House for Thought

"Houses cost too much for the mass market. Today's average price is around $8000, out of reach for two-thirds of all buyers."

- Science Digest, April 1948

The above pictured house, built in 1940, is currently available for purchase.

The sticker price $549,990. See it here.

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

Today the kids and I went over to Matt and Jennifer's new house to help clean and unpack, and while I was on my knees scrubbing the bathroom floor (trying not to think about just whose pee I was cleaning) I began to wonder...

...What would life be like if you lived with the dark-haired, bearded Oxi-Clean guy? You know the guy from the commercials that elevate the volume of your TV by 10 decibals so you can still hear him when you go to the bathroom during the break. I mean, can you imagine life on a daily basis living with a man who cheerfully speaks at full volume and in ALL CAPS all the time?

Every morning:

“GOOD MORNING, HONEY! RISE AND SHINE! WHY ARE YOU HOLDING THE PILLOW OVER YOUR HEAD? WAS I TALKING IN MY SLEEP AGAIN? OH NO!”

At Breakfast:

“THESE EGGS ARE AMAZING! I’VE NEVER HAD EGGS LIKE THIS! LOOK AT HOW QUICKLY I CAN EAT THESE EGGS! I’VE LICKED MY PLATE CLEAN IN LESS THAN TEN SECONDS AND BECAUSE I BRUSH MY TEETH WITH KABOOM AND OXI-CLEAN, I CAN PUT THE PLATE RIGHT BACK INTO THE CUPBOARD!”

To the kids:

“HAVE A GREAT DAY AT SCHOOL, SUZY, AND DON’T FORGET TO SHOWER THOROUGHLY AFTER GYM CLASS! YOUR SWEAT STAINS LAST WEEK TOOK TWO TEASPOONS OF OXI-CLEAN TO GET THEM OUT! AND YOU, JUNIOR, DID YOU NOTICE HOW SPARKLING CLEAN YOUR UNDERWEAR WAS THIS MORNING? NO MORE SKID MARKS, THANKS TO YOUR DEAR OLD DAD AND THE POWER OF OXI-CLEAN!”

To the dog:

“ROVER! WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS HIDING UNDER THE COUCH WITH YOUR PAWS OVER YOUR EARS? COME OUT HERE AND SHAKE HANDS! LET'S GO PLAY FETCH!”

To his wife:

“I DON’T UNDERSTAND, HONEY! YOU’RE LEAVING ME? I THOUGHT IT WAS MY EXUBERANCE, CLEAR COMMUNICATION, AND STAIN-FIGHTING ABILITIES THAT DREW YOU TO ME!

Neurology Update

For those of you who have been following Jillian's progress, an update: Mark and I could have done a happy dance in the Neurologists office today if it were big enough, that is. No meds and no shunt!!! He will continue to see her every 3 months to monitor her plan of treatment and chart her progress and then will reevaluate the cyst in 3 years - yes, YEARS! to determine any change. So, a big shout out to everyone who spent a little extra time kneeling, our prayers have truly been answered. In the words of her neurologist today "some things are meant to be." Thanks for being such a man of faith, Dr V.

World Series Champions, Maybe Next Year

Well, Brendans team's run for the Little League Championship has come to an end, and I was at a motherhood crossroad. You know, the pivotal intersection of decision. On one hand I can act like a sore loser and rant about the politics of little league baseball, on the other I can choose to advocate for my son, his team and stand up for what is just and fair. Or, as I have chosen, neither because sometimes things happen, and no matter how loudly you scream, it will be as it is - as it was.

Rewind -- Since the Midwest has been pummeled with torrential downpours on a daily basis this last week, all the teams knew that our schedules had to be flexible, that rain would fall, fields would be wet, and that games would be postponed. Our first playoff game was scheduled for Saturday. We are up 6-0, bottom of the 3rd. The winds pick up, a few drops begin to fall, then each drop within every cloud above simultaneously falls to the ground. In the confusion, the opposing team scores 4 runs. The field is too wet to continue any time today, so we are postponed until Sunday. The boys assume they will continue where they left off and are disappointed Sunday to learn that the game has to begin again. Melancholy and sadness consume all efforts to play and 7 runs are scored by the opposing team the first inning. A big pep talk by the coach and finally some finesse is seen by the 3rd inning. And the drops. start. to. fall. First 1, then 2, then a repeat of the previous game's rain out. Only this time the game is called, not postponed, not rescheduled. Called! I will spare this post from the diatribe that is running through my thoughts and will not place judgement on the events being linked to the commissioner being the coach of the other team or the ump his nephew. I will only continue to exclaim to Brendan that "you win some, you lose some, but the important thing is you keep playing like you will win them all."

So we went home, threw our clothes in on the spin cycle, and went for pizza. Later, we topped the night off with our own backyard baseball game, in which Jillian sent a ball into the neighbors yard, Brendan lost two balls to the sewer, Mark let the kids win, and I made a stealthy slide into second. Mark thought I fell, and came swooping in to save me. Teach him to doubt my athleticism, though the "damsel in distress" wasn't so far fetched either.

I read a great little article recently that has been on my mind ever since. It was written by a lady who was born and raised in Las Vegas. She lived in the desert her whole life. She was born there, married there, raised her family there. She loved the sun and the heat. The coldest place she had ever been was Utah, but then she and her husband were asked to serve a mission for their (and my) church in the Baltic States. Latvia. One of the coldest places in the world.

Of course, it was ironic. And she expected to be miserable in the winter conditions. But she found that when she went to Latvia, the harsh climate didn't bother her. To her, blizzard after blizzard were all part of the experience. And the reason was - she knew it was temporary. Before long, she'd be back in the desert. But the weather was part of the experience. She said she would have been disappointed if she'd gone to Latvia and they'd had a heat wave - she would have missed out on that part of the experience.

And she compared that to our life experiences. Anyone who believes in life after death knows that this life is temporary. We came here to have experiences, and yes, some of them harsh. But we were prepared before we came to have these experiences - and wouldn't we be disappointed to finish this life and not have experienced every part of what we came to experience?

I have friends, and family even, who are going through tough experiences on every end of the spectrum. Addiction, depression, infertility, divorce, death of family members...really challenging things. And I do not wish these trials on anyone, nor do I claim to understand, but we are made to face challenges. That's why we are here. And, though disappointment and overwhelm and sorrow and pain are all part of the experience, the reason we can get through difficult times is because we know each challenge is temporary.

I was getting after myself last week for feeling overwhelmed and stressed out as Mark was nearing the end of a 13 day work stretch. Family drama was brewing, the house was a mess (by my standards), the kids were in rare form, and I needed a break. This article popped into my head, and I began to misuse its message by trying to stop myself from feeling all these emotions that were piling up on me. "Jennifer, it's all part of the experience! Quit being overwhelmed and stressed. Life Happens!" But then I realized that isn't the point of the article after all. The point is, that it is okay to feel however I feel. If I am stressed out, then so be it. If I am overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed. If I am just completely sad, that is okay too. I want to be able to feel however I need to feel, and not feel bad about feeling that way. Because feeling how you feel is also part of the experience. And working through it is the lesson of the experience. And looking back later and seeing that those feelings were only temporary is the reward of the experience.

So I'm grateful for the reminder that this life is a journey. Ups and downs and all that. But it is all for our own good - our learning and growing. And thankfully, it's temporary. So - I will try to embrace the experience - tough or easy, happy or sad. And, more importantly, I want to really enjoy the experience. Because I don't want to miss out on anything that I was sent here to experience.

The Apple Fell and It Is Near.

I am not sure if geneticist have isolated a tantrum gene, but I am positive one exists. I should preface this story with the little known fact that during my childhood I, yes me, was a professional fit thrower - a tantrum connoisseur, if you will (some may argue that I still manage to pull one out for old times sake at least once or twice a month, however, I stand in dispute of that argument.) I remember clearly the first time Jillian dramatically tossed her stiffened torso and flailing limbs to the floor. Shock and Awe, I tell ya, Shock and Awe! I had no other choice but to throw myself down on the floor beside her and laugh. That is, after I grabbed the phone to call my mom and profess my apologies for being so ridiculous in the midst of my past hysteria. So, Jillian was the first of the three to inherit the gene. Please keep in mind that this insatiable desire to wail and scream in a state of excited anger in order to receive what one wants had to be genetically predispositioned. The reason: As a mother, I became aware that children imitate what they see and I was determined that none of my children would ever witness another child throw a tantrum, therefore avoiding the inevitable mimic. The result: Jillian, at the tender age of 19 months, had never (to my knowledge) witnessed another child act out emotions in this way, and yet, still busted out a full-fledged tantrum. Conclusion: The overwhelming desire to express her emotions in this unacceptable fashion is definitely in her genes.

For further evidence concluding this hypothesis, I submit the following video. Jillian's younger sister Karigan at the age of 12 months shortly after Mommy told her "No, you can not have any more Cheerios before dinner." Thereby, supporting and reinforcing, the cliche - the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

She only stopped because she saw Mommy with the camcorder.

Lets Play

You.Can.Only.Type.One.Word.For.Each.Answer

1. Where is your cell phone? near 2.Your significant other? destiny 3. Your hair? curly 4. Your mother? Queen 5. Your father? complex 6. Your favorite thing? children 7. Your dream last night? spiders 8. Your favorite drink? caffeinated 9. Your dream/goal? prosperity 10. The room you're in? nook 11. Your best friend? kindred 12. Your fear? unknown 13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? nurse-practitioner 14. Where were you tonight? baseball 15. What you're not? judgemental 16. What you are? real 17. One of your wish list items? maid 18. Where you grew up? Oklahoma 19. The last thing you did? diaper 20. What are you wearing? pajamas 21. Your TV? fingerprinted 22. Your pets? fish 23. Your computer? new 24. Your life? scheduled 25. Your mood? satisfied 26. Missing someone? always 27. Your car? shrinking 28. Something you're not wearing? socks 29. Something you're always wearing? smile 30. Your summer? busy 31. Like someone? most 32. Your favorite color? Crayola 33. When is the last time you laughed? now 34. Last time you cried? before 35. Favorite Sound? laughter Wanna play? Do it!

Holy Tornado, Batman

Well, not exactly, but the sirens did go off for several hours last night. More storms are expected through the weekend.

Contemplative Wednesday

"Not to worry" is Jillian-ese. She says it when I'm about to caution or advise her. For instance, if she just spilled her milk on the floor. "Not to worry - I will clean it up." Or if I remind her as she is running toward the street. "Not to worry - I will look both ways." I wish I could be so worry free. I try to convey a carefree, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants outlook on life, but I must admit I am a chronic, closet worrier. I am actively working on overcoming my worrisome ways, unfortunately, I think worrying is in my genes. And lo and behold! I woke up this morning feeling distraught, indecisive, and whatever other feeling of apprehension that came my way. The reason: about a week ago we learned Mark may be in the market for a new job. So, needless to say, worrisome Jenn has set in, and right now my biggest challenge is reminding myself to leave things in the Lord's hands and not to worry. So that is the sentence I've been running through my head any time I start to worry about things I can't do anything about. Easy enough, right? As the quote above says, we have to be willing to give those things up (our plans, our worries, our lofty schemes) in order to live the life that God has planned for us. Because, it's for sure much, much, much better than anything we have planned for ourselves...

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Brendan's last baseball game is Thursday night, and then the playoffs begin on Saturday. Stay tuned for an update after the Championship game on July 7th.

Everything I Ate

So I was searching for new ideas as I was making my dinner menu for next month and came across the coolest idea. Tucker Shaw took photos of everything he ate for an entire year - and published it into a book titled "Everything I Ate: A Year In The Life Of My Mouth". Can you imagine if I did this? Oh my gravy. It would have to be published in editions. Think of the possibilities: "10 Minute Meals" (because sometimes I can't squeeze out the extra 20 minutes, Rachel Ray) "Before Bed Pork-Down Edition" (with a forward written by Mark because he is always the one who starts the 10 pm snacking) "Things My Children Convinced Me to Make" (topping the list: peanut butter and cheese) "Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookies Edition" (they deserve a book all to themselves) "Mark's Masterpieces Edition" (food so pretty you don't want to eat it - he is a chef afterall) and then of course, the "Fruits + Vegetables + Healthy Foods Edition" (published as a pamphlet and given as a free gift with purchase)...

Pictures for Benj's Room

The greens almost match. The leaves look like they are airbrushed on with a stencil, which wouldn't be hard - just time consuming. The purple border wouldn't be necessary -- it is used to break up the space on another wall and then carried over to the adjacent walls. Let me know what you think.

Is the grass really greener on the other side of that jagged line?

This is a shout out to our neighbor and friend, Marshall. I was cutting the grass today, along with everyone else on our street, and he thought it would be soooo funny to harass my inability to mow in a straight line. His side yard is adjacent to the rear of our backyard and is normally the last strip of grass in the main part of the yard to mow. Needless to say, after an hour of mowing, I am lucky to be able to walk in a straight line let alone mow in one. So, for you Marshall, though our lawn is not Wrigley Field worthy, it is very green, lush, and has few weeds (wish it didn't have any, but what's a girl to do.) Furthermore, when I start getting paid the big bucks to make grass look like the picture above, then trust that I will give it my best shot. Until then, crooked lines will happen.

Summer Zoo Trip #1

Check back for more info later

Wanderlust

I just have to take a moment to profess my love for the new Gavin Rossdale (the front man of Bush) album Wanderlust. Oh mercy, mercy me, it is absolutely wonderful. I haven't been in love with an album for a while - it's such a nice feeling and at such an appropriate time in my life. The first concert I ever went to was a Bush concert with the Goo Goo Dolls and No Doubt. So I thought I would give his solo album a try. The title Wanderlust also intrigued me. It is a term used to describe some strong desire to walk, either literally or metaphysically, but can also be characterized by a homesickness. The emotion can be understood at a deeper level of the human condition as a search for a new way of thinking or perspective on life. It is a full circle journey, ending at the starting point, but gaining ground (knowledge, growth, etc.) along the way. In short, wanderlust is a trip, or a need to understand one's very existence, that starts with the first step of a long journey. And boy, turning 30 or rather leaving my 20s, kind of put things into perspective. Anyway, if you haven't picked it up, I suggest you do so right away! Or, at least check it out on iTunes. PS: It's on sale for $10 bucks at Target this week.

Oh to be 13 again...

I don't know how this got started, but a few days ago I was telling the kids about a silly little game I used to play in school called, MASH. You know, Mansion, Apartment, Shack, or House. My BFF and I spent hours predicting our futures using this oh-so-hilarious (if not scientific!) game. I couldn't remember exactly how to play, it has been a few years after all. So I googled it and check this out...You can play it online these days! Oh yeah, baby! Check it out here. Man, that takes me back...

Bedtime Story

Brendan volunteered to read Jillian a bedtime story last night. Flawless results, don't ya think? It was fun this morning when they woke up listening to their stories of...he stole the blankets, she kicked me, etc. I do have to say, that is a tiny bed for those two wild sleepers to share.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Today the kids and I went on a photo scavenger hunt. I quickly made a list of things to find. With Brendan armed with the camera, Jillian atop of her scooter, and Karigan snuggled in her stroller, we began our search. I was amazed at how attentive and focused The Bigs (my nickname for the combination of Brendan and Jillian) were as they scouted for each item. Only the normal rules of our walks applied, i.e. no crossing the street without Mommy, stay on the sidewalk, etc. The list was open to intrepretation, but the items could not be in our yard - for example: Brendan tried repeatedly to photograph a bird, but by the time the camera would focus, the bird had flown away. Shortly after his fourth or fifth attempt, an airplane flew over. And he photographed that "bird." The items we found were an angel, a bird house, Mommy's favorite flower, a bug with six legs, a bird, the American flag, a white butterfly, running water, a child playing, a fountain, a maple tree, a pine cone, a yellow flower, a "bird", the word STOP, and a friend's house. The only item we did not find was the shell of a Robin's egg.

Oh, the joys of Photoshop

Coming to newsstands July 2008

Like Father, Like Daughter

I have often said Mark has Coke (uh-cola, that is) pouring through his veins. Looks like Karigan is starting her habit a little early. Not to worry, she is just playing with the cans, not drinking from them. At least, I don't think she has tasted soda yet - Has she Mark?

Baby carrier - carrier

Jennifer, this is the baby carrier strap I was telling you about on Sunday. Seriously, who thinks of this stuff? Is it really possible to have sooo much to do that you need to be hands free while walking from the store to your car without the worry or restraint of a car seat in your hands? My favorite part is the product description...

"Easy to carry and lightweight"

Is that the strap by itself? It must be because, alone the carriers are not lighter than air, and then to add a 10-22 pound baby. Ridiculous!

Heel-arious

So, I was looking online to find Karigan a pair of cute summer tennis shoes and look what I found. I would like to imagine my saucy princess as the proud owner of a pair of these Heelarious "high-heeled" crib shoes. But, oh my, these are - well - hilarious! I would seriously crack up if I spotted a little diva baby kicking it in her car seat wearing a pair of these.

Hey Brendan, How's your vision?

They say pictures are worth a thousand words. This one is worth about nine.

Mom, I can't see out of my glasses anymore.

Our Tiger

In a replay of yesterday's dramatic 18th hole birdie comeback, Tiger birdied the 18th again today to force a sudden death playoff with Rocco. With stroke play giving way to sudden death, the golfers moved to the 7th hole where Woods parred the hole, giving him his 3rd U.S. Open victory and his 14th career major title. Yea Tiger! ---On a lighter note Mark and I were able to sneak in 6 holes at the club today before the lightning chased us away. And boy, is that new driver a beast. Mark managed to be on each green in two or less strokes, so I had to see just how snazzy this exceptionally engineered piece of equipment worked. Surprisingly, I nailed a 225 yard drive straight down the fairway my first swing (too bad my next shot was in the trees.) All and all, it made for a great afternoon out.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for watching the kids nap ; ).

Cute shoes, huh?

Mark bought them for me for Christmas, and I love, love, love them. However, I have never/ever had blisters soooo big in my life. Mark was super excited over the blisters, especially the one on my heel. It was huge -- at least the size of a quarter, and he wanted to pop it for me. UGH!!! It must be a boy thing because I wasn't too pleased. It hurt, which he was surprised about. As if his blisters have never hurt, but he continued for at least 30 minutes telling me about the art of blister popping. As if I could be convinced or something. Needless to say, me and my blisters are carefully walking around in flip flops ;).

Go Tiger Go

To say that our family is full of golf fans is definitely the understatement of the century. We sat on the edge of our seats for what we hoped would not be the last hole for the US Open today. As Tiger made his 12-foot birdie putt, the crowd went wild, both at Torrey Pines and in our living room, well at that point the crowd at our house had dwindled to Mark, John, Vickie, and me. To celebrate, Mark and I are going golfing tomorrow. Hopefully we can get some fun pictures.

Happy Fathers Day

A big Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads in our life. The Dad who raised me pretty darn well, in my humble opinion! :) Though he is often misunderstood, he is one of the kindest people I know, and is a fantastic Grandpa, too. Love you, Poppy! To the Daddy I'm married to, the Daddy of our kiddos. Mark is the greatest Dad any kid could have - he adores them, makes time for them, makes them feel special. "Where's Daddy" is the #1 question asked around here. Thanks for being so awesome! I love you! And to the Dad who raised my husband up right. He's a wonderful man and has two really great kids to prove it. Happy Father's Day, Grandpa! What a lucky family we are, to have the influence of these great men in our lives. If all men were like these guys...the world would be a better place, for sure!

Mommy, a hot air balloon is going to land in the backyard!

Unfortunately, it did not, but we were hoping. It was so close the kids were having a conversation with the people in the basket. A small creek and nature preserve is located about 300 feet behind our house (the tree line in the background of the top picture). In the second picture, the balloon barely cleared the trees.

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Kids Say...

I have never really had one of those mommy moments where I wished I was a turtle and could just poke my head inside my shell and disappear, that is, until the other day at WalMart...

I was trying to get some last minute shopping completed for Karigan's birthday. Rushing through the aisles, I was pulling the kids along as they were struggling to keep a hold of the side of the basket. As we came upon the baby section, a gentleman was waiting for us to pass so he could enter. Then, out of nowhere, Jillian LOUDLY proclaims...

Look Mommy, that guy is a DORK.

What am I supposed to say to that? Where did she even hear that word (Russell Hale!!!) Anyway, a long diatribe in the middle of the grocery store about the rudeness of her statement was more than what was necessary because, honestly, she did not know nor understand the gravity of her statement. Instead, I managed to pull out some sort of Mommy wisdom that sounded a little like...

Jillian, just because someone looks differently than we do, doesn't mean he is a dork.

Perhaps, in this instance I should have said simply - just because one's body works differently than yours doesn't mean he is a dork - as he wheeled himself in behind us.

Googly DeeDee

We got this email today from Aunt DeeDee.

Boy, she is always good for a laugh.

A Little Perspective

"We think too small. Like the frog at the bottom of the well. He thinks the sky is only as big as the top of the well. If he surfaced, he would have an entirely different view."

-Mao Tse-Tung

I love this quote so much. Sometimes I forget that what seems so overwhelmingly big right now is just a mere grain of sand in my path of life. I've said before that I wish I had a little jet-propeller on my back so that I could zip up and have a better look at the path I'm on and where it's going. It can be frustrating sometimes to have such a limited view of our lives - not seeing it as God sees it. But at the same time...that's what makes it exciting! We never know what is coming next. Let's just hope & pray for good things, all around!

Backyard Fun

Happy 1st Birthday Karigan

Meme and Poppy sent me balloons and a teddy bear for my birthday. Boy, was I surprised when I woke up from my nap. I Love Balloons!

At the last minute (the way everything is for us) we opted for a small party at home for Karigan's first birthday. Grandma and Grandpa Waishnora and Aunt Jennifer, Josh, and Alyssa came over. Mark and I made dinner for everyone - parmesan crusted chicken, tortellini, and tomato mozzarella salad. After dinner the kids played with bubbles and on the play set in the backyard. Then we opened presents. Karigan received a new dress with tiny pink roses from Grandma and Grandpa, a stuffed Blue and Sprinkles with magnetic hands from the Richters, a chenille purse with a lipstick rattle, quilted money, mirror compact, and heart-shaped keys from Brendan and Jillian, then new apple PJs, a paisley handkerchief print dress, a sippy cup, and a Playskool Walk-n-Ride from Mommy and Daddy. She loved opening the packages, and the big kids liked showing her how. The cake was perhaps, as it normally is on first birthdays, the best part. At first she just pinched the frosted dots off the top of the cake. Once everyone stopped watching, she was down to business. She topped the night off with a bath in the sink and, shortly after, fell asleep in Grandma's arms.

Make Your Own Pizza Night

Tonight was make your own pizza night. Mark mixed the dough and we let it rise while we went to the store to get the toppings. I had already purchased the ingredients, but Mr. Brendan decided he was going to eat the can of olives and mushrooms (he still denies eating the mushrooms.) So, off to the store. We came back home with cheese, olives, mushrooms, pepperonis, a tomato, and a lot of creative ideas. On to pizza making. Jillian was first, just pepperoni and cheese. Then Brendan. Mark tried to toss Brendan's dough, which he did successfully, but the dough was too thin in the middle so we folded it in half. His toppings included: buffalo chicken, pepperoni, olives, and cheese. Mine was next. I made half buffalo chicken and Roma tomato and the other half pepperoni, mushroom, and black olive. Mark had to further show off his pizza making skills by stuffing the crust of his pizza and, like father like daughter, just pepperoni and cheese. Boy, were they yummers.

The Pool is Open!

The 'Top Ten List' for opening day at the Waishnora Family Pool

10.) It's hot.

9.) Karigan did not like the cold water.

8.) Flavor*Ice will not change the color of the water.

7.) Pee will.

6.) Do not drink the water.

5.) Telling the mail lady I did not wet myself.

4.) Applying sunscreen to each square inch of three bodies every hour, only to discover I missed under Jillian's eyes each time.

3.) Putting the Aloe Vera gel in the refrigerator.

2.) Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy kids.

1.) Quiet time for Mommy and Daddy.

Boys Day Out

Mark and Brendan went to see the new Indiana Jones movie this weekend but got a little side tracked along the way. I am not sure what happened to the picture of Mark posing with the big, green guy. He probably knew where it might appear.

Happy Birthday Momasita!

After yesterdays post, in honor of my mom's 55th birthday, I decided to make a list of my own.

The Things My Mom Has Taught Me

She taught me to keep my marriage a priority, that my children are a ‘product of’ my marriage, not a ‘factor in’ my marriage. She taught me not to pray for what I want, only what I need, and never confuse the two. She taught me to give until it hurts, to be true to myself and to love others for who they are not what they have. She taught me that a sense of humor can get you through the darkest times in your life and bring sunshine when it seems as if the rain will never end. She taught me the value of friendship, of listening and holding the tongue when it is almost impossible to keep silent. She taught me to love God, to honor my family, and to love myself. She taught me to stand up for myself and to defend others. She taught me that a careless word cuts deeper than the sharpest sword and heals more slowly than any wound. She taught me forgiveness is for everyone She taught me to be proud of who I am NOW, not what I may or may not become. She taught me to harvest my passions and take pride in my accomplishments.

She taught me that honesty is the essence of one’s own self respect and that though I may face consequences for what is true, I will lose my self respect for what is not. She taught me that we are not all exactly the same but we are all in this together. She taught me to love my country and to respect the law. She taught me that I teach others how to treat me. She taught me money is meant for enjoying but only after the bills are paid. She taught me to look and, more importantly, to see the best in everything. She taught me to think for myself but to leave plenty of room for the thoughts of others. She taught me the value of keeping a home in order. She taught me to keep things simple, most complications are self created. She taught me to love books and music and history. She taught me everyone has a story, even the man who cut me off on the freeway. She taught me to use my imagination. She taught me that while I reach for the most distant stars, I have to take joy in the stars I can see. She taught me that I am exactly what I think I am, no more, no less. She taught me to sing my own songs but to dance to the songs of others. She taught me that what is said about me is not nearly as important as what I say about others.

She taught me when all else fails, family is always near.

She taught me unconditional love and how to be a mom myself.

Happy Birthday, Mom

I love you!

Decisions, Decisions

This month's Real Simple featured a "things my mother taught me" section, something that's always fun to read. It would be hard for me to pick just one thing to illustrate all that my Mama has taught me - I've learned so much from her! Anyway, I particularly loved this answer:

"There Will Always Be Other Sweaters" - by Jenny Bowers

"Mildly frustrated and bemused by my indecision in choosing a new sweater on a shopping trip, my mother coined the phrase 'It's not the last sweater you're ever going to buy.' This deceptively simple maxim has entered common parlance between me and my friends whenever we need a way of cajoling one another into taking leap instead of dwelling. We have realized that if you make a mistake, there will always be another chance to get it right."

I SO love that! While it is important to take certain decisions seriously and consider them prayerfully (not the sweater thing, obviously), it's also important to remember that this life is all about trial and error. It's okay to take some chances, see what happens and go from there. We're not expected to make all the right choices the first time around. I want to be more that way. More open to new experiences. More willing to try something different. If it doesn't work out, so what? It's not the last decision I'll ever make! It's not like I can't go back and try something else. Because, as the author said, there will always be another chance to get it right.

Yum, sketti!

Karigan fed herself for the first time at dinner tonight.

Can anyone guess what she ate?

Our Dear Ms. Kraner

Brendan's teacher sent the following letter home today. Boy, are we going to miss her!

Dear Mark and Jennifer,

I give you back your child, the same child you confidently entrusted to my care last fall. I give him back inches taller, pounds heavier, months wiser, more responsible, and more mature than he was then. Although he would have attained his growth in spite of me, it has been my pleasure and privilege to watch his personality unfold day by day and marvel at this splendid miracle of development. I give him back reluctantly, for having spent nine months together in the narrow confines of a crowded classroom, we have grown close, have become a part of each other, and we shall always retain a little of each other, Ten years from now if we met on the street, your child and I, a smile to our lips, and we shall feel the bond of understanding once more, this bond we feel today. We have lived, loved, laughed, played, studied, learned, and enriched our lives together this year. I wish it could go on indefinitely, but give him back I must. Take care of him, for he is precious. remember that I shall always be interested in your child and his destiny, wherever he goes, whatever he does, whoever he becomes. His joys and sorrows, I will be happy to share. I shall always be his friend. Enjoy your summer! Ms. Kraner

Last Day of School

Today was Brendan's last day of school - and like a bozo, I forgot my camera. His class had a luau complete with an island buffet, flower leis, and the limbo. Boy, do third graders eat. They devoured four large pizzas, fifty fruit kabobs, two dozen mini fruit pizzas, five bags of chips (some leftover), twenty-four cupcakes, ten liters of soda, and each a slushy after the games. After the party, they had a flag ceremony to honor a mom of one of our students who is on active duty in Iraq. She sent our school a flag that was flown in Iraq. Then the faculty and students played "Are you smarter than a Bloom student?".

Dishes She Will Do

My sweet girl knew the last thing Mommy wanted to do last night was the dishes. After dinner, she proudly declared in such sweet simplicity, "Mommy I will do the dishes tonight." And I, proudly, did not complain one bit about the gigantic water mess that followed. My greatest goal as a mother is to teach my children compassion and empathy. And boy, what a noble reflection of her heart.

The Tastes of Summer

Karigan experienced her first Flavor*Ice today and loved it. She would shiver and feel her tongue after each bite. She was so excited. The greatest gift of being a mother is seeing the world through your child's eyes. Boy what a perspective.

Welcome summer.

We anticipate the sheer joy your season brings.

If you had $47,000...

...would you buy this bed for your daughter (or yourself?) I do have to admit it is one pretty bed, but FORTY SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. Who is spending this kind of money on their children? Probably the same people spending $1.3 million on sweet sixteen birthday parties. Absurd! Hey Grandpa, think you could whip up one of these bad boys?

Oh the days of being a kid

Today we went to a birthday party for a neighbor boy. We found this totally outrageous gift, and I love it - absolutely love it. I want one!!! So much, Mark, the kids, and I drove to 3 different places trying to find another one before we went to the party. It is a giant tether ball set. The pole is normal height, but the ball is huge -- a whopping 16 inches in diameter. I love tether ball. It conjures nostalgic childhood memories of long summer days wishing the sun would never go down. BUT, as I previously stated, it was for the neighbor boy and I didn't have one. It was bittersweet as he opened the gift - knowing I can pass on such a relic of my childhood, but badly wishing we could set it up immediately and just as it was back in the day - every kid for themselves. Much to my surprise, the boy's dad and mom were ecstatic and when the kids go to bed it is GAME ON!