Favorite Things

I am headed to a "Favorite Things" party with the group I affectionately call "The Supper Club".  (We are much tamer than the "Breakfast Club" but a bit more wild than the "Lunch Bunch".)  My wonderful friend Sarah N. hosts each month and everyone else makes or buys something to add.  We have wildly entertaining conversation and super delicious food and we solve all our life's problems in about 2 hours.

Sarah sent out beautiful invitations weeks ago so I have had a lot of time to think about what I want to bring for our gift exchange.  {Each attendee is to bring five of her favorite item.}  I have mulled this over in my head for hours.  Should this really be so difficult?

So I brought it to a higher power.  My first Sara, the person who knows me best.  Her immediate response,  "Well, you don't have favorite things."

So that explains why I draw a blank every time I try to come up with my favorite thing.  I don't have favorite things.  I have things I like, things I think are convenient, things I would like, but no favorite things.  I just don't value things that much.  I make due with what I have and sometimes make things to fill a need but I don't always purchase the same item, brand, or luxury.

I do have favorite people, favorite scripture, favorite places to hang out, favorite meals and treats to share with others.

So, what's a girl to do.  The party is two days away and still no favorite thing......

Turning 7

Sorry buddy, I didn't mean to put off posting about your birthday for so long.  Moving really threw a wrench in things.  Thank you for being so patient and understanding about all of it.

You are seven.  The fact that you have been in this world for seven years shocks me.  I have loved every minute of being your mom.  Thanks for being my experimental child.  Sorry, I have made so many mistakes on you.  Here is the picture recap of your day.
I love you more than the words in my brain can express!
Mom

The annual "Special Day" doughnut.  You also requested baked french toast for dinner.  This year we added coffee, which for some strange reason you like.

Daddy is so silly (and a bit strange).  He brought in your "present", a brand new plunger. You feigned excitement but we both knew what you were really looking for....

It wasn't a shovel either.....

It was a skateboard.  You had been asking for a skateboard for your birthday since September when an older boy at the apartment showed you some tricks.  We kept teasing you that 7 was the year of underwear but you weren't buying it.

You made us so proud at the talent show on your birthday night.  You took People's Choice first prize for K-2.  What a brave young man you have become!

A house on Elm Street

Putting things into boxes and moving is becoming quite the skill; one I pray is put to rest for a VERY long time.  Chris and I have been searching for a house since June.  Our wonderful agent, Angie, has been very patiently showing us houses, emailing encouragement, and just plain sticking with us.  And then, one Saturday a familiar house came up for sale.  It was a house Chris had wanted to look at in June but I said no way because it was a dump and needed more work than I could visualize.  But, the Lord knew this was to be our home and had someone else do the work.  All it took was one tour and we knew this was the one.,After what seemed like an endless search, suddenly it was time to pack up and move across town.  Here is a peak at what that looked like.

ps....a week in and I only have 2 boxes left to unpack but a lot of bare walls and dreams.

Our new home!  John really loves the doorbell.

Boxing up your life really makes you think about all the stuff you have.  This is only 2/3 of them.

Our wonderful friend Joe and his amazing Mercedes van.  I am sure it is the ritziest moving truck around.

Boxes in the new dining room.

Moving The Beast, aka the treadmill, which I had to promise to use.

It did take 5 guys to get it down the stairs, so I will honor them and use it.

Thank you so much, Andy, Tim, Dominique, Seth, Joe, Jay, Dad and Ellie for moving us.  Thank you Sara for keeping the kids. ( I think you had the harder job.)

Witnessing accomplishments

Out of the blue on Monday, Daniel started clapping.  Grandma Pearl was over to help me get some pre-move out cleaning done.  Daniel is especially enamored with Grandma Pearl so when she started clapping he grinned and copied her.  She was thrilled that she was the first to witness his new accomplishment and he was thrilled to show off his new accomplishment again and again.

It is pretty cute. Oh, these boys bring me so much joy.

Three Boys in a Tub....

I know I must be crazy to put all three of these boys in the tub at the same time but trust me when I tell you I had my reasons.  Not the least of them was the pure glee they each had.  I am certain I will be greeted with eye rolls and "Mom!" someday when they see this picture but seriously, how could I not take one (okay, two pictures).

The one in the middle, the cute, squishy one, he made the biggest, wettest mess of all of them.  That boy loves to splash!  I came out of the bathroom looking like I had "an accident".  The other two giggled themselves right into bed and fell asleep from exhaustion.  If you know anything about their giggles you know Mom was giggling along with them, even when I had to ask the squirrely one five times to put on his jammies (he just couldn't do it, mostly because he took them off inside out or inside in, if you ask him).  The responsible one (who listened & looked at the camera) made sure they all actually used soap which was good since Mom was trying to hide tears and find three clean towels.

There is something about the joy in each of these dear boys' faces that makes me a little teary, even now.  I pray they remain so fond of each other; that their bond as brothers and Andersons will not be broken. I pray they keep each other accountable, out of most trouble, and that they walk through life together, learning and growing about the Great God we serve.