Hi

I wish I had something real to say. But I just want to say hi.

Today was my dear friend Rebecca's birthday. Did I call her? No, I spent my day cleaning out the girls' room, even under the bed. And repairing their plastic window that's been busted out some so it will stay cooler up there. But I love her more than I show her.

Which seems to be the case with most people. I miss you all, even though I don't let you know directly. I do pray for you as I know how. Bet your bottom dollar on that one.

I've also come to a tricky place in blogging. Maybe I'm just growing up, learning to keep private things private. But lately there are thought processes and learning experiences I don't feel free to share, although I would have to assume they are common struggles and if someone would just talk about them, we'd all be able to better encourage one another. Still, I'm going to keep my mouth shut for now.

We are considering moving the kids' rooms around. Right now all 4 of them are upstairs. Sarah Frances and Catherine share the room on the front of the house. Lillian (still in her crib although she climbs in and out at will) and Patrick are in the "playroom," tucked on either side of the half-wall that comes up in the middle of the room to protect them from falling down the stairwell. The play area is at the top of the stairs along with a full bath.

So we're thinking of giving up the classroom and moving Patrick downstairs. I don't think he'll like it at first--he's ALWAYS wanting to be with "the geels"--but I'd rather be early than too late on that move. And I expect he'll learn quickly to like having boy-only space. Then we'll move Lillian in with Catherine and put Sarah Frances where Patrick was, giving her a space tucked off to the side all her own to keep as neat and tidy as she likes. That will also free up Lillian's side of the room (a bit wider that P's) to be lined with all-girl stuff like a play kitchen, doll cradle, strollers, etc.

Not sure what that means exactly for school work. Plenty of people we know do it at the dining room table and move it all to eat everyday. We'll see. Just ready to re-organize and clean out again. And get Sarah Frances her own spot without allowing her to be entirely free from interacting with the others. And get Patrick downstairs. Tonight he wanted to read with us--me on the floor in the big girls' room with them in their beds--and I told him his daddy would come read BOY books to him vs. listening to a GIRL book about little girls selling soap. It took some convincing, I'll have to say.

Haven't I said before that the irony of teaching them to want to be together is that they want to be together all the time?? Poor Patrick. He's always the only boy. I'm glad we're finished, medically speaking, with kids b/c these days I'd really, really like him to have a brother.

There is a boy up the street, Sol, who Patrick loves. They are about 2 weeks apart in age and have only played together in our front yard 10 times, MAYBE, when he and his dad, David, walk their dog down the hill and toward our house. Yes, that's David and his son "Sol"oman. And they're practicing Jews. Funny! Anyway...Patrick loves Sol. Anytime we see them coming, Sol is ALWAYS dressed up head to toe as a super hero of sorts. Yesterday he was Buzz Lightyear. He's been Ironman before and Spiderman several times. P. runs to get on his Spidey costume and meets his friend out front to talk. And boy do they talk. About what we're having for dinner. What they played at school. And now about a new baby. WHAT?? Didn't even know they were pregnant (now I know why I haven't met Jen this summer if she's huge pregnant and doesn't want to take the dog and a 4yom for a walk and why we haven't seen them lately.) Keep reading...there's a sweet point coming... So yesterday we find out the baby is about 2 weeks old, and we bake them a banana nut bread. Patrick signed the note, addressed to Sol and family, and while we were waiting for the door to be answered, Jen's father drove up with a key. He said right away, "So this is the Patrick who lives down the street. Sol says that's Patrick's house every time we drive by."

My sweet boy is loved back! I about cried. I am so thankful for Sol. I hope one day I can meet Jen. We've wanted to have them over for dinner but just in the last 3 weeks found out where they lived. They always just appeared in front of the house on random days. No info was ever exchanged so we didn't know how to get in touch with them. It was Sol and his family that P wanted to have over for his bday dinner. But they are very private people. I still don't know if the baby's a boy or girl. Praying for openness and opportunities to love them well.

Which brings me to a closing point. Ever heard of or read Jerram Barr's book Learning Evangelism from Jesus? It's an amazing read. Amazing because so often our evangelism doesn't look like Jesus's did. Anyway...

Enough randomness. Really just wanted to say hi. Hope you're having a good summer too. :)