Taking Candy From a Baby March 28, 2008

Around Christmas time, Monkey found a toy at Safeway that she fell in love with. The toy had been thrown in with some bagged candy, and clearly had seen better days. It was a red plastic Santa airplane that had a button you push to make the propellers rotate and lights came on. It was clearly broken on the bottom when we purchased it… in fact the cashier gave it to us because they didn’t even know where it came from.

A day later the lights weren’t working. A week later the dog ate the propellers off.

Hurry Up and Wait March 25, 2008

This morning, we were 15 minutes late for our MOPS meeting because Monkey and I had a stand off over potty training. I had been prepping her all morning for a success by filling her belly with water, talking about our plan to go potty then go play with our friends, picking out a sticker, etc.

Well, 45 minutes before it was time to leave, I got her dressed and explained the game plan: We are going to finish our water, eat something, brush our teeth, go potty and leave.

Ready? BREAK!

Leaning February 13, 2008

I have had about enough.

Since Monkey was born (three years ago today!) I have had my gall bladder removed, been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, suffered a summer full of migraine headaches, and had a miscarriage. In the last six months I have seen five different doctors. None of which have any answers, but all of them have that same distracted look in their eyes and the same effortless shrug in their shoulders.

Today I received a call back from my OB explaining they don’t know what is going on exactly and things should just work themselves out. He recommended waiting until next month to start trying again.

What a surprise. Another non-descript conversation ending in tears of disappointment.

At this point I am completely frustrated. It is hard for me to swallow the fact that maybe the doctors will never figure this out. I may just have to live on Advil since it is really the only thing they all agree is safe to take while trying to conceive.

No Limit, No Measure February 5, 2008

Over last weekend we moved Monkey to a “big girl” bed. We purchased a full size mattress and I went to Target and picked out a quilt. The quilt I picked was the last one in that color and didn’t have a tag on it, therefore I took it to customer service and explained I wanted to purchase this, but wanted to find out how much it was since all of the quilts were on clearance. The woman explained she would have to search for it by hand so it would take a while. I told her I was in no hurry and to take her time and she could help others when they came up. Monkey was asleep in the car so Daddy was listening to the radio, patiently waiting, so I didn’t have all day, but I still offered my patience.

About 20 minutes into the process I realize some of the colors on the quilt are a little loud. I asked if she would mind if while I was waiting I could step outside with a pillowcase and get a ‘yea or nay’ from daddy. She explained I couldn’t take unpaid merchandise out of the store. I thought she misunderstood, so I explained I wanted to take just the pillowcase, not the blanket and I even offered to leave my wallet. Same response, followed by “it’s policy”.

5 Things I’m Lifting to the Lord February 1, 2008

No matter what is going on in my life, I always have something I am trying desperately to hold on to. I need to be better about giving everything over to God. I trust him, I know he loves me, and I know he will protect my heart, guide my hands and guard my mouth. Yet, I try to stay in control.

With the short, yet busy month of February upon us I am going to make an effort to give five things up to God.

1. The refinance of our house. Things have gotten a little off track, but I can already see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just how God always is, the new plan is even better than what we thought was our plan before.
2. The stress of Monkeys birthday party. It is never easy to bring our crazy families together, but I am asking Him to help me keep the focus on our Monkey.
3. A leadership position with MOPS. I should hear back from the MOPS steering team this month regarding my application to be a discussion group leader. I am excited about the possibility of helping other mommies grow in their faith through this program, and I hope I am chosen for this position.
4. Finding a preschool for Monkey. One of my dear friends from MOPS highly recommended another preschool for us to check out. She is enrolling her son there, and used to teach preschool, so my hopes are high, but just like everything else, it is in Gods hands.
5. Myles and his continued education about his alcoholism. He is my mothers boyfriend, and I love him just like he is family. He is struggling with his disease and is currently serving time in jail for DUI. He is working on his relationship with God, but like so many people with this disease, he struggles everyday. I need to focus on writing him more so he can know how much I love him and miss him.

There are things I can give to the Lord during all seasons of my life. For now, these are my top five. What would you like to give up to the Lord? You can be specific or non-descriptive. I commit to praying for you and the release of your stresses, so be sure and leave your comments below so I can be sure and pray for you.

Love Is In The Air January 23, 2008

With Valentines Day approaching, I have been racking my brain for what I can do for Travis this year. Our six year anniversary is also in February, as is Monkey’s birthday.

We have been passing around a horrendous cold since before Christmas so we have either been sick or caring for the sick for too long. I have been working on refinancing our house, potty training the dog and Monkey, attending MOPS, cooking for MOPS, MOMS and The Rock, and we are starting Kindermusik this week.

Travis has two pretty big web projects right now, and his office is moving at his full time job so there is rush and stress relating to that. He has been working late a little more and has been talking to/meeting with side-business clients weekly.

Did I mention we are starting a new class tonight at church?!

We have been going non-stop, and I for one am tired! Don’t get me wrong, I am so thankful to have the opportunities we have and I am not complaining by any means, but I could certainly use a nap.

So, how do we refocus on each other during the up and coming season of love? Valentines Day is no big deal for us, but I do love our anniversary. I love to celebrate the love we found so many years ago and still have to this day. On our wedding day we gave music cd’s to our guests with our favorite and meaningful songs. Travis makes me another edition of the cd every year, and I have yet to come up with something that means that much to him. We have played the Romantic Nights game, and occasionally still do. We have date night about once a month, and spend hours playing WoW together, but I ready for something new.

Little Blessings January 17, 2008

Today, Monkey and I bundled up and went out into the freezing cold for our first visit to preschool.

Little Blessings came highly recommended by one of Travis’ clients and a MOPS mommy also chimed in with a raving review, so we decided to check it out. We purposely went unscheduled so we could see the teachers and students in action. Upon arrival the first thing I noticed is the building wasn’t marked very well. I was unsure where to park, so I just parked at the front of the church, unloaded Monkey and headed for the doors. Locked. So we walked around to the side of the building and found all of the doors to also be locked. I called from my cell phone. No answer. I peeked inside the windows and could see a couple of students so I tried the phone again. No answer. Keep in mind in Colorado today we had a high of about 25 degrees, so I am getting impatient fast. We walked back to a different door and I called one final time and they answered. I explained why we were there and she said she could almost see me on camera and she will let us in.

We toured the facility and watched a few classes in action and I have to admit I was less than impressed. The classrooms were small and the students didn’t really look like they were all that interested. The tour guide explained because of the size of the rooms, the state will only allow eight students, instead of ten. She said it as though it was a good thing, but I have to say I don’t see it that way.

We looked at the playground equipment which was covered in snow and she explained the children go outside and play every day. I must have made a strange face or something, because she looked at me, paused and then explained when it is cold they just go for a walk on the sidewalk near the road. Again, less than impressed.

There were other issues that I didn’t feel right about (again the blessing/curse of discernment) but the moral of the story is we are going to pass.

Stop the Insanity January 11, 2008

Robert Palmer sang in 1989:

You can’t sleep. You can’t eat.

There’s no doubt. You’re in deep…

You might as well face it

You’re addicted to love

That song was performed almost 20 years ago, so do the same rules apply? Are we still addicted to love?

I think on some level we are. Millions of dollars a year are spent on Hallmark cards, online dating agencies, and romantic comedy movies. Almost everyone craves love and companionship.

What else are we addicted to?

According to Gregory Bloom, author of Overcoming Entertainment Addiction we are addicted to the entertainment zone, which in my house primarily includes the internet and television. Mr. Bloom spoke at our MOPS meeting on Tuesday and he really got me thinking.

Britax Regent January 9, 2008

Monkey is about ready to outgrow her carseat, and is legally ready for a booster seat. She will be three next month and weighs 37 lbs and her carseat only goes to 40 lbs. As I look at her, I cannot imagine her little body being able to sustain a car crash in just a booster seat, so I looked into the whole thing a little more and found a company by the name of Britax which makes 5 point harness seats that go up to 80 lbs.

The Britax Regent got excellent safety reviews online, therefore I purchased one online through Babies R Us. I was so excited when the package arrived within a week. I pulled the seat out of the box and the first thing I noticed is how huge this seat is. When I say big, I mean it. I can sit in the thing! If I didn’t have my large SUV, there is no way I could fit this in. Not to mention if I had two kids that had to sit side by side.

One for you, Two for me December 16, 2007

Almost six years ago Travis and I were married. As the unity candles were lit, I had no idea that our old lives would wither and new growth would replace the only life I had ever known.

Then Monkey was born.

We had been married about three years and we had settled into a routine. We were both working and making pretty good money. We ate out, went dancing and actually saw movies in the movie theater. All of that changed. Again, a new life replaced the old.

Travis and I were baptized almost three years ago. Our lives were symbolically and literally washed away by the water and our new lives were born. We quickly learned living in Christ was simple, but not easy.