Thursday, September 18, 2008

pretties






Katie just brought us the disc of her session with the girls (beautifully packaged by the way). I have so many favorites!! I can see how she captured the essence of their personalities...
I really enjoyed watching her follow the girls around as they explored the Agriculture Center that's down the street from our neighborhood. Katie was so playful with them and I really enjoyed watching L and S from a little bit of a distance. I noticed all kinds of little things and have that afternoon filed away in my memory (and now my computer too).

Monday, September 15, 2008

MUST BE S. 3344, NOT JUST 1738!!

Senate Bill 1738 is NOT enough. DON'T MAKE ME COME GET YOU, OPRAH FAN. Read your stuff and get familiar with what we are REALLY trying to accomplish!! Look at Senate Bill 3344. Contact your state senator and make your voice heard, NOW! (It's a bit of a read, but you should know this---read below)
I sent email, made phone calls and sent my demands to Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander. For me, this is war. I will fight and fight and fight... What will YOU do?

WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), a practicing physician, today called on Senate leaders to end their obstruction of S. 3344, the “Protecting Children from Pornography and Internet Exploitation Act,” after Oprah Winfrey featured a major provision of the bill on her television show today.“Those who watched Oprah’s broadcast today deserve to know that Senate leaders have repeatedly objected to passing critical child protection legislation for partisan, political purposes."

"Congress has a nine percent approval rating because politicians in Washington refuse to set common sense priorities, refuse to make rational budget decisions, and refuse to work across the aisle when that requires sharing credit with the other party during election season. Victims of these horrible crimes don’t care whether Democrats or Republicans get the credit for protecting children,” Dr. Coburn said.

“Oprah’s viewers deserve to know that Senate leaders have twice objected to passage of the bill she supports. Senate leaders have insisted that S. 1738, authored by Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) and endorsed by Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), only pass if it is included in a package of unrelated bills that addresses less vital concerns such as the interstate commerce of non-human primates. When I proposed de-linking the causes of protecting children and chimpanzees, Senate leaders objected,” Dr. Coburn said.

“Because of these objections, I introduced S. 3344, a comprehensive child exploitation bill that pairs S. 1738 with the Securing Adolescents from Exploitation-Online (SAFE) Act of 2007, a measure strongly supported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which passed the House by a margin of 409-2. The Democrat leadership objected, however, apparently because they didn’t want to give the SAFE Act’s Senate author, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), credit for passing a complimentary bill,” Dr. Coburn said.

“Oprah’s viewers who want to support this noble cause should ask Senators to support S. 3344, a bill that includes the key provisions of S. 1738 as well as the SAFE Act. Viewers should then ask Congress to make tough choices and fund these vital programs with real money by spending less on special interest earmarks and other forms of wasteful Washington spending. Our economy is in trouble and our country is going bankrupt because politicians refuse to do what American families do every day and make tough choices between competing priorities,” Dr. Coburn said.

The SAFE Act would expand the requirements for electronic service providers (ESPs) to report online child pornography and help to root out people selling, trading, or displaying illegal pornographic images of children. (click here for NCMEC’s letter endorsing the SAFE Act)

“Finally, I’m concerned that Oprah’s program only highlighted one half of the solution – the half supported by the presidential ticket she has endorsed. While I support the right of celebrities to use their platforms to advance partisan goals, Oprah’s viewers deserve to know all of the facts. The American people have had enough of Washington’s false promises and partisan rhetoric that fails to acknowledge that all Americans, both Democrat and Republican, want to do their best to protect our children from internet predators,” Dr. Coburn said.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

perfection

delicious perfection! I must say my girls are as sweet as they come!! Katie posted a sneak peak of the girls photo shoot on her blog.....what are you waiting for?! Go see!!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

coming soon

Timing is everything. Katie Dunlap just took photos of the girls (for free!!) and the shoot just happened to coincide with S's 3rd birthday (lucky us!). Katie is my amazingly multi talented neighbor. Her husband just started the Green Hills Church and they do great service in the Nashville area. My girls love to play with their boys and I couldn't be more in love with the street where I live!!

don't be jealous

It's only a dream. At some point all parents have to go through a Pottery Barn Kids phase, I just happen to be stuck in mine... and I have a bird fetish. I love the slightly vintage look of the fabric patterns and that the base color for the bedding is NOT pink. And I l-uh-ve the owls. I just can't help myself. And with my unique designing flare I would create the perfect welcoming balance of aesthetics and functionality to the girls room. I mean, don't bunk beds scream functionality?!
(let's all agree to just ignore the ridiculous bed skirt, what kind of excuse for a waste of fabric is that thing? it appears to be growing from the underside of the bed... <>)

Saturday, September 6, 2008

jackpot

S just got her first birthday card of the week from Great Grandma & Grandpa Stowell. She was so excited to get mail!! She stood on her tippy-toes and twirled around with her "sparkles" card. When she saw the treasure inside she knew just what to do with it...she is such a Stowell!!
Thank you note from Savannah:
gkrigmhlk bmif jfi ierkroitoykjmhkghi58473rnfkf8ue8tignmgitirjfig

Lauren got mail this week too! Aunt Ashley sent her the coveted Sketchers!! They went straight on her feet and...

stayed there....


...this is Lauren begging to wear them to bed. We compromised (after a few tears) and she got to keep them in her room on the floor.

I hung out at a bar, all by myself Wed. night (see what this Resident life is leading to)! Actually it was the Bogota Benefit for The Nabaima Project. Great artists and good fun, wink wink.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

first

Or Pre-K rather. Lauren's first day of Pre-K at Judson Baptist school was yesterday. I limited my intake of water for the past 48 hours hoping dehydration would prevent any emotional outburst.
"No tears, no tears, no tears... big mommies don't cry!!"
Can you see how I've been abandoned? My mother warned me that these would be the fruits of all my labors: I have a well adjusted child.
She smiles like nothing is happening! She's happy!! She has a back pack and shiny shoes and she doesn't need me anymore!!!
Brady, our best buddy makes tracks into the class room. He completely disappeared after this snap shot. Loyalty, ha!
"Pose, Lauren. Mommy isn't ready to say good bye yet"
It's an out of body experience...I see her enter the class room. I see the teacher. I see her not look back, following Ms. Jen's instructions to find her name and put it on the attendance wall. I see her smile, walk over to a friend out of view... then feel myself walking backwards, unable to halt this spinning wheel of time...

When I finally look down, Savannah shows me her 'I-miss-Lala' face. I can't erase the frozen smile and deer-in-headlights look off my face. When I get to the car I laugh; I look 10 years older.
BUT 3 HOURS LATER:
We're smiling again! Time to rescue my deserted child from the pits of preschool. I have Kleenex at hand as I countdown the seconds between me and her classroom's open door.
S and Drew, unscathed, play in the church gym while I chew my fingernails.
Smiling again?! The nerve! She didn't even miss me. Didn't I nurse you from my own body? Haven't I stayed awake countless nights cooling your fevered head?!
L talked and talked about all the fun she had. How she learned about TN and the Smokey Mountains and they're going to have a bear hunt tomorrow and she played at the playgrounds and had yummy snacks and her teacher loves her and so does Jesus....

At least she's safe with me now! We went back to Brady's house for lunch. Come to find out --only the neglected children who stay for "extended days" (12-2:15pm) eat lunch at the school.
By request, I used her lunch box from Nana and wrapped everything in waxed paper with ribbons. She got such a kick out of it.
How else was everyone going to know her mommy loved her the best?



devoted


For more insight read Palin on the issues:

SOCIAL ISSUES – “I am pro-life and I believe that marriage should only be between and man and a woman.

ECONOMY - "I have established an aggressive goal of reducing general fund spending by $150 million dollars. This takes tremendous effort by staff as well as the cooperation of the Legislature. On the savings side, by depositing our one-time surplus of $1.8 billion dollars, we'll build our savings account to nearly $4.3 billion dollars. It's a necessary step to ensure that we can fund essential services tomorrow; and avoid massive "single year" cuts down the road, if and when, faced with tougher times."

EDUCATION – Q: Will you support the right of parents to opt out their children from curricula, books, classes, or surveys, which parents consider privacy-invading or offensive to their religion or conscience?
A: Yes. Parents should have the ultimate control over what their children are taught.

ENVIRONMENT – “What the GOP has got to do, on a real practical level, between now and the election, is to convince Americans that it is our energy policy that is best for our nation and the nation's future, that if we are to become energy independent and if we are to become a more secure nation then we had better start supplying our very, very hungry markets across the nation with American supplies of energy. The GOP agenda to ramp up domestic supplies of energy is the only way that we are going to become energy independent, the only way that we are going to become a more secure nation.
And the GOP agenda is the right agenda in that respect, but the GOP is going to have to prove to Americans in following weeks that we can safely, responsibly and ethically develop these resources. That, of course, has been a problem for the GOP."

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

almost

(S at 7 months)
So my little S is turning 3. In preparation for her big day I've been going over the inevitable dialogue, "how old are you...?"
Yesterday we were practicing again. She was so determined to get it right, hand sign and all. She just can't keep that pudgy little pinkie down with her thumb yet, so she says:
"see mom, I'm three" painfully manipulating the last digit into place with her free hand. When the pinkie revolts she gives up and says, "just don't look at that one." I can't believe that baby face is growing up! sniff sniff
We're doing like the Sanchez family and celebrating all week. Today S wants to do arts and crafts so we're off to Michael's for some supplies!

Monday, September 1, 2008

virtual freebie


Rivka, I was perusing a lovely little blog and found this dashing little toaster for you. Something about it just said, "take me home to Rivka, she would appreciate me."
I'm sorry the Bulgatti Volo stainless steel toaster cost more than my car payment...although Sunday brunch would be worth it. When shall I come over?

Nikon [knowledge fund raiser]

Nikon. Canon. They're just a words. How can a hand held gadget make so many people go crazy?!
Well have you seen what they can do?
It took me months to claim my seat in the blogging world, I hope it doesn't take years to get my hands on the camera of my dreams. I'm still in research phase, but I know you will offer your insight, tips and opinions to further my quest. So here I am, exposed. I need help. What is it that you use to take those amazing pictures? What kind of editing software do you love?
Let's share and make the world a better place...




...click "comments" please!!!

7:00 am ChARiSmA

I woke up at 7 yesterday...wondering why the girls had not been in my room to rouse me yet? Sleeping in is unheard of in this family!
And look what I found...
ChARiSmA indeed, I just had to join in!!

The world of Barbie truly is a magical place.


I dropped a chunk-o-change for my new window treatments. I love the colors but I'm hoping to make my way to NYC's art show with my aunt in the spring. Then I'll head over to Haley's...before they make any big moves!!

My next projects include: sewing drapes for the girls room, painting a mirror royal purple (that should be interesting) and framing some close-ups of the kids. Busy busy!!