Jastef

I try to write down funny/cute things our kids say and this past week had several. I wrote them down in the order they were said...

Rachel: "I just love Caedmon... because he says all the right things."  (Caedmon is E&R's good buddy from church) 

Ethan: "I have issues with my toes." (this particular day, he seemed to have "issues" with a lot of different things) 

Ethan: "Kara tickles my heart." 

Rachel: "I think God hates since because its SOOO ugly." 

Ethan: "Oh, man... that is SO not cool." (when his car crashes on Mario Kart ) 

Ethan: "I would like to marry you someday, Mommy. I wonder if Daddy will give you up to me." 

Rachel: "Girls can be so difficult because they have too much hair." 

Rachel: (talking to me) "When you were in my tummy, I named you Stefanie, because I knew you liked that name the best." 

Ethan: "don't you just love my little Jason face?" (I am always laughing and telling him "you have such a little Jason face!") 

Ethan learned how to write out lots of different letters in the alphabet, thus spelling out several profanities without knowing it. I love this age of innocence. Kind of wishing I could make it freeze right here.

Rachel learned that Desitin Cream stains carpet, that knives are not something we play with, mommy's make-up is not something we put all over our dolls, band aids are not toys (also, as a side note, she's learned we don't like hypochondriacs in our home) and last but not least, cutting your hair does not make it magically get longer.

Kara learned that it IS possible for an 8 month old to shove 14 cheerios in her mouth at one time... and not choke! Computer cords are not to be chewed on, the new word "NO" is not something pleasant to hear and, cutting teeth is painful and gives her every excuse to get sympathy from her older siblings for a simple thing like yawning.

I have just started to realize how much my daughter listens to us and how often she is noticing things that I don't notice she's noticing. Did that just confuse you? It confused me a bit.

Rachel is going to be 3 in July and yet to us, it feels like she should be turning 4. She does a fantastic job trying to keep up with Ethan. Yesterday I took her to a Mother/Daughter picnic luncheon with the other moms and daughters at our church. It was very lovely. The ladies that put it together did a really nice job and the afternoon (though hot) was very nice. We picniced at our friends Ryan and Janee's home -- enjoyed a nice lunch, had a guest speaker share her testimony and then swam in the pool and enjoyed the fellowship. On the way home Rachel was going on and on about what her favorite things about the picnic were. As she was talking, I realized just how much she's soaking in... "I loved the lady who talked about God. She said she didn't love God and she could do it all-by-herslef... and then God made her radio get STUCK! and she heard the man talk about God and then she went to church. It wasn't at my church, it was at her church and she learns about God there and I think she learns to say I'm sorry."

She talked the entire 15 minute drive home and continued to tell me what she liked about the food, the craft, the pool and more about "the lady who gave her story". Something that really got me was this statement: "Mom... I don't have to wait to love God when I'm an old Grandma. I need to obey Him now!" She said it very matter-of-fact like and with such excitement. I love these seeds I'm seeing being planted and I really loved the mother/daughter time I had with my girl.

We had a very long/busy/fun Sunday, but I think the day took its toll on Rachel. We went to church this morning, had my parents over for lunch and then went to Ethan's AWANA awards night, followed by a trip with friends to frozen yogurt. We got home and Rachel was... very sleepy, to say the least. She started crying in the hallway and I had no idea what her problem was (other than being tired) so I picked her up and asked her what was up. Her reply?

R: "I'm ready to go to bed, because I am very tired."

Me: "I know! You had a very busy day and now you're body is super sleepy."

R: "Well... I fink its because there is SO much laundry to do!"

Yep. She's listening alright! :-)