What Does an Adoption Have to Do With a Boob Job?

Great question! And I'm so glad you asked!

I came across this video yesterday from Rage Against the Minivan and posted on my Facebook page. It has been a huge hit with all my friends and so many people (both those who have adopted and have been adopted) have commented on how accurate and hilarious this is.

But I'll let you be your own judge. Take a look for yourself!

Enjoy!
*M

Recap of Fun Happenings in the Midlands!

It's that glorious time of the year, spring in the South! The little snow we did have is a distant memory and the sun is warming things up nicely, without burning us to a crisp.

With nicer weather comes the opportunity for lots of outdoor activities. Last weekend, I had the chance to visit Tartan Day South and the Midlands Farm Tour. Both affordable, family fun activities that we will definitely attend next year!

Tartan Day South is a 4 day Celtic celebration in Cayce, SC. Tickets are $10 per adult and kids under 5 are free. There's music, Irish dancing, sheep herding, athletic competitions, axe throwing (!), hand made pottery for sale, and tons of food!  My favorite part was the music. Saor Patrol  is the real deal when it comes to Celtic music and they are amazing.  Emily especially loved the sheep herding and made an attempt to try it herself!

Checking out the athletic competition

Saor Patrol rocking out.

Sheep herding

Emily trying to join the herding fun!

A couple of tips for anyone planning on going to Tartan Day South next year:

• Get there early. There is a lot going on in the morning and it's not at all crowded.
• Your ticket allows for reentry! You can leave for lunch (or a nap) and come back in the afternoon.
• Bring chairs/blankets and find a spot to camp out. That way everyone can wander around checking everyone out and still have a central plan to meet up.
• If you are planning on bringing small kiddos, the field is all grass so a regular stroller might be tough to navagate. I'd opt for a jogging stroller. 
• Don't forget sunscreen (like I did!).
• Portapotties only, so bring extra hand sanitizer. :)

Midlands Farm Tour  is a new opportunity to visit local family farms, enjoy organic food and tour the farms. On Sunday, I went on a girls trip (no husbands or kiddos) to tour two local farms. We got to hold baby chickens and snack on some amazing goat cheese at Humble Farm in Gilbert and learned about greenhouse gardening at Terra Kotta Farms in Leesville. I loved getting to meet the farmers and families that make these local farms what they are. It was quite an adventure (including a trip down a sketchy looking dirt road) complete with a delicious picnic with our farm purchases.

Meeting some new friends!

Cutest goat!

Love this American flag made of scrap wood.

Greenhouse growing.

Took home these delicious and beautiful eggs.

A couple of tips for anyone planning on going on Midlands Farm Tour next year:

• Plan ahead! One ticket ($25 per car) will give you access to all farms on Saturday and on Sunday.  Find out which farms are closest together and which ones have what you want to see or buy. 
• Bring cash and a cooler. Most farms have lots of goodies for sell, including food and plants.
• Dress ready to have fun (and possibly get dirty). Remember, you are going to be walking all over a farm so sneakers or boots are probably the best food wear to have on.
• I didn't bring Emily this year but will next year. She would love to see the animals and lots of other kids were there, too.
• You can also volunteer at one farm and get access to the other farms the next day, for free!

Happy adventures, everyone
*M

The Little Moments

I'm struck at different times throughout the week at how quickly life seems to be moving. It dawned on me recently that I will have a 2 year old in less than 3 months! Just in the last couple of days she seems to be in, what I like to call, "full toddler mode." She's chatty and in to every.single. thing. It's challenging and amazing all at the same time. She is constantly signing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and I'm wowed by how much the lyrics actually sound like words now. She was walking all over the house last weekend in just a pair of pants hitting two pot lids together. She loves to "color" and instructs me to join her by saying "sit" and patting the chair next to her.

I feel like I just can't soak it all in quick enough! I'm trying to remember these moments and find new ones so we can enjoy this fleeting time of our lives. We took her to the circus on Sunday and she of course loved the elephants (or "Dumbo" as she called them) and even conned her Daddy into buying her the $20 stuffed elephant they were selling. She loved every second of it and amazing sat through (most) of the 1 hour performance. 

Emily with her circus souvenir 

It's great to have moments like these when work and other obligations don't interfere with quality family time. But Monday-Friday is a different story. It was so beautiful and warm yesterday afternoon (for the first time in a long time) that I make the conscious decision to not rush home and hurry up to start dinner. Instead, Emily and I grabbed some bubbles and a snack (chips and guacamole, we both love it!) and went outside. Or as Emily says "OUT SIGHHHHHH!"  She laughed and ran around and tried to blow the bubbles, too. Just a few minutes outside together after a busy day did my heart so good and all it took was bubbles and guacamole (and yes, I had a beer).

Last night, when I was rocking her to sleep I prayed that I would remember to take time to make those special moments with her, regardless of what my busy week looks like. And I thanked God for the time I had to rock her to sleep. I prayed that I would remember what her weight feels like on my chest and what her heart feels like beating next to mine.  Such beautiful little moments that make up this beautiful little life we have together.

 *M