Stomachache
I bought groceries yesterday at the wholesale store, including a 2-lb package of pepperoni which Peter carried from the car to the kitchen for me. While I prepared lunch, the rest of the kids helped Jonathan unload the rest of the groceries and put them away.
We ate quickly and then scattered our separate ways. When I returned two hours later, a sack of groceries was still sitting on the floor. Next to it, the pepperoni bag lay torn on the floor with half the meat missing. Our dachsund Kentucky did not dash around with his usual exuberance, and he kept drinking lots of water. I telephoned the vet's office, who told me that he might not feel too good but wasn't in danger.
Kids and puppies. You can't let up for a moment!
Reshuffling
Paul and Adam are in Texas for two weeks, helping Jonathan's parents fix up their house. Anytime that some of our kids are absent, the rest of the children have to work through the new social dynamics in the household.
If the change is only for a day or less, the result is greater peacefulness. Everyone is not accustomed to the new arrangement, so they lay low and don't act out.
But if the realignment will be for several days, hold onto your hat and hang on tight. The oldest boy in the house takes over for Paul. Pacts are made, unknown to all but the children involved. And Peter needles everyone, even more than usual, since he wasn't part of the original five and therefore doesn't have to follow their "rules."
After an explosion, the tension resides and we settle into the new routine. That is, until the absent children return home . . .
NavyforMoms.com
A refrigerator magnet appeared in our kitchen last week. It was the only one on the front of the frig--right in the center. You think Paul wanted me to notice?
"You're Not the Boss of Me!"
Enough said.
A Child's Maturing
The booster seat for the dining table goes into the Goodwill bag.
Arguments over using the booster seat are eliminated.Lunches in preparation no longer include a half-sandwich.
No more wondering who gets the other half.The shoes we bought in Ukraine no longer fit any one.
This change is nostalgic for me. I'm saving a few pairs, at least for a while.The parent gets directly into the driver's seat and waits to hear the rear seatbelt click.
No more buckling seat belts over an awkward child seat. Oh joy!
Mr. Sunshine
I miss Dakota. He was always awake with me, early in the morning, giving tremendous joy. Alabama was the complex, interesting dog, but not usually affectionate or happy. Dakota made up for that in spades, loving to wag, and bark, and sing, and in his direct way giving obedience as best he knew how. And of course, he would gaze at me with those beautiful eyes.
When our family visited Oregon a few years ago, Dakota and I woke before everyone else and took a walk to the ocean. We crossed the deserted beach, 100 yards wide, and stepped into the water. It was cold, so we only entered up to our ankles. I was gratified that we had come so far together. The waves gently rolled, and we stood there looking west for a very long time.
Word Play
May 1984It was 11:00 pm, and the music library at Baylor was closing. The library workers made a sweep through the room and found a red-haired student sound asleep on the floor. They tried to wake him and failed; even with rough shaking, he remained asleep. As they considered telephoning 911, the student finally awoke to a crowd of workers and students standing above him. His sleep deprivation was severe--for several weeks he had only spent about five hours a night in bed.
June 2011The red-haired dad went upstairs to wake his son. He had a great deal of trouble rousing Adam from bed, and remembered that he had stayed up late the previous night. Finally, his son came downstairs for lunch.
Jonathan: "I could hardly wake Adam up."
Mary: "Sounds like you back at Baylor! What goes around, comes around."
Jonathan: "Like father, like son! Must be in the genes."
It took about ten seconds for the comment to register.
Rachel: "Genes! You're crazy, Dad. That's impossible."
Jonathan smiled, and I responded, "Jeans, Rachel, j-e-a-n-s, not genes, g-e-n-e-s!"
She gave me a look that said, "Mom, you can't get Dad out of this one!"
Father's Day
I know very well that Mother's Day and Father's Day can be difficult for many people. Years ago, a devout church goer who was also facing infertility told me that she never attended services on Mother's Day. I also know a few friends who are facing the first Father's Day after their dad has died. And these are only a few of the scenarios that can cause pain.
I'll be praying today for many people--those who celebrate and those who grieve. I'm reminded so often of this passage from Ecclesiastes 3:
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Bonds
8th, 9th, 10th grade. Rachel, Adam, and Paul completed these years of school as of June 1. Since finishing 8th grade means leaving Grace School, the church holds an elaborate graduation service and reception for their departing students.
Just days before, we had given Adam a white suit for his 16th birthday, and the graduation service was his debut in the new outfit. Paul also dressed for the occasion, wearing his all-black ensemble. The sight of the two boys in black and white, dressed to the nines and sitting side-by-side on the center aisle, was striking to several of us.
The service ended with a recessional hymn. As Rachel walked out of the church, she reached our pew and glanced at her older brothers. For a moment, all three exchanged looks with each other. In that instant, I sensed a tracing of many years, over a life history that only they had shared. I was very grateful that the three of them were together on this important day.
Discipline
David was misbehaving recently, mostly being disrespectful. Jonathan asked him what he thought his consequence should be. Since the children usually suggest the revocation of television or library privileges, Jonathan was surprised to hear David's answer:
"I'll buy you flowers and give you ten hugs!"
Jan and Jun
I've often viewed December as a survival month, and pastor and I usually greet each other after the break with "Happy January!" This year, it would be appropriate to add "Happy June," as well. The month of May defied belief. Lately, it's been like breathing again to have some free time to clean the house, catch up on things that aren't due yesterday, and . . . blog again.
Situational Humor
As long as I'm on an egg theme . . .
At breakfast a few days ago, Jonathan and I had to suppress our laughter. Peter had stuffed an entire boiled egg into his mouth and was not containing it very well. Sarah started berating him for showing the egg in his mouth, but she herself was talking with her mouth full of . . . egg!
Busted
Today is the first day of summer school. We had an early breakfast, as I rushed around to get ready."Mom, I don't like fried eggs!"
"Why don't we put your egg inside the toast and make it a sandwich? Would that help you eat it?"
"Yes, I think so."
Thirty minutes later, our puppy vomited a fried egg.
