This, That and the Other

This. . . is good:


My dear friend Zoey was in the O.C. for the day and our schedules actually lined up allowing for a nice lunch and coffee in the little town square area. I have known Zoey for a long time. Our lives do not intersect anymore so it is especially nice when we can manage a few hours together.

This. . . is not good:


My hair is going gray in the front, of course. I don't know how well you can see it in the picture but I think it is time for a little semi-permanent color.

That

Marley has finally learned to tie her shoes. We just never really thought to worry about it what with velcro straps and all. Finally I realized that she is just too big to keep asking her teachers to tie her shoes for her. Once we settled in and worked with her, it all went very quickly.

Of the three front teeth that she recently lost, it is the one that fell out last that is being replaced the fastest. My assumption is that this much larger tooth actually loosened the other two. There is simply not going to be enough room in her mouth for all the new teeth. Hello. . . Dr. Moon (Colin's orthodontist.)

Marley's reading is really coming along. I don't know what it is but when a kid learns to read it seems like a miracle to me. What an accomplishment to decode letters and turn them into words!

Colin seems to be adjusting well to high school. He has classes in English, Algebra, Computer Science, Biology, Spanish and P.E. Right now they are doing swimming in P.E. so you can imagine how lovely was the towel that returned to our home on Friday after a week in a locker. Friday nights now means football games and some independence from the dictators, um, I mean parents. Grandma and Grandpa B. are on a long road trip so Colin is in charge of plant watering for which he will be monetarily rewarded.

Paul had a quick overnighter to Chicago and catch up work at home. I'm not sure of his schedule over the next two weeks but later this month he heads back to D.C. to continue some classes related to his work. Because of his recent travel he hasn't worked too much on his music but hopefully there will be some time for that this month.

I am getting in the swing of parent participation for Marley's class. I will be coordinating field trips for the teachers as well as doing my twice a month room duty. I also will be exploring further the idea of getting an MS in Reading. I was supposed to meet with a graduate advisor last week but that has been postponed to this week. My CPAP therapy is going well and I am moving next to exercise in the improve my health plan.

We are enjoying our Disney passes. This year they have started having Halloween decorations up so we will go check those out this week. The Haunted Mansion has been closed every time we have gone and now it should be open. Colin really likes that attraction and hopefully Marley will too. Paul took her on the Indiana Jones ride last week and that was not a good time according to her!

and the Other

We are going through the gospel of John at church and today we were challenged to think about our identity in Christ. Our pastor used the example of Christ washing the disciples' feet to show us that because of Christ's confidence in his Father, he could serve in the most menial way without it taking away from who He is:

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist."

Lest we think we aren't worthy of God's love we were reminded that Jesus can clean up our life (John 13:8b). Also that He sets an example for us of what he wants us to do (John 13:15-16) Finally, in our serving, we show our love for God and others and in return, we are blessed (John 13:1; 17.)

I thought today about the focus of my life. With the sleep apnea, Paul's travel, and other aspects of life consuming me, am I looking to serve the world around me? I don't know that I have been paying enough attention to that lately. It is something for me to think about this week.