Hit the big 3-3 last Friday. As panicky as I felt three years ago about entering into the 30's, I'm finding it quite nice here. More comfortable in my own skin; content with the life God has given me; excited for the future but enjoying the moment; blessed by an amazing family. The year ahead is just ripe with possibility.
A few thoughts on growing older that I enjoy:
"Everything I know I learned after 30." - Georges Clemenceau
"It takes a long time to become young." - Pablo Picasso
"Pleas'd to look forward,
Pleas'd to look behind,
And count each day
with a grateful mind."
- Alexander Pope
"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." - Psalm 90:12
Monday, July 12, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
You've Been Warned
It is high time we shed our inept web address. Therefore, one of these days you will find yourself denied access to the Party. No worries. You will be able to find us here:
www.louwersefam.blogspot.com
Just wanted to give you fair warning so those of you who enjoy stopping in from time to time will know where to find us.
www.louwersefam.blogspot.com
Just wanted to give you fair warning so those of you who enjoy stopping in from time to time will know where to find us.
Vacation Rules
This was pretty much my mantra for the last two weeks. After loading down Minnie the Van with what seemed to me like all of our worldly belongings (sans the proverbial kitchen sink) the boys and I took off for Michigan. We headed up before James as he was going to ditch us for a golfing excursion over the weekend first, so our first week of vaca was without him, and I’ll be honest that a vacation from my hubby is no vacation. But we filled up our time with fun excursions, hanging with family and catching up with friends we do not often get to see during our whirlwind stops in the Hometown. We playdated, ate donuts, fed carrots to horses, watched TV (more than 10 channels- worth!!), frolicked on the beach, drank fruity drinks (OJ for the boys, other fun stuff in the evening for Mom with friends), ate lots of great food, celebrated an earned degree of higher learning (way to go, Meliss!), etc. etc.
Upon James’s return to us we promptly ditched the children (with heavy hearts, of COURSE) and enjoyed three blissful days of adults-only time at a cottage near the lake (thanks to Mom L. for hooking us up with that one!). Here is why adult vacation R-U-L-E-S:
- I did not watch anything of any redeeming value (ok, that’s not totally true. There was a LOT of Food Network). My newly discovered favorite show is VH-1′s “You’re Cut Off”. Hilarious! And slightly troubling.
- I read an entire magazine (again, with little redeeming value) in one sitting.
- Every single meal was eaten at my pace, at an enjoyable and appropriate temperature, without interruption.
- I went to the beach twice and only got up to swim.
- I arose out of bed after 9 a.m.
- I had no schedule or agenda of any kind. I only checked the time out of sheer habit.
- I actually had the chance to miss my kids.
- I interacted with my husband beyond, “What time will you be home?” “Can you get (insert child’s name here) more (insert edible item here)?” “Your turn for baths.”
- There was mental energy to spare! I was able to reflect on more than just what the next meal, disciplinary action, or necessary chore would be.
I really don’t mean to give off the impression that I dislike being with my children. It’s just that they are so ALL-consuming, and I didn’t even fully realize how much so until all of that came to a complete stop. It was a much-needed and much-appreciated time with just my hubs.
The remainder of the week was spent having loads of fun with the kids, first at Auntie Rach’s house in GR where we visited the zoo, Millenium Park (a playground/beach/splash pad extravaganza on the outskirts of the city), and the children’s museum. The rest of the weekend was spent boating and beaching it with friends, hanging with the girls-only (as well as Anthony the flirtatious waiter, Edward, and Jacob), attending a fireworks display with a few of our VERY favorite people (followed by a really hard good-bye), and several fantastic hours spent with friends over a delicious dinner followed by a backyard fireworks show. The only downside to this vacation was the following list of things we missed: Robyn and Russ’, my BFF from the ‘hood and one of my favorite comfort-food joints.
It was harsh coming home, I gotta tell ya, but at the same time I think it’s these amazing times away that make you feel like your real life is pretty amazing too.
Upon James’s return to us we promptly ditched the children (with heavy hearts, of COURSE) and enjoyed three blissful days of adults-only time at a cottage near the lake (thanks to Mom L. for hooking us up with that one!). Here is why adult vacation R-U-L-E-S:
- I did not watch anything of any redeeming value (ok, that’s not totally true. There was a LOT of Food Network). My newly discovered favorite show is VH-1′s “You’re Cut Off”. Hilarious! And slightly troubling.
- I read an entire magazine (again, with little redeeming value) in one sitting.
- Every single meal was eaten at my pace, at an enjoyable and appropriate temperature, without interruption.
- I went to the beach twice and only got up to swim.
- I arose out of bed after 9 a.m.
- I had no schedule or agenda of any kind. I only checked the time out of sheer habit.
- I actually had the chance to miss my kids.
- I interacted with my husband beyond, “What time will you be home?” “Can you get (insert child’s name here) more (insert edible item here)?” “Your turn for baths.”
- There was mental energy to spare! I was able to reflect on more than just what the next meal, disciplinary action, or necessary chore would be.
I really don’t mean to give off the impression that I dislike being with my children. It’s just that they are so ALL-consuming, and I didn’t even fully realize how much so until all of that came to a complete stop. It was a much-needed and much-appreciated time with just my hubs.
The remainder of the week was spent having loads of fun with the kids, first at Auntie Rach’s house in GR where we visited the zoo, Millenium Park (a playground/beach/splash pad extravaganza on the outskirts of the city), and the children’s museum. The rest of the weekend was spent boating and beaching it with friends, hanging with the girls-only (as well as Anthony the flirtatious waiter, Edward, and Jacob), attending a fireworks display with a few of our VERY favorite people (followed by a really hard good-bye), and several fantastic hours spent with friends over a delicious dinner followed by a backyard fireworks show. The only downside to this vacation was the following list of things we missed: Robyn and Russ’, my BFF from the ‘hood and one of my favorite comfort-food joints.
It was harsh coming home, I gotta tell ya, but at the same time I think it’s these amazing times away that make you feel like your real life is pretty amazing too.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise....well, one outta three ain't bad
If you're a regular reader here at the ol' blog you may recall that a couple months ago some friends and I set some goals to a healthier us. You can refresh your memory on that here . Speaking for my personal goals, well, I coulda done better. The snacking after dinner habit is a thing of the past and was actually not all that difficult to give up, surprisingly. As for something as simple as drinking enough water in a day, I have been ridiculously lazy about that. I don't know WHY that should be so tough for me, but I still just don't get enough into my system. I think what would really be helpful is just investing in a Camelbak so that it's on my person all day long. The exercise portion of the goals has been nil. Unless you count chasing after 3 young children all day long. And I do. But I know it's not enough.
Tonight I got up my gumption and went for my first run (of what I hope is many). I finally began to understand my runner friends. It felt AMAZING to be outdoors doing something so good for myself. I was pathetically tired by the end, but it's a start! I'm using the Couch Potato to 5K program so what's even MORE pathetic is that I didn't even run for more than a minute at a time. For the first couple run/walk cycles I was all, "What? I could do this all DAY, punk!" and by the end I was all, *wheeze*- *cough*- *sweat*. (Ok that's a slight exaggeration but only slight.) However, I definitely had a small sense of that euphoria and adrenaline, and I'm excited to see how long I can keep it up! Speaking optimistically, hopefully it's the start of a healthier new me. Stay tuned.
So to recap: one out of three health goals accomplished. For now I'm going to stick to just two and try to whip into shape my drinking and exercising habits. So check back in 6 weeks to see how Julie is doing on:
A) Drinking approx. 64 oz of H2O per day &
B) Exercising 4 x/week
Tonight I got up my gumption and went for my first run (of what I hope is many). I finally began to understand my runner friends. It felt AMAZING to be outdoors doing something so good for myself. I was pathetically tired by the end, but it's a start! I'm using the Couch Potato to 5K program so what's even MORE pathetic is that I didn't even run for more than a minute at a time. For the first couple run/walk cycles I was all, "What? I could do this all DAY, punk!" and by the end I was all, *wheeze*- *cough*- *sweat*. (Ok that's a slight exaggeration but only slight.) However, I definitely had a small sense of that euphoria and adrenaline, and I'm excited to see how long I can keep it up! Speaking optimistically, hopefully it's the start of a healthier new me. Stay tuned.
So to recap: one out of three health goals accomplished. For now I'm going to stick to just two and try to whip into shape my drinking and exercising habits. So check back in 6 weeks to see how Julie is doing on:
A) Drinking approx. 64 oz of H2O per day &
B) Exercising 4 x/week
Saturday, June 5, 2010
A Love Story
In honor of my 12th wedding anniversary (which today marks, incidentally) I thought I would present to you...our story.
Rewind all the way back to 1989. 6th grade. James's and my elementary schools merged into one junior high, and thus began our history. While James really didn't even know I existed (a fact about which I like to give him endless grief), the hottie across the orchestra room (sorry, honey, it's out now. Yes, my man did, indeed, play the cello) was not lost on me. I harbored a crush on the cello-playing, spectacle-sporting cutie who didn't know I existed through the ensuing years, and at our 8th grade skating party I finally worked up the nerve to ask him to, you guessed it, skate. But lo, it was not yet to be. Out on the glossy rink was my crush, hands linked with another 8th grade female (whom I immediately loathed). Fast forward to the spring of our sophomore year. Thanks to our typing class seating arrangement (yes typing! We were the last class not to have computers) a whole lotta flirting started going on (ie: jabs made at my excessive need for the correction fluid). And finally (no, really, FINALLY - the following FALL), thanks to some help from my BFF, Robyn, James asked me out. And ever thereafter we were an "item". High school sweethearts. Aside from a couple of kinda laughable breakups (is it really considered a breakup when it lasts for 2 days and you talk on the phone that entire time?).
We did the whole long distance thing for a year and a half in college, after which time I threw in the towel on THAT whole deal and transferred to Trinity.
On August 8, before our junior year, James took me on a dinner cruise aboard the "Spirit of Chicago". As I had been putting on the pressure pretty heavily to get married (and truly, what a testament to the love of my guy that he would put up with an 18-year-old girlfriend whining about getting MARRIED! It really is absurd when I see it in print like that), I felt confident that this was THE big night - the proposal! The romance was a bit squelched as we had to share our table with another couple, but, not to be deterred, I took every opportunity to pull James onto the upper deck so he would not have to miss his opportunity! However, as we docked back at Navy Pier I came to the disappointing, nay, devastating realization that no ring would be placed upon my finger that night. Dejected, I allowed my boyfriend to lead me back through the streets of Chicago to our waiting vehicle. So disheartened was I, that I was taken completely off-guard when he stopped in front of a horse and carriage and secured us a ride! My brain clouded by shock, I honestly didn't even see it coming (but you do, don't you?) - the proposal. Simple and perfect. Beneath the moon (and skyscraper) - lit skies. A ring on my finger. The words: "I love you. Will you marry me?" (I should point out here that James was pretty darn proud of himself at this moment. Due to the aforementioned incessant marriage talk he wasn't sure he could pull off any sort of surprise on my part.)
We wed in June of 1998, and what a celebration it was! Nearly 10 years in the making for me. :) Admittedly, I have the worst memory of almost anyone I know, but I clearly remember the joy I felt that day. Not just over marrying my love and best friend but also for having so many friends and family around us with which to celebrate. We were young, yes, and have had a lot to learn, OH yes. But when I look back and see how much we have grown and how God has matured us, and having shared that with one another, well, I can say without hesitation that I love James more today than I ever could have imagined loving him 12 years ago. I won't say there haven't been rough or painful moments, but in large part we have been spared from tragedy and heartbreak. Which, in this life, means that it's still coming - that's not pessimism, it's just real. But who better to face those moments with than the man who has already been a part of every great joy I've experienced in the past 17 years? Not to mention with the God who brought him to me. I am filled with both fear and excitement at what the future holds for our family. And when I look back over the history we have already, it's largely excitement. And gratitude for what's behind AND ahead.
(Side note: We realized that this year, including our years spent dating, we have known each other over half our lives. Yowza.)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Haps
I consider summer officially here because A) It's been freaking HOT this whole week! Therefore we've broken out the kiddie pool and slip 'n slide. And B) Jeran celebrated (bittersweetly) his last day of preschool today. My dear, generous friend, Amy, drove on down with her girls to watch Ben and Gray so I could attend Jeran's last-day picnic. I sat watching him run around, all hot and sweaty, yelling and laughing and pretending with his friends, amazed that he has reached this milestone. Now, I grant you, it's no PhD in psychology (props to my bro-in-law, Keith, for that ENORMOUS milestone!), but it has been an important year of growth for him in all ways: physically, academically, developmentally, socially. We've seen a lot of incredible changes in him, and his teachers have been instrumental in that. So I was really sad to close this chapter and say good-bye. (Jeran was too, but I think it will hit him later. He was a little bit too anxious to get to D.Q. for his promised celebratory ice cream to really get sad in the moment.) Kindergarten looms, and as I use such an ominous-sounding word as looms to describe what really should be an exciting, as well as customary and not unexpected next step, I start to realize how averse to change I really am. And it would appear I am starting to project that onto my children as well. I want them to embrace where God is leading, not cower from it. But that's a tall order for me, so it can be difficult to teach my kids.
For now, we have an entire summer of fun, fun, fun to look forward to.
Ben, dear Ben. Still into everything and anything. Laughing all the time (except for those times he's screaming in that banshee-esque, two-year-old fashion when he is told no, is frustrated, isn't allowed to do things himself, or is pestered by his older brother). He displays more and more of Jeran's openness with people, even moreso than Jeran at times. He is not content to leave a store unless the sales clerk (and anyone else in a 10-foot radius) has given him an enthusiastic response to his "hi" and "bye". He is mischievous and curious and adorable with a capital A.
Grayson is dangerously and excitingly close to walking! Personally, I vote for the walking with this one. I just think summer will be SOOOO much easier if he's got that skill under his belt. JJ and Ben LOVE to be outdoors (and I've got the sunburn to prove it), and it would just make my life a tad easier not to have to concern myself with concrete burns on the knees or with what inedible object is going into his mouth next. Like his bros, he is a happy, carefree, generally social and smiling boy. I say boy, not baby. Despite his round, bald, adorably shiny head (challenged in the area of hair growth, also like his siblings) he seems less and less like a baby to me. His mannerisms, the way he tries to copycat, the almost-walking...it all points to a BOY. My joyful, kissable, active explorer of a boy. And yet, on some level, always my baby. :)
Oh yeah, and the adults in our household (I'm no dummy. People only ask about us out of sheer obligation). On top of being the social coordinator for my three men-about-town I have taken a very part-time administrative assistant position. It's something I do from home and has been a perfect way to turn my thoughts away from Legos, diapers, and PBS cartoons once in awhile. I'm very much looking forward to a summer filled with plans to hang out with family and friends, vacation a bit (camping and Colorado, to name a few), and soak up time with my beloved boys (all 4 of them).
James has been keeping extremely busy with work and his role as treasurer for our new church (which finally has a name other than just "church plant". And that would be CenterPointe). He also remains an incredible husband, dad, son, and brother. I know he'd like to see a little more fishing and golf enter into the picture, so we'll see what summer brings him.
That's the haps here! Happy summer to you and a safe and restful Memorial Day!
For now, we have an entire summer of fun, fun, fun to look forward to.
Ben, dear Ben. Still into everything and anything. Laughing all the time (except for those times he's screaming in that banshee-esque, two-year-old fashion when he is told no, is frustrated, isn't allowed to do things himself, or is pestered by his older brother). He displays more and more of Jeran's openness with people, even moreso than Jeran at times. He is not content to leave a store unless the sales clerk (and anyone else in a 10-foot radius) has given him an enthusiastic response to his "hi" and "bye". He is mischievous and curious and adorable with a capital A.
Grayson is dangerously and excitingly close to walking! Personally, I vote for the walking with this one. I just think summer will be SOOOO much easier if he's got that skill under his belt. JJ and Ben LOVE to be outdoors (and I've got the sunburn to prove it), and it would just make my life a tad easier not to have to concern myself with concrete burns on the knees or with what inedible object is going into his mouth next. Like his bros, he is a happy, carefree, generally social and smiling boy. I say boy, not baby. Despite his round, bald, adorably shiny head (challenged in the area of hair growth, also like his siblings) he seems less and less like a baby to me. His mannerisms, the way he tries to copycat, the almost-walking...it all points to a BOY. My joyful, kissable, active explorer of a boy. And yet, on some level, always my baby. :)
Oh yeah, and the adults in our household (I'm no dummy. People only ask about us out of sheer obligation). On top of being the social coordinator for my three men-about-town I have taken a very part-time administrative assistant position. It's something I do from home and has been a perfect way to turn my thoughts away from Legos, diapers, and PBS cartoons once in awhile. I'm very much looking forward to a summer filled with plans to hang out with family and friends, vacation a bit (camping and Colorado, to name a few), and soak up time with my beloved boys (all 4 of them).
James has been keeping extremely busy with work and his role as treasurer for our new church (which finally has a name other than just "church plant". And that would be CenterPointe). He also remains an incredible husband, dad, son, and brother. I know he'd like to see a little more fishing and golf enter into the picture, so we'll see what summer brings him.
That's the haps here! Happy summer to you and a safe and restful Memorial Day!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Reminder
If things are quiet in the house, always always ALWAYS go in immediate search of Ben.
Yes, that is my mascara on his face and my toothbrush in his mouth.
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