Beth's Got Talent???

I'm a little embarrassed to admit my recent "addiction" to "America's Got Talent." Really, by addiction I just mean that I pay attention to when it's on and watch it with interest. I was disgusted when they voted Boy Shakira through, elated that they agreed with me on Cas Haley. While sharing my favorites with Dan on YouTube I came across the "Britain's Got Talent" winner, Paul Potts. This guy has a gift. He has the kind of vocal talent (opera, specifically) that I really believe can only come from above. It can improve with work and training but unlike some things, if you aren't born with it, you can't create it.

This got me to thinking. I'm not so sure I have a talent like that - just a pure, unadulterated talent. On the one hand, if I do, I'm unaware of it, which is a good thing - can't get too prideful there! On the other hand, I wish I did know, because maybe it would lend me some confidence.

After a lot of thought I decided that I can pray about what gifts I have and ask for gifts I want. Spiritual gifts, not "stuff." And I can develop one gift that everybody can have, and that's charity and the ability to love people without reserve.

Today Dan had the day off and the kids were (finally) feeling better, so we went to the Grandville mall, rode on the carousel, cruised the escalator ("elligator"), and watched "Ratatouille." I know a lot of people take their small kids to movies but after today, I don't believe I'll be one of them. To begin with, the movie was so loud it freaked Hunter out (and he's not touchy at all - a more laid-back baby there never was). It even bothered Helena, the Queen of Loudness. Then Hunter had a poopy diaper, but the restrooms did NOT feature ANY changing facilities - not even a stretch of counter to put him on. I balanced him gingerly between two sinks and worked fast to avoid any wiggles straight into the sinks. Eventually, after about an hour of nursing him in the van, walking around the mall, and praying for peace, he fell asleep. Helena also fell asleep after about an hour. The movie was...okay. I might have enjoyed it more if I weren't so distracted. Plus, can movies be more expensive? Even the matinee price was outrageous.


That being said, Dan and I will be going on our first kid-free date in a while to see "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" when it comes out. I hope it doesn't disappoint, but then, I'm pretty forgiving when it comes to Harry.

But, Helena had a great time. It's amazing how she finds fun in free, or almost-free, things. We rode the carousel, as I mentioned earlier, and she sat on her horse and waved to her "audience" the whole time. I was cracking up. Then I noticed this older guy taking pictures of her. I was, naturally, weirded out over this until after I saw him talking with Dan. Turns out this guy had his wife with him, in a wheelchair, and they had never been able to have kids. His wife thought Helena was just so cute and wanted to have some pictures to remember it. Dan gave them the go-ahead. (We used to have more experiences like this. For example, when Helena was around a year old, we had dinner at a local Chinese restaurant, and the Chinese waitress wanted to get a picture of Helena on her cell phone. I think that blond curls are a novelty for most Chinese people, where smooth dark hair reigns. It was funny.)

The day before she was having fun with Dan in the front yard. They were sitting on the curb, each holding a stick (their "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" sticks) and changing each other into various animals and monsters. Then they laid back and cloud-gazed for awhile. It was one of those moments that will flash through my mind when Helena's accepting her diploma or putting on her wedding dress. I can't believe how much I love her.

Same thing with Hunter. He's been so congested (which comes easily since he has such a wee little nose!) but he tries to be happy anyway. Last night he was nursing and I just made a little raspberry-ish noise in his ear, and he started laughing, hard, out loud - he was laughing too much to nurse, and then waiting in anticipation for me to do it again! Every time, without fail, that he wakes up, he looks over and smiles at me. Every single time. What can you do with kids like this? I just hand them my heart and go on with our day.

Time to pick up the house! Thanks for stopping by.