Birthdays on Facebook

Facebook has this handy little spot that reminds you of upcoming birthdays, which helps you remember to tell people Happy Birthday. Since my birthday was 2 days ago, I now have lots of Happy Birthday messages, and I love it. But it is a weird thing, all the same. For example, when I look at my Wall, I have a message from an Asheville friend who happens to be the sister of my high school softball coach's wife. Below her is a friend from high school who would have known my softball coach. Below her are co-workers from InterVarsity, and UNCA students, and Asheville friends, and App. State alumni. It's just weird! All these people from all my walks of life and they all take the time to tell me Happy Birthday. And then there's my husband's status that he likes me, too.
I like Facebook.

The First Dance Recital

Anna has been taking Modern Dance with Mrs. Pierce each week, and last night was the big performance. It was SO FUN. The kids had a great time (as they do each week because Mrs. Pierce is amazing), and the parents had fun too - cameras flashing and videos taping. My favorite thing was seeing all their personalities come out. Anna is very serious and concentrated. Here are a few pictures, and for those really interested, a short video.

Preschooler Rock Concert and Chinese Food

We had quite a weekend in SC - something for everyone! For starters, Saturday was The Wiggles concert for the girls - Grandma, Mommy, and Anna. I know some people don't care much for these guys, but I have to say that I don't mind them too much. I know they aren't on the level of a Disney movie or even 40 year old Sesame Street, but that's okay. The show was quite good, and all the preschoolers were having a great time. It really was a rock concert for them - rushing the stage, holding up signs, singing (and dancing) along with the band. And those guys have a ton of energy!

I thought Anna was going to faint; she was SO EXCITED when her favorite Wiggle, guitar playing Murray came up our row. He even waved at her. In her mind, he's on par with Johann Sebastian Bach for Anthony or Alan Jackson for Grandma or Bono for Mommy.
In grown up world, we got to go out on Saturday night for fancy Chinese food at PF Changs. I've already been reminded that everyone knows I hate Chinese food, but Anthony got a gift card, so I was game to check it out. This place is swanky Chinese food, and even I found something I liked. My entree was perfectly fine, but the appetizer was the best part. Get the chicken lettuce wraps - they are yummy! To end the weekend, Anthony and I went to church (it is always weird when we go to church and actually get to sit together through the entire thing) AND I got to play golf with Dad on a sunny 70 degree day. It was most excellent. Woo hoo for SC in November!

The Great Pumpkin

We did manage to make it to a small pumpkin patch on one of the few dry days.

This is my absolutely favorite picture of the boys.

Just a great picture of father and son.

Mommy and kids

Such a fun afternoon for us all!

Halloween

I have to admit, this year's trick or treating was quite fun - much more fun than I expected, given the terrible weather. The kids didn't care and we just went along one street with a few friends. I liked this street - they gave out really good candy! Everyone had a great time.

All the gang assembled

Farmer Josh and Snow White
Let's go!

Farmer Josh sometimes needed help from Big Daddy the UNC fan.

Anna and her loot.

All By Myself

Being a single parent is no fun. I mean just no fun at all. And it is particularly no fun for me, as I am really bad at it. My kids would agree that I am bad at it, particularly after this evening. I know I don't really have it all that bad - we only have 2 kids, and I only do this single parent thing 3 nights a week (although it is 6 this week). I am very aware that there are people in much worse situations than mine - lots more kids, spouses away for long periods of time, uninvolved spouse. Yes, I understand that. And in fact, that points out my weaknesses even more!

I'm not sure why today was such a bad day, but for some reason Anna decided that she was not going to be obey anything I said, and Joshua made more mischief and messes than I could handle. And I haven't slept well since I have a cold. Whatever. All I know is that it all fell apart at supper. Neither of them liked the lasagna. What kid doesn't eat lasagna? Meat, cheese, and pasta - all previously approved by my two kids. But Joshua threw his on the floor and Anna just talked and sang and talked and sang, but no eating. So I lost my temper and yelled way too much and told them to be hungry. Such compassion I have.

Please spare me the lecture that I will miss these days of a 3 year old and an 18 month old. I know that is true. But the main point of all this is that my heart just wants to be able to do motherhood and not fail at it. I'm not wishing away my kids (though I do wish Joshua would stop throwing food). I'm wishing away my failings. As heretical as it is, sometimes I wish I could do something that didn't require God's grace. Isn't there something I can do that I don't need Jesus?? I have to be good at something, don't I? How hard is it to feed my kids? Sigh.

In fact, yes, it is good news to need the Lord in everything. My heart knows this.

And you know, the evening didn't end all that badly - we danced around to Dolly Parton before bedtime. And we prayed together. And soon Anthony will be home and he'll get to hear all about it. Lucky him.

Ordinary Time

In the liturgical tradition, the calendar is divided into seasons, such as Advent and Lent. The longest time period is called Ordinary Time. Nothing in particular happens during Ordinary Time, but "the kingdom of God is advancing". Our family has most certainly been stuck in Ordinary Time, but I don't think we'd be able to say that we are confident that the kingdom of God is advancing. We're stuck. Since our ill fated trip to Asheboro, every one of us has been sick - that's 4 weeks of being sick. And we don't have a celebrity illness like H1N1. We just have runny noses and coughs. Sadly, I know this is no record and we could be in for much worse as fall and winter progress. And what is it with the weather? I know that is trivial, but seriously - all the rain is ridiculous and then suddenly we had frost warnings?? That's just crazy. Another example of being stuck in ordinary time: Anthony and I were both very excited to get to clean out the attic. So sad to get excited about something like that, but so true for 2 people who hate clutter.

Does the kingdom of God advance in the midst of runny noses and cleaning the attic and depressing weather? Well, yes, I have to believe it does. Because the heart is what it is always about - not circumstances.

a few pics of ordinary life...

Unplugging

So we've been without cable now for a few months. I'd like to tell you that we are better for it and have realized that cable is a waste of money and our family life is much improved. But I don't think that would be telling the truth. I miss cable. It is true that we don't randomly have the TV on all day long, and it is true that we're glad the kids aren't exposed to the craziness of the Disney channel and Nickelodeon. But still, I miss cable. Anthony and I had the conversation of which channels do you miss the most, and he said Scifi (Scyfy), Food Network, and Headline News (that's because Robin Meade is his girlfriend). I said TLC, History Channel, and TBS. However, I have to admit that we have survived without these channels and I don't really miss them all that much.

So you know which channels I really miss the most, in complete honesty? ESPN and The Weather Channel. How weird! I thought it was TLC, History, and TBS, but I was wrong. Here's how I know: the information / events on ESPN and Weather Channel can easily be found elsewhere without effort. Local news will tell me all I really need to know, in bullet point format. But I still go the weather.com and espn.com, and whenever I am anywhere near cable, these are the 2 channels I always want to see. No matter what is on these channels, I will watch (well, not bass fishing or poker or bowling).

I always want to watch Sportscenter and Local on the 8's. Kinda surprised me, too.

And what is up with TBS having the baseball playoffs??? They are supposed to show movie reruns, not sports! I'm quite annoyed.

Prom ReDux in 2009

This past weekend we were in Asheboro for Anthony's 20th high school reunion. It was a pretty crazy weekend. Anthony might do a blog about the weirdness of going back in time 20 years. I just stood around and smiled at all these strangers who were once Anthony's friends. I did observe that my high school has all the same type of people, and I wonder what my 20th will be like next year. And although it feels like things stay the same (and that you become 18 years old again around certain people), it is true that Jesus makes all the difference in us.

Don't we look good?

The first part of Saturday was spent taking our children to Asheboro's Urgent Care. Joshua fell down and cut his bottom lip.

En route to Urgent Care

After lunch, Anna was complaining of terrible ear pain. So back to Urgent Care, where they recognized us, of course!

Ice cream at McDonald's after getting an antibiotic is always a hit!

What Every Dad Wants to Hear

I was working in the church office today when one of Joshua's Mother's Morning Out teachers came to me.

She said, "Have you seen Joshua riding the horse in our class?"

"No," I replied. "Is he scared of it or really enjoying himself?"

"Oh, he loves it," said the teacher. "He's so cute! He rides side-saddled."