We Survived Ernesto!

Forecasters warned of the eminent danger posed by the mighty storm "Ernesto." Around-the-clock coverage of Ernesto's path sent messages to everyone in Florida: "Prepare for the big one!" "Buy supplies! Ready your home!" And, it didn't help that every news station was running special stories on the year anniversary of Katrina between their bits on Ernesto, just to build the suspense even more. This storm was due to hit us on Wednesday afternoon, with effects felt for a 12-hour span. Our schools were closed. Residents were urged to remain safely inside their homes for the day. Emergency shelters were open. Ready or not, here he comes...

Today was the day Ernesto hit. It was a rough one, too. After my second cup of coffee, I was awake enough to look outside and notice a few raindrops on the ground. I stayed in my pajamas until at least 11:00am--the point where you tell yourself you better throw on some clothes in case a neighbor comes knocking. Normally you wouldn't have to worry about this in the middle of a huge tropical storm, but, sure enough, our neighbors came by a couple hours later to see if Aidan and Cotter wanted to take a walk with them. I didn't apply sunscreen, but pediatricians probably would've recommended it on a day like today. Later in the afternoon, we got a few scattered showers and even a threat of a threat of a tornado about 30 miles away. I was thankful for that, because I needed a little drama. The true storm wasn't actually supposed to be right on our head until later in the evening. So, at that point, the rain did become a little more steady, making it fun for the kids to go splashing in the porch. I heard one clap of thunder the entire day. And, concerning the "potential for damaging winds," a one-year-old could blow out birthday candles with more force than Ernesto unleashed on our city. This all leads me to wonder one thing: just how much are the Home Depots and oil companies sponsoring the Weather Channel anyway?

Roy suggested we need to make a line of T-Shirts that say, "I survived Ernesto!"

Take the Time

As promised below, here is a poem for all of you parents who need a little perspective.


Take the Time

It's nine-fifteen, and bedtime took too long, once again--
Another drink, another glass of water, and then
The questions come, the hands hold tight, and the eyes are opened wide,
And something in me whispers, "Now's the time."

"Mommy, why did Muffy die? Daddy, where's the sun?"
"Are there cats in heaven? And why did Jesus come?"
And though a whole day's dishes wait, and bills are piled high,
Something in me whispers, "Take the time."

Take the time, while they’re right here by your side,
Take the time, while their arms are opened wide.
Teach them how to love the Lord with all their heart and mind.
Oh, they’re only home a season, take the time.

Riding off to Narnia upon a lion's back,
Chubby fingers close the book and add it to the stack.
"Aslan didn't kill the witch--oh Dad, why did he die?"
And something in me whispers, "Now's the time."

Her baseball game's tomorrow, but so's my interview.
How can I play Scrabble, when there's so much to do?
Little faces plead with me to put my work aside,
And something in me whispers, "Take the time."

Take the time, while they’re right here by your side,
Take the time, while their arms are opened wide.
Teach them how to love the Lord with all their heart and mind.
Oh, they’re only home a season, take the time.

For one day they’ll want to spend time alone.
One day they’ll need to be on their own.
Next week their hugs may not seem quite the same-
Oh Lord, may they honor Your name.

It's nine-fifteen, and bedtime took too long, once again--
Another drink, another glass of water, and then
The questions come, the hands hold tight, and the eyes are opened wide,
And something in me whispers, "Now's the time."

Take the time, while they’re right here by your side,
Take the time, while their arms are opened wide.
Teach them how to love the Lord with all their heart and mind.
Oh, they’re only home a season, take the time.
--1985 Paul and Teri Reisser

Savoring the Moments

Okay, this is sort of a melancholic post, but I'm a little sad. Kaitlyn has given up her adorable caterpillar crawling for the more efficient and typical version of cross-crawling. And, anyone who knows her will remember the cute way she liked to squish up her face and pant through her nose when in a silly mood. Unfortunately, that's on the way out. Pondering the passing of such phases, I really wish I had the secret to truly savoring the moments. I don’t always love each stage my kids go through, but I hate the fact that I can never go back. Once a moment has been lived, it can never return. This compels me to try to live each moment, squeezing out of it every last drop and leaving nothing behind for regret.

To me, regret would be leaving behind moments full of opportunities to minister, pray, love, teach, serve, listen, follow and obey, and in their place simply memories of a harried, busy, unavailable life. I neither want to dwell on the negatives of life or get so caught up in the details of living that I forget what and who I’m living for. It’s so easy to “have” to do the dishes when the kids want me to play a game or the Lord wants me to spend time with Him. I want to live my life with no regrets. Will I make sacrifices? Amen, YES! Will my house see days of utter disarray? Of course! But, at the end of the day, I will have a smile on my face. And maybe my kids will need less therapy.

This kind of reminds me of a poem I read once. I'll share it with you in my next post, above. If you are the sentimental type, get out the tissues.

I Can't Decide

Many people have asked me the same question this week. Well, it's not really a question--it's more like a statement with a question mark at the end. It goes something like this: "Aren't you glad you now have two kids in school?" And, "Aren't you enjoying your free time?" (This past Monday I sent Aidan to second grade and Cotter off to his 3-day-a-week Pre-K.) I really don't know how to answer this question. On the one hand, yes those 3 hours at home in the morning with just Kaitlyn are great. While Kaitlyn is napping, I'm able to spend a more regular time every morning praying and reflecting on Scripture. I'm cherishing that time, in fact. However, the hectic mornings spent trying to get both kids to separate schools at the same time and the 2 hours a day on the road are not exactly a "break" by any stretch of the imagination. And then there's poor Kaitlyn whose afternoon nap is more often than not a 20 minute affair on the way to get Cotter. All in all, though, I think we made the right decision.

Another question that has been almost as common this week: "How are the kids liking school?" This one comes with an easy answer. They wake up giddy that they get to go to school. Cotter complains on Tuesdays and Thursdays, "Why don't I get to go to school?" Of course, I think they are having a little TOO much fun at school. On Wednesday, Cotter got in trouble for trying repeatedly to balance with his feet on the top of his chair and his hands on a tabletop. And, Aidan is about to be separated from his new friend sitting beside him, because they are being too silly. Those are my boys! Good luck teachers, all power to you.

Yes, maybe I am enjoying my "break" afterall.