Now, I realize that no one may really care what I'm thinking, but since everyone else in the world seems to have a blog, I mind as well too.  I never caved in and saw Titanic, and I must be the only person in the US who hasn't (I know, the boat sinks), but that was a matter of principle.  But, this is different.  I have a lot of useless comments floating around in my brain, and if I don't spill some out, I won't have room for more useless information.  And who knows, someday something interesting may come out, and if I don't write it down, its GONE! 

I have no guarantees how often I'll update this.  Like my website, I'll probably forget I have it or am so overwhelmed at being so far behind that I'll just ignore it and hope it updates by itself.

I don't know where time goes when you are an adult. I remember when the summer was an eternity - time to play, time to have fun. The month between my birthday and Christmas was like 3 months. Now, I pretty much am not sure where the last 2 1/2 years have gone. Heck, its mid-September, and I still want it to be June.

In the last few weeks, Michael has:

started gymnastics - He's doing great. I was just looking for a controlled, padded environment for him to bounce off of, but he's having a blast and learning a lot. He's even starting to listen and follow directions, well, for him.

graduated to the caterpillar class - He is no longer in the nursery playing during church. He's got a lesson, crafts, songs. Sunday, as he went downstairs in his little plaid shirt, cordouroys, loafers, and backpack, he looked like he was heading to his first day of school.

talking more - He's starting to put more words together. It is hysterical to see him sitting at the piano playing and singing the ABC song.

protective of his sister - Rich started letting Sasha go down the slide (with help, of course). Michael gets very upset if he isn't on there to go down with her. He sits behind her with his arms around her waist and down they go.   Also, if anyone gets near her, he heads them off.  Okay, he does that with his toys too, but still...   He also likes to help her get out of her carseat.  Thankfully he can't get it all unhooked yet.

Then there is Sasha:

Over the summer, we've noticed a HUGE change.  In June at my parents, she was starting to roll.  Over 4th of July, she could sit and reach things.  By August she was doing the army crawl everywhere.  In September all she wanted to do was grab someone's fingers so she could stand up and walk.

Getting her to nap - impossible.  She is a cat napper.  No naps for her means no naps for me.  Not a pleasant day does that make.

Since she's got the crawling thing going, she has become very independent.  At 9 months, she got her first tooth.  She also decided she wanted to feed herself.  Mind you, without opposable teeth, there isn't really much she can eat, but that didn't stop her.

And this morning, I went into her room to find her standing in her crib.  STOP!!!

Woohoo! Only one more day until I leave for Nashville! I am so excited, and while I will love to have some time to recharge, I will miss the kiddos terribly. I don't think I've done an overnight from Sasha, and I won't see her until Sunday. Rich is taking both kids out to his parents this afternoon. So, I also have the afternoon and evening free! I think I'll go to Starbucks, head to ON to get some new pants to take, browse the library (grown up books). And reflect on some of my favorite sounds: - the wonderful sound of the coffee pot finishing brewing - the deep belly laugh that comes out of the smallest kids that means they are completely happy and content - Michael's "hugkiss" before he goes to sleep. As you hug him, its a long drawn-out "awwwwww" - Sasha's cooing and chattering - deep gulps when a baby nurses - Rich whispering "I love you" in my ear - The Star Spangled Banner - a heartfelt "thank you" - Michael's "Oh! Wow!" sense of wonder - "would you like some chocolate?" - cat's purr - the crackling of a fireplace

What do you get when you get 6000 childless moms together? Heaven! I spent the weekend in Nashville TN at the MOPS Convention. My gosh, it was great!

First, 6 women in a van. We were stuck in traffic for 1 hour 20 miles away from our destination. Did we care? NO! No screaming kids, lots of conversation, some People magazines, and a container of cookies. Great conversation! I learned a lot about these ladies, some of which makes me feel extremely blessed with my life, and thankful that God hasn't truly tested what I am made of. We stayed at Gaylord Opryland. And got to know each other well because we spent a lot of time standing in line. I met many wonderful women from all over the country, and was amazed at how many had flown in from the west coast. We were sponsored completely by our church, so it is hard for us to justify flying. That is why we chose Nashville - an easy drive.

Our first session Thursday was with Elisa Morgan - President and CEO of MOPS International. All I can say is, that woman has more energy that anyone I have ever met. She wrote a great book on the Fruits of the Spirit (which I now know well...love joy, peace, goodness, kindness, patience, gentleness, faithfullness, and self-control) Naked Fruit. It isn't about being NICE, its about being like Jesus. 3 of us stood in line for over an hour to get our books signed. She talked to everyone! Nice, but when its 11:30, you just want her to sign and go to bed. Oh, and a concert by Point of Grace. 

Friday morning brought the running of the bulls to get good seats. Women were just bolting for the front. We had great seats ourselves. Erin O'Donnell sang, and she was wonderful. I now own 2 (autographed) cds. The speaker was Stormie Omartin. I've read Power of a Praying Parent and Power of a Praying Wife. Her background is pretty humbling, and I could see how God worked through her hardships. I have to say, she is a horrible speaker, much better writer. She needs to breathe more.

Lunch was with Lisa Whelchel. Yes, Blair from "Facts of Life". She was so sweet and humble. I had my picture taken with her, and she didn't mind at all. I'm sure a lot of us in the lunch were fans of the show originally. At least it looked like all of us were 30-35 years old. I didn't realize she had been a Christian when she was on the show, but then again, I wasn't one at the time. I won a book while I was there, The Advent of Christmas on making traditions and finding teachable moments during the season. I didn't go to her Creative Corrections seminar (yes, the book with the tabasco sauce), but most of my group did so I got the hightlights.

Instead I went to Lorilee Kraker (I'll have to check on that) and dealing with the toddler years. I knew a lot of her tips, but I did learn a few new things. A good reminder on how frustration seems to be the main trigger to a meltdown, plus they are only 2! I've already used a few tips and tricks, like giving a choice - do you want to put your shoes on in the bedroom or in the living room? Also, 15 minutes until naptime, 10 minutes until naptime....

The evening was ours. We went to Alabama (yes, owned by the band) for dinner and saw a movie. There were lots of moms who went for the movie thing. 4 of our ladies say Cellular, and 2 of us went for Wimbledon. Good little love story, and your man can watch tennis and Kirsten Dunst. I have to admit, after seeing a little love story, I couldn't wait to get home to Rich.

Saturday morning, after the running, we saw Rick Warren with The Purpose Driven Life. All I can say is it was worth going to the conference to see him. We were created to worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. One thing he mentioned with worship that really caught me was that when someone comes out of a service and says they really didn't get anything out of it, it wasn't for them anyway. The service was for God. I will, when I am finished with the current study of Ephesians I am on, actually read and ponder more than the first 8 chapters of the book.

We all decided to take the afternoon off, which was a well deserved rest, and we were not the only ones who decided that was a good idea. We shopped a bit, and rested by the dancing water fountain in the Delta. For dinner, we went to The Cock of the Walk. We were supposed to go their Friday night after we asked the concierge where SHE would eat. Great catfish, and we've all developed a thing for deep-fried pickle slices. And we got into a little political discussion which will be elevating until November. We had to be careful, our Democrat is our driver and coordinator. However, she doesn't want to lose her steering committee, so it was all in great fun.

Saturday night (and the running where one of our ladies was elbowing people out of the way) was a great closing. I have got to get some of George Rowe's music. He had one song that he had based off a prayer he had when he was debating leaving his law work and going into full-time music. When he got to a part where he sang the Lord's Prayer a capella, it was so hard to watch because I felt like I had walked in on a very powerful, personal moment between him and God.

We stuck around until Sunday, and after a breakfast at Cracker Barrell (we had all had enough carbs and needed eggs and bacon) it was back on the road and back to our daily life.

I really missed my kids and my husband, but I truly believe I needed the time to become refreshed and renewed. Of course the conference was focused on being a mom and a MOPS leader, but also acted as a reminder that I am ME.  And I am extremely thankful that my husband knows an encourages this.

And yes, we plan to go to the Deacon Board and ask for air fare to Dallas next September for conference.

Okay, I probably need to get to this thing more than once a week. But my kids are non-napping leeches, and this takes too much concentration.

Well, here's my take on the Presidential elections and debates: Enough already. The election season should not last 1 1/2 years. When do these candidates do their regular jobs, you know, the ones they were elected to do? How can John Kerry represent the people of Massachusettes when he's criss-crossing the country? Massachusettes isn't a swing state, so why would he care? Can't be so lucky that he'll lose his home state like Gore in 2000 (the country elected him, but Tennessee didn't. Ha! Think they knew something the Eastern left and Western left coasts didn't?)

And as for the debates. What happened to a real debate when the candidates didn't know all the questions before hand? And if you haven't got an idea who you want to vote for less than 1 month before the election, you're going to have one scripted "debate" make up your mind for you? I mean, GWB had a bad night and didn't speak really well and Kerry was polished (when you don't do your elected job at all, you tend to have more time to rest) so I think I'll go with Kerry. Bunk!

And I hate all the media and such telling people you have to get out and register. Great, more registered voters which will make the actual turnout even sadder. If you couldn't get you butt in gear to register early (like it is so hard to register when you get your license or borrow a book at the library), what makes you think you'll get your lazy butt in line to actually pull the lever (or punch the button in our county).

And because of the Presidental election, I have to admit I have no idea what is on the local ballot. Not the school levy for the 5th election in a row, that I know. Other than that, I haven't seen anything on the news. Or, I'm turning it off before they get to it. I'll have to check those.

So, Yes, I'm voting. Yes, I'm voting for GWB and have known so for a long time. No, I don't vote straight party line. No, I don't vote just to pick a name; if I don't know who anyone is, I just don't make a choice. But I think it is imparative to be an INFORMED voter.

Alright, I'm getting a nose bleed up on this soapbox, so I shall come down now.

Yes, the time to update. To let you know what's on my mind. To use up my allotted space on the internet to amuse others. On that note, who actually reads this? I mean, I know I read other people's blogs and occasionally even make comments. Am I talking to anyone, or just like to hear myself type?

I am on the lookout for a new blogging tool, one that takes my thoughts I have of wonderful composed, extrememly witty blog enties and automatically puts them on the net. It would tidy up the random thoughts floating up on the ceiling of my bedroom and van. Of course, I'd like it to be freeware. No ads would be good too. Mind as well dream big!

Its always a little sad for me to swap wardrobes each Fall and Spring. I have bits I love of all the seasons, and hate to see them go. Well, actually, I like warmer weather, but I hate freezing. So putting away the shorts and t-shirts aren't so bad. I have nice clothes for the winter. Warm, fuzzy sweaters, turtlenecks, blazers. And dress pants! I know, being a SAHM, what do I need 5 pairs of black dress pants for? But I look good for MOPS, church, and bible study. Oh, and grocery shopping and general driving around town. All those great items left over from my working days....I counted 8 blazers in my closet (+2 that go with suits) and some are still in the box. So, I guess that is what I hate about putting my clothes away in the Spring - an attempt at fashion. Yes, my summer clothes are pitiful. I have no button down shirts (no need with breastfeeding), no cute sundresses (impossible with breastfeeding) and no money to update my wardrobe (no job).

Well, that was depressing. Sorry - have a cold and have been up with a small child since 5:30 who refuses to sleep so is watching Baby DaVinci.

I can't believe I haven't blogged for a month. I know, why bother? I just visited it for the first time in almost that long and saw requests for updated. I could update, but I'd just complain that I feel crappy and my darling little girl sleeps as badly as I do. But I won't. Instead, I'll say something nice about my husband. Yesterday I was just whipped. Sasha hates to sleep, Michael hates to listen. At any rate, Rich ran me a bath at 6pm. Since he obviously can't bring me a glass of wine, and I didn't want tea or anything, he came in with a carmel praline milkshake. At 7:45, I took Sasha into bed with me and nursed her to sleep. He took her into her room around 8:30. I stayed in bed. He was even nice enough to throw out my contacts for me. (That's love - I take them out of my eyes and he tosses them. Kinda personal.) Now, I didn't get to sleep all night, but it was nice to go to bed early. He said he had told someone at work that when I was pregnant with Michael, I'd come home from work, eat dinner, go to bed at 6 and sleep until 6. Now it takes 2 days for me to get 12 hours of sleep.

Yeah, I suck at blogging. Rich will probably come in here and wonder what I'm doing. (Hi honey!) No, he just came in and said, "hey, about time you're updating!"

Not much going on here. Just getting ready for Christmas, like everyone else. Today the kiddos will be painting picture frames for the grandmas & great-grandmas. We'll take their picture and put that in the frame. It also has space for their handprints. We thought about saving it for next year, but then figured we'd never get 3 handprints on it.

I also have to go out (without kids) the the bank to buy Savings Bonds. Sasha has some money from her birthday for bonds, and I'm getting one for my neice. After a while, how much crap do kids need? I also found a bond that is 2 days older than I am. Since its not getting interest any more, I think I'll take it, cash it in, and convert it to another bond. Haven't missed that money, why pay bills with it? That might just buy a month of heart medicine for me in another 32 years.

Pregnancy is going well. Other than they have to draw blood every stinking time I go to the midwife. They did a Toxoplasmosis test last time and the levels came back high, so they ran another to see if it is a current infection or I just have high antibody levels. Otherwise, heartbeat good, levels of everything else good, get an ultrasound in 1 months. And no, I won't find out the sex AGAIN. Should drive MIL nuts.

My poor sister. She finally got a letter from OSU yesterday, and it didn't definitively tell her if she got in or not. Just that she passed the initial review and was going to another board. No one else she knows got a letter like that. I'm hoping its just the engineering school, and not that she didn't get in. Her grades are pretty good, and her ACTs were what she needed for engineering. She went through so much last year battling her hyperthyroidism and got all As and A-s first quarter this year. I'd hate for her not to get in. She has been excepted to Bowling Green (if she decides on education) and University of Toledo Engineering (which would make my dad estatic since that's his alma mater.) I was hoping we'd live in the same city after 15 years. I went to OSU when she was 3, went back 2 summers, and then just to visit.

Well, I'll see you all next month!

Wednesday we had snow, lots of snow.  I joked we don't ever get anything in central Ohio....wrong!  Ice, 8 inches of snow, then freezing rain on top of that.  Looks like we would most definately have a white Christmas. 

Because we were going out of town for the actual holiday, we decided to treat Wednesday and Thursday as OUR Christmas.  Wednesday night, we obviously couldn't go to Christmas Eve service, so we did just stay home.  I made a lovely dinner, then as the kids were all wound up, we had them open their Christmas pajamas and gave them a bath.  Michael was a trip trying to button up the top of his plaid pajamas (boy does he look old).  We got the kiddos to bed, I went to bed and Rich assembled the gifts for the kids to see first, as well as get the fire ready and the camera set up.  Poor guy, he had to wrap all the gifts too.  I only wrapped his.  But I bought most of them....