Eyes

Both parents have brown eyes.

Their firstborn has brown eyes too.

Striking and amazing dark irises.

Then this blue eyed blessing was welcomed into the family.

BLUE?!? How can that be?

I've received countless looks of accusation over the past two and a half years.

As if they are unveiling the biggest scandal of the century, many people have commented (some more than once!), "Oh, isn't that strange...brown-eyed parents and a blue-eyed baby?"

Each and every time I find myself in this conversation and on the receiving end of the implied accusations,

it takes all I have to allow the Holy Spirit enough time to bless me with a dose of self-control.

Thankfully, my frontal lobe kicks in before I give

the commenter the you-gotta-be-kidding me look and reply,

"You're a complete idiot.  It's called the recessive gene."

I, still with the you-gotta-be-kidding-me look, used to give a forced courtesy laugh followed by

the explanation that we both have siblings with blue eyes, but that got pretty old rather quickly.

Realizing that most of the accusers are not genetic geniuses,

we have given up completely on the brief recessive gene lesson.

Now, instead, we just flatly respond that it's not all that surprising since my boyfriend has blue eyes. 

Sometimes, depending upon the individual asking, I also add how lucky I am to have found a boyfriend that makes children who look so much like my husband.

 

Ok, so maybe there's a more mature way to deal with this situation (possibly an approach that doesn't involve our questionable humor), but the looks we get in return 

 

 

sure make us laugh.

TV

Admittedly, our family watches too much television.  It's not something I'm proud of, but it's just a fact of our lives.  There are a lot of contributing factors, but there is an undeniable, direct, and positive correlation between our time spent in front of the boob tube and getting a DVR a few years ago.  After the kids are tucked in for the night, we are able to watch shows much more efficiently without commercials leaving more time for additional TV series.  I must say, however, that the TV doesn't usually have my complete attention as I generally have a computer in my lap. As if being addicted to blogging, Facebook, and Google is so much better than mindless TV viewing.  Darn you technology!     

Of the many shows that our DVR is scheduled to record, here's a list of the ones that I actually watch with at least partial attention (Some shows deserve more attention than others, you know.):  The Office, Modern Family, The Bachelor, Survivor, My Strange Addiction, Intervention, Storm Chasers, and Storage Wars.  Did I mention that we watch too much TV?  If it's embarrassing to publicly admit that I watch a show, maybe I should stop watching it.  Umm...The Bachelor.  I realize that none of these shows is educational or intellectually stimulating, but I can actually feel myself becoming stupider every time I watch "one of the most dramatic rose ceremonies ever."  Yet I continue to watch. 

I understand the ridiculousness of this "reality" show, but what my husband is watching tonight tops the list of the "your-IQ-will-drop-dramatically-while-viewing" television shows ever filmed.  Swamp People may have helped us achieve a new level of pathetic. 

I think it's time to start having more game nights.

A Birthday Letter

Dear Daddy,

Happy birthday to you! 

Although it might not look like it, there was a lot of planning and plenty of ideas tossed around to make your day special.









We opted for these balloons because J said, "Real balloons from the party store are too expensive."



After great consideration, we narrowed down the cake options to a 49ers football helmet and this...



We know you love the Niners, but March Madness won out this year.

Sorry you don't have a present to open, but we thought you would like to pick out your own shoes.  And just so you know, E wanted to get you a basketball shirt like J's.  J wanted to get you a new Magic Tree House book or your own 49ers helmet.  Mommy thinks you would look really cute wearing a Husker basketball jersey and a football helmet in public for your birthday dinner, but she decided that you need shoes instead.  Maybe next year.

We prayed that God would bless you with a great day.  We'll try our best to have self-control and not whine on your birthday...even Mommy agreed to trying this out for a day.

Looks like you got a little snow for your birthday, too.  We didn't pray for that!



Hope our smiles and decoration efforts (including the entire roll of crepe paper at the end of the railing) make your heart sing with joy today.

By the way, the drawing on the left is a bouquet of balloons...not a picture of the female reproductive organs/system like you had originally thought.  Silly you!

We love you as far as the ocean goes and then some. 

You are a true blessing to us. 

Happy birthday to the best Daddy ever!

Love,

J & E & Mommy

Brilliant

As expected, E swooped in like a little vulture when she saw her daddy with jelly beans.  She was directed my way to receive the final permission to indulge.  E could not have been more delighted to have two pink jelly beans placed in her cupped hands after I clearly stated, "You can have two because you are two."

The two jelly beans disappeared in approximately two seconds once the two-year-old had her two hands on them. 

She then stood by her daddy and adoringly gazed at the delightful candies resting in a small bowl on the coffee table. 

I didn't take long for her to develop and plead her case: 
"I acshwee (actually) need two and a haff because I almose two and a haff."

Because of her brilliance, E received an additional half of a jelly bean.

Nervous Nellie

J:  I'm going to live in our house forever.

Me:  You are?  Like with me and Daddy?

J:  Ya.

Me:  That's nice that you like us so much, but that's really not the goal, J. 

J:  Why?

Me:  We want to raise you so that you can be an independent young man some day and move out on your own.  Maybe you could even have your own house and your own family some day.

J:  No, I'll just live in our house.  When I grow up I can just sleep between you and Daddy in your bed.

Me:  Probably not.

J:  But where would I sleep?  I will be too big for my bed when I'm a grown up.

Me:  It's a good thing to move away from your parents when you're older.  Wouldn't it be weird if our whole family lived with Grandma and Grandpa still?

J:  Ya, but I'm nervous about something.

Me:  What do you mean?

J:  There's something about all of this that makes me very nervous.

Me:  What's that?

J:  I don't know how to ask a girl to marry me.

A Lot of Catching Up to Do

Sometimes life gets eventful enough that I have no choice but to focus on the most essential tasks, and much to my dismay, reality TV, running, and blogging haven’t fit well into this bare bones way of living lately.


So here’s a quick run down of the things (in no particular order) that have been keeping us busy…

Basketball – Two weekends have been filled with basketball goodness and family in town. We attended a few games to cheer on our hometown teams in the state tournaments, and we were able to spend quality time with some members of my family. As a result of this extra time with Grandpa, J also learned some (questionably over the top) cheering techniques from one of the world’s most insane intense sports fanatics. This has made for a noisier and more entertaining NCAA tournament though, and I am now better understanding the madness part of March Madness. Speaking of the big dance, my bracket is a goner thanks to Butler. Who am I kidding though? My knowledge of this season’s college basketball scene extends no further than the few Husker games that I watched only because of J, so my chances of bracket success were only slightly higher than The Bachelor’s Brad and Emily making it an entire month.

Work – My dear husband clocked 79.2 hours the week before last on account of a sizeable and time-intensive project. We’re thankful he has a job and that this project proceeded rather smoothly, but he understandably is trying to catch up on plenty of lost sleep and family time. He has a couple of weeks to recuperate before he starts the second phase. His longer than usual hours leave us both a bit overwhelmed.

Earthly Farewell – Steve’s grandfather passed away on March 10. After a fruitful and blessed 94 years on this earth, Grandpa died after a brief illness. Steve saw his grandfather on a near daily basis growing up, so his heart was quite heavy when it came time to say goodbye. A last minute request to say a few words at the evening service had him feeling a bit anxious, but Steve was so sincere and calm while sharing a few of his memories. My work schedule left me scrambling to even get to the service on time and had me leaving shortly after the funeral, so I really was feeling inadequate in my husband’s time of need. Thankfully, Steve is realistic and grounded (love this about him!), so I know that he understood.

Traveling – Shortly after the funeral, I was on a plane heading to Minneapolis. I have only traveled for work a handful times, so it takes a little rearranging of everyone’s schedules (special thanks to H. You’re the best!) to make it go smoothly for all of us. Everything did go smoothly with the exception of being snubbed by my own baby. When I called home, Steve asked E if she wanted to talk to mommy. She refused saying, “No. My mommy not nebber here anymore.” Thankfully, I’m not easily offended and was able to maintain my composure so I could deliver a presentation to a crowd of at least 125 people. Public speaking is not either my strongest or weakest skill, but the fear of appearing like an idiot in front of room of highly educated people did have my palms sweating and my heart racing. Thankfully, the presentation went well, and I was able to return home to a very warm and loving welcome…even by E. There’s no place like home!

Kindergarten Registration – J is officially registered for the 2011-2012 school year. I survived the three minute process of delivering his immunization record and birth certificate without tears. Success! Now if only the first day of school would be as easy.

Illness – We’ve had our fair share (at least I think so) of winter bugs, but I personally have been dealing with varying degrees of illness for five entire weeks. What started off as sinus stuffiness resulted in a ruptured ear drum and a severe case of bronchitis that I just can’t shake. I’ve been to the doctor three times and have been on five different prescription medications, not to mention all of the over-the-counter stuff and home remedies. After all of this, the doctor reported yesterday that I still have some fluid behind my ear drum and my lungs are sounding better but still wheezy. I’m now on the same inhaler regimen as most of the COPD patients that I work with. Although being so sick that I don’t have any choice but to say home sucks, the sick but not sick enough to stay home phase leaves a lot to be desired as well. The good news: I have no problem (or choice) taking naps when my schedule allows for it. The better news: My kids have learned to be very independent. They don’t even bother waking me in the morning and instead help themselves to breakfast and TV. The not-so-good-news: our house if out of control and I’ve (attempted to) run three times in the past four weeks. This is a severe set-back in my training for a May 1 half-marathon. Since I get short of breath carrying laundry up our stairs, finishing the half is sounding less attainable by the day. Even if things turn around quickly, I don’t want to risk an injury on account of not being well-trained and prepared. This will just have to be a wait-and-see decision. At the very least, I’ll be the proud owner of a new $55 t-shirt and have plenty of familiar faces to cheer for on the course.

I’m missing my refreshing runs and my therapeutic blogging and get caught up in complaining occasionally, but it doesn't take more than a brief glance at the people around me to regain my perspective so that I may clearly see.

Life is good.

God is great.

I am blessed abundantly.

Multitasking

Scientists apparently have proven what women have known for years:  males are inferior multitaskers. 

For those of you who question scientific research...

J has been quite consistent with his future career plans.  For a long time now, he has reported that he intends to be a herpetologist who chases storms when he grows up.  So I was a little surprised when he announced, "I want to work at Pizza Hut when I get older." 

Kudos to Pizza Hut's advertising department.  Not only do they have my little guy asking daily for $10 any size, any topping pizzas, but they've also recruited a future employee.  Impressive.

Me:  I thought you wanted to be a herpetologist when you grow up.

J:  I did, but I want to work at Pizza Hut.

Me:  You could work there while you went to college to be a herpetologist.

J:  (in a tone as if he were completely overwhelmed just thinking about it)
          Do two things at once?!?

It's a Celebration

We take birthdays seriously, and five is no exception.

A small town bowling alley provided great entertainment

without the hassle cramming a crowd into our home. 

As far as birthday party planning goes, this was the best decision we made.  Since entertaining isn't exactly our strongest suit, less anxiety, chaos, and mess allowed us the opportunity to relax and really join in the fun.  So worth it!

  

Lookin' good!

It isn't a celebration without family and friends...

This lonely and forlorn sweetheart took notice that Grandma and E were not able to party with the rest of us.  Only a loving mother and unselfish grandma would insist on missing a party to care for an ill two-year-old and clean up vomit just so I could be with my handsome boy on his big day. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you and God bless you, Mom!  We owe you big for that one!

There was great bowling fun and plenty of waiting...

(No surprise that H ended up with a cold a few days later, huh?)

...and waiting...

(Check out that follow-through!  He's a natural.)

...and waiting.

An average ball speed of approximately 1.5 miles per hour provides a significant amount of time spent waiting.  It also creates some time to capture sweet moments like this one...

J was surprised with a special birthday song while wearing a hat that he barely tolerated only because he received the "you're five now and you need to be polite" pre-party talk. 

He was rather fond of his very own personalized pin that he was able to take home though. 

Although he announced weeks earlier that he wanted a storm chasers party with a F5 tornado cake, J had a change of heart a few days prior to the celebration.  Since I hadn't had one thing prepared or planned for a tornado cake, I was happy to oblige and make the much, much, much easier football themed cake and cupcakes.  Another example of how procrastination isn't always the enemy.  If I were more of the planning type, his last minute request would have been irritating and likely disappointing, but instead, I was able to come through on his request without much fuss.  I must apologize to all of my dear friends who sent great tornado party suggestions in vain, however.  Maybe next year?

Later that evening, I asked J if he had a good time at his birthday party.

He responded, "Ya, until I puked."

Yep, it's true. 

The grand finale at the party was the birthday boy puking on the food counter at the bowling alley. 

Why share this, you ask?  Because I'm committed to keeping things real.  Lucky you.

If my camera wasn't already tucked away, I would definitely have captured a picture to share because I have no blogging boundaries either.  Unhealthy, I know.  But since I didn't, you'll just have to trust me on this one.

Despite the illness, we did have a great afternoon celebrating our little man.

I've been so blessed with five amazing years with this vibrant boy (barf and all!). 

Looking forward to many more.

Love you, J!

FIVE!