Christine and Anna

So I was waiting until I had a good image to accompany my post... I just wish I had written it already, because it was so fresh in my mind over the weekend, and now I just feel like life has taken over again. Oh, whatever, I will stop whining and get down to it. On Friday night, my sister took part in a summer arts festival, if you will, for women. She had agreed to be a part of it without realizing that she was agreeing to be the keynote speaker for the entire thingamajig. She does not like public speaking, and has never before combined it with a drawing demonstration. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure that she has ever really done a drawing demo, either. Well, she was pretty scared, but decided to pray and see what God might give her to share.

She asked if I would come, and just pray for her while she did her thing. I was happy to do so, and also excited to hear her speak, as she was going to give her testimony, something I had never had the pleasure of hearing. This was going to be good, I was sure, but I was completely unprepared for how affected I would be!

I feel like I should try to just tell the whole thing, but how lame that would be; it would have none of the vulnerability, humor, and power of the original.

Christine began by explaining where she was coming from, what God was currently teaching her, and the parable that he gave her which inspired the drawing she did while speaking. But she then told how she came to believe in Jesus, and how it was her conversion at 12 that brought my parents to him, and myself shortly after, at the age of 5. She spoke of my parent's transformation, and the wonderful stability of our home. I don't disagree, but it was so enlightening to hear her perspective. We are two different people, and as the baby of the family, I think I still have the tendency to think that the world revolves around me. I loved hearing about our childhood from the perspective of another pair of eyes. I loved hearing anew the story of how she met and married my brother in law, and how her children have changed her life and her identity for the better.

I had no idea how funny she would be! Her nervous energy and honestly combined with a natural goofiness superbly. She was so real and so beautiful. Toward the end, when her talk was over, and she needed to finish the drawing, my niece, Anna, sang and accompanied herself on the piano. That girl is incredible. Her voice is so pure and lovely, and the song was beautiful, I seriously had to contain myself, and really hold it together to keep from sobbing outright. She is only 13, but her passion is palpable, and her talent immense. I left feeling so full and happy and hopeful, not to mention proud of my incredible family.

Love Song to my Midgets

We have walked to the playground. The girls run to play while I sit on the grass with Jude. He screeches, making his voice as hoarse as possible, ending in a faker's cough. How cute can a terrible, grating noise be? Cute enough! People are this kid's favorite toy, and I talk into his belly, making him laugh. He grabs my head on both sides, trying to munch my face. He is so close that I can't focus on him; his grey eyes are a blur of baby concentration. Behind his head is a startling blue sky with impossible fluffy clouds, and sycamore branches, leaves emerald in the sun. Singsong toddler voices converse nearby in the sandbox. I sing to him as best I can, the song I sang to him and to his sisters, while they grew like happy little aliens in my belly. An Irish lullaby - he pulls back to listen, always game for a song:

In this heart lies for you

A lark born only for you

Who sings only to you

My love, my love, my love

A love song more than a lullaby, I guess, but one that I reserve for my babies. Dan and I have many love songs, but this one is between Mommy and Little Ones. Such a smile I receive for my efforts!

Exhausted, we all fall asleep after the short walk home. After nap-time, we all wake up together, as if someone has pushed the wake up button. Jude is overjoyed to see Genevieve and Rowan, who in turn, are enthralled by his gummy smiles and bouncy attention. They coo over him, fawning. I love this interaction. Refreshed by their sleep, they get along with the renewed energy and enjoyment that a brief separation and a good rest can bring.

where my heart is happy

So, for something to do with the girls, I bought a box of pasta with which to string necklaces. But it looked so boring, and I didn't really like the idea of painting individual ziti... so I thought I would try food coloring. It actually worked better than expected. Also unexpected was how enamored I became with the little glasses filled with food coloring and noodles!
I felt compelled to take their picture. It was like a candy shop, an array of flavors, mouth-watering colors, displayed in simple glass containers. I love things like this - the simplicity, the contrasts, the textures, are all like medicine for my tired mind.

The girls were fascinated, too, and I think they will have fun when they are all dry, making necklaces with yarn. But sometimes, I feel like I am doing it more for me than for them! I guess if I can find a project, no matter how simple, that can feed the artist in my soul, while still letting my kids make something that requires a little brain work and a bit of manual dexterity, then we all win.

Today, the girls found a stag beetle at he playground, "Look mommy, a Daddy spider!" "No, that's not a spider, girls." "Yeah, it's a Moose." The thing was about 2 inches long - stag beetles never cease to amaze me... and gross me out, if I'm being honest.

Genevieve said, "mmm, that's really tasty, Mommy, thank you!" when she tasted her mashed potatoes tonight. At least I know some of the training is sinking in.

I actually am too tired to think straight, but those were the two highlights of a slightly difficult day. Really, I have to write it down, so why not write it here?

Rowan's in green, Genevieve's in pink, and the fat naked one is Jude

So why is blogger such a control freak? why can't I have my photos in the order in which I upload them? And why isn't it giving me a font option? And why do I always have to fix the date? Lame-o. That's all I have to say about that. Anyway, a post is more boring when there are no photos, so this is to make up for the last one. Or to accompany it, and document our very low key 4th of July.

Hmmm

Jude is trying so hard to crawl, moving from hands and knees to plank position, back to knees. Now and again I see a quick downward facing dog. He is so strong! And big - he weighed at 6 months what the girls weighed at 1 year. The girls have been so funny lately, saying the most hilarious things, and new words every day. Last night I put them all three in the bath for the first time. Jude was hysterical, screwing up his face into the most determined expression, and pounding away at the water as if it were his job. He would pause every so often to rub his wet eyes, and then get right back to it. Never cracked a smile once. After I pulled him out and wrapped him up in a towel, I just sat on the edge of the tub with him, while the girls continues their bath. Geneveieve looked up fondly at Jude, "Mommy, Jude's all wrapped up". yup, he is... and Rowan said "Aw, Jude's in a wrapper, like a little cheese stick!" I couldn't stop laughing.

On the other end of the spectrum, these girls are pushing me hard, disobeying constantly, refusing to go to sleep at night, getting completely naked, peeing in their beds. And they have had a nasty summer cold for over 2 weeks now. I think I will have to load them all up and take them to the doctor tomorrow. That ought to be fun. And my mood is just all over the place. I had a couple of weeks there, when I just felt really blessed with peace, but now I am just beyond a roller-coaster. I love these kids so much, but we are having a blast one minute, and then trying to deal with blatant defiance the next. I get so irritated by lack of logic in people... that makes it hard when dealing with small toddlers, huh? I just want them to understand, and be able to let me know that they understand, so I don't have to obsess over whether or not I am getting through to them.

I am so thankful for a supportive husband, who sees what I am dealing with, offers suggestions and prayer on-the-spot, but doesn't criticize or judge me. Also, he makes me laugh about it, and that is the best thing for me. It changes my perspective, changes my mood, and brings me back to myself. But honestly, I am just so tired, and sick of people who make it look easy. And jealous of people who get vacations, with or without children. Sorry if this post is a bit whiny... I'm trying to break the girls of it, but perhaps I need to lead by example.