Info for Discussion

Since we may be discussing Catholicism here, I thought I'd include a link to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, by the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church. It can be found here and is explained here. Matthew and I have been reading it and have found it very helpful.

snowy day play

This morning we woke up to a beautiful white landscape, and as I think I'll wait until it's a little warmer to enjoy it, we're playing indoor games. One of Jackson's favorites is making trains out of everyday objects. Yesterday it was from shoes, this morning from toilet paper rolls, the day before from the groceries I was unloading (it was his job to take the contents from the bags and put the bags in his diaper basket, where I use them to seal stinky diapers, so after the bags were placed he played with their contents). The blue patchwork dog first held the conductor's spot at the back on top of the box of diapers, but as you can see, the dog and the farmer in his hand became his passengers, "pee-ple in there". When I asked where his train was going (since he was waving goodbye to it), he responded, without a thought, "Meme's house". Right now he's playing with the classic childhood chair/sheet fort for the first time. I'm loving this pretend play!

2 out of 3 Home

Benjamin and I finally arrived in Phoenix this afternoon. We flew from Dallas to Oklahoma City, had a 2 hour lay-over, then flew to Phoenix. B did well on the flights today--he even slept! When we got home, one of the first things he wanted to do was watch 'wee-wee duck'. This is his word for the 'duck movie', a Baby Eistein that he's recently attached himself to after I unwisely put it on one morning. Josh is taking the American Airlines flight on Monday at 6 pm, so he's hanging out in Dallas, going to Olive Garden and the movies all by his lonesome. He's hoping to connect with our friend Maranda (who incidentally has our wedding album right now, so he'll actually get to bring those home). We are still without a carseat until Monday night, which poses a problem for transport to-from school. I think I'll try to scrounge from the neighbors. I am exhausted!

Stuck cont...

As those of you following our little family drama might know, we were stuck in College Station, TX yesterday for about 5 hours, trying to get through Dallas to Phoenix. We finally got back on our plane at 7 pm and flew to Dallas, a 35 min flight (and Benjamin's only nap of the day :). When we arrived in Dallas, we learned that American Airlines couldn't get us a flight until Monday at 6 pm AND they couldn't compensate for hotel due to weather-related cancelations. Fabulous. They also informed us that no other carriers had flights we could switch too. And then the fun began. Josh and I both got on our cell phones--Josh to call Southwest Airlines (because he didn't believe they didn't have any other flights and he was right) and me to Marriott to try to find a hotel where we could use Josh's reward points. All the hotels near the airport were full due to the situation, but we were able to find a Marriott Suites a few miles further away. Unfortunately, they did not have an airport shuttle, so we would have to find a taxi. Josh got in touch with Southwest and was able to get one flight back to Phoenix today and another stand-by. So I will fly with Benjamin today at 11 am and Josh will stand-by for the same flight. If he doesn't make it, he'll take the American flight Monday night at 6 and stay another night at the Marriott. Of course, we weren't able to get our bags or Benjamin's carseat, but we were told some taxis had careats, but none did. So, it's 10 pm, we've been at DFW for 3 hours just trying to get a hotel room and a flight, Benjamin is running around like the Tasmanian devil and we're both completely frustrated. So we just packed up in the first taxi we could find (which incidently REEKED of men's cologne) and prayed the whole way that we wouldn't get into an accident with Benjamin wedged in between us. Of course, he thinks the whole thing is some wonderful adventure and he's laughing and pointing things out the whole way. Finally, FINALLY, we arrive at the hotel. They're able to get us a pack 'n play for Benjamin (Oh, mercies!) and the three of us sat on the hotel room floor and ate a microwave pizza from the hotel snack shop. We all slept well and are relatively prepared for the day ahead. We have run out of diapers and of course we didn't pack a full change of clothes for Benjamin, but his socks are finally dry (he dumped an entire bottle of water on his legs and feet, so he spent all yesterday either barefoot or in shoes with no socks). The hotel had a great free breakfast and we're all going to get a shower. At the least, Benjamin and I should be home by 4 pm. Josh will either come with us or make it home tomorrow night at 8 pm. Thanks for your prayers--keep 'em coming!

Life in DC

Hello to my wonderful family! This is my first post on this blog, or on any blog for that matter. Didn't think I would be blogging until I don't know when. Thanks to Ruthie, I have been chased onto the field, and I might say it's not bad. Warming up to it. Do I say hi to other, non-family folks who are reading? (This is all kind of weird.) Hello, to all who feel that they should be greeted.

OK. First, some pictures. I thought I'd show you guys a little view of life in DC. This first one is of last year at the cherry blossom festival. It was taken by some of Lynn's friends who were visiting from Texas. That's been one of the fun thing here. We seem to have quite a few friends, and a few family members who have been able to come for a visit. The cherry blossoms are absolutely stunning. For a few short days in Spring the Mall and adjacent tidal basin are rimmed in various shades of pink blossoms. A very joyous end to Winter.

Here we are in our respective houses (L in her cool basement, me in my kitchen).

And this is the church we attend, St. James in Virgina. We picked this church because L lived close by it when she first move out here. We both like it very much, so we've decided to stay even though it's now about a thirty minute drive every Sunday. Virginia is a nice state, but we favor Maryland more. MD has some idyllic, lush, rolling farmland outside of Baltimore that we've frequented a number of times. Additionally, for the practical Phoenix clan, VA has the bad habit of providing you with an interstate exit ramp without also providing an entrance ramp. While this system cleverly displays miles of VA countryside to unsuspecting tourists every year, the authorities still have not figured out why it's a negative experience.

There is, of course much more to life in DC. I'll keep posting, but here's a start. My church photo is a nice intro to my next reason for blogging. I would like to invite questions about our interest in Catholicism. I've wanted to talk about it together before now, but it never seems to work out. So, I've gotten the OK from Ruthie to start the conversation here. What do you all think?

More later, but good night for now.

D

Stuck in College Station, TX

I am sitting on the floor in a cue at the American Airlines customer service desk in College Station, TX. Our flight from Jackson, MS was diverted here due to 70 mph winds which have closed the Dallas airport until 6 pm at the earliest. We're trying to see if we can rent a car and drive to Austin or Houston for a flight to Phoenix, but I think about a million people are trying to do the same. We're hoping to get home tomorrow at the earliest, but it could be Monday... (sigh). On the bright side, the one toy we brought for Benjamin (a wind-up airplane) is captivating him. We also brought a baby leash for the first time on this flight, which is hit-and-miss in terms of success. Last week, we tried to switch our flight to Sunday so we could have more time with friends in Jackson, but we had decided the $150 was too much. Hind-sight is always 20/20...

Musical Cousins

p.s. I talked to Emily today and she said the trip was going really well. I was going to post about it, but decided not to steal her thunder. Yay Wright fam, Phoenix branch!

making the monkey laugh

"Benjamin in Action", or just "Blurry Benjamin"

This week I'm posting pictures taken at Christmas on my camera, and I'm starting with The Benjamin Series, as we pray for J&E&B on The Direction Tour.

Prayer Requests for our week in Jackson

Today Josh and Benjamin will be flying to Mississippi and I'm to follow tomorrow (we're weren't able to get the same flight out, so Josh is taking Benjamin to give me extra time to prep, but we have the same flight home on Saturday). Starting Monday, I will teaching technique, partnering, composition, production, careers in dance, dance ministry, leading rehearsals and speaking in the Friday forum. It's not as bad as it sounds because some of these classes are supervisory only--whew!! Josh will be working out of Joel's office and Rebecca McNeill has arranged childcare for Benjamin during the day. It's going to be a busy week for all of us, but we're hoping that by the end of it we'll have a better idea of whether or not we'll move back to Jackson after I finish my MFA. Please pray that I will be able to communicate in these classes to the best of my ability this week and that God would continue to make clear to us His direction.

Happy Valentine's Day!

This post is a little belated and I tried to get Benjamin to look at the camera so that it would appear that he was wishing everyone a happy Valentine's day, but he was mesmerized by candy hearts and lollipops. Benjamin's class had a Valentine's party, meaning all the parents made valentines for the kids in the class and at the end of the day, all the kids got to take home inexplicable scraps of red and pink paper with the all-important candy hidden somewhere within.

Jackson's First - no, make that third - Haircut

You all were right. He needed a haircut. We finally saw it. The winter static made it frighteningly obvious it was time. So convinced was I that his cute little curl needed to go, I took some kitchen shears and hastily cut off the longest lock last week. Indeed, I did, and way too high. So a few days later Matthew tried to transform my "haircut" into a weightline, with the same kitchen shears. Hmmm. Needless to say, we botched his first haircut entirely, so yesterday I took him to Snip-Its (yes, it's every bit as obnoxious as it looks on the website), where he got to sit in my lap, eat a sucker, watch a gaudy cartoon while being handed a new toy every 3 minutes, and then, and then he got to deposit his hair clippings into a magic box that transforms children's hair into prizes. As if that wasn't enough, when we got home, Matthew told him he could have a sucker if he'd do Olan Mills poses for the camera.

2/15 report on Meme

I went over to check on mom today. She seems to be doing well. She has had a lot of company which keeps her busy but is wearing her out some as well. She told Sarah that she was going to start playing bridge with some of her friends. Sarah & I can play with her too.

Next Monday is President's Day!! That is my favorite holiday for two reasons: it is always a Monday and I take off; and we kick off the golf season then. You might think mid February is a cold time to play golf, but it is usually nice and predictions are for 57F Monday. BB

Thoughts on Grandad

Over the weekend I was able to fly back to Hot Springs for my grandfather's funeral. Unfortunately, Ruthie and the boys weren't able to go, but I felt very blessed to be with my family as we, and many in the community, honored Grandad. He'd lived in Hot Springs, with some interruptions for education and military service, since the age of nine. I remember growing up in Hot Springs thinking that literally everyone in town must know Grandad, so often was I told by people I'd just met what a good man and fine surgeon he was. From almost as early as we moved back to Hot Springs (I was nine), I recall being aware that he and my grandmother (Mary) had deeply rooted themselves in the community and that people loved and respected them for their kindness and virtue. Oddly enough, people loved me and my brothers because of them, and in this I began to see as a boy what it means to have a good name. I realize now how Grandad provided a foundation extending the breadth of our community for the work my parents directly undertook in seeking to model holiness and virtue for me and my brothers. It's the kind of foundation that requires years of faithful labor to build, and I count it a singular blessing of my life to have grown up upon it. And of course, Grandad served as a direct model for us. In many ways he informed my understanding of what it is to be a gentleman--to treat others with civility and particularly to care for one's family. One of my fondest memories of him is that of the time he drove his car up on the sidwalk of the church, across 50 feet of icy pavement to the church door to keep Meme from having to venture far into the cold. Of course, Meme dashed out to stop him. But I guess he was often oblivious to surroundings when single-mindedly pursuing a good end. One other funny thing I'll add about him because it never ceased to make me laugh out loud: Cousin Sus and I have noted that Grandad was the only person we'd ever met who would, with the greatest warmth and sincerity, greet you at your own door with "Welcome! Welcome!" as he walked in.
All thankfulness and joy for Grandad as he enters the rest and reward of a faithful servant of Christ.

DangDang

I'd like to record Grandad's obituary here:

Dr. Jack Wright died at home on February 6, 2007. He was born in Opp, Alabama on April 11,1916, to Carrie Foreman Wright and James Jackson Wright. At the age of nine, he moved to Hot Springs to live with his older brother, Dr. Homer K. Wright.

He graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1932, the University of Illinois in 1936 and Johns Hopkins Medical School in 1940. He served as an intern at Emergency Hospital in Washington, D.C., and as surgical resident at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. from 1944 to 1947. Jack served as a captain in the United States Army and was stationed in the Pacific. After another residency in Minot, North Dakota, he returned to Hot Springs, where he had a private medical practice from 1948 until 1972. At that time, he became the physician for Reynolds Metals, until he retired in 1982.

Jack was a Fellow of the American College of Surgery and a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery. He was a charter member of Oaklawn Rotary Club and a member of Lake Valley Community Church.

He was an avid tennis player from childhood, playing at Hot Springs High School, the University of Illinois and in state and national tournaments. Jack won titles over nine decades, including two silver medals in singles and a gold medal in mixed doubles at the National Senior Olympics and his last gold medals in singles and mixed doubles in the Arkansas Senior Olympics at the age of 90.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Baldwin Wright; three sons and daughters-in-law: Dr. William Jackson Wright and wife Sarah, the Honorable Judge John Homer Wright and wife Karen, and Jack Baldwin Wright and wife Twila; seven grandchildren: Dr. Cody Wright and wife Keri, Matthew Wright and wife Ruthie, Joshua Wright and wife Emily, David Wright, Susannah Wright, Mary Elizabeth Wright, and Jack Paris Wright; and four great-grandchildren.

My first rehearsal

I had my first rehearsal for my MFA work last night. I have nine dancers, which is the biggest cast I've ever worked with. Almost all grad students, so mature, technically savvy folks--very exciting and a little intimidating. We spent a lot of time talking about the work, and then I had them do some reflective writing on their earliest memories of childhood encounters with religious experience, practice, ideas, etc. (Religious scholar Robert Orsi talks about these early encounters being some of the most formative in terms of shaping and influencing our future ideas about religion.) I thought it would be pretty uncomfortable to share, but each person ended up talking for about 10 minutes. I have several dancers that grew up in Christian homes or regularly encountering Christianity in a more humanistic, "it's about being good" kind of way, an atheist, an agnostic, and a Mormon. I think that we successfully navigated the discussion and employed our "ethos of engagement" with aplomb. People were genuinely curious and asking each other what they believed about this or that--it ended up taking up the whole rehearsal time, 90 minutes. So no actual dancing, but hopefully that will come on Thursday.

2/5 meet Betty

If all goes well I'll be able to post some pictures. If it doesn't go well I'll call ruthie. It's 11:30 her time and she will be too sleepy in the morning to wake me up like she did this morning--twice, an hour apart.
Ann's brother died and she can't work for at least a week, and we need someone to work more hours on TTSS when Hospice doesn't come. Mom made two phone calls and hired the lady that had been caring for Bill Clinton's step-father, who was planted over the weekend. She starts at 8 in the morning. More of God's care on us.
Dad is in light stage of coma. He responds to pain but not voice. He can't swallow enough sustenence to keep himself going and attempts at force feeking are irritating at best and probably dangerous for aspiration and pneumonia. We will not use IV fluids/antibiotics or NG tube feeding because he has a rapidly terminal process and those measures offer no real benefit and some discomfort. If he takes liquids they will be given, but not forced. We are still able to get down dilantin to control seizures.
It doesn't look like he will make it long, but in never does in these situations and we get surprized all the time. BB

2/3 the first weekend

after having dad home for 2 months, we have come to the first weekend. Hospice does not normally come on the weekend and John took Mary Elizabeth to Jackson, MS for a cultural growth/tennis tourney experience and, with no one really close in case something goes wrong, understandably enough, Mom panicked.
Ann and Betty agreed to come in earlier, Lynn and David came in, and Sarah and I went over for a good time Saturday (today, I will go stay awhile while Sarah takes the travelers to the airport tomorrow), so things smoothed out. Not only that, but I took a camera and did the mandatory Wrightelectronicmistake:
I took the picture by pushing the off button instead of the shutter release and was surprised when I got home and had no picture of Betty to post so y'all could meet her. For those people in Phoenix who are a bit critical here I remind you that I know what Betty looks like and you don't.
Suzannah is over at the house cooking a pork loin with fruit chutney for what we thought was going to be supper but looks like will be an early breakfast. Let me ask those near the Atlantic who might be snickering: what did you have for breakfast.
All that said, it has been as good a first week with dad as can be expected, and a wonderful time with David and Lynn. Susannah is always an added plus. BB

Today Harry and I were showered. Our church here has gone above and beyond. Probably the second Sunday here we were asked about a shower/meals. I told them that I would love to receive meals, but that a shower is unnecessary since this is our second boy. The lady who organizes showers asked me two more times, and I told her the same thing. Then when we were in Hot Springs she called asking if February 3 would work for me. What do you say to that?

I ended up receiving things I really did need, and lots of things that will be fun to have (books - lots of books, none of which we own). It was also neat to celebrate just Harry. Below is my friend Bethany that many of you have heard me talk about, holding the lime green marshmallow.

It's Whats for Dinner

I made this for dinner tonight and thought it worth sharing, as it meets so many dinner criteria in my mind: healthy, low fat (when you use lean sausage), pretty fast, not too expensive, and tasty! I also need to write it down for later, as I've soaked my copy with tea treated with cream and honey. It's from the Feb 2005 Real Simple. I used lean sausage & didn't use any oil. I also roughly 2/3rded (?!) the recipe and used a 9x13 baking dish.

Cannellini Bean and Sausage Gratin

3 T olive oil
4 sweet Italian sausages (about 1 lb), casings removed
1 small bulb fennel, chopped (I added another onion in place of this, as the fennel was expensive)
1 small onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 T chopped sage (I used dried ground)
1 bunch swiss chard, stems removed, chopped
1/2 c chicken broth
2 15-oz cans cannellini beans, drained
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 c seasoned bread crumbs
1/3 grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 350. Coat an 8-by-10-inch baking or gratin dish with oil (Pam). In a large skillet, cook over medium-high heat, crumble the sausages and cook, breaking up, until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the sausage from skillet and set aside (I actually needed to cook the onion and garlic with the sausage because it had too little fat to brown properly). Add the fennel and onion to skillet and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and sage and cook 1 minute more. Add the Swiss chard, a handful at a time, sitrring until slightly wilted. Stir in the broth, beans, sausage, salt, and pepper. Spoon the mixture into the baking dish and set aside. In a small bowl, sitr together the bread crumbs and Parmesan with the remaining olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top and bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

15 lbs, 11 oz, 25 1/2 inches, 95th percentile all around - Go Harry!