tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92212007670276720992023-11-16T07:51:17.625-08:00Babbling like a BrookJenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-44164187069062297982010-03-28T19:16:00.000-07:002010-03-28T20:41:46.195-07:00For Sale By Owner.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTiHx7fjngBMeS7dovM0xTPqTbYmJslycHO4hqqf6QIohJ10LZe8ENmm93LN9c9E-aVayz9dgWoiYon-kwuZ1hbQ9kkSM3W_TG_pEvBh7snJAZC_Y3PhiHDxmSiHVQaRKogRxrglULCRS/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTiHx7fjngBMeS7dovM0xTPqTbYmJslycHO4hqqf6QIohJ10LZe8ENmm93LN9c9E-aVayz9dgWoiYon-kwuZ1hbQ9kkSM3W_TG_pEvBh7snJAZC_Y3PhiHDxmSiHVQaRKogRxrglULCRS/s400/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453876783216301714" border="0" /></a><br />We are on the move and looking to sell our home! I had been meaning to get "caught up" in blogs, but what does that even mean?!?! If you know anyone looking for a home who may be PCS'ing or moving to Columbus Air Force Base, please refer them this link:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.infotube.net/search_detail.php?u=ROBJENNY28&photo=1&Adnumber=237220">http://www.infotube.net/search_detail.php?u=ROBJENNY28&photo=1&Adnumber=237220</a><br /><br />We love this home and have added so much value to it. Would love to sell it to another family that will get much value out of it as well. Thanks for your time and consideration.<br /><a href="http://www.infotube.net/search_detail.php?u=ROBJENNY28&photo=1&Adnumber=237220"><br /></a><br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Rob and Jenny Brooks<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4QfHSFvAtyzdIllfUZGBDgY8rStxrUsyk0nDPfApzd8YTaW7jgJsxiGQyE8W2l8znSQHAaNiZTUDgTUNye3XzaNF9YMytJeZwEdz5KHuBYQamXT59Br3_sBYZPtbRUvlQYIyloU09-f9/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4QfHSFvAtyzdIllfUZGBDgY8rStxrUsyk0nDPfApzd8YTaW7jgJsxiGQyE8W2l8znSQHAaNiZTUDgTUNye3XzaNF9YMytJeZwEdz5KHuBYQamXT59Br3_sBYZPtbRUvlQYIyloU09-f9/s400/022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453876798509808882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBl8i2qdccChtoaINq2Oq8OyvBeP7llrj79sxFm-_HzoOdzZBhb5pJ_vgwRxvrfLX9u23BuJl-xmCpsyQHLIfkK50bW8YMNTA14JWG5-EBKCQwrB1XgZ2RONsXIY7jHm2zBQVPaJNIXW5/s1600/080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBl8i2qdccChtoaINq2Oq8OyvBeP7llrj79sxFm-_HzoOdzZBhb5pJ_vgwRxvrfLX9u23BuJl-xmCpsyQHLIfkK50bW8YMNTA14JWG5-EBKCQwrB1XgZ2RONsXIY7jHm2zBQVPaJNIXW5/s400/080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453876802061727474" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAcP9ADMYUjH2X5JbSG4TqJuNhtrlf_HpEaJnE9kl4ooOPhdx5yfWfjKJyn7Ed_vq84d-Lp06_CQIwT2B68mj3m4NmjujWRIlakI22lV563ViFOVBeU8yTROBzmLgr7jsBWKvKuAHw3Zg/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAcP9ADMYUjH2X5JbSG4TqJuNhtrlf_HpEaJnE9kl4ooOPhdx5yfWfjKJyn7Ed_vq84d-Lp06_CQIwT2B68mj3m4NmjujWRIlakI22lV563ViFOVBeU8yTROBzmLgr7jsBWKvKuAHw3Zg/s400/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453876790222158034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1LR5J7cCNEXywL-d64ppxAvWQqzP44uOuqvsJVQPzGmi_rXW41p1NJ_hEmSMb39uFhhVh-shpm-OOT56BdzwX8CLbpD3Zmy-mlQzwsrBspNbHV0pTJuVp4BJAh63z3EsSrsawWzYpeb7/s1600/P3280161.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1LR5J7cCNEXywL-d64ppxAvWQqzP44uOuqvsJVQPzGmi_rXW41p1NJ_hEmSMb39uFhhVh-shpm-OOT56BdzwX8CLbpD3Zmy-mlQzwsrBspNbHV0pTJuVp4BJAh63z3EsSrsawWzYpeb7/s400/P3280161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453889927095147730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-MbA4GqXAVgGTXhbwBW8CjeXgoibsUTt4wiz2jtNiQMJX2VMpol63b6bm_gcJQBLP6IszFHAcnSbxMtFJokZ-8lxkMVa_szFO9HFkkYshah-FMo-nZUFOpuwDrfor5htHkBaBDi17Hqu/s1600/031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-MbA4GqXAVgGTXhbwBW8CjeXgoibsUTt4wiz2jtNiQMJX2VMpol63b6bm_gcJQBLP6IszFHAcnSbxMtFJokZ-8lxkMVa_szFO9HFkkYshah-FMo-nZUFOpuwDrfor5htHkBaBDi17Hqu/s400/031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453876813220185778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIw_CgCuUySeu4LcfqITdNPx9mqzAOkPMqgzXSeUFaYYTW-8zUGiny6wMtGrFcMpLj9PG11mUPsPdvLeW7gVS0QA_zaD8fPU7Xl2PuNC4fKU2zalFu4CI5spPKGHXy4TQfq5_iHXx1guLH/s1600/033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIw_CgCuUySeu4LcfqITdNPx9mqzAOkPMqgzXSeUFaYYTW-8zUGiny6wMtGrFcMpLj9PG11mUPsPdvLeW7gVS0QA_zaD8fPU7Xl2PuNC4fKU2zalFu4CI5spPKGHXy4TQfq5_iHXx1guLH/s400/033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453880123185916818" border="0" /></a>Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-55291138407535664562010-02-09T11:27:00.000-08:002010-02-10T10:51:31.973-08:00our little Brooklets... (stolen phrase from my MIL) :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KPqZLjuNO6diXtDa1-lgO3-VybwdZsYN0S1f8iYB_Q3Dzh50zYFCdv1GFYhoJjduDr5c6q43x2VRk6MZGhPeNSpFketNuM92-Tvi4DruQG8IjxAE9Rm8QASN1d38M8u5gaP4C455o5UA/s1600-h/Christmas+Day+2009+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KPqZLjuNO6diXtDa1-lgO3-VybwdZsYN0S1f8iYB_Q3Dzh50zYFCdv1GFYhoJjduDr5c6q43x2VRk6MZGhPeNSpFketNuM92-Tvi4DruQG8IjxAE9Rm8QASN1d38M8u5gaP4C455o5UA/s400/Christmas+Day+2009+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436688747805706818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijIdkUrWV2U5QYG3qzusymNA8JgfXst4Su_QDq-7wT74-LqFqgBk0ngfyf6CLeQXOsM_OpUvd51F3gVicP0IHvNseUwcLBS8jts9ksait2_X6ogBeltWeWqrfHlchOta9x6lXvxiImnRC/s1600-h/Christmas+Day+2009+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijIdkUrWV2U5QYG3qzusymNA8JgfXst4Su_QDq-7wT74-LqFqgBk0ngfyf6CLeQXOsM_OpUvd51F3gVicP0IHvNseUwcLBS8jts9ksait2_X6ogBeltWeWqrfHlchOta9x6lXvxiImnRC/s400/Christmas+Day+2009+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436688740791808082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsdS1XPGxWU4s3FoqoMJJ7cA12NCPwU8al8Iauy3gag6wrmNY7kzpwV6zKosjTh7C9EVW7c_ZbkJZEPzzffGGfY9Edb96VpNIGE8-HDo7_3lAFQuRIn3hZc2AFWv3Jh4SXJbsJEW3ksBg/s1600-h/December+2009+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsdS1XPGxWU4s3FoqoMJJ7cA12NCPwU8al8Iauy3gag6wrmNY7kzpwV6zKosjTh7C9EVW7c_ZbkJZEPzzffGGfY9Edb96VpNIGE8-HDo7_3lAFQuRIn3hZc2AFWv3Jh4SXJbsJEW3ksBg/s400/December+2009+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436330375634784450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu95uvbRIHgVfZTsDubCDpfptNwMGY5eJaZhNMmay-FO8KL7-V9XeOk18Yg8bePwNbSJjsSEBTW848rr5lX00iMfixJehD3WO74F4kBrIaqlrFnjjBoMERzhkO_f_r4i-YtL-oV5ym1832/s1600-h/Christmas+Day+2009+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu95uvbRIHgVfZTsDubCDpfptNwMGY5eJaZhNMmay-FO8KL7-V9XeOk18Yg8bePwNbSJjsSEBTW848rr5lX00iMfixJehD3WO74F4kBrIaqlrFnjjBoMERzhkO_f_r4i-YtL-oV5ym1832/s400/Christmas+Day+2009+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436330365210252018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2qkd2t_Dg25ToBehpFchhleB-u5LPYO-JKEPdaVoUpf_a9mKsrRT6zvqEE2r1ADMe1wKI3Sx0vy-rNWbM31q2FrWjVFKf649QbX0AaoO4XOttM5i8NsWjePI1Ntnr3a2YkpXC3ucK9m5/s1600-h/Thanksgiving+%26+Christmas+%2709+034.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2qkd2t_Dg25ToBehpFchhleB-u5LPYO-JKEPdaVoUpf_a9mKsrRT6zvqEE2r1ADMe1wKI3Sx0vy-rNWbM31q2FrWjVFKf649QbX0AaoO4XOttM5i8NsWjePI1Ntnr3a2YkpXC3ucK9m5/s400/Thanksgiving+%26+Christmas+%2709+034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436330362619133746" border="0" /></a>what a *lucky* brother!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3k4HMIpxS3x7915bbWXjbvDBNEjUFOJcu1Fr-lTSEPPnAkzEd4emTFAA67qZeriowJkqn2XIX13SSzYyKWgdFrGqtgxmkhQvBc-jeEehdKu6mCNmLFwqkHVeSJWkWETYVoY_VqT67h1m/s1600-h/December+2009+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3k4HMIpxS3x7915bbWXjbvDBNEjUFOJcu1Fr-lTSEPPnAkzEd4emTFAA67qZeriowJkqn2XIX13SSzYyKWgdFrGqtgxmkhQvBc-jeEehdKu6mCNmLFwqkHVeSJWkWETYVoY_VqT67h1m/s400/December+2009+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436330356571771250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhOpyrYzE8f4bNzL3zUbYT__WRvDfeZqd3CAiHbT4beTX5sxu6a5fcPBVd6shVjqCb-QLLO66Z3x8oAnVYvYd3BlyJkr7Zef0n0oE6-TKyjWQRwUjtXPCW798DfSRGcZevFGxIXXraowO/s1600-h/Thanksgiving+%26+Christmas+%2709+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhOpyrYzE8f4bNzL3zUbYT__WRvDfeZqd3CAiHbT4beTX5sxu6a5fcPBVd6shVjqCb-QLLO66Z3x8oAnVYvYd3BlyJkr7Zef0n0oE6-TKyjWQRwUjtXPCW798DfSRGcZevFGxIXXraowO/s400/Thanksgiving+%26+Christmas+%2709+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436330351985988626" border="0" /></a><br />Here are more recent photos of the kids. Yep, they're still here. And alive. And growing.<br /><br />A few days ago, we all went in as a family so that my Sponsor could get me, his Dependant, a new base ID card. You know, so that everyone knows my husband's a Major now. ;) Ha! While we were waiting our turn there was an 18 month old little girl named, Delilah. (hey, it least it wasn't Jezebel, right?!) And, you know, I really like that name and you don't see it often. I can only imagine it's due to that one case with a certain "Delilah". We're so superstitious, aren't we?? But, I do suppose we have all experienced a certain name that was bad news for us, whether it was a snotty girl in high school or a jock who broke our hearts. Anyway....those names don't usually end up being our children, do they??<br /><br />Back in the Personnel office, this little girl Delilah was very sweet, and wanted to interact with Lydia if she would have it. She wouldn't. Lydia stubbornly turned her head 90 degrees away from sweet Delilah. Time passes, and we get called back to take care of our business.<br /><br />Ben is such a wonderKid - I suppose that statement is half-true and half-"he's our kid", though, huh? Ben sits in a chair and quite matter-of-factly states, "I know Delilah, she's in the Bible. And she was a baaaad girl." (with emphasis on "bad" and almost as if he wishes he knew a girl like that!)Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-20422783934841048462010-02-09T10:52:00.000-08:002010-02-09T11:24:17.221-08:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!Rob remains the Check Flight commander this year. He became a Major Select this year, and looks forward to pinning on Major the beginning of February. He was recently awarded IP (Instructor Pilot) of the Year for his squadron, and we are all very proud of his hard work and accomplishments. <br /><br />Jenny continues to take care of the home and Ben and Lydia. She enjoys the bond that is growing between the two of them, but is also learning more about siblinghood through them, as she is an only child. She is also Moppets Coordinator for the Christian nonprofit, MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers). She plans the curriculum and cares for roughly 30 kids alongside paid/nonpaid caregivers. The program seeks to reach out to mothers of preschoolers through fellowship and breakfast with the moms, while their children are taken care of and shown the love of Christ. She is still an avid runner, and now enjoys taking Lydia for runs.<br /><br />Ben is a 4 1/2 years old now and loves Legos and Star Wars. He enjoys his 4 year old class, and looks forward to Kindergarten. He loves to read and write. This past summer, he learned to how to ride a two-wheeler and swim. The swimming part was the more difficult of the two, as his fear was quite overwhelming! There were many tears, and both Rob and Jenny were fearful of the glances shot our way, as he screamed bloody murder many times! But he made it through, and it will be interesting to see what he retains this summer. :)<br /><br />Lydia turned 1 this November, and enjoyed a wonderful birthday with both sets of grandparents and Halloween to boot! She was dressed as a bumblebee and it fits her personality perfectly because wherever she goes, she goes at it with such vigor! Much to her parents' dismay, she walked at just under 9 months. She could have "milked" babyhood all she wanted, but not Lydia. It was thought that she might be the laid back child - until we really got to know her!<br /><br />As a family we enjoyed a few trips this year. In January, we had a winter birthday trip for Jenny to MI and visited her very best friend. In May, we visited Jenny's parents in Phoenix, and met with some old friends. September brought a trip to NH to surprise Jenny's Mom on her 60th birthday at her aunt and uncle's house. Rob and I also completed our first half marathon TOGETHER at St. Jude's in Memphis this year. We were excited to cross the finish line together at 1:49:14! We thank everyone who sponsored us by giving money. We raised a total of $1390, well over our goal of $1200. Rob's Mom and Aunt came to MS and watched the kids for the weekend, so we were also able to spend time together. <br /><br />We are anticipating moving this summer, and will know where by early spring when Rob gets an assignment. As for 2010, we hope this finds you in a time of joy and peace, as you look forward to another year with newness and blessings. <br /><br />Much love to you,<br />Rob, Jenny, Ben and LydiaJenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-55642543370076074552010-02-08T11:09:00.000-08:002010-02-08T16:54:10.965-08:00Two Halves make a Full, right? ;)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zoKvdvv8wmY7HYRkR_E0Rs4dOYXKaMo58fVgk6HdcsH3XD2W9W0fyBH0tnHE8ULXvs7LJG0HX6bu32cwhgcWniyKG00JY3Rr7UCNtIrsQ7_o2y48OPU5LvFhfHXyug1EgnCexKw6ZbRR/s1600-h/Thanksgiving+%26+Christmas+%2709+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zoKvdvv8wmY7HYRkR_E0Rs4dOYXKaMo58fVgk6HdcsH3XD2W9W0fyBH0tnHE8ULXvs7LJG0HX6bu32cwhgcWniyKG00JY3Rr7UCNtIrsQ7_o2y48OPU5LvFhfHXyug1EgnCexKw6ZbRR/s400/Thanksgiving+%26+Christmas+%2709+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435972026965056242" border="0" /></a>Pictured here are some other friends that also ran in the half marathon: Heather B and her Dad, and Shannon and Steve. It was such a fun time!<br /><br />So...........remember back when I told you we were running a half marathon together?? Well, we did, and we raised $1390 for St. Jude's Children's Hospital! We couldn't have done it without so many of you donating to our cause, and we have you to thank! So, thank you for believing in us in that way. We had a great race together, and I can tell you that running a half with your spouse is so much more fun than running alone! Our finish time was 1:49:14. I am so proud of Rob, because this was his first half, and our time was only a minute and a half slower than my PR time a couple years ago (BTW, I learned you can only brag a PR within two years. After that time, it sort of "expires" if you will, and you can no longer brag your best PR. Ha.) However, my point is that Rob did excellent for his first time!<br /><br />I will tell you along there way there were a few interesting things that took place:<br />1) a barefoot runner, running faster than us, and running the full marathon! Who knew people *did* that?! They do, believe me.<br />2) all the supporters along the way, especially the new route that takes you through the St. Jude Campus. It was so neat to see people whose lives have been touched by the many people of St. Jude!<br />3) Mile 11ish - When were running on a slight downhill, I asked Rob if he could "work the hill a little bit". And his response was, "I *am* working the hill." Tee hee. Did I mention he did outstanding?!?!<br />4) Rob mentioned after the race, that what was demoralizing for him was when I stopped to a full on walk to wait for him. WHAT REALLY HAPPENED: OK, when you're running with someone for 13.1 miles, it gets really difficult to stay exactly together the whole time. And at about mile 12, I got an excited surge (um, who wouldn't be excited to be almost done?!) and pulled away accidentally. I realized this problem, and just stopped and walked about 10 paces to wait for him. Not that bad, right? Rob's overreacting.... :) Would he rather I run circles around him, or just nonchalantly wait until he's right there? You be the judge.<br />5) EATING! We all love food, and it's just such a shame that you can't just eat whatever you want all the time, right? Well, when you buy yourself some calories by running so long, you CAN eat all you want! It's especially great, when you're not in Columbus, MS and you're in Memphis, and you have OPTIONS!Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-32101635501532010452010-02-08T07:53:00.000-08:002010-02-08T08:10:39.580-08:00my teaser trailer.This blog is seriously busting my chops. What's worse than going for extended amounts of time without a blog? Stress, yes, but not it. You stop reading other blogs! And then when you sit down to attempt to get out of the hole, you start reading all the other blogs. And realize your friend's child ate blood pressure medication, or that someone is having another boy! So, I need to be better, but I have to be honest: writing a blog just hasn't been at the top of my list. And it's not because I don't care for my unusually small fan base, it's just that other things like family life take priority first. But I am going to try to be better, and believe me, I know I have said this before about blogging.<br /><br />So I have a lot to catch up on! And these are the top things that float to the surface: our half marathon (Yes, we DID!), our Christmas letter, my thoughts on a FULL marathon ("Yes, I can"?), Ben and his matter-of-fact thoughts on many matters, Disneyland, and Rob's promotion to Major.<br /><br />Goal: to get this caught up before Ben turns 5 (tear!), we PCS, I run a full marathon ("Yes, I can"?), we go on a fun anniversary getaway, where I have a 20 miler planned.<br /><br />Can I?<br /><br />right after I go and change Lydia's poopy diaper....Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-34153935551275603602009-09-25T12:10:00.000-07:002009-09-25T12:12:06.991-07:00<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/4abcfa1a32002f6c/4741e3c5156499a7/b068e0da/-cpid/7de96f0c2cd98933" id="W4727a250e66f97234abcfa1a32002f6c" width="384" height="283"><param name="movie" value="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/4abcfa1a32002f6c/4741e3c5156499a7/b068e0da/-cpid/7de96f0c2cd98933"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></object><br /><br />This guy made Rob and I laugh last night on Jay Leno. Enjoy!<br /><br />Stay Cool,<br />Jenny :)Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-37880900336398771692009-09-23T04:27:00.000-07:002009-09-23T04:47:06.572-07:00Sara SullivanThis is a name that has been floating around many of my Facebook and military contacts. Sara was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of this year, and gave birth to baby Chloe the beginning of September. She suffered from postpartum brain swelling that eventually lead to her becoming brain dead. She was able to spend two days at home with her husband, Brady and her premmie, Chloe. It is such a heartbreaking story, yet this is a family in Christ who has continuously shown their strength and faith in their Creator. <br /><br />Her family is participating in the Race for the Cure in Texas and their are trying to reach their goal of $10,000 in memory of Sara. Click <a href="http://www.komen-dallas.org/site/TR/Race/General?team_id=32460&pg=team&fr_id=1040&et=0FzWd4STxvR3mDu8EoPgdw..&s_tafId=22870">here </a>to support them! While their faith is stronger than it has ever been, it would be greatly encourage them in such a dark time as this is. <br /><br />You can also visit their blog at: http://bandssullivan.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Words cannot express the pain right now, but it amazes me the people I have known who have used their heartache and pain to magnify their God and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is just so impressive to see them take a step for God and trust Him with such a heavy burden. <br /><br />Mostly, please say a prayer for them.Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-60767518620056361762009-09-20T12:54:00.000-07:002009-09-20T14:03:50.695-07:00Team Brooks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfDWORRgwz1TkXASYL61MYPGoeKz5G2sJ8YFEoth-xUr7tgDPkySGe5uouKNDMDSmIkLKfiWDEf0XORX_583YRbRxPGFFhf89GCmqbar2S0zvFI8ACWhyphenhyphenRJfLmj3XTzugC0QxZD5KTQmq/s1600-h/Half+Marathon+Weekend+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfDWORRgwz1TkXASYL61MYPGoeKz5G2sJ8YFEoth-xUr7tgDPkySGe5uouKNDMDSmIkLKfiWDEf0XORX_583YRbRxPGFFhf89GCmqbar2S0zvFI8ACWhyphenhyphenRJfLmj3XTzugC0QxZD5KTQmq/s400/Half+Marathon+Weekend+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383656479866623634" border="0" /></a><br />About a month ago, Rob took the liberty and signed us BOTH up for the St. Jude Half Marathon. Many of you know that I have run a couple before, but this is Rob's first time, and I am so excited to be able to do this together. While it's a new experience for him, and not as much for me, it is new to the both of us in the respect that we are fundraising for St. Jude Children's Hospital. Of course, it is always hard to ask for money, but the more and more I read about how awe-inspiring St. Jude's mission statement is, I cannot stress the importance of this hospital's success. We ask and encourage each of you to donate even a small amount to such a great cause. With the nation's healthcare being such a hot topic these days, it's quite encouraging to see such a huge impact that this one hospital is making for so many families and children with cancer.<br /><br />Did you know that St. Jude's spends roughly $1.4 million dollars in operating costs PER DAY?!<br /><br />On average, 5,400 active patients visit the hospital each year, most of whom are treated on an outpatient basis.<br /><br />St. Jude maintains 78 inpatient beds and treats upwards of 250 patients EACH day.<br /><br />St. Jude is the ONLY pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is EVER denied treatment because of a family's inability to pay.<br /><br />In 1962, the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer, was 4%. Today, the survival rate for this once deadly disease is 94%, thanks to research and treatment protocols developed at St. Jude.<br /><br />Where your Dollars Go:<br />Average cost for treating ALL per patient ............$573,000<br />Physical therapy per hour...........$344<br />One day of Oxygen...........$417<br />Average charge per inpatient per day...........$5,719<br />ICU daily room rate (room only) ..............$2,836<br />Platelet count test.........$42<br />Complete blood count test ........$52<br /><br />While St. Jude boasts of never turning a child away due to insurance, this organization could NEVER do it without people like you, people like me, people who see the vision of St. Jude and the necessity of St. Jude's research and care.<br /><br />Please consider donating to this wonderful cause. Our team goal of $1200 is based on the average amount of money a typical team raises. The link to our fundraising page is located <a href="https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayTeamPage.do;jsessionid=3StvK2tYyqG19ZfFHhBmGZV0cJ2fx394yHsnNl7J33b9yJskNjLh%21-1822087165%21629615798?eventId=55854&programId=401&teamId=1247">here.</a> You may also mail me a check, please just send me an email, and I can include my mailing address.<br /><br />Thank you so much for taking the time and considering St. Jude's this year!<br /><br />And wish us luck, as we complete our first half marathon together!<br />Love,<br />Rob and Jenny Brooks<br /><br />BTW - the above picture is of Rob meeting me at the last mile of my first half marathon and running with me until the end. He did duck out before the finish line, so as not to steal my thunder. ;) Little did he know, he was just preparing himself to a half marathon a couple years later!Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-48312579755596707342009-08-22T18:49:00.000-07:002009-08-23T15:22:17.318-07:00it's been awhile.Doesn't life just seem to be hurry up and wait? Well, blogging has become that way for me, too, "hurry up, get caught up, and then wait to get behind again." I last posted 3 in a week while Ben was at VBS in the beginning of the summer, and here we are at the end of summer, on the heels of school beginning. It was so easy, Ben was gone for a couple hours every night, and Lydia wasn't very much mobile. She was crawling, but having to keep two hands and knees busy, still manages to keep you out of some trouble. "Idle hands are devil's play?" or something like that. Well, now she can walk, and it is just insane. I keep telling her that she's breaking all the baby rules, along with my heart, because she's fast exiting babyhood, and it is making me sad. It just wasn't supposed to happen this fast. Sigh.<br /><br />So since everything is going too fast. Here's a recap:<br /><br />Ben learned how to swim! No life vest....although the accomplishment came late this summer, so I expect we will forget all about swimming by next summer! Here a picture of Ben and his clone trooper helmet, it was promised to him. Apparently, even clone troopers have tee times to make. :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyrXo-3n3ye1kPDAGfsmmO5U8y6UzCAGRZI38G-f7TFpyhife-vwAh62TxKQTvCRlXTly5TEFSJtm7d5pgfl-Z_XF0ELFgFVS86rkW7k3gg-liLebawe0cq8Ra2CuCDeyijOEroDq3M1w/s1600-h/August+2009+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyrXo-3n3ye1kPDAGfsmmO5U8y6UzCAGRZI38G-f7TFpyhife-vwAh62TxKQTvCRlXTly5TEFSJtm7d5pgfl-Z_XF0ELFgFVS86rkW7k3gg-liLebawe0cq8Ra2CuCDeyijOEroDq3M1w/s400/August+2009+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373285280086991842" border="0" /></a>Ben learning to read. Ben learning has always been a theme in his life, and it just continues to amaze me at how quick he is. The first book he learned to read was Green Eggs and Ham. While I know the rhyming and repetition are helpful aids to reading, he has really shown word recognition with many sight words.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmuwS7q4K6R9MTdeXs2U66MUBV3mdgNQe_IAo-FyLFrWn5GtCh0jFgyekdQjfznRr1LrYvAjr7cqn0q8Rn4dikhHp1ZJaNUd-PQwQVj6vu31vyY3pLnZdHCY6_xNX1fNCpBz-L91zORJJ/s1600-h/August+2009+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmuwS7q4K6R9MTdeXs2U66MUBV3mdgNQe_IAo-FyLFrWn5GtCh0jFgyekdQjfznRr1LrYvAjr7cqn0q8Rn4dikhHp1ZJaNUd-PQwQVj6vu31vyY3pLnZdHCY6_xNX1fNCpBz-L91zORJJ/s400/August+2009+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372978506287101922" border="0" /></a> Lydia: oh where oh where do I begin? It was very much a blur. And now it is a blur, watching her walk all over the house. She LOVES Ben's room! The other day she was enjoying chewing on Captain Rex's helmet. She also takes to pulling the door stop rubber protectors off and chewing on those as well. (I know, Mom and MamaLiz, it's dangerous....) She also loves Rainey's water bowl...and Rainey too. Here is a progressive set of photos. It's really cute, and reminds me of how Ben used to play with Rainey as a baby.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTS51NnWdPsWMMpKhX_qEIXZW-YgnIcZLeT7YdIvLCjZLmU33PnGVDJD-Ln_LfrzZ_ZS-VOv2TvkeBXvJfR6KPWzPCWxjw8sR-iNJ7gjRgY07cTKnKILHCPJi9Yh3EV0EoM2DZl2BypG6/s1600-h/August+2009+025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTS51NnWdPsWMMpKhX_qEIXZW-YgnIcZLeT7YdIvLCjZLmU33PnGVDJD-Ln_LfrzZ_ZS-VOv2TvkeBXvJfR6KPWzPCWxjw8sR-iNJ7gjRgY07cTKnKILHCPJi9Yh3EV0EoM2DZl2BypG6/s400/August+2009+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372975728860232338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShVs3gQT8DlQgjs2Rj6rOGHpezZMCy20E-WMZ_4G3EzZe4VrQEIN1B0VMg2sXTUpI33eQy7ADBNGD7cJ87rclE5lz9sgNhc9BEHkxbi2M0cw5ZiMDLmCWpRxSffmWpgx1ASQHFCAnzARl/s1600-h/August+2009+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShVs3gQT8DlQgjs2Rj6rOGHpezZMCy20E-WMZ_4G3EzZe4VrQEIN1B0VMg2sXTUpI33eQy7ADBNGD7cJ87rclE5lz9sgNhc9BEHkxbi2M0cw5ZiMDLmCWpRxSffmWpgx1ASQHFCAnzARl/s400/August+2009+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372975736674508626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov2cwzFBIqROYIWNcAOSBY0PmjxWK8YzHdSCrykrYYBfrJB9kzZjfZsirEjL4rkYjnN5PxgNwkvt9Dgt4hqlcmbPVQrAgXiV4TEvfZDlKvu1H2rkGQUxtv2uLG5ZIhz5Z7tXS_ILep5-l/s1600-h/August+2009+028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov2cwzFBIqROYIWNcAOSBY0PmjxWK8YzHdSCrykrYYBfrJB9kzZjfZsirEjL4rkYjnN5PxgNwkvt9Dgt4hqlcmbPVQrAgXiV4TEvfZDlKvu1H2rkGQUxtv2uLG5ZIhz5Z7tXS_ILep5-l/s400/August+2009+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372975747702091218" border="0" /></a><br />Ben is determined to make her a Star Wars fan! And it's really bright in our bathroom ;)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUWDzL9rFMl6f1CS71GX_funD9Zan2uIWFO7yvT94Ehi_7ub_CE2RRQI38IusI0pvfhdUZ8sLfOHQhyphenhyphenbsKuWW97zd9Pdl_NF89aEQra8PYMs7dlo5YmEPc_hyphenhyphenLZ3gDZRjdYidpsFIYzqu/s1600-h/July+09+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUWDzL9rFMl6f1CS71GX_funD9Zan2uIWFO7yvT94Ehi_7ub_CE2RRQI38IusI0pvfhdUZ8sLfOHQhyphenhyphenbsKuWW97zd9Pdl_NF89aEQra8PYMs7dlo5YmEPc_hyphenhyphenLZ3gDZRjdYidpsFIYzqu/s400/July+09+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372981814296142066" border="0" /></a>Here are some photos of Lydia:<br />First piggie: (can I just please mention how proud I was to be able to manage even a tiny piggy that sticks straight up in the air?) It is weird how changing what little hair she has makes her look so different to me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD45xOVDn9_jdP2Dvr6EwcexiDu0pmnmAm_YI5AgUiTEJEytrJcAttH2tUAPggo6ZrsCyjFVyi2MZhlir5owNVp6ci3NruhsPuMhUT0yN3IkwrKZLZBhc6mAL1OQq74gnNe8z-9PDXXYb9/s1600-h/August+2009+043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD45xOVDn9_jdP2Dvr6EwcexiDu0pmnmAm_YI5AgUiTEJEytrJcAttH2tUAPggo6ZrsCyjFVyi2MZhlir5owNVp6ci3NruhsPuMhUT0yN3IkwrKZLZBhc6mAL1OQq74gnNe8z-9PDXXYb9/s400/August+2009+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372978532749216818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBrbLRKdQHAuHIB8sq2Lpk4tUT4P9w5swu7qOt95D17Zsj2BMeR6ZTHWMsZtMWGZo0UFGpCVYNosa3jN0DcX3Tcm-664Z8CRrGX0yvu2eUt0mNTpBO7xx67t28mlLm1Ug4yBBKHnsU4eq/s1600-h/August+2009+039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBrbLRKdQHAuHIB8sq2Lpk4tUT4P9w5swu7qOt95D17Zsj2BMeR6ZTHWMsZtMWGZo0UFGpCVYNosa3jN0DcX3Tcm-664Z8CRrGX0yvu2eUt0mNTpBO7xx67t28mlLm1Ug4yBBKHnsU4eq/s400/August+2009+039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372978526368892658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHput3VPLlFOU2kO_o3RH6FOZJ_yDxEOFjAVUjy3Iu7myQ3e2Sl6AMXRbj3FaM9_Br2VyR0i1VUfsJ6WcunRj6kF03BLzUzkrC7VHVwgQUK_yDGDNxBVsG9ap9Kf0bebxD04sFxVeRK6He/s1600-h/August+2009+044.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHput3VPLlFOU2kO_o3RH6FOZJ_yDxEOFjAVUjy3Iu7myQ3e2Sl6AMXRbj3FaM9_Br2VyR0i1VUfsJ6WcunRj6kF03BLzUzkrC7VHVwgQUK_yDGDNxBVsG9ap9Kf0bebxD04sFxVeRK6He/s400/August+2009+044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372981803488751266" border="0" /></a><br />She loves food much more than Ben did. But in Ben's defense, I was always too worried about his food/caloric intake, that I manipulated feeding him over self feeding MUCH more than I should have. I guess you live and you learn. And I definitely have learned. Here is Lydia loving grilled cheese. That day she ate a half of one!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnSnHRwS9gq5-R1FxKnVVF7yXCE7OUI2ezKizpBOn942wr-vUHdyMaEulqRCU2X0RKu1KRHzgs5Ls4KUzK2Bxm6jbvfe-k8b0H9SrLPXX1wQbx-t5YtDuD0dbKcGKVpna92rNtCqhhxeV/s1600-h/August+2009+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnSnHRwS9gq5-R1FxKnVVF7yXCE7OUI2ezKizpBOn942wr-vUHdyMaEulqRCU2X0RKu1KRHzgs5Ls4KUzK2Bxm6jbvfe-k8b0H9SrLPXX1wQbx-t5YtDuD0dbKcGKVpna92rNtCqhhxeV/s400/August+2009+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372981796052757250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis90fjNw5kHzQ5M0unXAlFf7_Z5z175Pwx3SRXP0bvraoItKGLvYvsbMlItLbz_s0CdOAXhVrTbcWR-Pk-vwZeu7V492VOq9yAbzgkXcQ8Gp2_33Rd48hxMZZOgGd5JXGR_pulcqAnV5Z4/s1600-h/August+2009+047.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis90fjNw5kHzQ5M0unXAlFf7_Z5z175Pwx3SRXP0bvraoItKGLvYvsbMlItLbz_s0CdOAXhVrTbcWR-Pk-vwZeu7V492VOq9yAbzgkXcQ8Gp2_33Rd48hxMZZOgGd5JXGR_pulcqAnV5Z4/s400/August+2009+047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372981791552103362" border="0" /></a>Rainey: She is becoming quite the love of two little kids around here. She is so good and loyal to the both of them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRa7bqlncBhJ2o6ZVcPKQI_c68B6vYWFTR7bfDIH0NvduO6Zue4oHNfbWg7WtjoyFgHXv54m4aM_P_vdwwzdi5hsEzIcHPKNn_g5qD6KcE-SQLdjZCVZVwMrh0RpnLrlJeX0MvIcO4K7P/s1600-h/July+09+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRa7bqlncBhJ2o6ZVcPKQI_c68B6vYWFTR7bfDIH0NvduO6Zue4oHNfbWg7WtjoyFgHXv54m4aM_P_vdwwzdi5hsEzIcHPKNn_g5qD6KcE-SQLdjZCVZVwMrh0RpnLrlJeX0MvIcO4K7P/s400/July+09+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373282572091967410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VM7BHRZhLxWwKyu04kIgu4GPG_YEqcNlRxzoP6aYozNar-S40VAs04wB9t9-7YriAwN-Ep4ZGas6ILtU3m1VXVw6qVC683vT4gRVv4bi-jfor0Ln8t_OQ2JOBDuuDODvxxblXyxK6fKl/s1600-h/July+09+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VM7BHRZhLxWwKyu04kIgu4GPG_YEqcNlRxzoP6aYozNar-S40VAs04wB9t9-7YriAwN-Ep4ZGas6ILtU3m1VXVw6qVC683vT4gRVv4bi-jfor0Ln8t_OQ2JOBDuuDODvxxblXyxK6fKl/s400/July+09+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373282564463149474" border="0" /></a>Sleepy times are hard to come by, but summer was busy and those long gone naps returned with a vengeance. That day, I carried two children one by one while on my cell phone.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaK4tR_p2lSoSnX2dXodTcTVA0UypkYG7tmEbRQgF7hwxK86jkyP8OUDLGmylgJoUdP9R19fQoKd8ZTUdI_q730M1gNeAlrnltQ83vUGJAAHwqwYIRr09bpsxWYBvkkes9SboEh4NFgRdM/s1600-h/August+2009+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaK4tR_p2lSoSnX2dXodTcTVA0UypkYG7tmEbRQgF7hwxK86jkyP8OUDLGmylgJoUdP9R19fQoKd8ZTUdI_q730M1gNeAlrnltQ83vUGJAAHwqwYIRr09bpsxWYBvkkes9SboEh4NFgRdM/s400/August+2009+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372975726804357186" border="0" /></a><br />You know you're too tired, when you can't even finish your lollipop. Ben has never been one of those kids who falls asleep eating. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleQmesiy_6AzgNLFyMGt88_IXByz9D1_RSiYCufzYQgOFFk-j5lc1U-fpKe9P0m5pMVDMC4ftBz0C9ewdwzAuDe4hEHA5PWJlJu6E7d7Kzq32cH107WyuAu5U5keSgcrham-j7gmc7Tn4/s1600-h/August+2009+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleQmesiy_6AzgNLFyMGt88_IXByz9D1_RSiYCufzYQgOFFk-j5lc1U-fpKe9P0m5pMVDMC4ftBz0C9ewdwzAuDe4hEHA5PWJlJu6E7d7Kzq32cH107WyuAu5U5keSgcrham-j7gmc7Tn4/s400/August+2009+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372975718081032706" border="0" /></a>This photo below is for Lydia's Great-Gram. She gave Lydia the sleep lamb that her head is sleeping upon. It makes a few different sounds: whales, ocean, rain, a heart beating.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQPj3PijWDrudMT1x7lOJAhq5FvphnUNKc4e5J6i6kEkSrqRIt0theY59ACieNZM_gYuJdvJiboVgTEUqZpjqWxzeJTCWC6I-Gt0wMRVW2V5VUhM5YP4OJwV0nLWrVxgeiQ9337Id-rfL/s1600-h/July+09+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQPj3PijWDrudMT1x7lOJAhq5FvphnUNKc4e5J6i6kEkSrqRIt0theY59ACieNZM_gYuJdvJiboVgTEUqZpjqWxzeJTCWC6I-Gt0wMRVW2V5VUhM5YP4OJwV0nLWrVxgeiQ9337Id-rfL/s400/July+09+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372981810828960530" border="0" /></a><br />This picture is for Lydia's Auntie Em. The black bear she is sleeping on top of is made of super soft alpaca! So soft! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjepUIb-HAkZJ7MRzpgNJ_kCpLbG-E0mHdSxuDjYvkxtwubDK8VdiNSIWjJ6FrTU-p7P7Jvaj2SrB9cLaIedxbIUkLRHH9xzBL_eUai5clR_d3DXYhE3eWZKrtblM2q3RBFhrql7TBXa3y/s1600-h/July+09+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjepUIb-HAkZJ7MRzpgNJ_kCpLbG-E0mHdSxuDjYvkxtwubDK8VdiNSIWjJ6FrTU-p7P7Jvaj2SrB9cLaIedxbIUkLRHH9xzBL_eUai5clR_d3DXYhE3eWZKrtblM2q3RBFhrql7TBXa3y/s400/July+09+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372973724075315618" border="0" /></a><br />Jenny: I have been finishing up projects here and there that got started over the summer and then forgotten about. They eventually got remembered again, when I realized I was leaving project clutter all over the house. So, here are a few things I have started, forgotten about, remembered again, and finished. This baby quilt is for a friend, expecting her third child and third boy. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRvX_eBR7AbmtYW4xaIApk9SpsPRyaPtGVQM1QE30YTrHtggYRj3RIqPUsUHQNomKLM0TjTdZJHEu-mzUW2X2AiVXihbb7MmJlLdihO41t7ljuV0rRUcQcMbkyGWHmy_GL2O-5RQD6C5i/s1600-h/airplane+quilt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRvX_eBR7AbmtYW4xaIApk9SpsPRyaPtGVQM1QE30YTrHtggYRj3RIqPUsUHQNomKLM0TjTdZJHEu-mzUW2X2AiVXihbb7MmJlLdihO41t7ljuV0rRUcQcMbkyGWHmy_GL2O-5RQD6C5i/s400/airplane+quilt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372973713238239554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKW6ens-IjiHFnanSI7S9LMXr_8PyjYYZb4xrD707pSlJ5JCrIZ8O_6fzMu3eZ00TsFDTU2M2qmtyzI_inKJE051KCI0uZXblubuO13hLbmKSxWbgLwMimLHWzQ2yBYzKgi_I9b2SgR1V8/s1600-h/airplane+and+purse+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKW6ens-IjiHFnanSI7S9LMXr_8PyjYYZb4xrD707pSlJ5JCrIZ8O_6fzMu3eZ00TsFDTU2M2qmtyzI_inKJE051KCI0uZXblubuO13hLbmKSxWbgLwMimLHWzQ2yBYzKgi_I9b2SgR1V8/s400/airplane+and+purse+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372973707596504418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjGybKVdahqZxha4PTTdAenCEq5dzUIZvNKpbxgMC51pCU3F8TdVw1C8ubsdom4yb70ZuOIPxuNOCWk-FBA-LntrMPMBVfBgL_JgykAV5MuFoMV2PPYmbS16v988Ne5GVMBQvhWB3V8if/s1600-h/airplane+and+purse+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjGybKVdahqZxha4PTTdAenCEq5dzUIZvNKpbxgMC51pCU3F8TdVw1C8ubsdom4yb70ZuOIPxuNOCWk-FBA-LntrMPMBVfBgL_JgykAV5MuFoMV2PPYmbS16v988Ne5GVMBQvhWB3V8if/s400/airplane+and+purse+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372973697422380674" border="0" /></a>This summer has gone so fast, and now it is time for fall. I am taking on the Moppets Coordinator position. MOPS is Mothers of Preschoolers. It's a Christian nonprofit, that seeks to meet the needs of moms with young kids through twice monthly meetings for a time of breakfast, fellowship, speakers, crafts, you name it. Since I am the Moppets Coordinator, it has been my goal this summer to rally enough workers to work with our kids to make MOPS happen, train/brief them on their importance and role, and plan the kids' curriculum. It has been a learning process, and I presume it will continue that way for the rest of the year. I am also planning on doing the St. Jude Half again this December, and I just might have a partner....TBD. ;) This year I would like to do the race as a "St. Jude's Hero" which is where friends and family donate money to St. Jude's cause. It's a great facility, and it is their aim to never turn away a sick child. I will send out more information once I become registered. Anyway, I am again toying with the idea of accomplishing the full that I have been aspiring to for a couple years now. I want to wait until Lydia's one and she's not nursing anymore. There's always time for running and other things in life, but some time, you just can't get back. She's already changing too fast. Shoot, both of them are for that matter.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cr1Ot-qWLWs_qDnOz7o_ztAUp9DVaQdz7l23LMGdPkq6goCuewT2JF-zrRWci1hnqfPVQFK8RLdr1Q1CjB9oqGYkUH_B2DI7gtbKDgAu8uCWbS6R5FrGhGFWIWblHn_79Wb7ju1ZMUFz/s1600-h/August+2009+033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cr1Ot-qWLWs_qDnOz7o_ztAUp9DVaQdz7l23LMGdPkq6goCuewT2JF-zrRWci1hnqfPVQFK8RLdr1Q1CjB9oqGYkUH_B2DI7gtbKDgAu8uCWbS6R5FrGhGFWIWblHn_79Wb7ju1ZMUFz/s400/August+2009+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372978516369122354" border="0" /></a>Rob: My dear husband. He's the Check Flight Commander still, if I haven't mentioned before. He misses working directly with students and instead is the one that they all fear. We are extended a full year (no more, maybe less) here in Mississippi. Of course there are always mixed emotions, and feel like they all kind of level out in the end. Things could always be worse, things could always be better, but this is where we are. So we are going to enjoy it until the end! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWZGdltJjzfqbZ6a1QjpxU1u1wR4Uzjg5GaF3oI60UopTt-db8C_XVHMitEfTAPBj1oT6cHMS6eK9E8f_LB7KMx6wAVuTIpyQDGofW27efN9ymxmPvnk16Kmefdmf2-imULFuUvRMxUv2/s1600-h/August+2009+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWZGdltJjzfqbZ6a1QjpxU1u1wR4Uzjg5GaF3oI60UopTt-db8C_XVHMitEfTAPBj1oT6cHMS6eK9E8f_LB7KMx6wAVuTIpyQDGofW27efN9ymxmPvnk16Kmefdmf2-imULFuUvRMxUv2/s400/August+2009+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372978511452014706" border="0" /></a>We hope this update finds you well. While I haven't been much of a blogger, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your updates! So - don't be like me! ;)<br /><br />Love,<br />JennyJenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-25099877989367717762009-06-24T19:27:00.000-07:002009-06-24T19:52:25.247-07:00five years of puppy love.Just a tribute on our oldest child~ ha!<br /><br />Rainey celebrated her fifth year of craziness, and she's still as pup as ever!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1bs4L1tiUIH00EUtN87NN1mf735QH2C0Ffaa8SvXZbZVEIOlPB_ztGUlAB6G5bM3BkvxppgeFCd9olstX-Qf9UXMWveZQ8ua-VvFfMcq_NMw2d5ilkg0C8s6ShX8QVbsfFsXx4IuwKiz/s1600-h/P1010053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1bs4L1tiUIH00EUtN87NN1mf735QH2C0Ffaa8SvXZbZVEIOlPB_ztGUlAB6G5bM3BkvxppgeFCd9olstX-Qf9UXMWveZQ8ua-VvFfMcq_NMw2d5ilkg0C8s6ShX8QVbsfFsXx4IuwKiz/s400/P1010053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351088401768561954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvgPOBNy7fbj37Q4ea2YIKZZJTY3GXgQG_UyqGnggt1v08FS6oyJviJYILXUV1FbMI4UGP3rFrE95XaJv4da8IFYxKIyJJ-CKLTsfAx4wyWgdcW2pwMg3fdNSm29O_S-SGLrgebFEGT32/s1600-h/Puppy+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvgPOBNy7fbj37Q4ea2YIKZZJTY3GXgQG_UyqGnggt1v08FS6oyJviJYILXUV1FbMI4UGP3rFrE95XaJv4da8IFYxKIyJJ-CKLTsfAx4wyWgdcW2pwMg3fdNSm29O_S-SGLrgebFEGT32/s400/Puppy+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351088394315249090" border="0" /></a><br />Some photos of our puppy love...it was quite symbolic of Rob and my relationship. We had just gotten married, and I really wanted a dog. I thought my one good chance of getting a puppy, was if I could find the breed that he grew up with: the boxer. And we found the perfect puppy. She was the runt of the litter, but had the fire inside her, that was for sure. Isn't that how they always come, though? It's the small, wiry type that are the most feisty and energetic! We went back and forth on names, narrowed it down to four names, and chose Rainey (my suggestion) due to the fact that it had rained the evening we took her home, and it just fit. When she's in trouble, she gets the middle name added in: Rainey Day! <br /><br />If there was ever any indication of what my temperment would be around children, it was then that I caught a glimpse of it when we got Rainey. I was so happy to take her home, and make her part of our family. However, the day Rob had to go to work, I was a basket case! I was such a wreck, because she was quite young, compared to the typical 8 weeks. She was 5 1/2 weeks old, and she had such a hard time eating, that I was on the kitchen floor breaking up her food with the back of a spoon, so she could eat it! When I was a kid, and we got a puppy, none of these things you worry about. But the day, Rainey Day was in my care and I was "in charge", I was a serious freakshow....much like that of a new mother, who has a baby to care for. <br /><br />Oy vey.<br /><br />It was only a couple months later that we found out we were pregnant with Ben. It was merely weeks after we got Rainey that we conceived. If I was like that with a dog, what was I going to do with a little baby boy?? <br /><br />Rainey is such a part of our family, but there are days when she's the last one attended to. Many days however. But it's the love of a dog, that is so special, especially where children are concerned. Ben bounces on her back and Lydia tries to entice her to lick her on the face, but Rainey knows better about these things and resists any action on her part. Rainey now sleeps on Ben's bed at night, and checks on him, if he has napped what she considers "too long". It really is sweet. Lydia is now getting very interested in Rainey, and she continues to be the most gentle dog, when I know she just wants to lick every square inch of Lydia. <br /><br />P.S. Sometimes, I really do love her. It usually occurs after the kids go to bed, and I just want someone to lie still and snuggle - 4 year olds and babies don't do that so well anymore.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Qik-aogvKVOp8XPVjPP75o3JsOXIv9bXa-Z10BVY7xKowoqflWiCkGgQi9zNENnbH2hTdiGujZ33aiA_Pqe-D2oZ0oN2T2Y7YEl1kfCkt9PTdvM7P9QDEzB29OgVrzk4voJDOdGHgPc0/s1600-h/June+2009+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Qik-aogvKVOp8XPVjPP75o3JsOXIv9bXa-Z10BVY7xKowoqflWiCkGgQi9zNENnbH2hTdiGujZ33aiA_Pqe-D2oZ0oN2T2Y7YEl1kfCkt9PTdvM7P9QDEzB29OgVrzk4voJDOdGHgPc0/s400/June+2009+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351087297441964562" border="0" /></a>Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-47354747106423297062009-06-11T11:45:00.000-07:002009-06-12T18:58:54.878-07:00quilting.While we were in Phoenix, my mom shared and taught me one of her new hobbies. She has been meeting with a quilting group at church and she has been loving it. Here is my first completed project; it was a prepackaged quilt. You still have to do all the cutting and sewing, but it takes the guesswork out of picking and choosing matching fabrics (which I think is a talent in itself).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVFwuMoMI3KPJlPcgzoho3O4JpNtAYwp3Oi1V60j-dvGtDmG4bKmj0bwhI-KdvGzH523Fna_8uovptz8Ue6d7-KTA0AASseuQZC2nKwuGh59ryWmS7a-06Ey0mmdhyXaCQauTTX5e-wtA/s1600-h/first+quilt+-+kit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVFwuMoMI3KPJlPcgzoho3O4JpNtAYwp3Oi1V60j-dvGtDmG4bKmj0bwhI-KdvGzH523Fna_8uovptz8Ue6d7-KTA0AASseuQZC2nKwuGh59ryWmS7a-06Ey0mmdhyXaCQauTTX5e-wtA/s400/first+quilt+-+kit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346145122262533906" border="0" /></a><br />The below project is one I chose for myself. While I have never really crafted any sort of large project for Ben, I decided that I wanted to make him a bedspread quilt to fit his twin bed. Below is the material cut out. I still need to cut a few more pieces at the bottom and do what is called a lattice. It is another material that sort of borders your quilt - kind of like a frame. After it is sewn I need to find a matching flannel back piece for it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqgxHH82mANWiujUAB0ed2zn1wJCxnT3JnQLefp0MWkBUuI4iaSaCr_62m8wZEplqL0araMcfnj3O26TO2Oaj1TLu8vVZ74soAh_Vq2swv1CRlhWuruqmCPr7vhkatRFdQDERjQsPeg_e/s1600-h/ben's+bedspread+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqgxHH82mANWiujUAB0ed2zn1wJCxnT3JnQLefp0MWkBUuI4iaSaCr_62m8wZEplqL0araMcfnj3O26TO2Oaj1TLu8vVZ74soAh_Vq2swv1CRlhWuruqmCPr7vhkatRFdQDERjQsPeg_e/s400/ben's+bedspread+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346145124456922978" border="0" /></a>Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-54019156300078584312009-06-11T09:36:00.000-07:002009-06-11T09:39:43.450-07:00a good laugh.Thought I'd post a little humor about a song I like very much! It's a song from Samson's point of view. <br /><br />Hope it brings a smile and a laugh to your day! :)<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cZ2KYbRVie8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cZ2KYbRVie8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-67009373556608838692009-06-09T13:56:00.000-07:002009-06-09T13:30:44.157-07:00a little bit Easter, a little bit birthday.I really said I was going to post multiple times this week?? OK. Well here goes. Back in April was Ben and Rob's birthdays. Ben is respective 4 and Rob his 31st. Whew! I don't know that I have much to say other than posting pictures, but each year you really begin to be better about planning birthdays, I guess it comes with all the practice. Ben had been to a friend's birthday at a place called Bullets. I hate to tell you that it is really a gas station - but a glorified one. Telling you that, just doesn't give it justice, I suppose. Well, Ben also wanted his there. Easy enough, book the room, bring the cake and paper plates, and they provide the rest. Ben's request was Star Wars, and while I wanted to also outsource this task, I ended up doing that. Parenting requires actually doing something sometimes....(totally kidding). Oh you want a Captain Rex cake. Ok. Here is the result after both Rob and I had our hands in the frosting of the cake.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibF7LflSz1l2gzcFJVqSIslLOsa7H2JlbnrplvdGyTdK9IZpbrW3D5AA___vJG6RNDTiLfB8ZUph-RC3ButUCASPHFQgn9Ggrk48Fy2vHvJNTHzRHychnxIB6XcmCLuNFrviwTgsgSJJhJ/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibF7LflSz1l2gzcFJVqSIslLOsa7H2JlbnrplvdGyTdK9IZpbrW3D5AA___vJG6RNDTiLfB8ZUph-RC3ButUCASPHFQgn9Ggrk48Fy2vHvJNTHzRHychnxIB6XcmCLuNFrviwTgsgSJJhJ/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327346411504439282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcdiI8Foduf3IIkhIlsYAukm3QUWVVhXCJhUW8wf3uMTPdjNZLzC_ywa9c5GBr5BHcc9y6whsSxqOrx40fslc8wTuTaDnrc_f6Vz3qH5v67b0UyzhrFtgVhzxp5xZb8b__4hPh4FtvKog/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcdiI8Foduf3IIkhIlsYAukm3QUWVVhXCJhUW8wf3uMTPdjNZLzC_ywa9c5GBr5BHcc9y6whsSxqOrx40fslc8wTuTaDnrc_f6Vz3qH5v67b0UyzhrFtgVhzxp5xZb8b__4hPh4FtvKog/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327351217905049634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5wToZq4uWPU9mcSAcE0qhKrTZjeVwqkTt30Sy7onEE84BqilIDNrcM9BpsatCLxjFq9prdVmWa_PCR2rTYnqIacQlZZkmoeLBs8qz6a1bZQfa7zzs60wMsIjFvyx36WZEA75VfT6pIk1/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+041.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5wToZq4uWPU9mcSAcE0qhKrTZjeVwqkTt30Sy7onEE84BqilIDNrcM9BpsatCLxjFq9prdVmWa_PCR2rTYnqIacQlZZkmoeLBs8qz6a1bZQfa7zzs60wMsIjFvyx36WZEA75VfT6pIk1/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327351224783000754" border="0" /></a><br />And in case you were wondering how my $3 find turned out from Dirt Cheep (still haven't not revisited this establishment). Here is a picture of Ben finding his scooter. He asked me just the other day where I found it (I guess it is something he never spotted at Wal-mart!). Tee hee.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QzKxuoATeLC9qUJBhuQ82C_K498VlbP7tI8SlxQcsViRGi-3NOo74BEW1iQgDLzn_Sy4rTkXI7e1ruomE39_Z8yZH_Q-cR_SV2DKJALMGVxvpar8gt5IpQeWZpSi6cRzfdFOKc61PpbK/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QzKxuoATeLC9qUJBhuQ82C_K498VlbP7tI8SlxQcsViRGi-3NOo74BEW1iQgDLzn_Sy4rTkXI7e1ruomE39_Z8yZH_Q-cR_SV2DKJALMGVxvpar8gt5IpQeWZpSi6cRzfdFOKc61PpbK/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327346411932244690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaLJ7_PAnUHw8ZCxmxPqWuHc-OHCLm7UgRMvd9JCNWhcc5e-2qT_WRz1_3xsqbVzxytfnUUKOhxNqwvq_gdb9dUH5Ks9iirgtujz90rqWXKHdW0ChKD8AD73quADStYOYZXW0tC0DdtwE/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+045.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaLJ7_PAnUHw8ZCxmxPqWuHc-OHCLm7UgRMvd9JCNWhcc5e-2qT_WRz1_3xsqbVzxytfnUUKOhxNqwvq_gdb9dUH5Ks9iirgtujz90rqWXKHdW0ChKD8AD73quADStYOYZXW0tC0DdtwE/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327351235012347858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimR4f9n-6cl4KLsVch2D5ltAtW-nOylILFd0f_WiGPXMPtlIKd6f9W4YRnCkn1e9gz-jP1ovrAa3H7FgJj8VcK8jz-PJnr5Oyc1g7-5x54yA4vnoJso5t_pallttlcvURw-IuaufBJQFfw/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimR4f9n-6cl4KLsVch2D5ltAtW-nOylILFd0f_WiGPXMPtlIKd6f9W4YRnCkn1e9gz-jP1ovrAa3H7FgJj8VcK8jz-PJnr5Oyc1g7-5x54yA4vnoJso5t_pallttlcvURw-IuaufBJQFfw/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327351230616553986" border="0" /></a>you cannot escape a hairbow from time to time.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJOvuzF7JOGPwVi4ImQcHlJKTI9JbDx5DBzHrWayF5rb0WPEzJWWmB6TZEqOhHqX8ng5PMQQyijUMpcZEm5rJs_upXOe2FbgvXgWLBqNv8nC96_J-o-vinw36DHMZFiuo7rXvaU4aGiu0/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+036.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJOvuzF7JOGPwVi4ImQcHlJKTI9JbDx5DBzHrWayF5rb0WPEzJWWmB6TZEqOhHqX8ng5PMQQyijUMpcZEm5rJs_upXOe2FbgvXgWLBqNv8nC96_J-o-vinw36DHMZFiuo7rXvaU4aGiu0/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327351201184779186" border="0" /></a>Some other April highlights were Rob's Birthday and Easter.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OG_lXr0D3fBFVxm92BQdqsm9GqAHe4PZ-b-0ViFAW8OobOQsnxBf3YZmBUP3cnazAdXyjz77ETQs-jVWk7tEAxOA3rRa8tHCoQlYS-Uhp_MaeLSEJuIeVr27FYKYdZgkCJkPoOykFhNf/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OG_lXr0D3fBFVxm92BQdqsm9GqAHe4PZ-b-0ViFAW8OobOQsnxBf3YZmBUP3cnazAdXyjz77ETQs-jVWk7tEAxOA3rRa8tHCoQlYS-Uhp_MaeLSEJuIeVr27FYKYdZgkCJkPoOykFhNf/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327346406453591074" border="0" /></a>Rob's birthday was on a Friday, hence his Friday shirt.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSezoyoR9xIfONsIw_A8I-EnjpfgF4yecUMtwB4oe7MqBY-HampAZNBZi5EQYy_KzwNA2ObAOEpHBZsireDiw7k3aeLj5HfUknWF4y1WUlmF5BE6XNRS1dlJMgpzkthjk03ioxjCMKRGrL/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSezoyoR9xIfONsIw_A8I-EnjpfgF4yecUMtwB4oe7MqBY-HampAZNBZi5EQYy_KzwNA2ObAOEpHBZsireDiw7k3aeLj5HfUknWF4y1WUlmF5BE6XNRS1dlJMgpzkthjk03ioxjCMKRGrL/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327346396704586162" border="0" /></a>Rob, the fireman. I mean, candle extinguisher.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdS9jYB7PkSHyJ0uk8hdw-75MGg6Db6x6b-_g5q7lFd0iWahcRZa7O6-fRSUcocQujDY_RfzzzcJ6wKuMUiRG7xJ3uL-7a7YCiZMXfN0eL5l7WfH7eUapsFClxHNMe2JOuzP-889RUs1j/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdS9jYB7PkSHyJ0uk8hdw-75MGg6Db6x6b-_g5q7lFd0iWahcRZa7O6-fRSUcocQujDY_RfzzzcJ6wKuMUiRG7xJ3uL-7a7YCiZMXfN0eL5l7WfH7eUapsFClxHNMe2JOuzP-889RUs1j/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327346395170895602" border="0" /></a>Lydia, nervously gnawing on her thumb, very thankful that there will be no fire today.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv2PVpCTDHr3ugij_0ehJgGlMidgLnx9stkAFAqPg7quiSNplD8Gt3wNACvarW8VYlmR-s-Fq5WvwG4SgXijw34q_q92YiRg8YzasLhVKwiTpiEBN_-9KqA59AegQ7mQ5t-9dQXNyucNo/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv2PVpCTDHr3ugij_0ehJgGlMidgLnx9stkAFAqPg7quiSNplD8Gt3wNACvarW8VYlmR-s-Fq5WvwG4SgXijw34q_q92YiRg8YzasLhVKwiTpiEBN_-9KqA59AegQ7mQ5t-9dQXNyucNo/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345426180918112290" border="0" /></a>Because when a travelling carnival pops up at your local "mall" (in quotes for anyone who has ever "shopped" there), you have to ride the ferris wheel. Shopped is also in quotes too. Sad.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IHdsjDAglxsrWiRnMBpxwp2VHWVbfpnhtzxm9Ge_OsdhDnRanemAePEEvF0qOV8d6VIb3UVC79Ihs_oBhFJUhgUwoEW04o_5D6RnlW4YWZ99OpTsWlkJQ-7a-M2UPKgNY_MW112-5fQ-/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IHdsjDAglxsrWiRnMBpxwp2VHWVbfpnhtzxm9Ge_OsdhDnRanemAePEEvF0qOV8d6VIb3UVC79Ihs_oBhFJUhgUwoEW04o_5D6RnlW4YWZ99OpTsWlkJQ-7a-M2UPKgNY_MW112-5fQ-/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327343606729910418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PkDWwL6UnxEpdBhlg6rSBrKesEA3u_p5cjjPeV9pnEZfLUJLouVDo7bCk_C_omHbaoUfqAz27VuKzbOYzlUkMgJiZsaEJyHtjbIm5QSGHlg7QTkSeknoNxL_V99ih4q0b4pMOFZqSBhb/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PkDWwL6UnxEpdBhlg6rSBrKesEA3u_p5cjjPeV9pnEZfLUJLouVDo7bCk_C_omHbaoUfqAz27VuKzbOYzlUkMgJiZsaEJyHtjbIm5QSGHlg7QTkSeknoNxL_V99ih4q0b4pMOFZqSBhb/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327343600929724610" border="0" /></a>Some Easter shots. The hunting of eggs. The dressing for church.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6HLMiDx4IAcOghjbCG0iCKWaP6Vn5cpnlafWP3GfL6RTOB_Dcw5L3A8L1Ln9EkNhdDgfFS74yBuYc6hloW85IWHHiVRK9066rQTOGDPf8DCV2FXD0BmRPyRoWxgNSOdIGr1zKk7N3R9D/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6HLMiDx4IAcOghjbCG0iCKWaP6Vn5cpnlafWP3GfL6RTOB_Dcw5L3A8L1Ln9EkNhdDgfFS74yBuYc6hloW85IWHHiVRK9066rQTOGDPf8DCV2FXD0BmRPyRoWxgNSOdIGr1zKk7N3R9D/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327343595648295154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIP4meNhA2VLrZQKG8IPF_DejNPByf_iGAP87u687lahy2G67JZDbhoS5quqmrVjflsV1Jem2ZwPlW5T_7wVeiejv_N3TaZE0xgvnLsTnsZwpQ4ZsQuxk8lW89BoZ40gIOoneGtMEeTWR/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIP4meNhA2VLrZQKG8IPF_DejNPByf_iGAP87u687lahy2G67JZDbhoS5quqmrVjflsV1Jem2ZwPlW5T_7wVeiejv_N3TaZE0xgvnLsTnsZwpQ4ZsQuxk8lW89BoZ40gIOoneGtMEeTWR/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327343591849425154" border="0" /></a>random happy picture. doesn't need a reason to be included, for no other reason that Lydia's in the picture!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7D7ckMQvRllpM2eeK4kpDa2s3OeLIXCRlsdRC-f4ZozY8CTEu8z8n8ynpv42_BLTu3uwma1kS8rRDV0IeRlnB4Iu7SfPqAI31gQEoYelEQ1BahdyaXp0SWoreEDxutDJEFlIl5TkCpO6J/s1600-h/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7D7ckMQvRllpM2eeK4kpDa2s3OeLIXCRlsdRC-f4ZozY8CTEu8z8n8ynpv42_BLTu3uwma1kS8rRDV0IeRlnB4Iu7SfPqAI31gQEoYelEQ1BahdyaXp0SWoreEDxutDJEFlIl5TkCpO6J/s400/April+09+birthdays+and+Easter+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327343586107748226" border="0" /></a>Ben talking to Lydia about life.Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-81011661721782897772009-06-08T09:02:00.001-07:002009-06-08T09:05:05.536-07:00how does he do it?...because I tried it and can't do it.<br /><br />maybe it's a filipino trait...they are quite agile at climbing coconut trees.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TiQNUeBokE6o2_ASW1C5OTRTgFcc-yu_y2Eu5lMSi2al9fMJySdnMglo_xjoo0RQ-O3giWyEC3BBSaYvbOLStB75KA_NhQRZTvm4LQsElP4aMsabxo_Dd6G9CFV2KEtAFiX8eu8_vY-n/s1600-h/climbing+walls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TiQNUeBokE6o2_ASW1C5OTRTgFcc-yu_y2Eu5lMSi2al9fMJySdnMglo_xjoo0RQ-O3giWyEC3BBSaYvbOLStB75KA_NhQRZTvm4LQsElP4aMsabxo_Dd6G9CFV2KEtAFiX8eu8_vY-n/s400/climbing+walls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344988321122243442" border="0" /></a>Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-1716132144484002332009-06-07T19:15:00.000-07:002009-06-07T20:23:30.051-07:00MIA.So as I sit here, still sweaty from a 4.5 mile run, I am feeling behind as I log in to my blog account. This is my attempt to add to the blog since it was last updated on March 19th! Oh my. I am surprised it has only been three months, because to be honest it feels longer. We just got home from picking Ben up from VBS, after Rob and I ran with Lydia. Is it possible that Rob is still reading a book to our son at 9:20 at night? Well, that is just the good dad that Rob is. Rob has just come into the room to recount a nighttime conversation he just had with Ben. They were reading A.A. Milne's "When We Were Very Young", a book of poems.<br /><br />Ben: Dad, what are poems?<br />Dad: They rhyme and have rhythm and they are short.<br />Ben: Why are poems short?<br />Dad: So you don't get tired of them. So if anyone ever asks you why you're short, if they ask you, then just tell them it's so they don't get tired of you.<br />Ben: (he laughs) Well, I'm tired of you. But I'm not tired of my mom.<br /><br />I had no intention of adding that story obviously, but I just felt like it was cute. This makes me feel just a little bit more special, because Ben is so very much about being boy and being like Dad. It's nice to know that he has a little sweet spot for his Mom every now and then. And I feel like many moments of our life have been "cute" and "memorable", yet I haven't so much as kept any physical notes detailing them. This has been on my mind, because I know that some day, I am going to be really sad that these moments are gone. I feel like Lydia is already close to 1, when she is only 7 months.<br /><br />While all this has been nagging me, I received an email from a very good friend and sort of mom to me back in Clovis, asking me how I was and if I was OK, and that I hadn't updated the blog. Thanks, Anna Marie! It was just what I needed. So over the next week (I am hesitant to commit myself to that short time), I am going to update you in a sort of 4-parter. I feel that is the right amount I can bite off each day, and not bore you with one really long update.<br /><br />But to sort of give you my initial "happies" (as a friend who once lived here in MS coined the phrase, Liz), here is a quickie STS:<br /><br />1. Lydia's crawling and cutting a tooth. I forgot about all the feist that comes with the crawling strut. I shouldn't be surprised if you I really think about it: a 6 1/2 - 7 month baby learning such amazing feats! To actually coordinate those limbs, oh the joy! Ben is so far quite patient with her, which impresses me. When we were in Phoenix a couple weeks ago, it was a funny sight to see that Ben had relocated himself a couple times each time the sister got closer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYM5NRHKet_fRUPJxaIwmvYvBjoAy2yN4h7HfUalRqghBarbhueUPZXhZfC6rAquX09N6LRe_q07YR3qcbB96KoZFNVqCozI9rCgYBzYpo-93HThogDzqE-AeilydcW0z_qojdvP0vL1t/s1600-h/June+09+028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYM5NRHKet_fRUPJxaIwmvYvBjoAy2yN4h7HfUalRqghBarbhueUPZXhZfC6rAquX09N6LRe_q07YR3qcbB96KoZFNVqCozI9rCgYBzYpo-93HThogDzqE-AeilydcW0z_qojdvP0vL1t/s400/June+09+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344789512891661538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljQ7u92o-g-Gut6cIRGrpplGMtB0fAXXwobCes8lihbKrByps4292Jw7Y9yNd7f3YeGdMjhvEASVeJDiOnk6rcM4MGZVLBKo1oFii7ikL-vAwiQk5XDiVecVzXcZHdhz3ZgW33nERtXXm/s1600-h/June+09+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljQ7u92o-g-Gut6cIRGrpplGMtB0fAXXwobCes8lihbKrByps4292Jw7Y9yNd7f3YeGdMjhvEASVeJDiOnk6rcM4MGZVLBKo1oFii7ikL-vAwiQk5XDiVecVzXcZHdhz3ZgW33nERtXXm/s400/June+09+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344789506612545746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2PO0Bs7gZZw3dRLQIr2IBuIXfexR9PMwV7vL76kwRvOEJA5DcLV3BbIlykaSV7dZHQHZZaFMx4EbCfCQc0hD1vA9eDoMu4cOwnEo92lMiP4yNjSXbyK9QP2Lz9O8IPwT2vZS7yQIRKdB/s1600-h/June+09+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2PO0Bs7gZZw3dRLQIr2IBuIXfexR9PMwV7vL76kwRvOEJA5DcLV3BbIlykaSV7dZHQHZZaFMx4EbCfCQc0hD1vA9eDoMu4cOwnEo92lMiP4yNjSXbyK9QP2Lz9O8IPwT2vZS7yQIRKdB/s400/June+09+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344789503929170514" border="0" /></a><br />2. Today, Ben weaned himself of his training wheels on his bike! Rob and Ben had been practicing here and there, and yesterday and today were the only days that they practiced two days in a row. Rob began by raising the training wheels off the ground so high that he still fell on the ground, but the training wheels cushioned the fall a bit. Once he got the hang of it, he was riding it without them touching the ground, so Rob took them off. It amazes us that he can even ride on our rocky, dirt road. I figure once we get him on smooth asphalt, he'll be even better!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1R3JHysN1CEuPmPN-njvVOHw0_1NilhivnQnnp_ZT_pdegCu-RDphrVHWRdZN5bDi5H9bxJY3ycm7ISW2VBnd_Gr9V9EIqM2kGAQOraBR6JTFJnTuA8ncqrte80GPzVzQbBg9mtRzypy/s1600-h/June+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1R3JHysN1CEuPmPN-njvVOHw0_1NilhivnQnnp_ZT_pdegCu-RDphrVHWRdZN5bDi5H9bxJY3ycm7ISW2VBnd_Gr9V9EIqM2kGAQOraBR6JTFJnTuA8ncqrte80GPzVzQbBg9mtRzypy/s400/June+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344789525764835682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0spQn5mbdwUdZrHeypz8QEa3YBW_f4V6Ix5mD43BgerHhknSrvusuv1CALBtMKguSs0aQzmo0lxe5LVe75NL1ym3GTR90oZO0eFs2g7AYBNOAsVye98jSSVpJurTj9HSesb7Znl-oaka1/s1600-h/June+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0spQn5mbdwUdZrHeypz8QEa3YBW_f4V6Ix5mD43BgerHhknSrvusuv1CALBtMKguSs0aQzmo0lxe5LVe75NL1ym3GTR90oZO0eFs2g7AYBNOAsVye98jSSVpJurTj9HSesb7Znl-oaka1/s400/June+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344789518138495890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWxITUT3jRKpa3EdJgATMoVgYITM116Gt_Xu1F_NmPl9LhQH-EOz2SLdN2SNUw16Uy3_llachFoShqfPSmJ1sEmy6CaiY-04no8CKv7kyqnZQNVwjyUc_7NFT0HVxIEaeMeV5Attkcgyw/s1600-h/June+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWxITUT3jRKpa3EdJgATMoVgYITM116Gt_Xu1F_NmPl9LhQH-EOz2SLdN2SNUw16Uy3_llachFoShqfPSmJ1sEmy6CaiY-04no8CKv7kyqnZQNVwjyUc_7NFT0HVxIEaeMeV5Attkcgyw/s400/June+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344790782969007090" border="0" /></a><br />3. Ben literally crawled our doorframe in the living room all the way to the top of the ceiling, and then let go jumping to the ground. We caught in on video! It makes me laugh to think that he was ever "failure to thrive" just because he's skinny! The funnier thing was that at first he told me he invented it, but then he told me later that he didn't invent it. He said he saw it on TV on the news at Lolo and Lola's house (in AZ). He said they showed a guy climbing a wall outside. So, if any of you have ever been to AZ and know of its illegal immigration problems, the first thought was, "they were probably reporting on Mexicans climbing the wall to get to the US." I know, that's bad. I'm just telling you what I thought. :)<br /><br />4. We have a Dunkin' Donuts in Columbus now! How exciting is that!? Makes for a great iced coffee on the run.<br /><br />5. My new jogging stroller that I won! As one friend said, "it's like the Gucci of jogging strollers." This was one of the fundraisers that we had for our MOPS/Stroller Strides walk that we organized in memory of the late Blair Faulkner, one of the two pilots that died in the crash we had here a year ago. We raised just under $15,000 in Blair's name to the Palmer Children's Home, a local home here in Columbus. It far exceeded our $10,000 goal!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80lOsJXAeZqig0c6TN_9XbxiY3oe6EYaZdziB4prqzaGmL_T8Jkeb7mq2Ix4vEreaSM3nsp-y300DPUopx8wjUK2SxLyon2hZnjbNzwj8oLvpGxzIuN5MUMOh-Qf4NIizo9jcLLOoOiGK/s1600-h/June+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80lOsJXAeZqig0c6TN_9XbxiY3oe6EYaZdziB4prqzaGmL_T8Jkeb7mq2Ix4vEreaSM3nsp-y300DPUopx8wjUK2SxLyon2hZnjbNzwj8oLvpGxzIuN5MUMOh-Qf4NIizo9jcLLOoOiGK/s400/June+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344790779499839682" border="0" /></a>6. Rob is doing wonderfully at work. While a lot of our friends are AF, and we all think our husbands are the greatest, I am especially proud of Rob for his hard work. It really seems to be reflecting on his OPR/ADP. For all you non-military types: it's translating really well on paper. What counts these days, right?! I don't mean to brag, but I figure if you spend all day at a place that you work, you might want to be told you're doing a good job every now and then! And you might want that one person to be your spouse, who stays at home with the kids and is thankful that she can do so. <br /><br />This brings me to my closing. I think some of the reasons I have slacked in blogging is because of time. Time flying. Time coming to an end. Time. Time. Time. This is theoretically our last summer here. This might be our last child. I feel like I am losing time. It won't be long before Ben is in school all day. I still have a year, but it still freaks me out. Ben has officially spent his formative years in the south. I can't believe we left NM when he was only 15 months - that seems like an ETERNITY ago. I know that it isn't. I know that I have so many more parenting years to endure. But why does it still feel so fast? So I am relishing every moment with the kids, kind of living in a bubble, trying not to be anxious, trying not think beyond August (when we should hear about an assignment). Summers, let alone time, goes so fast.<br /><br />If any of this has made you feel a little bit crazy like me, I promise I won't do it anymore. It's out of my system, I have said it out loud, it will not happen again. For this next week, while Ben is at VBS, I will attempt to go back a few months in time.<br /><br />I hope this summer finds you all the times you need: summer breezes, Kodak moments, and a chance to smile and breathe all God's blessings.<br />Love,<br />JennyJenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-40937236920720311322009-03-19T15:07:00.000-07:002009-03-19T17:23:39.652-07:00i feel dirty.So there's this store in Columbus called Dirt Cheap. No really, it's true. And it is both of those things. I had never been there, but it is frequented by many people...looking for dirt cheap bargains. How aptly titled. ;) It is hard to explain to someone what this store is like, but the closest thing to it is...like a low scale Tuesday Morning, Ross, TJ Maxx, etc. Really low. Low. There really is no merchandising or order or rhyme or reason or anything. It is: "hey you want a bargain, come look for it, but we aren't going to make this pretty."<br /><br />So I walk in with my friend, Heather, and am immediately shell shocked. Where do you start? There isn't really customer service, this is bare bones, folks. So if you've never been in Dirt Cheap, you just don't really know what to do with yourself or have any idea where to start. This should be a screaming testimony for the need of advertising and marketing.<br /><br />I begin to make sense of the place by walking around and trying to process where I should start looking for what I want. Except that I don't know what I want! I need advertisers to tell me this! (mostly sarcasm with a touch of seriousness.) I find myself in this aisle that looked like a scene from Chucky where all the toys came to life and jumped off the shelves. This aisle if you can call it that was labeled "90% off". It's toys. And these toys were in boxes that looked severely damaged to the point you wonder if what's inside is even intact. I wonder, "can I bring this back if it doesn't work or is incomplete?" No way. Why? you might wonder... I have an answer for this: because you can't return crap. That was harsh, but in all seriousness, these are desirable goods, just not in a pretty package. Whether or not this 90% off item works is the price you pay. You know, kind of like gambling.<br /><br />So lo and behold, I am trying to scoot Lydia around in this aisle that has more on the floor than the shelf, and I spy a 3 wheel scooter. Not just any scooter, but a Clone Wars scooter. Ben is so into Star Wars, I am beginning to think it may never end. Hmmm....let's see 90% off of &29.99 makes it $3! So the box is ripped open...but all the pieces are here. But wait a minute, it's missing hardware. I am thinking to myself how proud Rob is going to be, and how excited he'll be to put this thing together. Surely he can find some nuts and bolts to hold all the pieces together, right? So I buy it.<br /><br />I bring this thing home, and show the husband. He is not looking as excited as I was thinking he would. He loves to fix things, what's going on? He tells me he would just assume buy the thing at regular price, it's not worth it. I begin by telling him how much I was bragging on him to some man in the aisle with me. Yes, I am friendly. Hey, when you're both in the same God-forsaken aisle, stooping to all time lows, you might as well say hi while you're down there. Plus, there is no customer service, I needed a second opinion!<br /><br />Long story, short. Turned out that Rob had a lot on his mind and adding this wasn't helping. I told him, it wasn't urgent, I was thinking for Ben's birthday maybe. He tells me, "but you know me, I am going to want to fix it now." I couldn't help but laugh a little. So this a.m., he called the manufacturer and they are sending us all the hardware for this $3 scooter! :) Yay!<br /><br />I managed to find a few things, and the two most blog-worthy items was the scooter and this awesome Nike running shirt retailing at $45...finding it at Dirt Cheap for $3! yay again.<br /><br />my $3 deals!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3uKD15TFjTA9uaYHxprWqs9d-063oofw7w3r3WUYODlMjIUU1YmBf7BB8HaDc5g8mGjGdPBaILYxgz3P5NVAo1ecDvwiONlAcDgOKEwM7B-vTNBAG_fYN3y9NnELt83RrSBw6cKYElrI/s1600-h/dirt+cheap+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3uKD15TFjTA9uaYHxprWqs9d-063oofw7w3r3WUYODlMjIUU1YmBf7BB8HaDc5g8mGjGdPBaILYxgz3P5NVAo1ecDvwiONlAcDgOKEwM7B-vTNBAG_fYN3y9NnELt83RrSBw6cKYElrI/s400/dirt+cheap+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315055772045719378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q6cTYhWk7W8WC9aYkIF2edeBSV3AzmIyrBW0kjza738Saol7tB7hoOx7GVp0FL2Eq4Ne_1oW4efUBml4FzoMIpVgMwZUbOTQA81_jkp0H4KwpUddK4c2P8R2QZsNxldUMDniacRMd7uA/s1600-h/dirt+cheap+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q6cTYhWk7W8WC9aYkIF2edeBSV3AzmIyrBW0kjza738Saol7tB7hoOx7GVp0FL2Eq4Ne_1oW4efUBml4FzoMIpVgMwZUbOTQA81_jkp0H4KwpUddK4c2P8R2QZsNxldUMDniacRMd7uA/s400/dirt+cheap+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315055780015990834" border="0" /></a>BTW - an update on sweet Lydia - her ultrasound came back normal, but they wanted to do a CT scan to be completely sure. She had that done today, so we'll see how that turns out. Thank you for your kind words and thoughts! It means a lot to me. Kids are just so darn special, you know? :) She also ate her cereal for the first time today! It's about the 3rd or 4th time trying it, but she actually ingested it! She wasn't just wearing her food this time around!<br /><br />(as a side note: I thought I would be immune to these cheesy baby milestones, because I went through them with Ben and because there are so many more exciting milestones in my opinion. But I found myself getting just as giddy with her as I did with Ben. She was really loving the cereal. Ben was never that interested in food like this. It's neat to see how different they are. I am blessed.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiaaTbd9EMDQUMRj4DiKyYoXrY-Ca5XEmIG5e87dFpa3hEuIJc6dJvWp4Z1Hi-6yGjtDpzkgYkYOIY1VRDd_9IZqCgHvxevJqnKTEQPnGv8ttMZX30z6j_pPUpNjXfX6KxaSy4rOGJAUK/s1600-h/who's+who.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiaaTbd9EMDQUMRj4DiKyYoXrY-Ca5XEmIG5e87dFpa3hEuIJc6dJvWp4Z1Hi-6yGjtDpzkgYkYOIY1VRDd_9IZqCgHvxevJqnKTEQPnGv8ttMZX30z6j_pPUpNjXfX6KxaSy4rOGJAUK/s400/who's+who.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315055768770298482" border="0" /></a>these two picture really remind me of each other. above: Lydia and below: Ben<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzeJO7VQvTgsC3KdTPs62WeHrKbM6sDkpWeSZnmQdRfvadAFKkh0skz-FujtuPFyJEdKb0OUoz-JVE7WJ39cM43CBJVQVvVRvLVRfAoxB4LwltBMc368EmjDSPTWZGDPhyGWIkleqVOKf/s1600-h/Ben+-+July+2005+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzeJO7VQvTgsC3KdTPs62WeHrKbM6sDkpWeSZnmQdRfvadAFKkh0skz-FujtuPFyJEdKb0OUoz-JVE7WJ39cM43CBJVQVvVRvLVRfAoxB4LwltBMc368EmjDSPTWZGDPhyGWIkleqVOKf/s400/Ben+-+July+2005+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315056601350925666" border="0" /></a>Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-73620181815905688842009-03-11T13:13:00.000-07:002009-03-11T17:08:36.148-07:00life.<div>So, it's another life lesson from Jenny. You should all be so excited. All kidding aside, consider yourself warned. This is where you can just view pictures or read and view pictures. :)</div><br /><div></div><div>Please keep our sweet girl in your prayers tomorrow. While I am not riddled with fear, prayers would never be turned away, especially for me in my life! Tomorrow, she is going to have an ultrasound to screen for spina bifida. So, what do you think of when you think of diseases? Only the most horrific picture of the disease. While I learned a little bit more about spina bifida, like any disease, there is a whole spectrum of severity that goes along with it. What we would be screening for would be a mildform, as she doesn't have an physical indications or impairments, except a birth mark on her lower back with a small amount of hair. That is apparently sometimes a symptom of spina bifida occulta (the mild form). </div><div> </div><div>I thank God so much for this little girl, and am confident that God is constantly keeping me on my toes to grow my character - not my comfort (as Rick Warren likes to say). I know that a "perfect bill of health" one day means nothing the next. So what does it mean if she doesn't have a "perfect bill of health"? Nothing. It's the learning to let things go, that is so freeing. And for me, that means enjoying the moment I have right now, because nothing in the future is ever guaranteed. I trust that God cares for Lydia much more than I could ever, and I trust that her best interests are on his heart. This is a milestone for me, because I was not like this at all with Ben. I was always worried about him and his growth, that I didn't fully enjoy the baby he was. And now he is my almost 4 year old. </div><div> </div><div>Please keep us in your prayers tomorrow. And I will keep you posted.</div><div>Much love,</div><div>Jenny </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d2mH6dIe3Oh2KR9Pp3sW0hwqovBQtrahdXSfoo8Unva_uJgkesPTw8GX1iJKvwcvDUF1kIE85Qo2MURtXn7-naACzOnIPA82AO9w2A4LqjkQkd5vZ6WxRNbvJqSn_Hm_we61uj20Ccho/s1600-h/January+2009+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312027841851440098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d2mH6dIe3Oh2KR9Pp3sW0hwqovBQtrahdXSfoo8Unva_uJgkesPTw8GX1iJKvwcvDUF1kIE85Qo2MURtXn7-naACzOnIPA82AO9w2A4LqjkQkd5vZ6WxRNbvJqSn_Hm_we61uj20Ccho/s400/January+2009+007.jpg" border="0" /></a> Ben and his sister.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fXKu0a5Oi2Xaj2ZYNi_swt7pTxJD7tIICfNIF1IhSbTa_zf84gbihYR7xcqbEjIMaJdRn15ytGzhxi0pDY3r4AkN7ueSvPez-9waaatbhByBFwa-x8z__LO1XhZm2Yipo-jcGl47dIkO/s1600-h/Valentine's+weekend+030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312027840248552978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fXKu0a5Oi2Xaj2ZYNi_swt7pTxJD7tIICfNIF1IhSbTa_zf84gbihYR7xcqbEjIMaJdRn15ytGzhxi0pDY3r4AkN7ueSvPez-9waaatbhByBFwa-x8z__LO1XhZm2Yipo-jcGl47dIkO/s400/Valentine's+weekend+030.jpg" border="0" /></a> windy! Ben and his friend, Mirabelle at the McWane Museum in Birmingham.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLcQu2dyTCCsDrkomdlpiYv9JeJJj8CEuTfqX_gqn3giRMuxep1ghhJPnEC0Kve58WAWRbn1WxrAC3NQKUPwaqAVacKWmU50IhEZvvgV3b8jVIFgzyB3Al3uEAmBl3FYh_rUlxntsa1Hr/s1600-h/Valentine's+weekend+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312027823387150242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLcQu2dyTCCsDrkomdlpiYv9JeJJj8CEuTfqX_gqn3giRMuxep1ghhJPnEC0Kve58WAWRbn1WxrAC3NQKUPwaqAVacKWmU50IhEZvvgV3b8jVIFgzyB3Al3uEAmBl3FYh_rUlxntsa1Hr/s400/Valentine's+weekend+001.jpg" border="0" /></a> my lovebug. always. forever.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtajuk3CyDbAMs0sGqIcq62VHjJckE_8jInQvojhID5lvcLFo90blz1GgpaxyK0UzHkssjplbf3dj3vaoVZ4P7DNZtd74QPKkai1MA3PZJ96KMKpeqnCSDvK32w9LkjfUs8I-fozVD_erT/s1600-h/February+2009+020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312027819116440370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtajuk3CyDbAMs0sGqIcq62VHjJckE_8jInQvojhID5lvcLFo90blz1GgpaxyK0UzHkssjplbf3dj3vaoVZ4P7DNZtd74QPKkai1MA3PZJ96KMKpeqnCSDvK32w9LkjfUs8I-fozVD_erT/s400/February+2009+020.jpg" border="0" /></a> my husband, whom I love and adore.<br /><br /></div></div></div>Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-14690401364007460802009-03-01T09:52:00.000-08:002009-03-01T20:04:56.183-08:00no time for words.So, the phrase "I just don't have the time" drives me nuts, and here I am using the excuse that I have no time. The reason I hate that phrase, is because it is an incorrect statement. The truth is, we make time for what we want to make time for. So sorry Miss Blog, but the truth is, I haven't wanted to blog...mostly because life has been more fulfilling, as I am sure many of you can vouch for - hence all the updated blogs, phonecalls, emails, etc. While I haven't made the time to blog, I realize that many of you - mainly family and close friends, might want to see pictures lately. Especially where the kids are concerned. I have come to the realization that Rob and I are just old, well, maybe not old, but boring! All kidding aside, we are happy, in love, with children, and just doing doing doing. 'Nuff said. I'll manage a few brief whose-it's and whats-it's below as needed. :)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBoi6USlYWrYhwOQBvR_S3bKxM08GGxl7IW1IqCXI5kah53VY9xdQSgWIyJIIokTL6y4pUELUvRsWUaEmb-rUy5v8LdKIDZFAazWmelSm4dIZAcYvF5uiEeaCMGoxXwbQIMTHGmgR819g/s1600-h/Lydia+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308287824352360658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBoi6USlYWrYhwOQBvR_S3bKxM08GGxl7IW1IqCXI5kah53VY9xdQSgWIyJIIokTL6y4pUELUvRsWUaEmb-rUy5v8LdKIDZFAazWmelSm4dIZAcYvF5uiEeaCMGoxXwbQIMTHGmgR819g/s400/Lydia+008.jpg" border="0" /></a> one of my sweet cravings.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308435831279987666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxBTwGKxXSVlqhJ1JpvxwvSFvCefLDJWdO-3BHyc1K6jVTaqIeFk_qF9bUyihkb1JoYxD7jbbcfLwRw1LDbt9_ccrfCawzs-l4d3QJVDDlEKRzTYFaByC2RvniwQEzfiUPCoA9xVLvqqI/s400/Lydia+003.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsytUQiQKIWtfTXTVQKtdgc2j7XZITTiTBwC8jdbGU2Ko0U7Nn_D54bxQj7TIuHEuZBYu0exHQR8LRi6Q3eWb8n5_lzF81vVRuWavK5iuQ9UlHxGujNS8frljzcE1ydGBlkj3xzKv7WSW/s1600-h/Lydia+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308287812549281842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsytUQiQKIWtfTXTVQKtdgc2j7XZITTiTBwC8jdbGU2Ko0U7Nn_D54bxQj7TIuHEuZBYu0exHQR8LRi6Q3eWb8n5_lzF81vVRuWavK5iuQ9UlHxGujNS8frljzcE1ydGBlkj3xzKv7WSW/s400/Lydia+007.jpg" border="0" /></a> and my cheeze cravings...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308435840246028242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMdi1UQ-Fz2R1hIQ4kZb4-dxtCJaut2QAphiTJKXJTGce-vaaQ3Xd-tiNBS8vmadXm1W13RTNQgyELex9BStkk4kIW4NtDFkCU5FJy1gQ0dY6yFuRoIoxaP_dUGxClJsk-Jizy3gnD6_o/s400/Lydia+010.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYpaCsqGXZRJylp3vuTjzqU06QCHlIUxHMx6mAH3r3vbgu4qHiw3vwdkzce-tScalIZxoRITWXRm7lvqdZPF6ruod4fkiqBe3OSjXkkkCm8H-NH-ys7lf9vr9ynFXlcrXbLl7mGutb-Y9/s1600-h/Lydia+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308287808126784306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYpaCsqGXZRJylp3vuTjzqU06QCHlIUxHMx6mAH3r3vbgu4qHiw3vwdkzce-tScalIZxoRITWXRm7lvqdZPF6ruod4fkiqBe3OSjXkkkCm8H-NH-ys7lf9vr9ynFXlcrXbLl7mGutb-Y9/s400/Lydia+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>This morning the ground was covered in snow. Pretty rare, but it was a lot of fun! And you know if it snows in a place that doesn't really ever get snow, you *have* to go in it. To think that it almost slipped my mind...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_0lCt7umlvHkjx2hXuCnCuEVMwp4ThyphenhyphenW7rzFBfkEe7-VmyXSXlrFcnRJtIQQzifpQdo-TDUYu81MJEL04VpRoIdDceThQsscZTmjKONZHF4f8mgWSIu4vwmEbXaF70W_-KZJ0dqyG9zz/s1600-h/February+2009+024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308287801356805186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_0lCt7umlvHkjx2hXuCnCuEVMwp4ThyphenhyphenW7rzFBfkEe7-VmyXSXlrFcnRJtIQQzifpQdo-TDUYu81MJEL04VpRoIdDceThQsscZTmjKONZHF4f8mgWSIu4vwmEbXaF70W_-KZJ0dqyG9zz/s400/February+2009+024.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWXXI18d4DMZ5nFrHzRtdgp-e6dLmA_490DrVLGluSGt_l_XORLt-Fqo7Rv3kI4pXf4YpZQFs7u4zyZaghquNGFjA31OOZAo-VXOn7sp1qenI9Bbt8EmOlmYBz_ZbsOp9XiHoPeaAtwGe/s1600-h/February+2009+023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308283467887933698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWXXI18d4DMZ5nFrHzRtdgp-e6dLmA_490DrVLGluSGt_l_XORLt-Fqo7Rv3kI4pXf4YpZQFs7u4zyZaghquNGFjA31OOZAo-VXOn7sp1qenI9Bbt8EmOlmYBz_ZbsOp9XiHoPeaAtwGe/s400/February+2009+023.jpg" border="0" /></a> there were many snowmen around Columbus today...and then remnants of snowmen, as they started to melt away.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-s2Hu8CuHhivf-fZCJ3qWDQlTsmFkbv9KLNyd6n4j7c0x_JLskTDKO2MGYXlrXHMM61cb0EFr3gSzqAV0adekmOQX0wV1JXLhNGyIezTcaG0ZV-yKS1ACi2Tkc61D1slDnVkd3irwkUmG/s1600-h/February+2009+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308283460768092322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-s2Hu8CuHhivf-fZCJ3qWDQlTsmFkbv9KLNyd6n4j7c0x_JLskTDKO2MGYXlrXHMM61cb0EFr3gSzqAV0adekmOQX0wV1JXLhNGyIezTcaG0ZV-yKS1ACi2Tkc61D1slDnVkd3irwkUmG/s400/February+2009+022.jpg" border="0" /></a> put a jacket on!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zZbTUU2CFQJONS0hrj_tWT7IC9tU99XbTAMiE6ZSw_q3i0sYUbfI7-jdjR8NEYRw7mS3-AEhbV3G4OneVvnA1y2Or7vNAUw82oLJQ4Aeq7Ydf90oJbZSNlFNlaUiTPt51XoQ_nP6fD1a/s1600-h/February+2009+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308283416018124466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zZbTUU2CFQJONS0hrj_tWT7IC9tU99XbTAMiE6ZSw_q3i0sYUbfI7-jdjR8NEYRw7mS3-AEhbV3G4OneVvnA1y2Or7vNAUw82oLJQ4Aeq7Ydf90oJbZSNlFNlaUiTPt51XoQ_nP6fD1a/s400/February+2009+019.jpg" border="0" /></a> i love him.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfts-gwCUUraJO7hKqWXjAm5Py9zJlmrNkJWt0pkuDty2wsTrjZnWXIsRKMaAV-9iHFrBos68u3kFQ2p_vNi_qgHNf7PvPekQpIMGCpKJJU6MqTG9WenYe18PB5cmqAE7DCwPECwmTSaDL/s1600-h/February+2009+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308283407610307154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfts-gwCUUraJO7hKqWXjAm5Py9zJlmrNkJWt0pkuDty2wsTrjZnWXIsRKMaAV-9iHFrBos68u3kFQ2p_vNi_qgHNf7PvPekQpIMGCpKJJU6MqTG9WenYe18PB5cmqAE7DCwPECwmTSaDL/s400/February+2009+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNbt3Imdyj2J-jWyU4Uik4PAXf_6PCV9upUaUAEumWTRalHZ04U1ZnjRBS1LMVCerYk_hmvFisAtZ7NtGB76FwjzCJGvg1WKV3iPFhXFbrr_OV2mUXqsh842ALM4ePcRGH4H9XHa6kz7B/s1600-h/February+2009+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308283397378825314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNbt3Imdyj2J-jWyU4Uik4PAXf_6PCV9upUaUAEumWTRalHZ04U1ZnjRBS1LMVCerYk_hmvFisAtZ7NtGB76FwjzCJGvg1WKV3iPFhXFbrr_OV2mUXqsh842ALM4ePcRGH4H9XHa6kz7B/s400/February+2009+016.jpg" border="0" /></a> and him, too. Happy 5th, husband! ;)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMAZN3EKl-I1jnt-gzY3UKqosbLTv-hx8Gv0u8CmrFmG-uWDpF6UEtHa1gMd9QMR4WlmpnEdjvxiDWcHvhDPm_kZW8M4P80CNyDDJNyYVD_vA1iOIAX2d0CgwtHfz1ZLyg465tCQQfKdG/s1600-h/February+2009+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308281011140217634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMAZN3EKl-I1jnt-gzY3UKqosbLTv-hx8Gv0u8CmrFmG-uWDpF6UEtHa1gMd9QMR4WlmpnEdjvxiDWcHvhDPm_kZW8M4P80CNyDDJNyYVD_vA1iOIAX2d0CgwtHfz1ZLyg465tCQQfKdG/s400/February+2009+010.jpg" border="0" /></a> sometimes i just look at the two of them, and it blows me away, that we are the reason they are here on earth. if only, more people thought about that reality first before having children...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhtIq4upt-iQTRzMJe9ruDYXKukW3L4-TCEbbw8nKSqSwFXGMqO1jzOsSUMNjD_QlKqkZfDCz7maQFI5Xma4BFl0i7TcCDeJtYiBz8_4CMP4TVfldJU4-xVOF3Khp2_zVGGk2cKtgHK5o/s1600-h/February+2009+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308280972488959282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhtIq4upt-iQTRzMJe9ruDYXKukW3L4-TCEbbw8nKSqSwFXGMqO1jzOsSUMNjD_QlKqkZfDCz7maQFI5Xma4BFl0i7TcCDeJtYiBz8_4CMP4TVfldJU4-xVOF3Khp2_zVGGk2cKtgHK5o/s400/February+2009+008.jpg" border="0" /></a> it's a huge responsiblity for even one child...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKD8fm5hRUcxuDjpeGDR07Zaof8ko4fbFcrUzYctym6BG7jEyFEKQfyGnLnDDPC_5s14Sp08gYC8XBqmY5B1YqOqtFR0K2S8NWmdKAsLzWOH5aWP_WHFLUYjv1FOO6K1VQd8XCU2Xx0cE/s1600-h/February+2009+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308280969470311506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKD8fm5hRUcxuDjpeGDR07Zaof8ko4fbFcrUzYctym6BG7jEyFEKQfyGnLnDDPC_5s14Sp08gYC8XBqmY5B1YqOqtFR0K2S8NWmdKAsLzWOH5aWP_WHFLUYjv1FOO6K1VQd8XCU2Xx0cE/s400/February+2009+004.jpg" border="0" /></a> for instance....who let this child have messy hair?!?<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhpncTNEnyBI8g4TUZ9kayWwxukQzFqLxj3tO24u3tvPRRvt09xZyRBP8r7MYpQD0O3AbgcL9IzgdCsWdW_L7SRZwK5u9pzsXtPIeYdIxSGWi_wx0FB6suLARud_QQ-m4N_L_xWaD-PjK/s1600-h/February+2009+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308280961603212114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhpncTNEnyBI8g4TUZ9kayWwxukQzFqLxj3tO24u3tvPRRvt09xZyRBP8r7MYpQD0O3AbgcL9IzgdCsWdW_L7SRZwK5u9pzsXtPIeYdIxSGWi_wx0FB6suLARud_QQ-m4N_L_xWaD-PjK/s400/February+2009+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOReQoEnyemdL-gi-MGL2A_uMxoRTeTpzj4Nu4YaB_oEWnme1tu3vl0KVgCWxkOdmPWCQ5l_J0dVIZ9pyfWdQ9n6DHf9r9Q2iUpqwBnxGpBqXESx37pmpgGUtZetoFCdpOVudFVAjBVlC-/s1600-h/February+2009+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308280955606101586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOReQoEnyemdL-gi-MGL2A_uMxoRTeTpzj4Nu4YaB_oEWnme1tu3vl0KVgCWxkOdmPWCQ5l_J0dVIZ9pyfWdQ9n6DHf9r9Q2iUpqwBnxGpBqXESx37pmpgGUtZetoFCdpOVudFVAjBVlC-/s400/February+2009+007.jpg" border="0" /></a> but they sure are yummy.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-7170502296647571622009-02-17T12:28:00.000-08:002009-02-17T12:32:37.225-08:00why the husband hates ordering my coffee.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTFC_9gfToX90fJbij39yRkTFvK3jVWFyiSWIyYaThEHcFJtxDAikXHb7zzrwKLUrpNyRM_MwesncFJNDhQcD2dDQrBO5ul7HJSmKqodUN0KCBR8ijtgJ210vpy_D-fQJ1jVOPMNKqSpD/s1600-h/Valentine's+weekend+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303866458988798242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTFC_9gfToX90fJbij39yRkTFvK3jVWFyiSWIyYaThEHcFJtxDAikXHb7zzrwKLUrpNyRM_MwesncFJNDhQcD2dDQrBO5ul7HJSmKqodUN0KCBR8ijtgJ210vpy_D-fQJ1jVOPMNKqSpD/s400/Valentine's+weekend+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-42861684321701370902009-01-21T18:34:00.000-08:002009-01-21T18:57:55.448-08:00do i need perspective?So maybe it's just me, but I went for a run tonight. And it caused some thinking - other than the normal thinking that I might get abducted when I run at night. I was running and a Blink 182 song came on. It reminded me of that story about Travis Barker and his friend that were involved in a private plane crash. You know....right? The one where the pilots died and one of the two guys was injured...but not dead, right? Ok, well, I was reading a brief in People magazine while we were waiting in the Chicago airport that mentioned that a lawsuit was being filed. It has been reported that Travis Barker and his buddy are suing the pilots' and their companies for some sort of negligence on the pilots' behalf and they are suing for their estates.<br /><br />OK, so maybe I am just too nice of a person (I do sometimes have a bleeding heart), but really? You're going to sue dead people for negligence? Wasn't their death payment enough? You're going to rob the grieving families even more by suing for their possessions?! Really? Really? And hello...? You're alive to be able to sue! Maybe it's me, but I can't help but wonder where the disconnect is. Maybe I am just sensitive, because Rob is a pilot. Or maybe I am sensitive because there were some fatal accidents here at Columbus AFB that cost two pilots their lives, and their families a deep, gaping sadness. And not only was it a problem with the plane that caused their deaths, but you can't sue the Air Force. Furthermore, it's not like they are hurting for the money. They could, you know, afford to fly this private plane.<br /><br />I guess all that came from a silly Blink 182 song playing on my iPod in the dark on a cold, winter run, but I just had to let off a little steam. Unfortunately, letting off steam doesn't help, because it still leaves me sad that our world has become what it is. All I can really do is focus on the positive people in the world who can put a smile on their face and overlook negativity. Which is what I need to do right now.Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-61280431080529389622009-01-09T19:23:00.000-08:002009-01-09T19:36:42.932-08:00it's your turn.I have been reading through this quick read by Paul Riser (Mad About You) titled "Babyhood". He also has a read titled "Couplehood" which I have not read yet. Since parenthood is quite relavent to us, I have been finding this book hilarious. I am posting it, because I think some others out there might, too, find it all too true.<br /><br />Here is the excerpt:<br /><br /> And it is here that you learn the three words that become the chief verbal staple of any household with a baby: It's Your Turn.<br /> This phrase is the theme song of any marriage once it goes from Two to Three.<br /> "I just changed him twenty minutes ago...It's your turn."<br /> "I've been watching him all day. It's your turn!"<br /> "I simply cannot stand up; it's your turn!"<br /> <br />This all-purpose phrase also works as a marital greeting. The "Hi-sweetie-how-was-your-day" of yesteryear is now replaced with the more simple, direct, and mildy irritated "It's your turn."<br /> Before you have a child, you and your spouse are many things to each other: friends, lovers, competitors, partners...Upon producing a child, you relate to eachother primarily as <em>sentries</em>.<br /> The two of you are guards who rotate shifts monitoring and protecting your new charge.<br /> When Baby enters your world, there's no time for intimate conversation between Husband and Wife. In fact, the extentof conversation often consists solely of the reporting of Baby's "eating-sleeping-pooping" status - just before the changing of the guard.<br /> "Hi."<br /> "He ate, he napped, he needs to be changed."<br /> "I just walked in. Can I take a shower?"<br /> "You should've showered before we had a kid. It's your turn."<br /> Then, like buck privates relieving one another at Guantanamo, you're on duty and your wife gets a four-hour pass.Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-5385599046831257222008-12-18T12:52:00.000-08:002008-12-18T17:39:15.454-08:00aww....it's Christmas.I guess this is the most appropriate picture to begin this post. Last weekend, we made it to a live nativity scene, complete with a marketplace, shekals, and Roman guards. It was cold, but it was a fun way to experience Christmas with Ben. He kept asking if that was really baby Jesus. It was held at the First Baptist Church here in Columbus. Afterwards, we enjoyed hot cocoa and cookies. <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281239668847049810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyMNoteDkEXrILbNvu_4C0MWO8-ZSQ97-mVIJ2aGBpdFB9nIZu8hj8wA5AjZADGfoAijo6vPkBGO8sQizPOclJOHZBw1TWVJJvmF_404vv-KRs5oD_xkVb8zKXzQXfjDasBsy4Q0JROCs/s400/Christmas+season+2008+011.jpg" border="0" /><br />Here is Ben and Santa (aka "Smash") at Dad's work. This picture beats any ol' Santa picture at the mall. Ben is all smiles, because he just got done telling Santa that he wants Obi-Wan Kenobi's star ship. (Whatever that means...) Santa's job: just nod and smile. Hmmm...kinda like my job half the time ;)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281239683499946450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozofyHgU4xmaZcbraIQu0tnMMP73V5fn36xR9vddJmjCa22GtKizpvjo1sTFWdqKa7KXP4yqSb2V40vnhpZXV2KU9cr_8y3r2bEAI2bxS8xHYcvrx0iIJfwCc0cRUuK2YhdL_TPeS__Lk/s400/Ben+Brooks+and+Santa.JPG" border="0" /><br />This was the first year that Ben really enjoyed decorating the Christmas tree. He just loved it, and when there weren't any more ornaments left, he still wanted to put more on.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281239660762469522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7eHMJlPVsQZyLmEKDjSs1zndYMoipQWyuQ9CMleigZKYZyi__qiNHvSolPIm4W-BbPYQ1ZEWdLXysNq-sv4sTcRVpNfwfw10VI-aioBr52KGUF2GiluPVb30ZJ9iUekadkMxqjuGITgZ/s400/Christmas+season+2008+007.jpg" border="0" /><br />And dear Lydia...what can we say? You're just beautiful, being you. I took these pictures this morning before we left to take Ben to preschool. This cute little outfit came from a friend from Germany, who we were stationed with in New Mexico. I just think it's the cutest thing. And polkadots are a big deal down in the south. <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281241659771634914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl2LAVGd1qHLOm6UFXUi-0XaDRsUeC43lL9EVqbWsrP9Z5gxbIF5DaOZofIeAdt8_UyLCtBUZkzpqGBkxcF27FUDM39-A_gmB9_IXlfHl4Z6okWMD7XqorF0fvNYZFIi10kf64fzGkFa0/s400/Lydia+003.jpg" border="0" /><br />And if you have made it this far. This by far is my favorite picture: a Strawberry Shortcake complete with her own "Guitar Brush". Gotta love multifunctionality. :) I love this so much, because it is Lydia's first toy - from her big brother Ben. The backstory is that Ben had Awana's last Sunday and it was a special night because it was Awana Store night. This is the one night that they take all their Awana bucks (that they have worked so hard for by memorizing bible verses and other good deeds) and cash them in at the Store. With no prompting whatsoever, Ben was insistent to his teachers that this is what he wanted to spend his hard-earned "money" on - a Christmas present for his sister, Lydia. When we picked Ben up and pulled it from his bag, we were both completely speechless and in awe. Collecting ourselves, we asked the teachers if he was really sure this is what he wanted. They said they asked him the same thing, and he was set on his purchase.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281239656024278786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXwgZqyzp664z2pIIu5ahUNg8So5Q1M3Vv6mSvbl8GY9BWSXqsB-ukdBiisg7tsQRFgX5aX-kzvS4_DZdAZC97hYvde6cZQU_WkBQm3SX_F9JwkY0rialqaX-Vk2m2DqErf1pLf79yDNC/s400/Christmas+season+2008+001.jpg" border="0" /> I sure hope Lydia grows up one day to know how much her brother loves her, in spite of all the fights and arguing they will someday have. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1nn-UIlpn3DD7hSe2JVFkKPm1Z9UJg0WZYs3cQHKDHTsQM4kcMf5lRj1zHivdRDUEAXVBTjkqIR2dowGkgFCbhjF_PkpgSNHntkq0RID-SW7EWfS849I5_w-rvNoSxhBngLVXCmuji99/s1600-h/Lydia+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281239692902146594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1nn-UIlpn3DD7hSe2JVFkKPm1Z9UJg0WZYs3cQHKDHTsQM4kcMf5lRj1zHivdRDUEAXVBTjkqIR2dowGkgFCbhjF_PkpgSNHntkq0RID-SW7EWfS849I5_w-rvNoSxhBngLVXCmuji99/s400/Lydia+002.jpg" border="0" /></a>And at the end of a day, it's the smiles and laughter that make it all worth it....<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-6563460640078593952008-11-18T11:44:00.001-08:002008-11-19T08:46:01.556-08:00and i quote...Lately, Ben has been saying a few things that crack me up. And it is the last story that made me decide to publish the first couple along with it.<br /><br />Before Lydia was born, I gave Ben a briefing on how feeding the baby was going to go. We talked about breastfeeding and how mommies feed their babies this way. When Lydia arrived, he was watching ever so intently, and then rather bluntly said, "Lydia likes boobs." Not a tough concept to wrap your brain around, I guess.<br /><br />For the last couple of weeks, Ben has been in our family bubble, enjoying Dad being home and having my MIL, Liz over. Rob and his mom did a great job attending to him and his social activities, but I still think he missed his friends. We were leaving base, and Ben started asking if he could have some friends over. So Rob begins the whole explanation of how babies are too young, and that their immune systems aren't fully developed. He explains to Ben how your immune systems fight off germs, and how all people have germs. Rob concludes, "So, Ben, we have to protect your baby sister from germs in the beginning."<br /><br />Ben: "Well, can I have one germ over?"<br />Rob: (standard parental response) "Well, we'll just have to wait a little bit and see..."<br />Ben: (clearly not satisfied, especially considering he thinks he came to a good compromise with "one germ") "Well, Gram is here, and she's a germ..."<br /><br />What can we say? Is there such a thing as family germs being OK over friend germs???<br /><br />And last, but not least.<br /><br />So, many of you know that fighter pilots refuse to use the word H-E-A-D. Yes, it's a little dumb, but they have so craftily thought of other words to use. So around the house, Ben knows his H-E-A-D to be a "nugget". And it just becomes a word so normal around the house, especially when your son has quite a knack for "bumping his nugget." Today we were eating lunch and he was remembering the other night when he bumped his head on the coffee table so hard that he had a bit of a goose egg. And as much as he has made a career out of hitting/bumping/falling on his head, I said, "Should we take him to the doctor?" (Rob ended up icing it and you could hardly see it the next morning.) Ben was asking me today why I suggested going to the doctor, and this is what he said: "Mom, why did you say I should go to the doctor when I bumped my (wait for it) fore-nugget?" A fore-NUGGET?! As if I couldn't believe it, I said, "Ben, what is a fore-nugget?" and he pointed to his forehead. I just had to laugh.Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-58515734485479218462008-11-18T10:47:00.000-08:002008-11-18T11:42:30.516-08:00lydia's nursery.Here are some photos of Lydia's nursery. She has not yet moved in yet ;). But the room did get completed (sans wall hangings) the day before she was born. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02g_5IL1MzAwiDK95U-O4cuG6hf3Yvg9P7kbqUasfb49-dHoY0Eg5mdRRH440QvpLNC3RtcwmDxFMeUyLmvpEfN-83Ttw1Mfbeq0Lvyzit4qol4Rpurjks4N2lqcdamKPFu6BfYN-KraY/s1600-h/Lydia's+nursery+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270073388431787890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02g_5IL1MzAwiDK95U-O4cuG6hf3Yvg9P7kbqUasfb49-dHoY0Eg5mdRRH440QvpLNC3RtcwmDxFMeUyLmvpEfN-83Ttw1Mfbeq0Lvyzit4qol4Rpurjks4N2lqcdamKPFu6BfYN-KraY/s400/Lydia's+nursery+004.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is a gift from Elizabeth, who had a friend paint this wall hanging.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNHNDfrviMb1ywsQFyrDjqYDYWsoFP4TsJvsFzWsdAyLwcDLeWyYOWp8qM8rLsxKcRAKDr8ZvKcO4w1Y7LCuBhJjcqa2T16AAY4cWx9H24GG4bE4pqD_IFyTSx_IpYpGvI5O2FfLrKgVJ/s1600-h/Lydia's+nursery+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270073362195430162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNHNDfrviMb1ywsQFyrDjqYDYWsoFP4TsJvsFzWsdAyLwcDLeWyYOWp8qM8rLsxKcRAKDr8ZvKcO4w1Y7LCuBhJjcqa2T16AAY4cWx9H24GG4bE4pqD_IFyTSx_IpYpGvI5O2FfLrKgVJ/s400/Lydia's+nursery+003.jpg" border="0" /></a> A dear friend, Wendy, painted these ones for me.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZmM_H-qR7W1rAo2t6H_MJqgUMzU2Ad260nBVjXDUjH9yS2Yrl0AzCg7B22Q9fSCrcflBsJkZUhm7N2f784dlcX2PNAw_J5H2GtkdzmGBgX2_LLNRnA9L5kI2X7MOx65_3F8MqwDTqsl1/s1600-h/Lydia's+nursery+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270073300726882274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZmM_H-qR7W1rAo2t6H_MJqgUMzU2Ad260nBVjXDUjH9yS2Yrl0AzCg7B22Q9fSCrcflBsJkZUhm7N2f784dlcX2PNAw_J5H2GtkdzmGBgX2_LLNRnA9L5kI2X7MOx65_3F8MqwDTqsl1/s400/Lydia's+nursery+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> My mom sewed the bumper, and I sewed the rag quilt hanging on the back of the crib.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGDmuHzoHl61ujcb1NkNuO6Lq6pLA4TZ-053zpcN0BcMXHBCaoU5sJaDWrM1WQNv3j5kvcd5Qo3DmhQzXZr57a3ydpgzK2kvlx2qMgAgkTp0erw_HSq5szc2JjbL6iK6OntTaZZkHP12N/s1600-h/Lydia's+nursery+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270073271872844978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGDmuHzoHl61ujcb1NkNuO6Lq6pLA4TZ-053zpcN0BcMXHBCaoU5sJaDWrM1WQNv3j5kvcd5Qo3DmhQzXZr57a3ydpgzK2kvlx2qMgAgkTp0erw_HSq5szc2JjbL6iK6OntTaZZkHP12N/s400/Lydia's+nursery+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221200767027672099.post-18145422407984563382008-11-15T15:50:00.000-08:002008-11-17T13:45:14.899-08:00bakesgiving.Tonight at Awana's Ben had to complete a project called "Bakesgiving", in which the dads and kids are supposed to bake a cake at home sans Mom. I really love baking, and the prettier the baked item is, the more curb appeal it has for me. So Ben chose to make a Gingerbread cake with Cranberry filling and Orange cream cheese frosting out of Paula Deen's Holiday Collector's magazine. For Ben it was the gingerbread cookies that circled the outside of the cake that made his decision clear. For me, I wasn't sure about the tastes, but the longer I thought about it, it sounded good. I love the orange-cranberry muffins at Starbucks, so I figured it might be a good one to try. I must also say that the boys did a great job, special kudos to the husband, since a 3 year old's attention span would not have baked the cake alone! Rob did a fantastic job, and Ben was a fantastic helper, who was very proud of the cake. Once Ben and his cake arrive at Awana's, it will be judged by some of the church members, and when we pick up Ben tonight there will be a small social for all the families involved. I can only imagine how much cake will be there tonight. Mmmm. <div><div></div><br /><div>Here are a few pictures of the afternoon:</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269706860335494354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKT7HuYBpsDGpy6HToH-5WtB7e0rK51ueSDbWsdhGZojsk1aY-Ksqq-1aRnOXYmRhPRCr1sXYEv-ci-YaoFdHsbqpgfONqz_kJL34hOn2yCkMwSUS4ot0K5Vejk5fPjWPSYu0OHhnc-qM/s400/bakesgiving+001.jpg" border="0" />The masterminds at work...<br /><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269706869817289922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR6Y7WVuZy7KWKIrlpQkx_ViEm57LlMp_4gTWF3pevubt05uGKEEj_kL-A43hyMnwOQRfXcdbRF2A652n1rxKTVp2c5b2qsHc9Cmfp9wXNnLO-bv_Aj26rbHdJnMVNSrWprvV8yoOoSqb/s400/bakesgiving+004.jpg" border="0" />Pretty much right out of the magazine, huh?!<br /><br /><div>Rob has been a super Mr. Mom to Ben, I truly couldn't ask for more. I will miss him when he goes to work for the whole day tomorrow. My parents are arriving on Wednesday, and are very ready to meet their second grandchild, Lydia.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div></div>Jenny Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16849600825918982737noreply@blogger.com3