- M’s raise(s)
- joined Writers’ Guild of Acadiana
- niece born Friday
- discovered new evening routine
- completed first knitting project
- seeking God continually
I had no high hopes for the weekend, but if I had, they’d be dashed at the moment. He’s taking the girls to Hometown, and Rocky and I will have to stay here. We can’t all fit in the car safely.
This means they’ll be gone for Easter. I’ll be sending their baskets with them.
Still Knitting
Finished niece’s little cap ‘n’ booties set, and I knit it all by myself!!! I can’t believe I did it. I can follow directions! It truly is a cute set. I hope SIL likes them. Even if Niece can’t wear them (in the middle of April), she can keep them for decoration and/or posterity.
I’m so happy. I’ve learned a new skill that I can call upon for gifts and such. And only for the cost of yarn!
(Knitting also gives me much time to think about the recipient. I’d say these things are quite literally “made with Love,” as my thoughts and feelings pour into each stitch.
In Hawaiian culture, the people believe mana (power/energy–either good or bad) goes into anything handmade, so the recipient partakes of “good mana” or “bad mana“, depending on the crafter’s intentions.
I can in no wise compare mana with the Spirit, but I was reminded of the Hawaiian belief as I worked on the baby set. Hula was such a part of my heart, and I so embraced the people. Those things I learned will never leave me.)
I felt God with me as I worked in the night. I felt Him teaching my heart about genuine love and compassion, giving out of pure kindness, expecting nothing in return. And my humanness reminded me how very far I have to go before I realize genuine love and compassion in my own spirit.
Yay-Board-Games
We’re developing a passion for board games. It seems to be the nightly ritual, rather than a once-a-week family event. The favorite seems to be Mousetrap, with Connect Four in a close second.
We (at least three of us fearless) played Operation tonight. Prissy may have a future in medicine; she soundly whipped the rest of us.
Cleaning out the linen closet, we discovered at least three games we’ve never played before, so it’s exciting knowing we have some adventure ahead of us.
The newfound passion for board games spontaneously launched a family project. Over the past week, each kid has created his/her own board game, complete with spinners/dice, playing pieces, and cards.
Even Rocky got in on the fun. His creation is rather “hip” as the established themes go, and he has high hopes of marketing it to a big-name company. He’s put a lot of thought into the process, taking into consideration visual appeal, game play, relevance, etc. He’s stuck with it, working on it, developing it a little more each night.
We tested the “first draft” last night, and I have to say it was truly engaging. I think he may have something.
Of course I had to ruin it and bring up things “educational.” I asked, “What subjects do you think this project covers?”
Together, we agreed board game development encompasses Art, Social Science, Psychology, Composition, Logic, Economics, Business Management, Physics, and Math. He wasn’t exactly “happy” that I spoiled his wanton inspiration with dreaded “Application,” but I think he finally saw the light: in Homeschooling, a kid learns without even realizing he’s learning.
Puzzles are on the wish list, too. Dragged out a 25-piece leftover from the older girls’ younger days. Pipsqueak was enthralled!
Bedtime Proctor
And all this brings me to the new nightly routine, which outshines the old like platinum to dirt. No more late-night knitting while watching morbid crime shows and trying to threaten the kids into ending their “party” so they’ll just go to sleep. NO MORE.
The New Format:
- 15 minutes before bedtime - board game of choice…everyone must participate! (or at least watch. or be the Banker.)
- 8:30 - tuck-in. –And you better be in your bed and not hiding or dashing downstairs for water if you want the famous “Caterpillar Tuck.”
- 8:45 - In the common sitting area, where no child is beyond Mom’s keen eyes and ears…Mom sits, knits, and listens to the audio Bible while Rocky works on his animation, draws, or otherwise quietly occupies himself.
- 10:30 - Rocky to bed–lights out. Audio Bible session ends.
- 10:30-till… - Mom continues knitting until no one is stirring and she reaches a good stopping point in the project.
- House is silent. All is well.
It’s a dream-come-true, and I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. I get to unwind, Rocky and I get some quite time together, I can really settle into the Word, Rocky can listen to the Word without feeling like it’s another homeschooling subject of study, I can keep an eye on the girls to deter any shenanigans, they’ll be sure to get proper sleep, and no more anxiety for them that I’m “far away” downstairs. Peace and Security for all.
Blessing From Heaven–Honey-Weekend
He’s taking me to a snazzy company celebration. I couldn’t have asked for better, or for better timing. Critical Mass has been the default state for so long, intimate time unheard of. Yet, in a few precious weeks, we’ll be lazing in a suite, strolling nature paths and river walks, and schmoozing with his coworkers, both great and small.
The illusion will shatter. The veil drawn between his mysterious work life and his home will lift, finally bringing together the two worlds of his existence that have to present remained mutually exclusive.
And I get to be on his arm.
Predictably, I’ve been greedily planning for the event as if it were a high school prom. I’ve taken great care in conjuring a wardrobe, down to the last detail.
And yet, I consciously strive to put down any grand expectations, because that is self-destructive.
Instead, I pray for God’s blessing during that time, no matter how it unfolds. I’ll be content to just be with him, outside the constraints of familiar context.
I try to avoid thinking about what I might say, what I might want to hear, and endeavor to speak little but listen and love much.
And I try to extinguish any anxieties I might have about meeting his bosses and his bosses’ bosses. I can’t be anything I’m not, or have anything I don’t have. Simply, I’m his half, at best and worst. I hope he finds that enough.
