Nov 212008
 

Our family members are fired.

BigBrother received no less than billion noisy toys for his birthday. Well, maybe a few less than a billion but it sure sounds like a billion. He is currently running his remote control Lightning McQueen car all over the living room, kitchen and dining room. And while it doesn’t talk, beep or otherwise make sound, have you heard a remote control car for young children? Vroom here. Vroom there. Constant vrooming. And crashing.

But, oh, the laughter from both BigBrother and his little shadow.

A Tonka Ambulance that plays music that is very similar to the (old) ER theme song has been banished to the playroom downstairs. The Little Tikes Guitar, while pretty awesome, is also now a downstairs toy. There are others, of course, but the noise level in our home has made it impossible for me to recall what he got.

I wonder what these people are going to pull out of their noisy bags for LittleBrother’s birthday on Monday (his party isn’t until the 30th). And then for Christmas.

Why are noisy toys in existence? BigBrother already has a sound effect studio in his brain. He can crash his die cast cars and trains and make all the sounds he needs. Are noisy toys evidence of a lack of imagination in our world? We now have to make the noise for the kids? Or are they evidence of a more chaotic world? Or are they made simply for other family members to give parents so that their brains implode?

All the same, BigBrother is having a blast with his new toys. As is LittleBrother when he is allowed to touch them. And, really, they’re all pretty fun toys. I’m just deaf this morning and can’t think of anything else to write since our new Flip camera won’t be here until next week. (Yes, the old one was done beyond repair. You can thank little fingers.) All the same, I think we’re taking some of the noisy toys to my parents’ house at The Farm this weekend so they can experience some of what they helped cause.

That’s fair, right?

Have a great and noise-free weekend.

Sep 182008
 

As I said on Tuesday morning, my Grandpa passed away on Monday. As I lived in a state of shock for most of that day, I didn’t tell any of my local friends. I just kind of floated around in a bubble. When two local friends that I’ve made since moving here found out about our loss on Tuesday, they went above and beyond the call of duty.

One friend brought over a pot of Mums, a pie and a card. Another friend brought over the flowers pictured above and a card as well. They have called and checked in on us and generally been supportive. For that, I am very blessed.

This morning we found out that my Husband’s firefighter’s union is donating a meat tray for the meal after the funeral. I was very touched and deeply moved. People have reached out with words, with gifts and with needed things during our hour of need. And its made this blow a little bit more tolerable.

We’ve seen over the past week how blessed we are to have those who care for us in our lives. We’ve been able to see just how truly lucky we are to have so many amazing people and groups of people in our lives. In the midst of this loss, I’ve been able to see just how “much” I really do have in my life.

And, that, of course, is love.

More Love Thursday here.