January 1 – “My House, My Rules”

Here are a few more anecdotes from way back last year (week).

Zak was the first one up for what amounted to our family Christmas morning.  To his credit he sat in a rocking chair on the other side of the room from the stockings and gifts.  Of course he had already done his share of snooping the day before, even teaching his youngest brother some of his tricks.  And Jachin was right up there with him in the snooping department, too.  In fact he was downright blatant about his efforts.  Micah had gravitated straight to the tree the moment they arrived.  He had to get his snooping in before he even said “Hello” to anybody.  I can’t figure out where they got the whole snooping notion … oh, wait.  Yes I can.  As I recall, their male parental units were masters.  Particularly Uncle Kel, who taught his brothers well.  Yes, I know.  It rhymes.  In fact, I am inspired to burst into verse …

There once was an uncle, a snoop

Who taught little brothers to dupe.

But he didn’t know

That his parents weren’t slow

For they kept in the loop of his snoop.

Whoop, whoop.

Fast forward to the morning after cousins’ sleepover.  It was the stuff of a younger sibling’s fondest dreams.  Oldest cousin Jachin was the last one still asleep, curled serenely in his sleeping bag.  So what else could the younger ones do but what they did?  I certainly could see no other option for entertainment.  They gathered around the sleeping bag, some on the left, some on the right.  And on no particular signal they began pummeling Jachin with pillows until he consented to joining them in the land of awakening.  Now, sometime later the “beat on Jachin” part of the morning’s activities had officially ended, although he hadn’t completely emerged from his cocoon.  Apparently, however, Josiah never got the memo.  He decided to take advantage of Jachin’s relaxed demeanor.  He nailed him with five quick shots from his nerf gun.  Ouch.  Typical little brother move.  Problem was, it happened just as Nani arrived on scene.  And Nani quickly entered Master Momma Mode.  “My House, My Rules.”  She gave Josiah five minutes to get a shirt on before allowing Jachin five free shots at him.  Oh, did that ever cause a tantrum.  She held firm, though.  And when the deed was done, she proceeded to confiscate all nerf guns.  Again, arguments ensued.  Guess who won?  “My House.  My Rules.” 

Then, to further establish her absolute reign, Nani took control over who was allowed to do what during media time.  Down to calling out the names of who could play the Wii, who had the iPad and who had the iPhone.  When she announced who was playing the Wii game, among the contestants was none other than Luke.  His eyes brightened.  He cried out, “Yay!  Her say me.  I heard my name.”  I’m not sure if he was more excited about getting to play the game or about the fact that his name was mentioned among “The Big Guys.”  I think there’s a sermon in there somewhere.  Send in your ideas and see if they make to a Sunday morning near you (or maybe to a beach church nowhere near you where you need to visit sometime in the new year).

Chris finally got her picture of our three little girls all dressed up in the identical dresses Nani made for them.  Very cute stuff.  Cailyn looking very grown-up.  Noa with her mischievous little grin.  And tiny AnnaGrace in her onesie with a skirt like the big girls, doing her best not to “explode with emotion.”  It was a sweetness overload moment.

Everybody finally headed home.  Well, except for Cailyn.  Both of her parents had to work the New Year’s Eve shift, so she got to stay with us another night.  And she and Nani made good use of their time together.  They broke out the sewing machine and worked hard on the quilt Cailyn has been making.  They have been trying to finish that thing for a long time.  They made significant progress, too.  I think one more session should just about get the thing completed.  One more thing to make old DadDad proud.

Cailyn was pretty worn out from her long night the night before.  She was doing everything she could think of to stay awake.  She finally succumbed, though, not long after nine.  No staying up until midnight around here (although I did manage to make it through the end of the football game).  There were lots of fireworks going off to serenade us as we drifted off, but I for one never heard the anticipated barrage around midnight.  Of course, I didn’t hear much of anything around midnight …

Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Wow.  What a great life verse for 2017.  Father, thank you for the prospects a brand new year brings.  Amen.