Texting transcript of the week

Today, 11:53 a.m.

. . .

Nothing like going to bio and spilling termites all over your lab partner and yourself../.

Oy. It'll make a good story someday...

He was cute though...he asked for my number, the termites were a good bonding experience...

Haha. Now that's a "meet cute."

>< He's an rm* though...hahaha. It was so embarrassing!!!!

Don't bring any of those termites home now!

:D I'll send them in a box specifically for you :)

Is he your lab partner for the rest of the semester?
If so, maybe he should wear protective clothing :)

:P if he sits by me. haha

. . .

*rm = returned missionary,  meaning he's over 21 years old having served a two-year mission for our church. We are gently encouraging our gal to avoid this variety of gentlemen at this stage in her life as they seem to be a bit more in a marrying frame of mind.

You are Home

I made a little sign for Lauren when she came home for Christmas.
In my head it read like this:  you are HOME!!

but when I noticed that sometimes she slipped and said "when I get back home..." (meaning college)
I mentally read it like this: you ARE home!!

. . .

Her second semester of school starts today.
Good luck, Lulu! Here's to an invigorating and studious term :)

Embracing braces

Miss Maddy recently added elastic bands to her mouth gear (well, technically the orthodontist added them). You know the ones? Where an elastic on each side attaches to a top bracket and a bottom bracket so that when you open your mouth you have little bouncy mouth bungees spanning the gap?

Well, for the record, she's been a great sport about wearing them around the clock as prescribed (and the good news is that this step is winding up the whole braces process). As a bonus, they have given the kids around her no end of fascination. A couple of weeks ago we had a cute girl come sit by us at church while her mom went out with the baby. She was fascinated by Maddy's elastic bands and seemed convinced they were there solely to make her giggle, like finger puppets or a funny hat. So giggle she did, unendingly, pointing at Maddy's mouth with delight.

On Sunday Maddy sat with a different family since I was sick and G and Sam had to sit elsewhere. Later, at home, their three-year-old daughter was cutting up little pieces of string. When her mom asked what she was doing, the girl asked her to glue them to her teeth so she could have braces, too, a la Maddy.

Who knew braces could be so fun and captivating? Like a puppet show in your mouth!

. . .

G and Sam went on an overnight campout last week so we had some quality time around here, the girls and I. One of the things they wanted to do was go to a makeup counter and get a makeover and lesson. So we did. (Lauren was excited that she got the Asian guy makeup artist because she contends her eyeshape is very nigh unto Asian. So she got some good tips.)

It was good, free fun. Which is just the kind we like around here after Christmas.

p.s. That's why Maddy is all made up in the top photo.

Chicagoing

After opening presents and attending church on Christmas Day, we hopped on a plane and landed in Chicago to spend a few days with my parents and siblings. My aunt and uncle had offered their home to us while they were away for Christmas and it was a wonderful site to gather, smack in the middle of the country.

Joy! It's the first time we've all been together for 5+ years.  It was time.

So that's where I've been:

spending hours around the table

reading on the sofas

going to the Chicago Art Institute

and Berghoffs (remember when I went there with Sam a couple of summers ago? they fixed their sign)

singing around the piano

and doing Muppet impersonations (Chris's Animal ftw)

My people. I love them.

I miss them already.

Hallelujah

Hope your weekend is filled with both joyful noise

and peace

Sending love and best wishes to you all!

. . .

p.s. I must admit I posted the Nativity Carol last year but it's still my favorite.
And something about that wintry Alaskan Hallelujah video gets me every time.