Friday, October 03, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Potty Time! Excellent!!
We have now officially started Potty Training. Although I've been potty trained for about 30 years now, it's not as inherent as one would think to teach someone else how to use a potty. Saturday I got her out of bed and we pulled out the potty, put it right in front of the TV (to keep her sitting there) and off came the diaper. She went!!! We made a big to-do calling grandparents and such. The process was repeated by my lovely wife (she was the trainer, not the pottier) this morning.
I'm still not sure that she understands that she went in the potty and that what was in the potty came out of her.
Any thoughts on the best way to train a child to potty correctly??
I'm still not sure that she understands that she went in the potty and that what was in the potty came out of her.
Any thoughts on the best way to train a child to potty correctly??
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Christian fraternity turns away Mormon
http://media.www.dailylobo.com/media/storage/paper344/news/2008/09/09/News/Christian.Fraternity.Turns.Away.Mormon-3421321.shtml
The University of New Mexico chapter of Kappa Upsilon Chi turned away John Bundy because he was LDS and not "Christian".
"The basic requirement for members is that they have faith in Jesus Christ as their savior and they follow Biblical theology," [Mark] Nelson said. "We follow the Bible alone as scripture. The (Church of Latter Day Saints) follows the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon."
"Brent Webster, head of the national chapter of Kappa Upsilon Chi, said the UNM branch was right in its actions.'The statement of beliefs is what we ask every member to agree to be part of the organization,' he said. 'We require people not only to believe in those but also to be pursuing a relationship with Christ.'
Webster said Mormons do not fit these requirements, but Baptists, Catholics and Methodists do.
'What Mormons believe is not a traditional Christian belief,' he said. 'We have different Christian denominations in our fraternity. There are doctrinal differences between the denominations, but we hold the same traditional beliefs.'"
Personally I am disappointed that an organization would have such an outdated viewpoint and not stand corrected by someone. Hopefully the example of members of the church and their efforts to combat this label succeed in changing these views.
In my classic style, I found Mr Nelson's email address (I'm still looking for one for Brent Webster) and sent him the following email:
Dear Mr Nelson,
I was very disappointed to see that your organization “the UNM chapter of Kappa Upsilon Chi” refused admittance to a potential member based solely on the fact that he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Views such as these are extremely outdated and don’t benefit anyone.
There have been significant advances in communication between denominations. While I will not downplay the fact that “Mormons” follow a strictly 1st century line of Christianity while “other Christians” follow a modified 4th century and later versions of Christianity, the basic tenants are the same. It’s a shame that this is not recognized.
How can you say you follow the Jesus of the bible and not allow all who profess to follow him full fellowship in your organization? You claim to follow the same Jesus who communed with the Samarian woman at the well in spite of her being Samarian? The same Jesus who taught the parable of the good Samaritan? The same Jesus who called Saul of Tarsus, the great Christian persecutor, to follow him and preach his word? If Jesus could open his heart and ministry to these people who did not share in his gospel, why can’t you?
If excluding people who accept Jesus Christ as their savior from participation in a group meant to serve the world and praise his name is what it means to be a Christian to you, then I count myself lucky that you do not consider me to be one of you.
May the Lord open your hearts and minds to accept all those who seek for Christ.
Sincerely,
PLEASE email Mr Nelson YOUR thoughts at: rnelson1@unm.edu
The University of New Mexico chapter of Kappa Upsilon Chi turned away John Bundy because he was LDS and not "Christian".
"The basic requirement for members is that they have faith in Jesus Christ as their savior and they follow Biblical theology," [Mark] Nelson said. "We follow the Bible alone as scripture. The (Church of Latter Day Saints) follows the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon."
"Brent Webster, head of the national chapter of Kappa Upsilon Chi, said the UNM branch was right in its actions.'The statement of beliefs is what we ask every member to agree to be part of the organization,' he said. 'We require people not only to believe in those but also to be pursuing a relationship with Christ.'
Webster said Mormons do not fit these requirements, but Baptists, Catholics and Methodists do.
'What Mormons believe is not a traditional Christian belief,' he said. 'We have different Christian denominations in our fraternity. There are doctrinal differences between the denominations, but we hold the same traditional beliefs.'"
Personally I am disappointed that an organization would have such an outdated viewpoint and not stand corrected by someone. Hopefully the example of members of the church and their efforts to combat this label succeed in changing these views.
In my classic style, I found Mr Nelson's email address (I'm still looking for one for Brent Webster) and sent him the following email:
Dear Mr Nelson,
I was very disappointed to see that your organization “the UNM chapter of Kappa Upsilon Chi” refused admittance to a potential member based solely on the fact that he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Views such as these are extremely outdated and don’t benefit anyone.
There have been significant advances in communication between denominations. While I will not downplay the fact that “Mormons” follow a strictly 1st century line of Christianity while “other Christians” follow a modified 4th century and later versions of Christianity, the basic tenants are the same. It’s a shame that this is not recognized.
How can you say you follow the Jesus of the bible and not allow all who profess to follow him full fellowship in your organization? You claim to follow the same Jesus who communed with the Samarian woman at the well in spite of her being Samarian? The same Jesus who taught the parable of the good Samaritan? The same Jesus who called Saul of Tarsus, the great Christian persecutor, to follow him and preach his word? If Jesus could open his heart and ministry to these people who did not share in his gospel, why can’t you?
If excluding people who accept Jesus Christ as their savior from participation in a group meant to serve the world and praise his name is what it means to be a Christian to you, then I count myself lucky that you do not consider me to be one of you.
May the Lord open your hearts and minds to accept all those who seek for Christ.
Sincerely,
PLEASE email Mr Nelson YOUR thoughts at: rnelson1@unm.edu
Monday, September 08, 2008
Sending support
We all know I'm a blog addict, and I could spend all day reading and talking to all the invisible people and friends I've made out there. There are a few amazing bloggers who take the call to share ourselves and our religion with the world to another level as well as being hilarious and sweet mommy bloggers. One of their own - Stephanie Neilson - was in a plane crash with her husband and a instructor in Arizona August 16th. The instructor died shortly afterwards, and both Stephanie and her husband remain in critical condition, Christian with burns over 30% of his body and Stephanie with 80%. Their 4 beautiful children are being cared for one of her sisters, one of the most famous of LDS bloggers, Cjane, who is how I ran into the whole bunch.
I have to admit, I read them all with a twinge of envy, from their incredible writing skillz, and their ability to find joy and beauty in motherhood and life. I'm not the only one - their story was just picked up by the New York Times and scores of "lurkers" are coming out of the woodwork to show support and help raise funds for their recovery - the medical bills are expected to be in the millions. It's beautiful to read how every day, strangers are finding new ways to help.
I cry every time I read about their road. Since I gave birth, I have this remarkable ability to cry at EVERYTHING. Sappy sitcoms, commercials, papercuts, it's crazy. For those of you who knew me before, you know I already cried all the time, but it's actually 100% worse now, hard to imagine, but true! But I cry as a mother and how I can't imgine how their amazing family is making everything work so beautifully. I also cry as a sister, because I can't help to be reminded of my family's personal tragedy just a few months ago, when my sister-in-law Megan was killed in a car accident. My brother Quinn is slowly recovering, and their son is so well-cared for it amazes all of us daily. I rejoice in the blessing of our knowledge of the atonement and the blessing of being sealed in the temple has been to Quinn. I see Cjane, who after years of infertility finally has a beautiful baby boy, is now caring for a newborn and her sister's 4 children while dealing with her own grief. I don't know how I can help my own brother. His son is in a better place than any of us could have dreamed, and my parents are there for Quinn when he needs them, just a few miles down the road. I've asked Quinn countless times how I can help - I'm so lost and useless it seems. He always just tells me to love my daughter and be a good aunt. If we could add up all the prayers I've made maybe I'd feel useful, but right now all I seems to be doing is sending good vibes.
Although - I've learned from Solei - you can never have too many people to pray for.
I have to admit, I read them all with a twinge of envy, from their incredible writing skillz, and their ability to find joy and beauty in motherhood and life. I'm not the only one - their story was just picked up by the New York Times and scores of "lurkers" are coming out of the woodwork to show support and help raise funds for their recovery - the medical bills are expected to be in the millions. It's beautiful to read how every day, strangers are finding new ways to help.
I cry every time I read about their road. Since I gave birth, I have this remarkable ability to cry at EVERYTHING. Sappy sitcoms, commercials, papercuts, it's crazy. For those of you who knew me before, you know I already cried all the time, but it's actually 100% worse now, hard to imagine, but true! But I cry as a mother and how I can't imgine how their amazing family is making everything work so beautifully. I also cry as a sister, because I can't help to be reminded of my family's personal tragedy just a few months ago, when my sister-in-law Megan was killed in a car accident. My brother Quinn is slowly recovering, and their son is so well-cared for it amazes all of us daily. I rejoice in the blessing of our knowledge of the atonement and the blessing of being sealed in the temple has been to Quinn. I see Cjane, who after years of infertility finally has a beautiful baby boy, is now caring for a newborn and her sister's 4 children while dealing with her own grief. I don't know how I can help my own brother. His son is in a better place than any of us could have dreamed, and my parents are there for Quinn when he needs them, just a few miles down the road. I've asked Quinn countless times how I can help - I'm so lost and useless it seems. He always just tells me to love my daughter and be a good aunt. If we could add up all the prayers I've made maybe I'd feel useful, but right now all I seems to be doing is sending good vibes.
Although - I've learned from Solei - you can never have too many people to pray for.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
ELIZA magazine
Something that I love about these latter days is that there are fashion options for those of us trying to stay modest. So many companies are trying to help out and give us clothing that covers and is attractive, and there's help in the media from ELIZA magazine. I don't mean to just plagerize, but they say it better than I can:The world may be changing, but at least there's something like this for our world. Thanks, ELIZA!
Eliza Magazine is created for women who want to be stylish, sexy, and
engaged in the world while retaining high standards in dress, entertainment, and
lifestyle. Eliza strives to bring you the best of fashion without any of the
trash. We will not uncover the sexual secrets to make him want you, promote
people who are glitz with no substance, or glorify lifestyles that we know do
not bring happiness. We are dedicated to finding up-and-coming fashion lines,
showcasing pieces that are worth the big price tags, and discover deals that are
just as hip at your local low-end department stores−along with presenting
articles on uplifting entertainment, current issues, creative ideas, and life in
general.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Baptism for the Dead
This is from the Belfast Telegram. It's an interesting argument from an athiest.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/eamon-mccann/article13955402.ece;jsessionid=14550DCB3FA6A06D47E2EE657BEDA8A0?mode=error
Eamonn McCann: What if Mormons are right and Catholics and Protestants wrong?
Why are the Catholic bishops so concerned about Mormons baptising dead parishioners? The Mormons didn’t invent baptism of the dead. The practice has a significant history within mainstream Christianity. The decision to order its abandonment was taken only after heated debate, and was a close-run thing.
What’s the difference, anyway, between baptising the dead and baptising babies? A tiny infant will have as much understanding as a dead person — none at all — of the complex philosophical belief-system it’s being inducted into when baptised, say, a Catholic. Transubstantiation? There’s daily communicants go to their deaths without any clear understanding of the concept. So what chance the mewling tot?
Indeed, given that all Christian Churches believe that the soul lives on after death and retains understanding and consciousness of self, doesn’t it make more sense to baptise dead adults than live babies?
Apart from which, if the Catholic bishops hold that the beliefs of the Mormons are pure baloney (as they must), and their rituals therefore perfectly meaningless, how can it matter to them what mumbo-jumbo Mormons might mutter over Catholic cadavers?
The current controversy has been prompted by Archbishop Dermot Clifford and Bishop Bill Murphy complaining to the National Library in Dublin about records handed over by the Church being made available to all and sundry. The Mormons are believed to have taken advantage of this facility to comb through parish records and baptise the souls enumerated therein, a batch at a time.
The bishops stepped in after the Vatican warned all national churches earlier this year about Mormons misusing diocesan records. I have heard it suggested that the alarm of the Holy See had escalated after reports that Mormon multiple baptisms were regularly breaking the official record set by General Liu Kung Lee who, in one afternoon, baptised seven regiments of Chinese soldiers into Christianity with a fire-hose.
Let’s look at the facts as understood by the early followers of Christ. For more than 300 years after the Crucifixion, baptism of the dead was widely accepted, its biblical basis located in 1 Corinthians 15, 29: “Otherwise, what shall they do who are baptised for the dead if the dead rise not again at all? Why are they then baptised for them.” In other words, a deceased person could be baptised by proxy: otherwise, how could such a person be included in the Ressurection? A good question.
The radical Cerinthians and the Marcionites were especially energetic baptisers of the dead. It was to wrong-foot these sects, seen as competitors with the official Church at a time when it was consolidating its position as the State religion of the Roman Empire, that the Synods of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397) voted, after bitter debate, to condemn the practice.
Interestingly, a clear trace of baptism of the dead has lingered in official practice to the present day, in the form of prayers for divine intercession on behalf of the unbaptised souls. Prayers for intervention were encouraged in Catholic schools in the 1950s. For all I know, this remains the case.
Baptising the dead might be seen as analogous, too, to the Jewish prayer of intercession. Which serves as a reminder that US Jews put a halt to galloping post-mortem Mormonism a couple of years ago by arguing that deJudaising those who’d perished in the concentration camps constituted a profound insult to Holocaust victims. Following talks in New York between leaders of the two religions, the Mormons backed off.
The key point is, surely, that all religions believe that the soul, after death, at last knows what’s what — whether Hinduism, Free Presbyterianism, Jainism, Judaism, Islam, Catholicism or whatever is the true religion. What if it’s Mormonism? What if it’s an everyday occurrence on the other side that Catholics and Protestants are left standing dumbstruck at the Gates, gasping: “Mormons! Who’d have believed it?” And maybe a wife berating her husband: “There! I told you it would be the Mormons! But would you listen?! Now it’s eternal hellfire for the two of us, I hope you’re satisfied.”
In that scenario, shouldn’t all members of all other religions be literally eternally grateful to the Mormons for sharing their saving grace even unto and after death?
If, on the other hand, it isn’t the Mormons at all, those who turn out to have been right can wave a merry farewell to the crestfallen followers of Brigham Young as they trundle downwards to their eternal comeuppance.
What’s the problem?
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/eamon-mccann/article13955402.ece;jsessionid=14550DCB3FA6A06D47E2EE657BEDA8A0?mode=error
Eamonn McCann: What if Mormons are right and Catholics and Protestants wrong?
Why are the Catholic bishops so concerned about Mormons baptising dead parishioners? The Mormons didn’t invent baptism of the dead. The practice has a significant history within mainstream Christianity. The decision to order its abandonment was taken only after heated debate, and was a close-run thing.
What’s the difference, anyway, between baptising the dead and baptising babies? A tiny infant will have as much understanding as a dead person — none at all — of the complex philosophical belief-system it’s being inducted into when baptised, say, a Catholic. Transubstantiation? There’s daily communicants go to their deaths without any clear understanding of the concept. So what chance the mewling tot?
Indeed, given that all Christian Churches believe that the soul lives on after death and retains understanding and consciousness of self, doesn’t it make more sense to baptise dead adults than live babies?
Apart from which, if the Catholic bishops hold that the beliefs of the Mormons are pure baloney (as they must), and their rituals therefore perfectly meaningless, how can it matter to them what mumbo-jumbo Mormons might mutter over Catholic cadavers?
The current controversy has been prompted by Archbishop Dermot Clifford and Bishop Bill Murphy complaining to the National Library in Dublin about records handed over by the Church being made available to all and sundry. The Mormons are believed to have taken advantage of this facility to comb through parish records and baptise the souls enumerated therein, a batch at a time.
The bishops stepped in after the Vatican warned all national churches earlier this year about Mormons misusing diocesan records. I have heard it suggested that the alarm of the Holy See had escalated after reports that Mormon multiple baptisms were regularly breaking the official record set by General Liu Kung Lee who, in one afternoon, baptised seven regiments of Chinese soldiers into Christianity with a fire-hose.
Let’s look at the facts as understood by the early followers of Christ. For more than 300 years after the Crucifixion, baptism of the dead was widely accepted, its biblical basis located in 1 Corinthians 15, 29: “Otherwise, what shall they do who are baptised for the dead if the dead rise not again at all? Why are they then baptised for them.” In other words, a deceased person could be baptised by proxy: otherwise, how could such a person be included in the Ressurection? A good question.
The radical Cerinthians and the Marcionites were especially energetic baptisers of the dead. It was to wrong-foot these sects, seen as competitors with the official Church at a time when it was consolidating its position as the State religion of the Roman Empire, that the Synods of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397) voted, after bitter debate, to condemn the practice.
Interestingly, a clear trace of baptism of the dead has lingered in official practice to the present day, in the form of prayers for divine intercession on behalf of the unbaptised souls. Prayers for intervention were encouraged in Catholic schools in the 1950s. For all I know, this remains the case.
Baptising the dead might be seen as analogous, too, to the Jewish prayer of intercession. Which serves as a reminder that US Jews put a halt to galloping post-mortem Mormonism a couple of years ago by arguing that deJudaising those who’d perished in the concentration camps constituted a profound insult to Holocaust victims. Following talks in New York between leaders of the two religions, the Mormons backed off.
The key point is, surely, that all religions believe that the soul, after death, at last knows what’s what — whether Hinduism, Free Presbyterianism, Jainism, Judaism, Islam, Catholicism or whatever is the true religion. What if it’s Mormonism? What if it’s an everyday occurrence on the other side that Catholics and Protestants are left standing dumbstruck at the Gates, gasping: “Mormons! Who’d have believed it?” And maybe a wife berating her husband: “There! I told you it would be the Mormons! But would you listen?! Now it’s eternal hellfire for the two of us, I hope you’re satisfied.”
In that scenario, shouldn’t all members of all other religions be literally eternally grateful to the Mormons for sharing their saving grace even unto and after death?
If, on the other hand, it isn’t the Mormons at all, those who turn out to have been right can wave a merry farewell to the crestfallen followers of Brigham Young as they trundle downwards to their eternal comeuppance.
What’s the problem?
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Kiddo Video
We haven't posted kiddo videos in a while.
Wifey says this one is so sweet you'll have to brush your teeth afterwards:
In our next installment of "smartest baby ever" our daughter takes on shapes:
WoooHooo!!!
Wifey says this one is so sweet you'll have to brush your teeth afterwards:
In our next installment of "smartest baby ever" our daughter takes on shapes:
WoooHooo!!!
Dixie Speedway
"Come to the demolition derby!" he said. "I think they're going to race some cars beforehand, it'll be fun!"
We got there just after 7, they didn't start smashing anything on purpose until around 11. What a culture shock it was! Jared took me to Dixie Speedway with some of his coworkers (yes, "dixie") and we got hip-deep in local culture.
The racing was NUTS! The track was dirt, and short, so it seemed like most of the racing was turning., and the trick with turning was to not go spinning out of control what with the ground being nothing but red clay.
Thank heavens Jared remembered ear plugs! Although some noseplugs would have helped too - the smell of gas and dirt was intense... WHEWEE!
I actually got really into it. The loud and the shaking when a race started was pretty exhilarating, although a co-worker and I agreed that the whole driving-slow-because-they-need-to-clear-an-accident-but-the-guys-in-the-back-now-have-a-chance-to catch-up-to-the-guy-in-front-who-WAS-half-a-track-ahead-and-now-they're-right-behind-him-trying-to-over-take-him-all-sneaky-like seemed pretty unfair. But what do we know?
Oh, and the guy waving the flag was fabulous. Really splendid technique.
I do have to say my favorite moment of the night was when Jared got up and announced "I'm going to buy something fried."
Predictablly, he came back wanting to change careers because the idea of charging $3 for $.15 of batter and powdered sugar sounded awesome. And it was numnummy!
Oh - and no pics of this - but did you know there's cars that race that have 2 drivers - one with the wheel and one in charge of the gas and brakes?!? And the nuttiest thing was - those cars had NO accidents in their race, unlike all the others with one driver! We should get that done to our van. Solei could steer!
Then at the end came the demolition derby. It was too dark to get decent pictures or video, but it was not at all what I expected. The junkers drove up, the flag came down and they just started ramming into each other. I thought there'd be some kind of pagentry or something, but nope, just smashing. And yes, there was fire. Very gratifying. And very awesome.
I learned back when I lived in Texas to just set aside my comfort zone and enjoy what the world around me had to offer, even if it did seem pretty nutty. I wish I'd learned it sooner, but I am having a ball experiencing this southern thing! This is right up there with the monster truck rally we went to on our first anniversary:)
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Can't take any more...
Everytime I open our page I see that silly grin and it's driving me nuts.
Life has been crazy the last few weeks. Our home was host to a music camp for a week. It drove wife to the edge. She apparently doesn't like screaming 6 year old girls all day long. She's also working on a new album with her band "The Border Collies" as well as one with her treo "Tres de Solei." In preparation for a huge month of September where they are playing 7 different show in just one month.
Work has been insane for me. It's "crunch time" in the toy business and my brain is at full capacity. I created this massive spreadsheet to track all of the forecasts we have from our customers and all the orders I've placed to my factories. If you don't count sleep, I spend more time with this spreadsheet than I do with my wife and child.
Our ward (Church) has begun a focus on "Missionary Work" and being the Assistant Ward Mission Leader (assistant mission leader for my congregation) I'm kind of in the middle of everything. It's an interesting place to be.
We had visits from my sister and brother and thier spouses and families. Nana was in grandma heaven with so many kids. They had SO much fun spending time together. Our Daughter LOVES her cousins and every day would ask for "PAPA-NANA house" to go play with them. We can't wait for them to come back!
From the cute child file:
Daughter is learning how to pray. She is really really good at it and prays basically on her own. On Thursday evening she was praying over dinner and she asked to "Bless Spongebob". I think we need to cut down her TV time.
Life has been crazy the last few weeks. Our home was host to a music camp for a week. It drove wife to the edge. She apparently doesn't like screaming 6 year old girls all day long. She's also working on a new album with her band "The Border Collies" as well as one with her treo "Tres de Solei." In preparation for a huge month of September where they are playing 7 different show in just one month.
Work has been insane for me. It's "crunch time" in the toy business and my brain is at full capacity. I created this massive spreadsheet to track all of the forecasts we have from our customers and all the orders I've placed to my factories. If you don't count sleep, I spend more time with this spreadsheet than I do with my wife and child.
Our ward (Church) has begun a focus on "Missionary Work" and being the Assistant Ward Mission Leader (assistant mission leader for my congregation) I'm kind of in the middle of everything. It's an interesting place to be.
We had visits from my sister and brother and thier spouses and families. Nana was in grandma heaven with so many kids. They had SO much fun spending time together. Our Daughter LOVES her cousins and every day would ask for "PAPA-NANA house" to go play with them. We can't wait for them to come back!
From the cute child file:
Daughter is learning how to pray. She is really really good at it and prays basically on her own. On Thursday evening she was praying over dinner and she asked to "Bless Spongebob". I think we need to cut down her TV time.
Friday, July 18, 2008
huh??
Dude, I just saw Kirby - the LDS actor from the Singles Ward, The RM and that embarassing BOM movie - in a Miller Light commercial. Seriously!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Announcement:
Hear ye, hear ye.
Let it be known that on the seventeenth of July, our fair daughter went POO in the POTTY.
Let it be known that on the seventeenth of July, our fair daughter went POO in the POTTY.Let the celebrations begin.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Concept of Heaven
An Anglican leader talks about his new book that exposes the correct view of heaven on The Colbert Report (Someone should tell him he's ripping off Mormon theology...)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Long Week
This week has made me realize how lucky I really am. I have an amazing wife who loves me and does so much for me. Sometimes it's not until someone is absent that you realize how important they are to you. I need to do better at recognizing that and letting her know that.
Based on the reports I have heard, my wife is having a great time with her siblings. Our daughter is having the grandest of times with her grandmother and other relatives. They are both having the time of their lives. Reva bought two extra SD cards to capture all the memories, so I'm sure she will post loads of photos. I, on the other hand, can't wait for their return.
Nothing more to report.
Based on the reports I have heard, my wife is having a great time with her siblings. Our daughter is having the grandest of times with her grandmother and other relatives. They are both having the time of their lives. Reva bought two extra SD cards to capture all the memories, so I'm sure she will post loads of photos. I, on the other hand, can't wait for their return.
Nothing more to report.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Alone
I have been banned from the family reunion. Who gets banned from a family reunion??
BANNED by none other than my wife. My own wife banned me. Apparently I don't travel well and would spoil her fun. No beach, no Grilling out, no put-put golf, no aquarium, no daughter, no wife for one whole week.
Instead I have to stay home and try to keep myself occupied. Alone in a cold (actually hot) and lonely house.
Sad pictures to come.
BANNED by none other than my wife. My own wife banned me. Apparently I don't travel well and would spoil her fun. No beach, no Grilling out, no put-put golf, no aquarium, no daughter, no wife for one whole week.
Instead I have to stay home and try to keep myself occupied. Alone in a cold (actually hot) and lonely house.
Sad pictures to come.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
bleckety blah
Sorry, today is one of those we-need-to-update-but-there-isn't-anything-interesing-to-say blogs. So instead, you get whatever is on our memory card.
So for Jared's birthday, he wanted to go garage sale-ing, since it's something he loves and I ... not so much. We ended up with this:
How much would you pay for a Pow-pow-power Wheels? 20 smackers. It's hilarious - she can press the "gas" and go, but she can't use the steering wheel. You gotta come over and see it!
Nothing earth-shattering here, she just likes walking around the house with her hat over her face. Yes, she does bump into stuff.
My trio band (Tres de Solei - nope, still don't have a new name) played a pretty awesome gig this weekend at a Highland Games in north Georgia. It was a BLAST!! We kind of stole the show once or twice, and layed in a downpour for one set. Soggy, but still happy!
And as fun as it was to play, I also got some awesome girl time and we had a ball. Mostly messing around twith the timer button on Michael's camera.
And last but not least - here's a shot of Jared, our favorite daddy on this Father's Day.
You're welcome!
So for Jared's birthday, he wanted to go garage sale-ing, since it's something he loves and I ... not so much. We ended up with this:
How much would you pay for a Pow-pow-power Wheels? 20 smackers. It's hilarious - she can press the "gas" and go, but she can't use the steering wheel. You gotta come over and see it!Nothing earth-shattering here, she just likes walking around the house with her hat over her face. Yes, she does bump into stuff.My trio band (Tres de Solei - nope, still don't have a new name) played a pretty awesome gig this weekend at a Highland Games in north Georgia. It was a BLAST!! We kind of stole the show once or twice, and layed in a downpour for one set. Soggy, but still happy!And as fun as it was to play, I also got some awesome girl time and we had a ball. Mostly messing around twith the timer button on Michael's camera.
And last but not least - here's a shot of Jared, our favorite daddy on this Father's Day.
This morning when he went to get Solei out of bed, she stood up and said "I love you!" Coolest gift ever! (except for all the stuff he's been buying for the last few months and saying they were birthday and Father's day gifts - the scooter, the meat grinder and sausage maker, the projector that turned our basement into a movie theater, and a 6 pack of IBC root beer) Solei adores her dad because he's patient when I'm not, loving when I'm moody, and crazy when she is too. He's the one with the guts to do her hair every Sunday morning, to teach her how to fetch stuff for us, and the person she reaches for when she's happy or sad. Yay, daddy!!!
It almost makes me want to have more... just because he told me we had to. But the thought of having another one still makes me want to throw myself in front of Solei's Power Wheels. I'm currently negotiating pushing back the baby thing a few years - although who here has ever known me to be able to resist Jared's mind games? I think he needs to spend some time with a really horrible baby. Anyone have one you could lend us for a few hours??
And speaking of fathers - dad was giving his ukelele a test drive, and ended up giving Solei some hula lessons today. Thank heaven for fathers!
Happy Father's Day!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
ALLDONEALLDONEALLDONE!
Oh BOY have I been excited for today!! It was Solei's first day of swimming lessons!!!! And she's been freakishly pumped - every now and then, she'd look up and ask hopefully "Class? Swimming?" And due to some massive preparation, we squeezed into one of the few parent and tot classes at the local aquatic center - 3 weeks, two days a week - all for $20! There are so few spaces, you have to register within the first few minutes or you won't get in. But I DID!! WOOHOO!!! (I tried to get a good shot of her in her suit - this at gives a good idea of the adorability)
With all that build-up, you'd have thought it would have gone a tad better today, but we are talking about a 19 month old here.
1. We were a few minutes early, and she wanted in the water NOW. I told her nicely not yet, and she was the only child to throw a MASSIVE tantrum. Whee!
2. When we finally got in, she went bonkers and wanted out of my arms, while all the other chilren lovingly grabbed onto their mommies. I asked the teacher if I could let her drown just a little bit to let her know what would happen if I wasn't holding on for dear life, but she advised against it. She was right. At the very end, I dunked her under once, and she got hysterical. I forgot how much she hates water in her eyes - she'd have hated the rest of the class (even more;)
3. Once she realized I wasn't letting go, she proceeded to spend the next 20 minutes (of a 30 minute class) smiling broadly and proclaiming over and over - "Alldonealldonealldonealldonealldonealldonealldonealdonealldone!!! (etc.)" So I had to use all my trickery to keep her in the water and amused. Phew!
When we got in the car, I asked if she'd had fun, and she smiled and shouted "FUN! Swim class!!" So I think she's willing to go back... I might go back too. Well, for $20, I'll do just about anything;)
So with all that insanity, you'd think I would be completely opposed to having any more - and you'd be right. Apparently, I really dislike babies. But I committed to this family thing and siblings are a part of it. Dagnabit. And with Jared turning 32 this weekend, he's afraid he won't be able to chase any more kids much longer. Old man and all that.
Since the last one was a shock and a half, we're trying to plan out the next one - and that's where y'all come in. We figure the best time to give birth next time is in the spring - not too pregnant at the Christmas rush but not big and preggo during the summer either. So it looks like we are trying for getting pregnant July or August, and wouldn't it be fun if we were ALL PREGNANT at the SAME TIME?!? We're trying to recruit some other baby-ing couples, but so far, no luck. Come on, people!! It's the Summer of Love ! Do it for your country - er.. blog friends?
Seriously! Think about it!
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