The M&M Story

Yesterday I entered the control room of the Highway 40 project. All day I imagined what it would be like - the players, the power, the plush. But it was more like a big building with paper signs on each door and a bunch of guys in jeans (didn't see many women) sitting at their computers working. We met the quarterback, a 40ish engineer with small-rimmed glasses and a slightly southern accent. I think his kids were the same age as mine. He gave us the timeline for the rest of the year and what to expect for 2008. And as he quietly explained when the next bridge would be obliterated, I began to think about how this man's decisions (and his crew, of course) will impact millions of people - not just the ones who have to reroute their lives, but all those who will visit or pass through St. Louis in the next two years. Now that is power. And responsiblity. As I continued to digest the scope of this project, I kept comparing it to my life in Christ and the power that God has

The other day I heard M tell B, "Don't flick me, B." Flicking! My child is only three! We are here already? I knelt down to B's level and explained that flicking was not kind, nor was it something we were to do to other people, as it was disrespectful, etc. Not sure he bought it. Apologies were given, and I thought that was the end of it (at least for that day). Tonight the issue came up again, and I asked M. where B. learned how to "flick." M's answer? "Oh, he made it up." Yeah, right, flicking's been around since at least the 80's. I asked B who taught him to flick. Again, I thought he might say M, or his cousin, or his friend. B's answer? "Jesus."

I thought it was time to make a few changes to the blog. You know, update the look a little bit, make it my own, that sort of thing. And it's always a good learning experience. For example, when I created my new look, I noticed I no longer had the link to flickr. There are ways to get there, but it didn't seem like a clear path. It took me a minute (I'm not very technical nor patient), but I figured out how to add all sorts of goodies to this blog. On your right, you will see a link entitled "flickr" - I know, rather original, but it will take you directly to the Maynor site. However, you will only be able to view public photos. In order to view all the photos, you will need to sign in, but that is only if you are one of my contacts. So....if you want to see all the photos and are not a contact, please e-mail me, and I'll set you up. I'm way behind on photos, so many, many will be posted soon. If I would just stop fiddling with the blog, I'd

While in the bathtub playing with a rocket: B: "5...4...3...2...1...blast off! S: "Where is your rocket going? B: "Space." S: "Who's in the rocket?" (I was thinking Curious George, an astronaut, or maybe his brother) B: "Jesus" While driving in the car: M: "Hey, B, do you know why God made me born first?" B: "No." M: "'Cause he wanted me to be your big brother. Isn't that right, Mom?"

The B Man decided last weekend that he was ready to go on the potty. Peer pressure, in this case, is a good thing. He's all about being big and he LOVES M. Today he went into the bathroom all by himself, took care of business, pulled up his unders and came running out saying, "I did it, Mommy. I did it!" And M. is such an encouraging big brother. At one point, we were all in the bathroom cheering B on. M. went and got a few books, and we had quite the story hour. It's hard to believe my diaper days are coming to an end.

M. loves butterflies.

S: B, what do you want for your birthday? B: A real pig. S: (Gulp) Where would we go find a real pig? B: A farm. S: Where would we keep the pig? B: Outside. He's got it all figured out.