It’s Christmas Eve, which means that baking Sugar Cookies is on the agenda among other things!  So, I baked the 1st batch, knowing full well that they would be gone long before the time to set some out for the Big Fat Dude who will be scooting down our chimney tonight.  Everybody ate one (after I photographed them, of course) and Abe sheepishly came in a few minutes later.  He said sadly “I know they are for Santa, but I just really want one more.  Will he be mad?”.  Gotta love that, right?

Abraham did eat another cookie and the 2nd batch is in the oven now…

Merry Christmas Eve.

3 year old, yelling from across the house: “Mommy, I gotta go potty!”

Mommy, yelling from the kitchen sink or other maternal location: “OK, just Pee Pee or Stinky?”

3 year old, almost to his destination therefore getting louder: “Stinky!”

Mommy: “Call me when you are done.”

3 year old, a few short minutes later: “DONE!”

Mommy, after dropping everything and making the trek to the toilet to perform her duty: “Wow, that was a 3 wiper.. strong work, son!  Way to go.  And don’t forget to flush.”

At that time to say that the almost 2 year old Arabella loved her shoes would have been a gross understatement. “Clank, Clank, Clank” could be heard throughout the house any time day or night. Her glamour heels were worn with skirts, shorts, Princess dresses, or nightgowns… it really didn’t matter. After all, it would be tragic to allow her head to be the only part of her dressed like royalty. And she simply could not ever be without her tiera. It really all fit beautifully.

None of my other kids played with them, abandoning the bulky real life warriors for sleek super powered heroes that could only live in a make believe, if not awesome, counter universe. But I was being particularly nostalgic. And I didn’t want to see the huge monster of a toy go. I guess it is partly because I am just slightly saddened by the natural and wonderful growth of a son who has long stopped playing with action figures. I am so very grateful for who he is now, but want to always remember that sweet little boy in awe of a clunky toy.

January, 2003

Were you waiting for the pitiful part? Here it comes… I was so crazy about this plastic masterpiece that I tried to talk Abraham, who is now three, into saying he wanted to keep it. But guess what? It was the one stinking toy he wanted to give away all day!

So I’m proud to say that I photographed it, wrote this pathetic monologue and will give it away, praying that it will find itself in the hands of a bright eyed child who will appreciate it’s magic.

Regardless, it took it’s toll and at precisely the same time we were beginning the evening Bedtime Battle, the nausea hit me.

Jacob is just the sweetest kid!  He came to me realizing that my stillness on the couch was an attempt to keep from losing my lunch (and unhealthy snacks).  He first offered to bring me a towel, as that is our vomit-catching vehicle of choice.  Why don’t any of my kids have the ability to actually make it to a bathroom to throw up?  Anyway, I digress…

Then he got me a Maalox and glass of water out of the kitchen.  He knows exactly where they are because these are the Magic Pills that make most Tummy Aches better in our home.  Then he hugged me.  I’m not sure if it was the chew pills or the love, but something made me feel a bit better.

I felt well enough, in fact, to stop ignoring the high pitched screams coming from Abe’s room as he demanded round three (or was it four) of his bedtime ritual.  I did indeed rock him (again) but told him I didn’t feel well so I couldn’t stay long.

He nervously kept looking back to me as we gently rocked, then finally verbalized his concern…

“Mommy, if you throw up, please close your mouth so it won’t come out on me”

Ah, the compassion abounds!

A ragtag group of people spent their Saturday, the 16th, getting everything ready…

This was the stuff we piled into that building, week after week.

Yep, thats Arabella. She was two months old.

Recognize Krystee Edwards? She can push a broom with the best of them.

And Justin Finney provided some manpower that day!

Then the 1st service…

Welcome to CrossPointe

Kids Church Room

The Nursery - from Birth to 4 years.. can you believe that!

Some familiar faces in the "crowd".

Joseph and Brad. Its hard to believe that they look eye to eye now.

Do not ask how this photo got in the mix. And no, I did not take it! Sorry, Paul.

Here we were.

There were a few more people that this there... a few.

In fact, we met many new friends that day. Its blurry, but thats Chris & Sonya.

My baby, doing what he does!

Six years later, God has richly blessed this little redemptive project we like to call CrossPointe.  He has allowed us to move to a wonderful location that better fits us in our growth, he has pulled our family close to him as he has pushed our human limitations, and he has shown us immeasurable grace in the process.

CrossPointe is not where it was, or where it will be in six more years, but my constant prayer is that it is right where God wants it to be.  Today.

Brad, still doing what he does and will continue to do, by the Grace of our God

Photos taken March 11, 2010

So, full disclosure on the video quality.  I took them with a pocket recorder as I was also trying to snap still shots with the other hand (which was pointless as I was way to far away for those to turn out anyway).  There were also a couple of hand-offs from me to Nena…  Overall, it was not a great effort, but I think you can still get the idea.

Joseph worked so hard on this performance.  His quartet spent their lunch hours meeting with the music teacher for weeks.  They were the only Middle School group in the MS/HS category and I was so stinkin’ proud I could not begin to express it.

And then there was Jacob.  He, too, was in a group.  It was more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, let’s-sing-a-song-we-know and hope-for-the-best kind of act.  And it stole the elementary portion of the show (at least in this mother’s eyes).  And in fact, they won the prize for the best overall in that division!  Another super proud moment.

I love you, Mom.  And for anyone wondering… this story is not about her, hehe.

In honor of  Jane Groman Roberts’ birthday , I thought I’d share this recent news story I came across.

With all the new technology regarding fertility recently, a 64-year-old friend of mine was able to give birth.
When she was discharged from the hospital and went home, I went to visit.
‘May I see the new baby?’ I asked
‘Not yet,’ She said ‘I’ll make coffee and we can visit for a while first.’
Thirty minutes had passed, and I asked, ‘May I see the new baby now?’
‘No, not yet,’ She said.
After another few minutes had elapsed, I asked again, ‘May I see the baby now?’
‘No, not yet,’ replied my friend.
Growing very impatient, I asked, ‘Well, when can I see the baby?’

‘When he cries!’ she told me.

‘WHEN HE CRIES?’ I demanded.

‘Why do I have to wait until he CRIES?’

‘BECAUSE I FORGOT WHERE I PUT HIM, O.K.?!!!!’