For days the living room has been filled with coffee cups and laptops. Everyone settles in with a notebook and a Bible and his current C.S. Lewis selection. Then they go to the thrift store and buy hip outfits.
I want permission to post the Winter 2010 Look Book when Giles gets back from hiking.
After dinner they get out Bella's guitar, lure Clara to the piano, and sing and sing. They like obscure new hipster worship music, and the very oldest, most mountainy hymns.
It all ended with a perfect Sunday--groovy outfits to church, a massive nap pile on the couch, and then an all-out session in the kitchen. Paul, who is Cajun, presided over my very largest pot full of genuine gumbo, served the real way with potato salad. Giles cut up a chicken (I couldn't believe my eyes), while Alejandro diced massive piles of onions and peppers, his architectural background evident in the tiny precision of his chopped vegetables. They had their favorite music on and the girls and I made cookies by dodging between everyone. So fun!
Now Paul has gone home (by train, so indie), and Giles and Alejandro and braving some very cold nights backpacking. They should be fine, though, Alejandro totaled up the number of calories they were each carrying and it came out to 23,000. Whew.
Now here are men with good taste in everything: clothes, pastimes, authors, music! How great that Giles has found these friends. How great that you get to witness it all.
ReplyDeleteAnd with potato salad?? I never knew.
This was a fun post! I hope you obtain lots of permission from Giles for more pictures and stories!
ReplyDeleteI have to say this makes me really excited about my kids being older. Not that I'm ready for it. Or rushing them. I just think it's going to be really fun in a whole new way :)
ReplyDeleteI've loved reading the newest adventures of your hipster son and friends! My brother lives in Austin so that has been my introduction to hipster culture. I love that your hipsters pull out their "Bibles and latest CS Lewis selections." I adore Welcome Wagon and discovered them by way of Sufjan Stevens who sings the most beautiful rendition of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing."
ReplyDeleteWhat a joyful time in your home! Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful season you seem to have found yourself in, and it sounds like you are enjoying it immensely.
ReplyDeleteThis photograph is precious. (Is it strange to call people my age precious?)
ReplyDeleteI think it's lovely that you have this sort of relationship with your children.
This is so...Proverbs 31:28.
"Her sons have risen up and proceeded to pronounce her happy; her owner [rises up], and he praises her."
(Oh, I just read that Giles is 19. That means that for me, they're little brother age.)
ReplyDeleteGood times, thanks to Giles for granting permission to share, and thanks to Anna for showing all mothers that it is important to check those things out with our young adult children. I love sharing about my older kids but always with permission first!
ReplyDeleteHow did Alejandro feel about having Giles sleeping on him? Haha! Anyhoo, you've done a fine job with your babies and I look forward to hearing more. I pray they are safe during their hiking travels.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest is only 7, but reading your last few posts has made me look forward to the years to come. There is so much pessimism in our culture about teenagers and especially about raising them. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to read about the joy you find in mothering your teenagers.
ReplyDeleteoh, and thanks for the link to welcome wagon! so glad to know about this album!
My oldest son is 16. It is amazing to see your sons growing into men and it seems that they were just 16 a very short time ago.
ReplyDeleteOh, Anna- what a happy day when I discovered you blogging again! I recently met some teenagers (my children's music teachers) and was so happy and surprised to find them gentle-hearted and fun. Thanks for the glimpse into Giles' life. As a mother of only boys- I'm always curious how the older ones are faring. Quite well, yes?
ReplyDeleteI've been tickled to read about the doings of your olders and their buddies. My oldest of four is 13, and I had been feeling sad about time rushing past. Like others have said, your posts have made me excited (and intrigued) about who these children will become. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAren't college kids FUN? We're coming to the end of the line with them here in our house, and I'll miss the stage. (Middle one graduated yesterday; last one has 1.5 years to go).
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