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Tag Archives: family
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{the crazy Chens with the even crazier Dan Santat! Yes, my hubby is wearing a shark suit.}
Yesterday we had the PURE JOY of meeting the 2015 Caldecott Winner Dan Santat. For a few years now we have followed his work, devoured his books, and greatly enjoyed his artwork. If anyone knows me, you know what a big deal this is. {Remember these encounters with my pal Laura Huliska Beith?!} Some people dream of meeting their favorite movie star, rock star, or sports hero, while I dream of meeting my favorite children’s book illustrators. Maybe it’s because illustration is what I studied in college so I deeply appreciate their skills, or maybe it’s because I design books for a living and I love working with illustrators, or maybe it’s just because I am a child at heart.
In any case, it truly was a dream come true.
{Now I would like to come see his home studio! hee hee hee}
Dan is so much more than a Caldecott winner. He deeply loves his family, is so passionate about art and creativity, is full of life and humor. We became even more endeared to him when we learned he is going to comicon with his boys, loves video games, comic books, and our kids’ favorite movie, The Iron Giant.
For the event, my family decided to dress as their favorite characters he has illustrated..jpg)
{Dan Santat & Pumpkin Poos}
Pumpkin Poos went as Beekle. She was too much. In the car on the way to the event, she said, “Mommy, I feel so scared.” {being dressed up in front of people while NOT on Halloween to meet an author was a bit much for her.} All I could think was, “How do you think your father feels?! He is driving in a minivan wearing a shark costume!”
In any case, it is The Adventures of Beekle The Unimaginary Friend that was the 2015 Caldecott winner & it is such a sweet, fun story. Go pick it up!
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{Dan Santat & Sunshine Girl striking a Ricky pose}
Sunshine Girl went as Ricky the mouse from Dan’s series that he illustrated for Dave Pilkey, Ricky Riccota’s Mighty Robot. They were signing that series at the event. Sunshine’s FAVORITE Dan Santat book though would definitely be Sidekicks. She has read it at least 10 times and has been known to sleep with it tucked under her pillow.
{Dan Santat & My Favorite Little Mister in their best picture day pose}
My Favorite Little Mister tried to get his best hat head & put on his silly faces for his favorite Dan Santat book Picture Day Perfection. OK, this is like full circle for my son, as he literally tried pulling this off for his 6th grade photos in the fall, but the photographer made him re-do the picture. So fun. Go for it son!
{Dan Santat & Sam the shark}
Sam went as a shark in honor of Dan’s Carnivores book. Yes, full out. Bought the costume this week. It was all his idea. When Dan released Carnivores, he did a fun little promo video which you can see here. PLEASE go watch it. You will not regret it. And BUY THE BOOK. It is so funny.
OK, so Sam & Dan are like brothers from another mother. While Dan was describing his childhood, I could not help but laugh: asian parents who wanted them to grow up to be doctors?! check. Video games?! check check. Comic books?! check. check. check. They would so be friends. If only we lived in sunny California.
We left our meeting very happy campers with a whole stack of books signed. I only wish I could have brought his Always Lots of Heines at the Zoo, but I could not find that one anywhere. Boo. Next time Dan.
Here is a small sampling of Dan’s work. Be sure to pick them up for your reading pleasure, ahem, I mean for your KIDS’ reading pleasure! And, don’t forget to shop local.
Again, you can follow Dan here.
Grace & Peace,
Julie
P.S. A Chicago Tribune reporter was there & we might make the Printer’s Row section of Sunday’s Tribune. Ha! So fun!
Today marks my hubby’s last day as a neuro-cardiac ICU nurse. What this means is big changes for our family. A chapter of our lives has closed.
About 5 1/2 years ago, my hubby took a 2 year sabbatical from his anatomy-physiology teaching job to pursue his life long dream to do something clinical with all of that head knowledge and he got his masters level degree in nursing. It seemed to be a perfect fit: he is an amazing teacher & nurses are known for truly teaching you how to take care of yourself and compassionately help you through your hardest times. His personality and passion fit the bill. He then spent one full year working 2 — YES, TWO—full time jobs: teaching days & nursing nights. 7. days. a. week. {needless to say, it was not a fun year & anyone who met him at this time, I just feel sorry for as you did not get to know the real Sam.}
His amazing boss allowed him to go part time at the year mark, and then extended her graciousness to allow him to work 1—12 hour shift a week for the last year. All the while he has been teaching full time & recently added to his responsibilities department chair of the biology department. {throughout this process, he determines that teaching remains a passion & the ability to train up hundreds of nurses a year is a big vision for him in his career—to be able to influence the masses.}
As you can tell, it’s been a very “full” 5+ years, but with the busyness comes emptiness and you begin to wonder: do I work to live or live to work?! He has been wrestling with this for months. I was against him quitting, wanting all of this craziness to be “worth it” in the end & wanting him to be a nurse as he is GREAT, but then again, I am also sick of seeing my hubby work so much & stressed & missing out on LIFE.
Another influence was his patients themselves. They are unfortunately on their death beds & do you know what message they gave my hubby week by week? Spend as much time with your family as possible. ENJOY life. {These words coming while he’s missing the girls soccer games & our sons cello concerts, etc…} Not one of them told him, “I just wish I would have worked more!”
We are both so grateful to God for allowing us the privilege to actually have the freedom to pursue our dreams. We recognize most people do not have this option and are bound by money or debt or other limitations that do not allow them to just go for it. We are also thankful that this whole endeavor was never about money. It always made me so sad when people would comment how we must really be “rolling in it now” or “double dipping” as they obviously do not know our hearts nor know how we value our money. In fact, we essentially did not see a penny from all of his work. Rush University on the other hand saw a LOT of those pennies 🙂 but not us. This pursuit was always about fulfilling dreams and helping others.
I hope in the months to come my hubby truly slows down and feels refreshed. I also hope that someday God will open another door for him to use all of these nursing skills. The notes from patients and families have meant the world to us and made this all worth it. Nurses are truly amazing people who pour out their lives in order to humbly serve others.
Thanks for listening!
Grace & Peace,
Julie
Dear Friends, Family, & Faithful Customers,
Merry Christmas from the bottom of our hearts!
We hope you’ve had a wonderful year & experience the true joy of Christmas.
Now, enjoy some out takes… can you tell who is the ham of the family?!
{photos courtesy of a tripod + a remote clicker in my hubby’s hand}
I seriously cannot even remember what was happening here or what possessed my kiddos.
I know there was something about “playing” their letters as instruments &
how Sunshine Girl turned that into ninja moves is beyond me {& yet really no surprise at all!}
Here’s a brief year wrap up:
Hubby: Anatomy/Physiology Teacher, Biology Departmental Chair, part time Neuro-Cardio nurse, worship leader, best hubby & Daddy Bear ever
Me: Wife, Mommy, Photographer, Creative Director of Life Verse Design, book designer for Tyndale House Publishers, soccer coach x2 girls’ teams, Bible study leader
My Favorite Little Mister: 11 years old, 6th grade, piano player, cello player, origami master, Lego Mindstorms enthusiast, Lego builder, creating something constantly, book worm
Sunshine Girl: 9 years old, 4th grade, piano player, soccer, volleyball, athlete {basically she would do every sport if I let her!}, comic enthusiast {ask her anything, she will know}, book worm {she’s my one who is “too busy reading Nancy Drew to have a playdate”}
Pumpkin Poos: 7 years old, 1st grade, soccer player, dancer, singer {spoiler alert: can you say karaoke in our near future?! ahhhh!}, artist, pretend play constantly {teacher, restaurant owner, librarian, mommy}, Frozen enthusiast, book worm
Highlight of the year was definitely our camping trip to Yellowstone, Tetons, Badlands, & Mount Rushmore. It’s also been fun watching the kids grow & though there have been struggles, we trust they will bloom into who they are meant to be.
Merry Christmas again!
Grace & Peace,
Julie
Well, HELLO THERE! Long time no talk, eh? There is a good reason for that… it’s been my busiest season yet & I am so grateful, humbled & honored to be providing you with meaningful gifts & memorable photography.
My kids LOVE Christmas. The excitement over here is quite high & we’ve had loads of fun decorating, baking, shopping {ahem. my least favorite thing in the world}, wrapping, singing & dancing. Above you will see their gingerbread houses. First year we have ever done gingerbread houses & one of the best parts to my hubby was the fact that these sugar filled beauties were not created inside our home, but rather at a local architecture firm who generously hosted the event. It was SO COOL… so fun in fact that we stayed for 3 full hours building & decorating! The architects had cut rectangles, squares & triangles out of styrofoam and then gave you a sleeve {or 2!} of crackers & you went to town. Then there was an entire table filled with bowls of candy. It was fun to watch the kids’ personalities & creativity come through.
My Favorite Little Mister actually won the contest & his house was fully landscaped & thought out to the “T”. {He already has plans for next year!} {I wish the prize was a one-on-one mentoring session with an architect so he can really see how they work! But, I’ll probably just knock someday & ask if one of them can share with my son their knowledge.}
My Sunshine Girl was very intricate & reminded me of a Swiss chalet with so many of the unique triangle pieces used & of course, she was the one who was constantly giving help to her siblings.
Pumpkin-Poos designed a castle {of course!} I think her design was the largest of all we saw!
Last weekend we spent the day baking. Every year we do cut out cookies & peanut butter kisses for Daddy Bear. It was fun. I think it was the first year I did not end up yelling or frustrated, so you know, that is a success right there. The older they get, the more fun!
That ADORABLE plate is courtesy of my good friend Sara over at Sarah and Abraham who creates THE CUTEST personalized gifts for your entire family. You can head on over, choose a product & build your child’s likeness. We also have plates, bowls, & pillows for the kiddos & they TRULY love them. {Thanks again Sara!}
I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. Next up… Christmas pictures!!!
Grace & Peace,
Julie
My little Pumpkin-Poos turned 7 today! SEVEN?! Yes, seven. Where the time goes I will never know. Her given Chinese name means “The Lord’s Peace” as I honestly just really wanted a peaceful baby who would sleep soundly & go with the flow. Daddy has renamed her into “The Lord’s Joy” & she only answers to that when called by her Chinese name. I think these photos explain why we call her full of joy.
Her nickname “pumpkin” came along because the day before she was born we were at the arboretum & there was a 500 pound pumpkin & I took a photo next to it as I felt like I was as big as that pumpkin. “Pumpkin” turned into “Pumpkin-Poos” which turned into “Little Punkins” which turned recently turned into “Li’l Punks.” {Either that or sweets.}
Oh, and sometimes I call her my little hippo as she loves cold water & mud. Other things she loves: DOGS! Of course I am allergic, so no living doggy in our home, but you will find 32 stuffed puppies. We read the breed guide book often & she can probably name more breeds of dogs than most people can! She is totally smitten with her brother & sister too. Anything to get their attention & affection {such as covering herself with mud since it is soooooo funny.} The birthday girl even picked out the gift she knew her big brother would love, and so he would gladly play with her. So sweet.
And, talk about creative! She is constantly playing house, school, library or restaurant and she LOVES art.
Pumpkin’s life has taught me so much. The first & biggest lesson is that God has bigger & BETTER plans & they are not always our own. {You might call her our love child or our little surprise blessing, ahem.} She’s rocked my world as my “life plan” exploded for the better. It was because of her that Life Verse Design even began. {You can read more about that here.}
She has also taught me the wonder & appreciation for language. You see, Pumpkins has a speech disorder & the things we take for granted in speech & language has been a learning process and a TON of hard work for her & still is. Our language is so automatic & it’s a fascinating thing to really think about how we developed it or when we will choose to use a pronoun or the required question word, but she has to think about all of that & more. I am so thankful for how far she has come & I love to hear what is on her heart. {My favorite phrase lately is bedtime when she blurts out every night, “I LOVE YOU MORE!” before I can say it … my not-so-favorite but very funny phrase she used all summer was, “You’re NOT the boss of me.” Ummm… little spit fire just like her mama Sam would say.}
Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! We LOVE you.
Grace & Peace,
Mommy {aka Julie}
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Barb Bezanson Wrought - Julie – You and Sam are amazing people! Love this entry in your blog. I am glad that Sam will have more time to spend with you and the kids. That is very important. Those times cannot be replaced. Nurses like him are also very special. Please give each other a hug for me! (( )) Love, in Christ, Barb