Gus Was A Friendly Ghost

When Maggie and Ty were in 2nd grade and not too keen on reading out loud, we recorded an audiobook. Not just any plain old audiobook, bit one complete with sound effects. Gus Was A Friendly Ghost was their favorite at the time. Ty was the voice of Mouse. Maggie was the voice of Gus. I was the Narrator.

*subject change

Last week I had the flu. I am a great big baby. You may not know that, but it's true. I'm a lot whiner than I like to think I am. On Thursday my wonderful sister came and got my two youngest. Then later that night, Maggie and Ty left for the Youth Ski Trip. Chris was working. I was alone. I slept a lot. I watched a lot of movies... Stranger Than Fiction, Pride and Prejudice, My Fair Lady, Singin' in the Rain, The Artist, Sherlock (the BBC tv show). Then I slept some more.

As I started feeling better, I noticed that the things I had cleaned were ... staying clean. The food level in the pantry was no longer magically disappearing. The toilet paper roll stayed full. It was quiet. Like really, really quiet.

Chris and I talked about it. Talked about how strange it will be when the kids are gone from home. There were some definite perks. Money, tidiness, etc. But then we stood quietly and let it sink in. Then we cried a little and were very grateful that it's not time to turn them into the world just yet.

*subject shift

Tonight, all my kids were home again. We sat around the table after eating our spaghetti and talked for hours. Maggie and Ty told stories from their trip. Gracie told stories about Kim and Nana. The youngers eventually drifted off to their rooms and devices. Maggie and Ty, Chris and I sat and spoke of faith, leadership, servant's hearts, Springville church. Ty said, with tears in his eyes, that he really loves Springville church. (a balm and blessing to this mother's heart) Maggie talked about sharing the gospel with a couple of girls and asked advice.

After dinner, Ty helped me clean the kitchen and then we got talking about books. The book we're reading now for school (Heart of Darkness) and what we should read next (The Old Man and the Sea?)We talked about books that we've studied/read over the years. His favorites were Danny and the Dinosaur, Ferdinand, and ... Gus Was A Friendly Ghost.

I pulled out the old cassette tape and tape player while Ty grabbed the book. Before we were three pages in, the whole family was standing at the kitchen counter, listening and laughing. It was precious and wonderful and one of those rare, beautiful, perfect moments.

They asked me to read them a bedtime story (Sylvester and the Magic Pebble). Now they are all tucked into their beds. And they are happy.

I am grateful. Grateful for the today we've had, but also so thankful for the precious time that I spent with them as little ones. The hardship, tears, trials, exhaustion, selfishness and fears have faded away into a haze and on nights like tonight, all I know is that it was all worth it.

So very worth it...

New Year's Day 2013

Why yes, I do know every single word of Tom's Diner by Suzanne Vega. I'm glad you asked and are now impressed.

Today is apparently flashback day on my Pandora station, currently playing Tracy Chapman's Talkin' About A Revolution. (I know the words to that one too.)

It's an easy day at the Sharp house today. I finally figured out how to get all the sermons I've recorded with my phone onto the website. It's a 12 step process. It's not so bad now that I've finally figured it out.

Here comes Air of December by Edie Brickell. Score!

Brody has been discontent today. He wanted more structure that I was willing to give him. He's since informed me that he's ready for school to start back. Gracie and Ty have turned into vegetables. Vegetables with Netflix and headphones, that is. Maggie and her friend Victory have watched movies and talked and are now at Waffle House drinking coffee. I'm telling you, Waffle House is the place to be in Springville.

Chris is sleeping. He had such a wonderful off week. I hated for him that he had to go back. I know he's not happy at work. He still likes his boss and his co-workers, but the Obama Care is making him die slowly inside. I'm praying for... I don't know. That's one of those groaning prayers. God is good and He loves my husband.

I've seen a lot of stuff on the internet today about "Finally getting organized." Let me tell you something I've learned. Either you're organized by nature or you're not. If you come by it naturally, good for you! If you don't, settle in... it's going to be a lifelong struggle. It will get easier, but there will always be pockets of chaos that slip right through your fingers. And that's okay. It's just the way of it. Don't beat yourself up about it. That's all I have to say about that.

The picture to the left is one that Brody just drew of a suit of armor for fighting. The two things on the shoulders are guns, mini-guns. "they are seven-barrelled guns, that shoot 25 rounds per minute." The mask is gold, red and gray. "The center of the chest is like Iron Man's thing. It's basically 50 rounds per minute, the guns are."
So there you have it...

 I really want to brush my teeth but my toothbrush is in my bathroom and Chris is sleeping. Yuck.

I have been in my pajamas all day long. It's been lovely. I need a shower though. Good thing I didn't win the Publisher's Sweepstakes today. That would have been really embarrassing!

Enough rambling. I'm done now.