Whoops

Wow I haven't posted in a long time.

J has been out of town for 2 weeks tomorrow. I'm just not myself when he's not here. I don't eat as well, I don't sleep as well and evidently I don't blog.

And I'm posting from our old computer because we might have to get another new hard drive. And I didn't even drop the computer this time! Or do anything else. Its totally not my fault. I hope.

When my computer is running, I let Kiran watch You Tube videos of songs on this one. She calls it her "payter"

Some wonderful friends of ours watched the girls last night so I could go to a precious wedding. This morning when Kiran woke up, she exclaimed "You came back!"

I got a pair of awesome denim trousers (Stacy and Clinton would be so proud) this weekend at Ann Taylor Loft for $30. I'm thinking about going back and getting a second pair so I can hem one for flats and one for heels. Is that weird? I like them that much.

I tried on this one shirt and when I walked out of the dressing room my SIL Lauren gasped. She said, 'I wasn't expecting it to look that good." That makes me laugh. I wanted to buy it but it was $60 and I just couldn't find the justification. But you better believe I'll snatch it up when it goes on sale.

Seriously Cute Babies

And I'm not even talking about mine!

Over a month ago (yikes!) the girls and I drove down to see Bren and her babies on her birthday. At the time the babes were (i think) 7 weeks old.

Quinn- a strapping 10 lbs

Riley- doubled her birth weight to 6lbs! Neither of my girls were ever that tiny! I almost threw her the first time I picked her up because she was so light.

Kelley with Quinn (left) and Riley (right)

I was so impressed with Brenna. She had 7 week old twins and she was doing fabulous. I think what impressed me most was that she knew how she wanted to mother and was very confident and secure in that. I don't think I've seen many new moms like that! It was so calming and I know Quinn and Riley are thriving due to that. I don't mean to imply she thought she knew it all or had all the answers but she didn't second guess every decision she had to make.

All the seriously cute babies!

I Lust and I Think

I have been lusting and thinking lately.

I lust after a digital SLR.
And an ipod touch. or an iphone.
a wireless printer
a lighter vacuum (the real question is will it make me want to vacuum more often???)
a new laptop (oh! check! got it!)

I struggle wanting these things. I struggle knowing if I should spend my money on these things. I mean I don't think its a sin to have an iphone (for instance) but its hard for me to justify the extra $25 a month on that when $25 a month is 78% of what you need per month to sponsor a Compassion child. According to Compassion's website, $32 a month provides food, clean water, medical care, education opportunities, life-skills and an opportunity to hear about Jesus Christ and develop a life-long relationship with God.

So... internet access on my cell phone/ipod/planner or all those opportunities for a child in a third world country?

I really really struggle with these things. Constantly. Ever since we moved back from overseas, I hesitate before buying anything and ask myself these questions such as Is it necessary? Is it wise? Is there a better way that this money could be spent? [Put down the Reese's Cup, Kelley] I don't think asking such questions is wrong but it can be rather paralyzing.

I guess I haven't figured out how to reconcile the parts of the world that I have seen with the affluence we live in here in America. I wonder if I'll ever be able to reconcile these warring desires this side of heaven. I want these things that make life more enjoyable, more fun, more efficient but I want to be sure I'm honoring God with the money He's entrusted to me.

Reasons #420 & #421 Why I Love My New Computer

I can do things like this:

Kiran in pink bathing suit around 10 months old

Sienna in pink bathing suit around 10 months old

And I can do things like this:

Kiran summer '07

Kiran summer '08

Kiran summer '09

I love having enough space to store all my photos on my computer!

Ignorance is Bliss

I'm back on my new laptop. The new hard drive arrived this morning and Jonathan reinstalled everything tonight. I spent the last two days using my old laptop (which Kiran has taken to calling her pater [computer]) and it was very tortuous. It is so incredibly slow which never bothered me until I had a few days on my very fast computer.

We only lost about 10 days worth of "work"- blog book editing, budget updating, photos- but I've learned my lesson. I'm going to start backing up every day. Starting tomorrow.

I have a little tutoring job and I've been saving up my money to buy a digital SLR camera. But lately I've really been thinking about the Ipod Touch. Question: Which should I buy first? dSLR or Ipod touch?

No Podcasts Today

I will not be listening to any podcasts today.

Last night I dropped our not-even-two-weeks-old computer and it broke. Now windows won't start.

I'm not even kidding. I couldn't make this up if I tried.

(oh and I was attacked by a dog on my first early morning 5K training run. a small dog but a dog nonetheless.)

Podcasts

I have discovered the joy of podcasts.

My girls take a nap at the same time in the afternoon (ok Kiran only sleeps half the time but she "takes a rest" for 1.5 hours on the days she doesn't sleep). I have just realized the joy of listening to podcasts while working around the house. I can only do this now because I have a laptop whose battery does not quit after 1.3 minutes. So I'm carrying my computer around bringing Mark Driscoll or Dave Ramsey with me as I change the sheets on the bed and mop the bathroom floor. Its made those menial, repetetive tasks so much more enjoyable because my mind is stimulated.

So I'm asking for suggestions- do you listen to any podcasts? Which ones? I am open to any topic really but I enjoy thinking about Jesus. At least most of the time. Sometimes its convicting and that's not really enjoyable. Anyhow- give me some good podcasts to listen to! Thanks!