No wonder our view of history is skewed...

Overheard while walking around Green Lake:

Orange Shirt Girl:...first he lied about where he was on Tuesday night and then he lied about lying!
Black Shirt Girl: See! I told you! He's a chronological liar!

Geary: Does that mean he only lies about History?

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Recently, my dad taught Noah how to play Rock, Paper, Scissors. This is the version of the game we played tonight:

Jeana (making a fist): One, two, three.
Noah: Scissors!
Jeana puts her index and middle fingers into "scissors"
formation
Jeana (making a fist): One, two, three.
Noah: Paper!
Jeana stretches out all her fingers and tries to make her hand look flat.
Noah: Pencil!
Noah holds out his index finger and proceeds to "scribble" on Jeana's hand.
Noah: Look at me! I'm coloring art circles!

Hungry Boy

Noah: I want a waffle.
Jeana: How do you ask?
Noah: May I have waffle, please? No! No! Wait! May I have two waffles, please?

Sneaky Mom

So, I've been trying to ween Noah from his pacifier for about six months. Today when it was time for Noah's nap I told him I would go find his binky and that I would bring it to him when I found it. I never looked for it. Noah was quiet for almost 45 minutes. I'm assuming he was sleeping. When I did hear him he was saying, "I'm sorry...Binky's all gone." But no tears. No tantrums. We could be on our way...

Keep in a sunny area, water daily...

Last night at Whole Foods I spotted a "Free Vegetarian Starter Kit." I pointed it out to a couple friends saying, "Wouldn't it be funny if it was just a packet of seeds?" My friend Megan replied, "Yeah, I wonder how long it takes those vegetarians to grow once you plant them..."

(Obligatory rimshot: Ba dum dum cha!)

Corn-y Nicknames

One of our family nicknames for whenever someone is being really silly is Corn-Muffin Ninny. We've also used Corn Flake, Corn Pop, and Corn Head. Keeping that in mind, this is what Noah said while leaving a message on Geary's voicemail this morning:

beep! "Daddy...Daddy! Daddy? Daddy where are you? Daddy daddy daddy daddy daddydaddydaddydaddydaddy! Daddy? I love you, Corndog!"

Noah Reading Sojourners Magazine

New Link

Family: We've added a link to Eric & Anita's new blog site so that you can just jump right to theirs after reading ours. To see it right this minute, click here. There are some super cute pictures and quotes from Analia.

Everyone Else: In case you're interested in seeing the blog of some close relatives and figuring how the Linharts came to be the way we are based on the influences of family members, click here. There is a really sick story about chickenpox on our brother-in-law's eyeball!

Those pictures I promised...

This is our new niece, Karissa. We're trying to come up with nicknames. So far we like Kiki, KJ, and my personal favorite is Rizzo (she's destined to be in Grease!).


Look, she's already singing, "Tell me more! Tell me more!"

The whole family, including Rory (the stuffed dog).

More Noahese

Yesterday, after leaving the Borders Bookstore elevator.

Noah: Cwose da door! I want more alligator!
Geary: Elevator.
Noah: Yeah, alligator. Chomp!

The Logo

In an effort to help our family financially, I'm starting my own business! It's in the seedling stage right now, but I'm still really excited about it. This is my logo. I chose the name Pickled Tink because I have always enjoyed spoonerisms. Spoonerisms are words or phrases with the beginning sounds transposed (eg. "take a shower" spoonerized is "shake a tower"). To be tickled pink is to be greatly amused. The thought of Tinkerbell in a pickle jar greatly amuses me (similar to wondering if Girl Scout cookies are made out of real Girl Scouts). Thus, Pickled Tink! So far, my products include notecards, journals, and magnets. These are all custom designed and handmade by yours truly. I hope to have a website and business email address soon. But for now, I'm taking orders via email. You can see my latest journal design here.

At least it's not "Left Behind"

Anybody watch Revelations on NBC last night? I have to admit, I fell asleep for large chunks of it because it was soooooooo sloooooooow. I was expecting NBC's version of the Left Behind Series, but it really wasn't. Revelations' whole premise is that Jesus has come to earth as a baby again and that it takes a whole team of Catholics and Harvard scientists to track him down. I had to keep reminding myself that the show is not based on the book of Revelation, rather any kind of revelation: signs, miracles, heart proddings, etc. I did find it interesting that the show is produced by Pariah (which means outcast). I haven't been impressed but I'm still a little curious. We'll see if Geary and I watch next week. Geary, by the way, didn't fall asleep and may have more interesting observations for you at a later time.

I didn't even bother to watch the DaVinci Code thing. I pretty much feel like it's time to get over it. I read the book, I even liked the book! It's a great piece of mystery and FICTION. And if Dan Brown really wants to persuade a culture about a religious scandal, it just shows that he knows how to work with a post-modern worldview: TELL A STORY. (hint, hint to the up and coming Christian authors.)

Anyway, I'm interested in your thoughts about Revelations, the DaVinci Code, or both.

Oval of Life

I let Noah hold an egg in his hands this morning. He gave it a gentle and thorough examination before saying, "Hello, little chicken! What are you doing in there?" Where did he learn that chickens come from eggs? I know I have a bright son, but I still really underestimate his intelligence and comprehension sometimes. Hmm...a good lesson for me on paying attention.

Funny Conversations with Funny Friends

I frequently tell Geary that the reason our marriage is so great is because he thinks I'm funny and I think I'm funny, too. I am still laughing at this comment from my drive home from the Women's Retreat. As we were driving we saw a lady walking on the sidewalk wearing a HUGE coat that looked like she had an entire white tiger wrapped around her. Actually, you could barely even see the woman--it looked like a white tiger was walking upright up the street.

Emily: Whoa! Look at that lady's coat!
Megan: Oh, yeah...I think I know her...I think I met her at the Puyallup Fair.
Amy: Mmm. I'm pretty sure I saw her at the circus.
Jeana: Oh? Was she the one that bit Roy?

Refreshed...

I just got back from our church's Women's Retreat. The theme was Refresh and was held at the beautiful Enzian Inn in Leavenworth. Pretty perfect considering how busy and stressed I've been feeling lately. Just so you know, I did manage to get the laundry done, go grocery shopping, and spend some quality time with my son before I left for the retreat. One of the great things about the retreat was that we had a 7 hour block of free time that could be used however we wanted. I went down to the river and sat by myself for awhile just reflecting, praying, and basking in the beauty around me. Then I started singing and to my delight, a couple friends who were nearby, sang with me. I deeply appreciated the simple beauty and communion with friends in worship. After that, I wandered around the shops of Leavenworth for a bit, and then took a much needed nap. It was wonderful!

During the retreat I acted in an ongoing skit that was performed before each "speaker session" and I am pretty pleased to tell you that the skit got rave reviews. I haven't acted since my freshman year at MBC and it was really fun to get back into that. Part of me feels guilty for loving all that praise and attention, but mostly I'm pleased that I was able to use my gifts to honor God and entertain/teach his people.

All in all, I had a very refreshing weekend with my friends. My duties as graphic designer for the Steering Committee are slowing down. My family gave me a great welcome home. My apartment is clean and so are my clothes. I feel good...like my spiritual tummy is satisfied. It's nice.

Zebra Ride

Over Easter, Grandpa Bob and Grandma took Noah to Salem's Riverfront Carousel where he got to ride a zebra! Noah thought it was pretty funny that whenever his zebra was up, Grandma's horse was down, and whenever his zebra was down, Grandma's horse was up! (Recognizing physics at only 2 years old--the kid is a genius!)

That girl needs to sort out her priorities...

I am feeling so stressed lately! I've been volunteering on the Steering Committee at our church, designing brochures and invitations for some big events we have coming up. We're calling it a Stewardship Focus but really it's making me a bad steward of everything else in my life. Our refrigerator is empty, Noah watches way too many videos a day, and I've even resorted to faux laundry (A.K.A. Febreeze). Praise God it all ends on April 18th! In the meantime...pray for my sanity! (and that I will be able to get to the real laundry!)

Oops!

This morning I was in a rush to get to an appointment. As I was gathering my things Noah and I had this conversation:

Jeana: Come on, Noah, go to the front door.
Noah: I don't want to go bye-bye right now.
Jeana: We have to go bye-bye. Go to the front door.
Noah: I can't.
Jeana: Why not?
Noah: I have no pants on.

High Self Esteem

Noah can recognize and say all of the letters in the English Alphabet. This is slightly impressive for a 2 year old. Vanity in a 2 year old is hilariously impressive, though. Take this conversation with one of our church secretaries, for instance:

Noah: May I have some crackers please?
Mary (handing over a fistful of stick shaped graham crackers): You're so polite! Here you go!
Noah: That the letter I!
Mary: You know the letter I? You're so smart!
Noah: Thank you. I cute.

We have a new niece!

Karissa Iona was born today at 8:50pm. Stats: 7lbs 13 oz, 21 inches long. Parents and sister doing well. Pictures coming soon!

Kudos

I've heard that stay at home mom's often feel unappreciated because no one gives them praise or raises or special thank you gifts. I have to admit that before Noah started talking, I did feel undervalued sometimes. But not anymore! Noah constantly says stuff like:
Good job, Mommy!
Great work!
Way to go!
Try again!
In fact, this afternoon, as I drove through an intersection, I got a hearty, "That was sooooooper!" And when I thanked Noah for his polite comment, I was further rewarded with, "Oh! Thank you, Mommy. You're welcome!"

Ikea

We went to Ikea yesterday and Noah struck up a conversation with an older gentleman sitting on a couch, waiting for his wife.

Stranger: Hey, you look as bored as I am.
Noah: Yep!
Stranger: We need to go outside and play!
Noah: (nodding emphatically) We need football.

Boys.