August 20 – “Homecoming”

What an exciting homecoming this has been.  My shirt George has finally been reunited with his cousin George and his other cousin George.  After months in exile way up in Waco, the two cousins were released into our custody yesterday and made the long journey back to Galveston.  I haven’t learned all of the private language they use among themselves, but I’m pretty sure I detected some tears of joy.  Welcome home, George.  And George.

Speaking of Waco, we enjoyed our second day with those cousins.  Zak and Caleb had a piano recital (Ostensibly the reason for our trip, although the young cousins had a few other reasons in mind).  It was a movie music themed affair, so Zak played a song from Indiana Jones, and Caleb (who volunteered to go first out of the whole group) played songs from Jurassic Park and Star Wars.  They even dressed in costume from the movies.  They both did fabulous jobs, of course.  My favorite part of the recital (other than the fight we had outside pelting each other with pecans and acorns that, rumor has it, was started by Josh to divert attention from an impending meltdown of some very hungry kids, but you didn’t hear that from me) was after it was over.  The kid who played a song from Tyrannosaurus (I didn’t see that movie, either) was being chased around the church, making horrendous dinosaur noises, by none other than the kid who played the theme from Jurassic Park (Yes, it was Caleb).  Very funny stuff.

After the pecan wars we had some lunch at a really good pizza place.  We almost got lost on the way over there, though.  I was doing the driving at the time, which left Chris in charge of navigation, a task that she really does not like.  We finally reconnected, though, after a small detour or two.  Well, three if you count the circle through that one parking lot. 

The kids hated to leave.  Zak and Micah were doing everything they could think of to convince Christi to let Zak come home with us.  Sadly, all their efforts came to naught.  I did do something on the way home that was unexpected.  Well, other than telling about eight pages of elephant jokes.  They were well-received.  Well, they were when they were understood.  It’s not an easy task to understand an elephant joke.  It takes a finely tuned sense of humor to fully appreciate them.  But they laughed.  Oh, did they laugh.  Especially Josiah.  His laughter can be out of control.  And he can turn it on and off at the drop of a hat.  Of course he thinks he is fooling us when he does it.  Doesn’t make hearing him any less funny, though.  Laugh on, Josiah. 

So, my unexpected adventure?  I actually ate at McDonald’s again.  Yep.  Twice in two days.  Chicken sandwich this time.  Honest appraisal?  Hasn’t changed.  I haven’t been missing much of anything.  I’m pretty sure it will take a car full of children to get me to stop there again.  Hmm.  Wonder if there is a McDonald’s between here and Branson, Missouri?  We’re taking a bunch of “children” there in October …

1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Father, thank you for our safe and fun journey the last two days.  Help those kiddos get some rest now that they are apart.  Amen.