tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264138042024-03-18T22:11:35.096-05:00Glass Half Full"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him" Romans 15:13Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comBlogger519125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-47080455950467537612008-10-08T13:09:00.008-05:002008-10-08T13:33:47.717-05:00"Oh where oh where has Lori gone?"<div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254851506319727490" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNZIexFx7HHythbe8ID5ZaDZZDhoi_jf-nt7ZCM3ubUklY5vPzDDjnMgIaF0i-aDm1dKc52CTUrJvAzQBzc6KU0KhtSJ5ePNs-3CZqCb2H1_p4C4BpkEfGf3oGyUcZUa18Fg3/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="justify">I'm here. Really, I am. One non blogging day turned into two....then three....then four....then before I knew it I was off the blogging map for a <em>looooooong</em> time. While some have missed me and on that subject I will shout out a "thank you" to all those that told me so, honestly I've enjoyed the freedom. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy blogging and typing my thoughts down, but during my what turned into over a month of not posting, it felt nice not feeling the pressure to post something every.single.day.<br /><br />During my hiatus I've accepted the position of Discussion Group Leader at my MOPS group, which I enjoy beyond belief. Totally up my alley!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3xU0JWOKzWFVTu3vykoDDtPzWZmdbjF9LcLO6J8tT3LIJZFF-vAYJzEyOkTVV_IKdMSlfA4uAvihHObKagmSsWXszszs6Dtuhk4KC66fmoAWLaVeMfm9AtPR5vfvTPO6PwIT/s1600-h/Mark+Mom+Bus.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254851213618575970" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3xU0JWOKzWFVTu3vykoDDtPzWZmdbjF9LcLO6J8tT3LIJZFF-vAYJzEyOkTVV_IKdMSlfA4uAvihHObKagmSsWXszszs6Dtuhk4KC66fmoAWLaVeMfm9AtPR5vfvTPO6PwIT/s200/Mark+Mom+Bus.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I signed up to be a room mom for Mark and Matt's class parties. Hopefully the kids find me cooler and more hip with each passing year. Yeah, right! I already accompanied Mark's class to Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. That was fun!</div><br /><div align="justify">Right now I feel my life is turning a new leaf. Having both boys in school has caused me to look at myself. Where do I fit in this world outside motherhood? Next year Mark will be in three day preschool and the year after that <em>full day</em> kindergarten. When you get right down to it, that's a lot of free time to just stare at myself. While that sounds nice to some juggling diapers, toilet training and feeding schedules, trust me, when you are forced to analyze yourself it can draw out opinions - both good and bad.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Let the chips fall where they may, I say. I accept this time in my life and know I will change and grow from it. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKj5SvRPr8SR87al5Vk19Cda3aZSB-U4wOJQda2XanGMOSGqz5RgaGzoEssQnQKpYP2mw5VT_UMYkKbyaZp7IhmWsrhGgZGJMriuCQEh5CNYXYStWHvsOltbG8ov_H8qq8exA9/s1600-h/Matt+Mark+Couch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254852025597784370" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKj5SvRPr8SR87al5Vk19Cda3aZSB-U4wOJQda2XanGMOSGqz5RgaGzoEssQnQKpYP2mw5VT_UMYkKbyaZp7IhmWsrhGgZGJMriuCQEh5CNYXYStWHvsOltbG8ov_H8qq8exA9/s320/Matt+Mark+Couch.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-56368404028332613062008-08-28T19:06:00.001-05:002008-08-28T19:08:44.294-05:00....and he's off to preschool, folks!<div align="center"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28cu_YtxxH4Kt-oZI8HlGGlDebsj3A1F74Zm6MnzEYRskm5S2nck7xTS8k6ZExypEm8mYXCqQEE5g1FooyIXUjI2pUI4z2-6rvEZlXs_S5TntftjIuXgUUJMtj7deGRs4ftl1/s1600-h/Mark+Lori+Peace.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239724723985614914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28cu_YtxxH4Kt-oZI8HlGGlDebsj3A1F74Zm6MnzEYRskm5S2nck7xTS8k6ZExypEm8mYXCqQEE5g1FooyIXUjI2pUI4z2-6rvEZlXs_S5TntftjIuXgUUJMtj7deGRs4ftl1/s320/Mark+Lori+Peace.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfxEDgwDT47Y1ToUjZQLmQ0O1ulCNaVN-Gu56W-hHNwWYwmDrtepxx6tRpPxPpnzlHgH6z_EBIcjiv89fm-NSE6980JTpWzwxigrdpDILrpw4y-hUQ6wDxwx-4g2-tzKRKw2Y/s1600-h/First+Day+School.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239724722412339106" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfxEDgwDT47Y1ToUjZQLmQ0O1ulCNaVN-Gu56W-hHNwWYwmDrtepxx6tRpPxPpnzlHgH6z_EBIcjiv89fm-NSE6980JTpWzwxigrdpDILrpw4y-hUQ6wDxwx-4g2-tzKRKw2Y/s320/First+Day+School.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-38053361260453480792008-08-21T11:52:00.009-05:002008-08-21T12:07:42.600-05:00Sound the Trumpets!<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR1YyMg6QoOOQQgapNObl6Gk889_ZWr0GzBQkUzLjWUDroMOxc6UxDKwLMTtS5aWf0p0VfUoQk2P3FlUeeQfwFWa_Hj2voEDXjee-NhIwknEBh6ak2F3MoqEUL54yJXnVLVLj/s1600-h/First+Day+School+2008-09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237015833622274722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR1YyMg6QoOOQQgapNObl6Gk889_ZWr0GzBQkUzLjWUDroMOxc6UxDKwLMTtS5aWf0p0VfUoQk2P3FlUeeQfwFWa_Hj2voEDXjee-NhIwknEBh6ak2F3MoqEUL54yJXnVLVLj/s320/First+Day+School+2008-09.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="justify">Oh my goodness, am I actually posting something today? I guess so! These past couple weeks have been both lazy and busy. Seemed like one day passed and then another and another and another. I decided to enjoy the last days of summer before school started.....and summer ended today with Matt off to second grade. And I am trying to digest Mark starting preschool in another week. Can't believe his time is here too!<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">So those of you asking, "Is Lori still on this planet?" Yes I am and doing quite well, thank you. </div><div align="justify"><br />So here I sit. The house is quiet with Matt in school. No bickering or whining or complaining of boredom. Maybe I'll catch up on the last three episodes of <em><strong>Lost</strong></em> from last season during Mark's nap? Sounds good to me!</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">RINGING IN 2008-09!!!!</div>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-82370052730426101522008-08-10T13:23:00.002-05:002008-08-10T13:26:14.053-05:00Opportunity<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OJW-fjW4n1_7-xfkAZThNsFEX8I6-SjLYr200rpv6HUhI16Q_R795qFwhZJx-TW8A97jbF-yFfhyCzhIerQ6bCUByD3xgbqO9fL62lPOhrnfPqcYnVxOsERBLfn8oMRFu9h7/s1600-h/Bears+Practice.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232956837089947410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OJW-fjW4n1_7-xfkAZThNsFEX8I6-SjLYr200rpv6HUhI16Q_R795qFwhZJx-TW8A97jbF-yFfhyCzhIerQ6bCUByD3xgbqO9fL62lPOhrnfPqcYnVxOsERBLfn8oMRFu9h7/s200/Bears+Practice.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Last night Matt tagged along with our sports writer neighbor and his son to the Chicago Bears training camp. As soon as Matt walked through the front door he was all smiles showing off his new autograph book with his first entry: <em><strong>TOMMIE HARRIS #91</strong></em></div>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-6341480642703356642008-08-06T14:45:00.002-05:002008-08-06T14:48:32.450-05:00And Baby Makes Three<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Eq71hskYQ6RKfr3Yqy-Jl-Y__d1Rr68fAWDkgP92u3nPOVpRrLc3n8Og1XcXWDzLRO3v_kzQDa0lRjQ360J80EPbyj-y_gfevM9LhiCIjMyJ080VOYicx3a8H6qeAEJMo_9I/s1600-h/Jeff+and+Erin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231493589618292226" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Eq71hskYQ6RKfr3Yqy-Jl-Y__d1Rr68fAWDkgP92u3nPOVpRrLc3n8Og1XcXWDzLRO3v_kzQDa0lRjQ360J80EPbyj-y_gfevM9LhiCIjMyJ080VOYicx3a8H6qeAEJMo_9I/s320/Jeff+and+Erin.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Jeff and Erin with a bun in the oven due mid-March. CONGRATULATIONS!!</p><p align="center">(He's my brother in case you're wondering.)</p>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-688528679131813012008-07-30T08:32:00.002-05:002008-07-30T08:54:00.773-05:00I'm Still Here....Really I Am!Good grief, has it really been over a week since my last post? I guess so! Again, time is passing, things are happening and I am absorbing every morsel of my summer days.<br /><br />Last weekend we took a trip to Terre Haute to visit my brother and his wife (Jeff and Erin). On Saturday we attended an Indianapolis Colts practice. The guys had fun and Matt actually named off several players. That boy! Erin and I had more fun observing the crowd. Behind our smiles was actually boredom! We endured.<br /><br />On Sunday Jeff, Steve and Matt attended the Brickyard Race while I stayed behind with Erin and Mark for the day. It was a very lazy day for us and I loved it. What's better than relaxing on a couch watching "Overboard"?<br /><br />Then my icing on the cake was Monday. My best friend, Kristi, was visiting from Texas. We including six more of our friends splurged on a limo drive up to Chicago. We shopped, dined, laughed and talked. I had a blast!!!<br /><br />To view our photos of the weekend --> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/loritrip/sets/72157606449647892/detail/">CLICK HERE!</a><br /><br />And maybe I'll post more....we'll see!Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-63827737316324956222008-07-21T08:00:00.006-05:002008-07-21T08:14:48.375-05:00These Days<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_bK87pRtrxahVZ7o7k3qG3A0y0S_K7mHAscESYe4d1jtGrQfE3pm-Jt1WohczGRzpMzlZivx2oDm5ZudKZpAwUt5JICtzsseyLysRYJ1gqFcSckC3OEFbOBepWVfeiY7FLDR/s1600-h/Driving+Off.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225454640649974786" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_bK87pRtrxahVZ7o7k3qG3A0y0S_K7mHAscESYe4d1jtGrQfE3pm-Jt1WohczGRzpMzlZivx2oDm5ZudKZpAwUt5JICtzsseyLysRYJ1gqFcSckC3OEFbOBepWVfeiY7FLDR/s200/Driving+Off.jpg" border="0" /></a>Life is moving here. Fast. While at my favorite place in the whole world, Walmart (and please know I am kidding), I noticed the many many boxes full of school supplies. Matt announced that he's not ready for school yet and I agreed. Summer, at least July, has been lazy, free and fun. I don't know, talk to me in August and I may be ready for a schedule again. Then talk to me in September and I'll be wondering what to do with my two and half hours worth of free time while Mark is in preschool.<br /></div><p align="justify">As for my blogging funk, I think that has ended, but I've been absent only because I've been busy elsewhere. I absorb my walks to the park with neighbor friends and DQ runs. Sorry if that comes before typing on this thing.</p><p align="justify">Yesterday I was delighted when I received <a href="http://pursuinghappilyeverafter.blogspot.com/2008/07/awww-shucks-blushing.html">this award</a>. It's been awhile since I've been nominated for something.....and that's ok. Thank you, <a href="http://pursuinghappilyeverafter.blogspot.com/">Jewels</a>, for making me smile. And to think I got this during my hiatus? Go figure!</p><p align="justify">So now I will conjure up breakfast for my starving boys and see where the day takes us.</p>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-61867239566244349212008-07-15T09:44:00.002-05:002008-07-15T09:46:56.068-05:00Sweet Home, Chicago!<div align="justify">On Monday our family headed up to Navy Pier and visited the Children's Museum. The weather was perfect, so we took the opportunity to walk around and indulge in some ice cream, plus the boys got a little...uh...a lot wet! <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/69308789@N00/sets/72157606169526066/">CLICK HERE</a> to view photos.</div>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-28884107946450024462008-07-11T10:59:00.005-05:002008-07-11T11:09:21.009-05:00Preoccupied<div align="justify">I'm in a major blogging funk right now. I'm just not in the mood. Plain and simple. And it's not only because our family is enjoying every minute of our summer's free time, I just have things preoccupying my mind. Nothing major or urgent, but just, well, <em>things</em>.<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">As of now I may be taking an out-of-the-blue blogging break, but who knows, maybe I'll rise up from my funk and get back to things in a day or two. We'll see. Until then, I'll leave you with photos from our recent trip to a local town's splash pad. Signing off...for now.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xfpSo9rwUYsWw7fvJzXn_GzX05ZwHrEmHrdpOiKC07oqQwJBh_fa3TWKvylNL7G0QxZv97irZPfdVts3T1S1_WYvcc0BPdc_hPHoP8AZVgOqeGZ4z0IGDscuhtPGctIBn_6Y/s1600-h/Splash+Pad+Day.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221787697857230130" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xfpSo9rwUYsWw7fvJzXn_GzX05ZwHrEmHrdpOiKC07oqQwJBh_fa3TWKvylNL7G0QxZv97irZPfdVts3T1S1_WYvcc0BPdc_hPHoP8AZVgOqeGZ4z0IGDscuhtPGctIBn_6Y/s200/Splash+Pad+Day.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTFx_1slQ1gT_sC9uCdxf07iiRlXEHSHDhikyIYS9QW5Y-6M-R7kNGBR3nDWKF5tUxtvLckmdamsr0dXusUzMLmDltsGaqC11sMLE7DWDHt1kPyN_-F7cIgMlwpcYWQIs47DP/s1600-h/Towel+Hair+Matt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221787705976019458" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTFx_1slQ1gT_sC9uCdxf07iiRlXEHSHDhikyIYS9QW5Y-6M-R7kNGBR3nDWKF5tUxtvLckmdamsr0dXusUzMLmDltsGaqC11sMLE7DWDHt1kPyN_-F7cIgMlwpcYWQIs47DP/s200/Towel+Hair+Matt.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibBZjIU1qsXk89xiw9Nvb8xkpvD1H29dL7PTtBcJKz0cOyfguXjeTMws-SL9pV9T2KohYgIxonIph0-4JkbZEm_DFSw-UyBgHm4CxGSTG9Pd9Q18Us21YlHk5cKqXRjMlRnAa/s1600-h/Getting+Wet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221787705179713666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibBZjIU1qsXk89xiw9Nvb8xkpvD1H29dL7PTtBcJKz0cOyfguXjeTMws-SL9pV9T2KohYgIxonIph0-4JkbZEm_DFSw-UyBgHm4CxGSTG9Pd9Q18Us21YlHk5cKqXRjMlRnAa/s200/Getting+Wet.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn8Kg00hP3WO8UtB9wbVFODfB2ibG4l-GRDdxOuXdkbagWxX_P9XBvEtI_ZrOiQ1bM2F30ft7LrJrmBfcQ8WD5AzQyvjWuphcpo0h6hmqli5nBFkI2HBVx24OptKGP5YddeEu/s1600-h/On+Our+Way.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221787705591043874" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn8Kg00hP3WO8UtB9wbVFODfB2ibG4l-GRDdxOuXdkbagWxX_P9XBvEtI_ZrOiQ1bM2F30ft7LrJrmBfcQ8WD5AzQyvjWuphcpo0h6hmqli5nBFkI2HBVx24OptKGP5YddeEu/s200/On+Our+Way.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-44188339760891985072008-07-07T19:23:00.003-05:002008-07-07T19:26:10.988-05:00Luck, Please Knock On My Door!If I said this once, I'll say it again: <a href="http://tripfamily.blogspot.com/2007/03/i-heart-crocs.html">CROCS RULE!</a> And I am about ready to shout it from the roof tops if it means I have a better chance of winning <a href="http://www.tothinkistocreate.com/2008/07/07/gimme-mo-gimme-wii/">this</a>!Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-4286468189745259792008-07-06T14:38:00.005-05:002008-07-06T14:52:57.146-05:00High School Friends....and still clicking!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBorR1CIAWmjW7a0hvxAVVxq2PT8U0fXJOYbQmI0WIxzdLxRIVAUTtNwr5szvYtjfYddPn1S9yx1Y-gU__YrDV0Z3Uw23-Dm775Pk8bEhUZaTrikyTBbuE9TiWStvTPcqHdCRa/s1600-h/Happi+Lori+Park.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219989744178417202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBorR1CIAWmjW7a0hvxAVVxq2PT8U0fXJOYbQmI0WIxzdLxRIVAUTtNwr5szvYtjfYddPn1S9yx1Y-gU__YrDV0Z3Uw23-Dm775Pk8bEhUZaTrikyTBbuE9TiWStvTPcqHdCRa/s200/Happi+Lori+Park.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9CFm6p8z2-yuC7nJOEmrWCo3RFmDRG6cDb8l0rzbmG7LSlv7lhNpXD7B3k_2YdgS1ynjl2hw9TclXJjZs1GX4n02Rsa7nCa46M1vTvuIy29GlqrRkR89fBo_Ig2JvAsbfKCc/s1600-h/Bergers+and+Trips.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219989744679517634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9CFm6p8z2-yuC7nJOEmrWCo3RFmDRG6cDb8l0rzbmG7LSlv7lhNpXD7B3k_2YdgS1ynjl2hw9TclXJjZs1GX4n02Rsa7nCa46M1vTvuIy29GlqrRkR89fBo_Ig2JvAsbfKCc/s200/Bergers+and+Trips.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjI7ouN-BrgbBg2vcBBcmfrPQ7qw5_9lOIB85Bx4bcsPXupu_Vi1_AehFNccWskl14InAsHNDKJ_KbUK76Fp3NrC1wfoMMk5bvgPWWh57_S6VWN-1YefGPLHzFfFbvjWY8PBD/s1600-h/In+the+Hole.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219989750294128930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjI7ouN-BrgbBg2vcBBcmfrPQ7qw5_9lOIB85Bx4bcsPXupu_Vi1_AehFNccWskl14InAsHNDKJ_KbUK76Fp3NrC1wfoMMk5bvgPWWh57_S6VWN-1YefGPLHzFfFbvjWY8PBD/s200/In+the+Hole.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyyUr1t9KVAubyqh2TvlSXjAJFTVC_pK8QnVfBKVxKJoMDvWiFK5SiIH-UVohRv0nyejP1SMdNjZink6nG34f6wm2PLBCeVpp9bXpDL9B0FYXvGO4my8BF4dKvKUgu2DtxKBw/s1600-h/Caden+with+Mark.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219989754479252194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyyUr1t9KVAubyqh2TvlSXjAJFTVC_pK8QnVfBKVxKJoMDvWiFK5SiIH-UVohRv0nyejP1SMdNjZink6nG34f6wm2PLBCeVpp9bXpDL9B0FYXvGO4my8BF4dKvKUgu2DtxKBw/s200/Caden+with+Mark.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center">We are minivan driving, vomit cleaning, baseball cheering, fight <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">refereeing</span>, snack toting moms now. Who would have thought that one day our children would be playing at a park together?</div><div align="center">Thanks for a great day, <a href="http://thebergerbuzz.blogspot.com/">Happi</a>!</div>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-1834649866379509282008-07-05T04:56:00.001-05:002008-07-05T08:37:50.087-05:00Flicks & A Friend<div align="justify">Good times are here again! Steve aced his last test yesterday and got a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">whoppin</span>' 97% in his summer class. This morning it was so very nice to eat breakfast with daddy included and he didn't have to work in front of this computer or read boring textbooks hours on end. We haven't done that in ages!</div><br /><p align="justify">We celebrated The Fourth by seeing <em>Wall-E</em> and let me tell you, Mark was the best viewer ever considering it was his first theatre experience. <strong>SCORE! </strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pixar</span> never lets us down with a good story and an even better meaning behind it. And after baths we watched <em>National Treasure: Book of Secrets</em>. Too bad microwave popcorn doesn't hold a candle to movie theatre popcorn, but it worked. That was an excellent family flick. A must see!</p><p align="justify">Today I am meeting <a href="http://thebergerbuzz.blogspot.com/">a friend</a> at a park with our kids. Happi, remember sitting right behind me and writing those continuing notes back and forth in sophmore literature class? Can't wait to see you and have our boys finally play together.</p>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-6049389381848461552008-06-29T07:40:00.001-05:002008-06-29T13:55:55.708-05:00You Can Never Break Us!<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZ8jLmd7gQhC8Jy2UEPI7vobV2zxMSMM0D9vUEis7diEetK2c2qhiWeKRPzivTg7XXnRMOl7_DLL1KNl6WhPVaYVLgRcq8CJh3j8NQFSMOhBbMgKaOctmjVsQclUwhyJeL0hX/s1600-h/Lori+and+Family.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217371458357241666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZ8jLmd7gQhC8Jy2UEPI7vobV2zxMSMM0D9vUEis7diEetK2c2qhiWeKRPzivTg7XXnRMOl7_DLL1KNl6WhPVaYVLgRcq8CJh3j8NQFSMOhBbMgKaOctmjVsQclUwhyJeL0hX/s320/Lori+and+Family.jpg" border="0" /></a> This photo speaks volumes to me. It was taken last week on Mark's birthday. I took the opportunity to flip the camera around and snap this shot of my parents on the couch with Matt and me. Please do not think my dad is some sort of psychopath. And Matt sticking his tongue out, well, that's just our silly, entertaining son as he always is. At the time we were a little high on frosting and ice cream.</div><p align="justify">There was a time when I thought our family would never be like this again. However goofy we may seem; it's normal to us. Esophageal cancer wasn't going to steal it and neither was my dad's emergency surgery. We pressed on, battled through and won!</p>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-47069987432014018982008-06-26T08:00:00.004-05:002008-06-26T14:44:30.097-05:00Ruled By the Clock<div align="justify">If I said summer break would be less busy without worrying about the clock, than I was really really really <em>wrong</em>!</div><br /><p align="justify">With both boys home I find our mornings go by very quickly. They play and bicker. Eat and then eat some more. And some times they play so well together and I enjoy watching them share happily. In the midst of this I am still trying to be diligent with my workout routine and so far so good, but trust me, most days I would really like to skip it. My 45 minute high-energy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pilates</span>/yoga routine is interrupted with lots of, "Mom he's touching me and pushing me and hitting me and sitting in <em>my</em> chair and not watching what I want to watch...." Need I go on?</p><p align="justify">By the time I shower, which is a must since we are going out every day for swimming lessons and I prefer not to look like something the cat dragged in, it's lunchtime and then we are out the door.</p><p align="justify">We come home, Mark goes down for a nap, and I crash for a couple hours until it's dinnertime. Ah, those peaceful two hours go by way too fast, unless they are interrupted by any of Matt's neighborhood friends buzzing in and out our front door.</p><p align="justify">Steve's class is demanding to say the least. I am back to mowing the lawn for him and running errands with the boys in tow in order to give him a peaceful study space. I don't mind helping in this way, but again, it takes time away from my already busy day. I've had a basket full of folded clean clothes that has sat in the corner of our bedroom for five days. There is also a pile of papers screaming to be filed. Oh when will I get to this, I will never know! </p><p align="justify">So why I haven't been to your blog page lately....well....you can probably guess by now. I just can't do it all and, honestly, it's been the last thing on my mind.</p><p align="justify">All this craziness will end by the first of July, which is just around the bend. Steve's class will be over. Swimming lessons complete. And I purposed to keep July open for some family/friends time. Should be nice.</p>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-30384360135115033962008-06-25T05:42:00.000-05:002008-06-25T05:42:14.083-05:00Third Birthday Wish<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9Ln2imOlMvAkXW8DBBuj959eEFNbSkSgZOKTlh_8d880c9K6zdfuGHvTV_2C4zgeaLSqTowGr3OmTXpJEHj6MQsGY_Un1U08ADhhe6vtT0YlndAN4Q8lVQC49dSru5pGuaE0/s1600-h/Blowing+Out+Candles.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215628617419407634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9Ln2imOlMvAkXW8DBBuj959eEFNbSkSgZOKTlh_8d880c9K6zdfuGHvTV_2C4zgeaLSqTowGr3OmTXpJEHj6MQsGY_Un1U08ADhhe6vtT0YlndAN4Q8lVQC49dSru5pGuaE0/s320/Blowing+Out+Candles.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-49023406287365343122008-06-23T15:16:00.011-05:002008-06-23T15:24:15.331-05:00Look What We Can Do!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNnXQ_VIygz2PCfO42cA1NrN4F2y-ZOh0XHiX79wcxVx6VSOL_-F2XqwLEzHZVoRrDeeowK-WmJSkOQOodwNzFdsdtZ7gyrWyf1SX8EuzRptT7WS0a2Qs2wmO205v12fIl73X/s1600-h/Peddling.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215173716989360514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNnXQ_VIygz2PCfO42cA1NrN4F2y-ZOh0XHiX79wcxVx6VSOL_-F2XqwLEzHZVoRrDeeowK-WmJSkOQOodwNzFdsdtZ7gyrWyf1SX8EuzRptT7WS0a2Qs2wmO205v12fIl73X/s200/Peddling.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="right"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-size:130%;">"I can peddle all by myself without someone pushing me!"</span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv78GOS-mw3ceSytd46yN_SUnEKaA2eQ9XZZa_w9REb4MqxQy-VGWo3WKKB8s9NoSTDTmSzBYtmwTkEKzC9kvqDc0ZymMjlDzA67-IQQo9HNoinicXBC7b9mwoJs2yQ-X4CG2/s1600-h/Diving.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215173777113743714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv78GOS-mw3ceSytd46yN_SUnEKaA2eQ9XZZa_w9REb4MqxQy-VGWo3WKKB8s9NoSTDTmSzBYtmwTkEKzC9kvqDc0ZymMjlDzA67-IQQo9HNoinicXBC7b9mwoJs2yQ-X4CG2/s200/Diving.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">"And I can jump off the diving board and the water is twelve feet deep!"</span></div>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-73774600245049978712008-06-22T21:31:00.009-05:002008-06-23T09:54:48.118-05:00She'll Be Pretty In Pink<div align="justify">On Sunday I was <a href="http://www.crookedeyebrow.com/">here</a>. Really, I was! Maybe you can look for me <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crookedeyebrow/">here</a> or quite possibly <a href="http://www.adventuresinbabywearing.com/2008/06/adventures-in-surprises.html">here</a>, since she was the guest of honor.</div><p align="justify">Truth be told I had to leave early to relieve a hubby that needed to write a five-page paper due this week and the boys weren't helping him accomplish that -- even with their favorite shows on the tube. I sure can't wait for his classes to be put to rest, but I had a two-hour long blast!</p><p align="justify">Blessings, Steph!</p>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-18048546977940731412008-06-21T06:00:00.009-05:002008-06-21T11:08:09.310-05:00Time In A Bottle<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUCKHqGmdBl870DKDGYwcCB2oxwYefk9hI1Dnelbop7tdmtu_6sLMvj-gsJrxcXxZSmJLgXfnh8WRxYsAdWw1cww9sOqcxto8hfI5PTyQQkxCZVB5IKAJI2KCBLESYvm986RB/s1600-h/Lori+Mark.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213680545618798498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUCKHqGmdBl870DKDGYwcCB2oxwYefk9hI1Dnelbop7tdmtu_6sLMvj-gsJrxcXxZSmJLgXfnh8WRxYsAdWw1cww9sOqcxto8hfI5PTyQQkxCZVB5IKAJI2KCBLESYvm986RB/s200/Lori+Mark.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUsHONk5ThvQl9DGkhiS_guqNpsSnn1HlH29lN-H_nkgfa2I0Y9KnJ_zOGVAmWOlh61QXgES1MTRYeZktWFHbz88SAk1ybR4vyDhRy3DHc48HpSccVYLG3PREvvEDgyNxH3A2/s1600-h/Water+Time+Mark.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213975802497243938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUsHONk5ThvQl9DGkhiS_guqNpsSnn1HlH29lN-H_nkgfa2I0Y9KnJ_zOGVAmWOlh61QXgES1MTRYeZktWFHbz88SAk1ybR4vyDhRy3DHc48HpSccVYLG3PREvvEDgyNxH3A2/s200/Water+Time+Mark.jpg" border="0" /></a>Let me say right off the bat that I absolutely loved Matt's third year of life. We were done with diapers and the crib, but his childhood innocence wasn't tainted yet. It was a time when he was experiencing a whole new world around him. We started taking more trips to zoos, museums, parks and we could finally see a movie at the theatre as a <em>family</em>. I wish I could contain that year.<br /><br />Today my independent as ever Mark turns three and I am experiencing the same emotions all over again. I get to open that bottle and remind myself how much fun it was. He's so funny in his own quirky way and when I get a boo boo he asks me, "Can I kiss it for you, Mommy?" Gosh, I love him to death!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />His favorite knock knock joke goes something like this:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rDduOjF_x-RbLi8-tTHp4qoR4B1mzXv2aDBycmLawKnAgiPN8bYNqUfnIaxOzfRkTUCNZTAVoCNIdIJUHrjoUkIZgv10fPkr7tg-IzNeIitjw5Ar4EYmUeMgnQGUf3N9c0qo/s1600-h/Mark+T+Shirt+Head.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213680619805325218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rDduOjF_x-RbLi8-tTHp4qoR4B1mzXv2aDBycmLawKnAgiPN8bYNqUfnIaxOzfRkTUCNZTAVoCNIdIJUHrjoUkIZgv10fPkr7tg-IzNeIitjw5Ar4EYmUeMgnQGUf3N9c0qo/s200/Mark+T+Shirt+Head.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="right"><em>Knock, knock</em></div><div align="right"><em>Who's there?</em></div><div align="right"><em>Water.</em></div><div align="right"><em>Water, who?</em></div><div align="right"><em>Water are you waiting for, let me in!</em></div><div align="right"><br /></div><div align="justify">Happy Birthday, little man! We are so glad God made you a part of our family!</div>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-62784789686286806852008-06-19T07:26:00.000-05:002008-06-19T14:31:52.520-05:00...and today is his birthday too!<div align="justify">Last Mother's Day I was allowed to possess the remote control the <em>entire</em> day, which meant no NASCAR race or baseball games. I think we ended up watching <em>Raiders of the Lost Ark</em> as a family while eating popcorn. I didn't cook or clean up. I was granted quiet time from my boys and they were told not to bug me, but to leave mommy alone to rest. I didn't have to wipe dirty faces or wash sticky hands. Bathtime was daddy's duty while mommy sat on the couch. It was my day to do whatever I wanted to.<br /><br />Fast forward to Father's Day on Sunday. My boys surprised their dad with a handcrafted key holder. Matt presented Steve with a couple packets on "Why My Dad Is So Special". They both made cards and Matt wrote a poem: <em>For my dad who is the best, today I will give you rest.</em><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I mowed the lawn for my deserving hubby who usually works all day and walks through our door to give even more time to his sons. I picked up his favorite pizza at Uno's Grill and after the boys went to bed I made a DQ-run for Steve's favorite Blizzard (Heath). I tried to be on top of all other duties thinking Daddy needed his time out, but to my surprise, Steve told <em>me</em> to sit down while he served the kids.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEEPchEWWVGL6aZ2BCFk3jOkCFLAZs-W1T2-i7R7QmlT5n27ACuzJYdRMl4uKP_PwNPb7grHyKqNTjIKiVmsRcI-ykDwwJYQGisSpn-baqc3cSSP6NHvxrm_JgC4TyPaUlwcs/s1600-h/Fathers+Day+Boys.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212976456197520466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEEPchEWWVGL6aZ2BCFk3jOkCFLAZs-W1T2-i7R7QmlT5n27ACuzJYdRMl4uKP_PwNPb7grHyKqNTjIKiVmsRcI-ykDwwJYQGisSpn-baqc3cSSP6NHvxrm_JgC4TyPaUlwcs/s320/Fathers+Day+Boys.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">He took pride in filling Mark's glass with more milk and grabbing a spoon for Matt. He enjoyed helping Mark snap his carseat buckle in place. It's as if he was celebrating his responsibilities as a dad instead of shelving them for a day like someone else I know. He even replaced a door's doorknob which busted the day before.</div><br /><div align="justify">As I watched him willingly do these many things, I also learned that doing what appears to be nothing but a mundane parental task are actually tasks that speak life into our children. They should be celebrated and not dreaded. I decided to flip my attitude switch from bad to good. Yes, wiping a child's face for the billionth time gets old, but they appreciate the hard work we put into it and that makes me happy.</div><br /><div align="justify">It's still morning while I type this. Mark is sleeping like an angel and Matt is hard at work playing his beloved baseball video game. Steve is getting ready for work with loads of reading and typing ahead of him for his class. The day is ahead of me and I pray my attitude remains good, calm, collected and that through my daily work, though mundane, breathes life into my kids and that alone fulfills me.</div>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-45740108221689055072008-06-14T13:46:00.004-05:002008-06-14T14:09:54.387-05:00The Dad I Celebrate<p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211810588297778242" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBchqOcgitJdQNV16Vv_QTL4DXVp3wj_qoK7kk597KADCT5GEsxs0m0eE5V0f4s1NBesfPDjh0JoWGjuR3cNA4zxDrbt2R80-eqojw7d75EirY_JGs5LPu2pk6a4vNlCnmLWrT/s320/Father+Day.jpg" border="0" /></p>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-35123015682915637382008-06-11T20:27:00.010-05:002008-06-13T10:15:05.323-05:00What on Earth is happening?<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWSO7NREZUv8o_LbyGoQrQk13zqEM-VjPBBtDjU5NukmBaEjdkUwq5XWlswT_ICIPnv3YBusvULfsC6_69B5ItSD-Tn523-5SpwxGwIDo7muUX2b-CCfPe6jmrbDFvHeUyfOB/s1600-h/Kincheloes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211017576495648306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWSO7NREZUv8o_LbyGoQrQk13zqEM-VjPBBtDjU5NukmBaEjdkUwq5XWlswT_ICIPnv3YBusvULfsC6_69B5ItSD-Tn523-5SpwxGwIDo7muUX2b-CCfPe6jmrbDFvHeUyfOB/s320/Kincheloes.jpg" border="0" /></a>A lot, if you must know. It's been almost a week since my last post. I assumed our summer days would be easy going and free with only swimming lessons to worry about. Boy was I wrong!<br /><br />My best friend from the Lonestar State is up visiting. Oh how I love Kristi! Our kids love their time together and we are catching up on our lives too. Feels good. <em>(This was the only opportunity to take a snapshot with all of them in one place -- watching TV.)</em> </div><div align="justify"><br />I signed both boys up for a Father's Day craft project through our parks department and realized next time I will assume it's for children in <em>grade school</em>. Here I thought they would do a simple memory hand stamp or something, but no, it was an serious art project that took over an hour to do. Throw an almost 3-year old in the mix and, oh my, I was on edge. Mark was ready to dive into the paint tray and have some serious fun. Live and learn.</div><div align="justify"><br />Steve's work schedule is less demanding during summer break and some days it's good to meet him for lunch. The boys sprint to the high school's front doors. They can't wait to see their daddy and roam the empty school halls.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">And lately I've been receiving emails from many companies wanting to promote products on my blog. Anything from Precious Moments sales to tropical island lotions to school supplies to photography. I haven't responded yet and not sure if I will.</div><div align="justify"><br />Swimming lessons. Oh yes! Everyday Matt counts the hours until 12:30pm when we leave. He loves loves loves loves them!</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Sometimes my exercise routine is interrupted by two boys bickering upstairs over what show to watch. One wants <em>Dora the Explorer</em> while the other prefers <em>Pokemon</em>. One wants the rocker while the other wants the office chair. I find myself yelling in between breaths, "Boys, I am exercising! Don't make me angry by having to come up and deal with you!"</div><div align="justify"><br />Throw in outside play, walks to the park, trying desperately to keep up with the household chores and extra time in our morning jammies and you have days that are over before we know it. Until we meet again.......</div>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-91520968585076941972008-06-06T13:11:00.002-05:002008-06-06T14:24:56.491-05:00Summer Begins<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpNtCFp52jah9J1Cwg_xjtttrX4GP7yxnnGNSKmaBojacOev6gzZRs4o5jBiqafaBCRr4lHR65BbwPI7RmtY-T0jFmx_8F4bp92jhwennZPIw5mDUy_rXTWyKz8GihA2Hhv2e/s1600-h/Lemon+Lake.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208838725372819602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpNtCFp52jah9J1Cwg_xjtttrX4GP7yxnnGNSKmaBojacOev6gzZRs4o5jBiqafaBCRr4lHR65BbwPI7RmtY-T0jFmx_8F4bp92jhwennZPIw5mDUy_rXTWyKz8GihA2Hhv2e/s200/Lemon+Lake.jpg" border="0" /></a>Today summer break officially kicks off. I will celebrate by giving you my top ten reasons why I love this time:</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">10. Our nights and mornings are not ruled by the clock.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">9. After dinner family walks, which lead into long conversations with our neighbors.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">8. Grilling</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">7. Water balloon fights</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">6. Steve dresses down for summer school and wears polos instead of dress shirts w. a tie. Less ironing for moi!</div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXqWBjAfLsMPZzpjr8MiDH7xXBituaYtp8hSIk3gd5CWdq8a3ZLLfZ_kshH457cFpqF7zK5kHNoaUFcO6ZjidpOw-ghIwgdq88AFtgxkmdBs799-K1gE0sKMsBbL-UgW2HrPk/s1600-h/Hose+Spray.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208838594098943698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXqWBjAfLsMPZzpjr8MiDH7xXBituaYtp8hSIk3gd5CWdq8a3ZLLfZ_kshH457cFpqF7zK5kHNoaUFcO6ZjidpOw-ghIwgdq88AFtgxkmdBs799-K1gE0sKMsBbL-UgW2HrPk/s200/Hose+Spray.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="justify">5. Sitting on our front porch step enjoying frozen treats.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">4. Just put on your Crocs on and go - no jacket required.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">3. Park dates w. my mommy friends and their kids.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">2. Swimming</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">1. Being a family!</div>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-23843110487571079062008-06-03T07:49:00.010-05:002008-06-03T13:37:00.971-05:00Just the Four of Us<div align="justify">This week marks the last days of school. Unlike when Matt finished kindergarten, I am a bit down. Last year I wasn't too sad kissing those half day classes goodbye. Picking Matt up at 10:40am every.single.day got old real fast.<br /><br />But this year is different. His 1st grade experience is over and while it excites me watching both my boys grow into the beings God created them to be, it saddens me at the same time that its moments never to grasp again. And to think Mark will be in full-day kindergarten in just two years...well...don't get me started on that one.</div><br /><div align="justify">Now I won't leave you depressed thinking, "Gee, Lori really knows how to make my day! What a downer!" I am sooo looking forward to summer break. Even though June is jammed packed with swimming lessons, Matt's baseball season coming to and end and Steve taking a summer class that calls for tons of reading and typing, we purposely made July a month of less commitments in order to allow time to do family things -- whatever they may be.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCG_OC-DPcNWFJ7iu-bJOcTxEHOcqa2q5O0dwiXqV7ywQN8WPP4UyJT8yWdF5VQpl-pChkDswM-N7wyuYAHsquOmDWzXrO56RfdUXnbtz8z1_oPgSiUIhI_yg97En3hM5TLrg/s1600-h/Star+Wars.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207644240621962658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCG_OC-DPcNWFJ7iu-bJOcTxEHOcqa2q5O0dwiXqV7ywQN8WPP4UyJT8yWdF5VQpl-pChkDswM-N7wyuYAHsquOmDWzXrO56RfdUXnbtz8z1_oPgSiUIhI_yg97En3hM5TLrg/s320/Star+Wars.jpg" border="0" /></a>I feel such completeness when I look at my family. Mark is out of diapers and in a regular bed -- the last two toddler mountains to overcome in my book. And while I whimpered a little taking down the crib a few weeks ago, contentment came in like a flood. To put these two to rest actually felt good. I can't explain it, but at this moment it feels good to move on and flow with time. And when July comes we can plan little family activities and not worry about packing diapers and getting that nap time in. Even though Mark still naps 2-3 hours every afternoon (thank God), he is able to last a bit longer without having a melt down.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Here's to summer break! Oh the possibilities..... </div>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-1149760054841540282008-05-31T10:02:00.009-05:002008-06-02T10:16:54.500-05:00It's Not All About Mom<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEfO9baf6rI7NludFbpzAPMZfzsZCYU-5gdAAmC4gVcfx6SSnc_-hHfgNkPOZ8rmRiEZ8kq6-kQQ3OeQ5HwwUlL3Pe-g-PCUSdFvy5pzxXYKFwwn-VfT4kxNu9DIrE4Zx_oxq/s1600-h/Fishing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207017293276002610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEfO9baf6rI7NludFbpzAPMZfzsZCYU-5gdAAmC4gVcfx6SSnc_-hHfgNkPOZ8rmRiEZ8kq6-kQQ3OeQ5HwwUlL3Pe-g-PCUSdFvy5pzxXYKFwwn-VfT4kxNu9DIrE4Zx_oxq/s200/Fishing.jpg" border="0" /></a>I make Matt breakfast every morning and we share our thoughts over Coco Pebbles and a cup of coffee. I am the first to hear about his day at school when he walks through our front door. I'm around when his friends are over; making snacks and passing out drinks. I watch him at his sports' practices. It is not difficult for me to miss these moments, but for Steve it is. With school meetings, high school sports games and his own summer classes starting, I know guilt creeps in at times when he's not able to be so available. It's not easy to drop his responsibilities and attend everything. So when the opportunity came to go to the high school girl's softball regionals in Elkhart and then visit a friend of Steve's who lives right off of St. Joseph's River to eat and fish, I almost jumped at the chance for our whole family to go. Instead I thought:<br /><br /><em>What a perfect opportunity for Steve and Matt to bond. Alone. Together.</em><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkiPCJu8al2zodLuDcVTK7VypCllLk3DTfXx_KExK4cz4LAGwinrRn1NPnjGl9cOaRBGPi1tqAxTtprJFr9QLCF1ffcEFSwwrx-biOdOy9gc37nUXL2j6Zj9XknIoq3UOiE98/s1600-h/Matt+First+Fish.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207017460779727170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkiPCJu8al2zodLuDcVTK7VypCllLk3DTfXx_KExK4cz4LAGwinrRn1NPnjGl9cOaRBGPi1tqAxTtprJFr9QLCF1ffcEFSwwrx-biOdOy9gc37nUXL2j6Zj9XknIoq3UOiE98/s200/Matt+First+Fish.jpg" border="0" /></a>I am a firm believer that the relationship between a father and son is important. It's precious. You don't have to train a son to look up to his daddy. It's natural. They can chat about things that maybe a mom wouldn't understand. Trust me, Matt is at the age where some things are a bit embarrassing to expose to lame old Mommy. But bring Dad in and he's open and willing. So that day was <em>their </em>day and it was fun. Matt hasn't stopped talking about the five fish he caught -- with his dad.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">As for Mark and I, we made our own day of fun. We blew bubbles in the front yard. Ate whatever we wanted for lunch and dinner. We snuggled on the couch while watching TV and during commercial breaks we made funny faces at one another. I guess everyone's day turned out to be a special one.</div>Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26413804.post-1529149649098398342008-05-30T08:58:00.005-05:002015-06-16T10:57:26.415-05:00Sleep Walking<div align="justify">
<strong><em>"Mommy!"</em></strong></div>
<div align="justify">
That call. At 3:30am. The first one I hear I think it's part of my dream and ignore it. The second call I realize it really is one of the boys yelling for me. I ask Steve which one he thinks it is and we guess Mark.</div>
<div align="justify">
I stumble into Mark's room half asleep and ask, "What's wrong little man?" No response. "Are you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ok</span>? What's wrong?" Nothing. I put my hand on his little head.</div>
<div align="justify">
<strong><em>"Mommy!"</em></strong></div>
<div align="justify">
Oh, it's Matt!</div>
<div align="justify">
Off to Matt's room I go after I reassure Mark to go back to sleep. Actually, I don't think I woke him up to begin with.</div>
<div align="justify">
I open Matt's door hoping I don't smell vomit in the air. "What's wrong?" (I detect no smell, thank God above!)</div>
<div align="justify">
He then goes on about a dream he had. He was on some ship and it was sinking and filling up with water....blah....blah....blah.... I was too tired to make heads or tails about what he was saying! I hugged him and reminded him, "It's only a dream. You're fine. Go back to sleep."</div>
<div align="justify">
Back to bed I went and I am lucky I didn't walk into any walls, but I did step on a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Magna</span> Doodle pad. Thankfully it's flat.</div>
Glass Half Fullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249761942882830003noreply@blogger.com