Intercession

To my vast readership in Augusta - that's you, Rachel and Patti - we are expecting freezing rain on Christmas day. Please offer up a few prayers that the temp drops a mere 3 degrees, and we wake up in a winter wonderland.

Merry Christmas!

Going Underground

Noticing that cookies I had baked for a friend had gone missing, I go in search of our usual suspect.

"I hiding a you, " he says from his spot under the desk.

The next morning, it's a grape sucker that's vanished. I find him skulking behind the bar stools. Just too darn cute.

Ruby Slippers

Ainsley set out this little red number for St. Nicholas to fill. Her big brothers kindly offered to eat her chocolate.

So nice to add a girly shoe to the mix!

The Grass Isn't Always Greener

In the past week I have ...

Spent 90 minutes in the waiting room of the doctor's office followed by 45 minutes at the pharmacy only to find out that the pharmacist hadn't filled the prescription because she wanted to ensure I was willing to pay the amount charged.

Looped again and again through a "help" line at the mortgage company. As I pressed (smashed, crushed, etc.) the "O" for "Operator," an overly-cheerful, automated voice repeatedly came on to say, "I understand you would like to speak with a customer service representative, but if you give me a chance, I might be able to help you." My mental response to this isn't fit to be posted.

Locked myself out of the house for a solid four hours on a morning I had lots to do.

Taken the two babies to Mass. Twenty minutes of prayerful bliss followed by 40 minutes of wrestling the two-year-old. Listened to the longest homily in the history of weekday Masses. Certain that all Regan and Dolin ancestors are out of purgatory.

Spent 70 minutes in a portrait studio valiantly trying to get four children (including Ainsley with an ear infection) to give some semblance of a smile at the same time. No dice.

Walked into the living room to find coffee dumped over a stack of very nice books. Returned minutes later to find a favorite ornament in three pieces.

Chased John through Publix. Actually had to leave Ainsley alone to make the capture. Chase may have lasted a mere 60 seconds, but it was a l-o-n-g 60 seconds. Cried on the way home.

Watched a women push her groceries home from the grocery store. Her cart tipped over in the middle of a busy street. Sat in my heated, comfy van and repented for the fortitude that is so glaringly absent in my life.

A Late Nap

John, rubbing his eyes: I tired.

John, coming to his senses: No, I not tired!

Perfect Contrition or Perfect Snow Job?

John got himself in a tad bit of trouble that involved a pen and Daddy's Bible. While he's the usual suspect when any mess is found, he's always so repentant. This time was no exception.

The big brown eyes were brimming with tears.

"I sorry, Mama," he sniffled. "Pease 'give me."

I assured him that all was well. The clouds parted and the sun shone once more.

John broke out laughing. "It's bunny, Mama. It's bunny."

Just hand him the Oscar.

Peanut Butter - A Formidable Foe

Another quiet moment alerts me to the fact that around here, quiet spells disaster or at least Big whoppin' mess!! Sure enough, John is armed and dangerous, but smiling that he was able to consume so much protein and style his hair to boot.

Post Script: While I was busy writing about John's antics, boy wonder wasn't idle. I hit the "Publish Post" button and ran off to find John standing in a pedestal sink full of water and rifling through the medicine cabinet. A strange humming alerted me to the fact that Daddy's electric razor was running. Most alarming, I found one baby aspirin floating in the debris. A quick call to Dave assured me that only one pill was loose.

My interrogation produced mixed results.

Me: Did you eat anything?

John: No!

Me: Are you sure you didn't eat anything?

John: No!

Nero fiddled while Rome burned. So easy to understand these days.

A Change of Seasons

Goodbye to Fall. We welcome Advent.

For many years now, we've marked the start of Advent by hanging Christmas ornaments on the bedroom doors. I try to find ornaments that underscore the anticipatory nature of Advent. We have hung trumpets, herald angels, stars, or simple words such as this.

For two of the past four years, I have spent Advent riding the highs and lows of early pregnancy. After enduring many miscarriages, hanging the word "hope" while pondering the birth of Jesus has been especially meaningful to my family.