"Any Reasonable Person"

James sent me the following newspaper clipping image by email today.




This reminds me of an interview in our city newspaper where the president of the local chapter of the Federation of Republican Woman was asked to name her favorite American president. There in black-and-white, her answer read "Benjamin Franklin".


Finally, someone posted this link on a homeschool discussion board today.

Merely a Flesh Wound

Overheard yesterday morning:

"Logan is showing me that he loves me by torturing me," explained Sophie as Logan hooked his finger in her lower lip.

Read aloud during family worship:

"Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh," read from Philippians 3 by James who then yelped as Logan bit his leg.

Logan's Latest Learning:

• Have you seen his "pump action" creeping in the videos in my sidebar? He pulls himself forward with his arms, pushing with his left toes, while his right leg pumps up and down. I really hope the child learns how to crawl for real at some point.
• Turning the light switch on and off while I'm changing his diaper.
  
• Clapping
• Waving
• Pursing his little lips continually as if to whistle. (Reminds me of Evan who did the same thing at this age, but really did whistle in and out!)
• He lights up when we sing "The Lord Will Light My Candle" and copies some of the hand motions.

The Agony and the Ecstasy

...and the throwing up continued all through Tuesday night. The boys' room became Matthew's sick room and Evan slept on the floor of Sophie's room in a sleeping bag (an adventure for him.) School yesterday consisted of one long read aloud interspersed with Evan running through his piano pieces. I gave Matthew some coke syrup and ginger tea to sip slowly (not at the same time ~ yuk!) for the nausea which worked until 3:30 pm when his fever soared, his stomach revolted again, and he said that the room was spinning. Tylenol and a lukewarm bath helped bring down his fever some.

Evan's practicing during the day did not seem to bode well. Wrong notes popped up where all had been smooth and steady before while the tempo careened erratically. It seemed like Evan was quarrelling with the instrument and the sullen look on his face made me think he was losing the fight.

Evan's friend Caleb called to let him know that he and his parents would be attending the piano performance that evening to hear Evan play. Before Evan hung up the phone, he exclaimed, "Oh No! They are all coming!" I told him that I sure hoped that Caleb had not heard that little outburst before he had hung up on his end!

Aunt Beth graciously upheld her offer to babysit for us while we attended the competition in spite of the sickness. At the rec center, Evan warmed up on a rinky-dink piano in an entryway while other competitors stared at him through the glass doors. His confidence and steadiness returned to my relief.

During the competition, two other pianists played prior to Evan. After each performance, we sat whispering during the three minutes of silence while the four judges recorded their scores and comments. Evan said that his stomach felt queasy from nerves while he waited. I leaned over and whispered to him, "Three minutes seems like a long time!"

"Contestant #106"
During Evan's performance and following, I beamed from ear to ear. I was so thrilled and pleased that he did a good job and enjoyed the experience himself.

James noted to me later that Evan had the biggest "fan section" in the room. Evan's grandma, friends Cheryl and Michaela from church, and Caleb's family sat with us. We appreciated their interest and support!

Early this morning, James received a phone call from Evan's piano teacher saying that Evan placed in the top three out of fourteen finalists in the beginner division and will receive an award at the final recital!

Snippets

An Actual Conversation At Our House Today:


"Mom, can 3 go into 11?"


"No."


"I wish it did, because then the answer to this problem would be right."


An Actual Product Available At Our Local Grocery Store:

Yes, I'm going dairy free for now as well as gluten-free permanently. This chocolate is actually good.


The Wait is Killing Me:


Not really. But I seem to be thinking more about Evan's upcoming piano performance than Evan himself. Of course, he is a ten year old boy!


This past weekend, we attended a seminar at our church and Evan played his pieces for the attendees. I was thrilled that he performed them nearly flawlessly under pressure. (He bowed when he was done and ran out of the room while people were still clapping.) I hope he plays that well this week!

Update

Thank you, friends, for your concern and prayers while I've been ill.   My health problems seem to be caused partly by a postpartum hormonal shift and partly by gluten intolerance.   I'm still not feeling 100%, but I have been sleeping better in the past week which certainly makes life more pleasant.

I've always felt sorry for people with weird dietary restrictions, but now I'm in the club.  Someone asked me via email if I have celiac-sprue.  I will probably never know the answer to that, because I don't intend to get a biopsy of my short intestine to find out.   A lab report confirmed that I am intolerant to gluten which means that I have antibodies in my body against gluten.  The only solution is an immediate and permanent gluten-free diet so that the antibodies don't start attacking and damaging my body (if they haven't already).    This is not as easy as just not eating wheat.  Unfortunately gluten is in many foods and under many disguises so that I will have to become a conscientious label checker.

Thankfully, the meals I typically cook for my family are easily converted to gluten-free.   My sister-in-law has already been down the gf path and has already answered many questions.

Yesterday, my kids asked why some cereal that I bought was called "Mighty Good Hot Cereal."  "To try and make people feel better about it being gluten free," I replied.  Actually, along with my eggs in the morning, I have replaced my usual oatmeal with  brown rice with raisins, cinnamon and applesauce.  It's a lot better than the "Mighty Good" cereal!

In other news, Evan got past the first audition for the piano competition.  One night this next week, he is scheduled to play on stage before judges and an audience.  He says that he is not nervous, but we will see when the time comes.   Please pray that he handles the pressure well.  Thanks!

I opened a free account with Dropshots.com to upload some videos.  You can find the link to watch them in my sidebar, if you like.  One of them is of Logan jamming to the music of Evan's piano practice which you can hear in the background.  Of course, you can also hear our dying dishwasher which we didn't think to turn off. 

The Pause in My Posting

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1: 2-4

I haven't been feeling well which puts a damper on cheerful posting. I'm learning to submit myself to what God has for me at this time. Feeling sick and frustrated physically is like getting turned to face a mirror so that I can see my own sins and shortcoming more clearly and where I need to trust and obey God more in my life. I also have been praying more for others, some who are suffering more deeply.
Please pray for me.