Nature Girl

Last week our weather was so good we made trips to local parks almost daily. One of the parks we go to a lot has a great little lake. It's a little removed from our normal stops at the playground, but we headed over there for a bit so that Megan could check out the wildlife. She loved seeing the ducks and geese. It was so much fun to watch her try to waddle around with them. I think I was the nervous one because they were not scared of her. I honestly think she could've grabbed them if I hadn't intervened. And you know, my first aid for goose bites is a little rusty. Later we went on a little walk and found some cool bridges. Who knew playing on a bridge, throwing rocks in the water, and watching the fish, could keep Megan's attention for so long.

What makes my heart smile?

My dear sweet husband makes my heart smile!
There is just not much on earth that is sweeter than....


Watching Megan follow you on stage to practice singing with you during choir practice on Sunday morning. And when she's not on stage, we are in the back of the church singing and dancing while she points at you saying, "My Daddy singing". All the while she is clapping and waving, just to make sure you know that she's still there rooting you on.

Or watching you get on the floor and play trains with you. And by the way - you do a great Sir Top 'em Hat impersonation! I can hear you guys before I see you and I just have to pause and listen at Megan's giggles and the amazing memories you are making together. I just fall in love with you both over and over again!

But I have say, one of the sweetest things is to watch you play dolls with Megan. She loves it when her Daddy helps her feed and burp the babies. And it's good practice for you both! :^) It just makes my heart smile!!!!!

Your sandbox or mine?

You'd think it was the heart of summer by the way Megan is all about sand boxes! Let's just say she throws herself into her playtime!
I can't wait to see her at the beach this year. I think she's going to be in hog heaven surrounded by all that sand.

Heart Wrenching Story

Have you ever watched something on tv, or read a book and you were so captivated by it. You were inspired, mesmerized, just caught up in it..... then suddenly in the blink of an eye what was so inspiring suddenly left you in a heap of tears and emotions that almost can't be defined because they are so raw?

Well, sometimes blogs are like that. You know it's a strange world where you can feel so attached and apart of someone's life - yet you've never met them. But you walk through thier stories and pray for them and in some way you "know" them, without actually knowing them.

I've been following a blog and praying for a little family that I've never met. It's an amazing story and this sweet family is so inspiring as you watch them live their faith out in the midst of a challenging circumstance. However, in the past couple of weeks it's just caused me to fall on my face in a heap of tears and pray like never before. I don't know if it's just the heart-wrenching nature of what's happening to them, or pregnancy hormones on overdrive, or what... but oh my! I log on to find out the latest news and what I can pray for - but I have to be very careful because I know that it's doubtful that I'll walk away from my computer without sobbing.



So.... if you have a moment (when you are alone or with someone you can cry with) log on and read Kayleigh's story. She's 10 months old..... she was born 3 months premature. From conception the Dr's said she'd never live, and wouldn't even be born. She was - 1 lb, 1 oz. She's never left the hospital, and suddenly last week tragedy hit and Kayleigh took a serious turn for the worst. Every day this little family keeps getting bombarded with bad news and told there's no hope. And today, the prognosis got more grim (if that were possible). But the amazing thing is to watch this amazing couple endure this with a faith that is steadfast and outright unexplained. They are always honest about their struggles, but at the end of the day give all glory to God.

I warn you, if you are anything like me - entering into Kayleigh's world will rip your heart open. But hopefully it'll also inspire you to want a faith as enduring and unyeilding as theirs. I hope you'll read her story and pray for her parents... it's the situation that no parent should ever have to endure!

We love the zoo!

In less than a week we've already been to the zoo twice.... let me just say that breaking down and buying a zoo pass was totally worth it! Megan loves the zoo... and I love watching her have so much fun. Ok, truth be known, I love the zoo too! Monday we met up with some friends for our little zoo adventure. Here are the tykes - Caroline, Megan and Doss.

This time we actually made it to the petting zoo. Megan was so sweet with the animals. It gave me hope that maybe that "gentle touch" is starting to sink in.

She even gave the pigs a little brush - normally she avoids them. They seem to scare her. But not this time...

And of course, you have to go on the hokey train ride! It was Doss and Caroline's first zoo choo choo experience. Here's Caroline and her mommy, Suzanna. And Doss and his daddy, Scott.

Before we headed home (almost 2 hours after our normal nap time) we ran into some other little friends at the zoo playground. Here's Megan sandwiched inbetween Abby and Eli. Megan was so tired she was being very goofy.

And of course, no trip to the playground is complete without a ride on the airplane seesaw. Megan got Doss to hitch a ride with her.

And why do I love going to the playground with Megan (whether it's at the zoo or a local park)???? Just watch her enthusiasm!

Rough Night

The Offender.....

The Victim....

Oh my - it was a rough night for getting ready for bed. Little Twinkle Toes exhibited some of her mommys grace by tripping over her own 2 feet and smashing face first into Daddy's recliner. Gee - it looks so soft - but evidently not when your falling forward face first. Ugh. After lots of tears (and Megan was a little upset too), and a boo boo ice pack, we recovered. Megan even recovered enough to give me a "cheese" smile - goose egg and all.

Keep the racquet down....

So - what do you get when you give a Dad and a little girl a badminton racquet?

A "pre-tennis" lesson?
Or the new and improved method of swatting at carpenter bees?

Note Megan's look of complete fear... she's terrified of bees. It must be some innate fear that children have - insect quickly buzzing by them. Her most uttered statements right now go something like this..

"go bee go"

"bee gone"

"no thank you bee"

or my favorite - "mommy bee fly me"

This was just a cute picture I snapped from the kitchen window tonight. Tom was outside grilling with Megan, and Megan decided to go off-roading with her little grill. Maybe she was trying to find a bee-free zone.