Everything Under the Son

Natalie thinks my dear friend Sarah is the greatest. Wednesday night at church, Sarah made Natalie's day by giving her a piece of gum (this is their little tradition!). Thursday, as we were on our way to school, for a good ten minutes this was how her conversation went: "Mommy, Mrs Sarah has GOT to talk to her children. She is going to tell them to quit taking her gum because she just HAS to have some for me. She loves me so much, and she gives me gum. Her children need to listen to her and not take her gum. She thinks I am special and wants the gum to be for me. Isn't that great mommy? Did you know Mrs Sarah loves me alot and likes to give me some of her gum if her children don't eat it all? They need to stay away from her purse so she has gum to give me because she loves me so much!"...and on and on. So Sarah, know that Natalie feels incredibly loved by you, and she thinks that A and R need to be talked to!






So then, this morning we were talking and I was asking Natalie to tell me the story of Daniel in the Lions Den. They have been studying this in her Bible class at church, and she can give even the tiniest details as she re-tells the story! Anyway, she told me she was "not in the mood" to tell me the story right now, but that she would gladly read me this book about "the other commandment". I looked up to see her holding the story of "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed". She proceeded to tell me how this was one of God's commandments, didn't I know that?





Who knew that not jumping on the bed would, to a three year old, seem like the perfect eleventh commandment?

The other day the kids and I were driving on the way to take Natalie to school. She was in the back just singing her little heart out. Oh, how I love to listen as she sings, and much of the time she is praising God! Music to my ears!

Anyway, she was singing a song about God and Jesus and smiling, and I asked her if I could sing with her. Keep in mind she was composing the song as she went, so I have no idea how it goes. When I asked to join her, she replied,

"Mommy, now that just wouldn't be appropriate."

Well then, I guess she told me...

Natalie has had extremely dry and chapped lips for the last couple of weeks. I blame the cold weather and running the heater...it really makes the air dry (as if it is not dry enough already)! She has this love/hate relationship with chapstick...she loves the idea of 'lipstick', but hates that when she puts it on it stings.



Last weekend my mom was in town and this was how it went...



MawMaw: "Natalie, your lips are going to hurt of you don't leave them alone."



Natalie: "Don't worry MawMaw, I grow new ones every day!"



...in case you were worried!



She is hilarious! She always has something incredibly smart, yet incredibly funny to say. Part of what makes it so funny is how intelligent her comments are considering she is only three! I can only imagine what life holds for us when she is eight, and then ten, and then sixteen. What other witty things will she say?



I sure love that precious girl!

Happy Valentines everyone! I hope your day has been filled with love and joy.

Our day started with a special breakfast of heart-shaped chocolate chip pancakes! Natalie was so surprised when she walked into the breakfast room..."Yummy Breakstast!" Even Levi enjoyed the great treat, eating a whole pancake all by himself!

The day has been filled with lots of hugs and kisses, as well as working on Natalie's valentines for school. We made pink heart-shaped rice crispy treats for her to take as well. I think she will have a great time exchanging sweet gifts with all of her classmates!

Since today is Wednesday, I have to be early for church...I'm singing on the praise team tonight. I decided we would make the best of it, and I have created a special Daddy-Daughter-Levi dinner! Complete with heart-shaped cornbread to have with their stew, and heart-shaped peanut butter brownies, I hope their dinner date is great fun! Creating traditions for my family is important, and I think Natalie will LOVE the special time with her Daddy, even if little brother is along too! She just happens to think Daddy and Levi are the best guys ever! I will have to agree on that one!

So take a deep breath, enjoy each moment, and share some love today...and every day...with those around you!

So, when my job is to help others make their place tidy and organized, but my own home is currently in shambles, does that mean I am losing my credibility?



This has not been my week for keeping up with household tidiness! You name it, it can probably be found on my living room floor, somewhere amongst the toys, blankets, and millions of shoes!



Today, I am resolved to de-clutter and put some calm back into my surroundings. When that is done, hopefully I can regain some of my credibility! And just maybe this shows that though I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE organizing and tidying, that sometimes, I fall down. Not to mention that it gives me a chance to start over again!



And if you haven't lost all faith in me, I'm still Organizer for Hire!

Lately, the "car fairies" are not hanging around much. If you'll remember, in December we spent an obscene amount of cash on new tires...not to mention that our van has spent more than it's fair share of time in the shop for a sliding door issue. Now, it's the brakes. And keep in mind that brakes are just something that are needed in a car...you know, so you can do things like STOP! Anyway, the front ones are shot and need replacing (I think metal-on-metal was how they described it), and the rear brakes need to be adjusted and aligned...and no, none of that is free. ARGH!



And, by the way, if you happen to see the car fairies around, can you send them back home? Thanks!