would you like a little stream of consciousness with your pie? (updated to include even more rambling)

I tend to work in spurts.  I woke up this morning in the mood to work (in a spurt, if you will). So Asher and I spent most of the morning cleaning up the backyard (Asher singing, "TEEEEAMWORK!" intermittently - thank you Ming Ming) so that he can use it more often. A boy needs to be outside. Needs it. And this boy's little brother needs sleep just as much as he needs to play, so we are finally going to utilize our backyard.  Want to know how much it's been neglected? This morning I asked Brian, "Do we own a rake?" We've been here over a year. That's how much time we've put into the backyard. So now the yard is raked (TEAMWORK), and Asher has a stack of toys ready to be moved to the back patio.  Yay.

Have I told you that my dog got a new bed that has cedar in it and is supposed to absorb the doggy smell, but instead makes him smell like a hamster?  I swear we now have a 55 lb SHEDDING rodent in our house.  Nice.

It's always hard for me to know what to do on Sundays.  I love our church - I was saying this weekend that it has become my home church, and those of you who work in vocational ministry know that doesn't always happen.  One thing our church does (that I love) is worship together, as a family, babies and all.  I believe in the concept of worshipping as a family (nursery and children's church open when the sermon begins).  However - This is what I look like on Sunday mornings.  If we go, then Silas has missed his morning nap.  I get to church with a hungry sleepy baby, strike one.  Then Brian is on stage, leading music, and Asher doesn't understand why he can't join him.  Strike two.   Which means I'm trying to bungee Asher and feed Silas simultaneously while everyone around me is trying to, you know, participate in the service. I feel like I should be charging admission.   Factor into all of that the fact that Fridays and Saturdays are our busiest days, and usually both kids are overstimulated by Sundays anyway, and I spend more Sundays than I would like at home.  

But it's only for a season.  My kids won't need morning naps forever (hooray for that), nor will they always need to be herded.  Nor, for that matter, will they always think the absolute coolest way to spend a weekend morning is raking the leaves with their mom.  So maybe I will just enjoy the moment - naps and leaves and all - and go back to church when I can.

Happy Sunday everyone.

No wait.  One more thing.

I was at a friend's house yesterday.  She has three small children.  I asked, "Have you finished your shopping?"  She replied, "Yes.  I did it all online.  I didn't want to take out the kids."  So I thought - online!  shopping!  What a great idea - I won't have to take out MY kids EITHER.

Boo.

I hate shopping online.  An hour and a half later, I did not accomplish ONE THING.  I found what I was looking for 28 times, but they all wanted 9$ in shipping.  I've heard rumors about free shipping, but that exists on other people's computers.  Not mine.  Shopping online - waste time AND money this holiday season.  Bah humbug.