POV

I still have very vivid memories and images in my head of books with impressive illustrations from when I was very little. Some of the illustrations scared me. Some were probably not meant for little eyes, like a book full of paintings of purgatory and hell (although they inspired me to seek for information on an afterlife.) There was another book that I was intrigued by and looked at often. Again, another one that I'm not sure was meant for little eyes to try and comprehend but I loved the art and how I was able to look at the books with a different perspective: Favorite Haunts, by Chas Addams.

We've read a few different spins on the wolf's perspective for the Three Little Pigs and for Little Red Riding Hood, but when I brought the one below home from the library and read it to the kids, Zane pulled back from it. The next day I was rounding up books to return to the library and Zane pulled it out from under a rug in his room. I asked how it got there and he said "I hid it there because I didn't like looking at it." I can only imagine this will be one that will stick with him forever.

I'm intrigued by perspective -- how the brain makes connections and the experiences and influences (distorted or not) that help shape it.

Zane also shared the other day "I don't like the corners of my room anymore. I want my room to be shaped like Vanessa's." I suggested we consider trading rooms sometime in the future but when I mentioned how his cousins and friends love his room and think it's cool, he decided he might keep it.

True to Your Word

So in the beginning of sharing traditions such as Santa and the Easter Bunny, Vanessa was quite skeptical. She questioned things but our creative suggestions bought us time for her following along. We came up with some creative spins but I never really lied to her to try and convince her. (I've had a fear that if I lie to her about things like this, then why should she want to believe me when I tell her God is real and true, although I know she's felt God for herself, so no need to question Him.)

Last week, after I thought she was about to bust me as the Tooth Fairy (but she didn't), she started questioning things more. Some of her questions stemmed from conversations she had with her peers at school. I told Vanessa that I wanted to talk with her, and just her, soon. I was trying to hold off till after Easter.

Easter revealed more to her though -- she used her super sleuth skills and discovered a scrap paper with Daddy's handwriting that resembled the Easter Bunny's, so I made a plan to talk with her after church. Our conversation went well. She smiled because she was proud her instincts were right -- it's been Mom and Dad all along. We talked about make believe and fun. We talked about true and real. We talked about why it's important not to rat out the parents of our friends and family and to those who still believe. I noticed her demeanor change -- as if she is proud to be on the inside with the parents. :-) It's our secret that she won't share with Zane . . . at least for now (although I'm not completely convinced Zane is buying any of this made up stuff . . . :-))

Recoup

 

The kids were quite willing to pass out invites for the 4th annual egg-splosion. Vanessa said it was easier than selling Girl Scouts cookies.

Maundy Thursday was spent with small group peeps at our house, eating a ton of food and finalizing together how we would like to use money to give back to Hilliard.

We went to Good Friday services at Violet Baptist to remember and worship and hear Uncle Phil sing. Vanessa and Joel were invited to go up front to share Resurrection Eggs. They gave us our own set to bring home and the kids continue to play with them. After communion, we were invited to write what we would be remembering about what Christ did for us and then we placed the cards at the foot of the cross. You can read Vanessa's above. Zane wrote his name and some illegible stuff and said he loved Jesus. :-) He also asked if Jesus would be hanging on the cross later in the service.

Saturday was our church outreach and it was huge. Vanessa wrote about how she loved playing tag with G-ma and G-pa. :-) It was muddy but fun. Daddy hosed off our clothes when we got home.

Sunday we had a ton of visitors at church. It was our job to be sure they felt welcome and Vanessa and Zane were excellent with that and with sharing Mommy and Daddy. Before heading to church Zane asked if Jesus ever dresses as a bunny. What a good analysis and question. After church I was told by Pastor Kent that Zane helped share Resurrection Eggs, naming and showing everyone else what was inside. I wish I hadn't missed his "performance" but I'm still so very happy he got a turn too, and was so very brave!

We're recouping rest and normalcy this week. When we dyed eggs this year, we went for fifty shades of red (because I like to turn dark things into good things), to demonstrate the blood Christ shed for us -- bruised for our iniquities. (Isaiah 53:5)

Two Days Before

It's not all candy and bunnies.

This sharpie art is by a childhood friend from the coal mining fields of southern WV. She's an amazing artist, sharing her amazing gift through an independent business venture and teaching design to students at the University of Charleston. Shawna Kinder-Sigmon, was a sincere light in my world from 86-88. She accepted me and encouraged me to do all things good in life. She has held and still holds a very special place in my heart. I was so very happy when I reconnected with her on Facebook, around the time of the huge coal mining incident a few years ago. She created this piece of work in '92. A few years ago I noticed a Facebook post of hers in which she shared about this piece of work. I was so very touched and I told her. A year or so passed and I received a special package in the mail -- my very own copy! It took me a while to find the perfect frame but when I did, I hung it at the bottom of the stairs, to always remind me what each and every day is about.

"Ankle Fools'!!!!"

Zane has been hard at it this morning with his jokes. Some of the jokes make sense but not all. The first thing we had to tell him was that it's not "Ankle Fools'". (Perhaps because Vanessa started out with shoes and socks jokes.)

A couple of weeks ago Zane called for me to come upstairs so he could should show me something. He wasn't fooling. As I climbed the stairs, I was preparing to be present and be sure to fully appreciate whatever it was that he was very excited to share with me. I turned the corner of his room to find he had drawn all over and around his light switch. I wish he was fooling. He could tell from my immediate gasp that his choice for sharing his artistic talent was not an okay direction. As a result, he looked defeated.  I explained to him that we don't draw on the walls, floors, doors, ceilings, furniture, clothes, linens, etc. He replied, "But Mom, it's my room!" I went on to explain that although we call it Zane's room, it is sort of on loan to him and when something is on loan to us, it is extra important that we try to take special care.

He was willing and awesome with helping to clean off his masterpiece.