Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Jucy Lucy


If you don't know about this place and you live around these parts, well, we have something to discuss. Seriously. 
Now as you look at this picture you're thinking, well, I don't think I'm missing a lot. Oh, but you are. You're missing A LOT! Really, A LOT. As in juicy, greasy goodness. Ooozing cheese that continuously makes you wonder how in the world they get the cheese in there and how they get it perfect every~single~time. The amazing feeling that you would have absolutely no problem eating a second Jucy even though there is usually no way you can even finish a regular sized cheeseburger. Trust me, I've seen it. Or the feeling like you could really use one of their greasy grilled cheeses. The one where A had eaten one, leaned back into the booth with her hands on her belly and said, "That was the BEST. GRILLED. CHEESE. EVER." Yup. I have eaten one of those sandwiches after pounding this burger down. 
This is the kind of burger that you never set down. I'm pretty sure that the last few times I've eaten a Jucy I haven't dripped. Why is that a big deal you ask? Well, the cheese is the best part and none of it should go to waste. However, if some cheese should drip out, you can use the best French fries ever to scoop it up
Enter more grease. I've really painted a rosy picture of this place, haven't I? Hope so. Because really, you should go. Tomorrow. I wish I could go tomorrow but I was just there last week. Probably not at the top of what I recommend because of the grease and all. Maybe next week I can try. We'll see what J says.
This is one of my favorite signs in the place. And it's true. They never have ice. I overheard a conversation people were having behind me and they were like, "Really? The could really just serve ice. It doesn't cost a lot." Clearly these people were not regulars like we are. I mean look at the wall, its the same as it was when I was little, coming with my parents. That same gold, textured wall with the same wood booths and the same dark bar and the same...well, you get it. It's the same old place it always was. Even with being on the Travel Channel. Maybe a little bit busier around dinner time and especially busy during the weekends. But on a weekday at lunch? Perfect. Just perfect. I hope you get there soon! Let me know when you go-maybe we can meet there!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

last night for t-ball

Tonight was the last night for C for t-ball. He did great! He was very excited about getting his trophy tonight. And, of course, the snack.
We had quite the cheering section tonight, too! My cousin was here visiting from New Jersey with a friend, so even more support for our kiddo!
C is really loving baseball. He asked me, as we were walking inside, "Mommy? Can I do t-ball again next year?" Of course! So glad he loves it.
He was still a switch-hitter this year. He would alternate swinging from each side. Coach Tim said he thinks he hits better from the right. He throws the ball with his left. We'll see what happens as he gets older. J already has him pegged as a left-handed reliever. Too funny.

One of his favorite things to do was to run the bases. He's a pretty fast kid, my C. I should know! I tried catching him at the park one day last week and couldn't! He was too fast!
He had some pretty good teammates this year. A friend from his class and some others that go to his school. The parents were great too. You can't beat that when it comes to sports!
Coach Tim was fantastic. He really took time to teach the kids how to throw and how to swing. He kept the kids focused-out of the dirt, away from climbing the fence, how to take care of their glove, hat, and bats, etc.
I know this is just one of many sports C has tried. But I'm glad he loves it. I'm glad he has the focus and attention span to learn the game and improve (which he did!). I'm glad he loves it because we do too. And we love him!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Alice the Camel

Alice the Camel has (pause) two humps. Alice the Camel has (pause) two humps. Alice the Camel has (pause) two humps. Now go, Alice, go! Boom. Boom. Boom.
Alice the Camel has (pause) one hump. Alice the Camel has (pause) one hump. Alice the Camel has (pause) one hump. Now go, Alice, go! Boom. Boom. Boom.
Alice the Camel has (pause) no humps. Alice the Camel has (pause) no humps. Alice the Camel has (pause) no humps. 'Cause Alice is a horse.

That's the song we sing every time we visit the camels at the zoo. We also sing this song. What songs do you sing when you go to the zoo?

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The New Favorite

There's a new favorite at the cabin.
Can you guess what it is? 
Ready, 
set, 
 splash!
Ready, 
set, 
splash! 
Did you guess yet? 
Of course you did! 
It's swimming in the middle of the lake! 
I have a feeling we'll be spending A LOT of time out there this summer, loving every minute of it too!

Monday, June 18, 2012

Sky!

The first week of summer around these parts was successful. It started off with loads of fun at VBS (Vacation Bible School). If you remember reading this, then you already know what I'm talking about. 
The kids have gone to VBS at our church for the last 3 years and have loved every minute of it. Our house is full of singing, Bible stories and Bible buddies along with "things that fly" science experiments done at the Imagination Station. Pretty cool stuff if you ask me.
One of my favorite parts about this week is that they get to do it with 2 of their friends who don't even go to our church. That's what it's about. Really. Because when you can infect others with Jesus, really, what is better than that?
All you have to do is trust God. That was the theme for the week. No matter what the situation, trust in God. Can you see it in this picture? "Everything is possible with God."
And that is SO true.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Father, Daddy, the "it" guy around here

Today is Father's Day. Hooray for dads (or fathers, papas, or whatever you call your dad) everywhere! Yesterday C was telling J, "Daddy, since tomorrow is called Father's Day, I'm going to call you 'Father' for the whole day." Too cute...didn't happen. Our little boy couldn't veer from the norm-Daddy it was!
If you know J, which some of you do, you know the following things about him:
1. He always puts others first. Always.
2. He is the loving type.
3. He wants what's best for his kids (and me too).
4. He makes all of us laugh, a lot.
5. He never expects anything or anyone to be perfect.
6. He...well, I suppose I'll stop here for lack of continuing to go on writing long into the night.

Needless to say, he's a pretty sweet dad. He's a pretty sweet husband, too, but that post comes another time. As for the dad part, he's got it down. It all started (you didn't know you were in for story time, did you?!) when I was pregnant. That's when he really took over the grocery shopping and cooking for the 2 of us. Small things, really, but I knew this was a sign of what was to come when the kids were born. He's never been one to shy away from what kids bring to life...always ready to play, always ready to wrestle, always up for a game, always ready to teach, always, always, always. Do you get it?
He's the kind of dad who, upon the kids getting off the bus this year, loved every minute of walking the kids home from the bus stop. He told me numerous times how that was his favorite time of day. He and A would usually walk hand in hand while C tried to balance on the curb, the two of them talking about their day with him.

He's the kind of dad who cannot turn down a chance to go on a bike ride with the kids. He takes them around the block and neighborhood, hoping that the training will allow us to ride around the lake soon enough.

He's the kind of dad who loves reading and snuggling with the kids. He reads with voices they love which, consequently, leads to stories repeating themselves over and over in our house as the weeks go by. How I Became a Pirate is a favorite of A & C and whenever I try to read it, I struggle to make the pirate voice just right. Arrgh!

He's the kind of dad who just cannot get enough of his kids. He's never the one "babysitting" or "watching" the kids. He's never the one to come home from work and "just need a half hour to unwind with the TV or the computer." He's the one organizing a soccer game or baseball game in the backyard or playing hide and seek at the park.

He's amazing.
See, there's this old saying that you usually marry someone who is just like your dad. When I think of my dad, I remember him playing with me, teaching me, reading to me, making up stories before bed, having ice cream with me...just spending time with me. Funny...that's what I see happening around these parts. Thanks, dad, for giving me a glimpse into my future. Didn't know that's what it was, but I'm  glad it was!

How does that make me feel? Blessed. Like He knew what He was doing when He put J in my life. I thank God every day for putting J here to be a daddy to our kids. Because without him here there would be no pirate, no wrestling, no "yah" Kung-Fu style, no walking home with the kids from the bus. Blessed. It's what I am. It's what we are to have a daddy like that. Happy Daddy's Day, J!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

What will happen when...

What will happen when my kids continue to talk about their love of Jesus and all that He stands for, and lots of their friends have no idea what they're talking about? Not following? Let me give you some background...

This week our kids are loving every moment of their time at VBS (Vacation Bible School) at our church, the theme being "Sky." Their time during the 3 hours every morning this week includes reading Bible stories, playing games, making crafts, having snack (the most important part of the day) and doing really cool science experiments. They sing lots of songs (we have the CD) and pray. There is a Bible verse they learn every day, of which they remember, but I do not. They LOVE everything about it.

Today at C's t-ball game, A was playing with her friend Olivia. They were at the park, swinging away, and apparently discussing big thoughts and beliefs. We had been home about 15 minutes, only to have A say, "Mommy, did you know that Olivia and her family don't believe in God? They don't believe there is a God or Jesus or anything like that. Why?" Wait, what? "Oh, really? Well, how did you get talking about that?" "Well, I was talking to her about VBS and telling her about everything we were learning. And then that's what she said to me." "Well, there are some people who don't believe in Jesus. It's just the way they think." She didn't say much about that and stood thinking about what I had said. 

It is so interesting to have these conversations with our kids about beliefs we have verses beliefs their friends have. I distinctly remember an interaction C had with a friend around Christmastime: He had been playing with the Little People nativity scene and had put Joseph on top of the stable. He thought this was hilarious and said something to the effect of, "Hey! Did you see what I did to Joseph?" His friend looked at him and said, "Who's Joseph?" I knew that wasn't going to be the last time our kids would be explaining the ins & outs of the Bible story characters. 

What's hard about this for me is that I struggle with how to handle it. It certainly isn't my place to tell the child what is right or what is wrong. I certainly can't talk to the parents about it and tell them what's right or wrong. The one thing I DO know is that our kids are sharing their faith the best way they know how. They are singing the songs when they don't realize they're singing them. They are talking about the games they played with their small group. They are reciting the verse of the day with the Bible buddy they were introduced to that morning. It's the small things they do that I know will make a difference as they interact with their friends who believe, but even more so, with their friends that don't. 

Friday, June 1, 2012

Sometimes I wish I could go back

Sometimes. Only sometimes. I wish I could go back to the squishy face, cooshy legs, bald baby stage. You know, this one-
Yes, some days I wish I could go back to that. I want to hear their giggles.

I want to hear their babble.
 
I want to have them snuggle into my neck.
I really wish I could go back to that sometimes.
 (Photos by M Photography)
But then I'm glad I have them the way they are now.

Because I'm not sure I could ever go back to the sleepless nights, wandering my way through the night, wondering when I would ever get my energy back.

I love these two in their 5-year-old selves.

But sometimes...