Good Evening: And Good Night

Tegegne, Spring 2010

Good evening. There are many signs of spring here in the midwest, and we are so grateful. Folks are getting reacquainted with their neighbors and the grass is nearly all green. I'm wishing for a garden so badly, but then I remember that I've tried that before and I did not put forth the effort to make those poor plants grow. We do have a great farmers market a few blocks away. 


Things are well with the Joneses. Spring break for Michael next week and we are looking forward to a retreat to Big Sky with dear friends. Fishing, bon fires, reading, frisbee, and relaxation. We will hold down the fort while Grandpa Ben and Gramma Debby are in the Big Apple. 


I asked Tegegne if he thinks this baby in route is a boy or girl. Tonight he thought boy. I asked him if he still wanted to adopt, or just have 3...because 3 is plenty, right? He says for sure adopt. A boy and a girl and he wants to have bunk beds! Michael and I are thinking that if this baby is a girl, then we will adopt a boy between Hensley and Tegegne's ages. Someone for Tegegne to really wrestle with, because Hensley is only in the mood for that 1/3 of the time. We will find out the sex of our baby soon enough!


I go to the doctor for my 12 week check up Wednesday. This pregnancy has been pretty similar to my last one, aka, not a walk in the park. Not unbearable either. The nausea is lessening, and I do have energy during the day. I look forward feeling this growing baby's movements. And then I remember that we must name this baby, but where will I look for inspiration because we rarely go to movies and I used to write down so many names when the credits would roll! Neither of our kids were named via movie credits, but still. 


Michael and I have really enjoyed our small group. Last night we sat for 2 hours and had an informal marriage counseling session. A good discussion that spurred after reading this article found via A Cup of Jo's Articles Club. 


Well, good night.


Kristyn


P.S. Turn down the sound b/c it's a windy video, but look at that little guy run!

Flexibility: A Virtue

The Virtue of Flexibility 

Trees look strong compared with the wild reeds in the field.  But when the storm comes the trees are uprooted, whereas the wild reeds, while moved back and forth by the wind, remain rooted and are standing up again when the storm has calmed down.

Flexibility is a great virtue.  When we cling to our own positions and are not willing to let our hearts be moved back and forth a little by the ideas or actions of others, we may easily be broken.   Being like wild reeds does not mean being wishy-washy.  It means moving a little with the winds of the time while remaining solidly anchored in the ground.   A humorless, intense, opinionated rigidity about current issues might cause these issues to break our spirits and make us bitter people.  Let's be flexible while being deeply rooted.

 

Daydream Friday: Getaways, Backyards, and Rooms

Floating House, Lake Huron

Floating House, Lake Huron

Montorosso Beach, Cinque Terre, Italy

The Sea Cave in Southern California!

Hanging trampoline tee pee cozy bed place!

Papafragas, Milos, Greece

Backyard party.

Romantic getaway!

Beautifully painted room!

It's Friday! Hooray! As you can tell, I wish I was packing four bags for a week at the beach. Instead I'm daydreaming about that aqua blue water and warm white sand in our toes. And I'm thinking that we should get brown sunscreen for Tegegne, because the thick white stuff takes forever to rub in...and then I'm picturing Michael teaching Tegegne how to boogie board, and I'm watching that little bottomed bikini on Hensley while she tries to run from the waves!  Okay Kristyn...snap back to reality, start to plan a vacation, and keep on task...purging winter clothes and pulling out spring/summer...and go get the kids some sandals!

With love and daydreams,

Kristyn

via My Homes, Rooms, Getaways, Italy Pinterest, Bri's Favorite Places and Spaces, The Selby, and Joanna's Places.

Tegegne: Spring Break

Tegegne is spending the first half of his spring break with Gramma and Grandpa. This means he is playing hard, eating well, and enjoying himself on the land. Yesterday he called while in the haystack and said he was going to stay there all day! Grandpa Ben has a huge farm equipment sale, and Tegegne is testing out each tractor.  Then my mom sent the photo of him sitting under a car with George! And lastly, he's getting to play with his cousin Orien, Andie, and Great Grandma Ileen and Grandpa Orville. Hensley and I are headed there today to pick him up and stay overnight.


We'll miss you, Michael. Please take a long bike ride and enjoy yourself. See you tomorrow.


Love,
Kristyn

Hensley: You Walked!

Hensley! You walked today! Your first 6 independent steps were at the library during story time. You were right in front of me standing, looking intently at a child with a snack nearby. Then you did it. 1 step, 2, 3, 4, and not just 5 but 6 steps toward that child with the snack. Then you stopped and stood there. I looked around so eager to interrupt the story and tell everyone, but I kept my mom cool. Just whispered it to a friend, and she shared in my delight!


Your dad got home and you walked for him. Then we thought...oh, we should document this! So I grabbed the camera and got these steps...

Here are some other photos to remind us of your personality at one!

On your birthday: your shy expression...tucking your chin in to your shoulder with a slightly furrowed brow. 

Yummy in my tummy. Must get every last bite. 

Here's the full furrowed brow. Watch out!

Those toes sneak up to your tray all of the time. Silly toes! Toes are not for eating.

Lovin' Uncle Eric and wearing his childhood sweater made by Great Grandma Cox.

Getting a ride from Grandpa Ben.

Different: But the Same

So I'm a little behind the rest of you, as I just finished reading The Help. Great story. I have a word for Miss Hilly and her Home Help Sanitation Initiative. 


Dear Miss Hilly,


I thought of you this morning as I was giving my children a bath. I had my African son and my American daughter in the same bath tub. I was thanking God that things here and now (in our family) are not the way they were in Mississippi in the 1960s. I mean, really ma'am. 


Sincerely,


Kristyn


So Tegegne, you watched part of this movie with me and I explained it in very simple terms. I really dread you knowing the reality of the way people were treated. (Your dad and I) also look forward to difficult conversations such as these because we know you will be interested and you will care. You care about people and you take their feelings to heart. Son, you will do great things and I pray that you can be an example of loving people equally. 


Love,


Mom

Mom: Shops Sandals

Steve Madden

Minimarket, Urban Outfitters

Aldo

Zara

Happy Birthday: Mom and Dad

Our Twenties! Just one year left!

Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday Mommy and Ababayehhhhh,
Happy Birthday to You!


Taryn made me a birthday breakfast this morning! Delicious pancakes (blueberry yogurt multigrain) with the best chocolate milk!
Michael started his morning with 10 bags of gummy worms from his students! And we have a date tonight at a famous Italian restaurant in town. They give a complementary birthday chicken spiedini, which is what they are known for!


Some thoughts on being born. What a deal, huh? Everyone is born, yes? Born into a family. A mom and dad, or just a mom. Poverty, middle class, or wealth. Siblings or the first born. Some born into a country or race with privilege and freedom, others hardship and inequality. All born as teeny babies, that cry and sleep and want to be held. 


I'm thankful that I was born on the same day as my dear husband. Looking forward to our date tonight!


Love,


Kristyn

Kony 2012: Invisible Children Campaign

KONY 2012 is a film and campaign by Invisible Children that aims to make Joseph Kony famous, not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice.

Kids: Adventure and Not-So-Much

So it's too bad the key ingredient for a tree house is the actual tree. Too bad because this yard of ours has none, nada, nilch. Not even branches dangling over from a neighbors tree. But rest assured, we will build some plaything, climbable and with optimal adventure in mind for our 4-year-old-awesome-kid this summer!


I guess it's not so bad...because the not-so-adventurous Baby Hens is not up for climbing a tree anytime soon. She will climb to the second stair and plop herself there for a bit. No walking yet, but everyone and their brother tries to get her to take those first steps...and I think that's why she hasn't taken them! I know I'll see her out of the corner of my eye any day now...strutting across the room all by herself.



Tegegne still loves to read, aka be read to. I've been picking up Stage 1 books at the library with hopes he'll start reading to me soon! Sometimes he's interested, sometimes not. I've learned that forcing it is no fun for either of us!


Love,


Mom, who looks forward to a bit of backyard adventure herself