Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Question of the Day...
The other day I thought I was going to have "the" discussion with Magnus. It went something like this...
Magnus..."Mom, (dramatic pause) can unmarried women have babies?"
Me (trying to not show my panic)... "Well, yes, but that is not the way God set it up."
I notice the wheels are turning..."Is it because He knew they would need help from their husbands?"
(Huge sigh of relief) "Yep, buddy. I think it is so they could have help from their husbands."
Dodged a bullet on that one...for now!
Magnus..."Mom, (dramatic pause) can unmarried women have babies?"
Me (trying to not show my panic)... "Well, yes, but that is not the way God set it up."
I notice the wheels are turning..."Is it because He knew they would need help from their husbands?"
(Huge sigh of relief) "Yep, buddy. I think it is so they could have help from their husbands."
Dodged a bullet on that one...for now!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Family Hike
This past week we decided to explore a park we had not been to, Lone Hunter State Park. It is on the banks of Percy Priest Lake and not but 25 minutes from our front door. We were not prepared to hike the back trails, forgot the deet and did not feel like dealing with the ticks, so we stuck to a 2 mile paved trail that wrapped around a small lake called Couchville Lake.
We observed some wildlife while we were there...
Magnus informed us that these are goslings. I know he is right, but it cracks me up how particular he is about using the correct words.
You can't tell in this picture, but this is a young buck. His antlers were just beginning to show. He didn't move the whole time we were there and he was only about 3 feet off the path!
Then of course the boys had to throw rocks in the lake and try to catch minnows using a cup...
Then of course the boys had to throw rocks in the lake and try to catch minnows using a cup...
Collin took the boys back on Saturday to go canoeing. This was the first time the boys had been in a canoe and they loved it! We are planning to go back before it gets too hot to be outside.
PS...I just updated my nature blog with some pictures. Come check it out!
Growing Up...
Magnus has been loosing his teeth left and right. He is talking funny and looks totally cute when he smiles...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Travelin' with Johnny Cash
We have been in the car many hours the past few weeks traveling from TN to MI to IA and back to TN. We have specific music we like to listen to when we travel. One of the artist we enjoy is Johnny Cash. Collin likes "Ring of Fire", I like the one he sings with June Carter...something about going to Jackson, Magnus likes the "Rusty Chains" song, and Thane likes "I've Been Everywhere". As we listen to him sing the "Everywhere" song, we like to see how many of the places he names that we have been too. Here is what I came up with...(the ones we have been to are in bold).
"I've Been Everywhere"
I was totin' my pack along the long dusty Winnemucca road,
When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load.
"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride."
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand.
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the deserts bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota,
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota,
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,
Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla, I'm a killer.
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the deserts bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana,
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana,
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa,
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake,
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake.
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the deserts bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika,
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean-a.
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the deserts bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,
Ellisburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.
I was totin' my pack along the long dusty Winnemucca road,
When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load.
"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride."
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand.
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the deserts bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota,
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota,
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,
Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla, I'm a killer.
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the deserts bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana,
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana,
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa,
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake,
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake.
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the deserts bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika,
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean-a.
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the deserts bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,
Ellisburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.
Wow, when you are listening to it and trying to keep up with what he is saying, it sounds like a lot more. Guess we have some more traveling to do!
So, where have you been?
So, where have you been?
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
My baby is 5
After surviving 7 weeks of bed rest, several attempts at stopping my premature labor, and an asthma attack while in labor pushing, on May 11, 2003...Mother's Day that year too...Thane entered the world. He wasn't ready though. He wasn't suppose to come out yet. He was 5 weeks early.
His lungs were not fully developed, he didn't have the suck/gag reflex, he was jaundice, and had pneumonia. He hadn't developed finger prints yet. However, he weighed in at 8 pounds!! He spent the first 10 days of his life at the hospital.
As Thane was growing and developing into the little man he is today, he had a lot of difficulty breathing. The first time he was hospitalized was at 8 months. He spent a week at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville. A few months later and a few more hospitalizations, we got the official diagnosis of asthma. From the time he was 8 months to almost four he, was on 4-6 different medications a day...including around the clock breathing treatments every four hours when he was having an episode.
It wasn't until February 2007 we started seeing Thane's health improving. A friend of ours was very adamant about us taking him to see her chiropractor. She said he could help us. I was very skeptical thinking, "How in the world could having a straight spine aid in Thane's asthma?" Well, we all started seeing Dr. Tom in January 2007 and you know what?! It has worked! Seriously! Thane has been off his medication...all of it...since the end of March 2007! I do keep his inhalers with me "just in case", but we have only had a "just in case" incident once since then. I didn't realize that only 10% of your nerves transmit pain indicators...90% of them help the organs function correctly. If you are sublexated (vertebrae out of alignment therefore causing the nerves to be squished) then your organs are not working up to their full potential. Anyhow, we have all been seeing Dr. Tom and he has helped us all!!!
So, now Thane is healthy and living life to it's fullest. He is a mischievous little guy who can't sit still. He loves to draw battle pictures, play in the dirt, pretend he is Bono, and would wear his pajamas everywhere if I'd let him.
His lungs were not fully developed, he didn't have the suck/gag reflex, he was jaundice, and had pneumonia. He hadn't developed finger prints yet. However, he weighed in at 8 pounds!! He spent the first 10 days of his life at the hospital.
As Thane was growing and developing into the little man he is today, he had a lot of difficulty breathing. The first time he was hospitalized was at 8 months. He spent a week at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville. A few months later and a few more hospitalizations, we got the official diagnosis of asthma. From the time he was 8 months to almost four he, was on 4-6 different medications a day...including around the clock breathing treatments every four hours when he was having an episode.
It wasn't until February 2007 we started seeing Thane's health improving. A friend of ours was very adamant about us taking him to see her chiropractor. She said he could help us. I was very skeptical thinking, "How in the world could having a straight spine aid in Thane's asthma?" Well, we all started seeing Dr. Tom in January 2007 and you know what?! It has worked! Seriously! Thane has been off his medication...all of it...since the end of March 2007! I do keep his inhalers with me "just in case", but we have only had a "just in case" incident once since then. I didn't realize that only 10% of your nerves transmit pain indicators...90% of them help the organs function correctly. If you are sublexated (vertebrae out of alignment therefore causing the nerves to be squished) then your organs are not working up to their full potential. Anyhow, we have all been seeing Dr. Tom and he has helped us all!!!
So, now Thane is healthy and living life to it's fullest. He is a mischievous little guy who can't sit still. He loves to draw battle pictures, play in the dirt, pretend he is Bono, and would wear his pajamas everywhere if I'd let him.
Happy Birthday, Thane!!!! I love you!!!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Meme time...
My buddy, Lisa at Koinonia Academy, tagged me with this meme...
Here are the rules:
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 people and posts their name, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
What was I doing 10 years ago:
Adjusting to having someone else in my bed! I was a newlywed, living in Washington State, working in Public Relations at the Blood Bank, driving a red 1993 Jeep Wrangler. We were probably planning the Memorial Day camping trip with friends at Potholes in Eastern WA.
Five Snacks I enjoy:
1. Ruffles cheese chips with sour cream & onion dip
2. Hot fudge sundaes
3. Strawberry shortcake
4. Just about any fruit
5. Tootsie Rolls
In the real world:
1. I’m a curriculum junkie!
2. I'd live out of a suitcase if it meant I was seeing the world!
3. I have moved 13 times since being married with #14 happening this fall.
4. I hope to go back to school and become a Librarian or a Herpetologist!
5. The only "T.V." we watch is "Rick Steves" on PBS.
Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Give lots of money to Shared Hope International and help to rescue women/girls from the bondages of s*xual slavery.
2. TRAVEL!!!!!
3. Set aside money for the boys.
4. Did I mention TRAVEL?!!!!
5. Buy a modest house somewhere, maybe in France or England, and TRAVEL!
Five jobs that I have had:
1. Admin. Assist. to the VP of a Christian Music Distributor
2. Public Relations/Speaker for a Blood Bank...Have YOU donated blood lately?
3. Camp Counselor during the summers in college.
4. Detasseled corn many summers while growing up in IA...very hard work!
5. Server at several different restaurants.
Three of my habits:
1. Diet Coke!
2. I take a shower the same way every time!
3. Checking the WTM boards!
Five places I have lived:
1. Iowa (birth to 18...family still there)
2. Kansas (college)
3. Washington State (3 different times!)
4. Allegan, MI (only for 5 months though)
5. Nashville, TN
What do you want others to get from your blog:
Not sure. I started it and mainly do it to keep in contact with family and friends that are not nearby. And now I also have a great community of homeschool moms I keep up with. I hope that others see that I love my family, I enjoy homeschooling, the boys are doing great, and we live life like it is an adventure!
Well, that was fun. Now you know a bit more about me.
To learn more about others, I am tagging...
Lori
Amy
Audrey
Daisy
Kara
Be sure to check out their blogs soon to learn more about them too!
Here are the rules:
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 people and posts their name, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
What was I doing 10 years ago:
Adjusting to having someone else in my bed! I was a newlywed, living in Washington State, working in Public Relations at the Blood Bank, driving a red 1993 Jeep Wrangler. We were probably planning the Memorial Day camping trip with friends at Potholes in Eastern WA.
Five Snacks I enjoy:
1. Ruffles cheese chips with sour cream & onion dip
2. Hot fudge sundaes
3. Strawberry shortcake
4. Just about any fruit
5. Tootsie Rolls
In the real world:
1. I’m a curriculum junkie!
2. I'd live out of a suitcase if it meant I was seeing the world!
3. I have moved 13 times since being married with #14 happening this fall.
4. I hope to go back to school and become a Librarian or a Herpetologist!
5. The only "T.V." we watch is "Rick Steves" on PBS.
Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Give lots of money to Shared Hope International and help to rescue women/girls from the bondages of s*xual slavery.
2. TRAVEL!!!!!
3. Set aside money for the boys.
4. Did I mention TRAVEL?!!!!
5. Buy a modest house somewhere, maybe in France or England, and TRAVEL!
Five jobs that I have had:
1. Admin. Assist. to the VP of a Christian Music Distributor
2. Public Relations/Speaker for a Blood Bank...Have YOU donated blood lately?
3. Camp Counselor during the summers in college.
4. Detasseled corn many summers while growing up in IA...very hard work!
5. Server at several different restaurants.
Three of my habits:
1. Diet Coke!
2. I take a shower the same way every time!
3. Checking the WTM boards!
Five places I have lived:
1. Iowa (birth to 18...family still there)
2. Kansas (college)
3. Washington State (3 different times!)
4. Allegan, MI (only for 5 months though)
5. Nashville, TN
What do you want others to get from your blog:
Not sure. I started it and mainly do it to keep in contact with family and friends that are not nearby. And now I also have a great community of homeschool moms I keep up with. I hope that others see that I love my family, I enjoy homeschooling, the boys are doing great, and we live life like it is an adventure!
Well, that was fun. Now you know a bit more about me.
To learn more about others, I am tagging...
Lori
Amy
Audrey
Daisy
Kara
Be sure to check out their blogs soon to learn more about them too!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Four Day Graduation Celebration...days 3 & 4
Day 3...
Our parent's finally got to go to church with us. We love our church and they have never been able to attend. So, off to St. Patrick's Anglican Church...
We were all completely exhausted to everyone went their separate ways and took naps. Well, except me and Mom. We did what we do best when we get together...went shopping!
Later that evening we hung out, talked, and munched on food. Thane also taught Grandpa how to play chess...
Our parent's finally got to go to church with us. We love our church and they have never been able to attend. So, off to St. Patrick's Anglican Church...
We were all completely exhausted to everyone went their separate ways and took naps. Well, except me and Mom. We did what we do best when we get together...went shopping!
Later that evening we hung out, talked, and munched on food. Thane also taught Grandpa how to play chess...
The game was "taking too long" so Thane let Grandpa win.
Day 4...No boys for a week!
Poppy and Nana left in the morning carrying precious cargo. They are taking the boys back up to IA with them for the week while Collin and I go to the International Medieval Conference in MI. He is presenting a paper on King Alfred and Boethius. We'll go to IA on Sunday (Thane's Birthday and of course...Mother's Day), stay a week, and then head back to TN.
So, we got to spend the entire day with Collin's parents. We spent the day in Nashville. We ate at the Pancake Pantry...a Nashville tradition, went shopping in Hillsboro Village, took a walk in Centennial Park (where the replica of the Parthenon is) and had a magnificent dinner at J. Alexander's. Later we showed them a slide show of the pictures from our trip to Europe this past summer. Needless to say, we condensed the 300 pictures of the Eiffel tower to a select few.
We had a great four day graduation celebration!!
Poppy and Nana left in the morning carrying precious cargo. They are taking the boys back up to IA with them for the week while Collin and I go to the International Medieval Conference in MI. He is presenting a paper on King Alfred and Boethius. We'll go to IA on Sunday (Thane's Birthday and of course...Mother's Day), stay a week, and then head back to TN.
So, we got to spend the entire day with Collin's parents. We spent the day in Nashville. We ate at the Pancake Pantry...a Nashville tradition, went shopping in Hillsboro Village, took a walk in Centennial Park (where the replica of the Parthenon is) and had a magnificent dinner at J. Alexander's. Later we showed them a slide show of the pictures from our trip to Europe this past summer. Needless to say, we condensed the 300 pictures of the Eiffel tower to a select few.
We had a great four day graduation celebration!!
The Four Day Graduation Celebration...day 2 part 2...PARTY TIME!!!!
We had the best time! It involved all of Collin's favorite things...family, friends, nice music, great food and great drinks.
The dinner and snacking menu included grilled salmon, grilled shrimp, grilled chicken, cheese and crackers, pasta, cheese bread, glazed carrots, nuts, more bread, chips and salsa, more crackery type things, and some other things I can't remember. Oh, Collin whipped up puff pastries "a la creme chantilly et fraises" later in the evening. Yummy!
After dinner, Collin brought out the cheese plate. We sampled a lot of different cheeses while sipping on wine.
(clockwise from far left - gruyere, roquefort, double gloucester, Kerrygold Dubliner, Kerrygold 2-year aged cheddar)
The dinner and snacking menu included grilled salmon, grilled shrimp, grilled chicken, cheese and crackers, pasta, cheese bread, glazed carrots, nuts, more bread, chips and salsa, more crackery type things, and some other things I can't remember. Oh, Collin whipped up puff pastries "a la creme chantilly et fraises" later in the evening. Yummy!
After dinner, Collin brought out the cheese plate. We sampled a lot of different cheeses while sipping on wine.
(clockwise from far left - gruyere, roquefort, double gloucester, Kerrygold Dubliner, Kerrygold 2-year aged cheddar)
My mom's reaction to the roquefort was anything but positive!
Also did a bit of Scotch tasting (Glenlivet 12 yr. old, Abelour 10 yr. old, and Glenfiddich 12 yr. old, for the curious)...
...and he finally opened up the bottle of Calvados he bought in Normady and carried with him, in his backpack, through France and Switzerland.
Drew got crazy with the ginger ale!
Later that night we went down by the river and smoked our pipes. Well, I didn't. I just blinded everyone with the flash from the camera!
Here are some other picture from the night...
Me, Steph, and LBJ...Steph was born the year I got my driver's permit!
A good time was had by all!
Also did a bit of Scotch tasting (Glenlivet 12 yr. old, Abelour 10 yr. old, and Glenfiddich 12 yr. old, for the curious)...
...and he finally opened up the bottle of Calvados he bought in Normady and carried with him, in his backpack, through France and Switzerland.
Drew got crazy with the ginger ale!
Later that night we went down by the river and smoked our pipes. Well, I didn't. I just blinded everyone with the flash from the camera!
Here are some other picture from the night...
Me, Steph, and LBJ...Steph was born the year I got my driver's permit!
A good time was had by all!
The Four Day Graduation Celebration...Day 2 part 1
GRADUATION!!!!
After four long, hard years, Collin is finally getting his much deserved diplomas.
You can actually see Collin in this picture. He is on the right side, last row, on the aisle.
Our Dear Friends... Marcus, Steph, Collin, Me, Laura Beth, and Nate...missing Drew and Wes.
Collin's Senior Picture! LOL!
Our self Senior Portrait!
The ceremony was nice BUT....the party was better! Stay tuned!
Our Dear Friends... Marcus, Steph, Collin, Me, Laura Beth, and Nate...missing Drew and Wes.
Collin's Senior Picture! LOL!
Our self Senior Portrait!The ceremony was nice BUT....the party was better! Stay tuned!
The Four Day Graduation Celebration...Day 1
Many of you have been following our journey to graduate school either through this blog or IRL. There have been many ups and downs, but we are very excited and confident about his decision to go to UCD. So, after paying library fines, picking up his cap and gown, my husband was ready to receive his diplomas. My parents drove down from Iowa and Collin's parents flew in from Washington State to help us celebrate Collin's accomplishments. I boasted about my husband here.
On their first full day here, we actually split up. My parents tried to go to a WW II museum, but discovered it was closed when they got there. The rest of us hit the trails at the Fiery Gizzard and checked out The University of the South in Sewanee. Here are some pretty cool pictures...
We met up later that evening for dinner at Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Our town was having their annual Jazz Festival so we loaded up the camping chairs and headed to The Square. We got to hear one song and the rains came. We sat under an awning and watched the lightening. Collin's parents don't get the privilege of witnessing many thunderstorms where they live so this was a real treat. We all turned in early that evening to get some needed rest before the BIG DAY!
On their first full day here, we actually split up. My parents tried to go to a WW II museum, but discovered it was closed when they got there. The rest of us hit the trails at the Fiery Gizzard and checked out The University of the South in Sewanee. Here are some pretty cool pictures...
We met up later that evening for dinner at Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Our town was having their annual Jazz Festival so we loaded up the camping chairs and headed to The Square. We got to hear one song and the rains came. We sat under an awning and watched the lightening. Collin's parents don't get the privilege of witnessing many thunderstorms where they live so this was a real treat. We all turned in early that evening to get some needed rest before the BIG DAY!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
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