Book Musings: Finding Calcutta

I'm reading Finding Calcutta: What Mother Teresa Taught Me About Meaningful Work and Service. It is very interesting, written by a professor in her mid forties, about the semester she spent in India. In this books, she frequently address criticisms and accusations against Mother Teresa. When I first read her quoting from Mother's Teresa's biggest critic, a man by the name of Christopher Hitchens, I was shocked. Seriously, you feel the need to criticize Mother Teresa? And then I was just saddened. It seems like the perfect example of the brokenness in our world, that someone would think they were somehow doing something noble in criticizing a woman who dedicated her life to serving the poor.

Another one of her critics, Germaine Greer, called her the "glamour girl of poverty" and said that the Missionaries did nothing to cure poverty in the world, rather just help individual people. Not to get all "starfish on the sand" on you but how can you attack someone for helping people? It makes me want to yell at them, "And what have you done to help anyone?" I suppose Mother Teresa's wouldn't really approve of that attitude...

I was telling Ian that I wanted to get the book by Hitchens, titled The Missionary Position (which I find very offensive), but he cautioned me that it would probably only make me angry. I'm sure that's true. But in church today, when one of the leaders in our church was praying for our congregation, he confessed on behalf of us all that some of us are too angry, and some of us are not angry enough. Perhaps I should be stirred more to the injustices of this world...

A Trip to Disneyland with Grandma

For the first time ever, just my mom and I went to Disneyland (with Ruthie, of course). Lots of times, my parents join me and Ian, or if we're going mid-week, one or both of my sisters come along, but this time, it was just me and Nellie. Both Mary and Sarah's passes are expired (temporarily, they assure us), but we aren't letting that stop our fun. =)

We went on two rides and then had a lovely lunch at the French Market. We also did a little window shopping. We went into the Mad Hatter Shop and had lots of fun trying on various hats. Here is me and Ruthie in a our fancy Minnie headbands:

And here is Grandma and little Ruth Nellie on the tram on the way back. Grandma was very worried she was cold (as you can tell by my mom's hair, the tram really does blow your hair back - literally and figuratively!), hence the Mary, Mother of Jesus, look. 

Man, are we so blessed or what? How many people can spend their Monday morning at the happiest place on Earth? 

This past weekend, we hosted the McCurry and Driskill families in celebration of Grandfather Driskill's 5th wedding anniversary to his wife, Dena. Ian's grandmother died about 6 years ago and his grandfather married again, to a woman who takes great care of him.

Ruthie has met her great grandfather before, when we went over to their house in Baldwin Park, but it was a special treat to have them in our home. And of course, when you are 91, you never know how many more visits you're going to get, so we took a lot of pictures to commemorate. (Sorry, didn't mean for that to sound so morbid...)

Here is Ian, with his Grandfather (my mother in law's dad), and Ruthie, who enjoyed grabbing her Great Grandfather's face.

Ruthie actually has three great grandparents. Isn't that amazing? She hasn't met the other two, my father in law's parents, as they live in Colorado. But hopefully someday soon!

Since we had everyone over, we also decided to get a picture of all the McCurry grandchildren.

Quite a contrast from the 14 on my side, huh? That's Rowan and Finnley, Ian's sister's kids, with Ruthie. Finnley is only 7 weeks old, so she's still working on sitting up. =) Doesn't Ruthie look so dark compared to them? I think of her as pretty fair, but she's got nothing on them! 

Spring Break in Huntington Beach

I know, I know, you hate us. Not only do we have a free place to stay in a gorgeous location, we're on a teacher's schedule and so have the time to go there. Huntington Beach has always been a really special place to me. I have so many memories there: Vacationing as a family from Texas when I was a child, going in high school with friends after we moved here, staying during college with my "posse," coming with Ian for Valentine's Day, etc. So I was REALLY looking forward to going there with Ruthie, to make some memories in that place with her. And the time there did not disappoint. We walked on the pier, we went to the sand, we ate at Sugar Shack, we got donuts - all the usuals that make for a spectacular trip. I so enjoyed the time with Ian, and I also enjoyed the help with Ruthie. It was really nice to be able to go out for a jog while she was down for a nap, since Ian could stay at the cabin with her and read. Everyone was happy!
We also got the opportunity to try out our new stroller - we found a BOB on Craig's at a consignment store for a pretty good price. It is amazing, I have to say. Ian and I took turns pushing it with just our pinkies.

It was sort of an epic process to get down to the sand - stroller, blanket, Bjorn, shade tent, etc., but we made it. After we'd been there for about 30 minutes, Ian turns to me and says, "About ready to go?" Ahh, gone are the days of the five hour layout sessions.

Ruthie got her bath in the kitchen sink - so cute!

We have already booked a week at summer (cue the envy) and I can't wait!

Easter

This post is a little late, I know, but since a certain Grandmother, who shall go unnamed, recently asked about Easter pictures, I felt I should at least get these up. In doing so, I noticed something very striking - now that we have Ruthie, we pretty much don't have any pictures of anyone else. I guess I always knew that would happen (since Ian and I haven't been in any of the vacation photos, Christmas photos, etc. for years, since we didn't have kids) but I didn't realize how quickly!
Anyway, we went to my parents house for Easter dinner, as I mentioned previously, and had a great time. We planned on 41 of us attending, but pink eye kept two members of Mary's family at home. However, we still had a good crowd with my immediate family, my aunt, Ian's sister and family, a few friends from church, one of Ian's co-workers and some long time family friends from Texas. It was a really nice time.

Also, as anticipated, Ruthie had her first Easter egg hunt. My mom spread out a blanket for the babies, and had a basket ready for each kid. Ruthie and her two littlest cousins, Finnley and Clare, got the blanket to themselves. As the big girl in that crowd, Ruthie didn't have too much competition in getting the eggs. Or it could be that as first time parents, we were much more into it than Mary and Heather, so we placed more eggs in Ruthie's hands. I'll let you decide.

We also grabbed a photo of the three little girls born in the last few months. Here are the three babies and mommies!



And here is one of just me and Ruthie. I still can't really believe I have a daughter.

Here's one of the whole family - I guess we should have realized the shade would cause a few issues, but hey, we're still new at this. I think we did pretty good.

Next Easter, those bigger kids better watch out. Ruth Nellie is looking to be a fierce contender!

Thinking About Baby #2

No, nothing like that. We're definitely not ready to start trying. But the other day, I had a flashback to what it felt like during the year we were trying to get pregnant the first time. I had a momentary sensation of those feelings of anxiety, fear, sadness, anger and disappointment. And it made me really nervous for when we start trying again. But, as Ruthie came in God's perfect timing, I know I have to trust and believe.

But I had another revelation when I was thinking about what it felt like to be trying. I remembered the longing to get pregnant and have a child and I realized, as I sat there thinking about it, that I really didn't even know what I was longing for. Now that Ruthie is here and I can hold her in my arms and kiss her and nurse her and play with her, it's almost like the longing I did before wasn't sufficient. Does that make sense? But how could I long appropriately, when I didn't know all the places of my heart that Ruthie would fill? Seriously, what did I love before she came? (Yes, of course, Ian, but you know what I mean.)

Naturally, the realization that now, if it takes us a long time to get pregnant again, my longing will perhaps be MUCH MORE intense, was a little worrisome. It was hard before and I didn't truly understand what I was longing for. Now that I do know, will I be able to handle it if the answer is again "Wait"? I hope so.

Help me, Lord, to be patient and to trust in your goodness, which has always far exceeded my meager faith.

Christ Is Risen

He is risen indeed! We just got home from Easter service at our church. I love Easter service. I know that Christ is alive everyday, but there is something very wonderful about declaring it victoriously as a church body on Easter morning. Alleluia!

We had a wonderful service of celebrating Jesus' victory of sin and death and soon, Ian, Ruthie and I will be making our way to Brea, where we will continue celebrating with our family. God's goodness is so abundant to us and we are so thankful.

But first, a few Easter musings.

During this time of year, I sense a little pressure to really "feel" Easter. I was talking about it with Ian yesterday while we were walking down by the beach. I know Easter is the biggest holiday of the year and so at times, I place on myself certain expectations for how I should respond to it. However, yesterday just felt like a regular Saturday. I couldn't seem to conjure up any thoughts about the day after Good Friday, the day before Easter.

But today - oh, today! It just came naturally. I felt praise and thanksgiving bubbling out of me without any expecation or pressure. My joy and desire to celebrate Christ's victory seemed the only logical response to the triumph of resurrection Sunday.

I was particularly struck by one of the verses that was part of worship today (1 John 4:10): "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as an antoining sacrifice for our sins." Amen!

On this Easter Sunday, I hope all of you are basking in the glory of the risen Lord, and enjoying time with family.

On a lighter note, Ruthie is gearing herself up for her first Easter egg hunt - should be quite the spectacule. We have 17 kids for the hunt. And her Easter dress is to die for! Be back later with pictures!

But just because I can't help myself - Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!!

Baking Boo

I normally really love baking, but today I almost had a breakdown. I am making the dessert for Easter tomorrow - we're having 41 people at my parents house. I had a good time reading my recipes and finding a good "Eastery" one. I landed on a spice cake with cream cheese frosting, a mix of two recipes.

Anyway, the recipe called for two 9 inch pans, but I really like the way bundt pans look (so fancy!) and I read in the reviews of the cake that one of the ladies had made it in a bundt pan and it turned out great. So I greased and floured my bundt pan.

And...FAILURE!

I almost cried when it came out (or didn't come out). Ian tried to convince me it was okay, that I could piece it together and frost over it, but I couldn't take a lumpy, clumpy cake to Easter dinner! Seeing my dismay, Ian suggested we just go buy a cake. To that I responded that I'd rather take a lumpy, clumpy cake! Ahh, if only I wasn't so proud...

So, start over I did. And this time, I stuck to the recipe.

I triple floured and greased and - success! Yay!! Let's just hope I can get it to Brea in one piece!

I'll be back tomorrow with an Easter post!

Reason Number 2,362 I Love Disneyland

If you've been around this blog, then you know that I love Disneyland. I don't know that I would go so far as to say it's the happiest place on earth (I might reserve that title for our home!), but I do love me some Magic Kingdom.

Last Friday was Cesar Chavez Day (you didn't even know there was such a day, did you?). Given that Ian works at a charter school whose charter is social justice, he had it off. (Three cheers for Malcom X Day, coming up in the middle of May!). Anyway, point is, it we went to Disneyland, since we like to go every chance we can get, especially when it is a work day for most other people. Friday also happens to be the day my parents take off, so we invited them to join us. I love going to Disneyland with my parents - for one, it's where we told them Ruthie was coming, so it holds sentimental value. Also, it's great to get some one on one time with them to chat while we wait in the lines. It's fun to see them with Ruthie, too. While Ian holds her in the Bjourn, they just talk to her and admire her. Who doesn't love to have their child admired? And of course, they buy special treats. =) Since we've been down to one income, we have stopped buying special treats at Disneyland. (Side note - this was actually not as hard as I thought it would be. We bring snacks from home and it's almost just as good!). But, it is one of the nice things about going with Mom and Dad.

Anyway, we had a great time with them on Friday. We rode Peter Pan and Mr. Toad's, and then took a lunch break. They treated us to some delicious food in Fantasy Land. Then we hit up Pirates of the Caribbean. Very fun.

After that, Ian and I wanted to go on Haunted Mansion. They decided to pass on that ride, but instead, went to a cafe in New Orleans Square to get coffee and beignets (fried dough with powered sugar). And of course, when we got off the ride and met up with them, my dad rushed off to buy us some coffee and beignets. They were delicious. More to the point of this post, they were shaped like Mickeys. Doesn't that just make your heart happy? I love the little details that Disneyland thinks of.

It's a bit hard to see in this photo, but here they are, in all their yumminess and cuteness:


Yay for special treats, yay for generous parents and yay for Mickey shaped fried dough!

I'm So Not Cool

It's official. I am so not cool. I remember thinking, hoping, that I would be a cool mom who didn't talk too much about her kid or think her kid was so cute, or, God forbid, pull out photos of her kid to show to people who really don't want to see them. But last night revealed the real me.

We went to a dessert at our church, and as we were talking with another couple, the wife mentioned that she was hoping to meet our Ruthie sometime soon. She's a friend and she really did mean it. But do you know what I did? I pulled out my phone and made her and her husband look through ten, yes, ten, photos of Ruthie. Terrible. Shameless. NOT. COOL. But I couldn't stop myself. I could see Ian in the corner of my eye, wondering what I was doing. But I didn't listen to the voice in my head that said "You're being the annoying mom you said you wouldn't be." I just kept on flipping to the next photo.

But when you see the photos I showed them (alright, alright, them and one other person about ten minutes later), maybe you'll forgive me for being so uncool. And since this is my blog and you come here voluntarily, I offer no apologies for posting them all here.

How could I keep these to myself? Alas, I am that girl. I'll try to be more cool from now on out.

Maybe.