Did you know it is officially De-lurkers Week? That means, MoZiLLa, that you have to comment on my blog again. And as for the rest of you, no more excuses that you don't know how! Click the comment button at the end of this post.
Prior to the Saturday night sleepover, the kids were treated to an afternoon at Krispy Kreme donuts. Joel & Odila are very loving friends of ours from Union Church. Odila, a gorgeous and wonderfully self-expressed Brazilian, has commented on occasion that we are too harsh with our kids. "Your kids are wonderful, you are doing such a great job with them, and I think you are just a little too tough!" she'll smile assertively. This has been going on now since Thanksgiving when we attended a large dinner at mutual friends. Parents reading this will know well the games their kids play when it comes to eating and learning about boundaries. At this particular dinner the trips were all acting up and Tess and I weren't giving them an inch to play with. (At left, the lovely and talented Odila surrounded by donut munching kids!)
There have been several occasions since that dinner when we saw Odila & Joel, each time Odila teasing me about being too harsh with the kids. Finally one day she said, "You know what I would like to do? I would like to take all your kids to Krispy Kreme donuts for an afternoon where anything goes... they can eat and drink whatever and as much as they want!" We joked about such an excursion, and then finally last Saturday afternoon the idea was fully baked.
Around 3:30 pm we dropped off all four kids in Mid Levels at the newest Krispy Kreme location in Hong Kong. Two of the kids' friends from Union Church also joined the donut-fest. After determining the kids would be okay without us - especially the trips since they don't know Odila and Joel that well - Tess and I escaped to a nearby Starbucks for thirty minutes of Grande Non-Fat Vanilla Latte therapy. (At left, handsome and cuddly Joel, surrounded by sugar-charged kids.)
By the end of the afternoon Sebastian consumed three donuts and half a hot chocolate. Jasper and Sela each had two donuts. Sela had one (she wanted to watch her diet) and never again will we need to worry about the triplets not knowing who Joel & Odila are - they are forever burned into the triplets' Krispy Kreme'd minds. (At left, Olivia, Christopher and Sebastian spinning from their sugar fix!)
After futile attempts to clean sugar off the kids - it was everywhere but that's okay - we all sauntered off to a small playground across the street with a merry-go-round. Two speeds were permitted, slow for little kids and very fast for big kids. Jasper had one try at very fast and didn't like when he reached terminal velocity. Remarkably, all donuts remained in small tummies. Sela demonstrated her gymnastic abilities to an adoring audience, including a final pose of "Ta daaa!" The kids had a terrific afternoon and all thanked Joel & Odila for the very special treat. They want this to be a regular event.
Speaking of wants, and National De-Lurkers Week, what do you want? Instead of setting New Year's Resolutions last week I chose to stay the course of current goals. but upon reflection of the question, "what do you want?" I came up with the following answer.
Believe it or not, I want change. Right now I need to work... I want to change that so I don't need to work, or that there is less pressure to work and realise financial goals. Right now I have several unpublished books trapped inside me... I want to change that and publish those books. Right now my family are healthy and generally happy, but we have lots of stress in our lives... I want to change that so we have more joy and happiness, less stress in our lives. Some of the stress is from clutter... I want to change that and get rid of the clutter. And finally, right now I am not pursuing my spiritual calling fast enough. I want to change that, too.
"They" often say that humans don't like change. I'm not sure that's true and certainly is not the case in my life! I want and will embrace change. Happy New Year everyone, what do you want?
I know what you mean Charles about wanting change. Stuart and I are at the same point - specifically with his current work and travel committments. There must be another way. But I ask myself are we being unreasonable in our expectations, all the past generations just accepted "work" as a necessary part of family life. But now Dad's, in particular, don't want to miss out on their kids growing up, while our lifestyles still require a substantial income from somewhere. It's a fine balance, let me know if you ever figure it out!
Cheers, Lucy
Posted by: Lucy Moran | January 09, 2007 at 07:31 PM
oh my stars....i can only imagine the mayhem of a gaggle of young kids hopped up on so much sugar! good thing you hit the playground before going home. i can just imagine the kids careening off walls otherwise. ah well, it's good to break the rules from time to time.
what do i want.....that could fill a month of blog posts, i'm afraid....
Posted by: lime | January 09, 2007 at 09:00 PM
nothing like seeing the "hot fresh" sign lit at the local krispy kreme, eh? one of those southern traditions :).
what do i want? a bigger house, a newer car (one with three shoulder belts in the back seat), a swimming pool/hot tub, some type of extracurricular activity that involves nitriles and gel electrophoresis a couple days a week, a healthy baby under 8 lbs at birth, a masters degree program, and a clean(ish) home.
what am i likely to get? none of the above, although i'll probably actually work towards the last item and maybe even come close once in a while. national championship football team...wait, already got that :). booyah and GO GATORS!
thank you for the new pictures!
Posted by: knobody | January 09, 2007 at 09:42 PM
Ok so i'll delurk and post. I've actually posted comments when the trips were born. I've been following since and sent up many prayers for them and your family. I think you and tess are great parents and i've so enjoyed following you all over the years!!Tell us more about your spiritual callings. I can't tell you enough what great joy it brings me to read a blog where God is part of a family and not just someone random prayers are said to. You do seem to have a very stressful job that takes you all around the world. Like following that too!! You and Tess are very busy, i can't imagine!! Take care and I will enjoy reading about your new year wants!!
Rae
Posted by: Rae | January 09, 2007 at 10:22 PM
Wow, you guys are very brave to let someone get your triplets and Sebastian hopped up on Krispy Kreme. I'm an adult and feel the effects of one donut. I can't imagine what 3 would do a child.
What do I want? More hours in the day. There's just not enough time to do everything I want to get done. Since I can't have that, I want the ability to prioritize and restructure my life a little bit so that the important things get done.
Posted by: Alison | January 10, 2007 at 03:11 AM
No Krispy Kreme's here on the island, closest is Vancouver. But Tim Horton's, now that's another story... I've done the friend's kids to TH for hot chocolate and donuts thing as well. The joy on their faces when they get to choose which donut they want, "priceless".
Posted by: Louise M | January 10, 2007 at 03:49 AM
What I want is to really sit down and spend some time considering what I want and how to get there. Love your blog. Your family is beautiful, and your spiritual posts are very thought provoking. Thank you.
Posted by: Tracy | January 11, 2007 at 02:18 AM
Dear Chuck:
I LOVE your blog! From the sounds of it Odila and Joel should be written into your Will - what a treat for the kidlets!! Seb looks like he is truly in orbit as he 'stands' beside Joel!
Love to you,
M xox
Posted by: Maureen aka Mo aka Grandmother aka Mozilla | January 11, 2007 at 05:46 AM
...I want more hours in the day, I want my children to slow down their growth into little boys, I want continued health for my family and me and most importantly, I want to reduce clutter - both physical and mental. I don't think that's asking a lot-right?
Beautiful post XXOO
Posted by: Jill | January 12, 2007 at 12:54 AM
Happy New Year Charles & Tess! I love your blog which keeps me connected with you and your family. I want the time & means to complete my Masters degree. I want my children to be happy and successful in their lives. I want the time for Peter & I to enjoy each other and have lots of fun! xo
Posted by: Carol in North Vancouver | January 14, 2007 at 02:07 AM
I read you all the time, but since you asked, I will post a comment today. What do I want? I want my next IVF cycle to work, and to be blessed with a sibling for my wonderful 3 yr old son, and another child to raise to love the Lord.
Posted by: Amber | January 14, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Hi Charles,
I used to work @ Juniper India. Stumbled onto your blog at some point and visit it every now and then. My small comment would be -- I'm amazed at how you manage to pack so much into your life.
Resolutions: I didn't make resolutions, don't normally. But I might say -- I took a year off from work starting last April and have been having an amazing time finding myself beyond my 'corporate' person. My challenge is to be able to integrate all the authentic aspects of myself into a whole life
Posted by: Vijay Krishna (ex Juniper) | January 23, 2007 at 12:13 AM