Monday, July 5, 2010

A Boy




"He's fast," Daddy says, "but I'm FASTER!" Dustbuster in hand, boy and his father tear through the kitchen, "Where'd he go?" Daddy calls. Half-a-rumpus past the fridge, he freezes, "Shhh. There he is." He points, a fly.

A fly. The hunt is on. Boy watches Daddy, squints his eyes, leans close. Daddy raises both eyebrows, "Allllmost," he drawls. He edges the Dustbuster slowly, slowly, yes there, into the fly's blind spot -- THERE! And ALMOST! In half-a-second-less-than-no-time the fly floats back to life.

Later, the vacuum clicks off, "Gotcha!"

"Daddy, can he fly out of there?"

Daddy frowns, "Click, VAaroOOooM!"

They trounce back through the kitchen and into the yard, trophy in hand.







Later, Jane and Jack teeter-todder in and out of the house, leave the door open for lots more flies. "Why do you have to talk about guns and toots all the time?" Janie wants to know.

Jack shrugs. "Wanna go outside and play?"

"Ok." Off they go.

Lulie runs to catch up.








Gratitude:

86. Sleep. More sleep than a month ago.

87. Counters clean and wiped smooth.

88. Bleach solution.

89. Soap and running water.

90. Laundry wadded into stacks -- folded they say.

91. Bacon and brown sugar, black beans.

92. The boy who wipes his nose on the couch and peeks over, "I love you, Momma."

93. My sliced fingernail, almost grown back now.

94. That Lulie hasn't flooded the toilet lately.

95. The Declaration of Independence and the blood spilled on my behalf.

96. The freedom to worship Jesus.




holy     experience

16 comments:

  1. so glad to have read this before leaving today... your posts help me worship.

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  2. Thankful for your thanks today... I especially like #92 :)

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  3. Just visiting from the gratitude community. Beautiful blog, BTW!

    Missional Mama

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  4. Love that close-up! Those pudgy toddler cheeks!

    JD

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  5. "Why do you have to talk about guns and toots all the time?" Janie wants to know. Jack shrugs.

    Oh, the classic mars and venus confusion starts so young :)

    Amen to #95 and 96. Wonderful list!

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  6. Sometimes I wish I could be the fly on the wall in your house - just so I could soak up all the love - toots, guns, and boogers too! If only there was a way to avoid the dustbuster... :)

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  7. I know the joys of running water! I love the layout of your blog, very creative.

    Delighted to meet you. Hope you don't mind if I splash around a bit. This looks like a refreshing place to slip off my shoes and soak in thankfulness alongside you.

    Splashing,
    Sara

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  8. #86 I am a witness! My 8 month old has finally settled in to sleeping at night. And since I'm 8 months tired, I am rejoicing for you to have some sleep too!

    Many blessings,
    Stacey

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  9. my just-turned-one year old has FINALLY started sleeping thru the night, so we, too, have more than we did last month. blessings!
    also, love your photos of your children, they're gorgeous (the photos and the kids)
    love your space here

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  10. Great post... and I love the pictures. I hopped over her from Ann's blog...

    Gotta love those boy comments about toots and guns... I have a 9 year old that still talks about guns and what we call stink bombs! My 2 1/2 yr. old son is on his way as well! The only difference my 3 1/2 yr old daughter rolls in laughter about those things just as much!

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  11. Love the photos of the kids :)
    We have a lot of gun and toot talk going on around here too! hmmm....
    Love the gratitude list, especially that Lulie hasn't flooded the toilet lately--too funny!

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  12. what a beautiful list.
    your children sound adorable.
    My son has a cold. He wiped his nose on my carpet today. "I put runny nose on your carpet momma".
    Ummm....thanks.
    Happy Fourth of July!!

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  13. Love your thankfulness, girl. :)

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  14. cute story...you are a very gifted writer...

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  15. you encourage me, so. thank you thank you, sister. xo

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  16. ha! love your story-telling! your family is PRECIOUS. :)
    hey- cool trick to teach the kids (and hubby!): wait until the fly is still, then from a foot or more away, pointing your index finger, SLOWLY make a big circle, gradually getting closer and closer to the fly as your circle is getting smaller. Before ya know it, you're squishing him with the tip of your finger (ew, gross, I know, but I think you can do it with a wad of toilet paper, too.)!

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