Friday, January 30, 2009

Mommy-brain memory system

That's a technical title for "I'm putting this on my blog because I'm forgetting everything I try to remember".

As some of you may know, I'm always reading something(s). I have things I want to remember, or use again, or share. So I'm going to put some of these book/reading quotes on here from time to time in hopes that pulling up this category can be akin to opening my file cabinet. I use my real-life file cabinet. I will not, however, get a bigger file cabinet and physically store these quotes on some paper because I am a purger. Being a purger is a good thing -- in my opinion only, I'm sure -- but it doesn't mesh well with mommy-brain.

Anyway.

I think my m.o. will be: quote, author, source. I may or may not add commentary -- usually not.

"The disciple is one who, intent upon becoming Christlike and so dwelling in his 'faith and practice,' systematically and progressively rearranges his affairs to that end." -- Dallas Willard
Devotional Classics (R. Foster and J. Smith)

Thursday, January 22, 2009

A footnote, because this never, ever happens

(Read the post from 1/12 for background)

So I gave in and paid the ticket. (I would look for more background on fighting traffic tickets or normal fine ranges, and Eric would say, "pay the ticket." I'd wonder aloud about the chances of the police officer showing up in court and Eric would say, "pay the ticket.")

Yesterday, when I checked the messages on voice mail, a very nice lady from the city court office had called to tell me I had overpaid the cost of the fine and that she had sent back our check. I am to send a new check totaling about $200 less than what I had paid. (No. We still have no idea why the ticket said the fine was more than $300)

I will take this as a fine lesson in submission.

A Heat Wave

This is part of the perks of being a Buckeye: you know that one day, some day, during the winter there will be snow on the ground but it will be warm enough to enjoy being outside. Time for some Vitamin D!



...and some great exercise...


...they even got a little sweaty...


...it's a rough sport, though!

(She went down the hill without waiting for clearance and rammed into Jesse, apparently face first. She's fine!)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Well then...

Here's how today has started:
-- Eric was rear-ended this morning and got stuck in a traffic jam. (He's fine, no damage to van)
-- We checked the propane tank and it's already almost empty. Maybe we should just make a fire with the cash for heat instead. And I'm cold!
-- The truck battery was dead, dead, dead when the kids and I went to leave for homeschool choir today.

My temptation here is to give in to complete and utter sarcasm (Happy Inauguration Day!).

But you know what? By only the grace of the One True God and the example of my awesome husband, this is how today ends up:
-- Lacking the luxury now of going in the house and getting my husband to come start the truck, I called our dear neighbor for help and, while we were waiting for his boost to work, reconnected with some good conversation. And we made it to choir.
-- I am truly thankful for a house to heat, propane and corn to burn, many socks and sweatshirts to layer, and kids to snuggle with. My feet will thaw eventually.
-- At supper, Eric asked Jesse to get seven of his matchbox cars and recreated the car accident on the kitchen table while they ate, explaining to 5 engrossed children exactly how it happened. There were too many things in that moment to be thankful for to even list here.

Monday, January 12, 2009

The End of an Era

Does that sound overly dramatic? That's because today feels kind of dramatic around here. Today, instead of heading through the kitchen door to his office, Eric headed to Cincinnati to his new job (if you want details on the job, email him!). While we are sad to let go of Eric's business -- what a treasure of memories we have from these past 4 years! -- it's been great to see how God has brought this new opportunity about, and we're thankful for it.

Telling the kids has been interesting. We introduced the idea slowly, over Christmas, then again this weekend, asking if they had questions. They were really getting the idea last night when they knew Daddy would already be gone in the morning when they got up. I guess I have been really trying to explain what was going to happen to them; I think I wanted them to grasp how good they have had it the past few years -- the freedom that comes with self-employment. So, I may have overdone it a little. Jesse, throughout the day, would say something like, "How many days until Dad comes home?" Or, "We won't see Dad soon!"

Eric did get home later than we expected*, and as he joined us at the supper table, the kids were in full-blown drama. "Dad! Dad! It's so good to see you!" Sara had the winner: "I didn't even remember what you looked like, dad."

---------------------------
*On the way home, he missed a turn in one of the towns he is cutting through in an attempt to shave some minutes off his commute. On an unfamiliar side street, in the dark, the street suddenly turned into a one-way, and he was going the wrong way. He said he went about 50 yards, realized it, then turned around in a parking lot and went back. A city cop pulled him over immediately, and had only this to say to Eric's apology and explanation: "It's very dangerous what you did!" OK, fine -- something to remember his first day of commuting by. But do you know what the ticket fine is in this apparently-starving-for-cash-municipality? $331!! For going the wrong way on a one-way. Are you kidding me??

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Saturday, January 3, 2009

I've got connections now

Doesn't my sister take great photos? This is one of my new favorites because it really captures Leah's look -- the look I get each day that a mom will remember forever.

Karyn's got this great camera and even has moved into the realm of professional photography; I think it fits her perfectly. My children love to be test subjects (except Levi) and my photo albums and frames on the walls reap the benefits. Check her out here.