Thursday, April 12, 2007

The Birds and the Bills

Mr. and Mrs. Mockingbird are officially empty-nesters. The day before yesterday I saw three fat little birds perched in different branches on the tree. They were just looking around, enjoying the view from outside the nest. One of the parents was supervising from a power line. That was the last I saw of the baby birds. I suppose they learned to fly that very day and are now finding their own worms.

Although I'm thrilled that Bill can go outside again because now I don't have to hear his claws scraping on the back door, I'm completely amazed by how quickly the baby birds grew up. I read that they leave the nest after 10 to 12 days. The dad continues to feed them and teach them to fly while the mom gets busy making a new nest. So this has got me thinking about how quickly the years with our children at home are going to fly by. I hope we make the most of it. Enjoy it to the fullest. I want to make the most of every stage and not wish it away for the next.

Forty-eight hours after the baby birds' exit from the nest I felt confident that it was safe for Bill to be set loose. I finally opened the door tonight and called him. He was very eager to get out there and I wondered what sounds he had been hearing and hoping to investigate. So that's the end of the mockingbird drama. I'm very happy it was only a drama and not a trauma. My dilemma now is whether I should remove the nest so that we don't run the risk of some other bird family moving in and taking Bill's freedom.

In other news, I took on a project this semester that has a mid-May deadline. So I am in the midst of working very hard on my regular job as well as this project. It is coming along but it is the kind of thing that requires concentration and long blocks of stillness. So, my dear friends, if I am out of the loop for the next month that is why. I will be back to pestering you with my emails and requests for lunch dates as soon as this is over. But any lunch dates between now and June must be to diet-friendly places because this project is financing our anniversary trip to Mexico! I have two words for you: bathing suit. And three more words: second-honeymoon-hottie.

19 comments:

Jennisa - Avery and Livvie's Mommy! said...

I've commented here before, but stopped back again. I too, am a minister's wife that stays at home with my little girls. I'll have to come back sometime to read a tad more about your family...If you are anything like me, it would be nice to have a bloggie friend that knows what it's like being a Pastors Wife!

Anonymous said...

mexico.... arrrrrriba! i love that- second honeymoon hottie. which part of mexico? i wish we could have a lunch date - i would promise to make it diet-friendly. :)

Military Mommy said...

I found you via Boomama. :) I've been lurking for awhile now and just wanted to "come out of the closet" to say hi. ;)

Glad Bill's schedule is back to normal. I know that must be a huge stress reliever for you.

Praying for your project to go smoothly and for a fun second honeymoon! Love, Michelle

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

It does 'fly by'..

I remember so vividly when I used to rock my first born..His soft curly blonde hair would brush my cheek and I would pray, "God, never let me forget what that feels like."

Now he is as tall as me, and his hair still brushes my cheek except I have to stand on a chair to get to it. Sweet times, girlfriend..

Steph V said...

Praise the Lord...the birds have been set free. And so has Bill.

You are so right. These precious babies grow up faster than we can be prepared for. There are days I say, "I can't wait for..." and then I stop myself and loudly say - YES YOU CAN!!! I can and will gladly wait because I'm not ready for JD to be any older than he is this minute!!!!

Good luck on your project and on your diet 2nd-Honeymoon-Hottie!

Anonymous said...

A few weeks ago after church, we were walking to the car. We began to hear this horrible sqwacking (sp?) noise and then noticed that there was a bird sitting in the grass next to the sidewalk. It was flapping its wings furiously and making such a loud noise you wanted to cover your ears and run. Once we got right up on the bird, we realized she was sitting on an egg...and was just protecting the egg....screaming her head off so that no one would step on her precious baby. It was amazing. I told Chase, my 15 year old, that is what I am going to do if all the girls don't quit coming around! ha!

Michelle said...

So glad you protected the birds! And will be praying for your project and your waist line... although I think you can already be a second honey-moon hottie!

debra parker said...

I will miss your sweet words. Side note: You have perked my curiosity about your "project".

Holly said...

Wishing you the best, Amanda...on your project and on your bathing suit (remember the lighting in most places is terrible!). I like to order from Land's End...that way I can try on in the privacy and great lighting of my own room.

So glad our kids are not flying off, yet!

Love in Him,
Holly

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Please tell us why you named your blog what you did? I'm searching all over for the answer and can't find it. I use this phrase with my girls and am just wondering if you mean the same thing!

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

Yes m'am--diet-friendly. So Keller's is out for the next month or so? So sad. But what's NOT sad is eating the all-inclusive food at the second honeymoon resort.

Big Mama said...

I'm so glad that Bill is once again free to roam around the yard as God intended.

Deena Peterson said...

Hi Amanda...I don't mean to pop in and be an interruption, but I wanted to ask you to stop by Especially Heather (http://www.especiallyheather.com/)and read about this amazing young woman. She is battling a brain tumor, and her faith is a beautiful thing to behold. I know the LMP blog reaches many, and a prayer request on her behalf would so be appreciated. If you already know and are already on it, I apologize. Just felt led to reach out to you today.

Deena

Pen the Tale said...

drama over trauma anytime.

you are such a treat to read and "get to know". I look forward to my naptime indulgence of blog reading. best to you on your project and suit prep! You can do all things...:-)

Julie said...

I think this is my first visit to your blog and I enjoyed it very much.

I loved your post below on "Don't laugh at me". Very funny!

Mexico, sounds like sooo much fun! Enjoy!

Blessings,
Julie

Amy T said...

You had to go and say those words, didn't you? Bathing suit! AAHHHGGGG! It's that chocolate indulgence week here and I've eaten more than I want to remember! Guess I better get those walking shoes out and hit the pavement.

Hope your project goes well! We'll miss you!

Jackie said...

Glad Bill is happy again. I understand his pain. I have been home with a sick 2 year old for a few days and I kind of feel like scratching at the door to get out! :-) 2nd Honeymoon- how exciting!! Good luck on your diet!
-Jackie

Rita Loca said...

Thanks for visiting my blog..I know Valle de La Pascua very well! I am curious, if you do not mind saying, with what group were you with on your mission trip?

Anonymous said...

Projects can be the BEST- especially when there is a trip at the end :)

We'll still be here ... lurking around old posts ... you know ... flat our cold turkey withdrawal ... it's ok ... we understand ....