Arthur Adventure

New Years Cheer!!!

2012-01-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

You thought it was safe to bind up all your holiday update letters and do whatever it is you do with them (shred? save? laminate?), didn’t ya? Here’s a straggler: The Arthur Family NEW YEAR letter. It’s long… cuz there’s so much news, and we felt this was the best way to do it. So, get comfy and dig in!

BIG NEWS:

So, out with it:

We are moving to Columbus, OH! *For Scott’s new position as Vice President of Major Gifts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (formerly Columbus Children’s). * Interview process began in August, but kept it quiet until we knew for sure (Dec 16th)! * Scott begins Feb. 6, family to follow soon after.* House for sale here and on the hunt for a new one in Columbus.

AND

We are pregnant! * Due August 3 * Just finishing first, very unlike-any-other, trimester (same: tired. different: sick and moody… oh, and two other sidekick kids that still have needs! Ha!) * Totally excited and convinced we have a girl in our future:)

OUR PEOPLE:

TRICIA: I think I might go nuts. No, to be fair, I feel sane a little over half the time, so that’s good! :) Lots of detail management ahead for me, and I know you all know that that is not my greatest strength. If you have access to a detail management consultant who will work for free, give them my digits. I am so excited to be pregnant and so pumped to be moving closer to family and dear friends. Once we sell our house and find a fitting one for our family – which ultimately WILL happen – I will see our future more clearly. It’s feeling a little fuzzy at the moment! One step at a time.

As I look back, I went through a serious learning curve about myself in the first half of the year; after Dad died, I did a lot of reflecting and working on my emotional wholeness. I feel recovered and replenished! Summer was slow and wonderful, with lots of camps and activities for the kids and lots of hanging around Rochester. We spent our traditional week in Columbus and Logan, Ohio as well as Louisville, KY to spend time with family. I opted not to teach this Fall, which lifted all former time constraints and, consequently, has allowed for more freedom. I am happy about this, but sad on some days not to assist twelve-year-olds in their quest to find themselves :) Then, our family topped off the year with Christmas with my extended family in sunny Sarasota, FL (mid 80s for 8 days!), two nights of which were spent on Sanibel Island resorting it up while fam watched the boys. We had just cleaned and decluttered and painted like mad-people in order to have our house ready to put on the market before we left MN for FL, so going to warm temps with people doing stuff for me felt dang good. Thank you, family, for that!
Lastly, I want to give a shout out to my awesome husband who I felt sure might want to move to Columbus by himself after the last 12 weeks with me. He has been pulling far more than his load around here, and I am deeply appreciative.

SCOTT: Obviously, this year has been a big one for soul searching. Scott has had amazing experiences at The Mayo Clinic, growing him into the development professional he is now and preparing him for an opportunity to take on more of a leadership and management role, which is what his new position includes. He is ecstatic, scared, and eager. As most of you know, Nationwide Children’s is where our Duncan was treated with such love and care for the nearly 5 months of his life. So, clearly, it holds a special place in Scott’s heart, and he spoke openly of this emotional connection during his interviews. He can’t help but feel serendipity was involved in how the past several months have worked out.

Outside work, Scott continued to pursue his triathlon endeavors. He competed in two this summer – bettering his time and improving in each of the disciplines – as well as a half marathon in the spring (where he almost kept up with Tricia J, I won’t let him beat me in that discipline). He traveled all over the country for work, but his favorite work trip was to San Francisco in July, when he brought me along and showed me the sights. Another fav trip involved 5 buddies from his former days, downtown Chicago, and St. Patrick’s Day Weekend; you can only imagine.

But, by far, Scott’s biggest highlight in 2011 was when we went from a one-car family to a one-car-one-minivan family in May. “Roxy the (VW) Routan” is deeply loved (and deeply trashed) by Scott and fellow Arthurs. Not only has this provided Scott with access to a car for getting to and from work (previously he walked or hitched a ride with wife), he gets to watch me haul all sorts of little people around for play dates and such. Oh, and he LOVES how fast Roxy munches on gas.

SULLIVAN: I like marbles. I carry them. I put them in hard-to-reach places and then make Mom dig them out. I put them in a bowl and roll them around. It doesn’t matter what I do with them. I just like them. I also love snacks, particularly crackers. “Cracker” is my favorite word. I love my brother, “Jack.” If Jackson were to run outside in subzero temps naked, I would too. That’s how much I worship him. Mom and Dad kept me caged in my silly old crib until Santa finally remedied the situation and brought a bunk bed. I get the bottom bunk and I LOVE all that freedom! It took awhile for me to stop singing and talking with Jackson, right above me, at bedtime but I think I have it figured out. I’ve come to understand that I was meant to be a fish. I walk into the zero depth pool and just keep on going till the water is over my head… doesn’t bother me none. My favorite is jumping off the edge, over and over. And over. People seem to notice lately how big my hair is. My head is big enough, but all that God-given body and fluffiness makes my noggin look massive. I’m talking better, too. I’m stringing a good few words together these days. It still is a lot of work for me to get out what I want to say, and sometimes – I admit – I grunt or whine instead… but I’m on my way. I have great teachers who work with me a couple times a month, and a fun little preschool class one day a week, where Mom and “Jack” get to come too. And have I let you know what a cuddly little creature I am? I could just lay on Dad on a Saturday morning in bed forever. Newsflash: Dad is a cuddler, too, so he lets me.

JACKSON: Announcement: I think I might be somewhat of an athlete, people. Indoor soccer this year has been a kick. It only took a couple lessons for Dad to realize I was scoring most of the goals. It’s cool and all, but really I don’t pay much attention. There’s this cute little 4 year old girl that cheers me on when I’m playing and mainly I like the praise (Mom and Dad say I am a typical 1st born). Basketball, tennis, and gymnastics are other favs. People say I’m “coordinated,” but Mom gets glassy-eyed at my speed; I think she sees me as a no-ball athlete...just running shoes and a watch. Really, the thing I like the best about my life is being a big brother. Sullivan is just great. I don’t know what it is, but even though I have ZERO patience with myself (can’t get sweatshirt off: meltdown, can’t find the socks I wanted to put on today: meltdown, toothpaste not coming out right: meltdown), I have a crazy amount of patience with Sully. He just melts my heart, and I’d do anything to help him out. My teachers at preschool say I’m quiet and keep a lot of my thoughts inside. At home I show my family a different side, just to mix things up. I ask Mom about 54 times a day if I have a playdate set up for that day, or the next, or the next. One day she’s going to give me the phone and let me set it all up myself, cuz sometimes she seems worn out by my asking. I also ask my parents a lot about this baby business. I’m pretty psyched all around!

Lilly: In with a new baby, out with me. Mom and Dad found this random lady who expressed she would like me last month. And the next thing I know, I’m shipping out. Goodbye, Arthurs! Here’s to a year of more petting and litter-box-cleaning.

In closing, we want to say thanks to everyone who has the patience and the energy to follow this “Arthur Adventure” we’re on. Our Rochester friends have welcomed us Ohioans into their lives, fed us, watched our kids, invited us to their holidays and special traditions, and made us feel like family. We feel very grateful about how much of a blessing and an enrichment the past 3 ½ years here have been. Thanks, also – Ohio people – for being excited for us. We look forward to finding out how God wants us plugged into our next season of life!

Joy and love,
The Arthurs

P.S. So far, cells and contact info is the same! Will be sure to update when we know changes!

Sullivan can now...

2011-11-12T18:29:00.000-08:00

... hold my hand all the way. Like full-on adult-style whole-palm hand-holding.

My baby is all grown up.

Not really, but the evolution from single finger to a couple fingers to the newly full-palm makes me in this moment want to pop a baby out.

Our Alligator and our Farmer

2011-11-06T17:49:00.000-08:00

Pictures been a bit lacking

2011-10-16T13:37:00.000-07:00

So, here goes! A few good ones from the summer!

Scott and I in San Fran... in front of the curviest road.
Sullivan in the back yard, chillin like a villain, and doing what he likes best: snacking.

Playing on Grandma's age-old piano. Classic photo!

Look at these two studs!

After a little lecture...

2011-10-12T20:43:00.001-07:00

I was giving Jackson an explanation (a preferred term to "lecture"... read: THE SAME THING) about sibling love. Sullivan and Jackson fought like cats and dogs today, which is rather unusual. And I am hoping it is not the beginning of a wave of sibling aggravation. So, in an effort to leave an impression, I took Jackson aside and calmly went on and on about tone of voice and how to resolve conflict maturely and the depth of a brother relationship and how to be a role model to Sullivan in how one chooses to treat the other (p.s. he's FOUR).

At the end he said, sort of to no one, "I just wish I could be like you guys."

I waited awhile and then asked, "What do ya mean, buddy?"

"I just wish I could be like you and Daddy. Adults. Because being an adult is just better."

Thinking that the kids was making some serious connections...that he was totally with me on the pains of that sometimes rocky ascent into well-adjusted adulthood... wanting to realize the reward of being there NOW...

I gotta say, I was feeling a bit proud of him (read: myself) that he was taking all of my wise feedback to heart.

Next comment: "Yeah, like adults get to sleep in bigger beds."

Silence.

Swallowing my pride that I ever thought he was getting the point: "Yeah, big beds are cool, pal."

It's 9:50 and I gave myself until 10.

2011-09-30T19:50:00.001-07:00

So 10 is when I'm going to close up shop and head to bed, but **for once** I have my emails caught up on and I even indulged and did some facebook surfing.

With these few more minutes, I mindlessly typed in my blog address to give it a glance. How pathetic that I've not given it two thoughts in the past several months! I think my poor audience has given up on me. I'm still gonna enter randomly from time to time, though. It has been too dear of a therapy for me to put it to rest entirely...

Wanted to report in that last weekend I found myself flying to Dallas, TX for my 1st grade friend, Rachel Jacob's, father's funeral. Rachel and I began our friendship at age 6. She is one of the most head-strong and driven people I know. We like each other because we are so opposite from one another in so many ways and yet connect on this deep, reflective level.

Anyway, when I learned Rachel's father had passed away (ironically, of pancreatic cancer, which is how I lost Dad too), all of these memories of my childhood flashed before me... we spent a TON of time at each other's houses for extended periods in our elementary years. And I've never had a friend quite as loyal as she.

I treasured my time in TX for those few days. I was Rachel's little puppy dog, following her around and doing my best to offer some love during a tough time. Funerals are just so incredible. I know this sounds weird - especially with some rather difficult ones in my personal experience to weather - but I love funerals. It brings out the absolute best in people. For a glimpse of time, you catch a feeling of the sacredness of life and of relationship with others. When folks are clinging on to each other a second longer than normal and are temporarily forgetting every other mindless (but necessary) detail of life in order to bring the BIG STUFF of life to the forefront, it's a wonderful thing. I want it to last longer than an hour. But then we go on ticking and everyone around us goes on ticking... until someone else stops ticking and we remember again.

Thanks, Rachel, for being my friend for 26 years. Thanks, Mitchell Jacobs, for all those drives back and forth to and fro our homes! You will be missed.

Oops! It's 10:04. I'm really living on the edge tonight.

An Independence Weekend of perfection: sand, water, SUN, SUN, SUN!

2011-07-04T18:28:00.000-07:00

Strawberries, galore!

2011-07-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

Here they are!

2011-06-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

Boys at start, prepared to cheer on DAD!
Scott finishes his swim, thumbs up to his fans

I couldn't get any bike pics, but this is him exiting the transition zone and now starting his 5k.

THE HOME STRETCH

The stud and his boys :)

Father's Day

2011-06-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

There are lots of great pictures from today (but none are uploading properly at the moment). Scott got his butt out of bed at the crack of dawn and competed in his first triathlon of the season. He's such a stud. He rocked out the swim/bike/run with a great time and an exhausted little body. The boys and I were there, of course, as his #1 fans. We drove separately and I got gas on the way home. Guess who was sweating his tail off mowing the lawn when I pulled up the driveway? The triathlon-competing, supposed-to-be-his-day-of-being-given-to, compulsively productive SCOTT ARTHUR! Was a .25 mile swim, 10 mile bike, and 5 k run NOT enough for him before noon? Ha!

Last story here... today was my first Father's Day without Dad, of course. I went on a nice long run yesterday morning and got to spend some time with him. I did lots of reminiscing about my dad and what he means to me (and cried a bit - by now I should know that crying + running does not make for air). Then, this morning, when I am rushing like it's my JOB to make it to the triathlon on time (of course, I didn't allow enough minutes for parking or for getting a good spot in the crowd (by "crowd," I mean the Rochester version of a crowd!)), I pulled a John Johnson parking job; the lot was totally filled, so I just mozied right up to one of the curbs between rows. A TOTAL makeshift spot. As I so often do, I was talking to myself in the act... I couldn't help but give a little giggle after I heard myself say, "Now kids... I'm gonna park in a bit of a weird way, not quite the normal spot to park in. You know who taught me this? You know who used to do this ALL the time? PAPA JOHN!" When I turned to check out their silent response, they were both too busy stuffing their mouths with cashews and ritz crackers out of their snack cups (did I mention we didn't have time for a sufficient breakfast???) to give two flips about where and why we parked where we did. Ahh, ONE DAY, Dad. ONE DAY they will understand all you taught me!

Aunt Jo, master of arts and crafts

2011-06-19T18:58:00.000-07:00

When I was a young girl, going to Aunt Jo's (and Uncle Darrell's) for the weekend (or week, in the summer!) meant arts and craft projects galore. I remember a hot glue gun being plugged in at all hours of the night and day and lots of buttons, beads, barrettes, dried flowers, silk flowers, pressed flowers...

It was heaven.

A couple weeks ago, Aunt Jo and Cousin Stacia visited from where they now live, Florida. All of the memories of my creative projects with Aunt Jo flooded back to me as I watched her mystically unveil project after project from her guest bedroom (come to find out, they had packed a whole separate piece of luggage of crafting goodies!). All for Jackson and Sullivan to be dazzled by! They have been arts-and-crafts deprived, I fear. So they were ripping and roaring at this new-found fun! Although I failed to get any good shots of actual PEOPLE, I did take several photos of the results of their labors. THANKS, AJ and STACIA!

A Chapter Closed

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

Today was my last day teaching mathematics to kids grade 7-12 for awhile.

Winter 2004: Half year, 9th grade at Brush High School (Cleveland, OH)
2004/05: 7th grade at Shaker Heights Middle School (Cleveland, OH)
2005/06: 10th-11th grade at Olentangy Liberty High School, Algebra II & Honors Alg. II (Col, OH)
2006/07: 9th-11th grade at Olentangy Liberty High School, Algebra I and Honors Algebra II (Co, OH)
2007/08: off
2008/09 - 2009/10 - 2010/11: 6th grade students at Kellogg Middle School (Rochester, MN) - PART time, 2 - 3 classes each year.

What a ride!

I'm taking a break from teaching, partly because my teaching license here in MN was temporary and I didn't take the opportunity/ invest the money in the coursework and clinical hours to update it (expires NOW!). The other part of my reasoning is personal; I believe I am ready to be single-focused for a period: on my kids and my family life. The child care coordination and details wrapped around making the morning schedule successful became pretty exhausting. I look forward to a more simple start to my days next year but will most DEFINITELY miss this element of my life I feel so passionately about.

Young adults: I love you so very much and I beg you to find ways to have contact with me in a more informal way... church youth group chaperoneing? individual math tutoring? youth life coaching? Find me, YOUTH OF AMERICA! I will miss you greatly until then!

Letter to the weather

2011-05-01T19:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Weather/Mother Nature/God/Higher Power,

I am needing sunshine. I am needing to put away the scarves and gloves. I am needing to not be wind-burnt. I am needing to plant some seeds and watch them grow. I am needing some outdoor play entertainment for my little ones. I am needing to run without my heavy duty under armor turtle neck and leggings gear on.

Please oblige.

Lovingly & somewhat patiently,
Tricia

Easter 2011

2011-04-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

Neighborhood Progressive Easter Egg Hunt
Jackson's green egg

Sullivan's (cracked) pink egg

Boys RUNNING down a hill (one of their FAVORITE pastimes). Two seconds later there were major grass stains to tend to!

BUBBLES!

Cloud-gazing with one of the most cuddly two-year-olds on this planet!

I rest my case... ALWAYS kissing!

We opted this year to have a relaxed, laidback, leisurely immediate-family Easter weekend. No big plans. No big occasions. Just us'ens. I was a touch nervous I'd regret not having a local family adopt us (like last year). Although that scenerio is beautiful too, I am happy to say that we Arthurs know how to have fun all by ourselves! As you can see from above, we decorated easter eggs, planned and enjoyed a neighborhood progressive easter egg hunt (4 back yards and 8 kids!), enjoyed a really nice early worship service, dug into baskets loaded with goodies, and went to the local nature center and hiked/biked amongst the budding trees (stopping occasionally to blow bubbles and look at the clowds!). Finally (DRUM ROLL!), we are preparing, as I type, a delicious all-out Easter meal to be enjoyed tonight.

What I have taken away from this Easter: that life and love will ALWAYS defeat darkness and evil!

Minnesota Easter Egg Hunts

2011-04-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

When you live in Minnesota, flowers aren't necessarily blooming and eggs are not necessarily hatching around Easter time (maybe by fourth of July!!!). That said, Easter Egg Hunts look like this: We all pile on our tired winter wear (this past Saturday, gloves and hats were even necessary... a pathetic 35 degrees!), bolt out of our cars once the organizer has spread out the eggs in an open space (note: there is no "hunt" about it), pick them up with our stiff fingers as fast as we can, then bolt back to our cars. Ha! The whole thing lasted maybe 10 minutes. :)

Jackson is now a pro! He got to stand on the "doesn't-need-assistance" (aka BIG BOY) side of the field when it began

Sulivan, meanwhile, didn't get the whole thing as so chose to continue with his snack mix in the red bowl. I've got to hand it to him, he never ONCE complained about his cold fingers!

Today

2011-04-13T19:36:00.001-07:00

We are in an eye-rubbing phase at the moment. Seems like J is always messing with his eyes... even when he's smiling and posing for a picture. We are seeing an opthomologist next week to look into it. Scott's comment: "The only thing that could possibly make Jackson cuter will be Jackson with glasses." I suppose I bias-ly agree!

OK, you must know that Sullivan smiles A LOT. He's a very lovey and smiley guy. But I swear to you, I cannot find but a handful of pictures of Sullivan accomplishing the following two tasks at the same time: 1) LOOKing at the camera and 2) SMILING. I was so happy to catch this one day, albeit filled with marker and snot. I am just noticing how his eyes sort of droop at the corners at this stage. Cute!

Sullivan's journal entry today

2011-04-13T19:11:00.000-07:00

It is common knowledge that I am a journaler... LOVE it. I have too many, I know. One for mom, one for each of the three kids, now one for dad. I go in spells. And, I sheepishly admit that Sullivan's journal contains far fewer entries than did Jackson's when Jackson was two yrs and three weeks old. But, what ya gonna do? So - onto today's entry: Title: Top 5 things Sullivan would take if he were forced to be a recluse on a island 1) Shoes (multiple pair, if they could still be considered a single item) - he begs to have them put on, even indoors. He has particular ones he likes better than others and moans when we disagree with his choices and actually try to match his shoes with his outfit. When he had his tubes put in his ears, he was - understandably - nervous about the whole thing. So, he was edgy and clingy as we waited in the prep room. But when the nurse tried putting him in those infamous hospital slipper socks... IT WAS OVER. He lost it. So, back on his favorite tennis shoes went. It was a reasonable cave, and one the hospital personel were willing to work with. Off he went down the hall on that hospital bed stripped down to a gown and his tennis shoes. I will never forget that image! 2) Toothpaste. The kid wants to brush his teeth on the hour... on the minute, if we'd let him. I'm not sure what the max amount of flouride a kid is supposed to stay under per day, but I feel we most certainly exceed it with Sullivan. I dread when we go near the bathroom, because it marks the beginning of a few-minute ordeal every time. Goes like this: Sullivan finds his toothbrush and the paste in his toothbrush basket (maybe I ought to hide it ??). He then thrusts them in my direction with his favorite one syllable grunt. I explain to him that it is not time to brush his teeth and to put his items away. He proceeds to suck on the toothpaste dispenser, hoping some remnants of the sweet-tasting bubble gum flavor will grant his tastebuds satisfaction. He could stay in there for a few hours, just sucking the thing. 3) His blanket. Oh, the dang thing is a MUST for any comfort. We had two at one time (small little square lovies), but then a trip to the zoo marked the end of one of them. It was a sad day, because I have increased my anxiety about ending up desperately blanketless by 50%. 4) Fruit snacks. I mean, really. Who doesn't love them? They are potty-training bribery for Jackson. But I got lazy about sneaking them to J when he landed a #1 or #2 in the camode and before long it was a joint reward. When Jackson did his thing, Sullivan was granted a fruit snack too. Now that he knows their source, he just stands with one hand up, rocking back and forth (and grunting with the aforementioned grunt, of course) with his eyes dead set on the stinkin glass container. As I type this entry, I am begining to realize that hiding out of view might be the solution to all of my grunting problems??? Anyway, fruit snacks are now Van's reward for finishing dinner. He gets his that way. Funny how he will NOT partake in any of the rich, chocolaty favorite of J, Scott, or me. He's a candy/sweeties kind of guy, not a chocolate kind of guy. 5) His brother. Anyone who has ever had a big brother must have identified with the infatuating Sullivan has for Jackson at one point or another. So cute. I don't know exactly how to capture the adoration so I will remember it.

Our house today

2011-04-12T19:34:00.001-07:00

Our little abode will be undergoing a major face lift in coming weeks: painting the body, trim, door, and installing new shutters. Can't wait!

Sullivan turns 2!!!

2011-03-27T12:12:00.001-07:00

You might be wondering if there's truly snow in the background. The answer is YES. And we got a slew more on Wednesday!

Sullivan turned 2 on March 20th. We kept it a low-key affair: just us family hanging at the house with Gma Lynette in town too! It became even MORE low-key when the home-cooked meal I had planned went ary and I declared, moments before supper-time, that we'd be having pizza instead.

At least the cake was yummy!

Fun "parking garage" from Mama and Dada. It's a hit!

Fun T-ball set from Aunt Jo and Uncle D. As you can tell, he's all about it. Ready to take it outside soon!

Promise to self

2011-02-27T13:30:00.001-08:00

I will start blogging, I will start blogging, I will start blogging.

I so love it. And yet it has definitely been on the back burner as of late.

Noticed???

Here's the recent conclusion I've drawn about life...

We humans all have chronic cases of amnesia.

It's so true. I feel like I go through stuff. I learn. I evolve. I become enlightened in certain areas.

Wait a couple years, or maybe a couple months... and I land on my tail again looking for the same answers or conclusions I've already found/drawn! I LEARNED THAT LESSON ALREADY, LADY! Why can't I REMEMBER? Why can't I apply all the wisdom I've already attained?!

Huh? huh? huh? (Does anyone else think of Ellen's voice from Finding Nemo's "Dori" ?)

Actually, good insert Tricia. We're all DORIs! We all have short term memory loss when we face tough stuff. It's like recreating the wheel, even though we're in the year 2011 and the neandrothal version of ourselves ALREADY DISCOVERED the wheel.

What makes me go on this tangent? I will tell you.

JOURNALS.

Buy one, write in it, then read it later. It's my memory for my amnesia-riddled self. When I'm stuck, I will reread. Then, I remember I was stuck before - in ironically similar scenerios. The formulas for success, the lessons learned, the answers to my troubles are all found in my JOURNALS! Hip Hip Hooray!

Sullivan's Swim Lessons! (Just figured out how to post video!)

2011-02-16T18:21:00.000-08:00

A year in a blink! 2010 Highlights.

2011-01-08T14:15:00.001-08:00

As one would imagine, the first picture of 201o - in the dead of a MN winter - involves snow. This is the first snowperson our family has constructed and is proud of. If I remember correctly, Jackson deemed her "Linda."

SSullivan turns one and hosts a pajama party to celebrate the occasion.

Easter this year is celebrated with our dear friends, the Lindloffs. Pictures here are the two boys of that family, Truman and Cameron, along with our boys!Jackson turns 3 and gets the biggest present of his lifetime: a bicycle! Jackson's first carousel ride - at the Columbus Zoo (thanks, Gma!)Sullivan's first haircut - FEARLESSSullivan's first pony ride - FEARLESS (Jackson was given the option to get in the saddle first and declined) Jackson's first fireworks display on the 4th of July - at Indian Lake in OH enjoying the Arthur Famiyl ReunionScott undertakes three triathlons this summer: here he is with partner in crime (or shall I say "wetsuit"), Troy Lindloff. This was in Bemidji, further north in MN.W hosted our first annual adult-only goofy summer Olympic party. Wish we got more action shots: the costumes and bocci/badminton/croquet/water balloon competion were hilarious.Sullivan's first ice cream cone. He hated it, as you can tell. :)Tricia runs the Chicago marathon 10/10/10. This is her pictured minutes before the race begins waiting in a - can you guess? - port a pot line. "TRISH" on shirt to encourage spectators to cheer her on by name!Dad becomes ill at the end of August and the Arthurs, along with Dad, Nancye, and Nancye's children & families, make it a priority to enjoy a vacation with him in Hilton Head, SC (Oct). It was great quality time.Kids enjoy their monkey and frog costumes.Dad, very proud of his pumpkin carving, shows off the results. (NOTE: pie pumpkins grouped together grown from the Arthur vegetable garden!)One of my personal favorite moments of the year. Dipping our buckeyes (peanut butter balls, for KY folk) in chocolate. (notice the cute aprons, thanks Gma and Becky!) Blizzard hits MN mid December. 18 inches. Shoveling at all before the 30 hour period of solid snowfall was over seemed like raking leaves when the trees are still half-full: POINTLESS. Fortunately, we looked miserable enough when we finally DID get out there to envoke pity from a snow-blowing neighbor. Thank goodness for neighbors with snow removal toys :) Here's Sullivan, eating it up (for about 7 minutes). Wish I had more photos of the accumulation!

And in closing, we spent a second Christmas in Sarasota, FL, where my aunt, uncle, cousin, and grandparents reside. Great times had by all. Here, our family took a little mini trip to the beach... quite a contrast to my previous description!

Christmas Letter 2010... Hot off the press!

2010-12-05T12:31:00.000-08:00

In an effort to both keep it simple and be greener, we have chosen the electronic method of communicating our holiday cheer! We had plans to hit up the copy store today to get the letters and Jackson's artwork copies, following by a drugstore to print the pictures, followed by lots of address-writing and stamp-sticking. I decided on a nap, instead.

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas to all,

There’s one thing I’ve learned in all of the 31 holiday seasons I’ve experienced on this earth: some things get left undone, hence the reason that no one received Christmas cards from the Arthurs last year. Forgive us. This year, Scott has encouraged me to get one out. For being a guy, he TOTALLY loves the annual updates from friends near and particularly ones far.

Let’s start with what’s important… the boys:

Sullivan: Loves water, therefore loves the bath. Loves to be tickled under the neck. Loves carbohydrates (baked goods are his weakness!). Loves anything round and that rolls. Loves blocks and stacking. Hits his brother. Loves music… new favorite dance move: stepping backwards (he thinks it’s so cool). Loves being turned upside down. Refuses to talk: grunts and whines instead. Loves sneaking items in laundry basket, then having Mom discover them (boots, toys, etc) once already in dryer. Loves the thrill of jumping/slipping/falling off of anything elevated. Loves shoes (a fetish, for sure!). Loves playing hide and seek.

Jackson: Loves games. Any game: Candyland, Hi Ho Cherryo, Memory…you name it. Playing games = playing with other people = Jackson is not alone. Loves people and craves that social attention. Loves gymnastics. Petrified of swimming this year, but lessons helped him along. Sweet to his brother (unless getting hit). Loves getting fruit snacks for his success at potty training (#1 = 1 fruit snack #2 = 2 fruit snacks). Loves reading. Loves pretending (again, WITH someone else). Loves preschool and his teachers. Loves playing tennis with his dad and anything else: soccer, basketball… you name it!

Scott and I have been married for six years and – excuse the mushiness – lean on each other/ fall in love with each other more and more with each passing day. This is no new news to any of you, but life is dang hard… and what a joy to stumble through it with each other. We are humbled and scared out of our minds daily by the task of constructing a home and a life and a foundation for our children. Daunting and wonderful. Frightening and sweet. Worrisome and special… such is the stuff of parenting.

Quickly: Scott continues to work at The Mayo Clinic as Major Gift Officer and enjoyed the new adventure of racing in triathlons this summer (you should see him in a wet suit… oo la la!). I am still teaching 6^th grade math part time, ran the Chicago marathon on 10-10-10 (qualfied for Boston!), and became a reverend (OK, it was an online click to be able to conduct our cousin’s April marriage ceremony in St. John’s, but I claim the title proudly!)

2010 included the loss of my dad. I wish I could hold tightly to the feeling I feel when I watch someone I love fall ill or pass on: gratitude for life and the preciousness of it. I wish I could keep every moment I am alive real and authentic, wasting no time on the unimportant “junk” of life. I wish I could always ward off fear and insecurity, remembering that I am just as I need to be as long as I am operating in love, resting in that assuredness from God. I know all of these things up close and personal through each of my seasons of loss, and it feels so right that the best way to honor those who have passed is to not let it fade. But I do. We do. Don’t we? Shall we agree to try our best in 2011?

Thank you for all of your love for and care of our family in 2010. We shoot it right back at ya!

Scott, Tricia, Jackson, and Sullivan Arthur

P.S. Enjoy the included artwork of Picasso Jackson. He was very excited to make it for you! [scanner not working... we will include this part whenever we get to it ... read: never]

Resurfacing... I think

2010-11-27T21:28:00.000-08:00

I am back in Rochester. Where I live. On the one hand, it feels so good to be home. On the other, coming home means heading into a full-fledged MN winter and coping with the reality of having no parents living.

Dad passed away at about 1:30 am on November 17. I couldn't help but notice, when I was holding Dad's hand at the Hospice Unit in the hospital and watching closely as he breathed, that it felt eerily similar to a previous night. Mom died in the middle of the night on the 16th (of June). I held her hand too.

The days that followed Dad's death and the funeral/visitation were all smooth events. The service itself was an authentic celebration of my Dad and all of his gifts to the lives of people around him. As I look back, I think he would be pleased and honored. Nancye, Dad's wife, and her family were involved, as well as loved ones from Dad's more extended history. It was a balanced representation of him. Nancye and I operate well together. Given her recent addition to my (and Dad's) life, being forced to make heavy and important and sometimes sensitive decisions in a unified way could had gone all shades of bad. But it didn't. This, among many other things, can be counted as an appreciated miracle.

And now we're back. And I've verbally expressed to everyone around me how much I look forward to re-engaging in all the day-to-day things I had been pulling back from: Getting back involved in orangizations I am apart of, actually responding to the preschool newletter about ways to volunteer, accepting invitations to do fun, social things with girlfriends, supporting the people I love, signing Sullivan and Jackson up for swim/soccer/gymnastic lessons, cleaning my house (oh, wait, I don't do that normally :), etc, etc.

The grief I anticipate experiencing in coming days/weeks/months will come in a package. I know this about myself, because I've been feeling it for 3 months, since I first learned of Dad's pancreatic cancer diagnosis. This season of life for me will be about grieving my Dad as an individual, for sure. But I know it will be coupled with the reality of moving forward on this planet with no living parents... of no grandparents for my kids on my side... doing what parents and grandparents do: sending anniversary cards, giving advice, checking in on us, giving thoughtful gifts, remembering special events, encouraging me, celebrating me, supporting me. Parents are one's number one fans. And now I must rely on the cheerleaders around me (read: SCOTT! and many others) for this kind of support. Thank that wonderful, always-present God for supplying me with some pretty kick-butt cheerleaders in my life. I've been left in good hands.

Thanks to all those who have expressed their love in recent weeks: flowers, cards, memorial donations, phone calls, emails, facebook comments, and the like. I know I will never be able to get all the thank you notes out... but let my thanks be sent out into cyber space at the very least in this format!

Better Now

2010-10-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

Whew, am I glad for a week of nothing new. When I look back at the previous month or so, there were new bugs hitting my windshield from moment to moment. I didn't realize until this past week how much my spirit needed to find solice in a BASIC week with no new stimulus or information. No fires to put out. No news to keep up on. Everyone in my life was stable, including (towards the end of the week) ME!

Heavy

2010-10-18T19:40:00.001-07:00

I am doing fine. I think I am.

Saying so feels a bit "The Little Engine That Could"-ish. I know there's no other choice than walking through the journey that lies ahead (no matter how uphill it might be). But I sometimes can't get a grip on exactly how "stressed" I am.

In one moment, I feel in total crisis mode, like I need to button down the hatches and seclude myself from all the "regular" commitments and life dimensions other than necessary ones: parent my kids, be a wife, go to work, and love on my dad. I feel like I cannot give to anyone else or anything else. I feel like I need to be careful with myself.

And in the next, I find myself wondering, "What, really, has changed...?" I mean, life as I know it is no different on a day to day basis while my dad is battling pancreatic cancer. I should still be able to fulfill all my normal social and other commitments. I should still be able to volunteer for things and provide support to other people around me.

But then my head gets all full pretty fast and I find myself drowning again.

And then I crack open Catching Fire, the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy and melt away into a really great story. Stressed people shouldn't be reading for pleasure, should they? Isn't there something else I should be doing to make me less stressed? Like productive things?

I call on Dad usually twice a day. That's about right, right? I ask how I can support Nancye. Should I be more proactive there? I just finished a one-week trip to Hilton Head with Dad and family and plan on seeing him next for Thanksgiving. That's a five-week period in between. Is that too much?

It's just an emotionally timultuous time. And I need to give myself grace and leeway for wavering between feeling balanced and unbalanced. And that's the thing: there will be a lot more of that back-and-forth swinging before it's all said and done.

My prayer is that A) my husband can put up with me while he supports me through another battle with cancer on my side of the family and period of emotional fragility and B) I will have no regrets with how much and how quality the remaining time I have with my dad.

Who am I kidding? I can't boil down my prayers to A) and B)... there's also so many other heavy things on my heart. My brother, my good friend in Rochester facing an ugly divorce, my in-laws and their health concerns, my incredibly phenomenal Columbus peeps and all the junk being tossed their way... Wheweee does life feel difficult for a lot of the people dear to my heart...

We will all be OK, though. That's how God designed it. With faith, we will all be OK. One way or another.

"Don't let the bugs eat you."

2010-10-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I was in Louisville with both kids. Cousin Jessica was assisting Jackson get to bed one night (we stayed overnight at the McClain home). She laid down with him till he passed out. Later, she reported that she had casually said, "Jackson don't let the bed bugs bite." To which he responded: "Don't let the bugs eat you." That's another way of saying it.

I haven't used the blog avenue to report in about my Dad's health situation, but I am going to paste an update below from a recent email sent out. Background for those who may not know: Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer the Friday of Labor Day weekend. The tumor is inoperable, due to its complexity and proximity to a major artery. Therefore, we are remaining hopeful that Dad's life can be extended and fully lived for as long as possible. With that, the following is the most recent:

My recent fav quotes of J

2010-08-26T07:22:00.001-07:00

"I your best friend." -Jackson means to suggest that you are HIS best friend, but he makes the presumption that the opposite is true as well.

"Can we do dat idea you haved about eating pinecones?" - I told him Tues morning that after nap time we might go and get ice cream cones. (P.S. The word "might" doesn't exist in a child's world!). He awoke from his nap with eyes wide open and the above question/exclamation. It took me a couple secs to grasp what he meant.

What do you want to do when you become an adult?

2010-08-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

Jackson: Work

Scott: What kind of work do you want to do?

Jackson: I want to paint.

Scott: OK, that's great buddy. What kinds of things do you want to paint?

Jackson: I want to paint walls.

So there you have it. His first assertion about what he wants to do for a living. I thought it was cute.

P.S. I'm painting the half bath walls at the moment. When will the day come when he DOESN'T want to do everything I do, following in my every footstep and thinking I'm the coolest? I'm hiring a sitter that day.

He's been playing us.

2010-08-18T20:02:00.000-07:00

Sullivan, that is.

To give some background, the little guy doesn't use ANY words. He hardly uses "Mama" or "Dada." And even when he does, he doesn't use them to actually address us. In general, we haven't been feeling as though there is much of a connection in communication at all. Speaking to him sort of seemed more for us than for him; we haven't seen much register when we've directly spoken to him, making us wonder if any comprehension is going on.

For his age, he's behind the curve in this area. I was just starting to fret, when...

Yesterday during lunch I mistakingly busted out a blueberry muffin (P.S. Sullivan is a CARB kid) in visual range before he had finished eating much of any of the delicious broccoli, chicken, and peaches on his tray. Scott and I openly confess that we cave more easily with Sullivan when it comes to eating because a) juggling both his and Jackson's food prep and presentation means we don't monitor how much he's eaten/what he's eaten as closely (Sometimes his meals are truly progressive in nature, i.e. throw some cheese on the tray, he fusses that he's finished, throw a cup of apple sauce on the tray, he fusses that he's finished, throw anything nearby on his tray... just getting by while we finish whatever we're doing... ) and b) he's the pickiest dang eater (and not consistent with his preferences... he'll love banana for a day, then hate it for the next three - quite the tough one to please :).

This said, when he is unwilling to eat what we've prepared for him (and making a stinking mess by swirling it aroud his tray, not to mention swooshing it OFF his tray) and we KNOW he needs food, we often throw our hands up in the air and say, "OK, we give... have 12 pickles for dinner and call it a day." or "You want wheat thins in place of your green beans? FINE."

But yesterday was a day when I was feeling rather firey. He caught sight of aforementioned muffin before most of his other food stood a chance (and the other food was - for once - going down REALLY well before I blew it!). I knew once he got a taste of the sweet scrumptiousness of that baked good, it was OVER for everything else. So, I decided to reason with him about it: "You must eat the rest of your broccoli in order to eat this muffin." (inserting body language and hand gestures to fully express myself to my one-year-old). Sullivan continues swiping his hands from side to side, shaking his head violently. Now comes the part where this scenerio is reduced to the principle of the thing: "OK, Sullivan. Look at me, Sullivan. Listen: You need to eat this one piece of broccoli, then you can enjoy that muffin." I shove it in his hand. He throws it. I put it back on his tray and repeat myself 4 dozen times. He fusses, shakes, swipes, claps, kicks - ALL THE WHILE STARING AT THAT DARN MUFFIN.

I wasn't letting this one go. (For visual reference, the piece of broccoli was the size of my pinky fingernail and in no way consituted a well-balanced meal, even with what he'd already eaten. He was going to "win" even with that teensy eensy broccoli bit consumed... BUT IT WAS ABOUT NOT BACKING DOWN at this point.)

So, as I continue this painstaking process, I can't help but wonder if anything I'm saying is even getting through to the kid. Since we hadn't had many previous success stories about 'understanding one another,' I was really beginning to think it was all for not.

Regardless, after fighting it out a few minutes longer (felt like years), all the while with Jackson as a curious onlooker ("What's Mommy gonna do? She's really making a deal about that silly piece of broccoli!"), I called the fight. It was over. He had his chance. He was done. No broccoli = no muffin. I was explaining that he was "all done" and he just fussed away. I walk to the sink, got a wash cloth (fussing, fussing, banging hands on tray, reaching towards table for muffin). I wiped off his hands and his mouth (fussing, fussing, squirming, squirming, reashing towards table for muffin). I placed my hands on the tray and was sliding it away when SUDDENLY, his grew silent and stealthily swiped that piece of broccoli, bringing it to his mouth in one swift movement.

I about fell on the floor.

Instead of falling to the floor, though, I praised the kid to high heaven. Jackson looked at me and said, "Mommy, he ate dat piece of broccoli!" And this began our celebration. Jackson and I danced and clapped and cheered and smiled and then I said, "Good job, Sullivan! I asked you to eat the broccoli and you did! Thank you for doing what I asked you to do! Yey, Sullivan, yey!"

He responded with a blueberry muffin crumb-filled grin.

I called Scott later that day to report in that, "Sullivan has been playing us."

The kid TOTALLY knows what we are saying. He just appears as though he doesn't, because he never feels like complying.

Oh, geez. We got a doozy on our hands. I need to order a few more parenting books. This is a whole different ballgame.

Why is it...

2010-08-17T20:27:00.001-07:00

... that even after 13 years of living out of my childhood home, I still - to this day - ocassionally reach under the sink for the garbage disposal switch?

I know that mine is not there. But it feels like it should be.

I must've used the garbage disposal a lot as a child :)

More Bemidji Fun

2010-08-02T19:24:00.000-07:00

The triathletes.... and those who cheer for/love them!

2010-08-02T19:11:00.000-07:00

Scott and Troy not only finished their first triathlons... they were studs! Both completed the swim/bike/run competition in less than 1 hour 30 minutes. Both the Arthurs and the Lindloffs spent the weekend in Bemidji, MN for a get-away, but the real root reason for the trip was the Bemidji tri. We met up several other couple friends for some beaching, eating, skiing, and pontooning while there. Troy took Jackson and his kids fishing (a hoot!), we walked across the Mississippi River where it BEGINS, we tried our hand at canoeing, and - of course - we cheered our hearts out at the tri. Blast!

Look carefully: "Go Troy!"

Backside: "Go Scott"

Whirlwind trip to KY and OH

2010-07-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

In reverse order, these are the photos from our awesome trip to Louisville, Columbus, then Indian Lake. We spent a LOT of time with family and a LOT of time in the car. But, what a blast!

Strawberry Picking

2010-06-22T12:50:00.001-07:00

Jackson's 3 year celebration

2010-06-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

I'm quite behind on the following Memorial Day weekend pics. Dad, Nancye, and Justin visited for the weekend and we had a BLAST. Great weather, great food, great birthday celebrations. Good time was had by all. Thanks for making the trip, gang!

Jackson, the birthday boy, and his ice cream cake topped with tea lights (sometimes you just gotta be resourceful!) Jackson found the cake to be too cold, after a few bites. Sullivan did NOT.
Good family pictures are nearly impossible these days!

Dinner OUT!
We got a sitter and had an adult-only outing... thanks Dad and Nancye!

Dad and Nancye

Justin and me right before dinner

Papa John and Nanny's gift to J for his 3 year bday was a swing in the front lawn - he was SO excited! This and the next pic is the installation process... I'll give you one guess who the money was in the tree (my dad is infamous for being higher than he should be without proper precautions)

One of out many meals scrunched around the eat-in kitchen table!

Jackson's bike... gift from Gma Lynette, Poppy, and us. We made an event of all going to the store to retrieve it. Jackson was PSYCHED (and subsequently, petrified - the training wheels allow a bit of a "give" and he's still getting used to that jiggle!)

Mischievious

2010-06-22T12:12:00.001-07:00

I was out mowing one night last week while Scott was out of town. The kids had gone to bed and I decided it would be OK to leave the kiddos inside alone (presumably SLEEPING) as long as I scheduled some checkpoints throughout the mow. Jackson's window faces the front and he can operate the blinds from his bed, so - considering his obsession /fear with/of lawnmowers, I figured he would be supervising my front-lawn-mowing.

I had lots of waves and shout-outs during the first half of the mow from J. As promised, I came inside two more times (it takes a LONG time to mow our yard!) to assess if there were any screaming children.

Nope. All clear.

Don't you know, when I headed in the final time (mowing done, weed eating done, gutters put back in place, even some mulching and weed-plucking done... the whole works!!!), I was greeted with terrifying screams from J's bedroom. When I entered, Jackson was compromised by the curtain and rod. He had clearly been messing around with the blinds, curtain, and overhead lamp - not to mention using random hair ties (I let him take them with him for a nap once long ago and they must've been hanging out under the sheets) to string around the rod. He was scared silly that it had collapsed upon him.

Pictured is the "damage."

Needless to say, we had a LONG talk :) I couldn't stay frustrated too long, because I had to take these pictures to record his 3-year-old mischief in action!

A strange little habit

2010-06-17T04:36:00.001-07:00

Sullivan has a habit of hanging on to one last bit of food at the end of a meal and storing it in his mouth for hours afterwards.

Bread, peas, bacon, ANYTHING.

It's like he truly wants to savor the taste of food from one meal to the next. I never know what I'm going to find in there!

3 Years

2010-06-16T04:54:00.000-07:00

My mom died three years ago, today.

I don't have a very good memory. There are a lot of really important things that I cannot will to keep record of in my brain, no matter how hard I try.

But I will never forget what it felt like to hold my mom's hand when she breathed her last breath. The feel of her hand, the sound of her last exhale, the way my grandparents each lovingly drew in close to her the same way I did... that experience will be etched in my consciousness until I meet Mom again. I would not change a thing (not one "i-o-ta," as she would say... whatever an i-o-ta is?!!) about those last minutes. It was precious and sweet and I feel certain she felt me/us there.

It's incredible how - no matter how old a person is - we all regress into toddler behavior when something is going either incredibly right or incredibly wrong in life. Even though I am at peace and generally on a pretty healthy healing track regarding my loss of Mom, either extreme will stir up the following internal voices: "I want my Mom!" or "Aren't you proud of me, Mom?"

When I am stuck or confused or frustrated, I want to be held by Mom. If not an actual embrace, I want her to talk me down on the phone. I want the comfort of her voice to settle me. I want her to tell me what she told me from the time my horomones betrayed me in the world of puberty: "Just go to bed, babe. It'll all look different tomorrow." I want her to remind me that I don't have to think so hard, that I don't have to analyze so much, that I'm doing just fine.

When I have done something special or when I experience mastery over even the smallest of things or when I am watching my family evolve right in front of me (my biggest joy), I want my Mom to be watching with her own two earthly eyes. I want to hear her say, "I'm so proud of you, honey." And even when she says nothing, I want to be able to feel the pride in her expression. I want to watch her smile ear to ear when she observes me discipline her grandsons in the same no-nonsense way she did Justin and me. I want her to beam when I boast about my newest interest. I want to experience how pleased she'd be by our home, our traditions, our marriage, our family (even though none of it is perfect... Mom always did fine without perfection - thanks for permission to be imperfect, Mom!)

Today Sullivan, Jackson and I will be eating BLT sandwiches and Cheetos for lunch. This meal was among her absolute favorites (Mom could polish off a bag of Cheetos lickity split!). It's my little tradition for honoring the anniversary of her death. Sullivan has never eaten a Cheeto in his 15 months of life. I'm willing to bet this tasty little snack will be among his favorites too, just like GrandJan.

I love you, Mom. You are my biggest comfort and my biggest fan, even now. I hope the afterlife includes an unlimited supply of Cheetos! Wouldn't that be a kick?

Family Photos

2010-06-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/jackie.mysak/ArthurJohnson?authkey=Gv1sRgCKbi1vDXjNbJTA#slideshow/

Look, Mommy and Daddy, A WORM!

2010-05-17T20:17:00.000-07:00

We spent three solid days outside this past weekend. It was so good to be so grounded to the earth! And I mean that - we played in the grass, we had book parties under the umbrella, we planted, unearthed, weeded, mowed, and all out got DIRTY!

BTW, I planted and intend to tend my first REAL vegetable garden, Lord help me! I think I've already done a lot wrong, but I figure if it takes off - GREAT - and if not, I wasted a few bucks on seeds. I'll post pictures later. Maybe like a science project? Updating the blog as the seeds sprout?

I 'hug attacked' Jackson in the midst of gardening
How great is that little one year old man's smile?

There's the poor little thing.

VERY proud!

Sullivan doesn't really care two flips about worms. His most fantasized-about scenerio is being surrounded by millions and millions of balls. (But he does ACT like a worm - the kid could eat pounds of dirt if you let him - iron deficiency?)

Doesn't get any better than this!

2010-05-17T20:16:00.001-07:00

playing together is really starting to become a reality!

Gotta be kidding...

2010-05-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

The heater just kicked on this morning. That's the kind os Spring we're experiencing this week.

(But GREAT weekend temps predicted for the weekend. HOPE!)

Picnic Lunch

2010-05-10T18:24:00.001-07:00

Deck picnic, that is. We enjoyed our Saturday afternoon outdoors, followed by a phenomenal Mother's Day, might I add (key to a good mother's day for me = sleeping in and a massage) Am I spoiled or what???

First Cut for the Big One Year Old

2010-05-10T18:10:00.000-07:00

The whole fam, post-cut

Fearless Van, actually drawn to the vibrating, noisy electric razer (if you look hard, you'll find Jackson in the background about 8 notches more tenative)

This is the most panic exhibited throughout the entire experience. After these couple of whimpers, he was GOOD TO GO! Sullivan is a trooper! We got out of there without even needing the bribery sucker!

"Feels funny around my neck!"

St. John Island

2010-04-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

No, this is NOT St. John Island. This is Ric bonding with Sullivan before we left him (and Jackson with he and Diane.
Jennifer (the beautiful bride!) and best friend Lauren at the dress rehearsal

Scott and his new buddies Chris and Lucas at the rehearsal dinner

Pirate Tricia at the rehearsal dinner

Ahhhhhhhh... a vaca for US!

Island weddings, I've concluded, are the BEST to be invited to. We were having so much fun over the weekend at Steve and Jennifer's that we didn't capture many pics on our camera, but hopefully you can see that our weekend was phenomenal. THANKS TO RICCI AND DIANE for braving the Arthur Household with such fierceness, keeping our offspring in line!

Grandma = Easter Egg Hunt

2010-04-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

It's funny what kids remember (and, actually, the developing memory of my tot is beginning to scare me a little... as in, what I do and say is beginning to enter that tape-recorder... IT ALL MATTERS from here on out!!!!). Last year, when Grandma Decker came to provide much-needed help after Sullivan was born, she provided a little Easter Egg Hunt for J. He was 1 3/4 years old. And he had fun with it and all... but I about dropped over when, in explaining to him the other day that Grandma was going to be visiting soon, he said, "We find eggs together?"

OK, I confess, we have watched a few family videos that may have jogged the memory. But still, it shocked me that he made the association.

Anyway, Grandma was here from Palm Sunday until yesterday. We conducted thr annual Easter Egg Hunt, among many other things. Thanks, Gma! We had a ton of fun with you!

We took Lynette to our favorite spot: Oxbow Park!
It was both windy AND sunny (gorgeous!), hence Sullivan's unwillingness to look into the camera.

Jackson loves uprooting grass, walking up the fence, and chickening out at the last minute when the deer comes towards him with his slobbery tongue. Jackson lets the grass fall to the ground and jumps back, only to repeat the same steps (over and over!).

One might think, in all the pictures I've posted over the past year, that Sullivan is a serious guy. Most of the shots fail to capture an all-out smile. The truth is, he smiles a ton. He just doesn't smile for the camera. That's sort of his personality in general : I'll perform only when I want to (I'll eat only when I want to... I'll play only with the toys I want to... in other words, I could take or leave what YOU want me to do! It's sweet-natured defiance, really)

Off centered self-portrait, but I captured the main star!

Such a sweet moment: Gma and Jackson were learning about birds and their wing spans. You'll see Jackson's navy blue arms poking out, parallel to Gma's. So darling!

I've never known a more ticklish neck than Sullivan's (gets it from me!)

This toy is THE BEST 1-year-old toy... buy it for all of your friends with babies. It's worth ALL 4 D batteries needed to power it up.

Here're the egg pics!

Sullivan helped Gma load them up!

Last weekend...

2010-04-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

We've had some unbelievably marvelous spring days as of late. Last weekend was a real taste of outdoor fun (and this week - as a new blog entry will show - marks a record high temp for this time of year in Rochester!), so we took FOR SURE advantage of it. These pics are all taken at the darling play ground just blocks away from our house, attached to the local elementary school (where Jackson will go if we stay planted here that long!).

Daddy and Jackson "Rough housin'"

Love Jackson's expression here...

I ALWAYS wear lipstick to the playground, by the way...

Little Man Sullivan was feeling a bit under the weather

SO HAPPY to be enjoying plastic outdoor play equipment!

Look at these cool dudes!

Reporting in

2010-03-24T12:44:00.001-07:00

Been awhile since I gave a general report, so here goes:

1) The snow has completely melted, with the exception of large mounds of grey glacier-like "ice crust" that remain until what seems like July... these are the results of snow plow placement. It's especially weird to observe these mountains on a sixty degree day. They really WANT to be gone, they just take so darn long to trickle away.

2) I am feeling extremely motivated to make our outdoor property prettier. The trouble is, I cannot seem to pair back (no pun intended) all my imagination is throwing at me. It makes good sense that there is no realistic or financially-feasible way to re-landscape the front, move a couple bushes and trees, build a patio for our firepit, install a border around our mulched areas in the back, prepare a massive vegetable garden, buy all the accessories (flower boxes, an indoor-outdoor rug, etc) to make the perfect deck, and paint the entrety of our house all in one season. And yet that's what's going on in my head. One project at a time, Tricia. One project at a time.

3) There are so many people near and dear to me - AND distant and not as close to me - who are hurting right now. Sometimes God gives me the right things to say and the right acts of service to support. And sometimes I just feel so darn helpless.

4) Spring Break at school is just around the corner (begins Friday) and I'm all out of steam. So are the students. I drew a picture on the board yesterday to illustrate how I've felt the past couple weeks: a tug boat pulling behind it this huge cruise ship. I'm trying so hard to keep them all motivated. But, honestly, when the bees are buzzing and the nights are lighter and the spring is in the air, it is SO hard for them to focus on the volume of a recangular prism. I long ago learned the key to motivation at this point in the school year: candy.

5) Gma Decker is coming in town during Spring Break. Aunt Jo is coming after that. And after THAT, Scott and I are escapading to the island of St. John, where counsins Steve and Jennifer will be wed (clarification: they are not cousins to one another... we just have already indoctrinated Jennifer into the family and call her our cousin too. HA!). The following statement just makes me laugh, even as I prepare to type it: I am marrying them. Reverand Tricia Arthur of the Universal Life Church (it's an online program for those wanting to serve in the capacity of a wedding officiant) will preside over the wedding. Wish me luck! Should be a ball.

6) Sullivan and Jackson are really getting to know one another. Just yesterday, I caught them playing together. Like REALLY playing together (to be compared to Jackson getting a project going and Sullivan incidentally and innocently destroying it). It's cute.

7) A woman by the name of Suzanne is our newest angel addition to the fam. She is now watching the boys in our home. So Scott and I take off while the boys are sometimes still IN BED. Let's just say mornings are incredibly different now! No garbing them up and shipping out so rushedly. Suzanne is making life a whole lot easier. She also is quite creative. I came home today to find dyed eggs on the counter! Jackson was very proud.

8) I'm really jazzed about some professional directions seeming to take shape. I still very much cherish teaching...sometimes I grow teary-eyed thinking about how much of a chance I have to impact those young people. That said, I also have had this growing passion for emotional wellness - in all people. Specifically, I feel drawn to working with women. Currently, I facilitate a group of nine women, connected to the Mothers and More Chapter I am apart of here in town, in a 12 week journey called "Finishing Your Puzzle." Long story made short: It's a set of exercises and discussions that get us all thinking about the changes needed in our lives to make us the best us. In general, I just love to dig and reflect and contemplate and analyze life and am obsessed with making sure it's fulfilling. I could see this passion playing out in the form of life coaching, clinical counseling, wellness coaching, retreat-planning... who knows!

9) We found a church! It's been a long journey finding the right fit, but Scott and I finally feel very comfortable at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. I had a heart-to-heart theological discussion with the lead pastor before the holidays and he didn't balk at my crazy thinking about God (I don't think it's crazy, but probably there are many who might!). He was very affirming and it made me feel like we can fit into a progressive community of believers like this one; I just was searching for faithful believers who wanted to know God more, but acknowledged that we can never know what that means entirely. Pastor Peter is all about that line of thinking. Yey.

10) I think I'm typed out.

You know you're in Minnesota when...

2010-03-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

...you're at the play place in the mall and you are disapprovingly watching older boys play with imaginary artillery, ducking and hiding and shooting each other with their finger-barrels, when a mother corrects, "Jimmy, you know we only use guns to shoot animals, not humans."

This story was told by my husband, who takes Jackson nearly every Saturday to the mall place place. It gave me a really good laugh.

Wonder if Jimmy turned his gun on the innocent plastic frog and duck other small children were riding on?

Sullivan is celebrated (and so is sleep!)

2010-03-16T18:32:00.000-07:00

Sullivan's 1 year birthday was celebrated Sunday evening (a tad early) in style! There's not much Sullivan likes more that sleep (esparagus [no joke!] and balls may rank slight ahead), so we thought it appropriate to connect that theme to his party.

Thanks for loving on little Sullivan, guests! He felt cherished. And you were all good sports, arriving in PJs in the middle of a delightfully sunny afternoon (hard to come inside!).

Sign on door greeting Sullivan's guests
Daddy's entertainment: reading a bedtime story to the kiddos (and adults!)

YUMMY!

Daddy, Sullivan, and Mommy! (and J in the background)

Didn't take long for him to dig into the "bedtime cookies and milk" - his first sweets!

I confess, I was so proud of my creativity in preparing Sullivan's PJ-wear, that I took pictures pre-garb - just to have it permanently recorded. Shameless pride, I know.

Shoot! Couldn't rotate this little pup. This was the other entertainment... "Pin the "Z" on Sullivan's Word Bubble." Kids were eagerly first up... then, I must say I was impressed with the adult enthusiasm. Ellie Lindloff (kid) and Danika Nelson (adult) were the winners!

P.S. Sugar Cookie Cut Outs are NOT an easy dessert to prepare the afternoon of a party... especially when one has never made sugar cookies before. Although a random supplement to the SLEEP theme, I thought these little shamrocks spoke to the week ahead! (RACHEL, I'll give you one guess where the cookie cutter came from!)

It occurred to me...

2010-02-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

... - as I was preparing for company this past weekend - that gone are days when sweeping and mopping up the floors in our house did the trick. Now, I need to sweep, PAINT SCRAPE, and mop up.

Camp Beppy!

2010-02-07T11:57:00.000-08:00

Aunt Beppy spent several days in good ole Rochester to spoil her adopted daughter (ME!) and her adopted grandbabies (but "aunt" seems to fit her better than "grandma!"). Jackson and Beppy made forts together, cooked together, read together, sewed together, and played puzzles together.

Scott was out of town for the week, so I had her all to myself! We splurged on ourselves on Friday and hired a sitter so that we could see a matinee (Blind Side - AMAZING!) and go snowshoeing (AMAZING TOO!).

Thanks for everything, Beppy. We love you greatly!

My 10-month old is a monkey!

2010-01-23T17:43:00.000-08:00

MLK weekend

2010-01-23T17:31:00.000-08:00

Jenn and Sullivan - they were buddies!

Scott, Steve, and Jackson attempting to sled with a "deer sled" (designed to pull the dead body of a hunted-down deer... "regular" sleds sold out... I laughed hard at this!)

Jackson and Steve

Jenn and Jackson

We had Steve and Jenn, our dear friends and cousins, in town for the MLK holiday weekend. They are engaged and will be married this April. They spoil our boys GREATLY and are deemed "Aunt Jenn and Uncle Steve." We ate a lot, relaxed a lot, competed in American Idol's karaoke game a lot, and had an all-around good time. THANKS GUYS!

Betty the Snowman

2010-01-23T17:21:00.000-08:00

Jackson and I spent some quality above-32-degree-temperature time outdoors today. In our front yard, our very first snowoman was created. Betty was her name. She was beautiful for about 20 minutes, at which point the wind whipped her over. She started out as a snowMAN, but the accessory selection included only femanine options. Hence, BETTY!

Sullivan was napping.

Scott was swimming (did I mention he's training for a triathalon?!).

Florida Fun!

2010-01-02T20:00:00.001-08:00

Warm to Freezing

2010-01-01T18:59:00.000-08:00

It was hard enough to leave our family and delightfully comfortable temperatures (of 60s and low 70s) in Florida (where we celebrated Christmas), knowing the final destination (back home in good ole MN) on New Year's Eve would yield highs in the single digits.... but to walk in the house from the garage last night at 8:00pm STILL seeing our breaths. Well, that was a shocker!

It took a few more steps indoors to decide that it wasn't our imaginations : OUR HOUSE WAS FREEZING! The thermostat ultimately concluded just how freezing: 39 degrees Fahrenheit (so, technically above "freezing"). The boys had fallen asleep on the way home from the Minneapolis airport, where we flew in from Tampa, so here we were - still in our coats - walking in circles in a confuddled state of confusion as to what to do next... strip the boys down and put on their PJs (cruel!)? Try to put them to bed under a mountain of blankets (rustic!)? I decided, YES and YES to those questions. Thankfully, they each have electric heaters in their rooms, so we got those puppies cranking. Needless to say, frigid air certainly didn't aid the "drift seamlessly back into dreamworld" transition. But, with a little lovin, they went down. Meanwhile, Scott is playing detective with the furnace (mental image: Ralphy's dad in Christmas story)... actually, everyone we know is playing detective via phone (because, as we all know - God love him - Scott is not the handiest of handymen when it comes to home maintanence). The pilot light was out: originator of problem. How to get back on and stay on: still the problem at that point.

Scott is a cut-to-the-chase kind of guy (thank goodness I chose a spouse to balance me out!), so, when nothing else was working, he dialed up our favorite heating and plumbing guy, Mike ("favorite" by default, since he's helped us out of a couple of emergency plumbing and furnace troubles), at 8:30pm on New Year's Eve. Mike was convinced the description warranted a service call, so the Saint-of-a-man got his butt to our doorstep just hours before the dawn of 2010 to save us from frost bitten toes last night.

Problem fixed by 9:00pm.

Warmth restored to its fullest by 5:00am. That's how long it took to warm this mother up! Hot water heaters apparently are notorious for taking their sweet time. I'm guessing temps outdoors dropping to negative 2 (on a side note, would "temps" in its plural form be appropriate when we are talking about a number not MORE than one, but less than zero?) didn't help matters.

The Arthurs are up and running again. YEY!

This scenerio was all too familiar, as the return from our Christmas vacation of 2005 (pre-kids and in Ohio) provided us with the same freezing reception. Except WAY WORSE... the heat was off, a pipe had burst, and our home was in need of a 3-month lon restoration project from the water damage caused by the flooding.

One could say we were quite lucky our indoor temps didn't dip below that magical number (32) this time... still not sure exactly when the pilot light extinguished...

More later on our AMAZING trip! Love to all on this New Years Day 2010~

Quick update on Mr. Van's kidneys

2009-12-17T19:24:00.000-08:00

We had two appointments this week. On Tuesday, Sullivan had an ultra sound performed on his kidneys (rough trip to Mayo, in light of our aforementioned state of sickness!).

On Wednesday, Scott went to meet with Dr. Kramer to get the results. Van's kidney's are not worse and no better than before. This means that we will just continue to have them checked in on by ultra sound every 6 months. In the meantime, we will be on the look-out for UTIs - fevers and smelly pee - which he is prone to have. No biggy! So, the response will continue to be NO SURGERY as long as the scans show no worsening signs.

Yey!

We are happy. Of course, we kind of retain that hope that the problem will eventually correct itself - the narrowed uriter, that is, will grow to become un-narrow - (the BEST case scenereo) but we're happy with keeping a close eye on it too!

Under the Weather

2009-12-17T19:16:00.000-08:00

The title could be taken in two senses: We literally have been under the influence of snow and the cold temperatures in the past week here in Rochester. We figuratively have all been infected by a yucky bug which swept through our house starting Friday night.

Starting to resurface.

Slowly.

As a result:
*Christmas Cards NOT happening before Christmas
*Our whole family might be packing DIRTY clothes to take to Florida next week, since there are no clean ones in this house at the moment (MAJOR BACK UP)
*Our voice mail machine was so filled with unanswered voice mails that it ran out of tape (sorry, friends!)
*The friends we have lined up for dinner Sat and Sun night may have to forgive the dust balls and massive stacks of random stuff that have cropped up EVERYWHERE.
*** ON A SERIOUS NOTE*** I am reminded of just how grateful we should all be for the basic expectation of feeling "well." Wow, that's a good thing. Right?

Thanks for laughing with me. I promise, this isn't a "woe is us" entry. Just having fun.

Squeezed in under a month

2009-12-10T12:45:00.000-08:00

I just realized that I almost let a whole month pass between entries. Geez. I'm slacking as a blogger recently. Wanna know why? Starts with S... ends in ULLIVAN.

Not that Sullivan himself is a tough kiddo... just that two is tougher than one (why didn't someone tell me this when I signed up for a second? ha!). We're having a blast as a family of four, and I am not stressed one bit (ok, in rare moments I am)... it is just that I have let some things go [read: I have had to let some things go.] Blogging is one of them. Bummer.

Now that I've analyzed my blogging negligence... let's move onto the newest news in MN. If you have had your pulse AT ALL on the national weather, you know that our first blizzard of the winter hit Tuesday into Wednesday. There are several things I have learned about blizzards in Minnesota:

~On the night when the majority of snow and wind is predicted to hit, it's a good idea to close the garage door (note: The Arthurs are morons)

~No matter how well one's peppy front rear drive car operates in normal conditions, no amount of "pep" can get one over the huge mound of compacted snow at the end of the driveway left by plows dutifully charged with clearing our street (note: the two kiddos had to wonder why Mommy was using all those four letter words while red-faced and digging away around the tires as we attempted to set out for a routine doctor's appointment) (we did get there) (eventually)

~ Despite how accustomed one might assume native Minnesotans have become to snow, even THEY are giddy and wooed by the first BIG snowfall of the season (the couple in October do NOT count... I don't even want to talk about them. Hmph! Bitter about those). At work Tuesday, the ones born and raised here were just as (if not more) thrilled about the impending dump we were scheduled to get as the newbies to the area (oh, that's right. i work at a school. could it be that they just were excited about sleeping in on Wed? we DID get a day off, by the way!).

~ When it falls like it did this week (around 12 inches total), you can pretty well expect NOT to see the grass until March. This is good if you completed the task of raking your Autumn leaves. This is not good if you kept procrastinating on that last pile and never quite bagged it up before the white stuff became the new landscape (this happened to us winter #1, resulting in big brown spot the first half of summer... we learned our lesson and were in tip top shape this year)
~ Post blizzard temperatures are typically more frigid than middle-of-blizzard temps. Today my car read 0 degrees - IN - THE - SUN. Yikes.

~ The coming days of snow and cold (read: TIME SPENT INDOORS) might mean my blogging regiment improves????

Love to all!

Our playdoh creation today (did I mention going outside is not an entertainment option? gotta get creative)

the artist

Not the most flattering pic of Sullivan, but I just love that he his gripping onto this copy of The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagel. This copy was given to me years ago by my Uncle Glenn, and I have become a devoted fan of Pagel ever since. The book, among others, was sitting out because I had recently returned from a meeting with a local pastor where we had one VERY stimulating spritual conversation (that's MY form of worship, sistas and brothas, HALLELUIAH!) Sullivan looks like he might be my sophisticated spiritual thinker!

New name

2009-11-12T13:02:00.000-08:00

Jackson is currently finished with his nap and I can usually stall awhile as he gets mildly interested in a book in his bed or whatever in the world he does in there. (He's still caged by the crib - thank God - so he must WAIT until I retrieve him.)

Just now, he started calling for me, "Mommy, mommy. Mommy. Mommy. Mommy." High pitched, low pitched. To the melody of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."

And then, when I didn't go to him immediately (again, stalling), I noticed a pause.... then, "Tricia, Tricia. Tricia. Tricia. Tricia."

I AM NOT TRICIA. I AM MOMMY. HEAR ME ROAR.

A bullet list of comments

2009-11-02T12:59:00.001-08:00

* Raking leaves is not for the faint-hearted. I am now sore from the waist up.
* Speaking of my waist, for my own waist-line, I am looking forward to when Jackson and Sullivan NOTICE I am stealing large amounts of candy from their Halloween buckets.
* I am IN LOVE with the website: www.grooveshark.com. Thanks to teenage cousin Stacia, who is my inspiration for getting up-to-speed with music and fully integrated into the IPOD world, I actually know my music (a little!). This website allows you to create playlists for free (not downloaded, of course). I just have it going in the background of my computer when it's on.
* Crystal Light has a "cherry pomegranite" variety that is KICK BUTT. Try it.
* Jackson now gets one Curious George fruit snack when he pee pees on the potty and two when he poo poos. Whatever it takes.
* A pizza dinner at a friend's house last night just might have inspired me to learn to cook my own pizzas, like really yummy ones. Hmm.
* Sullivan has his two bottom teeth cropping up almost to their full height and now his top ones are starting to smash on through. Boy, the kid didn't get a break! He's getting an older-boy look, now, with teeth. Almost no more baby face!
* The cocomotion has made its debut this fall and will continue to be a permanent fixture on our countertops through the winter.
* Scott and I have spent the last year obsessing over the Grey's Anatomy drama. Since we got on board SO late, we had to netflix back to the start and work our way to the present. We FINALLY did it! Which is an accomplishment, but it's sort of sad that there's no more giddiness when the netflix envelope gets here anymore. Grey's kept us ALIVE ( i know, pathetic!). So, now we've decided to get on an "Arrested Development" kick. So far, so good!
* My toenails are not painted and likely won't be for much of the winter. They are hibernating. Sad, Sad.
* My winter projects: To upload all my digital pictures that are hanging out on our server just WAITING for the computer to crash and for all of our memories to crash with it - to a secure website AND To organize our files (it was going great till the summer - BAD NEWS BEARS, bills and files are EVERYWHERE).

I'm finished being random.

Lawnmower obsession and a deceased pilgrim

2009-11-01T07:27:00.000-08:00

The crew on Trick or Treat night... aren't they festive?

This is ALL Scott.... his creative juices were a flowin!

There is nothing Jackson loves more in the world than LAWNMOWERS. He loves hearing them from a distance, he loves watching them from a distance, he loves sitting in the picture window and supervising Daddy while he mows the ENTIRE front lawn, and he loves talking about them CONSTANTLY.

So what better choice for a Halloween costume than a lawnmower?

Lawnmower Jackson with gardener/leaf-blower Mommy

Lawnmower with leaf-blower Daddy

And below is Mr. Sullivan Skeleton. Isn't he darling? We tried to jazz up his costume with a hat and the only semi-matching one we could find was a Thanksgiving pilgrim hat... oh, well. Whatever works! I LOVE these two shots below:

No joke

2009-10-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago, we awoke to a light dusting of snow three different mornings. This was about a week after a scorching trip to Florida and before I was even able to transform my home into Fall mode. I still had bright colored table cloths and summer vibes going on. It was less than an inch each time, but still, that was depressing...

But then TODAY - now this is a doozy. This is no joke. What you see at far bottom is FOR REAL. It started snowing when I walked out of school at 10:45am, and it has not stopped since. Yikes.

What Jackson spent time doing on Monday - a gorgeous fall day

What our house looked like from the front on Monday (only reason I took a picture is because I registered for a landscaping class and they requested that we bring a visual of our home from the curb!)

What our house looks like from the front TODAY:

Our pumpkins are hardly visable for all the snow. There's just something not right about that.

Wowza, it's been awhile

2009-10-22T12:08:00.000-07:00

Scott looked at me last night after surfing on the web a bit and said, "Do you realize it has been almost a MONTH since you last posted on the blog?" I guess I didn't realize it had been THAT long.

We've been worker bees here in the Arthur household... The last full weekend in Sept we were blessed with Grandma Lynette's company and got to pack up and spend time at Faith's Lodge, then I headed to Key West, Florida with my Girlfriends to celebrate DEAR BECKY's 50th birthday (hope you don't mind that broadcasted, Becky!), then Scott's marathon race in Chicago the (he did GREAT!), and now we're finally returning to a bit of normalcy after lots of weekends in a row of SHEER FUN! Fun is great, but it wears one out!

I gotta tell ya, the school season is kicking my butt a little too! Adding a second babe into the mix to get out the door with diapers, a bottle, extra outfit, and blankets lovingly packed and with his hat and jacket on - WHEW! You should see us scurrying around in the AM. It's good though. I am getting regimented about going to the gym every other day, too, for a 30 minute treadmill work out straight after work while the kiddos are still at Cassie's. It's rushed, but boy does it feel great when I can say that I taught 2 classes of math, ran 3 1/2 miles (almost), did a few crunches, and played some with my kids ALL BEFORE NOON!

On a side note, I'm convinced every baby falls asleep at the high chair at least once. Sullivan had his moment on Tuesday, on his 6 month birthday as you would have it. One moment he was hungrily eating his green beans and cereal. In the next, we was drooped over and passed out. It happened with Jackson too. Makes me laugh!

Gma Decker visits

2009-09-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

We ended up planning our adventure to Faith's Lodge, a retreat center for bereaved parents in WI, on the same weekend that Lynette came for her visit. It was a delightful weekend - weather fantastic and we met some incredible people with heavy stories. It was good for us to celebrate and reflect on Duncan... more on this later. But I wanted to post a couple pictures of Gma Lynette and the boys. There was a canoe and paddle boat there!!!

Big 6 month old!!

2009-09-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

This kid is a hoot. Have you seen the thighs? I cannot believe he's 6 months old!

Copy Cats

2009-09-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

Sullivan did it

So Jackson had to do it

Crockpots not for the absent-minded

2009-09-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

I didn't know you could screw up with a slow cooker...

Leave it to me.

So last Wednesday around dinner-time I popped a few chicken breasts into my handy-dandy crock pot (i've begun cooking my chicken this way 99% of the time - so tender and delicious!) in preparation for chicken salad and such the next day.

Fast forward to 5:45am Thursday morning. I walk down the hallway to my bathroom, eyes half closed - to take my shower. I smelled a distinct chicken-y smell...

That's right, I slow cooked my chicken breasts ALL NIGHT long... that's a total of 13 hours. THIRTEEN HOURS!

It all worked out. Not too dried out.

But I don't highly recommend it.

Play-doh people, a smiley guy, and "Cooking Class"

2009-09-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

We're on a people-making kick with the play-doh. And they MUST hold hands. I guess this is the male version of paper-doll-making!I wish I could catch a good pic of this guy smiling withOUT fists obstructing the view! This was a sweet moment, though. The little guy laughs/smiles/chuckles at ANYthing. I love him!

I'm not sure what I expected when I signed Jackson up for a toddler cooking class. But, for whatever reason, I was a bit disappointed in do-it-yourself peanut butter banana sandwiches and carrots with food coloring colored dip. I suppose my expectations were a bit too lofty... what did I think they'd teach my 2 year old? How to saute vegetables? This was a family class, so above are Daddy and Jackson TEARING UP the carrot table.

Tennis Buddies

2009-09-16T11:25:00.001-07:00

Scott's interest in tennis was fueled by his dad. Ricci (Grandpa) and Scott used to play endlessly when Scott was young. Scott went on to play in both high school and college. When I came across a child's tennis/badmitten racket at Goodwill a couple weeks back, how could I resist?

So when Grandpa was in town last weekend and the US Open was on to boot, you can imagine how the Arthur men bonded over the game. Jackson pulled up his chair to the TV and kept saying "watch ennis. watch ennis." Then, he would look at Grandpa and say "pay ennis pees!" So that they did... if you can call swatting one's racket at thin air "tennis!"

The Arthur men, watching the US Open

Sullivan and Grandpa

At the Farmer's Market

Just too darn cute

2009-09-16T11:14:00.000-07:00

Scott was the photographer on these couple shots... SO GOOD!

A new pattern

2009-09-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

These past couple weeks have brought a new pattern of living: Up at 5:45. Shower and makeup and hair till 6:10. Dress till 6:15. Cereal and hot tea till 6:30. Devotional and meditate/pray till 6:45. Get kiddos dressed and teeth brushed (in one boy's case!) till 6:55. Pile in car till 6:57. Arrive at Cassie's at 6:58 - 7:00(2 minutes built in for when winter gear necessary... that's added time!). Drop Scott off at gym (on some days) by 7:05. At school by 7:15. Get room ready till 7:25. 1st hour till 8:31. 2nd hour till 9:25. 3rd hour (every other day) till 10:20. Speed home by 10:35am. Running clothes on by 10:45. GO ON A DELIGHTFUL RUN (every other day) till 11:15. Shower till 11:25. Pick up kiddos from Cassie's by 11:30 (every other day... days i don't run she keeps them till 11).

I am LOVING it. I love teaching. I love my boys. I love how comfortable I am with Cassie watching both of them. I love Fall. So - new pattern good.

Picasso is becoming more advanced

2009-09-05T11:17:00.001-07:00

My little toddler's art skills are advancing, that's for sure. Compared to last year at around this time, we are seeing HUGE leaps and bounds in his creativity... ha. We have recently been focusing on the sophisticated art of "sponge painting." The results of such technique have never made it to a museum wall, but we're happy to display them on ours.

Below are from July of last year...

Sullivan and Mommy/Daddy Time

2009-09-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

Oh, so precious are the moments when Sullivan gets us all to himself. Last weekend was one of those opportunities. Jackson was taking his afternoon nap and Sullivan awoke from his a tad early. So, we captured the little turkey in some pictures. This sweet little boy is ALWAYS in a good mood. I can type that without even having to knock on wood, cuz it's ALWAYS true.

BACK

2009-09-04T17:59:00.001-07:00

Just finished a solid week of teacher meetings and workshops. I had forgotten what it felt like to be in meetings all day! Tuesday is when school begins. Feels great to be back apart of the workforce again. Doing what I love. Lucky gal.

Grandpa Arthur is visiting now. He's here for the long weekend.

Happy Labor Day, all!

More pics of the boys

2009-08-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

Big 5 month old

2009-08-26T18:47:00.000-07:00

Taken Aug 20th

Seriously... 5 months? Yes, the kid DOES smile, but these days he spend 99.9% of his awake time with his fingers/fist in his mouth - as pictured. We have a little tooth poking up from the bottom! Sullivan is such a cool dude. He is content doing WHATEVER. He is incredibly ticklish under the chin (both of them.. ha!) and giggles till he pees his pants when we touch there. Another sure-fire way to make the kid laugh: have Jackson dance in front of him. That's a hoot. Sullivan loves standing, much better than laying down. He sleeps like a BABY on his belly. He is INSTANTLY jolly in the bath, splashing up a storm. He loves watching Lilly the cat. And he just started BARELY being able to hold his bottle. The kid is getting LONG, now completely filling out 6-9 month clothes. WE LOVE YOU, VAN!

Scotty's marathon training

2009-08-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

My hubby is running a marathon! He has been training with three coworkers now for a couple months, and our fam will be traveling to Chicago the weekend of Oct 11 to cheer him on. I'm very proud of his hard work - it's no easy feat to put that many miles in and still have a "I'm ready to rough house on the floor with my toddler and make silly, animated faces to my baby" attitude at home too! Poor guy is exhausted!!! But he's totally psyched to beat his 4 hour goal (and is even tinkering with the idea of beating my marathon time... he's treading on this ice, if he does!!!).

Below are pictures from this past weekend's half marathon race in Rochester. Their long run was scheduled to be an 18 miler for Sat. So - get this - they ran 5 miles prior to the start for the race... then went on to complete the 13.1 mile half!!! That's NUTS! Jackson was more interested in the grass, bugs, and cow bells than watching his Daddy finish... but then again, he's TWO. We're proud of you, Daddy!

Paul and Scott

Jackson and Truman, son to fellow running buddy of Scott's, running around a tree

Ellie, Cameron, and Truman being talked to by Jackson while waiting for the finish

The crew: Scott, Heidi, Paul, and Troy

I got "hushed" today

2009-08-19T11:41:00.000-07:00

On the way to the grocery store this morning, Jackson was entertaining himself with an Elmo book (the kind with those cool buttons on the side that make noises to accompany the story). RESPECT came on the radio, one of my FAVORITES, and I cranked the volume up singing my little heart out. I heard Jackson protesting something from his car seat, but I couldn't hear him and I didn't care : I was IN THE MOMENT with my solo.

When he raised his voice and got a little red in the face, I understood:

"Hush, Mommy. Hush! PEES!"

The little dude couldn't hear his Elmo buttons.

It's the first time I haved been "hushed" by my child... a probably not the last. I've heard those little monsters called teenagers (sorry teenage readers!) say things like "shut up" to their parents.

For now, I am pretty happy with "Hush, Mommy" and especially happy with the "Pees." At least the kid's got manners.

What Jackson did most of today

2009-08-18T19:35:00.000-07:00

Jackson received this cool walking dinosaur from his cousin Andrew as a hand-me-down (LOVE THOSE!). I finally got batteries in it today and waahlaah - hours of entertainment. I guess he's never had a toy that walks... because, you woulda thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. It plods along at a pace of about .000000000001 mile an hour. So it makes perfect sense that Jackson would place it at one end of the room and place himself ALL THE WAY at the other on his belly with his hands out... just waiting for it to make the journey. The picture above was after he wised up and reduced the distance dramatically. We'll see if the novelty sticks around tomorrow. Ahh, to be a toddler.

KK, notice the WAY-AWESOME-WATERBOTTLE!!!

Pictures for your enjoyment!

2009-08-18T17:58:00.000-07:00

Yummy edible necklace!
I PROMISE... Jackson was just providing a friendly grip, NOT a death grip strangle. :)

Jackson and Mommy chillin on da boat

This about sums it up: GOOFY ALL THE TIME

Like father like son: SLOPPY SLEEPERS

Never do I find Jackson or Scott in the same, or even similar position when they wake up as when they laid down... hence the perpendicular arrangement here (Jackson pulled a 4:00am stunt on us and we caved to allow him in with us at that time... that about ended my sleep for the night with TWO moving and a squirming and a kicking (ok, that last one was Jackson only!).

August 13th

2009-08-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

Today makes for some emotions.

Sullivan is four months and 24 days old. Today was the day in Duncan's life that he left us. I have been thinking about this day for some time... did the math a few weeks ago, because I knew it was approaching.

And I just can't believe it.

I cannot believe that I could ever have lost a child. I think about Sullivan and what in the world I would do if I lost him today. Ahh, I lose it just pondering that possibility. How did we go through that? I mean, I know the answer to that question: One step at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time. And yet it feels so impossible that it ever happened.

The pain of Duncan's death has become less and less unbearable. Scott and I talk about our dear boy from time to time, and I take moments to think about him every time I peer out my kitchen window to view the dogwood tree we planted here in Rochester (similar to the one my girlfriends planted at the Park of Roses in Clintonville, OH). I often wonder: "Am I different enough as a result of Duncan's place in my life? Do I honor him enough?" These thoughts are immediately followed by, "I feel like I should be wiser as a result of having been Duncan's mother." I know that sounds like a weird one... difficult to explain... It's like I feel like I should have an "older soul" about me: listening more, talking less, better judgement, knowing the right things to say and when to say nothing at all... Like I should be more grown up. I know I learned infinite lessons through Duncan's life and death - and now I just want to use THEM ALL. Am I making ANY sense?

Anyway, today makes me feel so incredibly grateful for the two kiddos I have with me, and incredibly grateful for the one kiddo I don't have with me, but who forever changed me.

Mommy! Daddy! Bawoon ent out indow!!!

2009-08-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

Those were the words my eldest child uttered (more like EXCLAIMED!) as the bright blue ball of helium left the car through the gaping opening (Jackson had just requested that his be opened moments before - and his absent-minded mom completely spaced about the fact that there was a balloon in the car. OOPS!).

It was his longest sentence on record. Scott, who we were picking up from work, and I just couldn't get over it. I think the spirit and energy with which he said it was just as cute as the sentence itself. Surprisingly, we didn't experience any tears... just exclamation, like something novel had just happened!

Jackson's learning curve is so incredibly steep right now. Each day, he comes up with something new and incredible. It is SOOO fun to be apart of all this growth!

The good ole Lentz's

2009-08-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

We lucked into knowing these fine folks while in Cleveland, OH. John married us and Deanne was present at Columbus Children's Hospital the day Duncan died. Their family means worlds to us... they were able to stop by briefly on the way home from a family trip. WHAT A TREAT! Note John's b-day. The big 3-5 (yeah).

John talking Sullivan to sleep

Deanne spent her time offering 2-year-old entertainment!

We sat around the table talking/eating for a GOOD 3 hours... then s'mores for another hour. Love that.

KK

2009-08-04T20:48:00.001-07:00

I have a dear, sweet friend named KK. She and I met the summer before my first year at Otterbein College at a meet-n-greet Cross Country gathering. That was in 1997. A dozen years later (almost to the day), she visited me here in Rochester, MN. Who woulda known we'd be lifer friends?

KK and Jackson working on the project she brought for him: a garden lady bug!

The finished product!

The infamous tent

2009-08-04T20:43:00.001-07:00

I got this puppy for $5 at a yard sale. FIVE DOLLARS! It's in great shape and will contain MANY memories yet to come. It already has, actually, as Jackson liked eating his afternoon snack in the screened porch last week.

A dream

2009-08-04T20:22:00.001-07:00

What a dream to get to do this every day...

Scott normally does the night time reading and I do the pre-nap time reading. I mean, REALLY, when I get stuck tallying all there is to do in a day, THIS is what matters to me the most. What a lucky gal I am.

Picnic in the park

2009-07-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

Sullivan's spot during the fun: in the jogging stroller chillin

This was moments before Jackson lost his balance and tipped back off the picnic table, clocking his head on the ground. All part of the fun....

Bathing Beauties

2009-07-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

This is the embaressing "Mom-did-you-have-to-record-this-in-our-family-photo-album" picture. Gotta have at least one of those!

FOUR MONTHS OLD!

2009-07-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

Here is dear, sweet Sullivan at 4 months. Is he a cheeser or what? Note: At his 4 month appointment, which we tag-teamed with Jackson's 2 year appointment, we learned that Sullivan is in the 75th percentile for weight, while Jackson is in the 7th. No two children are alike...

Now it's in the bird bath

2009-07-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

When I noticed that birds were landing on the fountain ledge and then flying off again, I figured it was due to the fact that the water had dried up.

Not the case.

In fact, it was because Jackson must've transported a few of those deer pellots there as well as carried them around.

When I walked over to the bird fountain with my hose, I found the container filled with water... with 4 pellots at the bottom. I'm pretty sure no deer is tall enough OR flexible enough to hike a leg that high and take dump.

The mystery continues --- just what else did Jackson do with the doo?

Sticks and Deer Poop May Breakk My Bones

2009-07-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

Last night while Jackson and I were preforming our nightly flower-watering duties, I noticed he had collected a couple small black pebbles and was carrying them around with him. Thinking this was very "boy" of him, I moved along without much more consideration.

When it was time to come inside, I was preparing my speech about how we needed to leave the outside "things" outside when we came inside. In other words, DROP THE ROCKS, kid.

The speech changed dramatically when I discovered they were indeed deer poop pellots. Followed by intense hand washing.

Molly Walker

2009-07-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

Molly Walker is my friend. She and I met during new teacher orientation when we began working for Olentangy Liberty High School in Columbus, Ohio. (Can you believe she is now an assistant principal there!!!?). Molly's quick wit, sarcastic responses, and quality character drew to me to her right away. When I became pregnant and was losing my mom in the same season of life, Molly became a great source of wisdom - both offering parenting tips and thoughts about how to remember and celebrate my mom in her last days (Molly lost her mother prematurely as well).

So here we are, 4 years later. Molly and her family visited me on their way to the Twin Cities last Friday. I got to craft with her two daughters and show them Mayo, as well as just reconnect and chat. Thanks Molly - for a great visit!

Molly's 2 kiddos, Kate and Megan, showcasing their handcrafted sunflowers
Kate, Jackson, and Megan... he couldn't get enough of them!

Brother play

2009-07-15T06:37:00.000-07:00

Once could hardly consider this "play," but it's the best we can do at these ages...

Jackson is racing cars down a makeshift (cardboard) ramp and Sullivan is eagerly watching in his bumbo.

First the chocolate milk, then ICE CREAM!

2009-07-13T18:54:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned, Jackson had a pretty rough afternoon yesterday, what with smashing his finger to smitherines and all. The only two sources of comfort after the tragedy were 1) Finding Nemo (thank goodness he's starting to pay attention to movies - a little bit) and 2) chocolate milk.

As if he weren't spoiled enough from that, I went today to Dairy Queen for his very first summer ice cream cone. His first one at all, actually. Loved the moment!

Smashed finger

2009-07-13T12:42:00.000-07:00

Jackson has one. And it is bad. Purple and beat up. Door got it. Little hope in salvaging the nail.

Poor guy.

Tour de KY and OH

2009-07-11T19:27:00.000-07:00

Justin (Uncle JJ) and Sullivan

Sullivan WALKING!

Uncle JJ, Scott, and Jackson

Great Aunt Lisa (G.A.L.) and Sullivan

Great Uncle Brad (GUB) and Jessica - the birthday girl!

Nanny, Papa, and Daddy

Uncle JJ is Jackson's BEST friend here

Family lunch

GGmom and GGdad, jessica and jackson on Baughman farm

My FAVORITE pic from the trip... love he expression

A walk on the Ohio river

Nautical themed matching outfits - don't they belong on a magazine cover?

If you can believe this, Isaac Reash (baby on right, son to Theresa DeCenzo Reash) is a few weeks OLDER than Sullivan... he's longer and thinner. Our babe is shorter and fatter. Gotta love diversity.

Birthday Brownie from Theresa and KK (yes, there are 30 candles on there!)

Kev comes home from work and entertains the Motley Crew

Nancy loving on Sullivan (she's the baby QUEEN!)

Last couple are COSI pics - loved that place!

Back

2009-07-07T04:10:00.000-07:00

Back from our whirlwind of a trip to KY and OH. I will say - right in the beginning - that Scott and I are feeling frustrated that we could not visit with all the people we love. We hit up our families mainly, and left a LOT of friends out. I guess that's how it works when one lives so far away from one's family. So sorry - to the folks we didn't get to see. We love you!

But we're back. And I'm starting to resurface again.

My favorite new things Jackson is saying these days:

"Sowwy Mommy."
"Wuv you much." (Love you SO much)
"I Gotcha."
"You betcha" (Thanks Jenn!)
"Alrighty then."
"Mo Awnmower" ("More lawnmower" - always alerts me to the fact that one is running - when is one NOT? - and wants to see more)
"I onno" ("I don't know")
"Where are you?"

He also loves saying:
Applesauce
Nacks (snack)
Hungee (hungry)
Air conditioning
Electricity (The electricity went out recently and I had to explain to him that the lights are not working because the electricity isn't working [blame it on the poor squirrel soul who caused our transformer to blow] and he is now FIXATED on the word)
Pillow Party
Baby Van
Walk
Butterfly
Catterpillar