Sunday: changes

1) I got a haircut yesterday.  I mostly like it.  I chopped off about seven inches.

2) I moved the nightlight from our bedroom into the kitchen.  I know, it feels like an odd thing to mention.  But makes so much sense!  It makes our bedroom darker and lets me better see as I stumble to a child's room.  (It also lets Isaac see better if he needs to use the bathroom.  I'm pretty sure I don't wake up when that happens unless he calls me.)  I should have made the change a while ago, but didn't think of it.

3) Our winter lights are up.  Lights are my favorite part of the Christmas season, but this strand is really to help light up a corner that has no other great lighting.  The odd thing was that we received the package today...Sunday.  I guess the shipping season has started, but for some reason it makes me a bit sad that you can receive packages on Sunday.

Saturday: first snow

It snowed today!  Not as much as predicted, but it was nice and wet.

The first time we were not out for very long...Isaac seemed more excited about playing with the snow inside than about being outside.

For the second time I clothed Isaac much better and got out the sand toys.  I really need to remember to not put them away for the winter...I always end up digging them out of the garage when it snows out.  Joshua was complaining that he didn't get to go outside too, so I bundled him up.  He can't walk all that well to begin with, so the boots and snow pants were just too much.  He was out probably about four minutes.  Isaac was out a bit longer.

Friday: hmm

Hmm.  I had something profound to say...but I can't remember it now. :p

We went over to Betsy's house.  Isaac and Ethan had a good time playing...and there were only a few tears.  I'm still not sure what the tears were about, but the dog barked which made Isaac laugh and then everything was ok again.  I had a wonderful time too...it is nice to be with other people and makes the day go by so much faster.

I was going to put up our winter lights today but then they were completely dead.  How??  They were working when I took them down at the end of the winter.  It frustrates me.

Thursday: life lesson

Don't start a routine in which your young child gets a few minutes of Ipad time first thing in the morning.  They may wake up at 5am and then scream for a bit because they think it's Ipad time when it's really sleeping time.

Wednesday: trying things

This morning we tried a new activity: can we put all the Duplos on the Duplo table?  I find it an interesting question, especially since you can't attach Duplos to some Duplos (i.e., they have to go on top) and there is a toddler.  I also started a time lapse video, but the angle was poor so I won't be showing it.

We didn't get all the Duplos on before lunch time and the youngest members of the activity were done with it.  However, Joshua did better than I was expecting, only taking a few off.  Once we got some windows on he played with those pretty well.  Isaac didn't put a lot on, but did bring a lot over.

There was a lovely rain storm this afternoon followed by an incredible rainbow.  We could see both legs and half of a second rainbow.  And the primary rainbow was so bright!  I don't think I've ever seen such a bright one before.  Ben managed to see the whole arc...lucky him.

We also tried hamburger enchilada with chicken.  It wasn't as good.  Not bad, but not as good.

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.