Dear Congressman Allen Boyd...

As a 24 year old working, educated, American mother , I believe in the greatness of this country. I believe that this country is great because this country was founded on hard working Americans who were given the opportunity of freedom and choice. American people having the freedom to choose is what our Founding Fathers fought for; a greatness and freedom of choice that I believe is worth continuing to fighting for. Healthcare is not a Constitutional right, just as owning a car is not right. Government was created to govern and serve the American people, not to dictate over and control the American people. I am a mother who has worked hard to pay for my son’s healthcare plan; a plan where I know he can see any doctor and receive medical attention immediately when needed. As a man who the American people chose to give the title 'Congressman' and power to, what right do you have to steal from your constituents the right to choose the healthcare they work hard for? Not only that, but why would you allow a government who has yet to prove they are capable of controlling anything, have any control or say in the health and well being of the American people? Remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Your responsibility is to be the voice and serve the American people who gave you the right to be called 'Congressman'. Your American constituents are saying "NO" to government run healthcare!

Edit: Apparently I need to make myself a little more clear. I am for fixing heathcare policy, but what I am not for is abolishing an entire system all for a government run health care system. http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0525/013-opinions-steve-forbes-dont-doc-american-health-care.html

going strong

three years ago today i was putting on my wedding dress to walk down the aisle and say "i do." who knew i would be waking up three years later to my 6 month old saying "dada". it by far is the best gift!! it's crazy to see how quickly time passes, but exciting to see where you've ended up and where you still have to go!

being that i can't keep up these days between blogging for work, twitter and facebook...this side project has taken the back burner. however here is a run through of baby b's updates:

• 17 lbs. at 6 mo check up
• 25 in. long
• roll over from back to stomach and vice verse
• sits-up by himself
• push himself into sitting position
• knows his name and understand simple words, "no, good boy, mama, dada, yea!, eat, etc.)
• holds bottle
• feeds himself puffs (he's a huge fan)
• uses a sippy cup
• pull himself up
• stand with support
• walks with help
• throws things
• knows when we enter his room it is typically nap/bed time
• plays copy cat
• says, "hey and dada"
  

to say the least, i never sit down anymore. b is a mover!!! putting him down is proving to be a bit more challenge these days now that he knows he can trow things and stand up in his crib. He thinks it's party time 24/7. Not only is he a mover, but he is quite the charmer and mr. personality. in all honesty, i have never met a more content and happy baby. we are truly blessed!

at his 6 mo check up, the doctor said, "well the next time we see him, brayden will probably be walking." i replied, "are you kidding? the next time we see you (9 months), this child will be running!"

my side of things

the past 2 weeks, my mind has been racing like a chihuahua on red bull. i have sat down countless times to write and put all my thoughts out on the table, but my mind races faster than my hands can type. you can thank me later for refraining from posting....you think my spelling is bad now....you don't even want to know what it is like under those conditions!

with so much on my mind, but not knowing where to begin, i figured i would show you all what i have been up to. i keep getting questions about people wanting to see what i'm capable of when it comes to photography. well, the big reveal has come. not nearly as fabulous as the ever so talented genya... being that i am still a work in progress!

all comments are welcome. i can handle constructive criticism, but lets be nice about it :) the images below were just taken from the blog....i don't keep the originals at home. those stay at the office! if you wish to check out the high res ones, you'll have to mosey on over to the VUE blog.

.....no words

rosie & aaron

my mom sent this to me in an email this morning. i'm not even going to say anything....other than - - absolutely, unbelievably, amazing!! and kinda cute....

their article | http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29164894/from/ET/
their pictures | http://www.flickr.com/photos/aknacer/sets/72157605881081844/
their blog | http://nacedesign.com/blog/

and that's a wrap!

every weekend this month has been consumed with weddings. however this year, it is behind a lens......WHICH I LOVE!!!! i thought i loved weddings before...now they really do ROCK!

this past thursday, genya and i had the opportunity to step out from behind the cameras and do a little strutting of our own. kylene who owns Forever Photography out of Tallahassee, came over to our neck of the woods to play with us for a bit! let's just say she captured us in all our crazy glory! when genya and i saw the pictures we were amazed and fell absolutely in love with them! here are just a few quickies of me...check out a few of the others with both of us on her blog:

mmm...good!

today began on a good note: sleeping in until 10am! granted brayden woke up at 6am, but he drank his bottle in bed next to me while practically asleep so i slept as well. after waking up and getting ready, haley, baby b and i went to eat at our favorite little place, Liza's Kitchen, for lunch. sitting outside in the sunshine and 75 degree weather eating my hot muffaletta made my day! brayden sat in his seat and carried on his own little conversation while we ate. we then went grocery shopping...which much to my surprise wasn't the nightmare i expected it to be during spring break.
(side note: my annual spring break tirade will be posted at a later date!) as i unloaded the groceries, brayden took his 3rd nap of the day. have i mentioned what a wonderful baby i have been blessed with?! after he woke-up i fed him his bottle and squash. i refuse to taste baby food in fear i will never be able to forgive myself for giving it to my child. it is better just to not know!

while baby b watched american idol (we want to make sure he is a well rounded child!) i made my infamous peanut butter krispy bars for small group tomorrow night. thank goodness i am not working with a P90X trainer or else i would be in some serious trouble!

since i am on a roll of having a productive day, i thought i might take it a bit further and share my ever beloved recipe with everyone. it has only taken me....well i won't tell you how long...to give this out. i apologize for those who have been asking for it for quite sometime!

here goes:

Peanut Butter Krispy Bars

1 stick of butter (creamy)
2 cups of peanut butter (Jiff - because all moms choose Jiff!)
3 cups of Rice Krispies (i used the store brand...i mean can you really tell the difference?!)
3 cups of powered sugar
1 package of milk chocolate morsels

mix softened/creamy butter and peanut better in a large mixing bowl. add in rice krispies one cup at a time (this is easier than pouring all 3 cups in at once). then add in the powered sugar one cup at a time (for the same reason...your hand will be very sore if you don't). then spread ingredients into a 9x13 pan. put chocolate morsels into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 min. 15 sec. and then stir until melted. pour and spread chocolate over top other ingredients in pan. refrigerate for 5-10 minutes. cut into squares and serve.

promised to be a crowd pleaser....old men love these ;)

now i must go do a little arm and shoulder P90X .....

"mommy, wow.....!"

baby b has been working on sitting up alone for quite sometime but never really had much success....until today!