Lately...

Tem and Tessa are so funny. We decided last night that we need to start writing down some of the things they say just so we can laugh about them later. Last night, Abby and I (Kate) went in to Tessa's room to tuck her into bed. We were welcomed by an adorable little girl wearing a Mrs. Claus Christmas dress - red and velvety with white fir around the neck. Apparently, she thought it would work well for pajamas.

Then, we asked if she would want to hang out with us sometime. The conversation went something like this:

Me: Tessa, would you like to hang out with Abby and me sometime?

Tessa: Yep.

Me: Okay, what days would work out for you? When are you free? This weekend sometime?

Tessa: (in an exasperated tone) I don't know! My mom doesn't even tell me!

We are so thankful for these two hilarious, wise, brilliant, and beautiful kids that are a part of our family. We learn as we go. And, we sure are learning A LOT.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING......

I have been wondering why Tessa hasn't been sleeping very well lately......when we go to bed, a lot of times I still hear her talking to herself or singing or little footsteps running around. So this morning, I decided I would make her bed myself and now I understand.

This is what I found between the sheets: Barbies, Barbie clothes, jewelry, stuffed animals, M & Ms, a hairbrush, hair ties, coloring books, crayons, and valentines. I think that's all:)

I HAVE A DREAM......

Pretty amazing discussion while we ate dinner tonight. I think it started with a discussion on the Revolutionary War which led to a discussion on the Civil War which led Tem to tell us everything he knows about Abraham Lincoln which then led to talking about Martin Luther King Jr. Following so far?

So we decided that we had to stop everything and watch the "I have a dream" speech. Tem and Tessa were so interested in everything he was saying! And we talked about his assassination and watched the news clips and talked about slavery and racism and peaceful protests and on and on......And Tessa kept asking "WHY?" to everything!! If you've talked to her recently, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Like HOW in the world could a white man think it was okay to have a black man for a slave?? And HOW in the world could anyone ever think that one person has more rights than another based on color??

As Phil and I talked and listened, we were both hit with thoughts and memories of the '60s and how we never would have dreamed we would be here today, mama and papa to two little Ethiopian children. We both always cared about civil rights and equality but never thought it would affect us so personally. It matters so much to me that my children are treated fairly and have the same opportunities as other children. And I am speaking about all six of my children, who are all so different from each other and have different strengths and weaknesses. How could we possibly value one of them more than another?

In my fifty years of life, I think I have seen a lot of progress in the area of equal rights for all people, but I know we have a long way to go. I am thankful that MLK Jr. had a dream and although he didn't get to the "promised land" he did have a vision.

Oh, and our dinner conversations really aren't always this deep. Just in case you were wondering:)

Making Room for Life......

We have some of our deepest conversations while on the road. Today when I was dropping Tem and Tess off for school, Tess told me she wishes she had magical powers so she could hear Jesus talk to her. Hmmmmmm.......where do I even start? So instead of pointing out her many theological errors, we talked. And as we talked, I realized I was preaching to myself.

I told the kids how important it is to have time to listen to Jesus. And we have to ask him to speak to us and show us more of himself and point us in the right direction. We have to have quiet time in our days. Then, of course, we have to be ready to do what he tells us to do. If he's clearly speaking to us, it just isn't an option to obey or not obey.

I just got back from a quick little vacation with Kate and Abby. We visited my best friend, Lori, and her daughter, Renee, in Fort Myers, Florida. It was a blessed vacation in every way possible. We laughed. We talked about EVERYTHING. We rested. We laid in the sun. We walked. We discussed deep topics and made new memories and began to plan Abby and Steve's upcoming wedding. It was a step back from my life. I was feeling lots of stress and it seemed there was never time to exercise or eat right or accomplish the things on my list each day. Life was just moving too fast.

In Costco on one of those glorious sunny days, we bought a bottle of Italian wine from a nice little man who barely spoke English.......but he took Lori and I aside and told us we "must use this wine for cooking, and drink a little while we are cooking, then a little bit with dinner." So we took his advice and it took us quite awhile to cook dinner but it was unhurried and full of laughter and good conversation and then we lingered at the table for a long while just listening to her husband Dan's hilarious stories.

And now I am home. But with a new determination to savor the moments. Slow down. Listen for Jesus' voice. I mean, really, I can always move the things on today's list to tomorrow's:) Right?