little of this and that.

1. Monday night, my neighbors(Patty, Cynthia and daughter Libby) and I went to dessert at a fancy restaurant downtown to celebrate Libby's birthday. I am so fortunate to have such amazing neighbors. They are my dear friends and wise mentors.

I have never really been to a fancy restaurant before. When John and I went on our very first date in college, we smuggled Taco Bell into the movie theatre, showing Road to Wellville...which ended up being the most awkward movie to mankind. Well, for a first date. All the bodily functions...need I say more?

Anyhow. John and I would stay up rollerblading til 3 am. On Sundays when the cafeteria was closed, John would make me rice from his rice cooker. And sometimes we had Top Ramen. That is all I knew.

So, yah...no fancy restaurants for this girl. And truth be told, I've kind of snubbed the whole idea anyway.

Until I walked into the fancy restaurant Monday night and was kind of floored. In a good way.

Libby's mom remarked "Libby could get used to this life".

"Um, me too!", I joyfully exclaimed, much to my own surprise. This was FUN! The desserts were crazy and interesting and altogether bizarre. Beet ice cream and sweet potato pie, among others.

I know it sounds kinda icky but dessert turned out fantastic.

While eating our fluffy expensive desserts, Patty and Cynthia started raving about a movie they had recently seen: Les Miserables.

In high school, my parents took me to see Les Mis live at the Pantages Theatre in LA.


I fell in love with the music and played it all the time on the piano. My favorite was "A Little Fall of Rain". Sooooo pretty.


Patty and Cynthia were going on and on and on how incredible this movie was.

I'm like, really?

They said it "encapsulates the grace of God in such a powerful way" and that "I would be talking about it for days". Cynthia retold the whole movie to her kids saturday and it took 2.5 hours. 

"Wow, they listened to you that long?", I asked incredulously.

"I'm a good story teller" Cynthia replied.

Must be.

So Patty and Cynthia decided we all needed to see it together...so we made plans to see it this weekend. Hugh Jackman, Kurt Russell and Anne Hathaway, here I come! I'm really excited.

Have you seen it?

2. Have you ever seen such a miserable little lego in all your life?

Meet Gollum and his "precious"(the ring) from the Hobbit.

Twain accidentally dropped Gollum and the gold ring in the toilet the other day, much to my mortification.

"Get 'Gobblin' he sobbed hysterically.

Gobblin?

I looked in the toilet and saw Gollum and the ring taking a little swim.
I fished them out of the toilet for my boy.
And never felt so defiled in my life.

But how could I say no to this face?


So happily reunited with 'Gobblin' after the thrilling ride down the toilet bowl.


This is why I call Twain "my round faced boy". Could eat those cheeks right up.


Today Twain and I had the best conversation at the park.

Twain: Mommy where is Jesus? I can't see Him.
Me: Jesus lives in our hearts, I said, patting his chest. And Jesus lives up in heaven with God. One day, if you believe in Jesus, you will get to live in heaven too! It's the best place.
Twain: I want to believe in Jesus.
Me: Ok, let's pray: "Dear Jesus, Twain wants to believe in you and go to live in heaven with you one day. Please help him obey. Amen."

Do I think Twain is truly saved and understands the cost of being a disciple?

No, not really. I don't think He has any clue what it entails. However, I am planting seeds and praying that as he grows, he will continue to be receptive toward Jesus. It will be my greatest joy to see each of my boys grow to love Jesus as much as I do.

3. The 2 older boys and I are still very busy with the after school reading program. Once a month, we celebrate the birthdays of that month.

Each month, Christina from my impact group(like a small group...I know, I know the Christian jargon these days is ooc...out of control)bakes cupcakes for the kids and I get to bring them. Christina has been so incredibly faithful to this job and it warms my heart to see her put in such an effort for these poor little kids.


Yummy.

Some of these kids have never had cupcakes before. One time, one of the kids had no idea how to eat one and was trying to eat the paper liner with the cupcake.

Finn dropped the cupcake tower and the flowers got smushed. But everyone loved them anyway.

Our church gives each "impact group" an allowance of money to spend on the community and I think it's the coolest thing on the planet. (A generous person donated money for the impact groups to spend, in hopes that the members would get a taste for giving and be inspired to spend their own money too!). Part of our allowance goes to buying bday gifts for the kids.

Some of these kids don't get any presents from their families.

We ask the kids what they want for their bday and buy it for them. The kids love it. So honored to be part of this reading program. Even when it seems like I am not making any headway.

Seriously my group of boys seemed to be regressing this month with their reading skills. They are in 4th grade and have such trouble pronouncing words. They don't stop at periods and they sound like robots. I work so hard to teach them, but sometimes they just cannot focus.

But.

There is love. And we teach them a bible story at the end of each session. And they might not ever be the readers I want them to be...but they will go home knowing a little more about Jesus and feeling loved and that is what counts to me.

I have so much more I could say to you right now. But I'm soooo sleepy and can't think and am gonna get ready for bed. Just wanted to pop my head in and say hi.