Henry Update:: 2 1/2 Years Old

Today this guy turns 2 1/2. He's still as busy as ever; but now he's talking! Really talking. The past 6 months have gone from phrases that were understandable about 50 percent of the time to full on sentences..... that are understandable about 50 percent of the time! Ha! Okay, maybe a little more than 50 percent.

He loves trains, still. Even more I think. Especially Thomas and Diesel 10.

He equally loves Mickey Mouse. He's been watching the Mickey Mouse Halloween special about once a day since October. He calls it Malloween.

He's so happy. Always laughing. Though in the same minute he can be in the depths of despair crying crocodile tears. I love my passionate little guy.

He loves hotdogs, chocolate milk ("coco milk"), cheese sticks, "hazza" (aka pizza) and strawberries ("babas"). He loves horsie back rides, dancing, going "bye-bye", going to the grandparent's house (both sets), painting with water colors, coloring, and putting little things inside of other things.

He loves, loves Dee Dee (Lily). She loves her "little baby". These two are besties right now and I absolutely love it. One of their favorite things to do is sit on the heater together in the morning with their blankets. Oh, and his blanket........ this little square of blue fabric..........he can't go to bed without his "kies". He's like Linus.

He's always got a mischievious smile on his face. He's always up to something (or into something); but it is never a dull moment around here. And I kinda like it that way.

Some of the things we love to hear him say right now...............

Whose that, whose that? (What's that?)

Where's Daddy at? (or Dee Dee or JJ )

JJ (Jackson), quiet!!!!

Sowwy, mom! (Followed by a kiss.) He's a good little kisser!!!

I've Got Plenty To Be Thankful For

I wasn't going to blog today. It's a holiday after all. 

After reading a few blog posts today, though, I was inspired. I was inspired to look a little deeper and really search my heart to what has truly made me more grateful this year.  Maybe think of the not so obvious. So here goes.....

1. I'm thankful for my dog, Jackson. He's 11. He's a rascal. We can't let him in the house anymore when we eat because he's a blatant food thief. He doesn't get along well with any other dog. He's constantly under my feet. And I just love my little old man of a dog. He's really quite a beautiful dog. He's super smart, too. A pest at times; but he's my loyal sidekick. I know he won't be with us forever. I'm just about ready to cry as I type this. He was my first love (besides Andy, of course). He's given us so many funny memories of his naughty antics. My kids call him JJ. He's a nut job; but he's my nut job.

2. I'm thankful for friendships renewed. I reconnected with college girlfriends this summer. For four days in Pennsylvania, we stayed in a bed and breakfast together. It was a renovated farm house in Amish country. It was gorgeous. I hadn't seen many of them in 13 years!!! We picked up right where we left off. Those girls know me in a way that no one else does. I love them with all my heart. They are part of the reason I am who I am today. That was such an unexpected gift. I am truly grateful for that experience.

3. Facebook. Ughhh!!!! Facebook really annoys me sometimes. There is a lot of oversharing that gets under my skin. But............... I love posting random funny things about my kids. I love seeing pictures of my friends and their kids, especially those who live far away. I like, in some way, being a part of loved one's lives when we just live too far away from each other. I can't call every childhood or college friend or a friend who has moved away on the phone each week. That would be impossible. Facebook does let you keep up with them. I just think we need to pick up the phone, too.


4. I'm thankful for loud children. There is a lot of screaming in my house. I'd say 50/50 happy/frustrated. But to me, the screaming (when it's happy) means there is joy running around my house with it's pants off. When it's not so happy, it just means we are living life. My house is full of life, happiness, tears, giggles, messes, silliness, biting (this is the new development), chaos, sweet tender moments. I love it all. It makes us, us. I wouldn't change it for the world. Though a day of pure silence would be nice!

5. I am so thankful that both our parents are a) alive  b) married (one for 40 years, the other 38) c) live in town (Andy's live 2 blocks away) d) are strong Christians who have passed down the legacy of the Gospel to us, their kids. Who are imparting this wisdom and truth to their grand kids. Greatest gift ever. 


6. My sister, Patricia, is my prayer warrior. I know my mom, my dad, my in-laws and friends pray for me as well. My sister, though, should be wearing armor. That girl knows how to get on her knees. I love her "impossible prayers" because God is a God of impossible prayers. She lives too far away.


7. My husband, my daughter, my son. They are my life. I'd do anything for them. They love me unconditionally. They make my heart beat. Words can't describe the depth of my love. They made me the parts of me I love best, a wife, a mother. Besides my worth in Christ, they pretty much make me who I am.

8. My identity in Christ. That truly makes me who I am. I can't separate being a Christian from being Jen, the mom, the wife, the teacher, whatever. My faith is not a religion or thing I do. It defines me. It's my reason for walking on this earth, breathing each breath. With out Christ and his salvation, this life would be it for me. There would be nothing beyond that. I'd have no real purpose, no real joy, no real hope. Whatever I do, whether it's cleaning the dishes, writing a post for my blog, raising my kids, loving my husband, it all comes back to who I am in Christ. He's my Heavenly Father. He loves me more than I can comprehend. He has a purpose for me being here on this earth. Each day for all my days. It's not always the same. He shows me His will for the different parts of my life. One purpose never changes, though, and this is to give Him glory. To praise Him. To worship Him.

9. I am also so thankful that God doesn't give me what I want all the time. I don't know what's good for me most of the time. He does, though.


10.  And to end this on a funny note because hey, why not? I'm thankful that I'm almost 40! Ouch! Typing that actually hurt. Why?? Well besides knowing I will have a party that is off the hook (Yup, I just said that.), I'm a bit relieved. I used to think 40 was so old. Pashaw! I feel like spring chicken! Ok, most days I feel like someone should push me around in a wheel chair. But really, there is so much more I want to do in life. Places I want to go, memories I want to make, things I want to accomplish. I feel like I'm just starting. 


There is so more to be thankful for. This has been a good place to start.

A Thankful Heart:: In Pictures No.1

A Thankful Heart In Pictures:: Andy, my kids, coffee and pumpkins. In that order.

We are a week into November already! Where has Autumn gone?

I'm just taking some time this week to sit and meditate on all I have to be thankful about, joyful in, excited about, content with.....................................................

1. 

Andy, my kids, coffee and pumpkins. In that order.

 

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

Fall is My Happy Place

Day #18 Finding Joy in the Little Things::  Fall

Wow, I really slacked on this 31 Day Challenge!

Honestly, we've been doing a lot of family stuff lately and I haven't been spending too much time in front of the computer. I think this is a good thing, though. So, instead of trying to make up for days I've missed I'm just going to jump right in to the day the challenge is on.

I love, love fall. There is something about October and pumpkins and chilly mornings. Oh, and the color orange. We've already done a several fun fall things as a family including my very favorite fall activity, going to the Pumpkin Patch. We've actually been twice. Hoping to go at least one more time.

My simple joy in going to the pumpkin patch is finding the perfect pumpkin. Which of course I take way too seriously. This year, though, the pumpkin I wanted was over $20!

What????

I know.

And as much as I love picking my pumpkin at the patch, I just couldn't pay $20 when we had grown some lovely little pumpkins of our own in our back yard.

So I opted for these adorable white pumpkins instead.

They are just pumpkins; but they make me so happy. It's a little joke in our house about how much I love them.

What's your one fall activity you and your family must do??

Perfect Potato Soup

Day #4 Finding Joy in the Little Things:: Perfect Potato Soup

It's just a little thing really. Dinner. We eat it every day.

Sometimes it's a score. Sometimes it's a major fail. Usually it's just "fine". Nothing to sing about or post on Facebook.

But sometimes making the perfect meal (that didn't require days of prep, hours in the kitchen or a special trip to a fancy grocery store), well it's just perfect.

It all started when I happened to be browsing on Rhee Drummond's blog, The Pioneer Woman. Really, I don't why I don't use her recipes more often. Every one I make is delicious.

I had just made a potato soup in the crock pot that was "Meh."

As I scrolled through the directions and looked at the pictures I literally began to drool.

Just at that moment my 5 year old, who was supposed to be fast asleep came padding down the hallway. Instead of scolding her (gently) for being out of bed, I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed tight.

"I am SO going to make this soup. It's going to be amazing!"

"You're hurting me, mom."

"You're supposed to be in bed. Don't complain. And I'm so happy I found this recipe. I just have to squeeze you!"

Did all the hooplah live up to well, the hooplah?

You Betcha. It was Uh-Maz-Ing.

It was just dinner. Just a little thing. Sometimes, it's just the little things.

Try out a new recipe this month. Nothing fancy just new and cozy-like. It is October after all. Bless your family with it.

Here's the recipe. Perfect Potato Soup. I had the left overs tonight and it was just as good.

A Small White Lamp

Day #3 Finding Joy in the Little Things:: A Small White Lamp

I have a thing about lamps in the kitchen. I love them. I think they look so cozy.

So the other day I walked past our kitchen counter and saw this small, silver lamp with a simple, plain, white shade sitting there, ever so innocently.

For a moment I thought the Hubs was letting his inner designer diva out. I was about to be impresssed.

"Where did that come from?"

"I'm selling it on Craigslist."

To whom and for how much?"

"A lady. For 10 bucks."

Someone had given us the lamp and Andy was going to make a little cashola off it.

This little gem was an Autumn miracle I tell you! We had recently taken out the fall decorations. I was carefully beginning to place my beloved fall items around the house.

This was going to do very nicely......yes, very nicely indeed.

"Do you want to keep it? It was only 10 bucks."

"Yes, and move it just a tad over. Perfect."

Perfect. Cozy. Small. Simple.

Pick just one thing to add to your house to give it that cozy feel. Something small; Something simple. It could make all the difference.

A Little Note

Day #2 Finding Joy in the Little Things:: A Little Note

* Sidenote: This is the 6^th day of October and I should be on my 6^th day of my 31 days of writing challenge. I am not, though. I'm hoping this week goes better as far as being consistent. If you    want to read my first post about the 31 Days Challenge click here.

Sometimes your husband needs to know he's a hero.

If you don't have one (and maybe don't want one!), it could just be someone in your life that is special to you. That has inspired you. Helped you. Or has just been there for you.

That someone was my husband. He started a new job last week. The night before his first day, I wrote him a letter. The letter just let him know how proud I was of him and how much I appreciated him.

Nothing fancy. Just handwritten on blank, white paper.

He's not my hero just because he got this job. Though, he's worked towards this job for years. It hasn't been easy to come by. There were many bumps and detours along the road that led him to where he is now. He never gave up. He never wavered. He persevered. Yup, I'm just a wee bit proud!

He's my hero for so many more reasons. That's what I wrote about to him.

Does someone you care for need to know how special they are to you? That they've made a difference in your life? That they are your hero?

It doesn't need to be expressed in skywriting or rhyming couplets. Just a simple little note will do.

31 Days: I'm Taking the Challenge

Day #1:: The Why

I'm taking the challenge of linking up with The Nester and writing for 31 days straight! Even though I got started a few days late, I'm determined to do it.

Why take this challenge?

I'd love to be more disciplined as a writer. So feeling the pressure to write for 31 days straight may be really good for me.

Why choose joy as my topic to write about for 31 days (minus a few)?

To be honest. It's something I struggle with and it's something God has been really been teaching me a lot about lately. So I thought writing about it would be perfect for me and hopefully anyone who happens to read my posts.


To be a little more specific, I'm challenging myself to find joy in the little things in my life and to bring joy through the little things to other people's lives. I'm pretty excited to take this challenge. I'm hoping I'll be consistent about posting everyday, despite my very tardy beginning.

If you'd like to read all my 31 Days Challenge posts, click below. I'll be adding them to the list as I write them.

Day #2::  A Little Note 
Day #3::  A Small White Lamp 
Day #4:: Perfect Potato Soup 
Day #18:: Fall

Our Summer Bucket List....Bauer Style

Ahhhh, sweet summer! Where did you go? It's kinda silly, really. We started school on August 19th and we still have a month left of summer. We say that summer break is over and the school year begins.

But people, summer is far from over! The days are still warm and we are still up late.  So, I don't feel foolish one bit to share our Family's Summer Bucket List at the "end" of summer. I know we won't finish all the things that are on it; but we still have a few more weeks to squeeze a couple of things in.

I got this idea from one of the million blogs I read. I don't remember which one.

Family Summer Bucket List

 Frozen Yogurt         

 Family Camp: Pretty much the best week of our summer.

Beach    Beach   Beach: I guess we need to make one more trip!!

Ride Bike to the Park     

Take Swimming Lessons: Still can't swim; but now she will put her head under water!
VBX : It was her first year and she loved it.
Watch a Sunrise: This was a Lily idea for sure.
Have a Family Game Night
Go to Howarth Park and Ride the Ponies: We are doing this one really soon.
Lemonade Stand
Movie
Camping
Fishing
Fly a Kite: It was her very first kite, too.
Roll in the Grass: Doesn't everyone roll in the grass during the summer???
Go out for Icecream
Go on a Hike
Go to San Francisco
Charlie Brown Museum: I think this may end up being a fall field trip
Go to Fort Ross
Go to the San Francisco Zoo: Another fall field trip I think.
Day Camp 

Some of these were all Lily's ideas and some were things that the hubs and I wanted to do as a family. I do have to say that having a list up as a reminder helped us to be a little more thoughtful about getting out and doing things this summer.

So here's to a few more weeks of summer!!
 

 

In Which I Step Back Into the Classroom, Wearing a Jumper and Wooden Schoolbus Necklace

No, not really. But I did put on my teacher hat again this week. I reprised my role as elementary teacher this past Monday, only this time I was a Kindergarten teacher. I've never been one of those before.

And in case you are wondering, I just wore shorts, flip flops and a short sleeved top. On the other hand, this little cutie got dressed to the nines. She was so stinkin' cute.

Looking back at the week, I had to say it was good. Honestly, it wasn't what I expected because I just didn't now what to expect. Lily seemed to love it and any fears I had of her asking about  regular school and not seeming to like homeschooling are gone.

Obviously, it is so different from the classroom. For someone who taught in a classroom for 12 years, this  homeschooling gig will take a little for me to get used to. I still struggle with the doubt that somehow she's missing out on something. But I know God has called me to do this. I know that finding the balance between teaching, laundry and occupying a 2 year old will be no small feat. But I know that the opportunity to spend this time with Lily and see her grow and learn will be worth it. I know that the time our family will get to spend together despite Andy's crazy work schedule will be a blessing.

Yesterday, when I asked Lily what her favorite part of the first week of school was she said, "My teacher's smiling face." If you know my daughter at all, you will crack up at that. It totally sounds like something she would say. She is very sincere and genuine..... and a bit of a drama queen. It did make me smile.

Here's some pics of Lily's first day of Kindergarten. And yes, we went out for yogurt to celebrate the first day of school BEFORE we had lunch.

 Special First Day of Kindergarten Sprinkled Pancakes

 Our Special School "Desk" Aka: the kitchen table

 How cute is this?

 Special First Day Snack. I had way too much fun making this!

 A First Day Art Project

Henry got a special first day snack too. Can't leave this guy out the fun.

Yogurt Time

 Love this.....

 and this......

The End

Lucky 13!

As of today, I've been married for 13 years! Want a quick trip down memory lane? I thought so.
(There should be pictures for each year starting with right before we got married. But, sadly, I have no pictures on our computer from 2001. We hadn't yet bought our digital camera.)

* Yes, I know this isn't my anniversary. The computer, though, was being a big pill on my anniversary and wouldn't load the pictures. I could go on and on about how angry I got and almost threw the computer out the window; but then I would just sound insane........

This is for you, Andy. I love you.

1999/2000

Yup, I'm wearing overalls. Bold, I know. I loved those overalls!

2002

2003

2004 

Ahh..... the year I forgot to put the guard on the razor and shaved a nice diagonal  4 inch strip down the back of Andy's head 2 weeks before his sister's wedding!! Notice the super short hair. Ha! ha!

2005

Dressing up like two of our best friends for Halloween......best costumes ever!

2006

2007

One more pic for 2007. It's just that my midsection changed drastically in a matter of about 5 months.

2008
And then life got even sweeter. Lily Grace joined us. Now we had a little family!

2009

2010

2011
Then came "The Hurricane" as we like to call him here at home. Small but fiesty, he rounded out the Bauer Bunch.

2012
I couldn't ask for a better husband, better family, better life.

2013
It's never a dull moment around here and that's just the way I like it. Andy, thank you for 13 wonderful years! Aren't you glad I asked you out first????