The Bearce Family

A look back

2012-03-03T08:55:00.002-08:00

I am so lucky to be their mom.

They are all sweet, charming, and cute as buttons.

Whispering in daddy's ear.

Oh no I will not eat that stuff!

Look at those cheeks!

Contemplative or bored.

You decide.

All dressed up for winter.

Tickle fest with dad. Guess who wins.

Driving Mr. Jacky.

Shoes first.

Dizzy

Claire's first wedding.

One of my favorites. Thanks Laura!

I miss the thumbs...and the "skeepskins"...

Yep, I miss those days.

But I'm glad for the ones I'm in now too.

11, 9, and 7 are fun ages.

My kids especially are fun!

Lord, remind me on the bad days please.

Comments?

2012-03-02T14:46:00.000-08:00

Chirp, chirp..crickets. I'm getting crickets here. No comments? Really? It's like no one loves me anymore since I moved to Blogspot. What's wrong with Blogspot? Or is it me? Anywho...puhleeese comment already!

Thank you.

Have a nice day.

:)

Tea time once again.

2012-03-02T07:17:00.001-08:00

Here I sit smelling my hot Apple tea and those amazing coconut cookies. I wait for my friends to come a knocking...

My opinion

2012-03-01T10:01:00.002-08:00

When you blog you get to share your opinions. Whether the reader likes it or not. I intend to do that now. If you disagree with my view you are free to tell me or to keep it to yourself. If you agree with my view you should tell me. It'll fuel my fire. :)
This morning I read this news article:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/02/28/20120228child-vaccine-proponents-urge-stronger-arizona-legislation.html
In it I learned that there could be legislation passed in AZ that would require a Dr. signature in order for parents who don't wish to vaccinate their children to get a waiver.
Here it comes, my opinion that is!
Buckle up!
I completely understand the fear that parents have regarding vaccines. I share it, in fact. I only vaccinated our kids out of obedience to my husband. I prayed desperate prayers each time asking that God protect them and use the vaccines to boost immunity against the diseases. However, now that my kids are vaccinated (and there have been no side effects that we've noticed - although I've wondered about Luke - I wonder if they made a bad batch that year) I do feel a sense of peace about it. I think we did the right thing. The problem with vaccines is that the average Joe doesn't know what's in them AND you'll never know how bad it could've been (disease wise) without them. For instance, is it really that bad to get the Chicken Pox and let your body fight it off on it's own? Or how about Whooping Cough (Pertussis?) True. People have died from these diseases...well, I don't know if anyone died from Chicken Pox but the point is I know these diseases are dangerous. But I also know that vaccines have caused some problems as well. My bottom line is this: I believe that God decides who gets sick and when they get sick and how sick they get and if they die from it. I vaccinate as a precaution trusting in His will for my kids. I do not see vaccinations as a sure thing. I have no problem with those who choose not to vaccinate. I understand the desire to let the body do what it was made to do - fight off diseases. I also understand the desire not to introduce into the body unnecessary diseases or weird fillers. etc.
Speaking of weird fillers, how about high fructose corn syrup, BGH, aspartame, or hydrogenated oils? Nah, don't get me started.
Check out the article if you have time.

Sierra Jensen Vol 1 - a review

2012-02-29T13:44:00.000-08:00

Fabulous! I loved it! I can't wait to read more. If my daughter were older I'd have her reading them now. Sadly, she'll have to wait a couple years. But when she is old enough this series will be given to her as a gift.
I am so glad to have good stories about great characters available for my children. This is not the first book I've read from this author. Mrs. Jones-Gunn is a favorite.
As far as the story line goes, I'm hooked. I can't wait to see what happens to Sierra and Paul, Tawni and Jeremy, and the others. What a fun escape, I mean read.
I recommend this book to all 16 year old girls and their mothers. It's good to remember back to those days. Where was I at the tender age of 16? A good question to ask oneself. Good memories.
I received this book for free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing.

A Sound Among the Trees - a review

2012-02-24T06:39:00.000-08:00

I read this book in a day. I couldn't put it down. It was full of drama and humor (I may have a warped sense of humor but I found some of the book humorous.) It had a love story woven through it...though the love story wasn't necessarily between humans. I thought is was a fun and insightful read. There is a moral to the story. However, like one of it's characters I felt a bit unsure about what the moral was in the end. Fear, lies, history, superstition, kindness, domesticity, and tea, lots of tea are what you'll find in this book. I enjoyed it.
I received this book for free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing.

Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom

2012-02-17T18:32:00.000-08:00

Who remembers the nature show called Wild Kingdom? I do! Does that date me at all? :)
When I look out my window I see large AND one small one milling around. Frequently in my hear I hear Merlin Olsens voice and I see the man who looked like Col. Sanders hovering in a chopper with a tranquilizer gun. Some days I need a tranquilizer gun! That's another story. :)
Looking out my window...

I see that black thing over there. It's a German hole digger lounging in the sun.

And over there in the soft-ish grass lies the female American Mastiff.

A closer look finds the male close-ish to her. He's attempting to bond.

The sun makes them lazy. No, everything makes them lazy. It's their nature.

Eventually we'll look at the mating habits of the American Mastiff but today we'll take a brief look at the eating habits.

The male will lay close to his bowl for hours.

Eventually the food comes.

It dissapears in seconds.

He goes back to waiting.

In other news:

Jager likes the camera.

I think he just needs attention.

The "lookaway" pose.

Buddy isn't quite as happy to be photographed. He's afraid of the camera I think.

He won't be for long. Eventually he'll see it as an occasional appendage of mine. :)

Gotta love the toof sticking out of his mouf.

Here he's sticking his tongue out at me.

He's a very good boy.

Speaking of gifts...

2012-02-15T20:03:00.000-08:00

I got a BIG, HUGE surprise today.
Jason texted me that he had a surprise for me. I figured he was bringing home something else someone had given him on the job. (This is one of the perks of being in his business, especially when his clients are wealthier than we are - you get some really nice stuff!)
I was right.
I pulled into the garage with the kids after school and there it was.
A Bowflex.
Now, I could have gone all ballistic on him and asked him why he thought we needed a Bowflex.
I am not that out of shape. Am I?
Instead I chose to rejoice with him that we now have a gym in our bedroom. {smirk}

Then I walked inside ready to get started with homework etc.
Whoa! What?! Is this...?! I could hardly believe my eyes...

There, covering my kitchen table, was approximately $1600 worth of professional cookware. Much of it the brand of my dreams...

All Clad.

He brought it home for ME.

Amazing.

Hmmm...

It dawns on me.

He's going to want me to use that cookware isn't he.

You should know, Jason doesn't like to pose for pictures. He was more than willing to pose for these though. He was very well aware of the fact that he'd done something really, really, really good.

Unbelievably good.

I love him.

With

or without

the pots and pans.

He's my knight in shining armor.

He's the wind beneath my wings.

He brought me All Clad.

What more can I say?!

Jack and the model car

2012-02-15T19:36:00.000-08:00

As you know, today is Jack's birthday. He got a gift in the mail from his Meme and Pops. It was a model car kit. He got to put it together, glue it and paint it himself!

It is very important for you to notice Jack's mouth in these photos.

He does things with it - specifically with his tongue - during concentration.

It is one of the things I love about this kid.

I don't have a photo of the finished car at this point but I can tell you he did a fabulous job!

Jack

2012-02-15T07:55:00.000-08:00

J - Jason's "mini-me" He walks like dad, talks like dad, laughs like dad, plays like dad, even works like his dad. It's the sweetest thing and the highest compliment to his dad.

A - affectionate He's a lover...and a fighter...ahem, he's a lover, a cuddler, a nuzzler, a wrestler (in man language that's like a great big hug.)

C - cute But DO NOT call him that. He'll beat you up!

K - kind The kind of kindness that is genuine, because your welfare really matters to him.

I like those things about my kid. And I'd like to take this opportunity to thank God for giving Jack to me. He makes me smile every day. :) Thats a full 7 years of smiling. Let's do the math: 2,555 smiles. Wow! I've got the smile lines to prove it! (no pictures please.)

Happy birthday Jack.

We love you very much!

Raising a dog lover

2012-02-11T18:06:00.001-08:00

These were taken the day before Buddy arrived. As you can tell, my daughter has contracted a love for dogs. :)

Early Birthday present

2012-02-11T17:59:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: In my defense, I couldn't resist his cuteness. I tried. I really tried, but I just couldn't. It's too hard!

We've spent the last 2 days putting together the mother of all Lego sets...
The Star Wars Millenium Falcon.
If you don't remember this particular ship you're not as old as me...or you're way older than me. :) Either way, you are missing out. The Millenium Falcon was Han Solo's ship. It's hyper drive was light years (literally) beyond anything the Imperial fleet had to offer.
And Han Solo? Woo-wee! Don't even get me started! That guy was ahem, really handsome. If I was Leah (and I used to pretend I was) I would totally go for Han Solo. M-mm-mmm.
(Wow! When did this become about me?)
My son, Jack, the baby of the family has a birthday coming up and I asked him, "Jack, do you want a bunch of little gifts or one big one?" He was smart and chose the big one. He wanted the x-Wing fighter (Luke Skywalkers main mode of transportation after joining the Rebel alliance) but it was all sold out. Bummer. He handled it well. Really well. He pleasantly asked if he could choose something else. How could I deny him one of the most expensive toys in the store. I couldn't, I just couldn't.
So, I bought it.
He smiled. His freckles shone under the store lights. It was beautiful.
Then we brought it home.
And we waited for dad to help put the monsrtosity together.
That was hard but there was no way I was going attempt it..not at first anyway.

So Jay helped them.

And the force was with them all...

It took 2 1/2 days but today, it is complete. And it is beautiful!

Uncle Clint likes it too.

Happy early birthday Jack!

Enter Buddy

2012-02-11T14:37:00.000-08:00

This is our blushing beauty queen.

Serious.

Contemplative.

Regal.

Strong.

Large and in charge!

And this?...

is Buddy.

Buddy can't keep his tongue in his mouth.

Buddy is concerned he might have to stay here...

forever.

Poor Buddy!

He's right.

"Welcome to the Bearce home, Buddy. I hope in time to re-name you after Rocky's dog.

"Budkiss"

Oh my, what have we done!?

Seriously though, Buddy seems to be adjusting quite well. Trin and Jager are just fine too.

I think this might work.

Friday Teas

2012-02-10T10:50:00.000-08:00

Today is Friday and every Friday I host tea for the ladies I know.
We have a grand ol time. We talk about stuff. We drink tea. We eat yummies.
And we relax and get our heads on straight before the crazy weekend comes. It's a blessing for me to have this time with my friends and every Friday I am reminded that I am blessed to have them.
Thanks to all of you who attend regularly and not so regularly. I appreciate you very much.
A special thank you to Debby whose Apple Crisp was the BOMB today.

Blog much?

2012-02-08T11:11:00.000-08:00

I do not know why it is so hard to blog lately. Could it be my life is that much more busy? I doubt it. Maybe I'm bored of blogging. Maybe I haven't taken enough photos lately. Maybe my living room furniture needs rearranging. Maybe, there have been too many changes happening and I can't keep up. Maybe my To Do List is too long. Pick one. :)
I need some blogging inspiration. I need some photo inspiration. I need a nap!
Seriously, a nap would be really great right now. This morning one of the kids in Luke's class asked me if I was tired. "Um, ya, do I look it?"
Well, I'd better get back to the ~~mundane~~ chores.
Did I mention I leave for Italy in a week? No? Oh, that's because I'd be lying if I did mention it. I can dream though.
I'm off to parent teacher conferences. Jack and Luke are both doing very well in school. Claire is too except for that pesky math stuff. Sheesh! Why do we really need to know that stuff. I hardly use it. :) I'm okay!

Dogs

2012-02-07T13:37:00.000-08:00

We're adding a new addition to our crazy family.
Clint moved on and is now living with friends from school in an apartment near school. He still lives here on the weekends. He also left his dog.
The house feels empty without him so we've decided to try to replace him with a dog.
This dog is big, male, and verile.
We hope he takes a shine to our "missy moo-cow" Trinity.
With a name like "Buddy" he has to be good, right?
I'll post photos as soon as I can but for now just pray that Buddy likes our family and our friends AND our other dogs.
Claire is particularly excited because she'll be Buddy's "person". She's already fallen head over heels in love with him. She hopes he sleeps in her room. She'll be responsible for his care (for the daily stuff anyway) so we figure they'll bond.
We're all looking forward to welcoming Buddy and perhaps Buddy+Trinity will = Truddy or Binity babies. :)
That's it for now...
More later.

Photos - -testing

2012-02-07T13:18:00.000-08:00

So the question remains...How do I pick the placement of these photos in the post? Ideas?

This is a very precious family who allowed me to photograph them for their Christmas cards last year.

Just because I can I'd like to try a little something...

Craftiness

2012-02-07T12:05:00.001-08:00

My friend Vicki is crafty. She made these.

Jager

2012-02-07T12:04:00.000-08:00

Cute isn't he.

Homeschool heroine

2012-02-07T10:41:00.000-08:00

I love this kid.

I am going to school her myself next year.

I don't know what I'm doing...

but I have a lot of help.

and

I have a VERY BIG GOD who has promised to give me everything I need to please Him and act according to the grace He's given me. This grace extends to every area of my life; wifery, parenting, teaching at home etc.

Through the peace He gives I can rest in His sovereign care of me.

I love this God.

He is everything to me.

I need nothing else.

I am currently trying to decipher the state standards on the Arizona Department of Education's website. I guess I should print out the bazillion page document and study it.

OK, it's off to the kitchen for another 52oz Dr. Pepper! Gotta have caffiene for that much reading.

Then, I should get back to my office work.

I'm not even supposed to be blogging right now...

I'm supposed to be working.

Alas! Discipline anyone?

Homeschool will come with many temptations.

I can already envision myself goofing off A LOT!

God knows my struggles.

Obviously this post is a rambling one.

Sorry. :)

But, I'm NOT SORRY. :)

Football + Food+ Friendship = FUN!

2012-02-06T12:41:00.000-08:00

I don't like to procrastinate. I also HATE to be rushed. I feel all discombobulated when I'm rushed. Soo, once I knew I was hosting a Super Bowl party I got right to work planning and executing...even though it was several weeks ahead of time. My husband hates the final weeks before a big party because I taunt him and take away his simple pleasures, his creature comforts. Plus I require more of him during this time. Sometimes I just need help.

Anyway, As you can see here I decorated three days in advance. I purchased groceries (that he and the kids weren't allowed to eat) in advance. I cleaned the house which means no one is allowed to live there until the party-goers arrive. Everyone in our home looked forward to the party just as much as I did but not for the same reasons...they just wanted to be able to eat the food I bought and use the bathroom again. Sheesh!

My generous friend let me borrow her turk table runners and rug. Everyone thought that was grand! I set up a Super Bowl Trivia table as well as the one you see here - the Game Predictions table which also held the cooler (whose contents we emptied over the Most Valuable Party-goer's head!)

My guests brought an amazing assortment of football food. We competed for a prize and the title: Best Darn Cook in the Whole Place...ok, not the title really, just a prize. Trevor's amazing wings won! He also ended up being the MVP because I appreciated his zeal. :)

So on Saturday (the day before game day) my wonderful hubby surprised me with this Fitzgerald jersey! Awesome!! This worked out nicely for me because I told my guests to come dressed appropriately.

Before church Sunday morning I asked Jay to photograph me & my kids in our jerseys. Aw!

Before the party started some of our friends met at the park to play a pre-game scrimmage. It was "Bearces" vs. Romans.

Romans won.

Romans always win.

I don't even know how to play 2-hand touch. I grew up a girl.

Beware of the Roman Huddle!

Packer fan down! Packer fan down!

Look, see the Packer fan? He's still down.

He's getting up slowly...

Should we make sure he's alright?

"You alright Packer fan?"

Yah, you're alright.

Back to the sidelines for Claire.

Lookie there...Packer fan thinks he won the game.

I'm very sorry I forgot to take any photos of the actual party but let me tell you it was because I was way too busy stuffing my face and having great conversations with great people and stuffing my face and watching parts of the game and stuffing my face and talking...

P.A.R.T. why? Because we gotta!

2012-01-28T17:34:00.000-08:00

This season I really got into NFL football. My favorite team (the New Orleans Saints) won't be in the Super Bowl but they made a grand effort. Who Dat?!
Anywhoo - it's been really fun to keep track of stats and learn about the players, coaches and the game itself.
I still don't know enough and I hope to continue to learn.
But, I do know enough to party like a fan!
And man, I intend to come February 5th!
We're having a Super Bowl Party! It'll be my first time hosting one. I'm very excited. The planning that went into it was fun too. However, as we get down to the last week before the big game I'm feeling overwhelmed (a little bit) as I strive to remember everything. My memory isn't what I think it should be.
Ah well, if there's one thing I've learned it's this: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff (and it's all small stuff) especially when it involves a party.
I'm just looking forward to hanging out with fellow football fans and close friends and cheering on the teams....
plus, I really love football food (chips & dips, chili, wings, potato skins, party platters, pizza, soda, etc.)
I think I'll start out rooting for the Patriots and then if they're spanking the Giants at half-time I'll turn on them and switch teams. You can do that when you're a football fan - lover of the game itself - instead of attatching to one team only and feeling sad for 3 days when they lose a game. Nope. That's not me. I was only sad for, like, 3 hours when the Saints lost to the 49ers. That's normal. Those other people are crazy! Ha! Just kidding. :)
Alright, well, that's it for tonight.
Go Patriots!

Welcome to the NEW blog!

2012-01-27T14:14:00.000-08:00

Well hello there! Thanks for joining me here from there.
You can expect more of the same things you grew to expect from the old blog.

Great pictures of our family doing stuff.

Like:

Post #2 Testing...

2012-01-24T13:31:00.001-08:00

Seriously, I'm testing.

How did I get here?

2012-01-24T13:29:00.000-08:00

This is just a test of the emergency blogging system. If you should reach this blog in error...I pity you.