Fullness of Joy

Bunk Beds!

2011-10-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

Two good reasons you should marry a "handy" man:

One:

And Two:

Ok, so that's actually the same bed.... BUT, there were two, and....together they made these!!

And then we sanded, and sanded, and sanded, and (you get the picture), stained and ended up with bunk beds for the boys!

I had been keeping my eye on Knock off Wood for a while, (which is now called Ana White Homemaker) http://ana-white.com/ If you haven't checked it out yet, I would definitely recommend it!

I had BIG plans to help Matt lots, do about half of the work, but I ended up doing much MUCH less than I thought. Although this sounds ridiculous there were some things that were a lot harder than I expected. The wood, for one, was really heavy. The 4 corner posts are 4 X 4's which were massive, and weighed a ton. The constructed parts, like headboards and footboards were incredibly hard to hold still for assembling. So glad I married a strong man!

Another thing that was hard was using the tools! High school shop class circular saw tutorial does not a tool afficiando make!

Also I was about 8 1/2 months pregnant. And feeling it!

Luckily Matt was more than up to the task! He did a great job and we LOVE them! Especially Joey!

The handsome builder himself:

Mostly I just sanded. I'm not going to lie, it was a thankless, boring job. Matt really needed to be freed up for the assembling and construction and each piece had to be sanded about a billion times. A billion. That was the worst of it.

The pieces were big. They had to be assembled in the boys room. We could have gotten them in assembled, but they would have been so heavy to move (and I was Matt's only help) that it was much easier to assemble them in the room. Stacking the beds was interesting. I didn't go into labor!

Staining in progress. I didn't actually take a picture of the finished product without stain on it. Whoops.

Testing out the bottom:

And then the top:

Looks pretty comfy!

And here is the completed space:

As you can see, we still have a crib in there. And we don't have rails or a ladder on the bed. The wood for the rails and ladder are in the basement, and the plans are ready to go. Right now, Matthew is still in his crib. We didn't put Joey in a bed until he was 3 and I'm thinking I'll wait that long for Matthew. Since sometimes nighttime is still party-time, it's best to have at least 1 boy contained. We'll probably move him sometime after he is potty trained, which we won't even start for another 6 months. (although Matthew did go in the potty the other night, but I'm just pretending that didn't happen :-) I also like that they cannot climb to the top bunk, since playing together they don't always have the best judgment. When we do add the ladder it will be on the side of the bunk and not the kind that triangles out from the bunk onto the floor. The boys room is small and the floor space doesn't need a ladder hanging out into it!

All in all we love it. With all of the wood, screws, stain, etc. (including bedding) it was probably about $350.

The plan was the "Simple Bunk Bed" plan from Ana White's website, although ours is more like this one: http://ana-white.com/2011/03/white-bunk-beds-ladder-instructions (with the ladder attached).

The bunks are "knocked off" from Land of Nod: http://www.landofnod.com/kids-bunk-beds/kids-furniture/white-simple-bunk/f5256

Matt made a few modifications, using plywood instead of slats and also used dowels to stack them, rather than screwing them together. It was interesting holding up the 100+ lb bed while we tried to get the dowels into the holes. I was sure Sammy would just fall out! Hopefully though that will make disassembling easier should we move or decide to use them as 2 twin beds....if we can ever get them apart.

We had such a great time traveling over the summer and visiting with all the Hennesseys and Beardsleys... the only thing that Joey missed, were his bunk beds!!

Some Samuel

2011-06-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

We've had a busy last few weeks... we said goodbye to all of our family, we've celebrated Father's Day, and Matthew's second birthday, and we've both started back to work (me with my work tutoring and for the church, and Matt's wedding season has started and, time off for the baby, ended)

In the midst of all that, we tried a photo shoot for Sammy. We did one when he was about 5 days... but alas, he decided he would make that the only time in the day that he was awake. I'll post a few here (Matt has the pro ones on his computer, these are just from my old PAS (point and shoot)).

We did another shoot a few days ago, but I think we missed our "newborn" window. He was asleep but only for a while and we don't have any cute hats with big long tails or fuzzy blankets or giant eggs, pumpkins, flowers, or boots to put him in. Perhaps I will have to learn how to knit.

For now, I think the cutest pictures we have are the unposed...

I think this guy is pretty darn adorable! Never thought I would be in love with so many boys, at once!! :-)

Wordless Wednesday: BBB edition (That's "Brothers Behaving Badly" Not Baby Boy Beardsley, this time)

2011-06-15T19:50:00.001-07:00

Happy 2nd Birthday Matthew Aaron!!

2011-06-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

This time 2 years ago, we were calling our good friends Jamie and Lexie Mullins to come over to our house to stay with Joey so we could get to the hospital and welcome this handsome guy!

June 14th in the late afternoon we welcomed Matthew Aaron Beardsley, named after his dad, and dad's best friend, into the world. He has big shoes to fill, being named after 2 such wonderful men, but his great sense of humor, big smiles and spirit of adventure lead me to believe it won't be hard. I'm sure I'm not biased at all, either.

Happy 2nd birthday Matthew. I can't imagine life without you!

Samuel William Beardsley

2011-06-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

We've welcomed our newest addition!

Samuel William Beardsley was born on May 28, 2011, at 1:26 p.m.

He was 9 lbs. 9 oz. and 21 inches long.

Definitely the biggest Beardsley boy yet!

He, and we are home and enjoying his sweet baby sounds, smells and emerging little personality.

His brothers are so excited! Joey always asks questions about what he is doing, "Why is baby Sammy crying?" "Can I play some music for Sammy?" and Matthew is excited whenever he gets to see him (and he's not stashed somewhere for a peaceful nap). He always asks "See baby?" "Baby, where go?".

It is our great hope that these guys will be thicker than thieves, a great band of brothers, and best friends for their whole lives. (and my great hope that I don't completely lose my mind!)

The Making of a Middle

2011-05-20T17:16:00.000-07:00

In lieu of actually giving birth to a baby... I am going to write about my current baby, Matthew, a much promised blog about what is going on with him.

I had great fun looking at pictures of him to use to write this blog. I might have teared up a bit. I can't believe how big he has grown in 23 months and that at this age, Joey was already a big brother.

Matthew has been talking lots. He loves to try out new words and will try to say anything we ask him too, even if he mostly just hums the word. Some of his favorite words to say: "Jojo, where go? more, thank you, dinosaur (this is the newest), choo-choo, truck (cuck), hot, out, up, go, shoes, socks, uh-oh, see-ya" and I'm sure there are many more that I am forgetting about.

Our Matthew is a little comedian and loves to make us laugh. He loves to make Joey laugh and do ANYTHING that his big brother is doing. He must also HAVE anything that Joey has, from salt on his eggs, to the exact same toy at the exact same time.

Matthew sleeps well, but markedly less than Joey at the same age. We have to wake him after no more than a 2 hour nap, and even with that, he can easily go to bed at 8 or 8:30 and wake well rested at 7. He often rocks himself to sleep or shakes the crib (sometimes with eyes half open). He seems to go to sleep best with a car or two and he'll lay on his side and make his "vehicle moving" sound until he lulls himself to sleep. He's pretty relaxed about his waking up and seems to need some time in his crib to play before we get him up, which works well for us.

He loves to eat. Loves. It's so nice after Joey being a bit smaller and a little less eager to eat. Matthew's favorite foods are meats and fruits. He'll pick lunch meat and cheese out of a sandwich first and eat any fruit first (of course), but he's great about his veggies, and very willingly will eat, peas, beans, broccoli, salads, beets, and cooked veggies, like peppers, and zucchinis. He does NOT like potatoes in any form, french fried or baked or even in hash brown form. Weirdo.

His favorite toys are trucks, and especially fire trucks. Truck books, actual trucks, shows about trucks, just driving around and seeing trucks. He's not too crazy about books yet, and not that into coloring or play-doh but give him wheels and he is a happy guy!

While I still wouldn't put him in the same category of management as say, the dog, he is nowhere near as compliant as Joey at the same age. He's just as likely to run away laughing when we tell him to "come here" as he is to actually come, and obedience is more of a teaching process for him. He's also a very emotional little guy and while the highs and lows come and go quickly, taking a toy often looks just like cutting off a limb for 30 seconds, and a good trip down the slide can be akin to a brand new toy.

Even though he's been walking since he was 15 months old he is still ECSTATIC to get out of the house/stroller/shopping cart etc, and be free to run without holding on to a hand. He gets a look of glee on his face and takes off and can go for.ev.er. He is a little turbo and sometimes I am afraid to blink.

I'm afraid with the 3rd coming that I have learned all too well how quickly it goes from the first gaze, to the first steps, to the first haircut, and word and sentence and all of a sudden the baby who you waited so long for has become a preschooler. I cannot wait for Baby Beardsley #3 to come, but I am so glad for every day where my soon-to-be middle child, is still my youngest baby. He is precious and so dear to Matt and I. His smiling face is like nothing I have ever seen and boy, can he make us laugh! I can't imagine not having my "Matthew in the Middle" and I hope he will always know how special he is to us.

Helping Out

2011-03-19T22:41:00.001-07:00

Joey has been really into helping out around the house (and especially in the kitchen) in the last few months. Most of the time, it is lovely, as there is really stuff he can do now, (unload the silverware from the dishwasher, return things to their proper place in different rooms in the house, wake Matthew up from his nap and give him toys, etc...). Sometimes it is difficult because he wants to be with me, or Matt, working and we don't always have something for him to do easily.

I'm looking forward to him getting older and being able to do more, and hoping that at the same time, he stays interested in helping and proud of contributing. Any suggestions for how to keep this magic alive are welcome....

In the meantime, here are some pictures of Joey helping with stuff....

In the above picture we were just starting to make Kale chips...

Ok, so that's only 2 pictures... but I took some more today of his latest favorite activity which is helping Matt roast our coffee beans. This is sooo much less expensive than buying them already roasted and Matt really enjoys doing it (and Joey LOVES helping) and I just love that they are both happy and it's cheaper. Joey is responsible for putting the chaff that flies out in the process in the sink, and helping Matt spread and cool the beans, and then pouring them into their jars.

Some of his other favorite jobs/new responsibilities include: sweeping (with his little dustpan and sweeper), clearing his dishes into the sink, cleaning up all the toys in his room and playroom, brushing his own teeth, dressing/undressing himself (this is still a little difficult when something ends up inside out), unloading or loading parts of the dishwasher, and helping cook ANYTHING.

Stay tuned for a Matthew update!

MIA - Not ME!

2011-01-24T16:52:00.000-08:00

Not me! I haven't been missing in action since, oh, I don't know... November? The summer? 2009?? Obviously I am one of those people who can just juggle 2 kids, a couple of part-time jobs, housework, a husband, a preschool co-op, and mundane things like laundry and grocery shopping with ease.

I certainly haven't transferred all of my people updating effort onto *whispers* facebook. Not me. nope.

If I walked into someone else's house right now, and their bedroom, looked like my bedroom does right now, I wouldn't feel sorry for them. Uh uh.

My Christmas decorations are ALL put away. I didn't juuuuust put away the tree and ornaments and stuff in our living room and feel sooooo proud of my large pregnant self, that I stopped. 3 weeks ago. Not me! :-)

I am almost certain to beginning blogging again with regularity and vibrance, despite the impending approach of our third son and disintegrating appearance of my house. Yes sir!

Among other.... things.... I did not tell Joey that he could wait a minute before we listened to his kids praise c.d. so I could hear this song in the car:

Obviously not, because I don't even like country. :-) riiiiiight. not me! On that same note, my son does not think the song "American Honey" is about that stuff he likes to put on his waffles. And does not ask me, when any song comes on the radio if it is the "Come Back Song".

And although I would love to catch you all up more I have loads and loads of work to do, including lots of household cleaning and tidying, which I will be faithfully doing ALL evening, and most definitely NOT watching any bad reality t.v. that ABC might have on tonight, including, but not limited to, The Bachelor. Because really, if you had looked ahead online at this season's spoilers (which I wouldn't) and already knew who the winner was (which I didn't!) then it wouldn't really matter watching the drama (which it doesn't!), now would it?

Happy Monday!

And for your viewing pleasure: (ONE of Joey's favorite songs)

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-10T20:46:00.001-08:00

June

2010-11-02T20:20:00.001-07:00

Ok, I'm going to work on a little back-tracking. Just a bit.

In June, we were excited to travel for a while. We went on vacation with the Beardsley Family, went to/were in my high school friend Christina's wedding (which conveniently was in Asheville), and celebrated Matthew's first birthday with BOTH sides of our family at the same party! (A big feat if the family is 7 hours apart!)

It was such a great blessing to be able to see so much family, participate in a great friend's wedding, and get a V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N. I'm ready for another already. :-)

Here's just a little taste:

Nothing like a good family photo to end the trip!

Now Don't Get All Excited..

2010-10-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

This is for Lexie who reminded me that I don't have to catch up on everything that happened, I just have to talk about what's happening now. *sigh of relief*

Hoping to be back to writing soon!

Oh. Yeah. Baby.

2010-07-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

Let's just call this post, "Don't ask questions, you don't want answered."

It's RECOVERED!!

This was all I had last night....

But tonight, I am proud to share:

My buddy Andrew!! He's been through the wringer. hahahaha.

Ha!

hahahaha. alright, I'm done.

But after lots of good council (see comments). I know where to send my "mutilated currency". Oh Dept. of the Treasury people, you don't even know... (and there's a good chance, since I have more than 51% of it, and it's easily recognizable, that I can just take it to the bank.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Never a dull moment around here friends...

Cribs, Crimes and Canine Catastrophes

2010-07-29T20:59:00.000-07:00

This would be better as a "Not Me Monday" but then it really might be too much to handle.

This morning we all woke up early to take Matt to the train, to the airport, to fly to AL to take pictures of his cousin's wedding. *waves at Rachel*. Early. 4:30 early.

The boys (and I) slept for a little while after getting back home, but not too well, and everyone was a little off their game and grumpy today. Not a fun way to start out 4 solo parenting days.

On a happy note, I sold a crib that we had replaced about a month ago on craigslist. I had been trying to sell it for a month. It has been sitting in the middle of our front room, totally in the way. I sold it for less than I wanted to, but it was pretty used, and it was nice to be done with it. I was going to surprise Matt (first of all, just by it's absence) with the cash when he got home Sunday night.

Jump to dinner, Matthew so tired, won't eat at all, cries through dinner until I put him to bed, then drinks a bottle and cries some more. *sigh*. Joey whines through dinner and finally goes to bed and while I am out of the kitchen for a minute Ziggy eats the money from the crib off of the kitchen table. All of it. This is what I have left:

So upset at the dog. Snapped at Joey for his whining. Yelled at the dog. After about 5 minutes I remembered a time when I was pulling something out of the oven, BOILING hot and dropped a piece on the floor which Ziggy ate so quickly, neither of us could stop him. It was so hot, it made him throw up, which conveniently emptied him of his dinner that he had eaten 45 minutes before.

So.

So I get the brilliant idea to make him throw up. Can I just defend my position and say that we are not in any condition to be throwing away, or letting our dog eat away perfectly good currency. Call me crazy. Go ahead, it's ok. So I need something to make him throw up. To the trash can!!

This sounds bad huh.

Earlier I had trashed 2 things which had gotten away from me in the fridge, some plain leftover pasta, and some chicken breast (that was going to become chicken salad). I figured if he had to throw up, then better to do it with nasty food. Greater chance of making him sick to start with right?? Really people, I know how crazy this sounds now that I am typing it all out. So I heat up all this chicken and some of the pasta, more than a cup until it is too hot to touch, then stand over him in the kitchen and "accidently" drop it on the floor. You see, to be enticing, he has to think he isn't supposed to have it, like you are keeping the good stuff from him. (or he just has to find it on the table when you aren't in the room). He snarfs it all up.

Nothing.

5 minutes. Nothing.

I've just fed my dog bad food. I mean bad, totally gone bad would make any person sick, bad food. Oh no, not a 130lb dog with the digestive system of a WHALE. He's laying on the kitchen floor digesting his second dinner and our CASH.

Alright then, let's see what the internet can come up with for "inducing dog vomitting". Some website said that a teaspoon of salt in the back of the mouth will do it. Look at giant dog. Look at computer again. Look at GIANT dog.

I went to get the Kosher salt. And a big serving spoon. 1 spoonful later: nothing. Salt all over my kitchen floor. Another giant spoonful with a little bit of peanut butter in the front to get him to open his mouth. Nothing. He's hacking a little bit, and I'm all hopeful, but...nothing. So I give him another cup of dog food to see if just all the first dinner and the rotten chicken and pasta and GOBS of Kosher salt will work together but.... nothing. All he wants is some water to drink. I can't blame him.

He's laying on the floor in the family room now, just like any other evening. Except this evening I think there might actually be a certifiably CRAZY woman on the couch next to him.

And I'm alone for the next 3 DAYS.

I want to say pray for me, friends. But at this point, maybe you are all more inclined to pray for Ziggy. If so, drop on by, have a visit, stay awhile. I've got a great spot you can put your wallet.

(oh a side note for all you swaggers. I won 9 SB on searching for "induce dog vomitting". it was like insult to injury. rubbing kosher salt in fresh wounds...)

Do You Miss Us??

2010-07-13T22:49:00.000-07:00

Do you miss these boys?

Well I can't wait to share more about what they (and all 4 of us) have been up to for the last few months. See you soon! Check back!

Happy Father's Day to the Best Fathers Out There!!

2010-06-19T22:54:00.001-07:00

Happy Father's day to my dad (pictured here with *a few* day old Matthew). He has taught me so many important things and I am so lucky to have him!! love you Dad!!
Happy Father's Day Tom!! We are constantly inspired by your love and generosity!! Our boys are freshly missing you and so are we! Love you!

And my dear, sweet, husband. I can't imagine a better dad for my boys. He inspires me to be a better wife, and mother and I think I ended up with the greatest man in the world. Happy Father's Day Matt!! I love you!!

(working on finding a few good pictures of my grandfathers, but they are on a different computer, so later, probably)

Loved This!

2010-05-25T22:24:00.001-07:00

I read this post and am looking forward to starting my day off right tomorrow and finding more motivation to get things done that I need to do!

Hope you Enjoy!

8 Ways to Find Motivation At Home

Thank You

2010-05-16T15:55:00.001-07:00

Thank you Lord, for a sweet husband who is willing to wake up early, drive me and the boys into the city and wait while I run. Thank you.

Thank you for my sweet friend whose husband is serving overseas and about to come home. Thank you for all he is doing for our country, for us all. Thank you for his willingness to serve as a light pointing others to you.

Thank you for nice weather, and steep hills that I don't have to walk anymore!

Thank you for loving friends and family to surround each other in tragedy, to pray, comfort, and care for one another.

Thank you Lord, for a body that can move, run, jump, and enjoy life. Thank you for a fun race this morning, for neon pink hair, tie-dyed pants and not seeing too many naked people. Thank you!

Thank you for a wonderful church, for a family away from family. Thank you for giving us the chance to welcome others in.

Thank you for the sweet couple who sat next to us, as we ate after the race. Thank you for their willingness to talk about kids and teaching and wanting grandkids. Thank you for kind strangers who can become friends over a meal and snuggle my baby and make him smile when he is exhausted. Thank you for their unexpected kindness to us.

Thank you for neon hair dye, that washes out before church. Thank you.

Not Me Monday

2010-05-10T13:24:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh, "not me's". The time every week where I question whether or not honesty really is "the best policy".

This morning I did not gripe and moan when Matt suggested that he take the laptop to his business meeting at the last minute. I wouldn't gripe and moan because I was actually babysitting, and OF COURSE I wouldn't have time to blog, and do other various (useless) things on the internet because I was attentively watching Joey's little friends. I most certainly gave him the laptop with joy and am not upstairs blogging on the desktop right now.

I did not plan on keeping my youngest home from church yesterday because of his very croupy cough, but then take him out to a street festival so we could celebrate the day. If he had something to pass on to other little kiddos at church, I wouldn't expose him to the general public. Not me!

When we had friends for dinner on Saturday night and I was showing off my new wall art while I was changing the baby's diaper, I did not specifically think "I HAVE to remember to wash my hands after this!" (especially since I was in the kitchen getting the boys dinner). Since I wash my hands after EVERY diaper change I wouldn't NEED to "remind" myself something like that, AND after a reminder I certainly wouldn't forget.
....and also I didn't agonize for several minutes, 2 days later when I remembered and wrack my brain trying to think of what I did next and whether I touched food and whether I touched OTHER people's food. *disgusted shiver*
*waves at friend Sarah*

**Qualification for the next one** I sweep and vacuum regularly if not more often than average. The dog hair is just indescribable. Sometimes it really gets me down. *sigh* Please see THIS WEBSITE for more information, particularly: "shedding/grooming" "Not for" (ha!) "Cons" and "General Info"

This morning (while babysitting), I certainly did not tell my oldest little charge (6 years.) when she asked why there was dog hair in her food (which she brought from home), that it probably "came from her, or dropped out of her hair or off of her sleeve, since she had been sitting/laying on our floor". Surely if our own living room floor isn't fit to be trod/sat/laid upon, I would simply apologize and say "I don't know". I would not feel defensive about the amount of hair, TO A SIX YEAR OLD, and basically blame our messiness on her choice of play area.

I also most certainly did not suggest that OBSCENE levels of hair just "go along with having a dog" and maybe "you wouldn't want a dog" if you minded hair in your food. ugh. ugh me.

I'm going downstairs to vacuum now.

please don't judge me. *pitiful look*

*in looking for a good picture of an overwhelming pile of dog hair, to make you all feel sorry for me, I did not uncover this website, and briefly consider selling Ziggy's hair to people practicing HooDoo.

I'm joking people!!!

Oh lastly.....

I haven't watched this video like 4 times (since I saw it on my friend Susi's blog). We (Matt and I) haven't watched it together and laughed/lusted after the swagger wagon. We haven't been talking about Susi's amazing minivan since she visited last year. mmmmm Sienna...... (ohmygosh if you're going to watch this, double click and go to youtube to view it so your picture isn't cut in half. it's so hilarious)

We. (Seriously!) Matt fell in love with this van! He still talks about it!!

Done and Done

2010-04-27T18:00:00.001-07:00

I've had this project in mind for many months and had big dreams of getting this done for our *whispers* bare-walled guest room, before we had some company in March, but alas, I am just getting finished now.

It's amazing that we've been in this house for a year and a half, and my husband is a photographer, and we still have very little on our walls.

Anyway, here's what I did.

First pick out several (I did 9) really cool pieces of 12 X 12 scrapbook paper. This is a great chance to bring some other colors into your room!

Then go to Home Depot or Lowe's or somewhere and buy MDF or plywood. They will cut it for you there, especially if you go there without your husband and pretend like you don't know what "No Project Cuts" or "No Exact Cuts" means! Ask them to cut it into 12" X 12" squares.

Grab some spray paint for the edges of your "frames", a can of spray adhesive, and some wall mounts for your pictures and go home!

Now you're ready to get your boards ready. For whatever reason white spray paint didn't work on my MDF. It might have needed primer, I don't know. $.97 wasted but luckily I had white paint in the garage. Paint (or spray paint) the edges (let dry) and then nail in your hangers and the boards are ready. Ugh. My nails were so short that I had to use tweezers to nail them in.

Now you can affix your papers to your boards. This took a little practice for me. Spray adhesive is super strong. It's like superglue but covers a much bigger area.

Now it's time to find a wall! You (may) also have to find your husband and ask for help hanging them up. This may be the hardest step of them all!

Practice arranging boards until you realize that once the screws are in the wall, you can move them around as much as you want.

Time to hang it up!

Snap a quick picture once it's on the wall and finally let your baby take a nap in the room! Admire later!

Hopefully I can get Matt to take some nice pictures later. My pictures don't look as nice as it looks in person. But now there is ONE wall in our guest room that has something on it. *whew* And it only took a year and a half!

Definitely NOT Me Monday

2010-04-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone! If you are a member of PETA, please, read no further.

This morning I most certainly did not forget that there is wildlife in urban California as, on the end of my run, I almost tripped over a SNAKE and jumped about 3 feet straight up in the air! Of course if a snake did cause me to jump into the air from fright it would be because it was a giant man-eating anaconda, and not a helpless little garter snake. ugh. wuss.

A moment after passing said GIANT MONSTER, I definitely did not remember that HEY! I am a brave woman. Hey I have BOYS. I am a TEACHER. I grew up with a snake loving brother and we had Pythons for heaven's sake. I held them all the time! I should go back and get him!! I would never have turned around and looked for the snake and thought about taking him home, regardless of the fact that I was no where near my car and had nothing to bring it home in. Anything for an educational experience right?? I was not considering just taking off my long-sleeved shirt and tying up the arms, etc. to bring him home in.
Thank goodness I didn't find him. I may be a brave woman, but I am still a woman and what if he had gotten out in the car?? SHRIEK!

On my way home I definitely did not run over 2 birds in the middle of my lane. There's not much more to say about that one.

If I had, tragically and unfortunately run over 2 birds on my way home, in an unavoidable fashion, I most certainly would not have looked in my rearview mirror at the CLOUD of feathers and thought about how sad it was, and then thought: "but man, I LOVE this song, and I never hear it on the radio! I'll just enjoy the song and then be sad about the birds."

Do you think I am an awful person yet? If "yes". please stop reading.
If "no", feel free to continue.

I didn't...ummm..... search for a picture of bird feathers in a cloud because I like to illustrate my blog, using searches like "dead birds" "flying cloud of bird feathers" and "run over bird".

I'm not sad that I didn't find a good shot of the feather bomb that must have gone off, in the window of the car behind me.

After enjoying my song.... I didn't forget about the birds. You know, from 2 minutes before.

And I'm not way more concerned that you guys are going to judge me for liking loving country music than for killing 2 birds.

whew. I feel a little lighter! Small animals of Oakland, beware! I might go to the grocery store later!

Studly Saturday

2010-04-24T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hope the scenery is as nice where you are!

Fun Times

2010-04-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy month since I left you. Sorry to be SO totally bad at keeping up with the blog after my promise to blog everyday. I guess the balance is in finding something in between posting everyday and posting every month...

So here are a few snapshots of our life in the last month. It's been busy to say the least...

Month in review...... aaand go:

Friend Chris visits, Have fun, Joey poops on him, make mistake about when Matt's parents are coming to visit, have overlap with Chris and Beardsley family - good times hopefully had by all, Matt goes to Ski with Rob and Dad, Beardsley ladies *minus Jessie, missed you!* hang out, Laurie gets some free time (Thank you Kay!!), go to Academy of Sciences with Beardsleys, fun visit, Beardsleys leave, Fly kites with Rob, Drink with Rob, Rob leaves, test out new bike trailer (fits 2 kids!!, found on craigslist cheap!!), Joey wears training pants sometimes, no potty training yet, but pre-potty training is great!, Mocha and Ziggy up to their usual craziness, start watching some little girls from church, second income helpful, church buys a new building = BIG DEAL!! Congratulations to Christ Church!!, Baby Matthew remains cute, rolls everywhere but no crawling yet, Matt has birthday and gets many fun toys including an iphone and cool pasta maker, make lots of fusili, have giant bee hive removed from side of the house, costs a zillion dollars and has a TON of honeycomb. Consider going into obviously lucrative bee removal business. whew

Intersperse Matt's classes, the business, my mom's group and babysitting, and our community group and church obligations, and the occasional housecleaning and laundry doing (but not putting away) and you have a month in the life of the Beardsleys. We may not be South American missionaries anymore, but we are definitely

still

Beardsleys In Action!

Anyone want any honey?

Congratulations to Me, Congratulations to Me (*to tune of Happy Birthday)

2010-03-10T16:24:00.000-08:00

And although I might have been doubted, yesterday concluded my 2 straight weeks of everyday posts. It wasn't actually as hard as I thought it would be, and I hope you all were duly impressed! :-)

I actually still have more things to post about! Just to tide you over a bit though until I have some time for a real post with pictures, I'm going to post a recipe that I used yesterday morning. Matt and I (and the boys) woke up to freeeeeezing cold weather, and a freezing house. This morning the temperature was close to the 30's (which is really really cold for here) I poked around online for a recipe that might spice up our oatmeal a bit and this is what I found:

Hope you enjoy!!

Maple-Oatmeal Scones (direct link is to recipe on foodnetwork.com)

Prep Time:: 15 min
Inactive Prep Time:: 5 min
Cook Time:: 40 min

Level:: Easy

Serves:: 14 large scones

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup quick-cooking oats, plus additional for sprinkling
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 pound cold unsalted butter, diced
1/2 cup cold buttermilk
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
4 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk or water, for egg wash

Directions

Glaze:

1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the flours, oats, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Blend the cold butter in at the lowest speed and mix until the butter is in pea-sized pieces. Combine the buttermilk, maple syrup, and eggs and add quickly to the flour-and-butter mixture. Mix until just blended. The dough may be sticky.

Dump the dough out onto a well-floured surface and be sure it is combined. Flour your hands and a rolling pin and roll the dough 3/4 to 1-inch thick. You should see lumps of butter in the dough. Cut into 3-inch rounds with a plain or fluted cutter and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Brush the tops with egg wash. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops are crisp and the insides are done.

To make the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla. When the scones are done, cool for 5 minutes, and drizzle each scone with 1 tablespoon of glaze. I like to sprinkle some uncooked oats on the top, for garnish. The warmer the scones are when you glaze them, the thinner the glaze will be.

I took some this morning to our church mom's group and it seems like they were enjoyed. In case you make them, you might want to read the comments (always a good idea with online recipes). I ended up adding a little less flour (a few people said they were dry) and about a tablespoon of Maple Flavoring to the batter, and a teaspoon to the glaze, to bring out the maple flavor. If you aren't nuts about oatmeal, I can promise that it's really not the dominating flavor, it's very subtle. I also just patted them into rounds and cut them into wedges (more scone-like, I think) rather than kneading/rolling out the dough/cutting it.

A good warm treat for a cold morning!

Get LOST, Lost

2010-03-09T21:58:00.000-08:00

I know in the past, I have sung the praises of Lost. I won't delve into details and bore all non-Lost followers, but I think Matt and I are on the verge of giving up.

Thoughts? Comments anyone?? (spoiler here, I've heard rumors that the sideways flashes are actually the ending and the bomb really did work, and now we're seeing flashbacks). Would that not be WEAK???!!!

Have these writers spun a web that can't be outdone, well-concluded, or neatly explained? Or is there some kick-butt, tied-up ending that is going to knock all of our socks off?

Give me hope people, because I'm ready to throw in the towel!

Our Storm, or His Talents?

2010-03-09T16:02:00.000-08:00

I've posted a few times recently, about a hard time that Matt and I have been experiencing. Thanks for listening. A few weeks ago, at church, I was encouraged by the testimony of a fellow member and friend who spoke of our financial responsibility before the Lord, and how she was raised and taught about giving.

I'll paraphrase, but what she explained was that from a very young age she was taught to do 4 things with her money. The first and most important was to give her money back to God (Mal 3:8; Prov 3:9,10), the second was to save some, the third was to choose a way to give it away, and the last was the money she could spend on herself.

Our friend quoted the parable of the talents. "For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

I'm embarassed to say that I have been focusing so much on what we have versus what we need, that I have forgotten how to give it away. I see little further than our bills to pay and our tithe to the church and forget that we have so much. I am like the "wicked and slothful servant" who has hidden the talents God gave him, in the ground because of fear. I've been looking at all of this as a trial for us, a struggle and working so hard to "praise him in this storm", while I type on my sofa, in my house, in a room (of many) with books and toys and food and piles of clothes waiting to be folded.

The servant who hid his talents in the ground, when questioned by his master said "Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground." I want to do well with what the Lord has trusted us with. I want to be free from greed, from want of money, from wealth. I can't believe how much we have. With all of that how can I forget that the Lord has plans for us, to prosper us, and not to harm us. To give us a hope and a future (Jer 29:11), and that He is not a hard man.

One more link to share and leave you with. Just one way of giving away, that I was able to read about this week.

Late Night #2

2010-03-08T21:51:00.000-08:00

It's late here, but I promised another blog today and I've been wanting to point this out for a few days, so this is my chance!

I am still following MckMama's blog: www.mycharmingkids.net I really enjoy it. She has had a strong readership for years, and since the troubles with her son, Stellan's health and his miraculous recovery, her readership has grown exponentially. She and her husband are in Kenya this week with Compassion International, and I've been following her stories, many from slums there.

I was really shocked reading some of her posts, and especially looking at pictures. I can be wordy. If you read my blog, you know that, so I'd just like to let her blog speak for itself. I'd encourage you to visit and read the posts from the last several days. If you don't want to read all of that, just take a peek at some of the highs, and lows.

Thanks for looking.

Facing Facebook

2010-03-08T10:42:00.000-08:00

So I'm probably the only person left in the world in the 24 -29 year old demographic who doesn't have facebook.

I know I need to get it...

Sometimes I'll poke around in Matt's fb account just to see what is going on with friends but then I end up wanting to comment, or "like" or something and I'm stuck. Maybe twice I've just commented as him and written (it's Laurie), and he's been very patient with me.

I know it's time to take the plunge, I have so many questions. I think I need a lesson in facebook etiquette. Like poking for example. Why don't people poke? What is the purpose of poking? What if I want to poke someone? If no one does it, why is it there? What do you do when you get a friend request you don't want? Is it ok to send friend requests to people you only know through other people if you want to keep up with them? If you update your status everyday does that mean you have too much free time? What if I make an account and then 3 weeks later, my only friend is still my husband???? What is the difference between your "wall" and your "home". What is "wall - to - wall" ??

So what do you think friends? Can you help me learn a little about facebook? Will you send me friend invitations. I am wondering.... You all TOTALLY dropped the ball on my asking for Crock-pot recipes. (I am very disappointed in all you wives and mommies out there....I know you use your crock-pot. Stingy recipe sharers!)

Leave me a recipe (last blog)! Tell me you are dying for me to join facebook and you'll be my first friend! Answer one of my facebook questions for me so I don't go "poking" the wrong person. hehehe

Show a girl a little bit of encouragement!

(and come back and visit later for a second blog today!!)

Thoughts While Running This Morning

2010-03-07T13:15:00.000-08:00

Dogs are definitely getting smaller. I saw at least 2 dogs that I could literally have held in the palm of my hand. They were seriously tiny.

Shorts are getting shorter, and tighter. blah. Ok, short running shorts on a guy, ehhhh, ok. Short, tight fitting biker shorts on a guy (who is not biking), no-k !!

My friend Chris is coming to visit in a week. Last time he visited we all had a great time. We also almost killed him. (pictured here San Francisco, Jelly Belly Factory, Chinatown, Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe and Muir Woods) He told us we have to take it easy this time. Sometimes I worry about being the lame person with the kids who doesn't get out anymore or is all, "naptime is at this time, and he won't eat that so we can't go there, etc." (not that I don't say that sometimes) and I think I can swing too far in the other direction. We'll see how it goes this time.

Should have run an hour earlier, woke up to feed baby a little earlier than usual, baby went back to sleep, Joey still sleeping, all quiet, shoulda run then, but instead went back to bed until my alarm to run went off and didn't end up sleeping during the whole hour I waited for the alarm. argh. I was all concerned that it hadn't been 8 hours and I wanted to do a long run and it's better not to be tired at all beforehand, but I totally shouldn't have gone back to bed. Then I would have been home with coffee made when everyone was getting up instead of getting home after Joey had breakfast. Baby still asleep though. That was good. Thank God for a generous husband who lets me run and is so self-sacrificing. He's out running now. It's good weather for him, today, sunny and probably like 68 degrees.

To do the Oakland Half Marathon or not. hmmmm. Matt's not. I thought we were still undecided and the other day I asked him if he was planning on running it and he just said "No!". With an exclamation point. He didn't actually say "No, with an exclamation point." But his "no" had an exclamation point behind it, believe you me. I think probably not. I want to, like half of our church is doing it, but I don't think I'm ready. After the one in February, I've run pretty sporadically, like 1 or 2 times a week. Better this week. 3 times this week with a long run (today - but only 6 miles). But I don't think I can do it by the end of March. It's amazing how quickly it goes, the muscles. I mean, to the day it was exactly 1 month ago that I ran my first 1/2 marathon. Who knows maybe I'll change my mind. It's Oakland's inaugural running festival and it's first marathon in 25 years. Definitely sounds like something to support. Here is the course elevation.... yeah, I don't know about that, what's up with the end? hmmm.

Looking through the website to put up the link really makes me want to do it now. They are going to have crazy aid stations, like 8!!! I would totally have to get up much earlier in the morning and bump up the long runs. I might have to take another run just to think this over more.

If Oakland were a person she would be young but seem older. She would be wary and worn and have seen far too much hurt and anger than she should have in a lifetime, but she would be hopeful. She would be trying to become a better person and make a better life. I'm tempted to run it just in support of her! More thinking needed, for sure.

There were alot of people out running today in the nice weather. There were people who I ran near or saw who ran just as much as I did and then more. Running is totally in now!

Well, those were some of my running thoughts today. Along with listening to alot of Chris Tomlin. It was nice to come home and see that Matt and Joey had a great and easy morning and the little one wasn't even awake yet. I had time for a nice hot shower before he woke up and it's a crock-pot dinner for us tonight (perfect if you have church Sunday evenings). I am just sore enough to feel like I did something.

Can I ask some advice? I'm trying to cook something in the crock-pot on Sundays, since we get home from church at 6:30 or 7. I need something that I can put in earlier in the day and have ready when I come home. Do you guys have any good recipes for your crock-pot. I have Fix It and Forget It, but if you have it, you know, there are 100 recipes for every "slow cooker chicken" or "pot roast" and sometimes I can't pick one. I just want a few really really good crock-pot recipes. Can you help me out??

Uh oh!

2010-03-06T17:43:00.000-08:00

Joey and Ethan are a little concerned that it is dinner time and I haven't posted for the day yet. Don't worry boys! I'm going to see the whole 2 weeks through!

(If this video is small on your computer you may have to go to YouTube to view it.
I promise I didn't focus on Joey the whole time, for some reason
it just compresses when I put it on the blog.)

Friday!!

2010-03-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

It's Friday!!

And at this house, we are EXCITED for the weekend!!

...So kick back

And rest awhile, maybe read a book in bed...

Don't worry too much about your hair...

Maybe don't even get dressed...

Just find someplace nice to curl up...

Or pass out wherever you land...

Get a snuggle or two...

Go on and watch Dora on your laptop... we won't tell!

And whatever you do do....

(or don't doodoo)

Don't be too serious...

and be sure to find a way to relax...

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Fool!!

2010-03-04T15:17:00.000-08:00

For the last 8 weeks Joey has been so excited about going to "fool" (school) on Tuesdays and Thursdays!! We found a SUPER cheap option, sorta nearby, for 2 hours a day, 2 X's a week.

He loved it, and I liked it too, although it didn't really work with my initial plans. The original goal was for me to take him and come home and have some designated time to help Matt with business stuff. It was just a little too far away for that, and not quite long enough, but I did like the socialization for Joey. It ended up being a solid time for me to get to the grocery store (or another errand) without 2 kids in tow, which was very helpful in itself. And, over 8 weeks it works out to be about $2.50 an hour. (I told you it was cheap!)

Here are some pictures of the class and the last day.

Joey gets a high 5 and his completion certificate from one of his teachers, Ms. Tiki.

All-in-all, he really loved it, and it was at a great time for us, when some weekly church activities that we do, had stopped over the holidays and new year, but we aren't doing this session now. I think we might do another in the summer along with some other mom's from church who are now interested.

Something to pray about for us, and for Joey would be preschool next year. A few mom's in the church now are meeting to begin a Co-op! I'm very excited! We've exchanged lots of emails and had our first meeting where we talked about our goals and curriculum and other logistical details. It will most likely be for 3 days a week, 3 hours a day, or for 2 days a week, 4 hours. It will give Matt and I some great working/business time, because it is a little longer than the Tots Around Town program that he just finished. We're also excited about spending more time with friends from church, learning from a great pre-school curriculum and working together to "train up our children..."

We're planning another meeting next month and then a retreat together in April where we'll work on our goals and mission statement and other plans. Please keep us in your prayers!

Wordless Wednesday - Waterworks

2010-03-03T18:01:00.000-08:00

A Fallen Friend

2010-03-02T15:59:00.000-08:00

Dog toys don't last long at our house.

Even the ones for "Powerful Chewers".

Bernese Mt. Dogs are known for being chewers. Ziggy rarely eats anything that he isn't supposed to, but is still likely to go through his own toys at an unimaginable rate!

And now, without further ado, I would like to present: DISCOUNT TOY THAT WAS ON SALE SUPER CHEAP!!!

He is cute! He was cheap! He has a tennis ball, and rope (Ziggy loves those). We got 2, one for this year, and one to save with the Christmas stuff, and give to him next year for Christmas!

Goodbye Friend...

Little Penguin friend....are you ok? You seem to be leaking some innards. Will you survive? Should I try to sew you up so you can endure 2 more minutes of puppy play?

Oh NO!! Don't let him see!! LOOK AWAY 2nd penguin toy, LOOK AWAY!!!

Oh the HORROR! THE HORROR!!!

Goodbye fallen friend, goodbye...

In other doggie news... my mom was visiting a few weeks ago, and graciously offered to get Ziggy a new toy. I warned her that toys that Ziggy can actually play with for more than 2 or 3 minutes (about the life span of Penguin friend) can be a little pricey, but her love for Ziggy won out and she got us:

the largest size Nylabone Double Action Chew. He loves it. He chews on it all the time. It's been 3 weeks. It's STILL IN ONE PIECE! Thank you Mom! Thank you Nylabone! Thank you Penguin for your service (and sorry)!

Goodbye Old Girl

2010-03-01T17:18:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday Matt and I finally said Goodbye to one of my oldest friends:

Would you join me for a walk down memory lane? *sighs* Thanks, I really loved her.

**Summer '00, at my job I saw a posting on a message board for a '86 (or something) car for like $900. I thought... I have $900. OHMYGOSH I have enough money to BUY A CAR!!! (ok, in retrospect I see the problems with that thinking, but after that I was determined that I wanted a car!)

**More Summer '00 my dad encourages me NOT to buy that particular car because of high mileage, not being a great model, and general stupidity and inexperience on my part, but agrees to help me look for one. I learn how to drive a stick in hopes of having more options and eventually find my Honda for sale in Fairfax.

**It is NOT what I was hoping for. I wanted it to have a sun roof, and not be red, and the Honda is red *blah* and does not have a sun roof. On the other hand it does have some bonuses. The owner (there's only been 1 ) has all the records, has done ALL the maintenance and had no kids (the first cheerios I vacuumed out of that car, were my own child's (and Violets, but we'll get there).

**Take out my FIRST loan and buy the car! Take it to college August of '00 and mostly let my friend Jenni drive it (who can drive a stick) because I'm still scared! (I learned on a little bit newer manual transmission, so the clutch felt WAaaay different).

**Drive the car for the next 3 years at college and 1 1/2 after college until I move to Honduras. (Car is PAID OFF the summer after I graduate, yea! I still remember where I was sitting when I wrote the last check!) My dad tries to the sell the car for the 4 months while I am gone, but it doesn't sell. THANK GOD! Because I come back in January and start using it again!

**Drive the car back and forth from Harrisonburg, VA to Asheville NC while Matt and I are dating. Love her. She is so good to me.

**In the Summer of '06 when Matt and I are married, our friends agree to take over ownership for the year we are in Chile. We're hoping they'll use it some and we'll have a car to come home to. They take such good care of it, and even let another friend of ours use it when she's visiting in town. We are still so grateful to them!

**Summer of '07 Matt and Jessie and I pick up the car on our epic cross country journey to CA, and trailer it here. We use it here for the next 2 years without any trouble... haha (except getting it registered, but that's another story!).

**Summer '09 Jessie drives out new car (generously given to us by Matt's parents who have gotten a new car) and we start driving it.

..... and the Present time. A while ago, I washed and waxed the Honda, took a bunch of pictures and then put her on Craigslist. I sold it the next day for $300 less than my Dad tried to sell it for 6 years ago, which is probably a sad sign of the times, or the economy in CA, either way....

Thanks for the walk down memory lane with me. Thanks Dad for the great advice in buying my first car (and for not letting me "learn" by buying a hunk o' junk!). Thanks Laura and Myers for keeping it for us and for taking such good care of it. Thanks Kay and Tom for the new (and safer! and AUTOMATIC) car. And bye Old Girl! You were so so good to me!

And bring on the comments. You know you loved her! You know you remember her! Let's send her off in style!! Reminisce with me!!

MMmmmm! Try This!

2010-02-28T16:33:00.000-08:00

For dinner last night, Matt and I had "Curry Pork Burgers". They were great!! We had some leftover ground pork to use (from a fried rice recipe), and instead of using all pork we used about 1/2 pork and 1/2 hamburger. It was a really nice combination.

Here is the recipe:

Curry Pork Burgers with Spicy Ketchup

Recipe courtesy Sunny Anderson, 2008

Prep Time:: 5 min
Inactive Prep Time:: --
Cook Time:: 10 min

Level:: Easy

Serves:: 6 servings

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds ground pork
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 scallions, chopped
2 large clove garlic, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 hamburger buns
1 head butter lettuce
2 to 3 tomatoes, sliced
Spicy Ketchup, recipe follows

Directions

In a large bowl, using your hands mix together pork, coriander, curry powder, Worcestershire, cayenne, scallions and garlic, seasoning well with salt and pepper. Make 6 even patties and put in refrigerator until ready to cook. Heat a large fry pan over medium-high heat, add oil. Sear patties until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Cook in batches, if necessary. Serve inside hamburger buns topped with lettuce leaf, tomato slice and spicy ketchup.

Spicy Ketchup:

1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup ketchup
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 scallion, finely chopped

In a saucepan over medium heat, lightly saute garlic in butter, about 2 minutes. Add ketchup, red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper. Cook another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in scallions. Cool before serving.

It's from the food network....

I hope you all enjoy! We had it with Rachel Ray's Roasted Thick Potato Chips and a salad. Yummy!!

Chilean Earthquake

2010-02-27T11:45:00.001-08:00

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/27/chile.quake/index.html?hpt=T1

The Business of Being Born

2010-02-26T10:16:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this movie?

It was recommended to me by a good friend, and Matt and I watched it before Joey was born. Although we were already hoping for a birth with fewer interventions, I really enjoyed watching the movie and felt like I learned alot from it. I watched it again before Matthew was born.

This is probably my favorite clip from the movie. It helped me see how the process (which can sometimes be like a snowball going down a hill) can sometimes get out hand.

**Disclaimer, this post is in no way meant to offend and that would be my very last intention. I am grateful for the births that I've been blessed with, and also incredibly grateful to medical progress and the wisdom of Doctors!

That said, I hope you enjoy this clip from The Business of Being Born:

Things I Love

2010-02-25T14:35:00.000-08:00

I've read alot of "things I love" posted lately: Here are a few others to see. So I thought I'd do one of my own. I hope you enjoy. This by no means, is demonstrative of all of the things I love, of course...

Finding a new recipe that looks great

Making the recipe and finding out that it is great

Keeping up with old friends

Making new friends

Coffee with wimpy flavored creamer

When my husband smiles and really really laughs

The wrinkles next to his eyes when he is happy

People complimenting Matt's photography

Joey seeing me come into the church nursery and running to meet me with a huge smile on his face

freshly washed bed linens

new bed linens

bed linens with a high thread count (Miss you Elizabeth!!)

When Joey asks to read his Bible

Matt holding my hand

When we get good business

Baking

Cooking

Freshly vacuumed carpet

Chris Tomlin, good praise music

When Ziggy behaves

Sharpies

Children's books and pocket charts

Lemon flavored desserts

Vacations, and the beach

Our honeymoon

When my friends have babies

Visiting friends, visits from friends

finishing a good long run

The way Joey says Dora and Boots

The way Joey says Yes Ma'am (Me yea!)

The way Joey says everything

clean clothes, clean clothes all put away

Seasonal coffee

The smell of summer nights (not here, it doesn't smell like "summer nights" here)

Dogs

Hearing Joey through the monitor in the morning "Mama...... ARE YOU?"

Zip up baby p.j.s and clean kids

swimming in really cold water (in the summer!)

My husband's generous spirit

Watching Joey bow his head to pray

Learning a lesson that God has been trying to teach me, and realizing it

When people share their struggles

Getting free stuff from Craigslist

Having children

Everything about Matt (even the annoying stuff!)

Ok, that's just a bit...

One more... when Matthew chews on his pacifier like this:

What do you love? I'd love to know!

Works for Me Wednesday: Babysitting and Bartering

2010-02-24T16:33:00.000-08:00

Really this post should be called Babysitting and Trading, but Bartering is another "B" word so...

I'm sure this is no revelation to any of you other parents out there, but just in case, here is something that works for us. Trading Babysitting!!

When I was 15, 16, 17, etc. I babysat. Kids here don't really do that. We are in a demographic and maybe a time when teenagers have so much work to do in between homework and afterschool activities, that they aren't looking to make a buck anymore and it seems that they don't have to make money to spend money either. I don't really get it, but that's how it is here. Is it like that where you live?

Gosh I remember raking leaves for $ .50 a bag and babysitting every Thursday night for the last 2 years of my high school. I digress.....

And even if we had money coming out of our ears (Lord willing....), and could find a trusty high schooler or college student who actually wanted to babysit, we honestly couldn't really afford to hire a babysitter, and then go out on top of that.

Out here, we aren't close to any family :-(

We aren't close to any old family friends :-(

Sometimes it feels like we're really on our own, aside from our friends!

Our friends. Our friends who also have young children, and spend most evenings like we do, with kids in bed by 7 or 8 wondering just how many board games, cable t.v. shows (thank God for Lost and 24!) and books we can get into.

BABYSITTING TRADING!!!

This is great. If you don't do this you should. If you do, you should do it more. Matt and I have traded with several different couples that we are friends with. Here's how we do it. The Date night couple, gets a full date night, someone arriving at their house to watch their kids, who are asleep in their own beds. It's wonderful! Who wants to go out and have a great time and then have to go pick up their kids somewhere else and drag them and their STUFF (oh the stuff....) home and put it all away and get everyone settled again. No. Thank. You.

It's been great. Trading with friends usually means that I help Matt get our kids mostly ready for bed, and then grab a book or the laptop and go out to our friends house. I stay there and keep an eye on their kiddos (maybe put them to bed, maybe they are already asleep) while they go out and stay out late late late. Matt gets some extra work done in the evening, and we look forward to our night out.

We don't do it all the time, but we do when we can afford to! And it's just nice to know that if a movie comes out or a party comes up and we want to go, we don't have to throw our hands up in the air at having young kids.... we just pick up the phone and arrange a little trade. It's like having your cake, and eating it too...and that works for us!

I found this picture when I did a search for "babysitter". Ha!

Some days, that might work for us too!

Why the Olympics Will Never Be the Same For Me Again

2010-02-23T18:35:00.000-08:00

I love seeing greatness; like reading a book that is truly a work of art or cooking a meal that is so good you have to eat it with your eyes closed. Planting a garden and having everything come up and flourish (ok, so maybe I've never done that). Or seeing someone do something that they truly love and are totally gifted at.

In college and for a few years after, I sat under the teaching of a pastor whose sermons so deeply engaged me, they are written in my heart and memory in a way that no others ever will be.

Well not to compare spiritual learning with the Olympics, but there can be some similarities right??

Michelle Kwan

Did you all watch her as a teenager and cheer for her??

I was heartbroken in 1998 when Tara Lipinski won the gold medal at Nagano. I mean, good job Tara, but, ahhhhh.

She's just amazing! Listen to the crowds. They are crazy for her! The announcers love her. I haven't seen too many Olympics, but gosh..... if you aren't going to watch the whole thing go to 3:45 and watch from there. The look on her face when she perfectly lands a jump.... The way the crowd cheers and screams, it's perfection. It's true greatness.

I miss watching her skate so much! I wish she were in Vancouver now. I wish I could give her that gold medal, the one she never received because boy did she deserve it! She was (I'm sure still is) such a beautiful skater.

The clip below shows probably one of her most famous performances. I learned alot from reading her bio on Wikipedia. It really took me back to watching one of my peers in her greatness. Tonight and tomorrow night won't be the same without you Michelle!

Matthew Beardsley 2.0 !!

2010-02-23T15:23:00.000-08:00

I've been a very negligent blogger. Very absentee. Bad Laurie! Bad Blogger, BAD!

For my penance I am promising 1 blog (at least) every day for the next 2 weeks. You read it right. Once at day for 2 weeks. Starting today. And in good faith, I am going to do 2 blogs today. Stay tuned for #2, later today. I guarantee if you are a woman in your 20's or 30's you will probably be interested in it. Or I could be wrong.
So 2 blogs today, and one a day until Tuesday March 9. 16 All total. Whew. Wish me luck.

Now on to more fun news.

I am so so so long overdue for updates on my boys. And since today is update on your child day, (I've enjoyed several others today) it seems it is just the right time to catch up with my little Matthew.

I never shared his 4 month stats so here is a little recap:

At 2 Months Matthew was 13 lbs. 12 oz (80%), and 24 1/4 " (80%), and his head was in the 70th percentile.

At 4 Months Matthew was 15 lbs 10 oz (60%), and 25" (45%) and head was 93rd percentile. WHOA, there's a jump!

At 6 months Matthew was 17 lbs (31%), and 27" tall (60%) and...well.... his head is still Giganto.

We haven't had his 8 month appointment yet, but we will soon, and maybe I'll have a chance to post about that, during my 16 post penance.

So at 8+ months, Matthew is:

**Loving his food! He likes fruits best, but eats his vegetables and cereal and tofu without any trouble. He LOVES drinking from a sippy cup and drinks and drinks, way past where he is thirsty until he is just putting it in his mouth and spitting it right out, just to keep going. He'll drop everything as soon as he sees that cup of water (or juice) coming!

**Has tried some finger foods and can grab them, but I have to help him put them in his mouth, he doesn't seem to be able to fit something that small in quite yet.

(seems able to fit in larger items though!)

**Sits, but still needs some assistance and falls over after a few minutes. He is comfortable rolling around though and is a little safer that way. To have him sitting I need to have the dog outside and Joey in another room so he doesn't get knocked over, or I have to drop everything and sit there with him to protect him from the forces of BIG, in our house. He's slowly getting the hang of it though!

**Is totally potty-trained!!

**That was a joke.

**loves loves loves his brother and daddy and dog and cat and mom, but especially, his brother. When he's having an off day, he still lights up for Joey. Or when he really wants to eat, or is totally ready for naptime, Joey is the one that can still procure smiles and giggles.

** has his 2 bottom teeth and has for a little over a month, but no signs of any new ones

** Sleeps for about 12 or 13 hours a night.... bed between 7-8, usually when Joey goes to sleep, and wakes up around the same time b/t 7 and 8 in the morning.

**Has dropped his early morning feeding (6 a.m.) but is now ready to get up at 7 or 8 when he wakes up. Before he would wake to eat at 6 and then go back to sleep until 10.

**Still takes roughly 3 naps a day unless one is too long and then he'll only take 2. Pretty close to being ready to drop nap #3 though.

**Sleeps in the pack n' play in the guest room most of the time, but sleeps with Joey when we have company (the second crib is in Joey's room) and they've done great. After a few nights they start to wake each other up early in the morning, but I guess that's just how it goes.

** Has started this week to take some formula. It was a hard fought battle with him becoming more and more distracted nursing, and getting less and less milk and seeming more and more hungry and me pumping more and more, until I decided to try out a few ounces after he nursed and ate to see if he was still hungry or if he was getting enough. He wasn't getting enough. So now he drinks a few ounces with each meal in addition to nursing and eating his solids. We are going to work hard to keep nursing and at almost 9 months, I'm not too worried about it, although it was definitely a hit to my pride.

**Is still a very very easy baby. He's happy to sit or lay, or roll by himself to play. He loves to watch Joey play and is a great eater (minus the lazy nursing) and even better sleeper. He is flexible about missing naps and is always so so happy.

We love love love this guy. He is so much fun!!

Stay tuned for more blogs!

Win an ERGO!

2010-02-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

Head over to Lydia's blog, to try your chances (today is the last day) at winning the ultra comfortable, baby-loving, ERGO child carrier. If you are like me at the grocery store and you find yourself sporting one child in the child seat of the cart and one child in the basket where you have the groceries, hoping that at least SOME of your eggs make it home, and your bread is not smushed into tortillas, then you might be a great candidate for an ERGO.

Just head on over and try your luck!!

...Once More For The Cheap Seats

2010-01-29T15:57:00.000-08:00

You know lost songs? You love them and listen to them (or the entire albums) for weeks or months or even years but slowly you get tired of them, or they are replaced by new music. Lost songs. Rediscovering them is great! A few months ago this song found me again. It's by a group that I love and on the day that Matt's ipod picked it out for me I "knew" exactly why I was hearing it. Does that ever happen to you? You hear some kind of song about how your kids grow up too fast and you think you should share it with your friend who is overwhelmed by her 3 kids under 4 years old, or your pastor shares a great story about loving your neighbors and you wish your neighbor (who snipped at you for having your garbage cans out too long) had been at church to hear the story.

I hear many lessons for other people. I hear lots of lessons for my husband, but that's another post. :-) This is a post about how most of the lessons that we hear "for other people" are really for ourselves. Now does THAT happen to you? Well I thought I knew why I was hearing my "lost song" and it wasn't for me! .... Little did I know!

To make a long story short, while business is going o.k. it is a constant struggle for this business to support us 1. where we live in CA., 2. in this economy, and 3. while Matt is still in school.

It's a cyclical battle. While we have no intentions of living here forever we have good reasons to stay. The Bay Area is/has a huge HUGE art community. We would NEVER ever be doing business like we are, had Matt started somewhere else. There are many doors to stick a foot in..... if you can wedge it in there among all the other feets trying to get in. Feets of a billion other photographers and artists, all poor and starving and willing to do things at a slightly lower rate than their competitor. *sigh*
We also have a great church that we love, house that we love, and Matt is still in school. And here is where the cyclical battle begins. The more school he does, the less time he has for work. The more work he does, the more the professors at school ask him to spend more time on school work. He has tried and tried to ask the professors for the best way to divide his attentions and run a successful business. The terrible part is, that he is doing it, and they are TOTALLY unwilling to help. He is in school and will graduate and at the same time will have started his own business, supported his family and had two children. Most of the people in his program are single and have many don't have jobs. Sometimes I get frustrated feeling like the professors get so used to the students who have tons of time for their discussions and assignments that they forget that what they are trying to produce is a student like Matt, who goes on to have a successful photography business and support their family! I mean, he is the real thing, he's not going to graduate and then try his hand at being a professional photographer. He is one...right now!

Excuse me people while I get heated about this!

It's been a difficult time for us. It's stressful at home, when the dishwasher leaks water all over the floor, or the rains come and we have to pump water out of the crawl space in our basement it gets even more stressful. When a piece of photography equipment breaks or needs to be replaced or updated, it's pretty quiet over our dinner table.

And I confess it is so so hard to stay out of the mindset of, if we just had more..... fill in the blank, more money, more business, more time. Or if people were more helpful (Matt's professors), more understanding (Matt's professors), more generous (all the people who hire Matt and want to bargain for his services). More More More.

Sometimes when I am running the words from that song echo in my head:

I was sure by now, God you would have reached down, and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say "amen", and it's still raining.

How many times have I prayed about this. How many times have we together prayed about this. How many nights have we gone to bed thinking about how to make enough money, rethinking marketing and spending. How many opportunities we have said no to, to visit family and friends, to give gifts, to go out to eat. How many tears have been shed. I was sure by now, He would have stepped in and saved the day. It does seem that "every time I say Amen, it's still raining.

But as the thunder rolls, I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you." And as your mercy falls, I'll raise my hands, and praise the God who gives, and takes away.

It's so hard to raise my hands and praise God right now. I don't want him to take away. I don't want to struggle. I don't want to worry.

I don't want to trust Him.

And I will praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands. You are who You are, no matter where I am. And every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand. You've never left my side, and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm.

It's so hard to picture the Lord knowing all of my fears, and worries. Knowing all about Matt's struggle to provide for our family, and holding all of these concerns in his hands, even when we do not trust in Him. I take comfort, albeit a teary-eyed comfort from knowing that He has never left my side. (Jos 1:5) I feel worried that we are struggling and embarrassed for not trusting a God that I know will never leave me, all at the same time.

I have had countless conversations with good friends, heard similar stories, shared prayers, and received good advice. It is still heart breaking. I hate to watch my husband struggle. He tries so hard, and is doing everything he can to be successful. Being financially stretched right now has put the greatest stress on our marriage so far, while at the same time I am more in awe of God working in Matt's heart and more in love with him now than ever. Not once has he ever suggested that I do something to help or just "go out and get a job", and there must be temptation to do that, with the weight of our provision on his shoulders.

We have had great blessings in the last months also... a healthily growing baby, the GIFT of a much newer and safer car than we were driving, great contacts and good photography jobs passed on by dear, and very empathetic friends, we've also had work come from our church community out of need, and simply out of desire to help.

It's taken months of this, or worry and trying to figure out what to do to figure out the most important thing is what I thought wasn't for me, the message of the song that has become my mantra. Praise you in this storm. That's what He wants from me, from us. He wants me to praise Him in this storm. As hard as it is, to raise my hands as the rain comes down and "though my heart is torn".

I'm not doing a very good job yet. I had a conversation with a friend a while ago about a financial worry and she told me, (I paraphrase, correct me if I'm wrong Lis) "Laurie, in your head, this money is the only thing standing between you and the poor house. And that's just not the way it really is!" She reminded me that for starters we have people who love us, families, basements to live in (we are not thinking of moving into any basements, don't worry!) There are people out there who have real concerns, no family to help, no basements to go live in, people really financially desperate. People desperate in every sense of the word. But the most important thing is, that no amount of money will ever stand between me or my family and poverty or desperation, or starvation, because Christ will stand there. He will never leave my side. He has promised to be faithful and to never forsake me. No amount of money can ever "save" us, in any sense of the word. I know He is teaching me about trust in Him, not just about money.

So I've been a little blogging absent. I've been working on trusting God. I've been working on going to sleep without worry and fear in my heart and waking up determined to encourage my husband, rather than cause him further stress.
I'm trying to worry less about when God is going to step in and save the day, and just "say Amen", even if it is raining. I'm listening for His whisper, "I'm with you". I am fighting to lift my hands, and praise Him in this storm.

So here it is once more.... and this time it's for me. It was in November too, I just didn't know it then.

What Were You Doing This Morning...?

2010-01-09T17:02:00.001-08:00

This morning I had so much fun ~~sending out my "Christmas" cards~~ playing with my family at the lake.

We took a half ton of stale bread, and bread ends that I had been saving in the freezer and had a great time feeding the hungry, cold, fat ducks. I wonder how hungry and cold they really are here.

Eventually the temptation was too great for the duck's stale bread.... But on the upside, Joey was halfway finished with lunch by the time we got home!

In this video Joey lets the ducks eat from his hand (which you can't see too well since his head is in the way).

Merry Christmas from the Beardsleys!

2010-01-04T17:48:00.000-08:00

It's been a little busy around here.

And unfortunately, not because I have been doing this....

And therefore I have not sent out Christmas cards yet. Are they Christmas cards if you don't send them out until after New Years? What about by Valentines day?

I debated putting up a "Not Me Monday" about the cards. But then I didn't really have that much more to Not Me about. I also debated just not sending out a card this year and keeping the ones I have for next year! But where's the fun in that right?

Who wouldn't mind getting a card in the middle, errrrr, end of January?

Hopefully not you and your family. To ensure arrival of cute card with family picture feel free to send your mailing address to: laurieandmatt@gmail.com because we would LOVE to send you a card. AND, just in case you are missed, or I never send them out, or we suffer some kind of natural disaster where no one is injured and there is no substantial damage to property yet I am spared the task of sending out a card......

Merry Christmas from the Beardsleys!!

Click here for Merry Christmas 2007!! (make sure you scroll allllll the way down!)

Not Me Monday! ?

2009-12-28T18:22:00.000-08:00

Yeah. It's late. Late late late. But I'm just getting around to my "not me's" now. That's me. Or maybe today that's not me? :-)

Just like all of my "Not Me's" are a random selection of embarrassing things that I did over the course of several days, perhaps even weeks! All of the things that I don't want to own up to most certainly did NOT happen just today. That would be awful.

This morning I definitely did NOT delay changing a yucky diaper from my 2 year-old because he and the dog were having such a fun time chasing each other. They were definitely chasing each other and Ziggy was not just chasing Joey around with his nose glued to Joey's....ummm..... rear. I sure wouldn't let my dog chase my blissfully unaware toddler around just because he smelled like poo. Come on people. Nasty.

Speaking of nasty, I most certainly did not come back from my run this morning, start stretching, only to have Joey point at my shoe and say "Ewww Mommy, ewww." I wouldn't run until my foot started bleeding and then bled through up into my shoe. Not my perfectly lovely, wonderful, and sporty new shoes! Not through my brand-new-Christmas-present-from-my-sister-in-law nice running socks. Oh no! Not me!

You could not then find my husband laughing at me in the kitchen while I washed off my shoes with a toothbrush and soap trying to get the blood off. "Um, Laurie, shouldn't you be a little concerned about why your FOOT is bleeding?" I care way more about the limited number of digits that the Lord has blessed me with than this fleeting pair of (perfectly lovely wonderful sporty) shoes!

Lastly I did not subsequently shower with both of my socks on and also take a turn at them with my soap and toothbrush routine to get them equally shiny and new. (everything has since been restored to it's new-ish nature, but let's hope I don't step in any *gasp* mud)

And really lastly, I promise. I did not sit down to write this post and hear some noises and look around the room puzzled for a few moments until I realized that my CHILD was in the room in his bouncer. It's not like me to COMPLETELY FORGET where I put him in the house. Honestly, friends marvel over how easy-going these kids are, but you'd really have to be in our house or you just wouldn't make it! Now I just have to go find the other one....

Matthew is Officially a....

2009-12-23T23:21:00.000-08:00

BIB-WEARER!! Congratulations if you guessed correctly that our little Matthew's latest milestone is that he is able to regularly wear a bib, everyday now. Most of the time, twice a day! It was a tough accomplishment between all the grabbing at the bib to chew on it, and attempting to fling himself out of the booster seat while learning the fine art of bib-wearing but he has finally mastered the task!

Here is a quick shot before his first bib....

Is that not the cutest boy ever?

Ok, in all seriousness.... Matthew started his solid food on his 6-month birthday, which was last week! I was determined that he wouldn't start before 6 months because I felt like Joey had started too early (during his 4th month). LOL, ah hindsight. Now I think perhaps that Joey was pretty ready, even though he was really young. He already had teeth, he had the whole concept down, and took to the food right away. Matthew is slowly getting the hang of it, but isn't crazy about his rice cereal. When I mix in a little banana or avocado (that's all he's had so far) he is more excited, and he'll eat what I give him but I don't think he'd miss it if it was suddenly gone.

I have started making sure that one of his last solid feedings is the last one before he goes to sleep at night (around 7 or 8), and after about a week of that and waking him again at 10 or 11 to feed him, I decided to wing it and not wake him one night to see what would happen. He didn't get up until 7 in the morning!! The the next morning he still wasn't up when I woke up at 6 so I woke him to feed him, since I was going running with a friend that morning. I'm not quite ready to say he's given up that last feeding because he might still need it but, it's exciting anyway!

So here are a few pictures of the first feeding: enjoy!

A little nervous perhaps...

I don't know about this stuff...

That wasn't so bad! Maybe I'll try some more of this "food" stuff.

A Teaser

2009-12-17T13:50:00.001-08:00

I'm looking forward to sharing Matthew's latest milestone with you!! Can you tell what it was?

Works for Me Wednesday: Not Trying Not to Be Someone I'm NOT

2009-12-09T15:48:00.000-08:00

I like to run. Now. I do. I like to run inside. On a treadmill, preferably in front of a T.V. with some morning show like Regis and Kelly, or a TBS repeat like Home Improvement or Saved by the Bell. Something that will help me to completely forget that I am exercising! I am starting more to like running with a friend, because I like talking and running. I am also....slowly..... starting to enjoy running outside. It's not very easy for me to like it. I'm working hard on it! I like to have a predictable path, know the terrain, and have it be pretty flat. Sound high maintenance? Well I don't really like to run outside! !

So shortly after Matt and I were married, on a trip back from Chile, we found ourselves both in need of tennis shoes. We headed out, along with Matt's parents to a giant shoe outlet in Asheville in search of some great running shoes that would surely help us to come closer together as a married (and adorably FIT) couple. Matt's parents house backs up to a large National Park and fun hiking and running trails. Matt of course, was looking for a great trail shoe as he loves to run outside. And I, being the new bride, wanted to love to run outside.

We both ended up with trail shoes. :-) I think mine have actually seen trails (for running) maybe 4 or 5 times. But I have faithfully run with them inside (where I actually do alot of running, you know, under the watchful eye of a large television) for 2 years now! After Matthew was born I was intending to try for the 1/2 marathon that Matt did in the beginning of October. Needless to say after a few weeks I realized that was just NOT going to happen. It was just 4 months after he was born! So after Matt finished I was determined to try one for myself. I picked the Kaiser 1/2 Marathon in San Francisco. Do you remember this blog? It's the SAME one I "tried" to register for last year, when I was pregnant (except that was for the 5K part of it), and the registration was "lost" on our front porch. Except this time, I'm going for the 1/2 marathon.

I'm a little nervous.

Ok, I'm a LOT nervous.

I'm hoping to finish it. Finish it running. My goal is to run the whole thing. That's 13 miles people. whew

So a few months ago I picked out a training program online. And I've been working on it ever since! It's been fun. There's about 5 days a week of running at least 3 miles or so and then a long run on the weekend. I've hit some exciting milestones. First time running 4, 5, and 6 miles after Matthew was born. First time running in an actual 10K (Thanksgiving weekend while we visited Matt's brother in L.A.). First time running 7 miles (EVER), and this weekend will be my first time running 8 miles!!

I also hit another exciting milestone! My first real pair of running shoes! (This is where we get into the Works for Me part of the blog. My friend Lexie and I went to See Jane Run. I had my first real running assessment. I found out that I over-pronate (I kinda suspected that) and have been running for a looong time on a shoe that is completely the opposite of what I need. To put some correcting shoes on was amazing! I was so excited to get new shoes. They were definitely a stretch for our budget but we are assuming that they will be cheaper than a rolled/sprained or broken ankle or knee problems!

Matt is such a wonderful husband to me. I love him so much! I want to be everything that he needs in a wife, the perfect helpmate for him. But you know what, chances are, I'm not going to be the best running-mate for him. I just don't love running on trails. The up and the down and the chance of running into bears (really has happened!), and all the trees. I think as more time passes, (for me at least) it gets a little easier for me to accept myself the way I am, and try to be the wife that God had planned for Matt in my heart and attitude, and not so much in less important ways, like my shoes.

And, the great part is, as I train more (averaging over 25 miles a week now!), and train with better shoes, the more I enjoy the running, the easier it gets and the more I, *gasp* like to run outside. I'm so excited about this race in February. I'm a little nervous about running 8 miles this Saturday but excited too. And I am especially excited about my new shoes. They are really nice. They are really comfortable. And if you won't write me off as cheesy, AND you are actually still reading, these new shoes are a little picture of me, getting to know myself better. Getting more comfortable with the person that God made me, and trusting that it is ok to be that person, and not try to be someone else.

So now, without further ado, (because there's been alot of ado!) Here are my new shoes:

I love them.

And me.

Even if I do like to run in front of a big 'ole flatscreen.

Praise You in This Storm

2009-12-08T16:58:00.000-08:00

"Praise You In This Storm"

by: Casting Crowns

I was sure by now

God You would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear Your whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

And every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry to you

And you raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Not Me Monday!

2009-12-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

My husband and I did NOT get out of bed at 10:30 this morning. That would just be plain old lazy, regardless of the crazy day we had before. We certainly wouldn't let our children sleep that late, as that would surely affect their napping later on in the day. Because of all of those GREAT reasons, my youngest is most certainly not still asleep an hour later!

I have not completely given up on putting away clean clothes resulting in a clothes back-up similar to a complete closet reorganization in our bedroom. Everyone knows that you wash a load of laundry, dry it, fold it, and put it away in a timely matter, preferably inside of a few hours.

When cleaning and dust busting the other day I did not simultaneously wipe off Joey and let him get down from his highchair and then proceed to dustbust the food off of it. Come ON people, that would be NASTY! blech.

After feeding the baby early this morning I did not go to the trouble of turning our alarm off, going down in the basement, filling up the cat's food dish, and turning the alarm back on, just so he would not wake us up with his persistent meowing before we all wanted to wake up. Obviously I'm just guessing that this might happen, because it's never happened before, because we definitely always give our poor kitty food and never ever leave him to annoy us to death for us to feed him.

Many Mistakes Made Maneuvering Many Marvelous Months of Matthew

2009-12-06T12:42:00.000-08:00

So a while ago I was working on a draft of a post about Matthew and I just finished and published it, but it's not at the top of my list.... SAD! it has been relegated back to the date that I started the draft, November 20th, SO.... if you want to read my new post about our little guy....

http://beardsleysinaction.blogspot.com/2009/11/many-marvelous-months-of-matthew.html

And if you'd like to come to my house and give me a blogger tutorial, I will feed you Christmas cookies and seasonally flavored coffee.

Thank you!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-02T15:48:00.001-08:00

At Least He's Not Texting...

2009-11-20T16:37:00.001-08:00

Many mornings I wake up to the sound of phone conversations through Joey's monitor. Here is a quick clip (that I've had for a while and promised to put up a loooong time ago) of Joey talking to his uncle Rob ("Baba"). We had just gotten back from visiting Rob in L.A.

He has frequent phone conversations with Dada, Ziggy, Uncle Rob ("Baba"), and Nonnie and Papa. I think the imitation is hysterical, although I am not entirely sure where he sees it because I am rarely on my phone (anyone that calls me can attest to the fact that I NEVER answer my phone!) and Matt is usually in his studio @ work when he is on the phone. Either way I love to watch him talk on the phone. He is so serious about it and will go on sometimes even when we come in, as if he is in the middle of a real conversation that can't be interrupted!

Many Marvelous Months of Matthew

2009-11-20T15:42:00.001-08:00

I have officially been rebuked, begged, cajoled, ordered and pleaded with to write a post about our little Matthew. So of course, I will write at the sensible time of 1 week before he is 6 months old. I guess you have time when you have time right?

The pictures I'm attaching are all old too, but I'll try to download some new ones soon! Here are a few pictures of him enjoying his aunt Jessie and Daddy (as Daddy enjoys his beer).

At almost 6 months our little guy is:

*starting to get a little more average in size. He wears 6-9 or 6-12 mo. sleepers. 3-6 mo pants and 6-9 mo shirts. I think I remember from his 4 month appointment that he was about 69% for weight and 50-something% for height? I remember his head though.... 93%percentile. whew. Big-headed boys!

*rolling over from his stomach to his back but not back to stomach yet.

*working on sitting up. He is constantly trying to escape his swing and bouncy chair lifting up in a sit-up and then falling back crookedly. He seems to really want to get going!

*Sleeping predictably! (while Joey was a great sleeper it wasn't always at set times but Matthew is very predictable. Bed at 8 or so, eat at 10:30 or 11 (I wake him) eat at around 6 a.m. sleep until 10:00 or so. So bed from 8-10 waking to eat twice. I don't mind it. Sometimes if his morning feeding is late enough (after 6:30) I'll go straight to the gym or just get up.

*LOVING his brother. Matthew smiles just hearing the sound of Joey talking from another room. He loves when Joey gets right in his face and does all the baby talking and baby noises.

*a pacifier baby! He likes to have his pacifier and can be kept happy for up to an hour after waking before eating by being held and having a pacifier.

*napping 3 times a day

*a talker and a yeller! Especially in the morning he makes these loud loud yelling sounds kind of a cross between a crow and a laugh...which sometimes make him laugh.

*still swaddled! I'm not really sure what to do about that. He just sleeps so well still. I have to swaddle him in 2 blankets to keep him in but he depends on that pacifier so much (and will sometimes keep it in all night) that if his hands were free to rip it out, I think he'd keep himself awake. I know I have to wean him off the swaddle eventually, but it's not going to be before Christmas! :-)

*Still in our guest room! His crib is ready and waiting in Joey's room, but as long as he has that 6:00 feeding I just don't think I can put them in together. Joey doesn't wake up until 8 or 8:30 and I can't imagine Matthew waking him at 6... he'd NEVER go back to sleep.

*Still just nursing, but looking forward to starting on some rice cereal next week! Also still totally gummy-no sign of teeth yet.

*Almost bald! He has a teeny bit more hair than he did when he was born, but he's pretty much still a baldy.

*The most joyful baby EVER!

Matthew can easily make Matt or I smile in an instant. He is so happy, always so joyful. He smiles at anyone he can see and is so easy-going and sweet. He'll smile when he's starving or when his diaper is dirty. He'll smile and laugh when Matt or Joey or I laugh about something. We don't even have to be looking at him or near him. He truly loves just to be able to see us and hear us and I am constantly encouraged by his joyful spirit!

The rest of these pictures are seriously a few months old...but enjoy and I'll try to put up more soon!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-11T13:03:00.001-08:00

Not Me Monday!

2009-11-09T19:43:00.000-08:00

It's been so long since I've even participated in a Not Me Monday, because I am very nearly perfect, and haven't had anything that I thought worth mentioning :-) and definitely NOT because I always "write" the 'not-me's' in my head and never bother to write them somewhere where I can find them come Monday.

Because I am nearly perfect, I am definitely not writing this so late Monday evening that no one will even read it until Tuesday. I am blogging late because I had to put all of my kiddos to bed at small-child-appropriate-times, with a nutritious dinner in their bellies. It's late enough here that all of my children, of COURSE, are definitely in bed, and none are finishing up said dinner. no WAY!

If I did have a pokey eater finishing dinner I definitely wouldn't have used a piece of Halloween candy to "help" him get his food down. Now what kind of lesson would that be teaching, honestly!

Probably the same kind of lesson you'd be teaching if you didn't give him your full attention and instead decided to blog. Probably.

My 2 year old is in his p.j.s ready for bed and that of course, would be because, being the responsible parent that I am, I have prepared him to sleep and NOT because he wore his pj's all day today. I would never let my child do that! *gasp* If I were going to let him stay in pj's all day, I wouldn't bother taking off the bottoms to put overalls on for a trip to the store and then putting the pajama bottoms back on for naptime. If I were so LAZY, as to leave him in pajamas then I wouldn't change those old pajamas into new pajamas just before bedtime so he wouldn't have to sleep in the same thing that he wore all day (and slept in the night before). If that was icky enough to bother me, then I definitely wouldn't let him wear pajamas all day in the first place. I'm glad we straightened that out!

Since it is 7:55 p.m. here I am NOT drinking caffeinated coffee. Because that would be RIDICULOUS. I'm not drinking it because I nagged my husband yesterday to make more coffee and told him that he hadn't made enough and then when he very graciously DID make more today, completely slack off on my end of the drinking.

Ok, that's about it. Me and my highly caffeinated self are going to be folding about 13 loads of laundry tonight and then maybe the magic laundry elves will come and put it away for me. :-)

Here's hoping...

Funny? Perhaps...

2009-11-04T17:22:00.001-08:00

Our Beast.

I've stopped our growth graph (obviously-if you ever looked), but we did weigh Ziggy a few days ago and he was a whopping 75 lbs. Wow.

We really love him. Joey really loves him. Definitely like a brother though, he asks to say goodnight to Ziggy when it's convenient or will play with him when there are no better options, but mostly tells him "no" and does not want to share his toys with him. :-)

Mocha really loves him. They are definitely still best friends, as strange as that is.

Ziggy at times though is slightly exasperating. He is like a vacuum cleaner when we walk him, even if it is after a meal. He eats ANYTHING in his path, edible or not. You really can't do anything else when you walk him because you have to watch the ground SO carefully. We've seen him eat, rocks, paper, napkins, letters, sticks, grass, poop, boxes, any kind of toy, chair and table legs, towels, pillows, potted plants, not potted plants, rugs, cat food, our baby gates, and laundry.

Today he ate a book of matches on our kitchen table, knocked Matt's coffee all over our ottoman and floor, and ate someone else's letter. I was sorting through some mail and left a small pile of "Not at this address" on the floor and he ate one. Silly me for thinking that I could set a non-edible piece of paper on our floor for a few minutes. I guess "non-edible" is a matter of opinion.

I don't actually know what the letter was or who it was for anymore. It was too chewed. I feel bad, but I can't think of anything I could actually do about it.

We've upped his food but might have to do it again. Right now he eats 3 cups of food for breakfast and 2 for dinner and we are thinking that we'll add lunch back in. At one point we were giving him rawhides (which he can eat like popcorn) to relieve the urge to chew but he could go through like 4 or 5 a day! Which is bad. I know that now. It took a day with so much gas that I almost blogged about it, before I decided that dog-farting us into oblivion was probably not a good blog. Imagine your worst my friends....

So lots of rawhides=hard to digest=lots of gas

I have more morsels of important life information for you all... keep coming back....

So we got him some BIG BIG chewey, not- edible, not- swallowable, and not- destructible rubber chewing things to rotate. One of them is a tire. Seriously. He seems to be doing well with them but more hungry now. Maybe he was getting a meal's worth of rawhide and that's the issue.

Either way, that's our doggie update. I had to blog/write about it in some way. Can you call a friend to vent about your dog? You know when you are out with your little kids and someone looks at you and says something like "Wow, looks like you've got your hands full...." whenever someone says that, a picture of Ziggy flashes into my head. If they only knew! Gosh, we love him. All of us love him. I LOVE HIM, but BOY is he a handful!

I'm enjoying the smell of a nice candle now. I think I'll let it burn the rest of the night because I have no more matches, since someone ate them all.

Photo Dump: Berkeley Kite Festival

2009-11-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

I'm so far behind in blogging. Here's a recap of our Mid-September through now:

Joey turns 2, celebrate as family

Joey has birthday party, lotsa food

Matt runs 1/2 marathon, does GREAT!!

All 4 Oakland Beardsleys visit Uncle Rob in L.A. Do not see Brangelina :-(

Come home, Matt works ALOT

Host Baby shower for good friends, Matt finishes summer/fall wedding shooting, yea!!

Matt works more, lots of school, lots of business. Keep same netflix videos for 2 months and have no time to watch them.

Matt's parents come for visit. Eat, Drink, Be Merry, Get Spoiled. :-)

Baptize Matthew at Christ Church. love him!

Matt's parents depart, Matt's sister visits....

Matt's sister leaves to visit brother in L.A.

Go Trick or Treating with friends in Concord. Joey begs, signs "more" and is generally cute and gets ridiculous amount of candy. Mom and Dad select pieces that are no good for toddlers. Interestingly we find that more pieces are appropriate for Mommies and Daddies than Joeys. Mmmm.

(and now we are at today: Matt plays guitar at church, Membership class tonight, Jessie returns to our house tomorrow and 12-week 1/2 marathon schedule starts. GYM.)

There's been more I know, but it would be hard to insert it all. Just next to every line picture: *sweep floor, grocery shop, wash laundry, sweep floor, change diapers, sweep floor, fold laundry, wash diapers, sweep floor, walk giant dog/horse* I'm not even going to act like, clean bathrooms, dust or put away laundry is on that list ;-)

So here's an old photo dump from shortly after Matthew was born. Matt really enjoys kites and kite flying so we headed out to Berkeley for the annual kite flying festival. It was full of pretty cool demos, real competitive teams and gigantic kites. It was VERY windy, which made it seem kind of cold, but all-in-all it was pretty cool!

I wish I had better pictures because there were hundreds of kites, but most of them were pretty high up and like I said, it was REALLY windy.

Dear Dr. Uncle BoBo:

2009-10-15T19:21:00.000-07:00

What do hives look like?

love, Joey

P.S. Hi Baba HI!!!!

Trying...

2009-10-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

Goodness....

Matt and I just got back from a long weekend in L.A. It was great fun visiting with Matt's brother Rob, and Joey loved seeing his uncle! Since we've been back though, life has been slightly trying. Last night after having a grown up shower, Joey developed a rash (legs, arms and face) because of the soap. Mental note, child with sensitive skin cannot use normal soap.... Yesterday our basement also flooded. No serious problems, it just brings our attention to the fact that since the "rainy season" is beginning, we are going to have to work the pumps and be aware of the problem. (It's just a crawl space that floods, not the whole basement and certainly not areas where we have things, but it's still an issue and it stresses me out! I mean, you aren't supposed to have water under your house!!!)

We haven't unpacked, so there is a small mountain of stuff in our entryway. Honestly, why is it so easy to pack to go places and so terribly hard to unpack. Likewise for unloading the dishwasher and putting away laundry.

And we had a miscommunication with the neighbor who was watching Ziggy and Mocha that resulted in Ziggy missing out on a walk on Monday afternoon before we came home (late late late Monday night). He ended up in his crate for over......nevermind. It was a really really really long time. A really long time. Which for us....ehhhhhh, we love Ziggy but we love Rob more and we appreciate the flexibility in being able to visit. We simply could NEVER afford to board him so the fact that he missed out on 1 walk is very minor to us and we didn't have any hard feelings, but our neighbor felt TERRIBLE and came over with her MOM today to apologize with some kind of EXPENSIVE pastry from some shop and *sigh*. I feel awful that she feels so bad. I mean, it's really REALLY not a big deal. We love our dog but I like to think that we are realistic about him and he is a DOG. I just don't want her to feel so bad that she won't watch him again! It's truly invaluable to us!

Matt's computer had some kind of mutinous rebellion today that involved hours and hours of moving files around resulting in a work day that started about 45 minutes ago (at 6 p.m.) so it looks like after the boys are abed, tonight will be full of album designing for him and unpacking and laundry for me.

I'm debating giving Joey another bath tonight with just cool water to try and help the rash. I've had like 5 cups of coffee today to try to get up the motivation to put things away and get back to life, but by golly, I'm just not there yet.

Thanks! I just needed to whine about it for a minute.

My Little Pumpkin

2009-10-07T16:16:00.000-07:00

Last week Matt took Joey out for a little photo shoot for one of his classes. Joey had a little picnic:

And then spent some time looking cute with a pumpkin:

Give me happy....

Now pensive....
I need deeper, more thinking...
Now give me pouty....
How about just, cute?

13 Miles....No Problem!

2009-10-04T16:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm rushing to get this typed before it's time for church here, but I am excited to say that Matt raced in his first 1/2 marathon today!!! He finished strong, happy (a little tired), and 20 MINUTES before his estimated finishing time. (I guess he guessed conservatively :-) but it was his first so.....

There are some articles and pictures here: http://running.competitor.com/category/races although I have yet to find Matt in anything. He ran with a great friend of his from high school, Robert who flew here for a visit, and for the race with his sweet girlfriend, Meredith. Pictures to follow, but feel free to drop by facebook and give Matt your congratulations. He is totally pumped and pretty tired! :-)

We are SO proud of him and are hoping to make the next one a family affair (umm....if it is at least 4 months or more away :-)

Is it Still Today??

2009-10-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

Today is one of those days, where you just know, even in the morning hours that it is going to be a trying day. :-)

I had a dream last night, about a pot roast I was going to cook for dinner tonight. I think that has to be a sign that domesticity has beaten me down. I'm not dreaming about exploring the world, or even having old nightmares about not studying for a test or turning in an assignment, I'm dreaming about cooking pot roasts for dinner. *sigh*

This morning as I was changing Joey I asked him "what do you want for breakfast?" he said. "No."

*sigh*

I noticed that my favorite wind chime that I brought home from Chile (it makes the most beautiful sounds outside of my kitchen window) had been blown down when I found Ziggy chewing on pieces of it.

It's made of glass.

Glass, people, glass.

*sigh*

When I went down to pick up the pieces of my broken chime *sniffle* I saw Ziggy eat a doggie doodoo that was laying in the yard. *sigh* Can a dog be banished outside for grossness? What do you do then? Wash out his mouth? Try to remember not to let him lick you..... EVER AGAIN??

*sigh*

I think when everyone takes a nap, I might just go to bed and when I wake up, pretend it's tomorrow...

**Update** I had Matt read my "funny" post and he said.... "that's kinda sad." so I thought I should say that it was all in good humor. I'm pretty sure my windchime is glueable (um, except whatever Ziggy ate). I am told that in fact I am not making dinner because Matt has promised pizza to visiting friends, Joey enjoyed his breakfast and is playing with his toys, and Ziggy..... well the only thing different about today is that I actually saw him consume the poo.

:-)

Smiley McSmileson

2009-09-26T22:41:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we are having a party for Joey's 2nd birthday. His birthday was the 15th and we celebrated that day as a (small) family, but we are having a larger celebration today for friends and because Uncle Rob could visit from L.A. We have been having a great time. We just got back from a great dinner and time checking out a brewery in Mountain View. It was fun. And I have SO much to do before the party tomorrow. So much. And I really should get on it, but my littlest one is such a joy that I don't think I can bear to part with him now.

I know he's tired.

...And I'm tired.

It's been a looooong day! I have food to cook and streamers to hang and a cake to bake but there is this priceless little gummy boy grinning at me like I am the greatest thing in the world, and I honestly can't move from this spot (ok. I can move enough to write this blog but he is grinning at me while I do it!!!).

I think for now, we're just going to snuggle and then go to sleep. Because I know in a minute we will be having his 2nd birthday party and I will be struggling to remember what his toothless little smiles looked like. And right this minute... those smiles are just for me.

The cake is not made and there's fur on the floor

And come 1 p.m. friends will be at our door

But it's just not enough to put me to sleep

Because I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

New Pictures on FACEBOOK

2009-09-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

So I don't have a facebook account. I can't. I just can't. I'm way too addicted to blogging, and then checking other people's blogs.

Well, mostly just checking other people's blogs. Particularly when I should be doing something productive like (helping Matt with business items, putting away laundry, washing diapers, washing dog, washing children, sweeping my kitchen floor, washing myself, sweeping my kitchen floor 15 minutes after the last time I did it, etc...)

So I haven't had chance to download any of my recent pictures yet, but wanted to share some cute pictures of a recent trip to the beach that we took with Joey. So I'd like you all to "friend" (ohmygosh, is that right?) my husband, Matt Beardsley. Even you blogstalkers. Please friend him so that you can look at these pictures. Plus he'll get lots of invitations and wonder what the heck is going on. PLUS then I can spy on you when I am poking around on his facebook..... oops. I mean, then he can see what you and your family are up to! :-)

.....because I would never be so ridiculous as to not get my own facebook account, and instead use my husband's to check out people's pages. Def. NOT!!

Don't worry if you and Matt aren't great friends... He's probably heard me talk about you, and really, Matt is definitely the kind of guy that would be excited anyway, because he's just nice like that. Plus I'll tell him that I told you to. Go ahead. Go!! MATT BEARDSLEY. Here! Isn't he handsome?! :-)

Now you can see our great trip and all the fun we had with Joey at the beach!

If you're feeling really generous you can follow his photography page, which would be great encouragement for him, and then you can see how talented he is.

Thanks everyone!

Great Finds!

2009-09-22T17:38:00.000-07:00

Our neighbor a few streets over called us on Sunday to tell us that her neighbor was having a yard sale and had tons of little kid things (carseats, strollers, toys, books, etc.). Even though Joey didn't really need anything we dropped by to say thanks for the heads up, and of COURSE we found a few good deals! We got the:

Fisher-Price Classical Chorus (which is no longer available):

There are different settings to the music and Joey can "play" as much as he likes. It is also great for Matthew and can grow with him!

We also found a "quarry mine tunnel" for Joey's train tracks:

It's a part of the "Thomas" series, but fits in just fine with our train tracks and since we gave Joey a COOL TRAIN for his birthday, he is having such a fun time putting his new trains down through the tunnel!

Lastly we found a great push car...

This will be outgrown by Joey after a little while, but we hope that Matthew will enjoy it as much as he does!

And all of this for only $15!!! It was also nice to meet a new neighbor (who "has a TON of boy clothes if you want any!") Hope you can all visit and get a push in Joey's new car and build some train towns with him!

Photo Dump: Ski Trip!!!

2009-09-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of several blogs I follow I am working on "photo-dumping" from some events that I didn't have a chance to blog about. So enjoy some older pictures without too much explanation, while I try to enjoy this Matt-less Saturday :-(

As Matt would say... "Gotta make my paper..."

These pictures are from a great trip with the Beardsley family to Snowmass, Colorado to ski this past February. We had, at various times in the week, Matt's sister, Brother, Sister-in-law, and Mom and Dad, plus, Matt, myself, Joey and BBB#3(Matthew) still baking. It was a great trip and we had a fun time watching Joey enjoy the snow for the first-ish time. Best of all, it was a wonderful time with family!

Thanks for reliving the trip with us!!

And a Few More Pictures...

2009-09-08T20:44:00.001-07:00

These are all waaaay outdated, from Matthew's first week, but I had to post them anyway.... (that of course is why he is asleep in all of them though!)

3 Months of Matthew!!

2009-09-08T17:53:00.000-07:00

Technically our littlest Beardsley is not quite 3 months yet (just 1 more week) but it's close enough, and I definitely won't have time for a 3 month post because (among other things in our exciting life) we'll be planning and celebrating Joey's 2nd birthday!!

First some stats: At Matthew's 2 month appointment he was

13 lbs 12 oz (80% percentile)

24 1.4" long (80% percentile) and

16 1/2" for his head circumference ( 70% percentile)

It's been interesting having a baby that is so much bigger than Joey was at his age. I have pictures of Joey in an outfit at 10 months that Matthew can wear now! He is in mostly 3-6 month clothes, and cute as a button!

He smiles ALL the time and has started to laugh a little.

It took me forever to get those smiles on camera because he just stares at the camera in amazement and then when I try to catch his eye to make him smile he looks away from the camera. He LOVES to look at people though and will smile when he just sees someone come into view. He smiles lots at Joey who always comes to greet him whenever he sees him!

Here he is having his first bottle (way back during his first week).
A few other tidbits:
*He has a funny cowlick in the front, I think he definitely is going to have little boy hair straight from the beginning.
*He doesn't really mind his tummy time (Joey would scream like we were hurting him!)
*He goes to bed somewhere between 7 and 8 and sleeps until about 8 or 9 (usually waking once to eat at 4 or 5 a.m. and sometimes twice if I wake him to feed him before I go to bed).
*He is still swaddled
*He loves his playmat and small mirrors and will smile to himself while looking at his toys.
*He is a pretty light sleeper and we are really blessed to be able to put him in our guest room now while he still wakes to eat. I have this fear of finally combining both boys in one room and having them wake each other!
*He still sleeps most of the day eating every 3-4 hours and then playing/laying/swinging for about an hour before getting wrapped again to sleep. Right now he takes a loooong morning nap, and an average afternoon and evening nap.
*He and Joey wake up at about the same time in the morning...this is very much a blessing and a challenge :-)
*He is a mover and wrestles his way out of most swaddles, swaddling blankets, duct tape (oops, I mean...) that we use. I think he will move faster than his brother, but so goes it right??
*He also "talks" alot and makes lots of cooing sounds, something Joey didn't do too much either.

We are having so much fun with him!! Hope you enjoy the smiles!

To Train Up a...

2009-09-03T23:59:00.001-07:00

Don't miss my post below.... The "Zen" of Ziggy (soon to be followed by a post about Matthew!)

The Zen of Ziggy

2009-09-03T23:29:00.000-07:00

And weighing in at over 70 lbs..... my second youngest little boy (and most furry by far!)

ZIGGY!!

We are loving our sweet, dopey, (sometimes gentle), giant!! He is so much fun, especially for Joey, who loves "riding" him! He is a wagging tail destroying, slobering, farting (yes I did just say farting on my blog!) mess, and he's all ours. :-)
I know you all are just drooling with jealousy, or maybe that's someone else drooling...

Well he is still BFFs with Mocha, who plays with him less and less frequently as Ziggy gets bigger, but still shows up whenever he wants a good romp and really seems to enjoy getting chewed on, as sick as that sounds!
He's also generous enough to make time to play with Joey, even after being presented with a new toy! He can devour a new toy (down to chewing on the bare squeaker with fluff all over the floor) in a matter of days and really eats rawhides. I mean, really dedicatedly chews on rawhides until they are gone (takes about 15 minutes for 1). I grew up with little dogs who would chew on rawhides for a few minutes, maybe like twice and then you say "ewwww" and throw them away. (the gross rawhide, not the small dog)
He weighs more than all of our other little boys put together but is always up for a quick snuggle!
This one is just for comparison! Not too long ago though....
Man's best friend!

A throwback...I couldn't help it

Once faster than a speeding bullet, Ziggy is mostly just content to be with us, and is desperate to please!
He's only 7 months, and probably a good 30 - 45 lbs from his full grown size, and we are just loving every lb of him! I'm so thrilled that he's ours!

And if he wasn't the CUTEST puppy you've ever seen, well than.... I don't know!

A Pre-posting Tidbit

2009-08-30T15:57:00.001-07:00

Next in my "boys update" would be Ziggy, since at 7 months old, he is the next youngest little boy. Just to get you all geared up for that post...here's another clip of Ziggy and Joey. Really I just recorded it so I could always remember how cute Joey saying "Ziggy" is. It is one of the few words that Joey is content to say in his own way, and not to say perfectly. I love it. It will be a sad day when he can say "Ziggy" correctly!

(For you animal lovers out there, don't feel too bad for Ziggy... when we first got him we had to teach Joey pretty quickly how to say "NO!" and gently (or with all his might....) push Z out of the way, and it's still very necessary. For the most part Joey is very considerate of Ziggy, overlooking the times when he gullumphs over his toys or through whatever he is playing with. He rarely mistreats him, and honestly, the times that he does, we chalk it up to a necessity of training a tolerant dog!)

Just for Fun

2009-08-26T00:06:00.000-07:00

Here is Joey playing with his new sand and water table, a (Happy New Baby and we are visiting :-) present from his grandparents. He loves it, and we love that he finally has something to DO on our deck! And Ziggy.....well..... he just loves that there is something else to drink from!

(Excuse the little bib, Joey had just been eating a peach (which Ziggy finished off later when I wasn't looking))

There's No Place Like Home

2009-08-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while you stumble across something in the blogsphere that is just downright inspiring...

Some of my friends know, that I am strongly hoping to homeschool my kiddos, for a little while. Matt supports the idea although we have yet to decide for how long. I also feel strongly that I would like them to attend public school or well, at least school outside of the home, be it charter, public, private, etc. The area we live in at the time will probably largely influence that decision also.

Be that (all) as it may, I have kept all (ALL!) of my materials from teaching and am eagerly awaiting the time I can unpack it and settle and pour down wisdom on my offspring. :-) Or, at least, pour down something...

Anyway, the teacher/home organizer/person who strongly wishes that her house was cleaner and more organized than she has it (pretty much all the time) stumbled across this website today. Take a look at the Learningspace Tour: Wildflowers and Marbles. Especially if you have a moment to watch the slideshow, and especially if your name is Cristen, Kim, Naomi, Sarah, Lisi or Susi. Try not to drool ladies...

Laughter

2009-08-25T00:06:00.001-07:00

One more for my baby...

Thrice Named

2009-08-24T16:54:00.000-07:00

Hey you! yeah you! Did you read this post yet?? Have you seen these photos?? Well read all about me and the exciting life I live in this post!! (And if you want to leave me a message saying how cute I am, I won't try to stop you!)

Originally, I was going to call this post "My Three Sons" and update on Joey, Matthew, and Ziggy (get it?? Puppy, kind of like a little person...? 3 sons....?) But then I had way too much to say and too many pictures. Then Matt needed to use the laptop for a while so I quick added all of the pictures that I wanted to use to the post and then blogger wouldn't save it as a draft, forcing me to publish said post completely unfinished so Matt could take the computer, Hence the second name: "Why I sometimes hate blogger."

Now I am going to try to use those images and concoct an actual post that makes sense with them. 3 actual posts in fact, although this post is a Joey update since he is 23 months, hasn't had an update in FOREVER, and is about to turn 2. Sad, since this post should have a cool name like 23 Months and Counting... or, BBB#1: All Grown Up; instead I bring you the post that has been...

Thrice Named.

Here we are, one year ago. I checked back through my archives and found that with moving I didn't do a 1 year post for Joey! Instead I did a 13 month one. My how we are a'changin! Joey wasn't walking yet, not really talking much and an only child, the sole recipient of his parents' affections!
Now he is happily sharing life with his brother! He seems (and has since the very beginning) very unconcerned over our attentions being shared with Matthew. When Matt or I go to feed him, change him, hold him, etc, Joey doesn't seem to mind at all. I'd like to think that's because he is an easy-going little dude (which is true) but I think it's just that he doesn't really think of the baby as a threat since he doesn't move or talk. Last week we had lunch with some friends and I was holding their 10 month old and Joey pitched a ROYAL FIT, he was in great spirits otherwise. I think me holding something that was playing with toys, crawling around and semi-talking was just too much for him. With Matthew though he is wonderful. He is very concerned that Matthew has his pacifier and will retrieve it, and put it in if need be. He pets him and kisses him and we never have to remind him to be gentle.
He helps us to keep him safely buckled in!
And can even give him sweet kisses!
Ok, enough baby talk in this Josiah post!!
Speaking of talk...Joey is talking more and testing out some new words:
Today he tried on "hippo" for size and yesterday it was "peach". Sounds silly but getting this little guy to try out a new word is harder than getting a toddler to eat spicy food! Since his pediatrician wants him to have about 50 words by the time he is 2, I started counting. As of today he has about 38 give or take a few. That includes the old standbys like: Mama, dada, juice, bye-bye, etc. (isn't "juice" that important at your house?) That also includes words like please and thank you, that he doesn't say, he just signs.

Play, play and more play:
Joey still loves his trains and can make his own tracks and play with them for an hour or more by himself! He calls them "choo-choo's" which sounds like "poo poo" when he says it, so we never really know if he just went poo poo, is going poo poo, heard a choo choo, or wants to play with choo choo's. We live on the edge around here! Beardsleys in Action, it's no lie!

Joey loves hanging out with Daddy...
And learning new things like how to sort his colors...
...and how to carry his weight around here by helping with yard work.
He likes to be funny and to make us laugh...
And loves to look at books and "read", and also play with his blocks.
He still works hard at his buckles...
And enjoys the occasional treat...
(With this picture Matt asked me a few seconds before: "Did you give Joey something with chocolate??" How a child makes that much mess with 1 chocolate chip is amazing. I guess when something tastes that good it's hard not to take a suck, and then pull it out to get a look..... repeatedly.)

Joey is still super-friendly and outgoing. He goes off to the church or gym nursery without any reservations and is excited and affectionate when we go to pick him up. He has no fear of strangers (a little nerve-wracking for us but...) and is great with new people and other kids. Our church nursery has been great for him and there are 4 other kids all within 3 weeks of his age! He is attentive to correction and discipline and quick to forgive and move on. Although he doesn't say much he seems to understand when we explain things to him and is quick to say "yes ma'am" (yea, mama) and "yes sir" (yea dada) unprompted.
Joey is pretty good with his eating now, and eats everything that we eat, unless it is very spicy. Occasionally we have meals where he just stops chewing (which is an awful battle!) but those are getting to be fewer and far between. He usually sleeps about 13 hours a night with a between 2 and 3 hour nap during the day. He's also pretty mellow and patient about waking up, and I often will give him juice and a few books and leave him in his crib for another 30 minutes after his nap if I am in the middle of feeding the baby, or starting dinner.... because I'm all domestic at 4:00 in the afternoon! I'm pretty sure he'd stay in there if I wanted to blog too, or something like that, not that I ever would leave him in his crib so I could blog. Ah-hem

My little boy is quickly growing up! When I ask him where the baby is, he always points to his brother and if I want him to point to himself I have to ask him "where is my big boy?". Big smile. Points to self. Potty training will be in another update post because there isn't anything to type! He is so not there yet! He'll sit smiling on the potty for a minute or two before a bath, then eat a chocolate chip and immediately get in the tub and pee (warm water). I could bribe him with the whole bag, and he wouldn't understand. He's just not ready yet, which is fine with Matt and I. We just got the fur-baby trained and honestly, with a new baby, I'm going to have to really gear myself up for running to a potty when he says "Hafta pee pee." We are happy to wait!

Well I'm sure there will be an addendum or two to follow, but there's our Josiah for now. We're loving every ounce of him and hoping that we find out in his 2 year appointment that there are many more ounces to love!

The Importance of Sleep; (or) The Terrible Two(s); (or) The Nasty Summer Cold

2009-08-20T11:19:00.000-07:00

I'm working on an update post now for the boys, but until then, a (funny??) story to tell you all about.

We were gone this weekend on a retreat with our church. A mommy friend told me that the kids always come home from these things sick. *Laurie laughs*

It's TRUE!!

So we came home and Joey started with his runny nose/sneezing and congestion the next day. He's been somewhat of a disciplinary challenge since then....Frequent temper tantrums.....real ones where he throws himself on the floor, throws toys, hits whoever is near him and then sobs with all of his dismay running down his cheeks (and out of his nose) all the while sneezing and wheezing and generally sounding miserable. It hasn't been a pretty picture folks!

Anyway, last night he went to bed at 7:30, and dropped asleep. Probably was asleep before he hit the mattress, and woke up at about 8:30 this morning. No lack of sleep here, but in the midst of playing in his room this morning starts to scream about something (not hurt) and throw a fit in his room. The baby was sleeping down the hall so I told him he had to stop crying or I would shut the door. Finally I ended up shutting the door, with him inside loose with all of his toys. Toys! Freedom!! No supervision!!

Apparently no one taught this child about the lure of unsupervised play yet. He proceeds to throw himself on the floor and SCREAM like he is aiming for a sore throat. After a minute or two I decided if he was that distraught the best thing would be to put him in his crib. I went in and told him that if he was that upset and angry, he probably needed a nap. He trotted over to his crib. No lie.

I put him in (about 20 minutes ago) and haven't heard a word since. So, the best I figure, either:

**He is battling this cold and needs lots of extra sleep. (or)
**He can throw a WICKED tantrum now that he is getting older and just plum wore himself out (or)
**He doesn't realize that room with toys and books = more fun than, room with toys and books out of reach while you are in your crib (or)
**He has secretly been tunneling out of his bedroom and saw this as a good opportunity to make a break for it. (Think Tim Robbins in Shawshank Redemption).

I may have lost an afternoon nap here, and I'm not sure who really won this battle, but all I know is, I have a few minutes to shower in peace!

My Three Sons: Newly Titled, Why I Sometimes Hate Blogger

2009-08-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

Blah!! Blogger and I are not getting along right now!

This post is actually 3 posts but blogger and I are having a disagreement right now about downloading pictures and saving drafts etc. If you have the patience to wait a few hours and come back to check in, I'll make it worth your while, and if you can't, well then I guess you can scroll down and look at a WHOLELOTTAPICTURES.

kkkkk

Josiah and Matthew are almost exactly 21 months apart, they are only separated by a day. For the sake of ease, unless there's alot to post, I think I am going to try to do their updates together for a while. Hopefully this will help me to write them also, because I haven't done a Joey update in forever and I've NEVER even talked about life with Matthew.

No More Bumps: The Birth of Matthew Aaron (Part Three)

2009-08-10T23:35:00.000-07:00

I bet you all thought I was finished! Gotcha!! Well, I saved the most important parts for last...

Sunday the two boys and I trooped off to church by ourselves as Matt wasn't flying in until late in the evening. I took the stroller to make it easier so I could push the baby and when we got to the stairs, a friend helped me by holding Joey's hand as he walked up. She commented as we were going that Joey was so much more tentative than her own son, several months Joey's junior.

He is tentative, he likes to know that he can do something before he even tries. He won't say words that he isn't sure he can say. He moves very deliberately and always has. He is a cautious child. I know this will serve him as both a blessing and a curse. He might have the maturity to think something through before plunging in, and be more careful than some of his peers. He also may be too tentative to try things that are good for him, things that he might succeed at or mistakes that could be made and learned from.

At church our lesson was on our callings and the life of Moses. The Gospel reading was from Exodus and inspired me to finally wrap up the story of Matthew's birth. Therefore the story of his name gets the final (and hopefully most exciting) telling. Matt had said long before we knew he was a boy that he might like to have a son named after him. He didn't want to name his first son Matthew because then people would definitely be inclined to "Jr." him and Matt really didn't want that.

Matthew means "gift of God" and he truly has been. He and his daddy are both tremendous gifts for me!! We settled quite easily on Aaron. Really, if Matt had not wanted a son named after him, Matthew's first name might well be Aaron, you see Aaron is the name of Matt's best friend. The name means mountain, (or sometimes lofty, exalted or mountain of strength). Our Aaron truly embodies all of those qualities. He cares for Matt as a brother and loves him dearly. He is definitely a pillar of strength and I can think of no other person for whom I would rather have my second son named for. You see, in the Bible Aaron was called by the Lord to be a helper for his brother and together they obeyed God's commands to deliver the tribe of Israel from Egypt.

Aaron's story in my retelling would be loooong. I am way too wordy, SO instead I will encourage you to refresh your memory by starting in Exodus, Chapter 3. It is here where Moses first speaks with God who appears to him in the burning bush and calls him to speak to the people of Israel and deliver God's message. For the rest of Chapter 3 and half of Chapter 4 Moses argues with God. "How will the people know it is You who have sent me?" "What will I tell them You are called?" "What if they will not believe me?" Moses is tentative. Moses is fearful. God is reassuring, answering all of his questions until finally: "...the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, 'Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do." Exodus 4:14,15

Since we are not prepared to name a child Jesus, we are left with the names of many great people who alas, are imperfect, to pass on to our children Josiah was a great king who led Judah to many reforms and brought His people back into obedience of God's laws. But his fathers before him did what was "evil in the sight of the Lord" (2 Kings 21:2) and "committed abominations" (2 Kings 21:10). In fact it wasn't until Josiah's 18th year of rule that it was discovered that his grandfather had concealed God's Book of the Law for kings and when discovered Josiah tore his clothes in grief over "the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book..." (2 Kings 22:13b).

Aaron was called by God to be Moses' helper and immediately went out to meet him and followed God's will in helping Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt. But, even after he heard God's own voice speaking to the people he fell into temptation and built the Israelites their golden calf , leading to God's wrath and the death of many of his followers.

Both men were great servants of God, but flawed nonetheless. It is our prayer for our sons that they will embody these men. Since this post is about the naming of Matthew in particular it is our strong hope that he will become a helper to his sometimes timid brother. We pray that his ears will be open to hearing God's call for him and that when he loses his way and fails to trust in God, that he will be able to humbly ask for forgiveness and to continue to grow in his relationship with the Lord. I hope that every mistake and misstep he will make will teach him more about the grace and love of Christ.

I also hope that he comes to embody these two great men that he was named for. I hope that he has Matt's patience, generosity and dedication; and Aaron's love, gentleness and adventurous spirit. I can't think of a better name for our second little boy. He is definitely our gift from God!

Aaron, we can't wait to introduce you and your beautiful wife to little Matthew!! We miss you guys so much!