To-Do List

I can hardly believe that it is Monday morning again. The weekend is over?

I'd ask where it went, but I already know the answer. You see, Captain America and I attempted potty training Pumpkin this weekend. Our weekend, literally, went down the toilet.

I won't bore you with the details of training, but I'll give you a run down of the results.
      Pumpkin used a lot of toilet paper. A lot.
      With all the "fun flushing" we did, I'm guessing our water bill doubled.
      We now are sporting a candy jar. In our bathroom.   ...That's normal, right?
      I'm currently in the market for a good carpet cleaner. Suggestions?


     Oh. And, Pumpkin is still in diapers.

Awesome.


Along with the weekend being over, the MONTH is almost over, too.  Of course it is the shortest month of the year, but it did go by fast! I'm excited for March to bring spring and some warmer temperatures. I need to take the kids out to play - but I haven't really found a great place for them to be. In California there were tons of play sets for kids, here I have only seen them around schools. Local people, am I just missing them? Our backyard is always a great place to play, but I love going out to interact with other people.  Oh dear. Did I just admit I like going to the playground so I can see and talk with adults? Oh, dear. Motherhood does strange things to women, doesn't it?

Life has become "hum-drum" around here, and I am settling in to a routine. In theory, this sounds nice. In practice, I am fighting boredom and feeling mundane. I'm so thankful to have started our Bible study this past week. Our lesson yesterday started with this statement:  "When you know who you are, then you know what to do".  So often I find myself wondering what to do next.

No one is watching, and I'm the one in charge. So who cares if I sit in my pajamas all day and have a marathon of Sesame Street? I often wonder what I can do to feel like I am making a difference. We all know doing laundry and dishes never seems to make a difference, since the piles magically reappear as soon as we turn our backs on them. So what can I do, as a stay at home Mom, to make a difference?

But God reminded me. I'll know what to do when I know who I am. And who am I, exactly? Going back to my first blog, I stated I was a Christian, wife and mother.

As a Christian I should glorify God. Praise God, serve God, seek God.

As a Wife I should love my husband. Honor him, serve him, bless him.

As a Mother I should teach my children. Serve them, love them, help them.

Wow! Talk about a long to-do list. I'm excited to get started, even though I know the list will never be done. So no more all-day-in-pajamas-Sesame-Street-marathon days. Because someone is watching, and I am not the one in charge.

Most certainly blessed.

Believe me, I have had a lot to rant blog about this past week. So, in the spirit of honesty I will rant away:

The weather has been unpredictable lately - shorts one day, boots the next. It isn't anything I can't handle...but I am really missing my SoCal weather. Boo.

 My little pumpkin has learned very sweetly to say "ummm...no" to basically everything I say. It is really sweet. And then it just isn't sometimes.

Little man had his first emergency room visit (which ended up being nothing serious, thank God).

People drive like fools.

Oh - and today was President's Day. Let me give you a tip, rookie military wives: Long weekends are code for "send your husband to the grocery store".  DO NOT GO. I went today and found myself in a sea of confused and awkward men who are armed with a list from their wives, no clue where things are located, and a painful expression that says "I should have stayed home with the kids". These men could find me under a shrub in a forest and navigate me expeditiously back to safety with only a knife and a compass - but they have no clue where to find the tarragon. Aggravating.

Oh, and if I get called "ma'am" 5 or 10 more times...  

But - there were some silver linings. Little man smiles all the time now, and almost kind of giggles. I don't think there is anything better than little baby giggles. I put Pumpkin's hair in pigtails for the second time today. To keep her still I asked her to sing her "ABC's". At barely 2, she does not know this song...but today she sang "A B C, next time sing with me".  I just can hardly stand her cuteness. Those two amaze me.

Captain America and I have started a small bible study in our home. Finding a church while constantly moving and having varying schedules is difficult! We are going to keep looking around, but decided to start a bible study with some of the couples who we hopefully will be spending the next 5 or 10 years with. We haven't started yet (we will next week, if any of the local readers want to join) but Captain America and I have had a lot of conversations about how to conduct the study, and we've had a great time! With our lifestyle, any conversation that isn't about the military or our children is like talking with a whole new person. We've decided to work through Ephesians -- and I am so excited to listen for God in this chapter and see what He teaches me. And, I am excited for the new person God will reveal to me in Captain America. There is nothing like falling in a whole new kind of love with your husband over good scripture! :)

Oh. And, I got to be crafty this week. :) I do this regularly, but sometimes my projects are a big flop. Not this week! I made a little shelf for Captain America. It is made out of an old pallet, so the gold star on top of my project is that it cost me nothing. Even if it didn't look that great, I'd be excited...but I love the outcome, and Captain America does, too. He gets to hang up his helmets (finally) and have a place for all his military books. If some of you are interested in how I did this, comment below and I'll make a tutorial post with pictures.

After a rough week, I know I have to remember that we are not our worst day and we are not our best day. We are somewhere in the middle, and I am so happy that my "middle" is still most certainly blessed.

Three in diapers

I know of exactly two women who have lived to tell the tales of having three children in diapers. One, a fellow military wife who was blessed with triplets. The other? My mom. Also a military wife. (Incidentally, both from Iowa!) I'll take that as a good sign - since I, too, am from Iowa and a military wife. Oh... and I'll have three kids in diapers.

I know what you are thinking. But let me be clear, NO - I am not pregnant.

Instead, I am thrilled to be joining the workforce again as a nanny to an absolutely adorable little guy I'll call BuddyJ. He is just 2 weeks younger than my sweet little girl. I almost feel bad even calling this a job. BuddyJ and Pumpkin get along so well. They sit quietly and play duplos, giggle over cookies, play the piano together and take naps at the same time. At the same time. So, yes...they are still both in diapers. But I think I'll be able to make it work.

I'm so thrilled to have this opportunity while we are staying here. BuddyJ doesn't come until noon, so I still have time in the mornings to clean, exercise, and take my time getting everyone ready for the day. I've been so blessed to not have to rush off to work every morning - and I'm thankful to still have that. I'm also looking forward to having a new personality influence Pumpkin.  She hasn't had someone so close to her age in her life for an extended period, and I am anxious to see what the two learn from each other.

On a completely different subject, Valentine's Day is coming up. I never know what to make of this holiday. I'm not crazy about it - but I think my feelings would be hurt if it was forgotten by Captain America. Our first Valentine's Day together he filled up a box with Hershey's, Reese's, KitKat's, etc. Today that box sits in our closet filled with all the notes he has ever written me. But now that we are married with two kids, Valentine's Day is a little different. I don't know what he got me, but I got him a waterless wash and wax spray for his truck. I'm so romantic. I'd clean it for him as a surprise, but every time he leaves he takes his truck with him! (Imagine that). I didn't fully think that one through, I guess. Happy Valentine's Day - now go clean your truck.  Or better yet, I'll clean it for you - but you stay inside with the kids. I'm sure he'd be thrilled.

When I think out these scenarios, I think about what other couples do during these romantic occasions in their lives...anniversaries, birthdays, valentine's day...and I always end up wondering what my Grandpa and Grandma did. How did they celebrate? What did they buy each other? They just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, so I think it is wise to mimic the successful.

I'm not 100% sure, but I would bet they didn't do anything to celebrate. You see, my grandparents, products of the Depression, are nothing if not practical. Usually in a young marriage (with young children) lavish dates and weekends away are just not practical. My guess is they found romance in every day life. Food on the table, clothes on their backs, a roof over their head. Isn't it nice that someone cares enough about you to earn money enough for the both of you? Isn't it nice that someone takes the money you earned and turned it into home-cooked meals and a freshly made bed? Isn't it romantic that at the end of the day you can sit with your feet on the same footstool, in the dark (mostly to save on electricity), and just let out a sigh of relief that you both made it through the day? That sounds pretty romantic to me.

So, Captain America...if you are reading...if all you do for Valentine's is sit down with me at the end of the day and put your callused feet on the footstool next to mine, and all you give me is a deep sigh of survival...that is OK. Because, if in 67 years we are doing just that then my whole life will have been absolutely wonderful.

For better or worse - but never for granted.

Super Bowl Review

I was inspired by an article I read tonight.


Inspired is probably the wrong word. Disgusted is more accurate.

A lot is being said these days about women and their rights. I'm sure I will have many more blog posts related to this topic since it is a broad one with many angles - but tonight I am focused on an article written about Beyoncé and her halftime performance at the Super Bowl.

To begin with, the author claims that "If what you saw on stage last night was a singer wearing too little clothes let me suggest it says more about the eye of the beholder". Let me suggest you stop writing articles, because you are a fool. If what you saw on stage was Beyoncé in an outfit that should probably be bigger, then you saw what was put right in front of you. The author goes on to make points throughout the article that Beyoncé was "owning herself" and showing how powerful she is. Why does she have to do that half-naked? I think it says more about her selfish desire to be successful and gain publicity (anything to get past the lip-syncing attention, right?).  Why is it selfish? It is selfish because the Super Bowl is not adults only. Little eyes are watching, Beyoncé. What you told them last night was that if they want to be successful they should get half-naked and dance on stage.  If they want to show the world they are powerful,wear clothing that leaves nothing to the imagination.  Not really a message I want my daughter to hear (or son to see)...and I doubt it is a message she would want her daughter to hear, either. Why does a "proclamation of power" need to be made while scantily dressed?

I'm irritated that the author states, "That a Black woman claimed and owned her power during the misogynist, consumerist celebration known as the Super Bowl only highlights Beyoncé’s brilliance and boldness".  Her race should be irrelevant. Claiming that the Super Bowl is misogynist is ridiculous.  Misogynist: Of or characterized by the hatred of women. The Super Bowl is a lot of things, but misogynistic certainly isn't one of them. I know just as many women who enjoy watching the game as men - AND, just because it is something men do together does not mean its foundation is based on the hatred of women. I'm no football history expert, but I'm guessing it didn't start as the He-man women haters club.

Further, the author claims, "Beyoncé declared ownership of that stage — that stadium — and, more importantly, claimed ownership of her own body in the most misogynist and objectifying four hours of mass culture...it takes a warrior to do that".  First, she didn't claim ownership of her body. She shared it with millions of viewers. To me that isn't owning - it is giving it away. Secondly, it takes no warrior to do what she did. Beyoncé is not a warrior. According to Webster, a warrior is one who is experienced in warfare. Beyoncé is an entertainer.

Was she entertaining? Yes. Is she talented? Yes. Beautiful? Yes. Don't get me wrong - I like Beyoncé (aside from her poor wardrobe choices). But she is no Susan B. Anthony.

The author closes, saying that last night women were "owned by no one".  A bold statement, or at least it would be if women were owned by anyone on any other night. Please don't get me wrong - I know that some women are in bad situations, but I submit that as the exception rather then the rule. As a women I can do whatever I please. I can become anything I'd like (at least I can in America, thanks to the people who are actually warriors...) Does sexism still exist? Of course it does. But not at a level that threatens my daily life. I can go to school where I please, I can get any job I'd like. Are their drawbacks to being a woman? Yes. But there are drawbacks to being anything...including a man.

I found this article more polarizing than anything, the underlying message being that if your review of the halftime show was that Beyoncé should wear more clothes then you, somehow, are against women having power or being in charge of their bodies.

I don't doubt Beyoncé is in charge of her body. I'm in charge of my body too, but you don't see me walking around dressed like that. I could. And I'd look good doing it, obviously. :)  But just because you are in charge of something doesn't mean you have to flaunt it.

At the end of the day, Beyoncé sent the message that power and ownership is linked to physical attributes. Things like power, success, and ownership being related to physical attributes is exactly what we should be trying to get away from.

 For the complete article, follow this link:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davidhenson/2013/02/a-prophetic-dance-of-power-not-sex-beyonce-the-super-bowl-and-durga/ 

Still Learning

One thing I know: I'm still learning.

I'm still learning to cook. I love it.
I'm still learning to sew. Double love it.
I'm still learning to create. Depends on the day how much in love I am.
I'm still learning to blog - and use google+. So I'm not that awesome with it. [yet].

This year I actually set attainable resolutions. I was feeling oddly pensive New Years Eve, and I came up with a list of monthly challenges. (I like the thought of a challenge as opposed to a resolution). I am so beyond overjoyed that my four sisters have joined me in my challenge journey. We all have our own challenges, but we are supporting each other in each challenge, and I'm thankful for the accountability. (Not to mention the opportunity to chat more with my four amazing sisters!)

While I won't share their challenges with you all, I am sharing mine. February's challenge is to follow a cleaning schedule. Something you should know - I love to clean!

Hahahaha. Perhaps that is a bit of an overstatement. What I should have said is that I love clean things. I like order, I like things to be tidy. I like the smell of a freshly cleaned house, folded clothes and a sparkling kitchen. I would say I do fairly well maintaining order in my house, but let's be honest. I have a toddler and a baby. The toilets don't get scrubbed as much as I'd like. The fridge doesn't get cleaned out and the corners of my house don't get touched with the Hoover. So, I'm changing all that this month!

I'm also working on exercising and eating healthy. I like to do that about as much as I like to clean...

I have a lot to say. I have a lot to learn. I have a lot of living (and blogging!) left to do. <3.

Every Blog Has A Beginning

Lesson #1: Everything has a beginning.

This is the beginning of my blog. That awkward post where I talk endlessly about myself, what I hope to get out of the blog, what I hope others get out of the blog, my hopes and dreams, and all of that other fluffy stuff that makes up a great blog people follow. Here is the truth: I'm just hoping I blog frequently enough to remember the username and password... 

My name is Meg. I'm a mid-20's military wife and mother of one two. I have a two-year-old daughter and a brand new three month old son. My husband is in the military. We'll call him Captain America, because I think it is fun. Also, having just watched Avengers for the first time, he kind of does remind me of Captain America in that wholesome, always-do-the-right-thing, super-good-looking way.

Captain America and I married early in 2010. January, to be exact. Christmas that year brought us our first baby girl. March of 2011 took Captain America from our little midwest town to a period of training that can only be accurately described as the longest roller coaster in the world. Hence, the blog title: Semper Gumby. Semper Gumby, for those of you that don't know, is a saying that means "always flexible" -- a great motto for a military family. It is, perhaps, the only way to survive this lifestyle with a family intact.

 

Captain America's training has most recently brought us to the East Coast, and we are settling in to a new home and culture entirely. I go to the store now and shop with a buggy. I ate an oyster, and had an entire conversation about shrimp and grits. All great experiences, but definitely far from what I'm used to!

 

At the end of the day, I'm a Christian, wife, and mother. That order is on purpose, and will never be changed. But I'll be honest - those are three big callings and I'm just little old me. Sometimes I struggle with one (or all three) of those and this blog will hopefully serve as an outlet for me to journal those struggles. I know, it is awfully personal. Past generations may think I shouldn't share something so personal, and my more reserved side agrees. But, I have learned something in my adult life and that is this: I don't have time to dance around what is important. I don't have the energy to pretend everything is great every single day. I'm hoping my sincerity will be relatable, and perhaps we can share some struggles, exchange advice, and get to know genuine versions of each other.