Week Forty-seven Thankful

Joy Chose You by Donna Ashworth

joy does not arrive with fanfare

on a red carpet strewn 

with the flowers of a perfect life

joy sneaks in

as you pour a cup of coffee

watching the sun

hit your favorite tree

just right

and you usher joy away

because you are not ready for her

your house is not as it should be

for such a distinguished guest

but joy, you see

cares nothing for your messy home

or your bank account

or your waistline

joy is supposed to slither through

the cracks of your imperfect life

that's how joy works

you cannot truly invite her

you can only be ready

when she appears

and hug her with meaning

because in this very moment

joy chose you

This guy came to help me clean for Thanksgiving while his mom went Christmas shopping.

A first grader I have always had concerns about, tearfully expressed how sad he was that he couldn't come to school for Thanksgiving. These babies continue to break my heart and sometimes ice cream after work helps. And at times, I use sarcasm to pull through the heaviness. I told Ty I was going to start being mean to him so he appreciates school more. He has so far laughed at every attempt. 

So my partner in crime at work is always sending kids to wish me a happy birthday when it isn't my birthday or have them ask me for candy I don't have. She is rotten. Last week, she told the assistant superintendent I wanted to sing with him for this year's school closing messages. He believed her and I couldn't stop laughing at the ridiculousness of it. Anyone who has heard me laugh (and this should be the entire school system at this point) should know I can't sing. My laughter is better than my singing voice and this should be terrifying. Anyway, she has kept this little charade going and is having a blast. What she doesn't know, I have started a plan for revenge. The same assistant superintendent is responsible for transportation and the bus system. He has an application from my co-worker citing her experience using police scanners to drive fast while avoiding the law and weather chasing experience she can use to catch children who don't want to go to school. I cannot wait for her to be approached about this. The fact both of those "skills" have a small level of truth to them makes this plan so much more hilarious.

Erin and Evans's house has needed some support with furniture assembly, closet installations and window treatments. It made for a busy but productive weekend. 

Today we cleaned up a bit, took naps and I floated in salt water. It was good. Austin called requesting leftovers, so we had company for a few moments too. So far, the long weekend has been a respite from the craziness of life. 

Week Forty-six

I was reminded while hugging a mom in pain that the difficulty of a year measures differently when looked at from another perspective. We were able to support Lauren's sister-in-law at a Make a Wish event Sunday. The progression of her brain tumor gutted me. Kids in pain always will.

We celebrated Lauren's birthday simply and then kept Austin so she could have dinner with a friend. This was not her year but she has time and again proven her strength. We wish her a beautiful year ahead as she rebuilds her life. 

Erin and Evan bought their first home together and closed on it this evening. They will spend the next few weeks building closets and ordering window treatments before officially moving in around the wedding, finals, graduation and their honeymoon. Erin is having stress dreams that amuse me but alarm her. Sister has a lot on her plate. However, she took a moment to educate her brother on infectious disease when she overheard video game chatter casually tossing around the word Chlamydia. After a detailed lecture about her job and how these things actually work, he asked if this is what makes her a germaphobe. That went well. Rumor has it, she is facilitating a STI discussion for everyone over Thanksgiving dinner. Lord help me. 

Week Forty-five

I mopped at six in the morning to allow it to dry before routine activity in the house. I no sooner left the room to hang the mop before I discovered Oliver resting on the damp floor. I can't win.

Diesel is always desperate to see Ada. He has taken to sitting on the arm of the chair or couch to elevate himself for closer inspection while also obeying the command to sit. He isn't dumb, just a total handful.

This gorgeous week was welcomed heartily. Bible study on a patio, open windows, tea outside a coffee shop with a new acquaintance and grilled dinners allowed us to celebrate this little warm up before cold weather returns. I hated wasting even a moment of it. But alas, school was in session and commitments were kept. Adulting isn't easy when the sun is shining and I just want to sit on my swing and read. I did manage some laps around the parking lot during lunch to absorb as much sunshine as possible.

We met a mobile mechanic this week when the truck wouldn't start in the driveway Wednesday morning. We called in favors for transportation and navigated a late dinner around appointments. But while waiting, Ty and I competed in a game of HORSE while Diesel stood guard in the yard. It redeemed the ridiculousness of the situation.

My parents drove over on Thursday so Dad could be honored as a Veteran at Austin's school. Guests weren't permitted to attend because of the capacity limitations so I took the morning off to spend time with my mom. Dad got to shake hands with two gentlemen who served in World War II; simply incredible. And Mom and I had breakfast and then visited Kate at the rental she and Lauren share. It was a beautiful Friday. 

Week Forty-four

Anyone who knew his mother as a child, recognizes this facial expression.

He didn't need his sweatshirt. He had mine to share.

We served as security for the fall festival at church which means Greg helped people park and I socialized with all the little ghosts and goblins.

Austin spent the weekend with us. Sunday morning when his mom picked him up, he was upset. He needed three sleepovers, not two. We think he likes it here. But we read books, played with playdough, stacked hexagons and attended a trunk or treat. He and Ty had epic lightsaber battles in the dark garage so they could glow. It was a pretty sweet weekend.

Monday arrived with a rude temperature drop. Ty begged after school for the heat to be turned on for the first time this fall. We conceded. It was pretty chilly in the house. Erin cleaned the house for us while taking client calls from home on Monday. I love this arrangement. Diesel does too.

Erin ordered floral stamps to adorn her gorgeous black wedding invitations. She waited weeks for their arrival before ordering them a second time. Another week passed before she surrendered and ran into the post office for an emergency set to get the invitations mailed. Much to her surprise, her only available options were the Mother Mary, elves or these. Erin had tears of laughter rolling down her face as she adhered them to her once beautiful envelopes. "If I had time to stress details about this wedding, I'd probably be really upset about this." Days later she announced she'd received her first RSVP's, "so people have seen the stamps."

Erin and I slipped away and snagged some shots of her for graduation in the drizzling rain last weekend. She said she needed some fall shots for the ceremony that will fall one day before the wedding. Sister knows how to pack in a full weekend of major milestones. 

This knucklehead turned two yesterday. He has been told he is a big boy now and is expected to show some impulse control. He isn't even entertaining the idea.

She arrived for Halloween with her own leftover container for chili. Makenna was irritated she forgot hers.

Erin wrote the meal plan. I added the Costco list. PS This was not the food we ate all week.

The whole gang arrived for Halloween and warm bowls of chili Tuesday evening. It was so cold that night, we had far fewer Trick-or-treaters than expected. This resulted in leftover candy sitting on the counter. Some of us appreciated that more than others.