Every morning Kev and Kaden make coffee while I try to get remotely coherent and start my day. Kev just bought this new coffee pot that's a little more high tech, and since they make the coffee every morning, I have never yet learned the concept. Anyway, I had a baby borders scrapbooking class last night for all of the young and pregnant moms in our complex, and I wanted to make a pot of decaf. Kev was running late for class, so he wasn't able to make it for me like I had planned. As he was running out the door he said: "Just ask Kaden. He makes it with me every morning - he'll show you how to make it." I thought to myself: Yeah, right. A two and a half year old will not know the steps of what buttons to push on this coffeemaker, no matter how many times he's made it with Kev. Well, let me tell you....I wanted the coffee, so I asked him if he could help me.
This is how it went down:
"Kaden, Could you show Mommy how to make some coffee for her friends?"
"Yup. Do you want regular or strong?
(WHAT? I even have that option?) "Uh, I guess regular."
"Regular? O.k."
(He pushes that appropriate buttons and then proudly says:)
"That's it - there ya go!" And he runs off to play with his legos.....
Oh my, oh my - the sins of the father shall come back to haunt us someday!
A Little More Detail....
Okay, I've been getting some questions concerning what exactly I am doing my research project on, and why I am asking these specific questions. As briefly as possible, I will try to give a small rundown. We have to come up with a "problem" that we see - either in our specific church, in churches in general, in society, in the workplace - wherever, and then after MUCH research and study, we have to come up with a proposed solution/program that we could implement which might HELP in solving or aiding this problem.
The particular problem that I have chosen is two-fold: First of all, I am stating that "a devastating problem in today's society is that with increasing numbers, the Christian community, and our nation as a whole is being threatened by escalating numbers of divorces, marriages that simply exist but that are certainly not thriving, and a diminishing readiness and preparation for marriage among engaged couples." The second part of my problem is this: "Within every church there are couples with good, solid marriages who could be of help to other couples who are young or struggling, but they have never been motivated, trained, or inspired to come alongside to help mentor and disciple these marriages in order to make them successful and meaningful."
Here is my statement of purpose: I am proposing to implement and establish a program which will serve as a "mentoring marriage ministry" for helping couples begin, build, and sustain better marriages, and to restore those threatened by divorce. The process will be simple: equip couples with solid marriages to mentor and disciple other couples at ALL stages of the marital cycle so that they, in turn, will one day have vibrant, thriving, marriages of their own.
My end goal as a result of establishing this "Mentoring Marriage Ministry" is to have an explosion of strong, stable couples and families who will grow the church, who will have a huge impact on their surrounding community, and who will reach out to other needy marriages and families in their areas - saved and unsaved alike.
NOW - there is definitly much more to this problem, program, statement of purpose, and end goal, but that is the basic idea. One question that I forgot to ask on my little survey was this: Do you feel there is a need for this kind of ministry in your church, and if so, would you attend such a ministry program - either as a mentor couple or as a couple who would like to be mentored?
I realize that there are differing views out there - and I LOVE THAT - that's great! This is the whole point of research. I want to hear them and the whys of your agreement or disagreement. This is all very very helpful in the accumulation of my research. So, PLEASE tell me what you think. Give honest analysis and insight. If you don't wish to publish on either my blog or your own, email me: kevame@verizon.net
The particular problem that I have chosen is two-fold: First of all, I am stating that "a devastating problem in today's society is that with increasing numbers, the Christian community, and our nation as a whole is being threatened by escalating numbers of divorces, marriages that simply exist but that are certainly not thriving, and a diminishing readiness and preparation for marriage among engaged couples." The second part of my problem is this: "Within every church there are couples with good, solid marriages who could be of help to other couples who are young or struggling, but they have never been motivated, trained, or inspired to come alongside to help mentor and disciple these marriages in order to make them successful and meaningful."
Here is my statement of purpose: I am proposing to implement and establish a program which will serve as a "mentoring marriage ministry" for helping couples begin, build, and sustain better marriages, and to restore those threatened by divorce. The process will be simple: equip couples with solid marriages to mentor and disciple other couples at ALL stages of the marital cycle so that they, in turn, will one day have vibrant, thriving, marriages of their own.
My end goal as a result of establishing this "Mentoring Marriage Ministry" is to have an explosion of strong, stable couples and families who will grow the church, who will have a huge impact on their surrounding community, and who will reach out to other needy marriages and families in their areas - saved and unsaved alike.
NOW - there is definitly much more to this problem, program, statement of purpose, and end goal, but that is the basic idea. One question that I forgot to ask on my little survey was this: Do you feel there is a need for this kind of ministry in your church, and if so, would you attend such a ministry program - either as a mentor couple or as a couple who would like to be mentored?
I realize that there are differing views out there - and I LOVE THAT - that's great! This is the whole point of research. I want to hear them and the whys of your agreement or disagreement. This is all very very helpful in the accumulation of my research. So, PLEASE tell me what you think. Give honest analysis and insight. If you don't wish to publish on either my blog or your own, email me: kevame@verizon.net
Wild Child
Man oh man - we've got a wild one in my womb this time, let me tell you! With Kaden, there were entire days where I felt minimal movement - to the point of being slightly concerned at times. With this one - day and night - my stomach ripples with movement....to the point of making me nauseous (I don't know how to spell this word. I just asked my grad student hubby Kev, and he said, "Ummmm, n-a-u-t-i-0-u-s????" I think I'm right, but we're both too lazy to consult a dictionary.) Anyhoo, back to my topic..... So, I think our #2 is going to be our wild child. Not too sure how I feel about this; I've been quite spoiled with my tender and timid, mild-mannered little boy. I'm SURE it's a girl who is probably going to drive me to drink!! Lord, have mercy!!!!
Research!
Okay friends, my research has begun in full force and I need your help! I am conducting a survey for newlyweds, "married with kids," and "empty nesters" for my research project, so whatever category you fit into - I would LOVE if you would respond to these questions!
How long have you been married?
How long did you and your spouse really know each other before you married?
Looking back, how prepared do you feel you were for marriage?
If you have kids, how long did you wait before starting your family?
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
What challenges have you faced at this stage in your marriage?
If you have kids, has your relationship changed since you've added them to your family?
If so, in what way(s)?
What resources or support systems do you have that benefit your marriage?
What advice do you have for young couples contemplating marriage and starting a family?
AND THE BIGGY......
What is/are the biggest need(s) that you have as a husband/wife at this stage in your marriage?
If you can only take the time to answer ONE question, please answer the last one!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
How long have you been married?
How long did you and your spouse really know each other before you married?
Looking back, how prepared do you feel you were for marriage?
If you have kids, how long did you wait before starting your family?
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
What challenges have you faced at this stage in your marriage?
If you have kids, has your relationship changed since you've added them to your family?
If so, in what way(s)?
What resources or support systems do you have that benefit your marriage?
What advice do you have for young couples contemplating marriage and starting a family?
AND THE BIGGY......
What is/are the biggest need(s) that you have as a husband/wife at this stage in your marriage?
If you can only take the time to answer ONE question, please answer the last one!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Refreshed & Rejuvenated!
Well, the reason for my lack of blogging these past couple of days is that my sweet, sweet hubby whisked Kaden and I away for THREE nights to the Poconos for one final "last hurrah" before the arrival of baby #2! We had SUCH a great little family getaway, and it was a really special treat to just get away from life for awhile.
The weather was FAH-REEZING for the first couple of days - especially with us being up in the mountains, but we still had tons of fun swimming, eating :0), vegging, and checking out little shops. On the days that it was warm we explored the area, went on some fun hikes, ate at some yummy places, and just had a blast as a little family!
With having only one wee one who still takes naps and who still goes to bed fairly early, we were able to have a really great balance of family time AND couple time, so that was really nice. It was just wonderful to reconnect and have some great talks about US and about what this next year of life will bring with baby, Kev's internship, graduation, and future ministry.
For naps and bedtime, we rigged a blanket up over Kaden's pack and play and called it his "tent bed!" He thought this was the coolest thing ever, so he loved naps and bedtime - and we were still able to stay up later and watch T.V! Good times! Holy dyin' - that kid talks a lot in his bed! I never realized how much until we shared a room with him for those three nights. He sang to his puppy and told it stories for a good half hour before he settled down!
So anyway, here we are - back home with noses back to the ole grind, but IT'S ALL GOOD! A few days away does wonders for the soul!
The weather was FAH-REEZING for the first couple of days - especially with us being up in the mountains, but we still had tons of fun swimming, eating :0), vegging, and checking out little shops. On the days that it was warm we explored the area, went on some fun hikes, ate at some yummy places, and just had a blast as a little family!
With having only one wee one who still takes naps and who still goes to bed fairly early, we were able to have a really great balance of family time AND couple time, so that was really nice. It was just wonderful to reconnect and have some great talks about US and about what this next year of life will bring with baby, Kev's internship, graduation, and future ministry.
For naps and bedtime, we rigged a blanket up over Kaden's pack and play and called it his "tent bed!" He thought this was the coolest thing ever, so he loved naps and bedtime - and we were still able to stay up later and watch T.V! Good times! Holy dyin' - that kid talks a lot in his bed! I never realized how much until we shared a room with him for those three nights. He sang to his puppy and told it stories for a good half hour before he settled down!
So anyway, here we are - back home with noses back to the ole grind, but IT'S ALL GOOD! A few days away does wonders for the soul!
Tirty Point Buck!
In case you missed it, I shot a "tirty pointer" this year! To celebrate, I'm dedicating this song to that ole' deer. To hear it, go to this website:
I'll miss him.
Kev
Kev
Su-nny Days....
Do you know, dear Maine friends, that while you are getting your blizzard today (at least that's what Mom is calling it....but she could be exaggerating, I suppose) that we are having 50 degree t-shirt weather? Ca-razy! These are the days where I feel like a hypocritical Mainer. I'm loving the temperature here, right now. This is my kind of weather! However......give it a couple of months. The summers are rather dreadful.
ALL Boy!!!
My little man is really blossoming into....shall we say....a full fledged boy in every aspect of the word! This is actually the stage that I love the most and that I have been looking the most forward to. He constantly keeps us laughing, and although he is causing me MANY more messes these days, he brings such comic relief and happiness in the crazyness of life.
A few examples of what I mean that have happened just recently:
* Daddy had a Saturday class a couple of weeks ago, so Kaden and I went on a breakfast date all by ourselves. Well, during the course of our meal Kaden (how shall we say this?) let a very large "gaseous explosion!" He looked surprised and then quite pleased with himself and then LOUDLY broadcasted: "OH! I DID A TOOT MONSTER!!!" Fabulous.....
* Just a couple of days ago, I walk into the bathroom while Kaden is peeing, and instead of "tucking" himself in like he ALWAYS does, he decided to aim outward and looked quite impressed with himself that he could spray almost all the way to the door!
* This morning I went into the bathroom and found him parading around the room with his potty seat on his head like a hat. Delicious.....
* He knows how to spray water out of the gap between his teeth now, and during baths one of his favorite things is to see if he can spray a stream clear across the bathroom. His favorite thing to say now is, "Mommy, I'm making a MESS!"
* This morning, I COULD not get out of bed, so he marched into our room, climbed into bed, took my face in his hands, pried open my eyes, and rammed his fingers into them saying, "Mommy!!! I talking to you....I NEED to see your eyeballs!"
* And I won't even start with the different names that he likes to call his "creations" when he goes #2. I swear - I have no idea where he comes up with these names, but they get more and more wild with each experience.
Ahhhhh, the joys of boys! Gotta' love it!
A few examples of what I mean that have happened just recently:
* Daddy had a Saturday class a couple of weeks ago, so Kaden and I went on a breakfast date all by ourselves. Well, during the course of our meal Kaden (how shall we say this?) let a very large "gaseous explosion!" He looked surprised and then quite pleased with himself and then LOUDLY broadcasted: "OH! I DID A TOOT MONSTER!!!" Fabulous.....
* Just a couple of days ago, I walk into the bathroom while Kaden is peeing, and instead of "tucking" himself in like he ALWAYS does, he decided to aim outward and looked quite impressed with himself that he could spray almost all the way to the door!
* This morning I went into the bathroom and found him parading around the room with his potty seat on his head like a hat. Delicious.....
* He knows how to spray water out of the gap between his teeth now, and during baths one of his favorite things is to see if he can spray a stream clear across the bathroom. His favorite thing to say now is, "Mommy, I'm making a MESS!"
* This morning, I COULD not get out of bed, so he marched into our room, climbed into bed, took my face in his hands, pried open my eyes, and rammed his fingers into them saying, "Mommy!!! I talking to you....I NEED to see your eyeballs!"
* And I won't even start with the different names that he likes to call his "creations" when he goes #2. I swear - I have no idea where he comes up with these names, but they get more and more wild with each experience.
Ahhhhh, the joys of boys! Gotta' love it!
The Lord Gives....
So, what do you say to two dear friends who are newly and happily pregnant who have just informed you that they both have just miscarried? Meanwhile, you already have one happy, healthy son and baby #2 is only three months away? You can't say you understand - because you don't. And all of the other things that you want to say to let them know you love them and want to walk alongside them sound so trite and shallow...... Meanwhile, just the mere sight of ME reminds them of what they have just recently lost. Tough stuff. Not my favorite. Makes me sick.
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