3 months old

Today is Charlie's 3 month birthday!!

I can not believe how much she has changed.

She's so full of personality.

And she's started giving "kisses."

She's even reaching for things like a big girl!

And since she's such a big girl now, she was treated to a mini-pedi.

You've got to hear her sweet little baby sounds. She's going to be a singer, just like her mommy!

Oh, I just can't get enough of her! If you want even more Charlie Joy, check out her mama's blog.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl! Love you so much!!

Happy Counting Day

Today is 8-9-10!

I know. It happens every year. But still, only once a year. And besides, once 2015 rolls around, it won't even happen at all. So we better enjoy the annual Counting Holidays while they last!

Now, get both those hands out and let's make Seseme Street proud by counting to ten! One... Two... Three...

[pic via]

Taylor's Mine

Okay, technically she's not mine. But her new song is called "Mine," and it's her's, so...

Over the past year, I've become completely in love with Taylor Swift. I think she's an  incredibly talented songwriter as well as absolutely hilarious and just plain ol' real. To me, she's such a shining light of old-fashioned, girly love and romance, amidst all of the nasty, smutty, over-sexualized, barely-dressed girls that we're bombarded with, nowadays. She's pure feminity in a way that allows other girls to accept the Princess inside of them and long to be loved the way God intended for us to be. And besides that, she really seems to be just a regular girl that loves hanging out with her friends.

Brad gave me the Platinum edition of her Fearless album for Christmas this past year, and I've shamelessly belted my heart out to every word of it in my car ever since. Her new album, Speak Now, on which she wrote every single song all by herself, with no help at all, comes out at the end of October, and I can't wait! The video of her first single, Mine, will premier in a little over a week, but the song itself was released online, yesterday. I'm just gunna go ahead and say that I'm so far on the T-Swift Train, that I'm going to eat up anything she comes out with.

And I already love the new song. I bet you will, too.

20 Questions

There's not much going on around here that's really blogworthy, so I thought it'd be a good time to complete the 20 Questions Tag I got from my friend, Ashley. I know you're all just dying to know random facts about  my life, anyway. So, why not? Here we go.

1. How often do you go over the speed limit? Pretty much every time I drive, but no more than 7 mph over. Well, maybe that's kind of a lie...

2. Do you dance like crazy when no one is looking? Not really. Even I know I have no rhythm. But I do totally belt out the music like a rockstar.

3. If you were going to be stuck on a deserted island, which book, which movie, and which CD would you take with you? The Harry Potter series (I'd find one of those books with all 7 books in one, just to trick the rules); Dirty Dancing; and Taylor Swift's Fearless, Platinum Edition (talk about belting it out!)

4. What did you get in trouble for when you were a kid? Talking back and being a smart alack, thinking I knew everything all the time. Man, I do not ever want a 14-year-old daughter.

5. What really gives you the creeps? Big gross spiders with millions of tiny babies hiked up on their backs. They exist, people, and they're creepy. *shudder*

6. What was your favorite toy when you were a kid? Hmm, I really don't remember playing with toys much. I mostly talked on the phone and flirted with boys. (Again, not sure I'll be able to handle a daughter!)

7. You run into a friend while shopping. Where are you? Target. Love it. I can hang out in that store forever, especially when holiday decorations are out!

8. When you fall asleep, are you usually on your side, your stomach, or your back? Definitely my side, preferably with my husband curled up right behind me cuddling me close.

9. If fat or calorie intake wasn't an issue, what one food would you eat the most? My first reaction is hot dogs, but I think I'll have to go with pizza. Even though it's only one food, think of all the different varieties available! Cheese, pepperoni, supreme, veggie, pineapple... frozen, cardboard frozen, real kind... It's never the same meal twice. Again, I'm cheating the system.

10. If you could hire one of the following, which one would it be? Driver, chef, maid, or stylist? Are you kidding me? A chef. The others would all be great, too, but it'd for sure have to be the chef.

11. What movie have you watched the most? Dirty Dancing or Moulin Rouge. In college, I'd have one of them playing in the background as I studied or wrote papers. They were enough noise to distract me from the social activities going on in the hallway, and yet, I knew them well enough that I didn't need to pay attention to them like I would a TV show or singing to songs on the radio. I could focus on my work, and turn around at any given moment for a break and know exactly what was happening. I pretty much  know them both by heart and love them. They've kind of become my comfort blankets. When the world is getting out of control, I can pop the familiar movies in and feel safe again.

12. What kind of perfume do you wear? Givenchy. Brad bought it for me, and he likes it. And I like it when he likes me.

13. What was your favorite sitcom growing up? Depends on when "growing up" occurred. Full House when I was little, but then Friends, and also Scrubs. Now it's Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, and The Big Bang Theory. (I'm terrible at one-answer answers!)

14. What were you doing the last time you had a really good laugh? Accidentally, inappropriately touching a man who was not my husband. Laughed so hard I cried. (So did everybody else involved. - Another story for another time.)

15. What was the very first concert you ever attended? No Doubt, Tragic Kingdom Tour with my friend, Kari

16. Who is the fourth person on your missed call list? This is a random question. Happens to be my friend, Kristi, who was calling to tell me about Goodwill's next 1/2 off day, so we can stock up on some retro attire for the upcoming 80's slumber party.

17. How long does it take you to get ready in the mornings? A whole hour. Seriously, how do people take fast showers? No matter what I try to do, I can't get out of there in less than 15-20 minutes. Add the hair straightening to the routine, and it's at least an hour before I can walk out the door.

18. When is the last time you went to the mall, and what did you buy? I rarely go to a mall, hmmm... We went to the mall in Atlanta when we were there, and I bought some sunglasses.

19. Ever go to camp? Never as a camper, but a couple of times as a counselor. However, we love to camp a lot.

20. Do you collect anything? Disney movies (stocking up for the future kiddos), Christmas stuff (specifically snowmen, Santas, reindeer, and Christmas trees), and, of course, gnomes!

Well, wasn't that just random and wonderful? Now, let me tag a couple people for when they have the time: Kristen, Audrey, Kristi, Emily, and Erin. Anyone else who has a blog and would like to join  the fun, consider yourselves tagged!

Cookin' Tips

I'm on a mission to start to learn how to cook. Some of you might be, too. Or, maybe some of you who are used to cooking regular meals (wild) just need some ideas and recipes! Well, thanks to my friend, Stephanie, I've taken advantage of this great deal from Mable's Meals.

She sends you a menu each week along with the recipes and a shopping list. She even adds some tips to make tomorrow's meal easier. (Like, even though you won't need it all, cook the whole package of bacon today, so you'll have it ready for tomorrow.)

Go to The Deal Scoop to find the coupon code that will give you a year's subscription free. But if you're interested, you better go now. It expires today. (Sorry for the late notice!)

I got my first menu in my email this morning. There are some recipes that I wouldn't normally cook, but who am I kidding? If I'm gunna start cooking for real, I'm going to have to venture away from the frozen pizzas, chicken strips, corndogs, and mac & cheese. Any recipe will be new to me. And I'll definitely take all the help I can get.

Somebody else doing my weekly meal planning? For free? I'm totally there. Maybe keeping my end of the bargain won't be so hard, after all.

Snooze Control

[pic via]

Brad was still sleeping, this morning, as I was getting ready for work. When his alarm clock sounded, I looked out from the bathroom to see him blindly poking the buttons of the TV remote control that was also resting on his side table. After a little while, his hand wandered to the clock and continued randomly poking things until he finally landed on the snooze button, giving him permission to peacefully fall back to sleep. I couldn't help but chuckle at my adorable, sleepy husband.

For nine minutes, I giggled to myself while I straightened my hair, anticipating how he'd handle the next alarm. Finally, the terrible buzzing filled the room again, and I peaked around the corner to watch Brad pick the remote up, this time, point it at the alarm clock and punch some buttons. As time went on, he sat up straight, focused harder on the remote control, determined exactly which button to hit, and pressed it with more force than ever. At this, the laughter I had been containing burst out, waking Brad enough for him to realize what he was doing and nonchalantly tap the snooze button. We made eye contact, and he laid his head back on the pillow with a sheepish, embarrassed, (adorable) grin on his face.

Once I regained composure, I asked him what button it was that he had been pushing so vehemently. He shrugged his shoulders and casually replied,"The pause button. Made sense to me. Couldn't figure out why it wasn't working."

Oh, my sweet boy. It makes sense to me, too, honey. Me, too.  ♥

5k Training

Since Brad's keeping his end of the bargain and is nearly finished with the 2nd Potter book already, I figured it's time I pick up the pace on my side. Well, one of my sides, anyway...

I've included running as a part of my work out routine for a while, but I've always hated it. This morning, I decided to try something new. I brought HP1 with me (since I'm joining Brad and starting to read the series again) to the gym and propped it up on the treadmill. I told myself I wouldn't even look at the time or distance for as long as I could stand it.

I usually can't make it three minutes without getting winded and pleading with the treadmill to magically add numbers to the screen. Running ten minutes straight has been my record up to this point, and it was a struggle. However, with Harry to distract me, I didn't even wonder how long I'd been running until over six minutes in! When all was said and done, I ran 16 minutes solid, which was 1.13 miles, total. Longer and farther than I've ever ran at one time before! I really think I could have even gone longer, but it was time to hop in the shower, and I didn't want to wear myself out. (I know this may sound like only a little distance/length, but y'all don't realize how seriously out of shape I am.) It was the first time I ever ran that I didn't want to secretly cuss afterward, because I hate it so much. Big accomplishment!

I'm so stinking pumped about it! Looks like I found my sweet spot. I should have always known it would be Harry Potter...

Okay, okay, I shouldn't go too crazy. I know a 5k is over three miles, and I know it's outside which is way different than running on a treadmill. (I had my first experience with that this past Saturday morning when Brad took me running with him. Thankfully  he was patient with me as I gasped for air in the humid heat and realized just how hilly the world really is.) But just training my body to move for that long is a baby step I'm proud of.

Maybe I'll be able to do this after all. I'm starting to see it as a possibility, which is a really good thing. Now, if I can just figure out this meal planning business. Wish me luck!

[pic via]

The Great Mehaffey Compromise of 2010

Brad and I have struck a deal. The Deal of all deals, actually. I do believe it's a win-win situation.

I've been a Harry Potter addict since high school.  You know, that kind of fan. When we first got married, and he was still trying to impress me with his kindness, I persuaded him to read the books. He got through the first three (rather quickly, I might add) before school started back up. Once the new semester began demanding his attention, and he caught a glimpse of the swelled size of Book 4, he backed away from the series. It wasn't long until he was talking trash of HP and making comments about how dumb it is and poking fun at me for my obsession. Once he set his mind against Harry, I was never able to convince him to pick the books back up, again.

This sort of Potter abuse has been going on for five years, now! Can you imagine?? Even I can't believe I've survived this long. Granted, he's always been generous when it comes to the movies and the midnight releases of those movies, but it never goes without a little chastisement, and he'd never consider actually reading the books.

Anyway, last week, I had had the last straw. It actually wasn't even anything he did, but rather, bonding Potter experiences I had shared with other HP fans at work. We make wizarding references all the time; they serve as a sort of inside joke that links us together in a world full of oblivious muggles. We have so much fun discussing the books and joking about characters as if they're our own friends, that it made me sad for the connection that Brad and I were missing. That was it. I had had enough of his silly anti-Potter activity. It was simply unacceptable.

I became a woman on a mission. On my way home from work, I called Brad and asked him what he'd want if he could get me to do anything. (Get your mind out of the gutter people...) I told him I had a huge favor I wanted from him, and I wondered what it'd take for him to do it. But I didn't tell him what the favor was, yet. I knew he'd laugh it off once he knew, and this was no laughing matter. This was a very serious request, and he needed time to think of it.

First, he wanted me to run a marathon. (I believe he was throwing out the impossible simply to test my devotion to the secret request.) I scoffed and suggested possibly a half-marathon. He counter-offered with a requirement that I, in fact, run the entire 13.1 miles. Not possible. He then settled for two separate 5k's, running the duration of both 3.1 mile races. I tentatively agreed...

Before Brad made that his final offer, he insisted that he knew exactly what he was promising. So I hit him with it: read the entire Harry Potter series by the end of the year.

He rolled his eyes, astonished that I was going to such great lengths to make this happen, and insisted the stakes be raised. He wanted a home-cooked meal every week for a year. (I know that, like, every other wife on the planet makes something around 5-7 meals per week, but I just don't have it in me.) I rebuttaled with a meal every other week. Done. But he still wanted the 5k's. No deal. Negotiations ensued. Only one 5k, and we'd run it together. Deal.

So, the Great Mehaffey Compromise of 2010 settled under these terms: Brad will read the entire Harry Potter series, all 7 books, by the end of the year in exchange for a home-cooked meal, that does not have a main dish from a box and is never repeated, every other week from August 2010 through July 2011, and we'll also run a 5k together.

Although running is the equivalent of pulling off my fingernails, and I'm terrible at / afraid of cooking, I still feel like this is a Mindy victory! I've had to listen to 5 years of him berating my fictional love, and now he'll love it too!! He, however, claims that he got the better end of the stick. Turns out, he never hated Harry to begin with (surprise, surprise). He just knew how crazy I was about it and "thought it was funny" (not funny) to pick on me for it.

He boasts that this is going to be the easiest promise he's ever made. So easy, in fact, that he's already finished the first book, in one night!! Oh, that's right. He thinks he's proving a point to me, but I'm just so excited that we're both going to be Potter fans! Imagine the conversations we'll have about portkeys and polyjuice potions and Hungarian Horntails and rooms of requirement and invisibility cloaks and real live gnomes... Oh, the possibilities are endless!!

Yes, this is definitely a win-win situation.

Hey, what can I say? Marriage is all about compromise.

PS. If you have any great and easy recipes, please send them my way! I'm looking for approximately 25 of them. And by easy, I  mean supa.easy! Thanks!

[pics via here, here, and here]

Souvenirs

Every time Brad and I travel somewhere, we pick up a souvenir magnet. When we get home, I take a silver Sharpie and write the month and year and the special occasion for the trip if there was one on the back of it. It's always fun to glance at the side of our fridge and be immediately transported back to those memories. I love the constant reminders of fun experiences we've shared together.

Second-priority traveling souvenirs are always Christmas ornaments. We don't pick one up every time we go somewhere, but we do as often as we can remember / can afford it / can find one. It's so fun to jump back in time every holiday season as we decorate our tree to remember fun times.

Do you collect anything, or is there one thing that you just have to get when you visit a place?

X-games

I bet my brother is cooler than your brother. Can your brother do this awesome flippy-trick on his rollerblades?

I didn't think so.   :P