Monday, November 24, 2008

"I CAN'T PUT MY ARMS DOWN!" - A Christmas Story


I wish I could have snapped this pictures just a half a second earlier. The kids was crying and fussing and would have screamed "I can't put my arms down!" if he could only talk. The second he saw the camera and I said "Jonah", he gave me his usual big grin and his little fit was over. I just love this kid and I still can't believe he's mine! He charms most everyone he meets wherever we go. His name means "one who declares joy and salvation". He definitely has the "joy" thing down pat!

Friday, November 21, 2008

The Joy of Socks

I was trying to figure out what I would blog about if I wasn't a mom. It didn't take me too long to remember some of the things I used to do with my time... after all, Jonah is only 8 months old.
Aaah, a good, long backpacking trip. Heading out onto a trail about 120 miles, spending a couple of weeks in the woods. All I had to think about was putting one foot in front of the other, one foot in front of the other, one foot in front of the other. Feet. Very important to keep your feet dry and comfy when you're backpacking. Out of all the gear I brought, my fleece socks and Tevas were an absolute MUST. There is nothing quite like hiking all day, setting up camp, then airing out your feet and putting on dry, clean (relatively) fleecy socks. And oh, what happy colors!
Since this photo, I have changed from Tevas to Crocs (fake, cheaper crocs) as my comfy "in-camp" shoe. They are much lighter, dry almost immediately, and don't stink after standing in mystery murk water one too many times. You can also slip them on quicker when making a trip to the outhouse in the middle of the night. Amazingly versatile.
Socks were one item I didn't skimp on while packing. I might only bring 2 tank tops for a long trip, but three pairs of socks (plus one fleece pair): one to wear, one as a backup if the one to wear was washed that eve, and one as a back-back-up if the one to wear was washed and wet and the backup one got wet from hiking in the rain all day. Hiking in wet socks is miserable. Hiking in the rain is tolerable if your feet are dry. And if worse comes to worse and all three get wet and/or nasty... there's always the fleece to change into at camp.
Hope to be backpacking again soon... wait, is that a baby crying? yup, he's supposed to be sleeping. Maybe I should get him some fleece socks.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Merry Christmas through the years...


Before you were conceived, I wanted you

Before you were born, I loved you

Before you were here an hour, I would die for you

This is the miracle of love


This statement could not be more true. You know you truly love someone when you deny yourself of everything you want, and even things you need (sleep, a drink of water, clipping your own toenails, etc) for the one set before you. God has blessed us with our sweet potato. I still call him the cutest pain in the neck I ever met... but the sweetness is increasing and the pain-in-the-neck-ness is decreasing (i.e. never sleeping). I guess this is kinda what Jesus meant when He said;

Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.





Friday, November 14, 2008

"Chippers"
Christine Schunk
circa 1996
Medium: Maple Syrup

Thursday, November 13, 2008

FREE picture book from Snapfish...


I have impressed myself... now I know how to add links to other web sites! (btw, the rainbow picture has nothing to do with this post, I just thought it was pretty...)

A mom from my MOPS group sent this to all of us. Its an offer for a free book from snapfish. The idea is to take pictures of all of you little artist's pictures, upload to snapfish, and create a one-of-a-kind book! This is supposed to reduce the amount of random clutter floating around your house. I don't think it will help the clutter situation here, my little picasso just likes to fingerpaint with baby prunes on his high chair tray, and I don't think that would make a very interesting book! (although I smeared a very detailed chipmunk once with maple syrup on a plate... I will have to find that picture and post it). Check out the Oprah LINK (wow) to the right.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Hey, I actually figured out how to add a playlist! So far there is only a mix of four very eccentric songs... somehow they all have meaning to me and my life! "Sing" and "Annie's Song" both usally make me cry. "Red neck woman"... I have no idea why I like this song. "Top of the World" reminds me of my Dad. Hi Dad!
Cast your vote: Who does Jonah resemble more...
Mom or...

Dad? Scroll down for the popular vote!















































Monday, November 10, 2008



I can sit up now!
Here is the original 1958 bathroom. Isn't the pink plastic tile pretty? I know some of you are probably into it.

Then Stephan started tearing it apart...


He added walls, plumbing, electric, tile, vanity, sink, washer, dryer, molding, trim...
Presto! We love our new bathroom! It even has a ventilation fan now!


















Sunday, November 9, 2008

This is my life... Jonah George

Jonah sleeps with many pacifers.
A yummy carrot... keeps him occupied for quite a while!

Jonah was a frog for Halloween. I got the costume
last year after Halloween for 3 bucks!


Classic smile



He sat up for this shot!





I'm still not sure what it means to "blog" or what the attraction is, but my good friend Michelle seems to get a kick out of it. So here I go...