Home on the Range...part 2

The last stretch of our trip was the annual family reunion. This year we camped at Lake McConaughey. I'm not much of a camper, but was surprised at how much fun it was. The only downside was that most of us were too exhausted to chat into the evening around the campfire.
We spent lots of time on the beach...

...and on the water.

My sweet sisters

Grandma Jan (who is 75 years old!) riding a jet ski

H was thrilled when her cousins Danae & Bryson arrived.

A sunset canoe ride


The cousins...we've really grown up, haven't we?

Making ice cream the "old fashioned way"

One big happy family

Having fun with a white elephant gift

Home on the Range....part 1

Well, we're back. We just returned from Nebraska and we're tired. But it was fun and really good to see family. Times like these make we wish we lived closer.

But here are some highlights of our trip. I may break it up into a few entries, since I can't figure out a simple way to leave comments on individual pictures. If you want the full version, check out our family pics link in a day or two and I'll have more there.

A strange museum/landmark to break up the monotony of the Nebraska terrain.

The whole family 4-wheeling....even Schaeffer

self-explanatory...

The fourth of July festivities in Oshkosh, Nebraska:
the pancake breakfast at the fire station,

the parade,

the free lunch at the city park,

the fireworks with Grandma.

Some of my best memories are all of us hanging out at my grandparents on the fourth, putting on costumes for the parade, swimming at the free city pool, watching the city fireworks at the baseball field, then watching my uncle (and others probably as well, but my uncle is clearest in my memory)setting off our big fireworks. If all my cousins and sisters had been there this year, it would have been perfect.

Does anyone out there have a family like this?!

We've been in Nebraska for a couple days now, but the real event is the annual reunion....we are heading to the lake and meeting the rest of the family today.

My family loves to perform. Maybe I should rephrase this.....The matriarchs in my family (Grandma, mom, & aunt) love to perform and love even more bringing the rest of us along with them.

Every year we have an evening exchanging white elephant gifts (you MUST tell a story before you get a gift) and then performing (to whomever the poor souls who are camping next to us) the Hokey Pokey and the Chicken Dance. To top it all off, this year, they have scheduled a Talent Show.....

I have to admit, this reunion always leaves me with several good stories to tell and I always silently get a kick out of the tortured look in Isaac's eyes. Poor guy. He's been dealing with this for 10 years now....and still not given in.

I'll try to post a video and pictures of the evidence of my crazy family. I can't help but love them. =)

random observation

I'm sitting here, starting on my 3rd cup of coffee and noticing that Isaac has probably only had 1 cup...maybe 2. But he tends to not finish his drink...sometimes because the temperature cools or because the bottom of the cup doesn't taste as well...or something like that.

I don't sip my coffee. I don't guzzle, but I drink every bit. The taste is growing on me and I'm starting to enjoy it more and more, but the primary reason I like coffee is the energy I feel after finishing the beverage. I mean, who knew caffeine had this AMAZING affect on me! I've been wasting my time drinking soda....too much time. I can't speak for Isaac, but I believe he enjoys the taste most and the lingering routine of the start of the day.

Our different approaches to coffee is similar to other things we do. He likes camping and long (Looooong) hikes for the sake of the experience and just being out in nature. I "like" ("like" may not be completely accurate) hiking and camping because of the challenge it presents....for the same reason I love marathons: to accomplish something difficult and prove to myself that I can fight my lazy tendencies.

In general, I look to the final product or end as I am doing things....Isaac seems to enjoy the process and is less concerned with the outcome. To be fair, he does care about the end, but I think his perspective allows him to be more flexible and open to a different ending....and enjoy the journey along the way.

All this to say, I think I need to start sipping my coffee.

assumptions

This morning, I went to Panera's rival, Atlanta Bread Company. I was hoping the coffee would be better...it is, I suppose, but lukewarm.

On another note, I've been learning that when I pull my computer out, people assume I'm fluent in computer-speak. This happened to me teaching, except all I had to do to impress other colleagues was do "fancy" things with Microsoft Word or find cool websites.

I just met this retired man who started up a conversation with me by saying, "So tell me what your computer can do." Then proceeded to ask me what he needs for his laptop to be wireless, yet for his desktop to be connected as well. This conversation went on longer than expected. I, of course, knew nothing, but he still seemed to think I might be of some help before heading next door to.....BEST BUY.

He was pretty chatty, telling me about his work with government and nuclear waste storage facilities....then proceeded with a few choice racist remarks about his trip to the Middle East.

After learning I had a friend who lived in that region of the world (Don't worry, I was very vague, my friend!), he asked me, "What are those people thinking?! I just can't imagine what goes through their heads to do the things they do....blah, blah..." LoLo, I wish you were here, but I think you would have been proud of me. Pretty much all I said was that both sides don't understand each other and have completely different methods of thinking. He paused, then said, "So who are you voting for?" I don't know, I say. "My wife is voting for that damned Hilary Clinton." Nice.

Sidenote: the guy, I thought, was on his way out...but I just looked to the other end of the restaruant, and he's looking over the shoulder of some guy with an Apple laptop. The poor guy even has his headphones on....clear message: LEAVE ME ALONE PLEASE...but Mr. Retirement has just sat down. =) But I just heard, "wireless router".....hey, I said that too!

On another sidenote, do I even notice the assumptions I make of others? Even the ones closest to me? I think I'm too focused on fixing the wrong assumptions others have of me to even notice my own erroneous thinking.

It's turning out to be a routine

I should be out running right now, but instead I'm at Panera: the newspaper, coffee, and free WiFi, . The coffee's not that good....warm, not hot and always out of the blend I like. But it's better than running in this humidity. At least that's my excuse.

I have never felt more like Isaac.

The scoop

Here's a rundown on our trip so far:
Hannah surrounded by Dora, watching Dora...


Downtown Augusta...home of James Brown:
(He was a little man!)


Visiting the gypsy community:
Bambi was very anxious and paranoid, so I had to be sneaky in taking pics. But this whole area had enormous homes with trailers behind them. Legend (or truth...depending on who's talking) has it that they won't move in their large homes for a year or so...so that the evil spirits will leave. Many of these "mansions" had their windows completely covered.
As you can tell, I'm a bit of a sceptic about all this, so I know I'm going to get reprimanded by my dear sister....so I may have to revise my comments. =)



Our lovely host and hostess.
I love you guys and am so glad we were able to come!


H at the Greenjackets game...a minor league for the Giants.


Fun in the sun at Hilton Head



Back in Augusta walking the path on the canal:

That's called the ocean

Well, we're in the midst of our vacation.....we drove to Georgia, are staying with my sister and her husband, and now Isaac is in Florida for his class while we are relaxing at Hilton Head.

Here are a few pics of Hannah's first time on the beach...I'll keep posting more.

conference week

He's gone...but I still made our morning coffee. It's just not the same without him.

Merging....

my two addictions: a good deal & Jelly Bellys

I almost hope the Belly Flops aren't as affordable as they are promising. The Jelly Belly perfume, however, sounds kind of disgusting. If I were twelve, I may feel differently.

Pirate Adventure

I still can't believe we did this.....well, as you can see, we weren't as brave or committed as others.

Aarg, I can't believe I'm doing this...

Hannah is off playing at Grandma and Grandpa's, and Isaac and I are trying to make the most of our free time by working around the house.

BUT...we will be joining our crazy group of friends to see "Pirates" at the theater,

in pirate costume.

eating first at Long John Silvers.

did I mention, in COSTUME?!

Depending on how humiliating this experience is, I may or may not be posting pictures.

Stay tuned.

Aarg.

A grumpy start to the morning for me and the local AARP

If the local newspaper knew how important the daily puzzles were:

-they wouldn't overlook the repeat of YESTERDAY's puzzles in TODAY's paper,
-the Cryptoquip wouldn't predictably repeat the use of the following words: might, could, should, "I'd say he/she," if, suppose, guess, people,
-the crossword puzzles will STOP using "Xena" princess warrior and "Uma" Thurman as the primary ways to use "x" and "u,"
-they would print them on a single sheet rather than a double page....it's an especially good day when this happens,and
-Sunday should still include the usual puzzles AND print them on the same page.

I feel a bit better now. Maybe I should take up knitting.

Special Day

How often does the mayor show up in the neighborhood and offer tours about its history?
Well, today's the day for the Cedar Crest subdivision. We're actually on the National Registry of Historic places....or something like that.



Today's even more important, because it's also Isaac's birthday. Here are a few reasons why I love this guy so much:

He LOVES peanut butter and almost anything that has peanut butter in it.


He got really excited, almost giddy, when I started drinking coffee....and even admitted his hope of one day when I would enjoy sitting with him at this cafe table on our patio. How endearing.


His willingness to shred all pride and wear this sweatshirt, lead a bunch of people, and trapse all over Chicago to cheer me on while I finished the race.


He is a gentle, protective, wise, and loving father. It's been such a blessing and honor to see this side of him.





He is a good friend, my best friend. God has taught me more about His grace and mercy through the way Isaac has loved me over the years. I am so grateful.


I used to want others to understand, as I have, Isaac's soft, patient, and compassionate side. Not that others haven't noticed, but now I'm just glad and honored that I get to know this guy. I love you, Isaac. And thanks for loving me back.
Happy Birthday.

Confession

I need a time out.

Overheard at our dining table

"Schaeffer, no! Stop taking my fruit snacks!"

"Hannah, who tells Schaeffer what to do?"

"Mommy and Daddy"

"Are you Mommy and Daddy?"

"No."

"This is basic Aristotelian logic."


Correction: After reading this post, one of the conversants wanted it noted that Aristotelian logic was further defined. So here's my disclaimer: this was just a splice of the overheard conversation.

2 and half years!?

Hannah,
As I write this, you're sitting on the couch with a fever, watching Arthur and drinking juice....and whining to look at "Hannah" pictures. I think I've led you to believe that the only purpose of the camera is to capture you and your cuteness. Not that that isn't partly true, but I've got to let you down gently that there are other people out there that are important too. =)

You rarely get sick, which I'm grateful...but I have enjoyed the fact that you love to cuddle and lean on me for most of the day. I know these days are limited and I'm trying to cherish the ones that come.

I didn't realize this until Vickie pointed it out, but you usually refer to me as "Mama". At first I wasn't sure if I liked it. When I picture women who are called "mama" by their children, I see someone who looks more like Aunt Jemima and less like, well, Reece Witherspoon or something. But it's growing on me and feels more endearing than mommy or mom.

This phrase is overused, but you are growing up so fast. So much has changed even within the last couple months. Potty training and fighting for independence have been the primary challenges these past few weeks.

You are constantly talking and singing....whether or not there are people around. Every now and then, I'll find you in a corner with your piano singing whatever song comes to your mind.....or reading book after book to your favorite stuffed friends, Elmo, Dora, or Pooh. You love playing with your friends and anticipate each night at bedtime, "Wake up and see Katie & Addison?" You love having friends around, just like your mom. I'm so grateful for the family and friends we have that love and enjoy being part of your life.


My cousin gave you a vanily....and it has begun your relationship with the mirror. You love watching yourself make faces and talk. it's really cute, but I'm not ready for you to grow up too fast.

This age is so fun primarily because you are starting to say really funny things. You tend to pick up on grown-up phrases and apply them in many situations. Your new popular phrase is, "first of all" and inserting "actually" in your conversations. If Vickie calls you "Hanny," you've been saying, "My name is Hannah right now!" You tend to command instead of ask for things, so we are working on starting questions with, "May I." Your tone needs work, but you're getting the idea.


I write these letters periodically to record the milestones in your life as well as sit back and remind myself of my responsibility to you as your mother. But I find that words are so limited when I try to speak from my heart. Although it's hard to be too sentimental right now because at this very moment, you are pleading in a whiny voice, "Hannah pictures...movie....Hannah pictures....movie..."


So in this moment, these are the things I want you to remember: I love you. God loves you. People are important. I'm not perfect. But I'm here and will continue to try to show you God's love and grace in our lives. And you'll never be too old for me take care of you when you're sick.....or listen to you whine, I guess.

Love,
your mama

update in pictures

It's been awhile, so here are some of the past month's events:
-Road trip to Michigan with good friends, Pete & Janet. We were introduced to Sufjan Stevens & Danielson, among others, attended the Festival of Faith & Music, dined at Wonderdogs, and experienced good conversation.


-Birthday extravaganza, Omaha, Nebraska. My mom turned 50 and grandma turned 75! Really nice times just being with family.




-Vickie and I celebrated our birthdays (again) with Babs =) in Chicago. Good food, 3 trips to Ulta (or was it just 2?), carpet shopping, & manicures! (See Vickie's post on her blog.)

-Champaign apartment hunt: to ensure that the Formans really will return to us! (One of several places we looked at)

-Breaking in my new jogger!


-First official patio party....see Laurie's blog....she even came!

-Kite flying




-Terrific/Terrible Toddler stage...she's definitely challenging us.




-spring allergies...word of advice: get the stuff behind the pharmacy counter! That pseudoephedrine stuff is magic, I tell you.