Being analytical can be good and bad. On the plus side I can usually figure people out pretty quickly. I tend to know who I can enjoy being around, who I can trust, and who I'm not going to get along with after one or two conversations. At the same time, I tend to figure myself out pretty well too so I know what causes me to make the choices I make, think the things I think, speak the words I speak...etc. I can't just see something negative about myself and let it lie. I have to turn it into something positive, and it just isn't fun.
Looking back at my small list of guys I had some type of relationship with I found a common thread running through each one no matter who the guy was, when the relationship took place in my life, or how long the relationship lasted.
It came down to one minor, yet incredibly major attribute of mine. I'm not sure how positive of an attribute it is, but just like being analytical it has some good in it. I tend to see the potential in every guy I either am interested in or ultimately end up dating. Regardless of how close they are to reaching the potential I see in them, my interest in dating them is still strong enough because I believe I can help them reach that potential. I can help them get over their issues. I can help them achieve their goals. I can help them grow in their relationship with God.
Not surprisingly, I've been let down every time. These guys never reached their potential in the time we were together, and in some cases digressed even more than when we first started dating. How could I possibly expect to help someone be the person I see them capable of being when they choose to be themselves? Well, it all seems to comes down to my spiritual gift.
Exhortation has been translated as encouragement, and we all know what it means to encourage. While I could see that in myself, I was definitely not the girl that wrote encouraging notes with smiley faces. Even though all the spiritual gift tests pointed me in that direction, I just didn't get it...until...I went through a study that actually explained encouragement was more than happy faces and high-fives. To exhort is also taking Biblical truth and applying those truths to others in order to help them become the people God called them to be. Finally, it all made sense.
So the analytical side of me sees people around me and the characteristics they possess that make them act the way they do. Then the exhorting side of me feels the urge to help direct them towards what God desires for them to be like. And now I know what not to do when a guy comes along that has some great qualities, but isn't where I need him to be in order to begin dating him...don't date him. If it's going to work, he needs to be exactly where I need him to be to have a strong, forward-moving relationship rather than something resembling my past experiences. When I see men already married, already fathers, I see the things I want my future husband to have and be like so I'll know he has what it takes to be a great husband to me and dad to our kids. Too bad there's no way to look into the future to know how my future husband will be further down the road, but that's where it comes down to trusting that God will give me what I desire most, and give me the man I need to help us both reach our potential.
If only I could be so trusting in His timing at all times!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Bless 3 People
Last night I spent an hour listening to an amazing man, Reggie McNeal. His quick wit had me laughing most of that time so I think that had a lot to do with winning me over. While he was speaking to the congregation about how to turn our church from a "what" to a "who" he gave all of us a challenge...find a way to bless three people this week. He told story after story of people who had taken on his challenge. One man felt led to ask the baristas during his morning stop at Starbucks if there was anything he could pray for them about. They were so receptive, that after 3 weeks he found himself sitting down with his coffee each morning and listening to the baristas talk to him about their current situations as well as their dreams and goals. After telling his small group about what was happening each member took a different Starbucks and during a quick stop to a different location than he usually went to, he asked the girl at the counter how he could pray for her. Her response was wonderful, "Are you one of those blessing people??" A woman found herself in line behind the same man she stood behind a few days before at Wal-Mart. She decided to take the opportunity to tell the man it wasn't by chance they met, and she asked him how God could bless him. The man was stunned and told her he was in such need of prayer that he reached in his pocket, got a piece of paper, and gave her his email so she could contact him to know how to pray for him.
It was so great to hear the ways these everyday people were allowing themselves to be used by God.
This morning, I told God I was ready to bless those 3 people he had in mind for me. Of course I knew I would fight him depending on what he called me to do. Earlier today, I spent 3 hours in the hallway of a nearby community college barely speaking to the people that walked by or even stopped to get information. It's just how these programs seem to go, but almost 2 hours in, across from me standing at a table for another university I saw a guy waiting to talk to the recruiter that was no where to be found. I called out to him, "The recruiter should be back any minute." He turned around and acknowledged that he heard me. Then I said, "We'll be here till 1 so if you have time to talk to him you can come by then too." He told me he had time to wait then so he didn't mind and started walking towards my table. I noticed he had an information card for the university in his hand to turn back in to the recruiter, and I almost offered to take it for him, but I stopped myself. Instead I started asking him what he was currently studying at the community college. "Engineering," was what he told me. We talked about what little I knew of the subject, and with no recruiter in sight I switched the subject to where he graduated high school from. We chatted a bit more about that, and in my mind I was thinking, "Take it a step further. Ask him how you can pray for him." I don't know what held me back from doing so, but I fought the urge, and found the recruiter had returned to the table across from me. I told the guy, "Looks like your recruiter is back!" He said goodbye to me, and I watched him walk up to the table, hand over the card, and simply walk away.
I was so disappointed in my self. It was obvious that God wanted to use me at that moment, and I chickened out for no reason other than to keep things from being awkward or embarrassing myself.
At lunch with 4 other recruiters, each from a different state school, I decided not to back down from what God asked me to do. When our food arrived we all paused for a moment, and I quickly blurted out before I could take it back, "Do you guys mind if pray over our meal?" They immediately said different versions of "Please do," and I let God lead the words out of my mouth. Afterwards they thanked me for doing so, and I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to know that maybe that little thing made a difference in the day for those ladies. Being obedient was even more wonderful. When I left the restaurant I was all set for the next opportunity to let God use me, so I guess we'll have to see what the rest of the week has in store...
If you're up for the challenge, please find a way to bless 3 people and see what happens. I know it will bless you even more to be apart of it.
It was so great to hear the ways these everyday people were allowing themselves to be used by God.
This morning, I told God I was ready to bless those 3 people he had in mind for me. Of course I knew I would fight him depending on what he called me to do. Earlier today, I spent 3 hours in the hallway of a nearby community college barely speaking to the people that walked by or even stopped to get information. It's just how these programs seem to go, but almost 2 hours in, across from me standing at a table for another university I saw a guy waiting to talk to the recruiter that was no where to be found. I called out to him, "The recruiter should be back any minute." He turned around and acknowledged that he heard me. Then I said, "We'll be here till 1 so if you have time to talk to him you can come by then too." He told me he had time to wait then so he didn't mind and started walking towards my table. I noticed he had an information card for the university in his hand to turn back in to the recruiter, and I almost offered to take it for him, but I stopped myself. Instead I started asking him what he was currently studying at the community college. "Engineering," was what he told me. We talked about what little I knew of the subject, and with no recruiter in sight I switched the subject to where he graduated high school from. We chatted a bit more about that, and in my mind I was thinking, "Take it a step further. Ask him how you can pray for him." I don't know what held me back from doing so, but I fought the urge, and found the recruiter had returned to the table across from me. I told the guy, "Looks like your recruiter is back!" He said goodbye to me, and I watched him walk up to the table, hand over the card, and simply walk away.
I was so disappointed in my self. It was obvious that God wanted to use me at that moment, and I chickened out for no reason other than to keep things from being awkward or embarrassing myself.
At lunch with 4 other recruiters, each from a different state school, I decided not to back down from what God asked me to do. When our food arrived we all paused for a moment, and I quickly blurted out before I could take it back, "Do you guys mind if pray over our meal?" They immediately said different versions of "Please do," and I let God lead the words out of my mouth. Afterwards they thanked me for doing so, and I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to know that maybe that little thing made a difference in the day for those ladies. Being obedient was even more wonderful. When I left the restaurant I was all set for the next opportunity to let God use me, so I guess we'll have to see what the rest of the week has in store...
If you're up for the challenge, please find a way to bless 3 people and see what happens. I know it will bless you even more to be apart of it.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Are you the kind of person that sees signs, that sees miracles?
There are days when I realize what great opportunities I have because of my job. I love to talk to people, to learn from them, and this morning at 8:47 I had another chance to do that. After spending 20 minutes or so helping a dad with questions about his sons application and giving him information on our football program, the dad began asking me questions about my experiences as a student at this university. What did I think of the campus? Of the town? What was my degree in? How do I plan on using that degree? One thing led to another, and before I knew it we were talking about the direction I believe God is taking me as well as the journey I've been on. We talked about relationships with our parents, siblings, and he even shared a few life lessons on what I need to be prepared for whenever I'm graced with children. There were things that came up that I don't typically just share with people the first time I speak with them, but out they came, and I found incredible encouragement from this dad that I had never felt in those areas before.
He finally told me that because of a health condition that nearly took his life, he decided since God gave him his life back that each day he would look for ways to make a difference, to live it like it might be his last. Simply put by him, he got a postcard in the mail, called our office, was told by our receptionist I was the one he needed to talk to, and here we were talking like two people who had known each other for years. I knew this wasn't some mere coincidence, and he felt the same way. When we finally wrapped up our conversation, because he was going to be late for a lunch date, we made a deal to pray for each other daily and keep in touch. I hung up the phone and realized I had been in a 76 minute conversation that blessed me beyond belief today. I knew today would be a good day. I could just feel it when I woke up, but I wasn't expecting this!
It's times like these that make me so thankful I work in an environment where I cross paths with people I would never meet otherwise, and we have the opportunity to make an impact with each other as long as we are willing.
"People break down into two groups. When they experience something lucky, group number one sees it as more than luck, more than coincidence. They see it as a sign, evidence, that there is someone up there, watching out for them. Group number two sees it as just pure luck. Just a happy turn of chance. I'm sure the people in group number two are looking at those fourteen lights in a very suspicious way. For them, the situation is a fifty-fifty. Could be bad, could be good. But deep down, they feel that whatever happens, they're on their own. And that fills them with fear. Yeah, there are those people. But there's a whole lot of people in group number one. When they see those fourteen lights, they're looking at a miracle. And deep down, they feel that whatever's going to happen, there will be someone there to help them. And that fills them with hope. See what you have to ask yourself is what kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, that sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky? Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?" - Signs
He finally told me that because of a health condition that nearly took his life, he decided since God gave him his life back that each day he would look for ways to make a difference, to live it like it might be his last. Simply put by him, he got a postcard in the mail, called our office, was told by our receptionist I was the one he needed to talk to, and here we were talking like two people who had known each other for years. I knew this wasn't some mere coincidence, and he felt the same way. When we finally wrapped up our conversation, because he was going to be late for a lunch date, we made a deal to pray for each other daily and keep in touch. I hung up the phone and realized I had been in a 76 minute conversation that blessed me beyond belief today. I knew today would be a good day. I could just feel it when I woke up, but I wasn't expecting this!
It's times like these that make me so thankful I work in an environment where I cross paths with people I would never meet otherwise, and we have the opportunity to make an impact with each other as long as we are willing.
"People break down into two groups. When they experience something lucky, group number one sees it as more than luck, more than coincidence. They see it as a sign, evidence, that there is someone up there, watching out for them. Group number two sees it as just pure luck. Just a happy turn of chance. I'm sure the people in group number two are looking at those fourteen lights in a very suspicious way. For them, the situation is a fifty-fifty. Could be bad, could be good. But deep down, they feel that whatever happens, they're on their own. And that fills them with fear. Yeah, there are those people. But there's a whole lot of people in group number one. When they see those fourteen lights, they're looking at a miracle. And deep down, they feel that whatever's going to happen, there will be someone there to help them. And that fills them with hope. See what you have to ask yourself is what kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, that sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky? Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?" - Signs
Monday, January 19, 2009
Greetings
I changed my blog header because I thought it would motivate me to get on here more and, well, blog. Apparently it wasn't as inspirational as I thought.
After I graduated college, all the things that I had built a foundation on - friends, boyfriend, leadership roles, extracurricular stuff that filled my evenings - was gone. 3 months after I walked across the stage in Behrens chapel to receive my diploma, I found myself not knowing how to relate to my friends that were still in the college mindset. The college group I was apart of at church wasn't fitting my new situation, and their singles group (ugh, singles!) was barely exsistant. I didn't have school organizations to bide my time and found myself much to idle in the evenings. The guy I assumed I would be marrying was changing in ways (unfortunately not the best) that was moving us in two different directions, and I found myself in the midst of dealing with the ending of a 3 1/2 year relationship. It was also my first real relationship so breaking up was a brand new experience for me. I still don't have a solid handle on that part, but this first time around really helped me know what not to do the second and third time.
After 4 months of job searching in both my college town and the Metroplex, I got an interview with a small company in the Dallas-area. The interview went well, I was offered the job, and planning on starting the first week of January. The wheels were suddenly in motion, and my mom encouraged me to move home a couple of weeks later even though my lease wasn't up on the apartment until the end of February. Not really having anything to keep me in my college town, I packed up what I needed and headed home living in the guest room of my parents' house since my room had been turned into a "reading room." By the end of December I'd heard nothing from my soon-to-be new boss and couldn't seem to get in touch with her. On December 29 I finally spoke with her. The company was closing so my new job was no longer.
I sat there in the floor of the guest room realizing that I was without my friends, without a boyfriend that was a huge part of my daily life, and without the job that I partially moved back home for. I was devastated. I had no idea why I was at this point in my life, in the this town again, and completely alone.
Within a few days I found myself as close to depression as I've ever felt. Rather than let it take me over, I somehow felt the urge to take myself to the nearest Family Christian store where I found a devotional for 20-somethings and book by Charles Stanley entitled, "Walking Wisely." I poured my heart out in the journal pages of the devotional everyday. I began to see how I built my life around people and activities all the while putting God on the back burner. That's never where he belonged, and he showed me that after all that I put stock in faded away, and I was left with just him. Thankfully he showed me the mess I had made and helped me fix it little by little with each day.
This isn't to say in those months of rebuilding myself that I was forever fixed. I still slipped, still put God behind 2nd or 3rd or 4th, and still do, but in the midst of that time I realized that I was one of those people. The ones no one ever discusses. The ones that are done with college and trying to figure out what to do next. I was somewhere in between. The past was staying in the past no matter how much I wanted to cling to it, and the future was completely unclear, but in between those, in the present, God was working on my heart, my mind, and in my life.
Now, almost six years later, I've seen how far I've come, and especially how every step I've taken, every job I've held, every relationship I've had has been a journey to prepare me for what God has in store. I'm not who I was, but I'm definitely not who I'm supposed to be. I'm still somewhere in between doing my best to see where God is leading me and definitely learning as much as I can along the way.
After I graduated college, all the things that I had built a foundation on - friends, boyfriend, leadership roles, extracurricular stuff that filled my evenings - was gone. 3 months after I walked across the stage in Behrens chapel to receive my diploma, I found myself not knowing how to relate to my friends that were still in the college mindset. The college group I was apart of at church wasn't fitting my new situation, and their singles group (ugh, singles!) was barely exsistant. I didn't have school organizations to bide my time and found myself much to idle in the evenings. The guy I assumed I would be marrying was changing in ways (unfortunately not the best) that was moving us in two different directions, and I found myself in the midst of dealing with the ending of a 3 1/2 year relationship. It was also my first real relationship so breaking up was a brand new experience for me. I still don't have a solid handle on that part, but this first time around really helped me know what not to do the second and third time.
After 4 months of job searching in both my college town and the Metroplex, I got an interview with a small company in the Dallas-area. The interview went well, I was offered the job, and planning on starting the first week of January. The wheels were suddenly in motion, and my mom encouraged me to move home a couple of weeks later even though my lease wasn't up on the apartment until the end of February. Not really having anything to keep me in my college town, I packed up what I needed and headed home living in the guest room of my parents' house since my room had been turned into a "reading room." By the end of December I'd heard nothing from my soon-to-be new boss and couldn't seem to get in touch with her. On December 29 I finally spoke with her. The company was closing so my new job was no longer.
I sat there in the floor of the guest room realizing that I was without my friends, without a boyfriend that was a huge part of my daily life, and without the job that I partially moved back home for. I was devastated. I had no idea why I was at this point in my life, in the this town again, and completely alone.
Within a few days I found myself as close to depression as I've ever felt. Rather than let it take me over, I somehow felt the urge to take myself to the nearest Family Christian store where I found a devotional for 20-somethings and book by Charles Stanley entitled, "Walking Wisely." I poured my heart out in the journal pages of the devotional everyday. I began to see how I built my life around people and activities all the while putting God on the back burner. That's never where he belonged, and he showed me that after all that I put stock in faded away, and I was left with just him. Thankfully he showed me the mess I had made and helped me fix it little by little with each day.
This isn't to say in those months of rebuilding myself that I was forever fixed. I still slipped, still put God behind 2nd or 3rd or 4th, and still do, but in the midst of that time I realized that I was one of those people. The ones no one ever discusses. The ones that are done with college and trying to figure out what to do next. I was somewhere in between. The past was staying in the past no matter how much I wanted to cling to it, and the future was completely unclear, but in between those, in the present, God was working on my heart, my mind, and in my life.
Now, almost six years later, I've seen how far I've come, and especially how every step I've taken, every job I've held, every relationship I've had has been a journey to prepare me for what God has in store. I'm not who I was, but I'm definitely not who I'm supposed to be. I'm still somewhere in between doing my best to see where God is leading me and definitely learning as much as I can along the way.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Ringing in '09
It's a good thing I didn't feel the need to make the New Year's resolution of "becoming a consistent blogger." I would have failed on New Year's day! Since I felt the urge to take a nap at 5 p.m., I had the energy to actually put photos on my computer from the past month. It was either that or hang up clothes that are draped across the baseboard of my bed.
Last month I relished in 2 weeks of a Christmas Break. Somehow, as usual, it managed to fly by, and I could've used 2 more weeks to recover from the break. Here are a few highlights:
Christmas Decorations:
An incredible lamp that I spotted in Waco from my Secret Santa/amazing friend/co-worker:
Cookie Decorating with some 8th grade girls:
And a 5 year old who loves to torture her cat:
Helping turn my nephew into a cowboy:
Somehow winning the "Seinfeld" Scene-it game my sister and brother-in-law were super excited about receiving:
Driving 2 hours to see my dear friend and her sweet daughter that live another 6 hours east:
Closing out 2008 with "Boxers or Briefs:"
Fun socks:
And Sparkling Cider:
And finally, celebrating the marriage of a friend I've known since elementary school to another I've known since junior high with friends I'll be seeing again in August for our 10 year reunion (yikes!!):
**Blurry is the new Sharp...or at least that's what I've decided.
There you have it. Maybe I'll blog again before the month is out. Sometimes I'm crazy like that!
Last month I relished in 2 weeks of a Christmas Break. Somehow, as usual, it managed to fly by, and I could've used 2 more weeks to recover from the break. Here are a few highlights:
Christmas Decorations:
An incredible lamp that I spotted in Waco from my Secret Santa/amazing friend/co-worker:
Cookie Decorating with some 8th grade girls:
And a 5 year old who loves to torture her cat:
Helping turn my nephew into a cowboy:
Somehow winning the "Seinfeld" Scene-it game my sister and brother-in-law were super excited about receiving:
Driving 2 hours to see my dear friend and her sweet daughter that live another 6 hours east:
Closing out 2008 with "Boxers or Briefs:"
Fun socks:
And Sparkling Cider:
And finally, celebrating the marriage of a friend I've known since elementary school to another I've known since junior high with friends I'll be seeing again in August for our 10 year reunion (yikes!!):
**Blurry is the new Sharp...or at least that's what I've decided.There you have it. Maybe I'll blog again before the month is out. Sometimes I'm crazy like that!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Did you just cuss?
I'll be honest, I cuss in my head or in the privacy of my own home...or car...on occasion...when I'm annoyed or stressed. I'm not proud of it, but it happens. I blame my 5th grade year of school because I was trying to fit in, and those words kind of stuck with me. Okay, and maybe I cuss just to shock people, as in my friends who I know can handle it. My humor is a little twisted...I know. I don't make it a point to cuss in front of people I go to church with, especially those that are under the age of 14, but I found myself in a predicament yesterday.
E: Did you just cuss?
Me: (Looking perplexed) No? Did I?
A: I think you did.
Me: What did I say?
E: The "D" word.
A: Yeah, you said "Dang."
Me: No I didn't. I was just singing the song.
A: He says that word in the song.
Me: No he doesn't!
E: Yeah, he does.
Me: Where?
E: (turns up the radio) Listen.
Jason Mraz: "Open up your eyes and see like me. Open up your mind and, d***, you're free."
Me: Is that what he says?
E: Yep.
Me: Oh, I was singing "Open up your mind and then you're free."
E: Oh, okay.
Me: Yikes! That was a close one!!
E: Did you just cuss?
Me: (Looking perplexed) No? Did I?
A: I think you did.
Me: What did I say?
E: The "D" word.
A: Yeah, you said "Dang."
Me: No I didn't. I was just singing the song.
A: He says that word in the song.
Me: No he doesn't!
E: Yeah, he does.
Me: Where?
E: (turns up the radio) Listen.
Jason Mraz: "Open up your eyes and see like me. Open up your mind and, d***, you're free."
Me: Is that what he says?
E: Yep.
Me: Oh, I was singing "Open up your mind and then you're free."
E: Oh, okay.
Me: Yikes! That was a close one!!
Monday, December 15, 2008
45...30...8...
This past Saturday I spent 6 hours in a home with three children. Their ages are listed above...in months. When I was first asked to watch them I had a tough time deciding whether I should say yes or no, but since a huge part of me wants 4 kids all about 2 years apart, I figured this was the best way to either give myself hope that it could be possible or crush the dream in one evening.
The first 15 minutes went well until I realized that S, the 2 1/2 year old in the process of potty training, was not wearing a diaper like I assumed, but rather big boy underwear. I found this out as soon as I realized what was causing him to be so upset in addition to feeling abandoned by his parents. We got through that incident pretty quickly and things went pretty smoothly from there. E and S danced to E's Barbie radio, or I guess you could call it jumping and kicking while throwing their hands around, but it was definitely entertaining. G, the 8 month old, was recovering from an ear infection so while he was feeling better than he had the day before, he was still feeling bad enough that he wanted to be held most of the night. If that's what made him happy, I was willing to attach him to my hip. It worked out well until S didn't feel like telling me for the second time that he needed to use his little potty. Guess that was my mistake for putting him back in big boy underwear. Fool me twice, shame on me! And I decided he would be put in a diaper the rest of the night.
Once E and S were put in bed, it was time to get G to sleep. We spent a lovely time bouncing in front of the Christmas tree while I sang Christmas carols to him. It only took 5 carols until he couldn't fight the urge to stay awake anymore. Success!! Too bad I made the mistake of trying to put him in his crib, and we started the process all over. It didn't take nearly as long the second time, and when he woke himself up coughing, I figured why not go ahead and change the diaper. I learned while changing his diaper earlier in the evening G isn't a fan of the process, so his crying woke up S who thankfully fell back asleep after a few minutes. It was at that point that I was sitting in a chair next to S's bed rubbing his back while holding G in my arms giving him his bottle that I realized this must be an unbelievable amount of work when their parents are taking care of them everyday! After G was done with half of his bottle, he fell asleep on my chest. I was all for keeping him there while I watched t.v. until his coughing caused the milk he just drank to go all over my shirt. Since I had another shirt underneath, I took the milk covered one off and managed to take the clothes out of the washing machine to throw my shirt in with G in my arms sound asleep.
Being a slow learner, I suppose, I gave G more of his bottle after he woke up again. I really don't need to tell you what happened next, but my newly washed shirt was pretty much done in the dryer so I put him down, swapped shirts and proceeded to wash the new milk-covered one. Finally, G was out for the night, S only woke up one more time, and Buddy the dog just needed to be let out for a few minutes so I spent the last hour sitting in the chair watching "Will You Merry Me?" I gotta tell you, Lifetime and ABC Family in December is a wonderful way to spend my evenings!!
Thinking back over Saturday night, it's amazing to me that I got through it so well. Somehow my dream of a big family is still pretty firm, just slightly shaken, and I'm thinking I just might be able to handle it as long as I've got a good guy helping me along. Since their parents were nice enough to tell me they felt much more comfortable having me with the kids than previous sisters, I just had to say yes to keeping them this Friday. I'm a sucker for a compliment...and 8 month olds!!
The first 15 minutes went well until I realized that S, the 2 1/2 year old in the process of potty training, was not wearing a diaper like I assumed, but rather big boy underwear. I found this out as soon as I realized what was causing him to be so upset in addition to feeling abandoned by his parents. We got through that incident pretty quickly and things went pretty smoothly from there. E and S danced to E's Barbie radio, or I guess you could call it jumping and kicking while throwing their hands around, but it was definitely entertaining. G, the 8 month old, was recovering from an ear infection so while he was feeling better than he had the day before, he was still feeling bad enough that he wanted to be held most of the night. If that's what made him happy, I was willing to attach him to my hip. It worked out well until S didn't feel like telling me for the second time that he needed to use his little potty. Guess that was my mistake for putting him back in big boy underwear. Fool me twice, shame on me! And I decided he would be put in a diaper the rest of the night.
Once E and S were put in bed, it was time to get G to sleep. We spent a lovely time bouncing in front of the Christmas tree while I sang Christmas carols to him. It only took 5 carols until he couldn't fight the urge to stay awake anymore. Success!! Too bad I made the mistake of trying to put him in his crib, and we started the process all over. It didn't take nearly as long the second time, and when he woke himself up coughing, I figured why not go ahead and change the diaper. I learned while changing his diaper earlier in the evening G isn't a fan of the process, so his crying woke up S who thankfully fell back asleep after a few minutes. It was at that point that I was sitting in a chair next to S's bed rubbing his back while holding G in my arms giving him his bottle that I realized this must be an unbelievable amount of work when their parents are taking care of them everyday! After G was done with half of his bottle, he fell asleep on my chest. I was all for keeping him there while I watched t.v. until his coughing caused the milk he just drank to go all over my shirt. Since I had another shirt underneath, I took the milk covered one off and managed to take the clothes out of the washing machine to throw my shirt in with G in my arms sound asleep.
Being a slow learner, I suppose, I gave G more of his bottle after he woke up again. I really don't need to tell you what happened next, but my newly washed shirt was pretty much done in the dryer so I put him down, swapped shirts and proceeded to wash the new milk-covered one. Finally, G was out for the night, S only woke up one more time, and Buddy the dog just needed to be let out for a few minutes so I spent the last hour sitting in the chair watching "Will You Merry Me?" I gotta tell you, Lifetime and ABC Family in December is a wonderful way to spend my evenings!!
Thinking back over Saturday night, it's amazing to me that I got through it so well. Somehow my dream of a big family is still pretty firm, just slightly shaken, and I'm thinking I just might be able to handle it as long as I've got a good guy helping me along. Since their parents were nice enough to tell me they felt much more comfortable having me with the kids than previous sisters, I just had to say yes to keeping them this Friday. I'm a sucker for a compliment...and 8 month olds!!
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