03/04/09

I'm up earlier than usual this morning. Everyone else is still in bed. But, it is a bread-making day, and I wanted to get a head start. While my scalded milk is cooling to a temperature that my yeast would be happy with, I thought I'd update my blog.

Nick had all day yesterday off, which was so nice! We went to church in the morning, accomplished a lot around the house in the afternoon, and then decided to walk through 'downtown' Bandera in the evening. We used our double stroller for the girls and Nathan walked. I just loved peering in the windows of the little local shops. Most of them are closed on Sunday. We found a local bakery, ice cream parlor, bookstore, etc. There isn't a lot of parking on the main drag, so Bandera has designated some parking lots a block or two away as public parking. They wanted to let people know that they were being thoughtful:

But, it just make me laugh a little to see this next sign, positioned no more than two parking spaces down from the first sign: "We've made a special place for our citizens to park right here in the flood zone!"

Just off the main road we spotted a little park. It was so old! It was the first time in a LONG time that I had seen one of these:
While Nick and I attempted to demonstrate how the see-saw would work, we found ourselves laughing hysterically as I was stuck up in the air and Nick was firmly planted on the ground. In the end, Nick had to scoot way up toward the middle before I had enough leverage to achieve the intended teeter and totter. It was funny and terrifying. I told Nick that I now understand why these have become nearly obsolete.

Nathan Paul. I would try to photoshop the Popsicle stickies off his cheek, but I'll just be real with ya:

Nia Madelynn, who would normally be the most enthusiastic about a playground, was completely out. Nathan even poked at her for a while--still she slept.
I introduced Lottie to the tire swing. She enjoyed it very much!
I love this face! (I love this girl!)
Swinging and watching Nathan being a complete goof:
Earlier in the day Nia had insisted on wearing every necklace in my jewelry box. She paraded around the house, showing off for Daddy, donning only a diaper and all this jewelry! I see it's time to have the 'less is more' talk.
After our walk we came home and read a few parables from our children's Bible together as a family. More accurately, I do the reading and everybody else listens. And then it was time for bed. I love each of these small children.

When Nick and I go out and about with the kids, people regularly comment about our children (insert: brood, small army, herd, gaggle, etc.). Usually people just 'don't know how we do it.' We often get compliments on how well behaved the kids are (except, of course, during those times when they are NOT well behaved). And once in a blue moon somebody will let us know they seriously think we're crazy. One such incident occurred as we were leaving the grocery store the other day. An older man looked at us and said, "Don't you have a TV? You know there's other things to do besides havin' kids."

Oh, there were a lot of things I wanted to say...most of them equally rude...but I just bit my tongue. I can say what I was thinking on this blog, though. "I'd prefer to have six small children living at my house over just the ONE of you!" "Don't you have any manners? You know there's other things to do besides insulting strangers." "Thanks for your input--the next time I get an opportunity to exchange one of my kids for a season of American Idol I'll jump at the chance!"

Many small children aren't for everyone. But we love this life! We are grateful for it. Sure, we get tired of diapers, bottles, and tantrums, but we are blessed. Abundantly.

Thankyouverymuch.