthood... nothing has brought me to my knees quite like parenthood. It is by far one of the hardest endeavors life gives you but in turn, there is no better feeling then just looking at him. Watching him discover something new or hit a new milestone... being able to comfort him when he is hurt, tired, scared or for absolutely no reason at all... seeing the joy on his face when Adam or I walk into a room. For these reasons and so much more, the difficulty is worth it.

Just knowing Adam and I created this gorgeous, smart, funny little boy sends my head reeling daily. I know what Adam and I used to do before Chase... we went where we wanted, slept when we wanted, ate what we wanted and did anything we darn well wanted. Now... we plan days in advance, we sleep when we can and are up by 6 daily, we eat what we would let him eat and we do whatever Chase wants to do. The strange thing is, I love this life even more. He adds this dimension to our lives that I didn't even know was missing. He is the visual love of Adam and I. I thank God nightly that he blessed us with the responsibility of raising Chase.

My beautiful one year old son.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Day of Firsts...

Chase took his first actual walking steps today. A couple weeks ago he took 2 steps but he hasn't really acted on that since then... until today! I saw him confidently take a couple steps out of the corner of my eye so I put him in front of me and called him... and he took 4 actual walking steps to me! I was so excited I ran over to the MIL and jumped around with her for a little while.

Coincidentally she had a dream last night that Chase started walking... too weird right??

Anyway, we got ready for bed and waited for daddy to get home so we could try again. He didn't take any more steps when I brought the camera out so I was nervous that daddy wouldn't see it. Lo and behold... on the first try Chase took at least 6 steps to Adam... it was the most awesome thing I have ever seen! Small man walking!!!

You may have noticed that my title says firstS which would beg the question... what was the other first? First busted lip... complete with blood and all. Lately Chase has had a lot of confidence in his ability to stand unassisted... which he tries to demonstrate anywhere and everywhere... including the bathtub. I can't even count the number of times I sit his little bare tushy back down in the tub telling him "no, we don't stand in the tub, we sit in the tub"... to which he replies "bahha, hiya mahm, mahm" and proceeds to stand back up. One of those times, he stood and fell before I had a chance to sit him down and explain the dangers of standing. And boy did he fall... face first on one of the ledges. And boy did he scream... that was like NO other scream he has let out before... definitely a shock and pain scream. Definite busted lip... it was bleeding and he was crying. I felt so bad for him... I think the shock of it hurt worse than the actual lip. I knew in my head he was fine but I bundled him up and took him to the main house, just to get a second opinion from Grandma... since she has done this before! As I suspected, he is perfectly fine... he had even stopped crying by the time we got to her!

So there you go... 2 first for Chase on October 16, 2008!!!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Whoever wins

I will be glad when this election is over.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

We've been busy!!

Tis the season to be busy!  

Adam and I have really been embracing Hagerstown lately... well he always embraces it... I am just coming around!  

Friday night Adam and I were able to go on a date and the best part was it was free!  One of the neighbors invited us to a home concert.. which is exactly what it sounds like.  Larry Joe Taylor played a concert in Jay's garage... aka concert hall!  It was really fantastic... small and intimate and during the songs the artist really get a chance to interact with the crowd.  They tell stories about their songs and how they came about writing them.  

On Saturday the whole family went looking for PumpkinLand... an event that the in laws used to take Ryan, Adam and Nick to when they were growing up.  After a few twists and turns, it couldn't be found anywhere... but we stumbled on the Reynolds Farm Fall Festival.  Hay rides, a giant slide, pumpkin picking, mountain goats, itty bitty hay maze and so much more.  It was so awesome!  The best part is a good bit of it is free!

Here are a few pictures from the day: 

The 5 of us on the hay ride!
Chase enjoying a good game of checkers!
"How tall this fall?" 
The expert pumpkin picker!
He found the perfect one for daddy to carve (pictures of that to follow!)
I didn't post the mountain goat but you will have to trust me... that plank that leads out of the right hand side of the picture... it's a walkway to another similar platform and the goats walk back and forth.  Also, the contraption we are playing with has cans which you can fill with feed, turn the wheel and it drops it on the platform for the goats... it's a win win situation! 
Chase going down the slide with daddy... mommy went too but did post a picture ;~)
Adam and Chase look like little clones ;~)

Family shot!  

It really was a great time out there!  I think some of the moms from Little Gym are going to go out there one day.... which leads me to the next thing!  I have been hanging out with one of the moms... we took the kids to the park yesterday!  YAY, I have a friend ;~)  Laura and Adam (her 18 month old) are coming to the party on Sunday... which leads me to the next thing... I am totally consumed with planning Chase's first birthday party!  I am so excited... it's not going to be huge or over the top but there are a few people coming who I can't wait to see!  I am just in awe that I have an almost year old!  This year went faster than I ever could have imagined!

It seems that Chase only wanted to sleep 55 minutes today so I am off to rescue him!  

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Tonight...

I am playing Debate Bingo... What are ya'll doing?

Monday, October 06, 2008

Tagged!

I have been tagged by Amy Jean so here it is...

4 Things I Did Today

1. read stories to my son before nap
2. made myself lunch
3. watched an SNL skit with the MIL
4. called the bank

4 Things On My To Do List
1. get tags for the Focus
2. go grocery shopping
3.
pay bills TONIGHT
4. go to yoga tonight

4 Of My Guiltiest Pleasures
1. sugar... chocolate, candy, it doesn't matter
2. TV
3.
clothes
4. shoes - isn't this on every girls list?

4 Random Facts About Me:
1. I love my feet and try to take good care of them
2. I hate my teeth... prone to cavities!
3. I love to take pictures
4. I am a homebody - I love being at home.

I am not tagging anyone in particular but please please please tell me if you do this so I can come check it out! Enjoy!

Saturday, October 04, 2008

Flying by

It feels like I have so much to talk about but for some reason I am having a hard time getting down some coherent thoughts. I have started a few different posts, each about different topics but none of them ever really come together for me. I think my head is all over the place, hence the problem writing...

So I think I am just going to do a bullet point post...
  • Adam and I have decided that our eating habits are deplorable. We have reverted to this ordering out a lot, not caring what we buy, eating crap all the time mentality and we are sick to death of it. We are getting back to planning meals ('when you fail to plan, you plan to fail' is so true). Not only are we planning but we are planning with good decent foods in mind. More fruits and veggies, grilled chicken, salads, ect... Grilled chicken with a homemade rub, green beans with almonds and butternut squash, and acorn squash was the menu for tonight. Very yummy!
  • I am getting better at making Chase's food. The other day I boiled carrots and mashed them before they went bad. Then today, I cooked some spinach and mixed it in... viola... a meal he loves. He took down a 1/2 cup for lunch and 1/2 for dinner. He also ate pieces of grilled chicken for dinner, which he loved! We are getting to the point where we won't have to rely on prepared jarred foods!
  • Chase took his first tentative steps on Sept 27 but we haven't had a repeat performance yet. He wants to, I can see it in his eyes but he is still working on it. He also clapped for the first time today. I am not sure why but I was so excited about this. He has been giving 5, kisses and waving hi and bye for a while now but I was extremely excited about the clapping. He knows who "Riley" is and he knows what "kitty cat" is... he is a big fan of Grandma's 2 kitty cats, Julio and Biff! Everyday he seems to do something new... he is growing up so fast I am just amazed.
  • I was invited out to brunch before little gym class this past Thursday. Laura got my number a few weeks ago and since they were meeting before little gym, she called to extend the invite. Chase and I went and we had a pretty good time. It's really hard to 'fit in' and connect (especially in a small town) but I am working on it. I do miss my friends terribly though.
  • I love the fact that my MIL works from home. I see her at least a couple times a day when I pass through on my way to the COG. Sometimes I stop and chat (but not a lot, she does run a business after all ;~). Occasionally we will run errands together or if not, we are always asking if the other needs anything while we are out. It's somewhat like an adult dorm room! We even have movie night Tuesdays (FIL is out and Adam has a meeting so it's our choice!)... so far we have watched Chocolat, Ever After and The 60's. I have to say, she is one of my best friends! I am very blessed that we get along so well. She is actually at a class reunion tonight (lets just say 5+) and I am missing having her around ;~)
  • For the VP debate MIL, Adam and I played Debate Bingo... Unfortunately since I wake at 6, I didn't last very long and we cut out early. I think Adam ended up winning... to which MIL and I owe him dinner!
  • I am reading The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and I encourage everyone to read this book. He has a great outlook on life and how to handle what you are dealt... unfortunately he recently lost his battle with pancreatic cancer but it just makes what he has to say that much more poignant. The book actually stems from a lecture he gave at Carnegie Mellon (where he was a professor) which you can watch here. I haven't watched the lecture yet... Adam and I are going to do that one night this week.
So there you go... a bullet point run down of life for the G's. I hope it wasn't too boring ;~)

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Our adventure

Chase and I went to Pasadena to visit the newest addition to the D household... Mr. Jackson Shepard!

He couldn't be cuter if he tried! Mom and Dad look great and surprisingly well rested! Congrats again Jaime and Craig... you guys are going to be amazing parents!


Chase has clearly learned how to 'pet' and be gentle... lessons Riley helped him learn ;~)

While we were in Pasadena, we stopped into daddy's office to visit the ladies (and daddy too).

Kare Kare hooked Chase up with early birthday presents... to which mommy and daddy are very thankful, as well as Chase! He loves his new hat... and the CD!


Thanks Aunt Kare Kare!

Some other random pictures...

It's never too early to encourage cleaning behavior!


Sup homey?!?


Chase trying to call Claire... it's starts so young!