I was driving toward Kroger, soaking up the sunshine, thinking about what a wonderful day it was and it hit me. I'm happy!
I had just spent almost 3 hours nearly freezing at church during my son's rehearsal for his Christmas pageant, but I also got to talk to one of the other mothers, with whom I'm becoming friends, and I had just decided we'd eat at Fuddruckers after our brief stop at the store. Life's not perfect but it is quite good!!
After Fuddrucker's (not sure the chili cheese fries were my best choice), my son and I took a walk and then sat down to watch "Frosty's Winter Wonderland" with the voices of Andy Griffith and Shelley Winters. I admit that part of the time, I just watched him.
Several times today, my heart just filled with love for him.
Anyway, then, we watched "Little Bear", one of my favorite cartoons, while I addressed Christmas cards for the Christmas card exchange on GCN (the Gay Christian Network). Several of us have decided to send cards to each other and the most fun thing about buying and preparing them was writing my new married name on the envelope and signing them with both our names.
I'm a newlywed! What can I say? :)
Anyway, I have just put him to bed and once again, I'm listening to Christmas lullabies.
About an hour and a half ago, I watched through the window in stillness and with a deep sense of contentment as sunlight gave way to dusk and then, to darkness.
It has been a really great day!!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
Christmas Music, Meal Planning
I am listening to our Christmas lullabies as I type.
Just a little while ago, I was reading more of the First Christmas, by Marcus Borg & John Crossan. It's a fascinating book, but there's a little bit of loss involved as we peel back the veil to uncover the mystery of the writing of the NT Christmas stories. I will write more about that as I get to the end of the book and do some reflecting.
Woven into our homeschooling this afternoon was earnest review of Jonathan's songs for the Christmas pageant.
We also took a trip to the new Target. I realized recently that Target had natural and organic food and for much less than I was paying elsewhere, so I figured I better go take a closer look. We came home with dinner! And a new appreciation for Target.
I would like to get better at meal planning.
When I was working two jobs, meals were often packaged and/or found at my mother's house! :)
Neither solution helped me learn how to put good-but-cheap organic meals together.
Though we eat meat, we don't eat a lot, so I need to plan carefully to make sure we get enough protein. And we no longer have a microwave, so I want to do more cooking, less heating up.
Once my wife and daughter are here, I think it will be easier. She likes to experiment, so I picture us both working together on meals. We've gone out a lot when she has visited in the past, but she likes to cook for me and says cooking together would be fun. I'm looking forward to it!!
Just a little while ago, I was reading more of the First Christmas, by Marcus Borg & John Crossan. It's a fascinating book, but there's a little bit of loss involved as we peel back the veil to uncover the mystery of the writing of the NT Christmas stories. I will write more about that as I get to the end of the book and do some reflecting.
Woven into our homeschooling this afternoon was earnest review of Jonathan's songs for the Christmas pageant.
We also took a trip to the new Target. I realized recently that Target had natural and organic food and for much less than I was paying elsewhere, so I figured I better go take a closer look. We came home with dinner! And a new appreciation for Target.
I would like to get better at meal planning.
When I was working two jobs, meals were often packaged and/or found at my mother's house! :)
Neither solution helped me learn how to put good-but-cheap organic meals together.
Though we eat meat, we don't eat a lot, so I need to plan carefully to make sure we get enough protein. And we no longer have a microwave, so I want to do more cooking, less heating up.
Once my wife and daughter are here, I think it will be easier. She likes to experiment, so I picture us both working together on meals. We've gone out a lot when she has visited in the past, but she likes to cook for me and says cooking together would be fun. I'm looking forward to it!!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Christmas Homeschooling
I am having a wonderful day!
Jonathan and I have been reading Christmas stories, listening to Christmas carols on a lullaby CD, and having a great time together. We took a walk and right now, we're listening to the CD and having quiet time (I insist on it now that he doesn't take naps!).
He just presented me with a drawing he titled, "Jonathan and Jesus". I had given him a picture to color that I'd printed off the Internet which had a manger scene with Jesus surrounded by animals. On the back, he added himself to the picture, standing beside the manger. So cute!
Naturally, I had to share pictures! :)
Jonathan and I have been reading Christmas stories, listening to Christmas carols on a lullaby CD, and having a great time together. We took a walk and right now, we're listening to the CD and having quiet time (I insist on it now that he doesn't take naps!).
He just presented me with a drawing he titled, "Jonathan and Jesus". I had given him a picture to color that I'd printed off the Internet which had a manger scene with Jesus surrounded by animals. On the back, he added himself to the picture, standing beside the manger. So cute!
Naturally, I had to share pictures! :)
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
A Witness to Healing
I'm working at home today in my healing practice, and I just had the most wonderful session!
One of those that I wanted to be sure to remember! I've been working with this client for two years now and I am so thrilled to see her really getting to the core of who she is. All of the blocks and filters and white noise and limiting beliefs, everything that covered up and hid who she really was has healed and cleared. All those cellular memories at the root of what she wanted to change have healed.
And I'm just so excited for her!!
This really is why I do what I do!
She had taken a break from working with me for a few months and when we met this afternoon on the phone, I could tell immediately that the clearing which had been taking so long was complete. Her energy was entirely different! And the things she was saying, her thoughts and feelings, were completely transformed.
I had to remind her of where she started because she was puzzled by my excitement for her! She'd forgotten, as we all do.
Plus, she's kind of feeling the void right now. The space between what has been healed and the transformation (in beliefs and understanding of who she is at the core) that is coming or is still settling in, so to speak. The void feels kind of empty, so it's understandable that she was not quite ready to celebrate. But I know what's coming for her (and I'm just thrilled about it!).
One of those that I wanted to be sure to remember! I've been working with this client for two years now and I am so thrilled to see her really getting to the core of who she is. All of the blocks and filters and white noise and limiting beliefs, everything that covered up and hid who she really was has healed and cleared. All those cellular memories at the root of what she wanted to change have healed.
And I'm just so excited for her!!
This really is why I do what I do!
She had taken a break from working with me for a few months and when we met this afternoon on the phone, I could tell immediately that the clearing which had been taking so long was complete. Her energy was entirely different! And the things she was saying, her thoughts and feelings, were completely transformed.
I had to remind her of where she started because she was puzzled by my excitement for her! She'd forgotten, as we all do.
Plus, she's kind of feeling the void right now. The space between what has been healed and the transformation (in beliefs and understanding of who she is at the core) that is coming or is still settling in, so to speak. The void feels kind of empty, so it's understandable that she was not quite ready to celebrate. But I know what's coming for her (and I'm just thrilled about it!).
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The First Christmas?
Dec. 4th...
Jonathan and I had a good homeschooling day today!
We spent part of it with the local homeschooling group in the Performing Arts Club monthly drama class. I watched them play and perform this afternoon and thought, "he is full of joy!". He was beautiful! (If I do say so myself).
Later we went for a walk around the apartment complex and I decided to talk to him about the Christmas story he's been learning as he prepares for the Christmas pageant. I have been reading a book called the First Christmas, by Marcus Borg. In short, it makes a pretty convincing argument that much of the Christmas stories, one in Matthew and a different one in Luke, were written as parables with the intention of making the point that Jesus was the Lord, the Savior, instead of Caesar Augustus or any other Roman ruler.
And I already had become much more liberal in my beliefs. I don't believe that the Bible is inerrant or infallible.
But this is the first time I've reconsidered the Christmas stories in light of this shift in thinking!
And I wondered what, if anything, to say to my 6-year-old son, Jonathan. As we walked, I decided to just make a brief comment or two about how sometimes people teach by making up examples that make a point ("if someone is hurt, you should help them", etc) and that point or lesson is important even if the story used by the teacher isn't true. Then, I said that the Bible does that, too, sometimes by using what's called "parables", and that it's possible that that is true even of the stories about how Jesus was born.
Yes, his eyes started to glaze over! :)
But I just wanted to plant that seed and move on and we did. We talked about what he has learned, so far, about the story. Who Mary and Joseph were, how Mary found out Jesus was going to be born, were Mary and Joseph able to get a room at the hotel?, what the angel told the shepherds, etc.
It was fun talking about it with him!
Jonathan and I had a good homeschooling day today!
We spent part of it with the local homeschooling group in the Performing Arts Club monthly drama class. I watched them play and perform this afternoon and thought, "he is full of joy!". He was beautiful! (If I do say so myself).
Later we went for a walk around the apartment complex and I decided to talk to him about the Christmas story he's been learning as he prepares for the Christmas pageant. I have been reading a book called the First Christmas, by Marcus Borg. In short, it makes a pretty convincing argument that much of the Christmas stories, one in Matthew and a different one in Luke, were written as parables with the intention of making the point that Jesus was the Lord, the Savior, instead of Caesar Augustus or any other Roman ruler.
And I already had become much more liberal in my beliefs. I don't believe that the Bible is inerrant or infallible.
But this is the first time I've reconsidered the Christmas stories in light of this shift in thinking!
And I wondered what, if anything, to say to my 6-year-old son, Jonathan. As we walked, I decided to just make a brief comment or two about how sometimes people teach by making up examples that make a point ("if someone is hurt, you should help them", etc) and that point or lesson is important even if the story used by the teacher isn't true. Then, I said that the Bible does that, too, sometimes by using what's called "parables", and that it's possible that that is true even of the stories about how Jesus was born.
Yes, his eyes started to glaze over! :)
But I just wanted to plant that seed and move on and we did. We talked about what he has learned, so far, about the story. Who Mary and Joseph were, how Mary found out Jesus was going to be born, were Mary and Joseph able to get a room at the hotel?, what the angel told the shepherds, etc.
It was fun talking about it with him!
Our First Wedding Card!
Dec. 3rd...
We got a "congratulations" card from one of my friends from college. Quite the thrill, I must say!
She also is part of a lesbian couple, and she wrote that she is really happy that I found someone and that she could tell how happy I am from the pictures.
And you know, I agree!! I have never seen either of us look so happy. I really think I'm the happiest I've ever been.
The other wonderful thing that happened today was that Jonathan made me a Christmas present and surprised me with it right before he went to bed! It's a flower arrangement made with those fuzzy pipe thingies.
Here's a picture...
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Wedding Gifts!
Shelly and I opened wedding gifts tonight--over the phone! :)
Not how I'd have wanted to do it, but still, it was wonderful. I received the gifts several days ago but wanted to wait for a moment when neither of us was stressed out or exhausted and could take our time talking about each gift we received.
I saved the gift tags and out them in my wedding scrapbook!
Anyway, we got an iced tea maker, a towel set and a bake set!!
Now, we have to decide on thank-you cards. We don't anticipate getting enough gifts for a pack of cards, so we may look for small sets or the kind of thing where we can order or buy the exact number we need.
Not how I'd have wanted to do it, but still, it was wonderful. I received the gifts several days ago but wanted to wait for a moment when neither of us was stressed out or exhausted and could take our time talking about each gift we received.
I saved the gift tags and out them in my wedding scrapbook!
Anyway, we got an iced tea maker, a towel set and a bake set!!
Now, we have to decide on thank-you cards. We don't anticipate getting enough gifts for a pack of cards, so we may look for small sets or the kind of thing where we can order or buy the exact number we need.
The Christmas Extravaganza Begins...
Dec. 1st...
I decided to celebrate Christmas every day this month, even if it's just in a small way. We have an advent calendar and both Jonathan and I were excited to be able to start using it today.
When I got up this morning, I had iced tea with an apple cider flavor :).
For our snack this afternoon, Jonathan and I had gingerbread cookies.
This morning, we raced through traffic to get to the rehearsal for the children's Christmas pageant. I had helped Jonathan practice and learn the songs yesterday and they commented on how well he knew them! My other proud-mom-brag-moment was about one of the songs. The choir director offered him a solo of the first two lines of one of the songs!! Now, Jonathan gets shy in front of people sometimes, so we shall see if he ends up actually performing the solo.
But I'm hoping so!! He did sound awfully sweet if I do say so myself!
After the rehearsal, we joined another mom and her two sons for a lunch and afternoon playdate. She treated us to lunch, which was so kind, and then, we headed downtown to the riverfront for the day's festivities, called Christmas on the River. It was wonderful to be near the water and walk under some trees and the kids seemed to have a good time.
The highlight for me was a table with native American art, music, and toys. The man sitting behind the table was playing a song on a wind instrument--I have no idea what the name of it was--but it sounded SO beautiful! It was a familiar love song, which I recognized at the time but cannot remember now. But it sounded just incredibly soothing!! I was kind of mesmerized.
Seeing the water was soothing also, which was good because the boys were quite rowdy!
After all that walking, and the afternoon's excitement, Jonathan and I were both tired when we got home. We practiced and learned "Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming", quickly ran through a few other songs, and then, curled up on the sofa to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas", which I had taped when it came on earlier in the week.
It was hard to make myself get up for dinner.
He's in bed now and I bet he'll be out like a light when I check on him.
This will be the first Christmas in many years that I won't have a retail part-time job (all of which are crazy during the holidays). So, I'll be poorer this year, but much happier! My church had a lot going on this season and I am thrilled that Jonathan and I will get to participate!
It could only be better if Shelly and Taylor were here, too.
Dec. 2nd...
"Advent's primary message is to wait, listen, get in touch with God, and prepare our lives and hearts for Jesus' coming. For speeded up, stressed out people (that would be most of us), this is an intriguing invitation. Observe Advent -- and get more in touch with God." ~~Upper Room
I just had my first moment alone today (it's 7:15pm) and let me tell you, it was precious!! I went out on my balcony and just breathed. I also did a little reiki, which I knew would be both grounding and soothing.
I've been irritable almost all day!!
I think it's because I was tired! I didn't really recover from yesterday before having to get up and do it all over again. And I couldn't get myself to go to bed until 3am, so I definitely didn't get enough sleep!
But there were good moments...
Jonathan and I did some healing work this morning because he was nervous about his Christmas pageant solo, and he did fine in choir practice when she asked him to sing it. I think my boy's gonna be a star!! :)
I made it to Sunday school on time and it went well. Next week, it's my turn to facilitate and I'm already nervous!
We had coffee hour after the service and I enjoyed that, though I was disappointed that they didn't have the chicken and broccoli casserole they usually have! Afterwards, I dropped by my mother's house and she was so glad we'd come to see her, even briefly. I've been wondering lately if she's lonely. I've tried to hang out there a little more and talk a little longer when I call her on the phone.
Jonathan and I had "pizza night" tonight, which is an occasional Sunday night tradition, and that was fun. But I was so tired by then, that I could hardly maintain conversation. Please God, help me take my tired self to bed at a reasonable hour tonight!!!
I decided to celebrate Christmas every day this month, even if it's just in a small way. We have an advent calendar and both Jonathan and I were excited to be able to start using it today.
When I got up this morning, I had iced tea with an apple cider flavor :).
For our snack this afternoon, Jonathan and I had gingerbread cookies.
This morning, we raced through traffic to get to the rehearsal for the children's Christmas pageant. I had helped Jonathan practice and learn the songs yesterday and they commented on how well he knew them! My other proud-mom-brag-moment was about one of the songs. The choir director offered him a solo of the first two lines of one of the songs!! Now, Jonathan gets shy in front of people sometimes, so we shall see if he ends up actually performing the solo.
But I'm hoping so!! He did sound awfully sweet if I do say so myself!
After the rehearsal, we joined another mom and her two sons for a lunch and afternoon playdate. She treated us to lunch, which was so kind, and then, we headed downtown to the riverfront for the day's festivities, called Christmas on the River. It was wonderful to be near the water and walk under some trees and the kids seemed to have a good time.
The highlight for me was a table with native American art, music, and toys. The man sitting behind the table was playing a song on a wind instrument--I have no idea what the name of it was--but it sounded SO beautiful! It was a familiar love song, which I recognized at the time but cannot remember now. But it sounded just incredibly soothing!! I was kind of mesmerized.
Seeing the water was soothing also, which was good because the boys were quite rowdy!
After all that walking, and the afternoon's excitement, Jonathan and I were both tired when we got home. We practiced and learned "Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming", quickly ran through a few other songs, and then, curled up on the sofa to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas", which I had taped when it came on earlier in the week.
It was hard to make myself get up for dinner.
He's in bed now and I bet he'll be out like a light when I check on him.
This will be the first Christmas in many years that I won't have a retail part-time job (all of which are crazy during the holidays). So, I'll be poorer this year, but much happier! My church had a lot going on this season and I am thrilled that Jonathan and I will get to participate!
It could only be better if Shelly and Taylor were here, too.
Dec. 2nd...
"Advent's primary message is to wait, listen, get in touch with God, and prepare our lives and hearts for Jesus' coming. For speeded up, stressed out people (that would be most of us), this is an intriguing invitation. Observe Advent -- and get more in touch with God." ~~Upper Room
I just had my first moment alone today (it's 7:15pm) and let me tell you, it was precious!! I went out on my balcony and just breathed. I also did a little reiki, which I knew would be both grounding and soothing.
I've been irritable almost all day!!
I think it's because I was tired! I didn't really recover from yesterday before having to get up and do it all over again. And I couldn't get myself to go to bed until 3am, so I definitely didn't get enough sleep!
But there were good moments...
Jonathan and I did some healing work this morning because he was nervous about his Christmas pageant solo, and he did fine in choir practice when she asked him to sing it. I think my boy's gonna be a star!! :)
I made it to Sunday school on time and it went well. Next week, it's my turn to facilitate and I'm already nervous!
We had coffee hour after the service and I enjoyed that, though I was disappointed that they didn't have the chicken and broccoli casserole they usually have! Afterwards, I dropped by my mother's house and she was so glad we'd come to see her, even briefly. I've been wondering lately if she's lonely. I've tried to hang out there a little more and talk a little longer when I call her on the phone.
Jonathan and I had "pizza night" tonight, which is an occasional Sunday night tradition, and that was fun. But I was so tired by then, that I could hardly maintain conversation. Please God, help me take my tired self to bed at a reasonable hour tonight!!!
This blog may be temporary...
I have a family blog on Ivillage.com, but it is inaccessible at the moment. Once all the repairs have been made, I'll leave word here :).
In fact, the address for it will be http://www.myfamilyblog.ws but there's not much to see there, right now. Major renovations needed!
In fact, the address for it will be http://www.myfamilyblog.ws but there's not much to see there, right now. Major renovations needed!
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