my father's eyes

Like many girls, I pretty much idolized my dad (and still do!). After working a very long 10-12 hour day, he'd come home and actually want to play with me. One of my favorite things was when he'd put my Weebles on their little Weeble merry-go-round and spin it super-fast so they went flying off in every direction. There were the countless weekends we spent at the park just because I loved it so much. And there were the wonderful summer vacations, carefully planned with us kids in mind every step of the way. Come to find out, Dad (and Mom!) enjoyed every minute of it just as much as we did. Our joy brought them joy.

Brian and I tease that if Dad got mad at you, you must've messed up big-time because you were really in trouble. But it's absolutely true to say that Dad is just about the most patient person I've ever known. He tends to sit back and assess everything before he responds - quietly, compassionately, and fairly. I learned a long time ago that Dad's love for us is unconditional.

He reminds me a whole lot of my other Father.

My whole life I've watched him live his life. His everyday words, actions, everything he does, he does it all with our Father's eyes. I love that I inherited his green/grey/blue/hazel eyes, but it's His Eyes that I truly want.

Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you!


And a most important p.s:
Happy 41st anniversary, Mom and Dad! I'm so proud to be a part of a family who knows how to have fun together, who takes care of each other, who continues to be so close even though we aren't under the same roof anymore. We are really looking forward to being together to celebrate everything SOON! Love you guys!

so i bought them glow bracelets

Later, at bedtime ~

D: Here, Mom, can you throw mine away for me?
M: Why?





D: 'Cause it won't glow in the morning.
M: But it will glow all night long. Why not leave it on your bookcase until morning?





D: 'Cause I'll be asleep. You can throw it away.
M: Well, if you're sure. Okay, hand it here and I'll toss it for you.





D: *dramatic sigh*
M: What now?





D: I just hate it when you have to throw away something you love so much.
M: *forehead slap*

it works for us

There's definitely something to be said for the traditional

boy-meets-girl, til-death-do-we-part kind of marriage.

Kellie & Jim - April 17, 1999



My parents, Christy & Jay - June 21, 1968



Jim's parents, Sue & Jim - February 13, 1965



My Dad's parents, Billie & J.D. - married May 15, 1937



My Mom's parents, Kate & Louie - married October 1, 1940



Jim's Dad's parents, Audrey & Arden

Jim's Mom's parents, Merril & Esther

Magnetic Poet

They used to tell us teachers at in-services that making students write poems about books they've written is a good way to determine how well they comprehended the material. Reason being - poems use a very limited number of words that must carry the weight of meaning, so if they choose some halfway decent words and phrases, surely they've understood the novel and don't need to take a test, right?

Whatever. I gave them really hard tests all the time.

But the novel-inspired poetry always made for a fun classroom activity after the test. ☺

So anyway, last week I did 2 things: I read the Twilight series and rediscovered my Magnetic Poetry set. Then I put off mopping and vacuuming once more and channeled my inner middle school teacher...

I find it hilarious and yes, kinda cool how magnetic poetry comes out sounding all tortured-artist-soul-like.

Creative juices flowing, I was on a roll. Mopping could totally wait.

Here's a little ode I like to call, quite simply, "drool."

Notice how I took magnetic poetic licence and put the title at the very end. Very tortured-artist-soul-like.

It was then that Marlee jumped up on the bench beside me. Every single time this cute little dog of mine jumps up on something, she - um, well, I just can't bring myself to say it. Maybe the Magnetic Poetry can...

I channeled my inner middle school student for that one.

snoopy dancin'

Remember how Snoopy would get oh-so-excited and do the suppertime dance?

We've got the live-action version of it. Check out Marlee's fancy footwork:

She was about to show off her mad doggy skills when Jim walked in from the garage and startled her. Oh well, maybe next time. ☺

Her in me

As a child I didn't see much of her in me. My blonde hair and hazel-green eyes looked nothing like her brown hair and eyes. Secretly, I was disappointed, especially when I saw my friends who looked so much like their moms. As I grew up, though, we got more and more comments about how much we looked alike. Secretly, I was thrilled.

Now, an adult with three kids of my own, I'm finding similarities that run deeper than our awesome cheekbones ☺, a pesky baby tooth, the funky chin, and big smile. Somewhere along the way I've begun to develop her appreciation of books, reading, and education, her strong sense of right and wrong, her fierce love and loyalty for family, and her enduring optimism and faith that's helped see me through so much. Sure, I love it when people tell me I have her smile, but I hope they see even more of her in me.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I love you!

long overdue

Been a while since I updated around here (thanks to The Awesome Uncle Brian for pointing that out, by the way!). Not only is the end of our school year nearing here, we've had us a busy couple of months.

First we celebrated Delaney's baptism. Unfortunately, we didn't take pictures with my camera, but I know some people who can hook me up with them. Right, Mom? Dad? ;)

Then we celebrated a St. Patrick's Day birthday ~

With corned beef & cabbage...

...and Veggies ~

Little Dude wanted a Dave and the Giant Pickle party. Any idea how tough it is to find a Dave and the Giant Pickle cake? Yeah. It's pretty much impossible. Courtney came to the rescue with her wonderful chocolate cake. I decided to give fondant a try. After all, everyone says it's like Play-Doh for adults.

The verdict? Yes, yes it was like Play-Doh for adults. I'm so doing this again.

But what mattered most was that Little Dude loved it (even though the Giant Pickle didn't look mad enough).

-------------------------

Ser-li-lous-ly, Jay? You're already four? Seems like your Aunt Jill was just telling me to soak in all that newborn-ness, because newborns don't stay that way for long. I thought I'd never have a boy, but just look what God blessed me with! Little man, you are my buddy, my reason for playing Cars and getting to watch Veggie Tales again, my little shadow, our little gentleman of the house. Do you have any idea how much I love you helping Courtney with her glasses every morning, and how you make sure to give us all our good morning hugs without fail, and the way you love to play with Delaney, and how you love to help, the way you sing your songs, that you still find comfort in playing with my hair, and a million other things about you? Happy Birthday, Buddy. I love you just a teeeeeny-tiny bit...aww, I mean a whole lot!