"A rose by any other name is still a rose..."

There has been some discussion lately regarding the gender orientation of the name, Bailey. Although Bailey came to us already named, I feel somewhat of a responsibility to defend his name, and that it is definitely a boy name.

It has been my experience in life that Bailey is a boy name. Apparently it has become increasingly popular for girls, as well. However, whenever I hear the name, I think boy. A lot of people think girl.

Because there are so many other things to research in life, I looked up the name Bailey on The Baby Name Wizard's NameVoyager. According to this website, the name Bailey was being assigned to little boys as early as the 188o's. However, that is as close as I get to winning the argument that Bailey is primarily a boy name.

I verified information on the Social Security website (which is a very unlikely place to find history of a given name's popularity over the years...very helpful for any of my friends expecting children or expect to be expecting children). In 1996, the year Bailey was born, it was the 200th most popular name for boys. In 2005, the popularity of Bailey for boys dropped to the 512th spot.

Further research shows that Bailey remains a more popular moniker for girls over boys. In 1996, the name was the 85th most popular girl name, and in 2005, it was the 108th. Now, I do not know what the ratio of male births to female births was for either of those years, but I willing to concede to the opposing argument. I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong only after and in-depth investigation has taken place and insurmountable evidence points to that conclusion. Let it be known that Bailey was not my first name for a dog, but it beats out the names of some of the dogs I was looking at adopting: "Cooney," "Icey," or "Tula." What's nice about the name Bailey is that it rhymes with "baby," which Bailey equally responds to. I think our Bailey fits his name perfectly -- regardless of its gender origination.

I am left with one more question, though. What about Scott Wolf's character in the series "Party of Five" from the nineties? His name was Bailey and he was a very cute boy!

Introducing...

Bailey!

Born: July 1, 1996

Gotcha day: August 14, 2006

Weight: 14 lbs.

Gender: Male

As you can see, Brad and I finally came to an agreement and added to our family this past Monday, August 14. I drove out to south Chicago with a friend to pick up this little guy after it was suggested by the Director of Central Illinois Sheltie Rescue that he was perfect for our family and lifestyle. She described Bailey as "the perfect little gentleman." There is no such thing as a "miniature Sheltie," but Bailey is definitely on the smaller size! Although he is 10 years old, he has been observed as acting more like a 5 year old (which, as the days go by, we are starting to see for ourselves)!

According to Bailey's foster mom of 10 days, he was surrendered by a family who was moving to Arizona. The disturbing part of the story is that they had two other bigger dogs they were taking with them! How could someone own a dog for 10 years and just leave it? Especially this little guy? I don't know, and neither did his foster mom, but if the family would have taken him, the Huntsman's would not have been able to adopt him!

I can't even begin to describe how I fell in love with Bailey when I first saw him! He ran right out to the driveway to meet me and my friend when we arrived. He has a cute little turned-up nose and long, black hair framing his face.

I didn't tell my parents any of the plans as they were evolving, but once I knew I would be driving to Chicago to get Bailey Monday night, I cordially invited my parents over for dinner on Tuesday. My mom asked, "is there a special occasion?" -- to which I replied, "no."

Needless to say, when my parents walked in Tuesday night they were pleasantly surprised. Bailey greeted my mom like a little gentleman, whereas he barked and barked at my dad (no one really knows why since Bailey really hadn't barked up until then). My dad is in love, and my mom just smiled and hugged both me and Brad and said to him, "you must really love my daughter."

This post is just to please those of you who have actually requested that I post!!

It seems as if the demands to be a better friend by those who have claimed I don't call, don't write, don't visit, and don't post on my blog have finally affected me to the point that I am giving in. Well, at least the posting part.

Despite having laid awake countless nights composing in my mind what would be my next post, inevitably containing the most recent "Huntsman Happenings" -- because it's only fair that we keep everyone updated -- I don't want this blog to become foremost an online diary of what's happening in Joslyn & Brad's life, but to be a compilation of overly dramatic and exaggerated narratives, seasoned with random updates of what is going on in the beautiful Park of Machesney.

To humor those who have adamantly requested a new post (ahem, Shannon), here you go:

Brad and I would like to announce the birth of our new niece, Abigayl JoAnn Combs, born July 25, 2006. Included in the body of this text is the only photo of her we have been privileged to view -- from the hospital's public website. You'd think the child was the spawn of Katie & Tom with how secretively her image has been kept even from immediate family members! I will be sensitive to the fact that not everyone has a digital camera, or the time to scan photos, but it's been 2 1/2 weeks and Auntie Joslyn is coming down with the shakes from the anxiety and belief that I have certain rights not available to others being that I am the Aunt. I think Brad's family should be counting their lucky stars right now that we don't live any closer and that they have at least 4 hours notice to prepare for my arrival when I get the bee in my bonnet to go see my niece. If we did live any closer, I could be at that house every moment I had free just to be near that baby and to make sure she knew I was her Auntie Joslyn and that no matter how crazy I am, nothing could ever change that (insert half-hearted evil laugh, as not to scare the baby)!

Abigayl JoAnn Combs

7 lbs. 10 oz.

20 inches

For anyone else whose husband might be looking for work

As seen in the Stateline Shopping News:

"WANTED: 99 Male singers call Clint at 608-755-1290"

Brad's new job

"So, do you think you are going to be able to sell cars?"

"Yes, I'm pretty sure I can."

"Well, you sold me on marrying you..."

Wanting to Win Soooo Badly!

I cannot believe I am typing this right now seeing as how much work I have to do before leaving tonight for the four hour trip it is to Brad's parents' house. His 17- year old sister's baby shower is tomorrow. That's right. Baby Shower. The graduation party was two weeks ago. But I cannot seem to concentrate on my work because I am so preoccupied with something. Something serious. Something that could change my life forever. Something that could either make or break my marriage with Brad. I just feel like I need to get it off my chest and maybe then I'll be able to stay focused and be efficient. I am constantly building my argument in my head and am having a really hard time being creative while trying to write an assessment on why I think a child has Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

What could possibly be so serious that I am both highly distracted from my work (not that it takes much) and afraid of the effect it could have on my relationship with Brad? This is what I am struggling with:

Meet "Icey" and "Scout." Both are available for adoption through the Michigan Sheltie Rescue, and are willing to adopt out of state! How could anyone possibly say "NO" to either of these beautiful faces?

Well, Brad could. And has. Not to these two, but to many, many others. In fact, he is so against us getting a dog that he will not even agree to fostering a dog, which from what I understand, costs minimally anything.

I realize Brad is currently still unemployed, but he has been in training for what could be a very lucrative job if he does well. He is committed for at least 90 days (in order for us to get reimbursed for the $500 training fee), so we have the prospect of an income again.

Here is the jist of my entire argument:

1) Brad insists we don't have the funds for a dog, but my destitute friend Shannon manages to support two dogs. I have a full-time income and with Tupperware money, am fully prepared to be the sole provider for the dog. Yes, we still plan on completing our debt recovery program, but what if we already had the dog? We would not be getting rid of it just to pay our debt faster!

2) Brad has really enjoyed several dogs he has ever come into contact with. At my friend's wedding in January 2005, he met her Miniature Pinscher, Dallas. Shortly after the wedding, Brad was looking on www.petfinder.com for adoptable Min Pins, and that was when we were still in our one bedroom apartment! He loves my friends' dog, Maggie, who was rescued in Tennessee by Shannon (again). Figures they would fall in love with her, and by the time we had our house and the space for her, they didn't want to give her up (we don't blame you, Chris & Court)! These are just a few examples, and there are only a few select dogs Brad had less than ideal experiences with, and if we were to take into consideration their owners, it isn't surprising why!

3) Brad didn't know I was bringing Yummy home, until I was already at the vet with her. For the first few hours he didn't seem to want a lot to do with her, but by the end of the night was bringing her to bed with us because he couldn't stand to hear her meow in the bathroom (where we had decided to keep her so she wouldn't get lost in any of the open crevaces that were once in the house). He insists the cat is mine, which is fine, because I am the one who, the majority of time, feeds her, buys her food, changes her litter box, buys her litter, clips her toenails (Brad helps hold her sometimes), uses the kitty wipes on her, combs her, and takes her to the vet. Brad will participate in some of the aforementioned duties when it suits him. And, because Brad is going to read this eventually: I AM NOT HOLDING A GRUDGE. I love taking care of Yummy, and am fully prepared to take full responsibilty for a dog, as well. That was the point of #3.

4) I need to exercise, and I think having a dog to walk would make the event much more enjoyable. There is a dog park in our neighborhood that I am just itching to experience, as I have never been to a dog park and am really excited to take a dog there! That, and although Yummy is a very good traveler, I cannot take her to parks, bike paths, or other fun-filled places where dogs are allowed.

5) Speaking of Yummy, she is spoiled and needs a sibling. She is under the impression that she is in charge of the house, and even though I admit we are guilty of spoiling her, it's because she is the only pet. She is the only domesticated animal in our home for us to shower unsolcited affection on! I strongly believe that introducing a sibling into the home will not only increase her socialization skills, but will help her realize that the world as she knows it at the Huntsman House does not revolve around her cute little self!

6) The more obstinate Brad is about not getting a dog, the more whiney and persistent I will be about getting a dog. I don't want to go aganist the part in the marriage vows where it says to trust and obey (if those were in ours...Brad insists he was the only one who listened to our vows and he may be right), but I am becoming very anxious, and we all know how obsessive I can be when faced with oppostion to something I really want.

7) We have a HUGE yard! We move into this quaint fixer upper with almost an acre of land, and it is being neglected. The yard is perfect for the pitter patter of four little paws racing through it catching a ball, frisbee, rabbits - you name it! Granted, we have to finish fencing off the yard before we will be allowed to adopt, but I have that all figured out, too! Additional fencing will pull the yard together and will increase the cosmetic value of the house. What is especially cool is that Scout, dog #2 above, is really into agility courses, so we could set one up in our backyard and invite people over to watch him (maybe even charge admission) or enter him into contests (and win money)...dog beauty competitions (cash prizes)...

...and people say a dog costs money.

Flashbacks

I will be the first to admit that high school was my personal hell which seems to contradict my recent gung-ho behavior towards my impending "10-year Reunion." However, I absolutely hated being in high school. My only decent memories are extracted from my experience with the band, and I am oddly comfortable admitting this on my public website. Yes, that's right, I embraced my band-geekiness, even advocating that students wear their band shirts on game days, much like the cheerleaders, dance team, and players would. I was laughed at and taken anything but seriously.

I am not entirely negative about those horrid four years of life, as I do have several good memories. One of which is reflected in my new title. Shannon and Crista and I would have sleep overs at each other's homes (mostly Shannon's, though, since she had a pimped-out basement complete with carpeted metal poles, a menagerie of coke paraphernalia, and a cool counter top that looked like a bar, but really just had board games stored in it). These sleepovers (which did include sleep, since I was involved) never went without the appropriate sized stash of full-calorie Mt. Dew and double-stuffed Oreos. We could exist the entire night and early morning simply on this combination of caffeine and disgusting amount of sugar. I am careful to make the distinction between full-calorie Mt. Dew and Diet Mt. Dew, because at the time, we would rather drink back-washed flouride treatment than Diet Mt. Dew. The absurdity! Flash-forward three years when we all three seemed to have an epiphany while sharing a dorm room at NIU and trying to ward off evil freshman, that Diet Mt. Dew was actually sort of...what?...refreshing and light? I think Erin Hade reintroduced us to the healthier form of the drink we could formerly not live without as she appeared to have her own dorm room stocked with the tasty beverage -- and this was before people started freaking about the Y2K scare. I have now gone a step lower by preferring Caffeine Free Diet Mt. Dew, which some people claim is like drinking "colored water." Ahem. What a glorious day that would be when Diet Mt. Dew flows freely from my kitchen faucet, and its glorious yellow-green hue and sweet citrus taste can be obtained at my will to quench the thirst that craves the drink daily.

I was prompted to write this post after reading an MSN article that can be found here. I think many of you will enjoy it if you haven't read it already, and it makes my insecure high school alter-ego feel so much better about myself and that I never married John Cusak (or was ever serenaded by a man in a tan trench coat outside my window with a giant boombox).

My Statement of Purpose...for my Master's degree, not life.

Here is what I wrote for the portion of my Master's degree application that required a "Statement of Purpose." I had to answer specific questions in the form of a narrative, and I thought I would post it here for comment. Not that it really inspires much comment, but this way my devoted friends and relatives can get a glimpse of why I do what I do even when it causes me so much heartache at times.

Statement of Purpose
Aurora University
Submitted by: Joslyn K. Huntsman, MSW program applicant

I have a very vivid memory from around the age of 8 or 9, standing in my basement playroom in front of the kid-sized chalkboard my parents had bought for my sister and me. As I wrote on the chalkboard, my students (various sized stuffed animals and dolls) sat quietly and all in a row on the floor, eagerly waiting for the lesson of the day.
I was confident at that time in my life that I was going to be a teacher. I cannot count the times my career plans changed from that time on, but it didn’t take long after enrolling in my first Sociology class at Rock Valley Community College that I knew I was called to work in the social services field. My personal belief is that I have so much to give those with so little. Maybe I give myself too much credit, but I know that this world is
full of so much grief and heartache, and that one person can make a difference.

At this time in my life I am very blessed with a secure job at a local social service agency, where the management is very flexible and encouraging of advanced education. I am allowed the opportunity to work part-time, without having to change
positions, and can ultimately create my own work schedule. This freedom allows me to pursue my Master’s in Social Work full time, while continuing to learn from my work experiences and earn an income. It took awhile for me to become serious about pursuing graduate work, but when the decision was made, I knew it was right – and at the right time.

I believe my personal strength in the field of social work is my ability to be real with my clients. I work very hard at establishing rapport with the people I work with by recognizing our differences, and being honest about them, but also making sure to express my sincere desire to help the family work towards stability. I think the various types of clientele I have worked with appreciate my frankness regarding their situation and realize that although we are different, we can work together towards the same goal. I validate their concerns and anger, but bring to the table how they can change their situation and how I can help them. As for my major weakness – I am easily disappointed by people’s poor choices in life. In my former position as an Intact Family Case Manager, I would see families every week, and sometimes would get very frustrated with their lack of progress in services, or their blatant disregard for doing what was best for their children. I had to take time to realize that I was helping this
family – even if I couldn’t see it or they hadn’t utilized it, but that I had touched this family’s life one way or another. At some point I had to let go and just hope that the family would make better choices and have faith that other people in their lives would do what was right for the children if the situation worsened.

It is an unrealistic expectation for anyone entering the field of social work to think that the world is strictly black and white and that situations can always be solved by reading a text book. Relatively speaking, I have only been in the field a short time, yet
have experienced working with same-sex couples, parents with gender issues and
obesity, and even middle-class families with serious abuse and neglect issues. At one point after I had just graduated college, I was encouraged to apply for a position at my church working with the youth. I told my father – I don’t feel called to work full-time with kids from good homes. Volunteer with them, yes. But, I know that my place is working with the disadvantaged and chaotic. And I believe I do a good job relating to my
clients from all walks of life.

I hope that my detailed narrative thus far has shown an accurate depiction of how my beliefs are congruent with that of Aurora University’s School of Social Work Mission and Core Values. In most cases, the clientele we service have grown up in dysfunction and do not know anything different. To most of them, their case managers and counselors are the only stable people in their lives. We are their windows to function and stability. Through education, case workers like myself will be given additional tools – better skills – to work more effectively with the disadvantaged population, helping to facilitate an increase in changed behaviors. By educating the community, we can hope more people will be encouraged to take a stand and be the mentors and heroes so
desperately needed by our clientele.

Upon graduation from Northern Illinois University in 2000, my cumulative Grade Point Average was 2.600. My explanation for this is relatively simple: I had a different ideal about school, one that included going to class and achieving decent enough grades to graduate successfully. I can honestly say my view of education has changed
greatly in the last six years, and I now look forward to advancing in knowledge and skill in order to be better equipped in the field of social work.

I would like to conclude this narrative by thanking you for considering my complete application to Aurora University’s Master of Social Work program. I believe my ability to offer unique insight and participation in my coursework, would overall prove to be an asset to your program.

How much Brad is loved

There are some serious entrepeneurs in the Student Ministry program Brad created (and was then asked to leave), and not only are these young businessmen and women intelligent and creative, but they are activists, as well!

Humor us and check out Eric's line of T-shirts and other apparel. I didn't want to spoil the experience by posting an image of the clothing, so this post is sort of bland.

I do plan on writing more about the experience Brad and I have been going through for those of you who haven't been privy to the information before now. Brad wants me to be "mature" and just be at peace with the fact that God obviously has other plans for us, but I can't help but feel that something has to be done about the way all of this played out. It just doesn't feel right to me to let it go...not yet.

God is real, and He speaks to us

Last night I sat down at the computer after Brad had been on it, and he had left open a blog he reads regularly, posted by the President of Youth Specialties. After reading the post, I demanded to know if Brad had written it, because it was so amazingly pertinent to what we have been going through that I could not believe the irony of it! And that is just the thing, it wasn't ironic -- it was God speaking to us through this man that, although we have seen him at conferences, have never met. The post is here.

This is not the only instance recently that has reinforced my faith in the Lord and His omniscience. Friends tells us that they have been praying for us, and then will receive Bible verses and quotes from their friends that speak to our situation. And these are people who are not even aware of what we are going through. One of my best friends from high school had an article written about her in the local newspaper not too long ago, based on her excellence in teaching. Shortly after Brad was asked to resign, a student's grandma stopped by and quoted to me something Carrie had said in her interview, that was appropriate to our situation. She didn't even know that Carrie was such a good friend of mine, and at the time of Carrie's interview, Brad still had his job!

So as you can see, I am overwhelmed by the awesome ways God is showing Himself to us during this time of uncertainty. It is more than reassuring to know that He will take care of us, and He will take care of you, too.

this card scares Shannon

This is the card I received from my friend Crista about a month and a half ago in honor of my 28th birthday. I thought it was a very clever card and that it was a good likeness of me.

I later learned from my friend Shannon that it actually scared her. In fact, she said it almost scared her as much as clowns do. Which, is a lot because Shannon is very scared of clowns. Really.

I'm trying to get more people to comment on this site, so this is my formal invitation for those of you who read justjoslyn.com to please comment on what you think about this card. Cute or creepy? What are the dots above her eyes? Is Joslyn's face really that round? Should I wear my hair in pigtails more often? What are your thoughts?

Love you all,
Joslyn

Passing down the tiara

A couple of years ago it seemed as if I was always sending invitations to people to come over for a hom demonstration party, i.e. Tupperware, jewelry, Creative Memories. I could almost imagine some of my friends' responses as they received yet another invitation to one of my parties: "Joslyn is having another person in her home to sell us stuff?? I'm broke!" However, I am proud to say that my self-imposed title of "Queen of the Home Party" has been passed down to my good friend, Amy.

Not only is Amy the ultimate hostess (awesome food, immaculate presentation, cordial and intentional about making everyone feel welcome and loved) she has parties to help her friends businesses! I was grateful to her for opening her home for one of my first Tupperware parties. She didn't give me any grief about it and was excited about the opportunity to help me out (and to earn her own free stuff)! I love being invited to Amy's home parties, and instead of letting myself feel like I "have" to buy something, I try to think of who I can buy something for. Is anyone's birthday coming up? Or any other gift-giving holiday? That way, I don't feel bad about buying myself something that I cannot justify in the budget, but I am still helping my friend and getting some shopping done in the mean time. Besides, I don't think my family and friends want gifts of Tupperware for every occasion (even though it is very versatile).

Another perk with attending home parties is that you get to see friends! Yes, that's right. It's the same reason you would go to any other party where the purchase of some seemingly over-priced product is not otherwise required. Now that my friend Jill and her family have moved back to the area, it is almost a guarantee that I get to see her when I go to Amy's! That is, unless she is busy fulfilling her wife-of-the-youth-pastor duties at some church function. On this Friday, however, Jill was in attendance and full of fun as ever (even though I admitted to her my disappointment that she did not bring Jackson. I guess he was sick or something...not that I really bought that excuse).

Our insta-teen Kira was also with us, and said she had a good time, but what does she tell Brad about our girls night out? That she learned different ways to give someone the middle-finger. Great. Just what two wives-of-youth-pastors should be teaching impressionable minds. Luckily for everyone involved, Kira is a level-headed, mature young lady with an even more awesome sense of humor.

Here are some pictures from Friday, again, taken with the trusty camera phone since our expensive digital camera is not only without a functioning flash, but also out of batteries. Please read the captions so that no one is unfairly incriminated based on assumed behaviors depicted in the photos (that was for you, Jill)!

Amy and Jill

(a.k.a. "The hostess with the mostest" and "The Pill")
Otis, pretending he is a person. What? He isn't?
Jill, holding an empty martini glass that was only at one time filled with a non-alcoholic spritzer!
Kira and Jill cleaning up while Joslyn sat at the table keeping Otis company.

The Arrival of JRS

Congratulations to my friends, Emily and Jeremy Skolozynski on the birth of their baby boy, Joshua. He came into the world at 2:44pm (EST) on Sunday, April 30, 2006! It's pretty amazing that I have a friend with TWO kids, now... Note to Emily: will you wait for me to catch up? Please?

This is big sister, Tyler Christine. She obviously loves her baby brother.

Joshua Ronald Skolozynski
8 lbs., 7 oz.
21 inches long

Haste makes waste

Unfortunately, I should not have posted that last blog, so I am deleting it. Thank you for all the support and comments that make me laugh!

At this time, Brad & I have to ask that the topic of our departure from RUMC be on the DL for awhile, as our livelihood depends on it.

Love you,
Joslyn

Not a Christian holiday for nothing

All weekend long I've been trying to teach not only elementary school kids the true meaning of Easter, but my 8th grade confirmation kids, as well. Some get it... some do not. Some kids ask the same questions year after year... "Why do we call it "Good" Friday if it is when Jesus died?" "How long was Jesus dead before he came back to life?" "What do you mean, the Easter bunny doesn't exist?"

While volunteering at Centennial United Methodist Church yesterday for our annual stint as directors of the beloved Easter Egg hunt at "Saturday Morning Kids Club," I heard an interesting comparison to our yearly "hunt" for Easter eggs with the "hunt" we are on every day of our life to find Jesus amongst the chaos and sadness we often face. But, just like we need to open our eyes to find hidden Easter eggs, we must also open our eyes to see the miraculous and mysterious ways the Lord is working, even when it might seem too much to bear.

And now, for a little humor...

Happy Easter!

Adventures in Machesney Parkansas

I would definitely be lying to all my faithful blog readers if I said my birthday weekend was relaxing and uneventful. The weekend was crazy fun -- both in the literal sense and separately.

Jackson's Birthday Party (3/17/06)

I had an incredible night on St. Patty's Day, more importantly titled "Jackson's Birthday." My head hurt so bad that night from laughing and laughing, and talking LOUD so people could hear me, and laughing some more. My butt hurt, too, from all the butt slaps from Amy and Jill...mostly from Jill 'cause that girl gives a mean butt slap. The flash on our camera is not working, so I was not able to get any pictures of me and the girls (or me and Jackson a.k.a. "the infant playa" for that matter) and I checked T.J.'s Xanga site (Jill's hubby) for a pic he took of the 3 of us, but it isn't posted. Here is Jackson's 1 year picture to commemorate his St. Patty's Day / The Wiggles-themed birthday party and his first picture on justjoslyn.com!!

My Birthday (3/18/06)

My 28th birthday was relatively uneventful, but I was blessed to be able to spend the evening with not only my parents, but my good friends Amy and Cory, as well. Yes, Brad was there too, and one of our youth, Kira, who happens to be staying with us for awhile. My mom cooked a delicious inter-ethnic meal of enchiladas, Mexican rice, and Greek salad. And so to stay within common practice of the Hagstrom family, where no uneaten food is left behind, we had "left-over-St. Patrick's Day-green-pistachio-cake-with confetti sprinkles-added to it for the birthday effect" as dessert. I spent the evening talking genealogy with my Dad (what Brad calls "researching my dead relatives"), showing Amy my MySpace site (which Brad calls my new "time waster" [and it's www.myspace.com/justjoslyn for those interested]), and listening to Cory unashamedly tell stories about his poop extravaganzas. I don't have any pictures from this night, either, and my Mom was the designated photogropher, but I didn't like any of her shots (go figure). So instead I will post an image of the DVD Brad bought me that I was so excited about... even if it did follow a "Happy Bar Mitzvah" card. And it's only been a year and a half of marriage.

Life Lessons in Trespassing (3/19/06)

Sunday's events started about very pleasantly. We had plans to go to Cinderella at the high school, which was performed very well, with excellent singers cast as the leads! I was able to sit between some of my favorite junior high girls - Audi and Amanda - who, without knowing it, provide me such joy and remind me of how cool it is that I know them! After the musical, Brad and I car-pooled the high school students to a pizza dinner at our house. Needless to say, with the number of boys out-numbering the girls, the pizza was gone in less than 10 minutes after delivery. This creates a "dead time" issue, which was eventually filled for most of the boys by going out to play football with Brad. However, I was left with the remainder of the students, and before long, our idle conversation had become less than enthralling. Not being such a great "think-on-your-feet-event planner" I suggested that the slew of them go scope out the vacant trailer property across the street, as I was going to report it as an eye sore to the Village. I was going to explore the property myself eventually anyway, and I had already taken preliminary pictures of the rusty trailer and abandoned cars in the driveway. There were no "No Trespassing" signs posted and there was clearly no one living on the property. Apparently I am an idiot, and took for granted that I knew the law as it applies to Trespassing. Before I could even come up with a witty response for Brad when he comes back in the house to ask if I was "keeping an eye on the girls" and that the neighbors were over there with them, Lauren is calling me frantically stating, "the neighbors are calling the police and they won't let us leave." I hear the tears start to come and I tell her I'll be right over. As I approach the property, I calmly ask the woman on the cell phone (who also happens to be missing several of her front teeth and has previously been riding her 4-wheeler around her back yard) if there was anyway we could settle this misunderstanding without the police, to which she answers, "they are already on the phone." I calmly ask her if she could tell them not to come. She says, "the owners don't want this and there's been a problem in the past..." I tell the students to come with me, to which the woman responds, "they have to stay here." I calmly reply, tell the police to come talk to me across the street.

At about this time, the students' parents are arriving to pick them up, and the woman across the street is taking down the license plate numbers of every car leaving our driveway. Needless to say, the police did come to the scene of the crime, and I did get a slap on the wrist for poor judgement, but not without explaining that the property has no signs posted, and if the owners of the property have had problems with trespassing before, it seems this would be a normal response. I also learned from the friendly Machesney Park police that the owners of the property are waiting for the Village to buy it and demolish the trailer and sell the land. If this is truly the case (praise be to God if it is) then why is anybody concerned about anyone entering the property and doing anything to it? Despite my rationale for the entire event, I apologized to the police for endorsing such delinquent behavior and assured them that we would have adequate activities planned at our next event. I also wrote an apology letter to the said-toothless woman requesting her forgiveness and trust in me as a capable neighbor, because that is what makes me feel better about myself -- having ghetto hillbillies accept me as one of their own. You can read more about this event as told by one of the students looking outside-in at the event here. I am also posting the photos I took of the property last week for an added visual.

Interesting Church Flyer

Would you go to a church advertising with this image?

I don't even know how to title this one...

Even as a child, Kate was teaching us about current fashion. Notice the curled bangs, sprayed in a nice arch and off to the side and the over-sized glasses (yes, I had them, too!).

Then we move to the outfit. A baggy turtle neck paired with a tapestry vest. Classic.

The most important thing is that she is smiling.

Another shout out in honor of Kate turning the big #26 on Friday... 2 days and counting!

Braids and Pigtails

It may be 10:15pm, but I am still technically posting this on Monday - the 2nd day in Kate's big birthday week. If you notice in this picture, we are both pulling on our baby rings. Our mom loved to have us wear them, but stopped putting them on us in pictures because we couldn't stop playing with them! It obviously didn't stop us from focusing on the camera... we are such hams for the camera. Even to this day. The fascination with rings didn't stop, either. Kate LOVES a good ring when she sees one.

It's Kate's Birthday Week!

This is not what I would traditionallly post about, and it is sort of a long story why this picture is on here, but my sister does turn the big 2-6 this coming Friday... she will officially be closer to 30 than 20! Check back each day as I will post additional pictures that will probably make Kate wish she had been more interested in getting her baby pictures away from her scrapbooking sister.