Fun with a cookie feast

There are lots of funny times that happen in our home.

All of our children have different passions and personalities. So, our 4 year old, Aaron, tends to be a light sleeper, in fact, we like to call him the night roamer. He has this nickname because he tends to wake up at 3am, 4am or 5am depending on the day of the week? We think he acquired the bad gene for it from his Dad (go figure, lol). Heather and I accuse me because she likes her sleep and I have traditionally been the 4 hours a night and how come the day hasn't started yet, person.

Well, the other night I was sleeping and our serious, almost 5, 4 year old got up during the night. Probably around 4am. He woke me up and announced that he was hungry. I decided, in my infinite lack of wisdom, that it was too early for him to eat and if he would like a sippy cup with Koolaid, would that suffice? He affirmed, at least I think he did, because I was in that half groggy state between awake and asleep where I was refusing to wake up quite yet and start my day.

I stumbled around the kitchen and got him a sippycup, turned the pre-school or toon disney channel on and laid back down on the loveseat to go to sleep. (All of this usually prompts him to play on the computer or watch cartoons.)

Well, the usual was not for that morning. It seems the evening before we had some packages of Vienna Finger, shortbread type cookies and some double stuff chocolate filling type cookie and had left them on the kitchen counter.

Well, Aaron decided that KoolAid was probably not enough, he was still hungry. So, he turned the tv down, grabbed a second comforter to tuck me in (I of course am oblivious and sawing many zzz's) and went exploring into the kitchen.

The end result was that I was getting hot and trying to figure out why the living room had gotten so quiet, if he was watching tv. So, I sat up on the love seat looking around, trying to figure out where Aaron was, and calling his name. There was no response. So I got up and walked over to the computer desk and there was Aaron, with a pile of cookie shells. He had opened every one and licked all the cream out!

I stood there, amused and dismayed and told him he needed to take the cookie shells to the kitchen table. He looked at me with big, solemn eyes, and said "Do I just throw them away, Dad, or do I save them for Ryan?"

Somewhere between laughing and getting upset about the cookie disaster (clearly, the parents fault :-P ) I said to him sternly and gruffly, as he looked up at me with eyes as big as nervous saucers, "No Aaron, you don't throw them away... You are supposed to eat the shells with milk."


He took a step back, in surprise, I think expecting to get in trouble and said "Ok". So, I poured him a glass of milk and he proceeded to dunking and munching.

Halfway through as I'm sitting in the living room again (not going back to sleep this time!) I hear his voice, all matter of fact and as if you had asked him the cure to world hunger, muffled by a mouthful of cookies and milk saying "You know Dad, this is really good with milk!"

Circle of Light

Last week I had the opportunity to work with a special group of people at Mcrest, an organization that gives people the opportunity to have a place to sleep and eat with dignity, when they could be on the streets in a truly homeless condition. One thing that struck me while there, was really the attitude of the people who were volunteering. There was a true camaraderie and a true love for doing things in a good way for this group of men who were in need. It was a true spirit of giving, whether cutting up vegetables in the kitchen, emptying trash, or picking up laundry.

I had the privilege of being able to help in the kitchen and one of the cool things that I got to see was a group of people who were really concerned about getting good food out to the men dining there. It was cool to see people preparing food with an attitude of "would this be something I would eat?" instead of a "ahh, just give them whatever." The volunteers were truly acting and providing in a fashion of feeding the men food they would make for themselves at home. What really made it cool, was also that we sat down with the men and ate with them.

In the midst of all the donations, some things were short and different people were pitching in to help out. It was really proof of the story Stone Soup, leaving a lesson that if we all give a little, it somehow turns into a lot. Life tends to be that way, whether in business or pleasure, it's good to work to change the world, even starting with ourselves, a little change or a little giving or a little something can have a ripple affect for good on people and circumstances around us. As Christians, we are called to be that little bit of salt that seasons the earth. When we are that salt, we give God and men the opportunity and hope to make a difference.

For some reason, this brought to mind a note, or poem, or piece of prose (whatever you want to call it) that I wrote for my wife about our lives and family some time ago. It kind of brings to mind that whole impact and touch we have on each other throughout our lives.

Circle of Light

There is a circle of light that glistens as it weaves around us

Flowing and Ebbing to the tune of life and love

When two circles of light run into each other

Sometimes comes laughter sometimes tears

But there is no denying the strength of the beat

as two circles of light run together around us

growing stronger

Meeting you, seeing that light in your eyes

Made the light in mine rejoice

Reflections of light became golden rings on our fingers

Tokens of light, Tokens of love

Symbols of a Light, Eternal Divine

As we strive and grow

As we weave to the beat

Those circles of light get stronger and brighter

Richer and Deeper

As our circle of light dimmed in comparison to our Savior

He strengthened that light with His love

Joining and completing the circle

Weaving it unbreakable making it sing

in spite of sadness

in spite of pain

Then that circle of light spread into more

Four bright circles weave into ours

Growing in light, Growing in Love

One more soon to be

Weaving a glowing thread of light

one day to shine on their own

yet ever reaching, strengthened and weaving with ours

As the circle's of light dance and weave through the night

May we always weave our light with His

To share and touch our friend, our neighbor, our enemy

and each other

Learning to dance and share that Precious Light

Truly the light in my eyes and heart has not gone out for you, my wife, may we grow together to share His light with our world. I love you my dearest!