The past few days

Dear Fam,

We went to visit our friend Carrie Vickery in South Carolina last weekend. David was so sweet to do that in the middle of the semester. And between learning to "Shag" (official state dance of S.C.) and meeting Mike (Carrie's boyfriend) he was able to study a bit. We had a lovely, lazy day in Greenville Monday before flying home (totally unaware of the economic situation until we changed planes in D.C. that evening). When we landed in Pittsburgh, the security guard had posted the score for the Pittsburgh vs. Ravens game. The Globe Parking shuttle driver gave us a blow-by-blow update as he took us to our car, and, intrigued, we listened to the end of the game as we drove home (Steelers won by 3 points in overtime). As we pulled into the driveway at midnight, we could see the kitchen lights on in our Jewish neighbors' homes. (The Orthodox Jews are not permitted to use anything electrical during Sabbath or feast days, so they leave it on before the feast day starts.) It is Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, and all today Jewish families were walking about, the women and girls in long-sleeved blouses and skirts, the men and boys in long pants, and yamakas.

Tonight our neighbor knocked on our door and asked if I wouldn't mind printing off her homework, which was online . . .and calling the teacher to have it sent to my email. We of course said yes. But David and I have noticed that it seems impossible to live out Orthodox Judaism and "livability in the real world" seems to be an important measure of the truth of a worldview.

We live inside an "eruv", a demarcated area (literally--with bits of string on telephone posts) in which the observant Jew can move freely on a Sabbath. In working for a Jewish person, and in living surrounded by a congregation of them, we've been given a new appreciation for Paul's discussion of law and grace in Romans. We've also started to see how much we have in common--my young neighbor is waiting still for the Messiah--and we really desire to share the hope of Christ with them (His salvation, and also the abundant life that includes beef stroganoff, lasagne, and tacos!) When you pray for us, will you include that on your list--opportunities and grace and love for our neighbors?

We miss you and love you--

D & L

A Story

Stories are very much a part of our lives right now. Jackson is always asking us to tell him a story, we read stories in books, and he listens to stories on tape during his quiet times. Matthew has an ongoing story about a badger family that he tells the boys before bed. Often, Jackson will ask if I'd like to hear a story, and this last time I decided to grab a pen and paper and frantically try to capture. . .

Mama, I'm going to tell you the story about Daddy and me hunting in the woods. We were trying to dig a big hole. And then we heard something. And then we got our bows and arrows. And then we shoot it. And then there's a deer because we didn't have anything to eat. Mama, did you know that sometimes we need to do that? Shoot bears and deers because we don't have any meat? And then you know what? We maked ice cream. And then we maked chocolate cookies for you and Harry. And then we heard something and we got our bows and arrows and our shield and knives and shoot a lion's leg off because he was going to destroy us. He smelled us and wanted to eat us. And then we watched Curious George. And Clifford. And Transformers and some other shows and we watched Bionicles* and we watched a lot of shows before bed. And then we go to bed. And then when we woke up in the morning we heard a sound and so we took our bows and arrows and we got up and then we got out of our tent where we were sleeping and then there was a wolf and we shoot him. And then we got out of the forest and we came over the mountains. And then we saw our Mom & Dads and then we saw our grandfather.

* Transformers and Bionicles are toys that our 6-yr. old neighbor Charlie has, and Charlie is the man. Not sure if there are shows about these things? But that's not the point - this is his fantasy, and he can make up all the shows he wants and watch as many as he wants!

I love student housing

The Mommy Brigade - Me w/ boys, Kristin w/Eric, Katharine w/Jacob & Seth, Brigid w/Elliot, Natana w/twins Alora & Rowan, Amanda w/Emily.

My friend Katharine and I take regular walks, and lately other neighbors have been joining us. The other day we had record numbers. When we arrived home Katharine and I took turns watching each other's kids outside while we took showers, later I ran to the library to pick up our book club books while she watched Jackson, and now I'm watching Jacob & Grace while she runs to the grocery. Tonight M & I are taking a date while friend/neighbor Betsy stays with our sleeping boys. I am constantly thankful for this provision of the Lord. It can't be beat!

Jackson just presented me with a drawing, with of course nothing that looks even remotely like writing, with this commentary:

It says, "I love you. Giants can pinch."

Good to know.

Buy cheap diapers? Matthew'll take care of it. . .

I am Boy.

Hello from Mississippi

My sister was chastising me for not putting more pictures on the blog, so here are a few from the past couple months.















This was on the hotel bed in Tulsa. Reflective of their personalities--Benjamin with a big smile, William looking tentative, trying to figure things out.
















Another shot of Will's typical face, but this one really displays his chub. He now weighs 17 lbs!
















Benjamin with a special blankie wrapped oh-so-stylishly around his neck. He did this himself, which, to me, strongly suggests his artistic flair.

(video missing)
This video is for Keri. William is in that brief cooing stage of talking. So sweet!