Johnny Depp's Posse

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Originally uploaded by Jean 1.

I have been blessed. My life overflows with gifts of love and kindness and friendship. I am wealthy in ways I never dreamed I would be. I'm not talking money, although I do not have an aversion to it ;) , but life.

I have always dreamed of travel. I used to think that my life would most fulfilled if I had a job that required me to travel as often as possible. Not because I was running from anything, but because I have such a thirst for different cultures, cities, states. I love to see how others are living, whose lives are being impacted in ways that I cannot imagine. Plus...I really love staying in hotels!

This summer is my dream come true. It has worked out that I get to travel four times. Once was with Rob (see previous post) and it as great. Now I have had the fun of going on a long girls weekend to Chicago with the two friends pictured above (I will withhold their names for privacy sake unless they give me release). The trip was a long anticipated 40th birthday celebration....for one of the others on the trip. {I know, looking at the picture you are having a hard time believing that one of the three is now 40...it's not me ;)}
We had a wonderful time of shopping touring and was so blessed to be the recipients of God's mercies on us. How?
1. We entered and won the opportunity to buy 4 tickets to "Wicked" at the price of $25 for $90 seats.
2. We had a close encounter of the star kind with Mr Johnny Depp, I think my travel mates are still giggling about that.
3. We procured said stars autographs to bring home to share with family along with video and photos to prove that it's really his autograph.
4. We met dozens of kind and considerate people in Chicago, some of whom we have exchanged emails.
5. We found great deals while shopping. Yippee! ;)
6. We arrived loving each other as heart-engaged friends...we returned home even closer.
7. We laughed until our abs hurt. (That's a lot of laughing)

We had a great time. My next trip? Jean 2 and I received frequent flyer tickets from my husband to go anywhere so we've chosen the Nantucket/Martha's Vineyard/Hyannis area. Look out Massachusetts! :)

Resort of Relaxation

Resort of Relaxation
Originally uploaded by Jean 1.

Whew! Things have finally slowed down enough for me to do some blog posting. It seems like May and June tend to slapshot me like a hockey puck in the last seconds of a tied score hockey game. Kids have programs, field trips, graduations, t-ball, camp and then this year Rob and I got to take a summer vacation which I followed by a long weekend in Chicago (those photos will come in a few days after I cover the pics from vacation).

So, where do parents of four that have been married for 17 years go to get away from it all and just have time to themselves? Mexico! I am willing to go many places, but my beloved has fallen in love with the shores of Mexico. This year we went to the Riviera Maya to a lovely gourmet resort titled "El Dorado Resort and Spa". The weather was lovely (only rained a couple of times..unlike in Missouri where it began the month of flooding) and the sun was warm (but not too warm) and the food was wonderful (sushi, italitian, mexican, mediterranian).

We met a lovely couple there who were on their honeymoon. We had a chance to visit, share our testimonies with each other and I believe start what will be a beautiful friendship.

Throughout it all I had praise songs of thankfulness and blessing that cycled through my mind...almost like a worship cd had been downloaded into my brain. I believe the Lord did this to keep my heart and spirit in the right place...mindful of what it means to be one in spirit with Him and with my husband. We fell in love again and again, talked and laughed. What a blessing!

Green bags

Have you noticed that you can no longer go a single day without hearing the word "green" in association with the enviornment, food, cars, products, parenting, etc.? I'm not against being "green minded" in many areas, as long as it isn't the route that leads me down finacial ruin just to be politacally correct. I am one who does what I think is best for my family. I try to be a good steward of the planet and all that God has given me, but I am also in favor of pesticides that rid my home of ants/bugs/spiders. I buy organic makeup, but only because it makes my skin really healthy, organic shampoo because it doesn't damage my hair and use things packaged in recycled materials if it happens to be less expensive. But when I came across "these bags"recently I was skeptical{note: move your mouse over the words "these bags" and it will give you a link to click to view the bags}. Not because of the name "Green Bags" but because of what they promoted. "Keep fruits and vegtables fresh for up to 30 days" the infomercial stated. They showed some moldy tomaotoes that had been left out (I admit mine have ended up like that more times than I can count) and then some in the bag. WOW...THEY'RE STILL GOOD AFTER 14 DAYS! Last Monday, during therapy a trip to Target, I came across these bags at the end of an aisle and decided for the price I would give them a try. I mean, come on, if they do work it would save me some major cash since my family usually ends up tossing at least $15 worth of fruits and veggies a month from the crisper.

I have to say...they work GREAT! To test the bags I put bananas in one, tomatoes in one, and apples in one...and left them on the counter in my fruit bowl...a week ago. All of them are still healthy, fresh and even the tomatoe is still firm and the banana is still bright yellow. Yay!

I know, I sound a bit infomercial=ly myself, but when I find something that actually works, I have to share! :)

Putting on my shoes

I've been gradually working myself toward getting in shape. I looked for motivation, but found cookies. I prayed for self control but bought control-top hose. I asked for a treadmill and found out that it doesn't do any good if you're not on it. But today I put on my shoes. I turned the treadmill on and stepped into action. I ate right and found my motivation. Where did I find it? How did I do it? I counted how many days I have until I am scheduled to be sitting on the beach in Mexico and decided that I would rather look back and know that I had at least done something to make myself a little more confident rather than look back and regret that I had not put forth at least a tiny bit of effort. I know a month isn't a huge amount of time to get myself in peak shape (DUH!) but at least I am on my way. By the time the new school year dawns I will no longer be pudgy mom of four, but at least somewhat reasonably in shape mom of a high schooler and a kindergartener.

Happy Spring...Finally

spring blooms
Originally uploaded by Jean 1.

Yesterday I took a walk with my youngest and her friend at a local park. It was still flooded in the lower areas due to recent rains that have followed the tornados, ice storms, and other crazy weather. (As I type this there are 15 men and 1 woman atop my roof repairing the damage done by the hail and high winds)

I am quite happy to bid "hello" to spring and look forward with hope an joy to flowers, green grass and vacations.

Horsing Around

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Originally uploaded by Jean 1.

Yesterday we finally had a birthday party for young Christi. It was horse themed (duh!) at a local park board owned farm. There were wonderful animals for the kids to pet, watch and learn about. The park was great, the staff wonderful and best of all, the kids got to pet a mini-horse named bandit. The cupcakes ended up being a great last minute order...I had planned on asking Stacy to do it, but then when we were hit with snow days, flooding and every other weather phenom...well, it just made it easier to walk in the day before, order the horse themed cupcakes. I'm sure Stacy's would have been better, but at least I didn't have to make them. :)

Eggcellent color

Eggcellent color
Originally uploaded by Jean 1.

The kids and I spent time last night coloring eggs for our Easter deviled eggs....there's something signifcant about using our eggs that celebrate resurrection to make eggs named after the devil. :)

I thought the eggs turned out rather beautiful. The trick? Sharpies! Yep, drawing on the eggs before coloring them made them rather vivid and special.

Happy Easter! And though Easter isn't about eggs, chocolate bunnies nor jelly beans...it is a fun way to celebrate such a joyous day.

Happy birthday Christine

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Originally uploaded by Jean 1.

Yep! She's 5. And beautiful. And she prayed for snow for her birthday. And...I made a PRETTY cake. I'll post a photo soon. ;)

My Family

I finally got my children all together for portraits and to put together a shot for our New Years Cards. This one is not the one on the card, but one of my favorites.

Paths

My family and I had a wonderful Christmas and New Years. The contrast from last year to this year was amazing. It was such a relaxing and joyful time unmarred by drama and chaos...we remarked on it so many times that it became our motto "It's so much more Christmas-y this year!"
Last year, although I didn't blog about it, was wrought with drama and was marred midway by sadness and anger and then progressed into release and freedom. (The particulars aren't necessary, just the message) Holy Spirit took our family on a path that required death of self, forgiveness (for our hearts' benefit) and eventually release. We as parents were forced to introduce the harsh truth of what happens when someone you have loved and trusted breaks that and heads into rebellion and deception. We were completely honest with them about the sin that had happened and the things that followed. It broke all of our hearts. And we said "goodbye" to that relationship. This all happened as we were also saying "goodbye" to GreatGrandma. It was a very difficult time.
But, as all paths do, there finally came a bend in the path, it started leading us into different areas of freedom. It reminded us that we have to guard our hearts against sin and yet still be hopeful for redemption for those who are walking terrible paths by choice. It encouraged us to cling to truth and honesty, to look for the fruit of the person and not the words of their mouths. It provided a practical lesson for our children, that you must side with truth and The Word at all costs, regardless of rejection and sentimentality (Sometimes people that we love will do very bad/wrong/sinful things and we must be willing to stand for truth regardless of the world's stand on it) It also allowed us to teach them that we can line up with those in truth even if it is the unpopular choice and come out better for it.



As I sat at lunch with my family I reflected on the path of the past and the message that our pastor gave at church today I had such a deep sense of peace for the coming year...free of the toxic issues of last year, removed from the drama and stress and happily engaged in a life full of peace and joy. And I proclaim "The Best is Yet to Come!"

Heading into the new year

The path may seem a bit foggy and unclear, but the road still remains. As we head into 2008 I am taking a few minutes to look forward..we so often look back at the "good ole days" that in the scope of reality were just the old days. Sure, some things great happened. Yes, we did lose a few friends and family along the way that are still missed today. But while we were in those days they were just like these days...they were life. So I am looking forward to what it is that I can do to make the coming days, weeks, months and years not only memorable but also meaningful.

• This year, in 2008, my second daughter will turn 13 (in two days). She is a teenager now, along with the oldest. My hope is to help her establish a more positive self esteem and to learn to love herself just as she is. I hope for her success and accomplishment in all areas of interest. I hope for her to make some deep and nourishing friendships.
• This year my youngest turns 5 years old. She will start Kindergarten in the fall, a fact that is mentioned by her weekly with excitement and joy. My goal is to encourage that excitement, to feed that joy and prepare her (and myself) to enter the doors of her classroom with confidence and be okay with a touch of sadness.
• This year my son will turn nine years old. He, being my only boy, will grow in ways that I do not yet know or am able to predict. He is learning french in school, he writes in cursive, he reads voraciously, he is a gentleman (I find him often standing holding the door for countless people just because he knows its a meaningful gesture) he is a whiz at computer games and continues to astound me in so many ways. He is a soccer kid. I do not know what lies ahead, but I look forward to watching him.
• This year my oldest will finish middle school and enter her first year of high school. My goals for her are to encourage her to explore as many avenues of talent, interest and joy as we can find and not let her fears, insecurities nor challenges keep her from trying. I hope for her to keep and nourish wonderful friendships that carry her throughout her school career.
• This year my husband and I will celebrate 17 years of marriage. My only hope is that we have a continued life of the joy and love we have developed and to love each other more and better.

Happy New Year and Blessings to you and your family!

NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for (Heb. 11:1a)

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"Seeing isn't believing, Believing is Seeing"

I love Christmas. The lights, the presents, the tree, the pageants, the Nativity sets all around town. But what I love most has nothing to do with the tangible but the Spirit and the Remembrance of why we celebrate. So many get caught up in the 'legalities' of the birth, or dismiss it altogether in favor of the Santa theories. For me, all that matters is what goes on in my heart and family. The heart that is allowed to become more transparent with love as we give gifts to say "I love you, you are a gift to me". It's not about what we hold, buy, share, give or receive it's the intangibles that we share, give or receive. It's in the ways we love each other, are more giving to each other, more generous with not only our money but our time and our smiles of good will.
In the light of the tree, with the fire going in the fireplace and the soft tones of "O Holy Night" I celebrate the greatest gift given to us. The gift of life, love and hope!
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. " (Heb. 11:1)


quote in title: Judy the Elf, The Santa Clause

Bravery

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Originally uploaded by Jean 1.

My littlest one, Christi, has always been a bit of timid one. She hates the big rat @ Chuck E Cheese. She has always been terrified that we would take her to Disney World and make her meet the big Minnie and Mickey. She has never, ever wanted to see Santa, Easter Bunny and even had it worked out that her brother would put her teeth, if she were ever to lose one, under his pillow to spare her the possibility of meeting the Tooth Fairy. But this year?
"Mama, I think I want to go see Santa, I'm not scared."
So, off we headed on Sunday afternoon to meet the Jolly Old Elf himself. Now, we are not huge proponents of the Santa fellow, but we do like to play the game with our kids....and I've always been a sucker for the Santa picture.
While standing in line we met a cute couple of girls were were also waiting to see Santa. One 14, the other a bit younger, but I'm not sure how old. They were sweet and visited with my Christi and Ryan while waiting for Santa to return from his break (someone has to feed the reindeer after all). In years past, we would often just take our own cameras and take a quick picture of whomever was willing to sit with Santa...after all the pictures have always been a bit on the pricey side.
Last year they posted a sign that read "Minimum purchase required to use personal camera for Santa visit." What!!! They had a nice lady inform me that I could purchase the photo CD for $5 and still then I could take as many pictures as I wanted. Deal!
This year? The same sign was posted, but the rules had changed. You had to spend at least $20 for anything to take photos. Gulp! I know, $20 isn't a bunch of money in the grand scheme of things, but come on! It's Christmas, gas prices are higher and there are people out there who would love a photo of their kids with Santa but the $20 is a deal breaker for them.
While talking to the lovely young ladies behind me and their equally nice mom, I decided that I would purchase the photo, since this was our first time to officially have Christi sit on Santa's lap and I would also take a few photos of the other two gals for their mom...sort of as a Christmas present (though it be small) to share the Christmas spirit. I did end up telling the helper elf that I was speaking to that my minimum purchase was going to cover these girls too, so I could take their picture. She winked, said go for it and away I snapped.
After procuring the email address of my new friends I read it, smiled over the clever email address and promptly put it in my jeans pocket. A few days later I realized the mess that had been all over the inside of the dryer had been the address of this family. Groan! I had forgotten to take the slip of paper out of the jeans before I washed them. Amazingly, the email address came to me (which anyone who really knows me will see the miracle of that...my memory is terrible) and I was able to send the pictures on to them today. Merry Christmas to my new friends!

The sweetest part of that day? As Santa came up before sitting on his throne he walked through the line giving "high fives" and hand shakes. As he came to Christi she took a deep breath, high-fived him, and smiled. As he walked on she pulled me down to her and told me "Mama! You made me brave!" (misty eyed mama was so proud)

Dreams are lived here

Home
Originally uploaded by Jean 1.

I went looking for my ideals outside myself and discovered it's not what the world holds for you, but what you bring to it. The dreams dearest to my heart are right here. Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables, The Sequel

While working on some of the photos from a recent photo shoot I came across the quote above and thought that it so perfectly describes what many of us feel about home. So I decided to go outside with my camera and take a photo of my dream world.

The Princess is In!

"I am a princess.

All girls are.

Even if they live in tiny old attics.

Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren't pretty, or smart or young.

They're still princesses.

All of us. "

Sara Crewe, A Little Princess

This weekend my youngest, Christi, went to a birthday party where all the little girls made tiara's, put on a lacy tutu's, festooned themselves in feather boas and then dances to "princess music". The girls, being normal 4/5 year old girls, giggled and strutted, glancing at themselves over and over in tiny mirrors placed around the room. They were thrilled to each be a princesses.

I think all women, having their little princess hearts still within their souls, still like to feel like a princess. When we are sitting at home in our old ratty shorts vacuuming the floors or wiping the baby's nose with the hem of our stained t-shirts we are still yet longing for out tiaras and wondering if our prince is ever going to ask us to dance again. The day we sit down in a pedicure chair and have someone make our toes look pretty we get a glimpse of the royal treatment. A trip to get a massage lends itself to pampering feelings. Putting on a silky dress (or blouse) awakens our bodies to luxurious fabrics, eliciting a shiver of anticipation of what's to come. Within each one of us is a princess, whether or not we can see and feel the tiara upon our heads.

To all Your Royal Majesties: Treat yourself to one princess treat today/tonight...it is your duty.

Ahhhhhhh Fall

I love the Autumn season, I mean I really really really love it. The leaves and the nip in the air. I am autumnal at heart. There's something that just gets my heart and soul going when it approaches Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love the attitudes of the people in the community throughout the season. I like the clothes that I get to wear around the holidays and the cute socks that adorn my children's feet. This past Sunday, accompanied by Jean 2, I purchased my outfit for my husband's Christmas party. Happy Fall Ya'll!

Embracing my family

Yesterday my older daughter met me at the door after school to share some news with me, it was not happy news.
"Mom", she said, "Alex P. died this weekend. They sent a note around to all the students. There's a visitation on Thursday. I knew you'd want to know".

I was stunned. I have been talking to his mom weekly for over a year now, his little sister has had gymnastics the same day as Christi and we would sit and talk and laugh and she'd share details about Alex's progress. The last time we had talked he was coming home from the hospital because they had finally adjusted his meds to help him. You see, he had a type of cancer that affected his kidneys, requiring a kidney transplant in 4th grade and again last summer as he was finishing 7th grade. He remained in the hospital the required 10 weeks and then was able to come home. A month and a half ago he was returned to the hospital because he was having trouble keeping food down, but they felt like it was just a medicine issue. After all this, they found out that he needed a bone marrow transplant, but a match was never found. He died Saturday.

I sat around all day yesterday and last night with a broken heart for his family. Alex was adored. He had lead a tough life and in the process became a heroic and strong boy. I am still sad for his family, for hopes dashed, dreams unfulfilled and life left unlived....but the joy of Alex now as he enters the continual presence of the One who made him, who welcomed him with open arms and now cradles this perfectly healthy spirit. I know it will be a long road for this family for healing, but am committed to helping with as much as possible, even if it's only to sit by their side and be silent.

As I thought about their loss, I held my children a little tighter and thanked God for their health, for a blessed life and prayed for us to have many more years in this life that I so love.

She's got spirit

I've got spirit yes I do.
Originally uploaded by Jean 1.

Niki has joined the Spirit Squad, a must if you want to have a chance to try out for cheerleader in the spring. Niki has decided that she wants to try out. Niki left a recent game with a proud smile on her face, she had won the spirit stick giving her the priviledge of taking the stick home to decorate and return to school.

Kickin'

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Originally uploaded by Jean 1.

Well first games are out of the way...the kids had a good time and so did I! The Coyotes (1st/2nd grade team I'm coaching) played really well, especially for a team that is half experienced and the other half first timers. The Dragonflies (Christi's team, 4&5 year olds) played a spirited game of "run that way". Everyone once in a while, someone would get in a kick and head off after the ball. It was so cute. Christi got in a couple of good kicks, and ran quiet gracefully. Her main objective is to run without messing up her ponytail. On to game #2 on Saturday.