Archive - March, 2006

“jungle party tonight”

By on March 30, 2006 in Home, kiddos 55

Lydia performed beautifully tonight in her 2nd grade musical, “Jungle Party Tonight“. The kids dressed in tropical and khaki attire. Their music teacher is a sweet Christian lady that undoubtedly worked VERY hard with these kids. Their performance was excellent! There’s just something about seeing my kid on stage that makes my heart swell up so big! We were very proud of our petite, dynamo girl. She has been soooooo excited all week in anticipation of tonight. She was so nervous and excited that I was surprised she was able to eat her dinner.

I have a hard time taking decent pictures of the girls when they are on stage but I did get a few other snapshots to share with you. First I’ve got to list the names of the songs they sang tonight. The titles will give you some idea of just how cute it was. The kids danced and did all kinds of choreographed movements along with their singing. Too cute!

Pledge of Allegiance and song “America”

Jungle Party Tonight

The Crocodile Smile

Bloo the Kangaroo

The Caterpillar Song

Boa Constrictor

Ants in My Pants


Lydia poses outside her classroom with her Flat Stanley pictures that Rob and Sarah took. Lydia chose Rob to participate in her school project. Great letter Rob. I loved the pic of Stanley standing on Pikes Peak. Too funny!!!


Jessica had to swing by her classroom before we left.


Mom and Larry seemed to really enjoy the show!!!


Elaina and Anjelia had all the songs memorized from Lydia’s practice cd.

“A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.”

jury duty

By on March 27, 2006 in Home 30

I DID IT!!! I fulfilled my civic duty. I know. . I know. . it’s an honor. I’ve been called to jury duty three times now. The first time I actually served on a jury for a week. It was a civil case so it wasn’t exciting. I didn’t mind, though. Afterall, I got out of work and sat around the courthouse for a week. I was honored then. . .

My life is so different now. I have been completely stressed out about doing jury duty. It was a thrilling feeling to make it to downtown K by 7:30 this morning and find a parking space quickly and easily. Thank you Lord! It dawned on me while I was driving through icky traffic that one reason this whole thing was so upsetting to me is because I can’t think of a single weekday in eight years that I’ve gotten into the car first thing in the morning and drove off for the day, leaving children and household responsibility behind. It felt like “calling in” which I’ve always hated to do.

The day was much easier after arriving at the jury room. I sat from 8 AM until 2PM and read. Everytime they called names for panels every muscle in my body tensed up. My muscles are very sore now. Much to my relief, my name was never called and I was sent home with my 9 dollar check in hand. Thank you, Lord. I just knew I’d get picked and then WHAT would I do for childcare?

I was reminded today of how passionate I am about my job as stay-at-home mom. Many times in the past, I’ve daydreamed about getting into the car first thing in the morning and driving off. (I really hate the panicked– must run away feeling.) Today I was given the chance to do it and I just wanted to be home with my kids. I don’t care who pukes or how nasty my house feels or how many messes I have to clean up or how much fighting I have to referee, or how pulled I feel in four different directions by little girls wanting my undivided attention–I love being home with my kids!

Maybe today was a good reminder for me. Lest I get too carried away, evenings and weekends are different! James when are we going out again. . . ALONE?!!

I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.” Thomas Jefferson

good with coffee

By on March 25, 2006 in Home 18

Do you know what goes good with Percolations coffee? Ice cream!! Yum! Head on over and cool down at my cousin Kandis’ new blog, Tizzy Wizz! (Tizzy Wizz was an ice cream we grew up on at the local Holy Cow ice cream factory. I’ll let Kandi tell you all about it. I’ve already said too much!) Check out her fun retro blog!

Whatever coaxes us out of hiding, to write, record, and express, is a revolutionary act. It says that we believe our lives count: our lives do count.” SARK

family photo album

By on March 24, 2006 in family, Home 21

My mom’s side of the family is fairly large. My Grandma Vera had six daughters: Marlis, Marilyn, Nita, Linda, Kathryn and Kelli.


Marlis (brunette), Marilyn (top left), Nita (my mom, the little blonde), Linda (da baby)

The six daughters had sixteen children. The sixteen of us are having families of our own–eighteen children to date. We are all toothy and giggly and talkative (as you can tell from the blog conversations!)

I’ve recently received several pix of a few of our awesome children/grandchildren. You will no doubt be delighted by our angels!!


Here is a true doll baby. This is my cousin Scott’s little guy, Aiden. Aunt Kelli and Uncle Alex are his doting grandparents.


What a sweety!!! Baby Dimitri with Uncle Joe. My Uncle Joe and Aunt Kathryn are proud grandparents (I can’t remember your cute grandparent names). Dimitri is the son of my cousin Justin and his wife Kiki. I was very sad to have missed their Big, Fat, Greek wedding!


My cousin Kandis with her son Ian. Aunt Marlis is the proud, Grandma Tootsie.


Charmer James shows off his new birthday boots. James just celebrated his 5th birthday! He is my cousin Debbie’s third son! Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Gil are the proud grandparents!


Here’s Debbie and Steve’s three boybarians, Christian, Connor and James!!


Their sweet side shines through!

Thanks to everyone who sent me pictures!!

“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.”

Happy birthday Mary!

By on March 20, 2006 in Celebrations, friendship, Home 53


I adore pictures of cute old ladies! Here we are Mary! I can see us now!

In honor of my friend Mary’s birthday, I thought I’d give one of her favorite drinks a nod! As you know, I’m a proud coffee consumer. Mary has a more refined taste for Earl Grey tea. It’s always a pleasure to sit and share our favorite hot drinks together, especially when it involves a yummy dessert! Happy birthday, Mary!!! I hope you and Carl have a wonderful day together.


Mary and Carl.

In honor of your love for children’s literature, I give you this childhood poem.

TEA PARTY

I had a little tea party, this afternoon at three
Twas very small, three guests in all, I, Myself, and Me
Myself ate up the sandwhiches, while I drank up the tea
Twas also I who ate the pie and passed the cake to me!

We need to buy a cow. . .

By on March 14, 2006 in Home 143

We’re drinking a gallon of milk a day!


I wonder what the neighbors will think?

Who was the first guy that looked at a cow and said,” I think that I’ll drink whatever comes out of those things when I squeeze them?” Calvin & Hobbes

Happy Birthday, Mom!

By on March 12, 2006 in Celebrations, Home 25

March 13th is a great day made special by my mom’s birth! Thirteen is my favorite number. Despite it’s bad reputation, this number is special to James and I. God has redeemed this number for us! It’s popped up in our life too often to even consider it a coincidence. I am NOT superstitious, but I do believe it’s a number of promise for me and I have no doubt God purposefully chose the 13th to be the date of my mom’s birth. How fortunate for me! My mom is a great mom and a patient, loving grandma.

I love going out to Mom and Larry’s farm. I especially love to take pictures. There are so many interesting and pretty things to capture. *I thought in honor of Mom’s birthday I’d share a few pics from the farm.

*I apologize for the pixilated photos. They’re beautifully clear pictures but when I turn them into an animated gif it compromises the quality of my photos.

“God gave us memories that we might have roses in December.” ~J.M. Barrie

potty poopin’

By on March 9, 2006 in Home, kiddos 77

ANJELIA POOPED IN THE POTTY!!!! This is HUGE! We have not had one diaper free day in our home for eight years!

Could we be close to NO MORE DIAPERS?!! I wonder if I’ll mourn this passing? I think I’ll welcome it!

Diaper backward spells repaid. Think about it.” Marshall McLuhan

Mystique

By on March 3, 2006 in Home 87

This morning Karen and I dropped the kiddos off at Mother’s Day Out and headed for the DAV thrift store. I had a list of things to get done at home, but decided to shirk my responsibilities. When I know I am going to be getting away, it’s hard not to want to check out early!

I love the DAV thrift store. I bought five pair of cute capri pants for this spring and summer for just 20 bucks! Karen got a couple of bags of cute things. We had a great time laughing and acting stupid. Some of the clothes that I’ve found on the racks are just so funny that I have to try them on!! This tight leapordy outfit is a perfect example! The pics don’t do it justice. Everywhere I walked, I left a trail of sequens!!!!! The fitting room floor was covered.

Karen said I looked like Mystique from the X-men movies. I took it as a compliment! However, I know Mystique does not have a double chin!!! We should’ve taken more than one shot!


Here is my attempt to take a pic in the dressing room mirror!

We were supposed to be hip and wild and we were supposed to have this kind of mystique/edge thing.” Victoria Jackson

March 1st

By on March 1, 2006 in Home 36

It’s going to cool back down tomorrow, but today was almost sweaty! My very favorite people to be outside with on nice days are my kids. I have sooooo missed our walks, but I do not like to walk in cold or even chilly weather. This morning we did not even need jackets, so we excitedly hurried out for a morning around town! It’d been too long. I am so thankful to God and James that I get to spend my days with my girls.


Elaina LOVES bicycling!!!


We walked down the bike trail. It was so perfectly beautiful.


The city park was empty. Anjelia loved swinging again!


One of my very favorite things to do, too!!! Swing!!! I love the squeak of the chains and the way my tummy gets tickled. It felt so good to have a breeze blow through my hair!


Of course we got a little hungry and thirsty and had to stop by Sonic before heading back home.

It was a wonderful morning! I am looking forward to our many walks once the warm weather comes to stay.

Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have.”