Monday, November 14, 2011
Month of Gratitude: Day 14
I'm thankful for computers and technology. It occurred to me as I was running reports and calculations yesterday that my life would be much more complicated without it and my job would probably not be very enjoyable.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Month of Gratitude: Day 13
I'm thankful for a church to call home. We've been going to theMovement for over 6 years now. If you're looking for a church in North County, we'll take you with us to check it out.
A little history (hang in there, this will hopefully come full circle)... When we first got married, I was so unsure about a few things in our life. I graduated from UCLA early, moved back to San Diego, got married, and started a new job within about two months, and there was a major knee surgery for Seth in that mix too. The hard part was I loved UCLA (more on that later) and I loved my friends there, all of whom were still there in their senior year. I loved my husband and being married, but I wondered if we should have joined Campus Crusade staff or spent a year abroad, which many of our friends were doing. I longed for more, or maybe just different. I had spent so much of college really involved in ministry and the lives of others, the pace of an 8-5 job and "normal" life was quite an adjustment.
In the midst of this wondering and longing, we searched for a church. We visited a few, honestly probably looking for what we had left. We walked into theMovement one Sunday and stayed. We started inviting others. We felt particularly called to invite Seth's cousin (hi Heather!) and her then boyfriend. They started coming and inviting more people, and then her sister came and then another cousin and another sister and eventually it was pretty much a family reunion every Sunday. It's changed a little since then (we now typically go to 8am service where we see about 7 other people who also rose with the sun) and the church has grown a lot since then, in numbers and spiritually. This really had very little to do with us, I'm sure God would have brought all of those people back to church without Seth and I even being in the same city, but we were blessed to be a part of it. If we had been at UCLA or on staff with Crusade in another city or doing ministry in South America, we wouldn't have been here, we wouldn't have started going to theMovement and we wouldn't have invited anyone along with us. It's a reminder to us that 1. sometimes things that seem less than amazing and boringly normal have a lot more going on behind the scenes, even if it's not entirely what you wanted or envisioned and 2. family is a very important ministry.
A little history (hang in there, this will hopefully come full circle)... When we first got married, I was so unsure about a few things in our life. I graduated from UCLA early, moved back to San Diego, got married, and started a new job within about two months, and there was a major knee surgery for Seth in that mix too. The hard part was I loved UCLA (more on that later) and I loved my friends there, all of whom were still there in their senior year. I loved my husband and being married, but I wondered if we should have joined Campus Crusade staff or spent a year abroad, which many of our friends were doing. I longed for more, or maybe just different. I had spent so much of college really involved in ministry and the lives of others, the pace of an 8-5 job and "normal" life was quite an adjustment.
In the midst of this wondering and longing, we searched for a church. We visited a few, honestly probably looking for what we had left. We walked into theMovement one Sunday and stayed. We started inviting others. We felt particularly called to invite Seth's cousin (hi Heather!) and her then boyfriend. They started coming and inviting more people, and then her sister came and then another cousin and another sister and eventually it was pretty much a family reunion every Sunday. It's changed a little since then (we now typically go to 8am service where we see about 7 other people who also rose with the sun) and the church has grown a lot since then, in numbers and spiritually. This really had very little to do with us, I'm sure God would have brought all of those people back to church without Seth and I even being in the same city, but we were blessed to be a part of it. If we had been at UCLA or on staff with Crusade in another city or doing ministry in South America, we wouldn't have been here, we wouldn't have started going to theMovement and we wouldn't have invited anyone along with us. It's a reminder to us that 1. sometimes things that seem less than amazing and boringly normal have a lot more going on behind the scenes, even if it's not entirely what you wanted or envisioned and 2. family is a very important ministry.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Month of Gratitude: Day 12
I'm thankful for hot showers. It's one of the only moments I get to myself, and it's a luxury so many people don't have.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Month of Gratitude: Day 11
I'm thankful for a much needed date night. Tonight I hung up the mama hat and put the wife hat on, one that's become a bit dusty at times out of necessity. We had dinner at BJs, a place that will probably always remind us of college and the beginning of our relationship. We walked around the mall, stopped at Kohls, and filled up my gas tank. These are not terribly exciting things, some of them are pure necessities, but they were practically luxuries sans infant and toddler. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and I actually enjoy shopping with them, but tonight I felt so independent! We talked over dinner instead of passing kids and utensils and toys back and forth and lingered leisurely. It's only the second time we've been out since Avery was born, and it's not always the easiest choice, nor the simplest proceeding to get out of the house. But it was worth it.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Month of Gratitude: Day 10
Today, I'm just thankful this week is almost over. It's been a rough one.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Month of Gratitude: Day 9
I am (begrudgingly) thankful for a new phone.
I do not like new things. I really do not like when I don't know how to do something and I dislike the process of figuring it all out. I get easily frustrated during this process, as my husband can attest. However, my old phone was basically useless when he scroll button died and I was ever more frustrated during the week it took IT to order the new one.
I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually and today I'm very thankful to actually see the texts I'm getting and be able to navigate the menus and all of those necessary things.
I do not like new things. I really do not like when I don't know how to do something and I dislike the process of figuring it all out. I get easily frustrated during this process, as my husband can attest. However, my old phone was basically useless when he scroll button died and I was ever more frustrated during the week it took IT to order the new one.
I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually and today I'm very thankful to actually see the texts I'm getting and be able to navigate the menus and all of those necessary things.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Month of Gratitude: Day 8
This sounds so spoiled and pretentious I almost hesitate to admit it, but I'm thankful for Starbucks, especially today.
I don't know if it's the time change or something else, but neither of my children have wanted to sleep the last few nights (this is another one of 10 million times I'm so thankful to have a husband who is an awesome co-parent who also gets up in the middle of the night, two thankfuls in one!). The past few nights, Avery has been up at least five times a night and Carter is waking up way too early and up a few times the last few nights too.
So this morning, I stopped at Starbucks. I try not to drink a lot of caffeine, and many days I don't have any. Some days I just need a little help. Plus it helps me psychologically slow down and settle into the day, even if the night didn't go as well as I would have liked.
I don't know if it's the time change or something else, but neither of my children have wanted to sleep the last few nights (this is another one of 10 million times I'm so thankful to have a husband who is an awesome co-parent who also gets up in the middle of the night, two thankfuls in one!). The past few nights, Avery has been up at least five times a night and Carter is waking up way too early and up a few times the last few nights too.
So this morning, I stopped at Starbucks. I try not to drink a lot of caffeine, and many days I don't have any. Some days I just need a little help. Plus it helps me psychologically slow down and settle into the day, even if the night didn't go as well as I would have liked.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Month of Gratitude: Day 7
I almost hesitate to say this, but I am thankful for Pinterest.
True, it can be a huge black hole of all time and energy. On the other hand, it inspires me. It makes me remember that I am a somewhat creative-ish person and I could make beautiful things if I gave myself the time. It lets me dream a little. I probably won't ever have this amazing shower or this one, but I like to know they exist somewhere. It has helped me bring new and tasty treats to the table. It has encouraged me to put some love into a home I'd already somewhat checked out of emotionally. It gives me great ideas for crafts with my artsy munchkin. I've been amused by smart products and handy ideas. Words there have spoken to my soul and made me laugh. Sometimes both. So thanks pinterest and whoever created you. You came into my life at a really good time.
True, it can be a huge black hole of all time and energy. On the other hand, it inspires me. It makes me remember that I am a somewhat creative-ish person and I could make beautiful things if I gave myself the time. It lets me dream a little. I probably won't ever have this amazing shower or this one, but I like to know they exist somewhere. It has helped me bring new and tasty treats to the table. It has encouraged me to put some love into a home I'd already somewhat checked out of emotionally. It gives me great ideas for crafts with my artsy munchkin. I've been amused by smart products and handy ideas. Words there have spoken to my soul and made me laugh. Sometimes both. So thanks pinterest and whoever created you. You came into my life at a really good time.
Month of Gratitude: Day 6
I am so very thankful for humor. I don't think I could survive this season without humor. My husband is funny (in his own way, but it keeps me laughing), my son is the most hilarious child I've ever encountered.
Sometimes, if I didn't laugh, I think I would cry. So I'm thankful I have another option. A real life example- Friday, our For Sale sign fell over. Even our sign is giving up on actually getting this house sold. That sign has been out there so long it was finally overcome by the elements. It was completely shattered, shards strewn across the sidewalk, post entirely up rooted from the yard. I just started laughing.
Sometimes, if I didn't laugh, I think I would cry. So I'm thankful I have another option. A real life example- Friday, our For Sale sign fell over. Even our sign is giving up on actually getting this house sold. That sign has been out there so long it was finally overcome by the elements. It was completely shattered, shards strewn across the sidewalk, post entirely up rooted from the yard. I just started laughing.
Month of Gratitude: Day 5
I had a few technical difficulties this weekend and a few more schedule conflicts, i.e. I had no time to sit down and write. But I thought about it each day, and I'll be catching catch up my posts today.
Day 5
I'm thankful for a double stroller! I agonized for months over what to buy. Actually, it was over a year. I started researching as soon as I found out I was pregnant with Avery and just couldn't take the plunge and buy it. I looked at $900 models, which is ridiculous. Seth accurately pointed out that we could probably spend less than that to pay someone to carry our children for us on the limited occasions we actually need a double stroller. I finally bought one that was a Target daily deal and one on sale at Babies R Us and we're debating between the two.
I took both kids to the mall Saturday morning, which would have been nearly impossible without a double stroller. I took the tandem stroller. I originally thought I wanted a side by side one, but after almost knocking down everything in every store, I've decided the width of a side by side is totally impractical for the mall. Then again, so are two young children... Nonetheless, it was a fun outing and I was really glad to be able to get out and have a "fun adventure" (in Carter's words) with my kids, and a fun lunch with my boy while Avery slept. He's a good date! Except that he steals my food.
Day 5
I'm thankful for a double stroller! I agonized for months over what to buy. Actually, it was over a year. I started researching as soon as I found out I was pregnant with Avery and just couldn't take the plunge and buy it. I looked at $900 models, which is ridiculous. Seth accurately pointed out that we could probably spend less than that to pay someone to carry our children for us on the limited occasions we actually need a double stroller. I finally bought one that was a Target daily deal and one on sale at Babies R Us and we're debating between the two.
I took both kids to the mall Saturday morning, which would have been nearly impossible without a double stroller. I took the tandem stroller. I originally thought I wanted a side by side one, but after almost knocking down everything in every store, I've decided the width of a side by side is totally impractical for the mall. Then again, so are two young children... Nonetheless, it was a fun outing and I was really glad to be able to get out and have a "fun adventure" (in Carter's words) with my kids, and a fun lunch with my boy while Avery slept. He's a good date! Except that he steals my food.
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