Who Would Have Thought...Vampire Books!?!

I have never considered myself a reader.  I have never really enjoyed diving into a great book and reading for hours and hours.   I remember being in grade school and reading Hank the Cowdog and Goosebumps.  I can remember when I first got married I read some of Dan Brown's books such as the DaVinci Code.  I have read a few books on marriage and parenting but that about sums up my library of completed books after 26 years of my life. Since I have been staying in Adi's room at night until she falls asleep, I had to find something to pass the time.  A few months ago, my friends were going on and on about Twilight and that book series about vampires.  I borrowed the first book from one of them and tried to start reading it.  Well I didn't get very far.  It sat in our living room for about a month or so after I had started it.  I decided to give it another shot and I took it with me into Adi's room one night to pass the time.  I am now finished with that after not being able to put it down.  I started the second one, New Moon, on Monday and I'm almost finished with it and ready for the third book.

This is a little embarrassing, but just to let you know how into these books I actually am, Bradey said I talked in my sleep the other night.  I was told that I said, "Are you really going to let him bite you 4 times in the same 

place?"  Bradey followed with, "What?  What did you just ask me?"  Of course my response was a jumble of mumbles.  I had no idea what I was saying but apparently my mind was still working on processing the events of that evening's reading.  I normally don't talk in my sleep.  I think I have maybe 3 times since we've been married and this last time is one of them.  

I have really enjoyed reading these past two weeks and it is something I think I want to continue doing.  I just have to find the right kind of books.  Apparently, I like action-packed stories that leave me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next.  Love stories just aren't for me, even though this series is kind of a love story.  So, I will let you know when I finish the vampire series.  If you haven't read them already, you definitely should.  I can't wait to go see the movie Twilight.  

2009 Small Group

The time has come.  Our new small group is underway.  I had mixed emotions about this since the day our first small group decided to multiply.  We had decided back in the Fall that we would split and start new groups.  There were, and still are, so many young couples in our church that desired to be in a small group.  Our group had been meeting every Tuesday for over a year.  We had become very close, almost too close at times.  My husband and I grew very fond of each couple.  We now consider each one of them our very best friends here in Amarillo.  I can definitely say that the Lord spoke through them and the wisdom that they shared with us strengthened our marriage.  I am so grateful for that experience and was very sad and unsure the moment we felt the Lord saying it was time to move on and allow other couples to experience the powerfulness of a community group.  The sadness and insecurities slowly left as I began to trust in the Lord and what He had in store for another group.  

We took a break for a few months and decided we would wait until the first of the year to get another group up and running.  Our church hosted a Group Connect this past Sunday.  This allowed us to meet some other couples and God quickly made things possible.  We met last night to get to know one another.  I was really nervous and I had prayed that God would take all the expectations I had from our last group and replace them with trust and peace that everything is in His hands.  We ordered pizza, visited, the kids played well together, and discussed the structure our group was looking for.  

After everyone left, I felt such an amazing amount of peace and excitement for this new group.  I feel that God has hand selected each couple for a reason that we may not know yet, but I think amazing life changing things are going to take place.  It may not be the same as our first group, but I have no doubt that it will be awesome in so many different ways.  

After sharing all of that with you, we are praying and searching for a great study to start things off.  We are all married, have kids, want to strengthen our relationship with the Lord, encourage others, and create a sense of community that is unbelievable.  If you know of any great books, studies, etc., please send your suggestions my way.  Also, if you don't mind, pray for our group and for brokenness to take place.  We want the Holy Spirit to take over and create some amazing experiences this year.  I want to be completely obedient in what the Lord wants for this group.

Toddler Bed Troubles

Some of you already know that we have recently transformed Adi's crib into a toddler bed.  She is 21 months old and I thought it was time to give it a try.  WRONG!  Way to go Mom.  It all started when we went on vacation over Christmas.  We went to Disney World for a week.  Adi slept in a pack'n'play all week, however we were in the same room.  Of course her routine was hard to stick to while we were having so much fun in the parks.  She would nap in the stroller or on someone's shoulder and sometimes didn't get in bed until after midnight. Basically any routine we did have was no longer in place.  After we returned home, she went back to her crib for three nights.  I believe all three nights she ended up in bed with us.  Bad mistake but we were so tired from a week long vacation and just wanted to sleep.  Then, I decided to try taking the front of the crib off making it a toddler bed.  I didn't even think about getting her back in her nightly routine before changing her world.  I didn't realize how big this transition is for a child.  Now I understand after battling bedtime now for weeks.  

Along with this transition, we found out that I had a miscarriage.  I had to have a D&C and Adi could just sense that things weren't right around our house.  She clung to me and I definitely clung to her while grieving.  Now here we are having trouble deciding the right thing to do.  I know every child is different and there are so many different theories out there.  I bought a couple of books and have been praying daily for clarity and guidance.  

Our nightly routine goes something like this:

• eat dinner together around 6:30 
• take a bath
• put on pj's
• have some down time
• brush teeth
• get a sassy and read books in bed
• lights out (closet light on with door cracked)

Bradey or I have to sit next to her bed until she falls asleep.  If we leave the room before she is asleep she cries and frantically gets out of her bed.  She will say, "I don't want my bed."  She has even fallen asleep in her little chair in her room because she doesn't seem to like her new bed.  

Once she is asleep, we leave the room, and she will have many night-wakings.  She needs us again to fall asleep.  So, I'm sure you know the ending to most of our nights, we are all in the same bed.  I know a lot of people are fine with their kids sleeping with them and they move on but we just really would like her to sleep in her own bed and learn to fall asleep on her own.  She used to love going to bed in her crib, slept all night, and so did we.  We just want that for our family once again for everyone's sanity.  

So, here is where you come in.  I need some input.  Here are a few questions that are floating around in my mind waiting for answers.

1.  Do we skip the toddler bed and move her to a twin?

2. Do we continue to stay in her room so she can fall asleep?

3.  Do we attempt the cry-it-out method.?

4. How do we keep her in her bed?

5.  Is there a fear that has developed?

6.  One of our friends loaned us their little toddler bed that you use the crib mattress.  Do we use this instead?

If you have gone through this, please feel free to share your experience.  I would love to hear your thoughts even if you haven't gone through this yet.