Another One Bites the Dust

I mentioned a while back that work had been turned on its head with the sudden loss of our Vice President and Worldviews professor. His departure made everything feel pretty unstable at a time when I was looking forward to some peace and quiet and normalcy. That was the end of April. Little did I know that it was only the beginning. 

At the end of May, my long-time boss and Director of Student Services submitted his resignation. That one wasn't a shock—I know he has been praying about moving on for some time and this time around, the answer to that prayer was yes. 

And then, at the end of June, our Director of Admissions submitted his resignation. That one was kind of out of the blue. He had applied for a different job within Focus about two and a half years ago and ended up being the runner-up candidate for that position. Well, two and a half years later, the guy who got the job is leaving, so the department asked Ryan to apply for it again. I have to admit it's a perfect fit for him and a great career move. 

At this point, all of the leaving is feeling pretty ironic and almost comical.

And then there was this morning. Our Resident Supervisor (the FLI equivalent of an RD) tendered her resignation. I'm thinking you're kidding, right? In case anyone is counting, that's 4 open positions on a staff of 10. And I'm going on maternity leave in a month. So the rest of my colleagues are literally going to do the fall semester on half-staff. 

I guess one good thing about all of this change is that it has highlighted for me a big way that God has changed me over the past few years. There was a time when I would have been overwhelmed by this and mad at God for making me go through it. But now it's easier for me to say to God that I will accept whatever he gives me without arguing with Him. I absolutely can't take credit for that change—it's something he is working in me. And the Institute, I suppose, is poised for rebirth. We were already going through a financially challenging time. Now ALL of our leadership positions have been emptied at the same time. A year from now, we will either be reborn ... or we will be gone. Guess we will just wait and see which one happens. 

Of treadmills and stethoscopes

Two funny Lorienisms from this summer: 

We have a stethoscope that my Grandma Harris gave us when I was pregnant with Lorien so that we could try to hear her in utero. It doesn't work so well for the intended purpose, but Lorien is kind of fascinated with it right now. She can't quite pronounce it correctly, though, and calls it a "tessagoat."

One day, I had Lorien at work with me briefly and we walked over to the fitness center. Looking in the windows at the cardio machines, she saw a treadmill for the first time and wondered what it was. I told her, but she couldn't remember the name, so for several weeks, she called it a "trash-melon."

 

Cultivating Diverse Musical Tastes

A few of Lorien's favorite songs that Mimi has been teaching her lately: Barbara Ann, Bing Bang Walla Walla Bing Bang (The Witch Doctor Song) and Cozette's Song from Les Miserables. At least she'll be well-rounded. :)

Lorien Turns 2

First birthdays are for the parents: a celebration of surviving the marathon first year. Second birthdays are much more fun as far as the kid is concerned. This time around, Lorien knew what to do with both her cake and her presents and we had a great time celebrating with her.

She turned 2 on July 19, but we spread the birthday partying over more than a week. First, she shared a party at our house with 2 FLI students when we hosted dessert night for the summer 2011 class. And later, we had a dinner party with Mimi and Papa in attendance. And yummy chocolate and peppermint cake!

Yummy Chantilly Cake from Whole Foods for the birthday party with the students. If you haven't tried this stuff, you really should! (You can see the desserts for Matt and Rachael, the other guests of honor to the right.)

We also got to worship with students in our home that night—a sweet time. 

Blowing out the candles at her family party. She wanted us to relight them so she could blow them out again. 

Here are some portraits I took of the birthday girl. 

One of Lorien's favorite things this summer is sidewalk chalk, so I thought this would be an appropriate way to commemorate 2 years. 

Sunflower girl

Favorites

Here's what captures her attention for the longest span right now: She loves to play in the kitchen sink. It creates a bit of a flood on the floor, but it's worth it.

Lorien has always been a little skeptical about the Institute students. She has to size them up for a bit before she will be friendly with them. But this summer, she totally latched on to Mindy, whom I met with each week. As we shared big questions and thoughts about spiritual growth and a shared love of education (Mindy is a second grade teacher), Lorien fell in love with her, just as I did.

Lorien is learning to respond to requests to "smile" for pictures. So far, this goofy face is the result. 

So sweet!

Visit from the Randalls

Christy, Nathan and Macrae visited from Michigan the first week of July. Unfortunately, my lower back went out that week, so I was not very mobile. Fortunately, swimming is easy on the back, and Lorien and Macrae both love the water. We had so much fun at the pool!

The pool at the apartment complex where the FLI students live has a shallow section that is perfect for little kids. Macrae could crawl around and not be in too deep. And he thought it was hilarious to splash himself in the face.

Yes, this time around I broke down and bought a maternity swimsuit. I have a love-hate relationship with it, but at least it allowed me to get in the water and relieve my aching back. 

Love his laughter!

3D

With both of our kids, we've had more than the usual number of ultrasounds because of some common abnormalities with their umbilical cords. Lorien had a two-vessel instead of a three-vessel cord and she had marginal cord insertion. Baby boy just has the marginal cord insertion. The extra ultrasounds are just to make sure the cord issues aren't causing problems, which they haven't. 

After receiving the good news that everything looks fine and healthy, we also got a little bonus with this ultrasound: a 3D image.

I think he looks like Lorien!