We've had a wonderful day today (and it is only 4:00!). Matty and the kiddos made DELICIOUS pancakes with fresh strawberries, raspberries, and whipped cream to top them. Those were accompanied by a latte, bacon, and eggs. Yummmmm. It was a feast!
I napped off my pancakes while Noah napped; then we all took to our bikes and rode all over the arboretum and campus for nearly two hours. Now we're home and planning what we're going to grill tonight for dinner. Oh, and last night's dinner is worth a mention! M took me and Noah (Abby was at a b-day party) out for an awesome sushi/sashimi/nigiri dinner. Raw Ahi tuna is possibly my favorite food in the world at the moment. I'd have it for dinner again tonight if I could!
I hope all the moms out there are having as great a day. Most of all, I hope you all get to enjoy your kids, even if they are whining or saying "no" to absolutely everything you say to them.
May 10, 2009
April 29, 2009
housing
Matty is a champion husband! He found us a wonderful condo super close to downtown Princeton. We will have 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and an awesome loft space! This means we will have room for guests!! We are thrilled about having a place to call home when we arrive in early July.
April 24, 2009
Edenic, isn't it?
Matthew is home from a trip to Princeton to search for housing. It was a beautiful, frustrating, fun, lonely, fast trip, full of DELICIOUS FOOD and amazing sights--but we're still not sure where we will live. He searched all day for three days and put in one application for a condo near work (which is across the street from the university). We're waiting to hear back about that. If we get it, we will be glad to have an address and something of a plan. If we don't get it, we'll keep searching and hope something works out before July.
In the meantime, we are excited at how pretty the area is. Check out the other pics Matty took! It will make you want to come for a visit!!!
In the meantime, we are excited at how pretty the area is. Check out the other pics Matty took! It will make you want to come for a visit!!!
April 19, 2009
Picnic Day!
Guest post by Matthew:
Today we took the kids to Picnic Day while G's mom was in town visiting. While the girls were watching the wiener dog races, Noah and I went to the exhibit at the campus fire department, which included a medivac helicopter on the lawn. The little guy was in hog heaven. He got to sit in the driver's seat of a bunch of fire trucks, from a vintage 1929 ladder truck to a modern rescue truck. But the highlight, of course, was the chopper. He got to sit in the cockpit and see it up close, and he was happy to let me snap a few photos of him next to it. In this picture he's crouching down because he copies me when I crouch down to take his picture. He had a blast watching it take off a few minutes after this was taken. We sat on the curb just a few feet away as it took off, and as the prop wash blew his hair back, I think his ears were touching behind his head, but he had on the biggest grin I've ever seen (which may have been the wind too, but he sure seemed excited). It was a fun day, but we're exhausted, and I leave at 6am to go look for a place to live in Princeton. Wish me luck!
Today we took the kids to Picnic Day while G's mom was in town visiting. While the girls were watching the wiener dog races, Noah and I went to the exhibit at the campus fire department, which included a medivac helicopter on the lawn. The little guy was in hog heaven. He got to sit in the driver's seat of a bunch of fire trucks, from a vintage 1929 ladder truck to a modern rescue truck. But the highlight, of course, was the chopper. He got to sit in the cockpit and see it up close, and he was happy to let me snap a few photos of him next to it. In this picture he's crouching down because he copies me when I crouch down to take his picture. He had a blast watching it take off a few minutes after this was taken. We sat on the curb just a few feet away as it took off, and as the prop wash blew his hair back, I think his ears were touching behind his head, but he had on the biggest grin I've ever seen (which may have been the wind too, but he sure seemed excited). It was a fun day, but we're exhausted, and I leave at 6am to go look for a place to live in Princeton. Wish me luck!
April 11, 2009
Happy Birthday BEAN!
He is sleeping at the moment--nap time following an awesome outing with daddy to the Farmer's Market (and, more importantly, the "mee-go"). Abby and mommy got the presents and the apartment all set for his small party. The bus theme is made more delightful after Matthew had Noah's face painted at the market!! Noah is thrilled about the bus, and will point it out to anyone who notices!
I'll write again after we party it up with the TWO YEAR OLD!!
I'll write again after we party it up with the TWO YEAR OLD!!
April 7, 2009
abby's diamond quilt (top)
I've finally finished sewing the tops of two quilts I started a year ago! This one is Abby's "diamond quilt," which will fit a queen sized bed, no problem. She loves it and I'm looking forward to quilting it for her so that she can finally use it!!
Next, if you check out my flickr pictures, you'll see the top of the "Bananas" quilt Melanie and I started last spring break! That one too needs a backing and then quilting (and it will fit a queen or maybe a king), but I figure I'll need something to do in the cold east coast winter time!
I LOVE both of these quilts! YAHOO!
Next, if you check out my flickr pictures, you'll see the top of the "Bananas" quilt Melanie and I started last spring break! That one too needs a backing and then quilting (and it will fit a queen or maybe a king), but I figure I'll need something to do in the cold east coast winter time!
I LOVE both of these quilts! YAHOO!
coffee bean
he likes to mix the sugar and cream into the coffee... problem is, he also likes to drink the coffee.
eeeew.
eeeew.
April 1, 2009
news!
We have job news, at last! Matthew has taken a wonderful job with a firm in Princeton, NJ. The firm is run by its founders, two renowned Princeton economics professors. The work will be exciting and we are all looking forward to a big move to an entirely new place! Abby is most excited about living an hour from NYC; we plan to take her to see the statue of Liberty before the summer is over. She comments often on the height of telephone poles and buildings, saying--the buildings in New York are WAY higher than that, right? I cannot wait to see her face when she sees just how tall they are! If we can convince her to do it, I think a trip to the top of the empire state building might be in order.
As for me, I am SO proud of Matthew! I think this will be great for him. I'm also very thankful that God has carried us through months of waiting and stress.
My plan when we get to NJ is to stay at home and to help make the transition a smooth one. I also hope to have some time to soul search and decide on my own academic direction. As it stands, I can finish my work from wherever we go--I'm done with everything but the dissertation, and I'm pretty sure Princeton's library will have the books I need to finish the job!
Maybe Matthew will make a guest blog appearance and fill you in more, but here's the bottom line:
*we have a great job in a super cool city!!!!!!
*Matthew graduates (and walks in the ceremony) on June 11th here in Davis. Anyone wanting to be here for that is welcome to come! We will have a Memphis style BBQ to celebrate this huge accomplishment. Our apartment will be filled to capacity, so make lodging arrangements :)
*We will move on or before June 30th with stops through St. Louis, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, DC, and finally "home" to Princeton--that feels so strange to say!
SO cheer with me for Matty P. for landing an incredible job in the worst economy! He is my rock star! Hip hip HOORAY!!!!!!!! Hip hip HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, go MATTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As for me, I am SO proud of Matthew! I think this will be great for him. I'm also very thankful that God has carried us through months of waiting and stress.
My plan when we get to NJ is to stay at home and to help make the transition a smooth one. I also hope to have some time to soul search and decide on my own academic direction. As it stands, I can finish my work from wherever we go--I'm done with everything but the dissertation, and I'm pretty sure Princeton's library will have the books I need to finish the job!
Maybe Matthew will make a guest blog appearance and fill you in more, but here's the bottom line:
*we have a great job in a super cool city!!!!!!
*Matthew graduates (and walks in the ceremony) on June 11th here in Davis. Anyone wanting to be here for that is welcome to come! We will have a Memphis style BBQ to celebrate this huge accomplishment. Our apartment will be filled to capacity, so make lodging arrangements :)
*We will move on or before June 30th with stops through St. Louis, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, DC, and finally "home" to Princeton--that feels so strange to say!
SO cheer with me for Matty P. for landing an incredible job in the worst economy! He is my rock star! Hip hip HOORAY!!!!!!!! Hip hip HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, go MATTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 23, 2009
friends
The Maynors came to Davis for a visit! The last time they were here was 3 years ago, when Grayson (turning 4) was a year younger than Noah is now! This trip was "supposed to be" a great time to celebrate our new job, to finish the quilts we started last year in St. Louis, and to be out and about as much as possible... But it was better than that, in ways we wouldn't have chosen or expected. We're still waiting to figure out the job situation; Noah and Lillian had fevers almost the whole time; Bean's nose ran (and ran and ran and ran); the daddys worked on fixing cars; and the fabric was looked at longingly from time to time...
What DID happen, and what we wouldn't give up for the "perfect" vacation: we loved each other in a very real life kind of way. We ordered more take out, took more naps, and prayed together in our weakness. It felt good to be loved for the mess we are :)
There was ladybug catching, car patching, smoothie chugging, laundry lugging, mess making, cookie baking, chair swirling, hair curling, singing, hugging, laughing, loving, bathing, reading, dancing, cheering, little-boy-spat interfering, merry-go-rounding, fire-truck sounding, tooting, hooting, wii-game rooting, pizza, thai food, striped noodles, coffee, pancakes, dishes? OODLES! Happy hellos, sad goodbyes, and hopes to do this all again, these are the things that make us LIVE, these, the things that make us friends.
Favorite quotes from the weekend:
Grayson: Noah, what did you do?
Noah: oot ! (Noah's word for "toot") *now imagine them repeating this conversation more than 100 times in 4 days.
Abby (talking about Matthew and Peter): Those two are great together!
We miss you guys already.
What DID happen, and what we wouldn't give up for the "perfect" vacation: we loved each other in a very real life kind of way. We ordered more take out, took more naps, and prayed together in our weakness. It felt good to be loved for the mess we are :)
There was ladybug catching, car patching, smoothie chugging, laundry lugging, mess making, cookie baking, chair swirling, hair curling, singing, hugging, laughing, loving, bathing, reading, dancing, cheering, little-boy-spat interfering, merry-go-rounding, fire-truck sounding, tooting, hooting, wii-game rooting, pizza, thai food, striped noodles, coffee, pancakes, dishes? OODLES! Happy hellos, sad goodbyes, and hopes to do this all again, these are the things that make us LIVE, these, the things that make us friends.
Favorite quotes from the weekend:
Grayson: Noah, what did you do?
Noah: oot ! (Noah's word for "toot") *now imagine them repeating this conversation more than 100 times in 4 days.
Abby (talking about Matthew and Peter): Those two are great together!
We miss you guys already.
March 17, 2009
Greener than a Green Thing's Green Bits
I get that saying from Bronwyn--my most wordish friend. You can have fun with it: "Noah, your feet are stinkier than a stinky thing's stinky bits" (etc.) Abbs had a great time greening up for school today. There was NO way she was going to get pinched.
March 11, 2009
"Mee-go!"
Hang in there with us...we hope we will have job news soon! In the meantime, check out the Bean on his favorite merry-go-round! He calls it the "mee-go" (hands swirling to get his point across). His animal of choice? The horse.
It was "pig day" at the Farmer's market on Saturday. See the flickr pics for one of Noah petting a (stinky) piglet! I am SO glad we are not pig farmers.
It was "pig day" at the Farmer's market on Saturday. See the flickr pics for one of Noah petting a (stinky) piglet! I am SO glad we are not pig farmers.
March 6, 2009
TOOTH! Or, lack thereof.
Her smile will never look the same. That row of perfect little baby chicklets has a noticeable and sizable GAP now! You should see the girl eat a banana; the bite pattern leaves a big notch where she is missing her top tooth. Oh and she can't whistle anymore (I don't know why, exactly, but she thinks this is the case. I don't think she could really whistle before the tooth was missing). Her cute S's are even more cute because you can see her little tongue working to make the sound :)
After she got the tooth out (a major process--it was several weeks of daily reporting on the state of the tooth, the struggle with eating and with making her tongue sore from fussing with the tooth, etc.) she said: "Momma, look how wiggly my tooth is!" As she pointed to the NEXT tooth over. I told her that other tooth had better stay put for a while! We can't take another month of daily tooth drama! That next sucker is NOT very wiggly, so we are encouraging her to leave it be lest she be unable to bite things until she turns 8.
But isn't she a cutie?
After she got the tooth out (a major process--it was several weeks of daily reporting on the state of the tooth, the struggle with eating and with making her tongue sore from fussing with the tooth, etc.) she said: "Momma, look how wiggly my tooth is!" As she pointed to the NEXT tooth over. I told her that other tooth had better stay put for a while! We can't take another month of daily tooth drama! That next sucker is NOT very wiggly, so we are encouraging her to leave it be lest she be unable to bite things until she turns 8.
But isn't she a cutie?
sweet nap
My boys are tuckered out. It is rare that Noah will sleep outside of of his crib--he is too distracted or excited by other venues (and having people around) to get shut eye without the safe enclosure of crib bars and his trusty bear, "Boo."
This day, however, we spent time romping at the Farmer's Market, the library, and a stop at the post office. Noah was pooped. Apparently, Matty was too! Bean was asleep in the car by the time we got home and remained asleep!!!! (for the first time in over a year, for sure) as daddy carried him in the house! So Matty took the opportunity to get snuggles from the little guy. They used to sleep like this all the time in Bean's early days. Daddy's chest was the BEST spot in the house! I'd argue that it still is :) I'm so glad I have pictures of the two of them just like this at different stages. Look how our Noah Bean has grown!
These are moments I treasure deeply.
This day, however, we spent time romping at the Farmer's Market, the library, and a stop at the post office. Noah was pooped. Apparently, Matty was too! Bean was asleep in the car by the time we got home and remained asleep!!!! (for the first time in over a year, for sure) as daddy carried him in the house! So Matty took the opportunity to get snuggles from the little guy. They used to sleep like this all the time in Bean's early days. Daddy's chest was the BEST spot in the house! I'd argue that it still is :) I'm so glad I have pictures of the two of them just like this at different stages. Look how our Noah Bean has grown!
These are moments I treasure deeply.
March 3, 2009
how sweet
Long days of waiting.
Don't we all know how these are? Well, no matter if you are waiting for Spring, for a job, for a proposal, for healing, for a tooth to come out, for a paycheck to come in, for a baby to come home, for glory...you are not alone. We humans are so often obsessed with the future, with what will come? When will it be here? When will I know?
DEEP BREATHS. My seven year old (yes, SEVEN YEARS!) reminds me of how sweet it is to delight in the simple pleasures all around us, despite the looming doubts and uncertainties. On a walk the other day, she picked this little bundle of flowers for me. She was so happy to be able to give me something beautiful. Little does she know how much beauty she brings to our lives every day!
Last week, Abby handed me a white sheet of paper, rolled up diploma style. She said it was for my graduation. I unrolled my diploma and read (between stars and exclamation points drawn in crayon): "You have finished the level of kindness!!!!!!"
I got my degree in KINDNESS?! The people who know me are chuckling... But really, this funny little piece of paper signifies more achievement than my master's diploma (which is still sitting in a file in the registrar's office, waiting to be picked up after three years...). I value my MA. I value getting a PhD. But when I think about the deepest treasures we have, I think of people I love, not things I've done. Between Abby's gestures like picking wildflowers and making precious declarations that I'm "the best mommy in the world" and Matthew is "the best daddy" and Noah is "the best brother", I think--does it get any better than this?
So, as we wait through times of disappointment, angst, and testing on the job market, we have this sweet girl seeking out the things we overlook, the things all around us that cry out: "You are loved! You are provided for SO well! Do not worry about tomorrow!" And those things challenge the disappointment and the doubts. We have it SO good.
I'll write in soon about the results of the job search. We hope we'll have resolution in the next 2 weeks or so. But in the meantime, know that the Pearsons4 are more than just "hanging in there"--we are being tended to day by day, by a good God who knows us, who loves us, and who provides faithfully all that we need (and even some things we want!). Yeah, we have tears and we have the regular moments of joy and of dashed hopes, but we have each other. And we are being reminded that life is bigger than this job market.
Don't we all know how these are? Well, no matter if you are waiting for Spring, for a job, for a proposal, for healing, for a tooth to come out, for a paycheck to come in, for a baby to come home, for glory...you are not alone. We humans are so often obsessed with the future, with what will come? When will it be here? When will I know?
DEEP BREATHS. My seven year old (yes, SEVEN YEARS!) reminds me of how sweet it is to delight in the simple pleasures all around us, despite the looming doubts and uncertainties. On a walk the other day, she picked this little bundle of flowers for me. She was so happy to be able to give me something beautiful. Little does she know how much beauty she brings to our lives every day!
Last week, Abby handed me a white sheet of paper, rolled up diploma style. She said it was for my graduation. I unrolled my diploma and read (between stars and exclamation points drawn in crayon): "You have finished the level of kindness!!!!!!"
I got my degree in KINDNESS?! The people who know me are chuckling... But really, this funny little piece of paper signifies more achievement than my master's diploma (which is still sitting in a file in the registrar's office, waiting to be picked up after three years...). I value my MA. I value getting a PhD. But when I think about the deepest treasures we have, I think of people I love, not things I've done. Between Abby's gestures like picking wildflowers and making precious declarations that I'm "the best mommy in the world" and Matthew is "the best daddy" and Noah is "the best brother", I think--does it get any better than this?
So, as we wait through times of disappointment, angst, and testing on the job market, we have this sweet girl seeking out the things we overlook, the things all around us that cry out: "You are loved! You are provided for SO well! Do not worry about tomorrow!" And those things challenge the disappointment and the doubts. We have it SO good.
I'll write in soon about the results of the job search. We hope we'll have resolution in the next 2 weeks or so. But in the meantime, know that the Pearsons4 are more than just "hanging in there"--we are being tended to day by day, by a good God who knows us, who loves us, and who provides faithfully all that we need (and even some things we want!). Yeah, we have tears and we have the regular moments of joy and of dashed hopes, but we have each other. And we are being reminded that life is bigger than this job market.
February 24, 2009
we're still here
The Pearsons 4 are still here. We're still on the job market and will have updates soon. Suffice it to say that things are busy around here! As it has been an emotionally exhausting experience, I've avoided blogging. Sometimes the public forum seems too public, and I wonder how much to say and not say as we go through the ups and downs of looking for a job! Twice I've attempted to post and had blogger dump me off and lose my post. Oh well.
If you have specific questions, email me. We will emerge from under this rock soon and shed some light on the situation! Just as soon as we know what is going on ourselves!
If you have specific questions, email me. We will emerge from under this rock soon and shed some light on the situation! Just as soon as we know what is going on ourselves!
January 21, 2009
the moment
We watched the presidential inauguration this morning, live. Abby watched at school. I tried to get Noah's American flag sweater on him for the picture, but he has had a fever for a couple of days and just wasn't in the mood to be gussied up. So, here he is in his little dog PJs looking on with mom and dad as Obama becomes president. I LOVED the quartet with Yo Yo Ma and Itzak Pearlman. Noah enjoyed it for a couple of minutes, then asked his daddy to play a you tube video of "Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round." It was a real morning--kiddo with a fever, hubby getting ready for the day, me making coffee then sitting on the floor with Noah. It was also a momentous and history changing morning. Funny how we can experience both the momentous and the mundane simultaneously.
January 20, 2009
A Moo-ving experience
We got to see this tiny cow be born tonight! Matty and Noah saw the hoofs sticking out, but the momma cow was taking too long, so they went home and Abbs and I stayed behind to see the rest of the birth. With a little help --a strong and smooth pull--from one of the guys who works at the cow barn, out came a little moo cow. And then came the questions! Why can't the baby stay with the momma (a practice of dairy barns)? Did you hear the momma moo? Was it owie to have the baby? Was it owie to have me and Noah? Is the baby OK? When will it get to nurse?
Then the cow guy got to talking to another onlooker about artificial insemination and how they can tell when the cows are "ready" to be inseminated...this included details about bulls jumping on cows (mounting), cows jumping on cows, etc. and Abby's eyes were large as she asked me:
A: Why would the bulls do that?
G: Uh, that's how they make baby cows.
A: That's so mean!
G: Well, they aren't mean to each other, and besides, there aren't any bulls at this dairy barn.
A: I'm so glad I'm not a cow that gets jumped on.
Oh boy. There weren't any more specific questions, so I let it go. I guess cows might end up being her entry into the birds and the bees talk one day. That is so Davis, California. I forget sometimes that we live in Dairy central. Anyway, it was super cool to see a calf born. I kept feeling sorry for the momma cow. Even the way she waddled around and the way her little eyes seemed so say "I'm tired" seemed familiar. Sigh. For Abby, the evening just made her more sensitive to the fact that we eat animals. She has started to feel very sad lately about eating chickens, pigs, and cows. She cried the other night about a joke I made regarding rabbit stew. She could NOT believe people would eat a bunny. It was a big scene. Matthew was laughing, making Abby indignant, but it was nearly impossible not to laugh--she was so passionate and upset! It reminded me of myself when I was her age. One time my mom had purchased a mouse trap to catch a mouse we had in the house. This is no joke: I made two large posters--one for me and one for my little sister-- and we picketed my mom outside our house. The signs read "Rights for Mice!" "Mice have lives too! Mice have rights!" Apparently it was kind of embarrassing for my mom.
Anyway, I'm just hoping that Abby doesn't become a vegetarian anytime soon. That would make meal planning a challenge.
Then the cow guy got to talking to another onlooker about artificial insemination and how they can tell when the cows are "ready" to be inseminated...this included details about bulls jumping on cows (mounting), cows jumping on cows, etc. and Abby's eyes were large as she asked me:
A: Why would the bulls do that?
G: Uh, that's how they make baby cows.
A: That's so mean!
G: Well, they aren't mean to each other, and besides, there aren't any bulls at this dairy barn.
A: I'm so glad I'm not a cow that gets jumped on.
Oh boy. There weren't any more specific questions, so I let it go. I guess cows might end up being her entry into the birds and the bees talk one day. That is so Davis, California. I forget sometimes that we live in Dairy central. Anyway, it was super cool to see a calf born. I kept feeling sorry for the momma cow. Even the way she waddled around and the way her little eyes seemed so say "I'm tired" seemed familiar. Sigh. For Abby, the evening just made her more sensitive to the fact that we eat animals. She has started to feel very sad lately about eating chickens, pigs, and cows. She cried the other night about a joke I made regarding rabbit stew. She could NOT believe people would eat a bunny. It was a big scene. Matthew was laughing, making Abby indignant, but it was nearly impossible not to laugh--she was so passionate and upset! It reminded me of myself when I was her age. One time my mom had purchased a mouse trap to catch a mouse we had in the house. This is no joke: I made two large posters--one for me and one for my little sister-- and we picketed my mom outside our house. The signs read "Rights for Mice!" "Mice have lives too! Mice have rights!" Apparently it was kind of embarrassing for my mom.
Anyway, I'm just hoping that Abby doesn't become a vegetarian anytime soon. That would make meal planning a challenge.
January 18, 2009
The wisdom of a seven year old
Here are a few of the funny things Abby has said in the first 2 days of being seven years old!
On fiscal prudence:
A: I like going shopping. It's fun to buy things.
G: Yes it is.
A: But you have to be careful.
G: Hmmm, how come?
A: Because you don't want to be, what's it called? "Broke?"
===
On choosing one's work:
(After Abby told a story about encouraging her friends in P.E. at school)
M: It sounds like you're a good leader. Maybe you should be in the army.
A: No, that would be really hard work.
M: It would be really hard work if you were a dolphin trainer too.
A: Yeah, but if I don't work hard as a dolphin trainer, I'll lose my job; and if I don't work hard in the army, I'll die.
M: touche!
===
On self esteem:
(On a bike ride with me, Noah, and our friends, Bronwyn and Teg)
A: Bronwyn, aren't you SO excited about my birthday party?
B: Yes, I am.
A: I'll be the most important person there!
and later, after Abby thanked Bronwyn for treating us to frozen yogurt...
B: Thank you, Abby, for riding bikes with me.
A: You're welcome.
B: And thank you for eating yogurt with me. It is always more fun to eat yogurt with friends.
A: Mmm Hmmm.
B: And thank you for being so cute.
A: I'm almost always cute.
On fiscal prudence:
A: I like going shopping. It's fun to buy things.
G: Yes it is.
A: But you have to be careful.
G: Hmmm, how come?
A: Because you don't want to be, what's it called? "Broke?"
===
On choosing one's work:
(After Abby told a story about encouraging her friends in P.E. at school)
M: It sounds like you're a good leader. Maybe you should be in the army.
A: No, that would be really hard work.
M: It would be really hard work if you were a dolphin trainer too.
A: Yeah, but if I don't work hard as a dolphin trainer, I'll lose my job; and if I don't work hard in the army, I'll die.
M: touche!
===
On self esteem:
(On a bike ride with me, Noah, and our friends, Bronwyn and Teg)
A: Bronwyn, aren't you SO excited about my birthday party?
B: Yes, I am.
A: I'll be the most important person there!
and later, after Abby thanked Bronwyn for treating us to frozen yogurt...
B: Thank you, Abby, for riding bikes with me.
A: You're welcome.
B: And thank you for eating yogurt with me. It is always more fun to eat yogurt with friends.
A: Mmm Hmmm.
B: And thank you for being so cute.
A: I'm almost always cute.
Answers to questions I didn't make up
From my friend Lisa's blog, and now on mine.
1. What is your occupation right now? Mom/ grad student/ full time hubby-helper and encourager as we face a tough job market
2. What color are your socks right now? not wearing socks. I live in california and it was 70 degrees yesterday! OK, that was a record high and I am wearing wooly crocs.
3. What are you listening to right now? the clickety click of the keyboard, Noah making choo choo sounds and Abby asking me if Noah is allowed to stand up in his toy car. Now Noah is banging the metal coffee tamper on the metal trash can. AAAGGGGGHHH. Too loud!
4. What was the last thing that you ate? CAUGHT! A bite of Abby's b-day cake (it's still a long way till noon.)
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes, Matty taught me almost 10 years ago
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Matthew. Noah called my phone from Matty's phone (this happens a lot).
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes
8. How old are you today? 31
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? College football followed by ice skating. Though Phelps had me riveted by swimming last year!
10. What is your favorite drink? coffee
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? yes. wash out stuff to go darker. Tried highlights once about 4 years ago. didn't do it for me.
12. Favorite food? I don't know. I love good food, so this is too hard. How about food I didn't have to cook!!
13. Last Movie you saw? Doubt. M and I had a date!
14. Favorite days of the year? I don't know. Days I get to take a nap?
15. How do you vent anger? sometimes with tears, sometimes with words
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? does a cat count? I had an awesome cat named Shadow.
17. What is your favorite season? I do not like "favorite" questions. I like different things about all of the seasons. Maybe Fall gets my vote, but it also makes me nostalgic and sad sometimes for reasons I can't quite figure out.
18. Cherries or Blueberries? fresh cherries! AMAZING
23. When was the last time you cried? Yesterday, but it was a long while before that.
24. What is on the floor of your closet? I don't have a closet. It's my desk now, and usually a disaster.
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? Christina or Lisa
26. What did you do last night? Cleaned my closet/desk! No joke!
27. What are you most afraid of? too deep a question. If you want to know, you'll have to call me.
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? plain--as with almost everything, plain is usually better!
29. Favorite dog breed? Hmmmm...the quiet, non-wiggly, non-stinky breed?
31. How many states have you lived in? 4, so far
32. Diamonds or pearls? both
33. What is your favorite flower? hydrangeas, dogwoods, tulips, gerber daisies
1. What is your occupation right now? Mom/ grad student/ full time hubby-helper and encourager as we face a tough job market
2. What color are your socks right now? not wearing socks. I live in california and it was 70 degrees yesterday! OK, that was a record high and I am wearing wooly crocs.
3. What are you listening to right now? the clickety click of the keyboard, Noah making choo choo sounds and Abby asking me if Noah is allowed to stand up in his toy car. Now Noah is banging the metal coffee tamper on the metal trash can. AAAGGGGGHHH. Too loud!
4. What was the last thing that you ate? CAUGHT! A bite of Abby's b-day cake (it's still a long way till noon.)
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes, Matty taught me almost 10 years ago
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Matthew. Noah called my phone from Matty's phone (this happens a lot).
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes
8. How old are you today? 31
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? College football followed by ice skating. Though Phelps had me riveted by swimming last year!
10. What is your favorite drink? coffee
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? yes. wash out stuff to go darker. Tried highlights once about 4 years ago. didn't do it for me.
12. Favorite food? I don't know. I love good food, so this is too hard. How about food I didn't have to cook!!
13. Last Movie you saw? Doubt. M and I had a date!
14. Favorite days of the year? I don't know. Days I get to take a nap?
15. How do you vent anger? sometimes with tears, sometimes with words
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? does a cat count? I had an awesome cat named Shadow.
17. What is your favorite season? I do not like "favorite" questions. I like different things about all of the seasons. Maybe Fall gets my vote, but it also makes me nostalgic and sad sometimes for reasons I can't quite figure out.
18. Cherries or Blueberries? fresh cherries! AMAZING
23. When was the last time you cried? Yesterday, but it was a long while before that.
24. What is on the floor of your closet? I don't have a closet. It's my desk now, and usually a disaster.
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? Christina or Lisa
26. What did you do last night? Cleaned my closet/desk! No joke!
27. What are you most afraid of? too deep a question. If you want to know, you'll have to call me.
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? plain--as with almost everything, plain is usually better!
29. Favorite dog breed? Hmmmm...the quiet, non-wiggly, non-stinky breed?
31. How many states have you lived in? 4, so far
32. Diamonds or pearls? both
33. What is your favorite flower? hydrangeas, dogwoods, tulips, gerber daisies
happy 7 year old!
Abby turned 7 yesterday (the 16th). She had a fun party with a bunch of friends and we celebrated her for the wonderful girl she is. What a joy to have Abby in our lives!
January 11, 2009
the other big reason I'm not blogging much...
We're waiting waiting waiting to hear back from schools that interviewed Matty. We're in that tense moment between interviews and calls for fly-outs. So, we've talked as much as we can about every scenario we can think of, and there's not much more to talk about. All we can do is wait! We're a bit jittery and distracted. It is very hard to give updates, because we don't really have clear updates to give. This week should bring with it some clarity, we hope! So please be praying for us.
In the meantime, we are trying to keep busy, keep distracted from the job search a bit, and focus on how GREAT we have it right now: we're safe, healthy, warm, well provided for with our jobs, weathering this tense time as a family remarkably well, and we know we will be fine no matter what happens! There are tons of families and individuals around the world who know nothing of the peace and comfort we have right now, despite the big wait and the major anticipation. That perspective helps keep us grounded just a little.
In the meantime, we are trying to keep busy, keep distracted from the job search a bit, and focus on how GREAT we have it right now: we're safe, healthy, warm, well provided for with our jobs, weathering this tense time as a family remarkably well, and we know we will be fine no matter what happens! There are tons of families and individuals around the world who know nothing of the peace and comfort we have right now, despite the big wait and the major anticipation. That perspective helps keep us grounded just a little.
why I haven't blogged much lately...
Danger Mouse is climbing. He is especially drawn to the stove (and the stove knobs, and anything sharp, heavy, or otherwise perilously dangerous that he can spy). He looks innocent in this picture, but don't let the cuteness fool you; he's all kinds of trouble! OK OK, I'm exaggerating a tiny bit, but he is becoming VERY daring and has little respect for potentially dangerous things. And with the top-heaviness (his head must weigh as much as the rest of him), he isn't the most graceful or balanced of kids. He took a header (haha) out of the bath tub not long ago because he was looking over the side. His wet little body just went over--slip!--wet, naked baby, surprised and a little mad to be on the cold bathroom floor. Does that hinder him from trying to stand in the tub or look over the edge? Of course not. I'm putting lead shoes on him if we ever go to Sea World! He would go swimming with Shamu, and not on purpose.
Of course, here I am proving to you all that I'm running for the camera faster than I am running for the kid. Oh well. That's part of why I've been slow to blog: trying to keep up with Bean Head,
Of course, here I am proving to you all that I'm running for the camera faster than I am running for the kid. Oh well. That's part of why I've been slow to blog: trying to keep up with Bean Head,
January 8, 2009
a new year, a new computer? um, NOPE
Well, I tried to score a new computer for the new year by dumping a WHOLE GLASS OF WATER on my open macbook. Matthew saved the day by closing it, flipping it, removing the battery--this all looked a lot like the heimlich maneuver, by the way--before it was fried. So I have been without a computer for a while as we let my computer dry out thoroughly.
So far so good...I think my computer has been resuscitated. Thanks to Matthew, Bron and Jeremy for all of your quick thinking and techy efforts on my behalf!
I haven't blogged for a while, and it feels like there is simply too much to repot. Ugh. Where to start? I guess I'll just say that we're thrilled to have Matty home from the interviews. They went well, we think. We now wait to hear about fly outs. Any of you praying types, PLEASE pray for us--that we will get a job and that we'll have peace during the big wait.
OK, gotta go talk to Abby about her birthday party! I'll try to blog again very soon.
So far so good...I think my computer has been resuscitated. Thanks to Matthew, Bron and Jeremy for all of your quick thinking and techy efforts on my behalf!
I haven't blogged for a while, and it feels like there is simply too much to repot. Ugh. Where to start? I guess I'll just say that we're thrilled to have Matty home from the interviews. They went well, we think. We now wait to hear about fly outs. Any of you praying types, PLEASE pray for us--that we will get a job and that we'll have peace during the big wait.
OK, gotta go talk to Abby about her birthday party! I'll try to blog again very soon.
December 22, 2008
my husband is 32 today, and as subtle as ever (see below)
Yes, those of you who know Matthew know that he is clever and has a great sense of humor. Well, I'm glad he does, because I get to experience moments like these. I walked into the livingroom today to Abby's giggles and Matthew's instructions to Noah: "Go show mommy. Go find mommy and turn around. Go on. Go get her!" Look closely at the picture. The sign should have been more of a warning sign, but it communicated truthfully enough.
Matty, Happy Birthday! I don't know anyone else who would sharpie their kid for a laugh, but I am so glad you are just the way you are. OK, so maybe there is a teeny tiny room for improvement--God isn't totally finished yet--but, really, you are an awesome guy. You are becoming the finest man I could hope to know, and you are a model dad to your little ones. 32 years isn't very long, and to think you are as terrific as you are already! I love you, baby. Happy happy birthday!
Matty, Happy Birthday! I don't know anyone else who would sharpie their kid for a laugh, but I am so glad you are just the way you are. OK, so maybe there is a teeny tiny room for improvement--God isn't totally finished yet--but, really, you are an awesome guy. You are becoming the finest man I could hope to know, and you are a model dad to your little ones. 32 years isn't very long, and to think you are as terrific as you are already! I love you, baby. Happy happy birthday!
December 14, 2008
The most wonderful time of the year
We've been quite busy around here! Matty and I are nearly done with the quarter's grading work, and we're trying to get Christmas gifts taken care of as well as putting together the last bits of M's job interview wardrobe. We're having fun!
Hanging out with daddy on the weekends.
December morning
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Picking out our Christmas tree (Abbs picked the cutest tree, just her height!)
December morning
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Being visited by dear friends from seminary--all the way from their home in Brazil!! This was the first time we had met the Pires' children, Mila and Pedro! Luciene and Luciano met Abby when she was born (in St. Louis) and hadn't seen her since was about a year old! What a huge delight to see all of them! I didn't know if we would ever see each other again this side of heaven!
December morning
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Mom sent Noah this car (and gas pump). He LOVES it. He sits in it and drives around the house. Whenever he watches a show, he sits in the car, drive-in style.
December morning
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
This is my favorite new development of the week! Abby is learning to sew with the grown-up sewing machine!! She designed this headband/belt ON HER OWN!!!!!!! No joke. She took a pile of scraps I gave her and cut, pinned, and coordinated pieces until she had the look she wanted. I helped her with the steps to make a bow tie to finish things off, but she had a hand in every step. She threaded the machine, worked the pedal, the presser foot, the thread cutter, all of it! I am SO SO proud of my girl! When it was all done, she exclaimed: "I made my first piece of clothing!" The pride and wonder at her accomplishment was beautiful. What's more, seeing something made of her own whimsical, creative ideas makes us truly delighted and proud of her. Abby, you are inspiring! (see our other photos for more pics!)
December morning
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Snuggling in the morning. The kiddos continue to love on each other, snuggling and laughing a lot.
December morning
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Noah's morning antics today: he's decided to be naked. We can't keep jammies or a onesie on him. He will wear only socks and his diaper. Good thing we have heat.
OK, that's the update! I'll check back in soon!
Hanging out with daddy on the weekends.
December morning
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Picking out our Christmas tree (Abbs picked the cutest tree, just her height!)
December morning
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Being visited by dear friends from seminary--all the way from their home in Brazil!! This was the first time we had met the Pires' children, Mila and Pedro! Luciene and Luciano met Abby when she was born (in St. Louis) and hadn't seen her since was about a year old! What a huge delight to see all of them! I didn't know if we would ever see each other again this side of heaven!
December morning
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Mom sent Noah this car (and gas pump). He LOVES it. He sits in it and drives around the house. Whenever he watches a show, he sits in the car, drive-in style.
December morning
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
This is my favorite new development of the week! Abby is learning to sew with the grown-up sewing machine!! She designed this headband/belt ON HER OWN!!!!!!! No joke. She took a pile of scraps I gave her and cut, pinned, and coordinated pieces until she had the look she wanted. I helped her with the steps to make a bow tie to finish things off, but she had a hand in every step. She threaded the machine, worked the pedal, the presser foot, the thread cutter, all of it! I am SO SO proud of my girl! When it was all done, she exclaimed: "I made my first piece of clothing!" The pride and wonder at her accomplishment was beautiful. What's more, seeing something made of her own whimsical, creative ideas makes us truly delighted and proud of her. Abby, you are inspiring! (see our other photos for more pics!)
December morning
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Snuggling in the morning. The kiddos continue to love on each other, snuggling and laughing a lot.
December morning
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Noah's morning antics today: he's decided to be naked. We can't keep jammies or a onesie on him. He will wear only socks and his diaper. Good thing we have heat.
OK, that's the update! I'll check back in soon!
December 3, 2008
Matty&G
I needed no better excuse to take a few pics of Matty and me than Matty was looking extra cute today as he rode to campus for a mock interview with professors. The job market season is revving up! I hadn't expected the added bonus of a dapper Matty running around the house all the time!
We had a great time visiting my family in San Diego this Thanksgiving. I'll post pics soon, but highlights included (according to Abby and Noah): lab puppies to hold, sit-in cars to ride around in, M&Ms at Mimi's house (LOTS of M&M's!) to eat, snuggles to share, and play time with cousins ti enjoy. It was fun to see Noah bonding with my mom and grandma. He already took to my sister, probably because we look so much alike now (minus her blonde hair, of course)!
Anywho. Things are good. We have so much to be thankful for, and life feels very sweet these days for our little family. Just thought I'd share...
We had a great time visiting my family in San Diego this Thanksgiving. I'll post pics soon, but highlights included (according to Abby and Noah): lab puppies to hold, sit-in cars to ride around in, M&Ms at Mimi's house (LOTS of M&M's!) to eat, snuggles to share, and play time with cousins ti enjoy. It was fun to see Noah bonding with my mom and grandma. He already took to my sister, probably because we look so much alike now (minus her blonde hair, of course)!
Anywho. Things are good. We have so much to be thankful for, and life feels very sweet these days for our little family. Just thought I'd share...
November 23, 2008
big plans
I handed Abby a magazine of cute painting projects for kids rooms. She made several gasps at lavender, blue, and green rooms, then said:
A: Oh, momma, look at this pink room! When we move can I have my own room?!!?
G: That's what we're hoping for.
A: I have my room, Noah has his room, and it's up to you guys if you want to sleep together.
Yes, I think Matty and I will still share a room...however, we might graduate to a king-sized bed to accommodate the morning dog pile of kids.
A: Oh, momma, look at this pink room! When we move can I have my own room?!!?
G: That's what we're hoping for.
A: I have my room, Noah has his room, and it's up to you guys if you want to sleep together.
Yes, I think Matty and I will still share a room...however, we might graduate to a king-sized bed to accommodate the morning dog pile of kids.
November 22, 2008
"Enjoy the fun of Failure"
I read that quote recently in an article on happiness. Now, I think I am a pretty happy person--I love my husband, my kids, and my family and friends; I enjoy lots of worthwhile time with friends (both in person and via the trusty cell phone), and I have so much comfort to be thankful for. I am learning a lot lately about what makes me not just happy, but contented. This has been a long life lesson to learn, in great part due to my desire to please others and to avoid failure at any cost!! If I perceive that I wont be good at something, I just wont try it. Seriously, I remember dreading having to learn foreign languages and to do advanced music theory in college, so much so that those fears played in to my decision to leave an outstanding music program in which I was doing very well. I mean, I had A's in every subject, but I was worried that at some point it would become so hard that I might, GULP, get a B! Or, worse, I'd finally audition for a symphony and I'd be rejected. I feared disappointing my parents and my professors. I left a place and people I cared deeply for--out of fear. Well, fast forward ten years (or more, actually) and I now love speaking broken German, mixed with some french, while making morning coffee or asking Matthew a question I don't want Abby to understand ;) And, for what it is worth, I've made it to the dissertation writing phase of a PhD. But is that what makes me MOST happy? Really, the things that make me most happy are those things that come with a lot of failure! And failure I can't avoid, because I'm a human being who makes mistakes! I've begun to accept that I fail, but it never occurred to me to ENJOY the FUN of failure! Is failure EVER fun? Well, yes. I think it can be!
So what does enjoying the FUN of failure look like to me? I guess it looks like this:
Maybe this isn't "failure." It is the product of an attempt to do something special for a very special little girl, whom I love. I've never painted with watercolors before, and I've never done a portrait before. But the thought came to me that I wanted to TRY marking Teg's birthday with something more intentional than a toy. My dear friend, Bronwyn, is now the momma of a one year old. I was there minutes before and minutes after this delightful, gorgeous, most precious baby girl was born-- I left for the good part, but really the birth of one's first child is something to be enjoyed privately between a hubby and its "wif", right? Right. I didn't even stand by the door. I went down the hall and paced, watched some lame sitcom, called Matthew on the cell phone 3 times, paced , looked down the hall, smiled, teared up, picked my nails out of nervousness, then started creeping back toward the door, trying to not make eye contact with anyone who would shoo me back to the waiting room. And then Jeremy burst though the door and said I could come back!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness. What a sight to behold: a brand new TEGWYN ELLA!
So, thanks Teg. Because of you I've learned that I like to paint with watercolors, but much more, I love to study a face and enjoy the fun of knowing a person better and appreciating her more for having tried to faithfully render her on paper. It was fun to try. It was FUN to feel like if I botched it horribly, (and maybe some of you think I did--and that's OK with me!), it would be fine! And really, if Teg's parents don't put this up on their wall, that's fine too! I made it with love and with the intention of saying without words "how wonderful life is now you're in the world" sweet Teg. How COOL to learn life lessons from a one year old.
So what does enjoying the FUN of failure look like to me? I guess it looks like this:
Maybe this isn't "failure." It is the product of an attempt to do something special for a very special little girl, whom I love. I've never painted with watercolors before, and I've never done a portrait before. But the thought came to me that I wanted to TRY marking Teg's birthday with something more intentional than a toy. My dear friend, Bronwyn, is now the momma of a one year old. I was there minutes before and minutes after this delightful, gorgeous, most precious baby girl was born-- I left for the good part, but really the birth of one's first child is something to be enjoyed privately between a hubby and its "wif", right? Right. I didn't even stand by the door. I went down the hall and paced, watched some lame sitcom, called Matthew on the cell phone 3 times, paced , looked down the hall, smiled, teared up, picked my nails out of nervousness, then started creeping back toward the door, trying to not make eye contact with anyone who would shoo me back to the waiting room. And then Jeremy burst though the door and said I could come back!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness. What a sight to behold: a brand new TEGWYN ELLA!
So, thanks Teg. Because of you I've learned that I like to paint with watercolors, but much more, I love to study a face and enjoy the fun of knowing a person better and appreciating her more for having tried to faithfully render her on paper. It was fun to try. It was FUN to feel like if I botched it horribly, (and maybe some of you think I did--and that's OK with me!), it would be fine! And really, if Teg's parents don't put this up on their wall, that's fine too! I made it with love and with the intention of saying without words "how wonderful life is now you're in the world" sweet Teg. How COOL to learn life lessons from a one year old.
November 18, 2008
19 months old...and making us laugh harder than ever
Just a little snippet of Noah's zaniness. We laugh a ton around here. You'll see why. Seriously, nobody has to teach Noah these things--they come naturally.
November 14, 2008
we're doing much better
kids and I are all healed. Matty got an ear infection, but antibiotics are helping him fight that. We think he will back to 100% soon.
So, I'm better enough to answer some questions after being "tagged" by Emily in Knoxville on her blog...
7 Things I Plan To Do Before I Die. .
this is a hard question. I mean, I've been so busy planning what's for dinner, I hardly know what to write.
1. love love love my family
2. travel out of the US
3. discover new hobbies (and get better at my current ones)
4. have grandkids!
5. maybe adopt a kid. (definitely adopt a cat, and a dog too--if Noah begs)
6. build or renovate or just decorate a very cool home!
7.grow old with Matty
7 Things I Do Now. . .
1. love love love my family
2. cook
3. clean (even if it doesn't seem like it!)
4. play with the kids
5. talk on the phone
6. talk with matty
7. teach and grade
7 Things I Can’t Do. . .
1. find time to sew
2. keep my floor clean
3. run a half-marathon
4. consistently wake up early enough in the morning to have personal time
5. always make it "all better"
6. run regressions
7. finish my dissertation tomorrow
7 Things That Attract Me To The Opposite Sex. . .
these are not all necessarily aspects of maleness, but when they are traits a man has, they are especially attractive. I should know, I am married to Matthew, after all.
1. faithfulness
2. patience
3. a sense of humor
4. tenderness toward children
5. calm in the midst of a storm (of any kind)
6. perspective! (in the midst of those storms)
7. humility and willingness to talk and listen
oh, and it doesn't hurt to be super handsome! :)
7 Things That I Say Most Often. . .
1. I love you
2. Oh, Bean!
3. Dude, why did you do that?
4. I'm tired (or, I need a nap)
5. I need a hug.
6. see a bus?
7. want some coffee?
7 Celebrities That I Most Admire. . .
I don't know. I defer to Matthew's pop culture knowledge--I just don't follow these things closely enough to know how to answer this question.
7 Favorite Foods. . .
these are not in order.
1. does coffee count? I love lattes and a properly brewed cup of coffee.
2. fruit: cherries, strawberries, nectarines
3 . beignets
4. tart frozen yogurt
5. delicious salad
6. BBQ
7. meatloaf! I just made an awesome meatloaf (from an America's Test Kitchen recipe). It's DELICIOUS.
close runners-up: salmon, ted drewes frozen custard, indian food, thai food, french food, pretty much anything Matthew makes!!, Melanie's crawfish pie.
Bloggers Who Need To Do This. . .
Melanie
Bronwyn
Lisa
So, I'm better enough to answer some questions after being "tagged" by Emily in Knoxville on her blog...
7 Things I Plan To Do Before I Die. .
this is a hard question. I mean, I've been so busy planning what's for dinner, I hardly know what to write.
1. love love love my family
2. travel out of the US
3. discover new hobbies (and get better at my current ones)
4. have grandkids!
5. maybe adopt a kid. (definitely adopt a cat, and a dog too--if Noah begs)
6. build or renovate or just decorate a very cool home!
7.grow old with Matty
7 Things I Do Now. . .
1. love love love my family
2. cook
3. clean (even if it doesn't seem like it!)
4. play with the kids
5. talk on the phone
6. talk with matty
7. teach and grade
7 Things I Can’t Do. . .
1. find time to sew
2. keep my floor clean
3. run a half-marathon
4. consistently wake up early enough in the morning to have personal time
5. always make it "all better"
6. run regressions
7. finish my dissertation tomorrow
7 Things That Attract Me To The Opposite Sex. . .
these are not all necessarily aspects of maleness, but when they are traits a man has, they are especially attractive. I should know, I am married to Matthew, after all.
1. faithfulness
2. patience
3. a sense of humor
4. tenderness toward children
5. calm in the midst of a storm (of any kind)
6. perspective! (in the midst of those storms)
7. humility and willingness to talk and listen
oh, and it doesn't hurt to be super handsome! :)
7 Things That I Say Most Often. . .
1. I love you
2. Oh, Bean!
3. Dude, why did you do that?
4. I'm tired (or, I need a nap)
5. I need a hug.
6. see a bus?
7. want some coffee?
7 Celebrities That I Most Admire. . .
I don't know. I defer to Matthew's pop culture knowledge--I just don't follow these things closely enough to know how to answer this question.
7 Favorite Foods. . .
these are not in order.
1. does coffee count? I love lattes and a properly brewed cup of coffee.
2. fruit: cherries, strawberries, nectarines
3 . beignets
4. tart frozen yogurt
5. delicious salad
6. BBQ
7. meatloaf! I just made an awesome meatloaf (from an America's Test Kitchen recipe). It's DELICIOUS.
close runners-up: salmon, ted drewes frozen custard, indian food, thai food, french food, pretty much anything Matthew makes!!, Melanie's crawfish pie.
Bloggers Who Need To Do This. . .
Melanie
Bronwyn
Lisa
November 11, 2008
tummy bug
Poor little kiddos (and poor me and poor Matty) have been fighting a tummy bug. We're getting through it, but blogging hasn't been high on the list of things to do.
I'll check back in when we're feeling a bit better!
I'll check back in when we're feeling a bit better!
November 4, 2008
couldn't have been easier
We voted this morning at 7:15. After our less-than-two-minute walk to our polling place, we walked in, signed our names, and went straight to a polling booth--no wait. M had Noah and I had Abby. On our way across the street to Starbucks (for our free coffee), M said: "Voting couldn't have been easier unless they knocked on my door and offered to write in my vote for me."
It is fun to watch the news and be glad we're not in a 12-hour line right now.
Go vote! (easy for me to say, I know!)
It is fun to watch the news and be glad we're not in a 12-hour line right now.
Go vote! (easy for me to say, I know!)
November 2, 2008
Peter Pan, Tink, and Wendy
Hook was behind the camera...
We had a fun time loading up on candy. Abby raked in 40 pieces! When asked tonight how many she has eaten, she answered (truthfully) "one." She gave some away, and the rest are on top of the fridge. I must say, however, that she has had a handful of the Reeses pb cups we bought to give out. We only had 3 kids come by, so we have some leftovers.
The funniest part of trick-or-treating this year was the many foreign students we met who either had no idea what was going on--why are kids knocking on my door and looking at me expectantly? Some people looked afraid, and some looked out their windows with wide eyes and then ducked away from the blinds-- or they apologized profusely for "not being prepared" (that was my favorite response), or, best yet, ran back into their apartments to fetch food from their cupboards! Abby and her friends (Abbey and Katie) got bags of cookies, ice cream sandwiches, and even a diet coke! We tried hard to refuse these items, but the people insisted on giving the kids something to take with them. Abby and Abbey were asked for their picture, this year by a man from Africa (each year they get asked for pictures by families from China and Japan). They were filmed by asian guys (who were filming their friend give out candy), and they were sent off with sweet wishes from a group of lovely indian women in pretty clothes.
It really is a strange practice, running around and asking for candy while threatening to cause mischief if denied... Oh well. It's over for the year, and we are reminded of why our lines are never long at our polling place on election day: we live in a community with lots of folks from other countries! It is really cool.
We had a fun time loading up on candy. Abby raked in 40 pieces! When asked tonight how many she has eaten, she answered (truthfully) "one." She gave some away, and the rest are on top of the fridge. I must say, however, that she has had a handful of the Reeses pb cups we bought to give out. We only had 3 kids come by, so we have some leftovers.
The funniest part of trick-or-treating this year was the many foreign students we met who either had no idea what was going on--why are kids knocking on my door and looking at me expectantly? Some people looked afraid, and some looked out their windows with wide eyes and then ducked away from the blinds-- or they apologized profusely for "not being prepared" (that was my favorite response), or, best yet, ran back into their apartments to fetch food from their cupboards! Abby and her friends (Abbey and Katie) got bags of cookies, ice cream sandwiches, and even a diet coke! We tried hard to refuse these items, but the people insisted on giving the kids something to take with them. Abby and Abbey were asked for their picture, this year by a man from Africa (each year they get asked for pictures by families from China and Japan). They were filmed by asian guys (who were filming their friend give out candy), and they were sent off with sweet wishes from a group of lovely indian women in pretty clothes.
It really is a strange practice, running around and asking for candy while threatening to cause mischief if denied... Oh well. It's over for the year, and we are reminded of why our lines are never long at our polling place on election day: we live in a community with lots of folks from other countries! It is really cool.
October 24, 2008
Santa Cruz!
In the midst of putting together job applications, we accepted the offer from friends to go to Santa Cruz with them for the weekend. It was fun to get away from the intensity of things at home for a couple of days. We had a wonderful time!
Things are going really well at home; we're somehow getting work done despite the ramped up pressure. The kids are great. Abbs has a play date today with her school buddy, Benjamin. This has been the highlight of her week so far. Then Noah: he came up with two new words last night when we were all out on a walk! He now says "truck" and "chocolate" in addition to his standbys: bus, outs (outside), eggs, cheese, juice, book, mama, dada, and abba.
Things are going really well at home; we're somehow getting work done despite the ramped up pressure. The kids are great. Abbs has a play date today with her school buddy, Benjamin. This has been the highlight of her week so far. Then Noah: he came up with two new words last night when we were all out on a walk! He now says "truck" and "chocolate" in addition to his standbys: bus, outs (outside), eggs, cheese, juice, book, mama, dada, and abba.
October 14, 2008
serious bug-ness
Abby was transferring her dead black bumble bee, her dragonfly, and a newly found dead yellow bee into a bowl so that I could have the pleasure of washing the bug collection container. I overheard her trying to keep her brother away from the bees, and then this:
A: This is very serious bug-ness, Noah.
Abby is begging for a microscope so that she can look at the different types of wings more closely. I love this age of discovery! On our walk to the mailbox, just ten minutes ago, Abby gasped at a spider web she spied--but not for fear! Rather, she exclaimed: "It's an orb web! It must be an orb web. I see a fly caught in it, and maybe another insect!" She then told me that tarantulas found in California are not poisonous, at which the hairs on my head started raising and making my head itch.
A: This is very serious bug-ness, Noah.
Abby is begging for a microscope so that she can look at the different types of wings more closely. I love this age of discovery! On our walk to the mailbox, just ten minutes ago, Abby gasped at a spider web she spied--but not for fear! Rather, she exclaimed: "It's an orb web! It must be an orb web. I see a fly caught in it, and maybe another insect!" She then told me that tarantulas found in California are not poisonous, at which the hairs on my head started raising and making my head itch.
October 7, 2008
when does the 24-hour flu = a break?
I'll tell ya when! Yesterday I had a flu bug, much like the one M came home with last week. Flashback to Thursday: M looked awful and pitiful as he stumbled off his bike and into the house. Abby took Noah for a stroller ride so I could tend Matty and get him as comfortable as possible. We were glad to have "phenigren" (sp?), an anti-nausea medication, in the house. It helped him a ton, and ibuprofen, a hot rice pack and rest also helped. He recovered well and I am happy to say that despite that bout with the flu and a hard drive failure on his computer, he did finish his job market paper. Now he just has one more round of tidying up to do on that and he is ready to put job application packets together!
I was feeling very pleased with myself for holding down the fort with the kids, until yesterday morning when I woke up feeling very nauseated and dizzy. I managed to survive an 8:00 Noah drop off at his day care, an 8:15 appt. with the dermatologist (my first routine check up for little moles, etc. I figured I'm getting old enough to have a baseline check of that sort of thing), 11:00 office hours for my students, a TWO HOUR class period I taught on early modern poetry, and a 2:00 pick up of Noah. I almost didn't make it home. Matthew came home right away and took Noah for me. And here is where the flu gave me a break. I rested for the rest of the day. Matthew even got my favorite thai chicken soup (tom ka gai) for dinner. After sleeping through the night (I think) and resting during Noah's nap today, I think I'm on the mend. I still feel cruddy and super tired, but I can tell I'm better than I was yesterday. Phew. It' not the ideal way to get a break, but I am sure glad that Matty was able to take good care of me. How in the world people take care of kids without help when they are sick is beyond me.
I was feeling very pleased with myself for holding down the fort with the kids, until yesterday morning when I woke up feeling very nauseated and dizzy. I managed to survive an 8:00 Noah drop off at his day care, an 8:15 appt. with the dermatologist (my first routine check up for little moles, etc. I figured I'm getting old enough to have a baseline check of that sort of thing), 11:00 office hours for my students, a TWO HOUR class period I taught on early modern poetry, and a 2:00 pick up of Noah. I almost didn't make it home. Matthew came home right away and took Noah for me. And here is where the flu gave me a break. I rested for the rest of the day. Matthew even got my favorite thai chicken soup (tom ka gai) for dinner. After sleeping through the night (I think) and resting during Noah's nap today, I think I'm on the mend. I still feel cruddy and super tired, but I can tell I'm better than I was yesterday. Phew. It' not the ideal way to get a break, but I am sure glad that Matty was able to take good care of me. How in the world people take care of kids without help when they are sick is beyond me.
October 5, 2008
Sunday morning at the park
While Matthew gives it his best effort to finish a full draft of his paper by the end of the day today, the kiddos and I are doing our best to enjoy a gorgeous day! We biked to a terrific park nearby and played on the huge play structures. Having Abby with us is AWESOME. She runs after Noah, takes him down slides, chases him, entices him to follow her, stands guard at the perilous ladder entry points, and generally makes the whole experience delightful with her adorable giggles and smiles. I would have bruised knees and elbows from all of the crawling and climbing and sliding required to keep Noah safe in the tunnels, down the slides, and up the stairs; but Abby's limber, 6 year old body is meant to fit into these spaces!
We've had another fun weekend of Saturday night football gaming, then Sunday morning breakfasting and playing. We're all looking forward to getting this stage of paper writing and application sending over with so that Matty can be with us on the weekends again; we miss him. The waiting game part of the job market experience seems a little easier than this--but maybe that's just because we're in this moment and not that one. Who knows. We're proud of the efforts we're all making during a time that could easily turn into a grouch-fest if we weren't all doing our best to be mutually supportive. Sometimes the best times are not the "easiest" times; in fact, I think the best times may require a costly level of intentionality and sacrifice, which pays back more than you expect it to in the end.
OK. I need to get something done while Noah is asleep! Cheers.
We've had another fun weekend of Saturday night football gaming, then Sunday morning breakfasting and playing. We're all looking forward to getting this stage of paper writing and application sending over with so that Matty can be with us on the weekends again; we miss him. The waiting game part of the job market experience seems a little easier than this--but maybe that's just because we're in this moment and not that one. Who knows. We're proud of the efforts we're all making during a time that could easily turn into a grouch-fest if we weren't all doing our best to be mutually supportive. Sometimes the best times are not the "easiest" times; in fact, I think the best times may require a costly level of intentionality and sacrifice, which pays back more than you expect it to in the end.
OK. I need to get something done while Noah is asleep! Cheers.
October 2, 2008
who took the cookie from the cookie jar?
A sincere Matty confession regarding the rapid rate at which Noah's snacks and food seem to disappear:
"I ate all the baby food. I was hungry, he was just sitting in my lap and didn't want it, so I just ate it."
He's not kidding. Matthew LOVES YoBaby yogurt and little "holy" (whole wheat) bunnies and graham sticks.
"I ate all the baby food. I was hungry, he was just sitting in my lap and didn't want it, so I just ate it."
He's not kidding. Matthew LOVES YoBaby yogurt and little "holy" (whole wheat) bunnies and graham sticks.
September 30, 2008
The Best Laid Plans
So this is job market year for Matty. I thought some of you might like to know what the schedule looks like for us, so here it is:
Oct 1 (tomorrow!!): The big list of job openings is posted for all major economics departments in the US (and some abroad too). Matty will spend some time carefully looking through tons of listings to see where he might be a good fit. This is the fun part! We get to look at the university websites, departmental sites, housing markets, etc. We talk about lifestyles in different cities, with different climates and opportunities. Who lives close by? What would our life be like? That kind of stuff. It's a dreamy stage of the process, filled with lots of potential. Other than that, Matthew works to polish his paper and his presentation and interview stuff.
Nov.1-15: Job applications are due! We will send out 100-120 applications. This narrows the field a great deal, especially if Matthew "signals" to any schools--a process by which a candidate sends a STRONG signal (each candidate gets ONLY 2 signaling opportunities) to a school that if given the offer, he would almost certainly take the job!
November-December: Matthew will get calls from the schools that are interested in interviewing him at the annual "ASSA" meetings in Jan. This will narrow the field even more. Matty may get 12 interviews or so (we're guessing based on the experiences of similarly-qualified friends who have gone through this process).
Jan 3-5 (in San Francisco): ASSA meetings/ face to face interviews with the schools interested in Matthew. Talk about pressure! I think this is the stage at which Matthew will distinguish himself as an outstanding candidate. He is affable, interesting, attractive, quick on his feet, a good teacher, and he knows his stuff. After these interviews comes the waiting for phone calls for fly-outs...
Jan-Feb (maybe even March):"Fly-outs" The second major round of interviews happens at the hiring school's campus. They will fly Matthew out for 2-3 days so that they can see him present to professors and students, hold more interviews, do meet and greets with the department, etc. This is the major decision moment for most schools. It is possible that Matthew will leave a fly out with a strong sense of the department's intentions of hiring him or not. These will be important trips, especially because Matthew will likely be feeling out cities for all of us! We may move to a place that the rest of us have never seen, so Matty will have his feelers out for lots of elements: is it a good fit for all 4 of us? But really, we may not have a huge say in the matter. We will be happy to GET a job in such a competitive market. My friend, Paige, said that the job market begins with this wide open range of possibilities. You start out being picky, but then you end up just hoping that ANYBODY will hire you! She said it is a real "beggars can't be choosers" kind of experience. We're trying to keep that in mind!
March-April:Decision time. Matthew will hopefully have 1-3 offers on the table and can negotiate the best deal possible with the best fitting department for him and situation for us. We should know where we're going by April 15th, or so.
May-June 30th:Finishing the dissertation, Graduation (for Matty), Packing up, and Moving. We have to move out of our apartment by June 30th, 2009. I plan to keep working on my dissertation this year and next year (or until it is done), and can work from abroad at this point. Matthew will be done with his work here and will graduate :) It is possible that these months will include buying a home. That depends on lots of factors and isn't a top priority, necessarily. But it is something we hope to do when, or soon after, we move.
So, that is the plan. We're excited, a little intimidated, but mostly just taking it day by day and being glad that we are so well provided for. Who knows what kinds of monkey wrenches (good or bad) could get thrown in to these plans? All we know for sure is that "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). Planning is good. It is a prudent and exciting thing to do, and it is an adventure. But we're trying to do it with open minds to the unexpected.
I'll keep you posted!
Oct 1 (tomorrow!!): The big list of job openings is posted for all major economics departments in the US (and some abroad too). Matty will spend some time carefully looking through tons of listings to see where he might be a good fit. This is the fun part! We get to look at the university websites, departmental sites, housing markets, etc. We talk about lifestyles in different cities, with different climates and opportunities. Who lives close by? What would our life be like? That kind of stuff. It's a dreamy stage of the process, filled with lots of potential. Other than that, Matthew works to polish his paper and his presentation and interview stuff.
Nov.1-15: Job applications are due! We will send out 100-120 applications. This narrows the field a great deal, especially if Matthew "signals" to any schools--a process by which a candidate sends a STRONG signal (each candidate gets ONLY 2 signaling opportunities) to a school that if given the offer, he would almost certainly take the job!
November-December: Matthew will get calls from the schools that are interested in interviewing him at the annual "ASSA" meetings in Jan. This will narrow the field even more. Matty may get 12 interviews or so (we're guessing based on the experiences of similarly-qualified friends who have gone through this process).
Jan 3-5 (in San Francisco): ASSA meetings/ face to face interviews with the schools interested in Matthew. Talk about pressure! I think this is the stage at which Matthew will distinguish himself as an outstanding candidate. He is affable, interesting, attractive, quick on his feet, a good teacher, and he knows his stuff. After these interviews comes the waiting for phone calls for fly-outs...
Jan-Feb (maybe even March):"Fly-outs" The second major round of interviews happens at the hiring school's campus. They will fly Matthew out for 2-3 days so that they can see him present to professors and students, hold more interviews, do meet and greets with the department, etc. This is the major decision moment for most schools. It is possible that Matthew will leave a fly out with a strong sense of the department's intentions of hiring him or not. These will be important trips, especially because Matthew will likely be feeling out cities for all of us! We may move to a place that the rest of us have never seen, so Matty will have his feelers out for lots of elements: is it a good fit for all 4 of us? But really, we may not have a huge say in the matter. We will be happy to GET a job in such a competitive market. My friend, Paige, said that the job market begins with this wide open range of possibilities. You start out being picky, but then you end up just hoping that ANYBODY will hire you! She said it is a real "beggars can't be choosers" kind of experience. We're trying to keep that in mind!
March-April:Decision time. Matthew will hopefully have 1-3 offers on the table and can negotiate the best deal possible with the best fitting department for him and situation for us. We should know where we're going by April 15th, or so.
May-June 30th:Finishing the dissertation, Graduation (for Matty), Packing up, and Moving. We have to move out of our apartment by June 30th, 2009. I plan to keep working on my dissertation this year and next year (or until it is done), and can work from abroad at this point. Matthew will be done with his work here and will graduate :) It is possible that these months will include buying a home. That depends on lots of factors and isn't a top priority, necessarily. But it is something we hope to do when, or soon after, we move.
So, that is the plan. We're excited, a little intimidated, but mostly just taking it day by day and being glad that we are so well provided for. Who knows what kinds of monkey wrenches (good or bad) could get thrown in to these plans? All we know for sure is that "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). Planning is good. It is a prudent and exciting thing to do, and it is an adventure. But we're trying to do it with open minds to the unexpected.
I'll keep you posted!
morning comes early
We were all up at 6 am today. Sitting on Abby's floor, I yawned and said...
G: "Boy, I'm tired!"
A: How tired?
G: I don't know, really tired.
A: Tired as a newborn flea?
Now, how does one answer that?
G: "Boy, I'm tired!"
A: How tired?
G: I don't know, really tired.
A: Tired as a newborn flea?
Now, how does one answer that?
September 26, 2008
a sweet morning
9:00 this morning, and Matty was packed for his economics conference, Abby was at school, and Noah was eating crayons on the floor. A knock on the door: Bronwyn was standing there with this lovely cake, candles lit! What a precious friend! Since my hubby has to miss my b-day, Bron has stepped in and planned an awesome thai dinner, and (I know now) a morning surprise. Thanks, friend!
So, 31, here I come. Or, here I am, I guess. Wooohoooo!
So, 31, here I come. Or, here I am, I guess. Wooohoooo!
September 19, 2008
my magical broom
Well, you know it's bad when a visiting friend, after walking on your floor, puts her shoes back on, pauses thoughtfully, then runs home to fetch her own broom with the intention of doing you a big favor.
Well, all I have to say is THANK YOU, Bronwyn! I'm in love with the "swivel sweeper" (apparently an "as seen on TV" product). This battery operated gem does what its name suggests: brushes swivel and magically sweep the bits from the floor into a little cage. No more sweep, sweep, sweeping (aka moving dirt) and bending to sweep sweep into the dustpan. This thing picks up cheerios, edamame, corn, paper, and (as Abby discovered) shoe laces. It is LIGHT as a feather, skates across the floor as if it were on ice, and reaches all the way under couches and chairs.
So I told my friend Melanie about this thing, and she now has one too. (Mine is being delivered by Bronwyn, who went to the store with her 20% off coupon to get it for me today! I think I'm spoiled!!) If I were Oprah, this would be one of this year's "favorite things," but since we make in a year about what she makes in an hour, we can't afford to send one to everyone for Christmas. We would if we could, though--especially for the moms out there and those who find the vacuum too heavy to push.
So if you happen by my window and hear me singing the "happy little working song," look for my swivel sweeper; it's sure to be in hand.
Now if only I could buy the toilet cleaning rats...
Well, all I have to say is THANK YOU, Bronwyn! I'm in love with the "swivel sweeper" (apparently an "as seen on TV" product). This battery operated gem does what its name suggests: brushes swivel and magically sweep the bits from the floor into a little cage. No more sweep, sweep, sweeping (aka moving dirt) and bending to sweep sweep into the dustpan. This thing picks up cheerios, edamame, corn, paper, and (as Abby discovered) shoe laces. It is LIGHT as a feather, skates across the floor as if it were on ice, and reaches all the way under couches and chairs.
So I told my friend Melanie about this thing, and she now has one too. (Mine is being delivered by Bronwyn, who went to the store with her 20% off coupon to get it for me today! I think I'm spoiled!!) If I were Oprah, this would be one of this year's "favorite things," but since we make in a year about what she makes in an hour, we can't afford to send one to everyone for Christmas. We would if we could, though--especially for the moms out there and those who find the vacuum too heavy to push.
So if you happen by my window and hear me singing the "happy little working song," look for my swivel sweeper; it's sure to be in hand.
Now if only I could buy the toilet cleaning rats...
September 15, 2008
daily life and one awesome weekend!
The weeks have been very full around here: Matthew is working diligently on his job market paper, which keeps him away at school all day (until 5:30 or so). This is a departure from our usual trading-off during the day schedule, and it means that I am at the helm at home with Noah and Abby (when she isn't in school). We're experiencing what most people consider a normal schedule, but for us it is pretty different. I'm getting school work done during Noah's naps and will have a few more hours once he starts a 2-morning per week schedule in daycare. Other than that, Noah is my sidekick for lots of errands and tasks--like laundry at the laundry building (a serious feat, considering I'm hauling a wagon balanced with 3 loads at a time in one hand, and Noah in his stroller in the other. Then there's that awkward, heavy, swinging door (with NO STOPPER) to get the wagon and stroller through without dropping half our clothes on the concrete or locking Noah and the laundry key in the laundry room and me and the laundry out). But he seems to enjoy the action and the crazy faces I pull managing it. Dishes are not easily done with Bean awake, because he likes to climb into the dishwasher. Not safe, I know. And he has found the stove knobs, dishwasher knob and the doors to both appliances. He is also learning to open regular doors. Abby was never such a monkey as Noah is. Anyway, busy weeks make for delightful weekends of family time. Sleeping in a tiny bit, coffee together, more elaborate breakfasts and time with all four of us... This weekend was a blast, and most of it was spur of the minute:
We started out with Saturday morning at the Farmer's market. Noah took his first ride on the merry-go-round. I'll post a video soon, but it was lots of fun to watch him and Abby giggle and glide along.
Next we walked to the co-op grocery to sign Abby up for a 2pm cooking class--"Oodles of Noodles." On the way, we admired the Davis fire department's finest fire truck. Bean LOVED it. "Busssss! Busssss!"
Then we found a little garage sale, and Abby spied this crazy fish thing. The people gave it to Abby because she was so taken with it. It expands and contracts and makes a great hat. She played with this thing all day.
Right before Bean's bedtime, we were out swinging at the playground and we could hear the announcer at the first nighttime UC Davis football game in the brand new stadium. It is close to our apartment, so we decided to take a walk on over and check it out. We ended up going in, getting our free t-shirts (Abby got mine and I got Matty's). The kids LOVED it! Abby got a box of candy and we sat on the grass and watched people ram their heads together. It seems SO much more rough a sport in person! Noah clapped and stood and pointed, with his little cheerio mouth open to a tiny O. Abby cried when we had to leave; she wanted to stay for the whole game.
Sunday we had french toast, fresh strawberries and yummy coffee for breakfast before Abby and I went to a thrift store to try and find some Halloween costume items. We struck out, so mint chip ice-cream (before lunch!) was in order. Then it was time for Abby to wow us with her culinary arts. She made one of the dishes she learned on Saturday during her cooking class. We had spiral noodles with sweet peas, mozzarella, kalamata olives and carrots. She was proud of herself, and all of us loved having an Abby-prepared meal.
So now it is Monday. Abby is at school, Noah has just gone down for his nap, and I am getting to work. Life is really really sweet for us right now. I can't even express how much we are enjoying one another and the huge blessing of good health and lots of fun opportunities.
We started out with Saturday morning at the Farmer's market. Noah took his first ride on the merry-go-round. I'll post a video soon, but it was lots of fun to watch him and Abby giggle and glide along.
Next we walked to the co-op grocery to sign Abby up for a 2pm cooking class--"Oodles of Noodles." On the way, we admired the Davis fire department's finest fire truck. Bean LOVED it. "Busssss! Busssss!"
Then we found a little garage sale, and Abby spied this crazy fish thing. The people gave it to Abby because she was so taken with it. It expands and contracts and makes a great hat. She played with this thing all day.
Right before Bean's bedtime, we were out swinging at the playground and we could hear the announcer at the first nighttime UC Davis football game in the brand new stadium. It is close to our apartment, so we decided to take a walk on over and check it out. We ended up going in, getting our free t-shirts (Abby got mine and I got Matty's). The kids LOVED it! Abby got a box of candy and we sat on the grass and watched people ram their heads together. It seems SO much more rough a sport in person! Noah clapped and stood and pointed, with his little cheerio mouth open to a tiny O. Abby cried when we had to leave; she wanted to stay for the whole game.
Sunday we had french toast, fresh strawberries and yummy coffee for breakfast before Abby and I went to a thrift store to try and find some Halloween costume items. We struck out, so mint chip ice-cream (before lunch!) was in order. Then it was time for Abby to wow us with her culinary arts. She made one of the dishes she learned on Saturday during her cooking class. We had spiral noodles with sweet peas, mozzarella, kalamata olives and carrots. She was proud of herself, and all of us loved having an Abby-prepared meal.
So now it is Monday. Abby is at school, Noah has just gone down for his nap, and I am getting to work. Life is really really sweet for us right now. I can't even express how much we are enjoying one another and the huge blessing of good health and lots of fun opportunities.
September 12, 2008
rite of passage
Noah emptied a roll of TP today. I'm not sure if every kid does this, but I think the mischief makers certainly do. He shredded away, making a billowy pile of charmin and causing himself to sneeze from TP dust. At moments like these, I often say to Noah: "Oh, Bean." And then he makes adorable, "but-I'm-just-a-curious-little-guy" faces, and I go get the camera. He has my number.
September 10, 2008
Drama
Here is a winner of a Noah face. This is what you get when Bean is grumpy: scrunched nose, poor-me eye-brows, and top teeth showing. Oh yes, he can whine. But he is remarkably cute even when he makes ridiculous faces like this one.
learning chess
Matthew is teaching Abby to play chess. Apparently she is catching on quite well. I still don't know how to play, so perhaps Abby will teach me some day soon. Matty was a champion chess player in school. I think he is loving this new activity with Abbs.
visit from Grandpa and Claudia
We got to hang out with Grandpa and Claudia for a day and a half, as they make their way to Europe via California. Most of our time was spent swinging in the livingroom, eating yummy food, waiting for Noah to wake up from naps, and playing, talking, and sleeping...
It was a short but sweet visit.
Have a great time across seas, guys!
It was a short but sweet visit.
Have a great time across seas, guys!
GAME DAY
We celebrated the TN Volunteers' first game day of the season with a BBQ. Matthew made pulled pork and beans, and we had the usual: cole slaw (Abby's fave), buns, corky's and Rendevous sauce, etc. YUM. Bronwyn, from South Africa (for those of you who don't know that) and her daughter Tegwyn sported Tennessee Orange, as did Abby, Noah, and G. Way to show your spirit, friends!! We lost to UCLA in a nail-biter of an over time period. GRRRRRRRRR. But, we play UAB this Sat. and the the FLA Gators after that. It would be SWEET to beat the gators. Matthew said he's getting too old for the stress of close games. He isn't really, but he sure does get worked up on game day.
I love having BBQ and watching a good game--especially with friends. Oh yes, and Bronwyn's Brownies with ice cream, chocolate sauce and raspberries were delightful too! Why wait for another game day for that kind of indulgence?
I love having BBQ and watching a good game--especially with friends. Oh yes, and Bronwyn's Brownies with ice cream, chocolate sauce and raspberries were delightful too! Why wait for another game day for that kind of indulgence?
tooth #2!
Abby lost another tooth! She is tenacious when it comes to getting a wiggly tooth out; once it starts to wiggle, she cannot leave it alone. Then, as most of us have experienced, when the tooth is hanging in there, but very wiggly, she can't stand the frustration of trying to eat with the tooth wobbling around. Thus, the kid keeps wiggling the tooth and finally has daddy give it a yank.
There is no shortage of drama around here. We're all hoping the teeth stay put now for a while.
There is no shortage of drama around here. We're all hoping the teeth stay put now for a while.
September 8, 2008
learning and teaching and learning
I'm working on my syllabus for a course I start teaching in a few weeks. The reading I've done for the contemporary poetry section has been interesting, sometimes. But I just came across an unexpectedly moving poem, though it can be read both as tender or as bleak and hopeless--depending on your worldview, I suppose. Part of my reaction must be due to my stage in life: mommy to a 17 month old and a 6 1/2 year old, wife to a 31 year old, and daughter, granddaughter, friend... I love people in every stage of life, and I can identify with more of the full learning spectrum of the human person than ever before. So, this poem speaks to me.
You Begin by Margaret Atwood (1978)
You begin this way:
this is your hand,
this is your eye,
that is a fish, blue and flat
on the paper, almost
the shape of an eye.
This is your mouth, this is an O
or a moon, whichever
you like. This is yellow.
Outside the window
is the rain, green
because it is summer, and beyond that
the trees and then the world,
which is round and has only
the colors of these nine crayons.
This is the world, which is fuller
and more difficult to learn than I have said.
You are right to smudge it that way
with the red and then
the orange: the world burns.
Once you have learned these words
you will learn that there are more
words than you can ever learn.
The word hand floats above your hand
like a small cloud over a lake.
The word hand anchors
your hand to this table,
your hand is a warm stone
I hold between two words.
This is your hand, these are my hands, this is the world,
which is round but not flat and has more colors
than we can see.
It begins, it has an end,
this is what you will
come back to, this is your hand.
You Begin by Margaret Atwood (1978)
You begin this way:
this is your hand,
this is your eye,
that is a fish, blue and flat
on the paper, almost
the shape of an eye.
This is your mouth, this is an O
or a moon, whichever
you like. This is yellow.
Outside the window
is the rain, green
because it is summer, and beyond that
the trees and then the world,
which is round and has only
the colors of these nine crayons.
This is the world, which is fuller
and more difficult to learn than I have said.
You are right to smudge it that way
with the red and then
the orange: the world burns.
Once you have learned these words
you will learn that there are more
words than you can ever learn.
The word hand floats above your hand
like a small cloud over a lake.
The word hand anchors
your hand to this table,
your hand is a warm stone
I hold between two words.
This is your hand, these are my hands, this is the world,
which is round but not flat and has more colors
than we can see.
It begins, it has an end,
this is what you will
come back to, this is your hand.
September 7, 2008
payback
Anyone who saw the earlier post about the soap and the dishwasher might like this...
Last night a fly was buzzing around Matthew, landing on him, bugging him. After much swatting, Matthew said:
"I need to take a shower. This fly wont leave me alone."
Last night a fly was buzzing around Matthew, landing on him, bugging him. After much swatting, Matthew said:
"I need to take a shower. This fly wont leave me alone."
anatomy
A couple of funny exchanges from the last two days:
Abby's friend gave her a horse statue the other day. Matthew was looking at the rearing stallion and commented to me (with Abby close enough to hear him...)
M: Clearly it's a boy horse.
A: How do you know that?
M: (chuckling to himself) Because it's anatomically correct.
A: (Looking at the horse) Where does it say that?
He just said, "It doesn't," and then Noah distracted Abby and Matthew dropped the topic.
Then, on a walk the other evening, we saw a squirrel running in front of us. The squirrel had ridiculously large parts, which were so prominent that we were laughing.
G:There goes a boy squirrel.
A: How do you know it's a boy?
G: uh, he has a very bushy tail; I think boy squirrels have extra bushy tails.
M: (stepping in and being more truthful) Momma knows because you can see the squirrel's privates and you can tell he's a boy.
A: Oh.
And that was it! No questions asked.
Abby's friend gave her a horse statue the other day. Matthew was looking at the rearing stallion and commented to me (with Abby close enough to hear him...)
M: Clearly it's a boy horse.
A: How do you know that?
M: (chuckling to himself) Because it's anatomically correct.
A: (Looking at the horse) Where does it say that?
He just said, "It doesn't," and then Noah distracted Abby and Matthew dropped the topic.
Then, on a walk the other evening, we saw a squirrel running in front of us. The squirrel had ridiculously large parts, which were so prominent that we were laughing.
G:There goes a boy squirrel.
A: How do you know it's a boy?
G: uh, he has a very bushy tail; I think boy squirrels have extra bushy tails.
M: (stepping in and being more truthful) Momma knows because you can see the squirrel's privates and you can tell he's a boy.
A: Oh.
And that was it! No questions asked.
September 1, 2008
The hard way
This is a guest-blog post from M.
Here's the scene, about 20 minutes ago.
A: (walking into the kitchen) What happened, mommy?
G: uh...
M: Mommy didn't listen to daddy.
G: Mommy put the wrong kind of soap in the dishwasher.
A: And daddy told you not to?
G: yes.
A: ...and you didn't listen to him?
G: no.
A: ...and he was right?
G: (reluctantly) yes.
Who needs to rub it in when you have little kids? (and the password to your wife's blog)
Here's the scene, about 20 minutes ago.
A: (walking into the kitchen) What happened, mommy?
G: uh...
M: Mommy didn't listen to daddy.
G: Mommy put the wrong kind of soap in the dishwasher.
A: And daddy told you not to?
G: yes.
A: ...and you didn't listen to him?
G: no.
A: ...and he was right?
G: (reluctantly) yes.
Who needs to rub it in when you have little kids? (and the password to your wife's blog)
August 27, 2008
The Davis Version of a School Bus
BIKES! It took us all of five minutes to ride to school. Noah got to spy a bus on the way: "Busss! Busss!" He exclaimed, while pointing.
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