Rambling late-night thoughts

I was practicing the violin the other afternoon for a solo in the adult Christmas cantata. Camie was in the rocking chair, listening. When I finished, she said, "Wow." Thrilled that she was impressed by her mamma's performance, I asked why she said that. "Sounded a kinda squeaky to me." Oh. Note to self:Never fish for compliments, especially from a 5 1/2 year old. :)

I called my sister Lauren to ask if she could babysit my kids while I went to rehersal. But this is how the conversation went:
Me: Hey La. I have a favor to ask. I'm supposed to play the violin in the church cantata. . ."
La: Sure, I'll fill in for you!"

So helpful :) Lauren took lessons briefly many years past, so this was a funny joke, for those of you who don't know La. She is one of those irritatingly-gifted people who can play things by ear so even though she quit lessons, she still was able to play recognizable tunes. However, I think she's a little out of practice; maybe playing for the cantata wouldn't be a good idea. For the record, she and mom did watch all four kids along with La's two. Thanks y'all.

Wednesday night was rehearsal for the cantata. I enjoyed sitting on the front pew watching and listening as I waited my turn. It's nice to hear a group of dressed-up-for-Sunday adults blend their voices and make music on Sunday mornings, but to see them in practice, in their work clothes, put it in another light. Women with tee shirts on after keeping kids all day, men in scrubs after working in the pharmacy, one lady in a nurse's uniform. It told a little about them and gave a glimpse into who they are. They are nurses/dentists/teachers/stay-at-home moms/coaches/retired men and women getting together once a week to share their talent with each other and our church to lead us in worship. They are just regular people, but part of their lives is lifting up the name of Jesus in song for our church. Watching them laugh and whisper like kids while the director tried to explain dynamics or when they were to stand made me laugh to myself. These "old folks" who don't seem quite as old as they did when I attended church there as a kid, have a good time together. I knew the official performance would be amazing,but to me the "real-life" view was much more beautiful.

Kid sayings:
The other day Micah was stretched out on his belly in the tub, reaching from one end to the other. Proud of his height and obviously feeling he was exactly the shape of the bathtub, he happily declared: "I'm a rectangle.....with legs!"

As he was getting dried off, he told me, out of the blue," I wike blankies. And motorcycles." Our little boy is still little, but (usually) wants to be big. In fact, sometimes he tells me he's not a kid anymore, he's a grownup. Then he'll ask, "Can I wide motorcycles now?" When asked what he wants to do when he grows up: ride motorcycles. Tonight in the van Lissy reported to Micah that she thought she heard a motorcycle drive past. "No, it was a car." he told her. (And he was right.) No bike gets past his notice.

One night I told Micah he needed chapstick because he had chapped lips. "I have chocolate lips?" he asked. Sounds better than having chapped ones.

Camie had been sick with fever and sore throat/cough. I asked how she felt. "I don't feel like anything." I asked her how she could feel like nothing, so she explained, "I just feel like the flat ground that's been run over by a tractor." Okayyyyy. Reminds me of the story of my sister Sara when she was little explaining how bad she felt: "I feel like a possum that fell on a rock."
Another time Camie told me, "I don't feel like myself." I asked who she felt like. She told me seriously, " a monster." yikes.


Our little Felicity will be turning four on Monday! Matt and I (and Cassie) took her out to eat in town at Waffle House on Wednesday and then to shop for some gifts. She picked out a necklace and matching bracelet, a pink plastic crown and wand and a little wooden jewelry box with decals you can take on and off (mostly off for someone her age.) It was fun being out with her (mainly) by herself. Cassie was all smiles, and Lissy enjoyed having her along. Mom kept Camie and Micah. I am looking forward to taking them out for their birthdays and getting to listen to them without a sibling to compete with for attention or talking space. Boy Lissy talked nonstop while we were out! I am amazed when she's away from siblings how talkative she can be.

Matt has fallen asleep on the sofa waiting for the fire to get going good. Guess I need to get off here and put him to bed. :) I've got some cute pictures of Cassie to post soon. And more pictures taken the same day as the one I put as my banner picture. But that'll be for another day. Oh wait,as of two minutes ago, it is another day!
Rose