Come On Down Caveman

So the Caveman had his first children's sermon and survived!

The Alien and Caveman household members are Lutherans and as Lutherans we believe in a few things:

1. Coffee should be served at every church event
   
2. Change should be slow- real slow
   
3. Children's sermons are really for grown ups
   

The children's sermon is when the pastor invited the children in the congregation to join him and share a lesson based on the gospel for that service. Big Papi and I normally leave the Alien and Caveman in the nursery because the kids do not understand that worship is a time to be silent. Today, however, I wanted to test the Caveman's tolerance and he did great- especially since service went long because there were four baptisms. One of the benefits of being in service is the children's sermon. Our pastor saw AJ running down and scooped him right up and put him on his lap. Our pastor has three grown sons so one single Caveman does not bother the pastor. The Caveman squirmed and wiggled but he stayed put.

What all this tells me is that my baby is fast becoming a little man. He is still very much a caveman but he is becoming a civilized one.

Genuinely Happy

So, today we head back home and I learned so much during this trip.

The first thing is that again Dave Ramsey lived up to the expectations in my head. And I wouldn't mind spending more time learning from him. The new goal in my life is attending the 7-day series in less than two years. I think I can do it, no I know I can.

The other thing is this- Charleston has taught me a lot about service. In every restaurant, historic sight, and even in the hotel every employee said hello to me. There was never an empty glass, or a dirty dish. The people serving me were always smiling and seem genuinely happy that I was there. I want to be that person in my life when I get back. I want people to know that I genuinely am happy that they are there.

My business is about to change- I am no longer going to accept excuses from my workers who cannot be genuinely happy that the client is in front of them. I am no longer going to worry about people at church who are not genuinely happy to be there. And I am going to show the Caveman and Alien everyday that mommy is genuinely happy that God choose me to be their mommy.

So dearest Charleston I am genuinely happy that I was a guest- and I am genuinely sad that I have to leave so soon.

Dave Ramsey and Pudding in One Day

So Dave Ramsey is awesome!

His entire team is awesome!

And my husband is awesome!

Hominy Grill is awesome!

And yes, I know more adjectives than awesome, but awesome is the perfect word to sum up yesterday's 1-day EntreLeadership event. And note Dude-pa and Crazy Grandma- we are so taking you to one! And we are so going to work our tails off so we can go to the seven day conference hopefully next fall- but if not then 2012!

Do you remember when you are five and it is Christmas Eve? You are in bed trying your best to fall asleep, but you're too excited! Listening for Santa's footprints on the roof and wondering what he'll bring. As a grown up Dave Ramsey is my Santa, not that he is an old man with a bowl full of jelly (actually he looks like he is in great shape). For the past year Dave Ramsey has been an extended member of the Caveman and Alien household. It is Dave's voice that pops into my head when I am about to yell at my husband for something. It is Dave's voice when I want to dip into a savings account because I feel like I need a new dress. No, I don't need a new dress Dave says in my mind that I need to honor my goal of debt freedom.

EntreLeadership is a course he has created for small business owners because he started his company, Lampo, out of his living room. Just him, two other guys, and Dave's wife creating one of the best financial brands in the country which has led to one of the best brands in talk radio. As a small business owner myself I can appreciate the first step into business. Crazy Grandma actually started our company with literally herself, a massage table, and one client (who we still have) that she thought would be a pervert who actually snores during all his massages. This was in 1996 and 14 years later we are deciding to move to the next step in our journey. We are also working on how to transition in a family business. Dave told us that only 37% of family businesses survive when the 1^st generation transitions power to the 2^nd generation and that only 3% survive when the 3^rd generation comes on board. This is why conferences like these are critical, in my mind, when running a business.

And Dave was amazing. Fun, and energetic and you knew that he was passionate about small business owners succeeding. He also went over how to include your spouse in the business decisions, and that was a big aha for me.

Today is Big Papi's birthday and I have arranged for what I think is a big surprise for him in Charleston. This trip, while I miss the kids, has been worth it. Charleston is a beautiful city. If you get a chance go to Hominy Grill in Downtown Charleston. This is a tiny restaurant with a big reputation. I have the pecan crusted pork chop with a peach sauce with mustard greens and on the side cucumbers and onions. OMG!!!!!! The pork chop was so juicy and tender, the mustard greens perfect with a slight smokiness, and the cucumbers and onions were in vinegary brine that brought me back to childhood when my mom would simply cut up a big cucumber dump some white vinegar on it and let me go to town. If you have never had that I feel sorry for you. Then I had homemade chocolate pudding- so not fair to jello, you have been replaced. Big Papi had a bowl of she-crab soup (which is one of his favorite soups) then he had fried green tomato BLT sandwich with potato salad that actually had a parsley vignegrette instead of the typical and heavy mayonnaise. He had the coconut cream pie.

The best part about Hominy was not only the fact that I wanted to pick up my plate and lick the sauce off. No the staff was such a great example of what Dave taught us that day. While our regular waiter was busy with another order, one of the other waiters noticed that Big Papi was done with his she-crab soup and needed a drink refill. He happily took away the dirty bowl and brought the tea pitcher for Big Papi. I then noticed that our waiter did the same thing for a completely different waiter's section. The manager cheerfully busted a table while a runner brought our dinner and made sure we had everything we needed. I don't know if they do tip sharing but what an amazing example of the entire team putting the customer first. So unlike other restaurants where you see staff hanging out or disappearing for cigarette breaks, no Hominy Grill puts their guests first! I know I should try other places, but boy do they have big shoes to fill!

More to come later and I am loving the fact that this morning when I woke up all I saw was Big Papi sleeping in his Superman pajamas and the Caveman was not between us in his Spiderman pajamas. Already a DC and Marvel comic book war in the Caveman/Alien household!

Guilt Sucks

So, I am feeling this weird emotion that as a mom I haven't felt before: guilt.

I am not the kind of mommy that has turned my entire life in about my children- but we arrived safely into Charleston and we of course called my sister in law to let her know that we arrive safely. Well thanks to FaceBook I knew that the kids went to the zoo today- a place that I hate- and well I am missing my Alien and Caveman. A lot!

The Caveman got on the phone and I heard about a train ride and seeing giraffes and then he said "Mommy are you going to pick me up?" Well, I did not cry, but I am sad. Of course Big Papi being a man heard all this and feels nothing! In fact right now he is taking a nap. A nap!

I need chocolate- thank goodness there is none in our room. I know that they are safe and happy. I also know that a mom and dad need to recharge our batteries. So why do I feel so guilty?

Well good news is I get to see Dave Ramsey live tomorrow!

Sticky Fingers barbeque tonight!

Charleston or Bust!

So, it is officially 6:20am and on any normal day I would be trying to desperately to find a few more moments of precious sleep.

But, not today!

Today Big Papi and I start our great adventure. Now I am not sure y'all are aware but I am a serious goal setter- nothing good happens by chance. So here are my goals for this trip:

1. To see Dave Ramsey
   
2. To not fight with Big Papi
   
3. To not worry about the fact that my office may have either no therapists or clients when I get back since there is no grown up in charge
   
4. To soak in as much Charleston as possible
   
5. To be thankful and grateful for the opportunities to do the following
   
   1. Be with my husband
      
   2. Travel
      
   3. Not have to clean poo from a tiny bottom for six days.
      

More updates to follow, yay!

Oh where oh where did my little people go?

So guess who is going on vacation? Alone, no children!

Yes Big Papi and I will be Charleston, SC this week to see Dave Ramsey's EntreLeadership 1-Day event. We also plan to have a romantic dinner at Magnolias and also plan to eat as much low-country cooking possible.

And up until yesterday the highlight was the fact that the Caveman and Alien are spending the week at Grandma's house! But this morning as we dropped off Big Papi at work (we rented a car which we picked up at lunch time- Big Papi is driving it right now) I realized that I am going to be childless for a whole week.

This weird feeling is in the pit of my stomach like when your high school crush asks someone else to prom feeling. Right now all I can think about is I want Caveman kisses. And the Alien, so freaking cute I can't stand it. As a mommy I now understand the term the distance makes the heart grow fonder. It has only been a few hours and once we get on the road and get going I know I will get over this achiness feeling. But right now I am looking at a pile of freshly washed Alien dresses and Caveman shorts and wondering why Cars isn't on.

Keep a look out for special blog post about childless parents on holiday.