Project: Fort - Day 1

My dad came in town on Thursday to help Paul work on the boys' fort this weekend.  We started off with a chilly morning but Gabriel and David were ready to get started!

It warmed up quite a bit that afternoon and the boys were excited to see how their fort had "grown" during nap time! 

Gabriel had some tools and wood to work on some of his own "projects".

David wanted to snack and hammer in the middle of the action.

Tinker Bell found an almost peaceful corner of the yard and watched from a distance.

Break time!

Gabriel was a busy little worker with nails and a real hammer!

Daddy's saw was REALLY loud.

The extent of my manual labor today was climbing the 8 foot ladder while holding my fancy camera for this shot.  We all survived.

The boys got a chance to check out their fort.  I think they like it so far.

At 5pm they ran out of screws so we (I mean Paul and Dad) called it a day and turned on the grill for some burgers, hot dogs and chicken.  

The boys wanted to sit at their table.....in their fort......with Grandpa.  So Paul moved the table in and Grandpa didn't say no.

More to come: walls, railing,  doorway, awning, window, peepholes, ladder, trapdoor, rock climbing wall and roof!  And Papa John comes next weekend to help with the fun project!

Hide and Seek

Since Mother Nature feels deprived by not being able to give us a real winter this year, she seems to be acting out by giving many beautiful days of warm sunshine in February followed by rain and cold temps in March.

So while she throws her pity party, the boys and I stayed warm and cozy in our pj's (photo - David likes to eat a big apple like Bubba.  No slices!).  Gabriel and I did puzzles and played Sequence for Kids while I handed David games that he couldn't bend or break (UNO Moo, an extra set of tokens from our game, Hungry Hippo, etc.).   Then Gabriel asked to play Hide and Seek.

Gabriel's Hide and Seek Rules:
1) Everyone must hide (even the counter)
2) You must count to 15
3) Little brother David must help Gabriel find Mommy
4) A great hiding spot should be used EVERY TIME

After hiding in David's closet (straightened the shoes on the shelves while I waited to be found) and the boys' tub (put away some bath toys as quietly as possible) I found the best place for a mommy to hide.  The bed.  I laid alongside the headboard and was perfectly hidden by the pillows.  Seriously the best hiding place.  Ever.  I smiled to myself as I listened to Gabriel say "Nope!  She's not in here David."  "Come here David.  Let's look together."  "No, we already looked there."  "Hold my hand David."  David called out "Mama!" intermittently.  Then Gabriel gave up.  "Mom!" he called out.  "Come here!  Come here to us!".   Rest time was over.  I called his name loudly and then more softly as he came back down the hall.  David sat down on the dog's bed and then he spotted me peeking out of the pillows, "Mama!!!"  Gabriel said, "Mommy!!!  Hide there again!  We'll go count!".

The Justification for Dishonesty

Two days ago my facebook news feed blew up with KONY this and that.  It was a very emotionally provoking video put together by the nonprofit organization, Invisible Children.  Later that night I began to see postings that argued the legitimacy of the video's claims (read this link).  As skeptics posted these links others promptly provided the ICN's response (read this link) in the organization's defense.  The ICN's response is a well played and necessary PR move to save face by clarifying the situation in Central Africa.  They do not address all of the confusing matters but now we're just splitting hairs.

From what I  have read it seems that Invisible Children has a worthy and necessary cause. But I have to say that regardless of what good your organization does, it does not justify half-truths and misleading information.  Lets call it what it is:  Dishonesty.  Every generation  seeks to paint a broader grey area between truth and lies.  "Lies is such a harsh word.  Can't we call it something else?"  Argue for all the good the organization does and defend your position to those who want to fully understand what is ACTUALLY going on.  Argue for the justification of dishonesty. 

I hold no judgement on those who are advocates for what the organization pursues - striving to stop the violence in Central Africa.  I am not disappointed in the choice to donate to Invisible Children.  If you understand the situation and desire to donate, that is fantastic.   My disappointment lies with the organization - the editors of the film and the management of the organization that chose to let this misrepresentation of the facts in essence represent THEIR organization. 

Just as no one is perfect, an organization made up of imperfect people will also be imperfect.  I just hope that the large influx of funding they are receiving as a result of their video does not encourage more of the same.  There should be an accountability for truth.

But as I've said before, I do not condone finger pointing and evading personal responsibility.  Opting out of giving to charitable causes for every reason under the sun does not exempt you from the responsibility you have (as an American and/or Christian) to give.  While I hesitate to walk the fine line of justification, I do empathize with why an organization may feel that speaking to emotions seems necessary.  Why does it take such a provoking video to prompt us into action?  I'm not saying you aren't giving at all, but did you miss the $10 you donated that day?  Probably not.  Maybe you can do that every week - without waiting for something to anger, scare or sadden you.  Give.  Give more.  Give thoughtfully.  Just give.

Operation Igloo Rescue

Shortly after lunch on Saturday (this should explain why David is shirt-less in these pictures because eating is a full contact sport!) the boys entertained themselves with their daddy's lunch box.  Our eldest was giggling and yelling to Paul that he was stuck and needed his Daddy to get him free.  This is how Paul found him.

Paul laughed, grabbed him by his waist and flew him around upside-down while Gabriel prostested loudly to be put back down - in the lunch box.  David apparently did not like seeing his big "bubba" stuck in the lunch box (again) so he took it upon himself to "rescue" his bubba over and over and ....

  

 In the end they had a great time, no one got hurt, and ended up fighting over who got to stick their head in the lunch box next!

Our (Mostly Honest, Slightly Sarcastic) Christmas Letter

Dear Family, Friends and General Acquaintances, 

Paul began his 9^th year at Mentalix, a fingerprint software company.  While he still runs around like a headless chicken most days doing everything from IT for the people in the office, handling the Help Desk for client issues, managing the new Card Conversion Division (including HR related drama for those employees), traveling to fabulous places like San Diego, CA and also not so fabulous locations like Keene, TX, performing software tests, He was promoted to Technical Operations Manager and enjoys being familiar with so many aspects of the company.  Occasionally he is able to go sailing either at Lake Grapevine or Lake Lewisville with some racers who enjoy winning. I’m not sure if this helps appease his desire to own a boat or only makes it worse.  Once he is making millions from the code he writes for various apps in his spare time he will buy his own boat so our boys can grow up sailing like he did.

Caryn is mostly a SAHM (the chauffeur, event organizer, errand runner, repair technician and lately a lot of refereeing) and continues to work part-time in her pajamas (aka working from home) as the Director of Finance for the Christian non-profit, Sigma Phi Lambda, Inc.  Most notably she cooks fresh meals daily and the house is never dirty.  In her spare time she enjoys catching up on the last years “must read” books, scrapbooking….can’t remember the last time that happened  and finding more projects on Pinterest that may or may not get done.  

Gabriel turned four in October and now tests our patience as a bossy pants and arguer is such a big help with his little brother and practices his debate skills for what will surely be a lucrative career as a lawyer.  He is a giver and a helper especially if the helping involves being outside with his daddy.  He is bilingual and is currently learning his 3^rd language because he is a genius and and clearly Harvard bound.  Gabriel enjoys building with LEGOs and playing with his wooden train set.  He is so advanced with his building and problem solving skills that the Dallas Transport Authority will be contacting him soon to help find a solution to the traffic congestion across the North Dallas metroplex.  We as parents take all the credit for his highly developed abilities. 

David had his first birthday in June.  As a child in the 90^th percentiles for height and weight we will begin investing in our retirement plan by training him for football as a defensive end next year.  He gets into everything and is the reason Caryn is physically exhausted and keeps a large bottle of ibuprofen stocked in the cabinet is an inquisitive child with a lot of energy. He loves his big brother (Bubba) and has a great encourager in him for things Mommy doesn’t want him to do.  David is an expert at locking himself in closets, emptying drawers and cabinets in record time loves playing hide and seek and finding new things to play with.  Having mastered his ABC’s by the age of one and memorized The Lord's Prayer by fifteen months, David is now learning to count to 100.  We are so blessed to have two  gifted children!

Merry Christmas!

The Bells

Celebrating 9 years of marriage this month (but it only feels like 3 1/2).

David's Christmas Story Moment

  

From the movie "The Christmas Story"

Today was the special Christmas Carols program by Gabriel's preschool class so I came prepared to get stuff done between drop off and the program.  Seventeen month old David was bundled up for the 30 degree weather in a sweater and thick sweater hooded coat and knit cap.   When I hoisted him out of the car he was determined to carry his lunch box.  On the way in I had David's hand in my right hand and my left arm was full of purse, books for work and David's backpack.  So we began the trek from the parking lot to the church.  Halfway to the sidewalk, we are crossing the lane of traffic of other parents arriving when David trips.  I manage to keep him from hitting the pavement by holding his arm.  But he dangles mid-way (still holding his lunch box) and makes zero attempt to stand up again.  My go-with-the-flow child decided it was too difficult to try and stand up with all of the layers he had on and would just lay down.  In the middle of the parking lot.  My left arm is full.  I cannot lift a 28 pounder with one arm.  Not when he WANTS to lay down in a lounging position in the street.  Cars were beginning to pile up as they waited for me to drag his lifeless body out of the way.  But I knew someone would call CPS if I resorted to pulling him by the hood.  So I squatted (wearing boots by the way) and managed to get my arm half way around his middle and I hobbled us to the sidewalk where Gabriel stood patiently waiting.  And Gabriel was probably wondering how David gets away with stuff like this.  So it begins, my eldest child.  So it begins.

My embarrassment and frustration were replaced with laughter by the time we got inside.  Because if we can't laugh at ourselves, well, that's just no fun at all.