Give Thanks for the Beach

Here are some photos from our trip.

I really enjoy Eden at this age, but, man! she doesn't travel well. She's at the point where she can't just sleep the whole trip, but she can't entertain herself either. She got pretty frustrated with being in a carseat for 6 hours. Being at the beach was a breeze, though. she was an angel and there were plenty of willing helping hands to hold her and coo.

We got a date night, which was extremely nice. We talked about our childhoods, told stories the other one hadn't heard and reminded each other of fun times while we were dating. It almost felt like we didn't have a child and were newlyweds again. So nice... but so nice to know there was a sweet baby back at the condo.



I participated in my first "jumping on the beach" picture. Always wanted to do one, never have, until now.

Looking ahead

We got our double stroller in the mail today. We ordered it a couple of weeks ago in preparation for the new baby. It could have been a time for tears and dwelling on our loss. Instead, I was excited... excited about the one who would fill that second seat next year. Thank you God for hope in place of despair and for joy instead of sorrow!
I went to the doctor today to get checked to make sure everything was safe and going as it should. My body began cleaning itself out on Friday and today everything looked great. Everything's still not finished, but it's all downhill from here and no surgery needed. Another answer to prayer. We have to wait three months to conceive and I'm to continue to take my prenatal vitamins since we plan to try as soon as we're allowed.
I'm already excited about trying again. I really thought I would be emotionally tender and cautious about trying again for months, but I want that little one that I know God wants us to have. I'm excited for what He's got planned.
We leave for Destin on Wednesday without a worry. It's so appropriate that this week's theme is Thanksgiving because that's what we're doing. God has seen us through and given us amazing grace. He is so good!

Vacation

As I wait for my body to take it's course, my thoughts turn to our vacation to Destin for Thanksgiving. I think even though we just took a vacation, this one will be much needed. I have so much to be thankful for and I am so glad that I do not have to live in despair and bitterness over recent events. I am excited to go be with people that understand our circumstances and care about our family. I am hoping for some relaxation and emotional renewal.

This is where we will be staying. There's a wonderful outlet mall right across the street and lots of good food to be eaten. Now that I have no food or drink restrictions, you'd better believe I'll be taking advantage of all that's offered!

Dance, again...of course!

I think this West Coast Swing is soooo much better than what they could be doing at their prom. I love the music. I love the skill and practice it takes to accomplish this. I love the partnership. There's just so much about it that's better than booty shakin'.
Enjoy!

Chocolatey

I love it when the world tells the truth. I think it's so fascinating when the songs they sing, the metaphors they use and the stories they invent tell the real story.


For example: The new Axe Body Spray commercial where the guy is made of chocolate... He obviously wants girls attention and in previous Axe commercials there're almost always clothes coming off and who-knows-what happening behind closed doors. So, with that premise in mind, he leaves to go about his daily business and throughout the day, women are licking him, taking bites out of him, sometimes he's tearing parts of himself off to make them happy, and eventually, his whole arm is ripped off. The whole time, he has a huge smile on his face an a vacant look in his eyes.
I think this is a perfect metaphor for what happens when we give ourselves physically (not necessarily sexually, but that too) to people in order to feel loved or to feel fulfilled or just have fun. At the end of it, we are not whole. We have hunks taken from us, devoured by others. Many people get numb to this or just assume that it's the only way for them to feel accepted, so they actually seek it out, giving parts of themselves away to entice.
This commercial could have been an excellent Christian short to show in a Sunday school class or youth group. The world often does a better job, a better quality job of putting these things together. Christians seem to always be ripping off the great ideas of the world. But, that's another blog.

An exerpt from www.angelmother.blogspot.com that I enjoyed... and should be able to relate to soon enough.

Grocery shopping was easy when it was just me and Hannah. If I got the timing just right, she slept the whole time. When she was six months old she would bounce to the tunes Kroger muses its customers with. Now that she is a boundless toddler and has a sister that wants to follow every footstep, grocery shopping is no longer a fun trip - for Mom. Don't get me wrong, it is very entertaining; and I get my fair share of excercise. I'm either pushing the cart as fast as I can with two toddlers strapped in the toy car attachment that (thank goodness) Kroger provides. Or I'm constantly nagging my oldest to stay by Mommy while trying to keep my youngest from jumping out of the cart.Today was extra hard. Both my girls are recovering from colds. Juliet seems to be regressing, however. She cried the entire time and Hannah just wanted to help. So, she helped and helped and helped. She's a good little helper. Sometimes a little too eager filling my cart with all sorts of things. Sometimes I don't find them until check-out. "Don't need this, don't need this, don't need this...what IS this?"Today Hannah ran away from me a lot. Before she got away from me the FINAL time she told me she was just "looking for something to eat". Then she bounded down the beer and wine section. Well, she's not gonna find it there I thought. Hannah exclaimed aloud, "Oh, I found beer. I just want beer. Look at all that beer!" There were a couple people down that isle shopping for a meal accompaniment I presume. Eyes glanced at Hannah and then at me. What in the world do you suppose those people thought? I suddenly became self-conscious. There I was in a tank, no make-up, a bourgeoning belly, a crying 17 month old and a 3 year old who wants beer. I asked if she wanted pizza with it, scooped her up and walked away. I didn't care. I thought it was the funniest thing. I didn't think I had to explain that I'm not a negligent parent. And I didn't feel like I had to go into this long speech about why only adults drink beer. Better to ignore it I thought.

Update

I thought I should update some things that I've blogged about in the past.
Our church:
We were asked by the pastor the first Sunday we went to please attend at least 9 times before coming to a conclusion about the church. We haven't been anyplace else yet. He clarified why 9 times this past Sunday. He said he had no idea, just seemed like a good odd number that would stick in peoples heads. There you go. That's our down-to-earth pastor for ya. Yes, he still adds syllables at the end of words when he gets passionate and, yes, it still distracts me....but he is passionate. And he is bold. And I appreciate those qualities. I don't have to like his sermon style (very scattered, many bunny trails) or his speaking style to know that he's preaching truth in a time of rampant deception. He's not afraid to step on toes and he loves it when someone feels convicted to change. He's also not afraid to be real and come to a costume party with buck teeth and a ponytail-hat. *scary*
New friends:
I'm still hanging out with that same group of chruch mommies, although the numbers keep thinning. There are only three of us left now, which is sad. I do really enjoy that time and look forward to it every Thursday, even if it's just me and one other mom.
As for friends through the Spouses Alliance, that's not going as well. The Friday playdates haven't been consistent and I've neglected to go to several functions for one reason or another. The Bible study never happened and now, it's kinda awkward to think about getting it started. Maybe something will change in January.
Our house:
We're still not unpacked completely. A few boxes and random piles of stuff have found their home in the hall closet where they are easily ignored. There is still painting that needs to be done. I started the trim in the Master, but never finished and the original plan was to do the trim in all the bedrooms. Then there's also crown moulding to put up. We really need to do that in the next few months or else I'm really gonna start feeling guilty about the nice saw my dad bought us specifically for that project. The fireplace needs a good professional cleaning. We need trees removed from the yard. We need to landscape. I need to figure out how Eden and Dolce are both going to be allowed in the backyard once Eden starts walking. No one goes out there now, so no one has to watch thier step, if you know what I mean.
The town:
We like Jackson. We'll see if, in five years, we can build enough memories to where we might miss it when we leave. Of course, I always miss the people from the places I leave, but the places themselves... not necessarily. Jackson has all we need (except Einstein Bros. Bagles and Moe's and Macy's and Whole Foods). We'll be able to take some neat road trips while we're here. Memphis, Natchez, New Orleans, maybe more. I think it will be a unique time for us to explore a part of the US we might not have bothered to. We still love our neighborhood and our neighbors. Nothing is more than 15 minutes away and most things are 5 minutes away or less. Atlanta can't compete with that. There's lots more in Atlanta, though, that still has us looking forward to when we can make our permanent home there.
The Y:
I have continued to love the opportunity to take a class every day, if I like and be able to get an hour or more away from Eden by utilizing thier childcare. As my pregnancy progresses, I'll be taking advantage of their Fit Pregnancy classes and the option of swimming. That's gonna be SWEET when the summer heat rolls around again and I'm feeling like a whale. I found out that I still haven't taken a Zumba class. Yeah, the instructor that teaches the classes that I've been to is certified, but he doesn't like the Zumba material or music, so he just makes up his own stuff using his Latin dance knowledge and Latin music. So I've really been attending a basic Latin dance class for individuals. hmph! I haven't been recenlty, because it's too early in the morning for me to drag myself out of bed. I feel drugged whenever I wake up, either in the mornings or from a nap, so it's extra hard to get moving.
Teaching:
I've completed my four class series with Salsa Mississippi on Ladies' Styling. They've asked me to continue with more classes in January. I also attended a local community ballroom event hosted once a month by Magnolia Ballroom. They've asked me to do a workshop and exhibition in January as well. Yea for teaching and for extra cash!
I think that's about it. Anything I've missed??