Jason's Untimely Thoughts

When we first bought our house, Sarah bought (or someone gave us (editor’s note:  was purchased in Paris for us)) a gargoyle that has been placed in our (old) kitchen window ever since.  Looking back out toward the cemetery, naturally, to ward away evil spirits as all gargoyles are assigned.  Saturday night after the football game I walked out to Sarah’s grave and sat for a bit.  As it got dark I glanced over to our house, to see that gargoyle looking back at me.

It was the first time I’d been out there near dark and with that kitchen light on, I guess, but it was clear as day and was clearly wrong.  So, gargoyle is now standing guard in the front flower bed, hopefully it will ward off moles and Jehovah’s Witnessers.

We had Adelaide’s 6th Birthday party on Sunday, with a great time had by all.  When Sarah & I went to New Orleans for the first visit, I Googled restaurants and came upon “Cafe Adelaide and the Swizzle Stick Bar” which was evidently nice and near our hotel, so made reservations there.  On the second trip, as I’ve mentioned before, our friends Melissa & Jason took care of reservations there for the whole family, including the tab.  The staff was aware of the circumstances and the naming coincidence, so we were treated like Adelaide owned the place.  Sarah jokingly called it her “last supper”, which of course makes me cringe and cry in memory.

At that lunch, it was decided that Adelaide’s birthday party would be themed Cafe Adelaide too.  Again being aware of the circumstances, the staff of the real restaurant in New Orleans sent two boxes full of stuff to us to use — ribbon, placemats, swizzle sticks, bread bags, matches, and considerably more.  Grandmothers and Grand Neighbors took that and ran, coming up with more and more, combining and creating to build the party from there.

Our Cafe Adelaide

Adelaide and three of her friends then went to a fancy lunch at the Country Club on Sunday.  Hats, diamond rings and earrings, scarves, candy-filled match books, and more awaited them.  Afterwards, they joined a mass of people in our backyard for a party (which was mostly a 2-hour bounce house session).  I think it’s safe to say that every kid there had a great time, none more than Adelaide & JT.  Enormous thanks to the grandmothers and grand neighbors for pulling that off.

Gift Bags

I have posted some photos of the day, with more sure to come, but am struggling editing down to post here.  I’m used to our kids and old friends being used to becking.com and the general assumption that stuff will end up there.  However, with the onset of kindergarten and kindergarten friends and parents, and most people’s, um, paranoia about such things, I’m trying to not post other kids’ photos.

AEB

Finally, rain and rainbows keep coming up.  While the only thing definitive is that it’s a coincidence that’s becoming meaningful to me, there are reports of very large and vivid rainbows being seen on the most notable dates of late:  on July 7, on the day of Sarah’s party, on Adelaide’s first day of kindergarten, and yesterday after Adelaide’s birthday party, a ginormous rainbow appeared to the east, looking over the cemetery.

Cafe Adelaide Invite/Placemat (created by the neighbors)

Cafe Adelaide Invite/Placemat (created by the folks in New Orleans)

The three of us went to dinner tonight at the country club.  Was very good, mostly empty, just sat and talked and ate while watching it rain outside.

Adelaide says “You should retire so you could come out here and go golfing.”  Yes, I should.  But how would we pay for the country club, if I didn’t work?  “You’d still get money.  Or we could put out an envelope or something, and you’d get half, I’d get half, and Jack would get half.”  Election Season math.  “Plus, you’d get to spend more time with us!”.  Awwwww.

At home then, turned on some music so she could dance and put on a show.   That lasted for about 30 minutes, until it was bedtime.  I then played two Dixie Chicks songs, Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) and Lullaby.  I started listening to a lot of Dixie Chicks before we went to New Orleans, still seem to come up a ton when my iPod is on random, and they commonly remind me of Sarah.  Played those two songs for a moment of quiet time, before we go to bed.  Near the end of the second one, Jack, who has been hugging me for most of the two songs, looks up and says “I miss mommy.”  Awwww again.

Awwww ruined as Adelaide gets mad because I won’t play a Hannah Montana song next, bed time fight is on (but short).

Congratulations to Mike & Sarah on the arrival of Lydia Rose!  She was born this afternoon, weighing 8 lbs 12 oz.  Mike says she “will need every pound to handle the daily wrestling matches with her older brothers.”  All five of the family are doing well, we hope to see them tonight.

Lydia Rose

I’d started to write earlier today, but couldn’t collect my thoughts.  Glad I get to post something on a happier topic.

I’m sorry I’m not very good at helping you defrizz your hair in the morning.  I’m sorry that I didn’t think of it before you did, when we would have had time to wash it.  I’m sorry that your last-minute frustrations agitate me so, causing both of us to become more frustrated as we go.

There are others that will read this that can help more, but I’m sorry that you’ll have to depend on them.  Your parents should be able to help you with most everything right now and I can’t.

Thank you for your patience.  Thank you for being so good with Jack.  You’re a great kid and a great big sister.