Autumn Fun

The weather is soooo gorgeous... no bugs, not hot, not cold.. I'm in my glory. We had a lot of fun running around this afternoon. Here are a couple of the photo ops. And no, the world isn't tilted... I was. Well, it IS tilted.. but.. nevermind.

bet you can't stand on your head like meee!!

for "fun"

If you happen to be a grammar goose like me, you might enjoy this blog as much I did.

By grammar goose, I mean someone who thinks grammar is a perfectly reasonable subject for comedy. It is, isn't it? Loaded with surprises and unforeseen turns that keep one on the edge of their seat! Grammar! Somebody needs to turn Chris Rock onto the topic of the future- it's where stand-up is going, I'm convinced.

mmm... fingers...

I think she's gonna be tall.

Deep thoughts, #1

this foot


is the same foot as was felt and described in this, and in this prenatal post ? That was little Niamh stretching her yet-to-be-exposed-to-the-world legs.

How totally amazing. Just hit me. Life is so amazing.

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I'm starting a new segment that will recur in this blog. Here is the first installment.

Deep Thoughts, with Jen Dandy*

"According to research from Columbia University, children who eat dinner with their family on a regular basis are 60% less likely to smoke cigarettes, 50% less likely to use drugs, and 66% less likely to drink alcohol."
Interesting. I don't think this is the whole picture by any means, or full reason behind these children leading healthier, less substance-abusive lives. I wonder what else was different and common among these homes, in the lifestyles and beliefs of the parents, who all ate together. What else did they do differently than the other half-ish of the population? What fundamental belief systems, of which eating together was just one expression, were in place, and what other habits were factors? Hmmm...
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*I've noticed two major components to humour. Timing, and understatement. Don't overexplain something. Leave some tidbit to be assumed by the reader. I'm about to drain any potential humour out of this by ignoring that. Jen Dandy is a double reference. It rhymes with Jack Handy, from SNL, and sounds a lot like jim dandy, an expression we always used back home, which means something that is notable and exceptional. Aren't I witty? It's awe-inspiring. Where do I come up with them, I really don't know.

WEEE!!!

I have this crazy hankering to spend a day at Lake Jacomo water slides, or riding the Fury of the Nile over and over and over as nauseum.

or go roller or ice skating.

This sounds like more fun to me than... I dunno. It sounds really really fun!

Aren't you better off for knowing this?

Happy Thanksgiving, Canadians!

I am definitely joining in the thankfulness. Only fair, since I'm definitely joining in on the turkey, veggies and pie.

CHEESE WARNING: if you can't handle it, quickly find another page to read, cause it's comin.

I have been experiencing this absolutely giddy joy over my kids. I could just giggle, I can't get over it. Having a baby in the house is so amazing. It's almost like it is just sinking in, 4 months after the fact. It is so amazing and wonderful. God graced with me an understanding of how FAST this time will fly by, and it really helps me enjoy it, and not wish it away. I will be no time at all, and she will be talking, learning to read and having totally different requirements, like Anna, and I will have to look at pictures to try and remember these baby days. Each phase is so engrossing with its own new developments, whatever came before passes into inactive memory so quickly. I'm so enjoying every moment. With this kind of perspective I find it isn't taxing when she wakes up AGAIN, or needs to be picked up again... I can sleep later. I can't carry those chubby cheeks and legs around for long. That gorgeous toothless smile, the wide-eyed look of intense excitement and thrill when you hold her hands and she can stand up. The way they contentedly, and with great focus, settle into nursing, all business-like and no messing around.

more simple pleasures:
a steamy washcloth on my face when I wash before bed
hugs
golden glistens on hair in the sun
smiles
music, beautiful sounds
nature's vibrant and pure colors (God's painting :)
delicious smells
the warmth of fire
the refreshing splash of clean water
a fresh breeze with the smell of chlorophyll

I'm just having a hefty portion of thanksgiving this year. Thank You, God. Life is amazing. Full of drama (that's our fault), but amazing. You made one heck of an awesome world. I love it.

nuttin much

What's with nouns strangely becoming verbs that don't really seem to match up?

I noticed there are a few nouns that got imported to mean, move fast. Among them: jet, boot, and book. Jet I can see. "I gotta jet." Jets move fast. That makes sense.

Boot, well, I can at least see a reference to kicking up ones heels, or move your boots with speed. "I gotta boot'er."

But then there's book. "You better book'er!" Meaning, of course, hurry up!

?

Isn't a book maybe one of the slowest things you can think of? You are generally required to sit still and not move to read one. Or referring to the book itself, it certainly isn't going anywhere, especially not fast.

Just silliness from English. It's full of that silly stuff. Probably cause it was made by people, who are silly.

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Repeat after me: Chocolate is not god

I guess I'm having some trouble with this one.

What makes me think I'm apotheosizing a sugared bean powder? you may ask.

Well, I find myself saying: ooh, it's time for some chocoalte :
-when I am depressed or stressed
-when I want to celebrate
-when I'm lonely
-when I want to relax

all times that, to me, sound like a good time for prayer or communion with God. Not a time to eat. A good time to eat is when you are HUNGRY. mmm... fascinating. That reason, however, was not included on my list. I'll be addressing this issue with myself. Don't worry.

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I'm contemplating what I'm calling the principle of reflection.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

"Bad company corrupts good morals."

"A little leaven leavens the whole lump."

There is a fact of the company one keeps influencing them, for good or for bad.

I've also been thinking about perspectives, and how we project our perception onto the world, and read what we see through our imposed lens. I'm wondering to what extent we endeavor to find ourselves in other things, or how we presume our own qualities in other things/people. For example when Chris assumes that I would not enjoy a potluck at church just because he wouldn't. There is more to this, I had all these thoughts, but someone seems to have pulled the plug on my brain, and everything ran out. I can't find it now. Maybe later.
Besides, Anna says, "Mommy, you're writing too much letters."