The Man is the CEO

As a couple of friends have recently blogged about the role of women in the church, the workplace and the home, I thought I would share a story, and see what you thought.

A little while back I was visiting a stay-at-home mom friend for the day with my kids. I was there pretty early in the morning - before her husband left for work - and was planning to stay through dinner. It was going to be a fun day of chatting as moms in similar life situations, and watching our kids play with each other, which didn't happen often enough. I sure wasn't thinking much about cleaning and cooking that day. It was just gonna be fun and relaxing.

The husband came downstairs ready for work. He kissed his kids good-bye, kissed my friend good-bye, and headed for the door. He turned around just before his final exit and said to my friend, "Oh, and I expect the house to be clean by the time I get home." I laughed out loud, thinking it was a joke. I was the only one laughing (woops!), and my friend said lovingly and with a smile, "Okay, honey." Oh, okay. Was that for real? I guess it was.

What I had thought was a joke was not meant to be funny at all. That was just the way it worked in their house. While my friend is in charge of keeping the house, she's sort of just the manager while her husband is the CEO of the home. I understand that this is the way some families work, but I was surprised to find myself in the middle of that.

What are your thoughts on this situation?

Caleb's Castle Stories

Back in October, Caleb was really into the movie Shrek. He also enjoys writing stories, so he had a couple to write about castles. Here they are...oh, and they are best read aloud and with a British accent.

THE CASTLE
Nobody's allowed to get out of the castle. They are locked in there forever. Nobody is gonna come and rescue them. Everyone is locked in their homes. I love them to be locked in there forever. The Prince Truth is to give a kiss to Princess Fiona. I love them to be a prince - Princess Fiona. The dragon will blow fire and smoke out of his mouth and nose and ears. He would think that he would kill everybody. If it was true love, they would give a kiss to the castle birds. To think that they won't have anything to eat or drink, or to go outside and ride their bikes and strollers. I love them to be out of there now - to give a kiss to everybody, and a hug!

THE END

THE CASTLE (#2)
This is a river and the castle is on top of it. Nobody is allowed to get out. The thing is, that if somebody would kiss somebody else, or a hug, it would be true love. By then a big rainstorm bug came in and something new came out of his ears, and it was a frog. If true love would kiss a Cheerio, it would give a hug to the true love. If they kiss a dragon, they would kiss a frog. This is a really silly story. If they kiss paper, they would kiss a cup of water. If true love would kiss a paper, then true love would kiss a wallet ticket. True love would kiss a Cheerio box, and a sock. It's a really...silly...story.

THE END

Things Are Looking Good

Well, it's been a long time - too long, I think. The last 5 weeks have been pretty miserable for me. This pregnancy has brought on some nasty sickness lasting all day, every day. UGH! Tomorrow will bring me to the 11 week mark, and I've noticed over the last few days that the sickness is beginning to subside. Phew! Now it's pretty good during the day, and gets bad again in the evenings - that's bearable. BUT, before being able to feel the baby kick and move, this is the best indicator that everything is okay inside, so I'll take it! Also, I can feel my little uterus growing down low in my belly. That seems to make this all seem more real. It's still hard to believe we're having another baby! Can't wait to meet our under 9 pound little girl...that's what you guys concluded for us, anyway. Whatever we have, and however much he or she weighs (I can say that because I'm having a c-section!), the baby will be a wonderful blessing!

Today Jon started his long awaited kitchen job. I mentioned before how tense life has been for Jon due to his unemployment since August. He's had jobs here and there, and while this is another of those "here and there" jobs, he's still happy to be working. He's also a bit nervous because he's never installed a kitchen by himself before, but he's such a great worker and I'm confident in his abilities! So, this will be about three weeks of work for him...and three weeks of sanity, too! (That's the best part!) Also, things may be working out for him to do another kitchen, finish a basement and do some other jobs around people's houses. So, things are looking up for him getting some work.

Another new part of today is that Caleb started at a new school. The school that he's been attending since June is a fabulous school, but we came to find out that it is THE MOST expensive school in the area, by far! Oops! We went into it with Massachusetts prices in mind, so at the time of enrollment it sounded reasonable. Boy were we wrong! It was not the place for an unemployed family on WIC...haha! So, he started at a great new school where his Children's Pastor from church is his teacher, and one of his best friends is in the other 4 year old class. Makes for a great transition. He was very excited about it!

About the time Jon's job finishes and after Caleb's first month of school, we will be heading off to Scotland for a month to be with Jon's family. (You may wonder, where is this unemployed family on WIC getting the money to go to Scotland? Jon's extended family has been SO kind to gift us with some finances to help with our airfare, because no, it's not cheap to fly a family of five across the ocean!) The last time we were together was when Hannah was just 6 weeks old, so it will be great to spend some quality time with his parents and sisters and their families. We really miss them! Plus, they have never been around for any of the kids' birthdays. Hannah will turn 1 while we are there, so we're excited to be able to celebrate that special occasion with Jon's family! (And...it's the coast of Scotland, so no matter what we do, it will be beautiful!) We're hoping to leave the kids for a couple days and get away, maybe to Ireland, as a couple. We don't often get to have this opportunity, and what better place to have a few days together?!

So, there are changes happening in our lives, and they are great changes! Thanks to those who have prayed for Jon's job, and for this baby. So far, so good! Oh yeah, and HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!

Below are a couple pictures from Christmas...