The Next Best Thing To Having A Pool...

Having friends with pools. Even though we do not have a pool, we get plenty of opportunities to swim during the summer, thanks to having good friends that share. Jackson, Sadie, and I went swimming today. Megan is still in school and Eric was at work so they have been missing out on a lot of the fun so far this summer. Here are a few pictures from our day.

Since I was holding Sadie the entire time, Jackson spent most of the day in the shallow area. He doesn't like to swim without Eric or I holding onto him, but luckily he is content to just hang out.

The kids and I. Obviously.

My little Sade. She is very content in the water, but you won't catch her smiling. She tends to be quite serious minded.

SPT

"Stars And/Or Stripes Forever"

This is my favorite picture of my son Jackson and I. It was taken about 2 years ago. He is wearing his stars and stripes swimming suit, which he still enjoys wearing, even though it is now quite small on him.

I am also including a picture of my Converse All Star sneakers. I have had these for about 15 years. Before these, I had many other pair that have since been laid to rest. However, I have held onto these (my last pair) for some reason. I never wear them, but whenever I clean out my closet they somehow manage to stay. Maybe I instinctively knew I would eventually need them for this SPT assignment.

Two Of Us

It all started with the two of us.

Jackson said: "Mom, it really all started with Jesus, right?"

HELLGA

We watch a show called American Gladiators. My kids love it. And truthfully so do Eric and I. Jackson doesn't like to watch a lot of T.V. but along with Tom & Jerry it is the one show he watches from beginning to end. We all have our favorite Gladiators, but I think Jackson's choice of favorite Gladiator is interesting. When she comes on screen he always proclaims, "She's my favorite." He has also been know to say, "She is so cute", and "She is really pretty." And her name is:

HELLGA

Do you find this to be an "interesting" choice?

SPT

"Home Sweet Home"

When my husband and I got married we were pretty poor. I had stopped working after I had my first daughter so we were trying to live on one income that at the time was not very much. We lived in Salt Lake City in an old, run-down apartment complex next to a refinery. I remember my Dad saying that sometime soon he thought we would be getting a house, and I thought he was crazy. Not too long after, my husband got a job offer in Las Vegas and we decided to move. A few months later we moved into our home, and we are still in it 6 years later. At the time we had one child and plenty of room. As more children have come, our house has seemed to shrink, but I truly could not be more grateful for it. As a child, we moved around a lot. Mostly within the same town, but from apartment to apartment. I did not mind it much, but now having lived in one place for a few years, I realize how nice it is. But looking back to the early years of our marriage I find that I was truly just as happy then as I am now. Granted, I prefer where I am living now, but my heart was just as full.

Father's Day

Before I met Eric I hadn't really given much thought to having kids. To me, children were an abstract concept that I wasn't sure would be a part of my life. That all changed when I met Eric. I instantly knew he would be an amazing Dad, because he was a truly amazing man. I remember thinking, I can't believe there are men out there like this. I knew he would be an amazing father, and I was right. He takes care of our family in every possible aspect. I would like to share a few of my favorite things about Eric as a father.

• He can answer all of the kids questions, no matter what they may be. I often say the words, "I'm not sure. Let's ask Dad when he gets home."
• He will walk Sadie (and Megan and Jackson when they were babies) around the house for hours, if needed, until she falls asleep.
• He has the patience to listen to 48 jokes in a row concerning bunnies. I am not exaggerating. Megan brought a book of bunny riddles home last week and Eric listened to each and every one.

• He cleans up bodily fluids. He knows I hate this, so if he is home he takes on bathroom duties.
• Kid noise (yelling, roughhousing, whining) do not seem to bother him. He lets our kids be kids.
• He takes the time to explain things to them, and to teach them the things they need or want to know. He always has time for them.

• He will play cars, build tracks, read books, and play games endlessly with the kids.
• When he comes home from work, he is always so happy and excited to see them. When he is home, his time is our time.
• And lastly, and what makes my heart the happiest, is that my kids will grow up knowing their Dad loves everything about them. Really, what could be better.

Eric, we love you and thank you for being everything a father can be.

Jackson Said

Jackson (talking to Sadie in a high-pitched voice): "You are the sweetest boy in the whole world."
Me: "Jackson, silly, you know Sadie is a girl."
Jackson: "I know Mom. That was Sadie talking to me."

Three For Thursday

There's not much to say about these pictures, they are just my 3 favorites from the last week.

SPT

"The Twilight's Last Gleaming"

Twilight is truly my favorite time of day. I love to be at home watching my kids play after the hot Las Vegas sun has gone down, but my favorite place to be during the twilight hour, is driving in the car. I love to be able to lean back, with my sunglasses off, and watch the scenery (mostly buildings, dirt, and desert) as we pass by. Everything always looks so clean and calm to me. What I think I will remember most about twilight from now on is taking this picture. I am sticking my head out of our sun roof, and trying to take a picture of myself while my husband drives as fast as he can down a fairly short road. We didn't just drive down this road once, we had to do it multiple times until I could get the picture I wanted. Not only did my kids keep asking me what I was doing, but there were also a good number of strangers around who probably thought I was crazy. It was worth it for the good laugh my husband and I were able to get. Doing SPT is really helping me get over any embarrassment issues I may have.

200

Today in her newsletter, Neighbor Jane Payne posted a list of 200 things in honor of her 200th newsletter. She invited anyone to re-post them on their blogs as a way of journaling. Just cut, paste, and bold the items you have done.

200 Have and Have Nots!

1. Touched an iceberg

2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
(When I visited the Statue of Liberty we were not allowed to)
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
(funerals, Dr.'s offices)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken a cold bath
(no-way-the hotter the better)
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster

(That's me in the front)

31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking

(mostly with my kids at home)

33. Adopted an accent just for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
(Wonder-Woman)
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
(No, but I was in Megan's yearbook last year, which excited me greatly)
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest

Eric and I won for our Pilgrim and Indian costumes

63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Read and understood your credit report
68. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
(Chinese Jump Rope)
69. Bounced a check
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city just to start over
(Salt Lake, Las Vegas)
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
(120.00 in Mesquite last November)
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle

79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read the Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train

(On a train in Spain (I was 16))

123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
(Driver's License Anyone?)
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
(Thanks to my 6th grade gym teacher (Oh were going to a hookey-lau))
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
(In Mexico, when both Megan and I had the flu. Megan threw-up twice)
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

Jackson The Gymnast

Today Jackson finished up the gymnastics classes he has been taking, so I thought I would share a few pictures. He was so well behaved in class. He listened so well and followed all directions. Why isn't he so perfectly behaved at home?

At the end of class all of the kids got to show their favorite activity. Jackson's favorite the first day was the handstand.

He also loved swinging on the rings. Really, who wouldn't?

Jackson had no fear, which enabled him to catch some major air while jumping.

It was such a fun class. I had such a blast being able to watch him do something he truly enjoyed.

Lastly, here is a video of Jackson doing his favorite activity from last week. He starts soccer on Monday, so hopefully he will enjoy it just as much.

SPT

Today starts a new month of challenges.

Tuesday June 3rd: The Emblem Of The Land I Love
Tuesday June 10th: The Twilight's Last Gleaming
Tuesday June 17th: My Home Sweet Home
Tuesday June 24th: Stars And/Or Stripes Forever

"The Emblem Of The Land I Love"

As a child I have very vivid memories of watching people on T.V. from Russia (or the U.S.S.R. as we called it back then), or any other number of foreign country coming to the United States and marveling that we could walk right into a grocery store and buy any item we wanted. I know things have changed in the last 25 years, but I think being able to walk into a giant warehouse store, past a sea of SUV's is pretty uniquely American. We like our food and cars to come in bulk size. Within a few miles of my home, we have a Costco, Sam's Club, 3 Wal-Mart's, a Vons, 2 Smith's, and one Lucky Grocery Store.

Suck - n - Slide

I think I may officially have a thumb sucker. I have never had one before, so I am not sure what I should do. She doesn't seem to do it to sooth herself, she just seems to like to chew on it. Should I just let her suck it? Or should I pull it out of her mouth?

Sadie doesn't eat solid food yet, but whenever we go to Zaba's to eat, she loves to chew on their cheese quesadillas. Luckily I had my camera with us this weekend, so I could document her love for Zaba's. She must take after me.

We also broke out the slip-n-slide this weekend. I loved it when I was a kid, and my kids do too. Eric and I were cleaning out the garage, or you can bet there would be pictures of us on it also. I know you all are upset that there aren't.