of Giraffes and Loud Noises...

Howdy!  We now return to our regularly scheduled programming...

During that break, the kids had the audacity to keep growing.  They're both at fun ages, but for different reasons.  The 8 year old is a full "big kid" and stretching his wings with learning how to do more complex tasks (organizing!  setting priorities!  pocket knives!).  He still has that truthful observation talent...

such as this afternoon, when we driving home, and I didn't see a guy on a bike crossing the road.  Well, at FIRST I didn't see him, but stopped in plenty of time to wave him across. We watched him pedal awkwardly, and then realized it was because he was carrying signs for the presidential candidate that is my least favorite.  So I muttered:  "Oh, he supports THAT one.  I guess I should've hit him."  Kaden laughed, but I immediately corrected myself:  "No, that isn't right.  We are one country and need to treat each other with love and unity.  I shouldn't say things like that."   Kaden laughed again, and said, "Yeah, that's Dad's language!  You know better..."   Then it was my turn to laugh.  (disclaimer: it's the middle of football season, remember, so language can get salty around here!)

The two year old is entertaining in other ways.  Mostly when he's not being exasperating.  Every day at dinner, we ask each other "how was your day" and take turns listening to news or feelings.  And every single solitary time, he calls out "MY TURN.  I went to froggies."  (The nickname for his class.)  No other information, but he looks you straight in the eye and nods when he says it.

Lately, though, he's been adding more details.  Like when I asked him how he got the bruise on his shin (he climbs *everything* so I'm fairly certain it's an innocent mark!).  He looked at the leg, looked me in the eye and said, "giraffe."  What? Is that on the playground?  He nods and says yes..  I'm imagining an animal themed slide.  Then he elaborates, "giraffe hit me.  then we went under water."    I have no idea what he's talking about.

Which is fairly typical.  he talks A LOT, but we're rarely 100% sure that we're all on the same conversation.  He's also taken a liking to dinner prayers.  When one of us starts, he shouts MY TURN.  GOD.  FOOD.  AMEN.  THANK YOU.  AMEN.   Or he mutters it softly, all as one word:  Godfoodthankyouamen. 

Other times, he rolls his eyes and runs away when we try to talk to him.  Toddlers!  And he's screaming less these days, but occasionally one comes out that's particularly funny.  Last week, we were talking about Halloween costumes, and Kaden said "I'm going to be Batman,.  You can be Superman."   Sam replied by yelling:  NO! I - BAT - MAN!   He actually sounded a wee bit like Michael Keaton...

It's Chri---- Wait!

It's Advent! Which has become one of my favorite seasons.  Even if half the world ignores it.  Even though "wait" is one of the most frustrating responses to my prayers.  Even when I rush through it and forget all sorts of things, or when my plans downshift suddenly and disappear.  There's something... comforting about this kind of hopeful waiting.  All the church-y songs have such a great wellspring of hope in them...


 

This will be our first Christmas without my brother Steve.  Which seems unbelievable, really.  It's amazing how much I miss him, when we didn't *see* each other regularly... but we did talk often.  And he loved Christmas.  A few weeks ago, Kaden asked us, "Remember when Uncle Steve drove his motorcycle to see us for Christmas? (pause as we say yes, and he gets a faraway look in his eyes)   That was nice."   It was, buddy, it really really was.  And the memories are nice, too.

Today I found out a friend of mine lost her younger brother.  He died unexpectedly due to heart failure...  at 34. I didn't know him well, per se, but I knew he was one of the good guys.  My heart goes out to their family... and another person goes on our prayer list.  It's really odd to have so many friends who have lost brothers- at different ages (late 20s to early 60s) and in different circumstances (most accidents or undiagnosed health issues)... none of them were expected.  Not a club I imagined joining.

Today (yesterday, actually 11/30) started the St. Andrew Christmas Novena.  In the past, I've never been big on novena prayers.  But I just finished one for our new-to-us parish namesake, St. Catherine Laboure, and I've missed it the last few days.  So when I heard about this one (again), I thought- this is the perfect one to do for all the brothers who've passed.  (St. Andrew being the brother to St. Peter).  Although, honestly, I'm not aiming for saying the short prayer 15x a day, but rather 3x (at meals) (actually, that might be 5x daily, given my pregnancy habits).  If you have any intentions you'd like me to remember, just send them along (email, fb message, comment below- however :).

For Steve, Rick, Chris, Andy, Vince, Jim S. and Henry...

Mikey Likes it!

And so does Kaden !

Note Jim's strong, gentle grip - needed to prevent little hands knocking the spoon away!

ps- ignore the bib above- we don't wear that in public.

Below, the tongue thrust reflex in action...

On a more serious note, please pray for Jim's dad, Dave, who's going in for surgery first thing Tuesday morning. A planned "minor" thing, but still... prayers for health & recovery would be great. While you're at it, also offer one for those battling cancer, including 2 family friends in Florida and 2 friends of our cousins in Ohio. Thank you!