Friday, September 28, 2007
On How To Be Lovely
This is a video I got today of Jasmine watching, and participating in, a song I'm hoping to learn and sing (and dance) with Katie someday. It's a long video, fyi, and she doesn't dance the whole time, but it's pretty cute when she does, so it's worth it (to me, anyways). If you listen closely you can hear her sing "lee-love" and "doo doo doooo" which adds to the adorableness.
And yes, that's Bekah you hear in the background. :)
You can't really see the TV screen, but the two singing have cloth napkins around their waists and heads to look more "feminine," thus the blanket around Jasmine's waist!
Like our setup? The big TV died, and Josh will need help getting it out (and we'll need somewhere the girls can't mess with it) so for now, a TV on a TV it will be!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Another "typical" date
Everyone asks what we do on our dates. Since last night was a little crazier than usual, I thought I'd give you a play-by-play.
lunchtime: discuss what to make for dinner
3:30: chat with Josh to decide exactly what time to plan for it to be finished (6:00. That means I need to start at 5).
Check the VCR clock. 5:00. Panic. Where did the afternoon go?? Go put the garlic in the oil for the "dressing" (making a yummy taco salad).
Notice while I'm in the kitchen that those clocks say 4:00. Oh. Right. Josh unplugged the VCR, which means it did "automatic clock set," and is therefore an hour off. *phew*
5:00 start pulling ingredients. Run Jasmine to the bathroom. Twice.
5:15 Oh rats. I forgot to buy chickpeas. Call Josh, ask him to stop on his way home.
Make dinner. It will be a few minutes later because of his detour.
5:45 Josh home to take Jasmine to the office for her "grandpa and grandma date." She's thrilled.
6:00 set up Mario Party 3 on our Nintendo 64.
6:10 Josh home for dinner. We eat and play, catching up on our day
Spend the whole time trying to keep the cords out of Bekah's mouth.
7:40 Set up a tape for the "new Frasier Show" (I know, it's Kelsey Grammer, but we call him Frasier. Sorry, dude, you're Frasier for life!)
7:50 Josh picks Jasmine up
8:30 watch taped show (not bad, hopefully it will get better and a little meatier down the line)
So there you have it. Don't you wish you could be us??? :)
lunchtime: discuss what to make for dinner
3:30: chat with Josh to decide exactly what time to plan for it to be finished (6:00. That means I need to start at 5).
Check the VCR clock. 5:00. Panic. Where did the afternoon go?? Go put the garlic in the oil for the "dressing" (making a yummy taco salad).
Notice while I'm in the kitchen that those clocks say 4:00. Oh. Right. Josh unplugged the VCR, which means it did "automatic clock set," and is therefore an hour off. *phew*
5:00 start pulling ingredients. Run Jasmine to the bathroom. Twice.
5:15 Oh rats. I forgot to buy chickpeas. Call Josh, ask him to stop on his way home.
Make dinner. It will be a few minutes later because of his detour.
5:45 Josh home to take Jasmine to the office for her "grandpa and grandma date." She's thrilled.
6:00 set up Mario Party 3 on our Nintendo 64.
6:10 Josh home for dinner. We eat and play, catching up on our day
Spend the whole time trying to keep the cords out of Bekah's mouth.
7:40 Set up a tape for the "new Frasier Show" (I know, it's Kelsey Grammer, but we call him Frasier. Sorry, dude, you're Frasier for life!)
7:50 Josh picks Jasmine up
8:30 watch taped show (not bad, hopefully it will get better and a little meatier down the line)
So there you have it. Don't you wish you could be us??? :)
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Camera Update
The auction is over. It sold for just over $140!! And the best part? The winning bidder is a woman I know from thedigichick! I'm guessing she read about the auction here (otherwise how did she know that jvracing was me?!) because I got a message from her as soon as it was over, telling me who had just won.
So I'm pleased. Someone who needed it (hers died 2 weeks ago) and who will "love it" like we did won. Peru is getting a little more money to help in their recovery. And we're blessed knowing it's going to a good home, and the money to a good cause.
God is good!!
In case you're wondering, I haven't forgotten about my top-10 list. (I can tell everyone wants to know by all the replies here ;) I have 4 more to come up with, and I'm hoping Josh will help me word them right so they're as funny as they are to us.
In the meantime, here's a Jasmine tidbit.
If you ask her what she wants, her reply is "let's see..." and then if she still hasn't decided, another "let's see..." I'm not sure where she picked that one up, because I don't think we say it!
Bekah is getting dedicated this Sunday at my family's church. So pictures of that next week!!
And here are two pictures from my grandma's trip to see my family last week:
Oh, one more thing. A layout I did this afternoon, of Jasmine playing in our backyard. What? I forgot to mention that too??
We got a swing set this week! Free! From CraigsList!! I'm so pleased, and Jasmine thinks it's perfect. :)
(click to see it in the gallery and the comments and credits)
So I'm pleased. Someone who needed it (hers died 2 weeks ago) and who will "love it" like we did won. Peru is getting a little more money to help in their recovery. And we're blessed knowing it's going to a good home, and the money to a good cause.
God is good!!
In case you're wondering, I haven't forgotten about my top-10 list. (I can tell everyone wants to know by all the replies here ;) I have 4 more to come up with, and I'm hoping Josh will help me word them right so they're as funny as they are to us.
In the meantime, here's a Jasmine tidbit.
If you ask her what she wants, her reply is "let's see..." and then if she still hasn't decided, another "let's see..." I'm not sure where she picked that one up, because I don't think we say it!
Bekah is getting dedicated this Sunday at my family's church. So pictures of that next week!!
And here are two pictures from my grandma's trip to see my family last week:
Oh, one more thing. A layout I did this afternoon, of Jasmine playing in our backyard. What? I forgot to mention that too??
We got a swing set this week! Free! From CraigsList!! I'm so pleased, and Jasmine thinks it's perfect. :)
(click to see it in the gallery and the comments and credits)
Monday, September 24, 2007
Scattered Thoughts
At this point the camera is selling for $5.50. There is still just under 2 days left so hopefully it will start taking off soon. It would be pretty sad to send $5.50 to help out in Peru!!
The TV stopped showing a picture a few weeks ago. The next day it came back, which we were thrilled about. Unfortunately it stopped again. Jasmine just brought me the clicker and asked for "frog," thinking the remote control made it all better. She just doesn't get it!
I'm in a little bit of a feeling-sorry-for-myself funk at the moment. So I'll share it here, and hopefully that will make me feel better!
I was honored to be invited to be "chick of the month/guest CT member" for July at TDC. I was so thrilled! I got to choose kits to use, and created three layouts that I didn't post right away. That is so hard for me; I love to put them up immediately and share them. I couldn't tell people that I had been chosen. Josh knew, my immediate family knew, and that was it.
In the meantime, I was asked to be on the CT for TDC. Yay!! I was so happy. It's still such an exciting thing for me to think about. I love it there.
But when the newsletter was nearly finished, the girl that makes it lost the whole thing. Her computer crashed and it was gone. She had to start from scratch.
At that point, they decided to change things around; to integrate the newsletter into the blog. No problem; I was still on the CT. I couldn't care less about people reading the interview. I just had these three layouts, burning a hole in my harddrive.
Finally I asked, and she told me to go ahead and post them; I'd be a featured CT member soon.
So I posted them. Didn't put them in the "layout love" thread (a place where people ask for a little extra praise and to get noticed more). Just let them be. I got almost no feedback on any of them.
I haven't been featured. They've gotten completely overlooked.
And as silly as it is, it makes me feel overlooked, too. I haven't been lately, for the first time in my life, but this feels like it again.
*sigh*
So you want to see them, right? right? *wink*
(click on them to see them in the TDC gallery, with credits)
The TV stopped showing a picture a few weeks ago. The next day it came back, which we were thrilled about. Unfortunately it stopped again. Jasmine just brought me the clicker and asked for "frog," thinking the remote control made it all better. She just doesn't get it!
I'm in a little bit of a feeling-sorry-for-myself funk at the moment. So I'll share it here, and hopefully that will make me feel better!
I was honored to be invited to be "chick of the month/guest CT member" for July at TDC. I was so thrilled! I got to choose kits to use, and created three layouts that I didn't post right away. That is so hard for me; I love to put them up immediately and share them. I couldn't tell people that I had been chosen. Josh knew, my immediate family knew, and that was it.
In the meantime, I was asked to be on the CT for TDC. Yay!! I was so happy. It's still such an exciting thing for me to think about. I love it there.
But when the newsletter was nearly finished, the girl that makes it lost the whole thing. Her computer crashed and it was gone. She had to start from scratch.
At that point, they decided to change things around; to integrate the newsletter into the blog. No problem; I was still on the CT. I couldn't care less about people reading the interview. I just had these three layouts, burning a hole in my harddrive.
Finally I asked, and she told me to go ahead and post them; I'd be a featured CT member soon.
So I posted them. Didn't put them in the "layout love" thread (a place where people ask for a little extra praise and to get noticed more). Just let them be. I got almost no feedback on any of them.
I haven't been featured. They've gotten completely overlooked.
And as silly as it is, it makes me feel overlooked, too. I haven't been lately, for the first time in my life, but this feels like it again.
*sigh*
So you want to see them, right? right? *wink*
(click on them to see them in the TDC gallery, with credits)
Friday, September 21, 2007
Scraplifting Friday
I'm so excited!! Every other Friday is a "scraplift" challenge, and this time it's me!!!
You can see it here!
Wooohooo!!
Oh, and just because...here's a layout I did this afternoon. Not exactly my normal style, and not a picture Jasmine will want to see when she's grown up!
She was eating the last couple bites of Rebekah's cereal, and this was her face when Josh took the picture!
You can see it here!
Wooohooo!!
Oh, and just because...here's a layout I did this afternoon. Not exactly my normal style, and not a picture Jasmine will want to see when she's grown up!
She was eating the last couple bites of Rebekah's cereal, and this was her face when Josh took the picture!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Deep thoughts for so early in the morning
Mom was talking over the weekend about the lead found in something-or-other, and then commented to Grandma how they used to have homes with lead-based paint, and people were fine (pretty much, anyways).
At the moment I just thought it was an awareness of what was already a problem.
But maybe not.
When she grew up, they had lead-based paint. Their houses were all insulated with asbestos. Their mothers smoked. They got x-rays when pregnant to see if their pelvises could “do” the birth thing.
And most children were fine.
So what changed?
Well, vaccinations, for one thing. How many shots does a baby get in the first two year of life?? (they are starting to take mercury out of nearly all the shots now, so it will be interesting to see how much changes over the next few years)
There are other things, though, too. Microwaves in every house. Laptops and wireless internet. Cell phones in every pocket (hey! I just thought of a new political sound byte!). MSG in almost everything we eat. Could those affect us more than you and I are willing to admit?
So then, with our immune systems compromised, the things that used to cause very little problem, suddenly are more than our bodies can handle. So autism rates soar. Children are diagnosed with ADHD, left and right. Lead poisoning is a big problem now, years after lead-based paint and pipes are banned.
Interesting, non?
At the moment I just thought it was an awareness of what was already a problem.
But maybe not.
When she grew up, they had lead-based paint. Their houses were all insulated with asbestos. Their mothers smoked. They got x-rays when pregnant to see if their pelvises could “do” the birth thing.
And most children were fine.
So what changed?
Well, vaccinations, for one thing. How many shots does a baby get in the first two year of life?? (they are starting to take mercury out of nearly all the shots now, so it will be interesting to see how much changes over the next few years)
There are other things, though, too. Microwaves in every house. Laptops and wireless internet. Cell phones in every pocket (hey! I just thought of a new political sound byte!). MSG in almost everything we eat. Could those affect us more than you and I are willing to admit?
So then, with our immune systems compromised, the things that used to cause very little problem, suddenly are more than our bodies can handle. So autism rates soar. Children are diagnosed with ADHD, left and right. Lead poisoning is a big problem now, years after lead-based paint and pipes are banned.
Interesting, non?
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Remind me not to be a pitcher
This is the 350th post, so I probably shouldn't steal such a milestone from My Sweetie, but I'm going to anyway. ;-)
So yeah, pitchers, especially MLB pitchers, have it tough! I mean, as a batter, it seems to me that you have it relatively easy. There is this extremely small, well-defined area that the ball has to be in, otherwise you don't have to even try to hit it. Coincidentally, this cozy little spot happens to be the very definition of where it is easy for you to hit the ball! You see when the ball's comin', and you even have this big bat that you get to use to hit the dang thing! I mean really, can this be any easier?
You're only up to bat every once in awhile, and all you have to do is hit the ball a single time when you're up there, and you're a hero!
As a pitcher, all of that is reversed! You have to throw the ball 60 feet into this tiny, well-defined area right in front of the batter! You must get that ball right in that spot, otherwise the batter can beat you without even touching the ball. Every time any member of the other team is up to bat, it's you that has to throw that ball into that tiny little spot, and get it past him, again and again and again!
If the batter hits that ball on the first pitch, he's done. But the pitcher might have to throw pitch after pitch after pitch to the same guy, only to have him finally hit the stupid ball anyway! (And don't forget that he's still holding that big bat!)
And even given all of this, the pitcher is still considered to have the upper hand, because one of the most enduring clichés in the game is "Good pitching beats good hitting."
Amazing.
So yeah, pitchers, especially MLB pitchers, have it tough! I mean, as a batter, it seems to me that you have it relatively easy. There is this extremely small, well-defined area that the ball has to be in, otherwise you don't have to even try to hit it. Coincidentally, this cozy little spot happens to be the very definition of where it is easy for you to hit the ball! You see when the ball's comin', and you even have this big bat that you get to use to hit the dang thing! I mean really, can this be any easier?
You're only up to bat every once in awhile, and all you have to do is hit the ball a single time when you're up there, and you're a hero!
As a pitcher, all of that is reversed! You have to throw the ball 60 feet into this tiny, well-defined area right in front of the batter! You must get that ball right in that spot, otherwise the batter can beat you without even touching the ball. Every time any member of the other team is up to bat, it's you that has to throw that ball into that tiny little spot, and get it past him, again and again and again!
If the batter hits that ball on the first pitch, he's done. But the pitcher might have to throw pitch after pitch after pitch to the same guy, only to have him finally hit the stupid ball anyway! (And don't forget that he's still holding that big bat!)
And even given all of this, the pitcher is still considered to have the upper hand, because one of the most enduring clichés in the game is "Good pitching beats good hitting."
Amazing.
Whee! What a rush!
We've planned on selling our Nikon camera for months now. It's finally up!
eBay listing
We're giving 100% of the proceeds to recovery in Peru. Not only do I know firsthand how hard it is to recover from a 7.0+ earthquake, but we have a child we sponsor through Compassion (Josh, you said you wanted to write about them. This would be the perfect time!) so it makes it that much closer to home.
So if you know anyone who's looking for a good camera, tell them to join in!! :)
I really don't know why we procrastinate so much. It feels so good to have that done! (maybe that's why...if we did it when we first talked about it, the relief might not be there)
eBay listing
We're giving 100% of the proceeds to recovery in Peru. Not only do I know firsthand how hard it is to recover from a 7.0+ earthquake, but we have a child we sponsor through Compassion (Josh, you said you wanted to write about them. This would be the perfect time!) so it makes it that much closer to home.
So if you know anyone who's looking for a good camera, tell them to join in!! :)
I really don't know why we procrastinate so much. It feels so good to have that done! (maybe that's why...if we did it when we first talked about it, the relief might not be there)
This is your life...are you who you want to be?
I heard this Switchfoot song today (the title of this post) and it made me think. And be very thankful.
When I came home from Turkey, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Well, I knew what I wanted ultimately (to be a wife and mother) but with no husband in sight, I couldn't do either of those things. (well, not without upsetting God and everyone I knew). So I wandered for a couple years, filling in the time with secretarial jobs and working retail.
During this time, I read Jeter's autobiography/self-help book, "Who You Want To Be." It was all about how you need to have a dream to work towards. Nothing new, but it made me realize that the "wilderness time" I was experiencing left me with no dream, no goal, no hopes...I was just wandering, waiting, and getting more and more worried as I read the book.
Thankfully, Josh came into my life, and I'm now doing exactly what I always wanted to do. So now, I can honestly look at that question and say, "yes, I am who I want to be!"
(well, in complete honesty, I am who I want to be, and I am happy with where we are, but I'm having an "I wish I could get a break" day, so I'm not quite as much of a "Susie Sunshine" as this post may sound.)
When I came home from Turkey, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Well, I knew what I wanted ultimately (to be a wife and mother) but with no husband in sight, I couldn't do either of those things. (well, not without upsetting God and everyone I knew). So I wandered for a couple years, filling in the time with secretarial jobs and working retail.
During this time, I read Jeter's autobiography/self-help book, "Who You Want To Be." It was all about how you need to have a dream to work towards. Nothing new, but it made me realize that the "wilderness time" I was experiencing left me with no dream, no goal, no hopes...I was just wandering, waiting, and getting more and more worried as I read the book.
Thankfully, Josh came into my life, and I'm now doing exactly what I always wanted to do. So now, I can honestly look at that question and say, "yes, I am who I want to be!"
(well, in complete honesty, I am who I want to be, and I am happy with where we are, but I'm having an "I wish I could get a break" day, so I'm not quite as much of a "Susie Sunshine" as this post may sound.)
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Catch-up time again
I've gotten so far behind in posting layouts here! My requirement as part of the CT at TDC is to post layouts to at least three galleries. By the time that's done, I have no desire to do them anywhere else, though it's so easy here. No excuse, I know, but that's the way it goes.
So without further ado, here are a few of the layouts I've done the last few days.
I had to make an "all about me" layout. Each of the squares in the negatives frame is something very important to me. Istanbul, Josh, TDC, America, daisies, coffee, Jasmine and Bekah (not in that order, of course)
Here's the layout I made about our anniversary day out. I love the little animals; aren't they adorable?
Here's a very atypical page for me. It was so much fun, though! I was so excited to see this cebu again at the zoo, so Josh got pictures of me petting him. (for anyone thoroughly confused: watch Veggie Tales' "Josh and the Big Wall" and it will all be clear)
A picture I got at my parents' a couple weeks ago. Aren't they the cutest?
Pictures I scanned in from Josh's childhood. What a cutie!!
So without further ado, here are a few of the layouts I've done the last few days.
I had to make an "all about me" layout. Each of the squares in the negatives frame is something very important to me. Istanbul, Josh, TDC, America, daisies, coffee, Jasmine and Bekah (not in that order, of course)
Here's the layout I made about our anniversary day out. I love the little animals; aren't they adorable?
Here's a very atypical page for me. It was so much fun, though! I was so excited to see this cebu again at the zoo, so Josh got pictures of me petting him. (for anyone thoroughly confused: watch Veggie Tales' "Josh and the Big Wall" and it will all be clear)
A picture I got at my parents' a couple weeks ago. Aren't they the cutest?
Pictures I scanned in from Josh's childhood. What a cutie!!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Yankees Top Ten List
Okay, this may be my most outspoken post yet.
It's nearly postseason. You may have noticed the "Yankees Magic Number" ticker on the left side of our blog, counting down how many games left before Yankees win the AL East title. But as there are only 16 games left, we have to win all of them, and Boston has to lose 6 besides (or Boston could lose all 16 of theirs and then we'd only have to win 6, or somewhere in between) for us to get the title, we may need to be content with Wild Card.
But, since it's been the Wild Card winner to make it to the World Series the past few years (or so it seems at this moment; I don't feel like doing the needed research to see if that's accurate), maybe that's not such a bad thing.
So here is my top 10 list of things I can say at this point in our season, as a Diehard Yankees Fan.
10. People can no longer call me a fair-weather fan.
9. "Buying the best players" doesn't guarantee success. (besides, they can't tell us we just buy our players anymore, since Wang, Cano, Melki, Mo, Jeter and Posada are from our farm team)
8. Roger Clemens is as close to a prima donna as anyone one our team. Not too shabby.
7. "Good pitching stops good hitting" is true...but why can't we have good pitching and good hitting on our team, all at the same time?
6. A-Rod deserves MVP again this year. Even if he is a Yankee. I hope he does get a World Series ring this year, though.
5. It ain't over 'til it's over. We still have a shot at the AL East, but we'll definitely make post-season.
4. I'm proud of them, in spite of their less-than-stellar year.
3. I shouldn't have made this a top-10 list since I'm stuck now.
2. Go Jeter!
1. Sometimes even a "My First Yankees T-shirt" on Bekah doesn't help.
*edit: I'm realizing that I am very, very stressed about "my Yankees" right now. I am taking it personally, doing anything I can that will help them to win. Putting Bekah in her Yankees clothes, watching/listening to the games, paying attention to stats...of course it doesn't affect anything, and it is "just a game," but it's my game, and they're my team. I want them to do as well as they're capable of, to give them something to be proud of.
So if this rubbed you the wrong way, I'm sorry. Just please don't say anything bad about them, not right now. I think I would have a hard time handling it.
:)
It's nearly postseason. You may have noticed the "Yankees Magic Number" ticker on the left side of our blog, counting down how many games left before Yankees win the AL East title. But as there are only 16 games left, we have to win all of them, and Boston has to lose 6 besides (or Boston could lose all 16 of theirs and then we'd only have to win 6, or somewhere in between) for us to get the title, we may need to be content with Wild Card.
But, since it's been the Wild Card winner to make it to the World Series the past few years (or so it seems at this moment; I don't feel like doing the needed research to see if that's accurate), maybe that's not such a bad thing.
So here is my top 10 list of things I can say at this point in our season, as a Diehard Yankees Fan.
10. People can no longer call me a fair-weather fan.
9. "Buying the best players" doesn't guarantee success. (besides, they can't tell us we just buy our players anymore, since Wang, Cano, Melki, Mo, Jeter and Posada are from our farm team)
8. Roger Clemens is as close to a prima donna as anyone one our team. Not too shabby.
7. "Good pitching stops good hitting" is true...but why can't we have good pitching and good hitting on our team, all at the same time?
6. A-Rod deserves MVP again this year. Even if he is a Yankee. I hope he does get a World Series ring this year, though.
5. It ain't over 'til it's over. We still have a shot at the AL East, but we'll definitely make post-season.
4. I'm proud of them, in spite of their less-than-stellar year.
3. I shouldn't have made this a top-10 list since I'm stuck now.
2. Go Jeter!
1. Sometimes even a "My First Yankees T-shirt" on Bekah doesn't help.
*edit: I'm realizing that I am very, very stressed about "my Yankees" right now. I am taking it personally, doing anything I can that will help them to win. Putting Bekah in her Yankees clothes, watching/listening to the games, paying attention to stats...of course it doesn't affect anything, and it is "just a game," but it's my game, and they're my team. I want them to do as well as they're capable of, to give them something to be proud of.
So if this rubbed you the wrong way, I'm sorry. Just please don't say anything bad about them, not right now. I think I would have a hard time handling it.
:)
Happy VideoDay!
Bev's still hanging in there. Her husband is home now, so she feels like it would be okay to go into labor now. Who knows if that's what the baby has in mind, but at least she doesn't have to worry so much now.
Okay, here are a whole bunch of videos. Jasmine got a little silly, but this is how she sings it most of the time, even when she's not being taped. We call it "Chipmunk Rap." Usually she doesn't need this much prompting...she does know nearly all of the words.
But first: Mah-na-mah-na.
And trying again (a little more excited):
Jesus Loves Me:
A little of each girl:
And some of just Bekah, doing her newest thing:
Okay, here are a whole bunch of videos. Jasmine got a little silly, but this is how she sings it most of the time, even when she's not being taped. We call it "Chipmunk Rap." Usually she doesn't need this much prompting...she does know nearly all of the words.
But first: Mah-na-mah-na.
And trying again (a little more excited):
Jesus Loves Me:
A little of each girl:
And some of just Bekah, doing her newest thing:
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Update
Bev is still hanging in there. Her husband got the job, which is wonderful; a huge load off their minds as they looked ahead.
I want to start a "top 10 things about life with Jasmine" but I'm wayyy past my bedtime and have only thought as far as two. But that isn't fun, showing people the list before it's done. So if you haven't seen a list by the weekend, email me (or leave a comment here) and remind me to work on it. It would make a great scrapbook page, but I'll post it here first :)
I want to start a "top 10 things about life with Jasmine" but I'm wayyy past my bedtime and have only thought as far as two. But that isn't fun, showing people the list before it's done. So if you haven't seen a list by the weekend, email me (or leave a comment here) and remind me to work on it. It would make a great scrapbook page, but I'll post it here first :)
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Times when the world doesn't seem so "small"
There are times when "it's a small world" doesn't seem like such a true song. I love having friends from all over the country and world, and the ability to keep in touch with them at a moment's notice, emailing them or "visiting" them in forums.
But today it feels huge.
My friend Bev is 35 weeks pregnant. Her first son was born at 29 1/2 weeks (with no lasting problems; he's now a perfectly healthy, intelligent, adorable 2-year old), and her body is threatening labor now.
35 weeks isn't too early. It would be better if he had a couple more weeks to bake, but, especially with her past history, he may come out looking pretty full-term.
But it's still a little scary.
And then there's the fact that her first son will be staying with a friend, who he doesn't know very well.
And then the fact that her husband is presently a couple thousand miles away, having had a job interview on the other side of the country today. Hopefully he can get a flight home today (his flight is scheduled for Thursday).
So I'm asking for prayer for Bev, her family, and her still-unborn son. For him to hold on until the timing is right. For her husband to make it home in plenty of time. For her son to be happy with the friend watching him. And for health for all of them.
Thanks! I'll update this when I know more...
But today it feels huge.
My friend Bev is 35 weeks pregnant. Her first son was born at 29 1/2 weeks (with no lasting problems; he's now a perfectly healthy, intelligent, adorable 2-year old), and her body is threatening labor now.
35 weeks isn't too early. It would be better if he had a couple more weeks to bake, but, especially with her past history, he may come out looking pretty full-term.
But it's still a little scary.
And then there's the fact that her first son will be staying with a friend, who he doesn't know very well.
And then the fact that her husband is presently a couple thousand miles away, having had a job interview on the other side of the country today. Hopefully he can get a flight home today (his flight is scheduled for Thursday).
So I'm asking for prayer for Bev, her family, and her still-unborn son. For him to hold on until the timing is right. For her husband to make it home in plenty of time. For her son to be happy with the friend watching him. And for health for all of them.
Thanks! I'll update this when I know more...
Football is a barbarian's game
So on the way in to work this morning, they were talking on the radio about the Bills season opener on Sunday. We lost 4 players to injuries. Two are out for the season, one is out “indefinitely” (not sure if that’s shorter or longer than the season), and one guy suffered a “catastrophic spinal injury”, he’s in the hospital, he still may die, and if he lives, it’s very unlikely he’ll ever walk again.
So I’m glad that baseball is our game. (Well, it never was my game, but now it's our game. So thanks for that, Charlene!)
So I’m glad that baseball is our game. (Well, it never was my game, but now it's our game. So thanks for that, Charlene!)
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Edit to last post!
I bet you were wondering what on earth the title of my last post meant (Trespassers Will...), or, if you knew the Winnie-the-Pooh reference, what it had to do with my post.
In a Winnie-the-Pooh story, Piglet lived under a sign that said "Trespassers W," which he told people was his grandfather's name. It was short for Trespassers Will, which was short for Trespassers William. As a child I didn't get that at all, but now I think it's adorable.
And the connection?
On the way in to the "safari" part of the African Lion Safari (as in, the part where you drive and see the animals walk around free), there is a sign saying "Trespassers Will Be Eaten." I thought it was adorable, and intended to mention it in the last post, but forgot!
In a Winnie-the-Pooh story, Piglet lived under a sign that said "Trespassers W," which he told people was his grandfather's name. It was short for Trespassers Will, which was short for Trespassers William. As a child I didn't get that at all, but now I think it's adorable.
And the connection?
On the way in to the "safari" part of the African Lion Safari (as in, the part where you drive and see the animals walk around free), there is a sign saying "Trespassers Will Be Eaten." I thought it was adorable, and intended to mention it in the last post, but forgot!
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Trespassers Will (short for Trespassers William)
Yesterday was wonderful. We're planning to have a date next year (for our 5th anniversary), sans children, as perfect as they may have been yesterday.
We went to African Lion Safari (God gave us lovely little blessings, like the "fall price" starting the day before, and a AAA discount on top of that!) What a fun time! The yellow jackets are starting to get more obnoxious, and the lotion I put on that morning was very interesting to them, so I wiped it off with a baby wipe as best as I could.
Jasmine was climbing through the wood, but of course she stopped as soon as I pulled out the camera!
We took the little train that went around part of the park. We saw caribou, turtles, llamas...not as much wildlife as in the "safari" itself, but still very pretty.
On the safari, the car in front of us couldn't move because this ostrich was standing in their way. One of the trucks that waits for things like this to happen, came and "shooed" him away, but he came back to visit us as well.
He got pretty close :)
This is a "horrible" picture, but on purpose. This guy took a toll (a lick) before we could pass.
His whole face.
Aren't they pretty?
This rhino stood in the minivan's way until another truck shooed him away.
"Bussalo" (Jasmine's name for them)
I really need to let Josh have the camera more often. I took about 12 mediocre shots, and handed it to him. He picked it up, pointed, and shot, and got a much better picture than I could! And I'm the scrapbooker?!?! I don't think a Rebel is going to improve me that much.
After the safari, we went to Ikea and spent the money Josh's parents gave us as our gift. We got a bookcase that barely fit in the car (went from the back edge to even with our faces in the front.), a few baskets to put in it, cool containers for Jasmine's DVDs so they're not in her reach, a wall-hanging set of cloth basket-type things, and a few little nick-nacks. We're using the cloth thing to put things that we need to grab on our way out the door. One basket for things going to the office, and one for each of our family's houses. Should help cut down on the clutter in the kitchen, and cut down on our forgetting to get things when we go places!
We went to a Chinese fast food place for dinner. MSG-free, but really tough chicken. And they didn't take Mastercard!! (thankfully we had Visa too, but I've never, ever had Mastercard rejected!) It worked out okay (you get a better exchange rate using a credit card) and we made it home quickly.
Did I tell you how easy customs was? On the way over, he had his feet up, and asked us where we were from and where we were going. On the way back there were 2 cars in front of us. He asked us where we had gone and what we were bringing back, scanned in our ID, and let us go. Easy, and perfect! And Bekah wasn't crying at that point.
(I know it's safer to have them facing back as long as they can, but I can't wait to turn her around. That's when Jasmine started enjoying car rides, and when we started enjoying them a whole lot more too! Why did we get two anti-carseat babies??)
We went to African Lion Safari (God gave us lovely little blessings, like the "fall price" starting the day before, and a AAA discount on top of that!) What a fun time! The yellow jackets are starting to get more obnoxious, and the lotion I put on that morning was very interesting to them, so I wiped it off with a baby wipe as best as I could.
Jasmine was climbing through the wood, but of course she stopped as soon as I pulled out the camera!
We took the little train that went around part of the park. We saw caribou, turtles, llamas...not as much wildlife as in the "safari" itself, but still very pretty.
On the safari, the car in front of us couldn't move because this ostrich was standing in their way. One of the trucks that waits for things like this to happen, came and "shooed" him away, but he came back to visit us as well.
He got pretty close :)
This is a "horrible" picture, but on purpose. This guy took a toll (a lick) before we could pass.
His whole face.
Aren't they pretty?
This rhino stood in the minivan's way until another truck shooed him away.
"Bussalo" (Jasmine's name for them)I really need to let Josh have the camera more often. I took about 12 mediocre shots, and handed it to him. He picked it up, pointed, and shot, and got a much better picture than I could! And I'm the scrapbooker?!?! I don't think a Rebel is going to improve me that much.
After the safari, we went to Ikea and spent the money Josh's parents gave us as our gift. We got a bookcase that barely fit in the car (went from the back edge to even with our faces in the front.), a few baskets to put in it, cool containers for Jasmine's DVDs so they're not in her reach, a wall-hanging set of cloth basket-type things, and a few little nick-nacks. We're using the cloth thing to put things that we need to grab on our way out the door. One basket for things going to the office, and one for each of our family's houses. Should help cut down on the clutter in the kitchen, and cut down on our forgetting to get things when we go places!
We went to a Chinese fast food place for dinner. MSG-free, but really tough chicken. And they didn't take Mastercard!! (thankfully we had Visa too, but I've never, ever had Mastercard rejected!) It worked out okay (you get a better exchange rate using a credit card) and we made it home quickly.
Did I tell you how easy customs was? On the way over, he had his feet up, and asked us where we were from and where we were going. On the way back there were 2 cars in front of us. He asked us where we had gone and what we were bringing back, scanned in our ID, and let us go. Easy, and perfect! And Bekah wasn't crying at that point.
(I know it's safer to have them facing back as long as they can, but I can't wait to turn her around. That's when Jasmine started enjoying car rides, and when we started enjoying them a whole lot more too! Why did we get two anti-carseat babies??)
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
4 years (tomorrow)
4 years ago today (the 4th), we had our rehearsal at the little church where we were getting married. We didn't get married at Josh's church because that's not how it's done, and since my church met in the auditorium of a school, we got married at my parents' church. It was the perfect size; we filled it with our 110 (ish) guests.
We had two pastors. The pastor (and my boss) of the church I'd been going to, who had married 50 couples. And the missions director of the church I went to through all of college (and that I considered my home church when I was in Turkey), who I considered to be my "second father.") He had been ordained months (or a year?) before, but this was his first wedding.
The rehearsal went smoothly. It was a very small party, which simplified things. Justin, my youngest brother, was almost 4, and he was the ring bearer. Don (pastor 1) worried that he'd misbehave, but Justin is an exceptional, amazing little boy, and always does what he's supposed to. Don put a small sticker on the floor to mark each person's spot, and Justin tried his hardest to make sure both feet were on that sticker. When Don had him turn towards us, he still kept those little feet on the spot. What a cutie!
Our maid-of-honor was my sister, and the best man was Josh's cousin. Joanna, my friend since infancy, was the pianist, and my brother Daniel played "The Wedding Song" on guitar.
After the rehearsal, we went to dinner at Josh's cousin's church, and she had an amazing dinner for us. She's a caterer, and judging by how good the food is, she does quite well for herself.
The next day, I went with Daniel to a little Chinese gift shop to kill time. The lady tried to get me to buy a dress. I went to Chinese for lunch with my parents and out-of-town family. I snuck in one email to Josh, finalizing details about the reception.
Katie (my sister) and I got my hair done by our neighbor, who was our hairdresser for years. The photographers (dear family friends) came and started taking pictures of Katie and I, and some of my family. They went to the church to get Josh and Brad (the best man) and the people as they arrived.
The wedding itself was very short (about 30 minutes). One song while we did communion, simple vows that we "wrote" (we decided on our vows, going from a number of options of others before us), and one scripture reading (read by Josh's sister Charity).
The reception was supposed to be outside if the weather was nice, but people pretty much stayed inside, where the snacks and cake was. The church was very crowded, but it was nice to be relaxed and just chat. No dancing, no table...just mingling and snacking and picture-ing.
We went to a hotel not too far away, where Josh locked the keys in the car. He had popped the trunk before he closed the door, so he climbed through the trunk (in his tux). The next day we went back to my parents' home for something we'd forgotten, and then to my brother's apartment so they could take us to the airport and we could skip paying for airport parking.
Then off for a week in NYC, seeing a Yankees game, exploring the city, museum, Central Park, eating Turkish food...and getting used to being "Mr. and Mrs. Virkler!"
Monday, September 03, 2007
Pronouns and other hard lessons
It's late, Bekah has fallen asleep and I really, really need to join her.
But I wanted to write quickly about our darling Jasmine, and how much fun it is to watch her as she conquers our bizarre language.
For a long time she said "nee hewp" (need help). But now it's "I help you," which is really what she wants us to say to her. And "I read to you" means, um, she's not the one doing the reading.
Pronouns are hard! I think learning Jesus Loves Me, along with a few of the signs in it, is helping, as she is pointing to herself for the word "me." But it really is a complex concept!
Along the lines of "Jesus Loves Me," she's become quite the prayer warrior. Tonight she put her hand to Josh's forehead and said "Hurts? Lotion? Better?" and then "prayed" (a whisper, most of which is unintelligible), and then "amen." (Josh and I both got a little too much sun today). What a sweetheart! She is so aware of the needs of others, very un-two!
But I wanted to write quickly about our darling Jasmine, and how much fun it is to watch her as she conquers our bizarre language.
For a long time she said "nee hewp" (need help). But now it's "I help you," which is really what she wants us to say to her. And "I read to you" means, um, she's not the one doing the reading.
Pronouns are hard! I think learning Jesus Loves Me, along with a few of the signs in it, is helping, as she is pointing to herself for the word "me." But it really is a complex concept!
Along the lines of "Jesus Loves Me," she's become quite the prayer warrior. Tonight she put her hand to Josh's forehead and said "Hurts? Lotion? Better?" and then "prayed" (a whisper, most of which is unintelligible), and then "amen." (Josh and I both got a little too much sun today). What a sweetheart! She is so aware of the needs of others, very un-two!
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