June 27, 2009 8:32 PM
Curtis Family - what's going on?
Can you tell I haven't had a lot of family responsibility this week? The Downzers are at Easter Seals Camp, where they go every summer to unwind - swimming, horseback riding, wall-climbing, and learning archery.
I must admit, this gives us a little break. My housework has been next to nothing and laundry cut in half. Cooking has been pretty casual too. I originally planned to kick up my heels and spend some time at the museums in DC, but am just now feeling well enough to take a walk with my husband - which we did yesterday for the first time since the whole Knee Surgery Saga began last September.
Zach is still recuperating from his motorcycle accident and subsequent surgery - still on crutches, though the doctor says he might be able to do some weight-bearing next week. Trying hard to stay in shape for going into the Marine OCS - which will hopefully still happen, but be postponed from October to November.
Sophia is directing summer theater camps for the Growing Stage. She loves working with little kids. Funny how God can reveal at an early age where your child is headed. In California we lived near a wonderful theater company - Cinnabar is still going strong, I believe - where my kids took workshops for many years. When she was 11, Sophia decided she wanted to do a summer camp. She patterned it exactly as she had seen: sending out a flyer and charging $15. for a week of 9-12 classes. She wrote a script, directed, made costumes - even had a final performance for parents.
Now here she is, eight years later being paid to do the same thing. And this is what she wants to do when she grows up. She is a theater major at Liberty, just completed her freshman year. My two older girls did not go to college, preferring to work and get married. Not only did that feel right for them, but today they are living their dreams - each one has six children and a busy life homeschooling. But for Sophia, what she is doing seems right for her - another example of how God does not make our children from cookie cutters and we have to be observant and obedient in supporting HIS plans for them rather than pushing our own agendas.
Sophia is also a gifted actress and she will be appearing as Helena in Not Just Shakespeare's production of Midsummer Night's Dream at Morven Park July 11-26.
Matt is still working at Sweetwater Tavern and saving money, traveling to New York for auditions as they come up. So far nothing solid professionally, but he - and Maddy - have parts lined up in local productions for the coming year with Imagine That!
Ben and Anna have moved to Charlottesville - about 90 minutes south of us and a much lower cost of living. Matt helped them move and reported to his dad last night that Ben carried Anna across the threshold of their new apartment. Wish I had a picture - but I can see it in my mind. They are SO happy! Such a great example of why Christians should not follow the world's teaching that they should have all their finances in order and everything figured out before getting married. Better to embark on the adventure together and to have love lightening the load.
Tripp is doing better and I will have more solid news next month. We have a two-year lease on our house, so we are very grateful as we are coming up on the anniversary of moving here, to know that we are secure for another year. I love this house more than any we've ever lived in and find myself yearning sometimes, "I wish this were mine." But then I remember that it's up to God from now on what happens with our family. And I know I can trust Him through good times and bad. This has been a year of so much challenge - but though we lost a lot materially, we gained more spiritually than we could have dreamed.
I wouldn't have it any other way.
Maddy is learning to drive. This is Tripp's eighth time around as I have little to do with the process. He has so much more trust than I do :) She is still singing in the bluegrass band, still cantoring at church, still filling our house with song. She and Jonny will be in a 3-week workshop for Pirates of Penzance next month.
One of the greatest pleasures in my life right now is hanging out my laundry on the line. No kidding. There's something so peaceful and meditative about it. Guess I need to update Lord, Please Meet Me in the Laundry Room
Comments
yes yes and YES! please write another book! You reached so many mothers with the first book! Now what a wonderful opportunity to bless all those who read the first book, plus more readers with the addition of a second book! please, please write a second one!
and wasn't Sophia the one who used "putting on performances" as a way to cope for attention after the births of new siblings, or am I remembering that wrong?
and lastly, your family always makes me smile. Thanks for the update! :)
Kristy in Germany
(Am I your only "Kristy" commenter? If so, I'll drop the "in Germany" identity. I think you know where/who I am by now lol)
[Actually, the one who put on performances - and hold raffles for guests - to cope with a new baby was Jasmine after Josh was born :)
And I think you are the only Kristy - but Kristy in Germany does give the blog more gravitas :)]
Posted by: Kristy in Germany | June 28, 2009 12:12 PM
I always love the family update, Barbara! I have an interesting idea for a future post... Have any of your children chosen a path that REALLY shocked you, and how did you cope? My children are still very young, and I am trying real hard to keep an open mind to what God might have for them. We have a daily quiet time here, and I am trying to encourage my oldest to find something that interests him...Is it art? Is it writing? Is is music? I keep asking what he'd like to during during quiet time. Any suggestions for how I can get him thinking? I have provided some drawing books and given some ideas...
Also, just wanted to say, I loved " Lord Please Meet Me In The Laundry Room". My mom found the book and gave it to me.. That is how I " discovered" you.. and later was delighted that you had a blog.:)
I am so delighted to hear that Ben and Anna are doing well...I married young too, and am still blissfully happy. We did not have much money in the beginning, and my DH was still in college, but we were happy then and we are even more in love now.
Blessings to you,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | June 28, 2009 1:20 PM
Barbara,
You are so lucky to have Maddy "fill the house with song". Mom used to sing around our house ALL the time when I grew up. My wife, nor any of our seven children of 28 years, has ever sung around our house. Not even once! So you have a blessed house. Funny how God blesses people so differently!
Ted
Posted by: Ted | June 28, 2009 2:30 PM
