July in Review

Tater started eating cereal on the 1st of July.
He loves the cereal, but it makes him mad to take breaks between spoonfuls. He just can't get it in his mouth fast enough.
He drooled all over everything and everyone.

His first tooth got a neighbor.
He treated Mommy and Deddy to smiles, giggles, squeals, and love.

Watch out - He got his license. He discovered a love of books.

Just darn cute.

My Ride

Grattis på födelsedagen, Anitha!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Anitha!

We wish we could have been there to celebrate with you, and hope to see you in Atlanta soon! Then we'll have to see when we plan Tater's first trip to Middagsmarket.

My Dad's New Careers

My dad was laid off from his job in March. After many years of hard work in purchasing and consulting where he has tackled many interesting projects and traveled all over the world, he has recently opened two new careers paths.

The first is as my manny. He helps watch Larsson a couple days a week while I work. However, I am not so sure that is an avenue he should pursue for others because while he is wonderful with Larsson, when he is not telling him Bible stories or singing to him, I find them immersed in some questionable activities. Oh, and then there is the fact that he does not change poopy diapers.

The second is acting. You may have heard of the new series, "Drop Dead Diva" on Lifetime, and if you saw the latest episode, The "F" Word, you may have seen my dad. (If not, watch for rebroadcasts - it's a cute show.) He is in one of the courtroom scenes, sitting directly behind Jane, the main character. He is the handsome gentleman in a suit, and he gets a lot of great face time. Stay tuned as he participated in two days of filming, so he may have another cameo appearance.

Jumping for Joy

25 Tips for Wellness & Happiness

Not sure where this came from, but I liked it enough to share.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. When you wake up in the morning, complete the following statement, "My purpose is to ___________ today."
4. Eat more foods that grow on tress and plants and less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, broccoli, almonds and walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, or negative thoughts.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out credit card.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
17. Forgive others.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. Time heals all wounds.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: "I am thankful for _________. Today I accomplished ___________."
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
25. Share these tips with others.

Vote For Finn

Our friend, little Finn, is a finalist in the Jody Lynn Photography Contest. Cast your vote for Finn by Monday, July 13 at noon. It only takes a second. Just follow the link, scroll down and click the radio button for Finn.

How can you resist this sweet face?

It's Official

Josefina and long-time love, Daniel, tied the knot.

Congrats to the newlyweds!

Enjoy your honeymoon in Mauritus.

Playtime

Another Special Delivery for July 4th

"How did we get so lucky?" I often ask Tater.

And I then tell him, "We put in our order for you a long time ago. And finally, the perfect one for us became available."

I go on to tell him, "And coincidentally, another perfect one came along shortly after you for Aunt Alice and Uncle Ervin.

And today we celebrate the arrival of that special little one.

Welcome, Baby Austin!

The Turners are working on a list of nicknames for you. So far, Little Stan is the most popular followed by Bounce, Tex and Cabbage Jack.

The Best Gift of All

A year ago, Justin and I went to celebrate my birthday with our families. Little did they know, but we had a surprise for them as well.

We joined Justin's parents, Phyllis and Mike, for lunch in Pine Mountain. Justin and I arrived first, secured a table and put out a small green gift bag in the center. When my in-laws arrived, they added a card to the table and we chatted. After a short while, Justin informed them that the gift bag was actually for them. Phyllis opened the bag, and pulled out a small picture frame. Then we watched them squint at it repeatedly to make sense of it. Finally, Phyllis pulled out a pair of glasses, and it was like we could see each piece become clearer and clearer in slow motion until eureka!- it all came into focus. A picture frame. A stork. A sonogram. Handwritten words, "Coming soon! 3/3/09."

Then an enthusiastic "Yea! We're so excited." Followed by a jokingly stated, "Ah S*!t (pronounced with a southern drawl), now we have to go buy all that baby stuff over again."

Later, we made the announcement again at Aunt Mimi's to Brandon and Justin's MawMaw. More excitement. And MawMaw, even with her crew of 15 grandkids, 13 great grandkids and 1 great-great plus even more steps, could not wait to get home. Why you ask? She wanted to spread the news. It was so cute to see her excitement -- as if it were her first great grandchild.

We called Danielle and Jason and told them. Within seconds of hanging up the phone, Phyllis's phone rang. "OMG, did you hear that Justin and Rebecka are pregnant?!?!"

We went to my parents the next day and repeated a similar scenario as with Justin's parents. After I opened my gifts, there was a gift remaining on the table and everyone looked at it, waiting... wondering... We then told my parents that it was for them. So my mom grabbed the bag and opened it. She looked at it quizzically, confused. Then she handed the frame to my dad. Again confusion. Then, as if a light went off, it was clear. "Really?.... Really?" My dad said, "Thank the Lord." Then, my mom started the phone calls. "I am going to be a Mormor!"

Oh, and Rachel? She already knew. We told her a few days after we found out. She thought we were playing a joke on her at first. But she did a great job keeping the secret until we shared the news.

It was the best gift. For all of us. Until we were blessed with little Larsson. An even better gift.

And this year, I celebrate my 33rd birthday. My first birthday as a mommy. A new role. A new me. A better me.

Happy Birthday me!....

And America.

Grattis på födelsedagen, Hugo!

Happy 10th Birthday, Hugo!

(This is my youngest cousin on my mom's side, and I am the oldest. Hearing that he is 10 makes me feel even older, as I am more than 20 years his senior. And I have a nephew the same age. But this is not about me.)

My parents are in Gothenburg today with Hugo and family to celebrate the double digit anniversary of his birth.

One of my favorite memories of Hugo goes back about five years. Justin and I were visiting, and Hugo warmed right up to Justin. In fact, he climbed right in his lap and farted. (That is, Hugo farted in Justin's lap.) Hugo tried to flee, but Justin grabbed him and retaliated with a noogie and a wedgie. Surprisingly, Hugo thought this was fun, and the next time he climbed in Justin's lap, he requested a wedgie.

Hugo is a big personality, and we hope he has just as big a time on his special day!

Hugo issues a ping-pong challenge (December 2006).

Mimi and Me

While Mormor and Morfar are travelling, Justin's Aunt Mimi has been kind enough to come and stay with us for a couple days a week and watch Tater while I work.

Little Larsson has had a good time showing Mimi his tricks and toys. Of course, his favorite thing to do right now is still eat, sleep, poop, and put things in his mouth.