silence

One of seemingly hundreds of crafty projects A has made lately at school. I love how contemplative and sortof sad the star looks. And like my friend J says, artists can't do drawings as good as these if they tried. There's something so subconscious and haphazard and raw about what children make, and to try and recreate it always falls flat and looks contrived.

The house is completely quiet except for some clocks, the fan on my computer, and the humming of something outside that's probably a street cleaner. It is truly lovely to have this space, the cozy lights, everyone else asleep for once. We all took very long naps today, and D isn't feeling well so he's on another sleep component of his get-well regimen (which follows this pattern: sit in scalding shower, barely dry off, sleep, repeat). I felt clobbered this afternoon, and nearly fell asleep during our impromptu tea party with A and D. It was great to climb into the warm covers and really rest. I'll be off for more of the same in a few minutes, but I wanted to write too.

I'm done wrapping presents finally, and all is ready except for a few things needing cleaning and cooking tomorrow. Most of the immediate family will be here tomorrow evening, except my sister's family, cousins and Aunt and Uncle--they live just far enough away for it to be a real pain to drive, plus they're getting ready to visit my cousin L in Kansas who just had a baby girl on Friday! Yay! Congratulations L and enjoy the little sugarlump! The first great-granddaughter in the family, which is pretty cool. Our dads had 5 daughters between them, so we didn't know what to do when 4 grandsons showed up. Everyone's houses seem so much smaller with boys around.

Even without 2 extra growing families, the house will be full and noisy and I'll be kindof crazed, so it is good to savor my last few moments of quiet before the madness begins. A has been mega-emotional and more sugar-charged lately, since everyone he meets thinks the best thing for him would be some more candy, cookies, munchkins, and Christmas presents. I reprimanded him the other day for something minor, and he sobbed, "You ruined Christmas, Mommy!" Wow, I had no idea how much power I really possessed. Watch out, everyone, or I'll ruin your Christmas too! I am praying that he can get through the dinner tomorrow night without having to run laps around the first floor and sit in the naughty zone a hundred times. We had fun today watching Rudolph (who he calls Randolph, a mix-up from Lord of the Beans) and singing some Christmas carols before he went to bed. Here are the beautiful, haunting lyrics from my favorite carol, and Merry Christmas!

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six wingèd seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!