Ten on Tuesday

1. My Labor Day weekend started out with a 8.5 hour drive to Chicago with my son throwing up in the toilet once we arrived at our destination.

2. Thankfully my kid is a sport and was willing to drive another 1.5 hours in the morning to meet dear friends at Fair Oaks Farms. Just in case your wondering my son was throw up free throughout the night.

3. I would totally recommend Fair Oak Farms if you live near Chicago or Indianapolis. Favorites of the dairy include watching a live calf being born, the best grilled cheese and ice cream, and doing back flips on the bungee.

4. There is something pretty awesome about reuniting with long time friends. And bitter sweet since you know you won't see them for a while.

5. Here is a picture of our friend's and our kids together at the dairy:



6. The main purpose of the Chicago trip was to take pictures of my beautiful niece.






7. I can't believe my nieces are growing up so fast. I remember this blondie as a three year old standing on a chair singing as loud as she can "Jesus Loves Me." I can't believe she is a senior.

8. While I was in Chicago I also was able to hang out with my maid of honor. Pretty sweet reunions. Overall great weekend.

9. This week is going to be packed. I'm already longing for the weekend.

10. Here is my list of gratitudes:


Gratitudes:
45. long time true friends
46. reunions
47. healthy kids
48. delicious ice cream from the dairy
49. safe travels
50.75 degree weather
51. dessert with a friend

Ten on Tuesday

1. Summer needs to slow down a bit. July 4th is this weekend. It's all down hill from there.

2. I've been inspired once more to get back into shape. Meaning feeling strong and not completely saggy. A friend of mine just ran a marathon; she looks fabulous. Another friend of mine just went to Hawaii; she looked awesome in her swimming suit. I was quite jealous of her ripped arms. They are both around my age so I know it's doable.

3. In fact I know it's doable since 2 summers ago I was there. I felt great. I felt strong. I went on a baking spree and the rest is history.

4. So I have been jumping on the trampoline with my kids almost daily. It's been fun. I've thrown in a little back handspring here and there. I wish I knew someone who could spot me on a back tuck. I know if I threw a tuck a few times with a spotter I could then do it on my own. I'm just to chicken to try solo.

5. My goal by forty which is looming around the corner is to check off something on my bucket list. That something is trapeze lessons. I have always wanted to learn. Couple years ago I learned that Chicago had a place that provides trapeze lessons, and while researching I discovered that my home town of Tulsa provided trapeze lessons. Next summer I will do it with my strong self.

5. This morning has been filled with marshmallow wars with home made marshmallow air guns, laundry, crafts, trampoline jumping and my kids are now wanting to play on the slip-n-slide. Ahh summer, it is going too fast.

6. I just love garden fresh fruits and vegetables. This morning I picked blueberries, snow peas, and green beans. Yum!

7. If you have time and are interested in a good blog read, head on over to Coal Creek Farms. She is another Pioneer Woman in the making. She has been retelling her birthday surprise adventure that her sweet husband did for her on her 41st birthday. I started reading midway and now I am chomping at the bits to read to next saga. Check her out here.

8. If you are in the Lawrence area and are wanting beautifully custom made jewelry head over to my girlfriend's store that is just opening. Hip Mom Jewelry is at 10 E 9th Ste E, right next to Dr. Hay & Dr. Heinbach in downtown Lawrence.

9. I took some 4th of July pictures of my kiddos yesterday. Here they are.







10. I try to take monthly pictures of my kids for the yearly calendar that I make for my husband for Christmas. I'm sure these pics will be in next years calendar.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Summer break is in full force here at the Klamm household.

2. We just returned from the free movies at the Legends. Despicable Me is quite entertaining.

3. My goals this summer is to read more, my kids and I, have friends over weekly, and spend a majority of our time near water.

4. So far our goals are being met. We've been to the pool three times so far and water play in our backyard is quite a hit.



5. My son had a Mario birthday party on Sunday. I can't believe he is 8. It seems like the parties get easier and easier.






6. His gift from us was a trampoline. It's pretty much a family gift. We all have used it, and I plan on practicing my gymnastics on it :) I guess adult gymnastics is the latest trend. Take a look here. My goal is to be able to do a back handspring at age 40+. Unfortunately that is not that far away.

7. To my neighbors: I apologize. It was my kids laughing and screaming at 7:30 this morning on our new trampoline.

8. My husband bought me a new bike so our family can ride together. I think I will need to invest in a special seat. My tush has not been the same since last Friday afternoon's ride.

9. I stubbed my baby toe yesterday. It still hurts and is discoloring. I'm wondering if I fractured it. I hope not since I made fun of my brother-n-law a while back for breaking his toe and using crutches.

10. Here are some fun pictures of Mario look-a-likes. 2 are my favorites, and they are not of my son.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I've been in a solemn mood as of Sunday. Sunday morning I heard that one of my MOPS friends had delivered a still born baby. Later that afternoon the tornado that hit Joplin, hit home to me.

2. My sister lived in Joplin for quite a few years and had relocated a couple years ago to the town where we were raised. My nephew was born at St. John's Hospital in Joplin. The first time I held him was there. By friend's accounts my sister's former Joplin home was hit by the tornado. I can't even image if she had lived there currently. She has a friend that still is not accounted for. My heart aches for that town.

3. Monday I woke up, let our dog outside and noticed that our flowers were blooming, the grass was shimmering green. I had a unscathed roof over my head and children playing in the background. I was thankful, tearfully thankful.

4. I'm trusting in this verse for the people of Joplin:

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem." Isaiah 66:13

5. Confession: I have watched way too much Joplin coverage. It is not good for my mental health. I even watched a you tube video of people taking cover in the midst of the storm. Not good for my psyche. Now that there are potential tornado storm activity in the next 24 hours, my anxiety has risen to an all time level.

6. I just looked outside and saw massive dark clouds.

7. I think I need to meditate on God's word.

⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:5-10

8. On lighter note, my son's last day of school is tomorrow. Ye haw! I'm looking forward to summer vacation.

9. I haven't posted a Ten on Tuesday post for a while. Been. way. too. busy!

10. Here are few pictures of events that I attended with my kids the past few weeks:

a. the zoo field trip with my daughter.

5.




b. field day with my son.









Love on your family - Jen

Ten on Tuesday

1. So yesterday morning when my dog was pacing back and forth having a difficult time deciding whether she wanted to be inside or out, I thought to myself, "my 8 year old dog needs to go to a doggy therapist!"



2. You see the last half year Jetta, that's my dog, has been acting weird. She chews on things that she hasn't since a pup. She seems to not know what she wants and at times appears like she has doggy Alzheimer's. Anyway so yesterday, Jetta was at her height of weirdness until she threw up........chocolate in their wrappers. I then preceded to frantically look around the house for my kid's Easter candy, without prevail. Turns out she ate about 3 big packages worth of chocolates. There are still remnants outside. (good mental picture, huh)

3. I panicked, called my husband, called my doggy friend, call the vet. Jetta became pitiful and lethargic not responding to her name. Thankfully this story has a happy ending. She is back to her old obnoxious self. I just heard her bark ferociously at something outside.

4. Does anyone know of a good doggy therapist?

5. We had a good Easter weekend. We spent it with my sweet in-laws. It is a yearly tradition that we decorate a whole lot of eggs around the Easter holiday. Saturday my mother in law boiled 11 dozen eggs. Since there were 7 of us total for the egg decorating party, that made an average of 18.86 eggs each that we had the opportunity to decorate. I ate egg salad sandwich yesterday for lunch and a hard boiled egg for breakfast. Today I think I'm going to make deviled eggs. Can eggs be frozen?

6. I did resurrection rolls at Children's church for Easter. I loved how it symbolized Jesus resurrection, was relatively easy to assemble, kept the attention of the little ones, and tastes great. Here is the recipe if you are interested for next year.

7. My kids did a total of 6 egg hunts over the weekend. Some of which were grandma hides the eggs; kids find them....repeat.





8. I do not understand what the big deal is about the royal wedding. I just plain don't get it.

9. My kids have 21 days left of school, and then it will be SUMMER. This month is going to fly by. How can so many things be packed into such a short amount of time.

10. I am looking forward to hot days at the pool.

Ten on Tuesday plus a day

1. My girl was sporting this outfit today...



It's rainbowlicious. I saw the dress at Target for $8. Since my girl loves rainbows, I could not pass it up. I should have known that she would pair this colorful creation with her rainbow tights.

2. My household had two major accomplishment this week.

a. First my son is proud to announce that he can finally blow bubbles from bubble gum.
b. Second my daughter came in excited today after her friend showed her how to swing by herself by pumping her legs.

3. Both of these accomplishments I have tried to teach without success. It was their peers that helped them achieve these successes.

4. We had our dog, Jetta, shaved last week. I think we might have done it too soon. Kansas weather the past few days feels like the chill of autumn. Jetta has been requesting to come inside, and she is an outdoor daytime dog.

5. This weekend while I was working, my husband and kids planted some veggies..



We have never tried tomatoes from the seed. I can't wait to see the results and taste the goodness!

6. If you are interested in photo books for Mother's Day, My Publisher has a deal from April 30. Go check it out - My Publisher.

7. If you are in the mood for a good laugh, check out this blog: Coal Creek Farms. They are having a dance video contest. This gal is too funny. She has many videos of herself dancing while her kids are doing life in the background. LOL. Also click on "Need a Cackle" near the top of her blog's header. This will surely make you smile.

8. If your mood is reflective, check out this fabulous photographer's blog: Karen Russell
This specific blog post was real and honest about family/marriage. I loved it.

9. Many of my favorite blogs writers have read the book "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. I am feeling the need to read it too. Ann writes her own blog and takes account of her many blessings.

10. Well, we are off to the Awana's Grand Prix races tonight. Later

Ten on Tuesday

1. My daffodils survived the snow.



2. I picked 3 vases full of daffodils so I could enjoy them just in case they did not survive winter's linger.

3. I'm over snow. It started to snow right after the KU Jayhawks lost their game on Sunday.

4. Sunday was a sad day for KU Jayhawk fans. I've been a fan since attending almost all the home basketball games while I was a student. For me being in Allen Field house is an adrenaline rush. The Jayhawks are my team and when they lose, I feel like I have lost the game too.

4. I'm not able to watch the games like I did in my 20s. Literally my blood pressure rises. I have to read, clean, do something else while watching the game. It's just too nerve racking for me. I get in a deep sorrow for maybe an hour after the game when they lose. So on Sunday's game I did the dishes, did the laundry while my husband watched and had his blood pressure rise instead. He would call out occasionally when KU would begin to play better. I would then check in and watch. Only briefly.

5. Anyway VCU played exceptionally well. KU not so much. But I am proud of them. They had a great year!

6. My pastor who is not a KU fan posted an article about how basketball was originated. http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/16745 Anything that my pastor has said negatively about KU in the past has been redeemed :)

7. Okay this post has been spent too much on KU. LOL

8. I am looking forward to this weekend. It's going to be in the upper 60s and maybe 70s on Sunday. I have many Easter photo shoots this weekend so it will be perfect!

9. I've been reading, Israel, My Beloved. An interesting allegory of God and his bride.

10. My kids have requested pancakes and scrambled eggs for dinner. I think their request will be granted.

Ten on Wednesday

1. I'm a day late on "Ten on Tuesday." Maybe I should rename it. My goal is to a write weekly journal entry about what is going on in the Klamm clan household. I'm hoping to compile it into a book at the end of the year.

2. My daughter, when asked what her favorite color is, will reply "rainbow." We recently discovered these rainbow tights in the hand-me-down bin. My girl wears them all the time.



3. She loves to decide what she will wear everyday. Some of her choices I like, some not so much. She definitely has her own fashion sense.



4. Here is a cute shirt and skirt that look great together, but my girl thought the rainbow tights would add color to her outfit.



5. It sure does add color. When my girl is 16 and complains that I don't let her wear certain clothes, I will refer her to this picture.

6. Look back at the picture. Do you noticed the tall pompass grass? The day after this picture was taken, the grass had been burned to the ground by an unknown individual. This person blazed numerous pompass grass in my neighborhood. In fact this is the 3rd or 4th year the grass has been burned overnight without us knowing. I facebooked about it. There are many hypothesis on who did it. Some say teenagers. Others have guessed it was an OCD neighbor who has pompass grass and thinks he was doing us a favor.

7. Tuesday was a big day for us. I went into the dentist to have 4 of my fillings replaced. I came home unable to talk very well since my tongue was swollen. I texted my husband to let him know. He ended up calling me to hear me talk. I'm sure he found amusement in that.
Today my dentist called to check up on me to see if everything was okay. I'm pretty impressed by him.

8. Speaking of my husband, he was selected as a juror and spent Monday and Tuesday at the courthouse. I've never been a juror. Been requested 4 times since moving to this area, but have never been selected as the twelve. My husband stated that he felt like he was on a movie.
It was a sodomy case. I'm glad it was him not me. Ugh.

9. We are on spring break this week. I am not doing so well keeping the kiddos entertained.

10. Our daffodils are in bloom. I love spring! Let the gardening begin.

Ten on Tuesday turned Thankful

I haven't been watching much about the devastation on the other side of the world. Simply because it can consume me and overwhelm my soul. But the little I have read and seen has made me thankful for what I have. And made me realize that I too could have a devastating loss within a blink of my eye.

Things that I have become keenly aware to be grateful....

1. My sovereign God who has all things at his hand including me and my family.

2. Love letters that I stumbled across today from my husband.

3. My husbands renewed love and passion for Christ. That is one of the many reasons I fell in love with this sweet guy.

4. My husband's dedication to his family and incredible work ethic.

5. My cozy home that keeps us safe from the rain and the cold.

6. My children who make me laugh and show me about God daily.

7. My dad and sisters willing to drive up to see me and my family.

8. My dad allowing my daughter to take over his iphone game and instructing him how to play:





9. Food that I can prepare without question of where or when our family might eat.

10. God's word that reminds me of the HOPE I have in Christ.


Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights. . Habakkuk 3:17-19

Ten on Tuesday

1. I just looked outside my window. It's snowing, hmmm.

2. It's amazing how when you know when someone is coming over for the weekend, your house projects go into overdrive. My sister, her kids and my dad are staying over this weekend. Our back bedroom has been under construction for months. In less than a few weeks, my husband has poured concrete to level the floor, placed laminate flooring, constructed a window bench with shelves, placed wainscoting on the walls and painted. He plans on painted the wainscoting tonight. My husband has done a wonderful job. I know that he's tired, but I appreciate all his work!

3. My projects in the room seem minimal compared to his. I added the decorative flare. My girl wanted her room colorful with flowers so we have added flowers to her wall.




4. My girl wanted so bad to paint the flowers with me. I declined, but gave her another project. Look below. She did everything except the writing.



5. While I was at a birthday party this weekend, some jokester made a comment that I could "blog" about his son's birthday present. I think he is just jealous.

6. This same jokester earlier made a comment that I was the oldest person at the party. He made the comment just as I was about to do a front hip circle on the bars. It was a gymnastics party at a local gym.

7. It made me later think. At what age should I stop trying to see if I can do some gymnastics skills of my youth. I did manage to do a round off back hand spring on the trampoline. But later that evening I did manage to take a few ibuprofen to curb some muscle aches. I'm not as strong as I use to be. My arms kept bending during the hand spring.

8. Informal poll. At what age should I stop trying to do a back hand spring on the trampoline? At what age should I stop trying a cartwheel?

9. Supposedly, there is a video of my back handspring.

10. I'm a little scared to see it.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I don't know what came over me. I sewed my little girl's doll Laney a nightgown. I then sewed a matching nightgown for my own little girl.....



2. I had some extra flannel lying around so I sewed another nightgown set......



3. I even altered a pair of my daughter's jeans with some fabric and made a matching flower pin to go with it. I don't have a pic for that. Maybe next week.

4. Sewing has actually been fun. It is a creative outlet, with quick practical results. I never knew. My son is feeling kind of left out. He is wanting me to make him some PJs. I'm going to look for some KU Jayhawk fabric and whip him up some soon.

5. Last week my son was in a music presentation at school. He has come a long way from his "deer in head lights look" in preschool to now. I'm very proud of him. It's been fun seeing him grow into his own personality becoming more confident every day.






6. I am looking forward to my weekends in March. My sisters and their families are planning on coming up and visiting.

7. I have had numerous people schedule for spring photo shoots. I am looking forward to getting outside in the warm weather to take pictures of kids and families!

8. Speaking of photo shoots, I am planning on scheduling some mini shoots in the near future. Be on the look out. There will be baby chicks involved.

9. Why is that my kids have better self control when it comes to candy? My son still has half of his Valentines candy. I would have downed it within 2 days.

10. I seriously thought I had much more to say this Tuesday. I need to write them down throughout the week. My memory isn't like it used to be.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Yesterday my daughter did not have school and I did not work, so I had high hopes of good old mother daughter time. My plan was to drive into Lawrence and go to Hancock Fabric. I thought since I was successful with sewing some of my daughter's new bedding accessories I could attempt an American girl-big girl nightgown set.

2. Somewhere in my hopes of a great time with my daughter, I forgot that she was vastly different than me.

3. I like to be efficient; I'm a quick shopper. My daughter likes to take her time, a long time.
She and I have different tastes in clothes. Turns out what my thought of a 30 minute shopping adventure in Hancock Fabric took an hour and 30 minutes. We could not agree on anything, from patterns to fabric. I'm sure this is foreshadowing of what is to come since she is only 5.

4. She compromised on the pattern and I compromised on the fabric. Actually, I said no to many fabric options like see through sheer with sequence.

5. I left the store exhausted.

6. When we came home, we began our little project and started cutting the patterns out of the fabric. I began to panic. I haven't made an outfit from a pattern in years, like 20 years. I did not know how these cut pieces were going to assemble together. I decided to stop before I became a raging lunatic before my daughter and decided to attempt it at night. At night it would be me, the fabric and my sewing machine.

7. Well I can say that the American girl doll nightgown is done! Yay! I like it, and best of all my daughter likes it. I think my daughter's choice of fabric turned out great!



8. Now to make my daughter's look-a-like gown.

9. I'm not the only one who has been crafting around the house. My daughter began assembly her bird house last week. My son then decided to make his own. Can you guess who is whose?



9b. My girl wants to set her bird house in the tree in our front yard. We just might do that.

9c. Yes, you did notice real nails. My kids like to hammer. They have their own tool box with a hammer. My daughter has a pink one. They are well supervised :)

10. I can't wait until my daughter's room is complete. My husband has the floor to do and then paint the walls. I've been working on her bedding and storage. Here's a little peek.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Valentine's Day is over. For me Valentine's day is more fun with my kids being little. Home made valentines, Valentine gift boxes sent to cousins miles away, school parties; it's just plain fun.





2. But at times, I wish the holiday didn't even exist. Especially for my sweet single friends, friends who have lost a loved one, or those whose marriages are struggling.

3. It makes me appreciate my husband even more and especially makes me reflect on the unconditional love of my Savior.

4. I have been trying to reduce my sugar intake and it has been hard! I have discovered this new gum that has come to my rescue. If you like mint chocolate chip ice cream or girl scout cookies, you have to try this gum.



5. My husband has been busy trying to remodel the "spare" room that will turn into my daughter's bedroom. Hopefully she will be moving in soon. She has stated that she wanted her room to be colorful. In order to save on some money, I let her pick out some fabric to accompany her current all red bedspread. I have been busy sewing away. Here is some of my recent projects.


6. We even included Laney's (the doll) bed into the mix.

7. We have so much more to do!

8. If you live in Kansas, I am sure you are aware of the basket ball game that happened last night. My FB status was infiltrated with KU/KSU comments.

9. I'm a KU fan and will always be. Our team got spanked. KSU was the better team last night. Congrats.

10. I just looked at my e-mail. I just got tons of spam regarding airline tickets. It is kind of creepy how I can google something like airfare and then get tons of e-mails regarding it. We are hoping to get reconnected with some dear friends of ours in the near future.
Later-Jen

Ten on Tuesday

1. It seems like the whole mid-west is a little frosty today.



2. Last night the school district canceled school without any snow yet penetrating our neck of the woods. All the districts in the area followed suit. I guess they truly believed in the weathermen this time.

3. I woke up at 7:00 this morning, looked outside and only saw a dusting of snow. I thought, they closed school for this?" Then a few hours later I looked outside and said, "Ah, they closed school for this!"

4. My sister who lives a 4 hour drive south of us, woke up to a foot of snow. Hehe. Her husband is now shoveling 3 feet snow drifts from their driveway. I don't ever remembering seeing that much snow when I lived in Tulsa.

5. Thankfully my husband closed shop for the day and arrived home safe and sound at 1:00.

6. He is now tackling an auto project (placing a new starter in our car). He is so handy like that. I truly take that for granted.

7. Question of the day. "How many snow days will we have this week?"

8. I've been making valentines for past clients, pictures from previous photo sessions. I need to make some valentines for my own kids. Even though I have tons of pictures of them, I think I may do a mini valentine's shoot tomorrow. Hmmm, what do I need to bribe them with this time.

9. This is a conversation I overheard earlier this week.
My boy, "Man, my room is a mess!"
My hubby, "Well, clean it then."
My boy, "Ah, why did I say that."

10. My evening is going to be spent staying warm, watching movies and drinking hot chocolate.
Stay warm everyone.

Ten on Tuesday

1. There has been a lot of riding the plasma car around the house, lately. I think everyone is getting a little stir crazy from the winter weather.



2. My kids even made stop signs for the cars and people.



Translation: "Stop. Count to three seconds, then go. For cars."

3. My kids are coming up with so many creations. A flying boxed garage for my girl's dog and below is a closet for my girl's American girl doll. Though I think it is quite creative, I am hoping to find a nice wood one that won't break the bank. $25.00 would be great.



4. My girl has also been making some valentines. Creations were inspired from familyfun.com Here's a few:



5. This past weekend we traveled to Oklahoma to see my nephew earn his Eagle scout award. What an accomplishment!

6. I feel like I have scored on Monday nights. I enrolled my kids in Lawrence Gymnastic Academy. Both my kids' classes are at the same time, each with a friend in their class. Additional bonus, I have a sweet friend to talk with during this time. We love it!

7. I mentioned last Tuesday that I have been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I'm at chapter nine. The book has reaffirmed what has been brewing in my heart for some time. I don't know exactly where God is leading, but I want to follow.

8. One question that kept coming to my mind while reading the book is 'If the church wholeheartedly loved God and took care of the poor, afflicted and needy as He has requested, would there be a need for as many government programs?'

9. Which led to this question, "How can I be a changing agent to help the poor, afflicted and needy."

10. Big questions, but I am ready to be used.



My girl thinks it should be summer. She asked if we could go swimming. When I replied that we may be able to go to an indoor pool again, she stated, "No an outdoor pool." We have snow on the ground. I don't think that is going to happen any time soon.