Weekend Update

In Myers-Briggs testing, my results have consistently labeled me an ISFJ...which may not mean much to you. I won't go into the shpiel...'cause I still don't understand it, but the first letter I designates me as an introvert. 

In most cases I agree...I can function socially, sometimes comfortably, most times awkwardly. I love people and I just might grill you about your experiences if you sit still long enough. On the flip side, I'll tell you just about anything you want to know about me...veering into TMI territory...yep, awkward.

There is a limit to my socializing...to fill my tank again I need to withdraw. Each day, I yearn for some me time...read a book, veg in front of a TV, go for a walk, take a power nap...whatever it is, I like to do it alone. I've been known to craftfully manipulate a schedule to fit solitude in. 

But in our travels I have learned that I prefer to vacation with others. Introversion does not apply. Our little family's trip to Florida taught me a lot. It was nice...not thrilling, but nice. We had some fun in the beautiful sunny weather. But I still really wish we had just saved our money and the travel trouble and gone camping with friends somewhere. It's really all I want to do.

So there is my vacation groove...I love the community of camping...the I'll watch your babes on the playground while you clean up your breakfast dishes...Let's chop the onions for dinner and cry together...Hey, you have s'more ooze dripping off your face...and should you really have eaten that third one? 

I don't seem to need the me time so much when we are surviving the wilderness together. 

We did more than survive this weekend...we had rub some spit on it - laugh 'til you're red or is that sunburn - stay up too late - everyone throw a proper tantrum but sleep like babies  fun.


We'll be camping a lot this summer. I wish I could live this way all the time.

I think the kids had fun, too. Be warned...there are lots of pictures to follow.

Freedom flying

\

*from a beautiful day, a couple weeks ago...kids played, wise women spoke...I tried to soak it all up*

On the road again

♫ My friend had a baby...yes, Lord.... ♪ ♩

Friday...a baby boy, 6lbs. 11 oz. Ooooo, he's cute and we want to see him them. (Update: Sorry, that didn't make sense...I skipped a sentence. The new baby is conveniently just a little off the route to Sweet Man in Iowa...so we will stop and see him them.) Of course, wouldn't you want me and my two silly kids to crash at your place just after you've had a c-section? and a new baby?

No, we're staying in a hotel...and she or her hubby can tap out at any moment and we'll skee-daddle. Hopefully, we can at least help entertain 2yo big sister.

Proceeding on to Iowa...we'll squeeze another cute boy for his birthday. I did come up with a few ideas to celebrate Sweet Man. He continues to rave about the parks and their walking trails so we look forward to enjoying them. The lodging leaves a little to be desired...he's in a regular old hotel room...we'll see how that goes.

So, after I scramble to get the &*%#* pool under some control, the grass cut, and this house de-cluttered and shined up, we're off! Road trip!

The end of the Pax Johnsona

It's happened...Sweet Man has been assigned. He got the call, for reals, this time. Off to Iowa...he's already there. Thus ends our 2 months of intact-nuclear-family-frequently-staying-in-our-own-home-two-fulltime-parents bliss (sorry, that's pushing the hyphen limit.) I lamented to friends today that I was just getting into a real schedule groove...efficiently erranding and consistently exercising...as the babes were in my capable husband's hands. And he, in turn, had his own groove going...a balance of time with us and time off doin' what he do. 

I was awake off and on last night in anticipation of solo parenting and was fairly strung out after a pre-dawn trip to the airport. I downshifted into survival mode and just planned to get through the day. Shocker:: we had a fantastic day with a mega-playdate, chocolate chip banana bread, and a great trip to the library. 

Off the subject: my boy reads! It continues to surprise....he reads something well and I kind of tell myself it's a fluke and then I forget. But then he reads something else...with more challenging words. We read as a family all the time...for school and bed, but we don't work the phonics intensely or challenge him to read aloud all that much. Reading is just evolving. So tonight at the library, I let him loose and he picked out some really funny books that he can totally read. He read to us tonight at bedtime. And fell asleep reading. Very cool.

One last thing, we haven't decided if we will join SM in Iowa. He thinks he may be there as little as three weeks and all four of us would be a squeeze in his hotel room. But his birthday is the 23rd and I want to do something special for him, even if it is from afar. We are both terrible at giving each other gifts and have resigned ourselves to just picking out something for ourselves and calling it a "gift." So I need help...suggestions, ideas, schemes...send 'em my way. I've removed him from the feedburner, so he won't even see this...as if he read the posts anyway. 

For the birds

These peep houses would friggin' adorable, if not for the fact that we found a real bird's nest in our dryer venting yesterday, right next to the opening to the dryer.  Disaster averted...whew! Sweet Man cleaned it out and replaced the vent cover with a device impervious to birds. Oh,  and I still think the houses are adorable.

In other news: I need some lessons in grace. I haven't been so sweet to Sweet Man. There are theories:: that we are anticipating being apart soon or perhaps, we've been together too much. But bottom line is I'm uttering those words that milliseconds before I say them I think not now, or ever, don't say it  or at least, change your tone but I blow right past and spew. (Nice sentence, grammatically speaking.) Yeah, we're tangled up and I need a little grace to undo the knots.

And now at the risk of sounding way too self-righteous after confessing my bad behavior...I am profoundly touched by the Easter celebration and try to untangle it from the peep houses and baskets and dresses. Just as every Maundy Thursday and Good Friday affects me, there is an undercurrent of solemnness with the reminders of what Christ has done for you and me. It's important to look at the suffering He endured so that I can begin  to understand the gift He gave us...and share the good news of that miracle.

We're making these resurrection meringues tomorrow. Oh, and we will celebrate His empty tomb...with secondhand baskets and secondhand dresses.

He is Risen.

Risen, indeed.

Back to the beach

Got the Pharmphone call last night and were so excited to hit the road, we drove all last night. No time to say goodbye to all you loveys.

Sweet Man has been sent to east coast! No unpacking for us...we hit the beach first thing.

Ahhh, April Fool's! 

(This pic is Bean and my longtime and faraway friend, Gwynn's son in the sand at our local park.) Would that it were true...I wanna get outta here, people. I'm ready. But we're still here in the homeland...no all night driving for me, hopefully ever. Gosh, and we've had some special plans with some special peeps this week...not gonna miss out on that.

Our nephew stayed with us for a couple days and raised the bar on behavior in general in the place. Showings on the house are picking up...so are our cleaning frenzies...aaack! Schooling is happening...no spring break...we've been taking it here and there already, right? We squeezed in an ice skating trip yesterday....bizarre, turning in my flip flops for a pair of rented skates. Playing outside, grilling with friends, lots of walks...we're enjoying the spring.

And Easter...we have two Easter projects in the works. We'll see how those turn out. And I have 3 projects that are time-sensitive and no where near done. I may be not so fun for the next couple days. 

Knitting and pulling

He lost his first tooth...with a little help....

I finished this shawl for Bean/scarf for me yesterday...and I really like it...love the yarn and the pattern. It was another hair-pulling experience...but I have plenty to spare...glad I stuck with it.

Leaving Wednesday for my cousin's wedding and other adventures...without kiddos...thanks Grandma and Grandpa J! 

nobody's perfect

bean has an issue...

with, ahem...halitosis

bug just asked her to put her breath somewhere else....

most mornings, sweet daddy calls her kitten breath...

as in, how many kittens have you eaten?

Hope sPRiNGs eternal

A winter walk to blow the stink off as Grandpa J says...

I don't know to whose stink he refers....

Beautiful day at Dawes Arboretum...

paths of green blazed by the sun while persistent snow clings...

Snow, your days are numbered ~ be gone already.

I may or may not have punched up the color in these...

so sue me...I'm impatient.

Sure shots

Well, not sure.

Soapbox alert: I am venturing into a controversial topic of vaccinations...what I know is my experience, my research, and the guidance in my gut of the One I Love. And as always, there is no judgment here...this is where my family and I are...you and yours are probably in a different place.

Medical stuff...I proceed cautiously. I shiver at the thought of altering body chemistry because someone has told me I should.

The vaccine schedule set by the AAP is ridiculous, IMHO. Regardless of the anecdotal and scientifically gathered information that there are inherent risks in vaccines...that a body may be forever altered because of a shot...not to mention that I feel that some vaccines are made unethically...and all are pushed on people who may not know or feel compelled to examine the information given to them by the very ones who profit from selling the vaccines... yeah, put all that aside.... 

Back in the day, it made me sick to my stomach to consider giving my 2 month old sweet babe several doses of stuff in one day...the same amount that would be given to a 12 year old child or an adult. No, thank you.

So, today, our pediatrician was composed and as sweet as ever as we discussed vaccinations. I felt no condescension or impatience. We've had an understanding that she will continue to broach the subject during our visits and I will continue to consider them. 

You see, today, I have become a delayed-vaccines momma. Previously, I was a no-vaccines momma. But now that my kids are bigger and I feel like I know a bit more...never will I know enough, ever, ugh...the doc and I came to a compromise. One shot per visit...and only the few I feel are necessary. Off the list are the vaccines for the illnesses from which I believe our bodies can recover naturally.

I didn't tell them until we were in the office that they would be getting shots. Bug was brave and went first. Bean held back and was hesitant and then she cried. No fainting this time. Big brother had words of encouragement and hugs for her. Stickers and a sucker helped, too.

Coming home, lunch was a priority, so I put out a smorgasbord of veggies, fruit, and hard-boiled eggs to eat with toothpicks.

Bug almost immediately saw a connection that I had not intended. He gave his egg shots. 

Checking in

Home again, home again.

Thanks to Southwest Airlines and my daddy-o,
who took us to and from the airport,we arrived home Tuesday afternoon. 

Thank you, Dad. 
And thanks for turning the heat up. And for the bread. 
And sending my computer off (for the second time) 

and delivering it when it arrived fixed...for reals, this time. 

All is right with my world...

well...

I think I shed a tear when I put my flip flops away.

Back to life we go. 

School, sandy laundry, hats and gloves.

And for no reason whatsoever, here are some other Florida pics.

In the spirit

We <3 the Olympic games...really "stop life, gather round the glow of the telly for hours" devotion. I may not even answer my phone during...oh, wait, I rarely answer my phone on the best of days...anyway....

Although we will be on Florida's east coast for 9 of the Olympic's 16 days, our attention will be on the snow and ice of British Columbia.

And instead of doing our usual school curricula (and so I don't have to lug it to the beach,) we are trying out the educational resource of lapbooks. 

Tonight, the children are asleep but not in bed, the television is on, and I'm entranced with the Opening Ceremony. I'm sure I will get the shivers at the lighting of the torch...it's really one of the coolest spectacles ever, in my humble opinion. Imagine, if that gets me goin', what it will be like to see the Light of the world.

And just to really get in the spirit...we went ice-skating again today. And we <3'd that, too. I am a proud momma. Both babes are doing really well on the ice, but this boy of mine...he'd fall and smile and get right back up. We'd agree to do a couple more laps and when we were done, he'd negotiate for a few more. My apologies that this video is shaky and sideways...I'll have to remember not to turn my phone when I am capturing future precious moments...and maybe I should have stopped skating myself.

What a great couple of weeks we've had, with Sweet Daddy at home with us...and being snowed in for just the right amount of time....all kinds of other adventures...and soon, off to the beach (leaving Monday...don't cry for me.)

Christmas card album

My longtime friend (remember, I don't call anyone old...especially as I approach 4-0) who has creative, fantastic designs, shared this wonderful idea with me a few years ago.

You know all those precious photos you receive in Christmas cards or as the cards? I told her that I can't bear throwing them out. For all those parents who bathe, coordinate, and primp their families  into looking spectacular for a photo shoot (not us!) or the engaged sending their "save the date" pics...seems unjust to toss them along with the junk mail to be covered with coffee grounds, right?

So, she suggested this solution: take an inexpensive photo album that holds 5 x 7's and put photos/cards in it. (Trimming is sometimes necessary to slip pics in.) Love it!

This is our third year keeping the album, so we don't take photos out from year to year unless we have an updated picture to replace an older one.

It is a great tool when we are on our far-off adventures with Sweet Daddy...a fine way for the kids to see and think and pray about people we may not see often enough: grandparents, friends, missionaries we support...and it mitigates the homesickness.

I mention it today because I just today found our black album in one of our black traveling trunks out in our dark and cold garage...anywhooo....Bean promptly ripped our book out of my hands and hasn't put it down since.

six

We celebrated in the snow...and then by the fireplace.

My sweet boy is six. Oh me....

Not much fanfare this year...but it's a year we won't forget. A year of becoming a reader, a better swimmer, a reluctant two-wheel rider, a savvy traveler-in-tow, a better explainer of feelings, a kindergartner, a "just-right for Bean" big brother, a brother in Christ.

Happy Birthday, Bug!

   

sNoW!

Just like many of you...we are snowed in...and loving it. It started about 10 this morning...we had 7 inches by 4pm and it's still going. The world seems simpler tonight and we have no choice but to do the things for which I wish I had more time....snuggling, playing games, watching movies with my babes, soup, reading books, baking and eating those baked goods....

Actually, that's about how our lovely week has been...time, two parents, special outings with each kid, a good Recovery meeting, 4 complete days of schooling (cheers!,) a boy's night out for Sweet Man and 2 girls' nights out for me.

This afternoon, it wasn't so peaceful...we were visiting friends (mucho fun) and trying to get a few things taken care of in the neighboring town and the usual 10 minute drive became about an hour and a half long. I had time enough to take pictures from my traffic jam. After arriving home, my brave Sweet Man finished up errands so that we can celebrate our boy...tonight, just after midnight he will be six (gulp.) More on that later.

I'm so thankful for this warm, safe space to tuck in. So, I pray that wherever you are you are happy, healthy, and cozy.

$.99 Margaritas?

We have a mini-tradition with our friends, Abi & Charlie...Tumbleweed (tex-mex restaurant) on Sunday afternoon (kids eat free!) or Monday evening...we probably make it 6 times a year, when our lives are normal and we actually live here.

This weekend, we were making plans...for Monday...let's do the usual....

...but later, I thought...we go out to dinner all the time...and they practically live around the corner from our sometimes homebase...can we just...get together here? They graciously agreed.

Much better...except that I can't take orders and fulfill them...one meal would have to do...

(Here are the vidiots...)

Chalupa (at least that's what my mom called it)

In a 4 qt. crockpot, combine dry pinto beans with broth (I used chicken,) onions, garlic, oregano, cumin, chili powder, chopped green chiles...easy peasy...add as much as you think you like.

Cook the snot out of them...like all day and night and all day again. Check occasionally to make sure there is enough liquid...drying out is bad.

Crank pot up to high, add 1 slice bacon for the last 4 or so hours,  and remove before serving. Finally add cooked chicken...I cooked 2 whole chickens (in seasoned water) yesterday, then separated the broth and the meat. I cannot abide (oooo, such a very intimidating phrase) dried out chicken in the crockpot, ick, so I added the cooked chicken (about 3 breasts and some dark meat) for the last hour...just to warm it up. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve with warm tortillas, cilantro rice, cheese, lettuce...etc.


And good friends who bring brownies & ice cream & margaritas...and one cute puppy.

 Way better than Tumbleweed, even on $.99 Margarita night.

Now's your chance

We like movies around here.

And bargains. 

Check this out and consider joining us. 


I hope to go to the last three.

Four

I tried to avoid it...but she turned four on Friday.

I loved 3. She says funny things like, " Don't put your foot to me!" and "Anythin's not coming out."

My SIL says it will just keep getting better...each age. Okay...I yield to time...and the compelling call of celebration...of cake and balloons and presents. Grandma J and Opa came to help party. She brought kisses; he brought flowers.

I know I'll love four.

Snow flies and so does the time

Where has this week gone?

We took advantage of the snow outside to stay inside this hotel most of the week, excluding a trip out to one of my sweet SIL's house for dinner and a stock-up trip to Meijer.

This morning, it took 20 minutes to clear the van when we finally made the trip to COSI I've been promising...

Otherwise we were here, swimming, reading, eating, knitting, schooling, Wii-ing, vegging...

And I'm beat.

Welcome 2010

This place got crazy...it was packed with New Years' Eve revelers ringing in the new year and preparing to watch the Rose Bowl. All evening, it seemed an invisible DJ kept turning up the volume until the climax at 12:00...noisemakers, shouts, kids running and calling to each other across the atrium. At midnight, clamor exploded from the balconies...all I could was take a picture and kiss my man. A spectator, not a participant.

Spectating...nice idea for the new year....I'm gonna sit back, try to keep my mouth shut, and watch a little more in 2010.

What a year...out with a bang, surely.