My Husband

I came across this quote today in a book I'm reading. I thought this young woman's description of this particular gentlemen reflected my first impressions of my husband and it so true of his personality! Tell me if you think so too, and if you can identify who this quote is actually about. I'll post the answer in a few days.

He impresses me as a remarkable kind of man...and has a way of taking for granted that everybody agrees with him when he expresses an opinion... yet he is most agreeable and has a peculiarly sweet voice and a winning manner of asserting himself. The fact is, he is the kind of person I should expect to rescue one from a mad dog at any risk, but to insist upon a stoical indifference to the fright afterward.

"In the name of God, stop a

moment, cease your work, look around you."

Leo Tolstoy

9 months sure can make a difference!

more cousin fest 2009

Sister Week... a.k.a. Cousin Camp

Glorious morning photos from our time at the park! Look at a few more at the Counts, Gibbs, & Fisher's sites.

Home Again

Well, we just got back last week from a 5 day trip to Missouri to visit T's family. It was so refreshing to spend time with them and see the whole family. They will probably be relocating again in the next several months, so I don't know when we'll get to see dear Aunt Parker and company again. :( Anyway, it was a hard trip with the kids. Here are a few snapshots of the trip with an almost 2 1/2 year old supposedly in potty training and an almost one year old girl who does not ever like to stop moving, crammed in their car seats for, oh, 14 or 15 hours in the car.

1. I am always so hopeful and optimistic as we leave our driveway. It feels so good to finally be packed up and on our way!
2. This hope begins to ebb away about 20 minutes into the trip with the first road side stop with a half naked boy screaming about not wanting to pee. (Even though he asked to stop in the first place).
3. After the first two hours have passed and I have been in the back seat at least 8 times, the car sickness begins, for me. Possibly for the kids. . .
4. I begin to make up things (like, 'maybe they're carsick') that could be causing the restless natives in the back seat.
5. If you turn the fan on your car as high as it will go, keep the sleepy music playing, pray and cross all your fingers and toes, then your little one who has been screaming for the last hour and fell asleep about two minutes ago, MIGHT not wake up at this toll booth that is so ill-placed. The next toll booth is about 45 minutes down the line, so rest assured if they don't wake up with this one. . .
6. Why do we need gas about 15 minutes after a child has fallen asleep? We employ the toll booth tactic. Success rate is about 25%.
   
7. I have the strangest ability to take the driving shift during the only brief nap time. It is frowned upon to fall asleep to the lullaby CD while you are driving.
   
8. At the final leg when all hope of ever arriving is lost, and the children have been crying alternating with fits of rage for the last two hours, I recommend finding that CD you usually save for your 'I hope no one is watching me' dancing. Turn it on. Crank it UP. And make those little babies play air drums with you.
   

soccer and slippers

This morning JG and I are playing a rousing game of soccer/throw in the hallway. After I'd been kicking the balls for a while with him throwing them back, he stops, puts down his balls and runs over to me to take off my slippers. He needed them to kick.

big boy underwear. . .to pull ups. . .to diapers

Well, not the normal direction you are supposed to go when potty training. We are taking a break. A long, extended break from the potty. I'll touch back with you after we resume or have success or something positive on it. Until then, I'm trying not to use the 'p' word.