I've got an itch...

So Nori & I were talking about what we want to do with our lives and we decided, in lieu of a vision board, to begin with a list of short-term goals for our days off. Here is our motivation to get out of bed, have a sippy of milky, put on a Pull-Up, and head out the door.

Imagine having someone with compassion of Mother Theresa, the brains of Einstein, the youth of Miley Cyrus and the pipes of Whitney Houston (vocal not crack) teach your daughter to swim. That's our Abby, somehow born of Tracy, sister of my mother. I am related to greatness. Nice pool day with Jill, Tracy & ABBY!!

BTB, has this ever happened to you? Your mom treating your blog as her only form of entertainment, leaving menacing comments on your blog to step it up, making you feel like a piece of meat, only worthy of love when you earn it? Oh, it's just me...

why do you even bother?

I am so bored with my blog lately, surely you are too. Seems I am too lazy to go into much detail so this is what you get. Plus, I am such a terrible typer and this spell check sucks so I dread fixing all my typos. Forgive me, I will get my swerve back eventch.

Waiting for Jake to get home from Chicago (his flight was delayed) while packing for a wedding weekend. I've also been helping my brother try to figure out his financial aid as he gets through his final year of undergrad again (second degree). Paying for an education is obscene, I think my grad school loans will be paid off 18 months, hallelujah! For many today the debt will not be recouped by the salaries which does not seem right. In my worldly travels, I learned college in NZ is free to all kiwis and only take three years leaving time for travel abroad after uni. Plus, they totally have penguins.

See what I mean? You already stopped reading...

Zoo Day

SoS Headlines

Really into 80's tractor chic

Feverish, lethargic, crabby child for 4 long days, finally beats virus but refuses to pee in cup.

Oh baby, here they come!

Husband leaving for Chicago, hoping he can make some extra cash with sweaty feet

Maybe it's time I try a new look?

Attempt to score $2 tanks (integral part of my summer uniform) at Old Navy unsuccessful, should have known store opened at 7:00 a.m. not 10:00 a.m.

"that bear" was a huge hit (only hit of the game...attempt at sports humor for Steve)

Memorable Twins game in new stadium, family enjoys Dippin' Dots in misty outfield


Fav sites as of late:

• Local coupon guru, Pocket Your Dollars
• Finally, Jana's reception
  
• As always, DListed

home sick

Temp of 103.4

but still cooking with "ingredients"...

and watering the flowers (and licking the rain off the neighbors' hostas)

The Reluctant Ring Bearer

Not thrilled

You probably already knew this but it's still winter in Duluth. Well, every three hours it's summer for about five minutes, then it rotates through the seasons pausing on fog, rainstorms, and cold wind the longest. We arrived here yesterday to help Tasha & LeRoy celebrate their nuptials. To say people around here responsible for this wedding weren't stressed would be a lie. Seems hosting a backyard union in the mud with world's crabbiest pastor will do that.

They can make it Facebook official now

Today was the big day! Tasha has played an instrumental role in our lives and in creating our family so we really wanted to be here for this. She truly deserves only the best. LeRoy is a responsible, caring guy who also treats Tasha's daughter, Alice, like his own daughter. We are really happy they have found each other and can create their own new family. Everyone here treated us so warmly, even new relatives we had not yet met. No small gesture given the very unique nature of our relationship.

Mr. and Mrs. Britton

Our little Norelle was overwhelmed by all the commotion and new faces so her participation was limited to bribes and tricks to get her in the right place at the right time. In fact, my husband became an honorary bridesmaid as he helped Nori down the aisle during the ceremony. If only he had worn his pearls...

Running to catch the next bus south

"Daddy!!!!"

Actual ceremony shot: Jake carrying Ring Bearer

Why does she look 40 in this shot?

While we thoroughly enjoyed the 3.5 hour drive from Saint Paul to LeRoys' family farm, 1 hour back to our hotel (got lost), 1 hour to Cloquet to dress, .5 hour into town for photos, 1 hour back to our hotel, .5 to the farm, .5 hour back to hotel and 3 hours yet to travel with an overtired girl screeching for various Bob Marley songs, we are ready to get home. You know that old wedding cliche that states the two keys to a happy marriage are 1) having a good sense of humor and 2) a short memory? Well, that adage works for a lot of things...

Not so sensible after all...

Can't keep true love down!

My heart just KNEW they would get back together...Bush & Tush forever!

It must be June again because that is when the invisible rooster crows every morning at 5:00 a.m. causing a little girl to joyfully thud around her room, then later sit at the foot of our steps singing baby tunes. Her circadian rhythms are in tune with mother earth and she must make the most of every single minute of daylight. Yes, we have room darkening shades to block the light and fan on to mute the birds but she shall not be tricked by modern technology when her soul must awaken at dawn. It is the way it always has been and always shall be…

One of the first things she said to me this morning (after “can I have some milllllky?”) was “ that little dude is FUNKY” which I *just* realized is a quote from Happy Feet (we watched it two months ago). Her memory is really sharp! Nori had a case of Dorotho-rhea last night which required Jake & I to acted as a pit crew, swooping in to change diapers every so often causing minimal disruptions to her sleep-pooping slumber. Nothing a little yogurt and Desitin can’t cure!

While we are so not ready to have another baby yet, I have thought of perfect name! I may not have the emotional or physical energy for a newborn but I feel the need to rush into another child just so no one else uses this name first. Good logic? I am not really sure if Jake likes the name that well but no matter, it’s my body (er…) so I make the calls. The best part of this name is that it would be perfect for a girl or a boy. Unfortunately, we are having having a grand old time being a happy family of three so I will just have to hold out hope that no Kardashian-Bushes enter the world with my new favorite name in the meantime.