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Timothy is an awesome pianist. That is all for today.
Category: Adventurous kids
Party
It was simple, loud, tasty, and fun. My favorite part was showing Daniel’s Lego stop motion animation videos he made when he was ten. So funny.
These two were surrounded by other people who saw a camera and ran. A party for Daniel is not complete without some piano playing.
Other Daniel news HERE.
Eighteen
Nope. I still can’t write about this boy’s arrival in our family. It’s too tender and miraculous. He showed his strength and resilience even before he was born.
Strength and resilience are qualities that I still admire in Daniel.
A Change
With Mark in public school this year, I have noticed two big changes in my life. I don’t have to run everywhere I go, including through the house. I have time to walk. And, all I want to do is write, so I do.
Mark is so dear, and he is doing very well.
Senior Year
Oh, yes, I remember. This is how my heart feels during a child’s senior year of high school: squeezed, stretched, and anxious. I avoided it for a few weeks, but I have arrived at the tissue phase.
I have been working on compiling pictures of Daniel’s Scouting years so I can really wallow in the sweet agony.
Today’s journey through memory brings forth his collections, erudite vocabulary, his good leaders, a tiny blue cast for his leg, the homeschool years, desert views, piano playing, and speckled blue eyes.
A child’s influence is very powerful. Raising Daniel has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
Daniel’s Eagle Project
For Daniel’s Eagle project, we freed these teens who were locked in the nursery closet for several years. They had grown a few feet taller, and had survived on goldfish crackers and kept clean with hand sanitizer. They didn’t seem to be bored with the toys. They played happily with the cash register, farm toys, tools, puzzles and kitchen sets as we cleaned the area. The reunions with their parents were too precious to photograph.
The shelf installation went smoothly. Not pictured are many people who donated the materials for the project, and Daniel’s grandpa who helped him with a design and ideas. I feel very grateful for the support people showed Daniel.
A piece of cake and trips to Home Depot
Yesterday, my friend Janine brought Timothy a piece of chocolate cake to congratulate him on his piano solo played in church. Many others have cheered for him and congratulated him in other ways.
Daniel’s Eagle project is this week, and the doorbell keeps ringing with people coming by with supplies. So far, every person who has come by has asked how he or she could help more. Other people have heard about it and have taken time to inquire what else is needed. Weeks ago, my parents gave up an evening to help Daniel begin the planning and design of his project.
I am no stranger to seeing the generosity of our neighbors, whether it is for funerals, illnesses, moves, births, gatherings, or weddings. This week, though, we are the direct recipients of this generosity and my heart is touched. When your child stretches, or does something difficult or new, you just love the people who show up to help and encourage.
Church musical number
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Tim doesn’t crave the spotlight, but he has earned the right to be a performer, through one day of practice after another, year after year. I feel so very proud of him today.
Today’s ugly jobs
The eery sunrise through smoke in the air makes the day feel ominous. We have found the familiar indentations on the path for school routines: get up, make lunches, eat breakfast, pray, run out the door, leave Mom.
I have a morning without commitments. I wonder what I should do?
I will spare you the mountain of laundry that awaits and the loss I feel for my old occupation.
I have many other enjoyable things to do today. These are just the things I don’t want to do, and they will be finished in less than 30 minutes.
That’s the good thing about tasks at home. Many can be finished in minutes.
Kindness
Is there anything better than an older relative who spends time with you when you are little? Maybe they rescue you and help you get to shore; maybe they take time to play a child’s game, or dance with you when Grandma tells you it’s time to dance. I wish I knew how the kids learned to show such kindness and empathy. I like to think they learned it long before they came to us. I didn’t ask the kids to do these things. I really like seeing these photos of our kids being kind.