cute video tip

If you want a good laugh today, go to Laurie's (LoLo) blog...I've got her as one of my links to the right.
Hannah and Laurie spent a long time messing with iMovie and photobooth yesterday. Very funny to watch.
Enjoy!

What Hannah refers to as "floffing"

Turkey Trotters

Most of you know this about me, but I LOVE races....especially one that is free and on a holiday!
This 3 miles seemed longer than most. Not sure why, maybe the hills or the seeming loops over and over, but it was still fun....and I'm just thankful that my legs still let me run...AND that I have a friend that loves to join me. Thanks, Vickie. =)

purging

I showed great restraint yesterday shopping with Vickie at Macy's.
I've been wanting a shiny, red pair of flats....just because. No real need for them, but red shoes just sound like fun, right?
Well, I FOUND them! Not only that, they were on SALE! A GOOD sale!

Then I remembered how often I ask Isaac to refrain from spending....how could I justify even spending $20 on something that is far from a need? I just couldn't do it.

Now today, I've been knee-deep in purging all of our stuff and finding new ways to organize. I have to admit, I really enjoy doing this type of thing....but I've also realized how much stuff/junk we really have....and need to give away or throw out.

So instead, for Christmas, all I'll be asking for this year are gift cards to Lowe's so we can make best use of our space....all to appreciate the stuff we already have.

But I still would really like those pair of shoes. Maybe by this Friday, the price will be slashed even more!
One can only hope. =)

Fine, if you won't let me sit with YOU, then....

preview....

As I mentioned earlier, Scott took our pictures last weekend. I asked for lots of candids...so I can't wait to see the rest!

not for the squeamish...

I'm so grateful Hannah has always been a good sleeper, so last night was one of the few nights she was up most of the night...with the flu. Isaac was on clean-up-duty (poor guy) and I was on hold-her-hair-back-while-she-vomits-duty. I'll spare you the details except to say I'll never really enjoy the smell of Kraft macaroni & cheese again.

On another note, we had our annual family photos on Saturday and Hannah was working the camera! Very funny...and I can't wait to see all the shots. Our good friend, Scott, is an excellent photographer and it also didn't hurt that Hannah loves him, so she was very cooperative! I'll post a few pics when we get them back.

A discussion we need to be having....

Go to this link.
Keep up with the comments, they're bound to bring up good discussion.
I may be a bit intimidated to comment myself, but this subject is a very important topic for the church community.

Just my two cents.

Birthday Girl

Hannah,
Well, it's the day after your 3rd birthday. You've had a bit of a cold, and I think I'm catching it as well, so we're having a lazy morning....sitting in the living room in our pj's, eating oatmeal, & watching "Thomas."

Your birthday was a lot of fun this year....from the party with your friends where Swiper stole your cake, to Aunt Gretchen & Uncle Chris coming dressed for a fiesta and greeting you with "Ole!" But I think my favorite part of your special day was toward the end. You didn't get a nap and by dinner, you were a bit sensitive and your eyes filled with tears when the following conversation occurred:

"So how old are you now?"

"I'm three. But next year I'll be two again."

"No, honey, next year, you'll be four years old!"

(pause with a very sad realization look on your face)

"But I don't want to be four! I want to be two!"

(growing more upset when sensing we think it's a bit funny)

"Two was a good year, wasn't it?"

(nodding while sobbing)

(more pausing and trying not to laugh....Daddy finally speaks)

"Someday you'll be twenty two! That will be fun!"

"No, I want to be two!"

"Well, I guess you're two plus one years old. How about that?"

A hug and a change in conversation distracted you from this sad realization for the time being.

I'm also sad you're no longer two. It WAS a good year. You now write a perfect "H," read books by heart, "blow" out the lights before bed (thanks to Sammy), ran your first race, comfort your friends, went to your first dentist appointment, count to twenty (most of the time), obsess about Dora the Explorer, flew a kite, saw the ocean for the first time, went on a canoe trip, and so much more.





When I was a kid, I couldn't wait to grow up, finish school, get married, etc., etc. Now, I want time to slow down so I can relish and enjoy each moment. I have especially sensed this realization the day you were born and the day I entered my 30's. And now that I'm watching my grandparents (your great-grandparents) age, I feel even more pressed to take advantage of every moment with those I love.

So, I guess right now I want to remind you & myself to live more in the moment. In the past, I have spent too much time hoping for the future, or regretting the past. Neither of which I can control, so why invest most of my energy on them? Your Daddy has teased me for years to find "joy in the journey."


But I'm also so very grateful that we can celebrate another year with you. Hopeful of what God will teach us this year. And thankful for your Daddy's hard work, our close families, and supportive friends.

And right now in this moment, I'm so very thankful for stuffy noses, pajamas, slippers, hot oatmeal, & PBS.


I love you, Hannah.
Happy 3rd birthday!
Love,
Mom

the time has come...

H's birthday is tomorrow...and the cake is done!



This was a lot of fun and I can't wait to make more.
Now I just need ideas for the next cake.....

What can happen in a year?

6 inches?!


More hair....


...but always sweet!

Trix or Treats?

My dear friend Trickie came over to decorate festive cupcakes with me this afternoon.
Lots of frosting and fun! Next time we need your expertise, Babs!
We need some work on our technique, but they taste great.

more experimenting....

I guess it's getting a bit easier, I just wish they looked the way I see them in my head! These pictures hide most of the flaws...the fondant was cracking all over the place!

guilty conscience

After a few reminders, the girls were STILL coloring on the table instead of their coloring books.

So I put them away.

As to be expected, Hannah was upset.

What she actually said was, "Mom! I want my imagination book!"

What I heard was: "Mom! I want my imagination back!"

"See? He's her lobster!"

Anyone know this where this quote comes from?
Anyone?

I'm embarrassed, but I'll admit it. I got a bit teary during this scene.

35 months

Dear Hannah,
Soon after I wrote the last letter, something triggered in you that made me very aware that year #3 will be more challenging than the previous one.

-You have this exasperated sigh/groan that you keep using anytime I ask you to do something. I didn't know where you got this until I caught myself once using the EXACT tone you do when you weren't cooperating.
-An aggressive, impatient side of you is coming out and I'm not sure how to redirect your frustration. Then again, I need to be reminded and admit that I still struggle with this as an adult.
-And this poop thing...well, wasn't sure how to motivate you to get to the bathroom in time, but told you we'd get you another Dora bracelet...and then you refused to get off the potty until something came out. Bad timing, but at least I found your motivating button.
(Sidenote: You were so upset when you lost your Dora bracelet, you never would have gotten off that toilet. So we promised to find a similar one regardless of whether you pooped....and Grandma Peggy saved the day when she found the exact bracelet!)

Every stage has had its challenges, but they have always been overshadowed by your fun new quirks and accomplishments.

You love all things girly...especially any pink, sparkly accessories & jewelry. Even better when Dora is somehow attached to it. It's been fun to watch you carry your purse everywhere, insist on bracelets & necklaces, and wear your sunglasses regardless whether the sun wants to shine.


Even in the last couple weeks, your conversational skills have greatly improved. You can explain the details of an important story and have a real, semi-intelligible conversation on the phone. Not everyone has had the privilege to speak with you, but I have an adorable video of your conversation with Aunt Bambi.

Every night for the last month before you go to bed, you ask if you can sleep with your purse or your wallet, even though you know the answer. One night when I beat you to the question, you couldn't believe I knew what you were going to ask. It was so fun to see the stunned look on your face, then watch you laugh at yourself.

Even though I'm sensing a rather challenging year ahead of me, I'm really going to enjoy joking with you and laughing at each other's eccentricities over the years. As long as those eccentricities don't continue to involve poop.....

I love you,
Mom

Baby Jovi

Hannah and I went to Omaha for the weekend to see Aunt Bobbi and 3 week old Jovi. It was so nice to just be together...and strange to see my baby sister with a baby of her own. I love you, Bobs!
Here are some pictures. I posted a few more on our family website.

my new hobby

One of my favorite birthday memories was helping a friend decorate my cake for my 10th or 11th birthday party. It was a heart with a rainbow radiating out of it....my design, of course. Rainbows and hearts were the few things I could draw...and I drew them on everything. Ever since then, I've always thought about doing more cakes, but never did anything about it. Well, better late than never, so in preparation for Hannah's birthday cake, I'm playing around with fondant.
I made everything from scratch....lots of fun, but the cake was a bit disappointing. The ribbons are a bit sad looking, but it's my first time...it can only get better, right?
Here are my 2 feeble attempts so far:
Cake #1:


Cake #2:

If you've ever heard Dora, you'll understand

"Hannah, there's no need to shout. Please talk quietly."

"But I'm a girl. And Dora's a girl."

an unsettling quote of the day

Humor is everywhere, in that there's irony in just about anything a human does.
- Bill Nye

I think I've realized I hate it when I find irony, or worse yet, others see irony in what I do.
I must take myself too seriously, because I'm not seeing the humor.