Do you know what today is?

It's my second anniversary.
My blog and I have been married for two years.
The honeymoon's not over yet.
It has been a fruitful union; we have spawned 6 baby blogs in the past 24 months...


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POP QUIZ:


Can you guess what this truck is hauling?
Mandi knows.
She explained it to the truck full of boys I was taking to Cultus.
Put your guesses in the comment box.

This reminds me of a game I used to play with my kids when they were younger; "What do you think is in that truck?" "Marshmellows." "Fishing Rods." "Nintendo Controllers." "Watch Batteries." And so forth. And then I'd get them to estimate how many there would be inside. I'm sure there's an educational element to this whole exercise. I did it to get them to look up from their Game Boys.

Anyway, go ahead Put aside your Gameboy and guess what is in that truck.

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A few weeks ago I was waiting in the back row of the gymnasium for the ukelele concert to begin. Sitting in front of me was a mom being grilled by another mom who was standing in the aisle.

"Do you know anything about her?"

"Not much. I haven't really talked to her."

"Well I know she goes to church. CLA. She seems nice enough. But you never really know, do you?"

"I think they are a nice family."

"But have you heard anything?"

"Hear anything? No. Nothing. I'm sure it will be fine"

"Well, I want to be careful. I know Annie would like to go to Suzi's party, but I told her I'd ask around first."

"What exactly are you worried about? Maybe you could call and talk to Kathy...you might feel better about letting Annie go to the birthday party."

"Oh, no. I've talked to Kathy alot this year. We worked together on Hot Lunch Days. And her and I decorated the gym for the teacher's appreciation tea. It's just that, before I let my daughter go to her house, I thought I'd ask around to see if anyone knows something. You can't be too careful, right? I need to know if anyone knows anything that I should be aware of."

"I think it will be fine. My daughter is going. And if there's a problem, or if something happens that makes Annie feel uncomfortable, she can just call you, right?"

"But, see, if there's the chance that something might happen - she shouldn't go. I really have to find out more about the family. Just because she says they go to CLA isn't enough. I mean, anyone can go to church...I think maybe I better talk to a few more people. Someone might know something...I have to do due diligence. I would never forgive myself if something happens."

"STOP TALKING!!!" I yelled inside my head. OH. My. Goodness. I was embarassed for her. I wanted so very badly for her to shut her face. If this is how Christian parents protect their children from the forces of evil, then I don't want to wear the Christian Parent label. If this is how the Good Moms Network works, then I don't want to be apart of that clique.

I do not want to talk about how good, safe, "Christian", legal, or healthy other familes are. Maybe because I don't want to be judged by some standard that I can in no way meet. We are not the sum of all the things we've done wrong. As a family, we have failed at school, failed at marriage, failed at friendships, failed at keeping our weight under control, failed at keeping the weeds at bay and really failed at keeping our laundry in the laundry basket.

If you are wondering if my home is safe for your child to visit, I'd have to say, "It's a crapshoot. I could be OK; but there's a chance he might be exposed to loud non-Christian music, meals where nothing green and leafy is served, nights where no one is in bed at midnight, days where sunscreen is not always applied, and conversations that wander to the edge of decency and back again.

Today in the parking lot at school a dad poked his head into my Durango:

"Hi, you're Drew's mom?"

"Yes, I'm Jane."

"What's this about taking my son to Cultus?"

"I'm going up for the afternoon and evening, and Drew wants to know if we can take your son along?"

"I'm sorry. I don't know you. It would be irresponsible of me to allow that. I can't just let you take him."

"What can I say to make you feel better about this all?"

"Well, you seem nice enough. But, you are a stranger to me and my wife. We've never talked to you. We know nothing about you. Where are you going, again?"

"My parents have a place at Cultus, and we're going to spend the afternoon there. It's right on the lake. I can give you the address and phone numbers. I do this often."

"By yourself? You're going to go with 3 boys by yourself all that way? Is your husband going to drive?"

"Yes, I'm going by myself. My mom will join us this evening. I'm taking my niece along as well. He'll be in good hands. Really. I do this all the time."

"Your mom? Niece? Just exactly who will all be there? Will your husband show up too?"

"Just me and the boys, my mom and my niece. I'm going to do some gardening and puttering around the place. We should be home by 10."

"I don't know. I just don't feel good about this. We don't let our children just go with anyone. My wife would not be happy if I allowed this. He burns easily and needs someone to keep slathering on sunscreen. He is not a strong swimmer, I can' let him go to a lake where there is no lifeguard... I just don't know how responsible you are."

I think he was looking for respectability. He needed me to have a husband.

And. Oh well. I don't have one.

We had a really nice day at the lake even without a husband.

Three things I'm thankful for:

1. We are loved despite our shortcomings. There are people who take a chance on me - allowing their kids to play with mine, even though there's a chance some of our less desirable traits might rub off.
2. I live in the most beautiful place in Canada.

3. I have a pair of denim shorts that fit.

I look like crap in them. But they fit.

Shalom,