tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563896381093018322024-03-05T16:14:23.388-05:00Crazy HavenTylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02876748683054925935noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-37189510429392255652010-06-01T22:37:00.002-04:002010-06-01T22:38:48.940-04:00New placeI've switched my blog over to Wordpress. So here is the new site:<br />
<a href="http://jenkthompson.wordpress.com/">http://jenkthompson.wordpress.com</a><br />
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Hope to see you over there!Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-41715662696956644502010-05-24T15:48:00.000-04:002010-05-24T15:48:27.526-04:00I'm Trying...Not that there are people wishing I'd post on my blog, but in case anyone thinks I've abandoned it, I thought I'd say "no!".<br />
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I just can't write right now. I've tried. Many times. But what I want to say and what I end up typing aren't jiving. That's what I get for wanting to write about some more serious subjects.<br />
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So, I will continue to try to write it out, but it may be awhile. In case you were wondering.Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-76971453144022897842010-05-06T16:31:00.001-04:002010-05-06T16:48:12.290-04:00My GardenThey tell me that it's spring.<br />
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I don't remember sweating in 90 degree heat in spring, but they assure me it's spring.<br />
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In spite of the heat and general lack of rain, things are growing -- like my garden!<br />
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Now, for your viewing pleasure, I would like to take you on a tour of our yard in springtime (<i>feel free to grab a bag of popcorn -- but make sure it has butter and salt -- without those, it's like eating crunchy air.</i>):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOA_cmln9g06yWQ2Af_zOj7OpjXt53XoxajqnvRv2M5NHJkaT0yhT7YamQ7JVHXr2Y5mtmVKc0RAjgpF5V4wrwZ0K3qV23Au8-VO9_znTd2xwgjYKb3dPmJ-aMYNimCCgA75N6O8sJ9T86/s1600/IMG_9685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOA_cmln9g06yWQ2Af_zOj7OpjXt53XoxajqnvRv2M5NHJkaT0yhT7YamQ7JVHXr2Y5mtmVKc0RAjgpF5V4wrwZ0K3qV23Au8-VO9_znTd2xwgjYKb3dPmJ-aMYNimCCgA75N6O8sJ9T86/s400/IMG_9685.jpg" width="352" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the beginning of my zucchini crop...sorry for misspelling it on the label, but that's how it was spelled on the bag of seeds, and well, I never claimed to know or really care how to spell zucchini. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UKmDyJ1xZ9OKYfHlhA2XYLtNt8GrvoE_lROb3FGBsdA68-4_p_Sc6vxk0LnRp8_mVW51QDA-nfJfjZnKYheWxd-KzRc0ZlvRTvEPYRhB3Ofxf9XYsXjC8oHW53s1xiuZ4QKrTHEzUGxV/s1600/IMG_9686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UKmDyJ1xZ9OKYfHlhA2XYLtNt8GrvoE_lROb3FGBsdA68-4_p_Sc6vxk0LnRp8_mVW51QDA-nfJfjZnKYheWxd-KzRc0ZlvRTvEPYRhB3Ofxf9XYsXjC8oHW53s1xiuZ4QKrTHEzUGxV/s400/IMG_9686.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are my green beans. I planted these in spite of the painful childhood memory of picking beans with my grandmother and getting stung 3 times by a yellow jacket who clearly had a territorial issue. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi50eGB1x7T8vnrNfB-lVo8NWrtkix_Krgf0UeXROHN4geuvP3aBPMgfHHjYqckhAa-Bke9buuBDm6brIKWZzht735SA2Idynmh4x4S_AwB2mb8E5qIpqFgGPpY3BfVouKZ1iattwjFG_X/s1600/IMG_9687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi50eGB1x7T8vnrNfB-lVo8NWrtkix_Krgf0UeXROHN4geuvP3aBPMgfHHjYqckhAa-Bke9buuBDm6brIKWZzht735SA2Idynmh4x4S_AwB2mb8E5qIpqFgGPpY3BfVouKZ1iattwjFG_X/s400/IMG_9687.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cilantro. So good. The end.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1Jb7MGpdz8IEpBXuAufTaqxGRZjPqPwECNnjIPBG_6g1hdpbRrXz_Hn7QfToqkDWbvHmjmE5EILCw-N-aAoS5vrprA7I5hsLvzaBob0jxlQNrHhjjYwARptHIjM9NJb-96nVuW6UMArx/s1600/IMG_9688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1Jb7MGpdz8IEpBXuAufTaqxGRZjPqPwECNnjIPBG_6g1hdpbRrXz_Hn7QfToqkDWbvHmjmE5EILCw-N-aAoS5vrprA7I5hsLvzaBob0jxlQNrHhjjYwARptHIjM9NJb-96nVuW6UMArx/s400/IMG_9688.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are our "big boy" tomatoes. I'm probably most excited about these. I hope they turn out delicious!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89YlbS5AAobvttTRp60TUivnMVVklUXjk3M0oDW1FWH0LD0AGXpUy3NviWrizm5gfX8Ueb1XWi1RyGrmnBoxV1ZEu9TQe0i0StYEBKHLv15otszYLP_FW73t-ccgb39N4At2ZhCzzciQZ/s1600/IMG_9689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89YlbS5AAobvttTRp60TUivnMVVklUXjk3M0oDW1FWH0LD0AGXpUy3NviWrizm5gfX8Ueb1XWi1RyGrmnBoxV1ZEu9TQe0i0StYEBKHLv15otszYLP_FW73t-ccgb39N4At2ZhCzzciQZ/s400/IMG_9689.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are the blueberry bushes. I am dying to pick them and make a blueberry pie from scratch. With a lot of sugar. After we go on our cruise and the need to wear a swimsuit has passed. I can almost taste that pie. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDp8xj389PulebubxUWZXHv9UZh7YZXjGpnEq-9BXhnaeA7uhLlYn1af-uyI7NMAB0vagZC0NPlyZ1Ac-xt5wpmowEFn00PsLLGekZFIs4a5U2qcUJN-A2dq8x0qCE8l0CUTvVk2CiPG-/s1600/IMG_9690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDp8xj389PulebubxUWZXHv9UZh7YZXjGpnEq-9BXhnaeA7uhLlYn1af-uyI7NMAB0vagZC0NPlyZ1Ac-xt5wpmowEFn00PsLLGekZFIs4a5U2qcUJN-A2dq8x0qCE8l0CUTvVk2CiPG-/s400/IMG_9690.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">This isn't from my garden, it's from one of the trees in our backyard. A very big tree. I did not know that really big trees really had flowers to speak of. But it's a poplar, and produces these large tulip-like flowers. I just think they're cool.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVFbXQgxudBE8TqgPn3sXzE00v_7q9zS540ns3YKtAC-tsHsjxNhAR1kLdJjNjBtblFyyZcvuHrukQ1IVr-WUyqRmYhhihNAHfoJge4-rDG54MCKlrxy1HbXfeTVWXLKty-4JbsP3khC9/s1600/IMG_9691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVFbXQgxudBE8TqgPn3sXzE00v_7q9zS540ns3YKtAC-tsHsjxNhAR1kLdJjNjBtblFyyZcvuHrukQ1IVr-WUyqRmYhhihNAHfoJge4-rDG54MCKlrxy1HbXfeTVWXLKty-4JbsP3khC9/s400/IMG_9691.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is one of two little azaleas that I planted in the backyard this year. They are small now, but will hopefully get very big and covered with hot pink blossoms. Unless the dogs eat them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-m_1TJEoVcnLS5NX_Zv9dgupd37Cbsb_ukXZU0ouyulTZfCsvygQFFCsr0_nQ5b-6y7oF6eDLeF7rATIegk2FEc6elUmerAfc4bIMmWvocfuf2N5ezoUIZ8Qa47k6ABnzefcKY0RAHZDh/s1600/IMG_9693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-m_1TJEoVcnLS5NX_Zv9dgupd37Cbsb_ukXZU0ouyulTZfCsvygQFFCsr0_nQ5b-6y7oF6eDLeF7rATIegk2FEc6elUmerAfc4bIMmWvocfuf2N5ezoUIZ8Qa47k6ABnzefcKY0RAHZDh/s400/IMG_9693.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I planted Morning Glory seeds, and now the vines are starting to crawl up the fence. Honestly, I'm just ecstatic that they haven't died yet. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTX7xiaWpLeNiuieOiDTHYWke6bTeuwQjzeG5Zx4yzz6VolyVqzhQKyrzAq67sdmIVdBO3LVwlmIRSZcLohACqUx3kUiowGd_wWnLk6YBgDNA73A0dC4h3A8kIGXJANXa6XlUeaK2kcJfv/s1600/IMG_9694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTX7xiaWpLeNiuieOiDTHYWke6bTeuwQjzeG5Zx4yzz6VolyVqzhQKyrzAq67sdmIVdBO3LVwlmIRSZcLohACqUx3kUiowGd_wWnLk6YBgDNA73A0dC4h3A8kIGXJANXa6XlUeaK2kcJfv/s400/IMG_9694.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is a lovely wild flower in the grass. It will be mowed down tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAUdBlZ2syp5uq_BZd0UUd9w75rWtnfqXOQH2SXrSGztLisq-NswGK2xqXCGz2VtOeqndzsSitrSumcM7HGcQzBXWpwxGfxeHeHUbma404UhUZy7_AgFZwk7Fh9ZRoGkAgJQA71wIkrZ2/s1600/IMG_9696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAUdBlZ2syp5uq_BZd0UUd9w75rWtnfqXOQH2SXrSGztLisq-NswGK2xqXCGz2VtOeqndzsSitrSumcM7HGcQzBXWpwxGfxeHeHUbma404UhUZy7_AgFZwk7Fh9ZRoGkAgJQA71wIkrZ2/s400/IMG_9696.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is what is left of our illegal burn last weekend. We aren't supposed to burn yard waste in our neighborhood, but well, we had a lot of yard waste that needed to go away. So we burned it. We're so rebellious.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcvJohBnSsJN1DUObNu4M-8IhTCfe7iCjaH9Ql_LKEqj8PQUzOeQsMjtwuWYgFhIeqeDP5uPm-DXwL17gdwivSu1l9CtJ8mcGc8LROvZ3aUpodo0KuaBclYDGelXLU0fA6jRL4XB7QgQW/s1600/IMG_9697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcvJohBnSsJN1DUObNu4M-8IhTCfe7iCjaH9Ql_LKEqj8PQUzOeQsMjtwuWYgFhIeqeDP5uPm-DXwL17gdwivSu1l9CtJ8mcGc8LROvZ3aUpodo0KuaBclYDGelXLU0fA6jRL4XB7QgQW/s400/IMG_9697.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tyler has been battling ticks and mosquitoes, and spraying weed killer behind our fence every weekend - sometimes a couple of times each weekend. It's really made a difference. This is a picture of the area he has been spraying.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicpINlubJknM4q_GCs57YhDAMvxWTqWytRm0_jT_NOJ-fEFq2zTZqWPK9YDXboX9XqdxoKtKvwrxjRP0ejbOjXFO83DP99IQltxZfktFzdRTfBowFwiscBAu8DjeAe06dkOFTaZ8z0zeU/s1600/IMG_9698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicpINlubJknM4q_GCs57YhDAMvxWTqWytRm0_jT_NOJ-fEFq2zTZqWPK9YDXboX9XqdxoKtKvwrxjRP0ejbOjXFO83DP99IQltxZfktFzdRTfBowFwiscBAu8DjeAe06dkOFTaZ8z0zeU/s400/IMG_9698.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a part that he hasn't gotten to spraying yet. You can see the major difference. And I'm sure there are probably 36,000 ticks in this picture, all smiling and saying "cheese!" - we just can't see them. Stupid ticks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgyAsP7_60jiT8G9N6IjEZ-zk9-fmnzhcskXAczkTJ_-NiBSh7dfNTsAIJyMZX34vuUt0i49Mb_iUFFCRudNpU_-rFnML44oAsydgDYfbsvnS3TNAUngR9BZA77PG5JP8EQZFRtR9AWOB/s1600/IMG_9699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgyAsP7_60jiT8G9N6IjEZ-zk9-fmnzhcskXAczkTJ_-NiBSh7dfNTsAIJyMZX34vuUt0i49Mb_iUFFCRudNpU_-rFnML44oAsydgDYfbsvnS3TNAUngR9BZA77PG5JP8EQZFRtR9AWOB/s400/IMG_9699.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Can you find the bird giving the camera a death look in this picture?She's sitting on 6 red-speckled eggs. Her nest is at the base of a tree - almost on the ground. Not the best location, but maybe her last nest was foreclosed on, and this is the best she can do. (that was cheesy).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCD2fs9DGs1RotOrbugLmVczNJpAFkgt0YC_dEHoPrMi7V6qaBZdfJp9zHTU_9_YmzoMFaaTSuvqVMdQbcETm02w8GEqCpeZIquAyvNgBHf24UV11cl6puJyohkUuLMzam7za1QuHraqZ/s1600/IMG_9700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCD2fs9DGs1RotOrbugLmVczNJpAFkgt0YC_dEHoPrMi7V6qaBZdfJp9zHTU_9_YmzoMFaaTSuvqVMdQbcETm02w8GEqCpeZIquAyvNgBHf24UV11cl6puJyohkUuLMzam7za1QuHraqZ/s400/IMG_9700.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now this bird is just plain dumb. A bird has insisted on building a nest in the newspaper holder part of our mailbox. You can see all the pine needles on the grass that have fallen out. I don't know if there are eggs in there, but I'm waiting to get attacked when I check the mail.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPT49bLkn6IZQBeSs1QVSjweGJb7iFDf9VkLtgBHf_19T5anfRpC2LDT_8MY9GdY1TTDAkGfVKjX_zrmUFLdhHc3quwDh089eTCDrruLATBvjglXeo1gXPHH_EV4uY-tYwZpzkQ1Dq5sf/s1600/IMG_9701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPT49bLkn6IZQBeSs1QVSjweGJb7iFDf9VkLtgBHf_19T5anfRpC2LDT_8MY9GdY1TTDAkGfVKjX_zrmUFLdhHc3quwDh089eTCDrruLATBvjglXeo1gXPHH_EV4uY-tYwZpzkQ1Dq5sf/s400/IMG_9701.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is a picture of some of the ground cover I planted in our front yard - I like that the flowers have little spots on them. Plus, these are called "steppables" - meaning they can be walked on 2 to 3 times per day without being damaged. Nice plus when you have little children who don't appreciate walkways. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDrAexbsxklGCvhue4DIiELrkXLeuX_S93JAjL8saJUk7C1k0CqQulDLLbmTZp7RVm6pRKznBcHVX7O6JhHTDO0DCe7juTKSaL1m_0h_8QeBApzQgBTYSexlez2A3E9RopoGm3-aBo_m_/s1600/IMG_9703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDrAexbsxklGCvhue4DIiELrkXLeuX_S93JAjL8saJUk7C1k0CqQulDLLbmTZp7RVm6pRKznBcHVX7O6JhHTDO0DCe7juTKSaL1m_0h_8QeBApzQgBTYSexlez2A3E9RopoGm3-aBo_m_/s400/IMG_9703.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is in my front yard. I just love that it's happy, big and very purple. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpqCwQY8Ek1tOmKYNnqjB5EZD5dAmrYWm-JHNQUpZDsLSPEoYNUE8SFV-W5b-1Z73ws2IkG_ldzHTChIbVJXWpGIhqWxYoMKrxvp7uy8PW0mHZ0i1Tnbv7VjMqNAOzpoodkVyycTDs2jD/s1600/IMG_9704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpqCwQY8Ek1tOmKYNnqjB5EZD5dAmrYWm-JHNQUpZDsLSPEoYNUE8SFV-W5b-1Z73ws2IkG_ldzHTChIbVJXWpGIhqWxYoMKrxvp7uy8PW0mHZ0i1Tnbv7VjMqNAOzpoodkVyycTDs2jD/s400/IMG_9704.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The plant in the middle is where I planted some poppy seeds. I am hoping that is what came up. If it's not, then I've been watering and taking care of an unidentified weed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7h8B6YZAxY5TWbZjY6c8BiSVV7Mig_vmQBVgxsntn2LISNFqdWUAXg6dvq1lQ8AeKcqrLKYGrcgTptfwjHEn8sxyTAD06OCkBj7m2vk_ywc4pqgcBJnJUPbLi7WXgzm7P4h5MeVsCZ5P/s1600/IMG_9682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7h8B6YZAxY5TWbZjY6c8BiSVV7Mig_vmQBVgxsntn2LISNFqdWUAXg6dvq1lQ8AeKcqrLKYGrcgTptfwjHEn8sxyTAD06OCkBj7m2vk_ywc4pqgcBJnJUPbLi7WXgzm7P4h5MeVsCZ5P/s400/IMG_9682.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">And this is...what the...Rebekah?! What are you wearing?!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3JyIF_m4q8J8-ReGdVvDEa0AnKrfWzPGttTmtOXefwjPFSi-1iXMGnrvLgAH_50eGhaM1pRuo0DQC3PIJVlnLwBFrCr7jD00YFtqNDTHGnb7MRBZnVZJdWMO1h5xUswkVZ_UNfwIJOp5/s1600/IMG_9680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3JyIF_m4q8J8-ReGdVvDEa0AnKrfWzPGttTmtOXefwjPFSi-1iXMGnrvLgAH_50eGhaM1pRuo0DQC3PIJVlnLwBFrCr7jD00YFtqNDTHGnb7MRBZnVZJdWMO1h5xUswkVZ_UNfwIJOp5/s400/IMG_9680.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">No seriously -- this is not acceptable at all! I was trying to show everyone my garden...not your attempts to bloom. :)</div><br />
Oh well...what are ya gonna do? Crazy girl :)Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-4723592180431661282010-05-05T22:57:00.000-04:002010-05-05T22:57:38.625-04:00From My Cold Dead Hands......nap time, that is -- not guns.<br />
<br />
Zach is three years old now, and in his infinite wisdom, he's decided that naps aren't his thing.<br />
I beg to differ.<br />
And if I have my way, he'll be napping until kindergarten.<br />
It is a power struggle of epic proportions.<br />
<br />
In the last few days, I have heard myself say things like<br />
<i>"Do not pile all your books on your bed, it's nap time."</i><br />
<i>"Zach, stop talking to your crocodile - it's nap time."</i><br />
<i>"If you kick the wall one more time, I'm coming in there!"</i><br />
<i>"Zach, why did you take your clothes off? It's nap time."</i><br />
<i>"I don't want you to sing or talk, I want you to close your eyes and stay still."</i><br />
I could go on, but I'll spare you the rest :)<br />
<br />
I would be more open to the idea of just having a "rest time" where he does whatever he'd like in his room - quietly, but when he doesn't sleep during nap time, he is impossible to live with later in the evening. I'm talking tantrums, crying about anything and everything, complaining about dinner, and anything else that an over-tired preschooler does. We all get to be the recipients of his foul moods. Rebekah probably gets it the most though - because Zach knows he can take her.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I am determined to keep nap time! I will not give up on this! I'm thinking I may put him in the master bedroom for his nap so that he is not surrounded by all his toys and books. I figure pure boredo<span style="background-color: white;">m will help put him to sleep :) I'm also trying to come up with an effective distance to have him run before nap time so that he will be exhausted...my current estimate is about 73.4 miles. **sigh**</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white;">Wish me luck on nap time tomorrow! </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #38761d;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #38761d;"><b><i>My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.<br />
-- Mark Twain</i></b></div>Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-25455499907396867632010-04-30T23:29:00.001-04:002010-05-01T10:32:41.477-04:00To My Husband...On His 30th Birthday (a little late)<i>I had every intention of posting this on your birthday, but, as you well know, life with young children is unpredictable, and that is exactly what this week has been. So, as they say, better late than never!</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXo0hMmBt7aQav6c966OETHVHmFpU3vCSQUu1suibj7DKSqlhY8QBp81IOMy6X_3yo_eO2-WQUvea9XXe0aQ_Ez0oDM-cRKvSvSpGFyA2ZwvmZ6yfyfjEdVXKaFVtZz-sNM1LVDWUZbaD/s1600/Kaley+072a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXo0hMmBt7aQav6c966OETHVHmFpU3vCSQUu1suibj7DKSqlhY8QBp81IOMy6X_3yo_eO2-WQUvea9XXe0aQ_Ez0oDM-cRKvSvSpGFyA2ZwvmZ6yfyfjEdVXKaFVtZz-sNM1LVDWUZbaD/s320/Kaley+072a.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Dear Ty,<br />
<br />
Today, you join me in the '30s' chapter of our life. It was a lonely 3 months here without you. Now I have you to keep me company. :) Each year, when your birthday comes around, I always feel overwhelmed. Overwhelmed, because in a single day, I want to show you how important you are to me and to our children. I've had amazing ideas, but then I remember we aren't millionaires, and so my "spare no expense" plans are put on hold. Often, I am left to try to sum it up in a small note at the bottom of a birthday card...and I always end up running out of space, so my writing gets smaller and smaller, and by that point, I'm just hoping you won't question my literacy. Luckily, blogs don't limit your writing space.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBLrp9OjD7dc0PomyKSzPAmZoya6TWcR-6W5gTmcmxPBCTCKemyk0fZKGcPBV0oEPrjHZc41HVNayhVrybp0UNVKYBsz3XZ_e1v7ZZXhji90a9hyphenhyphenieiCdVUW-c4XuwZCehmXlpH-nq5z0/s1600/Kaley+003a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBLrp9OjD7dc0PomyKSzPAmZoya6TWcR-6W5gTmcmxPBCTCKemyk0fZKGcPBV0oEPrjHZc41HVNayhVrybp0UNVKYBsz3XZ_e1v7ZZXhji90a9hyphenhyphenieiCdVUW-c4XuwZCehmXlpH-nq5z0/s320/Kaley+003a.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMpx-nM1d3n6sQP73ZbJCPpnkLmbWRC3pDhERV4RHjiqHupYJuY6GZlZjHTBrCTRKByG0qHl66hrRxvw4y3kqTM5NBPuZJUJm7R0PLi-8O0j0CEQigzJCszVidwgu5vE3yo1JfHqlx3u-/s1600/weddingtyjen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMpx-nM1d3n6sQP73ZbJCPpnkLmbWRC3pDhERV4RHjiqHupYJuY6GZlZjHTBrCTRKByG0qHl66hrRxvw4y3kqTM5NBPuZJUJm7R0PLi-8O0j0CEQigzJCszVidwgu5vE3yo1JfHqlx3u-/s320/weddingtyjen.jpg" /></a></div>I am so grateful for your personality and what you bring to our family. I really think it would be a disaster without you. As I'm sure everyone knows, you balance me out. You are calm and even-tempered. As the years have gone by, you've taught me to think a little more before I speak - and I am still learning that lesson. I love that even though you are a level-headed man, you are still passionate about many things. Some of my favorite times have been long drives late at night as we discuss theology, politics, or what we want for our future. So many times, your take on things inspires me - and gets me looking at something in a completely different way. And even though you are incredibly intelligent, you are unpretentious. You approach your life with a quiet confidence that your hard work and your ideas will speak for themselves - and nothing else needs to be said. Because of that approach, you have accomplished many things, and earned a lot of respect along the way.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Thank you for getting up every morning and going to work so that I can stay home with Zach and Rebekah. Thank you for all the time you spend tickling Rebekah, or playing cars with Zach on the floor. Thank you for the countless laughs brought on by the strange conversations we have late at night -- when we should be sleeping. Thank you for letting me vent my frustrations to you - even though most of them are completely outside of our control. I could continue for a long time...but I know you'd rather I not. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RO4vMGV4iwKF_ivgccVSEjTxp0Fmhz1LyRrV2L_neYdg027A2weYM0LtoMwjxd2RTMD0RsmqlOmsQSOqFwfQkL-n5DXSUmJf5Ifae-zq22yUZQG1U0Bq8MlRE3C9xxQ-CEmHuh3quhRh/s1600/IMG_8161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RO4vMGV4iwKF_ivgccVSEjTxp0Fmhz1LyRrV2L_neYdg027A2weYM0LtoMwjxd2RTMD0RsmqlOmsQSOqFwfQkL-n5DXSUmJf5Ifae-zq22yUZQG1U0Bq8MlRE3C9xxQ-CEmHuh3quhRh/s320/IMG_8161.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaE7-_D312bI04jZRQyrvYWG6fM_CrmQahilphyphenhyphenBDVfdgj9eQaWclJhPTGsAhcA3uHi4x3zhLLTj7PtoNeruBdJb39myq48FyZc-Zy31RUrc5SFNBXPRVAThKQ2Nc2A7eXTRhPhAPqUKt/s1600/IMG_8705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaE7-_D312bI04jZRQyrvYWG6fM_CrmQahilphyphenhyphenBDVfdgj9eQaWclJhPTGsAhcA3uHi4x3zhLLTj7PtoNeruBdJb39myq48FyZc-Zy31RUrc5SFNBXPRVAThKQ2Nc2A7eXTRhPhAPqUKt/s320/IMG_8705.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_5TZ4vZBCXFbGbrDK0LcuR9HTeSYt7yH56zJi9uVhX_9NlAnhktgOAPaxCDMlvU8uxPHNZB7Fkbauy2lWYvocbA3UYZdCDODJz-lvrfrvT3iBpc1DaWs9KSm7QS1epkYtSS45-TJGW1Q/s1600/IMG_8899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_5TZ4vZBCXFbGbrDK0LcuR9HTeSYt7yH56zJi9uVhX_9NlAnhktgOAPaxCDMlvU8uxPHNZB7Fkbauy2lWYvocbA3UYZdCDODJz-lvrfrvT3iBpc1DaWs9KSm7QS1epkYtSS45-TJGW1Q/s320/IMG_8899.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I love you, Ty. Happy birthday.<br />
May the years be gentle on us both, since the kids are not :)Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-68819452975531265312010-04-26T18:30:00.000-04:002010-04-26T18:30:23.212-04:00Mississippi TripWe just got back from a long weekend trip to Mississippi. One of the highlights of the trip was that Zach got to go out to a logging job and see all the big machines - he was in awe to say the least. I know he really enjoyed it. Here is the video Tyler took - kind of long, but pretty interesting!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/11244652">Zach's First Logging Job</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3230322">Jennifer Thompson</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-27863393200307956022010-04-14T18:18:00.000-04:002010-04-14T18:18:35.455-04:00Considerations...Right now, I have a lot on my mind. Nothing horribly pressing, just things. One thing that keeps coming up in my head is the issue of schooling for our kids. Yeah, I know -- funny issue since Zach is only 3. I can hear the collective eye rolling. But I have a feeling that 5 is going to be here a lot faster than I expect, and I want to have a plan.<br />
<br />
I'm still considering home schooling Zach. Not long term, but at least for a couple of years - to make sure he has an excellent foundation, and frankly, to let him be a kid for awhile longer. Yes, there are political and religious reasons for this - I don't want him being exposed to liberal viewpoints while we're trying to instill conservative values. And as far as religion goes, I don't want Zach being taught about evolution and how monkeys are our cousins, when I'm teaching a 7-day creation at home. I'm not trying to completely remove him from those viewpoints - I know he will face them soon enough. But during his formidable years, I want to be confident that we are having the ultimate say in what goes into that sweet <strike>little</strike> large head of his! My hope is that our efforts will produce a kid who knows the issues, knows why he believes what he believes, and can stand up and defend it to anyone.<br />
<br />
Back to my thoughts - I keep running across two different schooling approaches with homeschooling. I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones I continually find. The first is the classical Christian education approach. It's very structured, and really sets out to create a critical thinker instead of a child that just repeats back what has been said. Latin is taught from kindergarten on, the focus with younger children is memorization of facts, with older children it's the "why" behind those facts, pre-teens learn to defend the "whys" and high schoolers' are given the tools to communicate their thoughts through speech and original writing. I really like the classical approach - it plays to my love of structure and predictability. I think it has a lot of good points.<br />
<br />
The other approach is generally referred to as "unschooling". It's the idea that, aside from the basics, children are given the freedom to pursue the avenues of education that interest them at the time, and that they will learn more from playing and exploring than anything else. Obviously, this applies mainly to young children - not jr. high and high school. I am more leery of this approach, because I do not think children have the capacity to guide their own learning - and there are certain things they need to learn regardless of their interest level. BUT, I think it makes a good point about putting emphasis on exploring and playing at a young age. So, I am trying to think through these approaches and find a place where I'm comfortable and confident. I'd love to hear any advice you have to offer on this subject!<br />
<br />
The final thing that I've been thinking about a lot lately, is what I want to write on this blog. I love keeping everyone up to date on our family and the children in particular. But on the daily basis, there isn't always much to write about - many of our days are just typical days. So that leaves room for other topics - deeper topics that I would like to write about. I do like to discuss politics, but I have a separate <a href="http://jen-whatshouldhavebeensaid.blogspot.com/">blog</a> for that. So, that leaves two other main topics I truly enjoy, and feel knowledgeable enough to write about - theology and parenting of babies/toddlers. At the risk of getting NO replies, I would like to open this up to you - what questions or topics would you like to see on here? They can be within the subject areas I have mentioned, or something completely different. If no one provides any ideas, I'll just pick a subject and start :) <br />
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Have a great day!Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-18941139877041366722010-04-08T23:55:00.000-04:002010-04-08T23:55:24.991-04:00Easter, 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoArxqJFoc9XPMUNu0Hd_9_Kj9jBcbiaY-7a6-aINp8NLgWcCnnVT2rOT5ELVrP02wSEzUATYU4t1otFyeULjP906sVfGJRg7QOkUyJsWuge50VRD9Bk8sVwgC5aEGRrmV_Oxu6bNv6a5/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoArxqJFoc9XPMUNu0Hd_9_Kj9jBcbiaY-7a6-aINp8NLgWcCnnVT2rOT5ELVrP02wSEzUATYU4t1otFyeULjP906sVfGJRg7QOkUyJsWuge50VRD9Bk8sVwgC5aEGRrmV_Oxu6bNv6a5/s400/IMG_0715.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Easter Sunday was gorgeous here - in the low 80s, sunny...perfect for Easter dresses and spending time outside. We started the day with a special breakfast of <a href="http://boomama.net/2009/08/03/the-night-we-met-the-boberry/">BoBerry Biscuits</a>. If you have never tried one, my heart breaks for you. Zach calls them "bo biscuits" and loves them...what kid wouldn't?! Biscuits covered in icing...a child's paradise (and mine as well!). After our delectable breakfast, we headed to church. I know Easter Sunday is crowded, since people who never go to church decide to attend, but to add to the crowd, children in 2nd grade or higher did not have Sunday school class - they were supposed to attend the service with their parents - so it was really hard to find seats. The service was excellent - got to hear the choir and orchestra sing the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdRyNea19PE&feature=related">Hallelujah Chorus</a>...which gives me goosebumps every single time. Usually, it's performed a lot around Christmas, but it is definitely fitting for Easter - such a celebratory song!<br />
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After the service, we went home, and hid the eggs that Zach had dyed the day before:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5by8hIEKtH1ulspsoE0YJvrpDzg4Fh5DXEOsMNC-C2HxSMLUgqAcwzDMzx9sEX7wANekHj6pMbRja3BuFILl-5CaXOhz84l8TqC35uUlU1vaXBImty0OpPjJa8AWh3VUWYpuI1FxozE02/s1600/IMG_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5by8hIEKtH1ulspsoE0YJvrpDzg4Fh5DXEOsMNC-C2HxSMLUgqAcwzDMzx9sEX7wANekHj6pMbRja3BuFILl-5CaXOhz84l8TqC35uUlU1vaXBImty0OpPjJa8AWh3VUWYpuI1FxozE02/s400/IMG_0724.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KKEqu8KitlvGsUwGyrGB5A2S65NgPOiMwB5Za1pJZM8WJG6dcUeBUcJ_oMkenMCo89R83Tp8Hd4m9gtP2FmHphcgwzoybEE9Sjd-dz00jax2gA5OB2swP4zd9GNaTIjT-MxrMMYt9_7z/s1600/IMG_0726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KKEqu8KitlvGsUwGyrGB5A2S65NgPOiMwB5Za1pJZM8WJG6dcUeBUcJ_oMkenMCo89R83Tp8Hd4m9gtP2FmHphcgwzoybEE9Sjd-dz00jax2gA5OB2swP4zd9GNaTIjT-MxrMMYt9_7z/s400/IMG_0726.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJFh3zAUpDIHyJVkLHnv82uYvcTdnIk0VGVZKO3Ii2rxCOFuAssPm2AtdvsJpu7LE2Ss7CmDgV3IbUOgZkfLruqwrnpKKY41fIeBPo3NllFDVsopScz4qzZD47v21kEGuNyK2ih8f-Iqg/s1600/IMG_9617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJFh3zAUpDIHyJVkLHnv82uYvcTdnIk0VGVZKO3Ii2rxCOFuAssPm2AtdvsJpu7LE2Ss7CmDgV3IbUOgZkfLruqwrnpKKY41fIeBPo3NllFDVsopScz4qzZD47v21kEGuNyK2ih8f-Iqg/s400/IMG_9617.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibefsB4R55JOZK7899EgBXIAHDnYq5_IfQy9W-BdKKCeVzjUeF4VkTiVlMKWSdfZOhkgXWr66lxgeffoIZ0I-g95ITM1Wg_Z8xK8iLV05o3FlsBI821spP_yqSAbxBVXRdLi0XKC4GXJV0/s1600/IMG_0742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibefsB4R55JOZK7899EgBXIAHDnYq5_IfQy9W-BdKKCeVzjUeF4VkTiVlMKWSdfZOhkgXWr66lxgeffoIZ0I-g95ITM1Wg_Z8xK8iLV05o3FlsBI821spP_yqSAbxBVXRdLi0XKC4GXJV0/s400/IMG_0742.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>For those of you keeping track, this was Egg hunt #3. It never gets old for Zach or Rebekah...this age is so much fun! :)<br />
After all the eggs were found, Tyler showed Zach how to eat hard boiled eggs. He taught him to crack the egg on his forehead, which Zach found to be hilarious. Later, I saw him slamming a plastic egg into his forehead...poor child. He has his moments. :)<br />
I had a fun time making Easter dinner for us - I made a standing rib roast, potato casserole and roasted asparagus. Just before it was time to eat, I looked up to see Zachary walking in from the backyard with his hands full of flowers.<br />
My tulips to be exact.<br />
The tulips that I planted last fall and waited months to finally get to see them bloom.<br />
The tulips that JUST bloomed about 4 days previous. <br />
The tulips I actually spent time photographing because I liked them so much. Proof:<br />
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They are all dead now.<br />
But that's ok, because behind the hand full of death-sentenced tulips was my little guy with his big smile...and he was bringing ME the flowers.<br />
Who knew dying tulips could make me feel so warm and fuzzy inside. :)<br />
Actually, now that I look back, I think it's a simple illustration of our celebration of Easter. We mourn our Savior's death by our hands and because of our sin, yet we celebrate the salvation that was made possible for us through His death. So simple...so wonderful.<br />
We thoroughly enjoyed our Easter. What did you do? Did you find yourself ankle-deep in candy-filled eggs and plastic grass like I did? :) I hope you had a memorable celebration!Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-90476102818378509712010-04-05T10:19:00.000-04:002010-04-05T10:19:44.747-04:00Easter Egg Hunt #2I warned you. There would be multiple Easter egg hunts this year. So don't blame me! A family in our neighborhood has an annual Easter egg hunt, so we walked the kids down there on Saturday to practice their egg hunting skills. There were over 700 eggs, and a lot less kids, so Zach filled his basket very quickly! He was a pro - as soon as they said "Go!" he was off, picking up every egg in site. And because of that, he has enough sugary goodness to last him until next Easter! Enjoy the pictures:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZOmzVZQGnNYK3Av2dk10K6waomlagZkjuj0hOXjfwODzpjsDn9lJ7XhBenAftZz9g_XzlbPK_Gefa1mrMNfLovfxkuafneQLpI7o9dNWZEu0bMQtZd6Wf2n6mjLt771uOUw2PRnZLU0N/s1600/IMG_9567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZOmzVZQGnNYK3Av2dk10K6waomlagZkjuj0hOXjfwODzpjsDn9lJ7XhBenAftZz9g_XzlbPK_Gefa1mrMNfLovfxkuafneQLpI7o9dNWZEu0bMQtZd6Wf2n6mjLt771uOUw2PRnZLU0N/s400/IMG_9567.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoNv13zjbcwmjbrV4D7IALsrCY0PY1H7ZVNqLNw2o10ngLL7LEAY7NNSMYCwXI5ICNuwxTUe-_rLkTNPxNiWZO3X_1PqoC9IvNcj55DtZzYKlY2m9j2wMVAVfpgA4Rvgdim6MWk9IFNHc/s1600/IMG_9570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoNv13zjbcwmjbrV4D7IALsrCY0PY1H7ZVNqLNw2o10ngLL7LEAY7NNSMYCwXI5ICNuwxTUe-_rLkTNPxNiWZO3X_1PqoC9IvNcj55DtZzYKlY2m9j2wMVAVfpgA4Rvgdim6MWk9IFNHc/s400/IMG_9570.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1zr7fO6hNGJK2Om8r5nY407d2J0lxoQSighauveV3sZTEgKfjJCkaw-5BtodebLrpPhChiGH77QykCmcUmLe5eBuzt06CRt9rYn76VmlE43RTa3FDBYPrhN655psQqFzZeAR7LRnbsuO/s1600/IMG_9572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1zr7fO6hNGJK2Om8r5nY407d2J0lxoQSighauveV3sZTEgKfjJCkaw-5BtodebLrpPhChiGH77QykCmcUmLe5eBuzt06CRt9rYn76VmlE43RTa3FDBYPrhN655psQqFzZeAR7LRnbsuO/s400/IMG_9572.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgig4El-V7JSlsWLDojxjMp8Uys-mh-bz2QAGfgOB7ymV8xlvhwx9uMoF2UP5AWNVdLDSPoZN8dnquItOMpxH9PNkyMSg2HCoxTKxU-Y_7L8mBklDGUFtCFnS8rTRjTi2oodpylNr4x4dAC/s1600/IMG_9574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgig4El-V7JSlsWLDojxjMp8Uys-mh-bz2QAGfgOB7ymV8xlvhwx9uMoF2UP5AWNVdLDSPoZN8dnquItOMpxH9PNkyMSg2HCoxTKxU-Y_7L8mBklDGUFtCFnS8rTRjTi2oodpylNr4x4dAC/s400/IMG_9574.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq47fmLnxxKYFQwY9_-CF7RqnTxw9CZL7fu9m-7CkD9xZ8rOrrbUsxm3o09YC2Xx_uXTOWwRgtjuzmc4E4ICOAGhiY18cOmAjpybZ95RTbccpeJ2Fq8PmBl2iAbDXZugl4jIQ_JID_TF8o/s1600/IMG_0690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq47fmLnxxKYFQwY9_-CF7RqnTxw9CZL7fu9m-7CkD9xZ8rOrrbUsxm3o09YC2Xx_uXTOWwRgtjuzmc4E4ICOAGhiY18cOmAjpybZ95RTbccpeJ2Fq8PmBl2iAbDXZugl4jIQ_JID_TF8o/s400/IMG_0690.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-85030575355834735892010-03-26T21:55:00.000-04:002010-03-26T21:55:03.703-04:00Easter Egg Hunt #1Being such an organized blogger/mom, I am using the numbering system for Easter egg hunts right off the bat. There is the potential for at least 3 hunts between now and Easter, so I know you'll appreciate my preemptive titles!<br />
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Today, I took the kids over to a friends house for a very fun Easter party. Zach was dying to go on an Easter egg hunt - he'd been talking about it for 3 days.<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Note to self: until child has better sense of time, do NOT tell him about an event days before it is slated to occur. Future research will show this has a direct causal relationship to gray hairs and the unmistakable impression that one is losing one's mind. </span></i><br />
I even did a practice hunt with him this morning to make sure he understood that the eggs are hidden, and he has to look for them. He was a pro.<br />
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The party was great! Lots of kids there to play with, and the rain that was threatening all day, held off until after the party. There was Easter candy and decorations, and there was Zach's Holy Grail - a bounce house.<br />
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I hardly saw my son during the party - every once in awhile, I'd look at the bounce house and catch a glimpse of his bobbing head, so I knew he was still around. He loved it!<br />
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Rebekah hung out with me for the majority of the party, and once she zeroed in on the candy and chocolate, there was really no stopping her. It's hard to hold a toddler, and watch her devour her sugary sweets and try not to eat them yourself. I was pretty proud of myself - I ate one brownie and a bite of a cupcake. The rest of the time, I just chugged water, hoping it would suffice!<br />
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Zach got to try a potato sack race for the first time today. It was a lot of fun - the kids loved it. Like a true first child, Zach was very focused on jumping in his sack correctly. There was a lot of concentration going on there. A see-saw caught Rebekah's eye, and she giggled her way up and down until mommy didn't want to play anymore :)<br />
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You know the kids liked the party when you have to drag them out to the car, crying. The kids - not me. It probably didn't help that they skipped their nap completely, and the sugar high had probably petered out by then. It wasn't a very enjoyable ride home, but when the whining became too much, I just turned up the talk radio - which I'm sure Zach hates, because I hated it at his age too :) hehehe.<br />
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At the party, the kids had short-sleeved shirts on, and were perfectly comfortable. Literally 1 1/2 hours after we left, I had to put a sweatshirt on to go outside, and I was freezing. A little while after that, Zach wanted to come inside because "it was too cold" - and he had a jacket on. Crazy weather. I'm glad it held off for most of the day though!<br />
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Enjoy your weekend!Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-78803968616696671722010-03-22T10:10:00.000-04:002010-03-22T10:10:11.610-04:003 Down, 1 Still StandingThe battle of the snot has claimed it's third victim.<br />
Tyler has the dreaded cold.<br />
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This is one of the most stubborn colds I've ever seen - the kids are in their second week of it, and I'm just now starting to see the slightest bit of improvement in them. But Tyler succumbed to their sticky little germs this weekend. As with most viruses our kids give us, we get the grown-up symptoms - so Tyler is fighting a sinus infection. But no need to worry! Tyler has his first men's league basketball game tonight! Ever since that man was in high school, he has claimed that basketball practice or a game cures you if you're sick. I guess we'll put his hypothesis to the test tonight.<br />
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And yes, I'm excited I found a reason to use the word "hypothesis" on my blog. :) It's the little things.<br />
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So I am the last one standing against this cold. I'm not sure how long I can hold out - I can still breathe through my nose, but I have been coughing this morning. I'm sure it doesn't help that every 2 minutes I'm wiping snot off of little kid noses.<br />
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But there is no time to worry about failure! I must fight on! Bring on the snot, I'm ready! :)Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-64431340585247550212010-03-17T22:29:00.001-04:002010-03-17T22:46:15.210-04:00Ever Have One of Those Weeks?It's probably a bad thing that I am already putting this week in the 'fail' column, and it's only Wednesday. I have so much to do - many of the things are projects I WANT to do, but I just can't get myself motivated to do them. I am tired. I know we all joke about the time change, but it really kicked my butt this year! I hit the snooze button 2 or 3 times in the morning now, so the kids' schedule has been off by a 1/2 hour - which shouldn't bother me, but it does. <br />
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It probably doesn't help that I am in my second week of <strike>hell</strike> Atkins. The wonderful induction phase - 20 carbs/day, and no sugar. It definitely works, and I've been losing weight, but it doesn't do much for my mood. I'm amazed at how hooked on sugar I am. Every time I go to the grocery store, it's a constant battle to NOT buy all the sugary goodness. The Easter candy is out too. Cadbury Eggs. That is true temptation. I keep telling myself I'll have one closer to Easter, but not now. *sigh*<br />
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The kids both have a cold this week. I know they're miserable. Rebekah is frustrated because she can't breathe through her nose, which keeps her from sucking her thumb when she wants to. Zach isn't running a fever anymore, but today, everything sent him into tears. He even asked me to hold him several times today - not normal for him! Is it horrible that I loved every minute of it? He actually fell asleep in my arms and I held him for about 30 minutes before finally carrying him up to his bed. Poor kid. But even when you know your kids aren't feeling well, all their crying and melting down wears on your nerves. I am hoping tonight's sleep will bring rest and healing to their little bodies - in turn, that will bring healing to me tomorrow! :) <br />
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Tyler and I booked a cruise with some friends for June. At the time, I just thought it would be a really fun trip to go on. More and more, I am thinking that I really need this. A week away from the kids (that's going to be so hard!), and quality time with my husband and good friends. I'm glad I have that to look forward to. If I didn't have weight to lose, I'd be campaigning to move it up to next week! :)<br />
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Since this post doesn't have any adorable pictures of the kids, or really anything of interest in it at all, here are some great deals on photo books - definitely take advantage of them if you can:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://babycheapskate.blogspot.com/2010/03/coupon-free-photo-books-at-picaboo.html"> Free Photo Books at Picaboo & Kodak Gallery</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.swaggrabber.com/blog1.php/onlinedeals/free-photo-book-from-pixable-just-pay-2-99-shipping-hot">FREE Photo Book from Pixable Just Pay $2.99 Shipping</a></li>
<li><a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/50-photo-prints-and-a-pocket-photo-book-for-1-99-shipped.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+moneysavingmom%2FmNWf+%28Money+Saving+Mom%29">50 photo prints and a pocket photo book for $1.99 shipped!</a><br />
</li>
</ul>Also, this isn't a photo book, but it's a free canvas. You will pay shipping which will be around $14, but it's a great deal. I already had one made as a gift, and it was exactly what I ordered!<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://canvaspeople.com/">Free 8x10 Canvas</a></li>
</ul>So how is your week?<br />
What do you do to motivate yourself when you are behind on your to-do list?<br />
If you could take a vacation right now, who would it be with, and where would you go?<br />
I'd love to hear your ideas!Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-82308454816731610602010-03-10T21:20:00.001-05:002010-03-10T21:22:08.140-05:00Playing Outside!<span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;"> </span><br />
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"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt."</span>Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-33893489172376179722010-03-08T14:42:00.000-05:002010-03-08T14:42:07.349-05:00This Boy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This boy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3SS95BPp6QYWV9zPQzqgp9sv08BgAwPS4nPYwto7aHA48JThek41dBlSVezq27I52eBUQeSISKHqN-xNkZ1NT_a2nAD8QCmVZ7Ro1s71vzB3APq0PVpMnRZ6VStWXT2AreBxO5d4Mj8l/s1600-h/IMG_9202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3SS95BPp6QYWV9zPQzqgp9sv08BgAwPS4nPYwto7aHA48JThek41dBlSVezq27I52eBUQeSISKHqN-xNkZ1NT_a2nAD8QCmVZ7Ro1s71vzB3APq0PVpMnRZ6VStWXT2AreBxO5d4Mj8l/s400/IMG_9202.JPG" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh my goodness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know Tyler and I were happy, content people before Zach came into our world, but he has made our world SO much more fun! And crazy, and frustrating -- but that's normal, and totally worth it :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other night, we were eating dinner at the table, and Zach was smacking TOO loudly. That was on top of the issue that he was dawdling, so I was quick to tell him "<i>Zach, do not smack. You need to chew with your mouth closed</i>."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Zach looked at me very seriously, swallowed his bite, and promptly put another bite into his mouth. Then he sat there, mouth clamped shut, staring at me, not moving a muscle. After about 15 seconds of staring, he spoke through his mouthful "<i>Mommy? It's not working</i>".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I guess in hindsight, that phrase doesn't make a lot of sense. Based on what I said, Zach really thought that if he put food in his mouth and clamped it shut, something magical would happen, and the food would get chewed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After Tyler and I caught our breath from laughing, we tried to explain that he can still chew his food, but he needs to keep his lips together. Which was met with mostly confusion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We decided it was not the hill to die on right now. Smack away, Zach, smack away. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-32675191621677480182010-02-27T23:49:00.000-05:002010-02-27T23:49:47.062-05:00Could It Really Be...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>...This easy?!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJF6wTYMJ-mKq-LaVyv38S_LsCODJ55vyZrb_ABJzgUxxwtPLyPIjD_l9OT288h0w7BU82TnQeoIzZiLiaVHmj8drGh6VeG11beiNXjr8MgyAI76DPQoaNenn4COtSTcBHmupeFqWFTlzX/s1600-h/IMG_3803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJF6wTYMJ-mKq-LaVyv38S_LsCODJ55vyZrb_ABJzgUxxwtPLyPIjD_l9OT288h0w7BU82TnQeoIzZiLiaVHmj8drGh6VeG11beiNXjr8MgyAI76DPQoaNenn4COtSTcBHmupeFqWFTlzX/s320/IMG_3803.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'd like to introduce you to Bo.<br />
Bo is Zach's bear blanket. Aptly named because Zach wasn't able to say "bear", so he said "bo". <br />
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Bo is my fault.<br />
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This picture reflects the very first time I put Bo in Zach's arms. I thought it was so adorable! I hoped that Bo would be something Zach would sleep with each night.<br />
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I got my wish, but with a twist:<br />
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Zach didn't want to hold Bo as he drifted off to dreamland. He found Bo to be very tasty. So my child got into the habit of cramming part of Bo into his mouth, and sucking on the delicious fabric as he went to sleep.<br />
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Strange? Yes.<br />
I had visions of the headline <i>"local infant dies from inhaling bear blanket - mom says reason for giving him bear was "it was cute".</i><br />
Seriously. It looked like it could be a problem:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheURtTEcPiTKB6l5diHCXcnRlQKOgOJd3RxYf1cVu8EWLjuiiZ2gxGvABWAqw5CUfnggRj8UqwDCdFEIsZ2yJvV9Gzp150be5mWHXSt6O0_mnG6hovNSKzq5U8Y04XPrIs_Q76tYeBfWSt/s1600-h/IMG_4796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheURtTEcPiTKB6l5diHCXcnRlQKOgOJd3RxYf1cVu8EWLjuiiZ2gxGvABWAqw5CUfnggRj8UqwDCdFEIsZ2yJvV9Gzp150be5mWHXSt6O0_mnG6hovNSKzq5U8Y04XPrIs_Q76tYeBfWSt/s320/IMG_4796.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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But, it never seemed to be a problem for him, and it became normal. (The "Bo" in the above picture is a backup - he didn't like it as much as the brown one, but it would work if the real Bo wasn't available).<br />
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Anyway, fast forward a little bit, and the cuteness factor of Bo has worn off. Since Zach puts Bo in his mouth, Bo gets damp. Then Bo starts to smell sour, and Bo gets washed. A lot. We also weren't sure if it was good for damp fabric to be in his mouth for extended periods of time.<br />
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But there was no way Zach would part with Bo.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JXDgQTX6Kw9fV_AR0y5T-5cvmaZD1xSRwrvVEXdLXyCgAc3d-tS4NL0FuctHBLv_dt7LqD5M0_tENm59vLprtD6txrdQ7s7H1pFahx6AVCTF1KJbGozi0s5MyUnOZP2knMI_dBsgMjVp/s1600-h/IMG_6905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JXDgQTX6Kw9fV_AR0y5T-5cvmaZD1xSRwrvVEXdLXyCgAc3d-tS4NL0FuctHBLv_dt7LqD5M0_tENm59vLprtD6txrdQ7s7H1pFahx6AVCTF1KJbGozi0s5MyUnOZP2knMI_dBsgMjVp/s320/IMG_6905.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last fall, we took a road trip to Mississippi. Somehow, when we stopped at a gas station, Bo fell out of the car, and was left behind. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In Alabama. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Which we didn't realize until we were 2 hours down the road. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Zach was not happy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While I thought I would be happy, since it was the perfect opportunity to end the Bo habit, I was near tears.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Somehow, Bo was suddenly human. I pictured him lying on the ground at a cold gas station...loved by a little boy, but now all alone. Images from my childhood copy of <i>The Velveteen Rabbit</i> flashed through my mind. We had to get Bo home!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Amazingly, after calling the station from the info on our receipt, the manager found Bo, and we were able to get him back. The family was back intact, and order was restored in Zach's life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We knew that we needed to break Zach's habit though. When we tried to get Zach to go to sleep without Bo, there was a lot of crying, and it would take hours for Zach to fall asleep. So last week, I decided that I would start telling Zach that he needed to take his afternoon nap without Bo. I was hoping that if he could learn to sleep without him at naptime, we could eventually get him to go to bed at night without him. Well, it didn't go well - Zach just didn't take his nap. He spent the 2 hours playing in his room. Then he was cranky by dinner time, and all was not well. But we were determined to keep it up and give it a chance. Four nights ago, Zach got into bed, and I gave him Bo. Zach was extremely happy, since he doesn't get him at naptime anymore. I told Zach that since he was 3 years old now, he doesn't need to put Bo in his mouth anymore. I told him that big boys don't do that - only babies. I've told him that in the past, but he wouldn't have it. This time though, he just smiled and said "Ok Mommy." I'd be lying if I said that I believed him. My actual thought was "that little sucker is just telling me what I want to hear - like the 'smile and nod' thing!" So I turned out the light and told him goodnight. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I looked into his room a few minutes later - no Bo in his mouth. Ha. He's good - he knew I was going to come in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I waited a little longer and stuck my head in - still no Bo in his mouth. Hope began to spring up in my soul. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been 4 days, and I have yet to catch Zach with Bo in his mouth. Either he's extremely good at pulling the wool over my eyes, or he just quit cold turkey! The longer this goes on, the more I think it's the latter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So dare I say that it was that easy?! Time will tell. But I'm happy Bo gets to stay in Zach's arms...just not in his mouth! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-31785364406362888622010-02-22T16:02:00.001-05:002010-02-22T16:03:06.685-05:00Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AQsXryYcTK3ypEU4ihhEFrRuP4HlkE_DgVBF_HY5Rp6NY1Zwow95zRq3y4guIGtZPRnIF1nAjrzswjEzPVhSwHpaSTp2U8VHBsahRbjiN6sZ6bupHrWnBUhIwiJ9S-gxBfWzp2eVjjEd/s1600-h/IMG_9248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AQsXryYcTK3ypEU4ihhEFrRuP4HlkE_DgVBF_HY5Rp6NY1Zwow95zRq3y4guIGtZPRnIF1nAjrzswjEzPVhSwHpaSTp2U8VHBsahRbjiN6sZ6bupHrWnBUhIwiJ9S-gxBfWzp2eVjjEd/s400/IMG_9248.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="sqq">"There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the forest clothed to its very hollows in snow. </span></b></i></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOlxJEVhLxqaqGHCfpNnxOgMtlvjS7fLug_38aXevH5LMn3fksckJk22khkZtuoW9c2ilosLZYp2Pvq_MR7PkjHSb7jbvVhiHjCgA1lrUTSCj7z9xlyOFQ-JGVoF6UpGxylFSLEE5gOaG/s1600-h/IMG_9250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOlxJEVhLxqaqGHCfpNnxOgMtlvjS7fLug_38aXevH5LMn3fksckJk22khkZtuoW9c2ilosLZYp2Pvq_MR7PkjHSb7jbvVhiHjCgA1lrUTSCj7z9xlyOFQ-JGVoF6UpGxylFSLEE5gOaG/s400/IMG_9250.JPG" width="400" /></a><span class="sqq"> </span></b></i></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="sqq">It is the still ecstasy of nature, </span></b></i></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU-1_WypTk8sRY76nN4VcmV7LdeZ_6zRZW8sm_aygKRjQjxuxNbz-MV5uHyDyaF0xdkehfZcVZTJbFsuy9Gah7FJGslSevMpantwRLz7Mjoh8Vz1GOCbw7stHYYm-lR-iwa9FWZjzrA_a/s1600-h/IMG_9251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU-1_WypTk8sRY76nN4VcmV7LdeZ_6zRZW8sm_aygKRjQjxuxNbz-MV5uHyDyaF0xdkehfZcVZTJbFsuy9Gah7FJGslSevMpantwRLz7Mjoh8Vz1GOCbw7stHYYm-lR-iwa9FWZjzrA_a/s400/IMG_9251.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></i></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="sqq">wherein every spray, every blade of grass, every spire of reed, every intricacy of twig, </span></b></i></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw4RtiXKCsKiU5a8kc-b-oY9DQaEfF0VdNm7cmXpxeOOVCBDN7uV12ySGCZyoJ1aywYUHegmoZWDNQaN3p21DXERSEO3aPi2ojFbryCBaJwhzqb5LKTNytZmvdyoT3Z-2kPgb4V9zn2VS/s1600-h/IMG_9252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw4RtiXKCsKiU5a8kc-b-oY9DQaEfF0VdNm7cmXpxeOOVCBDN7uV12ySGCZyoJ1aywYUHegmoZWDNQaN3p21DXERSEO3aPi2ojFbryCBaJwhzqb5LKTNytZmvdyoT3Z-2kPgb4V9zn2VS/s400/IMG_9252.JPG" width="400" /></a><span class="sqq"> </span></b></i></div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="sqq">is clad with radiance."</span></b></i></div>Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-75768737379353332652010-02-03T10:13:00.000-05:002010-02-03T10:13:18.096-05:00One Year Old<i>"A little girl can be sweeter (and badder) oftener than anyone else in the world. She can jitter around and stomp, and make funny noises that frazzle your nerves, yet just when you open your mouth she stands there demure with that special look in her eyes. A girl is innocence playing in the mud. Beauty standing on its head, and Motherhood dragging a doll by the foot." </i><br />
<br />
Dear Rebekah,<br />
<br />
You have come full circle today, baby girl! 365 days with us...365 sunrises (some of which you made sure mommy saw), 365 sunsets, four seasons, and many events in between! Today, you officially leave babyhood, and become a toddler. From now on, your age won't always be given in months, but in years. Here are some of the things you are up to at 1 year old:<br />
<ul><li>You have 6 teeth, and a 7th coming soon.</li>
<li> You are getting more hair on your head, although it's still pretty sparse. </li>
<li>You are walking full time now, and can even carry heavier things without falling!</li>
<li>You're about done with baby food - you only want table food, and lots of it.</li>
<li>You are wearing 9 month and 12 month clothes, although you can still wear most of the 6-9 month size as well.</li>
<li>You are wearing a size 2 shoe...which is ridiculous.</li>
<li>You can say "da-da", "Zach", "Papa", "ball", "Hi", "anana" (banana), "ooooh" (uh-oh). Still no "mama"!</li>
<li>You are not a fan of milk, and you did not appreciate being weaned. </li>
<li>You still take 2 naps each day, but it won't be long before you combine them into one.</li>
<li>You love to be outside - except in the snow.</li>
<li>You're eyes are still blue...maybe they'll stay that way. </li>
<li>You feel very strongly that you should have full access to all of your brother's toys.</li>
<li>You have a flair for drama when you are upset - you've even perfected the "cry-so-hard-you-fall-backwards-into-a-heap-on-the-floor" approach. Mommy is not amused.</li>
<li>You are a tough little sister - daddy is pretty sure he saw you push your brother down the other day. Zach was not amused.</li>
<li>You still suck your thumb when going to sleep or if you've been crying.</li>
<li>You've been called the GTMB - Gap Toothed Mullet Baby. That name was your father's idea, and I am sorry. But to be fair, you DO have a mullet. </li>
</ul>You've endured a lot this year, sweetie - a big brother, a move to a new house, and all the bumps and bruises that come with learning to sit, crawl and walk. You've fallen off the bed more times than I'd like to admit, and been knocked over by busy dogs, but you've been tough. We can't wait for this coming year - letting you play outside and explore new places. Maybe you'll even grow some hair so people will stop referring to you as a boy! Regardless, you are our little girl, and we've loved the last year with you. Mommy's eyes are starting to recover from the blinding sting of all the pink you have brought into our world, and now I know it's just your way of helping us see the world through rose-colored glasses. :) We love you, Rebekah!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Mommy<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Eltjj27OHOpCojX_XuloCaRy4-LCN-wYkyspcUHM56AVfQ6oyt2PA2LPRbnVLLHu7N-peg76CluYs-CCjNughJb29UvoQp1QRJoThXEpex-5M8WoaHRxaFRhnaBF6ZEOIEYtfexgYqRn/s1600-h/n507079433_2079918_2409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Eltjj27OHOpCojX_XuloCaRy4-LCN-wYkyspcUHM56AVfQ6oyt2PA2LPRbnVLLHu7N-peg76CluYs-CCjNughJb29UvoQp1QRJoThXEpex-5M8WoaHRxaFRhnaBF6ZEOIEYtfexgYqRn/s320/n507079433_2079918_2409.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzgVql0-cwx3rd_Ku0AKlT5egfH8zKem-7ofA1BJknfiWGxoAJtM9XP6J_WeEZkbZlAtIE21YzIpwX7NEgTrNipCNLwQwoddhodzC2emXz7D8Knx1JO16sYv6LvgAiO4Iw01DK4MlkAIw/s1600-h/17964_299936134433_507079433_4452850_5839361_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzgVql0-cwx3rd_Ku0AKlT5egfH8zKem-7ofA1BJknfiWGxoAJtM9XP6J_WeEZkbZlAtIE21YzIpwX7NEgTrNipCNLwQwoddhodzC2emXz7D8Knx1JO16sYv6LvgAiO4Iw01DK4MlkAIw/s320/17964_299936134433_507079433_4452850_5839361_n.jpg" /></a></div>Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-60978399430532150642010-02-02T10:29:00.001-05:002010-02-02T10:50:31.789-05:00Your Third Year<i><b>"<span style="font-size: x-large;">son</span> (sun) n. 1. a collector of treasures and heroes 2. a source of found objects in laundry (e.g., rocks, twigs, etc.) 3. his father's pride and his mother's heart. SYN.-an adventure (ad ven'cher)" </b></i><br />
<br />
Dear Zachary,<br />
<br />
Today, you turn three years old. I can remember lying in bed when you were a baby, and telling your daddy that I can't picture what you would be like at three, or four, or five. We couldn't imagine you being that big. Well, time has passed (quickly!) and here you are - three years old. Some things haven't changed at all -- you still love your bear blanket, and you still call him "Bo" even though you have long since been able to say "bear". You still like to sleep on your tummy with your knees pulled up...you always look so comfortable! Socks and shoes are still an annoyance to you - usually viewed as a necessary evil so that you can go outside and play. But as soon as you are back in the house, shoes and socks are off! You even prefer to go barefoot in Sunday School...but we explained to you that shoes are generally expected on children at church, so you are obliging us for now.<br />
<br />
There are also many things that have changed for you in the last year. Only one day after turning two, you became a big brother. You have taken it all in stride. You hardly ever complained about your new little sister, and you were excited to help by getting diapers for us, or waking her up when it was time to eat or play. Even now, as your sister is more able to bother you, you handle it pretty well. There are times she gets on your last nerve, but usually, you are long suffering when it comes to your baby sister. You may not notice it now, but you are her hero! You can make Rebekah laugh more than I can, and one of her first words was "Zach". She looks for you in every room she is in, and watches almost everything you do. <br />
<br />
You have started to really talk a lot more in the last year, and we love to hear your thoughts. You have declared that when you grow up, you will drive a blue car, and you asked for a tree for your birthday, so you can cut it down like your Papa did. More talking also means more opinions, and we've had our fair share of power struggles in the last year...but even when you have driven your poor mother to the brink of madness, I can't help but thank the Lord for your passion and your strong-will. I know it will serve you well in life...as long as you learn how to control it and use it wisely. So we'll keep working on that! <br />
<br />
Zach, when you woke up this morning, we sang Happy Birthday to you, and you grinned from ear to ear. You also bounced all over our bed and insisted that daddy catch you when you jumped to him. It's impossible not to smile when you give us one of your grins, and we love to watch you burn all that boy energy you have each day. You are our first adventure into the world of parenting, and what a priceless adventure you are! <br />
<br />
This coming year - your fourth year - I hope you have countless reasons to throw your head back and laugh, that you spend many a moment completely dizzy from your daddy spinning you, that you play outside until you are dirty and the sun is going down, that you have lazy mornings where there is no reason to get out of your PJ's, that you find the courage to learn to swim this summer, that you still give hugs and kisses without complaint, that you learn more about how much Jesus loves you, and that you continue to grow and learn and love like you have this last year. <br />
<i><br />
"Cheerily, then, my little man, live and laugh, as boyhood can."</i><br />
<br />
Your are the best boy. <br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Mommy<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTxOtEVi5tkyVU906d36BG-HE6haCZijYo8bMxnmuOeDfEYP5aaxufn9TMEVzk_oVEd2DcfxFGlhW2WkoaAJ-4hxIgAaGG08I0Kpn1CZsWdP9CKm8cKCWAxXdTdPMrPQ2jKb3wbaBrZZE/s1600-h/IMG_3805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTxOtEVi5tkyVU906d36BG-HE6haCZijYo8bMxnmuOeDfEYP5aaxufn9TMEVzk_oVEd2DcfxFGlhW2WkoaAJ-4hxIgAaGG08I0Kpn1CZsWdP9CKm8cKCWAxXdTdPMrPQ2jKb3wbaBrZZE/s320/IMG_3805.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLGsFQPVOdj4LPdg-Xqm85xJAFQqWda6cJrjSYxWMtM83wo25kHylupViwH_63QgSzTrLyQnoU-QYh3trVnBj4O6swl5dEQUsCYYnn38ERVXU0HR09h-TRybBs2ZE8DIRA1r8uPL1Y-Kl/s1600-h/1st+birthday+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLGsFQPVOdj4LPdg-Xqm85xJAFQqWda6cJrjSYxWMtM83wo25kHylupViwH_63QgSzTrLyQnoU-QYh3trVnBj4O6swl5dEQUsCYYnn38ERVXU0HR09h-TRybBs2ZE8DIRA1r8uPL1Y-Kl/s320/1st+birthday+004.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPT3d3W-Zy1knkl9zZV7_oxYH9syEF_r7igHa-czIPBV33fNrlEoYP3-WjqPHd90phyphenhyphen5jEP7BvuE1eMT5iShjbt0DNyhrlNxzVWJnF0PB3mPPlB9mWv49vciXRZJPZCp6ahHIzTiOPgVDj/s1600-h/0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPT3d3W-Zy1knkl9zZV7_oxYH9syEF_r7igHa-czIPBV33fNrlEoYP3-WjqPHd90phyphenhyphen5jEP7BvuE1eMT5iShjbt0DNyhrlNxzVWJnF0PB3mPPlB9mWv49vciXRZJPZCp6ahHIzTiOPgVDj/s320/0018.jpg" width="264" /></a>Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-59121328229230270482010-01-26T14:49:00.000-05:002010-01-26T14:49:55.243-05:00The Craziest Time of the Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINo9u0QeN3KXF_Yp-Z9V09imCNj3Coa1HZt8z6dyxLWAiEU0YiCFfRwm9Fl1m_UUWMXWLPHpMqD7ztJPomFLf6i3fSEUBgwk6Z2NTHrPpzR4wlJHGUGe_KmyudBL3KlJvScKF8sIbsdmm/s1600-h/choosing-party-decorations1--balloons.s600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINo9u0QeN3KXF_Yp-Z9V09imCNj3Coa1HZt8z6dyxLWAiEU0YiCFfRwm9Fl1m_UUWMXWLPHpMqD7ztJPomFLf6i3fSEUBgwk6Z2NTHrPpzR4wlJHGUGe_KmyudBL3KlJvScKF8sIbsdmm/s320/choosing-party-decorations1--balloons.s600x600.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
Forget all the traditionally crazy times of the year...Christmas, summer vacation, back to school, etc. OUR craziest time of the year is the next week and a half. You see, on the 31st of this month, I will celebrate my 30th birthday. Not a huge deal in and of itself. Except that we will also be celebrating Zach's 3rd birthday two days later (Feb. 2), and Rebekah's 1st birthday the day after that (Feb. 3). That's right folks, three birthdays in 4 days! Thank goodness my husband's birthday isn't until the end of April!<br />
<br />
Soooo, portraits for the kids have been scheduled, outfits have been chosen, gifts are being discussed, joint birthday party is booked (they're 3 and 1 - they won't care if they have a joint party!), invitations are going out, plan for the cake is being considered, oh, and pediatric check-ups have been appointed. Sigh.<br />
<br />
So please forgive the lack of posts lately. I have been gearing up for this crazy time. The good news is that all this activity will mean plenty of pictures to share soon!Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-24498202042194730462010-01-15T23:11:00.000-05:002010-01-15T23:11:13.100-05:00Weekly Wrap-up!If you have ever read a TV Guide, there was a section in the front called "cheers and jeers". I always liked that section. I don't know if they still do that, because, well, what's the point of buying a TV Guide since the television and internet both tell me what is on now, and in the future? Anywho, I thought it would be fun to do a cheers and jeers re-cap of the week from my point of view:<br />
<br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cheers</b></span> to North Carolina temperatures finally getting back up into the 50s - where they belong.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jeers</b></span> to Pat Robertson and his incredibly cold comment about Haiti.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cheers</b></span> to GOP Senate candidate Scott Brown in Massachusetts - it would be too wonderful for words to end the Democrat's super majority by putting a conservative in Ted Kennedy's seat.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jeers</b></span> to Obama's proposal of charging a fee to the banks who took bailout money, and the back room deal with unions over healthcare.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cheers</b></span> to this <a href="http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2010/01/labor-of-love.html">blog post</a> over at Cake Wrecks - I couldn't help but laugh and be completely disturbed at the same time. NOTE: Not for little eyes :)</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jeers</b></span> to the obsession the toddler brain has with the word, "<i>No</i>".</li>
</ul><br />
That is all. Have a great weekend!Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-568891171608247572010-01-14T11:32:00.003-05:002010-01-14T11:40:06.900-05:00Real MotheringFor Christmas, I received the book, <i>12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know: Getting Back to Basics and Raising Happy Kids</i> by Michele Borba. I just started reading it this morning. It occurred to me that I could get some reading done while the kids play and watch their morning cartoons (Sid the Science Kid, Super Why, and Dinosaur Train). Hey, it's better than the torture of watching these cartoons over and over again. When you find yourself singing the theme song to Super Why at random times throughout the day, and you are even tapping your foot to it, it's time for an intervention! :)<br />
<br />
I'm not a speed reader like my sisters-in-law (who would have finished the book in the first 15 minutes of the first cartoon), so I have only read the first two chapters, but I thought I'd share some good points from the book with you.<br />
<br />
The author begins the book by talking about how mothering has changed in only one generation. How we are SO busy with every facet of our children's lives now. I don't remember the exact numbers, but there were 800 books on mothering published between 1970 and 2000....only 27 of those were published between 1970 and 1980. So obviously there has been an explosion of opinions and tactics for mothering recently.<br />
<br />
One section that really struck me was when the author went to the store to purchase a gift for a friend's new baby. She was overwhelmed at all the STUFF there was to choose from:<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>"Next aisle: magnetic numbers, memory games, phonic kits, electronic vocabulary programs, and gadgets galore to motivate your budding little genius. In fact, almost every product pledged to give your kid that all-important jump-start toward academic success. <b>Just when did mothering a baby or a toddler become so focused on achievement? What the heck happened to the days of sandboxes, blocks, and tree forts?</b>"</i><br />
</blockquote><br />
Isn't that the truth? I don't know about you, but I am constantly being told what I need to be doing with my kids and why it is imperative that they do it. I don't think this advice is intended to be harmful - quite the opposite. But I'd be lying if I said it hadn't left me second-guessing myself or feeling guilty over what I'm NOT doing.<br />
<br />
I have young children (almost 3 and 1), so there isn't a whole lot they can be involved in yet. But one issue that has been front and center lately is preschool. Most kids are going to preschool these days. I never planned on putting my kids in preschool. I don't think there is anything wrong with preschool, I just figured that since I am a full-time stay-at-home mom, it didn't make any sense to send them to school when I am <i>fairly sure</i> I have the level of knowledge needed to teach them at home. But the reaction I get from others seems to be that my children will suffer when they start Kindergarten - they won't be familiar with the structure of school, or be developed socially. So, I am haunted by images of my children as outcasts, or teachers telling me that my kids just aren't cutting it in school. As ridiculous as those thoughts may be, it does make me go back and question my thoughts on preschool. One thing that keeps coming to mind though is the fact that I only have 5 years of time with my kids at home. Five years. Do you know how quickly that goes?! After that, they are off to school and there is less time to be with them. So why not savor each moment now, why not teach them myself, why not spend more time just being little kids - exploring, discovering and loving? School will come soon enough...but there is a great tree in the backyard that needs to be climbed now!<br />
<br />
Again, I'm not knocking people who put their kids in preschool. It works for many people! But if it doesn't work for me, should I feel guilty about it? I don't think so.<br />
<br />
In this book, the author gave some stats on what has changed in family life in the last two decades:<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<blockquote><ul><li><i>Children's homework increased almost 50 percent.</i></li>
<li><i>Unstructured children's activities declined by 50 percent.</i></li>
<li><i>Family dinners decreased by 33 percent.</i></li>
<li><i>Family vacations decreased by 28 percent.</i></li>
<li><i>Children's free time decreased by 12 hours per week.</i></li>
<li><i>Playtime decreased by 3 hours per week.</i></li>
<li><i>Many school systems these days have abolished recess.</i></li>
</ul></blockquote><br />
When I read this list, it immediately gave me some tangible goals for my family:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>I want to make sure the kids have unstructured (and unhurried) play time every day.</li>
<li>Family dinners will be the rule - not the exception.</li>
<li>We need to have a family vacation every year.</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
I don't think these are hard goals to achieve...but I think there will always be <i>stuff</i> threatening them - trying to take up our time. So as mom, I need to be the gatekeeper and get rid of the <i>stuff</i> that is wasting our time.<br />
<br />
Angie, over at <a href="http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/">Bring The Rain</a>, wrote a post a few days ago about homeschooling her daughters. She was explaining why they do it, and that it doesn't always work for everyone. But she said that her motto when making decisions about her children was this: <i>"Love your God. Love your children intentionally and well."</i> I can't think of a better motto. I want to love my children intentionally. I want to have a plan behind my choices for them, and I want to be real with them. Achievement is not the #1 goal in mothering. Raising children who love God and do what is right is my goal. And anything that doesn't point my kids in that direction, well, it's just <i>stuff</i>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j2CC-qxDHX1ya7smbtQ4F4tZf24BXpnARhpefrB4xgInV8zk_l2KR6WWkXEXOdJEvgsjCGZhtCsbCQZ-VuHusY8r5N6nN45iIO7S9HSNxbLQj4tIYvzP0cem2nFAbmKk0xpQ5eFvHbM1/s1600-h/IMG_9048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j2CC-qxDHX1ya7smbtQ4F4tZf24BXpnARhpefrB4xgInV8zk_l2KR6WWkXEXOdJEvgsjCGZhtCsbCQZ-VuHusY8r5N6nN45iIO7S9HSNxbLQj4tIYvzP0cem2nFAbmKk0xpQ5eFvHbM1/s400/IMG_9048.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-82189635432637931092010-01-13T07:03:00.000-05:002010-01-13T07:03:53.940-05:00Wordless Wednesday...With Some Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0rF8bPBrKIkTPfG0Tgp9H8U1xwt8wH2bRU4pOQaL83afaojYFYvWqfsM6ckOgdEv1s1YRd-iUNhUUn3Brsxhf9pSNVrbYi6bf0b9iZo6bKvtgBJxuNVVPPPkCNoCQLxU3rTNo8uyF0qS/s1600-h/IMG_9047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0rF8bPBrKIkTPfG0Tgp9H8U1xwt8wH2bRU4pOQaL83afaojYFYvWqfsM6ckOgdEv1s1YRd-iUNhUUn3Brsxhf9pSNVrbYi6bf0b9iZo6bKvtgBJxuNVVPPPkCNoCQLxU3rTNo8uyF0qS/s400/IMG_9047.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dear Zachary,<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Normally, it is not considered good manners to raid the belongings of family members who are visiting for a few days.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nor is it gracious to then claim said belongings as your own.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you insist on doing this in the future, please, for the sake of your father, choose your Uncle's boots...not your Aunt's.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and they might be more comfortable on the correct feet.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love, Mom <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-70321543913058726552010-01-11T07:24:00.002-05:002010-01-11T07:26:19.700-05:00"Not Me" Monday!<center> <a href="http://www.mycharmingkids.net/"> <img src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/NotMeMondayButtonV6copy.jpg" width="”400”" /> </a></center> <br />
Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by <a href="http://www.mycharmingkids.net/">MckMama</a>. You can head over to <a href="http://www.mycharmingkids.net/">her blog</a> to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.<br />
<br />
I'll just say it...I am a perfect mother.<br />
<br />
I'm just being honest.<br />
<br />
So perfect, in fact, that I would never GIVE UP fighting my 11-month-old daughter's endless pursuit to TASTE all parts of the shopping cart. So far, I think she savors the carts at "the Wal-mart" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Jonathan, that is for you!)</span> most.<br />
<br />
As a perfect mother, I would never laugh hysterically at my husband while my almost-3-year-old son jumps on our bed completely naked, and keeps sitting his naked bum on my husband's pillow. That would be uncivilized and unrefined. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Even if he did just have a bath and had a squeaky clean bum!</span><br />
<br />
And finally, as any perfect mother knows, part of perfection is never being passive aggressive. So I would absolutely never decide to drive to Cracker Barrel and order a piece of their <a href="http://www.copykat.com/2009/02/06/cracker-barrel-coca-cola-cake-ii/">Coca-Cola Cake with ice cream</a> (by the way, <i>worth. every. last. mile.</i>) to-go, drive back home, and split it with my husband IN FRONT of our son, just so he would <i>really</i> regret not eating his dinner that night. I am not petty like that. I am perfect.Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-72089377967233164442010-01-10T14:46:00.000-05:002010-01-10T14:46:19.372-05:00Web Site Wonderful-nessI think it's fun every once in awhile to share a list of websites that are worth checking out. No specific theme to these, and no guarantee you'll like them too, but I like to take risks like that :)<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://freepeats.org/">Freepeats.org</a> :: Great site for getting baby, kid and maternity items for free from people in your area. The more people join, the more stuff there will be to get! <br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thepeoplescube.com/">The People's Cube</a> :: Great political humor site...and if you have to ask which side of the aisle it falls on, then you do not know me at ALL.</li>
<li><a href="http://simplysilhouettes.com/MFS_Site/index.html">My First Silhouette</a> :: Oh, how I wish this was available when I was pregnant with Zach or Rebekah! Such a cute idea, and really cool. If you can afford it, I swear this would be an AWESOME baby shower gift!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ecreamery.com/">eCreamery</a> :: And lastly, happiness -- if happiness is personalized, shipped-to-your-front-door ice cream! Custom labels, custom flavors (similar to Cold Stone Creamery). The best part is they are shipped in a container with dry ice...and that just seems fun to me :) </li>
</ul>Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156389638109301832.post-47100400549012038292010-01-10T14:28:00.001-05:002010-01-10T14:29:13.095-05:00Christmas, 2009We has a great Christmas! We spent it here at home in North Carolina, and my parents were out to celebrate with us. We continued our slightly strange, but delicious tradition of eating at P.F. Chang's on Christmas Eve...I mean, what says "Merry Christmas" more than crab won-tons and Chicken Lo Mein?!<br />
<br />
Sounds like a good 'ol southern family Christmas to me! LOL.<br />
<br />
We were interested to see how Rebekah would handle Christmas morning, because Zach was pretty overwhelmed on his 1st Christmas. He just sat amongst his pile of new belongings and stared, or played with each one for exactly 15 seconds, and then was distracted by something else. Rebekah, however, took it all in stride. She seemed to enjoy it. And by "it" I mean her new personalized chair. Take a look for yourself:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRutQf8K6xxcfibRwvOuFzhQeW2r7_PivphMHFyLItolGEkY2STJodwoCgli0OEz5ltHHyesvpvjgGZy9-__cLzgVTtK71Ci1MnX9KwbjD9vhdrwC7rZht3E2G3cmjczoYURWfJap5ubQ3/s1600-h/IMG_9029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRutQf8K6xxcfibRwvOuFzhQeW2r7_PivphMHFyLItolGEkY2STJodwoCgli0OEz5ltHHyesvpvjgGZy9-__cLzgVTtK71Ci1MnX9KwbjD9vhdrwC7rZht3E2G3cmjczoYURWfJap5ubQ3/s320/IMG_9029.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0psscoRft230VOIpNoNYCo3bkTdhIn8i3j4iS05nOwmlQRGwM7WBz00miKK3U3CG3JcBhm_x1ZSnVDOCWyJ-4MZ4fgr6lTZgMc7k9g51IFehyPdBqauHQpzGjtdInekmTZVQvmyu3lNnH/s1600-h/IMG_9012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0psscoRft230VOIpNoNYCo3bkTdhIn8i3j4iS05nOwmlQRGwM7WBz00miKK3U3CG3JcBhm_x1ZSnVDOCWyJ-4MZ4fgr6lTZgMc7k9g51IFehyPdBqauHQpzGjtdInekmTZVQvmyu3lNnH/s320/IMG_9012.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-syqLTZ7aerDaqAwyvXrONd_qrNZH_-59TY4GN6W8C7XctvTK3qEh7Ms6y2Hkis4_1pu7SUCOf2wVeu72TYuP8cLNYUjDsNfQM0wMKEMk5UgNLeS2HGCqFHGZ2fdl9i55zsRUt3mV0q-X/s1600-h/IMG_9009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-syqLTZ7aerDaqAwyvXrONd_qrNZH_-59TY4GN6W8C7XctvTK3qEh7Ms6y2Hkis4_1pu7SUCOf2wVeu72TYuP8cLNYUjDsNfQM0wMKEMk5UgNLeS2HGCqFHGZ2fdl9i55zsRUt3mV0q-X/s320/IMG_9009.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><br />
That was over the course of a couple of hours, but it lasted for days. She loves to perch herself up in her chair and watch everything else going on. She also enjoys standing up in her chair and falling off of it, head first. Doesn't sound fun to me, but who am I to judge?<br />
<br />
Zach got what he wanted for Christmas - a train table, and a rocket ship. He also got many other things that he loves, but those were the specific requests.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinmq6vIh16bcEqvlKnqAfj5EAZNVdIPPhgpVm9yBRx7I5PZhD0ry79tOvNuX-U70NgyYw-Lmiy7E5RmEhPCeUzewSd6F4D7sCTf8rYuXZBCPyEMWCDQsVhI_iIVpi_FempYTdOLnCMW8e/s1600-h/IMG_9020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinmq6vIh16bcEqvlKnqAfj5EAZNVdIPPhgpVm9yBRx7I5PZhD0ry79tOvNuX-U70NgyYw-Lmiy7E5RmEhPCeUzewSd6F4D7sCTf8rYuXZBCPyEMWCDQsVhI_iIVpi_FempYTdOLnCMW8e/s320/IMG_9020.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
As for me, I got a ton of cookbooks! I could cook a new dish every day for 20 years it seems. I could...not that I would! I just saw the movie "Julie and Julia", and honestly, it made me tired just watching her cook all those french recipes. So, we're eating cold pizza today :)<br />
<br />
It was a great Christmas, and truly so much fun to watch Zach get more excited about it this year, now that he's old enough. Nothing does your heart as much good as seeing things through the eyes of your kids - makes things new, exciting and special. Can't wait for next year!Jennifer Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865156600505664759noreply@blogger.com0