Falling Out

My child cracks me up. Sometimes it takes me a while to figure out what he's talking about, though. I finally got this one...

Periodically Nathan seems to randomly scream "Mom! My boogers are falling out!!!" Translation = his nose is running. I know, that one should have been obvious.

On the Throne

Over the past few months or so I've noticed that Nathan's really gotten to the stage where he doesn't need to be supervised every second. He can often play up in his room by himself for a bit, and we've had no poison control calls since...I can't remember when.

Well, the other day Nathan and his little friend Karin were playing downstairs in the toy room. Suddenly Karin yells up "Kaa-wa, Nafin's got his pants down." (Yes, not what you want to hear at any age.) Nathan then yells up "I'm going potty!" (OK, there is no potty downstairs.)

I fly down the stairs to find Nathan: pants down around his ankles, diaper down, too, sitting atop a little self-constructed throne made of a little tykes table with a purple chair on top. And there his little half-naked self sat. He confirmed again "I going potty." Yeah. Uh-huh.

Now, if I could just get him to sit on a real potty...

Anybody else have any funny potty stories?

Recommendations?

Anybody got any good recommendations for a dentist in the Hudson area? Somebody nice, who is good about only doing what needs to be done and doesn't go overboard? And somebody who won't yell at me for waiting a year and a half since my last checkup...

2nd Day of Kindergarten

Emily started kindergarten this year. These were some of her comments after just the second day...

"I had a great day!!! There was nothing bad about it!" And then as an afterthought she added "Well, actually, my best friend broke up with me and I don't even know why!"

"Really? Your best friend, huh? What's her name?" I asked.
"I don't know," said Emily with a smile.

So the next day she came home and we asked if the girl was her friend again yet. Emily said the girl smiled at her. Emily was satisfied.

The following day the two started playing together again. Again we asked Emily if she knew her name yet.
"No, but I just asked her if I could call her Lisa and she said yes."
(Note, there are no Lisa's in her class.)

Glad that worked out then. :)

Do the Next Right Thing

See my previous post. "The next right thing"...as I prayed and asked God what that was, His answer was clear: be in My Word. Feast on that which gives life.

1) Yesterday Wade and I took some time together to pray and read the day's passage from our One Year Bible. This is something we used to do with some regularity when Wade used to get home from work at 4:30. But for months his schedule was such that he didn't get home until 6:00 PM--supper time. That meant "our" time to connect and pray for a few minutes went by the wayside. Now his schedule changed back again & we're going to try to make this time together a priority.

2) We decided to start doing family devotions with the kids during supper. (Last year we had tried doing them at bedtime, but bedtime routine already seemed to take so long that devotions felt like just one more thing to fit in and we ended up rushing through it almost begrudgingly. Plus, we didn't like the kids' devotional we were using.) So today, I went to the store and got a better devotional for the kids and we used it tonight already. We also have a neighbor girl who comes over a lot, and hasn't had much exposure to the Bible. She was excited to stay for supper and be in on family devotions. She wants to come to AWANA clubs with the kids this year, too. (AWANA is a club at our church for kids that helps them learn God's Word in a fun way.)

I know...these steps are nothing novel or earth shattering. In fact, they are the kinds of things that--as a young newlywed--I assumed would be givens in our, and any, godly household. Easier said than done. Anyway, it feels good to be taking steps in the right direction.

What ways has your family found to bring God's Word into your home?

No to the Status Quo

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom...And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
~ Colossians 3:16a-17

We attended The Well last night for the first time. It's an alternative service that our church offers, geared toward the 20-something generation. It was right up our alley, though. (Reminded me of our church in Indiana, too, which we still miss dearly.) Needless to say, we loved it.

I was struck by Dave's message...he spoke on the power of God's Word, and the richness it brings when we feed on it as if our lives depend on it--because they do.

Dave shared how he loves to gather all kinds of facts--world news, current events and the like. During a deep conversation at our church's marriage retreat this weekend, his wife Nicky told him that, as impressed as she might be with all he knows, none of that really matters to her. What she really wants more than anything is to have their lives more and more infused with God's truth. To have their children see that God is in all of life. He is life. His Word is life. Specifically, she also wants to hear His Word spoken constantly in their home. Me too.

It has been the cry of my heart for as long as I can remember that my life would reflect Christ in every aspect, and that everything I say and do would honor Him and point others in the direction of knowing Him better. Lofty goal, but I know it's what God wants for us. Oh how I long to be more like my Father, and at times wish I saw more progress than tiny baby steps--steps that sometimes even seem to go backwards!

Periodically, I am struck by the fact that I do not want to settle for the status quo. Nice house, nice kids, good job, etc. Do I long for a real house rather than a town home with no yard? Absolutely. But I want more. I want my life to really count for the Kingdom. I want my conversations to encourage and uplift--and point others to the God who loves them. And I want to leave a legacy for my children, one where they see that God is not something we "do" on Sundays. One where they see their parents--though imperfect & real--as people who wanted to serve God more than anything. People who weren't afraid to stand up for truth no matter what it might cost. People who chose to spend their time seeking righteousness--refusing to take part in so much of the perverted ugliness the world has to offer. Bottom line: I don't want to be just another family that attends church, but nothing is different in the way that they live, think, or speak. I see far too many families like this and I want none of it.

At our church in Indiana, Granger Community Church, a common phrase we heard was "Just do the next right thing." Lord, here I am. Show me what that is. I believe becoming a doula is part of that next right thing. And often the next right thing is simply being faithful to honor my husband and love my children. But show me if there is something more specific--any changes You'd like me to make in my role as wife, mother, or friend. I am Yours. Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

She's Baaack!

After 6 days of the stomach flu without feeling any better...can I just say PRAISE THE LORD FOR IV FLUIDS!!! Never have I been so grateful in all my life to be poked with a needle.

This morning Wade called me from the farm (he's working there today) to inform me that his dad has the same thing there--for cows--should I need more. Wade also informed the nurse yesterday that he's given those IV fluids to cows lots of times. And while nauseas Kara is sitting there, we all got the hear the details of how they have to put cow IV's in through the neck--and really stab 'em in good since they have tough skin...and how one time a cow's heart rate was through the roof and the cow's heart started pumping blood back up into the IV. Yuck yuck yuck. The more I informed my dear husband that his commentary wasn't helping, the more he talked.

After a while, I suggested Wade and Nathan go play at the park across the street from the clinic while I had my second bag of fluids. I had a nice half hour of peace and quiet. Upon their return, Wade got more dirty looks from the nurse when he asked me if I was going to go for my evening jog that night.
"Absolutely NOT!" the nurse told him.
Gotta love hubbies, don'tcha?

Actually, to Wade's credit, he's had to pick up a lot of the slack while I've been sick. Honey, I really did appreciate you feeding the kids, doing the dishes, and picking up each day--even if it was begrudgingly. :) Love you.

Anyone wanna go out for pizza? Mmmm...turkey and mashed potatoes sound good, too. I've missed out on a week's worth of cravings here.

What Gives?

I've had it with losing my hair. For me, pregnancy has always been the one time I have nice shiny, thick hair. None of it falls out until I'm 4 months post partum. (Then look out.) Not with this baby. I've got a forest growing on my bathroom floor. And I'm secretly afraid I'll then get a double whammy when it comes to post partum. Alopecia here I come. Yes, I'm pouting big time.

And my face? I've struggled with acne since I was 14, (that's 20 years in case anyone's counting) but again, pregnancy is the one time my face is usually clearer. This time around I seemed to have invited the round-the-clock pimple brigade. Even had one on the end of my nose last week. I introduced myself to my neighbors with "hi, my name is Rudolph." I've also got a big 2 inch discolored patch (bleached--not dark!) that I can't even seem to cover with foundation.

Yes, I know. It's all worth it. Just allow me my moment here.

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by Katie. (I just realized that today...I'm still trying to catch up on my blogging...)

So here goes:

TEN YEARS AGO

Wade and I had been married for 2 years. We were living in River Falls, but packing up to move to West St. Paul so Wade could go back to school to become an aviation mechanic. That meant I needed to be the main bread winner for a while, so I got a job at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Eagan, working in customer service, claims processing/adjustment, and then training for new employees. (Since my B.A. in psychology was oh so useful. Tee hee.)

MY TO-DO LIST TODAY

1. Get Abby off to school (Emily starts tomorrow)
2. Go to my OB appointment
3. Fold dark towels and wash the light ones
4. Wash mysterious orange stains that appeared on half my laundry from yesterday
5. Arrange volunteer times for the girls' classrooms
6. Leave encouraging message on a friend's caring bridge site
7. Rake bathroom floor of the droves of my hair that have fallen on it
8. RSVP to Abby's first school birthday party of the year (already!?)
9. Fill out yellow health forms for school that I should have already done
10. Sign computer agreement for school that says I & my children will not steal copyrighted material or look at pornography
11. Take a nap
12. Resolve weird conflict with my neighbor
13. Plan & make supper
14. Pray and think through whether or not we can afford to have Abby in dance this year.
15. Call a babysitter for this weekend

SNACK THAT I ENJOY

I can't choose just one...puppy chow, red grapes, nachos with cheese, chocolate ice cream malts, whatchamacallit candy bars.

THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A MILLIONAIRE

1. Give 10% to my church
2. Give generously to numerous missionaries we know that I'd love to support
3. Buy a house with character & a big fenced in yard
4. Set us up for retirement
5. Set the kids up for college and the girls' weddings
6. Buy great underwear
7. Invest the rest

PLACES I'VE LIVED (in order)

Young America, MN
Waconia, MN
River Falls, WI
West St Paul, MN
Hudson, WI
South Bend, IN
Hudson, WI

TAG, YOU'RE IT!

Nicole (He Gives Me Grace)
Pam (PW, Thrillride)
Danielle (Natural Momma)
Ed (Swirlingeddy)
Tami (In The Story)

It's Official!

"The most important part of the doula is not her training, but her heart and gentle spirit."
~Experienced Doula Trainer

It's official...I'm a doula! I had my interview yesterday at Woodwinds and later that day was asked to come aboard the doula team there! We are each on call for one day per month, for a 24 hour shift. Every laboring mother who comes to Woodwinds is offered the option of having a doula, free of charge. Then, whoever is on call comes in to support that mother in labor. (Patients can also contract with & arrange their own doulas privately--usually for pay, I believe. But that is separate from this volunteer program.) Many of the volunteer doulas also take on private clients, for pay, but that isn't something I'm looking at yet--at least not until I am fully certified.

I have my orientation next week, and I start Friday October 3rd with patients.

I am way behind in my blogging. I had written a post last week--that I never got around to publishing--about how wonderful my doula workshop was 2 weekends ago. I soaked up every minute, truly feeling like everything we covered was so helpful--and so fascinating, too. We covered everything from comfort measures, laboring positions, listening skills, and how to truly support a mother in pursuing the kind of birth she desires (whether fully medicated, or completely natural, or even cesarean) as well as all the ethical considerations to be mindful of when supporting a mother without being an irritant to the medical staff, etc. We also watched a number of amazing videos covering the history of birth in this country as well as other cultures.

The whole weekend just fueled my passion and excitement for serving God in this way, as a doula. I can't believe how much He has put this on my heart--helping women to have a positive, beautiful birth experience.

Woodwinds is also working on a program to have doulas with grief training be on call for women who come to the ER because they are having a miscarriage. This is something I have a heart for as well.

Oh, this is now a bit anti-climactic, but I might have my first private client/birth lined up, too. Another doula from my workshop who is pregnant & due in October. In fact, she and I are talking about being each other's doulas. It was a God thing that she and I connected, and uncanny how much we have in common.