The Old Stuff

The other night I was on my way to pick up Kayla.  I took along a cd I hadn't listened to in a while- Neil Diamond.
And I turned it up.
Loudly.
And I sang with Neil.
Loudly.
"September Morn."
"Hello."
"America."
"Forever in  Blue Jeans."
I loved it.
Then it hit me.
These songs don't seem that old to me.  But they should.  They should be the "oldies".  Right?
Ohhhh...
Am I getting old enough to still enjoy the songs that are old and lame to young people?
I think so.
I have to wonder when my children will begin to say "Oh Mom..come on."  Although I don't usually listen with them around.  So maybe that will come a bit later.
But it's ok.  There's nothing wrong with the old stuff.

Rainy Wednesday

It is a rainy Wednesday and I kind of like it.  Everyone is either reading or napping now (I'd like to do both) and we've got some cool rise french bread resting in the fridge.  I love making this because one, it reminds me of our Berry Ridge friends and two, it will smell so good when we bake it and taste so good when we eat it.  No little red hens around here- Kayla did most of the work again.  It will be a little treat for Brian when he gets home.  Chili and homemade bread.  Perfect.
Now the house- not so perfect.  I'm stepping over all kinds of stuff.  Coats, crumbs, toys, recycling boxes that Lucy likes to spread around, books, pencils, and who knows what else.  So much needs doing.  I guess we'll get to it later.  A friend of mine and I see it like this:
If someone comes over, they will leave thinking one of two ways:
1-They will feel better about the state of their own house, knowing it is not as bad as ours
OR
2- They will feel better because they are not the only ones with homes that can quickly hit a downward spiral.
It's a win-win for them!
Ha.
Well, off to enjoy a little quiet of my own.
Enjoy the afternoon.

Sunday Thoughts

I noticed this little one sitting on the train table this morning.  No one else was around.  She was so quiet.
I guess alone moments don't come that often for her.  She was looking at a book, I think.
It seemed like a nice way to spend a rainy morning before church.

A few things that made me smile today.
Jack got ready for church and came down in a yellow polo.  He just stood and looked at me.  Like he needed some affirmation.  So I told him I thought he looked really nice.  He scrunched up his face and said, "Well, Mom, I've never really thought of yellow as being my color."  Ha.  I laughed out loud.

Then there was Samuel waiting for church to begin.  His legs straight out in front of him, feet covered in cowboy boots, as he sat in his chair.  His orange and yellow plaid shirt along with his red and silver striped tie that he loves.  And his little hands folded together as he leaned slightly forward, a contemplative look on his face.  I often wonder what he's thinking.  When he saw me looking at him, he smiled and came to sit in my lap.  Good stuff.

The other was during the service.  I watched Kayla as she followed along in the hymnal and later with the songs on the overhead.  The responsive reading in the bulletin.
Trying to sing with the congregation.
Participate in worship.
My heart swelled at this.  At the sweetness of it, yes.
But also that this is only the beginning of learning what it means to worship God.  A very good place to start.  And yet there is so much more.  I pray that she, and all the kids, can learn what it means to truly worship Him in all of life, in spirit and in truth.

Jack's 9

How did we get from this

to this

to this?

I know everyone says it but it happens so fast.  

I remember seeing him for the first time.  I was bone tired but it didn't matter.  There's such a sense of wonder about any new baby, but especially your first.  There he was, with that head full of dark, dark hair.  This one that had grown inside of me, kicking, stretching, making himself known.  

Causing such excitement, anticipation, joy.  

I remember holding him and just staring, taking it all in. 

And now here he is, half-way to "adulthood."

I learn so much watching this one grow.

He surprises me.  

He makes me laugh.  

He makes me smile.  

He loves his brother and sisters. 

He reminds me to pray.

He gives me great cause to be thankful.

Happy Birthday Jack!  We love you. 

It's another birthday eve.  Jack will be 9  tomorrow.  THAT is hard to believe.  I love getting ready for my kids' birthdays.  It's fun for them to have a special day.
Today has been a pretty good one.  Yesterday, uugghhh.  No particular reason as I look back on it but my own heart.  So often I'd love to blame away a bad day but if I'm honest, I can't do it.  I called Brian mid-day and told him I wanted to quit.  He gently told me I have the one job you can't quit.  By dinner, things were looking up.  And now, I'm really looking forward to some "Candleford" tonight with Brian.  We're on the last set of season 1.  I find myself thinking about the characters during the day- speculating about their lives, their choices, what's next...
Anyway, off to get these little ones to bed.  Have a good night!

Favorite Smells

This morning we had to tell our three favorite smells.  I don't know why but when you get a bunch of women together- well, you just never know.  It was fun to hear everyone's.  And to hear memories associated with some.
Here are mine:
1.  Petunias on late summer evenings-  for some reason it always reminds me of my mom.
2.  Freshly cut grass
3.  Bread baking in the oven
I couldn't stop at three.
4.  The smell of the house when the windows are open
5.  Coffee when you first break the seal
6.  Newborn babies
7.  Spring rain
What are some of yours?

Some Birthday Pictures

So, as promised to our far away family, here are some pictures from Sam's birthday.  I have to say it was a really fun day, all day, for our four-year old.

This was at 7:00 sharp, complete with birthday cereal and presents.

Later, Grandpa came over with more presents and ate pizza with us.

Hmmm... Pretty cool.

This was supposed to be the Toy Story 3 train.

Cake time!

Sammy's party was a "home group" party since we have home group on Thursday nights.  Before I saw this guy, I heard him.  T.C. dressed like Woody and came in the house saying things like, "There's a snake in my boot!" and other things I can't remember right now.  Awesome.

Lucy camped out with Grandpa most of the time and even got some cake of her own.  

Now we love this guy and his wife, the "Javiers" but he wanted to adopt Lucy last night.  She is sweet, I agree, but sorry, no deal!

Happy Birthday Sam!