a coffee date

It's time for another coffee date!  It's been four whole months since our last one.  For shame!  A coffee date in the form of a blog post is where I pretend I'm sitting across from you at a quaint little table while we sip a yummy drink and chit chat.  It's sort of like a random brain dump from me to you.  No need to thank me.  But you're welcome.  (wink)

 

As we sit down, we'd probably chat about the weather, and about the 10 glorious days of warm temperatures we had around here.  I might talk about the freckles that are finding their way onto my arms and face again.  I love them.  And so does Jeremy.  He mentions it every year.  I love that. 

I'd ask you something like, "So... what's new?  or "How's everything going?"  Like I always do.  And I'd say it like I mean it.  Because I do.  I really want to know how you are.  And I can usually tell if how you're "doing" isn't really how you're doing. 

We talk about things in your world for a while, then you ask me how I am. 

First, I'd surely gush about how excited I am that it's summer, and that we have no schedule.  Except for this week, because the whole family (Jeremy included, because he took the week off to be with us) is spending the week at Vacation Bible School  (VBS) at our church.  We're in Babylon this year, learning about Daniel's courage in captivity.  Jeremy, Drew (our oldest), and I are running the Food Court serving ancient foods (wearing full costume) in the tent city-like marketplace.  It's a blast... Day 2 starts tomorrow!  Our three grade-schoolers are in the actual program, and our three baby/preschoolers are downstairs in the classes for the leader's little ones.  Though I keep baby Emmy with me as much as possible... three hours is a long time! The whole family is loving it so far. 

I'd tell you that VBS is taking up most of our energy, but that we're making the most of this vacation time with Jeremy home for 10 days.  We're hitting parks, drive-thru windows, ice cream shops, and more.  It's been such a good time. 

I might even admit that I've been failing miserably eating the way I need to for my health (as I'm being naughty sipping a sugary drink with you.)  I can really feel a difference when I cut out the grains, sugar, and diary, but it's been so difficult to do lately.  I'd tell you that it's been a constant struggle over the last two years, and that I'm paying for it in my health.  I'd also ask you to pray for me in that.  Then I'd thank you. 

The topic of conversation might move to our kids, because it often does...

You might tell me about what your kids are up to this summer; possibly playing in a soccer league, conquering the great outdoors, or going to summer camp.  I'd tell you that our schedules are clear, but that we're looking forward to some June and July birthdays in our household, namely Emmy's first birthday coming in less than two weeks!  Also, I'd share that my Mom is flying in to visit us for over a week at the end of June, and that we're super thrilled about that. 

Next, I'd ask you what you've been up to for you.  Are you engaging in any favorite pastimes or hobbies?  I'd tell you shyly as my face turns red, that one of my dreams is coming true this summer. 

Along with a friend who has been dreaming with me, I'm traveling to the She Speaks Writer's Conference in July.  By myself, with my friend - across the country.  Cannot. Believe. It.  We have been dreaming of attending for three years now.  And, be still my heart, our husbands agreed that this is the year.  The conference is put on by Proverbs 31 Ministries and Lysa TerKeurst (who I adore, I can't believe I get to meet her.)  We'll be spending just five days away, including two whole days of travel. We're so giddy with excitement we can't stand it.  It's been hard for me to think about anything else! 

Learning the ins and outs of writing in sessions taught by some of my favorite authors and experts in the area is a DREAM!  When God puts a dream in your heart, you've got to start somewhere for it to come to fruition, right?  So that's what we're doing.  We're starting there. 

I'd take a deep breath, sip my drink, and force myself to calm my rapid heart rate while trying to change the subject. 

I might ask you if you've ever tried dry shampoo in your hair.  It's the stuff I've avoided trying because it sounded like an oxymoron to me.  How is shampoo dry?  Well, I'd tell you that I folded during a weak moment in the hair products aisle at Target.  It was only a couple bucks, and it was probably the cheapest brand.  But it's amazing.  You might laugh at me, and tell me that you've been using it for years (like when it first came out.)  But I'd still tell you how yummy it smells, and how it makes my second day hair so manageable.  You see, I never wash my hair two days in a row... I usually have a "do my hair day" and then a "pull my hair back because it's second day hair day."  But on that second day, my hair just needs some oomffh to get it back it to it's non-oily self.  This does it.  Just spray those roots, rub it in, and bam.  Good hair. 

You might look at your watch, and say that you need to get moving.  Maybe my dry shampoo talk scared you off, but either way, I'd look at my phone (because I don't wear watches) and realize I am needing to head out too. 

We'd hug (because I'm sort of a hugger) and say farewell in hopes that we don't go four months until our next coffee date. 


Now it's your turn!  What would you tell me on our coffee date?  I'm dying to know.

a coffee date

 

 

I absolutely loved what I read on this fun blog that I read, and it gave me the idea to have my own coffee date in a blog post with you!  Plus, those random posts I write from time to time that allow me to get out all of the things in my head can now be disguised under the premise of a coffee date with you, blog readers. 

So, if we were to sit down together in the quiet of a coffee shop, or on my couch during a rare peaceful moment, I would first hand you one of my favorite mugs filled with a steaming drink, then I'd take a nice deep breath, because it's so nice to just sit.  And then I would say, "So, what's new?" 

And you would proceed to tell me about what's going on in your life.  And I would try really, really hard to just listen.  I've been working on not interrupting for the last few months, and not having to put in my two cents.  I don't appreciate it when I can't get through a story, and I'm sure you don't either.  So I'll be good, and listen intently to what you're sharing. 

Then you might ask me what I'm up to lately, and I'll ponder briefly if I want to jump into the realities of my hard mommying month of January, or something light like the fact that I completely wiped out while walking on some ice this week.  I was walking to my car loaded down with the diaper bag slung over one shoulder, Emmalie in her carseat hanging in the crook of my elbow, and was carrying something in my only free hand.  I was commenting to my friend who was walking to the car with me, saying, "These boots have zero tract....."  I couldn't even finish the word "traction" and I was down.  On my rear, siting straight up with my legs out in front and Emmalie and her carseat on my lap. Amazingly, I felt fine right after falling, which was good, because I had a 25 minute drive in front of me at 11:00 p.m..  But I got home just fine, and then the pain set it.  I couldn't fall asleep for 2 hours.  I woke up painfully sore and have a bruise on my thigh where I "caught" Emmy's carseat.  Thankfully, she didn't feel a thing, but her mama, who isn't a spring chick anymore is feelin' it now. 

After I finished telling my falling on the ice saga, we might exchange falling stories, which always make me laugh.  I even laughed when I fell - it's just so funny to me!  One second you're up - the next you're down.  Granted, I've never broken a bone or been seriously hurt from fall - I don't think I'd be laughing then!

Then, you might notice that I'm not ordering my usual mocha or latte, and you might ask what prompted my uncharacteristic change to unsweetened tea. 

I would proceed to tell you that I had to begin again eating the Paleo way.  Dr.'s orders.  I saw her this week to get encouragement to begin again after taking a year's hiatus during the pregnancy and after, since I knew I had to.  Thankfully, there are tons of recipes out there to get you out of the doldrums I so often find myself in when eating this way.  And then I'd tell you that it really needs to be a lifestyle change for me, due to my body's reaction to sugar, grains, and dairy.  They don't affect me immediately like an intolerance or anything, but those bad yeast in my body sure love them and overgrow, resulting in unpleasant symptoms for me.  So it's starvation time for them, to get them back into their proper place.  Balanced and doing their job.

It truly has been hard for me to jump into eating this way again.  Mostly because it takes some thought and planning - and partly because I just love cookies and sweet stuff so much.  But that is what got me into this mess.   So that is why I'm having something like chai tea with unsweetened coconut milk today.  Then I'd sigh, because it sure isn't easy.  But God has provided lots of yummy fruits, vegetables, meat, nuts, and eggs for me to eat, and I'm thankful we have the means for me to take care of this health issue that has caused me so much trouble these last couple of years.  Plus, the great bonus is that the remainder of my baby weight is saying bye-bye.  It's nice when there's a perk, when you're doing something as hard as cutting out all carbs, sugar, and dairy, isn't it? 

Our conversation might then take a turn toward our children. 

You might tell me about the cute things your preschooler has been up to, or share about how your husband had "the talk" with your preteen son.  And I'd listen intently to that too, since we're right there with you.  You know, having "the talk" and all... it's looming.  We've had some talks, and when I say we, I mean Jeremy has had talks - but not the really big one.  I'd tell you that my youth pastor brother-in-law sent us some great resources, (this one and this one) but we've yet to read/listen to them.  It's on our never ending list of things to do - but we know that this one's a biggie. 

I might tell you that I fielded two questions this week that would have been a lot easier to answer, had we had "the talk" already - but thanks to listening to our audio Bible this week, I had to answer, "What's a prostitute, anyways?" and "What is a virgin?"  Lots of fun.  My answers were truthful, but not the whole truth.  Censorship is a good thing sometimes.  But someday soon, my Sunday School answers aren't gonna cut it. 

We may look outside and lament that the snow and ice will be around for three more months, and begin to dream of summertime.  I don't dream of spring, like you would if you lived somewhere that bloomed all alive like this, even though spring here eventually turns into summer - for spring is brown, drab, muddy, and still quite chilly around these parts.  But when those green buds begin to appear on the trees, I remind myself that I truly do love spring for the hope that it brings and the icy falls it prevents.

And our coffee date would end, either because our children came banging up the stairs looking for the moms, or because it's simply time to head out and head home.  But we'd smile at the hope of sitting again, warm cup in hand, sharing our lives.  I love a good coffee date - I have one tomorrow morning actually.  That is the main reason I need to wrap up our virtual coffee date (that I've been trying to crank out for three days now) and head to bed. 

It was wonderful to sit with you.  What would you share with me, if we were together like this?  I would really like to know.