Almost Famous

Jeff sent me a text last week that read, "We're on the cover of the Arkansas Times." I immediately started trying to recall a photographer being around us recently. I drew a blank, so I called him for the details. They did a story on moving into our new church building. It was called "Super Sized", and (appropriately) we are just specks in the crowd of hundreds.


Even though I only consider myself to be moderately conservative, I have been boycotting the Arkansas Times for a couple of years because of its ridiculously liberal slant. I read the article and was surprised to find it was mostly favorable about Fellowship.




This picture was taken after the first service in our new building. I drew in the arrow pointing to Jeff. I am on his right, and my mom is to his left. Dad, Renee, and Amanda were there too, but they are not in the picture. As you can see, I barely made the cut myself!

It's Hot!

I don't know if we officially broke into the triple digits today or not, but its H-O-T! I had another day off since I worked all weekend, so I took the kids swimming. The water was still cool, so it was bearable.

I have to get downstairs and finish cooking dinner. Every summer, I kind of go crazy buying fresh produce. It's mostly tomatoes, berries, and corn, but once or twice a summer I have to get squash or okra and fry it up Southern-style. Tonight's menu includes beans, cornbread, and fried okra. Every time I cook things like that, Jeff thinks he doesn't like it. But then he eats and realizes that he does. Now if I can just get him to like watermelon!

Breakfast with Superheroes

It was actually one superhero and a princess. I let Nathan and Ashley wear their costumes - Batman and Snow White, respectively - to the doughnut shop and grocery shopping this morning. Most people recognized Nathan as Batman immediately, and if they acknowledged him and not Ashley, she would squeal, "I Snow White!"

Weekend in Memphis

I had to go to Memphis for a CE conference this weekend, so Jeff and the kids tagged along. While I was in class all day Saturday and Sunday, they did some fun things in Memphis. However, their options were limited by the heat and the low parent to child ratio.

They spent 4 hours at the Memphis Children's Museum on Saturday, and I think they all had a really good time.

I did get to meet them at the mall on Sunday afternoon just in time for a carousel ride.
More than anything, Nathan had fun staying in the hotel. He loves everything about hotels...the pool, the elevators, going downstairs for breakfast. He even entertained himself with the ice bucket!

Skype Me!

Renee and I both finally got our web cams working this week. (Renee set hers up without any assistance from Aaron. Yea, Renee!) We have been talking to each other on Skype, and it's really cool. The kids can see and talk to each other. I even got to see Lily taking some steps this morning and wearing the new dress we sent her for her birthday. Very cool!

Fun in the City

We went downtown this morning to the River Market and checked out the new Peabody Park. It was perfect for Nathan with the underground tunnels, climbing walls, and water play area, but Ashley is still a little young for it all. We will definitely try it again when it is not so blasted hot and crowded.

Fun in the Country

Last weekend (when Nathan was in PA), we went for a Sunday afternoon drive and ended up at the Little Missouri Falls. It was one of the most remote places in Arkansas that I've ever been, and I've been to some pretty remote places! It's in the Ouachita National Forest and is very beautiful. The water is cold and clear even in July, so there were quite a few people swimming. We want to go back when there is more water in the river so that we can see the waterfalls at their best.

The next Michael Phelps?

Probably not...I haven't seen any Olympic swimmers pausing mid-stroke to wave at the camera.

"I'm a pretty pony..."

Jenna P. has outgrown her little rocking horse, so they gave it to Ashley. Jeff and I have had the song stuck in our heads all week, so I thought I would share it with all of you. (JDF, I'm sure you will notice the whistling in the background.)

Happy Birthday, Blog!

Wow! I just realized that "Following the Fischer Family" is a year old. I posted the first entry on July 14, 2007 right after we got home from PA when Lily was born. I have really enjoyed my first year of blogging. It's great to be able to look back at all the things we've done - even the mundane ones - and watch how the kids have grown in the last year. Hope you all enjoy as well!

Lonely in the South

Through a convoluted turn of events, Amanda, Brandon, and Mikayla went with my Mom and Nathan to Pennsylvania this week. I'm a little jealous that they are all together in PA, and I'm stuck at home. I don't envy the 16-hour drive with 3 kids, though.

Ashley did not make the trip and has been thoroughly enjoying being an only child this week. No toys to share or attention to divide! Jeff and I have enjoyed it too, but now we're starting to really miss Nathan. They are leaving PA on Wednesday, so he should be back home on Thursday. I have called them a couple of times, and it sounds like everything's going well.

Don't have too much fun without me!

Happy 1st Birthday, Lily!

It's hard to believe that these pictures were taken a year ago today. I am so thankful that we all got to be in PA when Lily was born (yea for induction!) and wish that I could be there today. We miss you and love you!

Webcam

Today we got a new web cam so that we can make video phone calls to PA and FL. Here's a quick video of Nathan acting goofy when I was trying to set it up. The quality of the picture diminishes greatly when you post video on the blog.

Happy 5th of July!

Belated Happy 4th of July! Nathan had a bicycle parade at school to celebrate Independence Day. He made the "hat" at preschool the day before, and he wanted me to tape it to his helmet so that he could wear it in the parade. Safety first!

Self-Inflicted Torture

There are 2 annual events that every woman dreads: (1) going to the gynecologist and (2) swimsuit shopping. Personally, I think I would rather go to the gynecologist. At least that's covered by my insurance!

Jeff and the kids have spent most of the holiday weekend up on Petit Jean celebrating with his family. I'm on call, so I just got to go up for a little while last night for the cook-out and fireworks.

Since I had some time to myself, I decided that I would totally shatter any remnant of positive body image that I still had by going swimsuit shopping. I don't know if it was having the 2nd kid or turning 30, but things are not the same as they used to be. (Let's just say, my feet aren't the only things that are starting to remind me of my grandmother!) Is it too much too ask for a swimsuit that covers you up without looking like an old lady?

After numerous disasters, I found one that I am not repulsed by. That is about all I could have hoped for!

Slippery Slope

As you all know, my backyard is not the greatest place for many activies. There is one thing, however, that it is perfect for...the Slip 'n' Slide! We buy a new one every summer, because at less than $10, they are pretty much disposable. The Krebs came over last night for some burgers and water play. It was a little cooler than usual yesterday, so the kids actually got cold playing in the water. Ashley was out in about 5 minutes.

The Krebs girls in their cute, matching swimsuits.

When life hands you lemons...

Nathan has been asking to make some fresh-squeezed lemonade lately, but usually I only have one or two lemons lying around. Yesterday, I bought a bunch of them and let him have at it. He really enjoyed banging the lemons on the cutting board (that makes them extra juicy!) more than anything.

Here's what Ashley did with her lemon. (Don't worry...this one was already juiced.)