Really, Norwegian Nobel Committee, Really?

Today, the Norwegian Nobel Committee named President Obama as the Nobel Peace Prize winner for his accomplishments in bringing peace to the world. My first thought: what did I miss? While his name, and position, no doubt has inspired many throughout our country, and no doubt, the world, to work harder to achieve their dreams and goals, I seriously could not put a finger on a tangible output of what I would consider the work of the best peacemaker in the world.

In doing some preliminary research, I found that Obama was awarded the prize for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." Ok... so, was he doing this work while he was a Senator for Illinois? I ask this because the nominations for the prize were due February 1, 2009... less than fourteen days after his taking office. So, in fourteen days, President Obama apparently accomplished more than all of the other worldly humanitarians in the world could accomplish in a year's time. ... Really, I ask?!

Awarding this prize to a political figure may have its own Norwegian (and other countries) political motives... where there's smoke there's fire, right? This award is given on the brink of President Obama's pending decision to decide the fate of the American strategy and purpose in Afghanistan. What is the current Nobel Peace Prize winner to do now in Afghanistan???

To wrap things up, here's a little trivia: only two sitting, United States Presidents have won this award in the past- President Woodrow Wilson after co-founding the League of Nations and shaping the Treaty of Versailles, and President Theodore Roosevelt for his negotiations to help end the Russo-Japanese war. Just sayin' at least they have something to pinpoint for their wins....

WASHINGTON POST

BB and Chase's First Concert

This weekend, we taught Kamalley to swim... or not sink... at Lake Norman. Sadly, I will have to post pictures of his second lessons, we didn't take any photos! While he can't swim that well, he did do a lot of trying!!

We also got to join Aunt B, Tripp, Lauralee, and Chase for dinner- it was great to catch up with Aunt B; hopefully, we'll have the opportunity to see her later this week!

Here's some pics from dinner:

1999 + 10 years!! CHS Reunion

nothing like a high school reunion to make you feel old! denver and I drove back to Memphis, with Kamalley, for 10 hours to attend my 1oth High School reunion!

It was a quick trip, but totally worth it to see old friends, especially a long overdue trip to see Mom and Dad!

I didn't take as many pictures as I'd hoped, but here's a few:

Hiking with Tripp, Lauralee and Chase

This past weekend we packed up with Tripp, Lauralee, and baby-Chase (michelin man) and headed towards the NC mountains. We had a fun-filled day hiking Chimney Rock, which happens to be the filming site for Last of the Mohicans and Lake Lure, the filming site for Dirty Dancing... even though mom would never let us see it, I eventually did, so I recognized the site!!!

Here's a few from the day:

Mississippi

This past 4th of July Denver and I traveled to his hometown- Gautier, MS to visit with his parents and his old friends. We had a WONDERFUL time, and forgot how truly relaxing Mississippi can be.... and slllloooow! No one is in a hurry- which is exactly what we wanted!

Thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Glazier for visiting with us, Joe for taking us fishing, and Ramsay for getting the whole gang together!!

Charlotte!!!!

Ok... so I know that we're becoming difficult to keep up with, but we have just moved. Again. To Charlotte. Sorry for the secrecy and lack of warning, but it was all hush hush as we were able to move prior to many of Denver's company announcements.... aka... layoffs. So, while I loved the exposure and subject matter, and a few people at my work, it was an obvious to support my husband and move to Charlotte for his job, as many of you know- my work was filled with crazies!!

Charlotte has turned out to be utterly fantastic thus far. We live in an area called Dilworth, which is very close to uptown... they call it uptown- NOT downtown! Dilworth is mainly older homes that have been flipped. We are in a townhome community and couldn't have lucked out better with great neighbors and a quiet area for Kamalley to run. Also close to our house is Freedom Park- which Denver and I have taken to running to & around in the AM.

All but having no job... and no car, we are very happy to be here. We PLAN to actually spread some roots here and stay a while!

Below are some pics of what has happened over the last 6 weeks:

Mom & Dad's last DC visit:







Ashlea's baby shower:






Denver and I's anniversary trip to Philly:



My sweet/bad baby Kamalley:

Kamalley- 11 weeks & growing!

Here's some new pics of our little buddy!


Thomas and Kamalley- how can you not love this face?!
Kamalley sleeping & snoring on his back! ha- my little piggy


Kamalley and his arch nemisis- the water bottle