markdown:
tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37784679857177143462017-04-06T00:21:34.733-07:00pb&jtimeJodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-44904550811423692852014-01-31T07:08:00.001-08:002014-01-31T07:10:21.114-08:00Booster boysIn late fall Jackson and Peyton made the switch to booster seats in the car. They were most excited that there were hideaway cup holders built into the seats. Brett still needs more support than a booster offers so he remains in his car seat. While it holds up to 65 lbs he is getting so tall it's tough to get him into it. Our prayers are to afford a wheelchair accessible van where he can remain in his wheelchair in the van. It's crazy to me that these guys were once too tiny for a traditional baby carrier.
Jackson

Peyton

Peyton on left Jackson on the right

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-75514068451575442382014-01-05T20:03:00.001-08:002014-01-05T20:03:37.449-08:00Fabulous FallAs seems to be my constant trend with blogging these days I am behind. But, regardless, here are some of the highlights from our fabulous fall:

We kicked off fall by signing up for a honey bee program at the local nature preserve. The boys got to see these live bees, learned about honey bees and helped make a batch of honey. I even tried my hand at sheering the wax off a drawer with a hot knife and I didn't burn anything or anybody!

The boys were a bit disappointed that most of the honey bee program was indoors so we ditched out during the honey tasting (yum) and went on a brief hike. Brett loves the outdoors and was listening to the birds with pure joy.

Auntie Kerry and Auntie Nancy's town has a free fall festival each year. It has become a tradition. Jackson on a pony ride.

Brett at the reins.

Jackson and Sophie on a trackless train ride.

The boys were learning about Johnny Appleseed at school. Jackson said that's what he wanted on his face and the creative teen artist came up with this - he was THRILLED!

Sophie, Peyton, Brett, Caroline and Jackson - cousins hanging out.

Each year we try to go to a pumpkin farm while Grammy and Poppy are visiting. Jackson on the John Deere trikes.

Brett and Auntie Kerry feeding the animals.

The corn kernels are a favorite stop at the farm.

Brett and Peyton in "jail"

Jackson scooping out his pumpkin.

Peyton scooping out his pumpkin. He was so diligent he insisted and did the whole thing himself.

Brett helping scoop out his pumpkin.

Tate and Peyton work on his pumpkin design ideas.

Jackson with his pumpkin.

Peyton and his pumpkin.

Brett and his pumpkin - yep he is sitting on the stair - BY HIMSELF!

 HALLOWEEN:
I was all ready for the boys to be super heroes or something along those lines, but they insisted they wanted to design their own costumes. They worked with Auntie Kerry and told her what they had in mind and she drew it with their help until it was what they wanted. Auntie Kerry rocks in the Halloween department and helped make their imaginations come to life. The results were spooktacular.

Peyton called his Spooklia part witch, part skeleton, part Frankenstein, part Dracula, part Scream face , a hood like the headless horseman and part pumpkin. Unfortunately I accidentally threw away the head of the picture, but you'll get the idea.

Peyton's costume with all of its parts.

Jackson wanted to be a pumpkin head but scary with a cape and vines on his legs. He called his Jack-O

Jackson as Jack-O. No masks allowed at school so he wore a pumpkin helmet!

Brett insisted on being a zombie. I wasn't so thrilled about the idea at first and worried about it being appropriate for school. I tried to sway his choice several times and he was unwavering. He wanted to be a zombie. I made the mistake of saying how cute he was - which he did not like. He preferred to be scary and he really was. He was a huge hit at school.

This isn't the best picture - he was so excited every picture is a little blurry.

I love this picture. It shows Brett's makeup and costume and I love the look on his face. Auntie Kerry was a zombie as well.

Auntie Kerry and her creations.

Me and Peyton. I was a tribute to Dia de Muerte.

Auntie Nancy was a minion from Despicable Me and Auntie Kerry as a zombie.

Auntie Amy and Uncle Jackie made their giant minion costumes and the girls were Agnes and Edith from Despicable Me. It poured all afternoon. We decided to just go ahead and head into the neighborhood to trick-or-treat and the clouds parted and we only got sprinkled on a bit. The kids covered a good portion of the neighborhood this year and would have gone on, but the adults were getting hungry.

Grandma and Granddad feeding Brett during the Halloween post trick-or-treat party.

Jackson let me use his pumpkin for our "appetizer" guacamole and chips Halloween style.

Auntie Nancy and Auntie Kerry got some "help" with their leaves on a Sunday Family Fun Day.

The cousins in the leaves.

Me and my boys. (Peyton, Brett and Jackson)

 THANKSGIVING:
We started our thankful tree last year and the boys couldn't wait to do it again this year. Every night we each write what we are thankful for and then share it and put it on the tree. I love hearing what the boys are thankful for and they worked on their cutting and writing skills too.

Peyton really enjoyed painting the tree.

We spent Thanksgiving day at church with the boys singing in the choir and then to Grandma and Granddad's for a feast. I don't know why I don't have any photos from Thanksgiving day, but we had a great time and a delicious meal.
Auntie Kerry turned 40 on Thanksgiving Day. She didn't want a party so Auntie Nancy came up with the idea to have friends and family send bottles of champagne (her favorite) with notes about why people were thankful for her. We staged the party at our house and I think we actually did surprise her!

Auntie Kerry with her nieces, nephews and quite a few bottles of champagne.

We celebrate Thanksgiving with the Campbell side of the family on the Saturday after. Auntie Kerry makes a feast and calls it Gobble 'Til You Wobble. There is food out all day and you just hang out and eat and eat and eat.

Auntie Nancy and Jackson playing a game at Gobble til you Wobble.

Jackson making a turkey hand out of olives - a timeless tradition.
Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-78569823649198784432013-11-13T19:52:00.000-08:002013-11-13T19:52:10.700-08:00Kindergarten kidsSo once again I'm behind on my blogging. Ugh.

This year the boys started kindergarten. I know, I still can't believe it myself. Our district only offers half day and while I sometimes think about them being at a disadvantage because so many schools offer full day, I'm selfishly glad. Brett is in school all day as he has been since he was 3 to receive the additional services he requires such as therapy. I feel like the half days with Jackson and Peyton are an opportunity to give them a little more time and attention they may not get at other times.

The boys were all excited to go back to school. But the night before the first day Jackson was nervous and said he didn't want to go and wanted to stay home with me. Peyton joined in and they were in tears. I didn't see it coming.
By the next day they were fine and only slightly hesitant. Once they were lined up on the playground they never looked back. It equal parts made me happy and sad.
They recently received their first report cards and were ridiculously excited to share them with me when I got home from work. They are all doing great. Brett is integrating into the same class as Jackson and Peyton part-time and I volunteered at the Halloween party and Brett is like a rock star when he comes in the classroom. All the kids want to come over and push his chair and say hi.
They've all made a lot of friends and it's so fun getting to know the other children and their parents.

Here are some pictures from the first days of school:

Aunt Brenda and Uncle Steve gave the boys a gift card to Target to pick out new backpacks (thank you!). I'm not sure who enjoyed it more the boys or me. I took each of them one on one to shop and they each used the gift card to pay for their backpacks themselves.

Brett narrowed it to two and then did not hesitate to pick this Transformers backpack when he saw that the eyes flashed.

Peyton just could not decide which one he wanted. He narrowed it down to these seven and then raced a car and it stopped in front of the Avengers backpack (the first one farthest from him).

Jackson usually takes a while to make a choice - really contemplating his options. But he saw this Mario Brothers backpack and had his heart set on it.

We live about a mile from the school. There was an open house to see the classroom and meet the teacher and so we decided to walk and see how long it would take us. I thought we would never get there. They found a baby bird on the sidewalk that couldn't fly and were so concerned. They kept saying go ahead, don't be afraid and flapping their arms to show it how to fly. I kept urging them to move along and, as you can see, Jackson kept giving me the just wait a minute hand.

Grandma checking out Jackson's cubbie and star with his name on it. Think he was excited?

The boys use the iPad to check the weather in the morning and wanted to see what the weather would be like for the first day of school. Brett gave a thumbs up when I asked if it was shorts weather.

Brett and his backpack.

Peyton, Brett and Jackson

Peyton, Brett and Jackson

I love this picture. Brett kept leaning toward Peyton and was trying to say something and Peyton gave his full attention. Wish I knew what he was saying.

Brett - ready to go.

Peyton - ready to go.

Jackson - ready to go.

Brett excited about taking the bus to school - seriously, it's one of the highlights of his day.

Jackson and Peyton with all of their supplies.

Jackson does not look too happy here, but once the teacher lined them up he was all smiles.

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-87524889293726766382013-09-13T11:56:00.001-07:002013-09-13T11:56:58.841-07:00So long summer
I hesitate to admit it because I know there will be judgement, but in mid-May as summer approached I confessed to Tate that the coming season was filling me with dread. I know. Even typing it I gasp a little myself. I know Tate was surprised and a little saddened, I saw it on his face – confused that I was hesitant going into my favorite season - but it was the truth.
As summer approached I was looking at balancing a full-time job with three busy boys – coordinating four therapies a week for Brett, making sure family members were lined up to care for them, making sure they were signed up for VBS and T-ball and everybody was able to help get them there and back, lining up buddies so Brett could participate in these activities, thinking about making sure all Brett’s physical/theraputic needs were met while not in school and the challenge of trying to improve some things before next school year along with a side of guilt that I didn’t have them in any educational activities, looking at the bag sent home from kindergarten roundup of all the activities I should be doing with each of the boys and the realization that it just would not be possible and likely I wouldn’t do 95 percent of the summer fun things I had highlighted on Pinterest either. The thought of it all had me feeling defeated before I even began.
But all of that changed.
It changed because I spoke the truth out loud and in doing so acknowledged the stress I was bearing. Really acknowledging it to myself for the first time. It changed because the weight of it was heavy and the reality of it saddened me and I closed my eyes that night and handed it all over to God – every. last. bit. I prayed for him to show me a way to enjoy summer. I asked him to give me answers and beat me over the head with them because I’m not always a great listener when He speaks to me.
The next day this blog post came across my desk http://www.handsfreemama.com/2012/05/16/what-a-hands-free-summer-looks-like/
I wiped away a tear and thanked God.
My perspective changed because I asked the boys what they wanted to do this summer and their answer wasn’t to be able to read a book start to finish on their own, go to elaborate water parks every day or go on fun and exciting excursions. They didn’t ask to go to amusement parks and on perfectly planned picnics.
Their answers were things like – play outside, play baseball, go to the park, visit a new library, play outside, have a water balloon fight and go for ice cream.
It was such a relief.
We did all that and more. We had a wonderful summer. I enjoyed it so much and I know the boys did too.
In the past few weeks I have talked to parents and seen blog posts and Facebook status updates from moms desperate for school to start. Finished with the unstructured summer, the weight of entertaining their children and clean out of patience. I’m not judging because that will likely be me someday. But, for now I am thankful that I had as close to a carefree summer as a working mother can hope for and am filled with sadness to see it go so quickly. I’m thankful to a God who carries my burdens and shows me a better, simpler path.
I’m grateful for summer - for the warmth of the sun and the glow on the cheeks of my children – for dirty knees that I can barely scrub clean and clothes so full of dust from sliding into every base on the field that they may never be the same. I’m thankful for a husband who listened and didn’t make me feel ashamed, instead prayed for me, encouraged and supported me. I’m thankful for family, who love on my children so much and are able to fill in the gaps because I can’t possibly do it all.
I hope that next May I will remember to go back and read this to remind myself and calm and center myself in what is true and all the goodness that summer has to offer.
I will miss you summer - so sorry to see you go.
Here are just some photo highlights of our summer:

Brett loves helping Daddy with the lawn mowing. We're already thinking of a way to hook a mower to the front of his chair so he can cut the lawn in his power chair.

This summer the boys were obsessed with checking the weather and sports scores. Each morning they would take turns being in charge of the iPad and give me and Tate the updates every day. They would read the weather temperatures and say Sunny, cloudy and moony - cracked me up. Every. Day.

My cousin Jim who now lives in West Virginia came to town and though we met as children (I think I was a toddler) we got to spend time sharing stories and getting to know him. The kids enjoyed doing pool tricks and singing on the deck while he played guitar. Lots of good times and great memories!

Cousins! (back row L to R) Tate, Joe, Kerry, Jackie, Jim D.

(front row L to R) Nancy, Me, Caroline, Jim C., Sophie, Joan and Amy.

Cousin Jim with Caroline and Jackson doing stunts.

The aunties took the boys to the zoo.

Brett chillin' in the pool. It was a crazy summer weather-wise and we didn't have a lot of good pool days, but we took advantage of it at Sunday Family Fun Day at Auntie Kerry's and the kids even took a dip in the pool on a pretty cold summer day.

We went to a few different parks. My favorite was driving down the street on the way home from Brett's therapy one Friday afternoon and the boys said - someday can we go to that park? And I took a turn and we went right then and there. They were shocked and we had a blast.

I took the boys on a hike at a local preserve area - they chose the bird backpack and we spent the hike doing a scavenger hunt looking for bird-related clues. So fun.

Looking for clues on our hike. Brett loves the sounds of nature - birds and crickets chirping, bugs - it's like a symphony.

Aunt Brenda and Uncle Steve visited from Tennessee - we ate Chicago-style pizza and read books that they brought for the boys - so fun!

Peyton & Jackson celebrate in the van after receiving their T-ball trophies. It was amazing how much their skills improved this summer and also hilarious to watch their "games".

Brett with his baseball buddy Kelsey after he got his trophy!

The boys saw their second movie, Planes, this summer with Grammy & Poppy their aunties and cousins and then Auntie Rhonda took the boys to see Despicable Me 2. They are now seasoned movie goers!

Caroline made many bracelets for all of us on her rainbow loom and gives Peyton a lesson on how it's done.

We took a day off of work to spend with the boys and had a beautiful morning at the arboretum visiting the big bug exhibit.

Brett & the spider

Peyton, Brett, Tate and Jackson.

Brett, me , Peyton & Jackson - and I think there's something behind us.

We wrapped up our family day at the ice cream shop in town - the boys earned a free ice cream certificate from the summer reading program at the library - yum!

Playing in the hose. Sometimes you just need to cool off. I love these pictures with the sun streaming down as they play.

We kicked off the summer with a playdate at a different splash pad than pictured here, then one Friday afternoon decided to check out this one and I took Brett to another one on our special day together but didn't get pictures because I was soaking too and couldn't carry my phone.

We went cherry picking for a Sunday Family Funday and it was so fun. We were at the perfect point of the season and all had a great time. Afterward we went for a swim in the lake.

Thankfully they don't charge for the cherries you eat in the orchard - we all (especially Jackson) really enjoyed them!

Peyton and Caroline filling their buckets.

Brett, Auntie Kerry and Auntie Nancy catching our cherries after they ran through a machine that pokes the pits out for you.

Every year for their birthday Auntie Nancy gives the boys a coupon for a special day out with her. Here is Peyton with Mike Wisowski excited to sleep over there. On the same day Grandma & Granddad took one of the boys so they each get extra one-on-one time!

Jackson & Auntie Nancy on their special day out started out with breakfast at Cracker Barrel - can't go wrong there!

We went to a Kane County Cougars game and had a great family day. Nancy Foust who used to play the organ for the White Sox plays there now on Sundays so that was awesome. The mascot came over to say hi to Brett and later came back with a bat and signed it - so very sweet and kind. It made a special day even more special.

Sundays are family days at the ballpark and there's lots to do. Auntie Nancy took Brett through a bunch of jumpies think he liked it?

The boys got to run the bases after the game - Peyton and Jackson wanted to pretend like they were going back to the warning track, jumping up and catching a ball at the wall.

Peyton and I had some special time together and went on an old fashion paddle boat ride.

Auntie Amy helps Brett play Sophie's fiddle during a Sunday Family FunDay.

There was a special event at Easter Seals where Brett gets his therapy and Ralph from Ralph's World did a mini concert - it was awesome, but also really hot that day!

Peyton (above) and Jackson (below) got face paint masks.

Sophie making a work of art.

Brett doing sidewalk chalk. They rig these contraptions up to the wheel chairs so people with disabilities can create these cool works of art.

My boys on wheels. I have to say when I first saw Peyton climb into a wheel chair my breath caught for a minute. Even with one already in a chair it is odd to see your child in a chair. The wheelchair basketball team was there and they brought extra chairs so others could see what it was like to be in a chair. Jackson (left) and Peytong (right) and Sophie and Caroline all gave it a whirl. The crazy thing is they thought it was so much fun I think they left their thinking it was even cooler that Brett is in a wheelchair - such an interesting perspective!

We always end our summer over Labor Day weekend visiting Grammy & Poppy in Wisconsin. The weather was so awesome and we all had a great time. Here are some of the highlights:

Grammy's birthday party. She made a pinata for the kids, but I was in charge of keeping it in the air, so no pictures - but it was fun.

Cow beach is always a favorite. Thank you Pat & Pappa Don for letting us enjoy your private beach and fun toys. Above sitting on the cow are Brett, Caroline, Jackson, Peyton & Sophie.

Caroline, Jackson & Sophie enjoy a post-swim snack.

Jackson & Sophie pretending to kayak.

Auntie Kerry and Auntie Nancy took all the kids out on the paddle boat here's Peyton & Brett after their ride.

I just love this picture. It looks like Brett is really thinking about what he wants to say to Auntie Nancy.

Auntie Kerry surprised the kids with a super bubbly bath in Grammy's big tub one night. I think they would have played there all night.

Poppy took all the kids for a ride on his ATV before we left - they all LOVED it. Here's Jackson's smile.

Here's Peyton - thrilled before they even moved.

Brett couldn't get enough. He loves the wind in his face and moving fast.

Jackson & Peyton get big Grammy hugs.

Jackson & Brett say goodbye to Auntie Kerry.

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-3190864374562732902013-07-09T20:11:00.002-07:002013-07-09T20:11:57.258-07:00A few firstsWhen I was growing up going to the movies was a big deal. I have a very vague memory of going to see Snow White with my parents and Amy so I must have been three. But I can tell you every movie I saw through to high school. My most memorable was when I was 10 and my mom surprised us and took us to see E.T. It was summer and we were playing outside and she called us in and surprised us. I just wanted to go out and play and remember her saying it was a movie about an alien and that did not appeal to me. But it turned out to be one of my favorite movies and I loved it (thanks mom!) So all this to say that things have changed for kids today (I sound like I'm 100 years old). Really, though. A new animated movie comes out about every other month and the typical age to start going to movies is three and it isn't a rare occurrence, it's a typical activity for kids. But Tate and I both love movies and wanted to wait until the boys were a little older. We recently started to watch some of the Disney movies at home on Family Friday nights. The boys loved Monsters Inc. and laughed a lot. We went back and forth, but thought they would really enjoy Monsters University.
We didn't want to get our hopes up that they would love it too, but they did. Auntie Kerry and Auntie Nancy came along making it even more special for all of us. After it was over Peyton turned to me and asked if we could go to the movies again some time.
One of my other favorite moments was Peyton eating popcorn. He does not share my love for popcorn. But that's because he never had movie popcorn. He leaned over during the movie and said "I think I like popcorn like this. Mommy next time you buy popcorn can you buy this kind?"
I got to have Brett on my lap for the movie and although I don't know how much of the screen he can see he listened intently and laughed at all the funny spots. He really seemed to enjoy it. Jackson was sidled up to Tate eating popcorn by the fist full.
When telling people they went to their first movie most asked if they liked it. They said "yes, and we were really quiet." And they were!

Jackson and Peyton giving their tickets.

Brett turning in his movie ticket.

Before the movies with Tate, me, Brett, Auntie Kerry, Peyton, Jackson and Auntie Nancy - the Monsters University signs were already gone so we posed with Turbo the snail.

Brett enjoying his popcorn.

Peyton, Jackson and Tate just after the lights went down.

Last Friday we went to our first downtown car show. They hold them every week during the summer and we've talked about it for years, but finally did it. The boys seemed to enjoy checking out the cars, but did not like that we asked them not to touch the cars - they're so shiny it's hard not to. It was Mustang night and we met Uncle David and his brother Jimmy, Uncle Dan, Aunt Gina, Karissa and Frankie. We didn't stay long since it starts close to bed time, but it was a fun way to spend a Family Friday night.

Jackson was fascinated by the drive-in speaker on this car. It was actually playing music and he couldn't help, but lean in and listen.

Jackson and Peyton.

Brett found a Mustang that matched his wheels.

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-37475887360960082992013-07-09T19:40:00.002-07:002013-07-09T19:40:27.800-07:00Fourth of July 2013
Jackson, Brett and Peyton

Brett Peyton Jackson
We've avoided parades up until this point because Brett has extremely acute hearing and some sounds really bother him. But this past year he has been doing listening therapy and has been much less bothered by noise. So we decided to give the parade in Brookfield, where I grew up and my sister Amy lives, a try. The boys had a ball!

Squatting on the curb with cousins Caroline and Sophie and Auntie Kerry.

Jackson taking a break in the shade to enjoy a piece of his parade candy.

Peyton and Brett dance to one of the bands.

We continued our tradition of hosting a BBQ and walking to the park across the street to watch the fireworks. We enjoyed time with friends and family and even had a few more families join us this year!
They were all able to stay up for the fireworks, but were begging to go to bed as soon as the fireworks were over.

The boys made patriotic pies with Auntie Kerry for the BBQ.

Jackson and his cherry pie.

Peyton trying to sneak a taste of his strawberry pie.

Brett proud of his blueberry pie.

Lots of bike, big wheel and scooter riding all afternoon. Peyton gives Sophie a lift.

Peyton, Oliver and Jackson hanging out in the yard. The boys played baseball and football for hours with Frankie (background).

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-6821042902117022592013-07-09T19:28:00.001-07:002013-07-09T19:33:03.280-07:00Preschool ends, summer beginsIt feels like just yesterday I was a bundle of nerves putting Brett on the bus for the first time. Like I just had Jackson clinging to me, wiping away tears when the school bell scared him as he went into the classroom on his first day of preschool. I can still see the big smile and even bigger backpack on Peyton as he turned around and gave me an animated wave before disappearing behind the classroom door.
But, we are heading into a new chapter. The boys are kindergartners now.
They couldn't be more excited. I found myself dealing with mixed emotions and realized I was not just sad that this stage was over, but that it was over all at once. While many of my friends will have several preschool graduations with their various aged children, I do it once and it's done. There is some sadness to the finality of that for me and I guess I better get used to it. But it just hit me like a ton of bricks.

Jackson and Peyton had a little graduation ceremony at their school and there was Peyton (right) with that same giant smile so giddy he skipped up onto the stage.

Jackson (left) took it a little more seriously, I thought, proud he is big enough to be a kindergartner. That is until he made his diploma into a telescope. On Jackson's left is Jason their "best friend" from school.

Me, Peyton, Jackson and Tate

Jackson and Peyton and again with their friend Oliver from Sunday School, who also was in a different class in their preschool.

Brett getting a hit during his classroom t-ball game - go Highland Huskies!

Brett on his last day of school.

Brett with Mr. Chris his bus driver. He loved being on his bus. Mr. Chris would decorate the inside for holidays and said Brett would fuss at him if he forgot to turn music on each day.

So by the second week in June when Brett wrapped up we were on to summer break.

Peyton with his first day of summer sun pancake.

We have a tradition once school's out for summer we head to the library and sign up for summer reading. It is one of my favorite memories of my childhood and so we use it to mark our official start to summer. This year the boys could write their names on their folders and sign ups all by themselves. After that we head across the parking lot to our local independent bookstore. The boys each get to pick out one summer read to buy. I thought we would be there all day because none of them could decide - I loved it! Jackson chose a super hero book, Brett a story about a dinosaur going to school and Peyton picked a non-fiction book highlighting some of the all star players in MLB.

Then it's across the railroad tracks to the local ice cream shop.

Peyton loves cherry ice cream - just like Great Grammy always did.

Jackson went with Superman ice cream - no surprise there.

Brett doesn't love the cold of ice cream, but shared a strawberry shake with me and ate all the whipped cream.

The boys again attended Vacation Bible School at our church. They loved it. It's a long week of high energy singing, dancing and fun and they are exhausted by Friday, but so bummed when it ends. This years theme was Kingdom Rock and they made the sanctuary look like a drawbridge of a castle. So fun. Brett's Sunday School teacher's teenage daughter was his buddy this year and all three boys adored her. They keep asking me when they will get to be with Tricia again!

On June 24 just before 10 p.m. we woke the boys because we thought the Chicago Blackhawks might win the Stanley Cup - and they did!!! - we didn't want them to miss it. Brett is not pictured because he was not happy to be awake. He sat with me for a minute to see the win and then put his head down and told me he wanted to go back to bed.

Enjoying some cotton candy and popcorn at their cousin's half birthday party. The theme was the county fair with lots of yummy snacks and fun games.

The boys are playing T-ball again this summer. This year it is still instructional, but they divide the kids into teams and do half instruction and spend the second half being instructed during a game setting. Brett has a park district aid named Kelsey helping him. They were very excited to get a hat and "jersey" this year.

Brett is on the gray sharks.

Peyton is on the white tigers.

Jackson is on the gray sharks with Brett. He really was more excited than the picture shows.

I just love this picture. Brett was helping me water the roses and Peyton just jumped in for a drink from the hose - this picture just says summer to me. I hope you are all enjoying a great one!

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-69837254914313218832013-07-07T20:13:00.000-07:002013-07-07T20:16:11.063-07:00Kentucky vacation

We typically go to Tennessee to visit family, but it was a special birthday for Aunt Delta and several of Tate's cousins planned a surprise family gathering to celebrate. We headed to a state park in Kentucky and had a blast. It rained a lot, but we had fun anyway. We were able to meet some of Tate's cousin's grandchildren who are close in age to the boys and they had a blast playing together. When we arrived some of the other aunts and uncles from Tennessee joined us and we knocked on the door to Aunt Delta's cabin. I think we really surprised her! We celebrated all of the boys' birthdays too. When they lit all of the almost 80 candles the smoke set off the alarm and Peyton went dashing outside. When I got out there he was standing by a tree and was very upset and crying. He was so bothered that none of the other family members ran out to the tree. It is part of our home safety plan to get out if there is a fire and meet at the tree and Peyton didn't understand why nobody else followed the rules. Once he calmed down it made for a lot of laughs.

The boys slept on the floor of our cabin. One night Brett woke up around 2 a.m. repeating the same thing over and over and laughing. I had no idea what he was saying and kept telling him to go to sleep. Finally I was so tired I just scooped him into bed. In the morning I was folding the blankets on the floor and realized that the rainstorm had flooded a part of the floor - including part of the blanket Brett had been sleeping on. I asked him if that was what he was trying to tell me and he shouted "Yaaaah!"

Chilling with the older "cousins"

Playing with Cole.

It was pretty rainy so the Tennessee aunts and cousin Terri decided to take the boys to Walmart to pick out their own birthday gifts. The boys - and the aunts - had so much fun shopping and selecting. It was great because it gave them something to play with indoors too! Thank you for being so generous Aunt Delta, Aunt Juanita, Aunt Thelma and Uncle Burt and Cousin Terry and Walt!

Hanging out in the cabins.

Hanging out on the cabin deck.

Between any raindrops the boys begged for the older cousins to play baseball. They played a TON of baseball and were in their glory.

At the cabin outside and inside with Grandma, Auntie Rhonda and Granddad.

When it was time to leave the boys were so upset. They were having so much fun and Jackson kept crying and saying he didn't want to ever leave his cabin.

Peyton wiped away his tears to console his brother.

Metropolis, Illinois was on our drive home so we took a bit of a detour to see the home of Superman. You'll have to look under the statue for the boys pretending to be the man of steel.

(above) Peyton and Jackson with Daddy and (below) Brett playing checkers with Daddy at one of our favorite vacation meal stops - Cracker Barrel.

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-42555727322666959832013-07-07T19:50:00.000-07:002013-07-07T19:50:13.807-07:00Memorial Day 2013

We spent Memorial Day in Wisconsin with Grammy and Poppy. The weather was pretty crummy - we had a slow start to summer weather and Wisconsin sill had snow on the golf course just a few weeks before. But they did get to play outside and built some fun memories.

We left around dinner time and didn't experience much traffic and nobody needed to stop so made it there quickly. On the drive home we left after dinner and all three boys were asleep before we hit the highway. It was a peaceful drive home!

Peyton driving Poppy's tractor.

Getting a slow drive down the driveway on Poppy's flatbed truck.

Jackson getting some cuddle time with Grammy.

Peyton

Family fun after (most) of the kids are in bed.

We had one day of rain. Grammy gave each of the grandchildren a gift card to her local bookstore and they loved picking out books.

Helping clean out the window wells.

Daddy and Brett get a closer look at a frog from the window well.

Going to a friend's "cow beach" has become a favorite tradition of our visits. It wasn't warm enough to swim, but that didn't seem to dampen the fun.

Peyton

Jackson

Brett

Auntie Kerry and Brett playing on the beach.

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-57169013862547974252013-07-07T19:25:00.000-07:002013-07-09T19:42:58.853-07:00Five is fabulousI don't know why five seems so big to me. It feels like with their fifth birthday they are officially boys - no longer toddlers or preschoolers, but boys. I have loved every age so I'm looking forward to all the fun five has to offer, but can't believe how fast the years have gone already.

The boys love Nascar. They spend a lot of time lining up their Hot Wheels and Matchbox and asking which driver you think will win. They know all the driver's numbers and names. So it was no surprise they all agreed on a Nascar-themed birthday party. As always Auntie Kerry & Auntie Nancy came up with fun decorations and games and they had a fantastic birthday surrounded by family and friends.

Jackson, Sophie, Caroline, Brett and Peyton get ready to swing at the Nascar piñata.

Jackson swinging in the wrong direction.

Grammy being a good sport.

Peyton, Brett and Jackson with the awesome birthday cake Aunt Gina and Uncle Dan made. It was as yummy as it looks.

The pit crew.

Birthday boys with Granddad and Grandma.

Celebrating with Poppy and Grammy.

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-60413064883007023322013-02-25T18:56:00.000-08:002013-02-25T18:56:10.609-08:00Monster trucks
Me and Poppy with Peyton, Jackson & Brett

For Brett's fundraiser last year there were tickets to a Monster Truck show. Amy and my dad both bid on and won tickets. When it came closer to the date Amy realized they would be out of town so she gave the tickets to us. It turned out each set of tickets were for a different day. The donors were gracious enough to exchange them all for the same show.
I called ahead to the venue to see about accessible seating and, unfortunately, because the tickets were a donation and I didn't purchase them I met with some resistance. The company that donated the tickets stepped up and offered us seats in one of their suites, pit passes and made special accommodations to get Brett into the pits by taking a freight elevator! We got the rock star treatment and the boys were each given a program and pennants of the trucks.
Poppy came in to take the boys along with me and Tate, which was the most special part.

The boys loved it, but by intermission Brett was done with the noise (I may have been as well:) The trucks are very loud!

Poppy and Brett

Brett and Peyton

Peyton gives Jackson a pretend ride on a 4-wheeler.

Brett takes a seat on another 4-wheeler.

Getting ready for the event.

Jackson

Peyton

Jackson studying his new Monster Truck program.

Another bonus - Grammy came to visit too! We got to spend some special time with her too playing games and having tons of fun!

Thank you Grammy & Poppy for such a special visit!

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-17026562397668539482013-02-25T04:38:00.001-08:002013-02-25T04:38:15.214-08:00Superbowl SundayThe boys are sports crazy. At 4.5 they know more sports statistics, players and their numbers and teams than I do. They spent the season grilling Tate about all of it and every morning after a game would wake up to ask him who won. One night I woke up to Jackson standing next to our bed. He said - and this is a direct quote - "Excuse me Mommy. Sorry to bother you. Do you know who won the game?" I'm pretty sure it was about 1 a.m. and I wasn't too thrilled, but with manners like that it's hard to be mad!

In addition the boys would do their "picks" every Wednesday with their aunties who take care of them while Tate and I are at work.

When it got down to the two superbowl teams everybody was firmly on the side of the 49ers - except Brett. He went with the Ravens.

The boys were excited about the matchup and even put in their requests for Superbowl snacks.

Auntie Kerry surprised the boys with Super Duper Candyland. The boys love that game and she used colored paper to set up a life-sized version of the game in our house. We all got to take turns being the gingerbread pieces and Auntie Nancy won twice and I won once. The boys had a blast!

We enjoyed the food and the boys got to hang out until half time. They, of course, couldn't wait to find out who won, but wanted to watch the second half the second they woke up.

I didn't take many photos but here's one of everyone eating and watching (me and Brett are off camera!)

Brett in his football helmet pjs - he only snoozed for a few minutes.

As the only one who rooted for the Ravens Brett got to enjoy a big piece of chocolate pie when he got home from school on Monday. Here he is doing a dance - victory really is sweet!

<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOG_video_class" id="BLOG_video-a928cc6213a8ea27" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/get_player"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="flashvars" value="flvurl=https://redirector.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3Da928cc6213a8ea27%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dblogger%26requiressl%3Dyes%26app%3Dblogger%26cmo%3Dsecure_transport%3Dyes%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%3Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1500343154%26sparams%3Dip,ipbits,expire,id,itag,source,requiressl%26signature%3D498E8154ED66077F16E5892F5FD14F483DD30E73.B9F983CB4F57A99CDD3F5D5D4C411E7CF2861B4D%26key%3Dck2&iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3Da928cc6213a8ea27%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DFWvhry_fUcyU3Bc0nKu7aq8FxJA&autoplay=0&ps=blogger"><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/get_player" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="320" height="266" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="flvurl=https://redirector.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3Da928cc6213a8ea27%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dblogger%26requiressl%3Dyes%26app%3Dblogger%26cmo%3Dsecure_transport%3Dyes%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%3Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1500343154%26sparams%3Dip,ipbits,expire,id,itag,source,requiressl%26signature%3D498E8154ED66077F16E5892F5FD14F483DD30E73.B9F983CB4F57A99CDD3F5D5D4C411E7CF2861B4D%26key%3Dck2&iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3Da928cc6213a8ea27%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DFWvhry_fUcyU3Bc0nKu7aq8FxJA&autoplay=0&ps=blogger" allowFullScreen="true" /></object>

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-29794712671439419542013-02-23T18:39:00.001-08:002013-02-23T19:33:43.217-08:00Sledding!!!!

 Our first fairly good snowfall finally came in early February - that's a long winter of waiting for our area. The boys couldn't wait to hit the neighborhood hill. Auntie Kerry and Auntie Nancy bundled up and helped us climb into all our snow gear and we went sledding. It was also one of the coldest days we had had so we didn't stay out too long, but we packed a lot of sledding in!

Told the boys if you take it down, you take it back up - they were real troopers!

Peyton - can you take the picture so I can sled?

Jackson hamming it up.

We still all fit in one sled!

Auntie Nancy gives Auntie Kerry and Brett a push - he giggles the whole way down.

Auntie Nancy ready to launch with Peyton.

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-63403403777141502282013-02-23T18:30:00.005-08:002013-02-23T18:30:53.352-08:00Groundhog dayI've always been confused about the whole groundhog seeing his shadow thing. Do we want him to see it or not?
The boys are talking about it at school so I asked if we wanted him to see his shadow.
Peyton said: "If he sees his shadow that means 6 more weeks of Christmas!"
Hmmm
After school several days later I asked again.
Jackson said: "If he sees his shadow that means six more days of snow!"
Glad they helped me clear that up.Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-67199759988334355132013-02-23T18:29:00.000-08:002013-02-23T19:49:21.664-08:00It's what I wished for!

We have enjoyed every Christmas with our boys, but this year was exceptionally fun. For the first time they really get it. They know Christmas is about baby Jesus. They also couldn't talk about Santa without getting ants in their pants. They made a list this year and the level of excitement was awesome to witness.

By far my favorite was Christmas morning. We eat breakfast upstairs on trays before we go downstairs to see if Santa arrived. As we were finishing up and getting ready to head downstairs all caught up in the Santa excitement Jackson said: "Since today is Jesus' birthday we should say a special prayer to Jesus."
With tears in my eyes I asked if he wanted to lead the family in prayer.
This is what he prayed:
"Dear Jesus, Have a Happy Birthday. I hope you are having a great time in heaven. I love you. Amen."

Then we tiptoed downstairs and the excitement continued. It didn't matter if they were announcing that they got socks in their stocking or opening their favorite gift the enthusiasm was through the roof.

Peyton consistently asked for a Batman bat cave (except the night he asked for a baby sister his own age - yikes!)
When he opened it he shouted "It's what I wished for!!! I got what I wished for!!!
In the past Tate has not taken many photos because we like to just be in the moment and enjoy it. This year he took some video and I'm so glad he did because he captured the joy so well.

I'm including some of the highlight photos related to Santa:

 The boys had to write "Dear Santa" and sign their names. The rest they dictated to me and I wrote down exactly as asked.

My favorites from Jackson "A baseball set I flick and it does it by itself," and "Jumper that goes up in the sky and push a button and it comes back down to you."

Peyton's greeting and closing were so fun: "How is Rudolph doing when you fly?" and "Thank you, I miss you. I'll see you when you are coming."

This is the letter left to Santa with the milk and cookies and carrots. They each told me what to write. My favorites :"It's the best time of the year." and "I'm counting on you Santa." I think they were listening to too many Christmas songs and watching too many Christmas specials!

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-39152522245141831362013-01-09T10:03:00.002-08:002013-01-09T10:03:29.466-08:00Ernie the elfSo, we have an Elf on a Shelf. His name is Ernie. For those of you unfamiliar he is a magic Christmas elf who stays and keeps an eye out to make sure the boys are on the nice list. Each night he reports back to the North Pole and each morning he appears somewhere new in the house. He gets dropped off at our house when St. Nick visits and leaves with Santa on Christmas Eve. The boys love to take turns leading to find where Ernie is each morning.
Elf on a Shelf was once a little known thing, but it caught on and these days lots of kids have an elf. But the last two years they were being sold in stores and there was a cartoon special and there were piles of elves everywhere you turned. I did everything I could to avoid them, because how do you explain that the magic elf from the North Pole can also be purchased at Target? And sure enough before Ernie arrived Peyton saw the Elf on a Shelf in a toy catalog and asked why that was in there and being sold. I froze for a second and talk about "she thought up a lie and she thought it up quick" (I still have trouble with the whole web of lies that is weaved at Christmas while simoltaneously teaching them that Jesus is the most important part of Christmas). Anyway, I said "wow! Ernie is famous. He was picked to be in a catalog." They were so excited too. When Ernie arrived Jackson said "Ernie, congratulations! We saw you in the catalog!"

This was Ernie's message to the boys on his first day, spelled out in M&Ms.

Another of my favorite Ernie moments was about a week later. My dad gifts us with an online Advent calendar each year. It's very cool and interactive and you click on the number and a different scene comes up from the village each day.The icon on the computer screen is a big snowglobe with a tiny village in it. I had trouble getting it on my computer, but was able to get it on my work laptop. Since I was at work when I got it to work I had not yet shown it to the boys. One day the boys asked how Ernie knew if they were being good if they were at school or outside of the house. I said I thought the North Pole elves used a giant snowglobe. Shortly after we got home that day Jackson was standing near my work computer where I work from home. He shouted "Mommy LOOK! Ernie's snowglobe is on your computer!" The boys said they could see our house in the village. I didn't have the heart to tell them otherwise so Poppy's Advent calendar became Ernie's magic snowglobe!

So, each Wednesday when their Aunties watch them while I'm at work the boys do their football picks. It's just for fun and the boys really enjoy following along all week. So with the help of my "elves" Ernie did his picks (he also had the top picks that week with 11 correct).

You can guess who Santa's helper is when your elf has a Dolphins flag in his hand!

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-20889623757845884442013-01-09T09:43:00.000-08:002013-01-09T09:43:02.634-08:00Christmas time
It seems like the second Thanksgiving is over we are off and running into a pretty busy holiday season. But, busy in a good way with lots of fun activities and time with friends and family. I have fallen behind on blogging so am doing a collage in an effort to catch up. Here are some of the highlights of our busy and blessed Christmas season. (warning, this is a long one!)

We have had an unseasonably warm winter. As I write this in early January we broke a record for 320 days without and inch of snow and today it is 42 degrees and sunny. Here we are in December at Auntie Kerry's house. It was in the 60s and we didn't need coats while helping her put out some of her exterior Christmas decorations. We took advantage and took a break to play football as well as walk to their neighborhood park for some fun.

Every day the boys wanted to decorate something. They have their own trees in their rooms and love to choose and hang the ornaments themselves. Brett LOVES his tree and plays by it almost every morning.

Jackson

Peyton

Brett

Brett helps Grandma decorate her tree.

Jackson putting ornaments on Grandma & Granddad's tree.

Enjoying the Christmas train under Grandma & Granddad's tree. When you walk in their house Brett doesn't even look at them he is contorting to get a look at the train. He loves that train!

Are there any gifts yet? Left anywhere in a room Brett will roll until he is under the tree and able to grab the branches.

One of our favorite family traditions is an event called Spirit Village at our church. They transform a portion of the church into an old time town. All the volunteers dress in old-time costumes. There are activities and treats for the kids, but the purpose is to raise funds for the missions our church supports. You go to the different "shops" in the village and can "purchase" a goat for a family in Africa or school supplies for children in the inner city of Chicago. There are a wide range of price points and options.

Grandma helps Brett gets his face painted with a snowman by Aly, one of the girls in my Confirmation small group.

Peyton coloring a Christmas card that will be sent to a missionary in another part of the world.

Jackson showing off his Christmas card for a missionary.

 We had a lot of fun marking our days through Advent this year. Despite that the boys asked just about daily if the next day was Christmas.

Jackson marks off the days on a Santa face he made in preschool.

Grandma & Granddad wrapped books for the boys Advent. Each night before bed they took turns opening a new book and we would read it before bedtime. So much fun for the boys and perfect for me because I love books! The boys were so good about taking turns. They also took turns opening the windows of the Advent calendar from Grammy & Poppy and have gotten so good at spotting their numbers.

Each year we have had the blessing of attending the Shriners Christmas party via an ongoing invitation from a gentleman Tate works with. We attended long before Brett's diagnosis and we have since benefited greatly from the care given Brett at Shriner's Children's Hospital. So it is now a double blessing. The party includes lots of fun such as clowns, moon jumps, a gift from Santa, games, hot dogs and chips and our annual visit to Santa himself.

Auntie Kerry helping the boys with pop a shot basketball.

Auntie Kerry and Brett.

Peyton got a nose from a clown and decided he was Rudolph.

 Another favorite family tradition has become watching Charlie Brown Christmas while eating pizza in front of the TV. It's a big deal at our house. Then we tuck in our sleeping bags and get to sleep under the Christmas tree. It's pretty magical.

The boys made each their own gingerbread houses at Grandma & Granddad's. They decided they would wait until after Christmas to eat them. Then decided they were too stale to eat. The boys and their cousins all pitched in on a gingerbread house during Family Fun Day at Auntie Kerry & Auntie Nancy's

Jackson, Sophie and Peyton.

Brett licking his fingers after finishing.

This is actually several weeks later while celebrating Christmas. Brett, Caroline, Peyton, Sophie & Jackson took the gingerbread house under the table and got busy eating it.

Later that evening they changed into their PJs and all the cousins went to the Park District for storytime with Santa.

Auntie Kerry keeps them entertained while waiting to see Santa.

A visit with the big guy Caroline, Jackson, Santa, Brett, Sophie and Peyton.

After seeing Santa the children all got milk and cookies. I snuck in a snuggle with Brett.

After milk and cookies the children go on a reindeer hunt. They search throughout the park district rec center for a bag of candy canes with their name on it and some reindeer antlers. Jackson sporting his - so cute!

Listening to Santa's bedtime story.

The boys all had a lot of fun getting ready for Christmas with lots of fun art projects in Preschool. Jackson & Peyton performed on stage for the first time in their preschool show.

Brett made this adorable hat at his preschool Christmas party. I had the privilege of volunteering in his class that day and we had a lot of fun!

Jackson in the white snowman shirt and Peyton just to his right in red.

The boys helped make M&M Christmas cookies which they gave to their friends and volunteers who help in their Sunday school class.

Brett enjoys helping in the kitchen and added the M&Ms in.

Peyton adding in the flour.

Jackson waiting patiently while the ingredients are blended.

Sitting on the couch watching Christmas cartoons and licking a spoonful of cookie dough - doesn't get much better than that.

We did the Minivan Express - each of the boys got a ticket after getting in their Pjs and got to get on board the minivan for a tour around town to look at the lights. They begged to get out of the van to get a closeup look at our town's tree. It was cold, but they chased each other around the tree, sang and giggled and it's a great memory.

We celebrate Christmas Eve by going to church with all of the family. That is my favorite. We take up a whole row but all of my immediate family and Tate's all sit together and worship - that's Christmas to me! Afterwards we go to my cousin Joan & Joe's house. As always we all had a blast.

Peyton and Grammy partner up to play Go Ape.

In their PJs at Joan and Joe's and ready to head home to tuck in before Santa arrives.

I will do a separate blog on Santa's visit to our house. Here are some moments from Christmas day at Grandma and Granddad's.

Jackson, Tate and Peyton look over the directions to one of their new toys.

The pictures don't really capture the joy. They were so excited about each and every gift they opened.

Love this picture! Grandma, Jackson, Granddad, Brett and Peyton

The boys were off school and I had some vacation time so we headed to the arboretum to see the trains. Poppy, Grandma and Auntie Rhonda joined us. It was fun and a nice change of pace.

Poppy and Peyton watch the trains go by.

Brett would have stayed and watched those trains all day!

We had a dusting of snow on the ground and the boys begged to go play in it. It turned out to be great packing snow, but not enough for sledding as they were hoping. We did manage to make this very tiny snowman though and have a small snowball fight.

Then we enjoyed hot chocolate! Actually, they really just devoured the tower of whipped cream and dashed off to play.

We celebrated Christmas with Grammy & Poppy four days after Christmas on Saturday so everyone could be together. It was nice and we had the whole day to hang out and play!

Grammy helps Brett open his gift.

Tate, Peyton and Jackson play with their baseball guys.

Uncle Jackie leads the family sing along.

And then the kids took over!

The cousins: Peyton, Brett, Caroline, Sophie and Jackson.

Wow! a family picture!! Back row: Tate, Kerry, Nancy and Jackie. Front row: Me, Brett, Peyton, Poppy, Caroline, Grammy, Jackson, Amy and Sophie.

If you made it this far you are likely as exhausted as we are, but it was a blessed season!

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-91782221434335377082012-12-29T19:16:00.001-08:002012-12-29T19:16:56.260-08:00Fun at Granddad's work
Guest Blogger: This was a "boys only" outing, but I wanted to share it on the blog so this one is conveyed by Tate aka "Daddy"

There are a few things almost every boy has in common. One of those things is the dream of what they will be when they grow up. At some point, every boy wants to be a football player, baseball player, doctor, astronaut, policeman and fireman. In many cases (as it was with me) you believe you will be all of them. Well, as a child I was lucky. My dad WAS a fireman. My play toys as a child were actual fire helmets, gloves, boots, coats. I even had one of those red lights that attached on an off duty car. It was pretty cool as a child. Still is.

When I was about four or five I remember my first trip to dad's work. I remember the smell, what time of year it was and everywhere I got to go in the firehouse. The last time I was in that firehouse was about 20 years ago when I was in college. Lucky for me, and my boys, their granddad wanted his grandsons to have the same experiences I had as a child. I think the boys enjoyed it as much as I did when I was their age.

This truck we are standing in front of the boys' granddad actually drove.
It is still in service as the number 2 fire engine.
He also drove the big ladder truck.

The boys got to do tons of things and all of the guys who were working were great with the boys. I can't give them enough praise. The boys got fire helmets with lights attached to the sides like real firemen. They got to sit in fire trucks. They got to ring the bell on granddad's fire engine. They ran around the sleeping quarters and even ate cookies in the kitchen.

Here Jackson is showing a real fireman how to drive the truck.

Brett sitting in the same seat his granddad did.

Peyton in the jump seat ready to go!

When I was growing up our family's best friends were the fire chief and his family. Every time we got together I always played firemen with their son Tom. We either played fire station or talked about everything fireman related. Tom is now the fire chief of the same Fire Department where our dads worked. There was only one other chief between him and his dad. That too is a pretty cool thing.

The bed all the way on the right by the chief was granddad's bed.
The boys seemed to like running around the sleeping quarters the most for some reason.

All five of us had a great boy's outing. I'm pretty sure granddad and I had as much, if not more, fun than the boys did. I know I'm more excited than they are to take them back again when they are a little older. I'm sure granddad is too.

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-86024106836027283572012-12-05T19:36:00.002-08:002012-12-05T19:36:50.574-08:00So thankfulI saw this idea in a Pottery Barn catalog, but didn't want to pay the crazy price. Then I saw something similar on Pinterest and our Tree of Thanks was created.
Tate helped me draw the branches and Brett and I painted the whole tree. I created some leaf templates and the boys traced and cut them out. They practiced their letters writing what they were thankful for each night. We do thankfuls each night at prayer time, but this made it a little bit more special and they had to say why they were thankful for what they chose. It was so sweet and fun and even though we've put up our Christmas tree we haven't been able to bring ourselves to take down the Tree of Thanks.

The first night.

Here are some of the leaves:

Grandma & Granddad

Caroline & Sophie (their cousins)

Daddy

Other thankfuls included Brett being thankful for his bed on a night he was super tired, Grammy and Poppy, Brett's teacher, me, family fun days, their aunties, some school and family friends, and even a few toys just to name a few. So blessed to have so much to be thankful for every day.

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-65621057045473099052012-12-05T19:24:00.000-08:002012-12-05T19:24:20.674-08:00Election 2012The boys were interested in the election and I was bummed that I couldn't take them to the polls with me since I had to go on my way to work.
While talking about it Jackson said: "I want to be president." so I asked him what his stance was.
"What's a stance?" he asked. After I explained he didn't skip a beat before saying: "Everything that needs fixing, I will fix."
I believe I have a future politician on my hands. Then he says: "I think you should vote for me!"

So we held our own election. Each of the boys got to pick one item they wanted for breakfast and then they had to make a poster and campaign for their breakfast. Jackson had waffles. Peyton chose pancakes and Brett picked oatmeal.

The campaigns went something like "vote for mine it tastes good" and Peyton tried to persuade us to choose pancakes because they are "soft and fluffy" and Jackson went with how the waffle can hold the syrup in the holes and Brett just laughed, trying to get votes on his charm.

They used their click and drag skills on the computer to make their posters and then their cutting and pasting skills to add their breakfast item.

Pancake won the election, although we found out there was a spoiled ballot. Jackson confessed he voted for waffle because that is what he was campaigning for, but wanted a pancake so he voted for both. Yep, future politician.

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-1602672227390533822012-12-05T19:09:00.000-08:002012-12-05T19:09:23.174-08:00Halloween Maytees!Yo Ho Crew! This year the boys changed what they wanted to be for Halloween every 5 minutes. I thought we had landed on being superheroes and we were narrowing it down when my sister said her family was going to be pirates. I mentioned it to the boys and they loved the idea. They had just started watching the Disney cartoon Jake and the Neverland Pirates - a spin off of Peter Pan. Peyton called that he was going to be Jake and I thought we would have an argument on our hands but Jackson said he wanted to be Cubby, the other pirate. Brett is so easy going he didn't mind. He was given choices of Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Tick Tock Croc or one of the other pirates and he consistently chose Captain Hook. Then Tate got the idea to do something cool with Brett's wheelchair and we were off and running.

Here are some pictures from the fun day. A special thank you to Auntie Kerry & Auntie Nancy for taking Jackson & Peyton to their Halloween parade while I was at work. Auntie Kerry also went the extra mile putting some special touches on all the boys' costumes to make them as close to the characters on the show as possible.

After trick or treating we hosted the Halloween party that has become a tradition - Uncle Jackie makes chili and we all hang out. Everyone had a blast, but I am super bummed we somehow didn't get any pictures of Grandma & Granddad in costume. They dressed up too and Granddad even had a parrot on his shoulder!

Brett could only wear a costume to school that was like everyday clothes so he went as a White Sox player!

Jackson as Cubby with his treasure map in hand.

Peyton as Jake the pirate.

Peyton & Jackson showing off their pirate loot at preschool.

Jackson & Peyton's preschool parade.

Brett turned into Captain Hook when he got home from school.

Check out the awesome ship Tate made for Brett! It turned into a playhouse for a few weeks after Halloween.

Sophie, Peyton, Brett & Caroline.

Me and Jackson

The trick or treat crew.

Auntie Amy, Uncle Jackie, Sophie & Caroline.

The Campbell crew - Kerry, Nancy, Grammy, Poppy, Me and Amy.

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-73010841045350570882012-12-04T20:44:00.000-08:002012-12-04T20:44:09.236-08:00Fall full of fun

There was a lot fun this fall.

There was a free fall fest near Auntie Kerry and Nancy's house and so we spent a family fun day enjoying some warm fall weather.

Jackson on a pony ride

Brett on a pony ride

Me, Amy and our kids.

Auntie Amy, Brett, Auntie Kerry, Auntie Nancy, Peyton and Sophie on the train (Jackson & Caroline were next to me).

On a hay ride.

Auntie Kerry and Auntie Nancy got the clothes together and the boys built scarecrows. We never did put heads on them!

Ok, so I think Halloween should be smiley ghosts and candy corns. Tate and Auntie Kerry and Auntie Nancy like the spooky side of things. Throughout the fall they would take the boys to the Halloween store to try on masks. Here is some of their creepy fun:

We went to the pumpkin farm for another family fun day when Grammy & Poppy were here visiting - it was one of the coldest days we have had but we had a great time.

Jumping on the big bubble.

Jackson & Auntie Amy at the top of the hay stacks.

Peyton & Auntie Amy

Poppy, Grammy & their grandchildren.

Caroline & Peyton

Sophie, Jackson & Uncle Jackie

Auntie Amy, Caroline, Auntie Kerry & Auntie Nancy

me and Jackson

Auntie Kerry & Brett on a pony ride

Jackson in the giant pile of corn kernels.

Brett walking through the corn with Auntie Nancy.

Peyton & Jackson with the pumpkins they chose.

A few days before Halloween Grandma & Granddad came over for a pizza party and to help us carve our pumpkins.

Peyton and Jackson look on as Tate plans out the Jack o Lantern face.

The boys and granddad make a Spiderman pumpkin.

Peyton cleaning out his pumpkin.

Grandma & Brett got the slimy job of separating the guts from the seeds.

Jackson & Granddad show off their pumpkin.

Peyton looks just like his pumpkin.

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-42361306935988541302012-12-04T20:07:00.004-08:002012-12-04T20:07:56.540-08:00First Tennessee football game
I decided to make this a separate post because it was a first. As we were planning to visit Tennessee this fall Tate asked me what I thought about bringing the boys to their first Vols game. I knew the boys would love it, but wondered if they were too young. Tate said that his cousin Jenny went to her first game when she was 4 so I figured we would give it a shot. I remember my first Vol Walk and game and was excited to share the experience with the boys. Tate was psyched. We all had a blast.
Special thanks to Jenny, Aunt Brenda & Uncle Steve who went out of their way to make it a very special day. We enjoyed lunch on the campus, the boys got to meet the Smokey mascot, we had a front row seat to seeing the marching band and cheerleaders perform pre-game while enjoying a "T" cookie from Aunt Brenda, played in the family area on inflatables, met the real Smokey, played football on campus and it was all topped off by a great game. The boys LOVED it and Brett couldn't get enough. It was an amazing day start to finish and even though we ducked out a bit early because the boys were getting tired they beat Akron!
Here are some of the highlights:

Peyton admiring his power "T" cookie from Aunt Brenda

Lots of fun with Smokey - he was so great with the boys and it was one of their favorite memories of the game!

Yep, Brett is rockin' an orange mohawk and playing peek-a-boo with Smokey.

Me and Brett on the front lines at the Vol walk.

Peyton and Auntie Nancy and Jackson and Tate cheer on the players as they head into the stadium.

Auntie Kerry took Brett through the Tennessee inflatable.

Jackson & Peyton wait for their turn so they can race each other.

Brett loved meeting the real Smokey.

And the Vols Girls Volleyball team!

Peyton under the Peyton Manning Way sign on a beautiful Tennessee day.

Cheering in front of Neyland Stadium.

Auntie Kerry and Brett ready to cheer on the team.

Jackson excited for kickoff with Auntie Nancy, Aunt Brenda & Jenny.

Peyton and Tate cheering on the Vols.

Brett got rock star seating so Tate joined him in the sea of orange.

Auntie Kerry treated to a snow cone - they didn't offer any to anyone not even Uncle Steve.

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-46834250861029367082012-12-04T19:33:00.000-08:002012-12-04T19:34:47.089-08:00Tennessee 2012We made our annual trip to Tennessee this September and we all had a blast. It was fun to hear the boys talk about what they remember and how much they were looking forward to seeing all of our family there.

Here are some photos from our visit:

Jackson on the road. Grandma made the boys bags with special items to enjoy and pass the time.

Peyton and Jackson stop to play at a Cracker Barrel in Kentucky

Brett plays DJ in the car.

Peyton playing baseball in Aunt Delta's yard.

Jackson & Peyton in the "outfield." They played baseball until the cows came home - literally. They would play until the cows came up from the pasture.

As if we aren't spoiled enough in Tennessee cousin Terrie made arrangements for me and my sisters Kerry & Nancy to get a pedicure while she, Tate, Aunt Thelma and Uncle Bert took the boys to the park. I'm still overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity.

The best part of visiting in Tennessee ... all the love:

Tate's favorite - Big breakfast - Yum!

Brett getting some love from Aunt Thelma

Peyton getting kissed on by cousin Terrie

Jackson getting hugs from Uncle Bert

Brett hanging out with Aunt Ramelle and Aunt Juanita,

A family gathering

The cousins

The boys' birthdays are in May, but they celebrate their Tennessee birthday when we are there. The boys even got to pick what they wanted for the cake and they each got their own baseball uniform and personalized ball bags - look out Little League here we come!

The coolest kid's table. Aunt Brenda & Uncle Steve set up a special Tennessee table for the boys and made a wonderful brunch.

This is as close as Jackson would get to Jenny's Coconut - as you can see she is a fierce dog.

Brett, on the other hand, couldn't get enough of her love and kisses.

Visiting with Jenny and Aunt Peggy came in from Georgia to see the boys.

Jackson - looks good in a Vol's uniform.

Peyton as Smokey

Peyton, Brett & Jackson - three monkeys jumping on the bed. On the way home we stop at a hotel - a huge treat for the boys because they get to swim.

Auntie Kerry & Nancy called our hotel room pretending to be hotel employees to see if the boys were behaving - Peyton did not know what to make of that.

At Steak & Shake on the way home - Brett's face captures how we all feel when visiting Tennessee!

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3778467985717714346.post-68923388809651761342012-10-21T19:56:00.000-07:002012-10-21T19:56:01.570-07:00First days of school - pre-KBrett started school just before Labor Day and Jackson and Peyton, who go to a different school, started just after. They are all loving school and it's really amazing to see how far they've come with skills like coloring, drawing, cutting and writing their names.

Jackson, Brett & Peyton get on the "bus" at the mall!

Grandma took the boys back-to-school shopping for their school shoes. They literally walked in the store, picked the pair they liked, tried them on and never wavered. If it were that easy for me I might actually shoe shop!

Good thing Grandma's carry quarters. She treated the boys to a few rides on the race car and motor cycle at the mall. Brett loved that the race car moved!

Grandma and Brett hangin' at the mall.

Brett's first day

He did not want to take his eyes off the Spider Man backpack he picked - he loves that thing!

Brett had a great time this summer, but he really loves school. I think he was looking forward to getting back - especially the bus ride. He still squeals with delight when the bus pulls up every day.

Jackson and Peyton's first day

Jackson insisted on this backpack - it's an adult size and he rarely has more than one or two papers to carry, but he will not give it up!

Peyton sporting the Superman backpack.

Awwww!

Last year Jackson clung to me for dear life on the first day screaming and Peyton had a day or two of hesitation. By the end of the school year they were running to the door barely looking back to say good bye.

This year on their first day they had to line up and tell the teacher how to spell their name and pick a name tag color. Most of the other kids had their moms standing with them - not mine. I got the "no mom we can do it ourselves." So I cried on their first day of school ;)

Jodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227172010714967395noreply@blogger.com0

WARC-Identified-Payload-Type: application/atom+xml

Server: blogger-renderd

Cache-Control: public, must-revalidate, proxy-revalidate, max-age=1

Content-Type: application/atom+xml; charset=UTF-8


markdown:
[http://blip.tv/file/3198277](http://blip.tv/file/3198277) [http://blip.tv/file/get/Phapamtinhdo-BaDieuThieuXot365.wmv](http://blip.tv/file/get/Phapamtinhdo-BaDieuThieuXot365.wmv) [http://blip.tv/file/get/Phapamtinhdo-BaDieuThieuXot475.mp3](http://blip.tv/file/get/Phapamtinhdo-BaDieuThieuXot475.mp3)
12/02/06
Trung Tâm Phật Học
TP HCM
ĐĐ Thích Minh Thành thuyết giảng "Mỗi ngày siêng nghe Pháp. Ứng dụng tu hành đúng như Pháp. Giúp đỡ mọi người hiểu được Pháp. Là cách tu hành thiết thực nhất"

WARC-Type: response

Content-Type: application/http; msgtype=response

WARC-Identified-Payload-Type: text/html

Server: GSE

X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff

Cache-Control: private, max-age=0

X-XSS-Protection: 1; mode=block

Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8


markdown:
### Tê Tay Chân
[Tê tay chân khi ngủ](te-tay-chan-khi-ngu-351.html)
Tê tay chân khi ngủ là căn bệnh phổ biến mà ai cũng có thể gặp phải. Trong đó, ba đối tượng thường hay gặp phải căn bệnh này là người cao tuổi, người mắc phải các căn bệnh mãn tính về xương khớp và những người ít vận động.
[Xem Thêm](te-tay-chan-khi-ngu-351.html)
[Tê nhức chân tay uống thuốc gì?](te-nhuc-chan-tay-uong-thuoc-gi-294.html)
Tê nhức chân tay là một trong những triệu chứng thường gặp ở từng độ tuổi. Tê nhức chân tay tuy là căn bệnh không gây nguy hiểm đến tính mạng nhưng nếu không được điều trị người mắc bệnh tê tay chân sẽ gây ra một số biến chứng nguy hiểm như: Teo cơ yếu cơ, làm cho người bệnh mất dần khả năng lao động làm việc cũng như vấn đề đi lại….
[Xem Thêm](te-nhuc-chan-tay-uong-thuoc-gi-294.html)
[Tê tay chân là bệnh gì?](te-tay-chan-la-benh-gi-249.html)
Tê tay chân là hiện tượng tay chân tê buốt khá phổ biến mà ai cũng có thể mắc phải, từ những người làm công việc ít vận động cho đến các đối tượng làm việc tay chân.
[Xem Thêm](te-tay-chan-la-benh-gi-249.html)
[Tê tay chân là gì?](te-tay-chan-la-gi-226.html)
Tê tay chân là triệu chứng sinh lý rất phổ biến trong đời sống hằng ngày. Tuy là một trong những căn bệnh không gây nguy hiểm đến tính mạng, nhưng nếu không điều trị kịp thời, bệnh nhân tê tay chân sẽ ảnh hưởng đến mọi vận động sinh hoạt trong đời sống.
[Xem Thêm](te-tay-chan-la-gi-226.html)
[Bài thuốc đông y điều trị bệnh tê tay chân](bai-thuoc-dong-y-chua-benh-te-tay-chan-145.html)
Tê tay chân là triệu chứng thường gặp ở mọi độ tuổi. Tê tay chân trong đông y gọi là ma mộc - tê bì. Tê tay chân có thể là triệu chứng của một số bệnh như thoái hóa khớp, thoát vị đĩa đệm, các bệnh hệ thần kinh. Vì vậy, nếu tê tay chân kéo dài cần được chữa trị kịp thời.Sau đây là một số bài thuốc đông y chữa tê tay chân hiệu quả.
[Xem Thêm](bai-thuoc-dong-y-chua-benh-te-tay-chan-145.html)
[Điều trị tê tay chân bằng thuốc nam](chua-te-tay-chan-bang-thuoc-nam-102.html)
Tê tay chân là triệu chứng thường gặp ở nhiều độ tuổi khác nhau. Tê tay chân có thể là do lao động, làm việc nhều nhưng cũng có trường hợp tê bì tay chân là dấu hiệu của các bệnh nguy hiểm. Sau đây, xin giới thiệu đến các bạn những bài thuốc nam chữa tê tay chân hiệu quả.
[Xem Thêm](chua-te-tay-chan-bang-thuoc-nam-102.html)
[Tê tay chân là gì, nguyên nhân, triệu chứng, cách điều trị ?](te-tay-chan-la-gi-nguyen-nhan-trieu-chung-cach-dieu-tri-15.html)
Tê tay chân là một bệnh được xếp vào nhóm bệnh thần kinh. Tê tay chân có thể gặp ở cả người trẻ và người già. Vì vậy chúng ta cần biết tê tay chân là gì để có biện pháp phòng và trị bệnh hiệu quả.
[Xem Thêm](te-tay-chan-la-gi-nguyen-nhan-trieu-chung-cach-dieu-tri-15.html)

Connection: close

Pragma: no-cache

Cache-Control: no-store, no-cache, must-revalidate, post-check=0, pre-check=0

Vary: Accept-Encoding,User-Agent


markdown:
Huỳnh-Linh chào hỏi hé-lô,
Còn gọi thi-sĩ làm tui ngại-ngùng.
Vần thơ nung-đúc thân thương ,
Có em kêu nài tra hỏi gì đây?
Hia quên A Nghí y buồn,
Khóc đúng năm phút miệng méo dễ thương .
Chuyện nầy thấy lạ à nghen!
Hỏng nghe Nghí khóc, làm Út khóc theo.
Ôi thay! tình cảm chị em,
Lập tức mang đến đền bù cho em.
Nghĩ thương cùng phái Nga Mi,
Muốn khóc là khóc, chắc tui khóc theo.
Các em phê-phán nhoi lên:
Kẻ cầm bút khóc rồi bà con ơi!
Còn nhớ tới Star Wars xi-na-ma,
Chữ không dấu như người máy phát ngôn.
Thanh Lien
連鎮源
Còn gọi thi-sĩ làm tui ngại-ngùng.
Vần thơ nung-đúc thân thương ,
Có em kêu nài tra hỏi gì đây?
Hia quên A Nghí y buồn,
Khóc đúng năm phút miệng méo dễ thương .
Chuyện nầy thấy lạ à nghen!
Hỏng nghe Nghí khóc, làm Út khóc theo.
Ôi thay! tình cảm chị em,
Lập tức mang đến đền bù cho em.
Nghĩ thương cùng phái Nga Mi,
Muốn khóc là khóc, chắc tui khóc theo.
Các em phê-phán nhoi lên:
Kẻ cầm bút khóc rồi bà con ơi!
Còn nhớ tới Star Wars xi-na-ma,
Chữ không dấu như người máy phát ngôn.
Thanh Lien
連鎮源

WARC-Truncated: length

WARC-Identified-Payload-Type: application/xhtml+xml

P3P: CP="IDC DSP COR ADM DEVi TAIi PSA PSD IVAi IVDi CONi HIS OUR IND CNT"

Cache-Control: no-cache

Vary: User-Agent

Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8


markdown: Quarks de todos los sabores: Reto de los 30 libros, día 3


markdown:
Điều đầu tiên cần nghiên cứu là về giá bất động sản ở thời điểm hiện tại trong khu vực mà bạn muốn đầu tư. Ví dụ, một nhà đầu tư tiềm năng nên xem xét liệu giá nhà trong khu vực mình muốn mua có tăng nhanh hơn so với các khu vực khác.
Chiến tranh thế giới thứ 2 kết thúc vào ngày 02/09/1945, Nhật Bản hoang tàn bởi bom đạn, phần đông dân số rơi vào cảnh đói ăn trầm trọng. 30% dân số không có nhà ở, 6 triệu người lính và dân thường từ khắp các vùng chiến sự ở Thái Bình Dương quay trở về Nhật.
Kinh tế toàn cầu tăng trưởng chậm vào năm 2016 vì nhiều lý do và thay đổi tùy theo khu vực. Nguyên nhân có thể kể đến là các sự kiện địa chính trị như Brexit, cuộc đảo chính ở Thổ Nhĩ Kỳ, nội chiến đang diễn ra tại Syria, cuộc bầu cử tổng thống Mỹ, cũng như những thay đổi chính sách tại Mỹ và một số nền kinh tế lớn khác.
Chuyển khoản ngân hàng và thẻ tín dụng đều là phương pháp chuyển tiền từ tài khoản ngân hàng để thanh toán cho các hạng mục hoặc dịch vụ. Tuy nhiên, giữa chúng có sự khác biệt rất lớn. Về cơ bản, chuyển khoản ngân hàng thường liên quan đến các khoản tiền lớn và thẻ tín dụng thì liên quan đến các khoản nợ.
Lý do chủ yếu mà hầu hết các nhà đầu tư mua cổ phiếu chính là chúng có tiềm năng tăng giá theo thời gian. Khi trở thành cổ đông của một công ty, bạn có thể giao dịch cổ phiếu ở bất cứ thời điểm nào.
Hiểu rõ thị trường
Thương nhân có thể lựa chọn nhiều phân khúc thị trường để đầu tư như cổ phiếu, trái phiếu, hàng hóa và tiền tệ, nhưng đạt được sự hiểu biết thấu đáo về cách hoạt động của từng thị trường và loại hình thương mại là mục tiêu thực sự cần thiết. Mặc dù may mắn đóng vai trò rất lớn trong kinh doanh nhưng bạn không thể phụ thuộc vào nó. Là một thương nhân hiểu biết bạn phải nắm được cơ chế hoạt động của thị trường, những yếu tố nào ảnh hưởng đến giá của thị trường và những rủi ro sẽ gặp phải.
Nông nghiệp vẫn là một ngành quan trọng của kinh tế châu Phi, chiếm 2,4% GDP của Equatorial Guinea, 70% GDP của Liberia, và khoảng 15% GDP của lục địa này.
Có hai phương pháp chính được dùng để dự đoán thị trường tài chính. Phương pháp đầu tiên là những phân tích cơ bản dựa trên dữ liệu tài chính như báo cáo thu nhập, hệ số P/E và các thông cáo báo chí để dự đoán xu hướng thị trường trong tương lai. Phương pháp thứ hai là những phân tích kỹ thuật dựa vào các mẫu biểu đồ và những chỉ số khác dựa trên dữ liệu giá.
Barclays PLC là một công ty tài chính và ngân hàng quốc tế có trụ sở tại Luân Đôn. Thông qua công ty mẹ và các công ty con, Barclays cung cấp nhiều dịch vụ tài chính gồm ngân hàng bán lẻ, ngân hàng doanh nghiệp và đầu tư, quản lý tài sản và thẻ tín dụng.
Thuật ngữ “mở rộng quy mô và quốc tế hóa” và “chuyển đổi ngành công nghiệp” đã được nhắc đến thường xuyên trong suốt bài phát biểu về ngân sách vào đầu năm 2016 của Bộ trưởng Tài chính Singapore - Heng Swee Keat.
Thống kê thương mại cho thấy Liên minh châu Âu (EU) là điểm đến của khoảng hơn ½ tổng lượng xuất khẩu hàng hóa từ Anh, chiếm 63% kim ngạch xuất khẩu hàng hóa của quốc gia này khi là thành viên Liên minh châu Âu. Và rất có thể một thỏa thuận thương mại thuận lợi đạt được hậu Brexit sẽ có lợi cho cả hai bên trong việc duy trì mối quan hệ giao thương gần gũi.
Mục tiêu mà không có kế hoạch thực hiện cụ thể thì chỉ là một giấc mơ, vì vậy cách tốt nhất để thiết lập mục tiêu là viết chúng ra giấy và lập ra kế hoạch thực hiện rõ ràng.
Theo báo cáo mới từ Dịch vụ nhà đầu tư của Moody, Thế vận hội sẽ giúp Brazil cải thiện cơ sở hạ tầng của Rio nhưng việc gia tăng lượng khách du lịch sẽ không thể giúp Brazil thoát khỏi cuộc suy thoái dài nhất kể từ năm 1930.
Cổ phiếu được định giá dựa trên lợi nhuận mà nó mang lại cho các nhà đầu tư trong tương lai. Cổ tức được trả bằng cổ phiếu thường có thể thay đổi nên các nhà đầu tư phải xác định được mức giá mà họ có thể chi trả. Cổ phiếu thường được định giá theo công thức tăng trưởng của nó.
Cổ phiếu đại diện cho quyền sở hữu của một công ty và quyền sở hữu này có thể mang về lợi nhuận, đó là lý do tại sao các nhà đầu tư mua cổ phiếu của công ty.
Ngành công nghiệp tài chính của Ý đã thông qua kế hoạch thiết lập quỹ giải cứu với sự hỗ trợ của chính phủ nhằm trợ giúp các ngân hàng có nguy cơ thất bại cao.
HOSE
HNX
Truyện cười
Bạn đọc viết
Thư viện ảnh
Video
SIU REVIEW
ĐT: (84-8) 54093929 - 54093930 - Email: esiureview@siu.edu.vn
Sơ đồ site
|
Liên hệ
Copyright 2012 © SIU Review, All rights reserved

Cache-Control: public, max-age=1