If Life is a Highway

What time is it: 618P though my eyes tell me they think it should be later

Where am I: Oklahoma Christian University library while C has tutoring; realizing I have likely spent more time here in the past month than all four years of school combined... though... in reality I was hardly on campus those four years which is a prerequisite to being in the library

Listening to: a girl desperately trying to explain to dad how to send a file to her school email since mom is not home to do it.  It's like that scene out of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Thoughts:  I've been spending a lot (A LOT) of time in the car lately and have two very odd thoughts to come of all this driving.

1- I honestly don't know what the speed limit is most of the time.  I don't know if space out between the stop light and the sign or if I'm checking the mirrors to change lanes or messing with kids or whatever (and no- I'm not texting, that's been saved for the long waits at the the stoplight) but whatever the time warp situation may occur, most of the way into the stretch of asphalt and I realize I have no clue what speed I should be going.  None.  And I have begun to think that they should put a courtesy "Hey Moron" speed limit sign somewhere in the middle of the mile for people like me. So as it stands I aim for 40.  Most of the time in Edmond that's either 5 over (and I pray for grace from the police) or 5 under (and I pray for understanding from the drivers around me).

2- When people are walking on the sidewalk near the road and I'm driving in the right-hand lane, I have this fear that they will trip and fall on to the road and I will have to suddenly swerve to miss them.  Which is why texting is relegated to stoplights.

Random Thought Thursday: Thankful

What time is it: 115P

Where am I: the lobby of a local business

Listening to: a person applying for a job speaking with someone about positions open. Getting the ins and outs of the business.

Thoughts: I'm waiting in the lobby while one of the kids has an appointment. Over the last month the main thing I've learned is to grab time as it comes. I'm still working (and working full time) but instead of sitting in my office to work, many times these days it's done from the front seat of the car as I wait in carpool lines or, like today, in random places when I'm able to pick up a wifi signal. Today, I'm thankful for unprotected wifi.

I woke up this morning thinking the day would be a series of one appointment to another. But my 10 o'clock (that was 30 minutes away and schedule exactly 30 minutes after ISH went to school) had to reschedule. Today I'm thankful for unexpected time.

I left piles of dishes used in preparation for dinner in the sink as I ran from home to this appointment. Today I'm thankful for LK who helps around the house making so much of my life possible.

What are you thankful for today?

Overheard

ISH (while holding up a cup to his ear): Listen! I hear the ocean. .... (pause while concentrates on the sound in the cup) ... must be a red flag day.
Me: Why's that bud?
ISH: I can't hear anyone playing in there.

ISH (while staring in awe at the genius of Phineas and Ferb): How do they get all that done in 104 days?  

Geo: They must be fast builders.

Transitions

Pardon my last few weeks of silence.  I have, in some ways, felt as though I've been standing on quick sand lately.  Moments of ever shifting, readjusting, trying to keep from sinking deep.  But the transitions are worth it for moments like the one I overheard yesterday as I was out with C and ISH.

ISH (to the kid playing with toys next to him): See that girl over there .... she's my sister.

What time is it: 1039P

Where am I: my bed. I love that my bed is actually in New House! Though it was a weird feeling to be closer to the ceiling than my month and a half on the air mattress provided.

Last ate: LK's and mine nightly hot drink, but if you don't count apple cider as "eaten" then dinner I guess.

Listening to: The Colbert Report

Thoughts: I have tons to finish between now and this time tomorrow. I must go to bed. So unfortunately there's not time or energy to go into the thoughts I have rattling around in my head. Thoughts about the absurdity of OK weather (it was 8 last week and 80 today). Thoughts this blog post put in my mind about the beauty of floating.  Thoughts on Geo's questions about death and "the box" (I didn't tell him mommy has no plans for the box- this body's going to science baby!). Thoughts on me trying to get back into a regular routine following the move here, C's move in, and the two weeks of snow.  Reflections on ISH's thoughts from today on super heros v Star Wars and his plan on how to passively fight "bad guys." Thoughts on how the last week has gone as we've enacted mandatory 5:30 news watching.

So instead, I'll leave you with this thought- I am very certain that at least once today each one of my children tried to talk while I was in the bathroom.  I guess the secret of that being mom's only alone time was a lie.

RTT: Mercy

At least I think it's Thursday.  It's been almost 2 weeks that kids have more or less been out of school and church has been canceled due to Snowklahoma that I can't really remember what day it is now.

What time is it: 851A

Where am I: in the lovely light-filled dining room that is now complete with FURNITURE!

Listening to: Johnny Test on the TV in the living room and Isa's toenails tapping on the window sill as she nervously surveys the comings and goings of squirrels.

Thoughts: We're settling in here with our new family dynamics, though we thought that two weeks in we'd have more school under our belt (than ZERO days) and a bit more of a routine together. However, C reminded me the other day that everything happens for a reason. And I think she's right because some good learning moments for all have come from hours upon hours of forced togetherness.

I'm immensely grateful to all of you who have texted, emailed, and called to give words of encouragement.  I cannot express how much that has meant to me.

We watched the Blind Side last night, C, LK and myself. It was everything I could do to not boo hoo my way through that one. Especially now.

I drove past a church on Tuesday whose sign read:

Blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy

And I smiled.  But it wasn't so much because I think that through my actions here I will be racking up some extra karma for the times when I'm unbearable.  And while I believe in some very real ways we will be shown mercy through some of what we're doing here, I think the main point of this is that because I have been shown mercy, I can't not be merciful.

C asked me once why we're doing this.  Why her, why now.

"Because I have God that has redeemed me, picked me up, and given me second chances," I said.

In other words, because I've been shown mercy.

Me and Jamie Lee

What is is with me that has me on the coldest day of the year

shearing my hair

Maybe I'll die it gray and pretend I'm Jamie Lee