Now, about that living room...YIKES! I think that will be our winter decorating project. Stay tuned!
Sorry for my lack of photography skills...the top pic is a better idea of what the shade really is!
Sunday, July 05, 2009
It Was All Yellow
We did it, dear Reader...the bedroom painting project is now complete! I told you a while back that I was desperate to do something with our room. It has wonderful natural light, and I wanted to be able to make the most of it. So we chose a citrus-y yellow shade of paint. We removed the blinds and replaced them with sheers. The room looks so open and airy now. I absolutely love it!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
John's First-Cousin-Birthday-Buddy
Warning: Contains adorable pictures.
Onward we drove, to the Chicago area. We stopped at Jay’s brother’s house. It’s a special visit for John, who was going to spend time with his first cousin, Luke.
Luke and John are more than first cousins, they are birthday buddies. They are 13 hours apart in age. I still marvel at this, an
d will always wonder what the odds are of first cousins being born that close together. These guys do not see each other much, which is a downer, because I love to watch them play. Still, when they do spend time together, it’s like they know they are extra-special to one another.
Luke and John are more than first cousins, they are birthday buddies. They are 13 hours apart in age. I still marvel at this, an
d will always wonder what the odds are of first cousins being born that close together. These guys do not see each other much, which is a downer, because I love to watch them play. Still, when they do spend time together, it’s like they know they are extra-special to one another.
I had to be a little silly and buy Luke some pajamas that matched a set that John had. I really wanted a pic of the two of them in their matching pjs. It’s so adorable, and will embarrass the daylights out of them when they are older-MWAH-HA-HA!! For now, though, I will just enjoy the pics.
To me, they look like they could be brothers. I want to scoop them both up and hug them like there’s no tomorrow! Kiss-kiss-hug-hug, love my babies!
That was the culmination of our trip. We headed home and spent an extra night on the road to avoid the storms that hit the North Texas area. Now we are back and settled into our summer schedule.
Monday, June 22, 2009
En Route
On the way to the Chicago area from The Middle of Nowhere, we made an important stop. We paid a visit to Jay’s paternal grandmother, whom John has named “Great-Ma-Ma”.
I’ve told you before of my genuine affection for Great-Ma-Ma, and I was as excited to see her as Jay was. We arrived at the dinner hour, and I asked Jay if we were going to take her to dinner. Jay replied with a huge, adorable grin and no words, so I wondered what that meant.
We stepped into the house and I discovered the meaning of Jay’s smile- a kitchen alive with the preparations for dinner. Yum! We had an amazing dinner and visit. We took dessert outside on the porch and allowed John to run around the huge yard. John found ants all over a deer statue in the yard, and spent a long time studying them. He also threw sticks and Great-Ma-Ma helped him retrieve them. John had not seen Great-Ma-Ma in over a year, but he warmed up quickly to her, which is easy to do, and he had a great time visiting with her. I did, too!
We buckled into the car, John said, “Bye, Great-Ma-Ma! See you later!” and we made our stop for the night. The next day would see us in Chicago.
I’ve told you before of my genuine affection for Great-Ma-Ma, and I was as excited to see her as Jay was. We arrived at the dinner hour, and I asked Jay if we were going to take her to dinner. Jay replied with a huge, adorable grin and no words, so I wondered what that meant.
We stepped into the house and I discovered the meaning of Jay’s smile- a kitchen alive with the preparations for dinner. Yum! We had an amazing dinner and visit. We took dessert outside on the porch and allowed John to run around the huge yard. John found ants all over a deer statue in the yard, and spent a long time studying them. He also threw sticks and Great-Ma-Ma helped him retrieve them. John had not seen Great-Ma-Ma in over a year, but he warmed up quickly to her, which is easy to do, and he had a great time visiting with her. I did, too!
We buckled into the car, John said, “Bye, Great-Ma-Ma! See you later!” and we made our stop for the night. The next day would see us in Chicago.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Rural Relaxation
Jay hears good-natured teasing from me about being from “The Middle of Nowhere, IL”. I describe it as “Footloose-land” to my fellow Gen X-ers, because I know they’ll get the idea. It’s a quiet, very small rural community in southern Illinois. Jay’s father does not lock the doors to the house and sleeps with the windows open. As a city girl, I will simply never be able to fathom these practices, but I find them refreshing.
We took a trip to see Jay’s dad in The Middle of Nowhere. It was JohnJohn’s second trip to his grandfather’s house. It’s a long drive, but we managed it well, and arrived in the middle of the afternoon.
Our first order of business was letting John run around after so many hours in the car. We set up his t-ball tee and let him have a batting practice. He had a great time showing off his hitting skills for Grandpa. We all had a fun afternoon.
There are no landmarks or historic sites. There are no restaurants or shopping centers. There is no day spa. So why did I have a nicer time there than I ever have before? I saw the trip through my son’s eyes. John saw a big backyard with plenty of room for t-ball, and a chance to see frogs by the pond. John got to see tractors and “big trucks” drive by the house.
As a result, I saw a chance for my son to run around in a safer environment than I could give him at home. I quit laughing at not locking doors and decided that I wish I had known that level of security growing up. I slowed down and did not check my email as frequently as I had before. IT WAS NICE!
We moved on after a few days to the Chicago area, but The Middle of Nowhere was a great stop!
PS- Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!
We took a trip to see Jay’s dad in The Middle of Nowhere. It was JohnJohn’s second trip to his grandfather’s house. It’s a long drive, but we managed it well, and arrived in the middle of the afternoon.
Our first order of business was letting John run around after so many hours in the car. We set up his t-ball tee and let him have a batting practice. He had a great time showing off his hitting skills for Grandpa. We all had a fun afternoon.
There are no landmarks or historic sites. There are no restaurants or shopping centers. There is no day spa. So why did I have a nicer time there than I ever have before? I saw the trip through my son’s eyes. John saw a big backyard with plenty of room for t-ball, and a chance to see frogs by the pond. John got to see tractors and “big trucks” drive by the house.
As a result, I saw a chance for my son to run around in a safer environment than I could give him at home. I quit laughing at not locking doors and decided that I wish I had known that level of security growing up. I slowed down and did not check my email as frequently as I had before. IT WAS NICE!
We moved on after a few days to the Chicago area, but The Middle of Nowhere was a great stop!
PS- Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Back in Town
Hey! I am back from our trip to Illinois, where we visited Jay's family and enjoyed wonderful weather that I miss very much already! I'll fill you in on what's happening around Casa Majernik when I get past my "vacation inertia".
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Major League Fun!
Here's John John enjoying his birthday cake!
JohnJohn’s birthday party was fun! The party was originally scheduled for earlier in the month, but I postponed because we had a rainy weekend. I am so glad I made the decision to postpone for a later day. We had a gorgeous day to host a backyard t-ball party! JohnJohn was a little overwhelmed at first to have so many family members and neighbors at his house, but he adjusted well and was playing in the backyard in no time.
Our garden was also an attraction for the guests. The beans and corn are growing, and we enjoyed showing our guests our experiment in agriculture. My father was the Grillmaster and kept everyone in all the hot dogs you could possibly eat. My brother’s girlfriend made the most amazing cake and I hated cutting into it because I believed it was a work of art!
Here’s a few pics of the days events. Enjoy!
Our garden was also an attraction for the guests. The beans and corn are growing, and we enjoyed showing our guests our experiment in agriculture. My father was the Grillmaster and kept everyone in all the hot dogs you could possibly eat. My brother’s girlfriend made the most amazing cake and I hated cutting into it because I believed it was a work of art!
Here’s a few pics of the days events. Enjoy!
Special Thanks to Amanda for these wonderful pics!
JohnJohn's ready to play!
Getting coaching from Uncle Steve
Here's some of the kids getting ready to hit and field
Hollie's masterpiece cake! On a "home plate" cake plate!Wednesday, May 13, 2009
I Must Be Doing Something Right
I mentioned before that I do not always know if I am doing a good job as a parent. Then I get a glimpse that maybe, just maybe, I am doing a good job after all. Today was one of those glimpses.
I faced a crisis, that’s the long and short of it. I got through the crisis, but when I got home, with Jay and John, I cried. I went into another room so John wouldn’t see or hear me, but I think he did. In John’s room, I heard Jay changing John’s diaper and heard John say, “Prayers? For Mommy?”
After the diaper change, the three of us sat in John’s room and prayed for God to comfort Mommy. I looked at my son in amazement. My two year-old saw my hurt, and knew what the best solution was: pray. Despite my upset at the circumstances, I found joy in knowing that my son actually hears me when I talk about God and how much God loves us. I took such comfort in having my toddler minister to me. I remembered anew the Source of all comfort, peace and joy, no matter where you are. I wish we remembered that all of the time; don’t you?
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7).
Thank you, JohnJohn. May you grow up to be a loyal servant of Our Lord! Heavenly Father, may I continue to teach my child about you, and return him to you as your servant. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
I faced a crisis, that’s the long and short of it. I got through the crisis, but when I got home, with Jay and John, I cried. I went into another room so John wouldn’t see or hear me, but I think he did. In John’s room, I heard Jay changing John’s diaper and heard John say, “Prayers? For Mommy?”
After the diaper change, the three of us sat in John’s room and prayed for God to comfort Mommy. I looked at my son in amazement. My two year-old saw my hurt, and knew what the best solution was: pray. Despite my upset at the circumstances, I found joy in knowing that my son actually hears me when I talk about God and how much God loves us. I took such comfort in having my toddler minister to me. I remembered anew the Source of all comfort, peace and joy, no matter where you are. I wish we remembered that all of the time; don’t you?
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7).
Thank you, JohnJohn. May you grow up to be a loyal servant of Our Lord! Heavenly Father, may I continue to teach my child about you, and return him to you as your servant. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
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