The Bird Watcher

We were out walking one night and a neighbor down the street gave Sarah this new chair. (The girl is charming ya know!!!)
She loves it. She moved it everywhere in the house until finally she discovered the new perfect spot. Our window in the office faces the front yard and is perfect for “watching the birds”. A cold cup of milk, maybe some O’s, a window, and a comfy new chair….now THAT’S the best morning a girl could ask for.

Of course, right now we have neighbors doing some major work on their yard so there is lots to watch besides the birds. We’re learning a lot about heavy equipment.

Then there's the dog...our dog. Who likes to watch too, but is slightly more aggressive in her observations. *sigh*

Sarah's Ark

It’s as if she’s received a word from God saying “bring everything into your bed”.
Up until about 2 weeks ago, Sarah wanted 4 things in her bed. Her Chinese pillow, her big girl pillow, Duckie, and Blankie. Blankie was in China with us. Duckie was waiting in her crib for her on the very first night home. The Chinese pillow was something she pulled into her crib late last year. And her big girl pillow was, in her mind, what made her a big girl so she could sleep in the new big girl bed. She doesn’t wear covers. Never has. If I sneak in after she’s asleep to cover her up, we’ll be awakened like shock therapy to “GET THEM OFF!!!! OFF!!!”.
But last night I went in to find yet even more “creatures” in bed with her! Snowman is the newest to be dragged into this adventure. Do you see that dog on the left side of the picture? (Trust me it’s a dog) Well it sings and carries on if you touch him. Yeah that’s fun for me on the other side of the monitor all night.
Also part of the crew now is Minnie (brought in when she learned who she was on Nickelodeon), KoKo the dog (named after a friend’s dog Kona), I Don’t Know (a green moose she can’t think of a name for but was given to her by her dear friend Nina), her Chinese blanket (that we bought in China for her but only this week became a treasure), Curious George….well, you get the idea. If she can connect a meaning to it they get to come aboard.
I feel bad for the friends though….she KICKS!!! 

"Hey Mommy"

ugh, that face!! On this particular day she was full of sunshine and roses! Apparently tired of testing boundaries, asking "why?", and insisting she needs to do anything other than what I've asked of her...this day she was all about "hey mommy". This picture reminds me of the face I see everyday, and reminds me more that she really does look up to me. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Despite all the mistakes I've made as a mom so far, this picture reminds me that grace and mercy and love must trump everything because she still has a smile that could turn the world upside down and make it giggle!
And I think about Sophie. What a lucky girl she will be to have a sister like Sarah. Well, most of the time anyway....her jealous streak is really starting to shine! She thinks of Sophie all the time. When we have a tea party, she sets a place for Sophie. When we are out walking and collecting "treasures", she always wants a flower for Sophie's treasure. Oh, and she even shares the blame with Sophie *sigh*...it's amazing how much Sophie does around this house already. I really should stop laughing about it. But at least Sarah doesn't blame Jesus anymore. :0 It's hard to teach "omnipresence" and "Jesus couldn't have done that" at the same time!

Domestic Goddess

I wish you could have seen her eyes light up when she saw the new "Dyson". I suppose it could be that it is purple, but there was genuine joy when Sarah laid eyes on this thing!! She wanted to be the first to use it, and did pretty good I must say. I think the only thing that bothered her about it was the noise...which is considerably quieter than the deceased Hoover. But what can you do?
Her favorite phrase right now is "it's my favorite in the whole wahld!!!". And, yes, even the new vacuum qualified!!
I, for one, am amazed at the difference in this and the 10 yr old bottom of the line Hoover. :) I actually feel like the floors are getting clean now!!