Learn With Jenny

May 2013
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20 Questions Album

10 July 2012

I walked through the baby aisle today to grab a gift and I was shocked once again at the latest and greatest gadgets that have become available in the past 3 years since Samantha was born. For about 10 seconds I had a fleeting thought in wishland of “I should have another baby”. The thought was very short lived as I realized I just really wanted to have another baby and wedding shower to replace all the worn and well used items that need to be retired in my home.

So imagine my surprise when Nicole sent me one of her fabulous 20 Questions Memory Albums for Samantha for her 3rd birthday! Fantastic – I get to enjoy a latest item without going through childbirth all over again. Hooray!
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17 Comments

Dear Samantha… the next time I see you

25 June 2012

Samantha,

The next time I see you, you will be three. That thought crossed my mind as I kissed your sleeping head and rosy cheeks before I left the house to travel to Oregon. You will be three years old. How did that happen?

The next time I see you, will your chubby feet and toes be bigger? It would be impossible for them to be more delicious than they were when you were two, right? (more…)

10 Comments

Gratitude: May Edition

25 May 2012

I was the young girl who had her life planned out by the time she was 10. White picket fence, 2 kids, 2 dogs, and be a stay at home mom.

Then life happened.

I became a single parent before Rebecca was even born and this led me to take back my letter of resignation as an ICU nurse six weeks before she arrived.

Then I met Jeff and I had that feeling of “here’s my chance”. I happily supported Jeff through law school, but knew the end/beginning was in sight. Then cancer struck and we were drowning in medical debt due to experimental medications and therapies (yes, that is even with insurance).

Fast forward and this month I have been a nurse for 17 years. We do not live in town with any family. As a result, we’ve had to depend on others to help with childcare. This has been gut wrenching for me at times. Yet, God has been faithful and blessed us with AMAZING teachers and a nanny who love our children.

When Rebecca was in preschool and I would drop her off, she was THE kid who would cry her heart out and would run to me like a speeding bullet when I picked her up promptly at 11:30 am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I prayed daily for 2 things:
1. To win the lottery or have a green suitcase with money left on my doorstep full of cash so I could stay home.
2. Peace and healthy transitions for Rebecca.

I never got the green suitcase and rarely play the lottery. But Rebecca has blossomed into a confident young lady. The most important prayer won out.

Samantha on the other hand sometimes doesn’t want to leave Mrs. Freeman’s house or preschool. While the other kids are thrilled to go home, Samantha is content to stay on the carpet at preschool and read books or stay at Mrs. Freeman’s house and play. One day I pulled away from preschool and just cried as I took it personally.

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18 Comments

Lesson Learned Parenting Edition: Encourage your child’s unique design

3 May 2012

Jeff and I are blessed to have 4 healthy, energetic children. We realize more than ever though how different and unique our children are from one another.

We are imperfect parents but we have been complimented for having fun, well adjusted kids. We are more than willing to offer some tips of things that we have learned along the way. I hope you can take something productive from this lesson.

Encourage your child’s unique design.

Rebecca (13) is a loyal, strong leader. And she is hilarious.

Rebecca consistently bugs us at 9:30 at night when the other kids are asleep. She tries to get us to laugh. At first, Jeff and I would dismiss her and tell her to go to bed. We were exhausted at that time. Later we were convicted that this was her really reaching out to us when she didn’t have anyone else to compete with.

Jeff and I have made a concerted effort to laugh and joke with her and now often we find her climbing in our bed, laughing, and then telling us what is going on in her 13 year old life. What a blessing this time is now for us as parents. We realize how much we would be missing out if we had stuck to our original plan to ensure all the kids were in bed at the same time.

Sometimes parenting books are merely guidelines, and you need to do what fits your family and child best.
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3 Comments

Around Here – May Edition

1 May 2012

Around here Emily still feels like she is 8 and loves her red converse. She has read the entire Percy Jackson Lightning Thief Series in a week.

Around here summer is in full swing. Our kids love jumping our back wall to play baseball in the school field behind our home while Hank sunbathes.

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2 Comments

I blinked and then she was 9

25 April 2012

9 years ago today God blessed me with a mighty and miniature version of myself, Miss Emily Ann. I get a little misty thinking that half of her life at home is over. I had to go and blink again. I need to desperately stop blinking.

Emily is a voracious reader.
Emily’s hair looks like Albert Einstein’s every morning.
Emily stands out from the crowd.
Emily has a special bond with Sam.
Emily loves mashed potatoes, nutella, and ice cream.
Emily dresses like a California beach surfer crossed with Punky Brewster.
Emily giggles when she is nervous.
Emily turns her her head to the right and has an inquisitive look when she watches TV.
Emily has a mighty spirit inside of a tiny 52 pound body.

Miss Emily,

I love you.
I love you for your heart and who you are.
I love to watch you swim and you are so competitive, but if you quit today, I wouldn’t love you any less.
I want you to make a mistake and laugh at yourself daily. It’s perfectly ok.
I desire for you to love your brother and sisters with all of your heart. The stage has already been set for an amazing future with them.
I pray for your future spouse to love the Lord and to be able to keep up with you.

And now I must wrap this up because you want me to bake cupcakes for your classmates and swimming teammates (75+). We couldn’t possibly leave anyone out.

Wow Emily, you are so much like me. But better.

Love you to the moon and back silly goose – Mom

Thank you for your comments and emails to my blog post yesterday. I’m humbled and have appreciated the heartfelt advice. Good things are in store for this community. I just feel it.

Blessings sweet friends – Jenny

If you are new to my site, welcome! Like what you see? I would love for you follow along on this crazy adventure of mine by subscribing to my blog and joining me on facebook, twitter, and pinterest.

7 Comments

Blue Lily Photo Shoot Video

22 April 2012

Often I am verbose. Way too wordy. But not today.

Today I am just grateful for who I get to share my life with. And I am beyond excited for this past weekend. Jeff and I have been given a renewed energy and newfound clarity that we are still processing. Excited for the peace and possibilities.

To see the photos that Wendy and Tyler of Blue Lily Photography took with this photo shoot, go here. So thankful for their talents and inspiration to pursue their dreams.

Edit: The song is You Got Me by Colbie Caillat. Isn’t it perfect?

Blessings sweet friends – Jenny

If you are new to my site, welcome! Like what you see? I would love for you follow along on this crazy adventure of mine by subscribing to my blog and joining me on facebook, twitter, and pinterest.

11 Comments

List – Easter tradition: Making Cascarone/Confetti Eggs

4 April 2012

At first glance, you might think these just look like your run of the mill dyed Easter eggs, but these are the key to you being the coolest mom EVER on Easter weekend! This is especially a hit with school aged kids. These eggs, known as cascarones, are filled with confetti or your choice of filling.

I was first introduced to cascarones in middle school during a Cinco De Mayo festival in which the eggs were filled with paper confetti and glitter. I also saw them used at a pre-wedding party over a decade ago in which bird seed was used to fill the eggs. I also made them for a 4th of July party and filled them with star punched paper confetti and glitter. Obviously, they are a universal treat that can be used for many occasions.
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12 Comments

Everyone has a story

27 March 2012

I’m not a dreamer. I can only recall maybe 5 dreams my entire life. I think part of the reason I don’t dream at night, is because God says I need to take a break from dreaming during the day. You see, I dream ALL day long. My mom often tells me my head is in the clouds. That’s ok, because I think it’s those dreams and hopes that have carried me through some very difficult times.

To understand my dream from last night, I need to tell you this story. This story is about a very strange encounter, that to this day makes me scratch my head. It was just plain strange.

A little over 3 years ago, Jeff and I were shocked when we found out we were pregnant with Samantha. I had been in remission from cancer for 4 years. Seven months into my pregnancy I started showing some signs of preterm labor. I was working full time and finishing my Master’s Degree full time. I was overloaded, so showing some preterm labor signs wasn’t too surprising. I woke up one morning and realized I had absolutely nothing for Samantha if she arrived early. My baby shower was still a couple of weeks away, so I took the day off of work, loaded the kids in the car, and headed towards the local baby mart. My goal was to get a can of formula, diapers, bottles, and one package of onsies, if the little tyke arrived early. After 3 kids, I knew those few things were all I would truly need.

I was almost done with my shopping when we arrived in the formula aisle. Rebecca and Emily were looking at all the options and asked which variety we were buying. I responded, “Rebecca, grab the Enfamil. That’s what I used with you after I nursed you.” And that’s when it happened. A complete stranger handed Rebecca a business card and introduced herself as the Vice President of the local breastfeeding league. My ears kind of perked up, because I was intrigued as to why someone would approach an 11 year old girl instead of me, the parent.

Rebecca walked over to me and handed me her business card with huge brown, dilated eyes. I looked down at the card, took the Enfamil from Rebecca’s hands, placed it in the cart and gathered the kids to head towards the checkout aisle. As we passed the lady, she tapped me on my shoulder, and exclaimed, “You know… breast is best.”
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9 Comments

100 Family Conversation Starters & a QR generator review

14 March 2012

One of my favorite things about my family of 6 is that we talk to one another. The lines of communication are wide open partly because Jeff and I ask our kids a lot of questions during carpooling to swim practice, family dinners, and on family outings. Our kids are destined to have 2 things thrown at them: questions and a camera. As my oldest daughter told our neighbor, “That’s the price of being a Meyerson kid.”

The main purpose of these questions is to foster healthy relationships with my kids and challenge them to think about why they have their opinions and why they make the choices that they do. These questions are not meant to add to your to do list. You can simply ask these questions (not record the answers) and still get tremendous benefits from asking them.

Here is a list of 100 questions that we have asked or will ask the kids. We have 4 children ages 2, 8, 10, and 13. Obviously, I have to adjust a couple of the questions for our 2 year old but she is always part of the conversations.

Click here for a printable pdf or just click on the image below to enlarge and read the questions more easily. I would be thrilled for you to share this on pinterest, facebook, or twitter.

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18 Comments

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