New Haircut

Reunited at Last

This week a good friend of mine came home after a long separation. I didn't realize quite how much I missed her until we were together again. Then a lifetime of memories and emotions came flooding back. My friend was my therapist for many years - especially helping me sort through the tumultuous emotions that accompanied my teen years. How many of my tears have fallen on her? Too many to count. I learned dedication and discipline from time spent with my friend. I was sometimes frustrated after our time together, but I was always drawn back for more.

My friend lived in my parents' house most of my growing up years, so we knew each other well. But she was kind of a "foster" to our family; the original family just wasn't in a place to give the her the care and space she needed. A few years ago I was a bit heartbroken when the grandkids of the original family decided it was time for my friend to move in with them. After so many years? How can you take her away - all the way across the country? My pangs of sadness were accompanied by splashes of guilt since I hadn't spent much time with her since I moved out. Isn't that how we are sometimes? We take friends for granted.

Recently, though, the original family grandkids asked Allan and I if we would now take my friend into our home as "fosters"; they will be leaving the country and it really isn't reasonable to take her along. Of course! Of course! So yesterday my friend came home. Getting her settled into this house was not an easy task, but it was well worth the pain and even some temporary damage. It was a joy to introduce Trinity to my friend. I was very surprised when she and I were able to pick up pretty much right where we left off. Good friendships are like that.

We had a really nice 4th of July. Having it on Wednesday was a nice bonus since it made it seem like we only had a two-day work week!

First we enjoyed going to see Ratatouille, the newest Pixar creation. My expectations were pretty low going into it - I mean, how good could a movie be that highlights a rat chef? It was really, really cute! It was a nice, pleasant movie that our whole family could enjoy together.

We spent the evening at the Outlaw family's annual celebration. After a fire destroyed their home out in the boon-docks north of Washougal last year, they got their place rebuilt just in time for the 4th party. Their fireworks display was as good as many town fireworks shows! The highlight of the day for me was getting to hang out with Lezlie, my dear childhood friend. She's more lovely than ever. It was special to watch our two daughters, born just one day apart, shyly and sweetly get acquainted.

Connorisms

After Connor was to be in bed for a while, he came to the living room and sat down beside me.

Mom, I need to talk to you. I need to give you a hug and a kiss. You need to clean out the fireplace. And this living room needs to be picked up. And the stuff on the table needs to be put away. "I think you need to go back to bed Connor." You need to move the whole fireplace. "The whole fireplace?" Yes. And you need to change this lamp so that when I touch the pole it turns off and on. "Goodnight Connor." Goodnight!

I asked Connor to pick up a cup he had dropped from his car seat to the floor of the car.

I'm not available to do that right now.

When trying to choose a cartoon to watch with one of our interns:

This is the love show! I hate love!!

As our Life Group and the interns were gathered in our living room, Connor came running through, obviously in need of the "facilities" and announcing that he had to wait a long time while they went for a walk. Then, of course with the door wide open to the bathroom, we hear a flush and:

That was a good pee!

When discussing with my kids whom they would choose to marry:

I'm going to marry Michal. She said so! She said that if I don't marry her she won't give me any candy!

Transcribed by his Sunday school teacher on a picture Connor drew:

I love my mommy so much my brain hurts!