The Cast of Characters

It's time for you to meet my family. The people I will be writing about the most. The people that will partake in the myriad of activities that we will share here with you!

The first thing to note is that it is almost impossible to have a picture of all 4 of us together. So take what you get!

This is me and the kids. Teagan is my daughter and she is 3. She turns 4 in March. Zach will be 1 in October. My age is unimportant, right? Oh fine. I'm 34. And I actually like my age just fine. And my birthday is in August and I am very hurt that you didn't send me gifts.

And here is a fun shot of my husband, Jeff. His age will remain private because he gets pretty sensitive about it. But his birthday is in January. So the sensitive time of adding yet another year is coming up soon! He doesn't always walk around on stilts. This was a special occasion. Here is another picture, just to prove the lack of stilts. Well, shoot. This one makes it look like he's grumpy all the time. Guess we need to work on his photogenic skills.

The final member of our household is our pooch. Sassy. She's a toy poodle. She's 10 years old. She had a best friend, Ginger. But we lost Ginger back in December. And we still miss her a lot.

So, that's us. We're pretty normal looking, right? I've worked hard to get my life as normal as possible. And we try to focus on fun as much as we can (you saw the stilts picture, right?).

Back to the Corners

Naptime for baby and Dance Class for preschooler so we are back to the Debate!! They are still talking about the economy. Lehrer asked a good question- what are you willing to cut from your current plans if this $700 billion bailout goes through? The answers started in the last post- where they both seemed to just prioritize their plans. No one really directly answers what will get cut. Obama did say that, for example, alternate energy is a large idea and there would be pieces of it that would have to be reviewed and cut. McCain is talking about fighting excessive spending. I agree with the idea. And I do like Obama calling him out on being connected to Bush and McCain voting FOR Bush's budgets. That is a VERY important point. You want to cut spending but you've been approving the budgets of the spendiest president in history. McCain points to his long record of being a maverick. And bringing up his maverick partner (and then he blinked really weirdly a few times). Huh. Lemme pause the DVR. On this topic of government spending. I think our government spends oodles and oodles of money they don't have. I think that there are definite areas where spending can be cut dramatically. I have no clue what those areas are since I've never reviewed the federal budget. But I still firmly believe that I will forever be taxed. And that my tax dollars will continue to fund these federal budgets. The important thing, to me, is who is making decisions about where the money goes. Until there is radical change (like, say, The Fair Tax), I will always have part of my income taken from me and spent in ways that I didn't directly approve. My state representative certainly hasn't called to ask if it's ok to spend my money on war. So the money is always going to be taken from me. MY preference is that my money be used to help people who need it. Social programs. Building infrastructure. Improving education. Making higher education more attainable. Job opportunities. Back to the debate. "We did not use our military wisely in Iraq." I AGREE. I also agree with McCain. He said that the next President will have to decide how we leave and when we leave. However, this is the same guy who says he can see us in Iraq for the next 100 years? I doubt his Presidency, if it ever happens, would last that long. Might feel like it. YES! The surge was a TACTIC to fix the previous mess. I soooo agree. Anyone else notice that Obama is willing to talk directly to McCain and looks at him but McCain doesn't seem to ever look at Bush or talk directly to him? Tactic vs Strategy. Tactic, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a device for accomplishing an end. Strategy, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is the art of devising or employing plans towards a goal. Huh. McCain seems to think there is a huge difference between these 2 things. I have to admit to being a little tired of rehashing the past. Mistakes were made with the Iraq War. We shouldn't have gone in for the reasons we were led to believe. I think it is important to recognize that mistakes were made and to admit that we have to fix it and get out. I would have a lot more respect for McCain if he would admit mistakes were made instead of only trying to look forward. Afghanistan. All I have to say is- I loved the pointed look at McCain when Obama said "strategic." Anyone else catch it?? Alright. Enough politics for my blog for now. One of these entries may actually introduce my readers (of which I currently have 3, I think) to me and my family and my life!

In This Corner...

I'm watching the Presidential Debate. Are you? If you aren't, you should be. If you are, follow along with me! First of all, I know it is called "playing to the camera," but I love how Barack can make eye contact with me through my TV. He's done it twice now. I swear. First thought. Obama pointed out that they had not yet read the proposal for this economic plan so he can't say whether he supports it or not. McCain stated he'll vote for it. Without reading it? McCain says he will veto any spending bill... but there are programs that need funding. Like that war he supports in Iraq. Jim Lehrer seems to be struggling. Huh. Energy. Health Care. Education, Science, Technology, Affordable College. Infrastructure- including broadband to rural areas. Eliminate programs that don't work. Eliminate ethanol subsidies. Fixed cost contracts. Defense spending under control. Clean out the bad apples from government agencies. And now I pause for the evening. As much as I would like to be a political afficionado... I am a mom first. And my daughter needs me. So off I go and I will watch more of the debate on the DVR over the weekend!

Free Thinking Friday

I'm just going to take this end of the workday Friday moment to share random thoughts. Of no particular order or consequence. Listening to NPR makes me feel smarter. There is a white envelope on my desk with an invoice in it that I need to get processed. I want to make those Carmelita Bars this weekend. I got the mix at Costco and have yet to crack it open. Oats, chocolate, caramel. Yum. We're going to Conner Prairie tomorrow. I hope my kids find it fun and it isn't completely over their heads. The admission is free so it is a good chance to test it out. Dance class is really fun and I wish it wasn't just for 3 and 4 year olds. I love watching them run and jump and stretch but I have this huge desire to be in there with those little girls... I have no idea what this blog thing may or may not become. Just a place for my thoughts? A place that people may turn to for advice? Who knows! Earth Festival is this weekend. I have no idea why it's called "Earth" Festival because it is just a small town taken over with tents and tents of crafters, artists, yard salers, and food vendors. It's fun to walk around but I really don't get the whole "Earth" connection. It's not that easy being green. I never made popcorn today. Maybe I'll pop some up for the debate tonight. Maybe I'll blog during the debate. Not that anyone will be clinging to my every word here... I think it is time to go home.

What a Rush!

I AM HERE! I am claiming my tiny little corner of the online globe! My mission statement... I am here to share ideas that I find or come up with in regards to parenting, babies, work, home, friendships, marriage, and anything else I feel like sharing. I like to test ideas. I like to test products. I like to test food and restaurants. I like to take and share pictures. Maybe my first commentors can be some of the people who have provided the encouragement to get out here and blog. They seem to be very excited about this option for me... so maybe they can share what it is they want me to share with a mystery audience!

First Dance Class

Prior to blogging, I kept a message board to keep up with friends and family through pregnancy and mommyhood.  I'm working on bringing those posts to this blog.

This morning was CUTE OVERLOAD.

A dance studio full of 3 and 4 year olds in leotards, pink tights, pink ballet slippers. A dance instructor and 2 young assistants. A hallway brimming with moms and a few dads and young siblings- the parents all lined up at the windows to watch each move.

For the past few days, Teagan has been saying she doesn't want to go to dance class. She was nervous about meeting other dancers, about potentially not having Mom or Dad in the studio with her. But this morning, when we got to the studio and up to her classroom, her tuned changed.

She and another little girl had very similar leotards on and enjoyed some time running around together- until the girl's mom made her stop having fun (boo on that mom). Then the dance teacher came up (studio owner who was filling in a for sick dance teacher- our regular teacher will be Miss Katie) and invited all the girls into the room. The parents lined up at the windows, some with cameras in hand, some chatting. A few of us were there for the very first time, some were "old hands." 

But Jeff and I were focused on Teagan. Our first born, first loved child. The one who has taught us so much, who has molded us into the parents we are (good and bad). 

All of these girls were ADORABLE. And I am so proud of my little girl... she watched the teacher for every move, listened to every bit of instructions, followed what was happening and added her own flair when the time was right. The lined up against the wall, they greeted the teacher one by one with a hug, they held hands in a circle, they marched and pointed toes and counted to 8 and swirled with scarves. I couldn't bear to take my eyes off my daughter and I know I was grinning from ear to ear the entire time- only pausing to swipe at the tears that kept clouding my vision.

Zach loved watching all the people, he was fascinated by all those little girls twirling about on the other side of the window... and would get SO EXCITED when he spotted his SISTER!

We took hundreds of pictures. Literally. I couldn't stop. I wanted to pause every single moment and commit it to complete and full memory.  







Telling the teacher and her helpers her name "Teagan Ann!"


Opening class with a hug for each student. Teagan was a little eager and wanted to be first- so 2 of them ended up going at the same time. 






Teagan after jumping when the helper pointed to her


































Zach was there and LOVED watching!!

Indiana State Fair 2008

Prior to blogging, I kept a message board to keep up with friends and family through pregnancy and mommyhood.  I'm working on bringing those posts to this blog. 


Started out with some breakfast at the Dairy Bar. Zach had his first taste of cow's milk and he really liked it. So when the time comes, I guess he'll be a milk drinker! Then we headed into the Our Land Pavilion. Teagan really enjoyed it. She learned about watersheds and bones and such. Collected all kinds of freebies. After that we headed to the Expo Hall. Collected a few more freebies. Went to the Family Art building and Jeff watched part of a cake decorating demonstration. Went and had lunch- pork tent, of course. Zach had his first taste of BBQ and Teagan ate an entire sandwich by herself! Then we headed up to Pioneer Village and got the kids' handprints traced- the coppersmith is so busy now that they just mail them out after the Fair!! Went and saw some fountains and butterflies. Walked through the new covered bridge. Rode the carousel twice and the ferris wheel once. Daddy and Teagan water raced against Mommy and some strangers. The squirt thing where you aim at the target and whoever stays on target, raises their whatever the fastest and wins. And... Teagan won!!! She is SO PROUD of herself- and we were very excited for her. She picked out a stuffed frog as her prize. Went through the Ag/Hort building. Got a couple of ribeye sandwiches and headed home. Both kids crashed before we got to the car. 

It was a GREAT day!