The Deal of the Century

If you've known us at all you know we've had hand-me-down couches from both sets of parents since we've been married. And we're thankful that this is one less expense we had to incur after we got married. The couches have been masked by some illustrious khaki slipcovers that don't particularly like to stay in place. We also love to decorate and have always dreamed of getting leather couches.

Since we're planning on buying a house in the next few months, we've started saving for new couches and looking for them. We have always loved a certain set of couches from Pottery Barn - the Manhattan, but for us Pottery Barn is cost-prohibitive, in a big way. We did find out if you work there you can get a 40% discount, but even then, that was pushing it for us. Though we hadn't totally put away the thought of one of us working a part time job there for a short time, we were trying to find other couches that we liked. We've only looked passively, but still nothing was measuring up.

I was visiting my cousin Pam, a decorator, a few weeks ago and told her what we were looking for. I asked for store recommendations and she said she would keep an eye out for us. She called me the other day and said I wasn't going to believe what she had done. She was at an antique furniture auction and they started auctioning off new furniture. She saw a leather sofa and two leather chairs that looked exactly like what we wanted, so she bid and bought it. She told me it was ours if we wanted to buy it from her, and if not, she'd resell it. She was going to send us pictures so we could decide whether or not we liked it, but, she didn't have too. After looking at the couches and the Pottery Barn website, she thinks that it's the exact same couch and chairs. The exact same set we wanted in the exact same color we wanted! And the best part - for the the whole set she only paid the cost of ONE of the chairs, on sale! It's a steal, not only for leather couches, but for any set of couches, especially from Pottery Barn. Needless to say I am out of my mind excited! Way to go cousin Pam!

As soon as we buy the house to put them in, you're all invited over for a test sit!

Four Months = Four Pictures

As I've said before I don't want this blog to become baby-focused, but it's a big part of my life, so she'll definitely creep in occasionally. We visited the doctor last week for the four-month check-up and here are the stats: weight - 13 lbs. 4 oz (75th percentile), height - 25 1/2 inches (95th percentile), head circumference - 17 1/4 inches (off the chart). So she must be getting the big head because we're always telling her how pretty she is. Enjoy the pictures below (that my wonderfully talented husband took) and check out her blog if you want to see more.

(This is my baby jewelry she is wearing in this picture. My mom saved it and gave it to me at the hospital)

Conversations in Wal-Mart - Episode 1

I do my weekly grocery shopping at WalMart and it's now a much more pleasant and less stressful experience since I can go during the week and during less busy hours. This also gives me time to talk to people, which happens often now because the cutest little girl in the world is riding in my cart :) I've had some interesting conversations, so I thought I would share. I call this Episode 1 because I'm sure there will be others. And I must confess this first one isn't a conversation I was involved in, I was eavesdropping.

Male Oil and Lube Employee: Well are you?
Female Seasonal Aisle Product Stocker: (doesn't say anything, looks down and away)
M: Well, are you?
F: What are you going to do if I am?
M: I don't know, have a baby. Are you? (he then proceeds to lift up her shirt a little and look at her stomach) Are you?
F: (she's still looking down and nods yes)
M: Well how far along?
F: I don't know.
M: (seeing a friend of his) Hey Joe, what's up? ( he walks off)

I blog about this for a couple of reasons. At first it's a bit comical, especially the fact that they were having this conversation in the space of a 4 foot wide aisle, with me, a total stranger standing next to them. And then it's a little sad. I'm sure the young lady and young man were both scared to death considering the young lady claims she's pregnant. I sat there and thought "You should say something, she might need help", the other voice said "You're just being silly and nosy, walk away". The first voice won. I asked the girl if she was okay and if the young man was bothering her. She said she was fine and he was her ex. I said I just wanted to make sure she was okay.

So yeah, I was eavesdropping and nosy but I couldn't push aside the thought that maybe she needed someone to talk to and had nowhere to go and maybe a stranger is the safest person for her to talk to. No conversation developed, but I felt like at the very least letting her know someone cared was important. I think this is part of "the kingdom of God is among you" like in Luke 17:21.

What does it look like to be "the kingdom" among the world? Is it acceptable to interfere in a strangers life? Do we step into situations that aren't are business? I know a God who was concerned for everyone and His son stepped into the lives of a lot of strangers.

A Victim of the Marketing Vortex

Marketing Vortex is a term CDK and I came up with to describe all the incredibly cute baby stuff that we have an overwhelming urge to buy. All those baby-product-making people out there really know how to get us. We have been good and resisted more often than not, but I discovered a new marketing vortex last week that I really didn't know I had been sucked into.

We've been looking for a second car. CDK is a great researcher and will research the heck out of big purchases like cars, cameras, computers, etc. So, I know when he thinks something is a quality product and worth buying, it really is. Long story short he had narrowed the field down to three crossover SUV's including a Jeep Compass, a Mitsubishi Outlander, and a Hyundai Tuscon. Of the three CDK felt that the Hyundai was the best option based on car reviews, price, mpg, etc. While I trusted his research there was something in me that didn't like the idea of Hyundai (no offense to anyone owning any of the cars mentioned, just being honest). We tried out the Jeep and the Hyundai. I liked the look of the Jeep better and it had the Jeep name. I have fond memories of Jeep because my first car was a Jeep Cherokee and CDK drove a Wrangler when we first met. But the Hyundai was roomier on the inside and the deal we found was much better for it (a 2006 with only 5500 miles). The Tuscon received the same ratings as the similar Honda and Toyota and the Jeep was only receiving so so ratings because it was only its second year out and it was too early to tell if it would be a decent car. So when we put all the facts in order and it made sense to choose the Hyundai, so we did (it's a nice silver, not the interesting sea foam green in the pic). I finally just had to realize that I was completely immersed in the marketing vortex and was discriminating against cars based on a brand name.

I also realized as I was writing this post that in the Middle East I drove a Kia Joice. I don't think the model is available in the US but it's a cross between a minivan and station wagon (too bad ours wasn't the beautiful magenta color like this picture). This make and model didn't bother me in the least bit, though we did laugh at the name and called it Joice. But when we visited a dealership here and we sat in a Kia SUV I found myself seriously looking for reasons to not like it. I just didn't like the name on the back and what it is usually associated with. You have to admit, the local Kia commercials aren't the most creative or decent in the world. So, was I not bothered to drive a Kia in the Middle East because I hadn't had a car for over a year or because I was out of the Western culture that is so consumed with marketing and image?

What other marketing vortex's am I sucked into? I don't mind wearing off brand clothes, but of course I like wearing name brand. But with clothes you can't see the name, well some of them. So what is it? Maybe I just don't like being labeled period by what I buy and how much it costs or should have cost. Or maybe I'm too concerned about what others think and need to reevaluate how much I let others opinions alter my decisions. Or, the worst option, maybe I'm too shallow and I actually judge others by silly brand name standards, so therefore judge myself by those same standards. Ouch! BTW -I love our new car and, I feel confident that it was the better choice over the Jeep.

Spring has Sprung

Well, not quiet yet, but a new season is my life is beginning. I resigned from my job last week and I'm now a stay-at-home mom. This is a job I've always aspired to. I was always thankful that my mom was able to stay home with my brother and I and I've always wanted to do the same. So, my new full-time job is without monetary pay, but the return will be great.

I am looking forward to many aspects of staying home. I want to teach my daughter things, meet and develop relationships with my neighbors, exercise, have a (somewhat) flexible schedule so I can minister in new ways, and many other things. I'm also excited about being able to concentrate fully on managing our home.

I know there will be hard days, just like any other job, but I'm excited for this change. I'm so thankful that God provided a job for CDK that made this possible. I know I'll be back in the professional world someday, but this is my season for now, and I will treasure it.

Half my Brain

Leaving your newborn child for the first time is a milestone that every mom eventually reaches. For some it's fairly quickly, for others it's not till they're much older. I've been proud of myself for taking time to do some things on my own, and CDK and I have even gone out twice while leaving NGK with the grandparents. We love our daughter and always want her to be with us, but we know it's extremely important to our marriage that we have time on our own. Each time we've left her it's only been for a few hours, and she's always done well, and so have we.

So I wasn't too concerned when we decided to leave NGK in the church nursery last week for the first time. There are only a few babies in the class and since the church is small I know all the nursery workers and have complete confidence in them. I left her with the childcare worker and gave a few instructions. Well, I tried to give a few and not overload the sweet volunteer with too much info, I don't want to be high maintenance.

After being in church with her since she was born I was looking forward to being able to completely focus on the worship and teaching. But that wasn't really the case. I found that my ears would perk-up to any slight noise that I thought might be her crying and my brain kept wondering: "How is she?" "Is she sleeping?" "Has she eaten yet?" "Do they know that she'll stop crying if you put her on your shoulder?". Needless to say, I was not completely focused on the church service as I thought I would be. Then I realized, that's probably how the rest of my life will be. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, half my brain will always be wondering how my child/children are. I realize that this is natural, now I just have to make sure it doesn't consume my whole brain!

Books on My Shelf

I really love to read. It's a nice escape, so I do it mostly for entertainment, not to necessarily learn anything. I never make a list of books to read during a year, I just read as I wish. But this year I'm going to try and read the books that are on my shelf. Granted there are a lot I haven't read that we own, especially since CDK has been in school. Though most of his school books won't make my list, some will.

I think the reason a lot of these books are still on my shelf unread is because they are what I call smart books. The purpose of these books is to teach you something or to enlighten you. That's great, but again not usually while I read. So, maybe this will be my year of getting smart if I'm reading all these smart books.

Here are books on my shelf that I'm going to try to read, and a little explanation about each as to why I haven't read it or why I would like to read it. But don't worry, I know I won't get to all of them this year.

1. The World is Flat - Thomas Friedman - I've read his Beirut to Jerusalem, which is excellent. The first time I visited Jerusalem I was reading it so it made my trip come alive. He's a great reporter and writes well about global issues. And I give him props for writing so objectively about the Middle East, especially since he's Jewish.
   
2. The Lexus and the Olive Tree - Thomas Friedman - same reasons as above
   
3. A Beggar in Jerusalem - Elle Weisel - Just seems like a good book to read, though I haven't read his more famous novel Night. This one seems like it's written in stream of consciousness so don't know that I'll even attempt it.
   
4. Bourne Supremacy - Robert Ludlum - I bought this one and the next at Half Price Books to have some mindless reading around. I'm currently reading this one.
   
5. Bourne Identity - Robert Ludlum
   
6. Angels & Demons - Dan Brown - Same as #4. Brown is a great suspense writer, you really don't want to put the book down.
   
7. Kitab al Muqaadis - (The Bible - in Arabic) - I read the Bible in Arabic as I was learning the language and tried to translate as I went (very slowly I might add). At first it was painful, but then I really began to enjoy it and learn more about the scriptures. I'd like to try this again to stay fresh with my Arabic reading.
   
8. Cost of Discipleship - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
9. Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis - It's C.S. Lewis, what else do you have to say? I read this one in early college or late high school and liked it then, but I know I would get more out of it now.
   
10. Joyful Christian - C.S. Lewis
11. Miracles - C.S. Lewis
12. Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis
13. This Holy Seed - CDK read this book and refers to it often. It shapes a lot of what he believes about the church and its role in society. I'm interested to read it for myself.