Tracking June
Ryder 2 years / Rory 2+ months
Music
Swimming
Working
The Daring
RyderReading time
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. ~Victor Hugo. Ryder is finding a new passion in music and is eager to pick it apart, analyze its structure, and put it back together in a way that speaks to him unlike other joys in his life. Each car ride brings a new “ah-ha” moment to his little ears as he asks me which instrument is which, why is a song slow or fast, why are some songs funny and some are not. “Again!” he says as he hears the beats shaking out. I have to reach deep down into that file of my brain, from theory in high school (the one I never did too well at to begin with) and explain what the “shaking sound” is (percussion) and “yes, that is an electric guitar, not a piano…how did you know that?” He just smiles as he taps his dog shoes on his booster seat and looks out the window with an expression of pure joy and contentment.
This morning we heard Ryder singing at the top of his lungs in his crib and my heart swelled with satisfaction in knowing that he has achieved the ability to sooth his soul all by himself. He does not always need me or anyone else to bring joy to his life; he has the gift of music in his heart, always. Thomas Carlyle, a writer from the 19th century, said of music, “Music is well said to be the speech of angels.” And I have no doubt that it is. Music in the beats of my son’s feet or the giggles of my daughter’s dancing eyes as I sing to her at night say to me, “Hi, God, thank you for being here.” Ryder heard a song by Hillsong United, sung by Brooke Fraser, and asks, “What’s ‘dis about?”. In my interpretation, it is what every Christian’s heart looks forward to, “I will be, with the One I love, with unveiled face I’ll see Him. There my soul will be satisfied, soon and very soon.” Ryder asked me, “Where will she see Him?” I said, “In Heaven.” To which he responded, “There will be laughing. Mommy…lots of laughing.”
And I tell you what, there I was on I-64 trying my hardest to choke back tears as my son couldn’t have said anything better in response to that song. My Nannie, to whom we sent home to see Him last March, was a laughter. The biggest, fall out of your chair, red-faced, hold-on-tight, laughter I have ever met. It was because of her love of Christ she had that laughter. And it was because of her (and many others) I know so much about Him. This song, “Soon”, was played at her funeral last year. And no doubt there is laughing, lots of laughing in Heaven.
Along with the gift of music, the gift of summer has brought a lot pool time, bike riding, and even a few daring activities. Ryder, in the same day, attempted to climb out of his crib for the first time since birth. Let’s just say cliff diving and crib diving are equally as dangerous. I am thankful we now live in a home with carpet under his crib because it probably helped, even a little, to soften the THUD. Needless to say, he hasn’t tried since. But in little boy fashion, what’s better than one physical adventure to scare your mother? Well, two. In the same afternoon not only did Ryder knock the wind out of himself by jumping ship from the crib, but he also managed to run down the hallway with a plastic stool in his hands. One that did not clear the hallway door and managed to meet his chin and lip with gusto! Did I just say I was grateful we have carpet? Maybe not as much as the blood splattered… no teeth lost, but ironically the over-sized “PEACE” shirt Ryder was wearing looked more like a war protestors regalia than it did a two year old’s PJs. I couldn’t help but laugh at the scene…its either that or cry along with him.
But as life gives you lemons, you make lemonade right? Or you just grin and bear that sometimes life is a sour mess requiring you to suck it up and deal. For example, my maternity leave has been over for five weeks now and the reality of two kids while working 30+ hours has officially set in. My dishes do not get done as quickly (the ants enjoy this fact) and my laundry basket (of clean AND folded clothes, if I do say so myself!) do not make it to their drawers for days. But yet, being away from home for the two quiet days on campus have been more difficult than with Ryder. I am blessed that there is a connection with both my children that makes me long to be near them (unless they are whiny, then they are up to the highest bidder… just kidding). I honestly look forward to coming home to the chaos, sans ants.
Rory has fit into our family like a great soft blanket. One I will never part with, even when ratty and worn out, I still long to tuck her in close to all that we do. Reading, as many of you know, is a love in our house. Since Ryder was born we have read books and the case is the same for our Rory girl. We all sit together for story time on my bed in the afternoons, curl up with our crinkled-plastic-covered library books and adventure in to stories of dinosaurs in libraries, “RIIIIIPPPP, ROAR!” “TIME OUT! No Beastie behavior for you!” and trains whistling west, “With a Puff, Puff, Puff, and a Chug, Chug, Chug, two little trains going west…” There is laughing in our house, lots of laughing. And I am grateful, so very grateful.
Rory listening to her favorite book (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W54I9AxM-J8
Soon, Hillsong United http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8I3VO19i2w
Rory’s current favorite book: Brown, Margaret Wise. Two Little Trains. Harper Collins 2003.
Ryder’s current favorite book: Buzzeo, Toni. No T. Rex in the Library. Margaret K. McElderry.