Shopping and other random things

I woke up feeling energy-less and not ready to start the week. To make it worse, Brooke woke up at 7:30 (about an hour earlier than usual), which made it so I didn't have time to shower or clean up the breakfast mess. I hate starting a Monday feeling behind. I managed to shower and clean up the breakfast dishes; meanwhile, Brooke made a mess of EVERY room of the house. So I gave up... I left the mess alone and went to Target. Shopping is therapeutic for me when I'm stressed or down! I think I must be nesting because I'm badly wanting to finish decorating my house. I came home with rugs for the guest bathroom and a runner for the dining room table. Matt is SO not impressed with the runner. If it's not practical, then he thinks it's not needed in the house. But he's tolerating it because I told him that it made me happy. :)  I grew up in a house where everything was decorated perfectly (and was always clean and organized). Now I live with a man that doesn't care too much about decorating ("why did you buy new rugs for the bathroom? There was a rug in there." --yeah, that thin, cheap, tan rug really matched our black and white decor.) But we compromise well, and he puts up with my occasional splurges.  I'm very blessed to be married to him!

Saturday was my official last day to nurse Brooke. The boppy is away! The nursing bras are gone! (sorry for the details... I'm very excited about this!) Yes, I know I'm going to start over soon. But I feel like I've passed a big milestone with Brooke. She's no longer a baby... quickly becoming a toddler. Plus, because she never took a bottle or a pacifier, I'm done weaning. Give her "blankie" and put her in bed with "Lamb-y," "Mr. Bear," and "Pooh," and she puts herself to sleep. Such a good feeling!

On to more serious issues... so yesterday, Matt and I officially joined New Life Church. Yes, I enjoy the church, but I'm still sad about leaving Summit. Even now, I sometimes dream about going back. But then I remember how hard it was to get involved, living 25 miles away, with a toddler that doesn't like to be restrained in a carseat. I remember how hard it was for Matt to invite co-workers ("hey, you want to come to church with me Sunday? Oh, by the way, it's a 30 min drive.") And so I'm reminded why we did it. But then, right after we turned in the official paperwork to join, we sit down for yesterday's sermon.. and it's being preached by the pastor's WIFE! Okay, it's for Mother's Day. It's specifically for women. But it still made Matt and I uncomfortable. How far will the church go to be trendy? I don't want answers or disparaging comments from people. I know this is a hot-button issue and I have facebook friends on all sides of the "fundamental" to "evangelical" spectrum. I'm just being honest about how I feel, and what I'm facing. We prayed before we joined. Matt felt a peace; I felt increasing peace (maybe because Matt is comfortable there and I respect him as my spiritual leader). Everything we've seen from the church so far has been Biblical. They have always been solid on what I consider black and white issues. So, Matt and I determined to pray, to not become automatically judgmental, and continue to trust that God led us to New Life for a reason. We just started volunteering in the nursery, so it's hard to leave now. And I really do want to be able to get involved in a local church... despite that fact, that I've been attending New Life for 9 months and have yet to get involved.  Hopefully, soon...

Okay, laundry is calling, so I'm off. Hope everyone who reads this is well!