Things I Love About Her...

I love her so-so much.  Since she was a baby I have told her that she is in my heart.  It is funny how easily she just slipped right in there... never to escape the love of this mom.  Sarah was a blessing in Eric and my lives when we needed it the most.  God knew that he and I needed a ray of sunshine and hope and he gave us Sarah Jo.  He had a plan for us as her parents, and he has a plan for her. 

"For I know the plans I have for you,"  Declares the Lord.  "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

I love her smile.  From very early, almost 1 month, Sarah smiled, and hasn't stopped.  She smiles very easily, so easily in fact, that my Dad called her "Smiley" as a nickname.

I love her beautiful blue eyes.

I love that she was such an easy baby... hardly any crying, took a bottle, went to bed easily, always slept in her crib, liked baby food, took two naps a day, loved being with people, did not mind her car seat at all, and traveled very well.

I love that she wants to have stories read to her.  .She likes Eric and I both to read her a book before bed. And, she loves for Eric to read her a Bible story every night. 

I love her excitement for little things, playing outside, riding her bike, getting a card or postcard in the mail addressed to her, swinging, playing with our dog, a balloon.

I love that before meals when asked if there is anything that she wants Eric or I to pray about that she will name off people and things that she is concerned about or has been thinking about.  Some that I recall praying for many many times over the last year were Robert, Nanee and Popee, Ford and Parker, Great Grandpa, and our Kitty. 

I love that she wants us to pray for "sweet dreams" before going to sleep. 

I love that when she was little, and for some reason couldn't say milk, she would say "pootie".  Milk = Pootie!  And that was what it was called for over a year until she finally learned how to say milk about two months after turning two.  Now, sometimes at night, when I am laying in her bed with her while she is trying to fall asleep, I will hear this little voice say quietly, "pootie", then a little louder, "pootie", and she will keep saying it until she gets me to laugh.  Then she and I will have a giggle fest before falling asleep.

I love that she made up names on her own for my parents... "Nanee" and "Popee", and I love the special bond she has with them.

I love that she tries to take care of her little sister...  playing with her, showing how to do things, and laughing with her.

I love to hear her laugh.  The laughter of my children is one of my most favorite things to hear in this world.

From the lips of children and infants, you have ordained praise.  Psalm 8:2

I love that she loves sweets, chocolate, cookies, ice cream, and M&M's are just some of her favorites.

I love that every morning she gives me "morning hugs".

I love that she loves her Daddy.  She craves attention from him.  She wants to sit on his lap to eat her dinner.  She wants him to play outside, running races, tagging and hiding with him.  She wants to climb trees with him.  She wants to have "Sugarland Dance Parties" with him.  She wants to wrestle with him.  She LOVES her daddy!

She is an energetic, fun, stubborn, intelligent, kind, four year old with a huge heart for others.  She will always be in my heart!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights... James 1:17

When She Grows Up...

When she grows up I want to remember her little wisps of strawberry blond hair gleaming in the light.

I want to remember the cute way she says uh-oh, "A-oh", and the way she says Ouch, "Ouuu".  The way she tries to hide and then says "Boo".  The way she started out saying mommy, "Me-me", and that I didn't even know what she was saying until after she had been saying it for about 2 weeks and it dawned on me...  The way she yells loudly "Da-da" when Eric arrives home from work, or walks into a room he is in.  The way she says, "Nea-ne" and "Pa-pa-pa", for Nanee and Popee.

The way when I tell her to smile, she puts her chin up and does a sneaky little grin, with a sparkle in her eyes.

I want to remember the way she snuggles up with a small giraffe blanket every time she sleeps.  Sometimes even sleeping with it on her face and head.

The way she loves to put shoes and hats on.

That when she eats, she is messy!  Food is everywhere... on her face, in her hair, on her clothes, on the floor, in her chair, everywhere!

I want to remember the way she antagonizes her Big Sister, even at this early age.  And, the way she tries to play with her... climbing in laundry baskets, running through the living room, and laughing with so much enthusiasm and joy.  And that she tries to imitate her Big Sister, watching her closely and then trying to do what she does.

The way she will sit down and look at each book in the basket until the basket is emptied in her room. 

The way she will carry around a baby doll, so loving, hugging it and trying to feed it with food from the pretend kitchen downstairs.  And, making tea in the pretend kitchen for me, Sarah, herself and the dolls.

The way she loves to play in water... bathwater, the water table, the sprinkler, the pool, even in the sink... putting her face in, and blowing bubbles.

I want to remember that she is not afraid of bugs, but the weather radio alert noise freaks her out.

That when she hears music she starts to wiggle and dance.

And, I want to remember that she loves to be held, especially by her mommy.

Time To Cool Off

It has been super hot here the last few days.  Temps in the high 90's and 100!  It is not supposed to get cooler any time soon.  I heard 100 again today for a high.  We got out the little backyard pool and the Elmo Sprinkler for the girls to cool off in over the weekend.

The sprinkler is always fun!  The girls had fun trying to catch water in their mouths,

splashing each other, dancing, jumping,

and laughing!

Then last night we enjoyed a family picnic in our basement on a blanket, while we watched the movie "How to Train Your Dragon".  It was a cute movie with some funny parts.  When the movie ended, it was time for bed... we had some tired girls who both were in bed and asleep by 8:30pm.  When I went in to check on Sarah before I went to bed, this is how I found her... curled up with her pillow from VBS.  Such a vivid reminder to me of how precious these two girls are to me... truly a gift from a good God.  A God who loves us and cares about our comfort.  (If you missed it in one of my previous posts, Sarah made this pillow on day 2 of VBS.  Her pillow says, "God's Word is Comforting.")

High Seas Expedition - Day 3

The girls, ready for day three of VBS... the last day.

 Sisters, Buddies, Pals, Friends!

Today's Bible point was "God's Word is life-changing."  How true this simple statement is and can be in our lives.  His Word can bring you out of the darkest despair.  The words in the Bible can change you inside and out.  God's word and voice have the power to completely transform us.  God's Word CAN change our lives forever.

The craft today was a toss and turn toy.  The toy helped to illustrate to the kids that by deciding to follow God, he can help them stop going the wrong way, and start going the right way.

Some of Sarah's favorite things from today were putting stickers on her toss and turn toy, the lemonade, and watching the Chadder Chipmunk show in the Sail Away Cinema.  This show helped explain the daily Bible point to the little kids.  Phoebe had a rough, but fun day again with her three friends in the nursery.  She fell down a couple times and got a scrape on her leg and a cut in her mouth.  She is tough, and it wasn't anything that a big hug from her "me-me" (Mommy) couldn't make better.

Out Bible story today was from Acts 3:1 -4:12 Peter and John teach about Jesus.

"Give me life through your word." Psalm 119:37

High Seas Expedition - Day 2

The girls ready for day two of VBS!

We had another fun morning at VBS!  My craft to lead today was decorating pillows.  (For some people a pillow can be a comfort item.)  Our Bible point today was "God's Word is comforting."  

The Bible story for the day was from Acts 27 - God comforts Paul in a storm at sea.

Sarah told me on our ride home from church that her favorite things today were making her pillow for craft, running around outside during game time, and that she loved the lemonade and cheese at snack time.  I also happen to know one of her favorite youth helpers was in her group today too!

Phoebe had fun again in the nursery playing with her friends.  Here she is with her friend Abigail.  Phoebe is two weeks older than Abigail.

 Ready to go home... See you in the morning everyone!

"Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles." Psalm 119: 50

High Seas Expedition - Day 1

Today was day one of Vacation Bible School at our church.  The theme this year is High Seas Expedition.  Each day the kids are taught one important Bible point.  Today's point was " God's Word is true."  The point is reinforced throughout the day with Bible stories, Bible verses, songs and hands-on activities.  Our Bible story was from Acts 12:1-19 God frees Peter from prison.

Here are the girls.  Ready to go to VBS!

Some of Sarah's favorite things today were... the castle in the story room, making a treasure chest, playing games, and singing songs.  Phoebe had a fun time playing in the nursery with her friends Abigail, Andy, and Elizabeth.  And, I lead the craft area with lots of great helpers.  A THANKS shout-out needs to go to Elaine W. and Kathy H. for all of your assistance gluing, opening packages, keeping kids calm, cleaning, and prep-work for tomorrow.

"But you are near, O Lord, and all your commands are true." Psalm 119:151