My darling friend Molly got to be here this weekend. We had great fun, she helped me celebrate my birthday, and she was thoroughly entertained by Blake. In fact, she's so amazing that she not only took pictures of him yesterday, she even posted them on HER blog yesterday. In the interest of making sure everyone sees how cute he is, I'll get you there.
However, she sets the bar pretty high, and I just want you to know: I can't be THAT amazing. At least, not this week.
Monday, February 18, 2008
great advice
How lucky am I? I got this email on Thursday night from my boss/friend/brotha-from-anotha-motha:
Addie,
I have a favor to ask of you.
1. Drink a glass of wine tonight. ONE! :) And not a stein, please.
2. Go to bed - be IN BED - by 11pm. Then pray. Then, if you're not tired, read.
3. Set your alarm for 7:30 and get up when it goes off. Just roll out of bed and lay on the floor, that's fine. Just get out of the bed.
4. As soon as you're awake, pray.
5. Read your Bible for 10 minutes.
6. Most important: do NOT do anything related to BPL, housework, primping, leisure reading, etc. between #2 and #5.
Let me know how it went. I'll do the same.
I sincerely believe that you really need to get into a pattern that is more structured. I know you have a lot going on personally right now. But you and I are a lot alike, in that structure provides us with some ability to cope, and turning off the reality channel for 8 or 10 hours every day is pretty important.
I get where you were this morning and what you were going through. It's a tough way to tackle work, I've been there more times than you know. Just know that we care immensely.
I love the folks I get to work for and work with. I love that their birthday gift to me was: a movie rental from Hastings, a bottle of wine, popcorn, and chocolate. They wanted to make catching up on my movie-watching as easy as possible. I love that they know me well enough to send an email like the one above (I've done #2-#6 a few days since, and the difference between those days and the ones in which I laze around in bed for too long...huge). I love getting to encourage THEM in their trials. I truly feel so fortunate to know and be friends with Ryan & Stephanie, and one of the most amazing parts about all this is that I would not have known them (at least, not in this capacity nor as well) if Blake hadn't died.
I would be richer if Blake were here, true, but I would also be much poorer.
Addie,
I have a favor to ask of you.
1. Drink a glass of wine tonight. ONE! :) And not a stein, please.
2. Go to bed - be IN BED - by 11pm. Then pray. Then, if you're not tired, read.
3. Set your alarm for 7:30 and get up when it goes off. Just roll out of bed and lay on the floor, that's fine. Just get out of the bed.
4. As soon as you're awake, pray.
5. Read your Bible for 10 minutes.
6. Most important: do NOT do anything related to BPL, housework, primping, leisure reading, etc. between #2 and #5.
Let me know how it went. I'll do the same.
I sincerely believe that you really need to get into a pattern that is more structured. I know you have a lot going on personally right now. But you and I are a lot alike, in that structure provides us with some ability to cope, and turning off the reality channel for 8 or 10 hours every day is pretty important.
I get where you were this morning and what you were going through. It's a tough way to tackle work, I've been there more times than you know. Just know that we care immensely.
I love the folks I get to work for and work with. I love that their birthday gift to me was: a movie rental from Hastings, a bottle of wine, popcorn, and chocolate. They wanted to make catching up on my movie-watching as easy as possible. I love that they know me well enough to send an email like the one above (I've done #2-#6 a few days since, and the difference between those days and the ones in which I laze around in bed for too long...huge). I love getting to encourage THEM in their trials. I truly feel so fortunate to know and be friends with Ryan & Stephanie, and one of the most amazing parts about all this is that I would not have known them (at least, not in this capacity nor as well) if Blake hadn't died.
I would be richer if Blake were here, true, but I would also be much poorer.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
laughing and crying
This is the best video on the internet. Blake's cousin and her husband had a baby girl just before Reese had the twins. Reagan was born deaf. She had a cochlear implant done in January (or, as April referred to it: implants - leading to lots of confusion for folks not as "in the know"), and this is the video of the bionic ear activation...truly one of the most wonderful things I've ever seen.
In case it's not clear, the doctor activates the bionic ear, then says "Ba-ba-ba" to see if Reggie reacts.
In case it's not clear, the doctor activates the bionic ear, then says "Ba-ba-ba" to see if Reggie reacts.
Monday, February 11, 2008
suffering
I don't like anyone to suffer alone. I take things on to a degree that is probably unhealthy and co-dependent, and it's a very big part of why I don't subscribe to "The Voice of the Martyrs."
I found out yesterday that a friend had gone into preterm, unstoppable labor, and the twins, all 25 weeks of them, are now in the NICU in Great Falls. Her husband is there with the boys, but she's stuck in Bozeman, recovering from both a delivery and a C-section. While it's still a life-or-death situation for Miles and Will, there's considerably more hope for their survival and health than was indicated when I first found out. Praise God for that: being born at 25 weeks gestation is not an automatic death sentence.
Still, sometimes I just want the world to be ok - well, more than that, I want it to be redeemed. How much more crappiness do we have to take?
Revelation 22:20-21
(Ok God...it's been 2000 years, give or take. I know you're not late, but I am ready!)
I found out yesterday that a friend had gone into preterm, unstoppable labor, and the twins, all 25 weeks of them, are now in the NICU in Great Falls. Her husband is there with the boys, but she's stuck in Bozeman, recovering from both a delivery and a C-section. While it's still a life-or-death situation for Miles and Will, there's considerably more hope for their survival and health than was indicated when I first found out. Praise God for that: being born at 25 weeks gestation is not an automatic death sentence.
Still, sometimes I just want the world to be ok - well, more than that, I want it to be redeemed. How much more crappiness do we have to take?
Revelation 22:20-21
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.
(Ok God...it's been 2000 years, give or take. I know you're not late, but I am ready!)
Friday, February 8, 2008
samson
Just finished cutting Blake's hair, and I'd like to tell any of you within, oh, a mile or so that I was not shoving bamboo shoots under his fingernails, despite what it sounded like. For some reason, the sensation of the vibrating clippers combined with the sound absolutely terrifies him. After promising to finish up with scissors and inadvertently poking him behind the ear, we both threw in the towel.
So, for those of you who tell him he needs a haircut, I gratefully cede the responsibility to you. Me? I'm going to learn how to French braid.
So, for those of you who tell him he needs a haircut, I gratefully cede the responsibility to you. Me? I'm going to learn how to French braid.
miscellany
Thanks to those who have offered help - I will take it whenever and however you can give it.
***
Thanks to the friends of my folks who gave me a great big laugh last night. Apparently, they were discussing the grammatical uses of a particularly foul word, and, at a loss, decided to ask me, I think more for my grasp of English grammar than my grasp of four letter words (though I am equally good at both). It was the best assignment ever, and I was able to remember, search for, and pass on the transcript of a certain George Carlin routine that thoroughly answered their question.
Sometimes it's good to have a head full of useless information.
***
I started a growth group with church last night. It is a blessing to have one take place very near us, with childcare, and with a group of people I already enjoy. That sort of perfect storm has not happened for me yet, and I look forward to having meaningful conversation about eternal things.
***
Eternal things in the same post as a four letter word? I must be tired.
***
The other day, we were invited to go sledding with friends, after which we came home and had lunch together. Blake stops mid-sip of his hot chocolate, lets out a big sigh, and exclaims, "I love this day!"
Since then, he happily declares his love for many things:
"I love syrup!"
"I love Spiderman!"
"I love kikis!"
And when snuggling me?
"Mmmm, Momma, I missed you so much."
Even when we've spent the entire day together. I'm not sure why.
***
Last night, I fixed his CD from skipping ("Oh, Momma, it's broken. We have to throw it away?"), and once it got started, he gasped, grinned, and said, "Oh, thank you for fixing it, Momma!"
This kid makes me melt. He sings along to Regina Spektor with me, pretends to be Dora (or Diego) while I am Boots (or Alicia), sneaks into my room at night to sleep on the floor next to my bed, and blows his own nose - as in, notices he needs it, grabs a Kleenex, and takes care of it himself - he cries if I shovel the walk without him, declares "That's silly" about almost everything, hollers "Watch me, Momma - I making silly faces!" and calls our morning drink "sasmooties."
He would be starting his first job next week, but I don't think I could talk his boss into changing his diaper. That's really the only thing slowing him down.
***
Thanks to the friends of my folks who gave me a great big laugh last night. Apparently, they were discussing the grammatical uses of a particularly foul word, and, at a loss, decided to ask me, I think more for my grasp of English grammar than my grasp of four letter words (though I am equally good at both). It was the best assignment ever, and I was able to remember, search for, and pass on the transcript of a certain George Carlin routine that thoroughly answered their question.
Sometimes it's good to have a head full of useless information.
***
I started a growth group with church last night. It is a blessing to have one take place very near us, with childcare, and with a group of people I already enjoy. That sort of perfect storm has not happened for me yet, and I look forward to having meaningful conversation about eternal things.
***
Eternal things in the same post as a four letter word? I must be tired.
***
The other day, we were invited to go sledding with friends, after which we came home and had lunch together. Blake stops mid-sip of his hot chocolate, lets out a big sigh, and exclaims, "I love this day!"
Since then, he happily declares his love for many things:
"I love syrup!"
"I love Spiderman!"
"I love kikis!"
And when snuggling me?
"Mmmm, Momma, I missed you so much."
Even when we've spent the entire day together. I'm not sure why.
***
Last night, I fixed his CD from skipping ("Oh, Momma, it's broken. We have to throw it away?"), and once it got started, he gasped, grinned, and said, "Oh, thank you for fixing it, Momma!"
This kid makes me melt. He sings along to Regina Spektor with me, pretends to be Dora (or Diego) while I am Boots (or Alicia), sneaks into my room at night to sleep on the floor next to my bed, and blows his own nose - as in, notices he needs it, grabs a Kleenex, and takes care of it himself - he cries if I shovel the walk without him, declares "That's silly" about almost everything, hollers "Watch me, Momma - I making silly faces!" and calls our morning drink "sasmooties."
He would be starting his first job next week, but I don't think I could talk his boss into changing his diaper. That's really the only thing slowing him down.
craving white chocolate
It's cold and windy here today, and I was stuck at home this morning for a few reasons, so I could not indulge my craving. Sad. Now my son's napping, and I still cannot indulge my craving.
Sometimes it's better when I don't blog.
Sometimes it's better when I don't blog.
Monday, February 4, 2008
birthday boy
Blake turns three tomorrow! Like the fabulous mother I am, I have nothing planned for his actual birthday - I leave it to day care Julie to plan that stuff. His special day is Saturday, and I am about to go whip up a few cute little invitations to the very small number of people I hope can come. No sense in overwhelming a three-year-old that I have to live with: two friends is plenty, especially when one shrieks his name ecstatically every time they see one another, and the other thinks his father shot a bear.
Good times!
Good times!
ocd
I've recently had a fit of the "tidies." I think that's what I'll call it. After looking for two small items that I KNOW I own, but not knowing where to start, I came the abrupt realization that I have way too much stuff. WAY TOO MUCH. Cannot over-emphasize that.
It makes no sense for me to hang onto, say, full-size bed linens to fit the full-size bed I'm storing at my folks' place. By the time I live in a home where a full-size bed will fit, you can bet I will probably upgrade sheets. Also, most of my baby stuff? When do I think I'll have another baby? At the rate I'm going, it may never happen, or if it does, it will be in five more years...and be a girl. Better that someone use all this stuff NOW, because when I finally get to have another wee one, I imagine that me and everyone related to me will be so excited that I'll get everything all over again.
Well, now I'm ensuring that happens. I've discovered freecycle.org, where I list things I no longer want, that don't belong in the dump, but that aren't of any eBay-able value...and people JUMP at the opportunity to come pick them up. Like 40 back issues of Real Simple? Gone within hours. I love this.
Now, I will keep a box of baby Blake things for sentimental reasons (don't look so shocked - I can be as sentimental as all get out), and I will probably keep a chunk of big Blake things for sentimental reasons. But my notes from Business 101? Gone. Framed art I have no intention of putting up in my home again (lovely, but not my taste), also gone. That high chair we never used? You guessed: I've bronzed it and stuck it in a corner of my room. Or...gone!
Also, I'm semi-stressed about all the things that I a) do not have time to do, or b) cannot do alone. (I would lump "parenting an energetic toddler" into group b, but God's not given me many choices there.) This is my official call for help. I need help moving things in my garage (a few hours should suffice), I need help moving furniture in my house so that I can caulk and putty and touch up the baseboard (nope, still not done that), and I need help taping my guest bathroom so that I can paint it. I need help analyzing Blake's ski boots and liners: which ones are junk, which ones are not, and how much should I eBay them for (unless, of course, his family wants to bronze them all and put them in their bedrooms)? I need help sorting through the massive quantities of you-name-it and deciding what to do with it.
Any takers? I'm dead serious here...and I feel badly actually calling any one individual and making this their problem. So, I'm making it the internet's problem.
It makes no sense for me to hang onto, say, full-size bed linens to fit the full-size bed I'm storing at my folks' place. By the time I live in a home where a full-size bed will fit, you can bet I will probably upgrade sheets. Also, most of my baby stuff? When do I think I'll have another baby? At the rate I'm going, it may never happen, or if it does, it will be in five more years...and be a girl. Better that someone use all this stuff NOW, because when I finally get to have another wee one, I imagine that me and everyone related to me will be so excited that I'll get everything all over again.
Well, now I'm ensuring that happens. I've discovered freecycle.org, where I list things I no longer want, that don't belong in the dump, but that aren't of any eBay-able value...and people JUMP at the opportunity to come pick them up. Like 40 back issues of Real Simple? Gone within hours. I love this.
Now, I will keep a box of baby Blake things for sentimental reasons (don't look so shocked - I can be as sentimental as all get out), and I will probably keep a chunk of big Blake things for sentimental reasons. But my notes from Business 101? Gone. Framed art I have no intention of putting up in my home again (lovely, but not my taste), also gone. That high chair we never used? You guessed: I've bronzed it and stuck it in a corner of my room. Or...gone!
Also, I'm semi-stressed about all the things that I a) do not have time to do, or b) cannot do alone. (I would lump "parenting an energetic toddler" into group b, but God's not given me many choices there.) This is my official call for help. I need help moving things in my garage (a few hours should suffice), I need help moving furniture in my house so that I can caulk and putty and touch up the baseboard (nope, still not done that), and I need help taping my guest bathroom so that I can paint it. I need help analyzing Blake's ski boots and liners: which ones are junk, which ones are not, and how much should I eBay them for (unless, of course, his family wants to bronze them all and put them in their bedrooms)? I need help sorting through the massive quantities of you-name-it and deciding what to do with it.
Any takers? I'm dead serious here...and I feel badly actually calling any one individual and making this their problem. So, I'm making it the internet's problem.
Friday, February 1, 2008
bears
My friend's daughter is apparently intrigued by the idea of bear hunting.
Keli: "Do you know anyone who's shot a bear?"
Ellese (3.5 yrs): "Well, I'm pretty sure Blake's daddy must have shot a bear."
Ellese's idea of what Blake's daddy must have been like is dear to me. This is the girl who helpfully told an oblivious Blake "Your daddy died. Your daddy's in heaven," then cheerfully offered up, "It's ok though - you can share MY daddy."
I love her.
Keli: "Do you know anyone who's shot a bear?"
Ellese (3.5 yrs): "Well, I'm pretty sure Blake's daddy must have shot a bear."
Ellese's idea of what Blake's daddy must have been like is dear to me. This is the girl who helpfully told an oblivious Blake "Your daddy died. Your daddy's in heaven," then cheerfully offered up, "It's ok though - you can share MY daddy."
I love her.
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