My father-in-law is facing cancer and I’m coming up on Daniel’s first birthday which is a really joyful thing but also a little painful in remembering HOW he was born. Anyway, I wish that this particular devotion had been around last year because it would have been SOOOOO helpful!
Category Archives: Family
New Look and All
Yes, there’s a new look for ::Meditatio::.? I had been pondering a theme change and I liked this one the minute I saw it.? It’s not doing well with the paragraphing but I can go into the code and fix that another time.
I realize that I need to be posting more.?? I probably should have made it a Lenten discipline or something, not that I kept up with mine at all.? This is so not me because Lent is my favorite time of year.? At least I made it to Ash Wednesday this year and I’ll make it to Easter, which is better than last year where I was sick on Ash Wednesday and recovering from a c-section on Easter.
I’ve been in California for almost a month now and I have a job interview on Tuesday for an admin assistant position that I applied for through an employment/temp agency.? I’m hoping something comes of it because I’m having worries about finances and such.? (Yes, I know.? Matthew 6:25-34.)
I did my taxes earlier last month and my Montana tax refund thankfully paid for my federal penalty.? (Rendering unto Caesar is such a pain!)? I still need to look and see if they want us to do estimated taxes this year and how much they are.? I’m not too terrified because it’s not like we have a whole lot of self-employment income to deal with.
On the plus side of things, I got to visit with Jon’s Aunt Janice (who reads this, so HI JANICE!!!!) for the first time in 3 years.? She was out for business purposes but she came and hung out with us and got to see Daniel.? It was great to see her and her husband Jim for a more pleasant occasion (the last one being her father’s funeral).
Protected: That [Expletive] C-Word!!!! (II)
Protected: That [Expletive] C-Word!!!! (I)
Another Brain Dump Entry
It’s 12:30 am and I can’t sleep. Part of it might have been not sleeping last night and then sleeping in until 2 this afternoon and part of it might be that my brain isn’t shutting up. So.. enjoy this entry which is the purgings of my brain.
[+] I’ve been in So Cal for about two weeks now. I’ve done things like get my California driver’s license, register to vote, get renter’s insurance, fight with the SSA over Daniel’s SSI (just don’t ask — it was an unpleasant experience), and all that. Part of me is trying not to get too comfy because this could just be a temporary thing. (Our “snuggery” is a month-to-month lease.) However, we may be here for awhile so I’m also trying to set down some roots.
[+] Unpacking “the snuggery” (as our abode is nicknamed) has been harder than expected because when I thought I had pared things down to bare essentials, I was quite wrong. I could probably have saved a coffee table but I also have waaaay too much for the kitchen and waaaay too much of Daniel’s stuff there. It’s been hard because so much needs to go back to my in-laws’ garage (where we’re storing things) and it’s a matter of sorting that all out.
[+] Daniel is cutting 4 teeth so I have a grumpy bear on my hands much of the time. He *did* take a nap today after having some Tylenol but I have no idea if he’ll wake up at 3 again or actually sleep through the night. I feel sorry for him — it has to be pretty painful.
[+] In addition to applying for every clerical job between here and Riverside, I also applied to work at Michael’s because it seemed like one of the few retail jobs that I’d actually enjoy. I can already envision myself helping customers find yarn things for projects and such. However, I did all the online app stuff and none of it means that I’m going to be hired. I’m trying not to put all my eggs in this one basket but it would be a pretty nice job.
[+] One of my in-laws’ neighbors/family friends needed a walking partner so my mother-in-law hooked us up. Our first night out was tonight and it was kind of nice to be the fast walker for a change since my stubby little legs usually make me lag behind.
[+] I’m pondering the thought of starting a pastor’s wife podcast. Any of my clergy spouse readers got any ideas?
[+] Please lift my father-in-law up in prayer because they’re trying to figure out what he has and he is in really serious pain. The C-word is definitely in the picture and it’s a matter of finding out which kind it is. We’ll probably get the diagnosis in a week but please pray for him and my mother-in-law in the meantime because the unknown of all of this is really terrifying for them.
[+] For some reason unbeknownst to me, I’m pondering the idea of a second child because something in me wants a little girl named Hannah Grace. Those who know me in real life know that this is a really BAAAAAD idea right now for several reasons. Firstly, this is not the time to be pregnant and needing stability and being in one place when things are kind of in flux. Secondly, it’s not financially beneficial as we’re covered by Jon’s insurance but pregnancy is expensive. Thirdly, my body is already giving up on me. Pregnancy would make that worse. Lastly, I’m in the MASSIVE HIGH RISK category for pregnancy after my experience last April. I’d be pretty much on 9-months of bed rest and that doesn’t work out with an 11 month old and the possibility of having to help take care of my father-in-law. I know my mother-in-law would help to the extent that she could, but the focus needs to be on my father-in-law right now, not me.
[+] I’m pondering the idea of getting a Celtic knot tattoo on my shoulder for my 30th birthday in May. Am I crazy?
The Move
So we’re now down in southern California and have been here for about a week. The move did not go smoothly or as planned. We were still packing on Saturday when people arrived to help load the truck. We didn’t get to leave on Sunday as planned because of a flat tire (which led to the front two tires being replaced on the car on Monday morning) and this meant that we had to change the itinerary a bit and do three long days of driving instead of 2 short and two longer ones.
However… it all worked out.
We’re still getting unpacked in our cottage (which we refer to as the Snuggery), mostly due to the crib hardware disappearing during the move (and me having to make a trip to Orchard Supply Hardware to replace it today) and the fact that it’s… well… snug. It seems like every time we unpack a box, we have to create another box of things to go into storage because I didn’t quite pare things down enough. There’s also me dealing with a pinched nerve in my back (which decommissioned me for Saturday and Sunday), the massive amount of errands to do to establish residency, and just… stuff. Jon is sleeping down there and Daniel and I are staying with my in-laws who are graciously watching him while Jon and I unpack and deal with the whole “establishing residency” thing.
I do want to ask prayers for my father-in-law as he is dealing with health issues and is undergoing some rather painful diagnostic tests so that the doctors know how to proceed. Email me if you want the details on that.
Look Who’s 6 Months Old?!?!?!?!?
I can’t believe that 6 months ago, this little dude was in an incubator with tubes and wires coming out of him.Â? He has grown into a social little boy with BIG eyes who is the world’s biggest flirt.Â? He’s around 15 lbs right now and doing spectacularly.
I love you little bear!