The Streetpoet

Her sisters threw her a surprise birthday party on Saturday…and she really was surprised! But she was also late because of me. I had been begging for years to let me take her pictures and she finally agreed to have my camera in her adorable face! But the starting time of her party came and went, and none of us could be dressed or ready to go in the least lest she suspect anything. So the boys were as dirty as could be, Gigi pretended like she was over just to help me get dinner started and hang out, and I just kept snapping photos and chatting with Anna. As soon as she left I called Donna and practically yelled “She’s on her way!” and we scrambled around here to get ready and get up there. We missed her surprise, but I got some awesome shots! So happy surprise birthday party, Anna! And thank you for the shoot!

We’ve enjoyed the water immensely during this heat wave. Sprinklers, kiddie pool, hose, and Papa’s pool (and Papa’s air conditioning) have all been wonderful! Raven’s enjoyed all the water activity, too and is right in there with the boys.

Yesterday Jerome commented “Those are tiny, tiny freckles of water that we can hardly see! Right, Mama?” I had no idea what he was talking about until he pointed at Raven’s coat. She had run through the sprinkler and did indeed have tiny droplets of water shining on her fur.

Seth drinks an emergenC in his sippy cup every night, and he likes all the flavors. Tonight he called out from his bed after he’d tasted it, “Mommy, what flavor is it? Raspberry? Lemon Park?” (I had taken him to Lemon Park this morning to play in their water area while Jerome was in VBS and he had a blast!)

I dug my Psaltry out of the closet the other day, I wasn’t sure why at the time, I just needed to play.

What came from it surprised me. In the past few years I’ve not played it very much and when I have I would always try to play this one song, a hymn actually as those are mostly all I know, but I felt I had lost it as I could not play it.

There was a short time when all three of us sisters each had a Psaltry and we played together in churches, at prayer meetings and such. Vanessa taught herself to read music, and I still can’t, so she would play the harmony and I would play the melody, she just gave me the starting note. I would teach Regina the melody and then we were set for a trio! But shortly after that Vanessa fell in love and got married. Our best song had been “Holy, Holy, Holy” and I didn’t want to lose the sound of it harmonized on the Psaltry so I spent hours and hours teaching myself to play it with two bows. It’s the only song I know how to play with two bows but I had been able to play it to still have the sound of us all together.

This week was the first time in years that I had picked up two bows and been able to play it through.

Most of you know that my twin sister has been in Peru for almost four years now. (I’m also keeping her Psaltry here as the jungle conditions would most likely ruin it.) She’s had many health problems through the years, but this week we learned that she has a blood clot in a vein in her left leg. Once again, we trust the Lord for her life and ask for her healing. Please pray for Vanessa’s safety and healing, and that the medical help they do receive would be timely and wise. Thank you.

Scott has been working on his PhD since before we knew him! He’s gotten a new job, married, moved, had two children, planted an amazing yard, all while working on his dissertation! Scott, you’re an amazing person and we thank God for what He’s done in your life and for placing you in our family! We love you!

And thanks also goes to the Williams family who put on an amazing dinner for all of us to celebrate before the commencement ceremonies on Monday. It was so nice to spend some time with your family and we look forward getting to know you better through the years to come, although Riverside seems so far away.

Again, congratulations, Scott!

Saturday afternoon we loaded up our car and Darrell and Eric piled in with us for a trip up the coast to see Jane graduate! The drive was broken up into one hour segments so it was a delightful trip and so fun to have the cousins along! Our first stop (after a tank up and some hot dogs from Costco) was the Santa Barbara beach where we met up with the Barlows for an hour to play in the sand and waves. And yes, I let my babies eat sand if they want to, and they all have…by the mouthful! (What kind of a mother that makes me, I’m not sure, but we have a lot of fun.) So while Ian was eating sand and running around, Peter had the big boys down by the water. It didn’t seem like a long visit at the beach but we were all wonderfully refreshed by the time the palm tree shadows reached our blankets. From Santa Barbara we caravaned with the Barlows to Lompoc where we had dinner then Scott escorted us onto the Vandenberg Air Force Base where we spent the night. In the morning it was foggy and rather surreal looking as we drove another hour up to San Luis Obispo on Sunday morning.

Sunday was Father’s Day. I had awoken at 5:30 with Ian and spent the morning praying and remembering and giving thanks. But I could not that morning recall the sound of my Daddy’s voice. That saddened me but did not disturb me. Later Sunday morning as we had gotten on our way again toward San Luis Obispo, I called one of my Daddy’s best friends Dr. Barney Davis, and just hearing his voice brought it all back again, even the sound of my Daddy’s voice. A strange and wonderful gift.

Peter and Dad had an eventful Father’s Day, of which I will share pictures in a moment, but I also wanted to publicly say how much I love those two and appreciate all they have been to me and our sons. Happy Father’s Day!

And now the very reason for our trip, Jane’s graduation from Cal Poly College of Architecture!!! She graduated Summe Cumme Laude with her Bachelors in Architecture and minor in construction management. (Thanks for the correct info, Donna!) And we are so proud of her! So without further ado, pictures: