Friends

Evidence of a growing friendship between my children has warmed my heart almost daily this week. Here's today's story: Nora and Joseph went to the doctor for a routine check-up today. Nora knew that shots were certain and that mom and dad wanted her to be brave. On the way I realize that Nora is holding Joseph's hand and even more remarkable, he is letting her! She then pips up, "Joseph, do you want a lollipop?" [J shrieks in delight] Nora [very seriously] says, "You have to get a shot first, then a lollipop." When we got there, she [very importantly] wanted to hold his hand all the way from the car into the doctors office, and again, he went happily along [many, many fawning comments from passersby]. They did well...not much to report from the actual visit. Then afterward, Nora generated much excitement between them by relaying the awaited surprise at home -strawberries with ice cream. It was so, so sweet to see them sharing and laughing and playing together. I'm still smiling.

On the picnic blanket. Nora proudly displaying her loud, orange "Thank you" sticker from the grocery store, as she always does (we bought the strawberries on the way home).

Nora's outside play clothes and accessories, obviously.

Who needs a spoon?

Good to the last sip on this near 80-degree day.

Title 7

1. Stephen and I celebrate Valentine's Day with brunch at a French Cafe and ponder the future. It's fun to imagine and hope with your best friend.

2. Nora captures her father on marker board.


3. We adopt a couple great-grannies. While in the apartment complex last year, we became acquainted with a couple neighbors who I would come upon as they walked their dogs, and I, my children. We shared dinner with two of them this past weekend (an invitation just a year overdue!) and enjoyed their company. Martha with her dry wit and sarcasm and Ganell with her grandmotherly charm equally doted on Nora and Joseph.

4. I upload some pictures to Picasa and decide to share a couple and update my blog.



5. Megan and I read and discuss "Night," a powerful, must-read. Up next month: "Three Cups of Tea."

6. Stephen continues to amaze me. Seriously. How can one man juggle a full PhD schedule (two papers due this week), part-time work teaching AP government (tests to grade this week on top of teaching every morning, except yesterday), two active children who adore him, one frazzled wife (who also adores him), a new work-out routine, teaching Sunday school and dozens of other tedious tasks (like taking out the trash this morning -THANK YOU, BABE!- and helping me with two extra kiddos on Tu/Th nights) with such strength, grace and understanding?

7. Red tulips begin to droop on my kitchen table, but they are still glorious. I LOVE red tulips, actually, red anything. Red remains my favorite color. Valentine's is better for it and so is my kitchen for its bold, crimson accents. Red cheers me. If only I could pull off red lipstick...

7 even quicker takes

I've been meaning to post something all week, so here it is in all its brevity.

1. Sarah joins another co-op. I am in a produce co-op (which I love, love, love :) and a date-night co-op (also lovely). I added to that a child-care co-op with two other gals on Friday mornings. Translation: Every three weeks I watch five kids aged three and under, and the other two Friday mornings I have "off" to do whatever I want/need with no kiddos in tow. One word: awesome. My life has been better with the introduction of co-operating :)


2. I would like to write more about this on another occasion, but I have felt more of a burden recently to be in fervent prayer for the millions of babies killed by abortion and their mothers. This story makes your heart sick.

3. Taking a quiz boosts my morale. Earlier this week, I received an email with a link to this civics quiz including the following instructions:

"The average score on the following civics test is 49%. Can you beat it? Politicians scored 44%; college professors 55%. (No Googling!)"
I scored an 87.88% (to be exact, can you tell I'm excited? :-D). The email came not a day too soon. I was beginning to think my intellect did not extend much beyond debates with toddlers over the wisdom of pouring sand into underclothes.

4. Nora, the student
The picture says it all : )


5. Texas gets a touch of winter...a very, very light touch that nonetheless closes schools for a day.


6. We love granola!

Here is our recipe of choice. If you want to try it (which I recommend!), note that we don't put coconut or dried cranberries in it. Also, I cut the amount of pecans and add almonds and walnuts.

7. Does anyone have a recommendation for a photo service, preferably one that is a good deal? I have hundreds (closer to thousands) of photos to print and organize from the past couple years.