bath time marvels

I'd like to spend the time it would take to better develop this introduction, but I don't have that luxury. A few weeks ago I was giving my then 7-month-old a bath. She's mastered the whole sitting thing, but honestly bath time was a little easier when she didn't want to be so involved in playing or chewing on something while bathing. So basically, you have to hold her to make sure she doesn't lean too far into the water while bathing her at the same time. I don't know about you, but I baths scare me. I usually make Jon give as many baths as possible when our babies were very tiny. Slippery, soapy babies are a GIGANTIC responsibility!

During this particular time Alina nearly slipped and fell into the water. My heart leaped from my chest as I envisioned the scary outcome we might have faced. I thought to myself about the danger in the water around her all while she plays without a care in the world. I felt a tug at my heart, about how I've been the same way with God. There have been countless times in my life when I KNOW He has protected me. No, I don't know exactly what I was saved from, because I was oblivious to it. But I do know, that He's the reason I have arrived where I am today with all the blessings surrounding me. Don't get me wrong, I think there are many times in our lives when God holds us responsible for certain things and there are other times when He does allow us to see some portion of what He's saved us from. But it's important to note that there are times in our lives when we need to rest and know that, when we aren't in a place to know better, He has and does protect us like the loving Father He is.

It's that time of year

2009 is drawing to a close. Although I'd like to think I have something substantial to say about it-- I don't. However, I do plan to do more thinking about what it means to be starting another year with a new name and a WHOLE LOTTA POTENTIAL!!! I normally have good intentions of making New Year's Resolutions, but rarely the time to realize the new year's coming rather quickly. This year, I have started---and it's not even December 31st!

What about you? Are you making any new year's resolutions? What's your favorite thing to do to bring in the new year? Do you have a tradition you stick to each new year?

Jon and I were planning on doing the Frosty 5K... but I'm not sure if that will happen. I suppose I will talk to him about it tomorrow. I've heard they have great prizes, and even though our time would be horrendous, I'm certain it would be fun. AND---it would be a great way to start the new year.

Perhaps--- if we don't participate in the race, (who wants to pay race fees right after Christmas!?) then I think we should send in our forms for a half-marathon this spring. Now THAT's also a great way to start out the new year!

I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be back before the year's over. Here's hoping 2009 is working it's way out the door to usher in an even greater year!

Enjoy.

Christmas Letter Part II

So, I managed to send out my version of a Christmas letter in the form of a "Top 10" list. Due to the expansion of the family, there wasn't a WHOLE lot left to say. I'm hoping that some years we can just do something a bit silly or the top 10 most embarrassing things. Anyways, without much thought beyond that I saw this last night on Jay Leno. Honestly I've seen it about 8 times now. It's funny and it pretty much encompasses every reason I have to be paranoid about sending out a Christmas letter. But at the same time, it might make me think twice about the kind of person that would really think this---they don't deserve a letter if they feel this way about you!

So, not to make any of you letter senders any more paranoid! Just laugh and enjoy!
(and I'll cross my fingers I figured out how to embed it properly!)

A Question...

If you've read between 1/3 and 2/3 of a book and you can't seem to get any further, should you really walk away?

I habitually start books. Or maybe I should say that I chronically begin them? I typically make it at LEAST 60 pages. And then I stop. Perhaps I'm a harsh critic? I don't usually leave the book saying I hate it, I just can't make myself finish. In fact, I tend to see it as MY problem for not being able to complete the book. I read 1/3 of "She's Come Undone" in a few days. But now it's been a couple of months and I'm still not done. At this point, I'm not sure if there's any ending that will satisfy me as a reader. It hasn't been a bad book, but at the same time it's been torture---I know that doesn't make any sense, but it did in my head.

More than a year after I started "I Am Legend" I did actually finish it. It wasn't great. I still haven't seen the movie even though I know they are very different. I'm glad I can say I finished it and tuck it away in my "finished" column, I guess.

Should I consider it a character flaw that I don't "finish what I've started"? Or am I really just saving myself time by avoiding the end of books that have already lost my interest?

So this is Christmas

Quickly, I'd like to share.

The Christmas cards are nearly done. They were supposed to be completed last weekend, but it didn't happen. Handmade items take a lot of time, especially with 2 kids in the house.

Christmas shopping is close enough to be called done. I should probably still get my brother some socks.

Next? Christmas candy. I've purchased all the necessary supplies. This year my goal is to keep it simple. 3 kinds of candies, that's all.

This weekend is full of Christmas events, which I'm pretty excited about. Hopefully I'll get evidence of some (or all) of them here or over on the "family site."


I have quite a few things I've been pondering, but it's too late for me to spit them out, especially since I don't have any homework I'm avoiding.

Hope your holiday plans are progressing nicely. Prepare!

And
Enjoy.

the first issue with christmas

Every year I contemplate the Christmas card issue. Every year I cannot decide what/if/when/to whom we should send a Christmas card. I have moments where I want EVERYONE to get one. But then I think about how impersonal that often ends up being. I just sign our name at the bottom of a card. "Gee Thanks" I imagine the recipient saying under their breath. Jon's a pretty big fan of Christmas letters. I understand his enthusiasm, but he's not the one that's going to write it. I've spent all too many years editing my parents' and grandparents' letters and refuse to write the kind of letter they wrote. I understand that it's important to be thankful for your health as you age, but I'm not going to write about gall stones or my labor process in a Christmas letter. There are a few clever, and somewhat witty letters I've come across over the years. The ones that stick to the basics are fine... I just envision something more. And, at the same time, I realize that some years they may be more interesting than others.

Along those same lines, do I need to send the letter to everyone that I send a card? Some people will already know everything that I include in the letter... or at least I think they do! So this is my first Christmas complex.

I'd like to write a corny letter like the SNL bit from the cat--- and then from the dead cat. But I'm not sure everyone would get it. (Clip thanks to cat sitter in the city!)

At least this year I could promote my blog and the new up and coming family blog over at callstromfamily.blogspot.com

a shower thought

First of all... isn't it weird that the most RANDOM things come to you when you're zoned out in the shower!?!?

I decided that the term "fell off the wagon" really should be updated. I mean seriously, WAGON... no one rides on wagons.

I'm sure some of you could think of something fabulous, but so far all I've come up with "went offline."

Enjoy.