The real culprit

Some of you have been very kindly solicitous since my last entry, expressing your sympathy as I was up in the night with Tucker last week. He ended up falling asleep as I was wrapping up that post, thanks to the Tylenol. It turns out the poor baby had an ear infection. I took him to a clinic on Saturday, since he continued to be cranky and was pulling on his left ear. Sure enough, it was inflamed and "opaque" (supposed to be clear). So Tucker is much better now that he's had a few days on antibiotics and since he had a few doses of baby Tylenol. It's such a relief to see him be his happy little carefree sanguine self again. Thank you for your concern!

Call a Spade a Spade

A month or two ago Evan discovered a little "treat" in the middle of the aisle of our church left by some unknown desperate dog. How the dog got in we have no idea, and why it chose the middle of the aisle we don't want to know. But the other day we were discussing the subject of people bringing their dogs into church, etc. Evan, the king of one-liners, quoted one of his favorite lines and said, "That would be a violation." Jed, overhearing the discussion, piped up, "That would be a SIN!" Wow, say it like it is, buddy!

I can't believe I'm writing this at 4:45 a.m. But Tucker is in his crib screaming his head off. NOTHING is making him happy. I think he's teething. Just gave him baby Tylenol, but it's not kicking in. Since his crib is in our room (reason number 57 we're looking forward to moving), Evan's camped out on the couch, and I'm here. It's hard to get comfortable on a love seat when you're 5'11". We've tried a bottle, sippy cup (in case he's decided he's outgrown a bottle), rocking him, lying down with him on our chest. I'll go rescue him in a few minutes. Looks like it's going to be a long day . . . But thankfully my dear kind, selfless mother-in-law is here helping for the week to give me a chance to pack and hang out with the kids.

Speaking of mothers-in-law, I sure lucked out in that department. I don't think I've met anyone as selfless and giving as her. Any of you who know her know how Jesus shines out of her. I find myself studying her and trying to follow her example. When one of the kids gets on my nerves or I feel like I'll explode if ONE MORE PERSON HAS A NEED, I think, "Mom wouldn't holler, or sigh like a martyr, or make her kids wait for her to finish her meal before she tended to their dire needs. She'd lovingly lay aside her own needs out of her great love for that child."

Knowing Mom has been where I am now and that she knows how challenging it is has been a huge encouragement. She assures me it gets easier! She understands my wondering sometimes if I'll ever get to eat a meal in one sitting or have a chance to read my Bible without interruption or sleep all the way through the night or take a nap when I want to or . . . anyway, I'm deeply grateful for my mother-in-law, who has truly become a second mom.

Fellowship of Star Wars Fans

Right now Jed is seriously into Star Wars. Much of his day is spent dressing up like various characters--good and bad--and acting out all sorts of interesting scenarios that only an almost-five-year-old can dream up. The other day Jed asked me to play Star Wars with him. I groaned inwardly. How in the world do I, a grown woman, play Star Wars with a little boy? Knowing how much he loves to have someone to play with and how desperate he was (he pleaded with me for several minutes), I gave in. But housework was calling my name and I soon got bored of the game. That's when I had a brilliant idea! I said, "Why don't you ask Uncle Derrick to play Star Wars with you when he gets home?" Jed loved the idea and rushed out the door to see if he was home.

Now let me talk about Uncle Derrick for a minute. (He isn't really Jed's uncle but a first cousin once removed--and second, I might add!) For the four years that we've lived here we've had the privilege of being his next-door neighbor. I have personally enjoyed getting to know him as a friend, and he has become a wonderful friend of Jed's. He has taken seriously his role as uncle/role model to Jed, and Jed worships the ground he walks on. Several days a week (I try to limit it for Derrick's sake) Jed goes over to visit Uncle Derrick or invites him to come play on the trampoline. Well, Derrick is as much a fan of Star Wars as Jed is, so when Jed asked him to play Star Wars with him the other day, Derrick didn't seem to mind. I chuckled as I listened to the two of them through the window making boyish sound effects and wielding imaginary light sabers and beating up Darth Vader (or being beaten up). I couldn't go outside at the time and I've meant to call and thank Derrick for taking Jed off my hands and making his day--so, Derrick, if you're reading this, thank you so much for making my little boy happy and investing so much of your time in him. You are a truly kind man. Evan and I deeply appreciate you for the way you have been a friend and good example to Jed.

Okay, it's time to sign off. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say there have been about six interruptions in the short time I've been writing this. I guess I need to save blogging for naptimes and bedtimes!

Where were you?!

The other day I was washing Jed in the tub and noticed a cut on his leg. When I asked him what happened he said, "I don't know. I wasn't there when it happened." Laughing, I asked, "Where were you, in La-La Land?" "What's La-La Land?" That's about all I could get out of him. It will remain a mystery cut forever, I guess.

Last Friday we got to take a tour of the parsonage we'll be moving into next month. I've been there a few times before but never as a future resident. It's so spacious! The kids will have a huge playroom, the kitchen is huge, the dining room is huge, the living room is huge, the yard is huge . . . My mind is busily decorating and arranging furniture. We feel blessed beyond measure. God is a loving and gracious and abundant Provider.