Hey, so apparently there IS a Blogger app for the iPhone.

So after starting up a new blog over on Wordpress, it appears I'd missed out on the fact that Google launched an official Blogger iPhone app back in September of 2011. The app mustn't have launched with much fanfare or hype if I'm only just now finding out about it, haha.

So the question now is, go 'back' to Blogger, or stick with Wordpress? Hmmm... (I still have to see what the Blogger app looks like on our iPad)

CJ

I hate this feeling. This combination of numbness and pain. The knot in my throat that won't go away. The ache in my chest. The churning in my stomach. The burning in my eyes. The emptiness. I miss you CJ. If my pain is required to makes sure that yours is gone, then I accept. You were the best dog. My silly dog. The momma dog. Of all the names he could have chosen, Jonathan named his dog after you. You will be missed CJ. I love you. See you on the Rainbow Bridge, I'll bring my roller blades.

My Little Haggler

Having mastered the art of 3, and 2, and counting to 5 (he's mostly mastered counting to 10 as well), Jonathan has become pretty good at haggling. Mostly haggling over how many fruit snacks or stories he gets at bedtime, but pretty much anything that comes in quantities of five or less.

He'll hold up his hand, all five fingers stretched out, and say, "I want five fruit snacks daddy." I'll say, "no, two fruit snacks." He'll look at his hand for a second, fold one finger down (often with his other hand), and say, "four fruit snacks daddy." I'll say, "no, two fruit snacks." He'll look at his hand for a second, fold another finger down, and say, "phree fruit snacks daddy, I want phree fruit snacks." At that point I'll smile and say OK and get him some fruit snacks and he's all happy.

Replace fruit snacks in the above story with pretzels, bedtime stories, french fries, strawberries... and well, you get the idea. I think he gets it from his Mommy, haha.

3

If I were to guess at what Jonathan's favorite number was, I'd say it was 3 (followed closely by 2). Not because he happens to be three years old right now, but because that's how many stories I read to him at bedtime. Jonathan works very well with preset limits, so if I tell him he gets three stories at bedtime, he's OK when I stop after the last story; otherwise it's a constant "one more story daddy, one more story!"

So, about two weeks ago we were late getting Jonathan to bed and I told him I was only going to read one story to him since it was so late. He looked up at me and said very seriously, "no daddy, phree stories" and tried to hold up three fingers. He's still behind with his fine motor skills so his three fingers looked more like five plus a hand cramp, but I was surprised and impressed all the same, first that he requested a specific number of stories (we're working on his numbers and counting) and secondly that he was trying to mimic all the times I held up three fingers while saying I would read him three stories. Needless to say, he got his three stories that night (along with an extra big hug and heaps of praise).

Since that night I've been working with him trying to teach him how to hold up just three fingers. He's almost to the point where he can do it one handed, without using his other hand to fold down his thumb and pinky first. I'm hoping to get a photo of him showing thee fingers, it's pretty darn cute.

Next we'll have to work on two, which is the number of Matchbox cars he has to have to go to bed.

In Loving Memory of Bertha Voth

Just last weekend my family and I unfortunately
attend my Grandmothers funeral. We were blessed to have been up to see her just 2 weeks prior. She suffered a massive Stroke and never woke again. I will always remember and love her for the special woman that she was. She was so simple that when you would visit all the stress of life and worries would just disappear. She was strong in her faith and her love for Jesus. It was so wonderful to hear her talk about her savior and know that when she passed she would be with him. I know it was her time and I think she knew it was as well but I will still miss her. Her funeral was a Mennonite one and boy can they cook. There were so many people and they were all so wonderful. I included some pics from our visit before she passed. She had been sick and was in the hospital when we came up. They sent her home for about a week before she had her stroke. Julianna didn't like the hospital setting much so she was crying. I did get my dad and her in a deep conversation that I don't' even think they knew I took the pic. I wanted to include one of the passages the minister used even though it is so common I still felt it was good. He of course quoted psalm 23 1-6


The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I was lost in my faith for a while as a young adult and it has taken me time to get it back. For the first time I felt his presence at her funeral and I didn't feel as sad. I really can say I know where my grandmother went and I know I will see her again because she has gone to be with our Lord to sit at his side and watch down upon us. She is now with her husband who we lost in 99 and I know she dearly missed him. So Grandma I will always love and I look forward to seeing you in heaven and thank you for all the wonderful things you taught me.



Love your Granddaughter
Jennifer

Weight Loss Update

Well could I be any farther behind on our blog. I wanted to update how the weight loss was going. So far I have lost over 40lbs and can now shop at White House Black Market which is a good thing but also a bad thing (I am wearing a new outfit from them in the Pic). I can wear size 12 in some clothes and size 10 in others. My closet had to be really cleaned out and replaced since the size 16 and 18 were way to big. I have so much more energy and my husband seems to like it as well. It is nice to be noticed again by people. I just feel so good and will continue to work towards my goal of losing 60lbs.

Tubes

Well, after a hearing check on Tuesday and visit to an ear/nose/throat specialist this morning, it looks like our Little Man is going to be getting tubes in his ears.