Something you've heard before, but cannot explain is that becoming a Mom is a wonderful, slightly scary, and amazing adventure. Our little Sarah Ann Clark was born to us last week, a week and one day early! What a surprise, a wonderful surprise. I kept having the feeling that she would be early, but I brushed it off knowing every pregnant women hopes to have her baby early. Especially those nights when you really want to eat dessert, but just know your belly will explode open if you do; or when your ribs just feel like someone has been giving you a boars tusk (a move NH taught me years ago - basically taking a thumb and jambing it into someones ribs, for their comfort) to the ribs all day long, which of course is a cute little foot just trying to stretch out.
We also learned that having a baby bonds you and your spouse in a way you didn't imagine. Somehow you feel closer and more connected to each other. It is fantastic. And I have realized even more what an amazing husband I have. He was able to help keep me calm during labor and delivery, getting an epidural, and IV, having blood drawn, being stitched, helping me in and out of bed, getting me a drink, and whatever else I could possible need.
I've learned that snuggling with a little baby really is as awesome as people tell you. And suddenly you really don't mind changing diapers, having a baby cry in your ear, pull on your hair, scratch your chest, and wake you up in the middle of the night, again and again. I've also realized that suddenly I can hardly stand to watch violence on television, and that I have dreams about her getting hurt that just break my heart. Perhaps this is just the extreme change in my hormones; but somehow I now understand that a mother will always worry about her children, she will never not worry about her children, they are a part of her.
We feel so blessed to have Sarah here with us, she has already changed my life for the better.
We know she is beautiful, just like every other parent knows their child is beautiful - which of course is just how it should be. We think she is perfect and can't believe that she is ours and we are now parents. So to sum up, let the adventure begin!
So this past month I was blessed to have two baby showers. One was with my book club. I love this book club and each of the women who are in it with me. I have been in this book club for 4 or 4+ years and I love it more each month. Each girl brings a new perspective on the book we read and on life in general. We all agree that we have a special group. 
My sister also hosted another baby shower for me in which I was able to see several cousins, friends, and family members. It was fantastic. Lots of good food and an overabundance of generous gifts. I feel very fortunate to be having this sweet little baby girl and to have so many people giving me gifts to help bring her into the world. So a big thank you to everyone who participated in my baby showers, I loved seeing each of you. 
So one of the things I wanted to do was repaint our table. It has been a dark green color since we have had it. It is a nice green, but it doesn't match anything, and I have often wished it were a different color. After lot's of time spent on the floor (I covered the red rug below with a big sheet of plastic), a lot of sanding while wearing a mask, a lot of clean up and a can of black paint, I have finally finished repainting the 4 chairs and table.
(Canyonlands with the Shims and K-Stone)
This is a pregression of my feelings about the end of my 'summer'. I now have 35 students in one class who don't believe that I WILL make them do junmping-jacks if they even consider yawning infront of me...
(the bloody toe...I decided not to post the close-up Kelly took, it is a bit bloody for the blog)
Caroline and I went to SEMA in Las Vegas last week. It is a huge car show for after market products, but most of the major manufactures bring custom cars too. One of the major events of the show was the North American debut of the 2010 Lexus LFA. I never thought I would see the day when lexus made a $375,000 sportscar with a V10.
Pirelli always brings something extra special. Last year it was the Lamborghini Reventon (there were only 20 made) and this year they brought a Pagani Zonda Cinque (there were only 5 made).
This is the 2010 Porsche Panamera, which is a very polarizing car. Porsches are supposed to be rear engine coupes and this beast (it's huge) is a front engine sedan. So far though, every hater who has actually driven one has changed their tune.
The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro was probably the most commonly tuned car at the show, which was great because I think they look awesome. There were all sorts of cool and crazy versions. I liked this one because it make me think of an evil KITT.
Honda's display was quite disappointing. A Civic is a tuner boy's best friend and yet they didn't bother to tune any cars. They debuted the 2010 Accord Crosstour (a very ugly crossover) and brought some classic cars, which were cool.
I love Bentleys. Did I ever mention that I love Bentleys. Not their limo sized sedans mind you, but their coupes. This one was fitted with an agressive looking body kit and it might have been my favorite car of the whole show.
This another Camaro that was brought by GM. It was styled similarly to the Lamborghini Reventon, which is a good thing. 
Three years ago Michelin invented an airless tire they called the tweel. They indicated that it would be ready for production in a couple years, but other than being on a NASA Rover Concept it has seen any action yet. This airless tire, which looks surprising similar, is manufactured by another company and being marketed as a good option for the military.
Ken Block, owner of DC Shoes and a Subaru rally race driver, took one of his Impreza rally cars and put it on tracks. It came complete with a tow kit and a sleigh. I think Rudolph might be out of a job.
