Owner: everyday life as lyric poetry URL:catherinemcniel.blogspot.com Join Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 22:29:45 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: I'm a mama, a wife, a friend, a believer, a reader, a writer, a thinker, a seeker, sometimes a professor, always learning. Site statistics:Click here
...and marked as Christ's own forever. 2007-04-10 01:50:00 The Saturday Easter Vigil, the service in which we celebrate Christ
's (and our) journey from darkness into light, has historically been a day for Christian baptism. This year, we had Asher baptized. I grew up in Evangelical churches where adults were baptized into lakes, not infants in a sanctuary, so it has been meaningful for me to research the historical significance of baptism in its various traditions as we prepared for Asher's baptism. And I rejoice that salvation is not primarily dependant on my response to God, but on His grace and love and initiation towards me; that my son, before he is old enough to understand, has been grafted into a community, into a Covenant, and been shown mercy and grace. Long ago, the Creator entered into a covenant with his servant, Abraham. This covenant was marked by the breaking of animals, and by their blood. The tradition of the time dictated that an animal would literally be split in half, and the two parties entering together into covenant w
Grace is... 2007-04-12 04:43:00 Grace is...rocking and singing your baby back to sleep at 1, 2, 3am when you're exhausted, because he's sick, off schedule, and disoriented. Grace is...your baby sleeping through the night the next day so you both get a full night's rest Read more:Grace
Gap should be paying us 2007-04-11 14:07:00 Oh, I guess you can't really see that his shirt says "Gap." But it does. And they should.Has anyone else noticed that the subject of all my photos is always the same? *grin*
Duck...duck...duck... (part 1) 2007-04-13 19:02:00 I've been thinking about categories lately.I resist categories. I understand that our human brains must take information in and file it in schemas, in categories. But my worldview prefers holism over reductionism; I find categories and summaries to steal the nuances, and thereby steal the essence, often leaving nothing valuable in sum.I recently joined the ranks of Americans who's political views are calculated in percentage points on the nightly news. I was interviewed over the phone for about 20 minutes on every possible political candidate and issue. At the end of the interview came the inevitable category questions. Some of these are easy - I am female. I am between 27 and 35. I have this much education and make that much money.But, having confessed to being of the Christian faith I was then offered these sub-categories to choose from:Fundamentalist, Evangelical, Catholic, Pentecostal, or Mainstream/Liberal.I have just summarized all my political views from Bush to Hilary to Iraq
One day, two milestones 2007-04-13 03:59:00 First: This afternoon Asher was feeling down in the dumps. I was wearing him in the sling to cheer him up, and wandered over to a full length mirror where I spent a few minutes trying to rub something off my nose. Asher has always enjoyed giggling at the gorgeous baby in the mirror (and who wouldn't!) but today he watched, going between me rubbing my nose, and the reflection of me rubbing my nose. A few minutes into this, and I noticed his demeanor change drastically. He was now looking at himself, with great excitement and aplomb, and was doing his best to wiggle out of the sling. I took him out and stood him up by the mirror where he put his hands and face to it, touching "the baby" that was actually a mirror, becoming more and more excited. He couldn't get enough of reaching for the baby and touching the mirror. This is totally different than his normal reaction. I can't say for sure, but I think the concept of his reflection broke through to him today, and he realized that he sa Read more:milestones
...duck...goose! (part 2) 2007-04-15 05:23:00 Another place where I have been chaffed by categories is in BlogLand.I started writing my blog without knowing anything about BlogLand. I only read one blog back then. I started writing with the assumption that my family and friends might read; I figured maybe I'd meet one or two new friends along the way.So up until a few brief months ago I had no idea that there was an active MommyBlogging community. Discovering this was like going to my favorite coffee shop night after night; realizing that the shop was always packed, but enjoying watching people and having time to myself; slowing dawning on me that its the same people around me each night and they all know each other; realizing that no one is talking to me and feeling a bit left out about it; realizing that I'm not talking to anyone else either; trying to start up a few conversations; getting to know a few people, slowly, haltingly, awkwardly, like a Jr. High Schooler on her first day.But I don't have a lot of great memories fro Read more:goose
The Proverbs 31 Woman would have done Freecycle 2007-04-16 04:41:00 I don't clothe my household in scarlet when it snows, or plant vineyards. But I do spend a lot of time online. And I am registered with Freecyle, and I scan the dozen or so emails everyday looking for relevant deals. I don't get up while it is still dark to trade with merchants or consider and buy fields. But today I did get up early from a nap and drove 45 minutes round trip to pick up three cans of formula, and six (6) boxes of Gerber baby cereal. For free!If you haven't signed up for your local Freecyle, you should! Not only does it reduce market demand and recycle used products, it saves you money. When I was pregnant, I ended up with more cute, perfectly fitting maternity clothes than I had in my regular wardrobe after just a quick email shout out. Since then I've stocked up on free diapers, a car seat, bottles, and now cereal and formula. Three canisters of formula: $50.00Six boxes of Gerber baby cereal: $15.00Gas for my car trip: $3.15Providing shrewdly for my family (withou
Come again? 2007-04-17 16:19:00 I was at a medium sized get-together awhile back and needed to nurse Asher a few minutes after arriving. Not being too modest I plopped myself down on the couch and latched him on. We were sitting next to a woman whom I knew only as an aquantance. As Asher nursed, his jean clad legs and shoe clad feet would occassionally give this woman a little nudge. After a few minutes of this, the following....unusual...conversation took place:Woman: (with a smile) What is that?Woman: (with slightly less smile) What's going on?Woman: (with a growling look of concern on her face) Wha...? Wha..? Wha...?Woman: (rather upset and forcefully) What is going on?!Me: (not able to get a word in edgewise and a bit take aback) I'm sorry. I'm just nursing him and I guess he's too long for this couch. Would you like me to move?Woman: (with look of relief) OH! That's your baby! I thought it was a dog or something!
So. It looks like you've gained some weight. 2007-04-21 04:34:00 I received an email recently requesting that I blog a bit more about body image and pregnancy. She asks: Will you write on body image and your personal journey and take of it? Thoughts before, during and after in dealing with body image?So, here goes. Warning: this is more "unplugged" than my average post, both personally and stylistically. --------- Pre-pregnancy, I was naturally thin. When I count calories its to be sure I'm eating enough to be healthy, not because I'm trying to lose weight. Sometimes I just don't want to eat. Sometimes this last for weeks. During these times I have trouble eating enough to maintain a healthy weight. Its not a body image thing. Just a lack of desire. People sometimes say "I wish I had that problem!" This bothers me. A problem is a problem. So, when I became pregnant my husband and I were shocked to find that I immediately began eating three huge meals per normal meal, for a whooping total of about 9 full meals a day. And I am not referring to snac
In which, I am interviewed 2007-04-23 15:38:00 As I walked into Catherine's condo for the interview, she met me at the door with her baby on her hip. I sat in her living room, drinking ice tea with cucumbers and basil and began, on this lovely day, a real heart to heart chat....Ok, that didn't happen. Here's the real story - the interview meme! Thanks for the interview, Bub and Pie!1. What Christian writer has had the greatest influence on your faith?The answer to this, hands down, has to be C.S. Lewis. When I was about six years old I was first introduced to the The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in the form of a cartoon movie and some made up songs and some "Turkish Delight" (I realized later it was finger jello). When I got home, I couldn't stop talking about the most amazing story I had just lived. My parents, to my shock, said "oh yeah. We know that story. We have the book. In fact, there are seven. We have all seven." I was stunned that something so wonderful had shared the house with me all my short life without my kn Read more:interviewed
Today 2007-04-22 22:16:00 Today is Asher's 9 month birthday. This means that he's been rolling around outside of me about as long as he rolled around inside of me. Astounding. Today is also Earth day. Check out Google's cool front page... Read more:Today
Sometimes the squeaky wheel is hired on to make its own grease. 2007-04-22 14:41:00 In the course of 12 hours this weekend I made two new commitments. First, I was asked to join a worship team at my church. I've been on one almost my whole life, taking a break in the past years to finish my Master's degree and have a baby. I'm excited to be back. Second, I just became a Master Course Writer for Judson College, where I have been teaching courses as an Adjunct professor. I had a few things to say (when don't I?) on the faculty evaluation about the text that went with the first class I taught. Next thing I know, I've been hired to re-write the class. How fun is that? I'm feeling a bit daunted. And excited. And daunted. Read more:Sometimes
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All that you can't leave behind 2007-04-27 22:38:00 People think that if they remember something, it's significant. That's not correct. One doesn't need to be Sigmund Freud to understand that if we forget something, it could have been as significant. What we tell ourselves is not the same as what actually happened. Nor is what we remember that which influences us the most. Which is why our account of our own lives is essentially unreliable, except for the externals. Yes, I'm probably a reliable witness that I graduated high school. I'm probably reliable about who taught me in some cases, certainly in college. And I certainly take responsibility for my memories in adult life. Important things had to have happened, but not every event that was important do I remember. - Magida, Opening the Doors of Wonder, p. 108The impact of events not retained in my memory first struck me during college. I had taken a few courses that I would consider life changing. They opened my eyes and heart and mind to new ways of looking at the world, at myse Read more:behind
Annndddd he's off! 2007-04-25 01:23:00 As of this week Asher has officially entered into the ranks of mobile people. I don't know what flipped the switch in him, but suddenly he's off to the races. He can't crawl yet but with rolling, lurching, stretching, twisting, scooting, pulling, pushing, reaching, and **NEW TODAY!!** pulling himself up from lying down to sitting up, he can really get around. As of yesterday morning, if I were to put him on the floor with some toys, he would either sit and play with them or fuss and whine. As of yesterday afternoon... On the go!I put him on the floor with some toys. Before I knew it, he was behind the coffee table trying to ingest my computer's electric chord. When that was banished he headed over to the other side of the room to grab another electric outlet and our electric heater. Then, into the kitchen where he pulled our kitchen trashcan down on top of himself and our appliances off of our lower shelves. Later, he enjoyed nearly toppling a floor lamp down to the ground. While I
Welcome to my BlogWarming Party! 2007-05-01 01:47:00 If you haven't noticed, I've been doing some remodeling around here lately (I had help!). To celebrate my new look, I'm hosting a Blog Warming Party
. Which really just means...stop by, have a look, and let me know what you think. Ok, not much different than every other day. (No gifts necessary). Read more:Welcome
Confessions 2007-04-30 16:45:00 "The thought of you stirs him so deeply that he cannot be content unless he praises you, because you made us for yourself and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you. You are my God, my Life, my holy Delight, but is this enough to say of you? Can any man say enough when he speaks of you? Yet woe betide those who are silent about you! For even those who are most gifted with speech cannot find words to describe you. My soul is like a house, small for you to enter, but I pray you to enlarge it. It is in ruins, but I ask you to remake it."- St. Augustine, Confessions, Book 1
22 hours and 20 minutes, to be exact 2007-04-30 03:37:00 To celebrate our anniversary, Matthew and I invited my mom to spend Saturday night with Asher and....we went off and spent the night by ourselves. As the past few weeks have been crazy-hectic-chaotic with three cold viruses, among other things, that hit all three of us, in three weeks, I had been looking forward to this time primarily because I knew that, for one night, I would be able to Sleep. All. Night. Long. I didn't know how I would do leaving Asher though, or he me. After all, I'm still getting over the fact that he sleeps in his own room. But, thanks to Grandma, he had a great time. And so did Matthew and I. It was nice for us to get re-acquainted, and actually get a chance to talk and be together. I think I was desperate enough for a break that I was able to stay in the moment and not worry and wonder all the time. But I did call home about 10 times. And I do know precisely how long I was gone from my little guy. And, when I returned, I let him take a nap snuggled Read more:minutes
Ba ba ma! Eh neh! Aba aba ma ba! 2007-05-04 06:27:00 We're going to California tomorrow to visit Matthew's family with some friends. While I've been busy doing laundry and packing, Asher has been busy hurdling over developmental milestones so he can show off his new skills to the family. About two days ago, he took a three hour nap. This caught my attention, since most of his naps are 45 mintues long. When he woke up, he could talk. Not with words, but suddenly he's a locquacious jabberer. Before, he would either be quiet, or make screaming, exuberant vowel noises. But since that long nap, he's been wearing out the consonants. What a chatterbox! "Ba ma ma ba ba BA! eh neh! Ba ba ma! Aba aba ma ba!!"As if that weren't enough to keep us proud and on our toes, this morning he started crawling! Yes! At last! He did it! Yesterday he couldn't...today he can! He's so proud of himself. "Ba BA BA MA MA MA!" And I now have a full time job of pulling electrical wires out from his jaws of steel.I'm so excited by these two mi
Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood... 2007-05-03 04:29:00 Oh, who are the people
in your neighborhood?In your neighborhood?In your neighborhood?Say, who are the people in your neighborhood?The people that you meet each day- the MuppetsI've recently decided to take up studying World Religions as a hobby. Considering that my established hobbies include books, Theology, and cultural studies, this shouldn't be much of a surprise.So today Asher and I walked to the library where I picked up, among other things, a copy of the Bhagavad Gita - a sacred ancient Hindu text I've been interested in reading for some time. As I left, I noticed a flyer for a book club meeting to discuss the book Persepolis, the story of a girl during the Iranian Revolution. This caught my attention, and I wished I were free to attend.I've already mentioned the diversity that we have in our town and neighborhood, which always seems to pop up on trips to the library. About a block from our house, smack-dab between the library and home, we always pass a Hindu temple whi
Rub a Dub Dub 2007-05-02 13:26:00 Asher was such a mess after dinner that we had to put in him the bath with his clothes on!
Shhhhhhh....baby's sleeping.... 2007-03-08 20:21:00 I've been keeping a secret. Its a secret because, the moment I tell it, I fear it will vanished, dissapear. But I am hesitantly now ready to whispher it to you...Asher has started falling asleep by himself.Asher has always been a good sleeper (at night, not for naps!), but he's been very dependant on me for going to sleep. I never felt that the time was right for "crying it out" for a number of factors.Then, suddenly, about two weeks ago we did the normal bedtime routine, storybooks, rocking, and singing and then...I laid him in his bed and instead of wailing he...fell asleep. I thought it was a blissful fluke, but he's done it every night since then.
I think, therefore I blog 2007-05-06 03:00:00 Kimberly has graciously awarded me a Thinking Blog Award. I took my time in passing the award on so that I could put thought into my choices (no pun intended). So now, without further ado, the winners are:1. Amy Jane at Untangling TalesI can't remember precicesly how I met Amy (was it the Blog Party?) but I'm glad I did. Her blog is creative and thoughtful, certainly a departure from the norm. I always enjoy her stories and thoughts. She has created a lovely place, and her words weave the tales she is untangling.2. Heather at In Te DomineHeather writes about her life creatively and artistically. Sometimes I laugh, sometimes I cry. But each times she ushers me into the emotions and situations she describes.3. Karen at Needs New BatteriesKaren also writes the stories of her life with artistry and emotion. I particularily enjoy her questions for the universe. And she reads great books!4. Dave at A History of HistrionicsAh, my brother Dave. While the content on his blog cou Read more:think
California!! 2007-05-10 20:59:00 We've been in Sunny San Diego all week! Its been a fun vacation so far, relaxing by a nearby pool, visiting the beach, swimming with babies, bbqing, visiting friends and family, going to Disneyland (me), going to the San Diego Zoo (everyone else), and watching a flue virus spread through us all (Asher's first time, very miserable). More to come! Read more:California
It's all about those non-verbals 2007-05-15 04:48:00 When I teach intercultural skills (or, when anyone does, for that matter), the multitudes of possible communication breakdowns are always included in the topics. Today in my pediatrician's waiting room I witnessed a case in point. As Asher and I waited, in walked a family who, from their dress, language, and accent, appeared to be from India rather recently. They inquired at the receptionist about the wait they should expect, and the conversation went like this: Husband: Is the Doctor running late? Receptionist: Just a little. Not too bad yet. (Raises eyebrows, smirks, sprinkles sarcasm) Give us an hour!Husband to wife: Oh no. What time is your next meeting?Wife to husband: In two hours! I guess we should just go home now...?Watching this, I think I'm the only one who realized what happened. The receptionist was saying that there wouldn't be a long wait...but leave it to us, we'll mess things up by this afternoon. The family heard her say that it would be another hour of waiting. A
Impressive 2007-05-15 02:42:00 Today Asher had a poopy diaper with such impressive scope and power that not only did it blast out of his diaper, but when I changed it two minutes later I found specimens of it in places as distant as the soles of both of his feet. This was nothing compared to the experience we had here, but it was impressive enough that I felt it deserved to be recorded for posterity. Oh, by the way...Asher had his 9 month Dr. appointment today, where he comes in at 50th percentile for weight and 85th percentile for height. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read more:Impressive
We're back! 2007-05-14 19:03:00 We arrived home from San Diego last night, safe and sound, but still struggling with flue symptoms. So, without further ado, I will now inundate you with the well loved Vacation Slideshow Syndrome....Asher and Josiah at the parkDavid and Matthew, snorkling at La Jolla CoveCatherine w/ friends Lisa and (newly engaged!) Kristi at Disneyland!Fun with Aunt Kathy at the airportEnjoying the sun!Catherine watching the sea lions at La Jolla Cove with Rachel and JosiahMore good times at the beachAsher takes a dip in the pool, accompanied by a flock of onlookers. :)Asher shows off his new skills for proud Grandma McNiel Soakin' in the rays with Great Grandma Good time with Grandma and Grandpa McNiel
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