Security.

So, I have kind of a lot of work to do in the next week or two. But, I'm not a mobile caseworker (silly diocese not wanting to get us secure laptops). This means, I cannot get access to the DCFS program required to do my work. BUT sitting in my cubicle is so distracting. People talking, phones ringing, my desk needing to be cleaned. So, I get very little done. I have forgotten for 2 weeks straight to charge my ipod, thus creating the appropriate background to drown out everything else. TONIGHT, I will charge my ipod. TOMORROW I WILL do 5 social histories. I WILL finish all of my casenotes. Otherwise, im gonna have to work late. Because it has to be done.

I saw an old friend today while out at Indian Oaks. She didnt know I worked at Catholic Charities, I didn't know she was STILL at IOA. It was nice to catch up for a minute, but I was with a client, and she was working--not in the same place as me. But it was still a nice suprise. She said her family was great--with the exception of a Madden obsessed husband. I'm sure most of us can relate.

TODAY--I WILL also manage to work out and listen to a podcast while i do it. That should be motivating. I need to set more short term goals. I feel empowered. For the next 20 minutes at least.

Well.

It appears that I'm not doing a good job keeping up on my blog. I changed the layout, so maybe that will motivate me to post more. Maybe I'll even post inspirational things. Maybe someone will read it.

Our first district quiz is tomorrow. The excitement never goes away. We're taking 3 teams from first church, which is exciting all on its own. For the first time ever I think I've got everything done ahead of time. Which means it will probably all fall apart Saturday!! AHH!! We're down a little in attendance, but it seems like several quizzers have conflicts, so we may see that number go up a little bit later in the year.

Ruby is growing and is lots of fun to be around. She can play patty cake, and likes to cuddle and climb in everything. We enjoy having her around, even at her most frustrating moments is still a blessing.

One thing im struggling with lately is the idea of getting in shape. I know its important, and while weight loss would be an added benefit, its really just a good idea to be healthy. The problem is, I struggle with even finding the time to work out. What can I neglect to do that instead? My husband would tell me that I should get off the computer, or not watch so much TV. But those are the things I do to kind of "check out" for awhile. Maybe if I got into an exercise routine, that could be one of those things, but at this stage of my clumsy life, it takes an awful lot of concentration. I had a great idea that I could listen to my Corinthians Podcasts while working out, and then I would be getting some Bible study in with my exercise. The problem being--I have to do that in my living room until the basement is finished. So, i guess its a matter of discipline all around. Pray for that.

picnic day.

well, ruby woke up around 600, and ate, and is now laying in bed with scott. im not sure if shes awake or asleep. i came down to shower, because she was playing quietly and haven't ventured back up the stairs.

lately, i've been so overwhelmed. it seems like we still haven't completed our move upstairs, even though it happened at the end of may. before this, it seemed like things were going along pretty well, but now, the house is always a disaster, and it seems like its not getting better. things go missing, clutter builds up, and i work too much to do anything about it...because when i come home, i rest, or play on the computer. scott and i need like 2 days where we do nothing but re-arrange and finish moving stuff around or whatever. the problem is (a) we don't have the money to finish right now, and (b) the time is also lacking.

scott broke our lap top, ya know, the one covered in tape anyway. we were contemplating a new one, so last night we went out and got one at best buy. i was more than a little ticked, since this computer also would not connect to our external hard drive, so yeah. that stuff is gone.

but--its picnic day at church, so we'll go hear impact sing, and then we'll enjoy some good food and good friends, and celebrate God's awesome love for us through relationship. then...its back to work on the house. ARG.

it's early.

It's 1:10 am. Ruby is teething, and 2 months old. She finally fell asleep after much fussing around 9 pm or so and scott laid her in her swing. Normally, she would have eaten at 10. But she was SO tired, we decided to let her sleep until she woke up. Scott is asleep on the couch, and im playing around on the computer. Our baby was apparently even more tired than we realized. She's STILL asleep in her swing. shes stirred a few times, but not woken up, and i think thats probably best...I may be a little tired tomorrow but its ok.

I go back to work next week. For the first 5 weeks that i was home, i was really looking forward to it. The last two weeks, the quizzers have come over to hang out after school, and Ruby has become more interactive, and now im not so ready to go back. I would love to be able to either stay home or to work part time, but right now, we just can't afford it. Hopefully in the next few years we can get the cars and credit cards paid off. Then maybe we'll have a second baby (still unsure about that idea--but we know that if we do decide to do that, we would want Ruby to be at least 2) and I could work part time. I know that my job is flexible enough to be able to do that, but I would lose my benefits. Ruby is on scotts insurance, and maybe i could be on it too.

OR--scott or I could get a masters degree in whatever, and i could at least have summers off...I would want to do school social work. Scott would perhaps like to teach high school. I guess we'll see how it all plays out. We're pretty happy with our involvement in our church and our jobs, so we would have to commit to school and cut a few other things out. I'm sure that no matter what, the journey will be terrific.

being home.

I'm in week 6 of maternity leave and i'm bored. I did a million facebook surveys the first few weeks. I play on my wii fit, we had company last week...and now its just ruby and me again. I love ruby, and hanging out is getting to e a little more fun...shes already changing a lot--and im seeing less of the serious look, and getting less screams during changing time...but...in the times that shes sleeping (a lot) i find myself bored. I mean, while i desire to lose some weight, you can only do so many rounds of hula-hoop or strength excercises. and when i eat pizza rolls for lunch, it seems defeatist.

We've had at least one quizzer here every night since sunday--i guess to get ready for indy. and finals is in 3 weeks. If only they didn't have school, to occupy some of my daytime. And lets be honest--they come for ruby as much as they come for quizzing. Which is ok--im glad the love her too.

The one thing that really has stuck with me over the past 6 weeks is how much people really care about us. Ruby is 5 weeks old and is surrounded by people who love and care for her. Shes got us, and our families, (and our quizzers) but beyond that shes got a great church family watching out for her. This strikes me on wednesday nights, when its like being a celebrity. So many people checking in to see how shes doing and how im feeling. last night, as i was checking ruby into the nursery for the first time so i could go to youth group--two families stopped over at the check in counter to see her and check up on us. I was truly touched by this last night, because it was obvious they went out of their way to come over and check in. It's just a really great feeling to know that Ruby is so loved and looked out for, even as little as she is.

I start teaching sunday school again sunday, and im excited to see the girls and hear about all the things in their lives. I helped in jr high youth group last night, and was excited to see all the girls i used to teach. I love hanging out with those kids, and feel like switching to jr high from sr high was the right decision for now. I liked helping in sr high, but really i love the energy of the younger crowd.

Anyway, thats all i've got to ramble about at the moment. I'm sure i'll have something thought provoking to add later.