We've been accepted

Denmark, here we come!

When we applied for the Lawyers without borders program we were told that we could be on the list for years. Apparently, all the natural disasters have made travelers more anxious about leaving the borders of the good old United States of America. But not us.

We did assume that when we did make it to the top of the list, we would be headed someplace where our rudimentary spanish would be useful, but apparently not. That's OK, we can live with it. We are very excited to begin our adventure.

So obviously you are asking when we are leaving, just check today's date and you will know.

to noel on our anniversary

As a special gift, I wish
I could give you a few more hours for every day.
But not to give you more time
to drive from place to place
or take care of your responsibilities
that multiply continuously.

Rather, I would prefer
that the sun didn't set so fast
so that we had more time
to walk through parks hand in hand,
to get away liek we always plan.

And more importantly,
to just do more of the same.
Such as talking and laughing,
driving from place to place together,
discussing our plans and future,
watching the boys
explore the world and discover
that regardless of what we have or do,
what makes us happiest,
is simply having time with each other.

Portraits of the boys

These were created with real black and white film.

Embracing the Geekiness

Lately there has been an onslaught of evidence that the members of the Metzger family are geeks.

Evidence #1

Spinner Magazine published a top 10 list of the biggest geeks in music. Near the very top at position number 3 is They Might Be Giants. The signicance of this? We love TMBG. They are the boy's favorite band. (Yes, even beating out Phish.) Nicholas got an MP3 player for Christmas which is loaded almost entirely with TMBG songs.

Evidence #2

Speaking of Christmas, Joe and I got the kids a telescope for Christmas. A really big one that can see the spot on Jupiter. Wrapped up it was taller than Holden and Matthew. Just the fact that we would get them that instead of something cool like a Wii, provides tons of proof into our inner geek.

Evidence #3

The other day our friends invited us to go to the Connecticut Science Museum with them. The boys were so excited you would have thought that we were on our way to Disney. Upon leaving they were so sad and kept asking when we were coming back. There is a fun, even if it is smaller, science museum in Springfield and if I were a willing participant, we would go daily. It isn't just science museums though. Given carte blance to pick an activity for our family to do in New York City, Holden chose to go to the Metropolitan Museum Of Art.

Evidence #4

Our trips to the library are a highlight of our week. We leave with about half the library. And not just fun books, but all sorts of non-fiction as well.

I think you are getting the idea, even if I don't mention the fact that I homeschool, that we sing in the car, that we all get super excited if we catch Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me (The NPR news quiz show) on the radio, or that last night the boys were hugely disappointed that I made them turn off a documentary on origami to go to bed.

While my first inclination was to deny the evidence and continue under the assumption that we are cool, I have decided to embrace the geekiness. Metzger are geeks. But, we're pretty cool ones.

Coolness

I have a tendency to worry that my children's current behavior is a foreshadowing of things to come.

For example, Matthew has become obsessed with being cool. He informed me that he is not cute but cool. My four year old also informed me that his super power is that you can not wipe his cool off. I know this is adorable, but instead of just enjoying the moment I become stressed of how this will play out when he is in middle school.

Hence, the following conversation which occurred after he asked me again if he was cool.

Me: Matthew, it is more important to do the right thing and follow Jesus than it is to be cool.

Matthew: Why?

Me: Because we love Jesus and want to be like him.

Matthew: Well, I think Jesus is cool.

Maybe I worry too much.

Follow the Prophet

Rudolph

Away in a manger

Christmas Poem

Occasionally, all the world stops on a single thought

and the hush of quiet softens our hearts

so that we can see and hear and feel what it means

to give instead of take, to wish instead of hate.

And maybe for a moment, collectively remember

how to forgive and forget and how to love one another.

-Joseph Metzger

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Four is great

Now that he is four, Matthew is all grown up. Just ask him. Apparently, not only can four year olds play soccer (which he has been waiting for) they can also carry heavy objects by themselves. They also don't have to hold your hand when crossing the street. Or sit in a car seat. As a parent you are pretty much useless once your child hits four.

The day after his fourth birthday we pulled out the scriptures to read. Generally, when it is Matthew's turn to read I point to the words say them and then he repeats them. But on this day, when I started to read, he put up his hand and said, "I don't need help."

And then he sat there and stared at the words for a while. Finally he looked up at me and said, "Well, maybe a little help."

Good to know I still have some value, even if he is four.

Thanksgiving Things

There are certain things that are forever tied into holidays. They become a part of the celebration and excitement of the day. For me Candy Corn will forever be associated with Thanksgiving.

Growing up, there would be candy corn at your place setting on the Thanksgiving table. Before the blessing and subsequent feasting, we would go around and name a blessing for each of the candies. If there was a small group it was 7 and if it was a large group only 3.

And then there is the song. How can a family that has it's own birthday song, not have a Thanksgiving song? I realized that my boys didn't know this song and I felt as if I had betrayed my heritage. But never fear, that will be rectified this year. And for all those future generations that follow me, here is part of your legacy.

Cartloads of Pumpkins as yellow as gold

Onions in silvery strings

Shining red apples

And clusters of grapes

Nuts and a host of good things

Chickens

And turkeys

And fat little pigs

All this is what Thanksgiving brings

I just have one questions for my dearly departed great great ancestor who made this song a tradition. Since when are pumpkins yellow? This has puzzled me since I was little.

I am grateful for all of you my friends. You have enriched my life and made me a better person. Happy Thanksgiving.

Wordless Wednesday

Springfield Children's Choir

Nicholas and Holden are singing with the Springfield Children's Choir. They LOVE it. They come home from rehearsal all excited and practicing their new songs. These are pictures from their first performance. The Choir sang at a fundraiser.

Check out the handsome boy three from the right.

The choir went over to the fundraiser on a bus. Is their a cuter face in the universe?

There is my Holden.

One of the things the boys really like is that a lot of their friends sing with them. In this group are Bronson, Gavin, Aalyia, and Roci.