“In the media today, the Christian media, there’s too much triffling with God, too much slapstick, too much triviality. There aren’t enough tears. There isn’t enough seriousness. The Joy has a light silly flavor to it. Not the kind of flavor that out to be there when you have suffered and died with Jesus. We ought to be calling the world to a kind of joy which has tears on it’s face and can walk through dark valleys. Instead of trying to sound like the silly banter of primetime, drive time, world.” John Piper, “Looking at the Kindness and Severity of God 2
Matthew and Claire got down and funky on the dance floor. For the first time ever, the video camera failed to capture sound; of course, it would have to happen during a wedding. Matthew and Claire were dancing to “She’s a Brick House” by the Commodore’s, so I put the original recording in the backround; what you don’t hear is everyone in the backround cheering them on. We didn’t teach Matthew any of the following moves, they are all inventions of his own. Claire plays the role of back up dancer, running large circles, moving her arms to the music. Later, Matthew paid the price from all his hard dancing with aching feet. Let’s just say that he’s not eager to get dress up in a Tux anytime soon.
My brother’s wedding on Saturday was a very elegant event at the Clos La Chance winery. Matthew and Claire were dressed for the occasion. I didn’t take any photos of the event because there were already two photographers buzzing around; for once I wanted to be in the photos instead of behind a camera. The photographers photos will be ready in 30 days or more, so much patience is needed to endure the waiting period. Meanwhile, here’s some video of Matthew and Claire playing at a fountain. We pulled them away shortly after this video was taken because their outfits were quickly becoming wet.
Kai was jumping along with many of the other kids.
Claire had a very hard time walking around the jump house with all the kids tossing her around. She had a moment alone in the jump house and was able to enjoy it a little more.
Matthew found a use for the jump house screen that I hadn’t yet seen. Of course, I don’t spend much time around jump houses, but this looked awfully strange to me.
Matthew gave Kai his first John Deere die cast tractor. Now they have matching tractors.
Our last trip to Alabama I think Walmart was the first most frequently visited store, and then Unclaimed Baggage was probably the second most visited store. All it takes is to find one good item, real cheap and it’s enough motivation to keep you going back.
The first trip I found a package of that was stuffed with stationary that looked promising. I couldn’t see all that was in there, but for a couple dollars, I figured it was worth it. After purchasing it, the inside contained way more than I expected. There were postcards from Jerusalem, bookmarks with an illustration of the last supper, and many other goodies. It was probably well over $20 worth of various items jammed into a bag and sold for just a couple dollars! I was on an unclaimed baggage high!
The next time we went I found some Felco pruners for only a few dollars. These are special Swiss made pruners that normally sell new for $50! They work great and I use them today.
Ah, the good memories of Unclaimed Baggage. Sure, sometimes you don’t find a thing and it’s just a building full of junk, but then there’s those days that it seems like you found the best deal on the planet.
The kids liked rummaging through the stuff too.
In the photo above, Jenn and Matthew are trying on some masks we found.
Yeah, it’s been a while since our trip to Alabama Dec 2008, but what the heck. There’s some photos I haven’t blogged on and so better late than never.
We visited Jared a couple times, he has done some excellent work on making his home warm and comfy. I wish we were able to spend more time there, but the way things worked out we spent much more time hanging out at Moma Lynn’s.
Jared is such a good uncle. Matthew loves to spend time with him and I think Jared might like Matthew a bit too.
This fun little toy is sorta like a home version of those rides you see at the supermarkets and malls, except that it’s free, and your kid has to do the work of making it move up and down. It saves your quarters and get’s your kids tired! Brilliant.
