Russell Spring 2011

Russell said he'd show me how to draw the number 11. Then he paused.
Russell: "Do you know how to draw it?"
Mom: "Yes."
Russell: "Ok I'll show you anyway."

He wants to make Superhero movies. Tonight, he said that he'd download our dinner prayer for us... if we had WiFi for him.

I could relate to this comment from Russell: "I'm tired of looking for things I've lost."

My Russell (4) reads out the letters he sees on EVERYTHING, asking "What spells..." He tends to confuse the letters M and W. This created a pregnant pause on my part when he read the bottle of dishwashing liquid (the one that takes grease out of your way) and he asked, "What spells D..A..M..N?"

Russell advised his friend not to enter Russell's big brother's bedroom: "He will get mad. His face will turn red." (This sounds like the voice of experience.)

Russell just got a big bed. I told him that we're going to look for some other furniture to go in his bedroom. He sat quietly for a few minutes and my mind had moved on to other topics when Russell asked, "Like a toilet?"

Russell was wandering around with wet hands in a public restroom. He had never seen a hand dryer before. I told him that we'd use the one on the wall and he asked with dismay, "Use the hair blower?"

Russell is so excited to have aged up into the older kids' babysitting room at our local YMCA. The room has several Wii stations and a dance pad. It's called the 'Energy Factory' but Russell calls it the 'Injury Factory'. I know some orthopedists might agree with him.

While unwrapping a Hershey's kiss, he asked me: "Have you noticed how good these taste?"

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I sent this in an email to my sister-in-law:

Russell sends this message to Barrett: I'm looking for some Space Legos for you for the next time I see you in Charleston or in the pirate house. I hope you're having a good time. I really love Barrett and I really love that pirate house. When we woke them up one morning, Mimi and DadDad said we can go to that great house after my birthday. Can't wait!

Love to all-
Jen (and Russell)

Lydia's First Slumber Party and Her Birthday Letter

Lydia learned about Out of the Garden's ministry to underfed students through her Brownies troop. Our family joined her in running a 5K race on the morning of her birthday. Russell rode along in his stroller. The event was part of the Human Race that raises money for charity. (Lydia is pictured on the far right above and J.T. is behind her)

Lydia's Slumber Party at Home

Clockwise: Lydia T., Tatum C., Samantha P., Caroline C., Kinsleigh N., Kayla R., Nina H., Margot C., and Leah R.

Anna B., Elisabeth B., Bethany B., Lydia T., and Jen T.

Dear Lydia,

Happy 9th birthday! As I’ve watched you develop this past year, I can clearly see you being like your
sweet father in your love of running. As a 3rd grader, you were finally able to join the running club at your school. We ran a 5K race this Fall and you would do it again every week if we had the time!

When you look back, years from now, you may wonder what was going on in
my life aside from the joy I experienced raising you. So, I’d like you to know
that, apart from the fun I’ve had with you, something I’ve particularly enjoyed
about my life is traveling within N.C. and to Wisconsin this year to share the healing message of my book, The Five Languages of Apology.

There have been hard times this year, too. One of the toughest things you bravely faced was getting 5 rabies shots over 3 weeks after we found a bat in our house.

And even though you have lots of other friends, you seem to really particularly
enjoy Tatum Church because of your many weeks spent together as we have exercised with her family at the park, the track, and the gym. You two have become the sisters that each of you needs.

One of your qualities that I especially admire is how you give gifts to others. You frequently make crafts and pictures to give to family and friends. We're blessed to have my sister and her family nearby. She keeps you kids for me while I work on Wednesdays. She says that you so often bless her with gifts.

This last year of knowing you and watching you develop has meant so much to
me.
I love you, and that’s why I’ve written you this letter. It’s my Legacy of Love
for your Lifetime.

Mom

Speaking in Wisconsin

Susan (left) and Jennifer (right). Susan Freund is the founder and director of Think Marriage, based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I had a great time speaking for their Valentine's Day Weekend Marriage retreat.

New friends: Co-presenter Kelly (left) and his wonderful wife, Dorie (right).

I flew into Milwaukee. Fortunately, the weather was chilly (not above freezing) but dry.

2011 Myrtle Beach Marathon

J.T. (above) is on the front row on the left in a blue tank top

J.T. finished this marathon with a new personal record 3 hours, 9 minutes, 12 seconds. The happy details: he finished well among the crowd of 1500 runners and he was 4th out of 200 in his age group. This time qualifies him to run in the New York City Marathon and to repeat his 2006 running of the Boston Marathon (in April 2012).

This trip with friends has become an annual tradition. We have warm memories of these trips, as well as our Fall 2010 trip to Greece with both of the ladies in yellow below (and their spouses). Notice that Steve (below) who has white hair and a beard looks quite a bit like the fisherman in the painting behind him. Mr. Gorton?

Russell's "Portrait Studio" and Email to Thomas (Grandparents) About Ross's Tonsillectomy

Hi-

How are our world travelers doing??? We hope you're enjoying your big
adventure in South America.

Anne Elise, what do you think of the revolution in Egypt? I imagine
the news coverage includes many places you know well.

Ross has been at home all week with the fever and sore throat illness
that had Lydia at home for 3 days last week. He looks to be all
better today and is enjoying the DVD Secretariat at the moment. John
is having a very busy week at work. He went to their planned new
office in the Triangle yesterday and today he's in Charlotte. He
finds this leaves little time to prepare for his client meetings- also
heavily sprinkled throughout this week. His boss will be away next
week which provides for fewer meetings. Whew!

I'm prepping for my 4 talks in Wisconsin on 2/11 and 2/12. Hope the
weather will be manageable up there! We only saw rain here this week,
of course.

I'm attaching some photos from Christmas, one shot of John and Ross
waiting for Ross's tonsillectomy surgery, and a photo of Russell with
his toy dog. In that photo, Russell had set up the cardboard to be a
backdrop (like our McCain family photo in December). The yellow car
is the chair in the portrait studio and his dog is, of course, the
subject of his portrait. Pa, you might have another photographer
there!

Love to all-
Jen

Lydia Sings the Months of The Year- Age 3.wmv

December 2010 at Home