Woody is the equivalent of G.W. Bush. The All American Cowboy who’s used to things being his way. Then along comes Buzz Lightyear (the Democratic Party) which comes along and spoils all the wild western fun. Now, since Andy (who represents America) wants Woody and Buzz to get along, they’ve gotta find some way to make some bipartisan progress.

It’s a bumpy road, and Buzz tries to overhaul the way things have always been done in Woody-World. Slink, the loyal staid dog (die hard right winger) tries to get the gang to stick by their man no matter what, but comes under pressure from the super-left Potato Head. Potato Head is like Micheal Moore, ready at any moment to show how stupid Woody is, as is everything he ever stood for.

Potato Head is very convincing, and even manages to shake the confidence of the usual Woody Followers: Rex, Ham and maybe even BoPeep. But, what Andy wants and needs is for the two parties to not just get along, but work together.

If America is as lucky as our favorite Pixar film, Buzz will help Woody to reevaluate his policies concerning the toys in Sid’s room (the War in Iraq). They’ll work together to not only get out there, but help the toys to stop being blown up and abused, and they will be able to govern themselves even after Buzz and Woody exit quickly. Returning to a stable and happy Andy’s Room.

Yes. I need to get out more.

Elise is my barnacle. She literally cannot be away from me without anxiety. Unless she is engrossed in play with another family member, if she is not near me she is NOT happy. But if I hold her, or stay in her line of sight all day she will not cry at all. She’s amazingly simple to put to sleep, rocking for 5 or 6 minutes usually does the trick. She really is a dream baby.

She just really loves to be held. So, I’ve been wearing her in a sling or wrap, almost all day, everyday. And she is sooooooo happy.

This isn’t really normal in America (no kidding) so I start to feel a little weird after a while, and begin to think that perhaps I am spoiling Elise. Perhaps she should be ok with anyone. Perhaps she should be falling asleep on her own. And then, even though everyone is happy, I second guess my parenting choices.

Since I know that Dr. Sears always makes me feel better I checked out his Attachment Parenting Book from the library. Then for good measure I checked out Mothering magazine. I read them both and then took a nice deep breath. Nothing like reading other crazy, crunchy, all-or-nothing parents to make me feel normal again. I’m at least normal to the road-less-traveled people.

I’m just going to keep right on wearing my baby and reading Dr. Sears. And we’ll just keep on being happy. And my kids will be just fine.

My Dad just went to India on a business trip. While he was there a bunch of beggars came and started pounding on the windows of the car asking for money. Some of the children didn’t have hands. Apparently their parents cut their hands off so that people would feel more compassion on them and they would bring home more money.

Also while there, he and his associates were taken out to dinner. The waiter brought out the Indian version of Diet Coke instead of the American version and so his boss fired him. My dad said that he felt terrible because it didn’t matter to him which kind of Diet Coke they served.

How is it that I can be sitting here in my warm comfortable house, with my children still connected to all of their limbs? I am feeling the weight of sin very deeply this week.

And then there’s the whole tragedy that my friend has been going through the past four months. Her husband just lost a devastating battle with leukemia, leaving her and their three year old son behind. She has an auto-immune disease and so she can’t even work let alone take care of her own child with out a lot of help. Can you all remember to say a prayer for them?

And a few weeks ago I discovered that my childhood best friend’s father just suffered severe brain damage from Meningitis. He was practically a second father to me growing up. He now has the mentality of a little boy. They need prayer as well.

I know that Christ has conquered the curse of death. I know that it no longer has any hold on us. I know that this world is due to be resurrected in Christ at His second coming, but Lord, how long? How much longer must we be here waiting.

I am very lonely for my home right now.

Being the theological misfit that I am– raised Roman Catholic, coming of age in a Modern Evangelical church, and converting to Lutheranism as a young adult– I am so often surprised at the things on which people are in disagreement.

For example, I can’t understand why all of Christendom doesn’t understand the Parable of the Seeds the way Lutherans do, it just seems so straightforward. I guess I’d have to admit never believing “once saved, always saved,” even though that’s what most of my friends have always believed is true and were shocked to discover Lutherans don’t. I was just as shocked (or better yet, confused) by their position.

Back to Mortal Sin. I read this post by the Rebellious Pastor’s Wife, and once again I was surprised to see that Lutherans (and perhaps most of Protestantism) really have a problem with the concept of mortal vs. venial sins. I knew that we didn’t really talk about it, but thought that was just a product of not being as concerned with doing an actual, sin-by-sin, confession as the RC church is.

So anyway, these are just my thoughts that are only slightly related to the R.P.W.’s post. But her post is so good, and very well researched as well as well written, that I needed to pass it on. My post is neither well researched nor well written, but I am excusing myself from that camp because most of the times I am sitting at the computer any more it is impossible to do much more that click-click-click. I am usually the bed for a snoozy infant.

Perhaps when I’ve had a moment to myself I can come up with something more meaningful on the subject. I’m not making any promises, though.

I have caught the running bug. I’ve been running at least 3 times a week for the past two weeks, and every day I like it more. I’m finding that it is exactly what I’ve been needing. I think it is that I can get away from everything and everyone for an hour and listen to music.

The other perk of running is that children CAN NOT touch you while you are running. You have your whole body to yourself, which isn’t so spectacular unless you are the mother of two small and happily attached children.

I’m probably going to be running in the Cleveland Half Marathon this May. My Papa ran it way back when, so it’s only fitting that it be my first.

And just for fun. Here’s the playlist that I made to work out to. You’ve gotta have tunes in the iPod age, and these ones are just right for running:

Today, I celebrated 2007 day number one in a steamy bathroom, eating brie, reading a book by John McWhorter, and holding a very sick 3 month old hoping to clear her congested chest.

Partying as a parent! Woot.