It's been awhile since you went to church when...

Today, I committed to attending church this weekend. Of course, I've accepted being lutheran, so we planned to head to Zion at 5:30 tonight instead of attempting to make a morning service. More low key, laid back, less people...
So, we go and Peyton does great half way through. Then Griffin decides to very LOUDLY fill his pants and sound like he's having a full on blow out. Then, offertory comes along and Peyton is all excited. Lane hands her the envelope, then hands her a kleenex because she's been picking her nose. Then she hands Lane the envelope back and the woman comes along with the offering plate. Peyton quickly puts her kleenex in the plate, Lane puts the envelope in, and...all this happening in front of my eyes...the woman continues on. It was like I didn't even see or get that it happened until after when Lane whispers to me "SHE PUT A KLEENEX IN THERE!!!"
After that she loudly whispered that it wasn't "that exciting at all" to be at church and she kept asking if we could leave.
I thought it would be good to get back in the swing of things, since we are doing a fair amount at the church already but I guess she expected crafts and snacks and games or something. I'm not sure I have the confidence to go again next weekend!!!???

The 44th President

Where were you when Barack was inaugurated? It was an exciting day, you couldn't help but feel it in the air. I was glued to the tv. Was reminded that it would be fun for my children to recall where they were when this history was made! I know I will NEVER forget, for more than one reason!

Self Hypnosis?!

Okay, maybe I'm crazy but has anyone ever practiced any self hypnosis on themselves? I'm considering spending $12.95 for a program available on line for...of all things...nail biting. All my life, off and on, I've been a nail biter. I have stopped many time and am totally capable of having really nice natural nails. But for about 2 yrs now, I've been doing it again hard core, all the time.
I have learned when and why I do it. I do it when I'm tired and I do it when I'm anxious. I think I have a slight anxiety problem, nothing major but I can tell times when it's worse, like stressful times at work, when I'm pregnant, when I have a new baby and don't sleep great, etc.

So, here I am, seeing myself picking at them all the time, catching myself doing it and trying to stop but not being able to! It's a nasty, embarrassing habit and I want to fix it. That's why I am considering hypnosis :)

Do you think it'd be worth a shot!!??

Rock the Vote!

All this inauguration coverage has got me thinking and reminiscing. I have to agree, this is a very exciting and historical time. For many reasons....I think what I will remember most about this time in American history and my own history is the election of 2008. I will remember it because I cast my absentee ballot but forgot to sign it. So, the city hall called me and asked me to come in and sign it. Of course, I didn't go right away and all of a sudden, woke up at 2am on Monday morning, 11/3/08 having major contractions. So...on the way to the hospital on Monday, around 2:30pm, Lane and I drove over to city hall so I could sign my ballot and he could cast his. I was nervous because news coverage all over the country talked about how insane lines were everywhere. Some people waited all day to cast their votes. We walked in, the line was not too bad, but moving slow. And there I stood...waiting to cast my all important vote in the most historic election in my time, having contraction after contraction and trying NOT to scare the people around me :) November 4, 2008 will always be an incredible day for me...seeing Barack elected and having Griffin! History in the Making!!!

The Slippers-written 12/22/08

There is something about surrounding yourself with the memories of a loved one. That is how I feel about a silly little pair of slippers that belonged to my grandma. It's been almost a year since she passed away but has been the FASTEST year of my life, which means that the loss still often feels fresh in my mind and heart. Maybe it's because this has been the first round of holiday's without her. But more likely it is because of many life changes and moments that I feel I haven't been able to really share with her. The slippers mean a lot to me. I mean, I received MANY things that she touched, wore, used, but for some reason, these little slippers are like a secret, small piece of her that aren't too flashy, flamboyant or questionable. They are just her!



I wore them in the hospital when Griffin was born. Griffin...the baby who was just barely during her funeral and may be part of the reason that I was such an emotional wreck for so much of that weekend. We didn't even know he was a speck that weekend, but I'm guessing she did! Griffin...the baby that when I found out the Sunday after getting home from her funeral, I cried even more out of joy and sadness both...feeling like she HAD to have known, feeling like he HAD to be a girl, feeling like he was most certainly to be named Eleanor Rose :) Imagine my surprise when we found out in May that she was NOT a she! The whole prospect made me feel disappointed for a moment but then I realized that I bet grandma was laughing about it, thinking "that little stinker!"



This morning, I'm thinking about the slippers a lot too. I decided to put them on after a quick shower while the baby is asleep. I feel confused this morning. I feel happy and proud that I'm cleaned up and the baby's resting and I have a little game plan for what to do for my day. I feel slightly sad and confused about this whole maternity leave thing, knowing that since last Tuesday when I lost my job, that this could turn into more or maybe I don't want it to turn into more. So, I showered, dried my hair, got dressed and saw those silly little purple slippers sitting on my dresser and thought "I need those on me today." They are my secret, supportive hug anytime I need them.