Sending my regrets to Connor D. (and an update)

Dear Connor,

I had my costume ready but I was unable to convince my husband that we should make the trip clear to Indiana for your birthday party. I understand from your mother, Angie's, blog that the party was a smashing, overwhelming, exhausting success. It's unfortunate that I couldn't make it to at least help vaccuum confetti and scrape glue off chairs! Maybe next year. I think the idea of a costume party was a very cool one. (Albeit, DANGEROUSLY close to Halloween! heehee!) Please give your best to your parents and please behave Sunday afternoon so they can get a much deserved nap!

Shar

(Aunt Jemima)

Now, to anyone else who is wondering enough to even check my blog...

We are doing fine here. I have very little computer time now. Our day starts at 5:15 when the alarm goes off and we have to leave the house by 6:40 at the absolute latest. This is a challenge with a 3 and a 4 year old--especially when we have been spoiled with the leisure of only having to ready ourselves for the day. Oh, and they have been spoiled by not having to be ready for anything at all in the mornings!

We love having the kids around and wouldn't have it any other way. Today we went fishing and then to Wal-Mart to pick out a pumpkin (which Bob will carve with great fanfare sometime next week) and then to McD's for ice cream. We arrived at McD's too late too play outside. Experienced parents would have realized that the play area is locked at some point in the evening--duh! Two disappointed kiddos ate their ice cream in the boring interior of McD's but the the somber atmosphere lightened when they got to teasing Mr Bob.

Yesterday we had a little picnic in the park on the way home from work/daycare--and Mr Bob and Mrs Shar pushed the kids on the swing--complete with underdoggies! (Girl B said, "Mrs Shar was a doggie!")

This week we have read many stories, scrubbed red jello out of the carpet, made more jello than the hospital. We have made jello of all different colors and Bob and Boy B made jello and put marshmallows in it. I offered to make jello and put crackers in it but it was veto'd by the resident junior council with an "Ewww-yuck!" :-) Just checking to see if they were listening.

I have learned that marshmallows, crackers, and jello are the main food groups when you are 3-5 years of age. Today was the first day the kids slept past 7:15--boy was that a treat for me!

OK, I'm rambling. I'll wrap it up with this--Bob and I are having a blast. We are 35 years old and have a certificate that says we are "professional parents" but this is the first time that we have gotten to play the role. We are well aware that this is temporary, yes, we will cry when they have to move on. But for now, we are loving the kids and trying to make memories and instill some vital concepts in their little hearts and brains.

If, in twenty years, these children say, "Somebody back there loved me. Somebody showed me what if felt like to live in a peaceful, secure home and to have a full tummy and to really love each other. And they taught me about Jesus. I want to have that kind of home for MY children." Then, we have accomplished our goal.

I believe it was either John Maxwell or the guy who wrote "Margins" who said something to the effect that Jesus focused on ministering to the people in front of Him at the moment--the woman at the well, the children on His lap, the people on the hillside, the woman who touched the hem of His garment, and on and on. There were other needs physical and spiritual all over the countryside but He focused on the ones in front of Him.

Right now, these children are in front of us, so to speak. It would be easy to get bogged down and overwhelmed with all the needs of children in our county--much less our country or the world. But for now, these children are "in front of us." Our job or ministry is to focus on making a difference in these little lives. So, if you think of it, pray for us and for them. We are far from perfect but we will share what we have and do what we know to do.

Now, I have to get to bed, we are having company for an informal lunch after church tomorrow, I have to sing in the morning, and 7:15 will come awfully early.