Sunday, August 31, 2008
12 days to move
Let's just say that life right now is very character building. I am really looking forward to settling into some new routines. I have six days left with a car (ie: to shop!) I have a few things in mind to purchase but am curious what you would buy if you were leaving the country for two years.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Laird
Best quotes from Laird this week:
"Mom, you are the sweetest guwul"
"I don't want to change out of my jammies!" (and he didn't!)
(to Lucy): "You are the most beautiful baby in the wuwld."
"Mom, thanks for making this dinner!"
"I'm sick. Can I have some juice?"
"When we get a new car, can we get a limo?"
No, dear boy. We will not.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Olympics Recap
With Sheralie gone for a week in San Diego, I had ample time to watch a whole lot of Olympics. I have definitely overdosed on television for the last 16 days. The following are my favorite stories/moments in this year's olympics:
10. Women's discus - A member of the US Women's track team won the discus for the first time since 1932. The commentator said it was the biggest upset of the games. Sounds good to me. They interviewed the gal and she said her inspiration was watching Mary Lou Retton win in the 1984 Olympics. Since she was quite a bit bigger than Mary Lou Retton, she did the sensible thing and went for the discus.
9. US Men's Volleyball team. Winning the gold after the coach's father was murdered. Nice work.
8. Becky Hammon on the Russian basketball team. She is full-blooded American, but really wanted to play in the Olympics. So what does she do? Work real hard and get on the USA team? Noooo. The USA team didn't want her, so she signed on with the Russians and was naturalized and played for the team. This didn't sit well with me. For one, it defeats the whole purpose of the Olympics - it's not about rounding up ringers for each country. Two, it's Russia for goodness sake. Why are we helping them out? Russia wound up winning the Bronze.
7. Beach Volleyball. Got to love the amount of live coverage that NBC gave beach volleyball. And both US teams winning gold - good times.
6. Gymnastics. Normally I don't care much for gymnastics, but the Chinese gymnasts were remarkable in two respects. One, the men were absolutely ripped. Short, yes, but very definitely strong. Two, their women gymnasts were not even close to being 16. I can't believe they passed them off as 16. No one is really willing to question that? I think the IOC double checked their state-issued passports.
5. Marathons. I watched both marathons from start to finish. Loved them. For the men's, I actually got on the treadmill myself and ran with them. I gave myself a 2.5 mile headstart, but it was not nearly enough. They passed me at about mile 6. I wound up running a full half marathon on the treadmill (13.1 miles) while they ran the full thing. I kind of felt like I was in the race - except it was not hot and muggy for me - the A/C was on. By the way, a Kenyan won the men's race in Olympic record time - first time ever for Kenya. And the women's winner was a 38-year old Romanian. 38?!
4. China - you've got to give it up for China. They put together a heck of a team and pulled in 51 gold medals (to only 36 for the US). Granted, a lot of these came in sports no one really cares about in the US (table tennis, sync. swimming, diving, trampoline, etc.). And it is a lot easier to field a successful team when you have the state power to totally sequester people from their friends and families for decades at a time to train them. Still, an impressive show.
3. Usain Bolt - why does Jamaica produce such great sprinters? Is it the yams? Usain Bolt set world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. And he made it look easy.
There are only 2.8 million people in Jamaica, giving it the highest number of gold medals per capita in this Olympics.
2. Dara Torres, 41 year old swimmer for the US. Geez - she's old, and she swims fast. It was her 5th Olympics (and she skipped a couple!). She pulled in three silver medals, and only missed gold in the 50m free by .01 seconds.
1. Of course, Michael Phelps. He made the swimming events. The 4x100 relay and the 100m fly (his only individual 100m event) were the greatest swimming races ever. Where can Phelps go from here? This seems like the top to me.
Overall, I came away very happy with the Olympics. For a lot of sports that we only care about every four years and a chance for the whole world to come together and do something together besides fight (which Russia insisted on doing anyway in Georgia). Any other great moments that I missed?
10. Women's discus - A member of the US Women's track team won the discus for the first time since 1932. The commentator said it was the biggest upset of the games. Sounds good to me. They interviewed the gal and she said her inspiration was watching Mary Lou Retton win in the 1984 Olympics. Since she was quite a bit bigger than Mary Lou Retton, she did the sensible thing and went for the discus.
9. US Men's Volleyball team. Winning the gold after the coach's father was murdered. Nice work.
8. Becky Hammon on the Russian basketball team. She is full-blooded American, but really wanted to play in the Olympics. So what does she do? Work real hard and get on the USA team? Noooo. The USA team didn't want her, so she signed on with the Russians and was naturalized and played for the team. This didn't sit well with me. For one, it defeats the whole purpose of the Olympics - it's not about rounding up ringers for each country. Two, it's Russia for goodness sake. Why are we helping them out? Russia wound up winning the Bronze.
7. Beach Volleyball. Got to love the amount of live coverage that NBC gave beach volleyball. And both US teams winning gold - good times.
6. Gymnastics. Normally I don't care much for gymnastics, but the Chinese gymnasts were remarkable in two respects. One, the men were absolutely ripped. Short, yes, but very definitely strong. Two, their women gymnasts were not even close to being 16. I can't believe they passed them off as 16. No one is really willing to question that? I think the IOC double checked their state-issued passports.
5. Marathons. I watched both marathons from start to finish. Loved them. For the men's, I actually got on the treadmill myself and ran with them. I gave myself a 2.5 mile headstart, but it was not nearly enough. They passed me at about mile 6. I wound up running a full half marathon on the treadmill (13.1 miles) while they ran the full thing. I kind of felt like I was in the race - except it was not hot and muggy for me - the A/C was on. By the way, a Kenyan won the men's race in Olympic record time - first time ever for Kenya. And the women's winner was a 38-year old Romanian. 38?!
4. China - you've got to give it up for China. They put together a heck of a team and pulled in 51 gold medals (to only 36 for the US). Granted, a lot of these came in sports no one really cares about in the US (table tennis, sync. swimming, diving, trampoline, etc.). And it is a lot easier to field a successful team when you have the state power to totally sequester people from their friends and families for decades at a time to train them. Still, an impressive show.
3. Usain Bolt - why does Jamaica produce such great sprinters? Is it the yams? Usain Bolt set world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. And he made it look easy.
There are only 2.8 million people in Jamaica, giving it the highest number of gold medals per capita in this Olympics.
2. Dara Torres, 41 year old swimmer for the US. Geez - she's old, and she swims fast. It was her 5th Olympics (and she skipped a couple!). She pulled in three silver medals, and only missed gold in the 50m free by .01 seconds.
1. Of course, Michael Phelps. He made the swimming events. The 4x100 relay and the 100m fly (his only individual 100m event) were the greatest swimming races ever. Where can Phelps go from here? This seems like the top to me.
Overall, I came away very happy with the Olympics. For a lot of sports that we only care about every four years and a chance for the whole world to come together and do something together besides fight (which Russia insisted on doing anyway in Georgia). Any other great moments that I missed?
Happy 8th Anniversary
Sheralie and I celebrated our 8th anniversary on August 17. We celebrated her return from San Diego with our kids. It's hard to believe it's been 8 years that we have been happily married. Here's to many more.
Sheralie and a very young Jeffrey
Thursday, August 21, 2008
SOLD
We sold our house today. The last two days have been filled with trips to fed-ex and the notary. But it is sold, which is such a blessing at this tenuous time in the market. Tonight we celebrated with Papa John's pizza. If you haven't had their whole-wheat crust, it is pretty good.
That home had so many good memories and lovely paint and such a great yard. I am trying to not get too sentimental today. It was a good house.
I can't thank enough all who helped in various ways, large and small. Thank you to those who brought dinners, offered assistance, decorating expertise and ideas, encouragement, prayers, and especially those of you who have run over at critical times since we have left. Thank you so much!
Olympic Fever - the crawl
I have been caught up in the Summer Olympics of late, hence there has been no blog activity. Coming attractions: Sheralie and kids go to California, a mouse is caught, 8-year anniversary and Pete's favorite Olympians. In the meantime, we will leave you with this video of Lucy, who has just started to crawl.
a mouse
monday i spent cleaning and searching our kitchen.
it left me in poetic mood:
the kitchen began to smell
no one could tell
where it was coming from
(it smelled like a dead mouse)
i made the call
the janitor came down the hall
and pointed his light-
an unspeakable sight
under our fridge
it was a mouse
in our apartment,
ate through the grate
and found some cosy coils.
climbed inside
and then it fried -itself-
electrically, i suppose
no one quite knows.
ivan retrieved the gloves
and disinfectant
"you have a good nose"
he said to me
it was not fit to be seen
so he began to clean
the smell still lingers
but is almost gone
and laird says,
his face earnest and long,
"i want a mouse!"
it left me in poetic mood:
the kitchen began to smell
no one could tell
where it was coming from
(it smelled like a dead mouse)
i made the call
the janitor came down the hall
and pointed his light-
an unspeakable sight
under our fridge
it was a mouse
in our apartment,
ate through the grate
and found some cosy coils.
climbed inside
and then it fried -itself-
electrically, i suppose
no one quite knows.
ivan retrieved the gloves
and disinfectant
"you have a good nose"
he said to me
it was not fit to be seen
so he began to clean
the smell still lingers
but is almost gone
and laird says,
his face earnest and long,
"i want a mouse!"
happy anniversary!
pete and i had our 8th anniversary on sunday. notice i didn't say we celebrated it on sunday. we celebrated it with two amazing dates when his mom was in town:
1. "Sites at night" bike tour of the city. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings I have ever had. Three hours biking around - starting with daylight, watching a sunset and coming home in the dark. We were in a group of ten with a rather interesting tour guide. At least by the end I figured out if "P.J" was a man or a woman. (Woman). Phew. But that is tangential. It was just delightful to learn about the history and architecture of the different sights with my better half.
2. An All-Beethooven concert at an outdoor amphitheater. Just imagine laying on the grass, watching the stars come out, in the middle of the forest. The concert was very enjoyable: piano concerto, orchestral works, choir and symphony and the grand finale: Ode to Joy.
happy anniversary dear! i love you more than i thought possible.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
hmmm
I have been very interested in the current presidential candidates. I see great strengths in each of them. However, they recently took stands on gay marriage.
John McCain stated, "I think that we've proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no, I don't believe in gay adoption" (New York Times on Sunday, July 13)
In a letter dated Aug 8, 2008, Obama expressed his desire to promote gay marriage. You can find it in full on www.familyequality.org, which defends and promotes LGBT marriages and families (LGBT = lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender).
Here is part of the letter:"But we also have to do more to support and strengthen LGBT families. Because equality in relationship, family, and adoption rights is not some abstract principle; it’s about whether millions of LGBT Americans can finally live lives marked by dignity and freedom. That’s why we have to repeal laws like the Defense of Marriage Act. That’s why we have to eliminate discrimination against LGBT families. And that’s why we have to extend equal treatment in our family and adoption laws.
I’ll be a president that stands up for American families – all of them."
Saturday, August 9, 2008
sacrifice
recent events have led me to remember my freshman year seminary teacher. he repeatedly emphasized: sacrifice means giving up something good for something better.
i didn't agree, at first. it didn't seem true. as time has passed, i strongly agree his definition. it seems any time i think i am doing the giving - or sacrificing - i get more in return. service is one such sacrifice. visiting teaching, for example, can be a sacrifice of time. and yet i find i leave as a better, happier person with greater gratitude.
sometimes we think we are doing the giving. but it turns out that the Lord is giving us more than we ever gave.
i didn't agree, at first. it didn't seem true. as time has passed, i strongly agree his definition. it seems any time i think i am doing the giving - or sacrificing - i get more in return. service is one such sacrifice. visiting teaching, for example, can be a sacrifice of time. and yet i find i leave as a better, happier person with greater gratitude.
sometimes we think we are doing the giving. but it turns out that the Lord is giving us more than we ever gave.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
housing update
#1: our house in houston is currently being sold. i get confused with all the terms. it is not completely sold, but on its way. this is very very good news. hopefully it works out. thank you to all my friends who helped (and continue to help) make this possible. THANK YOU!!!
#2: we have a housing assignment in manila. it turns out we will live in a high rise that will make our stay very comfortable. i am especially excited about the windows, the playground and the indoor and outdoor pools.
#2: we have a housing assignment in manila. it turns out we will live in a high rise that will make our stay very comfortable. i am especially excited about the windows, the playground and the indoor and outdoor pools.
lost and found
we just opened a box of clothes for Laird and found our bath alphabet letters. we have missed them dearly. we have improvised with waterproof toys: tinkertoys and pool toys. Laird is especially happy to have his letters back, he carried two with him all day.
this week we also also found a new favorite grocery store. it is vietnamese - and besides being immaculately clean, it has rows of fresh, well-priced produce. i have never seen so many kinds of cabbage - or greens - or eggplant! it will be fascinating to try some of them. this week we bought sugar cane which i am still trying to figure out how to eat.
the fish section made me feel like i was in vietnam! piles of crabs [lively], loose fish on ice, fish with heads and eyes, fish without heads, whole fish at the counter, fish fillets at another counter, fish prepackaged, fish frozen. i was rather cautious and bought some salmon. it was very fresh. next time we will try a whole fish. how delightful!
i will try to take some photos inside the store but i don't want to get kicked out. i tried to ask the cashier how to pay for some treats and apparently she doesn't speaks english. i don't speak vietnamese. regardless, we will be back!
this week we also also found a new favorite grocery store. it is vietnamese - and besides being immaculately clean, it has rows of fresh, well-priced produce. i have never seen so many kinds of cabbage - or greens - or eggplant! it will be fascinating to try some of them. this week we bought sugar cane which i am still trying to figure out how to eat.
the fish section made me feel like i was in vietnam! piles of crabs [lively], loose fish on ice, fish with heads and eyes, fish without heads, whole fish at the counter, fish fillets at another counter, fish prepackaged, fish frozen. i was rather cautious and bought some salmon. it was very fresh. next time we will try a whole fish. how delightful!
i will try to take some photos inside the store but i don't want to get kicked out. i tried to ask the cashier how to pay for some treats and apparently she doesn't speaks english. i don't speak vietnamese. regardless, we will be back!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Jeffrey the Soccer Star
We just got the official team pictures from Jeffrey's soccer season and they are quite impressive. I couldn't resist throwing a couple up:
Concentrating
Jeffrey and Rebecca
Let me play!
Run Jeffrey Run
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Top 10 Recent Events
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. What can I say - my name isn't Heidi Hansen. Here is another top 10 list of recent happenings to bring you back up to speed:
10. Visiting the Washington Monument - note to potential tourists: get tickets online before you come if you want to go up. And they won't let you climb the stairs up anymore.
9. Pioneer Day Celebrated! Playing in the local stream seemed like an appropriate way to celebrate.
8. Brett Favre comes out of retirement. The last name is pronounced "Farve" for those of you not in the know. Favre is the all-time leader in interceptions thrown (as well as most other passing records). Why professional athletes like to retire and then come out of retirement is beyond me. Michael Jordan did it (twice), as did Roger Clemens. I don't think they have adequately developed other interests outside of their main line of work, and they are bored otherwise. My tip: stay retired and enjoy not getting knocked around.
7. Dinner at IHOP with Grandma. This would have ranked higher, but most people overate and felt sick afterwards.
6. Columbian special forces freed several hostages, including French-Columbian Ingrid Betancourt, without even firing a shot. So rare you get good news nowadays, and this was so happy.
5. Visit to the Udvar-Hazy Space Museum (companion to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum). This is a top notch museum, and we all had a lot of fun.
4. Lucy turned 9 months old on August 1 and got her first tooth. She is more of a handful everyday, but we love her.
3. Jeffrey and Laird "flying" the Cessna at the Udvar-Hazy Museum.
2. Two out-of-house dates in one week thanks to Grandma Broadbent's babysitting. Date number 1 was a guided bike tour of Washington DC:
You could see the White House in the background if it wasn't so dark.
We didn't manage to bring the camera on the second date, but really enjoyed an outdoor concert on the lawn featuring Beethoven's greatest hits.
1. Grandma's Visit! Who doesn't love Grandma coming to visit? We all enjoyed having her here.
10. Visiting the Washington Monument - note to potential tourists: get tickets online before you come if you want to go up. And they won't let you climb the stairs up anymore.
9. Pioneer Day Celebrated! Playing in the local stream seemed like an appropriate way to celebrate.
8. Brett Favre comes out of retirement. The last name is pronounced "Farve" for those of you not in the know. Favre is the all-time leader in interceptions thrown (as well as most other passing records). Why professional athletes like to retire and then come out of retirement is beyond me. Michael Jordan did it (twice), as did Roger Clemens. I don't think they have adequately developed other interests outside of their main line of work, and they are bored otherwise. My tip: stay retired and enjoy not getting knocked around.
7. Dinner at IHOP with Grandma. This would have ranked higher, but most people overate and felt sick afterwards.
6. Columbian special forces freed several hostages, including French-Columbian Ingrid Betancourt, without even firing a shot. So rare you get good news nowadays, and this was so happy.
5. Visit to the Udvar-Hazy Space Museum (companion to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum). This is a top notch museum, and we all had a lot of fun.
4. Lucy turned 9 months old on August 1 and got her first tooth. She is more of a handful everyday, but we love her.
3. Jeffrey and Laird "flying" the Cessna at the Udvar-Hazy Museum.
2. Two out-of-house dates in one week thanks to Grandma Broadbent's babysitting. Date number 1 was a guided bike tour of Washington DC:
We didn't manage to bring the camera on the second date, but really enjoyed an outdoor concert on the lawn featuring Beethoven's greatest hits.
1. Grandma's Visit! Who doesn't love Grandma coming to visit? We all enjoyed having her here.
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