Easter Week - Thursday

Thursday is where so many Easter stories begin (including Charlie's Easter movie).  While in truth the story really began in Genesis 1:1, Thursday through Sunday are definitely the climax of the story -- at least until He comes back.

I thought about trying to recreate the Lord's Supper with Charlie, but I couldn't figure out how to impress upon him the metaphor of the bread and the wine.  I think that lesson might be better learned when he is older.

So I decided to wash his feet.  It's interesting that an act of such pure service really seems commonplace when we do it for our children.  To wash anyone else's feet would be a serious departure, but to wash Charlie's is pretty normal.

Still, it's tough to imagine that if after all I do to serve Charlie day in and day out, he were to deny that I am his mother or that he even knows me.  Clearly I would still love him and I don't think I would be angry, just terribly disappointed and terribly sad.

And to think that Jesus did and does so much more for us and we deny Him all the time...


Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.  And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God, and was going back to God, rose from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself about.  Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.  And so He came to Simon Peter. 
He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?"
Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you shall understand hereafter."
Peter said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" 
Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me."
Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."
Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you."  For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean."

And so when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?  You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.  If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.  Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is no grater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.  If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.  I do not speak to all of you.  I b know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who easts My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.'  From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.  Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me."

...

Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" 
Jesus answered, "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you shall follow later."
Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You right now?  I will lay down my life for You."
Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for Me?  Truly, truly, I say to you, a cock shall not crow, until you deny Me three times."

...

Peter therefore denied it again; and immediately a cock crowed.

John 13:1-20, 36-38; 18:27

 

Other References

Exodus 24:8

Jeremiah 31:31

Psalm 41:9

Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6

Amos 9:9

Isaiah 53:3

Matthew 26:17-75

Mark 14:12-72

Luke 22:7-65

John 13:1 - 18:27

Easter Week - Wednesday

If Tuesday was tough because there was so much, Wednesday was just the opposite.  There is nothing in the Bible about what happened on Wednesday...which is so odd when you think about the detail of the other days.

In an effort to impress upon him the difference, we sat down for our Bible lesson without the Bible.  He did notice -- but of course just assumed I forgot it. 

I think the absence of information made a much greater impression on me than on him, but we did spend some time talking about what he and I would be thinking/feeling if we knew that we were going to be crucified on Friday and then fulfill our life's purpose on Sunday by coming back to life and thereby providing a route to eternal life for millions.

I imagine that it was a frightening and exciting day for Jesus.  Very profound...maybe too profound for a four year old...in fact, maybe too profound for a 35 year old...

Easter Week - Tuesday

I suppose you could say Tuesday was Jesus' last big "teaching" day -- at least seminar-style teaching.  He spent the day answering questions from the Sadducees and Pharisees on topics ranging from resurrection to the end of the age.  And the day concluded with Judas sealing his own tragic fate by making a deal with the priests.  (Interesting how his personal failure played a key role in the salvation of millions...)

Aware of my own limitations and the age of my audience, I decided to focus on one particular discussion from the day -- the Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:35-40) -- then talk through Judas' betrayal of Jesus (Matthew 26:1-5, 14-16)

I didn't find any cute activities for Tuesday, so we just chatted through the passages as we read them. 

1 - Who did Jesus silence? (Sadducees)
2 - Who asked about the greatest commandment? (a Pharisee)

At which point Charlie asked what Sadducees and Pharisees were, so we discussed the difference between religion and faith a bit.

3 - What is a commandment? ("a rule we have to obey")
4 - Who do we love first? ("the Lord your God with all your soul and all your mind")

At which point Charlie asked what our soul is.  I went out on a bit of a limb here and said our heart beats, our brain thinks and our soul believes...???  Then he asked if our soul is where we feel happy, and we agreed that it is quite possible that our soul is where we feel our emotions.

5 - Who do we love second? (our neighbor)
6 - What did the chief priests plan to do to Jesus? (kill him)
7 - When did they plan to kill him? ("after the dinner")
8 - Who offered to help the priests? (Judas)
9 - What did they pay him? (30 silver coins)
10 - To do what to Jesus? ("find him for the priests")

And as they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. And being reminded, Peter said to Him, "Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which You cursed has withered."

And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received hem, and they shall be granted you. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions. [But if you do not forgive neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.]

And they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, and scribes, and elders came to Him, and began saying to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?"

And Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer Me."

And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But shall we say, 'From men'?" -- they were afraid of the multitude, for all considered John to have been a prophet indeed. And answering Jesus, they said, "We do not know."

And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

And He began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard, and put a wall around it, and dug a vat under the wine press, and built a tower, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. And at harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive some of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers. And they took him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. And again he sent them another slave, and they wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. And he sent another and that one they killed; and so with many others, beating some and killing others.

He had one more to send, a beloved son; he sent him last of all to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.'

"But those vine-growers said to one another, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!'

"And they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

"What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-growers and will give the vineyard to others. Have you not even read the Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone; this came about from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?"

And they were seeking to seize Him; and yet they feared the multitude; for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.

And they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him, in order to trap Him in a statement. And they came and said to Him, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar or not? Shall we pay or shall we not pay?"

But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, "Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at."

And they brought one. And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?"

And they said to Him, "Caesar's."

And Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."

And they were amazed at Him.

And some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Him and began questioning Him, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves behind a wife and leaved no child, his brother should take the wife and raise up offspring to his brother. There were seven brothers; and the first took a wifeand died, leaving no offspring. And the second one took her and died, leaving behind no offspring; and the third likewise; and so all seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection, when they rise again, which one's wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife."

Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?' He is not theGod of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken."

And one of the scribes came and heard them arguing and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all?"

Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

And the scribe said to Him, "Right, Teacher, You have truly stated that He is one; and there is no one else beside Him; and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

And when Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.

And Jesus answering began to say, as He taught in the temple "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself said in the Holy Spirit, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, until I put Thine enemies beneath Thy feet.'" David himself calls Him 'Lord'; and so in what sense is He his son?"

And the great crowd enjoyed listening to Him.

And in His teaching He was saying: "Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes and like respectful greetings in the market places and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows' houses, and for appearance's sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation."

And He sat down opposite the treasury and began observing how the multitude were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. And calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."

And as He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!"

And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another which will not be torn down."

And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?"

And Jesus began to say to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He!' and will mislead many. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. For nation will arise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

"But be on your guard for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. And when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.

"And brother will deliver brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.

"But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. And let him who is on the housetop not go down or enter in to get anything out of his house; and let him who is in the field not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babes in those days! But pray that it may not happen in the winter. For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created, until now and never shall. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect whom He chose, He shortened those days.

"And then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ'; or, 'Behold, He is there'; do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs and wonders, in order, if possible, to lead the elect astray.

"But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance."

"But in those days, after the tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send forth the angels and will gather together His elect from the four winds, form the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

"Now learn the parable from the fig tree; when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of the day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in the heaven nor the Son, but the Father alone.

"Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is. It is like a man, away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. Therefore, be on the alert -- for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, at cock-crowing or in the morning -- lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!'"

Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread was two days off; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth, and kill Him; for they were saying, "Not during the festival, lest there be a riot of the people."

And Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. And they were glad when they heard this and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.

Mark 11:20 - 14:2,10,11

Other References

Isaiah 5:1-2

Psalm 118:22-23

Deuteronomy 25:5

Exodus 3:6

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Leviticus 19:18

Deuteronomy 4:35

Deuteronomy 6:5

I Samuel 15:22

Hosea 6:6

Micah 6:6-8

Psalm 110:1

Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11

Daniel 12:1

Isaiah 13:10

Ezekiel 32:7

Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15

Isaiah 34:4

Daniel 7:13

Deuteronomy 30:4

Zechariah 2:6

Exodus 12:1-27

Matthew 21:20 - 26:5,14-16

Luke 20:1 - 22:6

John 12:20 - 17:26

Easter Week - Monday

Hmmmm...so if asked I would tell anyone that Easter is the most important "holiday" of the year, so why is it that until an hour ago I had given no thought to how we would prepare Charlie and observe the most important miracle in history?

Thankfully, Childrens' Church did an an excellent job of covering Palm Sunday yesterday morning, so I'm not really behind yet.

Fully aware of my limited crafty abilities and short time frame, I decided to just go through the events of the week day by day and do a small activity with each.

So...today we are covering Jesus' removal of the money changers from the temple, with a handy-dandy coloring sheet I found online. (http://www.biblewise.com/images/kids_korner/fun_games/2004/april/colorbook.pdf)

Thankfully at four years old, Charlie's expectations are not too high...we'll see if I get more creative as the week moves on...



And on the next day, when they had departed from Bethany, He became hungry. And seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And He answered and said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" And His disciples were listening.

And they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to cast out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple. And He began to teach and say to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a robbers' den."
And the chief prests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for all the multitude was astonished at His teaching.

And when evening came, they would go out of the city.

Mark 11:11-19


Other References
Isaiah 56:7
Jeremiah 7:11
Matthew 21:12-19
Luke 19:45-48

Four!

Charlie started the day singing his own new song...and it just got better from there.

He had a fabulous time opening presents, playing with his friends, learning how to take fingerprints and eating lots of cake and candy. 

Jason and I couldn't feel more blessed to have been a part of his past four years or to know we have many more ahead of us (maybe many, many -- per Charlie he's going to live with us forever!)

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

T-minus 11 days.  That's what everyone tells us anyways.  In 11 days our three year old will turn four and peace will reign in our home.  Not to be cynical, but I'll believe it when I see it...

Take this past weekend for instance.  Rather than sit at home while Jason went on one of his boys' trips, Charlie and I road-tripped to Virginia Beach to spend the weekend with the Barletts.  Having done the same thing last year and had an easy drive and fabulous weekend, I was expecting bliss.  I was wrong.

The drive itself was fine with the rain letting up at South of the Border, and the friends were a delight, but the three year old was just too much.  No, he didn't break any laws (or even any furniture) and his head didn't spin around or anything, he was just unendingly defiant from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning. 

That's right -- Sunday morning.  His behavior, the endless corrections and the repeated time-outs got so exhausting that we left a whole day early.  It finally came down to the realization that if I were Tony, Lea, Lakely and Cashton, I wouldn't want to spend my Sunday afternoon dealing with Charlie's frequent assertions of, "I"m mad" and my subsequent reactions.

So at 11:00 I made the call and by 11:30 we were on the road.  I have all sorts of justifications for his behavior:  he'd been sick last week, he missed his Daddy, he's not around anyone other than me 24-7, blah, blah, blah.  Bottom line?  He decided to be a brat and forced my hand.

To make sure he got the point, the 6 1/2 hour ride home was devoid of movies and/or kids' music.  After passing our third racetrack (who knew I-95 was a NASCAR enthusiasts Road to Hana?) we did find the race on the radio, though.  Charlie never could understand why they weren't talking at all about how Daddy was doing, though he is fairly sure he heard Jason clapping at one point...

Lest I portray the weekend as a complete failure, I should point out that the homemade pizzas on Friday evening were delicious, the Stroller Strides class on Saturday morning was a blast (though I still struggle going up and down stairs -- lunges are evil!), Lea's and my girls' night out was fabulous and the joy of both Charlie and I getting to spend quality time with some of our very best friends was amazing.  I am just so grateful for patient, gracious friends and the miracle of squeezing so much laughter, life-updates and relaxation between tantrums. 

You really can't underestimate the gift of genuine friendship, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat...though I might come up with some more effective consequences in advance.  Besides, by next year we'll only remember the pom-poms, wine and bunnies anyway (assuming of course my glutes stop burning by then...)

On the mend...

Charlie woke up yesterday morning fever-free and in a great mood, so Jason and I were convinced that the worst was behind us.  Hoping to ensure a full recovery (and still wary of being contagious), I went ahead and cancelled my afternoon meeting and settled in for a restful day at home.

All went according to plan through lunch and bath, but as I was drying Charlie off I noticed a rash all over his torso.  Uggghhh...

Still indecisive, I first thought it was just from too long in the tub, next convinced myself he had scarlet fever and finally called Jason to confirm that I should in fact take him to the doctor.

As any parent knows, a Monday at the pediatrician is like a war zone.  Add to that the fact that it was a school holiday, and I knew strategy was critical to avoid spending the rest of the day playing with germy toys and exposing ourselves to untold boredom and ailments.

Thankfully I remembered that Sweetgrass takes a lunch break from 12 to 1.  It was 12:50, so Charlie and I jumped into some clothes and drove on over to find an empty waiting room and a slightly annoyed receptionist. 

Yes, I knew that I didn't have an appointment, but I also knew that they were much less likely to be backed up at the start of a shift and that they leave gaps in the day for "emergencies", so I politely explained our situation and requested to see a doctor at the earliest opportunity.  She clicked and typed and glanced at me then clicked and typed and glanced at me and finally told me she was shocked to discover that she had a 2:00 opening, "very unusual for a Monday", but hesitated to even sign me in yet since the doctor wouldn't be back from lunch until 1:30.  Jackpot!

Charlie and I stopped by his old daycared (next door) to pick up a tax form, buzzed over to CVS to stock up on supplies for our upcoming road trip and swung into Publix for potatoes and garlic for dinner.  At 1:45 we walked back into the waiting room and were comfortably chatting on an exam table by 1:50.  I think Jason summed up my feeling best with his response to my bragging text, "You the MOM!"

After a lengthy discussion with the nurse regarding whether or not he would get a shot, Charlie was a trouper for the strep test and flirted with the doctor when she arrived. She was a bit taken aback when I couldn't give her an exact temperature reading for his fevers (I tend to test with kisses on the forehead, not a thermometer), but dropped it since his temperature was normal. 

Anyway, turns out that while Charlie's rash is unrelated (???) he does have strep, but the doctor did say that she could barely see signs of it in his throat -- making me feel a little less negligent. 

We are currently three doses into his ten day amoxycillin regime (which might break him of his desire for bubble gum for good -- he's not a fan), and despite a nose like a faucet, my little man is laughing, dancing, racing, playing and having a ball watching the men wash the windows care of my groupon that expires tomorrow. 

Now the trick will just be convincing him to change out of his "cute jammies" tomorrow when we reenter society.

This might possibly sound like the most ridiculous thing I've ever written on this blog (and yes, I realize that is saying a lot...) but we don't do sick well at this house.

In fact, I'm not even sure how one would do sick well.  I don't mean to be complaining...after all, a big part of the reason we're so confused when one of us is sick is it's a rare occurrence.  Even when Charlie was in daycare we didn't suffer through the bouts with strep throat, ear infections, hand, foot and mouth, etc that are so common.

And despite the fact that I tried to convince my mom I was sick every September through May Monday morning from 1984 to 1995, I hardly ever really was.  So I haven't a clue how to handle this stuff!

How do you know when to go to do the doctor?  Charlie has a sporadic fever and nose like a faucet, but he's playing and laughing... We never went to the doctor when I was a kid and I turned out ok.

How do you when you can and can't leave the house?  Fever equals contagious, I know -- but what about when the fever comes and goes?  Did we get the entire Childrens' Museum sick yesterday morning because I thought he was well?  Are we going overboard to already write-off church in the morning, since he just put himself to bed at 6:00 and his is useless for breathing?

Should I be banishing him to his bed all day (even though he managed to stay awake in it for over an hour and a half looking out his window) or should I be indulging him with all the movies he can watch?

Should we be trying harder to wake him up for dinner when he just told Jason that he wants to come down, but not until "his teeth get tall"?

How do people figure this stuff out?  I am convinced that we skip the stuff we could rightly attend and attend things radically infectious -- but how do you tell and is it really realistic to just drop out of the world for a week plus whenever someone is sick? (We cancelled our first commitments on Wednesday and at this point, with a little boy who just told me "I feel even more worser," I'm not sure we'll resurface before summer.

And yes, I'm one of those moms who neglects to medicate.  He doesn't have a cough and I do believe that a fever is the body's way of fighting infection, but would I be better off drugging him up -- if only for comfort's sake.  But then, would we wrongly infect even more masses?

Ugghhh...  We just don't do sick well and I pray that once he's recovered we go back to our ignorant bliss.  My baby is miserable and I'm not helping matters, so this just stinks!

Life Lesson #13,022

You can only fool them for so long if you allow them access to the outside world...


Charlie: Guess what I saw from my window, Mommy!  People getting icecream from the music truck.  Can you believe that?  Icecream from the music truck?!?!

Mommy: Sigh...

The Best Picture Ever!

Or at least I'm sure it would have been had there been anyone around to snap it...

Last night was movie night, complete with Lion King 1 1/2 on the DVR, blankets, skittles and cheesy popcorn in the living room.  (And yes, I was holding a damp rag the entire time...baby steps...)

Anyway, while it may be cute, the semi-sequel is no Lion King, which combined with a cozy, jammied baby, warm blanket and glass of chardonnay had me dozing long before 8:00 -- and I wasn't the only one. 

As soon as the popcorn bowl was empty, all five of us were out cold on the couch until well after 10:00.  I just wish I could have a picture of Jason, Charlie and me cuddled up in a line with Otis and Louie draped across our laps -- and a cacophony of snores ringing out, I'm sure.

Friday nights really don't get any better than that... 

Hello!

So, we do still have internet access...we've just been so busy having fun lately that I haven't had time to write anything. 

Our January was all about building and playing and being together.  Charlie is as crazy as ever and closing in on four years old way too fast.

Here are some pics, but I have to run...time to have more fun!

 

The Worst Thing EVER!

Since both Charlie and I were feeling a bit congested and lethargic this morning, we called off our plans to return some jeans and start birthday shopping for Daddy.  But by 10:30 we were both stir crazy, so I decided we'd do a bit of yard work -- just scoop the yard, pull a few weeds, etc -- figuring it would be a nice surprise for Jason.

It's a gorgeous day, so while I was enjoying the sun and Charlie was coating himself in mud we pulled all the weeds from the flower beds and were just finishing up trimming the bushes when Charlie saw a snake! 

I am absolutely petrified of snakes.   I realize it is irrational, but I believe that they are truly evil and their only purpose is to hunt people down and bite them.  I used to have nightmares about snakes, I cannot even watch them on TV...and there was a snake about 3 feet from me.

I threw a couple things at it and it didn't move, so despite the fact that Charlie said he'd seen his tongue flicker, I was sure it was dead. 

I hurriedly finished trimming the bushes, and we had just started the clean up process when Corrisa, Reid and Tanner walked by.  Thrilled to have someone share in our terror, we quickly brought Corrisa to the side of the house to see the snake.  He had only been about 6 inches long, so we looked closely...and realized he was gone!

The little monster had been playing dead.  Ready to run for cover, I looked down and saw the creature right next to Charlie's feet.  Both Corrisa and I screamed, Charlie ran around to the backyard, and I tried to regain control of myself.

While I would have preferred nothing more than running inside to hide, I realized that as a mom I had no choice.  While Corrisa kept an eye on the snake from a safe distance, I went to garage for a weapon. 

Armed with a sharp shovel, I returned to seek my vengeance.  I tried to use the edge to sever the creature in two, but the ground was too soft, so I just proceeded to smack him over and over again with sides and edges until he stopped moving. 

Thankfully, Charlie had stayed in the back and did not witness the massacre.  Corrisa wisely suggested that I leave the shovel beside the ghastly little corpse, so Jason could properly dispose of it later.

Soon she left to put the boys down to nap, and Charlie and I got back to work finishing up the yard.  My pulse was still racing, but I felt a small glow of pride, realizing I had successfully defended myself, my son and my good friend from certain evil.

Finished with everything other than scooping the yard, I realized that I needed to go get the shovel.  Ready to tell the story, as well, I decided to take a picture of the evil serpent to better convey the horror of the experience. 

Creeping around the side of the house with my camera, I realized that I didn't remember where in relation to the shovel the snake had been.  I searched either side and beneath it only to realize -- it was gone again!  The horrible little monster wasn't dead, but is at this very moment slithering around my home while Charlie and I barricade ourselves inside.

Needless to say, the yard did not get scooped and unfortunately for Jason, I will likely never, ever do yardwork again.

Happy New Year

During "the trip" on Sunday Jason and I asked Charlie what he was most thankful for in 2012 and hoped for in 2013.  Rather than discuss it that day he wanted to sit down and make a list Monday, so we did. 

The Bright Side...

Well, the bright side is that our nine days in Kansas City bared no resemblance to our trip home.  Kansas City was fun, relaxing and full of family and friends.  The trip home...wasn't.

It all started with a slight delay out of KCI -- no big deal.  Then a longer delay out of Midway -- still not the end of the world, but had us slated to land around 12:30 AM, until they apparently assigned trainees to load the baggage -- it took over 45 minutes!

Finally, around 1 AM, we landed in beautiful, warm Charleston -- except it was 34 degrees!!!  The same temperature as Kansas City and Chicago!  Not what we were hoping for!

Seeing as we were hauling back our Christmas bounty, Jason and I decided that rather than splitting up for someone to get the car and someone else to wait for bags, we'd all go for the car and I would just circle while he located and loaded the bags -- with the added bonus of no waiting on the baggage carousel. 

We gathered up the carry-ons and the sleeping toddler and made the short hike to the car. Seeing frost on all the surrounding cars, I suggested Jason use the remote start.  He had already tried.  Hoping it was just an issue with the key fob, we arrived at the truck still optimistic that it would start.  It didn't....

Undeterred, Jason settled Charlie in his seat while I located the call box and requested help.  Despite the late hour, the airport operator said someone would be right there.  Back at the car, sleeping beauty was complaining of the chill, and since Jason's coat was still in one of the bags spinning around inside the warm airport, I wrapped mine around Charlie.

Immediately, thought of the bags had me worried.  What would Charlie do if someone snagged the toy suitcase -- with his brand new bow and arrow and rainbow nightlight?  Leaving the men to handle the car issue, I hurried back to the airport, all the while congratulating myself for suggesting that Jason back in to the parking spot "just in case".  (My first New Year's Resolution for 2013 is to mock this habit no more...at least for a while...)

I arrived just in time to claim the dirty clothes suitcase, the clean clothes suitcase, Charlie's suitcase, and prevent the lady next to me from "accidentally" claiming the toy suitcase!!  Crisis averted.

Unfortunately, things weren't going so well at the car.  Despite the fact that Jason had to manually unlock the car, it managed to automatically lock itself while he was standing next to it talking to the police officer -- with Charlie inside!! 

And while I didn't witness this myself, I can only picture Jason knocking on the window to wake Charlie then trying to convince him to unbuckle himself from the carseat, despite protests of, "But Daddy, I'm not allowed to unbuckle!"

Not to mention the fun of trying to explain to Charlie how to manually unlock the driver's door through the window, only to hear, "Daddy...I am sooo cold."  Poor Jason....  Thankfully, Charlie's goal in life is to please Daddy, so they were ultimately successful.  Who knows how it would have gone were he supposed to obey Mommy...

Back in the car, Jason was disappointed to find out that the airport police officer's jumper box didn't have enough juice to jump the truck, so he went off to jump another car, hoping it could then jump the truck.  Apparently his box was a dud...no luck with car two either. 

Meanwhile, back in the quickly emptying airport, I was standing next to a lady and two small children who had left Daddy in California for two more days.  Based on her body language, crying 6 year old, and snippets of her phone conversation, I learned that she was trying to get a cab to Summerville, but was told they were all busy, but someone would be along eventually.  At 1:45 in the morning, "eventually" is a really long time.

Fully aware that Jason had to be at work in less than 7 hours, and unaware whether or not the truck was running yet, I texted him to see if he'd be willing to swing by the Asheboro subdivision on the other side of Summerville.  Being Jason, of course he was...once we figured out how to fit all of us in the truck more-or-less legally.

So, exactly how does one approach a complete stranger in an airport to offer them a ride without sounding creepy?  I have no idea.  I think she just accepted because she was desperate.  Of course, as we all stood waiting for the truck to start and Jason to rescue us, I started wondering if maybe she and the kids were scammers who had booby-trapped our car with plans to mug us for our marshmallow shooter and 2003 Chevy... I blame it on lack of sleep.

I was jarred out of my paranoid worries when her 8 year old suddenly fell off the suitcase she was sitting on and bumped her head on the floor.  We were the only four people in sight and I was completely unequipped to help.  Thankfully, everyone was more scared than hurt, but tensions were high.  What could possibly happen next?

Good news! 

Jason was able to flag down another traveler and get the truck started, then jump the other stranded driver. We were on our way!

I hauled the bags out to the curb and stood their shivering, desperate for the first site of our beloved truck.  Jason pulled up and yelled back that I needed to come push the gas pedal while he loaded the bags -- our "classic" is a bit temperamental in cold weather.  We successfully (albeit not gracefully) replaced Jason's foot on the gas with mine, but then I had the challenge of actually hauling the rest of my body into the driver's seat...and I failed.  Yep.  Truck died again. 

I think the lady and I were both near tears.  What now?  The smattering of police cars around were no help, kind as they were, because the boxes wouldn't jump us and they are not allowed to jump from their engines. 

By now it was past 2 AM.  Everyone was cold.  And no one had a plan -- well, almost no one. 

What should happen next, but the cab pulled up and was willing to jump start the truck?  And it worked on the first try!  And I just stayed in the driver's seat and drove all the way home to avoid another foot-switch debacle (respect me as he does, Jason doesn't trust me with jumper cables -- smart man...).

The lady and her kids hopped in the cab, drove off without their luggage (not kidding), then circled around and picked it up and we were all headed safely to Summerville. 

I did have a bit of a time figuring out how to keep the truck above 1000 RPM while stopping (it is just not intuitive to try to stop while you're pressing the gas), but we did make it home through four traffic lights and one "rolling" stop sign.

I suppose now that I think about it, there were a few similarities between our Christmas in Kansas City and our trip home:

• We were together
• We had plenty of reasons to laugh (albeit more in amazement than humor)
• We were surrounded by kind people willing to do just about anything for us
• We have memories that will last a lifetime
• God was with us and abundantly faithful

Pictures will follow soon, but today's priorities are showers, laundry and finding homes for all Charlie's new treasures. 

"It's Christmas in our OWN house!"

Hard as we try to give Charlie an ideal childhood, I have to admit that Jason and I haven't really hit the mark when it comes to "the magic of Christmas". 

You see, we haven't had to.  Each year we go back to Kansas City to a beautifully decorated house, gorgeous tree, stacks of presents, piles of sweets and a full schedule of Christmas fun with family, and despite the fact that we're never "home" on Christmas morning, I can't imagine ever doing anything different.

The problem is...we really don't do much here in SC.  Yes, we put up a tree and stockings, and most years garland in the kitchen (though it was dropped this year after it sat in boxes in the study for two weeks), but we haven't done a very good job of creating Christmas traditions for Charlie (and us) here at home to get in the Spirit -- which may be why Jason and I always feel like Christmas sneeks up on us and is over before it's started.

This year, though, we've made a concentrated effort to change, so 2012 is the official launch of SC Christmas traditions -- despite the fact that the three of us were only together in Summerville for a sum total of 13 days in December.

Tradition 1: The Christmas Market at Marion Square (Jason and I used to wander the square pre-Charlie, but it fell by the wayside.  We had a wonderful time with him this year from our special donut breakfast to buying presents for the dogs, sharing crepes on the square and of course, sliding to our hearts' content.

Tradition 2: Toys for Tots - Again, a pre-Charlie tradition that he was big enough for this year, though we did cancel the usual "friendly" competition and task Charlie with picking out "cool toys" -- plus we found a Big Lots that shared a parking lot with a Toys drop-off.  Instead of loading the presents in the car, Charlie got to ride the cart "trash-man style" to Publix! 

Tradition 3: The James Island County Lights -  You guessed it, we did this one our first year in SC, too, and haven't been back since -- but this time we stopped for the s'mores and carousel between loops (one trip around just wasn't enough) and hopefully next year we'll wise up and buy our train tickets early enough to get a ride!

Tradition 4:  All Christmas music, all the time!  - My all time favorite tape (yes, tape!) is the original A Very Special Christmas (circa 1986 or so) and with the magic of iPod we can have it in the house, in the car, in the backyard, anywhere!  Nothing says holiday spirit like Run DMC's Christmas in Hollis, though Madonna's Santa Baby seems to be Charlie's favorite.

Tradition 5: Presents Under the Tree! - Don't judge, but I'm a notorious slacker when it comes to this.  Typically, I slap some paper on Charlie's gifts New Year's Eve in preparation for our family exchange on New Year's morning.  Jason and I don't really do gifts for each other, so our tree is generally quite bare.  I learned my lesson on this one yesterday, though.  Charlie and I wrapped his present for Daddy yesterday afternoon,  and when he'd found the perfect spot for it under the tree, he turned to me and said, "Mama!  It's Christmas in our own house!"  And truthfully, how do I expect him to understand the grace and mercy of the most precious gift, if he doesn't have the expectation and wonder of lesser gifts?  I better get to wrapping...

Now, lest anyone fear that we have completely forgotten the true meaning of Christmas, be assured that our nightly Nativity Advent Calendar is still the highlight of  each evening, and we are spending a lot of time discussing the wonder of the Gabriel's visit, the amazement of the shepherds, the faithfulness of Joseph, the honor for Mary and the miracle of Baby Jesus -- but what better way to help Charlie see the glorious gift of our Savior's birth than to create an atmosphere of love, joy, enchantment and anticipation leading up to Christmas itself?

Confirmed Bachelor

While eating macaroni and cheese and gazing longingly at the toothpick he was just told to remove from his mouth...

Charlie: When I grow up I'm not going to have a wife.
Mommy: Why?
Charlie: That way I can use a toothpick while I eat.
Mommy: Oh, so you're not going to have a wife so you don't have to have good manners?
Charlie: Well, that will be good manners for myself.

Guess I don't have to worry about the daughter-in-law thing anymore...

Life Lesson #1376

After a wonderful week in El Paso with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Chris, Aunt Angie, Uncle Bill, and of course, Bella, we made it home to Daddy last night. 

I was a bit concerned that the return to normal would be boring to Charlie, but apparently, even our house has new and exciting adventures...

Walking through the entry hall...

Charlie: Oh no!  Mommy, a hole!
Mommy (looking around confused:  What, buddy?  Oh!  No, sweetie, that's the peep hole!

Nothing is ever boring with a 3 year old!

 

Judgment Calls...

Based on my 1,366 days of parenting experience, I have decided that making judgment calls is definitely the hardest part of being a mom.  You know -- the stuff where there is no clear right or wrong answer, but you have to decide what is best?  I hate that stuff!  I much prefer absolutes.

For example, Charlie has a 99.4 degree temperature this morning.  Yes, that is a fever -- I think--but barely.  But, his temp is usually low, so does that mean this is even a higher temp for him?  Also, is that high enough to relegate him to the couch for the day?  Does the runny nose impact the decision?  What about the boundless energy?

When he was in school it was easy: fever stays home.  But now that he's home, does fever mean we can't leave the house.  Is any level of fever contagious?  If he rests today is he more likely to be cured by our 6:30 AM flight on Thursday, or does this just have to run its course?

See what I mean?  All of those questions from a barely there fever!

The call?  Home.  Our plans for today included  4 year old and almost one year old friends, whom I would hate to get sick.  Plus, I really don't want to travel with a sick kid in less than 2 days.  But seriously?  We're staying home for a 99.4 degree fever?

Next judgment call: how much TV is too much?  And do you bend the rules on sick days?  Typically Charlie gets 2 shows of his choice from the selection of Little Bear, Curious George, Word World and Toot & Puddle.  Nine times out of ten he watches them in the morning, so if he naps he can have a bit of his Bible movie or Jesus movie while I make dinner -- I figure until he can read, that is the next best thing to reading the Bible with him.  Am I making him a couch potato?  Who knows!

And yes, now would be an appropriate time to say a prayer for grace and peace for Jason -- poor man.  Logic tells me that I'm spending an inordinate amount of time worrying about nothing to avoid worrying about my dad's cancer, but that doesn't mean I'm able to push it aside. 

Plus, even with the cancer there are judgment calls regarding when and how long to visit (my ability to be helpful and provide a peaceful environment is obviously severely impacted by my 3 year old side-kick, but let's be honest, he's the one they want to see!).

As I type this, Dad is meeting with Dr. Gomez, his oncologist, to hear their plans for him for the next weeks/months.  Chemo will likely start anyday.  That in mind, Mom, Dad, Jason and I decided that restful or not, Charlie and I would go for a week now, just to be there while Dad still feels good.  Then we'll look at a more "helpful" visit down the road -- and make that call when the time comes.

I sure hope we don't cause more trouble than we're worth...  I sure hope this chemo works...  I sure hope I don't spend the next eight days crying... 

I sure hope I can get over my obvious discomfort with my complete lack of control over my Dad's health and just be a good daughter and mother...

Hmmm....maybe some things are more black and white than I like to think...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7