Gulp.

So, maybe I've mentioned it once or twice. Maybe more than that. But things are officially getting serious. 

In 21 days....ahem, THREE WEEKS, I'll be putting one foot in front of the other for a whopping SIXTY miles. 60. Sesenta. 10 X 6. And I'll be living here:

I don't have cancer. But I know how it can affect families. And I know firsthand (and recently) what it's like to wait for test results as a family member goes through the waiting game of wondering if they have cancer--and then finding out, yes. They do. And it's hard and it sucks. Alot. I don't want my son to go through this. Or my husband. Or anyone. 

This is why I'm walking. This is why I have 21 days to break in my shoes, pack my bags, and take my poor, they-didn't-sign-on-for-this feet for the walk of a lifetime. The walk of L-I-F-E, in fact.

I've raised  $2,310 so far. Not for my travel expenses or anything like that. For the cause. For research, for education. For breast cancer--or rather for fighting it. But, I want MORE. I'm greedy like that. If you're still with me, do me a favor,

Consider donating -- please! Or consider donating again! 

Here's the breakdown: I know that about 150 different people (or at least different computers) come to my blog every week (and how awesome is that, by the way). 

Anyhow, that's a lot of people who can put me at my goal of $2,500 super quick. Just think if each one of you donated only $5. Seriously, $5 -- like a Subway sandwich. A coffee. An InStyle magazine. I mean, I lose $5 in my sock drawer without realizing it. Please, lose $5 on this. 

If that happened, I would be way past my goal. Waaay past. Like, I would immediately raise my goal so that I had a new one. Really, $5. What is that, like $0.16 a day for a month or something? You could even do $10 and go nuts. Or $25....ooooh. Go nuts. For the love of pink tennis shoes, go flippin' nuts. It's for a good cause. A great cause. A tax-deductible cause! 

Whether you're a dear friend or a dear lurker out there in Blogland, I would love to hear from you. Hear from you as in, cha-ching! Let your money talk. Let it speak loud and mother freakin' proud.

I want my bold statement to be really bold. I want to think of all those dollars as I'm spooning Natasha in our pink tent. 

If you've read this far, then you've made it through the hardest part--my pitch. All you have to do now is the link and donate for pink, baby! Do it for your moms, grandmothers, sisters, wives, or daughters that might really, really thank you someday. And I'll thank you immediately. And will think of you as I'm covering up blisters in a few weeks with something called 'moleskin.'

That's it. My pitch. Now, get busy with the Benjamins, baby.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE!

10 months!

Double digits, baby! Round here, we celebrate 10 months with plenty of spitting and screaming--in a happy, joytastic sort of way. Man, these pictures are getting seriously harder and harder to take...

Thumb's the word.

In case you were wondering, the holes on a whiffle ball are the perfect size for a chubby little almost-10-month-old thumb. 

Riley's hitchhiking digit was inadvertently stuffed into one of the holes when he was playing this morning and after unsuccessfully attempting to lube up our poor baby's thumb for a removal maneuver, Kevin had to cut the ball away from Riley's fat finger with breathtaking finesse that would have the docs on Grey's clapping in stunned appreciation. 

Here are Kevin's surgical tools and the sad remains of orange whiffle ball. We'll miss you little guy.

 

Spotted

while riding around OKC the other day:

Is it just me or does someone need to rethink their career choice? I'm just sayin'...

This is what happens

...when babies explore without proper supervision.

 

Open for business!

So, I'm only about 3 weeks behind on this post, but given this is pretty much our life right now, I'd be remiss to deny you a mention of our up-and-running family business. Taste Cafe has been in the works for months and now, our doors are wide open for business. 

This is far from the final product... We still have lots of blank walls to fill and finishing touches (like an LCD for that wall mount over there...) to take care of, but in the meantime, enjoy the awesomeness of our creation. We did this from scratch and Kevin has poured his heart into this puppy from the word 'go.' I'm so proud of him. He is so great at what he does and I am the luckiest to have such a hardworking husband! 

Commercial kitchens are just the prettiest, aren't they?

Some 'detail' shots:

Adults only

For the second week in a row we headed out of town yesterday --this time for a quick overnight in Dallas...without Riley. It was our first baby-free trip and I have to say it was a success. It was great for Kevin and me and to remember that we are husband and wife and not just parents. It was round 2 of Counting Crows/Maroon 5. (We didn't really realize the concerts were two weeks in a row when we purchased them. Luckily, it worked out!)

This time the concert was supposed to be with Jimmy & Mike, but poor Mike had a case of severe allergies so we took his 21-yr-old son instead. He was missed, but it was fun to hang out with Ryan. It was his first 'real' concert and he loved it.

Here's some family pics before we headed out. (It was game day, if you didn't catch on!)

The concert was uh.maz.ing. Probably the best Counting Crows concert I've ever seen. It must be that venue because my other favorite performance was also there a couple of years ago. Or maybe it was our front row seats. We actually had third row seats, but as soon as the lights went down they let us run up and grab the front views. 

Maroon 5 was good stuff again and I got some great pics for Jimmy. Counting Crows...sigh. Their music just speaks to me and always has. I know it sounds so cheesy, but it's really, really true. I've loved them since I first heard 'August & Everything After' in 1993. I love that every show they do is different and you never know what songs you'll hear. And I love how passionate Adam is about his band and music. Always. He doesn't ever lose enthusiasm (although he does lose his mind sometimes, apparently). 

Last night Adam let us know that they decided they would chill out and do an acoustic set. Loved.it. They played 'Anna Begins' --my favorite--which pretty much guarantees I'll love anything else. I swear the proximity to the stage and the music and the great night and great people, it was practically spiritual for me. I was ec-freakin'-static. And I know I'm a dork for saying it, but a couple of the songs brought a little tear to my eye. Yes, I'm that into it and I will own that. Here a few pics--I took about 150 in all. 

Adam Levine kept coming to our side and posing for us. 

Some highlights from the Counting Crows...

Saying goodbye with Augustana:

Post-show, we went and played in various Dallas establishments and after a taxicab-drive through visit to Jack in the Box around 2:30-ish, we collapsed into bed. Today, we woke up and Mike & Jimmy made everyone a great 'breakfast' that we devoured at 1:30 pm. Some quick shopping and back to home. A total whirlwind --the fastest 24-hrs ever, but fun, fun, fun. FUN! And returning to our little man was even better. He had a good time with his various grandparents, but he was so excited to see us and we couldn't squeeze him enough. A perfect weekend to be sure. 

We went to a bar and they had this much toilet paper in there...a first. And I loved it.

Kevin apparently did not approve of the venue's rule that prohibited ramming your body into fellow concert goers. 

Here's Riley & my dad hanging out while we were gone:

P.S. Riley can clap now. Yay for clapping!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Another year, another birthday? I suppose, but this one was awesome!!! I had to spend last year's fat and pregnant. This year, I couldn't blame the extra weight on a baby (well, not exactly), but at least I got to enjoy the day a little more than the last one. We decided a few months ago that since Counting Crows/Maroon 5 would be in Indianapolis on my birthday, it would be the perfect reason for a much delayed trip to visit Natasha and Keith.

Seeing as how we never do it halfway, it ended up being a full-fledged party when Mike and Jimmy decided to join the party. Add in Lydia celebrating with us and we were complete!

Riley and I flew out on Wed. and Kevin joined later that night. Although flying solo with Riley wasn't how I envisioned the voyage, it turned out better than expected and, sweaty and exhausted, I survived. I also realized that complete strangers can be really gracious. I had people helping me left and right and although I expected everyone to shoot daggers in my direction (assuming Riley would be loud), I got nothing but happy glances and nice exchanges. I have to say it renewed my faith in humanity.

The trip itself was so fun! I have amazing friends and I count this group among some of my best. It was great finally seeing the land of Natasha instead of envisioning her in her palace from afar. The Irish pub/restaurant that they own was so flippin' amazing. The patio goes down as one of my favorite stops on the trip.

And the birthday itself? Superb. For real. The concert was great as usual (I've seen CC 8 times now), the converstaion and company outstanding. I love that I always learn new things about people that I adore. My friends rented a bouncy castle for my birthday!!!! How cool is that? Pair it with my rainbow cake, Hannah Montana banner and plates, and a ton of great food and it was definitely one to remember.

Oh yeah, and the shopping didn't hurt either. Many thanks to all who made it happen. I really love my friends!!! I hope a repeat is in the planners as we speak. Here's a couple pics and a quick video of Riley bouncing and loving it. There are better pics to see, but Natasha hasn't sent them and I decided not to wait. Maybe I'll present more soon....

9 months and on the move....

The months go by sooooo fast. Riley's a big, strong, funny 9-month old boy. His personality is raging, just ask anyone who has been around him. He loves people and will try to interact with anyone that comes near him. Crawling and cruising, he's also getting very used to bumping his head on all kinds of things. We try to catch him when we can, but sometimes, you just gotta fall. He's surviving. ;-)

At last week's 9-month checkup he weighed in at an impressive 22.25 lbs, putting him in the 80% on weight, down from the 90th at his 6-month weigh-in. He's also 27" long, making him a short and stubby little lad. Gotta love that. Head is hanging in at 100% so just try to find a bigger baby head out there.

All in all, a joy. We love Mondays when we head to Gymboree and he can socialize. It's so cool to see how he's progressed on the various ramps and activity stations. Love it! Love him....to pieces.

Here are the 'official' 9-month shots -- you'll see his new skill of making faces: