Reflections of a Jazz Theologian

The Gr8 Adventure

We went looking for rare animals...you're not going to believe what we found.

Some Parts are Not for Sharing--An essential little book

As parents we are always looking for little ways to teach big lessons.  Julie Federico has provided such a tool. Some Parts are Not for Sharing, is a simple little book to teach children about boundaries with their bodies.  I showed it our kids a few months ago and then just left it laying around the house. Each of our children, in their own way, have spent time with its important message.  Some read it as part of their school homework and others just for fun.  If you have children this book is worth having.  I know Julie personally...she wrote this book out of a sense of call to protect our children.

Some Parts are not for Sharing...check it out!

2 more kids...kind of!

For Christmas, Barbara and I got the kids puppies.  Labradoodles to be exact.  They are great dogs and are fitting right into the chaos of our home.  The only question has been, "What to name them?"

I've been lobbying hard for "Louis" (as in Armstrong) and "Coltrane" (as in John).  So a couple of days ago we collected all of name options and had a vote...that's where I made my mistake, since when is this a democracy!  By one vote my chosen names were edged out by...Peter & Edmund.

Hmm...how do I get out of this? (I know, "Let your yes be yes and your no be no.")

Life with 9 Children: The Tattle Box

I couldn't take it anymore!

"She touched me!...He's not playing the game right!...They came in my room!

So I grabbed the first box in sight, cut a hole in the top and inscribed:  Tattle Box.  I then proceeded to sit the tribe down and explain that the tattling needs to stop unless someone is being hurt.  At the same time, they need to be able to express to us things that concern them about their siblings behavior; therefore, the tattle box complete with "Tattle Sheets."

Just right down name, complaint, day and put it in the box.  If you come and tattle to us about something that is not serious you lose a point (the point system is a whole nother post).  Barbara and I then check regularly and follow up.

We ran out of tattle sheets before the day was out and had to make more--the box was full (but our ears were not).

Ahh...I love the Tattle Box.

From our family to yours...Merry Christmas!

Santa's going to be busy!

Away

I'm at The World Prayer Center in Colorado Springs.  Barbara just returned from a retreat with God and now it's my turn to listen for his still small voice...

Life in the Majors: Raising 9 Children

Major League Mom, is what I call my wife because it takes nine players to field a baseball team and, as of a couple of  months ago, that's how many children we have.  Life in the majors has been a lot about maximizing and making space.  I spent much time trying to figure out what vehicles would work best for transporting eleven people around the Mile High City. Barbara drives a fifteen passenger van and I cruise around in the Suburban.  (Can you believe it? A Suburban is our small car!)