A Budding Conversationalist

Sarah is quite the chatterbox these days.  Before I forget, here are some of her favorite sayings:

"Come here, Mom!"

"Sit down, now! (as she points her finger down... she hears this one from me a lot)

"Where's brother?"

"I naked!!!!" (as she runs out of the bathtub)

"It's broke...it's working?"  (any toy that's out of batteries or not working as expected)

"I can do it!" (as she climbs the bunk bed ladder)

"T REX!"  (She loves Dinosaur Train, and we look through a Seek and Find book each day with the characters)

The girl is just something.  In the last month, she has smeared Vaseline on the bathroom walls, colored the carpet with crayon, and will chew anything.  The girl is part beaver.  Her crib rails are gnawed to the bare wood.

I'm not sure which parent she will face off with more as she grows.  She is very stubborn and resistant to discipline.  She crosses her arms and avoids your gaze when you are reprimanding her.  She will say "sorry" but all the time-outs and fanny spankings I could give her cannot make her say "Yes, Mommy" when I try to get her to agree her actions are wrong.  Hmmm.

That said, she is such a delight.  So full of life and fun.  So dramatic, such a  little girl. She makes the cutest gestures.   Definitely her own little person with a will and point of view.  Free with her kisses and gives the best fierce hugs. 

I wouldn't change her-- most of the time.  What a joy she is.  My beautiful big girl.

Just In Time...

I've started a tradition of making birthday slideshows, but I've fallen behind this year!  I realized making this that most of my action snapshots are saved to my phone! 

Here's a little bit of Jeremiah's 4th year.  I always find a song that Jay and I dance to a dinner making time.  Never thought a Queen song would remind me of my little boy.

Seriously, four years ago today I held that boy for the first time and understood the tender affection and consuming love that God feels for me.  What a gift these years have been!  I am so thankful for them and pray for a lifetime of memories made with my family.

The Big Reveal

We had a wonderful ultrasound today!  The baby looks great and is growing as expected.  Watch this short clip and see what we are having:

(Drum Roll... and Baby Young 3.0 is...)



I don't care who you are, that's just awesome.  To see a forming baby move in the womb with the naked eye?  If I needed convincing that there is a Creator God who is intricately involved in every aspect of life, that would be enough.

Thanks for sharing in our excitement!

Thinking in 140 Characters or Less

I've been mentally 'status updating' a lot this week. I don't know if social media has made us more or less creative, but maybe it's made me at least succinct.  

We have no obligations with Winter Break.  It's so nice not to rush out the door.  Since we are together a bit more, here's what I've noticed.

Pithy Observations on Life

1. Any day you can spend a majority of your morning in a bathrobe is a good one.

2. My daughter is an Eddie Haskell.

3.  Sarah has discovered Barbie.  And beaten her up, chewed her poms poms, and eaten her shoes.

4.  Any electronic device with a slot is a piggy bank for children.

5.  I realized like my kids.  (I love them, but I like them, too.)


I hope this has left you edified and uplifted. You're welcome. ;)

My trip to Siestaville

Life doesn't stop even when you take a break, and I've been running since returning from my weekend in Houston two weeks ago. I promised you some highlights, and here they are:

1) I am competent! I'm used to having someone to watch out for me, for which I am very grateful, but it is a nice feeling to navigate traveling solo.

2) Food. Anything you don't cook yourself is automatically delicious. Airport pizza, hotel omelets, and a fancy South American lunch were equally delicious.

3. Sister time. Nat and I got our nails done, tersely navigated the confusing streets of suburban Houston, and quizzed each other on our memory verses. We wore our matching tees and boas. We were together for 48 solid hours and we enjoyed it!

4. Meeting Siestas. Siesta really means sister in our blog community. About 900 ladies attended the celebration for learning 24 verses. The celebration was put on by Beth Moore's Living Proof Ministries. We met new friends in the mall, hotel, and airport. Siestas know siestas.

5. Beth!!! Her teaching did not disappoint. She is 'just darling' to echo her praise for others. I think she is so effective because she really loves others. You can't fake that. She taught from 2 John and her charge to us was to TAKE BACK any God-given ground that we have lost to the enemy. I can't capture all the wisdom she shared on this little summary, but she is the real deal. (And she, like many of the siestas, had the cutest outfit.)

Here are a few snapshots: