Posted by Jonathan on 14 February, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1)

(So, I had really hoped to post this before we went to the hospital, but didn't get around to it in time. But I figured, while you wait for pictures of our new delivery, I could post it now anyhoo, to help you bide the time...)

So I had this idea, something fun to do while we expectantly count down the days until Baby Girl's arrive: Fantasy Birth Date League! Basically, Bubby and Jenni's mom and I each get to pick the remaining days on the calendar left until Jenni's official due date, place a marker to represent which day was ours, and whoever gets the right date gets a sweet prize: a $20 iTunes card for me or Marmee, or a medium-sized LEGO™ set for Bubby. (Jenni doesn't get to play as she has a direct communication line with Baby Girl and thusly, would be tempted to cheat.)

Bubby seemed stoked about this idea, so we made ourselves a little calendar, then one-by-one placed our tokens, which we had hand-made out of construction paper and decorate with markers and stuff. Bubby decided to make snowmen, Marmee Christmas Trees, and I went with Dr. Suess' Star-Bellied Sneeches-inspired stars.

Marmee got to go first since she's Jenni's mommy and Jenni is about to be a mommy (again) to a baby girl (for the first time). Bubby was next, then mean, wash, rinse repeat. Marmee picked Christmas day first, then Bubby picked either Christmas Eve or Sunday the 20th.

All the days got picked, and we had pretty good spacing...let's see who wins! Either way, I get to pay and also get a beautiful baby girl out of the deal, so I'm thrilled!

Posted by Jonathan on 20 December, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2)

We still have boxes to unpack, but we shall not go wanting for the taste of char-grilled what-have-you. I broke down yesterday and bought a Weber charcoal grill, and we immediately had two friends (and awsome co-workers!) over for a feast of...brautwursts. Okay, so that's not exactly Top Chef material, but I gotta start somewhere.

Credit where credit is due: Phillip helped build the grill.

Posted by Jonathan on 29 July, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by Jonathan on 26 April, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2)

...on the porch, where it was getting hot really fast.

Feedstore BBQ not only has tasty BBQ, but it's also a Gowalla Spot!

Posted by Jonathan on 21 April, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Jonathan on 19 April, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1)

A lot, lot, lot, lot, lot, lot, lot has been going in our lives lately. All good, and all super-exciting. Some very, very big changes are coming our way, and while they're all good, change sometimes takes getting used to, right?

I haven't had a lot (read=any) time to write about these changes, what's been going on, or what's going to be going on. But someone else has had the time, at least to write a bit about something that is soon to be a big part of my life, and a big, exciting part of my workday: Gowalla. It's a location-based iPhone game from the cool kids at Alamofire (makers of the uber-popular game Packrat). Gowalla taps into the GPS function of the 3G iPhones to create a very fun, very interactive game.

Janette Crawford recently wrote an article for the website PopTech on social gaming and Gowalla specifically. It's entitled Geocaching, Gaming and the Optimistic Future of Human Interaction. It's a great article, and it will give you not only a glimpse into the about-to-be-released iPhone game Gowalla but will also, by association, give you a little glimpse into some of what I'll be doing in the very near future.

Posted by Jonathan on 1 March, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today, February 3rd, 2009, is the 8th anniversary of me getting to marry my best friend! I had a wonderful life before marrying my wife, but these 8 years have easily been the best of my life so far. She has been my wonderful friend, my romantical, loverly wife, a couple years into our marriage put on the hat of awesome mom, and I can't say enough about how much I love her and how grateful I am that she is mine and I am hers.

Truly, I could go on and on, but honestly have had little time to write the prose she deserves. However, if you know us, or if you have just visited this blog much, you know she is the love of my life, and that I truly am deeply in love with her.

Happy anniversary, baby. I love you very much and will always be yours.

Posted by Jonathan on 3 February, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (4)

Workers at the Fort Worth Club, installing a Christmas display.

Posted by Jonathan on 25 November, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

...with more environmental advice from truck!

Posted by Jonathan on 5 November, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

A year and a week after my own grand entrance into this world, a beautiful Hawaiian princess, Leilani Jennifer Ann, was born on the dreamy island of Oahu. Her birth was celebrated with a week-long festival, during which time, Islanders stopped saying 'Maui no ka oi' meaning 'Maui is the best,' and instead said, 'Leilani Jenni no ka oi!'

10 years ago, I celebrated Jenni's birthday with her for the first time in my life, with a simple gift, and me nervously singing her a song I had written her. My life has only gotten better since that first birthday celebration, and soon my best friend became my loverly wife, and our life together has been filled with blessing after blessing, gift after gift.

Happy birthday, baby! You are my treasure, and my delight. You complete me and make me whole. If I can bring half as much joy and love and wonderfulness into your life today as you do mine every day, I know it will be a great birthday. I love you.

Posted by Jonathan on 29 October, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3)

The Bubby has been a great helper and such a responsible guy lately, he was due a surprise. He loves the Domo characters (and actually gave me a very groovy Domo with turntable for my birthday) so this little plush one from Urban Outfitters was just the fit.

So, domo arigato, Mr. Bubby!

Related Links:
• DomoNation
• Domo Ninja USB Thumb Drive
• Domo Kun meets Chewbacca Mugg

Posted by Jonathan on 25 October, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

There is a huge calendar in our living room—the super-groovy Stendig calendar from MOMA—and if there is one particular trait it has, it's that it is enormous. It's huge and in your face and you had darn better well like Helvetica if you have one of these kicking around.

Another thing about it:

It doesn't let you forget what day it is.

It may have made matters worse that I took out a red permanent marker and filled in the 22nd of October, but either way, there it is, staring me in the face, trying to freak me out: my 30th birthday, on October 22nd, 2008.

I'm not freaking out.

Really. Do I look like I'm freaking out?

Honestly, though, I'm not. I truly do not think of 30 as a big deal. It certainly isn't old. 50 isn't old. Those definitions are so subjective anyway and are always open to change. Some people think 72 is too old and other people think 47 isn't old enough. So I don't really care.

A few weeks back, though, I felt older, when Bubby turned 5. He's 5?! Holy crap that made me feel old. It kind of smacked me in the face.

So that was a bigger deal than 30. But really, not planning on running and screaming.

I think I probably already freak out too much to actually go ahead and have a special day for really freaking out.

...particularly for freaking out about something as wonderful as life.

So this October 22 actually means 30. Eight years ago, October 22 actually meant 22. Twenty-two year old Jonathan! I was getting ready to marry my best friend, and that was pretty much all I knew I was sure about with my life, that I wanted to spend the rest of it with her, and that I couldn't make her my bride fast enough.

I was totally right about that. I may have been 22, but I was definitely ahead of the curve on that decision. Mad skills, son, mad skills! I was 22, but I think even then I had the heart of a 82-year old man looking back at the glorious 60 years he's had with his wonderful bride, and wanting to make sure that old man turned out to be me.

It's 8 years later now, and now I'm thirty, and have a 5 year old, and the two most amazing people on the planet live at my house, WITH ME,

...and I stlll am not sure about most things. Like, how I'm the V.P. of Communications at an energy company (several energy companies) but how that doesn't really sound like me. Or how I'm trying to get into making textiles, or how I still haven't figured out convincing Josh to give me a job (right before he runs out of VC money). Like how I have pictures of robots I need to paint and phone calls to make for Obama and not enough time and not enough patience and not enough _______________________ (no seriously, fill it in, your call: money? attention span? love handles? guitars? iPods?)

Okay, if that doesn't make you think I totally don't have it together, I don't have anything else for you. Cos really, I don't. But this isn't some High Fidelity reality check. This is my 'Happy Birthday, self! Life is AWESOME!' moment. Because life is awesome! It's tremendous, and I am blessed beyond all reason. I do not deserve the wonderful life I have, the wonderful friends and family and outlook. I am grateful, more than I can express in a blog post, a thank you note, or with the medium-sized collection of words I now possess.

So what is 30? 30 is another day, another smile, another time to try to love Jenni and Bubby, and to be a good friend and to not screw it all up. And if I get an extra pat on the back today, or someone tells me something nice, like 'You're doing great!' then well, that rocks, too...

Posted by Jonathan on 21 October, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (5)

My allergies are not being so nice to me today, so I had some 'still
time' with Bubby, involving LEGOs. And pretty much, that always ends
in me either building rocketships or robots...

Posted by Jonathan on 11 October, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by Jonathan on 10 October, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by Jonathan on 8 September, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)

FedEx just showed up, and yeah, it's a good day at the office today:

This is the first step of our 'switch' here at the office, and I built a little shrine in honor of the occasion.

...my guys have a great boss...

Posted by Jonathan on 14 July, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3)

I have been in Houston at an energy conference for the last few days, and am just about to pack it up and head home, which kinda makes me very happy. I love my little family and miss them so when I'm gone.

Posted by Jonathan on 6 June, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (4)

A small miracle is happening at the moment at my house, and that would be that my desk is mostly clean. So what is currently on my mostly clean desk?

From left to right:

1. MacBook Pro
2. Domo Ninja 2GB thumbdrive (more on that later)
3. Light reading for work: The Future of Geothermal Energy - Impact of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) on the United States in the 21st Century
4. My acursed BlackBerry POS Curve
5. My blessed iPhone, in its Incase cover

The desk is normally not this clean, much to the frustration of my wife, I am sad to say. I am trying to get better at keeping it tidy, though. And while my desk gets tidier, my brain is going to get less tidy, as I continue to fill it up with all sorts of alternative energy information.

Posted by Jonathan on 23 May, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (5)

We've had a lot going on lately, and one of the biggest life items was helping Mary Beth pack up her house, her bags, and her life to move to Uganda. She will be working there with established missionaries from her church, assisting them with various items, but especially the establishment of a new post-secondary school.

It doesn't begin to communicate how much we support her to say we fully support her going. We love her dearly and already miss her so much, but are so excited for her to get to see this lifetime heart's desire of hers be met.

While she is in a fairly remote part of the world, she will have access to the internet (on the days she has electricity!). So go visit her blog: mbsadventures.blogspot.com. She already has a post up, that she did in Heathrow! Leave her a comment and let her know you're reading and looking at the wonderful pictures...she's going to post. (At the moment, she's got it set to having to use a Google, Blogger, or OpenID login to post a comment, but that will probably change in a few days once she gets back online--she wants everyone to be able to comment).

We love you, Mom! Our thoughts and prayers are with you...

Posted by Jonathan on 7 May, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

A couple weeks back, I tricked my friend Brad into taking a job with the energy company I work for. I say trick because I promised him half-days of work for a full day's pay.

Well, as W says, "Fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice, uh--er--uh...you cain't fool me twice...!"

Yeah, 4 weeks of 12-hour work days and a couple Saturdays later, don't think I'm going to be able to fool Brad again. I think if he were to go back in time to when I offered him the job, he would quicky find the nearest blunt object and jam it into my eye.

And I don't know that I would blame him. As it is, though, I don't think he would be able to leave if he tried, having so quickly become an invaluable part of our organization and so quickly endearing himself to the dozens and dozens of people who daily benefit from his patient help and kind spirit--a sharp contrast to my standard knee-jerk reaction: "Get out of my office."

So welcome, Brad. We definitely need you, and I really do myself. I have been so blessed already in the short time you've been here. And the respite's coming, friend.

(P.S. Interoffice fun fact: Brad's new cards actually read:

Brad Stanford - Putting the 'Mr. T' back in I.T.)

Posted by Jonathan on 16 April, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Nuthin' to see here but:

• Mac Book Pro


• Stretchy Climber Guy


• Moo Cards


• InCase iPhone cover


• Mini Cooper brochure


• Soon to be introduced 'Robot'


• Dallas Mavericks vs. Detroit Pistons basketball game ticket stub


• Junk and unknown

I bet I'm not the only one doing some cleaning this fine Saturday afternoon...

Posted by Jonathan on 23 February, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)

A while back, I got my loverly wife a sewing machine, because, some time before that, I had bought her the fabulous Lotta Jansdotter's *pause for oohing and ahhing at her fabulousness* Simple Sewing, not really thinking about how every project required a machine (I mean, you can sew by hand, right?)

Well, not too longer after that, I got her a few crafting books, one of them being Sew What! Skirts, so that, if Jenni ever got tired of making placemats and aprons, she would have some other projects to do. Sunday after noon, I see she has out her machine, and some of that pattern paper, and I figure she's out to make one of these 'simple' skirts, which would be her first try at it.

Moments later, I see her newest skirt, cut to pieces all over the floor and kitchen table--WHAT?!!!

...turns out, she was adjusting an existing skirt to make the length more flattering and comfortable. And it wasn't an easy project, with the skirt being double-layers, and the bottom layer being a satin (satin-esque?) material which was not easy to handle.

She did a fantastic job, don't you think?! I myself would have been petrified to cut to shreds a new piece of 'store-bought' clothing, for fear of ruining it or in some other way altering it beyond wearability.

...and that is why my wife is my hero, cos she isn't afraid to do stuff like that. Well, I think she may be afraid, but she doesn't let it paralyze her into inaction.

Way to go, baby! I'm so proud of you!

Posted by Jonathan on 29 January, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Sunday afternoons are for football, and lazy family fun. Like building the commercial jet airliner from Bubby's LEGO Airport, from the City Collection.

This set has about 700 pieces and is for ages 5-12, so we're taking it slowly. We've already built some of the 'boring' stuff, so today was the actually plane, like DaDa flies.

Bubby is 4, actually, so sometimes, we had to take a paying attention break.

We keep making progress, and soon, the whole shebang will be ready. This little guy is about to earn some wings.

Posted by Jonathan on 6 January, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by Jonathan on 1 January, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Notice the Mike Wazowski mug in the foreground.

Posted by Jonathan on 29 December, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

...and 'My Friends Tigger and Pooh: Super Slueth Christmas' is on in the background!

Posted by Jonathan on 22 December, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

...cooties, and lots of them...

Cough-cough!

Posted by Jonathan on 16 December, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Jonathan on 14 December, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Retro, true, but it's all the rage these days.

Posted by Jonathan on 30 November, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Jonathan on 27 November, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

...with the new tv, and the new component hook-up for the Wii.

(...although I must admit, we totally suck at shooting Olympic skeet
with Mario and Sonic in Beijing, China!)

Posted by Jonathan on 25 November, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

...and time to unload.

Posted by Jonathan on 23 November, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

...on Black Friday, a Target team member isn't going to help you get this in the basket, so come early, and come with your back brace...

Posted by Jonathan on 23 November, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Jonathan on 17 November, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

...out having an early Thanksgiving dinner with Grandma at Meadowlakes.

Posted by Jonathan on 15 November, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

...so I'm walking the ONE block back home for it...

Posted by Jonathan on 15 November, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Jonathan on 13 November, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by Jonathan on 3 November, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Jonathan on 3 November, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Happy Birthday to a super-swell guy! My older brother Matthew turns [a prime number] today, and we are happy to celebrate with him. He is and has been such a blessing to our little family, since before it even existed. We have had the privilege of watching him grow and stretch and be real and struggle and overcome and succeed wildly in the last several years and also in this very last year, and we could not have more desires for his happiness and success than we do.

We love you a bunch, Matty. You are an awesome brother to me and Jenni, and a super uncle to Noah.

Posted by Jonathan on 2 November, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

...and now it's time to

Let's see, in the last 11 days we have had:

1. Last day of work at the longest job I've ever worked at
2. Trip to OKC to visit friends from far and near and get no sleep at all
3. First day (and first week!) of new job, in a totally different field and work atmosphere
4. My birthday
4a. I got an iPhone
5. Our joint birthday
6. Jenni's birthday

I would say that we would stop now and catch our collective breath, but Matty's birthday is coming up, followed by Grandma's, then Sarah's in town, Turkey Day, 2 Cowboys games on Thursday in a row, and then it's Christmas.

Yowza.

Thanks so much to Victoria (our most favorite blogger in the world) for the Keep Calm poster. We know you're not retiring off of the 20ish bucks for printing, shipping and handling these goodies, so the next time we're in SF, your latte's on us!

Posted by Jonathan on 31 October, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (3)

Okay, so long time, no posting...Well, it's not like a lot hasn't been going on...like a major career change, birthdays, the purchase of an iPhone...you know, little stuff.

At the Carroll highrise, we're busy celebrating Jenni's birthday, among other things. And as soon as I can figure out how to mobile-post from my iPhone, there are going to be a ton of updates on this blog.

In the meantime, please visit alwaysalmost.vox.com, my other blog, to which posting from my iPhone is incredibly easy. In fact, I've posted a couple dozen times there in the last week since I bought my iPhone. So you may want to check the archives. Tons of groovy pics of the last few, fun-filled days.

Posted by Jonathan on 29 October, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Saturday seems a bit of a blur now, but a few things are known:

1. There were balloons

2. These eyeballs are supposed to come out.

3. There were clever t-shirts, especially the one Brittany brought for the Bubby that said, 'I Still Live with My Parents'

4. There was an aftermath.

5. LJ is a great helper (really), showing the patience/self-control of a saint, and 6. I have a wonderful wife, without whom I would be utterly helpless.

7. Kailey is such a groovy, happy little trooper: I never saw her without a big smile, and her gleeful shrieks just made me laugh, which reminds me of 8. how, without a doubt, we undeservedly have such a wonderful collection of superb family and friends.

9. There were balloons.

Posted by Jonathan on 24 September, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (3)

This WWII mantra might just as well be our personal motto for the next 24 hours. Noah's 4th birthday party is tomorrow afternoon, and while we totally are not planning any huge soirée or sorta-super Sweet Sixteen, our natural state of ultra-laid-backness makes our house a hectic beehive anytime we have to plan just about anything. We are really REALLY looking forward to having friends over, and Noah is stoked about playing his new 'treasure ball' game with Nate and John. We just tend to overreact to anything that's so set in stone and requires, by a particular deadline, things like baking and couch-moving and seat-counting and praying to God the elevators are still working tomorrow, and figuring out once and for all if doing an Elmo pináta in our apartment will work or not.

...you know, normal stuff.

And with the Bubbster's, God-willing, last appointment related to his kidney issues taking up a good portion of today, it puts us behind the eight ball a bit already.

Only in our minds, I suspect.

Oh, and Jenni really wants one of those posters.

Posted by Jonathan on 21 September, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of the fun things we did for Bubby's special day was go play some fun Mountasia! You'll of course notice the matching Threadless tees. Bubby was so thrilled to match his Mommy.

Posted by Jonathan on 20 September, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Four years ago today, at 5:41 a.m., after 3 and 1/2 hours of the strangest birthing experience I've ever heard, just as it was becoming extremely apparent to me how unready I was to be a parent, God decided I was ready enough, and the Bubby was born. And while the last four years have been a wild, emotional spread of joy and scaredness and learning and failing and trying and laughing and crying, like we pray every night, he was and is a blessing from the Lord.

We love you, our special little boy, and we are so glad God gave you to us. May you grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with Him and with men. May your heart delight in Him and may He give you the desires of your heart, today, and every day.

Posted by Jonathan on 19 September, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (4)

Lucy! Somebody's been playing with the 5's again!

Posted by Jonathan on 12 September, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Saturday it was time for our little family to go to make a trek to IKEA. This one wasn't for some hard to say Swedish chair or for some other modern furniture or home decor. It was those more necessary, organizational items.

..but first, it was time for some breakfast.

Ah, a healthy way to start an early Saturday morning!

Isn't Jenni so pretty?!

...but I still look a bit tired...

Then, on to chair-testing time! (Okay, so I said no furniture, but we didn't buy any furniture, or even a smallish chair...)

...you know, for kids!

Okay, that cinnamon roll didn't last us so long...it was soon time for lunch. Mine on the right, Jenni's on the left:

View from our table by the window.

Yes, even at IKEA, Noah is a little TV fiend...

Noah really loves those little play stations they have scattered throughout IKEA, and they're a good respite after having to sit in the cart or after hours of trying hard not to touch things.

A busy little checker!

All tired after a long IKEA kind of day!

Posted by Jonathan on 9 September, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (4)

COMMENTS ON THE PHOTOS COMING SOON.

Click on the photo below to enlarge for detail:

Posted by Jonathan on 30 July, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (3)

While most of the literate world is collectively hoping that no one on TV or a website or e-mail or in the subway or wearing one of these shirts will tell them how the most anticipated fiction book of modern time ends, my quiet time this morning actually revealed the ending, and it's very good:

'There is surely a future hope for you
And your hope will not be cut off.'

I don't know about you, but lately an injection of hope is a good thing for me. What a promise: Your hope will not be cut off! Isn't that the thing about hope: it's something you're anticipating that's for good, but the second you question whether said good anticipation will ever come to fruition, the moment doubt takes over even just a little, hope fades.

Often, we ourselves are the source of our hope: it is up to us to keep it alive and to do the hope-ing. But not so, the Word reveals: We have One Who Is our Hope Himself. He has no doubt, no capacity to fail. There is 0% likehood that He Will not do as He promises. And He Is not an uncaring Judge, nor Is He even a Father who simply knows how to give good gifts to His children.

Not only Is He pulling for us, not only does He want the best for us, but He also ensures the victory and the success! He Himself is our Hope and the fulfillment of our hope!

Now that is an ending that you can tell me about any day...

Posted by Jonathan on 23 July, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

...at the Carroll House. We're hip. We're with it.

...and we're gittin' jiggy wid it!

Posted by Jonathan on 20 July, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

We had a great weekend, and it all started with a fun day off on Friday, having a fun day out with Mary Beth to celebrate her birthday. We headed over to West Village in Dallas, a place Jenni and Noah and I frequent, and where we thought Mary Beth would enjoy going for her first time. I think she did, and I KNOW that the people at Taco Diner, Legacy Trading Company, Ann Taylor Loft, and most importantly, the Paul Frank Store were very happy to see us! Noah and I even got to take a little break at Starbucks to enjoy an Izze, some vanilla milk, and some a few books Daddy had tucked away in his messenger bag for just such a moment of respite.

We had a great time over there, and thank the Lord, the weather stayed great for us.

After that, we headed home to freshen up and then to meet (as a surprise) the rest of the fam at Reata downtown to enjoy some very yummy dinner. Then, back to the elevator house for some mini-cakes and presents!

We had a blast, and I hope Mary Beth did, too! Happy Birthday! We tried really hard to make it a good one. We love you!

Posted by Jonathan on 16 July, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Can I just say how proud and super-impressed I am with Jenni?! She continues to blow me away with how she is steaming through learning how to use her sewing machine, as evidenced by the nifty sack above, but more on that later.

When we got the sewing machine, we also bought about 10 yards of clearance fabric for her to start practicing on. And I mean, really: the moment we got home, she dove right in to the very difficult task of reading the poorly illustrated and rarely captioned manual, and she started figuring things out. Not much later, she was making 'coasters,' just to figure out the stitches and start on getting them straight.

Soon, our house was filled with the pleasant hum of Jenni sewing away! Most of the time, I had no idea what she was sewing, I just knew the gentle hum of the Singer in the background meant something was happening that involved fabric and thread. Occasionally, she would pop out a placemat experiment, and then another, better placemat experiment. Those were followed by an apron, and she just went on and on, burning her way through the 10 yards of fabric.

(As a total sidenote, when we took the bolts of fabric to the cutter at Joann's and, when the lady asked how much of the pink fabric Jenni wanted--you should have seen the lady just about swallow her tongue when Jenni happily chirped, '6 yards!' I mean, if you haven't sewn lately or ever--that's a lot of fabric. Like, we're talking the Von Trapp kids could be totally clothed for summer in 6 yards of fabric.)

Anyhoo, at some point we were conjecturing about fun things she could do with her new sewing machine, maybe things she could eventually make to sell on Etsy, or at one of the two downtown stores here that are boutique-ish and whose owners we're good friends with. One of the things we came up with was fabric 'brown bags,' for women who want a fun, fresh way to bring their lunch to work. Make 'em lined, put in a bit of a bottom, use fun fabrics, just an idea...and I'll help you make a pattern, figure out measurements, etc...

So, on Sunday, while I'm sitting at the lappie making the internets (as Keegan says), I heard the occasional whirring of the Singer, and I don't give it no nevermind. And about two hours later, Jenni hands me the bag above, which she had designed, eyeballed, cut and sewn, all as a little experiment, all on her own.

YOWZA!!! WAY TO GO!!!

I was totally blown away. She is doing so great, and I am so proud of her! She's had the machine for just two weeks or so, and with no prior experience or training, is totally destroying it! Who knows what she will do next?!

...anything she puts her mind to! I know she can, and I am so proud of her, and so excited to see what she does next.

I love you, baby!

Posted by Jonathan on 11 July, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (3)

Posted by Jonathan on 10 July, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (3)

Posted by Jonathan on 8 July, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

...not for a while anyway, and believe me, I really, really want one (which differentiates me in no way from the other 292 million Americans who WON'T be getting one). The mobile blogging and 2M camera alone make it worth the price and my while. But still, I'm trying to pass up on this luxury goodie, for the time being, and here's the list I've got going so far:

1. My Treo Jenni gave me last year is barely even a year old
2. I have a video iPod in perfect condition that's just a year and a half old
3. am about to upgrade to Adobe CS3 Design Premium, which is a larger small fortune than the small fortune an iPone costs
4. (I think) We're about to buy a new Beetle or GTI
5. I need a bass more than I actually NEED an iPhone
6. I don't want Clint to feel like he's the only person who doesn't have an iPhone, since he works for a competitor and will most likely be fired once he actually does get one

Posted by Jonathan on 29 June, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (2)

jonathan is right, i've been very deficient in sharing the pictures i take of my very favorite man. get ready to scroll.....

christmas goodies!

he just made a good shot while playing golf with noah.

showing noah proper form

the genius at work.

daddy snuggles are best!

i think frank's brain just fell out.

chillin'

c'mon, daddy, play with me!

genius is burning.

josh and jonjon enjoying fruit roll-ups.

so there you go. a selection of pictures with jonathan in them from the last 6 months. enjoy!

Posted by Jenni on 8 June, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

I was just about to post how I'm never in any family photos anymore cos no one takes any of me with Jenni and Noah and how my photo album is full of pictures missing me--which is how my life feels at the moment--and I was going to conclude that I need to become rich and famous so I can have a photographer follow us around and take pictures with me in them...

...and then I came across the picture below in iPhoto and decided maybe less pictures of me is a good thing, and maybe it's time I take away Noah's camera...

=^)

Posted by Jonathan on 7 June, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (3)

Click on the picture...and give it a sec...

Posted by Jonathan on 6 June, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

You know Matty's going to India, but how's he going to get there?

...he'll fly, of course...in a helicopter he builds himself:

Posted by Jonathan on 11 May, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

(...that's a reference to a fave movie of ours, the Coen brothers' The Hudsucker Proxy...in fact...)

Posted by Jonathan on 27 April, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (2)

This weekend, we took Noah to see his first-ever, in-the-theater movie (yes, I know: we're horrible parents), Disney's digital 3D spectacular, Meet the Robinsons. He was fabulous, as to be expected, and we all had a great time. His 3D glasses even stayed on with no problems, which was really my biggest concern.

It was like the writers knew this would be Noah's first movie, because they put in all of his favorite things: Robots, trains, spaceships, dinosaurs, exploding stuff. He loved it. And then when he got a Meet the Robinsons coloring/activity book in his easter basket bucket, he shrieked with delight ('LOOK!!! It's that kid from the thing with the spaceship!!!')

MTR is one of the better Disney movies in a while, I think. Aside from excellent visuals and a great soundtrack, the story is excellent. In a nutshell, it's about belonging, and it's about family, not too dissimilar to the themes found in the movie version of A Series of Unfortunate Events, but on the happy ending side of things. A very similar current is also found in Finding Nemo.

In addition to a strong family theme, it also had the best summation of one of Walt Disney's favorite themes, the power of imagination. The late EPCOT ride Horizons summarized Walt's creative ideology with the phrase, 'If you can dream it, you can do it.' MTR breathed life into a different utterance, but built on the same foundations: 'Keep moving forward.' The idea being, whatever the odds, keep moving forward with your dream. If you face adversity, failure, defeat...keep moving forward. This idea not too distant from Thomas Edison's famed statement, 'I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.' This movie brought to mind the Disney days of old, when EPCOT was just a vision, and when the actual vision from the man behind the mouse was not for a theme park, but for an Experimental Prototype City Of Tomorrow, a futuristic utopia of science, wonder and imagination, that would be a standard-bearer for what the world could achieve. MTR inspires those same visions, and also brings to mind the oldest Disney ride in existence, Carousel of Progress, one of Walt's favorites, in which a revolving room rotates around an ever-changing stage which shows the advancements of the last 100 years and imagines those of tomorrow.

But this post is not intended to be a sentimental look back at the theme park of yesteryear. In fact, it is more thinking about life today, and life tomorrow. The biggest thing I came away with from MTR was how grateful I am for Jenni and for our precious son, Noah, and how excited I am about life, life right now and what's to come. MTR ends with the following quote, from which the 'Keep Moving Forward,' mantra was derived:

Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things…and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
–Walt Disney

Life changes. There is birth, and there is death. There is joy and there is sadness. Jobs changes, people move away, seasons end. Sometimes change is good, sometimes it's bad, and sometimes, if we're honest with ourselves, it's just change. Sometimes we are the issue, the scared ones, the worried ones, the ones not living today today. Maybe we're looking in the rear-view too much, maybe we're blaming someone for something...perhaps we're holding on to a real hurt, something from long ago. Maybe we're just too scared to do what needs to happen next, for fear of failure.

...and the Father is right there, giving us a big hug, saying:

'...keep moving forward...just keep swimming...I know how this story ends--I wrote it--and you're going to love the end...I love you...'

And that is something we all need to hear.

Posted by Jonathan on 9 April, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (5)

...yup, still here. You haven't heard from us in a while, but we've been plugging working oh-so-hard away. But what we we been up to exactly, other than that thing called life?

Having Matty over, for some fun, and to hear about what's going on in his life....

Being busy at work, including a big Barnett Shale seminar that our firm sponsored, and also going to a memorial at a very groovy church.

Trying to job stuff get things figured out for a move...

Jenni started a blog for her lonesome--and she already has new friends!

Posted by Jonathan on 1 April, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (2)

The government of South Korea is drawing up a code of ethics to prevent human abuse of robots—and vice versa.

Yes, in a move that is sure to assuage futurists, the South Koreans are going to set some rules regarding robots, to try to prevent an I, Robot or Matrix-style end-game of these super-smart and very abused/annoyed robots taking over.

Hopefully, they've thought this through, cos if the Robots don't get a vote, I'm sorry, but they shouldn't be expected to live by the Code ("THIS DOES NOT COMPUTE--BESIDES, THEY'RE MORE LIKE...GUIDELINES")

Oh well, we love robots at our hous---

Noah!!! Get off Sonny!!!!

Posted by Jonathan on 28 March, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (2)

if you're familiar with disney movies, you should totally hear cronk's voice saying that, because that's how i said it.= )

as promised, here are pictures of our fun surprises:

we've already read this book to him at least a dozen times in the last 6 days.

and this is my nifty new book! hopefully it won't be too long before i have something cool to show you that i made from it!

happy monday everybody!

Posted by Jenni on 19 March, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

the cable for moving pictures from my camera to the computer seems to be migratory and apparently this is not a season it spends near the computer, so there will be no current pictures in this post. if the cable finds it way home soon, i'll add pictures, so check back for pictures of:

thoughtful surprises from daddy!

noah had to have a test this morning, which he does not enjoy, and, of course, i do not enjoy him not enjoying it. he was very brave and good and so was i (i think), so when we picked up jonathan to go reward ourselves with chicken and french fries and purple balls (thank you mcdonald's) he had a surprise for noah, which i knew about, and one for me, which i didn't! noah got a hilarious book called Frank was a Monster who Wanted to Dance, which we've already read twice (impressive since we were only home for about 20 minutes before naptime). and i got Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter. i'm very very excited about this book, even though i don't really know how to sew yet! i want to learn and i love love love her designs. i may even get brave enough to try to tackle a couple of these patterns sans sewing machine. it was a very wonderful, thoughtful thing for my wonderful thoughtful husband to do. ***mushy alert!*** i love you so much, sweetie, thanks for making a somewhat stressful day into a special reminder of how blessed noah and i are to belong to you. ***mushiness complete.***

and, friendly reader, as your reward for putting up with that, how about a random-already-on-the-computer picture?

daddy's hat!

Posted by Jenni on 13 March, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (2)

This morning, after waking up sleepy-eyed and finding his way into the bathroom where Daddy was shaving, after his mommy helped him change out of his diaper, and right after she sent him to find some undies, Noah stopped and said, 'Hey--I thought we were going to snuggle...?'

...which got me thinking...

Maybe you had quiet time today, and maybe you didn't. Maybe you had some good prayer time yesterday, and maybe you didn't. Perhaps your mind has been able to meditate on Scriptures in the last few days, or perhaps it's been too full of other things. Either way, we all know what it feels like when we haven't had quality time with the Lord lately, and we all know that one of the most common associations we have when it's been awhile, and they're the enemy's favorites to throw at us: Guilt/fear/uh-oh-ness. You haven't had quiet time. You didn't do that thing that the Father wanted you to do, read/pray/meditate/be still. You missed checking off that box.

And so the enemy lies to us with these deceitful untruths, that the Father wants drone-like, methodical actions from us: 1. Wake 2. Read 3. Pray 4. Eat 5. Work. 6. Sleep 7. Repeat cycle

That doesn't sound like the heart of a Father who jumps off the porch and comes running for us, even while the stench of the far country is still on our clothes. The truth of the matter is, the heart of the Father is so loving, so full of good things for us, and what He's wanting to communicate to us in those times when, well, it's been awhile, is just what Noah was saying this morning:

Hey...You...Daughter/Son...I thought we were going to snuggle...? I wanted to hold you and tell you I love you and kiss your forehead...

...how can we say 'No,' to that?

Posted by Jonathan on 7 March, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posted by Jonathan on 27 February, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

...all of your/our cars just got recalled.

Posted by Jonathan on 26 February, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (2)

...on the other hand, why worry about air quality and global warming when we have bigger things to worry about:

A ROBOT UPRISING

...and it may be a lot sooner than anyone thinks...

Don't worry about us, though: we've already made sure that Sonny doesn't get his regular 'updates,' as they nefariously call them, from VICKI over at U.S. Robotics....so we're good.

(And yes: we're calling him 'Sonny,' now..=^)

Posted by Jonathan on 21 February, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (3)

In a spot of news that has us very happy, albeit temporarily, Texas State District Judge Stephen Yelenosky ruled that Governor Rick Perry does not have authority under the Texas Constitution to issue an executive order to 'fast-track' the permit process to build dirty-coal power plants, granting a major, if not temporary, victory to environmental activists and others concerned with the Governor's egregious abuse of executive powers, which more and more are seemingly related to campaign contributions and personal ties.

If you're not too familiar with the situation, activists have charged that Perry's 'fast-track' order was specifically designed to give the dirty-coal plants approval before the federal government sets mandatory standards restricting the CO2 emissions of such plants, a likely scenario under the new Democrat-controlled chambers. Judge Yelenosky's order effectively postpones the expedited hearings Perry's executive order had rush-granted, which, for the time being, creates a delay by allowing sufficient time for interested parties to fully present arguments against the dirty and inefficient coal plants which TXU and Perry have in mind: "[Such groups] have established that they will be irreparably harmed," if the executive fast-track order is not stopped, "because they will be forever deprived of a meaningful opportunity to be heard."

There are many detriments to these dirty-coal plants being built in Texas (or anywhere), and we have been vocal opponents of their being built, having sent e-mails, made calls, written op-ed pieces against the whole situation, and also having contributed money to the Environmental Defense Fund, one of the groups which originated the lawsuit that pressed the issue on which Judge Yelenosky has now ruled. We know the fight is not over, but at least for now, we are quite thrilled with this unlikely turn. It's rare, but so good, to see that Texas has not yet completely fallen to the Hummer-driving, planet-destroying Neo-cons like Rick Perry and his ilk.

Posted by Jonathan on 21 February, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (5)

Well, Mom and Dad are home from a cruise, Noah is peanut butter-free, Kobe capped a stellar redemption of his image by winning the MVP of the All-Star Game, I am sore all over from practice at the range, Jenni is having lunch with Rach, and Al Gore is about to win an Oscar, which shouldn't at all distract from the trueness of An Inconvenient Truth...

...so what's up with you?

Posted by Jonathan on 19 February, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posted by Jonathan on 6 February, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (5)

...has finally come to an end: Apple and Apple, aka Stevie and the Beatles, have finally made nice, and this time, it's for real.

There has been no announcement of the Beatles catalogue on Apple Records being made available on iTunes yet, but it seems inevitable.

Posted by Jonathan on 5 February, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

A while back, Noah passed that phase of needing diapers pretty much ever (other than sleepy-time), and one of the rewards we used to encourage him to remember to 'be a big boy' and think of going potty in the bathroom all on his own was a shaving kit. Well, Daddy has been delinquent in breaking it out to use for the first time, even though we've had it for about a year now (yeah, really delinquent), but...no more!

Bubby Shaves

Posted by Jonathan on 29 January, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by Jonathan on 25 January, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

I must say that as the Mavs go back to Miami for the first time since the horrific meltdown, it's nice to know that Avery is the head coach. By all accounts he's a great man and clearly one of the best coaches in the NBA, the Mavs having the best record in the NBA...

...still, there are things about Nellie to be missed:

Posted by Jonathan on 21 January, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

...to actually have a shot at winning the White House will be Barack Obama. (Sure, Al Sharpton runs every year, but that's just to keep things lively.)

And now he's taken the first step by announcing his 'exploratory committee,' which is the regulatory filing equivalent of announcing you are running for President.

It took about 30 seconds of his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention for viewers to realize that while they had not heard of him before--at that time he was a political unknown, running for Sentate, which he did win--they would not be forgetting his name for years to come. He was extremely well-spoken, eloquent yet simple, and painted a very clear and exciting picture of what he felt like America could become, without mudslinging or name-calling. I remembering hollering to Jenni that she needed to get into the TV room and see the man who will become the first black President of the United States.

It may not be this go-round, but it's going to happen. It is a very exciting time. My worry is that some James Earl Ray wanna-be will decide all on his red-neck own that the country's not ready for that kind of man to run our country.

Run, Obama, run.

Posted by Jonathan on 16 January, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (4)

...at the Carroll high-rise, kicking it old school:

It's a partial ice day, currently, and this weekend found us sitting around in our 'drawers' playing with some gigantic Mickey Mouse cards. Noah doesn't seem to be getting the concept that you shouldn't tell people what cards you have.

Posted by Jonathan on 15 January, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (3)

...I wish I had gone to the trouble to call a bookie in Vegas, because while Stevie WonderBoy was still giving the keynote announcing the iPhone, I was telling Jenni it would be less than 24 hours before Cisco sued them for trademark infringement...

...I was right. Cisco has owed the 'iPhone' mark since 2000, and they're not so happy.

Posted by Jonathan on 11 January, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

While a Kodak 110 camera that I won in an art competition may have been good enough for me, only the best for our Bubby! Thanks to Fisher-Price and Marmee, Noah has been shooting pictures like crazy with his own digital camera, and let me tell you, he likes abstract photos. Below are some of the better shots from his very first 'roll'. Now, if only I could convince him to stop taking point blank photos of his bedroom door.

...yeah, Daddy spends a lot of time emptying the SD card...

Posted by Jonathan on 8 January, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Okay, so Clint sings a lot of songs, and he does a great job, but here's one you can go listen to:

Your Love.

This is through his computer using GarageBand. The instruments are all 'live.'

Well done, Clint! It sounds great!

Posted by Jonathan on 5 January, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Our ultra-creative/cute/swanky seester just posted for the first time in a while on her blog...so go read it, while I figure out how to get these pictures off Noah's new digital camera...

Posted by Jonathan on 3 January, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (4)

A rare perk (I guess you could call it a perk) of my job is the occasional road trip. And by road trip, I mean one of my attorneys needs me to go do a filing or posting or something out of county that requires a higher degree of skill/knowledge (i.e., something we can't send a runner on). Usually, it's something that takes me to a fun Texas small town, the kind that have an actual town square, and an old-school courthouse therein. Previous trips have taken me to Graham, the further outreaches of Wise County, and some place in Hill county.

This past week I was sent on another such trip, to Grayson County (on the border with Oklahoma) about 65 miles north of Dallas proper. These little trips are great because they give me time in the car to think, to listen to music as loud as I want, to just enjoy a little break from the norm.

...also, they're nice because our firm pays the federal maximum for mileage, so it's like getting a nice little bonus...

The speed limit was 70 most of the way, but 121 was a parking lot pretty much the whole day, and my 195 mile trip took me over 4 hours.

Something I always love on these trips is stopping at Sonic. Sonic is so ubiquitous in small town Texas, and I love it. It's like the Sulfur Springs version of Starbucks...

Didn't see where/how they wanted you to Shop Naked...drive a manual transmission while messing with my iPod and taking pictures with my cell phone was hard enough...

Inside the Grayson County Courthouse...this hand is pointing you to nothing in particular...still, very cool...

...and in a shocking twist, the Grayson County Courthouse is not an old-school courthouse. It's a fairly new and bland building that does not deserve the attention that being in the square of the town square affords...

Christmas on the Square...Toys...and a Pawn Shop...

Posted by Jonathan on 17 December, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

The season of Advent is not one that is normally noticed much in typical protestant churches. A couple of years ago, our church decided to start participating in this 4-week celebration which joyfully anticipates the arrival of God as a man, the eternal putting on flesh, and becoming the sacrifice for us.

And so we have informally joined in, taking the time to daily look forward to this important spiritual anniversary. I say informal, because more orthodox keepings of Advent include fasting and times of preparation similar to Lent. For us, participation has included times of special times prayer and reading related to the promises of God to redeem His people, and the specific prophecies that pointed to Jesus' coming; also, special sermons from Jamie at Christ Fellowship. It has been a good and meaningful exercise for us these last two years, and further enhances the Christmas season, helping to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas.

Involving the Bubby on a level he could understand and would enjoy was definitely a priority for us, and this is kind of the first Christmas that he is old enough for something like this. Definitely a 'commercial' part of the season, yet also one of the best at promoting the Christmas season, Starbucks has Advent Christmas tree decorations for purchase which make it easy and exciting to have a daily conversation with Noah about the upcoming special day. The 18-inch tall tree has little compartments for 24 small, numbered boxes. Each box contains a small treat (some kind of chocolate wrapped in gold foil), and on the reverse side of each box is 1/24th of a picture of a wintery, holiday scene. For each day of Advent, you pull out one box, counting down the days to Christ's birth, and after pulling out the special treat, you put it back into the compartment, with the 'new' side of the box facing forward. Each day brings us closer to the special arrival, and also further reveals the new, happy picture.

This has been a wonderful tool and a fun, child-friendly helper for our small little family. Each evening, we gather around the little tree--normally because Noah can't take the anticipation anymore and begs us to do it--and Noah reminds us that 'It's almost Jesus' birthday!' Then we'll talk for just a minute about how God sent His only Son to be born as a baby because He loves us and wants to be close to us. Maybe we'll talk about how the star at the very top of tree--the last box to be removed, No. 24--was a special sign that God made to tell people about Jesus. Then, Noah will remove the appropriate box, take out the treat, and put the box back in, with the new side out, reminding us that, 'When Jesus comes, He makes everything new!' Then, he enjoys the chocolately treat.

...and boy, does he enjoy it!

May God draw your own heart closer to His in this special season, reminding you how much He loves you, and may you follow that same star, all the way to the King, to bow, to worship, to bring Him your gift, and to let Him make all things new.

Posted by Jonathan + Jenni on 10 December, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

It's that time again, and while I think all of you have already gotten quite a bit of your Christmas shopping done, I nonetheless wanted to put all of the wishlists in one place so you can each easily access them if you want to use them as a helper in your holiday shopping.

Remember, as Captain Barbosa said, 'They're more like ... guidelines!' They are particularly helpful to know who doesn't have a particular DVD, who likes what type of cologne, what a good book idea would be, etc. You certainly don't even have to look at the wishlists, let alone buy a specific item through Amazon (although on a side note, we have found that Amazon often matches or beats Wal-mart's prices on books, DVDs and music), but here they are, either way, for your benefit:

• Matty's Wishlist
• Sarah and Jonathan's combined Wishlist
• Mary Beth's Wishlist
• Noah's Wishlist
• Jenni's Wishlist
• JonJon's Wishlist

One tip, though: the wishlists automatically pull up showing whatever was added last. Thus, if you want to see what someone wants in order of what they like the most, you need to re-sort it in the pull-down menu by 'Desired (high to low)'.

Also, Mom, Dad and Grandma are not featured as I do not have wishlists from them. If they make them, I will put them above. Otherwise, Mom has mentioned the Anne of Green Gable DVDs, xBox stuff or Star Wars stuff is always good for Dad, and Grandma...well, use your imagination.

Happy hunting!

Posted by Jonathan on 8 December, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1)

We salute you!

Today, Dad, El Guapo, is twenty-seven! You have been such a blessing to so many people, and we are happy to get to celebrate another year the Lord has so graciously given you.

If you're milling about LLN today, drop Dad a line and tell him something nice! It's his birthday, and there's nothing nicer than a good warm fuzzy!

Posted by Jonathan + Jenni on 7 December, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (9)

I'm thinking this was from somebody that isn't downtown much: It's not like the officer comes back in 30 minutes to find the envelope stuffed with cash, still under your windshield wipers.

Posted by Jonathan on 5 December, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Fortune has learned that iTunes is close to a deal to bring the Beatles catalog online. Apple Computer is said to be angling to become the exclusive online music store for the Beatles for a limited window of time. Other music stores, such as Microsoft's (Charts) MSN and Rhapsody, have courted the Beatles over the years to no avail, but it appears Apple is close to getting first dibs on the band's hits.

As Fortune went to press, numerous deal points were still being hammered out. According to a music industry executive apprised of the talks, the parties were discussing how lengthy a window of exclusivity iTunes might get and how many tens of millions of dollars Jobs - who is said to be personally involved in the discussions - will commit to an advance for the band and marketing costs.

Posted by Jonathan on 27 November, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1)

this morning began with noah coming into our bedroom, stroking my hair and giving me a kiss on my forehead. (can you say, "awwwwwww!") then as jonathan walked out the door, he said, "watch out for surprises.", in the same way you might say, "look before you cross the street". needless to say i immediately went in search of surprises and found...

two threadless tees i've wanted for a long time!

and then i found out that my seester has already gotten my very-first-for-real-knit in the mail, and she doesn't seem to think it's awful!

it's a purse! those buttons are for tying on a ribbon strap, that way you can use whatever ribbon you want! (i'm pretty proud of that idea, sarah can tell us how well it works...)

and add in that since it's a holiday weekend, today has all those wonderful friday feelings, because when my jonjon comes home tonight it's for 4 days in a row of togetherness!

i'm having a good morning!

happy thanksgiving everybody!

Posted by Jenni on 22 November, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

...is something I've been learning to live with--for me, it's not just a line from The Prince of Egypt.

Still, though, must all my heroes and sports teams suffer the same fate and be doomed to runner-up status?

Yes, Derek, for the love of mike, Leo was right: Nice guys finish last.

...or at least second...

Posted by Jonathan on 21 November, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posted by Jonathan on 17 November, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (3)

In the middle of a sick / busy weekend, Noah took time off from lying in bed coughing, Mommy took time off from knitting, and Daddy took time off from a few special projects to sit down and have some good, old-fashioned fun: Hungry, Hungry Hippos!!!

The kid likes the game.

If these fun pictures have made you smile or brought back memories of your favorite game, why don't you take a moment to de-lurk and leave a comment below, telling us all about it!

Posted by Jonathan + Jenni on 13 November, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Okay, I nearly cried when I read this: Basically, some thief decides David Copperfield would make a good mark. Bad idea. From Sarah's neck-o-the-lakes:

Thief Tricked by David Copperfield Pleads Guilty

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) -- One of three teenagers charged with attempting to rob illusionist David Copperfield as he left a performance has pleaded guilty.

Terrance Riley, 17, was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison for three counts of robbery with a weapon and one count of attempted robbery. He will be housed with other inmates under the age of 21.

Circuit Judge Edward Garrison also ordered Riley to testify against his two co-defendants, his brother Dwayne Riley, 18, and Markeith Jones, 17.

Copperfield, 50, and two female assistants were walking from the Kravis Center to their tour bus when they were approached by the teens April 23. The assistants handed over money and a cellphone, but the illusionist turned his pockets inside out to reveal nothing, although he was carrying his passport, wallet and cell phone.

"He said in depositions that he had things on him, but it wasn't difficult to make it seem like there was nothing there," prosecutor Sherri Collins said.

Posted by Jonathan on 10 November, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

...on electing the first female Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in U.S. history, Nancy Pelosi!

This is a proud and historic day for our country, and a wonderful day for women across this country, regardless of political stripes (at least it should be). Without getting into at all how excited I am that the voters across this country forcefully ripped the House out of the ultra-conservative stranglehold of the Republicans, I want to say that I truly am excited to see a strong woman in such a high place of power in this country. Even while we slip back in other ways, losing civil rights, destroying carefully constructed international relationships, it is so good to see us progress in this area of women's rights, and what better place than the ultimate 'Boys' Club,' the House of Representatives?

Girls, wives, mothers--there is nothing you can't do. Single women: if you want to be a wife and work at home (and we all know that the successful management of a home is a real job), wonderful! Do it, pursue it, go for it, and give it your all! But if you want something else, like to become an astronaut or doctor or the President of the United States, go for that, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't.

I must pause for a moment and remember George Bank's comment in Father of the Bride II:

Nancy Pelosi will be our representative if we wind up living in the city in San Francisco, and when that happens, we will breath a sigh of relief that our representative actually represents us. Because not all the election news is good this morning: Bush Lite won another term in Texas, which means his dirty-coal burning plants will be built, and countless other Texas 'Yes' men and women mindlessly won re-election to their federal positions. The environment would be crying, but for the Democrats winning the House.

And the last guilty pleasure post for the next two years: Rick Santorum, that lying piece of crap, got it handed to him, losing his Senate job, as well he should have. I haven't been this happy about an election result since Barack Obama won his senate seat.

Adios, Dick. Please, let the door smash you on the way out.

Posted by Jonathan on 8 November, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Why is this man smiling? Because his candidate will win tonight?

No, he's smiling because now, aliens can't mess him up with mind control, sneaky blighters! And we thought the war in Iraq was bad. It's time to join forces against the real bad'uns.

Make your's today! Literally tens of anonymous people can't be wrong!

Posted by Jonathan on 7 November, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Three birthdays down, three to go...

We have had a wonderful last 10 days or so, celebrating our birthdays, 'the season,' we like to call it. And with both on the weekend, it gave us a good long span of continuous merry-making. During that span we saw some movies, ate at some of our favorite restaurants, went to the Japanese Gardens for a festival, spent fun time with our extended families, and decided that Central Market has some of the best take-out desserts available in the area.

That, and we also had a really funny story about a coffeemaker which came from Starbucks with the coffee already brewed and inside the carafe.

Yup, we had a great time. Thanks to everybody who did such nice and generous things to make us feel special and loved. We love you all.

Posted by Jonathan + Jenni on 1 November, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Can I just say how excited I am about today? Why? Because tonight is the first game of the new NBA season!!! Exciting stuff!

Joshwa's about to launch a new little project that will further enhance the season, and I'm also looking forward to that.

Plus, we got the Fort Worth Flyer's action about to take off, with an upcoming Draft Night Party and their first b-day...

Yesirreesir, my schedule is just about to become really full.

Posted by Jonathan on 31 October, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0)

...and as soon as we get some kiddo scissors, Noah will get to give Nyokki a new do!

Posted by Jonathan on 18 October, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1)

...for his birthday:

...okay, okay, so it may be a little late for the birthday, but it's plenty early for Christmas and it will fit nicely in a suitcase to go to West Palm Beach. =^)

(Or, you can do what we're going to do, and have all of your internet-bought Christmas packages shipped straight to Sarah and Dr. J...)

Posted by Jonathan on 17 October, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

and here's why:

because daddy will run repeatedly from the front door to the bedroom and back again with him.

i sure love my boys.= )

Posted by Jenni on 4 October, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (4)

...Noah sporting his new Italitrike, cruising the streets of Sundance Square. If you didn't think this little kid got a lot of comments, just give him an Italian-crafted stroller with sweet lines and, well, let's just say it's hard to get a block down the street without getting stopped.

Here we are at the bottom of the escalators of my building, which were sadly off, as Bubby was about to hop off the new trike and take a ride on his favorite escalator...another time, perhaps.

...and yes, the pic was from a camera phone.

Posted by Jonathan on 24 September, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (4)

...sigh, not mine, sadly. But another piece of beautiful German engineering, on Taylor Street.

Posted by Jonathan on 12 September, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

...are not for making beds...

Posted by Jonathan on 10 September, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1)

...just to the east of The Tower, this beautiful piece of classic German engineering:

Posted by Jonathan on 7 September, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0)

an entry from jenni!

first, an "awwwww!" moment. the day after the move we headed out to ikea with uncle matty and among many other things got noah his "new speh-shull bed"!

he's saying (with no mommy prompting whatsoever!), "thank you, daddy, for building my new speh-shull bed!" have we mentioned that we have the best kid ever?

and now that the move is (mostly) behind us, i can get back to my new favorite pastime, knitting! (don't worry non-knitters you're not in danger of this becoming a knitting blog) after ignoring it for like a week while we moved, i picked the knitting up and decided those first-for-real-knitting-project mistakes were not endearing, but yucky. so i decided to follow some skinny rabbit protocol and pull out and fix them. for me this meant starting over. but since i've figured out that i had been twisting my stitches, and now i'm not, it should go a lot faster this time around. here's where i was about a week ago:

and here it is now:

i'm still waiting for you to guess what it is, seester!

so, there you have it. whatever it is....

p.s. come back in a couple days to hear about the most exciting thing to happen to us since noah!

Posted by Jenni on 6 September, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (6)

This quote popped up in my gMail account today...it's pretty funny:

Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, then names the streets after them.
Bill Vaughan

Posted by Jonathan on 25 August, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (3)

while we all get ready for the wonderful move to the elevator house (hooray!), noah and mommy are both picking up new hobbies.

noah's is wearing big boy underpants!

and my new hobby is...

knitting!

this is destined to be a gift for one of the two people who made me want to knit. can you guess what it is, seester?

Posted by Jenni on 2 August, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

While not Mom's actual birthday (July 26), Sunday was the day we celebrated my Mom's birthday this year, with Dad taking us all to brunch at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine. Okay, so maybe Matthew's been there a ton (you know how much he likes sports bars), but having no real experience there at all--yowza. That hotel is so friggin' gi-normous, and can barely be called a 'hotel' with any degree of accuracy. It is a spectacle, and doesn't slide too far down the acursed road of homogenized, plasticized, gold-inlaid Vegas-ism.

We had a great time at the Riverwalk Cafe, in the east wing of the hotel, complete with replica San Antonio Riverwalk (no brown water), sidewalk merchants, and a professional entertainer on the street who made Noah a very fun monkey hat. (Actually, the hat was a whole scene of this monkey climbing up a tree...yeah, a big hat.)

After three or so hours and determining that we couldn't load a cooler up with the all you could eat Blue Bell products in the freezer section of the buffet, we rolled out. Urp.!

...back to Colleyville for presents and swimming, and for the cake Dad did all by his-self!

Thanks, Dad! And more good birthday sentiments to Mom.

Posted by Jonathan on 1 August, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

'Hello, world' is pretty cliche by now, and we aren't really planning on the world at large reading this, our first family blog--otherwise, we might need to up our hosting plan. Either way, welcome.

Life Less Normal is just a place for our lives to crash-land into something that can be typed out, uploaded, and shared with our family and friends. It's not a place we're going to do anything more than write about our lives, the three of us Carrolls: Jonathan, Jenni and Noah. We aren't going to be selling t-shirts (although that might be cool) or pushing our political views (we're for trees and against the war) or giving advice on parenting (bribing is a great idea) or pretending to be something we're not (because we're not)...we're just going to share some pictures and stories and nothings that in the end amount to a large pile of something (our lives), and hopefully will give you, dear friend/family member, a better picture of what's going on in our lives, even if we haven't called or e-mailed lately, and will convey the ups and the downs, the freaky and the fun that is us trying to live life less normal...

Posted by Jonathan + Jenni on 27 July, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

We didn't plan for the "Welcome to our blog" email to coincide with Mary's birthday, but since it did, i think it's appropriate for our oh-so-technologically-savvy family to have the first ever online warm fuzzy! To keep things interesting, this is going to be a slightly structured warm fuzzy. Share your earliest memory of meeting Mary and something you liked about her immediately. This should be really interesting for her kids.= ) i'll go first:

Sadly, i don't remember the very very first time i ever met Mary. i do however remember the settings in which i first got to know her: college class devotionals and get-togethers at the Carroll house. And the thing that i remember liking about Mary, is her loving hospitality to a bunch of kids overunning her house on a sunday night. There was always something fun to munch, and you never got the feeling that she was just waiting for us to all leave so she could put her house back in order and get some sleep. Thanks for making me feel welcome in your home, and later, your family. Happy Birthday. I love you.

jenni= )

Posted by Jenni on 26 July, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Family pictures, from various activities...they are fed from our family Flickr account and will change if you refresh this page...

Life Less Normal's Family photoset

Posted by Jonathan + Jenni on 1 July, 2006 | Permalink