birthday blessings

today was my birthday and my sons surprised and treated me to several surprises.  when i returned home this morning from my saturday farmers' market shopping trip, i opened the front door to a beautiful chorus of "happy birthday." 

the table was set for breakfast and with specially folded napkins, a beautifully wrapped gift, and a spread of handmade cards. (one featuring "bacon man!")

my oldest wrote the verse jeremiah 1:5 on the chalkboard.  this alone made my heart sing.    it is a gift beyond words.

what can i say?  my boys have their dad's gift of intuition and insight.  it was a morning of pure joy for me.  my youngest made a list so as not to forget any details.   my oldest prepared an incredible, homemade breakfast for us...


fruit salad with strawberries, wine berries and bananas, the most delicious cheese omelet i have ever tasted, 
and croissants.

we sat and ate and giggled.   joy!














my oldest thought ahead and while he was at boy scout camp in june, he made me a sign for my library complete with the school mascot.

today was one of the best days.  one i will treasure.

dinner:

gourmet pizza and cheesecake (dining out)

listening to:

third day

currently reading:
when helping hurts

1 timothy

today grateful for:

my boys

another year

andy

God's word

laughter and joy

snow days

i am thankful for a week of snow days, not for my usual reasons–

-a chance to sleep in, 

-a chance to do housework, 

-a chance to play in the snow with my boys, 

-a chance to read, 

-a chance to cook, or such---

---but because for most of the time i have chosen to stay home and think.   to meditate upon purpose and the Word in the holy days which begin the season of Lent… the 40 days leading up to Easter.  

i began reading and will continue to read two blogs which are focusing upon Lenten thoughts--- www.shereadstruth.com and www.aholyexperience.com .   these two writers have a gift for words which inspire me to seek more of God and His Word.

i want to accomplish a few things in the next 40 days---

---aiming my children’s thoughts daily upon God’s heart and His will 

---narrowing my focus and refocusing upon God, His heart and His love 

---eliminating things that take my focus away from God

tonight before we did our nightly “thankfuls,” i asked the boys to close their eyes and meditate as well as pray for God to show them meaning regarding the scripture Jeremiah 24:7.   i am aware any day could be my last and every moment i am given is the opportunity to point them towards seeking and hearing from God.   there will be times in their lives in which they will have to make  solemn and deliberate choices.    it is my task to prepare them as God directs.

wachet auf !!!

awake, arise !!!

dinner:
spaghetti

currently reading:
2 blogs with lenten devotionals:         www.shereadstruth.com and www.aholyexperience.com

jeremiah

today grateful for:
snow days

my boys

good health

the WORD

electricity, technology, and access to inspiration writing

a warm home

January reflection

Well, I'm back after a long absence from blogging. With this last day in January, I have been working around the house, soaking in the wonderful sunshine, and reflecting upon some goals I set for this month.

• To eat from the freezer and pantry for a month
• To walk at least 10,000 steps a day
• To come up with a system for motivating the boys to complete household chores

Eating from the freezer/pantryTo accomplish my first goal, I had to get organized. It has been a bit easier since I have had several Saturdays at home. Last year both boys were wrestling, so every Saturday from December through February we were occupied with all day meets.

Except for purchasing some perishables such as milk, butter, eggs and cheese, every meal has been from our "storage." Since I work full time, I do much of our meal prep on the weekends:

• Making our bread and tortillas (I buy gluten free instead of making it because I can’t master making any loaf bread that doesn't feel like a brick.)  I am soooo thankful for my bread machine. I have had it since we were first married--it is 16 years old. Thankfully we didn't chose a cheap machine. It is a workhorse and worth every penny. I do bread dough in it that I then use in many different ways. 
• Cooking a week's worth of meat on the weekend (We have quite a bit of meat in the freezer. I love meat, especially pork, from a local farm. They raise pigs and chickens and process them to sell at the farmer's market. I stock up during the warmer months.)
• Planning menus a week(or more) at a time (A February goal is to develop a more organized system for doing this.)

Walking  at least 10,000 steps a day 
I purchased a computer bracelet that tracks my steps and sleep. Some days I exceed my step goal by walking as I work and other days I have to do more walking in my "leisure" time to reach the goal. I have a bit of a long term goal to get back into running. This is -very- long term since I have to shed quite a few pounds to ease the stress on my knees. I miss running, especially the benefits of weight loss and endorphins.

Motivating the boys to complete household chores
Good ol' Pinterest--I used pinterest to find a system to use. I adapted a couple I found into my own system. For us, each chore week begins on Saturday. This is so the boys can earn their weekend screen time. We do not watch TV or play video/computer games during the week, because several years ago I grew tired of the battles at school night bedtime or during our morning weekday rush. Then the boys were grouchy when I asked them to turn off the devices. Therefore, they earn their time by completing all their required chore, homework, etc. cards by Friday. Another help is we each have assigned laundry days.

Also, by having them complete chores by Friday, I am not spending my Saturday trying to play catch up or nagging them.


My February goals are:

• creating a system for easier, more organized meal planning
• beginning to "run" some each week
• going back to a weekly family night.

lunch:
leftover quiche, 

leftover buffalo chicken chili

bread

listening to:
recorded episodes of "the pioneer woman"

currently reading:
the last girls

praying the scriptures for your teenagers

Psalms

today grateful for:
sunshine!!!

when boys play outside in the sunshine

my elderly neighbors down the road who are so kind to us and especially to our sweet dog

God's peace

thankful, day 27

I am thankful to have the day off on the day before Thanksgiving. I was blessed to be able to enjoy taking lunch to my youngest and eating with him at school. I am thankful for the school he attends--for the teachers, staff and principal. I am thankful it is a safe place where kids are kids with all of their innocence and silliness--that at his school the majority of the kids come from families that value childhood and education.









dinner:
chicken and latkes with applesauce

listening to:
dishwasher

currently reading:
pioneer woman cooks food from the frontier
john
roll of thunder hear my cry
the hundred dresses

today grateful for:
my boys
our neighborhood school
the Messiah
the feast of rededication
school breaks
clean water, electricity, dishwasher
warm clothes, warm house
God's provision
safety 
freedom

thankful, day 22

I am thankful for this cute, funny, smart, energetic, witty, clever, cuddly guy. There is never a dull moment and he can make me laugh out loud!


dinner:
pasta

listening to:
chatty brothers


currently reading:
overcoming dyslexia
hundred dresses
roll of thunder hear my cry
praying the scriptures for your teenager

today grateful for:
my boys 
my coworkers
my son's middle school-principal, teachers, staff
my son's friends
friday night 
fuzzy blankets & decaf
God's provision

thankful, day 21

I am thankful God led me to this city. The Christian, family centered resources are phenomenal. I am thankful for the resources of TRBC (inc LCA & LU.) While my guys are at wrestling practice, I get to hang out in this terrific space-"Main Street."  Reading, studying, working, accessing wifi and sipping my decaf.





 dinner:
mac n cheese

listening to:
snoring dog


currently reading:
overcoming dyslexia
praying the scriptures for your teenager

today grateful for:
my boys 
our wrestling coaches
my son's middle school-principal, teachers, staff
my son's friends
trbc
God's provision

thankful, day 20

I am thankful for the Junior High group opportunity at my church. The leaders are a blessing as they organize, plan for and lead this vibrant program. I am thankful for their prayers, faithfulness, creativity and joyful dispositions.

dinner:
chicken soup

listening to:
"sing over me - worship songs and lullabies"

currently reading:
run your butt off
1 corinthians 13   
overcoming dyslexia
praying the scriptures for your teenager

today grateful for:
my boys  
God's plan fulfilled in Jesus
the Bible
my pastor's wife
my life group leader
church
a warm fire
safety
God's presence

thankful, day 13

I am thankful for answered prayers. There times when we wonder why we survived or thrived through a particular circumstance only later to realize someone prayed or was praying for us. I know when I was young, I was protected because of the prayers of Andy's parents & grandparents as they prayed for his future spouse---before they knew me.

• Pray for your child's spouse to be. 
• Pray when God puts someone on your heart. 
• Pray when you are awakened with a thought in the middle of the night. 

I am thankful for God's protection, for my son's school and for God's guidance through prayer and the scripture regarding discipline.


dinner:
farmer's breakfast and apple cobbler
 
currently listening to:
silence

currently reading:
1 corinthians 13
roll of thunder, hear my cry
kizzy ann stamps 

 

today grateful for: 
my boys

God's protection

God's guidance

learning

thankful, day 3

I am thankful for the 2 Liberty University students who volunteer for childcare at our Lifegroup meetings. Our lifegroup is a group of single moms. My sons look forward to spending time with John and Joey on these Sunday afternoons. I am thankful for the positive influence of these godly guys in my boys' lives. Even if Andy were still alive, I would be thankful still for their gifts of time, faith, and energy.

dinner:
breakfast for dinner

currently listening to:

"mighty med"

 
currently reading:
1 corinthians 13
roll of thunder, hear my cry
run your butt off
just enough light for the step i'm on

today grateful for: 
my boys 

our lifegroup

our church

pleasant weather  

praise music

Passover Seder

This evening was busy and joyous. My youngest lost his first baby tooth (bottom front) and for our second year, the boys and I celebrated Passover with a Seder. It tickles me how much the boys enjoy new tradition. This year we observed it a day early since our family night is Wednesday. Although it is a special meal served on our best dishes, the boys decided to take off their "dress" shirts from school picture day and wear white undershirts. Definitely worth a chuckle.This year, I was blessed to find the Christian resource for a Seder in the Thriving Family magazine to use as our version of a Haggadah. I smiled with motherly joy through the entire meal as I listened to how much the boys knew of the Passover and Easter story. My favorite part was when they each took a turn praying. My heart is floating in a state of bliss.

Years ago, after viewing a Zola Levitt special, Andy and I had many conversations about celebrating Passover with the Seder. The Seder is what Jesus celebrated as the Last Supper and the symbolism of the ancient tradition points to the Messiah. So this the new tradition for our family.

dinner:
Seder elements
lamb shanks in mint and rosemary sauce
mashed potatoes
charoset

currently reading:
Passover is here!
thriving family
no other gods
my single mom life
barefoot church
exodus

today grateful for:
Christ
God
my boys
Passover
Easter

spring fever

Years ago, I used to rise before the sun most mornings. Now I drag out of bed. This morning my 5 year old and I had to pick my other son from school by 7 AM. Last night our PTA conducted an overnight "read-a-thon" fundraiser. The kids have designated times to read. The rest of the time they behave like you would expect 9, 10, and 11 year-olds to do.

So this morning with the nice weather and my rising before the daylight savings time sun...I have a bit of spring fever.









stuff on my porch....

.... a rocking horse that my dad made for me.
















... an old rocker that I repainted and re-covered the seat.






This peacefulness is likely come to an end in about an hour when I have to drag my drowsy 10 year old out of bed to head over to the Pinewood Derby race.

















currently reading:
little house in the big woods
no other gods
barefoot church
my single mom life
thriving family

today grateful for:
God's presence
my boys
friends
flowers
spring weather

peaceful

We just returned from our holiday trip. We were blessed to get to spend some of our time with family at a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was a peaceful place for our holiday gathering with my husband's family. The boys love to spend time with their cousins. During this visit, they spent hours constructing and playing in "forts" in the woods.

The cabin faces southeast, so we soak in the incredible colors of the sunrises and sunsets over a breathtaking view. We can take things at a slower pace and just hang out together with few distractions.

Prior to our trip to NC, we had a quiet Christmas morning at home. My oldest was so excited for his little brother to open his gift since T had put time, thought and his own money into the gift. He was tickled with his little brother's excitement. As of yet, my youngest is not as enthusiastic in the "giving" aspect of the holidays. My mother-in-law took the boys shopping earlier this month for their gifts for me. They were both eager for me to open their gifts. A sweet time indeed.

This year, my gift to the boys was a trip, just before Christmas, to Williamsburg and Jamestown. We spent our first 2 days and 1 night at the Great Wolf Lodge. They had a blast seeing the sights, visiting with Santa, playing a scavenger hunt game in the lodge and playing at the inside waterpark.The next 2 days/nights were more low key as we visited the Jamestown Settlement and Colonial Williamsburg.

I would like to say tonight as we returned home and wrapped up our holiday week...that the day ended serenely. Alas my youngest capped off our evening here at home with a few all-out-temper-tantrums over the dinner selection and my request for him to put away his new toys.

currently listening to:
a dripping faucet

dinner:
ham, corn pudding and edamame

currently reading:
the silver chair
living in the land of enough
luke

today grateful for:
family
home
safe travel
God

the big one-O

Tomorrow my first born turns 10. The time seems to be flying by. I look back at pictures from when he was little and I try to remember those exact moments in time. We have so many incredible memories. Sometimes it feels like grief has stolen precious moments from us. Still, I treasure so many of the moments I enjoy with him...snuggling on the couch in the evening reading from one of the Chronicles of Narnia books(he always begs me not to stop-to read just a bit more)...watching him encourage and teach his brother...when he runs to show me his latest Lego creation...when he laughs out loud and tells me a funny part of one of his Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Big Nate books...when he says "I need to tell you something" and he as he approaches my ear, he kisses me on the cheek instead.

This week, besides his birthday, I was reminded he is growing up because we had our first in-depth installment of sex ed talks. With the Penn State scandal so prevalent in the news, we hear the word, "sex" at least a couple of times a day. So he asked about sex. I inquired trying to find out how much he knew. I found out a bit of misinformation he had heard from his peers and attempted to clarify with a bit of truth and God's Truth. As I gave him some basic anatomy information, he covered his ears (while still listening) and said, "This is so gross." I wonder how these talks go when given by a father?

My heart's desire is for him to grow up, be full of joy, know and live out God's plan for his life...but there is this tiny portion of my heart that wants to keep my little boy, alittle boy forever. When I was a kid, I thought if you sprayed lots of hairspray on a baby kitten or dog you could keep them little. I guess that is why we have scrapbooks.

currently listening to:
boys' AM banter

dinner: (last night)
bbq, slaw, mac and cheese (at kids bereavement mtg)

currently reading:
the voyage of the dawn treader
the undistracted widow
Lamentations

today grateful for:
my boys
memories

in one weekend...old friends & a new streak

This weekend i returned to my hometown to attend my 30th high school reunion. (Okay, you can stop doing the math in your head...i'm 48.) The first night we gathered on the grounds of the high school to picnic/tailgate with our families before the homecoming football game. The game was cancelled which was a blessing because we got to socialize and eat for hours longer. ...maybe getting to eat that long was not a blessing.

I did not have a huge number of close friends in high school, therefore, i only knew a few of the faces or names of many of the folks attending. The folks i spent most of the evening with were gals i had known since elementary school. We attended the same junior high, high school, college, and girl scout summer camp. The husband of one of these gals was such a doll. He played and raced with my boys so that i could manage to hold uninterrupted conversations. A blessing, indeed!

Saturday night, the class of 1981 gathered at local hotel for our evening. (sans children--Okay so most folks have grown children. Only a few of us have children who are not yet teens.) This is the type of situation, upon which i would have relied on andy to carry the socialization impetus. Socializing, unless i know folks very well, feels more like having a root canal. I do not seek out these types of opportunities.

My mom kept the boys saturday evening. She is 85 and lives in a retirement community. Prior to this, she was apprehensive about being alone with the boys due to their normal energy level. As it turned out, the boys charmed their way through the dining hall. These boys are "stinking cute" and charmers like their dad. My youngest worked his magic on another elderly lady who tried to give him any and every dessert his heart might desire. In the end, she made him an ice cream sundae about the size of his head. He tried, but could not eat the whole thing. ...making a mental note---make sure the boys know how to use their looks for good, not for evil. lol

One of the disappointments from this weekend was i (it was all my fault) broke our reading streak. I forgot to read to the boys on saturday night before i went to my reunion party. Our streak ended at 106 days. figures, that i blogged about it....sort of like when you wash your car and it rains. The first thing my eldest said to me upon rising the next morning was, "you broke our streak." Oh yeah, no guilt there, sigh. I know, missing reading is not a life shattering thing by any means, but it did mean a lot to him. I know this not only because of his reaction to the my lapse, but also because he is writing about it in a paper he is working on for a fourth grade assignment. The assignment is entitled, why my family is special. It is for a contest with a monetary prize (hence, his burning motivation to write), so he told me i am not allowed to help him. In fact, he will not talk to me much about it or let me read any drafts. He gave me a few teasers---he thinks his family is special because we have family night and because of the reading streak. I am eager to read his paper and i am straining and struggling to hold back that overzealous, type a, overbearing, meddling mom side of me. I wonder how he perceives his world and his family.

Nevertheless, last night we continued reading from prince caspian (we are very near the end) and i reset our streak count. We made it 106 days before I broke our streak. My goal remains to read aloud to my boys for as many days as i can (even if it is not an unbroken streak). It has just occurred to me as i write this post, raising boys in the boy scout world means they will probably go to camp and other events with many days away from home. Days far away from telephones or technology, therefore, i do not know how we will maintain any unbroken streak through these. Oh well ...thoughts for another day (channeling my scarlet o'hara)..."i'll think about it tomorrow, after all tomorrow is another day."

currently listening to:
the dog snoring

dinner: (last night)
deli leftovers

currently reading:
prince caspian
buying & selling the souls of our children
the apostolic ministry
daniel, 1 peter, isaiah

today grateful for:
my boys
my mom
God's presence & mercy
morningstar ministries
old friends
provision
a working automobile

Life

In my last blog post, I promised to write of M’s coming to Christ. I now wish I had stopped that night and made a few notes. These days my memory often fails me. I do recall the basics, just not every detail. I am so thankful that both of my boys know Christ. I want to live to see my boys grow up, live happy and full lives as God wills for them. Yet, I feel that I have carried out one of the most important missions God has given me.

In the days leading up to M’s decision, he had been consumed by the thought of death. My guess is it may have begun on our discombobulated trip home from Boone when he accidentally got his right hand slammed in the car door. For several days following, he would repeat, “I don’t want you to die.” I don’t want T. to die.” I don’t want Franklin to die.” (our dog) Before December 2008, I would probably had told him not to worry about me, his mother, dying. But I cannot say that, as any moment might be my last with him on this earth. I hugged him each time and told him I loved him. I told him about his Daddy being in heaven because Andy loved Jesus and had asked Jesus to live in his heart and be his savior.

As I watch the documentary programs recounting the events of September 11, 2001, I recall my thoughts of that day and that week. I was 32 weeks pregnant with our first child. I was at work that morning and I remember a parent coming into our school to tell us that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. It was up to me in the library to tune the cable channels for our school’s closed circuit system. I spent the morning, in between the times I taught my library classes, watching the monitor. As many others, I called the person who I loved and meant the most to me, my husband. I thought, what kind of a world and situation are we bringing a child into? We had tried for one and a half years before conceiving this blessed child. In a conversation with my mother-in-law, she reminded us of the beautiful hymn, “Because He lives.” That weekend was the baby shower. Five months later at the baby dedication, Andy and I sang, "Because He Lives" and my mother-in-law accompanied us.

This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

In the ten years since that day…
…our first child was born
…my father died
…our second child was born
…Andy’s grandmother, my mother-in-law’s mother, died
…Andy, my husband, their father, a son, a brother died

What does our future hold? As I look at all of the natural disasters and freakish weather we have had not only in just the past month but in the past 2 years, I do not know.I do know...

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!

~ William and Gloria Gaither ~

currently listening to:
9/11 broadcasts

dinner(last night):
omelets
home fries
chicken bacon

currently reading:
prince caspian
getting things done
ezekiel
ecclesiastes

today grateful for:
my boys
God's mercy
salvation through Christ
our lives
the days I had with Andy
my country

once a scout...

...always a scout. During the recent hurricane and after the recent minor earthquake, there were many reports in the media about preparedness. It always strikes me funny how folks run to the stores to prepare at the last minute for these events (snow storms included). I think the combination of my "type A" personality coupled with 14+ years as a girl scout means I usually have at least the minimal levels of physical preparedness. Simply having basic camping gear, means we have items for getting by without power--like a stove, fire-starters, flashlights, lanterns, a first aid kit and several tents. Since I lived on the coast for many years, I got used to losing power during about every other northeaster. So, I had oil lamps(before LED lamps these were some of the brightest), spare water, nonperishable food, and a manual can opener. A few months ago, Virginia had a tax-free hurricane preparedness weekend. I took that opportunity to purchase a solar powered, crank weather radio. It works well and is cool because it can be used to charge anything that can be charged with a USB plug, like cell phones, mp3 players, etc. During that weekend, I also restocked our backup water and battery supplies and prepared an emergency evacuation knapsack for us.

Nevertheless, the most important level of preparedness is spiritual. This month, I felt our family reached a new level of spiritual readiness since my youngest prayed to accept Christ. For days prior to this important event, he had been very concerned about death---his brother and I dying, the family pet dying and his own death. I have another post coming about this incredible occasion. Andy wrote a beautiful account about Tim accepting Christ. I wish Andy was here for this and to record this important event in our family.

Our reading streak=83 days

currently listening to:
coffee maker

dinner(last night):
mexican

currently reading:
prince caspian
getting things done
the reading promise
2 corinthians

today grateful for:
my boys
God
our good health
clean water
sleep

disappointment, refocusing and other thoughts this week

this past week, my nine year old experienced a disappointment that left him feeling rejected and unworthy. my attempts to comfort him did not go particularly well. i was trying to explain to him that God has a plan and God has known him since before he was born. i added that he has special gifts to offer, he is a wonderful blessing and he has gifts and talents yet to discover. to him, my words were a superficial answer that did not offer the comfort that he wanted. he wanted the outcome to be different and i could not change the past. i wanted for him to lean on God for this hardship so that he will be stronger for bigger challenges to come. of course, losing his dad is probably one of the biggest challenges he will face in his life. all i know to do is to pray.

on a different note...lately i have been reading probably more christian writings than i have been reading directly from the Bible. with today's technology, i like reading samples online in order to see if i want to read a book in its entirety. online i found the first chapter of the book, "the privilege of persecution" by dr. carl moeller and david hegg.

from chapter one

once while visiting in the united states, a group of believers from the persecuted church in north korea spent some time with a pastor's family in the pacific northwest. ... when the north korean visitors arrived back at the pastor's house, his teenaged son was sitting on the couch reading his Bible. when the guests entered the room, he rose to be polite. as he did, he reached back and lightly tossed his Bible on the cushions behind him.
the visitors began to weep.
pastor h was at a loss, and anxiously asked his guest what was wrong. they answered his question with one of their own. "how can he treat the Word of God in such a manner?"

for christians, the Bible is the book. sometimes i wonder why we need so many other christian books. i am guilty of having a book addiction, especially to christian themed books. i am disappointed that i do not always have an addiction to God's Word. so starting this week i will be taking a Bible with me everywhere so i can read every chance i get. i value my cell phone and my debit card enough not to go anywhere without them, why not the word

random-ish Bible thoughts (this week):
"I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." john 5:30b
i never gave a great deal of thought to Jesus having a will that would differ at all from God's will and that he might have to suppress his will in deference to his Father.

"...according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will..." ephesians 1:11
things worked out with his plan for his will...not what i might pray i wish his will would be as it favors me

"from Him the whole body joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." ephesians 4:16
the body grows and builds itself up in love---each part does its work...so if we are not growing we need to look at whether we are loving and doing our part that we are called to do

currently listening to:
jj heller
sixpence (wow- beautiful, scandalous night--what a song!)

dinner:
chicken cordon bleu, egg noodles, asparagus au gratin

currently reading:
book of ephesians
the privilege of persecution

today grateful for:
my boys
my mother-in-law(happy birthday--tomorrow)
the bible
peace
shelter and safety
access to books
provision
peace & strength for a missionary

recent conversations

in the car on the way home one afternoon...
4 year old........ "Mom, L is my best friend."
me.................. "Oh? I thought N was your best friend."
4 year old........ "He is."
me.................."Oh, okay."
4 year old........ "I have a lot of best friends."
me.................. "Really? Who?"
4 year old........ "All the people who honor God and not the people who don't honor God."
me.................. "Really? God wants us to love everyone."
4 year old........ silence


during our Passover Seder...
9 year old........ (looking at the table set with dishes and the Seder plate) "Is this all we get to eat? Where is the rest of the food?"

4 year old........ (during the Seder) "Can we eat now?"
(later during the Seder) "I want real food."

9 year old........ (after the entire meal) "This is cool. I like this. Can I have some more matzoh?"


dinner, the day following our Seder...
me.................."You know that Jesus and the disciples probably ate food similar to this, fish and lentils."
9 year old........ "Is this another Passover meal?"