George, along with the rest of his family and my father, attended church with us this morning. Bearing witness to our baptism as well as our acceptance as members of the church, it was nice to have family in the pew two Sundays this month.

George, however, had missed out on the Easter services as he had been sick that morning. So today was his first experience with our church. He had asked my sister ahead of time the all-important eight-year old question, “How long is the service?” To which my sister had responded, “about an hour.”

This morning, sitting in the pew ahead of the service, listening to the Praise Team (including Flash on trumpet) warming up, George leaned over to my sister and asked, “Is this part of the hour?”

I guess it just couldn’t get over fast enough for George.

When my dad was up for Easter I asked if maybe he wanted to be the one to teach Flash how to shave. I thought it might be a special moment between a grandfather and his eldest grandson. He asked if we had a razor and I assured him that since Bear had bought it all for Flash for Christmas, we had every wonderful variety of shaving accoutrement a boy might need.

As it turned out, we didn’t get to it over Easter.

So, waiting on dinner the other evening, with my dad back up for another weekend of fun-filled activities with his children and grandchildren, I asked him again, if he wanted to teach Flash how to shave, thinking if we planned ahead for the next day or two, we might remember to squeeze it in.

“Electric or blade?” he asked.

“I think it’s best if we just start with electric for now,” I responded.

“Well, there isn’t much to teach, really, he replied. You just turn it on and use your tongue.”

And here I thought I was creating this wonderful memory that they both might share for a lifetime and my dad boiled it right down to the nitty gritty. “Turn it on and use your tongue.”

I would like to caution you on using the motto for anything else in life. It doesn’t apply to any other situation nearly as easily or appropriately. (Let’s remember, this is a family blog!)

My sister and Bear had an “animated discussion” about how to waterproof the camper. My sister believed you did it from the inside out. Bear thought they should do it from the outside in. In any case, the discussion turned to enough of an argument that my father, visiting for the weekend sought out another task to accomplish while the two held court in the back yard.

George came out after awhile to see what everyone was up to. When he popped his head into the camper, he said, “I see Mom won,” a statement to which his father adamantly replied that she had not won, he was simply tired of arguing. George then asked where Papa was.

My sister chuckled and explained that Papa wasn’t so used to such discussions and probably had gone seeking shelter from World War III.

George calmly replied, “I’m used to it. I’m way used to it!”

Flash and I were baptized today.

It was a day of serving, learning and obeying.
I hope we both have a lifetime of this.

For anyone who understands the significance, after we returned to our pew, I noticed a mother in front of me directing her daughter’s attention to the windows. When I looked, there was a beautiful red cardinal sitting outside the church window looking in. In all the months of attending Haven, I have never seen a bird perch on the window like that. And today, of all days, the day of our baptism, to have a cardinal sitting there. Well, God, I got the message.

And Mom? I love you too.

We attend a contemporary service at a Reformed Church in town. George and family joined us for our baptism service and got to enjoy the incredible praise music that we sing and enjoy. With Flash playing trumpet with the band, George noticed the words to the songs up on the big screen for everyone to join in.

“I didn’t know they sang karaoke at church, Mom!” was his reply.

Oh, George.

At this time all those years ago, I wasn’t even on my way to the hospital yet.

Today I’ve already been to Blockbuster (Wii games and movies) and the grocery store (homemade pizza – birthday boy’s dinner choice).

At this time 13 years ago, I was trying to convince my dad it didn’t matter what their original plans were for coming down to see the baby, I was five days past due, I was having contractions and there was going to be a baby SOON.

Today, I am trying to convince Flash that even though it IS time for the guests to arrive, they might not be right on time and his pacing isn’t helping matters.

13 years ago I had a bag packed for the hospital with neutral -colored newborn clothes and some comfortable post-delivery clothes for me.

Today, Flash has chips, soda, pizza, ice cream, games, movies and and a laptop. I have 2 movies, a laptop and a book all waiting in my room (for when the boys deem me too “uncool” to hang with them in the living room.)

This time thirteen years ago I was a nervous wreck about the next 12 hours of labor (which turned out to be about 5 hours of labor – and no, that’s not always better.)

Today I’m a nervous wreck about the next 15 hours of PARTAY in this small apartment.

13 years ago I hadn’t slept well in months, I was achey and tired and really grouchy and I just wanted a good night’s sleep.

Today, I feel like the past couple of weeks have lasted a year, that I’ve aged and stressed and worried enough for a lifetime and that all I want is a good night’s sleep.

13 years ago, at 12:31 on May 2nd, the doctor handed me a beautiful, healthy boy, my little Mr. Wrinkles (he’s had a lot of nicknames in his lifetime).

Today, I look UP to talk to Flash, laughing about the antics of our days and sharing his excitement over a party with friends, gifts and celebrating the life that has brought me the most joy during mine.

Let the ParTAY begin!! (and may it never end – metaphorically, of course. At some point, I really DO want some sleep!)

I’ve been praying for God to give me an answer and today He did.

The house is not to be ours. At least not right now.

The homeowners are in way over their heads and are going to have to go through the process of foreclosure. It’s a long process, but perhaps months down the road, if we’re still interested, there might be another window for us to express an interest.

In the meantime, I’m taking a break from the search. I’m emptying my house of the boxes we’ve collected and I am going to take some of the saved money and pay off my car.

But I know God has a great plan for us, and I know that it is better than we can imagine.

I know this.

But for a few moments tonight, when I am normally praying that God would help me to know what to do with this house, I just might cry. But only for a moment. Only for a moment.

If you have Facebook…

Go to the very bottom of your FB page and where it says “English (US)” change it to “English (Pirate)” and then go read your FB page.

OH MY FREAKING GOODNESS I am laughing so hard!!!

And so I counter offered their counter offer.

And I prayed the whole drive home that God would take this in His hands and do with it as He will.

I’m not even sure what I’m hoping for at this point.

I’ll keep you posted.