Friday Funny

Just a little silliness for today - plus I have a funny story to share. I had dropped the kids off at a friend's house yesterday morning so I could go run errands. Well, when we were leaving there were two cop cars parked outside (investigating a call from someone across the street). Well, our son had run out of the house ahead of me, but then was half laying under the front of our car. I couldn't figure out what he was doing, but then he told me that he didn't want the police officers to find him and take him to jail. We had a little talk about how the police officers are our friends, and they keep us safe. And I don't think he needs to watch "Cops" with Daddy anymore :)

And by the way, our little man is turning 5 today!! It truly doesn't seem possible.

Could it be?!?

Awake, thou wintry earth

Fling off thy sadness!

Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth

Your ancient gladness!

~Thomas Blackburn, "An Easter Hymn"

Random Thoughts

Well, you can officially add "putting drops in a 3 year old's eyes" to my list of least favorites. Holy schnikees, that's a tough job! I'm not even sure how much medicine actually stayed in there after all the tears... but her eyes do look better today, so I'll take that as a good sign.

In other thrilling news, I'm going out with the other MOPS steering team members tonight. We're going to Melting Pot, and I know we'll have a ball. I also have my "Mommy Morning out" tomorrow, and among other things will be picking up paperwork to register our son for kindergarten. Can't believe it's that time already!! And I'll be stopping by Dunkin' Donuts for coffee, so at that point I think I'll officially be "over" yesterday's trauma ;)

So what else is going on? Well, I've just finished paying bills and marveling yet again how quickly the money is gone. With oil, food, etc. all going up we've had to make even more adjustments. I've read some interesting articles on the food shortage lately - it's a complex chain, but obviously fuel prices is a biggie. But then there is the increased usage of biofuels (ethanol production will supposedly account for 30% of US corn crops by 2010 according to the BBC), changing diets in Asian countries so increased demand for beef, etc. You can read this report from the World Bank, as well as articles from Time and CNN. Is anyone else seeing worldwide famine in the future? End times are coming, people!

And on the topic of end times, I'm actually starting to wonder if Oprah - or perhaps one of her favored teachers - is the antichrist in training. I know I'm being a bit flippant here, but seriously, have you been paying any attention to what's going on? I happened to get a couple free issues of her magazine, and was flipping through one this weekend. One article was entitled "A Million Ways to Save the World" and highlights some "earthshaking, world-fixing ideas" (author's terminology). There are some lovely ideas, including education, healthcare, and fighting sex trafficking. But then I got to the Arcus Foundation. "Arcus is a private foundation that aims to achieve social justic for gays and lesbians, and to ensure the conservation of great apes." I actually started laughing when I read this - all I could picture was those silly commercials that feature storefronts with odd pairings. You know, "back waxing and live bait." But this is completely serious - further quotes from the article: "When you see a chimp comfort another chimp in distress by putting his arm around him, it's obvious that empathy is not unique to people; it is an evolved, inherited trait. If we could recognize that we are profoundly part of the natural world, we would likely treat animals and the environment with more respect and care." And this is being touted by Oprah, and I'm sure that thousands and thousands are now oohing and ahhing over - not to mention financially supporting - this wonderful foundation. Blech.

And then there are the book choices. The Secret. The New Earth. Oprah "took God out of the box" and starting searching "beyond doctrine" and realized that Jesus came to raise our consciousness (check out this video - it's lousy quality but worth listening to) Oh, and are you ready to "unblock the awareness of love's presence" and open up all the power and joy of a deeper awareness in your life? Then listen to Marianne Williamson so you can "become your own Teacher, with your own path toward peace, wholeness and love." Welcome to the church of Oprah. Scary, scary times.

Can we catch a break?!?

Warning: pouting ahead.

I was very excited to go to MOPS this morning. We had a men's panel scheduled to answer questions (all submitted at the last meeting just so things were all set ahead of time). Drove up to the church (on a tire that needs replaced and should be delivered later this week), and as we were pulling into the lot, our son says, "Mom, A's eye looks kinda yellow to me." I look back, and yep, there's definitely some goop in the corner. I wipe it off but don't think too much of it... but 10 minutes later there's more goopage. After the analysis of a couple other more experienced moms, we agreed it probably was pinkeye and I shouldn't have her downstairs with the other kids, so I packed up and headed home. It's a special kind of torture to walk out of a building knowing there are tables laden with yummy food and fresh coffee - not to mention loving people who are actually willing to watch the kiddos while I kick back. I seriously wanted to stomp my feet as I was leaving. But of course I couldn't ('cuz you'd better believe that the kids wouldn't be allowed to do that!)

A very small blip on the big picture, but it stunk. So now I'm waiting for the pharmacy to call to say our prescription is ready. And I'm giving thanks for insurance.

Resurrection Day Finery

A few shots of the kiddos from yesterday - we had a very nice celebration at church, then a low key day at home.

By the way, I found a book at the library that I'd recommend for grade school kids: On That Easter Morning. It ends with a great line: The dark power of death was defeated. God's own love lit the world on that Easter Morning.

Our Redeemer Lives!!

Easter Accessory

So what will all the best-dressed kids be sporting tomorrow? Why, bruising from a broken nose, of course!

Yes, our daughter managed to do this while bouncing across the couch (NOT a parentally sanctioned activity) and crashed into the arm. She had a good cry, and we wondered whether she had broken her nose. Well, the bruising tells the story (and yes, the eyes are now starting to blacken so she'll look particularly lovely for service tomorrow). Thankfully it's not bothering her in the least, so we haven't even taken her to the doctor.

So much for my visions of a lovely family picture tomorrow :)

Friday Funny

May you all have a blessed Easter - and remember what it's really all about (even if dying eggs is lots of fun :)