Just keep swimming...

We are driving down the 5, Finding Nemo, playing repeatedly in the backseat for Emma & Jack. The music from the movie is fluid and it stirs nostalgia. It's perfect. Emma repeats all the words to Nemo. Will keeps squealing with joy. He loves getting Jack to laugh. Jack starts to kick at the DVD player. The chapter on the movie skips back. Emma repeats the same line again. Jack kicks again. She starts to whine, pleading with him to stop. (Good feeling gone!)

We've been up since 5, packing up before the kids see the loaded truck. I awake Emma at 6. She immediately crawls out of bed asking for her toy iguana & informing me how she handles her morning eye boogers. Jack is slower to rise. He rubs his eyes, stretches continually and curls himself into my lap without mumbling a word. They have no idea (well, how could Will or Jack?) that we are on the way to Disneyland! (I must say I may be more excited! Celebrating my birthday this week, I warned Roy that he better not be pulling a quick one on me & going somewhere else, other than Disneyland!)

After eating lunch with the So Cal Smoaks (after we had traveled most of the 5 & through the arduous Grapevine), Emma asks where we are off too. She begs to see her special Joanney. I ask her if it's ok to visit her Uncle Papa & Aunt Grammy, who live in Orange County. But it's so far away! she whines. (Where does she think we have been driving to the past many hours? And why???) After we convince her we are close, she agrees & is very excited! Still, she remains clueless. But she is excited, nonetheless! She has informed the truck passengers that she has just tooted out her butt-crack.

So now the blessings are quiet, in foreign, but comfy beds, made with love. Emma anticipates seeing Auntie Grammy & Uncle Papa tomorrow. Roy & I look forward to be able to continue to surprise them...

Pride- A good kind

What I wish for my kids is that each of them would grow up to love & serve our Lord. If I succeed at anything as a parent, it's that Emma, Jack & Will have been moved in this direction and that their love for our Father would be their own.
Sitting down at breakfast recently, Roy & I began to eat. Quickly Jack started saying, "Amy, Noah, Amy, Daddy, Sissy, Amy..." We realized in that instant was Jack was praying before he began to eat, thanking God for his special people.
This weekend, we had the pleasure of returning to my childhood church. It was surreal to have Emma meet and shake hands with the same woman who taught me in Sunday School when I was Emma's age. She didn't seem to understand how fantastic the moment was, but it didn't pass me by. When Emma's aunt retrieved her from the small group class at the church that morning, the teacher was impressed at Emma's knowledge of the Bible & it's stories. Once again- Don't blink... My chest fills and puffs out. I am completely and totally proud of these moments!
As each of the blessings grow, may it be that there is never a time that they look back upon and don't know how much, how indescribably great is His love for us, for each of them. The greatest compliment I could ever receive as a parent is that my children know & share their Heavenly Father's love, and that wherever life may lead them, they serve Him wholeheartedly.

Bandaid

Emma's face is red. Tears have stained her face and her fit continues. She is upset because she has to wear shorts. She wants desperately to wear a dress & be the prettiest. I do my best to explain she is gorgeous just as the other little girl is gorgeous too. God made each of them beautiful...
I have picked out her outfit today. Emma has been given new clothes once again yet she insists on wearing the same thing over and over. I know, I know, this really shouldn't be a battle, but right now Roy & I have been trying to teach her to be gracious for what she has been given. We are trying to teach her to not take for granted all the clothes she has & not waste what has been given to her. These lessons sure make her mad.
Dang-it! she screams, as her foot pounds on the floor. (Do I actually say Dang-it! Where has she heard that?) She clings to my neck and holds tight. Her body folds to the carpet. But I love you, Mom! she whines.
Now- right here is the quick sweet moment. (Don't blink.) Jack enters. Pacifier in his mouth. Already dressed in his shorts, wearing his bold mohawk. Here, sissy, he says through the sides of his pacifier. He hands her a bandaid. A Spiderman bandaid to fix where she is hurting & sad. A small gift for his princess. My heart melts and swells with pride all in the same instant. I am waiting for Emma to reciprocate the love and drop her bad attitude.
Moment over. But I don't like Spiderman! she whines.
Oy vey..

Precious Eminism

"That little girl that will get my hair- We will be twins!"
- Emma's thoughts after deciding to grow her hair out and donate it to Locks of Love

Savage

Portrait of a Silly Family

I love framing Emma's artwork. It's a great way to share my love for her and affirm her work and creativity. Here is a family portrait she did of our clan. I cut out random eyes, noses, & mouths from a magazine. Emma pasted faces together using the facial parts & created this scary, but wonderful family portrait! (Thank you Preschooler's Busy Book!) At first, she had a difficult time with the mismatched features, but slowly got into the creation.

Eminism

Your hair looks freaky, Mom?
-Emma, in response to viewing my Senior Ball picture