Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.
Psalm 63:3

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Grandma



We went to see Great-grandma K on St. Patrick's Day. It was a 45 minute trip to her lovely home. 

Grandma J had a fun "find-it" game for the car ride. Both kids got out of the van with fistsful of change.

Uncle R arrived moments after us and we all sat down for a chat in Grandma K's apartment. The last time we visited Grandma K's apartment was not so good...Bug broke something precious. About 3 minutes into it, Bean touched a precious without permission. I sat her down in a corner where she proceeded to glower at me for 3 minutes. Did not bode well for a day long visit...but if I remember accurately, that was the most serious infraction of the day. 

Bean changed into a princess dress and green princess shoes and we moved the party to a game room where Uncle R, Grandma K,  Mom J, and I played a spirited game of dominoes. Bug and Bean sat in recliners and watched Noggin with their mouths hanging open just a bit...just like we've practiced for hours. So proud. Bug said he was so hungry. "My stomach can't take it anymore!" Grandma K was treating us to pizza for lunch in the dining room. As Bug and Bean say, "De-lish-us!"

Throughout the day, we met many of the other residents...all so nice. And the kids used their manners. 

As we left the dining room, an older gentleman remarked about Bean's shoes and red hair, so naturally she stopped for more compliments...she has a thing for men, yikes. She answered the requisite questions about her name (which we translated) and her age. She introduced her brother. Being St. Patty's Day, the dessert that day was cupcakes with green icing. I heard her say, "I like green cupcakes." Ummm...smooth, Bean. He was so sweet and offered it to her. Grandma K noticed and managed to get another from the kitchen to replace it. I think I heard him say to Bean, "Oh, that's your grandma? She's a doll." Hmmmm..... Then he offered the other to Bug. "Yes, please." And Grandma K ran to replace that one...too cute.  

We met another of Grandma K's friends in the library where Bean discovered a doll (she was not gentle with it) and Bug found a globe that lit from the inside. Proud Grandma J remarked more than once, "This day is so educational."


Then, we scooted...outside...yeah, on scooters. It was a glorious day with a warm breeze. Just right. And my babes were ornery enough to be endearing, but not obnoxious. Good. Dare I say it, I was proud of them.



What a lovely place. I asked Grandma if the kids and I could spend the night sometime. She "didn't hear me" ask. Wise woman.


Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Consider the lilies



A friend gave me flowers. Delightful. I love flowers...and the "just because" of them. (Are you out there, honey?) They'll earn their keep by charming a would-be homebuyer, maybe. But they've already charmed and cheered me...thank you, sweet friend.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Tap, tap, tap...how long?





While being away for a mere two months, I looked forward to coming home. And I have loved being home for the most part. It surprised me how difficult the logistics have been: where should we sleep tonight, where are the mittens, what can I cook for dinner in a pared down kitchen, how do I catch up on relationships and activities I've missed and not squeeze out normal "home" days, etc? These little questions tangled me up, confused me, and sometimes brought me low.

I miss my love. Life is easier, sweeter, better with him. It has been different being apart this time. The holding pattern continues. We've wondered how long his assignment would have to be to make it worth it for us to travel three days? I think we have our answer. We're going on three weeks, which is not the longest, but it seems it.

Life is different but somehow more harmonious out there. My priority, other than keeping us alive, is to make Sweet Man's life most efficient. With him working 12-13 hours a day, 6 days a week, he needs that. (I know there are so many out  there who have that same challenge.) We try to protect the time we have together as a family by getting the mundane out of the way so that we can adventure together, or at least relax. 

I'm ready to get back to it, that rhythm of life. Choosing to push the "easy" button on some things (ie: cooking) to maximize time with my babes and my sweet man. It's what I've asked God to do for me: show me how to engage in the moments to the fullest with these people I get to know. Pull in tighter, keeping our eyes on Our Savior, so that whether we are "at home" or out in the world, we are peaceful and purposeful. I crave that.

So, I'm ready to hit the road again. Don't get me wrong...I adore you Ohio folk, but I've been here a while, biding time. It was so momentous for me to pack up the house and move out to go to Texas...it really seemed so permanent. Big giant steps. When I pulled out of our driveway that December morning, I kinda thought I wouldn't see this house again. Seems silly now really. Because, here we are. At church, more than a few people have said to me, "You're still here? I thought you were gone...." Yeah, I know. But I'm not quite here, either.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Watch...

...this.

As inspirational SouleMama says, "It will send you to the paint brushes."