Where Have I Been

I have had the most wonderful opportunity getting to know my Grandmother Maxine Garff. I have interviewed her, gone through photos, and listened to her stories. She is an amazing woman and has lived an extraordinary life. Grandma wanted assistance in a project for her grandchildren. Needless to say, it has been my focus for the past few weeks. Rick would say it has been my obsession and I'll take this obsession over some of my others.

Noah came to me and said, "Mom, if you don't come off that computer, you're gonna forget the family and follow the Debble's (devil's) plan." I knew I was in trouble when we were scripture reading and I asked him to tell me who the Messiah was.  He paused and so I thought I would give him a hint.  I sounded out the first syllable--"JJJJJEEEE" and he quickly responded "G.I. Joe! I didn't know that G.I. Joe was the Messiah!"

I could hear Noah cutting and tearing rolls and rolls and rolls and rolls of tape. He found a box and covered it with white paper and all, I mean all 100 plus foam heart stickers, and I LET him, why?  It kept him busy while I worked on this project.  He actually did a pretty good job and then he filled the box with the cute Valentine's he made for his class.

Then I sent Noah upstairs to get his pajamas on.  He came down and I thought he looked as if he were wearing a snowsuit.  He had on his "moose" p.j.'s and I could see a white collar underneath. "Noah, did you put your pajamas on over your clothes?"   He said with enthusiasm, "I will go to sleep and when I wake up, I'll just take off my pajamas and I'll be dressed for school.  Isn't that a good idea?"

Well, I let him thinking he would be all uncomfortable (it did prove to be a real time saver for me the next morning) and hot, but the next night, he came down again...that one I had to put to a stop.

Noah had heard on the news that there was a chance of rain showers.  He wanted me to find his umbrella.  Like usual, I was in a real hurry to get us out the door.  I told him we would look for it after school and he said, "I need it right now because it's supposed to rain and I don't want to mess up my beautiful hair!!!!"

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I have the two best guys to celebrate with--Rick and Noah. So, I'll put away the computer, get out some candles and make them a nice dinner. Maybe we'll have a party or go to movie.

What I've learned from Noah: A family just isn't a family without a mom. Who is going to find the umbrella, put on pajamas correctly, conserve tape...(notice, I did not say anything about "cooking" dinner.)