Life is Good

For months now, friends have questioned when our blog was going to be updated. And since so many of our loved ones are far away, and since I am notoriously terrible at keeping any formal record of my children's development via baby books, photo albums, or scrapbooks, I have decided that this is the best way to record the precious memories presented to me. And at the outset, I must issue this disclaimer. If you enjoyed our Korea blogs, you are sure to be disappointed. All of those blogs were the product of Jared. For the most part these will be mine, and unlike my dear husband, I tend to be wordy, use run-on sentences, words like "indeed" and "moreover," misspell, and am often (usually) not very clear. But since you all love me, and get to see pictures of "the boys," I am sure you will forgive me. It is my hope to update this weekly: I have added it to my "schedule."

So the question becomes what to write about in this initial venture. I have been pondering it for days. I could write about Thomas' and my slumber party Tuesday evening while Jared was away overnight on business. Though there are many words that could be used to describe me, "fun-loving," "impetuous," and "laid-back" are not at the top of the list. Determined not to let Jared have the upper hand in being voted "the most fun parent," i.e. showing Star Wars to Thomas whenever I am away, I ventured that Thomas and I would have a sleepover in Mommy and Daddy's bed, eat his favorite ice cream, and read books above and beyond his normal bedtime. So while I read my latest book club book, Thomas read Make Way for Ducklings, managing to spill his mint chocolate chip ice cream soup only three times-on Jared's side of the bed. Despite the fact I had a terrible night's sleep and woke up on more than one occasion with feet in my face, I proved to be "fun mom." I have the seven pictures that Thomas took of his feet to prove it.

I also considered writing in length about our annual trip to the Denhardt pumpkin patch where, besides picking a pumpkin from an actual patch, Thomas became quite smitten with the kittens playing in the barn. It was an adventure: primarily because our half hour trip over the Mississippi from Iowa to Illinois was elongated when my back seat driver casually related, "Mom, Russell's getting out of his seat." Peering into the rear view mirror, much to my horror, Russell was not merely "getting out of his seat," he was completely standing up in his car seat as we were cruising 70 mph down I-80. Needless to say, we stopped two additional times, even after I switched Elliot into Russell's seat-Elliot was not going to let the opportunity to crawl out pass him by-each time praying that a semi wouldn't blast into us. And yes, the problem with the car seat has been fixed.

There was the possibility of writing about our weekly trip to the Davenport Farmer's Market. Though the five of us have ventured out, this week it would be me and Thomas. Dressed in one of my favorite gray t-shirts (oh yes, dear college friends, you do know the one)$20 in hand, a son, armed with his sword tucked into his belt, "because you never know when you are going to run into bad guys," we were about ready to leave when Thomas received a phone call on his "cellphone" (a play phone that had, until the night before, been filled with tiny pieces of candy). The conversation went something like this. "Hello. Hi, good guy knight. We are heading to the Farmer's Market. Yes, we would love to come over for dinner. Good-bye. I love you." And when I tried to interrupt, the response? Ah yes, a pointer finger lifted and the words, "Just a minute." We had a beautiful time (or at least I did). I always feel so inspired being surrounded by people who are selling locally grown produce, hormone and antiobitic free meat, and products they have created themselves, all for a reasonable prices. (I love Iowa.) Thomas enjoyed playing at the park afterward and, fearing a fight when I knew it was time to leave, I simply announced that daddy had called and the house was surrounded with bad guys. That was all that was needed to spur Thomas on to the car, sword clenched in hand.

And now, well it is Sunday afternoon. We made it through church, which is no small feat, and even arrived before Liturgy began, which is a small miracle. The children are all in bed, though baby monitors are keeping me aware that no one is sleeping. I am armed with my coffee sweetened with flavored creamer and Splenda and am steaming and pureeing the cauliflower which will be slipped into the children's scrambled eggs in the morning. In less than an hour, Jared and I will be escaping the house and attending a performance of Bach's Vespers at Augustana's Ascension Chapel. And the Cubs, in case you didn't know, are in the play-offs. Truly, life is good. Have a beautiful week.