Parents, Kids and Schnoodles - oh my!

The beach!

2011-06-27T16:03:00.000-04:00

What's new with the Parents, Kids, Schnoodles and - oh my - HORSES

2011-05-14T16:27:00.002-04:00

So, here's a wam-bam, superduper quick catch-up, if I can possibly keep it to a couple sentences per person without it sounding like one of those holiday letters (yay my youngest got all stars for whatever, and my oldest can yadayada):

Steve - Still happy to be riding the last leg of his newspaper life out as editor of his hometown paper and not shoveling you-know-what for a big corporate you-know-what. But, the days of writing books full-time at home are a-callin.' Can't wait for us to be in a position for that to happen.

Moi - Working a weekend shift. Weird. Love my Tues-Wed "mommy-Savannah days." Missing my weekends with all 4 of us. Miss my big chunks o' hubby time (I also have 50-min commute). We cram it in at night, though. And Steve can cook I have learned. I'm e-communications manager at a big equestrian organization (since last fall). I get to tweet at work and have Facebook open all day. I also edit and write a lot and send out a ton of e-blasts. And the office is surrounded by horses. HAPPY GIRL.

Adam - Almost 10. Comes home the other days and says "Mom I got my black belt!" Well where the heck have I been?! (except for riding his bike he's not super physical). "My black belt in recorder. Ohhhhh. Yep, he's still got the music in him. When he's not nose-deep in a book he's on his piano, strumming his guitar, or practicing for the next "belt." I keep waiting for the next instrument request and wondering where we are going to be able to fit a studio.

Savannah - Turned 4 in March. Sweet as sugar. 99 percent of the time she is the happiest bundle I have ever seen. I still marvel at her joy. The other 1 percent of the time = MELT. DOWN. And the list of the things she wants to and can do "ALL BY MYSELF!" is ever growing.

Shelby/Scout - Crazy girls. I swear when we adopted the kids, and their training went out the window, they went nuts and stayed that way. But, both schnoodles are healthy (physically if not mentally).

Buck/Savannah (the horse) - Something knew every day. Savannah broke my ribs not long ago. For awhile I was scared to go near her. Ear pinning no matter what I did. Well picture this: the farrier the other day grinding away at her feet. Me holding her face and us resting, forehead to forehead. And me trying not to sob. In a strange way, I have moments with her now, that remind me of times I had with Adam. Hostile times, times of anger (that for both came from confusion from their past) and now, consistency and love bringing peace and calm.

Buck, who spent the past few years with Savannah before they were both abandoned, kind of watches us both, as if to say, "Finally."

So what else ..... I signed Steve and I up for a half-marathon this fall. Steve couldn't say no because the finish line is a baseball home plate. Well, and because I signed him up. It's called the Home Run 1/2 and he got an email saying he was signed up for it. He's secretly excited, though, I know it. Anything having to do with baseball, even running 13.1 miles.

I also realize that my hair is longer, the kids are way bigger, Will is a new addition, as are the horses, so the photos on this blog need major updating. I'll get to that. For now, meet our new equine friends.

Steph and Savannah with the horses, Buck and Savannah

I'm putting myself in the mom doghouse - over snapping

2011-05-14T13:50:00.002-04:00

It was so exciting at first. But then she started snapping all the time.

So. I. Lied.

It just came out.

I told our 4-year-old Savannah that if she snapped too much her snapper would wear off.

Now she's telling other people it's "dangerous" to snap too much and they should stop.

If there's a mom doghouse, I'm in it.

But it is more quiet.

Parents, Kids & Schnoodles - oh my! Horses, too!?

2011-04-29T09:56:00.000-04:00

We're baaaacccck! And oh, how I've missed you. No, really, I have. I had put you to rest, dear blog. Got a new job. Among other things. Rescued a couple horses. Doyle Mania went well beyond mania there for awhile, whatever that is called.

I got another blog, Equestrian Living. Don't be jealous, blog. You've always had more fans, even when you're being neglected! I'm not sure why. For some reason, people have been interested in these crazy parents, their two kiddos and two schnoodles. And this mom has missed writing about it all. I am, after all, a writer at profession and heart.

So let's see what happens when we throw two horses into the mix, and get back to it. Soon, in a future post, you'll meet Buck and Savannah, our latest additions, rescued from Missouri. They're definitely interesting additions to the Doyle family!

Hope all of your out in bloggy land are doing well. My first order of business, before my blog and I catch up, is for me to catch up with all of you. I am home sick, so plenty of time for some reading. Hope you are all still out there!

2010-01-16T20:49:00.002-05:00

By the way, regarding previous post. This is "Moose." He is HUGE. And he kicked the fire out of me the first day I worked with him (I still have the hoot print on the tush of my once-clean pink coveralls Steve got me for Christmas). But we are getting along splendidly now, and the training is going well. He is the first horse I see when I pull up each morning, and the last I see when I leave. I am, sorry to say to my hubby, in love.

The Doyles are busy busy but happy happy

2010-01-04T07:33:00.010-05:00

OK, hopefully, you are following us on Facebook, otherwise, you may think we have disappeared! But all is beyond wonderful these days with the Doyles. Just no time these days for blogging... I do update friends quite a bit via Facebook, so if you haven't added me there, especially our adoption friends, I hope you will.

I recently started a several-month intensive equine training/rehabbing/foaling/science/riding program that has me leaving in the wee hours of the morning and then scrambling to go back to Super Mom mode for a couple hours, before cramming in a couple hours of homework and the diving into my hubby's arms and collapsing. It's a rough schedule but honestly, I haven't been happier since my newsroom days and I can't wait to see where it all takes me.

Steve is doing great and he - and his staff and newspaper - are expected to win many MANY awards at the state's newspaper contest next Friday night. I am excited I get to go with him to the banquet, doing a quick-change from horsewoman to someone who, well, doesn't smell like Moose, the former racehorse I am re-training (to be a "normal, nice" horse). I will try to behave and not stand up and scream "Yee haw!" when Steve wins a biggie, but I know he will, and am a) proud of him and b) so happy he is doing more things he loves these days in journalism.

The kids are awesome, too, and I will let the photos below (from the holidays mostly) speak for themselves! The highlight of the end of 2009 was my grandfather being able to visit us from Arizona. Special times!

Woolly worms, pumpkins, and lotsa pur-tay leaves

2009-10-25T11:18:00.011-04:00

Well, my oh my fall came, and fall is going ... (the photo below, of Adam hugging the tree, I took two weeks ago, and now those leaves are g-o-n-e, poof!)

We've been having a WONDERFUL fall. Busy busy and wonderful. Savannah has ridden her first "real" (aka non-pony) horse and held her first woolly worm. Adam climbed a hay-bail pyramid, raided Actors Theatre of Louisville's annual get-rid-of-costumes sale (see his new hat below), and auditioned for the "Best Christmas Pageant Ever." He is Garfield in what will be a modern (hilarious) version of the play. Garfield is the male version of Gladys and he gets to do the infamous "Sha-zam" lines.

And we hit Gallerein Farms again this year for our wagon-ride to the pumpkin patch (when we swore after moving to Ky last year and having that experience, that we would never again grocery-shop a pumpkin, we weren't kidding!)

Steve is doing great, too - he and Adam right now are actually out shooting fall photos for his newspapers special Fall section. His columns rock - he was meant to be here and meant to do what he is doing.

Happy birthday to my dad this month, happy 6 years to my sweetie, and Happy Halloween to all!

And Savannah ...

2009-10-01T09:39:00.003-04:00

Savannah is doing wonderfully as well. She is loving the cooler weather. Why? New outfits!! And this first one is my favorite. It was one of the first outfits we ever bought for her. Before we knew who she was, before we even knew a thing about where we even going in China, or when. I saw it in Cracker Barrel of all places and I thought, Raggedy Ann! I loved her as a kid. It seemed then like it would be forever until our daughter would actually wear it. Even now, at size 3T, it's too big, but when she saw me put it in her drawer, Savannah started laughing - so hard she had happy tears - and, of course, I had the memory and almost lost it... so on the outfit went on this morning, with lots more laughter, and running to see the finished look in "mama's big mirror."

The last photo is Savannah with an Alpaca. There is an Alpaca farm about 10 minutes from our house, and we've driven by often. She loves them, as do I. But at "Alpaca Days" last weekend Steve and I took her and she was able to get up close and personal.

Good times!

Boo!

2009-09-30T16:52:00.010-04:00

Well, it seems as if the start of the school year has brought one major reality - daily, or even weekly, blogging is not in the cards. But I can't really blame it all on second grade. I've sort of refocused my life in spurts lately - all in good ways.

Blogging, as many know, was brand new to me when we started our journey to adopt Savannah in 2005. As a writer, I fell right in love. And then, while waiting for her, Adam joined our family. More blogging fun ensued...

Then, the blog became such a convenient way to update family and friends on our journey as it continued - our family seemingly ever changing and adapting in its 4-member form. And when we moved to Kentucky about one year ago, I really latched on - my blog was my place to share the ups and downs of a home un-sale/sale, adapting to the ice after living in the Sunshine State, etc.. Not knowing anyone here, you all became my friends. And some of you, now truly are. Some of you I am meeting this weekend for the first time, and I can't wait!

While this blog will forever remain, I will be limiting it now to mostly family photographs and goings on. And for privacy, won't be connecting to places like Facebook... I hope you'll still check in from time to time - as I will with you!

And on that note. Let's talk Adam. I am so overdue on the last round of Seussical photos. It was absolutely amazing. They ended up adding two more shows after the first six sold out. Adam was exhausted by the end but had the time of his life and is ready for more stagedom. He misses the other kids immensely. There were 95 total, and all of them, even the teenagers, were like a giant family, and treated him like a little brother. This first photo was his sort of "trademark" of the show. Where he puts his arms out and sings, "Meeeeeeeee, tooooooooo!" and everyone smiles and laughs. LOVE IT!

Seussical Survival

2009-09-14T16:05:00.008-04:00

This is a photos first, words second post - wow, what a change!

Round 1 - check! Round 2 - starts this Thursday. Hopefully Adam won't be sick this time!

Talk about learning perseverance, among other things! Poor kid on Thursday started to feel bad. But he somehow managed to gut it out, the doc, who felt "golf ball-sized nodes" in his neck, put him on a whopping strong antibiotic, and Adam performed in all the Seussical Jr. shows - Thurs night, Fri night, Sat night, and two shows Sunday. And you would have never known he was carrying any germs with him on stage. He is so in love with the theatre, he just beams, it's an awesome thing to watch. And his new Seussical family, what a great group of children and parents!

Meanwhile, a couple of the Wickersham Brothers started ailing on Sunday, so just all-around hoping this break over the next few days will find everyone feeling back to their normal selves. We are so proud of Adam, all the cast and especially the show's director, Amanda Simmons. She has worked wonders with 94 (yes NINETY-FOUR) kids, ages 6-18). The show is AMAZING. Of course, we were excited to see Adam opening night, but we had no idea what we were in for. I cannot wait for my mom to see the last show!

I Heart Faces - Wee 36 - Contemplative and 'Pets'

2009-09-14T15:39:00.005-04:00

Savannah is in both of my I Heart Faces entries this week. The first, "contemplative," is described by the I Heart Faces folks as this: thoughtful observation; full or deep consideration; dreamily or wistfully thoughtful: a pensive mood; expressing or revealing thoughtfulness; quiet modes of apparent or real thought; can be marked by some sadness, but doesn't have to be.

Here is my other photo, for the "pets" category (no, doesn't have to be your pet, and this goat is not ours!). I admittedly got lucky, shooting this just after she and the goat head-butted - then she laughed!)

Be sure to check out the other contemplative and pet shots over at I Heart Faces, they are extraordinary as usual!!

Why you should do this...

2009-09-09T12:04:00.008-04:00

A former co-worker of mine - we worked together at the Herald & Review (he still does) - has a photo entered in the Editor & Publisher Photos of the Year competition. It is entitled “Goodbye Daddy.” Judges will vote on these awards very soon. They also have a People’s Choice Award category. Here is the link. And here is why I hope you will take 1 minute to vote:

1) Kelly Huff, the photographer, is a really good guy (you'll just have to take my word on this one, I guess).

2) This photo is wonderful - see for yourself.

3) The story it tells, in one photo, I believe is getting lost. It doesn't matter which "side" you are on when it comes the war, or any war. Feelings are feelings. Little boys and little girls miss their mommies and daddies.

P.S. At last check, Kelly's photo was in the lead, but it could change quickly so please vote if you love this photo as much as I did!

Theatre Mania - our Two-Week Challenge

2009-09-04T14:29:00.008-04:00

Happy Labor Day y'all! We ended up dodging predicted rain, which meant Savannah got a much needed pony ride fix as well as some serious animal face time, particularly goats - at our church's FamilyPalooza. While other kids stretched their arms out as far as they would go to give a goat a tiny nibble of corn, Savannah plopped a squat right by the goats for about 20 minutes while they licked her, ate corn off her head that she was picking off the ground and managing to get more on her than in the goats' mouths, and then, as she finally tried to get up, knocked her over repeatedly ('love taps' I called them, because she was loving every minute of it - they couldn't help that she was dripping in corn dust by then and their heads just happened to be larger than hers).

Adam is off to the start of "tech week" tonight for Seussical Jr. and oh-so-excited to be in costume for the first time. Mom traipsed him to countless stores (literally, we tried to remember and failed) to find bright orange shoes to match his shirt. We collapsed and celebrated the successful find with dinner at Applebee's and a beaming Adam gave a full costume fashion show to Dad and Savannah when he got home. Both Adam, as Young Kangaroo, and his counterpart Tori, starring as Sour Kangaroo, also are wearing the cutest denim overalls I found thanks to Amazon.com saving the day.

Anyway, tech week basically means running the show every night, then shows Thurs-Sun (with two on Saturday), then starting it all over again for a second week ... and in between Mom and Dad tag-teaming him to wash the spikes out of his hair so he can look presentable for school the next morning (and not break their hair rule). To make sure he gets enough zzzzzs we're letting him sleep in 30 whole extra minutes. Mom literally throws his clothes on his slumbered self and sends him out the door with some food-to-go like an orange juice box, bagel and a yogurt, which he can eat in the car while Dad drives to school. Ahhhh such is the life of a theatre boy.

They took casting photos last week (see below) and this week start shooting in-costume group shots. Will post those (and write more - about other things in life, such as my NEW job!!!) as we come up for air. Cannot wait for Steve and I to see Seussical Jr. on Friday night! We're so proud of you Adam!!!!

Wiggles Mania!

2009-09-01T11:39:00.003-04:00

My poor blog!

2009-08-30T10:21:00.013-04:00

Well, if a blog had feelings, mine would be singing the blues. Are you missing me, blog?
The list of excuses is fairly long. School is an obvious one - mine and Adam's. And not only has Adam's schedule thrown the house into a bit of a tailspin, but the start of the new year has major brought musical action with his part in Seussical Jr. I can't even count how many rehearsals there have already been. Let's just say this afternoon's rehearsal is a four-hour run-through of the entire show. Yes, time is a-flying by. Ticket sales for the show apparently have been so zany that another (SEVENTH) show was added - only the second time ever such has been done in the theater's history. Wowza! We can't wait, of course, and Adam is pretty much singing whenever he's not reading or practicing math.

We also had an incredible visit with my mom and dad, which included a visit to the spectacular Old Friends equine rescue - a must visit for anyone and everyone, local or visiting. We also packed in a jumping show, dining al fresco at Mirimba and just lots of time with me watching one of my favorite things in life - my parents with my ever-changing children and just soaking in the 'aweness' of that entire feeling every time I can. Then, of course, Steve and I got to sneak out for a 'date,' which is also a wonderful side benefit of a grandparent visit!

The smell of fall is in the air, sort of, with invitations to Moon Festival parties, and slightly cooler temps. Kind of can't wait. Kind of trying to take Savannah to the Splash Park pool, and the playground, every chance I get. Before the ice storms arrive, haha. OK, get a grip, girl, it's still August. By a DAY.

And, almost lastly, Steve and I had the wonderful experience of watching our niece Catie the other night ride her horse Bo in the World Championship at the Kentucky State Fair. We were so proud!

And lastly, really, Steve and I are taking Savannah to a Wiggles concert this afternoon and I am not sure who is more excited - Savannah, or us. We're like big kids. I will stop rambling and let the photos tell the rest. Basically, though, we're busy, but happy. All is well.

Back to reality!

2009-08-13T07:10:00.003-04:00

I was awake when the alarm went off this morning but getting up to make a lunch and trying to see how quiet we can all be so the toddler doesn't wake up (which didn't work) isn't the same thing as waking up and lying there listening to the birds chirp.

Although come to think of it, the birds weren't awake yet!

Yes, it's back-to-schoooooool!

And how is it that in just a few short months our kids seems so much bigger, so much more grown up? Is it the larger size shorts and shoes just playing with our heads?

I told Adam I wished I could freeze everyone in his school, run over there and check in with him around 12:30 for an update - I don't think I can wait until 2:45 for all the details. I think I must be trying to live the second grade all over again, through him!

Hope all your back-to-schools have or are getting off to a good and fun start!

Now, I am off to my girl who doesn't want to eat this morning, doesn't want Mama to go, but alas, I am off to Lexington. More on that soon - but starting next Monday, this Mama, too, is back to school! Except I don't have to wear a uniform or bring a pencil box and Magnet Man. :)

I Heart Faces - Week 29 - "Just for Fun" - Pets

2009-08-11T08:56:00.005-04:00

See my Silly/Funny faces entry post below - this one is a "just for fun/pets" entry this week at I Heart Faces. I am taking a HUGE risk this week especially given that this is a just-for-fun entry. Truly, posting this photo may result in divorce. But I can't help myself. I was browsing through old photos, saw this one, and, well ... it speaks for itself. SORT OF. I better at least throw in a proper cutline. See, Steve was watering the Christmas tree. And Shelby, our eldest Schnoodle, wanted to check out the process, I guess... Pretty funny. I'm pretty dead... If there are no more posts from me you know why!

I Heart Faces - Week 29 - Funny/Silly Faces

2009-08-11T08:43:00.005-04:00

Some of you have seen this before, but how could I not put a Lo Mein picture up for this week's I Heart Faces Funny/Silly Faces photo challenge? I will never forget the first time we ordered lo mein for Savannah at home - she went NUTS. I grabbed the camera and clicked away for at least 30 minutes and my side hurt from laughing so hard. She couldn't believe how long those noodles were and did all kinds of silly things. And it's one of the only times she ever let her face get that messy! Be sure to check out the other funny shots over at I Heart Faces - they are a hoot!

Savannah's training regimen with Dad - t-ball, soccer and... velcro 'darts' to keep the arm in shape

2009-08-09T20:30:00.007-04:00

Seussical Jr. starring - Adam Doyle!

2009-08-03T22:03:00.009-04:00

So after taking an audition workshop last week at our local theatre Adam decided he definitely wanted try out for the upcoming musical, Seussical Jr.

Auditions were held for three hours on Sat and Sun. He went Sunday and I shocked to see about 50 kids crammed in the lobby. Anyway, Sunday night the phone rang. They wanted him for a "call back" (theatre lingo for wanting to see him again for some reason).... we didn't know why.

So we went back tonight at 6. Turns out he was one of 5 boys they were considering for a leading role (Jo Jo, who appears throughout the play with the Cat in the Hat!). Well stop the presses folks, that was all I needed to hear, I was so proud I almost burst. And I figured he would be in the show! They wouldn't consider him for Jo Jo and then give him the boot, would they?

Well, after an hour-and-a-half of auditioning, we were sent home. But, just as we were walking in the door, Steve was there, phone in hand, telling Adam he had a phone call.

It was the director, telling Adam he did great at the audition, and she would love him to be the Young Kangaroo. She told me it's a funny character and that she nearly busted her side a couple times when Adam got her laughing so hard. He will have actual reading and singing lines, and is over-the-moon excited!

Rehearsals start this Thursday - only 18 rehearsals to go until show time, or should I say show times - SIX SHOWS woo hoo! We are so proud of you Adam and hope you have a lot of fun!

Photo note: I'll never forget Adam singing his first solo at a little Disney summer camp, followed by some others... he has loved every minute of it and I have a feeling will love his role in Seussical Jr. role mucho!

Ligretto!

2009-08-03T12:59:00.011-04:00

Picking toys is not easy and there is a toy website called ebeanstalk, dedicated to selecting good, safe learning toys and 7 year old toys. BUT they need help from moms like me to help pick the toys. The toy they sent is called Ligretto from Playroom Entertainment, which makes great educational toys. Here is the deal on Ligretto:

First off, I am not sure I would call it a "toy." My husband was ready to play all day. Ligretto is actually a card game, and apparently somewhat addictive! The box says it's for ages 8 and up and I can just say that the "up" part is definitely true. I can see my parents playing with us when they visit, and I can even imagine my grandmother getting quite competitive over it.

Adam, who just turned 8, loved it, and will even more when he learns to manage his cards better. He's got slippery fingers it seems.

In a nutshell, Ligretto has you thinking quick on your feet. You try to ditch your cards in the middle of the table in piles of 1-10 - faster than anyone else. In the end - IF you win - you get a point for each card you got rid of. So does everyone else, but they also have to subtract 2 points for every card they got stuck with. First player to 99 points, wins.

If you're "older," I have to believe this game would help fend off Alzheimer's disease, the same way they say crossword puzzles do. And if you're closer to 8, or elementary-school age - it's just plain old fun. Adam, of course, already knows his numbers 1 thru 10, so I'm not sure the game helps much in any mathematical kind of way. But for a boy who is very sharp but really likes to take his time with things, a think-quick-on-your-feet game like Ligretto may be just the game for him. Although I have to admit, my hubby was purposely playing very slowly, so our son would have half a chance to get rid of some cards. But Adam definitely was improving with each round.

Parents, it also requires kids to pay major attention. And that's a good thing to practice any ol' time!

I had to take our son to a theatre audition so I had to make them stop playing so we could go, if that says anything!!

Whoa. Whoa! WHOA!! Horse stunts and frickles.

2009-07-31T17:12:00.009-04:00

Adam and I in stereo: "Whoa." "Whoa!" "WHOA!" We knew the vaulting would be neat. It was better than neat. Way better, Adam said. Off Adam and I were this morning to the second round of free competition events at the new arena at the Kentucky Horse Park - vaulting - one of eight sports to be held at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in the same arena (and elsewhere at the park) in 2010. Awesome stuff - the best riders (vaulters?) somehow remaining so fluid and graceful while leaping and standing upside-down on a trotting (aka bouncy) horse. And the horses - some of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

The last photo was taken in Georgetown on our way home. We found Steve's bday presents there (even though it's not until Sept - one of those really lucky finds)... and then the shop owner directed us to Fava's, home of frickle (fried pickle), homemade pies, and apparently the longest french fry Adam has ever had. Fava's has been around since 1910, Southern diner food ... and I can't wait to take my parents there the next time they visit, after perhaps a stop at nearby Old Friends, which rescues retired thoroughbreds. Lovin' me some horses and some Georgetown, Ky.

I Heart Faces Week 29 - At the Beach - Whips up some emotions

2009-07-28T19:22:00.011-04:00

It's time to go to the beach this week at I Heart Faces. Of course, having lived in Florida, and visited my parents' beach place in S.C. I have a few (ahem) shots to choose from. I purposely went with Adam this time - see first photo for my photo this week (click to enlarge). I've been a mushball having just watched Savannah see the ocean for the first time, so I thought it would be fun to reflect on Adam's beach time.

That said, I just had to tell what I think is our sweet "beach-related adoption story." I ended up a weepy mess after going through some umpteen photo folders starting with the slug 'AdamBeach.' See, the first time Adam came to visit us, he was 5. He wanted a new mom and dad. He just had no clue that we were quite possibly going to be the Mom and the Dad, and that despite feeling totally unprepared, we wanted to be the ones. Anyway, he visited with his grandmother, so if he came down again, to stay, it wouldn't seem as strange. And we took him to the beach. It was his first time in the ocean (see second photo below - Adam and I in the ocean together for the first time. I'll never forget it. I wanted many more times in the ocean with him, I can tell you that. It was an exhilarating, but scary time, wanting that feeling forever).

The third photo is the first day he came to live with us - for good. We flew down from Mpls on a Friday night, and the next morning Steve and I took him to the beach. This is one of my Top 5 favorite photos of Adam, he was so contemplative of the water rushing over his feet, he was so at peace, considering all he had just left, and all the newness he was facing.I just remember thinking, "Is this all for real?" and wondering what Adam must be thinking, in Minneapolis one day, in the ocean the next, about to go sleep in his new room, the first one he could call his own (ocean-themed, of course!).

The next few, watching Adam with his Dad, and how quickly they bonded, really make me a blubbery mess. He was such a fragile little twig, and Steve just had such a way with him. Now Adam is our ever-growing somewhat less fragile twig. Who can dig big holes in the sand and isn't afraid to plop down in them and get messy. And who will go into the ocean past his ankles. And tackle a big wave or two. My, the times, they are a-changin'.

Happy Sunday... from...

2009-07-26T17:33:00.009-04:00

The Louisville Zoo! Savannah and I had a girl's half-day out today - talk about getting up-close and personal with the animals. Now I know why Adam loved the Gorilla Forrest so much when he took his field trip with school! The big ape is looking at Savannah like, "Why do YOU have such a cool thing to ride around in?"

I am glad the zoo folks shot this photo of the two of us because nearly all of the pictures I have of Savannah are her checking out the animals!

I was sure glad I brought the stroller. We hardly ever use it, she typically is the only toddler at a place without one, she prefers her legs, but wow the Louisville Zoo is HUGE! I was loving it - stretching out my legs after my riding lesson yesterday - and we only covered about a third of it! More creatures to see next time!

Apparently if ya hang at the horse park enough you'll end up in the newspaper!

2009-07-24T10:44:00.007-04:00

Did I mention we've been heading to the horse park a lot lately? Well last night Savannah and I headed to the Kentucky Cup individual finals reining event for the Equestrian World Games. Exciting stuff. Not to mention the new arena is just gorgeous. Well, Savannah had fun watching the horses, really, but also enjoyed playing with her cowgirl hat and stuffed horse. So much so she caught the eye of a Louisville Courier-Journal photographer. You can find the photo here - click on the photo gallery under the photo on the right-hand side and she's the third photo.

And here is my favorite photo that I shot of the evening, Savannah watching the horses and riders warm up. Love how she's got her hands in her pockets like a real cowgirl.

Giddyup!

2009-07-23T15:57:00.007-04:00

We've been spending some time at the Kentucky Horse Park lately. The World Equestrian Games 2010 "test events" are going on there. They're awesome. The new arena is spectacular (see photo below). The best part: it's free except parking. We're hitting the individual reining finals tonight and then next week are the Kentucky Cup vaulting events (sort of like gymnastics on horseback, cool stuff). And I am getting used to the hour ride, which I will be doing daily starting in August for my new equestrian classes.

This week while at the park the kids also stopped by for a pony ride - Savannah's first. She was a natural. When she woke from her nap later that afternoon she muttered, after barely opening her eyes, "I ride baby horsie." I wish she was old enough for regular lessons, she is so ready, and this is definitely something she talks about non-stop. And boy is she strong! To think mom was worried about her staying on! She is only 2 after all... And then she gets home and helps me carry in a gallon of milk into the house!

I will have to take pictures of Adam with his new razor scooter. Horses aren't really his thing - he likes them "ok," or his bike - YET - but his new birthday razor scooter, he is zipping along!

Our Little Picasso

2009-07-18T13:50:00.004-04:00

Adam's not the only artist in the fam! OK, I did the sun and her name (and her nose), but she did the rest (and my nose), even learning stripes!

From coupon clippin' to coupon crazed and then some - and LOVIN' the savings!

2009-07-14T19:35:00.017-04:00

I am officially obsessed. It's not my fault. I blame it on Frugal Girls, Money Saving Mom, Little Miss Know It All, Coupon Clippin Mama, and Thrifty Mommy, among other sites including Money Saving Methods, A Full Cup and Common Sense with Money.

I've always been a sporadic coupon clipper and at the very least planned my grocery trip around the weekly sales flyer. And major believer in generics, for certain products. Then, I met Coupon Mom, and started printing her weekly Kroger list. Next to each item on sale that week, she also lists, when available, where you can find the coupon/S for that item (and yes, sometimes sale+coupon/S = free or even money back). THAT beats generic prices every time. Problem in the past: I was only clipping certain coupons. Now I stash them all in a bin for months.

I also now visit the above sites regularly, and do the same for CVS, Walgreens and other stores. You wouldn't believe what I made out with last week when K-Mart, a place I hadn't been to in years, had a week of double coupons up to $2. Nearly my entire cart was FREE! I took the kids and even Adam was saying, "That's free?!" I was thinking, "You don't know the half of it kid, those are fancy sport tampons - you can even go swimming and running in those!"

Anyway, so I did a major stock up on toiletries, which will be great when I start my classes in August and am too busy for a few months to pay attention to such details! Granted, it took a little planning, and sorting through 30+ coupons in the store wasn't easy, but if someone was going to hand you $85 in cash to go on a shopping spree, you'd take it.

This week Kroger has an awesome mix-and-match 10 sale is you use a Kroger card. Mix-and-match and get $5 off your bill for every 10 items (i.e. Kroger pizzas become 49 cents). My bill initially was $144.73, which actually wouldn't have been bad considering literally every single item on my list was bolded (as in on sale) and my cart was overflowing with everything from 5 boxes of Raisin Bran, 5 containers of my usually somewhat pricey Smart Butter Light, 12 (!) Liquid Soft Soaps, 10 Sargento shredded cheeses (you can freeze them), and much much more. I chose all the items we usually buy. Also got some things we needed that weren't in the mix-and-match such as bananas (remember, we're a family of four!).

BUT ... I watched as my bill shot down - to $73.95 after watching $5.00 come off 5 times, plus some coupons.

AND it gets better! Because I bought 10 things from the Kellogg's family, I already sent off my $10 Kellogg's 2009 Fuel for School! Rebate - so that really drops the bill to $63.95 (you also get a $70 Dell rebate if that interests you).

AND ... I also got a free movie thanks to the Kellogg's DVD movie offer (which only requires 5 product tokens and is COMPLETELY free). I picked a movie for Steve and Adam and will save it for a Christmas stocking stuffer.

Not to mention all the FREE or near free back-to-school goodies at CVS this week - you really should get a CVS card and figure out how to work their ECBs (aka ExtraCare Bucks) - and $1.25 Cheerios (using coupons combined with sales).

And I could go on... yes, they've created a monster in me! The trick? Set aside 30 minutes or so to scan the above sites (I usually do Friday late afternoon or night), and then plan an hour over the weekend or early the next week to tackle your top 1-3 places)...

I am not going to try to duplicate my frugal friend sites - there are plenty and I've listed enough to get you started. But I will occasionally toss out some of the more interesting finds I come across - key word under my tabs will be frugality- 'cause I ain't cheap, just frugal, LOL.

Happy shopping - and saving!

I Heart Faces - Week 27 - Sports & Pets

2009-07-14T09:40:00.009-04:00

This week it's sports and pets over at I Heart Faces - be sure to check out all the great entries! I took this photo this past weekend, the day Adam saw his grandparents from Minnesota, just the second time he'd seen them since we had adopted him. He was "nervous and excited" as we picked them up from the airport. His eyes instantly lit up as he grabbed both their hands. They brought him this kite and as you can see on his face (please click on the photo to enlarge as I haven't figured out how to do that yet!) - well, his expression says it all about how he was feeling that day!

And here is my pet entry. We have so many up-close shots of our two sister Schnoodles, Shelby and Scout, that I couldn't decide. So I picked a shot of them doing their backyard "Schnoodle 500s." They just crack me up flying around our day lilies.

Grandparents and adoption

2009-07-11T21:26:00.009-04:00

Being adopted sure ain't always easy. I could write a few dozen - maybe hundred - blog posts on that topic. But one thing is for sure when it comes to our son. He is blessed with a lot of grandparents who love him, and that, is an easy thing to love. This weekend his Grandma Mary and Grandpa Burt are visiting from Minnesota. It's been awhile since they have seen Adam, yet despite Adam having a much bigger vocabulary, more inches and definitely more skills, they picked up where they left off, as grandparents and grandchildren can do.

Things were not easy between us and Mary and Burt when we first adopted Adam. We were, after all, taking their only grandchild from Minnesota all the way down to Florida (this was before we moved to the Bluegrass State). Sure, they knew we would give him wonderful opportunities, but when your heart is breaking, your heart often shouts out and silences your mind. Then, they have watched from afar - with ever-growing support - as Adam gained two sets of new grandparents that he is able to see see regularly. But when Mary arrived to our home this weekend she gave Adam a photo album. In it were pictures from Adam's recent beach trip to see his Grandma Cher and Grandpa Jon (Steph's mom and dad). That says a lot. Mary knew how much Adam loved that trip to the beach to see his grandparents, and so created the special album for him. His eyes just beamed - I am sure for more reasons than one.

So this weekend has been absolutely wonderful, watching Mary and Burt with Adam as they show such a deep curiousity to soak up every minute detail of of his life. But also watching them with our now second child, watching them in Adam's new big brother role, and just getting to know them as the wonderful grandparents and people they are - a nonjudgmental and sincere couple who loves our son dearly and have much more love to give as his life continues on its journey.

P.S. regarding the last photo: Savannah entertained us all tonight by delving - and we mean delving - into her first ear of corn on the cob. Who knew a 2-year-old could do that?

Let's go...fly a kite...

2009-07-11T14:04:00.007-04:00

Adam's Grandma Mary and Grandpa Burt are visiting from Minneapolis this weekend. One of the highlights so far was the arrival of a new kite. Despite very little wind the first night, the boys were determined to give it ago (with strong encouragement from Mom, who wanted to break out the camera and see what happened).

After a little success - but a few mishaps with the flowers - four college-educated people realized it would probably be easier to run with the kite IN A STRAIGHT LINE, not in CIRCLES in the backyard. Turns out, there also was more breeze out front where there are NO TREES. Duh!!

I love this last photo: "SUCCESS!" as Adam walks back (Dad carrying the kite).

Tonight we're grilling out - corn on the cob, pineapple (yes, even that's going on the grill - YUM!), burgers, and watermelon - and I am noticing it is quite windy today. Hmmm, maybe another kite run in our future. Might be Mom's turn to get moving and let someone else take photos...

Now these, I DO know what these are. And mmm, I like 'em!

2009-07-09T19:29:00.007-04:00

I've never been that into flowers... I remember for my wedding thinking oh, the flowers. Whatever. My mom can totally deal those if she wants to. I mean, they're all pretty right? We ended up opting for the simple and elegant callalily, if anyone is sitting on the edge of their chair wondering what we went with. And they were gorgeous - the bridesmaids wearing plum and carrying white and me, in white of course, carrying plum.

But perhaps I am maturing a bit. Well, I still don't know much of what anything is - I still just know I like what I see. But I am, as they say, stopping to smell - and just appreciate - the flowers much more often. Including the day lilies that just sprung in our backyard. They take my breath away!

So I still want to be a nurse, BUT don't you think...

2009-07-06T08:08:00.013-04:00

... animals look better with their clothes off? Well, most of them? :) Especially horses?

After much thought and a husband who reminded me that "people nursing school" isn't going anywhere and will always be there if I want it, I have decided to pursue a somewhat more furry route. There is something called veterinary technology - a field expected to grow 35% by 2014 - and it sounds pretty darned good.

When we first came to Kentucky, it became clear that our family wasn't going to survive in the long run on what was becoming a dwindling freelance writing career and what obviously was not going to be a full-time personal training business (and neither coming with benefits). But now I am thinking Kentucky may just be the thing I needed to help me find my true second "love career."

So first - the vet tech - which is trained to be the vet's nurse, and although depending on the place they still have to do some vet asst-type grunt work, they also get to do anesthesia, surgical nursing, pharmacology, lab procedures (there are so many I love it!), imaging (including ultrasonography and endoscopic equipment).

But wait - it gets way better.

My thought was to specialize in equine medicine - that's where it's at here in Central Kentucky. The county we live in is the Saddlebred Capitol of the World and there literally is an equine hospital 2 minutes from our house. And, ahem, I have a slight thing for horses. And, very quickly, a thing for Kentucky.

So I also happened in the meantime to learn of new program - a joint venture between a local college and the Kentucky Horse Park. A famous jockey (Chris McCarron) founded the North American Racing Academy at the park a few years ago - initially to start a jockey school. But for those of us who aren't twigs, he now has a "horseman's pathway" option.

It takes you through many aspects of the horse industry and allows you to specialize in an area (likely for me anatomy & health sciences) which would tie in perfectly with vet tech. The final month is an internship. But I'm also trying to keep an open mind. I can imagine being a vet tech and riding instructor on the side... who knows... that is part of the adventure. Or vet tech and equine freelance writer (all of the horse mags are based here, and all want some kind of true equine knowledge). Well, I am going to get it and then some!

So, drum roll ... I am in! Mid-August start date.

To say "I'm excited," "I can't wait," sounds very yada-yada. I think I peed my pants a little. It's full-time for 6 months, I have to be there at 7 a.m. (leave here about 6 a.m.) and yes, I am STILL THAT excited. Good sign, perhaps?

I had already started my vet tech classes at Penn Foster (Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology) - four semesters of distance learning with in-person proctored final exams and two 9-week practicums, one at a small animal hospital, and one large animal. I've checked off three courses so far and now am into biology, and animal anatomy and physiology. You should have seen Adam's eyes bug out when he saw the horse anatomy poster hanging in my office. It's a great program and, I think, the only distance education program approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

I always thought I wanted to be a scientist and somehow I ended up being a history major, despite acing and loving a zoology class I took. So I feel like I am getting a little bit of a do-over. And now that I finally know how to study after all these years (you have to with a toddler pulling at your pants while trying to memorize animal restraint methods) I am kicking butt.

I've needed to get more riding experience under my belt for the upcoming horse program, so that's why all the talk about riding lately. It's come back quickly on the one hand (I rode some as a kid), but now I am trying Saddle Seat and Hunt Seat - I think jumping is going to be my thing - and it is way different than Western!

The horse program orientation is held here at the Thoroughbred Training Center. Sigh.
What's not to love?

More from the Doyle Fourth

2009-07-05T20:27:00.003-04:00

It rained - a lot - but nothing could dampen the day. Adam taught Savannah (well, you know, she is only 2) the Pledge of Allegiance, Savannah paced backed and forth anticipating the first guest arrival, and the kids made insta-new friends in Daddy's longtime Shelby County friends. It was great fun and in hindsight I wish I had taken more photos - Adam giving Lowry a piano performance and showing his art wall to almost everyone.

Tomorrow we're having lunch at the airport with longtime friends Don and Cheryl, can't wait to see them. Then I am off for my first ride with the Louisville Bicycle Club. They're doing a 2009 "new rider" series. I need to get my clipless pedal legs back on - and get used to riding the Louisville roads, which I am sure is quite different from the quiet Orange Trail I rode in Florida. But pack riding here I come.

So bicycle ride tomorrow and horse ride Wednesday - in my now two favorite black-and-pink helmets. Life is good!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Happy 4th, Happy surprise much-belated welcome back home to hubby, and finally, which one - UofL or UK?

2009-07-04T14:11:00.007-04:00

UPDATE: Time to prep for July 4th gathering: 3 days. Time to clean up: 30 minutes. Pounds gained while "taste-testing" during once-a-decade baking: ? Look on hubby's face when surprised with belated welcome to KY friends, gifts & deocrations: priceless.

Happy Fourth everyone!

Below is my attempt at red-white-and-blue festiveness. Martha Stewart I ain't. But hey, when for some reason a Betty Crocker email popped in my box, well, she I can do. M-n-M's on brownies? Check. White frosting and sprinkles on some more brownies? Check. Cupcakes with sprinkles. Check. (those turned out marvelously well, my photo on the other hand was horrendous, I swear).

Pop some flags and spin-wheel things across the deck. Check.

Now you'll notice Savannah is not sitting on a cushion. That's where the weather comes in. Right when everyone arrives (in about an hour), there is a 75 percent chance of thunderstorms. So we're keeping the cushions dry just in case there is that slim chance we can put them back out again. Ha. Haha. But those spin-wheel things - they sure look better when they're doing their spinning thing - and they're bound to be quite the show stopper when it storms (ever the optimist).

So today the family is coming over, but Steve also was surprised with the announcement that a few friends were coming over, too. None have seen our house yet, or met our kiddos. A little late, yes. But now that our garage is cleaned out and we have flowers planted, it is time. Time for the official welcome Steve back home. They are showing up with KY-themed goodies, some gag gifts I hope.

A few were asking me which basketball team Steve has aligned himself with - U of L or UK... Well, Steve likes them both. Me, it was time to make a decision. I can't do wishy-washy.

I revealed my decision today with the unveiling of a new UK grill cover. There are many reasons, but remember this - my mother-in-law goes Blue all the way. How can I go against the matriarch of the family? Savannah's first sports bib was UK (from Granny, of course). Ditto for my first Kentucky-related shirt, UK from Adam and Steve. So if there are so many U of L fans in the family, where's my "stuff," eh? Also important - I will be spending much much time in Lexington the next half year (see last post). I will explain why next time I write. Anyway, go Wildcats!

Have to go check on the weather... have fun and stay safe everyone!

And these photos mean what?

2009-07-02T12:01:00.015-04:00

Look very closely at these photos. They are here for a reason. Because I haven't even spoken to my 'rents about the cool news I found out today, well, hence the somewhat sort of cryptic post.

Yep, so the photos are me. OK, you don't have to guess how long ago. Just kidding. I've never had a hang up about my age. I am 38. And I'm actually ready to be 40. Then my husband I will only be one decade apart and when people ask us what our age difference is (always shocks me, the you-know-whats some people have) I can limit it to a decade. For awhile. :)

My only recent hang up, if you will, has been what the heck to do with the rest of my life. I mean besides all the stuff I love, I am talking a way to bring home some consistent bacon. And seeing if I can be happy doing it full-time (sometime fairly soon now that Savannah is approaching school-age). It's hard to live up to what journalism provided for my soul, let me tell you. I've started to think perhaps I need to lower the bar a bit.

Yeah, so, have you noticed I haven't mentioned the nursing option in awhile? Well, maybe, but here's the deal. I've been calling this Steph's "Summer of Exploration" thanks in great part to my hubby. Let's see, two years+ of a monster time commitment, and five figures payout in the dollar department - we had The Talk. The Talk about how sure I really was about the whole nursing thing (my husband also remembers how sure I was I wanted to teach after I left newspapers after 15 years - and how QUICKLY I abandoned my poor seventh-graders). Or perhaps, our discussion went, maybe I was taking my strong interest in science/medicine (which I definitely have) and trying to mesh it to the most guaranteeable national job market (which it is). See, I am Ms. Practical. Still sounds pretty smart and practical to me when I think about it. And it still very much might be. But we kept coming back to the monster two-year+ time commitment and five-figure $ investment. Hmmm, maybe I should explore a bit more and then decide...

So when the "if I could explore a few things" question came up. It was a no-brainer. Which is when it hit me that this exploring for the summer was really exciting and could lead to a lifetime of happiness. It's still ver scary. So we shall see. Still taking it one day at a time. But I can't wait to tell you what's going on. I had started exploring something in a somewhat more general way - and today heard some big news today on the exploration front in a more specific way. HUH? Yeah. Anyway, both are do-able. Still exploring. Options open!

Anyway, back to the photos, hint hint. Ahh, happy childhood times.

Any guesses?

Art of Reading No. 3

2009-06-30T22:35:00.007-04:00

I guess the "reading" part of this was Adam helping me navigate through all parts of Louisville!

This Art of Reading summer enrichment activity was to take five photos in front of Louisville's Gallopalooza horses.

"Gallopalooza" is a civic pride project that displays artsy horse statues throughout the Louisville area through November 2009. We had fun checking out their names - "Z Biscuit" outside Z Salon or "Par for the Horse" inside the Golf Headquarters store, to name a couple (also last two photos below).

No doubt if you live in Louisville you've seen a few of these fine masterpieces. But if you want to get out this summer and explore some parts of the city you haven't seen, believe me, take this list of Gallopalooza's with you and it'll do it. Adam had fun acting out a few of these, such as the first one, literally acting in front of "Colors of Clifton" at the Clifton Center. At the next one he is pretending to eat in front of "Mr. Porcini" outside Porcini Italian Restaurant (if you click on the photo to enlarge, notice the garlic running down the horse's tail).

Dear Adam, our now 8-year-old

2009-06-30T09:10:00.006-04:00

Dear Adam,

Happy Birthday! You are 8 and like we chanted last night, "8 is Great!" Your dad and I can't wait to see what great fun you have as an 8-year-old, what new things you learn, and what new things begin to tick in that incredibly curious mind of yours. I will never forget the first birthday we celebrated with you. You were 6 years old. You seemed so surprised by all the fanfare, that a birthday could have a "theme," and that you could have more than one party. Remember your friends at Next Generation Kids surprised you with cupcakes and balloons and Grandma and I showed up to take pictures?

You were so curious about why there was pirate stuff all over the kitchen, and I don't think I ever saw your eyes grow as big as when that pirate ship cake came out with all those candles on it and we sang to you.

And when you turned 7, it was all about music, and your friends showed up at our house - you couldn't believe it! Savannah was there then, too, to celebrate your birthday with your for the first time... she wasn't sure what to make of it all. But now fast-forward to this year and she was so excited to see your big-boy presents! Isn't it awesome to get such HUGE Lego boxes for boys 8 to 12 years old? And wow, a real Bible? You are growing up so fast, spiritually - and engineeringly, ha! And in just a couple weeks you will be going off to your first overnight camp! It seems like it was just yesterday we were dropping you off at preschool and you were begging us not to leave.

Adam, we are so proud of you, for overcoming fears and trying so many new things during what must have at times been pretty scary. And during all all those times for being a good friend, an amazing big brother, a special grandson to grandparents and great-grandparents, and through all the birthdays of the past and so many to come, being the most incredible son. We love you so much!

Makin' do with what 'cha got - really not SO bad

2009-06-27T15:09:00.014-04:00

OK, so we used to have this:

And now we have this:

Which is probably giving you a giggle. Or a cry, depending on how well you know us.

But before you send us a sympathy card, remember these important facts: we love where we live, are close to family (5 minutes in some cases), are now able to send our son to an amazing, almost life-changing private school that is clicking for him on every front, Steve is editor of his hometown paper (sure beats working for Mr. Zell and the corporate slime, and laying off people you love every other week - and that's putting it nicely!), among other amazing things you know if you're a Doyle Mania follower.

OK, so we no longer have the pool. Boo hoo, I know. And it's scorching hot. I mean burn-your-feet-on-the-deck hot. But a few under-$20 items at Target (remember it's 'Tar-jay' so you sound like you're going to a French boutique), and we're set. No, really. Now that we have our "water stations" up and running, we're actually having a pretty good time thankyouverymuch. Adam and his friend Zachary even got into the slip-n-slide for hours after Mom and Dad showed them how it was done (now that was pretty funny). We'll see how Dad's whiplash and Mom's front are holding up tomorrow. And the zany sprinkler thing - pretty amazing - and difficult to take a photo of - will try to photo tomorrow from atop the deck, where it is dry.

And the whale pool, well, put the frigid hose water in there, refill every hour or so and it's a downright nice place to stay cool, if not look a little silly, especially when Savannah goes in for a nap, wife takes hubby's photo, and forgets to take the Dora, Boots and rubber ducky toys out!

So, how are you staying cool this summer? And if you still have your fancy pool (or like one bloggy friend of mine) are getting one put in, please don't rub it in. Love ya, though, mean it!

Art of Reading No. 2

2009-06-25T14:02:00.008-04:00

In case you missed Art of Reading No. 1 - here it is. Adam loves reading. And he loves art. So his school's summer reading enrichment program, well, he's all over it.

Now that he's finished the summer reading program at the public library (it was easy to finish that with the 22-hour round trip car ride to the beach) we're really getting into his school's project. By the way, the public library was amazing. Both Savannah and Adam, along with their summer reading certificate, each got a free book (Adam's first Boxcar series book that doesn't have to go back to the library), boatloads of kids-only dining-out coupons that don't require an adult purchase (I love that - not that I wouldn't mind some fries and DQ sandwiches but really, if I changed my diet that drastically this summer just to score them some free eats, my kids might not recognize me when school starts back up)!

Anyway, so here are a couple things Adam has been up to on the Art of Reading front, if you are looking for any ideas.

He read four Caldecott books, and then drew a picture to represent one illustration from each book, labeling each with the author and illustrator. So these picture books didn't win the Caldecott award for nothin'. They really are that good - gorgeous in fact.

So instead of rummaging through your kids' stacks of books and searching for the gold seal on the front (I tried that, ugh), here is a list of the Caldecott winners from 1938 through this year. I had a blast reliving one of the Caldecott books. We were one short, so I ordered Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears? used via Amazon.com (the way to get books inexpensively and quickly if you want to keep them). Turns out, I had this one as a child, and was enthralled with it. I was again as an adult and it all came flashing back!

Here is Adam's project, which included the mosquitoes book, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (1970 winner), Noah's Ark (1978), and Where the Wild Things Are (1964):

Adam also was to write and illustrate a picture book about a place he visits this summer. Here he draws and writes about his grandpa boogie boarding, about his incredible sandcastle, which he named "Simularia" (?), eating hush puppies at Creek Ratz, and more. Here are just some of the many, many pages:

And lastly for this post, check out http://iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=Paint for paint-a-picture and other fun! Adam "had to" (he loved it) paint and print a picture. He did his name with a brick background.

And one more beach - for From China with Love

2009-06-24T20:41:00.005-04:00

I also just added this one for From China with Love's Swim Photo Contest! Savannah is also the featured photo of the week here - hurry and check it out before she's gone! :) And my China adoptive friends - email in your swim photos to Diane - the giveaway is a one-year subscription to Real Simple magazine!! I used to subscribe and inadvertently let it lapse - it's a great magazine and I would love it back! See the rest of my beach photos (and post about introducing little souls to the majesty of the sea) below!

Introducing small souls to the majesty of the sea - Priceless

2009-06-24T14:11:00.014-04:00

I started going to the beach a very long time ago in, believe it or not, Minneapolis (hey, it's the land of 10,000 lakes remember!?) It was a little sandy spot on Cedar
Lake. At least those are my main first beach memories.

My first consistent and major ocean experiences, though, center around Pompano Beach. See, we moved to Florida when I was about 12. And thus my love for the ocean took off. I even became secretary of the oceanography club in high school (seriously), took Marine Biology, which as I recall was not so easy but I loved it, and spent part of a summer studying phytoplankton at Nova Oceanographic Center. And I have many wonderful lazy day (pre-kid) memories of my husband I soaking up the sun and sounds at New Smyrna Beach, a great place to escape hectic Central Florida. We managed to pull off a beach-themed yet elegant evening wedding reception complete with beach-named tables and ribbon-adorned sand dollars at every plate. We still hang those sand dollars on a mini-Christmas tree every year!

Ah, the ocean. So serene. I love looking out at the waves, wondering what's going on all the way on the other side. And how can you not look out at something so majestic and not believe in something greater than yourself? Which instantly brings me peace. The almost pure magic of the tides is so awe-inspiring, how something so huge - and sometimes so rough, even brutal - can wash ashore such wonders - flawless shells that become jewels to our son and elicit shouts louder than the hoops and hollers that come with Santa's gifts on Christmas morning.

Anyway, for me, watching my parents now, introduce the wonders of the ocean to my children, is absolutely magical.

Our trip this month to their beach place in South Carolina was not long enough, but was packed with just enough memories for my mind to wrap around, including, this first one, Savannah looking out at my favorite spot for the very first time, with my favorite woman, Savannah's grandma, and my mom. And the second, Adam's first time becoming truly "wave brave" with his grandpa, my dad.

I Heart Faces - Let's Heart it for the Boys! - Kids & Adults - Week 24

2009-06-22T10:14:00.009-04:00

This week it's all about the boys over at I Heart Faces! Be sure to check out all the guys, there are lots of amazing shots!

This first one, for the kids category, I finally decided to go recent. You wouldn't believe how many photos I have of our little man since he came to be with us coming up on three years ago! So I gave up on deciding which picture and went with this one since it was so recent. I had my camera with me that day because I had been taking photos of our church's volunteer day, and Adam had gone with me. It was one of those perfectly glorious "normal" days. We went to the library, then we hit a local favorite Mexican restaurant (real Mexican - the boy's adventurous), and we ate outside. Despite sitting on a busy road, we pretended we were at the beach. We'd hear a motorcycle and Adam would say, "Silly guy, driving that thing in the ocean." Fun times...

For the adults category it's more "whole picture" than face but I wanted to post it. I have plenty of shots of my handsome hubby (see the last post!) and most of my artistic ones are full body (I went crazy in Italy!). But I love this shot for its story. After Hurricane Katrina, Steve and I went with our church on a week-long mission trip to Mississippi to help clean up down trees and debris. It was one of the most physically and emotionally exhausting things either of us had ever done - and the most powerfully, upliftingly (is that a word?) rewarding. This photo was shot in Pearlington, and I was more intrigued by the emotions on my husband's face than the destruction. I love you, honey.

My dad - it's time to share the story - and my children's dad - his, too

2009-06-20T21:13:00.022-04:00

I've never blogged about this to the world before, so let's see if I can get through this without flooding my keyboard.

My dad is not my "birthfather"/"biological father"/"sperm dad" (ha, I love that one). I can't stand it, though, when for whatever rare reason it comes up, someone says, "oh, he's not your real dad?" Insta-stomach turn. I mean, I get what they mean. But it's just a strange thing to hear. Of all the words. He is my real dad. He's as real as it gets.

Jon Erickson entered my life at a time when my mom was divorced and my birthfather was no longer in my life. She was dating, and dropping guys left and right if they didn't, for example, get me a Christmas present along with her. We spoke of this recently, which, of course, prompted a "You go Mom," from me, as if I was 5 again. Jon Erickson, though, jumped right on in there.
At I think age 6, we went on our first solo "date" - to the top of the IDS building in Minneapolis, and then he let me sit in the front seat of his metallic blue Camero and took a photo of me - black-and-white and oh-so-cool. One of the worst days of my life came sometime later when I threw up a fast-food fish sandwich and strawberry shake in that car.

Anyway, I will definitely never forget the Christmas he proposed to my mom - her tears, me wondering why getting such a sparkly ring was something to cry about. And me getting a plastic orange typewriter and typing D-A-D as many times as my fingers would let me (yes, he officially adopted me). The stuffed bear he gave me that Christmas, well, I joke about its significance and the joy it gave me. Little does he really know that after our daughter Savannah now plays with Buddy Bear, nurse Stephanie has to check him out to make sure he's still doing OK. It still bothers me that his bellybutton is AWOL.

Now that I am all grown up (sort of), I realize my dad's not perfect, that my parent's marriage was and is not perfect, that perhaps the pedestal I put my dad on was a little fairytale-ish. But you know, it was and is pretty darn close. Mom wasn't the only one at my swim meets and band concerts, Dad was there, too. He turned kickball in the front yard into the coolest games and those three oak trees are embedded in my memory forever. The seasons brought sledding and snow games and made raking leaves much anticipated thanks to the monster leaf-pile tackles at the end, and later on, in Florida, we bonded some more - literally underwater - over sea life and sunken shipwrecks. And laughter, there always was lots of laughter (my dad's a ham). There was gumming (OK, never mind on that one), tickle monster, and stuff I didn't even get, but just listening to him cackle would make me laugh. And I SO glad I am not a sports ditz, and understand first downs, and can at least watch a football game and scream loudly with the rest of 'em. And the reason I am surprising Steve and Adam with Louisville Bats tickets tomorrow is because of all those Minnesota Twins memories I have.

And even later on, when I was living with someone I think he pretty much couldn't stand, he would come over and let me make him my famous Frito chili casserole. He also was there for me when I called sobbing after my longtime college boyfriend and I broke up, and has been there through the ups and downs of even my marriage. I think we expect that of moms - in a way they get gypped - so when dads perform so exceptionally is blows our socks off. Well, Dad, you have blown my socks off. Many times. And of course, supplied me with endless Post-Its and lawn advice, which is icing on the cake.

And finally - a true dream - watching him balance being a "real dad" with being a "real Gampa." I know he always wanted biological grandkids - heck, who doesn't? But that feeling truly is a distant memory. Standing there holding Savannah and Adam's hands, posing for a photo in the ocean last weekend, he looked so very proud. And he was the one that finally got Adam to go out and brave the waves past waist-deep, and taught Savannah how to make her first sandcastle.

Perhaps the close connection I have with him - so close I literally forget at doctor's appointments that we are not biologically related when it comes to those forms - is what led to near zero hesitation when it came to adopting Adam and Savannah - and why they truly feel as if they were born in my heart and with me forever despite a void of baby pictures.

And that's where the other important Dad in my life comes in. Tonight we went to a Saturday service at church for the first time (instead of Sunday a.m.). The fathers were asked to stand up during a prayer, and I was so proud to be holding Steve's hand.

See Steve has two incredible biological children. His family life, as far as children go, was complete.
But here he was, more than willing to travel half-way around the world to give a little girl from China a new life. I will never forget the look on his face when we watched "China's Lost Girls" and he learned about their plight. But he didn't 'just adopt.' Since Savannah came to be with us, he has been a "real dad," changing diapers, running to her room when a night terror consumes her, reading to her endlessly, teaching her how to catch a ball - and kick it and throw it and balance it on her head and tackle with it! - singing to her "You are So Beautiful," praying with her, gosh I could go on forever.

And in the midst of our "Great Wait" for Savannah, we received a phone call about a little boy who needed a new mom and dad. My first reaction was, "Whoa!" but, of course, my heart said something else, and I told Steve, and he said, "Well, we would have to do it."

Wow.

And so came our son, Adam, then 5. Little did Steve, or I, know, what we were getting ourselves into. Those just following our blog, see the "Doyles 2009" when it comes to our kiddos. It has not always been this way. But the way it is now is so much because of the wonderful father that Steve is. I could not have done it without him, and to protect the privacy of our little man, we'll just leave it at that. It was hard, and Steve was there. Every time. A "real dad."

Here's also to my father-in-law - I don't like that term either, sounds so stuffy and official. I call him Dad "D". He's fantastic, and I am so blessed to love my "adopted" second family so much.

So this Father's Day, whether you are biological or not, I would like to say thanks to my dad, and my husband, and all the other REAL DADS and "GAMPAS" out there. You are so loved.

(about the photos - that's me and my dad, this month at the beach in SC, and then in earlier times at a petting zoo - gotta love that 'stache- I was mortified one New Year's Eve when he shaved it off! And that's my handsome hubby, photo taken last month at his b/f Dixie's wedding).

The Schnoodle Romp (photo series at end of post)

2009-06-19T11:31:00.026-04:00

Well, as I ponder how to do a "give-our-beach-trip-the-ultimate-honor-it-deserves" post (I do after all have about 50 photos and they all make me go, "sigh..." I am thinking of presenting each photo separately with its "story" to give it justice!) ...

... I finally went outside and took some Schnoodle romping photos for all the folks arriving to my blog via Schnoodle searches (you wouldn't believe how many)!

So here's my plug for the Schnoodle. But first, let me preface by saying I would love to have a big ol' Lab or German Shepherd or other such breed. But my nose hasn't let me. Allergies have plagued me. I am working on that thanks to a wonderful allergy clinic and something called "immunotherapy," (aka allergy shots) - where for months and months you are injected with all the things that plague you until finally your body says, "Hey, I think we can handle this!" I actually for the first time ever hung out in a barn recently, snuggled with some horses, and had no problems. Wowza. And I am not even close to the maintenance phase!

But back to the Schnoodles. Meet Scout (the black one) and her sister Shelby (the white one). We adopted Shelby first. They are half Schnauzer/half Poodle. Both breeds are non-allergenic. I had a Miniature Schnauzer once. So did my parents. They were both hyper-spastic, eating holes in walls, things like that. Of course, back then I knew zilch about that thing called training.

Anyway, someone must have gotten the great idea that mixing a little poodle with the Schnauzer would help the breed out (please don't hate-email me to death you Schnauzer lovers, I was crushed when I lost Bud, who ultimately died too young due to Cushing's disease. He was the best dog, despite his issues!)

I always thought Bud would have done better if he'd had a companion to romp around with (I was a major newspaper reporter-aholic back then working a lot of hours). So although Shelby was pretty mellow, about a year later we got her a pal, Scout - they have the same dad and both come from Town & Country Schnoodles. Boy did Scout give Shelby a run for her money. The younger sister definitely has more Schnauzer DNA.

So one of the best things about our new home in Kentucky is our completely fenced-in backyard. See, our Schnoodles have from Day One done what our family has termed "Schnoodle 500s." Both our Florida homes were suited to them dashing (fast - I mean Schnoodles can run) in a giant loop encircling several rooms, with usually Shelby in the lead. They slid across tile, made paths across carpet...

Now, a giant backyard makes for a 3-times-a-day Daytona 500. See it in action:

First, they book down the stairs.

Then, let the chase begin, often with cheers from Savannah, "Run Tout, Run Selby! RunRunRun!"

And a little teasing (that would be tushies in the air)...

And always a in-air few bumps...

Never thought a Dora show would bring me to tears

2009-06-17T15:48:00.014-04:00

I've been sitting here staring at the keyboard. Writer's block. In a nutshell, it's easy to write about: Savannah and I went to the Kentucky Center for Performing Arts Center to see "Dora the Explorer Live!" Great show, lotsa happy kids. So why the writer's block? How can this mom possibly express the feelings that bubbled up inside of me when I saw the sheer joy on my daughter's face. The tears that welled up in her eyes - giving true meaning to the phrase 'happy tears' as her own laughter nearly overwhelmed her.

I sat there watching her - the first time she realized that characters on the pages of her Dora books were "real" (well, you know) - and the way her eyes, mouth, hands and entire body just exuded this immense energy and glee, and I couldn't help but think about that first night with her, back in a hotel room in China. That stern-faced girl who couldn't sit up, who smiled about once or twice a day, who I worried about way too much. Yes, while so many moms around me were clapping and cheering, there I was moved to tears. It reminded me of a time at Animal Kingdom when Adam saw the characters from the "Jungle Book." You see, the day after Steve and I had met Adam - our first time spending any quality time with him - he was having a pretty major 'meltdown'. I took him to another room, and began reading to him the new "Jungle Book" we brought him. He instantly quieted down, and off we went to Legoland at Mall of America - the first of many adventures to come. So now I suppose Dora and Boots will forever have the same effect on me as Mowgli and Baloo!

Now, I have SO many amazing pictures, incredible moments and memories from our beach trip, that you can imagine how powerful this morning's theatre time was for me to forgo posting the ocean shots for another day!

Too much, too much - priceless, priceless - WORTH IT!

2009-06-09T15:55:00.005-04:00

We leave Thursday for a long weekend to my parents' beach place in S.C. Last year was the first year I think in years I didn't go. Adam went for a week but both Peanut and I were sick. Major bummer.

Here is my commercial synopsis of the trip:

Cost of gas: Too much, but not as much as it would have been last year.

Cost of new bathing suit from Macy's: More than two tanks of gas (EGADS), but it's not my fault I was overly perfectionist (I was born that way, really).

Look on Savannah's face when she sees the ocean for the first time and finally understands the true meaning of the "Let's Go to the Beach" CD songs: Priceless.

Look on mom and dad's face when Doylemobile pulls up to THEIR place for a change: Priceless.

11-hour trip to the beach: So worth it!

Fun FUn FUN

2009-06-08T08:08:00.010-04:00

The first time I went to the Kentucky Horse Park I loved it. The second time I went - YESTERDAY - I not only loved it, I GOT it. The Kentucky Horse Park is more than a place to get close to horses. More than a place to take out-of-state visiting relatives to say look what we have! It's a place that really shows you just how important horses are to the Bluegrass State, why you should care, and leaves you walking away one proud Kentuckian (if I may call myself that after less than a year). As I told my hubby driving home taking in the magnificent views I hope I never take for granted, "I don't ever want to leave here."

The Park, which opened in 1978, is home to more than 100 horses - 50 different breeds - including some retired Champions. We were able to meet Kentucky Derby winner Funnycide as well as champs such as Cigar, and Da Hoss and my favorite, Kona Gold (the latter two pictured below and apparently have become quite the pals).

The very last photo shows just how pooped Savannah was from all the walking when we got home (I think she was the only 2-year-old there who went without a stroller!) We also had a graduation party (congrats CATIE RAY!), hit the deck for some sunning, went out for some sushi (thanks Granny for the S&S solo time!), I found a perfect non-triathlon bathing suit for our beach trip this weekend (ladies, you know, after trying on 65 suits the last magical one appeared). Needless to say, good, good weekend. Hope yours was, too.

See Savannah at From China with Love

2009-06-05T14:52:00.007-04:00

She was featured June 5th. Love this new site, of course! All of my Chinese adoptive friends - submit your photos if you want to!

Art of Reading No. 1

2009-06-05T10:38:00.011-04:00

I am so excited about this summer... thanks to Adam's school and the public library. Yeah, you read that right.

Sure, there is the "cool stuff" - basketball camp, my parents' beach place in Litchfield, SC, an audition workshop at the amazing Shelby County Theatre, and lots and lots of playing outside. Adam will have a blast.

But for a soon-to-be-second-grader who enjoys learning as much as playing (if not more so sometimes)... a big ol' drum for the mandatory summer Art of Reading program at his school. Well, only part of it is mandatory, but our bookworm/book-a-holic wants to try to do it all. So we figured that will be 21 enrichment activities plus 28 hours of reading (!) Thankfully he's on to chapter books, and it's going to take us 12 hours to get to the beach. Boom, done. Well, almost.

Not to mention the reading program at the Shelby County Library, which rocks. If he reads 25 books he gets all kinds of cool prizes, plus mom will reward him with all of the fun stuff the library is doing throughout the summer - magic shows, arts & crafts day, musical performances from groups such as the Garbage Can Band, and an outdoor wrap-up festival.

But back to the enrichment activities. They're all great ideas, whether you do them this summer or unlike, us, don't need anything else to do this summer, and would rather postpone until some other time. So I will be posting them as we go... Look for the Art of Reading posts (as you can guess many are tied to both reading and art - perfect for our little man). Some are easy and take 10 minutes - others will take most of the summer.

The first one I thought wouldn't take long, but as I quickly learned, our son isn't the fastest typer! It was worth it, though. Head over the to the Eric Carle Museum Web site at http://www.picturebookart.org/ (Adam says, "Oh yeah, I know Eric Carle"). You may recognize the incredible art from The Very Hungry Caterpillar, one of Adam's oldest favorite books. Adam's assignment was to send an e-card. He chose the blue horse. And there are other things to explore - try going to resources, then activities (parents you may want to check out the book lists). And, of course, an amazing online shop. :) More Art of Reading coming soon.

Updates - including "The Bite" - never a dull moment at the Doyles

2009-06-03T18:26:00.024-04:00

The Bite - Who knew the lip incident would generate so many emails! For those who have asked about how Savannah is doing, thank you, and here's an update. Her lip is back to its normal size. The day after it happened, she did her first poo in the potty, as if to say, I won't let nothin' get me down! Daycare owner says he never saw the wound. Well, he has since, as I sent him before and after pictures, which I think knocked his socks off (here she is if you hadn't seen it yet). To his credit, we do really like him, nice guy, he's feeling like crap-ola. The person who "treated" Savannah IMO is the one who dropped the major ball. The place, which is fairly new (and that might be part of the problem), is writing a whole new policy. They also are surveying parents about how they want to be informed of accidents/injuries. All that is great, truly, change out of something that just plain stinks is the best you can ask for. Still, I can't get myself to bring her back there.

The Mushroom - One of our schnoodles (Scout) ate a poisonous mushroom from our backyard. A really tiny brown one. We didn't even know we had any. But she upchucked profusely, and continuously - which is when I saw the intact mushroom. Google to the rescue and apparently you are supposed to induce vomiting ASAP anytime a dog ingests a mushroom. Well, Scout, was already doing that just fine on her own. So we watched her like a hawk, looked up the nearest emergency animal hospital and wrote down the directions. We went out in the backyard and scoured with a flashlight. Apparently you are supposed to dig them up - weed whacking them or stomping on them only spreads their spores and makes them grow faster. But we still can't find the darn mushrooms!

The Aches - Around the time that Scout tried out her new veggies, I came down with muscle aches like I've never had before (my legs felt like post-marathon only I hadn't run that week, and just picking up Savannah my arms would start a-shakin'). Doc said I had a fever and the white things in the back of my throat were neither strep nor mono - but ulcers. Antibiotics almost immediately cleared those up, and while I am feeling better I still napped the last two days despite good night's sleepin'. I like my energy and get cranky when I don't have it.

The Rest o' The Fam - Thankfully, Steve is healthy, Adam is healthy, the fish is healthy, and the other schnoodle, although now eating grass like crazy, is doing well, too (are the dogs missing something in their diet that they are suddenly veggie fanatics?)

Less about puking, wounds and aches next time - Oooh, lovely post, eh? I've been posting a tad more than usual lately so if you want something more uplifting please see What do YOU want to do in this lifetime?

I Heart Faces - Week 21 - Happy Birthday (kids)

2009-06-02T08:31:00.015-04:00

I didn't have anything extraordinarily artistic to enter this week at I Heart Faces but I just love this photo. It was our second time celebrating a birthday with our son Adam. We held a surprise birthday with his closest friends coming over to celebrate the big 7. He was stunned. He walked into a kitchen decorated in his favorite theme, "High School Musical." My mom and dad were there from N.C. The cake was adorned a la Adam with musical notes, treble cleffs, and of course, a piano. He's not a big sweets eater but he went to town! His eyes lit up (I love his eyelashes here - click on the photo to see it larger). Pure bliss for mom and dad this special day. Adam will be 8 later this month. He's grown up so much in the past year, changed schools, and states, and friends. I can't wait to see what the birthday fairies bring this year! Oh, be sure to check out the other birthday photos at I Heart Faces!

Our daughter bitten - hard on the lips - and no call? Am I overreacting?

2009-05-29T19:26:00.014-04:00

OK bloggy friends, please comment, I need your input. More like I need to vent. Mom already agrees with me, so I guess that's all that really matters, but I need to vent now to the bloggy world, too. :)

Here it is in a nutshell:

Our daughter as of last week switched daycares (after much much looking and realizing we couldn't pay more for our daughter's daycare than our son's private elementary school tuition, but that's another story).

On day three (today), hubby picks her up and notices from afar her lip looks odd. Childcare worker explains that she was bitten by another child. They iced it, and that was "all she could tell him" because the owner "has the report."

At this point dear hubby has now seen this:

And in protective father way says: "Who the %$*& did this!?!" and wants automatic repercussion on the perpetrator.

OK, kids bite. So I've heard. But this child basically made a lip sandwich out of our daughter.

AND NO ONE CALLED to mention it? That's the first thing that really gets me. Now, I was pretty sure from what I knew that bites were pretty germy - and mouth-to-mouth anything is pretty germy, let alone a mouth-to-mouth bite, which somehow left a literal open wound underneath her upper lip.

So, hands shaking (I have now seen the "wound" inside and out) I call the doctor, who says she must have an antibiotic. DUH.

Were we just spoiled at our last daycare, when they actually called when something happened? Adam's schools do the same. Even the smallest bump on the head warranted a report that WE COULD SEE THAT DAY so we knew what the heck happened. Right now we only know she was bit. Don't even know when. That's the second thing that really gets me.

So... what would you do? Besides sit and stew and, yes I know, be thankful she's alive and it could be something worse, yada yada (just kidding, I really do get that). Am I being silly?

P.S. If you haven't read the other post from today, it's a tad more uplifting. And I'm looking for comments there, too. :)

P.S.S. Savannah has now been cleaned out, is home eating vanilla yogurt, Dad is on the way to fill the Rx, Mom is simmering down - a little.

What do YOU want to do in this lifetime?

2009-05-29T10:19:00.020-04:00

Close friends, family, bloggy buddies, and those just passing through - on purpose or by accident (a lot of you arrive here by Googling schnoodles, apparently I need to talk about Scout and Shelby more often!) ...

What do YOU want to do in this lifetime -totally accomplishable things, and perhaps those a little more far-reaching? We make tomorrow to-do lists, next week lists, and at the beginning of the year some of talk about what we hope to do in the upcoming 365 days. But what about in this lifetime? I say "lifetime" because none of us really knows how much time we have.

I've decided to start a list, keep in it my office, and add to it - even before I've checked something off. What the heck. A girl can dream! And these are not necessarily in any order. Please leave a comment with some of your lifetime wishes!

My ever-growing list of things I want to do in this lifetime

* Raise children with confident spirits and a zest for life.
* Continue to watch our children learn from their grandparents.
* Watch my mom continue to grow into herself and find more zen, it’s fun to watch – and know that might finally happen to me one day.
* Watch my dad truly enjoy his retirement days, perhaps in some surprising ways.
* Grow stronger in my faith.
* Watch my best friend Bridget's family grow as she wishes.
* Watch our children play with Bridget's children.
* Plant a garden to grow my own vegetables and fruits.
* Swim with dolphins again, and again, and then maybe one more time after that.
* Watch our children swim with dolphins.
* Grow closer with Steve's children, Amanda and Kevin, despite the distance.
* Do mission work in Africa.
* Visit Mlando in Africa, a little boy we’ve sponsored for a couple years–and take Adam with me. * Learn how to ride horses so well that I can teach other people to ride.
* Jump on a horse (well, the horse would do the jumping).
* Take dance lessons (I’m thinking Salsa).
* Raise children who embrace their pasts despite questions and perhaps moments of sadness.
* Watch my parents celebrate 50 years – better yet, at an amazing bash that my kids helped me plan – Adam playing the piano and Savannah singing them a song.
* Have breakfast at a B&B in Ireland with my Irish hubby.
* Visit China with Savannah some day – if she wants to.
* Not get sick when I travel outside of the country.
* Teach Savannah how to make a real paper Chinese lantern.
* Train our schnoodles not to climb and lick all over everyone – I am currently working on this, slow going.
* Learn Chinese calligraphy, make some really neat art out of it with Adam, and hang it on the blank wall over our bed.
* Celebrate a monumental anniversary back at the El Tovar Lodge at the Grand Canyon, where Steve proposed.
* Never again have a migraine.
* Go on another trip to NYC with Adam to see another musical - as many times as we can until he’s had enough of Mom and/or musicals.
* Really really get to know my new home state of KY.
* Run one more marathon – in NYC – and one more in a foreign country. OK maybe halves.
* Scratch that. Run two marathons in my new home state of KY so I can get to know my state better - and save money.
* Somehow learn to love running without having to have a big goal.
* Raise children who are compassionate and fiery.
* Watch a solar eclipse.
* Take a bike-only vacation.
* Learn about birds so when I see them in our backyard (all over the place) I know what they are.
* Learn about flowers so when I see them in our backyard (all over the place) I know what they are.
* Attend a summer Olympics – particularly to watch the swimming.
* See a black man as president. Check!
* Have no relative die with any things left to be said between us.
* Be a funky old lady.
* Someday be comfortable with my hair for more than a day.
* Get rid of most of my allergies (in progress).
* So I can nurse horses instead of people.
* Make sure our children "get it" when I go on and on about the wonders of the Dakotas.
* Raise children who love and appreciate nature by leaps and bounds. So far so good (see photos below).
* Watch at least one of my former journalism co-workers stay in newspapers - forever - and be happy doing it.
* Get an environment friendly car (years from now after my paid-for car I love falls apart).
* Don't add any debt doing any of the above things that cost $. Hmm....
* Last, but very much not least. Be happy. Watch my kids be happy. And my hubby. And my parents. And others I love. For however long we are here for - even if we don't do one thing our lifetime list.

Welcome Amanda Craft Doyle to the mania!

2009-05-28T14:35:00.006-04:00

You may have noticed an addition to the side of the blog! We warmly welcome Amanda Craft Doyle to the family! She already was a very welcomed "member," of course, but now it's official! Congrats to Kevin (Steve's son) and Amanda, who were married on Wednesday!!

In other big news, Kevin is heading off to Marines boot camp earlier than expected. He now leaves for Parris Island on June 1. He will join my cousin Beth in the Marines ranks very soon, we just know it!

Good for their: Tummy, Brain, and Soul, Yes I am Thankful for:

2009-05-26T19:04:00.009-04:00

Today, I am thankful for:

Cereal - It's good for her, gets her to drink milk, makes her feel like a "big girl," and takes a long time to eat (so we don't have to worry about choking - I've done the Heimlich, well, I've lost count!)

Chess - It takes a looonnnng time to play (moms, you know what I mean with that one), yet it's good for the brain, unlike most video games out there, and it means our son is growing up (I can barely play chess). And when I watch him play with Grandpa Jon (my dad), it's like watching me grow up all over again - except I think Adam really REALLY likes chess, which my dad loves.

Adam's older cousin Alex - We couldn't ask for a better cousin. He takes time with Adam, talking to him, teaching him, and just being a great friend.

Cool Kentucky finds

2009-05-25T19:19:00.027-04:00

I already knew I loved it here, but it gets better every day. Here are my three latest favorite finds since moving to the Bluegrass State last fall:

1) Roses. The plain, green electrical box thing that sits in the corner of our front yard used to only bring thoughts such as: "Oh great, something else to weed-whack around in the spring." But then the season changed. And the scrawny Charlie Brown Christmas tree looking things next to it bloomed. Bright reddish-pinkish roses appeared. Magnificent roses. I'm not even a give-me-roses-for-Valentine's-Day-or-else kind of person, not even close, and I was jumping for joy. Somehow when they are blooming for free in your own yard, it's a whole different ballgame. The first batch (I'm sure there's a more proper word but I am new to all of this) is floating throughout the first floor of our home. Yes, I decided to go with a bowls-of-roses theme for this first go-around. Yes, they are still a-bloomin'! We have roses in the kitchen:

And in the dining room.

And other places... but let's move on to No. Latest Greatest Find 2:

2) My brother-in-law boards horses, a lot are retired show horses. If you've been to this blog before, you know our daughter, who is 2, has become somewhat obsessed with horses since moving here (in part, perhaps, because her mama has, as well). My parents sent me to horse camps as a kid, and my North Dakota cattle ranching relatives (I spent many summers w/them) had horses. I've been hooked ever since. Anyway, Uncle Eddie let us hop up on one of the horses, Tigger, bareback. We didn't go far (we wouldn't have made it far) but the kids had a blast.

Latest, greatest find No. 3:

3) The Nada Tunnel. The what? Adam put it best as we came upon a VERY small hole in the mountainside:

"This is sure not any old random tunnel!"

The tunnel is a very narrow single lane automobile tunnel on a main two lane highway in the Red River Gorge area (near Lexington), where we went exploring for Memorial Day. It was originally a railroad tunnel dug in the early 20th century for logging trains. So get this: it's only 12 feet wide, 13 feet high, and 900 feet long. A unique experience to drive through is an understatement. We all shouted, "whoa!!" the entire time. I'd drive back to Red River Gorge just to drive the kids through the tunnel again, if not just for the amazing scenic drive.

4) Raspberries. Yes, we have them throughout our backyard. Well, not yet. But if we have as much luck with the berries as we've had with the roses, you'll see some photos real soon. I Googled what the heck to do, and apparently we need to keep them real moist through their growing season. So we've hooked up the hose. Wish us luck! If anyone has any raspberry or roses advice please pass it along - sorry I can't tell you what kind they are, at least the roses perhaps you can tell from the pictures?

allPopart giveaway @ I Heart Faces - another AMAZING giveaway!

2009-05-21T13:28:00.003-04:00

I Heart Faces has the greatest giveaways - I so want to win this one! It's from allPopart.com and the site is so neat! They place photos on canvases and voila! - a cool piece of art. I want to get Adam the Future President art... wish me luck!

Kids, Parents, Schnoodles & a Goat - oh no!

2009-05-20T10:47:00.017-04:00

Once I got used to the fact that the emu was supposed to be out of its cage and greeting us eyeball to eyeball, we settled into the wonderful place called Henry's Ark. Savannah (initially even leery of the duck that greeted us near the parking lot), soon began chasing down peacock, goats, deer and yak, shouting "Carrots!! Carrotts" - reminding me of those guys who sell peanuts at baseball games.

Henry's Ark is a nonprofit, 600-acre farm home to more than 100 animals - most have been rescued or abandoned. Savannah's favorite baby goat had been dropped off just a few days earlier, a pet the family could no longer afford. I could really freak the hubby out and change the title of the blog to Kids, Parents, Schnoodles & a Goat - oh my! OK, enough change for us lately (if you haven't checked out the Doyle timeline below). Don't worry honey, we'll stick to visiting our new animal friends - next time with Adam, and to watch the 1-month-old baby emus grow up. Oooh, the baby emus were sooo cute, too... hmmm...

The "other photo" (see below post for this week's I Heart Face's entry!)

2009-05-19T23:01:00.007-04:00

I Heart Faces makes it rather difficult for those of us with more than one child! Every time I enter a photo of one kiddo, I think oh rats! (when I find a photo of the other - one I love equally as much - and think, "I should have entered that one"). From now on, I shall enter, and then put "the other pic" up as well in a separate blog post. So here is my non-official entry for this week. His big browns had me whipped from the first day we met.

Adam can still suck down a Go-Gurt in about 10 seconds flat - and look pretty darn cute doing it. I think he was 5 here, maybe 6 (he's going to be 8 next month, egads!)

I Heart Faces - Week 19 - Blurb Photo Book Contest

2009-05-19T13:17:00.008-04:00

This week's a little different over at I Heart Faces. I'm entering in the "amateur" category (vs. professional) since I don't get paid for my photos. This one may be familiar to some. People have said great things about it, so here goes nothin'! Savannah was so excited to be heading to the pool, and I was fortunate to capture the exact moment when "did a Mommy" and tilted her glasses down. :)

I am submitting this photo into the http://www.iheartfaces.com/ Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites.

Very important news

2009-05-16T18:47:00.004-04:00

I will let Savannah tell you in her own words:

"Pee pee potty!!!!!"

Yes, it finally happened. And since the potty chair is in the office, which faces the street, the entire neighborhood now knows. Cheers echoed for blocks.

Yes, gone are the days when mom is excited to land an exclusive front-page story in a major metropolitan newspaper or ace a master's class. Hearing the music play (high-tech potty chairs these days) when "pee pee on the potty" occurred after weeks of nada/zilch/nothing, and watching Savannah beam with pride, was better than any work or academic achievement. Ever. Wowza what happened to me?

A family mourns

2009-05-13T16:41:00.003-04:00

Little Kayleigh has gone to heaven. Her family was able to hold her without all the tubing before she passed. The photos are heartbreaking and I cannot imagine their loss. Hug your loved ones tight and appreciate every moment!

This girl cracks me up

2009-05-13T16:22:00.006-04:00

So many things I expected with motherhood. So many things I did not. One of the very pleasant surprises are the belly- and face-aches that come days following giggle fests I have with my daughter. It seems with every months she ages, she cracks me up more hours of the day. Yes, my abs and face have literally hurt from laughing so hard. A few minutes ago she decided to start trying on different parts of her Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head collection, yelling, "Look Mama!" with giggles, knowing full well she would make me laugh.

Here she is multi-tasking - potty practice (would help if the pants were down, I suppose) while also doubling up for some "American Idol" practice (and wondering, I suppose, why I must capture it on film).

Judge for yourself

2009-05-13T14:01:00.003-04:00

My hubby won a 1st-place award from his company for his column writing. No surprise to moi. His columns, which he started writing when he became editor of the The Sentinel-News in the fall, rock (not that I am biased or anything - but hey, he won an award, so I'm not making this stuff up).

But here's what the judges had to say, so "judge" for yourself. C'mon, doesn't it make you want to head over to The Sentinel-News and check out some past columns? (no, I - nor he - don't get a "per-click" cut!)

Steve Doyle – The Sentinel-News:“Do you remember how you viewed Christmas as a child?” this writer asks, bemoaning the present day, in which the holiday has become “a leading economic indicator.” When the small community in which he grew up considers building a new downtown along a highway, he evokes memories of old-timey sock hops, ball games and general stores with porches where he drank pop. “New urbanism downtowns can be scary,” he warns. And when Barack Obama is elected president, we read about another “original change agent” – the first black student to attend his elementary school. “For some of us, he was a long-ago agent of change who in a small and anonymous way helped evolve a world in which Obama could be elected.” The common thread in his columns is the way he relates the present to the past. It takes great memory, perspective and common sense to pull that off. This writer seems to do it with ease.

My mom's day gift blooms all around!

2009-05-12T11:47:00.006-04:00

The boys surprised me with a mother's day present I get to enjoy every time I look out back, or walk out the front door! Steve planted the flowers with the help of our 7-year-old budding engineer who helped decide where to put them. I love them, thank you!

I Heart Faces - Week 18 - LAUGHTER

2009-05-11T11:14:00.009-04:00

It's laugh time over at I Heart Faces - check out all the photos, you'll be sure to smile! I am entering again in the kids category. I had so many shots to choose from during my shoot a couple weeks ago while Savannah ate Lo Mein for the first time. She was laughing so hard, in awe of the longest noodles she'd ever seen. And I laughing even harder, my sides literally hurt the next morning! The second photo I can't enter (because I did not take it) but it always makes me smile. It's Steve and I on our wedding day trying (for the 3rd or 4th time) to cut our cake. But we kept hitting the platform thing. We were about as hopeless as our cake turned out, which looked like a volcano about to erupt!

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-09T10:48:00.003-04:00

I hope all the moms out there have a wonderful day!

My mom arrived last night from Charlotte and that will make the greatest day for me. This morning she pulled me aside in the kitchen and talked about how we give and take compliments but don't always really hear them... Well, she wanted me to really hear this one... She said that with all my struggles in the last couple years, since I left journalism, in figuring out "what I am" or "what I am going to be" - a marketer, a writer, a nurse, a coach, etc.., well, that I am all those things, or whatever I want to be, but that what I was really meant to be here for, what God had planned for me, was to be a mother (which is a surprise to some, including me, who thought I might just skip that part of life and climb the career ladder forever). Then she said, that I am a really amazing mom, and that she couldn't be more proud of me.

I felt like I was 12 again and had just won my first blue ribbon at a swim meet and couldn't wait to show her, but 10x better. That was the best Mom's Day present she could have ever given me. But wait! I am supposed to be making her feel good! Tomorrow I am taking her for a special brunch to Napa River Grill, sans hubbies and kiddos. Can't wait. All I can think to say is, if I am really the great mom she says I am -- she taught me well.

I love you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day.

Ba Ba Wack Sheep "wee wee wool"

2009-05-05T12:38:00.005-04:00

OK, I swear it really is Ba Ba Black Sheep. Just make me a proud mom and say, "Yeah, Yeah!"

Kayleigh

2009-05-05T09:46:00.002-04:00

This little one could use a lot of our thoughts and prayers.

P.S. about I Heart Faces - an Amazing Giveaway!

2009-05-05T06:48:00.006-04:00

I Heart Faces has something amazing going on this week - an Alien Skin Bokeh Giveaway - you should see what this software can do! Hmmmm. If I win, maybe I won't have to learn aperture and shutter speeds! Just kidding, I am already bound and determind.

I Heart Faces - Week 17 - Hats

2009-05-04T10:31:00.015-04:00

Here is my entry for this week's I Heart Faces - be sure to check out all the other great hat shots at http://www.iheartfaces.com/!

I have a lot of recent hat shots but this one tugs at my heart. Some of you know, we met our baby girl in Nanchang, China, just two days before Christmas '07 when she was just 9 months old. This photo was taken just a couple days later before we headed down to a Christmas dinner in our hotel. I remember that night like it was yesterday. There we were among mostly Chinese who kept stopping to take our photo (Americans and a Chinese baby santa). Little Chinese girls dressed up like angels sang Christmas carols. Totally surreal - then and when I think about it now, and look at her today.

Anyway, if all Savannah wanted for Christmas was her two front teeth, she got 'em!

Mine that What?

2009-05-03T18:54:00.010-04:00

50-1 odds. A price tag of just $9,500 (some horses are worth millions). And a near 7-length victory (that's way-far-ahead-of-the-other-horses in lay language).

Yes, Mine that Bird, a little relatively unknown brown gelding from New Mexico (but Kentucky bred, I must add) ran away-literally-with the Kentucky Derby, shocking us all and even those fortunate enough to slap $20 (or more, if so lucky) down on him. Heck, even his owners were left stunned. My first KY Derby watched here in the Bluegrass State certainly was one I won't forget. And I hope to see Mine that Bird again on the track - and perhaps, too, on the Big Screen.

Happy Derby Day - P.S.

2009-05-02T12:59:00.009-04:00

Within 5 minutes of leaving our house we got lucky with some horses right by the fence. I grabbed the camera - and Peanut, who was shouting "ho-sie ho-sie!" - and the boys followed. Steve navigated well through the back roads, where we saw many more, including the two white ones - "Mommy ho-sie and baby ho-sie," Savannah said - and then stumbled upon an Alpaca farm. They are mighty funny creatures, and looked at us as if we were the same.

I think we'll make this a Derby morning tradition - assuming we're not getting ready to go TO the Derby, of course (hey, let a girl dream...) It was great, great fun. Like a mini-vacation. But we actually live here - pinch me!

Happy Derby Day!

2009-05-02T09:22:00.004-04:00

Woo I am so excited! It's silly because we're just watching it on the TV at home like we do most years. But in a few minutes we're taking the kids out for a drive to see some horses. Well, we see them every day. We're surrounded by them really. But I'm thinking the Jeep will get dirty some ... a few pullovers to all these great farms so Savannah and Adam can step on the fences (and mom, of course, being the horse fanatic she is) for some horse petting and photos.

Back in time for the pre-Derby hoopla, some grilling if the weather permits - it's not looking so promising at the moment. And then, c'mon General Quarters! (see previous post).

Our pick

2009-04-30T18:59:00.005-04:00

Yes, while we're talking Derby, c'mon General Quarters!

What a story, what a horse. I know, what odds... but wouldn't it be sweet....

"El Caballo mommy" - Yes Derby time, even at daycare

2009-04-30T08:43:00.011-04:00

I knew I was going to LOVE being here at Derby time. I don't know what's better - watching the actual race itself or watching my hubby watch everyone sing "My Old Kentucky Home" while apparently every childhood memory races through him.

And I knew Derby time was going to mean major Derby mania. My first hint of it occurred a few weeks ago picking up some milk at Kroger, and walking in to a life-sized horse sculpture surrounded by displays of the predictable Derby hats, posters, and T-shirts but also wine glasses, shot glasses, bags, chocolate bars and let me tell you the list really goes on and on and on...

But here's where it gets really good: our daughter's daycare. Enter Toddler World Classroom B. Let me preface this by saying that her amazing daycare provides a lesson plan each week (more detailed that some high schools).

So here is what's on the plate for Derby Week:

Library Books: Horses and Ponies, and A Horse Named Snip. Dramatic Play learning station: "All dressed up for the Derby." Spanish words of the week: el caballo (horse), el sombrero (hat). Large motor skills: walk, trot, gallop like a horse. Science: A Horse Wash (can't wait to hear what the heck they do for this one). Music: "12 Little Horses," and "High Stepping Horses" (marching). Outdoors: Hat Day/Pony Races (see what she made for that in photo below), and Derby Parade. Blocks: Building a fence. Math: Matching games (horse colors and Derby signs). Art: painting horses, sunprint horse shadows, and newspaper hats.

So Savannah already was a huge fan of the "ho-sie" and after this week, I can't wait to see what happens when they start out of the gate and down the track. I can just hear her, "go, go, go!" We're having a quiet little Derby party at home, which Adam is pretty excited about. The usual snacks, the first time breaking out the grill, and a few surprises to celebrate my Kentucky sweetie being back in Derby land.

I Heart Faces - Week 16 - Reflection

2009-04-26T20:58:00.014-04:00

Here is my photo for this week's kids reflection category - be sure to head over to http://www.iheartfaces.com/ to check out all of the other "reflection" entries this week - they are sure to be amazing!

I wasn't sure what to do with this category... professional photographer I am not, and you should see some of the other entries at http://www.iheartfaces.com/! But Savannah was, as usual, dancing in our bedroom, and then, there she was, was in front of the mirror on our armoire. Aha! I thought. So I said, "Savannah, go look at Savannah in the mirror." And this is what she did.

Click.

The rules said the face itself didn't have to be reflective, but this is sure how it worked out for this photo!

Night Night!!!!

2009-04-23T19:40:00.007-04:00

One of my favorite things in life is the kids' 'good night' routine - Adam usually doing a little reading, Savannah about ready to bust his door down to say, "NIGHT NIGHT!!!" and shouting, "pick up!" so I will lift her up just right so she can give Adam the perfect hug. She looooves her brother.

Then we all, in stereo - Steve started this one - sing the chorus to the Spaniels song "Goodnight Sweetheart Well It's Time to Go," with the bohm bohm bohm bohm bohm... and now that Savannah can do that part, it's really funny. Sometimes, we do a "jazzy version," as Adam calls it. We've been doing it for some 500+days now and it truly never gets boring.

I can remember not too long ago when Savannah had more frequent night terrors and bedtime - something most parents probably look forward to - was practically dreaded. Just getting her to sleep and listening to her screams was enough to zap us of what little energy we had left.

So times are good these days at the Doyles when it comes to sleepytime. And, as Savannah, would say, or rather, shout, in declaration of Doyle lights out, "NIGHT NIGHT!!!!!!"

Signs of Spring

2009-04-22T08:29:00.008-04:00

Alright, we're going to forget the facts that a) I had to put the flowers inside last night and b) the dogs slid all over the deck this morning due to icy patches ... It really is SPRING. It was last weekend and this weekend, well, I am hearing, EIGHTIES, baby!

Last weekend the sun was out big time, I mowed the lawn and weeded for the first time, Steve put out some mulch, we organized and cleaned the garage (always the last step in a move) and Savannah, well, she still had to have a jean jacket on, but as you can see she was one happy camper.

We also have a robin nesting on our backyard fence in perfect view of our deck (see photo below!).

I realize I have a disproportionate number of Savannah photos in comparison to Adam - I plan to fix that this weekend. Peanut just happens to be with me a lot more during the week (while Adam in his school and after-school activities) and lately has been spending more and more time with his new neighborhood friends (this is a good thing as he is happy and comfy in his own self!)

My mom was so sweet yesterday, telling me she was so happy to actually see a photo of ME on the blog for a change. And by the way, one of the co-founders of the I Heart Faces blog, left a comment saying she liked my self-portrait entry... maybe she does that to encourage all newbies, but it sure felt good! Next week's entry is "reflection" (literally involving reflection) - could be tricky.

I am taking the kids out much of Saturday for 4th Saturday Serve at our church, volunteering in the community - maybe I can shoot something cool while we are doing that... WHILE IT'S REALLY WARM OUTSIDE, WOOOO HOOO!!! Hope y'all are enjoying the warm up!

I Heart Faces - Week 15

2009-04-20T13:25:00.011-04:00

Here are my photos for this week's "self portrait" adult and kids category - be sure to head over to http://www.iheartfaces.com/ to check out all of the beautiful face entries this week!

I purposely was trying to make my arms look long and exaggerated and somehow 'artsy,' haha... I took this photo this past weekend right before heading out with Steve for a night out at Napa River Grill (hence the wide eyes and happy face - we were getting ready to go out sans kids!) The necklace is a piece I inherited from my grandmother, who passed away last fall, and I love wearing it.

I was trying to be clever with the mirror, but ended up getting my vitamin bottles in the shot... I'd re-do it, but doubtful I'll have full make-up again, until, um ... haha... And believe it or not, this is me trying to grow my hair out! (Although I just had a haircut - you know you have to keep it under control before it gets under control, or something like that...)

I will see if I have time tonight to take one of myself with the kiddos ... otherwise, this is a self-portrait of Adam and I. I think it looks like someone else took it, but I took it, and with my left, non-dominant arm! We were on our son-mommy bonding trip to NYC last fall and on top of one of those double-decker tour buses on our way to see the Empire State Building. The sun was BRIGHT!!!

Lo Mein - Hi Fun

2009-04-19T19:28:00.012-04:00

I wish 'I Heart Faces' this week had something to do with messy faces... I think I'd least give a few a run for their money.

My face hurts from laughing tonight watching Savannah eat her first ever batch of Lo Mein. She couldn't believe the length of the noodles, marveling at each one with a, "Mommy, looookkk, whooooaaaa!!!!!" Ever the clean freak, she usually shouts, "Messy!!!!'" at the first drop of milk on a finger. Not so tonight, as you will see from the photos! Fortunately, she had just a much fun afterwards - in the bath, where in another breakthrough moment she dumped water on her head for the first time. What a night of growing up - getting dirty and getting clean, all by herself!

I Heart Faces - Week 14 - Spring

2009-04-14T20:10:00.011-04:00

My first entry this week for the I Heart Faces weekly contest. This was taken last spring, our first spring with our newly adopted daughter Savannah, and the first time I took her into the pool (we were in Florida then, pre-Kentucky). I couldn't believe when she titled her glasses down like that, as if she'd seen me do it a million times (ahem!)

All future entries will be new, as I am seriously breaking out the camera even more now - look out Adam and Savannah and other family members!

Be sure to head on over to the I heart Faces blog to see more entries - they are so inspiring! I am having even more fun now than I did during my newspaper days!

Easter Snippets

2009-04-13T07:06:00.007-04:00

I realize now I wish we had pictures of us in our finest - we cleaned up 'spiffily' and I fit into a dress I haven't gotten into in, um, a year at least, it felt pretty darn good... But the kids steal the show anyway, and Easter ears are so much cuter!

I do have one photo of Peanut in her dress, though (see below)!

From a wonderful church service, to egg- and carrot-themed goodies from the Easter Bunny, to coloring eggs - and putting on stickers for added flair - to an Easter egg hunt in the front yard, it was a grand day! Hope yours was, too!

Did my 7-yr-old really just explain "opportunity cost?"

2009-03-26T10:35:00.003-04:00

So Adam was talking to me in the car this morning about scarcity, surplus and opportunity cost. Apparently they do economics every Tuesday and Thursday. He "couldn't believe he forgot to tell me that" and was all excited to catch me up. I need to start drinking caffeine again to keep up. They are doing some kind of economics mini-mall today. Maybe his class should take over the country, hmmm.

My excuse for why THIS video game is okay

2009-03-25T17:35:00.006-04:00

*** I am so anti-video game, I really am. For kids anyway. I think they are mind-sucking. And the violent ones, don't even get me started. There are so many better ways for kids to spend their time. But stepping off my soapbox...

Then comes the Wii. Exercise, "real sports" (sort of), music... Hmm... OK, I realize there are other games now you can buy for the Wii. I am trying not to cave on those and so far so good.

Today is the first day I let the kids ever play the Wii during the week. I was totally drained. They only played a few rounds. And it's the Wii music maestro "game." Hardly really counts as a game, right? Ahh, the justifications. If only they could have taken on each other in a two-hour tennis match, ha!

We all have our created "miis" and it's funny to see Grandma and Grandpa out there playing the oboe and bass clarinet, while Adam directs "Carmen" or "Four Seasons." He LOVES it. Savannah grabs something (not exactly sure what it is) from her Band in a Bag and stands next to him, it's hilarious. I am expecting huge biceps out of both by the end of the summer.

Other things that make me smile, however small

2009-03-25T07:03:00.009-04:00

- Dogs that go to the bathroom really really fast when it's pouring rain outside and the wind is blowing sideways and you need to leave with the kids in 10 minutes.

- When, during tough economic times, you can color your hair out the box, save about a year's worth of salon prices with one sha-bang, not look too too bad - and even your son notices you made a change.

- Having a job interview and being not the least bit nervous because you're way too tired to have one nervous bone in you. I only hope I can wake up enough to speak during the actual grilling process. And now update: job interview No. 2! Apparently it really helps to actually have the "I-passed-the-nursing-exam letter in hand."

- A blooming toddler who no longer has to have her morning breakfast cut into 214 pieces.

- A son who loves to read, Amazon.com for the ability to quickly buy and sell books, and a public library that "looks like the White House," according to Adam.

- Big fat board books that can pass as a Wii balance board. Shh, please don't let Savannah know they don't really work with the Wii yoga exercises, it might break her heart. She thinks she has perfect balance.

- Amazing teachers and the existence of schools where incredible things really do happen, even in the "elective" classes.

- How one 30-minute piano lesson seems to jump start Adam's soul for the weekend.

- How you can pour milk on the Kashi heart cereal and start running around doing the crazy morning routine, forget you were supposed to eat to, come back to it, and it's still a little crunchy. Scary to think what's in there.

- The fact that Savannah doesn't make us guess on much. "ALLLL DONNNNNEEE!!!!!!", for example, means she's finished with her meal. Easy, right?

- And last, but absolutely not least, a church that while is the last place on earth I thought I would ever make my church home (a mega MEGA church) brings me such joy, I wish Sunday was tomorrow.

Things I loved about today

2009-03-23T18:59:00.008-04:00

Some of you may be able to figure out why I am doing this. Chin up, they say. No better time than the present to start a daily dose of gratitude (some of this is a little far-reaching perhaps, but I was really excited when my bug stuff was sitting there).

Things I loved about today:

* Warm afternoon breezes coming through the house and time with the dogs in the backyard. I really hated the winter, ice storms not my thing.

* The arrival of a box from doyourownpestcontrol (that came with free shipping, I might add). I am bound and determined to rid the outside of the house of the raging insect party.

* An amazing gift that arrived from Auntie Molly, what time and thought! See first two photos below. She carefully decorated two folders, one for Savannah (and included some birthday goodies) and one for Adam, and wrote a letter to each, tucked inside. The folders will keep all future correspondence. I'd love for Adam, being the artistic soul he is, to decorate one for Molly now, too. Thanks Auntie Molly, they love them!!

* A fun impromptu stop at Mark's Feed Store with the kids on the way home and for no major meltdowns from Peanut (usually her only difficult time of the day). I'm also thankful for sweet potatoes -the kind that taste so good even without butter - and super melt-in-your mouth chicken. And I am thankful that Savannah can entertain herself enough now out that Adam and I are starting to be able to have our good night-out chats again. Tonite I got an earful on the smartest, funniest, chattiest, cutest kids in his class (parents, please don't ask!)

* An amazing 30 minutes with Peanut laughing so hard she tooted louder than the train that passes near our neighborhood (see new photos below). She's still cracking me up as I type actually.

* My Airborne Class Action check. Apparently Airborne doesn't do what it claims to do. And I bought at least three boxes of it, and could prove it. Voila! $41.94 back. Hey - our dinner out tonite was paid for and we can do it again!

* Mango and 24-hour Kroger. Funny, Adam says he's never tried it. I thought he'd tried everything. So this morning after dropping the kids off I rushed for a Kroger run. Even got two kinds for our mango taste test tomorrow night. I had already purchased a few things over the weekend for our first Kids Cookbook attempt, some kind of low-fat thing, sure to make kids eat any kind of fruit (as long as they dip the fruit in this first). So I also bought kiwi. Look out Savannah I see mega doses of Vitamin C in your future!

* The sounds of "real pure music." Whatever that means. To me, it's what I hear right now. Adam's piano playing coming from his room in my left ear, and in my right, jazz from my open office window. Almost every night a nearby house, also clearly with their windows open, plays some jazz really loud (or maybe someone there can play the sax really well). I love it. It's better than hearing it on my own CD for some reason.

* My mother (saving the best for last mom). She knows why.

* Friends. You do, too.
-

And ... Savannah's bday present to me (sort of)

2009-03-20T14:17:00.004-04:00

Well, OK, she had nothing to do with it, except all the times I said, "Inside voice, mommy studying" and she said, "OK, shhh."

I just got the mail and I passed my nursing assistant exam - the written and skills!! When I was there that morning there were several people there retaking either their written or skills test, so needless to say that was somewhat unsettling. I also drew one of the skills I told Steve all along - okay the skill - that I did not want on test day. And I passed! Yahoo! OK, I still have a long way to go to queen nursdom - one year to LPN-dom and one more year after that to RN-land. But it's a start!

And the nursing home right near Adam's school is hiring nursing assts so will be bringing my app over there ASAP. Ahh, a regular, non-contract paycheck could soon be in my future!

Happy Birthday Peanut!!

2009-03-20T09:54:00.009-04:00

Savannah is 2 today! Hard to believe just two years ago today she was left in that little basket outside that cinema on a cold winter China morning. Here she is today, filling up our home with non-stop infectious giggles and wiggles, holding up two fingers - so proud to be two, saying complete sentences, singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, talking on the telephone.

More photos from the day to come. She opened up her Chinese baby doll from Grandma this morning - while on the phone with her. Instant love as you can tell by the smooches. Today my hubby has the day off from work - one of those mixed blessings, a forced furlough day to save the company some money. We're off to take Savannah to the river for some outdoor fun. After we take Adam to piano later we'll have a quiet little party the four of us (she still doesn't like crowds), bake her a cake, and have some Wii Fit fun (her latest addictions - yoga, step aerobics, the penguin and bubble balance games, and skiing - she shouts, "Weeeeeeee!")

Savannah, I read this quote the other day: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away." You take my breath away, every day. Every minute, every second! You are our amazing peanut and we love you so! Happy birthday!

Updates

2009-03-10T12:54:00.007-04:00

So much has been going on, I am going to take the lazy blogger way out and bullet the latest:

* After spending the last several months trying to decide what to do with the rest of my life - full-time writing jobs (the kind that put kids through college) are near non-existent anymore - I have officially applied to a nursing school. I guess I have known what I thought I was going to do, but was scared to take the plunge. But I finally have. And now I am running to the mailbox every day like a loony mama waiting to see if I got in. First there was the first wave of mailbox torture. Since I am an oldster who hasn't taken the SATs since the 1800s I needed to pass a test to prove I could still remember certain algebraic equations (that I am sure I will need to use when I am intubating someone, hmmm...) and that my vocabulary is still up to snuff for all those deep conversations with patients. I am somewhat kidding, but somewhat not. Still, I did study my fanny off. And I did pass. Now I wait to see f I get in. Torture for someone with so much patience. I will write another post as soon as I find out. Honestly, I am so excited I could bust, and if, no WHEN, I get in and actually get class schedule, etc.., I will be on pins and needles to get started! I still can't believe that after nearly two decades of writing about medicine, I may actually get to DO it, wowza.

* I also on Saturday took my nursing asst test and am waiting for those results, also by mail. Our mailwoman thinks I am deranged. I decided after much thinking and determining that our children are a tad demanding that should do the part-time route on the nursing classes. I am hoping to work at least one or two early shifts a week as a nursing asst at this time, for the experience but also for adult contact that I think will bring me a little sanity and balance to my life. I know I passed the 75-question written test, it was really easy. The skills, though, I don't know. There are certain parts you HAVE to get right or you fail the whole thing. Makes sense, but it's strange when some are done in non-realistic settings on dummies.

* On the whole flip side of nursing I've done something to my shoulder. MRI is later this week - really at this point would LOVE a bad case of bursitis and not the other option, I won't even go there, I told the doc to zip-it when he mentioned it. C'mon bursitis! A few shots and a little rehab sounds great at this point. Especially since after getting accepted into nursing school I need to pass a physical, among a slew of other shots and tests.

* It's warming up in Lville! It's supposed to reach 78 today, some kind of 130-year record! YAHOOOOOOOOOO! We have some flowers blooming out back. I know it's going to drop to the mid-40s a day or so next week, but c'mom spring!!! The Easter Bunny always brings the kids some outdoor treats and was eying a cool snaky sprinkler thing for the backyard. I would love to see the dogs chasing them around through that thing. C'mon heat!!!

* Steve is doing great, and loving his job (have to mention that since that was the initial reason we came here!), and all is well with him, despite a switch to a new design program at work - the paper is looking pur-tay these days. Right, sweetie? OK, put a comment here if you want to add something! Smooch.

* In other news, we have some things going on with our little guy. Can't elaborate much at this point, but please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. And in his honor, here is a photo of his continuously growing "wall of art" in the downstairs playroom. You can click on it to enlarge it. The big mask at the top/left is amazing - he made it at a camp last summer at the Orlando Art Museum.

Amazing weekend

2009-02-24T18:07:00.005-05:00

My parents drove from NC this past weekend - their first visit to see our new home. Bless their hearts for all the miles they put on that car visiting us! It was an unusual weekend for us - the sightseeing consisted solely of a 10-minute post-snow drive (which resulted in spectacular sighting of 8, YES EIGHT, deer in the most picturesque setting). The rest of the time was spent playing games, including a Wii bowling match, trying out some new recipes, welcoming them to their new "suite", and just catching up. I blubbered my eyes out Monday taking my daughter to daycare, knowing the 'rents were just behind driving back home - NOT my fault (the tears I mean) - "Amazing Grace" came on the radio. Seeing Adam and Savannah's faces light up the second they hit the driveway (and vice versa) about does me in from then on out.

I think the pictures capture it all.

Congrats Marine Beth!!

2009-02-17T14:25:00.008-05:00

A special belated congratulations to my cousin Beth, who completed her Marines training, and graduated at Parris Island last week! It seems like it was just yesterday I was hauling her around during a North Dakota family reunion (see photo at left), and then she was passing out programs at my wedding and here she is today, standing proud after completing 12 weeks of very tough training, including the infamous Crucible week. Way to go Beth!!! UPDATE: Below are some photos my aunt Pam sent me (Beth's mom). Love 'em! And Beth heads out today to join the guys HERE for 30 days of infantry training near Jacksonville NC. Good luck Beth!

Hugs, squeals and happy tears - my kinda lovin'

2009-02-14T11:06:00.010-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!! Hope you're having a great day! Adam and Savannah awoke to surprises outside their doors. The best part, though, was the fact that Adam looked down at his treats, went right by them, running into Savannah's room to give her a hug, shouting, "Happy Valentine's Day!" She totally squealed and tackled him and about pulled him into the crib. And then there was the fact that he could have dived into the book or chocolates or bear (he would have last year methinks) but instead grabbed the card with all the writing all over it, wanting to read what he knew was a special note. The happy tears and monster hugs for Mom and Dad that followed - well, that made my Valentine's Day right there!

Savannah was so excited about her cards, etc.. that she insisted on taking them to The Pad when it came time to change her diaper. Too funny.

Happy early pink-and-red-day!

2009-02-13T09:18:00.007-05:00

I was trying to get out of the house this morning - job interview today (as in outside-of-the-house-work ... would love to have some news to share next week!) - and Savannah came across some of Adam's deflating balloons from a school Valentine's party. What a hoot! I can't wait to pick her up later today and send her back into the kitchen for more balloon time. She kept trying to hug all three at once and when one would pop out she would giggle in total hysterics. When I called Daddy on the way to daycare to tell him about it, the mere mention of "balloons" had her cracking up all over again.

I will post some Adam Valentine's pics this weekend - I am surprising him with a Valentine's mailbox I am putting outside the door of his room, and writing little love notes to him all this week. Each time I leave a note, the mailbox flag will go up. And Steve's getting the Love Dare, I can't wait to start. Ahh, love on a budget it so much fun!!

The Love Dare Begins - in SEVEN DAYS - who's joining me?

2009-02-06T12:44:00.007-05:00

So I was going to start talking about this on Valentine's Day - when I tell my hubby and give him the gift of this Love Dare - he is, after all, the recipient. Then I started thinking, why not see if anyone else is willing to jump on in and take the challenge? Now, if I was Oprah, she'd have thousands on board in the blink of an hour!

So surprise honey! Happy Early Valentine's Day!

Some of you make already have heard about The Love Dare is but for those who have no idea what I am talking about, here is the "warning" listed at the beginning of the book:

"Receive This as a warning. This forty day journey cannot be taken lightly. It is a challenging and often difficult process, but an incredibly fulfilling one. To take this dare requires a resolute mind and a steadfast determination. It is not meant to be sampled or briefly tested, and those who quit early will forfeit the greatest benefits. If you will commit to a day at a time for forty days, the results could change your life and marriage. Consider it a dare, from others who have done it before you."

And here is part of the forward of the book: "The love dare journey is not a process of trying to change your spouse to be the person you want them to be. You've no doubt already discovered that efforts to change your husband or wife have ended in failure and frustration. Rather, this is a journey of exploring and demonstrating genuine love, even when your desire is dry and your motives are low. The truth is, love is a decision and not just a feeling. It is selfless , sacrificial, and transformational. And when love is truly demonstrated as it was intended, your relationship is more likely to change for the better. Each day of this journey will contain three very important elements: First, a unique aspect of love will be discussed. Read each of these carefully and be open to a new understanding of what it means to genuinely love someone. Second, you will be given a specific dare to do for your spouse. Some will be easy and some very challenging. But take each dare seriously and be creative and courageous enough to attempt it. Don't be discouraged if outside situations prevent you from accomplishing a specific dare. Just pick back up as soon as you can and proceed with the journey. Last, you will be given journal space to log what you are learning and doing and how your spouse is responding. It is important that you take advantage of this space to capture what is happening to both you and your mate along the way. These notes will record your progress and should become priceless to you in the future. Remember you have the responsibility to protect and guide your heart. Don't give up and don't get discouraged. Resolve to lead your heart and to make it through to the end. Learning to truly love is one of the most important things you will ever do."

So why have I decided to this? Well, it might not be any surprise to those who know Steve & I, that our lives the past two years have lived right on up to the name of this Web site. Just read our timeline. It's been worth every zany moment - we have two beautiful children, the most amazing family now settled in a great state. But before all that we were Steve & Steph, an almost magical couple, completely into ourselves, long talks, jetting off to NYC, the Bahamas, or where ever else our hearts desired. It was about us and only us. While it's much much different now - and that's OK, usually! - it takes a lot more work to make sure that we put ourselves - the 'S&S couple' part of us - first. We are not alone, of course, couples all over struggle with this.

I am so excited for this Love Dare and hope others will join me. I can't wait to see the effects it has on my marriage and my life!

MMMMMMMMMM Day 2

2009-02-06T12:27:00.005-05:00

I mentioned this on my Facebook page, and per request of a few folks there, I posted the recipe. So I decided to put it here as well. It's a Turkey Meat Loaf recipe courtesy of Real Simple magazine. It's the best meatloaf I think I've ever had - and it's packed with spinach, whole-wheat bread crumbs and lean turkey to boost the fiber and reduce the fat! Who knew!? I plan on making it for my parents when they visit in a couple weeks.

The hubby loved it and today made a meatloaf sandwich to take to the office. Nothing like two days of MMMMM.

Note: I was lazy, I didn’t want to break out the food processor because I didn’t want to clean it. Ha. So I hand-chopped all the parsley and spinach. And made a mess of the counter-tops anyway. If you have chopping abilities in a processor, use it. It took me forever with a toddler crawling all over my feet.

Any guys/gals want to try this one out for a Valentine’s treat for their sweetie and let me know how it goes?

1 ½ pounds lean ground turkey (I used Perdue 99 percent fat-free and since I can never find more than a pound I just bought 2 pounds and did an almost-double of the recipe -hence the leftovers for meatloaf sandwiches). By the way, the turkey is on bigtime sale at Kroger through tomorrow!

1 onion chopped (I rarely chop onions, they really make me boo-hoo, I buy the pre-chopped onion flakes in the spice aisle, cheater, I know)

1 bunch fresh spinach, thick stems removed and leaves chopped (about 4 cups)

1 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped

½ cup whole-wheat bread crumbs

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1large egg white

Kosher salt and black pepper

¼ cup ketchup * Note: This recipe just calls for just ketchup on top, I LOVE my sauce, which adds to the ketchup 2 tablespoons brown sugar and ½ teaspoon of dry mustard.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. In a bowl, combine turkey, onion, spinach, parsley, bread crumbs, mustard, egg white, and ½ teaspoon each of salt and pepper.

Transfer the mixture to a baking sheet and form it into a 10-inch loaf (I made two – hence the leftovers for meatloaf sandwiches!) * Note, it says here to spread with sauce. If you use my sauce, put it on the LAST 15 minutes because of the brown sugar. Bake until cooked through 45 to 50 minutes. * Note – mine were a little thin, perhaps because I didn’t quite double the recipe and only took 30 minutes to cook!!!

Amazing Grace and Amazing Faith

2009-02-05T11:16:00.004-05:00

I've been following this one family's blog for quite awhile now - a Place Called Simplicity. How could I not? They've been home about one month from Africa with their two latest treasures, Elizabeth and Elijah. And they are anything but new to the adoption world. Just check out the photo on their home page.

I've loved reading about their adoption journeys, I've loved reading about their amazing log cabin in the woods (my kind of place), I've loved reading about their love, I've loved reading about the mom's journey as a chaplain for the police department, and the list goes on. But mostly I've just fed off reading about their faith. "Amazing Grace and Amazing Faith" doesn't even begin to touch on it.

And now, a horrible tragedy - tears streaming over my keyboard when I read about it - has me yet again learning so much from them and feeding off of their faith. This family, strangers several states away, has no idea how much they have impacted me.

On January 14, their amazing log cabin burned the ground. The mom and six kids were home at the time. Their story is so terrifying yet so miraculous. The aftermath is gut-wrenching yet so amazing. Be sure to check out the link/box at the top of my page, Pray for the Saunders. And I encourage you to read about what happened at their own Web site, A Place Called Simplicity. It is anything but simple. Yet, it is.

New Year's resolutions Day One

2009-02-04T10:27:00.001-05:00

I took my makeup off last night - even if it was with good ol' soap - and I am sitting up straight as I type this. The NEW ME.

Ha! OK, the other stuff is going well, too. More on that later. I have a resume to work on!

New Year's "Resolutions"

2009-02-03T11:15:00.005-05:00

I am a list-maker and we list-makers LOVE New Year's. It's the perfect time to make another list. A big important list. I don't, however, make the typical New Year's Resolutions "list" - lose 5 pounds, stop eating this or that, etc..

I've always used New Year's as a time to reflect on the past year, look ahead to the next year. A lovely clean slate. I was more of a New Year's "Idea Maker." Big stuff. But that was pre-kids. See, pre-kids I always had plenty of times for big lists - and checking them off. Then we adopted two kids pretty much back-to-back. And my lists are getting longer. The weekend lists are getting partially done. The intermediate lists are languishing. The long-term lists - ha! And the lists - not uncommon - have more and more to do with the two little ones in the house and less with the adults.

This year, I can't really remember New Year's. Oh yeah, we were moving. My clean-slate rejuvenation period whisked on by. The month of January was spent with unpacking, getting the kids settled, surviving a monster ice storm and adjusting to indoor living.

So I am pretending it's New Year's this week. Actually, the Chinese New Year kicked off recently so there you have it ...

Someone tagged me on Facebook over the weekend - some kind of "write 25 random things about yourself" thing that is going around, which found me all reflective. Then, yesterday was my birthday - always a nice lift for me - despite the fact that good ol' groundhog saw his stinkin' shadow. Not lettin' that get me down, I tell you, not that even the fact that I can barely see out of my window this morning due to the white stuff coming down down again. Nosireebob! New Year's is today, new outlook. New list. And forget big grand deep-thinking ideas I say. And, drum roll... let's be a little adult-centered while we're at it.

Some things on my list are so silly I don't dare write them here. Two examples I will share.

Remove my makeup every night. And sit up straight. (See what I mean?)

I've justified the first one over the years by saying I don't wear much, but ahem, it's time. The skin is approaching 40, after all. But I don't even own makeup remover, I just use soap - and the KY air is killin' me. Makeup-remover suggestions welcome.

I've been a sloucher my entire life. I'm going to Google "how to make yourself sit up straight after 38 years of looking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame." Suggestions welcome here, too. Perhaps I should break out the Wii and go for the Ab exercises. Other tips welcome, I'm likely to try those first.

But back to more fun stuff. Game Night on Fridays. I'm not a big game person. What's the matter with me? Too serious? I really hate that about me. I loved Trouble and Chutes and Ladders as a kid. But when I am at someone's house and they say, "Hey let's break out XX," I just cringe. What's the deal? Unfortunately, we have two kids, and a new playroom loaded with games. Suck it up, Mom. Whoops, OK, that does have to do with the kids, but we could use some more time where we're all together.

Do you all have a special weekly family night and if so, what do you do? We have a new kids cookbook, I was thinking maybe we could try a new recipe each week, then play the game while we eat it (Mom, might have more fun that way, haha!) Oh, I am terrible...

I guess I do have a couple "biggies" on my list. One has to do with my spiritual side, and actually encompasses several things, I'll save that for a separate post (my son got me reading the Bible, my goal is the Bible in a year, talk about God speaking through children!) but that's only a sliver.

The other is reaching out - I desperately need adult contact. I am sure nursing opportunities ahead will bring that (future post No. 2). But I need more. In the past I've sort of seen my children as a way to do that, which is good, but not happening as quickly as I would like. A great opportunity opened up recently but this post is getting way too long (future post No. 3).

I'll post my favorite resolution on Valentine's Day so I don't spill the beans to the hubby. A 40-day challenge, hint hint, that I read about on someone else's blog.

So - Happy Chinese New Year!