Almost Gone...

Our house is empty and cleaned.

The babies are running all over the empty rooms,

I'm typing while sitting on the steps of our house waiting for our landlord.

It's funny because this place never felt like home to me. In the other places we've lived eventually our apartment, the city, the people, felt like home. A place of comfort, a sanctuary, but I never had that here. In fact to me it never even felt like we finished unpacking.

I wonder if I knew, if even on a subconscious level, that this job, this house, this city were all temporary.

Here's hoping that we find our home in this next adventure.

(And let's hope we aren't packing again in a year from now, I need a break).

Moving day...

kind of. The movers arrived this morning at 7 and were out of the house by 8:30. Are professional movers always that efficient? We're used to do the whole thing by ourselves so it was a little surreal to watch as they disassembled the cribs and loaded all of our boxes.

The only job Marcus and I had was keeping the babies out of the way. Poor Eli & Emmy are so incredibly confused. Every time the movers grabbed something of theirs they both shouted, "no!" The were especially upset about their wagon.

We kept reassuring them they would see all their things soon. Now we're cleaning, finalizing some work stuff, changing our address and tomorrow we'll be off to start our new adventure.

Oh my lord...

I'm tired. I can hardly function today I'm so tired. This weekend we had a yard sale (in the midst of our packing). Today was my last sunday at my current church, plus we had the youth swim party this afternoon. We still have so much more packing to do before the moving truck arrives on Tuesday.

I'm seriously questioning how we're going to get everything finished. Eli & Emerson are exhausted too. At 6:30 tonight they simultaneously fell asleep on our living room floor. 

We've been going none-stop for the last 5 weeks, traveling somewhere every week. I'm so looking forward to finishing this move and resuming some steady normalcy. 

We're pretty useless this evening. Nothing is getting accomplished. I don't know how much I'll be here until after the move is complete. I guess we'll see how it goes.

My last Sunday at my current church. Next sunday I'll be pastoring my own congregation, it's so crazy to think about. Except I have to somehow write a sermon and plan a worship service in the midst of the move. 

Eli Makes Me Tired...

but in a good way. He's so busy all the time and he really loves to make jokes (he thinks he's pretty funny). Yesterday, while Marcus ran to the store I took the babies outside to swim in our little swimming pool. In the span of 5 minutes Eli did the following things:

1.) Poured the little bit of Dr. Pepper that was left in the can on the ground and then licked it up (Oh my lord so gross).

2.) Threw my shoes in the pool and then over the edge of the balcony. (They were flip flops so no shoes were harmed in the process).

3.) Splashed water all over me and my chair.

4.) Picked up a bug, showed it to me, and then for some reason smooshed it on his face (I think the smooshing on the face may have been accidental).

5.) Found a random quarter, put it in his mouth (because he knows he's not suppose to) and ran away. (Luckily he didn't get far and I got the coin safely away from him, this one not so funny).

6.) Figured out how to operate the sprayer on the hose and sprayed everything.

I realize that when you look at this compilation it looks like he was being naughty but he really truly wasn't. He was just playing, and he's busy, and I found most of this hilarious. Maybe that's bad parenting on my part I don't know. He cracks me up though.

Emerson in the meantime was sitting in the pool playing with the balls.

Male Mind vs Female Mind...

I wish I had time to write a real post from my vacation a couple of weeks ago, but alas my home is in chaos my last week of work is hectic and I just can't do it. However, I do want to share this hilarious miscommunication Marcus and I had during the wedding weekend.

First some background. I'm from a family of 6 kids and 5 of us are girls. So my house growing up had pretty much everything female you can imagine. Marcus on the other hand is the youngest of 4 boys.

Emerson was the flower girl in the wedding and I realized that we forgot to buy her some nice socks to wear with her dress shoes. You know the white socks with the ruffle... so while I was busy with wedding stuff I gave Marcus the following instructions, "Go buy Emerson some pretty white socks to wear with her flower girl dress."

So Marcus sets off, and buys some pretty white socks.

When I came back to the hotel that evening I see a package of regular white socks. Nothing fancy, no ruffles, not dress socks by any stretch of the imagination.

Me: "Marcus I thought you said you bought some pretty white socks."

Marcus "I did... those are brand new, and they're pretty white if you ask me.

Here was the breakdown in our communication.

My definition of pretty = An attractive thing, pleasing 
She is so pretty when she wears her hair that way. 


Marcus definition of pretty = To a moderately high degree; fairly
She looks pretty good considering her age.


We had a pretty (haha see what I did there) good laugh about it later, and my friend Sandra went and bought some real pretty socks for Emerson to wear for the wedding. 

What Summer Looks Like...

Messy, outdoor, fun.

Eli loves being outside. 

Today we asked him if he wanted to take a nap. His response:

"No 'side" and then he headed out the door onto our porch.

He's going to love our new house with the big fenced back yard. 

Anointed...

We've been so busy and (not at home) these past few weeks I'm struggling to stay up with my blogging. I have so much I still need to share. In fact my mother-in-law requested earlier today that I quit my job, stop packing for our move, and write about my vacation. I would love nothing better than to do so, but I just can't.

As it is I've spent all day packing (and dealing with more insurance nonsense). But I'm resting for a few seconds since the babies are in bed and Marcus went to the store. I wanted to finish my posts about annual conference before I get even more behind.

I already mentioned the fixing of appointments but on saturday they had another service where they ordain and commission people and the bishop also anoints newly licensed local pastors (which is me). It was a looonnnggg service. In fact a bunch of us had a pool going to guess the length of the service. I won with my guess of 157 minutes. I got it right on the nose.

Our bishop reminding us of our baptisms. 

Answering some questions about what we'll promise to do as pastors. 

(In case you can't tell I'm the short female in the picture :~)

More questions. I look super serious. 

Being anointed by the bishop. Haha... I think this is hilarious because you can't see me at all. 

Then on Sunday my 9 confirmation class students were confirmed. I'm so proud of them and the work they've done for the past 6 months. 

Fixing the Appointment...

As part of our annual conference for my denomination of the things we do is called fixing the appointments. Since the bishop decides where we will serve from year to year, there's a formal recognition of church appointments at annual conference.

Today for the first time I was officially appointed as a pastor to a church. As part of it we do a laying on of hands, where those who care surround you with love, support, and prayer. I was rather surprised at how emotional I was as I stood surrounded by various people who have supported me in this journey. Surrounded and supported by people I've just met, and being prayed for by the bishop of our annual conference.

It was powerful. It's the first step in a realization of something I've spent over the last decade working towards. I finally get to be a pastor.

16 hours...

That's how many hours straight I was at my conference today. 8:00 am-midnight. That's a bit extreme right? There was some really great stuff today though. Lots of inspiring things to think about and then put into action. I have so much excitement about our last session that I want to write about before it all goes away but it's 12:40 and I have to get up in 5 hours.

Marcus is (mostly) a good sport about all of this :~) Although my last session was suppose to last 30 minutes and it went on for 1.5 hours. He kept asking if I was almost done I would say yes, and then things didn't end. Finally Marcus said, "Usually when people say they're done they exit the building..."

Haha point well taken.

Two more days. Tomorrow really needs to be shorter though.

On the Move Again...

Did I mention that we're gone again? We got home Sunday, were home monday, and then left again on tuesday. I'm currently at the annual conference for my church. Every year laity and clergy from our conference come together to vote on legislation, make appointments, worship etc.

I really love annual conference but the days are incredibly long (sometimes 12 hours). The highlight for me today was getting to hear Jimmy Creech speak about his experience and his ministry. He wrote a memoir about his experience called Adam's Gift what's funny is that I'm familiar with his experience. I've used his trial in papers, I've used it in classes I've taught, so when he started talking I was thinking... "Oh, so that's the guy." A really powerful testimony of doing justice. I hope to do some of the same in my own ministry.

Marcus is with me for the experience but the babies went to hang out with their grandparents for a few days. Just a quick update. I'm exhausted (that's like my motto I think, it seems I'm always exhausted) so off to bed. Although I still intend to post more about our vacation next week I just need a few moments of time.

Marcus is at the ER with Eli... *Update*

and I forgot my phone in the diaper bag which Marcus has with him. *Sigh* I did learn how to text via gmail so we are communicating that way. Earlier today Eli managed to climb out of his crib and hit his head really hard. Then early this evening he was knocked down and slammed his head on some concrete.

He was acting so weird. He fell asleep on the car ride home and we couldn't get him to really wake up. I even tried sitting him up and he just sort of fell over. We're afraid he might have a concussion so off to the ER. I'm so worried about him. I hated having to stay behind. Poor Emmy was so confused she kept crying for her "bubba" after Marcus left with Eli.

***********
He's going to be fine we have to watch him closely. Wake him every 3 hours and try to keep him from doing anything that could repeat the concussion...  Uh, Marcus failed that at the hospital.

Apparently two head bumps aren't enough. He wants to live dangerously and risk a third. I'm so relieved he's okay. Sometimes it's really hard to make that call, but he was really freaking us out when he wouldn't wake up. We'll just keep an eye out the next 24 hours but Marcus says he's pretty much acting like himself.

Being the mom is hard sometimes. 

Warning: I am going to rant about health care...

If you have been following my blog at all this past year you know that we have not had an easy time. I thought since I was getting a new job we would finally all be insured and we could all live happily ever after knowing we were covered.

My new job situation is such that I have to find the insurance plan and then my work will cover it. They put me in touch with a broker and thought we were in business, real insurance for all 4 of us Yay!!

Until the dreaded question, "Do you have any pre-existing conditions?"

Honestly, I was tempted to lie but I figured that since I work for Jesus lying was a bad life choice. So after some hesitation, I took a breath and said, "well... I have Crohns disease..."

This actually seemed kind of hopeful because Crohns has recently been taken off of the automatic denial list so I thought we might be okay. Then we started chatting about maternity coverage and if I needed it or not. I first said no because I honestly have no intention of having any more children in the next several years if ever. She then went on to mention surprise pregnancies etc. so jokingly I said, "We're infertile surprise pregnancies won't happen."

Apparently being infertile is grounds for an automatic refusal to offer insurance, despite the fact that the insurance companies don't cover infertility treatments in the first place.  I decided that since I was totally screwed anyways I would finish my list, so I mentioned I also have von Willebrands disease, which is also an automatic refusal for coverage. Which then means that my two year olds are also not eligible for coverage since they also have Von Willebrands.

I then could no longer contain myself and starting ranting about our health care in the United States and how incredibly unethical all of this was. The only thing that helps my situation is that I've never had a gap in coverage so under HIPPA someone has to give me insurance however they can jack the price up as much as they want and the coverage is not very good.

I'm waiting for the broker to come back with the crazy HIPPA quote but I am so upset and angry. I am honestly flabbergasted when I meet someone who doesn't think our health care needs an overhaul. This is insane and ridiculous.

Seriously the idea of getting a PhD is sounding more and more appealing everyday. University health insurance is often very good. I am grateful that in 2014 the pre-existing condition nonsense will go away with the Obama changes but that doesn't really help me today in 2011.

We are home...

for a few days at least before we have to go again, but we had a great time and now we're all exhausted. I have so many great details and pictures I want to post but I don't have the energy right now. To give you a sense of what's coming..

* The bachelorette party was great fun at a gay club in West Hollywood.

* Seeing my friends after over a year was the best thing ever. So great for the soul.

* Eli was the cutest flower boy I have ever seen. He walked down the long aisle all by himself and he looked so grown up but also so much like a baby. I have a video it is precious.

* Emmy was demoted from her flower girl status. Once I walked down the aisle as a bridesmaid she flipped out screaming for her "mama" so we decided to avoid causing a scene at the wedding and pulled her out.

* My feet hate me from all the heals I've worn these last three days.

Now I need to start unpacking, do some laundry, and get ready for our next trip in just a couple of days. I need a vacation from my vacation. A vacation of doing nothing.

Onto Part II...

We said goodbye to Marcus' brother, my sister-in-law and niece and headed for part two of our vacation. The wedding of two of my friends from divinity school. I am so so excited to see all my friends it has been way to long.

Departing this morning was sad. Marcus didn't want us to leave, my brother-in-law didn't want us to leave, the babies didn't want to leave, and I would have gladly stayed longer too. We had a great time.

Emmy and her Cassie became good friends and they just hugged and hugged....

and hugged some more. They probably stood like this for almost 5 minutes it was adorable.

Eli wasn't nearly as sentimental. His cousin Cassie tried to give him a hug good-bye...

and he pretty much ran away. 

Tonight I have the bachelorette party in West Hollywood. Can I just say that I'm feeling a little overwhelmed at that prospect. I'm going to attempt to get all dressed up and get my "party" on haha I have no idea how to do that, but I'll give it my best shot. 

When I was shopping with my sister-in-law for bachelorette party gifts I just kept saying, "I work for Jesus" haha that shopping trip was hilarious. My SIL was educating me on all things bachelorette related plus she loaned me an outfit to wear. 

So we shall see... 

Cousins...

Holdings hands. So, so cute. 

I love watching them play with their cousin Cassie. I suppose it helps that she's super easy going and just goes along with whatever crazy thing my two are doing. They've already taught her some new "tricks" 

We went swimming today Emerson still LOVES the water and Eli didn't mind it either. He just kept saying, "wawa" "wawa" 

Then my sister-in-law and I went to Zumba, oh my gosh it was so fun and a little bit hilarious too.

After she taught me how to make real Enchiladas and now I'm even more exhausted, but we're having a great time. 

Taking a vacation in the midst of moving....

Might not be the best idea. I've spent the last three hours on the phone trying to coordinate our movers, figure out insurance, get in touch with the finance people from the church etc. etc.

Being a grown up is hard work. Although can I just say how excited I am that the conference pays for movers. I'm so used to Marcus and I renting a budget truck, loading it up and going on our way, and this was across the country.

I was in heaven talking to the movers when they mentioned they would take things apart and put them back together. Amazing, I'm not even going to do know what to do with myself.

I'm a little nervous about our insurance situation. My crohn's disease may cause some issue with price de to pre-existing conditions. We will see how that all works out.

On Vacation...

I love vacations but they always make me so exhausted especially since having kids, every thing is just more work. Yesterday, we left on our trip right after church and drove for 12 hours. Ugg... the babies did really well for the most part, especially considering this is by far their longest trip to date. We arrived at our first destination at 1:30am and then we had the fun of trying to get the kids settled back down for the night. Wake up time came a little too soon this morning and we've been on the go ever since.

Right now we're spending a few days with Marcus brother, his wife and their daughter. I love that we all get along so well especially me and my sister in law. Plus Marcus has such a fun relationship with his brothers that I love when they get a chance to spend time together.

 We went to the children's museum today and I have so many cute pictures. I love seeing Eli & Emerson interact with their cousin (She's 20 months old). Earlier today Emerson was speaking her "gibberish" to her cousin Cassie, and Cassie would nod in response and speak some gibberish back. They were clearly having a conversation that nobody else was a part of. Cassie apparently picked up on Eli & Emerson's language pretty quickly, I tried to get Eli to help translate but he wouldn't do it :~)

I'm going to try and upload some pictures tomorrow. Right now it's almost midnight and vacation is wearing me out.

Night.

Learning to play guitar...

I've owned a guitar for about  years now. I asked for it one Christmas with the intention of taking guitar classes at my undergrad university. However, every single semester without fail the guitar class was at the same time as a required course (usually a spanish class). So my guitar sat in its case, in a corner.

My guitar lived in CA, moved to CT, then back to NV without every being used. The other day I decided it was time to take action and learn to play the thing. So a good friend of my, via skype, set about teaching me.

We had an hour long session over the internet. It was awesome, my fingers are sore, and I'm on my way.

I think Marcus is also curious about learning too because he kept coming over to see what was going on in the lesson and then this morning was trying to play using the notes I made.

A visit to the hydro shop...

Okay first do you know what a hydro shop is? Because I had no idea until today. Since we're moving I've been checking craigslist for free boxes. Today a guy posted that he had a ton so we emailed and he said we could get them today from his hydro shop.

Sounded good to me. Marcus picked me up from work and I told him our destination. When I mentioned that we were going to a hydro shop he started laughing and I couldn't figure out why. In my mind hydro sounded like some kind of water or gas, so I envisioned a shop similar to one selling propane.

Marcus then informed me that many patrons of hydro shops grow their own weed. Huh, who knew? Not me, but we did get a lot of free boxes.

What I read in May...

It truly wasn't a good month for me. I was so excited about the traveling I had this month because that's usually a great time for me to read, but to be honest I was too tired to focus on reading, and there was too much other "stuff" occupying my mind. Like the new job and the move that I wasn't allowed to talk about with anyone until given the okay. So here's what I read only 6...

1.) Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian by Avi Steinberg
2.) In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming
3.) A Fountain Filled with Blood: A Mystery by Julia Spencer-Fleming
4.) Wither by Lauren DeStefano
5.) The Eichmann Trial by Deborah E. Lipstadt
6.) The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

Total pages this month = 2719
Money Saved by not buying books = $57.34
Books I bought this month = 0
Books Read that I already owned = 1

Total Books in 2011 = 51
Total Pages in 2011 = 15,967

To see what I read in April go here