Family Friday

You know those days when things just don't go right? Those days you just want to crawl back under those covers and sleep for years? Those days that bring you to buckets of tears? Yeah, one of those? Well, I had one today.

I fear my family felt it quite well. Although I managed to keep my voice calm and qiuet... didn't yell, didn't show impatience... I burdened them all with my sob story of the vanity of life. I really was a BIG BABY. Ugh! And I'm thirty years old... what's with that?? I never thought I'd actually crave a temper tantrum so fiercely.

Despite my bad day and my crocodile tears, I hope that my kids could see that I am real... I get frustrated, sad, and upset just like they do. But I hope more than that, that I was able to reflect at least a teeny tiny shimmer of God's grace to them.

What a long, long absense...

You know, it's really not a good idea to start a brand new blog right before getting pregnant. There's the little sickness problem in the beginning, then the lack of motivation to do ANYTHING in the end, then the absolute no time to do anything once the baby is born. But I am determined to give this a go again and stick to it.


In case you're wondering, E was born November 3rd... on my birthday. He was 9 lbs even, 21 inches long, and one week overdue. I guess I'm destined to give birth to 9 pounders and after my due date. (C was 9 lb 4 oz, 17 days overdue.... D was 9 lbs, 3 days overdue.) He's in great health and getting nice and fat as my babies also tend to do. I think he's kinda cute. But then, I'm a little biased.




So, now that E's nearly 3 months old and getting predictable, it's time to get my life back in order. I know today is Wednesday, but I have nothing written up. So, instead I'll just say "hi and welcome back" to myself, since no one is probably reading this anyway. I'm sure all my readers died from lack of stimulation.


Oh... and check this out. Mama Bear, over at Mama Bear Gets Chatty, started a 15% Club for women who wish to loose at least 15% of their weight. I thought I'd join since the budget prohibits Curves this year. I feel good that I am only 10 lbs from my prepregnancy weight, but it's obvious that they're not going to fall off on their own like the first 25 did. And then I still have the 25-30 extra pounds I've been carrying around since my first pregnancy. So, here's to loosing at least 15%!! I am currently 155 lbs at 4' 11". My major goal is to get down to 120. 15% would be 131 lbs. If you'd like to check it out, just click on the cute button below.

I'm ba-ack!

Well, that was a long 9 weeks of feeling cruddy. I am so tired of physical limitations and am ready to get back to being normal again (well, until I hit about 6 months). So, here's to the next three months! I am glad that they fall over the spring/early summer season, because I absolutely LOVE spring and summer.

On to Write it Out Wednesday...

The assignment this week actually contains no writing for you, but does require you to ponder what constitutes "good writing".

Rachelle Gardner hosted a contest recently, and I entered both phases. It was a ton of fun! I enjoyed every minute of it. (Check out the winner's entry, btw. It's AWESOME!)

So, the assignment this week is to give me some feedback on my first page entry. I would love to know how I can improve my writing. The challenge was to use one of the five first lines provided to write the first page of a novel (300 words max). Obviously, the first page should intrigue the reader enough that they would want to read the rest of the story.

So, critque away, please! I want to learn.

Things were going along just fine until the miracle fouled up everything. The women of the city had loved Rachel and had come to her with every joy, grief, and struggle. Her husband, Simon, had been well known and respected. Nearly every man in Nazareth had, at one time, sought business or personal advice from him. Walking through the city streets had been an enjoyable social outing for both of them. They had been greeted with smiles, nods, and “Shaloms”. Friends had stopped and exchanged small talk and gossip.

But that was then. Now, they were the object of gossip. Friends looked the other way when Rachel and Simon came near. There were no more greetings. No more smiles or “Shaloms”. They were shunned, and it was all because of the miracle.

Rachel wanted to believe her daughter and future son-in-law. She wanted to believe that the child growing within Mary was truly the Son of God, but things like that just do not happen. Even the miracle of Abraham and Sarah required a moment of intimate human passion. She did not understand how Simon could embrace this “miracle” so easily.

Rachel stepped from the stone threshold of their home and onto the dusty street. She clutched the large water vessel closer to herself as if it might somehow protect her from what she was about to face. Lately, her daily trip to the well felt more like walking into a den of lions than a circle of friends.

Write it Out Wednesday

Well, yesterday went alright. I was not selected for jury, but I found the whole process very interesting. And I think I would love to serve on a jury someday when I'm not pregnant or nursing.

In reply to everyone's comments on Little E... I figured some of you probably guessed, especially those who know me in real life. We don't have E names picked out yet. Cherith's name was chosen while I was in labor, and Daryn's name was decided when he was a couple hours old. So, I'm not getting my hopes up that this baby will be named before he/she is born. Thanks for all the congratulations.

Well, the assignments from last week were:

1) Choose an inanimate object in your house (or better yet, have one of your children or your spouse choose one). Ponder the object for a few minutes, then write a paragraph describing how you reflect this object.

OR

2) Choose a setting for your story and begin researching it to give you a good grasp of the culture and layout.

In the last two years, I have developed a fascination with Israel and the Jews, mostly in how it relates to Christ's being a Jew. So I have chosen to write a story set in Israel during the life of Christ.

I have only done some leisurely study on Israel and the traditions and beliefs of OT Jews. I have yet to really buckle down and get some serious research in. The ideal would be a trip to Israel, but since it's hard enough to fit groceries in the budget, I don't think that will happen. I know that there has got to be lots of information out there and I plan to utilize the internet and the library. And I hope to find a Jew that would be willing to expound on Jewish rituals and beliefs.

How about you? :~)

Measure Up Monday

In the last four to five weeks, I've gained five pounds, lost an inch on my waist, but gained an inch around my gut. I've slacked on make-up, brushing my hair, and shaving. I don't watch what I eat. I just eat what sounds good. And I have aquired a strange aversion to the computer. Seeing lots of words on a computer screen makes my head spin.

The Reason:


I began feeling sick during our bout of the flu, so I feel like I never recovered and I will have the flu forever. But, only 3 more weeks until I hit the glorious second trimester. YAY!

Tomorrow, I have a jury summons. I really don't look forward to sitting around at the courthouse all day with the way that I feel. I'm hoping I won't be selected. I just don't feel up to it. I probably won't post tomorrow since I'll be gone.

Write It Out 2

First, last week's assignment...

"You're dating John?!" Sara (left) exclaimed. "No way! He and I were engaged
once!"

"Really?" Clarisse (right) forced a smile. She had heard about Sara and could see
why John dumped her. She was such a ditz.

Elaine (center) was highly amused. This was SO going on the front page of the
college tabloid! Being editor was so much fun.

And next week's...

There are actually two. One for those who just want a quick little exercise and one for those who actually wish to develop a story.


Quick little exercise:
Choose an inanimate object in your house (or better yet, have one of your children or your spouse choose one). Ponder the object for a few minutes, then write a paragraph describing how you reflect this object.


Building a story:

Choosing a setting:
Some tend to look at the setting (where and when) as the backdrop of a story, just as they would see the surrounding scenery as a backdrop to a portrait. However, I believe the setting makes the story what it is. It is the foundation. Take for example, Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Change the setting from Civil War era United States to Modern France and you not only change the backdrop, but you change the whole story. The setting, then, is even more important than the characters, for it is the setting that makes the characters who they are.

Choose a setting for your story. Perhaps you already have one in mind or maybe your clueless. If you need a little help, think about a place your familiar with, like where you grew up or where you vacationed. Or how about a place you're intrigued with and would love to learn more about? Study the place you choose. Read up on it. Recall memories. Look at photos. Study maps. Learn the culture. Read up on the history. Get a good all around feel of where your story will be taking place.

Once you are well aquainted with the where, decide on the when. Does the history intrigue you enough to present your story in the past? Perhaps modern times is more suiting. What do you imagine this place to be like in the future?

Whatever setting you choose, learn it well. There will be readers out there who may live there or know the history of the setting. If you are not well learned on the culture of your setting, it will make for a weak story.

Next week, share with us where your story will take place, and why you chose that place. Begin studying and have fun.



Disclaimer: I am, by no means, an expert writer, nor do I claim to be. I have taken a few creative writing classes, one lasting a week and another four months several years ago. I had a few writings published in my single years, but these hardly count as they were instructional writing at a grade school reading level. I am simply inviting you to join me in my learning and stretching. And I just find it plain fun.

Write It Out Wednesday

Thought I'd better get this up for those who have already completed this week's assignment. I'll be back with my assignment and next week's assignment late tonight.

Last week's assignment was to write out the dialouge between these girls and to include their thoughts.