Paris in Love

Our apartment has been overrun with contents from the storage area that are in transition while we do some work on the shelving. Since signing another year at 6511, I feel really excited to treat the storage room like it's mine. Today, Tripp and I have both felt down in the dumps as we glance around and maneuver between the piles of stuff and laundry. Yes, we made the mistake of tackling our 4 foot dirty laundry pile in the same weekend as the storage dilemma. 

All this to say, I've started an audio book while cleaning and it's inspiring a new idea. I love, love a memoir. Or really, I love, love a memoir about a woman and her life that is both lighthearted and rich. Two of my absolute favorites are written by Jeanette Walls, Glass Castle and Half Broke Horses. The stories are so wild (within my definition of wild yet wholesome) and tell the poignant transitions of their lives so well, I cannot forget the details.

I'm thinking my new idea may be to start a memoir of some sort. Maybe even one that I write my whole life. If I had something like that from my great aunt or grandmother, I think I'd treasure it and hang on to that bit of timeless identity for all the beauty that God poured through her. This blog temps me to seize my inner writer and note all of life in the Grant house. I'm thinking I'd like to find some kind of computer program that functions like a personal blog with stories and photos that could be printed out or something... TBD. Know of anything?

Ah! And the audio book I'm 'reading' is called Paris in Love. I was going to put a shout out to it on facebook and then came to find that the author is famous for her romance novels. I did NOT want to be linked to promoting any kind of romance novel reading, yuck. Still, this book is so lovely and fun - I feel like I'm washing dishes in my Parisian kitchen. 

David

The entertainer! The drama king! Boodie! D! David.

David is growing steadily out of this 18 month (yes, he's 30+ months) clothing and passing them right down to Judah. He's filling out his size 7 shoes and using the words 'thank you!' and 'please?!' more and more. His language in general is most developed around subjects that he loves like fruit snacks, Harper's house, bath time and fish, and Judah's behaviors and needs. Oh and 'Moomies!' David can't get enough of movies these days. After pregnancy and newborn time with Judah, I bent all rules of movie watching to give myself a break and therefore David is well versed in the lives of Big-bird & Elmo, Gullah-gullah, Pokoyo, Little Bear, Kipper, Wonder Pets, Nemo, Princess Aurora, Lady & the Tramp, Horton, the Lorax and of coarse Super Why. Wow that is a long list.

David is well know for his emotional responses to all of life. He's a big hugger and kisser and at the same time will plop on the floor in immense hurt when told he just can't do something. He sings at the top of his lungs songs from Sunday school and movies and gives us a big thrill when he sings hits from The Welcome Wagon. When left alone, I often catch him leading a 'circle time' with either his animal figurines or just Judah. He'll incorporate tambourine and lead worship time singing, 'Jesus loves me...' or 'Dinosaur big!' (My God is so big is the actual song). So we're aware that his understanding of Christ is similar to his understanding of Dinosaurs, and we'll be working on trying to clarify that via Jesus Storybook Bible in the coming years.

With David, I've always looked forward. Infancy was so tearful for him, I remember looking forward to nap times and bed times. Then when he'd sleep, Tripp and I would talk about how cute he is and what neat things he was doing. We'd savor his little person whenever we got breaks from comforting or entertaining his little sensitive spirit. I have really looked forward to this stage of expression and thoughtfulness taking shape. He is becoming more and more of a joy to be around and watch. He plays so intensely with his animal figurines, it brings back memories of my 12+ years with Barbie. As usual we have to help David keep balance with boundaries, especially when they involve play hammers and Judah. It's just that right about now, I'm feeling ready to freeze time. To slow the clock and keep him how he is. Then again... it is nap time. Oh, but how loveable this wild man is...

Happy Mother's day to my mom...

The difference a sister makes

I never used to refer to my girlfriends as 'sisters' until I met Clare Weaver. She would always sign emails, 'love you Sister!' And I always felt so touched that she referred to me as a sister. Having a younger sister, the title denotes a world of responsibilities and commitments. I often have the feeling about my sister that we'll make it through thick and thin. Through the good times and through the bad, no matter what - we will be sisters.

When Clare called me 'Sister,' it actually changed my entire perspective on friendship. One of Clare's spiritual gifts is serving. So, as I was redefining friendship to 'sisterhood' I also observed that service and self sacrifice accompanied. In thought, I could name many dear sisters in my life, near and far. I thank God for you.

Clare got married two weeks ago, Saturday, April 26th, and it was a rich time celebrating my dear sister with fellow members of God's family.

Talk about sisters, I love these women.

I never used to refer to my girlfriends as 'sisters' until I met Clare Weaver. She would always sign emails, 'love you Sister!' And I always felt so touched that she referred to me as a sister. Having a younger sister, the title denotes a world of responsibilities and commitments. I often have the feeling about my sister that we'll make it through thick and thin. Through the good times and through the bad, no matter what - we will be sisters.

When Clare called me 'Sister,' it actually changed my entire perspective on friendship. One of Clare's spiritual gifts is serving. So, as I was redefining friendship to 'sisterhood' I also observed that service and self sacrifice accompanied. In thought, I could name many dear sisters in my life, near and far. I thank God for you.

Clare got married two weeks ago, Saturday, April 26th, and it was a rich time celebrating my dear sister with fellow members of God's family.