This past Sunday, we had a baptism service. I love these times; it's so special to see people commit themselves to starting over.

It reminded me that starting over can be a really good thing. My pastor preached on the necessity of tearing down the old, rotten things to make room for the new, better things that need to be built. I heard that.

I have had a rough year. But I don't need to stay there. I can make it better, and I will, starting now.

By the way, Josh is ONE YEAR OLD in just over two weeks! How awesome is that? He's such a great kid. I am so unbelievably blessed. Anyone who gets to know him is damn lucky, because he's the kind of person you don't easily forget, and who you instantly enjoy.

My ears just started ringing. My mom always said that means someone's talking about you. Hmmm.

It's Friday: Happy Thanksgiving

Today was great because: Wednesday and Thursday, we shut down the Mission and all the staff went on retreat, so then when we came back to work, it was only for one day before we got to go away again for a three-day weekend!

AND

My pastor and I wrote a song together, and he sent me a recording he made of it and I feel all glittery and talented and that's so unusual for me! I have to give credit where it's due here, and acknowledge that he did far more work than me, but still, I got to be part of it! Yay for empowering ministers!

AND

Tomorrow I get to go to a Thanksgiving dinner with Matthew & family; Sunday we're having a Thanksgiving potluck at church; and Monday, I'm going to (hopefully be able to) have Swiss Chalet with Kirstie, which is a tradition we accidentally started a few years ago when she invited me for Thanksgiving dinner but couldn't get a turkey.

and

I miss my mom a great deal. She made the best Thanksgiving dinners. Ever.

Right, so I turned 31 last Saturday. Happy birthday to me! I forgot to mention it, because it's not really a significant birthday. But, it's still important to celebrate each year that we complete, so I did that with lots of chocolate, licorice and grilled cheese sandwiches.

I'm really, really, really tired lately. I don't feel like I'm ever not depleted. I don't seem to ever get enough sleep to "fill up" that need. My energy is low, but my enthusiasm is still going pretty strong. I am enjoying Josh more and more as he learns to play more interactively with me, discover his world and communicate. The best thing about today was hiding behind the couch and having him crawl around the side and squeal with joy when he "found" me. No matter how many times I did it, he still found it hilarious and exciting. That kid is freaking awesome.

He's got these curls now, and they're so lovely, but people keep mistaking him for a girl. I suppose I need to cut his hair, but it's a painful thought. He's not even a year old yet... do I have to say goodbye to his goldilocks so soon? Babies can't get complexes, can they?

I've decided I don't post enough about what's excellent. So here we go (and I'll try to do it regularly), the best thing about today:

Dropping Josh off at daycare, and watching in delight as he and three of his infant-room co-workers sat around an Elmo singing "ABC, easy as 123..." ala The Jackson 5, doing their funky bum-wiggle dance. Then, when he'd finish up his song, they'd look at each other like, "So, who knows how to turn this guy back on?" It was awesome.

Also, seeing photos of Danielle's blossoming baby condo. SO FREAKING GREAT!!!

Happy Monday.

Love,
Maryellen