the beautiful mundane

All is quiet... got two nappers in the house(well, 3 if you count the sweet lab sleeping by the door.)

Typically nap time=productive time (ok sometimes I nap too)

But, today, I'm taking an hour for myself to blog a bit about this precious season of raising 2 young kids. Why, because there are lil things that happen every day that I just want to sit and remember and count as blessings. Also, because when I'm honest with myself, this 'precious' season can easily be mundane and exhausting and lately I've been a bit negative and complaining and selfishness and exhausted.....

So, hopefully reflecting on these lil glimpses of beautiful found in the day-in day-out diaper changing, nose wiping, laundry folding reality of my life will remind me how much I stinkin love it.

Here we go!

Ramblings on the lil blessings tucked into each chaotic day:

Like when I picked up Elliott from his third day at preschool and he hugged my leg and said 'miss you, too mommy!' The thing is, I didn't start the convo with "missed you", so the whole "miss you, too" made me melt.  I guess he knows how much I miss him that I don't even have to say it..... It is now how I'm greeted pretty much every time I pick him up.  'miss you, too, mommy!'

Like how Ivey smiles from ear to ear when I get her out of bed in the morning.  Side note, she never wakes up crying.  She wakes up talking.  I wonder what she's saying! "Hey mom, whenever you get a minute, just wanted you to know that I'm awake in here. Would love me some milk, but it's whatever".  God bless her layed back personality! I think she is a morning person (and we could use someone around this house that wakes up on the energetic side of the bed.)

Like how Kyle had flowers waiting for me in a vase on the kitchen island after a long shift at work.  

The next day, I asked Elliott "Who gave mommy flowers?"

"God did!" Was his instant response.  Almost w/ a bit of sass.... as if it was a stupid question.... after teaching him for the last 2yrs that God made everything... he was annoyed that I had forgotten. 

Like how Elliott explores the backyard.... every last inch.  I find him peeking through the cracks in the fence line trying to expand his horizon.  This week, there was a bird chirping and I said "elliott, what do you hear!?".  "Grackle, mommy. It's a grackle'.  Either this is a really advanced preschool that is teaching him bird calls, or he is a genius.... b/c it really was one of those ugly, black crows.  

On the topic of bkyd exploring, reminds me of a lil chat with nurse Peggy at poison control. Let's rewind.

I was slightly concerned when I found a corroded  AA battery inside in the middle of the kitchen floor. The battery end appeared to be 'gnawed off'. (yikes!).

I asked Elliott about it; he said he got it outside....?  Surely Elliott didn't eat the end off of a corroded battery?? (yikes!)

Googled poison control # and was quickly talking to nurse Peggy who reassured me that if he wasn't vomiting blood, we were in the clear.  (yikes!) 

 Symptom free for the duration of the day, I later shared the story with Kyle, who (when i got to the part about the corroded AAbattery) interrupted w "Oh, the one i ran over with the lawnwower" (yikes!)

That explains the 'gnawed off' end.  

Let's just say next time Kyle finds a battery, he has been instructed on proper protocol: bend over, grab battery, prevent battery from ending up in the possession of your toddler, and dispose of battery properly. 

 

Back to positive ramblings.

Like how Elliott pooped on the potty for the first time on the same day that Ivey rolled over for the first time. I honestly wanted to take a picture of the cute lil poop sitting in his green plastic Ikea potty.... for sentimental sake. or to text to his daddy. or I don't know, print off and put on the fridge. '1st poop in potty' is a really big deal!! 

That's how warped motherhood is.  Like this week, when out on the town for 'girls night' and away from kids and wearing mascara and having real adult conversation, you look out the window, see a big locomotive and have to fight the urge to interrupt the conversation to say "i see a train!"

See, I told you..... this seemingly mundane chaos where that I call reality, it really is just wonderful.  

God, help me to hold these memories close to my heart and be quick to be thankful, joyful and just plain in awe of this season. Help me daily lay down my life for my children. Help me to reflect the gospel in both extending forgiveness and asking for forgiveness.  Reveal my selfishness, my impatience, my discontentment and give me your resolve to fight against them. Thanks for new sunrises with new mercies. Thanks, a million billion times over, for these sweet children.  Thanks for the mundane.  

Confession #2

Confession #2- I almost went to the roller derby on my 28th birthday!

I turned 28 last tuesday!!

I love birthdays.

Always have! And, in contrast to many of my "late 20's" peers, I actually love getting older.

Kyle doesn't quite understand why I 'round up' on my age.... for instance, a few months from now, when asked my age I will undoubtedly reply 'almost 29.'

I have been doing this probably my whole life! I guess it is because when I was younger, I couldn't wait to grow up. Not sure how long this will last, but I'm guessing at least till I'm 49;)

The older ya get, the more life you have to look back on! And since I'm such a sentimental soul, I love 'looking back'.

Prayers answered, struggles overcome, goals attained....

New friendships made, old friendships deepened ....

'28' will be remembered as:

the year I became a mom

the year I got my piano for Christmas

the year we went to Maui

the year my great grandmother 'mom' went home to Jesus

the year Kyle and I saved a lot of money

the year we moved to cherry creek to live in community with two amazing couples.

the year tomtom got hitched! (love you, katie!!)

Here's the play by play of the 4day long celebration!

birthday lunch= downtown visit to kyle's office and lunch at 'Jo's Coffee'

birthday night = wine and pizza with my girlfriends at 'the Grove'

the 9th= my mom came in town!! dinner with lots of family at olive garden

the 11= date night with the hubby! = Shoreline Grill and the Austin Symphony

Date sounds pretty 'classy', huh? We try to 'fake' being cultured, on occasion!

Shoreline funny story- I ate the fish scales on my upscale seafood dish. I can promise you that I did not do this on purpose. The two fillets came scale side up with all this caramelized seasoning, veggies, cilantro, and potatoes garnished ON TOP. So, I just dug in. Realized half way through that it wasn't just seasoning, but scales. OOPS!

Do they really expect for me to destroy the work of art in front of me to pull the scales off? Not sure what is more 'gross'... eating fish scales, or having to pull apart fish meat from scales with your butter knife.

When you pay over thirty bucks for a meal, your food should not require any labor intensive grossness, right?

As for the Symphony, we went to hear a famous Italian pianist who was SO SO incredible. He played two pieces by Liszt. Amazing.

As we are walking from the parking garage towards the Long Center, there were two types of people.... well dressed, cultured 50 somethings.... then your 'keep austin weird' 20-30 somethings in their vintage t's, ragged jeans, and tats. Hmmm. It was then that we noticed signs for the Roller Derby!

Only in Austin is the symphony AND the roller derby being hosted simultaneously at the same event center. So, if we hadn't already purchased symphony tickets, there is a good chance we would have showed up extremely overdressed to watch huge girls tackle each other on roller skates. Maybe next year:)

Confessions of a New Mom!

So, lately i've been lacking on blog inspiration.... it's just that every day, from a big picture standpoint, seems pretty much identical to the day before! Don't get me wrong, I love my life, but dirty diapers, Dr. appointments, and the favorite toy of the week don't always seem 'blog worthy'.

So, to get the creative juices flowing, I've decided to work on the following theme for awhile- 'Confessions of a New Mom'.... hope you are entertained!

Confession #1-

As of January, I drive a Volvo Wagon ..... And, I love it:) Remember the families in elementary school that drove the khaki station wagons? Thefabfazfam has evolved into 'one of those.

'Top five pros to driving a Volvo wagon:

1. it's not a minivan (i'm not quite ready for the mini, yet)
2. it's a Volvo, so very high safety ratings. there are more airbags than seatbelts!;)
3. it's low to the ground, which is important for us short mommas. SUV's are just a lil comical for this 5'2.5” gal.
4. the 90lb dog and the jogging stroller both fit in the back
5. its sunroof and leather interior provide a sense of sporty amid the reality of 'mom'

So, next time you see a mom cruising in a Volvo wagon with a car seat and a dog and a jogging stroller, don't laugh, cause it may be me!!

One last confession on the topic of safe driving. Kyle and I were at a stop light this week and noticed the common bumper sticker on the minivan in front of us.... “To report unsafe driving call 512-###-####”. A familiar message which usually appears on a commercial 18 wheeler, not family minivans. I started pondering 'why?'..... and as I pondered, I came up with a brilliant idea!

Elliott, when you turn 16 and it's your turn to drive the volvo wagon around town, don't be embarrassed if there is a sticker on the back that says 'to report unsafe driving, call my mom at 512-###-####.'

I should sell such bumper stickers! Surely there is a large market of safety conscious moms who would buy this product! Do I have any interested investors to back me?

have yourself a merrrrrry lil christmas!

just thought i'd share 2 pics from our Christmas!

photo #1- elliott was obsessed with mema's train.

photo #2- elliott survived a 10hr road trip to angel fire, nm with the deetjen fam. 6in of snow = a white pre-christmas.

we clocked a total of 34 hrs worth of road trip in 2 weeks. never again. especially with a baby. Love our families, but it feels so good to be home!

I evidently made the nice list this year....

santa got me an antique 80 yr old upright piano! it is BEAUTIFUL and in great shape. Santa's lil elf Kyle found it at an Estate sale listed on craigs list ! I love it and have already enjoyed un-rusting my piano skills! Watch out nora jones.... and alicia keyes too, for that matter!

Unfortunately, santa's elf Kyle sustained a noteworthy back injury getting the piano down the chimney on christmas morning:( So, most of his Christmas was spent downing ibuprophen and getting ben-gay rub downs as he stayed in his pj's and reclined on the sofa..... he's feeling much better now. In fact, started p90x yesterday.

Christmas takes on a different element when you have a child! I'm already feeling this intrinsic drive to make it so special for him and to insert meaning into what seems at times merely chaos. Christ became man. Emmanuel. It's world altering and life changing. Hope that you had time to sit still and reflect on the deeper meaning.

As we read Luke2 together on Christmas morning, Elliott sat so still and listened as if he were hanging on every word! It was a sweet memory:) Looking forward to many, many more!

yummy gig'em toys

These three words have marked our past week... in no particular order of importance:

yummy sweet potatoes; gig'em aggies; exersaucer toys

Kinda three blogs in one, so brace yourself for a longer read!

Aggies:

can you believe it? My aggies are ranked. Unfortunately, I haven't followed them at all. This is our first fall with a baby and without cable. As you can imagine, the two are linked. Our DINK status (double income no kids) is no longer. Goodbye, cable.

For those of you who remember Leah in college, she was a football fanatic. Never slept in on a saturday... had to get up for espn college game day. I only missed one or two home games during my 4 yrs as a student. The only reason I married a non-aggie was b/c he was named after Kyle Field.

I have followed my team every fall.... until now. Until Elliott!;)

Today I can't even tell you who their star players are, and off the top of my head don't even remember their coaches name. All I know is that 1) they are ranked 2) I had the chance to watch my first 2010 aggie game on ABC this past saturday and 3) I fell asleep five minutes into the broadcast.

So, this coming thanksgiving thursday brings not only turkey and family but determination to pass the baby to mema and devote 4 uninterrupted hrs of watching my aggs 'btho tu'.

Exersaucer:

recall our vanishing DINK status referenced above? In addition to nix-ing cable, I have become a money saver in other random ways.

Cloth diapers

Making my grocery list based on sale adds

AND Goodwill shopping

Craigslist is a bit intimidating for me. Too much work to drive to pflugerville only to find that the $50 crib you thought was 'too good to be true' has teeth marks around the perimeter and milk stains on the interior. Gross. No wonder it was so cheap.

So, since I don't have the patience for craigy.... I have started to frequent the goodwill scene:) Found a jogging stroller for $30... found a fisher price 'front door' (you mom's know what i'm talking about) for $20.... BUT my proudest moment thus far was finding the Graco lil Einstein exersaucer for $9.99. This retails for $98.99 on Amazon, folks! Which means I got it for 90% off!! AND it's in great shape. AND Elliott is obsessed with it!

A lil pat on the back for this money savin momma. And a lil less guilt when she bought herself a new winter coat at Macy's!

Sweet Potatoes:

so, let's revisit the grocery add extravaganza.

The adds arrive in the mail on tuesday.

On wednesday, I sit down with a cup of coffee and make my list for the week.Then load up lil man for our four stop grocery store marathon.

This being thanksgiving week, sweet potatoes are only 17cents/lb!! and it's a good thing too, b/c I bought about 10 lbs worth of sweet potatoes this week.

Here's the story:

We are 3 yrs into marriage and have never used our Mikasa 'Parchment' china or our Ralph Lauren 'Silk ribbon' crystal. All this beautiful entertainment tools boxed up for 3 yrs.

What better way to debut your china than to host a dinner party! Last friday night, I cooked dinner for 4 of our favorite couples. It was a blast. And Kyle was really helpful.... minus one incident.

Let me give you some background:

I rarely cook. Sure, I throw chicken in the oven, boil instant rice while the broccoli is microwaving. But that's not really cooking...... So, my undertaking dinner for 10 with 4 dishes requiring ingredients like fresh rosemary, molasses, and balsalmic vinegar was a big deal.

My friend carey is a chef... and she is always talking about her 'prep' the night before an event. So, thursday night I started to 'prep' by pre baking the sweet potatoes. 40 min at 400 degrees. I can handle this!!

One problem. I fell asleep.

No worries though; Kyle is nocturnal and we have modern technology termed a 'kitchen timer.'

Ky comes in around 11pm to wake me up. “the oven is beeping. What do you want me to do?”

I guess the typical sequence of... timer beeps, remove contents, place out of dogs reach, turn oven off, resume noctural reading... would have been ok , but he didn't want to mess up the big dinner party, so he woke up the head chef.

Unfortunately the head chef was groggy and for some reason said “Just keep em in the oven.”

He followed my instructions and continued with his late night read. As he read, he enjoyed the intensifying scent of sweet potatoes. He wasn't concerned.

When he came to bed at 3am, I (for the second time) was awoken.

“babe" I said, "could you actually take the potatoes out of the oven and cover them with plastic wrap so they don't dry out?”

He was probably annoyed with my indecisiveness. But, being the wonderful husband that he is, he rolled out of bed and followed my instructions.

As he put them in a big blue bowl and covered with plastic wrap, he realized that he had never turned the oven off. The sweet potatoes had been in the oven for over 5 hours.

He knew he was in trouble. But he also knew that I would handle the news better once the sun was up. (sleepy leah is cranky leah.)

He had a gameplan. Wake up before me and go to the grocery to buy some replacement potatoes. Since they were black at the moment, he wanted to make sure he bought the right type. So, as he rolled back into bed, he asked

“What kind of potatoes where you baking?”

“Ummm, sweet potatoes. Why do you ask?”

“just curious” he replies.

Now I'm curious...“Couldn't you tell they were sweet potatoes? Did I cook them long enough? Were they soft???”

Kyle didn't really answer, just groaned something under his breath as he rolled over.

30 minutes later when the baby woke me (for the third time in one night) I walked through a kitchen that smelled like charred smores around a campfire. Reaching the counter in dismay, I find five black rocks carefully placed in a blue bowl with plastic wrap on top....

I won't give you the play by play of the five minutes that followed.... let's just say that Kyle was (for the first time that night) awoken. I apologized the next day for the over reaction that ensued.

The smokey smell dissipated by morning, at least he didn't charr the beef tenderloin.... at least the house didn't burn down... at least sweet potatoes are only 17 cents/lb!

After 6 hrs of cooking on friday, the dinner party turned out delicious and memorable. Ky redeemed himself by coming home early to help me set the table and finish up in the kitchen.

CHEERS to the holiday season and memories, including charred sweet potatoes, that will last a lifetime!

should be sleeping....

So, it's 11:30. pm.

The husband is (with my permissions of course) playing Halo 4.

I don't like Elliott to be exposed to such violence, so I put him to bed.

Rule of thumb with a newborn.... when baby sleeps, mommy SLEEPS!

I'm breaking the rule.

Listening to 'Come Thou Fount'... Elliott likes hymns, especially when played on the piano. I'm very thankful for Jim Brinkman and his ivory dancing digits... they have lulled my baby to sleep many a time in the past 6 weeks. It's true... 6 weeks ago the 'giver of all good gifts' blessed the fabfazfam with our first kiddo- lil elliott william. 8lb4oz of perfection. We fell in love with our son at first sight!

I love the words of this hymn, so rich. Allow me to refresh your memory..... with my own loquacious additions.

"Come Thou Fount of every single blessing, tune my distracted, busy heart to sing your praise. Streams of mercy, never ceasing, freely given and deep. Demand and evoke and call for songs of loudest praise."

and that's only the first four lines! The whole hymn is packed with profound truth.

As I hear this hymn tonight, i find myself daydreaming about may 10th, two+ years ago. I'm in a white dress staring at my handsome groom, singing with the congregation these very lyrics. Words that were so powerful... so humbling... so worshipful.

Tonight I'm making yet another vivid memory that I will likely daydream about in the 2+years to come. Watching my baby boy sleep and singing those same worshipful words.

"Here's my heart Lord.

Take and seal it.

Seal it for they courts above."

Amen.

MIA

So, considering that I only have one blog follower (shout out to beck beck! my favorite sister!), chances are that the world has not been missing me or my blog posts. Yes, I know, the last blog entry was five months ago.

It just so happens that when you get morning sickness and 1st trimester exhaustion, you are much less motivated to express your creative writing via blog. Napping vs. Blogging? Easy choice.

I know, I know, all of my anonymous blog 'followers' from around the globe are saying "back up, leah... morning sickness??? You're pregnant!?'

YES! ;) It's true. Lil Faszholz is now 19 weeks today, due Aug. 4th. And, judging by the size of my baby bump in this photo, I figured that it was about time to made a public announcement! TheFabFazFam is getting just a lil more fabulous:)

So far, Kyle is getting straight A's in 'daddy prep 101'. He goes to the Dr. with me, rubs my calves after a long day of work, eats whatever the baby is craving, AND (this is the best part) occasionally will say "wow, the baby is getting big!". (This is much preferred to "wow hun, you belly is already getting huge!". :) Semantics. Words are such powerful things!

Reagan is not taking the pregnancy very well. For starters, a month ago, she ate the 10 remaining prenatal vitamins off my bedstand while we were at work. A ploy to steal the baby's nutritional supplementation? Not quite sure. Then, in efforts to protest the coming baby, she has... not once, but twice... found the bag of maternity clothes in the closet and strewn them all over the living room??? This is weird. She completely forgoes the laundry basket clothes and pulls out the target bag with the maternity clothes. I next suspect to find her peeing on the baby basinette that we borrowed from friends. She may need some therapy??

Some days I don't really slow down enough to reflect on the fact that I'm a mom:) But on days like today- when I'm off work, still in my pajamas at 12:49 in the afternoon, eating my peanut butter jelly, and just thinkin about life, I really do get so so so excited!

I asked the baby today what color hair is it gonna have? Kyle was a blonde baby... i had jet black hair. This baby is a lil bit me and a lil bit kyle.... and a LOT bit of a miracle! Fun to think about.

If you are into baby belly photos and deep thoughts about impending parenthood, stay tuned.

Excited about this jouney and just amazed that God has blessed us in the way.... in His timing!

meet squirrley

So, i'm inspired to write a lil something about our pup, Reagan Jules Faszholz.

'Reagan'. Rea-Dog. Rea-ster. Reggie. Reagonator. Rea Rea.

Named after Reagan, TX. A super tiny town on hwy 6. The city where rea took her first 'pit stop' on our road trip home after getting our lil fur ball. Reagan was born in College Station, which means she is an Aggie. One of many reasons that I knew that she would be a great dog:)

She was the 2nd to last pup left in the litter of 6. As Kyle and I entered the utility room to meet the two pups, she came and laid down at Ky's feet. She picked him:)

Breed- Rea is half golden retriever and half lab. The exact breed of my childhood pup, Cody.
Birthday- Rea was born on Thanksgiving Day, 2006. So, it will be her 3rd bday super soon!
Wt- 90 lbs of pure lovin
Favorite form of exercise- swimming in town lake
Obsession- squirrels!

That's right, when you say "reagan, where are the squirrels? Go get em!" She proceeds to visit the trunk of every tree within eyesight, trying to find a furry friend to chase.

Because she is so in love with squirrels, it seemed very appropriate to buy her a pet squirrel. We named her Squirreley. Reagan is convinced that Squirreley is real.
How do we know this?
Squirrley is the first stuffed animal reagan has ever owned which has lasted longer than a week. Typically, she de-stuffs and then rips to shred her 'babies'.
Squirrely has now made it a solid 4 weeks. She squeaks when squeezed, which is a very life like quality. She sleeps with reagan in her bed, where reagan licks her (not rips her) to sleep.

Are we bad parents? Kyle and I sometimes feel like we are deceiving her.... but we have weighed the pros and cons and are gonna wait until she is older to break the news. Similar to Santa, it is the spirit of Squirrley and what she stands for that is most important.

Fancy Schmancy Sea Island

Not sure how to spell Schmancy??
So, at 26.3 years of age, I had my first experience on a private island. Private, like you can't even drive onto the island unless your name is on the security guard's 'privileged guest' list.
Here are a few pics from our Labor Day visit to Sea Island where we celebrated the upcoming marriage of David (ky's cous) and Meggie.
They are such a dynamic couple and Meggie's family was so hospitable to have all the wedding party out to their beautiful beach 'cottage'.... not sure why they call an 8 bedroom mansion a cottage? But in all honesty the southern charm, decor, and hospitality made the term 'cottage' very fitting.
Thanks, David and Meggie for a memorable Labor Day weekend; we are so excited for you!!!
There aren't words for Sea Island... you will just have to google it!

Funny story though-
So, kyle and I are in this really healthy place in our marriage.... I am learning not to nag, but still learning to deal with the consequences when I don't nag.... let me explain.
So, Dave and Meggie email us (weeks in advance) a 'packing list'.
Seeing as I don't go to private islands all that often, I was very grateful to know that there would a Hawaiian themed party and two 'nice dress' occasions (props to Bekah for letting me raid her 'nice dress' wardrobe! and for helping me define what 'nice dress' + beach =).
The list was thorough.... even included 'swim suit'. Clearly, we are going to the beach. My polka dot swimsuit was the first item thrown in my embarrassingly lg suitcase (3 day vacation.... yet my suitcase has clothes for a solid 3 weeks... gotta be wardrobe prepared!)

So, leah, the NON-Nagging wife decides to trust Kyle, the literate adult who is now proficient with laundry (that's another blog topic for another cloudy day!) to pack for himself.

I knew trouble was brewing when it came time to head to the airport and all he is carrying is a duffel bag the size of 24 pack of diet coke. Since I'm really wonderful wife, my first thought is "Wow, I really over packed. My poor husband has to lug this huge suitcase around."
Of course in the back of my mind I am wondering what is stuffed into that elusive duffel bag.
"Remember Mary Poppins carpet bag... sometimes bags are deceiving!" that is what my godly non-nagging wife self is thinking.
"Oh my gosh, he probably didn't even pack any clean underwear." That is what my sinful nagging wife self is thinking.

Upside #1: non-nagging godly wife thoughts won!! Gold Star on the 'non nagging' score card!!
Downside #1: a husband who goes to an five star resort without packing one pair of dress pants
Downside #2: a husband who goes to a private beach cottage without backing a swimsuit
Upside #2: He did remember clean underwear:)

Thank you, David and Meggie, for the very thorough packing list. Next time, I promise to nag so that Kyle actually reads it:)

Toddster Came For a Visit

Here's a perplexing question for you- i'd love your input...
When your 12 yr old brother comes for a four day visit, do you make him take a shower?

Just so you have all the info....
- he did wear his 'old spice' deodorant daily
- we did go to the pool on day 3
So, am I a bad sister for not insisting that he shower?
I figure, he's 12, right. His personal hygiene is something he needs to start taking ownership of. I'm gonna wash the sheets, regardless. He is wearing old spice? We are in 'stage 2' water conservation here in Austin.
It was a dilemma, but I sent him home today, without ever making him take a shower.....
Don't guess i'm ready for the parenting gig, huh?

Some highlights from our week together-
~ todd's first time to fly on an airplane. he loved it.
~ meals ordered 'todd's way'= mac n chesse, pizza, steak, and sausage biscuits. kyle was in heaven. We did incorporate some grapes and green beans somewhere in there for nutritional value.
~ GI Joe movie (kyle chaperoned, i slept.)
~ 7 hrs at an arcade (Austin Park and Pizza= aracade, laser tag, mini golf, race cars... see photo!)

We had a blast! Miss ya, toddy woddy.

do i say thanks enough?

"Thanks!"
simple word....

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Phillipians 4:6

I get it... say thanks for the hard stuff, in the midst of the hard stuff..... praying w/o worry.
I got the praying part down.... but I can assure you that I don't say thanks enough.

so, there have been two things on my ky and i's 'please, Lord' list.
1- Lord, please provide a job for Kyle... not just any job, but a job that really utilizes His interests/talents. A job where He can make an impact for Your kingdom
2- Lord, please help me survive 'night shift season' w/ a good attitude and stamina. Make day shift come quickly.

Monday, Aug 10th.... Kyle is officially offered a full time position at UBS as 'branch technology analyst'.
Do I understand what that title means? Of course not.... what I do understand is that he's expertise w/ technology is about to collide w/ his interest in finance..... a support role.... a salaried role. Of all the jobs he applied for (and trust me, there were more that 100) this job is a very unique fit specific to his background! THANKS, GOD!

Thursday, Aug 13th.... As Leah crawls in bed at 3am, she gets a text from Mollie (her bff at work) saying.... 'Leah, guess what!!".
It was either a. mollie got engaged b. our favorite patient was getting discharged home or c. we were switching to day shift, together! It was C!:) Starting in September, me and Mollie both are moving to days!! No more surviving on 3 hrs of sleep.... no more going 4 nights w/o snuggling w/ the honey.... no more scheduling my life around when I'm gonna sleep!! THANKS, GOD!

Needless to say, it has been a really big week for the fabFAZfam! Join us in saying 'thanks'.

God doesn't give us what we want. He gives us what we need....
As i look back on the last 10 months of night shift and the last 9 months of ky's unemployment, I'm still figuring out what we learned from this season (hindsight teaches loudly- i'll keep ya posted.).
It was hard. Not just job stuff, but other life stuff too.... hardest year of my life. I didn't always respond w/ the greatest attitude.... or the most steadfast of faith, but I know that for the months and years to come, I'll look back on this season and the next word off my tongue will be THANKS!"

go cubbies

Summer vacation 2009 was quite the adventure......
road trip to chicago w/ my parents and grandparents and brother todd! (yes, 7 people in a suburban.)
Kyle got to experience first hand the excitement of a Deetjen Road Trip.
These road trips are characterized by super fast and also very infrequent pit stops. Dad believes in setting mileage records.
Not once, but twice.... Kyle was accidentally left at the gas station. I'm being serious. We turned the suburban around twice b/c I had to inform dad that Kyle was left behind. These really are lightning fast pit stops.
while in chicago we:
- stayed downtown at hotel monoco!
- ate some deep dish pizza
- shopped the magnificient mile
- went to a cubbies game at wrigley field
- spent all day saturday at the 'deetjen family reunion'... over 100 people that are my relatives, most of whom i had never met! but we all have the same great great grandfather. So much in common!

after chicago, the road trip continued south to table rock lake! kyle really did improve on his pit stop speed. At the lake, we met up w/ beck/greg/tomtom!
We wakeboarded, ate a ton, saw an incredible lightning storm, and played lots of guitar hero!

Fabulous trip! Fabulous family!

sleepless nights

once again..... teeth brushed, face washed, nighty on, tucked in...... and wide awake.

things to do to try and fall asleep-
1. read- check. One chapter of 'Knowing God' by Dr. JI Packer has been thoughtfully read, yet not fully digested. Tonight's chapter 'God Only Wise' was actually exactly what I needed to hear. convicting.
2. try to wake up husband- check. This may seem cruel. But what you may not understand is that my husband is a pro at sleep talking. And it takes little effort at all to get a few hilarious comments from him. Tonight's discussion was targeted towards Best Buy Computers.... and how they haven't changed in 5 years since he worked there in the year 5000. Deep musings of a sleep talking genius, huh.
3. make some "sleepy time" herbal tea and blog- check.

So, I guess I'll blog on a quote from Dr. Packer. (did ya know that JI stands for James Innell?)
'Perhaps His purpose [in our perplexing trials] is simply to draw us closer to Himself in conscious communion with Him; for it is often the case, as all the saints know, that fellowship with the Father and Son is most vivid and sweet, and Christian joy is greatest when the cross is heaviest. (pg. 97).

As I admit that this past year has been in many ways been a perplexing trial, I also have to admit that, to be honest, I haven't clung to Christ. I believe what Dr. Packer so eloquently reminded me of tonight. I really do believe it. Why then has fellowship not been vivid and sweet? Why do I really feel like my joy has been taken? Probably because the burdens of these perplexing trials have been, for the most part, carried on my own independent shoulders. But the good news is that independence eventually leads to exhaustion. Exhaustion reveals weakness. Weakness demands drawing near...... which fosters vivid, sweet, and joyful fellowship with the God who was in the midst of the trail all along.

i guess sleepless nights aren't too bad when you get to, with peace and quiet, think on deep truths.... and when you can glean wisdom about Best Buy computers from your honey!

goodnight.

hobbies

I married a really fun guy!
he happens to have like 17 hobbies:

• watching old Star Trek re-runs
• researching fun metropolitan cities where we will one day live
• visiting microbreweries
• wandering around old used bookstores in hunt for signed first editions
• trying to identify which restaurant in our town has 'the greatest burger'

the list goes on.... and on.... and on!

i, on the other hand, don't have a real hobby.
Sure.... i CAN play piano,i USED to run half marathons, and i WOULD do jigsaw puzzles except for the fact that there is only one table in our apartment!

but, when it comes down to it, i'm quite 'hobby-less'.
(unless wearing sunscreen counts as a hobby?)

Don't get me wrong, I'm far from bored. And I also think I'm far from boring. I just don't have something that i consistently and intentionally enjoy doing.... plus i'm super content and often completely entertained by spending time with my ky as he pursues whatever hobby is currently on the agenda.


But, with the prompting of the husband and the realization that life is too short not to have a 'real' hobby..... i've decided to start blogging. That's right; it's official. My new hobby is blogging!

Not sure the direction this blog will take. Will I share my political opinions on socialized health care? Will I tell legendary stories about when Kyle sleep walks? Will I journal though what God is teaching me through different seasons? Only time will tell!
Regardless, i'm pretty jazzed about documenting this adventure called life.
And I'm also pretty excited about giving our friends and family a glimpse into the world of our fabFAZfam!