I had an interesting experience in the sauna today.

We have family in town, but RJ labeled today Free Day. We could all do whatever we wanted regardless of what other family members were doing. I choose to leave the baby with his grandparents and hit the pool at the gym. After an invigorating swim nothing sounded better than sweating in the sauna. The sauna at the Y is an interesting place. It's next to the pool, you can see into it from the pool deck, and it's co-ed. I don't know about the other married ladies out there, but ever since "I Do" I've felt a bit uncomfortable with other men. I am completely cool with family and friends, but I get really awkward with strangers. I used to be able to hold a conversation with a guy in the grocery store or at the gym, no problem; but now I get super bashful and self-conscious. It just doesn't seem right. (At some point I should blog about my socially awkward encounters with the single dad at swimming lessons.) Anyway, I wanted to get into the sauna but there were two guys in there conversing it up. I waited for awhile but being on the baby schedule (good ol' nursing) I finally had to give into the unfortunate circumstances and get in with the two chatty Charlies. I sat in the far corner, huddled up, with my eyes closed praying they wouldn't talk to me. It worked. Instead i heard myself an earful. 

Guy number 1 was complaining to guy number 2 about the economy and lack of work. For the past ten years Number 1 had been working in landscape maintenance but was recently let go. Frustrated with his situation and nervous for the future (poor guy) he laid out his sorrows for Number 2. Number 2 started asking questions about janitorial/handyman work and landscape maintenance. Soon, one thing led to another, and they were having a serious conversation about immigration. Guy Number 1 had lost his work to illegal immigrants willing to work for much less. Guy Number 2 was pretty worked up about it. 

Exit Guys 1 & 2. Both needed to cool off in the pool. 

Just as I'm opening my eyes - enter Guy 3. I've met Guy 3 before. I was once forced to share a lane with him in the pool (10x more awkward than sharing a sauna.) He's a really nice person. Late 30s. A father. Hispanic. Loves to talk. 

We said Hi to one another and then I made the friendly mistake of asking him if he had a nice Thanksgiving. With permission granted, his mouth opened up and he was off. I'm not sure he ever came up for air.  Guy 3 did have a nice Thanksgiving. He spent time with his 19 year old son. Guy 3's son was born when he was only 18 years old; the boy's mother was 15. Guy 3 was born in Mexico, but his best friend and him jumped the border into Texas when they were 13. A chubby 13 year old Guy 3 grew up, and slimmed down, quick during the difficult months in Texas. He returned to Mexico to get more education.  Finished high school and welcomed his firstborn into the world. At the age of 22 he was given sole custody of his son. Wanting a better life for his boy he returned to the US. Guy 3 would like to go back to Mexico to see his family. But, his mother died 3 years ago and he doesn't know if he can face his childhood home without her. He misses her terribly. He was last in Mexico when his beloved nephew was 10. That was 9 years ago. Last year his nephew was kidnapped by the equivalent of the Mexican Mafia; they killed him.  Guy 3 is so thankful he removed his son from those types of situations. 

I would have loved to have heard even more of Guy 3's story but I was seriously dying of heat stroke. This isn't a political blog. But, it is important to remember that there are two sides to every situation. I am praying for them both: Guy 1 and Guy 3. God doesn't care which side of the fence you fall on; He cares about each story individually.

Overflowing Thankfulness

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Thanksgiving is not a noun.

It is a state of being.

It is a choice;

That is not dependent upon circumstances.

I am thankful.

For my God.

Who loves ME.

And who I fall more and more in love with each day.

He has chosen to bless me tremendously:

Salvation

My husband

My son

My family

My friends

My church

My community.

My challenges. In which I find His grace.

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful song.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people,

the sheep of his pasture." 

 

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

The Happiest Place On Earth.

Decorated for Christmas.

With my two favorite people.

Birthday Bliss!

Landon had some thoughts on the day:

On the tram and not so sure about this place so far.

This enormous chipmunk seems pretty cool. Maybe I'll like it here.

Cinderella's castle and kisses are for girls. 

Sitting in a flying elephant. Where the *$@* am I?!

I'm cute.

That camera is the most fun thing I've seen all day.

Give it to me!

Who are you? And why do you have no pants?

This guy I like.

Why didn't they start the day with this parade?

I am LOVING it!

What's Your Opinion On: Texting

In particular - texting while out and about with a friend.

I read an interesting etiquette article about texting recently and I am wondering what you all think. While out with friends I've noticed that it isn't uncommon for someone at the table to drop their head and rapidly punch phone buttons while the rest of us carry on . And, in an act of remarkable multi-tasking, I've seen people text on their phones while still chatting with me one-on-one, nodding their head here and there to let me know they're still listening. But is it really possible to have two conversations at once?

Personally I find it rude. However, I have always dismissed my frustration as being old-fashioned. I am not very technologically savvy. I don't have a Blackberry or an iphone. I just learned how to take a picture and send it in a text. In all honestly, I often wish the cell phone had never come to be. I think it is unnatural to be always available all the time. So, I imaged that my distaste for sharing my conversation with a text was behind-the-times and ridiculous.

But maybe not. Maybe I am not the only person who feels this way. I am frustrated when someone picks up their cell phone while talking with me (unless it is a spouse, emergency, or a really good reason). And in the same manner, when we're spending time together I want all of you - I don't want to share our lunch date with Aunt Suzie in Vermont who needs to know when Jordon's birthday party starts tomorrow so she can Skype in for the action (maybe I'm more savvy than I think!). You can text her later; right now I would appreciate a little eye-contact.

So how do you feel? Am I a lonely fighter in this losing battle or do you feel the same?

Freeze!

If life was a giant game of Freeze Tag, and I was "IT", I'd be headed straight for our son. 

The days are slipping by way too fast and I just can't seem to get enough of him. These past two months have been my absolute favorite. I know there are fun times ahead - walking, talking, puddling jumping, etc. but I could use just a bit more time right now. He just turned 6 months and now he's only 5 days shy of 7. Seven months seems like such a big moment - infancy is really behind us at that point and we're hurling straight for toddler-hood.

In our household, five to seven months has been such a blessing. Our little man is really coming into his own. We enjoyed spending time with my parents a few weeks ago, and they confirmed some of my suspicions: Landon is a lot like his mom. Both of us are very visual learners. We can often be found completely absorbed in watching the action scene before us - eyes wide, drool dribble hanging off our chins, soaking it all in.

For the most part Landon seems fairly laid-back; happy to just be along for the ride. Although, he needs his routine. Landon just can't say NO to fun, so he pushes himself to the limit. (If you've ever seen RJ in a social situation you know this isn't the case for him. RJ loves fun, but once he's done, he is done. And he'll check out right there falling asleep mid-party.) But, like his Mama, Landon parties until he is so over-stimulated he melts-down in a thunderstorm of tears.

But, although he may be Mama's boy, Landon adores his dad. Both of them are sensitive souls and they love quality time. Most mornings I rise to see the two of them snuggled on the couch - RJ reading his Bible and Landon nestled into the crook of his arm chewing contentedly on a toy. And that is partly why I don't want this age to end. He isn't "on the go" yet and he still loves to snuggle. His world is so small he still thinks Mom and Dad are the best people on earth. His limited experiences lead him to believe a stroll in the grocery cart is an adventure. It is his sweet simplicity that I am loving. That, and his chubby little arms...

Heading home from Gass Valley and sitting in his own airplane seat like a big boy 

Drizzly day jog with Mama

Manliness

Whenever RJ leaves for a fish adventures he gives me a kiss on the check and tells me: "I'm going out to provide, babe. Providing for my family." Now him and I both know that he always fishes catch-and-release, but the sentiment still rings true. While we might not eat the trout on his line it's the concept that matters. The fact that he could provide food for Landon and I with his own two hands and minimal equipment. RJ thrives when out in the wilderness fulfilling the his natural inclination for adventure and conquest. He's not a thrill seeker but rather a thoughtful, calculated naturalist who understands that God created him with an innate desire/need to be the provider for his family. That's not to say that RJ is chauvinistic or matcho. He truly understands what is means to be masculine - to be a leader and provider in our family without being controlling or overbearing. I love him because of this. And I love that he's going to teach out son God's desire for masculinity. 

As a mother I sometimes get nervous knowing that RJ will be leading our son on dangerous expeditions into the wilderness. But I trust the Lord, and I trust my husbands judgement. So, although  I had my heart in my throat during this photo session I knew it was just the first moment of many to come.  At 6 months old letting go a little is already so difficult to do. But my hearts greatest desire is that Landon know the Lord, and that he knows God's plan and purpose for him as a man in the God's kingdom. And I believe he'll understand that purpose one prayer, one scripture, and one adventure at a time. 

The Cutest Goldfish On The Block

Halloween = an excuse to torture our small children for parental enjoyment.

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Catch of the day

Chapino! Landon (6 months) & Owen (4 months)