Grateful 2012:March Edition

Princess & Ano. Brainless activities. Becky. Laughing. Letter from Melissa - I've missed her. Opportunities to conquer fears. My M's. A warm day. Peanut butter pie. Office time. Fruit pizza. Another warm day. M's sayings. Time to just sit. Fried chicken. Getting my head rubbed. Knitting with wine. Practicing grace. Extra time with my guys. A safe flight. Jessie & Gunnar. Swap meet discoveries with Jessie. Butternut squash ravioli. Joshua tree. Camping. Time with family. Chai tea. Salad and cookies. A hot shower. Coming home. Our bed. Cuddling with M. Time to talk. Warmth. Bottle of hard cider. Purposefulness. Encouragement. M coming home. Kissing M goodnight. Healthy food. A full table. Discovering passion fruit. Students. Lunch outside. Beautiful weather. Walks with the guys. Sharing my passions. Buds on the trees. Jon. A new fridge that works! Prayerful friends. Felicia. Forts. Thai pizza. Walks. Beautiful weather again! Tim Wise. The least of these. Challenges. Reminders why I do my job. Leftovers. The Shepard Symposium and connections made. Colleen. My emotions - even if it means I cry every day. Old sames. Colleen. Thrift stores.

Do I Look Suspicious?

I recently turned 5 and can't wait to be 6.

I like soccer, dinosaurs, dancing, space, camping and my dog Sundance.

When I grow up I want to be a doctor, geologist, and superhero so I can help people.

Lots of people tell my Aba and Ena how little and cute they think I am.

But someday I will be big.

And someday someone may see me as suspicious.

Do I look suspicious to you?

Please don't let racism and discrimination determine how you view me or any other young man.

Still Pondering...

An Injustice

I am sure that you have heard about the young teen that was shot in Florida by a neighborhood watch captain.

I can't get this story out of my mind.

It saddens me that there is enough fear in our world that has lead us to something like this.

That there is still racism.

That there are still people who think Zimmerman's actions are justified.

Some say this isn't an act of racism, but rather an act of self-defense. I want to know how feeling suscpicious about a black man walking down the street with a hoodie up isn't a form of racism? Why is it that some of us have the privilege of wearing a hoodie without suspicion while others do not?

It sickens me and scares me that we may need to have conversations with our son once he is no longer in his "cute little boy stage" about the assumptions people may make about him and how he will need to respond to these assumptions.

May this tragedy bring with it a movement toward justice.....

Super Sized

Spring Break!

We headed out to San Diego for our spring break and it was wonderful! As always, it was great to Jessie and Gunnar, hang out in their cute little abode, explore the area, hunt for treasures at the swap meet (one of my personal favorites), and eat lots of delicious food.

We headed to the Science museum Sunday afternoon and it might be hard to determine who had more fun; 4 adults or the little man....

Monday we headed out to Joshua tree for a couple of days of camping and hiking (just what our family needs after a cold winter).

Before we left San Diego we made a quick stop at the ocean and were able to see lots of seals. M. did much better with the ocean this time around!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

M and I were having a conversation after dinner tonight which lead me to become quite emotional.

As I sat holding him a tear slid down my cheek.

He looked at me with worried eyes and promptly placed his head on my chest to listen to my heart.

Sitting back up he said, "Your heart is so sad sounding. We should cheer it up!"

A Beautiful Day

to play ball!!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

M was on a roll today...

This morning he crawled into the laundry basket and then said,

"I'm baby Jesus."

"You're baby Jesus?"

"Yeah! But not the baby Jesus that has to die. Just the Jesus that helps people."

Then as I was driving him to school...

"Mom, did you know we are beans?!?"

"Beans?"

"Yeah! Listen, human beans!"

Pondering

Pondering Fasting and Feasting which was posted by my lovely friend.

So much to fast from and feast on instead.

M's 1st Ski Experience

Fighting for Sudan

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy