Our multi-ethnic family

I saw this fun link on the Walworths' blog that takes your picture, decides which celebrity you most resemble, then morphs your face into theirs. Sounded pretty fun...Darcy and Madeleine were Reese Witherspoon, Nena - Lindsay Lohan, and Jeremy - Bill Gates....pretty good matchups, I thought. Then there's our family. Here's who they thought we most resembled (no joke):

Carey - Lacey Chabert (who?)
Ellie - Rebecca Romijn (Dutch model actress)
Clark - Ai Otsuka (a female Japanese pop-singer)
Spencer - Usher (African American rap/R&B singer)

Our family is bound by neither ethnicity, nationality, race or gender...apparently.

For the financial Geek

WARNING!!! Boring financial blog Only read if you care about stocks.
OK so I like looking at stocks. I don't really have money to buy stocks but I like to learn and play.
One if not the hardest thing about picking stocks is determining valuation. (how cheap or expensive is a particular stock).

Looking at the ratio of a company's market capitalization (total value of all the company's stock) to its book value (total value of a company's assets) is a good starting point for determining the proper price of a stock. The price determination is more valuable when you also include the total liabilities of a company in the comparison.
I calculated the ratio of the market capitalization to the book value minus the total liabilities for several car companies (compare).
Prices are from 11/4/07

	HMC	TM	NSANY	VLKAY	DAI	GM	F
market cap	67	180	47	29	111	21	18
Assets	105	285	108	194	270	186	278
assets/cap	1.57	1.58	2.30	6.69	2.43	8.86	15.44
liabilities	66	182	78	156	221	191	282
Compare	1.72	1.75	1.57	0.76	2.27	-4.20	-4.50

The results are interesting. It looks like the lowest number (that is not a negative number) would be the best stock value (the cheapest).
First off both GM and Ford have more liabilities than assets would lead me to not buy their stock (how can their stock be worth anything??).
It may be important to look at the companies in there respective regions.
Out of the 3 Japanese companies it looks like Nissan has the cheaper stock
Out of the 3 US companies Daimler Chrysler with less liabilities than assets is the clear winner.
Volkswagen being a European company is kinda by itself and the clear winner out of all of them. Even after subtracting for liabilities the companies assets are 1.3 times the market capitalization. Meaning that if the company ended today and sold off all its assets and paid its debtors first, the stock owners would still make a 30% profit.
I may be selling my TM stock to by VLKAY soon.
I know there are problems with this method as with all valuation methods but it seems like a good starting point.
What do you think? Criticisms and suggestions welcome. I'm still learning.

Halloween Party!

Some pictures of the Halloween party with our fun friends. They had a great time bobbing for apples, jumping in the "hay" (pine straw) and eating Spencer's delicious homemade caramel apples and white chocolate "ghosts" strawberries. Oh, and I knew I was too busy with hostessing duties when 45 minutes into the party, I noticed Ellie had forgotten to put on half of her costume-the bloomers and shoes. Of, course this was after all the pictures were taken :-) Oh, and isn't Julie creative with her belly? Penelope Jane was born 6 days later!

These are the days...

Working in the environment I do, I am often reminded by patients (usually after they find out the ages of my children) that these are the most wonderful years. Their eyes light up and this wistful smile spreads across their face as I see them going back in time to the memories of the days when their own children were young. Sometimes, they ask what new milestones mine are accomplishing, or their favorite activities. This usually leads to what their own children are doing now, but its different somehow. I'm grateful for this frequent reminder of how preciously short this phase of my children's lives will be, and that one day a wistful smile will fall on my face.

"...Your right hand will hold me fast"

Our niece, Rylee Mitchell (Jay and Joanna's daughter) is scheduled for open heart surgery on Tuesday 9/25. They are going to correct a congenital hole at the top of her heart. Please pray for her, her doctors and her family. The doctors anticipate she will be in the ICU for about 5-6 days, then going home.




O Lord you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down,
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.

You hem me in--behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there,
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts,
O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

Psalm 139:1-18

Good News!

It's a funny thing when a parent realizes that their children are actually listening. Sometimes, this may be worrisome, sometimes inspirational. We had this experience last week. Our friends, the Walworths', came to visit, which is always fun. One afternoon, the conversation turned to making mistakes and what we should do about them. I was in the middle of an explanation when this happened:

Madeleine : Yeah...if you spill something, like juice or Sprite, you can't go be with God.
(I start to say something about God always loving us....)
Madeleine : Yep...if you spill rootbeer or coffee, you can't go be with God.
(At this point, Ellie who was sitting nearby listening jumps in...)
Ellie: No, no, that's not true! God still loves us even if we do bad stuff. Jesus took the bad stuff away on the cross so we can be with God. Isn't that great?
Madeleine: Oh yeah, that's great!

Simple message. Genuine response.

More getaway pics

Ellie working on her blowfish impersonation















Panning for gold in Lake Blue Ridge















Ranen comtemplates what goes into his grouper sandwich
















This guy tries to make a deal with Clark to let him out.




















Ellie really wanted to touch some of the fish.




















We encountered a exotic species locally known as Sandraeus Bennagium. She is rumored to be nocturnal and is rarely photographed in her natural environment.

Retreating to the hills...

My three little geologists...















Clark was able to combine his two great loves in life: being outside and physically attached to his daddy.



















Ellie gets a lesson on skipping rocks from her Dad (who's got the mad skills)


Ellie created a family of rocks and played here with them for quite a while as the rest of us swam.


We were able to get away this summer, and it was rejuvenating . What made it especially nice was that we were able to do it with friends. We spent the week in a cabin just outside of Blue Ridge, GA. Day activities included hiking in the mountains, swimming and fishing in Lake Blue Ridge, visiting Ducktown (more on that later), playing in the creek behind the cabin, naps, computer games (well, for some of us), some serious Catan-playing and stopping at the Georgia Aquarium on our way back.

Some favorite highlights include:

* Ellie and Adah playing in their "cellar" or the basement/rec room which also was where their bedroom was. I think they liked having a floor all to themselves.
* Ranen trying make friends with Clark. He was often attempting interactions like hugging, petting and sitting beside him, all of which Clark interpreted as signs of agression and immediately began crying. Ranen was persistent though, and by the end of the week, the two were able to coexist more peacefully.
* Ducktown, which is a "environmental train-wreck of a town" where the copper-mining in the 1800's went awry. The result was sulfuric-acid rain that created a barren wasteland of 32,000 acres that took over 100 years to rehabilitate. Spencer loved it and the blackberry bushes nearby that we found had the most ENORMOUS blackberries we've ever seen. Gotta love environmentally-mutated fruit.
* Visiting High Falls State Park, a place I frequented as a student at Mercer. I have fond memories of frolicking on the rocks, wading in the river and having picnics right by the falls. Unfortunately, since then, they have put up fences and signs everywhere forbidding getting in the water or climbing on the rocks. It saddened me to think about all the adventures our children won't be able to participate in to ensure our "safe" world.
* Listening to conversations between Ellie and Adah in the car. They sound so grown-up when conversing on their own.
* Watching my husband and children examining rocks together. Although for Clark, there was a little examining and a lot of throwing :-)
* Discovering that both my children really enjoy rock-climbing. Their Uncle Jay will be proud.
* The Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta)--largest aquarium in the world and very cool. I highly recommend it, but you're better off visiting on a weekday, as the weekends are very crowded. Whale sharks, beluga whales, penguins, huge viewing walls, walk thru tunnels of water, touch pools for the kids.
* "Chillaxin'" with the Bennages'. They rock!

Mom, Is It Real?

What a great week. I was able to witness the sheer joy that Disney brings on a 5-year-old's face. Clark was intrigued by what he saw, but Ellie was in complete amazement. Many times throughout the day she asked "Mom, is it real?" This is tricky territory for me. I am a big believer in telling kids the truth and explaining things slightly beyond their level, always letting them believe I think they're smart enough to grapple
with it. At first, I would answer in an honest but vague way (not wanting to completely destroy the wonder), something like...." do you think it is? or "it sure looks real, doesn't it?" Ellie wasn't biting. She would corner me into the details until I finally had to admit it wasn't. Toward the middle/end of the day, I found myself answering "Oh yeah, I think it is real". Maybe it was the fatigue of the "feels like" temp of 107, or maybe it was magic of Disney, but I think deep down I just wanted her to believe.

After we left Tampa and our visit with Besta and Papa Chuck, we stopped in Ocala for a visit with the other Mitchells' where the crib is always rockin' . I'm telling you, its like a party every day there. The kids decided they wanted to 'camp-out' in the playroom overnight, and farbeit from a Mitchell to pass up a camp-out. It's amazing what you can do with a sheet, four chairs, some comforters and couple flashlights. Of course, this meant that there was not much sleeping going on, which was good for me the next day when I drove the sleepyheads home to Tally. You know you're tired when you can't even sit up, or finish your cereal bar.

Sugar and Spice...and Pink and Lace

We had a Tea Party for Ellie's 5th Birthday. I'm not sure who had more fun....Ellie and her friends or me scouring vintage shops, thrift stores and fabric shops. The girls were adorable in their hats, gloves and jewelry sipping their tea/pink lemonade in real china teacups. For me, this birthday signifies a turnover for Ellie. She is now a "big girl". Everything around me tells me so. From having to shop in the "big girl" section of stores, to watching her carefully sip from a china cup, to her asking to call Adah on the phone "just to talk". I am misty-eyed just thinking about it. I know, though, that I will always look back on these pictures and smile as I think about how she still wants her soft blanket and bear before going to bed and needs "hugs, smoochies and kisses" before I can leave her anywhere. Now the tears are flowing freely.

Hair, Hair, Long Beautiful Hair

Before and After of Clark's first haircut. He's growing up so fast. The past two weeks have been pretty big for him, developmentally speaking. He is now standing and taking a couple quick steps. Many times, he stands up then leaps forward. He is also saying a few words, including "Dada" "Mama" "Uh-Oh" "Psss" (please) and "YeahYeah". He also loves to shake his head "no" and laugh. By far, his best trick is throwing balls, hard and far. We're in early talks with the MLB, NFL and NBA scouts. He's still not sure which one he'll go pro in yet....he's still weighing his options.

Camera Fun

I'm having fun with our new camera. Ellie loves the movie-taking feature and is usually asking me to video her singing or making Clark laugh. Clark becomes intrigued whenever I bring it out and usually comes after it. He is in a throwing stage right now. Most things he finds he tries to throw....HARD. Plastic balls in his ball pit...good. Phones, glass cups, cameras.....bad.





Ellie's silly streak has come full force lately. She loves to talk in different silly voices (usually while making up stories with her dolls/animals).I wanted to capture some for posterity. We're having fun passing the summertime away.






We picked lots (8lbs) of blueberries at a farm in Havana. Its a family-run farm, and the "grandpa" was supervising, advising, and weighing the day we went. Spencer decided that when he retires, he wants to sit in a rocking chair watching people pick and eat his blueberries on his farm. Looks like we can scale back on 401k/IRA contributions...





Ellie decided after an hour of picking blueberries, that it was too hot, so she only went to large bushes where she could stand under them in the shade and pick the blueberries from the bottom up.

Tis the Season

This is the time of year when I am grateful for my husband's green thumb. He has cultivated a wonderful garden that includes corn, green beans, cucumbers and tomatoes. Our blueberry bushes are also starting to ripen. Blueberries are fascinating and a lesson in patience. We planted the bushes 3 years ago and this is the first season they have produced fruit (which is normal). I love this opportunity to teach Ellie about sowing/reaping, being patient, how rainfall affects the world, and eating vs. saving. She gets a kick out of watering our garden by the bucketful out of her kiddie pool (trying to ease my conscience about using the pool during a drought.) Here are some pics of the fruits (and vegetables) of Spencer's labor.

The blueberries look like the green shriveled ones for weeks and weeks, then turn blue and double in size in about 48 hours.


Oh, we have (finally) turned digital. I cannot believe I have held out this long. I am like a kid with the coolest toy. The first day, I took pictures ALL DAY. I am not technically inclined and there was a lot of referencing the enormous manual and playing/trying/memorizing, but it's worth all the work. I love it. Oh, and also, now Brian Johnston can't say "A camera that uses film?!?! Are you freakin' kidding me?!" :-)

It wasn't meant to be...

I'm a little sad today. A dream has ended. A little dream I like to call....Scooby.

It all started a week or so ago when I was perusing Amazon's Friday Sale. I do this most Fridays (for fun - but that's another blog) and I came across this thing called a Scooba. It's a kissin' cousin of the famous irobot "Roomba", the robotic vacuum that takes care of the floors while you sleep, work, watch Food Network...whatever. The geniuses at iRobot finally realized that vacuuming is not the bane of most women's existence....it's mopping. So, they invented the Scooba, which is a robot that WASHES and SCRUBS your floors for you! It is (hold on, I don't want to overstate this) THE BEST INVENTION EVER. I shared this exciting discovery with Spencer and we continued to read up on it(we had never heard of it) and at some point that evening, Spencer's brain was overtaken by an alien evidenced by the next phrase out of his mouth, "Let's get it."

After much anticipation and daydreaming about coming home from errands and finding freshly scrubbed floors, we received it. I about bowled over the poor UPS guy. We charged it and let it loose the next day. What happened next was heartwrenching. Poor Scooba. It wasn't made for our thick, Mexican tile with deep grout areas. It was continually getting stuck, although it makes such a cute "uh-oh" sound that it was hard to be too mad. I had to rescue it (by tapping it) about 10 times as it made its way around our dining room/kitchen. It tried. It spun its wheels, went over extra dirty areas, tried and tried again. But our floor would not relent.

It has taken me a 5 days to let go of the dream I didn't even know existed 2 weeks ago. The only comfort I take is that Scooby is going to a good home. I let the Bennages borrow it, since they seem to have the ideal flooring situation for it. They decided to take him in and give him a good home. Don't worry...I told Ellie he went to nice family with a big farm out in the country where he could wash and scrub free without getting stuck.

I'm going to write the iRobot people and tell them it's time for an AWD Scooba. (Sigh....)

A Whirlwind Tour

Last night, all four of us were under the roof of our house for the first time in almost 2 weeks. It started with Spencer going out of town for work, then a SLP conference in Birmingham for me, then us meeting in Live Oak for 2 days. We then split up again, me taking the kids to visit Jay, Jo & kids in Ocala, then Mom & Chuck in Tampa for Mom's birthday and Spencer finishing travel work, then going to help out with Hurricane Katrina relief/repair work in Mississippi with our church. We were both tired, travel-weary and happy to all be together again. Our time in Ocala and Tampa was much fun though, as it's always great to see our family.
Clark shows the water fountain he's not afraid at all. He repeatedly attacked it, got water shot up his face, and attacked again. Later on, he actually crawled over these small fountains heading for the bigger ones....very brave this little one is.

Rylee gives Dakoda a little help with the car. I guess she's seen Little Miss Sunshine.... you know what they say....Behind every great boy is a baby girl with a heart condition.

Papa Chuck and Clark compare tongues.....Ellie tries to catch some fish in the lake behind Besta & Papa Chuck's house. Unfortunately, the fish weren't jumping out of the lake to bite her stick (which was a good 2 ft out of the water). She didn't want to put it IN the water as she didn't want to get the stick "yucky".

Tolerating my photo shoot....they are good sports:-)