glorious sunshine

The last two days have been glorious. GLORIOUS! I love it! We've had our windows open all day today and while it could stand to be a bit warmer, I will not complain! While I was making lunch I let Emery play with her new bouncy balls in the backyard. I was a little apprehensive about this because she's only 20 months but the yard is fenced in and I checked on her every 5-10 seconds from the kitchen window.

I bought the flourescent bouncy balls at Walmart this morning. 4 for $1 and Em was loving them. She was entertaining to watch. I feel like she's a very particular child. By that I mean she knows exactly where she wants to put each item and concentrates on accomplishing her goal. So while I was stirring the mac & cheese she would hold all 4 balls and place them in a pile on one spot of the yard. Then she'd study them; maybe pick one or two up to examine before placing them back down. Then she'd grab the whole group and move them to another spot in the yard. Sometimes she transported one by one. At one point she was moving the group from the back of the yard towards the front one at a time. She would grab the pink one, walk it all the way past the sidewalk and then into it's new destination (on a piece of grass that looked oddly like the one she just moved it from). Then she'd head back for the green one, the orange one, and the yellow one. Each time I checked on her she smiled, waved, and shouted, "mommy!" but kept on task.

Somehow, even with her careful methods she misplaced the yellow one. After her nap we headed back out to look for it. I thought we might split up and 'cover more ground' but she just followed right behind me saying, "umm..nope. ummm...nope" She's a regular bloodhound; we still haven't found the ball. I figure Nolan will find it later in the season with the lawnmower.

I just love experiencing the small things with her. I love to see how she interacts with nature, toys, and any thing she comes in contact with. Even though she's a happy baby, she seems to take things seriously. When she's trying to figure something out, she furrows her brow, holds her hands up and doesn't give up asking until I've given a satisfactory explanation. I'm excited (and a little nervous) to see how this will play out as she grows up.

Yesterday for dinner we met Dad at 'our place' in the park for a picnic! Here are some pictures but you can see more at Shutterfly! We hope you're enjoying the warmer weather as much as we are!

give me words to speak

sesquipedalian
whirligig
simplicity
gregarious
compel
myth
resilient
pumpernickel
intentionality
mercy
radiant
I love words. This list is a few of my favorites with no pattern. Some I like because of their meaning, some for emotional attachment, and some just because they sound fun. In a recent book I read one of the characters has a word wall in his house. It's a chalkboard in the kitchen and he writes words that he either wants to look up, laugh at, or teach about. I love that idea! Words are powerful; they evoke life.
At the conference I attended Saturday I listened to the speaker's compelling story of letting her son go to the Marines. She told us about a letter she received from him, telling her how his drill sergeants are verbally breaking him down. She wrote back to him, writing words of affirmation; reassuring him of his value as her own son and more importantly, as a child of God. After his graduation he was able to talk with her freely. He told her that in his toughest moments of physical and mental testing, the words she spoke over him and poured into his childhood gave him the strenght to carry on.
This story made me think of words spoken to me. Some have shaped my life, for the good and bad. Spoken words encourage me in my daily struggles. Luckily I have a dear friend who speaks words of affirmation to me at least on a weekly basis and I am renewed by them.
I am challenged to think of the words I am pouring over Emery. Words create memories and each day I interact with her, with songs, loving words, and even some shouting words, I am creating memories. As she grows into a young woman, she will hear a lot of other words from the world. Will I have spoken enough affirming words that will drown out the Deceiver's? Are my words the same as God's? I most certainly hope so.
Thankfully we have a terrific guide of written words that brings forth life and renews the spirit.

baby love

Emery turned 20 months yesterday. That means that in only four short months we're going to be under the same roof as a two year old. Probably is not going to be that much different than she is now because she's already stubborn, loves the word "no" (although to her it's 'nope'), and has crazy mood swings that our heads spin.
But today she is being extra cute. Possibly to remind me that even when she is an official two-year-old I will still love her.

• Nolan stayed home today because I woke up with another awesome sinus headache and Em was running a slight fever. While they looked settled into Sesame Street in the living room, I decided to go back to bed. Emery laid down with Daddy for a bit but then rolled off the couch and asked, "where, mommy?" Nolan told her I was laying down so she grabbed her bowl of cheerios (dry) promptly told her daddy she was coming to be with mommy. He asked, "why don't you stay in here with Daddy?" She looked at him, considering, "ummm, nope." Not rudely, just matter-of-factly.
• When she joined me in bed (after turning the TV on in our room) she made her self comfortable. After a few minutes she leaned over and kissed me on the head. I felt much better of course.
• She has an affinity for wearing obscure items on her head. She grabbed my big mesh bag and naturally threw it over her head and walked up and down the hallway. Then she gave out kisses to Nolan & I threw the bag. Yes, of course I took a picture:




She loves to "color." Give her a crayon, a pen, a pencil, a marker, a highlighter: she's your best friend. She grabbed her notebook and a highlighter and had some fun this morning. When the highlighter was making it on her clothes and face I asked her to hand it over. She didn't like that so she started to running away into the living room. When she heard me stand up to come after her she threw the pen behind her and ran to the couch for comfort. I was laughing so hard (as was Nolan) that we couldn't get mad at her.

• She has a water gun. I have no idea where it came from and I don't know how she learned to use it (not with water). She just knows you're supposed to point it at people she she ran between me & Nolan pointing the gun (upside down) saying, "psshh, psshh" and cracked up when we pretended to get wet.
• I love the way she picks up on words so easily now and tries hard to use the same words we do. Today for nap time she wanted to read In the Night Kitchen, a new favorite and said, "cock-a-doo-doo book mommy". The Cock-a-doodle-doo part is only one small part of the book but she obviously is paying attention to the details and grasping concepts.
• Every time she sees my camera she wants to watch the video we took of her last night. We taped her singing "The Wheels On the Bus." She loves watching the video and sings along like it's the first time she's hearing it.
  Okay. I know that was a lot; and it's only nap time. Who knows what's in store for the afternoon. The sun is out so I'm hopeful!
  

what a friend

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we did not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

We sang this great hymn yesterday morning and I've been thinking about these particular lyrics ever since. I love how true they are.

On a less serious note, a sweet woman from our church gave Emery a potty chair yesterday. We haven't really started potty training yet but it was sweet of her to spoil us like that. It's a great one that can be broken down to have the seat on the "big" toilet and the chair becomes a stepstool; I love versatility!

Emery just loves the box. She is thrilled with the potty and likes to sit on it (but not use it) but she's mostly enjoying the box right now. Today she's used it as a drum set and a hat. Earlier when I was typing up my 'review' blog I watched her walk down the hallway in search of me with the box on her head. Got to love that.

Just thought I'd share what's been on my mind and what our sweet girl has been up to! Hope you enjoy the first day of March!! Spring is coming--I just know it!