Don't blog angry!

Everyone is ok now, don't worry. I didn't let her cry too long, went in and rubbed her feet and hair until she fell asleep.

End of My Rope

I am currently letting my daughter cry herself to sleep for the first time. I'm done tonight, I have nothing left to give. I am so tired I don't even care, how's that for honesty? I really am not a big fan of this but we have to start somewhere.

Oh Lord, help us all!

Books

I just finished reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. A friend gave it to me. It is a Christian fiction about a woman raised in prostitution in the 1850's. It is a retelling of the book of Hosea. I had only read one Christian fiction prior to this one and couldn't finish it was so bad. This one was better. I don't think the writing was excellent in Redeeming Love but a good story. Edifiying and a good escape.

I'm excited to start to read Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson. Thanks Jessica for lending me your copy.

I want to read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. A came across Kingsolver randomly in a bookstore. Blake and I were leaving for our honeymoon and were finding books for the plane. (Kingsolver is right by Stephen King, Blake's favorite). I got lucky because I LOVE HER and have since read a lot of her books including Animal Dreams, The Bean Trees, and The Poisonwood Bible. She writes a lot about family and environmental issues. Check out her site: www.kingsolver.com. Anyway, her new book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is "the story of a year in which we made every attempt to feed ourselves animals and vegetables whose provenance we really knew . . . and of how our family was changed by our first year of deliberately eating food produced from the same place where we worked, went to school, loved our neighbors, drank the water, and breathed the air."

I want to read this book but am afraid of the impact it may have on me. I may never want to shop in a grocery store again! Maybe it will at least inspire me to get a garden going.


Life's a Beach

Well summer is winding down as this week is Blake's last week before returning to school. I wish this meant the heat was going with it. We managed to have some summer fun this week and packed up the kids and drove to the "beach" at Skiatook lake. We had a nice time but "oh real beach vacation where are you when I need you?"

I'm so tired right now I'm a bit delirious and am currently inhaling a box of Junior Mints. Yummy. (Yes, the big movie size). The babies have been VERY needy this week. Smothered is a good word to describe how I've felt today. Gwyn won't let me out of her sight and Wilder isn't far behind. I think Gwyn must be teething because her nights have been hard. She also isn't a self-soother yet so once she's awake it's hard to get her back to sleep without laying down with her. I actually like the cuddle time but am just tired of going back and forth between two beds. Of the 1000 things I could think of to do this afternoon I think maybe 3 of them got done because my sweet daughter refused to take a nap [Kaci, your clothes are coming I promise]. However, I'm not complaining, we've had fun playing this weekend. Overall our weekend was good. We spent some fun time with my cousin's family (24/7 mom to the right) Friday night. Saturday we dropped the babies off with grandma and grandpa and ran errands baby free.

One of our errands was a trip to the 51st market by our house. A super flea market! I could have spent so much money on things I absolutely do not need. It was confirmed once again that this is one of my favorite things to do - rummage. I was on the hunt for potential craft projects and found two frames that I can mosaic. I have decided to try to participate in a craft show in October. I think this is a good goal to get me started working. I want to start making and selling artwork again.

"Really sis, this will be fun. Just hold on tight."

The girls at Kelly's wedding. (commentary coming)

Why my dad rulz

My dad recently completed 28 years working for Ford Glass. 28 years people! How many of us from my generation will be able to say that? The Tulsa Ford Glass plant was bought out so dad got his retirement a few years early. I thought it was pretty rude that he only received a few days notice for his final day. The reason for this post is to let him and everyone else know how proud of him I am...and thankful. You, dad, have set an example for all of us for what hard work looks like. You are truly the hardest working person I know. (Anyone who has seen his lawn would have to agree.) I am thankful for everything that was provided for me through your hard work. I hope you feel appreciated and honored for your committment to your job.

When we were young dad worked the night shift a lot. Dennis and I would come home from school and dad would be sleeping. We would try to be quiet but always couldn't wait for him to wake up. I don't know how much sleep he actually got, not much I'm sure. Usually as soon as he got up we would head to softball or baseball practice (he coached little league forever). He had to be tired! Having children of your own definitely makes you realize and appreciate even more how much your parents did (do) for you!

Thanks dad! I love you!
(pics are of dad and Wilder and he and I swimming at the lake)