Pinewood Castle

Thankful Thursday

For my husband who, for the first time in . . . a long time, brought me flowers after a trying day.

 

For the short periods in time when I can see my son look, sing, and behave like an angel. Thank you, boy's choir.

 

Black belts two for $10 at Target. For choir, not karate.

 

For allergy meds that allow me to once again enjoy a real Frasier Fir.

And for close proximity to a real tree farm.

 

For strong daddies who lift up their littlest girl so she can be the one to place the angel on top.

 

For eyes (and hands) full of wonder and delight.

 

For the photo ornaments my sister sends every Christmas to each of the children.

 

For candle light and colored light, Jesse Tree and Star Path, advent wreaths and advent calendars that help us mark the days and prepare our hearts for Christmas.

Amazon Prime.

For the chance to get out of the house and resume book club after a very long baby break.

For the chance to see the December Full Cold Moon rise over Lake of the Isles.

 For kitties who curl up in the darndest places.

 

For the ability to drink coffee and own a smart phone without having to constantly hold one or the other like a fashion accessory.

For the completion of at least some of our hand made Christmas gifts ~ phone cases for teachers made by the children and the knitted gingerbread boy I made for the Little Princess (from Kid's Knitting).

 

For this beautiful dresser scarf one of my oldest and dearest friends sent me years ago. I try not to think of how long it took her to embroider this:

When it takes me four hours just to do this:

 

 For the upcoming reprieve from running to choir and ballet and karate and violin and piano.

For the decision to switch Sunshine from ballet to theater beginning in January. This better fits her passion and personality - and I won't have to make that extra trip back to ballet to pick her up at 7:30 pm.

For friends who call or write to catch up. Some relationships are best nurtured off-line.

And best of all - thankful that we are not yet knee deep in snow! Winter in Minnesota lasts long enough!

 

 

God Knows Best

Some years we include our children in our anniversary celebration with a nice steak dinner at home instead of having a night out. This year we chose that option since we have  a new baby and all the nice restaurants are an hour away. The older the kids get, there more fun it is to tell them stories of what our lives were like before they were born.

As we were sipping our wine and Izze sodas we heard a piece on the classical music station performed by clarinetist David Shifrin. I explained to the kids that he teaches at the prestigious Yale School of Music and that when I was a clarinetist I always admired his playing.

Of course the mention of this school means nothing to them, but they enjoyed the story I proceeded to tell them of my audition at Yale long ago. Based on a preliminary tape screening I was invited to audition in person. I traveled by plane, then by train to Connecticut. After settling in an old hotel in New Haven with noisy radiator heat I explored the campus and went at the appointed time to play for David Shifrin. Although he liked my tone quality, I had gotten nervous and messed up a bit too much to be accepted into the graduate school. It's a good thing though, I explained, because if I had attended Yale I would not have met Dad and none of then would have been born.

They all looked shocked at the possibility of this until Sunshine explained with a smile, "God wanted you to get nervous and mess up because he wanted us to be born!"

Of course.

Here's a marriage poem that we printed on the back of our wedding program. Such a good reminder eleven years later.

Marriage Takes Three

I once thought marriage took
Just two to make a go,
But now I am convinced
It takes the Lord also.

And not one marriage fails
Where Christ is asked to enter,
As lovers come together
With Jesus at the center.

But marriage seldom thrives,
And homes are incomplete,
Till He is welcomed there
To help avoid defeat.

In homes where Christ is first,
It's obvious to see,
Those unions really work,
For marriage still takes three.

Eleven

11 fruitful married years

10 Commandments we try our best to keep

9 family vacations

8 different churches we've attended Mass

7 we are now a family of seven

6 annual fall dates to see A Prairie Home Companion

5 great kids

4 changes of employers

3 big steaks split six ways tonight

2 glasses of red wine

1 new diamond ring to replace the lost one

Ten Years Today!

WHEN LOVE IS FOUND

When love is found and hope comes home
Sing and be glad that two are one.
When love explodes and fills the sky
Praise God and share our maker's joy.

When love had flow'red in trust and care
Build both each day that love may dare
To reach beyond home's warmth and light
To serve and strive for truth and right.

When love is tried as loved ones change
Hold still to hope though all seems strange
'Til ease returns and love grows wise
Through listening ears and opened eyes.

When love is torn and trust betrayed
Pray strength to love 'til torments fade
'Til lovers keep no score of wrong
But hear through pain love's Easter song.

Praise God for love, Praise God for life
In age or youth, in husband's wife.
Lift up your hearts, let love be fed
Through death and life, in broken bread.