Iron Sharpening Friends & Pasta

We always look forward to getting together with friends. We were excited when a year and a half ago, good friends Brennen and Lydia (Daulton) Jorgensen were asked to come and minister at Beth Eden Baptist Church with Pastor Robert Daulton in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. (For some of you who know Jason and Joni Pileggi, this their new home church.)This meant that old friends were nearby! It meant that we would frequently get together and have a grand time.

Not so.

Between the guys' two schedules and the seven children we have combined, we rarely get to make the trek and go and see each other.

Lydia and I finally took action and we were able to get together tonight in Methuen, MA. It was a halfway point. We had such a great time and the variety in conversation was hilarious. We also got to see their youngest cutie, Natalee. She was soooo good!

The nice thing about good friends is that no matter how long it has been since last getting together, we always pick up where we left off, and always leave with our hearts encouraged.

New Dictionary Entry

estronaut-formally known as "restaurant"; n; an establishment that serves prepared food and beverages to be consumed on the premises. Origins of this word are credited to Marshall and Shaylen Joos of N. America

Marshall Spells!!!

We knew that when Shaylen started spelling, Marshall would be soon to follow. This week, we heard Marshall finally conquer the spelling of his name AND he repeated it while the camera was on.

He also managed to figure out (with a little help) how to improvise and spell his name with the fridge letters:


They are both really eager to write their own names. Marshall was the first to show interest, and his favorite letter is "M"! Obviously. He can write every letter in his name except "S" and Shaylen can write all of hers except "Y". We are really excited to see their eagerness to learn. It makes for a wonderful experience as a "stay at home mom".

New Dictionary Entry

harmonidor- formally known as "humidifier"; n; A piece of equipment used to raise the humidity of the air in a room. Origins of this word are credited to Marshall Joos of N. America.

BJU Reunion

Taigen got in late Saturday evening from his reunion trip to Bob Jones University. He left 80 degree weather and returned to snow. Poor guy! He had such a great time and enjoyed singing and seeing many old friends and a few of his professors.

Kerry and Anna Grace McGonigal opened up their home to Taigen and treated him like he was a king. Taigen was introduced to Erika and Charisse, their two little muchkins. They are so cute! I guess, Erika, is just like Shaylen. Full of energy and loves to read.

While Taigen was down there he also got together with all of our college kids and took them out to dinner.

Fortunately for me, Taigen took lots of pictures and some video. I got personalized greetings from many of my friends from college. What a treat!

News Bulletin...

This morning Marshall was using the fridge letters to "spell" his name. He usually just combines a few of the same color and makes them into a line. He grabs the "M" for sure because he knows that "M" stands for "Marshall!"

However, this morning, Shaylen goes up to Marshall and tells him, "No, Marshall, that's not how you spell your name! You spell it M-A-R-S-H-A-L-L!"

So, now she knows how to spell Marshall's name too. She continually amazes me.

Marshall's Solo

Marshall loves playing the piano. You could say it is one of his favorite "toys". Well, that and his trucks, which is uses to run into each other and run over unsuspecting stuffed animals. (Does this make him a demented musician?) We're working on the running over part...trust me.

Anyway, here is a video of Marshall doing what he does best...singing. He is not quite on pitch, but when he sings with us acappella, he is mostly right on.

Now presenting: Our budding musician...

They Are Their Father's Children

Last night we walked the kids into the nursery only to see Janelle standing in there, ready for the onslaught of kids. She had come prepared...as she always does. I look over at the toddler table and see a 60 piece puzzle of Curious George sitting there. Janelle looks at me and raises her eyebrow. I ask, "Is that for her?" referring to Shaylen. Of course, it was.

Lately, Shaylen has had an obsession for puzzles. She can independently complete any puzzle we currently own. This is exciting to watch!

So, last night after church I asked Janelle, "So, did she do it?" Janelle informed me that she did indeed do it with minimal help and sat preoccupied with it for at least 45 minutes. She put it together and was taking it apart, bit by bit, and putting it together again in another spot on the table. Good girl!

Shaylen is also enjoying the sounds that every letter makes and always asks how to spell things. She has a new "game" (okay...I made it into a game) Janelle found "wicked cheap" that involves phonics cards. Shaylen LOVES to play it. My hope is that she will be reading before she turns 4! I don't think this is an unreasonable goal for Shaylen. Don't believe me? Come visit and see for yourself.

Marshall's gifts on the other hand are tactile & musical. He is starting to write his name and can accurately write an A, E, H, I, L, M, N, O, R, T, & W. He sings almost always on pitch (when you sing with him), can keep the beat while playing nebulous chords on the piano, all the while singing the first verse of "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus." It is hilarious to watch him. (I'll have to post a video of him shortly.)

I can't wait to get out to Seattle. You guys are going to just LOVE seeing these munchkins and will enjoy the laughs that they bring. I wouldn't trade this day job for anything!

Happy Spring Y'all!

Happy Spring!!!

Though there is still snow on the ground here, it is finally spring! We are supposed to get some warmer temperatures toward the end of the week. I know it is funny, but I did dream last night that I saw the crocuses blooming in our yard. It was a far fetched dream. I awoke to see tons of snow on the ground with a layer of ice gleaming on the top.

News on the homefront: Taigen will be taking off for Bob Jones University tomorrow for our 10 year reunion. He is excited! While down there he will be able to spend some time with the college kids from our church, stay with (and get reaquainted with) good friends, and sing a few times too. (On a side note: Those of you who know Dr. and Grammie Endean, this is their 50th year reunion. They left yesterday and will stay through until Saturday.)

He will be missed, but I'm so glad he has the opportunity to go. We will look forward to his return on Saturday evening.

Date Night

I am thrilled to announce that tonight is DATE NIGHT! Not only is it a date night, but we are going to the Portland Symphony Orchestra on the last tickets that the church gave us in October for Pastor Appreciation Month.

It gets better...Tonight the symphony is playing Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, which happens to be one of my favorite Beethoven pieces, and they will also be playing the overture to Mozart's Marriage of Figaro. Should be a great program.

Brenda Bowman will be here at home with the kids babysitting. The kids are excited because they are hoping to get her to read to them in Spanish. I should have warned her.

It Melts the Heart

Today I was helping Shaylen pick up some toys in the living room before she headed off downstairs to the basement. After we were all done, I told her, "Thank you, Peanut, for obeying. I love you!"

A moment later she touched my cheek and said, "Mommy, you know what? I love you too." She said it so tenderly and softly that it made me cry. What a sweetie!

Spring has started one day early in my heart.

Bonking, Bruising and Telling Time

After receiving a Pooh clock book from Auntie Janelle for their birthday, the kids have been more interested in learning how to tell time. They love attempting it with our digital clock that is in our bedroom. "It is 8,2,2!" I am always gently correcting them by telling them what the time is, "It is 8:22." It is cute to listen to them try.

Fast forward to last night. Janelle was over and we were all playing in the basement. Taigen asked me if I had seen her bruise on her elbow. I had not, and Shaylen proudly shoved her sleeve up and displayed the bruise for all too see. I asked her, "What did you bonk your elbow on?"

She said, "I bonked it on the bed."

"When did you bonk your elbow on the bed?"

Shaylen thought and thought. I asked again, "When did you bonk it on the bed?" (I was thinking that she might say that she had done it at naptime or something.)

"At 3:65!"

All of us were in hysterics!

Joos Gym

When Taigen gets home, it means rough-housing! The kids love to tromp all over him and last night was no exception. It is because of all of this activity that Taigen really has no need to go to the gym.



What I love is the belly laugh that accompanies this short video! Makes me want to laugh every time I see it.

And the World was Hushed

What a beautiful day here in Maine! The weather is a bit chilly and overcast and it seems that a hush has fallen on the neighborhood. There is fog surrounding us and it is rainy. A perfect day (in my humble opinion) for staying inside and reading The Complete Collection of Curious George, The Berenstain Bears and The Sitter and The Adventures of Frog and Toad...over and over of course!

The snow has started melting finally and I think it is safe to say that spring is just around the corner. I am looking forward to getting outside with the kids again. Winter was a long time in coming this year, but once it hit, it was COLD! It has been nice to pull out the lighter jackets and sweaters and forego the heavy wool coats.

New Dictionary Entry

flassifier- formally known as "pacifier"; n; A rubber or plastic nipple or teething ring for a baby to suck or chew on. New origins of this pronunciation are credited to Shaylen Joos of N. America.

This morning Shaylen was playing with one of her babies in her room. She tried and tried to shove a pacifier into her baby's mouth. The pacifier actually belongs to another baby so it wouldn't stay in. Shaylen informed me that the baby didn't want the "flassifier" and kept "spitting it out".

Taigen Joos and the Last Paint Project

Much to Taigen's relief, he is finally on the last room of the house that has NOT been painted. We are now attempting to match the upstairs bathroom to the rest of the house.

The walls are currently cream (with hints of dirt) and we are painting them white. We will leave the accent colors in blue/yellow/white and a slight hint of sage green. Those accents will be in the shower curtain, valance and towels. We are so excited to be nearing the finish line! I will post finished pictures hopefully by the end of this week.

Happy Birthday Party!

As our church has grown, we have tried to maintain that "small church" feel by "breaking" the church up into what is called "shepherding groups". The groups are usually categorized by cities. Periodically throughout the year, we have times when we get together as a group and eat and converse with each other. The great Baptist term for that is "fellowship". (This, of course, is best said in a Southern accent..."fellahsheep". Hee hee)

This past Sunday we had a feallahsheep with our group and Grammie Endean planned a big birthday bash. There were balloons and confetti and tons of food. The kids enjoyed it immensely. I was eyeing Shaylen throughout the ordeal, knowing her fear of balloons. So, imagine my surprise when she requested, along with Marshall, that she take a balloon home! Of course, when Grammie Endean offered them, they both eagerly accepted.

All was well, until a certain lady, who shall remain nameless, innocently commented to Shaylen, "I'm going to tie it on your wrist. If I don't, it will fly away." I think in that split second a flood of memories came back to haunt Shaylen.

Remember a long ago post that talked about Shaylen crying over Pooh becoming a "Little Black Rain Cloud" and floating away in order to steal honey from some unsuspecting bees? Or Piglet's flying away in the wind? Well, combine those and you have the reason for Shaylen's terrified, ear-piercing, "I don't want a balloon!!!!"

She was terrified of the balloons in the entire church building for the remainder of the day. There was no convincing her that she indeed was too heavy to be carried away by the birthday balloons.

Skip ahead to today. Funny how a good night's rest can change one's mind. Today she was happy that the house contained Marhsall's balloon and that there was no chance of it blowing outside. It was all she could do to keep her paws off of Marshall's balloon. They were great at taking turns, but for the majority of the day, Shaylen had it. She even said to me, "Next time, Mommy, I will bring home a balloon." I'll believe it when I see it.

Pileggi Visit

Our good friends Jason, Joni, and Enzo Pileggi came for a visit this weekend. Brenda, Janelle and I were throwing her a small baby shower for the little girl that is to arrive in April. We can't wait! Joni looks so cute. Imagine a basketball shoved under a shirt and you have correctly pictured this pregnancy. Makes me sick.

We had a great time! Marshall and Shaylen were so happy to see Enzo. Shaylen woke up at 6:30 on Saturday morning asking where Enzo was. She NEVER wakes up that early and that perky! Of course, she went back to sleep, but when she woke up at 7:50, her first concern was that of Enzo. Ah! Young love. Enzo, on the other hand was walking around calling for Marshall. "MahSHo!" "MahSHo." If looking at the basement was any indicator of the fun they had together, then you would KNOW they had a grand time. It looked like a tornado tore through it. There were toys everywhere. We loved every minute of it and were sad, as always, to see them return home.

Rice + Bowls = Entertainment

Ever wonder how to keep two three year old's preoccupied for almost an hour? This will do the trick!

This morning, while doing laundry, I turned on some of their stories on CD (Thank you, Grandma Sherry!--These continue to be a HUGE hit!) and handed Marshall and Shaylen two bowls, a measuring cup or spoon, and a small amount of rice. They had so much fun transferring the rice from bowl to bowl and listened intently to the stories. They had so much fun.

Some of you might say, "It makes such a mess though!" You're right, but if you've ever lived with two three year olds, you'd know that my kitchen floor was in need of sweeping anyway. What was another hundred grains of rice?

Like Father, Like Son

Taigen is already making quite the impression on Marshall. No task is too mundane. I hope one day that Marshall will be just like him. Tonight during bathtime, Marshall decided to do a household chore. Maybe, though, just maybe, he is imitating his mother, who prefers to wash a dish rather than take the chance of having to unload the dishwasher. Only time will tell.