Sunday, March 28, 2010

Weekend Musings

One of our favorite things to do on a saturday is to scout out the local thrift store for bargains. This saturday was an added bonus, since the store had an additional 50% off of all purchases!! I had a few things to look for, but the kids were just looking for whatever caught their fancy.

Since alot of people crowded the store, and we got there in the later part of the day, many of the items had been picked over. I managed to find a small lavendar receiving blanket for our soon-to-be baby girl, then watched the kids as they picked through the toys, searching for treasures. Once all the purchases were made, we headed to the van for the ride home.

Tommy had purchased a set of small airplanes to construct. He tore into the box and pieces scattered. His dad said, "Tom, don't lose the pieces, we'll have to work on it together at home."

Tommy located a small booklet in the bottom of his box, leafed through it impatiently, and announced, "Dad, I found the DESTRUCTIONS but I can't read them and they aren't helping me at all!"

Again, we assure him, we will work on it at home. A few minutes later Tommy stated, matter of fact, "Well, that was a waste of 50 cents."

Ah, the joys of saturday!

I took the kids to my oldest daughters home to see the baby chicks and ducks she had just purchased at our farm supply store the day before. She is totally in love with these helpless yellow peepers and was thrilled to show off her "babies." I admit, they are truly adorable. After instructions on how to handle them without hurting them, she let all 7 of her younger siblings gather around the "cradle" (box), oooing and ahhhing around their cuteness. I wished more than once that I had brought my camera along. Bella cooed at one of the ducklings, holding it gently, talking baby-talk into it's tiny face. Stepping back, I realized how new babies bring out the gentle side of us all. Human, or otherwise.

Mike also finished a project last night that turned out just as I had envisioned. When we adopted Bella, we got her gramma too. That has been a much added blessing in our lives the last 3 years, and our only regret is that Bella's natural grandfather had passed away tragically before we had an opportunity to meet him. He had made a bunkbed for a couple of Bella's older siblings that we inherited, painted and have used since Bella retired her baby bed. Since we found out about her tiny baby that is due next month, we switched rooms so the baby could have the smaller lavendar room, while Bella and Mere were set up in the back bedroom that is a tiny bit larger for the two. The problem is where the window is, because the bed overwhelmed the room and took up too much space, but there is not a wall long enough to put it on. Mike solved that yesterday. He took the beds apart, cut 2 feet off the length of both the beds and mattresses (yes, they were innerspring!!), we stitched off the ends and poof!! New beds!! They are a mini- bunk set! It sets against the wall now, allowing them more center space for play. A creative solution to a space problem. Yay, Mike!!

During this time we have also had to deal with Mike's father. He had a minor heart attack last week, and has been in the hospital since then. He is facing a quadruple bypass this coming week, and Mike's stepmom is requiring nearly as much care as his ailing father. This is the part that makes life hard. Ailing parents, young children and a very busy life. But this is the stuff life is made of.

Today it's raining, and cool. I got up to cinnamon rolls and a hot steaming cup of coffee. The kids are waking up and getting into their grove for the day. We have a sports banquet this afternoon to celebrate the oldest three and their basketball accomplishments. Another weekend will close when the sunsets tonight.

This weekend typifies our life. A life that we are loving living.

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