January 22 – “Good night”

We are back.  Our whirlwind trip to Waco for Caleb’s birthday is complete.  Cailyn has been deposited on her own sofa (Nathan and April started texting us on our way home, so go we got the impression that they might have been missing her just a little bit). 

The big day started out with donuts for breakfast.  That’s kind of a tradition when DadDad comes to town.  While everyone was at the breakfast table, we gave Caleb his present from us.  Cailyn pulled out the present from her and Uncle Nathan and Aunt April as well.  One of those pre-birthday party parties.  Didn’t stop there, though.  They had a gift for Cailyn’s birthday as well, so she opened hers.  Luke recognized what was happening right away.  He insisted we sing “Happy birthday to you.” 

Josh had to officiate at a funeral later that morning, so we all took turns holding and playing with AnnaGrace.  She captured the heart of her oldest female cousin.  Cailyn was smitten when she elicited that first little baby grin. 

Caleb had a basketball game at noon.  Terrible start time for a group of 8 year olds.  Their minds were most definitely not on playing basketball.  They seemed to have a good time, though.  They don’t keep score in games with that age group, but the other team did score more than Caleb’s.  And Caleb showed off a remarkable dribbling ability.

After his game it was back to the house for some pizza and one of the most laid-back birthday parties I have ever attended.  It was very casual.  He just had a few friends over to play video games and jump on the trampoline.  Of course there was ice cream and a cookie cake (that Luke was happy to show off to anyone who came anywhere near the table).  They came up with some elaborate jumping games on that trampoline.  My favorite had to be when they played charades, though.  Caleb’s acting (long, exaggerated steps across the surface of the tramp) stumped everyone until he finally told the answer.  He was none other than “Louis Armstrong, the first man who put the American flag on the moon.”  Ah, of course.  One of the Dad’s pondered whether that was before or after he played a solo on his trumpet. 

As the party wound down, we realized that we would have to hustle to get back to the gym for Zakary’s basketball game.  They do keep score in his games, and his team absolutely dominated their opponent.  Zak had injured his ankle in a previous game, so he was still a bit hobbled, but he did a great job playing defense against players much taller than him. 

After the game Chris and Cailyn and I stopped off at a Whataburger and got some gas before hitting the road for home.  Cailyn devoured her food.  She had not had much time throughout the day to waste with minor details like eating.  And once the food was gone, she stretched out on her pillow and mine and was asleep in seconds.  She did wake up mid-trip when we stopped at Buccees for a bathroom break, but once back in the car she said but one thing: “Good night.” 

Colossians 1:9 says, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

Father, thank you again for riding with us on this trip.  Keep the birthday cousins safe and happy.  Amen.