Best as I can figure it that is why Laura relates stories of red flannel jammies and knit mittens and not say, partially completed mitten with needles that come up missing having been employed as masts for bathtub ships. Or flannel jammie pattern pieces which morph into pirate scarves.

I will say our kids are delightful. They spend their days reading widely, running outdoors, playing music that takes your breath away. They leave endearing little notes to each other and to us. We have thought provoking discussions about politics, art, and theology. And Alice Cooper. But that’s another post. Indeed our days pass in relative bliss. Most of the time. That cooperative, undeniably awesome behavior is punctuated by the occasional incident so mind-numbingly stupid you wonder who spawned these creatures. We were visited by one of those on Saturday.

I woke up early and decided to tackle piecing Tess’ quilt. You remember don’t you? That would be the quilt the girls and I began for her before she was born? ; ) You weren’t holding your breath for those pics were you? (I move slowly with nonessential tasks) Anyway, I got the top pieced and the back and batting cut and pinned. I worked cautiously since my solitary goal was to have all my seams and corners in alignment. And so they were! Sandwiching all the layers evenly proved to be a challenge but we got there.

Brendan had joined me towards the end of that process. I moved between the dining room table and the kitchen getting him drinks and a diaper. I know what you are thinking but I kept zealous guard over that scissors. It never left my hands because well, I have a lot of boys. I didn’t fall off the turnip truck yesterday. No sir-ee. I was alert to the danger all around me. Or so I thought.

As the kids and their father trickled in for breakfast I happened to catch a glimpse of the quilt on the dining room table. GASP! Like imagine choking, sobbing, what in the name of all that is good were they thinkin?? GASP. One whole edge was shredded. While I peeled myself off the ceiling Dad turned to the kids. Brendan quickly solved the mystery for us. The up side was, somewhere in the recesses of the house, he had found the good pair of missing titanium sewing scissors and they were still sharp. The down side obviously being, he had found the good pair of missing titanium sewing scissors and, choke, they are still sharp. : (

I saw Genevieve quote Lissa Wiley today about patience and how some days that means holding on until this moment passes and is replaced by a nicer one. That is what I did. Took a shower. Lots of deep breaths. Tried to remember all the cute things he has ever done. Tried to remember I don’t get to take that quilt with me when I leave here anyway. Its just stuff. Today I work on disassembling the stitching and replacing the damaged blocks. It’s ok.

Just be careful what you pray for. God always answers prayers for increased patience with abundant opportunities to grow in that virtue!