blogs i don't read

1. I don't read blogs that have no sense of humor (Except for DG...no jokes on the DG blog! Of course, truth be told, I only read 1 out of 7 of the posts.). I don't get online to experience catharsis. I do read posts which induce real tears, but almost every blog I subscribe to is written by someone who has a sense of humor.

2. I don't read blogs that always have super long posts. And I feel guilty when I write them. Who has time to read, much less WRITE, a super long post unless you're retired. And, the only retired people I know are WAY to busy to even maintain a blog.

3. I don't read blogs that are basically facts. We did this. We're going to do this. This is what we look like. That's great and all, but unless we're really good friends, it just doesn't get me right here (fyi, I'm gently pounding my chest with my fist).

4. I don't read blogs that appear to be perfection. I appreciate the vulnerable blogger...even if the person writes, "I just can't go there...it's too painful." Okay. That was honest. I choose vulnerability over veneer.

5. I don't read blog posts about running, but I do read blogs by ultra runners. Okay. I read ONE blog written by an ultra runner, because he writes about other stuff, too. But, I don't generally read blogs that are about one main topic. (crafting, cooking, saving money, etc...)

6. I don't read blogs that are all about theology. Is that okay?

7. Nor do I read blogs that are political. Should I be embarrassed?

8. I don't read blogs that I actually like to read, because I keep forgetting to subscribe to them!!!!

9. I don't read blogs that seem to be super popular like Challies, 9marks, Pioneer Woman, etc. I don't know why. I just don't.

10. I don't read blogs of total strangers. I do read blogs written by people I've come to know through the blogosphere. Contradiction? perhaps. Does it makes sense? not sure. Either way, it's been fun getting to know you!!!

gum has never tasted better/pregnancy is weird

This is the most sensational pregnancy I've had. My enjoyment of smells and tastes is so intense. I LOVE gum. I LOVE brushing my teeth. I LOVE the smell of my super cheap industrial laundry detergent.

The last one is the one that really scares me. Every time I do the laundry, I can hardly keep my nostrils away from the powder detergent. I could almost eat the little granules!

Anyone else out there had the urge to eat your detergent? Or, maybe less freaky, chew an entire pack of Fruit Stripe gum? (I haven't done that, but it sounds amazing!)

On the flip-side, this has been the most physically painful pregnancy, too. Walking hurts. Standing hurts. Sneezing hurts.

All would be well if I could just be on bed rest with the most amazing, fabulous, sensational gum in the whole world.

When people tell me, "Oh! Jillian's gonna be a great big sister!" I think of this:

I'm convinced passive-aggressive behavior was invented by jealous toddlers.

confession: things i said to my kids today

While playing cards with Miles...

Miles: I need a three of hearts.
Me: What? Oh. It sounded like you said "three of farts"
Miles: hee-hee
Me: What if you said you needed a King of Farts?

While trying to start reading The House on Pooh Corner...

Avery: I don't want to read that. All I think of is poop when I hear it.
Me: What if all the dogs in the neighborhood always pooped on our corner. Then WE would live in The House on Poo Corner.

So, there. I never said I was a perfect Mom, did I? By the way, I did say other things, too. Good things.

(And I read the book anyway. And we liked it so far.)

When we were young...reeeeallly young

So, now that I'm 31 weeks, I think I'm letting myself wonder who this baby is going to look like. Here's the family from oldest to youngest.

Grandma was in town. We finally visited this famous landmark.

We've only been here almost FOUR years and we finally went to the famous Sculpture Garden. It was fun having Brent's mom in town from Ohio. She visited back in JUNE and I'm finally post this. (Can y'all tell I'm the biggest procrastinator ever?) She inspired some gardening by getting me a bunch of perennials. Best part is, I'll think of her every time I look at my flowers!

overheard by the kids

As they were enjoying the baby pool on our deck.

"Ugh...those pools are awful. They are such a waste of water..."

pagans. killjoys. hippies. neighbors. people i'm called to love.

Mourning for Micah

As many of you from Bethlehem Baptist already sadly know, a family from our church has suffered a huge loss. Micah was a beautiful healthy little boy who went to be with Jesus just over a week ago. My heart ached to read the sad news. My eyes burned with hot tears to read the beautiful words about him in his obituary. And I have thought about his parents who lost their only child so abruptly. I don't know them, but we are members of One Body, and I'm mourning for Micah, too.

With their permission, I'm passing along the link to their blog, so that those of you who are experiencing this intense sadness for Cory and Heather, can come along and love them and encourage them and cry with them through this journey of grief and hope.

http://www.mourningformicah.blogspot.com

the boys are learning new words

yesterday it was Miles....

Miles was trying on his new school uniform. The shorts were a little big. He kept saying, "They're HUGE! I need to get on the staircase so I can fit them." After he said this a few times, I asked, "What do you mean you need to get on the staircase???" He said, "You know! That thing that makes you bigger?" HUH? "You know, like baseball players use them, but they shouldn't?!!" ooohhhhh...steroids!!!

Yep. back story: We happened to pass this huge Target the other day and he heard me say, "That Target is on steroids!" And then, for some reason, I defined steroids.

and here's Avery's story...

About a month ago...

We're piling into the van when Avery says, "Hey Mom, dudes have turd." Totally caught off guard, I asked, "What are you talking about??"
"Mom, it's like you said, 'dudes have turd'."
"I'm quite sure I did NOT say 'dudes have turd.'"
"Yeah...remember this morning? Dudes have turd!"
"Oooohh...you mean Dudes with 'tudes! Yeee-ah, 'turd' means something else altogether."

why i'm tempted to never ask "how did the fight start???"

Me: So, Miles, can you briefly explain how the fight started?

Miles: Yeah. Well, Avery and I were playing cars (ok). And his car could release a hawk (huh??) and so he became the hawk (obviously) and was attacking my leg (riiiighht...), and so I was trying to push him away and then (bye-bye...I'm off to my happy place....).....