2 weeks to go

There's a whole host of things I could just go off about, but I had a really great day yesterday and don't feel like being mean or angry. So what if the Republican candidates had their debate? I'll just ignore Condi's latest attempt to look like she's doing something positive and focus on the fact that there are 2 weeks exactly until I graduate from seminary. And I still have no clue what I'm going to do afterwards... :)

It's the time of year when we all hear about Mom's, Dad's and grads, and I usually get nauseated from the amazing amount of commercials telling you exactly what the perfect gift is for whatever the occasion is. It's not just for Christmas, folks! But I don't want anything for graduation! I've worked hard at school the lst four years so that I can work in a field where I'm not going to get rich because I don't want all that stuff in my house! I want to pay off my student loans, find a job that is meaningful and has good people, buy a small house and play in the yard/garden. I want to be a good aunt to my new nephew (Happy 1 week, Asher!), keep up my fabulous friendships, love on my pets and wife, and just be.

Change is always hard, even when it's good change and/or planned change. I know that I am a creature of habit - I like routines and knowing what to expect. But that doesn't mean that I can't be spontaneous or that I freak out when something unexpected comes along. Graduation has been looming on the horizon for a while now, and there don't appear to be any bumps in the road at this point. My family are coming out for the ceremony, as well as good friends from Oklahoma City and I'm looking forward to spending time with all of them. It's a time to celebrate all that has been done in the last four years and move forward to the next phase of my life. Right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot - hey I CAN do this!

Friday Five

It's been a while since I played, so here goes...

What are you:

1. Wearing - black ballet neck 3/4 length sleeve shirt and light blue jeans and tennis shoes - comfortable, but not too slouchy

2. Pondering - how being an aunt will change my life and how I feel about the possibility of being a mother myself one day... maybe...

3. Reading - I'm at work, so I'm not reading anything right this second, but I have a whole list of books and things to read for classes. My personal favorite (said as sarcastically as possible) is "Radical Reformission" by Mark Driscoll. For more insight on this book, check out hipchick's blog entry.

4. Dreaming - lately I've been having really strange dreams and haven't been sleeping well. For example, last night my dream was almost tetris-like trying to figure out how to fit all of my paper recycling trash (boxes, bags, etc.) into my one little bin.
More long term, life dreams are to buy my own house (something a little older and in need of TLC so Trouble and I can fix it up and make it our own unique sanctuary) and find the perfect church job.

5. Eating - at the moment, nothing, but I ate an apple breakfast bar on the drive to the hospital this morning to meet my brand new nephew. I'm salivating at the thought of going to an Indian restaurant for lunch in a couple of hours. Yummmmmm....

I'M AN AUNT!!

My nephew was born this morning at 8:04 am - 19 inches long, 6 lbs, 10 oz and absolutely beautiful.

I have never been a baby fan - I'm scared I'll drop them or that they'll throw up on me or something... I've also never understood why people fawn all over them, talking about hos cute they are. Let's face it - newborns are often pruny, gunky, alien-type creatures. They get cute later (at least some of them), but not generally when they are brand new. Well, this time it's different.

I don't know if it's just because we're related, but I honestly think Asher (what a great name) is the cutest newborn I've seen - really the only one I've ever thought was cute. If it is just because we're related, what a shame that I've never been able to appreciate the other babies I've seen! If it's not about being related, why on earth is this one just so darn precious?

This is the first grandchild on either side of the family so Asher is well on his way to being the most spoiled child. :) Aunt Mandy and Aunt Trouble are doing their part to help the process for sure! I can't wait to get to babysit - and I NEVER thought I would think that. It's not even my child and I'm already feeling changed....

What's that?? When am I going to have my own? Don't Trouble and I want to have that parent experience?? Well, I go back and forth for a variety of reasons, but mostly I think it costs too much money and there are too many legal blocks to that happening for us anytime soon. The state of Missouri isn't too keen on "people like us" being foster parents or adopting. Adoption may someday be a viable option, but it would help if I got a job first to save up the money that would cost (never mind the cost of taking care of the child once we got it). So until then, I will dwell in the joy of being "Aunt Mandy" and knowing that when there is a temper tantrum or really gross illness, I can send him back to his parents. I love you guys!!

Weird is the new normal...

Well, it's been a crazy week on several fronts so I've been away from blogs. I didn't really know what I could say about all of the things on the news and the emotions that I was sorting through (I can't believe it's already been 12 years since the Murrah building was bombed!) so I was glad to see that hipchick tagged me and gave me something fun to blog!! I'm all for some comic relief!

I'm supposed to list 6 things that make me weird, so here goes...

1. I LOVE musicals and have dreamt of playing more female musical roles than I care to admit...

2. I can (and OFTEN do) rewrite lyrics of a song to fit a particular situation.
For example, "Sushi with green tea and orange flavored candy, playing guitar and a girlfriend named Mandy, beagles and hiking and good rock climbing - these are some of Trouble's favorite things..." (adapted from Sound of Music - I could go on and on...)

3. I absolutely love seminary, reading theology and having deep discussions about religion

4. I can't stand to have anything too tight on my neck, including turtlenecks or new tshirts that haven't been appropriately stretched out (I think maybe I was strangled in a past life).

5. I sleep with one foot hanging out of the covers or I get too hot.

6. I don't like to drink soda or beer, which really leaves coffee as my only social drink...

And now I tag Unit (if he can get his blogger name working) and Rachel!