tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121966142011-06-08T01:28:54.767-05:00Not so long ago we were two strangers who met over a shared library table piled up with books...Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.comBlogger3561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1135873509882336872005-12-28T22:16:00.000-06:002005-12-29T10:49:23.203-06:00

No, we're not moving houses. We had a family meeting and reviewed our site statistics. Despite the fact that we have very low commenters on this blog (three), we have quite a large readership. We don't mind that you all don't comment. We have an understanding - we provide material, you read. Our relationship to each other is understood. However, we did feel the need to move to a site that we

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1135312052291192052005-12-22T22:22:00.000-06:002005-12-22T22:39:34.426-06:00

Tonight at dinner he wanted to sing us a song between the main course and dessert:"I wish you a Merry Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" (so far, so good) "Diamonds we bring for you and your skin, diamonds for Christmas and a Happy New Year!"Well, he can come wish us a Merry Christmas anytime, as long as he's bringing diamonds!

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1135294068678375042005-12-22T17:30:00.000-06:002005-12-22T17:27:48.703-06:00

Today we had our last sonogram for Reagan. Guess what - still don't know what he/she is. However, Reagan is healthy and that's all we needed to know. I know some of you think we secretly know and just aren't saying anything. Truly and honestly, we don't have any idea. It really doesn't make any difference. You either get a boy or a girl. If Reagan is a boy we've got all the boy stuff. If

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1135204747932535322005-12-21T16:36:00.000-06:002005-12-21T21:11:06.173-06:00

Chris took Kenneth, Lesley, and kids to the airport this morning for their trip. He left the house before anyone else was up. I woke up, got Wilson up, got us dressed. We watched the news - the coverage of the transportation strike in NYC. I was impressed with the commuters' fortitude. They were walking. "You gotta do what you gotta do" one pedestrian said. That's right I thought.I was impressed,

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1135055056037891782005-12-19T22:16:00.000-06:002005-12-20T21:25:16.403-06:00

9 pm - Bathtime. Mom and Boy."Mom, I want to sing my favorite Christmas song.""What's your favorite song?""The one about the ducks.""The Twelve Days of Christmas?""No." Frustration building for Boy, "The one about the ducks.""How does it go?""Release all the ducks.""There's not a Christmas song about ducks getting released."More frustration - he has a dumb Mom and that would frustrate anyone. He

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1134958880364745972005-12-18T19:49:00.000-06:002005-12-18T21:07:30.256-06:00

8:00 pm December 18, 1999. Baylor University, Miller Chapel. Six years ago. That's sort of the beginning and the ending to the entire story.I will bring you up on the preface to December 18, 1999. I was to have graduated in December 1998, but I withdrew my name from the graduation list a month before graduation. No, I wasn't failing anything. I took my name off the graduation list because there

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1134663707450656392005-12-14T22:20:00.000-06:002005-12-18T19:28:21.846-06:00

The Christmas cards were made. The stamps were on the addressed envelopes. One thing was missing from our annual postal onslaught of Merry Christmases – missing one photo of darling son in Christmas attire.We dress him up. We explain to him that we are going to go take a few photos of him for the Christmas cards. We promise hot chocolate WITH marshmallows if the photo session comes off without a

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1134183398068418602005-12-09T20:55:00.000-06:002005-12-09T20:56:38.080-06:00

Wilson - 3, Reagan - 31 weeksDecember 2005 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1134170450661716282005-12-09T17:18:00.000-06:002005-12-09T23:22:07.436-06:00

To the Bureau of Motherly Affairs, Name Change Department:12/9/2005Dear Office of Motherly Affairs:I am acknowledging your paperwork, requesting a permanent name change. In February 2002 I received one (1) delivery of 8 lb. 2 oz. baby boy at 6:01 pm. Soon thereafter baby boy began speaking and I became 'mama' or 'mommy'. 'Mommy' has been fine. I have even been completely fine with being

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1134009207153280952005-12-07T20:16:00.000-06:002005-12-07T20:39:15.663-06:00

Wilson showed up in the living room after his bath tonight. He's been reading "Where the Wild Things Are" every night with me. He shows up in the living room, stark naked, wearing only a pair of SpongeBob Squarepants swimming goggles. He clears his throat: "Mom?""Yes?"He stands there and pulls his goggles up so they are resting on his forehead now. He holds his left hand straight up in the

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133986929866989462005-12-07T16:08:00.000-06:002005-12-07T20:39:56.666-06:00

It got cold here. Fast. Saturday it was nearly 90 degrees outside, today it is sleeting and the natives are driving like maniacs on the snow, preparing for the Armageddon that is a "wintry mix" in Texas.To prepare for freezing temperatures I took Will out last night to buy mittens. He needs mittens on the playground. As he puts it, you can't swing with your hands in your pockets. He's right. We

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756935407193502005-12-04T22:28:00.000-06:002005-12-05T08:30:46.250-06:00

Will and Adison playing outside.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756893258311052005-12-04T22:27:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:28:13.260-06:00

Me and my boy. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756809211632092005-12-04T22:26:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:26:49.213-06:00

Nathan and Adison. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756761756000402005-12-04T22:25:00.001-06:002005-12-04T22:26:01.756-06:00

Poppy and Adison. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756724705043252005-12-04T22:25:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:25:24.706-06:00

Will and Amber. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756656598264482005-12-04T22:23:00.000-06:002005-12-05T08:31:22.940-06:00

The whole reason we went was to see the life-sized dinosaur exhibit. It's all Will talked about. Then we got there and he wouldn't go near it.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756598333941362005-12-04T22:22:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:23:18.333-06:00

He's convinced it's going to eat him. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756425002599902005-12-04T22:19:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:20:25.003-06:00

The boys performing laser surgery. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756346851979832005-12-04T22:18:00.001-06:002005-12-04T22:19:06.853-06:00

Checking our heart rate. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756318005404912005-12-04T22:18:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:18:38.006-06:00

How you grow. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756283012334202005-12-04T22:17:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:18:03.013-06:00

Wilson monitoring traffic over I-40. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756213533535252005-12-04T22:16:00.000-06:002005-12-05T08:31:52.220-06:00

Chris playing with electricity.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756183446878272005-12-04T22:15:00.001-06:002005-12-04T22:16:23.446-06:00

Learning how the check out works. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756134346304772005-12-04T22:15:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:15:34.346-06:00

Chris and Wilson with the water guns. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133756098975438542005-12-04T22:14:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:14:58.976-06:00

Christy and Adison in the ball pool. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133755992744465242005-12-04T22:11:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:13:12.746-06:00

So they all want to see how the static ball thing works and they elected me. Fine - if Reagan comes out with some static sensitivity issues, the Magic House staff did assure me this would not harm him/her. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133755881932614752005-12-04T22:10:00.001-06:002005-12-04T22:11:21.933-06:00

Mom's turn. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133755834937640232005-12-04T22:10:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:10:34.940-06:00

Christy and Adison's turn 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133755807627299822005-12-04T22:09:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:10:07.630-06:00

Hmmm, their hair isn't working. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133755683119051202005-12-04T22:07:00.000-06:002005-12-05T08:32:24.370-06:00

Clean up crew.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133755422285167692005-12-04T22:02:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:03:42.286-06:00

The man and his turkey. Just so you know, he eats as he carves. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133755310025747682005-12-04T22:01:00.000-06:002005-12-04T22:01:50.026-06:00

Us - ready for the turkey. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133755251075571692005-12-04T22:00:00.000-06:002005-12-05T08:32:55.503-06:00

Amber and Adison

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133755164950382222005-12-04T21:58:00.000-06:002005-12-04T21:59:24.950-06:00

Nate, Christy, and Adison 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133755093148030272005-12-04T21:57:00.000-06:002005-12-04T21:58:13.150-06:00

Aunt Amber thinks we need more light sabers - just in case of a galactic attack... 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133754991305285132005-12-04T21:55:00.000-06:002005-12-04T21:56:31.306-06:00

He hasn't quit wearing his knight stuff since he opened it. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133754925858454742005-12-04T21:53:00.000-06:002005-12-04T21:55:25.860-06:00

She's too young for Play-Dough, so we got her a pony that sings and clippity-clops. I expect the pony will find it's batteries removed around her birthday in a few weeks. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133754794428493292005-12-04T21:52:00.000-06:002005-12-04T21:53:14.443-06:00

Wilson, Adison, Papa-Jay, and Grandma 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1133623924494990202005-12-03T08:58:00.000-06:002005-12-04T21:39:00.296-06:00

It's taken a while to post for a few reasons: After leaving work for a few days when you return you have multiplied the work you need to do, Tired, Sick, and most importantly - that question over meals with family where they start to tell you something and then don't in fears "You might write about this on the web". No I won't. Promise. For now.So here's a brief run-down of our trip to "the

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1132580104077361122005-11-21T07:31:00.000-06:002005-11-28T09:36:27.356-06:00

Thomas Wolfe wrote You Can't Go Home Again. I thought I knew what this piece of work meant: everything changes - you change, people and places at home change, so "home" doesn't really exist the way you remember it and it never actually feels like "home" again. I thought that is what the piece meant. I was wrong. I found a whole new interpretation."You can't go home again" for our family means

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1131724503846033632005-11-11T06:53:00.000-06:002005-11-11T09:57:07.876-06:00

Chris went to pick up some groceries this week. The groceries are on one side of the store – electronics are on the complete opposite side, but somehow he managed to bring home a DVD with the groceries. Funny how that happens…I didn’t care too much. The DVD was $1.00 and if it’s only $1.00 you have to buy it. Seriously. This DVD is of the Superman cartoons that aired when my dad was a boy. I won’

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1131125752169967662005-11-08T21:47:00.000-06:002005-11-08T21:50:09.036-06:00

Chris works a lot of nights leaving plenty o' Mom-n-Boy evenings for Will and me. When Wilson was a newborn Chris worked during the day and took classes for his master's degree at night. You do what you have to do to support your wife and kid - so we appreciate the sacrifices Chris has made for us over the years. And we reserve the weekends just for the three of us to spend time together, so it

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1131378334939392662005-11-07T20:27:00.000-06:002005-11-07T20:36:37.523-06:00

No, they are not just for your hair. You can also use temporary highlights to end the "when are you ever going to post something on your blog?" e-mails you get from readers...How to Become Unprofessional in under 30 Minutes: I have spent five years working my rear off to have an aura of capability and seem "with it" as an assistant. Five years of hard, hard work beating deadlines, organizing,

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1131415509792958482005-11-07T20:04:00.000-06:002005-11-07T20:05:09.793-06:00

Going for a walk by the fish pond. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1131415411321181412005-11-07T20:03:00.000-06:002005-11-07T20:03:31.323-06:00

The boys. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1131415337841781562005-11-07T20:00:00.000-06:002005-11-07T20:02:17.860-06:00

Do you know who he is? This is a homemade Darth Vader outfit. Pretty clever. He put it all together by himself from things found in his room. 

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130553408530620932005-10-28T21:32:00.000-05:002005-10-28T21:47:51.810-05:00

Well, here they are -"Peter Man and Tinkellbell" as they say. Last year they were Raggedy Ann and Andy. So they went trick or treating, ran around on a sugar rush, and Maria said they were going to get married. Successful evening all around.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130527439397075402005-10-28T15:41:00.000-05:002005-10-28T15:50:50.463-05:00

"Some people have great stories, pretty stories that take place at lakes with boats and friends and noodle salad. Just no one in this car. But, a lot of people, that's their story. Good times, noodle salad." - Jack Nicholson,As Good as it GetsIn college Regan and I went to see this movie every time we had a bad or rough day. I'd venture to say we saw it at least once a week. Of course, once it

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130439457570202102005-10-27T07:49:00.000-05:002005-10-27T19:45:38.473-05:00

He's been a Cardinal fan since birth, an Astros fan for a week, and now he's a White Sox fan...Since there is no loyalty or logic in who the boys cheered for in the NLCS (if you have no idea what I'm speaking of, you'll need to head to the archives to find "The Astro Turf is Always Greener" and "When the Pujols Hits the Fan") I figured I would beat Chris at his own game. And I won.Last night,

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130190264112572932005-10-24T16:28:00.000-05:002005-10-24T16:57:59.343-05:00

For reasons of illness Will and I stayed home this fine Monday. Yes, I am supposed to rest when I'm sick but, no, I didn't because you can't rest when there's laundry to do. I learned it from my mother...So I'm folding and hanging clothes while Wilson watches Spongebob. He gets up and comes back to the room. I might add here that this child has NO poker face. He can never be a defense attorney,

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130126310636868652005-10-23T22:58:00.000-05:002005-10-23T22:58:30.926-05:00

Saturday we went out to a farm for a family day at Mainstay Farm just south of Fort Worth. Maria had gone with her parents and it looked like fun, so, monkey-see monkey-do.Aside from the weather getting QUITE warm as the day wore on, and aside from the herds of people who showed up as the day wore on, we had a great time together. If you're interested, you too should take a trip out to Mainstay

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130119479096157822005-10-23T21:04:00.000-05:002005-10-23T21:04:39.096-05:00

Picking out his pumpkin

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130117874878958572005-10-23T20:37:00.001-05:002005-10-23T20:37:54.876-05:00

Playing in the maze.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130117837591662882005-10-23T20:37:00.000-05:002005-10-23T20:37:17.603-05:00

Swinging.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130117771779094872005-10-23T20:36:00.000-05:002005-10-23T20:36:11.793-05:00

Dad's turn.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130117727876499152005-10-23T20:35:00.000-05:002005-10-23T20:35:27.886-05:00

Playing in the tree house.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130117683084307522005-10-23T20:34:00.001-05:002005-10-23T20:34:43.083-05:00

Painting his pumpkin.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130117642491727342005-10-23T20:34:00.000-05:002005-10-23T20:34:02.506-05:00

After hours of "When are we going to cut up my pumpkin?" we gave in. Let me tell you the indicators of a pumpkin disaster: Your assistant is a 3 year old, you have never actually done this yourself, and your resident "expert" hasn't done this since she was 16. Those are indications that this won't be so easy...

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130117145493790272005-10-23T20:25:00.000-05:002005-10-23T20:25:45.503-05:00

He wanted to help. As soon as he put his hand in he said it was nasty. No more help.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130117033822797752005-10-23T20:23:00.000-05:002005-10-23T20:23:53.880-05:00

A Perfect Pumpkin - not bad for our 1st time. Wilson looked into the pumpkin and said "You're amazing!" Made it all worth it.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1130029395854742872005-10-22T19:52:00.000-05:002005-10-23T15:07:24.763-05:00

I'm going to do a plug for a children's book. I have been reading my fair share of children's books for the last several years. That makes me a mommy with a reading degree. A pseudo-expert.Children's books are the hardest to author (and do a good job). You know what makes a good children's book? Artwork and a good moral that kids hear from moms, dads, teachers - but it really sinks in when they

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1129940468869266882005-10-21T19:20:00.000-05:002005-10-21T19:26:51.900-05:00

Sweet Pea-Sometimes I have to remind myself that you are 3 ½. What I mean is that sometimes I feel like you have been a part of me forever – and sometimes I feel like you were just born a week ago. I can’t remember what I did before you came and I have to remind myself that you just keep getting bigger and more independent. I’m doing my best to keep up with you without holding you back. It’s more

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1129779563460357272005-10-19T22:38:00.000-05:002005-10-19T22:39:23.470-05:00

Cardinals lost. The boys are free to cheer on the Astros. Good luck to them. :(

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1129577039332465892005-10-18T18:14:00.000-05:002005-10-19T16:02:18.446-05:00

I wasn't aware when we purchased the new living room furniture that we had actually gotten more for our money. Not only did we purchase a couch, loveseat, end tables, and coffee table - we also purchased a full gymnastic studio for Wilson.He's been told not to climb on the furniture more than once. I'd venture to say he believes his mother only knows two sentences - "I love you", and, "Don't jump

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1129608052875739292005-10-17T22:53:00.000-05:002005-10-17T23:29:08.893-05:00

Well, it looks like the Astros aren't going to the World Series. I say that in full confidence that the St. Louis Cardinals will win Games 6 and 7 at home to bring the World Series to Busch Stadium.Jolene was correct in saying that I grew up an Astros fan. We lived 2 hours away and that was all the baseball that was on TV. However, ever since marrying into the Davidson family it's been the

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762371158867979235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1129508916945905632005-10-16T19:27:00.000-05:002005-10-17T10:41:48.730-05:00

One of the definitions of the word Loyal is "faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product". Another definition is "unswerving in allegiance". Here's the thing - when we set up this blog Chris set the links over there on your right hand side. Do you see what links he put in? That's right, there's a link to the St. Louis Cardinals. Do you see a link to the Houston Astros? No. You

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1129430659418696082005-10-15T21:23:00.000-05:002005-10-15T21:48:21.116-05:00

The trickiest part of asking Wilson what movie he wants to watch on "movie night" (Fridays) is figuring out what movie he is requesting. Sometimes he says the name of the movie, others he just gives us what he thinks is the plot. Here's an example and we'll see if you can figure it out."The one with the knights that are fighting the horses for Mexico. And then they paint." So we're trying to

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1129056295925410272005-10-14T17:35:00.000-05:002005-10-14T17:38:11.446-05:00

I knew what time of year it was - the weather was getting cooler, the candy apples are on sale at the grocery store, two aisles are dedicated to super value packs of candy, and pumpkins are on display... That means Halloween.We go to a church carnival for the event, often referred to as a "Fall Family Festival". I like this approach much better than the door to door trek through the neighborhood

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128709107888519892005-10-09T23:00:00.000-05:002005-10-10T11:23:19.520-05:00

Chris and I have been taking inventory of what we still have leftover from Wilson that we can use for Reagan. They will have to share a room, just for a little while until we move into a larger place and most of Reagan's things will be "gently used". Some of Reagan's things will be new because Wilson's stuff was no longer usable (or because we gave it away...) but I'm seeing that a lot of what

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128829730738591732005-10-08T22:48:00.000-05:002005-10-08T22:48:50.746-05:00

We got up Saturday morning and went to watch Brandon play Little League. Wilson was excited to be back outside playing - now that the cold front came through and we no longer have 106 degree days where if you go outside it's just too hot to do anything but wonder why on earth you went outside. It was a lot of fun to go and watch Brandon play. Chris was there, with his camera... Of course.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128829343652871052005-10-08T22:42:00.000-05:002005-10-08T22:43:07.630-05:00

Some Americans at this game probably think the Esterhuizens are in the whole South African diamond business because Brandon goes to play little league baseball and brings his own sports photographer, Chris.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128829224021042762005-10-08T22:40:00.000-05:002005-10-08T22:44:32.060-05:00

But Brandon also had a second photographer, Chris' co-worker Rob. (Actually Chris and Rob came to the game straight from taking pictures for work so they had their cameras. I bet some of the other parents wondered about Kenneth and Lesley though, showing up with two cameramen...)

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128829101115925062005-10-08T22:38:00.000-05:002005-10-08T22:38:21.126-05:00

It was a beautiful, cool day to go watch a baseball game.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128829030815816472005-10-08T22:37:00.000-05:002005-10-08T22:37:10.823-05:00

Brandon on deck.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128828991223358772005-10-08T22:36:00.000-05:002005-10-08T22:36:31.223-05:00

Brandon plays second base.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128828848096885272005-10-08T22:34:00.000-05:002005-10-08T22:34:08.106-05:00

Obviously Kerry-Lea and Wilson are paying attention to the game.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128828767663751442005-10-08T22:32:00.000-05:002005-10-08T22:32:47.676-05:00

Kenneth helps with coaching Brandon's team. Here's the funny thing - baseball is not South Africa's national past time. But there's no little league rugby team, so you've got yourself a coach who can yell at you in Afrikaans. :)

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128828597015185752005-10-08T22:29:00.000-05:002005-10-08T22:29:57.030-05:00

It looked good, it sounded good, and it went really, really far. So Brandon heads to first...

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128828507732250662005-10-08T22:28:00.000-05:002005-10-08T22:28:27.753-05:00

...and he's safe at home and that's the game winner.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128828335418163272005-10-08T22:25:00.000-05:002005-10-08T22:25:35.426-05:00

The "good game" line up after Brandon won it.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128828263786877702005-10-08T22:24:00.000-05:002005-10-08T22:24:23.796-05:00

Time to go home and eat lunch.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128695936937087792005-10-06T21:13:00.000-05:002005-10-07T09:52:01.856-05:00

Reagan has started moving enough so that Chris and Wilson are able to feel movement. I thought this would be more exciting than it really is for Wilson. Chris, of course, was excited and I'm excited, Wilson is just sort of annoyed with the entire thing (movement, not Reagan as a person).He felt Reagan moving around and said "What's he doing?" (Again, we don't know Reagan's gender but as far as

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1128486500315985952005-10-04T23:28:00.000-05:002005-10-04T23:28:20.326-05:00

Chris and his very first pair of glasses!

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127944685442028302005-09-28T16:36:00.000-05:002005-09-30T20:23:51.676-05:00

It was my birthday yesterday. We all celebrated it a day early because, as you may know, whenever we celebrate on my birthday with Kenneth, Lesley, and their kids we end up in the ER with one of the kids (Brandon) and a broken arm. This year we were taking no chances so we celebrated a day early. Turns out it's not the day, it's the actual celebrating... But I'll get to that...Chris bought me 2

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127864425399040312005-09-27T18:36:00.000-05:002005-09-27T18:48:29.720-05:00

If you haven't been it's really a neat place to go. Mom, Dad, Chris, Wilson, and I decided since Rita was on the way and since the Ft. Worth Air Show was cancelled because of Rita, we would spend our day over in the aquarium. It was a lot of fun.Wilson loves fish, penguins, big cats, birds, and souvenirs so this was ideal for him. Again, Chris is in none of these pictures because he refuses to

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127864060653857692005-09-27T18:34:00.000-05:002005-09-27T18:34:20.663-05:00

He doesn't like lizards, no matter how much glass they are behind.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127863900929942542005-09-27T18:31:00.000-05:002005-09-27T18:31:40.936-05:00

Mom likes Sting Rays - she says they are happy because their little mouths look like smiles.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127863818442499352005-09-27T18:30:00.000-05:002005-09-27T18:30:18.443-05:00

Wilson was telling this fish all about everything. Really.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127863691960305292005-09-27T18:28:00.000-05:002005-09-27T18:35:49.223-05:00

It's also the root of all evil...

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127863616032931962005-09-27T18:26:00.001-05:002005-09-27T18:26:56.200-05:00

"What turtles?"

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127863577049872982005-09-27T18:26:00.000-05:002005-09-27T18:26:17.056-05:00

Wilson

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127863537674252942005-09-27T18:25:00.000-05:002005-09-27T18:25:37.676-05:00

This tank had the cast from Finding Nemo in it...

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127863498767904292005-09-27T18:24:00.002-05:002005-09-27T18:24:58.766-05:00

Gil...

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127863478857153952005-09-27T18:24:00.001-05:002005-09-27T18:24:38.870-05:00

Nemo with Marlin

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127863447486375452005-09-27T18:24:00.000-05:002005-09-27T18:24:07.496-05:00

When we told Wilson these are what shrimp look like before they are battered and fried he just kept asking when dinner was.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127863367452344652005-09-27T18:22:00.001-05:002005-09-27T18:22:47.463-05:00

Poppy - these fish are all so pretty and they all look so delicious!

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127863330668733952005-09-27T18:22:00.000-05:002005-09-27T18:22:10.680-05:00

Hard to walk and look for sharks at the same time.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127863288187179262005-09-27T18:21:00.000-05:002005-09-27T18:21:28.196-05:00

There are sharks swimming just above him here.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12196614.post-1127863216186500352005-09-27T18:20:00.000-05:002005-09-27T18:20:16.186-05:00

We have two cats and Wilson just couldn't understand why he couldn't "Let the kitty out to play" with him. Wilson loves cats.

Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06409862286473614133noreply@blogger.com0