sam theology

we're a little concerned about sam's theology and understanding of Christmas.

last year kate and he would play out the manger scene, complete with a baby Jesus. they couldn't find a doll around the house, so they went with a stuffed penguin. "Baby Jesus" penguin was carefully laid in the manger as they played every day.

this past saturday runner boy and sam went to a big box home improvement store. they noticed some of the Christmas decorations were up and sam was fascinated. he saw the big blow up decorations for the yard--one of which was a penguin. sam saw it and yelled, "LOOK its BABY JESUS!!!"

runnin' a marathon

if you are going to run a marathon, you need a few things...

first, you need a runner...take Runner Boy for example. make sure this runner has trained alot, guzzled gallons of sport drink and can eat a sports gel on the run...oh yeah, this runner needs to take alot of anti-inflammatory medication.

now, if the anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) just don't work, try the B.R.A.S.H. hospital. that's the Brooks Running Athlete Support Hospital. they can fix your problems...

...just ask Klinger...few people are aware of Klinger's running expertise.

every runner needs to have lots of running clothes. when it's 35 degrees at race time, a guy can't have enough stuff to wear. watching said runner decide what to wear is as agonizing process as a woman choosing her wedding dress.

and the runner has to try on all the possible combinations of high tech clothing...

so the runner has to have a place to decide what will work.

then you need a few more things...


fluid...fluid is very good. you just can't get enough of it on the course...

...while the runner is pounding across 26.2 miles of pavement, it helps to have some good scenery...

remember all those clothes that the runner agonized about wearing...well, here they are...clothes were strewn all of the course.

now these are the guys you don't want to meet at the finish line...(this runner was fine...just very tired.)


when the runners see this up ahead they start humming Sweet Home Alabama and lock their eyes on the finish...

...and they cross that finish line...stop their race watches...and get their medals.

Runner Boy did so well. he trained hard, kept his eye on the goal and gutted it out at the end.

that's my man...

26.2

This past weekend we went here...

for Runner Boy to chase after these gentlemen...

I am proud of Runner Boy. He's tough.

i'm big now.

now that she's 5, sometimes i let kate walk in the parking lot without holding my hand.

this makes me sad.

she's happy because it makes her feel like she's a "big girl" now.

but, it's a reminder that she's growing up. she still loves to cuddle and hang out, but i love her little hand tucked in mine.

*********

so she went for her 5 year old well child exam today.

she's now 34 pounds and 40 1/4 inches tall.

after 4 shots, she was a little sad and clung to me like a koala to a tree.

i held her tight and let her bury her little face in my arm.

*********

after a power nap we headed to gymnastics.

she bounced her way around the gym like a playground ball.

as i picked her up from class, her instructor said to me, "with her, you may invest enough money that you'll own half this gym. don't pressure her...let her have fun...but she's a natural."

on the way home kate says, "when can i go be with the big girls at the gym?"

i said, "if you keep going with gymnastics and you like it, you can be with the big girls someday."

the reply: "i like gymnastics and i want to get good."

...as long as i can still hold you little hand...and cuddle...and you let me hold me when you hurt...

just stuck...

Parenting is a unique experience. I'm not sure if there is anything else that causes such a wide range of emotions...in a single day. For example, today was one of those days. Moments of joy, frustration, pride, shock and disgust. It was one of those days when the best chilled white wine couldn't have made it better.

Sam is constipated. stopped. full of bricks. unwilling to move. making diamonds.

it's miserable. for him. me. runner boy. kate.

We've been to the m.d., called the m.d., tried the m.d.'s suggestion and yet, he's unmoved.

Here's the recipe:

Add copious amounts of mir*a*lax to food and drink. Wait. Add more fluid to gut. Wait 24 hours. Check results. If negative yield, go to step 2.

Step 2) Add a pellet of glycerin to bum. Allow pellet to come to body temperature and check results. If no luck, consult kiddie m.d.

Step 3) Convince child that parent is "here to help" and add enema to posterior colonic outlet. Assure miserable child that it hurts you more than them...stuff guilty feelings down because this will make child more comfortable and fix the problem.

Step 4) Mop up vomit resulting from child being stuffed with pooh, and reach for more mir*a*lax.

Step 5) Speed dial m.d.

Step 6) Peruse the entire Rx aisle for solutions. Notice gummy fruit chews that expedite food through the gut. (Parent now assured that this multifaceted approach--enema, suppository, mir*a*lax and gummy chews will to the trick.)

Parent offers Sam fruity gummy laxative treat upon arriving home. Sam flatly rejects offer. Kate immediately inhales one and poops 2 hours later.

Step 7) Speed dial m.d.

Step 8) Take it to the next level. Chocolate ex*lax this time. Am told this is a trick of the experts. Sam likes chocolate--should be great--I could hear the flushing in my mind.

Parent offers yummy chocolate to Sam. "I noooo whannnn it..." he whines. Kate pipes up with..."Chocolate? can I have some?" like a fly on...well...poop.

Step 9) Think outside the box...time for a specialist. Make appointment with the "constipation and reflux evaluation" clinic at local kiddies medical center.

After about a week of this, we are tired and Sam is so uncomfortable. Tonight he cried a little and just put his little arm around my neck and held on. What conflicting emotions...frustration with the circumstances and yet so grateful that this little dude is part of our lives. I savored those moments with his arm holding me close, thanked God and asked form a little more help.

night time prayers...

every night we ask the kids who they would

like to pray for...

tonight was no different...

Parent: "Sam who would you like to pray for?"

Sam: "aaah, everybody and God"

(...i'm sure He appreciates the thought, but from what i hear, He's got it all together...)

Parent: "Kate, who would you like to pray for?

Kate: "Pascal (our cat). Dear Jesus, help us to have a good night-night an' good sleepies. Help Sammy to not pull on Pascal's tail and chase him. Amen"

i gotta question...

Kate: "So ahhh, when God made light, did He just say, "Please, can there be light? or did He yell?"