Lord, That I May See

Sunshine's dress is about 50 years old.  It  was my mom's dress when she was a girl. This outfit is over 20 years old.  My brothers wore it. I love having these heirlooms that my children can wear!

Last weekend, D. asked me if Breaking Bad was not the best TV show I had ever seen.  (We had binge-watched it together early this year and both really, really liked it.)  I couldn't say it was the best TV show, so he pressed me to say that it was in my Top 3 . . . . Hmmm. . .  Nope, still couldn't quite say that.  I did finally agree that it was definitely in my Top 5.    So, inspired by that conversation, here are my Top 5 TV shows, in no particular order. 1.  Breaking Bad Despite, or perhaps because of the subject matter, this story is rivetingly well told and tight as a drum.  No fluff, no loose ends, no trailing off into weak filler in the last seasons.  It contains heart-wrenchingly realistic and finely tuned characters who ring true at every twist of the story. And there is big, overarching theological food for thought in a Graham Greenesque fashion.  2.  Bones My favorite on screen partnership is Booth and ...

I have a wonderful aunt who has never forgotten my birthday.  She always sends a card, and often money or a gift too, such as pajamas or a piece of jewelry.  This year with birthday money from her (received back in June) I finally got myself some shoes.  Shoes never disappoint in the wardrobe updating department, and they are not fraught with the obstacles that are plentiful when trying to pick out a piece of clothing that fits/compliments/blah-blah.  Anyways, I love them!  So cute and so comfortable.  Thanks Aunt L., and Happy Fall!

It's been a beautiful week!  The weather is just amazing.  I went to run some errands last night and I wished I was wearing a jacket it was so nice and cool. My husband loves fall, and my girls love fall.  I can't love it quite so whole-heartedly because it contains the coming of winter and that makes me sad  , but there are wonderful things about fall, for sure! 1.   Fall colors! 2.   Apple picking  3. This jacket! But there's other awesome ones too on Shana's post 4. Quilts I love quilts.  I want what Kelle has for her girls' room .  A heritage quilt made from memories is so so cool! 5. Fall shoes !  Aren't these cute?  I also love the black, gray and cream ones. Visit Atelier for more 5 Favorites

One year ago today, our Grandpa passed from this life into the next. That evening, the Scripture reading for evening prayer was from 2 Timothy. I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.  From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. Last year, when I woke up in my parents' house the morning after Grandpa's funeral , this is what I saw out my window.   And I then read Psalm 122 in the Magnificat morning prayers: I rejoiced when I heard them say:  "Let us go to God's house." And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. For the peace of Jerusalem pray: "Peace be to your homes! May peace reign in your walls,  in your palaces, peace!" For love of my brethren and friends...

Another school year has begun.   We started out talking about our rules for the year: you all get a turn with mommy, no interrupting others turns with mommy, math and reading every day, morning jobs done before school, we start at 9am -- basic stuff. I gave them new pencils and sharpeners and we jumped in.  Sparky cried a lot, had three pee accidents, threw alphabet Lotto all over the room, climbed on the table many times, while Sunshine milked her mommy time for all it was worth and then had tantrums about having to do something on her own. Rosebud showed me every word she wrote every two minutes and was completely confused by the one lesson I gave her.  I stupidly got in over my head reading only a passably Christian book about the beginning of the world.  But I soon realized I wasn't sure if the whole "millions of years of human beings" was right or wrong.  (Is the earth 6000 years old or 4.5 billion years old??  Wha?? This debate is so crazy...

When everything in the whole house is scattered on the floor, it's okay. I dont need order, because you, Lord, are teaching me about letting go.  When I'm grumpily breaking up the 61st quarrel of the day, it's okay. I don't need everyone to stop fighting, because you, Lord, give me Peace.  When girls whine about the dinner and the toddler shoves his bowl and cries for cookies instead, it's okay. I don't need appreciation, because you, Lord, see my work.  When the to-do list lengthens and the days shorten and everything I do becomes undone again, it's okay. I don't need to be efficient, because Lord, you never told us efficiency was a virtue. When the fog of tiredness rises and I can't see my way through to doing all that my family needs, it's okay.  I don't need to be strong, because you, Lord, are my strength.  When my hair hangs in strings, my pants fit badly and there's a stain on my shirt, it's okay. I do...

Sunshine:  I like picking bouquets.  These flowers are pretty.  Do these flowers make me look pretty?  Oooh, Mommy I see one!  Is that one in somebody's yard?  Sparky, do you want a flower?  Sparky only wants his book, so I can hold his flowers.  Ooh, Mommy, we are bumping!  I like picking bouquets. The tune of little chattering is a good one to exercise to.  I never knew there were so many flowers hidden along my path until I took her with me.  She's my good  little Noticer .

Dear Grandpa, The rain is falling outside my window and I am thinking of you.   It's been almost a year now , and you are more than ever on my mind. Today, I want to tell you about your great-grandson.  He's growing so big, Grandpa.  I wish you could see him.  Or I wish I could see you seeing him.  You would enjoy being with him, just as you always enjoyed all your grandchildren. He's been to the beach this year for his first time.  I have pictures of you playing with each of my children at the beach, but I won't ever have one with you with him there. I'm teaching him about little creatures, Grandpa, like you would do.  The other week he played with a caterpillar for a long while, gently, so that, while all the hair rubbed off it, it was not crushed or hurt.  He's interested in cicadas too.  He tries to say the word, and recognizes their raspy chirp.   He rode for a while in the stroller with one resting on the strap.  Then w...