A Phone Call From Gramps

The phone would ring randomly some December evening and Gramps would be on the line. "Go turn on Channel 3," he'd say. "Charlie Brown's Christmas is on." I can still see all of us kids screaming in delight and running to flip on the television set.

Gramps loved the classic Christmas shows. He wanted us to share in his enjoyment, and we did. We looked forward to those phone calls with anticipation. It wouldn't have felt like Christmas without them.

Gramps went home to be with Jesus nineteen years ago, but tonight as McKenzie called my mom to tell her The Grinch was on, I couldn't stop thinking about Gramps and how he would have been calling me.

I wish Gramps were the one calling, but I'm proud to be carrying on his Christmas tradition, and know that one day when I see him again in Paradise he'll be the first to call me when "Frosty the Snowman" comes on TV.

The Advent of Our Lord

Yesterday was the first day of Advent, the season set aside by Christians to prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth. There are many Advent devotionals and books, but if you're like me, it's hard to remember to read them everyday. Before long, you're a week behind with only three weeks to catch up. I recently discovered that Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary offers an e-mail Advent devotional. I signed up for it and so far the daily devotions have been hearty and compact. You can sign up for them here.

Bed Time

Hugged between me and the pillow and arm of our overstuffed, mocha and gold paisley-covered red chair, Harper is telling me stories. Flickers of expressions flutter across her face, her blue eyes dancing one moment, staring in confusion the next. Her tiny lips burst into toothless smiles as she ooohs and ahhs at me. I ooh and ahh back, my heart soft as butter under her spell. Smiles turn quickly to screams and I'm scrambling to determine the source of her woes. Burping, rocking, singing...before long her eyelids are heavy. T..o..o heavy. She slumps in complete peace on my chest as the little muscles in her body relax. Bed time at last!

Back to School

I cast my lot with the college crowd yesterday. Josh is completing his degree in the spring and needed me to deliver his internship application to ASU. There is a lot of construction on the campus now, but I still managed to find Lemon St. without getting lost and was able to weave my way through the mid-morning throng to the Undergraduate Student Services Building- a scruffy, little 1960s leftover. My errand took only a moment. Walking back to the car, I began to think about what an alien being I was to most of the kids churning past me. There I was, 6 years out of college, carrying my 2nd child in her infant seat back to our SUV after running an errand for my husband.

I dare not pretend to age or wisdom, but yesterday's experience made me realize that no one stage is particularly worse than another. When I was in college, I couldn't wait to get out from under the oppression of tests and deadlines and term papers. Now college is a thing of the past and I look back and think of how easy my life really was. If only I had know that then...but I suppose that grand revelation applies to my life of baby and toddler-hood now. When I spend all day dealing with temper tantrums and feeling like the local milk machine and dare to wish myself 5 years down the road, please remind me that 5 years from now will have it's own difficulties and that the joys of this period- the newborn snuggles, the extravagant love of my 3 year old, and the smell of freshly washed baby skin- will be gone as as quickly as college was.

Spin Me Right Round, Baby, Right Round...

Harper is two weeks old now. She has grown 2 inches and gained nearly two pounds. McKenzie is adjusting fantastically to being a big sister. She loves to help and is creating wonderful opportunities for her mother to practice grace and patience. My days are a churning vortex of constant responsibility. If the girls are in one piece at bedtime and Josh has clean clothes to wear to the gym and work the next day I successfully conquered the chaos.

In my spare nano seconds, I daydream about having enough time to complete a sentence, maybe even an entire thought. After that, I'd put away the folded laundry. That day is probably far in the future, possibly the next life. I guess I'll keep cleaning, washing, diapering, burping, shopping, cooking, and somewhere in there sleeping, 'till I spin pell-mell, tumble bumble into the driveway of the Funny Farm.

All Hallows' Eve

For Halloween, we joined friends and family at the Austism Speaks Walk to raise money for Austism research and awareness. It was a beautiful, warm Arizona morning and was the first opportunity I had to get some official "exercise" since Harper's arrival. We had a great time and were glad we could use our feet to help foster Austism awareness. Here are a few pics of our day.