A Plague

As if it wasn't enough to have braces in the 6th grade (this was before they were "cool" and had all the different colors), and have them for almost three years, they give you this permanent bottom retainer. It really isn't noticeable, after 15 years of having it, except for trying to clean behind it or food getting stuck in it. I don't really like it, never have, but I figure it's better than getting braces as an adult, if my front bottom teeth don't stay where they are supposed to.

So this morning my bottom retainer broke. The good news is that it broke while I was flossing, so this is a good story for the dentist. But I'm sure after closer examination he will know this isn't a regular habit. And it didn't break off completely, it only broke off on one side. It's still in my mouth, and one side is poking up above my teeth and in the way of talking and eating. Nice! I'm an adult, having issues with a retainer sounds so juvenile. Oh well, I have an appointment for tomorrow to get it fixed, I hope. The dentist wasn't sure if he could fix it or if he would have to send me to an orthodontist. Hopefully he can at least fix the pokey part. And not to mention, it's the holidays, and I don't want to be spending money on my teeth!

Home for Christmas

Before this post officially begins, I'd like to offer a small apology for my lack of posting. It's been partly because I'm busy, partly because I'm not sure what's interesting about my life, and partly because the computer's broken. I'm going to try and do better. Thanks for still checking.

After four years of Christmas being somewhat random (two years in a country where Christmas isn't celebrated, two years in a small house and we had to drive 1 1/2 hours to pick-up our decorations and couldn't use them all), I'm finally at "my" home for Christmas. I really enjoyed putting-up our tree, and fishing through all the decorations I hadn't seen in four year. And also reconfirming the fact that I have too many Christmas decorations. I think I might make a charitable Christmas decoration contribution to my brother-in-law who just bought a house, and probably doesn't have many decorations.

I added a few new decorations that we haven't used before. There are three baby's first Christmas ornaments. We had them last year, but I couldn't find them all. There is also a new ornament that we bought in Hawaii before we moved. I'm glad to have that one up because that was a great vacation, and the ornament a great reminder. A new nativity set, it is pure olive wood handmade in our previous country, and was given to us by some donors that we hosted when they visited. I also used some fresh garland on our porch. I have always liked the idea of having fresh garland, but it's a little pricey. I found a good deal at Sam's and bought some. Oh, yes, and I musn't forget NGK's own pink Christmas tree. This purchase came from her great-grandmother who wanted NGK to have her own.

We don't have anything on the outside of the house, except the garland and wreath, but maybe we'll get to that next year. I have decided that next year we will buy, hopefully, and new tree that is pre-lit. Enough of stringing lights, the only fun part is actually putting the ornaments on.

A Coincidence?

I know that my day always starts better if I actually get up on time and get the day going. I have been trying, for awhile now, to get up a little before NGK to at least eat my breakfast and do some reading. That way I will have a little peace and quiet and not have my breakfast interrupted by the predictable after breakfast (NGK's that is) dirty diaper. So this is the first morning I did this and enjoyed my breakfast. I was helped by some encouragement from CDK and the fact that he had to leave for work early.

So I'm more determined now to actually get up early and use that 1/2 hour to do something semi-productive. But today my alarm clock died - completely. No warning, just dead. What's worse is that I love this alarm clock. The last time I bought one I tried out 3 or 4 before I found the right one. I think they still have them a Target, so if all else fails, I'll go get another one.

Whoops!

I really can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. I know I haven't been posting and I've thought about posting, it just hasn't happened. Sorry to all, I know your life hasn't been complete without knowing what's going on in mine (ha). Here's recap of the last month or so...

• At the end of September we went to a Swell Season concert. If you've seen Once it's the guy and girl from that. They are so great and the concert was awesome. CDK suprised me after we decided not to go. I'm so glad we did. Check out their website (http://www.theswellseason.com/ ) and definetly see the movie if you haven't.
• We had a garage sale in October because we needed to get rid of a bunch of stuff. We advertised on the street and asked our neighbors to join it. It was great because we were able to meet a lot of people. We have now met at least 10 of the 35 families on our street. One is a rock star, one an artist, one a biker, and one a former drive-in movie theater owner. It's pretty interesting to get to know your neighbors. And if you are looking for any furniture, we're still trying to sell some (couch, chairs, bedroom suite, headboard).
• NGK started walking about three weeks ago. And, as predicted, as soon as she got her balance, she was off, there has been no turning back. We have discovered she's fearless, and therefore we have had quiet a few bumps on the forehead. Maybe she needs a helmet. An unexpected side of effect of the walking is that I think shes more tired. She's been taking 2 - 2 1/2 morning naps, 1 1/2 - 2 hour afternoon naps, and sleeping 30 minutes to an hour later in the morning. She's going to be 1 year in 13 days, I can't believe it. And she's going to be Daisy Duck for Halloween. A great sale at the Disney Store made this decision for us.
• We went to a wedding a couple of weeks ago in our previous town and had fun visiting old friends and our old church. It's always amazing how much things have changed, and stayed the same.
• Last weekend we threw a baby shower for our best friends who are expecting twins at the beginning of December. We can't wait to meet this new little boy and girl and for NGK to have some new playmates.
• Have you seen the movie La Misma Luna (Under the Same Moon)? It's great! It's about illegal immigrants in the US and it really opens your eyes to what they deal with. I highly recommend it. I also read the book Three Cups of Tea it's a true story about an American who builds schools for children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is so inspiring and makes you want to change the world.
• And lastly - church. We are doing church in our home with three other families right now. There is a lot to this and the decision making process that lead us to this option, so I'll write more about it later. But to sum it up, we really feel like we are where God wants us for now. It's amazing how He has brought us down this road and provided.

So that's us in a nutshell for the past while. I'll try to do better.

What Shall She Be?

We're going to dress NGK up for Halloween for the fun of it. I don't know where we'll go or what we'll do, but it's a great excuse to dress her in a cute, funny outfit and take some pics. Here are two choices, which would you chose? The lamb or the chickie? I ask because CDK and I don't agree :) It's an election year - so let your voice be heard!!!

Here's My Cutie

I can't believe she's 10 months old! It's gone by so fast, but been so fun in the process. She's been pulling-up on everything, climbed into the entertainment center, is working on teeth numbers 3 and 4, and has taken her first steps.

A Little Bit of Irreverence... or Maybe Not

The first time I saw the Jesus videos produced by a church called Vintage 21 I didn't really respond. Was it okay to laugh? Were these videos heresy? Well yes, it's ok to laugh, and no, they weren't heresy. The church took a good look at how the world sees Christians, and made it funny to ease the pain of the often negative view the world has of Christians. So I've watched them multiple times and laughed, and I've tried to consider how I participate in the "Christian culture" we've created and how my participation in that points others to Christ.

Another brilliant look at some silly things we do as Christians is the blog Stuff Christians Like. I just found it yesterday and was laughing out loud as I read it. Sometimes out of embarrassment because I've done a lot of the things that obviously look silly to the outside world.

What these videos and this blog cause us to do is look at what the perception of Christians is in the world. While there are often gross misinterpretations of what Christians are, and sometimes accurate interpretations, we must realize that perception is reality. If people think Christians are cheesy, then we're cheesy. If they think we're judgmental, then we are. If they think we are exclusive, then we are. This may be based on no first-hand experience with any Christians, but if that's what they think, then it is their reality.

So what do we portray that Christianity is? Is it wearing that cool t-shirt that copied some secular logo and put a "Jesus" phrase on it? Is it identifying with one political party and being convinced that Jesus would vote for "my" candidate? Or is it loving our neighbors as ourselves (well, we have to start with actually knowing them)? Is it taking care of the orphan* and the widow? Is it not judging and viewing everyone as a child of God, regardless of religion, race, sexual preference, or gender?

Take a look at the videos and blog. It's okay to laugh, and be embarrassed. But make sure to examine how you are perceived by those around you.

*Random fact of the day - If every church (i.e. a family in a church, with support from the church) in Texas would adopt one child from the Texas State Foster System, then there would be no children left to be adopted. Now, how would that change the perception of Christians?