Sad

When I worked as a reporter for newspapers, I loved my job.
It was so great to always be meeting new people, to hear new stories, to learn new perspectives, to see the world in a slightly different way.
And these days, I'm thinking that maybe I missed my calling & should've been a political reporter - I feel as though I am truly able to see things from many perspectives. The topic fascinates me greatly and sure, I have my own biases, but I feel as though I could be pretty darn objective.

But my job right now can't get much better. Sure there are issues there (where aren't there?) but the benefits are too many to count. When working for a newspaper, I was doing all kinds of stories (news, feature, etc.) every day, which I loved. Working for a magazine, however, the pace is much slower. You have more time to dig deeper, to get to know people a little better, to get more of their story. And for this particular magazine - I share a common tapestry with all of them.

In college, a friend told me that I always got too attached to my stories. I guess I still do. Which makes it that much harder when tragedy hits the "subjects." Today I learned that one of the liveliest women I've ever met - and one of my favorite interviews in how many years - has weeks to live, at best - her cancer has returned with a vengeance. Her children asked for extra magazine copies to display at her funeral.

Karen, thanks for welcoming so many to the Table of Plenty.
http://www.malonemagazine.com/fall-2008/come-to-the-table-of-plenty

The tour of "No"

Yesterday, Dominic's grandma came over for dinner.
After dinner, Mike & I went upstairs to pay bills (oh, the exciting life of newish parents!) while Little D kept Grandma entertained.
He decided to take her on the tour of "No." He led her over to the bookshelf by the mantle, climbed up onto the bottom shelf, and shook his head "No."
Then he led her over to the French door with a register behind it. He picked up the register cover, shook his head "No" and put the register back down.
Then he took her to an electrical outlet, touched a cord, and shook his head "No."
Then he went to the tv, pretended to push the button, and shook his head, "No."
Finally he led her into the kitchen, persuaded her to give him sippy cup of milk (which she happily obliged), marched back to the living room, sat down, took a big gulp of milk, and gave her an ornery grin. He was done!

Just in case...

Just in case anyone finds me on here rather than Facebook and you don't know yet... Michael & I are having another boy.
We're still working on a name, and think we've found one, but we're still mulling it over for a while.
Meanings of names are very important to me - Dominic Michael means "Belonging to God" and "Who is Like God?"

Here's a hint: the name that we're considering means "God has Remembered" and "Beloved" (We're pretty sure this will be the middle name regardless). Another choice we're considering means "Watchful one" and would be significant to both Mike and me for multiple reasons. Email me if you think you know what they are (hee, hee!).

Hope you all are well!

amber

THREE days in a row?

Advice, please.

So when you have a very ornery, very curious one-year-old boy who is into EVERYTHING - especially things that plug in and glow and have cords and that he's not supposed to touch... what do you do about a Christmas tree?

Thanks!

- amber

How 'bout this - two days in a row!

snowflakes

Okay, so sorry fam, for those of you who check this blog every day (?) to see that the last time I posted was October 2. Sorry!

Life has been a little - okay a lot - nuts lately - especially these past few weeks - and this upcoming week, I think there is something happening every single night. That would be why I'm updating this blog at 11:31, I guess.

As a fun note, Dominic enjoyed snowflakes today as we rushed from the car to church (I was late, of course, so I had to park at the library down the street... he got to experience quite a lot of them!). The last time it was snowing, he was, of course, being toted around in his little cocoon carrier, snuggled beneath lots of layers. So he was very curious about them, and tasted a few. He was behaved himself for most of the service, but decided he'd had enough in the last few minutes. So he wriggled out of my arms and crawled underneath the pew (I sit in the back row) and off he went! Of course, I was right behind him, and he was off to play with the other toddlers.

I think most of you have seen Dom's birthday photos - but if not, here's a link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017696&l=6cfb9&id=160801690, and of course, there's one on this post.

Another Playdate

My friend Madeleine & I were playing in the "forest."
My favorite things to play with were the outlet plugs, but Mommy wouldn't let me.
So this log was my second favorite.















I liked this dragon in the forest, too. So did Madeleine.

We had fun together.