Pineapple Man

While I was out walking baby Hunter the other day, Jessie texted me to say that she was going to do a sprint triathlon this summer. For whatever reason, my first thought was: I'll do it, too! I printed up an eleven week training schedule, convinced myself I could complete it in seven, and went running. And so it is that I, the unathletic, uncoordinated asthmatic am training for a sprint triathlon (.3 miles swimming, 15 miles biking, 3.5 miles running)!

This is Grace.

Avoirdupois clung to Rebecca's heart, but there was no weight in her womb. When Isaac cried out to the Lord, God heard the man's tears and healed the woman's barrenness. Twins formed within her, and before they were yet born, struggled inside her. Troubled by this pother, Rebecca sought an explanation from God. "Two nations are in thy womb," answer the Lord, "and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels" (Gen. 25:3). Before they had breathed the breath of this world, before they had entered in blood and lived in sin or righteousness, Jacob was loved by God, and Esau hated. This, this is grace. Both deserved death, because both had inherited condemnation from the sin of Adam. But God--in his inexplicable sovereignty--chose the younger to rule the elder, the weaker to conquer the strong.

(A summary of the 35th chapter of the 16th book of The City of God.)

A Week In the Life

(March 29th through April 5th)

Monday:

Since I was on spring break from Great Books II, and Kathleen was on spring break from real school, she and I got to hang out, shop, cook, and make apple pie (which was delicious despite the burnt topping and Kathleen's burnt hand :). Then we led these wonderful girls in Bible study.

Tuesday:

As usual, I picked the C girls up from school, and brought them back to their house.

Soon as we get home each day, Anna Kate pulls on this leotard and slips into ballet shoes. That girl has got per-son-al-i-tee!

This Tuesday we loaded back into the car and drove to my house after lunch and a very unsuccessful "nap." Why am I always so much sleepier than they are?

Ella Grace and Anna absolutely love our box of Polly Pockets.

Ella Grace also loves to ride on the "tree swing."

Surprisingly enough, both girls think playing with Willa and Zibby is just about the best thing since Barbies.

The ratties don't mind the attention. ;)

While they were entertained by the rodents (they like the mouse and gerbils, too), I prepared dough for soft pretzels. When it was ready, Tori help us roll it out and shape it into "pretzels". We might need to work on form...

Before we'd been working long, Stefanie showed up and joined the party.

Later, when we'd cleaned up the baking and started making birthday cards for Ella and Anna's Grammie, Christopher showed up. He made some sort of sports picture. It was great. Good job, Chris; I'm so proud to have your picture on the bulletin board. =P

Wednesday:

Hunter! When I got to his house early that morning, he reached his arms out for me. First time he's ever done that. I was quite flattered. :)

How can you not smile perpetually when hanging out with such a cutie?

As soon as Aimee (Hunter's mommy) got home, I left to pick Noelle up from school. We ran a few errands, picked out this lovely orchid, and went to visit Mrs. Knight at Westminster Towers. She was delighted to see us, and thrilled about the orchids (her favorite flower). Although she's deteriorated since I first began spending time with her, she's as feisty as ever!

Thursday:

Normally I watch the Cs on Thursdays, but they had relatives in town so I had the day off.

Friday:

Baby Hunt again. I think about him and start giggling. Just look at those cheeks!

BAhaha. His expression is classic.

After picking Noelle up from school, I went grocery shopping for Mrs. G. The dinner menu was up to me, so I decided to make fajitas. This is the raw chicken....ew.

Add raw veggies and voila....yum! (Of course, it still needed cooking and seasoning)

While dinner was cooking, I put together an Easter basket for Noelle's grandpa. She "helped." ;)

Recently Mrs. G gave Noelle face paint, and we have spent many a pleasant hour decorating her face. She did this cat face almost all by herself!

Fierce!

That evening I went to a benefit concert at Circle, then rode with Jess and Mrs. M to pick up Tyler. So glad he's home (if only for a while)!!

Saturday:

I cleaned house and helped get ready for Easter dinner. In the evening I babysat Jonathan and Anna M.

Sunday:

Easter!

Dieudonne and Maria joined us for a feast.

Along with Chris and Ai.

Aren't my parents cute?

Later that evening, David and Shane came over to hang out. After discussing what we should do, we eventually decided (and convinced my parents) that a beach trip was definitely in order. Of course Haylee came along, too--it's pretty much impossible to have a crazy, spontaneous beach night without Haylee! We parked at her aunt's house, David dropped his phone in the water, we climbed out not-very-far on the jetty, and were back by 1:00am (promise, Daddy!). I'm so glad my friends are always prepared to be "wild and wacky." ;)

Monday:

Being the studious student I am, I went to class Monday morning amongst the protestations of my beach-headed sisters and mom. While sitting in class, however, I couldn't get the feel of a long, windy drive and a run on the beach out of my mind. So I sun-blocked up and headed for New Smyrna soon as class let out.

I love how Tori and Jocelyn's shadows are holding hands.

Despite the sand and heat and things I don't like about the beach, it was a really great afternoon. But I didn't escape without a sunburn. In fact, I just discovered that said burn is now blistered. Oh dear.

So there you have it, a week in the life of Tali. Exciting, eh?

Billy Joel

Watch this.
DO IT!

You won't be disappointed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_XgQhMPeEQ&feature=player_embedded

All in a Day

Finger paint.
Sidewalk chalk.
Stories.
Soccer.
Scooters.
Tag.
Scraped hands
And nose,
Head,
Knees.
Barbie band-aids.
Princess band-aids.
Story time again.

Cup of Soul

Green tea with lemon grass and spearmint. What a delightful way to awaken to the world! The Tazo tea box encouraged me to contemplate "eternal mysteries" while drinking my tea. So what am I doing here? Let me take myself away and read Augustine, who is so very dedicated to contemplating divine mysteries.

Beautiful Antithesis

In my Great Books II class, we are studying Augustine's City of God. Although--I must confess--I sometimes find my thoughts wandering and my eyelids drooping while reading his lengthy [and wordy] work, there are some passages that make me clap hand to heart and read with breathless excitement.

"God would never have created any, I do not say angel, but even man, whose future wickedness He foreknew, unless He had equally known to what uses in behalf of the good He could turn him, thus embellishing the course of the ages, as it were an exquisite poem set off with antitheses...so the beauty of the course of this world is achieved by the opposition of contraries, arranged, as it were, by an eloquence not of words, but of things" (Augustine, City of God, page 361-2).

Struggle haunts every movement of humanity. Ever since the curse was spoken, it hangs darkly upon us, hardening the earth, injecting pain into childbirth. Yet this struggle--this fight of mankind--richly glorifies the power and dignity of the Lord. And it reminds that He is infinitely sovereign. Sovereign, and very much alive.

This world is not a clock that was set ticking, a clock that will eventually wind down and be forgotten. We are knit to our creator, and he is continuously weaving the tapestry. He has not become idle; he has not stopped creating. There are 353,015 births every day. 14, 709 babies are born each hour. 245 babies are born every minute of every day.* God is constantly creating, molding forming.

Not only is he creating, he's using. God is immanent: closely involved in our lives. All of the bad things that happen, he utilizes for his good purposes. Although we cannot understand it, everything is working for the good of those who love him. This pain is only the amplifier to eventual triumph.

It's a simple, painful, beautiful story, this story of life. And it's rendered all the lovelier by the pain that is so hideous in and of itself.

"For as the beauty of a picture is increased by well-managed shadows, so, to the eye that has skill to discern it, the universe is beautified even by sinners, though, considered by themselves, their deformity is a blemish" (Augstine, City of God, page 367).

Let us not miss the sunlight for the shadows.

*Worldwide Missions