Ten Years Ago Today

Alton posing with a woodworking project he and Rob finished.

So hard to believe that Alton is now 10! An official "tweenager" as he enthusiastically announced this morning. So what is this 10 year old like? Well, he's humorous, obedient, creative, smart, helpful, and affectionate. Some of his interests include Lego projects (Star Wars in particular), Ninetendo DS, and guitar lessons. His little brother Avery worhsips the ground he walks on and follows him everywhere. Alton is as patient as can be expected about this. I make sure I guard some of his time each day because he's one of those kids that needs a few hours alone to recharge. He also has an ornery streak and likes practical jokes when he can pull one off. Unfortunately, Alayna, who is usually the victim neither appreciates, nor understands his humor. They do get along nicely on occasion. Alton is growing up to be a wonderful person and best of all, he loves Jesus!

This Whirlwind Called Life

Another day past at the speed of light and it still seems as though not much was accomplished. This unfortunately is not due to the fact that I was diligently keeping the sabbath holy, resting and meditating on heavenly things. I was in motion all day playing catch up on a million things. Okay, there was the 10 minutes I tried to steal away to nap on the couch with Aubin's vocal complaints about sitting on his Daddy's lap to watch basketball swirling loudly around my head. After about 7 minutes, I gave that up and scooped him up to give him the quality time he was requesting.

Life here is well, different. It's more different than any other place we've lived. The culture here is so fast paced, political, and somewhat isolated as no one has time to really connect with their fellow man. Rob and I both feel like God brought us here, but we often wonder why. Quite honestly, Rob is miserable in his job and has close to no freetime to recouperate after the long weeks work. My sentiment is not one of misery, but more of frustration as I never end a day without feeling I left way too much undone. Each day in turn, seems as if I'm winging it and that lack of organization leaves me frazzled.

Regretfully, I realized how quickly I have become "one of them;" rushing around without a thought or care about the other people buzzing around me. The only way this was brought to my attention was when I went to Joann Fabrics to buy supplies to make curtains. After an hour of wandering aimlessly and indecisively, I scrapped the curtains for the day and decided on making a dress for Alayna. I recently bought a sewing machine and am itching to use it. Anyway, ready to have my material cut, I noticed that the procedure was to take a number and wait until it was called. I did and out popped number 46. At that moment, they called number 35. Ugh! I looked around and noticed three women working the cutting tables and eased up a little until after standing there for 10 minutes and realizing what was going on!

Here we are in a busy, upwardly mobile, rush around city where nobody bothers with anyone and at Joann Fabrics nobody seemed to know it. The ladies working the table took they're time and were talking with the customers who amicably chatted back. They even stopped cutting to continue their conversations and use hand gestures! One lady spent probably 15 minutes with her customer trying to help her find the perfect material for whatever she was making. I was seriously annoyed. Then it dawned on me how ridiculous that was. I realized how quickly I had disposed of my southern upbringing and gone right along with the flow of silly pursuit of I'm not sure what. Now mind you, I did have my reasons for being in a hurry such as getting home to nurse a baby and not leaving my children for too long at the home of my generous friend who offered to watch them for a spell while I slipped away. Still, however, it gave me pause.

I think to sum it up, God never intended for us to lay around relaxing all the time. He wants us busy. It's what we're busy at that matters and putting THAT into perspective is the challenge; one I'll be working on.

The Monkey Eating a Banana

It's time for yet another story about Avery. Lately, you never know what is going to come out of his mouth!

While loading up the van yesterday, a construction worker working on the house next door was standing at the end of our driveway enjoying a banana. He was short, had brown hair, and tanned skin. I was juggling a baby and all the other things I seem to need to load in the car to go anywhere. I was distracted, but soon snapped out of it when I realized what Avery was saying very loudly,"I see a monkey eating a banana! I see a monkey eating a banana!" As there was no monkey, I realized he thought our little construction friend was a monkey. Horrified, that I too saw a slight resemblence, I shushed Avery in hopes that he had not heard. I quickly got in the van and left.

The van is not necessarily a place of refuge from Avery's mouth. We had to make a Burger King run today (yes we do that every now and then) because we were running late for Alton's guitar lesson as usual. While at the window waiting for our food Avery said of the lady working the window, "That old lady!" Yikes! I turned and gave Avery a be quiet stare and once again hoped that the comment was not heard by the recipient.

Okay, a quick Aubie update. He has good things coming in his mouth; two teeth to be exact. I just spotted them today. My last baby is growing up too fast!

I Want Your Comments

Here is an interesting little video series I watched recently. I would love to know what other people's take on it is. Watch it and then come back and comment!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXcdo0kDhtc&feature=PlayList&p=3DD93625F1C78B1F&index=0&playnext=1

You Be Robin

I was really hoping Avery would skip the whole super hero fascination thing, but as of about two weeks ago. He's started exhibiting all the signs and symptoms that I have already been through with Alton. I will say it was amusing the other day when he strutted into the library wearinghis Bibleman cape and all the librarians started pointing and giggling. Librarians giggling...that's not something you see everyday.

Most days he is Batman; which of course makes me Robin. Avery is the kind of kid that doesn't enjoy playing on his own. Since we're all home together each day he exhausts Alton and Alayna and so it often leaves me as a playmate. Not a real good choice considering how much I have to do to keep our lives running (notice I didn't say running smoothly). Anyway, I have learned that instead of putting him off saying I am busy, it is much easier to just go along with his game while multi-tasking. He will run up to me and say, "I am Batman. You be Robin." "Okay, what is our mission?" The mission most often involves "Puming" bad guys which is the word around our house for firing a large and dangerous weapon. I believe Avery coined it. Anyway, I will usually drop whatever I'm holding (unless it's Aubie) and take a couple of laps around the house "puming" with him. Then I tell him to go on the next mission alone while I "man the controls." In Mommy language that means get a few more things done while staying in one place. He is fine with this and off he goes.

I guess it's not all super heros. He often refers to me as R2D2. I don't play this role as well as Robin apparently because whenever I try to imitate R2D2 noises, he tells me to "Stop that!" Often he calls me clone Mommy. I always think to myself that we could use some clone mommies around this house. I think a lot more would get done and I could spend more time "puming."