Stay At Home Moms for Justice!

Many who know me know that this isn't what I envisioned for myself.  The Katie of 10 years ago would have been shocked that I am a wife, mother, and that I stay at home.  In fact, I probably (no...definitely) would have looked down on my future self. 


Now, I am average.  I was married and giving birth at the age of 25 and half...the average statistical age (or, it was at that time, anyway).  We own a house, a newish car, we use to own a cat (before he passed away, RIP, Calcifer) and life...is pretty normal.  In my later teens/early twenties I was pretty terrified of being average/normal and being "tied down by the shackles of average/materialistic life (mortgage, etc)".  I had plans of my own that I definitely justified because they were for the good of others, to help, to save, to make a difference...of course God wanted that.  


Honestly, I still REALLY struggle with being a SAHM, at times.  Especially when I see/hear that people see me as "only" a SAHM or "it must be so nice that you can do that" - even though, it is, in many ways. But I am in this place for a reason.  I am learning to worship Jesus here.  I am (slowly/painfully) *learning* to love well.   It use to be my fear to be average.  Now, I fear being lost to myself and what *I* think is good for my life.  God has given me (and you!) gifts that I haven't even used and that I maybe don't even know exist.  And I am excited to just move forward, be present where I am at in life, and seek what God has in store.  


All that said as a preface to The Justice Conference.  It's a conference.  About Justice.  And I signed up for it...not really knowing why.  Right around the time I was contemplating signing up, one of my best friends (also a SAHM) from college, called me from Montana, and asked if I knew about the conference, that it just kept popping up on her radar, she didn't know why, or what it was really...but she, too, kinda felt like she should go.  When we signed up we both shared how awesome it was that in the "Occupation" drop down they actually had "Mom" as an option! We are relevant!


So tomorrow, two women, friends, mothers, wives, Jesus-lovers will embark on this conference, about Justice...seeking a way that we can weave our own thread into this broken world. Even if it just starts at home.  Learning to fully love and serve our families, neighbors, city and the world.

One Three-Year-Old, Twenty Questions

I asked Claire these questions a couple months ago and today she insisted that I ask her again.  The new answers are in blue.

1. Favorite Color: "Black." - "Blue." 
2. Favorite Movie: "Curious George." - "Wall-E."
3. Favorite Food: "Tomato soup and cheese sandwich.  Oh and Oatmeal Squares!" - "Mac and Cheese!" *shamefaced*
4. Best Friend: "Benny" (little boy I watch every week) Then she thought of her other friend, Ben (lives in Hawaii, now). "One, two Benjamins!" -  "Molly is my best friend!"
5. Favorite Thing To Do:  "Play in my room." - "Go to bed."
6. Favorite Place To Go:  "The park - 'magination station park." - "Target." 
7. Favorite Toy: "Blocks! They're really good!" - "Blocks!"
8. Favorite Fruit: "Banana! and Kiwi!" - "Banana."
9. Favorite Song: "Silent Night" Seriously, for over a year straight, she requests the song, EVERY NIGHT, before bed. - "Silent Night."
10. Favorite Snack: "Chocolate Chips." Just a note here...I don't give her chocolate chips to snack on. haha - "Bunny Snacks!" 
11. Favorite Book:  "Planting a Rainbow."  - "I Love You, Mommy." 
12. Favorite Stuffed Animal (At this point in the interview ,Claire asked me to ask this question): And she LOUDLY responded "JOE JOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - "JOE JOE!!!"
13. Favorite Animal:  "Octopuses." - "Lions."
14. Favorite Thing To Do Outside: "Play on my play-set" - "Play on my play-set."
15. Favorite Drink: "Milk." - "Apple juice." 
16. Favorite Holiday: "Umm...I'm not sure, Mamma." - "Christmix."
17. Favorite Breakfast: "French Toast." - "Pancakes."
18. Who Do You Like To Take To Bed: "Joe (lion), Mushoo (kitty), Stripe (puppy), Woof Woof (puppy), Barky (puppy), Pokey (puppy), Ouchies (puppy)" <<< Seeing a canine theme? - "Joe Joe, Stripe (puppy), Joey (puppy)."
19. Favorite Outfit:  "I'm not sure, momma!" - "Cupcake shirt!"
20. What Do You Want To Be When You Grown Up:  "I'm gonna be a PIRATE! And ride in a pirate ship!" - "A Pirate!"

A Few of My Favorite Things...

...are actually not things, but rather, people.  And here's how. 

So, Christmas was great.  Really low-key.  Christmas Eve was spent with fellow Christians at Imago Dei, wonderful friends, homemade pizza (NO PICTURES! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!?), their adorable pugs, Claire screaming as the young pug chased her and barked at her, Claire polishing off the last chocolate heart in her Advent Calendar before bedtime, and some classy Christmas movie-time: Star Wars Ewok Adventures - Caravan of Courage 

On Christmas day we woke up late (7:30 am qualifies as *late*, for us), opened gifts and stockings, made a big breakfast, attempted to go to the Christmas Day service at church, but actually exited quickly when we realized there was no 3-year-old class and we had kiiiiinnnddaaa barely made it through the Christmas Eve service, the night before, with our very *active* 3-year old.  Upon returning home, I commenced a very long nap, as did my 3 year old...Chris maxed the time to kick some Xbox-hockey-butt.  Later, we made a couple little stops to deliver small gifts to friends and a neighbor (home-made ornaments).  

(Chris saw this on my Pinterest and put it in my stocking. I. LOVE. IT.  He is seriously the BEST stocking stuffer-er.)

(Claire wearing her super-cozy robe that Nama *my mom* made for her..love handmade!)

The days following we spent time with Chris' extended family up in Northern Washington. Claire ran, and played, and yelled, and played, and chased her cousin, and rolled around on the carpet at Great Aunt Kathy's, exclaiming, "I will live here FOREVER AND EVER!".  Needless to say, I think she had fun.  And good for the heart to see and be with family. 

On the way up, we stopped to see my SIL, Kate, Joey, Jude, Ellie, and Cameron.  I followed through with my premeditated plan of kissing, kissing, kissing little baby Cameron's sweet face.  

And I had NO qualms about hogging all the holding time with Cameron.  He's just too sweet for words.  

We stayed the night at Great Grandpa's house.  Claire frolicked through his house, oohing and ahhing, and generally thinking it was a magical palace.  She freaked out with JOY when we saw there was a room JUST for her ...and even MORE! when she saw the little stuffed puppy on the bed.  The next morning when we went in to say good morning she said, "This is awesome."  Unfortunately, I think the altered schedule, all the constant excitement about *everything*, the lack of having napped the day before and nearing nap on this particular day caught up with her and she just CRIED AND CRIED when we tried to take a picture with Chris and Grandpa.  She did not want that picture and by forcing her we were thwarting her will.  And nothing is more unforgivable to a 3-year-old...or even to a 28-year-old (looking in the mirror), I guess?  Ah well.  You win some, you lose some. 

So, I did love my stocking...it was great.  But more than anything, I loved all the time with PEOPLE!  Granted, I admit to actually disliking people sometimes (when I'm driving, personal friction with individuals who are so very different from me or perhaps alike?, myself even, perhaps my husband and daughter sometimes?, etc)....so I am not just a free-loving-all-people kind of person.  I want to be...but unfortunately, I am judgmental, selfish, etc, many times.  But despite that, God still puts all these amazing friends and family in our lives and that connection/relationship is really valued.  I hope I can grow more in realizing and appreciating the gift of the relationships that I have been given. 

I included these last two pictures because I found them on Chris' phone...and I love them. 

I hope you all had a Christmas that was meaningful, full of love and warmth.  Sadly, even as I type that I think about how many do NOT have that.  And I want to figure out what to do about that...maybe not necessarily just at Christmas.  

One interesting thing...*total rabbit trail here*...coming of the freeway in the midst of our travels we gave a banana to a homeless man, with a sign asking for help at the freeway exit.  I wish it was more...but nevertheless...I was so struck by his kind/thankful face.  More than a full day later, Claire said, "You gave a banana to a man.  Why did you do that, momma?"  So we talked about it.  She thought about it.  And she said, "That was so nice."  How little she realizes that it wasn't very much at all.  But it struck me that she was thinking so much about it..well after the fact.  Maybe it's a challenge for me to pursue compassion?  Even in the smallest of ways.  Even if it's not my first impulse.  I hope Claire is compassionate...and she's only going to learn it by seeing it.  

Next Best Thing to Facebook?

Oh so many of you know my tumultuous past with Facebook. AND NO! I am not going to rejoin.  But I did join Twitter!  It's kiiinnddaa fun and casual and not fraught with as much weird *friending* and *un-friending*, weird Facebook policies, etc.  Actually, I joined Twitter a long time ago (and not until recently posted a tweet or two).  Then I noticed I had one follower of my twitter account...my pastor...whom I don't really know, personally, but think is pretty cool!


The point? I am ON Twitter now and realizing I don't know that many people on Twitter, yet.  If you're on twitter, follow me and let's commence tweeting!  

I'm a Christian...Unless You're Gay.

I read this article recently and it's a good one.  There's a lot I could say about it, but I don't necessarily think that it'll *add* to anything.  Just, check it out, if you're so inclined...and maybe tell me what you think.  I'd love to talk about this.  


Just a quick excerpt that caught my attention: 

"Oh, but you're not gay? You're clean, and well dressed, and you have a job?  You look the way I think you should look?  You act the way I think you should act?  You believe the things I think you should believe?  Then I'm definitely a Christian.  To you, today, I'm a Christian.  You've earned it." 

The gentleman who wrote this article claims to not be a Christian, himself, but what he's saying is worth weighing, and I would say...very important....and..might I add...a little humbling, personally. 

I'm A Christian, Unless You're Gay (click here to read the article)

Rewind

Three months, aye? I have wanted to blog many times, but often been overwhelmed with other *life* that prevented me from sitting down and actually posting. So, we'll rewind from most recent all the way back to September.  Ready? 

My friend, Shannon and I at MUMFORD AND SONS!  MOST. MAGNIFICENT. SHOW. EVER. Perhaps my favorite event of 2011?

Lots of fun times, coffee drinking, deep conversation with my friend, Shannon.  It's been a long time since I could have these kind of conversations.  *happy soul sighing*

Pretty lazy fall decorating.  But thank you butternut squash and pumpkins...you made it easy!

Thanksgiving delicacies: Green bean casserole, mashed sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, Alton Brown Turkey, gravy, delicious sage sausage and apple stuffing, homemade rolls, homemade cranberry sauce...wonderful spread!  I made the turkey, stuffing and rolls....and the "turkey" veggie platter.  The rest my lovely sister in law and mother in law contributed. 

Chris begged me to make the Alton Brown Turkey this year.  It was my FIRST turkey ever.  I brined it and everything.  And it was really flavorful!  Not only that, but I made 3 pot pies from the leftovers!  And several turkey, ketchup, and mustard sandwiches. 

Oz Family shot, 2011. 

The table setup.  I was so busy I just took a quick picture of the table...but not the PEOPLE!  

Grandma S. (my momma) surprised Claire by mailing her a package with chef's hats!  Claire's been wanting a chef's hat for a very long time. 

Apple Festival! 

Claire really wanted a picture with this rooster. 

My friend moved to Portland and now we get to hang out! I love it! We met up with her and my parents to have fun at the Apple Festival at the Portland Nursery.  Shannon and I tried so many varieties of apples/pears...we were STUFFED! 

Claire got to paint her very own pumpkin, next to Dad-dad. 

 Claire got a little surprise in the mail from her Great Grandparents Oz...a little octopus.  She named him Chocolate Soup. 

MUCH fun in the rain puddles has been had.  Along with continually adding to Claire's rock collection.

She owns the world!!!  *does it look like she's growing out of her clothes, 

or is it just me ;)?* 

Jumping on the couch and watching the squirrels go up the tree...she named the big tree in our front yard, "Holly".

So lovely. 

Fourth Anniversary. 

Sweet man got me flowers :) 

 She LOVES blocks these days.  These are too babyish for her now, but we haven't sprung for new ones yet. 

Playing on Great Grandpa Oz's mower.  

Exploring the wildlife.

Feeding the wildlife.  These two were as thick as thieves.  Great Grandpa gets the sweetest twinkle in his eye when he's with Claire.  Claire cried of a broken heart when we had to leave.  

This is one of my favorite pictures. 

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All caught up? A lot, indeed, has happened in the past few months.  Right around my last blog post, I actually found out I was pregnant.  Sadly, about a month ago I had a miscarriage.  I've actually been wanting to write about it, share my own story of this event that I now have in common with SO MANY other women.  I don't really know what to say right now.  Other than, God brought us through it.  And still is.  I hope we can conceive again, but ultimately, if I have no more children, 1, 2 or 10 more...I know God is good, He cares for me/us and that whatever happens in this life, I will be grateful to Him.  Nevertheless, the experience did it fair share of ripping my heart wide open.  


But life moves forward.  We've had a great December, preparing for Christmas, attempting to LIVE in the story of Jesus coming to be NEAR to us...God...choosing to be NEAR humanity...to be clothed in humanity.  Amazing.  So, it's been a journey over the past few years, trying to figure out how to live into that story and celebrate, perhaps, differently? Claire has LOVED doing the little chocolate advent calendar we bought.  We've also had lots of fun going to Zoo Lights, drinking hot chocolate and going for car rides to see neighborhood Christmas lights, assembling our artificial Christmas tree (GASP! I KNOW!), wrapping gifts, hunting for the perfect stocking stuffers (stockings.are.the. best.), sharing meals with friends/family, making cookies, even opening a couple small presents before Christmas.  I LOVE watching Claire analyze the (very few) presents that are already under the tree.  It's so cute.  It's been a pretty freeing, enjoyable and stress-less Advent season.  I'm kiiiiiiiiiiiindddaaa LOVING IT!


One of the greatest things, this Christmas season, was the birth of nephew #3 (on Chris' family's side)...little Cameron Ray was born last Sunday!  I met him via Skype today...but can't wait to meet him on Tuesday when we're in their neck of the woods.  I am just gonna kiss, kiss, kiss those cheeks!


I guess that's all for now.  Quite the generic picture/caption blog update.  I do hope to post more often...because...well...it's fun :)  Therefore, I can't wait to see you all soon!


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Old People Crush

Many who know me, know that I have lots of old-man crushes.  It all started when I was 4 years old and Floyd Hopper would let me dance with him (my feet on his shoes).  I declared to his wife, Evelyn, that I was going to marry him someday.  She asked what she was suppose to do.  I replied, "Take care of the kids." 

Ever since then I have been a serial old-man crushaholic.  Tom Brokaw is one my more notorious crushes.  And, of course, Chris' grandfather...and you can see why! (see: last blog post).

But now, I think I may have found my ultimate old-man crush.  Check out this adorable older couple as they try to figure out how to use their new computer.  I am seriously IN LOVE with this sweet (and SASSY) man!

"Web Cam 101 For Seniors" Turns Oregon Oldsters Into Youtube Celebrities