I love living in the city. Seriously, I do. But, there are two things that I would call "undesirable" about my surroundings: birds and cats. Here's why...
We don't really have what you would call darkness in the city. Street lights run all night. Street lights that stand right alongside trees. Trees with birds. Birds who think the street light is the sun. Birds who consequently chirp 24 hours a day. All day and night with the "GOOD MORNING!!! HELLO!!!!! GOOD MORNING, NEIGHBOR-FRIENDS!!!!!"
First of all, I hate cats unless they're kittens (like my kitten named Boots who Ross will never let me get so I ended naming my MacBook Boots instead). My hating of all things feline kind of puts our city cats at the top of my shit list, even above having to trim your fingernails and people who somehow believe that throwing cigarettes out of the window isn't littering. See, a lot of cats in the city are stray cats. STRAY AND CRAZY. They cry and fight and cry and fight and cry and cry and cry all night long. Except their crying sounds like babies rather than cats - babies being thrown into boiling hot water.
If I were a super hero, my power would be "selective deafness."
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Hokie Healing
Mosaic, Blacksburg local yarn store, has started up a wonderful project. They are accepting 8" by 8" knitted squares that will be sewn together to make blankets for the families of the victims of the VT shooting. Click here for specifics.
Jane has already done two and a ton of other knitters at my school are working on theirs. When they heard we were participating, Mosaic even sent us a box of soft, yummy yarns to use, each skein accompanied by information regarding the gauge. As you can see from Mosaic's blog, the love and healing has started to pour in. I'm slowly but surely getting mine done:
(I made the picture small so you couldn't see how gross I looked after going to the gym.)
If you knit, please consider doing this. The pattern can be as simple or as complicated as you like. It's also an excellent first project if you (or even your kids!) have ever wanted to knit.
Stewart over at The Yarn Lounge has awesomely offered her services to be a collection spot for squares, or you can always send them off yourself. I'm sure she and any other local yarn store owners would be willing to help you pick yarn and get started on your square.
I know that pulling the knitters together at my school and starting on my own square has helped me deal with the grief. I need to feel like I'm doing *something* for these people whose lives have been shaken to the core. Please consider making this small but touching contribution that will allow the victims' families to find some comfort, if only for a little while.
Jane has already done two and a ton of other knitters at my school are working on theirs. When they heard we were participating, Mosaic even sent us a box of soft, yummy yarns to use, each skein accompanied by information regarding the gauge. As you can see from Mosaic's blog, the love and healing has started to pour in. I'm slowly but surely getting mine done:
(I made the picture small so you couldn't see how gross I looked after going to the gym.)If you knit, please consider doing this. The pattern can be as simple or as complicated as you like. It's also an excellent first project if you (or even your kids!) have ever wanted to knit.
Stewart over at The Yarn Lounge has awesomely offered her services to be a collection spot for squares, or you can always send them off yourself. I'm sure she and any other local yarn store owners would be willing to help you pick yarn and get started on your square.
I know that pulling the knitters together at my school and starting on my own square has helped me deal with the grief. I need to feel like I'm doing *something* for these people whose lives have been shaken to the core. Please consider making this small but touching contribution that will allow the victims' families to find some comfort, if only for a little while.
Exhausted and Hungry
One interview down. It went well I think. I'm not going to say anything else for fear of jinxing it. The other interview that was also supposed to be today and then got move tomorrow has now been moved to Monday. So, I'll have some time to breathe over the weekend.
All I want to do is eat pizza, but no. Ross is insisting that we not be fat. I spend all morning and afternoon not being fat so I feel like I should get a little break for dinner. But Ross spends all day being fat so he thinks he needs to be good at dinner. This could create some serious tension in our marriage.
Anyway, Ross and I went to Ellwood Thompson's yesterday and got some of this "organic food" that all of you keep talking about. Friends, they have samples. It's like Costco but with better lighting. Ross was appalled when I took more than one sample, but I maintain that if there is no sign discouraging multiple trips, then eat I will. We bought organic turkey, organic salad, organic salad dressing, organic smashed potatoes (I guess organic is too classy to be mashed), organic yogurt, and organic turkey dogs (which only have 6 grams of fat in them!) We had turkey burgers last night and you could actually tell the difference. The salad was crazy good, too. We'll be having the turkey dogs tonight. I'll be sure to let you know how it all went, what with you waiting at the edge of your seats and all.
All I want to do is eat pizza, but no. Ross is insisting that we not be fat. I spend all morning and afternoon not being fat so I feel like I should get a little break for dinner. But Ross spends all day being fat so he thinks he needs to be good at dinner. This could create some serious tension in our marriage.
Anyway, Ross and I went to Ellwood Thompson's yesterday and got some of this "organic food" that all of you keep talking about. Friends, they have samples. It's like Costco but with better lighting. Ross was appalled when I took more than one sample, but I maintain that if there is no sign discouraging multiple trips, then eat I will. We bought organic turkey, organic salad, organic salad dressing, organic smashed potatoes (I guess organic is too classy to be mashed), organic yogurt, and organic turkey dogs (which only have 6 grams of fat in them!) We had turkey burgers last night and you could actually tell the difference. The salad was crazy good, too. We'll be having the turkey dogs tonight. I'll be sure to let you know how it all went, what with you waiting at the edge of your seats and all.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Many Exciting Things
Grown-up:
I bought a suit today. I realized that most companies might not be too keen on me showing up in Danskos to interview, so I figured I needed to drop some cash to look nice. If you know me, you know I don't wear suits. I tried on a couple "standard suits" and the saleswoman at Ann Taylor Loft could tell that I felt completely ridiculous. So, she located this for me which I bought. I love it because it's nonstandard but still looks nice. None of the jobs I'm interviewing for are mainstream companies, so I think it will work. And if they don't appreciate it, well, I'm sorry, I can't work for a company that has no fashion sense. I also got some pink shoes to go with it. PINK SHOES?!?!??! How can your day get any better???
Almost De-fattified:
I have lost approx. 7 pounds since going off the Lexapro, AKA "the make you slowly but surely fat and only slightly less crazy pill." This is very exciting. I'm OCD and I weigh myself in the morning and at night, every day. Don't worry, I'm still eating (ask anybody, I'm probably eating their food, too). I would just go crazy if I didn't know. So each day I have what I call my "starting weight" and my "ending weight." Well, as of the last couple days, my ending weight has become what my starting weight used to be. And my starting weight has become numbers that I have seen in quite a while but have missed very dearly. I'm almost back to my pre-medicine weight, but if I just loose a couple more pounds I'll be comfortable with that I think. I had kind of a break down last night because I felt like I had been left in the dark with this whole concept that anti-depressants make you gain weight. And then I realized I was being amazingly-bratty and ungrateful for the fact that this medication (and my wonderful doctor who put me on it) brought me back from an abyss of sorts. I can deal with a little pudge. It's kind of like a badge of honor.
Productive:
My bonus-brother initiated the tearing (well, kicking) down of our front yard "fence" yesterday. I put "fence" in "quotes" because a real fence wouldn't be that craptastic. I mean, it was plastic. I. hate. that. fence. Matt being the great guy that he is destroyed the entire thing in about 20 minutes. Ross and I spent a considerable amount of time cleaning up the teeny tiny yard it surrounded. Then, James in all of his awesomeness arrived in his equivalent of a white horse (a noisy white van) to carry away all of the leftovers. When we pulled out the fence we both thought that James would probably want it (he and his lovely wife have a penchant for dumpster diving), so we didn't completely demolish it. We asked him to help us carry the pieces to a bigger dumpster than we have in our area. In true Murphy form, he decided he would just take the pieces. I love the Murphies to the maxx.
P.S. Working in the yard is just as good as going to the gym. I already can't move my arms.
Miracle:
You may remember that I mentioned a little girl from my school who was involved in a terrible fire. She got badly burned and spent 8 weeks at the Shriners Hospital in Ohio. Well, our girl came back to school today. Her classmate were SO happy to see her and she couldn't wait to get back to school. My kids have been so thoughtful about how to make the transition back into school easy for her. The hospital sent a wonderful woman to come and talk to the kids about how our little girl looks different now and what she has to go through each day to get better. I was so proud of our kids. They asked such thoughtful questions that had more to do with her well-being rather than about the rumors of the specifics of the fire. The hospital representative said it was the best group of 5th graders she had ever spoken with. A compliment like that means so much.
Employment:
I had to turn in my official letter of resignation today (eek!) but that was balanced out by three calls for interviews. I have one on Thursday and I'm calling tomorrow to figure out specific dates for the others.
It goes without saying that with all of this excitement (yes, for me this is much excitement) I'm pretty wired and I probably won't get much sleep. But hey, at least it's wired because of good things.
*UPDATE* I now have another interview. Originally it was going to be tomorrow at 3:30 but it just got moved to Friday at 3:30. So I will leave work early tomorrow and slightly early on Friday. I'm refusing to get excited due to a neurotic fear of disappointment.
I bought a suit today. I realized that most companies might not be too keen on me showing up in Danskos to interview, so I figured I needed to drop some cash to look nice. If you know me, you know I don't wear suits. I tried on a couple "standard suits" and the saleswoman at Ann Taylor Loft could tell that I felt completely ridiculous. So, she located this for me which I bought. I love it because it's nonstandard but still looks nice. None of the jobs I'm interviewing for are mainstream companies, so I think it will work. And if they don't appreciate it, well, I'm sorry, I can't work for a company that has no fashion sense. I also got some pink shoes to go with it. PINK SHOES?!?!??! How can your day get any better???
Almost De-fattified:
I have lost approx. 7 pounds since going off the Lexapro, AKA "the make you slowly but surely fat and only slightly less crazy pill." This is very exciting. I'm OCD and I weigh myself in the morning and at night, every day. Don't worry, I'm still eating (ask anybody, I'm probably eating their food, too). I would just go crazy if I didn't know. So each day I have what I call my "starting weight" and my "ending weight." Well, as of the last couple days, my ending weight has become what my starting weight used to be. And my starting weight has become numbers that I have seen in quite a while but have missed very dearly. I'm almost back to my pre-medicine weight, but if I just loose a couple more pounds I'll be comfortable with that I think. I had kind of a break down last night because I felt like I had been left in the dark with this whole concept that anti-depressants make you gain weight. And then I realized I was being amazingly-bratty and ungrateful for the fact that this medication (and my wonderful doctor who put me on it) brought me back from an abyss of sorts. I can deal with a little pudge. It's kind of like a badge of honor.
Productive:
My bonus-brother initiated the tearing (well, kicking) down of our front yard "fence" yesterday. I put "fence" in "quotes" because a real fence wouldn't be that craptastic. I mean, it was plastic. I. hate. that. fence. Matt being the great guy that he is destroyed the entire thing in about 20 minutes. Ross and I spent a considerable amount of time cleaning up the teeny tiny yard it surrounded. Then, James in all of his awesomeness arrived in his equivalent of a white horse (a noisy white van) to carry away all of the leftovers. When we pulled out the fence we both thought that James would probably want it (he and his lovely wife have a penchant for dumpster diving), so we didn't completely demolish it. We asked him to help us carry the pieces to a bigger dumpster than we have in our area. In true Murphy form, he decided he would just take the pieces. I love the Murphies to the maxx.
P.S. Working in the yard is just as good as going to the gym. I already can't move my arms.
Miracle:
You may remember that I mentioned a little girl from my school who was involved in a terrible fire. She got badly burned and spent 8 weeks at the Shriners Hospital in Ohio. Well, our girl came back to school today. Her classmate were SO happy to see her and she couldn't wait to get back to school. My kids have been so thoughtful about how to make the transition back into school easy for her. The hospital sent a wonderful woman to come and talk to the kids about how our little girl looks different now and what she has to go through each day to get better. I was so proud of our kids. They asked such thoughtful questions that had more to do with her well-being rather than about the rumors of the specifics of the fire. The hospital representative said it was the best group of 5th graders she had ever spoken with. A compliment like that means so much.
Employment:
I had to turn in my official letter of resignation today (eek!) but that was balanced out by three calls for interviews. I have one on Thursday and I'm calling tomorrow to figure out specific dates for the others.
It goes without saying that with all of this excitement (yes, for me this is much excitement) I'm pretty wired and I probably won't get much sleep. But hey, at least it's wired because of good things.
*UPDATE* I now have another interview. Originally it was going to be tomorrow at 3:30 but it just got moved to Friday at 3:30. So I will leave work early tomorrow and slightly early on Friday. I'm refusing to get excited due to a neurotic fear of disappointment.
O-M-G! a J-O-B!
I have an interview on Thursday at 2:00. I can't believe it. Even if I don't get it, it's such a confidence booster to have someone suggest that they are maybe, possibly considering hiring you.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Weekend Wrap up
Friday: Taught every second of the day, as in I was up there talking the ENTIRE day. Picked up Boots (oh, and Ross) from PharrOut offices. Came home and fell deeply in love with Boots. Went to Nic and Kate's for birthday celebration.
Saturday: Watched the Remus. Met my mom's new puppy. Took a long nap. Went to a cookout to see Jeremiah and Emily (from Colorado, now off to Florida) and played Chicken Foot. Came in second place to Jennifer Murphy. Came home. Try to go to bed but couldn't stop watching Walk the Line. Finally got to bed.
Sunday: Went to the gym. Went to Lowe's to buy tomato plants and other various sundries. Got Arby's for lunch. Rode bikes to church. Got cussed out by someone who doesn't seem to understand that bikes are actually supposed to be ridden on the road, but whatever. Enjoyed church, even though there were no babies to take care of. Rode bikes home. Ate some dinner. Now I'm doing some laundry.
Tomorrow is the day of blogger silence in honor of the victims at VT. Hope to hear from all of you on Tuesday!
Saturday: Watched the Remus. Met my mom's new puppy. Took a long nap. Went to a cookout to see Jeremiah and Emily (from Colorado, now off to Florida) and played Chicken Foot. Came in second place to Jennifer Murphy. Came home. Try to go to bed but couldn't stop watching Walk the Line. Finally got to bed.
Sunday: Went to the gym. Went to Lowe's to buy tomato plants and other various sundries. Got Arby's for lunch. Rode bikes to church. Got cussed out by someone who doesn't seem to understand that bikes are actually supposed to be ridden on the road, but whatever. Enjoyed church, even though there were no babies to take care of. Rode bikes home. Ate some dinner. Now I'm doing some laundry.
Tomorrow is the day of blogger silence in honor of the victims at VT. Hope to hear from all of you on Tuesday!
Friday, April 27, 2007
More Fun with Photo Booth
I call this one "Conjoined Bliss."I would show you the rest but I don't want to blow my wad, as some would say.
Very little work is going to get done wit Boots's arrival.
Boots, I love you.
Boots is here and I love him. He is a him because the kitten would be a him. You know, the kitten I can never get because of Ross's black black heart.
I had been thinking about Boots all day. It was arranged for him to be delivered to Ross's office to ensure his safety. However, all I worried about all day was what Ross was going to do to him.
I arrived at around 4:15 to pick him up and actually met River City Rapids who was there being interviewed with Ross. Even though I know his name is John, I will only ever call him that to his face, I'm sure. Ross and I still call Jorge from This Mudi Life "Hor-hey" rather than how it's actually pronounced like "George" because, well, I'm a jerk and I'll call people what I want.
Anyway, Boots is gorgeous and delicious. He has made realize how much Windows requires you to work against your intuition to get things done. Sometimes it's hard to figure out how to get Boots to do things because he makes TOO MUCH SENSE.
Instead of a crazy cat lady, I'm going to be a crazy MacBook lady.
I had been thinking about Boots all day. It was arranged for him to be delivered to Ross's office to ensure his safety. However, all I worried about all day was what Ross was going to do to him.
I arrived at around 4:15 to pick him up and actually met River City Rapids who was there being interviewed with Ross. Even though I know his name is John, I will only ever call him that to his face, I'm sure. Ross and I still call Jorge from This Mudi Life "Hor-hey" rather than how it's actually pronounced like "George" because, well, I'm a jerk and I'll call people what I want.
Anyway, Boots is gorgeous and delicious. He has made realize how much Windows requires you to work against your intuition to get things done. Sometimes it's hard to figure out how to get Boots to do things because he makes TOO MUCH SENSE.
Instead of a crazy cat lady, I'm going to be a crazy MacBook lady.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Just all kinds of wonderful nonsense
I got into a stand-off with a K or 1st grader today. As in the staring contest variety. It's really quite shocking how gutsy some of these little ones are. And how I seem to be able to transform a stubborn child into a mooshy pile of slobbery tears just by looking at him. I kinda feel bad about it. No I don't.
I'm having trouble sleeping because I'm so excited about the arrival of my new, beautiful, delicious computer. I am naming him Boots because that's what I always wanted to name a kitten if I ever got one and I know I'm not getting ever because Ross has a black, black heart. So, the MacBook will have to do. I'll take pictures of Boots and post them as soon as he arrives. It's crazy because I'll *use* Boots to post *pictures* of Boots. It's a crazy, upside-down world we live in.
I got to have burritos tonight. We (meaning me and my awesome friends) call them "byou-reetohs" (as in with a long u) because my friend Matt's wonderful mother calls them that and I think it's effing adorable. I don't know if she realizes that she calls them that, but I love it. I think of her whenever I eat them...which is a lot. I know you're reading this, Nancy Schneider and we love and miss you!
Tomorrow is Friday and that is fabulous beyond compare. Except we have to dress nicely because of some top-secret visitors at our staff meeting. This could be extremely exciting or extremely anti-climactic.
Jane gave me a pattern and some yum yarn to knit this. I seem to have lost all patience for, well, everything really and I've had a hard time starting it. The yarn is so thin I almost can't handle it but it's so nice. Maybe I should double it up. Jane? Help?
Saturday morning is the day of Remus. He will be arriving at my house early for much playing and snuggling. My mother will also be bringing her new puppy over. A baby AND a puppy. Ross will be running for the hills and I will collapse from all of the heaven in my house.
I'm having trouble sleeping because I'm so excited about the arrival of my new, beautiful, delicious computer. I am naming him Boots because that's what I always wanted to name a kitten if I ever got one and I know I'm not getting ever because Ross has a black, black heart. So, the MacBook will have to do. I'll take pictures of Boots and post them as soon as he arrives. It's crazy because I'll *use* Boots to post *pictures* of Boots. It's a crazy, upside-down world we live in.
I got to have burritos tonight. We (meaning me and my awesome friends) call them "byou-reetohs" (as in with a long u) because my friend Matt's wonderful mother calls them that and I think it's effing adorable. I don't know if she realizes that she calls them that, but I love it. I think of her whenever I eat them...which is a lot. I know you're reading this, Nancy Schneider and we love and miss you!
Tomorrow is Friday and that is fabulous beyond compare. Except we have to dress nicely because of some top-secret visitors at our staff meeting. This could be extremely exciting or extremely anti-climactic.
Jane gave me a pattern and some yum yarn to knit this. I seem to have lost all patience for, well, everything really and I've had a hard time starting it. The yarn is so thin I almost can't handle it but it's so nice. Maybe I should double it up. Jane? Help?
Saturday morning is the day of Remus. He will be arriving at my house early for much playing and snuggling. My mother will also be bringing her new puppy over. A baby AND a puppy. Ross will be running for the hills and I will collapse from all of the heaven in my house.
Blah blah Ross is famous
Just kidding, I'm very proud of him for this. Apparently all of the news stations are all up in his grill about interviewing him. He was on channel 6 last night but you probably couldn't see him, what with him wearing an orange T-shirt and sitting in front of an orange wall. I think I've convinced him to actually shave his neck for the next appearance at the end of the week.
Congrats, hubs & co.!!!
Congrats, hubs & co.!!!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Update-o de Life-o
Sooo I didn't get the integrator job. I was upset for all of 2 minutes because I realized it was really a cop-out and the safe route for me to take. If I want to branch out, I need to really branch out.
What was waaaaay harder than I thought was telling my wonderful principal that I'm still not coming back next year even though I didn't get the job. She had such wonderful things to say to me, that she was sorry to see me go but was proud of me and excited for me. It's going to be really hard to leave the people I work with, but it needs to happen. At this point I really want to come back to teaching at some point, but I just need a break.
Thus the frantic job search begins. It seems that none of the people I've applied with are as frantic to hire me as I am to get hired. Oh well, someone will realize how fabulous and smart I am at some point. All I can say is that last week gave me some major perspective on life and this whole situation is in no way a bad one.
Keep your little fingers crossed, Internets!
What was waaaaay harder than I thought was telling my wonderful principal that I'm still not coming back next year even though I didn't get the job. She had such wonderful things to say to me, that she was sorry to see me go but was proud of me and excited for me. It's going to be really hard to leave the people I work with, but it needs to happen. At this point I really want to come back to teaching at some point, but I just need a break.
Thus the frantic job search begins. It seems that none of the people I've applied with are as frantic to hire me as I am to get hired. Oh well, someone will realize how fabulous and smart I am at some point. All I can say is that last week gave me some major perspective on life and this whole situation is in no way a bad one.
Keep your little fingers crossed, Internets!
Monday, April 23, 2007
SO VERY EXCITING.
Ross does not like to spend money. At all. Even on necessities, i.e. milk and bread. He figures there is just something else in the pantry to eat. He doesn't understand that I am from Richmond and if you don't have milk and bread, you might as well throw yourself off the Mayo bridge while yelling "It's Po-white!" and "It's not the heat, it's the humidity!"
However, I came home from working out today (2 hours, friends. 2 hours of the working out.) and Ross said, "Do you want to buy you a new computer tonight?"
Left was right. Up was down. The heavens opened and God shot me double-finger-guns and a wink.
I paused and then calmly, very calmly said, "Ok," being careful to hide any excitement as not to scare him back into his hole where he sits and count his gold bars.
A little back story. I got the blue screen of death on my laptop the other night. This laptop (a graduation gift to ME from my in-laws) has been through much. Specifically ScottPharr and some water, as well as constant jacking-up from Ross who can't just leave things alone. This is not to say that Ross broke the computer. It's just that we've been through much together.
Anyway, I figured that I was screwed and I just wasn't going to get another computer until blah-blah-blah released the new blah-blah-blah in June. I was not happy.
But then I remembered that the thing that needed to be bought was smooth and shiny. How silly of me to think that this would wait! We have needed a new furnace since 2003, but furnaces aren't sleekly designed! This was a *need.* And when you need something, it's a responsibility.
Thus, tonight, we made us a purchase. Actually, we made me a purchase that Ross has promised not to touch even though he was nice enough to initiate the whole thing. Thanks to some extra miserly ways in the past, we are somehow able to afford a lovely, lovely MacBook that will arrive in 5 business days.
I. am. so. excited.
However, I came home from working out today (2 hours, friends. 2 hours of the working out.) and Ross said, "Do you want to buy you a new computer tonight?"
Left was right. Up was down. The heavens opened and God shot me double-finger-guns and a wink.
I paused and then calmly, very calmly said, "Ok," being careful to hide any excitement as not to scare him back into his hole where he sits and count his gold bars.
A little back story. I got the blue screen of death on my laptop the other night. This laptop (a graduation gift to ME from my in-laws) has been through much. Specifically ScottPharr and some water, as well as constant jacking-up from Ross who can't just leave things alone. This is not to say that Ross broke the computer. It's just that we've been through much together.
Anyway, I figured that I was screwed and I just wasn't going to get another computer until blah-blah-blah released the new blah-blah-blah in June. I was not happy.
But then I remembered that the thing that needed to be bought was smooth and shiny. How silly of me to think that this would wait! We have needed a new furnace since 2003, but furnaces aren't sleekly designed! This was a *need.* And when you need something, it's a responsibility.
Thus, tonight, we made us a purchase. Actually, we made me a purchase that Ross has promised not to touch even though he was nice enough to initiate the whole thing. Thanks to some extra miserly ways in the past, we are somehow able to afford a lovely, lovely MacBook that will arrive in 5 business days.
I. am. so. excited.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Babytown heaven
There was a baby explosion at church today. We have been talking about starting child care during the services, but it had never been an issue. I am actually the person who is supposed to be coordinating it, but as of last week we had one child at church who was only 3 weeks old so it wasn't a big deal.
However, today we were blessed with several little ones. Lots of people said that hearing babies coo and little kids whispering made it seem more like church. Halfway through the service we made an announcement that child care would be available starting immediately. I got to spend the rest of the service with a sweet and adorable little friend while her mom got to sit with her husband and enjoy the service.
I loved being able to do that for her and I can't wait to see other members of our church serve in that way. But I like being with the little ones for purely selfish reasons. I get so much joy from comforting them or making them laugh. It's seriously addictive and exactly what I needed after this very, very long and rough week. It was wonderful being at church and getting to see all of their little faces. To me, God is never more present than with a child.
Many blessings to those little ones tonight and I hope I get to see them all next week.
However, today we were blessed with several little ones. Lots of people said that hearing babies coo and little kids whispering made it seem more like church. Halfway through the service we made an announcement that child care would be available starting immediately. I got to spend the rest of the service with a sweet and adorable little friend while her mom got to sit with her husband and enjoy the service.
I loved being able to do that for her and I can't wait to see other members of our church serve in that way. But I like being with the little ones for purely selfish reasons. I get so much joy from comforting them or making them laugh. It's seriously addictive and exactly what I needed after this very, very long and rough week. It was wonderful being at church and getting to see all of their little faces. To me, God is never more present than with a child.
Many blessings to those little ones tonight and I hope I get to see them all next week.
Hokie Pride
Ross and I decided at the last minute to go to Blacksburg this weekend. Thanks to the awesomeness of my sister and bonus-brother, the dogs were taken care of and off we could go. I really think this was the best thing we could do. We got to Blacksburg Friday evening and got to spend some time with Nic, Kate, and Kate's wonderful sister Julia ( a student at Tech).
Saturday started as one of the hardest days of my life. We went to campus and saw all of the memorials set up for those we lost. I can't even explain what it was like. Ross took some pictures so I'll be sure to post them. They are so sad and touching at the same time.
We left campus for Narrows, VA to attend the funeral for Jarrett Lane, Alicia's brother. The whole time we were there I just kept shaking my head. I couldn't believe what was happening. However, the service was a beautiful memorial to Jarrett. The turn out was phenomenal and there were so many heartfelt tributes made to him by the small town that raised him so well and loved him so much. It hurts so much to see people you love in such pain. You just want to take it away and you can't. After the funeral we got to spend some time with Alicia and her husband Daniel. It was wonderful to get to see them and hug them. You never really know what to say in those situations, but you just want them to know that you are there and you love them.
We had planned on only staying one night, but ended up staying over Saturday night, too (thanks again to the awesomeness of my family). After getting back to Blacksburg we went to the drillfield for the alumni/student picnic. And by picnic I mean the most awesome, kind thing ever. Ross and I got a chance to meet the VT police chief which was amazing. Very emotional, but amazing.
We ended our evening by spending more time with friends and then finally collapsing and getting some much needed rest.
I'm glad we went. I'm still exhausted and my head hurts and I have a deep wrinkle in my forehead from choking back tears for two days. But we both feel like it was what Ross needed, what we both needed.
Go Hokies
Saturday started as one of the hardest days of my life. We went to campus and saw all of the memorials set up for those we lost. I can't even explain what it was like. Ross took some pictures so I'll be sure to post them. They are so sad and touching at the same time.
We left campus for Narrows, VA to attend the funeral for Jarrett Lane, Alicia's brother. The whole time we were there I just kept shaking my head. I couldn't believe what was happening. However, the service was a beautiful memorial to Jarrett. The turn out was phenomenal and there were so many heartfelt tributes made to him by the small town that raised him so well and loved him so much. It hurts so much to see people you love in such pain. You just want to take it away and you can't. After the funeral we got to spend some time with Alicia and her husband Daniel. It was wonderful to get to see them and hug them. You never really know what to say in those situations, but you just want them to know that you are there and you love them.
We had planned on only staying one night, but ended up staying over Saturday night, too (thanks again to the awesomeness of my family). After getting back to Blacksburg we went to the drillfield for the alumni/student picnic. And by picnic I mean the most awesome, kind thing ever. Ross and I got a chance to meet the VT police chief which was amazing. Very emotional, but amazing.
We ended our evening by spending more time with friends and then finally collapsing and getting some much needed rest.
I'm glad we went. I'm still exhausted and my head hurts and I have a deep wrinkle in my forehead from choking back tears for two days. But we both feel like it was what Ross needed, what we both needed.
Go Hokies
Thursday, April 19, 2007
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