We came home soaking wet tonight, but it was for a very good reason...Moe was baptized! He didn't want to have a big production made of it, so he decided on the spur of the moment (but not really, because he's been ready for about two years now) to have his youth leader, his dad and me baptize him after tonight's service. So his physical birthday is Feb. 23, but his spiritual birthday is Feb. 25.
I pray that he stays strong and on fire for God. My heart is so full...
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Search my heart, O God
In the movie Twister, Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a slightly off-center storm chaser named Dusty who is asked to "explain to her why you are...the way you are."
In everyday life, I feel as though I'm doing the same thing to myself. I joke that if anyone ever spent time with my mother, my grandmother or any of my aunts they would know why I am...the way I am, and truly that's not far off the mark (think dark family secrets). Why did I say that? Why did I react that way? Why, why, why?
Because God uses everything to His glory, I don't really have to know why. It's amazing, though to be 40 years old and still discovering things about myself. I'm reading a book that I guess could be classified as a Christian self-help book -- hey, it's cheaper than a therapist! -- and it's laying me open. Very, very uncomfortable. Before, I never really knew how bound I was by childhood experiences.
That's not to say I'm "cured," or that I need to be. But any time you realize that you are not loving people to your full potential or in the appropriate ways, it's definitely something that needs to be addressed.
In a time of economic insecurity when love may be all a person has to offer, it certainly makes sense to work on that particular skill!
In everyday life, I feel as though I'm doing the same thing to myself. I joke that if anyone ever spent time with my mother, my grandmother or any of my aunts they would know why I am...the way I am, and truly that's not far off the mark (think dark family secrets). Why did I say that? Why did I react that way? Why, why, why?
Because God uses everything to His glory, I don't really have to know why. It's amazing, though to be 40 years old and still discovering things about myself. I'm reading a book that I guess could be classified as a Christian self-help book -- hey, it's cheaper than a therapist! -- and it's laying me open. Very, very uncomfortable. Before, I never really knew how bound I was by childhood experiences.
That's not to say I'm "cured," or that I need to be. But any time you realize that you are not loving people to your full potential or in the appropriate ways, it's definitely something that needs to be addressed.
In a time of economic insecurity when love may be all a person has to offer, it certainly makes sense to work on that particular skill!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Happy birthday, Little Boy Blue!
Today is our baby's 8th birthday. When I found out we were expecting him, his sister was just nine months old. I remember laughing hysterically at the two pink lines on the pregnancy test, and I remember the pregnancy was a nightmare of early labor, countless shots of brethine, restricted activity and hospital stays.
But what a wonderful blessing this child is to us! I truly can't imagine life without our "bonus baby," or the joy his sweet smile and wry sense of humor bring every day of our lives.
His birthday celebration began Saturday evening when his two same-age cousins slept over and watched a new Justice League DVD. After church, we had our family and a couple of neighbor children over for sandwiches, sodas, cake and ice cream. We decorated with Batman and I made his favorite devil's food cake. He received several neat gifts, including more of his beloved Legos.
This morning, his brother and sister gave him their gifts: a Batman coloring book with two sets of Twistables crayons and a Bionicle. Daddy and I are saving our gifts for his exact birthday time, 5:29 p.m. We got him a Lego beach house and a Lego biplane. Dinner is our treat but his choice, and I imagine his birthday cash and Target gift card are burning up his pocket so we'll probably be making a stop there as well.
Happy birthday, sweet angel. I'm so glad I had you!
Friday, February 20, 2009
All hail
Wednesday brought some super storms. I dropped Larry at church to set up youth AV around 4:30, then took the Littles to the library to return/browse/check out. Shortly thereafter, we were ushered into the interior conference room because of a tornado warning, and Geddy kept us updated from our house, 10 miles away, by cell phone. I was distinctly uneasy because the church's phones were unmanned, so I couldn't check on Larry.
When we got the all-clear, we headed back to church for a quick dinner. Around nine of the children's volunteers showed up to handle the 50 or so children who came. Just about the time we checked everyone in and got in our seats in the "big room," another warning hit and we spent about 20 minutes lined up in the hallway.
It was too late to really have our program by that point, so we started Wall-E and waited for everyone to pick up the children. I took my fifth-graders back to our room to have a little birthday party for one of the girls, but as soon as I heard about yet another wave of storms threatening, I gathered my littles, dropped my nephew off with his daddy and pulled Larry out of youth group so we could beat the weather home.
We did, but man, was it an exhausting evening! Geddy took a photo (above) of the golf ball-sized hail for posterity, and our freezer was full of the buggers when we got home. Fortunately, neither of our cars was damaged and no windows were broken, but we may have to have someone look at our roof.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
My funny Valentine
Geddy worked a charity event starting at 6 a.m. Saturday, so we did our little Valentine date Friday night. Nannie and Paw-Paw took care of The Hat Trick while we did the dinner-and-a-movie thing. Our plan was to see Friday the 13th, but after reading Plugged In Online's review we decided against it. (Another factor was the flushing of Rob Zombie's toilet on us disguised as a Halloween remake. Revolting but not at all scary.)
A new soda fountain/grill has opened on the square of our tiny downtown. Cute date idea, and we do try to support our local businesses. Unfortunately, the food was awful. G got a mediocre chili dog the size of my pinkie and my cheesesteak was dripping with Cheese Whiz and topped with an ice-cold bun.
Ick.
We thought we'd do dessert at a different restaurant, but by the time we shook the dust of the first place off our heels, every other place was packed. We drove by the theatre to see if any other movies appealed to us, but no. Nothing was happening at the local university's performing arts center and no basketball was scheduled, so we were pretty much out of luck.
Good for us that Publix has yummy desserts. We chose a cannoli and a slice of cheesecake and enjoyed them in the cafe area, then drove to pick up our children.
Valentine's Day promised to be just as prosaic and unromantic as our date the night before. We breakfasted on pancakes, biscuits and gravy, pancakes and juice at the fundraiser at which G volunteered, and then I took Moe to the doctor while G took the Bigs to run a couple of errands. Moe had bronchitis and an ear infection that required medication and rest, so when we met up at home it became an impromptu family movie day.
The five of us piled up on our bed to watch Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, me holding our medicated and sleepy 7-year-old in my arms. Our newest adoptee, a mostly gray cat named Lacie, decided to join us as we ate popcorn, drank soda and giggled at the movie.
As we critiqued and compared (movie to the original with Gene Wilder, both movies to book) and stopped for medicine and snack refill and bathroom breaks, I realized that this spontaneous movie day with lots of laughter and snuggling fed me in a way that no restaurant meal -- no matter how delicious or expensive -- could ever have done.
I was reminded once again that trying to squeeze a whole year's worth of love into one splendidly showy day is near impossible because it will never be enough. Happily, I am one of the truly lucky, happy and blessed to have a family that makes every day Valentine's Day.
A new soda fountain/grill has opened on the square of our tiny downtown. Cute date idea, and we do try to support our local businesses. Unfortunately, the food was awful. G got a mediocre chili dog the size of my pinkie and my cheesesteak was dripping with Cheese Whiz and topped with an ice-cold bun.
Ick.
We thought we'd do dessert at a different restaurant, but by the time we shook the dust of the first place off our heels, every other place was packed. We drove by the theatre to see if any other movies appealed to us, but no. Nothing was happening at the local university's performing arts center and no basketball was scheduled, so we were pretty much out of luck.
Good for us that Publix has yummy desserts. We chose a cannoli and a slice of cheesecake and enjoyed them in the cafe area, then drove to pick up our children.
Valentine's Day promised to be just as prosaic and unromantic as our date the night before. We breakfasted on pancakes, biscuits and gravy, pancakes and juice at the fundraiser at which G volunteered, and then I took Moe to the doctor while G took the Bigs to run a couple of errands. Moe had bronchitis and an ear infection that required medication and rest, so when we met up at home it became an impromptu family movie day.
The five of us piled up on our bed to watch Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, me holding our medicated and sleepy 7-year-old in my arms. Our newest adoptee, a mostly gray cat named Lacie, decided to join us as we ate popcorn, drank soda and giggled at the movie.
As we critiqued and compared (movie to the original with Gene Wilder, both movies to book) and stopped for medicine and snack refill and bathroom breaks, I realized that this spontaneous movie day with lots of laughter and snuggling fed me in a way that no restaurant meal -- no matter how delicious or expensive -- could ever have done.
I was reminded once again that trying to squeeze a whole year's worth of love into one splendidly showy day is near impossible because it will never be enough. Happily, I am one of the truly lucky, happy and blessed to have a family that makes every day Valentine's Day.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Larry got his braces off!
He goes back to be fitted for retainers tomorrow. He couldn't care less about the braces thing, except that he got a "prescription" from the orthodontist to chew as much gum as he wants. Overall, he's done a terrific job taking care of his teeth while wearing his braces for the last two years, so I treated him to a bag of his favorite kinds of gum.
On another note, Moe saw the orthodontist for the first time and apparently is going to need braces as well. He recommended Moe have his upper baby canines pulled so his front four teeth can straighten up on their own. Curly Sue already has had three of her baby canines pulled and wore a palatal expander for six months, so we've at least gotten that part of her orthodontia done and paid for.
It's pricey, but oh so worth it when you look at what Larry's teeth looked like three or four years ago and what they look like today! (Of course, I think he's a most handsome young man anyway, but of course I'm biased...)
On another note, Moe saw the orthodontist for the first time and apparently is going to need braces as well. He recommended Moe have his upper baby canines pulled so his front four teeth can straighten up on their own. Curly Sue already has had three of her baby canines pulled and wore a palatal expander for six months, so we've at least gotten that part of her orthodontia done and paid for.
It's pricey, but oh so worth it when you look at what Larry's teeth looked like three or four years ago and what they look like today! (Of course, I think he's a most handsome young man anyway, but of course I'm biased...)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Get this party started
How do I love P!nk? Let me count the ways...
I DVR'd (is that even a word?) the I'm Not Dead concert a few days ago and Curly Sue and I watched a little of it just now. I tell you, the woman is insanely talented. Yes, I know she's not exactly a model of purity or propriety but what girl doesn't relate to this?
Every day I fight a war against the mirror
I can't take the person starin' back at me
I'm a hazard to myself
Don't let me get me
I'm my own worst enemy
It's bad when you annoy yourself
So irritating
Don't wanna be my friend no more
I wanna be somebody else
And how does this pop star, fearless and iconoclastic, know how I'm ashamed to say I feel sometimes as a 24/7 wife and homeschooling mom?
Go away
Come back
Go away
Come back
Why can't I just have it both ways
Go away
Come back
Go away
Come back
I wish you knew the difference
Go away
Come back
Go away
Give me a chance to miss you
Say goodbye
It'll make me want to kiss you
Go away
Give me a chance to miss you
Say goodbye
It'll make me want to kiss you
Go away
Give me a chance to miss you
Say goodbye It'll make me want to kiss you
Tonight
Leave me alone
I'm lonely
Alone I'm lonely
I'm tired
Leave me alone
I'm lonely
Alone I'm lonely tonight
We're a few decades, hairstyles and piercings apart, but P!nk is definitely my favorite color.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Virus has left the building
The Hat Trick got beat down by a nasty cold virus which, uninvited, nonetheless set up residence and quite overstayed its welcome. The boys pulled out of it okay but Miss Curly Sue teetered on the brink of pneumonia for a day or two before antibiotics set her on the road to recovery. All in all, it took about three weeks to recover to normal levels.
Geddy went out of town for a few days last week, returned to work Friday and immediately got called out for disaster relief to Kentucky, where some of the worst damage from the ice storm left up to a half-million people without power and/or water for dangerously long periods of time. G's company has a mill there, so that's where the team set up to distribute packages containing blankets, water, some food, toilet tissue, etc. to help those affected folks along. We missed him, of course, but he has a real gift for that kind of thing so we didn't mind loaning him out for a couple of days.
Larry found out Tuesday that he will have his braces removed next week and he is very happy. To straighten his teeth, he had to have his four baby canines removed, wear a palatal expander for six months, have four permanent molars removed and be in full braces for two-plus years. However, he will be completely done before he is a teen except for retainers, and his teeth look beautiful! He says he plans to celebrate with a sackful of bubble gum, and I don't have the heart to tell him how sore he will be for a few days.
G was off Monday, so he decided to treat us to a fun family day because he's been away a lot lately. We took the children to Barnes and Noble for some new books, then to see Paul Blart: Mall Cop (hilarious AND family-friendly). He then treated us to dinner at Taco Mac.
We are looking forward to a second family day tomorrow, when we will visit Callaway Gardens. Through the end of February, Callaway is offering free admission, and we are packing a picnic to keep it frugal. It will be nice to spend a sunny, relatively warm day hiking, relaxing, goofing off and enjoying nature, especially after being cooped up and sick for the better part of January.
Geddy went out of town for a few days last week, returned to work Friday and immediately got called out for disaster relief to Kentucky, where some of the worst damage from the ice storm left up to a half-million people without power and/or water for dangerously long periods of time. G's company has a mill there, so that's where the team set up to distribute packages containing blankets, water, some food, toilet tissue, etc. to help those affected folks along. We missed him, of course, but he has a real gift for that kind of thing so we didn't mind loaning him out for a couple of days.
Larry found out Tuesday that he will have his braces removed next week and he is very happy. To straighten his teeth, he had to have his four baby canines removed, wear a palatal expander for six months, have four permanent molars removed and be in full braces for two-plus years. However, he will be completely done before he is a teen except for retainers, and his teeth look beautiful! He says he plans to celebrate with a sackful of bubble gum, and I don't have the heart to tell him how sore he will be for a few days.
G was off Monday, so he decided to treat us to a fun family day because he's been away a lot lately. We took the children to Barnes and Noble for some new books, then to see Paul Blart: Mall Cop (hilarious AND family-friendly). He then treated us to dinner at Taco Mac.
We are looking forward to a second family day tomorrow, when we will visit Callaway Gardens. Through the end of February, Callaway is offering free admission, and we are packing a picnic to keep it frugal. It will be nice to spend a sunny, relatively warm day hiking, relaxing, goofing off and enjoying nature, especially after being cooped up and sick for the better part of January.
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