We had some pictures taken by our friends Adam & Yvette Blick from adam & eve photography. If you’re a close friend or family member, you’ll be getting one of these in the mail for Christmas.
Click on any of the pictures to see more on our Flickr page…
I can’t believe another year has gone by already! Today is Rachel’s birthday, so in honor of her, I’ll give you some insight into the incredible woman that is my wife…
[Minneapolis, Minnesota]
Here are some of the things I love about her:
Those are just a few. I could go on and on and on. Suffice to say I am the luckiest man alive just to have the chance to try to make this day special for the one woman that makes life worth it.
At work last week a guy sent out an email with some quotes from the DSM-IV (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) about how to tell if you or someone you know may have ADD or ADHD. My jaw dropped when I read through the list. I have symptoms from almost every single description!
This explains so many things…
As a side note, if you can relate to the items on the list, it doesn’t mean that you have ADD or ADHD, it just means that you are displaying the symptoms. Just like having a fever doesn’t necessarily mean you have a certain illness. But if you can relate to six or more of these, you should probably talk to a professional.
Either A or B:
A. Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:Inattention
- Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
- Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
- Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
- Often has trouble organizing activities.
- Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn’t want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
- Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
- Is often easily distracted.
- Is often forgetful in daily activities.
B. Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
Hyperactivity
- Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
- Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
- Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
- Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
- Is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”.
- Often talks excessively.
Impulsivity
- Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
- Often has trouble waiting one’s turn.
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).
Lucky for me I’m married to a brilliant, nationally-licensed, professional counselor that can walk me through the baby steps of recovery.
Rachel & I decided to take some time to get away from the busy-ness of life. So, Sunday afternoon we drove up to Schaumburg (nw ‘burb of Chicago) for a little R&R.
We grabbed dinner at the Cheesecake Factory Sunday night and spent all day Monday morning at IKEA. I had never been to a Cheesecake Factory, and was really excited to go. It was awesome. I’d give the main course I ordered (chicken madeira) a 7 out of 10. But the cheesecake that I got for dessert (dulce de leche caramel cheesecake) was unreal. I ate the entire piece — and it nearly made me sick.
We got some really cool stuff at IKEA, too. Granted, we won’t have any money to send our kid to college now, but it was so worth it. He’ll understand when he’s old enough to know the value of proper lighting in a room.
Dave Barry once said,
“Never, under any circumstance, should you ever ask a woman if she is pregnant unless you can actually see a baby emerging from her body at that moment.”
Telling a pregnant woman that she “looks pregnant” at any time during her pregnancy is a horrible idea. Really horrible. I cannot emphasize enough how horrible this idea is.
If this idea should happen across the synapses of your brain, immediately lock yourself in a closet or other isolated area and remain there until any notion of acting so recklessly and foolishly has passed. You can thank me for this priceless advice when you later discover that you haven’t been killed or maimed by an expectant mother.
