just the facts

It's just one of those times. I don't know about you, but in my life nothing happens for several months, then lots of things happen all at once. It always works that way. And by now there are so many big things happening that there's no way to really reflect on any of it, and for the most part it's easier that way. So here are a list of life-altering (or at least schedule-altering) things that are happening simultaneously.

1. This seems insignificant, and it's not life-altering, but it has made a difference in my daily life. Thanks to the brilliance of Missy at It's Almost Naptime!, I have some clarity on Silas's schedule, and it has made for a much happier little boy. I think I finally have a handle on his naps, and he's finally getting the rest babies need. Bless you Missy, and yay and hooray for Silas.

2. Brian has a melanoma on his side (you don't mind me telling your personal business to the wide world, do you Brian? Anyone who knows him in real life knows he does not). A stage 2 superficially spreading melanoma, for those who care about such details, which basically is a good kind to have. It's one of those things that's actually a minor issue with a scary word attached. The nurse practitioner who called with the biopsy results had the kind of bedside manner that led us to believe we needed to flip out for a few hours, until he got a little more information and we both heard a dozen stories of people who have had the exact same thing. Really, it's nothing. But it sounds scary.

3. My dad is an orphan. His father died when he was 7, his mother passed away when he was 15. He was the oldest of four children, and his mother's dying request (I don't say that to be dramatic - it really was) was that her children live with their aunt and uncle, so that they could stay together. So they moved 80 miles north into another city and another world, and though he was only with them a few years, he has always talked about how grateful he is to his aunt and uncle (who had no children of their own) for keeping the kids together. My dad really is an amazing person, do you guys know this? He's one of those people who has every reason to be bitter, and instead is gracious and kind. Anyway, that aunt had a brain aneurysm today. She is 80(ish - I can't believe I don't know exactly how old she is. But this is the aunt who told me she was 39 my entire childhood, and I was at least 15 myself before I realized that wasn't possible. So I don't know how old she is), and in surprisingly good health. My prayer has been more for her spiritual condition than physical one, and if you feel led to join me in that prayer, please do.

4. Among the people I love, there has been an unexpected death and an unexpected conception, and while those aren't my stories to share, I am nonetheless affected by them.

Also, today was Asher's birthday, and next week is Christmas. Having a birthday the week of Christmas is - well, it's like this. When I was a kid I had a book about a little boy who had a birthday wish, and wished that it would be his birthday every day. So every day he had cake and ice cream and presents, and then he'd wake up and do it all over again. By the end of the week, he wished for a normal day. That's the way I feel, too. By this evening, I was ready for a normal evening. It's been a long time - over 10 days - since we've had a quiet dinner at home, followed by the kids' bedtime routine, then watching t.v. until bedtime. Parties are fun, so long as they are novel. I'm ready for a normal night.

I'm not done.

5. Our church just voted in a new pastor. Again, if it really goes through and it's official I'll tell you more, but choosing a new pastor means more buzz, in general, from the congregation, culminating in a three and a half hour congregational meeting. I bring that up to say this: I am so impressed with our church's compassion and love for God and one another. People were genuinely kind to each other. Even when they disagreed, they were more concerned about unity and compassion than winning the argument. And the one person who was snappy to another in front of the group, also apologized in front of the group. I love their sincerity, and even in a three and a half hour congregational meeting (where Brian and I made the mistake of expecting to eat dinner after the meeting, which means that halfway through I stole Teddy Grahams from the nursery just to stay afloat) I was reminded of why I love our church.

See, aren't you tired reading all of that? Me too.

It's just one of those times.