Before I delve into all the Non-Things that have filled our days over the past few months, I have to take a moment to note how surreal it is to be blogging from this location. Here I sit in a cozy orange armchair nestled in the corner of the Starbucks on East Boulevard. This is the same spot where I used to come to fill my brain with descriptions of mental diagnoses and therapy theories for my graduate studies ten (!) years ago. If I could have told that gal where she would be today: living just two miles away (after living in two other states in between), sharing life with a remarkable man who she wasn't sure even existed, and on the cusp of giving birth to a third little love; her mind would have been blown. Life has evolved in amazing ways, and I love taking the time to acknowledge some of them. So for that 24 year old with her head in the books...

Here's a look at the best Non-Thing Things of 2012, Q3...

1. Sweet Summertime... staying up late, sleeping in, catching fireflies lightning bugs (have to adjust my vernacular now that I'm back in the South), enjoying frozen treats... Summer has been especially sweet this year. I'd been a little nervous about moving back to North Carolina in the middle of the summer and at the beginning of the last trimester of pregnancy. Truth is, though the humidity did really get to me for a month or six weeks, the temperatures rarely rose above the mid-eighties. Since the girls' body clocks were still on Denver-time, we took advantage of cooler evenings outside and then slept-in till mid-morning. The sounds of summer have lifted my spirits as well. Our house is directly across the street from a little league baseball field, and the roar of the crowd and the crack of the bat have provided the perfect backdrop for summer evenings. 
2. The Beach within Reach... having grown up within driving distance from a beach (well, actually, several beaches), I struggled a bit with being landlocked in Colorado. Within weeks of getting settled in Charlotte, we planned a weekend trip to Wrightsville Beach. On a Friday afternoon in early August, we got on the road right after Lindsay got home from his work week in Oklahoma and were on the sand by dinnertime! Carter has memories of past beach trips and was immediately running through the ocean and rolling around in the sand. She savored every moment and never tired; she begged to stay for another few days and has asked repeatedly since that weekend when we will be returning. Murphy had little interest in the ocean (she clung to Lindsay or me for dear life if we neared it) and was not a big fan of sand covered skin. She did, though, love her time in the 'simming poo' and continued to be the water baby she'd been all summer. 
3. Gestational Speculation... we have kept the gender of this third little Lewellen a surprise. This has lead to both moments of frustration (mostly on the Daddy's behalf) and anxious anticipation. We've found ourself having many 'what if' conversations... how will a third girl fit into the mix with our other two? What on earth would we do with a boy? What girl's name would fit best with our other two? How would each of us parent a boy differently? What's it going to look like? Will a child of mine finally have blue eyes (Mommy's question)? All these speculations have been fun to have, and, of course, every stranger on the street has his or her own prediction based on the look of my belly. Carter dreamed that the baby was a 'boy who looked like her but with different hair' but is still insistent that she'd like another sister. I've only dreamed about the birth once, and in my dream, the babe was a girl. As we're just two weeks from finding out what it is, I've come to fall in love with both possibilities. I'm living each day in eager anticipation of laying my eyes on the little prince or princess that will be the perfect completion to our family. 
4. Matchy-Match... prior to having children of my own, anytime I'd see siblings dressed alike, I'd always assumed it was the parent's doing, likely out of convenience. Prior to the past few months, I'd probably bought three or four coordinating outfits for my girls. Murphy mostly wore hand-me-downs, and Carter has always had very particular opinions about her style. In recent times, those opinions have stretched beyond sparkly shoes and fancy skirts to include Matchy-Match. This phrase in our house describes coordinating outfits for Carter and Murphy. I'm a self-admitted sucker when it comes to buying clothes for my girls; I have a very hard time saying 'no' to an enthusiastic little fashionista browsing the racks at CrewCuts. I'm even more of a sucker when Carter gets excited over finding something in both her size and Murphy's. I just love that, especially as the cool big sister, she wants them to be alike. I know this could be a fleeting phase, so for now I'm happy to oblige! 
5. Sarah, Who's Seven... our Murphy Girl is quite the character. She's really come into her own over these last few months and her self-expression is often simply hilarious. For example, if you ask her what her name is, she'll nonchalantly reply, 'Sarah.' How old she is? 'Seven.' If she passes a mirror, she'll often wave and cheerfully say, 'Hi, Sarah!' An interesting addition to this is that she always said she was six until she had her birthday the first week of October; I was impressed that she began adding a year to her fake age! Rather than saying 'this one' or 'that one' when referring to something, she says 'this guy' or 'that guy' which makes most all communication with her quite humorous. After listening to the book I Love Monkey over and over and over, she's developed a love affair with all things monkey. Anything she doesn't care for is 'yucky', whether it be a song on the radio or a picture of a baby (Monkeys, she loves. Babies, not so much.) She refers to herself as Mur-Mur, and this nickname has stuck around our house. I can't believe my baby will only be the baby for two more weeks. She gives the best hugs of anyone I've ever known and is still the snuggliest little girl in town... even if she is seven. 

Narrowing this list was especially difficult this quarter. I'm so in love with my life. Our life. 

Favorite Things, Q3

After taking a brief hiatus from my Favorite Things posts, I'm especially excited to share this list. Most of these things became favorites in relation to our move; a new city, a new house, and a quasi-new life have inspired a love for several new things.
Here we go... My Favorite Things, 2012, Q3,

1. Detergent Pods...  I'd already seen these in the store several times before my Pops-in-Law raved about them to me back in the spring. I was a little turned off by what seemed like a high price tag for laundry detergent. When he texted me suggesting that he was sure if I tried them they'd make an appearance on my next things list, I caved to the peer pressure and gave them a try (on sale and with a coupon, of course.) Well, as you can see, he was right! Initially, I just bought the Tide variety for the grown-up laundry, but I loved them so much that I also began buying the All Free and Clear pods for the girls' clothes. They really do make doing laundry just a tad easier, and, I actually think I'm paying about the same amount per load as I was paying for liquid detergent because I tended to pour too much into each load. I'm now wishing that Clorox would make little bleach pods for my white towels. (Thanks, Pops!) Tide Pods and All Free and Clear Mighty Pacs
2. Soda Maker... in general, and especially when I'm pregnant, I really struggle to drink enough (or sometimes, any) water, and I tend to crave flavored or carbonated beverages. Lindsay tries to encourage my water consumption, and, literally, as I'm typing this, he just brought me an unrequested bottle of water along with my ginger ale. We had gotten him this soda maker (which he loves) for Father's Day, but I'd never had an interest in even trying it out. Then one weekend, Lindsay made me one of his sparkling water-lime juice-crushed ice combos, and I was sold! Who knew that plain water could be turned into something so refreshing just by adding a touch of carbonation?!?! I'm still a little scared to try the machine on my own (remember that Cosby Show episode with Rudy and the juicer where Peter is found by his mom in the hamper?) but I am definitely gulping lots more water when Lindsay is around to play bartender. Fizz Soda Stream
3. My New Ride...  I feel a little silly (or maybe braggy?) listing a car as being on of my favorite things, but it is! Just before Carter was born in 2008, I'd gotten a Highlander as my first mommy car, and I can't think of one negative thing to say about it over the four years that I drove it. But, when we found out that our family would be growing, I knew that the Highlander would have to go. The middle row wouldn't hold three car seats, and when the back-row was up, storage space was quite scarce (not even leaving enough room for groceries.) I began doing some online research and narrowed my list to either a Sequoia or the big Infiniti. On a random Saturday in the spring, the whole fam went car browsing. While at the Infiniti dealership, I spotted a car on the showroom floor that I'd never seen before and learned that it was a new mid-size SUV for 2013. I was instantly in love with its sleek design and super-fun features. Though it was not much bigger than my Highlander, the space was much better utilized for carting around more kiddos and all their gear. Given that at this stage in life my car options have to focus more on functionality than looks, I don't think I could have found a cooler Mommy-mobile! Infiniti JX
4. Hanging Jewelry Organizer... after feeling like most of our unpacking was pretty complete, I realized that I'd neglected my own closet. One Saturday morning, I got clothes, shoes, and purses organized but kept my jewelry packed away in the bubble wrap and baggies that I had stored it in for the move. I've never had a great storage system for my jewelry; earrings were in a hard plastic divided box, bracelets in a larger, non-divided box, the necklaces hanging from a tie rack. I decided to find a better way of organizing and storing it all before I unpacked it. I came across this organizer at one of my favorite Charlotte shops and knew that it would be perfect! The pouches are great for storing earrings, bracelets, and small thin necklaces, and the velcro hook and loop tabs keep my long, multiple chain necklaces displayed nicely and tangle-free. Umbra Little Black Dress
5. Lionel Richie Tuskegee Album... during the weeks of unpacking, I found myself looking for some background music to make process a bit more exciting. Upon recommendation from my Pops-in-Law (thanks, again!) I downloaded this album of Lionel Richie remaking his own songs as duets with country singers. I'd long considered Lady, his duet with Kenny Rogers, to be one of my favorite songs, so I was excited to hear him collaborate with other country performers. From Willie Nelson to Darius Rucker and Tim McGraw to Jimmy Buffett, the duets are fantastic and proved to be the perfect soundtrack for long hours of unpacking monotony. Tuskegee by Lionel Richie
6. Reid's Grocery... since getting settled back in Charlotte, I've loved returning to old favorite places as well as discovering new ones that have come on the scene since I moved six years ago. This spot is kind of a combination of new and old, in that, a Reid's location has been downtown for many years, but this neighborhood location just opened a year or so ago. This locally owned specialty grocery is located just a mile from our house and has quickly become a favorite. They make great freshly prepared salads and sandwiches for lunch, have a large selection of pre-made meals and side dishes, are noted as being the best meat shop in town, and have a wide range of available wines. The two items, however, that have been leading me to take a tiny detour for a not-so-healthy breakfast after dropping the girls off at school are ice-cold cokes in aluminum bottles and the most amazing twelve (yes I said twelve)-layer carmel cake imaginable. Reid's Fine Foods
7. Home Decor Flash Sale Websites... I've been familiar with Flash Sale sites like Zulily and Gilt for awhile, but I didn't realize that comparable sites existed for home furnishings and decor. Making this discovery at the same time that we were getting settled in our new home, felt like one those moments when some divine force caused the (home furnishing) planets to perfectly align. Though I take a look at the new sales most every day, I've actually only purchased a few items: a lamp for Muphy's room, an orange accent chair for the living room, and a lamp for the kids' tv room. But I am by far the most proud of the cow hide rug I snagged for our living room. Though we'd never had a need for it, I'd had my eye on this Serena and Lily rug for over a year. I immediately thought of it when we moved to our new home, but the price tag was a bit high, especially since the room would require quite a large rug. I would say the cowhide rug I got from Joss and Main is my favorite new thing we've gotten for the new house. The fact that I got a freakish high at scrambling to put the last available rug in my cart and paying barely a third of the cost of the Serena and Lily version makes me love it even more!  Joss and Main and One King's Lane

So from chore helpers to tasty indulgences to musical entertainment, I've loved how all my new discoveries have made life even more enjoyable during the winding down of summer and the beginnings of fall.

Woo Hoo for Honey Boo Boo!

Back on this entry I announced my plan for writing a new blog every ten days till the baby arrives; well, clearly that was quite a success (insert sarcastic tone and expression.) And after this feeble attempt at making up for missing my regular entry, I did sit down today intending to get back on track with my quarterly Favorite Things/Non-Thing Things blogs. However, as I began to make my list of things, I realized that there is one particular thing that has brought me so much joy, so many laughs, so much marital bonding, such mindless entertainment that it simply could not merely be another item on the list. So, my friends, allow me to opine on the pure delight that is Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.

I'm going to assume that all readers are familiar with this little TLC (yes, that does indeed stand for The LEARNING Channel) show that premiered in early August since it handily beat the Republican National Convention and tied with President Bill Clinton's speech at the Democratic National Convention in number of viewers. Having already been introduced to Alana (AKA, Honey Boo Boo) on one of my other favorite guilty pleasures, Toddlers and Tiaras, I was quite excited about seeing her off the pageant stage and in her own element. I never missed an episode, recording all of them on my DVR and watching some more than twice. Since Lindsay travels during the week, he never got to see an episode live, but I was happy to provide a little synopsis each week. Eventually (who am I kidding? after like one week), curiosity got the best of him, and he watched one with me on a weekend. Just like me: hubby was hooked.
As I watched each episode, I got a warm feeling for the entire Honey Boo Boo family: Sugar Bear, Mama, Chickadee, Chubbs, Pumpkin, and, of course, the title character. Self-admitted rednecks, their life-style is a bit foreign to my own (though not entirely different from some homes I observed growing up in the South), but their love for each other and their value of family is a universal quality.

As I got to know them week after week, I did have a few lingering thoughts...
Their manners, or rather lack of... I get it. This family prides itself on a 'we are who we are' philosophy, and I'm not suggesting they should change who they are as people. But, holy moly, a simple 'excuse me' after a pork-rind induced belch or exiting the table prior to passing gas or even keeping the passing of gas to oneself would not seem to be asking a lot. And, while I'm on the topic bodily functions... could someone please give Mama June some Claritin? That poor woman sneezes like nobody's business (without ever an 'excuse me' or even a head turn, for that matter) and could really benefit from a daily dose of allergy medicine! (Now that mack daddy of all sneezes released by Honey Boo Boo on her birthday party episode, that was pure comic genius.)
Their eating habits... this family is open about their love for food, whether it be hand ground road kill or expired items picked up at the auction. Sugar Bear took June out to a cafeteria style restaurant to celebrate their anniversary, and she opted to enjoy multiple desserts and bragged that she'd used her fork as she was trying to be extra polite on their date. When the entire family enjoyed a meal at a local BBQ joint, I got such a kick out of HBB sincerely asking the logical question, 'Why can't my sides be meat?' The one home cooked meal we saw June prepare (though she did say that she cooks for her family most every day), was sketti which was an 'old family recipe' consisting of spaghetti noodles topped with a mixture ketchup and margarine that had been nuked.

Yes, those are TOES on the kitchen counter...

Is it embarrassing for me to admit that, on the whole, the idea of buttered noodles topped with ketchup didn't totally disgust me? I was more bothered by the combination of margarine (and all those trans-fats!) instead of butter or a butter alternative and the unhealthy ketchup that was filled with high fructose corn syrup and the use of a plastic container in the microwave. I may have actually toyed with the idea of whipping up this little delicacy with Smart Balance and Simply Heinz (and my husband may not have objected to the idea...)
Their attire in the Georgia heat... so, the show was filmed in the middle of a Georgia summer that was no doubt 'hot as shit' as June told us week after week. Given that it was so blistering hot outside, why did the family wear jeans all the time? I can think of nothing more miserable than wearing a thick pair of denim jeans while participating in outdoor activities. My favorite June quote of the season came as a result of the heat, 'Being voluptuous, this heat don't mix with my digestive system well. That's why I don't eat.' Riiiiiiiiightttttttt...
Their language... admittedly, I'm a bit of a prude in the language department. My own children aren't allowed to say butt (just fanny), pee (tinkle is preferred), fart (toot, please), shut-up, stupid, etc... and I will most often spell a four letter word even if just in the company of other adults. This family, though, took offensive language to a whole other level, and I observed no differentiation between words that were ok said by or in the presence of six year old Honey Boo Boo. Neither were some words deemed inappropriate for dinner supper table conversation. HBB excitedly exclaimed that she was so happy she was going to 'piss her pants' and that she wished the 'damn gnats' would leave her alone. Not only were my prudish ears shuddering at some of the verbiage, my vocabulary was also expanded as I learned that both 'biscuit' and 'moon-pie' are apparently appropriate synonyms for the female genitalia. On the season finale, I discovered that Chickadee's baby had arrived via the Biscuit Express. Wow.
I'm excited to report that the show was such a success that not only has another season been ordered but some Honey Boo Boo specials are coming up just in time for the holidays. Since this family leaves up their Christmas lights year round, they should have no problem getting into the holiday spirit! I'm hoping we see a whole lot more Uncle Poodle and perhaps a tad less passing of gas. Perhaps a more in depth look at the man who is Sugar Bear and a vision check for Mama?

When I saw her Bingo Face make an appearance

in the pageant audience, I began hoping TLC would gift her with Lasik...