Blog Stalking

So since I've pretty much been in bed (or on the couch) the past 2 days and I'm sick of TV (oh, and feeling sick and being stuck in on the couch or in my bed) I have a new found addiction for blog stalking. My absolute favorite right now is http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ - I have been obessed reading her Black Heels to Tractor Wheels story and I'm not so happy she left me hanging on her last entry. If I could be anyone else right now I would be her. I have read every entry she's posted since March. I found out a couple weeks ago my friend "C" reads it too and feels the same way - a friend whom I find I have more and more in common with. One of the things I love about "C" is that she's the only other person I know (besides me) who gets excited about making her own mayo, really enjoyed farm work for the time she did it and would be happy living the "pioneer woman" life.

The other blog I've been reading is http://www.mattlogelin.com/ - a blog about a man who's baby girl was born in March and whose wife passed away the very next day. Anna, "confessed" to me about a month ago how addicted she was to reading it - and now I'm hooked too! I've read every post he's written since March. Anna's right, it's amazing how he will have you crying your eyes out one minute and laughing hysterically the next.

If you are bored, check these blogs out for yourself.

The Big Birthday "O"

No need for birthday gifts this year - I just saw that Oprah's season premiere is on my birthday! I know that she is mega loathed by many these days, but frankly if you are watching Oprah for religious or political views - you need to grow a brain. Her show is pure entertainment with many guests I don't agree with and some that I do (can I say I idolize Maria Shriver I want to be her when I grow up - oh and have her hair). Anyway, hate on it all you want, I'm excited!

Back to School Week 3

This week we've been homebodies. It rained a lot at the beginning of the week. I love the rain - it makes it seem more like fall to me. I've cooked every night this week. Monday I made corn chowder, Tuesday I made Rachel Ray's chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, Wednesday I made rosemary & balsamic chicken with broccoli and bow tie pasta in a lemon garlic sauce and tonight we had chicken Caesar sandwiches (my absolute favorite Barefoot Contessa recipe) with Rachel Ray's potato leek soup (the first time my children and Tad have ever eaten leeks). It's been hard since I've been so sick but it's been worth it because since I already have to eat every hour I just keep eating soup which is much more healthy than p&b crackers and subsequently I've lost 3 pounds.

We had Sarah-Grace's curriculum night this week. It was kind of weird. Her school is so big, especially coming from a private school last year. It was nice to show up to the PTA meeting and then leave without any stress of the behind the scenes crud (which at a school that big and all the politics of public school I can imagine would be heavy). I did sign up to be a room mom and so I had to give a small presentation to our class. Parents kept thanking me over and over again for taking on (what they thought) was a huge responsibility. It was very sweet of them but so comical to Tad and I considering of all I've had on my plate the past 2 years I can do room mom detail in my sleep! Sarah-Grace is really adjusting well to her new school and her teacher and I get along wonderfully. I'm excited to get engaged in school volunteering again. I signed up for 3 committees and I'm excited that at this point I can choose what and how much I want to take on.

I've also enjoyed Charlotte's school, by contrast it is MUCH smaller than the school we came from (it's basically one class). They are taking their time adjusting to the school year and so even though they need my help we are taking it slow. I'm actually working on a project for Children's Health Care of Atlanta right now. The clinic we see most of our specialists from at CHOA I noticed over the summer has no books, magazines or coloring supplies. When I asked the nurse she said they just couldn't spend the funds for those items. I've spent the past 2 months stocking up on these things. I'm proud of the collection I have to give them next week (at our next appointment) but I think if I asked my friends and family we could make a bigger impact. There's another "project" I'm thinking about starting for the BWS foundation but I'm going to speak with Charlotte's geneticist next week first.

Other than that we are all adjusting well into this new school year and looking forward to football season starting!

Hey What's that Coming Down the Track...

For anyone who has known me over the past 3 football seasons knows that if the prediction on the following link holds true - it would be the best football game I have ever witnessed. I have been waiting for this match up ever since each fall the ESPN channel becomes the USC fan fare every Saturday night. For more on my loathing of USC, you can read my post from last October, "Ain't Nothing Going to Break My Stride" (http://kimberlys-dailygrace.blogspot.com/2007/10/aint-nothing-gonna-break-my-stride.html).

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=842040

Tori's Wedding Pictures

Below are some pictures from Tori's wedding. (If you like the pictures I would recommend Anna Brown she's pretty awesome and she has a pretty kick butt second shooter that can also sell you a Mac! Check out http://annacookbrown.com/) Tori's wedding was beautiful and happy and a little sad, but most of all it was special...

Our family picture

Charlotte getting her snack in

Tori let me and Aunt Vicky do her flowers!! I did the bouquets and Vicky did the boutonnieres. This is a close up of the bouquets I made.

Me and girls getting ready

All the little children

How sweet!

I think this is my favorite picture!!

One of my favorite people signing the marriage license and one of my other favorite people behind the camera taking the picture!

All the guys

All the girls

Tori is so beautiful and I'm so happy she loved her bouquet!

Tori walking to the chapel - could she be more beautiful?? The moment Kevin saw her - we all were holding back tears!Tad's family - they have to make a special lens to fit us all in!

The first dance

Father daughter moment

This is the sweetest father daughter picture ever.

Tad and Tori trying to to cry

Dancing with the girls

Sarah-Grace and Holt danced all night together

Tad giving the toast trying not to cry, again!

The Cake

The happy couple! Congratulations Tori & Kevin- we wish you a lifetime of happiness!

First Day of School 2008

Monday was a great day. Sarah-Grace and Charlotte both had a wonderful first day at school. Sarah-Grace couldn't wait for Monday to come and then couldn't WAIT to get on the bus. Below are a few pictures.