I got you, babe...

26 months- Bizbeth is such a complex little beauty!

She is fiercely independent yet longing for Mommy to "hold you. hold you, Mama!" all the time (ie "hold me").  Followed by "I got you, Mama."

She transitioned quite easily to her big girl bed, but has now (about 2 months later) been getting into lots of things she is not supposed to.  Bath wash everywhere, wipes everywhere, hair bands everywhere, stationary...everywhere.  Lots of things everywhere.  But it does appear that most of these issues only happen once.

A natural-born nurturer, she attempts to help out all the time with Abigail (often quite capably and helpfully).  All the while still such a baby herself.  This is the same little girl who insists on diapers and yet still wants to go to the bathroom when she thinks of it.

She delights in playing with her brother, but will scream "murder" just to get him in trouble if she has had enough.

The camera is most often the enemy "no pictures!!!" but occasionally she dresses up and begs me to take her picture. 

 

She loves to wear bows and beautiful dresses, but you have never met a bigger tomboy.  She is most at home in the mud and with her hair wild and bumps all over her body.

I love this little bundle of complexity!

we commit you to the Lord

 

Abigail was dedicated last Wednesday evening.  This is where we as her parents commit to raising her in the knowledge of the Lord.  And the church body commits to supporting us in that endeavor.


Even well-past her bedtime, she remained pretty cheery through all of the service and most of the reception.  Did it help that we were plying her with cake?

57 months

Wow!  That sounds so old!  (in reality, it is just shy of 5 years old)

Growing up.  Showing first signs of school-readiness.  We are celebrating that David can now count to 5 pretty comfortably.  Counting to 10 is coming...he just leaves out #6 every time though.

 David can now write his own name (with a bit of help).  He is quite certain he has two "Ds" in his name and remembers the "I" so often his name ends up "DID."  Recognizes quite a few letters though... among them are favorites "E" for "Elizabeth" and "A" for "Abigail."  His favorite color is and always has been brown.  When he colors at all in children's program, it is always monochrome...brown!  He even asked me out of the blue the other day what my favorite color was.  When I asked him, he said, "Brown!"  My favorite piece of artwork by him to date is below-- all brown, self-portrait, with name sort of spelled out (with an "E" for good measure). 

David's attention span and problem solving abilities are also growing.  We spent about an hour but completed a US states puzzle together.  He did almost all the work.  And it was hard!  The states are all actual shape and so do not jigsaw together like normal puzzles.  He did not give up!

Lots of sweet faces, silly smiles, funny hats and "sister sniggling" to round out this month.

a day of appreciation

I am constantly so thankful for my mother and mother-in-law who set such Godly examples for me as a mother.  Two gifts from the Lord! 

I hope my children can say the same of me one day.  I sure have a long way to go...
Overcoming Self and Surrendering to Christ. 
Ceaseless Prayer.
Allowing the Joy of the Lord to be my Strength.
Honoring and Cherishing my Husband at all times.
His Wisdom for Disciplining and Training in the Lord.
Unwavering, Effusive Gratitude for my three little Gifts of God.

Being a mother to these three is such a huge gift!  I do not want to take it lightly.

Thank you, Michael, for your sweet card from the kids!