MY

SUPER

HEROES!!!

One day I had large sheets of bubble wrap and we tied them on like superhero capes and they ran around saving the day. (May 2006)

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I was thinking about some of the funny and cute things that Jayce and Grahm have said. I think they both have come up with some of the same ones.

On one family adventure we were in Chicago with Grammy and we had been shopping the Magnificent Mile. We decided to go into one of the shopping centers and check things out, well there were stairs, and escalators. I think going up was no big deal, maybe we carried everything or maybe we found the elevator. On the way down Jayce was in the stroller and Grahm was being carried. Grammy turned Jacye and the stroller around and went down the escalator, so Jayce was tilted backwards. Jayce was freaking out and we were telling him how cool and brave he was (I think we do that often). Jayce replied in a shaking voice - "I was not being brave, I was being scared."

Grahm said basically the same thing at Ross Park this summer when he went down the water slide solo. I wonder how often in life as a parent and adult I say the same thing when I am faced with challenges: potty training, pregnancy, emergency room visits, new callings at church, new jobs, moving, etc... When I have made it through the challenge do I look back and think, "I was not being brave, I was being scared"? (I was not being happy, I was being angry, etc...)

Wranglers - Gotta Love 'em

Why is it that there is nothing cuter than a brand spankin' new pair of Wranglers? Check out these cute rear ends!!! And they are mine:)

Wednesday Grahm, Charlotte and I joined Shalet, Daxton, and Lucas Godfrey at 'R' Farm. It was nice to sample all the fresh fruit. We had grapes off the vine. A couple of the varieties were quite the shock, and not from the taste. As soon as you bit into it the entire globular center would pop out of the skin, so on one side of your moth was the skin and then the other a nice globular slimy mass! We liked the tiny grapes that did not do that!!! The boys ran around climbing up in the apple trees. I remember thinking that I want more afternoons like this in my life - nice weather (border line jacket weathers), good company and happy healthy boys running around doing boy things!!! It was one of those nice peaceful content moments that are gifted to you every now and then.

My Very Own Mr. Darcy

It is funny, after reading NieNie and how she calls her husband Mr. Nielson because of the movie Pride and Prejudice, I laughed because I thought the same thing when I saw that movie and call Jason Mr. Geary at times.

So why does my Mr. Geary qualify for the title today, because last night in the rain and dark he fixed my car brakes for me. He should have been studying or eating his warm meal, but no with love in his heart he braved the downpour to ensure the safety of his beloved wife (that's me!!). I love you Mr. Geary, and you look cute soaked to the bone! (Tonight is date night, I will be dining with my personal mechanic!)

Edit: Mr. Geary just informed me that my post was sweet but cheesy. Well love letters are either beautifully poetic or cheesy (I don't think I can do beautifully poetic). So I apologize for forcing my cheesiness on my readers!!

Love for Nie

There are thousands of people who have fallen in love with Nie and her family and thousands more who will as their story continues to be told. I discovered Nie only recently (Aug 25), another blog I was reading was trying to raise money for them and posted a family picture. I was immediately drawn to learn more about this family. Perhaps the picture captured the love and joy for each other and life or maybe I was being prompted to find them as so many have to answer the need for prayers and help in any way.


As I began to read the NieNieDialogues I cried for the family as I learned more about the tragedy. Nie and Mr. Nielson (her husband) were in a plane crash. Nie has burns on 80% of her body and Mr. Nielson on 30% of his. I cried for her children, for her, for her Mr. Nielson, and her family. I then read her entire blog over the next few days (I read it from recent to oldest), and I fell in love with her. She is definitely one of those people you want as a friend. Her love for life and her family is contagious. She finds joy in every day moments and most importantly she recognizes those moments and shares them. She has invited the world into her home and influenced thousands, she has taken a great opportunity and magnified it. If you dare to enter your life will be touched.


Nie has inspired me in so many ways:

• Be comfortable with me


• Loosen up (its okay for your kids to jump in the pond)


• Eat healthier


• Wear Aprons - she always looks so cute in one (so Mom, remember the cute aprons you started sewing for us, well you better finish it, x-mas is coming:))
  
• Find the good in each moment


• Cherish my husband


• Encourage your husband and children to follow their dreams


• Follow my dreams


• Never forget that I am daughter of God


• and so much more!!

Martha Stewart is where we turn when we need a craft idea, need a household tip, entertaining rules and ideas, decorating tips and ideas. She is the woman who inspires us to create beauty in our homes and gardens and to share it. What does Martha Stewart have to do with Nie (besides Nie enjoys her as much as the rest of us)? Nie is the Martha Stewart of our souls. She encourages to be better mothers, wives, and Daughters of God. She teaches us to look for our Heavenly Father in the world around us. She encourages us to see beauty in ourselves and the world. She teaches us to be grateful. She wants us to love and she wants us to share.

As Nie faces this new challenge in her life, she will again inspire us and disappoint the cynics everywhere who can't see the good. She will always be Nie and she is beautiful.

We miss you Nie and Mr. Nielson!

I also want to thank her family for the amazing example they are. They inspire us as well, it must run in the family. Thank you C Jane for keeping us updated and for your words of wisdom. I am sure you all know how blessed you are for all that you are doing for Nie and Mr. Nielson. Our prayers are with you as well. Continue to find joy in the moments. We love you, too. Thank you for sharing Nie with us!!

For more inspiration visit CJane

Erinals,.... anyone?

Today was the first day of First Grade. School marks the passing of time, he is getting older. Jayce was so excited. He had lots of fun, played with all of his friends at recess, has his own spot at table #4. The best part of First Grade is the bathrooms! That's right folks, the bathrooms. In Kindergarten the bathroom is in the classroom, but in first grade it is in the hall. You get to use the "erinals or the stall," Jayce likes the erinals best.

Jayce, I love you. Have lots of fun in first grade, always do your best, try new things, choose the right, say your prayers whenever you need help, and don't wish for tomorrow. No mother could be prouder!

In the Middle of the Woods!

What a Cutie! Honey you are good looking!! How lucky am I!

For Labor Day we followed the Godfreys into the woods (Lapham Peak). It was a glorious day, the sun was shinning, it wasn't blazing hot, and the park was not over crowded. We went on a hike (hehe - walk) and enjoyed the outdoors. We saw butterflies, caterpillars, chipmunks, and lots of trees.

After lunch the boys kicked balls, threw balls, and ran around. Us girls sat in the shade and thought how nice it would be to take a nap and then they found frogs....Frogs in the pond. They each ended up holding one or two. We took pictures to document the moment (my city slicker boys don't get to see frogs to often, let alone chose to hold one.) It took Jayce a little bit to warm up to hold one, but he did after some ribbing from his mom.

Jayce I am so proud of you for trying something new!! It was fun, huh?

A Perfect Day!

Ahoy!!

We checked out the Maritime Heritage Festival this weekend. When we arrived it was probably the hottest part of the day, so nothing was going on except buying things from vendors. We also opted not to pay to walk around on the ships, so we admired them from afar and tried to keep the troops happy. [The first weekend of June is the Pirate Festival for those of you who will be around for it].

On our way home we stopped in Cedarburg and checked out a few shops (ice cream and candy).

It's a Cave! Can't Go Over It, Can't Go Under It, Guess We'll Go Through It!

Yeah, Jason doesn't have school for two weeks!!! We headed to Cave of the Mounds to make some family memories and let me get a geology fix. It was a nice day and a nice drive. The kids played nicely in the backseat, We visited and held hands (almost a date, except the three blessings in the back).

There at the cave the let you buy bags of dirt with mineral, or fossils in them. You then get to pan for your specimens. The kids really enjoyed it and now we have some nice minerals and fossils (yes we bought 2 bags) to add to our collection. Grahm even found a piece of dinosaur egg shell. We have a small emerald sample, and lots more!!

The cave tour was well done. I learned new cave terminology - flow stone and straws. It was nice and cool, there was one spot where it gets narrow - that made me a little uncomfortable. We saw great formations and the kiddo's liked it.

I love this beautiful world that we live in and I am so lucky that I get to share all its mysteries and beauty with my family. Thank you Heavenly Father!!

The smiles!!

Lottie has such a contagious smile! We are stopped every where we go because of how cute she is and how quick to smile. In fact one day I was shopping with all three kids - doing returns before heading out of town. I had a migraine and just wanted to get done and get home. So I get stopped in every store by someone who wants to talk to her, not me or the boys. I felt like one of the twins in that movie Stuck on You, where you are an unwelcome eavesdropper. Needless to say I was ready to put a bag over her head to get home. I really do enjoy it when others admire my children, I am so proud of each of them and I think they are beautiful. I am grateful that I get to be their mom.

Smithfield

What did we do in Smithfield?

Eat, zoo, Amalga Days - fireworks, parade, BBQ, movie, Taco Time, wrestle Uncle Shane, color, look at fossils, and make memories. [Oh, and Grahm was bit by Bo (the Great Pyree), but he still wanted to walk him and pet him - mostly scared mom. We butterfly bandaged the spot on his forehead. Grahm you are so brave and tough!!