Adam kisses Tatum at Grover Beach <3
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
Beach love
24 Oct 2011 1 Comment
in Beach, California
I am now married to….Jesus Christ
20 Oct 2011 1 Comment
in Adam, Humor, Spirituality, Unitarian Universalists
My new hubby
Adam’s school is a non-denominational Christian facility. They learn about Jesus, the Bible, and other religious aspects pertaining to Christianity. I’m thrilled that my son is exposed to these elements because it is a different perspective than his understandings in the Unitarian Universalist Church. Hellfire and brimstone simply doesn’t exist out west [at least not in this area] so I encourage him to soak up all the spirituality his little body can absorb.
Today after school we had a very serious discussion.
“Mommy, I don’t want you to be married to Daddy anymore,” he informed me. Worried he might have been reflecting upon our recent separation I nonchalantly asked why not. “I want you to be married to Jesus.”
And there you have it. Like Kelli said, at least he picked the greatest possible guy for his mom! I don’t have the best history of dating winners so I think it’s a fair statement to say Jesus Christ takes the cake in terms of my love life. Hopefully I can still blog at the convent.
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
Adam the student
18 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Adam, Adam Sontag, Blessings, California, Preschool
Because I did not have regular internet access, very few people knew the depths of my despair and extreme feelings of isolation in California. Upon leaving the Atascadero house my world crumbled. With the excepti
on of the death of Adam Sontag that was the lowest I have ever been in my life. However, I’ve always been one to focus on the positive– not to come across as ‘fake’– but I’d much rather count my blessings than my sorrows…..so most probably were unaware of the extent of my suffering.
Such a tremendous burden was lifted from my shoulders when the state agreed to pay for Adam’s childcare during my working hours. At zero out of pocket expense to me he attends a top-notch area preschool from 7:30 am until 5:30 pm, Mondays through Thursdays. I could have collapsed and cried tears of holy joy when my phenomenal social worker called and told me this news.
Inspirations Preschool Center is a godsend, quite literally. It reminds me so much of his former preschools in the Memphis area and the facilities, curriculum, and teachers are incredible. Adam loves his new school– and it’s an added bonus that our grocery bill is substantially cut because the program includes breakfast, lunch, and two snacks. Most likely he will be bumped up to the 4-5 year old class beginning next week. What a smart boy!
I cannot wait to post photos of the awesome pirate themed playground. My coworker and I were joking about how cool it was [he was familiar with it through the churches in the area] and how we wished our offices could be on a pirate ship. We’ll be seeing clients on the deck. Walk the plank when your appointment is terminated. 
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
“Addicted” – Walls of Jericho
18 Oct 2011 2 Comments
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it takes a real man/woman to admit that they have a problem– and to go a major step beyond that and seek help. Those individuals who understand that some issues simply cannot be handled without some outside assistance have my admiration and respect. My husband is one of those people. While he certainly doesn’t have the greatest track record for smart decisions and productive behavior [and I am not speaking poorly of him because he will be the first to agree with you]….most, if not all, of his mistakes can be attributed to his struggles with substance abuse. It is with cautious optimism and tremendous joy that he has decided to voluntarily enter a sober living facility a few towns away from us. It is long term yet he will be released for Tatum’s birth. Regardless of what I have endured I hope for the sake of my children that he can get his life back on track.
Daddy & Adam
“When you are required to exhibit strength, it comes.” ~ Joseph Campbell
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
22 weeks
16 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Pregnancy, The Wee One, Will Reed
Week 22's imagery
[[ Image courtesy of Baby Center and info from Web MD ]]
Baby: Your baby measures about 7.6 inches and weighs about 12.3 ounces. The muscles are getting stronger every week now, and the eyelids and eyebrows are developed. Your baby’s acrobatics are pretty constant, and since he responds to sound, rhythm and melody, you can try singing and talking to him. After he’s born, the same sounds will soothe him.
Mom-to-be: Your uterus is continuing to grow, but you’re probably feeling pretty good — no more morning sickness, and your abdomen isn’t so large that it’s getting in the way very much. You may still be getting leg and foot cramps, as well as mild swelling of ankles and feet.
Tip for the Week: To reduce cramping, increase your intake of calcium and potassium. Have a glass of milk before bedtime or snack on potassium-rich foods, such as grapefruits, oranges and bananas. If you do get a leg cramp, try forcing your toes back toward your face and pushing down on the knee to straighten your leg.
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
Tatum’s looking good thus far
16 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Pregnancy, The Wee One
Of course I can see her body...but what I really want to see is her face.
How artistic looking is this? I love the lone hand.
In case there was any confusion, she does have lady parts.
I guess working for a church impacts my baby-- she's got those praying hands!
You cannot even imagine how overjoyed I was to see my sweet daughter on the ultrasound tech’s monitor. The last time I saw a picture she resembled a tiny blob with zero distinguishable features. Seeing her head, hands, arms, legs– and yes, girl parts– warmed my heart. I’ve been feeling Tatum’s [frequent!] movement for weeks now but it was immensely gratifying to be able to make that connection with the image on the screen.
My final date for the scheduled C-section is February 21st and I will be delivering at Twin Cities Hospital in Templeton, CA.
One of my roommates has graciously allowed me to use her computer daily. While I refuse to make any promises about blog frequency, I’m going to try my best. Combined with my WordPress app on my phone and Chrissy’s laptop, I guarantee you’ll be seeing a lot more of me on here. I’m not even going to bother with updating all of the missed weeks for my pregnancy so we shall resume again where I am now.
Oh, and I’ll continue to refer to Tatum as ‘The Wee One’ as a posting category until she arrives. =)
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
IT’S A GIRL!!!!!
16 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
Tatum Marisann, you are so loved. As happy as I would have been to have another precious Mama’s Boy….I am ecstatic to have my little princess. Too bad I am not a fan of the color pink but we’ll work around that!
First day on the job
05 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Employment, HC
I could not ask for a better work environment. The people are fantastic– so helpful and friendly– and I loved meeting the folks I didn’t already know. Luckily the woman training me served as the interim fill for my position….and she is an active member of the congregation so help is readily available if I need it.
Isn’t the view great too?
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
Be still my heart
04 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
The view from my patio
I had such grand ambitions for yesterday. Since I’d already be up early for my prenatal physical [and Adam was being cared for] why not devote the day to getting all my ducks in a row before beginning work? Not quite.
The doctor whips out her trusty stethoscope and takes a listen to my heart. She looked alarmed and called for backup from a fellow physician. After they both hear my ticker they inform me that my heart has an irregular beat and they are concerned. From the looks on their faces prior to the big diagnostic reveal you’d think they were about to share their discovery that I was terminally ill. Their advice was to go immediately to the ER for an EKG to eliminate a potentially serious medical issue. Being the insanely overstressed person I am– all of the sudden I could see, hear, taste, smell, and touch just how in danger I was from dropping dead at any given second. And then I had a pelvic exam.
Alone and convinced of my imminent demise I walked across the street and got my EKG. My condition is called PVC [Google it if you really care] which is the fancy clinical term for extra and/or skipped heartbeats. It’s nothing serious, surprisingly common, and I don’t require any medication. Huge shocker– brace yourselves– it is exacerbated by stress.
Brandi was kind enough to call while I was there. Such kindness almost makes up for the fact that the new bus schedule started yesterday and I missed two busses and ultimately had to pay a cab to get me back to my apartment. C’est la vie.
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
Working woman ;)
01 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Changes, Employment
Last Monday I had an interview with an area church here in Paso for the position of Office Manager. The pastor and his associate were throroughly impressed with my resume and said I was overqualified. They asked me lots of questions about my interests and life experiences– with genuine interest– and I considered it more of an interesting conversation than an interview. I enjoyed chatting with them and thought it went very well, a fact comfirmed when I was emailed within an hour of my departure asking for a second interview two days later with several members of the board. Round two was quite similar to the first except I was asked if my UU beliefs would conflict with their conservative church. It struck me as odd that they considered their establishment to be anything but liberal….then again we aren’t in the hellfire and brimstone of the Bible Belt. I assured them that I had researched the church and thought it was a positive place making a difference in the community as opposed to striking fear in people’s hearts.
A few days elapsed without hearing from them and I started to doubt myself. Interviews don’t phase me and neither does rejection– I am confident in my abilities and experience and understand that sometimes certain people just aren’t the right fit for certain jobs– but these interviews went so well I felt disappointed.
Yesterday they called to offer me the position!! Of course I eagerly accepted and start Wednesday. Things seem to have a way of working themselves out….
Essentially I perform all the duties of a secretary and am also responsible for the weekly newsletter. Beyond that I make myself available to any parishoners who need an ear and direct them to the proper person/resources if it is beyond my scope. I work Monday through Thursday, 9-4. Those hours are ideal for me and coincide nicely with childcare for Adam. Even though it is only 28 hours I am very satisfied with the pay.
A job like this is perfect for my pregnancy though I certainly plan to remain on board after the baby is born. Oh and speaking of baby: THE BIG GENDER REVEAL ULTRASOUND IS FRIDAY!!!
Did I mention yet I am in love with my spectacular phone? Said love multiplied exponentially with the discovery of the Word Press app. <3
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
