spring break 2008

Oh, what a glorious week! The simple fact that the alarm doesn't go off at 5 a.m. gives me much quiet and restful pleasure. The boys are well, and God has graciously sent us physical rain to wash over and nourish the thirsty earth around us. During the very first hours of spring break, i.e. Friday after school, I took Eli to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's, during which I was delightfully engrossed in conversation with some moms of first graders, blissfully consumed three slices of pizza, and ended the treat with some of the birthday girl's Hannah Montana cookie cake! (Thanks, Alexia, sweet girl!). To top it all off, when Mickey took Eli to baseball practice on the same night, at 7,30 - while Malachi was at Gran's house - I took a trip to the Family Christian store, armed with very precious coupons. I left the place at closing time with the following trophies: (1) a set of gorgeous little cards, (2) one card for Bob (Julianne, that's your papa, and guess what? I have already sent it!), (3) Charles Swindoll's Jesus, The Greatest Life of All, AND my most prized purchase, (4) The Apologetics Study Bible from Holman Bible Publishers. The version / translation is Holman Christian Standard Bible, c. 1999, which is contemporary English. I am very happy with the fact that all the pronouns, possessive adjectives, etc. referring to God are capitalized. To me, that displays more of the honor and reverence we owe the Creator and Giver of our life. let everything else be lower case, just like the latest trend in english seems to be (lower cases in this sentence intended). Why would anyone capitalize chuck e. cheese's and not the parts of speech connected to the name of the Holy One?

Now, more of this week so far. Monday, Mickey took off and looked after the children. That gave me time to go on operation "rescue the computer room", i.e. the room in which Eli and Malachi play games and I e-mail, blog, visit BHG.com, etc. Mission accomplished. The room has never looked so good since we moved in, almost a year ago. I have also accomplished other missions such as "rescue the guest room", "establish a hall gallery" (family portraits), "rescue the breakfast room", and "rescue the kitchen". As you can see, it's been a week of rescues. So far, so good. One would think that Dora's cousin, Diego has visited us. Oh, yes. I am also reading Magdalene by Angela Hunt. Thank you, Christie! I thought I knew what to expect, but chapter 5 or 6 took me entirely by surprise. Very clever.

Eli and Malachi dyed real eggs with real dyes at Gran's house. She's always good about it. She even made them Easter cards in which she stuffed two dollars, and mailed them to our house, one for each boy. Perhaps the Easter Bunny will think of other nice people, like the author of this blog, and send them Easter wishes coupled with a bit of hard currency, which has been less hard lately, but that's fine with me.

Easter Sunday promises to be full of beauty, even though the weather might be on the chilly side - high of 14C, with possible showers. We'll have breakfast with our church family, listen to our brilliant preacher (thank you, Brad, always; I am ever grateful for you and your family), take strength in the event of the resurrection, and enjoy the excitement of the Easter Egg hunt. Then we'll have lunch with Gran and Granddaddy. I think. Some of us might have a few too many chocolate eggs and bunnies, but who'll be counting? May the peace of God bless you. Thank you for reading.