Born of Light.

I am run-over-by-a-truck tired.
I have a cold.
I got a couple of movies.
Bill's at the brother's meeting.
Kids are in bed.
I wish I could be creative.
I might try after a bath.
A bath makes a lot of difference in one's outlook.

So anyway, I did this page. I "shopped" the photo, and thought the result was pretty good. It reminded me that I am someone who is part of two realms. And look at what the eternal portion is- light and sight.
The time portion? Kinda splotchy, except for the eyes, which retain the light of eternity- the sight of Jesus Christ in all things! A reminder that I am "made for another world" (CS Lewis)
I read that excerpt from the book Child of the Sea and it rang so true, as much of her writing does. Since you probably can't read it, and I want you to, here it is:

I try to hear the echo of a song they have brought from far and sing within themselves all the while they chatter nonsense, and to catch on their faces a glimpse of what they will be at their journeys end. Sometimes on first waking I have found myself with a singing rising up all round me but before I have understood the words the thread has broken and it has vanished. And that glimpse, it comes like light on a face and then it is gone, but if you have once seen it I do not think you could ever dislike the face it visited; not even if that face afterwards became evil. I think that evil is not immortal but that the light is.

Random Scrappy Stuff.

I got my two peas order in and WOAH.

Two words. Free Style.
In the name of all that is cool, get it now.
I have strong feelings about this book.
AND it's got Em, Geniveve, and Ashley Calder in it. You girls- it's AWESOME.
AND Ashley Wren AND Kelli Crowe.

Once again, WOAH.

I designed the mini kit for good to the last crop this month, and it is rather appealing, if I do say so myself. It's 7 Gypsies, cause we all know how I feel about the bohemians. The large kit is BG Hang 10, and it is packed with goodness. You really should check it out, and then you should order it.

I just have to send more love toward Emily Falconbridge. I appreciate her for so many things, not the least of which is a pathway to Bec, who's every comment is a delight, and who's art is very soulish and cool. BTW, Bec, that last comment about the Chili's cups? I felt that was a launch into the recognition of sisterhood. Yup. You and me. Same page.

Michelle is KILLING me. She absolutely cracks me up.

Here's a thought. I have a conundrum about "friendships" and blogging and message boards. I have several people who I now absolutely consider my friends, and I have never met them or even spoken to them. There are others who I think it might be stretching a bit to say they are "friends" but I have very friend-ish feelings towards them, stronger feelings than saying "aquaintances." Any thoughts about this? Who do you consider your friends? How do you determine it? And don't forget to check out the kits!!!

Yes, Amber Skolnick, you are an influence.

It's NOT tag.

I just liked it. And I know I said "nurse story" and "report on the Easter festivites" (which Bill did if you are just dying to hear about it.) But Alison did this thing, and I liked it, so I'm gonna do it too.

1. Never in my life: Have I ridden in a convertable.

2. The one person who can drive me nuts, but then can always manage to make me smile: Anyone living with me.

3. High School was: at home.

4. When I'm nervous: I yawn.

5. My hair: Is growing out, and dark blonde.

6. When I was 5: My foot got stuck in an escalator.

7. Last Christmas: Was too long ago to remember clearly. oh yeah. Photo printer, Leap pads and leapsters, PSE, and Gumbo.

8. When I turn my head left, I see: The antique post office sorter with all my junk stashed in it.

9. I should be: Cleaning Emma's room.

10. When I look down I see: A ratty looking tile floor that needs re-doing.

11. The craziest recent event was: Some patient stuff that is better left un-remembered.

12. If I were a character on Friends I'd be: Chandler. (Bill and I talked about this one. He said Rachel, but only because I'm not a hippy and not a control freak. I chose chandler.)

13. I have a hard time understanding: The appeal of tv shows about crime. (I'm so with you on that one, Ali-girl.)

14. Take my advice: Stand in the middle of the escalator step when wearing rubber soled shoes.

15. My ideal breakfast is: out. preferably huge.

16. If you visit the place I grew up: You might as well visit me now. There's nothing to see there.

17. If you spend the night at my house: Bill will tell you "If you need anything in the night, come and get me and I'll tell you how to live without it."

18. I'd stop my wedding if: It needed to be stopped.

19. The world could do without: Ridiculous gas prices.

20. Most recent thing you've bought yourself: A meal at sonic.

21. Most recent thing someone else bought for you:Mom got me a pair of capris.

22. My favorite blonde is: All my sisters and mom.

23. My favorite brunette is: Bill.

24. The last time I was drunk was: A long time ago

25. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds are: Ostriches. They got jyped.

26. I shouldn't have been: so careless with myself.

27. Last night I: Watched our wedding video with Bill and the kids. Saw our best man who died six months later. Heard him sing.
Saw how confident and happy I was. Never more sure of anything in my life.

28. There's this girl I know who: I quote just about daily, and miss her daily. Chook.

29: I don't know: if you realize how long this takes. I've been at it for 30 minutes.

An Easter Photo Egg-stravaganza!!!!

The journalling says: As we were coloring easter eggs, I said, "Smile, Bo!" and you held up the wax crayon in front of your nose and said: "symmetry."

It's just too bad we don't eat at Chili's very often and never bring home the kids meal cups. (!!!)

Random Launch into a Thought.

What's really funny today is Emma lip sinc-ing to Les Miserables. Very hilarious. VERY dramatic. And when she got the Spanish cd in the Chick-fil-a kids meal, she said "I alweady Feak Fanish."

What's not really funny is me trying on about a million (ok 10) dresses and finding not a one that I like. Are there any cute dresses out there that don't either have a plunging neckline or make me look like an oompa loompa? (gene wilder not johnny depp, and btw, Alison, not so much.)

The answer is a resounding "no."
So I will go to the Easter Feast in something old. Unless the miraculous happens in about 2 days.

This easter feast. It's dinner on Saturday night. The guys have planned it. It is our take on the Lord's Supper, which traditionally has not been much of a celebration, or much more than a ritual. We are going to celebrate! We are going to sing and share and eat and be really happy about who He is and what He's done! I'm so excited about it!!

Bo and Bill are off on Friday. That's cool. We'll probably color easter eggs.

There are alot of depressed people out there. Old and young. Living in your neighborhood. Some of them have great reason to be, and some don't, but the misery is the same.

Having said that, I'm no therapist. But I see these people often. One thing I'm really grateful for is that I have enough experience with it now to NOT say to them- you should just choose to be happy, or think of your blessings, or chin up, or stiff upper lip, or pull yourself up by your bootstraps. I'm grateful that I have enough experience to joke with people about those things. To make them smile at the ridiculous notion that they could just will themselves to be happy.

And I'm grateful that I made it through. But I can't guarantee that they will. I can let them know that there is another side, and that I want them to reach it, and help them find the way to get there. But it's hard.

Life really is. I dare you to interview 10 random people and not find trouble. It's par for the course.

Does all this sound really pessimistic?
Can you deny it?

For me, it's even further reason to write stuff down. Remember the good. Mark the moments that are rich. Hold on to the Life you find. Secret the happiness away deep inside so you can recall it when you need it. Speak it over and over until it's planted in your heart. Stop and absorb the moment, and make it part of your history.

Oh, how rich the happiness is when it finally dawns after a long, cold night.

Seasons.

Thank you Lord. You are each one.

I'm really glad it's spring.

Blessed.

Cheap Date Stamps from Leave Memories. Quote is from the book "Annie Rose is My Little Sister"

Another Super.

So I'm home today with Mr. Conjunctivitis, AKA The Pink Eye. It's amazing how you can see your kids, and not see them. I talked to him at breakfast, brushed his hair, helped him pick out clothes, took him to school, turned around to say "goodbye and be a good boy" when I saw it. The pink, yellow-crusted right eye of doom. So we drove on through the horse-shoe, and he wasn't shedding any tears over that. And now we have had a very average day at home, not going anywhere, not feeling bad, just hanging out with the computer, the TV, the legos, playing "Shark Mother and Father" you know, the usual. Except for the eye that I feel compelled to look at every 30 minutes or so. Yep, still pink.

Bo (The Pink Eye) went out to get the mail, and I heard him shouting "thank you" a couple of times to the mailman. He came back inside with the mail, which included a package containing Emma's Easter Dress. (the blue with the bunnies! We love it, Susie!! Thank you!) Then this kid (The Pink Eye) says "Mama, everytime I go out to get the mail, I say 'thank you' to that mail man, and he says 'thank you' to me, and that gives me a warm welcome inside."