Today I stepped out of my comfort zone (my living room) and went with a group of fun ladies (hanging out with more than two other girls at the same time is WAY out of my comfort zone) to Orlando. It was a "mom" outing for women from our church. We went to a salon school for pampering, and the Cheesecake Factory for, well, more pampering. On the way our leader with the beautiful voice read us verses about needing refreshment so we didn't feel guilty. I can now recommend the OPI color Russian Navy and am happy to know the ladies who went today a bit better.
The Squirms and R spent the day together. They had fun with the dogs; and while I was told the garage has a new project in it, the kitchen table did not have a soldering iron on it so I was very pleased.
Tonight I'm back in the comfort zone, wearing oversized pajamas and watching college football - my definition of a great fall Saturday. I've eaten more of my slice of delicious cheesecake, and decided to write a post because the only game we can get on non-cable channels is Texas v Oklahoma State. And they are both scoring way too much for this game to be interesting. I need to see tackling....blitzes.... outstanding plays by linebackers. At this point I'd settle for a lay-the-receiver-out (but safely of course to be politically correct) tackle by the safety.
Happy Saturday.
I'm sorry H - no new photos today.
I like Erin Andrews.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Making Cocoa
Several months ago, while the Squirmers was taking a nap, I stood in my kitchen and made hot cocoa. Sure, it was a summer afternoon in central Florida - sunny and incredibly hot - but what struck me as so odd was that it felt so normal.
After the last week of January and the first week of February, I was surprised to find myself making cocoa on an afternoon in July. My mother, a wise, tiny woman, had told me that while the pain would always be there, I would be able to keep going (keep going = functioning as a member of society, worshiping God just because He is Great, and making cocoa just because I wanted something chocolate). Grieving for a failed placement is odd - you feel like there was a death; but there wasn't a death; but there was. Your bedroom has an empty bassinet and you just close the door to the nursery so you don't see his name on the wall; but the tiny life you held is still healthy and keeping someone else up at night, you might even run into him at the grocery store someday. It was helpful to hear, from a woman who knows, that even though the pain will last, life can get better.
I have discovered a somewhat bittersweet effect from our experience last January - compassion.
Bitter, because it has broken me to hear about another failed placement. I feel selfish about this pain. It's not something you would ever wish others would understand. Sure, it's nice to be encouraged by others and for friends to bring you pizza. But to know that someone else experienced this - shortness of breath, trying to keep calm in front of your social workers, calling your family to tell them their grandson/nephew isn't joining the family, hearing your little sister start crying while she's at her desk at work, your husband holding you while you convulse with tears, sitting on the porch swing for hours unsure of what to do with yourself. Somehow, it hurts even more to know that someone else knows what this feels like.
Sweet, well, I'm hopeful that there is a sweet part to this discovery. Right now I think it's the depth and sincerity of my appeals to God for this family.
After the last week of January and the first week of February, I was surprised to find myself making cocoa on an afternoon in July. My mother, a wise, tiny woman, had told me that while the pain would always be there, I would be able to keep going (keep going = functioning as a member of society, worshiping God just because He is Great, and making cocoa just because I wanted something chocolate). Grieving for a failed placement is odd - you feel like there was a death; but there wasn't a death; but there was. Your bedroom has an empty bassinet and you just close the door to the nursery so you don't see his name on the wall; but the tiny life you held is still healthy and keeping someone else up at night, you might even run into him at the grocery store someday. It was helpful to hear, from a woman who knows, that even though the pain will last, life can get better.
I have discovered a somewhat bittersweet effect from our experience last January - compassion.
Bitter, because it has broken me to hear about another failed placement. I feel selfish about this pain. It's not something you would ever wish others would understand. Sure, it's nice to be encouraged by others and for friends to bring you pizza. But to know that someone else experienced this - shortness of breath, trying to keep calm in front of your social workers, calling your family to tell them their grandson/nephew isn't joining the family, hearing your little sister start crying while she's at her desk at work, your husband holding you while you convulse with tears, sitting on the porch swing for hours unsure of what to do with yourself. Somehow, it hurts even more to know that someone else knows what this feels like.
Sweet, well, I'm hopeful that there is a sweet part to this discovery. Right now I think it's the depth and sincerity of my appeals to God for this family.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Ten Things
1. The Pensacola Beach Ferris Wheel.
It's wonderful. R took me on a date and we rode the ferris wheel after dinner. If you're in the area of Pensacola Beach, you should ride it. The ride is approximately 10-15 minutes, and when we were there the staff was placing each couple or group in their own capsule. Rather lovely.
2. The J.Crew pajama's my mother got me for my birthday. I heart wearing them.
3. Kisses from Tanner.
4. Today is CQC's birth day! Congrats AMC and LGC!
I am sad that my guess of 10 lbs 2 oz was wrong....did anyone guess 9 lbs 15 oz?
5. In order to pretend like we have the season Fall, I purchased (because I'm not awesome like MMD who makes her own) a Fall wreath and Pumpkin Pie candles.
6. I've really been enjoying making baby food. My sweet mother-in-law suggested I use the baby bullet mixer and containers and so far it's been fun. It's also fun of course to feed this face.
7. Clinque moisturizer. I really like their skincare stuff.
8. We received Squirm's six month pictures!! You can see them here: http://moonpie.smugmug.com/Family/Kristin/25014444_d8t4FW#!i=2049462628&k=hG549zP
And this is the pretty box they came in. I also heart boxes.
9. R sent me a link to a Doctor Who work out. We are going to try this. Awesome.
How to Get in Shape While Working Out
http://www.neatorama.com/2012/
10. Or, just keep doing this: Eating Jammie Dodgers while watching Doctor Who.
2. The J.Crew pajama's my mother got me for my birthday. I heart wearing them.
3. Kisses from Tanner.
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| Kisses for Shelby Ann |
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| Two seconds later. |
I am sad that my guess of 10 lbs 2 oz was wrong....did anyone guess 9 lbs 15 oz?
5. In order to pretend like we have the season Fall, I purchased (because I'm not awesome like MMD who makes her own) a Fall wreath and Pumpkin Pie candles.
6. I've really been enjoying making baby food. My sweet mother-in-law suggested I use the baby bullet mixer and containers and so far it's been fun. It's also fun of course to feed this face.
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| Not sure how she feels about squash |
8. We received Squirm's six month pictures!! You can see them here: http://moonpie.smugmug.com/Family/Kristin/25014444_d8t4FW#!i=2049462628&k=hG549zP
And this is the pretty box they came in. I also heart boxes.
9. R sent me a link to a Doctor Who work out. We are going to try this. Awesome.
How to Get in Shape While Working Out
http://www.neatorama.com/2012/
10. Or, just keep doing this: Eating Jammie Dodgers while watching Doctor Who.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
The Gulf Coast - part two of the Tour
Squirm's tour of families continued....
We spent time near the whitest sand on earth during the second half of the tour. Squirm's got to spend time with her great-aunt C, who gave her a cute Halloween sleeper.
And she showed off her ability to eat Sophie the Giraffe. Personal advertisement - Sophie is her (and mine) favorite toy!
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| Can we say, wrapped around Squirm's adorable fingers? |
Watching the game - she doesn't say War Eagle yet, but rocks her game day dress.
And we were able to hang out with some dear friends. They own a scooter.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Happy Birthday(s) Dad and L
Happy Birthday Dad.
Happy Birthday to the man I give credit to for me being the only female engineer in the space business area that didn't cry at work.
Happy Birthday to the man who I watched Batman with on non-Fall-Saturday mornings, and watched play-by-play high school football games with on Fall-Saturday mornings (and that was with a VCR - play, stop, rewind, repeat).
Happy Birthday to the man whose prospective grandfather names are Sir and Grumps.
Happy Birthday to the man I've enjoyed watching turn into a softie in his old age (I think he carries an 8x10 photo of me, H, and L in front of the Auburn sign with our graduation years in his wallet).
AND
Happy Birthday to L, aka Squirm's Nanny
Happy Birthday to my youngest sister, who is more like me than she'd like to admit.
Happy Birthday to a young woman that keeps surprising me when I realize that she is a young woman, making her own decisions - and not just the little sister who could cry on cue to get me in trouble, who always wanted to sit in the front seat, and who refused to wear a coat in the winter to school.
Happy Birthday to my youngest sister who washed dishes, held Squirms, vacuumed, took R to the emergency room, and most importantly kept me sane this past Spring.
Happy Birthday to my youngest sister, a person who likes to talk about monarchies, Tsars, family trees, and other really cool stuff from hundreds of years ago.
Also, thank you for making me think that painting your finger-nails is fun and okay to do.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Side Tracked
One of my goals for today was to write a meaningful post about the reality of Squirms being seven months old and how much I love being R's adored wife and Squirm's mother.
But, I was sidetracked after completing my first goal, buy R socks at Target, by finger-nail painting and watching the new Bones episode.
R and I went on a date Saturday night - sponsored by another Sunday School class at our church. It was part of an event called The Amazing Date which included free childcare at the church, a dinner fund, and adventurous assignment cards with tasks and conversation topics. It was a very sweet and super practical outreach/ministry. R and I had a blast - we ate at one of our favorite restaurants, went for a walk by the river, and for coffee! Plus, every conversation topic was focused on personal interests, likes, and spiritual needs of our spouse. One of the questions was: What is one tangible thing I can do for you to make your life easier? R's answer was he needs socks. I didn't notice - because I'm asleep - that he spends a lot of time in the mornings finding socks to wear to work. Therefore, I met a dear friend at Target and bought a lot of socks.
I should also point out that right now all those socks are still in the washing machine and I'll probably forget to put them in the dryer....and that the underlying cause to his problem can really be solved by me folding more laundry and actually putting it in drawers....but he did need more socks....
Anyways. It's difficult to find words besides happy and intensely happy and blessed with peace I've never known in daily life to describe the reality of being R's adored wife and Squirm's mother. And I like my new nail color.
I will get back to Squirm's tour tomorrow, or the next time I make time to post - with pictures from the charming Southern and Floridian town that R is from!
But, I was sidetracked after completing my first goal, buy R socks at Target, by finger-nail painting and watching the new Bones episode.
R and I went on a date Saturday night - sponsored by another Sunday School class at our church. It was part of an event called The Amazing Date which included free childcare at the church, a dinner fund, and adventurous assignment cards with tasks and conversation topics. It was a very sweet and super practical outreach/ministry. R and I had a blast - we ate at one of our favorite restaurants, went for a walk by the river, and for coffee! Plus, every conversation topic was focused on personal interests, likes, and spiritual needs of our spouse. One of the questions was: What is one tangible thing I can do for you to make your life easier? R's answer was he needs socks. I didn't notice - because I'm asleep - that he spends a lot of time in the mornings finding socks to wear to work. Therefore, I met a dear friend at Target and bought a lot of socks.
I should also point out that right now all those socks are still in the washing machine and I'll probably forget to put them in the dryer....and that the underlying cause to his problem can really be solved by me folding more laundry and actually putting it in drawers....but he did need more socks....
Anyways. It's difficult to find words besides happy and intensely happy and blessed with peace I've never known in daily life to describe the reality of being R's adored wife and Squirm's mother. And I like my new nail color.
I will get back to Squirm's tour tomorrow, or the next time I make time to post - with pictures from the charming Southern and Floridian town that R is from!
Monday, September 17, 2012
The Tour - Half Way There
Yes, still posting pictures from Squirm's tour of families. These are from Monday through Wednesday of our trip.
We got to meet this wonderful boy - the original reason for our trip! Thankfully, we got to hang out with him and his cool parents several times during our trip.
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| BVd - sweet boy of AnniePants |
We got to hang out with KHA and her beautiful daughter at Grandpa and Grandma's house,
and it was noted that Squirms really likes mens' voices.
Then we bothered AMC and LGC. In the picture below, the red-haired sweetie is bringing Squirms Buzz LightYear in case she wants to play.
Reading time before bed with Granny (my Granny) and Squirm's grandfather-who-needs-a-name. My parents will not choose grandparent names. Some of our current choices include Gran and Grumps, Mopsy and Sir.
We need help.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
More Cousins
New trophy wife rule: It is acceptable to wear mesh football practice shorts from high school and your husband's XL college t-shirt while carrying a Kate Spade bag.
Back to Squirm's tour. The Sunday before last we visited the church that I grew up in and were very happy to see lots of people we don't usually get to see when we travel (because Sunday is usually a drive day). I really enjoyed getting to chat with one of my favorite childhood giggle partners and introducing sweet Squirms to old friends and second, third, and fourth cousins. When they started turning out lights and locking the doors at the church, we made our way to my uncle and aunt's house for a birthday celebration for LGC.
I met LGC in the 5th grade and am blessed to have called her a dear friend since the 9th grade. I convinced her to marry one of my cousins so she would have to hang out with me at least once a year during the holidays. She turned 30 while we were in town and I got to accompany her to a spa!!
Sadly, we were so excited about all the tiny critters running around - I'm using the word critters because 1) I love that word, 2) We were in Alabama, 3) It's one of my newest nicknames for Squirms - that we didn't take a picture of LGC so all I have to offer are fun photos of Granny and her great-grandchildren.
WAC, the eldest and sweetest, was pretty much the only one smiling during the twenty-seven photos we took. His little sister, OKC, refused to take pictures without her barbie dolls (I like that girl), and SPC and Squirms kept bothering each other, which was amusing to Granny.
As you can guess, out of the twenty-seven pictures, not one picture showed all five of them looking at the same camera (or even a camera) at the same time.
Back to Squirm's tour. The Sunday before last we visited the church that I grew up in and were very happy to see lots of people we don't usually get to see when we travel (because Sunday is usually a drive day). I really enjoyed getting to chat with one of my favorite childhood giggle partners and introducing sweet Squirms to old friends and second, third, and fourth cousins. When they started turning out lights and locking the doors at the church, we made our way to my uncle and aunt's house for a birthday celebration for LGC.
I met LGC in the 5th grade and am blessed to have called her a dear friend since the 9th grade. I convinced her to marry one of my cousins so she would have to hang out with me at least once a year during the holidays. She turned 30 while we were in town and I got to accompany her to a spa!!
Sadly, we were so excited about all the tiny critters running around - I'm using the word critters because 1) I love that word, 2) We were in Alabama, 3) It's one of my newest nicknames for Squirms - that we didn't take a picture of LGC so all I have to offer are fun photos of Granny and her great-grandchildren.
WAC, the eldest and sweetest, was pretty much the only one smiling during the twenty-seven photos we took. His little sister, OKC, refused to take pictures without her barbie dolls (I like that girl), and SPC and Squirms kept bothering each other, which was amusing to Granny.
As you can guess, out of the twenty-seven pictures, not one picture showed all five of them looking at the same camera (or even a camera) at the same time.
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| Let's hold hands |
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| What is going on over there? |
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| Those babies are Crazy! |
This one is my favorite.
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| My ear! |
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Continuing the Tour
Continuing the tour, we headed to the lake after the zoo. The water level was down but we had lots of fun hanging out with family. Squirms met her adorable cousin EGP and we had a photo shoot.
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| Hello, nice to meet you. I'd like to eat your bow. |
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| Oh my. |
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| These people are taking lots of pictures of us. I like your dress. |
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| It's hard to sit up in this chair! |
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| I am going to eat your bow. |
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| These people are laughing a lot.... |
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| Oh, let me help you eat your dress. |
We got a phone call as we were leaving the lake. L was on her way from Granny's to work and had an accident. Thankfully she is okay. The car is not really okay, but the bridge held.
In order to not focus on how horrible this could have been, I've included some comments made by family members after the fact.
Granny gave me chocolate and now it’s melted in my pocket.
L was going to miss watching the first Auburn game because of work, but then missed work because of the accident....
EBC - L, if you really wanted to watch the game that badly, you could’ve just called into work.
When Granny heard of L's accident she said
Well, she didn’t have a nip (a drink) at my house.
Then we watched Auburn lose to Clemson as a family; knowing the most important thing was not that our defense thought they were playing touch football, but that no one went off the side of a bridge that day.
Monday, September 10, 2012
The Zoo
Last night around 10:45 I decided that we will not be taking Squirms on road trips again until she's 15. At which point she will have head phones and not want to speak to us.
I'm sorry to break this news to our families, but I can't handle putting her in the car seat again.
We are out of milk and bread - and I can't drink coffee without milk - and I'm not going to the store because I don't want to put her in the car seat today.
Squirms had a lot of "firsts" this past week - first visit to Auburn, first visit to the zoo, first meeting of cousin SPC, first Auburn game (on TV), first visit to both of her grandparents' churches, first meeting of AnniePants's baby boy, first taste of bananas, first Apple device, and her first tooth to break the gum.
The pictures below are from the Birmingham Zoo and hanging out with her second cousins SPC and OKC.
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| Our attempt at sun and drool protection |
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| A Sea Lion |
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| MSC and SPC |
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| Lemur - R's favorite |
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| Hello! |
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| A real life Sophie the Giraffe |
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It was hot at the zoo
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Monday, September 3, 2012
Squirms goes to Auburn
We traveled from central Florida to Alabama on Friday, and got to stop in Jacksonville to see Auntie C and in Auburn to stretch our legs. It took around 13 hours to arrive at our final location, but we had fun on the way.
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| Squirms at Toomer's Corner |
While we're not trying to choose her major yet - we did take pictures in front of the Mechanics archway of Samford Hall.
And the friendly folks at Toomer's Drugs gave R a large milkshake instead of a small because Squirms threw up on him while we were in the store. How nice!
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