Well I'm unable to sleep and thought I should take a break from Skyrim to say hello as Renae and I haven't done so in a while. Christmas post is yet to come btw. Will update some pic's for those of you who aren't sick of them from Facebook. Really wish I could go to sleep right now...alas. I believe some reading might do the trick and as the library book is overdue it will be killing two birds with 1 bazooka.
Here's to some Costa Rican Tarrazu tomorrow...alot of Tarrazu. Available for 2lbs for $10 at Bridgepoint upon request
Our thoughts contained within are our own little perception of reality. We invite you to share in our triumphs, enjoy our witty banter (average at best), and maybe even learn from our missteps.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Parenting=Hard
Hello Again and I know you'll forgive my absence from posting because let's face it...i inspire low expectations. Speaking of which parenting is hard. Turns out that babies tend to do what they want and that generally interferes with life, sleep, and occasionally a marriage. Those of you who have had children longer than i've had mine (10 months) are laughing into your hands about now because you are all really excited to see what this post might look like should we end up having more children.
Either way it's interesting. Jaden is convinced the only way to go to sleep, or return to that state when woken up, is through cuddling and bottle time (bottle being necessary and cuddling only when he's passed out again). Nae and I see things otherwise and thus the battle of sleep deprivation begins.
Low battery on my computer and brain is low on those hormones that replenish during sleep so until next time...pray :)
Either way it's interesting. Jaden is convinced the only way to go to sleep, or return to that state when woken up, is through cuddling and bottle time (bottle being necessary and cuddling only when he's passed out again). Nae and I see things otherwise and thus the battle of sleep deprivation begins.
Low battery on my computer and brain is low on those hormones that replenish during sleep so until next time...pray :)
Friday, October 7, 2011
Life
My friend Kels asked about Jaden's heart murmur, so let me clarify. The doctor could barely hear it and was not at all concerned. She said we will simply monitor at his next appointment. Both Jared and I had a heart murmur as a child, so we weren't really surprised. Sorry to leave you hanging Kels!
I have to say that I recently passed the third of my tests to become an Enrolled Agent, licensed to practice before the IRS. It's been a long year of studying, and I'm glad to be done with it all. Now I'm just waiting for the paperwork back from the IRS so I can add the initials behind my name on my business card :)
Biggest thing going on in our lives is still our niece Eiley. To make a long story short, she has had several struggles since being born with her intestines outside of her body. Now we are 4 surgeries later, and she has a colostomy bag for the next few months and hoping to get things moving. She can hopefully go home if things continue to do better. It's been 2 1/2 months in the NICU and is wearing on everyone, particularly her parents. Please continue to pray for Eiley's healing and learning how to eat and digest as she should. And for her parents and family as they continue to deal with having to be separated from each other and traveling back and forth from the hospital, etc.
Our basement is nearing completion at this point. The trim is up but some pieces and touch-ups still need to be done. Hopefully will be finalized by the end of the month.
Packers are back! For those who don't know, sports, especially football, is extremely important to us and our families. We literally plan our lives around the Packers and fantasy football. Gotta love it! Just thought I'd share.
Jaden is literally into EVERYTHING lately. Garbage cans, toilets, toilet paper, Dori's food and water dishes, kleenex, and anything that can be spilled or smeared all over are his favorites. He is getting extremely close to walking and I expect it any day now. He walks very efficiently along furniture and sometimes stands by himself before he forgets what he is doing.
Our computer is pretty well toast and we're looking to extract everything off of it. I've heard that you can pay to have this done. Anyone have any suggestions about the best way to go about this? I think I have pictures, etc. saved elsewhere, but just want to verify.
We're in Richland Center currently for a wedding tomorrow of Jared's co-worker. He went to hang out with the rest of the guys tonight, and Jaden is fast asleep, so I'm just hanging in the hotel room. Jaden never sleeps well away from home, plus with his cold currently - should be a long night. They do have a pool here so we're going to go swimming in the morning. Taking my son swimming is one of my favorite things so I can't wait!
I have to say that I recently passed the third of my tests to become an Enrolled Agent, licensed to practice before the IRS. It's been a long year of studying, and I'm glad to be done with it all. Now I'm just waiting for the paperwork back from the IRS so I can add the initials behind my name on my business card :)
Biggest thing going on in our lives is still our niece Eiley. To make a long story short, she has had several struggles since being born with her intestines outside of her body. Now we are 4 surgeries later, and she has a colostomy bag for the next few months and hoping to get things moving. She can hopefully go home if things continue to do better. It's been 2 1/2 months in the NICU and is wearing on everyone, particularly her parents. Please continue to pray for Eiley's healing and learning how to eat and digest as she should. And for her parents and family as they continue to deal with having to be separated from each other and traveling back and forth from the hospital, etc.
Our basement is nearing completion at this point. The trim is up but some pieces and touch-ups still need to be done. Hopefully will be finalized by the end of the month.
Packers are back! For those who don't know, sports, especially football, is extremely important to us and our families. We literally plan our lives around the Packers and fantasy football. Gotta love it! Just thought I'd share.
Jaden is literally into EVERYTHING lately. Garbage cans, toilets, toilet paper, Dori's food and water dishes, kleenex, and anything that can be spilled or smeared all over are his favorites. He is getting extremely close to walking and I expect it any day now. He walks very efficiently along furniture and sometimes stands by himself before he forgets what he is doing.
Our computer is pretty well toast and we're looking to extract everything off of it. I've heard that you can pay to have this done. Anyone have any suggestions about the best way to go about this? I think I have pictures, etc. saved elsewhere, but just want to verify.
We're in Richland Center currently for a wedding tomorrow of Jared's co-worker. He went to hang out with the rest of the guys tonight, and Jaden is fast asleep, so I'm just hanging in the hotel room. Jaden never sleeps well away from home, plus with his cold currently - should be a long night. They do have a pool here so we're going to go swimming in the morning. Taking my son swimming is one of my favorite things so I can't wait!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Jaden Update
Oh, and I forgot to mention that Jaden had his 9 month check-up today. He weighed in at 26 pounds, 2 ounces, and was 30.75 inches tall. He continues to be in the 98% of height and weight. The doctors always say 98, but in reality, his little check mark is above the normal chart. Don't really understand that, but whatever. The doctor did hear a slight heart murmer, so they will continue to monitor that in future appointments to make sure it is normal. He is very normal in all other stages of development. He continues to explore the house and try new things each day. Currently, he can walk along furniture and can hold one with one hand and balance pretty well. He'll be walking before we know it! The blue eyes are here to stay (who would have thought?). His hair is still very light in color, but will darken as he ages. And he needs a haircut soon! Starting to get quite shaggy. We will let you know when he gets his first trim :)
Happy Birthday!
I would like to wish my father a Happy 50th Birthday today. My mom turned 50 about a month ago and my father-in-law turns 50 in about two months. And Momma Heesch - you're just the lucky young one :)
Anyway, the fact that our parents are all turning 50 has made me stop to realize what wonderful people that they are. The older I get the more I realize the impact that my parents have had on my life. I would absolutely not be the same person without them. The way they taught me has shaped how I look at the world, how I treat others, how I respond to crisis situations, how I handle everything in a day, the way I cook, the way I talk, my interactions at work, the life I live all really comes back to my parents. I can't ever truly understand or even express how much I love them and how much I appreciate all that they did and continue to do in my life.
Makes me scared, too. What will 25 year old Jaden be saying when I'm 50? Will we all still be here? What will the world be like? Will I be able to be the parent that I aspire to be, like my parents were? Or will I fall dreadfully short and live a life of regrets?
Here's to great parents! And the hope that my son will one day say the same thing...
Anyway, the fact that our parents are all turning 50 has made me stop to realize what wonderful people that they are. The older I get the more I realize the impact that my parents have had on my life. I would absolutely not be the same person without them. The way they taught me has shaped how I look at the world, how I treat others, how I respond to crisis situations, how I handle everything in a day, the way I cook, the way I talk, my interactions at work, the life I live all really comes back to my parents. I can't ever truly understand or even express how much I love them and how much I appreciate all that they did and continue to do in my life.
Makes me scared, too. What will 25 year old Jaden be saying when I'm 50? Will we all still be here? What will the world be like? Will I be able to be the parent that I aspire to be, like my parents were? Or will I fall dreadfully short and live a life of regrets?
Here's to great parents! And the hope that my son will one day say the same thing...
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
9/11 Hope, Love, and Hate
Hello again...and yes I know it's the 13th but it's taken me a while to put my thoughts in order. So this is what has been in my brain about 9/11 and it's greater impact on me.
Everyone remembers what they were doing when they found out. Some of you heard on the news and probably thought there was some mistake or that the media had blown it out of proportion. Some of you may have heard someone mention something about it and were sure it was blown out of proportion. Some of you, like me, witnessed the horror live. I was in class. It was a normal morning until Mr Karney pushed open the door and said simply "Channel ##". I don't remember the channel number but I won't forget the look on his face. My teacher didn't either so naturally the first thing we did was turn towards the TV. To this point in time Tomah didn't really have TVs hooked up to cable in the rooms so even that was a bit weird but even the relatively new feeling of the situation didn't take away from the gravity in Mr K's voice. As a unit we all turned and watched. It just so happened we tuned in early enough that even those broadcasting were still trying to figure out what happened. There was much conjecture and just a repeat image of smoke poring out of the side of the tower. Occasionally, mixed in with different feeds of the billowing smoke, were commentaries about the amount of people that worked in the building or possibly could be affected. There was still no notion of why.
For some reason, why seemed so important. Why would someone do this? What motivation could someone possibly have? Then they showed to crash from a different angle. It was this point in time that my brain quirked for a moment. Something wasn't right because we had been seeing reruns of the limited coverage and this didn't look real...and then it dawned on us all. We had just witnessed the second crash. I was numb. At this moment, in front of my computer, I still remember the screen shot and heads I was peering over to watch. I remember my heart pounding because I wasn't sure and I wanted so badly to be wrong. Someone in the class had just said "that can't be another one...it had to be the first one" in such a way that it sounded like a prayer.
All of you have your own story of how/when/where you heard of the tragedy and we've all heard of many stories of heartbreak and heroism. Lately I haven't been thinking so much of these stories because I have been so focused on WHY.
You know that quote that every History teacher has said at least once and regrets to this day..."Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it" or something to that effect anyway. I believe there is a nugget of truth there. But the reality is that I hated what happened that day and I couldn't rectify it in my brain. Why was there so much hate? How could that have been condoned by religion? Who could have done such a thing? In my mind I hated them. I thought of scenarios in which I was the hero saving the day by smashing those responsible into oblivion. In my mind my hate was justified. It was through my hate that we would be saved.
As a country we then became distracted by tales of heroism. We heard of old firemen who snuck their way into "ground zero" to fight tooth and nail to save those that could be saved. We heard of men and women working for hours and hours on end with no regard for their own safety to dig through rubble and mess just to search for survivors. And as a country we hoped. As a country we clung to these stories in hopes there was a brighter tomorrow. We watched our TV for inspiration and we longed to see stories of the human condition we could rejoice about in light of this terrible attack. Immediately after this horrible experience America was glued to the hope of making tomorrow better. But in order to make tomorrow better we had to remember those and the sacrifice they made.
I had a coach in college that spoke of the opportunity that current players had of playing football and how we built our program on the backs of those gone before us. America regained some of it's identity on the backs of the firemen, servicemen, and all of the volunteers, supporters, and contributors to the efforts of moving past this monstrosity. But throughout this process one thing remained if only on the surface. One simmering emotion that spawned backlash across the country. There was still one part of our American experience underpinning the emotional status of the culture...hate.
I hated...We Hated. We hated those responsible. We hated those who thought this kind of thing was okay. We hated those who might have had a chance to stop this and did nothing. We were outraged that someone would slaughter all of those innocents to get back at the US. And we were JUSTIFIED.
Now to be clear. To lose a loved one in the way that 9/11 happened is something I will never comprehend because I didn't live it. I have no judgement for those people who haven't been able to forgive nor do I expect that they do so. My thoughts centered only around how we can prevent ourselves from becoming perpetrators of similar tragedy in the future.
The common theme here is hate. If we allow hate to dominate the way we see a given situation we have already become someone who sees somebody else as a roadblock to be averted in order to reach our goal. When we define our world with hate we devalue those we share this world with to the point that they become secondary to our passion regardless of what is right. It is my prayer that we, as a nation and culture, can find a way not to hate but to love. Love doesn't mean free passes and forgiveness to all those as long as we hear the words "sorry". Love demands accountability but the questions is accountability to what.
I hope that future generations can say that love defined them and not hate...am I now a hippie?
my thoughts such as they are
Everyone remembers what they were doing when they found out. Some of you heard on the news and probably thought there was some mistake or that the media had blown it out of proportion. Some of you may have heard someone mention something about it and were sure it was blown out of proportion. Some of you, like me, witnessed the horror live. I was in class. It was a normal morning until Mr Karney pushed open the door and said simply "Channel ##". I don't remember the channel number but I won't forget the look on his face. My teacher didn't either so naturally the first thing we did was turn towards the TV. To this point in time Tomah didn't really have TVs hooked up to cable in the rooms so even that was a bit weird but even the relatively new feeling of the situation didn't take away from the gravity in Mr K's voice. As a unit we all turned and watched. It just so happened we tuned in early enough that even those broadcasting were still trying to figure out what happened. There was much conjecture and just a repeat image of smoke poring out of the side of the tower. Occasionally, mixed in with different feeds of the billowing smoke, were commentaries about the amount of people that worked in the building or possibly could be affected. There was still no notion of why.
For some reason, why seemed so important. Why would someone do this? What motivation could someone possibly have? Then they showed to crash from a different angle. It was this point in time that my brain quirked for a moment. Something wasn't right because we had been seeing reruns of the limited coverage and this didn't look real...and then it dawned on us all. We had just witnessed the second crash. I was numb. At this moment, in front of my computer, I still remember the screen shot and heads I was peering over to watch. I remember my heart pounding because I wasn't sure and I wanted so badly to be wrong. Someone in the class had just said "that can't be another one...it had to be the first one" in such a way that it sounded like a prayer.
All of you have your own story of how/when/where you heard of the tragedy and we've all heard of many stories of heartbreak and heroism. Lately I haven't been thinking so much of these stories because I have been so focused on WHY.
You know that quote that every History teacher has said at least once and regrets to this day..."Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it" or something to that effect anyway. I believe there is a nugget of truth there. But the reality is that I hated what happened that day and I couldn't rectify it in my brain. Why was there so much hate? How could that have been condoned by religion? Who could have done such a thing? In my mind I hated them. I thought of scenarios in which I was the hero saving the day by smashing those responsible into oblivion. In my mind my hate was justified. It was through my hate that we would be saved.
As a country we then became distracted by tales of heroism. We heard of old firemen who snuck their way into "ground zero" to fight tooth and nail to save those that could be saved. We heard of men and women working for hours and hours on end with no regard for their own safety to dig through rubble and mess just to search for survivors. And as a country we hoped. As a country we clung to these stories in hopes there was a brighter tomorrow. We watched our TV for inspiration and we longed to see stories of the human condition we could rejoice about in light of this terrible attack. Immediately after this horrible experience America was glued to the hope of making tomorrow better. But in order to make tomorrow better we had to remember those and the sacrifice they made.
I had a coach in college that spoke of the opportunity that current players had of playing football and how we built our program on the backs of those gone before us. America regained some of it's identity on the backs of the firemen, servicemen, and all of the volunteers, supporters, and contributors to the efforts of moving past this monstrosity. But throughout this process one thing remained if only on the surface. One simmering emotion that spawned backlash across the country. There was still one part of our American experience underpinning the emotional status of the culture...hate.
I hated...We Hated. We hated those responsible. We hated those who thought this kind of thing was okay. We hated those who might have had a chance to stop this and did nothing. We were outraged that someone would slaughter all of those innocents to get back at the US. And we were JUSTIFIED.
Now to be clear. To lose a loved one in the way that 9/11 happened is something I will never comprehend because I didn't live it. I have no judgement for those people who haven't been able to forgive nor do I expect that they do so. My thoughts centered only around how we can prevent ourselves from becoming perpetrators of similar tragedy in the future.
The common theme here is hate. If we allow hate to dominate the way we see a given situation we have already become someone who sees somebody else as a roadblock to be averted in order to reach our goal. When we define our world with hate we devalue those we share this world with to the point that they become secondary to our passion regardless of what is right. It is my prayer that we, as a nation and culture, can find a way not to hate but to love. Love doesn't mean free passes and forgiveness to all those as long as we hear the words "sorry". Love demands accountability but the questions is accountability to what.
I hope that future generations can say that love defined them and not hate...am I now a hippie?
my thoughts such as they are
Monday, September 12, 2011
Pictures
Took Jaden to get pictures taken at Walmart tonight. We really just ordered a family one since I got a free print. Turned out ok. But really I like the ones we took in our own backyard better. Why do I always pay so much to have his pictures taken? I got some of our home photos printed bigger - we'll see how they turn out. Maybe I'll be doing more home versions in the future.
Hard to believe that Jaden is already nine months old tomorrow. Time really does fly. Seems like just yesterday that we were waiting for the little guy last winter. Now I can't imagine life as just us two instead of three. I am already dreading the day that he will be going off to college and he's only 9 months old! Jared always laughs at me. But I think every mother feels that way, right?
Anyway, thought you may want to enjoy our pictures in the backyard as well :)http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=546669154579&set=a.546669039809.2033582.110800395&type=1&theater
Hard to believe that Jaden is already nine months old tomorrow. Time really does fly. Seems like just yesterday that we were waiting for the little guy last winter. Now I can't imagine life as just us two instead of three. I am already dreading the day that he will be going off to college and he's only 9 months old! Jared always laughs at me. But I think every mother feels that way, right?
Anyway, thought you may want to enjoy our pictures in the backyard as well :)http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=546669154579&set=a.546669039809.2033582.110800395&type=1&theater
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