living in community and "About a Boy"

I have seen this movie enough that Joe and I use quotes from it as our daily-living-language. I enjoy Nick Hornby's writing, so I thought I would finally check out the book, since nearly 99% of the time the book is better than the movie, right?

It was interesting reading a book of a movie I knew so well. I wasn't sure it would keep my attention, but it did. The parts that weren't in the movie that the book had were interesting, but I can see that the screenplay writers kept the essence of the story and the characters very well in tact, which must be done in an adaptation since it's impossible to deliver all the details of a book in two hour movie limitation.

If you didn't know, the book is about a man, actually. Well, an adult male, named Will, who believes he is able to fully sustain himself without any need for relationships, except at the most shallow level. He basically has lived his adult life worshiping and serving himself. Then, through a egotistical (and comical when delivered on screen by Hugh Grant) plan to pick-up on single moms, he becomes connected to a pre-teen boy. Through this relationship somewhat forced upon him, his life becomes beautifully messy. He tries to fight against the complications of caring for others, but realizes that the clean, put-together life that he had been living was empty. And, to remain in that life with no passion, no hardship, no serving and caring, he was "kind of... blank".

What has drawn me to this story is the undeniable need we have for community and the undeniable desire we have to serve ourselves. As Christians, we are called to our own individual faith, but we cannot fully image God without being in community. Community, here, is defined as the social circles we associate in, where we serve and pour ourselves out for others. To truly live in community, you have to train yourself. I still fight my instincts of saying "no" because I just don't want to figure out how to serve someone, even a friend. However, serving others, sharing your life with them, as Paul writes to the Thessalonians, is how we can image God more fully. Since God in himself is three in one, in constant community with himself, by isolating ourselves because we worship ourselves and our comfort, we deny opportunities to grow in Christ by showing love for others and allowing them to show love to us. Committing to relationships is knowing that your life will get messy, be uncomfortable and probably difficult, but the rewards are greater, the joy is deeper and we grow closer to Christ because we can more easily recognize our need for him. May the Lord bless you with a messy life full of relationships that bring you closer to him.

hairs cut

I found this old post that I never published. I'm pretty sure it's over a year old, but it's fun for me to see how different the boys looked then. Now, when cutting hair, I get my game face on and do all three in a row. The most recent time, Joe helped and buzzed Leo and Tiz's hair. Not my favorite look, but much easier and faster. Oh, and I don't take pictures because it's all about moving fast, cleaning hair, distracting with whatever necessary, cleaning hair, wiping hair out of screaming mouths (looking at you Leo) and on and on... It is the only time I'm jealous of people who just have girls. Since Joe has stated he does not want our boys to have "Home Improvement" (remember that lovely show?) hair-cuts, and I agree, I do this crazy endeavor about every month and a half.

Luca's hair was getting quite long. Don't get me wrong, we think it looks pretty sweet that way, but I guess I've found that I am one of those moms who can't take it when the hair is in the eyes. (Something my mom would laugh at since I remember her wanting me to use a barrette for my bangs that were perpetually growing-out.) If it were constantly swept to the side, I wouldn't mind, but that's not reality, that's TV. Also, Luca's thick hair was getting a bit bushy in the back.

So, one night, I went for it. I didn't want to cut it too short, so I just used our scissors which are a notch above kitchen-drawer-scissors.

It's hard to make these kids look bad, however it is pretty obvious that I am learning.

Tizzy's hair is much more fine (got that from his mommy) and so it takes much less time to cut. However, because it's fine and straight (also from his mommy), you can see every little snip.

But, like I said, his cuteness shines through... even blurry.

 I thought about cutting Leo's, but after getting the older two done, I was done. So, it wasn't until this morning that I decided to trim those bangs of his that hit his lashes and the "side burns" that Joe keeps mentioning he'd be even more cute without.

Before: happy

After: not so sure.

 In my defense, he is eating. My friend suggested giving him something non-sticky to eat to keep his hands occupied while I cut. Brilliant!

I have to say, I love the longer hair, but I figure I should get the practice in before they're going to school. The great thing about hair is, it always grows back... for a while at least.

The Graveyard Book

So, I don't like to write too much about books because, if I recommend them, I hope that you become interested in reading them and I don't want to spoil it for you. Here is a great, quick read that I recommend. I found The Graveyard Book on a friend's goodreads list when I was looking for a book to put in Joe's Christmas stocking. He really liked it and couldn't wait for me to read it to so we could talk about it. I, too, enjoyed it. There's a bit of mystery to it, though each chapter is supposed to be a story in itself. Considering the title, it is not creepy or a thriller, though there are a few eerie parts. I was intrigued and entertained by all the different levels of life and death, comfort and longing, hope and despair that were illustrated in different characters and scenarios. Go get yourself a copy and hang on to it because you're kids will feel like they've discovered a treasure when they get to reading this.

If you're interested in learning more about the author, here is an interview.

hi, five

Back in September, Luca turned 5-years-old; back in November, I started writing this post.

I had been planning this birthday ever since he turned four because he seemed a bit sad he didn't get an actual party for his fourth, but only a super awesome trip on a ferry boat with his family where he got a toy... I mean, I'm not holding it against him or anything. Really, I wanted him to feel loved for his birthday. So, I thought of all of the things he enjoys and decided to try to incorporate them into his birthday fun (within reason).

He seriously loves animals and is like an animal encyclopedia. In fact, I checked out DK's Animal Encyclopedia from the library and he was constantly "reading" it. So, when he woke up on his birthday I had DK's Nature Encyclopedia wrapped up and waiting for him on the table. I didn't want to get him the same one as the one we had been checking out at the library because it kind of seemed like giving him a book he already had, though we don't technically have it. 

 

On the actual day of his birthday, we went to the zoo. Joe ended up having the day off so we could take a little longer than we usually do. We go to the zoo often because we have a family pass, but Luca is always up for it. 

 

The Zoomasium (yes, that is what it's actually called) has a play area for kids of all ages to run around and climb, but they happen to have these cool toys that all the boys liked playing with. I forget the name of them, but they have all these animals pieces so you can either put together a normal zebra or some hideous eagle-cheetah-fish-bug. (If you live in Seattle, they said they sell them at Top Ten Toys in Greenwood, but when I looked for them at Christmas time they were sold out, of course.)

     

Well, here is the star of the show, Bush Baby. If you have never heard of a bush baby, you're not alone. Everyone asks Luca what it is wherever he goes because Bush Baby (yes, he named him Bush Baby) soon became a constant companion. It was such a surprise that he responded like this considering none of our boys have every really been attached to any stuffed animal or blanket or anything. So, here is my five-year-old and his good friend.

Perhaps you know bush babies by their other name, Galagos? No? Well, in case you were wondering they live in central Africa, are primates, live in trees and are known for their big eyes that make them look like babies even after they are in adulthood, hence the name.


We even sewed a stocking for Bush Baby. Not only does Luca love animals, but he loves crafts. After seeing me work on Leo's stocking, the wanted to make one for his little friend. We used animals that I had already cut out years ago for baby quilts that I never made. And, yes, Luca did actually help with the sewing- by machine and by hand. I mean, I certainly helped, but the layout and everything is his design. He pinned them on and we did two different kinds of stitches to put them on.

The loop to hang it has Bush Baby on it, in case you forgot who it belonged to. It was a fun project to do together, though it did make me exercise patience, gentleness and having self-control about wanting to be in control.

 

Bush Baby even made it into one of the pictures I used for our Christmas cards. If you got one, you were probably wondering what that ratty little tail was attached to.  Now you know.

 Luca wanted this photograph in the card because it was a better picture of Bush Baby, but I had to decide: Does this card need more Bush Baby, or more Leo and Tiz?

Five is fun. Luca makes a lot of things fun; he gets that from his dad. He is busy, but he does crazy things like draw for 30 minutes on different pieces of paper then tape them together to make a "book" and tie something around it as a small gift to me. He says insane things like, "Mom, I haven't worked on my letters in a while, maybe we can do that?" Sure sometimes he's kind of stalling so he doesn't have to rest on the couch while the little guys nap, but sometimes he really just wants to work on his letters. I am constantly amazed at the gift that God has given me in Luca. It takes a decent amount of energy to keep up with him, and sometimes I don't do it joyfully, but it really delights me to see the unveiling of who God has made him to be: artistic, creative, gentle, a peacemaker, funny and smart.

To wrap up the birthday event, we did have an actual party for Luca with both sides of our family. I kind of stay away from themes and what not for various reasons, but mainly I thought of what would Luca like most? Family, especially his boy cousins, and cake were the main things came to mind. I made a Lego cake that went horribly wrong, but thankfully, with Joe's help and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, I was able to chillax and remember what really matters. It was a very large and lovely time that I didn't document at all because I just enjoyed visiting... oh, and I was kind of feeding 20ish people.

Thank you Jesus for giving me five amazing years with Luca.