Preparing for Baby

In around 16 weeks we'll be welcoming a baby girl to this crazy life! Last night we decided it was time to start making some serious preparations for her arrival. We have not yet taken a lamaze class, we have not yet read Baby Wise, and we've given very little (Cari) to no (Tony) thought to a nursery. However, we are now completely familiar and entirely unimpressed with the selection of baby/little girl toys in the Wal-Mart toy aisles. During our Wal-Mart run last night, my toy-loving husband felt it would be worthwhile to scope out the selection.

First of all, let me say - i don't really like toys. The fewer toys that have to be in our house, the better. (Easy for me to say now, huh?) Second, my poor house is already full of my husband's toys. Maybe they'll like the same toys, that would be convenient. We'll be set if this little one loves nerf guns, airsoft guns and basketballs/soccer balls/footballs/nerf balls/tennis balls/etc.

We started our toy research in the Bike aisle where they have those super cool, super expensive electric toy cars. Neither of us had one as a child and I think we're both still feeling a little burned by that. Ok, not really, but how cool would it be for a kid to get to drive around in one? The bummer is that every girl car is plastered in Disney's princesses.* They can't simply be painted pink and purple, they have to have "Princess" written all over them. We decided she'd have to go with the John Deere Gator. (*I don't mean to imply there's anything wrong with Disney's princesses, just never been my thing.)

Next, we ventured down the girl toy aisle. The aisle started out with these incredibly freaky looking dolls that looked like barbies but weren't and were dressed in scandalous lingerie....cool! Next were the Bratz dolls...cool! (I really hope my sarcasm is clear here.) Then came the Barbies...ok, barbies really can be kind of cool .I sort of liked them as a little girl. Across the aisle were the baby dolls - i loved baby dolls as a little girl! I kid you not, at one point we each had a baby doll cradled in our arms while we gave her her pacifier and listened to her make baby noises while opening and shutting her eyes. Then we looked at each other and realized what we were doing and quickly returned the dolls to the shelves. I think we're getting a little excited for baby's arrival! :)

Our baby preparation outing last night left both of us feeling much better prepared for our baby's arrival. The most important things we learned: don't waste time at Wal-Mart and a bunch of crazies design girls' toys. We are one step closer to being great parents!

Richard Simmons Visits FBC

Can you believe it?!?! Richard Simmons himself in Washington Iowa. If you've paid a visit to the Faith Baptist Church gym the past few Sunday mornings, you've had the privilege of watching Richard in all his glory leading an exercise/dance/music class. It's a sight to see! It's a new ministry model we're trying - Sunday School/Dance/Exercise/Richard - we think it's going to be a huge hit. jk.

Actually, the junior high students in this particular Sunday School class have no idea who Richard Simmons is. It's just that I cannot stop thinking of those 80s exercise tapes as I watch Tony teach these students the songs for Vacation Bible School.* It's not because Tony's wearing a leotard. It's not because he's grown his hair out into a fro. And it's not because the music sounds like its from the 80s. It's just that Tony is hysterically funny and goes all out with his goofiness and boundless energy as he helps these students get excited about serving at VBS.

This year our junior high students are leading the Opening and Closing sessions for VBS and Tony is gracious enough to lead them in that responsibility. He is crazy talented at working with students! He's made it a blast for them to learn childish songs, all the while setting an incredible example to them of the pure enthusiasm you need when serving children. It's an amazing sight- he's got 7th/8th/9th graders dancing their hearts out to silly VBS songs so that the kids @ VBS next week will feel God's love through adults and students that care enough to join them in learning at their level.

I wish I could capture Tony's heart and attitude and put it into words, but as these last few paragraphs have shown, my words just aren't adequate. For heaven's sake, here I am comparing him to Richard Simmons.

*You may be wondering why in the world I ever watched Richard Simmons' exercise videos. I'm really not sure. I think my Aunt Karen had them. I spent some of my elementary days a little on the pudgy side, so maybe my Mom kindly invited me to spend an hour with Richard every once in awhile. I really don't remember. Unfortunately, those ugly images are scarred in my memory forever.