Peace on Earth In Mercy Mired.........

I really cannot explain what a car ride is like with the Jobe Crew. Loud, yes, but more than that. So much more.

Last night was Parent's Night Out at Sharonville UMC. This is where Kevin and I have our church membership. In the United Methodist system, pastors hold membership at a church where they are not pastoring. Anyway, shortly after 9 PM, we were all headed back home. The kids were wired!

They had seen parts of Wall-E. They started out talking about that and every few minutes, the entire way home, Ella would pipe up with, "Wall-E waked up!"

The moon was out, so Risi, every few minutes, would howl at it. Risi has this thing about dogs.

Josiah, Olivia, and Grace alternated between singing, fighting and yelling from the back of the car up to where Kevin and I sat up in the front.

I was driving and giggling most of the way home. It was crazy. And just when it got a little less chaotic, Risi would howl, or Ella would tell us "Wall-E waked up!" And when they didn't do it, I would, and we would laugh harder.

At one point Grace was singing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." (The conversation had switched to a Charlie Brown Christmas . )

But Grace had the words a bit mixed up....

"...glory to the newborn King.
Peace on earth
In mercy mired..."

I was looking at definitions of "mired". To sink into. To be held fast by.

And mercy? Compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender.

An offender, that is you and me. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23

A misunderstood song, sung gustily by a young girl. Mired in mercy. I am covered by, sunk into and held fast by mercy. I can certainly think of worse things to be covered with.

Peace on Earth, In Mercy Mired.


Thank you, Jesus.

Weekend Update (with apologies to SNL for using their term)

Rocks. Guilty. Three children instead of just one. I'd apologize to the one I publicly accused, except she was one of the three culprits! Reason given for WHY they put the rocks in the exhaust pipe: "I don't know," from 'the boy.' Giggles from the baby. A blank look from the first accused.

Did you know that 'Que sera' is Spanish? I thought it was French! I guess I am learning some Spanish.

Pounds lost so far: 19!!

Number of children at McDonald's for lunch yesterday: All 5

Number of children who THREW UP at McDonald's: 1 (thankfully he made it to the bathroom...even more thankful that Daddy is the one who got to take him!)

Number of children who learned that lipstick does not make good eye shadow.: 2 (they kind of look like raccoons, today. They decided to circle their eyes with lipstick. I don't know why. I also don't know why I didn't take a picture!!

Things learned this weekend: a piano has 36 black keys. My hubby can name all 5 of the New Kids on the Block (I am so proud.) Harry Morgan is not dead. There are entire villages in Cambodia built on water. There is actually candy, that you can purchase, that comes in a plastic, strap on nose and drips out like snot (thanks, Mom.) I promise to get a picture of that in use!

Definitely an interesting weekend! What did you do??

Suggestions, please.....

Tongu Mama over at Our Little Tonginator blogged today about a 'date' she and her husband had. It got me to thinking. Kevin and I often use our date time for dinner and then something exciting like grocery shopping.

I am hoping that all 10 of you who read this blog, might have some suggestions for 'date nights.' We are looking for something relatively inexpensive. Just because that is where we are in life. And we don't even have a stock portfolio to have one crash!

I look forward to your thoughts!