Fast Forward

I've been a little behind in updating life with the Willingham's. So I'll have to give you the quick version of the last 6 weeks. I hope the pictures help.

In absolutely no order (because it's more fun that way).. This weekend we met the parentals and sib at Leando Plantation for Civil War days. Here are the menfolk with the cannon. Large guns make them very happy.

My boys like to play X-box together. I guess it's like building houses or working the fields in the old days. They talk, strategize, and Dad gets to give some wonderful life lessons in the process (The lesson this day was "Don't choke your brother. He's the only one you're gonna get".)

Halloween happened on time. Here are the boys right before trick or treating. Ryan went all Cheap-O Ninja. Josh was a pirate. I hope we are maybe leaving the days of those store bought costumes that hang around forever. Josh lost his eye patch 10 minutes before it was time to leave, so I had to draw it in. We never have found it.

Here are some close ups of their pumpkin designs. Ryan did a little ghost.

Josh wanted a scary pumpkin. Are you trembling in your boots yet? I know my hand was trembling from carving out those teeth. And I won't show you what it was supposed to look like! :)

This is the Anal One sorting his Halloween Haul. It made him happy, and me too. At least I'm not the only one!

Ryan's birthday was fun. I can't believe he is 10. He is such a great guy. I can definitely say he is well on his way to being a wonderful man, even if it hurts a bit to say it out loud because I'm not ready for that life change.

Nothing brings brothers together like cake and ice cream. I enjoy every moment of harmony I can get!

And that's the fast forward of the last 6 weeks. We've been busy, and blessed in so many ways. As we head into Thanksgiving, I can't wait to see what God has in store.

What I've been up to

It's been a bit since I posted pics.. Here is what I've been doing..

This was the dessert table for Chris's 40th Birthday Party. Faith and the boys did a great job with arranging the pies and making it festive. And it tasted good too!

Here are the party people! Our good friends and family. What a blessing they are!

Then, we spent the week in sorry and grief. The death of a young friend and the ensuing support of his family. His service was on Friday. And his dad shared the eulogy! I can't imagine doing what he did. He honestly and truly share the joy that was John's life without forgetting about the hard parts. Then he boldly and sensitively share the gospel with a room full of people who don't know Jesus. And what they know of His people isn't the best.

I also got to take part in the annual Storybook Parade on Friday! A little early this year, but a total success.

If pirates were this cute, I'd surely join up! Ryan was a minion from the movie Despicable Me and I didn't get a picture. He seems ok with this. Since he really wanted to be a ninja, but gave in to pressure to join the rest of the 4th grade. And my team was...

Yep, the Wizard of Oz. My favorite character was the tornado.. see her behind the house! We laughed all through the school. Faith made my scarcrow costume and it was a winner!

So yeah, I've been rather busy. Chris is on the fall youth retreat this weekend and I'm home with the boys. We are heading to the park... Life is good and I am blessed.

RIP

You know that phone call that parents NEVER want to get? The one from the hospital saying we think we have your boy? Yeah, that call. A good friend got that call this week. His son is dead. And so the week goes.

Death of a young person is so tragic. Even more so when everyone could see it coming. I'm not speaking ill of the dead. It was common knowledge. He struggled with substance abuse, had been diagnosed with HIV, and lived life without looking toward tomorrow.  It doesn't mean we love him less. I think I loved him more. Because he was a wad of untapped potential. He had a heart of kindness and a mind that was quick. And he was desperately in need of self esteem that no one could give him. For some reason, he couldn't accept that when Jesus died for him, it was a life encompassing acceptance.  Though he had committed his life to Christ as a young teen, he didn't live as I understand life for Christ to be lived.

We all look for understanding and reasons in this time. "God took him home". "He would have wanted to go that way, without being sick." "His work on earth was done." "That's what you get when you drive erratically down the freeway." "The devil took a good one." Ehh, all those platitudes seem to fall flat for me. I don't know that they are untrue. But they don't make it hurt less. And we don't know God's reasons.

Perhaps his life can be a tale of caution and warning to young people. Perhaps some will seek Christ through his family's testimony. I guess all we can pray and hope for is that his life was not lived in vain and that good will come from this tragedy.

RIP John. You will be missed.

LOST.. and then found

So, while tackling Mt. Laundry on the couch at the end of our bed, I uncovered some artifacts. Several nice pens from Christmas. Thank again Aunt Penney. One Day I will figure out how and why to use a fountain pen and then I can truly appreciate it. I found several belts. Mine and Chris's. They were leftovers from summer shorts we had bought. We aren't really belt people.

And then I hit the Mother Lode! It was one of those plastic storage bins full of maternity clothes and baby clothes and pre-baby clothes of an undisclosed size. Super fun and some charity's windfall! Ok, my stuff isn't that great. I don't even pretend that. But maybe someone can use it. And now I can see that the couch is green and rather comfy. Perhaps it's time for a good book.. yeah.

FALL!

I just wanted to scream it really loud.. ok.... ready.... FFFAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!

I don't sweat when I walk outside. The mosquitoes are smaller than oranges, finally. Squirrels hurl green acorns from treetops for their gang initiations.  Everyone who has one rides their loud rumbly stinky motorcycle everywhere I am going. I laugh at their choices of attire. btw.. tank tops and low rise jeans are not a smart choice.. two words.. road rash.. nuff said... creepy tacky halloween items abound. children whine for the costume that is nowhere to be found. and I am filled with a sense of awe and joy at the glory of our beautiful world. Thanks God, for autumn. And lots of other stuff too.

Hummmphhh! Grrrrrr! and WTF was he thinking!!!!

We got some bad news last night about some actions taken by a family member, and it made me wonder why families care so deeply about a monetary inheritance from their parents. Do people really think they are owed money when their parents are gone, or even before then??? Then I got mad and wondered how in God's name professed believers of Christ could possibly put money ahead of their family.  How can they live for over 40 years with grudges and hate and smile and say that they live for Christ? Two faced, double minded thinking that revolves solely around what I want and what I think I deserve is truly a mark of our Enemy. And he is rejoicing right now. That lead me to sigh inwardly in deep sadness at how right the world is about how wrong Christians are when they forget who they are living for. And how obvious it is to those who live around them that they are not just unkind, but selfish and mean and vengeful and hatefilled. And years of prayer and sharing and life lived to show the glory of God to unbelieving family can be wiped out by the selfish act of a fellow believer. By this time my brow was furrowed and I was in royal funk about the way people treat the elderly who are the parents that raised them or their spouse! And that got me all mad again. I was in bed by 9:30 because I was tired out.

Not gonna share the details here but sometimes family sucks and I can't wait to go and shine some light and spread some compassion on family who has been wronged.

Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and now...

A conversation after school.....

Mom: So Josh, where is your water bottle? (he constantly leaves it at school)

Josh: Well, um, Mom, ya know the desk fairy? (She visits neat desks in 1st grade and gives little treats. She has never visited Josh and he is taking it personally. He hasn't figured out that she only visits the neat desks) Well, I figured she'd be thirsty tonight so I left it on my desk for her to get a drink.


And here I thought he was just being careless again. Nope, he really was being thoughtful and considerate to that poor desk fairy.

Boys will be boys

This afternoon has been a real treat. While I am bone weary and ready for a nice glass of wine, I have enjoyed my time with the boys.

Son 1 has his friend over for an afterschool "play date". Well, his mom is a teacher and had a Parent Info Night, so the lucky guy has become a Willingham for about 5 hours. After an extra hour and a half at the school where they managed to play on the playground, make a mess in my classroom, annoy half of my team with their Loud Boy Ways, we headed home. Once there we did homework and the fun began.

Nerf War has been eagerly anticipated. For weeks. It's been all they can talk about. So, after "setting up" for 25 minutes, they shot each other for about 30 seconds before the first gun jammed. I learned a lot about my Son 1 in this process. He is a bossy boss. He has volume control issues. He wouldn't be my friend if I was a 3rd grade girl. But none of this is news to me. His true colors just shine through! And I love him for all he is. And he does make a great son.

We then went to a pizza buffet place. Nothing like all you can eat cheap pizza to make everyone happy.

AFter that, home for some X-Box Halo. Nothing says "Dude, you are such a friend" like blowing them away during a video game.

The MOM is coming to pick up soon. Then some peace and quiet.. But maybe one more round of Nerf War where Mommy plays....