Normals

Just another average day.  Daddy is home from his conference and we are all trying to get back into "normal".  That is one thing I have learned since you two arrived in my life. There are many versions of normal and all of them are acceptable.

Right now Robert, you are napping.  I have so far switched toys out for you (I keep some toys in different places throughout the house and occasionally move them around).  I brought up some things from the basement that you haven't seen in a while and hopefully these will entertain you.  I have also picked apart a chicken, cleaned the kitchen, made black beans and rice and done  load of laundry.  I try to get things done while you sleep so when you are awake I can play with you.  Of course we still do chores together.  These days you like having a cloth of your own to follow along and help.  This morning you actually emptied the laundry hamper into a laundry basket.  I hope these helpful urges continue.  Harry, you never really did those things.  It is amazing to me how different you two can be and how similar at the same time.

I have started this blog hoping that someday you can look at this and read about what life was like growing up.  My mother died over 2 years ago now.  Harry you may perhaps remember Mimi, but Robert she was gone by the time you were born.  Right after Mimi died, Harry, you used to say that when you were six (which seemed very old to you then), you would get your superpowers and fly up to heaven and bring Mimi back to Grampy. It was a wonderful idea and full of your typically generous heart.  Unfortunately, we will have to wait for Mimi until we all meet God face to face.

At any rate, I miss my mom, some days more than others.  I understand now how much she must have missed having a mom when she was raising Jessica and I (she was 8 & 11 when her parents died).  There are so many things I would like to ask her.  Sometimes you ask me about something and I can't remember, but I know that mom would.  So maybe this will give you somewhere to look, if I manage to be somewhat diligent.  I will also try my hardest not to embarass you.

So what is life like in general?  Well, we are a clergy family, which means that we take our Christianity seriously.  I don't believe that since your dad is a priest that means we should be more serious Christians than others, but there is a common misconception out there that this is true.  As with any Christian, my faith and belief in God is a serious commitment for me.  When I was baptised and again when I was confirmed I promised to do my best to follow Jesus and the Christian faith.  God comes first in my life and your father's life, but family is a close second.  I have learned so much about the love of God since becoming  mother.  I think I could have learned that without becoming a mother, but it sure helped me figure out what love, sacrifice and giving are all about.

So how does being Christian make us different?  Well we pray.  We say grace and bedtime prayers wherever we may be eating or sleeping.  We also pray at other times during the day.  We try to be loving and caring and to see God working in the world.  One of my mantras is that I will always try to remember that every soul I meet is fighting his or her own battle, so I need to be gentle and loving in how I treat them.  I wish I could say that I am always successful, but I at least try.

What else is life like in this house?  Right now it is a busy, loud place. You are both active boys and you are both talkers.  Harry at six you have an amazing imagination and vocabulary.  I think you only spend about 1/2 your time with us, because the other half is spent spinning some adventure. Robert, you are just learning to talk, but you are practicing all the time now. I don't always understand you, but you seem to be learning a word a day right now.  You make lots of noise babbling, humming and singing. Your dad and I are more quiet (although I have learned to yell in the past few years, just to be heard).  My favorite relaxation is a cup of tea and a good book.  I also like to get moving - playing tennis or working out at the gym.  Your dad loves the chance to lie on the couch and watch one of his teams or to go play a round of golf. 

Like most people our life centers around a school/work schedule.  Since dad works on Sundays, his days off are Friday and Saturday.  I try to save one of those days for no chores, but that doesn't always work.  Being a stay at home parent is a privilege, but more work than I would have expected.  Robert is too little for school, but Harry you are now a first grader. 

I have always been a long letter writer, but I think I should probably end here.  That gives you a window into life and I will be telling more as the days and weeks go on.