Last night Zoe and I went to visit her aunt, uncle and grandma. Cousin Micah is still in the NICU growing stronger and putting on some fat. Which really sounds like a marvelous vacation to me. Bright sun, excess food and rest. Although I'm not too keen on "vacations" with ICU in their destination. Been there, done that. It ain't fun.
We went to visit and make sure Aunt Bevie was doing okay. It's hard to leave the hospital without your bundle-o-joy in tow. I think I cried for the first week straight and then the tears usually stopped about a block away from the hospital after that. The guilt, it never quit.
Zoe went because she's pure entertainment that you can't pay for and she also needed a good look at Micah's room. She said she needed to make sure it was perfect for her cousin. She loved it so much we had a hard time getting her out of the room. That could be because she was pooping. It's definitely been kid-tested and approved.
The best part of the evening was Fezz and Mia. Two little pups with such loud barks and so much energy. Once Zoe got used to them, she was like a CIA operative trained to get information out of people in ways unfathomable to the human mind. Maybe that could be because I read 1984 while pregnant.
The dogs would be outside, with only a screen door separating them from us. Zoe would creep around the couch until she saw them, she'd sneak up on them and as soon as they barked she would run as fast as she could. Apparently to provide a good 30 minutes of entertainment, N & I just have to get two, energetic pups.
Or just visit Aunt Bevie and Uncle Chris more often!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The praise the Lord for Spanx and big skirts Edition
I've been dreading today for quite some time. This morning definitely didn't disappoint the mood.
I woke up 10 minutes early in preparation for my day. I still left the house at the same time. Apparently that 10 minute deprivation of precious sleep means an extra 10 minutes in the shower trying to recover. Who knew!
I was in a hurry. The lights on my way to work were funky. They would turn green only long enough for two cars to go through.
Sometimes I think God has a sense of humor that I don't get. After taking the needed detour, I realized that God was just trying to get my attention. He was trying to calm my nerves. Nerves that have been building for exactly 29 days.
Today I have to get measured for Amber's bridesmaid dress.
Let's not talk about that right now. I'm getting hives.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress. It's got a skirt that looks bunchy, a small ribbon around the waist and a strapless bodice that looks like dresses they have on the red carpet. When I get invited to the Oscars, I'll have my dress!
It's in a divine color called eggplant. I'm truly excited to wear this dress. I typically don't get overly enthused about bridesmaid dresses. Perhaps it's the stigma. This one won my little, award show loving heart.
In order to get the dress, some woman has to wrap a measuring tape around parts of my body I would rather not discuss to get me the right size. I fear this almost as much as I fear heights, big toe hair and the word panties.
I fear they'll have to special order the dress to fit me or they'll have to order a size that would make me cry out loud.
I had these same fears when I got fitted for my own wedding dress. It turned out they had to order one that was three sizes bigger than I thought I was. God is good. The seamstress doing the alterations told me that I was not that size, but needed one that was two sizes smaller. I still have a special place in my heart for that lady.
I'm only hoping she's switched bridal boutiques and will be the one measuring me today. I'm trying real hard to avoid any chocolate chip cookies before 11 o'clock. They're my go-to in times of fear.
Worst case scenario, I eat a whole batch of those chocolatey morsels, head over to Nordstrom, drop enough dough for a Bentley and buy some Spanx and other marvels in women's shaping garmets. I'll let you know how it goes.
Or not. A women's heart is full of many secrets.
I woke up 10 minutes early in preparation for my day. I still left the house at the same time. Apparently that 10 minute deprivation of precious sleep means an extra 10 minutes in the shower trying to recover. Who knew!
I was in a hurry. The lights on my way to work were funky. They would turn green only long enough for two cars to go through.
Sometimes I think God has a sense of humor that I don't get. After taking the needed detour, I realized that God was just trying to get my attention. He was trying to calm my nerves. Nerves that have been building for exactly 29 days.
Today I have to get measured for Amber's bridesmaid dress.
Let's not talk about that right now. I'm getting hives.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress. It's got a skirt that looks bunchy, a small ribbon around the waist and a strapless bodice that looks like dresses they have on the red carpet. When I get invited to the Oscars, I'll have my dress!
It's in a divine color called eggplant. I'm truly excited to wear this dress. I typically don't get overly enthused about bridesmaid dresses. Perhaps it's the stigma. This one won my little, award show loving heart.
In order to get the dress, some woman has to wrap a measuring tape around parts of my body I would rather not discuss to get me the right size. I fear this almost as much as I fear heights, big toe hair and the word panties.
I fear they'll have to special order the dress to fit me or they'll have to order a size that would make me cry out loud.
I had these same fears when I got fitted for my own wedding dress. It turned out they had to order one that was three sizes bigger than I thought I was. God is good. The seamstress doing the alterations told me that I was not that size, but needed one that was two sizes smaller. I still have a special place in my heart for that lady.
I'm only hoping she's switched bridal boutiques and will be the one measuring me today. I'm trying real hard to avoid any chocolate chip cookies before 11 o'clock. They're my go-to in times of fear.
Worst case scenario, I eat a whole batch of those chocolatey morsels, head over to Nordstrom, drop enough dough for a Bentley and buy some Spanx and other marvels in women's shaping garmets. I'll let you know how it goes.
Or not. A women's heart is full of many secrets.
Monday, July 28, 2008
The snake and snails and puppy dog tails Edition
So much has happened in the last 72 hours that I've been a little remiss in posting about it because I've been trying to organize my thoughts. If you could be in my mind, you'd know that isn't an easy task.
Friday evening we got to spent time with two boys in our life. A dear friend of mine and her family came over on Friday afternoon. Her son, Aiden, is three weeks older than Zoe. It is so much fun to see her around other kids her age. Aiden is so busy. He can scale furniture, examine every toy in record time, run around the house before you know he's gone, jumps and jabbers. In other words, totally normal.
Zoe had fun running around the house with him. I realized she's not fully made of sugar and spice. She kept lifting her shirt and pinching her tummy for Aiden. After the 1,000th time of me telling her to "put her shirt down" she stuck her finger up her nose instead.
After they left, we rushed up to the hospital. At 6:44pm, Micah Christopher made an entrance into the world 5 weeks ahead of schedule. He's a perfect 5 lbs 2oz and 18.25 inches. Zoe was one proud cousin, although I have to admit, she really hasn't met him yet. He's in the NICU, tanning and learning to regulate his own tempurature. I know she'll be ready to teach him all about life outside the NICU.
Isn't he perfect?
Friday evening we got to spent time with two boys in our life. A dear friend of mine and her family came over on Friday afternoon. Her son, Aiden, is three weeks older than Zoe. It is so much fun to see her around other kids her age. Aiden is so busy. He can scale furniture, examine every toy in record time, run around the house before you know he's gone, jumps and jabbers. In other words, totally normal.
Zoe had fun running around the house with him. I realized she's not fully made of sugar and spice. She kept lifting her shirt and pinching her tummy for Aiden. After the 1,000th time of me telling her to "put her shirt down" she stuck her finger up her nose instead.
After they left, we rushed up to the hospital. At 6:44pm, Micah Christopher made an entrance into the world 5 weeks ahead of schedule. He's a perfect 5 lbs 2oz and 18.25 inches. Zoe was one proud cousin, although I have to admit, she really hasn't met him yet. He's in the NICU, tanning and learning to regulate his own tempurature. I know she'll be ready to teach him all about life outside the NICU.
Isn't he perfect?
Micah and his crazy, tired parents.
Last, but not least, Zoe turned 18 months this weekend. When she woke up on Saturday, she had definitely done some growing. Mainly her ideas and attitude. Things I learned this weekend from my 18 month old:
1) Naps are only for babies like Micah. Once you're 18 months, nap time is just a moment to sit on a chair with mommy and tell her every single idea you have. Or to try and wiggle out of her arms. Or to blow her kisses. Or to "shhhsh" her.
2) The world is cruel. You cannot play with nobs on the dishwasher, with daddy's laptop, open the knife drawer, your food has to cook for you to eat it and when mommy and daddy say wait, they mean it!
3) We have entered the copy cat phase. As we were playing in her Learning Home, I would open the door and say, "well hi Zoe." Zoe opened the door for me and said, "well hi mommy." Daddy took one of his crackers, bit off all except a little piece for Zoe and fed it to her. She did the same for daddy with her chips.
While this may be a time of attitude and boundary testing, there are moments I still see that sugar and spice and everything nice.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Designer Baby Edition
Several of my friends are expecting. I am beyond overjoyed that they are now entering the world of parenthood with me. It's a journey that is the most work, but the most rewarding. Without any question!
With all my friends expecting, that means many baby showers. In an effort to keep these little ones in the highest fashion, I've been doing some browsing.
Let me tell you, there are some insane baby items available out there. Let me give you an insight into baby excess:
1) Burberry swimming suits. Yes, your child can be in designer clothes at the pool. All the other toddlers will be so jealous.
2) Juicy Couture fleece hoodie - for the future Jenny from the Blocks out there. One of my friends does live in Atlanta, GA, so maybe with all the hip-hop people coming out of the ATL, this would be necessary.
3) Diesel jeans for her and for him - Maybe it's just me, but if you're buying designer jeans that your child will wear for maybe 3 weeks, you have a money tree that I need to get in on. I do think it's adorable to have designer jeans with a snap seam for diaper changes.
4) Primigi boots - I've never heard of this brand, but if they think I would pay up to $133 for a pair of boots for my 2 year old, they're insane.
Maybe when I can actually fit into a pair of Diesel jeans will I even contemplate buying some for my toddler.
Then again...maybe not.
With all my friends expecting, that means many baby showers. In an effort to keep these little ones in the highest fashion, I've been doing some browsing.
Let me tell you, there are some insane baby items available out there. Let me give you an insight into baby excess:
1) Burberry swimming suits. Yes, your child can be in designer clothes at the pool. All the other toddlers will be so jealous.
2) Juicy Couture fleece hoodie - for the future Jenny from the Blocks out there. One of my friends does live in Atlanta, GA, so maybe with all the hip-hop people coming out of the ATL, this would be necessary.
3) Diesel jeans for her and for him - Maybe it's just me, but if you're buying designer jeans that your child will wear for maybe 3 weeks, you have a money tree that I need to get in on. I do think it's adorable to have designer jeans with a snap seam for diaper changes.
4) Primigi boots - I've never heard of this brand, but if they think I would pay up to $133 for a pair of boots for my 2 year old, they're insane.
Maybe when I can actually fit into a pair of Diesel jeans will I even contemplate buying some for my toddler.
Then again...maybe not.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The how do you pronounce meme - mee-mee, meh-meh, may-may? Edition
Some days a girl needs some creative help. I have nothing exciting to post about, so I thought I'd do a meme that I saw at BooMama's blog. Although I don't know how to pronounce it. Is it just like it looks, so you say mee-mee? Does it follow some mysterious rule in the English language and is pronounce may-may?
It's like Teva's. Which I just bought a pair for Zoe. However is it Tee-vah or Teh-vah? All I know is they are a shade of pink that goes with almost everything and they look comfortable.
Even though I have pronunciation problems, I'll still give it a whirl.
What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was living in Salem, Oregon, waiting for my senior year of college to begin. My friend Steph and I both stayed in Salem that summer. It was, by far, one of the best summer's of my life. We would spend most nights just hanging out and laughing. We watched more episodes of Seinfeld that I can count. We made up stupid games to pass the time.
The best memory is our lame dance party. We were so bored that we decided to host a dance party at my apartment. For just the two of us. Steph attempted to do a "wicked dance move" and broke her toe on my coffee table. Good times.
Favorite Snacks
bread and butter - it's a classic
chips and salsa
Kettle corn
yogurt - I had to have something that could be considered healthy
To Do List
These are my favorite thing to create. I draw a little box next to each item so I can cross it off. Usually the thrill of making the list is where it stops. Somehow the list gets put down, I forget to cross things off it and then I find it two days later. Fortunately it's usually completed.
My to-do list for today is:
1 - Stop for gas. I hate filling up the tank and seeing a dollar amount nearing a price I would pay for a nice pair of shoes. It has to be done.
2 - Grocery shopping. I love getting things to stock up the pantry, but I hate the crowds. Because N works on Saturdays, I get this errand all to myself. Not my favorite.
3 - Eat lunch. It's important to having something on the list that you know you can cross off. Plus I like anything that demands I eat.
4 - Figure out what to make for dinner. This is a constant thing on the list and I find it stresses me out.
5 - Take a nap with Zoe. After all that figuring out and grocery shopping, I get a little exhausted.
6 - Visit with my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and mother-in-law. My sister-in-law Bev finally got to go home from the hospital. She's on bed rest until Micah arrives, but at least we can go to her house to visit. My mom-in-law is in town from Southern California for the next 7 weeks. It'll be fun to hang out with all of them. She hasn't seen Zoe in over a year. N & I are thinking of taking dinner out with us, so that adds a whole new level of stress to item #4.
Jobs I Have Had
Babysitter, sno-cone salesman in my grandparent's traveling concession stand, marketing director for two stockbrokers, retirement plan administrator, mutual fund service associate and now a retirement plan coordinator.
I would also put mom and wife on here, but I don't classify those roles as jobs. They're blessings.
Places I Have Lived
Spokane, Washington, Salem, Oregon and Tacoma, Washington. Basically the three corners of the Pacific NW.
Bad Habits
nail biting, not washing my face before bed, staying up too late watching reality television and then complaining about being tired, eating too many sweets and not spending enough time in my Bible.
5 Random Things People May Not Know
N and I met in youth group. We went on a couple dates, but his family freaked me out. They kept telling me we'd get married and have cute babies. To a 17 year old, that freaked me out. I secretly wanted to date him in high school, but the thought of only one, serious boyfriend scared me. Ironically, I only had one, serious boyfriend, I married him and had a cute baby.
I used to smoke clove cigarettes. It was never anything where I had to have a cigarette to calm down or after meals. I never became addicted. I think it was my way of rebelling at a very strict college. I stopped when my mom found out and started crying.
I organize everything. My DVD's are in alphabetical order, with cartoons and television shows having their own category. My CD's are in alphabetical order by artist and then in chronological order by disc. I hate that it's hard to keep them in alphabetical order in the car CD holder. I usually don't listen to CD's much in the car for this very reason. If you put a CD or a DVD in the wrong case, I almost can't handle it.
I used to fall asleep watching MTV music videos. When I was around age 4. When MTV first came out, my grandma would turn it on and I would watch the Go-Go's, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, The Police and the Eurythmics. I have vivid memories of the Go-Go's playing around in the fountain during the Our Lips Are Sealed video.
I don't like food touching on my plate. Thanksgiving is not a fun meal for me. I don't like my turkey to touch my mashed potatoes. Forget gravy. That stuff just gets everywhere. I don't like my corn or any corn juice to touch anything else. To find a corn kernel in my mashed potatoes will make me stop eating all together. If I have a salad, it has to be in a separate bowl. It's part spectacle, part charm.
CDs I would want if stranded on an island
The Beatles Revolver, Queen's greatest hits, DC Talk Jesus Freak, Oasis Masterplan, Casting Crowns Lifesong, Grease soundtrack, Aerosmith's greatest hits, The Essential Neil Diamond and Guns 'n' Roses greatest hits.
This was hard. I have to go with many greatest hits albums because it combines all the great things about the artist/band in one. I take this question VERY seriously.
What I’d Do if I Were a Billionaire
1) Pay off anything that needed to be paid off for my immediate family.
2) Buy my mom any house and car she wanted. She's done so much for N and I, this would only touch on being able to repay her.
3) Give to charity and our church.
4) Buy some place on a lake. It has to be big enough to house our family comfortably so we can all enjoy it together.
5) Do some major wealth management planning for our future generations.
6) Take my family on a trip to Italy/Greece.
7) Figure out how I'm going to spend my time since I don't have to work.
8) Build a custom house that I could live in until I die.
I think that's it. If you want to play too, go for it.
It's like Teva's. Which I just bought a pair for Zoe. However is it Tee-vah or Teh-vah? All I know is they are a shade of pink that goes with almost everything and they look comfortable.
Even though I have pronunciation problems, I'll still give it a whirl.
What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was living in Salem, Oregon, waiting for my senior year of college to begin. My friend Steph and I both stayed in Salem that summer. It was, by far, one of the best summer's of my life. We would spend most nights just hanging out and laughing. We watched more episodes of Seinfeld that I can count. We made up stupid games to pass the time.
The best memory is our lame dance party. We were so bored that we decided to host a dance party at my apartment. For just the two of us. Steph attempted to do a "wicked dance move" and broke her toe on my coffee table. Good times.
Favorite Snacks
bread and butter - it's a classic
chips and salsa
Kettle corn
yogurt - I had to have something that could be considered healthy
To Do List
These are my favorite thing to create. I draw a little box next to each item so I can cross it off. Usually the thrill of making the list is where it stops. Somehow the list gets put down, I forget to cross things off it and then I find it two days later. Fortunately it's usually completed.
My to-do list for today is:
1 - Stop for gas. I hate filling up the tank and seeing a dollar amount nearing a price I would pay for a nice pair of shoes. It has to be done.
2 - Grocery shopping. I love getting things to stock up the pantry, but I hate the crowds. Because N works on Saturdays, I get this errand all to myself. Not my favorite.
3 - Eat lunch. It's important to having something on the list that you know you can cross off. Plus I like anything that demands I eat.
4 - Figure out what to make for dinner. This is a constant thing on the list and I find it stresses me out.
5 - Take a nap with Zoe. After all that figuring out and grocery shopping, I get a little exhausted.
6 - Visit with my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and mother-in-law. My sister-in-law Bev finally got to go home from the hospital. She's on bed rest until Micah arrives, but at least we can go to her house to visit. My mom-in-law is in town from Southern California for the next 7 weeks. It'll be fun to hang out with all of them. She hasn't seen Zoe in over a year. N & I are thinking of taking dinner out with us, so that adds a whole new level of stress to item #4.
Jobs I Have Had
Babysitter, sno-cone salesman in my grandparent's traveling concession stand, marketing director for two stockbrokers, retirement plan administrator, mutual fund service associate and now a retirement plan coordinator.
I would also put mom and wife on here, but I don't classify those roles as jobs. They're blessings.
Places I Have Lived
Spokane, Washington, Salem, Oregon and Tacoma, Washington. Basically the three corners of the Pacific NW.
Bad Habits
nail biting, not washing my face before bed, staying up too late watching reality television and then complaining about being tired, eating too many sweets and not spending enough time in my Bible.
5 Random Things People May Not Know
N and I met in youth group. We went on a couple dates, but his family freaked me out. They kept telling me we'd get married and have cute babies. To a 17 year old, that freaked me out. I secretly wanted to date him in high school, but the thought of only one, serious boyfriend scared me. Ironically, I only had one, serious boyfriend, I married him and had a cute baby.
I used to smoke clove cigarettes. It was never anything where I had to have a cigarette to calm down or after meals. I never became addicted. I think it was my way of rebelling at a very strict college. I stopped when my mom found out and started crying.
I organize everything. My DVD's are in alphabetical order, with cartoons and television shows having their own category. My CD's are in alphabetical order by artist and then in chronological order by disc. I hate that it's hard to keep them in alphabetical order in the car CD holder. I usually don't listen to CD's much in the car for this very reason. If you put a CD or a DVD in the wrong case, I almost can't handle it.
I used to fall asleep watching MTV music videos. When I was around age 4. When MTV first came out, my grandma would turn it on and I would watch the Go-Go's, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, The Police and the Eurythmics. I have vivid memories of the Go-Go's playing around in the fountain during the Our Lips Are Sealed video.
I don't like food touching on my plate. Thanksgiving is not a fun meal for me. I don't like my turkey to touch my mashed potatoes. Forget gravy. That stuff just gets everywhere. I don't like my corn or any corn juice to touch anything else. To find a corn kernel in my mashed potatoes will make me stop eating all together. If I have a salad, it has to be in a separate bowl. It's part spectacle, part charm.
CDs I would want if stranded on an island
The Beatles Revolver, Queen's greatest hits, DC Talk Jesus Freak, Oasis Masterplan, Casting Crowns Lifesong, Grease soundtrack, Aerosmith's greatest hits, The Essential Neil Diamond and Guns 'n' Roses greatest hits.
This was hard. I have to go with many greatest hits albums because it combines all the great things about the artist/band in one. I take this question VERY seriously.
What I’d Do if I Were a Billionaire
1) Pay off anything that needed to be paid off for my immediate family.
2) Buy my mom any house and car she wanted. She's done so much for N and I, this would only touch on being able to repay her.
3) Give to charity and our church.
4) Buy some place on a lake. It has to be big enough to house our family comfortably so we can all enjoy it together.
5) Do some major wealth management planning for our future generations.
6) Take my family on a trip to Italy/Greece.
7) Figure out how I'm going to spend my time since I don't have to work.
8) Build a custom house that I could live in until I die.
I think that's it. If you want to play too, go for it.
Friday, July 25, 2008
The Friday Five Faves Edition - Vol. 4
It's hard to believe another week has flown by. Does it seem like the weeks during the summer fly by? Let's just hope the weekends for the rest of the summer take their sweet time.
Here's my question for this Friday...who gets colds in summer? Apparently I do. I'm sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever and I ain't got the medicine to rest. I get a little whiny when I'm sick. Like you didn't notice.
To get my mind off the cold and onto a brigher tomorrow, here's my top 5 for this Friday.
1) I usually don't drool over automobiles. There are some I definitely don't like, but mainly I'll take what I can get. Until I saw the GMC Acadia. Now I dream about it. If I see one in the parking lot, I take a moment of silence to take in it's beauty. If there is one on the road next to me, I create a perimeter so no other car comes close to this masterpiece of automotive design.
The best part, besides being absolutely gorgeous, it seats 8. EIGHT WHOLE PEOPLE. For a family of 5, where 3 of them need some version of a car seat, that's a nice feature.
Someday you will be mine.
2) I don't know if I mentioned that I have the summer cold of horror, but yesterday I laid on the couch and rested for most of the day. What was on television? Friends re-runs! Honestly, there is no better comedy show than Friends. The writers were amazing. Yesterday it was the episode where Ross tells Emily he loves her and she says "thank you." That's so priceless.
I've probably seen every episode at least three times and I never tire of them. I have some favorites and that could probably be a Friday Five Fave in the near future. This show is pure genius.
Here's my question for this Friday...who gets colds in summer? Apparently I do. I'm sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever and I ain't got the medicine to rest. I get a little whiny when I'm sick. Like you didn't notice.
To get my mind off the cold and onto a brigher tomorrow, here's my top 5 for this Friday.
1) I usually don't drool over automobiles. There are some I definitely don't like, but mainly I'll take what I can get. Until I saw the GMC Acadia. Now I dream about it. If I see one in the parking lot, I take a moment of silence to take in it's beauty. If there is one on the road next to me, I create a perimeter so no other car comes close to this masterpiece of automotive design.
The best part, besides being absolutely gorgeous, it seats 8. EIGHT WHOLE PEOPLE. For a family of 5, where 3 of them need some version of a car seat, that's a nice feature.
Someday you will be mine.
2) I don't know if I mentioned that I have the summer cold of horror, but yesterday I laid on the couch and rested for most of the day. What was on television? Friends re-runs! Honestly, there is no better comedy show than Friends. The writers were amazing. Yesterday it was the episode where Ross tells Emily he loves her and she says "thank you." That's so priceless.
I've probably seen every episode at least three times and I never tire of them. I have some favorites and that could probably be a Friday Five Fave in the near future. This show is pure genius.
3) I have some gray hair. I'm not proud of it because it's just a few strands here and there. Yes, I'm the person that stands in the mirror looking through my hair trying to find more. I've even been known to pluck them. That old wive's tale about more growing back is absolutely true!
Until gas prices became the same price as a year at Harvard Law School, I used to go to the salon to get my hair colored. Now I've been forced to find an at-home color to save gas and expense. I'm not going to lie, it freaked me out. I didn't want some purple tinted color or some greenish tint, which apparently can happen. After consulting my dear friend who also uses an at-home color and you could never tell, look what I've found. It's perfect. It's my color. For $5.95, this is a miracle in a box.
4) For my crafty portion of the Five Fave, I thought I would share a little gem in Eastern Washington that my mom introduced me to. It's called Cottage Quilting and it's an adorable quilt shop at Diamond Lake. They have wonderful fabrics, cute kits and every Friday a girl's night out. You take your project and can sew from 6:00pm - midnight.
I'm fairly new to the quilting world, but I love being able to sew something that actually looks good. My mom has been praying for the day that I would become scrappy. As a young girl I liked mud and He-Man. She had reason to worry.
Now, we shop at quilt stores and scrapbooking stores together. When I have a house of my own, she'll help me organize and utilize my craft room.
5) For the next several weeks, my Friday Five will have a favorite moment or several from Project Runway. I have to say that I love Stella. Not only is she fierce in a totally different way than Christian was last year, she's totally not realistic. She only wants to work with leather. In all the time I've been watching the show, I haven't seen any challenges with leather. I don't know if she'll get her wish. Although kudos to her for making green-fabric satin look biker-chic.
Also, I LOVED LOVED LOVED Suede's dress. I think the judges were spot on when they complimented him. I would wear that dress and I'm not big on the tutu look.
That's it for this Friday. Have a great weekend all.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The Youth Zone Edition
My freshman year of high school was terribly painful. I've actually blocked out most of the year from my memory. We had moved to a house far away from my friends. Fortunately my mother had connections and I was able to go to the same high school. Because I couldn't drive, I only saw my friends at school. Weekends were a total bore.
I was coming out of junior high. Which, at the time, was the worst experience of my life. The whole two years I spent there depleted any self-esteem I had from elementary school. To this day, junior high is still in the top 5 worst life experiences.
If the school issues weren't enough, I was also dealing with the realization that my biological dad didn't care or love me.
It's safe to say I felt very alone and depressed. Because my mom didn't know what else to do with me, she insisted that I join the youth group at church. Which, at the time, seemed like a fate worse than junior high.
To make it really seem like punishment, she insisted that I join the leadership team. She went almost as far as filling out the application for me. It's not because she thought I had leadership potential, but there was a requirement that you had to be at all youth events, youth group and Sunday School. It was her ploy to get me out of the house and correct my surly attitude. I applied for the leadership group to shut her up, knowing full-well they wouldn't select me.
Apparently she had connections there too.
To show my full commitment to this leadership team, I wore all black as often as I could and never smiled.
Then two things happened. Our youth pastor, Dan, abruptly resigned because of personal reasons. Our youth group was in a state of shock and chaos. Three of us on the leadership team bonded together to keep things afloat.
Then Marc and Trudi came right before my junior year. I stopped wearing all black and actually enjoyed myself. Marc and Trudi ministered to me, created an environment of unity and led me back to the Lord.
When I look back on high school, it's not school that I remember at all. It's youth group. I spent most of my free time hanging out with all my "church friends" or toilet papering Marc's and Trudi's house.
Youth Zone was a place that built many of my friendships, taught me about real faith, introduced me to the man that would become my husband and left a lifetime of memories on my soul.
Last month, we had a reunion. Some of the faces I haven't seen since I left for college. They're now married. Their spouses are as wonderful as I had hoped for each of them. Their children are precious. It was like the family reunion where you see distant cousins and realize how much fun you have with them.
There was much laughter, memories and tears (mainly just mine because reunions like this leave me a little emotional, which is part of my charm). I'm so blessed that each of these people are part of my life. They have all helped define who I am and my faith.
If it weren't for God bringing these amazing people into my life, I might still wear all black and have frown lines. Thank God for His miracles.
I was coming out of junior high. Which, at the time, was the worst experience of my life. The whole two years I spent there depleted any self-esteem I had from elementary school. To this day, junior high is still in the top 5 worst life experiences.
If the school issues weren't enough, I was also dealing with the realization that my biological dad didn't care or love me.
It's safe to say I felt very alone and depressed. Because my mom didn't know what else to do with me, she insisted that I join the youth group at church. Which, at the time, seemed like a fate worse than junior high.
To make it really seem like punishment, she insisted that I join the leadership team. She went almost as far as filling out the application for me. It's not because she thought I had leadership potential, but there was a requirement that you had to be at all youth events, youth group and Sunday School. It was her ploy to get me out of the house and correct my surly attitude. I applied for the leadership group to shut her up, knowing full-well they wouldn't select me.
Apparently she had connections there too.
To show my full commitment to this leadership team, I wore all black as often as I could and never smiled.
Then two things happened. Our youth pastor, Dan, abruptly resigned because of personal reasons. Our youth group was in a state of shock and chaos. Three of us on the leadership team bonded together to keep things afloat.
Then Marc and Trudi came right before my junior year. I stopped wearing all black and actually enjoyed myself. Marc and Trudi ministered to me, created an environment of unity and led me back to the Lord.
When I look back on high school, it's not school that I remember at all. It's youth group. I spent most of my free time hanging out with all my "church friends" or toilet papering Marc's and Trudi's house.
Youth Zone was a place that built many of my friendships, taught me about real faith, introduced me to the man that would become my husband and left a lifetime of memories on my soul.
Last month, we had a reunion. Some of the faces I haven't seen since I left for college. They're now married. Their spouses are as wonderful as I had hoped for each of them. Their children are precious. It was like the family reunion where you see distant cousins and realize how much fun you have with them.
There was much laughter, memories and tears (mainly just mine because reunions like this leave me a little emotional, which is part of my charm). I'm so blessed that each of these people are part of my life. They have all helped define who I am and my faith.
If it weren't for God bringing these amazing people into my life, I might still wear all black and have frown lines. Thank God for His miracles.
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