Early Retirement and Other Mysteries

They must have been tired. The "whine" was free flowing at dinner last night and both were sent to their rooms until their dispositions improved. This is what I found at 5:58 PM!!!!

Andrew slept a full 12 hours and Stephen slightly more. They were in much better spirits this morning. This was all in addition to Andrew sleeping until 8 am on Thursday - a feat that has never (to my clouded memory) been accomplished. Strange things are afoot! Notice Andrew is sleeping with a copy of Tow Times. A few months ago they picked up a copy at the Tow Truck Museum and he often fell asleep with it. I sent a picture and note to the editor, and it was published in the last issue.

Here are some shots from a trip to our neighborhood creek. I'm very thankful for this happy diversion so close to our home.
We celebrated Matthew's baptism today (a duel baptism, actually, with our college friends Katie and Nate Henderson). In the hubbub we failed to get a family shot, but I managed to get a decent shot of the males.
We tried to prevent any "scenes" by explaining to the boys what would happen. After Doug said that the pastor would sprinkle water on Matthew's head, Stephen piped up, "And then he will take a whip and beat Matthew to death!"

That took me aback to say the least. All I can hope is that he somehow had baptism confused with sacrifices, but who knows when you're speaking of Stephen.

In any case, everyone behaved. Matthew chatted in his sweet way; Stephen only quietly asked if he was going to have water on his head, too; Andrew jump/skipped just once and lustily sang "Jesus Loves Me" with the congregation as the pastors carried the babies up and down the aisle.


Matthew was exhausted after a busy morning with no nap.

Though each child's baptism has been special, I am so much more aware now than I was four years ago of the need for "humble reliance upon divine grace" for both me and the child.