Where I'm From

Inspired by my friend Megan's blog, I'm going to write a poem about, well, you know...

I'm from a 70's mansion
now a 2000's crappy rambler.
I'm from rollerskating on bumpy, metal wheels on a long dirt driveway
"in town"

I'm from a large, German family who's been here forever
and it looks like we ain't never leavin'!
I'm the oldest of six and cousin of hundreds

I'm from Barbies, Strawberry Shortcakes, fake, homemade Cabbage Patch dolls, hand me down and rummage sale clothes.

I'm from love, prayers, Church, laughter, living in the kitchen with Grandma Laura, snuggling with my sister in bed and under a blanket in front of the heating vent on cold mornings.

I'm from a place I will always go back to...because I'm already here!

Nik names II

When Niklaus was born, I had such wonderful thoughts of him being nicknamed "Klaus" and had no earthly idea of what his name would become. It all started with Nickerbocker. Sure, I can see that. Nik...Nicker...Nickerbocker bockety bop, I like-a-the way that you bob-attie-bop etc.. Then Gabby started shortening it to "bocker" and sometimes the kids all say "bock". SO, now instead of a nice, slightly quirky and ethnic sounding "Klaus", someday, when he's a grown man he'll answer to the name "Bock".

It just goes to show you, it doesn't matter WHAT the heck you name your kids, so why bother? I should just name them "Baby (insert last name here) and see what their siblings decide to name them after all!

Katrina...Trina, Tree, Trinabina, Kat, Katie, Trine, Tree-knee
Matthew...Matt, Matty, Mattchew
Analise...Anaweese, Weazy, Weas
Niklaus...Nik, Nikerbocker, Bocker, Bock

I give up.

Bocker reminds me of a (very) young Ron Howard. 

My friend, Karla wanted me to send pics of the kids doing everyday type stuff, ummm, yeah...