I just want to say that I'm glad I stepped out of my comfort zone tonight at church and talked to somebody I don't know.
Tonight I managed to get in class ON TIME but only because:
1---Angie saw me in the parking lot and took Jenny right to class for me
(she is one of Jenny's teachers and so they have a bond. I was so glad that Jenny didn't care--no tears! So far she doesn't have much seperation anxiety)
2---There was a wreck in front of the building holding up traffic, so class started late cause everybody was late
ANYWAY so I am in class before it actually starts. Like I've done many times before, I plop down and read my bulletin and don't really try to be friendly to people I don't know sitting around me. Sure if there's somebody I know sitting close we'll chat, but anyway......
I feel that all of us at church are just resigned to this behavior, because our church is so big that we start to feel that no WAY could we ever know everybody there! so maybe we give up on that goal.....
So during class I'm thinking "I just sat down right next to this lady and didn't introduce myself. That was rude." Maybe I said "Is anybody sitting here?" but that doesn't count.
So I decided to talk to her after class.
I got the feeling that she was glad to have someone introduce themselves. She talked a little bit more than I expected her to, and that was a sign to me that she was glad to meet someone.
You know most of the time if you introduce yourself, its typical for the person to reciprocate and thats about all that's said. But no, I got some bonus chatting this time. This person is visiting around, not a regular attender yet. From our conversation I got the vibe that she wants to make some connections with folks. But all of this I learned ONLY because I decided to talk to her. Honestly, while sitting there I had (subconsciously) summed her up as an old school member..... and I was supposed to be the person that is new and doesn't know anybody!
What's funny is that she is going thru the same situation that I went thru recently. Well its not "funny"----- its God working, if you get me. He puts her here and me "there" and says, start talking Kristen!
So I'm going to try to start opening my mouth more often and not just giving a sweet smile, because without conversation we can't have relationships.
I was wishing for people to reach out to me about 1 year ago, and I learned that I had to do some reaching out myself. You can't always be on the receiving end.
You never know how God could use you in a person's life unless you talk to them!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Super Husband
Sunday night Will carved our pumpkin! I was very proud of him because he resists all holidays and claims its all a Hallmark conspiracy. Maybe he is onto something.......
But opposites attract, and you better know that I am going to get a jackolantern. Will's parents had bought us a pumpkin and Nina gave us a carving kit (see, I'm not the only one who sees the need). He got into the kit and we picked out a pattern. His comment was that this seemed like a project for artsy momma. But my argument was that daddies carve turkeys and so then daddies carve pumpkins. Well he had to agree with that! So he got after it, and Jenny thought it was great to see the guts come out. Then he spent a very long time carving. Without any apparent frustration?? If I didn't know better, I'd say that he.......ENJOYED it. I was baffled really. I'm telling you it was a big deal. Normally in these hard holiday times it goes something like this:
--I badger Will for days to do something hideous like buy a real Christmas tree.
--He puts up the same old fight for weeks, disputing the same old issues (needles, baby hazard, vacuuming, cat, waste of money, fire hazard, "nobody sees it but us"--my personal favorite)
--Finally I bounce to and from the tree farm while dragging him behind me.
--Likewise he reluctantly drags the tree into the den, beginning his 4 month campaign against all the needles.
--He commences to setting up the tree, which always results in a huge headache for him.
--He is huffing and puffing around TOTALLY MAD, and meanwhile I am laughing so hard I can't breathe.
Don't know why but I have definitely discovered a pattern: Will getting frustrated with a project and me always on the sidelines in a fit of laughter.
So with this jackolantern I guess I'm saying that....... I need something to laugh at already! ha ha
No I'm glad it was not a pain for him. Maybe he was just glad to have something to take his mind off the "impending sense of doom" (that is just some of our dorky lingo we use around here to describe that feeling you get the night before your work week begins).
Dare I say he is changing his ways? If so, we can attribute it all to princess Jenny.
We'll see.....he hasn't committed to the idea of old fashioned trick or treating this Friday.
Ain't it just great? It's a kitty and jackolantern sitting on the windowsill and a spider hanging down. Jenny said Meow and Pppppttt (her signature bug noise).
Get me to the church on time
So I am beginning to wonder if it is possible for me to ever be on time for church again. I'm thinking that there is no time that I could plan to wake up, where getting out the door on time is going to happen.
All I want is to show up 5 minutes early so that I am not interrupting Jenny's bible class and mine also. I dream of being able to stop and eat breakfast one Sunday-- in a restaurant, not eating a handful of goldfish in the car. But that is so unattainable.
For now, I just want to be able to dry my hair all the way, have all my makeup on before I ever get into the car, not be thinking of all the stuff to still do when I get to the building. (brush hair, put her shoes on, hairbow, diaper change, prepare bag for Jenny's class, find earrings, etc)
oh and NOT wear my houseshoes to church, that's a big one. (Luckily it was flip flops FYI)
I just once would like to remember to bring EVERYTHING I need.
Seriously if I had to get to work all the time in addition to this piddly 2 times a week getting to church, what would I do?? I'd probably be a pro at it, that's what. But for now, getting to church remains the weekly struggle for us.
Did I mention that we are shameless bums? I set the alarm for what I think is reasonable (an hour and a half to get ready) But that was reasonable BJ (before Jenny). What I really need to be setting it for is 5 AM I guess. 4 solid hours. How could it not all come together with 4 hours? It has to work. Except no way would I EVER do that. As it goes now, we scoff at 7:30 and sleep in. So we are just mad at ourselves.
Lots of times we almost say: we are just too late for bible class, we'll have to wait for worship and go then. But going to the adult class is a mother's reward for that morning's efforts. It's her only opportunity to be liberated from her itty bitties, so that she can recharge and be on her toes for worship (time to hog tie your munchkin).
I discovered the coffee bar at our new church building. FABULOUS!! I'd love to see the day that I'd be able to actually make a pot of coffee at home on Sunday morning and get this......drink it! So I drop off Jenny to her precious teachers and I can actually feel my blood pressure dropping when the coffee bar comes into view. I doctor up my styrofoam cup full of joy and head to class. Being able to sit still and study and sip without wrestling and saying No! Hush! Sit Still! ----well its downright rejuvenating. Once the teacher had such a relaxing voice, he could have been a yoga instructor. I felt like maybe I was at the masseuse's office. When class was over I was nearly asleep. Not to say that I don't pay attention in class, but you get my drift.
After class comes worship of course. Which for moms everywhere is a time that has been calculated and planned since probably last Sunday. A bag full of attention getting toys, books, crayons was certainly packed (and make sure they're quiet toys). No way did we forget and leave THAT bag at home.
At our church, some of us moms have the weekly internal struggle to either use the nursery or not. I prefer to take on the challenge for as long as I can with Jenny in the auditorium. Its self inflicted pain I know.
Of course there is the other decision which you've already made: when is the next nap? Did you calculate so that, just in time for worship the baby is totally ready to conk out? If so, then you took the risk of them getting cranky in class. Jenny never wakes in the AM at the same time, so its always a surprise what will she be up to this Sunday.
The different outcomes could be:
1--She made it all the way thru worship awake and acting tolerable, with the help of goldfish, juice, stickers etc
2--We made it to a point, and then i left and rocked her to sleep
3--The heavens shone down and she spontaneously conked out in the auditorium in my arms
4--We made it to a point, and then my attempts at rocking failed, and I dumped her at the nursery
5--She immediately was dumped at the nursery before worship ever began, due to her bizzerko energy or to avoid momma meltdown
Another calculation is: how hungry is the baby? If she's ready to rip thru a steak, then you can slip her goldfish for a good while and buy your time that way. Or... back in the day, it was that precious bottle of breastmilk that required much planning, to be pumped beforehand and at the right temp for worship.
I'm always fascinated at how, thru out my day as a mom, I can be cruising along maybe having a totally blissful moment, thinking what a joy this is, and then next thing I know the BP is UP UP UP and things are stressful and I feel like the Hulk!
One recent Sunday... there we sat singing Halleluiah. Its a treat for us to all 3 be able to attend Sunday worship together due to Will's schedule. So I was enjoying that, and Jenny is relaxing in my lap with her back to me sipping her juice and, you know I'm feeling:
"I've got this under control"
"Its so nice to worship together as a family"
"Jenny's really learning by example to make a joyful noise"
"What a beautiful song"
Maybe me and Will even shared a loving glance and kissed Jenny's head.
Next thing I know, in the blink of an eye, I'm in the secluded cradle roll classroom rocking her while she wails on, catching just a glimpse into the dark ages past, the dark ages of ......COLIC. These are the moments of motherhood that only mothers can relate to.
All I want is to show up 5 minutes early so that I am not interrupting Jenny's bible class and mine also. I dream of being able to stop and eat breakfast one Sunday-- in a restaurant, not eating a handful of goldfish in the car. But that is so unattainable.
For now, I just want to be able to dry my hair all the way, have all my makeup on before I ever get into the car, not be thinking of all the stuff to still do when I get to the building. (brush hair, put her shoes on, hairbow, diaper change, prepare bag for Jenny's class, find earrings, etc)
oh and NOT wear my houseshoes to church, that's a big one. (Luckily it was flip flops FYI)
I just once would like to remember to bring EVERYTHING I need.
Seriously if I had to get to work all the time in addition to this piddly 2 times a week getting to church, what would I do?? I'd probably be a pro at it, that's what. But for now, getting to church remains the weekly struggle for us.
Did I mention that we are shameless bums? I set the alarm for what I think is reasonable (an hour and a half to get ready) But that was reasonable BJ (before Jenny). What I really need to be setting it for is 5 AM I guess. 4 solid hours. How could it not all come together with 4 hours? It has to work. Except no way would I EVER do that. As it goes now, we scoff at 7:30 and sleep in. So we are just mad at ourselves.
Lots of times we almost say: we are just too late for bible class, we'll have to wait for worship and go then. But going to the adult class is a mother's reward for that morning's efforts. It's her only opportunity to be liberated from her itty bitties, so that she can recharge and be on her toes for worship (time to hog tie your munchkin).
I discovered the coffee bar at our new church building. FABULOUS!! I'd love to see the day that I'd be able to actually make a pot of coffee at home on Sunday morning and get this......drink it! So I drop off Jenny to her precious teachers and I can actually feel my blood pressure dropping when the coffee bar comes into view. I doctor up my styrofoam cup full of joy and head to class. Being able to sit still and study and sip without wrestling and saying No! Hush! Sit Still! ----well its downright rejuvenating. Once the teacher had such a relaxing voice, he could have been a yoga instructor. I felt like maybe I was at the masseuse's office. When class was over I was nearly asleep. Not to say that I don't pay attention in class, but you get my drift.
After class comes worship of course. Which for moms everywhere is a time that has been calculated and planned since probably last Sunday. A bag full of attention getting toys, books, crayons was certainly packed (and make sure they're quiet toys). No way did we forget and leave THAT bag at home.
At our church, some of us moms have the weekly internal struggle to either use the nursery or not. I prefer to take on the challenge for as long as I can with Jenny in the auditorium. Its self inflicted pain I know.
Of course there is the other decision which you've already made: when is the next nap? Did you calculate so that, just in time for worship the baby is totally ready to conk out? If so, then you took the risk of them getting cranky in class. Jenny never wakes in the AM at the same time, so its always a surprise what will she be up to this Sunday.
The different outcomes could be:
1--She made it all the way thru worship awake and acting tolerable, with the help of goldfish, juice, stickers etc
2--We made it to a point, and then i left and rocked her to sleep
3--The heavens shone down and she spontaneously conked out in the auditorium in my arms
4--We made it to a point, and then my attempts at rocking failed, and I dumped her at the nursery
5--She immediately was dumped at the nursery before worship ever began, due to her bizzerko energy or to avoid momma meltdown
Another calculation is: how hungry is the baby? If she's ready to rip thru a steak, then you can slip her goldfish for a good while and buy your time that way. Or... back in the day, it was that precious bottle of breastmilk that required much planning, to be pumped beforehand and at the right temp for worship.
I'm always fascinated at how, thru out my day as a mom, I can be cruising along maybe having a totally blissful moment, thinking what a joy this is, and then next thing I know the BP is UP UP UP and things are stressful and I feel like the Hulk!
One recent Sunday... there we sat singing Halleluiah. Its a treat for us to all 3 be able to attend Sunday worship together due to Will's schedule. So I was enjoying that, and Jenny is relaxing in my lap with her back to me sipping her juice and, you know I'm feeling:
"I've got this under control"
"Its so nice to worship together as a family"
"Jenny's really learning by example to make a joyful noise"
"What a beautiful song"
Maybe me and Will even shared a loving glance and kissed Jenny's head.
Next thing I know, in the blink of an eye, I'm in the secluded cradle roll classroom rocking her while she wails on, catching just a glimpse into the dark ages past, the dark ages of ......COLIC. These are the moments of motherhood that only mothers can relate to.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Bombeck, Bucks, Bears, Boo and Burgers
This weekend we had alot of fun things planned, some of which we didn't end up doing. But then we had some good times that weren't on the schedule --which are always the best times anyway.
Friday morning was Mom's Bible class at the church building. Loving that! I'm so glad those nice ladies in charge saw the need for that. God bless the volunteers who are babysitting for us!
Our teacher spoke of Irma Bombeck and referred to her books. I think I should probably be ashamed that I don't know who that is??! She sounds great and I'm going to check her out at the bookstore sometime this week.
Friday afternoon we went to Jenny's favorite store (and coincidentally Will's) Sportsman's Warehouse. She loves to sit in the buggy and go on a tour of all the animals on the wall. They've got to have 100 wall mounts. She meows at the big cats, says "ish", deer and bear. She is unable to say the names of the other animals there, so she just points very enthusiastically. Its only a matter of time before she realizes that they've been killed and most of them d
ecapitated.
I can hear us now, discussing the 2 lucky animals in our own living room:
"But he don't say oink oink??
"No baby. Daddy shot him and he went bye bye"
"Gobble gobble got no head?? no legs??"
"No sweetie. Daddy saved only his feathers to remember him by" (Thank goodness)
Anyway, back to the weekend. After the hunting store, we hit Jason's deli, where Jenny gobbled up Will's broccoli cheese soup. She kept on and on begging for it. Don't want mommy's soup, want DADDY'S.
Then we s
trolled the Hamilton Place Mall. You know, its about time to do some Christmas shopping, and I needed a refresher on which stores were there. Will took one for the team. We came upon Build a Bear..... and what do you know I had a gift card for Jenny to get a bear! (friends had mailed us one) So we helped her pick a bear to bring to life. She was thrilled to watch his little body get poofed up and watch all the fluff flying everywhere in the machine. I picked out his heart and she gave it a big smooch. We are curious what will his name be? Maybe "he" is even a girl? Only Jenny knows. In the checkout line we discussed our potential future visits for bear biker outfits etc. Will added that the clothing line would probably fit just right on Little Dee also........
Saturday we went to Boo at the Zoo with our friends from small group. It was awhile before we could find everybody because of the crowd, but it didn't matter. They had added onto the zoo and there was alot to do! It was a nice festival. We enjoyed hanging out with our friends and seeing the animals. I thought the weather was just right. Jenny was Snow White. Others among our crew were Beauty and the Beast, mouse, monkey, ballerina witch, pop star diva and a classic witch.
On our way out we bought "I love Hank" gear. (Ironically Hank the chimp is the featured animal at our zoo) Jenny and me bought T shirts to show our love and a sticker for the car window. We didn't tell them that we love our dog more than we love their chimp.
(sidenote: Can you believe Will didn't want an I love Hank t-shirt for himself?? ha ha
Either he doesn't think they are cool, or he just didn't want to spend the money)
After th
e zoo, we had to have a complete Jenny wardrobe change in the car (due to diaper mishap). Off came the sweater, costume, onesie, stockings, shoes. Luckily we had her Hank shirt and I had brought her blue jeans to wear under the Snow White skirt in case of cold weather. After what seemed like a wrestling match with a wild hog in the back seat, we ate a late dinner at Steak and shake where Jenny enjoyed wearing her paper cook's hat. That girl can tear up a burger!
After I put the wild hog to sleep on Saturday, we focused on accomplishing our new goal:
a smooth running, relaxed sunday morning that just maybe could result in showing up for church......dare i say it??.....on time! More to come on that topic later.............
Friday morning was Mom's Bible class at the church building. Loving that! I'm so glad those nice ladies in charge saw the need for that. God bless the volunteers who are babysitting for us!
Our teacher spoke of Irma Bombeck and referred to her books. I think I should probably be ashamed that I don't know who that is??! She sounds great and I'm going to check her out at the bookstore sometime this week.
Friday afternoon we went to Jenny's favorite store (and coincidentally Will's) Sportsman's Warehouse. She loves to sit in the buggy and go on a tour of all the animals on the wall. They've got to have 100 wall mounts. She meows at the big cats, says "ish", deer and bear. She is unable to say the names of the other animals there, so she just points very enthusiastically. Its only a matter of time before she realizes that they've been killed and most of them d
ecapitated.I can hear us now, discussing the 2 lucky animals in our own living room:
"But he don't say oink oink??
"No baby. Daddy shot him and he went bye bye"
"Gobble gobble got no head?? no legs??"
"No sweetie. Daddy saved only his feathers to remember him by" (Thank goodness)
Anyway, back to the weekend. After the hunting store, we hit Jason's deli, where Jenny gobbled up Will's broccoli cheese soup. She kept on and on begging for it. Don't want mommy's soup, want DADDY'S.
Then we s
trolled the Hamilton Place Mall. You know, its about time to do some Christmas shopping, and I needed a refresher on which stores were there. Will took one for the team. We came upon Build a Bear..... and what do you know I had a gift card for Jenny to get a bear! (friends had mailed us one) So we helped her pick a bear to bring to life. She was thrilled to watch his little body get poofed up and watch all the fluff flying everywhere in the machine. I picked out his heart and she gave it a big smooch. We are curious what will his name be? Maybe "he" is even a girl? Only Jenny knows. In the checkout line we discussed our potential future visits for bear biker outfits etc. Will added that the clothing line would probably fit just right on Little Dee also........Saturday we went to Boo at the Zoo with our friends from small group. It was awhile before we could find everybody because of the crowd, but it didn't matter. They had added onto the zoo and there was alot to do! It was a nice festival. We enjoyed hanging out with our friends and seeing the animals. I thought the weather was just right. Jenny was Snow White. Others among our crew were Beauty and the Beast, mouse, monkey, ballerina witch, pop star diva and a classic witch.
On our way out we bought "I love Hank" gear. (Ironically Hank the chimp is the featured animal at our zoo) Jenny and me bought T shirts to show our love and a sticker for the car window. We didn't tell them that we love our dog more than we love their chimp.
(sidenote: Can you believe Will didn't want an I love Hank t-shirt for himself?? ha ha
Either he doesn't think they are cool, or he just didn't want to spend the money)
After th
e zoo, we had to have a complete Jenny wardrobe change in the car (due to diaper mishap). Off came the sweater, costume, onesie, stockings, shoes. Luckily we had her Hank shirt and I had brought her blue jeans to wear under the Snow White skirt in case of cold weather. After what seemed like a wrestling match with a wild hog in the back seat, we ate a late dinner at Steak and shake where Jenny enjoyed wearing her paper cook's hat. That girl can tear up a burger!After I put the wild hog to sleep on Saturday, we focused on accomplishing our new goal:
a smooth running, relaxed sunday morning that just maybe could result in showing up for church......dare i say it??.....on time! More to come on that topic later.............
Friday, October 24, 2008
Here goes.....
What to say for my very first blog.........
I've been told a few times that I should write a book. I guess it would have to be a ridiculous book, consisting of silly stories about nothing, because I think that that is about all that's going on up there in my brain. So that's probably all that you'll find here is silly ramblings or reflections of my day.
I have really good intentions to keep up this blog. We'll see if I can stick to it, or if I procrastinate as usual.
One motivation for me to diligently blog is to record these early days of Jenny's life. Seeing how she is 15 months old today and I can't manage to put one single picture into her fancy baby scrapbook, this is my attempt to document her beginning.
Also, in the process, I'll be journaling these early days of motherhood and all that. Discussing how many smooches did Jenny give me today or how many times did I have to breathe deeply and reboot. ha ha
And of course I'll tell all of our adventures we experience as a family.
And one day, I'll sit down with my empty nest and read all of these memories I've recorded with my box of Kleenex!
I've been told a few times that I should write a book. I guess it would have to be a ridiculous book, consisting of silly stories about nothing, because I think that that is about all that's going on up there in my brain. So that's probably all that you'll find here is silly ramblings or reflections of my day.
I have really good intentions to keep up this blog. We'll see if I can stick to it, or if I procrastinate as usual.
One motivation for me to diligently blog is to record these early days of Jenny's life. Seeing how she is 15 months old today and I can't manage to put one single picture into her fancy baby scrapbook, this is my attempt to document her beginning.
Also, in the process, I'll be journaling these early days of motherhood and all that. Discussing how many smooches did Jenny give me today or how many times did I have to breathe deeply and reboot. ha ha
And of course I'll tell all of our adventures we experience as a family.
And one day, I'll sit down with my empty nest and read all of these memories I've recorded with my box of Kleenex!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
