Girls in the Bathtub

The Bells' Visit

Bryan, Ashley, and Katie Bell visited us from Wisconsin this past weekend. Bryan and Todd attended some optometry lectures and the Principal Golf Classic while Ashley and I hung out with the kids and went to some garage sales. My biggest steal was a $4 training potty for Ella.

Matching Tees

Ella with her cousins, on Memorial Day

The Hodson Girls

Melissa's colleague, Emily, brought her two (ornery but sweet) girls over last night to visit. I tried to get them to eat Wasabi ... they declined. I tried to get them to change the kids' diapers ... they accepted. I would have taken the Wasabi.

Jack just ripped one on Bailey

"This is How I Roll"

Smiley Jack

5 Things: Spanking

We're at the point where discipline and correction is becoming a much more significant part of our daily routine with Ella. Gone are the days of sitting back and just being entertained by her innocent cuteness.

1. I was spanked in a way that I think was pretty effective, Melissa did not need to be spanked at all (anyone surprised?). This has led us to have some really interesting and helpful discussions that I think bring a great deal of balance to our approach to discipline.

2. These are the formative years ... we really want to get Ella started off in the right direction.

3. On the occasions where we've needed to discipline Ella, I approach the moment with fear that I will be too harsh. But when she laughs and starts talking about puppies, I realize that I was a softie.

4. We're learning that discipline at Ella's age is really basic. Almost every act of correction involves teaching her about repentance for acts of willful disobedience.

5. I read a short article this week and found it to be somewhat helpful. Here's a quote:

People who do not know how to look beyond surface appearances will say that when you spank a child you are teaching them violence. They say spanking a child is hitting a child, and they are impatient with those who seek to make fundamental distinctions. Lovemaking is not rape, even though the same biological act is involved in both. Executing Ted Bundy is not imitating Ted Bundy, even though someone loses his life in both instances. The difference between child abuse and child discipline is as vast as the difference between unrighteousness and rightousness.

You can read the rest here.

Potty Trained?

On Memorial Day at my sister's house, Ella and her cousins (Anna 2 yrs. old and Amber 4 yrs. old) played upstairs in Amber's room. When my sister went to check on the girls, she found Ella and Anna with no pants or diapers on and Ella was sitting on the training potty that Amber moved into her room. When my sister picked Ella up off the potty, there was some pee in there. Amber got so excited and started telling everyone that she potty trained Ella. That makes my job easier! Thanks Amber.

Memorial Day Photos

The Globe has posted some outstanding photos of Memorial Day 2009.

See all of the photos here.

Looking Back: The Fish Fry

One year ago, the three of us enjoyed a fish fry at Keith and Linda Sheriff's house.

One of my all-time favorite photos ...see more photos of the event here.

Happy Birthday Kelly

Kelly was the first friend that I made in Memphis. She quickly became one of my best friends. We taught together at Highland Oaks Elementary. We have so many great memories together. She could always make me laugh and helped me through those tough years of teaching. Her friendship means a lot to me and I know we will always be great friends even though we live so far apart. Happy Birthday Kelly! I miss you so much.

Words are Feeble

"I have no illusions about what little I can add now to the silent testimony of those who gave their lives willingly for their country. Words are even more feeble on this Memorial Day, for the sight before us is that of a strong and good nation that stands in silence and remembers those who were loved and who, in return, loved their countrymen enough to die for them."

-- President Ronald Reagan, Remarks at Memorial Day Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, May 31, 1982

Map the Fallen

Marcia's Baby Shower

Check out Jack decked out in the background of the bottom-left photo.

Ella's Other New Ride

Her first trike, courtesy of Grandma Schulz

Jack's First Bottle

We had to cut him off at 3.5 oz so we could pick up his Grandpa from the airport.

Jack's Crib

Jack spent his first night in the crib.

Welcome Home, Papa

My dad just returned from a veterinary mission trip to Nicaragua.
We're glad he's home.

Here are a few of the shots he took while on the trip:

The New Ride

Jack & Gma Mattern

Fun on the Deck

Photos of the Sun

This is an amazing photo of the sun.

But look closer at the bottom left quadrant and you'll see a dot or two...

"In this tightly cropped image the NASA space shuttle Atlantis and the Hubble Space Telescope are seen in silhouette, side by side during solar transit at 12:17p.m. EDT, Wednesday, May 13, 2009, from west of Vero Beach, Florida. The two spaceships were at an altitude of 600 km and they zipped across the sun in only 0.8 seconds. Photo Credit: (NASA/Thierry Legault)

See the entire set on Flickr.

Cheerleader Ella

Next

So since I couldn't beat the older guy, I took on his daughter. That chick was all over me. I couldn't shake her. I'd say I lost because I was playing in sandals, but she didn't even have shoes on. Dernit.