Men are not natural multi-taskers, so I hear. I began to agree with that statement until recently. I've often called myself a multi-tasker, but I've always assumed that my capacity to do that had more to do with my upbringing. I enjoyed my childhood, but there is no question that organization, obedience, and achieving tasks were all big deals in our home. I like being active, so being active and fulfilling my requirements at home required multi-tasking. I continued multi-tasking through college. Since then I've gradually decreased my tasks and, therefore, became less a multi-tasker. Now, with eight weeks until my semester ends, I find myself almost constantly multi-tasking. I don't think it's really a great thing, either. Even when I don't have to, I find myself doing many things at once. Sometimes I've even found myself thinking about three or more things at a time, even in my "down" time or personal time. Am I becoming a chronic multi-tasker?
LE
04 March 2009
26 January 2009
20 January 2009
Nothing Original for Today
There is nothing original in a post mentioning President Obama today. I can't help but post anyway because I can't shake the thoughts and inner pondering I'm sorting through. It seems to me that, for better or for worse, we're all learning a significant lesson today. Will we, the Church in North America, see it? Will we be so concerned that he is unlike us that we'll dismiss this God moment, or will we ponder the significance of what is unfolding before our eyes? Will the southeast US (and some Canadians I know who would do well there) be able to support this leader and see how God might use this man, or will their own agendas cloud their perspective? What about my agenda? Do I really get it? I'm not sure, but I am excited. What a unique day!
LE
LE
13 January 2009
Survival Mode
I am rarely intimidated. Even when I feel intimidated I am not easily bent out of shape. Today feels a little bit different to me, though. Today I am intimidated.
When I look at my life in the next fifteen weeks I see Intimidation personified in my mind. It stands before me in my mind's eye wearing a black suit, a white shirt, and a black tie. Its shoes are shiny and reflective. Of course I notice the shoes because I can't look Intimidation in the eye. If I did, I would be horrified. Eyes, a window to the soul, would simply be dark spaces an the otherwise expressionless face of soul-less intimidation. So, there I stand, staring at the shoes, watching my reflection stare back at me. I've tried looking up, but Intimidation blocks the way, so I can't see past it very well. So, I look back in the shoes.
Funny, though, how the picture changes as I stare. The longer I stare into the shiny shoes, the clearer things become. I am almost resigned to entering survival mode when I notice something bright behind me. It is the reminder of Hope. I am not alone in facing Intimidation. Natasha is there. Roya is there. My close friends are there. So is my church family. There are even a few people there that I'm surprised to see. It doesn't matter how big Intimidation looks, I can't shake this feeling that Hope is here. I'm surrounded by people - and by Hope. No matter how scary Intimidation can be, I remember that the One who is in me is much greater than Intimidation. "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world."
Take that, Intimidation. Take that, survival mode.
LE
When I look at my life in the next fifteen weeks I see Intimidation personified in my mind. It stands before me in my mind's eye wearing a black suit, a white shirt, and a black tie. Its shoes are shiny and reflective. Of course I notice the shoes because I can't look Intimidation in the eye. If I did, I would be horrified. Eyes, a window to the soul, would simply be dark spaces an the otherwise expressionless face of soul-less intimidation. So, there I stand, staring at the shoes, watching my reflection stare back at me. I've tried looking up, but Intimidation blocks the way, so I can't see past it very well. So, I look back in the shoes.
Funny, though, how the picture changes as I stare. The longer I stare into the shiny shoes, the clearer things become. I am almost resigned to entering survival mode when I notice something bright behind me. It is the reminder of Hope. I am not alone in facing Intimidation. Natasha is there. Roya is there. My close friends are there. So is my church family. There are even a few people there that I'm surprised to see. It doesn't matter how big Intimidation looks, I can't shake this feeling that Hope is here. I'm surrounded by people - and by Hope. No matter how scary Intimidation can be, I remember that the One who is in me is much greater than Intimidation. "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world."
Take that, Intimidation. Take that, survival mode.
LE
21 December 2008
No Internet?
I used to make fun of people who didn't have the Internet at home. I thought, "That sort of person still exists? It's insanity!"
Then our home computer crashed. Actually, it died. There is no hope for resurrection either. We lost our capacity to get online at home, so our personal time online has taken a nosedive. You didn't notice? Well, you can believe me.
What this means is that we're now a satellite-free, cable-free, Internet-free, newspaper-free home. Yes, we live under a rock. If it weren't for CBC radio, I'm not sure I'd remember what day it is!
LE
Then our home computer crashed. Actually, it died. There is no hope for resurrection either. We lost our capacity to get online at home, so our personal time online has taken a nosedive. You didn't notice? Well, you can believe me.
What this means is that we're now a satellite-free, cable-free, Internet-free, newspaper-free home. Yes, we live under a rock. If it weren't for CBC radio, I'm not sure I'd remember what day it is!
LE
19 November 2008
Irony
I haven't had a good irony in awhile. It's a shame really. I finally got one today.
Background info: The forecast for today called for cloudy skies, 40% chance of rain, possibly snow in higher terrain, highs 5-7.
I woke up this morning, prepared to go to the Valley. I thought, "You shouldn't go." I ignored it.
As I prepared to go I thought, "Pack an overnight bag." I ignored it.
I drove to the Valley in the rain with a little snow mix, but only in higher areas like...the airport?...Windsor?.... Oh well, I ignored it.
I sat through one class very happily. I sat through another and looked outside after it was all over. I was no longer happy.
It looked like a snowstorm, but I wouldn't believe it. Even when I walked outside in it, I didn't believe it. Even when I left town, got on the 101 and drove as far as I could before stopping and crashing at the home of a generous couple who gave me their card in case this ever happened. It was the only phone number I had on me, and I'm glad for it! The radio said there were three inches of snow on the highway in Mt. Uniacke, traffic was backed up from Halifax to Wolfville, and it wasn't supposed to stop for a bit. Then they said, "Turn around if you can. Some of these people don't have winter tires on."
The irony: My winter tire appointment is tomorrow morning so I have them on before the big storm that's coming this weekend.
Background info: The forecast for today called for cloudy skies, 40% chance of rain, possibly snow in higher terrain, highs 5-7.
I woke up this morning, prepared to go to the Valley. I thought, "You shouldn't go." I ignored it.
As I prepared to go I thought, "Pack an overnight bag." I ignored it.
I drove to the Valley in the rain with a little snow mix, but only in higher areas like...the airport?...Windsor?.... Oh well, I ignored it.
I sat through one class very happily. I sat through another and looked outside after it was all over. I was no longer happy.
It looked like a snowstorm, but I wouldn't believe it. Even when I walked outside in it, I didn't believe it. Even when I left town, got on the 101 and drove as far as I could before stopping and crashing at the home of a generous couple who gave me their card in case this ever happened. It was the only phone number I had on me, and I'm glad for it! The radio said there were three inches of snow on the highway in Mt. Uniacke, traffic was backed up from Halifax to Wolfville, and it wasn't supposed to stop for a bit. Then they said, "Turn around if you can. Some of these people don't have winter tires on."
The irony: My winter tire appointment is tomorrow morning so I have them on before the big storm that's coming this weekend.
08 November 2008
27 October 2008
Trauma in the kitchen.
Well, I survived a week without without my husband... barely!
Lynn was away for an intensive course at Acadia Div College. I kept our studio going, intensively cleaned the house, did some wood staining out on our back deck, and of course, looked after our little one :) I was so proud of everything I had accomplished, and was finishing up the kitchen on Thursday night... I decided to let vinager soak in the sink, since we have the white sinks that stain all the time (I am not a fan! - and vinager doesn't work by the way). I poured in the vinager, locked up, turned off all the lights, and went to bed.
I awoke Friday morning excited about my day. My cousin was coming to visit, I was hopefully going to finish my staining, and later that evening Lynn would arrive home!!! Carrying the baby downstairs to the kitchen, I put her in her high chair, went over to the counter putting water on for tea, turned to my right towards the sink and.............. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There, floating in my sink, was A DEAD MOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot begin to describe the horror that overtook my body! I jerked away from the counter, my head swimming with the realization of what I had just the seen, and the even more daunting realization that no husband of mine would come to the rescue. I and only I would dispose of this mouse! The clock was ticking, because my company arrived at 9:00 am.
I was laughing and almost crying due to the shock and trauma of these realizations. I grabbed the phone almost without thinking and called my Dad! It was 7:30 am, but thankfully they were awake. I said, "Come here quick, Dad, I need you!!!" :) Of course he lives two hours away and couldn't come to my rescue, but I felt better just asking. "What do I do???" I was regaining my composure as my Dad, Mom, and two brothers eventually made their way onto the call, all of us laughing at the situation I was in. I thanked Dad for his advise and told Mom I'd let her know how it goes :)
I couldn't resist, but also tried calling Lynn where he was staying in the Valley. I did reach him, after all, and told him to high-tale is hiney back home this instant :) Of course that was a joke as well and we laughed together, too. Lynn thought it was tremendously funny that I was left without a husband for this obvious "husband job" that had manifested itself.
All these phone calls were for the purpose of stalling more than anything else. Pour Roya was eating her cereal looking at me like, "Why are you going crazy, Mom?" I put on Lynn's big work gloves and searched the house for an appropriate tool. I was not going to go anywhere near that creature with my actual hand! I found nothing that satisfied my picture until I came across a cleaning bucket... I instantly received a genius idea...
Without hardly looking at the sink, I turned on the water so the level would rise slightly. I then dipped the bucket into the right sink and scooped the mouse in. I had papertowel ready to capture the drips and carried the bucket right outside to the compost. I lifted the lid and dumped saying bye-bye to pour little moussy.
I went back to the kitchen, greeted by a curious Roya, and disinfected our whole kitchen. I sat down at the table, quite proud of myself, putting the picture of the floating carcus out of my head, and continued feeding the baby her breakfast.
Wow! What a woman I am!! :)
Natasha
Lynn was away for an intensive course at Acadia Div College. I kept our studio going, intensively cleaned the house, did some wood staining out on our back deck, and of course, looked after our little one :) I was so proud of everything I had accomplished, and was finishing up the kitchen on Thursday night... I decided to let vinager soak in the sink, since we have the white sinks that stain all the time (I am not a fan! - and vinager doesn't work by the way). I poured in the vinager, locked up, turned off all the lights, and went to bed.
I awoke Friday morning excited about my day. My cousin was coming to visit, I was hopefully going to finish my staining, and later that evening Lynn would arrive home!!! Carrying the baby downstairs to the kitchen, I put her in her high chair, went over to the counter putting water on for tea, turned to my right towards the sink and.............. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There, floating in my sink, was A DEAD MOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot begin to describe the horror that overtook my body! I jerked away from the counter, my head swimming with the realization of what I had just the seen, and the even more daunting realization that no husband of mine would come to the rescue. I and only I would dispose of this mouse! The clock was ticking, because my company arrived at 9:00 am.
I was laughing and almost crying due to the shock and trauma of these realizations. I grabbed the phone almost without thinking and called my Dad! It was 7:30 am, but thankfully they were awake. I said, "Come here quick, Dad, I need you!!!" :) Of course he lives two hours away and couldn't come to my rescue, but I felt better just asking. "What do I do???" I was regaining my composure as my Dad, Mom, and two brothers eventually made their way onto the call, all of us laughing at the situation I was in. I thanked Dad for his advise and told Mom I'd let her know how it goes :)
I couldn't resist, but also tried calling Lynn where he was staying in the Valley. I did reach him, after all, and told him to high-tale is hiney back home this instant :) Of course that was a joke as well and we laughed together, too. Lynn thought it was tremendously funny that I was left without a husband for this obvious "husband job" that had manifested itself.
All these phone calls were for the purpose of stalling more than anything else. Pour Roya was eating her cereal looking at me like, "Why are you going crazy, Mom?" I put on Lynn's big work gloves and searched the house for an appropriate tool. I was not going to go anywhere near that creature with my actual hand! I found nothing that satisfied my picture until I came across a cleaning bucket... I instantly received a genius idea...
Without hardly looking at the sink, I turned on the water so the level would rise slightly. I then dipped the bucket into the right sink and scooped the mouse in. I had papertowel ready to capture the drips and carried the bucket right outside to the compost. I lifted the lid and dumped saying bye-bye to pour little moussy.
I went back to the kitchen, greeted by a curious Roya, and disinfected our whole kitchen. I sat down at the table, quite proud of myself, putting the picture of the floating carcus out of my head, and continued feeding the baby her breakfast.
Wow! What a woman I am!! :)
Natasha
20 October 2008
17 October 2008
Can't Resist
I know some of you have seen this on Facebook, but I can't resist posting this picture of Roya. We were hanging out at Nana and Grampy's house on Thanksgiving after Natasha left for the States. We were playing with a ball together, and Roya was getting quite expressive about her fun. I pulled out the camera and got lucky with this shot. Isn't she amazing?!
Also, don't forget to check out our new favorite soup.
LE
Also, don't forget to check out our new favorite soup.
LE
04 October 2008
09 September 2008
Robbie Update 2 / Lynn Update
Robbie update 2:
Well, the doctors seem unwilling to take the risk of trusting Robbie's healing... They recommend going ahead and putting the plates in anyway. My mom is facing a very difficult decision because putting the plates in means less mobility in the future, and potential weakness to the 4 & 5 vertebraes, which are higher up and more dangerous than where the original fracture was. However, fosaking the doctors advice and trusting the healing theoritecially has the potential to leave Robbie with life-time injury...
Please pray for wisdom and guidance in making this decision!!
Lynn Update:
An incredible thing has swept in suddenly and drastically altered our schedule for this fall and spring. Lynn began his Masters degree several years ago through Asbury's virtual campus (online). He completed all the required credit hours except those which have to be completed ON Asbury's campus in Kentucky. The plan was that after I finished my internship, Lynn was going to finish his degree... However!!! God radically picked us up out of everything we knew and dropped us here :) He has made every provision and given every confirmation that we are in His will. All needs have been met and details worked out... except for the dilemma of how to finish Lynn's degree. (This is also a matter of honoring our church for their expectation that Lynn is working toward ordination, which requires an M Div. But we simply cannot afford traveling down to Asbury for modular courses for the next five years trying to finish up that way!!!)
Long story short... We've been talking with Acadia Divinity College since it's nearby (~1hr30min commute), but not getting anywhere and unsure whether or not that's the direction the Lord was leading. ADC has been in the midst of leadership transitions, etc so things were not looking good... Out of no where however, we received a call confirming that Lynn was accepted (classes had already started!!!), they had worked out a plan for Lynn to finish all his requirements within 1 year, and offered him a scholarship covering almost all of our tuition fees!!! So within two days, Lynn became a full-time student and is commuting down to the Valley for the remainder of his M Div requirements, assuming all goes well, to graduate the end of this year!!!
This is going to be an intense year, but we are so relieved to have this weight lifted off our shoulders and the confirmation that God is still in control, leading and guiding us as we honor Him. Praise His Name!!
Natasha
Well, the doctors seem unwilling to take the risk of trusting Robbie's healing... They recommend going ahead and putting the plates in anyway. My mom is facing a very difficult decision because putting the plates in means less mobility in the future, and potential weakness to the 4 & 5 vertebraes, which are higher up and more dangerous than where the original fracture was. However, fosaking the doctors advice and trusting the healing theoritecially has the potential to leave Robbie with life-time injury...
Please pray for wisdom and guidance in making this decision!!
Lynn Update:
An incredible thing has swept in suddenly and drastically altered our schedule for this fall and spring. Lynn began his Masters degree several years ago through Asbury's virtual campus (online). He completed all the required credit hours except those which have to be completed ON Asbury's campus in Kentucky. The plan was that after I finished my internship, Lynn was going to finish his degree... However!!! God radically picked us up out of everything we knew and dropped us here :) He has made every provision and given every confirmation that we are in His will. All needs have been met and details worked out... except for the dilemma of how to finish Lynn's degree. (This is also a matter of honoring our church for their expectation that Lynn is working toward ordination, which requires an M Div. But we simply cannot afford traveling down to Asbury for modular courses for the next five years trying to finish up that way!!!)
Long story short... We've been talking with Acadia Divinity College since it's nearby (~1hr30min commute), but not getting anywhere and unsure whether or not that's the direction the Lord was leading. ADC has been in the midst of leadership transitions, etc so things were not looking good... Out of no where however, we received a call confirming that Lynn was accepted (classes had already started!!!), they had worked out a plan for Lynn to finish all his requirements within 1 year, and offered him a scholarship covering almost all of our tuition fees!!! So within two days, Lynn became a full-time student and is commuting down to the Valley for the remainder of his M Div requirements, assuming all goes well, to graduate the end of this year!!!
This is going to be an intense year, but we are so relieved to have this weight lifted off our shoulders and the confirmation that God is still in control, leading and guiding us as we honor Him. Praise His Name!!
Natasha
04 September 2008
Robbie Update
Well, Tuesday came and went, and the doctors are "intrigued" :)
They took and X-ray, which unfortunately doesn't show a whole lot of detail, so a CT scan is scheduled for next week. The doctor said, it seems as though the dislocation (it was a fracture and disclocation) of the vertabrae may have somehow, maybe, slipped back into place...
They tested Robbie's motor skills, and there was no pain and perfect function in all areas of tested mobility. This is very unusual to the doctors since patients always have a lot of pain, cannot move, and end up needing surgery.
So, Robbie started high school yesterday, with a collar on (like a brace, but a soft faom-like material that frames his neck up to his chin and down onto his chest). Yay!!! The doctors are still investigating the situation, and are not releasing him with a clean bill of health until they see the CT scan next week, where they can view the vertebrae in better detail.
SO all is well, and God is good :)
Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!
01 September 2008
Robbie
I have no idea how people started hearing about Robbie's accident, but here's the skinny :).
Well, being Robbie, (my adorably handsome, ridiculously talented, and endearingly clueless 14 year old brother), he was playing with friends at a pool trying to do some sort of "shallow" dive. Obviously, he didn't know what he was doing because instead, he went straight for the bottom!! He smashed his head into the bottom of the pool so hard he chipped a tooth and fractured a vertebrae in his neck, the sixth or seventh down I think. It was awful. He was in bed in the hospital, unable to move and wearing a neck brace. He's about to start his first year of high school and he's an allstar athlete (particularly hockey and football). The doctor gave Mom three options to choose from, all of which were terrible. God has been speaking to Mom, however, very intentionally about healing for some time now. She left Robbie to pray and ask God for guidance. She was simply not okay with any of the options given by the doctor!! She turned around and there was Robbie!! He had gotten out of bed and taken off his neck brace!! Mom rushed him back to bed, but he said, "Mom the pain stopped. I really think I'm healed." The doctor came back and Mom told him what happened. The doctor must have checked him over because he sent him home for the weekend. He scheduled another X-ray for Tues to be sure.
At this point, he's not doing anything until after the x-ray tomorrow. In the meantime, though, he seems to be radically healed!!! He can move and is not in pain. Just the fact that he's home without a neck brace on is evidence of something, since a fractured vertebrae requires intensive care, no movement, a neck brace for sure, and immediate treatment. I'll never know why God has his hand on our family as He does. Robbie has big dreams and God seems to be protecting Him for what He has in store down the road :) Isn't it wonderful to know that God loves us enough to redeem us even from our silly, careless mistakes?? We've all done those!! That's why he could say to the cripple, "What is easier to say, 'your sins are forgiven' or 'get up and walk'?"
Praise the Lord! I'll update after tomorrow's x-ray.
Natasha
Well, being Robbie, (my adorably handsome, ridiculously talented, and endearingly clueless 14 year old brother), he was playing with friends at a pool trying to do some sort of "shallow" dive. Obviously, he didn't know what he was doing because instead, he went straight for the bottom!! He smashed his head into the bottom of the pool so hard he chipped a tooth and fractured a vertebrae in his neck, the sixth or seventh down I think. It was awful. He was in bed in the hospital, unable to move and wearing a neck brace. He's about to start his first year of high school and he's an allstar athlete (particularly hockey and football). The doctor gave Mom three options to choose from, all of which were terrible. God has been speaking to Mom, however, very intentionally about healing for some time now. She left Robbie to pray and ask God for guidance. She was simply not okay with any of the options given by the doctor!! She turned around and there was Robbie!! He had gotten out of bed and taken off his neck brace!! Mom rushed him back to bed, but he said, "Mom the pain stopped. I really think I'm healed." The doctor came back and Mom told him what happened. The doctor must have checked him over because he sent him home for the weekend. He scheduled another X-ray for Tues to be sure.
At this point, he's not doing anything until after the x-ray tomorrow. In the meantime, though, he seems to be radically healed!!! He can move and is not in pain. Just the fact that he's home without a neck brace on is evidence of something, since a fractured vertebrae requires intensive care, no movement, a neck brace for sure, and immediate treatment. I'll never know why God has his hand on our family as He does. Robbie has big dreams and God seems to be protecting Him for what He has in store down the road :) Isn't it wonderful to know that God loves us enough to redeem us even from our silly, careless mistakes?? We've all done those!! That's why he could say to the cripple, "What is easier to say, 'your sins are forgiven' or 'get up and walk'?"
Praise the Lord! I'll update after tomorrow's x-ray.
Natasha
15 August 2008
Stranded in Boston.
Lynn, Roya, and I have been in the Boston Logan Airport for almost 16 hours. We still have few more hours to go... 3 hrs and 15 min to be more exact.
Lynn is very good at planning trips. Using wise judgment, he scheduled lots of time in between our connector flights for passing through customs. HOWEVER, customs doesn't happen until the end of our trip when we fly into Halifax... So, we had several hours to kill in this nice but otherwise unexciting airport terminal. No big deal.
Then our flight was delayed... and delayed... and delayed... After many hours of waiting, with an exhausted and over-stimulated baby who wouldn't sleep, Lynn went to check the situation with our flight one more time... He came back distraught that it had been delayed another hour, and no sooner had he gotten that bad news out of his mouth than the loud speaker announced what we feared the most... our flight was CANCELLED!!!
The situation was this: no money, little to eat, a crying baby, already late at night, weather somewhere (but unseen) was interrupting flight schedules, new flight not until noon the next day, stranded in the Boston airport.
We picked up our luggage and called my parents toll free number. They agreed to lend us some money for a hotel and cab. HOWEVER, there was a huge lineup at the hotel information station and person after person left dejected as their were NO HOTEL ROOMS AVAILABLE IN ALL OF BOSTON!! Lynn worked diligently at seeking out the one room that had to be available somewhere in Boston, while I nursed and played with the baby. Sure enough, a room available... HOWEVER, the cheapest rate for the night was $425.00!!! That was a no go... needles to say.
At this point, I was thinking, "Other families are in much greater need right now. We're fine. We'll just camp out somewhere in the airport and have a fun little family adventure." The kind man at the information desk recommended the second floor of terminal B as the most comfortable place to sleep, so off we went.
Thankfully we had our luggage, so we were able to lay out a beach blanket, use towels for ourselves, and blankets for the baby. We chose a spot that seemed dark and quiet at the time... Eventually we got the baby to sleep and laid on either side of her to drift into peaceful sleep ourselves...
NONE TO BE HAD!!! The later it got, the colder and louder it got! The lights never dimmed, the loudspeaker never stopped, and the influx of people never diminished. It seemed as though people were yelling right on top of us while we slept fitfully and we soon realized we had chosen a spot (there were not many options) right beside the complementary internet station! By then, it was too late to move because it would wake the baby.
After a terrible night of very little sleep, cold, hungry, and irritable, (Lynn unfortunately got the least sleep of all of us) we rose to face the new day. Lynn went to find boiled water for the baby's bottle while I nursed. As I sat there nursing, hair disheveled and lines on my face, an airport employee walked by and said, "How'd you sleep." "Not well," I responded, as though he couldn't already tell... "You need to go down to information," he continued, "and ask them for a portable bed and they'll give you one. Say you have a baby and they'll give you a bed for sure."
I sat there dumbfounded. The very man who suggested this terrible place to sleep on the floor (my positive attitude had long since waned) was the same man who could have offered us a bed!!! And now this employee has the nerve to tell us we could have had a bed now that its morning and apparently, Lynn had seen him walking to and fro since 4:00 am. Lynn in particular was sitting up obviously awake... Why couldn't he have suggested it then???!!!
The day continues as Lynn and I are humorously cranky and continue to wait... I will close this post with a recent quote from my husband: I am going to assault anyone I see who has had a good night sleep. Here come two unsuspecting, well rested travelers...
Lynn is very good at planning trips. Using wise judgment, he scheduled lots of time in between our connector flights for passing through customs. HOWEVER, customs doesn't happen until the end of our trip when we fly into Halifax... So, we had several hours to kill in this nice but otherwise unexciting airport terminal. No big deal.
Then our flight was delayed... and delayed... and delayed... After many hours of waiting, with an exhausted and over-stimulated baby who wouldn't sleep, Lynn went to check the situation with our flight one more time... He came back distraught that it had been delayed another hour, and no sooner had he gotten that bad news out of his mouth than the loud speaker announced what we feared the most... our flight was CANCELLED!!!
The situation was this: no money, little to eat, a crying baby, already late at night, weather somewhere (but unseen) was interrupting flight schedules, new flight not until noon the next day, stranded in the Boston airport.
We picked up our luggage and called my parents toll free number. They agreed to lend us some money for a hotel and cab. HOWEVER, there was a huge lineup at the hotel information station and person after person left dejected as their were NO HOTEL ROOMS AVAILABLE IN ALL OF BOSTON!! Lynn worked diligently at seeking out the one room that had to be available somewhere in Boston, while I nursed and played with the baby. Sure enough, a room available... HOWEVER, the cheapest rate for the night was $425.00!!! That was a no go... needles to say.
At this point, I was thinking, "Other families are in much greater need right now. We're fine. We'll just camp out somewhere in the airport and have a fun little family adventure." The kind man at the information desk recommended the second floor of terminal B as the most comfortable place to sleep, so off we went.
Thankfully we had our luggage, so we were able to lay out a beach blanket, use towels for ourselves, and blankets for the baby. We chose a spot that seemed dark and quiet at the time... Eventually we got the baby to sleep and laid on either side of her to drift into peaceful sleep ourselves...
NONE TO BE HAD!!! The later it got, the colder and louder it got! The lights never dimmed, the loudspeaker never stopped, and the influx of people never diminished. It seemed as though people were yelling right on top of us while we slept fitfully and we soon realized we had chosen a spot (there were not many options) right beside the complementary internet station! By then, it was too late to move because it would wake the baby.
After a terrible night of very little sleep, cold, hungry, and irritable, (Lynn unfortunately got the least sleep of all of us) we rose to face the new day. Lynn went to find boiled water for the baby's bottle while I nursed. As I sat there nursing, hair disheveled and lines on my face, an airport employee walked by and said, "How'd you sleep." "Not well," I responded, as though he couldn't already tell... "You need to go down to information," he continued, "and ask them for a portable bed and they'll give you one. Say you have a baby and they'll give you a bed for sure."
I sat there dumbfounded. The very man who suggested this terrible place to sleep on the floor (my positive attitude had long since waned) was the same man who could have offered us a bed!!! And now this employee has the nerve to tell us we could have had a bed now that its morning and apparently, Lynn had seen him walking to and fro since 4:00 am. Lynn in particular was sitting up obviously awake... Why couldn't he have suggested it then???!!!
The day continues as Lynn and I are humorously cranky and continue to wait... I will close this post with a recent quote from my husband: I am going to assault anyone I see who has had a good night sleep. Here come two unsuspecting, well rested travelers...
23 July 2008
One for the Books
Tonight was our first date without Roya since she was born. A woman who attends our church offered to give us a break, so she came to our house and sat with Roya. That freed us up for a wonderful date!!! :) !!!
As you can see here,
Natasha met me when I came home dressed in a lovely brown number with cute hair, tasteful make-up, nice jewelry, and wearing my favorite perfume. We wanted to stay close-by, so we set out for the best night in months at the movies!
The things is, when we arrived at the movie theater, the lines were all very long, and we needed plot information. When we finally got to the front of the line, we were directed to another line where a girl with a binder would give us synopses. It turns out that there were only two movies with plots in which we were interested for our date night. The first was sold out until the late show, which would have gotten us home well after midnight. The other sounded great, so we went to the express lane to purchase our tickets. On the sign in front of the movies, it said, "This film is not yet rated." Thankfully, the ticket machine had the rating. It was 18A, which is on the other side of our movie rating boundary. So, we left.
We stood outside the theater, wondering what to do in Truro. There was a show at the Marigold, but it wasn't really our speed for tonight.
So, we drove around town looking for anything that we could do, telling one another we refused to be disappointed. Natasha finally suggested, "Let's go have drinks and dessert somewhere. We're on a date. Let's go ahead and cheat." So we did. What a fun, spontaneous, romantic idea!
We chose between two restaurants in town (both which will remain nameless for the sake of the one we chose) and drove to the spot. It was just after 7:00 p.m. We asked a few questions to the girl who was seating people about desserts. Though she seemed a little distracted and stressed, she did her best to answer the questions. She showed us to a table, but we wanted a booth. The booth where we were seated literally rumbled and vibrated because it was next to the big fan in the kitchen. We moved to the back corner. We noticed about 7:35 p.m. or so that the girl seemed to be the only one there. She was rushing around trying to help everyone, and we had yet to order. She didn't have many answers for us, but she did her best helping everyone. By 8:15 p.m., we still didn't have drinks or our order. The drinks came a few minutes later, and the desserts came after that. Natasha's dessert was pretty good. Mine was a little gummy and not as lemony as I think lemon desserts should be. It tasted old, to be honest. After sitting there for over an hour, having the waitress tell us they had no peppermint tea and end up with Tazo Refresh (a peppermint-based tea), and listening to her interaction with the tables nearby, we began to think this was funny. On a gut feeling, I asked if she was the only one there. It turns out that she was brand-new (hence still learning about products and menu options), was not supposed to work that shift but was the only one available, had been abandoned by an experienced server before the 7:00 p.m. rush, and was, indeed, the only one working (hence her demeanor).
So, what did we do? Well, everything closes early in Truro, and we were dressed up with no place to go. So, we rented a movie, came home to find our daughter beside herself (only five minutes into a tantrum, though) because she couldn't find us in the house and it was her bedtime, and took a picture of ourselves for this blog post. Aren't we pretty?
This date was one big flop - one for the books. Our first romantic evening without having to provide childcare has turned into an evening when we will curl up downstairs in front of our movie, at home, baby asleep, and babysitter at home. If that's not romantic, what is? In fact, I'm going to go now. :) It turns out that we have little to complain about. To the contrary, this date was just about perfect!
LE
As you can see here,
Natasha met me when I came home dressed in a lovely brown number with cute hair, tasteful make-up, nice jewelry, and wearing my favorite perfume. We wanted to stay close-by, so we set out for the best night in months at the movies!
The things is, when we arrived at the movie theater, the lines were all very long, and we needed plot information. When we finally got to the front of the line, we were directed to another line where a girl with a binder would give us synopses. It turns out that there were only two movies with plots in which we were interested for our date night. The first was sold out until the late show, which would have gotten us home well after midnight. The other sounded great, so we went to the express lane to purchase our tickets. On the sign in front of the movies, it said, "This film is not yet rated." Thankfully, the ticket machine had the rating. It was 18A, which is on the other side of our movie rating boundary. So, we left.
We stood outside the theater, wondering what to do in Truro. There was a show at the Marigold, but it wasn't really our speed for tonight.
So, we drove around town looking for anything that we could do, telling one another we refused to be disappointed. Natasha finally suggested, "Let's go have drinks and dessert somewhere. We're on a date. Let's go ahead and cheat." So we did. What a fun, spontaneous, romantic idea!
We chose between two restaurants in town (both which will remain nameless for the sake of the one we chose) and drove to the spot. It was just after 7:00 p.m. We asked a few questions to the girl who was seating people about desserts. Though she seemed a little distracted and stressed, she did her best to answer the questions. She showed us to a table, but we wanted a booth. The booth where we were seated literally rumbled and vibrated because it was next to the big fan in the kitchen. We moved to the back corner. We noticed about 7:35 p.m. or so that the girl seemed to be the only one there. She was rushing around trying to help everyone, and we had yet to order. She didn't have many answers for us, but she did her best helping everyone. By 8:15 p.m., we still didn't have drinks or our order. The drinks came a few minutes later, and the desserts came after that. Natasha's dessert was pretty good. Mine was a little gummy and not as lemony as I think lemon desserts should be. It tasted old, to be honest. After sitting there for over an hour, having the waitress tell us they had no peppermint tea and end up with Tazo Refresh (a peppermint-based tea), and listening to her interaction with the tables nearby, we began to think this was funny. On a gut feeling, I asked if she was the only one there. It turns out that she was brand-new (hence still learning about products and menu options), was not supposed to work that shift but was the only one available, had been abandoned by an experienced server before the 7:00 p.m. rush, and was, indeed, the only one working (hence her demeanor).
So, what did we do? Well, everything closes early in Truro, and we were dressed up with no place to go. So, we rented a movie, came home to find our daughter beside herself (only five minutes into a tantrum, though) because she couldn't find us in the house and it was her bedtime, and took a picture of ourselves for this blog post. Aren't we pretty?
This date was one big flop - one for the books. Our first romantic evening without having to provide childcare has turned into an evening when we will curl up downstairs in front of our movie, at home, baby asleep, and babysitter at home. If that's not romantic, what is? In fact, I'm going to go now. :) It turns out that we have little to complain about. To the contrary, this date was just about perfect!
LE
26 June 2008
Roya - Four months
Well, we've had another interesting and adventuresome month with Roya, otherwaise known by some as Baby Rae :) (RAE - her anitials). She is captivating and beautiful and terribly smart. Poeple are always commenting on her intensity as she stares them down and studies their every move. Inwardly she's deciding whether or not she'll reward their silly banters with her glorious smile, or blow them off 'till she's more in the modd :) Her playful times are amazingly fun as she flirts and giggles, and makes the most hysterical faces. She's getting good at imitating our expressions and we have a blast just sitting there making faces at one another :)
Her routine at this point goes something like this... Wake sometime around 6:00 AM, nurse with Mama in bed. Finish nursing and snuggle with Daddy for a few minutes until she gets wrestless and Dad gives Mama a beautiful gift by taking Roya dowstairs so Mama can keep sleeping, or at least laying :) Sometimes, during this waketime, she gets to shower with Daddy. It isn't long, though, before Roya is sleepy again and ready to go back to bed. Well... and that is about the only somewhat consistent part of our day!!! :) She nurses ~ every three hours and usually gets fussy/tired after two hours of being awake. Whether or not she'll sleep, however, is what determines the rest of the day...
At our four month doctor's apt, we discovered a few very important factors to Roya's fussiness...
1) She has acid reflux, which I also had as a baby and young adult. Apparently, this is the cause of many babies' colick. It was discovered by her random "fake" coughs, almost like clearing one's throat.
2) She has not gained any weight since her 3 month apt. This is obviously a concern, but not a surprise. With the reflux, she was refusing to sleep. Because she was so tired, she wasn't nursing efecively and always falling asleep. She still had wet and dirty diapers, because she was eating; but the problem is that she was not eating long enough and strong enough to draw out the "hind milk" which is the rich, fatty part of the milk that puts the weight on. Nursing also disturbed the reflux, which caused a lessened appetite.
3) In the midst of it all, she has cut her two bottom teeth and still has at least two (the "fangs") moving through the upper gums.
So the poor thing has been quite disturbed. Not to mention, Mama has been "under the weather" herself which may have affected her milk supply. My blood pressure has not yet risen above 90/40, which poses some challenges, but isn't overall very serious. Thankfully, Lynn has taken over supper duty, which allows Mama to focus on other things.
So right now, the primary focus is helping Roya gain some weight!! She is taking some Nexium for the reflux, which will hopefully help her sleep better, then hopefully she'll nurse better. Life continues to revolve around long nursing periods, pumping, etc. :)
Well, be blessed friends and family!!!
04 June 2008
Roya - 3 months
Well, as one can imagine, my life has been immersed in motherhood since Roya was born. She is soooo beauitful to me and I cherish this time at home with her. She is quite the little character and has had a strong personality and will since day 1 :). Here is a little update on her...
Since Roya's first days, poeple have comented on how alert she is. Lynn and I tease that by three weeks, she thought she was all grown :) She loves to be a part of whatever is going on and even then (three weeks) was trying desperately to hold her head up on her own :). When you tell her she's beautiful, you will undoubtedly be rewarded with the most beautiful, girly smile :) Her smiles light up a room and her gigles and gurgles make my heart swoon! She is very playful during her good wake-times, plays shy and "flirts" with whoever is giving her special attention at the time, plays "tongue games" by sticking out her tongue and making funny faces, and loves to laugh with and talk to her friends the flowers that hang over her crib and change table :). She is now holding her head up quite well, sitting up on her own (with a little help:)), and grasping objects when I put them where she can get them. She loves her dolls and stuffed animal and is snuggly, though she prefers to be up and maving around at the same time. She just can't miss anything!
She LOVES to nurse and wants to almost all of the time!!! When her tummy is upset, her digestion difficult, or her body sleepy, she wants to nurse. I'm convinced she would stay there all day long if she could, napping throughout her light snacks :) Unfortunately... though Mama loves her snuggles and nursing times... Mama does have other things to do besides nursing and this does not always go over so well with the melancholy little one :). There are a few things that bring out Roya's temper: 1) Being cold. She loves showers with Daddy and baths with Mama, but hates when they're over and she's wet and cold!! 2) Getting dressed and getting her diaper changed. Both call for loud, torturous screams :) (though there was a period of time where she seemed to love getting her diaper changed and will still be mild-tempered when in the right mood). 3)Being put in her car-seat. She HATES getting strapped in seat because it means she's not going to be held, nor can she see anyone when driving in the backseat of the car. She used to always fall alseep to the movement once we got going, but that leads me to... 4) Falling asleep. Roya HATES falling asleep! The older she gets, the more alert and active she gets, the more she fights falling asleep. I can maybe count on one hand the number of times she has fallen asleep without crying, even when being rocked and snuggled! Sometimes she will refuse to sleep all day long, but she's so exhausted she won't play or sit or anything... She's desperate for sleep but hates it all at the same time... the result is alot of screaming :)
Even though Roya has a temper, and is quite particular about what she wants and when she wants it, and rather stubborn as all Erskines are, I cannot imagine life without her! I love that she is full of personality and strong willed. I love that she is dramatic and very much a princess :) She is our daughter, no question :)
I hope you all are well!!!
Natasha
Since Roya's first days, poeple have comented on how alert she is. Lynn and I tease that by three weeks, she thought she was all grown :) She loves to be a part of whatever is going on and even then (three weeks) was trying desperately to hold her head up on her own :). When you tell her she's beautiful, you will undoubtedly be rewarded with the most beautiful, girly smile :) Her smiles light up a room and her gigles and gurgles make my heart swoon! She is very playful during her good wake-times, plays shy and "flirts" with whoever is giving her special attention at the time, plays "tongue games" by sticking out her tongue and making funny faces, and loves to laugh with and talk to her friends the flowers that hang over her crib and change table :). She is now holding her head up quite well, sitting up on her own (with a little help:)), and grasping objects when I put them where she can get them. She loves her dolls and stuffed animal and is snuggly, though she prefers to be up and maving around at the same time. She just can't miss anything!
She LOVES to nurse and wants to almost all of the time!!! When her tummy is upset, her digestion difficult, or her body sleepy, she wants to nurse. I'm convinced she would stay there all day long if she could, napping throughout her light snacks :) Unfortunately... though Mama loves her snuggles and nursing times... Mama does have other things to do besides nursing and this does not always go over so well with the melancholy little one :). There are a few things that bring out Roya's temper: 1) Being cold. She loves showers with Daddy and baths with Mama, but hates when they're over and she's wet and cold!! 2) Getting dressed and getting her diaper changed. Both call for loud, torturous screams :) (though there was a period of time where she seemed to love getting her diaper changed and will still be mild-tempered when in the right mood). 3)Being put in her car-seat. She HATES getting strapped in seat because it means she's not going to be held, nor can she see anyone when driving in the backseat of the car. She used to always fall alseep to the movement once we got going, but that leads me to... 4) Falling asleep. Roya HATES falling asleep! The older she gets, the more alert and active she gets, the more she fights falling asleep. I can maybe count on one hand the number of times she has fallen asleep without crying, even when being rocked and snuggled! Sometimes she will refuse to sleep all day long, but she's so exhausted she won't play or sit or anything... She's desperate for sleep but hates it all at the same time... the result is alot of screaming :)
Even though Roya has a temper, and is quite particular about what she wants and when she wants it, and rather stubborn as all Erskines are, I cannot imagine life without her! I love that she is full of personality and strong willed. I love that she is dramatic and very much a princess :) She is our daughter, no question :)
I hope you all are well!!!
Natasha
08 May 2008
The Unexpected
"Unexpected" is likely the best word for the National Youth Choir experience so far:
1) I was asked at all. I know there are better pianists than me in Nova Scotia, but I was still invited to accompany the group. I wouldn't have expected that even if I were a recording artist!
2) It turns out the music is all a capella. I learned it so I would be useful in rehearsal, and I am - sometimes. :) Anyway, there was lots of internal hype on my part, but I was able to calm down a lot.
3) I'm still loving the experience. Somehow, not really playing anything isn't hampering the fun factor or the experience of it all. It's wonderful!
4) Serendipitously, I'm really enjoying the conductor and apprentice conductor. The former had quite a reputation for being a task master, but it turns out that most of the reputation seems unfounded. His reputation for greatness is well-placed, as he is indeed fantastic, but he's also quite generous and flexible within his high expectations of this group. He's been a delight every day! I expected to feel a lot worse about myself by this time in the week, and everyone - especially this conductor who is so much greater than I am - is contributing to a content feeling.
5) After last night I expected a lot out of the choir today. They are honestly great singers, and they really started pulling together into a great choir by the end of last night, but some of the singers were lazy today. It felt like we were pulling teeth to get everyone on board. And as Mark said at the end of the night, if 39 people are there and one isn't, that one makes the difference between good and great. It was a good day, but I expected great. Maybe tomorrow....
6) I got to talk to Natasha way more than I expected. So, so, so good. :)
LE
1) I was asked at all. I know there are better pianists than me in Nova Scotia, but I was still invited to accompany the group. I wouldn't have expected that even if I were a recording artist!
2) It turns out the music is all a capella. I learned it so I would be useful in rehearsal, and I am - sometimes. :) Anyway, there was lots of internal hype on my part, but I was able to calm down a lot.
3) I'm still loving the experience. Somehow, not really playing anything isn't hampering the fun factor or the experience of it all. It's wonderful!
4) Serendipitously, I'm really enjoying the conductor and apprentice conductor. The former had quite a reputation for being a task master, but it turns out that most of the reputation seems unfounded. His reputation for greatness is well-placed, as he is indeed fantastic, but he's also quite generous and flexible within his high expectations of this group. He's been a delight every day! I expected to feel a lot worse about myself by this time in the week, and everyone - especially this conductor who is so much greater than I am - is contributing to a content feeling.
5) After last night I expected a lot out of the choir today. They are honestly great singers, and they really started pulling together into a great choir by the end of last night, but some of the singers were lazy today. It felt like we were pulling teeth to get everyone on board. And as Mark said at the end of the night, if 39 people are there and one isn't, that one makes the difference between good and great. It was a good day, but I expected great. Maybe tomorrow....
6) I got to talk to Natasha way more than I expected. So, so, so good. :)
LE
02 May 2008
We Are One
I was stricken yesterday with the events recorded in Joshua 22:21-30. In that part of the narrative, the two-and-a-half Israeli tribes whose land was east of the Jordan River were confronted by religious, political, and military representatives from the rest of Israel. The east-siders had built an altar, and the west-siders assumed that meant the east-siders would begin worshiping God their way, on their turf, possibly even including worship of other gods. They were ready to write off the east-siders if they didn't turn from their wickedness.
It turns out that the east-siders weren't being wicked at all. They suspected that the Jordan River would become more than a geographical dividing line, that the west-siders would think of themselves as a separate unit from the east-siders. Were that to happen, the east-siders felt they would be prevented from going to Jerusalem to worship, to share in the life of the Israeli nation. The altar was a reminder to both west- and east-siders that Israelis on both side of the Jordan River were still Israelis and should be accepted as such. People on both sides should be free to live as such, rather than treating one another like non-Israelis.
What struck me is how much this sounds like certain segments of the Church on North America (if not the West itself). I perceive there to be significant, understandable differences between the Church (meaning the universal group of believers in Jesus called the "Body of Christ" in 1 Corinthians 12) and the world (meaning those who do not believe). Scriptures are clear that faith line between the Church and the world is inevitable.
What the Scriptures do not say, however, is that faith lines between local churches, denominations, and individuals are inevitable. We have several humans in the Church, so we have many different experiences, understandings, and explanations of Jesus Christ. There are doctrinal and cultural dividing lines that separate some local churches, denominations, and individuals. Too frequently, these doctrinal and cultural divides have become battlegrounds more fierce than those created by our faith lines.
Why is that? As Christians, we even have a symbol - the cross - that should remind us that we have sisters and brothers in other camps around us. There are people in the family of God in Christ across our doctrinal and cultural lines that serve our God, who are not forsaking Christ. As the east-siders in Joshua 22 mentioned to the west-siders, natural dividing lines, whether geographical, doctrinal, cultural, or whatever, ought not to separate us. We aren't different people; we are one people. Our different camps/tribes aren't different nations; we're all the Body of Christ. There is no weaker, useless part of the Body, regardless of how unimportant or insignificant another that part seems. Each part has something to contribute, has equal rights in Christ, and has every opportunity for freedom to live as the people of Christ.
Since that is the biblical design, what can we do to extend peace to sisters and brothers in other camps, and how can we all join together to worship our great Lord together?
LE
It turns out that the east-siders weren't being wicked at all. They suspected that the Jordan River would become more than a geographical dividing line, that the west-siders would think of themselves as a separate unit from the east-siders. Were that to happen, the east-siders felt they would be prevented from going to Jerusalem to worship, to share in the life of the Israeli nation. The altar was a reminder to both west- and east-siders that Israelis on both side of the Jordan River were still Israelis and should be accepted as such. People on both sides should be free to live as such, rather than treating one another like non-Israelis.
What struck me is how much this sounds like certain segments of the Church on North America (if not the West itself). I perceive there to be significant, understandable differences between the Church (meaning the universal group of believers in Jesus called the "Body of Christ" in 1 Corinthians 12) and the world (meaning those who do not believe). Scriptures are clear that faith line between the Church and the world is inevitable.
What the Scriptures do not say, however, is that faith lines between local churches, denominations, and individuals are inevitable. We have several humans in the Church, so we have many different experiences, understandings, and explanations of Jesus Christ. There are doctrinal and cultural dividing lines that separate some local churches, denominations, and individuals. Too frequently, these doctrinal and cultural divides have become battlegrounds more fierce than those created by our faith lines.
Why is that? As Christians, we even have a symbol - the cross - that should remind us that we have sisters and brothers in other camps around us. There are people in the family of God in Christ across our doctrinal and cultural lines that serve our God, who are not forsaking Christ. As the east-siders in Joshua 22 mentioned to the west-siders, natural dividing lines, whether geographical, doctrinal, cultural, or whatever, ought not to separate us. We aren't different people; we are one people. Our different camps/tribes aren't different nations; we're all the Body of Christ. There is no weaker, useless part of the Body, regardless of how unimportant or insignificant another that part seems. Each part has something to contribute, has equal rights in Christ, and has every opportunity for freedom to live as the people of Christ.
Since that is the biblical design, what can we do to extend peace to sisters and brothers in other camps, and how can we all join together to worship our great Lord together?
LE
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