Vacation

The Chintzibob family will be leaving for vacation on Sunday. This is a last minute decision, but we are going to Florida with my Mom and Dad. I will be able to visit with some of my extended family who haven't yet met the twins. It's the girl's first time at the beach. The babies', too, but I doubt they will remember it. I am excited. We get to stay in a condo. It's not beachfront, but when you book a place two days before you leave, you can't be too picky. I will post pictures when we get back. So you won't be hearing from either of us until after Wednesday.

Some of you may remember that I started redecorating my bedroom this past spring break. I'm still not done yet, but here is one project I have completed, and I am proud of.

I found a really beautiful tea cloth at the thrift store for under $6.00. I tried it on several tables, and for a while it hung as a sort of valance over my window. Then one day I held it up against the window and realized it was the exact same size as the window. So I took some muslin, a tension rod, and a wooden dowel(all things I had in my sewing room) and transformed it into a shade.

Here are the materials I started with

Here's what I ended up with

I have since changed the side panels to a faux silk(I found some real silk ones for $50, but $15 was a little more palatable, and they look really nice) and added a valance I made from an extra panel. So instead of spending $100 on 2 silk panels, I spent $45 and got 2 panels, a valance, and some extra fabric I will probably use for toss pillows. I'll try to get a better picture soon. But you get the general idea of the light coming through the tablecloth. The really light spots are all openwork with needle weaving. I love using linens in unusual ways.

Adventures in Churchdom

First, My stat counter is about to hit 5000. As I write it hovers at 4999, I feel so loved.

Second.

My sister and I visited the local mega-church this past Sunday. I have been considering leaving my church for some time and finally decided to branch out. Why do I want to leave? Not for any particularly earth shattering reason. I enjoy Sunday mornings, but it's a little too far to get really involved, and there's not much to be involved in. Also, I only started attending there because my parents go there and I knew a lot of people, so it was safe and comfortable. But I think the Lord is leading me elsewhere.

In looking for a new church I have a myriad of small dilemmas to overcome. Firstly, I come from a charismatic background, splitcat from a catholic/reformed pres. background. He likes tradition, I like dancing in the aisles. I would like my children to attend a church with an excellent children's program where they are required to memorize scripture and learn how to appropriately behave in a church setting. They are receiving a bit of this where we are, but it is a small church. The church I attended as a child had an incredible children's ministry, so I suppose that colors my view a little. This may seem a small thing, but I need a church that is easily stroller accessible. Since I am usually alone with 4 children, the twins have to ride in the stroller. Also, in researching churches that I would like to attend I have discovered a new trend in the charismatic-type churches. The children stay in the sanctuary for the worship. But the worship is usually of an intense nature, so me alone with 4 children trying to worship is just not a pretty picture. Add on top of that the boys dislike of loud, the girls love of dance, and just the general nature of 1 yr old twins, and I'm tired just thinking about it. I do believe that children should participate in some sort of worship service, but one for them. I still remember how much I loved the worship time in children's church.

So where do I go? I was considering a vineyard church near downtown, but it's still a little too far. There is definitely not a lack of churches around here. I pass something like 17 churches to get to the church I have been attending. There is a reason they call it the bible belt.

So anyway, my sister and I were discussing churches we thought we'd like to visit, and I thought of our local mega-church. It's right between our houses, so no one would have to go out of their way to get there. There was also the appeal of being able to just be part of the crowd, totally uninvolved in any sort of church politics. So we looked into their website and decided it would be worth a try.

We were very much impressed. We parked in the guest parking lot and unloaded our 10 kids(yes, it was just me and my sister with--a 4 month old, my twins, a 16 month old, two 4 yr olds, a 6 yr old, a 7 yr old, a 10 yr old, and a 12 yr old). Unfortunately, the preschool area was on the other side of the church. However, there were lots of friendly faces willing to point us in the right direction. Later I was told that my son made the exclamation that the people here must be really rich when we first walked into the building. It had something of the feel of a mall or airport, it was huge. We approached the preschool department and walked though a pair of automatic doors into a large reception area with chairs and couches and a small saltwater aquarium. The older children thus engaged in talking to Nemo and Dorie, we proceeded to register 6 of our 10 children for the nursery. There were polite people manning computers who entered our information and printed security labels were handed over to us. I also noted a huge room devoted to stroller parking. I dropped off my twins and the two 4 yr old girls. The baby nursery had plenty of cribs and swings and exersaucers and several nursery workers. We head across a small street to drop off my boy in the elementary wing, and a mysterious marking on the map suddenly makes sense. In studying a map of the campus I saw the label--preschool valet parking. And there it was. Under an overpass, you unload your children, hand over your keys, and someone parks your car for you in a nearby lot. And you are right in between the preschool and elementary buildings. I enquired and you do not have to be a member to avail yourself of this service. Just drive up. If you've every hauled ten children though a mega church you will understand the spot of joy this brings to your small existence.

With all the little ones safely tucked into their respective classes, we trek back to the main sanctuary. We missed the worship(we tried to get there 30 minutes early, but someone was late meeting me because her children we uncooperative, but that's okay), but caught the tail end of a special song. It was quite good. The main service is accompanied by a huge choir and orchestra. The main pastor is currently on a sabbatical, so there was a guest speaker. He was a revivalist, so he spoke about getting saved. If I wasn't already I probably would be now. It was by far one of the best sermons on that topic I have heard. We were sitting in the upper balcony so I was intrigued at the altar call to note that the people who came forward were led off to the side doors, where I saw later that there was an altar counseling room. The next service started soon, and as it was advertised to have a praise band instead of the orchestra, we decided to try it out, too. So we made sure the little ones were okay and went to the chapel for the beginning of the second service. It was a typical praise band service, but a little short. So we left and collected all the info we could find on the various ministries. Then we went to pick up the little guys. This time we noticed the glass looking into the nursery rooms, so we looked in on the twins. They were having a great time. Because it was between services, the doors into the nursery wing were locked. One of the funnier things we noted was a man pushing around a gigantic "stroller" that held 6-8 kids. My sister asked about it, and they go around and get the crying babies and push them around the halls until they calm down. There is also an indoor playground, so rain doesn't keep everyone cooped up.

Overall we were very impressed by the efficiency shown by such a large entity. So there were lots of pros and some cons. On the con list is that it is a baptist church. But since I attended a baptist college, I think I can manage to keep my charismatic leanings mostly under wrap. But it being a baptist church is also on the pro list, since that sort of sits in the middle of the splitcat/fiorinda religious continuum. The sheer size is a little daunting, but the church I attended as a child had at least 2ooo members, so it is not unfamiliar territory. The worship is not what I am accustomed to, but I can live with that. Besides, anyone is welcome to join the orchestra. I could be involved in music again. I was very impressed with all that is available for the children. Wed. nights they have Awanna, which focuses on scripture memorization, as well as a children's choir. During the school year the children can attend Sunday school as well as children's church. There is a host of Sunday school classes for adults. One is even taught by a major state politician.

Is it the church of my dreams. Not really. But it does seem to meet the current needs of all my family members. I may visit around to some other churches, and I will definitely visit there a lot more, especially once the pastor comes back. It would be nice to attend church as a family and to meet some people in our basic age group who don't live too far away. I find it completely out of character to myself to even be considering this move, since I have been steadily been moving away from the mainstream of late, but I can't just consider my own needs anymore. I know where I can go to get what I am looking for in books and online. But the really solid foundation I was given as a child really made a difference in my life, and I want that for my children. Unfortunately, a lot of smaller churches simply don't have the manpower or funds. And yes, I do work on teaching my children biblical principles, but sometimes children learn better from other people that aren't me.

Like doing surveys? Here's one for Bethany House Publishers for letting them know which book cover you like out of three, and why you feel that way. It was interesting.

I've been meaning to post some pics of my little escape artist, aka Baby M or Twin A.

Stuck trying to crawl between the furniture

Maybe I can climb over this way
I shouldn't have eaten all that honey
Maybe I should just climb over
He can actually climb halfway up the side of his pack-n-play. I've lost count of how many times I've had to rescue this one from a place he has climbed or gotten himself stuck, trying to escape. Last night they worked together and made enough space to get out. I was with splitcat at the computer and turned because I heard a noise, and there he was, playing happily with the forbidden toys of his elder siblings. Baby M just stood at the opening looking from his brother to me. He wasn't sure if it was worth the risk. None of my other children were this escape oriented. Soon he'll be making his brother get in a crawling position so he can stand on his back. I think it's time to re-childproof.

I suppose I should post something

It's been two weeks since my last post. I feel like I'm confessing or something.

I spent all my evenings last week at a conference. It was good. I really enjoyed the worship band--Dayna Varga. It was kind of a weird week. I had a 1-2 hr drive every night to get to the conference. I took baby W. with me a couple of nights. He liked it.

The summer is rapidly coming to a close. It goes by too fast. We are all finally into some kind of routine. The babies have finally settled into a structured routine, but still wake up in the night sometimes. I suppose I better start planning their 1yr retrospective soon. Has it really been a year?


The boy and girl are both well.


Life's basically boring at the moment. Which is good. I guess.

Here is some twin mayhem for you

Aren't I Cute?

Baby W defeating our defense system around the fireplace Fearless big brother, Curious little brother

Who turned off the lights? Ahh, that's better

As you can see, things can get pretty busy around here. W. can't stop climbing. You can see it in his eyes.....must climb....must climb.....MUST CLIMB!!! Baby M. went through a must eat phase. He stole all my french fries one Sunday at Sonny's BBQ. The next Sunday he tried to eat my burrito. He seems to have calmed down a bit now.

An Anniversary of Sorts

This week marks Splitcat and I's fourteenth year together. Our official wedding anniversary will be in September and will celebrate our 12th year of marriage.


How did the Chintzibobs first meet?(I think I've talked about some of this previously, but this is the complete story)


My first real recollection of meeting splitcat was when I was 14. I was playing my flute at my youth pastor's wedding, and splitcat was a groomsman. He was almost 20. He says he remembers me from the rehearsal when someone told him I liked poetry and he remembers me standing in the hallway talking.


I would occasionally see him at Metro Bible Study at Mount Paran North. But I will here admit that it was his friend with the skater hair that tended to catch my attention. Anyway. I would see him around town at concerts and stuff. Then right before my 17th birthday he was a groomsman in my sister's wedding. We did not, however, walk down the aisle together. He says he did not recognize me at first but thought I was growing up well once he knew who I was.


Later that summer I saw him while on my first and only date in high school. I went with a guy in youth group to Innerseeds, a christian rock festival in Atlanta, we went to see his best friend who was in a heavy metal band. We were walking around the grounds and I saw Splitcat walk by. I was surprised when he gave me a nod of recognition. I think I smiled back. Then after we had walked past, we both turned around and looked back at one another.


That December, he graduated from college and moved back home. It was my senior year of high school. For reasons I've never gotten a good answer for, he started coming to my church every Sunday. He had a lot of old friends there and had once attended with his family. He started working with my brother-in-law and hanging out with us and attending Young Adults, where my parents were in charge and I was always around. I think it was a month before I finally heard him speak. We both liked Daniel Amos, so that gave us a starting point for conversations. Oddly enough, we quickly became friends. I, being the 17 yr old I was, of course developed a huge crush, but I knew it was better to be his friend. Plus I was embroiled in a three year unrequited love mess at school. So I got over it. But meanwhile I was going to a bible study for young ladies on the Proverbs 31 woman, and the leader was encouraging those of us who were unmarried to pray that God would reveal our husbands to us at the right time.


That time came sooner than I expected. It was the night of my brother-in-law's 25th birthday. Sam, the dog, was having some potty issues, and I was the designated dogwalker. Almost everyone had arrived, and Sam needed me again. We were standing in the middle of the front yard when splitcat pulled up in his tan hyundai. When he got out of the car and started walking up the driveway it felt like forever. I don't know any better way to explain it. I didn't hear an audible voice or anything, I just knew that I would always be there to meet him. I struggled with this feeling for some time after that. I hard a hard time believing it. I was not in love with him and our friendship was continuing to grow.

Then my brother-in-law decided to stick his nose in my business. But I guess I should thank him, because otherwise things may have turned out differently. Several months had gone by and I was slowly falling in love, not just having a crush. My b-i-l took it upon himself to inform splitcat that I might be in love with him and to be careful since I was so much younger. I remember this occasion well. We had been bowling and I usually rode with splitcat, but when we were leaving I was forced into my sister's car while her husband rode with splitcat. I was peeved. I knew I had been manipulated, but I didn't know why.

So then, my seemingly ever-present b-i-l decided that this other girl was perfect for splitcat. I believe the reasoning was that she liked to read. He sent them on a walk at a retreat and they all went canoeing down the hooch. Was I jealous? A little. But she and I were friends so on a different retreat(perhaps the worst retreat ever-but for other reasons) we talked about it. I told her I wasn't sure of my feelings, but not to let me get in the way if she was really interested. I'm not really sure how the whole thing fizzled out, but it did. The girl moved on to marry the boy with the skater hair. So it all worked out ok.

But because of my b-i-l's interference, splitcat began to consider me in a different light. He attended my final band concert where I performed a solo( a whole song!) and he came to my graduation.

Then came that fateful day. It was the 4th of July party for our church, held, ironically enough, at the previously mentioned girl's family home. It was a day of softball and fun. And it changed my life. We somehow ended up alone in the living room. Splitcat said he needed to talk to me. Anytime someone says that to me, I panic. He told me that it had been brought to his attention that I might have feelings toward him and he wondered if that were true. I kind of equivocated, not sure where the conversation was going. I told him that yes, at one time I had feelings for him and left it open as to my current feelings. Then, much to my surprise, while I was waiting for him to say, I'm sorry, but I don't think of you that way, he said he really liked me and wanted to know if I would consider dating him. I was completely floored. I may have even cried. People started coming in the house, so we went outside to a quiet spot. I told him I would love to date him, but because of our age difference he would have to talk to my parents, but it was a definite yes from me. And thus began what I call "The Summer of the Mosquitoes." While we were sitting talking we were attacked by hundreds of mosquitoes, but neither of us wanted to leave.

He spoke to my parents and they gave us their ok, but we decided to not tell anyone right away. It was strange to think of ourselves as a couple, I think. Our first unofficial date was to Innerseeds. The same event from the previous summer where we had turned to look back at one another. It was outside, and we got bitten by lots of mosquitoes. Our first official date was about a week later, almost exactly 4 yrs from my youth pastor's wedding, where he first remembers meeting me. We went first to Oxford Too. A used bookstore in Buckhead(sadly, it no longer exists). Then he took me to Cafe Intermezzo, a dessert place. When we were leaving, he checked the time to see if we had time for one more thing, and we did. And he took me to a park on the river. It was a beautiful night, a fog was rolling in off the river and it was late enough to be cool outside. We could hear the horses across the river. And, of course, there were mosquitoes.