11-12-13

Today my Great Aunt Ina would have turned 100. She was a very interesting lady. I miss visiting with her. She always had a lit cigarette in her hand but very rarely actually smoked them. And until she moved into a nursing home always had a Boston terrier. If it was female its name was Suzie. If it was male its name was Butch.

She was known for giving us all unwanted advice about our style, weight, hair, grooming, posture, etc. She loved to send us random articles clipped from magazines and newspapers in the mail.

Growing up she always called my grandmother on Sundays around dinner (lunch) time when she knew the entire family would be there. That way she could talk to all of us. The kids would hear the phone ring and would all suddenly have an immediate desire to play outside. Trying, usually unsuccessfully, to get out of our couple of minutes if unsolicited advice.

Her husband died before I was born. She never remarried and had no children. She lived in a cute little 2 bedroom house in Wilmington, NC. It had a wonderful backyard.

I miss her. There have been many times I've wished I had known her longer as an adult. There are so many things over the last decade I have thought I would have loved to ask her about. And honestly, I miss those random, sometimes eye-rolling, articles and pieces of advice arriving in the mail.


Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Vocabulary

Michael and I were discussing if there were any scenes in Ghostbusters that we need to fast forward through.

Ruby: Why?

Me: Because of inappropriate sexual content.

Ruby: OK, I have absolutely no clue what "content" means!

Oh my goodness! Of all the words of that sentence that she doesn't know, that wasn't the one I would have thought she didn't know!


Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

All About Eliza Claire

Eliza Claire brought home a paper she did on the first day of school that was titled All about Me.  Here is what she had to say about herself.

What words best describe you and your personality?  Like school

What is your favorite activity to do with others?  Play Wii

Describe your family.  Fun, Crazy

What is your special talent? Singing

What is your most treasured possession?  Bear

What is your favorite activity to do alone?  Play with my toys

What is your favorite school subject?  Reading

What person do you admire most?  Mom

What career would you like to have in the future?  Beluga whale trainer

I love this girl so much.  She is so much fun.  I am lucky to get to be her Mom.

Jenn

First Day of School 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And there you have it.  The first day of Seventh, Fourth, and Second grade.  Everyone is happy to be back at school and seem to like all their teachers.  I am happy to not have them all yelling at each other all day long.

Jenn

Dance Parking

In the parking lot at the restaurant tonight.

Eliza Claire: Mom, did you get dance parking?

Me: Did I get what?

Eliza Claire: Did you get DANCE parking?

Me: I don't know what you're talking about, sweetheart.

Eliza Claire: You know, ballet parking?

Me: Oh, no, I didn't.


It was so cute I didn't even tell her it is really called valet.


Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Making Rock Candy

Week one of summer included making rock candy. It was Rehm's idea and the kids did it with very little help from me.

Here are their results. Rehm was disappointed because his mostly formed in his cup instead of on the string.












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Bedtime Conversation

Me: Rehm, you have got to go to be, buddy.

Rehm: Alright, I love you, Mom.

Me: I love you more.

Rehm: Yeah, you probably do.


Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Another fun day

Yesterday we fished,

paddle boated,

played with our friends



went to Enchanted Rock. Only to find a really long line of cars waiting to get in.

Made new plans.

Went to the LBJ ranch,

had a picnic,



learned about a president,






locked our sisters in an out house,

remembered our roots,




earned our Junior Ranger badges,









played just dance,

are ice cream,

and had another great day.


Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

A lovely day

What a wonderful way to spend the day...

We read,

took a walk,



played at the park,

soaked our feet,



one of us fell in the tub with out clothes on while soaking feet,



visited the bait shop,

fished,

had a kid led worship service,






paddle boated,

swam (kids, adults aren't that crazy),






played board games,

worked a puzzle,

played with friends,

roasted marshmallows,



fed Canadian geese,



practiced instruments,

and watched TV.

Yep, I'm ready to call it a night.


Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

A much needed hair cut

Rehm puts off hair cuts forever.



Before



After

Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Respectful Evangelism

Today three very polite LDS missionaries knocked on my door. I don't typically answer the door during the day. When I saw who it was I hurriedly said, "I don't have time for this today!" and quickly closed the door.

One of them yelled after me, "Is there anything we can help you do?"

I thanked them and told them no. Again, yelling as I walked away from the door.

I really did not have time today to talk with them as I was getting ready to leave to go grocery shopping.

Honestly,I don't like people knocking on my door, if I don't know them, for any reason and have never liked this method of evangelism. I personally don't find it effective. But that is just my introverted opinion.

But, the sincere offer for help when it was obvious I was in a hurry has truly stuck with me today. I honestly think if I had said they could have helped, they really would have done whatever task I needed done. That was a much more meaningful form of evangelism than anything they could have told me about their denomination's specific beliefs.


Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Happy Valentine's Day

In case you are not on my Christmas card mailing list, or if you received a empty envelop from our family, sorry Kellys,  this week, here is our Valentine's Day greetings to you.

No, I didn't get these out by Christmas.  Luckily several years ago I learned that Christmas cards didn't have to be Christmas cards.  In fact, I kind of like sending them on a different holiday when the card is one of a handful that arrive, instead of getting lost with all the others that arrive at Christmas. 

The picture was taken at Jo's Coffee on South Congress in Austin.  It seemed like a good spot for a Valentine's Day card.  It was very popular and there were several other people taking pictures there that day.

If you did not receive a card and would like to be on my holiday card mailing list (notice I didn't call it the Christmas card list) send me an email and I'll add you.

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day.
Jenn

A New Use for Duct Tape

Mom is currently going through chemotherapy for breast cancer. She is doing great and her prognosis is wonderful.

I'm currently visiting to hang out and see for my own eyes how she is handling the chemo.

Mom's hair has been falling out for a few weeks now. She had it buzzed before it started to fall out. What hair is left is prickly and itchy and driving her crazy.

Today we got out the duct tape and "waxed" her head. I'd take a strip, apply it against the grain, smooth it down good, then rip it off.

It was actually kind of fun. We laughed bunches. She said it didn't hurt and she says it feels much better now.

Mom and Sherri, tried this method a few weeks ago but didn't have as much success as the hair was shorter. Sherri, where did you come up with this method?

Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

I Love You the Most

I promise this is the last post on the kids 14 Days of Valentine's.

Honestly, when I saw this idea I thought it was cute but too much work. I wasn't going to do it. Over lunch, at the end of January, my friend Dianne said she was going to do it and urged me to give it a go myself.

I'm so glad I listened to her! My kids have absolutely loved it. They are very excited each day to see what I write. If I'm behind on getting them done, they remind me. The girls love to compare each other's each day, which definitely keeps it challenging for me.

I'm traveling this week. One of the girls' biggest concerns about me being gone was who would do their valentines.

When I told Ruby it was going to be Daddy she was not very confident in his ability. She inquired if I had taught him how to do them. I assured her I had. Actually, I did them for him. All he has to do is tape them on their doors. I think he is up to that challenge. And, he has plenty of other things to keep him busy while I'm gone.

A couple of days ago I decided to basically tell each child they were my favorite. That day they received the following:

Ruby: I love you the most

Eliza Claire: I love you the best

Charlotte: I love you the highest

Rehm: I love you the greatest

That night Ruby asked, "Do you really love me the most?"

I replied, "Yes! I love you the most. And, I love Eliza Claire the best. And, I love Charlotte the highest. And, I love Rehm the greatest."

"But, you love me the most, Mommy?" She insisted.

"Yes, Ruby, I most certainly do!"


Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Priorities

It's been a long and full day. Many things did not get done that should have.

After coming home around 9:45 from a meeting, I should have made time for laundry,


And dishes, I won't show you but it's as bad as the laundry.

Instead, I did today's Valentines,


And worked on Eliza Claire's sleepover bag, it's almost done.



Yes, the house is a mess, but my kids feel loved and important. The other stuff can wait.

Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Now for a Nicer Parenting Moment

Thanks to Pinterest I have been posting hearts with messages on each child's door this month. Actually, I have to post Rehm's in his room as it embarrasses him to have them on his door.



They all love it, but the girls are actually vocal about it. They love to check and see if they've gotten new messages and what everyone's say.

In fact, they love it so much they have started leaving hearts for us on our door.



Now, I have to admit, it is really hard to come up with 14 things per child that are special and not going to make anyone feel left out. Does that make me a bad mom? It should be easy to come up with 14 things I love about each kid, right? But it is so hard. Would it be easier if I had fewer children? I don't know but it makes me feel like I'm doing it wrong.


Jenn- Posted from my iPhone