a couch is so much more than a place to sit

at least in our house it is

it can be many different things:

it can be a launching pad

 or a slide

it can be a place to try out your new skateboard tricks without a board or getting hurt

or part of the construction of a fort,

or a light holder

I never thought that a couch with removable cushions would provide so much entertainment for us

bitter-sweet

Bitter-Sweet
this describes a situation we are in right now though bitter might be to strong a word, i am not bitter more like disappointed, but there is also a sweet side too. i am not suppose to say and know anything, but i don't think anyone who isn't suppose to know will read and find out so i am safe, i hope. okay, too much rambling. first off, there is a Christian organization (church and other entities) that owns the property where my church and three other organizations meet and use for church, classes, etc. We have been blessed with not having to pay any rent for the space, which is good because there isn't modern heating and cooling, it is a horrible location, and several other reasons that I can't think of right now. This Christian organization owns a lot of property and a business is interested in the spot that we currently occupy (and probably additional space too). This business offered a good price for the spot (fair market value), the groups (my church included) offered a price to stay, well the money was better from the business and we are getting the boot. Why I am disappointed, for this Christian organization, money is more important than supporting other Christians. It frustrates me because our church supports their students, we also are trying to make the surrounding neighborhoods better by loving them, helping out where we can, doing service projects for neighbors, etc. We want to make the area a better place and not just occupy space in the area. We also can bring traffic to nearby business which need traffic because there are always people coming and going every day of the week because one of the four groups is meeting in the space every day. So I am disappointed that money is more important then loving people, but there is a very sweet side to the story and I may be glad that this Christian organization cares more about money in the long run. Because of getting the boot, a new home needs to be found and a location has been found, but there are spaces that need to be filled to pay the rent for this spot. One space is perfect for Jeff's shop. With money being non-existent, we can't really afford to stay in the high rent space that we are in and want to move to somewhere cheaper, but most cheaper places are not in great locations and not looked promising. This space is the same size as what we have now plus it has some warehouse space where Jeff could put ramps and have events, his own mini-skatepark! I haven't seen the space yet, I will this morning, but it already sounds perfect. Because the space isn't finished he will be able to kind of custom fit it with the builder so it will be just the way he wants it without a lot of work on his part. Did I mention he would get more space for half the price? Also, it would be in the same building as a coffee shop, a dance studio, and our church. It is also centrally located, easy to get to off of the expressway, and easier to find. Though I haven't seen it, it sounds like it has everything both of us wants! I am excited to see the space and hope it works out, so it is sweet and in a way I am glad that the Christian organization loved money more, it may help us out a lot, we will see. So there you have it, my bitter-sweet tale, that in the long run will hopefully be all sweet, but I am still disappointed when money is more important than making a difference.

2009 here we come

So today is the first day of the new year, a fresh start.
I am always a little sad to let go of the previous year, I guess because every year is farther away from memories and people. 2008 was the year of Lily and though I don't know what the future holds, she may be my last baby and that is kind of sad. Also, it will be 7 years this February when we lost my grandfather, Pop, and every year is more distance away from him, I miss him so much and wish he was hear to celebrate all of life's moments, he loved to celebrate. Also, every year we are getting older and time just seems to fly by so quickly.
Okay, my new year's resolutions:
1- make it more of a priority to spend some time alone, a quiet time every day, it may mean getting up earlier
2- save more money, starting a retirement account and having emergency money in a savings account
3- get out of debt, we made progress in 2007, but we still have a ways to go
4- be less busy and be more intentional about spending special time with lance and lily individually
5- give more away, time, things, money, whatever, but give more
6- learn to let go, if the house isn't perfect it is okay, life is about relationships and I need to let go
on that note, I am off to play with lance

update:
as I am trying to organize the playroom/guest room/office/extra bedroom I realized another resolution:
7- I will update Lance and Lily's baby books, get photos into albums, make photo books and get organized, I am so way behind

i love and hate it

Christmas that is. I hate trying to please everyone at the expense of enjoying my family of 4. I hate family drama. I hate trying to divide my time amongst people who aren't happy with what they may be given. I can't fake it, I want authenticity. I am tired of just surviving Christmas. I want Christmas to be so much more.


we have been talking about rethinking christmas at church this month and I am really trying to figure out what that looks like and I have realized I am not alone in this: advent conspiracy.