Life With The Stanfords

My life and welcome to it!

Welcome to Life With The Stanfords, where life is sweet, my family's sweeter and God is the sweetest! I am so glad you're here. The Bible says, "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks (or writes?)." Life With The Stanfords is my overflow. Some days my heart is good, other days - not so much. I hope you'll appreciate the honesty, though. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and let's share some virtual baked goods and real conversation. 

Oh, to be good at something!

"Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through." — Ira Glass

My sister-in-law, Gracie, is in college trying to figure out what in the world to do with her life. How I remember those days. How I screwed up those days.

All my life I have loved beautiful things -- in an abnormal way. It took me years to realize that not everyone's heart flutters over the perfectly orange fabric that goes perfectly with the perfectly blue fabric. Not everyone is willing to sit in an entirely unsuitable house because it's just not worth it to move into a slightly less unsuitable house. "If we move, it will be to the incredibly almost perfectly suitable house." 

Anyway, I ignored the things I loved and loved to do in college. I pursued the logical, the financially prudent, and the socially acceptable. 

When I drew a picture and it wasn't great, I assumed it meant that I shouldn't draw. When I sewed clothing and it didn't look quite right, I assumed it meant I shouldn't design clothes. When I decorated and it looked kind of cheesy, I assumed it meant that I didn't have good taste. WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

I wasn't willing to work toward mastery, toward perfection. I couldn't deal with being bad at the things I loved. I mean, if you're bad at the things you love, where does that leave you? To be bad at everything? To be good at the things you hate? I couldn't bear it. So I shoved the things I loved into the small, protected corners of my life and pretended they didn't matter. Oh, the deep regret!

At 42, I realize that I have a knack for talking to large groups, party planning, and making pretty things. I just need practice. Lots of practice. I've got to be willing to be bad at something -- to (GASP!) fail.

What I'm saying is, don't try to be an accountant if your soul wants to paint pictures. Vice versa, if you live to count stuff, don't quit trying to be an accountant -- even if you don't always get the math right.

Does that make sense, Gracie? Do what you love, even if you're not very good at it right now. You will be. 

May...

It's May. Home of...

1. Mother, may I? Yes, you may.
2. May I have the envelope please?
3. May Day
4. Cinco de May-o, and my favorite...
5. "Mommy, may you please get me some water please?"

Homeschool co-ops are finished until Fall. We're still doing school, but we've taken on a more relaxed attitude. We've finished most of our regular commitments. All we do is soccer these days. The kids are venturing outoors more and more. Claire took Ethan and Evelyn for a walk the other evening. They went down to the canal at the end of our street and took pictures. Here's Ev. She told me the other day she wanted a wah-la-melon flushie at Sonic.

 

Hmmm, what could he be thinking? 1) New and improved ways of driving my siblings mad; 2) New and improved ways to get out of schoolwork; 3) How to get Mama to let me have a cat.

 

They love each other. I don't care what they say. If I survive these two, the rest will be a breeze.

 

Evie loves Claire, no matter how much Claire fusses at her.

 

Not many may know the depth of sisterly love.

 

This month's playlist has some of my favorite "funky" songs on it. These songs are great for jogging, cleaning the house, and driving around town with the windows down in the minivan. They make me feel like cuttin' loose in general. You should gather your whole family together to dance to at least one of these songs in the kitchen. Magically, it will become one of their favorite memories. Promise. Have a great month!

A little Easter

As always, our Easter weekend was busy, but full off fun. Saturday, we went to Jade's mom's house in Opelousas. Jade's dad fried turkeys, Jade picked up boudin balls (YUM!) in Krotz Springs and Claire made her first cheesecake -- Chocolate Eruption Cheesecake from this cookbook, which is fabulous.

This year, instead of making all the children's Easter outfits, I made mine instead. That was WAY easier! For the first time, I am pleased with the results of something I've made for myself. This is the pattern I used. The only problem I had was that it needed a good deal of "taking up" up top. Be aware if you decide to make it. The fabric is an Amy Butler print. Love her stuff. Some of the girls from church and I wore our hats. That was fun. We're all set for the royal wedding. Pinkies up!

 
For Easter lunch, we ate at my sister's house. She always sets such a beautiful table. Here's a pic of the outdoor table.

 
Here's a closeup of the plates. To die for! She got these from Hobby Lobby. They always have really neat Christian-themed tableware and decorations. I hated to eat off these plates. They were so pretty.

 
This year, Candice chose this menu for our Easter lunch. It was delicious. All the flavors were so good together. Here's a pic of the Shrimp Shooters she made. Very pretty.

 
Dessert was incredible. Here's the Hummingbird Cake (from Southern Living, of course).

 
Look at the Chocolate Cheesecake! Is that cute or what? This cheesecake is amazing. It has a crunchier crust, chocolate cheesecake and a light chocolate mousse layer on top. YUM!

 

Well, that was great. I'm exhausted! I totally bailed on my "clean eating" last weekend. Plus, I've got cheesecake hanging out in my fridge. I've cheated this week. I'm not made of stone ya' know. I've gotta get back on it...or it's gonna get back on me. (That's a little weight loss humor for you. I crack myself up. Really.)

April

I just finished filing my taxes. Yeah! I can cross that off my mind.

Owen had his second set of tubes put in his ears this morning. I wish that meant he would listen to me now.

I'm trying to edit a short story for Claire. I find it hard to do this without rewriting it for her.

I'm wondering if Ethan is going to be as tough to deal with between the ages of 8-11 as Claire was. It's not looking good right now.

Phin pulled himself to standing for the first time this afternoon. He was really proud of himself. I took the time to savor it. I gazed at him for a long time and smiled, trying to memorize the chunk of his legs and the two teeth sticking up from his bottom gums.

I'm obsessing over a house again. This one's down the road from our house. It would be so great for our family. I keep trying to decide if it's wrong to ask the Lord to give it to us, especially in light of all I've read in Radical.

Wow. OK. If I keep logging my thoughts, it'll take all day to load my blog. How about if I just talk about music for a minute?

I love this month's playlist. I pulled most of this from what I've been listening to on Pandora. If you don't have this app, go get it. Pandora let's you customize "radio stations" according to the music you like. You hear a very brief advertisement every 3-4 songs. Very cool. Makes working out way better, too.

Gabe Dixon is my new favorite artist. I can jog on the treadmill really well to Sirens.

Ray Lamontagne's song, Trouble, was on that really cute commercial that featured a dog trying to hide his bone safely. He's kind of like a white Otis Redding. Soulful.

Van Morrison's always been a favorite of mine. These songs are two of his best. Play Days Like This to feel happy and grateful.

It doesn't matter where you are, if you'll play La Vie en Rose by Louis Armstrong, you'll instantly be transported to a sidewalk cafe' in Paris.

Those are the highlights. Lots of other really good stuff on this playlist. I'm lovin' this music.

Vacation B Sides

We are back from a week in Charleston, SC, and a MUCH needed vacation. Of course, the term "vacation" takes on an entirely different meaning when you're a mama. Vacation no longer means "freedom or release from duty, business, or activity". It's more like "exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil...in a different location". Once this definition is understood and accepted, vacations cease being quite as stressful and frustrating. In other words, you can vacation when you're dead.

I thought I'd share some pics that didn't make it to the front pages of Facebook. These are the "B Sides"...

 
Remember the good ol' days when families stopped at rest areas and parks and ate ham sandwiches on vacation? Well, anyway, we did. Here, the Stanfords are takin' it old school at an Alabama state park. This is the only time we did this. There's a reason people pay for the convenience of the McDonald's drive through -- convenience.

 
"The House". Do you remember Gomer Pyle? 19 people exclaimed a resounding, "Well, goowlee!" when we walked through the door. This is someone's second home, ya'll. What does their "real" house look like??? It's tough to read Radical while you're staying here, believe me.

 
This is a bunch of well-loved, innocent, carefree kids eating lunch on the steps. This picture makes me happy.

 
This is Her Majesty Evelyn the Great in her bike-driven carriage. We had a blast riding bikes together. We rode to the bridge and watched dolphins playing in the water -- for free! Do you know how much a Dolphin Cruise would've cost our family? I can't even think about it.

 
Gratuitous picture of darling boy baby. One day he's going to disappear. I will have eaten him for dessert. 
 
"I'd give all wealth that years have piled, The slow result of Life's decay, To be once more a little child For one bright summer day." --Lewis Carroll, "Solitude"

 
It's good to keep having babies. It lessens the pain of watching your first baby grow up and leave you. And while I've heard that it's a happy occasion and worthwhile goal to watch your children leave home, the impending ache in my heart screams, "Balderdash!"

 
Can you believe all that dry land was covered in ocean earlier in the day? I'm still so amazed by the tides on the East Coast. Dramatic! The tides leave fabulous treasures like sand dollars, starfish, and conchs strewn all over the shore. What a happy surprise for a Gulf girl.

 
My family complained sorely about the version of this picture that got posted on Facebook. We do look a little happier in this one. Claire had just thrown up that morning and was getting ready to throw up again on the way home. We had a tiny little stomach bug in the house that week (She said sarcastically).

I think I've learned something about vacations this year. I believe vacations grow sweeter in your mind the farther you get from them. I did have a great time while I was there, but my memories grow fonder by the day. So here's the thing. It's much easier to just stay at home and be comfortable. Vacations are hard work. However, tiny, insignificant moments are planted in the minds of your family on vacation. And from that time forward, grow and blossom into the loveliest of remembrances.

Starfish, dolphins, cousins, Mary Poppins treasures and the like get mixed together in a child to make a great foundation for a grown-up. Vacations -- lovely. Quite right.  

The Clean Diet

Like most mothers, I've let the weight keep creeping up on me until it's no longer tolerable. Shockingly, what everyone has been saying all these years is true:  "All that eating's going to catch up with you one day." and "When I turned 40, my metabolism just quit!" It's so discouraging to know that I can no longer eat half of a large pizza without consequences. I've said it before and I'll say it again, "I LOVE food so much!"

My day of reckoning has come. It's time to take care of myself. I am trying to make two permanent changes in my life:

1. Eat clean.
2. Exercise at least five days a week for at least 45 minutes.

I should've posted this three weeks ago because that's when I started all of this. Anyway, this is my starting post and I need to show my current status.

Alright (GULP), here's me swallowing my pride:

 
 
Big Mama! This was taken about a week ago. I haven't taken any measurements yet. I really should have, too, because I think I might be losing some inches. Anyway, here's where I'm starting from. Here's the (GULP) side view:

 
Ack! The pink tank top is actually a maternity tank top that I still wear because it fits. The jeans are a size 14. People are made differently, and so for some, size 14 is great. For me, though, I look best when I'm in a size 8. I have a looong way to go.

I guess the main thing I want to change is my shape. I would really love to have a waist again and be attractive in a tucked-in shirt. Also, I would like to reduce the size of my hips so that they're not big enough to sit potted plants on. I want to feel better, too!

My current weight is 163 pounds. I have lost two pounds so far. I won't post every day about my "diet", but I would like to post once a week on my progress. Next time, I'll talk a little bit about the Clean Diet and some of the results I've noticed in the last three weeks.

February

I don't have long to blog. Civilization as we know it is falling apart right outside my door. I'm so glad it's February. February is a big motivating, encouraging month for me. February is not long -- and I have a short attention span. If I can make it through a measly 28 days, then I'm already in March, and we all know that's practically Summer! Oh Summer, how I miss you. I like Valentines Day, too...a lot.

I thought I'd give you a short peek inside my work environment. My environment is one of the reasons blogging has fallen off drastically. I've been trying to ignore my children less often, so I often bring them to work with me. Here they are expressing their gratitude for having a mother who wants to blog. Evelyn is saying, "You go, Mom. I'm just going to sit here and poke Phin's eyes out while you type. Take all the time you need." Phin concurs. "She's so right, Mom. And when I grow up without having had any attention at all, I'm just going to remember all the clever things you said in your blog."

 

 
Ethan steps in to add, "I can't really figure out the math problem I'm working on right now. Why don't you tell me to use the brain God gave me. I'll either become really self-motivated and be a great learner OR I might go to jail because I end up not learning anything and have no marketable skills, and then I'll have to rob a Circle K. Love you, Mom. Love your blog."

 
Hmmm, trash can't really talk, but if it could it would say, "Yo! Jenn, w'sup?" We love the classy accommodations you've given us on your desk. Swuh-eet! Most of our friends get thrown away, but you let us hang here for ages." Doesn't everyone hang on to the leftover fairy birthday cupcake picks because they're just too cute to throw away? Doesn't everyone keep their iPhone 4 box (Why? Because it reminds me that I GOT an iPhone 4 and it's a really neat box, and it has numbers on it that I probably need for something)? Notice the Girl Scout order form. I'm going to be spending a lot of my "free time" delivering cookies. It's going to be a shame to cancel all my lunch dates and pedicures to deliver cookies.

 
The Financial Peace University boxes are taunting me a second time. I can't repeat what they're saying. Jade and I are heading up another class. Don't ask how I'm doing on my budget, my envelope system, and emailing my class.

 
In spite of all the above, lots of really great and hopeful things are in my life. God is really good. Enjoy this month's playlist. My favorite song is Regina Spektor's "Real Love". I think it's a remake of a John Lennon song. "I'M COMING! GEEZ! IT'S ONLY 6:45 P.M. GIVE ME A BREAK!" 

New year, new profile...

I finally found a picture that's decent enough to use for my "profile" picture. I've had the same one for two years. I needed to change it before I embarrassed myself in a few years with a drastically aged "me".

 
That's not it. Although I did consider cropping to just my upside-down, mouth ajar face since that's how my life looks most of the time.

 
That's better. My thanks to Troy Kleinpeter for the FREE Christmas pics. What a great photographer -- and just a really all-around, nice guy.

Here's my New Year's gift to everyone. This is Paula Deen's recipe for her House Seasoning:

1 cup salt
1/4 cup ground black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder

Mix together and store in an airtight container (or a salt shaker).

How can three little ingredients be so divine when combined? This is so simple, but I've been sprinkling it on everything! It's really helping me adjust to my Eat Clean "diet". More about that later, but here's hoping my "profile" improves drastically this year.

The playlist for January has a few repeats on it and a couple of new songs as well. My favorite is "All Will Be Well" by the Gabe Dixon Band. My other favorite is "God Is Trying To Tell You Something" from The Color Purple. I have always LOVED that song. O.K., O.K. My third favorite is "Wunderkind" by Alanis Morrisette. It plays during the credits of Chronicles of Narnia. Enjoy!

Tha' baby's a' cryin'. My time is up!

The place that keeps you going, Treads and Care that's where!

At long last, the new location of Treads and Care Tire Company on Coursey opened in September. Jade and I joke that I had my baby in August, and he had his in September. Miles Holley, the owner, and his wife, Melissa, worked hard to open the new store. Jade and the guys needed some breathing room, and boy did they get it!

 

At the old store, the parking lot would be full of cars, and the guys would have to fix cars in the parking lot because there wasn't room in the bays. Now, they've got this!

 
It may look like just a shop to you, but this is the Mac Daddy of all shops. It's more than twice the size of the old shop, and so bright it's like daylight in there. I told the guys they should be really good now that they don't have to use "The Force" to see to fix the cars.

Nice rack! Treads has a lot of tires. They can get any tire for you AND you can get a Road Hazard plan which covers free repairs for the life of the tire and pro-rated replacements. At 10% of the cost of the tire, it's a good value. Also, if you go in there, ask them about buying a Lifetime Oil Change. Speaking of that, that would be a GREAT Christmas gift to give to someone. They have gift cards!

 

What I like even more are the complimentary fountain drink and cappucino machines. The bathrooms are nice! My lovely daughter, Claire, helps keep them clean. Treads also has great magazines, Wi-fi, and a pleasant waiting area. It's a lot like a coffee shop in there.

  
Here's a picture of the waiting area. (Keep in mind there's not usually a spread of food in the waiting area. That was for the grand opening.)

 
Speaking of grand openings, the kids really enjoyed it:

 
One of the local radio stations, WYNK, came out and gave prizes away. It was great!

 
Congratulations, Miles, Jade, and guys! You worked hard to make this place happen. Keep up the good work!

  

Rewind II

More pics to get me caught up. I have a lot of pictures like the one below. It's what Claire does. It makes me happy to see her enjoying her littlest brother. I can remember some pictures from when Ethan and Blythe were born where the enjoyment level wasn't quite so high. I've watched her get more and more comfortable with the little ones. She does a great job of looking after them, and sometimes, like below, she really enjoys them!

 

This is a picture of my Daisy Scout, Blythe, and her friend. Blythe was getting ready to go on her first daycamp outing with Daisies. She was SO excited. It was a big deal for her to get to go after being so sick. The girls had a wonderful time.

 

Phin is modeling the appliqued onesie I made for him before he was born.

 


This is a lump of sugar. He's so sweet, he makes my teeth hurt.

 

Look at this big blob of baby goodness.

 
I love me some Phinehas. I love him enough to give birth to him and then have all my hair fall out. Can you see the bald patch on the side of my head? I have a matching bald patch on the other side of my head. Ack! (Please, please, please grow back, hair!)  
 
I know these posts are a little dull. Remember, I'm just trying to get back into the swing of blogging. Practice, practice, practice.