7 Quick Takes

• Last Sunday Mike took all three kids to a friend's lake house for the afternoon and I had six hours to myself. I managed to accomplish more housecleaning than I do in a normal week, get some seeds planted, and take a nap. The effects continued through the week when I was really busy but felt a little calmer because I'd already mopped the bathroom floors. 
• We watched We Bought a Zoo recently. I realized nearly all of the movies I've liked this year have dealt with death and loss. Zoo is no exception and I did enjoy it, particularly because it depicted marriage in a good light. 
• More disturbing was The Whistleblower which is largely true. Especially disturbing is that the U.N. and at least one of its contractors has gotten away with huge crimes and misdemeanors. This movie should be watched by people with social conscience. I'm thankful for those in the thick of the trafficking fight, like International Justice Mission, Compassion First, and the friends and family I have on the front lines in this war.
• I'm reading N.T. Wright's After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters. I haven't read Wright before and I'm so grateful for those who shine a light on my path and keep me looking up. Love this book. 
• Speaking of character....Ben's came in to sharp focus this week. He has taken on some challenges lately. One, in the area of food, where he is trying new things and expressing thankfulness for what he can eat. He pushed himself through a meal this week that he really hated and then tonight told me his gluten-free, dairy-free pizza (with three veggies: carrots, peas, and corn) was really good. I also told him that we were four weeks from finishing 2nd grade, except for in Math. He's a few lessons behind and he came back with, "What if I did math on Saturdays and Sundays?" Turns out he's only two lessons behind and so he plans to get in six lessons this week and next so he will be done sooner. I'm proud of him. 
• Kyrie and I went shopping at a children's consignment shop tonight. She went through racks of clothes for Evie. I taught her how to check the size and the price and told her to show me what she thought was good as long as it was less than $5. She is quite a shopper. She came away with some snazzy footwear but she was most excited about what she bought for Ev. 
• I never know what to get for Mike. He's hard to get gifts for. I managed to find the perfect gift for Father's Day and lasted all of two days before I had to tell him about it. I'm terrible with surprises.