Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Foosebook
I'm addicted to Facebook (a.k.a. Foosebook). I am, and admitting that is the first step in recovery. I have a love/hate relationship with the Book of Face, as I've heard some friends call it. Smart phones, specifically my iPhone, have fueled my relationship with the site. Subsequently I also have a love/hate relationship with it, too. There are days I am tempted to go off the grid, but we'll save that for another post. Thanks to the society of instant gratification that we live in, I was probably checking FB 6-10 times a day. WHY? Because I could. Because it was there. One tap of my fingertip to the smooth face of my smart phone and there I was again, peering into the lives of whoever posted what they wanted people to read. My visits were never long, but they were most definitely frequent. If that were all there was to it, I guess it would be fine. Except things are rarely that simple. When you tap an app on your phone 6-10 times a day it begins cutting into your time at work, the attention you pay your family and pets, you become less of a considerate driver. The site was getting time that I didn't even have to give.
As most people do in the new year, I made a resolution. I will check FB one time a day M-Sa, not at all on Su. I've done well with not at all on Sunday, but ironically I struggle with the once daily M-Sa. Again, things rarely being simple, this resolution ties in with my recovering spirituality. To be blunt, the Spirit has prompted me to rid my life of the superfluous. The unnecessary things that have made their way into my everyday life were distracting from, ARE distracting from, my potential as a human being on this earth. And what potential am I speaking of? Family. Relationships. I wish to give those who mean the most to me, the most of me. And how can I do that when what's competing for my time is social networking sites, rag magazines, gossip sites, etc.? So I will make Facebook what I want it to be. A medium to keep family and close friends updated with pictures and information relative to our family. I will use it to keep up with them. I will check it once M-Sa and not at all on Su.
So why blog, some may ask. Well, I'm no Hemingway, but I am a writer. I've written my name on my mother's walls, I've written my own books so I could read them to myself as a child, and today I write as a part of my job. I have to write. I don't know how else to release what's in my head. Some sing, some dance, some take photographs or paint. I write. For years I wrote in journals, and have several finished ones lying around, but despite buying a pretty journal this last time, a pretty book mark, special pens, I have been horrible about writing in it. Losing my writing mojo couldn't have happened at a worst time, either. I have this amazing 2-year-old angel that a few quips in a FB status update just can't cover. For example, for Christmas Ava got some stickers. For anyone who knows where a 2-year-old is developmentally, you know they're into identifying body parts (E.g. bum-bum, eyes, nose, hair, etc.) and so it was no surprise when she put a sticker on Jovi's nub (a.k.a. tail) and says "bum-bum!" Chuckling, I said "yes Ava, you put a sticker on Jovi's bum-bum. Can you put a sticker on Reese's bum-bum, too?" OK people keep in mind that while I know she knows what a bum-bum is, since she had just identified Jovi's bum-bum as his tail I naively assumed she'd do the same with Reese. Wrong! That girl dropped to her knees with a sticker behind Reese and placed it squarely on her rectum. What's worse - it stuck! "Bum-bum!" Yes Ava, bum-bum indeed. Insert heavy sigh, half-grin and eye roll here.
To that end, no pun intended (sorta), it is here that I will be recording everything from my thoughts to the day's events to whatever life rolls out before us. I will not filter myself on here like I do Foosebook. Consider yourself warned. As I find time I plan to redesign the layout, update pictures and more. Stay tuned!
As most people do in the new year, I made a resolution. I will check FB one time a day M-Sa, not at all on Su. I've done well with not at all on Sunday, but ironically I struggle with the once daily M-Sa. Again, things rarely being simple, this resolution ties in with my recovering spirituality. To be blunt, the Spirit has prompted me to rid my life of the superfluous. The unnecessary things that have made their way into my everyday life were distracting from, ARE distracting from, my potential as a human being on this earth. And what potential am I speaking of? Family. Relationships. I wish to give those who mean the most to me, the most of me. And how can I do that when what's competing for my time is social networking sites, rag magazines, gossip sites, etc.? So I will make Facebook what I want it to be. A medium to keep family and close friends updated with pictures and information relative to our family. I will use it to keep up with them. I will check it once M-Sa and not at all on Su.
So why blog, some may ask. Well, I'm no Hemingway, but I am a writer. I've written my name on my mother's walls, I've written my own books so I could read them to myself as a child, and today I write as a part of my job. I have to write. I don't know how else to release what's in my head. Some sing, some dance, some take photographs or paint. I write. For years I wrote in journals, and have several finished ones lying around, but despite buying a pretty journal this last time, a pretty book mark, special pens, I have been horrible about writing in it. Losing my writing mojo couldn't have happened at a worst time, either. I have this amazing 2-year-old angel that a few quips in a FB status update just can't cover. For example, for Christmas Ava got some stickers. For anyone who knows where a 2-year-old is developmentally, you know they're into identifying body parts (E.g. bum-bum, eyes, nose, hair, etc.) and so it was no surprise when she put a sticker on Jovi's nub (a.k.a. tail) and says "bum-bum!" Chuckling, I said "yes Ava, you put a sticker on Jovi's bum-bum. Can you put a sticker on Reese's bum-bum, too?" OK people keep in mind that while I know she knows what a bum-bum is, since she had just identified Jovi's bum-bum as his tail I naively assumed she'd do the same with Reese. Wrong! That girl dropped to her knees with a sticker behind Reese and placed it squarely on her rectum. What's worse - it stuck! "Bum-bum!" Yes Ava, bum-bum indeed. Insert heavy sigh, half-grin and eye roll here.
To that end, no pun intended (sorta), it is here that I will be recording everything from my thoughts to the day's events to whatever life rolls out before us. I will not filter myself on here like I do Foosebook. Consider yourself warned. As I find time I plan to redesign the layout, update pictures and more. Stay tuned!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
2011
2010 was a bitter-sweet year for us. In March we had our beautiful baby girl, Ava, and Bill effectively became unemployed at the same time when he got off orders from OWT (due to lack of funding when his 1 year was up). Our family had a difficult choice to make; if we wanted to remain together, Bill either had to quit his job and we would stay in WA, or I would quit mine and we would return to KS. My company who had once let me work remote before decided they would not let me do it again (for no good reason, mind you), and so we were faced that terrible decision. In this economy, why would any sane person quit their job? But alas, we had to if we wanted our family to remain together. We weighed the pros and cons as best we could, prayed, spoke with family and friends, and then made the choice to stay in WA. It was promising at first, PDs were interviewing Bill left and right, but they were all lookers and no takers.
In what was looking like a very bad situation, we have found a multitude of silver linings. We had decided we never wanted Ava in daycare, but didn't know how we'd do that (pre-unemployment) when we both had jobs. Bill, while waiting to be picked up, has cared for Ava during the day for these last 10 months. Being able to give her the consistent comfort and security of home and family has been an amazing blessing. Bill has also been working on his degree in business administration, though this quarter he decided to break from that to earn his EMT. He goes to school at night, and so when I get home from work we have usually 45 minutes to an hour to talk and catch up on each other's day, then he's off to class until 10 or so at night. What's better is the GI Bill pays for his tuition and books 100% plus gives us housing money every month.
I won't lie, bad economy or not, it has been scary for Bill to be without work. We take turns having our bad days, which has yielded the blessing of being able to comfort each other and increase the strength of our friendship and marriage. We have increased our love and faith in God. We have become more in tune with our Father these past two years than ever before. If someone would've told me that after a year like 2010 I would've come out with more faith than all the years that were financially better, I wouldn't have believed it. But here's the thing - I can feel God's hand in my life every single day. Every day. Every minute. He is there.
Parents, many of you will be able to relate to this. Every interaction with my daughter, every word I tell her, reminds me of God's relationship with me. My mom wittingly said to me once while Ava was young and absolutely hated her tummy time, "maybe God's got you two doing tummy time?" When Ava struggles and I have to let her (i.e. tummy time, learning to reach for things, crawl, hold her own sippy cup, etc.) I think of God. I have to let Ava get a little frustrated and even have a fit or two so she becomes strong enough to develop further. I never forsake her, as God does not forsake us. I know that if faced with any harm or destruction I can pick her up and God does for us. Absolutely everything in my relationship with my child reminds me of how God feels and interacts with me. It's amazing.
Having faith and love in Him doesn't mean it's easy. And trust me, this year hasn't been easy. But I know in my heart of hearts we are not forgotten, and he is watching us closely. Yes, this does sound a little like a testimony here, and maybe it is. Whatever it is, a testimony or simply sharing my realizations from this past year, I am so grateful for everything we have been given and that He loves us so much he's willing to let us grow.
We have a great feeling about 2011, I believe it will be our year. What I want most though is to continue on this path of faith, love, perseverance, charity and hope. All our love.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Long Time No Talk
Wow, I think 7 months since my last post is a record...and not a very good one. Life has been chaotic, to say the least. Bill has been off orders since the very end of March and has been looking for work here in WA ever since. In the meantime, he stays at home with Ava during the day while I'm at work and he goes to school at night in pursuit of a degree in business management (don't hold me to that exact title). We had to make a choice - move back to Kansas and I quit my job, or stay here and he quit his job. It was an unfair and unfortunate reality to face, but it is what it is and we're taking it in stride. This is really the first time in our five years together that we've attempted to establish life in just one state. There's chance of a deployment at the first of the year, but we won't have any firm information on whether he's going until nearly right before.
I still work for my company as a technical writer in Auburn which affords me the flexibility we need, and for that we're grateful. I finally had my laptop imaged which allows me to work from home on occasion, but not full-time like I used to. I say that for any of you wondering why I didn't just go remote again. Management and mindsets change, that pretty much sums it up. But in this economy I'm grateful to have a job, and a decent one at that.
On to our beautiful girl, Ava. She's 7-months-old now and honestly words cannot describe what a joy and blessing she is in our lives. For the first three months we experienced the pains of gas and colic, but then discovered Gripe Water and we regained our sanity. She's in the 75th percentile for her head circumference and weight, and in the 90th percentile for her height. She seems to care less about crawling and scooting than she does about chatting up a storm. What's hilarious is she seems like she's actually having a conversation. She loves watching us talk and grabs our mouth whenever she can. She mimics us (which we need to start being more mindful of) and even mimics the dogs. Her big thing right now is growling, and she's getting the look that accompanies the growl down pat. We can't quit kissing her, I think it's impossible in fact. How do you not kiss what people describe as a cherub and/or the Gerber baby?
Cole continues to live in Kansas with his mom, and turns 14 this February. 14! He loves, loves, loves Ava and in fact even asked Bill the last time he was here what his bed time would be if he lived with us. I've never been the child of divorced parents, but I imagine it would be difficult deciding who to live with. If I had to guess he probably wishes for the best of both worlds to be blended into one. I can certainly empathize with that. It's disappointing for us not to have both kids under the same roof, but we understand the situation for what it is and move forward. We are pleased to see how well adjusted he is, and how Ava and him equally adore one another.
Jovi and Reese have unfortunately taken a backseat post-baby. Everyone can now say a collective "I told you so," because you did. I feel horrible because they were my first babies, especially Jovi, and I'll never forget the comfort and sanity Jovi was for me during my miscarriage, Bill's last deployment, living alone in a new state, etc. We hit up the dog park when time, energy and weather allows, and do evening family walks. Wherever Ava is, there's Reese. Laying down beside her on the blanket subjecting herself to whatever Ava does to her. We encourage gentleness with both baby and pet, but it seems more often repeated to Ava than the dogs. Jovi's gentle enough with her, but overall skiddish around her. Sudden movements and loud shreaking apparently aren't his thing. Maybe they'll be better buds when she's a toddler.
Shockingly, I miss Kansas. I miss living in a state that knows me as nothing else but a grown woman, wife and mother. I miss being 2 hours from my mother-in-law and I miss the wide open spaces (que Dixie Chicks). I miss Bill's friends and profession for him. Being unemployed is so much more than the money. We continue to pray for his employment here and with it an avenue that leads to more social opportunities. I'm not foolish enough to think I can be everything to him. I know, as does he, that it's important to have your friends, parents, siblings, etc. More than anything we pray to be in the right place at the right time doing the right things.
Well, that's all for now. I will try to blog more often, though I'll admit the biggest challenge lies in finding the time. We hope all is well with you and your family. All our love <3
I still work for my company as a technical writer in Auburn which affords me the flexibility we need, and for that we're grateful. I finally had my laptop imaged which allows me to work from home on occasion, but not full-time like I used to. I say that for any of you wondering why I didn't just go remote again. Management and mindsets change, that pretty much sums it up. But in this economy I'm grateful to have a job, and a decent one at that.
On to our beautiful girl, Ava. She's 7-months-old now and honestly words cannot describe what a joy and blessing she is in our lives. For the first three months we experienced the pains of gas and colic, but then discovered Gripe Water and we regained our sanity. She's in the 75th percentile for her head circumference and weight, and in the 90th percentile for her height. She seems to care less about crawling and scooting than she does about chatting up a storm. What's hilarious is she seems like she's actually having a conversation. She loves watching us talk and grabs our mouth whenever she can. She mimics us (which we need to start being more mindful of) and even mimics the dogs. Her big thing right now is growling, and she's getting the look that accompanies the growl down pat. We can't quit kissing her, I think it's impossible in fact. How do you not kiss what people describe as a cherub and/or the Gerber baby?
Cole continues to live in Kansas with his mom, and turns 14 this February. 14! He loves, loves, loves Ava and in fact even asked Bill the last time he was here what his bed time would be if he lived with us. I've never been the child of divorced parents, but I imagine it would be difficult deciding who to live with. If I had to guess he probably wishes for the best of both worlds to be blended into one. I can certainly empathize with that. It's disappointing for us not to have both kids under the same roof, but we understand the situation for what it is and move forward. We are pleased to see how well adjusted he is, and how Ava and him equally adore one another.
Jovi and Reese have unfortunately taken a backseat post-baby. Everyone can now say a collective "I told you so," because you did. I feel horrible because they were my first babies, especially Jovi, and I'll never forget the comfort and sanity Jovi was for me during my miscarriage, Bill's last deployment, living alone in a new state, etc. We hit up the dog park when time, energy and weather allows, and do evening family walks. Wherever Ava is, there's Reese. Laying down beside her on the blanket subjecting herself to whatever Ava does to her. We encourage gentleness with both baby and pet, but it seems more often repeated to Ava than the dogs. Jovi's gentle enough with her, but overall skiddish around her. Sudden movements and loud shreaking apparently aren't his thing. Maybe they'll be better buds when she's a toddler.
Shockingly, I miss Kansas. I miss living in a state that knows me as nothing else but a grown woman, wife and mother. I miss being 2 hours from my mother-in-law and I miss the wide open spaces (que Dixie Chicks). I miss Bill's friends and profession for him. Being unemployed is so much more than the money. We continue to pray for his employment here and with it an avenue that leads to more social opportunities. I'm not foolish enough to think I can be everything to him. I know, as does he, that it's important to have your friends, parents, siblings, etc. More than anything we pray to be in the right place at the right time doing the right things.
Well, that's all for now. I will try to blog more often, though I'll admit the biggest challenge lies in finding the time. We hope all is well with you and your family. All our love <3
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