Guess Who's the Big .25????

Yup--it's Ollie! Today marks his 3 month birthday. And yes, I did figure that math ON MY OWN. No help from Joel, thank you! We decided (2 months into his life) to take a picture by something each month (that same something, not a random something). So we chose his rocking chair. Now we'll see his progress as he grows each month!

Speaking of progress, I think he's teething. He's been drooling like a sailor (they drool, right?) for several weeks now. He also chews on his hands and makes the loudest noises! Not crying--just noises. It's hilarious. Anyway--maybe next month he'll have some shiny new white ones in his picture!

This Thing Called "E-Bay"

Okay, so as you may know, Joel is a seasoned pro at buying and selling on Ebay. He has sold everything from used baseballs to books and even bought our car online. While he can manage his sales and accounts with his eyes closed and one hand tied behind his back, I can't.

In fact, just this past weekend, I made a rather silly purchase. Well, actually, the purchase is great. I wanted a paper cutter for scrapbooking. Joel suggested, instead of paying $15-20 at a store--how about I look on Ebay? Of course! I never think of that. So Friday night I wandered online looking for that exact thing. I found this giant cutter for only $5.00--what a steal! Now, for those of you non-scrapbookers--I'm not talking about the old school paper cutters. These scrapbooking cutters are much smaller and more sleek. They're used to cut pictures and paper. The one I found online looked decent--and pretty heavy-duty. So, I saw there were 20 hours left on the sale. I clicked "bid". I'm thinking, "$5.50--that's pretty cheap!" So then, like any good Ebay-er--I check the shipping cost. Oops....$15.00!!!!! Yeah--apparently you're supposed to check all that before bidding. So, I comforted Joel by telling him--"I'm sure I won't win it! There's a day left! Besides--there's one other bidder." (They must not have checked shipping either...) Well, Saturday evening Joel informed me (while managing his many tasks) that I won the paper cutter. Hmmm...I asked how long till it should get here. "Next week, right?" His response--"It better get here today for that amount of money!" Yeah. Well--I received it today. It is honking. Think about those old school cutters--about that size. Maybe not as heavy. Good thing I decided to save money by buying online...next time, I'm just driving to Walmart!

The Month in Review

Hey folks. I realize that I've got quite a devoted following reading this blog. I decided to update you on the past month. Mommy and Daddy have been so busy that they just haven't included the most fun parts!
I'll start with today. Today I went to church in my beach shirt. I love this shirt! I like the nursery because I get to play with my other little friends, and people laugh at me and rock me all morning.












Last week was Father's Day. It was Daddy's first! He was thrilled I think. I gave him a card, (Mommy helped me write a poem) and two pictures. One is this one right here--and the other is me in my baseball uniform! I just can't wait until I can actually hold the bat!!!!













Daddy also is working hard this month. This is his busiest month at the Rec. Center. When he comes home for lunch, I can't wait to see him! On this day, I decided to eat lunch with him. I believe we were watching the Cubs play on WGN.











Over Memorial Day (when Dad was gone to Oregon) Mommy and I went to Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's for a few days. I had so much fun. I love spending time with my grandparents and my doting aunt. Here I am with my cousin Addilyn on Grandpa's lap. (I actually DO have a diaper on--you just can't tell under my nicely expanding waistline.)















And here's me and Addy with Aunt Courtney. Can you believe she made us these shirts??? We were NOT impressed! (They say, "If you think I'm cute, you should see my aunt...")



Well, we've had a busy month as you can see. I'll try to get mom to include me in more blogs. I believe she actually wrote about something else once or twice!!!

11 1/2 Weeks

Ollie rolled over yesterday! We were watching him play on his stomach, and then he just rolled! And we were both there to see it. That was so much fun. We'll try to get it on video here soon!

Trial Run

Thanks to Tyler we have now figured out how to post video on our blog. And of course our first video will be of Oliver, who else? Its not really exciting but check it out and let us know what you think. Maybe next time Oliver will do a rap for you.

Garage-Sale-MANIA!

This past weekend we participated in a garage sale with 22 others from our Young Marrieds Sunday School class. We had SO MUCH JUNK! It's incredible--we had a garage sale this same weekend last year, and Joel and I still hauled 2 car/truckloads of our stuff to the sale. We had about 16 tables and 4 clothing racks full of stuff (not just Joel and I, everyone). And here's the thing: most of us have been married 5 years or less--where do we get all this junk???

We even included a bake sale--which went over very well. We did quite well at the sale. Joel and I made much more than last year (but still a modest amount), but our sale in all brought in $2000! At the end of the sale Saturday, we still hauled away 2 truckloads and a mini-van load full of stuff that didn't sell. One advantage of having these sales is that we get to get new clothes from other people in our class. I brought home 10+ shirts, skirts and pants to wear. It's like having a whole new wardrobe!

Still not Catholic

Well, if you know me very well, you may know that I have very weird, often incredibly vivid dreams. I remember quite a few from when I was very little. And sometimes, Joel will mention something random, for example, popcorn, and I will have dreamt about that the night before...seriously! One time, I even had a dream that came true the next day--in stunning prophetic detail!

Anyway, my reason for writing today is to share one of last night's dreams. I was walking around the Vatican and there was a very large courtyard. I walked into that. There was a tall building/tower in the center. I remember looking up and seeing the pope's feet sticking out of his blanket in that bedroom. (How I saw that, I'm not sure) But I remember thinking, "wow, that's the pope!" All of a sudden, he was laying down on the courtyard in a grassy area on a thin mattress. Then he woke up. Luckily, he was dressed in his full pope-ish regalia. Random...

It's Summer, Dude!

We figured since Oliver's 2 1/2 months old, it's time for his most recent "stats". So here they are!

Favorite activity: kicking and talking
Sleeping: last night, I woke him after 10 hours!
Eating: yes, he does.
Weight: over 13 pounds
Length: 23 1/2 inches
Skills: holding head up (getting better), making sounds that sound like read words (sometimes "Dad"!), standing (with help), blowing bubbles
His proudest moments: the outfits he soils, and then smiles...

The "After" Picture

Well, we officially finished the bathroom last night. Joel nailed on the trim, caulked around the shower, sealed the grout and then finally put the toilet back on. What do you think?

Kendall's Newest Hobby

I've always been a reader. I love to read. During the school year when I teach, I'm often too busy to really find time to read regularly. Since having Oliver--I really thought those days were over! But, I realized one day that I can read while feeding him--that's 4-5 hours a day! So I started reading one of my favorite series last week--Philip Gulley's "Harmony" series. They're the most wonderful books. Philip is a Quaker pastor, and writes about a pastor who works in a small town called Harmony. The stories in the books are so funny! It's quite thought-provoking, too, to be honest. If you're looking for a wonderful book to read, start with his first, "Home to Harmony". They're easy reading, quick, and so enjoyable. They will be first on my "recommended reads" list (over to the right...)

Happy reading!

Much Ado About Tile

Joel started his newest project last week-- tile-ing (how DO you spell it?) our nicer bathroom. You see, we have a nice bathroom and a very out-dated bathroom. This was the nice one. Anyway- he began cutting pieces last Saturday, then we cemented it down (or however you say that) that evening. Tonight we plan to grout. Oh what fun awaits!

Before...






Current...


















We'll show the 'after' when it's all finished.

Not about Oliver

Well, apparently we write many blogs about Oliver. Or so we're told. So, I'm going to write a blog that has nothing to do with him...hmmmm...this blog will also have no pictures because one of the males in our household broke our card reader. So until I find our USB cord--we'll be blogging picture-less.

Anyway--I will make a list of some of my favorite things. You know, like raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens, brown paper packages tied up with string...those kinds of things.

I'd love to hear from you all (meaning the general public that reads this) about your favorite things, too!

Favorite color: Pink (yep--still, after many years, but not to use in decorating.)
Favorite part of the day: morning (especially when I have a nice big mug of coffee!)
Favorite author: Toss up between John Grisham and Philip Gulley--I've begun reading the Harmony series again and am reminded of how wonderful those books are!!!!!
Favorite food: tough one--lasagne, or dessert in general
Favorite month: Either May or November. May has storms, November has my birthday, Thanksgiving, and fall.
Favorite vacation I ever took: probably 1992 Florida trip. I have lots of great memories from there, including a coffee can full of seashells from the seashore...(I hear a tongue-twister coming on!)
Favorite movie: Again, there are many good ones. But I think I'd have to say "The Birds". Mom encouraged me to watch that as part of my coming of age (when I turned 18)...
Favorite Band: Hmmm...I really like Chris Daughtry, but I don't own that CD so that can't count. I really like Casting Crowns, too. Actually, I don't own that one either.
Favorite plant in my garden: Mmmmm...raspberries!
Favorite class in highschool: well, I was a band nerd.
Favorite TV show: American Idol, Amazing Race or House. Just depends on the season.

Okay--so what are your favorites?
By Joel




Alright, Kendall wrote this one.

Me? A Buddha???

Yes, you heard it! Twice in the last week I've been called a buddha.













Don't they realize that Buddha's are a little on the heavy side? Have you seen his gut????










That is funny. He is this little bald naked man with a HUGE gut that just sits around...and they think I look like him????




















Ha ha...actually, hmmmmm.......bald...naked...large gut....






















Do YOU think I look like a Buddha?