oh, tie me to the end of a kite...

More beach coverage to follow soon, but just this one for now. We had an absolutely euphoric time. Anyway, this day in particular makes me think of one of my favorite songs by Rosie Thomas, simply titled, "Kite Song" which you can listen to on her site. My favorite bit is the end:

Oh tie me ever tightly by your side
So I may go with you wherever you reside

I just want to go away with you

mental captures of domestic life today

4:30am - vaguely remember something about Floyd rushing around to get out the door.

5:47am - wake up to BUGGLE stirring. every freaking light in the house is on. Floyd is no where to be seen. Ah yes, he had to leave early this morning. Now I remember. Opt to feed her and change the diaper and see just how much more she'll sleep. Stumble around in sleepy fog to turn out lights and crawl back into bed.
====

8:01am - woops, definitely overslept the alarm. And that sweet two year old boy has been awake a while. Kick it into high gear.

9:02am - RM asked me to sing with him on the way to school. Really stinking cute. Drop off at the School of the Little People. On to office .38 miles away.
====

5:32pm - arrive at home, exchange essential information with sitter from the School of the Little People. Decide to keep up the general crazy-woman pace of life today and take kids to church supper.

5:41pm - woke RM up to discover sitter had put him in swim 'diaper' instead of pull-up for nap... yeah, that's bad. Still didn't seem to phase his 4 hour nap routine.

5:52pm - arrive at church supper. RM squeals with delight at sight of GA and O'man in parking lot. Oma scoops up Buggle and Pops worries Clementine. O'man explains that RM is his best friend.

7:35pm - after dinner, lots of toddler races, playground excursions, and the simple joy of sitting with Antsy for a few brief moments of the day, we both depart for home to handle bath-bed routines.

7:53pm - RM: "Junie, Chin up!" He makes this recommendation to his sister after he's dumped several small cups of water over her head. She doesn't seem to mind. Surprisingly.

8:37pm - Both have been down for 10 minutes. RM from downstairs in his bed: "Mommy! I need dat Big DA!" (The security blanket. Which is in the dryer still. For the 4th time in a week.)

I'm staying up too late. :)

easter 2010

hello, J'bug and RM... you two look cute as buttons in your matching linen... almost like lime sherbert.

a few stabs at the family photo, and every one under the tree had RM's spiderman undies sticking out of his shorts.

bonnet? why not! I am a total sucker for bonnets, lace socks, white patent leather shoes, and bloomers. GIRL!

the silly parents. see, Floyd is that funny.

i'm loving the carrot-turned-weapon here. Thanks KK and Grandad. J'bug has even taken a swing.

Ray Charles on the piano folks.

she wants to crawl so bad she can taste it. so far, backward scoot is all she has down pat.

a boy and his dog. and this dog puts up with A LOT. we love him.

a sampling of the 'air guitar' performance.

sleepy girl. this is her 'i want a nap' pose.

uncle thomas is the best.

oh the things that cause us to pause.

It is interesting how God created memory. I'm sure there are some people who *claim* to remember their own birth, but overall, longterm memory takes a while. I remember my brother's birth, and I was still 4. But it's vague and spotted memories at ages 4 and 5 where it starts for me. Now that I'm a parent, I'm believing that God did this, in part, as a grace to parents.
The last two Easter seasons have been relatively simple. RM was a seven month old chub-a-lub for the first one, and last year, it was pretty much about managing allergic reactions and keeping the pregnant mommas cool enough, but this year, it's different. Maybe it's because he's two and a half. Maybe it's because I realized, hey, I could read the Children's Bible to him and explain what Jesus did for us. And he asks questions. And requests the Bible stories over the other options. Which might have even had more impact on my own faith than the Tenebrae Service in preparation for Resurrection Sunday. No matter how it happens, i'm grateful for a renewed opportunity to reflect on the greatest moment in history.

From Oswald Chambers:

THE COLLISION OF GOD AND SIN



"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree." 1 Peter 2:24

The Cross of Jesus is the revelation of God's judgment on sin. Never tolerate the idea of martyrdom about the Cross of Jesus Christ. The Cross was a superb triumph in which the foundations of hell were shaken. There is nothing more certain in Time or Eternity than what Jesus Christ did on the Cross: He switched the whole of the human race back into a right relationship with God. He made Redemption the basis of human life, that is, He made a way for every son of man to get into communion with God.

The Cross did not happen to Jesus: He came on purpose for it. He is "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." The whole meaning of the Incarnation is the Cross. Beware of separating God manifest in the flesh from the Son becoming sin. The Incarnation was for the purpose of Redemption. God became incarnate for the purpose of putting away sin; not for the purpose of Self-realization. The Cross is the centre of Time and of Eternity, the answer to the enigmas of both.

The Cross is not the cross of a man but the Cross of God, and the Cross of God can never be realized in human experience. The Cross is the exhibition of the nature of God, the gateway whereby any individual of the human race can enter into union with God. When we get to the Cross, we do not go through it; we abide in the life to which the Cross is the gateway.

The centre of salvation is the Cross of Jesus, and the reason it is so easy to obtain salvation is because it cost God so much. The Cross is the point where God and sinful man merge with a crash and the way to life is opened - but the crash is on the heart of God.

let the boyhood rites of passage begin: tree climbing

Recess

What is a Congressional Recess? You may wonder. In DC terms, it means 'the boss is out of town' so things are a little more relaxed. No votes, tie loosened, a little less stress. In State terms, it means 'the boss is in town' so, well... you get it. I do suppose for some offices, where the boss puts his feet up during Recess, it doesn't really change things much. Not my experience.

During these recesses, it's great to seize the opportunity and have the boss in front of his constituents. To hear him tell the people of his state what he is fighting for in Washington. Why it matters. Some politicians recycle the same speech over, and over, and over again. With this guy, after a dozen years in the business of public policy, he still manages to retain his common sense, and his ability to connect with real business people. The ones who vote, and pay their taxes, and want to make the country a little better for the next generation. I don't know if this feeling of urgency is because I'm so closely associated with the pulse of Washington, or if it's really a sign of the times. But either way, people are honestly concerned that America is at great risk of loosing its 'exceptionalism' in a way.

Yesterday was a good example of a Recess day. Phone calls. Meetings with business associations who want the Senator to know that his message resonates with voters. Voters who want their message on specific issues to resonate with their Member. A tour of a plant to see what high-tech manufacturing jobs are being created in his 'backyard' and what legislation concerns their leadership. An hour on talk radio fielding questions from listeners live on the air. A keynote speech to grassroots activists. A slideshow with special tribute music. The gentlemen singing 'God Bless America' in a way only captured in small town America: denim shirts, suspenders: perfection.

I kind of expected to know what the speech would be. Afterall, I've worked for him for seven years, been through campaigns, and most immediately, had sat through the talk-radio show. I'd been behind-the-scenes for the Sunday News Show coverage the day before. The message is clear for me. And yet, his delivery is personal each time. He was struck by candidates working the room, and their spouses who go through the grueling process by default. He encouraged folks to stay above the fray, because primaries in such a red state are hard on families, and always get personal. He talked about the impact that individual activists in their own communities can and do have - sharing the greater story of George Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life. He was able to make the call for citizens not to grow weary of doing good without ever using the cliche phrases that can be so off putting of politicians. It was stated with the confidence of someone who has served on such local boards and commissions and raised a family and run a business: experience does matter.

I got home more than twelve hours after I left. Fell into bed early but it felt very late. It's hard on RM and J'bug and the friends who so graciously help us with them. Floyd endures an enormous amount of our shared household responsibilities for me to get to serve in such a capacity. But I am grateful for the opportunities and reminders of why I believe in what we are fighting for, and why I want to press on. And for me, it is a very short Recess, but a really wonderful life.

RM was talking on his *cell* today, on our way home from a post-church brunch. (Thx Buczkowskis!)

Conversation started like this:
"Hey witches. It's me."

???

lists

ummm, yeah. List of thoughts:

1. Head cold set in... just when I thought i'd made it through winter sick-free. Must be the Ides of March... Need to wiki that phrase. Not sure I really even understand it.

2. Work is crazy busy. Hence the neglect on the 'virtual homefront' here. But don't you worry. We're doing nebulizer treatments like six times a day on RM and giving Junie Bear wet washcloths to chew on and D#$@ if she didn't just cut those two blasted bottom teeth. Finally!

3. Hubby got a new truck. Well, new to us. I gotta be honest (and a little shallow) - i do LOVE my man in a truck. He's really getting to me.

4. My girl is gonna be 8 months old in a few days. Starting to talk more. "MAH, MAH, MAH!" She still won't take food off a spoon - gag reflux is pretty severe. She'll eat french fries and teething biscuits though. Shhh, don't tell on me.

I have a handicap. In the grocery store. Get home and realize it's struck again.
Floyd: "Salsa?"
Me: "Yep!"
Floyd: "No chips?"
Med: "Doh!"

Same with you?

Had a meeting today, guy had a freaking staple gun in my office. Panic Button?
On the up side, it's 70 degrees and Spring is hurtling towards Greenville.

lately.

LATELY... that's all I can come up with to title this post since it covers such a broad range... and because honestly, lately work has been the order of life. It's good, don't get me wrong - i love my job. It's just that, well, I've been a bit consumed there with recent changes. And I don't really think anyone has heard from me for that reason. So, here's the domestic report.

This could be a Carter's commercial. Five kids, all in blanket sleepers, on the couch, New Years Day. We had a sleep-over with the Fisher clan. I don't know who was more excited - these five monkeys or Uncle Reid. We all had fun.

Evelyn and Floyd had a really fun date night on Valentines weekend. Ten years since the first time Floyd asked me to be his Valentine, and I'm glad to still have the honor. Even if he still hasn't quite learned how to open his eyes fully for pictures. Anyway, we went to the Lazy Goat and ate tasty tapas. Then we walked across the bridge over the Reedy River, to take in WICKED at the Peace Center. (The last broadway show we saw together, incidentally, was Les Miserables in 2000!)

Junie and Clementine, matching outfits are pretty much going to be a way of life as often as 'Antsy' and I can pull it off. We really can't resist an opportunity. Especially now that you two are sitting up so nicely and grinning and interacting together. Just too cute.

This morning: She looks so peaceful, doesn't she? At times, she can do that. But we can vouch that we've never quite heard another baby exercise their lungs in quite the same way either. She LOVES that Daddy. Stares at him, sticks her tongue out and grins. Tucks her chin and plays coy. But as soon as that smile appeared it can be replaced by screeching and tears. And he just says, "I don't know what you want baby girl." Foreshadowing of teenage years already?

This is our town

Can you tell I'm a little bit proud of where we live? Can you? Seriously, I'm doing a little dance around my office and wishing I had a bottle of champagne, and a husband in town to celebrate. But since I don't, YOU all can just know that it makes me REAL proud to call this place home. If you don't know how awesome our city is... well now there are nearly 30 pages printed in this month's US Airways Magazine to confirm it. Just in case you needed it. So thank you, local leaders, Greenville residents, for making this place so fabulous.

**photo snagged from US Airways website**

Jim Hargate III is howling at sirens outside.

RM: "He's mooing mom!"

the buggle...

i feel like 'the buggle' has gotten a bit of the shaft lately in my 'press coverage' of her. oma did a sixish month photo shoot for her recently. i say sixish month because she's seven months, but you know - that 'mid year' stage mommas want to capture when their munchkins are finally catch their balance to sit well, and are grinning that big gummy grin that is absolutely irresistable. I bet you can't resist her either. Can you?
Cute: Her impish grins. Her PEANUT sized self. Her chewing on my chin. Her keen awareness of everything around her.
Room for improvement: Her distaste for baby food. That high frequency screech. The night waking lately.

I'll take it. :)

one last group before winter is over...

i know everyone has probably had quite their fill of the snow pictures by now, but for posterity, i'm posting this group of shots too. Our sweet neighbors took them, so i was delighted to see them! Junebug was napping.

We were watching Floyd sledding. RM: "Daddy! That's SCARY!" I haven't had that much fun sledding in years.

"Mr. Jim" grew up in Wisconsin, and we wouldn't have had snowmen without his expertise. I'm not kidding - his tips were great! It is such fun to get to play in the snow with your neighbors. I still need a picture with "Ms. Mariame" and their dog Honey.

And just so you know, this was all before breakfast.

privacy

yes, i know, i know, the burning question: "Why did you password protect your blog?"

answer: we received some hits from sites that were linked to content that i do not want associated with our family, so in an effort to protect our family, this mechanism allows us to invite friends and family to participate in our virtual world.

i apologize for any inconvenience, but this day in age, you can't be too careful, right? thanks for understanding our decision!

Our Snowy Day

We were DELIGHTED to have another dose of 'white stuff' to play in for the 2010 winter season, and this time, it was light and fluffy and powdery and PERFECT. If you don't believe me, ask these two guys above. Two out of two snowmen agree, it was PERFECTION!

Anyway, enough about them, on to the real scoop: Evelyn, Floyd & Co.

Recently, we've been reading The Snowy Day to RM and J'bug. She mostly just chews on the cover while he becomes totally transfixed on the story and illustrations. You probably know it well:

The Snowy Day, a 1963 Caldecott Medal winner, is the simple tale of a boy waking up to discover that snow has fallen during the night. Keats's illustrations, using cut-outs, watercolors, and collage, are strikingly beautiful in their understated color and composition. The tranquil story mirrors the calm presence of the paintings, and both exude the silence of a freshly snow-covered landscape. The little boy celebrates the snow-draped city with a day of humble adventures--experimenting with footprints, knocking snow from a tree, creating snow angels, and trying to save a snowball for the next day. Awakening to a winter wonderland is an ageless, ever-magical experience, and one made nearly visceral by Keats's gentle tribute.

So with that in mind, we've been talking about "The Snowy Day" a lot lately.

Me: "RM, see the snow in that field? And the cows?"
RM: "Dohs cows mom! Wook at dohs cows! Dey're eating The Snowy Day!"

Floyd: "Red, watch this ice dripping. It's melting."
RM: "Aheeeeeeee! See dat Bubbies!? It's melting!! HAHAHAH!!"

Me: "RM, do you want to sled with the big kids?"
RM: "Nope. I no want it. It's coooold."

Floyd: "Red, want to help make a snowman?"
RM: "And kick it? And Break it?"

Okay, so maybe those guys in the picture above wouldn't agree that it was totally PERFECT.... Maybe they got a little abused.

monday musings

So, we potty trained a few weeks ago. I have been afraid to mention it, to jinx myself/RM, but I figure I should account in some way for his amazing transition. Seriously, to say I was worried about it is a grave understatement. And he's taken to it SO well. No stage fright. And whether the reward is gummies or high fives and lots of applause, he knows my refrain. So much so that he shouts back, "I'm so proud of you, Mom!"

He also started playing the 'air guitar' more recently. I looked down at church yesterday, and he's standing their during worship strumming his air guitar furiously, and nodding his head to the beat. I-N-T-E-N-S-E.

Junie is teething. And peeing and flooding her PJ's in the middle of the night, which makes no one happy, but the teething is the real kicker. But i love her gnawing on my shoulder and snuggling her up. She also has enough hair for a hairbow.

That last point reminds me. Does anyone know how to convert a 3GP file from a phone video to upload and view on your computer? For some reason, I seem to be having trouble with it... that combined with not enough time to figure it out is the reason y'all haven't gotten to see some pretty cute 30 second clips yet.

As tired as this little season of life is, I was reminded this weekend how good and pleasant it is too. I watched a video about the persecuted church in other parts of the world. Seeing children smiling and singing while living as gypsies in a city dump. When I am woken up earlier than I want to by someone yelling "Mom!" in the monitor, I have been overcome by the gifts of a warm bed, healthy children, clean diapers, and clothes. A hot shower. Coffee. Warm food. These are no small things. And for whatever reason God saw fit to give me this very comfortable life experience. Sometimes I don't prize it as I should, and am all to prone to worry. I need these reminders.

Baby girl consistently refuses rice cereal, pureed bananas, applesauce. Tonight decided sweet potato fries were right up her alley. Skipping baby food? Hmm.

sleet-ish/snow-ish/ice-ish...

So, Floyd had to work for a few hours Saturday morning, but i was bound and determined to brave the elements for the toddler-man's sake. I bundled him up, and touting the new boots and new mittens, I hip-hip-hurrayed for our good fortune that God had sent us such a fun Winter Storm. I mean, after all, we only get one of these a year.

He wasn't buying it.

I even tried to get him to sled with me on the hill across the street, and it was an all out panic-attack response. So we did not sled. It was kind of the Captain Caution thing all over again.

We went back inside.

And back inside we "cuddled" and enjoyed the 68 degree climate our lovely furnace was providing. You know, I did the things momma is good at. Apple juice and animal crackers picnic? Sure. And then daddy came home. And I realized the error of my ways.

Apparently, I should have suggested poking the white stuff with a stick. Or tossing ice chunks into the road. Or stomping on it and watching it crack. Boy stuff.

And for crying out loud, loose the gloves mom. Boys need to have red-cold hands to put in their pockets.

And maybe one of these days i'll figure out how to convert the video from the phone to add it here. Just so you can see how happy he was once Daddy was calling the shots on winter-storm-fun.