"Mr. & Mrs. Henry . . ."

On Thurs. night Josh and I went to see the movie, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. We generally liked the movie. But the best part for us is the car chase scene near the end of the movie. If you've seen it you may remember the sage green Dodge Grand Caravan minivan that they steal from Martin and then continue on to the shoot-em up car chase. We drive that identical minivan . . . color, style the whole bit. We left the theater feeling like the coolest minvan owners in the whole world. We rock!!!

Cultural Phenomenon . . .

Last week, in a conversation with my dear spouse, I make reference to the "Stay-Puffed Marshmallow Man" or Peter Vinckman or something. He asks, "What's that?" Come to find out, my husband has never seen "Ghostbusters." Ever. Whaaaattt?? How did he make it this long in his life without ever seeing Ghostbusters? I let no time go to waste before I got on the horn and found a neighbor who owns G.B's on DVD. Needless to say, Josh has now seen Ghosbusters. Yes, another cultural phenomenon has been solved. I will fill my husband's head with the stuff of pop culture, I will!!!! (fade to evil laughter . . .)

Interview with a 4-yr-old . . .

Today I've invited my 4- (almost 5) year-old son, Aidan, to a little interview for all the bloggers to read, Here goes :

Mom: Aidan, how are you today?

Aidan: Very good.

Mom: What can you tell me about computers?

Aidan: I already know about computers. They have electricity. And don't they have powers?

Mom: What do you do with a computer?

Aidan: Type, work, checking your email, learning about space, looking in at Nick Jr. . . all kinds of stuff.

Mom: Today's a very rainy day. How do you feel about rainy days?

Aidan: Sad.

Mom: hmmmm. . . Why sad, son?

Aidan: Cuz' I like to go outside.

Mom: What do you do outside?

Aidan: I like to swing, and I like a picnic. Nothing else.

Mom: Tell us what kind of books you like to read . . . you know, your favorites.

Aidan: I know my favorites and I like when Dad tells me a story . . .Hinckel Mendel. (Note: Hinckel Mendel is an ongoing fictional story, created by Josh for Aidan, about asimple man who lives a simple . . . goes to work, wears khakis, and lives in an apartment.) Once Dad told me a story about how Hinckel Mendel's furnace broke. It was cold in his apartment. They tried a new furnace.

Mom: What is your favorite book, though?

Aidan: Swiss Family Robinson, I said.

Mom: Do you have any thoughts about you upcoming stint in Kindergarten?

Aidan: I'm "relucted" about it. (Upon further questioning, I find "relucted" just means that he's not real sure about it yet.)

Mom: Any other thoughts about the big "K?"

Aidan: I like Michael (his Kindergarten teacher . . . and yes, they are supposed to call the teachers by their first names.)

Mom: Anything else on you mind that you would like to share with our readers?

Aidan: What readers?

Mom: Well, our friends reading my blog.

Aidan: Who are the friends?

Mom: Didn't your agent explain all this before he sent you over for the interview? Any ways, do you have anything else to talk about?

Aidan: Yes. I saw a puppy. . . PUPPY (giggle, giggle)

Mom: Right, then. Thanks for taking . . . (interruption)

Aidan: No, no erase all that.

Mom: No can do. All that puppy talk was on the record, pal. How about a final goodbye?

Aidan: I don't want to say goodbye.

Mom: All right, we'll leave it like that then. Stay tuned for an interview with Liam . . . to be broadcast when he begins speakg cipherable words!

I'm working at our church in Champaign now as an administrative assistant. It's a fun job, and nice to be around our ministerial staff a little more often. They're a great bunch of folks. Our student minister is a pretty high energy kind of guy with good ideas. The other day as I was finishing up some work he walked by my desk and dropped a book down in front of me and said, "read this . . . you'll like it." The book is, "Searching for God Knows What," by Donald Miller, aka the "Blue Like Jazz," guy. I haven't read that book yet. When I tell people this they react as though I've comitted a crime. Already, I like this book so much. I keep having this feeling that the writer could really be a handful of people I know only pretending to be this Donald Miller to fool me. So far two ideas he talks about have stuck out to me. One is where he talks about how he knows God wants to relate to us personally ( or rather wants us to relate to Him) because of all the poetry in the Bible. I love thinking about this. He explains how facts and methods don't capture our hearts likes poetry and art does and that God wants to capture our hearts. I love it. I think there are more ideas that are getting me in this book, but I really think I would rather go read a little more from it. Some of you blogger friends who have read this or other Donald Miller books, can you tell what you've thought of him and some of his ideas? I had one friend tell me he talks about himself way too much for anyone's good. I relate well to someone talking about themselves and their journeys. So I like him so far. Would love to hear your impressions, thoughts, comments.