Merry Christmas 2008

 

Recently our little guy found that he fits in his toy basket. . . . 

 

Merry Christmas to all!

Helper Boy

We’ve had snow.  We’ve had a lot of snow.  Good thing the little guy likes to shovel.  He’s got his work cut out for him!  Yesterday we took him out to help Todd.  He did a complete face plant in the snow.  I thought that we would be DONE with snow.  NOPE, he was more mad that I wanted him to go in than the snow down his jacket!  He shook it off and got back to his project!!

 

 

Headed to the neighbors walkway!

Just so you know. .

IF you have ever asked yourself “self, I wonder if my credit/debit card would work if I washed and dryed it”. . .

 

I have gone ahead and done that (to save you the time and effort) the answer is.. . . . (drum roll please) 

 

YES. . your credit/debit card will work after being washed and dried.  

I hope you’ll sleep better knowing this important fact. . .

Weird.

A few weeks ago I realized that I’d lost a ring of mine.  Earlier in the day I had noticed it was really loose (it was a cold day).   I knew I had it in the car on my way home from being out so I knew that it was somewhere in my house, I thought it was in the car, but I kept forgetting to look.  

Fast forward to yesterday. . . as I was getting ready in the morning I thought about that ring, I hadn’t thought of it, but I knew I needed to look for it. . . and I didn’t, I forgot (that happens with a Toddler!)  So later that day I was throwing away an empty box of crackers,  as I reached in to get the last cracker I opened my hand and. . . you’ll never believe it, IN my hand, from the bottom of the cracker box, was the ring!! 

 

How weird is that??

 

First Snow

We woke up this morning to the first snow fall of the season. . . 

 

Lessons From Dr. Drew

I’m not sure how we got into, “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew”. . but Todd and I are total fans.  We Tivo it and watch it every week.  Hollywood and Rehab are totally not my “scenes”, but this show is a really interesting and thought provoking look at the power of addiction, the power of words, and the power of listening.

Celebrity Rehab, for those of you who may not be in the “know” is a documentary of 30 days of detox and rehab.  The “stars” of the show are, well, “C list celebrities” (IE: people I’ve never heard of, singers, past contestants on American Idol, models, child-hood stars etc.) Regardless, they found some measure of fame and all the trappings that go with it, including lots of money and access to alcohol and drugs.   Dr. Drew I guess is famous for his call-in “love advice” show on the radio?  (again, I’m so out of everything).  Dr. Drew is the real deal though.  He’s quality. 

The world of addiction is far from my frame of reference.  But, I know that it’s a reality for so many (famous of not) that I feel like it’s good to get an understanding of what addiction is and what a powerful hold it can claim on it’s victims. (This is my excuse and justification for watching. . . . but I think it’s good!

Todd and I were catching up on a couple of episodes last night and it hit me, the power of the 12 step process, and the whole “rehab” experience for these people are the counselors (including Dr. Drew) who listen so actively and completely to whatever the patient may be saying.  They take everything seriously, but not too seriously.   Dr. Drew demonstrates (to me anyway) the power of being present with people.   He is constantly validating how people are feeling, even if their feelings about a situation/person etc. might be wrong or misguided he always allows them the dignity of their perspective AND he requires they give his feelings, thoughts, the same dignity and respect.   It’s such a great example of good communication.  

Thursdays on VH1, check it out! (Next week Dr. Drew has to talk “Shifty” (some wrapper  (I think it’s rapper. . just to show how clueless I really am!!) dude) off the roof!! (There is a bit of drama mixed in with the excellent example of communication and listening, they do have to get ratings. . .

 

AND. . as I re-read what I just wrote, isn’t a good listener the medicine that we all need, addicted or not? 

What’s the Point?

My little brother (the lawyer), turns out he is a really smart guy!  We’ve been talking a lot this week about and opportunity/challenge that we have.  Several times I’ve called him with “Will, what about. . . ” to which the wise young one replies, “What is the issue that you are trying to address. . . ” (a more eloquent way of saying, “so what’s your point?”)

I should back up.  My mom has a white board next to the phone and for as long as I can remember in blue marker across the top of the board my dad’s cell phone number (and boy is there a story to go along with that, but I’ll save that, let’s just say, don’t go copying that number when you stop by to visit!) and “What’s the point?”  She keeps it there because it’s a really good question to ask, or at least keep in mind.   I learned the value of “So what’s the point” in my MA program.  One evening we spent 45 minutes in groups solving one of those “If you were shipwrecked what items would you keep” type of problems.  We were all working hard to use all of our leadership/group/collaborations skills (It was a Group Dynamics and Collaborative Leadership class) at the end of the time it turned out the whole lesson was about the very first question that we should have asked (and no one did). . which was “What’s the point?”   It turned out half the people in my group were working under the assumption that we were working to get rescued.  The other half of the group was working under the assumption that we were going to have to survive without rescue. You come to different solutions depending upon the assumptions you are working under.  The point was, we need to clarify “What’s the point” with our group before we got started.  It was a big lesson.  Be clear on the purpose before you get started, while you are working and when you finish.  

My brother reminded me of that lesson again this week when he kept asking me, “What are you trying to do?”  Turns out most of the time I had too big of a solution for the problem, or a good solution, for another problem.  I’ve long been told it’s not about the answers, rather it’s about the questions.  This week I’ve seen again the power of a good question, and sometimes it is as simple as, “So what’s your point?”

 

His point is to push the wagon. . . little one's are pretty clear on their points!!

Worth-The-Wait Chocolate Chip Cookies. . . Really

I LOVE a good chocolate chip cookie.  I’ve hardly met one I don’t like.  This is hands down my favorite, I will probably stop looking for or trying anything else. . it’s perfection.  I know it’s good because Todd, who isn’t really into sweets. . was caught on more than one occasion eating one from the freezer.  It has some rather odd twists, but go with it and you won’t be sad. . .

And bonus is little one year olds who can walk. . love the chocolate chip bags to play with!! (as demonstrated in the photo above.  The first photo is to convince you to make your own batch, you know you want too!!)

Let me know how they turn out. (P.S. I wasn’t able to find the BIG chips, but I did find the Giardelli chips in the brown bag.  I used cake flour, I don’t know if it matters, but I followed the recipe as written. . even down to the salt, and that step should NOT be skipped. trust me!)

Follow this link to find your new favorite cookie (and other fun stuff too!)

Step By Step. . .

Our little guy has been taking his first unassisted steps.  (Where did my little baby go?) It’s caused me to do some reflection on steps and walking.  The first night after he had taken a number of steps (like four in a row!) I rocked him to sleep and found myself praying for all the steps his life will hold.  For really, steps will define and shape his life. 

He will walk into grand adventures, building forts in the dry creek behind our home. . .

and maybe going on safari in Kenya, or climbing a mountain or a walk-about in Europe. 

His steps will lead him into trouble and challenges too. (which I shudder to think about!) 

 

There is always that one last step that ends us up where we end up.  That final step from the airport to the airplane for a year of adventures and growth in China or Timbuktu.  That last step into a car with friends on a misadventure that ends in trouble.  Right now my little boy’s steps are filled and characterized by pauses.  There is a long pause when he starts, while he gains his balance and gets his orientation.  I hope that while not physically, but spiritually and mentally, there will always be that pause in his steps.  A moment of wise and careful reflection before that next step.  (a mommy can hope right?)

 

As I watch him learn to walk, I see all of the many components that make up taking a single step.  There is balance, direction, confidence, strength.  When we get good at walking (or taking steps) we forget about all that we must do.  While my little boy is little and learning. . I pray that with each and every step he takes in life that balance. . that understanding of what and how much he can handle will always be in his view.  That his direction will be one that honors God and himself. That he will always have a right view and understanding of who he is and that surveyed confidence (not cockiness) will lead. And that his strength (or better yet reliance on God’s strenght) will sustain him in all the adventures and challenges he faces.

 

Suddenly that Rich Mullins song I have always loved has more meaning.

 

“. . . Step by Step you’ll lead me. . .

And I will follow you all of my days. . ”

Observing the Culture. . .

Yesterday at the grocery store I had one of those moments like you see on TV or in the movies. . .that moment where the actor looks around and suddenly notices something similar, or amiss, or peculiar everywhere.  . .

Or maybe it was one of those moments where you walk into a room and you realize you missed the memo that said it was a costume party, or formal, or informal. . .

Yesterday was “game day” in Boise.  Which apparently means Bronco Blue and Orange attire is required.  Everyone (it seemed) was wearing Blue and Orange, “This is my Game Day Shirt” was popular.  I looked down and my plain jeans and black hoodie sweatshirt and felt like I missed the memo or under-dressed for the party. . .

I’d better get use to it becaue blue and orange just aren’t my colors!!