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June 18, 2007

Go Braves.

I hope the Braves sweep the Sox. We'll be at the game Wednesday night, outfield seats. Can't wait. Duffy isn't sure which hat he will wear: Boston or Atlanta, but tonight when I said I want a sweep, he said that would be awesome. Nostalgia beckons him to Boston, but I think he'll be rooting for the Braves in his heart.

Posted by amy at 09:11 PM | Comments (1)

June 17, 2007

Ode to Duffy

In honor of Duffy on Father's Day, a poem:

An Adventure-Taker
A Tower Maker

A Baseball Pitcher
A Scary channel switcher

A Bedtime Story Teller
A Real Good Feller'

A Big Swing Pusher
A Play-Doh Musher

A Barney Book Reader
A BIG Hug Needer

A Life Lesson Teacher
A High-Things Reacher

A Hide-and-Seek Player
An "I Love You" Say-er

Why Does He Bother?
'Cause He is a Great Father.

We love you Duffy. You have put your heart into being the best dad you can be and still you keep seeking ways to be better. You are a hero to our little ones. I'm so thankful that I get to share our children and this life with you. Happy Father's Day.

Posted by amy at 09:28 AM | Comments (1)

June 14, 2007

Siblings

Posted by amy at 01:43 PM | Comments (1)

Community

I was searching the internet for some profound quote on community to sum up what I'm feeling lately, but didn't have much luck. Maybe if someone else has one they can send it this way. I guess the natural easy community for most people is family, but when you're 1000 miles away that doesn't quite fill the need. A month ago at our church retreat (aptly called Community Fellowships), the guest challenged us with this thought, "that no one person is created in God's image." It took a while to wrap our minds around what he was saying, but in the end we mainly agreed with that statement and God's intent for us all to be part of a community. It is saying that on our own by ourselves, we are not fully how God created us to be, that our completeness comes by being joined with others in larger body. It means taking off the masks and being real with those around you, sharing hurts, needs, resources, and gifts. This is a switch from the mindset that we are all out for ourselves and looking out for #1. It is not always easy to open up your stuff for others and to be real, with faults, fears, and all, but the strength in community comes when we can be who we are and love each other anyway and fill in the gaps for each other. I don't mean for this to sound "hippie-ish" because it is more than just surface peace and love. It is sharing your lives with others and knowing you have people you can count on and struggle with and be committed to. I believe that our church is on the right track towards this, althogh we can always be doing better. But I feel it strongly at times like yesterday morning when I asked Owen, "who loves you?", and he said, "Mommy, Daddy, Caroline, Rachel, Hilary, John, and Baby Sam." None of these other folks are our relatives, but he knows their love in a way that is just as real.
Even people who aren't in deeply committed communities get glimpses of how good community can be, through picnics, parties, bars, etc. For me, being with others in social settings is almost always a good reality check and gets me out of being stuck in my own mind with who knows what kind of thoughts. In Anne Lamott's book, she wrote that her friend said it like this,"My mind is like a bad neighborhood I shouldn't go into alone." I have been there for sure, and reiterate that it is not good for man (or woman) to be alone.
I may have more to say about all this later, but I also wanted to include this from Lamott's book, which is one of the most touching parts of the book for me and I think speaks to the kind of community we were made for, "But it made me feel sure of Christ again, of that kind of love. This, a man scrubbing a new mother's bathtub, is what Jesus means to me."

Posted by amy at 01:34 PM | Comments (3)

June 07, 2007

Krispy Kreme Party

In a moment of weakness, and needing the numb ourselves of Caroline's constant neediness, we put the kids to bed early last night and had a Krispy Kreme party. Actually this is something we used to do much more often than I'd like to admit (but it was also when we were working out a lot more). Yes, Duffy went out with my six requests and came home with an assorted dozen. We zoned out watching stupid shows on television. About 40 minutes later they were gone. Incredibly, I slept great but woke up ready to run six miles (and needing to finally bust out the maternity clothes). The sad part (besides the maternity clothes) was this morning when Owen saw the empty box on the stove and said very excitedly, "Hey Donuts!" I had to tell him that it was just an empty box, even though last night I was very close to asking Duffy to get a sprinkled donut for Owen. It was gluttony that led me to deny my bright-eyed little guy even a single donut. I felt very guilty.

And yes, Caroline is still tortured and torturing. I'm reading Anne Lamott's "Operating Instructions" though and it helps me to feel a little less crazy.

Posted by amy at 10:46 AM | Comments (0)

June 05, 2007

Summer has arrived

Caroline has found that watermelon and dirt make a great combination. From Memorial Day at our house...

Caroline has also become quite baby-obsessed lately, definitely inflammed by the arrival of two close friends' babies. I can forsee a bit of overkill on the mommy's little helper bit when our bundle arrives in October.
With Sam...
And with Jaelyn...

Posted by amy at 11:23 AM | Comments (0)

Such a performer.

This is Owen's latest song and dance routine. Yes, the words are unintelligible, but I think it is kind of like abstract art. The emotion and intensity with which he performs conveys the message all the same. Who needs words? He kept a pretty straight face all while 2 other kids and myself were cracking up. Note that after the fall at the end he got up and kept going.

Posted by amy at 11:07 AM | Comments (1)