My Bad

Dear Friends,

It's been a while since I've posted. Sorry folks...I've been busy, tired, and
uninspired. I'm thinking it's only going to get worse from here on out until the baby's born. So here are some tardy posts to keep you satisfied until I get the gumption to blog again.

Love,
Jodi & the bump

Unwilling subject

What?
You said CHEESE;
what were you expecting?

(PS-I love this shirt. It's not technically for preggers like me. It's actually from the teen section at Kohls. But the style right now is loose and flowy, just perfect for my ever growing middle.)

Chuck-E-Chesse

Jack's 1st trip to Chuck-E-Cheese, from Mama's point of view
(behind the camera)

Jack's first time behind the wheel.

Trapped behind the plexiglas in the tube run.

Sliding to freedom

Playing a game just Jack's size (prego siting in left
corner of photo; facinating).

Break for a little dinner. Notice Jack is feasting from
the middle of his slice of pizza.

Yum...

Back to work

Must shoot from tippy toe position

Ski ball champ

"Here, have a turn."

Way to go Aunt Mack,
you beat a 2 year old at a Top Glo.

Tallying up the tickets

Jack's prize (note to self-No More foam toys,
not good for Jack's digestive track.)

Your numbers match up; you're free to go home!

2nd Year Photo Shoot

Where has the time gone? In mere days my little boy turns TWO!
Here are highlights from the photo shoot to commemorate this new milestone.

Nana and Aunt Mack took him to Photography Innovations with the hopes he would be better behaved than if Mom or Dad were there. This theory held true, but apparently it didn't mean he held still. According to Nana and Mack, Jack's photographer really had to be on her toes to catch these sweet photos (the quick shutter speed didn't hurt either).

I don't have enough good things to say about this Photography Studio, 1.they were very patient with Jack, 2.took over 70 shots of him, 3.spent tons of time helping us customize our photo package, 4.had no sitting fee, and (here's the kicker) 5.the photos were ready to take home 20 minutes after we paid! I'm definitely going back, the only drawback is they don't have studios in California. Just my luck, I guess we'll be taking pictures when ever we visit Arizona.

Enjoy the photo shoot and keep your eyes peeled for my favorite "Jacked-up" photo.

Beginnings of Bedding

March 15th, Kent, Jackson, and I packed up the car and headed to Arizona.

Why you ask? To visit Nana and Pops of course.

Our second reason for visiting was to hunt down some cute fabric for Jack and Jill's room and to get started on the bedding. What you may not realize is how very hard it is to find coordinating fabric for boys and girls.

St. Patrick's Day was picked for operation fabric hunt down. Four fabric stores later we still hadn't found anything "eye catching" for the kids. We decided to head back to Nana's house to print off a coupon and check out some more fabric websites. Then, inspiration struck, I saw this invite to a bridal shower and I knew it was love at first sight! I had my color scheme.

green, brown, and hot pink (love it)

Now all I needed was fabric to match my inspiration. Back to hunting the racks... Four hours later and with the help of two impressive quilters here is the fabric that Nana and I picked out. I'm really proud of our finds.

Fabric for the kids' bedding...

...at last!

Thank you Nana for schlepping one unmistakably pregnant woman around all day to every fabric store in the greater Phoenix area. And thank you for offering to make the bedding for our brother sister combo. We know how very lucky we are to have you for our Nana.

(I'll post a picture of the bedding and kids' room after things are painted, made, and set up. Look for the post some time around the arrival of Jilley!)

Attack of the Body Snatchers

Has this ever happened to you or a loved one?
Its been happening more & more around our house.
Poor Kent. Poor Jack. Poor Mama.
Quick, create a diversion so we can all make it to MAY.

(Only 75 days to go...sigh)

Easter Story Cookies

*to be made the night before Easter*

Ingredients:

1 c. whole pecans

1 tsp. vinegar

3 egg whites

1 pinch salt

1 c. sugar

Zipper baggies

Wooden spoon

Tape

Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. This is important- Don’t wait until you’re half done with the recipe!

Place the pecans in a zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. (Read John 19: 1-4)

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. (Read John 19: 28-30)

Add the egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain Jesus gave His life to give us life. (Read John 10: 10-11)

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sins. (Read Luke 23: 27)

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add 1 c. of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him. (Read Psalms 34: 8 & John 3: 16)

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes, until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes for those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. (Read Isaiah 1: 18 & John 3: 1-3)

Fold in broken pecans. Drop by teaspoon onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. (Read Matthew 27: 57-60)

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. (Read Matthew 27: 65-66)

Go to bed! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven over night. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. (Read John 16: 20 & 22)

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty! (Read Matthew 28: 1-9)

Ingredients for a Good Boy

Jack and I have really been butting heads for months now. I want him to lay still while I change his diaper, he wants to run wild. I want him to eat his dinner, he wants to turn it into art. I want to wipe his face, he wants to leave it dirty. The list goes on and on. Needless to say, I've been searching for advice, wisdom, and techniques for months to ease our battle of the wills.

Recently I read this on a friends blog:
"I always say that having boys is a little like having dogs. They are totally well behaved as long as you take them out and run them . So, that being said, they needed to get out.."
After chuckling I thought, "What have I got to lose?" This last week I have meticulously followed this advice. Everyday Jack and I have gone some where and run until I know he's tired. The great thing is boys and dogs do behave better when they run! Thank you KH for your wise advice. Jack and I still battle over somethings, but this last week we have both been happier and Jack has been less mischievous. And with a little luck I'll continue to have the energy to chase after him.

Ingredients for a good boy:
One beautiful day at the beach.
***

Two parts happy family
***

Three treasures found
***

For at least an hour!
***



Oh and don't forget to run, run, run!
***

My Cool

Jackson loves sunglasses! He calls them "the cool." Anytime Kent or I wear anything over our eyes whether it be glasses or sunglasses Jack's got to try them out. Unfortunately he's not very gentle with "the cool." I've already had to replace my cool because of his little hands.

Anyway, the other day I got a really great idea, give Jack my goggles. Wow, instant hit! Now Jack has his own cool and Mom and Dad's cool are a little safer. Plus I got some embarrassing photos that I can pull out for when he's older.

He's still pretty cute, even donning "the cool."

Out with the bath water!

For weeks now our bathroom has been under construction. Eek! I won't scare you with too many before pictures, but I will mention that most everything in said bathroom was original from the birth our little townhouse in 1963. I must admit that I never ever bathed Jack in our tub. It just didn't meet my cleanliness standards.

Here is just a small sampling of what our "before" bathroom
looked like. Do you like the duct tape? I think it really
rounded out the hill billy vibe our bathroom was giving off. Gross!

Well I'm happy to report that after lots of construction, dirt, and side projects. Our bathroom is almost finished! We just need to paint and put up all the fun stuff (mirrors, hooks, pictures, etc.) I don't want to unveil the whole bathroom just yet, it will look perfect in a week or five, be patient!


I am happy to report that Jack is loving the new tub. Look at the joy on this boy's face. Goodbye showering with the folks, hello bubbles, toys, and splashing.