Our day started at 4 am which is an hour in which no one should be awake. I'm just not a morning person. We had to drive to the bay area so I could meet with a shrink for my psychological evaluation. Ahhh... ministry and all of its requirements.
We actually made pretty good time and ended up arriving about an hour early, so we walked around the campus of the school where the doctor works. Eli and Emerson had a great time exploring and they even saw some dear (in the bay area of California).
Emmy was so cute because I kept asking, "Where are we?"
And she would put her arms up and say, "Are we?"
We're staying over and I'm currently typing in the dark praying that my exhausted 2 year olds will stop messing around and go to sleep. Sharing a hotel room with them at this age is not working out so well, because no matter what they can see us. They're both standing and saying, "mama, dada, mama, dada" and then laughing at each other.
We have the long drive home tomorrow and I still have to write my sermon for Sunday yay me!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Who knew...
that a new car would be so much fun for two year olds. Eli & Emerson are in love with our new car. It's hilarious. Eli always runs to the garage and wants to go "bye-bye" in the car.
Once in the car he shouts, "Go!" to Marcus whenever it's not moving.
Emerson on the other hand gives the car hugs and kisses before she lets us put her in the car seat she hugs the outside of the car. Then as we walk inside she hugs and kisses it.
It's a good thing they're excited about it because they're going to be spending a lot of time in it these next few weeks. Tomorrow we're going to California and next week we leave for a week long vacation to AZ and then southern CA for a wedding.
Let's hope their love is long lasting.
Once in the car he shouts, "Go!" to Marcus whenever it's not moving.
Emerson on the other hand gives the car hugs and kisses before she lets us put her in the car seat she hugs the outside of the car. Then as we walk inside she hugs and kisses it.
It's a good thing they're excited about it because they're going to be spending a lot of time in it these next few weeks. Tomorrow we're going to California and next week we leave for a week long vacation to AZ and then southern CA for a wedding.
Let's hope their love is long lasting.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Cardiology appointments and all is well...
Eli & Emerson finally saw the cardiologist (they were referred back in early March). They were suppose to go last tuesday but I totally forgot about the appointment. I pretty much never forget things and I find it very unsettling when I do.
The short of it is both Eli & Emerson have murmurs, different kinds of murmurs, but they are both benign and should never cause a problem. Good enough for me all is well.
I do have to mention though that Eli is the best little patient. He had another appointment with the ENT on Monday and when the doctor came in he pointed to his ears and then turned his head so the doctor could have a look. (His left ear is still not quite right so we'll go back again and hope for some more improvement).
Today, at the cardiologist when the doctor was doing the heart ultrasound thing (it's late and I've forgotten the technical term) Eli just sat there not moving at all.
The doctor was amazed and mentioned that Eli was spoiling him by allowing him to have extra views of the heart, for an extra amount of time so the med student could have a look as well. The doctor mentioned that Eli might be a future cardiologist (which would make Marcus happy. Marcus has a special fascination with the heart and there's a piece of him that wishes he were the cardiologist).
The doctor was also very kind and very good at his job. I so appreciate those kind of doctors, although I'm happy to report we should never have to see him again.
The short of it is both Eli & Emerson have murmurs, different kinds of murmurs, but they are both benign and should never cause a problem. Good enough for me all is well.
I do have to mention though that Eli is the best little patient. He had another appointment with the ENT on Monday and when the doctor came in he pointed to his ears and then turned his head so the doctor could have a look. (His left ear is still not quite right so we'll go back again and hope for some more improvement).
Today, at the cardiologist when the doctor was doing the heart ultrasound thing (it's late and I've forgotten the technical term) Eli just sat there not moving at all.
The doctor was amazed and mentioned that Eli was spoiling him by allowing him to have extra views of the heart, for an extra amount of time so the med student could have a look as well. The doctor mentioned that Eli might be a future cardiologist (which would make Marcus happy. Marcus has a special fascination with the heart and there's a piece of him that wishes he were the cardiologist).
The doctor was also very kind and very good at his job. I so appreciate those kind of doctors, although I'm happy to report we should never have to see him again.
The many storms...
This spring has been heavy with devastation caused my tornados and other natural disasters. I have a hard time even beginning to imagine what those in the areas affected are experiencing as they literally attempt to piece their lives back together, while mourning the loss of family, friends, homes, schools, work, churches.
I'm sure that those who read this blog are aware of many ways to help but I did want to give another option. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is one of the first responders around the world when disaster hits.
Even better 100% of any money donated goes to the designated area. If you feel called or led to donate to those affected by the storms, most recently in Joplin, MO you can go to this link here
If you click around on the site you can find more information about the work they're doing around the world and see how you can give to any of those sites.
Many prayers for those affected. It's truly heartbreaking.
I'm sure that those who read this blog are aware of many ways to help but I did want to give another option. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is one of the first responders around the world when disaster hits.
Even better 100% of any money donated goes to the designated area. If you feel called or led to donate to those affected by the storms, most recently in Joplin, MO you can go to this link here
If you click around on the site you can find more information about the work they're doing around the world and see how you can give to any of those sites.
Many prayers for those affected. It's truly heartbreaking.
Monday, May 23, 2011
A New (to us) car!
Our internet has been down for the last 36 hours so I've been doing laundry (seriously we have a big backlog of laundry and it feels like for 36 hours straight I've been doing laundry) but we had a pretty exciting and long day yesterday and bought a new vehicle.
Our last car was more than past its prime. I purchased it when I was a senior in high school back in 2002. Since then the car has seen me through 3 graduations, 3 states, 2 cross-country moves, 2 kids, and about a 100,000 miles. We've had a nice long run together the Focus and me, but it was to the point where I hoped I would get from one point to the next while in town, and the thought of taking it on any kind of a trip was pretty much impossible.
Marcus and I have been researching vehicles for the last several weeks and learned that they cost a lot more than the 8,000 I bought my Focus for almost a decade ago.
But then yesterday we found a 2009 Dodge Journey that we could actually afford. What we did not know was the sheer number of hours it takes to actually complete the car buying transaction. Just in case you were wondering, you should never take 2 year old twins with you for this... they did okay for the first 2 hours but by the last 2 hours they were more than over it (as was I).
We some how managed to get the salesman who is stuck in the dark ages. Not only could he not use a computer, but he entered all of Marcus' information (ignoring me). When he asked Marcus where he worked he was a bit dismayed to learn that Marcus stays at home, and therefore he needed to address me. (Plus when I wouldn't budge on something he turned from me and said, "so what do you think Marcus..." um hello sir I already told you the answer).
So we started over. Then when trying to do the financing piece of it we got a guy who started work yesterday and he didn't fully know what he was doing quite yet.
Finally, we drove away in our new to us car...
and they only called me 4 times today and had me come back down twice to re-sign the same paperwork... *sigh* I'm trying to ignore the incompetence and just be happy that we found a reliable vehicle that we can fit our entire family in (it was really questionable in the focus Marcus and I were both right next to the dashboard to make room for Eli & Emerson's enormous car seats).
Our last car was more than past its prime. I purchased it when I was a senior in high school back in 2002. Since then the car has seen me through 3 graduations, 3 states, 2 cross-country moves, 2 kids, and about a 100,000 miles. We've had a nice long run together the Focus and me, but it was to the point where I hoped I would get from one point to the next while in town, and the thought of taking it on any kind of a trip was pretty much impossible.
Marcus and I have been researching vehicles for the last several weeks and learned that they cost a lot more than the 8,000 I bought my Focus for almost a decade ago.
But then yesterday we found a 2009 Dodge Journey that we could actually afford. What we did not know was the sheer number of hours it takes to actually complete the car buying transaction. Just in case you were wondering, you should never take 2 year old twins with you for this... they did okay for the first 2 hours but by the last 2 hours they were more than over it (as was I).
We some how managed to get the salesman who is stuck in the dark ages. Not only could he not use a computer, but he entered all of Marcus' information (ignoring me). When he asked Marcus where he worked he was a bit dismayed to learn that Marcus stays at home, and therefore he needed to address me. (Plus when I wouldn't budge on something he turned from me and said, "so what do you think Marcus..." um hello sir I already told you the answer).
So we started over. Then when trying to do the financing piece of it we got a guy who started work yesterday and he didn't fully know what he was doing quite yet.
Finally, we drove away in our new to us car...
and they only called me 4 times today and had me come back down twice to re-sign the same paperwork... *sigh* I'm trying to ignore the incompetence and just be happy that we found a reliable vehicle that we can fit our entire family in (it was really questionable in the focus Marcus and I were both right next to the dashboard to make room for Eli & Emerson's enormous car seats).
Our new car, sitting next to our old car.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Home again...
I had an incredibly time in Denver. I was at an emerging young clergy conference with some of my fellow clergy people from around the Western jurisdiction. Sometimes it can feel very isolating (away from divinity) school to be in this line of work. I'm the youngest clergy in my annual conference and it's just nice to be around other people who are in the same place. Just starting out, many with young kids, etc.
It was also nice to hear what others are doing and to commit ourselves to staying connected and continuing to help recruit and encourage young clergy.
One of the best moments for me was when we randomly split into groups to head off to a restaurant to eat. I was in the car with a couple other people and the driver of the guy was asking me about life with twins. He then mentioned that he and his wife were in a place where they were taking measures which increased their chance of multiples.
I immediately knew that he was talking about infertility and so I "confessed" that mine were a result of ART and I knew the hell he and his wife were going through. Then the other passenger mentioned that she and her husband had been trying for a long while too and they too were in the midst of IF hell. It was such a powerful moment and it was amazing that we all ended up in the car together.
There's just something about the pain and experience of infertility that automatically bonds people together. I so hope and pray that they and everyone else still trying for their babies find success soon.
The other really awesome experience was the restaurant we ate at. It's called SAME cafe, which stands for "So All May Eat" it's run by a husband and wife and there are no prices on their menus. Instead everyone is invited to eat, and then pay what they can. If a person is unable to contribute anything then they can get a healthy home cooked meal in exchange for helping wash dishes or carrying boxes etc.
Their goal is to be 100% sustainable and they're doing it. Such a powerful testimony of the good people are doing in the world, plus the food was fantastic. If you're ever in Denver or live in Denver and haven't checked this place out do it. Amazing, everything about it.
It was also nice to hear what others are doing and to commit ourselves to staying connected and continuing to help recruit and encourage young clergy.
One of the best moments for me was when we randomly split into groups to head off to a restaurant to eat. I was in the car with a couple other people and the driver of the guy was asking me about life with twins. He then mentioned that he and his wife were in a place where they were taking measures which increased their chance of multiples.
I immediately knew that he was talking about infertility and so I "confessed" that mine were a result of ART and I knew the hell he and his wife were going through. Then the other passenger mentioned that she and her husband had been trying for a long while too and they too were in the midst of IF hell. It was such a powerful moment and it was amazing that we all ended up in the car together.
There's just something about the pain and experience of infertility that automatically bonds people together. I so hope and pray that they and everyone else still trying for their babies find success soon.
The other really awesome experience was the restaurant we ate at. It's called SAME cafe, which stands for "So All May Eat" it's run by a husband and wife and there are no prices on their menus. Instead everyone is invited to eat, and then pay what they can. If a person is unable to contribute anything then they can get a healthy home cooked meal in exchange for helping wash dishes or carrying boxes etc.
Their goal is to be 100% sustainable and they're doing it. Such a powerful testimony of the good people are doing in the world, plus the food was fantastic. If you're ever in Denver or live in Denver and haven't checked this place out do it. Amazing, everything about it.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Super long day...
My day started at 4 this morning in order for me to catch my flight to Denver. Marcus had to drive me which of course meant we had to wake up Eli & Emerson. Which provides me with the perfect opportunity write about how their personalities manifest in waking up.
When Eli wakes up 9 times out of 10 he's alert, smiling, laughing, sometimes skipping around his crib and ready to go. He's just a happy guy in the morning.
Emerson on the other hand, buries herself under her covers and her multitudes of piggies and often emerges from this pile like the swamp thing. Slow, disgruntled, not ready or willing to sit or even walk. She needs to be snuggled in the morning.
So this morning at 4 was no different. Marcus woke up Eli and he had the biggest grin on his face. From dead asleep to smiling in 2 seconds. For Eli this was a great adventure to be woken up while it was still dark.
My dear sweet Emerson on the other hand did not come around so easily. She was lying on her stomach and when I lifted her up she literally folded in half. I tried to sit her up so I could turn her around and she toppled into a heap. Then once I picked her up she was immediately folded up head on my shoulder. She was not so pleased with this early wake up call.
My flight went well and so far day one of the conference has been good. It's so so nice to be around other young clergy. I've so missed my classmates from Yale and the energy they brought with them and this is just a small reminder and small taste of that again.
I've got another long day ahead of me tomorrow so off to sleep.
When Eli wakes up 9 times out of 10 he's alert, smiling, laughing, sometimes skipping around his crib and ready to go. He's just a happy guy in the morning.
Emerson on the other hand, buries herself under her covers and her multitudes of piggies and often emerges from this pile like the swamp thing. Slow, disgruntled, not ready or willing to sit or even walk. She needs to be snuggled in the morning.
So this morning at 4 was no different. Marcus woke up Eli and he had the biggest grin on his face. From dead asleep to smiling in 2 seconds. For Eli this was a great adventure to be woken up while it was still dark.
My dear sweet Emerson on the other hand did not come around so easily. She was lying on her stomach and when I lifted her up she literally folded in half. I tried to sit her up so I could turn her around and she toppled into a heap. Then once I picked her up she was immediately folded up head on my shoulder. She was not so pleased with this early wake up call.
My flight went well and so far day one of the conference has been good. It's so so nice to be around other young clergy. I've so missed my classmates from Yale and the energy they brought with them and this is just a small reminder and small taste of that again.
I've got another long day ahead of me tomorrow so off to sleep.
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