Best Summer TV show. Ever.

Seriously. Stephanie and I laughed so hard we were crying.

I dont know why people doing dumb stunts, falling on their faces is so hilarious, but it was to us. There is just something about average people doing impossible stunts, involving water and mud, while I point and laugh. All while saying “I could do that better”, even though I’d fall face first too.

The show is produced by the guys who made fear factor. They said they wanted to do a show like fear factor, but without the grossness, and to appeal to a family audience. I’d let me kids watch this.

Its on ABC, Tuesday Nights.

Nine Months

Matt and I started our adoption journey nine months ago today.  It is hard to believe it has been nine months, the time has gone by fairly quickly.  We have been waiting for about a third of that time, if we end up having to wait the top amount of time are agency is now predicting that would be about another nine months.  It us hard to imagine waiting that long, when we started this journey we fully expected to get our referral this summer and travel before fall, even though we were told by our adoption consultant at the time we started that wait time could and probably would increase.  I chose not to listen to her wisdom until, of course, I saw the evidence for myself that the wait times had indeed increased.  I have prepared myself for the wait to last until fall, which would put us waiting for 6-8 months.  I really wanted to have Tom and Jerry home by Christmas.  Of course, if fall comes and goes without a referral I will have to wait just a little longer.  I know I can and will be patient (for the most part), but at times it can be so difficult.  I cannot wait to meet them, hold them, and just love them!

Adoption Benefits on the Rise

There is a an article on cnn.com today reporting that more U.S. companies are offering assistance with adoption.  I was very happy to see that companies are starting to treat employees who are adopting in a similar way to those having biological children.  Some companies are even offering paid time off after an adoption and consulting services.

“Never once do you feel like you’re in a separate bucket because you’re adopting” rather than having a biological child, said Huval, a senior vice president of card services at Bank of America Corp.

Afternoon at the Ballpark

On Thursday my little brother and I took my dad to a baseball game to celebrate Father’s Day/his Birthday.  We had a lot of fun and thankfully not a lot of sun as the roof was closed and the a/c was on.  We also enjoyed way more calories than a human should consume.  Oh and it was camp day, so we were joined by a few thousand kids.  None of us had ever heard the ballpark that noisy.  Overall it was a great day and wonderful way to celebrate with just the three of us.  Here are some pictures from the game.

 

We even convinced dad to scalp some extra tickets we had, we asked the cop sitting there on his bike what was legal first.  Good thing too, apparently you need a permit, but don’t worry there was a scalper with a permit able to do it for us.

Me and Jason

 

Me and dad

Our View

This last one is what the temperature gauge in the car said when we were stuck on top of the parking garage for about 15 minutes.  It was hot!

 

Mmmmm Cake!

This past Spring we got a ton of beets (I know you are wondering why I bring up beets in a post about cake, hang on I’ll get to it) from our farm share.  I tried several different recipes to use up the beets, turns out we are not really beet people.  I finally found one recipe that we love the beets in, yea that’s right it is a cake recipe.  (I make a cream cheese frosting for the top.)  It is a big hit with Matt and the neighbors!  Well any cake is a big hit with Matt, but that’s beside the point.  It is fun to see the looks on peoples’ faces when I tell them I am going to make a cake out of beets, most are resistant even though Matt goes on and on about how good it is.  (Seriously he is the one that wanted me to post about it.)  It isn’t the healthiest way to eat our beets, but at least we aren’t just composting them!

Want to go green?

So, you have been thinking about going green but are overwhelmed by everything you hear that you should be doing or should not be doing. Well on July 1, ‘Burban Mom is starting her new Step-a-Day Program.  Really it is three small steps a week.  Totally doable right?  If you have been thinking of going green and need a little help getting started this will be a great program for you. 

Recycle your old Crocs

Crocs seem to be everywhere these days.  (except at our house, Matt and I just don’t get it)  What happens to them when they are worn out or outgrown?  Are they just thrown out?  I hope not!  There is now a recycling option for your used Crocs.  Check out Soles United if you have a pair no longer being worn.

 

 

Not in a blogging mood

I haven’t been in the mood to blog lately.  Maybe its the heat, oh wait that is why I don’t want to do the housework.  I have some thoughts I have been meaning to blog about, but just haven’t made the time.  I will hopefully get them out of my head sometime soon.  In the meantime here is a cartoon to keep you entertained:

 

 

9 WORDS WOMEN USE


         
(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
 
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm.  This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.   

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t Do It!    

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing.   (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That’s Okay:  This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That’s okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.  

(7) 
Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you’re welcome. (I want to add in a clause here – This is true, unless she says “Thanks a lot” – that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all.  DO NOT say “you’re welcome” … that will bring on a “whatever”). 
 
(8) Whatever: Is a women’s way of saying up yours

(9) 
Don’t worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking “What’s wrong?” For the woman’s response refer to #3.

game 6

im pretty excited about the peguins making it out of the messy game 5 and actually making a series out of this. I can’t help but notice the stark contrast of force between the teams. The redwings are a well oiled machine. They seem to operate with such precision. While the Penguins are more of that bug that wont die.

I really like the penguins, but I feel they are really grasping at straws here. They best bet they have is persistence and luck.

Since I am playing couch coach here:

  • What’s with the offensive puck dumping? I thought only middle school hockey teams did the dump and chase offense. It hasn’t worked all series, yet the penguins still rely on this.
  • Again, how many pro level hockey players does it take to complete a pass. I mean come on! Hockey 101. Keep your eye on the puck, and your stick on the ice.
  • already in game 6 we had a 1:40 – 5 on 3 situation and Pittsburgh got off 3 shots.

I am sure I will have more coaching tips later. Here’s to the rest of the game.

game 5

so I am a huge penguins fan. I think they are a great hockey team, and deserve this stanley cup.

If the penguins are going to win:

  • They need to complete some passes! I mean come on, how many elite hockey players on one team cant seem to pay attention and complete those passes!!!
  • They also need to clear the zone. Both goals in game 4, and already 1 in game 5 are a direct result of a failure to clear the zone.
  • Actually use those power plays. In game 4 penguins had a 5 on 3, and they sat there setting up plays. They had 2 shots in 1:40 of 5 on 3. I mean come on! Goals only happen if you take shots.

Get your head in the game guys and win that cup.

(Yes I am pretty sure the coaches, and players of the penguins are avid readers of our blog).

Six Years…

ago today I married the most wonderful man.  He is so caring, thoughtful, and amazing.  I am thankful to God each and every day for bringing us together (even on the rough days).  We have grown up a lot together over the last six years and I truly love the man he is and the one he is becoming.  I believe he is becoming a more amazing man and husband every year and I cannot wait to see him become a father, because I believe he will be a super amazing father.  I cannot imagine a better man to be by my side during life’s struggles and celebrations.  He is my rock.  Have I said amazing enough yet?  He really is amazing and awesome and wonderful.

 

I love you Matthew P.

Adoption Update

We found out last week that we needed to do another form (power of attorney) to add to our dossier in Ethiopia.  Matt and I drove up to the Secretary of State yesterday to get it authenticated and now it will travel to Washington, D.C. to get authenticated by the US State Department and the Ethiopian Embassy.  It will not affect our wait time as everyone had to add this to their dossiers.

 

We also learned yesterday that the sibling group wait times should be expected to be around 12 months.  The official wait timeline is still 6 – 12 months, but more likely to happen in the 10 – 12 month range.  If you haven’t already guessed the referral date you still have plenty of time.