Sounds Like Life to Me

I just have not been feeling well today. I went to sleep at a decent time, before 11 I'm sure, and slept fairly well for most of the night. Aidan actually stayed in his bed from about 730/8 until 5 AM. WOW! Then when he came in my room at 5, he did not want to go back to sleep :-( He just had a difficult time settling back down and that caused Kaitlyn to also wake up. I was trying to get him to sleep back in his bed, but it wasn't working, so I just brought him back into bed with me. Buggs finally feel back asleep probably around 6 and we got up again around 8 or 830. I then got one of the worst headaches I've ever experienced. Not sure why...I took some medicine and a bath and it seemed to work for a little. However, it is back now :-( I took some of Kaitlyn's FLU medicine, so I don't want to take headache meds and over medicate. UGH, I just hate feeling like this. I will definitely be going to bed early tonight.

Work is going swimmingly! I really, really like my job. It is pretty easy right now, but at the same time I am learning a lot. While filing/scanning documents, I am able to read them and learn about the different type of legal documents, pleadings, discovery, etc. I've also had the opportunity to draft & send some letters. I've been told a few times that I am doing great, and my boss even requested for me to get a work email address. It is only three of us in the office and I love that. I don't feel pressured by a lot of people to do a lot of things and if I don't' get something, I feel very comfortable asking for help....after I try to figure it out on my own. Most of the time I'm right, but I like to get reassurance since I'm still new.

The kids are doing great also. Kaitlyn really likes her new school. I miss her old school, but I do like this one. Aidan is finally adjusting to his family day care. I love that he's with a small group and it is in a home. I originally wanted him in a center, but I think this is working out better for him. He really craves individual attention at times.

I'd like to post more about my job and a few other things, but this headache is killer. Just wanted to get a little update out there.

Still reading "The Time Traveler's Wife" and "Crazy Love." I highly recommend both.

Bloom

So I joined an online book club. It was started by Angie & Jessica. It is called Bloom and the first book is "Crazy Love." I just received it yesterday and I haven't started it yet. I am hearing great things about it, so I am ready to jump in and start reading it. For anyone interested here is the button:



Crazy Love blurb from amazon.com

"Sometimes I feel like when I make decisions that are remotely biblical, people who call themselves Christians are the first to criticize and say I'm crazy, that I'm taking the Bible too literally, or that I'm not thinking about my family's well-being. . . When people gladly sacrifice their time or comfort or home, it is obvious that they trust in the promises of God. Why is it that the story of someone who has actually done what Jesus commands resonates deeply with us, but we then assume we could never do anything so radical or intense? Or why do we call it radical when, to Jesus, it is simply the way it is? The way it should be?"

Book Club

My friend, Andrea, had the great idea to start a book club. I've always wanted to be part of a book club (I'm a dork, I know), but never took the initiative to actually start one. The group is 6 ladies (including myself) and first met while I was out of town. They decided to start with My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I was thrilled because I looove Jodi Picoult. The first book I read of hers was Nineteen Minutes which is fabulous. I love the way she intertwines the legal system with social issues. She is a phenomenal writer and her books are what really got pushed my interest in law.

Last night we got together and really didn't talk much at all about the book that we had all read. It was great fun! One thing we all agreed on was that we can't wait to see the movie.

I liked the book. I thought it was slow moving in some places, but overall I was impressed (as usual) with Picoult. I'm not going to spill the beans about the book since some might want to read it or see the movie. I'll just say that it is very moving and for me as a mother to more than one child, it was eye-opening. The book does a good job of showing the consequences of focusing solely on one child and not on all the kids equally.

I look forward to our next meeting. We are going to be reading Jane Austen.

Classics, yay!

We are getting a compilation of all of her works. We will be starting with Sense & Sensibility and going on from there. I've always been interested in reading Jane Austen, especially after watching The Jane Austen Book Club and I'm sure we'll watch some of the movies that go along with the books. I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't read any Austen or seen the movies. I have read other old English books though, not to worry.

I'm not that un-educated!

Twilight

AGH, I just made a whole post on the book/movie and it got deleted!

Anyway, I am obsessed. I bought the book from SAM'S a few days before Christmas for about $4 thinking that even if I didn't like it, it wouldn't be a big waste. I had not heard of the book, or the author (Stephenie Meyer), before the movie came out. I was not expecting to fall in love with everything about the book. I was not expecting to be completely absorbed with teh book that my life revolved around it for a few days.

Seriously. When driving to MS to visit my dad & family for NYE, all I wanted to do was pull over and read on the side of the road. I even dreamed about characters in the book. Crazy, I know!

As soon as I was finished reading "Twilight," I HAD to see the movie and I was eager to read the rest of the series (a total of 4 books). My SIL is also OBSSSED and bought the 2nd & 3rd books on CD. She has also seen the movie. When the kids & I went to hang out at her place for a night before I was going to head home, she loaned me "New Moon" & "Eclipse" (2nd & 3rd books, respectively)! I was super excited, especially since I had a 10-12 hr drive home in 2 days. We also decided to go see the movie after we got the kids to sleep (MIL watched them).

I LOVED IT! I LOVE IT! Of course no movie ever really measures up the book. And this was no exception. There were things here and there that were left out or altered, and to be honest, if I hadn't just finished the book, I probably wouldn't have noticed. I get that it is impossible to include every single detail and still have a movie that is 2 hours long. I was very pleased with all aspects of the movie. The set, the actors, the script....I could go on!! In fact, I want to see it again. And again. And again. And buy the DVD and watch it again...and again...well you get the picture!

I started "New Moon" when I left my SILs house and listened to it on the way home. It took me the drive home and another day to finish the book. Loved it! I wasn't as absorbed, but I"m not sure if it was the book itself, or the fact that I was just listening to it and not reading it myself. Stll, I can't wait to see the moive and I'll probably buy the book and read it (again).

Now I'm about 1/2 way through "Eclipse" and it is also provoking dreams about the characters (mostly Edward & Bella). I'm eager to purchase this book and will read it also. Betsey is supposed to send me the last disc of "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn" when she's finished, but honestly, I'll probably just buy them.
It takes her a bit to send things, and she's pretty busy at the moment (more on that later).

It has been so long since I have become so wraped in a book and it's amazing! I really look forward to reading more of Stephenie Meyer's books and to seeing the rest of the movies!

I never know what to write. I love reading others blogs. I just don't know what to say :-)

Sunday was nice. We went to Sunday School & church with the L family. K absolutely loved Sunday School and was so excited to tell me what she learned about. Baby A was good, and the ladies who watched him in nursery fell in love with my little man. That's not hard to do!

I liked how what we talked about in Sunday School and what the preacher talked about fit into life. We talked about not repaying evil with evil and rejoicing with others, specifically when you do not want to. I like the church and am planning on continuing to go. I only wish that Matt was open enough to the idea of going with me once he returns. I get that it might not be his thing, but I would like him to compromise with me and go at least one time. We'll see...

This has been a rough week for our home. Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday nights Baby A was very restless and kept us (K & I) up for part of the night (well, early morning really). Turns out that he has his first ear infection :-( K slept late Tuesday, so she didn't make it to school. We did enjoy a nice day together though.

Tuesday night we went to Prayer group. No-one else showed up, so it was only me & A. It went nicely, and it was my second time praying aloud in front of another person. It went easier this time than last (which was last Thursday). I've learned how to just let go and not think about what I am going to say. It's been refreshing and freeing.

After Prayer Group, the kids & I went to a Pampered Chef party. It was fun. I got to meet some new ladies and eat some yummy food. I ended up buying (this evening) a bamboo bowl, bamboo cooking utensils & bamboo serving utensils. They are pretty cool and weren't expensive. I can't wait to get them!

Wednesday I went to Bible/Book study at A's. We are reading "Finishing Strong" by Steve Farrar. The book was written for fathers, but can be applied to any one's life. I'm finding it very enjoyable & educational.

From Barnes & Noble's website:
Bestselling author Steve Farrar has good news for the average man: it doesn't matter if you've had a great start in the Christian life, or a rough one. It doesn't matter if you've stumbled time and again, or even fallen flat on your face. What matters most in this all-important race of life is how you finish. According to Farrar, the man who hangs in there for the long haul with his wife, his kids, and his Lord is an exception these days. Finishing Strong, now in trade paperback, offers lively use of Scripture, contemporary illustrations, and study questions to equip every reader to be that exception. For the man who wants to climb the character ladder more than the corporate one, this is an essential tool.

I've only read the first 2.5 chapters but would definitely recommend it to anyone.

We discussed the first two chapters. Well, I mostly listened as the leader talked & A referenced things from her life. I'm looking forward to next week. I need to finish chapter 3 & move on to the next part of the book.

Then, Wednesday night, we all went to church. Baby A to the nursery & K to children choir (though she says they didn't sing). She then went to Mission Friends, where the kids help do things for missions. A & I went up to the Youth Church & prayed with some older women. It was nice. K was talking about how thankful she was for certain things on the ride home. It was cute. She was thankful for America and our Flag, Grandma & Papa, Daddy, her toys, etc. Very sweet.

Thursday Baby A was screaming upset while dropping K off at preschool. So I decided to take him in to the DR. Verdict: Ear Infection. But I caught it early, so he's doing fine. He slept much better last night and has some good naps today. We got some groceries and headed home after preschool & the Dr.

Today I had a coffee meeting with some other key callers of E Co. I met a nice new wife and the kids got to play in the area at the mall. It was nice to talk to the wives and let the kids play. We left when Baby A started getting cranky for his nap. He was soo good. I can't believe he is going to be 11 months in 2 days!! WOW! He's always disliked Tylenol, and he never had to take it much. Well, he was prescribed an antibiotic for his ear infection, and you'd think I was feeding him poision! I've tried three ways so far to give it to him. In the morning, I am going to try to put it in his yogurt. K always took (and liked a little too much) her medicine, so this strong will against the meds is new to me. Ah well, we'll get past it.

Tomorrow, if the kids are feeling OK, we are goign to head to the park for the local book festival. I also have laundry & homework to get done.

Matt is doing well. I haven't heard from him today though :-( I've talked with him most everyday since he's been gone, so I guess I shouldn't complain!