Man's best friend?

When Grace was about the same age as Sam (10 months) she was talking...oh come ON, don't look surprised...that child NEVER shuts up--even now. "Mama" "Dada" Dog" "Cat" "Bye-bye"...seriously, the list could go on and on and on...she was gibbering and jabbering, trying to talk in full sentences well before she hit her first birthday. It seems her tiny existence found the up most importance in the English language, so much so that she didn't crawl until 8-9 months of age and even put off walking until she was 15 months old. The girl had a mission....mastering the art of talking. Fast forward to baby brother...movement is crucial! He sat up at about 5 months...starting scooting shortly thereafter and now at 10 months old is a VERY speeder crawler and is pulling to stand and even attempting steps with help. We think this is great...the house is baby proofed...the gate is secured at the top of the stairs...the door to the bathroom stays closed for fear that he may unroll an ENTIRE roll of toilet paper...but...we are worried that he is not showing any interest in talking. Sure, he squeals and laughs and grunts and makes noises only he and his chattering big sister understand, he can even throw a ball quite accurately, but he doesn't talk...no "mama" or "dada"...nothing...Soooooo, I started baby sign with him. He likes it and seems to be starting to understand what each individual sign means. He smiles at me like "Yeah...that's exactly what I wanted...HOW did you know?" We do the sign for "eat" and "more" and "milk" and "all finished" (which I think he signed to me last night after dinner) ANYWAY...did I mention that he throws a ball?? Yeah, I did...the kid can throw a ball...far...and Harry, our 7 year old idiot dog, thinks this is GREAT! He and Sam have developed quite a relationship and Harry is pleased as punch to have someone...ANYone...pay attention to him. Even if it is a non-verbal 10 month old. Sam has also started to FEED Harry...directly from the highchair...throwing food off the highchair INTO Harry's open mouth...Sam squeals with laughter and Harry gobbles it up and asks for more. A boy and his dog...pretty cute...and it seems that Harry has coaxed our baby boy into one more milestone...yes, that's it folks...Sam's first word?? "Harry"....

Please don't say....

that this world doesn't see miracles anymore. If you have watched even FIVE minutes of the news footage about the plane that went down yesterday INTO the Hudson River, you have witnessed a modern day miracle directly from the hands of God. Now, I don't pretend to know the heart of God....sheesh, that is a mystery I'd like to remain a mystery. He is much too big and amazing for me to try to wrap my human brain around....but He is working in this world. He is not absent, He has not forgotten, He is not some far-off being simply observing us like my 8 year old niece observes her hampster. NO...Our God is HERE...right in the midst of us. On our planes, in our homes, in our cars...beside us, CRAVING a relationship with us. Oh sweet Lord thank you for all that You do and are in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Open my eyes that I may see...

I noticed I haven't blogged in 2009...what a sad state of affairs I am turning out to be. Danny is in D.C., the children are asleep (I think...), my world is quiet...for now.

Things Grace says...

Here are some things that Grace says incorrectly...I don't have the heart to correct her...she's just too dang cute. She's growing up too fast as it is anyway. I will put the "Grace" words in italics....here goes...
--"Mom, this food is cold...could you put it in the microphone?" (meaning microwave)
--"Hey Dad, can you do me a favorite?" (meaning favor)
--"Be careful....that is very break-a-full" (meaning breakable)
--*Said when "helping" me put on my make-up in the morning* "Mom, are you going to put on your eyebrowns?" (meaning use my eyebrow pencil)
--At night she waves her "magic wand" and we turn her light out right after she says "Bibbety-Bobbity-Boo." Lately though, she's been saying "Bibbety-Bobbity-Kangaroo"

That's not the half of it...I just can't remember anymore right now...I'll add more as they come to me. She is an absolute JOY...and quite a clown. Life is never dull with Grace Ellen.

Sam's first snow day!

Well, this is the first "big" snow of the year--a little over 3 inches--and enough to keep us indoors for about 24 hours. When Danny got home from work he felt the need to shovel the driveway and invited Grace to join him. Thanks for the pink snowsuit, GrandTone! We are using it!! Sam wasn't so sure of the whole situation--from the bulky snowsuit, to being plopped right down in the middle of the cold, white stuff. But he sat calmly as mommy snapped picture after picture--such a tolerant boy. This is old news to big sister and she absolutely LOVES snow...we had to coax her back indoors with the promise of hot cocoa!

As heard in a conversation between Earl and Grace (we were driving in the car at night, it was--of course--dark in the car, and Grace was trying to read her book)
Grace: "Daddy, turn on the light"
Earl: "No Grace, it's not safe to turn on the light when you're driving the car at night"
Grace: "DADDEEE...turn on the LIGHT"
Earl: "Grace, I said 'NO'"
Grace: "Daddy...I can't seeeeee...turn on the light"
This went on--back and forth, back and forth--for a good 10 minutes, then Grace pushed her daddy a bit too far and asked ONE last time...
Grace: "Dad...turn on the light...I can't see my book"
Earl: "Grace...if you ask me to turn the light on again, I will give you a swat when we get home"
**silence in the backseat**
Then...very quietly....Grace: "Hmmm...if I had a big light I could sure see this book better..."

Overwhelming

I cannot begin to imagine
the emotions she felt.
I remember,
vividly,
the first time I held my children,
slippery newborns, blinking in the light.
I remember the wave of pain,
the "surge" of labor,
the fear,
the excitement,
the uncertainty that is life.
My body,
bringing life into this world...
But I cannot begin to imagine
Mary.
What must it have been like
to feel that same surge,
to hear Jesus
cry,
to cradle his slippery newborn body,
to put Him to her breast and
know
that the Savior of the world
has come?
She held the King of Kings.
She kissed His sweet baby face.
I am certain she counted His fingers and toes
and wondered what color His eyes would be.
I marvel at my own children;
At their tiny fingers and sparkling eyes.
I drink in their smell.
I kiss them as they sleep,
and my mind is overwhelmed with joy,
and worry,
and love.
But I cannot begin to imagine
Mary.
What must she have pondered
and tucked away in her heart?
The thought overwhelms me
humbles me
brings me to my knees