Friday, August 31, 2012

The Fifth Element

Talk about a streak of 80s and early 90s scifi flicks, geez.  I can't shift all blame for this.  Although I may not have suggested any of these films, I didn't make any suggestions to watch anything to the contrary.  So you have my deepest apologies if you're not a fan of these films.

This is another Bruce Willis classic, but this time, there are aliens who are coming to destroy the world, one monk who knows what to do, and a fifth element that turns out to be a half-clothed female, who Bruce Willis just happens to fall in love with.  Really, that's about it.  These types of movies generally don't have a lot of depth to their storyline, although they had sweet effects, which now looks pretty awful.

It sounds like I didn't like the film, but I did.  I liked it for what it is, it might be I had just had enough of that genre for now.  Hopefully moving on to something else next time.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Photos By Eric

While we were on vacation, Eric took some photos with out dslr camera.  He usually sticks with video, but I found these gems as I went through everything that was on the memory card.  Looks like he's good at taking cool photos as well as making cool videos/films.  I married me a talented fella.








Monday, August 27, 2012

Weekend Wear

After everything that we had going this weekend, once Sunday came I didn't give much thought to what I wore (catching up on sleep was more important).  And because I forgot my dslr, you are privy to these classy iPhone photos.  But to make up for the lack of quality, a cute little kid was added to the mix.



Tee: Target // Shorts: H&M // Belt: Thrifted // Sandals: Aldo

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Crazy Wedding Weekend!

Ladies and well, ladies.  I was privileged enough to attend the most magical wedding in the history of weddings last night.  Then why are you titling this post crazy, you ask?  That's because I was the unofficial matradee of services (according to one friend), so I have been working on getting ready for this wedding the last three days.  The boys spent lots of time with their grandparents and I did a lot of running around, getting flowers, setting up chairs, and decorating tables.  Basically, everything that needs doing when a wedding it taking place.

Since I was so busy helping to ensure that everything went smoothly, I didn't get many opportunities to take photos.  But I did manage to get a few.

She invited me to get ready with her at the hotel.  We had fun, drank Starbucks and got all fancy!



This is what it looked like with everything set up during the day.


It was such a precious ceremony!



This is how it looked after the sun went down during toasts and dinner.  Magical I tell ya, simply magical!



I had to at least attempt to get one of Eric and I.  We were both so busy running around (he filmed their wedding, hence the camera in his hands) that this was about as good as it got.

The couple are just such wonderful friends of ours and we were totally honored to be included in their special day.  Congrats Mr and Mrs Melton!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Ruby Sparks

This past weekend, Eric and I went on a date for my birthday.  We spent the afternoon antiquing for our new house, had a delicious dinner at a local restaurant downtown, and saw a movie.  We didn't know much about it, but it was getting good reviews online and it seemed like a cute storyline.  And it was!

It was a perfect date night movie.  Funny, romantic and dramatic, so most girls will like it, but it wasn't too chick-flicky, so a guy should like it too.  Eric did.

The story is about a lonely, young writer who is struggling with writers block until he has a dream about a pretty girl.  He becomes obsessed with writing about her and can't stop. One day he wakes up and finds a strange woman in his house, claiming to be his girlfriend with the same name as the girl he's been writing about.  Is she real?  Can other people see her?  Apparently so, but how can it be?  It's a cute and quirky story about true love.  I think you'll like it.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Answering the Questions Everyone Seems to Want to Know


This weekend we went to breakfast as a family.  While waiting for our table a woman started asking us questions about the boys, "are they twins?", "are they adopted?", "where are they adopted from?", etc.  Neither Eric nor I thought anything of it, because these are questions we can't go a day without being asked.  It's normal.

On our way out of the restaurant, I was asked by the hostess, who had heard our previous conversation, if I thought it was rude when people pried into our personal lives.  As an adoptive mom, I am an advocate for adoption and my children all the time.  Sometimes I don't feel like answering a bunch of questions, but just because I don't feel like answering doesn't mean the questions aren't going to be asked.

And even more important than being an advocate for adoption, I am teaching my children how to engage with people about their adoption.  If I am short and snappy with people who are curious, then my boys are going to learn to be short and snappy.  If I am courteous and gracious, then my boys will learn how to talk with people about their adoption in a positive and encouraging way.

I know this for a fact because even now, at just two years old, my boys can tell you that they aren't twins, but actually two month apart.  They hear me answer these questions so often that they are already learning the answers.

It can be a lot of work to always be cheerful and chipper when you answer these questions, and sometimes you can get person after person asking.  It means putting on a smile and being friendly when I'd rather just shrug it off and get my grocery shopping done, but it's worth knowing that when I'm not around, my boys are going to show others just how great adoption can be.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Weekend Wear

The weather lately has been absolutely beautiful!  It's significantly cooler than it has been lately, and by cooler, I mean 70s and 80s instead of over 100 degrees.  This month has been crazy busy and it's staying that way right up until the end and into the beginning of September.  But I like being busy.

I also like the new trend of uneven skirts.  I am much less worried about showing off my behind when I bend down to pick up the boys, which means I'm more likely to wear it.  And it's a fun color!  



Top: H & M // Skirt: Target // Sandals: Aldo

Friday, August 17, 2012

12 Monkeys

I have to be honest, I haven't been watching the most amazing movies lately.  Recently, the movies we've been watching are from the 80s and 90s, so the cream of the crop isn't very expansive.

This particular film wasn't too bad and Brad Pitt's performance was great.  It can be difficult to follow as it involves time travel.  Sometimes you have to figure out where you are in time, but if you pay attention, it isn't impossible.  Bruce Willis is from the future and is sent back to try and discover who released a deadly virus that almost wipes out the human race.  If he can find out who, when and where, then they can be intercepted and possible rewrite history.  Along the way, he meets and begins to work with a renowned psychiatrist, who just happens to be the love interest.  I won't say much more, since I don't want to give it away, should you ever choose to see it.

We have a date night this weekend, so I am hoping to have a better movie review next week.  But you never know, we may just pick a dud.  He's hoping we don't.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Vacation: Part Three

When we left the cottage on the lake, we didn't head home.  Instead, we drove west a little and met my cousin, his wife and their little boy at my family's cabin.  Our cabin isn't on a lake, but close enough to both inland lakes and Lake Michigan to be an awesome spot.  Plus, we have a homemade go-cart.  What kid wouldn't love that?

We also went to the beach twice in one day, took an impromptu swim in a fountain (at least the kiddos did), played more euchre, ate ice cream, and drank more coffee.  It ended up being quite a long vacation, but you won't hear me complaining one bit.  We hadn't taken a real vacation in a few years, so it was great to get away.  I don't think we'll wait as long between vacations from now on ;)























Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Bax Be Nimble, Bax Be Quick

I know I've mentioned wanting to get Baxter into tumbling classes, but I am pretty serious about getting him enrolled for classes this fall.  The kid is seriously crazy, and I think it's totally awesome.


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Vacation: Part Two

Throughout the week, we swam at our lake, went to Lake Michigan, played video games, played euchre, explored the area, watched the sunset almost every night, drank copious amounts of coffee, celebrated a birthday, ate ice cream and spent tons and tons of time outside.  A very successful vacation indeed.