Happy-Ending 'Sunday'

I feel like it's been a while. That's probably because we have been so ridiculously busy here in Bee world. Papa Bee has a non-stop schedule between his regular duties, preparing for the week-long elders' training school in less than two weeks, and another top-secret mission he's on which requires his attendance 3-4 nights a week. Mama and the babies are auxiliary pioneering this month and next. So the several weeks since my last post has felt much longer.

To cut to the chase, I'm excitedly reporting the beautiful ending to my emotionally unstable weekend. We had the privilege of hosting our Circuit Overseer at the end of his visit on Sunday. We had an old-fashioned barbecue in the back yard. Although the stage was set for a meltdown, all went refreshingly well. I have to give credit to my circle of girlfriends, who helped me as I ran in circles (not accomplishing much), trying frantically to ready my home for first-time guests...and to my husband, for not allowing me to slap 2 coats of white paint through the entire place in a last-minute attempt to camouflage my very lived-in home (and to avoid washing all the walls, baseboards, doors, etc). [so much for "cutting to the chase" huh. Ok, I'll try again] So after all the ruckus I caused, the guests arrived and made themselves comfortable out back, despite 90 degree weather. The trees and breeze kept them happy. In fact, the guest of honor was so cozy, he curled up in the hammock and took a nap before the 'party' started. Lol! Papa manned the grilled as always and did not disappoint. The food was delicious, the drinks were cold, the guests were happy and sociable, even the kids were well behaved. Everyone left at a reasonable time, and even helped clean up. It was beautifully perfect! I smiled the rest of the night as I scrubbed dishes til midnight. The end :)

The Peace That Excels All Thought

Howdy folks! I've got a surprise...I'm not going to talk about kids today. It probably won't make for a very entertaining post, but I just feel like I wanna talk about Mama and Papa B. The Big B and I have had an action-packed marriage, peppered with lots of "Yay!'s", "Arggh!'s", "Grr!'s", and a handful of ZONKS! It hasn't been the best or the worst, but it's certainly been enough for just over 5 years. Let's see...at least 5 job changes, 3 vehicles, 5 theocratic assignments/appointments, 2 homes, a small business venture, 3 long out-of-state job assignments, hundreds of financial missteps, and 2 kids less than two years apart. But, right now, we have snatched a seemingly ever-evasive, extra-special, delicate, and oh-so treasured moment of PEACE. I am trying to resist the urge to search for the reason for this treat, for it amazes me more than you can know. But oh, how sweet it is. We have enjoyed laughter, family time, family studies, hand-holding, weightless smiles and JUST LOVE, for a change. It is the first period of its kind in our marriage and we are soaking it in for as long as it shall last. I may not know just how everything 'clicked' to make this special moment in time a reality for we Bees, but I am grateful to Jehovah for this perfect answer to many prayers. And I will bathe in the silence of peace.

Oh, how sweet it is!

Ahhsleep At Last

SIGH... It is post-bedtime and I can breathe again. The critters have given us a run for our money lately. I wish someone would just tell them we don't have any money, so we can all stop running!

Our oldest is experimenting life as the hearing-impaired. He walks about as if our mouths are moving but he just can't seem to hear what it is we've said. Then again, after an infringement of the rule, he can repeat the verbal exhortation verbatim. So, maybe it's he's researching life as the mentally-impaired. He can hear, but the words get crossed somewhere along the way. Or maybe he wants his momma to BE mentally impaired becauseimabouttogocrazyandhavetogoliveinsidepaddedwalls! {deep breathe} ... sorry.

Anyway, the youngest is practicing his speech. So he's taken to repeating our commands - but with a 'twist'. Example: "Go sit on the couch." Repeated as "Sit on COUCH Mommyy!" "You may not speak to Mommy that way." Repeated, "That WAY, Mommyyy!" He also seems to be using rhythm to aid his learning process. Upon hearing an unappreciated phrase, he rhythmically walks away, taking one step then a stomp, a step and a stomp. If that doesn't quite move him, he'll play a little 'ditty' on the wall, or another nearby object (including a live 3-yr-old) - smack-smack-smack! If he's really feeling the beat, he'll add a defiant "mhm mhm MHM!" But if he hears something that is so bad, so offensive, so SHOCKING, he can't bring himself to utter it himself [such as "No, you may not have fruit snacks right now"], he digs deep in his bag of words and lets out a big "Wat inna werrrrlld?!" Again, I sigh...

You may think I'm typing this thinking it's all just so cute and ok. I assure you I am not. Although, I must admit, sometimes their antics are downright hilarious. But I don't laugh in front of them. I am firm and consistent and I try different approaches. They are just as relentless. So, some days this Momma just has to SIGH...

TTFN folks!

Boys Will Be Boys

Boy, it's been a long, long, LONG time. I'm not sure I even know where to start. Well, for one, no more babies! It's been more than a year and a half with no new baby news - a Bee family record! [cheers] On a not-so-celebratory note, Momma & Poppa B have recovered the 'baby weight' we lost last year. [chorus of "aww's"] ...but that's still better than having new baby news!

Beyond that..hmm..Well, we are in the midst of the ultra-busy Memorial season. We have the assembly the same week as the Memorial. Plus, Dedrick has the Special Talk, and I have a part on the school the week before (which now sounds rather small compared to the preceding...). So what- it's still busy!

I know - you really just want to know how the Baby B's are doing. They are doing just fine. Starting to grow up a little too quickly for me. They are boys through and through: Busy, competitive, and destructive! Our loves. We marvel at them daily. They really are funny kids.

One particularly rough morning, Momma was just about at her limit and trying desperately to get us all ready to go out. Boys are dressed, jackets on and one is already at the door. As I finish readying myself, I hear "Mommmm! He took his shoe off!" SIGH - a punch in the gut to this stressed-out Mom. I pleadingly whine to the baby (age 1, mind you) "Whyyy did you take your shoe offff??" To which my 3-yr-old replies, "Because babies DO that, Mommy. That's why." I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time...in addition to being a little embarrassed. But, that's my Bud.

The little one is more...how do you say...bratty. His favorite word is "Huuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt!" It's got about 8 syllables. And he'll readily point to a faux injury at the request of a seemingly sympathetic ear. He could walk into the room laughing. But if you say "Awww..what's the matter, baby?" On que, he'll drop his smile and whine "Huuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrt!" And, if you inquire further, "What hurts?", with his tiny pointer finger, he will identify a different body part every time. Crazyboys.

Ok I hope that's a sufficient update for now. I'z tyred! Oh, Welcome back!