Sunday, May 31, 2009

it's been a week now since we said goodbye to Luke (my brother) and Gabrielle (my sister-in-law - - who is more sister than sister-in-law, but really, it wouldn't do to say that my brother was married to my sister, now would it?). it's been a week now, and we miss them.

The last day that we had together we took a walk beside the river that runs behind our building. There was sun, and there was shade; there were wheat fields to roam through, and cherry trees to climb; and there were flowers. oh yes, there were flowers;
and we picked flowers.
and that evening when we got home, I made dinner and Gabrielle pitted the cherries while Luke arranged the flowers into a vase.
The flowers traveled from the porch table to our coffee table later on that night as we stayed up late drinking coffee, eating Gab's amazing -we-picked-these-cherries-ourselves! cherry crisp, and probing Luke and Gabrielle to give their general impressions of our life and ministry here in Pamplona.

(why did it have to end?)

well, throughout the course of the week the flowers have made their rounds - - onto the dining room table, then on the bookshelf, and then into the kitchen - - ever evolving as the wilting buds were pulled out and the remaining flowers reshuffled.
Today I tossed the last of the bouquet; aaaaahh . . . little bouquet, you've been good to me. thanks for lingering reminder of sweet times with our family.

(why did it have to end?)

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

six

We packed up Malachai's birthday cake on a bit of a whim this afternoon and took it along with us to the park. we ran into a couple of friends along the way and invited them to join in on the birthday fun (who can say no to chocolate cake?) we found a nice shaded spot and settled down for some cake and football.
good party.
Happy Birthday my sweet Malachai; thank you for telling me that even though you are now six, you can still sit on my lap; I love you!

Friday, May 08, 2009

I mopped my porch today.
I suspect that a good Spanish housewife mops her porch several times a week.
my poor porch doesn't get such tender loving care,
except on special occasions
like when family comes to visit.
yeah . .
today I mopped my porch.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Good boy! (I think? . . . )

I was a little bit appalled
but mostly really proud of Malachai
when he told me that he told his entire Basque class (in Euskera!) the story about how last week,

Selma pooped in the bathtub when they were all having a bath together