they're back!!!

Though it probably made no difference whatsoever, I will choose to believe that the emails I (and others) sent to M&M Mars held some sway because dark chocolate peanut M&Ms are back!

So I bought some yesterday, and all of you need to go buy some too.

where'd that come from?

So I was watching this show last night on PBS about art. Seriously. It was one of those "by accident" things - the TV was on PBS when it was turned on, etc. etc. etc.

One of the things people might not know about me is that I love art. And it occurred to me as I was watching this show about Rembrandt - and how he was a total rebel and was sticking it to the man through his art (despite the fact that it was the man who had been paying for his art...) - that I have not been to an art museum in a really long time. I think the last time I was at an art museum was when I went to the Chihuly exhibit at the Joslyn. Anyway, that fact makes me kind of sad. Art is fascinating to me, and there's something in me that has missed that. I can't even really explain it.

So to all of those people who will be in the same city as I am at Christmas, I am going to the Joslyn. You are welcome to come with me, or you can stay at home and watch my children. :)

And yes, once again, this qualifies as one of those things that is cooler in Omaha - in my opinion, at least, the Joslyn kicks the Contemporary Art Museum's butt. And I think most of the people who would read this have not been to both museums, so that, combined with the fact that this is my blog, means that I'm right.

Nighthawks
Edward Hopper

how long can he possibly go without sleeping through the night?

Up to eat twice a night for the past week...he's never slept through the night for more than 4 nights in a row.

It will, in fact, be a miracle if I make it until the child turns 1.

a travelogue of sorts

A few amusing things heard on vacation:

Alaina (to Raj): You have short arms.


Alaina: That's Hoppy Bunny. I adopted him and named him Hoppy Bunny Lulla Larry.

Alaina (to Raj): You're weak sauce.

Azina: Jadyn, what is that?Jadyn: Puppy bunny.


Lindsey: Isn't Uncle Raj awesome?
Alaina: Yeah. But Uncle Ravi is more awesome.

Me: Jadyn, do you like your new car seat?
Jadyn: No!

Azina: I have to go back to my house in California.
Jadyn: No!
Azina: You can come visit me.
Jadyn: No!

Jadyn: I want no go to Texas.

That's all I can remember for now.

11.957

According to Joe, this is the number of days left until we go to Omaha. (He's also in need of a vacation...) I started the countdown on the message board by the door on Friday. Alaina is very excited about going to see Grandma. I am super excited about going to Omaha, but I am a little apprehensive about this road trip... The great thing is that Azina will be with us to help (plus she's cool to hang out with!), but I would be happy for any ideas about what to bring with me for a 2 year old and a 4 year old to do on the trip. It's going to be about 16 hours (and we're hoping not any more than that).

That's about all that's going on around here...we're working on soccer, and I'm pretty sure this is going to be the biggest season I've ever been part of. I just have this feeling that we don't know what we're in for!

Joe's parents gave us tickets to the Astros game yesterday for Mother's Day. I was away for Jared for more than an hour for the first time, and it was nice. He's also finally starting to sleep in his crib in his room, and I forgot how much I can get done when a baby is on some sort of schedule! Anyway, that wasn't the point of this paragraph. The point was that Joe bought me an Astros cap for Mother's Day, and I got to pick it out, and it's purple! Is it sacrilegious to get a baseball cap not in the team colors? Perhaps. But I don't care. I finally have an Astros hat. Even Alaina and Jadyn had one before I did, it just wasn't right. And they won yesterday!

Happy May Day!

If I could, I would leave baskets of popcorn and jelly beans at all of your doorsteps.

As it is, I will just leave you with a picture of my new refrigerator.

It's shiny and pretty and the girls love it. So do I. :)

wow...

My sister pointed this blog out to me...it's fascinating. But those bugs are disgusting.

We're so removed from it all in this country. (Or maybe we just have less obvious symbolism to deal with...) Thinking of the things that we do to each other, physically and emotionally, makes me feel ill.

So far this year, someone I know has died every month. Not a particularly delightful thought.

randomness

I'm almost finished reading Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. Go get it and read it now. Seriously, it's that good. Reading it has made me reflect on my past and how amazing it is that I am who I am where I am. It seems as if at any point in my life I could've turned out to be a caricature of Christianity (not that I've got it perfect by any means). But God made sure that didn't happen. And I think a lot of that is because my mom is amazing. Of course I didn't realize that when I was growing up, but in so many ways she did things and believed things that were different from other people but that were true. And she didn't do it aggressively or with an agenda, she just did it. I think she'd say that she learned from the things she didn't like when she was growing up. Joe says that, too. It makes me wonder if I've actually learned anything. I've always been surrounded by people who have learned things, and I feel like I tend to just depend on those around me.

Sometimes it's hard. In the Christian culture, even the anti-Christian culture Christian culture, it seems as if there's a stratification. People who do things that affect large groups of people, particularly oppressed or marginalized groups, are held up as examples and have articles written about them. I'm sorry, I just can't make it to Africa this year, I have laundry to do.

I'm not looking for a pity party, I swear. Sometimes it's just hard to believe that this stratification that we apply to every aspect of life is not how God operates. And if that's the case, then why do we do it? Did He create that tendency in us? Seriously, is it really the same spending an hour with orphans and spending an hour trying to get all of us dressed in the morning? It's like trying to reconcile the idea that we don't know what's going to happen in the next hour or the next day with the reality that we have to make plans, whether it's to go to the beach or what to have for dinner.

Alaina requested "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" as our lunchtime soundtrack. She even knows that it's a Beatles song. I wonder if my kids are going to think I was amazing, despite the freakouts I'm prone to when they make a mess unnecessarily... (Don't squish your muffin! Why did you do that?!?)

My sibs and I used to play the "crusties" game. For whatever reason, people stare at us when we go places together. Inevitably, every time we walked into the mall, we would win because of the number of people who looked at us funny. I sort of feel like I'm playing that game by myself now, but sometimes it's a little less innocuous. It is far from the easiest thing in the world to do errands with three small children. I always have this voice in the back of my head telling me that I did this to myself - this is the choice that we made, so I can't complain. That's not what I used to believe. I used to believe that God would give us children according to His plan for our family. I still believe that. Everything else just doesn't look like I think it should. The way things are going, God is blessing us in ways that I never expected, or maybe even wanted. I'm not sure what to do with that.

By the way, I now believe that a water bottle is completely inferior unless it is filled with candy. (Thanks Azina!) :)

Jadynisms

Things Jadyn has said recently:

"I busy right now." (In response to being told it was naptime.)

"Grumpy, mommy." (regarding her emotional state)

"Angry. No go back." (Complete with crossed arms, after being told it was time to go home.)

"man yo hat" (Curious George's friend)

"I blow him. I squish him with my foot!" (accompanied by stomping; in response to Alaina screaming about a bug, or anything that remotely resembles a bug)

"Don't [s]pank my little bottom!"

the celebrating continues...

Since I was 5, I have always had a birthday buddy. My brother Raj was born the day after my 5th birthday. A few years ago, I discovered another birthday buddy - as Jadyn says, Ashwee!

So happy birthday Raj - I'm glad that we are friends now because the days of me being stronger than you are long gone! I love that we (including those other two yahoos) are siblings who actually like hanging out together and miss each other. And I'm starting to come around to your way of thinking regarding Coldplay...although they will never be better than Switchfoot.

And happy birthday Ashlee - thank you for showing me what Christian friendship was all about. Thank you for going along with my crazy ideas. Thank you for all of the things I've learned from you about God and life. Thank you for loving my children as if they were your own. Thank you for my fabulous birthday chocolate raspberry truffle bars, and thank you for celebrating with me because that way I feel less silly about being so excited about my birthday!

I think we can agree - March is the best month ever.

happy pi(e) day!

I just got home from coffee night, which is always fabulous, but even more so tonight because today was pi day! (March 14th, 3-14, pi is 3.14... yes, I am a nerd, I know that.)

What was really great about today is that I got to celebrate pi day right - I got to make pizza (including the dough), and I got to make a pumpkin pie. And then I got to have coffee and share my pumpkin pie with my friends. And I wish I could've shared a pie with everyone who reads this. So was it really about pi or celebrating nerdiness? A little. It was also a little about taking a day to celebrate people I have been friends with in the past (hello Mr. Biga's math class!).

But mostly it's about taking any random old day and making it special for the people I love. So today I say, thank you Lord for my family and friends (past and present) and for silly days like pi day to celebrate the life you've given us!

here's a new one

So I'm on my way home from a delightful shopping trip with my children. At the last big intersection before my house, where people tend to act like idiots, although not usually in the direction I was traveling, several cars turning onto my road decided to be in the intersection when my light turned green. After letting them go and not cutting them off to leave them stranded in the intersection, as I could've done, the driver of the last car waved at me. Now, normally I would take that as an admission of a vehicular faux pas and move on. However, the driver of the last car waved at me. . . with her cell phone. Yes, that's right. As Joe would say, she was an idiot and could prove it scientifically.

I believe I can now personally update the old adage: Better to remain silent and be thought an idiot than wave your cell phone and remove all doubt.

happy march!

Welcome to birthday month!

Just when I was beginning to wonder when/what God was going to show me needed work in my life, it hit me in the head.

It's hard to deal with the knowledge that potentially every stage in your child's life could be one that affects her for the rest of her life. It's even harder to deal with the knowledge that the way I respond to those stages could be the foundation for emotional neuroses she'll have to recognize and deal with when she's my age. And then you realize the hardest part of all - she's responding because of the way I'm dealing with her. (Which, of course, is all God's fault for giving me a child whose personality I am not prepared for, nor do I think I really understand.) And all those things I thought I knew about raising children, all those things I thought (and still do think) are based on biblical principles, all those things just aren't going to work with Alaina.

So what do I have to do? I have to put aside the fact that I'm always right (which has become prideful in this case, I'm afraid), and I have to learn to respond to her as she is. What does that look like?

am I really turning into a nut?

Inexplicably, I have been very interested in "health food" lately. Organic food, locally grown food, and the like. I don't know why, but I'm seriously considering starting to buy as much locally grown food and organic food as I can. It's very weird because anyone who has been around me knows that usually I'm all about saving as much money as possible at the grocery store. By no means am I about to get rid of the white flour or white rice or refined sugar in my house. But I am considering making my own jelly and things like that. What happened?

(I think I have too much time on my hands. See what happens when I'm not kept busy?)

not meant to be

If you ever needed more proof that we were meant to live in community, my not-yet-4-year-old Alaina told me again today that she wanted "more than just 3 people at our house." (I'm guessing that count included her, me, and Jadyn. Jared doesn't count yet, I guess, and Joe was at work.) That statement was followed by her telling me that she missed Grandma, at which point Jadyn chimed in "grandpa-ina," which, when translated, is "Grandpa, Azina." And not to leave anyone out, Jadyn then said, "Raj, Wabi."

Apparently I'm not nearly as exciting as my siblings or parents...

(It may sound like I'm whining about the status quo, and I'm really not - it's just that when your 2 small children say things like that, you want to do everything possible to fix it.)

"happy newear!"

...a rough transliteration of Jadyn's version of "happy new year"

A new year is always a little bittersweet for me. Perhaps it's because I love Christmas. It is, to borrow a phrase, "the most wonderful time of the year" for me. It's not that we ever do anything that could be called spectacular. That's just how it is.

At any rate, sometimes it's a little hard for me to accept the fact that when the new year comes, we have to start all over again. I'm not opposed to change. I just don't like circumstances forcing me to change.

But at the same time, a new year is full of new days that are full of potential. This is the first year that I don't have a general schedule of events, which is a little unsettling for me. We don't really have anything planned this year: no major projects, no trips. Maybe all of that will change soon. Maybe God will use this "free time" in my life to teach me something. I don't really think life will stay quiet for long; it never does. But here's to a new year with fewer unpleasant surprises than the last!

"I know what I want..."

Without even understanding the concept of a favorite color, Jadyn has chosen hers. Maybe that's not accurate. Jadyn has discovered hers.

I very clearly remember the day I decided what my favorite color was. I was somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-8 years old, and I was sitting in the red Japanese room at my grandparents' house, and I had noticed that everyone had a favorite color but that I did not. So I picked one. I don't remember the criteria I used to decide (except I knew it wouldn't be pink because it was Azina's favorite and it was such a yucky, girly color), but I chose purple. It seems to fit. (Because I am royalty, of course.)

So this whole thing with Jadyn started last Saturday, as we're getting ready for soccer. Joe put her socks on her, which she correctly labeled "pink." Then she wouldn't leave the house until she had a barrette in her hair, which she has never wanted before. She chose "pink." Yesterday, when asked what color popsicle she wanted, she chose "pink." Last night, she couldn't go to bed until she had the "pink" blanket. (She started crying when I tried to put her in bed. I asked her what she wanted, and she said "pink." Thinking she wanted some pink doll or something from Alaina's room, we headed that direction but stopped when she pointed at the linen closet. I opened it, and she pointed at the pink blanket.) Today, she opened her sock drawer herself and pulled out the pink socks, and when she brought them to me, said, "pink."

Granted, I only have a smattering of knowledge when it comes to child psychology, but I think it is a little odd for pink to be the first color a child can readily identify. I could be wrong.

All that aside, however, I am amazed at the differences that are inherent in each of us. Jadyn was born knowing what she wants and what she likes. I am not like that at all.

I wish I wouldn't have been so self-absorbed growing up, that I could have started to see the wonderful quirks God created in each of us. I am thankful that God is still trying to teach me to see and appreciate the uniqueness of each person, starting with the children he blessed us with.
(Of course, that doesn't mean that I'm not always right still...)

more Studio 60

Head over here to discuss the show (or see what you're missing!) - guest commentary is welcome.

Studio 60

Okay, there is really not enough talk going on about this show. If you missed last night's episode go to nbc.com and watch it right now. I'm not kidding.

If you did see it, you can join me in trying to get people to talk about the show on the Relevant message boards. The Studio 60 thread is here. (You have to register if you want to post.)

If all else fails, I may be forced to start a blog about the show. I even have a whole list of quotes from last night's episode to get me started. And lest you think this is just another TV show, last night's quotes include a lesson on community, on unity, and practically a line straight out of Roaring Lambs.

Seriously, go watch it.

nothing cuter

I was talking to Ravi (the anti-blogging brother) on the phone on Sunday. Jadyn, being Jadyn, is fascinated with phones. I told her Uncle Ravi was on the phone, which amused her, and a few minutes and attempts at pushing the buttons later, her first phone conversation went something like this:

"Please talk to Ravi?" (I'm not making this up.)

"Hi!...Yes...Yes...Bye!"

Apparently, she was responding to whatever Ravi was saying to her.

It's always something with that child...