January 4 – “One ice-cold date”

We went on a date last night.  A real-live, honest-to-goodness, Galveston-type date.  No, we didn’t go to the beach.  Or for a ride on the ferry.  We went over to Moody Gardens, ski jackets in hand, and went through the ice sculpture exhibit.  At least I think that’s what they call it.  It is a huge tent set up in the parking lot and cooled to nine degrees inside (hence, the ski jackets).  You are even issued a parka before you go inside, if you want one.  The family just behind us didn’t know whether to accept the parka or not.  They commented, “We don’t know nine degrees.”  I was whispering from across the room, “Get the parka.  Get the parka.”  Guess they heard me.  They got the parkas.  Some people apparently refuse the privilege.  Bad mistake.  We saw some children inside literally shivering and obviously not enjoying the experience.  That was a shame, too, because part of the exhibit is a huge slide made of ice.  I didn’t make the attempt this year, though.  Sore knee.  Couldn’t get Chris to attempt it either.  Sore hip.  I think if we hadn’t had to climb stairs to get to the slide start we would have been fine. 

But as far as the exhibit itself was concerned, I give it a huge thumbs-up.  Way better than last year’s Spongebob Squarepants theme.  This one had huge sculptures of different varieties of fish, and most were creatures found out in the Gulf of Mexico.  I guess I appreciated the hometown feel.  The backgrounds were carved into what appeared to be coral reefs and undersea plants and creatures.  It was almost like walking through a massively oversized reproduction of the real-life aquarium on the other side of the parking lot.  Very impressive.  And as reached the exit, there was a sneak peek of sorts, made from ice, of the tropical rainforest pyramid.  I saw frogs and a chameleon and a few parrots.  How’s that for marketing on their part? 

After the ice show we ditched our heavy jackets and made the long walk through the Christmas lights display.  Compared to the one in Dickinson, this one was for sure the heavy hitter.  Of course the Dickinson show is completely run by volunteers, and it is free admission.  The Moody Gardens one is subsidized by corporate donations and is by no means free.  It is included in the family pass we got with Nathan and April and Cailyn, though, so we figured, why not?  They have reconfigured everything from the last time we went.  Instead of starting with the true Christmas story display, it is now set up as the grand finale.  They tell the entire story of the birth of Jesus.  Pretty well done.  Refreshing amidst the glitz and glitter of the rest of the Christmas mania.  Our only complaint was the twinge of sadness we felt at not having grandchildren with us to take pictures of at the photo op sites.  But we got over it.  We did get our first selfie of the New Year, though.  Well, after Chris reminded me that I had to push the button to switch it over to selfie mode.  Hey, it’s been a while. 

We thought about ending the evening with a cup of hot chocolate back at the house, but, honestly, after our walk through the lights, we were shedding our sweatshirt and windbreaker.  I settled for a cup of iced white grape juice.  I think Chris just had some water.  We spent the rest of our ice-cold evening with our red-hot dates on the couch, watching TV.

Philippians 2:14-16 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.”

Father, thank you for my red-hot date.  It is always nice spending time with her.  Amen.

January 3 – “A little spice”

Woke up to it being a little chilly this morning.  61 degrees chilly.  That’s about nine degrees colder than I’m used to around here.  It’s supposed to warm back up later in the day, though.  Guess I’ll just be forced to wear a windbreaker to water exercise class this morning.  Tough life.

In spite of the extended New Year holiday yesterday, I spent much of the day working as I would any Monday.  Trying to get that jump on next Sunday’s worship service and teaching.  We did take a few breaks to help Chris finish up the Christmas de-decoration process.  I took down the outside lights and boxed them all up.  As far as I can tell, all we need to do now is haul them back up into the attic.  That will be no easy task, either.  Well, it used to be.  But I can already feel some creaky, cranky muscles barking at me at just the thought.  Ah, well.  I’ll get them warmed up at water exercise.  Then let them calm down a bit afterward with a rest.  Then I’ll see if they have it in them to tackle the attic.  Sounds reasonable to me.

We also fit in a run to WalMart.  Had to pick up some bananas and light bulbs.  While we were there I snuck a movie or two into the basket.  Chris wouldn’t let me buy any before Christmas.  The rule around here has always been “No buying anything for yourself between Thanksgiving and Christmas.”  Just in case, you know.  I tried to explain that a movie is something everyone can enjoy, not just me.  Great logic, right?  Didn’t fly.  She did get me that Tom Hanks movie “Sully.”  We haven’t watched it yet.  I didn’t get any others, though.  Well, until yesterday’s treat.  I got Suicide Squad and Ben Hur.  Opposite ends of the spectrum, I know.  We watched Suicide Squad last night.  Odd.  At least they portrayed Joker as absolutely crazy.  The other guys weren’t really in the comics I spent most of my time reading.  The ones here reeked of Gotham City and Batman.  As I understood it, this movie takes place right after the last Superman movie where he supposedly dies.  As a result evil is once again running rampant.  People are scared of meta-humans (thank you to the Flash series for that term) and what they MIGHT do.  Come on, people.  Don’t make it a problem until it becomes a problem.  Oh, wait.  Hollywood.  I forgot.

Philippians 2:12-13 says, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

Father, thank you yet again for fantasy and imagination.  They really add spice to life.  Amen.

January 2 – “Santa has left the building”

After church yesterday (Great crowd, by the way.  A whole bunch of folks from Corpus Christi were here together.  Why would someone who already lives in a coastal community come to a different coastal community on vacation?  Not real sure about that.  But they were having a great time here.  There was another family there from Austin.  They stuck around after church and helped us take down the Christmas decorations), Chris decided that Christmas was officially over.  That may not sound like a big deal, but let me tell you, when it is time … it is time.  So we began the painstaking process of taking down all the Christmas decorations inside the house.  The outside lights will fall victim today.  I stayed generally out of the way for a while, just until she established her groove.  Move stuff from all the rooms onto the dining table first.  Then bring in the boxes that house the most fragile stuff.  Then comes the rest of the boxes.  That leads naturally into removing ornaments from the tree, at which point I am fully engaged.  And once the ornaments are gone, down comes the tree.  That’s my specialty.  Slowly remove the lights from the top down.  And as the light ball clears each section of the tree, stop and remove and straighten out the branches.  Makes it so much easier to get to the lights that way.  Now even though we have an artificial tree, but it is one of those that has the extra bonus attraction of shedding just like a real tree.  So after taking it apart and boxing it away, we still have to do the dirty deed of sweeping up fake tree needles.  And that task lasts all year long.  But as of now, the stuff is all boxed up.  Chris wanted to wait to put any boxes in the attic, though.  For one, we still have the outside lights to get down.  But she also wanted to do another walk-through of the house to make sure we didn’t leave anything behind.  Ah, Christmas. 

And Chris’ declaration leads to another … Ladies and Gentlemen, Santa has officially left the building.  I trimmed the old Santa beard back down to the scruffy, much-cooler look last night.  Chris admitted that she likes it much better this way (More kissable, maybe?).  It was great for those few moments when the young ones saw me in the costume for the first time.  And I think it added to the ambiance when I read the Christmas story.  I still think it’s important for kids to hear that Santa loves Jesus.  Sure I mean “loves.”  Nicholas was a believer, so he is alive in Christ.  Anyway, it is much cooler, so it will make handling these rough, 70+ degree Galveston Island winters a bit easier.  Now I’m waiting to arrange for a haircut so the top of my head can catch up with my chin.  I will be cool again soon.

Philippians 2:9-11 says, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Father, thank you for the chance to live in 70+ degree winters.  I love it.  Amen.

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.

December 31 – “One more day”

We finally had our family Christmas celebration yesterday.  It was a long time in coming, but well worth it to have everyone together at the same time in the same place.  And it even turned off a little chilly for the event.  At least the early part of the day, anyway.  Of course it was nowhere near cold enough to prevent the kids from playing outside most of the day.  There were even a few moments where the adults could almost hear themselves talk.  Amazing.

I gave Chris her yearly carving.  Actually she opened the first part of it on Christmas Day.  That was the carved names of our two newest little ones, Ezra and AnnaGrace.  That completes her grandkids set.  Not a big, intricate deal.  Just the carved names of the kiddos.  Well the carving yesterday was a bit of a surprise for her.  I’ve been working on the pelican for a while as well.  I managed to mention all of them at the Christmas Eve service, too.  That is another of our myriad of family traditions.  I give clues to the carving at the church Christmas Eve service.  It was easy to say something about our new grandbabies.  I had to sneak in the pelican reference though.  During the welcome I told the guests that they were now trapped in a tropical island paradise, so they would “find no Frosty the Snowman here.  There might be a Pedro the Pelican, though.”  And so it was completed.

I received quite an array of great gifts.  A book about the Astros signed by the author.  A baseball crossword puzzle book, combining two of my passions.  And an actual worker’s uniform shirt from the old Astrodome.  Sensing a pattern here?  Beyond the baseball, I received a mug with an AnnaGrace footprint that had been made into a fire department ladder truck.  That’s a real treasure.  There was also a table easel for my ukulele music.  Very nice.  Made of wood, and it even has a drawer for music storage.

We played that game that is floating around the internet where you try to unwrap a present wearing kitchen mittens before the next person in line rolls a double with a set dice.  Lots of fun.  The kids played a round after the adults, and theirs got much more intense.  I think everyone had a good time, though. 

And finally came the inevitable Cousins’ Sleepover.  Nine of the ten grandkids stayed at our house.  Ezra went home with his Mom and Dad.  AnnaGrace retired to the back bedroom with his Mom.  After the movie we made an attempt to quiet everyone down to get at least a little bit of sleep.  Jachin just told me he thinks he got the best sleep he ever has at a cousins’ sleepover.  “I was shocked when I woke up to discover it was already six o’clock.”    The girls both ended up in our bedroom, and before the night was over, they both took over our bed.  Of course there were a few others who insist that they never did make it to sleep.  I know Micah and Zak were prowling about the house well after eleven. And they were the ones who greeted me when I came out of the bedroom this morning.  Of course they were all awake when I came out of the bedroom.  And they were doing their best to get oldest cousin Jachin out of his sleeping bag.  Interesting picture.  Jachin covered from head to toe.  The other cousins kneeling on each side of his sleeping bag armed with pillows.  Smack.  Smack.  Revenge of the younger set.  Great movie ending.

Philippians 2:1-2 says, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”

Father, thank you for one more day of 2016.  It has been a full one.  Amen.

December 30 – “Never ‘Just Fred’”

A little wit from the tiny set this morning.  Luke has determined all-new designations for our three dogs.  Heidi, our dachshund, has become, quite simply, Old Dog.  Certainly appropriate.  She moves slowly, has gray hair, and can’t hear very well (Wait a minute.  That could just as easily be a description of someone else … me).  On the other hand, Fritz, the Boston terrier/something else mix, has become Big Dog, because he is, well, the big dog of the three.  I know that is a relative term, but Luke is three years old and could be referred to as short in some circles.  To him, Fritz is … Big.  And finally there comes his obvious favorite.  The only dog with which he has a personal relationship.  The dog who lets him carry her around.  The dog who is just the right size for a young whippersnapper like Luke.  The dog who has been honored.  How?  For Christmas he  received a stuffed doggie.  It was brown and small, a reasonable facsimile.  And to honor his Galveston buddy, he gave it the same name.  And speaking of names, this would be the only one of the three that he actually calls by name.  And not by her actual given name on file with the vet.  No, that would be simply, Fred.  But to Luke she is never “just Fred.”  To this young man she is and no doubt always will be … Friederecke. 

And speaking of Freddy, she has found a new purpose in life.  We have had two newborns over here, being passed from person to person for snuggle time.  Ezra has come along just fine and although he is a month younger, he is obviously the “Big Guy” of the two.  AnnaGrace on the other hand is the essence of petite cuteness.  She has regaled us with smiles and her love for being held.  Yesterday we had sugar muffins for breakfast (I didn’t know they were called sugar muffins.  Luke informed me of that).  Perfect DadDad nickname for AnnaGrace … Sugar Muffin.  Not sure I can remember it long enough to make it stick, but I’ll try.  So two bundles of perfection.  Cute overload.  And for Freddy, every ounce of her tiny body has been overwhelmed by maternal instinct.  She wants to be right by the side of whoever is holding one of the young’uns.  And heaven forbid if one of them should whimper.  She can barely contain herself.  Guess she’s not a bad “extra big sister” to have around.

Oh, and one more fun anecdote.  I was out in the front yard with Luke.  He wanted to ride the bike and the big wheels toys we have.  He’s really good on the regular two-wheeler with training wheels that is his size, by the way.  But this time he was on one of the big wheels toys, the ones he calls motorcycles.  We got him maneuvered through the grass until he was situated on the sidewalk with nothing but a clear path in front of him.  He crouched low in the seat.  He leaned forward.  He gripped the handlebars a little tighter.  His feet were on the pedals, ready to explode into action.  I wondered what he was waiting for, but I didn’t dare intrude into his moment.  Finally I heard the noise emanating from his lips.  Beep … Beep … Beep … BEEEEEEP.  Ah, the intrusion, well, at least the influence, of video games.  Thank you Mario Cart. 

Philippians 1:27 says, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

Father, thank you for unique fun moments with each of our grandchildren.  Amen.

December 29 – “Connections”

Well, as for me, I spent another day at the computer.  Never did make it to the one other thing I had on my list, the bank.  I can do that later today though.  Now Chris on the other hand was in amazing form.  She got in high gear and got her list completed.  I mane the quilting she wanted to get done, the baking she wanted to get done, and even the cleaning she wanted to get done.  All of it … got done.  Impressive.  We are finally ready for Christmas.  Not bad at all, and it only took until December 28^th.  Maybe we’ll shoot for the 27^th next year. 

Josh and Christi made their appearance in the late afternoon.  As they parked, three little boys came spilling out of the car as fast as they could go.  Seems a certain new little sister had been informing them all that she wanted to see Nani and DadDad, and she wanted to see them … NOW.  And of course she was a perfect little angel for us.  She sat in Chris’ lap most of the evening.  Needless to say, a certain Nani was in heaven. 

We had hoped to take the boys on a quick fishing trip, but the fog was already rolling in, and they were happy to be running around in the back yard.  They just needed some outside time in the cool Galveston evening to counteract their enforced captivity in the car. 

Last night Zak and Caleb received the privilege of being older.  They got to join their Daddy as he watched the movie he got for Christmas, The Avengers.  It was the first one that included the Battle of New York.  It was lots of fun watching with them, but even more fun when the movie ended and Caleb had to rehash the whole thing.  All the while he was wearing a path in the rug from where he walked around and around in a circle while he talked.  One would think he enjoyed the movie. 

Josh was the first adult to bail and head for bed, and I was not far behind him.  It looked like Texas A&M was going to lose their football game anyway.  At least Baylor won their game the night before.  As Christi noted, it was something like the “We’ll leave the light on for ya” Motel 6 Bowl.  Sigh. 

Philippians 1:21 says, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Father, thank you for family connections.  Amen.