Marc's Musings

Every Christmas morning, before open gifts, we pause to eat fresh scones and biscotti while listening to the Christmas story.

Our favorite is The Nativity by Julie Vivas. We got it years ago from one of my best friends from college and his wife. The text is the King James, poetic if a bit archaic. (My 9 year old son read it today. He kept saying, “Huh? They did what?” )

But the images. What images! Angels with bulky boots and huge, colorful wings. The faces of sheer awe, wonder, and delight. Wow!

This book definitely reminds us of what Christmas is really about and who the real gift of Christmas is.

Our kids crack us up.

Here’s how our grace went tonight.

9 year old son: Can I say grace?

My wife, knowing he was going to literally say the word “grace”: Only if you’ll pray, not just say “grace.”

Son: Ok, I’ll pray a real prayer.

We all bow our heads solemnly.

Son: Help.

[Pause]

Me, leaning over toward him: Would you care to expand on that?

Our 6 year old daughter, not missing a beat: Help…everybody!

We all busted out laughing.

And laughter is really the best prayer, isn’t it?

My father-in-law Guy stopped by the house today. I always enjoy visiting with Em’s parents. But visits can be a bit like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get.

At one point, we got to talking about our new kitten and helping her get used to our ways. Guy is really well versed in animal husbandry and horticulture, so I like hearing his take on things.

He said, “The best thing is to get them young and train them right.”

Then he looked at Em and said, “Just like Pitmans, huh?”

Apparently he’s well versed in husband‘s too!

We have a new kitten!! She came home from the humane society today.

Yesterday, she jumped in Em’s lap. But she chose to welcome me a bit differently!

It’s going to be fun getting used to her!

Playing with the kids this evening, I spotted a slug in the grass.

I called my son over and pointed it out with my toe.

Then I called my 6 year old daughter over. She looked at it too.

Finally I called my three year old over and pointed out the slug for her to see.

My son called me so I turned to see what he wanted. When I looked back, only a second or two later, I saw my youngest wiping off her foot.

Ew!

I love parenting. It’s the toughest job in the world. But then you get gems like the conversation we had today.

My 9 year-old son: I wasn’t cold today. I think it’s my new ipod. The ear phones were in my ears so they were working harder.

Me (a bit incredulously): Do you mean to say your “ear muscles” were working harder? And that muscle work made your head warmer?

Son: Yeah.

My wife (matter-of-factly): Ah…do you suppose it could have been because of the hood you were wearing?

I just baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies. But I think I used 1/4 cup less sugar than the recipe called for.

So I’ve been brainstorming ways to make them a bit sweeter now that they’re baked. My favorite so far is use them to make an ice cream sandwich.

What would you recommend?

My wife posted an exchange my three year old and I had last week. I suppose it is funny…if you’re not me. It all started with:

Sofia came into our room this morning while we were having our morning coffee.

“Daddy, are you staying home today?” Big eyes looking up hopefully.

Check out the results of this exchange at her blog in the post called Sugar Daddy.

Here are some pix from this a.m.

Would this be considered a “bear hug”?

This one had a chair instead of a basket!

The CMN Balloon

Looks like my family is under foot! This was a h-u-g-e dragon.

We got up early for a Saturday.

But it was worth it.

Emily’s got some stunning photos in her Great Falls Balloon Festival picasa gallery. 75 in fact!

A woman at work got a “tract” in a copy of “Diabetes for Dummies” she bought last night. Four of them in fact. She was happy to give one to me. (Fortunately she was trying to be nice, thinking I’d like it.)

It was ghastly. It looked like a $100 bill. On it was written “This is counterfeit but Jesus is the real thing” and “Jesus loves you.”

I tried to explaining it to my son today. I wanted to be generous in my explanation but I think he understood what I thought of it as I was told him about “people being afraid of actually living like Jesus in front of people so they hide behind pieces of paper that try to trick people into thinking about Jesus.”

I guess I didn’t hide my feelings on this one.

His comment said it all, “Dad, lying isn’t a good way to share Jesus…”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

And I fervently hope this foolishness ceases. I have a hard time thinking of Jesus saying, “They shall know you’re my disciples by your…tricks.”