Fuzzy & JuJu

It was a delight to have a long weekend visit from our dearest, closest friends - David and Judy, or as Ben and Clara have dubbed them, Fuzzy and Juju.  David (Judy too) has a passion for educating others on the need for justice and peace in the Middle East. Our church here in Newton was fortunate to have him teach two sessions on this complicated, tragic and urgent topic.  That was the business part of the visit.  The pleasure part was filled with giggling kids showing off,  lots of biscuits (Judy's favorite) and engaging, comforting conversation with those who know us best.  Add in a little shopping, steak and sunshine and you have a pretty good weekend.   After a decade together, these friends have truly become family.  Lucky us.

Survivors

This wild winter has meant many, many days trapped indoors.  It only takes a few hours with two toddlers to have cozy turn into crazy.  The soundtrack on constant replay in our heads is the song, “We’re never going to survive, unless, we get a little crazy.”   We made forts, cookies, marshmallow and toothpick sculptures, valentines and silly songs. We painted with brushes and fingers, jumped on the beds, danced in the kitchen, raced down the hall, read about Clifford and the Little Red Caboose.  We climbed in boxes, laundry baskets and fought over mom’s lap.  We bickered, giggled, whispered and squealed.   We watched snow drench our world in white, we watched the clock waiting for Mark to walk in the door, we watched too many episodes of Imagination Movers.  So far, we have survived...and yes, got a little crazy.

Snow...Lots of Snow

Western North Carolina had a massive snow storm last weekend.  It came on so quickly and strong, our friend Ann and her daughter Claire got stuck trying to get home (accident after accident on the slick, icy roads) and ended up at Casa Watson for the night.  The impromptu slumber party was a treat, especially since Ben and Clara are infatuated with Claire in all her eight-year-old glory.  Ann and Leah relished the chance to relax with a glass of wine and great conversation while the storm swirled outside. 

By Sunday the storm had subsided, but the roads were still a mess.  We bundled up the kids in the double stroller, laced up our hiking boots and walked to church for a snow day Sunday service.  We were a rag tag group with a rag tag service in the old little chapel, it was a fun change of pace.  Ben and Clara, after being cooped up for days and sensing the snow excitement, were totally wild throughout the service.  Sometimes, those kids feel a little too comfortable at church.

Being "homebound" with two little ones is calling on all our creativity and patience.  The house is a constant jumble of toys, art projects, baking adventures, cuddle blankets, wet coats, scarves and shoes and sippy cups.   There is a chance of another snow storm hitting this weekend...if you run into Mary Poppins please send her our way, let Miss Mary know we have a lovely little guest suite upstairs just waiting for her arrival.