Hark the Herald Angels Sing, by Jack
In a year marked by the overwhelming use of the words: “no,” “don’t,” “stop-it,” and “Hey, Kristen…go on the internet and look up the world record for most pancakes eaten in one sitting by a 7 month old,” we have had used our fair share of the words: “nice job,” “you did it,” “awesome buddy,” “I love you,” and “Amen.” (the last one used after prayers by Kristen and Jim sounding something like “God, please help us to survive this day with our children,” but also prayers sounding like (Jack’s voice) “Dear God, thank you for Tommy, and mommy and daddy, and macaroni and cheese, and the shelves, and Emily and Jenna, and Jesus.)
Ah, yes. Ups and downs. The downs come with the territory of two boys under the age of three. If you have been there, you know. If you haven’t…well…
The highs this year have been so heartening, there have been times when Kristen and I have felt like exploding with the affection we have towards our boys. Sometimes you hear about one having a “smile that lights up the room.” I meet a lot of happy people in my experiences, but a very limited amount who I could make this claim about. Tom has this smile and this effect. My heart goes boom for this little guy with the pleasant disposition. And adding to the smile is that he now toddles around the house saying “Da-da, da-da, da-da.” Also, Tom just began using Jack’s drumsticks and drum chair for his own little recitals (this only happens when Jack is out of the room and thus ignorant of the fact, or when Jack has decided that he is going to be “Mr. Cael”** for the day and content to play electric guitar).
**Mr. Cael is actually a high school student who plays electric guitar on Jim's worship team. He's Jack's hero. Jack spends a lot of time pretending to be Mr. Cael. This involves wearing dark wash blue jeans and a zip hoody sweatshirt. During these times he will only respond when called "Mr. Cael" and practices non stop on his "electric" guitar (ukulele).
To define Jack in 2009, three things can be said: LOVES drums, LOVES Tom (we call him “Tommer”), LOVES to rough up Tom (Tom should be a very tough guy later in life). Jack’s daily routine includes at least 3 hours of drumming and/or singing. He has memorized numerous songs and is remarkably close to singing them in key. Along with that, he is incredibly close to being able to drum (legitimate beats) several of these songs. My top 2 favorite music moments this year, though, were: 1. During a music practice in October (for the worship team I work with) we let Jack play the electric drum kit (mic’d very low). We had our regular drummer on a different set, and there was the electric, bass, keys, vocalists, etc. Jack drummed ALL OUT for our ENTIRE two hour practice set. He was never so exhausted, and never so happy. 2. Just the other night (early Dec) after we thought Jack was fast asleep in his room, Kristen and I were singing and playing guitar in our room down the hall. We hear a knock at our door, and there is Jack standing there (fully dressed including shoes), with his guitar in hand, and with the softest eyes and the most endearing voice says “I want to sing with you…” We said (with NO hesitation) “come on in, Buddy,” and we had an amazing 15 minutes of family music time after that.
This blog ends up being mostly about our kids, so in case you are interested in Jim and Kristen, here's a little about us:
Jim loves his job at CenterPoint Church in Orem, UT (previously known as Christ Evangelical Church...same place, new name). He's the Pastor of Student Ministries (4th year in this position) and also loves leading worship for the entire congregation once every 4 weeks, backed by the rockin' student worship team (yes, with Mr. Cael). He still follows the Orioles and Ravens, but is grateful to have the Jazz (NBA) right here in Utah. In his free time he watches a lot of Hillsong DVDs with his boys, wrestles with the boys, and cooks up some fabulous Jamie Oliver inspired meals and bakes some rockin' bread. Highlight of the year could be the birthday trip to TX to see U2 in the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium.
Kristen still mainly stays at home with the boys and is glad she does, although after some challenging days she daydreams about desk jobs and coffee breaks. Still, though work sounds like it might be easier than being a stay at home mom, she chooses to spend this precious time with the boys, working on "leadership development" and letting God use two tiny kids to teach her quite a few things about patience, self-control, forgiveness, and JOY.
To sum up our year, we'd like to point you back to some of the highlights from our blog pages:
Thomas 1 Month What a Difference a Year Makes!)
Jack Quotables 2.5 years
Thomas Cracks Up Video (2nd one)
2.5 Years and 6 Month Portraits
Tommy Walking
Jack's Bible Verses
Halloween
Christmas 2009 will be bittersweet. Bitter because we will not be traveling to celebrate with any extended family this year. Being with family that you love on the holidays is such a blessing, and will be missed deeply this year. But, sweet too, because a I am confident that a treasure will be found in the memories made by our little four-some of a family with only each other to share.
Lastly, we want to acknowledge the losses of our final two grandfathers this year. Kristen’s “Grandfather” passed away in June and Jim’s “Grandpa” in November. Both outstanding men, with whom we have had the privilege of sharing many Christmas’ over the years. Both will be missed!
Love to all reading this. Watch out for the “Jackster” and “Tommer” in 2010. They are full of energy!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Powell Brothers Birthday Party
Jack and Thomas held the first of many joint parties to come (we hope). This year was a festival of candy, that is, a chance for each guest to decorate their own gingerbread house and a chance for Jim to revisit a long held Powell family tradition of Christmas Gingerbread House construction. Lots of fun reminiscing about Mr. Mike (Jim's Dad) in the midst of Jim's very specific guidelines for what particular candies should be on the table. I believe the quote was something like, "If you don't buy Necco Wafers, you'll be dishonoring my Father's memory."
Birthday Party 09: Bubble Wrap
In addition to making Gingerbread Houses, we lined a hallway with Bubble Wrap and let the kids run wild. Very loud and very perfect.
Video:
Birthday Party 09: Crafting Houses
Here's a special shout out to Ben, the only child to include a TV Antenna on his gingerbread house... (not yet present in this picture).
Monday, December 14, 2009
TSP: Dec 10 (1)
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate,my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars
apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
ee cummings
Out on the Town...Salt Lake City, that is...
Jim was given an invitation to a dinner and concert in Salt Lake City. This was a nice surprise, in appreciation for some mentoring work he's been doing at a local rehab center. What we didn't realize is what a NICE surprise it was. Turns out, the concert was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and orchestra with special guest Natalie Cole and author David McCullough (the concert of the season if you are in Utah). And the dinner was an intimate affair of about 30 folks in an upper room of the Joseph Smith building (no coffee served with dessert) with a keynote speaker who turned out to be the founder of NuSkin. And we had escorts who guided us through the extravagantly lit Temple Square to the enormous LDS conference center and down front and center to our reserved seats (Okay, not the front row, but still, in a place that seats 22,000, we were about 30 rows back from the stage.) Needless to say, we're not used to the red carpet treatment, and it was a great evening. The Choir and Orchestra were impressive, Natalie Cole had lots of star quality, the Christmas spirit was pervasive, and David McCullough was the very best part (he gave a historical perspective on Little Town of Bethlehem, Winston Churchill, Roosevelt, WWII, and I'll Be Home for Christmas, much to the delight of this history major). Oh, and Utah's love for the performing arts was displayed as never before seen as the stage at one point held the entire M.T Choir and Orchestra, Natalie Cole, the entire company of Salt Lake's finest ballet dancers pirouetting feverishly; folk dancers in costume representing Jamaica, Spain, Ireland, Russia; a children's choir of at least 100 kiddos in costume, a troupe of blue fairies (??), and, oh yes, a complete hand bell choir (why not?).
So, quite an evening of Utah culture. And my husband wore his new suit and I got to wear a dress that sees far too little use. All around a lovely experience.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Quintessential Thomas and Jack
Two videos that completely capture the personalities of our two boys (Turn up your volume):
Thomas (almost 1 year)
Jack (almost 3 years)
Thomas (almost 1 year)
Jack (almost 3 years)
Friday, November 27, 2009
Quotable and Thanksgiving
Jim noticed Jack standing in the kitchen with some unidentified (and very unusual) drooly substance dripping over his bottom lip onto his chin.
Jim: Jack, what is that coming out of your mouth?
Jack: Germs
Now if you aren't laughing after that quote, you soon will be...
Thanksgiving Highlights.
We joined the Morningstar family in our 2nd year (that makes it a tradition) at their house for Thanksgiving. Last year Sam created fantastic pilgrim hats for all of us to wear. This year he passed the hat creation duties onto his younger brother Ben, who came up with these fantastic creations.
Here is Ben sporting his.
In case it doesnt' just come to you, its a headband with a giant turkey leg over each ear. We loved them. We all wore them. We cannot wait until next year.
The other highlight was rockband, Lego rockband. Which has Jack's favorite song, "Shrek" aka Accidentally in Love on it. Joy. Just wish Jim and Steve could get a little more into the whole rockband experience.
Last year Sasha and Thomas were still in utero (literal and adoptive). So fun to be thankful that they were both added to our respective families this year!
Here's Thomas "I cannot believe you are taking my picture again" Powell.
Jim made four (4), yes 4, pies. And there were 6 adults present at our celebration. You do the math. Its a good ratio.
Jim: Jack, what is that coming out of your mouth?
Jack: Germs
Now if you aren't laughing after that quote, you soon will be...
Thanksgiving Highlights.
We joined the Morningstar family in our 2nd year (that makes it a tradition) at their house for Thanksgiving. Last year Sam created fantastic pilgrim hats for all of us to wear. This year he passed the hat creation duties onto his younger brother Ben, who came up with these fantastic creations.
Here is Ben sporting his.
In case it doesnt' just come to you, its a headband with a giant turkey leg over each ear. We loved them. We all wore them. We cannot wait until next year.
The other highlight was rockband, Lego rockband. Which has Jack's favorite song, "Shrek" aka Accidentally in Love on it. Joy. Just wish Jim and Steve could get a little more into the whole rockband experience.
Last year Sasha and Thomas were still in utero (literal and adoptive). So fun to be thankful that they were both added to our respective families this year!
Here's Thomas "I cannot believe you are taking my picture again" Powell.
Jim made four (4), yes 4, pies. And there were 6 adults present at our celebration. You do the math. Its a good ratio.
Friday, November 20, 2009
... and that is why I brush my teeth with OxyClean.
Its mainly because blackberries were on sale at Sunflower Market on Wednesday. But also because we had leftovers for dinner and also because Thomas has a sinus infection and is on antibiotics. So Thomas ate lasagna, shells and cheese, and blackberries with his hands. We did not put a bib on him. You can imagine the mess. We opted to transport him directly from the high chair to the tub, but our water starts off freezing cold, so he managed to smear the black and white shower curtain with blackberry hands while waiting for the tub to fill. Thus the oxyclean. Blackberries being what they are, I decided the spot needed a little extra scrubbing so I grabbed one of the toothbrushes from the laundry room reserved for such things.
Now really, no Mother of children under three forgets to put away dangerous chemicals after using them, right? Except that while working on the shower curtain I glanced over at Thomas and noticed that the anti-biotics had once again worked their magic on his poor digestive system. This called for a prompt tub closure due to contamination (alarmingly vast quantities of contamination). And, (have I mentioned our tub is slow to drain?) poor Thomas was not a very patient baby suspended in midair, still coated in tomato sauce, blackberry juice, and this latest addition, waiting for the tub to drain, so we could clean the tub and then try again at cleaning the baby. Jim has been lending a hand and Jack is trying his best to participate, mostly by trying to jump on my back or shoulders apparently to get a better view. This has made Jim late for his meeting and he takes off quickly.
Fast forward thru bedtime routines and some (rare) leisure time on the couch, and Jim and I are talking in the bathroom and brushing our teeth. I've picked up my green toothbrush so handily left lying on the edge of the sink and happily brush away listening to Jim's commentary on his evening. Until I realize that MY green toothbrush is standing up in its holder, and my toothpaste is tasting a little more active than normal.
So far no ill effects and I do think my teeth look a little whiter than usual. You'll have to let me know.
Now really, no Mother of children under three forgets to put away dangerous chemicals after using them, right? Except that while working on the shower curtain I glanced over at Thomas and noticed that the anti-biotics had once again worked their magic on his poor digestive system. This called for a prompt tub closure due to contamination (alarmingly vast quantities of contamination). And, (have I mentioned our tub is slow to drain?) poor Thomas was not a very patient baby suspended in midair, still coated in tomato sauce, blackberry juice, and this latest addition, waiting for the tub to drain, so we could clean the tub and then try again at cleaning the baby. Jim has been lending a hand and Jack is trying his best to participate, mostly by trying to jump on my back or shoulders apparently to get a better view. This has made Jim late for his meeting and he takes off quickly.
Fast forward thru bedtime routines and some (rare) leisure time on the couch, and Jim and I are talking in the bathroom and brushing our teeth. I've picked up my green toothbrush so handily left lying on the edge of the sink and happily brush away listening to Jim's commentary on his evening. Until I realize that MY green toothbrush is standing up in its holder, and my toothpaste is tasting a little more active than normal.
So far no ill effects and I do think my teeth look a little whiter than usual. You'll have to let me know.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
This was the first time Jack saw himself in his costume complete with hat. His reaction...not quite what we expected.
Perhaps even better than free candy, the chance to play ROCK BAND with Mr. Steve. Jack is of course, on drums, and please note Sasha on vocals, and yes, that is an Ewok next to her.
Pony To Go
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Halloween 2009
Cowboy Jack inspired by Woody, sporting authentic Texas boots, and joined by his ever-ready sidekick Thomas a.k.a. the Pony.
More to come
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
JHP: Man of Vision
So, Jack looks out the kitchen window and says:
"Mom, there's a computer in our tree."
It took me a minute, but I found it. How about you?
Here's a closer view:
Did you find it? Here's a hint, this is a snapshot of the top of our laptop:
Aaaaah, now its perfectly clear.
"Mom, there's a computer in our tree."
It took me a minute, but I found it. How about you?
Here's a closer view:
Did you find it? Here's a hint, this is a snapshot of the top of our laptop:
Aaaaah, now its perfectly clear.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Here's $10 off at Shoebuy.com
Okay, In case you also are ready to pick up some shoes for the Winter, here's my latest greatest deal. On Shoebuy.com today (Friday Oct 9th) there is a coupon for $20 off any purchase over $80 use code KICKOFF. If you register with the site (do this while you check out) they give you another percentage off, mine came out to another $6 off. PLUS, yes, there's more, start shopping at the ebates site and you'll get 10% cashback from ebates. I just saved $26 plus getting 10% back from ebates, that's a pretty good deal. So, then they ask if I want to share a $10 off coupon with my friends, and I think..yes (plus, if 5 of you use it, I get a giftcard. Perfect). So, click on the coupon below, see if you can layer it with the other discounts already mentioned above and happy shopping!"
Save on shoes, accessories, handbags and apparel at Shoebuy.com. We've got something for everyone and for a limited time, you can save $10 on that special something. Valid on purchase of $50 or more.
Save on shoes, accessories, handbags and apparel at Shoebuy.com. We've got something for everyone and for a limited time, you can save $10 on that special something. Valid on purchase of $50 or more.
"FABULOUS SHOE DEAL:
Okay, In case you also are ready to pick up some shoes for the Winter, here's my latest greatest deal. On Shoebuy.com today (Friday Oct 9th) there is a coupon for $20 off any purchase over $80 use code KICKOFF. If you register with the site (do this while you check out) they give you another percentage off, mine came out to another $6 off. PLUS, yes, there's more, start shopping at the ebates site and you'll get 10% cashback from ebates. I just saved $26 plus getting 10% back from ebates, that's a pretty good deal. So, then they ask if I want to share a $10 off coupon with my friends, and I think..yes (plus, if 5 of you use it, I get a giftcard. Perfect). So, click on the coupon below, see if you can layer it with the other discounts already mentioned above and happy shopping!"
Okay, In case you also are ready to pick up some shoes for the Winter, here's my latest greatest deal. On Shoebuy.com today (Friday Oct 9th) there is a coupon for $20 off any purchase over $80 use code KICKOFF. If you register with the site (do this while you check out) they give you another percentage off, mine came out to another $6 off. PLUS, yes, there's more, start shopping at the ebates site and you'll get 10% cashback from ebates. I just saved $26 plus getting 10% back from ebates, that's a pretty good deal. So, then they ask if I want to share a $10 off coupon with my friends, and I think..yes (plus, if 5 of you use it, I get a giftcard. Perfect). So, click on the coupon below, see if you can layer it with the other discounts already mentioned above and happy shopping!"
Save on shoes, accessories, handbags and apparel at Shoebuy.com. We've got something for everyone and for a limited time, you can save $10 on that special something. Valid on purchase of $50 or more.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Jack's Bible Verses
So, we think this sort of makes up for the fact that when Jack was recently at Jim's office, he got on the computer and when Jim asked him what he was doing he replied, "I'm looking for something inappropriate."
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
WALKING!
So, this post is a little late, but Thomas took his first steps on Sept 14th, 2 days before he turned 9 months old.
Owls Game
Not his first baseball game, but the first time he's been old enough to wear his own glove and generally be in awe of everything. The Orem Owls have a fantastic little ballpark complete with a grassy hill beyond the outfield on which to run your father up and down until he begs for mercy. Also a giant owl mascot with a baseball for a head is enough to make you take the experience very seriously.
A Seat at the Table
Goodbye highchair, hello table. We found this super cute "high" chair at ikea, and Jack could not have been more excited to join his parents at the table. After a few minutes of getting used to the new vantage point, he calmly put his napkin in his lap, leaned forward with one forearm on the table, and with a serious look on his face said, "So, Mom, how was your day?"
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Baltimore in August
We flew into Baltimore, walked into the airline terminal, and Jack says, "Where are some crabs?" Thankfully, the airport giftstore was close by with a plethora of crabs pictured on merchandise. Still, Jack was disappointed to find that he had to wait to actually EAT some crabs.
What fun to introduce Thomas to his East coast family and to watch the four eldest Powell cousins (ages 5, 3, 3, and 2.5) romp non-stop around the house. A few highlights:
With Great-Grandma Parrish
Tucker and Jack
At the river:
After a long weekend of non-stop romp:
Jack and Elias
With Grandma Annie
Fit in some quality time at the "Beach" (Sandy Point by the Bay Bridge) and the pool:
What fun to introduce Thomas to his East coast family and to watch the four eldest Powell cousins (ages 5, 3, 3, and 2.5) romp non-stop around the house. A few highlights:
With Great-Grandma Parrish
Tucker and Jack
At the river:
After a long weekend of non-stop romp:
Jack and Elias
With Grandma Annie
Fit in some quality time at the "Beach" (Sandy Point by the Bay Bridge) and the pool:
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