I have started carrying around a little journaly notepad kind of thing in my purse and I hope to put it to good use for more than my grocery list. Over the past several weeks I have thought to myself "oh, I should blog about that" and then five minutes later I've forgotten all about it. Our kids say some pretty funny things that I know I should be writing down and they also say (well, just Gracie right now) some pretty cool and deep (for a five year old) things that I don't want to ever forget. I did not make a note of this, I'm not sure I could forget this, but just in case I do want to write it down (also, I need to get it into gear and help her act on the things her little heart is learning, so this is a great motivation/reminder for me to get going). About a week or so ago Gracie was having a really tough night. She wasn't listening and was being a
little defiant. After finally getting through brushing teeth, using the restroom, and getting on pajamas (not difficult tasks) we finally had a moment of calm laying in bed. I got on a tangent talking about how there are plenty of people in the world that don't have clean water or a toothbrush to brush their teeth, so she should be very thankful that she has both. I told her that whenever she brushes her teeth she should thank God for the clean water we have, the toothbrush that she has (2 of them actually), and healthy teeth that she can brush. She then, very seriously, asked me what state these people live in. I told her that there were people in Birmingham (she knows this is our city) that didn't have a toothbrush. I then went on to tell her that there were people in every state without things that we have and also in other countries. I don't think I've ever said to her "there are starving kids in Africa", but I did tell her that night that there were people in Africa that don't have clean water to drink or brush their teeth with. The whole time I was talking she was very quiet. After I finished my little rant of frustration to/with her about complaining about brushing her teeth she leaned in close to me and whispered in my ear "one day can we go to them and take them clean water and food?" I don't know why she whispered, but it was such a tender moment with her. Giving and serving is not really a new idea for Gracie, but we have been doing more and talking about it more and maybe just being five she understands more. I know the seeds have been planted and they are growing! It is so very exciting to see the Lord work in a young child. A few days after the tornadoes we were gathering some items for a friend's family who lost their home in Pleasant Grove and Gracie was quick to tell me that she didn't want to only get the old toys in the basement, but she wanted to get some of the toys from her room too. She already has such a giving heart and wants to help others. Back to the other night. After Gracie asked about taking clean water and food to people that needed it, I told her yes. Then I started telling her about our friend, Mitzi (who we had just seen at the McWane Center), and how she was helping get things to children in Alabama that were affected by the tornadoes. Gracie was very intrigued by this and we talked about getting a "box of hope" ready for a child. She was so excited about doing this. I am sad to say that I just now went and checked Mitzi's site
www.kids4al.com and the deadline for "boxes of hope" has passed (for Alabama). There was something on there about getting boxes to MO, so maybe that will be something we can do. kids4al is starting it's second project, Boo Boo Bags, and this is also something that I think Gracie would enjoy getting together and giving. I don't want to let these moments pass by without helping her and I want the ideas to grow and be encouraged.
I guess this one should have been titled "Long Overdue" seeing as James has been TWO for almost a month now! I'm sure I will continue to say this every year, but I can't believe he's two! Time flies. James is so funny right now. He says funny things, he has funny mannerisms, he talks funny sometimes...just a funny kid. Tonight he said, about 7 different times, "what's that Mommy?" I would then tell him whatever it was that he was asking about: a specific book, a loud noise, a friend's toothbrush...and then he would respond with "Oh, I love it!". We had a great little family birthday party for him back on May 1. He is every bit of two and all boy. He loves sticks, cars, trains and being outside. He hates vegetables, unless it's in a dip (like spinach and artichoke). He loves Gracie and wants to be where she is and do what she's doing. He talks all the time and has a great vocabulary. He started climbing out of his crib a couple of weeks ago so we "converted" his crib to the toddler bed/day bed and he's doing really well with that. He also LOVES his paci and lovey. I'm trying (not very hard) to get him off the paci, but I'm a little afraid of what will happen. He's around the 75% for weight and height. He's a perfect little buddy.
Me and my babies
Suzanne with her Mom
Jason and his Mom
Cook/Howell Family (we miss you Julie!)
Mom, Me and Gracie
Grandmom, Mom, Me, Suzanne and Gracie
James was done with pictures by this point
Gracie was not interested in taking pictures...she only wanted to play in the sandbox. This was the face she gave me when I told her we needed to take pictures first.
Silly face
Gracie developed a love for the Word of God at a very young age and James is following in her steps as well. They both brought their Bibles to breakfast this morning and then took them back upstairs after before church. What a joy to see my babies this morning with the Word.
