All our bags are packed, we're ready to go.

Goodbye OC and hello Boulder, Colorado.

In 2 weeks.

We'll miss wonderful friends, beautiful beaches and practically perfect weather but we're excited for a new adventure.

First Talk

Last Sunday Sage gave her first talk. The topic was my family and I can serve others. A week before I asked her some questions and put her answers together into a short little talk. We practiced all week and by Sunday morning she was ready...talk memorized and story of the Great Samaritan (her change of adjectives) down pat.

The moment of truth came and she stood at the podium quietly whispering the first line then her voice got louder and more confident as she finished up. Then came time to tell the story, "I don't wanna tell it." Sage exited stage right and sat down in her chair.

Guess we'll try again.

Here's the talk:

Jesus served people. He was nice and He took care of people. Serving people means: bringing them to church, inviting them to play, inviting them to dinner, praying for them. I feel good when I serve people.

This is what I find when I wake up in the morning.

And this is why I love him so much.

Like Mother Like Daughter

Sage wanted to try pumping.

Why I Love Shane-Part 6

This morning Shane grabbed a slice of freshly baked pumpkin bread on his way out the door. Later, when I walked into the kitchen to cut a slice for myself I noticed the end piece (cue the Hallelujah chorus) waiting for me on the cooling rack. Sweet Shane saved my most favorite part. It sure is wonderful that in this crazy world someone loves me enough to remember that I love the crusty, crunchy goodness of the end slice.

Count Your Blessings

I was all ready for my 3-day doula training this weekend.

Diapers and wipes. Check.

Lunch, dinner and snacks. Check.

Directions. Check.

Micah. Check.

Ready to go.

The class is in LA at a doula's home. Google Maps says that in traffic it will take 2 hours. I decide to leave super early to avoid the traffic and I arrive an hour and a half early. Micah and I kick around. He eats, I change a diaper, we go for a walk. As the time approaches 9 AM I knock on the door, no answer. Call on the phone, no answer. Knock on neighbors doors. "Do you know the lady next door?" "No" (welcome to Southern California folks). Finally I find a neighbor who tells me that the teacher is out of town until the 1st.

Right date. uhhhhh....no.

I was so mad that I drove so far, wasted so much time and energy. Driving down the road fuming and frustrated, a few mad tears in my eyes, I saw a billboard for a local news station, a great big anchor face staring out at me.

The name of the anchor? Micah.

Suddenly the angry cloud lifted and I remembered my Micah. I glanced over my shoulder at him sleeping peacefully in the back seat and my heart welled up with love. I remembered how much I have to be grateful for. I spent the long car ride home counting my blessings and arrived home with a smile on my face.

Listen Up-Flashback

Stina Nordenstam's voice is a Catch-22....odd yet compelling and lovely. You might remember this song from "Romeo & Juliet."