Christmas Gifts

Do you like your gifts to be practical, something you plan on buying for yourself eventually anyway but can get now instead of later? Or do you like to get something crazy and fun, like a magnetic flying saucer decoration for your desk at work?

Papa Runner and I are divided. His parents usually ask us if we want to combine our Christmas money to get one bigger joint gift or get two smaller separate gifts. In the past we've gotten the joint gift, but this year we can't agree on what we'd want. One wants to get paint to redecorate our bedroom. The other says, "Paint?!? We can get paint anytime. How about a voice-activated light dimmer-switch or something cool like that?"

I'm sick of politics

Dare I post this? I want to start off by saying that I think it's important to be informed, important to pray, important to vote, and important to pray some more.

Every time elections roll around, I get so frustrated. First, I hate the assumption that Christian=Republican. I have watched both parties' conventions and the debates, and I have NO INTENTION WHATSOEVER of voting for McCain. I think he'd be a bad choice to run the country. I was frustrated by his answer for every single debate question: "Obama's plan will destroy our country. He's bad, I'm good, vote for me." McCain repeatedly claimed that Obama said the exact opposite of what I'd just heard Obama say. But rarely did McCain give any details of his own plans and positions. I've seen repeatedly that his position on any issue is whatever he thinks will win him the most support. And he has the gall to claim Obama will say anything for power!

I also was highly offended by his choice of Sarah Palin. I heard this quote on the radio: He watched the Dem's convention and realized he had to pick a woman if he wanted to win. Does he really think I'm that stupid that I'll base my decision on who picked a woman? She seems like a great person, but she really isn't qualified to be President at this time.

So does that mean I'm voting for Obama? No way. I think Obama has a reasonable (not perfect) plan, and I agree with him on several issues. But I can't bring myself to vote for anyone who supports abortion.

What frustrates me most of all, though, is the panic I see in the Christian community about the prospect of the Democrats taking over. The Bible says no one can rise to power without God. So if God brings Obama to power, why should we be so upset? If God allows us to become a Socialist state, as some are claiming would happen with Obama, why should we be so upset? If our country changes so much that we are persecuted for our faith, isn't that exactly what Jesus said would happen? So why are we so upset? All of this has to happen sooner or later to bring about the end times. Shouldn't we be excited to see the Great Day of the Lord coming closer?

So be informed, pray, vote, pray some more. But please don't obsess about the results. It's all part of the Plan.

I've been tagged twice

It's about time I updated (from Papa Runner's work computer this time.) So here are 7 things about me:

1. I just finished my second half marathon in Columbus last weekend. It was awesome! I set a PR of 3:06:07, which is 23 minutes ahead of my last time. Can't wait to do it again!

2. I'm a sleepwalker. I used to wake up in strange places, like my closet or the garage, but I've only caught myself sleepwalking twice since we've been married. Weird sleep patterns run in my family.

3. Speaking of weird sleep patterns, I also have very vivid dreams several times a week. I always remember them in detail. Like last night I dreamed that Papa and his best friend were taking turns towing each other in a wheelchair behind a Jeep. They were both covered in mud and trying to clean it off before I caught them. Sometimes I'll realize I'm dreaming, and then I always fly.

4. Every time I go clothes shopping for myself, I come home crying. I hate shopping.

5. When Smartie was first born, I was a very "modern American" parent. But as time goes on, I find myself becoming more of an "ancient tradition" parent. I'm now an avid babywearer, do baby-led solids, and if God blesses us again I plan to nurse for at least 18 months.

6. I'm often a reverse perfectionist. If I can't do something perfectly, I'll give up and do nothing. "Better to be lazy than a failure." I'm working on accepting "good enough."

7. I took piano lessons for 8 years. I added up how much money my mom spent on it, and it was over $3000. I asked her if it was worth it. She claims it was.

I think everyone I know has been tagged already, so that's it for me.

Bad Weigh-In

I've mentioned in the past that my girls are super small. I've gone back and forth over the last five years from panic to confidence. I had decided after Smartie's four-year check that she's just meant to be small, and I wasn't going to worry about it any more. I offer healthy choices and let them eat as much as they want, trusting they'll get what they need.

Well, yesterday she had her five-year check. In the last year, she has gained less than a pound. She grew two inches, though, and now her height-to-weight ratio is so far off the chart her doctor (and I quote) "can say with confidence there are NO children in this country thinner than her. She is the thinnest child in the country!"

She's always been a picky eater, especially with carbs. She won't eat pasta, rice, or potatoes because she doesn't like the texture. (I found out last night this is very common in preemies, something to do with using their mouths before they're fully developed. Why didn't anyone mention that before?)

I don't know if she isn't eating enough or if she has a metabolic disorder that prevents her from absorbing enough. Sweetie has followed the exact same pattern of weight/height at all her checkups, too, but that kid eats like a horse! With both of them being so thin with such different eating habits, that makes me lean toward disorder.

We're supposed to add butter, oil, and/or cheese to everything she eats, give her half-and-half instead of whole milk, and come back for a weigh-in in two months. In the mean time, I'm keeping a food diary so we can have hard data to go over. If she doesn't gain enough, we'll be going to a specialist.

It's Been Awhile

I haven't posted in a while because my computer has developed a glitch between Blogger, Internet Explorer, and my filtering software. Everytime I try to log in, I get a pop-up saying the site is blocked, followed by an IE error message. I can see my page but can't access comments, post comments to other blogs, or add messages. I'm posting this in the library while Smartie has story hour and Sweetie is playing with my keys (hope she didn't set off the car alarm!)

Thanks to everyone for their kind words and prayers re: my miscarriage. It helps a lot to know people care.

First Day of School

Smartie had her first day of preschool this week. This is her second year, and she is thrilled to be back. Of course, she takes after me. After coming home, she locks herself in her room for 20 minutes or so to "decompress."



Sweetie, on the other hand, is completely distraught that she can't go, too.

Going a little stir crazy...

Both girls have been sick for a week--with different illnesses! Smartie started with a head cold and Sweetie with a chest cold. And now they've swapped! And to top it off, our internet has been down for most of the week! No blogs, no outings, I feel like World War 3 could be going on and I'd have no clue, just sitting at home with my poor sick crabs.

(And if there is one more meltdown about the color of sippy cups or lost hankies, I might have a meltdown of my own! Okay, I feel better now.)