It Happens Once A Year.

I suppose before getting on to pictures of America's birthday, I should log a few from MY birthday, waaaaay back in early June.  What the heck!!  Am I that behind?!  Blech!

This year was nothing special, other than celebrating in a whole new location.  I enjoyed a great dinner out with some of Chris' siblings, and made some cupcakes for the kiddos at home.  (Okay, I snuck one.  Two.  Possibly three...it's a blur.  ;-)  The best part was letting Kendall pick out my birthday balloon at the store- my favorite, Elmo (she knows me SO well, heh heh)- and watching her enjoy it the rest of the day.  Love those smiles, each one is a gift in itself!

All dressed up for the occasion!

 

Kendall enjoyed sharing Mommy's birthday balloon with Kirby.

They Done Graduated.

Me:  "I'll be in California next week."
Them:  "Oh really?  What for?"
Me:  "My first class of second graders is graduating high school."
(stunned silence as they calculate how many years that is...)

Kinda fun to ambush people with that information (teaching seems like a lifetime ago!) until I realize that, WOW...that really DOES make me sound/feel olllllld!  The above conversation took place countless times before I visited CA in May to attend the graduation ceremonies of some very special students.  I attended 2 graduations, and saw 14 of my former 2nd graders receive diplomas- one as a valedictorian. 

I've had a lot of students, but my first class remains a special one to me.  I was simultaneously working on my teaching credential, and many of the students were used as case studies and projects throughout the year, developing special relationships with them.  In addition, I had the most amazing, supportive group of parents the world has EVER seen!  I've kept in touch with them through the years, caroling on their doorsteps at Christmastime, and they've been there for me with wedding and baby showers.  I wouldn't have missed their kids' special day for anything!

JP displays a picture of a much tinier version of himself...

This happy graduate is off to Chico State in the fall!

Lincoln High School graduation- I graduated on the same field 16 years earlier!

My lovely girl, Katrin- off to SJDC in the fall!

St. Marys High School graduation ceremony

Former students Amanda (left-graduate) and Angela (graduating next year!)

Cydney will soon be a fellow CSU Sacramento alum!

So, so proud of all my sweet "kids"!

iMakeover.

It's been slobbered on.
It's been dropped.
It's cover has been ripped off and reapplied so many times it doesn't stick.
It's been cracked.  It's chipped.
It's red has faded.
It has bits of cracker crumbs in every crevice.

It's a genuine "MOM" phone.
But not anymore...

Something got a fancy new makeover!
We'll see how long it lasts...

Feelin' Stoned.

I had grandiose plans for blogging this weekend.
The whole family was gone, and I had plenty of time to draft some scintillating prose for you.

It was going to be really incredible.

As a reader, I would feel gypped, because instead of the above mentioned incredibleness,  THIS is all you get today:

a disgusting picture of MY KIDNEY STONE.

Kidney stones:  Thwarters of blogging plans.  Thwarters of ALL plans.
Right on cue, when EVERYONE is gone, that little bastard decided to shred my insides.  A generous Mother-In-Law cut her lake vacay short to get me to the emergency room, where they stocked me up with enough morphine for a small army, and Chris drove through the night from Omaha to get home (awwww...).

This episode was pretty awesome- that thing showed persistence like no other, cutting through 4 doses of morphine to make itself known.  And, I also got a BONUS this time around:  a morphine HANGOVER, the perks of which include getting to feel your own heartbeat in your head all day, and revisiting that beloved first-trimester nausea. 

Can't think of a better way to spend a gorgeous weekend.  Or can I?

Let the Lake Fun Commence!

One perk of living in Moorhead is that we are MUCH closer to the lake house- trims off 3 1/2 hours of drive time.  Of course, we are utilizing it whenever possible.  Here are pictures from our summer inaugural trip to the lake...

I'm the King of the Worrrrrld!

A control freak in the making.

Look at that face....she was NOT a fan of the jetski.

Hi, I'm Jamie and I like to burn stuff.  :(

Ready for a snack, Mom!

Trying out the new hammock with Grandma Marcia.

Favorite activity at the lake (or anywhere)- walking around aimlessly.

Snuggle time with mommy....perfection.

Fun in the sun with Dad!

All About the X's

I read of a study a while back which researched the happiest combinations of sibling genders, creating "harmonious families" (check it out here- it's worth the read).  I thought it was pretty humorous, though it wasn't intended to be.  When we found out we were pregnant again, I thought about the article and what gender would create for us, theoretically, the happiest family life.  Research says, we'll be happiest if baby #2 is popping pink!  That's right, the study says that families with "two girls are most likely to be: well-behaved,  play nicely together, easy to reason with, and rarely try to push each other's buttons." 

I know this study probably pushes the buttons of those bearing sons somewhere in their offspring.   And many others can attest that often girls don't bear the sugar and spice with which they are labeled.  But according to Bounty.com, here are the BEST to WORST combinations of siblings:

1. Two girls
2. One boy and one girl  (Happy Petersens!)
3. Two boys
4. Three girls
5. Three boys
6. Four boys
7. Two girls and one boy
8. Two boys and one girl
9. Three boys and one girl   (Poor Stavengers...)
10. Three girls and one boy
11. Two boys and two girls
12. Four girls

We find out in about 4 weeks if our family will have optimal harmony or not.   Theoretically, of course.  ;-)

But I Just Don't FEEL Pregnant.

This pregnancy has been weird.
I've been sick, tired, sick and tired.
I've got an conspicuous round bump on the front side of me.
And though all signs point to PREGNANT, I have had a hard time making the connection mentally.

I think the miscarriage messed with my mind a bit.  I didn't allow myself to feel happy about getting pregnant again.  I haven't made it a priority to "bond" with this baby like I did the last.  I haven't even talked about it much.  And it wasn't until last week when we SAW the baby on the screen and heard that healthy heartbeat that I truly embraced my pregnancy.

Factor number two, to which many more moms can relate, is the fact that I'm BUSIER this time around- busy taking care of baby (toddler!) #1!  I don't have time to immerse myself in pregnancy books and watch "A Baby Story" every day.  Maternity shopping has lost it's luster (mainly because I'm reusing many items, and no thanks to the extra baby weight I'm still carrying from the first).  It's business as usual here, and this pregnancy seems to be an afterthought to both Chris and I.

Baby #2, just chillin' with it's feet up.  :)

So, Baby #2, I am already bearing some mommy guilt for not paying more attention to your miraculous growth these last few months.  We promise to love you JUST as much as your big sister!  And in the meantime, we are busy preparing our lives for your big entrance.  I hope you understand if it's a little chaotic for a while- just enjoy your peaceful little home for the time being. 

Still Perplexed by the Chick.

It makes an appearance in every Easter basket...and it remains one of the most mystifying finds.

Easter 2010

Easter 2011

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #1 Our First Home

As I blog this, we have an offer pending on our house!  It seems unreal that it soon will belong to someone else. 

My all-time favorite Duluth memory is the morning we brought Kendall home from the hospital.  There was a blizzard on Christmas Eve, and there were massive snow banks lining our street.  When we went inside, there was Christmas music playing, our tree was lit and beautiful, there was a fire roaring (by video on the TV- no fireplace), and it smelled of apple cider (all thanks to my Mom and Dad).  I put Kendall down and took it all in.  Despite having lived there over a year, it was that moment that really made it feel like HOME.

We proudly displayed the beautiful wedding gifts we received as a reminder of that wonderful day.
We enjoyed visits from friends and family, and dinners around our table.
We worked tediously at making Kendall's nursery a soothing, safe place for her to sleep and grow. 
We have memories of many Kendall "firsts", all with that house as a backdrop.

Driving up to our house on Christmas Day, 2009

The beautiful gift we brought home from the hospital :)

Our living room, all cozy and cluttered with gifts!

Kendall won't remember it, but I will always cherish the time spent in that house- the place where I became a wife and a mommy.

Ten Things I'll Miss About Duluth: #2 The Vineyard Church

Oh, man.  Who's got blog guilt?  This girl.  Not even the "end of the world" could get me off the hook for this top ten!  But, I'm glad to return with vigor, as number two holds a very special place in my heart!

Vineyard Church.  Prior to finding my place in this community, I felt like I was hanging out with all of Chris' friends.  Not that that's a bad thing, I just wanted to have some neutral friends that didn't necessarily have a history with either one of us.  I also desperately needed a place to worship JESUS with other believers!  It took six months of church "shopping" to find the right fit for us.  Amongst many churches that seemed to be dying (or dead!), this one had momentum, energy, and love for Jesus oozing out the walls.

During our time at Vineyard, we got to be a part of an exciting move to a brand new building, and have subsequently watched the church grow and grow.  I joined a worship team, and later began leading one of four teams.  I used my musical gifts to teach a course on Keyboards in Worship for the Vineyard Music Academy.  I was blessed by the Women's Ministry and it's programs.  I watched Kendall thrive in her very own Sunday School class!  I enjoyed my time in a local small group.  I learned how to worship Jesus more authentically.  And, I met some people who changed my life for the better.  That's what church is about, right?

Love God, Love People.  Period.  ; )

Thank you, Vineyard Church, for your ministry to me.  I am a better, closer follower of Jesus because of you.

There's a Bun in the Oven!

We interrupt this blog to bring you a special Mother's Day announcement:

There's a bun in the oven!!

And for the metaphorically challenged, 

by "Bun," I mean baby.

And by "Oven," I mean my uterus :)

Due to complete baking by Thanksgiving Day!

Mom is Always the Best Educator...

10 lessons that only moms can teach us (because college is way too busy being academic).

1. College teaches you how to look at the world. Mom teaches you how to look at your own behavior.
2. College teaches you how to structure your time. Mom shows you what to do with your spare time.
3. College teaches you to appreciate a well-thought-out presentation. Mom teaches you to appreciate a Mickey Mouse-shaped pancake.
4. College teaches you about gravity. Mom teaches you how not to fall off a bike.
5. College teaches you how to drive home your point. Mom teaches you how to drive a stick-shift.
6. College teaches you how to make plans. Mom teaches you how to be flexible when those plans don’t work out.
7. College teaches you how to get to the heart of broken management. Mom teaches you how to manage a broken heart.
8. College teaches you to respect deadlines. Mom teaches you to respect others.
9. College teaches you accountability. Mom teaches you reliability.
10. College teaches you how to think. Mom teaches you how to love.

Happy Mother's Day to the greatest teacher I've ever had :)

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #3 Mount Royal Fine Foods

I don't think I can adequately express just HOW much I disliked grocery shopping.  Then two things happened in my life to change that opinion:
1)  I had a baby, and grocery shopping became my only alone time.
2)  We moved a couple blocks away from the greatest grocery store ever.

Yes.  A grocery store graces my top 10, and it would probably appear on yours, too.  I became enchanted with their delicious deli items, beautifully organized produce section (yes, these are the little things that make me happy these days...) and friendly service.  But the thing that I love the MOST the Caribou Coffee cart that greets me with familiar baristas and enough caffeine to endure the task ahead.  Oh, and at Christmas time, I can always count on the sweet stylings of a stringed quartet or a group of Dickens-clad, muff-wearing carolers wandering the aisles.

I doubt grocery shopping will ever be the same.

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #4 Lake Superior

"It will be just like living by the ocean!"  This is what Chris said to me after I agreed to uproot from Long Beach in order to move to Duluth.  Um, nice try honey, but not quite.  Aside from the egregious lack of beaches and the fact that it turns into a giant block of ice once a year, it does take the edge off being landlocked in the midwest.  And nothing beats driving over the hill in the morning to see the morning sunlight bouncing off a layer of mist.  Breathtaking, really.  Kendall and I have enjoyed strolls along the Lakewalk since she was tiny.  We'll certainly miss that beautiful, GREAT lake!

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #5 Book Clubs

Not that there aren't book clubs in Fargo/Moorhead, but I really enjoyed the groups I joined in Duluth.  I really wasn't a recreational reader prior to moving to Duluth- juggling way too many activities in So Cal.  I picked up my first work of fiction in almost ten years shortly after moving here (having no job and entirely too much time on my hands) and regained a love for reading. 

I was invited to a Young Moms book club by a friend of mine and, though I was newly pregnant with Kendall and technically not a "young mom" yet, I enjoyed some girl time away from home.  Recently, some friends from church put together Sir Book-A-Lot, a "sophisticated" book club for beings of higher intelligence (pffft!).  I'm sad that I'm moving just as this group is taking off...great discussion, scintillating book picks, and amazing food. 

Happy reading to all my book club friends!

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #6 Sarah, and the On The Canal team

Since I mentioned On The Canal in the previous post, I thought I'd go ahead and elaborate on my LOVE for this place.  Sarah, my stylist, was one of the first friends I made in Duluth.  I cannot tell you how much I love this girl, and how much she must love me to put up with my hair on a regular basis!  Sarah has listened to me vent, cry, and sing through some crazy stuff the last few years, and I've heard her share of trauma, too.  It was icing on the cake when we started attending the same church, and had yet another common thread weaving us together!

About a year ago, I converted Chris from his SuperCuts ways.  Though he felt his pride was in jeopardy on his first visit, it took one haircut with a neck massage and aromatherapy to hook him for life.  Now, he's a spoiled haircut brat :)

And as a regular customer, I've gotten acquainted with the rest of the staff at the salon- sometimes it's just nice to go "where everybody knows your name".  (NORM!!!!!) 

One of the conditions of our move (established by Sarah with my husband) was that I will get to pay her a visit every few months for my color appointment.  So, it's not goodbye to the salon, but "see ya later!"

Sarah at work!

Look at the way she traumatizes my child....

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #7 Canal Park

Canal Park is adorable.
I must admit, when Chris first told me that Duluth is a "tourist city," I laughed.  But all you have to do is visit Canal Park in the summer to see what is drawing people from all over the area to Duluth.
Grab some great food at one of MANY restaurants there.
Enjoy a Caribou Coffee and take a stroll on the Lakewalk.
Trek out to the lighthouse for a panoramic view of the port and expanse of Lake Superior.
Get yummy gourmet chocolates, grab camping gear from Duluth Pack, or peruse the "I Love Duluth" shop.
There's always time for a Coldstone ice-cream!
How about a little massage at On The Canal Salon and Spa?

It's become a favorite spot for walks with Kendall and dates with my hubby.  Don't worry, Canal Park...the Stavengers will be back to visit you ;)

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #8 On3Design

We found Al and Lyndsey Johnson through Vineyard Church, and promptly scheduled them for Kendall's newborn shoot at 3 weeks old.  Lyndsey came to our home and patiently endured a shoot with a fussy baby.  Somehow, she captured some magical images on film, and we have a wonderful souvenir from our first weeks with our baby.  We enjoyed our time with Lyndsey so much that we scheduled a family session in the fall of last year.  Baby announcements, Christmas Cards...we have On3Design to thank!  To see some of their incredible work, including pictures from their recent adoption in Ethiopia (wow!), check out their website!

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #9 Hawk's Ridge in the Fall

If you've been lucky enough to visit Duluth during the 3-week climax of autumn, I'm sure it took your breath away.  You have to time it well...it seems to come and go as quickly as cherry blossom season in D.C.  And if it's too cold, the colors aren't nearly as brilliant.  But when all the conditions are right, WOW.  It *almost* makes the 8 months of winter we endure worth it! 

Hawk's Ridge overlooks the city of Duluth from the hillside, and also provides a sweeping view of Lake Superior.  We like to stop and hike the small trails to hidden scenic overlooks, and frequently make stops along Seven Bridges Road for beautiful pictures.  Waterfalls, streams, stone bridges, gorgeous views....all just a few minutes from our house!

 

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #10 Fitger's Brewhouse

As our days in Duluth wind to a close, I thought I'd take some time to appreciate all the things I've grown to love about this city. 

If you have come to visit us during our time in Duluth, you HAVE BEEN to Fitger's Brewhouse.  It's our go-to Northland dining experience for visitors, date nights, and gatherings with friends.  It was the first place I ate when visiting Duluth.  In fact, on that fateful day, our table was positioned under the "You'll Love Duluth" sign.  I made jokes about it at the time, but it was truly quite prophetic.  And it was the first meal I had after my labor with Kendall (in the hospital, thanks to my loyal runners!). 

I have devoured more of their beer-battered fries than I care to think about, each one totally worth the souvenir calories it comes with.  Chris' mouth starts watering at the mere mention of the "Beau Burger", and though I'm no beer connoisseur, the unique flavors and brews are the best around. 

There WILL be weekend trips to Duluth in our future, if not only to re-visit one of our favorite restaurants, Fitger's Brewhouse!

Dance Break!

Observe the following awesomeness:
1.  My daughter's affinity for punk rock.
2.  Her attempt to breakdance at 1:45.
3.  The fact that she has surpassed her father in coolness at fifteen months.

Happy Blogoversary to ME!

If you can believe it, tomorrow marks the FIFTH year of this blog!
Now, I was blogging a bit before that on another domain, but this particular blog kicked my commitment into high gear.
You can travel back to that first post here.
And many of you have been following for YEARS! 
Thank you for keeping up with me and our growing family. 

Here's to many more happy blogs to share!

I'd love to know if you've been following for a while- leave a comment (maybe you've never done that before...it's easy!) and share some love!  And if you have a blog that I don't know about, do share your link!

K.S. Phone Home

Yay!  Gonna call Grandma!!

It's ringing...

Wait a second...I can't hear anything....

Connection lost!?  Dang it, AT&T!

Fifteen months old, and she can power on my phone by sliding her finger across the screen.  She particularly loves scrolling down on text messages.  By five, our kids are going to be schooling us on the latest technology- it's pretty scary! 

I Got Skills.

I was reflecting today on all the various jobs I've held in my life, and how each of them supplied me with life skills that have long outlasted my employment.  It was a fun walk down memory lane!  In chronological order, here they are:

The Bible House (Stockton, CA)
-How to work a register
-How to gift wrap a package
-How to discern between different translations of the Bible
-How to supervise a team
-Familiarized with Christian authors and artists
-How to execute EXCELLENT customer service!

Nutcracker Sweet (Stockton, CA)
-How to create a gourmet gift basket
-Tasted every kind of chocolate imaginable :)
-How to work humbly under difficult management
-How to deal with crazy Beanie Baby collectors
-How to bum sandwiches off of the cafe workers for lunch

Alder Market Catering (Stockton, CA)
-How to create wonderful food presentations
-How to fold a napkin :)
-Gleaned numerous ideas for my wedding
-Took away secret hors d'oeuvres recipes

Bath and Body Works (Stockton, CA)
-How to annoy customers with pushy sales tactics
-How to respond after being assigned one night a week (quit.)

Pottery Barn (Sacramento, CA)
-Team-driven retail
-How positive incentives affect employee motivation
-Retail has big perks (40% discount, people!)

First Baptist Church (Stockton, CA)
-Responsibility and authority in Ministry
-Ability to organize programs
-How to lead worship authentically
-How to care for the spiritual needs of children

Lakeside Christian School K-8 (Stockton, CA)
-How to put together daily learning experiences for a classroom of children
-How to work with and establish trust with parents
-How to engage children in meaningful activities
-How to successfully manage large groups of children

Biola University (La Mirada, CA)
-How to inspire prospective teachers
-How to keep a paper trail for EVERYTHING
-How to use a MAC computer (life changer!)
-How to be attentive to detail in paperwork
-Understanding the teacher licensing process in multiple states

Mommy (Duluth, MN)
-How to make a baby giggle
-How to meet daily needs of children
-How to balance being a wife and mother

How about you?  Have any of your previous work experiences given you useful life skills?  Any that stand out to you?

Kendall and the Purple Crayon

We enjoyed Barnes & Nobles' children's storytime the other day, featuring the children's book "Harold and the Purple Crayon".  Kendall enjoyed the opportunity to make her own artwork with her very own purple crayon.  Although, she spent more time fixated on how to get her neighbor's orange crayon...