tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568588395731273462011-10-01T11:57:20.932-04:00Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.comBlogger1321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-7071630263458793502011-01-03T21:19:00.000-05:002011-01-03T21:19:43.218-05:00

 It IS a wonderful life.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-32343614629617552052010-09-01T17:54:00.000-04:002010-09-01T17:54:26.351-04:00

 Uploading in the U.S.A. is an absolute dream. There were weeks at a time that I couldn't even get logged into our blog and then when I could, it would take a Rip Van Winkle to get anything to upload. Some frustrations/aspirations in life...are worth eliminating or at the very least putting on hold. So blogging gave way to living and playing on the island. And I'm glad for that.So now I think

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-64831159226120255502010-08-29T21:42:00.000-04:002010-08-29T21:42:21.966-04:00

 All right boys. We will now sing hymns in English, French, Tahitian...and Bluegrass drawl. Look sharp. "What? You don't want to wear flip flops and shorts to church anymore? Why not?" "Dylan? Yes?""You love Tahiti. Me too. You like THAT house. You like PK 18 (beach). Of course.""When will we go back?""That's a tough one. That's a tough one.""Yep. Let's send Tati Annie, Tati Marie,

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 It's a good day when you make this discovery on the corner of town where you happen to be. And you happen to be there because while you were waiting at the bus stop, a woman stopped and offerd a ride to you and your toddler which you accepted surprised but glad. So instead of cramming into the faded, worn bus full of people, you get to talk to a Tahitian dance teacher and exchange stories in

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 When I say something like, “It’s totally crazy that our water comes into the house through an above ground hose that looks pretty much like a basic garden hose,” Eric will say, “Well you should see the system in Ecuador!”When I say, “Wow. That bus I rode the other day. It was pretty trashed, noisy and dirty.”“You should see the busses in Ecuador!”“It sure would be nice to have a car here.”“Well

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-67386658603289536612010-01-18T02:59:00.000-05:002010-01-18T03:00:04.199-05:00

 Were meant for nice walks. Peaceful thoughts.

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 Dad by day. Super hero by night. Weapon of choice? Football, of course.Question: What does Dad-Eric like to eat?Dylan (2.5): “I don’t know.”Isaac (almost 4): “Cake. Pink. No. What if he had chocolate?”Benjamin (almost 6): “Peanuts.”Question: What’s Dad’s favorite drink?Benjamin: “Can. The Cherry one.”Isaac: “Juice.”Question: What does Daddy do at work?Dylan: “I don’t know.”Isaac: “

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-79054960899423299702010-01-16T13:06:00.000-05:002010-01-16T13:06:53.283-05:00

 "Moooooooooooom, where are you? Come and see me!"

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-70341707045985593582010-01-04T01:59:00.000-05:002010-01-04T01:59:55.589-05:00

 I'm still struggling to communicate in French, but I'm getting pretty good at singing in French.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-89828594817391944152009-12-21T02:49:00.000-05:002009-12-21T02:50:22.593-05:00

 

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-78404892234806339202009-12-10T02:52:00.000-05:002009-12-10T02:53:19.156-05:00

 Relief Society Talent Show Paea Stake, Tahiti

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-12338802843395871172009-11-26T01:39:00.000-05:002009-11-26T01:39:56.508-05:00

 When the sun shines, it's laundry full throttle.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-74872274839385371662009-11-18T02:12:00.001-05:002009-11-18T02:13:15.672-05:00

 

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-7432296329381126822009-11-18T02:08:00.000-05:002009-11-18T02:09:20.084-05:00

 Installation PK 16.8

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-73428068245183948392009-10-11T22:39:00.003-04:002009-10-11T22:53:39.854-04:00

A Day with DylanDylan wanted to invite you to spend a morning with him so he can show you his neighborhood and give you a feeling of what it is like for him to live in Tahiti.The nice part of NOT being here on vacation is the chance to experience the ordinary living of a place. There are so many stories we have to tell of tsunami warnings and impromptu hikes into the mountains to get to high

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-92205323437262449372009-10-08T02:18:00.000-04:002009-10-08T02:19:29.296-04:00

 We love it when this boy from the house behind our back fence comes out from his gate and yells "Bonjour" over our side fence. Reva is exactly the kind of person we WANT to hop over our fence and play. He's like our own little secret garden kind of friend because we've lived side by side for a few months and he and my boys only just now discovered one another. We blame the fences.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-59840086660259719052009-09-18T05:36:00.001-04:002009-09-18T08:46:05.395-04:00

 Benjamin at ChurchSorry Neil, I don't remember how to take out the truncation...and I didn't really have anything else to say.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-85836947985227708432009-08-20T21:19:00.004-04:002009-08-20T22:31:00.602-04:00

Some notes I jotted in my journal because obviously not every day is a well-edited essay.At breakfast: Isaac sweeps a hand over the table decked out with our plates of pancakes and complete with a group of small stuffed animals eating mini pancakes, “Is this real? Is this all real?” “What do you think?” Almost to himself he says again, “Is this real?” “What do you think?” I ask again. “I

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You only think my life is more interesting. It's really just a lot of dishes (no dishwasher), laundry (no dryer) and walking to pick up kids from school (no car!).Ah. But you're right. Church is a ton more interesting. I can't say that I get bored at church. I may not understand much of what is going on, but everyone entertains me immensely, the singing is beautiful and I'm charmed by the kids

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-60411644951857683822009-07-24T14:31:00.004-04:002009-07-25T07:50:54.211-04:00

Tahiti 7/24/09 7:36 AMClick on the photo to see more of Tahiti life.The trains are running full steam ahead in the room adjacent to me, we've just finished breakfast and soon we will officially start our day by putting stickers on our calendar. We would check the weather, but it pretty much the same every day and we know that it will never snow, so we've given that activity up as far too

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From New Album 7/23/09 9:01 PMJuly is Heiva in Tahiti. That means there have been all kinds of doings on the island. Dancing, revelry, food, sports--celebrations and tradition. The Museum of Tahiti is beautifully situation near the ocean and made for a fine Saturday outing where we saw a spear throwing contest, rock lifters and coconut tree climbers. Most of us saw all of this all of the time

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7-13-09Isaac: “I like this house!”Isaac: “Why is there a rooster at church?” (Because they’re everywhere. The common, common bird crowing all over the island).Isaac: “There’s smoke on this island every day. It stinks.”Isaac: “I liked those dancing ladies!” (After a performance we saw at dinner for our anniversary and Dylan’s birthday).NeeMom: “So Isaac people here like to say your name a

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-67004092961849199182009-07-14T15:21:00.002-04:002009-07-14T16:08:27.560-04:00

I do wonder at those early people who navigated by stars in outrigger canoes to first discover these islands and other explorers who defied the conventional wisdom of their day to set off into uncharted water. I imagine a journal entry something like this from one of those adventurers.Captain’s log: Day 40. More water. Surrounded by water. I believe that one day we’ll see land again. I hope

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-4321737087721831752009-06-23T19:17:00.002-04:002009-06-23T19:21:18.242-04:00

This is Eric, bearer of messages from Renee. I just wanted to let you all know that we don't have internet access at our home in Punaauia yet. In order to post on the blog Renee writes the posts and I then transfer them from a memory stick to my computer and then upload them when I'm at work.Renee can't respond directly to your comments yet but I do cut and paste them into docs that she see's

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-68013583019468298262009-06-22T15:27:00.001-04:002009-06-22T15:28:48.820-04:00

First MomentsWalking down the stairs of the plane onto the tarmac while shepherding sleepy, confused boys who had just been woken up. The cacophony of ukuleles, foreign tongues, foreign sounds. Salty sauna. Waves of hot humidity. Tropical. Sweat pouring down my back. It was dark, but the small airport seemed lively. Confused. Anxious. Trying to carry multiple bags, backpacks and two

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June 18, 2009So it costs at least $8 for a gallon of ice cream and $6 dollars for 20 eggs. Perhaps for good reason. This living close to the ocean part—it is more amazing than I had expected. I am a Midwestern girl so I haven’t always given much stock to sunshine and water. I can change my mind.Tuesdays and Thursdays for now are our beach days. We’re still doing “calendar” and “school” each

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-33764311640622062352009-06-18T14:54:00.001-04:002009-06-18T14:54:54.071-04:00

June 17, 2009Eric was reading “First Thousand Words of French” (Usborne) with Isaac and Dylan this morning. After they had been reading it for a while Isaac says, “Dad, you learned a lot of French!” Eric asks, “Isaac, are you going to learn French.” “NO!” Eric: “How are you going to talk with your friends at church?” Isaac: “I say BONJOUR!”

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-62775814643114919572009-06-18T14:51:00.001-04:002009-06-18T14:53:39.095-04:00

He just appeared. With an impish eye and the sun glinting off his satin brown skin and his tawny hair holding golden rays captive, there was no doubt that he had come up sans clothing from the reef where perhaps he lived in his Neverland cavorting with the tiger striped fish and hiding behind rocks—a magical creature. He wanted to play. He was curious about the three little blond boys he could

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-46935709077854999432009-06-18T14:47:00.002-04:002009-06-18T14:51:21.457-04:00

Within biking distance of our house are an LDS stake center and four church buildings. They are right near the main road and even before we had had the opportunity to attend church, those buildings that mirror in style and construction other buildings on the island still pop out at us—we’re part of that. Those are familiar. Those are LDS chapels. It’s as comforting to a stranger in a strange

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-7124376278721467412009-06-16T20:30:00.002-04:002009-06-16T21:55:40.089-04:00

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Seven DaysOne WeekWe’re no longer trying to pour an ocean of water and juice down our throats to combat persistent feelings of internal drought. The traffic is murmuring—annoying still—but more of a dull din than a deafening drum. We have figured out a few things and maybe by the end of the month, there will be a phone line and internet at our “compound,” Chez Chambers, our gated and fenced

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TuesdayDay FivePart of me likes the feeling of being startled and shaken. It’s why I’ve been attempting to record it all raw as I initially experience it. I know that by degrees, I’ll grow accustomed to many things, oddities will become commonplace and the things I can’t change, I’ll accept in some form. In some ways, this is the allure of travel—that change of perspective and fresh eyes on the

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-24061775697437150172009-06-11T14:40:00.001-04:002009-06-11T14:43:46.850-04:00

Air Tahiti NuiIf ever flying with three children ages five and under could be made enjoyable, then Air Tahiti Nui is the key to that successful experience. We were quite giddy with the accommodating treatment we received. I think I may have even teared up a bit as I bumped down the aisle with loads of backpacks nudging Dylan along in front of me when a flight attendant kindly grabbed some bags

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-76202871912994025772009-06-09T14:54:00.001-04:002009-06-09T14:59:59.423-04:00

June 7, 2009SundayDay ThreeI feel foreign and confused. Isaac managed to wake up before the wild roosters that roam the neighborhood by a mere hour. So did everyone else. That was at 4 am this morning. Now the roosters are in full chorus and we’re enjoying the coolest moments of this next day our bodies still trying to fall into new rhythms and our minds trying to make sense of our world in

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-3075814585603688032009-05-27T21:21:00.002-04:002009-05-27T21:09:31.777-04:00

We're just about to step through the glass and find ourselves in an entirely different hemisphere.To be exact. On Tuesday, June 2nd, we will fly out to Los Angeles, CA. There we hope not to be eaten by any of Trevor's lego creations, watch Isabella swan dive, try to keep pace with Natasha and sword fight with Daniel--the cousins. On Friday afternoon we hope to leave LA with all of our baggage

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-6845022186463481682009-05-27T20:40:00.009-04:002009-05-28T06:22:10.592-04:00

"We're so glad when Daddy comes "home" to stay." Today. Soon. Not soon enough. Hurray.Addendum. Eric arrives sometime after dark, after we've all gone to bed. Isaac wakes up with bad dream. I have bad sore throat, so I'm trying to go get something from the kitchen to make it better. Isaac crying.Me. "Look it's Daddy! Stay with Daddy. He'll take care of you."Isaac sobbing. "Nooooo....

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-32137316584174789142009-05-24T21:53:00.012-04:002009-05-24T22:59:22.145-04:00

In some ways we have experienced time standing still during these weeks on my parents farm. I feel as if I touched the lamp post and ended up in my own Narnia world.In this place of timelessness away from thudding tick tock throb of that striving demands, I see my boys in the echoes of my own childhood--climbing my trees, rolling down my hills, dancing, pretending grown-up things and embedded in

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“Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)I know some really great women. I grew up in a beautiful place surrounded in love and community in my church. When I was asked to speak in my church in Georgia on Mother's Day two years ago, the dedicated women of my childhood became part of my message.It's been a pleasure to be with them again while I've

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There's a nice rhythm of threes. Particularly in prayer. So at the house on the hill with the big J barn we often bless "friends, family and loved ones." When I finally started paying attention to the prayers and on days when I wasn't ready to bolt from my knees to run down the driveway at least to the point of the hill where Mr. Clegg would be able to see me, I began to think about this. My

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At noon today, Benjamin and I sat on the bench in the front yard trying to get the sun to burn away the rotten day both of us were having.I was slightly envious of him. His rotten day meant when things were going the wrong direction for him, he would dissolve into a complete fit of temper and uncontrollable screaming. But even in the midst of my attempting various methods of handling his frothy

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Eric has in his possession all five passports and stamped visas. We have tickets on June 5th that will take us to Papeete.Phew.

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We're finding lots to do at Grandma and Pampa's farm in Ohio. And lots of mud too! Isaac often says his special thing of the day was "driving to Grandma's house. This is the BEST!"

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-64653480674829889382009-04-12T08:01:00.004-04:002009-05-29T03:52:40.884-04:00

We celebrated in all kinds of fun ways with Grandma and Pampa in Ohio and with cousins from Indiana. What a great day!

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-17588049853529646372009-03-29T10:24:00.008-04:002009-05-22T23:25:08.440-04:00

For Benjamin's birthday, he decided that he wanted to take some friends on a plane ride. Where? To Tahiti, of course. (We had to limit our trip to one destination. Originally, he wanted to travel the world to Africa for a safari and to New Orleans--to give talks like Dad.) We think flights of the imagination are the best.

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For Dylan (Inspired by a card from Aunt Robyn)Benjamin's TrainFor Baby JosieWe really had fun with our pictures. It's been our packing/leaving/saying goodbye to friends therapy. And it helps the insomnia. A little. I wish my photography did our little creations justice. I didn't have time to get the lighting right.In my file of dreams is pictures of a cute cape cod cozy, but

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From Various Dinner Conversations in NovemberBenjaminABC'sZac the RatTreesButterfliesFlowersScripturesDylanIsaacAlarm Clock (So I know when to wake up on school days) (Note from Mom...he NEVER hears it!)Blue BedroomLettersBooksJustinTrainsHigh TrainBubble Maze at Stone MountainTeachers: Ms. Cynthia, Ms. Diane, Sis. TackettSister FullerRileyTySongsNee Mom working in

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Benjamin and Isaac blew out their birthday candles in February full of wishes of trains and a family adventure day. So, we planned a day trip to the Smoky Mountains to find an incline train (74% grade at the top of the mile or so run), scenic views, an elevator that descends 260 feet into the mountain (Benjamin's favorite detail/event to recount), a cave AND a waterfall. It was a perfect,

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Benjamin created this portrayal of space yesterday with multiple rocket ships and planets, the moon and the earth. He was admiring it this morning with a grin on his face and then commented, "It was hard for me to draw all the planets because I've never been there."

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-27408152284472514982009-03-14T07:50:00.006-04:002009-03-14T09:17:37.083-04:00

Eric attended a meeting in French Polynesia last week with everyone involved in the "project." Here is something of what he saw--a preview of our new world.And part of why we will be going there...breeding ground for parasite toting mosquitoes--rat chewed, rain-filled coconut shell. The perfect home for unsavory things.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-36244203761634329232009-03-10T23:37:00.005-04:002009-03-10T23:49:35.565-04:00

It is always a good day when dad is home AND the boys get to park in a parking garage, see skyscrapers and cranes, ride an elevator in a fancy mirrored building, go round and round in a revolving door, play outside in spring sunshine in short sleeved shirts, ride escalators, see pizza cooking in a wood-fire oven and then eat it and ride more elevators."Baby" DylanIsaac "climbing" the "mountain"--

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-58299812496432270152009-03-09T19:43:00.003-04:002009-03-09T23:48:57.746-04:00

On the way to Chattanooga, we smelled some strong skunk. The boys thought it was a little funny to have that strong scent fill the car.A few days later Isaac speaks up from the backseat with a very deliberate tone, "Nee Mom, you smell like a skunk."I turn around to see him grinning from ear to ear. That's our "joker man."Today Benjamin was commenting on some artwork. "I guess my name is a

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-71521583342061551742009-03-03T23:56:00.002-05:002009-03-03T23:58:41.625-05:00

While driving down the road today, this is what I heard from Isaac after a deep intake of breath and dramatic exhale, "BLOW your car down!" "Are you the big bad wolf?" I ask. "YES!" And with that all three of the boys began to blow my car down.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-38792035508426113972009-03-03T23:48:00.004-05:002009-03-03T23:55:51.683-05:00

We've had so much fun. Sunday morning we thought it was "awesome" when we looked out the window and saw not rain, but little balls falling from the sky. We stomped in the frozen ice balls. Then, much to our surprise since Eric isn't around to give us the heads up about the weather (or state of the world at large), Sunday afternoon it began to snow. It snowed and snowed and snowed. Church

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-78471096308740039272009-02-20T00:21:00.006-05:002009-02-20T16:39:19.344-05:00

Isaac has undertaken one of life's great challenges. (This only after much resistance. Finally this week, no one (meaning his mother) would put a diaper back on him one night. Avoiding the diaper-in-hand-Isaac for a moment, I went to get the mail. Isaac decided to chase after me down the sidewalk and he then did a naked jig--covered by a T-shirt--in front of Stewart our neighbor to continue

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-62609027500373456932009-02-18T00:27:00.002-05:002009-02-18T00:29:54.671-05:00

We're out and about and there's a bit of a bite to the air and a cold wind blowing at us. As Benjamin and I are walking to the car he says, "I really love warm. I love warm better than...(Pause as he thinks)Dad...more than playing ball with Dad in the yard!"Let's just say that he likes playing ball a lot, so he must REALLY like it to be warm. Good thing considering our travel plans.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-85169605320370350982009-02-11T21:23:00.004-05:002009-02-11T21:25:52.390-05:00

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Isaac doesn't lack for people loving him--no surprise with his eyes, hair and silly ways. When we were at the park the other day and he was playing "train" in the playground equipment when three little girls came on his train. He decided to go to a different "train." But they followed him. Soon he realized that where ever he was going, they would go too. So he started running and giggling and

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-11868595849898960242009-02-08T21:37:00.003-05:002009-02-10T19:15:11.561-05:00

Dear Aunt SusanI drew this today. It is a picture of a goat like yours. The goat has grass and a big lake for when it gets thirsty. This is the goat's barn where it can go in at night. The door is like a cat flap so that it can go in and out whenever it wants. The sun is going down. That's why it is yellow, orange and pink. There is pink in the sky for the sunset. I'm going to put this in

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-33342278628206192642009-02-08T21:20:00.003-05:002009-02-08T21:36:14.218-05:00

Benjamin has a thing for catastrophes--storms, power outages, tornadoes or terrible things. The only difficulty is that he likes things to be so bad that there is no way to fix the problem. For example this is what happened today before church. I wouldn't mind, except for when I'm supposed to offer some kind of solution and then he rejects my solutions repeatedly. I'm sure that's part of the

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-91299065022767424642009-02-08T21:10:00.002-05:002009-02-08T21:16:45.709-05:00

Mr. Tippy Top has many friends in Topsy Turvy Town. He wanted to invite all of them to his birthday party, but they wouldn't fit in his tower. So he decided to have a big party in the park. He invited the dragon, Red Rita, and all the puppies. Blue Puppy couldn't come because he was tied to the railroad tracks. Just when the train was about to come, Husky dog saved him. Then they were able

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-77541605838462308042009-02-08T11:14:00.003-05:002009-02-08T11:19:06.399-05:00

Renee's Decisions that May Have Needed to Have Been Vetoed.1. The adoption of Miss Eliza Doolittle, the cat.2. A kitchen cabinet redo throughout two pregnancies and diapered children.3. Glitter.It's like the Cat in the Hat came to our house. We did it OUTSIDE and still...Glitter, glitter everywhere. It was pretty on the circus horses, but it's bugging my eyes out in my house.Yes. It's good

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-57316785509154073262009-02-07T08:04:00.007-05:002009-02-07T08:10:28.258-05:00

It was a perfect day for letting fresh breezes blow through the house and for letting boys play in the sandbox. Thank you SUN!

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-4389353151289183922009-02-06T21:21:00.003-05:002009-02-06T21:27:36.014-05:00

This is CDC designed by Benjamin for his puppies. This is the story he had me write down for him.I didn't need Puppy anymore, so he had to find a new job. Blue Puppy likes working at CDC. He likes working there because there's a special moving stair elevator that takes him to his office. He likes working on mosquitoes. That's the best thing he likes on the second day. Puppy walks to work

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-53480946706175095372009-02-05T23:53:00.005-05:002009-02-06T01:05:26.590-05:00

I prefer Isaac's deep belly laughs, but I have to admit he has this incredible sad face look. He'll stop where he is, stand very still and then sadness will flow slowly over his entire face. His chin will quiver a little, he'll point his chin down and then he'll gaze up at you with the saddest eyes ever. That look is worse than any tears. That's the look I was getting this morning. This

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-87672848516870549772009-02-05T14:22:00.000-05:002009-02-05T14:25:50.855-05:00

Sad face at breakfast."I have school today?""Yes.""I don't want to go to school.""Well, don't go to school today."Later in the car."Benjamin go to school today?""Yes, but you don't need to go to school today.""I starving."A minute later."I not starving anymore."Dropping Benjamin off at school today."I want to go to school.""No. Don't go to school Isaac.""I WANT to go to school.""OK. Let's go!"

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-32515750092186719372009-02-05T14:07:00.000-05:002009-02-05T15:15:57.620-05:00

Benjamin has developed an taste for interior decorating. Namely, he'd like a new bed. Not just any bed. He'd like THAT bed from Ikea with the tent and the light that attaches to it. It would make it so much easier to stay up late reading his books if he had THAT light on his bed. Plus, it would be his OWN bed. When I tried to dissuade him, there were quite a few tears of disapointment.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-57055493362129451952009-02-05T06:56:00.001-05:002009-02-06T21:21:24.413-05:00

If you know Benjamin, then you know that he loves his blue "Shaggy Dog" puppy/pup-pup. His first word was pu-pu for this little dog. He won his stuffed dog playing BINGO in Hawaii at the Family Reunion. He doesn't actually remember this and he wasn't actually playing because he was only 4 months old. They've been inseparable ever since. They've been very cute together and have had many

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-17971349516443476042009-02-04T11:24:00.000-05:002009-02-04T11:26:59.698-05:00

Benjamin: "NeeMom, where is the treasure chest?"NeeMom: "I don't know. Why do you need it?"Benjamin: "I'm looking for God's Treasure. It's going to be God's Treasure."NeeMom: "What is God's treasure?"Benjamin: "I don't know. I'm looking for it."

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-3780406594814791852009-01-27T21:58:00.000-05:002009-01-27T22:21:27.513-05:00

We came home Monday after an all too short weekend of visiting Eric in Lexington, Kentucky where he is now working and living a VERY bachelor life in graduate student housing. The boys were very impressed with his "digs." They saw things like the fold out couch and cushions and thought it made a great place for as many people in the family to sleep in all at once. I, on the other hand felt

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-7090271966853875582009-01-22T17:46:00.000-05:002009-01-23T07:55:58.698-05:00

Benjamin chose to watch a "Bob the Builder" DVD for his show time. One little tiny hiccup. The language. For some reason, Bob was speaking French. That confused him a little. So my friend asked him, "Would you like to have it in English?" "No," Benjamin replies, "the Georgia way."Oh, the fun we will have when we live in a place where not many people speak the English or the Georgia way.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-19515140415473150602009-01-22T16:21:00.000-05:002009-01-22T16:23:23.575-05:00

I had a great morning. This is why:

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-42471858844666040142009-01-21T21:14:00.000-05:002009-01-22T16:38:19.740-05:00

When Benjamin wanted his blue caboose, I remembered that it was upstairs, in the corner, under a pile of little people toys.When Benjamin wanted his Timberland sandals, I remembered that he had taken them off and left them in the car two weeks ago.So why can't I remember where I put either of the two hammers?And why might I need one or two hammers?Maybe it's good I can't remember where the

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-12994971571139172172009-01-20T07:56:00.001-05:002009-01-20T07:58:12.290-05:00

Maybe I should not have turned off the downstairs furnace last night.This is Isaac and Dylan at breakfast. Isaac said, "I need my gloves. My hands are FREEZING!"

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-28403923702732344492009-01-18T20:37:00.000-05:002009-01-18T20:43:55.753-05:00

Isaac at bedtime: "My puppy is sad."Renee: "Why is your puppy sad."Isaac: "Dad-Eric is back in Kentucky."Benjamin: "My puppy is sad too."Renee: "I'm sad too. We'll see him again real soon."But we're all chin-up and no tears. Besides. Benjamin had so much exercising to do that it sure took his mind off of things. He kept asking me for more drills to do and then would do more laps around

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-67343518485865309242009-01-18T19:39:00.000-05:002009-01-18T20:37:47.415-05:00

So I always thought, "Don't cry over spilled milk" was primarily directed at children learning to deal with mistakes. Now I'm a Mom. I tell myself every day sometimes several times a day not to cry over THEIR spilled milk, juice, cereal, play-doh, clothes (or mine too actually)...Either way most messes can be cleaned up--or so I keep telling myself and them as we learn how to handle the world

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-29114347271254242092009-01-15T08:40:00.001-05:002009-01-15T08:42:38.701-05:00

Eric (what he might say): "Someone's been sleeping in my bed. And look he's STILL THERE! I can't fit in the crib!"

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-68008106852431543562009-01-14T08:01:00.001-05:002009-01-14T22:14:54.590-05:00

"Servant, here's my tray (pushing a blue stool into the kitchen). Please put my food on it." (Benjamin to the kitchen help--NeeMom)"Too much air in my mouth. I full." (Isaac)"I finally found the salt! It was in the refrigerator." (Renee)Dylan doing squats--just like his Mom is doing. Grinning to beat the band when she finally sees him. Up and Down. And again.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-37038080306578733292009-01-13T20:30:00.000-05:002009-01-13T20:36:22.465-05:00

New Album 1/13/09 7:40 PMThe last time that Eric came back from a trip to Kentucky, we were sure that the whole jeep would just start falling apart piece by piece when he pulled into the drive way. Each phone call update would go something like this, "Well, I thought I'd be home by..., BUT NOW it looks like... BECAUSE...(blown tire, fender bender, insane traffic back up in Knoxville, etc.). We

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-19675080933607907102009-01-12T08:01:00.000-05:002009-01-12T15:52:41.601-05:00

Isaac: (While drinking his favorite frothy "fuzzy" hot chocolate at breakfast)"Look a mustache! I a man now!"LaterIsaac: "Mustache gone. Not a man."Benjamin: "What happened. Did your mustache run away?"

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-71584480792190899732009-01-11T18:19:00.000-05:002009-01-11T18:20:09.597-05:00

"And Grammie in Utah? She's asking about her special number.""900."

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-7210278377731258132009-01-11T12:41:00.000-05:002009-01-11T12:44:06.531-05:00

Benjamin: "Puppy is SUPER special."Me: "How special?"B: "185."Me: "And Dad?"B: "5."Me: "And your teacher Ms. Cynthia?"B: "103!" (Ms. Diane too.)Me: "And how about me today?"B: "2000!"Aaahhhh...(Dad, you're dropping! Better play some ball with this boy when you're home this weekend.)

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Benjamin counting until he gets to 35. "Pup-pup is that number special to me."Me: "What about Dad."He counts to 12.Me: "What about me?"He counts to 10. Then he recounts for pup-pup. "Pup-pup is a hundred special!"Me: "Hey wait a minute. Who takes you to school, reads you stories, plays with you makes you chocolate milk (and I list numerous good deeds)."Benjamin: "OK. You and pup-pup are

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-14971266103035363342009-01-11T11:19:00.000-05:002009-01-11T11:40:34.759-05:00

Wisdom from PBS Kids Curious George. The man with the yellow hat and the neighbor boy have fallen over the edge of a cliff and are stuck on a ledge at the top of Lookout Mountain. Their only hope of rescue is George. The man with the yellow hat looks a little discouraged. The smiling, optimistic boy says, "I can think of 56 things that are worse than this!" The wind then snags the man's

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You may have had this sort of feeling the last few days.......and you may think that life has been fun and games for the single bachelor in Lexington.......just remember this day and enjoy your birthday week!I love you,Eric

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Isaac has been waking up, "scared...bad dreams. Trees scare me." So let's hope that tonight his prayer, "to dream about Stone Mountain" comes true. After all, the other day I caught Benjamin waking up with a HUGE smile on his face and guess what he told me. "I was having the best dream. I was dreaming about Stone Mountain." So it can and does happen at our house.Maybe we should start the

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-26810627733190131152009-01-07T22:27:00.000-05:002009-01-07T22:43:54.606-05:00

...little boys will play--in the BATHTUB. It was all going great. I thought. Eric left Monday morning to start his new job at the University of Kentucky. Isaac and Benjamin were having a grand time in their "boat/swimming pool/pretend anything garden tub in the master bath. I was just down the hallway. After all, they weren't actually taking a bath. There was no water. What could be the

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-80168353804215466172008-12-28T17:36:00.000-05:002008-12-28T21:05:04.483-05:00

According to Dylan when last reading his favorite train book, Eric and this man are "Da-Da":Sir Topham Hatt.According to Benjamin who was watching basketball the other day with his dad, Eric really looks "like that guy in the suit! (Mike Jarvis)":and Benjamin also observed that Dad's head is "like the top of Stone Mountain."I also think that teenager Eric bears an uncanny resemblance to:Shaun

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Our Christmas Eve included caroling to neighbors and friends with Isaac and his drum and Benjamin and his bells, tamales and the Christmas story. I thought that in a house of boys, there would never be an argument about who got to be Mary. Was I ever wrong. At one point, the nativity story almost got canceled because Isaac was insisting that HE wanted to be Mary and Benjamin was insisting that

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-16251802648666858142008-12-14T22:17:00.001-05:002008-12-16T15:02:53.899-05:00

In January, Eric will begin working with Dr. Stephen Dobson at the University of Kentucky on a project to develop integrated technologies for reducing the primary mosquito vector of lymphatic filariasis in the South Pacific, Aedes polynesiensis. The goal of the project is to develop control technologies that can be used in conjunction with mass drug administration (MDA) for a long enough period

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We're playing (trains, of course) and a big clap of thunder startles everyone. Isaac dashes into my arms. Then he looks up and rushes around the room. "Gotta get puppies, doll, baby and bear baby. Keep them safe!" He then comes back to my lap and we keep everybody safe.Compassion in a two year old is very endearing. And it's nice to know that just being there with him makes Isaac (and

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After being forced into the car against his will at the end of a library visit, Isaac screams and protests in the back seat for several minutes, "I want to run!!!" I wait him out for a little bit and then say, "Isaac, can I talk to you now?" Isaac announces: "I am not HAPPY! I want to run." Me: Isaac if you can stop screaming, you can run at the playground at Benjamin's school when we get

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Benjamin (Conversations inspired by his latest creation on canvas): "I am an artist. We should have a Family Home Evening all of us around the kitchen table. You, Dad-Eric, Isaac and Dylan. I will teach you how to be an artist like me!""Does an artist do dishes? What else does an artist do?""Does my tree make you happy?" (Absolutely!)"That's a heart. Because there is love in our family.

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Looking for work. Will do windows. Kisses left on your windows--extra.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-22512857504829198182008-10-27T10:43:00.000-04:002008-12-14T23:41:30.213-05:00

Medical Entomology Coordinator,Equatorial Guinea Malaria Control InitiativeThe Equatorial Guinea Malaria Control Initiative (EGMCI) is a five-year, $25M program,funded by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and by MarathonOil Company, which seeks to substantially reduce morbidity and mortality caused by malaria on the Equatoguinean mainland. The EGMCI’s interventions

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-13553004273677770992008-10-21T00:19:00.000-04:002008-12-14T23:41:30.198-05:00

We've had our first Halloween outing at the church. Benjamin and Isaac have been very inspired by Neverland lately. Benjamin wanted to be Peter Pan and Isaac wanted very much to be Captain Hook. We thought that Dylan could be the baby but it would be more fun if he were Mr. Smee--plus it's cute when his belly sticks out. For once I actually had all their gear ready way ahead of schedule. But then

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-69631300950541730442008-10-19T22:35:00.000-04:002008-12-14T23:41:30.250-05:00

These three guys obviously did not inherit their father's fear of high places. Here's the latest view from "On Top of Stone Mountain...." And even when mountain climbing, Isaac still thinks about swimming...

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-47451970651276126882008-09-09T21:34:00.000-04:002008-12-14T23:41:30.310-05:00

My boys discovered the dress-up clothes at my parents'. I want my brothers to know that I had NOTHING to do with this. I buttoned the buttons. I took the pictures. Now, years back, I would have offered to curl their hair. And had they been my little brothers, they may have let me (they did a couple of times), so they could have hair to match their alter-ego names ending in with sweet

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-91645841977509611732008-09-01T22:35:00.000-04:002008-12-14T23:41:30.294-05:00

You wouldn't believe how much I get done around the house with all the help I get.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-42941245881083082642008-08-04T22:25:00.000-04:002008-12-14T23:41:30.329-05:00

We've escaped to a little boys' paradise of cousins, goats, dogs, cats, a tree house, trampoline, zipline, backyard pool, creek, almost mountain like hills, lake, barn, Aunt Susan's extremely scrumptious chocolate chip cookies and to top it all off our vacation destination in Indiana even has...Lucky us.

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556858839573127346.post-68496181594662385882008-07-17T14:56:00.000-04:002008-12-14T23:41:30.105-05:00

This cake wouldn't do...Or even this one...It's ice cream I want!And I love riding my first birthday bike!Glad we could get it right finally!

Renee (and Eric)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13517211509666910949noreply@blogger.com7