The Baby who Was Named...

My best friend has struggled with infertility. She is my dearest, closest friend - the girl that lived around the corner since I was 5 who I wadded in the creek with hunting for minnows, the girl who later I convinced to "borrow" my mother's Cadillac to cruise around town, the girl who I knew would marry her high school sweetheart as I stand beside her in her wedding, the girl who I would grow old with watching our kids go through life as we did. I pray every day that she will have luck (although, I hate to call it that). She's seen my preschooler go from a newborn in Baby Gap overalls she bought for him, to a talkative, lovable little boy that treasures going to her house to play with her dogs. And when I we were trying to get pregnant with Number 2, I could call her frustrated, and she would give me hints. Finally, after an exceptionally helpful tip, we were pregnant right away. When I called her I knew she was happy for me, but torn by the pain of her struggles. I hate it, it makes me so sad. I relish the baby I have who is growing into such a great little girl, she reminds me so much of my closest friend, the friend who I pray for everyday, the friend I know will have a baby someday. I just wish I could tell her when...

Philsophy from a 4 year old

I love the mind of a 4 year old. My son and I were driving in the rain after a friend's birthday. Out from the back seat I hear "Mom, does God make bad weather?" And I love these questions, so here I come with a thousand words to say and end up with "Well, God makes rain so flowers can grow, and rivers can run, and the ocean can be full."
His reply took me by suprise, because as someone who always tries to lighten the mood, I'm not used to this: "Why does God make it rain and the oceans get full, and then it swallows some people?"
What do you say to that?
So I say, "Well, God doesn't want it to swallow people (yeeks), but sometimes bad things happen".
"What happens to people when they get swallowed?"
I knew that question was coming. Sometimes, I don't like staying up on current events or my infatuation with Discovery Channel. "They visit God in heaven and he takes care of them."
"Oh, what do you do in heaven?"
"That's a very good question, I think you laugh and talk and see people that you love. It's a happy place." Mind you I'm still driving, but the conversation has me so involved that for a routine trip I seem to be lost.
Then he asks "Where is God?"
And I'm ready for this question; I think he knows the answer, so I start in on "Well, God is in your heart and in everything you love."
And he asks, looking down, "Can I have a dog?"