6 month old!

Where did six months go?? Actually, the question really is, where did 4 months go. Those first two months seemed like an eternity, but the last 4 have really flown. I can hardly believe I've been finished with my Biola job for more than 6 months now, too. I thought I would get stir crazy at home, but I have really enjoyed it. I have fun with Lucy, too, and it's been rewarding most days. I will admit, I'm a little stir crazy with the a/c guys still here, but they will be done eventually. Plus, Jesus is a kick and Julio is a doll. I just want to pinch their cheeks, they're so cute and friendly. Jesus keeps asking if I want to send Lucy up into the ducts, since she fits better than the rest of us. =)

By the way, she weighed in at 17 pounds and measured 27 inches. That's 90th percentile for height and 75th for weight. Hard to believe she gained 10 pounds and 7 inches in only 6 months!

more from above

Now the guys are in the attic, putting in the ducting. So when I walk around my house I can hear them talking up there. Jesus? Is that you? Maybe my Spanish teacher was right! Spanish really is "la lengua de Dios!"

Jesus keeps it cool

I was about to go batty with all this heat. Anyone local, or really most of you don't need to be told about the soaring temperatures and unbelievable humidity. This being my first summer home, I got to experience the heat all day long. I think that's the thing--it feels personal, like it's really only happening to you or something. I also hate that the forecast always starts about 8 dgrees lower in the morning, but "updates" by 2:00. Like, "No, really, we thought it was going to be 88 today! We just changed our minds by 2:00." People, let's live in reality land if you please.

So Jesus is in my house putting in air conditioning. I'll bet that looks a bit sacriligous, now, doesn't it? That is, unless you are one who grew up with friends named "Chewy." Hay-zues is doing a great job, and should finish the air conditioning by next week. We had the asbestos abated, which makes me feel better, and will be a mark in the "good" column when we eventually sell the house (if ever!). We will also have someone come in and spray insulation after the ducts are in so that we can a.) keep the house cooler initially, and b.) keep the air conditioning more efficient. It all appeals to my sense of organization. =)

In other news, Lucy watched her first Baby Einstein, and it was a riot. She kicked her legs and squeeled the whole time. Precious!! I realized that this is how God must feel when we are really and truly enjoying the things he designed us to enjoy. Not the things ill-gotten or done in excess, but real, pure joy.

Oh, I had a strage dream last night. I dreamt that I was in the mid-West to accept some kind of award, and got to talking with Mary Pipher, author and mother of friend Zeke. I told her, "Yeah, I think I would have been a Buddist if I wasn't a Christian." She was pretty interested, and tried to convince me to become a Buddist, but I told her I just don't think that we can count on ourselves to create our own salvation. We're just not that good. Anyway, strange dream!

Updates

A couple of pictures to illustrate the last month.
Today: New fan put up in the dining area. Problem? We got it up, and it sucks. Not literally... but it doesn't blow. Or whatever.


Curio: This came from Grandma Doris. I still don't know how I'm going to arrange stuff in the curio, but I'm excited to get my poor teacups out of storage.



The grave-site. Gotta tell the story! We drove 4 hours out to Ottumwa, Iowa to bury Grandma (and four back afterwards). We had a nice but informal graveside time, and after we closed the undertaker asked if we wanted to see the casket lowered. We were pretty casual, so we all said, "Sure, why not?" One of the little cousins said, "How does it work, Grandma?" She says, "Well, you're about to find out." Silence all around. "Does she drop down, or do they put the whole thing in?" Every single one of us had to fight not to laugh out loud. Talk about tears flowing! It was the perfect little thing, though... laughter through tears. =)


Here's Lucy with Papa's hankercheif for a head covering and a flower from Grandma Do's fueneral arrangement.

Home again!

More to come... but just for fun, the driving stats (general, not exact).
La Mirada to Fresno: 4 hours
Fresno to Omaha: 4 hours
(airport driving total - 1 hour)
Omaha to Ottumwa and back (same day) 8 hours
Omaha to Central City - 2.5 hours
... and back - 2.5 hours
Omaha to Fresno - 4 hours
(airport driving total-1 hour)
Fresno to San Jose - 2.5 hours
and back - 2.5 hours
Fresno to La Mirada - 6 hours (traffic)

Grand total travel time: 37 hours in a week. Blech

Glad to be home.

Whirlwind

It's been quite the week, trying to get plane tickets and get stuff together to go out to Nebraska, as well as preparing to help host a baby shower. We're going to be doing something like 22 hours of driving over the next week, not to mention 8 hours of flying. Yikes! I have a feeling Lucy will be a champ, though.

So with all this going on, I gave my toe a good crack on the footstool. I think I might have a little hairline fracture, but either way it is a lovely bruise! I can get around on it fine, but have to be careful. Lovely, lovely!

Doris Hazel (Sloop) Larson

b. May 8, 1912, d. July 5, 2006

Steve's grandmother, Doris Larsen was an amazing woman and a dear woman of God. She lived a good life, working hard through the depression, raising two daughters who love the Lord, and reaching out to so many. She is survived by Joy and her husband Mart, their 5 children, and their 13 grandchildren, and by Jane, her husband Roger, their four children, and three grandchildren.

Grandma Do died today at 3:30 p.m. Central Time in Omaha, Nebraska, surrounded by her daughters, who sang her through her passing. I think she hung on until Jane could get there to be with her. (Joy lives locally.) There really is a lot of joy in her passing, sad as we are.

I couldn't help but pause today as I got the news of her death at age 94, the tragic death of my brother-in-law's boss at age 40, then the news of a dear friend's engagement, and a visit to see baby Sarah who is 3 weeks old. It was a moment where I couldn't help but think, "God is near."

Monkey Business

"The Ryan in his natural habitat." The Ryan crouches inconspicuously under a citrus tree, consuming his recently scavanged sustainence. He nibbles away, scratching occasionally at the flies and mosquitoes, but generally remains non-plussed. His diet consists mainly of fast-food. Scientists are baffled at how the Ryan can maintain such a slender physique on such a diet, but Nature has many well-kept secrets. The Female Ryan, unlike much of the animal kingdom, is known for being attractive, but much like the rest of the animal kingdom, is significantly smaller. She does not join the Ryan under his tree, but opts for the nest when consuming meals. The Ryan is most closely resembles the homosapian, but has the ability to crouch with knees in the air, and can unhook his jaw like a snake.


*(For regular FerFerFly readers, the Ryan is my little brother's good friend who often comes to our house. We like to poke him in the ribs whenever we can. Can't help it when a guy can sit like that comfortably for hours!)