Our Incredible Human Nature

We are watching a NOVA program on Trishna and Krishna the co-joined twin girls. When I first encounter a story like this, my knee jerk reaction is to turn to God and ask "why?" and fall into hopelessness. These two little girls from Calcutta are a simply amazing gift to the world.

How amazing that doctors were able to separate them and give them productive lives on their own. What at first appears all sadness, slowly turns into a miraculous story. From the woman who adopted them, to the doctors and nurses who are true miracle workers and separated them, to the little girls themselves who are growing and progressing- the story has meaning.

Christianity answers the question for me of how to make sense out of suffering for me. This is a perfect example. Think you had a bad day? How 'bout now after seeing them? Aren't they lovely?

A Kid's Lenten View

Lent started last Wednesday. All those in our house capable of discerning the meaning of it chose various things to do or not do during the next 40 days to prepare. I find it really interesting that the younger children really want to participate even though there is no pressure to do so. It really hits me how much our example helps to form a small person, and that works in both good and bad ways as most of you can attest to. This morning Thomas told Fred and me  he intended to not just give up sweets for Lent, but for two days after Lent was over as well. I gently explained I think 40 days is a good long time for a little boy to do without sweets and that he needn't add the extra two. I can imagine him writhing in agony on Easter Sunday trying to refrain from the chocolate bunny and it hurt me far more than it hurt him!

Michael followed into the room and announced he wouldn't play any computer games ( despite the fact he isn't allowed to anyway- still it was generous of him to offer it).

Sarah hearing her brothers talk about what they were giving up chimed right in "I'm gonna give up sumpin too!"
" OK Sarah, what are you giving up?" I asked.
"I'm gonna give up breaking things!" I must have gotten a puzzled look on my face cause she followed up with:
" I won't break any toys or touch things I'm not supposed to."

  Wow, that was a really generous thought! Sarah has quite a knack for getting into all sorts of things she shouldn't and slinking quietly away leaving the damage to be found later.

Lastly Mary came in and with a noble smile announced she would not be eating candy for Lent. She followed up by asking if cookies were candy too? I told her they weren't but that to make things easier for all of the kids I wouldn't buy cookies during Lent. This seemed to help everyone to feel better overall
( though a good cookie temptation would probably forge steel in the soul of my children!).

Daytona 500

Well, we don't do Oscars- but we do watch the Daytona 500. We happen to be doing so on Monday evening since it was rained out for the very first time in its history ( 56 years). Fred loves car racing. I have grown accustomed to it. I don't understand why he loves it, but he does. Apparently it has something to do with the amazing smell of racing fuel. And the intense noise. And the thin layer of dirt that settles over your entire body as the tires spin on the track. This is an other-worldly experience for my Freddy.

Like I said, I don't really get it. I am also not about to stop Fred from doing something he really loves. He likes dirt track racing a whole lot more  than NASCAR, but hey any racing is better than no racing- right?  His favorite driver tonight is Mark Martin. He is currently in the top ten. He is pretty much always there, though seldom wins. How unfortunate for Fred. So far it has not ever stopped my better half from being mesmerized by the whole racing world. It is in his blood. 

Only Matthew shows the potential for a real race fan after his father. The other boys don't mind spending time with Dad, and eating hot dogs and nachos(I don't mind that either), but Matty really watches the cars go around the track and picks a driver he likes, and thinks it smells good too. I am glad Fred has one son to share this with. 

Oscar Who?

Yeah- we don't do "Oscars" in this house. We don't really get to the movies much so we wouldn't know what all the fuss was about anyway.  For you trivia addicts-one of the genius winners who saw the statue called 'the Academy Award'  thought it looked like her Uncle Oscar, and so it was nicknamed ever after 'the Oscars'. (Clearly the I.Q. level of the winners has remained a steady feature.)

Here are more enjoyable Oscars to watch in my humble opinion.

Burgers

I barely slept last night. I woke up after 3 hours and that was that. I then proceeded to solve the worlds problems very poorly. Most of the problems seemed to pertain to me or my family in some way coincidentally.
Since Fred was under the weather as well, we were sure it was going to be a pretty miserable day overall. Off we went to food shop, but on the way there, Fred was inspired to change directions and head to Red Robin!!!

Needless to say the day was a success after all. How could it not be after one of those burgers? It simply is not possible. When I returned home, my sister Annie had posted on my wall she had visited Red Robin for the first time. The Burger gods were watching over our family! ( now if I could just get a few hours of sleep!)