The Karaoke Sessions—or Darrell turns 43

"Hear 'em singing Happy Birthday
Better think about the wish I made
This year gone by ain't been a piece of cake
Every day's a revolution
Pull it together and it comes undone
Just one more candle and a trip around the sun"

Jimmy Buffett, "Trip Around the Sun"

Birthday in the house

It's been a big week for my youngest. He celebrated his seventh birthday Monday, started school Tuesday, and worked on his first homework assignment Wednesday. Before going to bed that night, he yawned, "Mom, did you check my homework?" It was a math sheet that had students counting objects and writing the number in the box. That I could handle. What I dread is the day when the boys' math homework becomes too involved for me. I was the math student that the teachers put the motivational posters on the wall for. One vaguely claimed to quote Albert Einstein saying, "Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater." No context was provided, and I'm not sure if he ever said that, but it was encouraging.
It ended up being a good week for Ian. He felt like a big kid, turning seven, meeting his new teacher, getting homework, and finding new friends.

Another candle

Will and Caleb



"A long raft in the river invited him, and he seated himself on its outer edge and…Tom presently began to drift. . . What if he went away--ever so far away, into the unknown countries beyond the seas. . . (or) he could be a soldier, and return after long years, all war-worn and illustrious. No--better still, he would join the Indians and hunt buffaloes and. . . come back a great chief, bristling with feathers. . . no, he would be a pirate! That was it! NOW his future lay before him, and glowing with unimaginable splendor." 
--Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer  

Will added another candle to his birthday cake today--we now have to buy two packages of candles, since they sell them 10 to a package- and we celebrated his turning 11. The great thing about youth is that the future is an open door with seemingly endless possibilities just waiting for you.

Even though Will's not sure what he wants to do when he grows up. I hope he knows that his future lies ahead, "glowing with unimaginable splendor." Dream big, Will. Happy Birthday.



Ian proving that you can never have too much chocolate. We always let him lick the bowl, because he gets it clean every time.

Forty-one candles, pecan waffles, and a serenade

Nearing the end of my 41st birthday, I've learned that turning 41 has been soooo much easier than hitting 40. It must have been the new decade thing and no longer being able to say I was 30-something. (Joann, Jeanne, and Holly will soon know what I'm talking about.)
We started the day with pecan waffles and the birthday song sung to me by the Houston Boys Choir (thanks, Holly). I also got to hear various members of my family sing their version of the song, with lots of improvisation by dad and Ben. I especially loved Ben's jazzy "cha, cha, cha."
The best part of the day has been the chance to just relax at home. As I'm writing this, Darrell is making amazing Mud House brownies, and we're getting ready to watch The Secret Life of Bees. So I'm ending the day feeling happy and blessed.