It's Not Hard...

Bath Time Is Fun Time!

Reality Starts to Sink In...

One of my little brothers had a pretty big day yesterday. He took a significant step in his career or a more suitable term would be his "calling". This particular step has him moving for an entire year to Austin, Texas. I feel much shame in the fact that when I first learned of his assignment for the year, my thoughts were pretty selfish at first. I didn't want to accept it. I felt that it was the beginning of something bigger. The beginning of events that would end with all of my siblings living far too far away for my comfort or longing for continued connection and support and, well, just plain family! My sister started these feelings when she became a Minnesota resident a few years ago. I guess it didn't sink in right away because Minnesota still seemed reasonable. Now things are spiraling though. At least in my mind apparently. I have visions of her leaving and moving further away and him spending more than a year across the country some day. See? Selfish thoughts. The real kicker is that both of them are choosing to serve the Lord! How great is that!?! Yet, I still find myself upset at times and weak to see the bigger picture or acknowledge their interests. Something I really have to work on. :-(  I will overcome. Through Him I will overcome.

Of course I want the best for them both and for both of my other siblings that may someday decide that life is taking them further from home and maybe making a home for themselves somewhere else. They are all so talented and amazing to me. Each one. My brother is going to do great and my sister already does. I guess its time I think beyond and accept the Lord's plans. I shudder to think what I will do someday when Avery decides it's time to head out! Yeesh! I'm in trouble. It's a good thing I have a strong wife, right hun?

Just know that I have been thinking a lot about you knuckleheads and I love ya much! The whole family is proud of ya and we'll try not to be too selfish!

House Work...

It's not doing dishes... it's not vacuuming the carpets... it's not taking out the garbage... in fact it's none of the normal house work you might imagine. It's housework that looks a little something like this...

And who might have initiated a project or "house work" like this?

It was this wild eyed woman! Those wild eyes come from visions of a house remodeled or touched up to her liking. I am not one to move nearly as quickly as she is since I have memories of house remodeling and even helping cut some contractor costs. Memories that have made certain impressions about starting and finishing these types of projects. The finishing is where the memories get a little creepy.

All of this was happening while I was asleep (or trying to sleep, J.P.)! She was not alone however. She had company...

Some more photogenic than others...

When I awoke I found everything in motion and even got to witness Kathleen in her new fashion statement. Here she is doing her best Darth Vader... even though it came out more like Yoda!

Stealing from Walmart!?!

Friday was nice day to hang out with the family and get a few things done around the house. One thing we had been putting off for a while was going grocery shopping. It got to the point that we just had to go. You been there? So, we went to Walmart (of course) and did about 2 hours of shopping. Well, to be fair, maybe 4 minutes of that was actual shopping. I tend to visit with past associates when I see them and they are still interested in visiting with me when I make it back out to the Hartford store. On this particular day, the visiting proved to be quite a distraction for me. Enough of a distraction that I had no idea and had not possibly fathomed the crime that had occurred right in front of me. In fact, I would venture to say that it may have happened quite close to literally under my nose. An unforgivable, unmerciful, and certainly unacceptable crime. Theft. Retail theft. Despicable. Disgusting. "Are you gonna pay for that" and "Go get a job" theft. I shudder once more at the thought.

Theft of what!?! When!?! ...and of course WHY!?!

Now you may think I've just become distracted by my child once again. I'm sorry to say that that is not the case. This picture is sadly connected to this horrific story. Yes, Avery looks happy, doesn't she? That makes this all the more sadder. Take a closer look at what Avery has in her hand... I'll wait.  ...can you see it?

Yes. It's a PS3 game. Yes, Kathleen as well as myself are ashamed. How could you Avery? You broke your mother's heart... and... and... and your father... you can imagine. I'm still having problems.

This particular video game was set on the register belt with all the other items that were going to be purchased at Walmart that day. It should have been the 5th or 6th item to get rung up. Something went wrong though... oh so wrong. While Daddy was talking to the managers on duty at the store, some little person, maybe, dare I say, some little thief, stole it. Her plan was almost foiled too. She even dropped it on the ground and Daddy said to Mommy, "Don't let her break the case, honey!". I'm sure her little heart started beating quicker during that exchange... Mom and Dad were none the wiser however. Then after Mommy put the game in the cart, the managers talking to Dad even made a joking comment about "Hey, someone should check to see if that it paid for, this guy looks suspicious.". I'll bet her little heart picked up beating even faster! Then Daddy even played along and said, "Ask my cashier! She'll vouch for me!". Bump, bum, Bump, bum... (heart beats getting faster) Then the cashier even said to the managers, "I don't remember ringing that up." Avery had to be white knuckled nervous! The managers, like Daddy, took it as a joke! We finished checking out and went home! Success little thief??? She probably thought so. She was home free. Then Daddy checked the receipt when he got home... no video game. Huh!?!

The talk I had with Avery is a talk I hope I will never have to have with any kids of mine again in the future. She understands what she did wrong. Daddy doesn't understand why she did it though. Granted, she doesn't have and money. She doesn't know how to pay for something even if she HAD money, but still. Why? She doesn't even play PS3!?! Oh, well. I'll never know. A sad day for the Z's Friday was. A sad, sad day. Hopefully a lesson learned however. She's grounded for a long time and her bedtime is moved up to 9:30. That'll teach her.