2013-10-27

The Seating Chart

The mid century house I grew up in had a galley kitchen, and at one end there was an elevated bar that opened into another room. The second room was intended as a TV room, but my folks actually used it as a formal dining room when my mom found her dining room set. In the dining room, there was a slider that opened to the side yard, an opening that led to the garage and stairs to the second story that was added in the 60's, the opening to the living room, and then a door to the bathroom. It was a postage stamp sized pass through bath with doors to the entry hall and the dining room. A little odd, but we didn't  know any different. 

We hadn't lived in the house long when it was decided that we really needed to modify the elevated "bar" so that it would be more useful as a kitchen table. So dad cut a bigger hole in the wall and lowered the height of the bar, and also wrapped it around one wall of the kitchen. He even laminated the top of it with lovely genuine imitation "wood" formica. It produced a lot more usable space, and when there were just four of us in the family, made a good place for meals, homework, and dad's late night side business. 

I remember many mornings sitting across from my older brother, Ming, and gagging as I watched and LISTENED  to him eat. His favorite breakfast was 4 pieces of cinnamon toast with chocolate milk. He would dip the toast in the milk and take a bite. Repeat for the second bite, and so on. Each piece of toast was consumed in 4 bites. With a grand total of 16 bites each morning. Accompanied by slurping, chewing, clicking jaws.......... well, you get the picture. He never looked at me, and was always engrossed in MAD Magazine while he ate.  It annoyed the fire out of me. Now that I'm older, and know better, I realize that he knew exactly what he was doing, and enjoyed it immensely. Jerk-face.

But then......... little brother came along, and it got interesting around the table. There wasn't room at the main part of the table to put a third child. So, my mom, in her infinite wisdom,  placed little brother in a chair at the wrap around part, which meant he was facing away from everyone else and had only the wall phone and back door for company. Yes folks, the old black rotary phone kept Bunns company at every  meal and we never seemed to find it anymore odd than an entrance to the bathroom from the dining room. As he learned to feed himself, he hated having sticky hands, so mom would sit him down in his yellow vinyl chair, and give him a wet wash cloth to wipe his hands, and we carried on with our hamburger helper or whatever other gourmet item on the menu that particular night.

Poor little kid. But perhaps that explains a lot.........








Eating cake and ice cream at the "breakfast bar." Behind me (in my lovely cat glasses) is the phone that kept little bro company at every meal.




Be not deceived: 
Evil companionships corrupt good morals.
1 Cor. 15:33



2013-10-21

Monday's Grace 10/21/2013

Remembering Ralph 

Early this morning, a friend passed into eternity. After a long battle with lung cancer, he now dwells with his Savior in heaven and is finally, truly whole. I'm so thankful I share his hope for eternity, and am blessed to celebrate his life with his family. You've been a blessing to many, my friend. You'll be missed. 









I will pay  my vows unto Jehovah, 
Yea, in the presence of all His people.
Precious in the sight of Jehovah 
is the death of His saints.
O Jehovah, truly I am thy servant:
I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid;
Thou has loosed  my bonds.
Ps. 116:14-16

2013-10-14

Monday's Grace's 10/14/2013

MESSY AND LOUD AT DUDE AND LEELAH'S!!! 
We are SO thankful to have our littles around. What a wonderful way to start (and continue!!) the week!














The "playin' wiff trains" never stops. 











Beautiful day for a morning walk!




Cheese!!









 "Wunch!"














Skitabetti consumption.......














Easiest way to clean it all up.




Playin in the space ship!





Taking a break with the youngest little




But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people for God's own possession,
that ye may show forth the excellencies of Him
who called you out of darkness in to His marvelous light:
who in time past were no people, 
but now are the people of God:
who had not obtained mercy,
but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10

2013-10-10

Great Day 10 on 10

I totally forgot that today was 10 on 10 day until Jen from Living Life One Cheerio At A Time reminded me late this afternoon. It's too bad, because the first half of the day would have been an AMAZING 10 on 10! So this one starts about 3, and it turned out to be a pretty good evening!









Spontaneous visit from my SC bigs and littles called for a quick trip to the store.






My FAVORITE study spot





On my way to my oldest daughters for the gathering of part of our tribe. It was a "sunroof open with the music REAL loud" kind of day today. Precious for the midwest in mid October!





And here we are!




These times are such a blast




My 2 daughters feeling at home in this cute little kitchen




Little #2's pumpkin




My brother, Ming, would have been so proud of our percussion section




It's really good to be together.




A few stories before bed.




For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father,
from whom every family in heaven
and on earth is named,
that He would grant you,
according to the riches of his glory,
that ye may be strengthened with power 
through His Spirit in the inward man.
Eph 3:14-16



Linking up to A Bit of Sunshine




2013-10-07

Monday's Grace 10/7/2013

5 years ago, I never would have guessed how blessed I would be by these little people. God, in His grace, has expanded our family exponentially, and I'm so very thankful for this new generation.











Look a-likes!




I feel your pain




Cuz-budz





Mr. Happy Pants




Daddy's 'mini-me's'











This one just makes me laugh!!




And they brought unto Him also infants,
that He would touch them: 
but when His disciples saw it,
they rebuked them.
But Jesus called them unto Him, and said,
Suffer little children to come unto me,
and forbid them not:
for such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, 
Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God 
as a little child
shall in no wise enter therein.
Luke 18:15-17