too much snow???
Go to the beach!!! (at the zoo. inside.)
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Snow Day
Stuck inside most of Sunday, we designed a new marble run.
wooo, wooo, Mr. Fancy Structural Engineer
(yes, we know we installed the paper overlaps backwards)
Prayer
Here's a different kind of post.
I have some questions and you guys are a great resource for a variety of points of view.
If you feel comfortable sharing, can you please tell me your thoughts on praying?
Specifically: Do you pray? What are your reasons for praying? Do you think it changes how events unfold, i.e. do you believe that if someone is sick, lots of people praying for her will speed her recovery? When you pray, is it primarily to give thanks, ask for help to change your own behavior and thoughts, or ask for help to change something out in the world? Or something else that I haven't thought of?
Please share as much or little as you want. If you would rather comment anonymously, that's fine. Or if you prefer to email directly to me, please use jennymcasper@yahoo.com
And to be fair, here are my thoughts on the matter...
I struggle with prayer. I feel like there are great benefits; a closeness with and mindfulness of God, a great sense of community when you pray for each other, it reminds us that we aren't the only ones who might be having problems or are hurting, it keeps us aware of our own behaviors and thoughts. But my struggle comes in asking God for anything. I just cannot believe that praying can actually change someone's health, natural disasters, someone's safety. If a person is sick and gets better, can we assume that she wouldn't have gotten better if no one had prayed? Or am I missing something?
Laura is getting to an age where she is asking questions, understand much, and remembering everything. Kids have a way of pointing out all those things that you have just kind of glossed over in your life. I know this is something I have to figure out for myself and that there are many resources at my church that I can look to, and I will. But the opinions of people I know, love, and trust have always meant the most to me, so I'm coming to you in a way that gives everyone a chance to think about what they want to say and only opt in if you are feeling inclined.
Thank you
I have some questions and you guys are a great resource for a variety of points of view.
If you feel comfortable sharing, can you please tell me your thoughts on praying?
Specifically: Do you pray? What are your reasons for praying? Do you think it changes how events unfold, i.e. do you believe that if someone is sick, lots of people praying for her will speed her recovery? When you pray, is it primarily to give thanks, ask for help to change your own behavior and thoughts, or ask for help to change something out in the world? Or something else that I haven't thought of?
Please share as much or little as you want. If you would rather comment anonymously, that's fine. Or if you prefer to email directly to me, please use jennymcasper@yahoo.com
And to be fair, here are my thoughts on the matter...
I struggle with prayer. I feel like there are great benefits; a closeness with and mindfulness of God, a great sense of community when you pray for each other, it reminds us that we aren't the only ones who might be having problems or are hurting, it keeps us aware of our own behaviors and thoughts. But my struggle comes in asking God for anything. I just cannot believe that praying can actually change someone's health, natural disasters, someone's safety. If a person is sick and gets better, can we assume that she wouldn't have gotten better if no one had prayed? Or am I missing something?
Laura is getting to an age where she is asking questions, understand much, and remembering everything. Kids have a way of pointing out all those things that you have just kind of glossed over in your life. I know this is something I have to figure out for myself and that there are many resources at my church that I can look to, and I will. But the opinions of people I know, love, and trust have always meant the most to me, so I'm coming to you in a way that gives everyone a chance to think about what they want to say and only opt in if you are feeling inclined.
Thank you
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Michelle, John and Odin
Its time. I can't put it off any longer. Michelle and Odin (John too!) are leaving us in a few days. Wow. I know I can't sufficiently put into words what this means to me. Its going to be rough. Writing this is rough, which is why I put it off so long.
I met Michelle at a La Leche League meeting just about 5 years ago. Laura was about to be born and Odin was very tiny, maybe 2 months? Our friendship has grown out of common interests, common mannerisms (seriously, its scary!), and a need born of the fact that we are both imports into a location where people generally are born, raised, and stay to raise their families among relatives and high school friends.
She is the person I call.
I tried to expand on that, but there's not much more to say. She IS the person I call, whenever anything good/bad/stupid/ridiculous happens or doesn't happen. Aside from family, she's it. Yes, I know I will still call her whenever anything ridiculous happens. But we won't be able to meet for coffee when the kids are at school; we can't meet at the zoo/museum/arboretum/Sam's farm/visitors center/playground so the kids can play while we chat and take a break.
So...yeah. This sucks.
And now I have to find a new emergency contact.
Enough about us. This is a fantastic opportunity for their family to get back to the part of the country that they have been planning to return for years. It sounds like a gorgeous place, perfect for their lifestyle and priorities (co-ops, bike lanes, ski slopes). Have fun in Olympia, Michelle, John and Odin!
I met Michelle at a La Leche League meeting just about 5 years ago. Laura was about to be born and Odin was very tiny, maybe 2 months? Our friendship has grown out of common interests, common mannerisms (seriously, its scary!), and a need born of the fact that we are both imports into a location where people generally are born, raised, and stay to raise their families among relatives and high school friends.
She is the person I call.
I tried to expand on that, but there's not much more to say. She IS the person I call, whenever anything good/bad/stupid/ridiculous happens or doesn't happen. Aside from family, she's it. Yes, I know I will still call her whenever anything ridiculous happens. But we won't be able to meet for coffee when the kids are at school; we can't meet at the zoo/museum/arboretum/Sam's farm/visitors center/playground so the kids can play while we chat and take a break.
So...yeah. This sucks.
And now I have to find a new emergency contact.
Enough about us. This is a fantastic opportunity for their family to get back to the part of the country that they have been planning to return for years. It sounds like a gorgeous place, perfect for their lifestyle and priorities (co-ops, bike lanes, ski slopes). Have fun in Olympia, Michelle, John and Odin!
(photo by Michelle)
(photo by Michelle)
(photo by Michelle)
(photo by Michelle)
(photo by Michelle)
(photo by Michelle)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Testing
Jim gave me this new fangled itouch 4G and I'm checking to see if this blogger app works. Guess it does!
Mashed Potatoes
A simple story from our household.
Yesterday, Laura randomly cried "Mashed potatoes! I need mashed potatoes!"
Um. OK. Our kids don't really eat potatoes in any form other than fried. (That in itself blows my mind since Jim and I were literally raised on meat and potatoes. (BTW, Laura is also currently eschewing the meat.))
Anyway, since I hadn't really decided on dinner yet, and it was such a sincere and passionate request, we made mashed potatoes. She was lucky that we even had potatoes; it is not a staple in our house lately. And she devoured them. Four helpings later, she was still gushing about how great they tasted. Glad I could satisfy your palate, Laura.
Yesterday, Laura randomly cried "Mashed potatoes! I need mashed potatoes!"
Um. OK. Our kids don't really eat potatoes in any form other than fried. (That in itself blows my mind since Jim and I were literally raised on meat and potatoes. (BTW, Laura is also currently eschewing the meat.))
Anyway, since I hadn't really decided on dinner yet, and it was such a sincere and passionate request, we made mashed potatoes. She was lucky that we even had potatoes; it is not a staple in our house lately. And she devoured them. Four helpings later, she was still gushing about how great they tasted. Glad I could satisfy your palate, Laura.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Nests
Laura was feeling puny last weekend, so I made them "nests" out of these awesome cardboard boxes that we got from our new compost bin.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Adapting
Not being a native northerner, I am slowly becoming accustomed to the bitter temperatures and learning how to dress properly. The thermometer reading twenty degrees understandably frightened me, and the kids and I spent a lot of time, energy and tears struggling into our heavy winter coats and gear every time we left the house, and then more time, energy and tears buckling seat belts over the poofy coats. Then, we would roast in the car after the heater kicked in, and have to deal with all the gear when we got inside wherever we were going.
I had an epiphany when I heard from a few other moms who relied solely on light fleece jackets, hats and mittens throughout the winter.
Really?
Is that legal?
It turns out there aren't any official laws about such things, so I've completely embraced the concept. No one is going to get frostbite walking from the car to the school/store/zoo/etc.
Through trial and error, here are the loose guidelines I have arrived at for staying warm. (Obviously, its different if we plan to actually spend time outside for any length of time)
a. Over 30 degrees, only light jackets required. You can wear it or carry it, your choice.
b. 10-30, light jackets, hats, and mittens required. If you choose to take off the hat or mittens after I put them on, you will have a cold head and hands, your choice.
c. Under 10, the works: heavy coats, hats, mittens.
d. Under 0, suggested long johns under your pants, though not required.
Zippers are easier, car seats are more bearable (and even more important: safer!), and smiles are more plentiful.
(And yes, the warm coats are always stashed in the car in case of emergency. Don't worry Dad!)
We also tried an outdoor snack the other day. It turned out great!
I had an epiphany when I heard from a few other moms who relied solely on light fleece jackets, hats and mittens throughout the winter.
Really?
Is that legal?
It turns out there aren't any official laws about such things, so I've completely embraced the concept. No one is going to get frostbite walking from the car to the school/store/zoo/etc.
Through trial and error, here are the loose guidelines I have arrived at for staying warm. (Obviously, its different if we plan to actually spend time outside for any length of time)
a. Over 30 degrees, only light jackets required. You can wear it or carry it, your choice.
b. 10-30, light jackets, hats, and mittens required. If you choose to take off the hat or mittens after I put them on, you will have a cold head and hands, your choice.
c. Under 10, the works: heavy coats, hats, mittens.
d. Under 0, suggested long johns under your pants, though not required.
Zippers are easier, car seats are more bearable (and even more important: safer!), and smiles are more plentiful.
(And yes, the warm coats are always stashed in the car in case of emergency. Don't worry Dad!)
We also tried an outdoor snack the other day. It turned out great!
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