Last night Gary and I were discussing Ellie and her morning bus ride. We thought that two girls she has been sitting with don't like her. But in talking with Ellie this morning, she says there are other kids, not the girls she sits with, who make fun of her and laugh at her if she is dressed different. If she looks "normal" they leave her alone. I am unsure of when this has happened, but today is pajama day at school and yesterday she was really excited about that. Today, Ellie said she didn't want to wear pajamas so that the kids on the bus wouldn't laugh at her. If I had the car I would have driven her to school, so she could wear pajamas.
As she was talking about it, my eyes teared up, as they are now typing this, to hear that someone has verbally hurt my child.
I know that in this sinful world, she will encounter people like this, but I didn't think it would be this soon. She's only five, a kindergartner, her first bus experience, on a bus with children going to Christian schools, and she already has to deal with this problem.
In learning about Baptism, I am realizing how much I have missed in the 26 years of my Baptism. What I thought I was doing - showing others that I had accepted Christ into my life, joining my church, and following Him through the waters of baptism - I am learning I actually did nothing.
I went through the motions, but God did the work. He saved me, He washed away my sins, He covered me with the Holy Spirit. I didn't realize what He does through Baptism. But He didn't just do the work then, He has done it every day since and continues to save me, wash me clean of my sins, and cover me with the Holy Spirit. He does the work through Baptism, but also through His Word and The Lord's Supper.
God gives me my faith. And what a gift. To have salvation, the Spirit working in me, the name of Christ on me. I knew I had these things, in a sense, but not from my Baptism. Well, I hadn't really thought about the fact that Christ's name is on me. And what that means. If I believe that I have to do something first, before Baptism, than I am limiting God to my abilities. And let me tell you that that is limiting, since I can do nothing without Christ. I can't believe without the Holy Spirit. The Spirit comes with Baptism. I want my children to have the gift of faith. To have Christ's name on them. To have salvation. To have their sins washed away. I want them Baptized.
There's a lot I had not really thought about, known about, but now I know that I am missing so much. Take the 10 Commandments, the Apostle's Creed, and The Lord's Prayer. They seem simple, but there is so much teaching packed in these three that I have never heard.
Last July I broke a corner off one of my molars. Today (we waited for our tax refund) I went to a new dentist (my old one takes no insurance or dental plans) for a cleaning and to see about having a crown put on. He informed me that since my tooth broke below the gum line, I have to have a procedure called crown lengthening. Once home, I decided to look up what "recontouring the gum tissue and sometimes also the underlying bone" actually meant. [The brochure wasn't really all that informative.] I clicked on the link for Wikipedia. My mouth gaped open and I clamped my hand over my eyes. They showed a photo. There was a tooth and an instrument holding back a flap of gum tissue, revealing raw tissue underneath. Just what I needed to see right before lunch. If you'd care to gawk, click on the word Wikipedia above.
Not only do I need such a procedure to fix my tooth, I need to have a filling fixed. My teeth are rather poor quality. I really need to floss, but I don't. I can't stand flossing. I even bought one of those floss tool things, so I don't have to wrap the floss around my fingers. To no avail. We have a love-hate relationship, floss and me. I love to hate it. I need some intervention and accountability. Anyone want to bug me about flossing? I might get cross with you, though.
I hope the kids don't get my genes for teeth. Gary's teeth are perfect.
Wednesday Gary and I watched some TV together. We had a nice time. He snoozed a little. The only problem was it was at 2:00 pm. He should have been at work. Ellie had Parent Day at school, and when I picked Gary up from work to drive over there, he came out late carrying his coat and bag. He was told to take some vacation time and take off the rest of the day.
We had a nice time at Ellie's school and she thoroughly enjoyed us there.
He didn't work yesterday either. There just isn't any work to do. He plans to go in on Monday but will there be enough to do? If he uses his vacation now, he won't be able to use it when we have our family vacation in July. Of course that's assuming he still has a job.
He had interviewed at a place in York, but he got the Thank-you-but-we-found-someone-that-fits-our-needs-better letter yesterday as well.
My interview went well at Target. I have to wait 1 to 2 weeks to hear back. I also applied at for a job with the census bureau. Waiting to hear about that.
He applied for a job at a company in Pittsburgh. That's much farther than York.
Last Friday night, Gary and I met with Pastor Fisk from the confessional Lutheran Church I want to attend. He talked about many things Lutheran. He talked about doctrine. He answered our questions. We chatted about other things. Not all could be talked about in one night. He said he'd be happy to come and talk again. It was late when he left.
I still have questions. Over this past week, I have thought about new questions to ask. And I want more teaching on the doctrine.
I have listened to his four sermons for Lent so far and they have teaching. Teaching I don't hear in my church.
Gary and I have talked about the differences between what we believe as Baptists and what I am finding in Lutheran doctrine. Gary is not finding Lutheran doctrine as appealing as I am finding it.It is something we need to discuss. But I don't have the answers. That's way I want teaching.
While shopping today, I was trying to decide which toilet paper to purchase. While I did my calculating and decision making, Josh wrestled a package of Cottonelle into the cart. He wanted the one with a puppy on it. I immediately informed him that until he used a potty, he had no vote on which toilet paper to buy.
I so want that boy potty trained.
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I was contacted by Target to come in for an interview. It's today at 10:00 am. I am optimistic that I'll be hired on the spot. They'll take one look at me and wonder why I wasn't already working for them.
Back in January it crossed my mind to buy a digital recorder that has a USB port. My friend has one and suggested I get one. I had enough money saved, so I bought one from amazon.com. My plan is to record me reading books for the kids and singing songs, and then save the recording on CDs for them. I also plan to record things for Myrtle.
Well, I am enjoying this thing immensely. I have recorded several books and songs, but I haven't gotten them on CDs yet. I want to make bedtime lullaby CDs for the kids. Myrtle has also enjoyed my offerings to her and wonders why we didn't think of me getting one sooner!
I have another digital recorder, but the recordings can't be taken off of it. On it we have both Josh and Ellie's heartbeats when I was pregnant, and a recording of my grandmother singing a lullaby. My plan was to play them from the old recorder and re-record them on the new one, then save them on the computer. The plan went smoothly until the old recorder wouldn't work. I changed batteries, nothing. Jiggled the connectors for the batteries, still nothing. Now I need to find somewhere to take it to see of some tech guy can get them off.
To help me in my studies, my dear friend has acquired for me many books. Two copies of The Book of Concord, one pocket version (though I don't know who's pocket it would actually fit in,) and a leather bound version. I have the Lutheran Service Book, Spirituality of the Cross, Grace Upon Grace, Treasury of Daily Prayer, Luther's Small Catechism: with Explanation, and Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible. Today I will receive the next book - The Lutheran Study Bible.
I dare say I might have more Lutheran books than some Lutherans. All of them are full of good stuff, though I have hardly scratched the surface of what treasures lie within their pages. I am truly grateful for her generosity.
I have cleaned out a spot to keep them, since my pile grows, and I can't have them lying about the house, especially with small children who don't always remember to be careful with things.
Josh is still sleeping at 10:00 am. He was up at 6 am when the rest of us were scurrying about outside his bedroom door but went back to bed by 6:30. For two hours I have expected him to wake up and come downstairs. I went up to check on him, and he wants to stay in bed. I certainly can't blame him for that.
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Today my goal is to get ready for a task I've taken on. A Karen refugee family at church is needing some very necessary help in learning about food storage and safety, cleaning, laundry, organizing, and learning English, to name a few. I am helping with the first two on the list. I want to make signs with pictures so they can see what goes where. They need to be shown with visuals, because just telling them hasn't worked.
The plan is to go over there once a week and teach. I am nervous because of the language barrier. But I am not going to let that stop me from helping a family in need.
Tonight as Josh, Ellie and Gary were playing pile-on-the-daddy, Josh threw his head back in laughter and smacked Gary right above the eye. That was the end of that game, Josh was not hurt, but Gary's head hurt a lot. Josh made an interesting conclusion. God gave me a hard head, so I can hit other people. We are fairly confident he is not promoting violence, but that if he accidentally hits someone with his head, it won't hurt him. Never mind the one he hit. Apparently God didn't grant others so hard a head.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Thursday my dad called requesting the children sleep overnight Friday. Gary and I were quite willing to let them go and have some time to ourselves.
Friday, mom spent most of the day with us. We went to Kohls, she did some food shopping on her own, then came back to our house for lunch. The kids are always excited to see grandparents. She then took Ellie with her to one more grocery store, Josh napped and mommy had alone time. Once back, my mom baked. I filled out online applications, because I need a job (a story for another time.) I applied at Target and Whole Foods. Really hoping for the Target one. They are actually hiring right now.
We ate dinner. A scrumptious meal of chili and homemade bread. Mom still was baking. I tried valiantly to usher them all out quickly, you know, to give Josh and Ellie the most time with Mommom and Poppop. Nothing to do with date night with Gary.
We didn't do anything extra special, just watched Transformers and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. If you want our opinion the first one is a good pick, don't waste your time on the second. We got to bed late, but slept in late. We ate a leisurely breakfast of eggs, sausage and English Muffins. We discussed paint colors and other improvements for our kitchen, we did some errands, we talked Lutheranism. We ate a late lunch. We started to tap our maple tree for maple syrup when my parents brought the kids home. My dad said around 2:00, but it was after 4:00 when they got here. We didn't mind the extra two hours. We all stayed outside for a while and got some fresh air, while the kids ran around and spent some energy.
It was very nice to spend some time alone with Gary and still be at home.
I have been searching for some a new pairs of jeans. Not neccessarily new either. I generally never pay full price for clothing. I look at second-hand stores, discount stores, sales, or clearance racks. I am a thrifty shopper. So, I started with second hand stores. I went to the one I like most, twice. In my two trips, I tried on over 25 pairs of jeans and came out empty handed. Then I tried Good Will. After 10 pairs of jeans, I found one pair, along with a black pair of pants and a shirt.
Today, my mom and I went to Kohls, where I actually found a pair of jeans that fit, after trying on only five pairs first. The price was right too. They were on clearance and I had 20% off.
I am glad yesterday is over. It was by far my worst day in a while. It all started Sunday night when my dear son decided he wasn't going to finish his dinner. OK, we thought he can have for dinner Monday night. Well stubborn boy said nothing doing. For the next two days he ate nothing. We set food before him, his uneaten dinner, but he wouldn't eat it.
As you can imagine, a child with no food in his belly is generally an unhappy one. His behavior and attitude wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, though. Today I made things more unpleasant for him. For afternoon snack he said he'd eat. But he didn't, though he did drink milk. Now, milk and an empty stomach do NOT go together. He threw up the milk. That's disgusting was Ellie's comment. I concurred.
I was cleaning up vomit, trying to make dinner (not at the same time,) dealing with a disobedient child, I was done. But since I was the only adult around, I couldn't be done. When dinner was in the oven, Josh was in his room, Ellie was busy with a game, I went to my room for a time out. I listened to Pastor D chant the Psalms for Tuesday. It soothed and calmed me. I still had tears, though. For the way my day had gone, but also for what was yet to come. Gary wasn't home, and when he got home we wouldn't have much time before we all had to leave, and I'd come home to put the kids to bed by myself. He would be working with a guy from church, earning us a little extra money.
When Daddy did get home, however, extreme discipline was upon our son. We had had enough of his stubborn disobedience. He ate his dinner. Later for snack he ate one and a half bananas, a bowl full of yogurt, and a bunch of grapes. He would have eaten more had I set it in front of him. But it was bedtime.
More harrowing adventure and I was spent. Completely. I can downstairs and straightaway found my CDs and hunted for a Fernando Ortega CD Myrtle had made for me. Not finding it, I did see a Chris Rice one she made for me. I put it in, cranked the volume, and flopped on the couch.
This is the first song. [It's with sign language. It was the only version I found that was actually Chris Rice singing.]
Last thing I remember sayin’ bye to yesterday Glad to see it over, pullin’ covers over my head But what were You doin’ while I dreamt the night away ‘Cause I can tell that somethin’s different and My eyes ain’t even open yet I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to You’re smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’ I remember readin’ You’re the God who never sleeps And while I’ve been dreamin’ You’ve been singin’ over me, yeah Singin’ about my freedom, wakin’ me up to hear Your song Now I can’t dance hard enough ‘Cause yesterday is gone, gone, gone! I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to You’re smile It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’ Every little breath, every heartbeat Is a gift of love that You give to me You keep givin’ even when I’m asleep ‘Cause I know You never stop watchin’ over me I wake up, my past is gone ‘Cause Your mercy’s new with the mornin’ sun I’m forgiven, I’m free, it’s a brand new day ‘Cause Your faithfulness is the greatest, hey! I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to Your smile It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’
I listened to it several times, then continued with the rest of the CD. I was also waiting for Gary to get home so we could watch a movie together. He got home too late, and I was already getting ready for bed when he got home.
But now it's a brand new day. It's a good morning.
The Phillies play their first game this season tonight. It's an exhibition game against Florida State. Tomorrow is their first Spring Training game, and it's against the Yankees at 1:05 pm. We're on our way!
My son gives me much material with which to write my posts. Here are a few from today.
1. Ellie and Josh finished their reading program papers this weekend. I took the kids to the library to hand in their papers, and that afternoon I printed out new ones for them. Ellie is now going for the gold and Josh for the silver.
This morning Josh gathered a pile of books and plopped down next to Hunter to read to him.
2. While flopping on the bed, a mostly acceptable form of jumping, he landed too far down the bed and smacked his nose on the foot board. Wailing immediately followed to last for probably a half hour. Initially I saw no blood, but then he wiped his face on his shirt, and I saw a slight red color. Foolishly I announced it's presence, which to Josh meant wail louder, there's blood.
I gave him many hugs, a reproachful word about not jumping on the bed, some pain reliever, more hugs and a train video. The train video finally did the trick to quiet him.
His nose has a brush burn. Looks a little like Rudolph.
3. Josh and I decided to go for a walk today. Josh asked to take his ride on car. I thought he might actually ride it, but no silly me, he wanted to push it around. [Note: It already has two repairs. Josh is hard on things.] While Josh ran pushing his car on our walk, he disregarded the uneven sidewalk, probably never even saw that it was uneven, plowed into it, crashed over and broke grill off the front. Now it was only duct taped on, since it had actually been broken off in a previous incident. I righted him and the car, picked up the broken piece, and we continued on our way. About four more crashes later, some less severe, Josh had the biggest crash. He landed on the car and somehow broke the front wheels off. I will attempt to repair the car, but I think it will find it's way to the trash can.
I'm sure we made quite a picture - me carrying two pieces of a car, with Josh carrying the wheels. He asked me to carry the wheels, because he decided to collect snow. He claimed we needed it at home since ours was melting. For the remainder of our walk, he collected snow. When we got back to our property, I showed him we still had snow. Oh he says. I told him out back is far less snowy, so he took his collection back there and dumped it on the grass.
It's 7:30, Josh has been in bed for an hour (at his request, one we were glad to consent to) and Ellie is up getting ready for bed with Gary. She spoke the words that on some days this battle-weary mom longs to here: I want Dad. Not that I don't want to snuggle and rock with my children, but there are those days I just need a break, and it generally can't come soon enough.
Ellie has picked speed skating as her favorite sport. She said she wants to win too. We have enjoyed watching the Olympics together each night. We get the kids ready for bed, then come down and all snuggle on the couch.
Ellie sits still and pays attention most of the time, but Josh is everywhere and can't sit still to save his life.
Tonight, the kids had cookies for dessert. A bit later cake was brought out. Of course Josh and Ellie wanted cake too. They each got a bite. But Josh stood next to Gary and rested his chin on Gary's arm. He seemed to look longingly at the cake. Gary admonished him to not stand there and beg for cake. Without missing a beat, Josh asserted that his chin was cold and that was why he was resting it on Gary's arm. My parents', Gary and I broke out laughing.
Almost every time we have a snow day (like today,) or I try to teach Ellie something, I am reminded that it would NEVER, EVER work for me to homeschool her. We just would butt heads all day and get no work done. We'd both be frustrated and angry with each other. It wouldn't be pretty.
Now Josh's personality might work much better with mine to make homeschooling successful. However, I don't think I would be disciplined enough to make it work. Nor do I want to have kids home all day, every day. I need a break. Sometimes desperately.
This family will succeed best when mother and children have time apart.
Just another day at the vets. The costs are growing.
Just for showing up - $45.00
The fecal floatation test - $27.50 (do I even want to know about that?)
Since we haven't kept him on heartworm meds, they did a test to make sure he didn't already have them - $39.00
The meds for 6 months to make sure he stays heartworm free - $76.50
And the best spent $10.00 ever - anal sac expression
They do nail clippings for free, my kind of price
The kids were a little crazy, but the techs were great. At first we were all contained in the exam room - a good idea. Hunter had his temperature taken, which I am sure was unpleasant. If he only knew what was to come. Somehow after Dr. Hatfield came in the door stayed open and my children wandered out. Oh, yes, I remember. They went to "help" do the test for heartworms. Apparently it was very fascinating to watch. Ellie even fetched it when the timer went off and read the results. It was similar to a pregnancy test. One dot negative, more than one positive. Perhaps our bill should have reflected her assistance.
While Hunter had his anal sac expressed, truly the most unpleasant experience he had, the kids took advantage of the three of us being otherwise engaged. They were going back and forth between the waiting area, our exam room and another exam room. Blessedly Dr. Hatfield was seeing patients in the downstairs room, where no other patients were. So even though the kids were like animals themselves, they weren't really bothering anyone. The tech even offered to fuel their rush with candy. How kind. I made them wait to eat it.
By the time we left, Hunter was visibly agitated, the kids were riled up, and I was poorer and a bit frazzled. Fun times.
There are 7 days, 12 hours and 59 minutes until the first game of spring training for the Phillies. We are so ready for baseball to start. Even the kids are asking for it.
I got a bit ahead of myself. I said yesterday that I don't think I have to know it all to confess, just know that I want to know it. Well, actually I know I would not confess to something I was not fully in agreement to. And to know if I am in agreement to Luther's teaching, I need to read it, or listen to it.
So, study I have started. I have all of The Ten Commandments in audio file, thanks to Myrtle. I already listened to the first one, so this morning I showered and got ready to the second and third one. I waited for Ellie at the bus stop, got lunch ready and did some laundry to most of the fourth one.
Gary sent me an email form wikipedia about quia (because)and quatenus (insofar as) in subscription to the Book of Concord. Lutherans that identify themselves as confessional hold to a quia subscription. Quia subscription (the Book of Concord is adhered to because it is faithful to the Scriptures) implies that the subscriber believes that there is no contradiction between the Book of Concord and the Scriptures. Quatenus subscription (the Book of Concord is adhered to insofar as it is faithful to the Scriptures) implies that the subscriber leaves room for the possibility that there might be a contradiction of the Scripture and the Book of Concord in which case the subscriber would hold to the Scriptures against the Book of Concord.
After reading the above, I decided to do some more research about Lutheranism and doctrine and such online. I found a lot, of which my eyes quit after only reading a small portion. But basically what I found was that Luther was just purging the Roman Catholic church doctrine of unbiblicalness. Can anyone really argue with that?
After hearing Sunday's sermon on the four and fifth commandment (Luther's third and fourth) at my church, I am convinced I need to find other teaching. But how to go about that. The church I want to go to is nearly an hour away. We only have one car and Gary teaches Sunday School, so he can't just up and attend somewhere else. I don't know how to get there. I thought about contacting the church and asking if there are any members who live near me and could give me a ride. But since I haven't actually stepped foot in the building yet, I think I should wait for that request.
I also know I won't be able to receive the Lord's Supper, since not a member of a confessional Lutheran church. The idea of closed confession at first was somewhat offensive to me. But since my opinion was uneducated and now is not, I have understand and am agree with it. A lot of things have changed about what I have believed being a Baptist, and what I believe from Luther's teaching - what I thought was the same between the two and what I now see is so different.
Tonight while preparing dinner, I was thinking on my plight as Myrtle calls it. When I am able to attend the Lutheran church, I want to take in the Lord's supper. It crossed my mine to contact that pastor and make my Lutheran confession so I could join them. Before Myrtle made her confession, she had written about her intense desire to take in the body and blood of Christ. I never understood it until today. I can't even explain it, because I freely partake of communion at my church. But today I had an intense desire unknown to me. Of course it is God wanting to do for me that which I have always done for him.
It also might have to do with having been blessed at the church we went to at Myrtle's. That was a blessing indeed. I also took in the Lord's Supper at the Ash Wednesday service I attended at a local non-confessional Lutheran Church. I made it a point to find a Lutheran Church that did the Imposition of Ashes. I wanted that outward sign. At the service, they had open communion. I called and asked if it was closed or open the day before. The lady I spoke with said it was open, I just needed to fill out a form with the name of my home church. I complied and went forward at the appropriate time. I don't know if it was the appropriate thing to do or not.
Now back to the confessing comment. It wouldn't be just a ruse to get to the alter. Though I seriously doubt I am ready for it either. Though, I don't think I have to know it all to confess, just know that I want to know it? See, I still have a lot to learn and study.
That also is an issue. How do I go about doing that? Just start reading and studying the Book of Concord? How does a car-less Baptist make her way to a Confessional Lutheran Church? And what about my husband who hasn't seen the difference but is somewhat open-minded to the teaching?
How could someone not wipe up a mess on her table? This thought crossed my mind many years ago when Gary and I, not yet parents, visited friends for a weekend. They had two children at the time. While sitting at their kitchen table for dinner, I noticed that something had dried on the table and had never been wiped up. I found it somewhat gross. The other day I was noticing the unclean condition of my kitchen table and realized I was now just like them. Their table had not been wiped, because it probably just wasn't a high priority. I have noticed that our table has gone a day or two without seeing a cloth come wiping by.
Mom told me that ice dancing was on tonight for the Olympics. We thought we'd take some time, let the kids stay up later and have some family time watching some ice dancing. I looked it up and found that ice dancing came on at 8:00 PM. Here we sit at 8:22 and still no ice dancing. Instead we are watching the qualifying rounds of men's ski jumping. Ice dancing is suppose to come on next.
As a heads up to all you, Josh has informed us that "when I a dult (an adult,) I do dat." So family and friends, plan to attend the 2026 or 2030 Olympics to watch Josh ski jump.
Still no ice dancing. Right now it's an interview of the gold medalist Evan Lysacek. We aren't so much caring for it, and it certainly does not hold a 5 or 3 year old's attention very well. Actually, Ellie doesn't so much mind since she is snuggling with Gary. And Josh, we think before dinner he sat on an ant hill and has yet to rid himself of the little buggers. He just can't seem to sit still.
The kids will be up later than we thought if we let them watch some ice dancing. Apparently, it isn't really going to start until 8:30 PM.
Finally onto ice dancing at 8:35 PM. They showed two couples. Two couples. And now they've moved on to men's super-G. Ellie fell asleep before they even got to the ice dancing, and Josh was too busy reading some books to pay much attention.
But even though we really didn't get to watch much ice dancing, we did have a nice time together watching what they did decide to put on.
Ellie and I had mommy/Ellie time this afternoon. She wanted to go outside. So we got suited up and worked on the tunnel. We got it all dug out and Ellie could make it through. I, however, was too wide and had to back out when I tried going through. So now the kids, at least before the pile melts again, can go through the tunnel and down the slide.
My visit to Myrtle's got a late start. With the snow, I decided to leave Friday morning, not that the roads were still bad. Gary wanted me to wait. So I packed up Thursday and was ready to leave bright and early Friday morning. NOT! Even though I was mostly packed, I still left later than I wanted to. It always works out that way.
But we made it there in time for lunch and naps. Although I can't remember exactly what we did all weekend, Myrtle could probably chronicle the entire weekend to the exact minute. I know we watched Dr. Who, Luther, RV, and played many games. I know we played game. I won at Rummikub and Pass the Pigs (a new game I taught her,) she won at Phase 10 and Skip-bo. We talked Lutheran doctrine and breaking silences. We stayed up far too late for having children with us.
The kids and Kashi enjoyed our walks in the evening. It was good to be out and about in the fresh albeit chilly air.
Saturday night Josh thoroughly believed he should have his way and made certain we knew it. By the time he wailed himself to sleep, he had divested himself of his pajamas and the bed of its sheets, bed rail, and stuffed animals. He made sure to keep hold of his blankie, which was shoved firmly in his mouth. He did not even wake up when Myrtle wrestled him back in his pajamas.
Sunday found us attending a different confessional Lutheran Church than Myrtle's church. I knew I would not be sharing in Holy Communion, since I am not a confessional Lutheran, but I forgot Myrtle has told me that the pastor will give a blessing instead. All four of us knelt at the alter and the three of us received blessings, while Myrtle received the body and blood of Christ. I was quite moved as my children received a blessing, then as I did as well. I made sure to take a tissue with me. I wish I could remember what he said.
The whole of Lutheran doctrine is growing on me, but I don't know what to do with it. I haven't figured out how to go about learning more and getting my questions answered. The closest confessional Lutheran church is about 50 min. away from my home. Also Gary isn't quite on board with Lutheran doctrine as I am, so he isn't really interested in trying out the church.
Myrtle also gave me some new books for my Lutheran library. I have quite a collection for a non-Lutheran. But they are a treasury.
We lazed about some more on Monday. And eventually I packed up and started the drive home. Again it was later than I wanted but not too bad. I don't like driving at night, since I already have a tendency to get sleepy while driving, and I have more trouble seeing at night. Also, it was a school night and mornings are already trying with getting Ellie ready. I didn't want her to be extra tired, nor me.
While out enjoying the new snow and having Gary home for the day, Gary fashioned a slide down the large pile of snow he created from shoveling our walk. The kids had a grand time sliding down. He then made another pile next to it and dug out a tunnel. Interestingly he did the tunnel digging after the kids and I went inside. Josh had an encounter with the snow shovel that caused many tears. He did not want to play anymore. We never got back out for Ellie and Josh to enjoy the double feature.
We have quite a bit of that white stuff. Photos will be forthcoming. School is again closed for tomorrow. The kids were admonished that if they woke up and it was still dark out, they are not to get up but to go back to sleep or at least stay in their beds.
I am awake and in my kitchen. I am suppose to be in bed happily sleeping. It is currently snowing, has been since 7:30 last night and will continue for most of the day. Before we went to bed, we checked and school was canceled. I was looking forward to sleeping in.
But 5:08 AM saw me stumble out of bed, grope around for my slippers and glasses as sounds of crying and heaves came from the bathroom. Both kids were awake, and Josh was throwing up. He was getting water and somehow triggered his gag reflex, while his stomach took care of the rest. It wasn't much and was contained in the sink or tub. Thankfully no clean up duty. I put them back in bed, saying it wasn't time to get up. Even on a school day it wasn't time to get up.
Somewhere around 5:45/6:00 AM, the natives continued in restlessness, I told Ellie she could put her light on and play with her sticker book, and Josh got in bed with me. [Gary had gotten up earlier to drive his mom to work, since she was still required to come in and her car would not get her there safely, ours would.]
Around 6:40, Josh decided he needed to throw up again, so we headed off to the bathroom. Some water and heaves latter, I figured it was useless to try for more sleep (and I hadn't actually gotten any since the initial wake up,) since the children were obviously quite awake and rearing to go.
Now breakfast is ready, and it's only 7:35 AM. Good Morning.
I found Josh sitting in the corner reading It Looked Like Spilt Milk. And of course by the time I returned with the camera, he was mostly done. He didn't want to start over for me. But he did do some counting. He has his own number line.
But tonight I suggested reading for Daddy, and he sat right down and started in. This time the camera was readily handy, and I caught most of it.
I have it in my mind to buy some land, get some chickens, pigs, a cow, bees and grow feed, a garden and plunk myself down. Use wood to heat the house, have a well and septic system, and build a windmill. Gary came up with the idea, but he isn't as fired up as I am to do it.
It mostly all started when Gary interviewed for a job in York, PA. We found a house with over 6 acres, with a barn and most of the things needed for the above list. We still don't know if he will be offered the job. They said they'd let us know by the end of February. For us, it all depends on the offered salary. We aren't making ends meet with his current job, and it recently got worse.
My brother and sister-in-law's foray into farming and reading my sister-in-law's blog about it might have started us thinking. It definitely shows us that farming is not for the weak. But we aren't going to try to make a living with it. Gary still plans on keeping his job. So, I don't know if it would even work. Of all my above plans, the chickens and bees would be doable. And even the windmill. Gary would still rather buy pork somewhere, than see it out in the backyard.
And than seeing Food, Inc. was the final decider (for me) that we needed to do something. If Gary isn't offered that job, than I am all ready to look for land in this area. Gary, the level headed one, more patient one, says to wait. Especially for The Parents' Plan. My parents' have a retirement plan that involves us. And it's a good one. It's just at least four years out.
I also realize that much planning needs to come before anything else. I know, I know. What's the rush? Steps at a time. Right now, buy the local grown meat and veggies. Do it myself later.
Did I mention that I discovered my Netflix subscription includes watching movies and TV shows online through Netflix? Not all are available, but enough are.
I've been catching up on my Dr. Who. Sometimes even with Myrtle. She'll put her DVDs in, and I'll log on to Netflix.
I received my first two movies today. Food, Inc. and Bedtime Stories. I started Food, Inc. first. I got upset and had to stop it. I have now finished it.
I think everyone in America should watch this film, or at least be made aware of it's contents. There is no respect for the workers, animals and the environment. And it is unjust what big companies can do, because they can.
Watch the trailer. Watch the film. Think about it.
For my birthday, we went to the cabin. I love going there. We had a great weekend. We saw many a Bambi (a highlight of the weekend.) They behaved very well. We had fires both days. We stayed in doors all weekend, except for getting more firewood, and going to church. It didn't get above 20 degrees until Sunday afternoon, and stayed near 0 degrees otherwise.
Gary took care of most diaper changes, and meal prep, and dishes. I read and watched TV. We also watched home videos. The kids got a kick over seeing themselves younger. Ellie got very upset, because she wants to be a baby again and can't. Gary got very sentimental and allowed the idea of adoption to roam in his mind.
Gary and I had a date last night. We went to see Avatar in IMAX 3D. Gary got the bug to see it after hearing a lot about it from his bosses and a co-worker, who had each seen it three times.
I liked it. Gary didn't. He said it was too predictable.
The story line is not new. One race wants to eradicate another to get something, and there isn't much patience. It's sorrowful that this has happened in history over and over.
But the new twist is the avatar. The scientists have come up with a way to link a human conscience and a native's body (which was cloned and spliced with human DNA, then grown, or something like that.)
The main character, an avatar, is taken in by the natives, the Na'vi, to spy (government) or learn their ways and try to talk to them about moving so that their land can be strip mined (scientists.)
Of course they don't want to move and they shouldn't have to; their rain forest has a highly advanced spiritual design. But humans want what they want, and plan to take it by force. Battles ensue.
Special effects were great, especially in 3D.
I highly recommend seeing it. I plan on seeing again.
Last night Gary and I were discussing Ellie and her morning bus ride. We thought that two girls she has been sitting with don't like her. But in talking with Ellie this morning, she says there are other kids, not the girls she sits with, who make fun of her and laugh at her if she is dressed different. If she looks "normal" they leave her alone. I am unsure of when this has happened, but today is pajama day at school and yesterday she was really excited about that. Today, Ellie said she didn't want to wear pajamas so that the kids on the bus wouldn't laugh at her. If I had the car I would have driven her to school, so she could wear pajamas.
