gonna be a long week and other random musing

Just as I predicted, the week P is gone hiking in UT, M starts working on her upper teeth--well, I'm pretty sure that's the case, anyhow. Fussy for no seeming reason, Tylenol helps, etc.--all the usual signs.
I just don't know how single moms do it. I've only been sans hubby for 2 days and I'm already going nuts. Even just the few minutes here and there of relief he provides from a 5 year old who can't.stop.talking or giving the baby her bottle when my hands are full, well, I'm grateful.
To top it all off, I'm super low energy, having been diagnosed with walking pneumonia the day before he left. I can tell the superdrugs are working since I can breathe a little deeper without it hurting now, but the lung capacity is still lower than usual and it takes more energy to walk up and down the stairs, much less carrying an 18+ lb. baby chubbette in my arms.
Laundry is trying to take over the house. Can't seem to make it go downstairs by itself either. Gathering up L's laundry is like a scavenger hunt. I don't remember what color the carpet in her room is these days. I try to get to pick up a bit every night before bed, but it just explodes again during the day.
I am so anxious about L's first day of school. She's super excited--it's my own childhood anxieties surfacing that make me nervous. You know, the old mess-up-in-school-and-flush-your-life-goodbye sort of worries. We got a Tinkerbell backpack and a Barbie lunch bag, all the other usual school supplies. Then we had fun decorating her pencil box with jewel stickers and glitter letters for her name. We bought her a first-day-of-school outfit, though what she'll decide she wants to wear that morning is anybody's guess. Can't wait to see how she does. I think she'll have a great time and love being with the other kids and learning new things; she's certainly a smart girl.

Camp Nostalgia

I spent last week in service to my presbytery by volunteering as Bible study leader for a week of church camp. It was fun to get away for a while. It is a rustic camp which is the kind I grew up attending, so it was great to have that bit of nostalgia. It was interesting watching the dramas unfold and remembering my own time as a counselor (and being glad I wasn't the one doing it then). I met wonderful children and wonderful staff. I met a nearby minister-colleague's daughter-- a smart, lovely college student and all around beautiful young lady. I think it weirded out a few of the college students to realize that the 'Adult, Reverend, Bible Study Leader Lady' had less than a decade on them. (I also think that most of the other adult, reverend, bible study leaders this summer had been on the brink of retirement and had come the week that their grandchildren were participating.) All around it was a good time. I am glad to be home and back in my routine and with my family again.
Speaking of family... while I was away, we got a new member. P decided that our kitty Push was lonely and so we got a kitten. They actually seem to be getting along fine after only a week. Don't have any photos yet, but I'll post some soon. We named her Starbuck. No, not after the coffee shop, after the Battlestar Gallactica character--the new series, not the old one. She's as much of a spitfire as her namesake.

Overheard today...

From L:
Dear Shove and Jesus,
Jesus make Shove's body feel better so he can be happy.

(She has been 'writing' letters to Shove and Jesus all day today. She found some of my stationary and put the 'letters' in the envelopes. She doesn't quite understand that Shove won't be coming home. It's breaking my heart.)

You can call me Reverend

Well, it's official as of today. I am finally ordained. It was a wonderful service. I couldn't have had better folks on the commission. My father was here to give the sermon. My mom and sister are here as well and they are all staying for a few days to visit. My in-laws were able to drive down and stay for the service and then went home again. I'm in one of those small churches where about 75% of the people can come down for the laying on of hands, including my mom and P. It was really amazing. My dad presented me with the cross that he'd worn for the entire time he was in ministry and made pretty much the whole congregation tear up. It couldn't have been better. As if I didn't have enough surprises, a couple from the church that sponsored me when I first became an inquirer back in IN was in town and came to present our church with a peace candle that has been passed from church to church, beginning in Russia many years ago. They were able to take pictures and well-wishes back with them, and for that I am very grateful.
In other news, P had to leave today, but had a good interview for a job while he was here. We're hoping to hear from the place this week to know if he gets an offer or not. So, pins and needles around here, waiting to hear if P will be able to come up here sooner rather than later. We all miss him lots. Send your prayers for positive news on the job front.
L is wired from getting to see both families of grandparents and her aunt and uncle and Daddy all in one week. Not to mention all the presents and new things to read and play with. So much excitement!
Lots going on. I'm looking forward to a few days off to spend some time with my family of origin and maybe do some retail therapy. Hope everyone has a wonderful new year!

Vacation=Relaxing??!!

Ah, this weekend begins the marathon vaction spree. We leave early, and I mean early, on Saturday to drive all the way to MD to see the in-laws. My darling P is what I like to call a "trip Nazi." There is a schedule, it must be adhered to at most, if not all, costs. Grumpiness and surliness ensue if this does not occur. I believe he intends to make the 14+ hour trip in one day. Did I mention our daughter is in the midst of potty training? I have a feeling this is going to be a rather tense trip. We will return, also in one day, one week later. Six days after we return, P working a full work week, we will begin our trek to my parents' place where we will all rent a minivan and begin our 2-day trip to Canada. We will spend those 5 days trying to recover from said trip, which usually takes till day 3 or 4, and then we will actually be relaxed for one or two days, and then make the trip back again. All with a potty-training almost-three-year-old. Thank God there will be family around to help! Am I looking forward to it? Sure, most of it anyway. I am very lucky to have wonderful relationships with both my own family and my in-laws. Will MIL hover and ask me a hundred times a day if I'm all right or if I'm sure of whatever decision I've recently made? Sure! But she means well and just wants everyone to be happy and she likes me and doesn't mind that I've married her son. And for that, I'm very grateful.
Well, I need to start preparing, at least mentally, for the trip. Ciao for now!

The Blessings of Family

I keep getting emails from people whose names I heard all growing up but can never quite put faces with. Turns out Dad is contacting everyone he knows in the PC(USA) to tell them his little girl is looking for a call. It's really nice to know I have that many people looking out for me. Kinda flattering really, though I know it's really more for love of him than me. Still, I have even gotten a couple of good leads that way.
My MIL was here over the weekend. She was so much help just entertaining L, that I actually got some time to myself. We all went to the opening weekend of the Renaissance Festival which was a great time. It was nice to go do something together as a family that we all actually enjoy doing. L is just old enough now to like the little petting zoo they have and some of the brightly colored costumes and the music. We'll go back at least once, probably on Highlands weekend so P can wear his kilt. MIL bought me a beautiful blown glass vase from a man who we've seen do demonstrations on several occasions. I'm excited to actually have a piece of his work.
On a totally different note, L read her first word today. "Zoo." She didn't actually sound out the letters, but she recognized it after reading it over and over and over and.... well, if you've ever read to a two year old, you know. That was pretty exciting and I had to tell all the grandparents. They were all suitably impressed and very proud. Me too.
P is gone all this week and part of next to Albany, GA, on a job. I really hate these long trips, especially when they encompass a weekend. He hasn't had one in a long time, so I guess I won't complain too much. At least not yet; I'll save that for closer to the weekend.