Babies

We know, like, a zillion people having babies. Forget H1N1 ... pregnancy is spreading, people. It's very contagious.

That being said, I saw this trailer today for a new film from Focus Features. I dare you not to smile.

P.S. I know what you all are thinking. The answer is NO. :)

My Brother Was Right ...

In all I read 3.25 of the Twilight books. You might remember my post after the first one.

My brother saw me reading it and told me it was a waste of time. I told him to shut up. But you know what? He was right. It was a serious waste of my life.

So when I saw this video on his Facebook page, I had to post it. It's funny. And it shows you just how awful the story actually is. It's so bad, I'm embarrassed that I ever liked it.

Oh, Christmas Tree

I know I'm not supposed to start out a post by apologizing for not writing. Besides, that's so overdone. Instead, I'm going to just make a list of things I've done since I last wrote. (This list is not comprehensive. In case you were wondering.)

• Went to Minnesota
• Changed Teams at Work
• Cut a Christmas Tree
• Sat in Front of the Fire
• Made a Wreath
• Slept
• Read Jane Eyre
• Watched The Biggest Loser Finale

Last weekend we went to cut our Christmas tree. Thankfully, the weather gave us a break because both the day before and the day after we went were bitterly cold with temperatures in the single digits. Friday, however, was in the 40's.

So with the sun shining, we set off to Woodland Park. You see, unlike some people (ahem ... New York) when we cut our tree, we actually go out into the wild and go on a tree hunt. In the real forest.

Anyway.

Upon entering the designated tree-cutting area, we parked, spread out and within 15 minutes, we found it.


Chris and Gabe did the manly work of cutting it down. It took about 7.5 seconds.

Then Gabe hoisted the freshly cut tree ...

... and proceeded to carry it back to the car.

By himself.

Then we all posed with the tree like we helped carry it.

Here it is packed up for the journey home.

And then it's time for the portrait session. The boys ...

... and the girls.

A tree that looks tiny in the forest looks a lot bigger when you domesticate it.


Last thing is the star on top and ...

TADAAA!

P.S. I'd like to apologize for the poor quality of these photos. I've been playing with the manual settings on my camera and I forgot to change them. I promise to improve!

Covered in Rain

In the absence of time to write, I'm posting my favorite live version of my favorite song by my favorite singer.

Right about 6:00 he kicks it into high gear. Oh my word.

Beware of the Grass Awn

Well, if you follow either Chris or me on Facebook, you know we've been through quite the saga with Havana. I'm happy to say, after 4 surgeries and over $1,000 in vet bills, it's finally over.

[Warning: This is long. If you're only interested in the Cliff Notes version or photos, scroll to the end. Also be prepared ... the second picture is pretty nasty.]

It all started back in August. We noticed she had some swelling on her side, by her back leg. We were a little worried and took her to the vet. He checked it out and thought it was likely some lymphatic fluid buildup. He put her on antibiotics and told us to monitor it. The antibiotics seemed to work, the swelling went away, and we thought it was over.

Then, a week or so after the antibiotics ran out, we noticed that the swelling returned. Some days it seemed to be getting better, and other days it seemed worse. Havana was acting normal and eating and didn't seem to be in any pain, so we figured it wasn't anything serious.

In early October, we flew off to Phoenix for a wedding. My parents were watching Havana. Early Sunday morning, my mom called us and told us that they needed to take her to the emergency vet because she looked like she'd been shot. There was what looked like a puncture wound on her side. Back by her leg. (It was actually an abscess that had burst.)

Surgery #1
When we took her to the vet on Monday morning, they told us what it was - a grass awn. How we've never heard of this before, I have no idea. Apparently, they're very common and found all over the country. And now we know they are also very expensive. Anyway, they opened Havana up, found a "drainage track" which confirmed their suspicions, took out a bunch of small pieces of grass and sewed her back up.

A couple weeks later, we went in and had the sutures taken out. It seemed she was finally healing. Everything looked good until two mornings later. We noticed that she was paying particular attention to the area and to our horror we saw that the incision had opened back up. It was red and swollen again.

Surgery #2
So we took her back into the vet. They told us they had to go back in there. We left her for her second surgery and when we picked her up that night, we started the whole recovery process again. She seemed to be okay. But then we noticed that she was again swelling up at the top end of the incision. The vet had told us there may be a small amount of swelling at the bottoms as stuff drained, but it shouldn't have been at the top.

Back to the vet we went. To make a long story a tiny bit shorter, they had chosen to go the more conservative, less aggressive route with the second surgery because everything had looked so good. But when she got swollen up again, they realized they made the wrong decision and should have been more aggressive with their surgery.

Surgery #3
For the third time, poor Havana went under the knife. This time, the incision they made was twice as long and they took out some of the infected tissue. They sewed her up and we were very cautious with her. We made her wear the Cone of Shame at all times. We limited her activity to going outside to go to the bathroom and going downstairs to sleep. We didn't want to do anything to mess this one up. We were hoping this was it. When we took her in to have her sutures removed, she looked fantastic. The vet was very happy. And so were we.

Ten days later, we couldn't believe our eyes when we saw swelling. Again. We were totally discouraged and at a complete loss because it seemed we were in a never-ending cycle. How long would this go on? If she went under the knife again, how would we know it wouldn't just come back? We took her back to the vet knowing what we he would tell us. Because it was the fourth time and we felt like we were getting nowhere, we decided to get another opinion. (Her side, by the way, was getting worse by the hour, it seemed. The swollen area was getting bigger and it was obviously very painful.)

Surgery #4
The new vet confirmed what the other vet had told us. She needed another surgery. So we had no choice. We left Havana with the small hope that this vet would be able to do what the other one hadn't - find the cause of the swelling. Less than an hour later, the second vet called and (FINALLY) said she had some very good news. She had found the biggest grass awn she had ever seen in her life. And she's been doing veterinary medicine for a long time.

Here's what she pulled out of poor Havana ...

THAT little thing - a piece of grass - is what was responsible for months of stress and worry for us, pain and swelling for Havana, four surgeries and over $1,000 in vet bills.

Because of the amount of infection, they had to leave an open drainage tube from her wound for a few days.
So. There you have it. Our latest dog drama. I have some more thoughts to share, but I'll save those for another time because this is already way too long.

If you're still reading this, thanks for persevering! I'm willing to bet you're probably related to us.

Stop This Train

I have a post on Compassion's blog today and I'm pretty sure this is my favorite one yet. It's my heart, packaged in some words and a few photos.

I know I'm biased, but still. I recommend you read it. :)

My husband, a.k.a. Blog Editor Extraordinaire, exercised his editing powers and sadly John Mayer got the ax.

However, this is my blog, so here is the ending I originally wrote which is the perfect summation of my feelings ...

This makes me proud and sad and happy all at the same time. I truly feel like parent whose child is growing up too fast.

Someone tell me, how do I stop this train?

Afghanistan

I just read the most moving blog post I think I've ever read.

Brant Hansen, a radio DJ whose blog I follow, was recently in Afghanistan. He went to Afgha... actually, you know what? Nothing I write can do his post justice.

Just trust me. You should read it.

Puppy Love

This is what it's like every day when Chris gets home. I'm not kidding.

They greet him like he's been gone for a year.

Heartbreak at the Coffee Shop

I am in a very awkward situation right now. It's tearing me up.

I have an hour and a half to kill between my haircut and my book club, so I set up camp at the corner table in It's a Grind. I just sat down to enjoy my Praline Latte and am working on setting up my new computer when I notice the man and woman in the chairs beside me. They are very clearly arguing. Within a minute, it is obvious what they are talking about.

They are (not at all discreetly, mind you) trying to negotiate who gets what in their divorce. They're arguing about the house, the cars, the pet, the appliances - everything. It's awful. It's uncomfortable for me, but I can't help hearing them. I feel like I'm intruding on a very personal and devastating conversation.

The part where I almost start crying, though, is when they start arguing about what they will tell their kids. Obviously the kids are small.

"We'll just tell them daddy and mommy made a big mistake and should never have gotten married. That we'll be living separately now."

I know I'm still a newlywed and all, but I can't stop obsessing about how a couple gets from their wedding day to this point. How does it happen?? Chris and I have talked about how we can never EVER allow divorce to be an option. Ever. We cannot even allow ourselves to consider it for a second. Because the second we indulge the thought, even to write it off, it begins to take root.

I don't know anything about this couple. I don't know what circumstances lead them to this point. What I do know, though, is that my heart is hurting for them, and especially for their kids.

Meet Elember

A hurricane hit El Salvador this past weekend. I know this because I have to report on it for my job. Whenever there's a crisis, my task list gets reordered around that crisis. So as I was going about my newly rearranged El Salvador-focused Monday morning To Do list, I opened Compassion's home page.

And I fell in love.

This is Elember.
He's four.
He has the cutest bowl haircut I think I've ever seen.
And now half his country's under water.

Will you sponsor him? Or if you can't, will you forward this to someone who will?

I'm telling you, it would make Elember's day.

'Tis the Season

Today was a momentous day.

After church we went Christmas shopping. But here's the remarkable part ... it was Chris' suggestion! You know I wasn't about to say no.

So the first hour we were at Costco. We even had lunch there - both of us for $3.17!! (Isn't Costco great?)

Then the next five hours we were at the mall. Yeah, I know. Five hours. I can't believe both of us lasted that long. Once we got going, we just decided to knock it out all at once. Actually, we spoiled ourselves a little too. Thanks, Old Navy!

In other news, I'm typing this post on my ... BRAND NEW MAC! Seriously ... it's so pretty I hardly want to touch it.

Maybe this new toy will help me to blog more frequently.

9

Nine years ago today was my first day at Compassion. Seriously? It feels like just last week I wrote this.

It's been one wild ride!

A Tiny Little Burrito

Well, the news is out and all I have to say is ... FINALLY!

See I have this little issue with keeping my mouth shut, especially when I'm excited about something. And it doesn't get much more exciting than this ...

They told us a few weeks ago and it's been killing me to not say anything. (I had a couple close calls, but thankfully in the end no beans were spilled.)

This news is doubly exciting considering everything they've been through this past year. Congratulations, guys.

Pray with me for a healthy baby?

P.S. My super talented brother designed all those ads. Don't you think Chipotle should hire him?

Cross Country Snowboarding

I apologize for posting three videos in a row, but this one is too good to pass up. (Thanks, brother.)

No matter how many I see ...

these clips never seem to get old.

This is Danyl, a teacher from the UK auditioning for a television show called the X-Factor.

In case you missed them, here are the other two.

Going to Chick-fil-A is good birth control.

Chris and I decided that last night.

We went out to The Chick for dinner. It was a snowy night and we had two free sandwich coupons. (Thanks Facebook!) Spent $3.97 for dinner for two ... can't beat that.

Anyway.

The place was a madhouse. There must have been three kids there for every one adult. Where in the world did they all come from? Granted, we chose a table right next to the play area, but still. It didn't much matter where we sat. As we ate our dinner amidst the the chaos, our conversation (not surprisingly) centered on our feelings about having children someday. Or more accurately, how we could have kids and not wish we didn't.

Don't get me wrong. I love Chick-fil-A. And I love kids. But the two of them together ... no thank you.

(This video doesn't have anything to do with kids, but it totally made me laugh.)

Courage

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."

-Ambrose Redmoon

Thoughts on Marriage: 2 Months

Tomorrow will be two months since Chris and I got married. In some ways, it seems much longer than that. Especially when I think about how much I've had to learn. How much adjustment and change and growth has already happened. Getting married is the best and hardest thing I've ever done.

I think the thing that has taken me most by surprise is how, in the middle of this most intimate of human relationships, I find myself having to cling more completely and more wholly and more fervently to God. I am having to trust Him and go to Him with more frequency. I am having to confess more to Him than ever before.

When I was single and struggling with my desire to be married, I thought my dependence on God and my desire for Him during that time was so strong that it would probably be unmatched by any other time in life. My singleness put me in a position of asking God to fill my need for love and intimacy. It was a daily battle. I would swing wildly from one extreme to the other - from despairing and being consumed by my unfulfilled desire for a husband to the next moment brimming with hope and belief in God's promise to fulfill the desires of my heart. It definitely was a time of growth and maturity and independence.

But thankfully, I was wrong about my desire for God. It was matched, and in fact has been surpassed. Marriage has taken this dependence-on-God thing to a whole other level.

I've had tons of friends get married. I'm a realist. I knew going into this that it wouldn't be easy. I knew it would be hard work. The interesting thing is, though, the things that I expected to be hard actually aren't that hard and things that are hard are things I never expected. I suppose you can't truly ever be prepared for something like this ... at some point you just gotta jump in.

Here's one thing that makes it so challenging: It's having to make adjustments in every single part of your life. All at once. If we could take things one at a time, it would make more sense to expect perfection. But we can't do that, so we have to give each other the allowance to make mistakes and the grace to have second chances.

The amazing part is, though, through all this change and adjustment and growth, as long as I involve God in the process, I'm finding within myself a greater capacity to love Chris.

So ... if that is the result then I say, "Bring it on!"

I Just Haven't Met You Yet

I saw Michael Buble at the Wang Theater in Boston with my siblings a few years ago and it was one of the best concerts I've ever seen.

Guess what? He's got a new CD out!

Here's the video for one of his new ones ... great stuff.

He's kind of a goofball. But my word, the man's got some pipes!

MTV and Compassion

I know I already posted today, but gotta share this ...

Check out the conversation happening on Compassion's Facebook page!

Quite exciting, if you ask me. This kind of thing really fires people up! It's awesome to see so many people go from being lukewarm to fiery hot. Besides, as Paul says, "But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."

So let's rejoice!

(Oh, and then go donate $10 to Compassion. It could help us win $50,000!)

Pause ...

Sorry about the posting delay. I'm a newlywed, trying to learn how to be a good wife and ... well ... let's just say it's a lot to learn. I'll be back to my regular posting soon, though. I promise.

Meanwhile, for those of you following my brother's blog about RA, he finally posted an update.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Closer to Love

All photos and slideshow by Daron Short. Didn't he do a FANTASTIC job?

Greece

For your Friday, I thought I'd post a few of my favorites from Greece.
Um ... actually it's kind of hard to just pick a few ...

Kanye, Part Deux

Seeing as I felt the need to say something about the whole Kanye/Taylor debacle in yesterday's post, I think I ought to share today's thoughts too.

I just got a good a kick in my judgmental hiney by one of my favorite bloggers.

I have a lot to learn. Good words, Jon.

Married Life and Such

Here are a few random thoughts tumbling around my head today...

1. I love being married. It's so fun. It's like having your best friend over for a sleepover every night. Seriously, it's awesome. Don't get me wrong - it's work. Hard work. In some ways, harder than I ever anticipated. But SO worth it.

2. Speaking of being married, I think there's something in the air. Four weeks ago we got married. We went to a wedding this past weekend. We're going to another wedding this coming weekend. Then two weeks after that we're going to another wedding. It's like I'm a senior in college again.

3. Today is September 15 and we are going camping for this first time this year this weekend. That's just sad. I guess, though, I have been a little busy this summer. So even though it's just for one night, I'm ready to get my camp on! Thanks for the idea Jamie.

4. Kanye needs to start thinking about the impact of his words before he allows them out of his mouth.

5. My amazing husband took me to see a Cirque du Soleil show this past weekend - Kooza. I first heard about Cirque du Soleil something like 15 years ago and since then, I've wanted to see a show. I was not disappointed. It was the BEST show I've ever seen. The music, the dancing, the acrobatics, the costumes - everything. And we saw it all from a few feet away! Here's a little taste ...


Actually, you know what? This deserves a post of it's own.
I'll get right on that.

And They Want to Run Our Health Care?

I went to the DMV today to change my name and address. I arrived a little after 1 pm, hoping that I had missed the worst of the lunch rush. I had to wait in line to get a number (or as a guy behind me said, we were in the "line for the line.") After about five minutes, I am handed a slip of paper with number 678 on it.

Now they've recently implemented a new system at the DMV where there are four sets of numbers, in the 100's, the 200's, the 400's and the 600's, and the number you receive depends on your need. Monitors around the room display the current number for each category.

I see that they are currently serving 627. That's 51 people ahead of me. Knowing I'm in for a long wait, and trying my best to be understanding, I settle in to read my book.

As time goes by, the automated voice calls number after number. The 400's are obviously military and they are the ones that get the quickest service. The 100's and 200's are called less frequently. But very few 600's are called. After 45 minutes, they are serving number 633. Six people.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!?

At their present rate of service, I have to wait almost eight hours.

I had to leave, of course. Compassion is not paying me to sit at the DMV. I told the number lady as I was leaving that it was an 8 hour wait. She just shrugged. I asked if there was a better time to come. She said usually it's slower right after lunch. I asked if there was a better day. She said Wednesdays are their slowest days.

Looks like I'll have to change my address to the DMV.

I'm Sorry

I have deleted my last post. It was in poor taste and was basically laughing at other people's expense. I apologize to those I offended with it.

I'll be the first to admit that my judgment is off sometimes. I say and things or do things without fully thinking them through. I realize that sometimes my words seem to contradict my alleged desire to honor God with my life.

I'm a big girl. When I make a mistake, I own it. I admit, posting this last post was not the best choice.

However, two things have infuriated me ...

First of all, to associate MY mistakes with the ministry of Compassion is wrong. Compassion is not responsible for the things I say or do - I am. Just like every other Christian institution, the ministry of Compassion is made up of humans - fallible, fallen individuals who, although they honestly desire to serve God with their lives, will make mistakes. I am one of those people. Anyone I offend on this blog should not put that on Compassion. It's on me.

Secondly, if you feel the need to point out my flaws to everyone who reads this blog in the comment section, at least have the decency to own your words instead of posting anonymously.

I'm seriously considering making this blog private or deleting it altogether before it becomes another forum for miscommunication and judgment.

Mr. and Mrs.

Two weeks ago I married the man of my dreams.
Then we went on a dream vacation.
Lucky, lucky me.

(I'll be back soon with lots more.)

Hurry Up, Sunday

OHMYGOSHIMGETTINGMARRIEDTHISWEEK!!!

That is all.

Unforgettable

My wedding plans keep getting ruined by people who do it first and make the news, rendering any attempt at surprise completely useless.

First, there was my idea* to have the wedding party dance down the aisle. But good thing someone else did it first cause we all know what a bomb that was.

But now I can't even break a record with my dress . (And the last-minute alterations are going to cost a ton.)

So much for an unforgettable wedding.

---

*Okay that wasn't technically my idea.

Details, Schmetails

Ohmigosh things are getting KER-AY-ZEE around here! I'm sure you can tell by the waning blog posts. I'm trying to keep up with everything, but dang. It's hard.

12 days left, people. Twelve. That's it. One dozen.

I went down to The Fine Arts Center today after work to nail down details and figure out the placement of everything ... where the tables will go, what the setup will look like, what time things will happen, who will do what, blah, blah, blah. So many details. Millions of them. They never end. And we all know details aren't really my thing. (By the way, Melissa, the wedding coordinator at The Fine Arts Center? Frickin' amazing.)

One of the things I found out today is that if it rains - wait a sec - where the heck have I been the last three weeks? I mean when the daily downpour and accompanying electrical storm arrive, the ceremony will be held in the gallery instead of the courtyard. Which actually would be REALLY cool. (Oh except that there's this neon colored, slightly larger than life, sculpture of Will Rogers on a horse that would be our ceremony backdrop. COOL. We are already betting that the Botero exhibit currently on display might make some waves.)

Anyway where was I? Oh yes. So Chris and I will likely make our vows under the watchful gazes of Will Rogers and some obese naked people. My good friend Skip is doing the honors and although he's been a pastor for a long time, this will be the first wedding he gets to officiate! This fact makes it extra special.

After the ceremony, we get our party on.

We have chosen this GREAT song to dance to for our first dance and do you want to know the coolest part? My cousin Abbey is going to sing it live for us!!! Chris gets all the credit for this one. It was totally his idea. So we're going to do the 8th Grade Shuffle (also known as the Hug'n'sway) as Abbey wows everyone with her pipes.

Then we attempt say hello to everyone. Even though I'm a complete extrovert, I'm actually dreading this part. I get ADD when I know too many people and I feel like I can't give anyone my full attention. So I can't imagine how a less extroverted person will deal with it.

Anyway after we make our rounds, we'll bust a few more moves on the dance floor, shove some cake into each others' faces, exit through a sparkler-lit walkway and jet off to Greece.

Happily ever after. I can't wait!

Dreaming ...

My New Neighbors

They just built a Taco Bell right outside my front door. Literally. It's maybe a few hundred yards away from my couch.

This is ironic, considering they're like my least favorite chain restaurant of all time. Now I must greet each day with a purple and orange neon sign.

Taco Bell? More Like Taco Hell.

God's Timing

Chris and I recently discovered something about God's involvement in our story that totally blew us away.

Check this out.

The other night we were talking about many of our single friends. I mentioned how back in early 2005, I had a very revolutionary experience in my journey as a single woman. Being married was something I had desired for many years and I struggled with trying to truly be content to wait on God while still deeply desiring a husband. I felt like every time I prayed about it, I was in a way telling God I wasn't content. The thing was, though, there was no use pretending it wasn't constantly on my mind. It was.

As 2005 started, I made a decision that instead of pretending that it wasn't constantly on my mind, I'd acknowledge that it was and then give that to God. I made a commitment to pray every day for my husband - whoever he was and wherever he might be. Beginning January 1, 2005, I spent my 20 minute drive to work each day praying for my husband. I prayed for his heart for God. I prayed for his job. I prayed for his family. I prayed for his thought life. I prayed for his fears. I prayed for his dreams.

Even though nothing changed outwardly in my dating life, my attitude changed because I felt like I was finally doing something. It was empowering to be able to openly admit my desire and give it up to God.

I prayed very consistently from several months. Around the beginning of April, as summer approached, life got busier and I prayed with less frequency. However, for those three months, my prayer life had come alive in a way it never had before. And my struggle with being single took on a new purpose.

I mentioned this to Chris the other night. He got this knowing smile on his face and told me he wasn't surprised.

Because on April 24, 2005, after several months of soul searching, Chris surrendered his life to God.

Flamenco

A little something I discovered living in Spain.

Besides sangria, a love for flamenco music was one of the best things I took away from those four months.

So here's a little taste.


What do you think?

Party Time!

Tomorrow we have our party-for-the-wedding-that's-not-a-shower. There will be men there, specifically Chris, and I've been informed that men "don't do showers."

So it's a ... party. Yeah. A party.

I told him there would be lots of food there and that convinced him. He said he'd eat himself into a coma.

Seriously, though, I'm finally getting excited! Things are beginning. I'm sure when we open our first wedding gift it will really hit home.

Last night was my mom's 60th birthday and my cousin Peter's 24th birthday. We celebrated it with a traditional Tschamler/Moore family party - BBQ in the backyard, followed by coffee, several desserts (including my dad's homemade ice cream) and presents.

Here are a few photos of the fun...

The birthday king and queen.

The BEST chocolate cake I've ever eaten. Seriously.

Cody and Uncle Peter.

Present time!

We gave mom an engraved jewelry box. You know. For all her jewels.

We sang the Happy Birthday song loudly and completely off-key.

"Sure." - Jonah

Jon thought the game was Hit Uncle Jon's Hand. Jonah disagreed.

Jonah discovered beans picked right out of the garden.

My dad's famous ice cream. Coffee Oreo. It was delish.

The Worm. All those years we had the wrong cousin.
Good times. I love family.