tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347749452024-02-07T00:11:37.628-05:00stranger in a stranger land...musings and mis(?)adventures of a loosely-transplanted foreigner in America...and now back in Canada...where things still feel a little foreign sometimes...bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.comBlogger323125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-80520513953835361442011-03-01T23:08:00.003-05:002011-03-01T23:29:15.768-05:00Buying TimeLJ is home from work today. He's getting a rotten head cold and since the roads weren't all that great this morning (even though is LOOKS beautiful outside). He figured he would stay home and try to nip the sinusitis in the bud. At any rate, it's affording me a while to write, something I'm finally ready to do.<br /><br />All the Sunday Six posts and posts about playdates, video links, and the mundane things of life (while important to me in a certain light - and I really do HATE abortion; and I'm pretty sure I *really* do *need* these <a href="http://www.zappos.com/fitzwell-preston-camel-kid-leather?zlfid=111">shoes</a>, these<a href="http://www.hunter-boot.com/2/9/Shop-Online/Balmoral-Bamboo-Carbon/DARK-OLIVE/W23579_DOV.aspx"> boots</a>, and this<a href="http://www.chicobag.com/p-42-chicobag-sling-repete.aspx"> bag</a>) - well they've all just been a distraction, a bit of a ruse, a trick I've been playing on myself so that I won't have to write about Real Life.<br /><br />Real Life is Cancer. My Mom has cancer. She's had it once before a few years ago. She had surgery just before we moved back to Canada, and that was supposed to fix the problem. But something wasn't right and she could feel it. Then her leg started to swell...and swell. Then they found The Tumour. And The Blood Clot right beside The Tumour. Which is right beside a major artery or something so it can't just be removed, no quick fix. So all summer, she had radiation. Then it took forever to get a CT to see if the radiation had done anything besides reduce the swelling incredibly. It hadn't really. And now there are Spots on the liver.<br /><br />The good news is that while one of the spots has increased in size, two of the others have shrunk somewhat, and the fourth is hardly visible at all on the CT. The bad news is that chemo...well...it doesn't necessarily guarantee a cure or remission or any of those good things. What it does, bluntly, is buy time. How much time? There's no telling that at this point. As long as the tumour and spots are shrinking, it's buying lots of time, but it's still not a guarantee. There are still three more chemo treatments left before the next CT and the next re-evaluation and a lot could happen between now and then....<br /><br />We all get to a certain age where we realize that some day we're going to die. That's a near surety. By accident, old age, or some wretched disease, unless the glorious return of Christ happens before then, "It" will happen. It's a reassurance to me that the Sovereign God of our universe knows <span style="font-style: italic;">EXACTLY</span> when I will draw my last breath. My 'fate' if you will, was decided long ago. But there's something about confronting it head-on, or in this case, with a beloved family member, that brings that cutting reality home in a more real and painful way then most of us will ever admit being ready to deal with. When our grandparents pass on, it's a horrible thing. Often, we have loved them like second parents, we have learned from them, grown with them (even though they never really seemed to age)....And then one day they're gone and death is one generation closer to us. To <span style="font-style: italic;">ME</span>.<br /><br />In the meantime, while we're buying time with drugs and praying for a miracle all the same (knowing that God will do exactly as He wills - nothing more, nothing less - Oh, how we would be so completely lost without <a href="http://joalkamps.bandcamp.com/track/learning-to-pray">God's sweet, sweet Grace!</a>), we wait. We try our best to treat every trip like it's the last, every holiday like it's the last....<span style="font-style: italic;">and I mean every 'I love you', Mom, like it's the most important phrase I'll ever say to you. I have no idea how to tell you Mom, how very much you mean to me, how very much I love you, and how I have no idea what I'll ever do without you. For now, thank you for being so strong, for persevering, for sharing with us what God is teaching you through this, and for fighting. I - WE - love you.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I know you maybe didn't want me to write about this, Mom, but thanks for understanding that I need to. I've needed to for a long time.</span>bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-44080674476325919892011-02-02T20:48:00.003-05:002011-02-02T20:50:01.781-05:00While You Were OutIf this doesn't break your heart, you should check to make sure you still have one.<br /><br />CAUTION: This is pretty graphic and is NOT for viewing with kids in the room!! (Seriously.)<br /><br /><span class="messageBody"></span><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody"><a href="http://www.massmediamail.com/durarealidad/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://www.massmediamail.com/d</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>urarealidad/</a><br /></span></h6>bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-30095946424328759262011-01-02T08:00:00.000-05:002011-01-02T08:00:04.368-05:00Sunday Six - Post-Christmas Ed.Christmas came upon us with the haste and fury of a nasty Nor'easter and now it's passed us in a blur. We've been hopped up on way too much sugar for the past week and a half and now will have to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8adG7qjYH9qdI8YdebDRoE3QY2emSTllkdPXr8umps8BjTub0UN7SE5Ao2Rvg9REh2fIKmoK7hnaXczs0UXJXyopOXwUSDkAX_MQWN0f32hzNzRQsSB2YaUk0N5gJuTE2w/s1600/sundaysix_picnik.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8adG7qjYH9qdI8YdebDRoE3QY2emSTllkdPXr8umps8BjTub0UN7SE5Ao2Rvg9REh2fIKmoK7hnaXczs0UXJXyopOXwUSDkAX_MQWN0f32hzNzRQsSB2YaUk0N5gJuTE2w/s320/sundaysix_picnik.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557355384833760930" border="0" /></a>wean ourselves off our favourite drug. The girls got far too many toys and had far too few naps. Next week is back to reality and settling down to enjoy our gifts!<br /><br />In no particular order, here are six of my favourite presents (there are probably more than six, but I can't name them all now - mostly because I'm tired [I probably need some sugar]).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">#1) I knew this muffin pan was coming because I was there when LJ bought it. I've been dreaming about it (truly) since we got it home. I've been waiting a whole week to break it in and the wait is nearly over because on Monday morning, I'm breaking out my apron! Recipe suggestions anyone?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJuPTzq97MRdqY6yI-PRgNb1D0uiObFcu1SruaJuzKErqnTdrqQmrkKLMa09rG6gHvlQyxCvt5C4HxhrovIWrOeUYa1o2mIl8tw5ZFpHTyFmxJfD7GqkmWZuaGbQ7tpteZA/s1600/muffin+pan.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJuPTzq97MRdqY6yI-PRgNb1D0uiObFcu1SruaJuzKErqnTdrqQmrkKLMa09rG6gHvlQyxCvt5C4HxhrovIWrOeUYa1o2mIl8tw5ZFpHTyFmxJfD7GqkmWZuaGbQ7tpteZA/s320/muffin+pan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557354443886562306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.nordicware.com/store/products/detail/muffin-pan--12-cup/21AF4212-7C89-102A-B382-0002B3267AD7">source</a></span><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">#2) Junior Mints. Never was there a candy so chocolately- (it's a word, <span style="font-style: italic;">now</span>, okay?) glazed in perfection. I've never tried, but I'm pretty sure I could eat Junior Mints every day. I'm guessing I shouldn't, but then, we did just acquire #6....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUm045D1qPSfufAVyvxIu1b0d_u281eez12GkAfWzyQfYoM6cwzXo1I5qnive0FV5vizR24kGlJXT_mbVyVMDqYkdDo1lrp7gK03s4Z-gv47XX2hmsuI_XgDgKpC9Jhs85A/s1600/jr+mints.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 90px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUm045D1qPSfufAVyvxIu1b0d_u281eez12GkAfWzyQfYoM6cwzXo1I5qnive0FV5vizR24kGlJXT_mbVyVMDqYkdDo1lrp7gK03s4Z-gv47XX2hmsuI_XgDgKpC9Jhs85A/s320/jr+mints.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557354439343165570" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://shop.tootsie.com/Junior-Mints-Snack-Box-184-oz-Box/p/CHR-JM330159&c=TootsieRoll@JuniorMints">source</a><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">#3) Coincidentally, we bought this exact CD for my brother this Christmas. I haven't had a chance to even listen to it yet (having only been its recipient a mere four days ago) but I listen to some of it online all the time so I plan to do so very soon. The only reason why I'm not listening to it right now is because the Little Goat is fast asleep in our room and that's where our presents are hiding out for the time being.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSw71JeqdpQPE4zIucBjP3vDHl7WviaiCkPXsqMiXbmD9Uy1yRH33IkqTWdjGU1JxZsUmb4gKFgL4ul5FzZVlkpmx74LxZ56ZB8T6_HPeGV93TQuUvSxOWdlCi2VpM6eczg/s1600/owl+city.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSw71JeqdpQPE4zIucBjP3vDHl7WviaiCkPXsqMiXbmD9Uy1yRH33IkqTWdjGU1JxZsUmb4gKFgL4ul5FzZVlkpmx74LxZ56ZB8T6_HPeGV93TQuUvSxOWdlCi2VpM6eczg/s320/owl+city.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557354435937617234" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.owlcitymusic.com/music_d.aspx?pid=12202">source</a><br /></span></div><br />#4) Socks. All of us got socks this year. I can always use socks. Especially when on the first very cold day of winter I sadly discovered that my favourite pair of Smartwool socks has a huge hole in the bottom. How that escaped me last season I can't figure, but I now have a grand total of FIVE replacement pairs of socks to keep my tootsies toasty all winter! Woot!<br /><br />#5) Cash. Some people think cash is a cop-out, just an easy (perhaps lazy) way to give a gift. I disagree. When giving a gift to someone you're close to, sometimes the fun it letting that person pick out something they've secretly had an eye on; letting them save the money for exactly the right moment when they spot the Perfect Thing - a thing you might have passed over or missed in a hurry to choose a gift. It's also a lovely expression of love when the giver doesn't have the physical fortitude or ability (or is too far away and mailing a box would be too expensive) to spend time shopping themselves. We got some greatly appreciated monetary gifts for Christmas and so far we've made a grand total of two purchases with said cash: a toboggan for the kids (which Squawky hates, by the way) and...see #6.<br /><br />#6) This was a complete surprise! I've been hinting about it for weeks (months, maybe) but figured I should stop because even<span style="font-style: italic;"> I</span> was getting tired of hearing myself talk about it. We got a couple of very nice Christmas gifts of cash (see #5) and LJ suggested we divvy it all up and get whatever we wanted. We've since changed out minds and no gesture was a greater expression of that decision than the secretive purchase of this on Wednesday. LJ's parents were visiting and he was at work. The rest of us were out for the day and when we got home, it was sitting in the garage! The only downside is that I am now officially Without Excuse. It's got lots of nifty exercise workouts pre-programmed so I'll let you know how it goes.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmPK_6KHb9Y-446qRNTHZiKlVXiPxzKmnsP3tian80YgYLXdtSGoi0JXCvsMsEx2n0LbAJ4rC5_lQtsB_ys8R0NO6c9iDPx1ekGLdITHHfihZp4O5oHagcSd6HRR-kWUR3A/s1600/treadmill.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmPK_6KHb9Y-446qRNTHZiKlVXiPxzKmnsP3tian80YgYLXdtSGoi0JXCvsMsEx2n0LbAJ4rC5_lQtsB_ys8R0NO6c9iDPx1ekGLdITHHfihZp4O5oHagcSd6HRR-kWUR3A/s320/treadmill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557354433533419314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.tempo-fitness.com/treadmills/611T.php">source</a><br /></span></div><br />Two thousand ten was a bittersweet year for us. We've been so richly blessed with so much but the realization that time is rapidly slipping away from us in other areas has been difficult. We are grateful for how far God has brought our little family and for all the special moments He allowed us to have and all the sweet, sweet memories He created for us this Christmas.<br /><br />Now, the New Year has begun. Turning over a page on a calendar (we really should get a new one, shouldn't we?) doesn't change much that's happening in our lives, but it does give us hope in the sovereignty of God to carry us through another 12 months. May you be blessed beyond anything you can imagine and in <span style="font-style: italic;">ALL </span>things in 2011.<br /><br />P.S. The<a href="http://strangerinastrangerland.blogspot.com/2010/12/sunday-except-really-its-saturday-six.html"> pork roast turned out great</a>! In fact, everything about the meal was lovely.bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-6828668713849962422010-12-25T17:07:00.003-05:002010-12-25T17:24:24.280-05:00Sunday (Except really it's Saturday) SixNow I'm speed-blogging. It's Christmas afternoon, the pork roast is in the oven (I've never actually cooked one before so we'll see how it goes); the applesauce is done, the potatoes are soaking, the carrots are all ready, still have salad to make and jell-o jigglers to shaperize. <br /><br />Without further adieu, here are six things I 'love' (sorry I haven't got time to post pictures of everything!).<br /><br />#1) <a href="http://www.pauldenton.co.uk/Boxingday.htm">Boxing Day</a> - I realize it's not a holiday celebrated in the U.S., and honestly, having no servants, it's not one we celebrate in its purest form at our house either, BUT, it's a great excuse to have a day off (in most cases) and for those who love shopping, it's the Canadian equivalent of Black Friday.<br /><br />#2) <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/12/glass-block-holiday-jello-festive.html">This recipe for fun jell-0 treats</a>. We're not having them today but we made them last week for a family Christmas gathering and they went over like beer, er, lemonade on a hot summer day! Fun to make, fun to look at.<br /><br />#3) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Non-Stick-Muffin-Pan/dp/B001716ACI">This is</a> not exactly the same as the one I got for Christmas but I knew it was coming and I was even dreaming about it last night! I can hardly wait to use it this week. Now to decide on a good muffin recipe to use....<br /><br />And now I shall tell you about three things we never knew we needed until Christmas Eve/Christmas Day:<br /><br />#4) <a href="http://www.myurbanchild.com/servlet/the-481/Clocky-dsh--Aqua/Detail">This item </a>would've come in handy Christmas morning. The girls missed naps yesterday so they slept in this morning and even when the Little Goat woke up, she wasn't terribly interested in opening presents. She wanted to look at the tree and then come back to give me a hug and a kiss and curl up in bed with us. Awww...<br /><br />#5) <a href="http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/3/CleaningToolsVacuums/CordlessSweepers/PRDOVR%7E0436308P/Black%252B%252526%252BDecker%252BCyclonic%252BHand%252BVacuum%25252C%252B9.6V.jsp?locale=en">This also</a> would've come in handy Christmas morning after Squawky dumped a large portion of her little Christmas stocking cookie box all over her clothes - and the floor. *sigh*<br /><br />#6) <a href="http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5/SportsRec/WinterSports/SledsToboggans/PRD%7E0825220P/Pelican%252BMega%252BSnow%252BGlider.jsp?locale=en">This came</a> in handy on Christmas Eve when we realized 'ACK! All the grandparents are going to be around for the next week and we have nothing to pull the kids around in outside when we go skating at the park, etc!' Plus, Erin K. and Co. came over yesterday afternoon for playing in the snow and then hot chocolate and chocolate fondue. (Wow - do kids ever play well together when they're all sugared up!)<br /><br />What about you? Is there anything you realized after the fact that you might've asked for for Christmas? What is your favourite present you received? Did you make a new special memory? I hope you've had a wonderful Christmas holiday! Enjoy the last week of the year!<br /><br />*************************<br /><br />And if you missed last week's post, can I encourage you to<a href="http://andrew-peterson.com/players/btlog/beholdthelamb.html"> check out this entire Andrew Peterson CD</a>. You have to click through each song to hear it but they're beautiful songs - not just for Christmas but anytime.bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-9976289087186060642010-12-19T00:32:00.005-05:002010-12-19T00:55:56.971-05:00Sunday Skip?I know, I know. I just came back and I'm bailing on you already. But it's pretty much midnight, we've had a vastly productive and full day - cheesecake making, jell-o dessert making, carmel popcorn making, present wrapping, label making, grocery shopping, and a trip to America to mail presents - and we're T.I.R.E.D. Which doesn't explain why I just watched Friday Night Lights instead of going to bed early.<br /><br />At any rate, I would tell you six things I love and be all fancy-like with pictures and numbers. Instead, here's six Christmas songs I pretty much could listen to all day....beautiful, beautiful, beautiful....<br /><br />#1) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIr5th0d44Y">Love Came Down at Christmas - JOC</a><br />#2) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcQYsujAVC0">Good King Wenceslas</a> - as performed by the Royal College of Music Chamber Choir<br />#3) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjy0Ay00cz0">Glory</a> - BDW<br />#4) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyyRLv0mFa4">What Child is This?</a> - MM<br />#5) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0EE300jQQw&feature=fvw">O, Holy Night</a> - NB<br />#6) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaWanDkD4m4&playnext=1&list=PL8378AD720A45A5F2&index=49">While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night</a> - Andrew Petersonbren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-5174015168679559362010-12-10T22:58:00.006-05:002010-12-10T23:41:28.648-05:00Sunday Six: 2.0I married a slightly geeky geek (no, really - he's playing Lego Star Wars on the Wii <span style="font-style: italic;">right now</span>). I myself could in some instances be considered a slightly geeky geek. Therefore I present to you six slightly geeky (but significantly super awesome) gadgets that I think would only bring my slightly geeky geekiness to a whole new (and superbly brilliant) level (and yes, half of them are culinarily-minded items. So there.).<br /><br />#1: Because who <span style="font-style: italic;">wouldn't</span> want to store their keys this way?<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1S4KV-zXvrSao0GV-9hyphenhyphenove-SZehUffdnDTjiNlqMxMBUxAHIDS3RF1gE_4oh2G4hcSjfq1nMM4lTXHKVgpibUaK0FyhELFBYqTQvf1ZRQvFhSvfUtyLWzbuN_2TNaY042Q/s1600/e665_buckle_up_keyholder.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1S4KV-zXvrSao0GV-9hyphenhyphenove-SZehUffdnDTjiNlqMxMBUxAHIDS3RF1gE_4oh2G4hcSjfq1nMM4lTXHKVgpibUaK0FyhELFBYqTQvf1ZRQvFhSvfUtyLWzbuN_2TNaY042Q/s320/e665_buckle_up_keyholder.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549275635596981106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(<a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/gear/e665/?pfm=rightcolumn_NewStuffFTW_4">source</a>)</span><br /><br /></div>#2: So many uses....such as achieving Mad Scientist Level 4...or actually not wrecking my brain doing math to convert foreign recipes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNjEG9-4HaD_zQaabX4ePL9FCmU3qipj4IqTVa-ZP358Z6c_zfP9km65A7EB7fhc7WY8p71IXFRv5-Hsu99dIQeOz-hhnbkR1rV_X8aLzk0K3wGoGLwRGwcG3IwS1GHBl-A/s1600/measure+cup.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNjEG9-4HaD_zQaabX4ePL9FCmU3qipj4IqTVa-ZP358Z6c_zfP9km65A7EB7fhc7WY8p71IXFRv5-Hsu99dIQeOz-hhnbkR1rV_X8aLzk0K3wGoGLwRGwcG3IwS1GHBl-A/s320/measure+cup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549275484085582786" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/taylor-digital-scale-measuring-cup/"><span style="font-size:78%;">(source)<br /></span></a></div><br />#3: This way, I could fall asleep while watching the minutes tick by but wake up with "improved vitality and mood."<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpq_hfkLtVzZetFQXY1j16PQIgUbzUoD7C376AUH3Gzn5zcICRG8q4BUfXGLnYMPGpy4zLAiwg8OIx6tXkv4frQ9vnSuBM-J2bN4F8oS6BnyYS6lCOsvGtl1PfDOiiMVuLMg/s1600/breo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpq_hfkLtVzZetFQXY1j16PQIgUbzUoD7C376AUH3Gzn5zcICRG8q4BUfXGLnYMPGpy4zLAiwg8OIx6tXkv4frQ9vnSuBM-J2bN4F8oS6BnyYS6lCOsvGtl1PfDOiiMVuLMg/s320/breo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549275481878500962" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Breo-Unisex-Sport-Medium-Rubber/dp/B00213JOV0/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1292041709&sr=8-6"><span style="font-size:78%;">(source)</span></a><br /><br /></div>#4: Up until this very moment, I had no idea what a <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raclette">raclette</a> actually was, but I see now that it involves cheese - SWISS cheese even - so I'm pretty much sold. Now I *need* it not simply because it looks cool but also because it MELTS CHEESE.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmIcuw9W0xfEsXWkTU8NWnQcFegSdHvKxgj7ERQ0xpfaT7t14iAs8xMDFeX1S4hrA-9YIZ8GXzMtUor419lKyIbWYXCHkbvJdLlTDJThXe0BLv5qTPxZtCcBAA9yMSXDtdw/s1600/raclette.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmIcuw9W0xfEsXWkTU8NWnQcFegSdHvKxgj7ERQ0xpfaT7t14iAs8xMDFeX1S4hrA-9YIZ8GXzMtUor419lKyIbWYXCHkbvJdLlTDJThXe0BLv5qTPxZtCcBAA9yMSXDtdw/s320/raclette.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549275472560482082" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/electric-raclette-maker/?pkey=e%7Celectric%2Braclette%2Bmaker%7C1%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH%7C%7CNoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Top_Wide_Cookware-_-"><span style="font-size:78%;">(source)</span></a><br /></div><br />#5: This isn't something I actually need anymore, having no children presently in the strictly puree-eating phase, BUT, it looks super-cool, ridiculously practical, and the name makes me snigger.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gjf2lBhAMFjYvzqj7xDaLRZ7jqBXr6oheSQwYOwLaVXngE7kJtIOoYzRPI7xPEk-2UJz9VW4gDTdfOz4im9x17ETt_D9uxlsci82q89f54LX7EWcswRlWVosnNkSNPduWA/s1600/beaba.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gjf2lBhAMFjYvzqj7xDaLRZ7jqBXr6oheSQwYOwLaVXngE7kJtIOoYzRPI7xPEk-2UJz9VW4gDTdfOz4im9x17ETt_D9uxlsci82q89f54LX7EWcswRlWVosnNkSNPduWA/s320/beaba.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549275473236693026" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/beaba-babycook-baby-food-maker/?pkey=celectrics-cooking-for-baby&cm_src=hero"><span style="font-size:78%;">(source)</span></a><br /></div><br />#6: So perfect for life in my alternate (spy) universe! And if I couldn't have that, I'd carry <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/security/99f1/#tabs">one of these</a>. Military grade, people!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFOR9t0NtPUSeJl9ZtobwdC4g6Vx6ozMg6ow8DVakbKxcfSfSD1CE183tFwzyNp2nmMZ4oT6vWeC6m3KRhOhazkHO6JNTcZ4D7AXKg8dteNc6KenWH5L0a3jrzpHDJCH1hw/s1600/a8bc_flash_drive_watch.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFOR9t0NtPUSeJl9ZtobwdC4g6Vx6ozMg6ow8DVakbKxcfSfSD1CE183tFwzyNp2nmMZ4oT6vWeC6m3KRhOhazkHO6JNTcZ4D7AXKg8dteNc6KenWH5L0a3jrzpHDJCH1hw/s320/a8bc_flash_drive_watch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549275471060152082" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/watches/a8bc/"><span style="font-size:78%;">(source)</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, tell me, if you could choose ONE of the above, which would you choose and why?<br /></div></div>bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-42347794531706153102010-12-04T23:56:00.007-05:002010-12-05T00:22:51.782-05:00Sunday SixSo my friend Jodie over at <a href="http://velourblog.blogspot.com/">Velour</a> started this list a while back called The Sunday Six. Every Sunday she posts a list (that was obvious, wasn't it?) of six things she loves...or perhaps just really likes. Like, a lot. Jodie has been one of my most ardent encouragers (it's a word <span style="font-style: italic;">now</span>) to get back to blogging (but more on that another time). For now though, I think I'll stick to her suggestion to rip off her Sunday Six schtick. So here goes, Jodie, here goes.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sTkwolLWtQ7WdNrPP6pxpRgeshWbLSy7ERy4sEgyvNQIVdfwENkqAmQbRjQlsewoE8nrs-nH1-3GUy5jsUJ91QVpdjTRv5dv45ID1_Odd5I6JD6J8deRbuzxiury7LSPRw/s1600/sundaysix_picnik.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sTkwolLWtQ7WdNrPP6pxpRgeshWbLSy7ERy4sEgyvNQIVdfwENkqAmQbRjQlsewoE8nrs-nH1-3GUy5jsUJ91QVpdjTRv5dv45ID1_Odd5I6JD6J8deRbuzxiury7LSPRw/s320/sundaysix_picnik.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547061130773587202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">one: </span>this guy - even when he's not dressed as Mr. Cleaver. He turned 30 yesterday and as I type, he's out at the surprise party that I so ingeniously masterminded for him. A sneaky plan that actually made me so ill in my stomach I had to have a rest after lunch today.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uxS4NwidFZCYjh8gVzsveEMYQIATdVC6xYpBh1sfJmbeQIVEjaA-cXcAegEw7lye9jhmFfuKctroTdRdo8UyW-TfUjq8cQxB997KvySR6IUQeXhKdPwhzs03rpPvIlkYDQ/s1600/luke+pipe.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uxS4NwidFZCYjh8gVzsveEMYQIATdVC6xYpBh1sfJmbeQIVEjaA-cXcAegEw7lye9jhmFfuKctroTdRdo8UyW-TfUjq8cQxB997KvySR6IUQeXhKdPwhzs03rpPvIlkYDQ/s320/luke+pipe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547061222154560786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">two: </span>these two yahoos. I mean, have you seen anything so cute? (Nope, didn't think so.) (And no, we don't make them go around wearing sunglasses all the time.)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug-CZ2I1SkjNXMZ0TDCe_VU18vW1Gg0Vy5aTs1SuA2QUUMXUvIWTaQGyg8cZvKZ3GI_XAeu2AsP9IsCq8qSvKooMBNxId5G6FpACXsWiYCezPnY8eDaCH2KbD4mjD5Q04tQ/s1600/adrienne+glasses.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug-CZ2I1SkjNXMZ0TDCe_VU18vW1Gg0Vy5aTs1SuA2QUUMXUvIWTaQGyg8cZvKZ3GI_XAeu2AsP9IsCq8qSvKooMBNxId5G6FpACXsWiYCezPnY8eDaCH2KbD4mjD5Q04tQ/s320/adrienne+glasses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547061115734855010" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkw1XDCmWN67ZUj4ELY_bxIHGwDZ4nLg89A8ZzpIMbkq4ljeVavLNFA1RktRLCVW88WYblNJT40a8zyMwzPcvE2CRsZZ9r8W69xcH04z-2_nWbcgC7waohByk5p6fwrYT-g/s1600/anja+glasses.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkw1XDCmWN67ZUj4ELY_bxIHGwDZ4nLg89A8ZzpIMbkq4ljeVavLNFA1RktRLCVW88WYblNJT40a8zyMwzPcvE2CRsZZ9r8W69xcH04z-2_nWbcgC7waohByk5p6fwrYT-g/s320/anja+glasses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547061119446308242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">three:<a href="https://shop.cariboucoffee.com/asp/shop/detail.asp?c=1&p=66"> </a></span></span><a href="https://shop.cariboucoffee.com/asp/shop/detail.asp?c=1&p=66">this coffee</a>, without which the zombie-like state I wake up in every morning would never cease. Caribou Coffee fuels my little world in the wee (or in most cases, the not-so-wee) morning hours.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWp07WEZ_6M3391nyE7LUPFvqjFGOFAqDvB5bQo2D9FLkJpBKdZPbDEFOUY65wXsFvSlTrOpUoWts95IRpiN9KDgdkpxOVVc7Pmth-BRgFppaMv0SNNxtFo6LyeFVisH7bDQ/s1600/Daybreak_600.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWp07WEZ_6M3391nyE7LUPFvqjFGOFAqDvB5bQo2D9FLkJpBKdZPbDEFOUY65wXsFvSlTrOpUoWts95IRpiN9KDgdkpxOVVc7Pmth-BRgFppaMv0SNNxtFo6LyeFVisH7bDQ/s320/Daybreak_600.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547062866695401266" border="0" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />four: </span></span>Christmas. Truly, I used to loathe Christmas. Then we had one girl, then we had another and ever since, it's gotten better and better and I can hardly wait to dive into the Season after Thanksgiving.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YzlVqFTjUYFxwW01Y-fGbgmhtlY-tYkOa3Jouu9K1qDmhIjlz7ZsJUp-9mrcQRyQBTD5M50TwM9FpyG2NpTQkKiqcgktnQ7WMHwM5xYKrumKQRHqv_0ZqP-0lT3jkY77_A/s1600/peanuts-christmas-nativity-danbury-mint-sculpture_180570450867.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YzlVqFTjUYFxwW01Y-fGbgmhtlY-tYkOa3Jouu9K1qDmhIjlz7ZsJUp-9mrcQRyQBTD5M50TwM9FpyG2NpTQkKiqcgktnQ7WMHwM5xYKrumKQRHqv_0ZqP-0lT3jkY77_A/s320/peanuts-christmas-nativity-danbury-mint-sculpture_180570450867.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547061132247763474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">five: </span></span>Grover. Need I say more:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3VBU7itlmfpQ0Xmql3Opdr7TQUO2XEItO06pnfS-7aGJK5_S4kf0uZW5O6eg83pq7pcw6d9i3_BaZ_kAvl-xEceXnwagusVzSZoRtf1CopENj_BGHtY-7vO-CGdOfOKrmg/s1600/Grover+Standing+2.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3VBU7itlmfpQ0Xmql3Opdr7TQUO2XEItO06pnfS-7aGJK5_S4kf0uZW5O6eg83pq7pcw6d9i3_BaZ_kAvl-xEceXnwagusVzSZoRtf1CopENj_BGHtY-7vO-CGdOfOKrmg/s320/Grover+Standing+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547061123379104866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">six: </span></span>this <a href="http://www.preserveproducts.com/products/personalcare/toothbrush-travel-case.html">toothbrush</a> is AMAZING. And it makes me feel so fancy and planet-conscious (*eye roll*).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYxREBSze_Uu6T34jdUdmgzzuzCYF4zisdpDyzHKs8E-JotVzMJl0-P70OYQEN5q1TLoElR_2Ffam_RMKdc6r6HP3hXUcAwj3ZyoHVArDIjODnrva6C_XwapE7VxrZYbrRA/s1600/toothbrush.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYxREBSze_Uu6T34jdUdmgzzuzCYF4zisdpDyzHKs8E-JotVzMJl0-P70OYQEN5q1TLoElR_2Ffam_RMKdc6r6HP3hXUcAwj3ZyoHVArDIjODnrva6C_XwapE7VxrZYbrRA/s320/toothbrush.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547061820788061794" border="0" /></a><br />And there you have it. Next time I might even blog about actual <span style="font-style: italic;">thoughts</span> I've been having as of late. Or if you're really lucky, I might actually tell you what's going on in our corner of the world - which might involve some thoughts. Aren't you lucky? I know, you're waiting with bated breath.bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-77650300610756993712010-11-21T14:25:00.003-05:002010-11-21T14:30:02.040-05:00We interrupt this inexcusable blogging absence........to bring you these hilarious videos.<br /><br />My friend Rachelle <a href="http://mompetition.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-i-cant-make-mom-friends.html?ref=nf">posted this on Facebook and it had LJ and I in stitches</a>. Hooray for satire!<br /><br />Another friend<a href="http://www.mysneezee.com/"> posted this and it's so ridiculous it's funny</a>. At first I thought it was a joke, but the lady in the commercial seems so convinced!<br /><br />Enjoy!bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-50681876999719602402010-08-23T14:48:00.002-05:002010-08-23T14:51:16.519-05:00Uh oh...The Little Goat: I'm a alligator, Mom. You're a alligator and Dad's a alligator.<br />Me: And what is Squawky?<br />LG: Squawky's a duck. I'm a alligator. I'm going to eat the duck!<br />Me: Oh no! That would make Mom sad. I don't want Squawky to get eaten. Who will you play with?<br />LG: Well not Squawky, anyway.bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-84539622331761238932010-07-30T17:01:00.002-05:002010-07-30T20:56:04.613-05:00But in My Defense......we were away for longer than planned on our holiday. We left July 2nd and had intended to be back on the 14th, but LJ's Nana passed away on the 12th (it's a cool story, I'll tell it to you sometime), so we ended up staying a week longer.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm presently in the throes of getting the laundry done and house tidied so we can skedaddle off for the weekend again. This time, to Grand Forks for a Post-Holiday Holiday. We used one of those 'choose-what-you're-willing-to-pay' websites last night and got a steal on a room (essentially half-price) at a nice hotel with *phew* a pool AND hot breakfast. The Little Goat was more than just a little excited when I told her she could have waffles for breakfast AND go swimming.<br /><br />So to tide you over until I'm back, here's a few pictures from our adventures in Washington. Okay, well, nevermind. Blogger won't let me upload pictures. Sorry!!bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-27869228712115410512010-06-28T16:34:00.005-05:002010-06-28T17:20:32.544-05:00The BirthdaysI get to the end of June and I can never figure out what happened to April and May...and the beginning of June for that matter. It seems like my birthday was ages ago and in fact, it was only a month and a half ago. And now here we are and it's already been a week and a half since the girls' birthdays.<br /><br />The Little Goat and Squawky both seemed to enjoy their day. We had "special birthday pancakes" for breakfast. Squawky got a number 1 and the LG got a number 3. By the time she finished it and asked for another special birthday pancake, I was finished making them all, so she ended up eating both a 'balloon' and a 'moon'. (I was all ready with 'ball' and 'polka dot'...)<br /><br />After breakfast a friend called and invited us to the beach so we got all packed up and away we went. The LG has never been a fan of the beach. She doesn't love sand and doesn't like swimming either. I had to carry her over the sand the first time and she responded with a howl when I dipped her feet in the water. Fortified by lunch, however, she was ready to go play in the sand and she and her little friend actually played nicely together and found common purpose in destroying the sandy lobster molds we made. It was fun to watch them. And because our daughters daily like to confound us and reinforce that they are two very different girls, Squawky LOVED the water! She stood up in the water and started kicking her feet and splashing. When I think about it, I'm not really sure why I'm surprised.<br /><br />The rest of the day was rounded out with naps, birthday supper (grilled cheese with a side of...cheese) and a trip for ice cream which Squawky refuses to try (I'm guessing because it's cold), and of course presents. So here you are, the day in pictures (ignore the dates on the pictures; I think the camera clock is wrong).<br /><br />Oh...and a funny story!<br />The friend we went to the beach with has boys and the oldest was getting dried off and changing from swim trunks to shorts. Three-year-olds aren't necessarily noted for their modesty and the Little Goat got a pretty good glimpse of a certain little body part.<br />LG: Mom, what's THAT funny thing?<br />Me: That's part of what makes M a boy.<br />M (to his Mom): Mom, what's so funny? What are you guys laughing at?<br /><br />And shortly after they all left:<br />LG: Mom, M has a finger on his bum.<br />Me: It's not a finger, dear, it's a special boy part.<br /><br />I should tell you that the last time we went to the beach together, we made sure to hold up towels around the kids.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBC2QurrQzFJNsjgKKqBBIm_V1m_aswCgDLkcMzulOts7zxGP8FEeMxhDhwU241p1ZAsSJbbM3ZazxGsH7hylJBXu1eXbmUDCjhlV4Gdo4eklBwe6ZiWlzZdYjR6hGUngFJA/s1600/DSCN1659.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBC2QurrQzFJNsjgKKqBBIm_V1m_aswCgDLkcMzulOts7zxGP8FEeMxhDhwU241p1ZAsSJbbM3ZazxGsH7hylJBXu1eXbmUDCjhlV4Gdo4eklBwe6ZiWlzZdYjR6hGUngFJA/s320/DSCN1659.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487946458037906018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Playing - together! - after Birthday Breakfast.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRWTiaWR7BTthwbmkQynNgiEjIOvs0fIz1ey0UsGNxiAZQrK_y7yzBiaWhwK7L-T4KXCCLEHvTSuouSEj-E6R4-ZCquNPubcLb-5fR5dO_JxGC1NAeboDFnRKDlb4VWKsVQ/s1600/DSCN1669.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRWTiaWR7BTthwbmkQynNgiEjIOvs0fIz1ey0UsGNxiAZQrK_y7yzBiaWhwK7L-T4KXCCLEHvTSuouSEj-E6R4-ZCquNPubcLb-5fR5dO_JxGC1NAeboDFnRKDlb4VWKsVQ/s320/DSCN1669.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487946466791983362" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Practicing to be a vigilant lifeguard?</span><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZKfIa1kYiN5UxdhEfYR3q1-8izBndMRpE0wRzdJKX1gvpHFKwogLAsn-oYM4IA8sd7sm-Dih4jFDCEehLa25qmWD3c77lz7N6aFCBuYQNruwmx5xEThpgjswdTTlPWXQ9Q/s1600/DSCN1678.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZKfIa1kYiN5UxdhEfYR3q1-8izBndMRpE0wRzdJKX1gvpHFKwogLAsn-oYM4IA8sd7sm-Dih4jFDCEehLa25qmWD3c77lz7N6aFCBuYQNruwmx5xEThpgjswdTTlPWXQ9Q/s320/DSCN1678.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487946473869692450" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Beautiful, even when she's just playing.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bzsuqD8gDD4hmFGTl0seMUT-J4gQYc2Lk-COVtrCKg7Jl_Pec7D40SUZZVVrIb2LrG0rw0D2PxCOkYCLTUFenBsb4h8oWiLTrpDWDGtxTVqCr5EBbtGpkX_7EBOmo-kvpQ/s1600/DSCN1682.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bzsuqD8gDD4hmFGTl0seMUT-J4gQYc2Lk-COVtrCKg7Jl_Pec7D40SUZZVVrIb2LrG0rw0D2PxCOkYCLTUFenBsb4h8oWiLTrpDWDGtxTVqCr5EBbtGpkX_7EBOmo-kvpQ/s320/DSCN1682.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487946481850112338" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">By the time we walked home from the beach...</span><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupCkZ5GwU4CwJI6M8E6zrjG5hCV2i8O06k7rHfUksYxZOtKtQh8W3l3cvFockjUriTQRmOmDxmtT0Vz8CmapLg1Pq4QL4VWrmzwhHdwSWjwkZTxMKD_q72jlRyF6cgxBegw/s1600/DSCN1686.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupCkZ5GwU4CwJI6M8E6zrjG5hCV2i8O06k7rHfUksYxZOtKtQh8W3l3cvFockjUriTQRmOmDxmtT0Vz8CmapLg1Pq4QL4VWrmzwhHdwSWjwkZTxMKD_q72jlRyF6cgxBegw/s320/DSCN1686.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487947752195167490" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Enjoying birthday ice cream.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90iahRVszaACdvDOAsOhcifUc30piQTPMogt_7nesET-WxXzg2MBmyALyuU2sAjNihtE81NeToFlZpPCNURqAiDrxvJucFJDWBH2tnHY7LrMsTJMth0F-SPxzgqdX2onW2g/s1600/DSCN1684.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90iahRVszaACdvDOAsOhcifUc30piQTPMogt_7nesET-WxXzg2MBmyALyuU2sAjNihtE81NeToFlZpPCNURqAiDrxvJucFJDWBH2tnHY7LrMsTJMth0F-SPxzgqdX2onW2g/s320/DSCN1684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487946491038958210" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Almost ready for the end of the day.</span><br /></span></div>bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-7012113379244383502010-06-16T16:34:00.003-05:002010-06-16T17:20:44.877-05:001, 3Many days still go by when I cannot believe I'm actually a mother - and also many days when I think maybe I shouldn't be. Kids' birthdays are good for many things but not the least of which is to remind us that we've actually survived motherhood (or fatherhood) for another year!<br /><br />Tonight, at 10:02, LJ and I will celebrate the technical beginning of parenting the Little Goat which began in 2007. Twenty minutes later, we'll celebrate the technical beginning of parenting Squawky, which began a mere 12 months ago, even though it seems like she's been around a lot longer.<br /><br />In celebrating parenthood, we are so grateful for God's grace. for His gift of these two fantastic, beautiful girls. We love you two - <span style="font-style: italic;">and we wouldn't trade you for anyone!</span> Happy birthday, Little Goat! Happy birthday, Squawky!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiFzZtpcYeAcnicgXxqQ23S58529Qrl71BSGRejTny7UswMzSqn5DxQohXMBkY7aUPBWBOLB7a77m_t2zCktc31LhWlhVrqj6O5z6SFXrDoTrnJNghb-ADXCbrVIGhk4A9A/s1600/aj013.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiFzZtpcYeAcnicgXxqQ23S58529Qrl71BSGRejTny7UswMzSqn5DxQohXMBkY7aUPBWBOLB7a77m_t2zCktc31LhWlhVrqj6O5z6SFXrDoTrnJNghb-ADXCbrVIGhk4A9A/s320/aj013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483493322902357186" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSATmhC248PyAjGvEMGo4brFjtorKSvlWqrv2OrTRssuHBNOCLORTJ76sjbj8EQg8X3X0ObXHW9MW1tV28qV0-MaXC8GwxgYjAI6-fZqaT7Fv_kU0zYpTF1qaWaasDnh7CA/s1600/DSC_0557.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSATmhC248PyAjGvEMGo4brFjtorKSvlWqrv2OrTRssuHBNOCLORTJ76sjbj8EQg8X3X0ObXHW9MW1tV28qV0-MaXC8GwxgYjAI6-fZqaT7Fv_kU0zYpTF1qaWaasDnh7CA/s320/DSC_0557.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483493331967828098" border="0" /></a>bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-47417172822485788552010-06-15T09:51:00.002-05:002010-06-15T09:54:48.673-05:00A ConversationMe: So, Little Goat, do you still like your special little bed?<br />LG: Yes. I would like it to move back to Mom & Dad's big room. Mom & Dad would like to share a room with me.<br />Me: No. Mom & Dad don't want to share a room with anyone.<br />LG: Are we taking my special little bed to Nana & Papa's?<br />Me: I don't think it will fit on the airplane! It's too big!<br />LG: We can put it in the airplane.<br />Me: No, Dear, it won't fit.<br />LG: We can put it in the airplane and we can dribe the airplane to Nana & Papa's house!bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-83575337791238965792010-06-04T09:18:00.004-05:002010-06-04T09:43:58.749-05:00SummarySo my birthday this year was fantastic! LJ actually planned a birthday party for me (in three days!) and even though it rained, everybody had a good time - LJ even came home early from work so he could help get everything ready and cook.<br /><br />Next up was Mother's Day. We were rushed getting in to The Big City, but it turned out we really weren't on that tight a schedule. As we were driving through the city, we were passing through a familiar neighbourhood; I've known quite a few people who've lived there. Then we got to 'M' Street and everything fell into place: "HEY! Lindsay lives on 'M' Street! We're going to Lindsay's house! Does that mean we get to leave the children and go on a date?!"<br /><br />Well, no, not exactly. [And as a sidebar here, let me give you a word of warning that getting a little too excited about the prospect of dropping your kids off somewhere is maybe not the best idea if you want to keep them from FREAKING OUT.] LJ had been planning this surprise for no less than THREE weeks! We got to Lindsay's, fed, watered, and bathroomed the kids, and then LJ gave me some money and said 'have fun!' He took the kids to the zoo (well, the gift shop anyway because the zoo was about to close) and Lindsay and I went shopping. Then we met back up with LJ, the kids, and Lindsay's boyfriend for supper. Seriously, it ranks right up there as one of the best 'surprises' ever. I have no idea how LJ will ever top all this celebrating next year.<br /><br />Oh, and as the icing on the cake of all this celebrating, I ended up with not one, but <span style="font-style: italic;">three</span> new CDs: for our anniversary, I got a Simon & Garfunkel greatest hits CD (in lieu of some very expensive tickets to the concert in The Big City), for my birthday, the new Starfield album (Have you heard them? They're really good! They love Jesus and the lead singer was a lunch-buddy of mine in college...and he's a HUGE U2 fan.), and for Mother's Day, the new Swell Season record (kind of folksy and well...swell).<br /><br />LJ also had his appointment with the glaucoma specialist in The Big City which was a debacle all its own. And when I am better able to laugh about it, I will tell you the story.<br /><br />We spent May Long Weekend in my hometown with my parents, played a round of golf on possibly the coldest May day in my recent memory, watched the series finale of Lost (and boy, am I glad I didn't waste six tv 'seasons' of my life on THAT), and concluded the weekend with a drive home I hope to NEVER repeat. EVER. (I'm not laughing about that one yet either.)<br /><br />Last weekend, my parents came out here and we celebrated my Dad's birthday. Next up is the girls' birthdays on the 16th. So soon! The <span style="font-style: italic;">Hello Kitty</span> invites will be 'in the mail' this week. *gasp*bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-46386052176125096992010-05-04T09:17:00.002-05:002010-05-04T10:10:17.877-05:00Birthdays....and Other Signs of AgingI read an article the other day called "30 Things You Should Do Before You Turn 30."<br />According to that article I have failed miserably at enjoying my 20s. I didn't travel the world solo, get a job in Australia (one of the 30 things I might actually have considered doing at some point); I didn't mud wrestle at a giant music festival or get a free condom at the Love Parade in Germany. What I did do in my 20s was get married, move to a foreign country, move across said foreign country, make a lot of amazing friends, and have two of the most beautiful kids in the universe.<br /><br />Thirty has gone by so quickly. I think thirty was supposed to feel different, the start of something other than just a new decade of life, the first steps on the Road to Greater Maturity. Thirty was a pretty epic year: We sold our first house, celebrated our seventh anniversary, celebrated my 30th birthday (oh Cracker Barrel, how I miss you)...my Mom battled cancer (and won!), LJ started a new job, and most exciting, we moved Home to Canada just in time for Squawky's arrival - and that was just in the first six months!<br /><br />So thirty was good, but 31 already feels like the 'real' new beginning. We're more settled and less in a state of flux. This is Home now and I feel like we've been here for years already. We love it here! Looking outside this morning it's an almost perfect spring day. The grass is green, the sky is a little blue with big puffy white clouds. The leaves are almost fully out and waltzing in the breeze. I can look down the street one direction and see a friend's house, I can look down the street in the other direction and see another friends house...we are incredibly blessed - even on the 'bad' days.<br /><br />Thirty-one holds a lot of possibilities - first steps, first words, first <span style="font-style: italic;">written</span> words - so here's to the hope of another year, here's to continued contentment. Here's to another year of living life and loving my family in a place I never thought I'd be, in a place I can't imagine ever leaving.<br /><br /><br />*******************<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And also - </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://lameys.blogspot.com">happy birthday to my birthday twin! I love you, Brenda</a><span style="font-style: italic;">!</span>bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-56448740405648957122010-04-26T09:35:00.002-05:002010-04-26T10:01:48.502-05:00Here.Spring is here and we've been busy getting outside and walking, exercising, and watching these kids grow! Squawky is way beyond army crawling now; she's pulling up and walking alongside furniture. It's incredible the rate at which her gross motor skills have developed compared to the Little Goat who didn't walk until after a year. Every day it is more apparent just how different our girls are.<br /><br />The LG is developing in her own areas. She can recognize a little over half of the alphabet when she sees the letters (even some upside down!), though we haven't made much progress on memorizing them. She's been enjoying our walks and reading books. Yesterday, when she was outside with LJ she told him she wanted to "dig the garden." Soon. We went out to feed Earl the Squirrel ('he' and 'Alice' live in our backyard) and instead of leaving one of the pieces of bread on the log by the fire pit, she just sat down and ate it. Luckily, Earl found the chunk of bread on top of the shed a little while later.<br /><br />The trees in our backyard have almost all started to leaf out just in this past week, the tulips are about to bloom and some of the flowers we planted last summer actually made it through the winter and are about to bloom too. All of this is happening quite a bit earlier than usual this year. I can't think of an April in recent memory when I could wear just a tshirt outside and be roasting. Hopefully it's not an indication of how hot it will be this summer because me and heat - not the closest friends.<br /><br />Speaking of heat. The guys that live in the tiny house beside us (really, everybody around here knows it as The Little House) are getting ready to move out sometime this summer. They rent and the owner has plans to build a house. In the meantime, they have been cutting and burning trees/wood on the property to help clear it off. We're pretty sure it has digressed almost entirely to the point of simply seeing how high they can make the flames go during their weekend bonfires. We've seen flames at least 15 feet high and the pile of stuff waiting to burn is crazy! At least 48 wood pallets, the cut logs from two trees that were at least three stories tall each. Oh, and a shed. Yes, they are slowly dismantling an entire shed. (We're wondering if they're going to take apart and burn the house piece by piece too.) It's really quite the sight behold.<br /><br />In other news, the missions team from our church left last Wednesday for Indonesia for two weeks. For the month of April, there is a challenge at church to walk/run during the week to see if collectively we can walk the distance to Indonesia. I can't remember what the total number of kilometers walked so far is, but my personal total is 85km in the least three weeks and I'm pretty excited about that!<br /><br />I have a post half-written about our Lenten experience this year and I really want to get it up on the blog. Finding time to write has been a challenge lately though but I'm shooting for sometime this week. Er, hopefully. Hope everybody's enjoying some nice spring weather wherever you are!bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-89125634360625661112010-03-20T14:44:00.004-05:002010-03-20T14:59:03.148-05:00Nine Months Already!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg303s81bToi5I_4jjQ5Y-qkFeAa4-fj6w9YKzbLq91Ijc1QNuMR6ncb48Q791l3AUvxtUonMMzjYwVAeFCxtXRpgc9jGHVaiCdrSyrVGF9c2MavqHBWHB5u2E1uULzcB5sag/s1600-h/DSC_0343.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg303s81bToi5I_4jjQ5Y-qkFeAa4-fj6w9YKzbLq91Ijc1QNuMR6ncb48Q791l3AUvxtUonMMzjYwVAeFCxtXRpgc9jGHVaiCdrSyrVGF9c2MavqHBWHB5u2E1uULzcB5sag/s320/DSC_0343.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450807608973822626" border="0" /></a><br />Squawky was nine months this past Tuesday. I can hardly believe that much time has gone by already. The Little Goat, of course, marked her two years and nine months milestone. Just as cute, but only willing to be photographed as her alter-ego "Penguin Banquet."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGIa8oc7ZMgLlOOlXqM08MJLq0r5NVF-LFgSr07vJvJcZG-sIMkXB9dFUnPi8DBWYmAvEG03VhNYIsZNk31wWlLAqs5hdqYqe1EtYL2HLkmF_GhCF1jC1b-boHBaoRSAD0Q/s1600-h/DSC_0347.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGIa8oc7ZMgLlOOlXqM08MJLq0r5NVF-LFgSr07vJvJcZG-sIMkXB9dFUnPi8DBWYmAvEG03VhNYIsZNk31wWlLAqs5hdqYqe1EtYL2HLkmF_GhCF1jC1b-boHBaoRSAD0Q/s320/DSC_0347.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450806828598543586" border="0" /></a>And because I know you love some gratuitous cuteness:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBxzZAyXWUeW8XW6JXI5F7pcarOBEFAeKlhPxm_shqoUIODT6booo54CFotav1iuCl7tJkwgoNZc5cA6oDZcAXMQU-8nlo-GNxBpgCNt_6vAJlfiZg5m_boPKcq38suL7pg/s1600-h/DSC_0332.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBxzZAyXWUeW8XW6JXI5F7pcarOBEFAeKlhPxm_shqoUIODT6booo54CFotav1iuCl7tJkwgoNZc5cA6oDZcAXMQU-8nlo-GNxBpgCNt_6vAJlfiZg5m_boPKcq38suL7pg/s320/DSC_0332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450806814967221154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbR2U_L13ubbYgdduwkOlnjjqqAhnPFV9xV4w01ADXzMAefOys6Yj8TacjpFaQWevWOWN-jQ1-K0dxWevFIqq3L_CfKZN4iLdMoIxJ8TQOVm1GGRYTCCRDrYuIWOUFdP48Q/s1600-h/DSC_0327.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbR2U_L13ubbYgdduwkOlnjjqqAhnPFV9xV4w01ADXzMAefOys6Yj8TacjpFaQWevWOWN-jQ1-K0dxWevFIqq3L_CfKZN4iLdMoIxJ8TQOVm1GGRYTCCRDrYuIWOUFdP48Q/s320/DSC_0327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450806808151829458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uxE6aPW68zLQVh7C5IwhkgqnJCwcOFtymHNvAfUlZcomCRK60_twO5tnpyaEVdan16ozKlbrNQ7qTf2VcLEtMtXXznksUR72Be6D-W8UQWdKgh92MUW98qDkSSQPgEYZiA/s1600-h/DSC_0325.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uxE6aPW68zLQVh7C5IwhkgqnJCwcOFtymHNvAfUlZcomCRK60_twO5tnpyaEVdan16ozKlbrNQ7qTf2VcLEtMtXXznksUR72Be6D-W8UQWdKgh92MUW98qDkSSQPgEYZiA/s320/DSC_0325.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450806799447077202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqfCfgTQYgmeHAPTLBD18OSSofm7Ekqi3kU7GqPY1UGl-bgP2oNrjCoP8pM8drGSMsJhIgA3t_Fmila8iWpJec853SA8ai31bkOvkcRizhSvAEgENKVVSo4SS0lCsEBo8Uw/s1600-h/DSC_0322.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqfCfgTQYgmeHAPTLBD18OSSofm7Ekqi3kU7GqPY1UGl-bgP2oNrjCoP8pM8drGSMsJhIgA3t_Fmila8iWpJec853SA8ai31bkOvkcRizhSvAEgENKVVSo4SS0lCsEBo8Uw/s320/DSC_0322.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450806788852828594" border="0" /></a>bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-77644096442732120752010-03-08T10:27:00.004-05:002010-03-08T15:29:57.088-05:00Amor PatriaeThe Olympics are finally over (we won some gold medals, did you know?) and it was quite the whirlwind two weeks of addictive sports viewing. The Little Goat has discovered skiing...at least vicariously for now. Last week she saw a huge mound of snow in a parking lot and told me she wanted to "go skiing on that hill. Grampa hode you." I chortled my reply, "No dear, as funny as that would be, Grampa doesn't ski. He'll hold you when you go skating though!"<br /><br />Speaking of, yesterday was her last skate of the season (it's finally getting too warm out) and LJ said there was really only one good patch of ice left on the rink. The LG kept seeing patches of grass where the ice had melted away: "Hay for the horses! Hay for the horses!"<br /><br />Let's see if I can put in point form a few other things that have happened since last I was here.<br /><br />- Squawky has in actual fact, gotten <span style="font-style: italic;">louder</span>. Ikea doesn't need to play birds-of-prey sounds anymore to keep smaller birds from nesting in their parking garages, they just need a recording of Squawky at suppertime. Sheesh! She's also started pulling up on the crib rails, army crawling a little as of late last week, and her first tooth is a week and two days old!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGpJs0sW0m4YqclLPbn7W_YAvcw5bcytpoaPWl9iPZKrjNK0imeY0a9d8k9VAd-yFWS6yJmUehleI6qGukB4cxttkMBgfBs9g5wqVy8dEgNuV1c3681FvAXZU7pseocAQqA/s1600-h/DSC_0298.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGpJs0sW0m4YqclLPbn7W_YAvcw5bcytpoaPWl9iPZKrjNK0imeY0a9d8k9VAd-yFWS6yJmUehleI6qGukB4cxttkMBgfBs9g5wqVy8dEgNuV1c3681FvAXZU7pseocAQqA/s320/DSC_0298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446360958549439874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Squawky's first tooth!</span></span><br /></div><br />- We won some gold medals.<br /><br />- First tooth = great but also = biting. :(<br /><br />- We won some gold medals.<br /><br />- We went to two baby showers, one baby dedication, and one surprise 30th birthday party.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2BCiaO2ayXZdoYjaDT6DNv6FDfoQXM4epM7jbV3kT_yD0JhlyUdRiwd1tdxnX1SJfoDBWcsfokKVfkwZ5xtVGo-8k5SeAgO26p_I9svKIjC91IhRI3vEwh8Mrik196__qA/s1600-h/DSC_0281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2BCiaO2ayXZdoYjaDT6DNv6FDfoQXM4epM7jbV3kT_yD0JhlyUdRiwd1tdxnX1SJfoDBWcsfokKVfkwZ5xtVGo-8k5SeAgO26p_I9svKIjC91IhRI3vEwh8Mrik196__qA/s320/DSC_0281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446360947359833634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Me holding my newest little cousin! Cute, even when she was crying.</span></span><br /><br /></div>- We won some gold medals.<br /><br />- My cousin finally got engaged (YAY!)!<br /><br />- We won some gold medals.<br /><br />- The last baby in our church small group arrived last Tuesday. A BOY! *gasp* Will he have his pick of girls someday or what!?<br /><br />- We won some gold medals.<br /><br />- Lent started and so did our fast from yeast/leaven. We declared a few exceptions though - crackers are still allowed and we are taking a one-day moratoriam for St. Patrick's Day (LJ was more than a little concerned that we were going to have to go without beer on St. P's Day). So far it's been okay but some days....what I wouldn't give for piece of bread and a cookie! Oi!<br /><br />- We won some gold medals. Did I mention that already?<br /><br />Now we're looking forward to St. Patrick's Day (Guinness stew and Guinness brownies!), LJ's surgery and subsequent week (off!) of recuperating, the winter fair in my hometown (which is HUGE), and Easter (baskets, bunnies, eggs! Love, The Resurrection, and GRACE!)! And after that? The start of our season of celebration around here which will include several anniversaries, at least six birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and a slew of new babies! And, obviously, continued reveling in all of Canada's gold medals. (You didn't know Canadians could be so immodest, did you?)bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-68006899978352957722010-02-14T00:22:00.002-05:002010-02-14T00:30:07.379-05:00Happy Valentine's Day!In retrospect, we probably should've taken the LG's picture first. Thankfully, Squawky didn't eat the whole thing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL32LmlvsJ0sUkDHMN_lA_ygmidc74VU8vbbQmialfCEOcRMNUBxv9dorvRHg-L2qIbNPvWwYUoXQIBPbv2cCbZwbdP35VOBmnOclRJ8yIr0z-kwqML2MaG9lYKE7WNmymSQ/s1600-h/DSC_0277.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL32LmlvsJ0sUkDHMN_lA_ygmidc74VU8vbbQmialfCEOcRMNUBxv9dorvRHg-L2qIbNPvWwYUoXQIBPbv2cCbZwbdP35VOBmnOclRJ8yIr0z-kwqML2MaG9lYKE7WNmymSQ/s320/DSC_0277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437966961112003490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xZH2yopeGYlftLucrQzmiFzYYWjDUGQRNYc43eUogSYSmTOC8p2o1rjbTgSt4HZBiUoqJdLZHYDC10gOEej5izgY9aSakP-BLPcfv4O6RactCrqjk4fUvIkfD_s7D_mXpw/s1600-h/DSC_0252.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xZH2yopeGYlftLucrQzmiFzYYWjDUGQRNYc43eUogSYSmTOC8p2o1rjbTgSt4HZBiUoqJdLZHYDC10gOEej5izgY9aSakP-BLPcfv4O6RactCrqjk4fUvIkfD_s7D_mXpw/s320/DSC_0252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437966970340121010" border="0" /></a>bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-57191556430197390272010-02-12T11:28:00.004-05:002010-02-12T11:42:21.945-05:00Getting Ready for Valentine's DayThe LG and I have been crafting and baking this week and today is no different only our theme is baby shower cookies and cupcakes (photos to follow pending the outcome).<br /><br />Presently, the LG is working on tower construction (future engineer?) and Squawky is sitting up but pending over like an ostrich attacking her toes to chew on them (future contortionist?).<br /><br />Come back on Saturday/Sunday for your official Valentine's greeting!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kVV6kw6BqB3qeBlkv6BBP6h88LvvQbRr3tfFM_xM24wlkCDjTgOodO6T-xbJ6FnLWchn657ZKfKviLVGikXdZ09AI2VA-FjiUqQEVkxzTa48GDu9REuxbyQYgNMf99-u5g/s1600-h/DSCN1490.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kVV6kw6BqB3qeBlkv6BBP6h88LvvQbRr3tfFM_xM24wlkCDjTgOodO6T-xbJ6FnLWchn657ZKfKviLVGikXdZ09AI2VA-FjiUqQEVkxzTa48GDu9REuxbyQYgNMf99-u5g/s320/DSCN1490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437397344761512594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPIQ8CtoRiWVSa0x75gcrLw-uCVeepoEX332TIxtwxNYJLYWbTj1gSEUqgZybKs51aI8izgkROb2NeGPHlHAmj_SutqbDJBEuRYJoN9yPb_TX4eVn9b9c_BP1xmjG_IiHHQ/s1600-h/DSCN1492.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPIQ8CtoRiWVSa0x75gcrLw-uCVeepoEX332TIxtwxNYJLYWbTj1gSEUqgZybKs51aI8izgkROb2NeGPHlHAmj_SutqbDJBEuRYJoN9yPb_TX4eVn9b9c_BP1xmjG_IiHHQ/s320/DSCN1492.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437397353863731570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_QSIqmrJAlENwF47o7_GiqYpEoFXEzvv4LNKUZC3PsSQggB-cbeewyhvhHo2ua1k4tsbnVDfAZHHEPIqHF4xTpRZynoR1XksHSI-4_l_3_rp04ZT9HIVxl-nOYlS4d-UEw/s1600-h/DSCN1497.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_QSIqmrJAlENwF47o7_GiqYpEoFXEzvv4LNKUZC3PsSQggB-cbeewyhvhHo2ua1k4tsbnVDfAZHHEPIqHF4xTpRZynoR1XksHSI-4_l_3_rp04ZT9HIVxl-nOYlS4d-UEw/s320/DSCN1497.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437397361469075634" border="0" /></a>bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-63086026447621745602010-02-02T14:58:00.002-05:002010-02-02T15:05:53.315-05:00Just a Couple More Pictures<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DY7-8Ks2ovq6gmUKGUOjCebUEDjK6pmWOMUPY03bvgtK6s-jBdBMb5K16ZSFQssefaK5TE8yfDhjmZ_9NiHbJbHHF6OK8X2K4jaFbJqsW9ZHzXEKSTW9RHT1dJtESyZO5w/s1600-h/DSCN1481.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DY7-8Ks2ovq6gmUKGUOjCebUEDjK6pmWOMUPY03bvgtK6s-jBdBMb5K16ZSFQssefaK5TE8yfDhjmZ_9NiHbJbHHF6OK8X2K4jaFbJqsW9ZHzXEKSTW9RHT1dJtESyZO5w/s320/DSCN1481.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433738694635279746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Squawky enjoying her oatmeal.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrShAZN8kqlEaS10qFk6-F2hUfZnFn7vmlEgJwGF6DNufyHNPLGrUTHiOv-9qetwYVOQFKhMmJXpGE3fE5Jsj3lqT2gefPhIzC51JwDY9Oi9JBBwRfNmb98KS0gNDSTlB5g/s1600-h/DSCN1482.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrShAZN8kqlEaS10qFk6-F2hUfZnFn7vmlEgJwGF6DNufyHNPLGrUTHiOv-9qetwYVOQFKhMmJXpGE3fE5Jsj3lqT2gefPhIzC51JwDY9Oi9JBBwRfNmb98KS0gNDSTlB5g/s320/DSCN1482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433738699544361634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Little Goat sporting spectacular spectacles!</span></span><br /></div>bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-66137750109007091322010-02-02T14:20:00.004-05:002010-02-02T14:58:20.818-05:00What? Deep thoughts? From me?!Hardly.<br /><br />It turns out January is ALREADY OVER which I find a little hard to believe. We had a great two weeks at my parent's place...except for the fact that Squawky hardly slept the first week and improved very little in that department the second week. The Little Goat had, in two weeks, only one truly successful day of potty training so we're not really any further on that front either.<br />I, on the other hand (because it's all about me, right?) actually got to go hang out with my friend Chandra. We went to an actual theater (my first theater movie in a LONG time!) and saw <span style="font-style: italic;">Leap Year </span>and then went and shared some tasty cheesecake. All without children!<br /><br />This month, we're going to be working on some organizational projects around here, particularly the girls' room. I should take before-and-after pictures. It looks just awful after the little we sorted this morning. There are boxes and piles of clothes all over the floor. The time has come though because we moved Squawky out of our room (HALLELUJAH!) and her stuff needs to be sorted into her dresser instead of being in a heap in a laundry basket, which means we may as well sort EVERYTHING all at once. So, she and the LG are officially sharing a room and so far, it's going pretty well.<br /><br />Oh yes! Squawky started solids at the beginning of January which really consisted of trying applesauce in tiny portions twice. Then we quit until we were at my parent's. We tried applesauce one night and banana the next. Then applesauce again. Mom and I determined it really wasn't doing anything for her sleeping and seemed to be making her ill so we ended that. But yesterday morning I fed her some oatmeal cereal with fruit and it was a hit. The brown rice at suppertime was an even bigger hit! At first I was annoyed because I thought I had mixed way too much and would just end up throwing it away, but I momentarily forgot who we were feeding. She practically inhaled it! I'm attributing her slightly better night to her fuller belly. She actually had a three-hour stretch!<br /><br />Enough of that. You're here for the pictures, I know.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJK6ktMKpk0wcWUmhtIUkFew44eUjlNHvws-9JEIpxIXdZTAxn2-QE4XTDfHREMNl778zVL5GXQkLLQQEReqva_tjuMUYFPrAgXTZ12m9tqPZsU-ac1DriJxd_LVixhbLDA/s1600-h/DSCF2330.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJK6ktMKpk0wcWUmhtIUkFew44eUjlNHvws-9JEIpxIXdZTAxn2-QE4XTDfHREMNl778zVL5GXQkLLQQEReqva_tjuMUYFPrAgXTZ12m9tqPZsU-ac1DriJxd_LVixhbLDA/s320/DSCF2330.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433733323255508770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN0dhZeT5xFNMyU3H0I_gRfG5033O-8_cLKZyd0mzA7NbaF8nf_nz1val1-8H2YM5J9LWNw0M-SwAr2ZaxgFJiqXQYnzru2Ztu-LUlXHbFXZDdw6LAT55nRqCXwAzZMUOwQ/s1600-h/DSCF2351.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN0dhZeT5xFNMyU3H0I_gRfG5033O-8_cLKZyd0mzA7NbaF8nf_nz1val1-8H2YM5J9LWNw0M-SwAr2ZaxgFJiqXQYnzru2Ztu-LUlXHbFXZDdw6LAT55nRqCXwAzZMUOwQ/s320/DSCF2351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433733334416493378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Getting ready to go skating!</span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_ikilAQROPWKfbnE_GHPMATaNC6_MUX7I6IHT3JELsyJvj0_w9IrJIB4wsnnqnrvKUh9z8hs2kaNofwNjXFF9AuQdB12DAKi6i4WwoKTcW01ZsWQt0FZMVdWHFnhNVsNdw/s1600-h/DSCF2353.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_ikilAQROPWKfbnE_GHPMATaNC6_MUX7I6IHT3JELsyJvj0_w9IrJIB4wsnnqnrvKUh9z8hs2kaNofwNjXFF9AuQdB12DAKi6i4WwoKTcW01ZsWQt0FZMVdWHFnhNVsNdw/s320/DSCF2353.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433733341395522162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">First time skating! She's </span>really<span style="font-style: italic;"> Canadian now!</span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaPA6WLCnxZDPwU9y_QLFdN8xP7jZUpZ6dcUuxh6Pr64UVPQvKewjWF2VO9skHDQv9inyuCIby6XsyYKLAp0W-VHfVrOfh2lEHV9EEmGW_VHOWT1axqcsngQ8t3EJVbrsfA/s1600-h/DSCF2372.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaPA6WLCnxZDPwU9y_QLFdN8xP7jZUpZ6dcUuxh6Pr64UVPQvKewjWF2VO9skHDQv9inyuCIby6XsyYKLAp0W-VHfVrOfh2lEHV9EEmGW_VHOWT1axqcsngQ8t3EJVbrsfA/s320/DSCF2372.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433734076584576098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Squawky stayed inside with Grama.</span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlM2jVu7mEEd1IGadk0YQgGHSLjJl81a5S-u3Es7XW_97ovY6yN_MqoVQD5aA1upgKH21hRTTVcl6r4OPowK-XJnYLKFp5jSQH74-VpdK_2AI57w9nQCE0Zo-xb5yvv5SsQ/s1600-h/DSCF2379.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlM2jVu7mEEd1IGadk0YQgGHSLjJl81a5S-u3Es7XW_97ovY6yN_MqoVQD5aA1upgKH21hRTTVcl6r4OPowK-XJnYLKFp5jSQH74-VpdK_2AI57w9nQCE0Zo-xb5yvv5SsQ/s320/DSCF2379.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433733349676206082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The LG wearing the "scarsp" she made with Grama.</span></span><br /></div>bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-18856970135334123472009-12-31T19:53:00.013-05:002009-12-31T21:19:20.930-05:00Thoughts on the Eve of NewnessIt's been since November 5th and even for me, this is one truly abysmal blogging absence. I won't fool myself and promise greater things for the new year, though I'd surely like to.<br /><br />It's been a VERY busy couple of months around here. Halloween, visits with my parents, lots of get-togethers with friends and our small group from church, and lots of potty training and baby-feeding. Two good friends are expecting babies, um, tomorrow; other friends just had a little boy yesterday so we are happily ringing in the new year celebrating new life! All of this excitement is good, of course, but tiring. We're looking forward to the New Year particularly for the chance that January affords to take a deep breath after this busy end of 2009.<br /><br />Naturally, I've had all these great posts rolling around in my head at odd hours of the morning but by the time I come to a fully alert state at, say, noon, I've got no time left to write and I can't remember all those deep thoughts anyway.<br /><br />To compensate, I will leave you with our best wishes to you and yours for a spectacular 2010, and a picture or two of the Little Goat and the Squawk Box (who is squawking at this very moment) both of whom I'm sure you will note have grown enormously since I last posted. Know that we are thinking of you and I miss you guys even if I haven't had a chance to really read blogs for a <span style="font-style: italic;">while</span> now.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fv3clf0C_mdyoOwB6w-5ytmdpPbP3NJrcvvmZSHKEwoVjXlGGndbVaFhxHFvchfWLr2Qzbj3CrKvFvxx_vsD6J1IM6SbSe-dSnuvfrrjd443FJImvStA8n4q_akOOpOw7A/s1600-h/DSCN1263.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fv3clf0C_mdyoOwB6w-5ytmdpPbP3NJrcvvmZSHKEwoVjXlGGndbVaFhxHFvchfWLr2Qzbj3CrKvFvxx_vsD6J1IM6SbSe-dSnuvfrrjd443FJImvStA8n4q_akOOpOw7A/s320/DSCN1263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421573404482545298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Looking cute, as usual.</span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_3_4wk5U4qhJogczYsRCa6Cbx6xR5gzqf3WWXDwF5-ZmnkKrjSQouxaW6m1sect_QBW-CBANcOctSIfCnPJo0M1-dF7Vj2AVcj_29LPFIMU9JMqU7PcHwiNbuxGmUidu6A/s1600-h/DSCN1270.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_3_4wk5U4qhJogczYsRCa6Cbx6xR5gzqf3WWXDwF5-ZmnkKrjSQouxaW6m1sect_QBW-CBANcOctSIfCnPJo0M1-dF7Vj2AVcj_29LPFIMU9JMqU7PcHwiNbuxGmUidu6A/s320/DSCN1270.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421573415714355010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Racing cars with George.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyUUku3etgG8pwjRVxvHANEvWhWM060j8o0f-B1qykCnhDMbHszgwfEFOPbau-_HBdqpPCwvUfSupIwrF3QRCgGs4c2vP2qnSniGDw9ZYXVGBOwV6lg-mU4X2ap5AXh28tw/s1600-h/DSCN1279.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyUUku3etgG8pwjRVxvHANEvWhWM060j8o0f-B1qykCnhDMbHszgwfEFOPbau-_HBdqpPCwvUfSupIwrF3QRCgGs4c2vP2qnSniGDw9ZYXVGBOwV6lg-mU4X2ap5AXh28tw/s320/DSCN1279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421573418034036178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">First time bowling.</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlprN_9z4HYp3mZrkBbLI4pobPops09sM7eDIq6OjNSZDhjzTPt4F7EuHm3Et3PP37ootdHbC3zI3zilnSfdX6R6e-qSGlitc55Re4mlhaYX5kKjuUJHFGLhoV61Fj8J7Gfg/s1600-h/DSCN1283.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlprN_9z4HYp3mZrkBbLI4pobPops09sM7eDIq6OjNSZDhjzTPt4F7EuHm3Et3PP37ootdHbC3zI3zilnSfdX6R6e-qSGlitc55Re4mlhaYX5kKjuUJHFGLhoV61Fj8J7Gfg/s320/DSCN1283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421573422321740514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">First time meeting Santa (not a fan).</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfMWUpblRJLS4fOKiWlwo-MlCvf002kYmZmucS__HtohUEec4LdQChL4kY3iSA6wPQFY7QfvlneMwwaQTHmFcmNqoEKgcKyV4TY7Kafl97ovkFpuwDA67IDxFua0e3W2TfA/s1600-h/DSCN1293.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfMWUpblRJLS4fOKiWlwo-MlCvf002kYmZmucS__HtohUEec4LdQChL4kY3iSA6wPQFY7QfvlneMwwaQTHmFcmNqoEKgcKyV4TY7Kafl97ovkFpuwDA67IDxFua0e3W2TfA/s320/DSCN1293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421574911324196578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">First snow.</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsYPUo0CDgIMCihGkp_cHrYi7_lat1c_8UlJ1eWeurPqCCzEs5wTsrfAxT71UqgZKLSdP2HQjqxy-Wq7RKzpxOfZmxGmsX_0hbhRIeMMXcyV7j6193ejRmr8p-GVlXxfNzQ/s1600-h/DSCN1294.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsYPUo0CDgIMCihGkp_cHrYi7_lat1c_8UlJ1eWeurPqCCzEs5wTsrfAxT71UqgZKLSdP2HQjqxy-Wq7RKzpxOfZmxGmsX_0hbhRIeMMXcyV7j6193ejRmr8p-GVlXxfNzQ/s320/DSCN1294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421585198165055122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">First snow guy (my skillz are a little rusty).</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzcnsUJYxNeZ9xzsCNIUa2dSzuq80rsj5n6uK6HGawwOMb8uwvN_ShGGHUwm8h5E8qu29MeSE10oh6wXM4R47Q4flfN4rNy6W4hPNd_CvJIbEHelKPUUqjqnh4aZ8GqDdzw/s1600-h/DSCN1287.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzcnsUJYxNeZ9xzsCNIUa2dSzuq80rsj5n6uK6HGawwOMb8uwvN_ShGGHUwm8h5E8qu29MeSE10oh6wXM4R47Q4flfN4rNy6W4hPNd_CvJIbEHelKPUUqjqnh4aZ8GqDdzw/s320/DSCN1287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421573430015653874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Followed by first hot chocolate.</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuyYjrm8pOPa5JQulM9jP7Qh2BWkpfqZWwurET_NJH1o2kiZ1WF1SeWAn_HbPRvFib3q5CbBbI16WKPMJieaMJ5r3rpT-Sggo_qRJuxFdlSf6FLBxZy6BndbhM0lx2rpHgw/s1600-h/DSCN1299.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuyYjrm8pOPa5JQulM9jP7Qh2BWkpfqZWwurET_NJH1o2kiZ1WF1SeWAn_HbPRvFib3q5CbBbI16WKPMJieaMJ5r3rpT-Sggo_qRJuxFdlSf6FLBxZy6BndbhM0lx2rpHgw/s320/DSCN1299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421574924570825106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">First gingerbread house (last year we had a g-bread tree) made with Grama.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQdJ4KnlLVlyNVs6JOtt8fyFWFGIjBxfglC1BpjtS5UP7Y7ugQRzwprnStFi05R-Px_yErOWAV6vL8AqlsVsLjer-PNVkWhj6nGzBvPJ2bAc0t6kzJNtvcYRM8PZkDd49nQ/s1600-h/DSCN1307.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQdJ4KnlLVlyNVs6JOtt8fyFWFGIjBxfglC1BpjtS5UP7Y7ugQRzwprnStFi05R-Px_yErOWAV6vL8AqlsVsLjer-PNVkWhj6nGzBvPJ2bAc0t6kzJNtvcYRM8PZkDd49nQ/s320/DSCN1307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421574930252551426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">First Christmas concert (Cutest. Angel. Ever.).</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4fS4VFHjRE7GVWRD13eQUS_rW60hOgxA2P3Z1Ed1BftY9Ep2keYIIUT90J-RUGjTjh66bJDBA62OUb7kUt7NYNgh4oUxRJfrvKufFa0FFCnnaTjwU87fTcCRgDWh5QyNiQ/s1600-h/DSCN1316.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4fS4VFHjRE7GVWRD13eQUS_rW60hOgxA2P3Z1Ed1BftY9Ep2keYIIUT90J-RUGjTjh66bJDBA62OUb7kUt7NYNgh4oUxRJfrvKufFa0FFCnnaTjwU87fTcCRgDWh5QyNiQ/s320/DSCN1316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421574935156028802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Getting ready for her first Christmas!</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZmuxxYtZEJjaMxH5cREyKwpFE-0q4KySA6d2PeEOzv9tADqCCfbKhGy6N4h1dAQ6NmUFdRK1N-JCqdaTuttDu58Dyez4ZDDVy6HGH6bsMIz4_fQjPz0wPslJg1vmJm-N5Q/s1600-h/DSCN1329.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZmuxxYtZEJjaMxH5cREyKwpFE-0q4KySA6d2PeEOzv9tADqCCfbKhGy6N4h1dAQ6NmUFdRK1N-JCqdaTuttDu58Dyez4ZDDVy6HGH6bsMIz4_fQjPz0wPslJg1vmJm-N5Q/s320/DSCN1329.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421576059204360226" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6I2FqneJ5mN5PMErsHdsXzt0JI_tbACZrXVIHTLL68LUnoDaX2neRzuGB_TUBnNcjlK_Z3KHO74obCIdFmtEDclBXLMm77RsuRyL1jPEGLAAYjCr8aWEVODDJkGPYkCDAQ/s1600-h/DSCN1354.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6I2FqneJ5mN5PMErsHdsXzt0JI_tbACZrXVIHTLL68LUnoDaX2neRzuGB_TUBnNcjlK_Z3KHO74obCIdFmtEDclBXLMm77RsuRyL1jPEGLAAYjCr8aWEVODDJkGPYkCDAQ/s320/DSCN1354.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421576066139326162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">First Christmas present (the date on the picture is off by one).</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNtRlE1NUvIf-4l5sUek8EN2iFe4wt1xSeV7EtbmTJ5mZQqK9RKXxcbt1DTIYLpk8DW01gVGgwKZBxR_iXUDH57FaXyAa1VSfFbhZ-19yEdqtl9G2bI9fOUnpGYP9KuYhzw/s1600-h/DSCN1364.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNtRlE1NUvIf-4l5sUek8EN2iFe4wt1xSeV7EtbmTJ5mZQqK9RKXxcbt1DTIYLpk8DW01gVGgwKZBxR_iXUDH57FaXyAa1VSfFbhZ-19yEdqtl9G2bI9fOUnpGYP9KuYhzw/s320/DSCN1364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421576072566723858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">How we feel now that the holidays are over.</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXIBc-hqnhnxqvUJYR9scka0gDKBj6bnFdUjytpsrpKjyroxgREtNj_Yox-dswDk56_Sh7Z5gqvx5t1-A3GcUkjZLjWdqBKjSHM3cfMElZUdVmurz1hBLyA7bD_Qun6GuXQ/s1600-h/DSCN1367.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXIBc-hqnhnxqvUJYR9scka0gDKBj6bnFdUjytpsrpKjyroxgREtNj_Yox-dswDk56_Sh7Z5gqvx5t1-A3GcUkjZLjWdqBKjSHM3cfMElZUdVmurz1hBLyA7bD_Qun6GuXQ/s320/DSCN1367.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421576077684316306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ditto.</span></span><br /></div>bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-15163366452162576122009-11-05T15:21:00.003-05:002009-11-05T15:26:00.416-05:00Sad.If any of you are of the praying persuasion, please pray for my old college friend J and are husband D. Their little boy arrived very early and very prematurely on Tuesday. He was just 10 inches long and weighed only 14.3 ounces and lived for just four hours. Please pray for God's peace "that passes all understanding."bren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774945.post-37732549896670835422009-10-29T16:16:00.002-05:002009-10-29T16:20:22.066-05:00How Does She Do That!?This afternoon, it took the Little Goat forever to settle in for a nap, which actually never ended up happening because she needed a diaper change. At least she 'woke up' in a good mood. Points for her.<br /><br />The Squawk Box took her time falling asleep too. In her defense, she's been sounding rather congested at night so maybe it's affecting her nap too.<br /><br />Then, about five minutes ago, I'm just finishing up enjoying my afternoon game(s) of Mahjong.<br /><br />It goes just like this:<br /><br />Me: Well, LG, I'm going to the kitchen to start cooking.<br />The Squawk Box: WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHbren j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09132628402113226709noreply@blogger.com1