tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64526898122936671762012-01-27T19:49:26.324-06:00A monument only says, "At least I got this far," while a footprint says, "This is where I was when I moved again." -William FaulknerBeckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.comBlogger2321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-47217445247973885052012-01-27T09:11:00.000-06:002012-01-27T09:13:48.263-06:00

I'm back with Five Question Friday because, well, I can't seem to post anything else. It's not because I don't want to. Or even that I'm all out of ideas. It's just that, well, I don't like to put up a blog post without a picture and I'm REALLY slow at editing photos because I've only watched one tutorial on my new Lightroom software and it was on importing photos. Not really helpful with the

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-23776508452321554902012-01-13T21:49:00.000-06:002012-01-13T22:30:52.177-06:00

In light of our recent cooler (read freezing cold!!) weather, I decided to reminisce about the beautiful summer days we had not long ago. Or maybe I'm just really really behind on blogging...maybe. At the end of August we had the privilege of spending a delightful day with part of our church family at one of their cabins (aside: I spent 5 minutes trying to figure out the grammatically

seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009208511228478530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-14458331487097374962011-09-21T12:18:00.000-05:002011-09-21T12:18:01.947-05:00

At our house, fall doesn't just bring cooler weather, falling leaves, trips to the apple orchard (can't wait for this!) and a not-so-bountiful harvest of pumpkins and squash. It also brings birthday season. Nearly every month between September and January holds a birthday celebration. Sean starts us out on September 6th, followed by Wesley on November 6th and Jack on December 6th. Scary, I know.

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-82081215170074951222011-09-17T05:56:00.001-05:002011-09-17T05:56:52.003-05:00

To say this week brought a lot of changes for our family would be an understatement. Between coordinating transportation, making lunches every night, filling out (and returning!) forms and doing homework, we were a busy group. The biggest change was for our boys. Jack started his first day of kindergarten on Monday. I don't think he could have been more excited. I don't think I could have

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-14414433203079946412011-09-02T10:41:00.000-05:002011-09-02T10:41:15.778-05:00

It's time again for Mama M's blog hop. Play along. It's fun! 1. Shoes in the house - yay or nay? Most of the time I don't like shoes in the house, but the more kids we have and the more "one last things" I have to run in the house for, the more often I find myself traipsing through the house in my flip flops. 2. What do you call them- flip flops, slippers, thongs, etc? Um...never heard them

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-8421700897271033982011-08-26T09:38:00.000-05:002011-08-26T09:38:25.249-05:00

I'm back for Five Question Friday after a little hiatus. Click here to play along. 1. Did you make any fun purchases this week? You'd think with all the money that seems to be flowing out these days that I could think of something, but plumbing, electrical and HVAC work just don't rank at the top of the fun scale for me. Now when it comes time to furnish the newly finished basement that

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-75040993400494659782011-08-24T13:04:00.000-05:002011-08-24T13:04:25.837-05:00

One sunny day, earlier this spring our three donned their pirate gear (i.e., dish cloths on thier heads) and took their "land lubber" Mom out to play pirates. Before they could start, however, I had to ensure they all knew the proper lingo. As you'll see in the video, Elise didn't quite get it, but she tried really hard.

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-32386234990517827892011-08-03T23:04:00.000-05:002011-08-03T23:04:31.416-05:00

The kids had their first true boating experience last weekend. We launched after the storm cleared Saturday morning, stopped for a picnic lunch and were back home for more lakeside fun in the afternoon. Our Captain. Wesley found this mushroom in "the woods" and brought it down to the beach to show it to me. I took lots of pictures of it (and Wes).   Even though I took more

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-37113607077274154212011-07-29T09:49:00.001-05:002011-07-29T11:07:36.294-05:00

Join Mama M here. 1. Vow renewal ceremonies-yay or nay? I have to say "nay." It implies that the original vow wasn't sacred and needs to be done again. I just don't like it. Now ask me if I'd want to wear a beautiful dress and have a big party again and I'd jump on board before you could book the DJ. 2. What sound/s annoy you the most? It is the sound of our middle son crying out of anger.

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-66893977650528181982011-07-27T09:23:00.000-05:002011-07-27T09:23:45.107-05:00

Jack: Why did the bowling ball not want to play soccer? Me: I don't know, why? Jack: Because he didn't want to get kicked out. Me: [blank stare] Daddy whispers into Jack's ear. Jack: Why did the bowling ball not want to play baseball? Me: I don't know, why? Jack: Because he kept striking out. Me: Hahahahaha!!!! I guess we need to work on his delivery...

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-57273241477552743922011-07-26T12:46:00.001-05:002011-07-26T15:34:00.790-05:00

This is Tri-bot. This is his ball. What follows is Wesley helping Tri-bot get his ball.    

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-7808800941493227842011-07-15T10:50:00.001-05:002011-07-15T10:51:25.516-05:00

So we (me, Jack, Wesley, and Elise) were doing our nightly Bible devotions. The story that we were studying was the angel Gabriel visiting Mary to tell her that she was going to become pregnant and have a boy that she was to name Jesus. The devotional suggested asking the kids about visitors that had been by that day or that were going to come by the next day. There were also instructions for a

seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009208511228478530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-37198861882417577132011-07-15T09:13:00.001-05:002011-07-15T09:30:21.118-05:00

It's that time again. Plan along with Mama M if you want. 1. If you knew your best friend's spouse was cheating on her or him, would you tell her (him)? I sure hope so. But really I hope that I would never be in this situation. Or rather, that my friends would never be in this situation. 2. Soda in a can or a bottle? I try not to drink much soda (primarily because there are very few good

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-89021933267088454812011-07-06T02:42:00.001-05:002011-07-06T02:45:09.779-05:00

Why an epic? Because this should probably be three (or maybe four) posts, but I'm going to squeeze it all into one and inundate you with photo after photo of all of our patriotic fun. As has been the tradition for the last 25 years (yes, folks, you read that right - it's been 25 years!) we spent 4th of July weekend at "the lake." Celebrating our nation's independence has taken many forms over the

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-41754848881454083662011-07-01T09:11:00.000-05:002011-07-01T09:11:11.315-05:00

Join in 1. If you had the opportunity to bungee jump, would you? I would like to say that I would, but in reality, I just don't think I could do it. I'm pretty sure I would just keep thinking about  my kids growing up without a mother should something tragic happen and it would send me right back down the ladder instead of over the edge. 2. Would you rather go to the movie theater or to

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-15803973392470597762011-06-30T00:55:00.002-05:002011-06-30T00:57:08.349-05:00

About a month ago Jack went through his preschool "graduation" ceremony. Why the quotes? Because, really, who actually graduates when they're 5? We approached the evening with much skepticism, but quickly had our hearts softened as twenty or more  4- and 5-year-olds sang all the songs they had learned about our nation's history and geography.  Jack's special song was about land formations. He

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-9807391476271283282011-06-24T13:50:00.000-05:002011-06-24T13:50:57.357-05:00

You can play too. 1. What is your current favorite tv show? I hate to even admit it, but I love Glee. Dumb, I know. 2. What's the worst haircut you ever got? I've had a lot of bad haircuts because I hate paying a lot of money for them. About a year ago, though, I got such a bad haircut from one of those discount places that I actually went back and complained. The manager offered to cut

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-83005426104748828322011-06-17T13:32:00.000-05:002011-06-17T13:32:07.597-05:00

Play along here. 1. What is your favorite summer time activity? Sitting on the beach by my favorite husband with my favorite book while my favorite kids are napping. Oh how I cherish nap time in the summer. 2. Do you have one laundry soap you stick to, or do you buy whatever's on sale? Whatever is cheapest - which usually ends up being Target-brand. Laundry detergent is not one of those

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-62768583643867324762011-06-03T15:41:00.001-05:002011-06-03T16:03:43.135-05:00

Play along here. 1. If you had to choose, how would you prefer to choose to spend money...on landscaping or a pool? Hmm...as often as we've commented on a hot summer day that it would be great to have a pool, I'm going to have to go with landscaping. We have some grand plans that would compete with a pool any day of the week. 2. (Scott likes to get things stirred up...) Death penalty,

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-58579224590018963582011-05-25T23:26:00.000-05:002011-05-25T23:26:42.930-05:00

Today was a long day...and short at the same time. Ever had one of those? I rushed all day long at work. And when I got home I was supposed to go to the grocery store...where I would have rushed so that I could get home to relieve my parents of kid duty. But by the time I got home, I just couldn't rush anymore. So I stayed. And ate. With my family. I'm so glad I did. Before I left for work I set

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-14595081676278568442011-05-14T13:44:00.000-05:002011-05-14T13:44:42.697-05:00

You haven't seen her name in lights yet, but if she keeps this up,   it won't be long! 

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-63497694591658451292011-05-13T13:34:00.000-05:002011-05-13T13:34:56.233-05:00

Join in! 1. Tube socks, calf socks, crew, ankle, none? None! I love summer when I can go barefoot everywhere. I also love summer when my children can go barefoot everywhere and I have six fewer socks accumulating daily in my laundry pile that will eventually need to be matched, folded and put away. 2. Was your child's (children's) name a mutual decision or was it a debate? If you don't

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-14218699729581404892011-05-10T13:04:00.002-05:002011-05-10T13:07:58.537-05:00

Though the number of pictures below may present a different story, we really did have a relaxing day. We started out with breakfast at the Kountry Kitchen where, despite being informed that we could, we did not each orchids. I just took pictures of them. Instead, I ate a macadamia nut pancake bigger than my head. I put coconut syrup on it. Mmm...it was SO good. I'd go back to Hawaii just for that

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-40174526868665997822011-05-09T14:14:00.001-05:002011-05-09T14:14:57.643-05:00

and your mom lets you choose your own clothes, sometimes you end up with this: But you always end up proud of the independence you demonstrated so your mom lets you do it anyway.   A note from the mom: This outfit was a dramatic improvement over the original which left out the orange shirt under the sweater vest. I didn't want my little fashionista to get cold...

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-9557392800873394642011-05-08T20:36:00.000-05:002011-05-08T20:36:15.057-05:00

This mother's day I've been very focused on the "journey" of motherhood and am incredibly thankful for all the women God has put in my life as friends and mentors to help me along this adventure. As I reflect back on what I thought motherhood was going to be and what it actually is, I am brought back to the William Faulkner quote in my blog header. The task God has set before me requires tiny

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-6684200466480681652011-05-06T09:36:00.000-05:002011-05-06T09:36:53.110-05:00

Play along here. 1. Have you ever had roommates? Yes, during college. Some were bad. Some were great and turned into life long friendships. I have to admit, however, that NOT living in a house full of women is much more peaceful. 2. How many names do you/your children have? They have a lot, probably 4 or 5 each. I guess I really love terms of endearment (revelation). In fact, most of the

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-87021873281578786472011-05-05T12:00:00.004-05:002011-05-05T12:00:06.893-05:00

An incredibly busy day filled with custom made boats, humpback whales, the Hawaiian Smith family and their luau left us in need of some low key fun. We found it the next day on the golf course...mini golf, that is. We were temporarily enamoured with the idea of learning to golf - real golf - in Hawaii. We wisened up. The views were still beautiful, the golf mates (mates? is that the right "

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-56817150670586717972011-05-05T00:19:00.000-05:002011-05-05T00:19:12.016-05:00

This first sunny, semi-warm day we've had in way too long got me thinking about Hawaii. "What's next in the Hawaii memoir?" I thought to myself. "Oh yea! The Luau!" After our exciting morning and afternoon on the sea, we headed back to the condo to get ready for the Smith Family Luau. I know...Smith? In Hawaii? But it was great. And traditional (I think) with a pig cooked in an imu. The

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-26838191901527489872011-04-22T08:34:00.000-05:002011-04-22T08:34:34.365-05:00

Play along here. 1. What is your favorite Easter tradition? Not the bunny. Before we had kids I really looked forward to going to a Good Friday service. It's a little more difficult to do that not that we have kids with us. We still go, but I can't reflect on the service like I used to before we had three little "distractions." At home, we are creating new traditions with our children,

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-51596889017970447172011-04-18T14:56:00.000-05:002011-04-18T14:56:05.967-05:00

You could argue that this entire trip was like a dream, but the day we set out to sea to experience the rugged Na'Pali coast and the humpback whales that "winter" in the waters off shore was a day I'd been anticipating for years. Since my first forgone opportunity to do some whale watching nearly 10 years ago in Vancouver (on our honeymoon) and a second 5 years ago in Hawaii, I vowed to not miss

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-72423080146102855992011-04-10T15:00:00.002-05:002011-04-11T09:31:28.536-05:00

After our "moderately strenuous" hike we were ready for a relaxing day. Maybe not quite this relaxed...but close.  So we hit the beach. Poipu on the south side of the island. It was perfect for monk-seal-spotting, people-studying and fish-watching (the kind that doesn't require putting your face in the ocean). And it was great for snorkeling. All of us went snorkeling eventually. Some of us

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-64380256577124811672011-04-09T21:24:00.004-05:002011-04-09T21:34:52.000-05:00

My original intention was to get all of our Hawaii pictures up shortly after we returned. That didn't happen, obviously. Although it didn't happen as I had planned, I am really appreciating the drawn out reminders of a fabulous vacation. On to the rewards... I have learned this truth over and over: the harder you work for something, the more rewarding it is when you experience the fruit of your

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-57265352443394010482011-04-08T09:40:00.000-05:002011-04-08T09:40:47.607-05:00

Another week of Five Question Friday. Join Mama M here. 1. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be? Just one thing? Today I'd say it's my tendency to procrastinate. Not surprisingly, that little habit has gotten me into a bind more than once. Maybe I'll start working on that tomorrow... 2. Write about a time when you got lost. On my first date with my husband, I was

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-62718293025206524102011-04-01T09:04:00.000-05:002011-04-01T09:04:00.569-05:00

Join Mama M for Five Question Friday! 1. Have you ever had surgery? No and I plan to keep it that way. 2. Ever ride in an ambulance? No. Again, planning to keep it that way. Hmm...I'm kind of boring, medically speaking anyway. 3. How are you in a medical emergency? Panicked? Calm? I've never experienced a real medical emergency so I couldn't say for sure. At first I thought I'd definitely be

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-37396915381305718162011-03-04T10:03:00.000-06:002011-03-04T10:03:29.386-06:00

Hop over to Mama M's to participate:  1. Have you ever forgotten your child in a store or at school? The simple answer is no. However, I will admit that, on occasion, I have forgotten during the day that I have to pick up Jack on my way home. This is usually when we're trying to work miracles with our schedules. I've never actually driven by without stopping to get him. 2. Where did you go on

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-58204619948786367492011-02-25T15:44:00.000-06:002011-02-25T15:44:46.023-06:00

Thanks to the friendliness of "strangers" and Sean's boldness in proclaiming his faith, we found a temporary church family while in Kauai. Why "strangers"? Because fellow believers are never really strangers are they? We spent Sunday mornings at a little church about one block away from our condo called Kapa'a Missionary Church.  After church on the first Sunday, we went to brunch at 22 Degrees

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-17655544823752647412011-02-25T09:50:00.000-06:002011-02-25T09:50:04.574-06:00

Time for Five Question Friday again with Mama M. 1. Can you drive a stick shift? If I had to. But I'm sure I'd kill it a bazillion times between where I was and where I needed to be. 2. What are two foods you just can't eat? Raw oysters. I've tried, but I just can't do it, much to the chagrin of my husband who will try (nearly) anything. And licorice. Not the red kind (that kind is good),

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-70756366740725013912011-02-24T01:37:00.001-06:002011-02-24T01:39:40.563-06:00

Not that north shore. If you're in the upper midwest you know this is about as opposite as you can get from our north shore right now. This, my friends, is the north shore of Kauai. And this is the first beach we visited on our trip up the east and north shores. We saw it from the road, pulled over and found a trail to climb down. Literally. Climbed. Down. Through this... and this... to

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-4635443232502030312011-01-28T08:38:00.000-06:002011-01-28T08:38:24.150-06:00

Back to Five Question Friday. Woohoo! Hop over to Mama M's blog if you want to participate too.  1. If you had $1,000 to donate to a charity, which would you choose? Alpha Crisis Pregnancy Center in Savage. We've recently felt God tugging at our hearts for new and unsupported moms. Alpha has some great things going. 2. Snow days: Do you welcome them happily or are they a pain in your butt? We

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-51025991791950162932011-01-26T13:18:00.001-06:002011-01-26T13:20:44.159-06:00

Can you tell I'm starting to catch up? These were taken at the end of June (yes, June - I'm that far behind) when Elise was... about 18 months old just starting to get enough hair to hold lots of baubles and bows in love with her sassy pink sunglasses

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-71224589920716811372011-01-25T12:22:00.000-06:002011-01-25T12:22:07.010-06:00

And cool them down (on hot summer days gone by). Oh how the imagination soars when children (and perhaps some adults) are given a kiddie pool, a swingset and a hose. Most of the time the kids aren't allowed to turn on the hose while they're playing firemen, but this day was so hot we decided to let them go for it. They weren't putting out fires for long before they discovered that a little water

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-54313152377125228122011-01-24T14:35:00.000-06:002011-01-24T14:35:55.090-06:00

We had the privilege of meeting baby Eleanora on Saturday and the baby fever ensued. Not for me (okay...maybe a little for me), but for Elise. We know she loves her "babies" at home - pushing them around all day in their bosher (stroller for anyone that isn't fluent in Elise) and making sure they always have their blankies. But we had no idea what her reaction would be when she had the chance to

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-73705720178516154962011-01-05T12:13:00.000-06:002011-01-05T12:13:34.849-06:00

Because I don't know how to address the envelope... It seems each year there is a song that stands out as our Christmas favorite. For the kids this year, it has been Away in a Manger. This is probably because of the actions that always accompany their sweet little voices as they sing the familiar carol. As Sean isn’t as much of a Christmas music fanatic as Beckie is (meaning he doesn’t start

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-36427340474614051102010-10-15T10:01:00.000-05:002010-10-15T10:01:35.246-05:00

Warm sunny weather late in the year means lots and lots and LOTS of boxelder bugs on our house and even a few in our house (though not nearly as many as I remember being at my grandparents' house on the farm when I was little). Given the abundance, Elise has taken notice and shows absolutely no fear. In fact, yesterday evening she was ecstatic about the one crawling all over her arm. I have to

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-70524464092791625432010-10-14T00:42:00.002-05:002010-10-14T00:46:22.778-05:00

Am I really posting pictures from the 4th of July? Yep. Do I have more recent pictures I'd like to share? Yep. Am I particular about the order in which pictures appear on my blog? Yep. So now you know why you're seeing pictures from the 4th of July in October. I'll share the rest of the summer and fall eventually. Right now, you get the 4th of July. Weird science experiment? No, no, no. A root

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-6364293912937345992010-08-06T22:29:00.000-05:002010-08-06T22:29:02.108-05:00

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-60389618625356205392010-07-23T08:00:00.000-05:002010-07-23T08:00:08.109-05:00

Join Mama M for some Friday Fun. 1. What were your school colors? High school? Oh this reminds me of a cheer! Yes, I was a cheerleader. But not a traditional cheerleader. Our claps weren't stiff, we didn't do stunts and we stomped...a lot. Ready for that cheer? Red, gray and white (psst...those are the colors),  na na na na na We're out of sight na na na na na. We're gonna win so na na na

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-52639773410616790672010-07-23T00:41:00.000-05:002010-07-23T00:41:19.849-05:00

Not one Not two But all three of our children were captivated. By what? This horse farm. You'd think we live in the country. We don't. But we do have this really great farm (ranch?) within walking distance. And there's an adorable fence. By which I can take adorable pictures. Of this adorable* baby girl. The way I see it, it's a win-win. The kids get to explore (from afar)the horses and

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-45457089564056745862010-07-20T12:48:00.001-05:002010-07-20T12:48:43.862-05:00

We like to play outside. Anyone else? Funny thing is, whenever we play outside in the summer, we get wet. It starts out innocently enough (who doesn't need their flowers watered and who wouldn't accept help from two budding gardeners?). But then other things get watered. Like cars. And brothers. And you end up with two very wet boys. Fortunately for Elise the preceding events took place

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-84352001545082778662010-07-16T10:29:00.001-05:002010-07-16T12:29:25.356-05:00

Time for Five Question Friday again. Check out Mama M's blog hop here. 1. Do you collect anything? Do children's toys count? I'm sure I used to collect things, but for a few years I experienced the joy of an uncluttered house and I gave up on collections. Maybe I should qualify my answer by saying that I don't collect things on purpose. Some things just collect on their own: coupons yet to

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-64881951014989341802010-07-16T08:00:00.002-05:002010-07-16T08:00:08.549-05:00

Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday dear, Grandma... Happy birthday to you. I think this was Grandma's favorite gift...the one with feet. For the record, I'm way late on posting these birthday pics, but if you'd still like to wish my mom a happy birthday, feel free. Just be sure to call it belated.

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-7520724026817141892010-07-15T17:00:00.004-05:002010-07-15T17:00:01.050-05:00

On Memorial Day weekend, it wasn't just the boys getting dirty this year. Elise was a full fledged member of "Club Sandy Pants." It started out innocent enough, sitting on the beach with the sand toys. But then we got some water involved and the sand got a little sticky...and she touched it...and then touched her face. She didn't like that...at first. As the following pictures illustrate, it

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-49242566682122843672010-07-15T12:00:00.004-05:002010-07-16T12:29:38.186-05:00

My dad has a strange sense of humor (sorry, Dad, but you do) and when Billy Bass came out a decade ago he was one of the first to claim ownership of one of the singing sensations. He is also the proud owner of a singing "Caddy Shack" gopher. They are both proudly displayed at the cabin and some of the kids' favorite toys up there. I'm sure Elise was captivated by them more than once last summer,

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-86080297477962647852010-07-14T23:38:00.001-05:002010-07-14T23:39:03.006-05:00

What better way to celebrate the mid-summer holiday than by showing you pictures of summer's kickoff? Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Memorial Day weekend (yep, still catching up - just wait there's more). Memorial day weekend held many firsts. Elise's first time on the buggy. Although the strangeness of this reference is waning a little bit, I do realize that most people would call an ATV a 4

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-71365089074852322862010-07-12T20:00:00.007-05:002010-07-14T16:31:53.737-05:00

This was Elise's first introduction to a watermelon. She now knows... it's just too heavy... to lift. But it looks cute... in a summertime... picture.

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-2103314017259327922010-07-12T08:00:00.002-05:002010-07-12T08:00:01.215-05:00

is so much fun

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-60382835033273735342010-07-11T21:06:00.001-05:002010-07-11T21:06:00.186-05:00

Oh how we love summer at our house. It means warm summer nights with windows open and cool breezes coming in. (Hmm...for some reason I feel like belting out a little "Summer Nights" Olivia Netwon John style. Probably because I've been watching too much Glee lately and I'm beginning to think it's perfectly normal to burst out in song. But I digress). It also means endless hours outside playing in

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-88197757883823057032010-07-09T11:26:00.000-05:002010-07-09T11:26:49.334-05:00

Another round of questions from Mama M. 1. What is one food you could eat everyday? Chocolate. Chocolate. Chocolate. In any form. Candy, cookies, pudding, cake, ice cream. You name it, if it's got chocolate in it, I'll eat it. 2. Are you working in the career you thought you would be when you were 18? Uh...no. Not sure I know many people who are. When I was 18 I didn't even know what

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-25826169105347405462010-07-06T13:54:00.004-05:002010-07-06T13:54:00.174-05:00

We go to the zoo a lot. And by a lot I mean that we probably average three times per month. I guess maybe it doesn't seem like that much when I put it that way, but when we decide on a whim that it's zoo day it sure seems like a lot of work to keep the children amused while I pack lunches, clothe the children, remind them for the one-millionth time that the toys need to be cleaned up before we

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-83419318906886603522010-07-02T09:35:00.000-05:002010-07-02T09:35:15.397-05:00

Another round of questions from Mama M. 1. What is one thing you miss the most about childhood? Summers. Summers free from responsibility. I'm sure I didn't appreciate it then. Now? I daydream often of free summers. 2. Are you still friends with your friends from high school? Well, not all of them, but yes, some of my friends from high school are still my dearest friends today. 3. Is

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-71020812826468781442010-06-25T09:47:00.002-05:002010-06-25T14:55:40.190-05:00

Check out Mama M at My Little Life to participate. 1. Do you know how to play a musical instrument? Not as well as I would like to, but then again, this particular skill wouldn't get used much these days anyway. I used to play the flute. In junior high. Now the only thing I can do is put my fingers in the right place. I also play the piano a bit and would like to a lot more, but (1) I

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-9285563235778118782010-06-23T13:25:00.000-05:002010-06-23T13:25:16.878-05:00

It started with an ENORMOUS strawberry and ended with a very happy mother's day Yes, yes I know this post is a bit out-of-date, but I'm working on catching up so you'll have to live in May with me for awhile.

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-85228121473112344412010-06-18T09:48:00.000-05:002010-06-18T09:48:03.331-05:00

Time again for five question Friday with Mama M. 1. What is your favorite thing about summertime? That it's not winter. I pretty much like everything about summer except the abundance of bugs. If I have to pick just one thing, though, it would probably be sleeping with the windows open on cool summer nights. Pure. Restful. Bliss.2. What is your ideal retirement location (if money didn't

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-49008327593116989072010-06-16T12:41:00.000-05:002010-06-16T12:41:56.298-05:00

What, you may be wondering, could be so interesting in the back yard as to capture the attention of...  all three of our children...  for over an hour? Here's a hint... And another...  Ta da!   After two agonizing hours of practicing their patience, the

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-12913563697921552022010-06-13T21:47:00.000-05:002010-06-13T21:47:52.563-05:00

When you're in charge... you have to keep a close eye on your crew...   in case they start doing something...   you don't want them to.   If you want something done right...   make sure you tell them exactly how to do it.

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-75613476323313993012010-06-10T23:39:00.001-05:002010-06-10T23:41:33.395-05:00

Not a low-budget sci-fi thriller...sorry to disappoint. Rather, an immensely exciting trip to the Science Museum on a Preschool Playdate Monday. Did you know they had those? Me neither until very recently (or maybe not so recently given that it's been a gazillion years since I've updated the blog so anything within two months seems recent). An entire morning geared toward preschoolers (read, "it

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-38000770346460658122010-05-07T09:52:00.003-05:002010-05-07T09:54:11.401-05:00

Here we go again. My Little Life is where you can join in too. 1. What is your worst memory of your siblings? No sibs. 2. What was YOUR naughtiest childhood memory? (Must be something YOU did, no pawning it off on someone else!) Naughty? I wasn't naughty! Or maybe I just don't remember. I'm not good at that. 3. Where do you like to go to relax? Relax? You mean while I'm awake? Because

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-16271596650821737322010-04-30T09:51:00.000-05:002010-04-30T09:51:09.931-05:00

Another Friday. Another chance to participate. 1. If you could, would you go back to high school? Let me think about this one for a milisecond...no way! While I enjoyed the freedom from responsibility that comes along with high school and pretty much complete dependence on someone else, I really like being a wife and a mom and I'm pretty sure many people would have frowned upon me assuming

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-88384181235414693162010-04-23T09:47:00.000-05:002010-04-23T09:47:37.890-05:00

Another Friday. Another chance to participate. 1. What was the first car you owned? I owned or my parents owned and let me use? Because I didn't actually own a car until I was married and we bought the Grand Prix. Now that I have children and money of my own I realize the foolishness of thinking that I ever really had a car (or anything for that matter) before I bought my own. I just got to

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-37852991614706723542010-04-19T21:27:00.000-05:002010-04-19T21:27:43.248-05:00

Our baby girl is growing up so fast! At 15 1/2 months old, she's not our little baby anymore (not that she was ever really our little baby). In fact, she's a 27 pound (94th percentile), 32 inch (87th percentile) almost-but-not-quite-there toddler. She still prefers scooting to crawling and hasn't quite mastered walking, though her grandpa is convinced it will be "any day now." If you're wondering

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-91351171566988842932010-04-17T08:00:00.001-05:002010-04-17T08:00:05.630-05:00

Remember when you were in school and if you were absent you had to bring a note from your mom? Since I'm not school-aged anymore and this isn't school (as educational as it may be at times) I'm writing my own note: Please excuse my absense as I've been away discovering my new toy. Any guesses? If you guessed a new camera, specifically a Nikon D3000 with additional lens kit and a 10,000-page

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-39221636708127340282010-04-16T07:00:00.000-05:002010-04-16T08:52:31.047-05:00

You know the drill. Head over here to join in. 1. What words do you use on your blog/online that you don't use in real life? Um...none. If you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly "Ms. English Teacher" when it comes to writing on the ol' blog (not that it's bad to be an English teacher and, believe me, I'm as big a fan of proper use of grammar and punctuation as anyone I know, but here...well,

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-59839935983118377212010-04-02T09:21:00.000-05:002010-04-02T09:21:15.550-05:00

More blog hopping. Head over here to find out how you can join. 1. Do you sing out loud in the car when you're driving? The car is my stage. In college when no "carpoolers" were available and I would have to make the 3 1/2 hour drive home by myself, I looked forward with great anticipation to the concert I would perform, carefully choosing just the right cds to ensure my audience was

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-78479161208952891792010-03-31T13:10:00.000-05:002010-03-31T13:10:04.847-05:00

...in their little red wagon. They barely fit in there, but we managed a successful wagon ride on one of the warmer days at the beginning of the great thaw. Obviously this picture was taken a while ago since there is no snow in sight near our house anymore. Woohoo! In fact, we're having a week warm enough to shed some of the layers that are usually necessary for an outdoor (even indoor somedays)

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-66518713649139693892010-03-19T02:00:00.002-05:002010-03-19T15:19:46.771-05:00

Now I'm hooked. Head over to Mama M's blog to find out the details. Here we go... 1. Have you ever had a celeb sighting? Probably, but I can't remember. My mind doesn't work like that. I'm just not a good rememberer. 2. What temperature do you keep your house? Over the years my skin has thickenend and I am now comfortable in our 68 degree house. But during the day only. At night, no higher

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-20035081516482053582010-03-16T07:31:00.000-05:002010-03-16T12:28:16.961-05:00

Our boys love to be heroes. Throughout the week they catch "bad guys," fight fires, perform daring water rescues and save any variety of creature from certain death. This particular day they were EMTs rushing Hippo to the hospital on his cork board gurney. Upon arrival, Hippo spent hours in surgery under the skilled hands of Doctor Jack and Doctor Wes. You'll be relieved to know that Hippo is on

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-45084666052252825152010-03-15T08:00:00.001-05:002010-03-15T08:00:10.354-05:00

John 6:1-14 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-75302300842274313452010-03-14T14:34:00.001-05:002010-03-14T14:34:59.195-05:00

almost...

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-86104956034359230292010-03-12T15:19:00.000-06:002010-03-12T15:19:19.842-06:00

Nope, nothing about bunnies today. It's time, once again, for Mama M's  Five Question Friday blog hop. 1. How much time do you spend on the computer each day? Well, since my work is 99% on the computer and I spend three days at work each week, I'd say I average 5 to 6 hours a day over the course of a week. 2. Will you pay for your children's college or raise them to pay for their own way?

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-29180374610752416712010-03-05T06:00:00.003-06:002010-03-05T09:42:07.466-06:00

I've never actually participated in a "blog hop" (please don't ask me to explain what that is because I'm not exactly sure myself), but it makes me think of wearing a poodle skirt and sounds like fun, so here goes. Every Friday Mama M over at My Little Life posts 5 questions for all the "hoppers" to answer. If you want to participate, head on over there and link up (again, please don't ask me

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-50214361443605922382010-03-04T13:57:00.000-06:002010-03-04T13:57:16.007-06:00

I wish it had been a real snow day complete with closed schools, work and roads, but since it wasn't a day that we would normally go to work or school, it was close enough. Well, most of us weren't at work. This happened to be one of the days that Sean was in India so he had to miss out on the snow day altogether. Poor Sean. Or maybe not. He also missed out on the shoveling/snowblowing of the 12+

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-76860443461456958562010-03-02T21:05:00.000-06:002010-03-02T21:05:03.179-06:00

While Sean was out of town the boys got to experience their first sleepover. While going through our bedtime routine one night Jack asked if he could sleep in Wesley's room. I was a bit worried that it would end up being an all night giggle fest, but it was a Friday and we had all day Saturday to recover so we gave it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised by the good night's sleep we all got sans

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-67979986841591609922010-02-23T20:19:00.000-06:002010-02-23T20:19:09.967-06:00

One of the many things all children must eventually memorize is their address and telephone number. I vividly remember my own parents helping me memorize our address on Newton Ave. It had a beat. We practiced a lot. Our current address isn't so rhythmic so I was delighted when I heard the "My Name and Address" song on our Wee Sing cd. Sung to the tune of "Rain Rain Go Away," children are

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-11334165553890033542010-02-16T21:36:00.001-06:002010-02-17T12:33:23.965-06:00

"Strategic" has become one of those business buzz words that most people in the office are guilty of using on a too frequent basis: "If we want to strategically position our strategy in our strategic market, we need to align our strategists to support the strategy." We identify strategic partners, strategic accounts, strategic markets, strategic investments, strategic acquisitions, strategic blah

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-66823286981653249122010-02-12T13:53:00.000-06:002010-02-12T13:53:38.284-06:00

The journey actually began about a month ago, but I'm just getting around to writing about it now. Three pregnancies in four years has left me a little...well..."thick" if you know what I mean. Oh how I love delivery and the first two months following when the pounds just melt away with no effort (well, I guess there's a little effort for the delivery part). I don't know of any other "diet" plan

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-61301427408489248312010-02-08T21:15:00.000-06:002010-02-08T21:15:46.560-06:00

Children like to explore. I get that. But sometimes their exploration goes a little too far. Like yesterday afternoon. The kids had peas for lunch. While they were finishing up, I headed out to the office to complete a quick task. While I was out there I heard Wes say "pee" so, completely forgetting he had peas on his plate, I asked him if he needed to go potty. Of course he didn't. It happened

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-88224702243387820692010-02-08T03:39:00.005-06:002010-02-08T09:57:41.351-06:00

You know how funny and witty I am already so I won't waste your time with one liners. This is 5 minutes of how I spent over 4 hours Sunday evening. I look forward to your comments and questions and raise a challenge to the readers: whoever can find the most absurd thing gets 1 rupee.

seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009208511228478530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-50051204456853939182010-02-01T01:24:00.000-06:002010-02-01T01:24:22.204-06:00

Stories abound about God's physical intervention in our lives. God healed this man or woman or protected that girl or boy. I even have my own story to share about how God physically intervened for Elise. But I've started to notice lately that God intervenes in smaller ways as well. Out of a desire to have a more authentic relationship with God, I've been trying to see God in the details of the "

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-36105340845067201952010-01-18T00:00:00.002-06:002010-01-18T14:00:38.956-06:00

The weather in our neck of the woods has been a balmy 34 the last few days so the snow and ice (remnants from the previous few snow storms) that has coated our driveway has finally started to melt. I was out there Saturday, plastic shovel in hand, trying to chip away at the 1/2 inch thick sheet of ice near the top of the driveway. The boys thought it was great - Mama was playing in the snow!

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-12574497091131282122010-01-17T14:58:00.000-06:002010-01-17T14:58:25.376-06:00

This morning I brought the children to church by myself. Once I'm there it's almost like a break as I drop off the little ones in the nursery and the bigger one at Sunday school then head off for my own Sunday morning class. The struggle lies in getting there and then getting back home. One of the many things Jack has learned at preschool is how to put on his own coat, hat and mittens, a feat

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-27387727475651728132010-01-16T21:47:00.002-06:002010-01-17T22:19:29.061-06:00

Have you ever had your name pronounced incorrectly? I know my husband is answering with a resounding "yes." Both Rebecca and Beckie are pretty straight forward, but I have had my fair share of people take liberty with my nickname. I don't mean the endearing kind. I mean the Andrew to Andy or Thomas to Tom kind. At work, I am strictly Rebecca. I always introduce myself as Rebecca, the name by my

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-5500744578482665802010-01-14T00:00:00.000-06:002010-01-14T00:00:03.056-06:00

Since I don't have any siblings I don't really understand the incessant need siblings have to press each others buttons, though I did expect it at some point with my own children. I just didn't think it would be so early. For the last couple months, Jack and Wes have been arguing about what sound a fire truck makes. You can hear both versions below: Both boys love to "rescue" people so 

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-76963913221482840242010-01-13T00:00:00.001-06:002010-01-13T00:00:04.862-06:00

The night after Elise was born I was scouring the internet for the perfect welcome-to-the-world gift. You see, all of our children get a gift from us (besides life, I mean) when they're born. Jack got a big softer-than-anything-in-the-world bear before we even knew he existed. Wes's Rodney reindeer was sitting comfortably in the crib weeks before he arrived. But no special toy had been acquired

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-465808939009573502010-01-12T00:00:00.004-06:002010-01-12T11:30:23.917-06:00

To say that Jack has a lot of energy would be an understatement. Though I'm sure the same thing could be said about most four-year-old boys. In an effort to burn off some of his energy so he'd take a nap (words cannot express how precious nap time is), I thought maybe he could do some jumping jacks. It never ceases to make me pause in wonder at just how many things one must teach a child. I don't

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-2931577155407593392010-01-11T21:06:00.000-06:002010-01-11T21:06:59.681-06:00

The shouts of joyful excitement coming from the back seat when we saw three snowmobilers in the ditch (don't worry, that's where they were supposed to be) Hearing Elise giggle and seeing her eyes light up as she caught on to a "game" I started while playing doll house with her This from Wesley: "Hehe, bu-bow" as he pointed to the enormous snot bubble coming from his left nostril Seeing Jack

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-70771077779474829552010-01-11T00:00:00.001-06:002010-01-11T00:00:01.214-06:00

The kids got a new game. It's called "Don't Break the Ice," but their selective hearing omits the "don't." They try as hard as they can to break the ice and make the poor red, skating bear fall through that ice. The their poor non-red, non-skating mother has to try to put the ice back together before they knock it out again or the littlest one tries to eat it. (Just to be clear, it's not

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-18521432337003099532010-01-10T00:00:00.004-06:002010-01-10T00:00:03.164-06:00

Elise got a Busy Ball Popper for Christmas. She likes to feel... the wind in her face. To a one-year-old... it's hilarious.

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-24868359645126746342010-01-06T00:00:00.002-06:002010-01-08T13:09:04.980-06:00

After busy Christmas and New Year celebrations, I have a lot of catching up to do. So I'll apologize in advance for the lack of timeliness evident here (two weeks late isn't that bad is it?). After what turned out to be a snowy, but very relaxed, Christmas eve celebration, we started the Christmas festivities at home with finally discovering what was in our stockings. I say "finally" because

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-53747647015597368812010-01-06T00:00:00.001-06:002010-01-06T12:15:45.936-06:00

You know what they say about the third (and maybe the second too) child: they never get the same attention that is lavished on the first. For the most part I don't think that is the case with our third child as she DEMANDS her fair share of attention. However, I do have to admit to depriving her of her deserved place in the spotlight because I am belated in wishing her a happy birthday in blog

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452689812293667176.post-79717325049094983152010-01-01T21:22:00.000-06:002010-01-01T21:22:47.218-06:00

Disgusted and utterly frustrated by trying to come up with a creative post title, I settled on the above. Anyhoo... I'm afraid to make any official resolutions because when (notice I said "when" and not "if") I break them, I usually feel immense guilt and question my integrity. Therefore, I am not making any resolutions this year in hopes of keeping my integrity in one piece. I will, however,

Beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875624113954896298noreply@blogger.com0