Tuesday: refugees

I am sad that the governor of Michigan is one of the governors that wants to refuse Syrian refugees into the state (legality aside).  I was especially sad he was one of the first.

Is the possibility of terrorism scary?  Yes, defiantly.  Does that mean we should refuse to help those in need?  Absolutely not.

The thought of my friends or family, especially my children, being hurt in violence is terrifying.  But God says not to fear.  He says it over and over and over again.  Jesus shows kindness to the poor and needy over and over again.

We need to welcome the refugees.

Monday: a prayer fufilled

Isaac: I wish Dad could come home early.  [Note, it was about 10am].
Amanda: yeah, me too.
Isaac: Can we pray about it?
Amanda, surprised but happy: sure.  Do you want to pray or shall I?
Isaac: you
Amanda: Dear God, please let Dad come home early.  Please let him finish his work really, really, really fast. Amen.
Isaac: Amen.

Imagine my surprise when Ben pulled into the driveway at 3:30 this afternoon.  I shouldn't be surprised, I guess.  He hadn't finished his work, but Isaac's part of the prayer was still answered; the server Ben needed crashed and he was unable to work for the afternoon.

Sunday: puppy

Isaac thinks he's a puppy.

We say his name, for whatever reason and he says he's puppy Isaac.  This happens many, many times a day.  You'd think Ben and I could remember by now.

He crawls around on all fours on a regular basis.

He barks, although not that often.

He refers to puppy Isaac in the third person all the time.  "Puppy Isaac would like some water."

I forgot to mention it to Aunt C when she was babysitting.  Not to fear though...Puppy Isaac told her what was going on.  Probably several times from the sound of it.

It's a bit of an annoying stage, but not too bad.  Possibly more annoying for puppy Isaac since we can't remember he's a puppy.

Friday: Christmas presents

I'm reading a book about justice.  (Our church recommends a book each year, this year this is the book.)  Last night the reading was on being content with what you have.

This comes at such an interesting time, since it has been "making Christmas list" week.  As always, I feel like I already have plenty.  I can find some things for my list, but so much of that just things that would be fun.  Don't get me wrong - fun is good.  Fun items give people jobs.

Yet every year I always wonder what would happen if I only put donation items on my list.  I always feel like I would be a disappointment to people trying to buy for me, because choosing a charity wouldn't be as fun.  As I think about it though, I wonder why I should care.  As I think it through, I wonder if I would enjoy Christmas as much without tangible gifts.

So this is my possible notice to everyone.  Next year I might finally do it.  ...or I might not.  I have a year in which to think about it.

Tuesday: settlement

A while ago we got a mailing about a Lockheed 401k settlement.  We had to fill in some paperwork and send it back in.  Mine was easy; I haven't moved my 401k.  Ben's was a bit harder, involving a phone call.  Then he missed a signature so we had to send in an extra piece of paper.  At this point, our investment in Ben's side of the project is $0.90 in stamps and maybe 20 minutes.

We got a check yesterday for Ben's...$0.88.

*sigh*

At least we came out ahead on my side, by an estimated $0.43.

Monday: cameras and super speed

Joshua's favorite toys today were the cameras.  Neither has batteries.  I think he just likes pushing the buttons and the weight that they are.  Joshua was also rather cranky today.  There was a 15 minute meltdown in the morning...I want to be in your lap, no I want to be on the floor, no I want to be in your lap. Then tonight at dinner he kept saying "more" but we had no idea what he wanted.  Since the fever his appetite hasn't been great, so eventually we hand fed him some Cheerios.  It worked for a bit but wasn't really what he wanted.  He needs some more words.

Isaac and I played flags today.  It consists of chasing each other around and trying to pull off some flags that we got in a happy meal.

He's really into "super speed" the last few days.  He has his walking power (grape water), his running power (pomegranate water), and when combined with lemon water he has super speed.  (I'm running out of sippy cups.)

He also wanted me to take a picture of him going backwards on the horse.

Sunday: cleaning up, Christmas lists

Yesterday I worked on picking up the house.  This is a normal thing for me, but I feel like progress was made.  This morning Isaac came out of his bedroom and said, "Mom!  The table is so clean!  Good work!  You can have a treat." And gave me an M&M from his Halloween candy.  A little later he said that I should finish cleaning Joshua's room for a treat, and I said that maybe he should clean his room for a treat.  Well, that started a cleaning day.  Isaac did his room, finished Joshua's room, and started the basement before getting sidetracked.

Also, we started working on Christmas lists.  Isaac is so easy this year!  He thinks a lot of things look interesting, but not everything.  Many of the things he picked out look interesting to me too, so that will probably be fun.  My list, on the other hand, is currently rather boring.  Hopefully I can spice it up a bit, but even if not that's ok.