I just gotta laugh

He got out of my sight for literally 3 minutes. This child is so funny. Sneaky. Curious. First, he had shimmied out of his sweatpants and diaper. When I caught his-nakedness, he was in the kitchen confiscating a banana.
I diapered him and let him loose, only to misplace him only 3 minutes later. And this is what I found him doing:

The child had poured baby powder (squirted,really) ALL over my bathroom - the tub, the sinks, the towel bin, the kid-bath-toys, and most evidently, himself.
When I walked in he said is a precious, innocent voice, "Mom, wook, a cwowd!" Translation: "Mom, look, a cloud", referring to the puff of powder that shoots out the container when squeezed.
I just had to laugh. Oh, and commense a baby powder photo shoot.

Marriage Retreat!

Creighton and I are gearing up to go on a marriage retreat in Arkansas. I can't wait!! We will be there with 7 or 8 other UM clergy couples. I don't even care what we do - I'm just ready for some uninterrupted time away with my husband!

It's a Wonderful Life Group

A shout out to the amazing women in my Wednesday night life group!

We have been studying the gospels for the whole year and I am always inspired by their insights and authenticity and relevant questions.

If you ever wonder what I am doing on Wednesday nights at 9 - - I'm with them!

Losing my "Cool"

Even as I have aged, I have, over the years, continued to value style. I have tried to stay healthy and fashionably current, and to keep some sense of youthfulness.
Well, as I exited Target today, I had an "aha" moment. Wow, it is finally happening. I am losing my cool - - - ness.

Here is how it all unfolded.

I was looking great. I had on my new Silver jeans and my sweet diesel slides. Unfortunately, while we were in Target, my 2 yr. old barfed all over both of them. Great. How hip am I? Barf all over my jeans and shoes - pushing a huge cart of groceries and a ghostly-white sick child, while barking orders at the other two. "Hurry! Stay right with me! Pick up the pace! Hustle! Heads up in the parking lot!

So I am looking down at my soiled jeans and shoes, just trying to get my 3 children to the car. And as I look at my car, I realize........I am walking toward a mini-van. Yes, I just purchased a mini-van. A mini-van! Nothing says, "I don't care about my image", like cruising up in a mini.

As if that weren't enough, I start digging around in my bag for my phone (my new i-phone GEN1 because I'm cool) and remember that at some point during my shopping experience at Target, I hooked my phone onto my belt. I kid you not. I hooked my i-phone onto my belt.

Needless to say, this is a hard pill to swallow. The pill: middle-age.

Why is it so hard for me to accept that I am no longer the bomb-digity, cool-beans, it's all good, bag of chips??

Actually, middle-age-ness is a good thing. This is a time in a persons life when they get to say, "F-U to fashion" and wear business socks with birkenstocks and cargo shorts. Hey, if "momjeans" are more comfy - go for it.

I should embrace the middle ages.

This is the understanding that practical weighs more than vogue. Comfort outlasts appearance. Utility outplays trendy. These are good things. These are good things. These are good things. These are good things. Good things. Good things.

My New I-Phone

So Creighton and I finally broke up with Sprint after a 10 year relationship. It's complicated. We had been flirting with the idea of buying i-phones - and we finally did it.
What an amazing machine. We have waited for this for so long and, Whoah. Worth the wait!
But wait. Something very bad has happened. After having my i-phone for 3 days, Cosmo Seth (bless his 2 year old heart) decided to take it for a swim. Yes, he drowned my new $400 i-phone. Dead. Completely submerged in 12 inches of bath water.

With Sprint, we always kept insurance on our phones. This is so that if anything, and I mean anything, happens to the phone, you get a replacement for $50 - no questions asked.
AT&T does not do this with the i-phone.
Apple does not do this with the i-phone.
Needless to say I have now bought TWO i-phones. And the second one will remain out of the reach of children. You think I would have learned this lesson by now, huh??

Canon's first performance

Canon had his first Kindergarten performance. He was so excited! I didn't think it was a big deal and I actually almost did not take him. It was on a Tuesday night which is our worship night. When I told Canon we would likely not be going, he started crying! You would have thought it was an Off Broadway Show! So I lucked out with a last minute babysitter and Whitby and I attended. We sat in the front row and cheered our hearts out! He did great.
I'm pretty sure the child has a future in music or acting or some other kind of entertainment.

Crisis of Vocation.

Confused.
Tharned.
Unsure.
Contemplative.
Trapped.
Frustrated.
What do I want to be when I grow up?
Wish I would win the lottery.
Wish I played the lottery.
Done.
Undone.
Wrecked.
A wreck.
Wheels off.
A mess.
A beautiful mess.
??

I finally did it.

Today, I donated to the Barack Obama campaign. Up to this point I have supported Barack verbally but i finally put my money where my mouth is. And I am really glad I did.

https://donate.barackobama.com/math

Kid Show Critic

My newest new idea: Mind you, I have a new idea about every 83 seconds, and rarely follow through with them.
I want to become a kid-show critic. I could do short videos and post them on you tube as a critic for noggin, nick jr., disney playhouse... etc.
I have seen every show and have a strong opinion about each and every one of them. Parents need my input about what shows are good, lame, artsy, fun, silly, dumb-downing, or a waste of their child's time (and brain).
I am totally going to get right on this one.

My friend Bill on the Daily Show

;

Luke 15: Guided Prayer

Last night at prayer, Creighton guided the group through Luke 15 (prodigal son). What was so rich about it was that first, the group was to pray from the perspective of the prodigal son. Second, the perspective of the servants. Third, the perspective of the Father and finally, the elder brother. What a humbling and eye-opening experience to put yourself in the shoes of each of these persons. I recommend it...