The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. Psalm 16:6


Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Why Humor is Crucial for Mothers

OK, so it's been a time of whirlwind activity around here. Lots of going in and going out, lots of guests, Bible studies, lessons, and such. Today has been a day for sitting back and taking it all in and realizing how important, nay crucial, humor is for a mother. Especially this mother of five.

I have found myself startled by some of the bizarre combinations of words coming out of my mouth recently. You know what I'm talking about...things you never, in a million years, thought you would ever say. Try some of these recent doozies on for size:

"Gretchen, you would be really unhappy too if others at the breakfast table were speaking in a language you didn't understand." (this while Gretchen and Nicholas were tittering away IN LATIN at the breakfast table! Lillian was not only feeling left out, but quite uneasy about what might be so stinkin' funny.)

"Gabriel, get your armpit out of the almond butter." (I hope no one out there in blogdom had food in their mouth when they came across that interesting visual.)

"Kurt, stop licking your bike." (uh, what is there to say about that? The kid keeps us guessing... and perpetually disgusted. We recently went to the zoo where I look up and he's sipping away at a juice box. No problem. 'Cept I didn't bring any juice boxes.)


Just in case you think the humor ends with our verbosity, fear not. It continues...

*The girls are outside trying to catch a bee for a pet. Not sure who thought that was a good idea, but I'm going with the oldest puella, that's Latin for girl :-)

*Lastly, I was just in the kitchen and I see Nicholas' eyes bugging out of his head as he stares out of the window. Then he starts laughing. I mean cracking up. He's frantically trying to tell me what he sees. He's sputtering and spluttering. I look out - half intrigued, half frightened - to see a small pasty white bottom shining in the SoCal sunshine. Apparently, one of my boys (who shall remain nameless) really had to go.
Or, it just seemed like an interesting idea.
Or, he knew his mama needed a good laugh.

Or, he knew that the old man from up the street was puttering by with his walker right at that moment.

Hopefully that nice old man knows how crucial humor is, too.



Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I am Still Alive

Never fear.

Just having trouble fitting it all in.

We had a lovely, lovely time with our dear friends from CT who came out for the Shepherd's Conference earlier this month. We were privileged to have Tim, Cynthia, Adele, Marji, Benjamin, and Karsten stay in our home for the whole week. It was really so wonderful to spend time with all of them again. They have been missed so much. Above are Cynthia, Adele, Karsten, and Marji at the L.A. Zoo where we spent an afternoon during their stay. We had a number of logistical mishaps with that number of people, but we had a splendid time nonetheless.
One thing that was interesting to me this year: of all the men who came from our little CT church, the majority of them were not there when we were there. That is not actually the interesting part. The interesting part was how they all felt like old friends anyway. It was so great. The Lord's church is universal and these are our brothers in Christ, co-heirs in Christ's kingdom. Praise God for how He thoughtfully takes care of His people! Above, Frank (a new friend from CT), reads a book to Kurt.
It was so wonderful to see our old CT friends, the Peppers. They are now living out here in our neck of the woods, but we just don't see them nearly enough!
How fun to have the Harasicks here, as well. Our new friends mixing with our old friends...so lovely! God has blessed us to know some of the most amazing, godly people in our lives. You all encourage me so much. Praise God!