Blissfully Unaware of the Chaos the Surrounds Me

Halloween, Baby!

So the masses descended on our neighborhood tonight.  Even though we were out trick or treating for a good while tonight ourselves?  We still went through hundreds of pieces of candy.  But it was good times, baby, good times.  The weather cooperated, we had friends and family (even my sister, all the way from Sweden) join us and the kids collected a ton of loot.  Dylan was groovin' as a hippie and Halle was adorable as Minnie Mouse.  Don't mind Dylan's face - he was obviously eating something, most likely a Tootsie Roll, at that point and time.

But before all of that?  Little Miss Halle decided that she could walk last night and took off on her little tootsies.  She loves it.  It's like a little light went off and she finally figured out that walking had some potential.  And now we're really screwed.  But how cute is she?

Even More Grooviness . . .

One of our Children's Ministries staff just emailed me a couple of photos from Friday night and how could I pass up the opportunity to chow you how awesomely groovy I looked?  We are one styling fam!  (John was flying for the AF . . . he was groovy at the Base in his flight suit, I'm sure.  My intent is to grow him an afro on Halloween, but I'm not sure he'll go for it!)

On a Roll . . .

This is Why I Love Digital . . .

scrapbooking!  I was stuck on a conference call.  It wasn't especially thought-provoking, nor did it require more than the occasional comment from me.  So I did this, in about 7 minutes . . . all while working!  It's like I gained an extra seven minutes today!

A Measure of my Dorkiness . . .

I cried teared up at least six times during HSM3.  I love me some cheesy musical.  I also thought it was the best of the lot, although Dylan is still partial to #2 (my least favorite).  Dylan missed the first five (or so) times that I got a little misty-eyed and so when he caught me on one of the last scenes?  I think he was appalled.  He suggested leaving the theater when the lights were still low.  Sigh.  The times, they are changing!

I would, however, strongly recommend this movie.  Please do, however, note my afore-mentioned love of all things cheesy+musical. 

What I do not love?  Are the rude-ass (teen) jerks and their rude-ass (old) parents that are having a party somewhere in our neighborhood.  I realize I sound like a total fuddy-duddy here, but they rang my doorbell not once, but twice after 8:00 pm for a scavenger hunt.  And then decided to play tag in the "big backyard" that sits behind our house (and several other homes as well) after 9:00.  Now I am the first to throw a party.  And even one back there, but the difference is?  I'm polite about it!  As every single dog in the 'hood was going berserk?  And I politely shined a flashlight over the fence and asked them to keep it down?  One of the (rude-ass) parents who was with them told me it wasn't even 10:00 and they could be as noisy as they wanted.  They then proceeded to throw rocks into and over my back fence.  So I called the cops.  Non-emergency number, but still.  Assholes.

So there.

(Humming HSM3 songs all the way to bed.)

Peace Out!

We participated in our church's annual "Trick or Trunk" tonight.  It was slightly easier than doing it with a six-week old (last year), but not really!  Halle was ticked that I wouldn't let her crawl around on the asphalt or eat candy all night long.  Add to it that John was out of town and my battery died at the end of it all?  It was a good thing our costumes were cute and that Dylan had fun.  That's all I have to say about that! 

Overplanning and Forgetfulness . . .

So I had our Love Chico wrap-up meeting last night.  All of our meetings have been on Tuesdays.  Which suck because John works every Tuesday.  And my Mom has late meetings every Tuesday.  And my babysitters have late classes, every Tuesday.  (Do you see why it sucked?)  So Monday morning - or possibly at some time during the night when I was unable to sleep - I thought about the fact that I needed to find a babysitter, or at least try.  Imagine my surprise when one of our regular sitters, Gillian, texted me first thing in the morning to ask if we were still on for Tuesday night.  Well, Heck yeah!  There was some confusion about when she'd be here, but I found someone else to coer the first hour or so and headed off to my meeting.

I got through the meeting and called home at 6:30.  John had gotten home, so I decided to run to Trader Jo's.  (At that point, applesauce was the closest thing we had to produce in the entire kitchen.)  When I got done, I noticed that I had missed several calls from home while I was in the store.  So I called home, expecting someone to tell me to pick up something or another, but talked to Gillian instead.

She sweetly reminded me that I had asked her to babysit from 6 - 11.  (Versus 4:30-6:30.)  And that I had specifically asked her to do it so that John and I could go to a Patron tequila (my very favorite) tasting event downtown.  Whoops.

By then, we were too late to taste tequila; so I ran groceries home, loved on my kiddos for a few and then we snuck out to a late dinner.  Better than nothing.  But not nearly as good as some choice tequila.  Sigh.  Maybe next time.

Stinky Face

This is it . . . the famous "stink" face:

Blessed, Once Again . . .

in the midst of the hurry and pressure and hardwork, I had forgotten how amazing it was to see God's people come together and work.  I teared up multiple times yeserday after seeing the energy and dedication that so many people were putting towards this community effort.  I watched two-year-olds scoop up leaves and carry them to the waste bin, losing all but one or two along the way - yet still hearing encouragement from all those around them.  I listened as two elderly ladies talked about the amazing generosity of God and His people while they worked.  I was humbled as I saw people with casts and slings and crutches and wheelchairs work toward improving a school playground.  I was amazed at the outpouring of resources that came together.  And I was blessed when Lowe's extended us credit on Saturday when we had run out of funds that we had pre-paid an account with!

Last week, in the midst of the details, it was easy for me to feel so disapointed over a miscommunication that resulted in a load of gravel not being delivered to the designated site.  But to then be at the site yesertday and watch them change plans and shift and be flexible with such grace?  Loved it.

I've assisted/chaired/worked countless events in my life.  But this type of event?  Is clearly worth the effort for me.  We need to make some changes and adjustments.  And I'm not saying that I'll co-chair it again.  But I'd gladly be involved again.  I really believe in the outpouring to the community.  And I believe that churches are called to look outward and serve others.  In this case, we did it with four other churches, breaking down walls that once existed even among God's people.  So I'm excited.  But still quite tired!

Quick link from the local paper: Love Chico

Now, I am back to work to catch up on those things that I pushed to the side over the last week or two!

3000 Volunteers . . .

over 50 project sites, big dreams and {gasp}, only 3 more days to go.

Love Chico is on Sunday.  And it's 11:00 pm on Thursday night and I'm still going through lists and emails and scribbled notes to confirm that I have everyone's resources taken care of.  Note to self: never, ever, ever miss a meeting again where it might be decided that you should gather thousands of dollars worth of donations and resources for countless projects all over town for an event that is happening in short order. 

The econmony is hitting people hard.  Or at least it seems like it when I go to folks who are fabuous supporters of all things good and they are tapped out.  Businesses that I've relied on in the past to give thousands of dollars in donations are stretching to give us a couple hundred.  Add to that the fact that offerings in churches are down and requests for tangible needs are up?  And I'm having a hard time wrapping this project up!

But much good will come of it, that I am sure of.  I also know that it will come togther.  It always does.  (Although when my husband told me today that it "would all work out, it always does . . . ," I turned around and snapped at him, "yeah, it will work out - because of people like me who bust my butt for countless hours to make sure it will all work out!"  Not very gracious, I know.)

We are doing projects for the Boys & Girls Club, the City, the County, fifteen school sites, the Jesus Center, the environmental council, the Peg Taylor Center, the Work Training Center . . . and so many more.  We are giving tens of thousands worth of dollars of resources to so many deserving folks.  We are walking in faith and praying diligently that our costs will be met by donations and tithes. 

And I am praying to make it through the weekend. 

Needless to say, I'm taking a break from large event coordination for a while.  I'm tired.  Actually, I'm weary.  So, I'm laying my burden down and letting Him carry my yoke and give me rest.  Or something like that.  He's going to carry me through this event AND the next several months and guide my decisions.  He's going to whisper "say no" into my ear when I need to decline.  Becasue, oh my Lord, I need to decline every so often!

The best thing is, I don't feel burnt-out or overutilized.  I just feel a little spent.  I'm not bitter.  I'm not feeling used.  I just need to say no to a few things for a while and say yes to rest.  What a difference than my previous church experience.  I am so grateful for my church home and family!

The long and short of it?  If you pray, please do.  For discernment and wisdom and faith and safety and blessing and for our families to learn the joy of service.  And for our recipients to feel blessed beyond measure and to enjoy the fruits of our effort.  It's as simple as that.

Peace out!  (Although I need to point out that Typepad's spell-check seems to be on the fritz tonight.  So I apologize for numerous typos that I am sure are lurking within this post.)