Jordyn Karate Part One.

Jordyn Karate Part One.
Originally uploaded by mandydake

Hey, I have 3 more short clips to post tomorrow. They are taking forever to upload which is funny because they are about a 90 seconds each. These are just warm ups. Hugs, M

Green is the new black.

This little cutie is up for sale today on etsy. I started it for myself then decided I wanted mine in pink. Click here Mini Green.

Determination.

On death and dying. Part One.

"After the moment of death, we should get the hell out of the way, with our bodies decently planted in the earth to nourish other forms of life- weeds, flowers, shrubs, tree, which support other forms of life, which support the ongoing human pageant-the lives of children. That seems good enough to me." -Edward Abbey, who was buried in his sleeping bag under a pile of rocks in the Arizona desert in March 1989

This book is a must read for everyone that is going to die, maybe not yet, but eventually. The book covers things that I would of never thought of or even considered. Lots of insight, laws and many options for the death. I will cover the two most common: burial and cremation. All the below will be taken from the book.

EDITED: This is really long, so there will be another post about cremation and it will be shorter as well. Just the basics.. (PS- I took my own photo of my book, which I do for all my books, but have yet to upload it, look later for that photo to be with the cremation post.) I may add more later too on this post, as there are sooooooo many things in this book that I just think everyone should know.. This will be part one.

Funeral and Burial

A quick break down of some average basic charges: funeral handling fee $1395, transporting body from hospital to funeral home $205, embalming $825, hair styling $90, make up $50, dressing the body $135, holding a two hour viewing $410, Priest and a rosary $100, soloist/music $100, funeral home coordinating with the church $610, hearse $215, family car $195, extra family cars $95 each, getting the priest to the cemetery $60, van to move flowers from funeral home to cemetery $95, Police escort $150, funeral home coordinating with cemetery for tent and chairs $350, guest book $40 and flyers $30, death certificates $6 each

That is some basic To DO's and we are already at $4500+ and that is not even counting the big ticket items: casket and plots.

Grave: $130 for foundation, $900 for backhoe to start hole and cover it later, $150 one time maintenance fee, $665 grave liner, and if you consider an outer burial container, or a vault $$$

Average funeral cost in America $10,000

Embalming is NOT required by law. Most people choose to do so to preserve the body for viewing. You can however, ask the funeral home if they would be willing to place the body in refrigeration until the funeral, for a cost until closer to the funeral. This will slow but not prevent decomposing.

About half of all states require that a body be preserved if not buried or cremated within a few days of death, but permits methods of preserving other than embalming, like refrigeration ($50 a day) or dry ice. That said, a funeral home is under no obligation to handle an unembalmed corpse.

You can order (for overnight delivery) caskets online for usually for 25% less. By law, funeral homes are required to accept it, and without charging a handling fee.

Pall bears can be hired by the home for $50 each with a normal 6-8 per coffin $300-400.

Embalmers boost their odds of contracting brain, colon, kidney, and other cancers due to all the toxins they overly expose themselves to.

Tuberculosis bacilli may remain alive in an embalmed corpse.

No matter how it's sealed inside a coffin, a corpse, even an embalmed one, will eventually decompose.

No state law requires that a body be buried in a coffin or other container. Regular cemeteries generally insist that a casket be used and that the casket be placed in a vault. (From a part on "Backyard Burial" will be addressed in another post)

The state of Hawaii will NOT embalm bodies infected with more than a half dozen diseases, including smallpox and yellow fever.

Random things done to the body during embalming: eyes are glued shut, jaws are sewn together, cotton is stuffed in open holes... yes, all of them. They also use a pinkish colored dye formulated to stain the body tissue to a lifelike tint.

After autopsies, all the organs are just place back in the abdomen except the brain, then stitched back up.

In one account in the book, Roughly 120 gallons of untreated funeral waste after the embalming, goes down the sink and into the sewer. In addition to running water, the waste held a mixture of body fluids, whole blood, fecal matter, liberated counts of internal organs, and potentially chemicals from the embalming solution, including formaldehyde, phenol, and menthol. Also going down the drain could be any unknown pathogens of any disease the body may have unknowingly had.

Check your own state laws to see where your funeral parlors are on getting rid of their waste. Makes me think TWICE about using tap water!

I will post later about cremation.

The Outsiders.

Chalk up another read for June. This being the fifth book. A classic re-read, The Outsiders. I read it in middle school when I was twelve. With Jordyn here and being a busy book lover as well, I thought it would be a great summer read for the both of us. Then we could watch the movie. It was a quick day read and Jordyn had her copy read before I even got to mine. We borrowed two copies from the library.

Book Check:

Published in 1967

By S. E. Hinton

One day read

188 pages

Read it 15 years ago

Best selling Young Adult book of all time as of 1998

More than 8 million copies in print

Made into a film in 1983

The author started it when she was 15 and finished it at 16.

The publishers were afraid that the reviewers would think that a girl could not write a book like The Outsiders which is why they published it using here initials S. E. Hinton.

A heroic story of friendship and belonging.

The reason it is still so moving is that teens always have this going on. It may not be the greasers and socs anymore, but there is always a difference. IE: Preps, Jocks, Geeks..

It could be one of the only books that the Hubby has actually ever read. He is infamous around here for the line, "Isn't that a movie?"

Book Quotes:

"I'd rather have anybodies hate than their pity."

"But you don't just stop living because you lose a loved one."

More from the Lake.

More from the Lake.
Originally uploaded by mandydake

At the Lake.

At the Lake.
Originally uploaded by mandydake

June 27, 2009

We are home from a lovely day of boating!

And I mean a MARVELOUS lovely day! The babies did amazing. This was their first real time out on the boat and in the water. (Becca- Your trip does not count, officially.) So we were very worried about how things would play out. They loved it and only complained when they were out of the water! We were there from 10-3 with no fusses. They floated in rings while we held on to them with the shade from an umbrella, and I am happy to report that both boys do not mind that they have to wear floatation devises while on the boat. They just do great. I have amazing offspring. Both boys actually fell asleep neck deep in the water being held by each of us. Then they napped nicely on the boat under the Bimini top.

Once they were both down, we all had sub sandwiches and fresh fruit.. Then Ryan was awake and back into the water. We took all the kids tubing. This was the first time for each kid, and they loved it. We just bought the tube yesterday. I have a video to post later of them on it. Also look for a bunch more photos on flickr. I already added a few, but not the lake ones yet.

Friday Night.

The dog peed in his run area, stressing me out.

Zach dropped a can of soda on his toe, stressing me out. So worried about his little toe. He cried a lot and gave in to sleep.

Planning, and packing for an 8 in the morning departure to the lake with 5 kids and 4 adults, stresses me out.

The drive to the lake, stresses me out.

Actually taking 1.5 year old twins to the lake, stresses me out.

The Sun causes wrinkles and burns, stressing me out.

Worrying about taking Nessie to the lake without a proper camera case, stresses me out.

Still having to wash some bottles and clean fruit, stresses me out.

I am drinking a beer, trying to relax.

Jason's Ambitions.

-To be an archaeologist
-Be on Wipeout, the game show
-Have a motorcycle with a side cart
-Be an American Idol

The other night we were at the book store and he got a book. At the check out the lady said, "This is a big book. How long will it take you to finish?" I assume she thought it was a big book for such a little guy. He takes the book, flips to the end then says, "186 pages? I'll be done with it today." He sure told her!

a long way gone.

This is my 4th read for June and my 16th for the year. Just a random book I got at the library that I thought would be a good read. I was right. Sad, but good.

"This is an extraordinary and mesmerizing account, told with real literary force and heartbreaking honesty."

"A Long Way Gone is one of the most important war stories of our generation. The arming of children is among the greatest evils of the modern world, and yet we know so little about it because the children themselves are swallowed up by the very wars they are forced to wage." -Sebastian Junger

"A Long Way Gone is a wrenching, beautiful, and mesmerizing tale. Beah's amazing saga provides a haunting lesson about how gentle folks can be capable of great brutalities as well as goodness and courage. It will leave you breathless." -Walter Isaacson

Book Check:
By Ishmael Beah
229 Pages
Published 2007
Non Fiction
Memoir
Sierra Leone
Solider at age 12
Rescued by UNICEF at age 16
Moved to USA in 1998
Now he is 26

Quotes:

"..my head felt heavy with the images it contained."

When he first visited New York, in the winter and when exiting the airport, he is cold and says, "How does anyone survive in this country?" It was cute and funny.

"I told myself that I wouldn't want to live in such an unpleasantly cold country, where I would always have to worry about my nose, ears and face falling off."

Recommending To:
Julie
Shawna

June 21: Popcorn and a Movie.

At the Zoo.

At the Zoo.
Originally uploaded by mandydake

So this is a weird freezed frame?? Anyway we spent a couple hours at the zoo this afternoon and it was lovely! Sure it was quite warm, but I had mapped out our visit according to the buildings with AC so that we would be in and out of the cool air often. The video is nothing special, just randomness with four amazing kids. Also I plan on being better at posting videos here and on flickr too. However, they are limited to 1.5 minutes per video. Oh Well.

And on other note. I did not take Nessie, my new gal, to the Zoo today.. I haven't got a new camera bag yet and didn't want her to get hurt. But I still needed a photo.. I used Jason's to snap one. I will post it too later. Hugs, M

June 21: Father's Day Photos.

Bye Bye Baby Hair.. Hello, Bald Boys!

The Loch.. as in Nessie here I come.

Wow, do I have a lot to say about this read. Ye might want to grab ye self a glass o' Scotch, it'll be a long one. This is Bell's book and a recommended read due to the fact that we will be on Loch Ness in a few short months.

Book Check:
541 pages
Published in 2005
3rd book for June
Bell's book
Main character: Zachary
Fiction but with lots of Scotland history and geography.
There are actual experts from real sightings in between chapters.
Darwin is quoted in the book and his ideas.
Notes to the Tower of London; we will be there too!
I could be content hunting Nessie for the rest of my life.

Loch Notes, Thoughts and Ideas:
There are at least 10,000 known reported sightings at Loch Ness, but less than a third of these are actually recorded. -Dr. Roy Mackall

Loch means Lake

First sighting was 1400 years ago.

Quotes:
"There's only one way to develop the mind and that's to read."

"There are two theories in arguing with a woman and neither of 'em work."

"The Loch's not known for giving up her dead."

"Ducks and swans don't mate."

Recommending to: Ian

Life in the slow lane.

I promise that I did get a new camera and that she is taking the most beautiful photos that I have ever seen. Sometimes I feel I could just pee my pants with delight they are so amazing.

However, I usually don't.

Things around the Dake household are at an all time snail pace...

And this momma bear is loving it!

We have been getting out of the house for karate (on Wednesday) and a trip to the library yesterday, and all without infants in tow. We are spending our days inside due to an insanely hot weather which is so hot, that the only term on our weather forecast is "awfully hot." Now that is some descriptive meteorologist lingo. Ugh. It's only 8 a.m. and it is already yucky out.

Today brings another hour and 45 minutes at karate. Jacques sold our snow blower, because, let's face it, we will most likely never live in Iowa or Kansas again. Neither of us want to be away from where we are or should I say trapped back where we have once been.

This weekend we need to get a night table for my side of the bed, a new alarm clock, tennis shoes for PT, sunglasses for me. We have 80 minutes at karate. Jason was promised a "small" new toy, from his father.

Jacques: "Do you have coffee made?"

Me: "Always. Coffee runs through my veins like Edward."

Odds and ends and quirks.

I still squirt ketchup and mustard in a "W" on my burgers after a six year sentence at Wendy's.

I do not buy generic paper towels.

I have texture issues with food.

I can not grow long and pretty fingernails, but I keep my toes painted always.

Bell has been my best friend for 14 years. That's a lot.

I refuse to grow old gracefully. If it is in my power and checkbook, I will get it fixed, nipped or tucked. I lather up in Olay numerous times a day and even through out the night. SPF is my friend and so are huge floppy sun hats.

I don't bother shaving my legs. Maybe once a month. I am married. It doesn't matter.

I have obsessive compulsive behavior issues.

I would buy a Nikon just because Ashton Kutcher does a great job of promoting it. However, I am only a Canon girl.

I am currently reading 2 to 3 novels a month. I am on my 3rd for June already.

I love thrift stores, diet coke, glitter and Bruce Willis.

I will eventually go on a honeymoon with my hubby, once our kids are bigger. This October will be our 8th wedding anniversary. He blames Bell for having to put off our trip.

I am double jointed, have never broken a bone, still have my wisdom teeth, 6 tattoos, and occasionally I want my nose pierced.

I used to have my tongue pierced.

I was an honor roll student in high school.

I love Cliffhanger, Armageddon, Urban Cowboy, The Punisher and Robin Hood.I could list a thousand favorites in this section.

I am obsessed with George Strait, Edward, House MD, anything pink and toe socks. And lately, the Loch Ness monster has become something I am interested in. This would be something that I can blame Bell for ; )

I had a mole removed from my belly. It was painful. And I enjoy skinny dipping.

I saw Titanic and Twilight twice in the theater and I Sudoku.

Skinnier Me.

These are some photos that I took in May to see my weight loss. While I am still no toothpick, I feel great that I can and have actually lost weight. I really had given up and thought I would be heavy forever.

That was at 28 pounds lost in the green and at 32 in the pink. I may look and feel even better if I would buy some clothes now that actually fit. These are the same clothes that I was wearing when I still had the extra 32 pounds. The clothes are big and hang on me and do not make me feel any better about myself. Ugh. However, the skirt is 4 sizes smaller than I was wearing in January.

I started dieting on January 29th to get ready for Scotland. I have lost 32 pounds so far and am still going. I have lost 6.5" off my hips and 5.5" around my waist.

We love electricity and toaster waffles.

Hello, to a wet Wednesday morning. Last night it rained hard for about half an hour and took out our electricity for 2.5 hours. Thank goodness for book lights and bedtimes. The kids played Go Fish and read under their lights. Ryan went straight to bed and Zachary, ohhh Zachary, was just a mess. He was tired, grouchy and full of late night naughtiness. He was up till after 10:30 and Jacques and I were miserable without lights or tv that late. I got Ryan into bed shortly after 8 and was hoping Zach would go quickly too.. I wanted to join the kids on the couch with my own book and light. Nope.

Back to this morning and being positive. Bulletproof Positive as Kal would say. Breakfast was toaster waffles, toast and black coffee. A pot of it. For me. All me. Today includes 1 hr and 45 minutes at karate with two kids participating and me and two babies on the sideline. It should be fun or total chaos. Maybe both. Hugs, M

Karate Kid Two.

This is what love looks like today..

And I am only slightly less happy than when the doctors handed me each one of my kids for the first time. The Rebel T1i 15.1 mega pixels. This is the newest model from Canon and is two models better than my XTi. It is on sale this week and I said I would only get it if I could sale my Canon. And it was just a thought when I was in Kansas reading the paper with Grandma. I said, "If I can sell mine, I will get this one." I had two people who wanted it.

Today is Tuesday and it finds me with a big fat SOLD sign on my camera and $400 fresh dollars burning a hole in my pocket for the her. Today she will be mine. She is already waiting happily at customer service with my name on the box.

Oh yes, she will be mine.


And I will call her Nessie.

Lincoln Love.

I wish I had an amazing photo to share of my little Lincoln, but the dog is harder to photograph than kids full of caffeine. Lincoln has his monthly check up at the vet today and I am amazed that at just 4 months, he weighs 24 pounds. A month and a half ago, he was just over 10 pounds. He got 4 more vaccines today and a huge rabies tag for his collar. Not really his style, but it's illegal to not have it on the Mutt. I like to call him Mutt, but he is no mutt.

We have the Petsmart wellness plan, so we pay a flat $21 dollars a month, every month and that covers all the visits, shots and exams. Plus is we just randomly bring him in, say a child mistakes him for a chair, it's covered. It will also cover his neutering and hospital stays. Today I saw that the plan has saved us, and this is just since mid April, $457.70 in average vet costs. Cha-Ching! Hello, Wellness Plan, I think I love you! And it is good at any Petsmart in the US so say during travel, I can take him to any vet there for any concerns.

He passed all the tests today with flying colors and will go back next month for another visit. We are looking at having him cut right after he is 6 months. He will also get a microchip then too, as he will already be under.

Last Week Recap.

Monday June 10
Home from Kansas
Jordyn is here
Supper at Olive Garden

Tuesday
Outside play
Speech for Jason

Wednesday
Babies 18 month check up
Trip to the Zoo
Ice cream treats at Sonic
Spaghetti

Thursday
Library
Yard work
Indiana Jones.... again

Friday
Jason's blue belt ceremony
Goodwill
Yard work
Scrapbooking!

Saturday
Pool Party : ) in Elgin, SC
Yard work
Walmart for groceries
PIZZA

Sunday June 14
Lazy Day.
Friends came by
Jacques to the Home Depot
Mandy to Michaels
Steaks, tatos, corn on the cob, garlic bread

Spoken.

Me: "Do you love me?"
Jacques: "You're not getting Botox."

Wednesday's Zoo Visit Favorites.

Indiana Jason. Zachary and an eel. Zachary saying, "Fish."
Jordyn and Jason. June 10 at the Riverbanks Zoo.

Sweet Fun.

Awesome Random.

The twins had their 18 month check up today. They are both 31" long and received 4 immunizations. Daddy wimped out and Mommy had to hold them both for all 8 pokes. Ryan weighs 23 pounds and Zachary 24 pounds. Both are thriving and will not be seen again until the age of 2.

We went to the zoo today. Photos tomorrow.

Jacques thinks Palmolive is hand soap. It is dish soap. Adur.

Working on 2 mini albums plus Jordyn's.

This was me ordering at McD's:
Me: "I just need a medium coffee."
Clerk: "Do you need cream or sugar?"
Me: "No."
Clerk: "Do you want it black?"

June Read o2

I have to admit that I was skeptical about this book. I found in at the Goodwill for $2 and retail is $26. I love the show and thought it may be a lighter read. It was amazingly really good. The grammar wasn't the best, but it was a super fun quick read. I had it started and finished in 3 days.

Book Check:
Three day read with 321 pages
Published in 2007
Second non fiction book in a row
Second book read in June
14th book read in 2009
Lending out to a friend
Makes me want to be a bounty hunter
Just an awesome read
My mission: To meet the Dog and Beth in Hawaii.
For Halloween, Jacques will be the Dog and I will be Beth!

Dog Check:
Andrew Luster/Max Factor heir chapters were intense.
Dog is God spelled backwards cause he is a religious man who is always talking Bible and that's how the nickname came about.
He is very passionate about his kids and Beth.
A real ladies man.
Spent 23 years on the wrong side of the law.
A Momma's Boy and a very spiritual man.
Was a vacuum salesman.
The Mexico issues with Luster and his kidnapping charges are still unresolved.

Recommending To:
Becca Bell
Ryan Reid

My Life

1.What was the highlight of your week? Twins check up.

2. Whose car were you in last? Mine, the van.

3. When is the next time you will kiss someone? Tonight.

4. What color shirt are you wearing? Yellow.

5. How long is your hair? Short.

6. Are you good looking? I could stand to lose some more weight.

7. Last movie you watched? PS I Love You

8. Who were you with? Jordyn

9. Last thing you ate? Leftovers from the Olive Garden

10. Last thing you drank? Water

11. When was the last time you had your heart broken? 2000

12. Who came over last? Jordyn.

13. Are you happy right now? Of course!

14. What did you say last? "What was I suppose to do again?"

15. Where is your phone? Here on my desk.

16. What color are your eyes? Green.

17. Are you left-handed? Nope

18. Who are you? Batman

19. Do you have any pets? Boxer

20. Favorite Vacation? I will jump the gun and say the UK

21. What do you dislike currently? Styrofoam

22. What are you listening to? Kids

23. If you could have one thing right now what would it be? A thousand bucks.

24. What is your favorite scent? Tribute by Mary Kay

25. Who makes you happiest? My Family : )

26. What were you doing at midnight last night? Sleeping

27. When is your birthday? December 18

28. Who has the same phone as you? Cooper

29. Last time you went swimming pool? December

30. Do you read your horoscope? Occasionally.

31. Where was the last place you bought something? Commissary.

32. How do you feel about your hair right now? I wish my highlights were brighter.

33. Do you bite your nails? Ugh, yes.

34. Do you have any expensive jewelery? Just a piece or two.

35. Do you have any expensive perfume? No, I don't even have cheap perfume.

36. Myspace or facebook? FB

37. How fast have you driven a car? Two miles more than the posted limit.

38. Have you ever smoked? Yes.

39. What was or is your favorite subject in school? English.

40. Do you have Verizon? No.

41. What type of boy do you usually fall for? Cajun.

42. Do you have any hidden talents? Does my bra size count?

43. Favorite Song? "It won't be like this for long" Darius Rucker

44. Do you like to sing at all? I rock the mic.

45. Dream Job? Scrapper.

46. Where does most of your family live? Kansas and Texas

47. Are you an only child or do you have siblings? Only child.

48. Would you consider yourself to be spoiled? I guess.

49. What was the first thing you thought when you woke up? "COFFEEE"

50. Do you drink? Not Often.

51. Know any other languages? No.

52. Ever write a coded messages? Phonetic Alphabet

53. Have you ever been IN a wedding? no.

54. Do you have any children? Three Boys

55. Did you take a nap today? HA!

56. Who has the same birthday as you? Brad Pitt and Britney

57. Ever met anyone famous before? No.

58. Do you want to be famous one day? No.

59. Any pet peeves? Smacking Food.

60. Are you multitasking right now? No.

61. Do you like Britney Spears? Sure.

62. What is your least favorite chore? Washing Bottles.

63. Last place you drove your car? To Bi Lo

64. Ever been out of the country? Nope, soon though.

65. Where were you born? Kansas

66. Could you handle being in the military? "Army Wife: Toughest Job in the Military"

67. What is your average cell phone bill? $127 for both

68. Who are you thinking about right now? Wonderin' when the babies will wake up.

69. Last time you laughted REALLY hard? Sunday with Larry and Bell too.

70. How many pairs of shoes do you own? There is no way I am counting them.

71. Are your toes always painted? Hot Pink.

72. How many piercings do you have? Just the ears.. Had the tongue pierced once.

73. What are you doing today? Being Mom and Wife.

74. Have you ever been gambling? BINGO!

75. When is the last time you updated your blog? June 9th

76. Do you like rollercoasters? Absolutely love them.

77. Have you ever been to Disneyland or Disney World? No, next year??

78. Do you have a favorite cartoon character? Judy Jetson.

79. Last thing you cooked? Mac and cheese with Fish

80. How's the weather? Too hot.

81. Do you e-mail? EVERYDAY!

82. What's the stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone? Dropped it.

83. Last time you were sick? January

84. What states have you lived in?--Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and South Carolina

85. Do you wish you could move? Nope.

86. Do you take candy from your kids? Shshhhhhh!

87. What is your dream car? Volvo.

88. Have you ever wanted someone you cant have? Three Words: King of Country

89. If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be? With Grandma Long.

90. Are you happy with your life? Hell Yeah.

National Doughnut Day.

And how else would we celebrate but with a box of fresh Krispy Kreme's. But since I watch what I eat, no doughnut for me. However, I figured eating one for Lewis couldn't hurt any.

Friday. Today, with nothing on our calendar. There are only 6 blank days for the entire month and 5 of them are on Thursdays. Jason's speech therapist will be on vacation, leaving us with 5 empty, unplanned days. Hooray. Those days will become our zoo days or our stay in pajamas all day and watch Oprah days.

Saturday. Me, leaving on a jet plane. With all my bags packed, I'll be ready to go.. And it should be a great couple day break. I seem slightly impatient lately with leaky spill-proof sippy cups, dog pee and Barney. I am flying out of Charlotte, NC and into Wichita at 3:30. I have plans to stay with my Grandma, visit my other Grandma, maybe a lunch with Lewis, and see the Bells.

Side note: Jason will only have 13 more speech sessions then our insurance will no longer cover any more visits. We are going down to 1 visit a week that way he will have 3 more months with Mrs. Wendy. Tricare will not authorize more after that because he is less than a year behind in his speech. Thankfully, this is no biggie. He just has a few sounds that are off, but not noticeable unless you are specifically waiting for a wrong pronunciation. Mrs. Wendy thought they were going to be done by December.

My babies are not babies..

Yesterday the twins were 1.5 years old. Amazing. Time flies and makes me sad. I don't have photos to share, but want to recap what the babies like or do not as of lately.

Ryan- Loves Mini Wheats, crackers, and pastas. Not a fan of sweets. Is best friends with the dog. Loves to kiss the dog. Is obsessed with Barney videos. Can sign "more" with hands. Is following simple tasks. Goes to bed on his own wide awake with his bottle at 8 pm and for both naps. Loves being outside. Easy going. Wearing 5.5 toddler shoes. Loves balls.

Zachary- Loves sweets, pizza, and bananas. Says, "Bye" and "Book" perfectly. Loves tools and hair brushes, we call him Zohan. Signs "more" with hands and follows simple tasks. Loves being outside and riding the trikes or swinging. Still needs to be rocked for all naps and bedtime. Wears infant size 4 shoes. Very high maintenance child. Likes to wear everyone's shoes.

The babies have their well baby check up on the 10th next week. Look for physical stats then.

June Read o1

Tuesdays with Morrie By Mitch Albom. Perhaps the quickest read? A true story. I started it late Sunday night and only had 30 pages left on Monday night which I could of finished but went to bed.

This book made me think a lot about life and death and accepting fate that is unchangeable. I thought a lot about my Grandpa Lee and how lucky and full his life was always and at the end. He had plenty of people to shower him with love, even at his last breath and the months before.

Lewis is my Morrie. My mentor.

Favorite Morrie Quotes:

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in."

"Without love, we are birds with broken wings."

"Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live."

Book Check:

192 pages

Published in 1997

Non-fiction

My 2nd Mitch Albom read

Bought at the library sale $1

Made into a movie??

Recommending To:

Everyone and Janie.

What Trouble Looks Like.

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Saturday- I already posted about this amazing day. Karate and Mom time with Jason. A trip to the library, bank and Goodwill. Jason deposited $73 dollars into his account and I spent $4 on 3 new books. Not of Jason's money. Later we went to the state park as a family and took the dog. Then it was treat time at sonic. It was an amazing, simple day.

Sunday- Mommy slept in again till almost nine! The I took the boys outside to play while I bathed in coffee and the hubby made french toast. Shortly after that, it was baby nap time. They took a great nap. Once they were up, we ran for groceries and new shoes for each boy. Turns out, the babies were in the wrong sizes! Zachary wears a 4 in infants and Ryan wears a 5 in toddlers. But they don't make a 5, so he is in a 5 and a half. We bought the same shoes in different colors to avoid them being in the wrong pair. Photos later. Jason is in a 13. Then we hit Fazzoli's for lunch came home for more baby nap time while the hubby and Jason worked outside. Mommy worked on photos and started a new read for June. Watched MTV awards until they previewd New Moon. It rained hard, and that will put a damper on outside play tomorrow.

Monday- Slept until 6:55 and then jumped into a pot of coffee. Changed 2 diapers. Changed 2 more poopy diapers. Jason asked for french toast again. Mine did not turn out as well as Jacques, but there were no complaints. Computer time. Puppy play. Barney. Photos up on flickr. Baby naps in 30 more minutes! Karate this evening for Jason and softball for Jacques.