I don’t know how to explain my day other than, the children, they won.

The flag is on the field, people.

I actually went to the store and bought a greeting card, jelly and a melon… three items I didn’t really need, just to get the children out of the house. It didn’t help as they proceeded to make an ass out of me and fully prove that they are, in fact, in charge. They pulled crap off the shelves, whined, screamed and actually came to fisticuffs with each other over a steering wheel.

I am calling in sick tomorrow because my bosses are tyrants.

Well, I would write more but I can’t seem to unclasp one or both children from my ankle long enough to have a significant thought, let alone put it in writing. Being at home all day with the children is definitely a mental and physical challenge that leaves me longing for adult interaction and some time for myself. Seriously, I can’t even go to the bathroom without a child witnessing the act.

In other news, we have been frequenting the beach quite a bit. It has been really fun. I don’t particularly like all of the sand in my car and on my floor but I suppose it is worth it. On most days we take the BOB stroller and go for a run on Scenic all the way to the Carmel River State Park sign and back (about 3 miles) and then we stop and play in the waves for a while. Isaac loves this particular outing – I think he shares my awe of the ocean and he seems to be absolutely joyful there. Also, the Carmel beach is famous for all of the dogs on the beach, which Isaac adores. He runs and chases the dogs and he has even made a friend with a labradoodle named Gracie. She seems to be there everytime we are and she is really cute. Joshua is okay with her as long as I am holding him – I think her size is intimidating to my little Peanut.

Thankfully the beach wears the kiddos out and they take good naps upon return, which means I have had some time to read. I think that reading is my favorite thing, I love to get lost in a character and become a part of another world for a while. However, lately I keep thinking about writing a book so as I read I try to figure out if I like the author’s style or if I could write something similar. I have taken a few shots at fiction – none that I have posted here for fear of rejection – I just don’t think I am cut out for fiction. My imagination isn’t thick enough. I honestly think that a fiction writer’s brain must have another layer of curiousity that mine just does not posses. That plus the fact that my life is crazy enough to be fiction makes me think that I should stick to writing about that, or maybe my family history.

Kevin has been working like crazy since we’ve been here. On most days he leaves around 7:15 in the morning and doesn’t get home until after 6pm. Tonight he won’t be home until 9pm or so because he has a City Council meeting. On these days, I struggle to come up with enough activities to keep the kids entertained all day and evening before bedtime. I know that Kevin is transitioning to a new job and working hard because he wants to do well, so I guess this is just the way things are for now. I think if I had some friends here to do stuff with it might be a little easier to make it through some of these long days. I met some people a few weekends ago but all of us have little kids and lives are busy so we haven’t hung out. I know that friends and social outings will come with time, I am just not one for patience.

Isaac starts summer camp next week at St. Dunstans pre-school. He will be going half days for two weeks and then he takes a break from St. Dunstans for a month before actual pre-school starts at the end of August. During the break he and Joshua will be going to a home day care in Salinas since I will be working by then. I am worried about Isaac not liking the home day care since he likes a lot of interaction. However, there is not much else I can do since St. Dunstans has a break for most of August. The school situation is so different here. I loved the school the boys were at in Turlock, it was open all but about 15 days a year and the teachers were awesome. Here, there is a lot more varience in schedules that will be a little challenging for a working mom.

Speaking of working, I start on the 28th, a mere two weeks away. I can’t belive that this time has gone so fast. On my last day of work in Turlock my new job here seemed a little less than real. Yet, as with anything in life the time flew by and now another transition is upon me. I have to say that I have some trepidation about the new job. I was warned ahead of time about office politics and issues between the women in the office. I can’t stand that kind of crap and sometimes in my attempt to stay out of it, I come off as being “above it.” Which I think can make my cause worse when it comes to fitting in. However, I personally believe that women can be their own worst enemies when it comes to promotion in the workplace because of drama. Men don’t get involved in the drama and women just look petty when they do. Anyway, enough on that. I will let you know if the rumors are true about the office politics, maybe I will be pleasantly surprised when I get there. Besides, I am not sure that any workplace could be worse as far as office politics, as the one I spent the last seven years. So, it would take a lot to surprise or offend me.

Well, there is a baby crying which is my cue to go…The next post will have some pictures of my friend Rebecca’s visit. Our kids had way too much fun together and I got some great shots.

I hated the last header so I changed it. This one is here to stay. Sorry for this brief interruption.

Enjoy your stay.

The Management

First off, I know that my posts have been a little kid-centric lately. But what the heck else am I supposed to write about when my days are filled with diapers, strollers, tunnel slides and Transformers? My body is so spent at the end of the day, it is like my mind can’t even fathom writing something deep.

However, my pre-schooler finds plently of time to contemplate those philosophical questions that go bump in the night. Let me regale you with two separate conversations I had today with my 4 year old. 

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Me: Isaac are you going to be a good boy at lunch today with Daddy?

Isaac: Yes Mom, a very good boy. You want to know why?

Me: Because you will be in trouble if you aren’t?

Isaac: No Mom, because Jesus died for my sins, so I can only be a good boy.

Is that how that works?

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Isaac: He’s an idiot.

Me: Isaac, do not say that. It is not nice to say that!

Isaac: Is idiot a bad word?

Me: No, but it isn’t a nice thing to say about anyone.

Isaac: But Ammy said said that the guy who put the nail in the tree was an idiot.

Me: Well, that’s fine but I don’t want you to call someone that name.

Pause…

Isaac: There sure are a lot of bad words in the world Mommy. It’s a real bummer we can’t say them.

Well, yes it is.

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Isaac: Mom, does everyone have a Mommy and a Daddy?

Me: (Holy Crap is he serious with this???)  Um…. well, no, not everyone has a Mommy and a Daddy.

Isaac: Why? Is it because they die or because they just done’t have one?

Me: Well, sometimes a Mommy or a Daddy dies, but sometimes kids just don’t have both a Mommy and a Daddy. Sometimes they just have one or the other and sometimes they have two Mommy’s and two Daddy’s.

Pause.

Isaac: Mom, do you think Gwen Stefani would marry me?

Me: Yes Isaac, I do.

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Sometimes I worry that this kid is going to outwit me before he hits double digits.

Being in a new town necessitates some decision making; where to get your clothes dry cleaned, where to grocery shop, where to find swimming lessons, friends and a good babysitter. Let’s just say I am sick of all of the decisions.

I don’t really miss Turlock. I just miss the familiarity of the town, the proximity to family and such. I knew where to get things, who to call when I couldn’t find something, who the good babysitters were, etc. Here, I am constantly adjusting to the “new”. I like it, just some days I wish I could be like Evie from Out of this World and put my index fingers together, freeze time and get everything all figured out. Although I am not sure that I want my Dad’s voice to come out of some possessed, glowing cube. (if you watched this show you know what I’m talking about…)

One of the big decisions ahead of us is where to go to church. I love being involved in a church and meeting new people. I just hate the whole deciding which one to attend. Every church has it’s merritts. This one has good worship, this one is very welcoming, this one has a great pastor. I want a place that is inviting to non-believers and has great teaching. I want a church where there are lots of young families so I can make friends. I guess I am asking a lot of a church.

The big question for me is, which criterion is most important? I want a church that is “seeker” friendly but yet I want to feel biblically fed on Sundays. What, I guess I should be asking, does God want? Considering I believe He shows up at just about every church, does He have a preference? Does He like one more than the other? Does He care about worship style or small groups or programs?

So friends, how (if at all) do you chose a church? What do you base it on? Last Sunday I went to Shoreline Community Church and I really liked it. Is gut feeling what you go by?

I can find a grocery store and a dry cleaners by myself but I really want some insight in picking a church. A church is the place where I am supposed to grow spiritually – which when compared to choosing a place for a good shirt starching, seems significant.