Missing: two front teeth

Noah lost his other top front tooth today. It was soooo loose, I just plucked it out, w/o much warning. Noah let me know he was not happy about that. He ran to the bathroom to spit out the blood in the sink, and woefully exclaimed, "Now I look like a vampire!" Soon enough, he was back to his silly self.

Later on, Sarah was teasing Becka about something, and got that naughty look on her face when she's been especially bratty... I don't want to forget that look. A year from now, she could be living in another state. :(

Birthday party & the solar system

We threw Noah a 7-1/2 year old birthday party last night. He really turned 7 in March, but that's no season for a kids party. Our house isn't big enough for 10 noisy 7 years olds to tear around in. So I made the decision to have the party at a local park. We reserved the pavillion and waited. The wait was due to all the other dates taken. What I wanted to take place in early May took til late July. Knowing a date was set, Noah bugged and bugged, and eventually forgot about his party. And then it happened. Kids everywhere - 12 showed. Running, scootering, giggling, chasing. It was much fun. They only stopped long enough to down hot dogs and then cake. I did get them to play two games: eggs on spoons and cotton ball transfer, a favorite. The cotton ball game brought much laughter, as it always does.

Today, Noah and I assembled some of his goodies: a race track, a radio-controlled car, and solar system mobile from Cousin Elizabeth. Noah and I especially enjoyed painting the glow-in-the-dark paint on the planets. Now we just have to hang it.

Parable of the Sower

I am studying Matthew 13:18-23, the parable of the sower, who sowed seed in different kinds of soil. I've always wondered if the people mentioned in verses 20 (stony places) and 22 (among thorns) were truly converted, but not very fruitful, just weak Christians, who'll make it into heaven, but not have done anything for the Lord. Then I read Matthew 7:19-23, where Jesus points out the "acid test" of whether someone's a Christian or not: "by their fruits ye shall know them." Then He goes on to illustrate how some will point out the things they did as Christians, but He says to them, "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." So apparently they were false Christians, sometimes acting like Christians, but still living in sin, "working
iniquity. What is iniquity? The dictionary says -

–noun, plural -ties.
1. gross injustice or wickedness.
2. a violation of right or duty; wicked act; sin.

So, they people are not just living in sin, they are actively promoting it! But also, calling themselves Christians. Basically, they are extremely two-faced.

Well, that cleared it up for me. The people in Matthew 13:18-23 are not truly converted. They are phonies. Very sobering.

Practice makes pretty good

Noah and I are practicing on our cellos a lot lately. There have been some 30 minute moments in each day lately that I can tuck these practices neatly into. He was complaining tonight, but he really only worked at it for 15 minutes, then a break, then 5 more minutes. It really does make a difference.

I am learning the following songs (that Noah has down already):

French Folk Song
Go Tell Aunt Rhody
Allegro
May Song
O Come, Little Children

In other news, Noah had his swimming test today. He did well, but didn't pass. This is common, I hear. Most kids don't pass the first time through. But he gave it his best shot. He even swam without his float "pack," only a noodle. I video-taped him for the fam. They all get a kick out of his various endeavors. It's really neat to see the bigger kids take such an interest in him.

The other night I changed Noah's sheets (from bear-print to plain white). Soon after, as I tucked him in, he made a strange remark: "There's something not right with this bed." I probed what that might be. "Well, it's these white sheets - I feel like an old man and dying." I assured him that we all used white sheets from time to time, as that's what's clean in the closet. He was somewhat satisfied with this answer, and settled in for prayers, hearts*, and kisses.

Rebekah and I are getting into Sudoku. She is very good at it, but tells me she's gotten rusty. I, however, slowly poke through the "easy" ones, bugging Becka or Ben to help me out a little. I am getting it, though, and it's rather addictive.

Sarah worked 12-hour shifts yesterday and today. She's off tomorrow. This is the first week she's on the floor, and I think its a lot to take in. Three months from now she'll laugh at how hard it seemed at first.

I applied for part-time jobs today. I hit three jewelry stores, two Hallmark stores, and a children's clothing store (which I love to but Noah's clothes from). If I get the clothing store, I think I'll get a discount. I have an interview tomorrow. I'll see what comes of the other places, and then decide what to do.

*Hearts - a little saying Noah and I came up with after he once told me (at age 4) that his heart loved my heart. He eventually added, "even my beating heart loves your beating heart." So we say this to each other thusly, every night:

Noah: "My heart loves your heart."

Me: "Even my heart loves your heart."

Noah: "My beating heart loves your beating heart."

Me: Even my beating heart loves your beating heart."

He made this whole pattern up. I hope we continue to say it for a long time. Afterwards, he gives me a kiss on my left cheek, nose, and right cheek. And that ends our bedtime ritual. (Which started with a prayer.)

Sarah is engaged!

This past Sunday, on our lower porch, with birds singing in the background, Praveen took our daughter's hand, knelt before her, and asked her to be his wife. She said yes, and a new chapter in her life began...

We are all very excited to welcome this exceptional young man into our family! He is trying to get a job in this area, so that he and Sarah can build a family nearby a good support system. I know that they'll be fine where ever they live. David and I enjoyed living out of state for five years of our marriage - three in VA, and two in CT. It was good for us to be on our own.

We have prayed for a good husband for Sarah since she was a baby. Isn't God good?

Day at the Smithsonian

David, Sarah, Praveen, Noah, and I went to the Smithsonian yesterday. We walked our feet off, but got our fill of museums. We hit the Air & Space, American History, and Natural History museums, as well as the WWII Memorial fountain, and the Lincoln Memorial. Noah was especially looking forward to the Air & Space Museum and the Lincoln Memorial. Some pics:

Injected with relief!

My little girl passed her NCLEX today! That's the really, really, really difficult nursing exam that one must pass to practice nursing. She is so relieved - she's been studying hard for 2 months, even while in Europe. Now, she's ready to give injections, anywhere, anytime! Hurray! I'm so proud of you, Sarah Jane!