Thought of the Day

After having Evelyn and watching her grow, I believed that I knew in a lot of ways the love God has for us-His children. After all, my love for Evie is so immense my chest hurts at times, and I lack words to described it fully. It is an overwhelming, unconditional love I have for her. However, today I came across this verse in my studies: "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled with the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 4:17-19.

The love God has for me and you is so great it's outside the realm of our knowledge. We can't even imagine it. That is amazing!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Evie with her BFF Abi! Abi is 16 months old but they have a blast together...despite Evie's bossiness!

Silly Saturday

I thought a blast from the past would be enjoyable. This was taking approximately one year ago. It is pretty self explanatory. But just for fun, Evie is enjoying Grandpa Jeff blowing on her feet. So much, that in her 11 month way she is asking for more, essentially sticking her feet in his face. Both enjoyed it!

P.S. I was at a conference yesterday, so forgive the lateness.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Splashing in puddles is so much fun. Why didn't anyone tell me?

Silly Saturday

"The best things in life are silly" -Scott Adams

Isn't that what childhood is really all about? Being a child, exploring and being silly? Evie is by definition silly, which is how she gained her nickname: Monkey. So, to give you some weekend humor, and to show off our little Monkey, I've declared this and future Saturdays "Silly Saturday."

Dear Evie,

The world may tell you differently but I want to tell you here and now--You are beautiful and perfect. A precious rare jewel. I see you as you grow and know this to be true, but if you cannot believe me then believe your creator who wrote these words for you:

^"For we are God's masterpiece (a person's greatest piece of work, as in an art), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesions 2:10

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Circus=Fun!

Today's Smile

In case you are the only one who's missed this video, enjoy! I've watched it probably a dozen times and it makes me smile every time. A fellow blogger states it best:

To choose joy over the fear and vulnerability of being different or weird or ridiculed is a tremendous act of courage - one that touches all of us.

Today choose joy.

Going

We are heading to the circus tonight, Evie's first. I am so excited as I remember the circus being an exciting thing. The atmosphere is electric, everything is grand. Evie no doubt will love it. I myself rode an elephant at the circus, which as my favorite animal is a great memory.

Evie at this moment is laying at my feet talking and laughing with the puppy. She has such a contagious joy. I adore her. I will be sure to post some circus pictures. Stay tuned!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

The dancing queen...

She...

She is 23 months old. She will turn 2 in one month. She will now be considered a preschooler instead of a toddler. She is growing up too fast.

She picks up and lugs around her puppy, even after we've said no twenty times. She throws a fit if she can't hold him or pick him up. She reads her books to him. She is a bossy caretaker, forcing him to play with his toys or chew his bones. She gets upset if she can't hold his leash or come outside with us during potty breaks.

She has a big vocabulary now, this includes: bye, no, bubble, cookie, mommee, daddy, yes, more, monkey, ball, Abi and puppy. She seems to be learning a new word everyday. She said her first sentence in early July: What is it? She has now shortened said sentence into: "this." She said for the first time tonight: "No way!"

She already has nurturing instincts. She rocks, reads to, kisses, feeds and loves her many "babies."

She loves Seasme Street. She will sit for nearly the whole show except for when they play fun music and then she can't help but get up and shake her groove thing. She dances like a pro, albeit a 23 month old pro.

She continues to be miss picky when it comes to eating, especially in public and for the babysitters. She hates most meats and proteins. She is a rare child who turns away peanut butter, chicken nuggets, and spaghetti. She will normally only eat turkey hotdogs, canned chicken, eggs and pasta pickups. She loves her sippy cups, especially with straws, and has come to enjoy the one cup of "juice" (ie half juice, half water) that she gets for lunch.

She is an awesome sleeper. She goes to bed everynight by herself without a fuss. She has a fairly strict night routine: pajamas, brush teeth, prayers, kisses and then tucked into bed with Monkey, pacifier and blanket. She still naps once daily between 2-3. She is good at staying down 2 or 3 hours.

She is taking swimming lessons. She disliked laying on her back in the water but is getting much better at it as the time goes on. She loves to jump into the water. She loves the games. She gets to enjoy the class on Tuesdays with me and with daddy on Thursdays.

She is outgoing when she gets to know people and more shy around strangers. She gets crazy when she is familiar with you, running around, jumping and laughing. She takes after me in that way.

She has become excellent at throwing temper tantrums. She is definitely ready to be a two year-old. She falls on the ground, fists in her eyes, bawling her eyes out.

She has a little bossy in her personality. She can make it seem like she's sweet talking you. She takes charge with kids smaller then her. She tries to get her friend Abi to take the pacifier, drink from her sippy, and sit down by force. She can be a little bit of a beast.

She has gone #2 on the potty once. She is resistent to using the potty except to sit on for fun. She thinks mommy is playing a fun potty sitting, book reading game. She doesn't know that mom may be switching tactics soon to get her trained by her second birthday. She may be spending a weekend naked as a jay bird, because this pull-up thing is just to much like diapers.

She makes my heart so light. She makes it nearly impossible to be mad, even in the midst of a tantrum. She is just too cute for her own good. She is loved more then we ever thought is possible. She is such a big little girl. She is growing up too fast. She is our greatest blessing.

Cousins Part 3

I haven't finished posting about the fun week we spent in GR with Xander and my family. Mid-week my mom took off from work and we went to the Forest History Center. I don't remember it being that neat, but going again was fun and the kids really enjoyed it. The "actors" were my favorite part. Here are the highlights.

Evie "driving" her and Xander in the logging truck.

Evie pushing Xander's stroller. All the things around there to do and this was probably her favorite thing. She just wants to play "mama" all the time.

My mom with a crabby Evie. Taken away from her stroller pushing fun.

Me and my darling.

Xander the cutie, listening to the logger who looks a little like Santa.

Keesha and my dad logging old fashioned like. Fun, fun, fun! I bet they were glad they only had to do one piece. Thank goodness for saws!

Xander and Evie checking out firewood.

Exploring the indoor "cave."