tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227427102024-03-07T00:13:53.658-08:00deliciousdesignIf it's delicious, I love it!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-6506961040204749612009-07-25T15:42:00.000-07:002009-07-27T23:19:24.036-07:00Our nest is full<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXdS12iPVT0JDDJg784g_nBnBlASt2wAdh2R-8xPdGkDkDxPLkh3TFRUB1dthxqi8IM4Q9IHaPm5xEoL1ndoplPDRQcAyDRyJkZETKz-o0PKKfACL5vmNDyPk7j8rRs9nvJf6/s1600-h/IMG_5317.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363391605907162450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXdS12iPVT0JDDJg784g_nBnBlASt2wAdh2R-8xPdGkDkDxPLkh3TFRUB1dthxqi8IM4Q9IHaPm5xEoL1ndoplPDRQcAyDRyJkZETKz-o0PKKfACL5vmNDyPk7j8rRs9nvJf6/s400/IMG_5317.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Baby bird #4 has arrived and our little nest is blissful. I have to let you all in on a secret. I am sorry to say that I got all the special babies! Alright...I know you all feel the same way but truly I do feel so blessed to have such wonderful newborns. I just sit and stare at our new little (actually pretty giant 9 pound 20 inch) Warner. He is so sweet and really is a dream baby. He has lots of hair which is a new experience for our family and we all find ourselves "petting" his head all day long. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">This</span> is the dreamy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">babymoon</span> stage where he is so sleepy and a greedy little nurser and I just want to wrap us all in this cozy feeling and stay put. The big boys are feeling a bit cooped up since we haven't ventured far from home but they also love to cuddle their new little mascot. It brings tears to my eyes to see how grown up they are next to this little chicken and remember their own births and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">babyhoods</span> like yesterday. I am amazed at how content I am to wake up to little cries at the crack of darkness knowing this is likely our last. I keep thinking to myself, "There is nowhere I would rather be at this moment."</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-90987679772271182152009-07-15T22:30:00.000-07:002009-07-15T22:31:31.748-07:00Tomorrow...tomorrow...Tomorrow is the big day for the arrival of Baby Vu! Stay tuned for more info...Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-25381715520616323082009-06-23T14:14:00.000-07:002009-06-23T14:30:39.567-07:00The Countdown<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGHmB0iN_4HUMo1V7KhOUOxw5-CXh8TVyip0du6tAl1OP8Gaxwwk6vJaT2-dPyzGe98_gUb8wcB22cUH4A1lzMStHS_hkJAhK4l1irjRrQ0ulS3JxGtgUnnWlB6aAc2GoL28z/s1600-h/nest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350638222469366562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 111px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGHmB0iN_4HUMo1V7KhOUOxw5-CXh8TVyip0du6tAl1OP8Gaxwwk6vJaT2-dPyzGe98_gUb8wcB22cUH4A1lzMStHS_hkJAhK4l1irjRrQ0ulS3JxGtgUnnWlB6aAc2GoL28z/s320/nest.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">So I have had a few questions about Baby News and my answer is not yet...but very soon! We are scheduled for c-section delivery on or before July 16th. I haven't updated in FOREVER so for anyone who hasn't spoken or emailed or FB'd with me lately, it is for sure a boy. I have had many ultrasounds this time around and every time they tell me, "Yep, it is still a boy." I will definitely post photos when he arrives. He appears to have quite a bit of hair and they tell me he is going to be a whopper so this should be fun! Can't wait to meet our new baby bird.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">(Bird Nest by Keith Taylor)</span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-23864628619359493442009-05-10T09:09:00.001-07:002009-05-10T09:09:36.834-07:00Happy Mother's Day Cookie!<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4f5449304d7a49794d413d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play this Smilebox postcard: Happy Mother's Day!" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4f5449304d7a49794d413d3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=hallmark&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own postcard - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/postcards/?partner=hallmark" target="_blank">Make a Smilebox postcard</a></td></tr></table>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-23527801332416075502008-12-03T13:45:00.000-08:002008-12-03T14:05:07.579-08:00My Talented Friend<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpllgBVE1VdWn6W0VumE1-0QnIE2GaN_BUJDyzxuFx9PudLjPNCxuuI1M-lmS22InWnhav0jLKee3eF8Rcw8KsfLZP43NunV-xDp_phYVZVhPwcBDv3HOaZHri8mHntu6AoAv/s1600-h/December_giveaways.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275688074545089218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 219px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpllgBVE1VdWn6W0VumE1-0QnIE2GaN_BUJDyzxuFx9PudLjPNCxuuI1M-lmS22InWnhav0jLKee3eF8Rcw8KsfLZP43NunV-xDp_phYVZVhPwcBDv3HOaZHri8mHntu6AoAv/s320/December_giveaways.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I have so many of these that it seems unfair of me to highlight just one but I'm going to make a point of doing it more often so watch for your name on my humble blog! Today I have to draw your attention to my really amazing friend April who creates absolute delights for your fingers, necks, wrists and ears...and this from me-not really a huge jewelry girl! I guess what I love about April's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5046101"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SecondSister</span> </a>creations is that each one has a wonderful story that explains its unique inspiration and it makes me feel perfectly fanciful to wear the "Robin Fair Necklace" inspired by Emily <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Dickenson's</span> <em>A Bird Came Down </em>(my favorite poet, by the way). Who could resist? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So for you lucky readers and me too, April has great drawings on her <a href="http://suaviloquy.blogspot.com/">blog</a> on a regular basis for her items as well as other very talented artisans in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">webisphere</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">etsysphere</span> that you should really check out. I want to hear from you if you win because I am dying to be one of the lucky ones!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-52674673396657491452008-11-13T18:08:00.000-08:002008-11-14T15:01:59.761-08:00Blessings of Good Medicine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwKVtOVAXxH-1cuFdNVAZkMLlFuxDoIBP6Zf1ZeXTdiqdxIAUUQK2XzCcrzViUorjJYbSY7dw1IGYfpI1wfldjr-ujD3u7Ru4gX6ior8JC8b-0IEbqm_8uvXkGfyIgJeFsNkr/s1600-h/DSC05432.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268646167362097810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwKVtOVAXxH-1cuFdNVAZkMLlFuxDoIBP6Zf1ZeXTdiqdxIAUUQK2XzCcrzViUorjJYbSY7dw1IGYfpI1wfldjr-ujD3u7Ru4gX6ior8JC8b-0IEbqm_8uvXkGfyIgJeFsNkr/s320/DSC05432.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Does this <a href="http://localhost:50492/b2975e3abea27ff2adf8fffd35e938ec/image3849.jpg"></a>boy look like he was about to have surgery? The good thing is that he had no idea he was about to have double hernia surgery. Poor baby did great though. I am usually pretty emotional about situations like these but our funny, happy boy made it easy for me to relax and not worry too much. He waved and blew kisses to all the doctors and nurses and made Chubaka noises into his nitrous mask, so how could I fret? Everything went really well and even the next morning he woke up with a smile and then held on to his round tummy and said with a wince, "Bewy". I couldn't keep him down for long though. You wouldn't know it happened now. Kids are amazing and I guess I do owe some credit to our doc too.<br /><br />The Children's hospital here has a wonderful courtyard garden adjacent to the surgical waiting area that was so great. I can't believe I didn't take a picture of it. There were giant butterflies suspended above and amazing fountains and mosiac covered animals like frogs and birds-even giant bronze bugs attached to large boulders. The inspiration for the garden came from a young girl that was treated there for Leukemia and eventually passed away. The story was moving and made me of course grateful that we were there for a relatively minor procedure and also mindful of my husband's sister Cindy that passed away at age 12 also from Leukemia.<br /><br />Let's all count our blessings today.</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-13406445173512946972008-09-28T23:57:00.000-07:002008-09-29T00:06:49.842-07:00Do you Facebook?So I first learned about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Facebook</span> from my much younger hipper college girl sister over a year ago and I seriously took <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Facebook</span> for a silly single person format for showing your stuff to "potentials" if you know what I mean. Okay-so I have to admit and I know I am well behind the curve here but its really cool! I am beginning to neglect my family because I just found out how many friends I have! No really-its kind of fun and a little bit addicting and most surprisingly, kind of heartwarming to find friends I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">haven't</span>' seen or contacted for over 20 years! Am I really this old? I guess I am but the good news is that all those years come with a whole slew of friends that I can now find all in one place. Modern technology grows on me more every day! Can't wait to see your face...Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-31294335500108963142008-09-22T23:05:00.000-07:002008-09-22T23:10:37.649-07:00Not a rhetorical questionOkay, I know we all feel pretty overwhelmed a lot of the time but this is my genuine request for your input about your own time management. How do you all find the time to do it? To post on your blogs, to read blogs and comment? To keep on top of your laundry? To make a reasonably healthy meal for your family and occasionally and extra for a freind or neighbor in need? How about those days where your don't even manage a 5 minute prayer or perhaps a shower! I want to know the honest truth about what you think is okay to let slide a day or two and how you find a way to slip in the fun stuff. Please share...Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-75430776009833162962008-07-09T20:24:00.001-07:002008-07-09T20:24:47.958-07:00Happy Birthday Jill-I Blog because she is!<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d7a6b344d5445334f513d3d0d0a&campaign=blog_playback_link&blogview=true" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="303" alt="Click to play Happy Birthday!" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d7a6b344d5445334f513d3d0d0a.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=hallmark&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="46" alt="Create your own free ecard - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" width="386" /></a></td></tr><tr><td align="middle"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/ecards/?partner=hallmark" target="_blank">Make a Smilebox free ecard</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-40989676207841376972008-05-07T10:38:00.000-07:002008-05-07T10:55:26.848-07:00Look who's walking!Okay-I'm a little behind on this but...at the ripe old age of 17 months, Griffin is finally walking! It has been a few weeks now and the Frankenstein walk is getting smoother each day but it will be a long way to his "Dancing with the Stars" debut! It is so much fun to watch these babies grow up. His personality develops so much from day to day and I crack up all the time as his sense of humor is kicking in too. Max and Landry are just the very best brothers I could imagine and I love watching them teach Griff new tricks and take so much pride in his tiny accomplishments. Their achievements are so much more profound at this age and I swell with pride as they do wonderful things like earn academic honor awards (a HUGE accomplishment for Max!) and meet their reading goals-Landry just finished his first 100+ page book-quite a graduation from what he now calls "Kindergarten Books". The thing I realize more each day is that I am so blessed to be a part of their lives, a part of this growth. I'm sure they would grow up and be great with any mother, but I know I was chosen to be theirs. What a gift-to be so sure of that!<br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-4f83c071ec23dbf4 height=266 width=320 contentId="4f83c071ec23dbf4"></OBJECT>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-61202906561994321062008-04-19T10:30:00.000-07:002008-04-19T10:32:48.981-07:00This very moment<A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhI1Zg0MKHfMie5DmrfM9ZAgz13ilML2QtSGLl8jpDND3O5uJNL7-2FDT_z01wx9_PjfQFWJbYySnsALTmZ9kahNuAa0eA2VwJhoj7_DVHlQ8g5XVkmOUrlJea4M7B1ywepsn/s1600-h/DSC04638.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhI1Zg0MKHfMie5DmrfM9ZAgz13ilML2QtSGLl8jpDND3O5uJNL7-2FDT_z01wx9_PjfQFWJbYySnsALTmZ9kahNuAa0eA2VwJhoj7_DVHlQ8g5XVkmOUrlJea4M7B1ywepsn/s320/DSC04638.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' style='clear:both;float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;'></A> <br /><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt8J8xkDeQoVAGq_Cl-V4oKrzu38KbrGTtKisHXlMSjZ0fInv749HzTEX5p39pyl63BsFgYkxvERqv54C_7clNYl9kWyjucIxAoQXXPn6evHdwbM42J9nANgSR2aK5edy60IO/s1600-h/DSC04640.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt8J8xkDeQoVAGq_Cl-V4oKrzu38KbrGTtKisHXlMSjZ0fInv749HzTEX5p39pyl63BsFgYkxvERqv54C_7clNYl9kWyjucIxAoQXXPn6evHdwbM42J9nANgSR2aK5edy60IO/s320/DSC04640.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' style='clear:both;float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;'></A> <br />I really do like to blog. That probably sounds funny since I update so infrequently these days. I do have a life full of many blog-worthy events. I think that is the very reason I don't get to it. I have this trick that my mind plays on me that tells me that I can't blog because I would have to backtrack so far to catch up. Well, today I am done catching up. I'm just going to blog the moment and feel fine about that. I really don't have a huge blog audience to "feed" so this is just a record for myself and a few onlookers. I recently found out that my mom reads and comments on a friend's "Lost" blog but has never commented on mine. I guess my interesting isn't quite as interesting as Prime Time TV! Kidding Mom-just in case you are reading!<br /><br />Anyway-these photos are from an unusually gray California morning. This is one of my favorite scenes. I love that I have little readers. I also love that they sometimes choose reading over other activities. Now don't be fooled by the photos because today they are reading to earn computer time minute for minute. This is our house rule so the motivation may not be so pure at the moment but some of my favorite words are, "Mom, just one more page..." So Griffin is napping and the boys are reading and I am actually writing all about it-so how it that for "This very moment!"<br /><br />Too many times, I am catching up or running so fast that I can't remember what I did all day so today I am taking it all in. How about you?<div style='clear:both; text-align:RIGHT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-86779817302281081292008-02-04T10:56:00.000-08:002008-02-04T11:19:17.284-08:00Mission Accomplished!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZtd60WhvaAiIP24LdvVrA7RcVXiMHUAPlJWxpeYFXM7Akuf69wAHHgrOX4RFVHnVY_HnAgzCl8HRzuIxTUtlpGJ0GS4bLT7wfG00Cgshf-vmpnEVPvX0K6UYVoxodWTExvgB/s1600-h/DSC04318.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZtd60WhvaAiIP24LdvVrA7RcVXiMHUAPlJWxpeYFXM7Akuf69wAHHgrOX4RFVHnVY_HnAgzCl8HRzuIxTUtlpGJ0GS4bLT7wfG00Cgshf-vmpnEVPvX0K6UYVoxodWTExvgB/s320/DSC04318.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163201672806863234" /></a> After Project Freedom<br /><br />Thank you <a href="http://www.gardenviewcottage.blogspot.com/">Cara</a> for just the motivation I needed to free my office from the burden of one part heavy moving residue and one part overwhelming fear of tackling this project. Check her blog for a post about her office project-although I think hers was not quite the undertaking mine was! I now have a happy space where I can feel organized, be creative, find my important papers, and have space to walk. This room was the landing place for anything we didn't have a place for during our initial move in August and it has taken me this long to find the carpet again. So enjoy some before and after photos and watch for a few more photos in the next week of some projects I have completed and as a result of finding access to my sewing machine and craft supplies!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSVoGHixl-XwCoEgT_TZYpvF4m72-5TnH6Is3Jr5KOSMfiIuJV9BRUuEHc1snYzTSxtyXoaiNsC0J-NhNeXqFCQm9CBECHeP538H6x5HFKw7B7cEjZ7VQCWMSAMVm5ws6C-MS/s1600-h/DSC04269.JPG"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSVoGHixl-XwCoEgT_TZYpvF4m72-5TnH6Is3Jr5KOSMfiIuJV9BRUuEHc1snYzTSxtyXoaiNsC0J-NhNeXqFCQm9CBECHeP538H6x5HFKw7B7cEjZ7VQCWMSAMVm5ws6C-MS/s320/DSC04269.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163203386498814370" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo4ShpWErABm5b-DpCN5OeHve-Q0uAcZta57n6I9KeSJ38QCjbQ-K5waCVjbQSDhiRg-_ut-jECzTp7OBVHlQkBLIiKriajQo8MHoS7WzSoXMzy1tn248GM3tcILmczZ0CICg/s1600-h/DSC04319.JPG"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo4ShpWErABm5b-DpCN5OeHve-Q0uAcZta57n6I9KeSJ38QCjbQ-K5waCVjbQSDhiRg-_ut-jECzTp7OBVHlQkBLIiKriajQo8MHoS7WzSoXMzy1tn248GM3tcILmczZ0CICg/s320/DSC04319.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163203803110642098" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_056K9GxeB3Xjg0e8LRyFB9iIcjtYvI01KsGmQeAy5BDKU1OyJZ5FAeRjK7vPUkHXoFzlTIQmEvF5WB_lQFRCZUPwRYYBCW7hyphenhypheneCpi0b5JdlnL5a_jVTZP35cl2U0cbpOi4ip/s1600-h/DSC04266.JPG"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_056K9GxeB3Xjg0e8LRyFB9iIcjtYvI01KsGmQeAy5BDKU1OyJZ5FAeRjK7vPUkHXoFzlTIQmEvF5WB_lQFRCZUPwRYYBCW7hyphenhypheneCpi0b5JdlnL5a_jVTZP35cl2U0cbpOi4ip/s320/DSC04266.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163204168182862274" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4a6W8_KtBZ0bevPRaNDWDP_0Td9w4zMBGNHfkczDSXpV-6mARSQ7lD3TRA6cISiaGv5FO8V-EA9SlYJ2j7SCL80GQzx_vLJcWe00-YluEJ1z-fZdGtZoA92UgFTSgDj79vhTx/s1600-h/DSC04320.JPG"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4a6W8_KtBZ0bevPRaNDWDP_0Td9w4zMBGNHfkczDSXpV-6mARSQ7lD3TRA6cISiaGv5FO8V-EA9SlYJ2j7SCL80GQzx_vLJcWe00-YluEJ1z-fZdGtZoA92UgFTSgDj79vhTx/s320/DSC04320.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163204516075213266" /></a>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-30074525451318379372008-01-21T19:02:00.000-08:002008-01-22T14:47:32.983-08:00Blessings #1, 2, and three<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3haxbqJaQ0V4FQRT3dcTtxiu25vm3bqKyYHNz4HB5_p3lc7AJH356P9_E9xjvhON6hAq8louCAryF13uLmawx4gvoMYEJJ2XvhvuiNBSxvzIR-AyM5T_vMalypaYyU5xk8Gh/s1600-h/DSC04284.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3haxbqJaQ0V4FQRT3dcTtxiu25vm3bqKyYHNz4HB5_p3lc7AJH356P9_E9xjvhON6hAq8louCAryF13uLmawx4gvoMYEJJ2XvhvuiNBSxvzIR-AyM5T_vMalypaYyU5xk8Gh/s320/DSC04284.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158432705741949922" /></a>Here I am approaching the 4th week of January so I need to catch up on my commitment to <a href="http://gardenviewcottage.blogspot.com/2007/12/last-day-of-year.html">Cara's 52 Blessings Project</a>. I loved this idea and even though I may cheat and blog a few at a time since I have a hard time keeping up with a weekly post, I feel so blessed and I need to take this opportunity to formally recognize them. Today I recognize three of my blessings that bring me the greatest joy. <br /><br />First, my husband Mike, for his endless patience, for his love and commitment to me and our family, for his hard working nature and his absolute integrity, for his playful and sensitive sides, for his goofiness, for his borderline OCD (hee hee!), and even for his stubbornness.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfg32Rdcj3qCDytLp3-w3lWpBkWQbBGoHXOCY-gU4uMaqSGmMcMom7ZVNAcaWyOBMhJFxQuo5f-oPwCzyLzOjjIUJnMyiiBY7aMlJyEvKLTcNU6PzDrzxn2KPUKV5Uex8TAse/s1600-h/DSC04278.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfg32Rdcj3qCDytLp3-w3lWpBkWQbBGoHXOCY-gU4uMaqSGmMcMom7ZVNAcaWyOBMhJFxQuo5f-oPwCzyLzOjjIUJnMyiiBY7aMlJyEvKLTcNU6PzDrzxn2KPUKV5Uex8TAse/s320/DSC04278.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158433066519202802" /></a><br /><br />Second-which I am reserving the right to further break down and expound upon individually at a later date-my children. McCall, Landry and Griffin are my favorite Dance Dance Revolution teammates, partners in crime, snuggling buddies, milk guzzlers, cookie dough bandits, homework conquerors, bike riding rodeo champs, ripstick shredders, boogie board diehards, and yet, the centers of the tenderest places in my heart. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhieqova8O_HuEnaiuq23B3grRy19fwDh3eHYpNPcc4Qg_vLsTZojGfbn5TJhErVQX7StD1a9GsMLON7n0_bQ0QZ65sXY_YrUGvyWWek9h10H5Fnok4TcoeCBvxc_o24MiHbb/s1600-h/DSC04274.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhieqova8O_HuEnaiuq23B3grRy19fwDh3eHYpNPcc4Qg_vLsTZojGfbn5TJhErVQX7StD1a9GsMLON7n0_bQ0QZ65sXY_YrUGvyWWek9h10H5Fnok4TcoeCBvxc_o24MiHbb/s320/DSC04274.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158433792368675842" /></a><br /><br />Third-I have been experiencing a peace and happiness that I can't explain since our family has moved back to California. California is my blessing #3. The constant sunshine energizes my whole being and beach calms my heart and soul and sharing that with my children-any day of the week is a gift for us all. I am a happier person in California.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-27776697015003749042008-01-08T15:01:00.000-08:002008-01-08T15:20:33.566-08:00Project Freedom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76slXU40yIYtPNX5Yk_LqIi7T96YqtuAgi8XUuzUwzuHw6WZoBD2WbKqTzssZuyFCAQVP22KMQppWYEfxC2tgboh1SiwH8J42F-fuwrT14FwMeQSRvXVPtLIBWbEdwSwX8sBI/s1600-h/DSC04269.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76slXU40yIYtPNX5Yk_LqIi7T96YqtuAgi8XUuzUwzuHw6WZoBD2WbKqTzssZuyFCAQVP22KMQppWYEfxC2tgboh1SiwH8J42F-fuwrT14FwMeQSRvXVPtLIBWbEdwSwX8sBI/s320/DSC04269.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153249139777178514" /></a><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0h81XdOaQL2G5b9g-3k71BdkaJ1vl8-lb9bgnQ1l6xVhvCHaC8Eq8G0R73vHz6jUGFnAXMQkM54x2tJQKtu1_biCErLdGGYb8xJku0y9bZz3Z57Q3NFjMEaPhjFAvdN7QXeVP/s1600-h/DSC04265.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0h81XdOaQL2G5b9g-3k71BdkaJ1vl8-lb9bgnQ1l6xVhvCHaC8Eq8G0R73vHz6jUGFnAXMQkM54x2tJQKtu1_biCErLdGGYb8xJku0y9bZz3Z57Q3NFjMEaPhjFAvdN7QXeVP/s400/DSC04265.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br />Welcome to Project Freedom! I am not free because all of my favorite things to do are trapped in this very messy office. We moved into this house in August and this is the very best this room has looked since we moved here. You can see my problem. Unfortunately, I am one of those people that gets overwhelmed with the size of a project at the outset and I throw my hands in the air and give up. We have downsized considerably in square footage in this new house so this room has become the proverbial "dumping ground". It is the home for computer equipment, sewing machines and supplies, craft supplies, office supplies, and gift wrap supplies. Oh yeah and books, and books, and books...notice how you don't see any in the photo! That is because they are all packed tightly in many boxes underneath the tables running the full length of one wall. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZri40Ly_H5ctfDhMI3Dd-a-hGpgtZWqDqYrPtBZC12CcsT9iOxHpAt_8G2Zl7W3yDRvGFsBdV7bhr4eYeBaJE_YIqUZYdG0aQkuoRwt4kNy9mSfxeOx_M9ASJHQQhq4_YGNSp/s1600-h/DSC04266.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZri40Ly_H5ctfDhMI3Dd-a-hGpgtZWqDqYrPtBZC12CcsT9iOxHpAt_8G2Zl7W3yDRvGFsBdV7bhr4eYeBaJE_YIqUZYdG0aQkuoRwt4kNy9mSfxeOx_M9ASJHQQhq4_YGNSp/s320/DSC04266.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153247249991568258" /></a><br /><br />So today I was on the phone with my longtime friend Cara of <a href="http://gardenviewcottage.blogspot.com">Garden View Cottage </a>(hee hee Cara!) and we were both lamenting the state of our respective offices. So we came up with a plan to keep each other accountable to provide motivation to get this job done and free ourselves of the burden of mess! I want to free my creativity, free my supplies for creativity, and find peace in this place I usually love to be. Cara's committment to organizing with me was just the motivation I needed so we were thinking that others out there may need "freedom" (and motivation) too. Won't you join us in our mission to find our desktops? Leave a comment and email your photos if it helps you get your groove on! Don't forget to include any great tips you have for ways to organize a space for its best accessibility and convenience-not to mention making a space like this pleasing to be in. Check back for updates on our progress...Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-57128424225033890342007-12-31T11:21:00.000-08:002007-12-31T16:43:41.558-08:00A December to Remember<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HjYTAVuFNB0fIcbVdbTzWBeuRmyVtYxk8M1qE4gz5AWLHWUEZX2bP_-BVW_yl5laW3F6ioAVCOdq4twnHOmxjkEt13fku-Q1y188P7InvMjJPxB-Vy9vVO_xtliiQzBXNxZj/s1600-h/DSC04154.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150302139377093458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HjYTAVuFNB0fIcbVdbTzWBeuRmyVtYxk8M1qE4gz5AWLHWUEZX2bP_-BVW_yl5laW3F6ioAVCOdq4twnHOmxjkEt13fku-Q1y188P7InvMjJPxB-Vy9vVO_xtliiQzBXNxZj/s320/DSC04154.JPG" border="0" /></a>This December has been one of the nicest I can remember. I should have blogged more often to share the love but I have accepted my limits on time management and I have embraced my ability to update once a month. If I do more I will be thrilled but 2008 is going to be about releasing myself from outside (and self-imposed) pressures to do it all and really enjoying and doing well the smaller list of high priority items. I made a real effort this year to keep Christmas simple and I was very pleased with my increased level of calm and enjoyment of the holiday season. I also noticed a reflection of my state of mind in my family. I think we all had a great time and appreciated being together so much more than years past.<br /><br />One of the best things about this year was our change of address. Living in California again has been such a blessing for our family for so many reasons. We have spent so much more time with long time friends and family and I feel almost like we have "returned to the fold"! I think we enjoyed our time in Ohio but I now realize how much we missed by living so far away. We have also been so blessed to make new friends quickly and enjoy new traditions in our new community.<br /><div></div><br /><div>The elementary school that our kids attend is outstanding! We have been really happy with the quality of their education and amazed at the heartwarming family atmosphere created within the school community through a wide variety of events and activities. One of the best yet was a special visit from Santa during a morning flag salute assembly. The school sponsored a food drive that would benefit Camp Pendelton Marine Corps families. Santa arrived in a giant camouflaged vehicle with a group of Marines in uniform to pick up four pallets of donated food. Several classes had prepared special musical performances of holiday music and patriotic songs. This video is of some of the kids singing and signing "Proud to be an American" and I'm certain that there was not a dry eye in the group by the time the song ended. It was a great reminder of personal sacrifice and patriotism (my own feelings about this war aside).<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzYO5CqyBjc_Un3kTkZWbpG4zydXJ-q7MKTtH8zffBKWD-KJCzYWW8NlKVM_4rN3u_qqivq0fPt6Lg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />***What were your December highlights?***<br /><br />***Did you do anything different to better appreciate the spirit of the season this year?***</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-18761053779299024342007-11-29T11:33:00.000-08:002007-11-29T12:03:22.804-08:00Does the bickering ever end?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQBvE9tXKpuwZzJW98P7AY3-0vbrRV0WseZJi-c_aBf0bT7ln-TDino7EPxhkOguetd4g-ywWmSvQLu4vN5oqD7By6AvOIJ-msjZdtwiKf6bdGD_fd1xgPB-8lhZBksd3S3tR/s1600-h/gloves_everlast_youth_boxing_gloves_a83033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQBvE9tXKpuwZzJW98P7AY3-0vbrRV0WseZJi-c_aBf0bT7ln-TDino7EPxhkOguetd4g-ywWmSvQLu4vN5oqD7By6AvOIJ-msjZdtwiKf6bdGD_fd1xgPB-8lhZBksd3S3tR/s400/gloves_everlast_youth_boxing_gloves_a83033.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138354785560788882" /></a><br />I am endlessly seeking a way to end the ceaseless bickering that goes on between my sons. If you have children of any age able to communicate verbally, I am certain that you know my pain. I cracked up recently at two specific ridiculous arguments between the boys. One happened on the way home from the airport after the boys had returned from a week-long visit to their dad's house in Utah. They were recounting all of their adventures of the past week but mysteriously neither one of them could agree or support the other about 75% of the details. If one said they went ice skating downtown the other insisted it was in Park City-you get the idea. After about 10 minutes of this I finally asked, "Hey guys, did you guys have any fun at all or did you just argue the whole time?" Amazingly, this incited another war of yeah we did argue-no we didn't-yeah we did... Unbelievable-arguing about whether or not they argue!<br /><br />So the next one was even funnier. I wish I could even remember what started this conversation but it was about something that had happened at school. McCall has reached a point where I am constantly taken aback by his surprising wit and mental ability which does often lead him to produce a convincing argument based purely on his view of the world and with some disregard for fact at all. Oddly, this can sometimes be confusing for adults because he does make you think about the strangest things. He also has learned that calling an idea an "opinion" can excuse any actual need to support it with fact. So one of his favorite methods for weaseling out of a situation where he has said too much is by saying, "Well, that's just my opinion." While I can't remember the "thing" he was disputing yesterday, the conversation to a point where McCall said very calmly (even though the entire point of his discussion was to rile his brother) "Well, that's just my opinion." Landry had had enough of his arrogance and said right back to him, "Well, your opinion makes my opinion mad!"<br /><br />I think I may have a future debate team on my hands!<br /><br />So, I have to know...<br />Do your kids duke it out daily?<br />Are you prone to a verbal battle?<br />Does conflict cause you to shut down? (I'm a serious avoider.)<br />Do you have any great methods for putting out these "fires" and creating peace in your home? (Landry prays daily no to fight with his brother...McCall doesn't.)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-73425632751565666982007-11-06T08:10:00.000-08:002007-11-06T09:36:08.980-08:00So Grateful<a href="http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1099443737031356773cGSMxT"><img src="http://thumb13.webshots.net/s/thumb4/4/37/37/99443737cGSMxT_th.jpg" alt="1st day of SoCal wildfires #9"></a><br />I was reminded today by a good friend that I need to let everyone know that our family and home was safe from recent southern CA wildfires. Yes, we are safe in spite of a few scary days of recommended evacuation. I am ever so grateful as the news keep showing neighborhoods in ruins and families with nothing left. The thing I am impressed by is the constant message that these people are just so grateful to be alive and have their loved ones with them. I think we all believe that we would feel the same way in the face of complete devastation of all of our precious worldly possessions but I don't think we can really understand how it truly must feel. I try so hard not to be materialistic but I can't help but feel a sincere pang of sadness when I think of the possibility of losing many of my beloved belongings that have become sentimental items and have so many precious memories attached.<br /><br />I was so moved by one story shared by a friend at church. She had read a story in the newspaper about a husband and wife in Rancho Bernardo (which was incidentally an area where we almost bought a home) who were trapped in their swimming pool for 3 hours while their home burned as they watched. Several years prior the man had lost his mother and had become very bitter and angry over the loss. Before her death she had written a note to him in the front page of a book including the words, "I will always be your guardian angel...". After the fire while sorting through the ashes the man found this one page with singed edges. He was completely changed by this and finally found peace with the loss of his mother and the loss of their family home. <br /><br />I remember the feeling as we packed up one car full of kids and photos and journals and not much else and I walked through the house thinking to myself, I really do have everything that is really important. It took us 4 hours to get to a nearby city to stay the night with friends and the part of the fires that was close to our community was contained before we even reached our destination. I didn't have to fear that our home would be gone when we returned but this experience has changed me and really made me so grateful.<br /><br />Here are some practical things for you to think about:<br /><br />* Are you prepared with your 72-kit for each of your family members? (I had not updated to include baby Griffin's needs and had to rush around to make sure that I had diapers, baby food, etc.)<br /><br />* Do you have your albums, journals, family history, etc. in a central location that you could grab quickly in the event of a swift departure? (I did not and had to spend a long time running around the house gathering)<br /><br />* Do you have a plan for a location for your family to gather out of town? (We did not but my mom helped with a quick solution and a few phone calls.)<br /><br />* Have you ever spoken to your children about natural disasters and how they affect communities and what will happen in the event one occurs in your community? (Thanks to recent disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, we have been given ample opportunity to discuss this sort of thing at dinner and while watching news so our children understood what it meant when I said, "Get your backpack and pack your special things." By the way-I cracked up at what they chose: Pinewood Derby trophies, a coconut sent by mail to them at Grandma and Grandpa's while Mike and I were in HI, tattered "Bones"-McCall's beloved stuffed puppy, and pictures of our dead dog Jackson were just a few.)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-55575640584678018152007-09-10T10:08:00.001-07:002007-09-10T11:05:31.528-07:00Summer Hiatus is Over<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4wTBgNTr4pXyCQ-OvI6nvw-qKVFhbMCcsqR-2eUT48K3dZoNSSQlRoLqiCgUPxuKIbDG5WpNheyLsy_FuEQupL6tgwF8TsBuk_iv0lfgVZwHBfVNehZWprWvgZZUTxgQMiaU/s1600-h/Griffin+Sits+Up+157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4wTBgNTr4pXyCQ-OvI6nvw-qKVFhbMCcsqR-2eUT48K3dZoNSSQlRoLqiCgUPxuKIbDG5WpNheyLsy_FuEQupL6tgwF8TsBuk_iv0lfgVZwHBfVNehZWprWvgZZUTxgQMiaU/s400/Griffin+Sits+Up+157.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108637724644066946" /></a><br />Okay-so those of you who know me will understand why I had to take a summer blog hiatus. Our summer was full of moving and road trips and really, an unbelievable amount of stress which I will not labor over. I am feeling totally drained in so many ways and I realized I need to refill my creativity bucket. This is the best way I can manage at the moment since all of my toys are still in boxes. So I hope I can draw back some of my online support group by getting some regular posts going. <br /><br />First-I am loving California! So for all of my complaining about the getting here part I have to say that soon I will surrender myself to the admission that it was all worth it. Yes-I am holding back a bit since we are still dealing with the moving company and a major insurance claim (oh yeah-I wasn't going to labor over the stressful stuff!).<br /><br />We are all now at home together in north San Diego County and getting very comfortable here. I have always been a California girl at heart even though officially as of last year I had lived equal parts of my life in and out of California. Now I can get back to being a true native! I really do feel energized by being here and things are falling into place very nicely. Our home has worked out perfectly and I really adore our new neighborhood and community, school, church ward, etc. I even love doing errands here since this community was planned so well and really flows very nicely as far as the lay of the land goes. I have even found a friend at church to do a weekly morning swap with our littles so we can squeeze in a morning out sans babies.<br /><br />We just returned from a weekend at my parents home in northern CA (another benefit of moving back here-being able to get there any time!) to listen to my sister's homecoming talk. She just returned from an <a href="http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/">LDS Mission</a> in Berlin, Germany and she is doing great. I love the energy and excitement of a newly returned missionary and she was just bubbling over with passion for her love for serving others and her love of and commitment to serving the Savior. I'm so grateful that my children have had the experience of hearing first hand from her about the joys of her service and I am grateful for being constantly reminded of my own mission service and how happy that continues to make me feel.<br /><br />So now for my moment to confess that I lately I am in a personal slump. I think this summer has taken a lot out of me. I have been trying to really focus on keeping it all in perspective and being so grateful for the wonderful and amazing life that our family has but truthfully I am feeling a bit of an identity crisis. I know it sounds cliche and that we all experience it. Here is my question to you-what do you do to maintain "you"? How do I manage all of my roles of mom, tutor, housekeeper, friend, etc. and still feel like a person of individual value? Is this just the eternal question we each ask daily? And I guess the bigger question is, am I selfish for feeling a lack? My husband seems puzzled by this idea that anything can be missing from my apparently very full life-which it is. Get vulnerable with me and share you thoughts!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-10869793660972458602007-07-17T09:14:00.000-07:002007-07-17T10:32:14.562-07:00We live in California!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMpxW2j7cdrrO5zsoM_dlG4DbUy45-ZcBGUHSPz1jkohiC3qCrCK_ygsDRmyKFi-wdB5mzbDV3X-qEd2m6eEKL7r9OaRpkoi3pDeGV3WzOeTDh0sQvuT8JzkKC_QJ7coiceC3/s1600-h/DSC03379.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMpxW2j7cdrrO5zsoM_dlG4DbUy45-ZcBGUHSPz1jkohiC3qCrCK_ygsDRmyKFi-wdB5mzbDV3X-qEd2m6eEKL7r9OaRpkoi3pDeGV3WzOeTDh0sQvuT8JzkKC_QJ7coiceC3/s400/DSC03379.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088219669913140706" /></a><br />Well-sort of! Right now our family is split between two cities in CA and most of us are camping out at Grandma and Grandpa's house and we still have one house in Ohio and one in Utah-anyone want to move? Mike and I always try to do things the hard way. But the good news is that the weather is great, we are all seeing each other every weekend or so and we get to hang out with my parents who in spite of our very energetic children, still seem to enjoy our company. <br /><br />I've said it before and it has to be said again, I hate moving. I am constantly reminding my children not to use the "h-word" but it is just so fitting in this case. we're trying to talk my parents into moving to the San Diego area so that we'll never have to move again. <br /><br />I am happy to be here and even though we are still not (and probably won't be for awhile) completely settled. I have rekindled a few of my cherished old friendships and spent some quality time with my parents who we have missed terribly being so far away. I love to walk around or drive around and think "we live here!"Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-2463576525945374172007-06-27T19:02:00.000-07:002007-06-29T08:41:42.245-07:00Moving Countdown...Part OneI knew I was in for trouble when early this year I declared my word for the year to be "FLEXIBLE". I think now my husband and children and maybe even some unsuspecting strangers may consider a change of my wishful-thinking-word to "GRUMPY". I really am trying to be a good sport but I honestly don't think I can find too many people to disagree with me that moving is beyond stressful. I know many of you feel my pain so I won't go on and on but I am up to my eyeballs in my least favorite kinds of details that need attention.<br /><br />Part one of our move begins at 6:00 AM on Monday when I head to the airport to board a flight with 3 small children (one of them a nursing baby) for about 8 hours of travel time. I am locking up my house to be moved later and have arranged for about 1000 people to help me with the details of caring for, securing, and selling this home-hopefully very soon-while we are away. The good news is that we are headed for Cookie and Poppie's house to increase the adult to child ratio a bit. It will be wonderful to have more hands and we are all excited for the 'extended sleepover', as Jill so kindly puts it! My parents are excited now but we'll see how they feel on day 16 or 26 or... yikes! Hopefully Part Two of the actual move into a house in San Diego before school starts will begin soon. Mike and our realtor are working hard to make that happen.<br /><br />We have been trying to do all of our "last time in Cleveland" things and we had one blissful evening of an unexpected last that was truly delightful. One of the most exciting things about living in a place with summertime humidity of nearly 80% is the magical appearance of fireflies at dusk. My boys were out in our lush green backyard playing in the trees and I heard squeals of joy as the flickers started to appear. It is a sad fact for fireflies but joyous to children that the poor creatures can't fly very fast and are easily caught and swiftly placed in canning jars. It is kind of an amazing thing to watch a jar of bugs turn into a summertime lantern and just something you don't get to do in sunny California. I was grateful for this last and pleased to know that this is something sweet my children will remember about our years in Ohio.<br /><br />I long for the days when life seems more stable and permanent but in spite of all this madness I am still excited about the next adventure. I am so looking forward to some time at my childhood home with my own children and my parents especially after my mom's extended illness this year throughout her breast cancer treatment. She is finally feeling herself a lot of the time again and so looking forward to the arrival of "her boys"! It will be good medicine for all of us. (It's funny, every time I have typed the word "good" during this post I have accidentally typed "god"...there must be a message for me in that.)<br /><br />I will post regularly again soon. Have laptop, will travel and blog!<br /><br />*Any great secret tips on nursing a baby in public? I'm not so great at it and had a tough time when Griff and I visited Mike in CA in April! Please share!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-5077365637529040832007-05-29T21:34:00.000-07:002007-05-29T21:57:33.436-07:00Life is too short.I have been completely overwhelmed by a million tiny details and mundane tasks these past few weeks. I have been scattered and impatient and cranky and mean to my kids and quite honestly a major complainer to my truly wonderful and supportive husband. <br /><br />Until Sunday.<br /><br />At church our Bishop made a very somber announcement that a family in our ward had lost their 7-year old grandson in Alaska over the weekend when he accidentally drowned. None of the details were shared but you could hear a collective gasp from the congregation and my heart ached for this family I had never met or known and in a flash ached for many families I have known and known of over the years of my life that have experienced heart breaking tragedy. Tears started to roll down my face for this particular loss and also because I knew in my very core that I have got to stop letting the craziness of my life consume me and that I must acknowledge that our life here on Earth may be very short. <br /><br />I gave my children on my lap and on both sides of me a squeeze and I vowed to slow down, if only in my head, and appreciate. Just appreciate. I am ashamed of the fact that someone elses tragedy is once again my personal lesson in introspection. I wonder if we ever feel that we are "doing alright". <br /><br /><em>***Is it a testament of perfect humility to recognize our constant lack or to work so diligently that we don't have time to notice?*** </em>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-30894578799076302012007-04-03T20:44:00.000-07:002007-04-03T21:50:32.752-07:00April Fool's Day!<div style='text-align:center'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQeZgAl3DxunG332WFLBzUpAkP3KlWuHeZpmlaLjq6cN2C1Vzm3Fq3j23jANydlVaSp4faaoFpsm4mqugh15t7dB9XiEHeRbYEHS8Ma4gmiBM81YPocqs5YMTuFdiF6a3plls/s1600-h/DSC02824%5B1%5D.jpg'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQeZgAl3DxunG332WFLBzUpAkP3KlWuHeZpmlaLjq6cN2C1Vzm3Fq3j23jANydlVaSp4faaoFpsm4mqugh15t7dB9XiEHeRbYEHS8Ma4gmiBM81YPocqs5YMTuFdiF6a3plls/s400/DSC02824%5B1%5D.jpg' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div><br />Okay-so every year I am always trying to come up with a great April Fool's Day joke and nothing ever seems good enough to really pull off. Well, this year was too perfect! I was really trying to come up with something good for Mike since he was getting ready to go to CA on Monday. He was so busy packing and taking care of a million things at the house to get it realtor-ready that something told me he might not appreciate a joke about me being pregnant or deciding that I really wished I were a man. <br /><br />So about mid-day I shifted my devious focus to my kids who are really just now entering the age when they can be just gullible enough and yet enjoy the humor of a great joke. So while we were eating dinner I told them (with no warning to Mike) that we had been looking at houses in San Diego and they were really expensive (that part sadly, is true) so we were planning to buy a house in Mexico instead. I really had them going as I told them about how we would get a tutor for our family to help us learn Spenish and that we might even be able to get a donkey. Landry flat out said, "I'm just not going." (This is not surprising since he is the kid that orders a hamburger when we eat at a mexican restaurant.) I even told them that they would get to eat beans and rice at la cafeteria en la escuela. They were not impressed and McCall looked visibly uncomfortable. <br /><br />So I could see that they had really taken the bait so I finally said that the only bummer was that Mexico didn't celebrate one holiday that we have in the US-April Fool's Day of course! It really was so funny because they thought we were just nuts and Mike jumped right in and really played it up. Poor kids. I crack myself up!<br /><br />I actually think I am just getting punchy since I am a little crazed at being single mommy again for the next 3 months while Mike heads out to start his new job in CA. I'm in charge of getting and keeping the house tip top to sell and our next home might need to be a double-wide since homes in San Diego are apparently wallpapered in 24 kt gold. Anybody with friends or family in San Diego County please email because we need help choosing a neighborhood. <br /><br />Don't get me wrong-I am really excited to be getting back to sunny CA but just absorbing a lot of shock right now. It is a good thing that Griffin is the perfect (albeit giant 95%ile everything) baby. He is the most amazing, sweet natured, adorable, all-night sleeping little creature ever! We are all so happy to have him. He helps me to keep perspective andwatching McCall and Landry dote on him just melts my heart. Mike is dying at being away so we are already sending pictures several times a day and we'll get the webcam going soon.<br /><br />I'm still breathing and taking the opportunity to exercise my "flexibility" each day!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-23734455426223681872007-03-05T07:52:00.000-08:002007-03-05T08:00:23.192-08:00Griffin's First Laugh-Here's the video!<embed src="http://static.videoegg.com/videoegg/loader.swf" FlashVars="bgColor=FFFFFF&file=http://download.videoegg.com/gid328/cid1096/DQ/SJ/1173109371Yn4k62eflNnTzhfhiri5_high.flv&autoPlay=false&forcePlay=false&logo=&allowFullscreen=true&allowFlash9Fullscreen=true" quality="high" allowScriptAccess="always" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" scale="noscale" wmode="window" width="320" height="260" name="VE_Player" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embedJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-23792737043276581262007-02-28T07:50:00.000-08:002007-02-28T07:54:11.258-08:00Cookie Gets the First Laugh!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-4kN8nFFlEFrNuDaxD-v4jX1_fdn0bbIv-YSYq28JDrgLjKkn2eMhCu-6Jr6osyVDKjxRR7Wed1QvREef1GBfRqIVPykpyjkIIYUa4Um8SPShyq9xzqrQVkHHJetaZbrrXyU/s1600-h/MOV02703.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-4kN8nFFlEFrNuDaxD-v4jX1_fdn0bbIv-YSYq28JDrgLjKkn2eMhCu-6Jr6osyVDKjxRR7Wed1QvREef1GBfRqIVPykpyjkIIYUa4Um8SPShyq9xzqrQVkHHJetaZbrrXyU/s400/MOV02703.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">(This is a video clip-I'm still trying to get it to play for you so keep checking!)</div><br />I just returned from taking Griffin for his first visit to Cookie and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Poppie's</span> house in California. He has been smiling like crazy and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">seemed</span> just about to laugh before we left. It turns out he must have been saving it for my cute bald mom because he gave it up just for her. She was of course delighted and it was just the sweetest moment. Cookie (Gwen) has just finished up her chemo and although you can't tell from the video, her hair is even starting to grow back. She has a little fuzz but Griffin doesn't seem to have too much more than her so far. He was a perfect baby sleeping for 95% of our 12 total hours of flying time. He received special acclaim by airline employees and travellers alike! My sister Katie joined us in CA so it was a really nice weekend. I left the big boys and Mike at home to go to work and school-Boo. They will surely be with us next time. It was just so nice to be able to see my mom and know that she is doing much better. She will begin radiation in a few weeks and should be done with her treatment by summer. That will be just in time for some exciting changes for us (I am being "flexible"!) since <span style="color:#ff6600;">WE ARE MOVING TO CALIFORNIA</span>! Mike just accepted a position in San Diego and will be starting in April. He'll commute between OH and CA until June to fulfill a consulting contract he has here and help to get the house sold. The big boys will finish out the school year and we hope to be moving by June/July. The cross country move makes my stomach turn but we have done it before and can do it again. At least we will be hiring movers this time! I can't wait for the sunshine and can't wait to see some of you a lot more often. I'll keep you posted and post more photos of the trip soon. <div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22742710.post-88424287397795584642007-02-20T20:10:00.000-08:002007-02-20T20:34:46.310-08:00My "Word" for 2007<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVv6J_JkI3vE-L6G9UrLcYOMLIGchz8wpmfZqGVeUwYz4xPsPcXk2xiGN0rQOgSsoNLX-UtLToammcbIhkuQhlmTdf0B7xa7EQvz85jAjvN-xIZO2hEQt6L1ooI1hCBkch6Xa/s1600-h/bird.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033840410158641442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVv6J_JkI3vE-L6G9UrLcYOMLIGchz8wpmfZqGVeUwYz4xPsPcXk2xiGN0rQOgSsoNLX-UtLToammcbIhkuQhlmTdf0B7xa7EQvz85jAjvN-xIZO2hEQt6L1ooI1hCBkch6Xa/s400/bird.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So, I am sad to admit I have become more of a lurker of late than a blog <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">participator,</span> but I haven't stopped thinking about all of your sparks of inspiration that really make me think-- in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">absence</span> of actual writing. I have especially been thinking about my word for the year and in light of recent events which I will elaborate on soon, my word for the year is "flexible" --well, really it is "be flexible". A newborn is re-teaching me the "go with the flow" required by his presence in our lives, my big boys' ever increasing scheduling requirements (not to mention their need for my attention) are testing my Franklin Planning skills, my husband's need for my support in many ways is nearly sending me to Dr. Phil, the demands of church and school <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">responsibilities</span> are pushing me to the brink of saying an occasional "no", and a mother and grandmother needing much love, support and daily phone calls are squeezing the very most out of my maximum capacity 19 hour days (not that I would trade it for anything). I know we are all in the same proverbial boat and I so appreciate reading about your lives to know that I am not alone in my daily quest for balance and hopefully progress. I think I have the beginnings of flexibility but control of my personal existence is pretty important to me and I am about to begin a course certain to involve some spinning. The prize I have my eye on is a mastery (or at least a decent appearance) of breathing in between calm recitations of my mantra "it is all going to be okay". So, here I go. Today I will bend in several different directions and my goal is to flex back to center at the end of it. Then tomorrow I can start again.</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141690456269371750noreply@blogger.com4