my mom and i have decided to scrap mexico in july and head to nicaragua instead.  having a background in journalism i know how sensational the media are, however, we've heard a ton of recent reports about violence there (npr is my source and they tend not to be sensational).  i know tourists aren't targeted in drug cartel vs. cop shootouts, but we've had this bad feeling we haven't been able to shake, so we're scrapping it.

so, if you have any nicaragua travel tips, do tell.  we've just started researching, but i am stoked about totoco eco lodge on ometepe island, and la gran francia in granada.

i went to a movie alone today.  just because.  and i quite enjoyed it.  the last time i can remember doing that was in glenwood springs, co.  i lived in winter park in my early 20s and kind of sort of did the ski bum thing, though i worked two jobs (one full time and one part time) and lived in a pretty nice house, so i didn't bum it too much.  but i digress.  anyway, i decided to take a little weekend trip to glenwood to soak in the hot springs.  they had a nice little old school movie theater in town.  i ate nepalese food.  good times.

sunday afternoon is the perfect time to see a movie alone.  you won't be alone in being alone.  hehe.  sin nombre is awesome.  very violent (not awesome), well filmed and directed.  it's moving and disturbing and sad, but well worth seeing.  it's a similar, though fictional, story to that of enrique's journey.  enrique's journey is non-fiction and is one of the most amazing books i have ever read.  i couldn't put it down and finished the whole thing in 24 hours.

we just got back from seeing off jason eads who is running this week from kirkwood to bentonville, arkansas to raise money for girls on the run.  adam ran the first five miles with jason.

from the girls on the run website, "Girls on the Run® is a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Our curricula address all aspects of girls' development - their physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being."

 to support jason and his cause, show him some blog love.  you can donate here.  what an awesome thing he is doing!

and here's a little background info from jason describing how this came to be...

"The idea started on a run I was on with ultra running legend Dean Karnazes. It was late 2006, and Dean had just completed 50 marathons, in all 50 states, in 50 consecutive days. His 50th marathon was in NYC. After the race, he decided he would run home from NYC to SAN FRANCISO (not a typo!). Dean was inviting people to run with him for any portion of the journey home to get people out and active.

What I realized during a day of running with Dean (through a portion in Ohio) was that taking the initiative to set the example, and inviting people to participate in being active is a great way to help change some of the difficult problems we face in the U.S. Of particular concern is the situation with our children. Nearly 1 of 3 U.S. children are overweight or obese. By the time our kids become adults, about 2 out of 3 are overweight. I believe teaching our kids good habits while their young is the best way to ensure they take care of their selves when they are older, not to mention they are then much more likely to pass along their quality habits to their own offspring, thus perpetuating the cycle that can help get our health back on track as a nation.

I too want to set a good example and get people involved on a “local” level. I’ve decided to use my long time dream of a multi-day 300+ mile run from Kirkwood, MO to Bentonville, AR as an awareness tool. I want to show people that an average person like me can do extraordinary things if they are willing to put forth the effort. I want to get people involved and invite them to participate in a portion of the run. Getting people active and burning calories is the only way our situation gets better than it is today. I also want to show people that being active is fun, adventurous and, in itself, worthwhile."

oh i've been a bad blogger again.  crazy busy, so apologies to regular rockstar commentor-readers liz and lucy.  :-)  i know there are more of you out there, but i don't know who you are.  so if you'd like a future shout out, leave us some blog love now.  hehe.

now, on to the real point of this post.  have you heard of trunkt.org?  it's kind of a sleeker cousin of etsy (you love how much i love etsy, so it's no slam against her.)

i recently found a fabulous wedding gift for my brother and his new wife and i just can't contain myself over the yummy handmade goodies that will soon head their way.  so, check it out and find some beautiful stuff.

and stay tuned for carrie and brent's rockin' celebration at the magic chef mansion in a couple of weeks.  we've never shot there, so i'm looking forward to it!

first of all, i am proud to announce that we were invited to be a part of style me pretty's little black book.  i'm guessing you already know about style me pretty and how fabulous a resource it is.  if you aren't aware, style me pretty is a fabulous resource.  i must say this little 173x173 pixel badge makes me feel like we have arrived.  [please forgive my self horn tooting and touting here.]

second of all, you may have read a brief little post below called pay it forward.  here's how that's going to work:

for any family, maternity, baby or senior session booked between now and may 30th, 2009, and photographed by august 15, 2009, you'll be able to give a portrait session to another st. louis area family, baby, senior, etc. (does not include weddings).  we will waive the $250 session fee until the end of this year for the person/family of your choosing.  if you book a one hour session, you can pay forward a one hour session.  if you book a two hour session, pay forward a two hour session, etc.  we're trying to rack up our karma points with this.  :-) email with any questions.

on a totally unrelated note...

i am now an apple girl.  i am proud mama to a new yummy macbook pro and 24" cinema display.  we tend not to be on the materialistic side, but i must say that apple products are delicious.  i reached a new level of techgasm on friday.  (did she just write that?  seriously?  this is a family rated blog.)

and on two more unrelated notes...

my seedlings are progressing nicely.

and i am super stoked about a new diy project i have almost completed- the decoration of our stairs.  nasty old bluish carpet no longer!  adam tore it up and then primed and painted.  i went nuts at artmart over some beeyuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuteeefulllll snow & graham wrapping paper.  i cut it to size and glued each panel to the stairs using yes!paste.  it's going to need a good sealing coat of something, but i haven't decided what to use yet.  any suggestions?