Just For Fun

On Friday night, hubby and I went out with friends to dinner and a show. We sent the children to a babysitter and everything. I have to admit that I was giddy with excitement during the days leading up to it. My anticipation must have been contagious because my daughter's summer camp teacher told me to have fun when I went to pick her up. Apparently she had been talking about it all day.
Although I was tired from working and rushing around, we had a wonderful time at dinner and the show. On top of it, our children also had a wonderful time. So I learned something that evening: FUN IS NOT OPTIONAL. Couple time is necessary for every healthy relationship. I know this is not a revolutionary discovery, but for me it is.
With a full-time job, a husband, two young children and one on the way, I often find myself stretched in too many directions. I'm committed now to spending less time crunching numbers, and more time having fun. Kids need no reminders. Now neither do I.

Blood Thirsty

During a bout of sleeplessness the other night, I woke up and saw something strange on TV. A man was taking a drink from some other guy's arm. Yes, you heard me right. I had no idea what I was watching. I still don't know what it was. I do know, I found it disturbing. The other thing that caught me off guard was a bizarre ritual some woman was performing. She was apparently a vampire and was summoning some powers from somewhere and causing party goers to dance provocatively and perform other immoral acts.

It's clear I caught the tail end of some vampire series, but as usual, I started thinking. Is there a spiritual aspect of vampires? Are there any ramifications for believers who watch these shows? My questions are based on the uneasy feeling I was left with after just a short time watching. I also wonder about the erotic nature of these beings. I've begun to do research and plan to learn more as time progresses. With the popularity of shows such as True Blood and Twilight, I think this is a topic in need of exploration.

Still Going...

Lately I've been feeling very pregnant. My body is changing rapidly, and my energy level is waning. Every day tasks require so much effort, and sciatica makes walking feel like torture at times! The 90+ temps and rain forest humidity levels make swelling inevitable. Breathing is challenging, and the so-called pregnancy glow just looks like overactive pores to me! But enough about the joys of pregnancy.

My precious daughter is coming along famously. She is very active, and has the same silly personality as he older sister and brother. I'm so excited to meet this precious child. In spite of the uncomfortableness of being pregnant in very hot weather, I still feel extremely blessed. I am dreaming about how my 3 children will interact with each other. How will this little girl look? What will she weigh at birth? What day will she be born? And after how many hours?! I enjoy sharing this with all of you. For those who have requested pictures, I'll have to think about that. No one tells a pregnant woman the truth about her appearance for fear of setting off a torrent of hormones! Although this fear does not seem to affect my oldest brother...

Baby Update

We've now entered our six month of pregnancy, and our little girl is rockin' and rollin'. She's a very active little munchkin. And according to pictures, very cute! But I'm slightly biased:) We are very grateful and excited.

While I'm very thrilled about the impending birth of our next child, I must say pregnancy changes as one gets older. Six years ago when our older daughter was born, it was a novel thing. When I was tired, I just took a nap. When I had a headache, I did the same. Now as a working mom of two, things are different. I don't have time to relax much. I can barely keep up with how far along I am! However, the anticipation of my older children makes it so much more fun.

Ironically, I'm watching MTVs 16 and Pregnant while I write this. This girl is pregnant and has since split from her "stalkerish" boyfriend. She is so not ready to be a parent. She does not want to breastfeed because she is worried about her boobs sagging more. She doesn't realize that pregnancy alone will do that to you. She's also arguing with her mom that having a baby won't be so hard since they don't do anything! Wow!

Knowing the stresses that have come along with being pregnant, I can't imagine doing it as a child. My mind has been taxed so much. My emotions are all over the place. I'm exhausted and oft times overwhelmed. Thank God for my husband and children. They support me and keep me going. I hope this show helps teens examine one major possible consequence of premarital sex. The time for sugar-coating is over.

Permanently Crippled

"At some point people have to throw off the wounds of their childhood or go through life permanently crippled." Fancy Pants by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

While listening to this audio book, I was struck by the monumental charge given here in such a concise statement. Here the feminine lead is imploring the male lead to stop making excuses and live up to his potential.

There is no person, no matter how amazing the childhood, who will escape scars from this time period. When we live in the past with old hurts and slights, we cannot grow. As the author stated, we will be permanently crippled. I know that forgiveness is hardest when the offender is close to you.

If you are still holding a grudge against your parents or another loved one who wronged you, I challenge you to ask God to empower you with the ability to forgive so that you may walk in His joy. May your chains be loosed and your "legs" begin to walk.

Forgiving a Cheater

When a spouse cheats, many lives are changed irrevocably. Lately, infidelity has been gracing the pages of magazines and television headlines. While I have no idea what is wrong with these men, I'm more curious about the women beside them. While I know women cheat, I'm focusing mostly on men because they're the ones saturating the media right now.

The numbers of men in high-powered, influential positions who have devastated and demoralized their wives lately is fascinating to me! What I find even more amazing is the fact that the wives, more often than not, stay right there. Whether standing beside him as he fakes a tearful public apology or trying hard to smile in dignity as she publicly appears with him at a social event, the wives "stand by their man". My question is, "WHY?"

I don't stand in judgment of these victimized women. I feel sorry for them. I hate that they married men who are so cowardly that they cannot tell their wives in private before news of his infidelity is scrolling across CNN during the nightly news. I hate that the father of their children is barely fit to breathe, let alone be an example for their sons. I do wonder why women blame themselves for affairs. Why do they ask what short comings they have that caused their husbands to cheat? Why do they put up with it?

I have often argued with my husband that men will drop a cheating wife like a bad habit, and women will actually beg the cheater to come back to them?!

So that is my question to each of you: Are women more likely to reconcile with a cheater than men? If so, why do you think so? I would love to hear your thoughts. Don't leave me hanging!

Pick Your Battles

Someone please teach me what this saying means. I thought I knew. But lately everything seems to be a battle worth fighting. My question of the day is this: How do you turn the other way when it seems the only thing that matters is money? Any suggestions would be helpful. Many times I feel powerless to change things when I know they should change. Is praying enough or do I need to take action? I'll be waiting!