In the Striving

Ah...a new computer.  A much overdue purchase we recently made.  It will no longer take me 15 minutes just to turn the computer on.  Needless to say, I'm a happy camper!  And hopefully, this means I will do more writing...hopefully...we'll see.  So...kids say the darndest things.  If you have kids, or have been around them much at all, then you know this is true.  Allow me to share a couple recent Oliverisms... 1.  The other day we were talking about consequences.  This is something we've been talking about QUITE frequently in our house, as Oliver has randomly decided it's fun to pretend he wears diapers again (even though he's been potty trained since November).  I'll spare you the gorey details.  Anyway, Oliver asked the question, "Where do consequences come from?"  (This is a common question he asks..."Where does _____ come from?" Sheesh, I'm realizing how much I don't know!)...

Last Friday night was the best night I’ve had with my husband in a very long time!  We have been long overdue for a date night, and my upcoming 30 th birthday gave us even more of a reason to reserve an entire night for just the two of us.  So, thanks to my sweet in-laws, we were childless for roughly 19 hours.  Going to the movies was fun.  It had been a long time since we had been to the theater, and I had been dying to see “Lincoln” since it first came out in November.  Dinner was fabulous.  Sushi is our fave.  Mmm…still thinking about how good it tasted.  But really, the best part of the night was when we got home.  We sat on the couch…turned on some background music (Mumford and Sons Pandora station—always a good choice)…and we talked…and talked…and talked…for a couple hours!  It was wonderful and much needed. So why am I telling you all this?  Well, our conversation that night, at one point, parked ...

So I hit a low point this last week.  And it’s something I’m not proud of.  But I’m willing to write about it, because I know that realistically, many (if not all) of you have been there before.  My Oliver turned 3.  Naturally, I had to plan the perfect birthday party.  Those who know me know this about me: I am a ridiculous perfectionist, which is sometimes good, but mostly bad.  In this case, it was bad.  Months ago, we decided “Toy Story” would be the theme, so I began doing my Pinterest research.  My mom and I chose a particular design for a cake that we would construct together.  I’m not talking simple sheet cake.  Nope, this thing was the Prom King of all cakes…3 fancy layers, buttercream and fondant icing, intricate detail including lettering, 8 different colors, and cut-out graphics.  Insane is, perhaps, another word for it. Well, of course, the night before the big shin-dig, Isaac, my teething 8-mont...

I love conversations with Oliver.  And the other day, I had some that were the jot-it-down-so-I-don’t-forget-it kind.  Ever have those? They’re the best…especially when they involve some sort of proof that what I’m teaching my child is, in fact, sinking in. I attend a weekly women’s Bible study on Thursday mornings.  There is childcare for my kids.  But it’s more than just childcare.  They actually teach your children the same lesson that the adults learn each week.  They teach songs, and all sorts of other cool stuff.  Last week, we were on our way home from Bible study.  I decided to start asking Oliver what he had learned about in his class.  He gave the typical answer, “God.”  I’m sure he did learn about God, but I was hoping for a little more. After some unsuccessful probing, I settled on the fact that he wasn’t going to tell me all about Abram and God’s promise that he would give him a son.  I decided to ch...

Happy 2013!  I am getting a head start on my list of New Year’s goals this year.  It makes me feel good to make lists, only because I experience pure thrill when I get to cross things off when I’ve actually done them.  So, here’s to crossing things off of lists! Goals for 2013: Finally start the blog that I’ve been considering for the past couple years Lose 7 more pounds Exercise (this makes it on my list every year) Read through the Harry Potter series…for the 2 nd time Grow even closer to God (this also is on my list every year)   Have a successful garden that actually produces edible crops Begin composting (sigh) That felt good!  Really though, I have been tossing around the idea of starting this blog for quite some time.  I’ve been reluctant because, frankly, I think blogging is weird.  I feel funny writing down my thoughts and putting them out there like people actually care what I have to say. But here’s what...