We are feeling much more at home these days. Our routine is becoming routine in a comfortable, familiar way. Abby loves going to camp--a first for her. She swims, plays sports, and does arts and crafts every day before coming home and hanging out with Noah and me. Matthew has been riding his bike to work, which provides a bit of exercise and gives me great practice at trusting God with his life; the roads are narrow! This is NOT Davis. I miss the bike paths and the commutability of Davis a lot. No longer can I walk out my front door and to Starbucks, World Market, or Rite Aid. Nope. This is a car-dependent place, and I am not used to it. BUT it has some real perks too! The public library is fantastic! We've been going at least once a week, and not just because it is close to one of the yummiest ice cream shops... We get interesting weather-- rain storms you wouldn't believe! We have deer who visit in the large field behind our apartment; cute birds too. We're going to get some binoculars so that we can animal watch from the kitchen window (pictured above). Oh, and the shopping. Good night. I've never been much of a shopper, but this place can make a person WANT to be a shopper. A new friend of mine told me yesterday that "It sucks to be poor in Princeton." This may be true, BUT (and this is a big BUT), it ROCKS to be a thrift store shopper in Princeton! I didn't know clothes could be so soft and well made; I just never bothered to look at places where socks cost as much as a tank of gas. And who wears socks anyway, when you live in Davis and can wear flip flops all year round? Anyway, the trick is to go to the thrift stores and to enjoy feeling like a queen but paying pennies on the dollar for really lovely things.
I wouldn't say we feel at "home" quite yet, but we're starting to get there.
August 4, 2009
July 23, 2009
A long journey
We are settled in enough for me to blog some pictures of our summer... I'm not very good at blogging multiple pictures at once, so I'll explain the pics now: We got to visit with my fam in San Diego. The pic "Mimi, Bean, and Me" is of my mom's mom with Noah and me. Next we went to St. Louis. We caught fire flies, stayed up late talking, went to the pool, cooked, ate crawfish pie and ahi salad and many other Melanie-made dishes. YUM. It was a great visit! Next it was off to Memphis for the 4th of July family reunion. I only caught a pic of the ladies, not the whole group, so this is half of us. While in Memphis we visited with the Cunninghams; the last family pic we have together is from four years and THREE new kids ago! We hadn't actually MET two of theirs, nor had they met Noah! Unbelievable. Our long road trip took us to Nashville, where we spent 2 days with our dear friends, the Haynes Family. Jeff and Lucy sent Matthew and I off for a night in Nashville! As part of Matthew's graduation gift, we had a lovely dinner (ALONE!) and stayed at a beautiful new hotel (ALONE!). This was the first time we'd been away from Noah for a night, and perhaps the second time away from kids in four or five years. It was a gift for sure. Lucy was a saint to take on a no-so-happy Noah, who was under the weather and grouchy. The visit went so quickly, I have no pictures to share--I think this is a sign of a good visit. Next, we traveled to Knoxville, where we stayed with the Miller fam (Drew, Em, Sadie Parker, and Ruby!). This was another first time for meeting new kiddos! Bean and Ruby hadn't met before. We had a gourmet meal prepared by Drew and Em. (Can we just hire you guys to make our lives beautiful? Drew is a landscape artist, Emily is an all around culinary, home, and textiles artist). Em gave me the most exciting house warming gift: a set of jadite green fire king dishes. GASP. They are so so wonderful Pics are sure to follow. Our night in K-ville was tumultuous, with the Pearson four playing musical beds, crib, and couch the whole night--a night that included much Noah-coughing (with croup) and a middle of the night headache/throwing up bout for Abby. We hit the road to DC via Charlottesville, VA, where M's cousin Meredith and her hubby Chuck hosted us for dinner and a break from the road. They are delightful folks, and I'm glad we finally got to meet! We made it into DC near midnight, after a wrong turn, which was fortuitous--it ended up providing a great driving tour of the major monuments at night. The Bridges family hosted us for two days. Most of you will recall that Scott Bridges married Matthew and me 9 years ago in San Diego. Their new church is in DC! Matty, Abby and I took a walking tour of the white house. No Obama sightings, but it is positively breathtaking to be IN the white house! Abby took it all in with wide eyes. And she had to, because there were NO cameras allowed. After a "big, bad , breakfast" feast with Scott, Julie, Em, and Jack, we took our last big drive. FINALLY, we were home. We've left stuff at almost every place we stayed: shoes, stuffed animals, blankets, clothes, crayons...It was all a ploy to get mail at our new address. We've been unpacking, working, baking, enjoying our own beds again, and (DRUMROLL, PLEASE) Matthew has been building and customizing! I leave you with pics of "Camp G"--this woman's dream room! Noah is asleep and Abby is at day camp, so I am going to go upstairs and MAKE SOMETHING. Miss y'all.
July 17, 2009
the fountain of freedom
That's the name of this fun fountain (which doubles as a favorite splashing spot for the kiddos) in Princeton. Abby and Noah LOVED it today. This picture is not mine--I found it on line, but I still can't find my camera cord, so no pics of or by the Pearsons for now.
We're trying to get to know the city, and the kids are enjoying the adventure. I'm battling feelings of loneliness and my own reluctance to be a go-getter with new people. I'm not an extrovert and with no home base to go home to after being out, I find it especially taxing to chat and smile and make the effort to engage others.
I've cried a lot this week. I'm sad and overwhelmed. M and I are talking it out and trying to encourage each other. He is being my cheerleader at the moment. I am so thankful to have him here.
We're trying to get to know the city, and the kids are enjoying the adventure. I'm battling feelings of loneliness and my own reluctance to be a go-getter with new people. I'm not an extrovert and with no home base to go home to after being out, I find it especially taxing to chat and smile and make the effort to engage others.
I've cried a lot this week. I'm sad and overwhelmed. M and I are talking it out and trying to encourage each other. He is being my cheerleader at the moment. I am so thankful to have him here.
July 16, 2009
we're home
I get to see the sun rise every day because we have a vaulted ceiling and a dormer window in our bedroom--oh, and a monkey-child who wakes up around 7 am and who is lovingly delivered to our bed by his sister (after which she finds a spot in our bed and falls back to sleep while the "grow-mups" get up with said monkey-child). Besides being on call for Noah, we are feeling like grown-ups for other reasons too:
We have a closet. This thing is a walk-in closet we could live in.
We have a washer and dryer! I did ten loads of laundry in the first two days here. One would think that I'd be over it already, but I am still so glad to be able to do laundry at the same time as other things around the house.
We have our own bathroom! I think having 2 bathrooms will be a must from now on. We're spoiled.
Our fridge is taller than me; our disposal works; and we're not living next door to undergraduates. I think we've arrived. All of this might seem odd to mention, but we've been married with kids for a long time and have both looked forward to being done with student life for so long, that these things are meaningful for us. They also make me realize that I've made the mistake at times of living for the next stage of life rather than loving the one we were in. A house doesn't define our home, it just has an impact on the way home life feels. So I am reminding myself that this is our real life; we are not living for the day we own a home again. That may come (or may not, considering Princeton's home prices), but I can't wish my kids' childhoods away waiting for the day the floor I'm standing on is "mine."
I've got lots of other thoughts on our new place in Princeton, but they are buried under boxes. The cord for my camera is lost and I can't post new pictures--and I often let the pictures do the talking when I am talked out, which I am now.
The very short story of our journey is this: We took a month to get to Princeton, visiting San Diego, Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Washington DC along the way (by car). By the time we pulled up to our door, I thought the drive would never end, even though I loved seeing dear friends and family. Several times along the trip Matty and I wished we could just abandon the car and book a flight home, or sprout wings, if necessary. Abby was knocked out with dramamine, which cured her car sickness. Noah was often asleep, sometimes upset, but mostly a trooper. I'll share highlights when I can post pictures. In the meantime, keep checking in; we're pretty lonely.
Quotes:
A: (upon walking in to our apartment for the first time) "Mommy, you HAVE to see this!"
A: (driving into town) " I love our new town."
N: (after taking too big a bite) "BIG. Mouth. Chicken."
N: (a new favorite phrase) "Haha, nevermind."
We have a closet. This thing is a walk-in closet we could live in.
We have a washer and dryer! I did ten loads of laundry in the first two days here. One would think that I'd be over it already, but I am still so glad to be able to do laundry at the same time as other things around the house.
We have our own bathroom! I think having 2 bathrooms will be a must from now on. We're spoiled.
Our fridge is taller than me; our disposal works; and we're not living next door to undergraduates. I think we've arrived. All of this might seem odd to mention, but we've been married with kids for a long time and have both looked forward to being done with student life for so long, that these things are meaningful for us. They also make me realize that I've made the mistake at times of living for the next stage of life rather than loving the one we were in. A house doesn't define our home, it just has an impact on the way home life feels. So I am reminding myself that this is our real life; we are not living for the day we own a home again. That may come (or may not, considering Princeton's home prices), but I can't wish my kids' childhoods away waiting for the day the floor I'm standing on is "mine."
I've got lots of other thoughts on our new place in Princeton, but they are buried under boxes. The cord for my camera is lost and I can't post new pictures--and I often let the pictures do the talking when I am talked out, which I am now.
The very short story of our journey is this: We took a month to get to Princeton, visiting San Diego, Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Washington DC along the way (by car). By the time we pulled up to our door, I thought the drive would never end, even though I loved seeing dear friends and family. Several times along the trip Matty and I wished we could just abandon the car and book a flight home, or sprout wings, if necessary. Abby was knocked out with dramamine, which cured her car sickness. Noah was often asleep, sometimes upset, but mostly a trooper. I'll share highlights when I can post pictures. In the meantime, keep checking in; we're pretty lonely.
Quotes:
A: (upon walking in to our apartment for the first time) "Mommy, you HAVE to see this!"
A: (driving into town) " I love our new town."
N: (after taking too big a bite) "BIG. Mouth. Chicken."
N: (a new favorite phrase) "Haha, nevermind."
June 25, 2009
making our way
The Pearsons Four are in St. Louis! Matthew and Peter unloaded our belongings in Princeton and flew back to St. Louis, where the kids and I met them (and Melanie and Grayson and Lillian) the following day. The Pearson-Maynor reunion has been a great one. Our (collective) four children are playing hard and the grown ups are making plans for our next reunion.
We're encouraged and we're enjoying our vacation. If I don't blog for a week or so, it is because we're busy making memories to share. Next stop (in about 5 days) is Memphis.
By the way, the picture posted here is from our last trip to the Lou in 2007. We took the kids to the St. Louis City Museum, which is the BEST (and most wild) kiddo museum I know of. This pic shows Matthew, Abby (then 5) and Lillian (4) traversing a steel mesh tunnel suspended MANY stories above the ground. Not your average museum activity, hey?
We're encouraged and we're enjoying our vacation. If I don't blog for a week or so, it is because we're busy making memories to share. Next stop (in about 5 days) is Memphis.
By the way, the picture posted here is from our last trip to the Lou in 2007. We took the kids to the St. Louis City Museum, which is the BEST (and most wild) kiddo museum I know of. This pic shows Matthew, Abby (then 5) and Lillian (4) traversing a steel mesh tunnel suspended MANY stories above the ground. Not your average museum activity, hey?
June 24, 2009
Southern California Fun
I'll let the pictures do the talking! Click on this pic to get to my flickr photos
June 17, 2009
Nine Years and counting
Today is our 9th wedding anniversary! I do wish I could spend it with Matthew, but he is busy driving everything we own across the country. Nine years SOUNDS like a long time to me. That's not a boast; it's a testimony to what having a firm foundation can do for two very fallible, broken people. We are not the same people we were nine years ago, and I can say with confidence that we love who we are becoming together. We also love each other more now than we did nine years ago. More than ever, I feel like I have a real partner in this life. We have lots to figure out about how to love, forgive, encourage, and challenge each other; but we've also figured a lot out along the way these past 9 years. I love that when things are strained between us, we can't go for long without having to sit on the couch and work it out--or at least identify it and begin the process of making it right. That gives me hope--not that things will always be happy and lovely (one needs no more than a few months of marriage to figure that out), but that no matter what we face or who is being selfish or mean or resentful or ridiculous, we have ways of getting at the roots not just the symptoms.
Nine years of an intact marriage does not happen in a bubble nor does it just happen. It is celebrated and fostered and mended over and over with the help of faithful friends who keep pointing us back to the grace we need and the grace we need to give. We're learning how to be FOR the other, when things are going swimmingly and when we're mad as hornets at each other.
I just got to talk to Matty, who crossed the state line into Missouri while on the phone! Boy, I miss him. I am so excited about our new life and adventure in Princeton! Happy Anniversary, baby! Love you!!!!
By the way, if you ask Noah where he is moving, he will grin and say: Jersey!
Nine years of an intact marriage does not happen in a bubble nor does it just happen. It is celebrated and fostered and mended over and over with the help of faithful friends who keep pointing us back to the grace we need and the grace we need to give. We're learning how to be FOR the other, when things are going swimmingly and when we're mad as hornets at each other.
I just got to talk to Matty, who crossed the state line into Missouri while on the phone! Boy, I miss him. I am so excited about our new life and adventure in Princeton! Happy Anniversary, baby! Love you!!!!
By the way, if you ask Noah where he is moving, he will grin and say: Jersey!
June 15, 2009
off we go
This is where our stories take a bit of a split path. The kiddos and I are in San Diego at my mom's house, while Matthew finishes up the dirty, heavy, yucky work of packing a moving truck and cleaning the apartment before driving cross country.
The kids and I arrived safely in SoCal and we've been playing with cousin Alec (and his fun toys) since. We have plans to go to Disneyland on Thursday, visit Mimi and Mia, hold puppies, clobber Aunt Andi, and go to the beach.
Matthew, on the other hand, has a far less vacation-like plan: yesterday he loaded the truck with help from Sean, Alison, Bron, Jeremy, Matt C., and Stan G. (there may have been others too?). Bron and Jeremy provided a delicious meal, a bed, and ibuprofen. Today Matthew is cleaning and planning to hit the road with my dad. I'll let y'all know of his progress as I get reports.
The kids and I arrived safely in SoCal and we've been playing with cousin Alec (and his fun toys) since. We have plans to go to Disneyland on Thursday, visit Mimi and Mia, hold puppies, clobber Aunt Andi, and go to the beach.
Matthew, on the other hand, has a far less vacation-like plan: yesterday he loaded the truck with help from Sean, Alison, Bron, Jeremy, Matt C., and Stan G. (there may have been others too?). Bron and Jeremy provided a delicious meal, a bed, and ibuprofen. Today Matthew is cleaning and planning to hit the road with my dad. I'll let y'all know of his progress as I get reports.
Dr. Matthew
It's official! Matthew graduated with his PhD on June 11th! Hearing his name called and seeing the degree of PhD conferred upon him was a life highlight for me, and I think for his Meemo too! hen we walked out of the pavilion to meet him, Matthew was standing at the top of a deep well of stairs. He looked like he was 100 feet tall, with his long blue gown, but the best part was his GIGANTIC grin and his white shades. I've never seen anyone look cooler. It was an awesome day!
We had a great BBQ party afterward with friends and family. This party would NOT have been possible without the efforts of Meemo, Bronwyn &Jeremy, and Kate& Mark. THANK YOU for your help!! I don't think I've seen Matthew as relaxed as he was after the ceremony, and he deserves to take a break! Boy this has been a busy season. More updates to come, but for now, three (thousand) cheers for Dr. Matthew Pearson! Hip hip Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!......
We had a great BBQ party afterward with friends and family. This party would NOT have been possible without the efforts of Meemo, Bronwyn &Jeremy, and Kate& Mark. THANK YOU for your help!! I don't think I've seen Matthew as relaxed as he was after the ceremony, and he deserves to take a break! Boy this has been a busy season. More updates to come, but for now, three (thousand) cheers for Dr. Matthew Pearson! Hip hip Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!......
June 8, 2009
the glad game (a rant and a resolution)
Any Pollyanna fans out there? Well, I do like that movie, and I'm thinking about the glad game: when you're unhappy, try to think of things that make you glad and be amazed at how it helps to cheer you up.
I need to play that game today. This morning Matty and I discovered that my (locked) bike-- along with the baby trailer connected to it and Noah's helmet to boot-- was stolen last night. I BOO HOOED BIG over this. These are my wheels! My way to get around with Bean head and to ride with Abby. I'm angry and hurt and SO frustrated at having this last week (so full of errands on campus and around town to be done) made much more challenging. I want to kick someone in the shin REALLY hard. And then kick the other one harder on Bean's behalf. He LOVES riding in the bike. What a huge bummer. Just yesterday Abby and I were talking about where we would ride in New Jersey. And really, what kind of jerk steals a bike clearly set up as a mommy bike and baby trailer and helmet?????????????? I don't get it!
Sigh. But I am still glad. I'm glad that my kiddos are safe and sound; that we're making good progress on packing; that Bronwyn is bringing me fresh cherries, picked by her own hands; that we're loved and will be missed by our friends in Davis; that this coming week brings family and friends together to celebrate big accomplishments. And I am VERY glad that Abby's bike was not stolen. Even though the combination of stolen bikes (Matthew's two months ago and mine last night) and other items (the baby trailer last night and several boxes of books last year) would add up to 6+ times the cost of her bike, I am glad she does not have to experience the feeling of violation so personally right now. I am GLAD GLAD GLAD for that!
OK. I am feeling a little better. It is just stuff after all, and it's not even that sentimental--just super practical and a symbol of what makes me feel most free and happy as a mom: bouncing around town with the kids and feeling the wind in our hair and hearing Bean giggle and say "weee. big!" when we go around big turns or down big hills. I am glad that the essential ingredients are still here for times like these--the kiddos are joyful, healthy and happy; the wind is still blowing, the sun still shining--There is SO much to be thankful for, and maybe the bike and the trailer will end up serving a purpose I can't anticipate. I hope, by some means, it ends up being used for good. Call me Pollyanna, if you like; I don't care anymore how foolish or naive I seem. I am happier if I can let these disappointments go. Acknowledge them, feel the anger (kick some inanimate objects around, cry, and talk it out with friends who can listen and not think I'm nuts for crying about a bike), then let it go and be glad and grateful to God for the countless blessings I have, which dwarf the inconveniences and injustices.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
I need to play that game today. This morning Matty and I discovered that my (locked) bike-- along with the baby trailer connected to it and Noah's helmet to boot-- was stolen last night. I BOO HOOED BIG over this. These are my wheels! My way to get around with Bean head and to ride with Abby. I'm angry and hurt and SO frustrated at having this last week (so full of errands on campus and around town to be done) made much more challenging. I want to kick someone in the shin REALLY hard. And then kick the other one harder on Bean's behalf. He LOVES riding in the bike. What a huge bummer. Just yesterday Abby and I were talking about where we would ride in New Jersey. And really, what kind of jerk steals a bike clearly set up as a mommy bike and baby trailer and helmet?????????????? I don't get it!
Sigh. But I am still glad. I'm glad that my kiddos are safe and sound; that we're making good progress on packing; that Bronwyn is bringing me fresh cherries, picked by her own hands; that we're loved and will be missed by our friends in Davis; that this coming week brings family and friends together to celebrate big accomplishments. And I am VERY glad that Abby's bike was not stolen. Even though the combination of stolen bikes (Matthew's two months ago and mine last night) and other items (the baby trailer last night and several boxes of books last year) would add up to 6+ times the cost of her bike, I am glad she does not have to experience the feeling of violation so personally right now. I am GLAD GLAD GLAD for that!
OK. I am feeling a little better. It is just stuff after all, and it's not even that sentimental--just super practical and a symbol of what makes me feel most free and happy as a mom: bouncing around town with the kids and feeling the wind in our hair and hearing Bean giggle and say "weee. big!" when we go around big turns or down big hills. I am glad that the essential ingredients are still here for times like these--the kiddos are joyful, healthy and happy; the wind is still blowing, the sun still shining--There is SO much to be thankful for, and maybe the bike and the trailer will end up serving a purpose I can't anticipate. I hope, by some means, it ends up being used for good. Call me Pollyanna, if you like; I don't care anymore how foolish or naive I seem. I am happier if I can let these disappointments go. Acknowledge them, feel the anger (kick some inanimate objects around, cry, and talk it out with friends who can listen and not think I'm nuts for crying about a bike), then let it go and be glad and grateful to God for the countless blessings I have, which dwarf the inconveniences and injustices.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
May 24, 2009
We're THAT family
We were up before 7 am this morning, not really by choice but because Noah was up. So we decided to try out a new diner in town before we leave Davis. It was an experience. The food was fine; WE were in fine form. It has happened. We are officially that family--you know the one with the loud kid who makes a colossal mess? The family you half stare at, half pray for (and half roll your eyes at while muttering under your breath: "They should teach their kid how to behave or just stay home."). Minutes after we sat down (in the back of the restaurant's 2nd room--the one they reserve for overflow and families with small children), we asked for them to adjust the temperature because we were freezing. Then Noah began his dog and pony show. The floor was soon covered with crayons and tiny bits of paper pulled from the plastic straws. Then the straws followed, bent and now contaminated by the floor. Next came the jelly. We were trying to preserve the half and half for our coffee, so Noah got to open and eat some smuckers jelly, which ended up on his lap before we could change our minds. We didn't really think he would be able to open the little container, but we were wrong. Breakfast arrived and the jelly was joined by apple sauce, milk, syrup, and sausage. Noah was happy as a clam, making pig faces at us, laughing at himself, talking in another language about the bear decor and the fine weather we were having. I wouldn't have cared that he was making such a mess except that TWICE he pulled the plastic bendy straw out of his milk cup and flung milk all over me. The first time was a shock, the second time less funny. On top of all this, his nose was running, he had kicked off a shoe, he was practicing eating with a knife, he was desperate to stir my coffee for me, and he was DONE sitting in this high chair. This whole time, Abby was contentedly doing a word puzzle and coloring the kid menu with expert precision and flare. She ate without making even a tiny mess, and she used her best manners as she sipped her milk and asked politely for the syrup. Is it possible these two children are related?
Thankfully, we were done eating. I left the waitress a 30% tip. We drove home and upon our arrival, I noticed that my hair was stiff from dried milk. It's a quarter to 10 now and I am thinking of offering Abby the car if she will watch her brother so I can take a nap.
The next time you see a family with a rambunctious child, have pity. If you are rich, buy their breakfast for them. If not, and if you can't help but roll your eyes, just don't do it till they leave; it isn't easy containing wildness the likes of our son.
Thankfully, we were done eating. I left the waitress a 30% tip. We drove home and upon our arrival, I noticed that my hair was stiff from dried milk. It's a quarter to 10 now and I am thinking of offering Abby the car if she will watch her brother so I can take a nap.
The next time you see a family with a rambunctious child, have pity. If you are rich, buy their breakfast for them. If not, and if you can't help but roll your eyes, just don't do it till they leave; it isn't easy containing wildness the likes of our son.
May 19, 2009
wise words from daddy
This afternoon after school, Abby was talking about ways to earn money:
A: I know! I could have a lemonade stand after school!
M: You can make a lot more money selling lemonade if you put a little vodka in it.
A: I know! I could have a lemonade stand after school!
M: You can make a lot more money selling lemonade if you put a little vodka in it.
May 11, 2009
mixed feelings
Our time in Davis is short. We're here for only one more month, and I can tell that the reality is starting to set in. We're feeling sad about leaving dear friends and familiar joys. Abby is more sensitive than usual (and she's usually sensitive!); each night this week has brought some tears and heavy thoughts about life, God, change, even fears about dying. This is not an uncommon thing for seven year olds to experience (so I read), and I vaguely remember a couple of phases of heightened awareness of my mortality--around ages 7, 12, and 30. I'm sure there are more to come, and I am glad to be able to relate to Abby when this happens. The hardest thing, though, is knowing that these thoughts are part of being human. (We hope) They will ultimately lead to a new respect and thankfulness for each day we have to experience and a deeper sense of how precious we are to each other and to God, but when Abby sobs and expresses her disappointment at the crappiness of death, it just breaks my heart. Last night she was especially upset over the death of Matty's mom and brother. She was indignant over God taking his mom away on his birthday (this, a strong emotion after celebrating mother's day and Matty not having his mother). Abby is realizing that there are no guarantees about any of our lives, and she is trying to make sense of something that hardly makes sense to any of us.
There is no coincidence that all of this comes up at a time when we are changing practically everything. For a family not at all used to moving, this is a time of great upheaval--in good ways and in tough ways. And this doesn't even begin to deal with the grown ups in the picture or the little guy, who is coming in to his own these days. He will probably adjust the most easily out of all of us, and maybe we can take some cues from his ability to express so purely his frustration and his excitement.
On my heart is the sweetest, sad and resonant wish from a parent to a child, beautifully expressed in Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem, "Little Brown Baby": "Come to you' pallet now--go to yo' res'; / Wisht you could allus know ease an' cleah skies; / Wisht you could stay jes' a chile on my breas'-- / Little brown baby wif spa'klin eyes!"
I do often wish my kiddos could always know ease and clear skies--that they could somehow be spared the harshness of this world. But then I know just a little of the beauty and winsomeness that comes with suffering, and I wouldn't rob my precious ones of the full measure of love and wide-eyed adventure (good and bad) that this life offers. Sometimes we just need to sob and kick our feet and hurt about the sad things. And then smile and giggle about the happy things. And then keep on living and knowing that we will cry and laugh and cry and laugh--a lot. So, that's where we are--we're all kind of wild-eyed and raw and sad and glad. I'm finally figuring out that no amount of planning will make moving away any more graceful. We're gonna do the ugly cry and we're gonna wake up one day soon in Princeton and smile at the thought that we are home again.
There is no coincidence that all of this comes up at a time when we are changing practically everything. For a family not at all used to moving, this is a time of great upheaval--in good ways and in tough ways. And this doesn't even begin to deal with the grown ups in the picture or the little guy, who is coming in to his own these days. He will probably adjust the most easily out of all of us, and maybe we can take some cues from his ability to express so purely his frustration and his excitement.
On my heart is the sweetest, sad and resonant wish from a parent to a child, beautifully expressed in Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem, "Little Brown Baby": "Come to you' pallet now--go to yo' res'; / Wisht you could allus know ease an' cleah skies; / Wisht you could stay jes' a chile on my breas'-- / Little brown baby wif spa'klin eyes!"
I do often wish my kiddos could always know ease and clear skies--that they could somehow be spared the harshness of this world. But then I know just a little of the beauty and winsomeness that comes with suffering, and I wouldn't rob my precious ones of the full measure of love and wide-eyed adventure (good and bad) that this life offers. Sometimes we just need to sob and kick our feet and hurt about the sad things. And then smile and giggle about the happy things. And then keep on living and knowing that we will cry and laugh and cry and laugh--a lot. So, that's where we are--we're all kind of wild-eyed and raw and sad and glad. I'm finally figuring out that no amount of planning will make moving away any more graceful. We're gonna do the ugly cry and we're gonna wake up one day soon in Princeton and smile at the thought that we are home again.
May 10, 2009
happy mother's day!
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.
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.
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.
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