I have not been a very good blogger lately. While I’ve managed to scrape by with some posts here (just barely, though), 10 things I hate about your site has been withering on the vine. I haven’t posted there in over a *gasp* month, and I’m seriously struggling with design issues.

I’ve spent the better half of the last month trying to design my own WordPress theme. What a nightmare, and I’m an effing designer!! So, now I’m spending my evening trying to find a new theme. Believe it or not, I’m very picky discerning. Finding the right theme for 10 things is not an easy task. I need widgets, and ad space, and a place for my favorite banner image of all time (which I may have to let go 🙁 ), and lots of other stuff. So here I am, trolling the internet.

Of course I’m looking for a free theme. Yeah, good luck with that!

This post has been generously brought to you by appetite suppressants. Which I am in serious need of if I’m going to look hot for my anniversary in Vegas!!!

If you’ve subscribed to The Web-Betty Blog, please let me know if there are problems. I had no clue what I was doing. It took 5 days and NO help from the WordPress forums to accomplish this. Now I get to do it for 10 things I hate about your site. Hopefully that will go just as smooth. Only quicker.

Maybe this sweeping blog change is a reflection of all the other changes we’ve been going through as a family. 2008 has proved (thus far) to be a very challenging and whirlwind year for the Johnsons.

We’ve had some personal crises to overcome. There are a few of you out there who know what I’m talking about. For those of you who don’t, just know that we are overcoming them and that things are going well. As Longfellow wrote, “Into each life a little rain must fall…“. I also like Lord Byron:

The thorns which I have reap’d are of the tree
I planted; they have torn me, and I bleed.
I should have known what fruit would spring from such a seed.

Of course, if you want better fruit, you simply plant a better tree.

I will not wallow, nor will I expound upon the situation. It’s done and we are moving forward as a family. So, let’s talk about the family in June:

Zachary

Zachary turned 5. We spent the evening at grandma’s pool having a picnic, opening presents, and swimming. It was a great time and Zachary loved his gifts. Then, the next day he got to go to Chuck E. Cheese with his cousins. So far I’d managed to avoid that place for 5 years, but now that he has a taste of it, I’m sure there are more excursions in my future. Is this place one of Dante’s 9 circles of hell?

On the same day as his birthday, Zachary also “graduated” from preschool. He’ll start kindergarten in August. Unbelievable!

Jonah

Jonah continues to be a source of pleasure and a source of frustration. While he is SO smart, and really funny, he does have a temper. There’s usually at least one tantrum a day over taking away something he’s not supposed to have. Thankfully, the tantrums don’t ever last very long and he’s easy to divert. He loves playing with Zachary, and of course all of Zachary’s toys. They do play together well and both love to build with the big legos.

Chris

This year we celebrated Father’s Day at the zoo. It was hot, but it was nice. Zach didn’t want to feed the animals at the petting zoo, but Jonah loved it. Chris loved the elephants, and Zach’s favorite part was riding the train at the end.

Chris and I also celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. We went to Universal Citywalk to see the Blue Man Group, then had a wonderful steak dinner. It’s always so odd having an “adult” dinner without the boys. I’m already looking forward to next year. Chris promised that we’d spend our 10th anniversary in the place where it all started—Vegas baby!

As always, there are more pics and slideshows on the Eye Candy page. I’ve uploaded a ton of pictures since the last 2 posts.

Whew, that’s a lot to catch up on. Happy July everyone!

I must say that I do fairly well for hacking my way around. I’m actually pretty happy with how this one is turning out. I LOVE the Japanese foliage I’m using for the background. Many thanks to Jason Gaylor, the creator of Design Fruit for such a wonderful brush set. I don’t know if I’m doing him justice, but I’m working on it! Be sure to sound off with your comments–love it or hate it, let me know.

There are still glitches to work out. Eye Candy, while much better than the last go ’round, still breaks the bottom section. No biggie as long as you know to use the links at the top! Not all of the old title rollovers are working, but that may never change (too many posts using other templates), and a few other minor details. Oh well, they’re not going to get worked out tonight. 😉