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Tuesday
Jan082008
Old Standby
January 8, 2008
1. This morning when Chinua and the kids and I got into the van, to drive him to work, it looked remarkably disheveled. Enough that I remarked on it. I said, "Were you tearing through stuff in here?" And my Superstar Husband shook his head and looked innocent. And then I saw that everything had been pulled out of every pocket in the van, including the glove compartment. "SOMEONE WAS IN HERE!" I said. And so it seems that someone randomly decided to go through our van, looking for what, the Lord only knows. And the Lord forgives. And so do I, especially since it seems like nothing is gone. The Lord would forgive even if the van was gone, but if that happened, I know it would take me a minute.
*
2. Last night my little Kid A slept over at his best friend's house. I can't believe that he is old enough to sleep over. And he kind of isn't, really, except at the home of some of my most trusted friends. When Elena called me last night to ask if it was okay, I said, "Is it okay with me? You're the one keeping my kid!" She was wondering if he would miss me. I said, "Heck no. He isn't that kind of child."
And I was right. When I went to pick him up today, I hugged him and asked him how it went. He looked at me and said, "I didn't miss you." And I didn't say, YOU ARE NOT AT ALL CHARMING, YOU UNGRATEFUL WRETCH. But I thought it. Why does it have to be this way? It didn't help that he cried all the way out to the car because he didn't want to come home. Why do kids have to be so immature? How about a little credit, kiddo?
We then proceeded to have an awesome afternoon doing school and reading and baking bread. Because life at home REALLY SUCKS, and we hate to be here.
*
3. And then I thought about it, and how Kid A had plaintively said, "I don't want to go home and be all by ourselves!" And I responded, "You have TWO siblings and one on the way and you're ONLY FIVE." Elena said, "You don't really know what it means to be by yourself.
But I realized, as I was driving home, crying for about the seventh time today because of my intense longing for the Land, that we are all transitioning. This boy of mine has lived his entire life with other people in and around and through and on top of all of the different houses that we've lived in. No wonder he feels like it's just us. This is very different. We all need grace, here. GRACE! GRACE! Like that.
*
4. Tonight I made White Bean and Butternut Squash Soup and I'm linking to it because you helped me out and I will return the favor. I LOVED IT. The kids weren't wild about it, but I made them eat it anyways. And we made bread to go along with it. It was actually really easy, and I used dried white beans that I cooked all day in the slow cooker, rather than canned beans. A word to the wise, though, from a learning cook. If it says 19 oz of canned beans, that is not the same as 19 oz of dried beans. Because, you know, they grow. So, I think we may have this soup again soon, since I have these beans and half of a butternut squash left.
If you make it, put the parmesan in! And toast the pumpkin seeds! You will not regret it. I was going to take a photo, but then found that my Superstar Photographer husband had taken the camera. AGAIN. I honestly am beginning to believe that I need my very own. Two photographers is one too many for one camera.
*
5. Chinua is working late and after the kids go to bed (in twenty, no, nineteen minutes), I'm going to knit and watch "13 going on 30" because I deserve it.
*
2. Last night my little Kid A slept over at his best friend's house. I can't believe that he is old enough to sleep over. And he kind of isn't, really, except at the home of some of my most trusted friends. When Elena called me last night to ask if it was okay, I said, "Is it okay with me? You're the one keeping my kid!" She was wondering if he would miss me. I said, "Heck no. He isn't that kind of child."
And I was right. When I went to pick him up today, I hugged him and asked him how it went. He looked at me and said, "I didn't miss you." And I didn't say, YOU ARE NOT AT ALL CHARMING, YOU UNGRATEFUL WRETCH. But I thought it. Why does it have to be this way? It didn't help that he cried all the way out to the car because he didn't want to come home. Why do kids have to be so immature? How about a little credit, kiddo?
We then proceeded to have an awesome afternoon doing school and reading and baking bread. Because life at home REALLY SUCKS, and we hate to be here.
*
3. And then I thought about it, and how Kid A had plaintively said, "I don't want to go home and be all by ourselves!" And I responded, "You have TWO siblings and one on the way and you're ONLY FIVE." Elena said, "You don't really know what it means to be by yourself.
But I realized, as I was driving home, crying for about the seventh time today because of my intense longing for the Land, that we are all transitioning. This boy of mine has lived his entire life with other people in and around and through and on top of all of the different houses that we've lived in. No wonder he feels like it's just us. This is very different. We all need grace, here. GRACE! GRACE! Like that.
*
4. Tonight I made White Bean and Butternut Squash Soup and I'm linking to it because you helped me out and I will return the favor. I LOVED IT. The kids weren't wild about it, but I made them eat it anyways. And we made bread to go along with it. It was actually really easy, and I used dried white beans that I cooked all day in the slow cooker, rather than canned beans. A word to the wise, though, from a learning cook. If it says 19 oz of canned beans, that is not the same as 19 oz of dried beans. Because, you know, they grow. So, I think we may have this soup again soon, since I have these beans and half of a butternut squash left.
If you make it, put the parmesan in! And toast the pumpkin seeds! You will not regret it. I was going to take a photo, but then found that my Superstar Photographer husband had taken the camera. AGAIN. I honestly am beginning to believe that I need my very own. Two photographers is one too many for one camera.
*
5. Chinua is working late and after the kids go to bed (in twenty, no, nineteen minutes), I'm going to knit and watch "13 going on 30" because I deserve it.
Reader Comments (11)
Two photographers IS one too many for one camera. My husband and I are saving up and planning to upgrade, hopefully with TWO new digital bodies and some really nice lenses. I can't wait, for usually when we shoot together Joshua get the digital SLR and I shoot film, which is fine, I love film, I learned on film, but I'm impatient and enjoy the instant gratification and ease of editing with digital.
Blessings of Grace! Grace! to your beautiful family in this new year.
You are wonderful, as always. Also, I thought I should let you know that your blog is a sanctuary to me. I come here and feel safe and inspired and refilled with joy, grace, and peace. Thank you for that.
I go through the same thing with Peregrine almost every time I pick him up from my parents' or my sister's house. The minute I walk in the door he starts to cry and runs into the other room. And he always wants to go somewhere or have someone over. I've wondered just how long it would take for him to miss me. Kids. Someday they'll appreciate us and the nice little home life we made for them!
I think if someone had rifled through my van, I probably wouldn't have noticed. I'm glad for you that nothing important was taken and no damage was done.
I get your frustration with Kid A. I spend all day working and miss my son so much, and when I go to pick him up at daycare, he runs the other way because he wants to stay with his friends. Ouch!
And you definitely need a camera of your own!
It is painful when they don't miss us at all, but how wonderful when they can be their own little person who knows how to trust other wise adults and play in new places that aren't totally familiar! I've got both kinds of kid and the ones who grasp and grip like extra-strength velcro cause their own special kind of pain too.
As far as the beans, we make our own beans around here too and anytime there's more beans cooked than called for I just throw them in the freezer for a super-quick soup meal when there's no time for all day soaking and cooking. I've even frozen pre-soaked beans that wouldn't fit in the crockpot because they do grow soooo much during the soaking/cooking process. Not sure 'bout the squash but it would probably freeze well too if precooked. It's so nice to have something homemade that didn't take a lot of prep time in advance!
I'm sorry about someone going through your van. How creepy. Glad nothing appears to be missing.
About the soup---sounds fantastic, and I am going to make it soon. I had to laugh, though.
Next to chicken broth, it appears to call for 13/4 cups. I was sitting there doing fifth grade math trying to figure out that 13/4 cups is the same at 3 and 1/4 cups. Then I realized it was just a typo....
so, he is really growing up... and it's so bittersweet, as that's what it's all about preparing them for life! as for community living, it's going to happen again fairly soon...india.
the whole van thing is creepy - we had that happen to us up on promontory montain - quiet little place, and one morning my sh asked if i'd pulled everything out of compartments, including a baby pacifier, and i hadn't. goodness knows what the were looking for - i mean if i did have money etc i certainly would not leave it in my car! all i had in their was advil and they did not want that.
and the word is 'there' not 'their' - hate this one handed typing!
Wow, what a steppinig stone sleep overs are. My daughter is seven and usually tries to stay another night at her friends house, i know they are having fun, but the family is fun too right? oh wait maybe not as much fun as a kid your own age and a new family to play with... yeah it kinda hurts at first, and can take up to three hours for them to return to normal when you retrieve them. I can definitely relate there
i also had my car scavenged when we were living in east van (not a surprise compared to the suburbs in Sacramento) i had an expensive inverter stolen, something we use when at the farm int he middle of no electricity land to plug stuff in, it only takes once to be creeped out and protective about the car..
maybe if everyone who comments on your blog chipped in ten bucks we could all get you a decent camera for a gift, like the fourth child moving to india kind a gift? ya never know! I agree two photographers one camera not so easy
i'm definitley going to try the butternut soup my kids love butternut squash
It's a creepy feeling when you know someone's been through your stuff like that, even if nothing's missing.
Yes, you really are transitioning. But,I have to say, even for kids who have never lived so communally, other people's houses are almost ALWAYS better! Better toys, better house, nicer parents. Other People's Food, however, is highly suspicious. Until they actually try it, and then even their spaghetti is also SOOOO much better than yours.
And, ye, you're gonna need a camera for all of those cute new baby shots you're going to share with us! =)
You are all going through big changes - Little Kid A might've missed you more if he wasn't so secure...
not a bad thing, but hard on a mom.
I agree with blackbird. He is so secure at 5 he won't miss you.
My 5 yo girl is exactly the same. She was so hyped from her first sleepover when she had just turned five that I just let her sleepover again six months later.
My 7 yo boy, on the other hand, had his first sleepover just a couple of months ago. He did not feel prepared until then. Still, he did not miss me and wants to go on more.
I try to think it's because they're totally calm and secure. In the meantime I hug my almost 3 yo boy, who hasn't yet started sleeping over ;)
Marta from Lisbon