Sam, Ethan, and Eliza

Can you tell how I've been spending my time recently? I saw my dear friend, Molly, this morning and took some pictures of her kids. She wanted individual pictures taken to frame for her wall. Here's her sneak peek:

A Visit with Friends

My good friend, Heather, came to town today. We enjoyed a kid-filled day of exploring in the mud, matchbox cars, peanut butter bugs, and pictures, of course.

It Made me Smile

I had to wake up Jonah this morning for a MOPS meeting.

While getting in the car a few minutes later he said, "I want to be like Auntie A and Uncle T."

"Why?" I asked.

"I want to stay in bed in my room ALL DAY LONG."

Baby Jacob

My little nephew is getting so big! We spent time at Alex and Tricia's house this morning. Lydia is starting to show great interest in being close to him, holding his hand, kissing his head. It's quite cute.... and so is he.

Ella and Marley

We enjoyed a fun picnic on Sunday with friends. I spent some time photographing the kids. Here's my favorite:

The Joy of Grandparenting

Taylor

I visited my good friends, Lynn and Leann, last week. It was a bit chaotic with the kids, but I'm so thankful for their friendship through the years.... and hairstyles.... and boys.... and life changes....

Here's a picture of
"Little Leann:"

Bummer

My running partner, Carrie, and I had a great 12 mile run yesterday in preparation for the mini-marathon that takes place next Saturday. We ran conservatively and were still on track to beat our 13 mile goal next week. I returned home, visited with our new neighbors, did a little landscaping, and felt great.

Unfortunately, I ended up in the emergency room at 10:00 p.m. last night about six hours after we finished running. I'll spare you the details, but I have gastrointestinal bleeding and they're not sure what's causing it right now. The doctor mentioned the words "ulcer" and "gallbladder" but he also repeated, "I just don't know...I just don't know." They ran plenty of tests and most of them were okay. A specialist is supposed to call me today to schedule an appointment.

I asked about running the race on Saturday. He smiled and looked at me with a smirk. He recommended that I don't run.

So seven weeks of hard training, a great 12 mile run yesterday, and what could have been my fastest time yet-- it's a bummer.

It's so random, but as I put the pieces of the puzzle together with how I've felt after the long runs during the past couple of weeks, it's making some sense.

I'm weak today, but life goes on.... two little people are depending on me!

Gabe and Kailey

I photographed my friend's kids today for a mother's day present. They're adorable, aren't they?

Lydie Lou

A College Reunion

I was blessed to spend time with many of my good friends from college this weekend. For more details you can read Amy or Melynie's blog. I'd love to write thoughtfully about our time together, but my mind isn't working very well and I want to get these pictures posted!

Melynie posing after our long trip to the bookstore.



Jana's ring down in the Olson lounge!



Suzie's adorable baby, Jay.


Heather playing with her new camera too.


Walking the loop--


Holding a baby on First East; my how things change!

Picture of the Day

David Cook

I haven't commented on this season of American Idol. David Cook has been my favorite since I heard him sing "Hello."

Mini-Marathon

My training is in full-swing. It's a bit consuming right now but I feel good.

Three cheers for ibuprofen, a great running partner, and a supportive husband!

Family Time

We enjoyed our Sunday at the park:

Friends

We enjoyed a Saturday with our friends, the Ulicznys.

My favorite picture of the day-- Eliza with her clown sundae:

Mistaken Identity

Check out this site--

Look at the video of Matt Lauer with Chuck Lofton, a weatherman in Indianapolis. Watch the whole thing. It's very good.

Mike and I started the book today. It's emotional, engaging and answers so many questions.

Our Little Ladybug

My mom just took this adorable picture:

Books

I subscribe to a magazine called Cookie that I actually don't like. It's very "New York" and is filled with over-the-top children's clothing, furniture, toys, etc. There was a recent article, though, that I enjoyed entitled "The Unheralded Classics: The 33 Best Children's Books You're Probably Not Reading. Yet."

I get tired of the same books so I thought I would pass along their suggestions to you. Maybe you can take this list to the library on your next visit:

Ages 2-4
Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack (1932)
Little Pea by Amy Krouse (2005)
Round is a Mooncake by Roseanne Thong (2000)
Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh (1989)
Little 1 by Ann and Paul Rand (1962)
The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton (1942)
Jenny's Birthday Book by Esther Averill (1954)
The Backward Day by Ruth Krauss (1950)

Ages 4-6
Crictor by Tomi Ungerer (1958)
Amos and Boris by William Steig (1971)
The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord (1972)
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson (1999)
Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber (1972)
Nimby by Jasper Tomkins (1982)
Mole Music by David McPhail (1999)
The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller (1998)
That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown by Cressida Cowell adn Neal Layton (2007)
Miss Esta Maude's Secret by W. T. Cummings (1961)
How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long (2003)

Ages 6-8
The Raft by Jim LaMarche (2000)
Animus by Seonna Hong (2005)
The Wonderful Flight of the Mushroom Planet by Elenor Cameron (1954)
No Flying in thh House by Betty Brock (1970)

Core Problems

What do the Wal-Mart cashier, the bus driver, the Schwan's Man, and the admissions secretary all have in common?

I'll give you one guess....

****

They've all thought I was pregnant.

I was on the treadmill a few nights ago. I was in a groove. I was running eight minute miles. I was feeling great.

The admissions secretary touches my stomach and says, "What's this?"

"Leftovers," I admit.

"Oh, that isn't leftover. You're daughter is almost two, isn't she? Isn't it about time for another baby?"

I'm training for this 13 mile race. I'm feeling great. My training is going well. And they still have to ask if I'm pregnant?

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Tyson and Leslie

I know a lot of my friends are aware, but for those family members that read Troy's blog last week about his roommate, Tyson, please check out their blog for an update on Leslie's surgery... and then pray, pray, pray.

Pudding

It was her first pudding treat--

and it was so good!

Today

A brief conversation this morning:

Jonah: Mom, can I play the computer or watch TV?

Me: No.

Jonah: But Mom, I need computer skills and TV-watching skills.

*****

Oh, gee.

In Praise of Yo Gabba Gabba

It'll probably only happen once. I thanked God today for "Yo Gabba Gabba," a ridiculously wild show on Nick Jr.

We went to the mall this morning. I fell on the ice while carrying Lydia and landed on top of her. I was crying, she was crying, and Jonah was choosing to disobey my commands to get back in the car while I tried to regroup. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad morning.

We returned home. I turned on the television, looking for a moment to breathe. Lydia retrieved our plastic tablecloth from a bottom drawer, desiring a "picnic" in the living room. I set up the tablecloth, started making lunch, and heard the song on the TV.

I literally said, "Thank you, Jesus." (What can I say, it was a rough morning.)

My kids were happy. They devoured their lunches-- green beans, carrots, etc.

We'll be singing it for the next four days.

Beware: You will too.

The Blogger Trap

I don't intend to just post pictures. I really do like writing on my blog, but I don't know what to write anymore.

Here's my problem: As an English teacher, I would talk to students about writing to their audiences. I don't know how to write to my parents, old friends, great uncle, cousins, childhood friend's mom, strangers, grandmother, and best friends, and find something interesting to say to everyone-- or something that I'm willing to share with everyone.

So I'm stuck.

Scavenger Hunt

We were bored one night last week and decided to be creative. We planned a scavenger hunt around campus for the kids.


Jonah had to take a picture of the new prayer chapel. I thought some of you would like to see it:

Grammy

We enjoyed fun times with Grammy last week. I think we were all sad when she left!

The Poopin' Cowboy

Proof

We had a good family day yesterday-- sleeping late, cleaning the garage, riding bikes, relaxing in front of the television, etc. So we attempted to go to a basketball game on campus yesterday afternoon.

Jonah can articulate how he's feeling now so after standing on the sidelines for about five minutes, he sloppily ran out the door and said he didn't want to go back to the game because his "ears hurt." We waited until the game was over and ventured back in the gym so he could play with the kids. We weren't there long. We left immediately when we saw him wrestling unsuspecting kids to the floor.

He never recovered last night. Our calm whispers, positive attitudes, and peaceful house didn't help at all. We were AMAZED at how 30 minutes in a gym environment could send him into such a downward spiral. He was asleep by 7 p.m.-- much earlier than usual.

There's been a little talk in the news recently about Sensory Processing Disorder. An article in Time Magazine in December sums it up:

"My doctor doesn't believe in SPD; teachers can't handle it; insurance won't pay for therapy. There's good reason for that. SPD is not listed in medical texts or in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM), the bible of psychiatric disorders. Doctors acknowledge sensory issues as a common feature of autism and a frequent feature of ADHD but not as a stand-alone disorder. Lucy Jane Miller, a former protégé of Ayres and head of the STAR Center, is spearheading a campaign to change that. She has organized a national effort to have SPD added to the next edition of the DSM, the fifth, due out in 2012. Earning a spot in the DSM V would make it easier for researchers to win grants, kids to get accommodations at school and families to be reimbursed for a course of treatment, which, at the STAR Center, often costs $4,000.

To receive recognition, advocates must provide persuasive evidence that 'this is not just part of autism or ADHD, that it's a better definition of what these kids are experiencing,' says Dr. Darrel Regier, director of research for the American Psychiatric Association and vice chair of the DSM V task force."

Our house yesterday evening would have given them some "persuasive evidence."

And to see my boy this afternoon at home-- calm, in control, sweetly singing to himself-- the difference is unbelievable.

Bubble Beards

She's Not a Baby Anymore

Jacob Alexander

Tricia delivered our nephew last night at 5:59 p.m.
We're so thankful for his safe arrival.

Something to Read

Every once in a while you find a blog that grips you. A friend told me about this one. I smiled, I prayed, I cried.

I wanted to tell you about it too.

5:40 a.m.

It used to be my favorite part of the day. I was single, living alone, and had nothing better to do so I was in the workout room in the early morning hours with a good friend, a few old men, and the rest of the day ahead of me.

I recently committed myself to running the mini-marathon. I want to do well. It's been six years since I've trained seriously for a race so I'm trying the ol' early morning workout again. It feels good. It feels good to have accomplished something by 6:30 a.m. It feels good to use weights again. It feels good to know that I'm doing something for myself.

I dream of running another marathon next year. We'll see how this goes...

Lydia Ray

Lydia turned 18 months on Saturday. She is definitely not a baby anymore. Here's the latest:

- She loves to climb. She likes to climb on the toilet with the seat down and dance around in a circle. She likes to climb on the coffee table and dance around in a circle. She likes to climb on the kid table in our playroom and dance around in a circle. She's attempted to climb on the top of the dining room table (to dance around in a circle, no doubt) before I intervened.

- She speaks in vowels. Besides "mama" and "dada," every person, place, and thing is a vowel sound.

- She giggles when Mike walks through the door. She adores her daddy.

- She loves to play dress-up. She'll point to a coat in the closet that she wants to wear. If I ignore her, she'll stand at the closet door and SCREAM. She can often be seen wearing Jonah's fireman raincoat or Mike's fleece vests. She also loves to try on every shoe in the house. We have shoes scattered everywhere!

- She's currently obsessed with toilet paper.

- She loves to play hide and seek. She even covers her eyes. She hasn't quite mastered the concept of HIDING.

- I used to think that she was going to be a quiet, sweet, gentle-natured girl. I don't really think that anymore! She definitely has some spunk.

Obsession

The truth must be told. I've slacked on housework. I've slacked on blogging. I've slacked on emailing. I've slacked on organizing.

I've become obsessed with scrapbooking again. A friend introduced me to Heritage Makers, an online sight that allows me to make "storybooks." It's really just like walking into a scrapbook store and having every piece of paper, sticker, ribbon, brad, corner rounder, tag, marker, stencil, etc. available to me. I've had so much fun creating a book for Jonah. You pay per month to have full access to the site so I have a deadline-- the end of this month.

Pardon me, I must get back to work!