Final Exams

Although my dad was terminally ill, his death still came as a surprise. Shortly after he died, my mom found a file on the computer titled, “My Final Exam”. It was a combination Memoir/ Reflection on his life as a Christian. Unfortunately, between my father’s infamous long-windedness and his failing lungs, he had only gotten to his college days by the time he was admitted to the hospital for the last time. But still, his analogy of the final exam got me thinking of how life does constantly test us on our faith and Christian love with everything from quizzes, to exams to surprise tests. Some events are quite predictable and uneventful- not much different from the weekly spelling quiz. For example, striving for weekly attendance at church, joining a prayer club or sharing money with those less fortunate. These are all structured events that we can plan for and carry out. Some events in our life are of greater importance and feel more like a test than a quiz. For example, I am in an interfaith marriage. While it may not be ideal, I do feel that answering questions and having discussions with someone who was not raised as I was has eventually strengthened my faith and relationship with God since I have had to understand these beliefs well enough to explain them to an “outsider” and not to just mindlessly “do what I have always done”. As life becomes more complicated, I sometimes feel like it is more of the crunch of mid-term exams than a single test. I am constantly trying to balance all of the pieces of my life including friends and family, career and church. In order not to “fail” in one area, I need to keep balance within and between all areas. The most challenging of all is the pop-test. During these times my relationship and understanding of God is most tested since it is done without planning and preparation. So far the biggest pop test for me was when my sister was in a car accident one week after I graduated college. She was spending her junior year in Russia as an exchange student. Up until this time I had felt most prayers had been answered. I had a wonderful childhood and my high school years and college years remain some of my most rewarding and life-filled. All I prayed for was that she would could be flown home and come out of her coma. But during this important pop test I learned that really the only request I should make in a prayer is to be able to handle the outcome. I cannot change the “master plan” but I can use all these experiences to become a better person. Whether or not I pass my final exam remains to be seen, but at least I am learning with each “test” to better love God and this Christian life he has blessed me with.

Nice Ditch!

Last month Owen and I were watching Supernanny together. At one point there was a close-up of supernanny and Owen asked, "Mom, why do some girls have that ditch under their neck?" The way he asked this question you could tell he saw this as an undesirable feature. I laughed as I told him it is called cleavage. I am guessing it won't be long before my cute, innocent boy sees this as more than a ditch.

Double Digits

I love it when things turn out 100 times better than you plan. That is what happened this weekend. Two weeks ago Laurel told me she really wanted a slumber party for her tenth birthday. It happened to fall over spring break so when we made a list of invites I told her she could invite seven girls because it was too hard to choose and I also figured half of them would be away for spring break. Laurel was thrilled when every single girl could come. I was a nervous wreck. I really value my sleep and I always worry about safety and happiness... Would everyone be nice, would everyone get along, would they think our house was boring? Where will eight girls fit to sleep? Will they even sleep? The morning started stressful- cleanups, dust, vacuum, putting clothes away, etc. Laurel did not feel she was getting the princess status she felt she deserved as a birthday queen. I was frustrated and explained that if she wanted to host a party, she needed to help get ready for it. We left for lacrosse practice a little annoyed at each other. At 5:25 guests started to arrive. By 5:35 everyone had come. Laurel was beaming. She took down some wooden train sets and set up her own little craft activity on the porch. These ten year old girls were surprisingly interested in these wooden trains that I had gotten on clearance a year ago for ten cents each. Then everyone made their own pizzas- each as unique as the girls themselves. While the pizzas cooked, the girls organized their own kickball game in the corner of our yard. After pizza we opened gifts. Then everyone enjoyed a wii game called Just Dance. Next Laurel asked her friends which board game they wanted and they all agreed on charades. Then we sang happy birthday with a brownie cake and make your own sundaes. After that we set up the living with mattresses so that eight girls would sleep comfortably. Wilson, our 14 year old lab, thought we had this new set- up for him and he couldn’t wait to settle down on this comfy sleeping area. By 11:30 the movie, Game Plan, was over and the popcorn was eaten and everyone was sleeping. By 7:30 everyone was done sleeping and ready for more fun. I drove to Mountain Lakes Bagels to buy breakfast. I came home and cooked up another of Laurel's favorite breakfast food, bacon. Once breakfast was done, the girls continued the kickball game from last night. After that they sat around the fire pit (no fire) chatting and waiting for their parents to arrive. By the time everyone got picked up, I couldn't help to be warmed by the best gift of all- friendship. It is such an important social skill to pick the right friends. So far I am really proud of Laurel and the nice friends that she chooses. I really could not have asked for a nicer group of children to stay over. They were well-mannered and appreciative and kind to each other. Everyone enjoyed whatever activity they were doing and there were no cliques. The eagerness for these eight girls to enjoy a simple game of kickball or a fun round of charades is such a reminder that it is the simple things in life that we need to make more time for. I never thought I would say this, but thank you Laurel for choosing to celebrate your birthday with a sleepover because my heart is warm just thinking of all the good times I saw you and your friends having. But don’t make this a habit because I am still a little tired :).