snakes on the plane

dear emily,

i keep seeing commercials for this silly movie called 'snakes on the plane.' anyone who fears snakes on a plane has never been on one with a baby!

the terror rises while you stumble down the entry ramp towards the cabin door. the lovely and skinny young flight attendant is not happy to see you carrying your 15 pound baby, his 25 pound diaper bag, balancing your ticket and his pacifier between your first and second fingers, and dragging the stroller behind.

you are praying that your seatmate is an understanding and helpful mommy, maybe even your own mommy! 6 A B, 7 A B, 8 A B...you smile nervously at the intimidating business man in his very expensive pinstripe suit and reptile shoes.

he does not smile back.

your sweet baby, who is vibing on your stress, is already getting a little fussy.

the thought of nursing your baby, with an uptight executive next to you, makes you want to wean him. then, horrors, your precious baby throws up all over mr. pinstripe, who hisses with displeasure.

your baby, however, is now content and sleepy, and you no longer care about a snake on the plane.

friends

hey emily,

thank you for your sweet note and the darling drawings by the kiddos!

i have been thinking about our friends. we know how important it is for our children to choose their friends wisely. "show me your friends, and i will show you your future!" it is just as worthwhile that we, also, select our friends carefully.

when hans and i returned to our hometown after college, we decided that we wouldn't run with the affluent crowd. to be perfectly honest, i was afraid that i would get caught up in trivial things that i knew i had a weakness for.  so, instead, we knit our lives with those who were following the Lord, just like you are.

those dear friends prayed all night when we almost lost our first baby and later took our kids to the emergency room when we were out of town. we have cheered on each other's children in every sporting event imaginable, prayed for their success in all they do, and cried over their heartbreaks.

we have recently spent time with some of our oldest and dearest friends, and it melted our hearts to hear how devoted they are to our children. we love their beautiful daughters and are becoming friends, now, with their grandchildren!

thank you for being a devoted friend to shelby and hailey.

someday, your kids will befriend their kids...and on and on and on...

proverbs 17:17

'a friend loves at all times...'