1.31.2011

Monday's Child

49 Weeks


Violet sits entranced by Daddy's vacuuming skills. Does she look tired enough for bed yet? We've had a couple late nights, including one at Grandma's when this little munchkin got to stay up until 10 p.m! But the grandparents were having such a good time, no one wanted to be the first to shut their eyes.

We spent the weekend in Peachtree City so I could go to book club (first time without Violet... awesome!) and celebrate my birthday with all the folks. My mom cooked a big lasagna lunch, Lee Anne made red velvet cake, I got some fun new things (clothes, stuff for the house... these days it's the necessities that get me excited!) But perhaps the best present was getting to drop Violet off with my in-laws while I got some shopping done and enjoyed book club. Now that Violet is crawling, watching a movie while running defense just isn't possible, especially at someone else's house. I was really able to relax and enjoy my time with my favorite girls, even though it meant leaving my girl behind. We had actual adult conversations with each other! And they weren't about the baby! It was refreshing. Of course, I promised to host next month so Violet can once again be the star attraction - what can I say, my pals love her!

Today when I picked Violet up from daycare, I stood on the other side of the half wall and watched her play before I announced my presence. It is so nice to see how much fun she has there when I'm not around. She was so busy with all the toys, standing up and walking with the push toys, playing happily by herself. Sometimes I wonder if she really is okay there, but moments like that reassure me that she is.

30th Birthday Press Release


From my dad:
"Stine, here’s a bit of exaggeration and hype and make-believe fun from a doting dad, wishing happy birthday to a gorgeous daughter.

Frank and Berit Fortunato are pleased to announce the 30th birthday of their daughter, Kristine Fortunato Loughman. 

Thirty years ago Kristine let the world know that she was in charge, and ready to take on life with vigor. Her nine months had arrived and she was still in the dark womb. It did not take long for this eager, restless, take charge baby to move into action—kicking in morse code the words  “Now, Now.” Exhausted, she started coughing and swallowed fluids. The doctor moved into quick action, removed her surgically and placed her in an incubator for observation. Not knowing what had gone on, and discovering her in the incubator, her father sent urgent messages around the OM world asking for prayer for her. From every continent, people started praying for this little one. Heaven responded, and kept her alive and in answer to all those prayers she was endued with remarkable skills that blossomed from the start. Not everyone has the privilege of entering life with prayers from around the world focused on them.

Her early years were spent on a mission ship. When asked about her father’s role as the ship director, she wisely knew to protect his security and identity before hostile journalists, and answered “he reads books.” When probed further, she replied: “he drinks coffee.”

Kristine’s next chapter was in New Jersey in the mid-eighties. Here she discovered play dough, and obsessed with creating works of art. She made some of the world’s most original and stunning replicas of amoebas, knee caps, and used soap bars. On a walk with her father, a policeman pulled up in his police car and asked her if she knew the name of the man who was walking with her, holding her hand. Knowing she could send her father to prison as a child molester, she protected her father yet again, and simply stated: “his name is Daddy.”

Moving to Georgia, Kristine started re-discovering her special skills and take charge vigor. She won a prize for the most books read over the summer. It is reported the number of books was just under 10,000 volumes. Owing to years of being home schooled under the careful tutelage of her world-class mother, Kristine entered public school and breezed through middle and high school never having seen anything but “A’s” on her report cards. She graduated with salutatorian honors. Ever the savvy one with money, she knew how to stretch her allowances, and early on became an amazing financial planner. Rumors are out there that she loved buying Starbucks, one per year.

Into her collegiate years Kristine was ever the take charge wonder woman. Again her report cards were saturated with “As” despite the fact that she was in a very demanding journalism school. She graduated with high honors. It was during her college years that her take charge craft resulted in her planning and staging a series of break downs in her apartment, pulling out wires, smashing fuses and the like, hoping the men in a nearby apartment would come to her rescue. Sure enough, before she put into place her ninth breakdown--set the house on fire--she met and married the man of her dreams, Matt Loughman.

As she entered the workplace, she landed a job at a “Ma-n-Pa” local newspaper and had to work during all holidays, work without sick pay, record the length of bathroom breaks, and the like. That did not hinder her from writing prolifically for the newspapers and managing a classy woman’s magazine.

Ever the take charge woman, she decided to both get a master’s degree while arranging to start a family at the same time. Knowing she brought in the world a new generation of an eager, take charge newborn, she had to decide between naming her Violent or Violet. She settled on the latter. From all indications, it appears the newborn is a chip off the old bloc, and the new “blog.”

Reflecting back over thirty years, her parents are bursting with joy and pride to watch how she has become a mighty, gorgeous, intelligent, delightful, skilled woman, bursting with life and the life of the party. How could it be anything less as she entered the planet under the canopy of people from across the planet praying for her from day one. We are eager to see what’s ahead for  the next 30 years in the exciting life of this wonderful woman."

When you put it that way, Dad, turning 30 doesn't seem so bad!

1.29.2011

Eat Your Heart Out

I've hinted a little bit about the challenges that have come along with Violet's graduation to self-feeding. Usually I hint at it in frustration after a particularly unsuccessful meal, so I wanted to wait and write more when I wasn't in the midst of a meltdown. Feeding is actually going a little better these days, although each sit-down occasion is its own adventure.

Back in the days of breast-feeding, then bottles, then the quest to get Violet eating rice cereal, then our gradual introduction to various new baby foods... back in those days, I didn't realize how good I had it. My girl was an eating machine - there was no food she wouldn't suck down with gusto, even the nasty smelling green beans or puke-colored mixed vegetables. Violet just liked getting the spoon in her mouth with all the new flavors. I mentally congratulated myself. My plan to be the mom who refused to let my child be a picky eater was working perfectly. Still, I longed for the days when she would be able to feed herself. Ah, to be able to sit down to my own dinner with having to turn every few seconds to stuff a spoon in Violet's mouth! Freedom! I could almost taste the sweetness!

Our battlefield.

I've always said my kids will eat what I put in front of them. I'm not going to let them get away with wanting the crust cut off their sandwiches. They don't get to eat mac and cheese every day or refuse anything green. Nope, they'll eat what we eat and they'll like it! My neighbors have provided an excellent model to this effect - when we all eat together, the kids' plates look pretty much like ours. Even if they choose not to eat it, that's their issue. They go to bed hungry. There is no catering to their whims. And as such, these kids will try everything! I think it's great - hopefully they'll grow up with a palate for all kinds of food.


However, as I have discovered painfully in the past, life doesn't always run by my playbook. We'd introduced finger food here and there, to mixed results. Crackers were a hit, veggies not so much, and so on. But after New Year's, I'd had enough of baby food. No more! I declared. It's all real food from now on.

No, it's not a chicken wing like I first thought. Pizza crust.

It's been a long, trying, uphill battle. And I do mean battle. Meals have turned into wars and all parties come out covered in food. Sometimes there are tears. Sometimes those tears are even Violet's. Tensions can run high, bad words are choked on before they leave our lips, spoons are wrestled from fists, complaints are issued with gusto and the floor... well, I can't even talk about the state of the floor (and keep in mind, we eat in other people's houses multiple times a week - we are not the easiest of guests).

I know we shouldn't make food something to fight over. But it's hard when Violet won't eat! Sometimes it just takes patience - the first day she tried pears, she flung them with disdain. The next day, she chewed them and spit them out. Now she sucks them down. But with other food, she seems to take great joy in giving me a sly grin and then flinging fistfuls to the floor. (Is it terrible that I'll just pick it up and put it back on her tray? Otherwise there wouldn't be any food left for her to eat! The girl could probably toss an entire rotisserie chicken to the floor before a single bite ended in her mouth!)

Our compromise now is that she gets all finger food on her plate, but I'll usually offer a jar of baby food at the end of the meal. I figure, if she's really hungry, she'll eat it. Most times I let her hold the spoon, too, so that if I'm stuck feeding her, at least she's also learning a useful skill. We're making slow progress. I still get frustrated, especially on evenings when I think she's eaten so well, only to pick her up and discover her entire meal sitting in the high chair. Bath time has been bumped up from a few times a week to almost nightly, due to the large quantities of food in hair. But we are definitely making progress. I guess we just have to keep plugging along, knowing someday we'll look back on this and laugh. Recently Violet has enjoyed lasagna, peas, peaches, fish sticks, tortillas, a whole bevy of tastes and textures.

But ah, I'm still looking forward to the day when she can truly feed herself. And use a napkin.

1.28.2011

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood...

One year ago today, the doorbell of our new house rang and there on the steps stood my two neighbors and their four boys. I had no idea how big a part of our lives they would become. I hoped for good neighbors, the kind I could borrow a cup of sugar from, people who we could call friends and not merely wave at as we drove by. Little did I know that they would become such wonderful friends, my support system, the people I call in the middle of the night to ask ridiculous favors that are always accepted, the ones I turn to for advice on everything from child-rearing to home repair. We are surrounded by two of the most generous, caring families I have ever met. Through them I got a job, we've inherited millions of baby toys, and we cook and eat dinner together every week. They were an answer to a prayer that hadn't left my lips yet, and I am thankful every day for them.

On our way out of daycare today, we passed my neighbor A. on her way in. Violet was so excited to see her, the girl practically jumped out of my arms to get to hers! I love that they love each other.

Also, some of you might wonder why I don't post pictures of this dear crew or mention them by name much... Well, this is my blog that I splash all over the internet. They haven't asked to be a part of it, although they inadvertently are, since they are a part of my life. And while they might not mind, I choose to respect their privacy by limiting how much of their lives I share.

1.25.2011

Staying Up Late

Remember yesterday's speech about being sleep deprived? Well, I have no one to blame but myself (and Violet, just a little bit). Friday night we stayed out late having a karaoke marathon at the neighbors. It was fantastic. I forgot how much I love belting out show tunes, especially around people who also love belting out show tunes. We covered the gamut from Les Mis to Britney, with a little Journey thrown in for good measure. Excellent. I sang so much my throat hurt the next day!

Speaking of the next day, Matt and I were off to respective bachelor/ette parties, so Mimi came up to babysit. I'm not sure who had more fun, my mom or Violet! Mimi  indulged Violet in one of her favorite activities ever - riding in her car! Matt and I are way too lazy to pull out the car, because once Violet catches sight of it, it is game over for the next hour. She cries if you try to take her off. But Mimi could spend hours pushing her around the house and Violet took full advantage!

Aw yeah, I'm sitting in my car.

Sunday morning, my mom graciously stuck around to watch Violet again while Matt and I went to church together. I wanted to see if Matt would like Perimeter Church as much as I do. If so, we could have a new church home. And.... success! While we're not about to sign on a dotted line or anything, we both really enjoy the feeling we have at Perimeter. For such a gigantic church, it actually feels very warm and close. Next up, taking Violet to the nursery there (although my mom actually offered to drive up here on Sundays to watch our girl - what a grandma!)

Anyway, all that to say, we had a jam-packed weekend, and the next two look to be just as busy. Do you know what happens next week? I'm not sure I'd call it a cause for celebration but I'm hitting my own milestone: 3-0. Let's talk about it later.

You're thirty, I'm flirty!

1.24.2011

Monday's Child

 48 Weeks


I started making Violet's birthday invitations this year. Apparently I'm more crafty than I thought, because I just couldn't bring myself to buy any of the ones I found online. So homemade we shall go! Also, as an aside, Michael's sells everything! Need edible eyes for your cupcakes? Want brads that look like musical notes? Just have to have a cake pan in the shape of, well, just about anything you can think of? Yep, you've landed in the right place. I don't think I'll ever be one of those super crafty moms that open their own Etsy store and handmake everything from clothes to candles, but it's nice that I can tackle something like a birthday party with relative confidence. (I also am not one of those moms who is going crazy over a kid's party, so don't expect fireworks or pony rides or anything... yet.)

Violet is cutting a new tooth, which might be the reason my friend was up at ten till five this morning. Considering my alarm was set to go off 40 minutes later, the rest of my night's sleep was pretty much done. I honestly don't know how I'm getting by these days... I keep going to bed later and Violet keeps waking up earlier! At some point one of us is going to have to break the cycle. At least the tooth seems to be the culprit, which means an end is in sight. But just in case, perhaps I should sign off and get in bed early tonight.

1.22.2011

Eleven Months

11 Months

 
We are just one month away from a year. Amazing. I'm really digging this age. She can get around, she's affectionate, she's still relatively portable (example: last night the neighbors threw a joint birthday karaoke party for me and A. and we just took Violet along, she fell asleep in the pack n' play, we partied the night away, then walked home - perfect!). She's so expressive these days, too, whether she is cracking up at herself or spitting her food out in disgust. Violet has no poker face, just like her mama. I am loving this girl!

1.19.2011

Long Legged Guitar Pickin' Man

Those Johnny Cash lyrics might be prophetic:
 
Well I'm gonna start out walkin' just you wait and see
Uh-huh guitar picker you ain't leavin' without me


Are those guitar fingers I see in the future?!


Someone's a Daddy's Girl...

1.18.2011

Around the House

Violet takes a snack break in the kitchen. Note to self - sweep floors.

The drool is back.

Captivated by Baby Einstein - farm edition.

1.17.2011

Monday's Child

47 Weeks


Today I started making a to-do list for Violet's birthday party, and just the writing the words "birthday party" was so surreal. I cannot believe she is going to be turning one in just over a month! Crazy. The day Violet was born was the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. But those moments just keep coming.  Yesterday I asked where her baby doll was, and she brought it straight over to me. Then I told her the baby was hungry and could it have some food, so Violet quickly "fed" it one of her plastic groceries (french fries, if my memory serves me). She gives kisses on request, waves bye-bye whenever someone leaves the house, and wore her first real pair of shoes today. Soon she'll be walking, talking, running, singing and it will be strange to remember the days when she couldn't do any of those things. For now, we're just enjoying every minute.

1.16.2011

Resolution Sunday: Promising

So I am finally heading back to work tomorrow, after a long absence. Who knew a little snow would leave us stuck at home for a week! It's been a good time, though. Violet has really been a sweet girl, playing so nicely with all her toys and pulling up on just about anything. Oh, and did I mention we bought a fabulous new TV and blue-ray player over the weekend?

And speaking of good times, Matt and I finally took advantage of daycare's Parents Night Out option and had ourselves a fabulous date night! We headed out with our neighbors to a fun little place, Kozmo, where we wined and dined the night away. It was nice going out without worrying about Violet. She was in a familiar place, with people she knows and friends to play with. Hopefully we'll be taking advantage of Parents Night Out in the future!

So after last night, I wasn't sure I was going to make it to church today. For one thing, my friends from last week all bailed, so I knew I'd have to go alone. Plus I hadn't figured out where I should visit this week. I got my friendly little accountability text from K next door, and in it she suggested I try Perimeter Church. Matt looked it up for me, and the deal was sealed when I saw the website's tab called "attire" that gave me permission to wear jeans. So my jeans and I set out alone this morning and... I loved it! Perimeter looks HUGE on the outside (I almost got lost in the parking lot, for crying out loud) but the sanctuary was quite manageable. Everyone I asked for directions (I'm telling you, the place is really, really big) was super friendly. The nursery looked nice and there were a ton of kids running around. The worship was awesome, exactly my style. I didn't feel like the band was performing or putting on a show for the audience (a big gripe of some other big churches I've been to) and they had the perfect mix of praise songs and even threw in a couple hymns for me! The message wasn't a glossy little run over the scriptures, but was an in depth look at the Bible passage, broken down verse by verse. I liked the pastor and his style. And even though I was sitting there by myself in the massive sanctuary with its glowing floor-to-ceiling windows, surrounded by thousands of people I didn't know, I didn't feel alone at all. I'm taking Matt back next week to get his opinion and then we'll put it to a democratic vote. I'm excited to go back!

1.14.2011

Night Night

One thing that we are blessed with is that Violet doesn't have much difficulty going to bed. Is it the books I read, the "schedule" we implemented? Is it the routine we follow? Who knows. But even when she was smaller, I had a five minute limit on letting her cry it out, and rarely did she ever take the entire time period. I would sit at the top of the steps outside her room, waiting for her to fall asleep (too lazy to keep running up and down... I would just take a book with me and wait).

Right now, our bedtime routine involves a bath (about every other night... again, too lazy. Yikes, I'm starting to make myself sound bad!), putting on pj's, getting a bottle, and then going straight into the crib, usually half awake. Once in her crib, Violet rolls herself over and conks out, generally before we've even left the room. Once she's down, I breathe a sigh of relief and get on with my evening, confident we won't hear a peep out of her. Gone are the nights when we tiptoed around, holding our collective breath that she'd stay asleep and let us have a few minutes to ourselves.These days, we know we're good to go.

Ah, the good old days of sleeping anywhere, anytime.

So imagine my dismay when my normally great sleeper suddenly started waking up in the middle of the night. For a while there, Matt and I were both getting up at least once and stumbling upstairs to find a distraught Violet sitting up in her crib, wailing to herself in the dark. This is the problem when your child can sit themselves up - they sit themselves up! I don't know if she can't figure out how to lay back down or what, but the minute we would appear in the room, the cries would turn desperate and generally we'd be suckered into picking her up and bringing her downstairs to our bed.

A word about this. Letting your child sleep in your bed is a terrible habit to start. And habits form very quickly at this age. After three nights in a row of this behavior, I knew we were in trouble. But it's so hard not to pick her up when she's so sad (and we're so exhausted).

Still not listening....!

So I'm opening the floor for any advice you might have. In my weekly baby development email, this past week was all about napping (Violet's terrible napping skills will have to be addressed in a separate post) but it did include the tidbit that whenever babies approach a big milestone (learning to crawl, pull up, etc) their sleep patterns might get disrupted "temporarily". (And wow, that weekly email is tracking perfectly with Violet's development! Spooky!) She's definitely getting the whole pulling up skill down pat, so perhaps that's what the sleep issues have been all about? I don't know.

Things have gotten slightly better over the last few nights. We're down to only comforting her twice a night now, we haven't had to rescue her out of the crib in a few days, and last night she was back asleep before Matt or I even made it all the way to her room. I'm hoping we're getting over this hump, because it's one thing to be up all night when you're snowed in and have nothing better to do during the day, but with school back in session come Monday, these parents need some sleep!

In your dreams...

1.11.2011

Snowed In

Still snowed in!


Remember the last time it snowed like this?
Snow Days, February 2010
Yup, that would be me and my pregnant 38 week face.


Little did I know, I had just days to go...

Riddle Me This

What's Black and White and Cute all over?



These Girls! 
(And our matching track suits, courtesy of Old Navy sales.)

1.10.2011

Snow Day

4 and 1/2 inches, according to my very scientific measurements.
Getting ready to sled down the hill with Daddy.
They made it! Violet had a blast and kept pointing to the sleds to go again!

My snow baby...


And... she gives up, surrenders, finally takes a nap.

Monday's Child

46 Weeks


I never imagined taking these weekly pictures would get so difficult! Snapping a good one now is like capturing a wild animal on the move!

We are enjoying a prolonged weekend, thanks to Snowpocalpyse 2011. It started really coming down around 11 p.m. last night, so instead of doing the sensible thing and going to bed, Matt and I stayed up and drank spiked decaf and watched the snow fall from our bed. Naturally, Violet decided that 4:30 a.m. was a great time for a wake-up call, so I'm thankful we have a lazy day ahead of us. 
 
Last night...
This morning...
This morning while we ate breakfast, Violet pointed straight at Matt and said "Dada". I think it's the first time she's been so obvious about naming him. She's taking a nap now, and perhaps later we'll get her all bundled up and venture out into this winter wonderland of ours. Stay warm!

1.09.2011

Resolution Sunday

Well, I finally did it. A week late, but I have officially put my New Year's Resolution in motion. Operation Find a Church is underway!

Flanked by two of my trusty neighborhood friends, I checked out Johns Creek United Methodist this morning. I like the Methodists. I was married by a Methodist minister. So it seemed like a good place to start my hunt for a new church home.

Now for the controversial part - I left Matt at home with Violet to attend the service. I figured it would be easier to really focus on the experience if I wasn't sweating the fact that my child was probably creating havoc in the nursery during the service. I might continue to let Matt babysit until I find a church I feel good enough about to bring Matt back with me. I need his input - after all, it will be his church too. But for now, it's easier to let Matt have some daddy-daughter time while I forge ahead on this mission.

I don't think they really missed me this morning...
Now, for the church review. Johns Creek United Methodist is a lovely church. The building is nice, large but not too overwhelming. They seem to have tons of activities, a bustling nursery and Sunday School program, lots of groups and dinners and opportunities to get involved throughout the week. Everyone seemed very nice, there were tons of kids, the infant room was full of toys (and they will call your cell phone if your kid starts freaking out during the service!) There was a large orchestra that played the worship, one of the pastors had a nice humorous streak. All pros.

However, it was a bit more traditional of a church than I am looking for. We only got to sing three songs, all hymns. (Keep in mind that none of the things I'll mention are necessarily negative, just perhaps not exactly what I'm used to or seeking for myself. For example, I love hymns. The music is majestic, the verses are beautiful. But I love a good, rocking praise song as well.) Everyone serving the service (pastors, choir members, childrens choir members, etc) was dressed up in their official robes. There was a lot of pomp and ritual (and I'm generally a sucker for that kind of stuff) but for some reason I wasn't digging it completely. I think the problem is that I'm comparing this church to my last (and dearest) church, and this one came up short. I'm going to have to try and approach this experience with a blank slate. My two friends really enjoyed the service (they lean towards the more traditional) so perhaps we'll all go back, our husbands in tow, to check it out again.

While I did some church shopping, Violet went on her own shopping spree.
However, I'm just glad to finally be back at church on Sundays! It was definitely an awesome experience to be getting back into a service, singing, hearing the Word... I have missed it, and I am remembering how important a part of my life it is. So, until next Sunday...

1.06.2011

BFF

Violet has a new best friend... She doesn't have a name yet, but I can tell they are destined to be close for a long, long time.

When I went to check on Violet at our New Year's Eve party, this was how I found her...


I was reading about how this is the age when kids adopt loveys, blankies, whatevers, and start getting very attached. I'm wondering if we're seeing the start of just such a relationship. Apparently, forming a bond with a lovey shows that a child has developed "inner strength and resourcefulness," to quote my weekly baby development email, "qualities that come from being well-nurtured by a loving parent." Plus, I just think it's cute that Violet loves her new friend.

1.05.2011

Nanny Nanny Boo Boo

My favorite part of this picture isn't necessarily the tongue sticking out, it's the very subtle middle finger she's flashing us.

"I'm in the chai-air and you're-er-er no-ot!"  - Marla  

1.03.2011

Monday's Child

45 Weeks

Striking a pose.
 Violet had an awesome day today. She got to stay home all day with Grandma while I dragged myself back to work. Lucky! She is getting to be such a mover and shaker. The girl is pulling up like a pro and loves to stand. If you hold her hands, she'll even march herself across the room on her wobbly little legs. She is also very attentive. Today she got a drink of water out of Daddy's glass, and it was bye-bye sippy cup! She only wanted to drink from our cups. Yesterday she refused to sit in her high chair because she wanted to be sitting at the big boys' table for dinner. Only when she was plopped down next to them would she eat something. In fact, eating is our biggest challenge these days, but that's another post.

On a side note, can you believe I'll only be taking seven more of these photos? Then Violet will be a year old! I think that's a good time to retire Monday's Child... she's getting awful ornery when it comes to posing for the camera. Ah, the good old days when all Violet could do was sit in her boppy and smile at the camera!

1.02.2011

Sunday One: Fail

So... I meant to follow through with my resolution today. I really did. K, my next door neighbor (and self-appointed accountability partner when it comes to my church shopping mission), texted this morning to see if I was going to set out to my first church of the year. Alas, I was forced to text back and tell her that I would be failing my resolution just two days into the new year, because... Matt and I spent the night in the emergency room.

You know that stomach bug that's been going around? The 24-hour one with nausea, vomiting, other unpleasantness like that? The one I had earlier this week? Yeah, it caught up with Matt with a vengeance last night. Within a matter of hours, he was so dehydrated his hands were starting to go numb. So at a quarter to midnight, I called my neighbor and asked if I could leave Violet with her while I took my hubby to the ER. Thank God for my neighbors. A. met me at the back door and helped me get Violet to bed in her son's crib. And she was awake and waiting at 3 a.m. when we got back and I snuck over to pick up my sleeping bundle and bring her home. I can't imagine how much more trying the night would have been had I needed to drag Violet from her snug bed into the bright sterile lights of the hospital.

Anyway, Matt got an IV and some meds and has been slowly recovering on the couch ever since. My mother-in-law, who was planning to come up tonight anyway so she can babysit Violet tomorrow (I go back to work but daycare is closed) came up a few hours early to help me take care of my two sweet babies. Thanks to her, I was able to clean the house, do laundry, make spaghetti sauce and meatballs for dinner tomorrow.

So I failed my first Sunday, although I think I get a pass, considering the circumstances. And there's always next week! I even know which church to start with, and I have a shopping partner! A. and I are going to leave our kids with our hubbys and visit churches together - she wants to find one, too. (I've decided it will much easier to find a church without spending the entire service waiting for them to call me to the nursery to pick up my inconsolable child.) K. has promised to send more harassing texts to make sure I'm sticking with my mission. I'll let you know how it goes!

1.01.2011

Resolutions

So do you make New Year's resolutions? I normally always do. And I have a theory. The best resolutions are measurable. Sure, everyone wants to exercise "more". But how to you measure that? The resolutions that work best are the ones that involve specifics. One year I made a different resolution for each month. You can do anything for a month, after all! One month I gave up soda, one month I made it a goal to floss every day. Some months worked out better than others, but it made for an interesting year.

This year, my goal is to find a church. I really want to have a church home. I think it's important for Violet that she grows up in a church-going family, so that going each Sunday morning becomes second nature, a habit. And it's important for me, for our marriage, that we find a church where we can get involved and build relationships. We moved around so much in the past, it was hard to find a church. By the time we finally found one we liked, it was time to move on! But now that we have our house and are putting down roots, I think the time is finally right. I know it won't be easy - I have a lot that I look for when it comes to a church. And it will take a while to get in the habit of going each week, giving up my lazy Sunday mornings to make it to a service. But it's important. And it's my goal this year.
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