it's that time again...

we get to start renewing all of our adoption documents.  

i think i will spend the next few days talking about adoption,

to document our process, our thoughts, fears, ups and downs.  

so, i'm off to think deep thoughts and try to pin down a few of them for you -

for my kids, when they read this in the years to come.

i hope everyone's monday treated them well -

and their tuesday will treat them better.

inside my crazy brain...

sound and fury

poor production value, fascinating debate, worth watching

the suicide tourist

true documentary with no obvious bias (old school), worth watching, worth thinking about afterwards

the horse boy

 production value is hit and miss, but this film makes you think and is open to interpretation

first position (thanks polly)

 fantastic, beautiful production value, worth watching

sabine (again, thanks polly) 

not for everyone, yet powerful narrative, lets the quiet moment speak volumes

somewhere between

 fascinating, i want to write a whole essay in response to this documentary

joan rivers; a piece of work

 worth watching, great production, great insight, a new perspective

the third wave

 watch, learn, broaden your view of bit, worth watching

jiro dreams of sushi

a beautiful film with a deeper message that leaves an impression

ingredients

 worth watching, obvious bias in narrative

off and running

 poor production value, poor directing/editing, indecisive viewpoint, not worth watching

nursery university

 watch it to feel better about yourself

who killed sister dorothy?

 fascinating and speaks to so much of what i have learned through my travels, not for everyone

hungry for change

interesting, i'm not jumping up and down, obvious bias, worth it to me but probably not to many

david vs monsanto

 poor, poor production/direction, too bad - there were many good points that could have been made

food inc

 watch.

born and bred

bleh.  nope.  don't watch.

blindsight

 watch.  inspires.

el bulli

 i am fascinated by ferran adria, this is a film version of so many of the published narratives, watch.

ai weiwei

 watch, be disappointed with the way it ends by necessity, hope for a follow up

the human experience

 best poster out there, horrible narrative, obnoxious philosophizing, not compelling at all

terra incognita

fascinating.  watch and learn, figure out what you would do in his shoes.

a matter of taste

 again, i love all documentaries that follow the process of recipe development, this is worth it.  very worth it. 

mugabe and the white african

watch.  disheartening and sad, yet important.  

alrighty, i know there's a bunch more but for the life of me -

i can't remember.

i watched a fascinating one on south african paramedics that opened my eyes a bit -

i now see the pistorius case in a whole new light.

anyone see this?

can remind me of the name?

alrighty, i'm off to nap before i go to bad.  

it's sunday.

i deserve it.

father's day...

i was taking pictures of luke today, in preparation for his baptism announcements -

and i was struck (as i frequently am) at how amazing he is.

he's such a good kid - so compassionate, loving, intuitive, inquisitive.

he has a big heart and he gives the best hugs.  

i love my husband for being my children's father -

in every sense of the word...

for taking walks and wrestling, reading and teaching,

for listening to his stories, delving into their emotions, 

for standing tall as a man should and carrying through and on when it's not easy.

for all the late nights and selfless acts of service he has given to our children,

i love him and wish him a happy father's day. 

and to my dads -

i love you guys too. 

it's a complicated story, how a kid ends up with two men she calls father -

but it's my story and i am blessed.

a sneak peek...

 

there is still a bunch to do -

but we have a bed!

luke has a bed -

in his very own room!

it's been two years.

now all we need to do is tackle the smoke alarms,

air register cover, unfinished closet wall and flooring -

and all the fun fluff of decorating a kid's room.

it's going to be a good one.

ps: luke and charlie are christening the new room with a cousin sleepover -

there are four mattresses and four little bodies in there right now.

it took them a while to settle down and go to sleep -

but now they are all cozy little angels.

i love myself some sleeping babies. 

Another Playful Learning Adventure...

Head on over to Playful Learning

to read my latest contribution - 

it's all about Cooking with your Kids.

Go Here.

ps: i just made these from a $1 thrift store belt and 2 brass screws and 2 brass nuts.  

crazy, right?!

i'm in love. 

ignore the dusty cabinet and the tools and mess everywhere - 

just fall in love with what could be considered the easiest and most satisfying project yet!

a little project...

using the same chalk paint/wax technique i used on the big cabinet in the master bedroom -

here is a small project i threw into the mix. 

we used this stool (ikea, duh).

it is insanely sturdy but a bit boring -

so i "midnight-tealed" it up. 

and we love it.  

LOVE IT.

what color would you paint it?

signing in to sign off...go have a good day...mine will be busy...

update:  it's only 11 in the morning and i've already tripped and splashed pee on my big toe.  i should be grossed out but i'm so over being grossed out anymore.  between the kid's bodily fluids and my constant need to be collecting samples of mine - i'm over it.  that's what clorox wipes are for. 

big changes for my darling dearest...

today we are heading out to nick's classroom of ten years

and packing everything up.

it is bittersweet.

nick is not only moving grade levels, but he is moving schools as well - 

he will now be a eighth grade history teacher.

this is a lot to take in. 

we're trying to be positive and he's being such a trooper -

and in the process we've realized there are many upsides to the move...

administrative politics and epidemic levels of apathy and entitlement will hopefully be lessened.

as for now, i'm just really excited about getting my hands on his new classroom -

these are prints i designed for him for christmas. 

the plan is to print them at 11x14 and hang them around the classroom at desk level.

kids stare off into space a lot and in their day dreams frequently scan posters and wall art frequently -

so my thought is, why not let them be empowered in their daydreams.

words are powerful.  

wish us luck and keep us in your prayers.

nick does not do change well -

and he's being a trooper, 

but tomorrow will be hard.

he's closing a decade long chapter in his life.  

i'm proud of him,

he's great teacher and his kids love him. 

i'm sure his new kids will love him just as much.

plus, eighth graders focus mostly on the civil war and the constituion -

nick LOVES both of these topics. 

and bonus,

he found out that he can still run his guitar club at the high school after classes.

i think that will ease the transition a bit.

okay, go take on your day.