Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Laurel Casts A Spell


Okay, so I thought we had a few more years until this kind of thing. Cute, nonetheless.

J.P. had a late night of work last night, so I took Laurel to McDonald's to play, while Alecia and I had some major chat time over Diet Coke. About two hours worth. *grin* The last children left to play were two twin boys. The twin boys were absolutely adorable, blond, blue, khakis and polos. They looked like Ralph Lauren models, precious. Laurel and the boys played together for the better part of an hour.

As we were leaving, Laurel offered the boys a digital bowling game that came in her Happy Meal. I mean, my child has the most generous heart. She has a heart of gold, and I am not being biased. She SHARES with every child she encounters. After thank you hugs, which the boys did not have to be prompted to give by their Mom, we made our way to the door to leave. As we were walking out the door, here comes both the boys yelling "Wait, Wait, Laurel!" The first boy proceeded to tell her thank you for the toy again, gave her another hug and a big wet smooch on the cheek! I will have her facial reaction recorded in my memory forever! It was complete surprise, delight, and amazement! Oh friends, but this was not the end. After twin one gave his farewell wishes, twin two, said "My turn, my turn!", and proceeded to mimic his brothers actions, complete with thank you, hug and another kiss on the cheek! Laurel politely said thank you, blushed and proceeded to walk out the door.

When we got to the car, as I was putting her in her carseat (which seems ironic after the story above), she told me that she would tell her friends at school that she was now dating!

It seems like only yesterday that she was born, that we were tending to her every need. Now she is an independent, albeit too independent, six-year-old, who wants to pick out her own clothes, listens to her Miley Cyrus CD too loud, uses the term "dating" and "prom" and talks back a little too often. It is amazing how much she has changed since she started Kindergarten. If you would have told me six months ago how much she would change since starting school, I wouldn't have believed it, but my baby is growing up.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Captivated

So, I have wanted to start a blog for some time. Ideas swirling through my mind for months now of where to begin. I want to record the little things, the big things. For some reason, this was laid on my heart to start this morning. I ran in the house as soon as I got home, I didn't even park my car in the appropriate spot. Why this topic and why this morning of all things? Beats me.



It is almost the middle of February, too cold for much outdoor walking, although my new friend and I have tried to fit in as much as possible around her neighboorhood. I like to go super early, and decided to go to Forest Park as soon as I dropped Laurel off at school. Normally, I take my iPod, and turn up the volume as high as it will go. For some reason, this morning, I decided to forgo the music, instead enjoying this spring-like morning and the sheer quietness. Life has been a little, shall we say, hectic recently.



I started off bundled up as if a blizzard was on its way, coat and gloves, but those were soon shed. The sunshine began warming my skin, oh, how I have missed him these last few months! To be able to enjoy the songbirds; the robins, bluejays and cardinals foraging for their trinkets and treasures on the ground, what a treat! The killdeers, protecting their precious nests on the ground, and giving out their protective cries as I walked by. What an opportunity I would have missed if I would have been mindlessly drowning in the thud, thud of my earphones.



The beauty of nature is a source of great joy and comfort. Doesn't nature gives us a glimpse of the greatness of God?



Isaiah 55:12:

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the
mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.




I needed this peace this morning. I needed to be captivated and awed. Isn't it amazing that when we feel overwhelmed in our lives, that God shows us how BIG he is, and that our problems are never too big for our God.