Giggle, giggle, nonsense talk, violent scenarios, giggle, sounds of flailing, sounds of hitting, shouting, fussing, laughing.
Okay, boys, time to quiet down, settle your minds, and get ready for church.
Yes, sir.
Two seconds of silence, then continued, though quieter, nonsense words, violent plans for new pellet guns, and insane giggles.
Boys, settle down.
Yes, ma'am.
Click, click, click.
Win, put down the Nerf gun.
Yes, ma'am.
Click.
Win, put it down.
Yes, sir.
Ding, ding, ding.
What is that sound? Thomas, that's mine!
Thomas, give it to her.
Yes, ma'am.
Boys, fold your hands in your laps and settle down.
How do you fold your hands?
Like this...like you're praying.
No, that's not right. It's like this.
No, it's not. You do it like this.
No, like this!
No!
Yes, it is.
No, it's not.
Yes, it IS!
I never knew what a wild ride it would be.
31 January 2010
23 January 2010
God's mercy alone
Written the night of 21 January:
I had knee surgery today. Knee surgery performed by a clean, unhurried, reasonably well-rested surgeon who speaks the same language I do, who was assisted by friendly, well-trained nurses...surgery in a clean, comfortable, private, climate-controlled, well-lit surgery center with heated blankets, comfortable beds, clean restrooms, drink machines, and plenty of clean water...surgery under gently administered, well-monitored, general anethesia, with my compassionate, patient, and thoughtful husband and mother to sit with me as I waited a few hours for my turn. My clean, safe, well-looked-after, and well-fed children prayed publicly for me at their schools, as did their teachers, as did our friends in their houses, prayer meetings, and churches. Kiper was able to keep our friends and family instantly updated with texts, whether they were one mile (Heather), a hundred miles (my daddy) or 1200 miles (my sister) away.
As I lay down tonight night on my clean sheets, under a brand new blanket, with a glass of cold water and a variety of medicines to ensure my comfort next to me on my lovely, solid bedside table covered with books I love and am able to read by the light of my electric lamp, I could not help but compare my lot to that of those suffering now in Haiti and think of the contrast in our experiences and current states of mind and being.
Why? Why? Why so good to me, Lord? Not through any goodness or merit in me, certainly. Your mercy alone, oh Lord. And there is nothing that I can do to be worthy of such mercy You've shown to me and my family...nothing. But I praise You for it and remember the verse "to whom much is given, much will be required." I pray that You will enable me to give in the same manner I have received.
I had knee surgery today. Knee surgery performed by a clean, unhurried, reasonably well-rested surgeon who speaks the same language I do, who was assisted by friendly, well-trained nurses...surgery in a clean, comfortable, private, climate-controlled, well-lit surgery center with heated blankets, comfortable beds, clean restrooms, drink machines, and plenty of clean water...surgery under gently administered, well-monitored, general anethesia, with my compassionate, patient, and thoughtful husband and mother to sit with me as I waited a few hours for my turn. My clean, safe, well-looked-after, and well-fed children prayed publicly for me at their schools, as did their teachers, as did our friends in their houses, prayer meetings, and churches. Kiper was able to keep our friends and family instantly updated with texts, whether they were one mile (Heather), a hundred miles (my daddy) or 1200 miles (my sister) away.
As I lay down tonight night on my clean sheets, under a brand new blanket, with a glass of cold water and a variety of medicines to ensure my comfort next to me on my lovely, solid bedside table covered with books I love and am able to read by the light of my electric lamp, I could not help but compare my lot to that of those suffering now in Haiti and think of the contrast in our experiences and current states of mind and being.
Why? Why? Why so good to me, Lord? Not through any goodness or merit in me, certainly. Your mercy alone, oh Lord. And there is nothing that I can do to be worthy of such mercy You've shown to me and my family...nothing. But I praise You for it and remember the verse "to whom much is given, much will be required." I pray that You will enable me to give in the same manner I have received.
07 January 2010
E-mail to my sister
I want to post photos and memories from Christmas and my birthday and the recent wedding we got to participate in, but I haven't gotten myself together for that yet. So I'm posting this e-mail I sent to my sister earlier because it sort of captures this moment, this day, this stage...it all seems like a pretty big deal right now, but it's all fairly every day stuff that I fear I'll forget quickly. (I also edited it a little because I used too many exclamation points and it didn't seem dignified. Now that I'm 41 I must try to maintain my dignity at all times.)
This is the painting I was talking about. Don't you think it would look so lovely upstairs in the playroom? Or in my bedroom? It's called Thursday Morning by Ellen Langford. Margie gave me an Ellen Langford calendar for my birthday and she (Ellen Langford) quickly became one of my most favorite artists. Margie was already one of my favorites...Margie, Raoul Dufy, Julian Merrow-Smith, Lisa Paris, Emily Patrick...and now Ellen Langford.
Hey,
I am so enthralled with Ellen Langford's paintings! Thanks so much for the introduction. I looked at her website and there are about 52 works I want. I've tracked down the one called Thursday Morning and am considering buying it. We'll see.
There's no school for anyone tomorrow. Closed for cold...not really, I think it may be quite icy in the morning. Luke Logan is going to come spend the night with us. I need to take down the Christmas stuff, but all I want to do is cook soup and read, read, read. And drink hot chocolate.
Laura Lee's Slimming Secrets.
I hope you have fun with Kelli. We'll be watching the Championship Game, I expect. I can't decide who I'm really going to be rooting for.
I am watching what we call "regular tv," which means "not DirecTV," our local stations, to check to see if Petal schools are closed tomorrow. (Ella's school follows their lead...they're closed). "Jeopardy" just came on and it reminded me of Aunt Patsy and Uncle Sonny so strongly. I miss those days.
I love you,
Laura Lee
I am so enthralled with Ellen Langford's paintings! Thanks so much for the introduction. I looked at her website and there are about 52 works I want. I've tracked down the one called Thursday Morning and am considering buying it. We'll see.
There's no school for anyone tomorrow. Closed for cold...not really, I think it may be quite icy in the morning. Luke Logan is going to come spend the night with us. I need to take down the Christmas stuff, but all I want to do is cook soup and read, read, read. And drink hot chocolate.
Laura Lee's Slimming Secrets.
I hope you have fun with Kelli. We'll be watching the Championship Game, I expect. I can't decide who I'm really going to be rooting for.
I am watching what we call "regular tv," which means "not DirecTV," our local stations, to check to see if Petal schools are closed tomorrow. (Ella's school follows their lead...they're closed). "Jeopardy" just came on and it reminded me of Aunt Patsy and Uncle Sonny so strongly. I miss those days.
I love you,
Laura Lee
This is the painting I was talking about. Don't you think it would look so lovely upstairs in the playroom? Or in my bedroom? It's called Thursday Morning by Ellen Langford. Margie gave me an Ellen Langford calendar for my birthday and she (Ellen Langford) quickly became one of my most favorite artists. Margie was already one of my favorites...Margie, Raoul Dufy, Julian Merrow-Smith, Lisa Paris, Emily Patrick...and now Ellen Langford.
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