Firsts

We have had a series of firsts around here. Let me share them with you.

First of all: Faith went to an overnight birthday party with someone she hadn't known terribly long. Now, this in itself is unusual. Faith likes to spend the night with someone in her own house. Safe and secure, all things in their usual places, all sounds and lights as they should be. Parents in their proper beds, dog preferably in hers. Well, she has been becoming buddies with a girl from class last year named Alyssa. Alyssa is in her class again this year, and invited Faith to her party. She came home from school positively alight with delight and joy. After talking to Alyssa's mom, we gave hearty approval. Now, Faith has attempted to spend the night before, with great trepidation and death-grips around my throat as she kissed me good-by. Only to call hours later desperate to come home. Or, if she did manage to stay, it was because some loving woman had the determination to keep the child from calling home all night long. This time, there was less nervousness, no clinging, happy children who greeted her at the door and ushered her into joy and kindness. No phone calls. No choking tears. No regrets for having gone.

The next first: Chuck and I had an evening all to ourselves, no children anywhere in sight! The obvious reason: Heather is in England, Faith was partying. Oh, how sweet it was to know that the girls were in God's capable care and we could just let our guard down and relax! It was a night of remembrance: old movie, pizza and salad, snuggling on the couch. Of course, mom that I am, I fell asleep on the couch waiting for the phone to ring, summoning me to pick up my sensitive child. I stumbled to bed at 11:30, surprised and pleased.

The last first: I made a pumpkin pie completely from scratch! You see, I love autumn. Autumn is crisp, cold at night and warm during the day. Autumn is falling leaves, warm sweaters, and anticipation of holidays to come. We had just returned from Bates Nut Farm, and the thought of pumpkin pie was just too much temptation for us all. So, feeling domestic, I bit the bullet today. I cut open a pumpkin, skinned it, pared it, and plopped it in a pot to boil. I mashed it, then added the wonderful seasonings that make Thanksgiving so much fun. After we had a lovely bowl of hot soup for dinner, we drooled with delight as we sat down to warm pumpkin pie with Whipped Cream. YUM!

Good Firsts. Good memories. Great God.

* don't worry Heather, I saved some pumpkin filling for when you get home!