wonderful mess

Last night, we took our friends Catherine and Wallace out to dinner while Anna and Taylor ruled the roost at home with Caroline and Ellie. When we got back, the kitchen was (mostly) cleaned up, but it was obvious they sure had lot of fun creating lots of things in the kitchen (chocolate bark with pop rocks and some silly putty type stuff).  The chocolate and berries all over Caroline's mouth in the picture below is proof that it was a good evening! 

Tim Hansel writes, "I have some very dear friends who almost lost their home recently in one of this famous California brush fires. The flames were so close they were licking over the patio and roof. My friends were out of town at the time and only the heroic efforts of neighbors saved the day. Some wet down the roof while others quickly moved furniture and other personal items out into the yard jus tin case the house did go. I talked to Peg and Gary after they returned and she said, 'Oh, it's such a wonderful mess!' She realized it would be weeks before she could clean up the soot and ashes and get things back together, but she still knew that it was wonderful to have the mess to clean up, rather than have nothing but ashes.  I can't help comparing the experience of Peg and Gary with being a parent. There are plenty of brush fires, but the question for me is, do I stop and realize what a wonderful mess my home and family can be?" (What Kids Need Most in a Dad, pg 166)