A ride to remember...

"O-See....Mama....O-See....wide?"

Well, last week she got to try "widing an o-see". At first....



not so much a fan, but after distracting her by getting her to pet the "o-see", she quickly recovered. Next thing I new she was grabbing the saddle horn, kicking the horse, and acting like she was Calamity Jane or something...She quickly calmed down and enjoyed the rest of the ride!

I'm a 4-H-er at heart, I guess, because I still LOVE going to look at all the animals. I always wished we had done horses. We always just took our sheep...except the year I took my cat...that's right... a cat. Dumb...who takes a cat to the county fair? Me! I don't even like cats. I'm glad to see I've got a horse lover on my side....maybe someday!!!

Kid out for hire...

Last night Aila and I peeled more wallpaper in the house. "Pull?" she asks, so I get a piece going for her, and she finished it off. The other day, I was cleaning the house, and I noticed she was carefully situating a rag in her hand (her rag was a small blanket that is meant for a toy dog to lay down on), and then she started scrubbing the wall to remove wallpaper. I'm thinking I should hire her out....

Aila has discovered that she can now remove her own clothes. This is awesome. Especially in public.



I made her put her dress on, but somehow the picture just wasn't as cute to me. I don't know how much longer the stroller will hold out!!!

A model Minnie

Day after day, I have begun to see more and more personality out of Aila. She is talking so much, but after almost everything she says, she makes a "mmmm" sound. What is that about? I'm confused. She points to a picture of a cow, and says, "cow....moooo....mmmmm", a kitty, "ditty...meow...mmmmmm". When I get home from work, it's "Hi, Mama...mmmmm". ???

She has also started (sort of) saying "I love you". She rubs her hand over her chest for the word "love", so it's more like saying, "I you" with a heart rub thrown in there.

The best, though...the other day, she put them together, with no prompting, "Hi, Mama. I (rubs heart) you." Oh baby, "I you, too!!!" ;)

I caught this picture yesterday morning. Right after Aila woke up, she found her Mickey Mouse ears, and, noticing her Minnie nightgown, decided it was an important accessory to her nightgown. I grabbed the camera, and said, "Smile". She quickly put one hand on her hip, the other hand resting casually on the alphabet train, leaned back, and gave a winning smile...sucky and all!

Be still

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

This verse was on my heart from the moment I woke up this morning.

Be still.

Be still.

Be still?

Life takes some crazy twists and turns, does it not? And, my mother was right. Life, as we've all learned, is not fair.

I have tears welling in my eyes as I search for the words necessary to convey my feelings. "Be still, and know that I am God." Sit in those words. Still...

There is nothing more precious and dear to me than my baby. She will always be my baby. (Even though she is now a temper tantrum throwing toddler.) My arms will always ache for her. I simply cannot fathom what life would be like without her, and my heart crumbles for those out there who have had to live that loss as reality.

These are two sites I have come across that have touched me to the very core. (The links go to the Mama's blogs...I have buttons on the sidebar for more information)

Jack

Maddie

Be still...pray...perhaps God intends for someone who happens across this site to give. To help. Or even just to pray.

My breath catches as my lungs refuse to allow any air to enter. My heart beats from my throat. My eyes burn as I blink back tears that will inevitably fall. My body burns in pain. But, here lies my baby. A piece of myself. A piece of my husband. A result of our union. A perfect representation of our love. An unimaginable blessing. A gift from God. And my baby breathes and walks and talks and cries and smiles and giggles, and I PRAISE GOD!!!

The thought of what a parent would experience losing their baby...I cannot even begin to comprehend...I only know that I would have to cling to His word.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

I pray that parents who have lost their little ones find the "peace of God", and I pray that they rest in it.

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:5-6

Today, God has been telling me that sometimes things are out of our hands. There is no need for us to do anything. There is, often times, nothing we can do. God is in control.

These dear little ones are with God now.

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." Matthew 13:44

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain..." Revelations 21:4

Be still.

Know that He is God.

Jayhawk or quack!!!

We've encountered a bit of a communication problem in our house. Someone in this little family of 3 and a dog, thinks we are fans of the quack. At least the quack says "do KU"!!!!