the kids

on monday, it poured rain for the entire day.
which meant that when i picked the kids up from school, i not only had to jump great leaping rivers of rain but that i also had to use a one of their tiny kid umbrellas.
guess how much of me that covered?
about the circumference of my head.

needless to say, the kids loved the rain.
i mean, what kid doesnt?
and as i was hurrying them back to the car after school, we had to precariously jump from the curb to the road.
problem?
there was a HUGE river running between us and our goal.
sister made it over safely.
brother however, gave me a little look before we jumped and promptly landed right in the river.
soaked pants and shoes but oh so pleased with himself.

i am so endeared to them.
sure, we have hard days. we have moments of tears and frustration.
but i feel so lucky when they eagerly wave to me from their school classroom and when they want to sit on my lap as we read a dora book.

isnt the affection of children so funny?
when they like you, they love you. and its hard to change that.
even when im crabby and when im at my wits end, they still love me.

who would have thought?

im thankful for the days i get to spend with them.
the chaotic, where-did-my-socks-go, frantic days where they continue to slow things down and jump in really big rain puddles.

Yuletide Time Again.

These are some quotes I'm loving. Some old, some new. Some songs I've sung for years. Some movies I've never been crazy about. Some that have a new kind of meaning to me this this time around.

It started yesterday with substitute teaching the first grade girls. The question of the day was, "What song are you looking forward to singing at the Winter Concert tonight?", and one precious girl had written, "Frosty The Sow Man." It had me smiling through lunch, recess, and English. Frosty the Sow Man- written in the large, childlike handwriting of a first grade girl who could barely contain her excitement.

Later in the afternoon we watched A Charlie Brown Christmas together. I've never liked Charlie Brown. Linus always annoyed me. I though Snoopy was creepy. And, Lucy- I always thought she was depressing. Yesterday, for the first time, I appreciated Charlie Brown. When I watched it through the rapt eyes of 21 first grade girls, it was everything I think this holiday season should be about: simple, joyful, real, sometimes hard, sometimes maybe even down right depressing, but always hopeful.

Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about? 
Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. 
[moves toward the center of the stage] 
Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please. 
[a spotlight shines on Linus] 
Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'" 
[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown] 
Linus Van Pelt: That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. 

Some more favorites:

Shepherds in the fields abiding, watching o'er your flocks by night,

God with man is now residing, yonder shines the infant Light:

Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King.

-Angels from the Realms of Glory

Come to earth to taste our sadness, he whose glories knew no end;

by his life he brings us gladness, our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.

Leaving riches without number, born within a cattle stall; 

this the everlasting wonder, Christ was born the Lord of all.

-Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.

Come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold him born the King of angels.

O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

-O Come All Ye Faithful

This flow'r, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the

air, dispels with glorious splendor the darkness ev'rywhere.

True man, yet very God; from sin and death he 

saves us and lightens ev'ry load.

-Lo, How a Rose 'ere Blooming

The people walking in darkness 
       have seen a great light; 
       on those living in the land of the shadow of death
       a light has dawned.

 For to us a child is born, 
       to us a son is given, 
       and the government will be on his shoulders. 
       And he will be called 
       Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 
       Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Of the increase of his government and peace 
       there will be no end. 
       He will reign on David's throne 
       and over his kingdom, 
       establishing and upholding it 
       with justice and righteousness 
       from that time on and forever. 
       The zeal of the LORD Almighty 
       will accomplishh this. 

-Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7

christmas

yesterday evening was perfectly lovely.
a few of my housemates and i baked and decorated gingerbread men for most of the afternoon. once that sugar fest commenced, we took the convertible to starbucks for red cups and then proceeded home the longest route possible so we could enjoy the lights on the houses.
as i sat in church this morning, my pastor read the lyrics of its the most wonderful time of the year. i excitedly anticipated his sermon to celebrate the christmas season with all of its flashy cheer.
that however was not the case.
he instead reversed the glamor of the season with the sobering truth of reality.
he told us of tragic news from around the world: 30,000 troops to be deployed to afghanistan, tiger woods scandal, deaths in the church family, un-employment rate at its lowest and so on.

i grew frustrated.
how dare he ruin this happy season for me? i love my red cups, mall decorations and gift giving.
but it was not my pastor's intention to belittle the season. but rather to point to the purpose for which we celebrate it.

in isaiah 7, immanuel, God with us, is first mentioned as God the father promises to fulfill his purpose with israel through the presence of his son.
this name, immanuel, is the confirmation that God's purposes are immutable.

how often i leave Jesus as the baby in bethlehem without recognizing him as conquering savior.
i celebrate this christmas season thankful for the birth of a baby without realizing why God sent him.
immanuel. God with us.

as we left service our pastor posed this question to us:
how would your life change if you were completely convinced that God Himself was with you?
i didnt know.
but my hope is that i can begin to form a lifestyle that can one day answer it.

Homeward Bound.

Have you ever seen the movie Homeward Bound? I can't remember the last time I saw it. Maybe it was 13, 14...15 years ago? The gist of the movie is about three animals trying to make it back home to their owners after they are accidentally separated (hey, at least it wasn't animated). The two dogs, and one cat, have to ford rivers, climb mountains, avoid all kinds of danger... you get the idea. And, the last scene. OH, THAT LAST SCENE. 

It is around the holidays. It's been months since the animals disappeared, and the family has gathered for Thanksgiving. The autumnal colors are displayed in all their glory, and parents and children are bundled up in sweaters. The Mom comes outside where the kids are playing and says something like, "Turkey's ready!" and that's when it happens.

Chance the Dog comes over the hill first. And he is yelling, "Jamie!!!" (yes, the Dog can talk) and Jamie says, "Here boy!" and they run to each other and Jamie is yelling and Chance tackles him immediately, and covers him in drool.

The other family members are gathering outside. And, then, Little Sassy the Cat comes over the hill. And she is chanting (yes, the Cat can talk, too), "Hope, Hope, Hope!" over and over. And, the little girl, Hope, comes running and sweeps her up and there are tears and meows and hugs. Everyone is screaming now and the excitement is growing. The family can hardly believe what's happening!

But, everyone is still waiting because there's an animal missing. Shadow. The Golden Retriever. He was always my favorite. And everyone's watching, and waiting, and watching some more. Especially Peter- he's watching hard, and he's hoping even harder. He needed Shadow. You realize it almost the same time the characters do... Shadow isn't coming back. He wasn't strong enough for the journey. The family turns to go inside. Everyone's crying. You're crying. It is the worst movie you've ever seen. You want to crawl into bed into bed and never come out. 

And, then. And, THEN! Over the hill... SHADOW! And, he is limping, but he's there! And Peter is running towards him and shouting, "Shadow" over and over.

And, just like that everything changes. You are still crying, only now you are laughing, too. It is the best movie you've ever seen. Of course it is. You're only 12, after all. 

Why the rambles about dogs and reunions and movies? Because I'm homeward bound later tonight. And, every time I hit the bend on I-495 and see the Mormon Temple jutting out of the skyline, I start doing some chants of my own, and they sound a lot like Courtney and Isaac and Stephen and Nate and Josh and Mom and Dad and Desmond. I can't wait to see them. I'm just hoping no tackling is involved.

Happy Thanksgiving!

home

i am flying home today.
in less than 24 hours, i will be sitting on a flight bound for baltimore, with a wee bit of a (3 hour!) layover in atlanta.

this morning i am thankful for home.
i am thankful that my mom has the gift of hospitality.
it really does make a difference doesnt it?
our rooms are always brimming who holidays themed gifts, flowers and mail.

i am thankful that my dad views these holidays as important reasons to come home.
and that he wants to help me in that endeavor.

i am thankful for cripplegate road where so many seasons transition through our house.
decorations are painstakingly put up with love and then removed in a flurry of excitement for the next approaching celebration.

but isnt that what makes it worth the while?
thanksgiving wouldnt be the same without the turkey and pilgrims and pumpkins dotting our house.

these little expressions of love that my parents place great importance on, matter.
they are the warmth by which families can gather and talk.

home.
i am so thankful.