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No more Mr. Nice-Simon

Mar27

For most of his little life Simon has been a very patient little guy, putting up with quite a bit from his big sis. Almost from day one Tali’s natural exuberance has been met with Simon’s composed but cheerful responses. “Aggressive” was a word Tali became familiar with when Simon was still very new (“Not so aggressive!” was the phrase, I think).

Well, Simon is finally getting his sea legs, as it were. When Tali’s on the step stool he wishes to occupy, he does his best to push her off. When she has a toy he wants, he doesn’t hesitate to grab at it. But the topper of all these ground-standing antics happened last night at bedtime.

I was reading a story to Tali on the floor and Simon was playing around in her room. Tali climbed onto my lap for a cozy read. Well, as soon as Simon saw that, he came over to push her off. When that didn’t work, he fussed and pushed harder. When that didn’t work, he grabbed her hair at the top of her head and pulled up as if he expected to pull her up like any doll!

There is definitely evidence of brotherly love, or something like it, growing between these two. But for now, I think Simon’s personal summary of 1 Corinthians 13 might be, “Love suffers long, then says, ‘MINE!’”

Way too long

Feb9

It’s been way too long since we’ve written anything here. Guess we’re too busy watching our two little cuties grow up! And what a lot of growing they’re doing!

Simon had his first birthday (or, rather, second) a couple of weeks ago and is cuter every day, if that’s possible! We call him our Bear so we made him a polar bear cake and had a little family gathering to celebrate him. He’s such a sweet-tempered little guy and loves playing peek-a-boo and chase games and is delightfully ticklish. He took his first steps on Christmas Day and is walking quite well now. He seems rather pleased about this accomplishment, too! At this age he loves to dance with Mommy or Daddy, to play with balls,  puzzles, and containers, pots, spatulas and water…And anything else Tali seems interested in! He likes to imitate talking on the phone and writing and LOVES being pulled around by any willing party on his little ride-on truck (or laundry basket, or plastic tub, or…).

I can’t believe Tali’s been four for THREE MONTHS and I still haven’t added a story  or picture from her birthday! It was quite a time! We had two parties, one for a couple of little friends and another for extended family. Each party had its own pinata and both were special for the birthday girl. She still talks about that day with grateful memories of the gifts she received. She’ll say things like, “It was so kind of Papa and Grandma to give me this!” She’s full of, or, rather, overflowing with energy. Most days she spontaneously runs up and down the hallway for awhile. Boy, she does so many cute, creative things, I really ought to spend some time sharing them here more regularly!

We’ll see how regularly I can get back here to write updates. If you are reading this and care to know more about life here at Rusty Gates Estates, let me know!

Taxes and the role of government

Oct18

I wrote the following as part of an email conversation about taxes and the Tea Party…..

I think the issue about taxes is really about the role of government.

Here’s my experience with taxes: I’m not in the “rich” tax bracket. My wife and I are able to live comfortably in a small town where property values are cheap without her having to work, but we have to be smart with what we buy. I totaled up all of the taxes that I pay: income tax, employee social security, employer social security, sales tax, property tax, etc and it totals one third of my pre-tax income. That’s outrageous. One Third!

I don’t really care what the historical tax rates are, or the details of exactly what the government is doing with the money.

My position that a 33% tax burden is wrong is one of principle. If the government needs that much money, then the government is doing far too much. If the government needs me to spend the first four months of each year being an indentured servant to support that government, when the role of that government is to project my freedom, then something is wrong!

The primary role of the government is to protect our freedom: from those within that would be dictators or lawless, and from those without that would defeat our country through war. The role of the constitution is limit the power of the federal government.

I know that many people will not agree with me on taxes, but I think it’s because we disagree on the role of government.

I don’t expect this to convince those who disagree with me, because it is a choice that we each have made about the kind of government that we want. But I want you to understand where the tea party is coming from. It’s a position based on logic and principle. It’s not irrational.

Amusing ourselves to death

Sep1

I thought this was an insightful commentary. I remember reading “Brave New World” in high school and remember it was an insightful book. I think parts of the August Huxley and George Orwell vision can happen at the same time… we’re so distracted with trivialities that we don’t notice the important freedoms that are being lost and the control that is being taken.

If the above link breaks, then click on the image on the right of this page. (Once the image loads you may have to click again to expand it to full size.)

- David

I wish I could fly!

Jun23

Tali is crazy about jumping and climbing. She often climbs up on the couch and jumps off, flapping her arms, then asks, “Did I do it, Mama? Did I really fly?” She really wishes she could fly and is always testing different ideas – jumping from a higher place, flapping a feather in each hand, and so on. Watching all the hard work of her longing heart, I really wish she could fly, too!

What a handsome little ham!

Jun21

And such a happy guy! We are daily impressed with Simon’s cheerfulness. What a blessing! And he’s not simply cheerful – he’s ticklish and giggly! He loves to be held and talked to, smiling at anyone who looks his way. Tali definitely loves this aspect of Simon’s personality. He makes a great audience for her little antics and is very patient when she decides he wants to be rolled or tickled or squeezed.

Extreme Sports for Preschoolers

May19

Rainy days? Cold weather? Worried about those house-bound kiddos not getting enough exercise? We’ve found a solution for getting those little heart rates up and muscles stretching that doesn’t involve climbing on couches or jumping on beds. Nope. No dangerous antics here. Just good old exercise for those cabin-fevered cubs. Here’s the trick…

First, begin exercise program after child has been inside with a cold for several days and while there is a long stretch of rainy or cold weather. Antsy-ness is key.

Second, leave any small, strong, energetic child alone. You can be anywhere in the house, except within view.

Third, wait till said child discovers through practice that she or he is able to scale a doorpost with bare hands and feet.

Finally, while congratulating your monkey-wannabe for such a feat of strength and skill, remind her or him that climbing walls is for such creatures as spiders and lizards.

Quiet eruption changes the world

May8

Thankfully, it’s neither a terrible oil spill or an Icelandic volcano I’m talking about, but this eruption definitely has an impact on this little family, especially on Simon, the baby with brand new little white bumps in his gums. Yep, this past week Simon’s first two teeth tied in their race to the top. The top of his gums, that is. He’s had a cold for about a week, so it’s hard to say, but from what we could tell his erupting teeth didn’t seem to bother him much.

Simon is constantly surprising me at how big he is, how strong he’s getting, and, now, how toothy he is! Those baby bumps are hard. I dare you to stick your finger in his mouth!

Seeing Gold

May4

The morning sun peeked out from behind a big, white cloud while we were at the park, casting its yellow light on the spring-green grass and leaves. Tali exclaimed, “It’s sunny now! Now everything’s golden!” Quite a bit of excitement over something so little… But, how much more “gold” would I see if I stopped to look at things, even gloomy things, in the light of God’s always-there presence?

Green Pastures

May3

Since Simon’s birth I’ve been amazed several times at how the Lord’s tender care for Tali and Simon is so clear. Things like a gift from a grandparent, a visit from a friend, a good nap – so many things have come at just the right time, in just the right way.

Today Tali wanted so much to stay at Grandma’s house longer than we were willing to let her. She was pretty unhappy about it, but was glad that she’d get to have some Daddy play time after dinner. She was all geared up to hang out with David when he told her he only had a few minutes to play because he had a meeting at church. It’s no fun to see your little girl missing her dad before he even leaves. But even before she was done enjoying their few minutes together, her friend from down the street called to see if Tali could play. Friend B was here before David was gone and the two girls had a great time with play dough, bikes, and sidewalk chalk.

We have a shepherd who is certainly better at caring for our little ones than we could ever be!