look into my life

I thought I would give you a *special edition glimpse of my life recently.

I took some coins to the bank. I thought about how embarrassing it would be if I dropped them everywhere. I got them to the desk. The coin counter was broken. I dropped them everywhere. It was embarrassing.

I dropped my phone into the tub while giving the three year old who pees his bed almost every morning a bath. I was sad. It was broken for most of the day. It miraculously started working when I took it to US Cellular to see what to do about my broken phone. He did the same thing I did, but it worked. I was too happy to be embarrassed.

I am reading I Am America (and so can you) by Stephen Colbert. It is very politically INcorrect, and very funny.

I had a peppermint hot WHITE chocolate at Starbucks and it was indescribable. (OK, I probably could describe it but just know that it was really good.)

*There is nothing really special about this edition.

home for christmas

Mmm.. Christmas. Seriously, can I hang on to this reflective, loving, giving, relaxing feeling for the whole year? My guess is that I will lose it piece by piece starting tomorrow when I am heading back to my apartment. Don’t worry, I will always have it in some aspect or regain it other moments as given/needed.

I’m pretty sure that you can’t beat Christmas service small-church style. I just realized it sounds as though I am promoting rivalry in churches but I’m not. Just know that I love the Christmas Eve service at my church. Watching the kids I used to baby-sit sing in the choir or become part of the nativity (actually, a lot of them are now spectators and too old to even be in the service) and listening to kindergartners recite their piece has a sort of magic. I did miss the trumpet this year as the entire congregation sang Joy to the World to end the service. It may have been made up for in the fact that “baby Jesus” was screaming during “Silent Night” and most other songs. If not that, then maybe when one of the children fell off the boat/stage after reciting a well rehearsed piece. (It is a boat but when you flip it over- it becomes stairs. Genius.)

One last comment/thought that I stole from the newspaper:
“Probably the reason we all go haywire at Christmas time with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don’t quite know how to put our love into words.” –Harlan Miller

the book thief by markus zusak

It is Christmas Eve! I feel like there is some blogger rule somewhere stating that I should write about Christmasy things, but instead I must write a book review since I've talked about this book a few times already.

The Book Thief came recommended to me by my cousin Bailey. It is a young adult novel, but everyone should read it (as you can read in this review). I am afraid, now being finished, that I will forget about how Markus Zusak wrote the book. His humor and his creativity, his mastermind descriptions. The power of love in a world demanding hate. The weight of words. This book is about death. Soaked in it, narrated by it. Yet it is hopeful and inspiring. Using the power of words- to show the power of Hitler's, and also of love's.

One of my favorite parts: (p. 307 hardcover, please remember that death is the narrator of the story.)

***A Small Piece of Truth***
I do not carry a sickle or scythe.
I only wear a hooded black robe when it's cold.
And I don't have those skull-like facial features you seem to enjoy pinning on me from a distance.
You want to know what I truly look like?
I'll help you out. Find yourself a mirror while I continue.

Also (p. 520-521)- I was going to write down the entire page and a half as I did in my journal, but it also might ruin some of the book (I don't like to know ANYTHING that happens when I read/watch a movie/etc.) but I was going to include it because of the beauty of the way it is written. Just read the book and take note (the whole way through, and this page) of the way he writes.

overcoming excitement

The season! It may have taken me a little bit to feel the season but now I am feeling it. Maybe that isn't entirely true, I have thought some about how it must have been hard for God to come down and be human as well as 100% God. Immanuel.. a baby. Everything. Anyway, also thinking that even though the world tries to say "Happy Holidays"- it isn't possible to take Jesus out of it. (That sentence needs grammatical help, sorry. Jess- help!) He is the love, and the giving, and the happiness that Christmas brings about. It fits perfectly.

On a separate note, I received the ultimate Starbucks gift from the family that I work for. I also felt like a "pretty good" sitter today (opposed to my usual feeling of "piss poor" sitter) before I even received the gift. Pictures of why are found below.

*Note: I didn't mean to unpost this. I need to pray for patience.. especially when it comes to dial-up modems. And all other things.

Above- It's a Christmas tree. See the star and trunk?

The basket within the wreath they gave me earlier.

christmas is soon. goody.

I have some Christmas memories to share. You should stop reading if you still believe in Santa. I don't want to ruin what appears to be very good lying.

-My brother and I used to beg my mom for a real tree. One where you couldn't see the wire sticking through and you hoped that all the squirrels were out by the time you got it in your living room. She bought us spray-on pine smell.

-My dad would tell us that he saw Rudolph's nose way up in the sky and then spend minutes outside explaining exactly where to look.

-Santa came to our house Christmas Eve (to take a little off his work load). I learned later that my mom put the presents under the tree as we waited for her in the car to go to Christmas Eve service at my church (which I love). My dad would always pretend to be in a hurry and say "go stick your head in the door and tell your mom to hurry up. Don't go in though, there isn't time." So we'd scare her because she'd think we were coming in. Moral of the story- my dad used us! But it's funny... so power to him. (You can use people so long as it is for the sake of being funny).

-I may or may not have believed in Santa until I was in 4th grade and all the sudden he had the same handwriting as my dad.

-One year I said we should leave the carrots for Santa and the cookies for the reindeer as I didn't think Santa needed more cookies. That Christmas Eve there was only a nibble gone from the cookies and a note talking about needing a diet. I felt bad.

-I should apologize to my parents for all the times I told them that Santa accidentally got me the wrong thing (like the cheaper version of the ballerina doll.) Whoops! They try so hard! I didn't mean to be a jerk. Probably not back then, anyway.

love actually like

I watched love actually the other day with a (fun) group of people. It made me think about love (imagine that) or at least "liking." It seems that you always do the opposite of what you want to do. In the movie, Hugh Grant moves one of his employees to a new location because really he wants to be with her. So instead of seeing her every day, he moves her so he can't. Also it makes you act weird. One of my favorite parts is when he sees her and does a two handed wave and then the second she passes he says "WHAT?" to himself and feels dumb because he just waved at her with two hands. (I can't find a clip) It is one of my favorite parts because of its truth. I'm glad it's not just me.

This is also a good part. Watch out for some cursing.
Some dance moves to learn.

Maybe I just love Hugh Grant...

my day

I'm sure you are all wondering about what my day was like today. So I'll share.

I slept in. Sleeping is really great. I enjoy it. Especially with my heated blanket since my roommate is part eskimo and sleeps with the window open and I used to put my snowpants and mittens on to stop the shivering under 400 covers. I told her she should go here for her honeymoon.

I went to Borders. I don't think I should be allowed in there anymore because I could spend all day in there, and maybe all of my money. First I was in line with a book on my Christmas list and decided I better put it back. So then I went to the Religion section and went crazy. I'm excited about the purchases, but when I was at Starbucks reading my book from the library it was quite wonderful. I am reading The Book Thief, which my cooler 7th grade cousin suggested to me. I am really enjoying this book. It is about the a girl in Germany during the Holocaust, and I am pretty sure there were two boys speaking German at another table- I think that is cool. I can disappear into this book without the actual German in the background, but you have to admit that it is neat.

Then I hung out with people I really like. I laughed lots and threw in some dance moves. So you know it was a good day..

talented people

"I need to hang out with less talented people."-me

I said this once. I don't really mean it though. I have amazing people in my life. They put my dancing and smoothie making skills to shame. These are a few of those people, with a list of a few of their skills.

Dana- singing, being outgoing, caring for others
Sarah- amazing voice and personality, and laugh
Amy- cute no matter what she does, great dancer, style
Tyler- natural leader, funny, auction skills
Wes- video stuff, funny, guitar and singing, dance skills, remembers everything
Andrew- reads books that make him smarter about God, plays the piano (which is where the quote originated), dance moves
Tovah (Andrew's wife)- smart and really good cook
Jody- saves lives, go mode, plague, giving, patient (with people, not in lines)
Katrina- hilarious, good with kids, ok in every social situation
Alex- caring for friends, passion for the Word and reading, never mad
Tiff- really creative, funny, cares for people well
Maggie- funny, caring, loving, self-less, diplomatic
Melanie- looking cute, thrifty, art
Derek- singing and playing guitar
Hillary- looks cute all of the time, helps other people look cute too
Jess- hilarious, can remember everything at just the "right" time (to make fun of you, especially), loyal, Harry Potter knowledge, one legged DDR dancing
Alisa- soccer, people, crafts, singing, Dance Dance Revolution
Meredith- caring for small children, loving friends, being funny
Peter- smart, funny, sings really well
Ashlee- being amish, being funny, Godly, caring, creative, challenging herself/people, random
Allison- caring for WashU's international students, being funny, caring (the link is way old, ha ha)
Nicole- DDR, peace-keeper, athletics, having curly hair
McKenna- song trivia and knowledge, acting
Lauren- two and on her way to genius, plus she is really cute
Bailey- sing and play guitar, nice, really smart, reads all the time, cool
Jodi- (Bailey and Lauren's mom.. and Grant!) way with words, creative, amazing mother, Godly
Brother- way with making stuff and also training his dogs, good with kids
Mom- finding stuff, loving the unlovable (kids are not always that great!), caring, remembering, care packages, scrapbooking, being worried, sending STAMPS!
Dad- gardening, listening, advice, lectures, loving, wanting to change the world, giving gifts, being thoughtful

So I realize now that I have been saving this post until I include everyone, which is kind of silly. I am sorry if you aren't on here. It doesn't mean that you aren't talented. You are, of course. 1 Corinthians 12.

rambling

My goal was to be in bed by 11:00. Oh well, gotta miss some goals so that I am still human, right? Since I should have been in bed at around 7:00pm I'll just push on a few extra minutes.

Actually, I had my small group tonight. I like my small group. House group? Avalon? Sometimes I just call it "group" but then I feel like I give people the wrong impression.

I fell on the ice. I knew it would happen because I told someone that I wanted to set by a window somewhere and watch other people fall on the ice. When I say things like that, it happens to me. Which is probably a blessing. You'd think I'd watch what I say...

important stuff

I like coffee. Seriously, it may have carried me through several moments today. Why had I not thought of this before?

Today I was told about boy parts/girl parts. Fortunately I now know that boys have a penis and girls don't. Also I'd like to note that boys are pretty infactuated with the penis at a very young age. I'm not sure I quite faced that fact before.

(break... come back... new subject)

I'm not making time for the most important thing in my life. That is more than lame. Tonight I went to a thing at a church. To be honest, I wasn't sure where the guy was going but it ended up that his point was that no one loves us as much as God loves us. So what am I doing with my time? I have some praying/reflecting to do about how God is using me through this job- and prayer that I'll allow Him to work in me and through me every moment.

Ok, I have a hard time communicating these thoughts. Everything is not coming out like it is in my head.

little kids

Reasons I like kids:

1. They are cute.
2. They repeat people. The following example comes from Harvest Bible Chapel where I help out in the first grade during the 9:15 service.
Cute kid who keeps giving me hugs: I see my mom and dad.
Me (knowing she doesn't): Right here (point to poster of octopus) Your dad is an OCTOPUS?
Cute kid who keeps giving me hugs: NO. My dad is a turkey. My mom is a crab.
3. They say funny things.
4. Hugs.
5. They believe anything you tell them. The following example comes from my job.
Me, the sitter: Don't do that or the principal may come out here.
Mr. five: What happens when you see the principal?
Me, the sitter: If you get in trouble the principal eats you.
Mr. five: REALLY?
Me, the sitter: Yes.
Mr. five: How do you know?
Me, the sitter: I was in trouble once and I had to go to the principal. Then he ate me.
Mr. five: Really?
Um.... no.
6. They think really trivial things are funny, for extended periods of time. "I'm gonna eat you" can last for days and still be really hysterical, to them.
7. They have an amazing sense of wonder.
8. They make you think. They have good questions, and they ask them.
9. They trust. For the most part. Except when I tell Mr. five I promise I won't forget to let him play on the computer even if he doesn't ask me every 30 seconds. (You think I'm stretching?)
10. They forget. After Ms. Princess has some time to herself, she can be my friend again.
11. One of my favorite things.. when they run and just LEAP into a hug. Amazing. If you know Jacob S from camp- I have an amazing memory right now flooding my head and heart, filling all the spaces.

12. Excitement. TV shows, play, reading. My cousin Lauren (technically my cousin's kid, who is a genius like her big sister) gets really excited to see me. I love it.

contradictions

The other day I thought about being a nun. The Catholic church takes care of you, you can go work in an orphanage and not worry about being funded. Every day, fully devoted to God. I want to live like that no matter what, but I think it might be MORE like that if you were a nun. Although I am not Catholic, and I'm not sure about the habit. Actually, I am sure that I don't want to wear it.

Then today I was watching Private Practice, and I thought it would be really nice to be Addison. Sorry to be a girl... but really. You have to admit. It'd be nice to be Addison.

This slide was missing one photo, I updated with a picture of the CUTE policeman. At my other job, when I was calling and meeting policeman more frequently than most, they did not look like this guy. In case you were wondering.

tired

Holy crappers, kids. I am a sitter for about 11 hours out of the day and I am TIRED. (I was going to put "bushed" there but I don't know where that originated from and for some reason I just really couldn't use it without knowing how it originated. If I found out it is because you feel like you could fall INTO a bush at any moment while walking... I might use it.) How do parents do this?? If I have kids, they are napping until they are 16 and then I will order them out of the house for a few hours, every few hours.

Things are going pretty well. Today I had the two boys on my lap and I was reading to them and it was really quite lovely. I have a tendency to ask them "should we read, eat, breathe" and the answer is always "no" so I constantly have to think to say "We are going to read for a little bit."

A little problem today with the 7 year old who would not listen to me AT ALL. What do you do when they don't care that you are adding a minute of time out to their time out every time they won't listen to you and just keep not listening to you? I told her mom.

The parents are great. My first day I received a really nice key chain with four leaf clovers/wish bone/eight ball/lucky number 7 on it with a key to their house and a note that said "good luck." Today they gave me a WREATH! How cool!! It smells like pine and it is big and Christmasy. Presents are not the only reason they are great.

new job

new job highlights:
I'm tired and need to go to bed so I can be there at 7 tomorrow.
Mr. five is saving up all of his coins so he can buy a bluetooth.
I am going to take a swimsuit for bathtime so next time I sit in a puddle it won't be in my jeans.
I received a very nice welcome/good luck keychain with a key to the house.
I played and read. And got paid for it.
I caused a tantrum, I felt like it was a good move.
I'm tired and need to go to bed so I can be there at 7 tomorrow.

fabulouso

Wonderful weekend. In the picture below, I was the owl. Which means I won at Harry Potter scene it. I am the queen. (Alex was the snitch, almost right behind me.)







And then we had a dance party. Good weekends should always include dance parties. Here Alex and I are giving Jody dance lessons. If you are going to take dance lessons, you should get them from the best. We charge.

the midwest

I didn't pay too much attention to the weather reports. I don't like to because they usually end up ruining your plans. I thought a little (flurried) snow would be fun while downtown. I am glad we went, but holy crap it was cold. Even the cold was probably bearable... but we were being pelted with sleet as we walked and when we weren't sliding around everywhere we sometimes stepped in glacial puddles. I am now able to tell you from experience that it is funnier when people walking on the sidewalks get sprayed by vehicles passing by in movies than it is in real life. We were laughing... to keep from crying.

Completely unrelated: There is a Harry Potter marathon on. If you haven't seen the movies before, I will tell you that there are two actors that play Albus Dumbledore. One for the first two movies, and one for the rest of them. (The first one passed away.) Jody says "How many old random actors have long white beards?" When we made fun of her she told us that she really thought that both of these actors had long white beards.

off to a good start

My friend Alex flew in from California! I have pretty much been excited to see her since she bought the ticket. As Jody and I drove to get her I thought I would explode, and yet somehow looked at the departure sign and said "I don't want her to leave." Because I don't. So if anyone in Chicago area knows of a youth pastor or camp position for Alex... let me know.

We went to Starbucks. I could stop right there and it would be a good weekend so far. Yum. Lots of conversation, AND a random lady named Inez that came and told us for (at least) 20 minutes about this bookstore that we have to go to downtown. So I think to finish the experience- we must go today. Along with all the Christmas stuff down town, like the little German area. And Macy's. And the bean. Anyway, my favorite Inez quote was when she told us that her daughter met her husband there, so we should go there to meet our husbands. "If you go to a basketball game, what are you going to find? A man that can't read." Amazing.

Another favorite quote was after some Cheese Quesadillas we pulled out the question game left over from a previous dinner I had here. The question on the table: "What would your WWF name be? Or what is it currently..." Alex responds: "The rhythm. (pause) The rhythm is gonna get ya..."

Then we watched some Bear Grylls with some camp friends. We are gonna see if we can top these events today.