Little Church on the Prairie

Today was the last day of vacation Bible school ("The Incredible Race"). Here is Moses, carrying his canned goods for the food drive:

Tonight we had the program, and lots and lots of food and games. Here's the setting:

Here are the kids singing an old favorite with a twist:

And then, the games! It was a dreary night, so everything was inside.

Moses needed a little help from Daddy with this one:

Moses obviously enjoyed the orange sucker, especially while sitting next to his friend Susan:

Phew, what a week! Signing off for a few days-- I'm speaking at a bioethics conference this weekend, and this time Moses and K get to come with!

So good to be home!

I spent the last couple of days at a legal conference in Chicago. It was wonderful to see everyone from work, but it breaks my heart every time I have to leave Moses behind.

He was already asleep when I got back in last night, so I didn't see him until this morning. But after he had been up for a few minutes, he turned and looked at me, and the following conversation ensued:

Me: Hi, Moses.

Moses: Howurrryou?

Me: I'm fine. And how are you?

Moses: Good.

It was so precious and unprompted. And grown up. My baby isn't just becoming a little boy-- he's becoming a little man!

Bringing up Boys, Duke Style

Yes, I do own the Dobson book. No, I haven't read it-- yet. It's on the long list of books to be read, hopefully sometime before Moses turns 18.

But I think Kurt and I have a healthy understanding that Moses is a BOY. He will do boy things. He needs to do boy things. I don't mind digging up slugs in the yard, or catching frogs. I don't mind if he plays with guns (uh, toy ones, that is)-- as long as the good guys win.

Along that line, we've introduced Moses to a show that is sure to bring groans from a few of you (mom....). That's right-- The Dukes of Hazzard. He's only watched it a few times, but he has been enthralled each time:





Yes, the Dukes crash cars. Yes, the Dukes blow things up. Yes, the Dukes ogle at girls (but would you rather them ogle at men, like on modern network television? I think not).

But consider this: The good guys always win. Evil is reprehensible. They respect familial authority (they even pray before meals!). Boys like girls, and girls like boys. Boys are boys.


And life is simple and good.

Sunny Days, Sweeping the Clouds Away

I already mentioned that it was near 90 degrees yesterday-- what I didn't mention was that our A/C didn't work right all day (and today, when it was only 76, it ran all day long and wouldn't stop!). So after I was done working for the day, we loaded up and went to the city pool for the first time this season.


I think the progression of pictures tells it all. Moses was a little hesitant at first:




Then he got braver...




And braver...


Look how far in he is!


Just chillin' with Daddy.


We eventually had to bribe him with french fries to get him out of the "wa-yer." Even then, he still whined "wa-yer! wa-yer!" over and over as we were drying him off. He was a little cold:


Yep, in the carseat in just his diaper. Life doesn't get much better than that.


Oh wait-- yes-- yes it does. Lounging on the floor eating french fries and watching Sesame Street. That IS the life!

... and a new toy for me!

On the same day that UPS delivered Moses' guitar, I also got a package from work in the mail:





This means that I can now get my email ANYWHERE! I am already addicted.

Sorry, K. But at least this is a little less intrusive than having my laptop right next to me during dinner.

A Boy and His Guitar

Moses received a special present from Daddy yesterday. I wish I could describe the delight in his voice and the shine in his eyes when he he squealed, "Ta-tar!" Not even the pictures do it justice:







We did notice that he is continuing to demonstrate a preference for his left hand-- he insisted on strumming left-handed. Fortunately, Kurt can string this one upside down to allow for left-handed playing.

Now with all three of us owning our very own guitars (I blogged about mine here), worship at church will probably never be the same (I/m not sure whether or not that is a good thing :) ).


Isn't that the cutest little "gig bag" you have ever seen?

I leave you with this:

Daddy's Little Helper...

And a peek into what the renovation process entails. :)

At long last.... The Dining Room Re-Do!

So you are probably thinking, "Yeah, yeah. She's being 'going to' post the dining room pics for months now." And I am sure you have all been waiting, wondering when your dream of seeing our dining room would ever be fulfilled. :)

But this time it is the truth! I am finally posting the dining room re-do pictures. Go here to look at the other room re-dos (Moses' room, kitchen and bathroom).

Before:

After:

No more ugly wallpaper! No more lacey curtains! No more hideous light-fixture!

This is now one of my favorite rooms in the house. It holds many of my most sentimental items. Many of the classic books were purchased in our first year of marriage, when we lived in West Palm. The Steiff bears were my [paternal] grandmother's, as were the tall chair and the pie safe in each corner. The piano was made in the Conover piano factory that my [maternal] Granddaddy bought and converted into a mall. The table, chairs, and buffet were from my Granddaddy's furniture business. I really need to take some time and blog about my roots-- there are so many good stories. I need to write them down somewhere before I forget them. [I just realized that the chairs aren't in the picture-- I had moved them to the living room for the jewelry party].

It's also one of my favorite rooms, because we actually SIT and EAT meals at the dining room table. I think the dining room table should be the center of all socialization in a home-- from meals to game time.

And there's more... the living room re-do is almost done! We are just waiting on the curtains (back-ordered, of course). We also need a new fireplace screen. I am not fond of the brass one that was in the house when we moved it. So I guess I leave you with a new promise: living room re-do pics are soon to come! :)