Downsizing

We had this crazy idea. What if we sell our house and downsize into an apartment?
Cons: Less space, less stuff, no yard, no play fort, no culdesac.
Pros: Less space to clean, less stuff to take care of, no yard to mow, no landscaping upkeep, less money spent on housing.

The catalyst for this idea came when Creighton and I were brainstorming about his PhD. He has completed his course work and is now ready to tackle the dissertation.

I heard a statistic on NPR that less than 10% of PhD students actually complete their dissertation.
One of Creighton's mentors cautioned him saying, "The saddest phrase in the English language is 'All But Dissertation'".

Throughout the last 3 years, Creighton has been working full-time as a church pastor while completing coursework for his PhD. While he is a high-capacity student, he has not been able to fully embrace his academic experience. To be able to focus on researching/reading/writing everyday would allow him to truly experience what he is learning.

This schedule has been a challenge for our family. The truth is, we should have this when we first moved to Kansas. As a matter of fact, that is the whole reason we are in Kansas!

Don't get me wrong, I love my house, LOVE IT. But it is... just a possession.

What if we could strategically create space and time for Creighton to focus full-time on this thing? It could take a year (as opposed to 3-4) and we could get it over with!
So that is the goal, the dream.

SAY A PRAYER FOR US!

I don't mean to brag, but...

But my braiding skills are pretty much awesome.

Introducing Ashley McBride, an amazing woman who:
Lives with us.
Helps shepherd my children.
Has beautiful, silky, straight hair.



She shared with me that every once in a while she braids her hair at night and sleeps on it. By morning, voila - body and waves.
Her typical technique is to weave two french braids - last night I suggested we try three.



"I will help you because, well, I don't mean to brag but, I can weave a tight french braid."

She was game and we chatted while sectioning out her hair into three braids. I brought my A-game. I broke a sweat and my hands almost cramped from the high level of skill these braids were asking for.
Upon completion we were pretty excited that we had just channeled Julia Styles in "Save the Last Dance".










Ashley had a leisurely morning. Went out for breakfast, enjoyed some relaxation with her bestie Liz (shout out!). Little did she know what she was about to unravel.


She texted me this photo with the comment: Umm, I think that I am going to stick with two braids from now on.

Our first stitches

Recently I posted a story about our first fracture - roughly one month ago: http://ziondreamer.blogspot.com/2010/03/our-first-fracture.html

Well, we have another first. Stitches.

Monday night we were at Canon's first baseball game and Cosmo was standing on the side of my friends car making her baby laugh. Suddenly, my friend and I heard what sounded like a boiled egg cracking. We were standing about 3 feet away at the time. Cosmo started screaming and holding his side.
I picked him up and as I held him I lifted his shirt to search for the wound. Found nothing. I lifted him to ask where it hurts - and as I looked at his face, I saw blood running down his head.

I froze.

A little side note about me. I am a quick-on-my-feet-problem-solver (when it comes to work or to other people). But in this situation I couldn't even think. I'm realizing that this is a pattern. I freeze when it comes to personal high stress situations.
I just held him tight and said, Jesus help me, Jesus... (with an "o shit" sprinkled in here and there).

My friend Laura sprung to action. She ran off to get towels and water. And to get my husband who was finishing up post game refreshments with Canon's baseball team.

Creighton came a-running and loaded me and Cos up in the van for what turned out to be a 5 hour emergency room visit. The child got stitched up and all is well. He's such a trooper. Here are the photos.