Fashion Sense

The other day Mike and I went out for dinner together. It has been a few months since we went out ALL BY OURSELVES and so I was eagerly anticipating it. I went into our bedroom to get dressed and an evil thought inserted itself into my brain. I looked down at my oh-so-comfortable grey sweatpants. They weren't exactly stylish, but they didn't have an elastic band at the ankle so they weren't completely outdated. The thought flickered: Could I wear these pants with a nice shirt and get away with it? I entertained the idea for about ten seconds; then I was filled with horror. Sweatpants??? Going out for dinner in... sweatpants??? I hadn't gone out in months and here I was ready to trot off in my slightly too tight sweatpants. It can only be another sign of impending fuddy-duddy hood. In the end I put on my black dress pants and was glad I did so...

There Was a Girl. Fifteen Years Old: An Adoption Story

I just read this absolutely beautiful story this morning (got it off of Tim Challies' blog). Take a minute to read it!
http://reformation21.org/blog/2011/04/there-was-a-girl-fifteen-years.php

Bird Tales

Well, Bluebell has been with us for a few weeks now. I have to confess that I like him for the most part. However, I have to continually fight against feeling guilty whenever I look at him; is he getting enough attention? Are we gone too long during the day? etc. But I have managed to get the little guy (or girl - haven't figured out the sex yet) on my finger. In fact, he loves to climb onto my hand and have me rub his neck. I was doing just the thing today and he was enjoying himself immensely. I decided that things were proceeding in a satisfactory way and thought it was time to introduce him (just briefly, of course), to the world outside his cage. I intended to hold him tightly in my hand and just give him a peep and then slip him back into his cage. He was comfortably tucked into my hand and I ever so carefully lifted him outside of his cage. I think he was outside of his cage for .5 seconds when FWOOOOOSH, out he slipped, and into the world. He flapped wildly around my kitchen, me ducking, then around and around in circles from the dining room into the kitchen. Then the great outdoors beckoned but the patio door wasn't open. BONK! He hit the window and fell to the ground a little dazed. Seeing my opportunity, I reached for him and was left with a hand full of every single one of his tail feathers. Now I have a rather ridiculous-bird flapping around my kitchen with nary a tail feather. Thankfully,I suddenly remembered a vital piece of information - something having to do with a sheet. That's it! I tossed the sheet over his head as he perched on my cabinets, and I finally caught my bird. I now have a rather disgraced little bird that glares at me from his cage. So far, he hasn't let me near him without pecking me. Perhaps I deserve it!

Little Girls and Their Birthdays....

Jules has been talking about her birthday lately. I haven't encouraged it, seeing that it's still a month away, but how in the world do you get little girls to NOT talk about their birthdays? Seeing birthdays occur to other people on a regular basis simple adds to the whole drama of the upcoming day. Juliet thinks something miraculous is going to happen to her when the magical day arrives. This morning she announced while clutching some books, that "when I have my birthday, I will be bigger, and I will be able to read big words and read this book." Hmmm, hate to break it to you kid, but it ain't happening. Of course, I don't have the heart to be so unkind as to tell her the truth but simply offer some vague comments. "Well, you never know, Jules." Juliet is convinced she'll also be a great deal taller. "Well, Juliet, maybe!" And so it goes. But all this birthday talk means.... birthday cake. Remember my dilemma last year? The so called "Party-Hat Cake" which everyone thought was a "Lighthouse"? I just don't think I'm cut out for this decorating cake business. Something to do with patience, I believe. Maybe I'll just decorate some cupcakes this year....and make my famous ice-cream cake.