What would you expect from a post with a title like this? Why, a post about Jessica, of course!
So, if you recall, a few weeks back, I posted about Jessica having a boyfriend two weeks after moving here and Derek feeling a need to shop for an axe. Well, two weeks after he asked her to go out with him, he tells her that they probably should break it off. Derek insists that they were never boyfriend/girlfriend since they never even went on one date. Did I mention that 2 other boys asked Jessica out that same day that Nick did? (yes, his name's Nick) She's quite the popular young lady, as evidenced by the non-stop texting she does on her phone. (A topic for another day)
Well, within a week of the breakup, she started to get asked out by a small handful of boys (one repeat and a couple of new boys in the mix). One of these boys is James, who happens to be friends with Nick. Nick is a sophomore, but James... James is a SENIOR. Now, Jessica insists that James is NOT her boyfriend, but admits that he's probably more of a boyfriend than Nick ever was. (How weird is that?) He's been over here twice after school already, gotten Jessica to play video games (which she's never cared much for before) and he bought her an afternoon snack at (are you ready for this?) Taco Bell (*swoon*). Ok, I'm being a little facetious, but maybe it's just lingering bitterness from dating guys in my youth that generally had less spending money than I did. I seem to recall paying for more meals/snacks than being recipients of them.
Now, don't get me wrong. James is a rather nice person and is very polite for his generation, but he has one bad habit, which is the sole reason for Derek not allowing Jessica to have James as her boyfriend. He smokes. (blech) We've been told by both of them that he is in the process of quitting, but until he is "quitted" of it, no boyfriend/girlfriend status is allowed and no kissing!
James, after hearing about the whole axe bit, has been a bit nervous about meeting Derek. So their first meeting was a pleasant surprise for both. Last week, when I had a dental appointment for my crown prep work, I brought the baby with me to the dentist office, where Derek came by to pick her up and brought her back home. Jessica, who forgot I wouldn't be home, comes in with James and the following conversation ensues:
Jessica (from the front door, down the stairs): Hi, Ivy!
Derek (a la Mrs. Doubtfire): Hellooooo!
Jessica: Oh!.. Hi, Dad! I've got a surprise for you!
Derek: It's not some idiot boy, is it?
(I could feel James' cringe all the way down at the dentist's office)
Jessica: Yeah.... not an idiot...
Derek (cheerily): Perfect!
Lovely first impressions all around, no? At the end of the day, Derek said that he liked the boy, but that the whole smoking bit was a deal breaker. James thought Derek was pretty cool, and really wanted Derek's approval, but was rather confused about how to address him. He asked Jessica , "Do I call him Mr Taylor? Derek? Brother Taylor?" Derek told Jessica that he can use his title from his days working at Edmark... Lord High Master of All Technology.
Showing posts with label Jessica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jessica. Show all posts
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Sam-Yi's Birthday
Tomorrow is my sister's birthday, whom our daughter addresses as "Sam-Yi" (pronounced "sahm yee"). Translated from Chinese, it means Auntie with significance as to her specific relationship. It was celebrated at her home this past Saturday. I went with the baby, as Derek had some work he really wanted to get done. Also, with the recent passing of his grandmother, he just wanted some quiet time.
Jessica wanted to stay home in case her new boyfriend called. Yes, she's only been here one month and attending school for two weeks and she's already gotten herself a beau. Derek's still working on the short list of axes. If you don't remember why, see here.
This was the second time my sister has had a party over at her place and the first visit for many of her friends to see where she lives. (and she's lived there 9 years!) The last one was many years ago and was for our cousin Wes' birthday. I was in charge of ordering his cake. It was pink ...and I mean very pink. It wasn't intentional... Honestly! I forgot that this particular bakery always did a pink frosting for their strawberry filled cakes, unless you specifically request otherwise... in advance. and I still feel kind of sorry for all the ribbing he got for it. Just kind of.
But I digress. This is about my sister's birthday.
That's Chad and Chau in the background.
Juliana had a lot of fun meeting and playing with so many new people. Here she is with Anmari and Tobias.
And here is Alli with her son Ryder, who was born 4.5 months before Juliana. He looks just like his father Dave.
Isn't Alli's hair a lovely shade of red? Ryder is a very sensitive and sweet little boy. At one point in the evening, he went over to Juliana and gave her a kiss on the cheek. All the (female) adults around went "awwwww" and scared Ryder. He looked so sad and had the quivering lower lip going. Poor thing!
Alli and Dave's other son, Anthony, took this picture of the birthday girl while she was opening presents:
That's Stacy (sp?) in the background, in case you're wondering. I didn't post any full pictures with Chad and Chau, because Chau is 10 days from her delivery due date. Now, when I was pregnant, I saw quite a few pictures of myself and I thought I looked okay. I didn't gain anything more than the normal weight gain that those pregnancy experts tout, but I gained it all over and not in any one particular area. Now that I have lost the pregnancy weight and then some, I look at those same pictures and think "Oh my gosh! I was HUGE!!!" So, as to not scare, offend, or induce Chau into labor from the shock, I am refraining from putting any pictures of her up here in the expectant state unless I get her explicit permission .... and maybe a signed waiver to not harm my person.
Happy birthday, Sis! Hopefully the evening wasn't so traumatizing that it will be another 9 years before you invite anyone else over to your place for the evening.
And just to provide a little bit of cringe for Jessica, here is a picture of Juliana trying to use her as a teether this weekend.
I think Jessica is starting to get used to the drool. And Derek thinks she (Jessica) looks just like Mitchell in this picture.
Jessica wanted to stay home in case her new boyfriend called. Yes, she's only been here one month and attending school for two weeks and she's already gotten herself a beau. Derek's still working on the short list of axes. If you don't remember why, see here.
This was the second time my sister has had a party over at her place and the first visit for many of her friends to see where she lives. (and she's lived there 9 years!) The last one was many years ago and was for our cousin Wes' birthday. I was in charge of ordering his cake. It was pink ...and I mean very pink. It wasn't intentional... Honestly! I forgot that this particular bakery always did a pink frosting for their strawberry filled cakes, unless you specifically request otherwise... in advance. and I still feel kind of sorry for all the ribbing he got for it. Just kind of.
But I digress. This is about my sister's birthday.
That's Chad and Chau in the background.
Juliana had a lot of fun meeting and playing with so many new people. Here she is with Anmari and Tobias.
And here is Alli with her son Ryder, who was born 4.5 months before Juliana. He looks just like his father Dave.Isn't Alli's hair a lovely shade of red? Ryder is a very sensitive and sweet little boy. At one point in the evening, he went over to Juliana and gave her a kiss on the cheek. All the (female) adults around went "awwwww" and scared Ryder. He looked so sad and had the quivering lower lip going. Poor thing!Alli and Dave's other son, Anthony, took this picture of the birthday girl while she was opening presents:
That's Stacy (sp?) in the background, in case you're wondering. I didn't post any full pictures with Chad and Chau, because Chau is 10 days from her delivery due date. Now, when I was pregnant, I saw quite a few pictures of myself and I thought I looked okay. I didn't gain anything more than the normal weight gain that those pregnancy experts tout, but I gained it all over and not in any one particular area. Now that I have lost the pregnancy weight and then some, I look at those same pictures and think "Oh my gosh! I was HUGE!!!" So, as to not scare, offend, or induce Chau into labor from the shock, I am refraining from putting any pictures of her up here in the expectant state unless I get her explicit permission .... and maybe a signed waiver to not harm my person.Happy birthday, Sis! Hopefully the evening wasn't so traumatizing that it will be another 9 years before you invite anyone else over to your place for the evening.
And just to provide a little bit of cringe for Jessica, here is a picture of Juliana trying to use her as a teether this weekend.
I think Jessica is starting to get used to the drool. And Derek thinks she (Jessica) looks just like Mitchell in this picture.Thursday, February 14, 2008
Jessica
Back in mid January, Jessica (my husband's oldest) moved from Utah to live with us. (Her brothers are staying in Utah to be with their mom) I've just barely gotten used to living for an infant and now there is a teenager living with us, too! I hope my mind is prepared for all the mental gymnastics needed to shift gears on the fly. Here's a picture of her we took back in November when they all came to visit for Thanksgiving.
She's a beautiful young lady, yes? She doesn't like having impromptu pictures taken, and I seem to recall feeling the same way when I was a teenager. But like my parents did to me, I feel obligated to capture a few. It just wouldn't do to let those awkward teen years go by without providing some reminder with that element of cringe when we look back at this in 10 or 20 years. Right? I mean, I wouldn't want to be remiss in this with her mom so far away and her father not always thinking about these important little details while he thinks on what kind of axe to get. (you'll understand in a minute)
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when she moved in, but she's been wonderful to have around. She's attending the local high school and is fast making new friends. We got her a cell phone when she moved up here and, most afternoons and evenings, she is constantly texting either some new friends here or some old friends in Utah (or both at the same time). Good thing I added the unlimited texting to our family plan!
Derek has been having a slightly harder adjustment in some ways. Where before he would hear about her friends, dates and other activities from afar, he now finds himself being more protective of her. (I think it was in there all along, but was futile to express much of it from hundreds of miles away) So, he's stipulated that she can go to parties or visit with (boy)friends, but that as her father, he retains the right to suddenly drop by with an axe. He reasons that if there is nothing untoward going on, then the boys have nothing to worry about. You can't fault his logic...
I have to say, though, that I am proud of Derek. Whenever Jessica has come home with Algebra homework, Derek has sat down with her in the evening to coach her through the assignments. For being a subject that she claims to not understand, she got a B+ on her first quiz of the semester! Go, Jess!
She's a beautiful young lady, yes? She doesn't like having impromptu pictures taken, and I seem to recall feeling the same way when I was a teenager. But like my parents did to me, I feel obligated to capture a few. It just wouldn't do to let those awkward teen years go by without providing some reminder with that element of cringe when we look back at this in 10 or 20 years. Right? I mean, I wouldn't want to be remiss in this with her mom so far away and her father not always thinking about these important little details while he thinks on what kind of axe to get. (you'll understand in a minute)
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when she moved in, but she's been wonderful to have around. She's attending the local high school and is fast making new friends. We got her a cell phone when she moved up here and, most afternoons and evenings, she is constantly texting either some new friends here or some old friends in Utah (or both at the same time). Good thing I added the unlimited texting to our family plan!
Derek has been having a slightly harder adjustment in some ways. Where before he would hear about her friends, dates and other activities from afar, he now finds himself being more protective of her. (I think it was in there all along, but was futile to express much of it from hundreds of miles away) So, he's stipulated that she can go to parties or visit with (boy)friends, but that as her father, he retains the right to suddenly drop by with an axe. He reasons that if there is nothing untoward going on, then the boys have nothing to worry about. You can't fault his logic...
I have to say, though, that I am proud of Derek. Whenever Jessica has come home with Algebra homework, Derek has sat down with her in the evening to coach her through the assignments. For being a subject that she claims to not understand, she got a B+ on her first quiz of the semester! Go, Jess!
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