Wednesday, Happy Baby slept in. She’s been sleeping in late just about every morning this week.

As I was watching her sleep, the YouVersion Bible app verse of the day popped up on my phone:

I had just referenced this verse 2 posts prior. I love when God’s Word “coincidentally” echoes as if to really ensure that I’ve ingested it. When I “stumbled” upon it the first time it struck a chord with me. Especially when circumstances seem hopeless and unfair, I fall into the rut of just EXPECTING heartache in this world. I assume that anything good will have to wait until eternity, and when things are going good, something bad is just right around the corner. In one fleeting thought, my joy is heisted. Psalm 27:13 is one of those verses that is an exhilarating splash of cool water over my soul, refreshing and renewing my mind. With CONFIDENCE I will SEE (not just “expect” but actually SEE) the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living — right here, right now, on this earth! Yes, bad times will come along, but in the midst of them we can and we will see God’s goodness.

This is some definite goodness of the Lord right here:

And the goodness of the Lord likes baffs!

Thursday morning Happy Baby slept in again. She points at stuff in her sleep. She’s pointy. She’s a pointer sister pointedly demonstrating pointillism.

I kissed her sweet head and then headed out to spend the day with my Oma (my paternal grandmother) who had just had a minor surgery the day before. I breathed in the crisp cool air of the beautiful morning, the goodness of the Lord, as I waited for the ferry.

I had a relaxing day with my Oma. I was happy to be able to go over to spend time with her. As I sat there in her house with her I paged through the dog-eared book of nostalgia in my mind. I remembered the cozy dark winter evenings cuddled up with a giant teddy bear, the hiss of the gas fireplace while the adults watched 60 Minutes (tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick), running up and down the hallways with my cousins, the beautiful plates and glassware rattling in the china cabinet as we raced past. The smell of a sumptuous roast in the oven and an enthusiastic accordion polka straining from the Florida room. Those blessed untroubled days of my childhood – the ones that seemed never ending were now just memories. The house has grown quiet and the children have grown old, but the love that binds us all together remains. It is intense and prominent, never ending, never fading, precious.

Before I left, I tucked Oma into bed for a nap, gave her a hug and a kiss just like she used to do for me when I’d spend the night as a little girl–the goodness of the Lord.

When I got back home I waited for the big kids to get off the bus. How sweet to see little Greta break off into a sprint when she spots me waiting for her. (Gavin is busy tossing the football up the street when he gets home. No time for muthrs!!) Greta is still excited to see me…

But I have a sneaking suspicion that I rank second to someone else.

Unfortunately, the cute heart stickers had to come off of Nora’s sweet cheeks. Water from the vaporizer attachment on her oxygen concentrator accidentally got kicked into the tubing and I can guarantee that NO ONE wanted water in their little button nose!! The situation was quickly and efficiently remedied and we got to enjoy a few minutes of euphoric naked cheeky pinches!!! Ooooo!!!!

“Tursday night my Daddy had to stay out of towns to go put up a sign.”

“He doesn’t have to do dat too oftens. Good thing or he’d go crazy missing me!”

“Oh look, everyone! It’s Crazy Baby! (speaking of crazy)”

“Crazy Baby says it’s baff time!!”

“Get outta here, Mommy. Deez pictures are for Daddy!”

“Um, Daddy? I have sumteeng to say to you. You ready?”

“Tah Dah!!”

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
(John 15:9 NIV)