Pressing On

I know I shouldn't beat myself up, but on the other hand, I shouldn't set a low standard, either. I always thought that the stay at home mom (SAHM to the savvy) lifestyle would yeild many quiet moments and much spiritual reading, faithful times of prayer, reflective ponderings and opportunity for service to others. While some days are better than others, I'd have to say that on the whole, my days are not what they could be.

When I do get a quiet moment, what do I do? I grab a snack and plop down to play the click and stare game, or find an excuse to go some where and buy things. I have managed to keep the TV turned off, thanks to an antenna cable that doesn't reach. Still, books sit patiently waiting to whisper thier wisdom, but I pass them by. Icons hang in silence, watching me scurry around. My prayer rope, sometimes on my wrist, sometimes behind the couch or in the folds of the carseat, lingers where it is, longing to be thumbed again.

O laziness, O wasted time...There is hope, today I can start anew. There is hope in Christ.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hod for me. Bretheren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3:12-14

Lord have mercy on me.

yet another gratuitous baby picture 

Weekend Adventure

So, my Father-in-law had this crazy idea. He suggested we all, 8 adults and 3 babies, caravan out to the wasteland that is Mojave at 11:00 pm, sleep in (pile into) the motorhome, and wake up at 5:45 am...all to witness a bit of history in the making. If you can't tell, it didn't sound like the greatest plan to me. I grumbled along, trying not to complain to the Munkee but not really succeeding, as usual.

Despite my reservations and dumpy attitude...it turned out to be really cool.

We witnessed the flight of SpaceShipOne:



...a rocket plane designed to carry a smaller rocket plane 62.2 miles above the Earth and launch it into the outer atmosphere. Apparently, this was the world's first commercial manned space flight. The craft was privately funded by a co-founder of Microsoft and is supposed to open doors to commercial space travel for everyday people. Pretty neat stuff...and we saw it!

It was actually really moving to see the two planes soaring side by side as they made thier spiral descent. Someone was playing Elton John's Rocket Man loudly on a stereo as they circled the clear sky. (cue: cheesy Sara gets dewy-eyed).

I don't really know how I feel about it all. Such crazy technology both scares and fascinates me. I do know that the design of this thing seems so much more clever and practical than what has been used in the past. Who knows what this may lead to. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Meanwhile, I'll try not to complain as much and go more with the the proverbial flow.

Haiku-ku-ka-chu

Clouded June morning
Cup of tea, baby and me
Watching cats and birds

My Boys and their Fire

Yes, it is creeping closer...that one summer day when we celebrate our independence by firing off copious amounts of illegal explosives. I must admit, my appreciation for those little flammable packages has grown over the past few years. I think it is safe to say that my pyromaniacal husband has had some influence on me.

Last night we took Basil to see a fireworks show at nearby Disneyland. They have nightly shows all summer long and there is a spot where we can go get coffee and watch for free. It was in preparation for Daddy's show to come on the fourth (and I'm not kidding, folks...he does it up right). We were worried that the bangs would startle him because he is kind of sensitive to noise. So, we thought it a good idea to give him a foretaste with the pop, bang and dazzle being a little further away.

He loved them! He didn't seem to be as crazy-excited as he is about mylar balloons or laughing children, maybe because it was such a new experience. He was definitely pleased and curious. They elicited many squeals and frantic arm flappings. I wish I had a picture to post because it was pretty cute to watch him. I am glad he wasn't scared.

Now I think it's safe to say we're all going to enjoy that day coming up at the beginning of next month, what's it called again?

The Last of the Weddings

...for a while, at least.

Our circle of friends, like many others I'm sure, has expanded and contracted in funny ways over the years. A core group has remained, however. It has been nice to watch eachother grow and support one another in life experiences...graduations, marriages, births, deaths...life, I guess.

The barrage of weddings, however, seemed to begin about four years ago. Since then we have attended so many weddings and receptions I have trouble counting them. The personalities of each wedding are varied and tell a sort of story. Here are a few of the many.

The St. Alban's Anglican days
Apgar wedding: Held in a small old wooden chapel.
Owen wedding: Santa Ana Courthouse. Backyard potluck reception some months later.

St. Luke's Reformed Episcopal
Plew wedding: Night service in the arched ceiling church. Party in the fellowship hall.

St. Barnabas Orthodox
Whittamore wedding: First Orthodox wedding, Pascal, beautiful. Delicious but hot reception. I was 8 months pregnant.
Byers wedding: Lovely, in winter. Five star reception. Open bar, gourmet fare.
Henslin wedding: Big, wonderful, lots of babies. Fun and festive reception followed.

Many years to you Ben and Grace Henslin!

O God, our God, who didst come to Cana of Galilee, and didst bless there the marriage feast: Bless also, these thy servants, who through thy good providence are now united together in wedlock. Bless their goings out and their comings in: replenish their life with good things: recieve their crowns into thy kingdom, preserving them spotless, blameless, and without reproach, unto ages of ages. Amen

Death From a Child's View

I wonder what this looks like, what it feels like, what questions arise...does it make any sense? Is heaven easier to believe in? Is there confusion, anger, sadness? Do colors seem less vibrant, songs less delightful? Can death be understood or rationalized? Can God's sovreignty be trusted and His mercy rested in?

Lord have mercy on Sophie and Alex.

basil at my graduation 

the eye is ever watchful