January 2008 Archives

*Sigh*. Since Monday morning I have logged over 70 hours at work (not counting commute time). Everything that could go wrong this week did, and we had a full week of production planned. Grrr. I was a horrible husband and father this week. At least I was able to come home early today. It was mild here in St. Louis and I got to play outside with the 4 oldest kids for over an hour. I'm beat.

To end the week on a high note, I filed my tax returns this evening. Once again the government is subsidizing my lifestyle choices. If that changes, I won't sweat it. In the mean time, I really appreciate our tax system and the way it benefits me. I'm getting more back on the normal tax filing than I will if this week's proposed tax rebate comes through. It's not for lack of trying, though. I have done everything I know how to do to reduce my payroll deduction, but with the child tax credit (read: subsidy) the government would have to pay me each month to keep me from getting a refund. Meh.

I was finally able to connect with a very good friend this week. We were born 4 months apart and have been buddies our whole lives. He and his wonderful wife are headed to an undisclosed African nation to minister to the Muslim community in said country. It is an exciting opportunity and we are blessed to be able to support them.

I have had lots to blog about over the past couple of weeks, but not much time due to work. I'll get these posts out eventually. Yeah, right. :)

We had a scare at church today. I was just getting ready to walk out the door with all five children (actually, we were already standing outside) when a car came careening through the parking lot we were about to cross and swerved into the lawn about 30 feet from us. I had no idea what was going on but I grabbed all the kids (except for the 2yo who was still inside behind me) and pulled them back toward the door. I turned back around in time to see the car circle back around, run over a large tree stump, veer back into the parking lot, and then keep turning back into the lawn whereupon it struck a large pine tree head-on and stopped (obviously). In its first circle the car struck a utility pole and as a result there was a phone line on the ground and a power line hanging dangerously low.

The driver was the wonderful elderly woman who always sits in the row behind us. We don't know what happened but my guess is she must have had a mini-stroke and lost control of her vehicle as she was pulling out. The miracle is that there was no one in the parking lot when it all happened (the car was moving at about 40 mph in my estimation) and there was only one other vehicle damaged, but not badly enough to render it unable to function. I followed the tire tracks and rubber marks around and she had missed several other vehicles literally by less than 6 inches.

The dear woman was quite shaken up and of course we called the ambulance and she was taken to the hospital. Her airbags had gone off and that seemed to be what bothered her the most. A woman who was visiting the church today just happened to be a nurse and knew exactly how to care for her before the paramedics arrived (hmm, quite the coincidence, wouldn't you say?).

Once the shock was over, it took me a little while to realize how close we came to being injured. If any one of the children had run out into the parking lot ahead of me instead of obediently waiting for me. . .if it had happened 10 seconds later when we were all in the middle of the parking lot. . .well, I wouldn't be writing this right now. I don't have anything profound to say in conclusion. I am profoundly grateful for the mercy of God this day and also for your prayers to join with ours for our sister Pearl as the doctors care for her.

Jamie and I have been watching "The Ten Commandments" recently (it has taken us 2 nights so far -- it is a long movie!) thanks to Blockbuster Total Access. It's the kind of movie that (A) Hollywood doesn't make anymore and (B) one wouldn't find in a rental store.

At any rate, last night we made it to the Passover scene before my tired, pregnant wife had to call it quits for the night. I stayed up a few minutes later reviewing our finances, as I am wont to do.

Shortly after Jamie got into bed, I heard the door to the boys' room open. No big deal, because one or another of them often comes out to use the restroom after being tucked in. The hardest part is training them *not* to inform us every time -- they know where the bathroom is, they know what to do, so it doesn't require our permission or our involvement. Or so my thinking went.

At any rate, I didn't even look up until I heard footsteps out on the Pergo floor of our great room -- nowhere near the bathroom. Like a moth, the 4yo was drawn to the light of a lamp that had not been turned off yet. The trouble was, he really did need to be in the bathroom. He was clearly not awake, either. I called his name several times, and the only response was "oh, oh" and a little pee-pee dance. I still wasn't sure what was going on, so I put down the laptop and ran over to him just in time to see him pulling his pajama pants down with the desk squarely in his sights.

I yelled "wait, let's go to the potty first!" and grabbed him by both arms with the intent of getting him there first, but once the fresh air hit him it was all over. And boy did he have to go. The puddle was at least 2 feet in diameter. Fortunately I got there in time to redirect him from the desk to the middle of the floor. But he kept dancing while he was doing his business, and managed to soak his pants along with the floor.

It was one of those times that I've come to learn to accept and enjoy. Even if he had gotten the carpet or the desk, it still would have been hilarious. I was gasping with laughter the whole time while trying not to make him feel bad in the process. As I remarked to Jamie when everything was cleaned up, if everyone had kids like ours no one would care about watching television. Nothing you can see there is as exciting or enjoyable or entertaining as living life in our family.

I am an American. I believe in the free and civil exchange of ideas; in public discourse as a means of determining policy and social governance. I believe that all people are created equal, and should be given every opportunity to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I believe that of all the countries of the world, America is the best place to live because it is founded on, and for the most part governed by, principles that include the ones I've listed above.

It is still sometimes a shock to me when I come across, in public discourse, someone who sees the world so very differently from me. An American who supposedly shares my beliefs, but whose worldview is at its core so different from mine that it may as well be from someone living on another planet. Such is the case with the author of a recent New York Times op-ed, Gloria Steinem.

If you don't want to suffer through the whole diatribe, I'll summarize for you: the results of the Iowa caucuses (this article was written before the New Hampshire primary) proves that women are still discriminated against in every way possible, it's better to have a different color skin than to be a woman, and men are pigs.

Of course, the results of the New Hampshire primary make Steinem's essay look foolish and short-sighted. But even more, she comes across (to me) as bitter and hateful. She implies that women who don't vote for Hillary are traitors to their gender because they "hope to deny or escape the sexual caste system." The way she writes, it seems clear to me that the way of interacting my wife and I have chosen is anathema to Steinem. If we think we are both happy, then we must be in denial. If my wife prefers to stay at home and raise children, it can only be because she doesn't realize how oppressive her condition is. (Jamie, in Steinem's mind, must be incredibly deluded since she sees the freedom to stay home as a blessing, not a curse).

Whatever else Steinem may be -- right or wrong in her judgments, depending on where you stand -- she isn't tolerant of me and my ilk. Which is just fine with me. All the more reason not to vote for Hillary. I'm glad I live in a country where I'm free to take or leave other people's ideas about how to live my life. I know it cuts both ways, but all in all, I think it's a good deal.

Best blessings and wishes to all for a growth-full and edifying new year! We are especially excited about this coming year as we will by the Lord's good, pleasing, and perfect will be welcoming our sixth child into His world sometime in late August or early September.

For those who are keeping track, this child will put us over the top for our Ultimate Frisbee team, if I am included as a player. However, as my 30-year-old knees have started giving me some trouble, I fear my days as a competitive player are over (not that I was ever that competitive). So, we'll either hope for twins or that we will be blessed again beyond number six. :)

It also means we'll need to upgrade our primary means of transportation in some way, as our Caravan in its current configuration only has 7 seat belts. Since it is paid off I am looking for a second bench seat, which the chassis is capable of holding, to replace the 2-seater currently in the middle row. Once we have that in hand the next adventure will be figuring out how to (safely) arrange 3 boosters and 3 car seats. I am certain it can be done! What fun is life without challenges?