Peace Out

I think it is time to retire this blog and start a new one. I have blogger ADD. I'm ready to purge this one. A Drastical Vagabond journey has not ended, at all. Unfortunately and fortunately all mixed together! But like all good preggo women do, I need to clean house, nest and make room for baby #2.

A new blog to come very soon!

"Do they know God?"

"Mom, what are you reading?"
"I'm reading about Neel and his trip to Uganda."
"What is he doing in Uganda?"
"Well, he helped fix a tin roof and he is spending time with the people there. Loving them like God would love them."
"Do they know God there?"
"Well, some do and some don't. Just like at home. Not everyone knows how much God loves them, so it is our job to let them know. And, the cool thing is that God is so big, and His love is so big that He can love all of us at the same time."
"Do the kids have food?"
"Yes, but not as much as we do. This is why we need to be super thankful for what we do have. And, we need to not waste things, and try new things."
"Are they sick?"
"Some are. And there are kids near home that are sick too. The best thing we can do is pray for them and pray that they will feel God's love."
"What else are you reading?"
"About a boy named Ben who does not have any money for school but now is working on a pig farm (not the total correct details)."
"A pig farm, that is crazy! What else are you reading?"
"That when the people go to church they sit on the ground, they don't have chairs."
"Like at Windy Gap?"
"No honey, more like going to church in a barn and sitting on the dirt."
"Who is there?"
"Jack, Neel & Sarah. Do you think we should pray for them?"
"Yes."
She almost fell asleep mid prayer. Our eyes were filled with tears our hearts exploding with joy and amazement on her 4 year old grasp of who God is. To think, that at 16, I spelled Jesus wrong. At 4, Charlotte is concerned with others knowing God. I am not saying this to brag, but more as encouragement to me and you to have the childlike questions, innocence, and faith of a child. A question can lead to a simple prayer that can make a lasting impact.

www.ekissa.blogspot.com

Bad Time Management & the Patience of a 4 year old

Okay, so I've done this twice in a week. I've run to the grocery store "real quick" so I won't arrive somewhere early, only to arrive 15 minutes late. Today it was at the expense of swim lessons. I felt terrible. I ran to the grocery store, bought a bunch of refrigerated foods, picked up CZ, and had to run it to the fridge before we headed to swim lessons. I left the store at 4:30, swim starts at 5. What an idiot. I felt terrible.

"Charlotte, I'm so sorry, we are going to be really late for your swim lessons. I made a bad decision."
"It's okay mommy, it happens, it happens. What was the bad decision?" Charlotte asked.
"Mommy had bad time management. I just went to the grocery store, and I should have gone later," I explained.
"Like after swim lessons, that would have been better. But that's okay mommy, we will still be friends. Don't worry about that. These things happen. Next time we will go after. I will still get to see my swim teacher some and my new friend. It's okay mommy."
"Thanks sweet girl. I'll try and make a better decision next time."
"Mommy, I hate to tell you this, but don't drive crazy because the police man might get you. I hate to tell you things like this."
I was speeding. But, I adore my little rule follower. She is so thoughtful and meticulous sometimes. In some ways a lot like me, but not in this way.

We had 7 whole minutes of swim lessons with Mr. Kenneth. And, 30 extra minutes of playing with her "new friend" Noufal (from Indonesia). I had good conversation with his cute mom and had a good reality check of not being selfish with my time. And, CZ said she had "so much" time with her swim teacher and her friend.

Now a few notes on swim lessons....she is loving it! And, getting so much better. CZ is definitely not scared of the water, but also just the right amount of fearful. She gets right in and bobbs around. These are what I see as the accomplishments: completely floating on her back without help, with a noodle she will float on her back and kick the entire length of the pool with a little help, she will kick in the not too deep part (it seems like she is afloat/swimming) but she could still touch, she tries to get toys off of the bottom of the pool (even if she uses her feet so she doesn't have to go all the way under...working on that). And, my favorite part to watch was her playing with her new friend as they threw balls, made up new games, laughed, and talked about Max & Ruby that she watches at Ama's house. Her new friend is in first grade, but they were cute together. I'm proud of her and she is having fun. Last note, she LOVED loved LOVED having Grandpa take her twice last week. It was neat for them to have something special to do together and she adored their time together.

I liked this day...

A family day, and it was sweet!
Starbucks started it off :) Pig tails
kept my baby young. Valentines
made it creative. Friends added fun.

Friends

Friends at 2 & 4:

You chase each other around. You want to sit close to each other and you may even hold hands, while eating. Your eyes stay fixed on the other. On play days, you wake up excited to see each other. Occasionally you hit each other. "Work it out, be nice to your friends, don't tattle, or hit 'em back," is our grown up advise after a few times of playing ref.

You are starting to help each other and watch out for each other. Quick story (that is better coming from Ben) Out to a chick-fil-a dinner with your daddy's you are bribed with playing on the playground. There were too many obnoxious older kids there (one to which daddy Ben had to exchange some words with) that were intimidating. Carter got to the top of the playground and started crying and wanting down. CZ told daddy to go get him. Obviously that wasn't going to work. CZ has only been up to the top a few times, she is pretty timid on playgrounds most of the time. Daddy said, you are going to have to go up there and help Carter get down. Charlotte had a stressed look on her face, let out a big sigh, thought about it, and then went up to help her buddy down. What a feat for Charlotte and what a cute friendship. Up and down the slide they then went. Together.

You adore each other. It is sweet. Just stay like brother and sister, okay?

Be My Valentine

Today, I am excited to get to hang out and create art with 13 high school gals that I adore. Gals that I taught a year ago to six years ago.

My heart feels a little lighter after creating art. I always harp on "art with meaning" is always going to be more successful when I talk to my students. I truly believe this. But, having said that, sometimes it is hard to articulate the meaning behind art after it is complete. The art just seems to exist better as that, art. And, I believe art and a prayer can exist together too.

30 weeks preggo confessions

I have eaten over a case of oranges.
I drink caffeine coffee daily, just once daily.
I am dehydrated, I don't think one glass of water is cutting it.
I drink wine when offered, but only one glass.
I take my prenatal vitamins as frequently as I took my birth control pills.
I can devour a bowl of strawberries drenched in sugar.
Famous Amous cookies make my day, each day at noon, on the dot.
I'm begging for a Greek student to bring me baklava.

This kid is so strong. I love his kicks and stretches, even if they come over my ribs,
wake me up, or cause me to make very strange facial expressions.

I love my little hot pepper.
Squirming, jumping, kicking, strong.

I am enjoying being pregnant, for now :)