Sep. 3, 2006 - Yawn...
I have been so sleepy this weekend! Gracyn has been very difficult to get down to sleep lately. I have to lay down beside her until she falls asleep now that we don't have the crib. While I welcome the rest when she actually settles down and goes to sleep, it's just more exhausting and nerve wracking when I want to rest and she's jumping all over the bed and singing. 
Last night we went to a home church meeting near the campus. Many of the people from school attend so we already knew lots of folks there. It was very nice to have a meal and fellowship and then have some time of worship and sharing. There were tons of kids there, most of whom the girls knew, but the other families wanted their kids to stay and be a part of the meeting, so the girls weren't thrilled that they just had to "sit there" instead of going to play. I think Katie and Faith at least are old enough to be participating and taking in some of this instead of just being "entertained", so hopefully the example of the other children will be a good influence in this area. We went to a church this morning that we had visited once when we were first here. Ralph likes it better than the big church that the girls and I have been going to on Wednesday nights. The teaching is good and the couple who pastors is very nice. The biggest issue is that both times we've been there Katie and Faith said that there was no lesson given at all during their children's service, which takes place after worship during the sermon. The first time they just played darts and this time they played a game to learn the kid's names. We spoke to the pastor about it the first time and then when they came out after church today and said that they hadn't done anything again he said he was very surprised to hear it and would take care of it this week. We'll probably give it another shot and see it the issue gets corrected. I've promised the girls that they can still attend the bigger church on Wednesday nights for Missionettes. I'm looking forward to it as well because they are starting up a women's Beth Moore bible study week after next at the same time and several of my friends from campus will be going. We'll probably also go there on Sunday's when Ralph is ministering out of town.
Anyway, back to today. We went to church and then took the pastor and his wife out for Chinese food for lunch. They are the ones who brought over a ton of food for us when we first moved here, so it was nice fellowshiping with them again and getting to return the favor. Gracyn was acting really exhausted at lunch, refusing to eat anything and running around and crying over everything. That made it difficult to have a relaxing lunch, but I told myself that I'd be rewarded with a nice long nap out of her when we got home. Before we went home we decided to let me run into the mall to the ... you guessed it... maternity store! Not that I needed ANYTHING else, but after my last shopping spree I discovered that I'd forgotten I had a $5.35 store card in my wallet from a return that I'd made back in the beginning. If I didn't use it I'd lose it, so I ran in to get a white stretch t shirt like the other 3 that I have (purple, blue and red). It's a really flattering style that can be dressed up or down and goes with anything. So I run in a use my card and get my shirt without trying it on because I obviously know the size at this point. I got back to the car and told Ralph that I'd never have to see that store again because I have all the maternity clothes I could ever wear at this point. So I get home and put on my new shirt and realize that it is completely see through and I'll never be able to wear it.
Now I have to return it next week. Maybe I'm just making up for lost time from all the years that I never stepped foot in a mall and never bought myself any clothes. I keep telling myself that I still have 5 months to enjoy my new wardrobe, but it's still hard shopping for things you know you will only wear for such a brief time. Now if I can just find a good place to get my hair cut this week I'll be prepared for anything!
When we finally got home this afternoon Gracyn refused to settle down for a nap. She's been bouncing around like a crazy person while I've been trying to keep my eyes open. At least the other girls have stayed occupied. Madison and Emily have been off playing with Abigail and Katie and Faith are with Angel. Ralph has gone to the store to pick up a few things and in spite of not getting to sleep I've enjoyed the quiet afternoon getting to read the next book in a series I've been reading. It's nice having the informal library here on campus. If I run out of something to read I just have to hop over there and grab something. I'm sure all of it was donated, so there's a real hodgepodge of things to choose from, but I've found a surprising number of things that looked good.
We're going to the beach at South Padre Island again tomorrow. I'm concerned about fighting the crowds, but we're planning on leaving early so that we can hopefully avoid a lot of that. Ralph has a test on Tuesday so he wants to get back early to study.
I guess that catches everyone up for the moment. All is well and I look forward to a nice restful sleep tonight. By the way, we stayed up way too late last night watching the new Superman movie that someone here on campus had gotten from Mexico. It was in english with spanish subtitles, but you just get the feeling it's not totally legit when there's the sillouette of this guy's head at the bottom of the screen the whole time. Anyway, it was a really sorry movie, with or without Jose's hairline adding to the background scenery. Wish I'd gotten that extra couple of hours of sleep instead. 
Hasta luego everyone!
Comments
Sep. 4, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Miriam
