Caleb's 9 month pictures

Yesterday I went to Sears
and got Calebs 9 mo. pictures taken.

I had been dying to get this
sepia picture taken. I have a
picture of Michael in this exact
same outfit, at the same age, only
he is facing the other way.
So, of course, I wanted
to hang them together in
matching frames. I will post
the end result when I pick up
my pictures.

Monday's Memory

Today I thought if would be fun to share pictures from a trip we took to
Saltillo Mexico in the Summer '04 It was like "going home" in some ways
for Chris since he spent a good bit of growing-up years there.
For me and the kids, it was a whole new world.....a great adventure.
We loved almost every minute, and would go back in a heartbeat
if we had the time and money.
The top picture is of a girl in her "confirmation" dress. Lauren thought at
first she was a bride. I had to take her picture because
her white dress seemed in such contrast
to the dirty city around her. Of course, she was quite thrilled by all
of our attention. The picture below is "the suburbs". (At least that's what
I called it since all the houses in the community looked the same)
All they needed was a cul-de-sac!

My brother-in-law, Craig, pulled down a trailer full of 4 wheelers.
The guys spent one whole day zipping around in the mountains.
Chris got EXTREMELY sun and windburned that day.
The following day, we left the kids with Grandma a few hours
and I got my turn in the mountains. Leanna and Kendall shared a
four-wheeler, Craig and Tonya, and Josh, Chris and I each got to
drive our own. Very fun. The picture right below is taken from the
mountainside, looking down on the "road" we just drove up.

This picture, is a panoramic view of the city of Saltillo

Lauren quickly made a friend with a little girl
Daphne, who she met in church.
Although they couldn't really communicate, they each
liked the other one and still found games to play together.

Shopping was one(still is!) of my favorite past-times. The city
was full of interesting and unusual things. I don't think
my stomach ever quite got used to the mysterious hunks of
meat lying around in the market. These are cow tails. I
guess they don't want to waste any parts!

Our family picture
L to R: Kendall and Leanna E, Tonya and Craig
Lambeth, Josh, Melody and David Lambeth, me, Lauren
Michael and Chris

Hope you all are having a great Monday!

Winter escapades

All the kids have had some form of excitement today. Caleb started it off....This morning, while I was upstairs, Caleb "seized the moment" to splash around in the toilet! I know! I'm still grossed out.....at least it was clean water :) Anyway, it was straight to the tub with him. Afterward, playing with the train table, he looked so cute and clean, I couldn't resist another pic. I just wish you could smell him too....I LOVE that clean baby smell.
Lauren and Michael had an interesting PE class today. (another homeschooling perk!) We had originally planned to go to the gym, but decided to head for the slopes instead! The slopes in the Crosley's backyard! They had a blast and got pretty worn out. I hope this snow doesn't melt too fast, for their sake!

Monday's Memory

While chatting with a friend the other day, I was reminded of a story I wanted to share today.
Once upon a time.....
Michael was around 9 months old when I noticed he began to have trouble eating. He would take a bite or two and then start to cough and sputter and then cry. At first, I thought perhaps he was just rejecting the food I was offering. As a couple days of this went by, I decided to try making his favorite foods....things he could not resist. Grilled cheese, fries, pizza.....same scenario. He would eat a bite or two and then cough, sometimes cough up phlegm and then just start crying. He could still eat baby food and yogurt ok, so that became his diet. I began thinking something was seriously wrong. I called my m-i-l and she suggested maybe I should go to the Dr. I set up the appt. Then I called my Dad and talked to him. I told him there just had to be a reason he was having trouble swallowing. My Dad suggested that I try rubbing his neck hard...from chin to chest. That way if something was lodged there, maybe I could feel it. No luck. This was on Fri. That night he seemed to eat just fine. Saturday we had an appt. with the Dr. , even though he was eating fine now. Wouldn't you know as I was changing his diaper that Sat. morning, I made an astonishing discovery.....what was in the diaper (along with something else I will not describe) was a shiny penny. Hence....all the trouble. Apparently when I massaged his neck on Fri., I was able to send it on it's merry way through the pipes! So, it goes to show, you never know what they might eat and live to tell about!! I've thought many times, I'm sure God was watching out for him that time. Sorry I don't have any pics, but thanks for walking with me down memory lane! Have a great evening!

Winter is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We woke up this morning to a winter wonderland and the sound of the Bobcat removing snow from campus. The kids are excited beyond words! Church was cancelled for this morning, at least. We'll see about tonight. For now, we are having a late breakfast, staying in and staying cozy!!

He got a jump on April 15th!

While I was shopping today, Chris was feverishly working on getting the taxes filed. By the time I arrived back home, here he was...a very happy camper. I convinced him to let me take a picture since I'm sure you all get tired of seeing the rest of us all the time! Thank you, Mr. President, for the child tax credit increase. It went up significantly since he took office.
































Old tax credit

















New tax credit

First storyhour of winter

After eight weeks off, the kids were delighted to be going back to story hour at the Newport KY library. Miss Joan always makes it full of fun. Today's theme was pizza. So the kids heard pizza stories and then made pizzas out of homemade play dough. Caleb even got in the fun this time. When they clapped at the end of a story, he would clap and try to say "Yaayy". Only it just sounds like "aaaaaa". The other big news of the day is that Michael FINALLY got his own library card. As an incentive to get him writing his name, I told him he could get a library card if he could write his name on it.....only to find out you must have a Cincinnati card first. So we got the Cincinnati card two weeks ago and finally today he got his Newport card. He very proudly wore a sticker that said, "I got my library card today." Now there's four of us bookworms! We'll see about Caleb...

HHGregg + four days of rain =

= loads of fun! I was beginning to tire of the Mayerson cleanup every night, so I decided we would try a new dimension of fun. After quite a few calls to appliance stores for a couple days, we finally found some boxes and a helpful warehouse boy that even helped me wrestle them into the van. The best part is that it only cost us the gas $ to get there. So when the kids tire of their houses, I won't feel a bit bad leaving them on our curb for the garbage truck! They each have a door, two windows and a mail slot. Although I spent a little time cutting the doors etc, I've actually spent more time writing letters for them to drop into their mail slots. For some reason, I have to be the mail lady too! Oh well, rainy days are good for something!

Monday's Memory

How many of you were in Cincinnati when the Cicadas came to town?? Brings back many fond memories, I'm sure. It wasn't as bad as I had anticipated with my "insect-fearing" children. We eventually learned to live with them. But no, we weren't brave enough to try eating them. I guess I will always admire Sonja Vernon for trying the rare delicacy. I always wondered if she tried them dipped in a little barbecue sauce or covered in chocolate. Anyway, the most I ever saw in one place was on the side of the chapel. Lauren and I happened to be walking over to supper and ran back to get Chris and the camera. By the time he arrived on the scene, there were only half of them left. I guess they loved the sound of the central air units below or maybe the sun had warmed that particular wall to their liking. It stills gives me the creeps to look at these pictures. If you missed them in '04' don't worry! they'll be back in 2021. Thanks for joining me on my stroll down memory lane! HAVE A LOVELY MONDAY!

Kids blog again

Lauren:
After much debate, and Mommy trying to convince them otherwise, both Lauren and Michael wanted to introduce you to more members of their family. (this really is all they play most of the time)The top picture was taken by Lauren. This is a "nursery" that she fixed for the babies of the Mayorson family. (LtoR) Maxi, Squeaker Beaker,Jeffrey,Rainbow, Butterfly and Pooh, (front Row) twins Orange and Blossom, and Ashley. Lauren had no comments to make at this time.
















Michael:
The big white bear Sephanie is holding BlueBeary. The big brown bear in the back, Corderoy, is holding Leanna and Sarah. Photo arranged and taken by Michael. Corderoy and Stephanie had a new pair of twins. Their names are Sarah and Bluebeary. Leanna likes her new twin sisters. Stephanie and Corderoy only have had girls so far. No boys.
By next Saturday, perhaps I can get them convinced to share with you some other aspect of their lives.

My little gentleman

What was a routine trip to Walmart, turned into a "proud Mommy" moment. As I was loading the kids into the van, Michael said he wanted to stay outside with me. I told him he should go ahead and get into the warm van while I loaded up the bags. No. He wanted to close my door for me. So, I went ahead and loaded the van and climbed in. Sure enough, he shut my door for me and then got in the side door. On the way home, I couldn't help feeling so proud of "my little gentleman". Then I realized, he's just doing what he sees his Daddy do. After almost 10 years, Chris stills gets all the doors for me...all the time...everywhere. Even in pouring rain....even after unloading three kids everytime. Thanks Chris, for treating me so special AND for being a good example to Michael!
The picture was taken Easter Sunday in Eden Park, just four days before Caleb arrived!

Nancy's Book of the Month

As promised, here is this month's book review. Instead of a book "review", maybe I should just call it a "reading recommendation". This is a book that's hard to lay down. It has even been featured on Oprah's Book Club. Happy reading!
Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail
By Malika Oufkir


An Introduction to Stolen Lives
The eldest daughter of General Oufkir, the King of Morocco's closest aide, Malika Oufkir was adopted by the king at age of five as a companion for his daughter. She spent most of her childhood and adolescence within the gilded walls of the palace, living an extraordinarily privileged yet secluded life.

Her world was shattered on August 16, 1972, when her father was executed for his part in an attempt to assassinate the King. Along with her mother and five siblings, Malika, then nineteen, was imprisoned in a penal colony. The Oufkir family spent the next fifteen years in prison, the last ten in solitary confinement, until they managed to dig a tunnel and escape. Their freedom ended five days later, however, when they were captured and returned to prison. In 1996, after twenty-four years of incarceration, the Oufkir family was finally granted permission to leave Morocco.

In Stolen Lives, Malika recounts her family's story with unflinching and heartrending honesty. She recalls their day-to-day struggle for survival in harsh conditions, being watched around the clock by prison guards, and communicating with her family solely through prison walls for more than a decade. She tells of raising her brothers and sisters, teaching them good manners and attempting to provide them with some semblance of a normal life. They celebrated Christmas and birthdays, saving up rations to make cakes and fashioning toys out of cardboard. Through it all, Malika managed to draw upon her sense of humor, which, she says, "allowed us to survive even-and most of all-at the worst moments."

In the Preface to Stolen Lives, co-author Michˆle Fitoussi recalls that, upon first meeting Malika, she asked herself, "How can anyone appear normal after such suffering? How can they live, laugh, love, how can they go on when they lost the best years of their life as a result of injustice?" The answers are found in this poignant and inspiring account of a family who endured with courage, determination, and dignity the cruel and unjust circumstances fate had in store for them.

Here is Monday's Memory!

We found this treasure of a video today. I forgot we even had it. Sorry about the grainy appearance...it was taken on our camera. Lauren was two months shy of being four and Michael was almost two.

Christmas Celebration #3

We enjoyed a weekend stuffed FULL of fun. My parents were here from Northeast Ohio, along with my "adopted" brother Wilfrid (he oversees an orphanage in Haiti). Instead of being a good, hardworking hostess, I suggested we all go out to Ryans! (seemed like a good plan to me; then no one complains about the food!) We all ate and ate and ate and....well, you get the idea!
Saturday evening, we finally got to open presents. Among lots of great gifts, Michael got a real guitar from my Dad. He was thrilled and has been trying to play it ever since.














For Sunday dinner, I also invited Heather Christner and her boyfriend, Eric Stanberry. In the picture, Eric is teaching us "Chinese spoons". We had a blast visiting and talking...we laughed till our sides hurt....that's typically what happens when you put Heather and I in the same room. We share a bit too much history!!!! :)
Is there anything better than spending time with friends and family?

Meet the Mayerysons

Lauren would like you all to meet the Mayeryson family. This name and all the characters were invented by she and Michael. Michael will not play with dolls, but he will play pretend with Lauren and the animals, so this is their common ground. There are 32 in all. This particular picture is as follows: (L-R) Squeaker Beaker, Korty, Jeffrey, Adviral, (someone mispronounces admiral!) and Rainbow. They wre all arranged for the photo session by Lauren: complete with a Lego lamp for decor. The largest two animals are the mother and father. None of the kids in this family are married. However, some of the other animals are married, so there are in-laws, grandmas and grandpas, etc....
Michael would like you to meet the Mayerysons family: his animals branch of the family tree. The picture is as follows...(L-R) Pooh, Tommy,Tigger, Eyeore,and Butterfly. The mother and Father are Eyeore and Tommy. All props were arranged by Michael. Picture was taken by Michael as well. Eyeore and Tommy had three babies...and yes, part of the imaginative play includes trips to the hospital to deliver babies. Then the whole lot of the Mayeryson family always come up to visit the new baby in the hospital. In spite of all the $ that was spent on Christmas presents for them, most of the presents are abandoned because they love playing "Mayerysons" from after school till bedtime.

Back to School...........

Christmas vacation is officially over. (sob, sob) Although I enjoy homeschooling, it always means I get behind on other aspects of my house. Oh well......
Today Michael learned about the letter "H". I had a heart-shaped paper punch, so we glued hearts on the letter H. We are going to have hot dogs for lunch. Michael is a "hands-on" type learner. So, at the beginning of the school year, I created a special alphabet learning process just for him. With every new letter, we talk about its sound. Next, we do a craft using that letter. For instance, hearts were for H. We used Cheerios for C, etc. We also try to have a snack starting with the letter of the day. Apples for A, bananas for B, cupcakes for C, etc. I let Lauren learn it along with Michael to make it more fun. She also helps think of words that begin with the letter of the day. I'd love to hear from anyone who can think of craft ideas for the letters i,k,q,u,w,and z. Just remember they have to be objects that can be glued onto a piece of construction paper to go into their notebooks. Thanks.
Before I go, let me share something funny I found on Sarah Frys website. It's for all you fellow homeschooling Moms.....I hope you are all off to a great start!

You Might Be a Homeschooler If....

* You come to school in your PJ's.
* Your biology lab consists of assisting in your sibling's birth.
* Your stacks of books to check out is taller than the librarian.
* Your PE comes from chasing little toddlers around.
* Your school bus is a 9 passenger van.
* You consider school work after lunch to be cruel and unusual punishment.
* Your father has ever told the check-out lady at Wal-mart, "We're on a field trip."
* Your social life is viewed by some to be one rung lower than that of a Benedictine monk.
* Your teacher has ever written your report card on a napkin.
* You have to move dirty laundry off your desk before your can start school.
* The signatures on your diploma all end with the same last name.
* Everyone else in the world is referred to as "Non-homies."
* Your Mother's wardrobe consists primarily of denim jumpers.
* Your first real date is on your honeymoon.
* The word 'homework' sounds like an foreign language.
* Your yearbook is also your babybook.
* A snow day means that you shovel the driveway after you finish your school work.
* You enjoy the pastime of watching public school kids walk home from school.
* You have to look at the clock to see if you can call your public school friends yet.
* You think that public-school-kid is an insult of the highest degree.
* Health class consists of eating breakfast.
* You have to decide what year you want to graduate.
* You are always late but just call it "homeschooler time."
* You can remember nearly every single day you went to public school.
* The teacher can kiss the principal, and no one thinks it's unusual.
* You get to school and the teacher asks you if you've done all your chores.
* You are one of the best people in the world! :)

Busy Happy New Year

Two days into the New Year and we're busier than ever...makes me wonder what this year is
going to be like. New Years Eve, we had two batches of company. For Sunday dinner, Chris had invited Jon Bart (sorry....that's one name I'm NOT trying to spell). We all enjoyed getting to know our neighbor a little bit better. Sunday Evening, we had Craig and Tonya for an after church snack. We had a great time visiting and before you know it, the New Year had arrived! Caleb went to bed earlier, but Lauren and Michael stayed up with us till 1:00. Next morning, while everyone slept in, I got up and took advantage of the great after-Christmas bargains at Target...everything was 75% off.
I even came home with a new pre-lit tree, much to my husband's dismay!
In the evening, we all went to Eden Park to see the Nativity, complete with live animals. Michael wondered if the people were real....they look so real. They have been putting out the manger scene since the 1940"s. We always enjoy seeing the animals and it's so close by.

Today I have gotten some pictures hung----finally. The family picture was what I originally told Chris I wanted for Christmas. It was taken by Brenda (Herring Photography) at Eden Park.
Before I sign off for the day, let me tell you about my new blog features for the New Year.

1. Mondays will be Memory Day. It will feature pictures of past events.
2. Saturday will be Kids Blog Day, Lauren and Michael will be taking the pictures and telling me what to type (they are VERY excited about this new feature!!!
3. I will do a book review once a month and
4. a CD review once a month.
   SO, A very Happy New Year to all !!!!!!