Who's That Girl?

Sarabeth,
You have grown up so fast, some times I wonder just who are you??  You LOVE to laugh and make others laugh-especially Nathan.  You have adjusted amazingly to having a little brother around.  It melts my heart to see you reach over in the car and hold his hand, or calm him when he is upset.  You are certainly the little mother.

This week we have started a Chore Chart for you and you have responded ok.  It has made you more aware of the few things we'd like to see you do on your own, which was our intention as well as to add in some positive reinforcement to your day.  You thrive on structure and I have struggled with providing that lately, however you are such a well adjusted child that you do well either way.  You have gotten up every morning this week and brushed your teeth and dressed yourself without prompting or help.  Last night you even went to bed without a word-that's a first!! 

Your strong will has made for some fierce battles-including EVERYTHING!  I only hope I can help you to use that as strong point and not a hindrance in your life.  I stand my ground on issues that matter and chose not to tackle the things that don't. So far that's worked and you've learned that I am the boss and you will not win-ever.  I love you enough to teach you to be respectful and loving.

Some of the things you say just crack me up.  I love the way you ask for a "kissue" (tissue) when your nose is runny.  I always just give you a kiss on the nose and you say "no mommy, a kissue FOR my nose, not on my nose".

We have started some preschool curriculum here at home and you have enjoyed it so far. I think you just love the one on one we get together, especially since little man is always into everything around you!

Sweet, sweet girl I love you more than I can say.  I pray for you daily that you would grow up knowing the God that created you and longing to glorify him in all that you do.  I pray for your husband one day and that he will be the God-fearing loving man that God intended him to be.  Those days are so much more near than I even know.  I am so thankful for this time I have to teach you the things of God's word and not the things of God's world.  I love you much.

Mommy

Farm Life

Things are starting to feel a little less like a long vacation and more like...well not quite normal yet but we're working on that.  Last weekend we made our last trip to Houston to get a few things from Matt's work storage.  Sarabeth and Nathan had a chance to visit with a few friends on Saturday before we headed back.

Addy, SB, Ellie, Solly and Latham

The weather here is still pretty chilly so we have been spending a lot of time inside.  Our days consist of staying in our PJ's for way too long, playing with lots of play-do, lunch, nap, computer time, more playing with toys, dinner, bath, bedtime and then Matt and his mom and I stay up playing dominoes.  I can play a mean game of Moon now!

This week the sun has been peeking out so we have taken a couple of walks in the woods and ventured out to the swing set a few times.  This land is beautiful and full of opportunities for adventures for Sarabeth and Nathan soon enough!

My weekly outing has been to BSF, however today we went into Texarkana to look around for a few shops I have had my eye on.  One is a little sewing shop so I can get my fix when I need it!  I also stopped by the cutest little kids consignment boutique as well.  I ran into a girl I met at BSF last week, she is expecting her first baby in a few months, a little boy.  It was so funny to run into someone I had just met but it made me feel good, kind of like I fit in even though I don't!  The girl that owns the the little store obviously knew her and the other girl that walked in was friends with them too...just a tight little group of gals around here.  Seems the only other place in town to shop for cute kids clothes is a place called Peas and Carrots.  The deal is, all the fancy moms by their kids clothes there and then when they outgrow them, they take them to 2Sprouts and consign them. Score for me.

Other than that, we are just trying to adjust to life on the farm.  I am (against everything in me) trying to find some good things about living out here.  So far I have come up with this:

No need to get dressed in a hurry, no one is coming by
No need to dress fancy when I do get dressed since there isn't anywhere to go
A trip to town is both entertaining and worth the drive every time especially when I get in the line to check out and hear 2 middle aged country ladies talking about how so-in-so wears too much make-up and really needs to take a lesson in "blue is not a trendy eye shadow color"
No loud kids outside keeping you up at night-just coyotes
You can hog hunt, squirrel hunt, and deer hunt right off your back patio-that is only a plus if I actually did that

All joking aside (as if to suggest that the previous was even funny) I do enjoy the quietness of this place.  My walks are always so beautiful and peaceful.  If I ever wanted to be alone with God, this is the place.  I am working hard on being forgiving-daily, even hourly.  God is peeling back a few layers at a time and revealing to me my selfishness and self-righteous ways.  I don't always look forward to the refining sessions I have with Him, but the outcome is something beautiful.

What we've been up to

Silly Face Contest with Mommy

"Not really sure how that snowball got in your face."

Chillin' (literally)

Frosty, Sarabeth was very concerned that we did not have a corn cob pipe for him

The past few weeks have certainly been an adjustment for our family.  I am just now realizing how different life is going to be from now on.  We have been enjoying the snow and Matt being home with us.  He goes for his 2nd interview on Tuesday in Little Rock and we are all hopeful he gets the job and can start soon.

The kids are having a blast, although Sarabeth asks about her friends and her "house" frequently.  I know it is just a matter of time before she makes this her home.  I am trying to help with that but I know I must make that choice for our family before she is going to buy into it.

Life has defintely taken on a slower speed for us.  We spend a lot of time at home, especially since the snow last week.  Matt's mom took me and the kids into town yesterday to Lewisville which is about 20 minutes away.  She showed us around the town square and then took us to meet her friends at Cafe 29-the only place to eat in town.  There was only 1 thing on the menu-that's whats for lunch!  It was kind of like going to someones house to eat!  The place was full of regulars, the EMS team, local police from three surrounding towns, hunters, and the old ladies who about squeezed Nathan's cheeks off!

I am missing my friends the most and the luxury of being able to hop in the car and go "play" when we get cabin fever.  One of the adjustments has been to be creative in finding ways to pass the time.  Sarabeth and I have done lots of puzzles, read books, made a tent for her and Nathan, play-do time and we even started a little craft time each morning with a Bible lesson.

We are hoping to go to church on Sunday.  Last week was too icy so we just watched it on TV instead.  We are super excited about our friends coming to visit this weekend.  This was supposed to be Matt's annual duck hunting weekend but with little water in the swamp, I think it will just be a fun weekend to hang out with friends and eat!

I am looking forward to what God has in store for us this season but it isn't going to be easy.  My flesh is my biggest enemy and I know the only way I can adapt to this season and do it joyfully is to call upon the power of the Holy Spirit daily. I cannot do this alone.  My daily prayer is that God would search my heart and make me obviously aware of the things I need to purge and that I would be stripped of all the things that would make me dependent on anyone or anything but Him.  I want to live my life this year in a way where when I look back I would see a clear picture of God's perfect intervention and timing in all things.  I want to be faced with the opportunities to only have the option to rely on God, and nothing else. "My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2. How awesome to do life with Him who made heaven and earth.

3 Years Old

I have tons of pictures to post but this will have to do for now. My little baby girl turned 3 this month and it is killing me!

Birthday Pancakes

The much requested Castle Cake

Somebody is 3!

Binkie for Bike

After 2 years, 8 months and 28 days, my sweet daughter decided on her own (with a little prompting) to throw her beloved binkies in the trash. It has been a looming battle we have not wanted to face but took the opportunity and bit the bullet, cold turkey. She immediately asked for a high five as soon as they hit the bottom of the trash can. I obliged with a smile and thought "I could be in for the longest night in history!". I explained to her that when daddy got home we would take her on a special trip to the store to pick out a new toy. She knew exactly what she wanted, a fast car! Here is what she came home with:



She has been riding this thing around the house like a pro! She is still learning to use the breaks, however!

The first night was a little rough. She slept with the bike in her room, but still asked for her binkie and said she couldn't sleep without it. It took a few hours but eventually we found her like this:
It has not been as bad as I thought, although nap time has become a constant battle of the wills. It usually doesn't happen without a few spankings and repeatedly putting her back in bed. She is doing well considering. I laid in bed with her the 2nd night and she tossed and turned and kept trying to find a way to soothe herself to sleep. She was so restless. Finally, I looked over and she was sound asleep.

This is a huge milestone for Sarabeth (and mommy and daddy). Although we are happy to finally break her of the habit, it's also sad to see her without it. Something about her binkie kept her a little baby in our eyes. I guess she always will be, but she is becoming more grown up every day. I am proud of her and I know this is just one of the many good choices Sarabeth will make.

The way you say the things you say

Sarabeth, at 2 years old you have a massive vocabulary. I love the way you say some things...cracks me up! Here are a few of my favorites, just so I never forget.

Shire=shower
pwaze wifs me=play with me?
way wifs me=lay with me
jacskin=Jackson (your friend)
fwins=friends
pider=diaper
psycho=Roscoe (our dog-however the name is fitting)
moobie=movie
glackes=glasses
samich=sandwich
binkieblanket=you have somehow made your binkie and blanket one item. You can't just have one without the other and so you say them together when you ask for them.

There are many more but these are just a few that crack me up and make my heart melt at the same time. I know when you start saying them correctly that means you are just growing up :( I hope you never do!

There Are No Words

More Sweet Pics

Pooped

Friends

Last week my good friend Rebecca came over for a digital scrapbook get together and she brought little sweet Lily! Although these two have met before, they've never had a chance to sit and play together. Lily and Sarabeth are so different. Lily is so crazy and outgoing and Sarabeth just kind of sits and takes it all in. The two were so cute together just talking away, and of course Lily put Sarabeth's foot in her mouth so she could suck on her toes! Sarabeth then tried to claw out Lily's eyes, but all in all it was fun for them and Rebecca and I stayed up until 1 a.m. talking. I love those kind of friends! Lily, come back soon to play!

Daddy Time

Sarabeth loves for Matt to read to her. She sits intently while he reads, like she knows exactly what the book is about. These moments warm my heart and remind me what a wonderful husband I have.

Sweet Potatoes and an Attitude

Sarabeth is developing a small attitude...as most girls do at some point, but I expected this around 12, not 4 months. We tried giving her some cereal this week and then we moved on to sweet potatoes, both of which she spit out and cried when I tried feeding them to her. I suppose it will take some time for her to get used to a spoon. In the meantime she has learned to reach for her bottle and knows when I'm making it. It's so funny to watch her when it's time to eat.

Cowgirl!

I know I am way behind on posting, but here are some pics from Western Day at Sarabeth's school last week. Each year when the rodeo comes to Houston, lots of schools have Rodeo week. Check out her boots!

Caption Contest

Ok for those of you that read this blog, stranger or not, I would like to see who can come up with the best captions for these pics. Sarabeth has so many expressions! We laugh at her all the time because you never know what face she's going to make. I will send out a prize to the best one for each picture so just leave your best one in the comments!