Every superhero movie these days involves a mind-blowing escalation of the final battle. You know. The Avengers are fighting creepy mechanical creatures that fly around knocking New York City to pieces. You think it can’t get any worse, and then it does: there’s a lull in the action, a low-pitched roar, and my kids start…
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Mighty Waters
Living Slow
Sometimes life seems like a full-on sprint. I take a deep breath, as I did on Tuesday afternoon last week, and comfort myself that this is the worst a Tuesday is ever going to get, this school year. Or I have a Saturday like this past weekend, in which nothing was scheduled and consequently I…
Read More“But I Like You!” and other kid moments
Julianna: Julianna’s newest “Julianna-ism” is: “But I like you!” As in, “Julianna, it’s your turn to clear the table.” “But I like you!” “Julianna, time to get up.” “But I like you!” “Yes, I like you, too, but it’s still time to get out of bed.” Alex Alex took Benadryl for the first time this…
Read MoreDouble Standards
At the sound of a crash on wood, Christian and I both turned around, gearing up for a Parental Scowl at the offending child. By the time we saw the toy tractor, which had been dropped into our pew by the non-Basi boy in the row behind, I realized it was far too sharp a…
Read MoreStupid Things We Fight About
In honor of our anniversary coming up this weekend, I thought I’d take a look at how far we’ve come. One Saturday morning, when we had been married for about six months (maybe less), I decided I was going to get up and make breakfast. I figured the noise would wake Christian up and he…
Read MoreThe Thing About Boys…
The thing about boys is that they’re confusing. Like my laundry pile. It makes no sense. On Friday of one week I fold six loads of laundry (I got behind. So sue me), and nine days later, on a Sunday afternoon, I do the next three. And if the laundry pile is to be believed,…
Read MoreThe Birthday Post
This is the post I’ve been wanting to write for a couple of years: the post in which I acknowledge the aging process. But I’m in this weird in-between time when, according to Merriam Webster and everyone who is older than me, I am most certainly NOT middle-aged; I am still a young’un. And yet…
Read MoreFunerals and Friendship
I spent Saturday at the funeral of a friend. It is sometimes a strange thing to be a pastoral musician. I have this gift, and I know—because I’ve been told so repeatedly—how much it means to families to offer it to them in the pivotal moments of their lives. It’s an honor and a privilege…
Read MoreCommando Olympics and other Quick Takes
-1- The kids have been entranced by the Olympics lately. Michael calls them “Olymp-kicks.” -2- I’m so glad I blogged about chicken legs a couple weeks ago. Because now when we call her that, we can’t be accused of copying Allyson Felix. -3- Last week my friend Kelley posted this status update on Facebook: Went for…
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