We obviously have yet to figure out the complexity of picture taking in bright sun because our pictures didn't turn out so hot today :) but we did have a blast at the "Black Swamp Arts Festival" in Bowling Green. We'd heard about it from some friends (thanks emilee and beth) and really had a good time. Zeb's favorite part was the abundance of dogs. Ohioans have so many dogs- and take them everywhere with them. He didn't love the crafts as much as I did! he wanted NOTHING to do with the hat and couldn't figure out why I was wearing it. All of the kids crafts were FREE!
I'm really glad that Kent agreed to spare some of his study time and take the mini roadtrip. I did help him study in the car (they are studying immunity and infection right now and I wish I could learn it too-so he teaches me) and ended up making him terribly carsick with the turns and hills. I just giggle when he gets motion sick. It really is so foreign and so funny to me that driving in the car can make one ill.

I usually blog at night once Zeb has gone to bed and things are wrapping up for the day. Now my nights are filled with lesson prep and tiredness! I may miss a few posts in the next little while until I adjust to my new schedule. Or perhaps I should blog during the day instead of reading while Z naps! I just finished two wonderful books.

4.5 stars

These is my Words by Nancy Turner. Kent's family had read this book and passed along the recommendation. It was a splendid book. It reminded me a bit of "My Antonia" and "Bless Me Ultima" - only lighter and much easier to get through. It started as a pioneer book and twisted into a western and love story of sorts. It didn't get too cheesy or over the top at all. It was one of those books that makes you happy and sad all at the same time. There are two more books in this series that I've already checked out from the library.



4 stars


The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. Aunt Donna Joy sent this book to me and I loved it. Memoirs are my favorite books to read. It was a sad story of sorts- but had a happy theme throughout. I really don't love depressing books- but this one almost made depressing seem exciting and fun so I really enjoyed it.

Zeb still has such a bad cough- but he is doing SO WELL with it. His blood oxygen levels are GREAT and everything is so manageable. And look at the smile on him this morning! He loved the treatment today :) I think the pulmicort is working wonders. I'm keeping my finger crossed that everything stays swell. He's been all smiles lately.

Here's the little guy at playgroup today. It was a little too hot and humid for me and we didn't stay as long as he would have liked, but he had fun nonetheless.

one of those days

Today was one of those days that made me happy.

I started seminary this morning at SIX AM! I got up at 5:45 and went to bathroom and thought to myself "what in the crap have I gotten myself into??!?!" By 5:50 I was tired but not so out of it and by 5:55 when my first student arrived I was almost my normal self (which is saying A LOT considering my normal state that early in the morning- just ask my sis or mission companions). The teaching part, the teenager part, the New Testament part- I'm excited for ALL of it! The morning part is going to be a serious trial- and for that I am grateful. What is hard for us makes us grow.










Zeb and I went on a great run this morning after seminary and had a shoe miracle. On the run, Z kicked his shoe off. I didn't notice until we got completely finished. I reran the route with no luck in finding it. The dang shoe is camoflauge and I knew it was a goner. We stayed to play at the park with friends and just as we were about to leave one of the park rangers walked up to us with his shoe. HOORAY. I so didn't want to buy him new ones. Zeb also had a little hay day with the wild berry bushes at the park. The kid downed zillions of blackberries.

Zeb is also doing his Pulmicort treaments TEAR FREE. It is an answer to my prayers- literally. Here is a picture of his first one EVER (at six months). Tonight he happily sat through it while reading books. I am so happy.

Ignore the dirt all over his hands, face, and legs! We were headed home from the ward labor day picnic and zebby was in the backseat jabbering away. His words are so funny! His new favorites are apple, hot dog, and bug. I love how he makes the dinosaur sound too.

He is quite the independent little rugrat! He kept taking off at the park to go exploring. This past Sunday he begged and screamed and wailed to get into nursery. We caved and let him go in for just a little bit (I know we shouldn't have but I finally understand all of those parents who put their kids in when they weren't supposed to). Only eight more Sundays till he's technically legal! I couldn't be more excited!!!

The one benefit to these twice daily pulmicort treatment sessions is that the evening one leaves Z man pooped. After the wailing and gnashing of teeth he gives up and crashes. I don't know if I'll be able to keep this up forever though. Right now I physically cannot do them without Kent helping out. One of us holds the kid down while the other administers the steroids. I think his very least favorite part of the harrowing ordeal is that we have to wipe his mouth out afterwards to prevent thrush. Luckily he has his blanket and tigger (he certainly wants nothing to do with his torturous parents) to console him in the aftermath.

I shouldn't make it sound so terrible. I think/hope that he'll adjust to the sessions and eventually just submit peacefully. During tonight's treatment he remained calm for the entire length of Kent and me singing "Mr. Sun".

He thinks that it's so funny to walk around with our glasses on.