Little Brothers

Isn't this picture the epitome of being a big sister? Maggie is standing next to Nikki and Jerry's wedding cake smiling and trying to keep her brother still. Patrick wants nothing to do with taking a picture. He just wants to DANCE.

Maggie is very patient and protective of her little brother. She does get aggravated with him at times. He takes her stuff and runs through the house. He grabs her blanket and taunts her with it before running away. He wants to play with whatever she has. He is always trying to get into her room to destroy something.

Sometimes, Maggie gets fed up and can't take it anymore.And I try to tell her that I completely understand. I had a brother who was 5 years younger than me. He was annoying. But, now, he is a great friend. I've been trying to explain this to her. She will eventually find him to be a good friend and not just an annoyance.

She looks at me like I'm crazy.

But, I see glimpses of their future relationship. They have been playing a game where they go on a train. Patrick is the conductor and has a whistle. Maggie makes up adventures for them to take. They hide behind the big chair in the living room and give us tickets for the next train ride.

This works for me cause I just have to sit on the couch while they drive the train.

I pray that they will have a good relationship and that they are laying down the ground work for a good relationship as adults. I just have to keep reminding Maggie that it's a good thing to have a little brother.

Christmas break

Maggie had a different break from school than the usual get out of school the week before Christmas and have the week after Christmas off this year. She got out of school on the Thursday before Christmas and doesn't go back until tomorrow.

I have really loved it. I had a week off of work before she got out of school so I could finish up lose ends and wrap presents and that was great. Then, during the week after Christmas, we were all at home. But, I didn't have to work and I just got to hang out with the kids without the looming feeling of "oh crap, I should be working right now". We all slept late and played and went to the Machado's house to jump on the trampoline.

This past week was Nikki and Jerry's wedding, which was one of the most fun receptions that I've been to. Patrick was a dancing machine and Maggie was beautiful. Then, Patrick started going back to Miss Sandee's house and I started back to work. Maggie has been joining me at Starbucks during these mornings. She plays on her phone and draws pictures.

She has today off from school and goes back tomorrow. It's been one of the best school breaks that we've had so far. Just enough time together. I got a break from work. Steven's been working from home some and we've just enjoyed being together and playing with Copper and watching tv.

I guess I'm ready to go back to the real world tomorrow of getting up on time and getting everyone dressed, but it's been nice to be in this bubble for the past few weeks.

Being married to a pastor

There is no way to get all of my thoughts on this into one blog. So, I'll just start here and maybe be brave enough to hit the publish post button. Why is my heart beating so fast? Oh yeah, cause I hate controversy.

I can think of no other job where a husband's job determines so much about a wife.

I'm married to a man who is a pastor. I love him. I love that he is doing what he loves. I love that he is a  pastor. But, I would love him if he wasn't pastoring.

I don't like that his job defines me.

This has nothing to do with the people at our church right now. They are wonderful and like me for me.

I remember when Steven was interviewing for this job. He asked me what other questions he should ask them. I immediately said, "what expectations do they have for the pastor's wife?"

So, during the interviewing process, Steven asked this question to the group and I remember Daniel answering. He said, "we want her to be an active member of our church. We don't have any other expectations of her."

And I breathed a  sigh of relief.

Fortunately, this has been true. I mean, there have been some funny moments where people ask me about playing the piano, but that's for another blog.

I guess I find it frustrating when I meet people for the first time and they find out that I'm a "pastor's wife" and they apologize for cussing earlier. I don't tell people what Steven does for a living. I don't volunteer that information. I hate it when they start acting different around me. Or making a big deal about his job.

I don't make a big deal out of what their husband does for a living. I know that it's really just their insecurities coming out, but it's always awkward. And it makes me feel uncomfortable.

So, that's all I have for right now. I mean, there's more to this subject. I just want to be given more than just the "pastor's wife" title. There's more to me than that.

My artist

Maggie's been going with me to Starbucks this week while Patrick goes to Sandee's house. She takes colors and paper and her "new" iPhone and works while I am working. Luckily, it's an easy week for me, so I'm able to get the work done and talk to her at the same time.

Last Wednesday, she drew this picture for the lady who usually takes our order. The lady is so nice and knows Maggie's name and that Maggie gets a tall black iced tea with no sweetner.

Maggie got out her art supplies and drew this for her. The lady hugged her and thanked her.

Then, Friday, when we got to Starbucks, Maggie's picture was hanging up on the community bulletin board.

My little artist is getting famous!

Maggie's thoughts during Tron

We are watching Tron Legacy tonight. Maggie is inserting her words of wisdom during the movie.

Here's a few of her thoughts:

What if every night in heaven is movie night?

What if we get to eat spaghetti every night in heaven?

I asked Maggie what happened to the main character's mom. She said, "Mommy, it's a disney movie. All the mommies die in Disney movies".

Isn't that hilarious? First of all, she knew it was a disney movie. Secondly, what 7 year old puts that all together? Third of all, why do all the mommies die in disney movies? What's up with that?

We're only halfway through the movie. I'll let you know if any other words of wisdom are spouted out.

Super Pat Pat

We were watching the Incredibles last night. Patrick wanted a cape, so I went into his room and got this for him. Patrick ran around the room to make the cape fly.

This was Jonathan's cape when he was little. So, I texted Jonathan to let him know that his cape was still being used to fight evil in Northern California.

Jonathan texted back: That's fine, but make sure he knows that it's mine.

Babies

Patrick is starting to really notice and talk about babies. When we pass a stroller, he looks inside and says "aww" at them.

There are twin babies at Miss Sandee's house that he talks about. Ezra came over the other night and Patrick was playing with him and kept saying "aww" over and over again.

We went to In and Out burger last weekend and we saw a mom pushing a stroller. Patrick pointed to the stroller and said, "awww...baby".

I asked him if he liked babies and he said "yes".

Then, I asked him if he wanted Mommy to have a baby.

Without hesitation, he said "NO!".

(Patrick contemplating a baby)