Imagination on a cold day

The morning was cool enough for us to build a fire in the fireplace this morning.We snuggled under warm, fuzzy blankets and made up tickle games until the fire took the edge off the cool house. You know it is one of those silly mornings when you try to make each other laugh with "who has the stinkiest morning breath." Yes, we are a bit wacky that way. The sun shines brightly in the yard looking warm and inviting. It plays along the kids' jungle gym dancing through the shadows of the sentinel tree,guarding the precious dirt from the invading grass. Dirt is so much more precious because it can be made into mountains and forts with just a little water, squished between toes, or a trap that tries to suck you down; only to be saved by your heroic sibling. Grass is a forest that too many things become lost. Dirt is the treasure.

My daughter has passed me several times with her baby cradle, shushing me because the baby is asleep. The logical mind will tell you the cradle is empty. Yet, in earnest she will continue to shush me because the baby is about to stir from slumber. The cradle tilts a little too far in her arms and she gives chase to the runaway baby. In a swift, gentle scoop the baby is caught once more. She takes a small piece of fabric and tucks her baby warmly in her cradle to brave the chill morning air. My dear returns a few minutes later to remind me I must watch over her baby as she runs to the store. Her baby will need to eat and there is no bread and cheese. These are her staples. I ask if I may go, too. She says I can, but I must walk as I am too big to fit in her car (tricycle). Imagination can only carry us so far.

On the flip side, my son has taken a large stick as tall as himself and aims at every robot that has come to destroy our backyard. We must be overrun as he chases frantically around the yard to ensure every last one has been brought to justice. He finds more "tools" in the yard to build his own robot. Then maybe it serves better as a fort.Sitting at the end of the slide, he surveys the yard, "gun" resting on his lap. There are must be too many as he tries to recruit his sister. The soldiers are coming and sister cannot help because she must feed her baby and bring her in out of the cold. He is left on his own to fight the good fight. He has decided that war comes at too high a price to keep focus. It's time to build. Digging in the precious dirt. Building mountains. Finding bugs beneath the surface and small treasures left behind by the previous owner's dog.

My daughter has even convinced my dear son that it was not kind to knock the cradle over in his haste to sit on the couch. He gently picks up the cradle and whispers his apology to his sister and the baby. He leans in and gently kisses the baby and places the cradle back in place. She leans over and coos the baby back to a nap. So much to do on a cold day with sticks, dirt and an empty cradle.

I am off on my own adventure to tackle the mess little imps must have left sometime in the night. I was sure it didn't look like this yesterday.

Turning the earth, churning me

It's been a long time since I last wrote, but today I had a rare privilege to indulge my dream of being an excellent gardener. The area along the front wall of our home was nicely groomed by our previous owners with blooming bushes, gentle flowers beneath, and an assortment of greenery I'll never be able to name. In time, the weeds grew and much of the cultivated beauty was choked and replaced with a new green. I let this "greenery" grow and pretended they were flowers adding "beauty" to the garden. Then the frost, so foreign to Texas, came hard and biting. Much greenery was lost. A couple shrubs with shallow roots withered against these harsh elements.
So, today I realized all this vegetation in my front yard was not "lovely" greenery to add to the ambiance of a cozy home, but the clustered, struggling mass of life trying to bloom. Beauty is in there. I just had to find it. I didn't use gloves. I have these terribly small hands that make it difficult to work in the yard with gloves. I feel like a kid playing dress up with mom & dad's clothes. I really got into the grime and slime that was the earth in my yard. The kids helped for a time (but gave up after the umpteenth worm, centipede, millipede, beetle, etc. mom showed them) and went on to other ventures. After persuading them not to uproot the well established tree in our yard or the neighbor's yard and convincing them that the clumps of dirt dug up would not perfectly fill in the drainage ditch, I returned to my little plot of earth (don't worry, by this time they were thoroughly entertained by the neighbor's wonderful teenage nieces). All I had was a spade and a mini rake (ok...I'm not a gardener and I don't know the name for the rake looking thing that helps to aerate the soil).
The first to go were all the shallow-rooted weeds growing in the little tufts to make their presence known;sort of like a balding man with really bad hair plugs. Then carefully sloughing of the layers of leaves - crumbling dry, pliable and soft, to the moist almost slimy lower depths. I took the little rake and tossed up the dirt underneath. The sweet smell of the earth was so full of promise. Clean, sweet, mildly acidic, and so much movement within. Here is were the life begins to take root. I tossed, turned, twisted the dirt to bring as much of the warm light and air into soil long abandoned to the cold, dark recesses of winter. I began to dig deeper to find more hidden weeds trying to find stronger footing, and even further...the solid clay that makes up most of our land. It was good work. I felt relaxed, I felt rejuvenated. As if I was churning up the soil in my winterized soul. All the layers of laziness and complacency weighing down. How had I let myself get this way?
It was God's way of showing me that was I much like this garden. I had abandoned this garden that is me for quite some time. Tossing on the dry brittle leaves of "getting by" over layers of "procrastination", over the slimy layer of "umm, what?." My abandonment of taking time to sit in quiet solitude with Him froze out the new revelations I had been learning; shattering before they had chance to take root. Those brittle leaves flared up my anger with the slightest puff of air. Letting the few words I remembered to get twisted into a slimy goop of nonsense that even my children wouldn't listen. In those quiet two hours, I began to hit the surface of rich, fertile earth. A peace and calm. Life moving, shifting; finding it's way to the surface. Time to dig those roots deeper. Time to find the warm comfort below the shallow cold. To feel secure in the solid foundation that lies beneath it all. I've' not completely cleared my mess of a garden, but I'm not completely cleared either. My garden that is me has gone through many tosses to get to rich, fertile soil. I was often surprised by it. Many times devastated. Thinking no way anything could grow here now. There is much sloughing, digging, tossing, replenishing, and replanting that needs to go on. This time I am ready for it.

Spring is coming... are you ready? will you be surprised? Now is a good time to start tilling the soil to let new seeds grow. Sometimes you will have to push hard past the cold, unyielding crust that has built over your winter season, but do no fear...spring is coming.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

It has been a rough morning as we have done "Christmas" with Ryan this past Saturday. I think they were confused when I said, Merry Christmas this morning and a few new gifts under the tree. The gifts are from "Santa" Aidan, Aunt Karen, and Uncle Jim. They were ready to start the same way we did Saturday, but today was a new twist. The gifts needed to wait to be opened. A cake is to be baked and we are wishing Jesus "Happy Birthday." We split tradition to give them opportunity to do something on a day in which everyone would be cozied indoors.

Eating orange-cranberry muffins helped to renew some vigor and watching Very First Noel. Now to wait patiently as the time draws near for us to call the west coast via Skype and enjoy opening gifts. Then to wish grandparents on the east coast a wonderful Christmas :-)

Upon reflection, the subdued Christmas with a few key gifts and focus on the main reason for the season of love, giving, and family we had a wonderful day. Although, the hype of presents and everything new is exciting, it can get harried and hectic;causing things to take a quick downturn. So, take a deep breath...remember nothing needs to be perfect because it is the warmth of the love the Most Divine that loved us so much as imperfect as we are that makes this the most joyous day of all. Relax, the meal will come together, the presents will be enjoyed, and time will pass. Enjoy the day for all it delivers!!!

Meghan Cooks

I've been meaning to post this for a while, but couldn't find the cord for the camera in all our stuff. A few weeks ago I made potstickers (pork dumplings) for my husband as I found it is one new item we can add to the menu. I get more amazed each day about the differences between boys and girls that just come innately. I was sitting at the table making these dumplings and Meghan sat quietly watching for a good ten minutes. Then she asked me questions as to what I was doing at each step. I had her help me pinch close a few dumplings. After a few more minutes of "helping" and questions, she had memorized all the steps. She began to tell me how to do each one, just before I did it. So, I figured...let's give my nearly 3 year-old a chance to make them. Boy was I pleasantly surprised! She was so excited and happy she could do them. Enjoy! (P.S. Calvin is playing a game on the tv in the background and Daddy is playing his game on the computer....hahahahaha...like father, like son.)

List of daily quotes

It began around 630am. We needed to drive daddy to the airport. Ryan did a sudden stop as the cars in front had slammed their brakes.. Calvin is into commenting about how we are doing. From the back we hear, "HEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYY!" We asked him what's the matter and he said," You're making me nuts!"

We went to lunch at Lupe Tortillas and they have a huge sandbox play area. Calvin saw a bunch of kids in the big sandbox and said he was going to play with "my boys." He walked up to the first boy and said "Hi My Brother". And patted him on the back. He proceeded to wave and say hi to all the kids.

When we got home he was a bit tired, so I sent him to his room to relax a bit. While he was relaxing, I put together his birthday gift (it finally arrived). We purchased a box of action figures and accessories for Calvin to go with a book Traction Man Is Here by Mimi Grey. We had checked this book out so many times, I thought it was time for his own copy with an added bonus. I set one up with a jumpsuit, jetpack, and helmet. Meghan made sure I did not forget the boots (she LOVES boots). When he was complete, she asked in the sweetest voice possible this EXACTLY...Mommy can I have the man, please. Since there were several in the box, I promosed to put one together for her. She was so excited about the one man, she hollered all the way to their room, "Bubbies, happy dirtday. It's man. Bubbies, bubbies...here...happy dirtday!" Calvin's reaction, "WOW! WHAT IS IT?!?!IS it my man?" Where he proceeded to fly him around. I asked him if he liked it and he said yes. He said watch, and he pushed the two pretend buttons on the jet pack and said whooooooooosh! I'm not sure where he learned this because he hasn't seen a movie with a jetpack that I can remember. Apparently, my kids are not one for names. The one dressed in uniform for Meghan is soldier daddy and Calvin's with the jetpack is astronaught. At least they are thrilled with the new toys. Now to find a good home for it in the bookshelf......

Meghan watched me carefully open the box to organize what was inside. She squealed with delight, "It's my man." No Honey, it's Bubbies (this is what she calls Calvin) man. "It's daddy. My daddy."

Family Reunion in OK

We went to Oklahoma this past weekend and spent time on the lake with the Lanning and Owen crews. Loads of cousins to play with and tons of food. I have a few pictures so far. I will post more when I can get them formatted correctly. Everyone had a terrific time and we all want to come back again.



We were on the lake and Calvin got up from his nap in time to catch a ride with Daddy on the lake.



They were heading back in and Calvin was happy to direct.



Not be out done, Meghan wanted her turn in the boat with her cousins Rebecca and Micheala. Aunt Tanya was on hand to make sure everyone was safe (after all this one was duct taped on one end).



Calvin loves the lake so much that when he got up the next morning he went out skip rocks (well throw rocks).



He stayed there long enough for the early morning fog to lift.

NO matter how tough the day

I had a routine checkup today and had to take the kids with me. We had a good time playing the no/yes game (Meghan is on a no streak these days and I just copy and she says the reverse...Calvin plays too). It took longer with all the paperwork to get things going and the kids were getting bored (too close to lunch time). I knew it was going to be a silly time when Calvin popped out of the large chair all smiles and said, " You think I'm silly?" with a huge grin. I said yes, but not right now please (yes I was a bit out of it). He sat back down only to have Meghan to repeat the same exact movement and phrase. How do you stay frustrated with two kids looking at you with huge silly grins? They tried everything they knew to make me laugh. Then we moved to the inner waiting room. Being more private, they took their boots off. When we made it to the exam room, there is a small changing area with a mirror. It is like a little dressing room complete with small bench and full length mirror. There is a curtain for privacy. Since the kids were not interested in watching the movie on the portable dvd, I showed them the lovely little room. I was entertained with peekaboo, flashes of smiles while sitting on the little cushioned bench, and silly faces in the mirror. Only kids can have hours of fun with a small curtained area and a mirror. When the PA came in for the check up they were still playing. All the way through to when I had to lay down. Calvin must have sensed when the lamp moved away from the curtain...I heard oh mommy owowowow....Not that he was in pain, but was sympathizing with me. He chose that moment to come around the curtain. After she left, he came to give me a hug and asked if I was all better. I said I wasn't hurt, but thank you for the hugs. Even in silliness we have moments of sincerity and pure love.

I was taken aback to have him come around the curtain at that moment, but was touched by his sincere concern and love when he gave me a hug.