My Three Sons

Well, it has been a while since I've blogged.  The holidays have been a little busy for me, but mostly in a good way.  Spending time with my sons all under one roof again has been wonderful.  Their interaction with each other, despite their age differences, their drastic personality differences, has been fun to watch. 

My oldest son, who made it home from Germany the Wednesday before Christmas, is the quiet, reserved type, very serious, focused, intelligent, meticulous, organized.  He loves to laugh, however, and he has an easy source of entertainment just watching his two younger brothers and their idiosyncracies.  He's enjoyed eating American food and "Mom's cooking" since he's been home (and Mom has enjoyed it a little too much too), all while keeping a watchful eye on his waistline.  He's about 70 lbs lighter than he was this time last year, and he feels great about that and wants to keep it that way.  He's gone to the gym with his brother and I, and that's bonded us as well.  He's spent time hanging out with his friends he hasn't seen in forever, and he's made great use of his time. 

My middle son is Pure Ham.  Not a humble thread in his body.  Yet as "all-about-me" as he appears, he's actually very generous, tender-hearted, sentimental and loyal to those who are close to him.  He enjoys family time and giving his younger brother a hard time.  He's not as focused on his academics as he should be, and his grades have taken a nose dive this semester.  We've had "the talk."  He has some reprioritizing to do this semester, and he knows it.  Athletics are nice, but he's there to LEARN AND GET AN EDUCATION.  As a rule, he's a huge slob, and I have to find that balance of keeping him accountable with his messes and yet not seeming like a constant nag.  He eats us out of house and home, trying to keep up with his protein input (he's trying to diet w/o losing muscle), so that means lots of skim milk and meat...cha-ching on the grocery bill.  Since he's been home from college, we've gone through 5 pkgs of chicken, a whole turkey, half a ham, several hamburgers, two trays of shrimp, turkey tacos x 3, an entire batch of venison meatballs, a tray of pulled pork BBQ, and 12 gallons of skim milk -- to hit the highlights.  He wears his welcome out at the local gym, but they love him and he enjoys all the comraderie with "the big guys" there.

My youngest son, 12, is thrilled to have his older brothers home and is on an endless, self-imposed quest to prove that he's way cooler than they are any day of the week.  He's my GQ of the family.  His hair has to be just so, his clothes, his shoes, his own idea of what is cool.  Very narrow borders apply.  I've stopped trying to figure it out or second guess, because just when I think I know what he expects or wants, he changes the rules.  He's a smart kid, responsible, conscientious.  A little on the shy side until you get to know him.  He's taking in and making the most of having his brothers home with him while he can.

So yes, watching my guys interact and observing how they're growing up and maturing into their own identities has been very rewarding and entertaining for me, helping me to focus on positive, happy, meaningful things in this first Christmas without my mother.

More later on the holidays...I gotta get dressed.  Headed to the gym to let off some steam, burn some calories and raise the endorphins.

I am in search of happy, funny things right now to help me move past some melancholy that I've been experiencing.  A friend sent me this video by email this morning.  That bird!  Bless his heart.  How he made me laugh and smile!  Gotta love his enthusiasm...

(more later)

"A Sacred Oratorio"

Every year at our church's Sunday morning service before Christmas (or on Christmas Day, depending on the calendar), the choir always ends the service with Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.

How many thousands of times have I heard this piece over my lifetime?  Countless.  Yet each time I hear it, standing in honor and awe and with gratitude and respect oozing from my veins, chills are sent down my spine, tears well in my eyes, and I am deeply moved.

I remember learning to sing this piece in school years ago, the alto line, and each time we performed --and every time since while serving as a member in various choirs-- it has that same effect.  Raising our voices to Him, there lies within me a yearning and pride to offer Him my very best...My Utmost. 

Christmas would not be Christmas without hearing this song...at least once.

Thank you, George Frideric Handel, for your talents in this glorious gift of timeless tribute to all who have come to worship Him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE

Well done, friends!

A memorable meal indeed.