blessed beyond measure

What do you do when faced with ninety-degree temperatures, high humidity, a cracked up kiddie pool, a well far too shallow for sprinkler-usage, and two whiny yet charming boys who insist on staying outside? You fill a gallon pitcher with water, rustle up some cups and pans, and set the two little ones to pouring. Under strict warning that when the water in the pitcher is gone, it's gone. And proceed to watch your firstborn oh-so-carefully avoiding the overflow mark on any vessel, and always always keeping his cups inside the pan so as to catch any water that may accidentally spill, so it can be reused. And proceed to watch your second child pour a cup of water on the not-clean concrete and then go facedown to try and drink it from the puddle. Nice, Aden. Finally, after almost an hour of blissful sit-relatively-still entertainment, take it upon yourself to astound and utterly delight your ankle-biters by chasing them around, flicking and pouring the water left in the pi...

I'm going to make the least shocking admission ever made by any human being. You can call me Captain Obvious. I'm rather an indoor girl. Now that you've not had to pick your jaw up off the floor, I must at least halfway qualify that statement. Yes, I do have very fond memories of playing outside as a kid. Loved to play softball, swing, ride my bike, swim, at times stroll through the woods (ignorant of animal dangers ever-present so deep in the country), and even (gasp) camp out on occasion with my dad. Very fond memories indeed. And even now as a boring old grown-up, when the mood hits me right I still love to swing and swim and take walks and feel the grass against my bare feet. Play ball with my boys. Sit outside on a peaceful evening, feel the breeze and be lulled into half-consciousness by the tree frogs, watch the last streaks of light fade from the sky. Yes, I like these things. What I don't like...is bugs. I know, I know, they're good and they f...

We call him Trey. A complicated fellow. Sweet, but oh so complicated. A little genius. Yes, I said it. Reading on a second grade level. Soaking up the learning. Loving every minute of it. Afraid. Not sure what of. Neither us nor him. Only falls asleep with the big light on. Can't stand being alone. Or playing alone. Still trying to develop an imagination. Loves being a helper. Can care for his brother. Almost like a third parent. Yelling and all. Is learning to ask forgiveness. And for God's strength to not mess up. Looks forward to heaven. Goes mute around unfamiliar people. Would bury his head in the sand if he could. Has fallen in love with baseball. Has quite the arm. Bats left-handed. Isn't left-handed. Promises he will play team sports. Maybe next year. Still has food allergy reactions. And asthma attacks. Dances. A lot. Still can't tie his shoes. Loves his grandparents and his Nene. So very much. Has a strange relati...